More training and new faces (David and Zachariah)

[Joker]

Zachariah looked toward David and said "Well we could always check them for letters or something we could use to track us back to the person who wanted us dead just a thought"  Zachariah figured if all of them could combine their powers they might be able to backtrack. Zachariah looked around him who would want them dead the only ones who knew each other where Brenton and David. But whoever it was would be dead soon if not within the day if he was within reach. 

So Zachariah started to walk over to the sleeping men eventually one of them would find something to trace the mercenaries back to their beginning. 

[Brenton]

Leon simply shrugged and looked at David with no trace of anger in his gaze. He would not hold malice within him toward someone who didn't know of his personality. After all, it wasn't the human's fault that Leon was a calm and non violent person for most of the time he walked around. With a simple wave of his hand toward the mercenaries, Lionheart spoke in a soft tone. I am not a violent person, contrary to what my arsenal says about me. It is out of necessity that I carry so many weapons and kill so many people who would normally live full happy lives with their families. Because I have to do that, I recognize the times that it isn't a need to slay anyone today. They are asleep and their employer is probably some sap who was wronged by either you or Brenton.

Brenton was busy looking through the pockets of a sleeping merc when Leon explained why he had done what he did. In his mind, Leon was being the bigger person and trying to help those who attacked David. That made the knight's blood boil and he was on his feet swing a punch in a matter of seconds. He would not stand idly by while people tried to harm him and his allies. He also would not allow someone to defend these people and berate David's opinion. But when his fist was caught, Brenton growled and his eyes flashed darker gold.

In the shadows, a man had been standing with his back against the wall so he could see everything around him. With all of his knowledge of the streets and his line of work, the man was invisible and knew who sent these mercenaries after the former king. He, after all, had been approached first with the same request.

When Brenton attacked one of the half elves the man slipped from the shadows and caught his older mentor's fist in one hand. He was, after all, a rider who had extensive training and vast strength. Brenton-elda, calm yourself and remember who you are dealing with. I was trained by you and have been a knight as well as an assassin. If not for these two then I would've had to step in and you would have more than likely died. Respect this man instead of fighting him.

When Konner was done speaking to Brenton he turned to the others and started the elven greeting. Forgive my old mentor. He is stubborn and very protective of those he cares about. By your words he took offense and I was prepared for that situation. My name is Konner Derriksson, rider of Talon Fireclaw. He's flying above to scout the area but I came down to inform you that the new Troop Captain garrisoned in Gilead sent these men with explicit orders to take out anyone who knows Brenton. I just got done protecting his friends who were in danger as well.

[David Lightningsword]

David nodded at Leon "Yet still, It would be best to know this 'sap' and who he is. That way we could end this without having to kill or erase the memories of people trying to make a living..and deal with the source." The Rider was of course trying not to kill more people, and end the source sending the meat towards them for slaughter.

Next Brenton jumped in and swung a punch towards Leon, but another man came out and grabbed his fist. They had a moment, and David learned that this man was indeed an old pupil of Brentons. At first David was jealous, but the Rider pushed it aside and finished the elven greeting. "Greetings Konner Derriksson, I am David Lightningsword, and this is my Dragon, Zeus." Zeus looked the man over before relaying his greeting through David. "He says your timing is perfect."

Zeus then growled when he learned of this man who sent these mercs. "Then we shall go and end him" He pushed his thoughts out even to Konner. David turned to his Dragon and said "No. you are not yet big enough to carry me to Gil'ead, let alone Brenton. In a month or two maybe, but not yet."

[Joker]

 " I agree with David on this if we don't want any more bloodshed then we should cut it off at the source if we don't then more will come even more then before and even if you are the best swordsmen in the world eventually your luck will run out so unless anyone has a army in their back pocket I suggest killing this man before he can kill us. No offense to you Lionheart but I for one do not want to die yet it doesn't matter when we kill him it only matters if we do. I for one am not a warmongering person and if there was another way this could go down then I would go to that but if we wipe his mind we may wipe something we did not mean to wipe and I don't want to worry every time I lay my head down to sleep that my throat may be slit by some low life looking for gold to feed his habits."


 With that Zachariah sat down on a near by barrel waiting for the rest of groups response to what he had just said hoping he had not offended anyone in the process.    

[Brenton]

Talon swooped from the skies above and growled menacingly toward the eastern gate. Something was happening soon and he had to help get these people out. We have another group coming this way but they aren't normal cut throats. These are assassins born and raised in this life. I count ten to twelve in a two minute walk around us. Let's prepare to fighter get out. The dragon had his massive red head lowered and his teeth were bared in a snarl.

Brenton was just calming down when Talon swooped down and spoke to them about assassins surrounding their location. There was one way out of this but against ten assassins, they were pretty well screwed. Yes Konner could hold his own and escape, David and Zeus could fly out of there, and Brenton could hold his own against them if they fought fair. But the others couldn't fight as well as two trained assassins or knights. It was a simple fact of life.

With a deft snap of his wrist, Brenton pulled one of his knight's short swords out and then unsheathed Undbitr. We have two options right now and neither of them are pretty. We can try to run but assassins are very adept at hunting down prey. The second option is the one I'm taking. We stand and fight them until the last breath. But after we win then we set course for Gilead immediately.

Konner watched as Brenton spoke and he nodded with determination. This was the half elf that he remembered so well and came to respect. So because of that, Konner stood next to Brenton with his own sword at the ready. Now it was up to the other three.

Leon listened to what everyone had to say and finally nodded. He walked over and bowed his head to the two older men. I may be fast and strong but I follow your lead in this since you both appear to know what you're doing.

[David Lightningsword]

When the Giant Red Dragon swooped down from the sky and announced more assassins coming.. true bred ones, Zeus lifted his head to the sky, he reared back on his hind legs, wings outspread, and he roared to the sky. "Let them come." He growled, daring them to come and try their hands at battling a Dragon.

David was not thrilled to enter a battle so soon after the last one they fought, and this time with truly skilled assassins. He had to admit, he had a quick thought of fleeing with Zeus and Heralda, hiding until Zeus became big enough to strike back.. maybe when he began to breath fire. David knew though, that only a coward would do this..plus even he could not convince Zeus to leave when there was finally a battle in which he could truly prove himself. David then pulled Kveykva from its black sheath and stood beside Brenton on the opposite side "They shall feel the full power of this Lightningsword" He declared brandishing the black blade.

Heralda saw there was no time for pleasantries, and knew their hope was slim without her help, so she opened her mind and declared "Now is not the time for explanations. Zachariah Crow, I am the presence you felt. I am Heralda, Dragon of Kronos. My body was slain over 50 years ago, but I live on. Now i shall join minds with all of you and help you win this battle. I shall not let The grandson of my Rider and his friends perish due to some ancient law."

Zeus connected minds with the new comer Dragon. "Talon Fireclaw, my name Is Zeus. Shall we show these two legged assassins why they should never mess with the likes of a Dragon?" He Black Dragon rumbled in his deep voice.

[Brenton]

((Sorry for breaking posting order))

Talon felt the mind of Heralda and hummed with vicious joy. He knew that Brenton had his three eldunari but a fourth was very helpful in this fight. Then Zeus contacted him and the dragon rumbled deep in his chest. These two legged assassins will feel our wrath but be warned that my rider is also an assassin. He will use whatever weapons and skills to win this fight so don't attack him.

As the talking was commencing, three more minds melded with the group to lend their strength. All three were dragons slain in their respective battles. The first one to speak was the oldest of them. I am Saphira, the dragon of Brom, and I am here to lend the strength I hold in my eldunari with you for this battle. The second was a deeper voice filled with tinges of madness from his time crafted by dark spells. I am Vaentr, Brenton's first dragon who was slain in battle with a shade. I'll help with this battle as well. And the third was a more childish tone but still deep enough to symbolize his adult body. I am the second dragon of Brenton and his third eldunari, Grazael. I was slain by our friend Isrydia when we tried to purge her mind of witches. Now use my strength as well.

Well we now have four eldunari, two dragons, three riders, and two half elves. I think we can put up a reasonable fight. So let's go! Brenton spun and slashed Undbitr just as an assassin tried to impale him from behind. He knew the subtle sounds of an approaching assassin and so he had heard the now dead killer when he got within striking distance. Another closed the gap from the shadows and sent Brenton rolling backwards. He would've died if Konner didn't appear and kill the assassin with a hidden blade.

[Joker]

(no problem brenton good post assassins sound real good) Zachariah pulled out Shadow Fang from his sheath as soon as he heard the pitter patter of feet across the road and he turned around to see a two assassins go after brenton both to end in failure. Then Zachariah looked up to see one jumping off one of the roofs straight at him he rolled to the left and when the assassin rolled Zachariah slashed at the assassin but to end with his blade meeting with the blade of a rapier and he looked up to see a blacked robed man. Zachariah looked to find the other man only to find him up with a crossbow in hand and he shot. Zachariah rolled out of the way and the bolt went at the other assassin and that one deflected that towards Zachariah and he could not move in time the bolt hit him in his side slicing through his wards and into his flesh within second he fell to his knees and over to his side his heart rate slowly dropping.

(I hope it was a ok post can you two work with it ) 

[David Lightningsword]

Heralda realized with a start that she was the oldest being their, and that she should take some of the lead. She had plenty of battle experience, and knew stratagy thanks to Kronos. She said "Saphira, Vaentr, Grazael we shall pool our resources for anyone to draw upon in the battle. David, draw your strength from me before you go to Zeus. Konner, do the same with one of Brenton's dragons before you go to Talon for your strength. Leon, Zachariah, as you have no dragons, you shall of course draw from us first." She did not need to tell brenton what to do, as he was well experienced..and his Eldunari of course would be his pol of strength.. but if it came down to it, Heralda would loan him her strength as well.

Zeus huffed at Talon's warning. While Zeus may have been young, he was not that dense. He rumbled "I would never harm another dragon's rider unless they attempted to take my own Rider's life." That was when the assassins attacked. First nothing happened near him, then Zeus felt a blade brake against his scales. He whipped around and roared loudly at the assassin, He then swiped at the assassin, who jumped back out of the way of his lethal claws. The assassin pulled out a blade, which was pure brown. "One of the Forsworn's blades! Zeus be careful" Heralda cried. She then contacted David who had just slain the assassin who had harmed Zachariah and growled "Protect Zeus, the assassin has a forsworn blade!"

Heralda then ordered "Leon, quickly protect and heal Zachariah, or he shall perish, draw upon One of Brenton's Eldunari's strength, for I must assist David in his battle."

David rushed to his dragons aid, using a little magic to vault over Zeus, he then pulled his sword up just in time to block the brown blade from striking and most likely killing his dragon. David was pleased with the moment of shock and fear the reached the assassins eyes, but it was gone quickly. David felt like the fear should have stayed, for it was he, David Zeusson Lightningsword, rider of the Black Dragon Zeus, he who slew over 100 urgals with 1 spell which earned him his name. The assassin should be afraid.. David began to spar with the assassin, finding him a worthy opponent. The man was quicker than David, but he, like Brenton, knew he would win in the end, so he fought with an ego larger than his head.

Zeus meanwhile helped by keeping other assassins off his rider. The less experienced ones.. and the ones who did not have riders blades."Do not let him best you David" Zeus growled as he bit off an assassins head.. this assassin had slipped up for a second, but that was all Zeus needed. To this David replied in a snipped tone "I don't plan on it."

[Brenton]

Leon ran forward, vaulting over several assassins with a muttered enchantment to give him further jumping capabilities. Soon he was at the side of his fellow half elf and already forming his magic into a ball at the center of his being for easier access. Along with his own, the enhanced spellcaster drew from Saphira and combined the energy to better his spells. With a quick cursory glance he noticed the wound was near fatal and would take three different enchantments, each ten minutes long. So he called for Konner to defend him while he worked.

Then he started in with the first spell which was meant to clean the wound of any poison and infection that had set in. It was far beyond the capacity of normal elves but Leon had trained for situations just like this one. As the first spell was finished, Leon melded his mind with Saphira and the other eldunari so they could see what was in the weapons of these assassins. He had come across two different toxins that destroyed the central nervous system and a deep gash that had torn muscle as well as ripped through important arteries.

Leon started the second spell by weaving the fibers of the severed veins and arteries back together before moving to cleaning blood from internal organs. Next he repaired the muscles and tissues so there wound be no scar left afterwards when he was finally finished. The third part of the spell was simply to jump start the body and refresh Zachariah with enough energy to move and fight. Finally it was done and Leon collapsed, his body sore from the constant healing.

Konner had noticed that Leon was healing the fallen half elf and so he took up a position to ward off the assassins. Yet in the process he came across a group of four men he used to see as allies. One of them he had even trained to be an assassin worthy of rank and title. Now though he was fighting men he once fought beside. Several small gashes were received on Konner's neck and calves but he took down the four assassins by the time Leon was done.

Brenton held his own as he slowly backed up to try and help David yet it wasn't to be as he was surrounded. This fight wasn't the knight's to be won though. He took a sword to his back and then another assassin hamstringed him in the process of jumping up to avoid the weapons.

[Joker]

Zachariah woke up seeing Leon on the ground next to him and Zachariah figured Leon had healed his wound. Even though Zachariah was still sore he knew he had to protect Leon until he was able to move again. Then two other assassins ran at Zachariah swords drawn one of which was the one who had shot him. They both ran at him at the same time one swung at his midsection and the other at his face and Zachariah back stepped and he caught the one assassins's sword with his own pushing forwards putting him off balance and Zachariah dispatched him. The next assassin was smarter keeping a fair distance from him catching each blow with his own.

[David Lightningsword]

David squared off with the assassin, their blades playing a certain harmony as they bashed them together. Neither one cared about going edge on edge, as these were riders blades, which could never dull..never break. He heard the mental roar and knew from Heralda's emotions that Brenton had fallen. "He is not dead, but he is severely wounded" Zeus growled in his mind. David attacked the man with renewed effort, pushing the skilled swordsman back a bit, David arms moving faster than normal.. had the effects of being a dragon rider started to take effect and he was slowly gaining the speed of an elf, or was it because Brenton was injured?

Out of the blue, Heralda said urgently "we have little time. Konner, get on your dragon and take to the skies, David, do the same with Zeus. Head up into those clouds. We have to let them believe they have won." David didn't exactly trust that idea.. but Heralda and Kronos had survived the fall, so she had to know something. That was why David did not need telling twice, he raised his hand and barked "Thrysta!" sending the man flying back far enough to give David enough time to climb onto Zeus back.

Zeus was not thrilled to leave, but he trusted the older dragon, and with a roar, jumped into the sky, gaining height quickly as he used his muscular wings to climb into the clouds, where he stayed, waiting for Talon and more instructions from Heralda "We better move quickly, or Brenton and the others will be dead." David said mentally to the group in the sky. He felt Zeus would not be able to hold his weight much longer, but Zeus blew that off, feeling stronger than the last time they flew together already. He felt like he could fly With David for a hour or two without even growing tired now.

[Brenton]

Before Konner could jump onto the back of Talon, Saphira cast her mind forcefully at Heralda. You are not the only dragon to have survived the fall with your rider and you won't be the last to run across me. But know that I also survived with Brom and would've survived to today if not for that treacherous Moran. Now I command of you to listen to reason for one moment and recognize that even if Konner and David leave with Zeus and Talon then the other three will surely die a one sided battle. That is no way to go and no dragon should wish it upon anyone, especially when one of them teaches David everything right now.

Konner wouldn't leave his former mentor even if it meant he died and the fact that David left meant he was still too weak to fight properly. It was best he flew away so that the rider would live another day but there would be no other day for this assassin. With a roar of challenge, the assassin drew his sword to a full ready stance and allowed his hidden blades to slide out in plain sight. Run like cowards if you like but Brenton did too much for Talon and I. He fought for this country and stepped up as king just to give it to the rightful heir. He does not deserve to die alone now or ever!

Assassins were joined by a handful of mercenaries as they surrounded Konner and Talon. The assassins all wielded rider blades and so they were the most dangerous of the group but still mortal and enemies. Blinding strikes were dealt as the rider swung his sword and stabbed his hidden blade through important veins. Enemies fell left and right but they were still all around Konner.

[David Lightningsword]

(breaking the Order again, sorry)

Heralda snarled at Saphira's forceful speaking "Watch your tongue young-ling. You may have survived the Fall, but you were young. You had yet to truly join the ranks of the Riders. I was old before you hatched. I fought alongside many dragons and riders during my time in the order, I know some tactics. it will require your strength to continue after the initial revealing. Keep that in mind." She then spoke harshly to Konner "You shall regret speaking in that manner once we save you all."

David did not want to leave, nor did Zeus really, but they trusted Heralda "This plan better be good" David told Heralda, whom growled "Of course it is. It however, will require a lot of concentration from you, and a lot of strength from all of us."

Zeus asked "What is your plan Heralda?" He was curious how the older dragon planned to save everyone with retreating for the battle. Zeus was young, but he knew the best way to end a battle was to kill everyone aiming for your death.

Heralda said calmly "David, you must create an illusion.. multiple in fact. These assassins are good, but every man is ruled by fear.. and what is more scary than Dragons and Riders descending into battle. Unfortunately, we are a little short on Riders to call in, so you must create 2 illusions.. at the same time. I will provide energy, as will Zeus I am sure. It will be enough for the descending.. but if it works, we will need to keep it up until the remaining assassins leave. hopefully the other Eldunari will step up to the plate." She then began to give David the words to say.

David closed his eyes and started to mutter the lines. slowly, the image of Saphira and Eragon began to appear to his left. he looked over and continued to mutter as he defined the ghost Dragon and Rider's features. When he was pleased, he began again, taking energy from Heralda and Zeus to maintain the first as he worked on the second, which began to form into the only other larger dragon he knew other than Talon.. Kvalsidae. He then worked on Auduriel, when that was done, David was sweating. "Go!" He gasped as Zeus roared, mirrored more loudly by Ghost Saphira and Ghost Kvalsidae. They all descended, the Ghost dragon spewing real flames when they were close enough to the ground, barbequing 2 assassins. The others began to panic, leaving them open to be killed.

Heralda then growled to the other Eldunari and Talon "Lend David your strength now or it is all over!"

[Joker]

(sorry guys I had my ankle broke moving something up the stairs been in bed for the last couple of days dang crutches didn't help any glad to be back)

Zachariah still defending leon from assassins saw the two dragons come out of the sky and he recognized one of them as Eragon the savior of the varden and he had no clue of who the other one was he was thankful for the illusion that david was making with the help of the dragons. If not for them Zachariah probably would had not been able to hold out much longer after he had just been healed of a life threatening wound the two assassins he was fighting saw the dragons and ran in the other way and Zachariah put away shadow shadow fang and put tempest in his hands and shot at the two assassins but both arrows stopped about a few inches from them and fell Zachariah swore and put tempest back on his back not wanting to waste any more arrows on the assassins and mercenaries both running as fast as their feet could carry them.

[Brenton]

Vaentr and Grazael had pitched in with their energy to fuel the spell but Saphira wasn't going to help someone that followed orders from a pompous ancient dragon who fled when everyone needed them. At least her rider had continued attacking the Forsworn and built the Varden, what did this ancient dragon do after she ran? Most of the elders, even Kelocias and Istven, had gone into hiding until now. But Saphira died to take down all of the Forsworn that still had lived. Now she was being commanded by one who was but 50 years older than she was?

As the images descended, Konner slew the last of the brave assassins who had stayed behind. He was far stronger than they were and they wouldn't kill him. One of the assassins had been carrying a rider blade which now was abandoned on the ground. Maybe he would have someone smith this sword down into two curved long knives made just like a rider sword. That would be good for all who had been without such weapons for so long.

Dragon, you dare to threaten me when I stand able to use magic at will and you are just a fragile stone? Don't think that I am above taking your life from this world entirely if you try to command me one more time in any area. Now thank you for the help but I really must attend to Brenton's wounds that will kill him soon. With that he crouched down and began healing his friend and former mentor. It took about ten minutes but the elf knight was soon able to move again.

Did I hear something about ending someone's life? Renton blearily mumbled to the group that stood around him. He had a splitting headache and could hardly walk much less form coherent thoughts.

[David Lightningsword]

When David and Zeus landed, David noticed the remaining assassins were dead.. and none of them were the strange one with the brown riders blade. That one must have escaped. Knowing that the remaining ones knew it was too stupid to attack again, David let go of the spell, leaning forward against Zeus's neck, draining of any of his energy. between healing Brenton and the illusions, David had no energy left to even sit up straight.

Zeus and Heralda were tired too. When Konner threatened Heralda's life, Zeus growled "You would have to go through me elf. Would you wish separate A Rider from his Dragon?" Zeus knew Konner would bow down to that, as he was a Rider himself, and would know how much it would hurt for David to watch his Dragon die. Zeus highly doubted that Konner would want to inflict that on any Rider, safe for enemy ones.

Heralda soothed the group with a quiet "Peace" She then continued "My apologies Konner, and Saphira. If I were to explain the plan to you, it would not have worked, and you all would be dead. The Assassins needed to believe they had won, and for that you needed to believe you were abandoned. Had I not come up with it, we would all be dead.. they had taken two of our number our already. David was close to falling, and they greatly outnumbered us." She then gave Konner the remainder of her spare energy to help him heal Brenton.

David spoke weakly from Zeus's back, looking at the group "So what now?"

[Joker]

Zachariah realized that if things kept going this way then this alliance would come to a bloody stop and almost all had the things called Eludanari each of which seemed immensely powerful to their own respect. something had to cool everyone down and quick.


"we all have a mutual enemy and it is not each other the more time we waste arguing with each other the more time this guard captain has more time to send more men to kill us and we will not be able to fend them off forever so my idea is to start traveling to Gi'lead as fast as we can and kill this guard captain as soon as possible if anyone has another idea then let's hear it" Zachariah said answering David's question  

[Brenton]

Trenton grumbled about missing the best part of the fight but reached up and slapped Konner across the face. He was being hot headed and stubborn just like when the half elf had trained him but this time it was going to end with blood spilled. Calm down everyone and think for a second. We were attacked by mercenaries first who we killed easily but then assassins showed up with better weapons and they took out two half elves while causing discord through the rest of us. To me it sounds like they are trying to weaken the group and get us to kill each other. So what we need to do is come up with a plan to wipe out the imminent threat to our health and stick together. We have riders who are equipped with blades meant for destruction and from what I can tell, Leon is carrying weapons he crafted with his own spells. This is a formidable alliance and they know it.

Konner glared at Zeus for a second and sparks or red energy began to flicker across his fingertips but then he felt a sharp slap and his magic just vanished entirely to who knew where. The assassin knew that his old mentor had slapped him and it appeared to be Leon who was blocking his magic so there wouldn't be a fight. With a sigh, he dropped his head and listened to what everyone had to say about their current predicament with this corrupt soldier.

Leon was sitting up when he saw the look in Konner's eyes as he began to gather energy. With a mildly quick muttered spell, he blocked the man from using any magic which would help the situation some. Unfortunately it was taxing energy wise so he ended the spell when Konner calmed. I can go in and use spells to barricade the soldiers away from the commander while we deal with him but it shouldn't take all of us unless he has more assassins at his beck and call.

[David Lightningsword]

David nodded slowly as a small plan was made "Aye, we are a formidable alliance. Who could hope go up against 2 Riders, 2 dragons, a Knight who was once a Rider and King, two half elves and 4 Eldunari? As Leon here has said, as long as there aren't more assassins, not all of us will be needed. I Still say all of us should make for Gi'lead as once. Zeus can only carry me that distance, and just barely. But Talon is big enough to carry Brenton as well. We could be there with in the week. If Zachariah and Leon ride hard, they could be there with in two weeks. We could finish this captain and whomever it is that wields that Forsworn blade and finally have peace." This came out slowly, as he was still recovering from the spell.

Zeus was concerned for David's health, as he had used up too much energy, and refused to take too much from Zeus and the Eldunari. So he projected his thoughts and asked "Does anyone have food for David? He needs to replenish his energy, or he shall loose consciences"

Heralda stayed silent, as she could tell she had deeply angered the other Rider.. and Saphira had yet to express anymore feelings. She liked the plan though, and wanted to get it done quickly so that David and Zeus could continue with their training.