Rekindling old roots

[madge]

The sun was just now setting, the sky filled with a an ominous orange and red. Xion was flying just above the clouds, his scales gleaming in what remained of the sunlight. It was getting quite cold for Ty, but he ignored the uncomfortable feeling, shedding it from his mind. It was at this moment, that he experienced a familiar touch.

"Descend, It's getting late and both of you have much to learn. I believe we are safe." Commanded Elden, his voice roaring through The Dragon and his Rider's mind with an unsettling ferocity. Xion did as he was told, and dove towards a clearing located in a thicket of trees surrounded by the Beor Mountains. Once the two had landed, camp had to be prepared. Elden waited patiently as the other scurried around trying to prepare for a few days of rest. Ty unloaded the heavy sacks which hung from the Dragon's massive body, allowing Xion the chance to hunt.

"Bring some extra boar flanks, we need to stock up on meat. We have a lot of learning, and training ahead of us. We wouldn't want to keep Elden waiting."[/b][/i] commented Ty, his voice rather soft, obviously fatigued. "Alright young one, and don't go getting yourself into trouble. I'm getting quite tired of rescuing you from yourself." snorted Xion playfully as he hummed with laughter. A smile appeared on Ty's face as he sent his acknowledgement. Ty found himself soon at work. First, he built a rather large fire pit. This task required the removal of large, buried stones, and the retrieval of cedar. His armor had been unpacked, and rested neatly upon a towel. Blankets had been setup, so that Xion could rest comfortably. Elden's Eldunari had been removed with extreme ease, and packed into a pouch which hung firmly around the young rider's neck.

"Brisngr" mumbled Ty as he lifted his palm towards the fire pit. A medium sized fire erupted, and soon heat filled the air, accompanied by the smell of burning cedar. Ty smiled, and found himself sitting criss-crossed upon the many blankets. He closed his eyes, and lost himself to meditation.

[Aisling]

Aisling and Faeon landed only a short while after the red rider and dragon. The elf gracefully hopped off the lumbering shoulder's of her dragon, happily greeted by a fire. The smell was somewhat refreshing, he had chosen some lovely fragrant wood, and Aisling loved fragrant fires

"Must you eat meat in my presence?" Aisling asked sourly, as she walked to the fire gingerly.

She sat down in front of the orange glowing fire, crossing her legs. She ignored the thought of the death of animals that floated in her mind. Faeon came behind her wrapping his large neck around her, placing his head to her left. He seemed almost asleep, but one golden eye remained open, watching the other rider.

I still don't trust him, Faeon growled to his rider.

Elden will be teaching him, we are merely her to oversee. Dnn't fret, Faeon all will be well. she said to her dragon softly.

[madge]

The rider ignored the Rider of old, his discipline far exceeding that of a common human. He had come a long way, his training with the elves, and With the White rider had proved significant, however he still had much to learn. He kept his thoughts focused on one thing, and one thing alone, Xion. The beautiful beast had been much more then a friend to Ty. He was family, he was Ty's brother. The heat from the fire whisked away, slapping the young rider in the face multiple times. However, the sensation was quickly dismissed. It was until Ty felt the massive force of Elden pushing into his conscious, that he realized how much time had actually passed.

"You've been at it for a while now, I think it's time we talk." Elden stated calmly, his voice powerful. "Alright, do we need to wait for Xion?" The red rider asked curiously. Elden remained silent for what seemed like minutes before responding. "No, this is a matter that you need to learn before we even think about pressing on. It's about your place in this war. After this training, we are flying straight to the Varden." Ty gasped, as he opened his eyes. A feeling of pain struck at his heart, and his temper flared up. "There's NO way I'm doing that. If I were to fight for ANYONE, it'd be the emp-" Ty tried to fight out, but was cut off by Elden's ferocious roar. "You insolent whelp, do you not REALIZE what he did? What he did to me, and all the others who followed in my place!? I refuse to train you unless you swear in the oath that you will fly to the Varden." [/b]Ty looked down to his hands, his eyes low. "I can't..the woman I love fights for the empire. I can't bring myself to harm her. If I were to meet her in battle, i would surely throw down my weapons and die." Elden's fierceness had died down dramatically, and Ty could feel his remorse. "I'm sorry, but this war is bigger then just you two riders. There's more at stake then emotion." [/b]Ty threw his head up as he stared into the stars. He didn't want the other rider to notice the tears which filled his eyes. Despite what Elden said, Ty knew he would take a sword to the gut before he would even think about raising his hand against Zane. He knew he would free her, and that their love would continue to flourish. "I promise, I'll fly to the Varden. But I almost killed one of their riders, I doubt they'll receive me with open arms." Ty's words were cold, and almost dead. A portion of him had almost died, just by mere thought of betraying Zane and Callen.

[Aisling]

Aisling and Faeon listened to the conversation between Elden and Ty, with interest. As Elden spoke about the crimes of Galbatorix, Faeon growled venomously at the thought. The elf's hand subconsciously went to the large roping scar on her lower back. The crimes were very real to both rider and dragon. Both's moods seemed to darken at the thought.

"Elden-elda is right, Ty," Aisling said cooly, "He is an evil man who was warped the mind of the woman you love for selfish gain."

Faeon ceased his growling as the white haired elf placed a hand on his large neck, it was a calming gesture, that always seemed to work on the white dragon. The pair continued to listen until a decision between the two had been made.

"Elden-elda," Aisling said addressing the ancient dragon heart, "Perhaps it is not wise for him to run to the Varden so quickly. They will need to be talk down from murdering him on the spot. I know the commander at Farthen Dur...She will want Ty's blood...if not his head on the chopping block. She is not of the best temperament."

Faeon snorted in agreement, smoke coming from his nostrils.

Aisling sighed and touched Ty's mind with her own in private conversation.
Some people, like your lover, need someone as mad as them to help them fix their own madness. Your lover's mind is full madness, just as the King's. You, unlike her, don't need someone to keep it at bay. The King is good for her. He is not good for you. You are an individual that needs room to grow and learn, and the Varden will give you that ability. But you must throw away your pride and earn their trust. I can only vouch for you, which may stop them from killing you on sight. But You must win over the Desert Commander Artemis, and the rider you almost killed and her were very close friends. You have your work cut out for you.

[madge]

Ty cupped his eyes within the palms of his hands. He soaked in the conversation, and kept quiet. Many different cases were being brought up, but Ty knew what he had to do. Despite the fact that he intended on training in this location, his old home.. He knew he had to fly to the Varden, and now. A feeling within him burned with passion, whilst the other half of him wanted to die at the hands of the Varden. He shrugged off his emotions, looking up just as Xion landed behind him. Smoke clouding the air as the dragon folded his wings In. Xion had been present for the whole conversation, at least in mind. He shared the same thoughts as Ty, which is why he waited for his Rider to mount up. Elden could also sense a strong force brewing within the young rider, and it almost caused a sense of happiness to reflect from the ancient Eldunari.

"No, let them throw their anger at me now. We'll leave at once." Stated a young Ty, his voice warm, yet filled with strength. He didn't talk about his lover, mainly because he knew what would happen if things came down to it. He would rescue her from her madness, and he would keep his word and marry her. He gave her his word that he would be back, and he would be damned if he broke it. After packing up the many blankets, The rider would mount Xion. "I'll need you to lead the way old one. However, please once we arrive, don't interfere. I'll take their hatred, i'll soak it in like a sponge, and expel it once the formalities are over." Elden remained silent, the old dragon being reminded of his former Rider. "Agreed" replied Elden. Xion remained quiet, for Ty was the dragon's voice. He had no reason to speak unless he needed to discuss a personal issue with the Rider.

[Aisling]

Aisling raised an eyebrow at the red rider before snorting. She offered her advice once in a blue moon and if he wanted to learn the hard way so be it. Foolish humans never a learn a thing. Act like they know everything and when it goes wrong they blame it on someone else, she said to Faeon, who had rose from his resting place.

Have no guilt, white-pointy-eared one, it's no skin off your nose if he gets himself killed, the white dragon said with a snort.

Aisling furrowed her eyebrows at her dragon, Faeon had no like for Ty. It was obvious to her. She had to calm him half the time from attacking just out of spite. It was strange, Faeon was never the aggressive type. He had always been wiser than that. But he had more hate for the Empire than even she. He had a more vivid memory of the Fall than she did, perhaps that was why.

If you disgree with my actions of teaching him Faeon, just tell me. I don't want to be working against each other, she said to him as she gathered her own supplies.

Your teaching is too good for him if you ask me. Anyone who doesn't accept help from someone as wise as you is too foolish to be taught anything," Faeon growled, his golden eye staring at Ty indifferently.

Aisling gracefully climbed into her saddle, sighing at Faeon's bitterness. It was hard to talk to him when he was like this.

"If you call me Old one, one more time I'll hit you," she said to Ty shaking her head, "Just call me Aisling or Aisling-svit-kona. It'll make me feel younger. You make it sound like I'm ancient."

She motioned to the sky and said, "I'll show you the way, but I only reveal the route to Xion. Not you. For safety matters. And since you will not allow me to vouch for you, I must treat you like I would anyone else in your position. I can not show you the way, but I can show Xion. Respect my wishes."

She paused for a moment remembering something important, "Before you do end up dead...just a fair warning do not address the commander in the Ancient language...she does not speak it, and she resents the fact when people so speak it to her. That may save your ass."

She added the human curse word for emphasis. Maybe that could get through his thick skull. She touched Xion's mind sharing the route with him, if he chose to connect with her. And with a massive sound, The white rider and dragon took off into the sky.