The Bonded

"I do know a bit." She told him as they moved about the river. Mia just stuck her hands into the rushing waters, mimicking the motion he did moments ago, splashing water across her face. Mia almost seem to shake herself out at the chill of the water. She gasped after that, almost like she was trying to get air, "Cold!" She said with a shiver. She wasn't expecting that, how he just dunked his head in the water she had no idea. Mia rubbed her face trying to warm it again. Soon after Mia stuck her feet into the river, letting the water rush over her.


"I do know actual dragons that I have spoken too and are friends with. A red dragon named Roen, he travels with a woman named Rhea. Apparently in a previous life I had bonded with a Wyvern named Terlen. I've not meet Terlen in this life, but I did meet an offspring of hers, can't recall his name. I meet the offspring of Terlen with my late master. The one who died recently, I was with him when I had meet Roen.... 40 years ago?" She almost seemed like she was asking, though she stared off into the distance across the river as she spoke. "There are mindless dragons and there are intelligent dragons.... there are as many dragon types as there are species of humanoids." She stated before standing up and looking to Damius.


She made eye contact with him then, "Dragons are no small feat to kill or tame. Though I think they should be respected like any creature. Humanoids can be just as destructive and reckless as a dragon fighting for its life... I wish to know a situation before my own judgement is set... forgive me for thinking so. Though I think the knight should have turned back to take response for his wrongdoing." She told him. It was still fresh, everything on his mind and shes only known him for a little more than a day. She just hoped not to say anything wrong around him. She needed to build a strong relationship with him... but she won't build it off lies or false feelings.
 
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He laughed waving his hands dismissively as he turned his vision upwards. "I blame not the dragon for it's riders orders, a chained beast is nothing more than a slave. It is no different than you and I, should I wish for you to bring destruction upon this land you would be obligated to do so." He turned back on her then looking her in the eyes.


"Oh how my heart burns with hatred for the dragons rider, could I slay him I would. Although deep down I understand that my father and mother would not wish it so. Father fought in two wars and I have heard of the horrors. Maybe one day should the time arise and we come face to face with that rider and his dragon, he shall answer for his atrocities. We shall not seek him out though, first we must carve a place for ourselves in this unforgiving world." He stopped taking a deep breath, determination burned in his eyes though there still linger a hint of sadness.


Damius turned away from her looking towards the north, the Albazor mountains standing high in the distance their white peaks standing brightly against the clear blue sky. He thought of his family and the life he might have lived, everything had changed so suddenly. I have Mia at my side now though, as loyal a companion as I shall ever find on this road, he thought to himself as he ran his fingers through his damp hair once again.


"Off we go then, we still have ground to cover before nightfall."
 
"I don't need sleep. If you can sleep while riding I could carry you and walk." Mia suggested as they started to walk. Not that she would really sleep the closer to the city they got anyway. Things lurk at night on the outside of cities. Even when you are on the inside of a city, crooked things can happen, it only gets worse on the outside of the laws bounds. Mia worried for her new master already, she does not know much about him, how he would react to certain situations or how much of the worlds danger he knows. "Also... do tell me how you wish me to appear... often when I have this form I play the role of a little sister. I can't call out to you at all or Master will make me seem like a slave, though some don't care and just say it as it is. I am not sure if slavery is illegal in this city.... I can appear in my tiger form as a pet. It is.... your choice in the end. Those are just things my previous masters have done."
 
"Stay as you are, I enjoy being able to communicate with you. Come come, let's walk I wish to inquire about more things." He said turning towards the north, walking along the river bank. They walked for a few minutes, Damius placing both hands behind his head, cradling it gently as he looked up towards the blue sky. "Keep this form unless we need you in tiger form, then by all means change. I shall inquire around Tamrill, I know many shop owners in the area thanks to father. I'll have to get use to the 'Master' thing, but I need not explain myself to anyone."


He kicked a rock off to his left, it hit the water skipping twice before it sank into the white and blue surface. The sun had reached its pinnacle in the sky slowly starting it's descent. He leaned his head to the right looking towards Mia, "Tell me of your adventures, oh there must be many I'm sure."
 
"Adventures..." Mia repeated. She skipped a bit trying to keep up with Damius as he walked. She was much smaller than him, though she had ten times the energy. Her mind turned a bit as she tired to think of things, there was a lot she has done in a span of 90 some years. She wondered if the boy was expecting something grand or exciting. Most of her or her masters 'adventuring' was walking and talking... much like they are doing now. "There was the time I and my first master had gone into a den of what we thought to be trolls... but we found something much more dangerous." She said, her mind wandered a bit.


"A village was having a small problem with what they thought to be trolls... I had never seen trolls before hand so I was honestly not sure what to expect..." Mia started, not really giving Damius time to say if he wanted or didn't want to hear the story. "So Master and I wandered into the base of the mountains where they were said to reside... it was about a days journey of dense pines. When we arrived we decided to rest on the outside of the cave, in the pine trees." Mia made hand motions while she told the story, she pointed up into the trees around her to better illustrate her point, " It was a few hours later that I saw several figures, humans figures, go into the cave. It startled me that humans could be going in there and possibly get themselves killed. I awoke my master as quick as I could, telling him what had happened. We quickly descended the trees and proceeded into the cave with caution."


Mia looked like she was getting a bit into the story because her pace would increase and slow on occasion, she would run to catch up if she ever fell behind. "When we got inside the cave we were expecting trolls to jump out at any corner or even be attacking the people who came in a bit before us.... but there was... nothing." She had put her hands up and waved them around her, illustrating the lack of noise or presence of people.
 
Damius raised an eyebrow curiously as he listened to Mia. "So there was nothing there? No trolls? No people?" He placed a finger to his lips as he looked up in the sky, pondering what she had told him. He turned back on her as they walked a little further. "Is there more?"


He was beginning to really enjoy her company, she seemed to mesmerize him. It was mostly because she peaked his curiosity at every turn. Far more complex than any human he'd ever met, more knowledge, more experience. He saw something that could become a bond in time.


"Did you and your master ever find anything? What happened to the town?" He asked in quick succession, his young imagination running wild.
 
"Of course there is more." Mia said with a smile and a bit of a mischievous giggle, "I was just letting you take in the story a bit." her giggles soon became a small laugh, she enjoyed how eager he was to hear more of her story. Damius is a bards best friend, the souls he can make dreams out of words. "When my master and I continued into the cave and found nothing... we turned decided to turn around and make out way back to the town. but before we even made it to the entrance of the cave, my master stumbled through a part of the cave we were not aware was there. It was a secret entrance... very well disguised."


Mia stumbled a bit in her stride but took a few large steps to regain her footing and started to tell her story again, "We found the humans... though they were not really humans anymore but Lycanthropes. The more common term is werewolves. We had run straight into a ceremony of another human to transform them. Apparently they have been abducting humans and turning them to make a small army... the fight itself was hard and I came out pretty beat... When both have claws it hard not to get hit in that type of close combat.... Oh yeah speaking of combat." She said getting distracted by a thought, she looked to Damius and smile a bit, "I see you have a sword... and you do wish to travel... how much combat do you know? Have you ever been in real combat? With anything... a bear or another human. Sparing doesn't count."
 
His wide eyes never left her as she told her story, stumbling more than once throughout. When she had finished he walked quietly for a bit before he said anything. "So you fought werewolves, I thought them only legends. So you and your master saved the town. I like that story."


After Mia finished her story she inquired about his combat abilities. "Well I'm not much of a swordsman, father taught me fighting techniques but I have never needed to use them so I do not know. I would fancy myself more of a marksman, I have spent most of my days in this forest." He raised his eyes from her glancing up at the treeline, a few bright red birds flying in unison through around the trees.


"I have always had an affinity towards nature. It's like all of this speaks to me, tells me its secrets, guides me." He said gesturing to the vast expanse of wilderness before him. "I fell into this very river when I was but a baby. My parents said the current swept me away, they gave chase but were not fast enough. They scoured the banks of the Tygress for hours to no avail."


He let out a soft sigh as he placed his hands behind his head, cradling it gently before he continued. "Well as the sun dropped low in the sky my parents had turned around thinking me lost. They had not gone very far back upstream when they came across me, off to the right, several yards from the side of the river. I was asleep on a large bed of moss, like I had never been in the river to begin with."
 
Mia listened carefully, her eyes occasionally gracing the Tygress they were following so closely to the moment. Mia could hardly imagine the feeling of losing your own flesh and blood down the river. She had three brothers and she knew one of them that wished nothing more but to watch her drown in such rapids. Not that they are her real brothers... depends on the person and their view. "That is pretty amazing. It sounds like nature has an eye out for you. I am a strong believer in fate... It may be no accident that I met you the other day... especially with recent events. Things have moved fast and I can see great challenges in the future." She told him seriously, though she was hopping around again. Mia would take a few running steps before launching herself forward and landing with both of her feet forward. She wasn't exactly trying to be quiet or stealthy.
 
Damius smiled as he watched her hop around, she was so childlike. He looked up following the Tygress towards the Albazor mountains, slowly the outline of a stone bridge coming into view. "There is our crossing, we should make it there before long." He said keeping his steady pace.


They walked for a short while before they could see the bridge in full view. It sat right under the towering mountains a magnificently carved stone structure large enough for four wagons side by side to cross with ease. The carvings on the bridge were of Dwarven origin, originally a passing for an old Dwarven stronghold high in the mountains to the east.


"So you have never been to this region, yes?"
 
Mia had a tendency to take on the role of the from she was in. It was better for her and the people around her to just be what she was. As a whole she was a readied to kill and follow orders but on the outside she was a child. As they approached a rather large structure her interest was peaked a bit as was her senses.


"Not in this life." She stated, though she paused a bit to take in the bridge. It was rather large... Mia stood quietly listening for any kind of danger. Places where there was only one way to cross dangerous terrains tend to be a breeding ground for trouble like bandits or mercenaries of the wrong kind. "This bridge is usually safe?" She asked her Master, he would know better than anyone else since he was native.
 
He looked towards her at her question. "As far as I know it is. We are fairly isolated out here. There were only two other homes quite a ways from us. On all of my journeys through her too Tamriel I've never encountered a single bandit. The White Helms tend to patrol the region, so unless a hungry bear or those dragons come back then we are pretty safe." He skipped forward towards the bridge running his hands across its smooth surface, fingers tracing the intricate carvings.


"This use to be a crossing used by an ancient clan of dwarves. Their is a sealed up stronghold in the mountains to the east, father took me once. Magnificent towering doors in the side of a mountain, I should have liked to see the inside. They have long since gone." He said as he came to stand on the smooth stones of the bridge.
 
Mia's eyes flashed with a bit of excitement at the mention of the strong hold. "Perhaps we can go some time together! I bet I can break whatever seal is there... be it magic or bars." She followed him onto the bridge, running a bit ahead of him to get to the other side before he did. She liked the feel of the stone under her bare feet, it was cool and soothing. She also liked the sound it made as she ran, it meant a sturdy and reliable build. When she got about half way across she looked behind her at Damius, "Master, what are the White Helms? Are they the guard from the city you keep talking about?" She asked. She wanted to make sure that was in fact what they were before she assumed.
 
Damius watched her run forward, the sound of her bare feet slapping the surface. He spoke raising his voice so that even at a distance she could hear him. "Yes the White Helms are an exquisite group of knights from Tamriel. They patrol these lands and keep those that live around here safe. I onc-" The sound rumbling cut him off and his eyes quickly turned towards the sky thinking the wyverns had returned. The sky was clear though yet the rumbling increased, then out of the corner of his eye he saw them.


At least fifteen armor clad men, riding horses approaching from the other side of the bridge at a quickening pace. It took him a few moments to notice their attire, a sturdy white helm adorned with gold trimming. Their sturdy steel armor adorned in the same fashion.The bright sunlight reflecting brightly off the polished steel, giving the appearance of a bright white aura.


He took up place beside Mia as they stood in the center of the bridge watching the riders approach. "It looks like you'll see the White Helms sooner than I expected. Do not fret, they are friends, just let me speak to them." He said flashing her as smile, grabbing hold of her hand gently.
 
When Mia heard the rumbling she glanced past the bridge and into the distance. There was a lot of them, all full plate armor and with horses to boot. Mia bared her teeth a bit at the approaching armored army. They were more or less coming to investigate the dragons... or other reasons. When Damuis took her hand and told her not to worry she relaxed a bit, she however still felt very wary of the approaching arms men. Gently Mia squeezed Damius's hand ready to jump into action is danger presented itself.
 
Damius stood holding Mia's hand as the riders approached, the loud rumbling changing to the clacking of horse shoes on the stone bridge, though the bridge did vibrate tremendously. Quickly the riders moved to circle them coming to a stop once the ring was complete. One of them urged his horse forward, slowly it trotted and turned side ways so that he could see them more easily.


He carried a large greatsword on his back though his large imposing form made that sword seem small. "Are you children alright, we saw the wyvern's battling high above and got here as soon as we could. Where are your parents?"


Damius winced slightly when the knight asked about his parents, "Good knight, I am Damius and this is Mia." He said nodding in Mia's direction. "Our parents are gone, or so we believe, lost to the fires the great wyvern's caused in their wake."


The knight adjusted in his saddle, the sounds of metal scraping metal as he did so. "Did you see which way the beasts went?"


"To the east, past them mountains I would believe. We were on our way to speak with lord Tannis of Tamriel, to deliver news. Is there any way that you might give us transport?" He said as his eyes wandered across the ring of knights. They could easily carry the two of them with easy.


"Our mission lies in the east, though you are in luck." He said outstretching an armored hand, pointing towards a small wagon being pulled by an old donkey. Atop the bench sat an old man in a fine blue cloak, his hood pulled back behind his head. He had short gray hair and soft blue eyes, his face showing his age. Beside him sat a woman looking equally as old, long white hair flowing from underneath the hood of her cloak which hid her face.


Damius turned his head to look at the old couple. He had met them several times before, one of the few neighboring farm owners. So they got out safely, he thought to himself. "I know that elderly couple, we will catch a ride with them sir knight. Please, proceed with your dragon chasing."


The knight said nothing as he raised his hand motioning towards the east, within moments the fifteen riders had turned and began their ride east. They cleared the bridge quickly, the old couple watching them ride away. The old man shifted his vision towards Damius and Mia raising a wrinkled hand. "Aye, young Damius." He said rather loudly his raspy voice carrying quite a distance. Damius just raised a hand as they waited for them to draw to a stop beside them.
 
Mia watched the night as Damius gave news of his parents to the knight. She hadn't a clue if they would be able to catch up to the black knight or not. It has already been hours since the occurrence and the monsters have already since long passed over the mountains. Where they going to try and make a trek over the mountains? She had personally just did that a few days ago. It was not a pleasant trek at all.


Mia remained thoughtful as she watched the knights leave. They did not even seem slightly concerned with the possibly loss of her masters parents. Not even the small gesture of condolences. Though Damius proububly doesn't even care if they said so or not, he proububly just hopes that they catch up to those dragons and brings in the black knight. As she thought earlier... it proububly won't happen. Part of her wished she could take Damius up there to look himself just so that this would not eat him up for years to come, but she was in no condition to bring a human boy into the mountain with winter closing in on them. Her own trip was not exactly as smooth as she would have liked.


Mia felt herself shiver a bit thinking of the cold as it clung to her fur a day ago. She watched the knights as they left, listening to them long after they left her sight. The rumbling of their steed's hooves scaring anything within miles no doubt. When Mia was sure the knights were long gone, her gaze moved to an older couple who came to a slow halt next to them. She had not heard the man speak, too busy listening to the knights. Mia kept to herself, mostly because Damius obviously know what he was doing of current so there was no reason for her to speak.
 
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