Fantasy The Dragon Wardens

[Effervescent]

The Border Between Baladur and Thallas

​

The shae was not phased by the threatening dragons, nor was she particularly concerned with the repercussions of shooing away a disgruntled and territorial group of ferocious beasts. Eosphelon stared at the display curiously, his head turning sideways as he observed the creature. In all his travels he'd never come across a shae until this point. He felt no sense of danger from the goat person and leaned forward to see if she smelled like a goat, too. He inhaled deeply through his nose, the shae's fur tickling his nostrils.


"No, no!" the shae protested as she pushed the arcane dragon's face away. It wasn't until Dinyla spoke that she regarded the Dragon Warden. "I'ms the owner of this here land. Myeeeh!" She stomped closer to Dinyla, her graying fur more prevalent to denote the shae's age. Shae's lifespans were just slightly shorter than humans, and it was likely this particular one was past middle-aged.


"Who yous be that yous think yous can disturb my propertay?" she continued. "Jern says I no get drunkies. Silly Baladerpy will hear of this!" The shae eyed Dinyla over with a stern gaze, her oval irises dark and observant as she looked at the woman's state of being. Her hands moved to her hips as she waited for a response.

The Silver Lance

​

Idhrenan watched the two exit the tavern with compliance. The young boy, Hale, was just as debated among the Emasari as Ava, though for very different reasons. Having a gimp foot was a liability for certain missions, though he seemed to persevere and succeed just fine. The current living situation for the Dragon Wardens was a testament to the boy's abilities. That he associated himself with such a notoriously problematic individual such as Ava was somewhat of a concern back when such concerns were of any import. She wondered how impressionable the boy was, especially since Ava was so strong willed.


A sudden sensation of alertness and curiosity caused the Emasari to pause. Eosphelon had encountered a stranger, and she waited for the dragon to call for aid. She urged her companion to focus and assess the situation; to set aside his curiosity and determine the threat. Eosphelon assured her with a calm sensation, as if what was going on was truly not a threat. At least for that moment...


The patrons of the Silver Lance occasionally glanced over at Idhrenan even after the two conversationalists exited. She had been standing at the entrance for an abnormally long time and decided to approach the bar to at least appear normal. Her gray eyes searched the boy that smelled of soot. His head looked as though he had been used as a chimney sweep, and the thought brought a small smile to her lips.

 

[Macaberz]

Olsten swallowed. Out of all the things that could have happened…out of all the bad, nasty things that could’ve happened, fate had chosen to seat him opposite a mortal enemy. Cringing ever so slightly at the name of Jern’s friend, he tried to compose himself. A tough task when faced with a man twice as tall, thrice as broad, and steely eyes boring into you. Even with Grybil nearby, if the tavern owner saw through the smoke and lies seated before him, Olsten knew he’d be done for long before Grybil could rain down fire and death upon the establishment. And so it was that it took visible effort to hide his horror upon hearing the names of those who’d sought to kill him.


“Your…friend,” he clenched his fists silently as he followed Jern to the bar and clambered atop one of the stools. “Is well. I think. Last time I saw him he was…doing fine, I guess.”


The stool gave some stability to his voice and posture as he slipped back into his role. “I will tell you more, but first…” Reaching down into his pocket he grabbed about half of the vale, bent little silver-ish coins therein and smacked them on the oaken bar. “I am starving and haven’t had anything but carrots the whole way and I could do with something refreshing as well. Kurfast said the drinks were on him.”


Whereas his fellow wardens were more talented with swords and spells, Olsten prided himself in his ability to inject a persuasive venom into his voice and body language. The silence that followed was intentional; the hungry, hollow look only partly feigned. Timing the exact moment for Jern to have grown a little more vulnerable to his cocooning web of lies, Olsten continued.


“Can I ask you a question though?” He leaned in conspiringly and lowered his voice. “Kurfast wouldn’t tell me who posted the bounty for you-know-what. I suppose he was afraid of me competing, but I’d like to know --should I happen to encounter one of them red-haired buggers.”


He glanced at his right. That woman near the doorpost…she’d been standing still for a little too long. Was she inebriated, perhaps dazed? And where in the devil had Hale stumbled off to? One girl. One pathetic little girl and Hale had followed her like a lost puppy, no doubt pushing his pointy nose between her tits. What madness had the world come for their roles to be so blatantly reversed?

 

[Keitsumah]

Ava

​

Ava could only bring herself to nod, amber her eyes glazed over. With a sigh, the girl stood and led them back inside the tavern, the dead leaves beneath their feet crunching much too loudly for her sensitive ears in enemy's territory.


Opening the door, she was quickly aware of the other's gazes when they fell upon Ava and Hale, but she ignored them and tugged on his sleeve.


"You said you were going to introduce me to your friends?" she asked as if she had no idea who the other two Wardens were: but then the truly didn't. May as well continue the masquerade. it should be safe enough to speak to the other Wardens so long as nothing ...sensitive was brought up.


Then she paused. A strong sense of unease was coming from Feral, and Ava quickly pounced on the sensation. Feral responded -their link strained but comprehendible still. Something, or someone, was near them. Ava felt a strong sense of annoyance as well, but whatever it was didn't seem so much a threat that Feral couldn't handle as something that might bring trouble later.


She glanced at Idhrenan with unease, but quickly turned back to Hale to follow him. Whatever it was, Feral could handle it.


Right?

Feral

​

The fire dragon rumbled again when the shae stepped closer to the ill Warden and opened her jaws to allow view of a small flame trapped between her jaws. The shae had said something about a "Jern" and Feral didn't wan tot find out what a "Jern" was. If the creature was going to stir up more trouble than she already had Feral wouldn't hesitate to chomp her head off and silence the annoying ball of fur.


But when she finally quieted for a moment Feral's jaws closed, her eyes darkening further. The Warden might be able to get the shae to leave and keep her quiet. And though Feral was very tempted to eat her -they hadn't eaten a good meal in several days and even though the shae looked skimpy she would be better than what odd rabbit they'd caught- she knew better than to potentially cause more trouble. What if there were others?


She'd learned as a hatchling that attacking an anthill hadn't been such a good idea. Humans could be the same, the way they had slaughtered everyone in Haven. So she growled and lay in wait, like a snake in it's den, watching.


She had already killed twice to protect her rider when Ava wasn't aware of the danger. She would not hesitate to kill again.

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

Feria

People. People were obnoxious. The tavern was filled with people, and Feria was not pleased. She longed for Ifer to be by her side, so they could scoff together. Hale was swept away by some squealing girl, that stupid child was talking to the inn keeper which kept her from going and ordering herself some food, and there was another older looking woman eyeing the child. Buncha weirdos, this lot was. Tsk.


Although she did not like people, it was still nice to know that all the Dragon Wardens were not dead. Were these other people even Dragon Wardens? Eh. Probably. So yes, while it was a good thing that other Dragon Wardens were still alive, they were a bunch of weirdos and idiots.


Feria blinked as she felt a small piece of red hair escape the knit cap. "Crap." She whispered to herself and quickly tucked it in, hoping no one had seen. Hale and that girl came in, and the girl tugged on his sleeve. Feria chuckled. "Hiiiii! I'm Feria. I didn't know Hale had a girlfriend~!" Feria beamed, grabbing the girl's hand and shaking it vigorously with the biggest and most fake smile in history plastered on her face. "D'awwwwwwwww. You two are so cute together it makes me absolutely sick." The smile disappeared in the blink of an eye, Feria dropped the girl's hand, and turned away. "Don't invite me to the wedding."


Ifer

Feria had finalized her decision to go with the other humans, so Ifer decided if he was going to be with these dragons, he would make them know of his position of power. He immediately charged to the front of the pack, growling, his cold breath leaving tiny shards of ice on the grass and snow. Basically saying, 'Do not mess with me. I don't have the patience for it.' and when Kraeg snorted, Ifer let out a little yelp, that said 'you dare SNORT?'


The cave was not a cave. Oh, wonderful. He growled once more towards the earth dragon, and snarky and sarcastic growl. He snorted quietly as he settled down, curling into a large ball. He held his wings over himself, which were covered in ice spikes. It was like a protective shield-blanket thing. Hopefully he would get some sleep.


@Keitsumah @Red Thunder @thosearound

 

[Red Thunder]

Kraeg

Moss covered the underside of the outcropping, covering the recessed cliff wall in a comfortable soft green. Kraeg stared at the ice dragon with a touch of humor in his eyes, his patronizing body language plainly showing what he thought of the other's attitude. The earth dragon looked back the way they'd come. He didn't see the fire dragon that had been traveling with them, but that didn't necessarily portend anything bad. Crawling around so as to block Ifer from the view of those in the woods, he stretched in front of him. Between his grass covered hide and moss covered wings, Kraeg might be to any who looked merely an oddly shaped rock.

 

[Keitsumah]

Ava



​

"Hiiiii! I'm Feria. I didn't know Hale had a girlfriend~!" Feria beamed, grabbing the girl's hand and shaking it vigorously with the biggest and most fake smile in history plastered on her face. "D'awwwwwwwww. You two are so cute together it makes me absolutely sick." The smile disappeared in the blink of an eye, Feria dropped the girl's hand, and turned away. "Don't invite me to the wedding."





"Jealous much that I landed him first sweet cheeks?" Ava sniped, a smug grin on her face; though she was careful to hide her teeth beneath the cover of her scarf. She leaned against Hale's chest a little and looked the other girl up and down. "You know I'd still invite you i think. I mean you're so cold you could keep the wine well-chilled. What do you think Thumper?" Ava knew Hale hated it when she called him that and gave him a mischievous look. And had she not been forced to hide her fangs he could probably tell she would have stuck her tongue out at him.


@CloudyBlueDay @Red Thunder @Effervescent @Macaberz

 

[Red Thunder]

Hale

"What do you think Thumper?


The half-elf grimaced, not only at the annoying nickname, but also at the sudden vehemence. Fire and ice were a combination not known to mix well, and he was witnessing it rather more up close than he wanted to. Hale looked from Feria to Ava leaning against him, then back. He didn't readily contradict either of them; the sudden appearance of his friend had stirred emotions for her that he hadn't felt before, but Ava didn't seem to reciprocate. Though to be fair, it was hard even for him to figure her out sometimes. Sigh. Women. He gave her a discreet shove in her side with his hand to convey his feelings.


"Ahem. Ava, this is Feria. I met her in the woods after she'd just fended off a bunch of, uh, wingéd lizards. Feria, this is Ava, my best friend from, uh, home."


The Earth Warden smiled, doing his best to diffuse the tension, though with what he'd seen of Feria and how wound up Avs seemed to be, he knew he'd not have much success.


@CloudyBlueDay @Keitsumah

 

[Effervescent]

Idhrenan

​

Jern's solemn expression smoothed as Olsten gave him the good news. He leaned over, his wide hand setting a stein upon the counter top to add an amber liquid for the boy. "Granny will fix you up some food," he said to the boy, and then raised his voice to carry into the kitchen. "Right Granny?"


"Damn straight!" Granny called back before muttering something about a boy needing growth. Idhrenan huffed a small laugh as she sat herself upon one of the stools. Her delicate fingers laced together atop the counter as she waited patiently. Jern beamed at the woman.


"Make that two, Granny!" Jern said back towards the kitchen. He leaned back towards Olsten as he posed his inquiry, a guttural chuckle escaping him before he lowered his voice. "You've got gusto for a kid your age and size." He set the stein of ale before Olsten, his elbows resting on the counter as he relaxed into a conversational pose. "You know, I used to work in a coal mine back in Baladur. Worst job I ever had and lost a fair good many friends. One particular thing I hated the most was how the black was everywhere. You'd wash it off at the end of your shift as best you could, and yet it was still in your lungs and stuck deep within the roots of your hair. The consistency is something you don't really forget."


He glanced over to Idhrenan. "I'll be right with you," he said. Idhrenan nodded and casually tried her best to listen in. The banter and music from the bard made it particularly difficult as Jern continued, his voice lowered even further. "Now, just so we're clear I don't much care who you are, but you should know you can't fool a Baladuri with that in your hair. Maybe a Thall or one of those elven folk, but not us. I may not be able to tell what color it is, but I don't have to. No one around here works in a mine. There isn't one for miles, and they don't come to the Silver Lance for their breaks. It's also not all over your face and clothes. Just a bit to consider."


Granny pushed the door open carrying two plates full of slow roasted pork over mashed potatoes. As she set the two plates before the Dragon Wardens, the smell overwhelmed Idhrenan. She hadn't smelled something this enticing since the Summer.


Idhrenan smiled at Granny in return and retrieved a small pouch from within her satchel. "I don't have much," she began, "but I was hoping I could perhaps buy enough food for at least two." She set the pouch down on the counter for either of them to take to take, and for a moment Jern eyed it hesitantly. Taking the pouch in hand, the contents jingled as they moved with the heft, and he opened the little pouch to assess just how much was within. It wasn't everything the Dragon Warden had saved up, but she did not wish to relinquish every coin in her possession at one given point and find herself wanting down the road.


"Needing some food for the road, is it?" Jern asked. His curiosity was noted, and Idhrenan nodded. Granny had paused at the doorway to hear the answer, and nodded as well. Jern handed his cook the pouch for her to pilfer through.


"I'll fix you something right up!" she said as she disappeared into the back. Idhrenan picked up her fork and began to politely eat her food. As much as she was ravenous, she did not want to appear uncouth. Jern went back to talking to Olsten in a low tone.


"You're not the first, you know," Jern said to the boy. "I've had your kind come in for bounties since mid Autumn. You'll have to understand why I'm keeping the poster's identity a secret for now. I'm sure you'd want revenge or whatever, and I'll give you their name, but it'll cost you. You'll need to post a bounty on their head."


@Macaberz

 

[Macaberz]

Olsten followed Jern’s gaze to the strange woman. From what he could tell she was in her late twenties or early thirties, quite tall too, and handsomely freckled. Yet her posture betrayed a wariness well beyond her age, or was it alertness. Whatever the case, Olsten didn’t like the looks she was giving and hid his face behind his tumbler after Jern had set it down.


Yet she kept observing them. Jern was obviously annoyed by it, and so was Olsten. "What you staring at?" he shot at her, perhaps a little too loudly. "Do I have something of you? No? Tough titty." And just like that, he tore his gaze from her, deciding he would promptly ignore her for the rest of his days; however many that would be.


Just as he thought everything was going to be alright, Jern’s keen eyes pierced right through his disguise. Worse still than the heat that flushed his cheeks was the fact that the barman had a point. He hadn’t been thorough enough. In a sense, Jern reminded him of Malcom. This could’ve been one of their exercises, if only it weren’t so very, very real.


Thinking it best to simply remain silent, Olsten eagerly attacked the food as it was set before him. Forgetting all about Jern, Dragons, and the lethal danger he’d walked himself into, he simply stabbed at his food and shoveled it into his mouth as if his life depended on it. Granny certainly knew how to cook.


Even over the general buzz of the inn he could make out the voice of the woman. So she was out on the road just like him? And buying for two? Who then was she with? The girl? Her daughter? Feria was no doubt glaring daggers at him, he just hoped the icy girl had enough brains between her ears to keep her yapper shut while he was saving them all…and eating.


He was shaken from his thoughts when Jern returned.


"I've had your kind come in for bounties since mid Autumn. You'll have to understand why I'm keeping the poster's identity a secret for now. I'm sure you'd want revenge or whatever, and I'll give you their name, but it'll cost you. You'll need to post a bounty on their head."


My kind? Does he-…does he know? It was as if his spirit was being pushed out of his frame slightly. All his innards growing cold and sent reeling at the prospect of having to deal with the bartender dragon-may-know many feet tall. Stay calm, he hasn’t attacked yet. He only knows you’re lying, but he doesn’t know the lie yet… Still, it was easier said than done. Desperate to hide, he simply reached for the tumbler again and downed its contents in one go.


Feeling somewhat light-headed and quite stupid for having thought ale would help clear his mind, he glanced around the room for Feria and Hale: eyes pleading desperately for help. An interruption, a distraction, anything would do…


Yet silence would betray him sooner rather than later, and so he spoke, pouring all his gusto into his voice.


“You know, Mister Jern, I like your establishment but- I don’t know, do you always treat your guests like this? With low voices and threatening words? Suddenly I don’t feel too inclined to deliver you Kurfast’s very important message for you anymore…perhaps if you could keep your large nose out of my business, we can talk, and I’ll tell you what happened-” He cocked his head for dramatic effect, “-to poor Jensen.”


Had the tavern been a bit quieter, no doubt all would’ve heard the cogs whirring in his mind. For now, he was trying to win time, stretching the game until he could piece together a sensible enough lie and pry the information loose from Jern.


Had the tavern been less occupied, he wouldn’t sought to play this little game. Threatening the likes of Jern to burn their manhood to ashes was infinitely more effective, and less time-consuming too. Such a pity that causing a row here would most likely end in gruesome deaths for everyone involved. He didn't even dare imagine how angry Grybil would be with him for heedlessly charging into an impossible fight. Patience...

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

Feria

Ooh. The Fire Mage had the guts to come up with a comeback. She liked that. "Landed him first? Ha. Like anyone wants a cripple for a boyfriend. D'aww, you even have a nickname for him that he hates, love at first sight, wasn't it? And dear, I'm not sure if you'd like me to chill your whine. I could freeze a load of other things, too..." Feria's voice became hush and her expression smug as she took a step closer to the girl. "Ice is dangerous, and even if it melts it can come back." A small but deathly sharp spike of ice formed on Feria's finger and she ever-so-gently touched it to the girl's throat. Just for a moment, just for a split second. No one except her and the cripple would be able to see, because Feria took her hand away, clenched her fist, and it was gone.


"Ahem. Ava, this is Feria. I met her in the woods after she'd just fended off a bunch of, uh, wingéd lizards. Feria, this is Ava, my best friend from, uh, home." Feria rolled her eyes. "You make it sound like home is still standing." There was no real hint of regret or sadness but if one were to believe Feria had a heart, they might think that she shone a little longing. Maybe she did, maybe she didn't. But one thing Feria knew, was that home was gone, and she did not like the mention of it. "Eh. Don't care if you call yourselves 'best friends'. Just know, that I was the first to call your loooveeee interest."


Ifer


Ifer found that the wintery and scenic view in front of him was suddenly blocked by that stupid earth dragon. Ifer bared his teeth, even if the earth dragon did not see, and growled. Why shouldn't I just the freeze the rock over already? He asked himself. Hmn. Maybe having an alliance with these idiots will be helpful to our survival.


I'm sure Feria has plans to kill them all sooner or later, though.





Ifer yawned.

 

[Keitsumah]

Ava



​

"Landed him first? Ha. Like anyone wants a cripple for a boyfriend. D'aww, you even have a nickname for him that he hates, love at first sight, wasn't it? And dear, I'm not sure if you'd like me to chill your whine. I could freeze a load of other things, too..." Ava didn't even so much as flinch when she felt the icy needle touch her throat, and her eyes narrowed even further -a spark of flame dancing just behind her amber irises. She felt Hale shove her in the side, but she'd been around a few ice mages in Haven. Let them think they were above you and they'd walk all over you. The only way to make them at least turn their attention to someone else was to match them. Blade for blade. Spell for spell.


Ava couldn't hide the animalistic grin that came to her lips, baring her fangs for a clean, sharp view to the ice Warden who had gotten too close. The savage side of herself that Hale hadn't seen yet began to uncoil like a cobble viper. "Think I'm scared of your little threat?" she hissed quietly. "Out of all the races, I am of a breed whose blood runs hottest. You cannot simply quench a flame such as my kind as easily as you think. And..." she quirked her head in Hale's direction. "Incapacitated in his nature though he may be, I have been around Hale long enough to know just how much people underestimate him," her eyes narrowed further. "So fuck off with your antics before you piss me off." she stepped up into the Ice Warden's face and glared, and the temperature in the room suddenly rose several degrees. "Dealio? We're the last of our kind. We can't afford to belittle our own when we need all that we can get. You sooner to trust ours than theirs? Or would you rather live among the truly weak?" she said, again tilting her head in the general direction of the crowd.


Without waiting for an answer, the glanced at Feria once more before turning away. "We leave soon. Get your group together and I'll get mine." She cast a pointed glance at the boy Hale had pointed out earlier. He was very pale-looking yet flushed at the same time. The idiot had probably gotten himself in trouble of some sort.


Coming up behind Idhrenan, she tapped the woman on the shoulder then stole a scrap of meat from her place and popped it in her mouth. Darn Emissary hadn't thought to share? "Got the supplies?" she asked, licking her fingers.

 

[LadyMatsudai]

Dinyla and Erramun

​

Dinyla gasped to the creature trying to shoo away Eosphelon so boldly, finding herself struggling to stand up to approach the stranger, her hands shaking on the ground as her wobbly legs attempted to push herself up. "Please, stranger...we will not stay here long...my friends...went to get supplies...we will be on our way soon..." breathed Dinyla, skin beginning to sweat again from exerting effort on her weak body.


Unable to see what was causing Feral to become a little more aggressive, her hands weakly touched Feral's head in the attempt to calm her down. "Feral...please..." she begged, feeling Erramun's head lower to meet the shae's level as he snorted once in warning, a large golden eye locked on the creature while his nosed brushed gingerly against Dinyla's back in comfort.


"Ma'am...please...we are Dragon Wardens...we lost everything...everyone is...trying to find us and kill us for faults that are not our own...we are trying to find someone...someone that can help us...I do not wish to...to disturb Jern or yourself...and I certainly would not want Baladerpy to become upset either..." cooed Dinyla, leaning still against Feral. "I swear...we will leave shortly...do you believe me?"

 

[Red Thunder]

Hale

He stood silent and in mild shock as the two threatened each other and their anonymity. Casting a paranoid eye across the crowd, he breathed a sigh of relief. The patrons were clearly uncomfortable with the vehemence in the young women's voices, but there wasn't the panic that he would have expected accompanied someone witnessing a Warden's magic. Ava growled something to Feria and stomped off to Idhrenan. Hale stared after her. Concern was in his eyes, as was a hint of fear. Fear for what the wild had done to her, and fear of what she could now be capable of.


A glance at little Olsten told him little of what was going on with the Fire Warden, so the half-elf slowly made his way over to stand beside him, his staff thumping on the wooden floor. As he reached Olsten as his companion, he held out a hand to the inn keeper and smiled.


"Greetings, sir."


@Macaberz @Effervescent

 

[Effervescent]

Idhrenan

​

There was a group of four at a table closest to the entrance. The two facing the door observed the altercation between Ava and Feria, their hands pointing in their direction as they conversed lowly. Not much attention was given aside from that, and the way they muttered made it difficult to eavesdrop over the calm tune set by the bard. One of the men with their backs turned to the girls looked over his shoulder and shrugged as he returned to the conversation at hand.


Idhrenan did not witness the girl's quiet fight as she slowly ate her roast. The boy had snapped in her direction, and a quick glance his way made her brow furrow. She hadn't once looked over at him and yet he claimed she was staring? She couldn't help but give the boy an incredulous look as she finally did stare at him. He was young... Idhrenan dismissed his jumpy mistake as a hint to possible anxiety due to whatever Jern was talking to him about. She turned her gaze away to stare at nothing in particular, continuing to attempt eavesdropping in a nonchalant fashion.


From her peripheral, she continued to observe the two. The boy spoke with a little more confidence to the tavern owner, his head seeming to tilt somewhat for emphasis. Jern kept his gaze on the boy the whole dissertation thoughtfully. As the bard finished striking a chord upon his lute, there was a pause between songs that added tension to the silence between the haughty boy and threatening barkeep. The silence was cut through with a burst of laughter rumbling from Jern's chest, and he claps Olsten on the side of his arm.


"Ha! You'd do well in Baladur, boy!" he exclaimed. He chuckled for a moment, trying to find his words and ultimately having to calm himself down with a, "Wooo!" He wiped a tear from the end of his eye. "Ah, good lad, it's been so long since I've seen a boy act a man!"


"It's my roast!" Granny called out from the kitchen. Jern raised a stein of his own in agreement and downed a large gulp before continuing to speak lowly to Olsten.


"Now, here's the deal," he began as he propped his elbows on the counter, leaning in towards Olsten. "I'm not a bounty hunter myself. That's why I own this here establishment. I just happen to know a fair many hunters as my patrons, and I aim to aid their business as they've aided me. The thing is, you're my patron, too, understand? I don't have a mind to expose what you are to these other gentlemen because I do not wish to. Now. If your friends-" he nods over to the quarreling Ava and Feria as they split. "-decide to expose you all, that's your doing, and I won't step in to protect you. Otherwise, you have sanctuary. If you need food or supplies or a room, you pay like the rest."


Idhrenan's focus was derailed as Ava snatched a piece of meat, and a faint frown tugged at the ends of her lips. "We will get it soon," she stated, and pushed the plate over to Ava. "Eat while we're here."


Jern continued to speak to the boy, his jovial disposition ever present. "I'll put your meal on Kurfast's next bill," he said to Olsten. "He'll be pissed, but I enjoy messing with him. Anything else, no. I know the man well enough to know he's not an exploitable charity case. And I know him well enough that he wouldn't give a Warden bed and breakfast. I'm sure you've got a story to tell as to why he pointed you here in the first place."


"Greetings, sir."





Another voice chimed in. Another patron! Jern beamed down at the half-elf. "Hello, there! Might I interest you in a pint or roast this evening?"


As he opened his mouth to continue his chatter, the front door opened swiftly with a moan, the interior knob slamming against the wall from the force. Jern was about to protest against such disregard to his property, but fell silent. Within the doorway was the large silhouette of a Baladuri. As he stepped into the homely light of the tavern, the dark stains of blood would be apparent upon his armor and cape. The neckline of his cape was lined with red, patchy looking long fur that billowed past his shoulders. If one were to closely inspect his attire, they'd note the fur was human hair, Dragon Warden hair to be exact. He wore a breastplate fashioned with dragon skin and had two small dragon fangs pierced through his gauged ears. His long, blond hair flowed in waves down to his back, and his bristly beard looked to be stained red around his mouth and chin.


His scarred lips curled to a grin as he traveled further into the Silver Lance and was greeted with whoops and hollars from the other patrons. "Vorstag!" they called out, raising their glasses and standing to greet the burly man. Vorstag held out a hand as if to present himself, the other grasping a rope that led out the door. With a harsh tug a battered Vuaturi elf stumbled through the threshold, his hands bound and his once-elegant robes torn and bloodied.


"Gentlemen!" Vorstag spoke with a voice chopped with grit. "Do I have a tale to tell you of my latest bounty!"


"He's early," Jern stated, moreso to himself.

Eosphelon



​

The shae looked over Dinyla. For whatever reason she was unphased by the threatening stances of the dragons, as if she was unknowing to the beasts nature entirely, or perhaps her instincts did not cover such encounters. Eosphelon backed away from the being and looked to the other two dragons questioningly. Was this shae a threat? Judging by Feral's sudden mild relaxation, it was perhaps so.


"Dragon Wardens?" the shae repeated. "Yous be hunted." In a huff, she placed her hands on her hips, the puff of air pluming from her goat-like nostrils. "Yous be sick, too! The Baladerpy Jern is kind. Granny has medicine. I's has medicine! Comes to my hut and brings the drakes. Settled, yes. Sooner to get off propertay!"


The shae clopped a few paces around the wayward pine and stopped to check and see if any of them would follow. "I's know what to do."

 

[Keitsumah]

Ava

​

Ava was about to take a bite out of the offered food when the bounty hunter strode in. Still in the process of chewing her previous tidbit, she choked and stifled a violent fit of coughing before gripping Idhrenan's arm. Hard.


"Mother... why does he have an elf tied up? I thought our enemies were the Wardens?" Her gaze was fixated on the elf and her voice raspy. If anyone looked at her face, hidden in shadow beneath her hood at that moment, they would have seen wide, white-rimmed eyes and skin as pale as a banshee's ghost. Her grip on Idhrenan's arm didn't lessen for a moment, her hands almost forgotten as she looked at the elf, then the bounty hunter. His breastplate was made of an earth-dragon's skin, impossible to pierce. Warden's hair adorned his cape, and Ava turned a shade of green as she imagined all the men and women he must have scalped for it.


All the people he's killed... all the dragons he's destroyed... She dared a glance back at Idhrenan, not willing to take her eyes off the danger in front of them for long. Then she quickly cast about for Hale and the others. They had to get out of here. For what she could tell, the man could crush her with a single swat of one powerful hand. Ava might be fast enough to sever the tendons in both of his armor-less legs and topple him, and thus make him bleed out, but she knew that would be her last deed.


The hand that gripped Idhrenan's arm began to tremble violently.


Feral. Ava pumped all her fear into that single word.


And felt the response of a dragon enraged.

Feral

​

Feral. As soon as Dinlya was no longer leaning against her head, Feral shot up and gently pushed the other Warden to her dragon. It was a miracle she had that much patience to avoid injuring the girl, for she immediately sprang up on top of Erramun's back from there leapt high enough to take flight.


Pumping her wings with an energy born of adrenaline, the fire dragon soon rose high into the sky, circling over the valley and honing in on the tavern. She went through every emotion and thought that Ava shared with her, quickly taking up the threat and hissing in outrage. She shouldn't have let her Warden get in such danger.


But Ava quickly warned her to stay away, despite her fear. They hadn't been discovered yet. They might make it out okay. Feral hissed again in rage and circled higher until her lungs burned. To those below, she would likely be no more than a speck, darting in and out of the cloud cover fast enough to be mistaken for a hawk.


She whined and willed for her rider to flee -to escape this danger. Even forget the elf that she was shocked at and wanted to free. Why should they care about an elf? They had not cared last time! What made this elf different?


Frustrated and fearful for their lives, Feral released a high-pitched scream similar to the earth-shaking hums of an earth dragon, a sound that human ears could not pick up, but animal ears could. Any horses, deer, rabbits, wolves, even bears would flee the rage of a fire dragon.


But if any others were within hearing range, she would no longer be the only dragon patrolling these skies.

 

[Effervescent]

The Silver Lance


Jern made his way into the kitchen, his voice low as he spoke to Granny. The heft of his weight could be heard traveling down a set of stairs that creaked against the nails that held them in place. It was at that point Granny decided to raise her voice.


"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to rush a lady?" she called out. Jern had a retort, but it could not be heard through the raucous patrons around Vorstag.


The bard halted his playing and eagerly made his way towards the bounty hunter. This was a gem of an opportunity for a man in his profession. With starry eyes he sat himself down at the nearest table as he watched the Baladuri, holding onto every word.


"What is with the elf?" one of the Thalls asked.


"Ah! My friend," Vorstag boomed, his cloak billowing out from his form as he turned about towards the Vuaturi. The hunter looked to be carrying only a simple knife on his belt. "That is part of my epic tale. I was in the plains of Thallas following a trail when I heard the low hum that entered my very being. I looked to the skies and saw a lone construct of Vuaturi make."


"A lone construct?" another patron repeated. "That doesn't make any sense."


"Oh, but it will, my friend," Vorstag said. Idhrenan looked over at Ava, unable to find her words. She kept her expression calm despite the growing fear within her.


"Maybe you should go check on the horses," she finally suggested and hoped Ava would understand her meaning. At the very least, should trouble arise, Ava could get Dinyla and the dragons to safety. Idhrenan didn't want to leave without the supplies.


The Vuaturi's striking gaze was dulled and downcast as he was forced to stand before the crowd as if an inanimate object. His face carried bruising that looked to be days old, the swelling subsided. Those gathered gawked at the elf, most of which had never seen the likes of such a reclusive people.


"The construct hung low," Vorstag continued. He used gestures for emphasis, taking on a theatrical air the more successful bounty hunters were known for. "So strange for such magnificent contraptions. I've seen them many times in my travels high in the Blue, but never so low. And behold! Atop this elf's construct was a dragon!"


The gathered group collectively gasped, their eyes wide and their mouths spilling a thousand questions at once.


"An elf with a dragon?"


"Did he know?"


"What happened to the dragon?"


Outside, the cold air carried Feral's shrill cry through the naked trees and frosted dirt. Deer trotted fervently through the sharp shuffle of dead leaves and horses whennied and fought against the reins keeping them in place. A large cart pulled by eight horses rattled as they became restless. The covering upon the large cart rose and fell like a soft breath, and a low, solemn groan escaped through the tied fabric.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Macaberz]

The silence between them lasted a little too long for comfort. Olsten instinctively reached for his tumbler, deeply regretting he’d challenged the barkeep at all. So when Jern laughed, relief washed over his features and his posture slackened somewhat. Granny’s remark even managed to cause a smile to part his narrow lips.


But he couldn’t relish in his victory for long. It was a good thing his stein was already empty, for if it had been full, its contents would’ve been spat out. Not even the ale burning in his throat could stop his innards from turning inside out and growing colder than the peaks of the Northern Mountains. He knew it all along…


“They’re not my friends,” he hissed through his teeth. “They’re tosspots.” He hesitated there. To stop now would be to admit, and even if Jern called him a Warden, Olsten saw no reason to confirm the barkeep’s suspicions. “I don’t know who they are and even from here I can tell they’re tosspots,” he resumed. “Of course I’ll pay, I am just a messenger passing through, nothing more.”


The rhythmic thuds announced Hale before he even appeared in Olsten’s peripheral sight. Oh now you decide to show up, Olsten sighed inwardly. The cripple had no way of knowing that his presence would only serve to complicate things, but Olsten blamed him for it regardless. The young man was a good mage, and a much more experienced rider, friendly even. Still, Olsten had preferred it when it had been just him and Grybil. Feria in particular was a tragic nuisance and waste of space. He’d much rather dive into an icy sea every morning than having to deal with the whiny, immature complaining machine that was Feria.


What happened next however was much, much worse.


A man the size of a bull, complete with horns, banged the door open and silenced the entire tavern with his thundering eyes. While his mind shouted to look the other way, Olsten’s eyes were glued to the towering bounty hunter. It wasn’t until his eyes had dilated to the size of marbles however, that he noticed the man’s peculiar cape.


Red fur. Red hair.


He needed no more persuasion. At once Olsten stood up and, keeping his head down, paced to the other end of the tavern. Even if he was the only one with the guts to move, he doubted the Bounty Hunter would take offense. The man’s voice betrayed him to be the self-absorbed type, and Olsten didn’t expect Vorstag to even notice him fetch his pile of twigs and –hidden therein- his bow.


For a second he considered drawing an arrow and letting it slice through the bull’s throat, but he could picture all too clearly how that would end. Chaos, and none of them would be spared, their dragons would arrive too late and be captured or killed. As much as he desired to exact revenge, he restrained himself and –without a word- strutted towards the exit.


Of course the damned oaf blocked the entrance with his mighty posture. Just ten paces removed from the door, he thought he could squeeze past, but the closer he came, the more unlikely that appeared.


Heart pounding in full gallop he gazed up at the giant, praying that the murderous villain wouldn’t see through his disguise as easily as Jern had. “I am sorry,” he managed to choke out, “but can I pass?”


A slight twinge of pain pierced his heart as he thought of the other Wardens. Had things been normal, he would’ve cared for them, but right now, it mattered little. As long as he got out and back to Grybil, all would be fine. This was a useless, far too dangerous endeavor. Better to spent whatever time fate would grant him out in the wild, with just Grybil at his side.


Scraping all his courage together, Olsten met the giant’s gaze. Wide, watery eyes staring into swirling black pools. Please just stand aside…please just stand aside…

 

[Red Thunder]

Hale

The patrons chattered on enthusiastically, oblivious to the nervous behavior of several of their fellows. Hale couldn't help but stare, the overwhelming charismatic presence of the bounty hunter keeping his gaze like a magnet. The half-elf stared openly at the large man's armor, the dragon hide standing out to him more offensively than the cloak of Warden hair. A tight knot of fear gripped his stomach. His back to the bar, Hale turned to Ava at his right. This was not how he's envisioned doing this, or when, but desperate times.


"Mother... why does he have an elf tied up? I thought our enemies were the Wardens?"


Ah. Of course. Clearing his throat, the Earth Warden touched his friend on the arm.


"Uh, dear? We've still got our, uh, cattle to feed. I keep reminding you: I can't do it alone. Now, bring your mother. She hasn't seen our home yet, after all."


He kept his voice low and his smile unconcerned, despite the terror that threatened to kill the small strength in his limbs.


Kraeg

The Earth Dragon's head whipped up, large eyes roving desperately. He'd heard the call that now rang in his ears before, though it'd never been with such frustrated desperation. Looking back at Ifer, Kraeg slapped the Ice Dragon with his tail. Placing his feet under him, he strode quickly out from the shelter of the cave, and crouching with his wings spread widely, he leapt, his third pair of limbs beating mightily to lift his bulk into the air. As he sped toward the sound of Feral's angry call, Kraeg opened his maw and let loose a thunderous roar. As he flew, he felt Hale's fear bleed into his heart, and the dragon's wings swept the wind all the faster.


@CloudyBlueDay @Keitsumah

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

Feria

Feria's jaw nearly dropped at the fire warden's words. Damn, she had just been getting there, totally stolen her thunder.. but maybe this girl wasn't such a pushover. Hrmph. At least. A teeny tiny seedling of respect was found for Ava; but all the rest was pure hatred. Even though she stalked off before Feria could finish, she growled after her, "Careful, hot-head."


Then some big guy came in, and the whole place began to cheer. Feria narrowed her eyes, wondering who this person was to have such a reputation.. when she saw the cape. Now, Feria rarely ever experiences that terrible feeling branded as 'fear'. It is a feeling that makes you weak, and useless, along with basically all the other feelings. But apparently, Feria was all over the place because TWO feelings in one day? An inkling of respect.. and an inkling of fear.


Feria took a tiny step back. How many wardens were made up of that coat? How many dragons had this man killed. He had a terribly smug and proud look, and it made Feria sick. Yes. Maybe she did have a smug and proud look sometimes too. Maybe she was mean. But she could fight like no other and if you somehow managed to strike a friendship with her, she would protect you. Feria gulped. Was Zachary a part of this terrible man's coat, too?


Right then and there, Feria would have happily slit this man's throat. But she worried that Ifer might be coming. He could have sensed that tiny inkling of fear, and knowing Feria he would know that fear meant bad. She would not be foolish enough to start a war and have Ifer be lead straight into it. They'd be dead very quickly, with the amount of followers this man seemed to have. But she was not going to join Hale and Ava and that other elderly lady in their charade of playing 'family', so she stepped off to the side and wondered what would happen next.


Ifer

Fear.





Ifer had just managed to fall asleep, but Ifer felt it. He hadn't felt it in a while. It was coming from Feria. There was some worry and some anger and some longing in there, too. Not a good mixture. A rare mixture. He was just getting up when SOMETHING decided to smack him in the face.


Ifer let out a mighty roar when he realized it was that no good earth dragon. Before he could hit back, Kraeg took off into the sky. Hmmph. So the other Wardens were getting all emotional now, too. As much as Ifer wished to stay and brawl, Feria could use some company. Maybe help. He flapped his large wings and rose in the air.

 

[Effervescent]

The Silver Lance

​

All the attention once given to the two girls was now heavily and admiringly fixed upon the infamous bounty hunter. Vorstag regaled his ventures with enough imagery and theatrics for the tavern goers to nearly live vicariously through his hunts. He was known to regulars of the Silver Lance as the Conqueror, for every bounty he had taken, he always came out the victor and came back with an exciting story to boot. It was apparent Vorstag enjoyed the attention, his very person adorned with trinkets from every bounty so as to spark conversation.


"I knocked an explosive arrow, aiming it for the construct's crystal just at its metal belly," Vorstag began as he acted out the action of aiming an invisible bow upward, and then pretended to loose an arrow. "The arrow soared through the air and hit its mark with a loud-"


"I am sorry, but can I pass?"





The interruption surprised the Baladuri, and a silence suddenly blanketed the group as all eyes stared in awe at the young boy who had the audacity to interrupt Vorstag's tale. Slowly, Vorstag turned his body and stared down at Olsten with his dull, grey eyes set within a serious expression. The young Dragon Warden would be able to take in his presence more fully, the frock of red hair laced within his cloak making the already sturdy figure even larger to bring about a more imposing air. A glowing blue necklace dangled from his neck laid over his breastplate in purposeful presentation.


"Vorstag!" Jern's voice interrupted the tension as the more jovial Baladuri approached the hunter with a large and hefty bag of coins. Vorstag turned away from Olsten, ignoring the boy now that the bounty money was being presented.


"Did you receive my missive, Jern?" Vorstag inquired. The other patrons murmured lowly to each other as they continued to stare between the Conqueror and the boy.


"Aye," Jern responded. "I got in contact with him."


"And?"


Jern shook his head, and Vorstag's brow furrowed deeply in displeasure. "He is sending his right hand," Jern explained.


"That's not good enough!" Vorstag exclaimed, his fist slamming onto the table forcefully. The Vuaturi jumped and lowered his head further. "I demand to speak to him at once!"


Jern looked to Olsten and then to the elf. "I'll be needing him, then. The device is broken."


Vorstag stepped towards Jern, snatching the bag of coins from his hand to replace it with the rope that bound the Vuaturi elf. The tavern owner hesitantly grasped the rope before walking over to the elf to place his arm around him. As Jern guided the elf to the back, Vorstag repositioned himself to continue his tale.


Idhrenan looked between Hale and Ava. "Follow the boy out of here and get to safety," she whispered to them.

 

[Keitsumah]

Ava



​

"Uh, dear? We've still got our, uh, cattle to feed. I keep reminding you: I can't do it alone. Now, bring your mother. She hasn't seen our home yet, after all." Ava glanced at Hale with a slight hint of bemusement on her face, but that was quickly squashed when Olsten, the boy Hale had pointed out earlier, tried to get past the bounty hunter and made a spectacle of himself.


But her attention was immediately drawn to the elf again when the tavern keeper put his arm around him. An idea began to form in her mind, and Feral immediately reprimanded her for it. Ava kept her head low and bit into another chunk of roast, managing to calm herself from her previous state and letting go of Idhrenan's arm.


Easy girl, we haven't been found out just yet. she told her dragon, considering the tavern keeper out of the corner of her eye and pretending to be paying attention to the huge oaf of a man in front of them.


To her left, Idhrenan spoke in a low voice, "Follow the boy out of here and get to safety."


Ava glanced down at the woman, and then at Hale. Then to the elf again. "Idhrenan. You're much more valuable to the group than I am with your experience. I'll get the supplies. You and Hale go." she said quietly. "I can't leave without at least trying to help him. Feral is capable of pulling off an emergency ground-snatch. We did it after I stole some food from a passing caravan a week or so before I found you."


She knew as she spoke she was putting a lot of faith in her dragon's capabilities. The move was dangerous, even for experienced riders, as so many variables came into play and any one of them could kill both the rider and dragon. If the dragon came in too fast when they snatched the rider up with their fore claws, the rider's spine could be snapped through whiplash. If the dragon came in both too fast and too low, they could crash into the ground and end up severely injuring or killing themselves.


Ava crossed her fingers and prayed to the gods everything would be okay. And if the worst came to worst that at least Hale and Idhrenan would escape.

Feral



​

Feral's head jerked toward the sound of the roar as a large shape began to move across the sky, huge wings almost blotting out the sun when he swooped in a tight circle over her. Kraeg! Feral trilled and circled with him for a moment, their wingtips touching as they used their combined slipstreams to make their flight int he cold air less laborious. Good. A dragon she had trained with was a dragon she could trust. But upon glancing to one side and squinting her eyes, she just made out a white and blue blur amidst the clouds. An ice dragon.


Rumbling in slight curiosity, but also stressed, Feral widened the circle to allow the newcomer inside. So many Wardens inside one place would not end well these days. They needed all the help they could get.

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

Feria

Some time ago..

"What's the story behind it, hmmn?" Feria reached out to touch the blue necklace that hung around Zachary's neck. They sat at the edge of a cliff near the Haven. As soon as Feria was just about to touch it, he backed away. "Hey, hey, personal space." He tried to sound as chill as possible about it, but she could tell her sudden interest in the necklace made him uneasy, so Feria stepped off. "A swamp witch gave it to me." He said triumphantly. Feria snorted. "Hey, don't you snort at me! It's true. I helped her find some potion stuff and she gave me it. Told me it would protect me with magic and stuff." He grinned wildly, and a tiny smile crept onto Feria's face. It obviously wasn't true, but he seemed happy with himself. "Alright. And I am the daughter of a maaagical fairy princess." She said, waving her hands around. He punched her in the arm and they laughed.

That was all that was going through Feria's mind as the blue necklace, the same blue necklace that Zachary wore hung from that oaf's neck as he spoke to the stupid child. Rage bubbled inside of her, hotter then it ever should be for any ice caster. She did not care for her own safety any longer, she didn't care what her actions would cause, for her, for anyone else.


"You BASTARD!" Feria yelled. She dove forward at Vorstag with a dagger in hand as soon as he finished talking with the tavern owner, Jern. She jumped behind him, holding her dagger to his throat. "All the Wardens made up of your damned cape were innocent and you slaughtered them all." She hissed. "Have you no shame?" The last words were a little more heartfelt then the others, but she did not let her guard down, even for a second. Her dagger was tightly pressed against his neck, beginning to draw blood, so if someone wanted to pounce on her, Vorstag would be dead.


Ifer

Ifer bared his teeth at the new dragon, albeit she seemed to accept him immediately upon sight. Tsh. Trusting. Just because they were all the same species didn't mean they were all for the same cause, sometimes. Ifer suddenly felt rage overcome Feria, and he let out a little whine. What was she doing? It couldn't be good. Their cover was being blown for sure, with that amount of anger inside of her. He waited above the tavern, hoping his presence would not be necessary but there if needed.

 

[Red Thunder]

Hale

"You and Hale go."


At Ava's words, the half-elf's eyes flashed. He grit his teeth, his voice became as icy as the Northern Mountains, and his expression grew uncharacteristically hard.


"I just got you back," Hale whispered. "Don't expect me to simply leave you behind again just because things have gotten difficult."


As if to emphasize his assessment, Feria screamed and pounced at the bounty hunter. The dagger shone evilly in the firelight, lending further weight to the Ice Warden's obvious intention. About them, patrons were whispering hurriedly to each other. A few of the more violent looking bodies had stood when she rushed were grasping the hilts of blades. Hale cursed under his breath. Leave it to the unstable young woman to upset their cover. It was fortunate he'd had such a great relationship with his Ice Warden mentor; he'd have quickly grown to hate her kind otherwise.


"Sis!" The cripple stepped forward, concern plastered obviously across his face. "Get back here, please! Mother will be worried, you darting off at strangers like that!" He shot the large man an apologetic look. "I'm very sorry, sir. I'm afraid my sister is a bit touched in the head. Fancies herself a Dragon Warden. Never really accepted their atrocities." He shook his head. "You're not the first she's jumped on. I should have known better than to bring her out here. Again, my apologies."


Hale bowed at his waist.


 
Kraeg

Panic and frustration bled through their empathic link, and Kraeg glared in the direction of the tavern. Danger, but yet uncertain. He growled, but immediately chuffed, acknowledging both the newly arrived Ifer and the intention that Feral communicated. His posture grew rigid, showing the others his fear for their Wardens. Finally, as he spun, the Earth Dragon climbed in altitude, telling the others through a small roar that he intended fully to drop through the roof of the inn far below, should necessity call for it.

 

[Effervescent]

The Silver Lance

​

Jern quickly scooted the elf behind the kitchen door as soon as he heard the commotion concerning Vorstag's honor. He didn't stop, and garnered Granny's attention as they swiftly passed and trotted down the stairs into the cellar. Without a word, Granny followed them down, concern deepening the wrinkles upon her powder-white brow.


"Why in the Undertaker's name do you have an elf tied up like an animal?" Granny inquired through a hiss of a whisper. The three stopped at the end of a row of barrels. The cellar was clean and surprisingly dry for being under ground level. In the corner nearest to them was a communications device of Vuaturi make. The dull blue focusing crystal rested within a simple metal pedestal where wires coiled into a dome fixed with an assortment of switches and buttons.


The inn keeper carried his own stern expression as he worked his stubby fingers through the knot tying the elf's bindings together. "Vorstag brought him back as a bounty."


"I don't remember that bounty having anything to do with taking elves hostage," Granny grumbled. "This could start a war!"


"My people, by custom, have disowned me," the elf cut in. "I separated from the Flock of my own will. This will start no war, and the hunter knows it."


"Granny," Jern began, his voice laden with worry. "He wants to talk to Savere. He contacted me earlier this week explaining he had part of the bounty, but that another unexpected portion needed to be negotiated. I'm guessing he wants to offer him up."


Finally, the knot loosened and the elf was free from his restraints, though he winced as the final layer was removed. Due to his travels being constantly bound by the rope, it had rubbed his wrists raw, and blood pooled around the wounds. Granny gasped and rushed to the other side of the room to gather a clean rag and to pour fresh water into a basin.


"I've a mind to kill that Savere myself!" she said. "What makes him so special? He shits just like everyone else. I'm sure it's just as foul as his heart."


Granny brought the elf over to the table where the device rested and tended to his wounds. "Savere is a Shadow Caster," the elf explained to the old woman. "He is not special so much as feared."


"I know who he is," Granny said and pursed her lips in focus as she cleaned and dressed the elf's wrists. "Doesn't mean I have to like his business here. And it doesn't mean I have to fear him."


"Why would Vorstag want to offer you up as a reward, though?" Jern inquired as he paced behind the chair.


"He wishes to offer the dragon and myself to be assimilated," the elf stated gravely.


There was a pause after his words before it truly registered in Jern's mind. "Wait... A dragon?"


Upstairs, the commotion was quite the scene surrounding Vorstag. It was enough for Idhrenan to dismiss Ava's blatant disregard for her calculated command to turn and watch Feria's mistake. She needed to figure a plan around this. Hale stepping in looked to ease the minds of Vorstag's groupies, their hands ever so slightly loosening their grip upon the hilts of their swords and daggers. Vorstag grinned, his head tilted away from where Feria held the blade to his neck. He could feel the warmth of his own blood slowly trickling down his neck. He was not afraid in the slightest.


"Your sister?" Vorstag repeated the title to Hale, and an airy chuckle escaped him. The hand outside of his cloak slowly turned, and a darkness filled the room only an arcane mage could feel. It caused Idhrenan's eyes to widen, and she shot up from her seat unable to mask the horror she felt. How could she convince this girl to stop what she was doing? The Emasari knew that even with a blade to this man's neck, he wouldn't bleed out fast enough to prevent everyone from dying. The tension was enough to alert the rather conflicted Eosphelon.


With a swift motion, Vorstag turned about, one hand moving Feria's blade away from his neck while the other grabbed her neck in a choke hold. It was a common Baladuri maneuver used in such an occasion as this, only this time the common Baladuri was wreathed in a dark magical aura. Fear struck the hunter's once-excited listeners as they quickly backed away from the man and stumbled over chairs and tables.


The taint of shadow hollowed his eyes as he cast a blast of pure dark energy into Feria's throat. Those who have suffered such an attack and lived described the energy as suffocating and painful, the energy of which feeling as though it were a boiling liquid that flowed through their veins and insides causing chronic pain and bleeding for weeks until the taint subsided. Vorstag only channeled the spell briefly, more as a warning and display of his power should she try anything further.

 

[Keitsumah]

Ava and Feral



​

"Shadow Mage."


The words barely passed through her teeth as more than a hiss, Ava's eyes locked on Vorstag now and all other focus on the elf forgotten. Her ears picked up the scramble as the other patrons backed away. The clack of chairs tipping over. The shocked curses and muttered prayers to the gods. Ivan had warned her about such opponents many times -had killed one himself. The man had been marred by an old wound for many decades after, and Ava, seeing the raw power of such a monstrosity up close, only felt her blood begin to throb and burn.


Lies. Darkness. Burn them to the ground. Tear them apart. Eradicate them for what they did! The viper of pure, unadulterated hatred uncoiled again just as it had when the elf had helped her out, only this time instead of sinking its fangs into the walls of her stomach, it crawled up her esophagus and clenched her throat in a dry, aching heat. Ava's hands trailed to her swords, and her lips threatened to curl back. Fire glimmered in her eyes.


Burn. Broil. Blind! Sear them from the inside out! Ava heard a terrible scream high above and a deep, bone-shaking tremble started at the base of her spine. Began to inch upwards. Her gaze flicked over Feria, then the Shadow mage. Then the fireplace.


Blind. Burn him from the inside out.


Ava kept very still as all the movement around her took place, trying to blend in and pretending to be just as shocked at the others. Small, unnoticeable -Idhrenan having jumped up only further served to shield the girl from view, but not Vorstag from hers.


Her hand lifted away from the pommel of one sword and began to swirl beneath her cloak, eyes narrowing in concentration as she imagined two glowing coals rising from the fireplace and drifting in the direction of the shadow and ice mages. Glancing out of the corner of one eye, she spotted two cinders as they drifted along one wall, tender flame peeking out from within their blackened husks. Sweat beaded on her forehead and the cinders paused as some invisible wall pushed back against her. Focus... She could feel Feral coming closer at a rapid pace: her dragon throwing away all caution to dive at the tavern. Ava quickly shared her plan and though her dragon hesitated, quickly agreed and redirected her course.


Ava focused on the cinders again and gingerly directed them under the tables, avoiding the passing feet and legs as carefully as possible. As they came closer to her Ava could direct them at a higher speed, and soon pulled them within a few feet of Vorstag and Feria.


She could feel Feral getting closer and closer now, waiting for the right moment--


The sound of Feral's impact to the earth just outside the inn was all she needed, and in that moment of distraction Ava flung the cinders toward the man's eyes, aiming not only to blind, but to kill.