RDM RP Page #22

As they entered, the castle's throne room was heavily dark, but light from outside peered through, allowing Amevar to be seen from the shadows.His wrists and ankles remained tightly shackled to the wall; he was leaning over as his blood-soaked, white hair draped his face with sorrow. The fading Dark Lord appeared as if he was mercilessly torchered, for most of his clothes were drenched in his blood, which marked the wall and the floor where he stood somberly. Black blood of the poisoned dripped from his mouth to the floor as his strained coughs echoed off the walls. Aching with terrible pain, his hands became fists every moment the agony surged through him. His cloak was almost ripped to shreds just like the end of his sleeves and pants. Amrevar seemed to not notice his visitors; he believed them to be Morac and his followers coming back for more. Once agian he fell into despairing thought. "Morac..." he said weakly and desperately, "no more... please...I have done nothing to you... yet you torment me...I don't understand...I... I suppose I deserve it..." he thought again. "Why... why did you poison Malias...? Don't... touch my daughter...leave... leave her out of this..." His wings shook with fear. "Now that my father's torcher is over...please...let me go... I...I want to be with my daughter...she's...she is all I have left to live for..." Amrevar's coughs became drastically worse. His black blood was now gathering beneath him in a small pool.

"Papa!" Theria cried almost in tears. She dashed towards him and wrapped her arms around his legs, staining his clothes with her tears.

"Theria!?" Amrevar gasped when he looked at her, but his yelling caused him to hack on his own blood. His fears lessened when he realized who had brought her. He peered up at them ,narrowing his eyes in weakness. They were a light blurr to him, for his vision was fading. "Erindor..." Amrevar painfully tried to struggle from the chains, but sadly failed. He bared his teeth in agony; the pain caused his muscles to cramp and he found it difficult to move; his body had tensed. "Morac...... I...I'm helpless..." He growled as a spec of sadness rolled down his cheek. "I am no longer a Rider... Er... I had Malias... place these bonds on me... when I was... dealing with my father's control...My last transformation drained most of my power... Now... I am slowly dying... I... I shall not endure much longer..." Pain shot through him like an arrow and he grunted bitterly. His breathing was horribly strained and bated. "Morac... he has become twisted... like my father... but worse... much worse... He lives to kill... It...it is like he feeds on it... Erindor... Erador... you must kill him... I can't... Oh, how I want...to satisfy my revenge... but... it...its not worth it... If I tried... I would fail...I'm far too weak for that... The only power I have... is from this gem on my chest..."

Theria hugged her father tighter, trying so hard not to cry.

Amrevar only wished he could hug his daughter back. "Theria..." Amrevar said weakly as his wings began to tremble. "Let me go...and...stand back...I am going to use the gem's powers...to break the chains if I can...I may be weak...but...but...the gem is another power source..." He watched as Theria stepped backwards to the side. Her hands were cupped around her mouth that seemed to catch her tears of woe. amrevar closed his eyes to focus and a spark of purple surged up through the chains binding his wrists and ankles. The shackles broke, but he did not have the strength to support himself. He fell forward to the floor, unable to sit himself up. Painfully, Amrevar rolled over on his back with his arms laid across the floor. He opened his eyes only to somberly stare at the stone cieling in thought. The agony in his body was so intense that he half forgot that his sweet daughter Theria was here with the great Erindor and Erador.Amrevar turned his eyes to the terrible hole in the wall that he had caused a long time ago and then regret swept over him like a dark tide of ocean water in a raging storm. The cieling recieved his depressed stare again when he remembered Drazon. Where was Drazon? He did not know, but the only thing he did know was that he missed Drazon deeply. Then his mind turned to Mavria. I couldn't protect her... were his only thoughts. He remembered where he had placed Mavria's preserved body. It was a room of white that shimmered at night under an elegant moon. Amrevar's own white hair reminded him that Theria shared it as well. White hair... Theria? The memory came to him that Theria was waiting for him to tell her that she could come back to his side. Erindor and Erador were in the room as well. He knew then that Theria was safe.

"Papa?" Theria was growing terrified, thinking that her father was slowly becoming unable to speak due to weakness.

"Theria...come here... Erindor... I need you...to do something for me..." Amrevar said before he began coughing up black blood again. He felt his wings relaxed widespread upon the floor.

Erindor approached the battered Amrevar with a mix of mercy and hesitation. His memories of the man didn't allow him to rush to his side, yet he strode by the man and stopped...not even minding the cool black blood he stepped in. The Rider knelt by the Lord, and set a healing hand to his chest. Erin already knew the injuries were far too extensive for him to do much about in his already battle weakened state; but he could stabalize Amrevar, at least for a short while. "And what is it that I can do for you?" he asked.

Shakily, Amrevar picked off the black gem, that was now a swirling white, from its place in the center of his chest. He handed it to Erindor, his body shivering with weakness. "Take this..." he said," and destroy it after I said...what is needed to...be heard. Mavria's body... is preserved in a white room sparkling like diamonds... Such a room can be found... to the right of the throne... Take her and protect her body...in Sar'dan..." He halted only to bare his teeth in pain, but when he soon got the strength to speak his voice had grown faint. "Make sure the orb shatters..." It was evident that he had a passion for the gem's destruction.

"...Her body will be kept safe within the ivory walls of Sar'dan..." Erindor replied solemnly, his hand gently closing around the gem. He opened his hand again and turned it over gently, looking from it to Amrevar, "Before I destroy this...where is Drazon?"

"I haven't seen him since...since he left me...I told him it would be risky...for him to remain my dragon...So, he became free but... was bound to Illatrius... My guess is that... Illatrius is dead which could possibly mean Drazon has deceased as well..." Amrevar replied sadly.

Erindor nodded, he didn't feel like ending the lives of two induviduals, "...The only power I have, is from this gem on my chest," he quoted softly, nigh silently. He gripped it tightly in his hand, clamping his eyes shut. "Theria..." he said, voice rippling with emotion again, "...its time to say goodbye," he choked, standing quickly to stride to the side; the gem feeling cool still in his warm palm.

Tears were streaming down Theria's face. "But why!?"

"Theria..."Amrevar's voice came weakly. "You have no choice..." he found enough strength to lay a gentle, but shaking, hand on her face. "I have to go... In order for the darkness to at last be destroyed... I have to go... I love you, Theria...and I shall always be by your side to protect you... Promise me, you will remember that... remember my last words also as a promise to you...Theria?"

Theria quickly wrapped her arms around her father's neck and cried. "I will! And I promise! I love you, too, Papa!" she wailed, shedding more painful tears on his clothes.

"Always remember me... and your mother, Theria," Amrevar said, at last capable of hugging his daughter back.

The thick emotions of the night were paining Erindor's heart. His dimmed emerald eyes glistened in what light there was, his chest hardly moving from small, stout breaths. The Rider couldn't bear to look upon the dying father and his weeping daughter; it would prove too much. His hand shook around the gem, protecting it for the last moments of Amrevar's existence.

A low, four gaited clomp brought Erador near, his expression of pained emotion identical to Erindor's. "...Amrevar, may you do well in the next life," he said gently, voice far from rumbling. With his blessing given, he took a step back and looked to Erindor and nodded when his brother looked over at his face.

Thank you, Erador... Amrevar thanked. I wish you the best of fortune. You and Erindor...

Theria sat up, water of sorrow staining her young cheeks. She no longer knew what to do as she witnessed her father laying there...and dying. She saw too much of her family's agonies because of her grandfather's heartless pride. Theria met her father's eyes and began to cry again. "Don't go... I need you, Papa..."

"Who will be Theria's guardian, Amrevar?" Erindor asked, his back still turned to the scene. He cocked his head to the side, watching the sorrowful pair out of the corner of his eye.

"I want you... to watch her, Erindor...since Malias is gone... There is truly...no one else..." Amrevar replied.

"...If it is your wish, then I shall," Erindor replied with such conviction he dismissed his discomfort of his thick emotions. The Rider turned back to the father and his daughter, striding to kneel by their sides. "I-I'm sorry..." he crooned softly to Theria, lightly kissing her cheek. "...And Amrevar...I forgive you, for all the things that have happened. May the heavens accept you..." he said, bending to lightly kiss the dying man on his brow. As Erindor pulled away, he closed his eyes and clenched the gem in his hand; his tightening sinews charged with the final force that would separate Amrevar from this realm. "...Goodbye...my friend," he choked, looking to Theria with deep, horribly apologetic eyes. With those as his last words to the man...his hand and magic crushed the gem...its sharp shards pricking blood from his palm as it released its last bit of energy in a flash. Erin choked on a breath, trying to keep from weeping, "...Oh, what have I done? What have I done..." he moaned, letting the bloody dust fall to the floor.

Amrevar smiled weakly, his eyes gazing at the cieling as he felt his limbs suddenly grow numb. "Thank..you, Erindor... I am honored... Take... care...of Theria..." Pained rushed through his body and he began to shake uncontrolably. A black shadow left him by passage of his mouth and then the pain was gone. Everything was gone. He felt relaxed and at peace for the first time. Amrevar's eyes closed as he grew tired, his sight growing black. His last, dying breath came into the air and was siezed by a breeze that came through the castle doors.

Theria once again wrapped her arms around her deceased father, weeping because of his despairing departure. She herself really didn't understand the turn of events, especially since her father could no longer breathe and move. He could no longer hug her in return. Theria knew she would no longer feel her father's loving embrace and fatherly kiss for the remaining of her life. She didn't even understand the point of the orb, so she believed it to be crushed to get rid of her grandfather. Theria never knew the gem's secrets, so she never knew the true cause for her father's death. She felt revenge for the first time. Theria grew a hatred for her uncle Morac, her father's twin brother. Burying her face in her father's clothes, she continued to wail, her heart completely broken.

Erindor absently picked the shards out of his palm as he silently wept. He did not dare to breathe; only his eyes and trembling form gave his emotions away. Salty tears stung his hand's wounds as they fell, running down the sides of his maw and muzzle for he was looking down...seemingly permanently kneeled to the spot. His daze was shattered when Erador raised his majestic head to begin a mournful lament; one that Erin himself had only heard a few times in his lifetime...and twice in one night was far too much. He shivered and shuddered; washed away in its purely sorrowful tones...a song so sad even a lone wolf crying to the moon for a companion could not match its depths of emotion.

Listening to the lamenting song, it seemed to sooth Theria. She cried herself to sleep, he face still hidden in the stained clothes of her father. At least she was peaceful now, free from woe until the time when she might awake. The recent deaths in that last of her family tore her apart. Now she was an orphan girl whose only family now lied with her dragon Ar'rias and her friends Erindor and Erador. Her cousin Marthril remained alive. Both she and Marthril were now titled that last two of the royal family in itself. Her father Amrevar, the former Dark Lord, is gone...Malias, her loving uncle, is gone along with her favorite dragon friend Illatrius... Truly a day of mourning for such a small, young girl not even near her teen years yet.

After a respectful silence from both of them, Ajin and Zhenjai raised their heads to the sky, joining in the song.

Erindor's tears mended the wounds on his palm...a small and silent whirlwind of light destroying even the dust of the gem until it was no more. The deep bass waves of Erador and Ajin rattled his bones; resonated in his chest, his heart ready to burst from sorrow. He stood slowly, regally, pulling his head up high and strode to Theria, gently scooping up her sleeping form in his arms. Erin carried her to Erador's saddle before returning to the body of Amrevar. He healed the broken bones and mended his torn flesh, carrying the deceased lord back into the saddle where he would lay prone across Erador's lower neck. After father and daughter had been secured, he jumped to the cold floor once more; this time in search of Amrevar's wife. "...I'll just be a moment," he said, moving deeper into the castle.

His journey through the corridors was mostly uneventful, residents shrinking away as they recognized a foreigner. Erindor did not tarry, nor did he rush. His quickened footsteps echoed forlornly off of the stone walls until he had arrived before the doors of the Throne Room. He pushed them open, remembering Amrevar's words to him, "...in a white room sparkling like diamonds...to the right of the throne..." Erin mentally recalled as if the man had spoken it into his ear just at that moment. He shivered and pressed on, going to the door of that room. Erin paused, wrapping his fingers around the latch and pushed it open, his eyes squinting from the change in light. There was a sleepy, airy feel about the room...cool, as if up in the heavens; and in its bed lay a sleeping angel. With the greatest of care, Erindor took Mavria's body into his arms, and a gem of the room in his hand so a duplicate could be fashioned. In a pop, Erindor teleported back to the Hall, resting Mavria in his lap after he had mounted the saddle. "...There's nothing left for us here..." he said gravely to his brother.

Erador had finished his lament long before Erindor's return, and the Emerald Dragon grimly aknowledged before turned tail slowly, nodding to Ajin and Zhenjai to lead the way out of the Hall.

Zhenjai strode before the two massive dragons, her footsteps not making a sound on the hard floor of the Hall. Gently she pushed her nose on the door, leading to the outside.

Erindor was numb to the world at this moment, only vaugely aware of the presense of those nearby...the bounce from Erador's gait as he decended the steps hardly fazing the Rider as he stared on unblinkingly. Erador coiled and pounced into the air; the crash of wings snapping Erin back into reality as they rose above the dark castle, circling patiently in wait for Zhenjai and Ajin to take flight. He looked back to see if Theria had roused from the takeoff.

Zhenjai's strong muscles launched her into the sky right behind Erador, and Ajin followed suit, though it took him longer with his wings groaning from not having flown for so long. He needed to build more muscle mass before he needed to fly a large distance. He hovered in the air next to Erador.

"Follow in my draft, you as well Zhenjai if you need a rest," Erador said, pulling out of formation slowly so as not to challenge Ajin's weakened wings. He looked back at the Mighty Silver Drake, wondering if he was looking at one of the last of his own generation.

Ajin nodded and thanked Erador for his kindness. He then smiled as Erador looked back at him, and spoke a draconian word to him, one that elder generations knew well. It confirmed the Emerald Dragon's query that he had not spoken, but had shone in his eyes.

A saddened frown crept its way across Erador's face as he gave a single, grave nod, looking ahead once more; feeling a bit lonelier than ever. Were it not for Ajin, he may have given up his hope. And for that he felt he owed Ajin many compliments of gratitude for simply existing, his new companion litterally was the silver lining.

Ajin too had almost lost hope of finding another great dragon from his generation. He hoped that he could find an everlasting friend in Erador. The emerald dragon would have a lot to teach him about his new world. He hadn't seen it since he was a hatchling. He caught a thermal and floated up, the soft leather of his wings puffing out in the air. Avarath caught the same thermal and glided up next to Ajin, next to his large fore-limb.

Evening In Sar'dan

"I had been thinking, Ajin...have you forgotten time?" Erador queried, checking to see if Ajin knew how many years it had been. At this moment, it was sounding like millenia; a prospect that made Erador shiver, even though another warm thermal warmed his wings as they crested a great swell in the landscape before the twinkling spiderweb of Sar'dan came into view; a swath of destruction apparent by the absense of window lights.

'Yes, or at least I think I have. Although I know it's been many, many years.' Replied the silver dragon, looking up at the sparkling stars. He'd forgotten how magical the world was still.

"...Your endurance is quite formidable," Erador replied after a lengthily pause; he could guess Ajin was in incarceration for at least five millenia. "Alright, the city you see before us is Sar'dan; our home and the capital city of the last outpost Kingdom of purity and balance in this world for quite a distance. The damage from a recent battle is...heavily apparent. All are friendly here, you need not be afraid of humans; but after your prolonged treatment we will understand any hesitation or anxiety that develops," Erador said, looking over at Ajin with a sympathetic smile.

"I don't ever believe I've ever felt such a weight when returning to this city," Erindor commented, slowly digesting the reality of taking up the reigns where Malias was heart renchingly removed from. "...She's my responsibility now, and we'll have to see what situation greets us; I do hope there is not chaos," he said, straining his ears. From their distance yet, all seemed calm. ...I miss Sincalia..." Erin thought to himself, mind finding escape in the thought of an embrace from his companion.

Marthril was standing quietly on the infirmary platform, his arms folded and eyes hurtfully closed. The wind helped him to meditate. He wanted to rid the feelings of all past happenings, especially the death of his father Malias. Marthril knew that his father understood him for not wanting to take up the throne. The Sar'dan prince only wanted to put his magic to use. He looked up to find his dragon Zhenjai and the others coming for the city. Welcome back, Zhejai. I've missed you. How was your trip?

Zhenjai silently winged down, and standing at Marthril's left flank, wrapped her head and neck around her Rider. 'I've missed you much.' She said, comforting her Rider's mind against the terrors of the world's reality. 'Our trip was laden with...much sadness...' She proceeded to tell her Rider of the trip.

Ajin's wings were tired from the new exercise. He hadn't used his wing muscle for flying since the days long past. He shook off the dew from his wings as Avarath landed next to him. They both looked around the great city of Sar'dan.

Fear struck Marthril unkindly and he became worried. What happened? Is everyone alright? He hugged Zhenjai around her neck.

"...All for one, and the hearts of all involved," Rider Erindor gently crooned in reply, Erador backwinging to a hover. "Go on and land, Ajin, you need not stress your wings," Erin said to the Silver Dragon. "Marthril, we've discovered two new friends...please welcome Ajin, and Avarath."

Marthril bowed. Welcome, Ajin and Avarath, to Sar'dan, Marthril welcomed kindly.

The two dragons bowed in reply, as was only curtious to a leader and fellow Rider.

Zhenjai crooned softly to ease Marthril's fear.

"Tell me, Erindor. What exactly happened while you were away?...Don't tell me..."Marthril couldn't finish his sentence. Was his uncle dead? He wasn't too sure, but then he looked onto the back of Erador and groaned in sorrow. Both his aunt AND his uncle were dead. "How could this happen?" he asked sadly.

Erador landed delicately, having used his wing membranes as parachutes to slowly come to the infirmary's landing balcony. Erindor had not said a word yet, freeing his legs from the saddle straps before doing the same for Theria, carrying her over his shoulder as he climbed down before shifting her into his arms, "Don't worry, she's asleep...I think the shock of today and last night has been too much for her." He paused and bit his lip, his voice giving small trembles, "...I'll tell you more when we're inside and the...deceased can be properly put to rest for now," the Rider said, nodding to Erador to begin walking into the infirmary. "Make sure nobody sees their bodies..." Erin cautioned.

"Don't worry, Brother, I've it covered," Erador replied, plodding on past the group. 

Taking a sweeping sigh, exhaustion threatened to weaken Erindor's legs. "...Come," he said, looking to Theria and motioned with his head for Marthril, Zhenjai, Ajin, and Avarath to follow. "...En route to the Dark City's Castle, we encountered a unique distress call. It was of Avarath and Ajin; we found them in a deserted rocky crag prision just within the borders of the Dark Country. W-we're unsure of survivors...I would venture out there myself as soon as possible, though if I interpret Malias' wishes correctly, I've a much more bearing duty here, to Sar'dan."

He was beginning to realize the implication of leadership; he couldn't go galavanting off. "...Since we've been absent for a day, what is the report for the city?"

Marthril peered down to watch the ground pass below his feet. "Nothing..." he said as he looked up. "Ever since the battle everything has been deathly silent except that mournful song of woes for my father's departure. The people are beginning to feel unprotected. They need a new king to raise their morale...their hopes... I am very thankful my father chose you to take his place." Marthril smiled.

Ar'rias had come down from the mountain side with a sack full of oval shapped objects safely inside. They were Illatrius's eggs. "I'm back! And I've brought the eggs so they can be gaurded inside the castle!" He then carried the sack in his mouth so he could land. Ar'rias followed them inside, hoping to hear of some new tidings.

"Thank you, Ar'rias," Erindor said gratefully, slowing up to stroke the Young Dragon's neck scales. "Then the people of Sar'dan will be given their hope...tonight, I shall speak to them. I request your presense, Marthril; they'll feel more confident in the shift of power if you're there. That way they won't see it as myself taking the opportunity to rise to power; we need not such nasty rumors...not at this hour. Oh, and could you please organize a team of healers for Avarath and Ajin? They're terribly malnourished and horribly beaten; all they need is food, safety, and some healing magic," Erin added in a positive light, giving a happy sigh that they had found some friends in their darkest hour. The Rider's smile faded as he viewed Erador, stopping at the end of the infirmary after shooing all the personnel. "...Alas, yet a few more loose ends..." he said, walking ahead of them all in a quickened, purposeful gait.

You're welcome! Ar'rias said to Erindor before purring in his mother's fashion just like the rest of his dragon kind as a Starlight Dragon. I would talk out loud, but I can't risk dropping the eggs.

Marthril nodded. "Of course." He smiled warmly. "I'll be there for you." He stopped, turning to Ajin and Avarath. "Ajin, Avarath... remain here in the infirmary foyer. I will assemble a group of my healers to help you two regain your strength. A great meal will be provided. When I return with them, we will bring you both to special rooms prepared for injured dragons." Then he ran off towards the hallway to do as requested.

Zhenjai watched her Rider run down the hall. 'Would you welcome my aid or shall I help you be helping another?'

Ajin looked up to Marthril. "Thank you." He spoke aloud, his great, deep voice rumbling through the walls.

You can help however you wish, Zhenjai, Marthril said to her, smiling. "You're welcome, Ajin!" Then he disappeared into the next hallway. He began gathering any healers he could come across.

Erador gave a groan and rested on his belly at the end of the infirmary. Erindor jogged to the side of the saddle and ascended Erador's side quickly, slowing to take care in removing Amrevar from his position of repose. The Rider carried the deceased man over his shoulder, then to his arms when his feet met the floor. Erin selected a healing room adjacent to the one Malias and Illatrius were momentarily laid to rest in, and placed Amrevar on the central healing table. He performed the same ceremoniously careful and slow process for the man's wife, laying her to rest beside her husband. Erindor looked away and walked fromt he room, erecting magical wards to secure their peace and safety. 

The door shut with a soft click as the latch engaged, exhaustion rocking Erindor as he reached for a wall to support him. "Thank you...Erador," he managed. "...How're you feeling, Ajin?" Erin queried as he slumped to the floor, letting out sigh of relief; it felt good to sit.

Avarath had already fallen asleep on the silver dragon's back, and Ajin's steps were heavy like the rest of them from the events.
Zhenjai quietly followed the other dragons. She looked to see if her brother was following them too.

I'll be there in a second, Zhenjai! Ar'rias called out to her. Uh...Erindor? Could you take the eggs? I'm slobbering all over them....

Erindor chuckled, which grew to a rocking laugh as he stood slowly, striding to Ar'rias and took a secure hold of the sack. "Of course...Erador will look after them," he said.

"Going somewhere, Ajin? Rest now...healers will be here with you two in a short while," Erin smiled, watching the dragons as he strode back to Erador and rested against his brother's foreleg. 

"I'm very obliged!" Ar'rias shouted happily. "Finally! i can talk with my mouth!" He turned towards the hallway where Marthril vanished to and was overjoyed. "Marthril! There you are!"

Marthril was coming out of the hallway with at least five healers and six servants bearing the feast for the dragons. The prince laughed.

Ajin knew the sorry state he and Avarath were in, and his eyes shimmered at the sight of a feast. Everyone would soon be fast asleep after the good food and the tiresome days past.

Outside, Cantalith's storm grey scales had allowed her to glide silently through the dusk sky. Landing silently on a castle pillar, her eyes switched easily to locate heat signatures. She carefully watched the activity inside...

"Mmm...supper," Erador said with an oddly nostalgic air in his voice. The scent of the feast had roused the mighty dragon from his exhausted dillerium, pupils dialating as his nostrils flared, shooting jets of spicy smoke. "Don't worry, Ajin, Avarath...eat your fill. Erin, would you like to come hunting with me?" he queried.

Erindor cracked open an eye, his once very bright eyes only dully luminescing, "I shall retire and speak with the people of Sar'dan come dawn. Is there leftovers from dinner?" the Rider asked Marthril, grimacing as he stood, the sack of eggs still in his grasp of course.

"Very well...I shall bring you something," Erador replied, stretching his back as he stood, his scales vibrating in a metallic rain of pings as he shook. With that, the Great Emerald Dragon bid those present a pleasent evening if he did not return before they retired, and sauntered from the hall. With a grunt and snort, Erador's body coiled and leapt forward, galloping out into open air and let his momentum carry him over the edge of the castle where the night breeze would lift his wings to the sky. The normally aware and keen Erador was oblivious to Cantalith's presense at the castle, and soared right on by, pumping his wings slowly to conserve energy; his flight seemed labored.

Cantalith shut her soft glowing eyes as the large dragon passed, and was almost undetectable. She waited a moment, then took wing at a large radius to accommodate them both without being noticed. She followed the tired dragon...

Erador frowned as he flew into the downdraft of a coldfront, a problem as it made maintaining altitude difficult, and his scent was carried to the forests below; he'd have to hunt against the front. Silkily, the Emerald Dragon glided in a carefree sixty degree turn, dipping lower over the forests; his infared senses turning the verdant expanse alive with tasty little mammals. His adrenal glands started pumping adrenaline as a perfect scent caught his attention; elk. "Perfect!" he thought happily to himself, thinking this night's dinner was going to be easier than originally thought.

It was no difficult task to follow the tired dragon silently and swiftly, though she knew that ordinarily it would be a hard task. Cantilith flew without sound, gliding softly on up drafts.

Glee filled Erador as his night oriented eyes gazed upon a bedded down herd of elk, but a rumbling gastrointestinal tract spooked the animals, and they bolted. "Why doesn't mother nature work out that little indecency," Erador thought to himself with a growl, opening his maw to howl into the night, fire splaying swaths on the forest floor between the trees, offing his prey one by one and rather efficiently. A chocked cough escaped his maw as his fire venom was expended, nothing but smoke billowing out instead. 

With a grumble, Erador landed and shifted the trees out of his way, collecting his bounty; about five elk, and sauntered his way to a rocky outcrop overlooking a small lake. "Dinner...finally! Oh thank my wonderful hunting skills..." Erador said to himself in glee, happily munching on the first of his kills.

Cantalith landed softly, but stayed hidden, not wanting to meet the large dragon while consuming his meal.

Erador savored his meal despite his famished and exhausted state; it was one thing to fill one's belly, another to fill one's mind as well. With a stifled belch, the Great Emerald Dragon shifted onto his back along the outcrop, letting his wings unfurl and stretch down towards the water. He gave a small gasp as the cooling waters touched his membranes; a wonderful sensation that teased the thought of a quick swim...perhaps after he had his fill of relaxation and stars. His talons idly clawed and gouged at the rocky earth around him, stretches pulling through his frame from time to time.

And still, hidden in the shadows, Cantalith followed the large dragon, Erador. She wanted to find her brother and make sure he was safe, but knew better of it. As the dragon passed her hiding spot, she crouched even lower, being avoided, and staying undetected.

It was truly an evening to savor, and Erador was eager to drink up every bit of peaceful solitude he had at his expense. A gently cooling breeze swept over his immense form, carrying with it a scent; the wind had shifted. His mind was still foggy and disoriented, and shock made him forgot details of the recent tragedies. Erador picked his head off of the mossy stone and looked into the direction of the wind, his nostrils widening as his infared senses kicked in. "...Illatrius?" he queried delierously, scenting the very faint scent of another dragon, and this one was female. Erador's eyes went wide as his pupils expanded to blacken them, the details of the night coming into sharp focus as his mind's fog was cut away by his curiosity. 

In a split second, Cantalith made up her mind about what she must do. There was no hiding from this dragon's vision. As soon as his eye's came into full focus, her black catseye like hide would be apparent. She stepped out of cover and her silvery eyes locked on the male dragon, awaiting his move.

"...She must be an illusion...I must be crazy...too much loss, too much fighting..." he mentally lamented, closing his eyes. By that simple action, Erador could now feel her presense, scent her uncertainty, and feel gentle vibrations in the earth from her tense muscles. Slowly, Erador opened his eyes, his breath catching when he spied her again; the latter's mind and body ablaze with light and heat. Erador inhaled silently, and let out a small and tenative bugle, keeping his gaze on her as he clasped his wings and folded over himself in a very serpentine manner. Erador now stood watching this wild and magnificent dragoness. To quell his final doubts, Erador reached his mind out as one would a caring hand, gently brushing her conciousness' mental barriers; knocking on the door if you would.

As the male dragon closed his eyes, Cantalith did all she could not to take a step back, in fear of a surprise attack-she wasn't sure if this draco would be angered by her presence. He opened his eyes again, and she felt his presence brush up against hers. She quieted her mind and gave a soft hum in a more submissive stance than she stood in before. 'I'm no threat.' She spoke softly, 'My name is Cantalith.'
Cantalith leaned her neck out to touch her muzzle to his, a draconian way of greeting. She was trying to be polite, but didn't know all of the elder ways.

Surprised by the outgoing behavior, Erador recoiled his head just slightly before returning the greeting. "Well met, Cantalith," he replied in a regal and respectful tone. "My name is Erador, and I am no threat," Erador added, his pupils contracting slightly to show more of his luminescing emerald irises. The Emerald Dragon took a step forward, furtively scenting the newcomer dragoness, "...Its strange, until just today I thought I was the only other dragon for thousands of leagues. Do you know a certain Ajin?"

The dragoness also took a step forward, and a strong but soft female voice replied, 'Yes, Ajin took me under his care at the cavern before I escaped...' She paused for but a moment then looked up at him, her head turned slightly to the side as if pondering a thought. 'And the hatchling that accompanies him, Avarath...is my brother.'

Erador's expression read surprise once again at her words, but he suspected a connection; why else would she suddenly turn up? The Emerald Dragon relaxed by sitting on his haunches, his voice rumbling back in reply like distant thunder, "I had thought there may be a connection between them and yourself. Why else would you turn up as well when we discovered them? They're both safe and sound in Sar'dan. Arrangements have been made for a proper meal, healing, and rest," he assured. After a proper pause, Erador continued, "With so many at the mercy of their captors at that godforsaken rock, how is it that you managed escape? Is there anyone else alive?"

The draco's thunderous voice comforted her but still a shiver rippled through her scales as the memory came back. 'No, very few, if any, of the others survived, that I know of. I was one of the lucky ones. We plotted for a decade before the time was right. Then, one rainy night when the creatures were drunken, countless numbers of us rushed to the entrance, our escape.' She swallowed and shifted her weight, looking to the stars then back again to her story. She was reliving the night. 'It wasn't long at all until they saw us running free. Avarath ran to Ajin to try and get him out, but his chains stood firm. They had for the longest of time, why break then? Ajin had told us to go on, but my brother got trapped, he didn't listen. Ajin hid him under his wing, and they passed without noticing as I got pushed along out of the the cavern by frantic horse-like dragons.'

'They tracked us down, the hord of those creatures, and those of us who didn't get shot or recaptured had to learn to hunt for ourselves, many of us facing starvation as an end... I returned to Ajin and Avarath and waited until now. I couldn't bear to go back in, though I wanted to. I was assumed dead, caught in the events. The few dragons that got recaptured soon were burdened to death, and the cavern abandoned leaving the eldest silver dragon to rot, my brother by his side, the chains keeping him alive to live in misery. As far as I know, there may still be a few pairs of dragons out there. Always hidden, though I doubt that they will live very long, though I hope that they'll find one another and wild dragons can again roam. There may not be that hope, though. The ones I know that survived the immediate attack were captured as egglings and only if instinct took over could they be alive...' The dragoness finished the shorter version of her story, her voice dropping off to a lower key.

Erador regretted asking her about her incarceration for a moment, feeling lavacious anger well up inside him again. It was a tiring feeling post battle, like flexing an overused muscle. His hide's scales dimly lit with emerald light as his energy came back to him, "...Perhaps we will have the time to find and save those who escaped," Erador replied optimistically in verbal draconian, his mind conveying images of search and rescue techniques. "I don't mean to be insensitive, but the topic is heavy...bearing its weight with recent events is a laborsome and somber task. The important thing is that your brother and Ajin are alright...and, actually, even more so, at least to me; you're alive," Erador crooned.

The dark scaled dragoness crooned back, and spoke aloud, her voice soft like a song. She smiled. "It's quite alright. The battle weight heavily on one's scales and I can see that the weariness resides throughout everyone, young and old, in the city...though I've never expected to find any others again." She paused. "But are you not excited to find another of your generation? Surely that's what you've been hoping for and looking for?" She asked Erador.

Erador trumpted a soft bugle, throwing his head with a smile. "More than most can imagine," he replied. The Emerald Dragon stood, stalking around Cantalith with a lithe grace defiant of his enormous build, "...Some part of me refuses what my senses tell me..." he said, studying the Dragoness at a respectful distance. Erador switched to infared again, letting loose a rumble of satisfaction when he spied Cantalith's beating heart glow like a sun admist a yellow aura of heat. Convinced, Erador threw his might against the ground through his forelegs and balanced on his hindlegs, maw unleashing both thunder and fire in a blistering torrent. The earth trembled as he came to all fours, crouching playfully, "I've been waiting so long for this; I didn't think it was possible!" Erador's exhaustion seemed to have left him as adrenaline and excitement took over, "Come, let us fly! Its been so long since I've been able to fly with another who wasn't my pupil."

Cantalith stood still as the Emerald dragon observed her, only turning her long neck so she could see him. She laughed at the draco and launched herself into the air with more grace than you'd expect from anything the size of a dragon. She circled above Erador, knowing he'd soon take wing.

And take wing he did. Using nothing but his powerful flight muscles, Erador beat his wings throughout their full dynamic range with a resulting gale ripping through the forest like a storm front. Thunder rolled off of his wings as he rose into the air and drew level with Cantalith. After that show of pure strength and experience, Erador moved along at an easy pace; away from Sar'dan...for now.

Cantalith laughed. She was so happy to be flying with another dragon, the worries of her wild world dropping away like the trees beneath them. She followed alongside the emerald dragon, and wondered where they were going. She didn't really care though. She felt the joy from both of them radiating in the air around them, bouncing off the air and coming back again.

Erador rolled and did a lazy double-twisted backwards loop to glide up right next to Cantalith. "Forgive me for my exhaustion; I'm not quite myself! Usually I'm much more energetic and playful," he said as he gently glided over the top of her. A thought of bounding game entered his mind, "...Are you game for a hunt?"

She smiled. "That's quite alright." Cantalith said, rolling playfully over the top of Erador's wing tips. "I've heard of the battles, and I know it's taken a toll on every creature in these lands."
She smiled again, "Sure. Race you there?" and sped past Erador. She was just so happy to have a companion that she forgot his weariness. The happiness drowned her mind. She remembered quickly though, and circled back to him, still smiling with joy.

Giving a smile, Erador cooed deeply, "You thought about me...how kind," he said, but gave a wink and inched his nose a few feet in front of hers. "I think a good race is a grand idea...but I shan't cheat simply because I'm a light dragon...oh, say, what a wonderful scent! North west...first one there takes all!" he roared, banking off sharply and accelerated out of the turn.

Cantilith roared after him, flipping her wings sharply to follow right behind him. It was a good thing Erador was exhausted. She was naturally quick, but so was he, and he'd had much more reason in the later months and even years, than she, to race other dragons.
She glided through the air, her smaller frame keeping pace along Erador's flank.

Erador wasn't surprised that she was keeping pace in her own effortless grace, but that didn't mean he wouldn't let them have a little fun. Opening his maw to scoop in air, Erador heaved and forced his aching muscles and tendons to work faster and move his wings as efficiently as they could stroke...giving him some distance initially as the forests and hills below began to streak away.

Cantilith was surprised by Erador's sudden increase in velocity, and it took her a moment to realize how much he'd increased his speed by. Any lesser dragon would surely drop dead out of the air, yet Erador found more strength to race off of.
Well, he couldn't have all the speed and fun in the open air, she decided, and dove to skim atop the trees, her slender frame letting her dodge the few high trees in the canopy. As they reached closer to their finish line, the trees grew high enough that the game wouldn't suspect any predatory approach from the sky.

Noting her final approach, Erador tilted forwards for a steep dive. His course was set to flank Cantalith, but his quickly weakening wing muscles was a bit of a worry. Spotting a likely location for a thermal, Erador dropped altitude silently before opening his wings up to their full extension as a column of warm air blew past his wings, billowing out the emerald membranes. In respect to joint hunting techiniques, Erador took up the rear to capture escaping animals.

Cantilith took note of the emerald dragon's use of the thermal, and edged in closer to the herd as Erador took the rear. 'How would you like to proceed?' She asked him through telepathy.

"Its your kill, proceed as you will; I'll route out the stragglers," Erador replied likewise. His pulse jumped as his discerning nose caught the scent of their quarry; they had to be right over the next ridge.

Canilith snorted, and increased her downward speed. Passing over the next ridge, she saw the herd below them, just as Erador had said. The herd gathered closely together and they would be an easy target. She unsheathed her talons as she neared, Canilith's eyes locked on the prey.
The long legged elk scattered below her, but they weren't fast enough. Her claws and teeth lashed out with catastrophic speed, easily taking down the mammals.

Predictably, the herd spread in an arc from the point of interception with Cantalith. With this knowledge burned into Erador's hunting instincts, he collapsed a wing to bear hard port, and reversed the arrangement after a wingbeat to rip him around starboard, talons and maw jabbing at the fleeing unfortunate elk that were in his path. He circled around and backwinged, landing nimbly to collect his kills systematically from finish to start. "Dinner is served!"

A laugh emerged from Cantilith's maw. She then picked up her kill and drug it over to where Erador sat. She was so happy to have a companion after these long years, but she still kept a wary eye out in case she got too close. She'd learned that lesson in the cavern, when she was younger. She settled her frame down next to him, and pulled decent sized chunks off the carcass.
"So," she queried, "Tell me about yourself...? As I understand, you've a Rider? What's it like?"

Mindful to keep his lips sealed as he chewed half an elk to pulp, bones and all, Erador kept silent until his mouth was clear again, "That is a vast question, Cantalith," he rumbled, giving a warm smile. "My you're observant...Erindor is my half brother. We were joined when he was but a hatchling and I was twenty. As for what its like...how can I sum it up? The connection we share is so intense and complete that on occasion we cannot tell the correct posession of each other's thoughts, emotions, and memories. Its rare for you to see me without him near...but I figure since he has a love in his life now, things may change. Its created a sort of gap between us...though I expect the barriers of privacy will relax in time." Erador snapped up the hindquarters of the elk he was working on before he replied.

Cantilith nodded, the dappled light of the forest creating shards of light bouncing off her scales. She stayed silent, chewing and wondering. She felt bad for Erador. His rider suddenly directing all his attention to this new female. Although it was understandable, and the circumstances would most likely pass...

Erador finished his morsel and swallowed. He took a breath and continued, "To be joined is to become one being. Your everyday life and sleep is comfortably busy with the other's life. To be away, say more than fifteen miles, and that warm light of the other begins to dim and decrescendo...twenty miles or so on and there's profound, complete silence. Erin's sleeping right now...and was profoundly happy before slipping into his slumber. He told me he wanted to marry his mate, I suppose he proposed tonight. I guess its about time we branch out, we've been so tightly knit for so long...oh I'll shut it, I don't want to be a downer," he chuckled, prodding another elk. "Pardon me, I normally don't eat this much," Erador said, pushing the other two animals over to Cantalith with his muzzle.

"It's quite alright. It's very interesting." The dragoness said. She wanted to learn the customs of other dragons. Her dark scaly head turned to look at the meat. "Nor do I, although if I eat all this I wouldn't need to eat for a few months."
Proceeding, Cantilith spoke again, "I don't mean to impose or ask too many questions, it's just so interesting to talk with another dragon again... If I may ask; what is Sar'dan like? Is that your city?"

"Aye, Sar'dan is my home and I am one of her many guardians," Erador began, taking back one of the elk to eat. "The city hasn't always been my home. Once upon a time, millenia ago when our kind were still plentiful in this part of the world, I was King of the Light Dragon sept. Then darkness struck in the form of a vastly growing neighboring empire...known today as the Shadow Kingdom. It seemed nothing could escape the corruption, and so I sent my sons as well as the rest of my remaining Sept members away...far away. I told them to fly until the sun rose twelve hours earlier, and I told them I must stay to free our homelands of this evil. I've yet to succeed in that venture. All that is good in these lands lies on the fate of Sar'dan. Its been a long, tiring campaign, and neither has proven to be superior save for the last six months where the city walls have been breached. I should like nothing better than to let our foe's black walls crumble and their barracks burn."

Erador tossed up the elk before him with his maw, snapped it up, chewed briefly, and swallowed. "I've been told I'm rather proficient with demolition," he grinned. "But, alas...our misfortune comes not from the many people that call the Shadow Lands home, but instead to the line of drow elf misfits that align themselves with the dark. Finish them, particuarlly Morac, and the magics binding the Kingdom will lift and the sun will shine golden upon the gaunt faces of the poor, entrapped citizens. But war is war, we can only try to minimize casualties...Morac knows this, which makes a prospective offensive difficult as he can twist the minds of his subjects to serve his will. But our greatest weakness is also our greatest strength. If we play our hand well, the fate of the Kingdom of Shadow will be settled at long last...and I can rest easy, at long last," he took a gentle sigh as he melted in reverie for a moment.

"It will be a day to rejoice when all fathers and mothers can receive their surviving sons. It will also be the start of the search for my family, my sons, and my kin. I don't expect the task to be too daunting...simple directives makes for a proper and quick reunion; dead west, half the world away." Another reverie washed over Erador a moment, "I think its the collective enduring hope that has contributed to the longevity of the Rider's last city." Erador smiled, "There are many, many stories I can and wish to share with you, narratives worth many lifetimes." He prodded the remaining elk he had given to her, "...Going to eat that?"

She had heard the earth itself whispering and moaning in the war, but had no idea it had gone on for so long. "Then, maybe Sar'dan shall retaliate once more, and emerge victorious." Cantilith said. "Would you include me into your side of the battle? And I'm almost positive that Ajin and Avarath will fight loyally on Sar'dan's side." She hoped that Erador would welcome her request.

"And I'd love to hear all of them. They must be wonderful epics." Hopefully he'd get to add rejoining with his sons to his vast amount of narritives.
Cantilith smiled, "Not if you'd like it." She used her muzzle to flip the limp carcass over to Erador.

Deciding he needed the extra food, Erador snapped up the final animal and languidly ate it. "You flatter me," he smiled. "They are but recounts of a lifetime's experiences...some grander than others. Though I still think the best story is the one not yet told, or the one that unfolds with every breath." 

Erador looked to Cantalith and sighed, "It is your choice if you wish to risk your life to fight in Sar'dan's favor. I would be most honored to fly alongside you into battle...but you shall need armour, and some training. Both are things I and Erindor can provide you. You shouldn't have to become involved...you are the last mature dragoness for thousands of miles..."

Cantilith nodded. "That is indeed the best story of all." The dragoness then considered her options of Erador's words. She never thought about being the only mature dragoness left for such a long distance. She pondered it, but never thought it to be true. And if she didn't join a side, what would she do? Just wander the surrounding lands like she'd been doing? It was appealing, but there wouldn't be other dragons. She realized now how much she missed their presence. And what happened when the war overtook the forest, and if she got forced into the opposing side? She'd have to fight against this grand dragon and she would never willingly do that. This side offered companionship and trust-something she'd never known, and never would unless she chose this side.

For a few moments longer, thoughts swept through her brain. She didn't know what to do, although this seemed like a grand offer. Finally she spoke; "Yes, but there'll be others that hatch and grow...if something should fall amiss..." She let her voice drop, but spoke again, "It'd be a honor to serve your cause.  ...Unless, of course, you feel otherwise; although the war shall soon effect everyone it hasn't, and you should bear no burden for the choice of my admittance." The dragoness finally concluded. 

"It is your choice to choose, and it would be an honor to count you my friend as well as my ally," Erador smiled. "As an ally, you needn't fight, that is your choice, not a requirement," he clarified, turning over to rest on his back as he partially opened his wings. "I haven't flown so hard or fast for many, many years. My throat is dry from my fire, and my muscles will me to do nothing but rest and sleep. I think I'll be able to rest and sleep better knowing that you are here."

"Then an ally I shall be-whether it requires fighting or not." She slowly got up, her scales chiming together, laughing only the way a dragon can. "That makes the two of us then." Cantilith curled her form along Erador's neck, willing to rest there forever. Her eyelids fell over her silvery eyes and she allowed herself to become lost in the moment, although not asleep.

Erador had dozed off for a moment, and returned to conciousness when he felt her warmth and smelled her scent. A deep coo resonated from his chest, and a tired smile came upon his lips, but he wouldn't dare say a thing lest she should be distracted from her moment. Quietly and gingerly, Erador rolled back over and stood, walking around Cantilith to find the most comfortable spot to lay down. Having decided his spot along her back, Erador cleared away a boulder, some logs, and other such annoying brush, cooing all the while to soothe the both of them. Gently, Erador rested himself upon his belly before turning on his side and shifted to close the gap between them. His neck and tail backed her own neck and tail, meeting up where her curled tail and head rested. Erador observed bounds and kept his head out of the way, resting next to his tail as his eyes watched the wilderness. As a last act of chaste affection for his kindred friend, Erador erected one of his great wings and lay it over her, and his deep cooing became just a bit louder. "Is this too close?" he asked, making sure that no part of him was touching her besides his wing.

By now Canilith had fallen into a light slumber. Her mind was stretched across the forest floor, in habit, as she'd become acustomed to it as a wild dragon would. She sighed a harmonic breath as Erador shifted closer. He was larger than her, and his mass wrapped around her form. The dragoness felt a cool emerald membrane carefully fall over her back. She'd begun crooning, like Erador was when she heard his strong voice fill the air. Like music, she responded, "Not if it isn't for you." She eased her head a bit closer to his, in mutual affection, their heads now lying parrallel; the dragoness trying to guage Erador's reaction with her mind.

Growling happily, Erador gently connected with her sensative mind and conveyed emotions of extreme content before gently constricting his encircling diameter so that Cantalith would comfortably rest against him. "I am at a loss of words for the sheer emotions I am feeling," Erador whispered, lying his head nigh cheek to cheek. "I had imagined that I would never be able to do this again, to experience the feelings of fellowship. Now all that lonelyness is gone...just gone. In its place is warm, sweet, bliss. Thanks for hanging on." He smiled, giving a tired sigh.

And rest comfortably Cantilith did, sharing the same joyusly content feelings that Erador did. Her scales brushed lightly against his, then more vigourusly as she leaned closer. It was almost as though she couldn't be close enough with these new feelings twirling inside her. She settled for a position where their lengths were touching, the heat radiating from their forms. "I'm not the one to thank," she said, forcing a silvery eye open to look at the male dragon. "It's to you, for befriending such a wild dragon as I." Hearing his sigh she spoke again. Her words sounding like liquid song. "Rest, great draco. All is in peace."

At her words, Erador was compelled to do nothing but sleep, but he had one more act of affection to play out. "Wild as you call it is simply the natural order of things...and I am thankful you have accepted my friendship," Erador replied softly, moving his head so that he could preen the scales of her brow and upper neck, locations that would impossible to reach without the aid of another dragon. He took care in cleaning the scales, making sure every one was free of dirt and polished top and bottom.

Cantilith could do nothing more but hum a response. "As am I." She gently moved her head to rest upon Erador's fore arm as he preened her scales.

Smiling as he worked, Erador let his heavy eyelids close over. It didn't matter if he could see or not, his tongue told him enough. "These scales...are rough," he said gravely. If only there was someone all along who could've taken care of this poor and nigh abandoned dragoness. At least there was him now, and he'd do all that he could to protect her from any more pain.

Cantilith chuckled. "I guess I've not payed much attention to them. The elements have just taken their toll." She replied softly. There was no way to begin to describe how good it felt to get the dirt away, off her scales. She supposed her scales were like any human armour that she'd come to know. They needed polishing and to be kept in good condition, just like her scales. Although she quickly pushed the thought away when she saw her scales turn to rust; draconian scales were much stronger than the metal humans used. The dragoness sighed happily in the company of the dragon, completely at home by his side.

"Oh you have taken fine care of your scales...its these hard to reach ones that need the greatest attention," Erador replied gently, the enzymes of his mouth acting to remove debris and polish the scales to their original luster. "Did you know of Sar'dan atall? Or is all new news for you, Ajin, and Avarath?"

She grumbled a reply of acknowldgement then spoke, "We suspected that there were many other cities, however like or different than ours. Some of the dragons even spoke of old legends. I can recall Sar'dan being mentioned once or twice in the tales, although none of us knew if it was real; existant. The only thing we knew for certain was our survial instincts. That this was our city, however terrible it may be. And when we all broke out, we didn't dare trust humans enough to venture within a tight radius of their castles and villages. That fear drove many of us to competition of teritories and many more to starvation; both options ending in death. I think the only reason I survived thus far is because I still stayed close the the dwelling, where no other dragon dare tread." Canilith paused and continued with the original question. "I supposed we'd always known there was another city, although none of us have bothered to look for it. We still fear our previous enslavement. None of that really matters now though; I suppose humans can be kind, and seeing a dragon like you gives me much hope again." She concluded her story with a mental smile.

"I can see your perspective well. Even though I hunt and patrol these lands and forests often, I never saw a trace of dragons in the area besides the marks of Illatrius, Drazon, and myself. You and whatever others there may have been just blended in I suppose. Its a chilling reminder why I sent my Sept and family away...so that they may survive this madness. I suppose a few Septs decided to stay," he sighed. Erador began work with preening sections of her neck she might not be able to reach by herself. He was gentle and thourough, and perfectly carried away in the task. "The majority of Sar'dan's population are elfs, and the humans are warm and merry there. I wish for you to meet my brother, for he may be of a surprise to you."

"It's unfortunate that a world can become so maddened." Cantilith agreed before letting herself relax further into the soft grooming from Erador. She could feel her scales shining. "It sounds like a pleasant, wonderful city. May I accompany you back there? And I'd be delighted to meet a Rider, especially yours. They sound so interesting..."

"The Riders are almost a legend in these lands now. Upon the great alliance between elves, humans, and dragons, spells and enchantments were woven to bind a dragon and his or her elven or human rider together in eternal peace. The main objective of the Riders is to maintain order in society, to be guardians of the law and protect the lives of citizens. After the Dark Realm struck at our race, the Riders diminished and all but fell. Erindor and I are the eldest remaining pairing. Things were very different all those years ago..." Erador heaved a quiet sigh, which accentuated his constant cooing for a moment.

With an oustretched forepaw, Erador took gentle care and partially rolled Cantalith's neck and began working on its underside. Nuzzling his way to hard to reach places on occasion, Erador worked his way up to her head and chin, an area that tended to need more cleaning simply because of eating. "Tell me if this is uncomfortable..." he said, dutifully returning her scales to their full luster and ridding of any dirt that might irritate the undersides of scales. "...You may accompany me wherever you wish, and Sar'dan sounds like the perfect place to start," he crooned.

"Would you tell me more sometime? Of the histories of all the races?" Shifting her weight she rolled onto her back, her neck outstretched along the ground. This was another sign of her trust. At any moment Erador could press his massive teeth into her neck or soft stomach scales and instantly kill her. Although with his mass, he could have easily killed her when they first met. She smiled. The dragoness would be happy to die by his side; no matter what the cause.

"I'd love to." Cantilith thrummed in response. She wished she could return the favor of grooming, although with a Rider, Erador was already fairly polished. Still, there was some dirt from the war he'd just fought... With her head upside down she started to groom his fore paw, taking as much care cleaning his scales as he was with her; delicately removing the dirt and making sure each one reflected the moonlight onto the night-green foliage of the forest. 

Erador was impressed by her show of comfort and trust, and let his chest thrum deeply in reply, pausing to watch Cantalith groom his paw. A generous smile graced his lips as his eyes grew soft and smiled themselves from their glowing, emerald irises. "I seem to have memory of everything I've experienced. This has been both good and bad, as I remember everything in immaculate detail. Its been defined as a gift given to us from our creators, whomever they are, to waste not a second of life because it is forgotten. The longevity and clarity of our memories seems a fitting trait given the greatness of our lifespans. I'm still not sure if any of our kind has died simply from old age, only disease, each other, and war..."

Returning to his attention again after watching Cantalith in sweet wonder, he wiggled himself forward to better expose his forearm to her. Battle had left him partially caked in dried blood, his enemy's and his own. Erindor had healed the worst of his injuries, but the small cuts and minor slashes would have to wait until his brother recovered. He ruminated this fact within his mind for a few moments before deciding to give his show of trust by allowing Cantalith to help clean the wounds; he didn't like to show just anyone his blood as he considered it sacred, along with all dragon blood. "...I'm still a bit marred up from the battle, could you help me clean some of the wounds if it wouldn't be a bother? The silly Hert'zar tried their best with their swords against my legs and tail...worked just enough to annoy me," he smiled. Erador dutifully returned to polishing the lusterous scales of her exposed neck, trying to keep the motions of his tongue as chaste as possible; he didn't want to do anything that would cause her alarm.

"Yes, nor have I. But do tell me, what makes you surface this thought?" Cantilith asked, looking up at him. She felt his unease as he spoke again, but agreed, with a smile at the latter remark. Using her wings to shift her weight along the ground, Cantilith pushed herself into a better position to clean his wounds. The rifts in Erador's emerald scales weren't very easy to see amid the dirt of battle, but she could smell the blood and that made them easier to find. She set to work cleaning the wounds, although her nose wrinkled slightly at the first taste of the metallic-smelling draconic blood. Gingerly she cleaned them, her saliva working to naturally heal the skin. The dragoness used the corner of her eye to watch his eyes; looking for discomfort. Slowly she made her way up to his broad shoulders, still cleaning his shallow wounds along the way, making his scales shine with the dirt now gone. The dragoness kept her peripheral vision locked on Erador's eyes-for the grey area of alarm was mutual.

Erador smiled at this question, having eagerly shifted to ease her ginger work. "A few reasons come to mind why this thought convected to the surface," he began, finishing up her head and neck with a few sweet licks to her face before moving onto her toned shoulders. "Its because I never want to forget this moment...and because you asked if I'd share more stories with you, and I intend to," he said, cooing excitedly now; he was feeling quite comfortable.

Cantilith smiled as Erador shifted to make her work easier. Then smiled sweetly again as the male dragon gave a few extra licks to her face. "Nor do I." She responded, while giving his handsome face a lick, and rested her head on his shoulder. This was quite comfortable for her also. The began the thrum, her chest vibrating from the sound emanating from her throat.

A thunderous purr rattled through Erador's abode sized ribcage, providing a deep harmony to her thrum. He reveled in the tuned vibrations, the experience leaving him feeling as if he were weightless. "Do have any stories to share yourself? You know...stories beyond the crags?" he crooned, craning his neck around to nuzzle the sweet spots under her neck.

Their duet filled the night air as a rush of even more feelings flooded Cantilith's mind. She would be content to never move from this spot again; frozen in time like they were now.

Cantilith chuckled. "Nothing very exciting. A stray white buck here and there that the humans are so fond of-for their unnatural coloring." Then a story did come to mind, and her mind pressed more heavily on his as she remembered it. Well...There is a story of my mother... With her incredibly large draconian memory capacity she let the images be seen in Eradors mind, narrating along the way.

"My mother and father were the most beautiful dragons that could have ever lived, other than yourself. My mother's scales were like deeply tinted crystals-as though her entire mass was build out of a shining charcoal-tinted crystal." In Erador's mind, an image appeared of a stunning female dragon. Who did, in fact, appear as though she were made of translucent dark-tinted diamond. Next a male dragon, as stunning as the first, appeared. "This is my father." This male dragon's scales were made of every color imaginable. It was the most beautiful combination of colors-they weren't to bright nor dark, yet they gleamed every color on earth. Underneath his scales, muscle abided, layered thick and powerful.

Cantilith continued. "I'm 117 years older than Avarath, as you can most likely tell by our size differences, although he's naturally a small dragon." A movie played out in their heads as Cantilith spoke. "I had yet to be hatched for long, but my existance was a happy one, playing with my brothers and sisters and spending loving time with my parents." The story turned dark. They were seeing things from Cantilith's young eyes now. "Then one day, when my father was out hunting, those beasts from the cavern came to our abode. My mother hadn't sensed them coming; their spellcasters had set wards around their pack. Caught off guard, my mother fought them off, easily breaking bones and damaging their fragile bodies. However their spellcasters had also woven a horrible spell into the fibers of their beings, rendering them nearly unstoppable." In the movie they saw her mother fighting off the foul creatures, desperately trying to save her daughters and sons from massacre brought on by these new enemies.

"Ordinarily this would have been an easy attack for my mother to counter-act, considering her size and experience, but these horrible things were different. Pain did not hinder them, their bodies could not remain broken for long. Soon they rose again. My mother could quickly feel the magic and managed to destroy three of their magicians before she died. Even as she died, she positioned her body to hide and conceal my hatched and unhatched siblings and I. However, this is the reason why they came-and they knew we were there. The vile creatures quickly defiled my mother's beautiful body, now deceased. Tearing out her scales and muscles and smashing anything they could. Then they quickly stole us away."

Cantilith pressed closer to Erador, the sorrow overwhelming as a tear slid from her silver eye. The movie switched to her father's perspective. "My father came home and found my mother dead and us missing..." Her father bellowed a cry of agony. "Blood lust coursed through his veins and he tracked the pack of creatures. However, they had already moved us and the remaining eggs. No trace of us would ever be found. When you found us, this was many, many decades after their knowledge of spellcasting and magic wore away. She added the latter for Erador's benefit. My father found them. He burnt their bodies and shredded their still-living bodies until they weren't recognizable. Now they really were dead. And damned to Hell numerous times. Then my father, his task done, returned to my mother and healed all her wounds, requiring great strength and volumes of magic. His heart had already been shattered by the loss of his mate, and more over by the loss of his children. He searched for us, but found only a shattered shell here and there, and the blood and broken body of what appeared to be my brother. He then returned to our home and protectively wrapped himself around my mother. He vowed never to leave her side again, and bonded their bodies with magic. Soon after he whispered a terrible death spell and he faded, breathing his last breath is agony over the deaths and losses..." A shiver made Cantilith's scales collide with Erador's emerald ones as is overtook her body for but a moment, as her father's sight faded-his last sight of their mother.

The dragoness sighed, closed her eyes and pressed into Erador's side; feeling safe from the unknown beasties lurking about that were present in the tale, though they no longer existed.

Erador pressed back, enveloping her in an impregnable barrier of protection. He gently rested his brow against hers, eyes closed as his mind reached forth to soothe her, offering gifts of the memories of what it is to be truly happy and care-free. He had growled and snapped his jaws during her vivid narration, and his most basic drive and purpose were ignited again. These feelings burned in his chest since the fall of the Tribes; the will to do all that is necessary to bring the guilty to justice and return his home and the home of his kindred to safety. It manifested itself as a powerful heartbeat, thundering in his chest, pumping vibrations of strength. 

"...I'm terribly sorry...I'm so sorry..." he crooned, his voice remaining strong despite the emotions it bore. Erador had not experienced these things firsthand from her perspective, but he had suffered much grief to which he could relate to her history. He drew his brow away from hers and gently licked a patch of scales between her eyes to soothe her. Erador repeated this gentle and time honored act until he felt both their heartbeats slow and calm. "I won't let myself be torn from you. Never shall you have to be alone and scared..."

Cantilith felt his heartbeat race and his agitation during her narrative. She, too, let her mind touch his and tried to calm his thundering heart, while suppressing her own. "It's alright." She spoke softly, crooning. "Every living thing encounters agony." Her tounge swept across Erador's cheek and then she proceeded to nuzzled it. Their scales rubbed softly together. "I know you won't. And I won't let that happen either...Thank you."

Erador lightly gasped, the muscles of his jaw fluttering from the contact. "I'm glad that not all good things come to an end," he said softly, his voice relaxed in its purely natural tone. "They seem to come back time and time again, sporting a whole new nature each time," Erador concluded, giving a sigh. A surprised expression broke across his face when after he blinked a warm tear, which flicked off his eyelid and onto Cantalith's muzzle. He shifted his gaze to study the small phenomenon; for he never wept, not since a millenia past. 

Wrapping Cantalith close to his belly with his wings and legs, Erador gently rubbed cheeks with the dragoness. He was letting down his stoney masks, allowing the beautiful soul underneath to show through. With it, he lay his head beside Cantalith's with closed eyes, letting trickles of water find their to the ground between the vales of his smooth scales. "Forgive me," he said, tucking his head way under a wing. "I-I haven't...wept...in, in..." he shuddered, "...since a very long time past." His sympathies for Cantalith's suffering had softened the floodgates to a very similar story. Erador nuzzled Cantalith's shoulder and pulled away, standing as regally as he could. "Its not you...come with me," he crooned, sniffling roughly. 

Cantilith pulled her nose back quickly as she felt Erador's muscles flicker, and heard his gasp. She seemed to know what he meant by this riddle of sorts. Erador showed a new nature, unknown to her since the few hours she'd known the dragon. She tried to nudge and lick away his tears, but without much success; for many fell to the ground. "You ask me to forgive, yet there is nothing to forgive, Erador." She crooned softly to him. Erador rose, releasing them from their grasps, and time started to flow again. Cantilith stood to follow him, walking until she was parallel with his massive form. She felt terrible about making him relive unfond memories and her head fell level with her spine as she followed Erador.

Erador caught Cantalith feeling guilty in some way for something. He brought his head over as they walked and tipped her chin up encouragingly, "Don't regret sharing what you did based upon my current state. I respect and appreciate your history as well as your courage to retell it. My grief is in part for you, but a great deal of it is in the past. I'd...umm..." he lost his eloquence as an ancient grief pounced on him again. "...We're close by, shouldn't take long to have me explain," Erador said, sniffling roughly again.

Cantilith smiled softly and rubbed her muzzle against his jaw, trying to comfort him. It wasn't hard for her to see that something was bothering him- even more so than before.

He allowed them to stride on in silence, covering leagues quickly because of their long stides. The trees eventually thinned as the forest gave way to its ancient trees. "Today is a rather morbid anniversary for me," he vocalized. "...This...is why..."

They had since walked into a small rocky vale with chunks of jagged granite and obsidian jutting out of the soft earth. Erador haulted in a clearing where a shaft of moonlight broke through the canopy and fell upon a dragoness. To the naked eye, she appeared perfectly alive, save for her uncanny ability to stand perfectly still. Erador took a deep sigh, pushing his emotions aside, "I melted the granite and sculpted it myself. This...was my mate, Saphira," he said, almost whispering the name. "This day marks a millenia since her passing..."

Cantilith halted next to Erador, and when he spoke, tears started streaming down her cheeks, flowing in and out the the crevices made by her scales. What more terror could this world hold? She was curious about the story that lay behind this, though she was afraid to ask, lest it cause him more pain, grief and suffering. In awed silence, she stood next to Erador in the clearing, in the presence of Saphira.

A warm and gentle tongue gently lapped at Cantalith's tears for a moment before Erador strode forward and set his brow to the sculpture's brow, mirroring her pose. "A thousand years and it still hurts as bad as it did the day I-I..." he whispered, his scales rustling softly as he shook. Erador pressed harder, his wings limp and carelessly sprawled and crumpled against the ground. "Forgive me Saphira...where ever you may be...forgive me," he lamented, tears running down his muzzle. 

Erador gave a gasp, "I..." a flash of emerald and saphire admist an agonized roar briefly touched Cantalith's mind. He growled in frustration, pressing his head against the sculpture as hard as he could; it seemed completely resistant to him. "...I couldn't find her for a week. She had gone back to tend to our hatchlings while I was away on other matters. That's when they found her...those mages! Damnit..."

He was positively shuddering now. "I suppose she fought to save Golothian and Ambrose...to which she succeeded, at the price of loosing her mind to the foul creatures. They controled her with anger and stamped out her reason. When I finally found her, here, right where we stand; she was destroyed in all but body and spirit...uuugh!"

"...She struggled with me, seemingly unable to recognize who I was. But all the while she felt her love for me, for I felt it from her as I was forced to...to..." Erador fell silent and fell upon the ground in a limp mess. "...I had to end her suffering...and I killed her; to release her soul from her dungeon of a mind and weight of a body."

Erador shuddered in pure agony, "And as the lights of her eyes dimmed, the spells broke...and...she said; Thank you, my love..." He openly wailed, roaring in deeply hollow and haunting tones. "...I've never felt her presence since...I've felt so alone. If it weren't for Erindor, I would have died of a heart strangled by guilt. I sent my sons and Kin far away when they were of age; I could not bear to have them share the same fate nor have their blood on my claws. And tonight marks the night of a millenia past...and I've yet to forgive myself. Could I have done it all differently and she'd still be here? How will I ever know...how will I?," he lamented, speaking ever so softly.

Cantilith, without much success, tried to shake off the tears, then silently walked over to Erador's limp body after hearing his story. Bending down, she lay her neck over his, trying to comfort him. "It can't possibly be your fault. She may have had to do the same for you, and wouldn't you rather be free than trapped in your own mind for the rest of eternity? You had to." His moaning wails penetrated her heart. It must be terrible to live a millenia more, having lost your love and your kin.

Quieting down rather quickly, Erador held much of his breath to contain his emotions and get a hold on himself. "I'm sorry," he moaned, "usually I am much more cheerful and enjoyable than...this. I just met you too, I don't mean to be an uncomfortable bother. I'll get over it." He sighed heavily, feeling thankful for her kind and wise words. 

"You are right. I thank you, I needed to hear that from somebody else," Erador said quietly, opening his eyes again as his shudders stopped and his body relaxed. "It's time to move on, been time for that for a while. I just...need to forgive myself; which is surprisingly more difficult than forgiving another soul." He rested in silence, listening to the steady tide of Cantalith's breathing. It was a beautiful night, warm and clear with plenty of light from the moon and the stars. A breeze rustled through the canopy high above, lending to a soothing trance that lulled Erador. 

Erador drew a breath, "When you told me of the mages that fought your mother, I immediately knew they were of the same sect that practiced the same dark magic. Given the years are a bit off, and certainly not the same individuals...but it reminded me of this, and what I had to do. Alas, I feel a change in the winds and the past cannot bend our wills. It's time to move on. Time to enjoy life again..." he crooned, lightly dozing in Cantalith's presence. "...We can move if the location bothers you..." Erador breathed tiredly.

"It's quite alright." Cantilith spoke. "A reaction such as this can only be expected on an anniversary of such enormity." She looked up at the wide moon. The night was slowly diminishing. She listened as Erador spoke again, and sighed herself. "That it is, that it is. I wonder why," she pondered, "it's so much more difficult to forgive oneself." She switched the topic then to fit his latter statement. "Though that doesn't mean forgetting. Part of your soul will always be hers, and hers always in yours. That's part of life. However forgiving yourself doesn't mean forgetting her. There must be more memories of her than just the last week? I assume many of them happy ones that you remember in full detail. As for location, I'm content here as long as you are."

Erador soaked in her consolations, his heart humming gently as she said all the right things. She was right afterall, the power of joy from all the years and memories of the Dragoness far overpowered the grief of loosing her. He relaxed as the memories brought light and warmth back to him. "Mmm...thank you," he crooned, moving to embrace her a moment with a wing before standing. "This is more of a place of mourning...perhaps I should move the sculpture so I do not lament upon that night. Come with me back to Sar'dan, and let us sleep in peace."

Cantilith was glad she could aid in some way. She stood up in time with him, and spoke. "That is yours to decide." Then at his latter comment, she nodded. She wasn't sure what'd it'd be like to be in a city again, but as long as Erador didn't leave her to fend for herself among the many people, she'd be okay. Besides, she was sure the citizens of Sar'dan were great-Erador had reassured her of that. The dragoness then chuckled softly as a thought swept through her head.

Cantilith's chuckle caught his attention rather bluntly, but he didn't think anything of it; the mirth was well appreciated. He didn't say much of anything until they were back in the air, and then, "Your laugh seems to have a way of lifting spirits," Erador smiled, performing a lazy and playful barrel roll.

She stayed quiet as they walked, and then lifted into the air, realizing that her laugh was out of place. Cantilith smiled as Erador spoke again, and dropped into a thermal, mimicking his playfulness.

Erador swooped up and around, placing himself about twenty meters from Cantalith's serpentine back and gently buffeted her wings with gales from his. He smiled mischeviously, dropping back quickly and came up alongside. "Your presence, your very existence makes me very content," Erador hummed, chortling lightly as he brushed wingtips and soared around to the last few feet of her polished dark shale tail. He gave it a playful nip, hoping to goad her into a good chase.

It was a good thing Cantilith was in a thermal draft or the huge gusts from Erador's equally large wings would have steadily tossed her to the ground. She felt a nip on her tail and growled playfully. A mischievous grin caught her fine, dark face, and she gave Erador a lick on the muzzle before darting off and disappearing up into the clouds.

Seeing that the game was afoot, Erador hit the gas, hard. He could feel life returning to his limbs as his food was rapidly turned into usable energy, and the pulse and blood pressure to his wing muscles soared. He followed at a steep sixty degree angle of ascension, disbanding the cloud with his tremendous wing beats. The cool clouds condensed onto Cantalith's hide, partially shrouding her heat signature. Vibrant jets of infrared came from her breath from time to time, and the eddies from her flight left a trail of breadcrumbs to follow. 

Cantilith could feel Erador following and began to eliminate her trail. She folded her wings in and dove, weaving in and out of the clouds, up and down. She returned to the cloud bank and fanned her wings. The clouds then swirled about her in an orb of confusion, twisting her scent around, spreading it through the clouds in veins that Erador would soon come across. Before the effect ended, she darted out of the pocket, and her scent trailed like all the others; spreading. And when the air began to stop whirling, it masked all the tunnels of scent in the clouds, creating a clever deception.

Her mind was now locked, only to herself, but she could feel Erador's body and mind near. She didn't use her mind to feel him; it was more like another type of sense all together. She could feel his presence near. Hear it, although he made no sound. She kept flying, knowing that he kept on her trail. She knew her clever guise wouldn't hinder him for long, he was too intelligent to let it, but it would confuse any dragon for at least a moment.

Cantilith dropped down, out of the cloud bank again. This was dangerous if her heat signature got too high, the ice particles melting off her skin, but she didn't stay out of the clouds long enough for that to happen. Besides, it was night and the air was cooler without the hot sun beating down on them. She climbed higher and higher then looped back, far above Erador. She grinned. Again, she could feel him near. And again, she didn't know how to describe it. She felt his presence nearing closer and readied herself for an ambush. What fun this would be!

Stealthily rising on an aggressive thermal, Erador cloaked himself and became invisible in the night. Her scent markings had confused him, but ultimately lead to a drastic change in altitude. He still couldn't see her through the clouds, but that was a fixable issue. A low rumble filled the skies as heat mirage like distortions appeared all about them. Moments later, Erador reversed his control of light and flung the collected photons everywhere, lighting him up and everything around them like it was morning. The burst of light lasted but a few moments, but he had seen Cantalith's form through the clouds, and he wasn't just going to let her get away. 

Wind screamed and thunder clapped as Erador ripped after her.

A silent growl escaped the between dragoness' teeth. It was a clever trick. She had to decide what to do...not a moment later she pulled her wings in tight against her side and dropped like lead from the sky. It was not starting to rain, the drops hitting her from the underside as she sped past them. Now she was just above Erador and a bit to the left. His sight only lasted a few moments and he'd still be going for that spot, however he'd see her heat signature as she got closer. She had to dive quickly.

Her body drove faster and faster and in only a moment she was close enough to touch Erador with her snout, still dropping at the same speed.
His large green form was now laiden with a dark form as she tackled him. Her muzzle quickly and lightly sought his soft throat flesh as her arms held steady on his scales, claws locking, yet not painfully. When they collided a large thunder-like clap emanated, and their forms almost stopped. However, Cantilith was going a bit faster, and gravity took over. They began their descent...

If there were a draconian equivalent for, "Aww crap," Erador had said it several times after the burst of light; he had forgotten to close his eyes. How silly! Next of course, while trying to catch up he had misjudged where Cantalith was because his eyes stung from the light that reflected back from the clouds. Added to that his slowed reflexes and war battered body, Erador wasn't physically able to deal with the Cantilith Cannonball. 

The impact was a painful one, given the sheer amount of kinetic energy she imparted to him. Winded and injured, Erador blacked out. 

A green garden appealed to his mind's eye. The warm sun beat down through a clear sapphire sky, the gentle breeze carrying the scents of many flowers in full bloom. A gale suddenly rocked the paradise, and the feel of the hot sun on his back gave way to a whipping chill. With a gasp, Erador came to and struggled to free a wing that was stuck between him and Cantilith. There was a nasty crunch as he forced the delicate sails to spread, instantly putting on air brakes. He held Cantilith tightly as he stabalized their fall, gliding gently now towards the earth. 

Despite all that, he had a smile on his face, "Are you going to let go of your knight's neck?" Erador queried. A sharp pain shot through the nerves of his right wing, and he felt instantly nauseous. "Let go, now! Fly!" he warned desperately, letting go of Cantilith. He had a broken wing.

Cantilith gasped, hearing the crunch. Instantly she dove under him and began trying to support his large mass. It was a struggle to slow their speed, but a clearing on the edge of a cliff was coming into view at the bottom of the clouds. Their velocity slowed as they neared the cliff. They dropped and she commanded, Pull in your wings!

They struck the ground and rolled away from the cliffs edge. Cantilith, being lighter, ended up stopping several feet away. Her mind jarred and unfocused she slowly got up and walked to Erador. Her head hung low. She felt terrible.

Whilst Cantilith was able to land relatively safely, Erador's momentum carried him forward into the edge of a small growth of pines. It wasn't the first time he had performed an emergency landing, so despite carving a three hundred foot swath out of the earth with his chest and forepaws, Erador had weathered the maneuver well. 

His attention swiveled around to Cantilith, and then his crippled condition. Unwilling to show weakness, Erador folded his wings and stood. He was at a loss of words, and his entire body was trembling from the pain. "I'm...okay. Its not the first time. Nice tackle, by the way," Erador managed, giving a shot at a weak smile. He winced, and moved his right wing out at a slight angle.

The dragon had suffered a greenstick fracture of the upper wing arm, an injury common to dragons who pushed themselves to the limits repetitively over a period of time; such as the battle. Given proper rest, the bones would have mended from their much smaller stress fractures. Erador supposed battered bones probably lead to the increased likelihood of his current ailment. 

Erador had also spared Erindor the shared experience of pain via a block, but the distance between them probably did enough of that already. Low growls thrummed from deep in his throat every time he moved a muscle or tendon wrong. "It was an accident, don't blame yourself." Erador was however quite a bit more wary of Canatilith; he had to remember she was an unbound dragon who by experience knew how to fight and take care of herself. The Emerald Drake found her tackle both impressive and annoying; he had meant the game to be harmless, full of wit, and canny. "Lets get going. It'll take me longer to go on paw because I will favor my wing."

He sighed, walking ahead in the direction of Sar'dan, pushing down trees because he didn't have the physical luxury of risking further injury to go around them. Having been knocked out of the sky, a chunk of reality settled itself on his bosom; and it wasn't particularly lightweight.

Part of that chunk was the realization that the bone would heal quickly, and it would heal wrong if he didn't set it. "Stay back, I'm going to have to set this fracture," Erador growled. He stalked around the cliff and its interior for a suitable location. A wide vertical crevice in a second and smaller cliff would have to do. Clamping his maw down on a hefty red pine, Erador leveraged his right wing inside the crevice and accelerated his breathing. As soon as his lungs turned a gale, he lurched forward...crunch. The tree in his maw incinerated explosively as the water in its trunk turned to superheated steam, and the rock face began to melt to lava as his inferno bathed it. He roared in agony once, and then whimpered; though not all too pitifully when one's teeth are bared and bathed in the blood of gums bleeding from the bite force he exerted to force back the pain. 

"Ow...okay...phew...ow..." Erador breathed, calming himself before snapping up a boulder of granite. The large rock was then broken by the walls of his stomach before regurgitating the gravel amidst another fiery blast directed at his wing. It was a careful operation, though its success was evident as Erador plastered the injured wing arm in molten granite that cooled against his scales. With a cast of granite, Erador strode from his place of privacy back to Cantilith, "It worked. The cast is something I can teach you."

Cantilith obeyed and was sitting on her hindquarters with her tail curled around her and her muzzle hovering but an inch above the ground. She focused on nothing before her, yet turned her head to look at the long tunnel on the ground's surface. She was furious with herself, and slammed her muzzle against a tree. It splintered beneath her. 'Why?! I'm so foolish! I should have known that the trajectory would be off in a cloud bank!! I'm... Horrible!' She growled to herself.

As Erador walked she felt the trees giving up their energy. Instead of wasting it, she stored it, putting more of hers into it. Maybe he could use it to help him heal faster. She felt the draco enter through his trail again and transfered the energy to his being, then looked up. She nodded at his words, looked at the ground, then spoke. "Erador...I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. If you want me to leave, I'll...just say the word..."

"No," Erador said firmly when he stopped before her. His demeanor looked as though he wanted to eat her that very instant, another angle and it looked like he wanted her done medium-rare, and a final combined the aforementioned with mercy. His heart had been pounding in his ears like tree trunks hitting the ground since the moment she had barreled into him, and it was only now starting to slow, but the blood pressure remained high. "Please, don't leave. If you were to maim me beyond recognition, I still would not want you to go. You mean more to me than just another individual; you are the individual I've been hoping for to find friend in, a companion in. As the humans say, shit happens. I'm not dead nor maimed, and I'd gladly take another hit like that because I've someone like me who I can be with, to laugh with, to hunt with, to play with, and to live with. Will you come back with me and be that someone, as I will be that someone for you that you need?"

Cantilith felt shrunken before Erador's massive form as he stopped in front of her. Yet, his words made her feel better, even if that guilt was still there. He wasn't deathly mad at her, and with the draco, things would be all right. Cantilith nodded her scaley head. "If you wish me to, it'd be my honor." Inside, she wished with all her might that they could return together to his home, and she be that someone Erador had been searching for, the someone that he'd just spoken of.

"I'm honored," Erador beamed, gently moving his head towards hers and titled it so their brows met perpendicular to the ground. He breathed a sigh, in part of a returning degree of content and because he was substituting it for a yawn. "I think...that we should spar more in the future; we could have much to learn from one another," Erador suggested lightly, smiling softly with his eyes closed. 

There was no way to describe how glad the dragoness was, and she fondly pressed her brow against his. She smiled back, "Indeed, we should."

Erador held the pose for an awkwardly long time, giving a chuff as he woke up from a brief slumber. "Forgive me! We had better return, somehow that is. Well, actually..." Erador moved his injured wing around as best he could and lay on his uninjured side, "...we can go in the morning. Its been ages since I've slept outside like this, like how everything with a tie to the earth and sky was meant to be."

Cantilith nodded. "You seem tired too." She licked his snout. Not sure how her close reception would be taken, she settled down next to his head. Closing her eyes, she began to think to herself, and a conclusion arose.
At Sunrise...

Raising his head off the ground, his neck a giant snake, Erador studied Cantilith's observance of distance before standing. He didn't blame her for his injury, it was an accident. With a few swift steps, Erador settled down behind Cantilith, curling his immense length around her. "Is this too close?" he asked to be polite; he didn't want to offend the dragoness; they could be feisty if their privacy was invaded.

The dragoness was already fading into a light sleep, but feeling Erador's touch she sighed and snuggled closer to the draco. Her lips curled up into a sleepy smile.

"Pinch me," the Dragon thought to himself, a smile growing across his face. He hoped this wasn't all a hallucination conjured by a lonely mind. Only the morning would tell. The night cradled him and he drifted deeper into sleep, dropping away from the world entirely.

The night passed by, and as the stars lost their immense hold on the Earth so far below, Cantilith awoke. Silently she slipped from Erador's hold and stepped around to look at his wing. She closed her eyes, and when she reopened them, her iris and pupil were like slate-blue diamonds. Her throat began to thrum and vibrate, a sound almost undetectable by human ears, and she carefully touched her muzzle tip to the wound. The cast shattered and his wing turned the same transparent hue as her eyes. The great amount of magic was reworking the bones, and creating the tendons anew. As the magic swirled around the limb, his bones returned to the normal place, and no evidence of a fracture or fragment could be found.

His wing returned to the same brilliant emerald hue it had originated from and it appeared that Erador had not awoken. She's been told that it felt like a breeze, drifting off of the scales, and no pain would have been felt. She hoped so. She'd already put him through enough pain. Cantilith looked to the Heavens and sighed. Thank you. She now stole through the dark morning and returned to her place by Erador's side; not before giving him a swift kiss on his nose, however. Cantilith fell back into sleep.

Erador gave the slightest of sounds when the dragoness kissed his nose. He did not wake, only cooed softly. The early morning gave way to a gray blue sky as the sun neared ascension. The Great Emerald drake awoke softly, smiling wonderfully to himself at the sight of Cantilith. With as much grace as he could muster, Erador stole away into the forests and caught them breakfast, returning as the sun bathed the lands in its golden light. 

"Wait...a," Erador paused, dropping his quarry and inspected his flawless wing. "...How?" he looked back to Cantilith, giving another smile. "Good morning, and thank you," Erador crooned, his chest thrumming with a deep hum.

"I'm glad it goes well for you." She smiled and stood, returning the thrum and walked over to him.

Erador's thrum grew louder a moment, and his grin widened. "Thank you, again. Don't feel bad. You're, amazing," he assured, nuzzling a share of breakfast towards her.

Cantilith smiled and said a soft 'thank you.' She then took a bite off the edge of the tender meat that Erador had brought them.

With his gnawing hunger sated after a few healthy portions, Erador regarded Cantilith with curiosity and respect. "Your feat of magic to heal my wing was not an easy one. I am impressed in your ability to summon and work with magic so well. For most dragons, they'd be so much as lucky to cast a few spells in their lifetime."

The dragoness nodded, "Well I suppose I've learned a few things from Ajin. I'm glad it worked though, I wasn't too sure because I've never attempted anything like it before..." She finished her sentence with a quick shrug, laying down perfectly balanced, like a sphinx.

Erador smiled, "I'm glad to report your first attempt at such a magical feat was successful then," he mused. He paused, watching Cantilith; studying her enigmatic pose. "Ajin is safe in Sar'dan at the moment. I must return...and I implore you to come with. I will understand if this makes you uncomfortable."

"Not at all." She replied, as she stood and walked past Erador, flashing him a white toothy grin, accompanied by a a quick, soft twinkle in her eyes. Quickly she looked away again and continued walking to the break in the tree line where they could take flight with ease, back to the city of Sar'dan.

The sparkle in Cantilith's eyes brought a small chuckle to Erador. He found her coyness intriguing and entertaining. "You certainly know how to hold an audience," Erador complimented. With a sudden urge to do something impressive, Erador coiled and launched. Imagine if you will, a floating camera angle playing back in slow motion some twenty feet off to Erador's left. His mighty leap propelled him fully into the air, far enough to ripple the morning air with his wings and batter the trees and dirt with the gale. Erador sailed over Cantilith with more than enough room to spare before holding his wings half cocked and dived off the granite precipice, giving a roar of joy that reverberated off of the jagged cliff.

A bit startled at the sudden movement, Cantilith looked up in time to see Erador's stunning feat. He really was an impressive draco; a joy to watch as his powerful muscles propelled him through the crisp morning air. A big, toothy grin covered the dragoness' face as she watched him, and since Erador was already too far away to hear her, and the awe in her voice, she whispered to herself, "So do you, Erador..."

Snapping herself back to reality, Cantilith took off, her muscles coiling and stretching like a spring as she galloped straight towards the precipice that Erador had a moment ago soared over. Without stopping or slowing her pace, she jumped straight off, her wings tucked neatly and tightly at her sides. Cantilith dove down a few hundred feet, her speed ever increasing, until she regained elevation near Erador. Then she gracefully unfurled her wings, and sidled next to him, riding effortlessly on a thermal.

Greeting her with a warm bugle, Erador's smile was practically as bright as the sun itself. His wisened eyes twinkled with joviality, happier than he had ever been in a very, very long time. "I want to show you something, something incredible. I want to take your breath away, as you've taken mine," Erador crooned, sending Cantilith a mental picture of what he had in mind. The flight procedure was one of extreme speed, made capable by Erador's own enchantments. "Just one question, do you like going very, very fast?"

Flying alongside Erador, Cantilith tilted her wings forward a bit, just enough to decend to a lower height than Erador. Now she was riding on a thermal underneath Erador, and slightly to the left, She curled her long neck under his and crooned softly. Still flying, with a soft touch, she nuzzled Erador's chin and replied through their telepathic link, growing extremely excited at what he proposed. "Yes!"

Erador's great chest vibrated in response to the affection, and he lightly pressed back against her touch. "Just keep your wings stead as if you were gliding. Just enjoy the ride!" he said, moving into position directly above Cantilith. His body shimmered in and out of visual existence as he bent the light around them and focused the photons upon his wings. Erador's verdant membranes began to shine brightly with a shimmering saphire light, bending the frame of space-time around the both of them. "Ready? Here we go!"

Trumpeting defiantly against the wind, Erador locked his wings as they burst with a nimbus of cobalt. Harrowing acceleration was the following feeling, but it wasn't uncomfortable. The sky above and the verdant forests below blurred as if an artist had smudged the pigments across a great 3D canvas. Their surprisingly silent voyage was suddenly punctuated with a thunderous boom as a shockwave radiated out from their muzzles. 

Cantilith slid her thin, transparent primary eyelids over her silvery iris' as they gained speed. Swirling around her was the blue hue, and it was almost as if she could see right through Erador above her! The expanse of their wings rested gracefully onto and below one another, almost like two puzzle pieces would fit...

Her mind was suddenly lost to that thought, as their speed increased to an almost unfathomable degree. Erador was certainty right; it took her breath away. She'd never seen anything like this; her mind was merely stolen by how picturesque everything was. She let herself melt and let the tunnel of wind sidle her along Erador's emerald skin, as she grinned; enjoying and capturing the moments that passed.

With the both of them flying as close as they were, and as fast as they were, aerodynamics forced their bodies and wings together from the low pressure zone they had created between their magnificent forms. "Oompf!" Erador exclaimed, laughing gently as he blinked his second pair of eyelids against the air. The friction against their bodies from the wind caused a great warmth to develop on their faces and the leading edge of their wings. At this rate, Sar'dan would be coming up in less than ten minutes. "Want to go faster?" he asked casually.

Cantilith was thouroughly enjoying herself, and watched as the friction melted away the crystaline water droplets that fell unto their skin. Her examination was interupted by Erador's thoughts. "Faster?!" Cantilith exclaimed. How could they possibly go any faster than they were already? She'd never even reached this speed diving from the top of the clouds, hurtling herself toward the great earth.

"In dire need, I have appeared as a shooting star across the sky, heating the air and my scales to incandescence. I do not know the limit to my own speed, for I fear I will burn away in a magnificent burst of light," Erador replied, the sky above and the forest below Erador appearing as though their light were being bent through a fish-eye lens. A soothing thrum developed as they began to cover nearly 12 miles in a second, adding another mile per second as each one ticked by. "This is the closest to freedom I have ever felt."

"Traveling this fast, you can almost sense the curvature of the earth, because its the only slow changing factor as I correct to maintain the same altitude." He almost couldn't remember the last time he had shared this with another dragon or dragoness. In his mind, this morning was to be the beginning of a whole new era; things were finally changing at last.

The City of Sar'dan was coming up fast, but Erador wasn't the least bit concerned about overshooting the elven city. Gently and gradually at first, Erador powered down, his wings returning slowly to their normal emerald luster as their speed slowed. Soon they were gliding under the power of their wings against the wind above the fantastic city, going along just as fast as they had before their hyperflight jump. "Feels funny now, doesn't it? Like we should be going faster," Erador remarked, assuming a flight position off to Cantilith's right, nearly brushing wingtips.

Cantilith was in awe as they shot across the sky. Erador was right, it was freedom, if nothing else was. She savored the seconds, and her memory devoured the details; the curvature of the earth; Erador's voice, soft in her mind; the feel of the winds screaming past them, yet still not dampening their speed...it was incredible. Cantilith couldn't think of any place she'd rather be.

She laughed, sweet and melodic. "It does!" Cantilith spoke, agreeing with Erador. Then, yet another big grin crossed her face like they seemed to, so often when she was with Erador. "Thank you, Erador! That was amazing!" She crooned, her chest thrumming and vibrating. Without knowing it, her subconcious produced the same thought that Erador had had moments before; A new era was beginning...

---

"Yes, there is plenty left. We knew of your return so we saved a meal for you." Marthril made for the hall again. "I'll be back."

"Oh..." Erindor said, walking quickly to catch up to Marthril. "Be right with you," he said, teleporting away in a swirl of glowing mist and a pop, returning a half a minute later with the clutch of eggs securely locked away in his quarters, he had freshened up as well. "Thank you, I'm horribly famished. A warm meal and sleep shall be most beneficial..."

Marthril smiled. "Nothing would please me more than to see my father's dear friends comfortable. It shall be done," he said as he headed into the kitchen. He said a brief word to the chefs and exited the area almost immediately. He halted right infront of Erindor. "A fresher meal is being prepared for you. Make yourself relaxed anywhere you deem pleasurable."

Erindor grinned widely, "I'm being pampered?" he chuckled, patting Marthril on the shoulder, "you're a good man and a better friend, Marthril," he said honestly, giving a tired smile. "Come sit with me," Erin said, moving to the nearby Great Hall and sat in the largest chair that would fit him. 

Marthril nodded. "I am a friend who will be here to aid you whenever needed. It's what my father would have done." He followed Erindor loyally to one of the seats beside him and sat down.

"Lord Malias was an amazing elf...Sar'dan will never quite be the same without his open mind and warm heart. I do have a wonderful example to go by, however...times will be difficult for only a short while," Erindor replied, smiling as a waiter sauntered out with goblets and a bottle of wine. "Thank you," he said, smiling before the waiter bowed and left. Erindor grasped his goblet loosely and drank a small sip, "...Tomorrow morning is when we shall address the people of Sar'dan. I would talk to them tonight, but it is getting late, and...I doubt they'd have much more confidence when they see my battle weary form. Also, as I requested earlier, I would like you beside me. If word could be sent tonight to gather at the plaza, then everything shall move smoothly."

Smiling warmly as he took his own goblet, Marthril turned his eyes to Erindor. "Yes, I believe my father should be a model to us all..." he sighed, still smiling, but looked down at his drink before he sipped lightly. "And of course...Now that you have been recently named heir of the throne your wish is my command." He chuckled softly. "I'll be looking forward to serving you and your brother Erador. I can see that tomorrow shall be a most phenomenal day."

Erindor smiled, "You're a loyal collegue and friend; I value that greatly, Marthril," he replied in a soft tone. While on the same note, someone crossed his mind, "I am hopeful to harbor great and wonderful news..." he set down his goblet and studied Marthril, "I only chose to grace two with the knowledge of my companion and mate; Erador and your father...though, I do believe a wedding would be fantastic upbeat turn to recent events," Erindor was smiling broadly.

"I try my very best," Marthril said serenely. "A wedding!! Remarkable!!" The prince almost spilled his cup in the excitement. "Who could this wonderful woman be?" Marthril grinned towards Erindor's direction. "You seem to have so much on your dish lately. At least the wedding will brighten woeful hearts. It is something to greatly look forward to."

Erindor smiled, "Yes, It is my hope to do just that; we need some light and rebirth and we need it now," he replied, contemplating his haggard reflection on the surface of his wine. "Ah, who is she. For starters, her name is Sincalia, and...is the only of my kind that I have ever met," he stated happily. "She makes her home out of the forests and hills of the countryside, perhaps fifteen leagues from here in the ancient cedar forest of Elourain. I've been running off to be in her company for the past six months...we'll have to see how she likes coming to the city; it'll be a big transition. I've not even asked her to marry me yet...but...I hope to introduce her to Sar'dan soon-" Erin dropped his sentence as his attention shifted to a messenger barreling across the mess hall and haulted before them, giving a quick bow.

"Catch your breath good man, what is it?" Erindor gently but firmly queried, watching the man with both eager hope and prospective dread.

"...There, is...a-" the Messenger paused and collected his breath, sitting down on a nearby bench. "-My apologies."

"Its alright. Please, go on," Erindor prompted, setting down his goblet. "There's someone who wishes to be in your council, now; she seems very worried...as are we all, but she was concerned about your fate, my Lord."

Erin cocked an eyeridge, "Concerned about my fate? How so?"

"Well...considering she pushed through about a dozen royal guards to get into the castle, her motivation to see you is genuine. I would like to mention that she's dra-"

"Where is she now?!" Erindor asked quickly, making to rise from his chair. 

"...In the main courtyard, calling out your name..." the Messenger replied, suprised by Erin's sudden and intense intrigue. 

"Thank you, good sir," Erin said, standing and pushing his chair back quickly, "Marthril, come with me...I'd like to introduce you to Sincalia." He paused and smiled, love and warmth blossoming through him.

"Of course, of course, my friend!" Marthril said with haste as he got to his feet, almost spilling his drink again. Usually elves were more majestic, but surprises such as this were overwhelming to Marthril, especially since it was such an important occasion.

Erindor looked over his shoulder once before breaking out into a flat out gallop, his right hand bracing his scabbard against his thigh as the rest of his armour chinked with each long stride. With his tail undulating for superb balance, Erin came to a terrace overlooking the courtyard below. "Sincalia!" he called out, piling over the stone railing and loosely gripped to a column, sliding down to the courtyard. Erin shed his armory belt and rushed to her, the pair sharing a passionate embrace that broke into an inseparable hug. "You came..." Erin breathed in disbelief.

"Aye...oh Erin, are you alright? Why, you're bleeding!" Sincalia exclaimed in worry, looking him over quickly. "...You told me of conflicts, but you never warned me something of this scale would happen; I didn't know where you went off to! Imagine what I felt when I saw this city in partial ruin; the smoke and scent of blood was virilent even from the ancient forests..."

Erindor simply held her, "I'm quite well, my love," he crooned deeply. "...There is so much...so so much to share yet..."

Sincalia smiled, "What's the rush?" she smiled, relaxing in his presence. 


Nodding, Erin smiled, giving her an affectionate kiss before pulling away to watch her eyes, "...Well..." his smile faultered, replaced with a shield of duty, "...Sar'dan is under my guardianship...now," he swallowed.

There was a long pause in which Erin could swear he heard the mourning of the citizens of Sar'dan, "...I see..." Sincalia said tenatively, but stood stead fast in his arms, not budging an inch. "...It was about time I see the rest of your world, Erindor."

A smile broke across Erin's tired face. He gave a short laugh of joy and kissed her again, parting only because he heard Marthril's steps drawing near. "...Down here, Marthril!" he called up to the terrace, "you remember me telling you about Marhtril and the others, yes?"

"In immaculate detail," Sincalia crooned in reply, grief washing over her eyes. "...I shall have to give him my condolences..."

Marthril, hurrying to the scene, was halted outside the corridors and a great grin played joyously on his face. The draconian woman was indeed beautiful and Marthril knew that Erindor deserved this much. He took his place at Erindor's side, holding his hand out in greeting. "Hello, miss," he said in greeting. "Welcome to Sar'dan."

Little Theria, after hearing so much commotion, ran out of the infirmary, her shining, white hair spiralling behind her as a gush of wind took it. She took her cousin Marthril's hand, gazing up at the gorgeous newcomer. "Hehe...Hi!!!" Theria giggled like the young girl she was.

Erin chuckled, nuzzling Sincalias' neck to calm her, "Let me present Marthril, and his cousin, Theria," he smiled, turning to stand at his mate's side.

Sincalia flashed a modest smile, clamping mental talons down on her anxiety; she hadn't been around humanoids for centuries. "It is a pleasure to meet one of the induviduals Erindor told me about...Marthril, is it?" she said warmly, taking Marthril's hand in a light grip and gave it a single up down shake before withdrawing her hand. She cuddled an arm around Erin's belly, "He's been trying to convince me to come to Sar'dan; nature's creatures have been my friends for a long while." Her warm and curious expression shifted to Theria, giving a small giggle, "Why hello."

Theria giggled and hid behind her cousin.

"Yes, I am Marthril," Marthril replied warmly. "It is very nice to meet you."

Sincalia nodded and smiled, but her jovial expression ebbed and was replaced with one of worry. "We are safe here now, aren't we?" she asked, looking between Marthril and Erindor.

"We are no longer under seige," Erindor said, but he knew that some equally as challenging hurdles would be blocking the journey in healing Sar'dan's bleeding heart and gaping belly. 

"I see..." she whispered, burying her face in Erin's neck. "There is so much grief here...its almost unbearable." Sincalia looked back to Marthril, for his heart still mourned heavily even though he was blocking the emotions to stay strong in this time of dissaray. "...I'm sorry for your loss," she said softly.

Marthril peered down at the ground before looking back at Sincalia. "There is no need to be sorry, Sincalia," Marthril said, trying to bring up a sincere smile. "My father died for a just cause. If it weren't for him the war wouldn't have ended..." He folfed his arms, turning his eyes to the infirmary entrance where a healer was running out to meet him.

"Prince Marthril!" the elf cried quickly. He came to a stop at Marthril's side. "Amrevar and Malias have been completely preserved for the ceremony with our magic. They are ready to be laid respectfully in the Hall of Sar'dan Lords located on the eastern side of the palace." The elf then bowed down on his knees to Erindor in a manner of high respect for his coming king. "Erindor, my lord, we await your holy command in the infirmary. What is it you wish for us to do?"

Erindor was taken aback by the degree of respect he was being given. For but a moment he was close to consoling the elf to relax when his decision burst forth, "We shall have a ceremony tomorrow evening at dusk for Malias; the people of Sar'dan must be given the chance to give their farewell. And as for Amrevar, lay him to rest tonight in the Hall of Sar'dan Lords, beside Malias' respectful final resting place. Now, what of..." he fought to keep his voice level, "...Illatrius?" The daunting task of how to put such a large body to rest was a logistical nightmare.

Sincalia leaned her muzzle to Erindor's ear, whispering, "...Leave the customs to Erador..."

Erindor nodded, "And Erador shall handle the proper Draconian customs for Illatrius."

"And also...at the time of dawn of the day after tomorrow, there is to be a bethrothal ceremony..."

Sincalia looked up at Erindor in great curiosity, wondering if this wedding was to be theirs. 

"...I would like Sar'dan to move on and start anew with a rebirth of life and love, the contrast between the funeral and the wedding should offset that nicely. We do of course need, a wedding. I'll handle that," Erindor finished, a smile tugging at his lips.

The elf healer nodded and bowed, then set off to fulfill his lord's commands.

Marthril smiled towards Erindor. "This is very good tidings," he said happily, brushing his hands through Theria's soft hair.

Just then, Ar'rias joined them with a grin stretching over his cheeks. He landed a little off away from them and sat down like a patient feline. "Good evening to you!"

Erindor grinned, giving an inaudible, "Aww..."

Sincalia made up for his silence, "Aww! Well hello O' Dragon. I've not seen any of your likeness besides Erador...I'm Sincalia, what is your name?" she queried in fluent Draconian.

"I do hope so...there is light yet if we pull back the shades of dispair," Erin said to Marthril, smiling upon them. "Now, I should think that we all are fed and well rested for tomorrow. An hour after dawn I wish to adress the city like I had mentioned. Marthril, spread the word that a city wide assembly must be made at the main square; there should be enough room for all to hear my voice."

"I am Ar'rias, dragon of little Theria. Very nice to meet you, m'lady!" the Starlight dragon replied with respect. Humming, he watched young Theria with a smile.

Marthril nodded. "Of course. How soon would you like me to do such?"

"As soon as you regain your strength with a full belly and a short respit...otherwise, immediately," Erindor replied. "Come, let us all rest and dine in warm company!" he said, trotting with Sincalia out of the Courtyard. 

Joyfully, Marthril followed obediently with Theria and Ar'rias.

Erindor and Sincalia made their way back to the Great Hall with the presense of the latter turning the heads of those who ran by in other busy work. Chatting idly, Erin soothed Sincalia and mused with Marthril and Theria. "Wait, we are here!" Erin announced to the chefs and waiters who looked confused as to where Erin and Marthril went.

Pulling out a seat for Sincalia, Erindor looked at the vastly empty Great Hall. "...At noon tomorrow...this hall and the grounds should be full with a gala."

"Indeed," Marthril said serenely, appearing almost like the image of his father Malias. "I'll be looking forward to it until the time comes and when it does, Sar'dan will once again be filled with an abundant bliss." He sat down at the long dining table with a sigh after he helped Theria to a chair. Watching the joyful Ar'rias, Marthril said, "I can see Sar'dan becoming a refuge for all dragons and their riders..." He met Erindor's eyes. "Sar'dan...the capital of the Dragon Riders...will be a prosperous city once again...just like it was the day before it was attacked. Everything shall be well again...I can just imagine it..." With those words, Marthril fell into a daydream while his gaze was fixed upon the white ceiling above him.

"Even grander than she was I should think. Its necessary to expand the bounds of the city; Sar'dan has outgrown her protective shell once again. But, matters rest to repair the hearts and minds of her citizens; that is our first duty...." his voice trailed off as he caught a weak mental tendril from Erador exclaiming something incoherent about a dragon. 

He tried to reply, but his mind didn't equal Erador's in prowess.

In the meantime, their food arrived. It consisted of fish, bread, soups, stews, roast turkey, lamb, pork, a ham, candied carrots, and a light salad. Before Erindor took up his utensils, he looked to Marthril, "...Can the citizens properly feed themselves?"

"I'm not so sure..." Marthril said, filling with worry. "I am going to have to see to it that there is plenty for them...ever since the attack I do not think things have been going well."

A hand of comfort rested on Erin's forearm. Erindor looked up to see Sincalia's understanding face looking at him. "I know what you're thinking, Love," she crooned. "Eat; you've fought well for your city and its citizens. You'd do more harm to forsake a meal until everyone could get one...Sar'dan needs a strong leader; you need your strength."

Erindor nodded, leaning forward to give her a quick kiss before returning his attention to his food. Erin was so famished he had hardly realized it until he began eating. He was silent as he recovered the energy expended over the last two days.

Sincalia had since turned her attention to Marthril and Theria for conversation. "I noticed two other dragons flying along with Erador and...Zhenjai? Erin has been filling me in on current events in his life," she smiled, glowing with affection. "...I was unaware of any other dragons in the area. What do you know of them?"

---

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