((Okay, I'm a wee-bit confused. Arent they all at Halt's home, where Draken took a chunk out of the wall? You said that Halt had been at his old house, but then he flew up on Klassh to the house that Draken smashed. I thought Merion was right outside with Draken and Klassh, sleeping against the house?))
"He should be at my old home...studying up on the ancient language."
Adriana nodded, and smiled a little. The ancient language was the key to all of the magic in the world. In many situations the ancient language had saved her life, and helped her in fighting off her enemies. The ancient language, however, never chose sides. Magic works for both good and evil.
"Yea...there is one thing...."
She perked up a bit, surprised that he agreed to let her help him. He didn't seem like the kind of person to really accept help, unless he was forced to. With bright green eyes curiously set upon his face, and her body turned towards him in alert...she waited for him to speak his request.
"Just... promise me that you will never think 'IF we die' We wont die... I wont let you, or Merion. We are going to live long after we 'should' have died..."
Adriana first looked at him sternly, but then she sighed and dropped her gaze with a smile. His words gave her hope, and she could sense that he really meant what he said. About keeping all of them alive until after they 'should' have died.
“I promise...” Taking in a long breath, she then continued.
“I can feel that we will make it. Even though...we are trying to fight someone that is practically invincible.”
She didn't want to tell him, but...she was almost too afraid to sleep alone. She didn't want to lay in the darkness, alone, and close her eyes to the world around her to sleep. Adriana felt as if he could 'get' her better if she were sleeping. She had to sleep, though, since she was physically and mentally exhausted from keeping a strong mental barrier up constantly. Of course, as a most Dragon Riders, she was too stubborn to admit her own fears.
~V~
Every moment of his waking was dedicated to trying to penetrate the mind of the Rider, and once prisoner, Adriana. He had succeeded in poisoning her, having manipulated one of her close friends until he agreed to stab...but not kill her. Now, he was going to use that stream of poison in her body to try and place himself inside her mind...to weaken her, and perhaps manipulate her as well.
While working on his first plan, to get into the mind of Adiana (the second strongest Rider in his mind), he was forming a second plan. Which, was to train his own Rider in defense of the rebels training their third Rider, Merion. He had planned that his apprentice would be both attentive and obedient, but here he was...staring down at Mutt and Eclipse with thoughts of murdering them both on the spot.
“Please forgive us Lord Vanthm, We know nothing.”
Dont kill them. I can see that look on your face...but remember that he will become greater. He will have that drive for blood in him that the others never will have. This time, it was Lagian saving Mutt and Eclipse. Trying to talk his Rider out of striking them both down.
“You are damn straight when you say that you 'know nothing'.” Vanthm chimed, and he could feel Lagian mentally sigh with relief. He wasn't going to kill them.
“Now, today is more of a...orientation to what you will be learning. So, leave your dragon with Lagian...and lets go inside for food.” The dark lord seemed more chipper than before. He had put himself into a better mood, and now he was in the mood to eat.