Bonds of Wind (Painless Sorrow and Erranruin)

[PainlessSorrow]

Ailean was waiting on the outskirts of town, gently stroking Hydarans face. He was a glorious creature and Ailean always felt honored to have been chosen as his master. He wasn't a very impatient person so that was certainly not where this anxiety was coming from, this was coming from his insecurities about a female partner. He was trying his best not to let gender get in his way however there had never been a female dragon rider and...well honestly he just couldn't get over it.

He removed his hand from his companion and began to slowly pace, Hydaran growled lowly at the approaching woman and her dragon. Ailean turned sharply to the growl, facing the way his new companion would come from, holding his breath.

[Erranruin]

Nimue had spent some time brushing the moulded leather saddle that had been made for her and even more time adjusting it for Eloras's comfort. His spinning red eyes had watched her all the time and now and then the tip of his nose would delicately brush her forearm comfortingly. Nimue wondered how her great crimson champion put up with her cowardice, the battlefield was fine but to meet another Dragon Rider...

It is because you are no coward, only young. You know not yourself.

Eloras insisted these things and Nimue generally believed him. He was a great deal older than most and knew many more things than she. Nimue had an optimistic character and easily accepted truths about herself, be them good or bad. Even so, the meeting with her partner to be had shaken her and she tried to calm herself with menial tasks. She left her tower on Eloras's back but from then on she travelled on foot, her feet enjoying the rare work.

She spied him and his gleaming green from afar and he became clearer as they left the movement and bustle of the town. As she walked towards him she found herself checking her quiver of arrows and drawing the shortsword at her hip to make sure the edge wasn't dull. Like she had done twice that morning.

Finally she came close and she did a half courtsey, half bow, still not knowing what to do in such circumstances.

"Sir Caharachin, I presume. It is an honour to make you acquaintance. This is Eloras, my bonded."

Eloras had at least the decency to nod towards the green dragon but he knew himself the greatest there and showed it with a sway of his tail and his chest bulging below his arched neck.

[PainlessSorrow]

Ailean found himself more than a little stunned, she really was a woman. Sure he'd known all along, but it was one of those things that you really expect to be a ruse, that and she was a rather...beautiful woman. And there it was the thing that put him at odds the most-was he supposed to treat her like a soldier or like a woman? He gave an awkward small bow that seemed completely out of place.

"Indeed I am, and this is Hydaran," He gestured to the creature who knelt its head in a small bow. "But I must regrettably admit I have not been told your name." He wasn't going to tell her why he didn't know her name, after all he had been in a fit of rage and to learn she was a girl he stomped out far quicker than anyone had imagined. In the end though she was the only option, so it was her or have to sit around for a long while, and he'd been sitting around since his former partners death.

In honesty he wasn't mad at her he would've been mad at any replacement but the fact that she was a girl seemed to make it so much easier to be vicious. He took in a quick breath trying to keep calm while he was filled with a strong mix of emotions.

Hydaran on the other hand was rather pleased to see another dragon and he immediately accepted the other as the alpha. However he was a little saddened by his masters confusion.

[Erranruin]

Nimue at first did not find his lack of knowledge of her wrong at all. After all, she was a woman and they had never been properly introduced. Why should men throw around the names of women they had never met? But a small rumbled of displeasure from Eloras and Nimue reconsidered. She was to be his partner, how could no one have told him? And even if no one had, how could he not have at least inquired? She had known his straight away, why was she not shown the same courtesy? As she considered it she got steadily more angry, an anger that Eloras encouraged.

You should not let him think less of you than you are. Show your fire little one.

Nimue gathered her brows together into a suitably stern look and lifted her chin. She may be younger and less experienced than this man before her but she had completed her training and a Dragon had chosen HER. He should not be allowed to look down at her, no matter how much taller he was.

"My name is Nimue Quenell, but I confess to being very surprised that you hadn't known sooner. Did you feel it unnecessary to discover the name of your partner to be? Or is it simply that I am a woman that you did not feel it mattered?"

She sighed in angry frustration. Every step of the way she had been fought and obstacles had been placed in her way. Even now her father still thought she would marry. Technically she was still betrothed even though she had spurned his advances every time they met. They had even tried to persuade Eloras against his decision at first, though that had landed them with scorched feet. And now months later, after finally finding her strength in the bow and managing to defeat many opponents in battle, still she was not respected. Her bow she had had to craft herself since no bowsmith would consent to make it for her and many trials had gone array until she had come to her present one. She shook her head angrily.

"Nevermind good sir, perhaps in battle you will find me worth notice."

And with that she started back to her Dragon, her fists clenched at her sides.

[PainlessSorrow]

The man found it very difficult to reply to the woman, he was trying not to be a complete prick about this, but well...no matter what he thought, it is very hard to quickly and easily drop everything you've learned.

"Most pleased to meet you Nimue Quenell, I am certain you will only show the best of talent on the battle field." He bowed a little to her, trying to be as polite as he could. "And please forgive me for not knowing your name. I was distraught about my former comrades passing at the time." Should he have said that? Would she deem him weak now? He took a deep breath, best not to care for the moment. He approached Hydaran, climbing up onto his back, while waiting for her to do the same.

Do not doubt her yet my master, she may yet be a glorious champion.

The dragon did not want his master disheartened quite yet, and he himself thought it best to judge someone by their prowess and spirit as opposed to anything else. Ailean watched her, he would listen to his ally for now, he would try and hold all opinions until she had proven herself one way or another.

[Erranruin]

Nimue flinched as she walked away. Of course, his partner had been killed, how insensitive of her! Eloras ignored it, seeing no connection between her anger and this revelation so his eyes rolled in frustration when his little rider dashed back to the rider clambering up his dragon. She caught him just before he swung his leg over the green beast's shoulders.

"Forgive my outburst... I am used to prejudice so I see it most everywhere and in every word spoken to me. Harsh words should not be left to fester between us.."

With this she turned back and ran to Eloras's extended leg which she quickly and lightly hopped up to settle into the hollow between his neck and wing muscles. The great red dragon hummed and took off, his great hind muscles rippling as his pushed himself into the air. Eloras took the lead, no matter what Nimue did to stop him, and he leisurely glided to their appointed mission. She looked back towards her partner, trying to imagine depending on him in battle, having been used to fending for herself.

[PainlessSorrow]

The green dragons fire was ignited by the other dragon, he was ready to fight, the other dragon made him feel wild again. The dragon took off a little faster than his rider had planned causing him to quickly grip on. "Hydaran slow down!" He muttered under his breath a little bit annoyed at the dragons lack of concern, if had been any newer, he would've plummeted to his death. The dragon calmed himself only slightly, his lack of fighting as well as Ailean's bad mood brought a great toll to him and now...he was debt free.

The location they landed at was a small meadow, there was a cliff over to one side and a forest on the other. Turning in the saddle to face the woman he addressed her; "Just below us on this cliff face is the entrance to a bandit hideout, We will go in and route them." He was very worried that something had been forgotten, that he'd fail, and it would result in everyone's death.

This is not your normal self, you are still sad, remember the time before.

A deep breath ensued, "Any questions?" He would try, no, had too...

[Erranruin]

Nimue had calmed her mind on the flight there and now she had only the coming battle in mind. She vaulted from Eloras's back and got to her belly to peer over the cliff edge. The cave mouth was small but noticeable and a million different ways to attack it popped into her head. The most practical of which being to just blast fire down the tunnels until they came out some other way.

She came back and looked up at the older Dragon rider.

"Although I am an adequate hand-to-hand fighter, my talent is with my bow. You have the greater experience what would you like from me? I could enter with you while Eloras or Hydaran finds their other exits? Or perhaps we could simply blast them out with a stream of fire into the tunnels?"

[PainlessSorrow]

Ailean smiled a little, halfhearted as it was, at least she was showing enthusiasm. Listening to her, he only took in her words well enough to answer properly and understand her skill, "My skill is with the blade, so I will go in first and you can follow behind me." He took a quick breath and looked around cautiously to make sure no one was watching, then continued, "The tunnel becomes to narrow to bring the dragons in, and is to twisted to blow flames through." He took another breath, he needed to keep himself calm, this was an easy job, nothing would go wrong so long as he kept his head.

"Hy-" He quickly cut himself off realizing how disgraceful it would be to admit he didn't know her dragons name either, "Our dragons can go around back and block the exit, killing any bandit who may try and flee." He dismounted, and walked over to the ledge dropping a length of rope latter. "I suggest the wait until we've landed before they fly off." He made a gesture indicating she go first in a pleasant manner, which afterward he felt odd doing.

Hydaran waited as patiently as he could but he wanted to go, he was getting exited. He would slowly bob on his back legs readying himself for the kickoff as soon as his master and his masters new comrade had landed.

[Erranruin]

She smiled, at last something to do other than stand around in awkward, stuttering silence. She strung her bow with a quick and fluid motion before hanging it around her neck and placing and arrow between her teeth. Readiness was something she had practiced extensively. She gave Eloras a farewell pat and he blew the hair from her face affectionately before taking off.

She went to the edge and veritably threw herself over the side, her hand catching the rope rung before she quickly shined down the ladder. Silently she dropped to the ground and plastered herself against the rock just outside the cave entrance. A rugged looking bandit paced just a few metres away but he hadn't seen her before she had put an arrow through his throat.

She stood and awaited Ailean, calming her heart and timing its beats so keep her accuracy.