The dragons had once been thought to have died out, but soon a rider came and raised generation after generation of new riders to govern the entire continent. Civilization did not spread far, or if it did the villages were cut off for the greatest part from the others. The dragon riders, the guild that raised the youths as riders, was once based in the capital Oleuan but was soon moved to the valley of Pern in the distance Bernda Mountain Range. Years have passed and the riders numbers are the largest pack seen in so long. Their leader, Vershian was born the youngest of all the chosen riders, and the council was nervous to send them out to restore the peace but politics demanded it. The first destination is the small near by mountain village of Overn where the locals are having a simple problem of wolves as far as they know. The riders have been preparing for some time now and should be leaving within a day or so once they have gathered all their things.

~*~*~*~

Vershain rose from her mattress, the council and servants already in a hustle feeding the dragons, polishing their scales, packing bags. Never before had everyone risen so early to attend to the tasks at hand. She stretched, yawning like a cat as a servant brought water for her to bath with. It was luke warm but she shrugged it off, he was probably off to tend to Xani. After cleansing herself, she donned loose riding clothes. Black pants clung to her tall, thin legs and a loose fur lined black shirt hugged her rib cage.

"Excuse me?" She called to the nearest servant, handing her wolf skin bag, the fur lining the inside, to the girl and directing her to place it with all the others. Swiftly, Ver dashed through the halls, into the outdoor pavilion where a massive table was teaming with food: fruits, nuts, vegetables, broths, meats, pastries and even various drinks to accommodate the ages. Digging in with gusto seemed like the only and best option so Ver happily obliged. Never before had food tasted so good as she waited for the rest of the people to arrive.

In came in the attendants, one by one bearing news of the packs, the status of the dragons and even the antics to which Xani had been taking. A runner came, breathless, and was soon pushed to the front.

"My lady, the knights you sent scouting for word from Letrivs and his pack came back."

Ver watched as the man seemed to cower before smiling gracefully and patting the seat beside her. He sat, grateful and continued. "Why thank you. The news came and there seems to be great losses, three dragons dead and one injury which leaves only one healthy dragon. The others have not gotten back to us."

Pondering this, Ver motioned for the runner to take his fill as she sipped berry juice mixed with a hint of cinnamon.

"Tell them if they must they may continue but if not we shall soon be there. If they may hold the fort for but perhaps a month longer we shall be at their aid in no matter of time. He nodded and ran off, no doubt to find someone else to deliver the message as Ver went back to happily munching and listening to reports.