~A Tale Of Two Dragon Riders

[Manda-Panda]

Draken gleamed on the inside, having heard Onixia gently tell her Rider to help them. He liked her already. She seemed kind, and nurturing. More impressively she was strong, despite her warmth towards them. Many soften when turned nice. Comforted by the shadows of the valley tree’s and the two more experienced ones with them, Draken settled down into the grass behind Adriana. He wasn’t nearly as hurt as she was. He had a few bruises under his scales, and a few lacerations, but nothing to shake a finger at.

Adriana narrowed her meadow green eyes in Verricks direction when he chose to ignore her question. Though it might have seemed contraire, she was giving an honest effort to make social amines with him. However, she was now insulted…and the game was back on. Calm yourself. Draken murmured into her mind. He was inside of her head so much anymore, that he seemed to be the good conscience sitting upon her right shoulder.

"There is no need to discuss it. You need my help and I will eventually be in need of yours. Now sit down so I can heal your wounds..."

He was offering her help now, but she still hated the tone in his voice. Was he insulted that there was such a thing as a woman dragon rider still in existence. There was notes from history that indicated that some male Rider’s thought themselves better than the few women Rider’s. A theory from an old scholar came into her mind. He thought that women Rider’s were only chosen by a Dragon, when their personality and will was strong enough.

Reluctantly, she knelt down in front of him and scooted a little closer. When she wasn’t in a defensive distant stance, her better features could be seen. Instead of seeming like a predatoril feline, she now resembled something more gentle and weak. Her brunette hair was a little windwhipped from the ride, and her cheeks were flushed despite the further paling of the rest of her flesh.

“He is getting smarter…and stronger.” She mumbled, looking up at Verricks face; which had previously been shot through with molten metal. Her shredded shirt wavered in the wind, revealing the large intricate ‘V’ tattoo on her back and bits of soft skin here and there that normally wouldn’t be seen with mended clothes. “Are we really the last?” Her barriers were breaking down to divulge her worry.

Afterall, she was only a young Rider with an equally young Dragon. They were barely out of training when he mentor was killed through the magic of one of Vanthm’s Shades.

[Aerandir]

“He is getting smarter…and stronger.” She mumbled, looking up at Verricks face; which had previously been shot through with molten metal. Her shredded shirt wavered in the wind, revealing the large intricate ‘V’ tattoo on her back and bits of soft skin here and there that normally wouldn’t be seen with mended clothes. “Are we really the last?” Her barriers were breaking down to divulge her worry.

Verrick Cracked his neck by twisting his head to the side as he prepared to heal her. He looked over her body to look for all the bruising and cuts. He noticed the 'V' on her back and touched it gently with two of his fingers... A tattoo? Was she loyal to Vanthm once before? Probably not.. But it seemed more than just a tattoo...

He ignored it and looked to her and said, "Weise Heil..." His hands glowed slightly as he spoke and he began to slowly move his hands over her body to heal all the more serious wounds first.

He didn't answer her at first, trying to collect his thoughts. It's true he was getting stronger, ten years ago he remembered Vanthm flinching when wounded. Now he was burned and yet not even a hint of reconision that his skin was scorched. But Verrick wouldn't say he was getting smarter, Just more evil

" Apparently we are... in ten years I have not even heard a breath of a rumor of there being a another dragon rider. No one knew I was still alive, only the woman who took care of me... and a man who brought her supplise."

Glancing up at her eyes he then asked..." How long were you at Vanthm's castle?"


He looked to Draken, He was a young dragon, and knowing that Onixia got him out he probably couldn't breath fire yet... Did they try to fight Vanthm so young?

[Manda-Panda]

Adriana had been facing him, but when he was ready to heal her she bowed forwards. His fingers touched the tattoo upon her back, and her skin shuddered. Other than Draken, she wasn’t used to being touched by others. At least she wasn’t used to being touched in a positive way. Being struck and pushed, not necessarily just by Vanthm, was all she was used to.

Even when she had a mentor, it was looked down upon to even give him a hug. They lived in a time when it was common for a young woman elf to be taken advantage of, especially one of her talent and blood. No one had dared to touch her when she lived in Du Weldenvarden, for fear that they would be accused of something wicked.

A born Rider in Du Weldenvarden, back in the day when Rider’s were somewhat abundant, would be treated like a prince or a princess. No one had dared to touch her when she lived in Du Weldenvarden, for fear that they would be accused of something wicked. In the case of most Elvin women, they come to be rather irresistible to men…and for the most part they don’t mean to.

Hearty warmth filled her through the point where Verrick was touching her. Keeping her head bowed, she soaked up this healing heat and let out a soft sigh in relief when her bruises faded and her wounds closed. The tattoo, though a deep emotional wound visible upon her fair back, didn’t fade at all. Smiling, for the first time since arriving from the castle, she sat back up and poked her sides…testing her mended ribs.

" Apparently we are... in ten years I have not even heard a breath of a rumor of there being a another dragon rider. No one knew I was still alive, only the woman who took care of me... and a man who brought her supplies."

We haven’t heard of any others either. Draken was clearly young, but mentally he was developed like an old man. He had what some called an ‘old soul’. Draken was physically young, but on the inside he thought and acted like a calm elder man.

" How long were you at Vanthm's castle?"

He met her eyes, and she looked away instantly. Vanthm’s castle was a memory she was willing to leave behind just like they left no more than an hour ago. She had been beaten, and tortured on so many young levels. It was a wonder that she was still mentally healthy, or was she? “I lost track of time…maybe a month?” She looked at Draken for support, and to confirm her answer he gave Verrick a gentle nod.

[Aerandir]

We haven’t heard of any others either.

He glanced to Draken as he said that. He was not surprised but he did have a slight hope die with in him. Despite his hard shell, he still hoped for survivors. Preferably someone with experience... this means he would have to spend more months training himself AND Adriana.

His eyes became heavy as most of her wounds were serious, draining the energy from him. His hands began to shake slightly do to his exhaustion. But when he got as much as he could his hands dropped to his sides. It took a lot of energy to just lift them up now, feeling like lead weights.

He stood up slowly, the pain through out his body burned fiercely now that he used all his strength in the spell. He limped over to a rock and leaned against it, his body was bleeding still, though only a little now, due to the metal balls stuck in his flesh. His black cloak covered the bleeding easily as he leaned against the rock.

"A month..." He said to himself. "How were you captured?" He asked as he looked back to them.

Onixia at that moment came back with two deer in her clutches, and one in her mouth. She dropped one infront of Adriana and Verrick and the other infront of Draken, Then begain to eat the deer in her mouth as she said, "Eat up... we have a long journey tomorrow."

[Manda-Panda]

Adriana felt much better, and tried to hold that thankful smile upon her lips as he limped over to a nearby rock. She felt guilty, for sucking up all of his powers and leaving him hurting. If she was strong herself, she could easily fix him up, but it would take some food and rest before she could get to that point. Maybe she could surprise him while he slept with her healing power, and when he woke up he would be okay again. That’s the attitude you should have, young one. Draken chimed into her thoughts warmly, encouraging her to warm up to their new companions rather than despise them.

"A month..." He said to himself. "How were you captured?" He asked as he looked back to them.

Adriana plopped down beside Draken, leaning against the side of his giant warm tummy for comfort. She opened her mouth as to answer, but closed it and flinched when a large deer was dropped right in front of her. Though the creature wasn’t even cooked yet, her stomach growled with hunger. Patience. I swear you would be a complete barbarian if I let you be. Her dragon, after speaking, then leaned over and took the dead animal into his mouth. One it was completely skinned by his teeth, he blew scorching air onto the meat to slow cook it.

Thank you, Onixia. You are truly talented to hunt during a time like this! Draken praised, paying the due respect to his elder.

“We were betrayed.” Adriana mumbled, to answer Verricks question. “The queen of Du Weldenvarden has an evil soul…and all those poor people don’t even know who they are following. She called us into her council…and a few nights later a gag being put in my mouth and my body being held down woke me up. Vanthm had sent Loushious to carry Draken back to the castle, and his Shade to guard me on the journey.”

Her cheeks had grown red with rage at the memory she had just recalled. “The majority of our world is willing to oppose Vanthm, but slowly…rulers are falling to his dark ways.”

[Aerandir]

Onixia glanced at Draken as he complimented her, Nodding her head she simply said, "Thank you..." Her voice seemed to purr.

“We were betrayed.” Adriana mumbled, to answer Verricks question. “The queen of Du Weldenvarden has an evil soul…and all those poor people don’t even know who they are following. She called us into her council…and a few nights later a gag being put in my mouth and my body being held down woke me up. Vanthm had sent Loushious to carry Draken back to the castle, and his Shade to guard me on the journey.”

Her cheeks had grown red with rage at the memory she had just recalled. “The majority of our world is willing to oppose Vanthm, but slowly…rulers are falling to his dark ways.”

Verrick listened with his eyes half closed, So The queen had fallen... He was glad YurniaHad the feeling that she should keep Verrick a secret from the rest of the elves. He may have been killed long ago...

He leaned his head back remembering Yurnia, the face she would make at seeing he got himself hurt again. If the queen ever found out what Yurnia did...

He looked to Adriana and said, "We will simply have to kill the queen then." He didn't seem to think about what would the entire elvin socity would do if he did such a thing He would probably have to kill a few that would get in his way.

"We will make our way back to Du Weldenvarden, by the time we get there I should be strong enough and we will remove her head..."

[Manda-Panda]

He looked to Adriana and said, "We will simply have to kill the queen then." He didn't seem to think about what would the entire elvin socity would do if he did such a thing He would probably have to kill a few that would get in his way.

"We will make our way back to Du Weldenvarden, by the time we get there I should be strong enough and we will remove her head..."

“What?!” Adriana laid back in the grass, spreading her arms out to soak up the last rays of sun. “We can just march into Du Weldenvarden and say…” She changed her voice slightly to sound more self-righteous and manly. “Off with her head!” Turning onto her side she peered up at him, eyebrows arched. “It just doesn’t work that way…”


Why not? Draken inquired, peering down at her. If they were going to take out an enemy and possibly a future dangerous one, why not just go straight for the kill. How else were they going to do it?

“Well…I mean.” She mumbled, stuttering slightly. The sun hit the horizon, blasting the land with a bright orangey afternoon light. Her red hair sparkled slightly, and soon the sun blast faded along with the sun. “It just can’t…oh, alright…but what makes you the risky one now?” She accused, glaring at Draken jokingly.


I suppose…the last month has severely altered my way of thinking. He answered, leaving his thoughts fully open to everyone in the group now.

[Aerandir]

“What?!” Adriana laid back in the grass, spreading her arms out to soak up the last rays of sun. “We can just march into Du Weldenvarden and say…” She changed her voice slightly to sound more self-righteous and manly. “Off with her head!” Turning onto her side she peered up at him, eyebrows arched. “It just doesn’t work that way…”

Verrick's left eyebrow raised as she protested. Why not? Allies with Vanthm should be killed no matter who they are. He was about to ask why not but she then said,
“Well…I mean.” She mumbled, stuttering slightly. The sun hit the horizon, blasting the land with a bright orangey afternoon light. Her red hair sparkled slightly, and soon the sun blast faded along with the sun. “It just can’t…oh, alright…but what makes you the risky one now?” She accused, glaring at Draken jokingly.

I suppose…the last month has severely altered my way of thinking.

Verrick then said slowly, " This isn't a joking matter..." Glancing at Adriana, "And your thinking has changed for the better, you know the dangers now..." He then continued, "If we did not kill the queen she would just send us back, if we kill her, her supporters would be fearful and would not be likely to attack us again, but of course they will probably send for vanthm. So we will have to make a quick strike and then leave, we are not safe around people anymore, better for us to be sucluded... I can have a friend of mine bring us supplies."

Leaning his head against his rock he closed his eyes and said, "Best we rest tonight and leave early to gain more ground from vanthm" Pulling his pure black sword from his sheath and placing it tip down between his legs and allowing his cloak to cover it, he moved into a more comfortable sitting position to fall asleep. "Onixia, wake me up in four hours to take the second shift please."

Onixia finished her dear and moved closer Verrick by wrapping her neck around the rock and having her left leg block any path towards him and said, "Of course..." She glanced at Draken and Adriana and said, "You two pups better get some sleep..." Her voice was low and warm like chocolate again.

[Manda-Panda]

" This isn't a joking matter..." Glancing at Adriana, "And your thinking has changed for the better, you know the dangers now..." He then continued, "If we did not kill the queen she would just send us back, if we kill her, her supporters would be fearful and would not be likely to attack us again, but of course they will probably send for vanthm. So we will have to make a quick strike and then leave, we are not safe around people anymore, better for us to be secluded... I can have a friend of mine bring us supplies."

“A trustworthy friend, I hope.” Adriana mumbled as she settled back into Draken and reclined her head for further comfort. Draken, curled his tail around, so that the tip was gently resting in Adriana’s lap. A few more months, and the entire tip of his tail would completely smash her. Shut your mouth and eyes, no more spitfire remarks. Draken ordered gruffly, closing only one eye so that he could keep watch on the forest to his right.

Verrick said something else to his Dragon, but Adriana had already dozed off too much to hear what he had said. Draken relaxed when her mind relaxed. It was clear that both Dragon and Rider were very close both physically and mentally. If she were hurt in either field, Draken would be hurt in the same way. It was both a blessing and a draw back of Dragon Riders.

"You two pups better get some sleep..."

Adriana giggled, halfway asleep, at Onixia’s remark. Neither her nor Draken were used to being called pups. They had been out on their own for so long, defending for themselves. Until they met Vanthm, Loushious, Onixia, and Verrick…Adriana and Draken were the strongest fighters they had come by. So, it was odd to hear themselves being referred to as ‘pups’, but compared to Onixia and Verrick…they were.

[Aerandir]

Verrick's eyes glanced over to Adriana as he just barely heard “A trustworthy friend, I hope.” He didn't say anthing but thought, "More trustworthy than the queen..." Onixia growled low, "Enough Verrick get your sleep..."

Verrick said nothing as he tightened his cloak to get more comfortable even though he was not cold. His thoughts turned to the battle he just had, and how easily Vanthm defeated him. What was he thinking, Vanthm nearly destroyed all of the elder dragonriders in a single battle, how would he, with not as nearly enough skill as his mentor, and a young dragon and rider going to do to Vanthm?

Pain shot through his body as he moved wrong and the metal balls burned in his body. He glanced up at Onixia who was looking around even though her head never moved. After watching her for a while he slowly drifted to sleep.


(Ugh I can't think of anything else.)