Nova could sense the movements of all the living things that dappled the sacred grounds. He could smell each and every morsel of food that had been prepared for the new tamers. He could hear the heavy breathing of the young dragons, still pulling the stress of the flight from their lungs; he could hear men and women mingling and chatting, chewing and walking. Even above him, he could hear his dearest friend pacing back and forth on the wooden floor; their connection told him that the man was working out small details of the events that would follow the evening. He had long ago made the decision that the training each tamer would receive would be unique, suited to his or her strengths and interests. A warrior is most fierce when they fight with, and for, what they know and love. Obsidian Nova agreed. It was not wise to assume all humans could be taught in one way, nor all dragons could be taught in another. Each tamer, each scaled beast, would have certain areas of combat and study in which they would excel. It was Merrik and Nova’s job to pinpoint these areas and help provide the training and knowledge needed to fine tune and sharpen them. Alongside focusing on their strengths, each of the new tamers would need to learn to have a healthy balance in all areas of combat. All would be expected to wield a blade, specifically a long sword, even though they may fancy another weapon. It was crucial to be able to learn to wield a longsword for the reason that it teaches balance in combat, it teaches precision at an unusual distance, it teaches dexterity in the way that a person may move with it, and it offers strength as the longsword is no weapon for the weak. Of course they would not be forced to use the longswords, rather use them as a utility to teach them the combat ways of old, which served the ancient tamers well. There is strength in the past traditions.

Furthermore, the dragons would be learning unique maneouvers and methods of attack and concealment unique to their own breed. In this area, there was only so much Nova could do. He had taken great care over the last 20 years to learn as much as possible about each breed of dragon he would one day be responsible for. So although he could never demonstrate to a Mountain Dragon the ideal method of tunneling, he had sufficient knowledge of the concept to lead them in the right direction.

The noise did not slow down, nearly an hour later and there was no silence. The great dragon lifted his head from the lip of the obsidian dish that cradled his mass. He would have to get used to all this noise, of this he was sure. He lifted his neck up and looked about his stall. His muscles and mind were tired, there was no doubt. He had spent the last few weeks assisting in preparing the estate for the arrival of the new tamers. The coliseum had needed much work to prepare, and there was much landscaping that had long been neglected that had called for its finishing hour. Merrik, like Obsidian Nova, took great pride in appearance and representation; if one did not display his or her self in the highest regard, he or she could not expect to be treated in the highest regard. Yes, though vanity was not of the utmost importance, appearance was.

”I don’t suppose I’ll get any rest this evening. At least not until the emotional storm wades. There is much thought and feeling being exchanged in this meadow, and until the tamers learn to control their bonds enough to stop any loose feeling from spraying out into the open for other to pick up on, I don’t think I’ll be getting any rest. Its hard to shut out such joy and excitement anyways. I’m stuck between wishing for peace and enjoying the emotions that drift my way.” The large drake sighed, it was difficult to remain detached from the younger dragons; they were his family and despite the neutral perspective he always held for the sake of being their leader, he enjoyed his connection with the yearlings. They were his family.

”Perhaps I’ll go out for a hunt, some fresh flesh ought to clear my mind. Is there any game you need for the kitchens Merrik?” He opened his mind for a response and received little more than “Huh? Oh, sure, yes, elk will be fine. I wonder how many will be interested in healing magicks? We could always use well trained healers. And how many are keen on stealthier missions. No doubt Ogual has his spies prying into every nook and cranny of this land, trying to find a way to break down the ancient magical barriers…” The black dragon chuckled, ”Very well then old friend, Elk it is.”

He lifted his mass from the blood red pillows and stepped out onto the hard stone floor, his black talons scraping against it as he stretched his bulk in a cat-like manner. Before departing, he took a drink from the cool, crystal pool in the corner and summoned an unusual wisp of dark, unnamable matter. This needle-thin snake of darkness slithered through the air and collected a thick silver chain with a black and silver pendant dangling from it from a hook on the wall. It was a precious heirloom passed down to each Nightmare dragon that bonded with the bloodline of the dragonlords. Obsidian Nova wore it more out of instinct now that duty to his lineage. The symbol on the pendant was tattooed onto Merrik’s forearm by the oracle. The old man had said it was for much more than vanity, though the pair had never seen any unique uses for the tattoo or the pendant. Nevertheless they wore them with pride.

The massive nightmare drake made his way out of the great stables and onto the fresh fields of grass outside. He would make his way to greet the newcomers and his young drakes before departing to hunt. Perhaps one of the yearlings wished to join him, it was of course courteous to ask.

As he approached the middle of the meadow where the great feast was laid out on the stone table, he sent a wave of greeting to all that filled the area. He dipped his head in a bow to greet whoever looked his way.

Talisar sat at the table, finally able to enjoy at least a roll of bread from it after experiencing Quake digging into raw deer meat while out hunting. It wasn't pleasent, since the taste was the part that made itself most apparent. The bread was a start of getting rid of the sensation and flavor, but he likely wouldn't be eating any meat off the table today... or tomorrow. Hopefully he wouldn't become a vegetarian after this.

Shortly afterward, after Talisar finished his second roll, Quake returned just in time to see Nova coming out and nodding his head in greeting. After returning the greeting, Quake sent out a worried thought to Nova asking if he could speak with him, this message could have been picked up by one or two others. He wanted to speak to him about what he discovered when he and Talisar joined minds during the bonding.

Arameus returned to the table and looked about, Lord Merrik had been correct, laid out across the entire breadth of the table was a feast fit for a King, he could see various platters of meat, plates of breads and cheese of all types, bowls of fresh fruit, vegetables and even some dishes of foods he had not seen before. However he was a bit put off by Lord Merrik's absence, Arameus had felt sure that his Lordship would of taken this time to make formal introductions, this being their first time together and first formal meal as a group afterall, Lord Merrik was the Host and it was only proper for him to make the introductions. Arameus stepped closer to the table and cleared his throat loud enough to get everyones attention, he didn't feel comfortable sitting down with a group of strangers, especially if his life was going to depend on them and theirs on him,

"Right then...beg pardon, but it seems only fitting that we make our acquaintance, since we are all going to be here and training together...My name is Arameus Brantly, a Knight by training and serving as his Majesty's Justicar by profession, I was on patrol along the southern region of the realm when I met Lord Merrik, at first I thought him either mad or drunk when he told me of his raising Dragons and was on the search for riders, I was almost ready to take him before the local Magistrate, when he saw my doubt and bid me to follow him into the woods, hesitant at first and suspicious, I followed with hand upon my sword fearing to be ambushed, robbed and left for dead.. needless to say my astonishment was beyond measure when I was brought in the presence of his black Dragon and hence became a believer to his cause....perhaps some, if not all have a similar encounter to share?, I would be most interested on how everyone came to be here as well."

Despite his imposing 6'4" build and menacing look, largely caused from the dirt and grim covering him from the Dragons entrance into the Coliseum, Arameus spoke with a soft warm tone in hopes of putting everyone at ease and thus encourage others to stand and introduce themselves as well. He ended his self intro with a courtly bow towards the Ladies and a courteous nod of his head to the Gentlemen then sat at the table, waited politely for a moment to see if anyone else would raise and make an introduction before helping himself to a large slab of roasted meat and a chuck of bread.

Light leaked through the breaks in the thick canopy of the forest that sheltered a tall man, standing at around six feet, from the harsh afternoon sun that had been beating down on him all morning as he made his way to the clearing. Cedric’s crimson hair was overgrown past his shoulders yet still managed to stick out in an odd variety of angles, clearly mangled and unkempt for a long time. The white tunic he was wearing was drenched in sweat, dirt and dry blood probably from a brawl he’d had with one of his fellow crewmates over a game of cards. He’d been caught trying to hide high scoring cards up his sleeves, and even though he apologised in the most sincerest of ways they still gave him a beating that he still felt to this day despite all his wounds healing up nicely. Leaves crunched under his thick leather boots, although at this point only a small portion of the original leather remained; leaving large white patches on his beloved shoes. The same brown leather of his boots was used to fashion a vest for him, which was covered in several stains and was worn out along the edges. Picking up the compass from his belt as he wandered deeper into the forest, he quickly made sure he was going the right way. When Merrik had arrived on Obsidian Nova to tell him of the fate before him, he wasn’t able to just leave the ship there and then. He’d be hung for leaving his brethren out on the open sea like that. Merrik gave him a map of where he would be expected to meet him, which he lost, and told him the time, which he forgot, to meet him. Thankfully he didn’t forget the date, and his crewmates were kind enough to drop him off at the nearest port town for him to make his way to the rendezvous point. He figured Merrik would be mad at him, but it was better late than never.

The forests smelt of pine and dirt, and coupled with the sounds of strange birds and the constant rustling of bushes in the wind, did not make for a pleasant trip for Cedric. He was far too used to the open waters, where everything was clear and there was nothing but a horizon for days. You could see a storm coming miles away, you could feel the changes in the wind. There were no surprises, everything was calm and peaceful on the open waters. Here though, Cedric couldn’t help but be incredibly paranoid. Every slight movement caught his attention, and he soon found himself walking at a brisk pace to the meeting point. Pushing through the thick shrubbery of the woods, he was pleased to see that he’d made his way to the meadow. He didn’t understand how anyone could live out here. Every sound he heard or flicker amongst the trees he saw made him think a beast was going to jump out and devour him. Apparently speaking to soon, Cedric was startled by the sudden appearance of an enormous figure flying down towards him. It’s magnificent wingspan stretched to the corners of the sky and it’s sleek, black scales gave him a fond sense of familiarity.

He was glad to see Merrik, not so much Obsidian Nova, and was also happy that he managed to reach the destination just as everything was about to get started. Merrik told them to be prepared, so Cedric slid his right foot back a few feet behind his left and shifted his balance forward, ready to move. His right hand gently floated an inch from the hilt of his cutlass. When the giant gates opened, it became more than apparent that a simple cutlass wasn’t going to be enough to prepare him for the hoard of ferocious dragons that bolted from the gate and into the skies above the clearing. A rainbow of fire spewed through the air, and suddenly the cool breeze offered by the shade of the forest behind him was no longer enough to stop the suffocating oven that was the dragons flame breathe. It was like sitting in a furnace, and it just kept getting worse. His shirt clung to his skin with sweat and his scalp was starting to become irritable from the large mop of hair that now clung in wet clumps to the side of his face. He took a step back, but was instantly thrown forward by a powerful force from behind him. He crashed forward into the ground, blue flames searing around him in a way that spelled doom in all directions. He was trapped. Whatever kind of test this was, it sure wasn’t going to give Merrik any living results. He tried to scramble to his feet, but he felt the same force swipe the back of his legs and send him crashing down onto his back once again. His eyes widened in shock once he recovered from the pain. He was staring directly into the face of a large, dark blue dragon. He was petrified. This was it for him. The dragon started to breathe strangely, making short and quick huffs of breath in quick succession. It only took Cedric a moment to realise that the beast was laughing at him.

Anger pulsed through him, and he stood to his feet in a moments time with his cutlass brandished at the beasts face. The dragon slowly lowered her head forward, and for the first time Cedric was able to make out the beautiful details of the shimmering blue scales that covered the dragon. As the light from the flames rippled against them, it gave off the impression of waves of the ocean. On top of it’s head was a large dorsal fin, and the dragons eyes were a beautiful, deep blue. It was shocking how magnificent the dragon looked up close, it’s muscles adding gentle curves to the shape of it’s body. It’s claws were webbed together, and slowly it brought down it’s long tail around Cedric, which was probably what it had used to knock him off his feet. A long, flipper stretched out from the end of the tail, the dark blue membrane being almost transparent. It would have looked so majestic, if not for the constant, gruff roars of laughter that slipped past it’s fangs. Furious, Cedric swung his sword at the beast’s head. The dragon didn’t even flinch, and the sword didn’t even leave a dent. The dragon opened up its mouth wide, revealing rows of sharp fangs along it’s jaw. He shut his eyes, hoping for a quick and painless death. Instead he was met with a painful jet of freezing water. He was knocked back to the ground by the spray, squirming under it as the high pressure water slammed against him like a bolder. And he thought he was drenched before.

Your putrid stench irritated my delicate snout. You smell wonderful now. No need to pout.[

The dragons voice echoed throughout his head in a matter that just seemed to make sense to him. It’s voice was soft and gentle, but also stern. Cedric could tell it was female. Her thoughts felt very strange to him, as she spoke in a very rhythmic tone. It was similar to the way a scholar would rhyme to young children in a condescending manner.

You stand before me; quaking in fear, I bet. No need to fear human, you are now my pet.

“Those rhymes are atrocious!” Cedric said, laughing. The dragon snarled at him, which immediately kept him quiet. There was a brief moment of silence before the dragon started to laugh once again.

Yes, they are. But if you are to be my tamer you must learn the rhythm of our hearts. We are but separate notes upon the same page, resonating together to create a mesmerizing symphony.

Cedric smiled up at the dragon, which leant her head forehead down to his eye level. He placed a firm hand in between its eyes, feeling the smoothness of her scales which wove through her magnificently built body like silk. At that first touch, they would became two bodies with one spirit, forever intertwined in the melody that was eternity. Tears began to form in Cedric’s eyes, strolling down his cheeks. The dragon brought her head close to his, her soft tongue lapping away the tears in a single stroke.

“Porylucia” Cedric whispered, giving in to his instincts and resting his head against the forehead of his new life companion. He wrapped his arms up around her long, curved horns and fell to his knees as he embraced her.

Cedric and Porylucia of the Sea; together our voices sing in perfect harmony, hence forth ‘till the end of eternity.

---

Preparing Porylucia for flight had been tiring enough, and by the time Cedric had arrived at the loft designated for his dragon he was ready to fall asleep right then and there in Porylucia’s bed. Yet the mention of a feast made him realise just how hungry he’d been. He’d never had a land dwellers feast before, and it sure didn’t disappoint. There was enough to feed an army here, well a bigger army than they were, and as soon as Cedric sat down he began to dig in to plate of pot roasted beef. He looked up occasionally from his food to listen to what was being said by a man at the head of the table. He hadn’t seen him in the clearing, but he said he was a knight. Cedric swallowed his food, grinning at Arameus.
“A knight, huh? It’s a good thing our pasts don’t matter here. Our kind don’t usually get along with yours.” Hearing the story of how Merrik had convinced Arameus brought a grin to Cedric’s face, and he stood up eager to share his story with the group.
“So my crewmates and I were busy cleaning up the deck, we’d just had a major blood bathe there with a rival ship, when all of a sudden-” He spread his arms out wide for dramatic effect. “An enormous black dragon swooped down from the sky! We thought we were as good as dead, but thankfully it was just Obsidian Nova and Merrik coming to give me the choice of a lifetime.” Somehow the phrase ‘just Obsidian Nova’ did little justice to the terrifying behemoth of a dragon that was so very close to them at this very moment, and Cedric wondered if the dragons hearing was good enough to pick up on all their tales.
“Well we were out in the middle of the sea, so riding the dragon to come and inform me was the quickest way I guess. Gave me a heart attack, though.” Cedric sat back down, returning to the feast with enthusiasm.

Yennefer had been very grateful for the Knight to have taken the initiative, nodding politely to his bow. He was a tall and noble looking person, alike to many of the knights that she had met in the past, all of them being very bad patients. The amount of persuasion and work it took just to keep them in bed would have persuaded a mountain to up its roots and move to the sea. Still, Arameus seemed a valourous man, a man that Yennefer could come to trust she hoped. The Pirate had a much easier tone to the Knight. He was the youngest of them she could tell, and he still seemed full of the fire of youth. She expected him to have a bit of a shock as the training continued, he did not seem used to serious and militant regimes. Even so, it would be nice to have fairly jovial characters amongst them.

Methuzar opened one eye to watch as his Mentor's black shadow passed overhead. He vaguely considered joining him for his hunt but in truth he wasn't at all hungry and was too involved and fascinated by his new partner to want to leave her side now. He sent a brief respectful greeting to Obsidian Nova, admiring his stature and size and giving a little insight into the emotions and connection he was feeling to his new Tamer. He knew Obsidian Nova had always looked at them as his charges and they had been blundering hatchlings not two years ago, he was probably feeling complex emotions as they relinquished their need for him and instead focused their affections elsewhere.

Hearing their tales amused her greatly, her fingers moving with the needle without supervision from her eyes, her attention on the storyteller. Merrick's approach to them all seemed similar yet slightly tailored to each. A knight would be more comfortable meeting and talking to a stranger on a patrol than at court and a Pirate she supposed would be too surprised by the sight of a dragon circling their ship to be aggressive. Cedric finished his recounting at the same time as Yennefer finished the first leg of her work trousers. She put them aside with the needle carefully attached so as not to be lost and she closed the book of Anatomy as well, adding that to the pile before speaking.

"By your crest Sir, I would place you as a knight of the ****** Kingdom? I had been travelling from the Capitol at the time, passing through a Village on the border. The people there were under the affliction of some strange plague, not a parasitic infection but with similar traits and spread through skin to skin contact. I discovered a treatment that certainly worked but I am still unsure as to the full reason why... In any case, just after the first patient I treated started showing signs of recovery Lord Tetra made my acquaintance. I admit I was generally sceptical myself of his words and when he asked me to accompany him out of the Village and into the wilderness at the dead of night... well I can be forgiven for my initial caution. However, Obsidian Nova certainly convinced me to the truth and truth be told I have been concerned with the world's health for some time. I can see this corruption of which our Mentor speaks, hopefully I may help in the cure of it. Ah! My apologies, I am Yennefer McNeill, a Doctor, I am very pleased to meet you all. This is Methuzar..."

She gestured behind her, smiling at the giant mound of scale and bone that rose and fell slowly with his breathing. He rumbled his own greeting, lifting his head and dipping it politely to each Tamer before returning it to the ground, still tired from the flight but always keeping one eye upon his dainty Tamer. Yennefer herself took Arameus's example and gathered a small plate of food, finally satisfying the dull ache in her belly.

Nova enjoyed taking in each recollection of the tamers' first meetings with Merrik and himself, he enjoyed the emotions flowing about the meadow, he enjoyed the positive energy that wove its way between each tamer and dragon. Today had been a beautiful day indeed. Unlike Merrik, Obsidian Nova could move the future from his mind for a precious moment or two and simply enjoy the day for what it was instead of straining his mind in worry of what would come to be. As he neared the group he noticed a familiar presence enter his mind; it was Quaking Sand, the desert dragon. There was deep concern in his mind and he wished to open up to Nova about it. Immediately Nova acknowledged the severity in his tone and accepted his request.

"Quake, join me on my hunt, would you? We'll discuss today's events in private while we seek out a fair sized elk to replenish the meat stores. If nothing has changed I would know how much you appreciate a hunt. Come, consult with your tamer and meet me in the skies." He then redirected his tuned thoughts to a wider array and sent a farewell to the minds of all those around him, letting them feel his decision to go hunting so that they would understand his departure without the need to tell them with actual words. He smiled fondly at a few of the young drake nears him and took a few steps away from the table before beating down his mighty black and red wings so as not to disturb the meal with the draft of the force. He soared up over the trees, releasing sparks of black fire into the darkening sky, partly from playful habit, partly because his flare pouch longed to be worked. A dragon needed to breath fire regularly just as a human needs to cough or sneeze daily. The system within his scaled body needed to be kept clear and free of debris or build-up such as dust or bits of prey.

He soared off over the horizon at a casual pace, waiting for Quaking Sands presence to return to his proximity so they could discuss his concerns.

~~~

Merrik sat at his desk, an old black pine piece, covered with scrolls, scripts, quills, and a glass of well aged brandy, the bottle sitting uncapped but a few feet away on the social table (coffee table). He had been working since he arrived back home on figuring out a appropriate training process for the vast variety of tamers that had come into the Order. Each would require individual training, for no man was exactly alike his brother. He knew he would need to concoct a rather large batch of burn heal; new tamers and dragons learning new techniques practically howled for medical assistance requirements. He took a long gulp of the expensive alcohol, savoring the strong, rich taste and stood up. "There is much to be done." he thought, moving to one of his shelves and drawing back the wooden shutters that protected his rare ingredient collection. Retrieving a large wooden bowl, a worn out pestle, and a collection of miscellaneous herbs, vials, and powders. He cleared a space on the social table and sat down on the couch, starting to arrange the items and prepare the thick paste that could triple the healing time of a burn and remove nearly all the pain of even the worst scalds.

Tara stood at the edge of the group of humans nervously waiting to see the creatures of myth they had been promised. She would have dismissed Merrik as a madman when she first met him if she hadn't seen his dragon for herself and she was still somewhat sceptical about what they would find here. But even a small chance of getting revenge against Ogual for what he had done to her country, to have a purpose again after five years, was enough to get her here. Now her heart thudded hard in her chest, she felt more nervous than she had since her first job as an assassin. She hadn't let herself think too much about what it would be like to be bonded to a dragon on the way here, not wanting to get her hopes up, standing here now she couldn't help it though. It would make her strong, give her real power, enough to actually do something about the darkness infecting the land. She had felt helpless for so long. What would it be like to share her life with the creature though? Merrik had said they were as intelligent as humans and she had seen enough of Obsidian Nova to believe that was true. The pair seemed to be able to communicate silently, telepathy was her best guess and she wondered how far that connection went. The idea made her feel uneasy, almost sick. She valued the privacy of her mind and had no wish to share it with another, especially one she had never met before. She pushed the feeling away, this was no time for second thoughts. She had committed to this and for good reason, a little nervousness wasn't going to change her mind.

They had a few words of warning then dragons and fire were filling the air. She backed away slowly, eyes flicking from one dragon to another, trying to find any that were paying attention to her. A flash of grey in her peripheral vision was the only warning she had to throw herself to the side. She rolled and came up quickly to see a dark grey dragon turning in the air and flying back towards her, slower this time. She allowed herself a brief moment to take in its lithe beauty as it opened its mouth then a beam of yellow fire leapt from its jaw to the ground a little way away from her, moving quickly closer. Was it trying to kill her? Test her? She only had a second to decide how to respond and she span around to sprint in the opposite direction. It only took a few seconds before she could feel the heat of the fire directly behind her. She feinted in one direction then threw herself in the other, very aware of the fact that if the dragon wanted to kill her there probably wasn't anything she could do about it. There was no way she was just going to wait for it to happen though.

She returned to her feet to find the dragon stood in front of her, its shoulders about twice her height, head stretched down towards her on a long neck, wings spread wide showing off the bright yellow lines running through them. She was ready to bolt in any direction even as she studied it, however it wasn't making any aggressive moves, actually looked like it was studying her back. The stillness didn't last for long before it opened its jaws again and a sound so loud she could feel as well as hear it hit her. She took an involuntary step back but didn't move any more. The roar felt like a challenge to her and she had already determined that running wasn't very effective. The sound cut off and she was left with a painful ringing in her ears.

The dragon tilted its head then a voice spoke in her mind and she almost ran but kept herself locked in place.

Fast, for a human. Brave, or just stupid perhaps. Where did you learn those things little one?

Telepathy, indeed. Tara took a moment to collect herself and consider her response then replied, “As a soldier and later an assassin. Those things have kept me alive.”

A soldier and assassin. You kill for others at their command?

Tara could sense the dragon's contempt and she had to keep herself from snapping her response though it still came out cold, “I chose to kill for someone I respected in service of a cause I considered just. I am my own person.”

The dragon snorted. As you say. I would know more about you human, open your mind to me.

Tara tried to keep the disgust and, to her annoyance fear, that caused from her face and voice. “No. Ask me anything and I will answer truly.”

You believe you are in a position to say no? You know if we are bonded, as you must have come here hoping for, we will share minds completely and have no secrets from each other?

That was as bad as she had imagined and worse. But if that was the cost she'd pay it. “Then bond with me if you wish to see my mind. I will not allow you in until it goes both ways.” She held eye contact with the dragon, trying to impress that she would not intimidated.

You do not seem very keen on being bonded. Why are you here?

“I... my country, the people I cared for, were destroyed by Ogual.” Tara paused, not sure how much she wanted to share with this rude and judgemental creature. But she would have to get used to sharing if they were to be bonded and despite her reservations that was truly what she wanted. She needed to be honest. “So revenge for what I have lost. To redeem myself after failing to protect them. But more than that, I want to protect the people he has not yet hurt. And to have purpose, I have spent the last five years without that.”

The dragon was silent for a few moments. Very well then. And with that a part of her mind she hadn't known was closed off opened and her mind was flooded with memories, emotions, sensations. It was too much to take at once. She dropped to her knees and raised her hands to her head. It wasn't pain exactly but it certainly felt like it. She groaned as she tried to make some sense of it, shove it down or away or something so it wasn't so overwhelming and confusing. One emotion came across more strongly, she identified it as alarm after a moment. It seemed the dragon... Zarketh, she knew its... her name was now, was just as unprepared and overwhelmed by this as she was. She didn't know how long it took but eventually things settled down a little and though she still felt like she had the weirdest headache she'd ever had and random memories kept popping up in her mind, she could think straight. It wasn't as bad as she'd thought. It actually felt... comfortable. She felt Zarketh's smugness. Surprised?

You know I am. She thought back at her, amused rather than annoyed now. It felt strange talking like this but also not. Confusing. She could feel the part of her mind that was Zarketh, bits and pieces flowing back and forth between them. She tried focusing on it and the overwhelming press was back, easier to deal with this time though. She could feel the dirt under her claws, the push and pull of muscles as she shifted her weight, her curiousity and excitement as she sorted through her human's memories. The possessiveness in that thought should have bothered her but she was surprised to find it didn't. Zarketh was hers too. The dragon huffed a hot breath at her for that thought and rammed her head into Tara, knocking her to the ground.

Tara opened her mouth to protest but was interrupted by Merrik and Obsidian Nova landing behind her. She scrambled to her feet, still somewhat unbalanced by the bond, which was the only reason Zarketh had caught her like that, she thought pointedly. She listened carefully as he spoke. Eternal life? Magic? She hadn't been expecting that. She didn't know what she thought of it so she put it aside for later thought to listen to the rest. The training and rules didn't surprise her, if anything she found them reassuring. It reminded her of her past. As long as Merrik was a good leader, which she had no reason not to believe so far, they wouldn't have a problem. She tried not to think of the alternative. He is. Zarketh interjected into her thoughts, accompanied with fond memories of the Dragonlord although some were tinged with her annoyance at the restrictions he placed on the young dragons. Tara smiled, comforted, and refocused on what he was saying. She couldn't stop herself from grinning at the enthusiasm she felt from Zarketh at the mention of flying. She had always found enjoyment and escape in running, and the various acrobatics required of an assassin and her own excitement fed back to the dragon.

At the end of the speech Zarketh turned and walked quickly towards the edge of the coliseum, Tara running behind her. They found the halter and Tara had to tell Zarketh to calm down twice before she settled enough that Tara could focus on making sure it was safely attached. Once she had checked and double checked them she climbed easily up the dragon's side, found a spot she could sit comfortably and fixed the straps around herself. Zarketh took off at a run the moment the last one was in place, jerking Tara backwards, the straps digging into her the only thing stopping her from falling off. Now we know the harness works. Hold on. Tara could feel there was no point trying to hold her back so she settled for slamming a fist down on her back and gripping the harness tight. Zarketh extended her wings and leapt into the air, strong wingbeats driving them higher and faster. The cold air stung her eyes and made them water so she could barely see.

We're supposed to be taking this slowly. Gradually. So I don't fall to my death.

Don't make me think I picked a coward for a rider. Tara wanted to be annoyed but the joy and amusement she could feel from Zarketh made it impossible.

At least slow down enough so that I can see. The dragon grudgingly relented, slowing down enough that Tara could open her eyes. She looked down, they were circling above the coliseum and she guessed that the must be near the height limit Merrik had set. She wasn't afraid of heights but she was suddenly struck by how completely her life was in Zarketh's hands up here. Panic started creeping around her mind, trying to break her calm. She was used to being in very dangerous situations but then her survival was always dependant on her own skills, not another's. She had only met Zarketh less than an hour ago, what was she doing?

Focus on me. Feel what I do. Zarketh's concerned thoughts cut through the panic and Tara obeyed. She focused all her attention on her connection to the dragon's mind until she could feel her body as if it were her own. She could feel the air currents on her wings, her body instinctively adjusting to keep her just where she wanted to be. As natural as walking to a human. I would never let you fall. Tara relaxed into it, letting Zarketh's joy at flying overtake her. After awhile she retreated back enough to be aware of her own body again and found she wasn't at all afraid any more. This wasn't like trusting her life to a stranger, Zarketh was a part of herself. She already knew her better after an hour together than she had even known anyone. Zarketh growled in approval and released a jet of bright yellow flame. She picked up speed again, diving and twisting through the air, coming close to other dragons then banking away at the last moment. Tara didn't even think to reprimand her, she was having far too much fun herself.

The time for departure had come upon them, rousing a flurry of movements from tamers and dragons as they readied themselves for this next step. Cairene glanced around at each pairing, so taken by their appearances that she didn’t notice Asmara’s shoulder leaving her touch. The suspended hand found its way to her lips, and covered them each time her eyes introduced something new to be in awe of. Colours of the sun and sky, land and sea, and the elements that danced between them, were all accounted for in winged form. Of these magnificent creatures, a most valiant one was the first to take flight. Its tone was an aspect of purity, lighting a beacon along the path towards their new futures. The image glittered within her green rings for longer than she could afford to hold them there. Soon, Asmara’s fussing turned into demands for attention, reminding the young woman of Merrik’s instructions, and that the time given to honour them was nearly over.

---

They may have been one of the last to touch the skies - the titan Methuzar spared them that honour - but once they were released into the compound, the pair wasted no time in getting acquainted with their new dwelling. On fleet heels and three of Asmara’s fours, they travelled from the meadow to the spacious longhall, and made a quick stop at Obsidian’s door for the directions to their suite. Theirs was a short walk away, four doors down from his and two away from the bathing rooms on the opposite side. To see their names on a plaque was a welcoming touch that filled them with a sense of ownership and belonging. For Cairene, it would be the first time she had let her roots break ground, and her excitement was quick to overflow. The little lady pushed her weight on the heavier door, and struggled against it, until a hidden budge of encouragement from Asmara forced it open.

The interior was exactly how she pictured it, and more. After an initial sigh of wonder, she clapped her hands together excitedly and strode into the centre of the enormous room. Her eyes followed the succession of light fixtures blinking on from one side to the other, in a rhythm that matched her throbbing heartbeat. A new portion of space was revealed each time, including the staircase connecting the lights below to its lights above, and an area especially designed for Asmara’s needs. The moment they pooled into a golden platform, the Amethyst dragon whined in clear approval and leapt to it in a flash. Cairene giggled at the way her dragon hurriedly scuttled towards it, as if there wasn’t a thing in the world that would keep them apart. She could feel the waves of longing and admiration coming off her, however, the dragon made it a priority to circle the hexagonal dish, carefully scattering her clawful of gems into it. On the third round, her body curled into the decadent bedding, and continued to swirl a few times in its centre, eventually slowing to a peaceful stop. The sound of her contented hums vibrated in Cairene’s chest.

“I’ll just have to look for some other dragon to help with my bags!” Asmara snorted opposingly, and Cairene laughed, “Oh, develop a humour, you grumpy lady!”

She spent the majority of her free time unpacking and adding her own flair to the already lavish abode. The previous resident had good taste, so it didn’t require further decorating. What impressed her the most fast became her favourite feature: watching over where she lay was a gorgeous depiction of the Amethyst dragon. Its profile was carved to perfection, wearing a horn of ivory and a single ruby in its gaze, and between each golden braid of its wing-boning, a glittering mass of ore fragments pieced together the shape of her silver span. She traced each detail with a finger and hummed a sigh. A piece of her wanted nothing more than to lay in its luxurious sheets and dream about these new memories of hers, and the slow unravelling of her dragon’s. “People to meet! Up, up, up!” The reminder coaxed her into a steady walk towards the common grounds, and at every path that branched off of hers, a new mystery was listed in her mind, which she was determined to sort through and explore later. There were voices emanating from within the ring of oaks, and Cairene chuckled in amusement at the one that stood out for its roguish manner and content. By the time his account had ended, she arrived to the sight of those gathered, some already helping themselves to the food.

“Hello, my fellow tamers!” Cairene sang as she made her way around the table. “Pardon my delay, the living quarters are just gorgeous,” she spaced the two words farther apart with dramatic effect, “you have to see what Asmara and I have done with our little niche!”

She floated towards the nearest chair, settling into it slowly like a practiced landing, crossed her ankles and observed the setting. “Oh my, the selection we have here is quite impressive!" Leaning closer to the young woman next to her, she whispered, “and the food looks delicious, too!” Cairene tittered into a glove, and had properly turned to ask for a name, when she suddenly gasped. Without pausing to consider the woman’s personal boundaries, the Tamer of Vanity was off on her whim, stroking and admiring a handful of crimson. “Your hair... goodness, how that red shines!” She raked her fingers through it, picking at the locks, and speaking into each handful. “With some work, I can make that colour ten times brighter so it screams: ‘fire!’. Maybe add a little more volume to give it some lift without looking too thin. Go for that airy, flowy look,” her words came out fast, not allowing for a reply. “What do you think?” The question was rhetorical, of course, since Cairene was now helping herself to bigger and bigger handfuls, and fashioning them into piles around the side of the poor maiden’s head.

After arriving and settling into her quarters, Tara made her way to the meal with Zarketh circling above her grumbling about how slow she moved. Don't you want to hunt? Tara questioned her after seeing several dragons flying off towards the forest. That can wait, I want to meet the humans the others have picked properly. Tara could tell Zarketh was both excited to meet them and eager to show off her own choice. I am not a... trophy. Tara thought back, but she was smiling.

They arrived and Zarketh settled down next to Methuzar, flicking her tail at him playfully and craning her head round to look at his red-haired rider who ignored her, focused on her sewing. Tara sat down next to her and swatted at her dragon's head. Leave her alone you pest. Zarketh huffed warm air onto Yennefer and moved her head to Tara's other side, watching the humans with interest. Tara grabbed some food and ate silently as others arrived and sat down. They all looked a similar age to her or younger, she wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or not. She had joined the army herself at 16, she knew competence wasn't necessarily based on age. Most of them looked like warriors which was good, hopefully they would already be competent physically or close at least. The noticeable exception was the woman sat to her right. She looked like she had never held a weapon in her life, Tara worried she wouldn't be able to keep up but she also knew a variety of skills and backgrounds would be useful.

She listened as some of her companions introduced themselves; a knight, a sailor... or a pirate perhaps, she frowned at that, and a doctor. Now that would certainly be useful. Perhaps she should keep an eye on the woman and offer her help with the physical side of things if she needed it. Tara noticed she was sewing a more practical pair of trousers though, that was a good sign. The same could not be said of the woman who arrived next though, wearing a completely impractical dress and giggling. She couldn't imagine what she could contribute but she knew better than to judge purely on appearance, maybe the dress and behaviour was a mask.

Deciding it was time to introduce herself Tara looked around the group with a smile. “It is a pleasure to meet you all, my name is Tara Rial. Until five years ago I served the crown of Otamur. I managed to escape after the country fell to Lord Ogual and have been travelling since, I met Lord Merrik in a similar way to Sir Brantly and once I was convinced that he was not a madman, my course was obvious and here I am.”

Zarketh projected her thoughts to the minds of the assembled humans. Greetings little humans, I am Zarketh. I look forward to destroying our enemies by your side.

Only a few minutes after the tide had ebbed from Irin's mind, people had begun gathering at the table, and starting with a rather overly-chivalrous knight, began introducing themselves. The next sounded like he was a pirate, and smelled of the sea. The third was a doctor, and sounded confident in her ability. Irin took note of that, making sure to talk to her later. Still in a rather dark mood from being separated from his other half, he took a couple deep breaths, then introduced himself in a lowered voice, and in as few words as possible. "I'm Irin Wyrda, a sellsword. Thought Merrik was just another client, then he proved otherwise. Now I'm here." He finished the slice of bread he was nibbling on and stood up. He couldn't let himself be seen too much in the mood he was currently in, so he sacrificed learning about the others and took his leave from the table for a bit, ignoring any looks and reactions. He wandered around the vast field as he waited for Uram to return, frequently glancing around for her. Soon a familiar wave of thought and emotion rushed back into his mind and he looked up to see Uram quickly approaching.

Did you miss me? She said in a teasing tone, then quickly realized how badly he missed her. Oh, you did.

Irin waited until she landed in front of him, and responded in an angry tone. "I felt like an empty shell while you were gone. Surely you felt the same too?"

I did feel a little empty, but it didn't bother me that much. She nuzzled Irin with her snout, which knocked him back a few steps. It's normal to feel as you do, but... Twin strands of smoke rose out of her nostrils, For it to hurt that much, that's a bit unusual, if I'm not mistaken. You may want to talk to Master Merrik about that.

"Maybe I will." Irin sighed, calming himself. "While we're at it, why don't you come with me to our quarters?"

They walked side by side to the large building that they would now call home. Uram pushed the large door open with her silver talons, and they walked in together. They arrived at the fifth stall on the right and walked in.

The stall was quite big. Big enough for a dragon, anyway. Room to stretch and room to walk around in it. Near the back was a massive dish, lined with fabric that was as blue as a clear sky, with large white cushions scattered about within it. A bed fit for a dragon of the sky. To the left of it was a fountain of crystal clear water, the sound of delicate splashing resonating from it. Uram walked up to it and tilted her head to the side as she lapped up some to wash down her meal. Irin made his way to the ladder to the left of that, and climbed his way up into the loft that stood at the top.

His breath was taken away as soon as he got a look at the inside of the loft. The room was more luxurious than anything he'd ever seen. The first thing to catch his eye was the bed frame. Ridiculously ornate carvings of dragons soaring across a sky, with every detail down to the scales carefully etched in. Irin ran a finger across the carving, and sniffed the frame. Looked like wood, but felt and smelled like stone. Petrified, no doubt. Judging by the color, as well as the straightness of the grain, put together with what trees were outside, Irin deduced that it used to be white oak. A great wood for furniture. Carving it, though, would not be very easy to do. This frame was made by a master among masters, for there wasn't a single missing chip in the entire frame, not even a single splinter.

The rest of the furniture was almost as impressive as the bed frame. All of it was petrified white oak with intricate carvings depicting dragons, albeit they weren't quite as detailed, but not a single flaw could be found in any of the carvings. Irin was taken aback by it all, then it occured to him: Maybe this was made with magic. The idea both disappointed him and marveled him. On the one hand, it meant he might be able to do this one day, but on the other, it felt to him like the maker cheated if they used magic. Irin stood there and marveled at everything for a minute or so, then it was back to business. He set his pack down on a chair and rested his bow and sword against a wall, and climbed back down the ladder.

Already knowing where Merrik's stall was, he took a right at the door to the outside, and entered Merrik's stall. The stall was relatively the same as his own, except the large dish was black with red cushions, resembling a hell instead of a heaven. Irin was prepared to bow, but stopped when he realized Obsidian Nova was not in the vicinity. He heard noise from the loft, which reassured him that Merrik was, in fact, there. He climbed up the ladder into the loft, which was adorned with equally impressive woodwork. At the back, hunched over some strange tools and ingredients, stood Merrik Tetra.

"Master Merrik." Irin spoke, with a respectful bow. "I have a few things I need to speak to you about. First, I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Until today I never realized just how incomplete I was, and now..." Irin held his hand up in front of him, staring at his fingers as he twisted his hand in and out. "I feel incredible. However, there seems to be a bit of a problem. When my dragon—Uram, that is—headed out hunting, I felt like a mere shell of a man. Almost as though someone I loved had just passed away. When she returned, Uram said that the feeling was normal, yet—" Irin lowered his hand and stared directly at Merrik, "That from what she knew, it wasn't supposed to be that severe. This worries me greatly, because although I feel blessed with her, I also feel cursed. I don't think I could spend the rest of my life with a curse like this without some kind of help coping with it."

"Master Merrik." Came a voice from the hatch in the corner of his room. Irin stepped up from the ladder and respectfully greeted him from where he stood. Merrik turned and smiled, beckoning him to join him. "Come, come, make yourself at home. What can I do for you Sir Wyrda?"

"I have a few things I need to speak to you about. First, I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Until today I never realized just how incomplete I was, and now..." The brown haired man gazed at his hands, as if seeing himself whole for the first time. Merrik smiled, relating to the feeling. "I feel incredible. However, there seems to be a bit of a problem. When my dragon—Uram, that is—headed out hunting, I felt like a mere shell of a man. Almost as though someone I loved had just passed away. When she returned, Uram said that the feeling was normal, yet—" The man looked Merrik directly in the eyes, severity drifting over his tone, "That from what she knew, it wasn't supposed to be that severe. This worries me greatly, because although I feel blessed with her, I also feel cursed. I don't think I could spend the rest of my life with a curse like this without some kind of help coping with it."

A deep, familiar furrow formed on Merrik's brow; he had hoped that none of the new tamers would have fallen to this ailment, but he saw now that he was wrong. "I see. And the pain of the separation, would you have called it unbearable? Would you have called it a void within your very soul?" The look in Irin's eyes told him it was so. "Hmm," he said, turning from the man and making his way to one of the overencumbered bookshelves that lined his loft's walls. He took a moment before retrieving a particularly thick and dusty book with a dark green bind. For a moment he flipped through the pages, stopping occasionally to skim its contents before finally finding his target. After reading through a few pages, he tapped a section triumphantly and beckoned Irin to his side to gander at his find.

Here, this may be what ails you," he said, motioning to a string of words at the top of the page: Bonding Desolation. "I have had no experiences with the sickness myself , but Uram was correct in her assumptions that such severity in your separation pains are not normal. I myself experimented with the effects of distance on my own bond, which could be considered a 'normal' bond. There will always be a sick feeling of emptiness but for your entire soul to mourn her departure as it does, it is not normal, and I understand your concern. But do not stress, for there have been thousands of tamers before our time and nearly all were strict journal keepers. Fortunately the collections of their writings have generally stayed safe in these halls, so we do have resources to aid us in our adventure."

He paused and skimmed down a part of the page and stopped again, drawing Irin's attention as he read aloud. "This is from the journals of a tamer named Icicese, bonded to a solar dragon, who first documented the effects of bonding desolation: 'I have come to see that my bond with Aerania is quite different from those of the other tamers in the Order. I am controlled by our connection, feeling lost, alone, desolate, and hardly finding the will to live if she so much as departs on an evening flight or strays too far from my side. The other tamers have confirmed that not one of their bonds is as such; though they feel the lack of their dragons' presences, they do not feel the loss as I do. It is a burden, in so many ways, yet I find comfort in knowing that our bond in unique, that my soul needs hers to such a level that it cannot bear her absence. Truly, we have a special connection. But... nevertheless, I cannot allow this to be used against me; I cannot wallow in crippling despair whenever Aerania leaves for a hunt. We must work to find the cause of this terrible ailment that has fallen upon me.".

It then goes on to say that they sought out knowledge from the Monks at the great monasteries of Illos, eventually learning that the magical ties of a bond may be altered by the heart of the tamer, and in some cases the dragon. As you well know, each bond in unique, and there are certain cases, like yours and Icicese', in which the very magic itself is shifted in response to your own aura, your emotions, your soul." He bookmarked the page and closed the book, handing it to Irin. "From my knowledge, this illness that taints your bond is nothing more than an embodiment of the powerful sense of empathy and sympathy within your soul. Your very essence is more inclined to love, and to care for your soulmate than most. This is a wonderful thing, knowing that your love for Uram is so powerful, and that your very soul worries for her so much that it plagues you and pains you in her absence, but nonetheless, it will be difficult for you to function until we get it under control. All things need balance, there is such a thing as too much love. Luckily, there are rituals within this text that will help your soul to relax its hold on hers. There will be no foul outcomes, so do not worry, the bond is more powerful than anything else in this world. The rituals within will include deep meditation, entering into her mind, bringing her into yours, so that they may meet an understanding. There are potions that must be concocted of which both of you must partake before you enter into this meditation. You will seem asleep to the rest of the world, but you will be alive and awake in each other's souls and minds. It is within your soul, and Uram's, that you must heal this. It will take time, regular journeys into this trance, but with time, Uram's essence will reassure your own of its permanent place within you, and you will begin to feel more comfortable in her absence."

He looked into Irin's eyes, a comforting look. He saw the man in a different light now, knowing that there was something within him that offered him such great love and empathy for another living being. He knew that each tamer in history with this ailment went on to do miraculous things with their magicks specifically, as the especially close connection with their dragon could be used to strengthen magic and strengthen the flow between tamer and dragon. "These meditation sessions may be painful, they may be upsetting, they may be so beautiful and powerful you will awaken with tears of joy and sorrow. I cannot prepare you for this; to share the space between your minds and face the emotions within is a powerful process indeed. Perhaps, we'll focus on mind training for a week or two before you attempt this. What say you?"

Kyara said
They arrived and Zarketh settled down next to Methuzar, flicking her tail at him playfully and craning her head round to look at his red-haired rider who ignored her, focused on her sewing. Tara sat down next to her and swatted at her dragon's head. Zarketh huffed warm air onto Yennefer and moved her head to Tara's other side, watching the humans with interest.

Nyxella said Leaning closer to the young woman next to her, she whispered, “and the food looks delicious, too!” Cairene tittered into a glove, and had properly turned to ask for a name, when she suddenly gasped. Without pausing to consider the woman’s personal boundaries, the Tamer of Vanity was off on her whim, stroking and admiring a handful of crimson. “Your hair... goodness, how that red shines!” She raked her fingers through it, picking at the locks, and speaking into each handful. “With some work, I can make that colour ten times brighter so it screams: ‘fire!’. Maybe add a little more volume to give it some lift without looking too thin. Go for that airy, flowy look,” her words came out fast, not allowing for a reply. “What do you think?” The question was rhetorical, of course, since Cairene was now helping herself to bigger and bigger handfuls, and fashioning them into piles around the side of the poor maiden’s head.

The small plate of food she had collected was devoured quickly, she was a clean if not particularly dainty eater but at that point she hadnt eaten all day. Methuzar himself rumbled in gladness at finally having something in her stomach. The ache had been causing him some discomfort as well. Yennefer had frowned at that realisation, she wasnt used to taking care of anyone other than herself and the idea that the abuse and neglect she let herself suffer would actually damage someone else was.... frightening. It was in this frame of mind that she heard the new arrival to their circle without introducing herself. The woman looked like a dark and quiet sort, sensible. Her dragon however was the picture of hyperactivity. She bounded a little and presumptuously dropped herself down next to Methuzar's bulk, wriggling excitedly like a cat and paying Yennefer very close attention. The doctor would have been a little ill at ease with the very close and warm breath being puffed her way but Methuzar's complete lack of worry reassured her and she simply politely ignored the littler dragon as its rider swatted it away. She did give the Tamer a thankful smile before returning to her meal and watching as other Tamers came and went

One very stunning pair arrived shortly after. Yennefer felt Methuzar's heart warm as his eyes gazed upon the beauty of Asmara, admiring her grace and poise with the platonic love of an art critic. She smiled at the rider, a quite similarly astoundingly beautiful woman in the prime of her youth and wearing an exquisite dress. It confused Yennefer greatly, was she not a Tamer as well? Surely she could see that her personal appearance was not of much importance here? Why take the trouble? Then again Yennefer had never indulged in beautification herself. She needed to look dependable and trustworthy, not desirable.

Still she was about to greet the woman as her eyes came to land upon Yennefer, however her greeting was cut very short by clutching hands launching at her and running through her hair. Methuzar gave a surprised grunt of disapproval and his eyes snapped open to watch carefully as the red fur of his trainer was, to his mind, quite frightfully abused. The woman was gentle but in no way respectful of space as she twittered about the colour and texture animatedly and with obvious passion. Yennefer was struck slightly dumb by the unexpected assault and was still and quiet for a moment like a startled rabbit, giving a very confused but firm message of calm to Methuzar before he did anything drastic. However her face eventually relaxed and she laughed in a strained manner. To be honest the hands in her hair were rather soothing, even though she was a little overwhelmed by the sudden contact. She found her voice and replied to the woman's words in a warm and welcoming manner.

"F-fire you say? Well I suppose that would be quite fitting, but ah, I have never been a lady of refinement. Um, may I ask your name?"

The black dragon soared above the trees, silent in he night as despite his massive size. He had located a nerd of elk and had been casually following them for a few minutes when a second set of wings entered into the space around him. "Quaking Sand," he said to the desert dragon that drew near from behind him. "Your mind is troubled. After experiencing something as powerfully uplifting as the bond it worries me that you are shrouded with concern. What ills your mind young one?"

It didn't take long for Quaking Sand to catch up to Nova after dismissing himself from Talisar once more. As soon as he was close enough, he responded to Nova's inquiry, "It is my partner, master. I know that we share our memories and thoughts when bonded, but..." He paused trying to think of a way to describe what he discovered, "It seems I could not share a portion of his memories, and it is by his will. I can tell that even in his mind, there is a gap." He shuddered as he continued, "But I still catch glimpses, flashes of what is supposed to be there, and what I do see unsettles me greatly."

The dark, scaly brow of the black drake furrowed then; he had read of things like this happened but had hoped it would not occur in the round of bonding rituals brought about that day. For a man to shut off an area of his mind, so freshly bonded, was not something of skill, but of darkness. There was something in Talisar's mind that even his subconscious dared not recall. "Tell me, Quaking Sand, what have you seen in your glimpses into the dark area?"

Sand's eyes narrowed in thought as he went through the few images that had gotten from the blank in his partner's memories, "I see a land, a land in which darkness has invaded and it permeated everything. There are humans who rabidly attack other humans. And creatures," He shudders enough that he dips in his flight to the right a bit. After correcting himself, he continued, "Creatures that were once animals or great beings like us, but that have been warped to the point where they hardly resemble what they once were. And at the end, where his memories pick up again, I see a worn and bloodstained journal in his hands." Sand recalled how Talisar had been willing to put himself in danger to protect that journal during the joining, "I have no doubt that what happened during that blank in his memories is written in it, and that it the key to his regaining them. And he knows this too."

"The plague..." Nova thought aloud. "It must have swept through his home, taken the humanity from his people. It is no great wonder why his subconscious would wish to conceal these memories: to see a man's humanity drain from his eyes and a beast to arise where that man once stood, seeking to consume his own kind...'Tis not a sane image to store within the sacred banks of the mind." The herd of elk below them veered off to the west and scattered through the woods, fear driving their movements. Obsidian Nova selected a rather healthy, beefy looking buck and focussed in on it, not at all worried about the hoofed animal escaping his stalk. "The journal you speak of, it may hold important details of this dark illness. For a man to observe the effects first hand and to take down the details of the event... this information could be of great value. It would be of great value to the cause."

"That may be the case, master, but..." He thought back to the emotions he could sense of his partner whenever the journal was concerned, "He likely won't let anyone see it, not even himself. Something about making sure he is ready to remember. He's fought them, that much is clear..."

"With time, your bond will help you to connect to each other on a level above any you or your tamer could have imagined. Work with him, I am assigning you to spend a minimum of 4 hours each week in meditation with your tamer; you will strengthen your bond, strengthen your trust, open your minds completely and face the storm together. Do not force anything from his mind, mind you, it may be locked away for good reason. But in spending time in silence, sharing space in your minds, all will reveal itself and with time, your light will reach into the dark corners of his mind and lighten his burden. Now, I would retrieve my prey and return to the garden."

With that, the black drake spiralled into a sharp dive as he swooped down on the proud elk, claiming it by his talons and fangs. Within moments, the creature fell silent as death settled over it and Obsidian Nova lifted his trophy into the skies, returning to the meadow to so that the meat might be taken from the body and the bone might serve as a tasty morsel for his own lips.

Ryhana had remained silent eating her meal, She was respectful of course however by not pigging out devouring food before her and of course acknowledged and listened what her new fellow tamer had said as one by one they introduced themselves to one another. There was certainly a fair few former knights or Guardsmen within the group and thus far made Ryhana believe Merrick had certain made some very good and wise choices. She could still feel Azadeth resting in the stall and had a small little sensation due to being a little apart but it was not bad as she was still adapting to the whole bonding and being complete with a flying dragon although there was one thing Azadeth would not be able to cover but that was not an issue right now and both would no doubt one day get that part sorted.

Soon Ryhana felt it to be respectful and needed that she to introduced herself to these people that she'll learn you work, live and survive with and thus finished her latest mouthful from her meal as the evening was getting on. Having a quick drink of water to help clear the slight dryness in her throat she calmly stood ans smiled once the latest introducer had finished. "I would to start of with saying it is an honour to meet your acquaintance fellow tamers, Especially those who have introduced yourselves" She paused for a moment.

"My Name is Ryhana Neviara, Now former gaurd-woman of Solona, I to was approached like many of you by Lord Merrick. I remember almost locking him up for what I believed at the time to him being a man who lost his mind." She smiled remembering the moment well it was amusing. " However like you I believed once I saw Obsidian Nova after following the lord after he left Solona, He must of known I would follow out of curiosity. After the thing that have come to light since and what lies ahead of us, I do not regret my decision to join and come here." Ryhana had finished speaking up revealing a little bit of her story of how she ended up here, Azadeth rested happy sending happy thoughts to her tamer believing she had chosen well in her Tamer. Soon Ryhana would need to retire to her loft for much rest for tomorrow events.

Sparks glared at everything in front of the feast table. Food, drinks, chairs, people...unless one of them could fix this blasted headache, she wanted none of it. Miserably, Sparks tried to remember all that happened, everything that brought her to wherever it was she was sitting now.

She wasn't sober when she saw Merrik. She can't remember what she said to him, but it was vaguely resembling a flirt in the hopes of getting a free drink from him. He wasn't up for it and asked her if she wanted to see his dragon. Yeeeaaahhh, that wasn't the best pick-up line she ever heard but she wanted to rob him anyways, so she followed.

Sparks grimaced. She blacked out at that point. The moment she saw his dragon she actually fainted. It was so big! She'd never seen one that size before. The man took her to the arena with other people, but she was still getting over the shock. When the dragons were released, she watched a massive, red dragon swoop towards her, she went to punch it in the face, got smashed back by the dragon and blacked out again.

When she woke up, the red one kidnapped her. Probably Merrik's fault. All of the other people were snuggling with the oversized lizards and she vomited at least twice during the flight to this location, dangling helplessly in the red ones talons.

Now here she was. Sober. Smelling of sick. Pale as parchment. Shaking. Being offered food. Listening to small talk and introductions. Trying to remember where that red dragon went, because that's the only thing she trusted which could take her back home, back to Freya, back to the inn.

Miserably, she locked gazes with Yennefer and asked, hollowly, "How are you possibly okay with fighting, taming, and bonding with a monster because a man you only just met told you to, then being flown away from everything you love?"

Sparks hesitated. "Pass the ale," she added as an afterthought.

Obsidian Nova returned to the stables as Irin was departing. Upon sensing his dragons arrival, Merrik opened his mind to fill him in on the visit and in turn, Nova expressed the events of his flight and his visit with Quaking Sand. For a moment, the two stood looking at each other, both concerned with the information they had just exchanged, there was already obvious twists and turns appearing on their adventurous road to forming an army. Hopefully all the years they had spent preparing for this would allow them to deal with whatever issues came up accordingly.

"Speaking of... issues... the dragon thought, "The woman bonded to Felynn... She will need, unique attention and training, perhaps even a restriction placed on her alcohol consumption until we get her back to health. We can hardly afford one of our soldiers to be staggering in battle and spewing vomit on our enemies." Merrik fully, wholly, and immediately agreed.

"Indeed, my friend. But that is a task for tomorrow, tonight, we need to rest. Come, let me skin that elk before we retire, it should be prepared for our meals tomorrow.." The black dragon nodded in acknowledgment before placing the carcass on a stone tablet along the back wall of his stall. Merrik climber down and withdrew a skinning blade and set to work on the carcass, retrieving the meat and tossing bones up in the air while Nova snatched them up as snacks. After storing the meat away, he washed up in the wash house and made his way back to his loft. He stopped before his life long friend and held the massive drake's scaly head in his arms. "Good night dear friend."

"And to you." he covered the man in a wave of emotion as they shared a moment not so often shared anymore, a physical manifestation of an unspoken friendship over two decades old yet as strong as the day the Oracle handed Merrik that large, black egg.

Merrik rose at 5:00 as he usually did, rising to greet the sun as it broke the horizon and its light danced about in the stained glass window pane above his bed. He took a moment to wake up, washing his face with cool water from a basin in his room and dressed in cotton pants with a fitted black shirt before placing his “light” armor on over top. He had always trained in armor to simulate realistic procedures that would be used in battle. Drawing open the drapes that closed off his loft from the open space of the stables, he smiled fondly at Obsidian Nova who was laying in the shallow pool of crystal water in the corner of his stall. ”A good morning to you Merrik, I’m going to hunt, I’m craving small game today. I’ll be back before your breakfast is over. You and the others may find me in the meadow warming my wings.” Merrik nodded as the lack dragon lifted its bulk from the clear fluid and shook its scale’s dry before departing silently. Merrik slipped down the ladder, making his way to the kitchen area at the back of the stable to prepare breakfast for the tamers. He knew his way around a kitchen and soon enough he had assembled a rather large breakfast consisting of pheasants’ eggs, boar bacon, homemade bread toasted over a pit of embers in the corner of the kitchen and collected handfuls of fruit from a cool place beneath the countertop, juicing some and cleaning others to be served. He laid out the meal on the large, wooden table that consumed a portion of the room and sat down to eat while the rest of the tamers made their way in to join him, some sooner than others.

~~~

6:30am (Warm-ups)
”As you all should know, warming up your body is of the utmost importance for any athlete, and as soldiers, you are athletes, like it or not. Each morning I expect a lap around the meadow, on foot, then a lap in the skies. This is to warm up your bodies and minds. After that, I suggest you all perform stretches to meet the needs of your own bodies. Drakes, be sure you clear out your flare passages, I shouldn’t need to remind you. For the first few weeks we’ll be focusing on your work with your dragons more than your own personal training as we need you and your drakes to become a team. After I’m content in your abilities to work together we will begin to fine tune your bodies and minds, effectively forming a lethal group of elite soldiers.” With that, Merrik took off running along a cobblestone path that follow the perimeter of the meadow while Obsidian Nova departed from the skies and landed next to him, running along side him like a panther after prey.

7:00 (Balance Practice)
Merrik stood before the group of tamers and dragons, but not in the way that one would expect. He stood on the back of his black drake, feet on either side of a row of spikes that ran down his back, just above the shoulder blades where the dragon’s curves evened out to a workable level. He stood tall and proud, arms crossed, while Nova lifted his front legs and pulled back onto his haunches. Merrik hardly moved a muscle for Nova knew how to move to ensure his tamer held perfect balance. ”During flight, during battle, and sometimes in tricky situations, you will need to learn to balance on your dragon’s backs as if you’re still on solid ground. Your place on your drake’s back should be no more unusual than your place on this earth, it must be second nature for you to be effective soldiers. For today, and most of this week, I want you to use the leather straps you received after bonding to secure yourselves to your drakes. You will remain on the ground this week, but I expect you to work on your balance. Learn to stay firmly on your dragon’s back without holding on. Learn to lean with their movements, learnt to sense each other’s intentions and move fluidly to ensure you remain planted at all times. Next week, I expect to see you in the skies, so take care to perfect your ground work.” Merrik would not work beside the tamers today; he had long since attained a level of perfect comfort on Nova’s back and anything he needed to work on now would look like he was showing off, and Merrik was not the man to draw jealousy or spite to himself. So instead, he and Nova made their way around the group, giving advice and praise to the tamers as they worked.

8:00am (Agility)
”Our next goal,” came the voice of Obsidian Nova into the minds of all before him. ”Is to fine tune our agility. It is key that you learn to maneuver in flight in even the smallest, most crowded places. We’ll begin this training in the woods. For the first few weeks, I want you all to think of it as a game of high speed tag.”[b] He looked at the dragons, specifically. [b]”Your dragons are familiar with this and have become quite adept at the process, so hold on tight. You’ll need to learn to work with them as they take you through the thickly wooded area I will lead you to. You will be veering about to the sides, taking sharp turns, swooping up and diving down. It won’t be easy at first for either of you, as your drake must learn to accommodate for the addition of a tamer on their body, changing their memorized figure, and for the tamers as your balance and wits will be key in staying on your dragon. Be sure to communicate, if your tamer is trying to tell you to slow down, don’t be rash and ignore their requests, it could end badly. Work at your own pace, that is the fastest way to excel.” Merrik sat atop his black, scaly back and smiled as he felt the excitement of a good game of tag seep into his mind. This was one of his fondest memories; time spent in the woods, dragons weaving in and out of the trees, tagging each other with licks of sparks. The tamers would enjoy this once they got used to the heat and speed of the event.

10:00am (Flight Training)
The group was called to gather in a large open area of the field just south of the stables. Merrik was pleased with how training had gone up until this point and decided to give the tamers a break from focus and strain. ”The next hour would normally be considered flight training during which you would work on aerial maneuvers, however, since this is your first week and you’ve all shown exceptional progress, I’m going to send you out to roam with your dragons. Do what you wish, do not attempt anything dangerous or reckless. I only ask that you remain in the air at all times. Enjoy your time and spend it how you may. Under no circumstances are you to stray more than a few miles from the garden. Now go, have fun, know that you’ve done well. Work on becoming one with your dragons in flight.” He smiled, feeling a strong sense of hope as he looked out over the new Order.

12:00pm (Lunch)
The tamers gathered in the stables for lunch. There was laughter and excitement flowing through the halls that day. Some of the newcomers helped Merrik prepare a wonderful lunch of soups, sandwiches, and salads made of the produce grown throughout the meadow. The dragons took this opportunity to relax and socialize amongst each other, not needing to eat more than once a day. When the hour waned, the day’s training commenced again, spirits were uplifted and stamina replenished from a hearty meal and good company.

1:00pm (Swordsmanship & Defense)
”Before we begin our real blade training, I need to get an idea of where each of you are, skillswise. I’d like for you all to pair up and spar between each other, anyone without a sparring partner will be work with me.” Merrik retrieved a pile of weapons from a storehouse behind the stables with blunted edges so that no real harm may be done above bruises. ”I’d like you all to select a weapon from this cache, as they’ve been dulled for sparring and proceed to the dirt ring on the southern end of the meadow.” The group paired off and made their way to the ring where they would practice their offensive and defensive abilities. As the tamers went to work, Nova noticed the dragons had collected around the ring and were cheering their tamers on, as if watching some advance cock fight. He let out a stern snarl at the yearlings and they reluctantly backed away, giving their tamers the space needed to focus on their sparring.

”And do you think this hour exempts you from training? Take to the skies now, all of you. I expect to see you all practicing your attacks and defenses as well, and please young ones, stick to sparks and embers, Merrik should not have to concoct more burn heal on the first week. Now come, let us test your strength.” The black dragon took to the skies, his wingspan offering him a fast ascent. He reached an acceptable altitude and turned to face the younger dragons as they gathered above the grounds, dipping and diving in pairs, shooting waves of cackling sparks and embers at each other, dancing in their attacks and evasions.

3:00pm (Magic Training)
”This part of your training will be, by far, the most difficult and potentially the most dangerous for the power upon which you draw is connected to the very life source of your dragons. Magick is an intricate, and precise art. There are more things that can go wrong than right, and it is up to you to take great enough care that you do not end up with a fallen drake at your side and a dead void in your soul. For the first two weeks we’re going to be focusing on a simple act; we will be accessing the mana pool given to you by the bond, and we will be summoning a simple flame. I’ve chosen the fire element to approach first since it is the natural magic of dragons; their instinctual understanding portrayed through your bonds will offer you a simple concept to tackle. And I say simple in no light way, do not ever assume the use of magic will be simple.”
Obsidian Nova stepped forward then and continued Merrik’s words. ”Magick, is 80% understanding, 10% desire, and 10% mana. Without understanding how something works, you cannot hold a hope of applying your mana to it in order to manipulate it. Fire, is so much a part of a dragon that our very soul’s understand its workings, and as a result of the bond, it will appear to make sense to you as well. Do not assume it is as simple as it will appear in your mind, you must take a moment to observe a flame; how does it move? What give it life? How does it feed? Why does it bite? How does it die? You must consider all aspects of the element or object you wish to manipulate.

Once you have achieved an understanding, you must consider what it is you want it to do. You must understand your desire, clearly, perfectly. What do you want the flame to do? Would you like it to twist this way? If so, why? And how? How would the flame twist to the side? Certainly not of its own accord. You must understand that the flame does everything with a reason, the flame flickers as it blinks in and out of existence in that space, consuming the oxygen in that space, reacting with the very particles of the air. Would you like it to grow? You must think of why it must grow, and what it needs and how it must function to grow.
When you understand your desire for the object or element, you must apply mana to it. The mana will come easily, but you must execute a level of control. Do not allow it to flow freely, for it will quickly empty itself as it desires to be let free. Should you release all the mana in your dragon’s soul, your dragon would fall to death where it stands. Luckily, all of the dragons here have been trained in the ways of mana conservation and have perfected the process of maintaining a small store to ensure they survive. Though I’m sure each would give up its last drop should your life depend on it. You will feel the mana flowing like a river, controlled by a muscle that may let more or less flow through into your spell. Focus on this and only take what you need to apply to your spell.

Once you have understood and utilized the flow of mana, direct it with your will and your mind into your spell; urge it aid the flame to grow or to bend. It is this process that will allow you to successfully utilize your magicka.”

Merrik stepped forward again, offering a display of magick use. ”Through many years of study and great practice, I have gained and fine tuned my ability to harness the unique mana possessed by the nightmare drakes. Each of your dragons has a man unique to its pedigree, in a few weeks we will begin to unlock the doors to these unique magics and start focusing on personalizing each of your magickal uses. As Obsidian Nova said, you must understand what you manipulate and understand what your desire is.”

He lifted his hand, whispering in a language not spoken in the modern days. A slender, snake-like flame slithered up from the palm of his left hand. In his right, he urged forward a black void, a tendril of anti-matter. ”I understand what fire is, what it needs, what its purpose is and, though not fully, I understand anti-matter. I understand that it is not a matter at all, but the result of a void in all things, down to the tiniest particle of air. It is the absence of matter.”

He lifted his palms up above his head and muttered a few more words. Then, suddenly, the two snakes shot up, growing longer and longer with each foot they travelled, and began to intertwine and weave into each other. They continued to move and weave and slither about the sky until an intricate pattern formed in the shape of a dragon, embers glowing within a blackness so empty. He whispered again and urged the magickal dragon up into the sky, watching as it soared to the cloud and exploded into a spray of sparks and empty pieces of darkness. His gaze fell back onto the tamers before him. ”Now, let’s begin shall we? And perhaps we’ll work on the sparring field so to prevent any unnecessary burns to our beautiful meadow.”

4:00 (Study Hours)
The tamers were expected to focus their attention to gaining knowledge then. Merrik sent them to gather books from their lofts and find a suiting place to read them, researching anything they wanted to know, studying biology books on draconix anatomy, reading about past tamers of their dragons’ breeds. Seeking knowledge and expanding their minds. Some stayed in their lofts, some brought their literature to the meadow and sought shade under fruit trees as they read by the light of the afternoon sun. Some curled up with their dragons, reading aloud and discussing exciting new concepts. Merrik took this time to focus on his journaling and transcribe his thoughts of each tamer from the day. He was please with the new order and even more so with the young dragons who had, once again, made him proud. Obsidian Nova soared about the skies over the woods as he often did, pondering his own secrets, occasionally passing over the stables to open his mind to Merrik and share whatever thoughts he wished. The meadow was full, of life and of hope; if only Merrikhai could see the place now, after so many hundreds of years, the halls echoed with the sounds of claws on stone and the skies were dappled with the silhouettes of dragons against the spring sun.

6:30 am - warmups
Felynne was up bright and early today, seeming in high spirits. She was carrying a large, smelly black bundle in her jaws, which was yelling all manner of insults. Most of them involving sexual actions with close family members. She cheerily dumped a dishevelled, half-asleep Sparks onto the floor, wrapped up in her own blankets, face-first so her bright red dreadlocks spill from her scalp like a bloodied mop. Felynne watched the others take off on a run whilst Sparks struggled from her impromptu bindings.

"I want to go back to bed," whined Sparks. She managed to sleep off the last vestiges of her hangover, but the telepathy was still echoing, patchy and distorted. Felynne looked down at her tamer for a while. "Yes, well, I'm tired of listening to you blaming everyone else for your problems. Bear in mind that the only way out of here is by me, and I say we follow Lord Merrik's instructions." came the clear, deep, and smooth reply. "When you're quite done kissing milord's dragonscaled buttcheeks," muttered Sparks angrily, "Then we can go back to FreyaaaaAAAARRGGHH!"

Felynne kept behind Sparks, who was screeching for half of the lap, the back of her improved blanket cloak set alight.

7:00am - Balance Practice

"I refuse to, willingly, climb onto THAT things back." Grunted Sparks.

"Then I shall just have to bring you onto my back," rumbled Felynne.

Sparks let loose a surprised yelp as the great, dark red talons gripped her clothes and lifted into the air. Then there was a lourd rip, and Sparks became suddenly aware that Felynne's back was arriving much faster, then groaned in pain as she landed onto the tough scales. As she stood up, Felynne chorted with laughter, covering the woman with her massive, leathery wings. And, funnily enough, Sparks started laughing too. Wearing naught but a pair of trousers, some skimpy bandages over her breasts, and on the back of a massive red dragon. She couldn't believe it.

Rather hastily, Sparks tied the sleeves of her jumper behind her back so she was modest, and fixed the leather straps onto Felynne so she could stand properly on the dragon's back. She spent the next 55 minutes falling flat on her face, yelling a creative muffled insult, and getting back up again.

8:00am - Agility

Sparks stared at Obsidian Nova with dislike. Big, dark, scary and proposing that before flight training, they must fly through a forest and not fall off. "I can't do that," mumbled Sparks. "You can't do that," confirmed Felynne. "You barely trust yourself, let alone trusting me. I suggest you find out where the medic is."

Sparks nodded, and got around two steps away from the group before the red dragon tumbled forward, tossing Sparks into the air, and catching her onto her back. "Hold on tight!" Cried the dragon. Sparks yelled something rude but the flapping of the wings covered her profanity quite well.

Surprisingly, Sparks managed to hold on, and while they flew through the trees Sparks gave the good impression of being able to fly. Unfortunately, the pair didn't get a lot of tagging done, as Felynne had to turn back to relocate the position of Sparks, who smoothly transitioned from clinging helplessly to Felynne's back to clinging onto the branch of a tree after falling off.

10:00 - Flight Training

Sparks stared at Felynne hopelessly. Felynne lay down, allowing Sparks to practice getting onto the beast's back. When the two were settled, they walked a little so that Sparks could have a while to get accustomed to it all.

"I am on the back of a magical, beautiful creature." Numbly stated Sparks, shifting with the movement of the dragon's legs.

"Clearly, you are."

"I don't deserve it," grunted Sparks firmly.

"Pardon?" Exclaimed Felynne. "I'm sorry, what was that? You don't think you deserve this? That is one of the most outlandish statements I have ever heard. You radiate confidence, and yet you're so...stubborn in your belief that you are worth nothing, so...I best prove it to you."

With two powerful beats of her wings, Felynne lifted them both off of the ground with ease. Sparks screeched, clinging onto Felynne's tough scales as they went higher, and higher into the air. They burst through the cloud layer, revealing a brilliant blue sky and a pearly layer of billowing clouds. "Have you ever seen anyone in your dingy tavern boast about seeing above the clouds, Annabelle?" Rumbled Felynne.

Sparks laughed, overcome with ecstacy and exhilaration. The pair swooped down, twisting and gliding through the air. But Sparks and Felynne were too reckless and Sparks threw her arms into the air. The drag was so severe that she was buffeted back, and she lost balance, slipping off the red, scaly back.

Sparks didn't scream. The wind rushing through her dreads ripped her words from her throat, and the cold bit into her back like an angry serpent. She wasn't outraged, or scared, just...resigned. She had a feeling that this was one thing she can't fix. She shut her eyes, and felt warm talons curling around her...when she opened her eyes again, she was on the grass, face-first, with Felynne curled around her protectively.

12:00pm - lunch

"Would you like anything to eat, Sparks?"

"...No."

"I'm sorry, but falling haapens to everyone. You'll feel better if y-"

"Shut up."

"Are you at least going to move from this spot in the grass?"

"No."

1.00pm - Swordsmanship

Sparks stared dimly at the pile of blunted swords. She picked up a heavy, two-handed sword and weighed it in her palms, running a finger on the edge to check how blunt it really was. Disappointed in the lack of sharpness, she stared around the group of tamers for a good two seconds. Then her gaze snapped onto Merrik.

Perhaps it was the day of training. Perhaps it was the supposed 'kidnapping', or jealousy, or a distinct lack of booze in the area, but something sparked inside of Sparks. Felynne felt it, too; a deep, rumbling, dormant flame of resentment and rage, shivering with the concept of sweet, sweet battle and a chance to be unleashed.

"I don't have a partner, Merrik. Let's have a little 'training' match, shall we?"

Obsidian Nova nearly released a snarl at the red haired woman for weaving such resentment into the words she spoke to Merrik, but before the black beast could release a sound Merrik rose his hand to silence the potential protest and the drake pulled back from what would have been a dive from the sky to land at his side in defence. This woman clearly had a problem with the events hat had led up to this moment and if she felt Merrik was to blame, then he would certainly spar with her. He wanted to know what plagued her emotional what ignited the fire that burned through his gaze at him.

"I'd be more than happy to oblige." he lifted his own blunted long sword from the pile and swung it about for a moment before turning to lead the dreadlocked woman to a clearing. When they reached an area with ample space, he lifted his blade and nodded at the woman, initiating the fight.

The best thing that could be said about Sparks' fighting technique is her speed, and her brutality. She closed the gap in moments and brought the blunted sword down towards Merrik. Then drew back and tried to hit again. And again. And again. Her speed is astounding and she clearly isn't holding back, but she leaves...openings. When she brings her shoulder back just so, Merrik could stab into her gut. When she twists, Merrik can hit her armpit and slice her arm clean off.

She was toying with him, and Merrik was enjoying watching her attack again and again with incredible speed and intensity, yet her defence seemed to be lacking. Part of him thought she was just hungover, but another part told him she was deliberately leaving gaps in her defences. As he parried her blows, remaining calm and balanced with each strike, he watched her expression intently. "What is it that angers you? What fuels the fire I see in your eyes?" He stuck out and landed a powerful slash which Sparks only just managed to block. He danced back, watching her movements, noting her weaknesses, awaiting her response.

"YOU! You are behind all of this, if it wasn't for you I'd still be at home!" Snarled Sparks, and the intensity of her blows increased. She was, by this point, not even wanting to play fair; she tried to knee his groin whilst feigning a blow to the shoulder. By the looks of it, Sparks just wanted to inflict pain. "I should've just left you alone, I should've just robbed you and left you!"

Merrik paused, shocked at what had come out of her mouth, and he paid for letting his guard down by almost taking a firm knee to his manhood. Leaping back in the nick of time, he continued to parry her blows, seeing now that he was defending his own safety. The warrior in him stepped in and his defense maneuvers intensified to fit her fiery attacks. He ducked, rolled, dashed about; she was skilled no doubt, but he would not be bested. He lunged forward in a powerful attack, locking their blades in close combat. "I AM behind all of this. I gave you the chance to meet the beasts of legend. I gave you the chance to bond with a powerful, magical being. I brought you here that your name might be written in the history books as one of the greatest heroes of our land. If it were not for me, you would be at home. If not for me, you would be sulking in alleyways trying to rob those who are not so unsuspecting as you might think. If it were not for me, you would probably have drunk yourself into a never ending sleep and slipped from this world. Look around you! Do you not see the magnificence that surrounds you? Look into your dragon's eyes; gaze upon your soulmate and tell me you want to leave. Tell me you want all of this to disappear. Look Felynne in the eyes and tell her; tell her you wish you never met her. Tell her you wish for the bond to have never formed. Tell her you wish I had never taken you from that tavern and brought to her." He gave a powerful shove forward sending the redhead stumbling back. He tossed his blade on the dirt before him and looked at her with a sad look. "Would you be so blind? To not see the great destiny that has befallen you?" Obsidian Nova landed on the ground with a great rumble beside him, looking deeply into Sparks' eyes.

"Go. Go be with Felynne. There is much pain in your heart, and no one is responsible for that except you. Do not place blame on other for the actions and events of your own life." With that, Merrik took his place on the black dragon's back and the scaled beast took to the skies. Sorrow filled Merrik's heart in seeing a person with such skill and strength feeling such deep, toxic pain. She would do great things if she would only let go of the pain inside of her.

3:00pm - magic training

Sparks stumbled over to the others, staring at the display of magic in disbelief. It was impossible for her to get her head around it. She tried, in vain, to summon up a flame...but it just wasn't happening. This dampened her spirits, and made her believe that she was not able to conjure up a spell at all. Dejected, Sparks spent the last fifteen minutes staring at her hands expectantly.

4:00pm - Studying

Sparks threw her book across the stall, where it crashed onto the wood and slammed onto the floor. Felynne tensed up, feeling Sparks' anger swell and eventually burst in a frustrated holler.

"I can't even read!" Cried Sparks. "I don't know who YOU were looking for but I can't fly, I can't run, I can't focus, I can't solve puzzles and I can't be a dragon tamer, okay?! I need a drink! I need to go back to my normal life, or wake up from whatever drunken nightmare I conjured up! I AM NOT GOING TO BE A DRAGON TAMER!"

The yell reverberated through the stalls. Felynne was stunned into silence, then she just lay her head down, exhausted from an entire day of trying to argue with Sparks, who she heard throwing things around like a temperamental child. Only when Sparks thumped onto the bed and her anger shifted into sadness did the great dragon lift her head, and sigh.

It was going to be a long evening, guessed Felynne grimly.

You smell like lavenders Porylucia twisted her face in disgust as he made his way down the ladder from his loft into her stall. She was sitting in a large basin of water, he entire body practically submerged in it. She lifted her head through the surface and let off a low growl as he approached her. [/I]What, pray tell, implored you to venture into the deep and unknown world of soap for the first time in your life?[/I] Cedric lifted up his newly clean tunic, sniffing it before grinning at the drake that stared him down.
“I think I smell pretty nice.” He spoke with confidence. If Porylucia had been able to pick up on the soap he’d bathed himself in after the feast, then surely one of the many beautiful female tamers would also notice it. Picking up on his intentions, Porylucia lunged forward towards him and opened her mouth wide. He had no time to react, and was thrown back into the wall of the stall by a spray of almost boiling hot water. He slid down the wall and landed in a heap on the ground, groaning in pain.
How dare you have such desires with another female! You humans have no sense of loyalty or respect. Completely despicable. Cedric slowly stood up, spitting water out onto the ground while he stared at his completely drenched attire.
“Is this going to be a regular thing with you?” He strode over to her and began to stroke the side of her face gently. “I didn’t mean to offend you, I just thought it’d be nice to not smell like a wet dog for once.” Porylucia made her quick, short puffs of laughter again before nuzzling her snout against the left side of Cedric’s body.

You will bathe with me from now on, Cedric. We will show the other tamers just how powerful our bond is by sporting the same scent as each other. When she put it that way it didn’t seem all that bad. He promised her that next time they would bathe together and then walked up to his loft to dry off. His clothes were soaked, so he slept without them. He could hear the soft rumble of Porylucia’s breathes as he slept, and it was rather comforting.

6:30am - Warm ups

Cedric briskly made his way to the group, being as perky and energetic as usual. Part of this was due to the insanely effective wakeup Porylucia had given him. While he walked to them, soaking wet in lake water once more, he started to become used to showing up to the group drenched. At least he didn’t smell as bad. Porylucia strode behind him carefully, making sure to tidy him up with gentle strokes of her tongue as well as gentle streams of water from her throat. He was going to catch a cold if this kept up. He gave a nod to the other tamers, and Porylucia coiled her long neck around him protectively as she stared down the other tamers.
They smell disgusting she thought, projecting her opinion to all who could hear it. Obviously she wanted the other tamers and their drakes to hear her thoughts on them.
Hey, they’re tamers as well. They’re just like me, so ease up a little.
[/I]But they’re not you, Cedric. So I don’t care about them.[/I] He felt himself going a little red. A dragon thought so much more highly of him than anyone else in his life had. He’d wanted to complain about her, but after thinking it through he realised that there was no greater honour than being chosen by Porylucia.

With her treading slowly behind him, the lap wasn’t nearly as tiring as it could have been. He still wanted to throw up by the time it had ended though. He definitely wouldn’t be eating breakfast before warm ups anymore.

7:00am - Balance Practice

“Hey! Hey! Watch this!” Cedric yelled from the top of Porylucia to the other tamers. He stood upon her holster while she swayed from left to right, adjusting his hips, torso and footing with every movement she made. A life at sea had given him a better sense of balance than most would ever attain, and he was rubbing in every last bit of his talents to the others. “Come on Porylucia! I’ve been on ships that rocked harder than you!”
Pride is a sin, Cedric She was obviously annoyed that she wasn’t able to send him flying, and his taunts didn’t help. In one quick sweep, she turned herself almost all the way over. Expecting to see Cedric fall to the floor, she was ready to catch him in her claw. Her large eyes widened in shock when she saw that Cedric had grabbed on to one of her spinal fins. His feet were shifted in a way so that one was higher than the other, and he used his strength to keep his torso straight. He looked like he was scaling a wall, and Porylucia couldn’t help but be impressed that he’d kept his balance.
“Don’t underestimate a pirate, I’ve been through enough storms to know how to stay on my feet.” There was a sense of accomplishment in his voice. He was so happy that his first day of training was going so well.
I didn’t notice before, but you don’t really speak like a pirate do you?
“Of coarse I don’t.” He laughed, straightening himself up as Porylucia returned to her regular position. “My Ma didn’t raise me in the jungle, and I didn’t see a reason to drop everything I learnt from her once I started living out on the seas.” He sat cross legged on the back of Porylucia, the harness making sure he didn’t have to sit on her rough scales.
[/I]nonetheless, I must congratulate you. You are doing a lot better than I expected you to.[/I]
“Just watch, we’re gonna be flying through the skies perfectly by the end of the day!”

8:00am - Agility

Have you ever regretted saying something so badly that you wished you could rewind time? The thought crossed Cedric’s head as he laid sprawled out across the cold forest floor, his head up against a tree stump. It stung with pain. He didn’t expect soaring quickly in and out of trees on Porylucia’s back to be so challenging.
I thought that someone as skilled at dragon riding on their first day would be able to handle a little bit of extra speed her voice dripped with sarcasm, and even though he didn’t want to sound like a child; all he could manage to say was,
“I’m hungry.”
Lunch is a few hours away
He responded with a tired groan of pain.

10:00am - Flight Training

Porylucia spent the entire training session listening to Cedric’s tales on the seas, fascinated with every aspect of the young tamer.
“And then I was locked in a fight to the death up on the crows nest while their ship bombarded us with cannons. I disarmed the poor bastard and kicked him off the mast into the sea. Then the rest of them began to retreat. It was a hard earned victory, and I’d also managed to steal this beauty from the guy.” He twirled the golden brooch in his hands, looking at the small dolphin engraved into it. He pinned it back to his shirt and laid his head down on the soft leather of the harness.
When this war is over, let’s live on the sea. Just the two of us, forever. the idea comforted Cedric, and he slowly nodded his head in agreement before nodding off to sleep.

12:00pm - Lunch

Cedric rested in the nook of Porylucia’s arm, filling up his empty stomach with bread, cheese and sliced meat. He sat away from the other tamers, not being in the mood to socialise. Porylucia, on the other hand, was bragging to the other dragons about him. She was repeating all the stories that he had told her to them.
There is no doubt that I, obviously, made the best choice in my tamer. Look at how he respects me by staying by my side instead of socialising with the filthy humans. Cedric didn’t like the idea of several pairs of dragon eyes on him, so he turned his face into Porylucia’s rough breast and continued eating in silence. He ignored the chatter amongst the dragons.

3:00pm - ???

Should we really be skipping the first day of training? The two of them were swimming in the lake, Cedric stripped down to just his trousers and floating gentle across the water. Porylucia swam with little effort, each stroke of her wings and tail propelling her through the water like a bullet.
“It doesn’t matter, they’ll fill us in. I’m way too tired to train anymore for today.”

Ryhana rose just moments after 5:00 in the morning being greeted by the warm sun as it shone through the window above her bed smiling and stretching taking a moment to wake up before she would sit up and begin getting herself ready for today's events, Her hair looked like it had multiple rounds against strong winds and was subsequently a mess that needed sorting. Walking over in her nightdress, the lovely tamer had made her way over to the basin in her room and gave herself light wash and sorting out her hair. 'Morning Ryhana' Just like that Ryhana spun round thinking some one was in the room to find no one. She smiled leaning back against the basin looking down at the floor in a little bit of embarrassment. 'Good morning Azadeth' Ryhana spoke back in her mind before walking over the room to get her clothing.

Azadeth had stretched a little as she to had got up poking her head out to see many of the other also getting up. 'I see you are still adjusting' She mused at her tamer who had long since put on her underwear before going about putting on her light armour over the top. Ryhana was tempted for civilian clothing but was not sure it would be suitable use in training. 'I'll get used to it, just a little stranger having you in my head' Ryhana thought back as she drew the drapes open to reveal the rest of the stable to her. Moment later Ryhana had made her way down from her lift to greet Azadeth who told her she was going to to hunt while the Tamers had breakfast, Once she had left to do so Ryhana made her way to the back of the stables where the food was laid out by Merrick, at least they would eat well before training.

6:30am (Warm-ups)

Both dragon and tamer were ready and well rested for today's events where Ryhana did some stretches while Azadeth cleared out her flare passages while Ryhana went and did a lap around the meadow, It was quite refreshing from the norm she was used to and it felt good, Although the body would probably not be liking it by the end of the day. Ryhana had carefully climbed onto the back of Azadeth the green dragon laying down to ensure it was easier for the tamer. However things went steady for Ryhana and Azadeth with no hiccups as the flight went at a casual pace, Ryhana slipped a few times but she actually fell of during the flight lap.

7:00 (Balance Practice)

The pair found it Amusing that Felynne had to practically throw Sparks onto her back, it was one of the first thing's both Ryhana and Azadeth noticed and watched, no one was being hurt but at least it was a funny start to the morning. Keeping hold of the straps however, Ryhana managed to keep balance quite well, being a former guards woman assisted in this considering balance was a important part of her routine, Soon enough though she was able to keep balance with out the straps until Azadeth moved making the young woman lose balance and fall of.

8:00am (Agility)

Next up was Agility training, Listening to what was said and required to be done Ryhana found this task to be one of her most important yet considering that she normally prides herself on being fast and agile against her opponents and a major part of her duel wielding of her weapons. This time however would be different, fling on a dragons back through the woods. Azadeth had reassured her tamer that everything will be fine as the woods is like her home away from home, The woods is where her kind came from so the smaller size and agility should make the session go much more smoother than it would for a much larger dragon.

Soon however they were on their way, flying through the trees of the woodland, It was an exhilarating experience to say the least and one that Ryhana now can't wait to feel every morning, after all if this didn't wake you up then nothing will. Azadeth was enjoying herself and her tamer was giving her good thoughts, She wasn't pushing to the limit as Ryhana would have to learn to go with the flow with her dragon flying throughout the woodlands. It must of been about half way through the session it went wrong, Ryhana was put of by sparks getting stuck on a tree branch and ended up not noticing the branch that was fast approaching the tamer thanks to the speed of Azadeth there was little time to react.

Despite her best effort to duck once facing the wrong way and Azadeth trying to alter her course the pair failed to avoid the inevitable outcome and the large branch smacked the back of Ryhana head. hard, it certainly made quite the sound as the tamer immediately went limp and unconscious from the impact and immediately Azadeth went for emergency landing to the ground feeling the sudden quick sharp pain and then nothing from her tamer. Using her wing to stop Ryhana from sliding of her body the green dragon made a loud thumping noise as she roughly landed onto the ground ensuring herself didn't get injured and Ryhana were not injured more, During this time the dragon let out a thunderous roar in distress and pain a couple of times, It hurt Azadeth so much to see her tamer like this as she carefully allowed for Ryhana to safely be on the ground, She was still alive despite the head injury. Azadeth only hoped and prayed one of the tamers was nearby to to help quickly as she would not leave her bonded tamers side.

( Rest of days events will be done via collabs if the players are still around to do so? )