The waters of the Pool of Tears was still and clear like that of glass, it amazed the Queen every time she visited the Keep. Which wasn't vary often anymore, maybe ten or so years ago she was here more often but that was back in her younger years. She was nearly 55, though you wouldn't be able to tell, not at first anyway. As her hair barely had any grey and her skin still looked young, except for a few wrinkles here and there. She stared at the pool and wondered how many have touched its waters and have gotten their dragon and how many didn't pass the test that the waters gives. She sighed as she touched the cool quartz crystal that surrounded the Pool of Tears, and she wondered if any of this was a good idea.

"My Lady?"

The Queen lifted her hand to her chest as her heart raced, she looked behind her at the man who broke the calming silence. A small smile came to her lips when she saw her first Winged Defender and his dragon Krone. Even after so many years of being in service to her, her Winged Defender looked like he had barely aged. Although she could see his slightly graying hair and crows feet next to his eyes.

"I'm sorry if I scared you my Lady."

"Oh Valor, you always know where to find me." The Queen said as she lowered her hand from her chest and smiled at her faithful knight.

"You are never hard to find my Queen." said Valor as he placed a hand on his hilt of his sword and gave a coy smile.

She could see it in his eyes, that he was happy that she was here. If it wasn't for the news that she was bringing her heart would of soared, but now wasn't the time for such feelings. Her demeanor must of changed as Valor's eyes suddenly looked concerned and he took a step towards her with his right hand stretched out to her. She looked at his hand for just a second before taking it and feeling the warmth and roughness of it, it was surprisingly calming.

"My Queen..."

She looked up into his chocolate brown eyes and for the first time while looking into those eyes, she felt utterly lost. Which must of showed as he gently squeezed her hand, which made her look down and away. She was the Queen she shouldn't let others see her like this, her people looked to her for guidance and protection. But here she was lost and unsure of herself.

"Kendra? What is it? You don't visit vary often anymore.... the Keep I mean." He said the last part before awkwardly clearing his throat. Kendra chuckled softly and smiled before taking her hand away from his and looking up at him again.

"You haven't called me Kendra in a long time, it is nice to hear it from your lips again."

"You're stalling Kendra, please tell me what is weighing on your heart?" He said, the concern never leaving his eyes. It was refreshing to have someone call her out on her worries and in truth she wouldn't normally share such knowledge. But she needed to share it as it was eating away at her and causing her to lose sleep.

Stepping away and going over to a beautifully carved stone chair, she sat down and looked over at Valor and his dragon. "There has been whispers that the Five Kings of Main are joining forces again...."

"We have defeated them before, but this isn't what is troubling you is it?"

"No.... I heard rumors that they have found a way to ride dragons." Kendra watched as surprise spread across Valor's face but he quickly regained himself.

Little Queen, we dragons know the Right and these waters were blessed by Old Wise. We would not let unworthy humans upon our backs.

The voice of Krone echoed through her head and she could sense that what he said was true, but still her worry lingered.

"What Krone said is true...."

"But what if they found a way to enchant something so they too can ride? My Kingdom has stood here for generations, we have accomplished much and we have thrived. But those men, those pigs who call themselves Kings want to see us end and if...... and if they found a way to trick or enchant the dragons, this Kingdom will fall." She said the last part in a near whisper as tears began to well up in her eyes, which she hated but at least it was only in front of Valor. Before she had a chance to compose herself, Valor was sitting beside her holding her hand which gave her a small amount of comfort.

"Do not fear my Queen, for we will prevail. The dragons, for the most part, are on our side. And we have promising recruits that will make great Winged Defenders. Do not worry about our boarders, my troops will defend it well and my spies will gather Intel. Your Kingdom will not fall, not so long as your are Queen." Said Valor calmly and confidently as he kissed the back of Kendra's hand. Which made her blush slightly.

"You always did know what to say, to make me feel better... But have your trainee's ready as I feel something big is at work here. And we will need everyone of those riders."

One could not fathom just how large this Keep truly was, sure people have heard and told stories about this keep. But to see it in the flesh was a whole other story, the way the towers reached into the sky, the wideness of the corridors, the vastness of the court yards, there was so much to take in and all at once too. This place was bigger and more grand than David could even dream, and he spent time in the capital city of Bristar. That was the jewel of the kingdom of Tur, and one that he had been hoping to stay in for the rest of his days. He was after all in training to become a knight, but here he was in the Winged Defenders Keep.

When he had gotten there that morning, he was told that he wouldn't get a room until after the Right. Appearently those that get dragons go to a special part of the Keep and those that don't get choosen go to what those here called the Village. It was a part of the Keep that housed those in training that didn't have dragons, and thats where he was headed, at least thats what he thought he was heading to. But in truth he had no idea where the Village was or even if he was close to it. It had to be close to the south gate right?

"If you are looking for the Village lad, it's that way."

David turned around to see a woman on the back of a stoker class dragon pointing to the south-east. He nodded his thanks before heading in the direction that the woman pointed, he didn't so much as say a word to the woman though. His was mind was racing with the fact that he didn't hear the woman or the dragon come up behind him, how could that be? It was a medium stoker dragon, bigger than air class dragons, he should of felt the earth shift or the wind move but he felt nothing. He was in training to become a knight and one of the first rules was to always be aware of your surroundings, so this shouldn't have happened.

This is a great start. David thought sarcastically as he began to notice that the stone path wasn't nearly as wide nor were the arch ways. He was obviously close to the Village now, this seemed to put his mind at ease a bit as things began to look a bit more normal. There were houses, shops, a bar (which had quite a bit of seating), and many more other things that David was use to seeing. A small smirk came to his lips as he walked over to the bar and sat at one of the empty out door tables. He was quickly met with a bar maid and once he ordered and got his drink, he sat there and pretended that he was back at home.

He never wanted to be a rider let alone meet dragons, sure he thought they were great for protecting the kingdom. But he always wondered when these beasts would turn on them, after all he knew the damage and carnage they could inflict. So when he was told by his superiors that he was going to Winged Defenders Keep, he argued with them. But at the end of the day he obeys orders, no matter how much he didn't like it.

Still he hoped that the Right wouldn't work on him, he had that at least. A small chance of getting out of here without a dragon.

---

There were many courtyard and hidden places to hide and to practice alone, though Brea's favorite place wasn't the most private. It was a large semi-circle that was rimmed with large pillars and trees, some of which seemed to be growing around some of the pillars. There was another small semi-circle in the wall of pillars and trees, which held a large statue of a water dragon holding a water pot which was bubbling water into the onyx water basin. Vinous flowery plants grew around the statue, giving the the whole courtyard and magical garden feel. It was beautiful and a perfect for Brea to practice, though it wasn't far from the Village which meant others could hear her. And to top it off since it was on the edge of the Village it meant those with dragons could visit is as well. Not that she minded she didn't mind "performing" for others.

She took her place in the middle of the courtyard, there she stood silent for a minute. She closed her eyes slowly before slowly pulling out her short blade. It was a light blade with near perfect balance, the hilt of it fit near to perfect to her hand. As she opened her eyes she began to swing the blade in slow and slightly exaggerated movements. Slowly she began to move her body, pretending that she was fighting an opponent in slow motion. But a part of her hated practicing in silence, with a small smile she began to hum.

"On the wind I hear you calling
From the ocean far away
Whispered as the light is falling
You gently call my name......" (Rest of song)

The words of her song rang gently through the air, in an almost haunting magical way. She was often asked to sing at the Village pub at night as some entertainment. She didn't mind though, as after all some of her instructors pegged her as a bard, and thus trained her in some of the fine art of stealth. Plus who doesn't like some good music.

Still as her slightly haunting voice echoed through the air, her movements began to become more fluid and graceful. She moved as if she was dancing on air, light yet slow. She spun slowly, yet quick enough that her sleeve made a rippling sound in the air. She plunged her dagger into an invisible foe before falling backwards and rolling so that she was in a crouching position with her dagger outstretched and above her. She hummed the last of her song before standing and putting her blade away.

As she placed the blade back onto her hip, she felt her nerves begin to shake. This was her second chance at a dragon and she trained hard the past year, and she felt ready! Or at least she thought she did up until that moment. The Right was only a few hours away and she felt more nervous now than before.

As Nalastain was flying to The Keep, many thoughts clouded his mind. Some being haunting memories, others being glimpses into possible futures. Will the queen accept him? Will his classmates accept him? He stayed back a year for a reason, one that he will not disclose easily. Wrafiana could tell something was wrong with him. "Middovah, what troubles you?" She says, saying some of the phrase in an ancient language.
Nalastain does not respond too deep in his own mind.

As the keep comes into view, a bunch of familiar sights can be seen. The Village being one of them. A bunch of nasty memories flood Nalastain's brain, but he steeles his nerves as Wrafiana begins to descend.

Once they landed, Nalastain slides down his dragon, taking in the sights. "Did I miss this?" He ponders to himself. Just as he was about to walk away, the duo hear a song that pierces through the wind. It sounded beautiful, to say the least. Once it stopped, he wandered into the Village to find the voices owner.

"Middovah!" Wrafiana said, flying above the village. "Rek Los Het." He knew that she was close, he just needed to find her. He ran into a semi-secluded courtyard just in time to see a woman put a blade away. Wrafiana landed close to Nalastain, whacking him upside the head with a wing. "Middovah!" She exclaimed, "I could have lost you, Hefahus!!"

---

A loud shout of a Sergeant woke Ashley from a nap that she was having near one of the dragons. She had been working hard for the last couple days helping the keep prepare for the ceremony. The Dragon’s would claim their partners. It was exciting time. She had been at the keep for a couple weeks and had befriended a few of the dragons. But she wasn’t going to be picked. That was for those who had been training that really knew the dragons.

As the perpetrations for the ceremony were going on, many of the trainees and Dragons were fussing about things, wanting them to be perfect. Sadly, when Ashley had completed her apprenticeship with Master Korgan, she thought her days of taking orders were over. She was a journeywoman and knew the basics of her craft and was ready to set out and start her own shop. She ended up here at the Keep, conscripted to the crown they called it. In her mind it was like getting married to a drunken brawler without the love. Now being new, she was, um, ordered about by just about everyone. The dragons wanted this. The trainees wanted that. Harness, tack, packs, and straps needed to be repaired or replaced. Yelling, yelling, yelling! Ashley combed the straw out her hair and then with a yawn she stretched and rose. She had not even seen the Queen yet.

The sergeant yelled again and Ashley turned and approached the man. He did what all sergeants do to new recruits. As the man turned red in the face and yelled more, barking orders and explaining the way things were going to be. Ashley started to tear up and she could feel the emotions bubbling in her. But, the stoker dragon she had been resting with leaned it head over her shoulder and blew mucus out its nose. The sergeant was covered from head to foot with the stuff. Ashley tried not to laugh, honestly. She bit her tongue. She pinched herself. But when the dragon spoke into their heads telling the Sergeant to be quiet she was trying to take a nap. Ashley laughed. For her troubles, Ashley had got to wash his uniform and polish his leathers. When she saw some broken gear in his locker, she picked up the pieces. With no on watching, she let the magic flow through her into the items healing the broken pieces and rejoining the parts.

Ashley did not know where the magic came from. What she could do was passed down from her grandmother and she worked hard to keep the magic hidden. Telling people she could mend some things and or heal would make her an outcast. The magic tended to make people uncomfortable. The magic was probably why the Sergeant had picked her out of all the new recruits to spend most of the days yelling at her. The dragons on the other hand didn’t care. When she had used magic, most people tended to stay away from her and she hoped it would be true for the Sergeant.

From the hall came a shout, “Ashley!” Gear needed to be made ready and polished for the ceremony and dragons needed to be fed. She would make as much of it shine as she could and try to stay out of the way of the officers and trainees, and of course the sargent.

Few could understand her. She wondered why, but every time she asked they would say she was odd. What was so odd? Her appearance, her thoughts, her abilities? This was severely thought over, especially now.
Everything was blurred. All she could see was the ground, and a few drops of blood, her blood, in the dirt. She heard someone taunting her, but she couldn't make out what they were saying. She didn't care though. She thought it funny. When she started to laugh, the taunting increased. She felt her body numb. The focus of her vision cleared. She slowly stood up, laughing all the while. When she stabilized herself, she saw her assailants.
Of course...
It was the noble bloods...
For years they taunted her, tormenting her, calling her all sorts of names. They would follow her home, call her a witch, an abomination and all things under the sun. But they never struck her, and thus she tolerated them. But now they've gone too far.
She lifted her hand and snapped her fingers. She snickered when the expressions of the men went to ones of horror. She turned and ran home. When she arrived, she quickly hid in the forge. When she thought she was safe, she turned, and the owner of said forge was hovering over her, arms crossed. When she saw her face, she scowled. "Who did this to you?!" Dirka simply smiled. "Oh the usual ones. But they got what they deserved." The smith got wide eyed. Dirka simply laughed. "I didn't harm them, only a minor illusion that made me seem as the most horrific thing they could think of. It was rather easy considering they were rather stupid." "Well in any case, you better get going. Your trainer will send someone to fetch you for your trial. Meet them by the old oak." "Oh! I almost forgot, can you send father this?" She gave the smith a bracelet before running away to prepare.
She collected her usual things, her necklace, some moss, and an apple to eat on the way. She rushed through the Village, and got right up to the old oak. There she waited till it was time of the trial.

Da-Xia was up before the sun. She had rathered her things from her tent and folded everything neatly before wrapping it up and mounting everything on Tian, her black horse. It was custom for her people to wake before the sun rose in order to greet the sun goddess, Surxia, and capture the first rays of the sun as one prays and meditates. Her aunt always told her that her mother would go up to the roof of their old home and sing to the goddess as the sun showered her in the light. While Da-Xia had tried to do something similar once her voice didn't hold up to expectation. Instead, she turned to something she was far more superior to, and that was the lyre. Once she had finished with her morning routine of getting everything packed, she took her lyre and sat a few yards away from Tian. The sun was just minutes from rising when she began to play a traditional song of her people, the Chaoxen.

Everything had to be perfect today. She had been training all of her life but had only managed to get a trainer for two. It was time. With her mother's sword and her veil, she would finally pass the Right and get her long-awaited Dark Dragon. To step in her mother's shoes was something that Da-Xia had been longing to do for so long. The warmth of the sun only made her more confident in herself.

After her song had ended, she put away her lyre and continued her morning routine. She fed Tian and herself something simple. No meats this time, something light but fulfilling so she wouldn't throw up in the middle of the Right. By the time breakfast was done, she could feel everything she had just eaten on her throat.

"It will be okay; I can do this." Da-Xia assured herself and bowed her head for a silent prayer.

By the time Da-Xia made it to the keep the place was already buzzing with energy. While the immense structure of the keep had given Da-Xia a moment of awe, the inside seemed a lot more impressive than the outside. People and dragon alike moved from direction to another with a clear goal in mind. A few hurried to carry boxes while others took their time to get to their destination. Da-Xia, on the other hand, wondered with Tian on her side as both looked and examined the place. Soon they were ushered towards the Village where even more people walked or ran around the place.

It was so loud. Too loud.

Among the many Winged Defenders and those aspiring to be ones themselves, Effie Eggler looked every part the fresh-faced recruit. The young farm girl was no stranger to hard work, but the gear she had equipped herself with - simple leathers and a short sword sheathed at her side - showed not even the slightest hints of wear and tear. Nor was she all that used to wearing them, recent purchases with slowly saved up funds that were stiff and awkward. Yet, the girl herself showed no signs of being bothered.

Instead all her energy was directed towards the sheer grandeur of the Keep. She had heard plenty of stories and tall tales, and seen it from a distance. She had never actually visited, as she spent most of her life in a family farm or small village that may as well have been in the middle of nowhere. So many people, and dragons, and the sheer size and scope of the place was almost overwhelming and difficult to take in all at once. Idly, she wondered if her elder brother had felt this same way when he first set foot in this place?

Surely he hadn't let it get to him, however, and she wasn't going to either! Even though her gawking sometimes led to her having to scurry out of someone's way while offering apologies for the inconvenience, she none the less made her way where she needed to be. The Village, as it was referred to, to await some form of test or ceremony known as the Right - during which she would partner with a Dragon, as her elder brother had done before her. Supposedly there would be a great many new recruits, the same as her, that were also there.

The Village itself was a more familiar sight for her, though still not quite what she was used to. Peering up at the sky and the sun high above, she raised one hand to shield her eyes and scrunched up her face in thought. As far as she could tell, she had some time yet before the Right was to start? Bringing her hand down, and glancing about, the sight of a bar struck her as a decent place to wait - surely she could find someone to talk to and pass the time with there, or get a drink to calm her nerves?

The quick footsteps that could be heard coming down the stone foot path caused the Queen to look past her friend. She quickly took her hand away from Valors and stepped out from behind him. She looked at the man dressed in riders gear as he approached. His gear wasn't clean nor was it in order like one would expect on such a day as today.

"By the Dragons! What happened to you Phillip?" came Valor's voice as he no doubt took in the nearly pitiful condition one of his Defenders was in.

The youngish man was quiet until he stood in front of her and his superior, he bowed quickly before handing a small scroll to the her. Before she took it she noticed how the he looked pained and anxious. She quickly looked down at the scroll as she unrolled it and began to read.

"It's much much worse then we thought..." Phillips voice trailed off a bit, which caused Kendra to look up at him. He looked like he was on the verge of tears but was trying desperately to keep from doing so. Before she could even try to comfort him, Valor's large hand took him by the shoulder in a reassuring way. Phillip nodded before clearing his throat and continuing. "I was stationed just to the North in Alm Keep. I and two others, Sattari and Brenden, were doing our normal patrols and everything was normal. That was until we noticed smoke rising from the Keep..."

"What happened lad?!" Valor asked with a small bit of panic as he reached and took the scroll from her, but she didn't care at that point as she had read enough. As Valor read Phillip continued.

"It was a massacre, who or what ever they or it was killed nearly everyone in the Keep. We found Commander Stella, she looked like hell and half crazed... She... She kept saying that she couldn't leave, that..... that they had her blood and we were their only hope." Phillip took a deep shakey breath. "Thats we heard the most ungodly sound, I don't even know how to describe it Sir. But it made Commander Stella white and she then began to yell at us to leave. We mounted and were nearly out of the Keep when Brenden and Winds Song were netted..... Phillip eyes spilled over in a silent cry, he wiped his eyes trying to stop himself. I don't know where they fell, but I know they were dead as they hit the ground..... I felt their minds.... the pain made Sattari lose focus, she never saw the arrow coming. As she fell Luna went after her, she never saw the net either.... Sattari was dead but what ever got Luna.. Luna must of fought.... But they killed her too..... I felt them die to..... I and Birdi barely got away..... Sir, who or what ever they or it was made us feel the death of our comrades!..... I... I..." No more could be said as the young man stood there silently as tears fell from his eyes.

A chill filled the air as Phillip finished his report. Kendra could hardly believe what she had just heard, and was still having a hard time with it as she looked to her Winged Defender. She was slightly please to see that he was composed and stern, like what every leader should be in the face of such a threat.

"Then we must move up the Right. We are going to need to start training as soon as possible."

"Yes but can you get them trained in time? We may need them sooner then expected." She said as she looked at her friend.

"They get the same kind of crash course that I and those of the first riders had. But they will get it, the hardest part will be to get them to work together."

Kendra then looked at Phillip and thanked him and insisted that he and his dragon go rest, as it much needed. She then gave the order to blow the horn to call in the recruits. The urgency felt nearly the same as it did twenty years earlier. Only this was more frightening.

---

David was nearly finished his first drink when a great horn rumbled through the air, three great low rumbling blows. He had idea what that could possibly mean, as he was unsure of the customs of the Keep. For all he knew it was a dragons lunch horn, though before he had a chance to ponder it some more a dragon the size of a large horse with feathered wings landed on the road. At first he didn't see the rider, but heard him "All those taking part in the Right please make your way up to the center of the Keep. To the Grand Garden and the Pool of Tears" They then took off again.

Taking the last swig of his drink he slowly got up and began to walk with those that seemed to know where they were going. He wondered what had caused the the Right to be moved up, as he was sure he had arrived with time to spare. As he walked through the Village and came up to to the gate of the inner wall he noticed a difference in the lay out. He noticed that there was less buildings and more open fields, most likely training areas. The the few buildings scattered about looked like barracks, mess halls, libraries and more training areas. Though there were few small temples and shrines scattered about as well.

As he was taking this all in, he caught a glimpse of a young man walking behind a rather large cart. It took David a minute to realize what was in the cart, it was a dragon almost like the one that landed by the pub. Only this dragon look nearly lifeless, though he knew it was alive as he saw it lift its head to lick the young man. He wondered what happened to cause a dragon to have to be taken by cart and look like hell. That was when he noticed a great red dragon, it shocked him how large the beast was. He suddenly hoped he didn't get such a large dragon as it would be unsettling to sit upon such a giant creature that could kill you by simply stepping on you.

Again as he pondered this, he and the others made their way to the Pool of Tears they came to another gate. The last ring in the three tiered Keep. As he stepped through the gate he noticed that they were met with trees so thick that it was hard to see five feet in. Though the path was clear and laid with stone. The path seemed to take a while to walk, but just as he thought it the trees suddenly stopped and opened into a large clearing. In the middle of this clearing was a pool make of crystal and there infront of the crystal pool stood five top commanders and the Queen herself. David had no idea that the Queen would even be here, what had caused her to come here as he could see that she had gotten some troubling news.

Once everyone had assembled, which seemed to be at least sixty people, the Queen spoke.

"I am sorry for having to speed this up, we will be skipping most of the ceremony part of this event. But we have gotten some troubling news and we don't have time to dally. So I will call up you up one at a time and you will touch of the waters of the Pool. If the waters shimmers and shows you a dragon, then know you have passed... So would Brea Hadlin please come forth.

---

The landing of a dragon was pretty easy to hear, though the quick footsteps were also easy to hear. Brea turned to see who had come into the semicircle, she smirked seeing Nalastain and his dragon. Everyone who had been in the Keep for a while knew of him, the boy with a dragon but hadn't gone through the Right. It caused quite a stir when he came to the Keep, many of the recruits and some of the trainers thought that it wasn't fair. But Commander Valor quickly put a stop to such talk as he had taken up council with Old Wise about the matter. At least that was what they were told, not that this stopped the whispers of course.

Brea bowed slightly to her visitors when the summoning horn was blown. She looked towards the center of the Keep with worry in her eyes, as this wasn't normal. "Care to walk with me?" she asked Nalastain as she was passing him, smiling coyly. She didn't quite wait for him to respond as she knew that they were heading in the same direction anyway.

She knew the route up to the Pool well as she had done it two times before, only this time there was no ceremony. No music, barely any crowds lined the path and there wasn't many dragons watching either, and to top it all off some of the Keeps flags were at half mast. Something was amiss and it made her feel uneasy.

Once at the Pool of Tears she noticed that the Queen was there, she had never been there the last two times the Right was taking place. There was sense of unease in the air, even some of the dragons that were there seemed on edge. The Queen then spoke and kind of confirmed what Brea had suspected, but before she could think on it more she suddenly heard her name being called.

She looked around for a moment as she felt lost for a minute, she didn't expect her name to be called so soon. Slowly she made her way up to the Pool of Tears. The water was as clear as glass and glowed slightly so that you had to squint a bit to look into it. Reaching out her right hand she gently touched the water before pulling her hand back, she watched as tiny ripples played across the water. At first nothing happened and she felt her heart begin to sink, but then the waters shimmered and she could see a dragon on the face of the waters almost like a painting only more realistic.

Suddenly she the silence that had surrounded her broke as a beautiful melody began to fill the air. The melody not only filled the air but her mind as well, she could feel it through her body and it made her turn around slowly. As she turned she was suddenly face to face with a black dragon. At least she thought he was all black at first but she then noticed his golden yellow underbelly and maroon tipped feathers, lastly she noticed his size. He was large but not as large as she expected, as he was no bigger than the stallion war horses that they had here. Suddenly the melody stopped and the fog that clouded her mind lifted, she then noticed that she was about a yard away from the Pool of Tears and she had no memory of even walking that far. That was when she could hear some of the trainers and dragons grumble as if they didn't like what had just happened, and she noticed how some shook their heads as if to get the melody out of their heads.

Looking back at the dragon before her, she bowed slightly to him and he to her. She then lifted her right hand as to see if he would let her touch him. She didn't have to wait long as he placed his snout into her palm.

Brea gasped as she felt her mind suddenly connect to the dragons, she could feel his thoughts and memories almost as if they were her own. A smile played on her lips as she stared into the eyes of what was now her dragon.

We are one now little one. I am called Wind Cutter, and you are.... He paused for a moment as if thinking. You are called Brea, a pleasure to have you as my rider little Brea.

HIs words bounced in her head and sounded pleasing, almost as like the melody that she had heard earlier, though not as enchanting. ((think Benedict Cumberbatch almost))

"Welcome Brea Hadlin, you are now one of our newest Winged Defenders. Please stand over there with your dragon and wait until the Right is finished." The Queen said before calling another name.

Brea didn't pay too much attention as she went a stood on the other side of the clearing with Wind Cutter. She felt so excited to finally be a Winged Defender that she forgot all about unease that had filled the air only moments before.

The walk to the pool was silent, Nalastain was trying to form words. What was he to say? "Hey, your voice is pretty nice?" He thought, but quickly dismissed, thinking it was too casual. He did not even know why he ran to instinctively to her voice. It sounded as clear as a pool, but as strong as a typhoon. He was so lost in though that he did not even notice that he stopped dead in his tracks.

"Middovah, what plagues you?" Said Wrafiana, now standing right in front of Nalastain. He tries to form words, but is silenced once his white dragon bops him in the head with her snout, linking their minds for a minute. Once the link is terminated, Wrafiana gets to Nalastain's level, to look him directly in the eye.

"Ris hond hin faas, Middovah." (Place away you fear) she says to him, speaking in the same ancient tounge. "Nust los nusaan..." (they are gone).

He looks to his winged friend, and puts his forehead on hers. "I found you, all those years ago. I nurtured you to health and raised you. On my life I swear, I will protect you with all my strength." He says. Wrafiana closes her eyes, living in the moment. after a minute or two, Nalastain hops on Wrafiana's back to ride to the Pool of Tears. He arrives just in time to hear his name called out.

He dismounts Wrafiana and bows to the queen, Wrafiana doing the same. They both await what the queen has to say

The horn’s low note brought Baelon from his stupor upon the western wall. Leaning upon his guards-spear the young man twisted about, watching a flurry of wings descend below the inner fortifications, where trees concealed the Pool of Tears. Something was wrong. Baelon checked the sun, noting its position still high and well above the horizon, his replacement would not be for hours to come, and yet the Right Horn sounded. A first Baelon felt a sense of welcome relief at this realization, he would need not take part. He could not abandon his post, not when the high western wall was so vital a position. Leaving the bulwark unmanned for even a moment although not necessarily leaving the castle vulnerable due to the number of dragons which could spot threats from far further afield than a man atop a wall, was taken very seriously by the Dragon Guard nevertheless. The elite company of lesser aristocrats and noble sons who were sworn to defend the walls of the Keep with their very lives if need be looked down on degradations of duty. An antiquated duty perhaps, but one that was accompanied with great honor and prestige.

An explanation for the sudden scheduling was not long in coming. Armored footsteps approached and three men, of equal age and status to Baelon soon appeared taking separate positions along the fortifications, eight foot lances clutched in their hands. One of their number approached Baelon directly, a malicious light in his blue eyes. Baelon knew him by name, and addressed him thus when he drew close enough to hail.

“Sir Yhon, I did not expect a replacement for some time, and three…?”

“Things have changed, we are tripling the guard on all positions, and the Right shall begin at once.” The man paused, leaning one mailed shoulder against the crenellation staring out over the waters that surrounded the keep and on to the distant lands beyond where the Five Kingdoms and the border remained, as of now, unmolested in the fragile peace. “Against my better judgement, you’d best hurry or you’ll miss the choosing.” Sir Yhon did not need to explain further why Baelon participating in the Right was against his better judgement. The knight had expressed on numerous occasions that giving the son of a traitor a dragon, and making him a winged defender would be like placing a fox to guard the chicken coop.

The perpetual doubt to his loyalty resolved Baelon against his reservations. Straightening he handed Sir Yhon the warhorn and spear, leaving them in his superior’s possession. He might dread the Right, but he would do it just to spite the men like Yhon who watched him with unguarded suspicion. He would tolerate their mutterings and glances no longer. “The watch is your's Sir Yhon.” He said through gritted teeth, the ceremonial words expected of a changing of the guard. “All is quiet, nothing to report.” Turning he strode away, but Yhon would not let him leave without one last verbal thorn.

“Like father like son. Should you follow in your family’s footsteps Baelon Traitors-kin, I will be the first to put an arrow through your heart.”

---

The walk to the Pool of Tears was a long one from the outer wall. He took the lesser known route where people rarely trod. Each step brought him closer to his fate, leaving him wondering what the day might hold in store. Would he earn a dragon, or would they reject him upon learning his family's past? They were ancient enemies after all, Dragon and Rynor had been killing each other for hundreds of years, their roles once reversed. There was a time, many years ago when the name Rynor did not bring foul oaths and whispers, but praise and respect. That was before the war, and the unification of the dragons and Tur.

At long last he arrived at the gardens surrounding the Pool, now filled with riders, dragons, and hopefuls. He was late Baelon knew at once. A young woman already had a dragon, and others were preparing to step forth. Baelon slipped through the crowd, making his way to the front, wondering if he should make himself known, or remain silent. What if they had already called his name, and had moved on? Stopping beside one of the hopefuls Baelon laid a hand upon the person’s shoulder. “Excuse me, has the queen called for one named Baelon yet?”

The Queen smiled softly at the young man and his dragon as they came forth. She had heard much of him as he was the talk of the court for many months, but she left such matters to her Chief Commander to deal with things concerning dragons. Once the young man was standing infront of her, she bowed her head slightly before, "I should have you know that we had a hard time knowing what to do with you. But our Chief Commander has had council with Old Wise and was given the explanation and a solution to your situation. I will let the Chief Commander Valor to explain further." The Queen said in a kind but strong voice, before she stepped aside for Commander Valor to step forward to be in front of the lad.

As Valor stepped forward he looked every part of what a leader should be, it was both awe-inspiring and slightly intimidating. "Old Wise told me that one doesn't find eggs easily and that those that seek out dragon eggs are met by mothers so feirce that male dragons stay away. He also said that a mother dragon never abandons her eggs, and that to do so would label the mother or father as a traitor. So for you to find such an egg met great distress for your dragons parents." He paused for a moment as he looked from the young man to the dragon then back to the young man again, before he continued. "So upon hatching she formed a bond with you instead of her parents, only your bond could kill her. As you see if she were to have bonded to her parents she would of been bonded with her ancestors, thus would not die if her parents were killed. But with you she will, so tread lightly and don't be foolish.' He gave a stern look before motioning to the Pool of Tears and for the lad to come closer to it.
"Touch the waters and if the waters show you on the back of your dragon while flying, then know that you have been found worthy of becoming a Winged Defender. But if the waters only show you standing on the ground with your dragon, then know that you weren't chosen. But luckily for you, you can have another go at it next year." With that the Commander stepped back to give more room then waited to see what would happen.

@JrVader

Nalastain kept his mouth shut. No matter how much he wanted to yell back at the man and explain how he got his egg, he could not. If he did... well, that is for you to figure out...

He looked at Warifana, his one and only family that has kept him alive throughout the years. What if the pool was to show him standing on the ground? What would she think of him than? Would he be labeled as a thief? Many questions clouded his mind, but he was in front of the queen, he must keep his nerves steeled.

He walked slowly to the pool of tears, a perfect reflection of Nalastain could be seen in the reflection. He knelt down, and placed his hand inside the waters. They felt cold, like a spring. He moved them around and saw...

Nothing, only his own reflection. He stared in disbelief. His hopes and dreams, worse, his promise, blasted away in a matter of seconds. He stood up, still looking at the waters with wide eyes. He took one glance at Wrafiana, who stared back at him. "Middovah, it-" She tried to say, but it was cut short as he ran. "Middovah!" The white dragon yelled, she spread her wings to fly, gushing waves of air to anyone surrounding her. Once she took to the sky, it was too late, she could not see Nalastain.

Nalastian ran, for that was the only sensible thing to him. He did not want to face more ridicule than he already has done. He wanted to hide from Wrafiana, the beautiful, innocent dragon that he has nurtured since she was young. He could not dare to look at her face and say "I'm sorry, I failed you." He heard Wrafiana yelling his nickname in the air, but he hid from her...

Today was a dark day, in Nalastain's mind. he would not become a winged defender

Oops