[IC] Fall of Vedrus

[RangerOfTheRit]

"Looking for something?" Leo asked, leaning on the threshold of the small lean-to that the camp used to store weapons and war spoils.

[Tack]

Heidra turned. "Thank you." She took the artifact warily. "I apologize for my earlier rudeness. My breeding only taught me manners in a very...limited sense." She looked into Leo's eyes and remembered their sudden flash of green when he was angry earlier. She had read about werewolves many times before, and encountered them numerous times in her dealings with the Dragon Cultists, but this is the first time she encountered one...so tame.

"You are a werewolf, then?" She raised her brow. "When were you bitten?"

[RangerOfTheRit]

"I was 15, on a hunt in the Royal Wood outside of Astal. I wandered into a feral werewolf's den and she bit me. It took years to master the transformations and i'm still forced to transform during full moons." Leo fidgeted with the sleeve of his coat.

[Tack]

"When I was twenty the Ironbanes dragged me onto the steps of the palace and cut my head off. I...have yet to get used to it." She fidgeted with the artifact before pocketing it. "We both have become something mothers use to scare their children." She grimaced, and looked about her. "So much death these days. I assume it's not too long until your next bout with the Ironbanes?"

[SaikaAnge]

Crim took her bow and quiver from the medical tent where she left it and went to find Leo. She was going to scout out the woods around The camp. Seeing Leo at his tent talking, she decided not to disturb him and told another soldier to let him know.
"Seralth, stay. You stay with Leo. Go." the dragon whimpered the flew over to him and sat next to him feet nibbling on he bandages.

[RangerOfTheRit]

"Tomorrow we ride on Tarrin. It seems you have a score to settle with the Empire too." Leo eyed the rapier in her hand. "If you know how to use that, I'd suggest you join us."

[SaikaAnge]

Seralth managed to chew a hole into her bandage and tore it off. As she played with it she rolled over Leo's feet and hopped around between the two of them as they talked. Then she sneezed and a bit of fire came from her nose, lighting the bandage on fire and scaring the little dragon into hiding behind Leo.

[RangerOfTheRit]

Leo laughed and picked up the little dragon. "Its alright girl." He began scratching her under the chin.

[SaikaAnge]

Seralth made an almost purring sound as he did and cooed a little. Relaxing in his arms, the dragon fell asleep with her head on his shoulder.

[SaikaAnge]

Crim moved slowly and quietly through the trees. This is what she was used to, not the camp. The sound of birds came from above. Crim smiled and closed her eyes standing still for a moment to take it all in. But it was quickly interrupted by a rustling sound. She instantly grabbed her bow and drew the string back.
Slowly she walked closer and saw a man in a black robe carrying a staff. She couldn't see his face, and kept aiming at him. "Who are you? And what is your business here?" She called out.

[RangerOfTheRit]

"Hello my dear. I am The Sage but you may call me Nhoki Whiteraven" he said as his white raven landed on his staff. "And as for my business, i am looking for someone."

[SaikaAnge]

She lower the bow a little, but kept the string drawn back a bit. "Who, if I may ask?" Not many people wandered near military camps or out in the woods not hunting. It was a strange sight, and the raven was one too. Crim had never seen a white raven before.

[RangerOfTheRit]

Nhoki noticed her gazing at the raven. "Ah, he's a special little thing isn't he? Almost as rare as a dragon, wouldnt you say?" he pushed back his hood, revealing long, white hair braided down his back and a braided beard. His eyes were strikingly blue and he had a scar spanning from his temple to his chin.

[SaikaAnge]

Crim was baffled he knew about her dragon. "Ho-how di you...?" She went to ask, putting the arrow back in her quiver. She placed her bow on her back and looked at the old man. "But that doesn't answer my question. Who are you looking for?" Crim asked again.

[RangerOfTheRit]

"The heir to the throne of Ritland, if you must know. Although i dont expect you to know where or what Ritland even is eh? It has long been forgotten." Nhoki walked to a fallen tree and sat on its trunk.

[SaikaAnge]

Crim walked over and leaned on a tree next to the old man. "I would offer in helping you with your search, but I ride out tomorrow. But no, I haven't heard of Ritland. Something similar from someone I know, but not of that place." she thought for a moment then an idea popped into her head. 'Perhaps Leo may know!' "I have a friend that may know something. His father taught him all sorts of things and he read old elvish cave writing."

[RangerOfTheRit]

The Sage raised his brow, "Oh? a scholarly friend? I'd love to meet him." he stood and stretched, his back cracking. "Take me to him please."

[SaikaAnge]

Crim nodded and walked slowly back to the camp with the man. "He should know something about the place you mentioned." She said as the got to the camp. Crim led the Sage around the maze of tents back to Leo's and asked him to wait outside while she saw if he was there.

[RangerOfTheRit]

Leo looked up from his book to see Crim. "Hey. I missed you."

[SaikaAnge]

Crim smiled. "Am I interrupting anything? You have a visitor." She walked over to her sleeping dragon and pet her gently. "A Sage." she added then looked back at him.