((darn...well, shade was never the time to give up easily....just don't kill shade, please...)

Shade's old hatred for the Empire grew and, ignoring Elendi's warning in his head, he jumped out behind the man and placed a sword behind his neck. "Leave her be, vermon."

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

"Ah," said he, slipping out and reversing Shade's sword toward him with unbelieveable accuracy. "I see you are permeating the land already. Happily, I have reached her before you. As you can see," and here he gestured at his dragon, which was colossal and black with eerie red eyes, "I have the resources to kill you with ease, so I suggest you make haste to depart."

Venesse had gone inside to get Bryamor, and so was unaware of the discussion.

((Might not be a good idea to let him know you have a dragon ))

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((he will not know...))

Remembering the confronsation, Shade thought, "Elendi, stay hidden!" Shade could tell she was angry, but he looked at the matter at hand again. He looked at the huge dragon, knowing that thing could eat him for a snack...not even a snack! Get away from here... He hoped for the girl and then he said, "Alright...alright..." He backed away slowly and went around the corner. He ran over to Aeryn. She needed to know what was happening.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

"What's wrong?" was the first thing Aeryn asked. She knew something had to be going on..but just what, she was not sure. For some reason, she dismounted from her horse, pulling a glove onto her left hand, to hide her gedway ignasia. She had a feeling that that was the best thing to do just then.. as well as making sure that Lenora wasn't visible.

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"There is a guy, back there in the ally. He has a full grown dragon! And...and...he threatened some girl and she has a dragon and he is loyal to Gallbotorix!(sp?) We must leave...NOW!"

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

"Barzul!" she exclaimed angrily, instantly resting her hand on the sword hilt at her waist. It was not often that she slipped into Dwarven, but when she did..she was really agitated. "Tell Kith, we have to get moving." she said quickly, swinging up into her horse's saddle again.

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Venesse came out, followed by Bryamor. He seemed wary, especially of the large black dragon, but not altogether unwilling. As an afterthought, the man turned Venesse's palm over, to reveal the glimmering red mark on her palm. "Excellent," he murmured. "Shall we depart?"

Venesse looked undecided. "I had hoped to get some sleep," she said uncertainly, but he brushed her off. "Nonsense. You can go a little longer, can't you?"

She avoided his eyes, but nodded and mounted Bry, both of them looking rather subdued.

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Shade nodded and then ran quietly over to where Kith was standing. "Kith, we have to move, now!" He said, and Elendi growled with displeasure as he ran back to his horse.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Layna looked back
" Move swiftly my young animals" she directioned to the horses.
" Keep them moving at an easy pace." she calmly said to the riders
She kicked her horse and set the pace at a medium gallop after evreyone had gotten on their horses.

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"Holmes is a little too scientific for my tastes -- it approaches to cold-bloodedness"

Kith ran back to the group. They had all mounted, but he had no horse. Suddenly he heard a clattering, and a tall black mare trotted out into the road, Aasifa nipping at her heal and looking rather proud of herself. Kith lunged into the saddle as gracefully as he could, then lowered an arm so Aasifa could climb up beside him. He nudged the mare with his heals and trotted off after the group.

Shade followed up behind Kith and brought up the rear of the group. He mounted the mare and whispered to Elendi, "Hold on!" Then, with a same kick, he was off.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

By this time a faint black shadow, followed by a slower red one, had briefly whooshed across the night sky and disappeared.

Venesse was having an intense telepathic conversation with her dragon.

Ven, what if the Empire is as bad as those villagers said it is? What on Alagaesia have we gotten ourselves into?

I don't know...Bry, he could kill me with a flick of his wrist, and his dragon could do the same to you, even in the air. We'll be in far more danger fleeing them than we would be joining them.

The rider glanced back and a brief glitter in his eye seemed to send Venesse (rightly or wrongly, she couldn't know) a warning. She was silent.

Bryamor continued, his anxiety mounting. We might be in more danger, but shouldn't we do what's right?

I don't even know what's right or wrong any more, Bry.

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As Shade continued to follow them, his mind was clouded. "I just hate leaving that woman..." Elendi replied, "You tried, Shade. That's more than most would do...why do you hate the empire so?" Shade grimanced. He really didn't want to talk about it...but he felt he owned Elendi some explaination. "The King stole everything from me...and I plan to help steal his throne, or his life...from him."

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

" Come we must keep a pace. Don't worry the horses can keep it up!" Layna yelled back at the group. Her mare was in the lead and still going strong.
The horse held her tail high and her head as fer out in front of her as the bit in her mouth would allow

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"Holmes is a little too scientific for my tastes -- it approaches to cold-bloodedness"

Shade looked back once more and sighed, then yelled, "Hyah!"

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Aeryn's mare had no trouble at all keeping pace with the others, and as she adjusted to the rhythm of the galloping, swaying with the movements in perfect time, she let her mind wander..especially thinking of what she had gotten herself involved in. If this was any other time, I'd just ditch them..but it's too late for that..they know my name.

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