"I'd say rest..I, for one, have had a trying day." Aeryn said, calmly, though with an underlying hardness to her voice.

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Kith grimaced. By force? Nay, he would never again be forced to do somthing. Its decided. We run away he thought. The dragon beside him squeeked. We can't. She replied. I don't know why, but I know we have to learn somthing together. Can't you trust me for once? You have a lot of pain in your mind. Kith tensed. Its the bond, I can feel your hurt. I can feel we are getting into a very good thing, if you can trust me. Kith took a deep breath. He wanted to run as fast as he could, but he felt a connection to Aaisfa. Against his better judgment, he decided to stay. "I will accompany you too." He said as loudly as he could muster.

Shade came up with his bag and Elendi was sitting in the bag, her head poking out of the hole in the middle. Shade saw Kith look around, and he put his hand on his back. "Come on. I can't be the only human going this way, can I?" He smiled as he contiuned to walk to get his horse. "You have a sad past, young one." Shade nearly jumped out of his shoes for he forgot that Elendi could talk to him. "How do you know?" He asked, and Elendi hissed, as in a laugh. "We are bounded mentally, young one." Shade was puzzled. "Wait...I am older that you..." Elendi replied, "But I am a Dragon. I am wise with Ancient Knowledge, even when I am only a hatchling."

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Aeryn breathed a weary sigh, before glancing to her companions. "As they seem ready to depart..we may as well leave this evening." she said, speaking to the other elf, the hard tone returning. It was clear she was not happy being forced into something..

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"We can wait, Aeryn. It is up to you. I just had to check on my horse." Shade said.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

"No..it'd be best to depart tonight. Especially with all the uncertainty I'm feeling." she said, a bit placatingly, swinging up into her horse's saddle, while Lenora climbed up onto her shoulder.

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Shade shrugged. I guess I won't become a blacksmith after all. He thought and Elendi said, "You'd rather be a Dragon Rider any day!" Shade jumped again. "Would you stop scaring me like that?" Elendi snarled. "It's not my fault I don't speak out loud to you!" Shade sighed. "I apologies, Elendi. I didn't mean it."

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Kith jerked as he felt Shade rest a hand on his back. Aasifa curled up around his neck, tightening slightly. Calm down, you're tense. She crooned in his mind.

Shade didn't noticed Kith jerk because he was still a little jumpy from Elendi surprising him.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

In another part of the city, the young woman and her dragon were still sitting in the abandoned building, the dragon now having wrapped his wing around his rider, who was dozing.

Suddenly something landed with a thump outside, and the dragon looked up sharply, jerking upright and waking the girl. "What is it..." she murmured, getting to her feet and blinking sleepily, before walking to the door, which was ajar, and peering out. "I'll be right back, Bry."

She took a step outside - and then another - and abruptly the door closed with a muffled thud, blocking out the dim firelight and enclosing her in darkness. Standing perfectly still, she straightened up and was about to turn back when a large gloved hand closed over her mouth and another gripped one of her wrists - not painfully, but with the potential to become so.

"Promise not to call your dragon," a slightly raspy voice hissed in her ear. She nodded, and whoever it was released her and spun her to face him. Realizing that she was trembling, he gave a hoarse laugh. "Apologies for frightening you, but I needed to speak to you alone."

((Pssst...it would be good if someone overheard the upcoming discussion...))

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((i will, i will!)

Shade was stroking his horses mane when he heard something...like a woman about to scream...he looked around and asked Elendi, "Did you hear that?" Elendi nodded in the bag. Shade walked over towards an alleyway of the city and leaned close. He could make out two voices, and then he heard someone laugh. "Strange." He muttered, then listened.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

((hee hee. Watch this!))
Kith stroaked Aasifa. The dragonet rumbled in pleasure, than lept from his shoulder to the ground. Kith gasped, but she was unhurt by the long fall. The rose into the air, flapin her wings fervently, but she couldn't keep it up. She sank back to the ground. Come on, Aasifa. Kith said. Aasifa yawned then pranced away. Come and get me! She shouted in his mind. "Just a moment" Kith said, excusing himself as he chased down the delinquent dragon. For such a small creature, she was wicked fast, but Kith was faster. Around a corner he gained on her and scooped her into his arms. He was about to berate her, but the voices made him stop. He stood still and listened. "...for frightening you, but I needed to speak to you alone." he heard. He waited, listening for more.

(nice...)

Shade noticed that Kith was near him. He made a "shhh" sign with his hands and then continued listening.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

((Perfect!))

"Alone?" inquired the young woman, moving slightly backwards. His hand shot out and took firm hold of her wrist.

"Don't try to run, please - I promise you, I'm not going to hurt you," he quickly reassured her. She pulled away but he kept his hold. "Listen to me - you have fled out of fear for the Empire, correct?" he paused, and she nodded. "As I thought. Unfortunately, those from whom you obtained your information were sorely misinformed. The Empire would be delighted to have your loyalty, and would be happy to undertake the training of your dragon - we are not to be feared, you understand."

Another pause. "You are wondering about my method of speaking to you, are you not?" A nod. "I thought so. I apologize, I merely wished to speak to you alone." He released her wrist. "Regrettably, your decision is required immediately, though by all means discuss it with your dragon. But first - I do not yet know your name."

She composed herself. "I am - Venesse, and my dragon is Bryamor."

"Excellent. Do take a few moments, but I am awaiting your decision."

The girl hesitated. "I am sure Bry will agree with me," she told him, still trying to glimpse his face in the dim light, "that we will be happy to accompany you for a little while, though I cannot promise our loyalty until we know more about you."

There was a moment of silence and then she found her wrist gripped again. "I warn you, little dragon rider - do not disappoint me. You may come by choice or by force, and I am reluctant to have to resort to the second."

Venesse inhaled shakily and replied slowly, intimidated - he was far taller and much stronger than she, and the beast that had landed behind him was bulkier and larger than Bryamor by far - "Oh...yes...yes, I will fetch Bry..."

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(should our chars interfer, mellon??)

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

((Well, you can, but he has a full-grown dragon and would beat you pretty easily lol))

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