[IC] Dragon Riders of Aethier

[ShidenBlades]

It was hidden deep within the Spineridge Mountains, far from civilization where no man dare traveled for fear of the beasts that lurked within the mountains shadows. The beaten trails that the brave souls traveled curved miles out of their way to avoid Dragonreach Valley where a single mountain rose from the center of the valley. Situated at the four cardinal directions stood towers that were half the height of the mountain they surrounded.

In the northern tower, before day break, at the very top of the tower where the only ceiling was the twinkling of stars high above sat three crimson robed figures. Though the morning carried a chill wind from the east the three figures seemed undisturbed by it. One might notice that the stone table they sat at, which formed a half-circle, had two empty seats at either end of the table.

Thirteen pillars circled the top of the northern tower, each depicting scenes of a time long past, a torch at each pillar cast long and eerie shadows over the gathering. Situated in the center of the half circle was a single bench large enough for five full-grown men to sit shoulder to shoulder. It would be here the initiates would be seated with their wyrmlings.

Though the three figures seated at the table were robed glimpses of each could be scene from time to time. Scaled skin or a clawed finger, a glowing cat like eye if the fire flickered just right. The scene set before the youth was one meant to cloaked in mystery.

However, despite the scene on the tower, the truly humbling sight would be the four winged creatures that flew above. Their forms silhouetted by the stars and the moon, mammoth beasts of legend, each far too large to even land on the top of the tower for it would surely crumble under their weight! Every beat of a wing sent a stir of air swirling down to cause the torches too flicker and dance about. Though, the dragons were large, they remained an arrow flights distance away.

The shrouded individual seated in the middle spoke, a women by the sound of her surprisingly soothing voice. “Welcome, young riders. Stand and present yourself to this council.”

They were the only words spoken, three sets of cat like eyes watched the young riders before them, waiting.

[OnlyThePie]

Heirn thought about how far he had come in just a few short weeks. He had been a blacksmith's son, working the forge in his little village in the north. Then the dragon had come. The town had flown into a panic. Old Trentalla had thrown a fit, claiming it was the end times. But then the dragon had calmly landed just outside the village, and a man had marched into the town, straight up to his father's forge. He had stated his purpose as a Dragon Rider, and demanded Heirn come with him. His father had nodded slowly, though his mother had thrown a fit. Heirn and his father had sorted it all out by the end. Everyone knew the legend of the Dragon Riders. The man had taken him onto the great red creature of legend, and they had flown. Really flown. It had been absolutely amazing.

He had been taken to this fort in the mountains. They had made him jump the 7 or 8 feet from the dragon's back to the roof, since it couldn't land. It had been exciting. They had marched him directly up a large stone staircase to the top of a mountain, where an egg sat waiting for him. He had gazed at it, curious. He felt some need to sit and watch the egg. When it cracked, he had started and scrambled backward. The deep blue creature that came out was not what he expected. He had been imagining a full grown dragon, bursting forth from the egg, which was crazy. This little creature was almost cute. It had spoken, though in his head, not into the air. It had told him it's name was Hrox, and it had chosen him to be his rider. Heirn was enamored with the creature. After a while, one of the adult riders had come and they returned to the fort, leaving Hrox in peace.

Heirn had been the first, but the other two had followed, experiencing similar things. They had not been given much time to interact, as they were mostly kept apart, though for what reason Heirn had been unable to discern. It had been quite boring, mostly confining him to his room. There were books to read and maps to look at though. Finally, early one morning, they had come for him, and given him the crimson robes he now wore. They had led him through tunnels and hallways into the fort, meeting up with the other two, until the three were brought to this tower. The etchings had fascinated him, though he had been quickly distracted by the massive dragons in the air behind the tower, and then again by the three people sitting in front of them at the odd stone table. They had sat, and then waited in silence for something to happen.

Heirn started slightly as the figure in the center spoke. It sounded like a woman, which surprised him somewhat. She said to present himself to the council. He waited for one of the others to stand. They both sat to his right. He could tell at least one was a girl, long blonde hair hanging out of her hood. Finally, he rose, figuring if nobody else was going to he might as well.

"I am Heirnisch Vaulenfold of the village of Daneskold, in the far north. I don't know why I was chosen, but I will try to fulfill my expectations. The dragon that chose me has named itself Hrox." He sat down awkwardly, unsure if he had said the right thing. At least he had said something.

[Kharons Progeny]

’The grass around the lake blew softly in the wind, as she laid in the grass staring up at the sky; down below the knoll stood the Berisama Clan’s buildings and ships, past that laid the road that the caravans took to reach them. It was that road the eager girl watched, the caravan leader had promised he would bring her back a flower that didn’t grow in the Expanse. Rey was skeptical at the very idea that something as beautiful as the field of flowers around her would grow elsewhere away from the giving life of the lake below. Stretching slightly she sighed softly before returning to her feet, a bow smiled up at her as the light glimmered and danced across the metal work that twined around the wooden frame.

Siren’s Cry.

The bow had once been her mothers, and as tradition dictates it had been passed onto her at her fifteenth birthday; before that she had been using the one of the old ones the hunting party had lying around. Her father had thrown such a fit when he found out about her handling weapons, saying that her betrothed would wanted nothing to do with such an unfit lady.

Secretly Rey held onto the notion that he was as proud as her mother had seemed when she presented it to her.

The soft whickering of the horses below drew the blonde’s attention as a wide grin broke across her face, scampering to gather her bow Rey slide down the hill rolling part of the way as a soft pearl of laughter followed her down. Sliding to a stop behind the forge letting the warmth of it embrace her slightly before straightening her dress and bracelets trying to regain some form of composure that she knew was expected of her. The caravan wrapped around the clan square as they made quick work setting up stalls and carts, hawking their wares to anyone who would listen, at the front of it stood a sun-kissed man, his skin was as tan as the leather boots that adorned his feet; the rest of his was adorned in garb of such wonderful and strange fashion, bright colors and sashes that held a long curved sword tight against his belt. The young girl felt she could stare at him for hours, drawn to the laughter dancing behind his eyes, or the crooked grin that sat under his sharp beak like nose. Realizing she had been caught staring against, a sharp blush rose from her cheeks as she bowed politely in return to his elegant overdrawn bow, a bright red flower in his hand. The deepness of the color drew the girl closer wanting a better look at it, unknowing that her father watched the two a disapproving frown lining his face before making his way to greet the caravan leader, effectively forcing his young daughter to fall back into place behind him.

They talked for a while before the sharp screech of the man’s bird gave out a warning taking flight drawing everyone’s attention towards the large descending shadow as the large gushes of winds blew against the cloth coverings. It was as everyone was frozen for a moment before scattering, carts left abandoned as the horses pulled other out of the giant beast’s way. It’s bright red scales glimmering in the sun light casting red lighting into the lake, a strange serene aura dispelling from it. While others hide behind one another the small girl took a step closer enamored with the large creature, it was a dragon; they all heard the legends of those destined to ride these mythical creatures but for one to come here was great honor. It was like the world around her had been turned down, she hardly noticed the armored man dismount, or the caravan leader’s hand on her shoulder pulling her back towards him as her father started to welcome the stranger but was cut short by the news that they were here for his daughter, his daughter he was supposed to marry off in less than three weeks. He delivered his message and turned to his dragon feeding it treats and checking the saddle’s strapping for chaffing. A few steps away Rey’s mother and father were in deep argument over the turn of events as the caravan leader kissed her forehead whispering something in his native tongue, to her it seemed like both a blessing and warning.’

Rey was so absorbed within the memories of the past few weeks, her left hand idly petting the small dragon curled up in her lap that she heard little of what was going on around her, the soft red robe had triggered the memory of the dragon’s scales, the same one that circled high above her head with it’s kindred. Her eyes focused on the small one in her lap, Owain.

’They had lead her into a small room, nothing but a lone pillar and a plush pillow, it was the item on the pillow that caught her attention a bright green, the color of the forest in summer. The three robed figures behind her gave instructions for her to simply touch the egg and the rest would take care of itself. Tentatively she listened to them, her breath hitching with each step she took, her hand reaching out shaking as it drew closer to the shimmering egg.

A sharp light filled the room blinding the occupants momentarily as the egg rose slightly before shattering, reacting instinctively Rey caught the small creature before he could hit the pillow, his scales and eyes mimicked the deep rich color of the egg. It was that moment she knew her life would never be quiet the same.’

The voice of the boy next to her brought her back to reality as he introduced himself and his dragon, Heirnisch was his name, and the dragon was Hrox. She would remember those names; they would hold a purpose in the future. Following the boy’s example still unsure of what was all said she transferred the small green dragon from her lap to her shoulder before standing straightening her robe. ”Well Met.” She greeted bowing slightly towards the three that sat on their thrones, her voice was smooth and strong showing no signs of hesitation, nor did it waver with anxiety, ”I am Eliysis Reyan Kristansa, First Daughter of the Water of the Berisama Clan. As I served my clan, I will serve you the same. My partner has decided the name Owian is to his liking.” The first words were an echo of the oath all men took before joining a lord’s service or that of a mercenary group. Bowing against the slender girl returned to her seat.