[center][h2][color=98fb98]Rya Mira  [/color][/h2][/center]
[center][sub] "Wife/SisterBride" of [color=skyblue]Aeila Snowblood[/color][@NarcissisticPotato] and [color=8493ca] Azilon Dantanath [/color][@WeepingLiberty][/sub][/center] 

Although Azilon’s voice was slightly muffled by the thin fabric that covered the window. Placed there to offer a bit of shade from the sun, rather than to do an overly great job of blocking out the elements. His voice drew her attention away from her sister bride, retracting her hand slightly.  A look of confliction crossed her face as though she couldn’t make up her mind between which option was more tempting. Continuing to harass her slowly angering sister bride until the girl’s dress was removed and the tail could be seen or...escaping the torture chamber of boredom. After another moment of thought, the girl abandoned the other girl and climbed to the small window.  


Coming to the window, she tooked the offered hand, but instead of letting him swing her back to the back of his horse, she scrambled, losing her footing for a second and making a mess of things, before finding herself sitting more or less...in his lap.[Color=98FB98] "It'll be more comfortable for both of us if you scoot back I would think," [/color] she said lightly. 


Azilon’s horse bucked and kicked a few paces as the small creature fumbled her way from the carriage. Surrounding the girl's feet with small whirlwinds to protect her from twisting her ankles, Azilon directed the current to push her weight back in the right direction. The elemental shove practically launched her much lighter than anticipated body toward the bemused Drakken who easily caught and steadied her on the horse in front of him.


"[color=8493ca]However did I get so lucky? A runt and a klutz... The dream team.[/color]" He smirked, shifting in the saddle to make room for the new arrival. Even sitting on horseback, the difference in size was quite noticeable. Dropping the reins completely, Azilon linked his fingers together while placing his palms on the topside of Rya’s head. Leaning down slightly, he rested his chin on top of his hands just to add that extra touch of annoying to his choice in posture.


“[color=8493ca]So, little api (monkey)... were you taught how to ride back in your homeland?[/color]”


[Color=98FB98] “I don’t know how much time you’ve spend with gem’s, but I am not really all the runty,”[/color] she said, only catching part of his comment, reaching forward she tangled her fingers in the main of the horse. It was much larger than anything she had back home. This creature was stronger, wilder and just...bigger than the brown spotted horses she was used to back home.  Even then, they usually only had one horse to split between a family of five. 


All the same, she wasn’t unfamiliar with the process.  With a small smile she knew that Azlion couldn’t see, she untangled her hands from the horse’s mane and grabbed a hold of the reigns, with purposeful sloppy hands.  Judging of the placement on his hands...on her head….he didn’t have a very good grip. 
[Color=98FB98]”Nope,”[/color] she said softly, before digging her heels, hard, into the stomach of the horse, sending it into a wild, sudden sprint. 


As the horse suddenly jolted forward, Azilon felt his upper body bending backward in a way that would have flipped any normal rider right off the back. Fortunately for him, he wasn’t your average rider. Using the same trick that had carried Rya from carriage to saddle, Azilon used a small burst of air directed between his shoulder blades to right himself once again. Ashe sat back up, he wrapped his left arm around his riding partner’s waist while leaning his face in close beside hers.
“[color=8493ca]A klutz and a trouble maker, perhaps I should permanently change your nickname to Api. I’ll let you in on a little bit of advice though. Until you wear my mark on your skin, wherever I go you must follow, so I suggest you think your moves through carefully.[/color]” His voice was cool and matter-of-factly, almost as if standing as an invitation to try and defy him. It only lasted a moment, however, as he sat up and laughed having rather enjoyed being taken by surprise. 


[Color=98FB98]”I’m sorry, you try jumping from a moving cart onto an already occupied moving horse and see how graceful you are,”[/color] She said  indignantly,  shifting her weight and taking better hold  on the horse, freezing as Azilon’s breath brushed her neck. Sucking her a breath of air she was about to retort when he started...laughing. [Color=98FB98]” There is something wrong with you,”[/color] she said. [Color=98FB98]”Besides, I wasn’t running away, would have stayed near the carriage and I  was just testing you,”[/color] she said unconvincingly [Color=98FB98]”However, if you would have broken your back, then I’d get to ride the horse and you’d be in the carriage, can you blame me?” [/color] 


“[color=8493ca]No, I suppose not… but I figured it was fair enough to warn you that if I fall, you’re falling with me.[/color]” The man shrugged before letting out a sharp whistle, the horse’s ears perking up to attention. While this particular steed wasn’t his war horse, all of the beasts within his estate had been trained to listen to his commands. Rya would still be able to steer, but for the time being he had taken the speed out of her control.


“[color=8493ca]Perhaps treat him a little gentler this time. He might be used as a means of transportation but he is still a living creature that has feelings. How would you like it if someone jumped on your back and started doing this?[/color]” The mischievous gleam was back in his eye as his hands met with Rya’s sides just beneath the ribcage, thumbs digging into the pressure points that hid there.


[Color=98FB98]”He’s fine with it,”[/color] she said cooly. [Color=98FB98] “I know I used to be a ---”[/color] her comment was cut off by squeal, semi-collapsing to one side, causing her to jerk the reins hard enough that the horse turned to one side. [Color=98FB98]”Okay, I know he hated that, why not try being a little gentler this time,” [/color] she grumbled, almost mocking. 


“[color=8493ca]He’s used to my… “shenanigans” as Scoot likes to call it. But for a moment there it almost sounded like you were going to say you had experience with animals before. Just out of personal curiosity is this true?[/color]” He asked after returning his arms to their place around Rya’s waist.


Rya winced, instinctively pulling her elbows in a little tighter out of fear that he’d...poke her side again.  [Color=98FB98]”Don’t do that again,”[/color] she muttered. Relaxing after a moment. [Color=98FB98]”But yeah, you might say that, although mostly we’d just watch the wild ones, dad was really into animals and mom was really into plants, but we had a few domestics, mostly horses for travel into and around  the swamp,”[/color] she said sounding almost wistful. [Color=98FB98] “But, I suppose you don’t have any swamps to wander in then, so I guess my animal skills are null and void,”[/color]


“[color=8493ca]Hmm, good to know. There might be hope for you yet.[/color]” Azilon murmured thoughtfully before sighing. He still didn’t know what he was going to do about the girl left behind in the carriage, Drakken in decent but Gemminite in temperament. Locked away most of her life unlike Rya, the list of skills was likely to be much smaller. Shrugging to himself, he focused on the horizon. It had already been quite some time since they had left the keep, but he knew there was still quite a bit left to go. Off in the far distance was blur of dark color, easily missed if one didn’t know what to look for… But for those with the keenest of eyes would know that nearly two days of riding would bring them to the border of the forest that he called home.


“[color=8493ca]If you can promise to behave yourself this time, I’ll allow you full control back of my friend here.[/color]”


[Color=98FB98]”If by behave yourself, you mean ‘don’t try to buck me off the horse again’ sure,”[/color] she said, a little too cheerfully.  Carefully guiding the horse back on route, waiting for Azlion to whistle his tune before easing the horse into a faster paced lope. She kept riding with him until the sun and dipped below the sky and a few stars came out, exhausted she finally asked very nicely (slamming the horse to a full and unexpected stop)to get off and having Scoot stop the carriage so she could crawl back inside falling asleep almost at once, knowing her body would be aching tomorrow, but feeling it was worth it.
 
She was only able to sleep for less than an hour before the carriage stopped in front of her new home.


Azilon was rather impressed with Rya’s ability to handle the horse, after all, despite it being for general travel, he was still a tricky steed to get used to. Rya on the other hand appeared to have a pretty sharp instinct for the way the animal thought and would behave. A handy skill to be sure. Eventually even she grew tired, though, and ended up retreating back into the confines of the carriage to sleep for the remainder of their journey. She slept as they entered the borders of the forest, only stirring when they had neared the enormous clearing that was his estate. It was nothing in comparison to some of the other lords in the land, however, it was comparable to the Gemminite royals if only a bit smaller.


A shiver running down his spine, Azilon tensed at the familiar feeling of being watched… Only this was not the eyes of any of his servants. A flame lit up the darkness between Azilon and his front gate, the fire enveloping the fist of the one who conjured it. Blocking his and his companion’s way was a larger, well built Drakken warrior, obviously older than Azilon was. White hair and near black eyes were some of his more defining features if you weren’t counting his hulk-like build. The sound of laughter echoed around them but for once it did not belong to Azilon, who instead sat frozen in his seat upon his horse. Eyes locked on the figure before him, Azilon urged his horse forward to stand between the carriage and the stranger.


“[color=f7976a]I was wondering when you’d return. Didn’t you know it’s rude to keep a man waiting?[/color]” The deep voice filled the space around them, echoing in the still forest.
“[color=8493ca]What are you doing here?[/color]” He growled spitefully, a tone not all unlike the one he had taken with Aeila’s brother back at the kKeep. The only difference was that this one held true malice. 
“[color=f7976a]Now, now. Is that any way to treat your old man? I had heard that you finally showed up to a Reaping. I was curious to see what livestock you’d  brought home for yourself.[/color]” Azilon’s eyes narrowed as the man talked, jaw clenched tightly so as to refrain from snarling like a dog.
“[color=8493ca]I don’t know where you heard that from, but I don’t really care. It’s none of your business so leave.[/color]” He responded curtly, glaring down at the man from his perch. As if he heard nothing of what Azilon said, the man made a move to walk around Azilon toward the carriage.


“[color=f7976a]She must be in here then.[/color]” The man was quickly cut off by a fuming Azilon, still on his horse. A dark expression twisted his facial features, not at all pleased. Pulling back his arm he made a motion as if punching Azilon, not making physical contact but instead launching a violent burst of air that sent Azilon flying back off his horse. Landing on his back, Azilon was paralyzed for a moment as pain ripped through his body, air refusing to fill his lungs. Grunting with disatisfaction, the man approached the carriage and opened the door, pausing a moment out of surprise. He knew from his spies at the Keep that Azilon had shown up and possibly claimed a bride, however he had no details aside from that. So he was quite taken aback to see not one but two girls in the carriage… His eyes were immediately drawn to the redhead though, noting the horns and brightly colored hair. Recognition filled his eyes as he stared at her, having heard rumors before. 
“[color=f7976a]You’ve been holding out on me Azi… This little piece of royalty can’t possibly belong to you?[/color]” He challenged reaching his arm into the carriage to grab Aeila and remove her from the vehicle. 


Rya was startled awake by a scream from Aeila and a booming voice from a male, cracking her eyes open  she jolted up at the unknown male. For a second she thought it [i]could[/i] have been Azilon, the facial structure were similar, but really that was all. Being in the carriage, not connected to Earth at all, Rya was unable to call her magic. Unable to do anything really.  That didn’t mean she wasn’t going to do anything.


[Color=98FB98]”Don’t touch her,’[/color] hissed Rya, grabbing Aelia’s arm and yanking her further back, sliding her own body in his way.  [Color=98FB98]”We...are...Azilon’s...only he gets to touch us,”[/color] she muttered, unable to think of any other helpful argument. 


The man’s advance paused for a moment as the other girl slipped between him and his intended target, his temple twitching with annoyance. This Gem dared to speak back against him? Pulling back his hand he struck the back of his knuckles against the side of her face, catching her neck in his palm before her momentum could carry her to the floor. Gripping her tightly, he made sure that she could still breathe, but only barely as he pulled her in close to look at her. 
“[color=f7976a]You’re little runt Azilon’s are you? Because it seems to me as if his cowardly ass has yet to mark his own brides, if your attitude is any indicator. In this country there are several ways to properly claim a bride. Branding is only one. So tell me, my dear, has he even attempted to train you properly? If you were my bride, I’d have already planted my seed in you. I would have had you begging for mercy long before we had even left the Keep. You’d have truly been mine and mine alone, cowering in a corner keeping your mouth shut like the pretty little slave you are. Maybe I should just take you both for myself, seeing as he’s so unworthy of such eye candy.[/color]” The man snarled, leaning in even closer to the small girl. She almost looked like a doll in his hand, a fragile being whose very life depended on how tight he clenched his fist. Before he could get any closer though, the cold touch of steel graced his throat. Azilon who had finally recovered from being thrown, had snuck up behind him and held his blade to the man’s throat.
“[color=8493ca]Get your hands off my property, or I swear those words will be your last.[/color]” Despite all the joking he had done up until this point, Azilon was dead serious. There was something different about his look this time too, darker… pure murderous intent. The man only laughed, causing Azilon’s face to darken twist even further. 


“[color=f7976a]Resorting to such cowardly tricks? You never change do you? Such a disappointment.[/color]” He hissed, raising his elbow to strike Azilon in the face. This attack was anticipated, however, as Azilon ducked out of the way of the strike. Bringing an empty right palm up, Azilon slammed his hand into the man’s face listening to the nose crunch under the force. The impact was enough to get him to drop Rya and send him retreating a few steps, eyes almost confused as to what had happened before he ended up beaming proudly. 


“[color=f7976a]Now that… That is a son of mine![/color]” He bellowed, clapping slowly for Azilon who promptly ignored the man.
“[color=8493ca]Are either of you hurt?[/color]” Azilon asked, voice still bearing his hostility toward his father. “[color=8493ca]Scoot, take them inside. We’ll be along shortly.[/color]” 
“[color=gray]”S-sir… You still haven’t fully recovered from the last….[/color]” Scoot was cut short by an icy glare, nodding his understanding before addressing the two girls. “[color=gray]Come along… We’ll wait inside, it’ll be safer there.[/color]” His tone was thick with worry, but it was clear from Azilon’s expression that there wasn’t any changing his mind.  


Rya’s head was still spinning from the blow, her mouth tasted of copper and her face stung slightly. She hadn’t comprehended much of what the man had...growled? Growled at her. She was almost thankful to be ushered into the building and away from the man outside.  It was only after Scoot had her and her sister wife settled into one of the inner rooms that her thoughts flashed back to Azilon.  Trying hard not to think about him, she focused on the interior. Is was a room full of dark stone, it seemed to be an utterly pointless room. A place to sit to watch people come in from the front door.  Suddenly the front door open, and Rya held her breath, waiting to see which of the men would come through the giant door. 


As the front doors creaked open, Azilon shuffled through with a limp, a tired butand disgusted look on his face. His face, hands, and chest were covered in blood, though where it was coming from was hard to tell. The skin on his back bright red from what appeared to be exposure to great amounts of heat but not quite naked flame. Pushing him along from behind was the man from before, covered in his fair share of cuts and bruises though obviously better off than Azilon was. Scoot made to say something but chose silence instead, quite wary of the man he knew to be Azilon’s father. The mousy man winced as his name was barked, standing at attention nervously before the pair.


“[color=8493ca]Introductions if you please.[/color]” Azilon spat, clearly displeased with the outcome of his match. Nodding vigorously, Scoot turned so that he could see both the men and the girls easily. 
“[color=gray]O-of course. Ehem, Miss Rya… Miss Aeila. I-it is m-my great pleasure to introduce the current head of the Dantanath household: Salazar Khan Dantanath, Dragon of the Conquered Dunes and father to your… husband... Lord Azilon. M-My Lord Salazar, these lovely ladies are Rya and Aeila… Lord Azilon’s picks from the Gemminite Reaping.[/color]” Scoot managed to stammer through his introduction, looking rather pale and shaky… more so than usual that was. Glancing over with wide eyes, he motioned for them to speak up. “[color=gray]It is impolite not to bow your head to a war lord  of his standing.[/color]” He whispered to them coarsely.


[hider=tldr] 1. Some stuff with a horse. Rya did try to break Azilon's back (but only so she could ride the horse by herself) 2.Rya naps. 3. We meet Daddy Zi and he is kinda rapey. 4. Some hitting and stuff happens and now we are a happy family....if only we can decide who bows to who....[/hider]