[@Byte][@Zman][@Scrawl Banditta]

[b]"Riders halt![/b] Jinan shouted as he flew ahead of his squad members and came to a stop before them, his dragon hovering in place with strong and steady wingbeats. With an ascertaining gaze, he studied the faces of each rider and their mount, committing them to memory whilst recalling what he knew about them.

Nimethel, felid beastkin, armed with mana and enchanted bow, skilled in stealth and cunning, rides a bonepale wyrm. Perhaps best used as a scout on the ground, but there was more. Ferosian. Criminal... perhaps best not to let this one out of sight after all.

Then there was Caelis, elf, crimson haired, studied in the arts of healing and swordsmanship both. A noble-born scion of Avalan. Rides a Moonveil forest dragon, scarred and ancient. Their combined experience would serve the Alliance well, [i]has[/i] served already. It was a wonder why they were not leading a squad of their own.

And finally Eira, half-elf, Norsinian, blonde of hair, trained in ice magic and rider of a frost dragon. Also a mage. Also a noble.

All of a sudden, Jinan felt as though someone had played a practical joke putting him in charge of an entire squad of mages and such a motley crew at that. One from each of the three nations of the west, the Ferosian's a criminal and the other two nobles. It was like the beginnings of a bad jest. Was this some form of hazing for newly appointed squad leaders?

Shaking his head free of such thoughts, Jinan held up a hand in greeting and said, [b]"My name is Jinan. This is Duan. We will take point as we cover the mountains to the north while another group covers the south. If we meet any riders of Kovos, do not act unless acted upon. Is that understood?"[/b]