Thobi was surprised at all the clamor regarding one single person when the Elder Venray arrived to the squadron. The man seemed not only old but injured. Yet, the way that people were celebrating, you would think that they had won the war. As cheers and shouts went up, he recognized the name, Venray. If he remembered correctly, the silver haired Knight Captain that had questioned him about Master Arn was also name Venray. If these two were kin, it would make sense.
In the young mage’s mind, any sort of morale boost that would rally the troops was a welcome event. So He joined in the cheer hoping that the increase in morale would translate into an increase in fighting power. They needed it.
However, unlike the knights, an honorable death by the sword was not the young mage’s final goal. He would fight honorable of course but he would be dammed if he were to just throw his life away so easily. Perhaps this one tenant was one of the reasons why knights and mages did not get along. They viewed honor in a different manner.
For example, he would have never shouldered a shield against a dreadnought class warship. Thobi’s mouth hung open as the ship opened fire on a lone man. Bit of an over kill, the young mage thought. His semblance did not change when his eyes alone could not follow the movements of the Elder Venray as he knocked down the bullet. As if watching a sporting event and not a life or death match, The young mage cheered as the black clad man landed on the brow of the ship. A small figure compared to the lumbering machine.
This time the cheers that came from the young mage’s mouth were real as the man moved through the upper deck dispatching his opponents. Thobi had always been a fan of knights despite his designation. So seeing one so skilled in action brought back childhood fantasies. His spirits lifted and a small glimmer of hope that the Belisian forces might still have a chance to win entered his heart.
As the second figure appeared on the deck, an obvious challenger and champion, the young man could not help but get even more excited. The duel promised to be a fight no one would soon forget. The seconds were tense as the two fighters stood obviously exchanging words. Thobias almost fell off his mount’s seat as he tried to lean closer to listen. Yet, the knights formation did not waver, they awaited the signal from their commander.
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The sounds of the battle resounded throughout the heavens as Arn and his lovely protégé flew astride a Wyrm. His eyes scanned the battlefield not only to avoid any obvious dangers but also to wistfully locate any of his squad mates. Oh how the battle mage yearned to be there with them. There was a part of him that was made for battle. For the longest time, it had been his sole way of expression and his squad the closest thing to family.
His eyes saw the flashes of lighting and flashes of artillery. Both producing their own boom. He sighed, hoping that the young fool Thobi was using his brain for once and came out of this alive. Though truth be told, the Master Mage did not know if he would ever see him or Belisio again. He cast a glance in front of him to their silver haired benefactor. Tyrhallan was more than likely suffering the same withdrawal.
The closer the trio got to the front lines, the harder it was to avoid pockets of fighting and artillery fire. The surface to air bombardment may not be doing much damage to the big ships of the Viemese but they would be devastating to the riders.
Eilis must have sensed Arn’s misgivings for she grabbed his arm. The Master Mage was recalled from his surveying of the battles in hopes of catching a glimpse of his squad mates. He looked at her concerned face and offered her a reassuring and tender smile. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered loud enough to hear. “I am fine Eilis. My men know what to do and how to survive. You are my mission now. One I am glad to take.”
His other hand went across her small waist to pat her on the hand that was on his forearm. A wave of heat extending towards her to stave off any coldness travelling in the stratos might cause and to stave off shock.
Suddenly, the battle came to them. Whether they had been spotted or happened upon by chance. The small group was now a target of the Imperial fighters. Trained and efficient as the mount they rode was, the air was more the Knight Captains territory. A field to which Venray took to gladly.
“Fly ahead, I’ll deal with them! Take care of her!”
Arn nodded. He completely agreed with the lord that his priority was Eilis and the mission. He gave the knight a good luck sign and prodded their Wyrm onward. Umbra did as was asked and with a screech and mighty flap of its wings, the creature gathered speed leaving behind the Knight Captain and the Imperial patrol.
They did not get far when out of the clouds another contingent came rushing out. Arn’s eye became murderous. Not only where they blocking their path and putting his charge in danger, but he also wanted to avenge the men and women who had already lost their lives in defense of Belisio.
Again he leaned forward and called out to Eilis. “Take the rains, keep the Wyrm straight.” Using the strength of his legs he attempted to stand up. His eyes began to glow and a magic user like his protégé was sure to feel the manipulation of the Aether. Digging into the Thread, Arn utilized the already heavily charged skies. Thankfully, the Imperial patrol that came at them had more than enough metal to attract the arc of lighting that streaked from his hands towards the incoming Viemese. The lighting was hot blue and it them with enough charge to immolate them.
Sitting back onto the saddle he took the reigns from Eilis and prodded their mount deeper in the skies past the barricaded of clouds for the open air. He looked back trying to catch a glimpse of Tyrhallan hoping that they would not be seeing the last of him.
In the young mage’s mind, any sort of morale boost that would rally the troops was a welcome event. So He joined in the cheer hoping that the increase in morale would translate into an increase in fighting power. They needed it.
However, unlike the knights, an honorable death by the sword was not the young mage’s final goal. He would fight honorable of course but he would be dammed if he were to just throw his life away so easily. Perhaps this one tenant was one of the reasons why knights and mages did not get along. They viewed honor in a different manner.
For example, he would have never shouldered a shield against a dreadnought class warship. Thobi’s mouth hung open as the ship opened fire on a lone man. Bit of an over kill, the young mage thought. His semblance did not change when his eyes alone could not follow the movements of the Elder Venray as he knocked down the bullet. As if watching a sporting event and not a life or death match, The young mage cheered as the black clad man landed on the brow of the ship. A small figure compared to the lumbering machine.
This time the cheers that came from the young mage’s mouth were real as the man moved through the upper deck dispatching his opponents. Thobi had always been a fan of knights despite his designation. So seeing one so skilled in action brought back childhood fantasies. His spirits lifted and a small glimmer of hope that the Belisian forces might still have a chance to win entered his heart.
As the second figure appeared on the deck, an obvious challenger and champion, the young man could not help but get even more excited. The duel promised to be a fight no one would soon forget. The seconds were tense as the two fighters stood obviously exchanging words. Thobias almost fell off his mount’s seat as he tried to lean closer to listen. Yet, the knights formation did not waver, they awaited the signal from their commander.
******************************************************************************
The sounds of the battle resounded throughout the heavens as Arn and his lovely protégé flew astride a Wyrm. His eyes scanned the battlefield not only to avoid any obvious dangers but also to wistfully locate any of his squad mates. Oh how the battle mage yearned to be there with them. There was a part of him that was made for battle. For the longest time, it had been his sole way of expression and his squad the closest thing to family.
His eyes saw the flashes of lighting and flashes of artillery. Both producing their own boom. He sighed, hoping that the young fool Thobi was using his brain for once and came out of this alive. Though truth be told, the Master Mage did not know if he would ever see him or Belisio again. He cast a glance in front of him to their silver haired benefactor. Tyrhallan was more than likely suffering the same withdrawal.
The closer the trio got to the front lines, the harder it was to avoid pockets of fighting and artillery fire. The surface to air bombardment may not be doing much damage to the big ships of the Viemese but they would be devastating to the riders.
Eilis must have sensed Arn’s misgivings for she grabbed his arm. The Master Mage was recalled from his surveying of the battles in hopes of catching a glimpse of his squad mates. He looked at her concerned face and offered her a reassuring and tender smile. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered loud enough to hear. “I am fine Eilis. My men know what to do and how to survive. You are my mission now. One I am glad to take.”
His other hand went across her small waist to pat her on the hand that was on his forearm. A wave of heat extending towards her to stave off any coldness travelling in the stratos might cause and to stave off shock.
Suddenly, the battle came to them. Whether they had been spotted or happened upon by chance. The small group was now a target of the Imperial fighters. Trained and efficient as the mount they rode was, the air was more the Knight Captains territory. A field to which Venray took to gladly.
“Fly ahead, I’ll deal with them! Take care of her!”
Arn nodded. He completely agreed with the lord that his priority was Eilis and the mission. He gave the knight a good luck sign and prodded their Wyrm onward. Umbra did as was asked and with a screech and mighty flap of its wings, the creature gathered speed leaving behind the Knight Captain and the Imperial patrol.
They did not get far when out of the clouds another contingent came rushing out. Arn’s eye became murderous. Not only where they blocking their path and putting his charge in danger, but he also wanted to avenge the men and women who had already lost their lives in defense of Belisio.
Again he leaned forward and called out to Eilis. “Take the rains, keep the Wyrm straight.” Using the strength of his legs he attempted to stand up. His eyes began to glow and a magic user like his protégé was sure to feel the manipulation of the Aether. Digging into the Thread, Arn utilized the already heavily charged skies. Thankfully, the Imperial patrol that came at them had more than enough metal to attract the arc of lighting that streaked from his hands towards the incoming Viemese. The lighting was hot blue and it them with enough charge to immolate them.
Sitting back onto the saddle he took the reigns from Eilis and prodded their mount deeper in the skies past the barricaded of clouds for the open air. He looked back trying to catch a glimpse of Tyrhallan hoping that they would not be seeing the last of him.