There's Something in the Air

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Sun Mar 28, 2010 9:10 pm

Hello! You're not a dragon rider. But I'm still gonna talk to you anyways. You know why? Because I want to, and I want to get whatever I want. You know why as well? Because I'm a friendly Werecat!

I shouldn't be doing this- in fact, this goes against my usual tradition of helping only my Rider- but should your energy and your dragon's energy wane in the future, and we are still traveling together- neither likely, since you don't trust us for good reason and this brings up painful memories for my Rider, not to mention we dragons have a large amount of energy- you may use mine.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Sun Mar 28, 2010 10:31 pm

Elf? Jared thought, looking at Ygrak once more. He hadn't noticed before, too preoccupied with his mysterious, dark look. He flinched at the cat's concious. "Bloody hell," he said aloud, pulling his hand back from the cat in alarm. Realizing his apparent rudeness, he stroked it's head lightly. |Thank you. It is a pleasure to meet you,| The comment about not being a rider made him shiver as he glanced around at all the dragons near him. Large dragons.

Sam eyed the dragon curiously, before being batted by her head. Her breathe was knocked out of her and she put out her hands to steady herself. G`reth stepped forward, a deep throated rumble growing in his throat. He nuzzled his rider affectionately to her feet. "Ahem," Sam said clearing her throat. |Thank you dear dragon. Your help in time of need will be deeply appreciated.|

Sam glanced back to Jezzin, still hoping that the fire would remove the icy grip from his body.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:46 pm

Awh, don't be so formal. Just don't be so rude. In fact, just be the average human thingy. You are human, right?

Like I would attack your Rider, despite the fact your tail wasn't recently chopped off partially. Not to mention when my wings ache from flying so long,

And do not mention it. I mean it. Do not mention it.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Mon Mar 29, 2010 9:08 pm

Jared yelped quietly, jumping a bit from the bite. Tempermental cat? he thought absentmindedly. |I am human| he said with a mental chuckle before the cat was lifted out of his lap.

G'reth stretched out his neck and roared. |Well if I was in your position, then I would hold my tongue and back down,| the red dragon hissed in distaste. His amber eyes bore into the other dragon's, before he adverted his eyes to watch his rider with concern. "Hush... be nice.." Sam said absentmindly, patting her dragon's snout. He growled softly with affection. Absorbed in her thoughts and Jezzin's health, she didn't answer Ygrak. With a snort, G'reth looked at Ygrak. |My rider and I, as the others of the group, would sincerely appreciate your offer rider| The dragon inclined his head respectfully to the rider and then turned to observe another dragon coming closer. Eldor strode up lightly, his tail gently swishing through the dirt in exhaustion. His rider came up beside him, looking a little worn but not too terrible. She placed a gentle hand on Sam's back, trying to relate her hope for Jezzin to recover.

"Mind if I join you?" Salah asked quietly, feeling her hunger as well. To remove any doubt of her intentions, the vampire flashed the rider a smile, showing her dainty, pointed fangs.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Tue Mar 30, 2010 6:53 pm

|I have no idea...| the elf answered him in his mind. Using the privacy, she glanced quickly at the rider. |He says he is Ygrak but I think he is someone I know. Not certain though. I've seen too many weird things lately. Thanks goodness you are alright. You are a valiant fighter.| She smiled lightly at him. |Jared, the guy in front of me saved our butts with some dark magic. Not too sure of him yet, but for now, until I know more about him, I'm glad to have him around...|

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Thu Apr 01, 2010 4:32 pm

Sam laughed lightheartedly. "I'll keep them under control," she said with a wink. Assuming that Jezzin would be alright, she turned to her dragon, tucking herself into the space between his two front legs. He nuzzled her again, happy that she was alright. Sam felt a glimmer of power enter her and looked up at her dragon with a scowl.
|You could be needing that|
|You need it more than I right now|
|How so?|
|You have to figure out what to do next...|
|Next? Recover sound good?|
|We can't stay here... if the revenants were sent after us, who ever sent them could know that they were defeated and send more... or something else. We must go.|
Sam pursed her lips, accepting this fact. She looked around at the group, all weary but seemingly trying to put on a strong face. She brushed her blonde hair out of her face.

With a start, the elf realized someone was missing. Damn! Her eyes scoured the field. By the trees, Jared was walking towards her. He looked upset. He stepped up right beside her, giving G'reth a respectful nod, and opened his hand. There was a piece of burgendy fabric and a shiny pin. Definately the Empire's color... but the pin? Sam grabbed it out of his hand, turning it over to look at the emblem on it. It was a cresent moon with a dagger crossed through the center of it, making an X.. or perhaps a cross. It was a merchant's symbol, one from the Empire to mark their goods and ships.

"I hate to say this..." Jared said quietly, interrupting her thoughts. "But I know that sign. It is from a merchant, close to Galbatorix. He lives in Uru'baen. Wealthy and powerful." The elf shook her head in disbelief. "Should we investigate?" Jared asked looking into the rider's eyes. Sam stared at him incredulously.
"We just finished a battle? They need rest!"
"I know.. afterwards. Perhaps? Even just a few of us. I can get us in, I've been through Uru'baen quite a bit." A puzzled look crossed Sam's face and Jared hastily replied. "With rebel groups. Seperate from the Varden. Small numbers make for a better force, but we support them none the less. If we can get in, we can find out who did this and how. Not too mention, how they found a group of elusive riders." He smiled lightly and Sam scoffed at the small compliment.

"Maybe," she said, looking up at her dragon. Jared nodded, accepting the answer.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Sat Apr 03, 2010 5:22 pm

Caelia paced back and forth, her feet making no sound on the tiled floor. She glanced up, looking at Laron and then to the door. The younger drow sighed, leaning back in his chair. The door opened with a small click and Tobias walked purposefully into the room.

"You'll be glad to know that none of them are dead." he said, pursing his lips in discontent. He had figured that many revenants would have been able to do a minor degree of damage. Caelia grinned. Seems these riders were tougher than they appeared. The priestess pulled out a dagger, habitually twisting it through her slender, black fingers.

"Have you heard from him?" Tobias asked. Long pause. "Darkest?"

"No," Caelia replied. The human waited for more but nothing else was coming. He rolled his eyes in exasperation andn sat down on one of the chairs. Laron glanced between the priestess and the human, spying the miniature power struggle between them. He masked a small smile. Someone called from down the hall and Tobias left the room.

"Have you been under yet?" Laron asked musically, reverting to the drow tongue.
"No I haven't. Though I will tonight. Where the hell is Darkest? Do you think he's dead?"
"Quite possibly," Laron responded matter-of-factly.
"Do you think he went after the riders?"
"Perhaps..."
Silence.
Caelia turned towards the door Tobias had went through and then back to her brother. "How does he know the riders are alive? Didn't we hear that they were all the way in Bullridge? No messenger could travel that fast, not even on a dragon," Laron was silent, pondering this himself. The Empire did seem to have it's connections,but even that was a longshot. He didn't want to get twisted up in these affairs, epecially with so powerful enemies. Finally, the drow shrugged in defeat.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Sun Apr 04, 2010 6:25 pm

Caelia turned abruptly back towards the door. Who was it? And why didn't she hear them coming. Berating herself for her lack of attention, she stepped back from the door, nearer to her brother.

"Come in," the priestess said quietly, her dagger on the edge of her fingers. Just in case.
--x

G'reth watched his rider closely. Her emotions were in a jumble. He growled softly hating himself, but not wanting to betray Darkest's final wishes.
|I think we should go to the Empire, sooner rather than later.| Sam stared up into his amber eyes, incredulous. |He's right. How do we know that they don't know where we are.| Sam opened her mouth to interrupt. Her stream of conciousness warned him that she would argue. |We'll go... you, me, Jared.| the dragon said, eyeing the man. |If he proves to be trouble. I'll tear him in half. Send the other riders away from this place.|
Where.... Sam concious asked, though she didn't actually voice it.
G'reth grinned, his sharp teeth emerging fromthe sides of his mouth. |The elves? Send them to Du Weldenvarden. They'll be safe there. Or at least away from Uru'baen.|
Sam grimaced. Going into the heart of the enemy. With a human I might not be able to trust....
G'reth prodded her mind. |How else can we protect them? Save them.... save them from Darkest's fate.| He dug his talons into the ground hard, hating himself for playing on her emotions like that. But Darkest's words had sincerity behind them. If it was a trap... well, they've gotten out of worse...

Sam's shoulders fell in defeat. She turned to Jared. "Where will we stay in Uru'baen?" He just smiled at her. He knew she would come towards the prospect.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Mon Apr 05, 2010 4:44 pm

Rider Arcus Kono rode on his scarlet dragon Mystic towards Bullridge. He had heard talk and rumors where he had been living for the past few years of a terrible battle occuring in the forest. Revenents against riders. Imagine, Arcus thought to himself, the importance that may be taking place in this battle! The Riders are at risk, and he could fly there right now, join in the middle of the chaos, and make sure every Rider thanked him for his bold fighting as he saved every one of them!
Arcus did still have heroic fantasies in his daydreams every now and then, and half-hoped it hasn't gone to his head. Nooo, he settled. The day his lust for glory goes to his head will be the day he foolishly marches into Galbatorix's chambers and asks for a duel.
The ride to Bullridge was long and quiet, and Arcus enjoyed the fresh air rushing by him, and gazing beneath the clouds that Mystic swirled around like the sky was her playground.
When Arcus finally arrived at Bullridge, he noticed no fighting whatsoever.
I came too late. He thought, feeling like he's neglected his own loyalty to the Riders. Mystic circled above the forest while Arcus surveyed the area. Then out of the corner of his eye, he recognized Sam's dragon, G`reth. He decided he'd meet down there and try to get an update on what they've been up to lately. Mystic roared a greeting to the group below, and she landed a few feet away from them. Arcus Kono jumped off his dragon and walked forward. "Hi everybody!"

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:56 pm

(( I had something awesome wirtten... then it all got deleted... -_- *foul curse* ))

Caelia grinned. Her brother quickly erased the frown off of his face. Unlike his sister, he didn't quite find enjoyment in the words Darkest and fun in the same sentence.

"What sort of fun?" Caelia asked coyly.
--x
"I've a cousin. Right on the outer wall of the city. Close enough for a fifteen minute brisk walk to the main entrance of Galbatorix's castle, but also close enough to the best exits and right against the wall. That way you can go visit your dragon." G'reth hissed in distaste and Sam glared at Jared.

"He has a name," Jared bowed his head apologetically towards G'reth. Sam brushed her bangs out of her face absentmindedly, feeling her hair run through her fingers. It calmed her already fried nerves. As she thought about her riders, Jared interrupted.

"Now, one other thing. My horse I'm afraid was killed when the revenants attacked, so I must go to Bullridge and get myself a horse, or.. perhaps ride with you." He looked right Sam's piercing eyes and then turned his head up to G'reth, knowing it was his decision more than hers. He growled, baring his teeth, but consented. He didn't want to travel at the slow speed of prey.

Sam nodded. "Fine. When shall we leave?"

"When can you.." Jared asked quietly, smiling at her after glancing at the rest of the riders. Sam looked over to Blaze and then, unexpectedly the sky.

"Perhaps I know two I can leave in charge...." she said sending a dazzling smile Arcus's way.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Tue Apr 06, 2010 8:24 am

((Oh dear, i hate when that happens!! It makes me wanna throw the compy out the window! DX ))

Arcus only heard the last thing Sam said. He simply smiled back as a greeting and said, "Hi, Sam, Blaze. Other people... you can call my Arcus. Umm.... in charge of what?"

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:24 am

"I have some business to do, but I can't take all the riders with me. But they need someone to look after them, or at least somewhere safe to go. You and Blaze could take them into the Hardarac or perhaps to the elves in Du Weldenvarden. But we have to move soon. If the Empire found us once, they could find us again. " Sam said quietly to Arcus, not wanting to alert the other riders just yet. She looked up at Blaze.
|Did you catch all that?| she asked through a mental link, certain that Blaze out of anyone would be listening.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:41 am

Arcus glanced at Blaze, trying to find any sign of agreement. "I suppose I can escort them to the elves, we'll find more things to do in there than the barren desert, I'm sure. Unless we should somehow discover melange in them thar' hills." Arcus smiled after making his witless comment.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:48 pm

Caelia nodded absentmindedly. She liked the plan with the goblins, considering the household of golbin and kobold fodder she used to order around in the Underdark. She missed the galdiator fights she organised that usually stemmed from her boredom. Laron glanced at his sister awaiting her reply. He had no say under her, but he didn't really want one anyway. He tapped his fingers on the armrest of the chair until she spoke.

"Which one first?" the priestess asked, going over the small to do list in her head.
--x
"Thank you. If that doesn't work, just get them on the move, out of the Empire's eyes. Aynwhere, but stay away from Uru'baen." Jared looked at Sam curiously as she said this, but she didn't look at him. He shrugged and bent down to pick up his pack off the ground. Moving to G'reth's tall side, he asked permission before placing the bag into one of the larger saddlebags.

"We should go..." the human said quietly. Sam nodded, hopping onto her dragon and pulling Jared up behind her. He slipped his arms around her waist and the rider felt a shiver run through her body. She brushed it out of her mind, meeting Salah's eyes.

|Make sure they do not get into any trouble. I'll be back as soon as possible. You have the necklace, you know how to find me.| The vampire nodded her consent before G'reth took off into the air, roaring with delight. Jared gripped Sam's waist more tightly and the elf grinned, urging G'reth into the clouds. He obliged willingly, shooting straight into the air like an arrow. The pressure around her waist increased. Serves him right for not getting a horse she chuckled to herself, laughing innerly at Jared's apparent fear of heights.

Guest

Unsure of what was going on, where they were, and how to jump into the conversation, Blaze stood at the edge of the group trying stupidly to follow the conversation. It wasn't working well though, thirst had started making it's self known after the battle with those things. Her name popped up about escorting someone to some people, Arcus said that he would take them to the elves, asked something to Blaze. Blaze, still thinking about her thirst said something along the lines of "Sure, sounds fun." Sam left and she stood awkwardly waiting for something to happen.

(Huzzah! for not really reading.)

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Tue Apr 06, 2010 5:13 pm

(( Haha, you are my hero. You're leading the riders while Sam is off to Uru'baen. Don't go power crazy lol. Wink

Get yourself into as much trouble as you see fit. ^^ ))

Guest

Slowly after a minutes awkward pausing everything sunk in that had just been said. "To the eleves? Why the hell would they want us there?" She asked outloud. Let it never be said that elves and vampires didn't get along. Actually, that's a straight out damned lie. Elves and Vampires loathed each other, but only because of cutural difference. Elves liked to preserve things, save the lives of animals, and worship the earth. Vampires teared animals and humans into bits, they didn't give a care in the world about nature because the sun light hurt them, and worshiped no god, or thing because they believed they had no soul to worry about. Blaze reached into her bag, rummaged around a bit, pulled out a small flask of blood and drained it. "The desert, we don't want to go their either. Well, i don't." She smiled, with a small shrug. "The sun and I don't get along that well." She looked around at the group infront of her. Jezzin and Alanna had no dragson, Salah, Percy and Arcus did, and Blaze had her own wings. "We are going to go two to a dragon. Every two hours we will land for a half hour break, that's mainly for me, and Alanna or Jezzin will switch between dragons, that way a dragon gets a break from carrying two people every four hours. Does that sound agreeable?" Blaze asked waiting for the groups response. "We're heading to a hide-away village, in case anyone needed to know that. Tons of privacy and your dragons will be accepted. "

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Tue Apr 06, 2010 6:04 pm

Caelia felt her dagger stop turning. She pulled her hand away from it and the blade was frozen in mid air, stopped instantly between her fingers. She turned angrily on Rallick, but he was motionless. So was Laron... time, stopped? The priestess walked away from the two men and closer to one of the walls. Then she felt it.

A rift appeared right where she had been standing. "Caelia...." a voice said roughly. A head resembling that of an octopus looked out the rift. One of Lloth's messengers. "At last, we've found you." The yochlol said in the drow tongue. The priestess lowered her head respectfully to the creature. "Prepare yourself, you'll only have a moment."

The yochlol disappeared, leaving Caelia more confused than ever, until the beautiful outline of a drow female appeared. Caelia landed hard on her knees, respecting her goddess.

"Listen carefully. There is a rider, who commands all the rogue riders. She is a center for disaster. And chaos. I want you to make her lose control of all of her rationality, letting forth all of her anger. That way, things will change. Understood?"

Caelia bowed her head. "Yes my Queen." Lloth smiled wickedly and the priestess felt her body shake and tremble. It was all she could do not to cry out. The pain subsidued, leaving raw power in it's place. "I won't let you down." Caelia said grinning at her goddess. Lloth turned and left. The rift closed and the priestess let the words flow from her lips.

"Ori'gato loose l'ventash'ma d'l'ur'thalrss. Ori'gato ilta e'mut lu'ssinssrine bahk'tess ilta sanrr! Falduna tlu ulu Lloth!" Caelia laughed outloud, letting loose the spell. She walked back to her place between Laron and Rallick and the time resumed again. She caught her dagger gently between her fingers once more. The only thing that seemed out of place was the wicked smile on the drow's face.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Tue Apr 06, 2010 6:09 pm

Salah nodded towards Blaze in acceptance of the terms of flight.
|Good thing.. two is a larger burden especially for me..| Eldor said bumping into the vampire's thoughts. The vampire pondered where the destination could be, but didn't come up with anything. She shrugged her shoulders and went behind the bulk of her dragon. The vampire sat on the grass, singly too softly for the others to hear. A rabbit jumped next to her, drawn in by the soft voice. Too late it realized the danger.

Salah emerged from behind her dragon, having quenched her thirst as well as gotten a small snack for Eldor. The dragon caught the rabbit eagerly, swalloing it whole.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Tue Apr 06, 2010 6:15 pm

((oookay.... so i click the "reply" button and the page suddeny changes from grand orange to dark, foresty green... did the website have a sudden mutation?))

Arcus listened to the discussion on where exactly they would be going and how they'd go about getting there-which both didn't really matter too much to Arcus. "Someone can ride with me on Mystic. I don't have anyone as a preference..." he shrugged. "Since Blaze knows of her hide-away village more than I do, I'll let her lead the way."

Guest

Blaze inspected the group infront of her. They were a good lot, she thought slowly to herself. She was about to announce their departure, they had to get started if she was to lead them all by air. Of course it would go fast through the shadow relam, but you weren't suppose to take outsiders there. They could die. Blaze opened her mouth to say they were leaving and for Jezzin and Alanna to get on to a dragon when a sudden brust of dust errupted. Once it left Blaze growled, spitting out the dust that had gotten into her mouth. She looked around, trying to spot the cause of what had happened, only she just discovered someone was missing. Blaze moved swiftly over to Alanna, "Where did he go?" She asked in an even voice. "I don't know if he didn't notice, but Sam left him under my charge. Where did he go?" She didn't like losing things that she was told to watch.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Wed Apr 07, 2010 5:53 pm

G'reth settled down his flight, not wanting Jared to launch himself into the air out of fear. He felt Sam's mind set and rolled his eyes, but urged her to continue.

"Why were you near Bullridge?" Sam asked the man behind her, keeping her glued ahead. There was silence for a moment.

"I was sneaking out to the Hardarac, hoping to recoperate and turn my attention back to dismantling the Empire," Sam laughed lightly and unstrapped her legs from the saddle. She pulled herself higher up on G'reth's shoulders and sat facing the human. "I'm serious. There's no need to laugh now." he said with a grin of his own. "I may not be one of their most wanted rebels like you, but I have done my fair share of damage."

"Oh really? Such as?"

"Do you remember the popular townsqaure in Uru'baen, the one where they sold the blood oranges?"

"Yeah.."

"It's gone, burnt down. The blood oranges are on the east side now,"

"No way...." Sam said with a chuckle. Jared smiled lightly.

"So tell me something about you," Jared asked. Sam pondered.

"I'm a rider, my dragon is G'reth. He could kick your ass," The pair laughed and even G'reth blew a puff of smoke out of his nostrils in amusement. "Nothing much else to me,"

Jared was quiet. "Got a strength? No wait! A weakness?" He laughed at his joke.

"I'm too caring apparently," Sam said sending a fake glare G'reth's way.

|It's true| He said to both of them. The dragon pumped his wings, letting the pair talk. The air felt good underneath his wings. He didn't want to think that they would soon be near Uru'baen. He growled inaudibly. The constant murmur of voices was relaxing and G'reth felt himself slip back into a calm state. He glanced back over his shoulder, taking in the sight of Jared, He seemed more than he claimed to be... but the smile on Sam's face as she easily talked to the human stopped all of the dragon's doubts.

Sometimes you had to take a chance on someone's character.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:03 pm

G'reth flew hard along the border of the Hardarac. After a while Sam had fallen asleep, recovering from the fight with the revenants. She slept soundly and G'reth slowed down his pace, giving her time to rest. He kept check back over his shoulder, watching Jared. He just sat there, watching the skies and looking down at the world below. A whoosh of wind rocked the dragon slightly and he altered his wings to use the momentum of the air current. Glancing back once more, he watched as the human gently pushed Sam's bangs away from her face and tucked them neatly behind her ear. Jared looked up at G'reth, but the dragon had turned away already.

|We are close, where should I land?| G'reth asked Jared, not wanting to disturb his rider.

|There is a rough of rocky hills on the north side of Uru'baen. You might be able to see it better than I right now. Land there. It's close to the city, but you can camp there and remain unseen.|

G'reth looked down at the rocky outcropping. It was a pretty good place to wait. He growled softly under his breathe, hating that he could not go into Uru'baen with Sam himself. If anything happened to her... he would tear the city to pieces himself. G'reth gave his intentions to Jared and the human quickly strapped Sam's legs back onto the saddle.

Trimming the edges of his wings, the red dragon shot down from the sky, as quickly as possible to evade being seen. He pulled up just over the north side of the outcropping and flew low over the terrain until he found a good sized spot, closer towards Uru'baen. Jared held Sam tightly, making sure she didn't shift or wake up from the descent. G'reth landed with a bump and the rider awoke with a small moan.

|Sorry...| G'reth said, sending affectionate thoughts to his rider. Jared let go of Sam's waist quickly, seeing she had woken up.

"We're here," he said, undoing the straps around her legs. The elf looked around and then up, spotting a tower from the city. She felt a small rush of adrenaline and fear course through her body.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:07 pm

Sam looked up at the sky. It was mid-afternoon. She hoped all of her riders were okay and hopefully on the move. Jared slid off of G'reth's back and when Sam went to jump off, she found him waiting for her. She slid down and he caught her, setting her gently on the ground. Sam kept the smile tugging on her lips at bay and G'reth rolled his eyes. With a tiny flick of his tail, he hit his rider gently on the back. The elf looked at him curiously and read the look in his eyes. |Don't forget your purpose.|

|I won't, take it easy.| Sam grabbed one of the saddlebags off of the saddle and dug through it, pulling out a worn leather pack, a cloak, dried out meat, bread, cheese, an apple, a full coinpurse and a few daggers. She returned the bag to G'reth's side and then relieved him of the saddle. He growled in delight, rolling his shoulders and stretching, enjoying the freedom. Sam smiled and leaned down to move the saddle out of his way.Sam stepped behind his bulk, away from Jared's eyes, and quickly changed into a light blue dress. She didn't want to stand out in the city with travel weary pants and a blood stained blouse. She fixed her dress and then altered her appearence, using a spell to cover her pointed ears before anyone saw her. She went back to the saddlebags, putting away her clothes. A glimmer caught her eye.

Half of Wydra... A small surge of sadness struck her. She reached for the piece of the blade, but pulled her hand back. Would it even be useful? Or would it remind her too heavily of dear friends lost? The rider pushed away all of the doubts, securely placing it next to her scimitars. She looked up at Jared, who had gotten his pack and was waiting for her. Sam gave her dragon a fierce hug around his neck, stared into his amber eyes and walked away, heading to Uru'baen.

With ease, the pair made their way through the rocky hills and out onto the plains. Uru'baen was a mass of buildings, towers and noise, a dark spot on the bright landscape. Sam bit her lip, trying to force away fearful thoughts, but she failed. She thought of her riders, the armies, people fallen, the elves and dwarves out of hiding. She tripped on a rock and Jared grabbed her hand, pulling her up quickly. The thoughts vanished as soon as they had appeared. SHe smiled in gratitude, hoping he wouldn't ask any questions. They walked in silence until they neared the northern gatehouse of Uru'baen. A bustle of people were coming in and out of the city. Sam double checked her appearence, hoping that she wouldn't attract any attention. As they walked right up to the gatehouse, Jared grabbed her hand. She glanced at him in alarm, but realized that he was giving them the cover of a married couple. They walked through the gates untroubled by any of the guards.

Sam felt her heart race from the tumble of emotions that assailed her. Fear, surprise, excitement, happiness, sadness. A sense of defiance brought a sly grin to her lips. They passed through the slums of the city, past the beggars and the cheap markets, the slavers. Jared's comforting grip guided her through the maze of people and out of the slums. They moved into the middle class, merchant section of the city, heading towards the eastern wall and Jared's cousin's place. "Almost there," he smiled, turning around a corner. He stopped in his tracks and Sam let out a small gasp. The house before them was charred black on the outside, but still standing. Three guards stood out front while others could be heard looting inside. Jared cursed under his breath and resumed walking, away from the house.

"Plan B. We find some other lodgings." Jared said briskly, his anger apparent in his eyes. Sam was quiet, following beside him. They walked up to a inn, the Harpy's Inn, as home to the Wolf and Demon Tavern. Jared pulled Sam inside and walked up to the innkeeper. "One room please," The woman smiled, thinking the couple was out for a romantic evening. Sam's eyes flashed in surprise and she blushed.

"Best room in the house," She opened her hand and Jared slipped her two gold coins. The innkeepers smiled, handing him the key to the room. "Enjoy," Jared smiled politely in return and, still holding Sam's hand, led her upstairs to the room. He opened the door and she walked in. It was quite nice, not perhaps worth two gold pieces... There was a large bed, chairs and a table, even a bookshelf with some cheap books on it. Stepping into the side room, there was a tub. She laughed, excited for the prospect of a nice bath.

Jared placed his pack on the table and stood by the window. Sam walked up next to him.
"There's the city sqaure, the central soldiers barracks, magician's tower. That street there is filled with excessively pompous politicians. Over there is where most of the wealthy merchants stay, and some of the city's best informants. Over to the right, that's the main market. Some of the finest goods, and the victorious pickpockets." Sam knew the city herself, but let him continue, nodding along with the locations. One large structure held her attention. Jared looked at the elf beside him, her face ceased with a worried frown. "It's impossible to miss..." he said quietly, looking at the fortified castle. Sam pursed her lips, worrying about her dragon. Jard put an arm around her shoulders. "He'll be fine," he said comfortingly. "You said he could kick anyone's ass didn't you?" Sam laughed, relieved of some of the worry.

Subject: Re: There's Something in the Air Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:43 am

G'reth thought he heard the labored breathing of prey and opened his one eye a crack. He'd eat it whole since it woke him up from his nap. He growled, spotted the human in alarm and nearly took the man out with his tail. His tial hovered feet behind Jezzin.

|What are you doing here! And how did you get here?| he hissed, glaring at the man.