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Post by Connor Windkeeper on Nov 2, 2008 17:36:06 GMT -5
Connor moved across the plain slowly, it had been several hours since he had crossed the border into Surda and he was dieing for a rest. It had been over a month since he had left Teirm in search of the Varden and hopefully his father. He had come so far and had thankfully come across little resistance on his way to the Varden stronghold. Teirm was not the only city in the Empire that cared little for Galbatorix and his rule and Connor had found much help in his quest to get to Surda. He wandered over towards a tree and slumped down his back resting against it. His feet screamed with the ache of many miles walking through the harsh landscape, I wasnt made for long trips in the forests he thought to himself as he pulled out his water flask and took a hungry sip of it. It was a good thing to that he had not come with much resistance along the way, the only form of weapon he had brought was a small dagger that his father had gotten him when he was younger. He also didnt have much training in swordsmenship so against a trained opponent he would not have stood a chance, He sighed looking up at the clear blue sky wondering what his brothers would be doing. He felt guilty having them provide for there mother and baby sister at such a long age, and having always been on the move Connor had not had the time to sit down and write them a letter telling them he was alright. He shuddered to think what his mother would do to him when he returned. He took another sip from his flask and put it back in the pack he had been carrying with him, getting up and began walking. He stopped, since he had made it to Surda he hadnt even stopped to reliase that he had no idea where the Varden would be. Surda was a big place and he hadnt the slightest idea on were to began looking. He slumped down again messaging his head as he tried to remember anything that could help give him a general direction to were to began looking.
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Post by Arya on Nov 2, 2008 18:03:40 GMT -5
Faelin flew in circles around the Varden encampment, enjoying the gentle breeze upon his face. Arya sat in the saddle upon his back, thinking. As soon as Faelin decided to take off, they would head east for a quick hunting expedition. Saphira had requested it, after all. Due to being cooped up in Lady Nasuada's tent for two days straight, Faelin had yearned to be free; to hunt and fly with his rider. Arya was forced to go along with him, but she was glad she had decided to be gone.
Eragon and Saphira had only just returned from their mission, wherever that mission had been. They were now probably speaking with Lady Nasuada about their adventures, and Arya was missing out on the important information. Her anger radiated through her link with Faelin. Their bond was already strong. His consciousness wrapped around hers, smothering it with immense kindness and love, comforting her. He had always had a way of making her feel better. What's bothering you, little one? Obviously the emerald green dragon sensed the way Arya's body tensed.
I could be back with Lady Nasuada and Eragon and Saphira. I could be missing out on valuable information! She said, her mental tone harsh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean my words the way they sounded.
I forgive you. You've had a rough day, Arya. We all have, what with Eragon and Saphira's return. He flew lower to the ground now, probably thinking to land soon. Arya leaned forward in her saddle, pressing her body against his neck and sighing deeply.
You're right. I'm so . . . weary. Without even thinking, Arya lost herself, the gentle rocking breeze lulling her into a trance.
It seemed like only a few moments before Faelin's entire body tensed, and he growled deep in his throat. Little one! You ought to see this! Arya's eyelids snapped open; she had drifted into a trance! How foolish of her! Look down. Do you see that? It looks like some sort of traveler, facing due west. He must have stopped for a break, but I'm sure he's traveling in the direction of our encampent!
I see him. Calm down. Fly downwards and let me speak with him. Faelin did as he was told, drifting down to land a few yards away from the man. Arya then dismounted and approached him without speaking. The man probably hadn't even seen her yet.
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Saem
Beginning RPer
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 18
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Post by Saem on Nov 2, 2008 18:41:12 GMT -5
The sun was unpleasantly hot against his back, for the sparse foliage provided little shelter form it's intense rays. The lack of humidity was a small blessing, though the dryness of the air soon parched throats, even after taking a drink. Scrub grass blanketed the arid soil, which pushed itself up into gently rolling hills, atop some twisted trees barely thrived. Herds of antelope could be seen in the distance, grazing in harmony with the few mountain lions and coyotes, who slept under the trees during the height of the day. It seemed to so tranquil, and yet terribly empty. Except for, of course, the few individuals who dared to wander the plains.
Saem was one of these individuals. His clothing was simple: black trousers and tanned long sleeved shirt, which he rolled up to his elbow due to the intense heat. With his agile catlike step and slight frame, the young half elf looked like little more then a shadow quickly crossing the ground. A light pack was slung over one shoulder, in which he carried another set of clothing, a mechanical time piece that he had created out of magic and metal, and a couple of plates and cups. With his simple clothing and dusty brown hair, Saem appeared to be an everyday traveler. Except that he had three knifes hidden on his person and wore gloves that, with a click of the release latch, a six inch long knife patruded from the back of each. But, in their normal form, they seemed to be nothing more then a pair of black gloves with a slightly thicker then normal back.
And then their was the fact he wore a necklace, on which was Galbatorix's insiginia. And the fact Saem had two more tattoos, one on his left shoulder blade and the other on his upper arm, both proclaiming his alleignce. Galbatorix had made the mistake of giving him those tattoos before he knew the use he could put the young halfling to. It merely meant he couldn't take his shirt off in public when he was spying. Which, by the way, was the exact reason he was wandering around Surda. A week ago he'd gotten his instructions, hugged his younger elven sister goodbye, and departed.
A familiar tremor in the air caused him to look up sharply, squinting against the glare. Saem was not stranger to dragons, and although this one was much smaller, and thus much younger, he could still recongize the shuddering vibration's it's wings made. A triumphant smile curled his boyish face when he spotted the deep emerald coloured dragon. Galbatorix didn't have a green dragon, neither did Murtagh. Hello now, he thought in his private mind. Saem's mental defenses were immense, especially for a half human's with no dragon. Not quite equivalent to Murtagh's current state, much stronger then his had been when he wasn't a dragon rider. Imidiately his defenses jumped, protecting the traitorous thoughts and memories.
Loping over the hills, he watched carefully as the dragon decended, evidently spotting something. Fifteen minutes later, he was only 30 yards away, separated by a single hill. Stepping soundlessly across the ground, he stalked up the hill before stopping at the top and leaning against a tree. His eyes widened in surprise and his lips parted in wonderment, although it was only a very convincing act. Mentally he felt.. well.. nothing except his dogged devotion to his instructions. That, and triumph.
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Taren
Beginning RPer
Posts: 22
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Post by Taren on Nov 2, 2008 19:51:41 GMT -5
Taren looked down the hill she was perched upon, watching Faelin and Arya fly to the ground. Obviously they had spotted something or Faelin was hungry. Taren wiped a bead of sweat of her brow, taking a long drink from her flash of water next to her. She contemplated going down to meet them, but thought otherwise. They were perfectly capable of taking care of thereselves. Taren watched with meek interest. Out of the corner of her eye, Taren spotted something farther out, but near to Arya and Faelin. An intruder, perhaps? Taren stood up, alarmed. Taren shook her head, wondering when she became so paranoid. Ever since she joined the Varden, she was always on the lookout for an intruder or something bad. Taren sat down, content just to watch from a vantage point for a while.
A dark red leaf fluttered down onto Taren's shoulder, brought by a small wind from a tree a few yards away. Taren flicked it off before wiping sweat off her face once again. Why must it be so hot? Taren thought, she had never known heat like this before. She scooted back into the shadows, relieved by the small comfort the shade gave her. She continued to watch over the barren valley
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Post by Connor Windkeeper on Nov 3, 2008 19:17:06 GMT -5
As Connor sat there racking his brain for some shred of information that would help point him in the right direction he heard the distinct sound of a very heavy pair of wings flapping. He turned his head about, looking for the disturbance and caught somthing making him jump pulling out the dagger as if to defend himself. He had heard the stories of the Vardens champion Dragon Rider, Some of the people in Teirm said that he had even once visted the port on his journey to the Varden. Even still stories could not prepare him for the sight he saw just a few yards away from him, The large green reptile sat slightly hunched letting off its rider whom seemed to be heading his way. When she got closer he noticted her angular features and her striking bueaty, Could this have been an elf? Again he had heard stories of the "fair people" who lived in Du Weldanvarden but had never come across one in his lifetime. Her flawless skin, the way her Raven colored hair seemed to flow as a slight breeze made its way across the land, all of this caused Connor to lower his dagger subconciously. He was perplexed by her and her dragon compainion and he despite his guards he knew that if a fight insued he would not stand a chance against the pair. "I mean no harm" was all that he could muster to say to her. He inwordly snorted at himself, its not like he would have been able to cause any had he wanted to attempt it.
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Ritsuko
Beginning RPer
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 23
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Post by Ritsuko on Nov 3, 2008 19:53:07 GMT -5
OCC- srry this will be short because were moving so im not getting alot of time to sit down and work at a post so mine will be short and sweet unless i have time alright i hope thats alright.
Ritsuko sat under a large shady tree on the top of a near by hill. The sky above the tree was a bright blue with a few white clouds doting the sky. Ritsuko gazed at the 2 dragons flying above him, looking like they were free up in the sky with nothing to worry them.
"I wish an egg would hatch for me." Ritsuko said to him self.
Grabbing his sword that sat a few feet from his right had, Ritsuko began to climb up the tree to get a better look at the sky giants.
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Taren
Beginning RPer
Posts: 22
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Post by Taren on Nov 3, 2008 20:25:52 GMT -5
Taren, becoming very bored and restless, reached a tanned hand deep into her back, searching for something. A few minutes passed, her lips pursed into a tight form, showing her concentration. At last, she found what she was looking for. She pulled out the prize. A shiny, red apple came into the cold air. It looked delicious, filled with tasty meat and juice, Taren hungrily bit into it. She bit a piece off with a satisfied crunch.
Taren happily chewed, watching what was unfolding before her. She wiped an arm over her chin, wiping away the juice that had dripped down. After finishing the apple, she was unsatisfied. With discontent, she stuffed her arm back down the pack, searching for something else to eat, but with no avail. She sighed. She might as well go down and find out what was going on down below. With a small grunt, Taren pulled herself off the ground, grabbed her pack and sword, before setting off down the steep hill.
The thick gust that came with being in a higher altitude whipped her light brown hair around her face, pushing it into her eyes. Taren wiped it out of her eyes, wishing she had thought to pull her hair up. Well, it was too late now. She settled into a light jog, trotting down the hill.
Tough grass scratched her legs, but she ignored the minor pains. Taren had come to accept it after she joined the Varden. Pain and discomfort was a part of life. Though her pack and sword added up to a couple pounds, she moved with ease, having just as much strength as any normal man now.
As she shortened the distance between the stranger, Arya, Faelin, and herself, she began to notice something. The hairs on the back of her neck pricked up, like someone or something was watching her. Subconsciously she turned around, half expecting something to jump out at her. Nothing but the sight of the high hill she had just sat on met her eye.
Once again, Taren was acting paranoid. Yet, she couldn't just shake the feeling. She kept on jogging, eager to meet up with them.
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Post by Arya on Nov 4, 2008 10:40:41 GMT -5
As soon as Arya opened up her mouth to speak, the stranger spoke in her stead. Faelin snorted behind her at the sound of the man's voice, and Arya turned her head slightly to look him in his emerald green eye. What is so funny? She questioned him quickly. He didn't answer, and instead lay his chin against the earth beneath him, curling up in a ball to wait. Arya rolled her eyes and turned once again to face the man. So, he means no harm, does he? Then what is he doing here, so close to the Varden encampment?
Arya raised her hand in a friendly greeting, a smile touching her features. Humans had always amused her. "May I ask what you are doing here, stranger?" she asked, her body stoic and her voice calm and monotone. He had better have a good reason for coming so close to the Varden's base, or Arya would have to deal with him in a less friendly manner. What do you think, Faelin? Arya said mentally, speaking to the emerald dragon. He snorted yet again before answering.
I think you should see what this man wants before judging him, Faelin answered, and then he added, Oh, and by the way, there are quite a few other presences nearby at the moment. A young woman is running towards us right now, and there is a man watching the whole situation a ways away.
How did you know that? Arya questioned.
I open my mind to the whole. That is something that you need to do more often.
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Ritsuko
Beginning RPer
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 23
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Post by Ritsuko on Nov 4, 2008 13:56:48 GMT -5
(sorry cant post right not but wow Arya that was a good post)
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Saem
Beginning RPer
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 18
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Post by Saem on Nov 4, 2008 15:55:22 GMT -5
Saem's first reaction was puzzlement. Who was this new elf with her emerald dragon? She seemed so very familiar, as if he had seen her face printed on the same pages again and again. Instinctively his mind told him Arya - thats who she was. But he countered; no, no, no. Arya didn't have a dragon. Unless.. His light brown eyes sharped fractionally, zeroing in on what little he could see of her face. This had suddenly gotten much more interesting. Apart from having gained a new dragon rider among their midst, the dragon had chosen none of then Arya. She who had been captured by and later aided in the killing the Durza, who fought against the Empire in an assortment of wars and caused them much grief. A close comrade of Eragon's.
Galbatorix was no fool when it came to dealing with enemies. One should know them better then your allies, for as the saying goes, "Keep your friends closer, but your enemies closer." Eragon had had a pathetically boring life compared to Arya's, which they had tried to document as best they could from the reports both Durza and twins gave. It gave a small insight to normal humans, but in the hands of the phycology expert they could intuitively wield it as a weapon. But they would only be theories, and theories didn't always hit home.
As these realizations swept through his mind, his expression didn't show it. It didn't change from the wide-eyed surprise and slight, open mouthed wonderment, a normal reaction for those who hadn't spied a dragon before. And then a shiver went down his spine when a foreign mind brushed against his own sensitive but heavily defended one. No surprise flickered across his face, he didn't even mentally flinch. Behind his iron defenses his thoughts froze, wondering what to do. Who was touching his mind? He wanted to reach out with his own, open his defenses and probe the mind of the surrounding people. But he couldn't without risking detection. And if he flinched and tried to strength his mental walls, the foreign emnity might think something was suspicious.
The soft crunch of footsteps came to his attention, though Saem didn't bother looking around. After rechecking the prior defenses on his mental walls, he focused his attention briefly on the sound. A light weight individual, probably. His attention refocused on the elf, listening intently as she spoke.
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Post by Connor Windkeeper on Nov 4, 2008 18:20:07 GMT -5
Connor felt a shiver run down his spine as the two exchanged glances at each other, he was sure that they were cumunicating in some way. He looked at the Emerald green dragon laying slightly behind her, it seemed like it was bored with the whole situation. I suppose there were few things that would cause a dragon to be on its toes. he thought looking between the two of them.
I'm looking for the Varden incampment here in Surda, I"ve come all the way from Teirm and..... he stopped himself, from the stories he had heard the Vardens rider had a blue dragon. there were rumors that Galbatorix did still indeed have a dragon egg. He raised his dagger again, if this elf was allied with Galbatorix then he was in deep trouble. He couldnt lie he was a bit frightened, even without her dragon companion she probably had more skill with a blade then he had. He took a step back still eyeing the pair, know that he thought about it he had never planned to meet any resistance on his journey, he was so ill prepared to fight anything especially a dragon rider. He lifted his blade up higher ready for any assualt they prepared.
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Post by Arya on Nov 7, 2008 16:38:21 GMT -5
Arya remained calm, unlike the stranger. The man appeared to tense all of a sudden, and she didn't know why. In a brief instant he raised the dagger again in a very threatening manner. Arya supressed a laugh, and behind her Faelin chuckled deep in his throat. So, he comes from Teirm and he's searching for the Varden encampment, Arya said, more to herself than to Faelin. She then added to the dragon, Should I search his mind? He seems harmless enough, a mere traveler, so his defenses shouldn't be too difficult to break through. It was a question. She was asking Faelin, even though she had more experience in dealing with this type of thing than he did. Perhaps it was because Arya looked up to him, just like she looked up to Saphira before he was born.
I think it's wise, Faelin replied. He could be a spy. The dragon was correct; one could never be too careful nowadays. Arya then reached out with her mind to touch the man's, maneuvering around his petty defenses until she was in the very depths of his mind. She didn't dig too far, fearing to invade the stranger's privacy, but she could tell that his intentions to visit the Varden were pure of heart, and that he told the truth. Arya indicated that she was not going to harm him with a silent smile and a nod of her head.
"You've come from Teirm, you say? And you wish to join the Varden, I'm assuming?" Arya asked. "I am Arya, ambassador of the elves and dragon rider of the Varden. I see that you're intentions are true and good-hearted, so you may come with me if you like. The encampment isn't too far away." Hopefully the man would cease his foolishness and put away the dagger; it made her feel ill at ease. You'll have to straighten this one up a bit, Faelin, Arya said to the emerald green dragon jokingly.
Of course. It would be my pleasure. The dragon smiled, or as much as a smile as a dragon could manage. He would have a bit of fun with this one. If he wasn't able to hunt, he may as well mess around with puny, frightened humans. You never asked him his name.
Of course, Arya replied. "What is your name, stranger?" she questioned, trying to keep her tone calm and friendly lest she scare the man further.
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Saem
Beginning RPer
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 18
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Post by Saem on Nov 7, 2008 17:20:26 GMT -5
Like the elf's dragon, Saem gave a soft laugh as he glanced at the man's dagger. Did he honestly think that a metal stick could save him from a fire breathing dragon and an elf? An elf could out manuever, out run, out strength, and out magic any human. And with a dragon, well, a human would be like a little ant which they could squash with the ball of their thumb. Except elves had limits, they had boundries, unlike Saem. Weakness's to be exploited. Saem supposed having anything between you and an enemy, regardless of if it would do anything, would give you a little courage, a little confidence.
His assumption had been right. The dragon rider was Arya. A very interesting development, one Galbatorix was sure to enjoy. He toyed with the idea of following them rather then introducing himself, though he knew that it would be ridicules. The elf or dragon had already touched his mind, they knew he was there. Although Saem knew that he would eventually have to go down the hill and greet them, he apathetically tried to seek out other options without results. She would probably search his mind. Which he could allow her to do, or else his cover would be blown. He already knew that the Varden was close and that they had a new dragon rider, it wasn't like he was an innocent bystander who'd ended up with the wrong guy.
Saem supposed he could maze his mind, meaning he buried unwanted thoughts and memories deep in a maze of thoughtless passages, concealed behind doors. Of course, it was a purely defensive tactic, good for confusing an invading mind, though in this case it would only arouse suspicion. He let out a breath through his nose, before carefully fortifying his mind and arranging a small, polite but awed smile on his face. After a couple of seconds, he made his slow way down the hill, moving at an angle so it didn't appear that he was sneaking up behind them.
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Post by Connor Windkeeper on Nov 7, 2008 18:24:21 GMT -5
Connor felt a strange feeling in his mind as if it was being touched, was this some form of magic that the elf was doing? It was a slightly unnerving feeling as he felt the "feeling" searched around his mind a moment before pulling out. He felt a shiver run down his spine as the whatever it was pull out. When she spoke again he lowered his dagger slightly but did not put it away. " Yes..... i come from Teirm, and although i do wish to be apart of the Varden this is not the ultimate reason why i have come looking for it." he said slowly choosing his words carefully.
He felt as if the elf and dragon were having a conversation amongst themselves. "I was lead to beleive that the Vardens Dragon rider rode a saphire dragon forgive my rudeness but yours is a far shade away from saphire." He said to her eyeing the two up. he supposed he would have to go with them either way but he couldn't help but to question the two, if he ended up having to go to Galbatorix then he wanted to be ready for it.
He looked up at the sky slightly shivering, all his training in weather patterns and cloud movement told him that a storm was heading this way, and it was a bad one at that. he followed the speed of the clouds and estimated that the storm would be here in a few hours and that it would be wise to find somewhere sheltered. He had seen how bad storms like this could get and he doubted even the dragons strength would withstand its onslaught. His eye caught movement a ways ahead moving towards them, " It would seem that im not the only stranger in Surda today." he said motioning toward the oncoming figure.
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Post by Arya on Nov 7, 2008 19:05:32 GMT -5
Arya listened to the man speak for a while, until he mentioned another stranger coming down the hill nearby. When the elf turned her head, she wasn't surprised to see yet another man making his merry way towards them. So that was the mind that Faelin had touched; he had warned her. Was this man really that bad, however? He seemed innocent enough, just like the first stranger she had met this day. "It seems so," Arya said simply, studying the man thorougly. Something about him was . . . off. He didn't seem completely human.
A half-elf, Faelin mentioned telepathically, and Arya nodded; this man was definately a half-elf. Even though she had only met one or two in her travels over the past 100 years or so, Arya didn't act any differently than she would have if the man had been of human blood only. She had little tolerance for humans, and loved all of her fellow elves dearly, but she didn't know what to think of a half-elf. Should she treat him like one or her own or distrust him? Do not fret, said Faelin. If you have any doubts, you are free to search his mind. He is trespassing in our territory, therefore he is just as much a threat as the next intruder. But be careful; this one makes me feel strange inside.
Arya smiled to herself. Faelin had always comforted her. You're right. Thank you. Arya then raised her hand in greeting. So, her cover of being a dragon rider had been blown to two random strangers today. Might as well make the best of it. "Greetings, stranger. May I ask what you're doing here?" She mentioned nothing of the Varden encampment, and it would be wise for her newfound friend, Connor, to act the same.
Hmph! Faelin said mentally. I wouldn't be surprised if another intruder came strolling down the hill.
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