Ella chuckled,"Nasuada, the leader of the Varden." she reminded him, her sapphire eyes glittering. She lifted her hand and invoked a short enchantment to lift the sleeping criminal onto her companion's back. She mounted up on Zeke and waited for Jia.

- - - - - - - - - -

Johdzsia crouched to let Ka mount, then sprang into the air with Zeke right on her heels.

Zeke grinned, slowing his pace down to a hover. Three...Two...One...Fly! he cried, and shot off like he had been released from a cannon. He was surprised to see that his little sister was holding up very well, hanging back just at the tip of his tail. He knew her strategy; wait until he tired then zoom up in front of him. He settled down to oblige her, reserving a pool of strength that he could reach for at the last moment.

- - - - - - - - - -

Johdzsia grinned and nodded. You got it. she murmured back to him. On her brother's mark, she swept forward and anchored herself just behind his tail. Yes he was bigger and more powerful, but that meant he needed more oxygen to keep his muscles going, and the harder he breathed would make him tire faster, and the lack of air would as well. Her eyes narrowed at Zeke as he set a steady pace, whipping through the air at, easily, the speed of an arrow. Your not even trying. she accused her brother. He grinned back at her but didn't respond. In the next instant he'd swept his wings forward and shot ahead at least four dragon lengths. She growled and swept her own wings forward, determined to catch him and win the race.

Ka dismounted just after Ella did, but remained close beside Jia. He kept his hood up, He could see past it, but all that could be seen of him was his lips. He watched as Ella and Nasuada preformed the traditional greeting. He was very much on edge at the moment, but Nasuada's smile relaxed him a bit. He was still unsure of the exact wording for the greeting, but he figured he should at least try. He touched his first two fingers to his lips and said the first line as if he had been born speaking the language. He kept his surprise to himself.

OOC: if you have Nasuada say the 2nd line, just assume that Ka follows with the 3rd and says it right, to avoid one liners and such.

Nasuada rose an eyebrow a fraction, returning the greeting with her line. Her eyebrow climbed higher when the Rider answered with the optional third line. Her smile warmed, and her dark brown eyes gleamed. She extended her hand to a young petite servant girl,"Latania, would you please bring food and drink? Our guests must rest after coming here." she murmured. The girl bowed and exited the tent. The leader of the Varden dismissed her guards, assuring them that she was safe with two dragons and their Rider's. After they left she relaxed and slumped back into her chair, rubbing her temples as if she suffered a headache,"It is indeed a good fortune to know that we have another strong warrior, but peace is far from my heart." she murmured, closing her eyes. She sighed and lifted her head, opening her eyes to study the new Rider. She gestured to the chairs sitting to the side,"Please, feel free to sit." she offered, then leaned back in her own chair,"May I know the name of our newest Rider and his companion?" she asked kindly, smiling gently. The female dragon inclined her head, just enough to be noticeable. I am Johdzsia, daughter of Seluka. Please, call me Jia. she implored. Nasuada inclined her head in return,"A pleasure, graceful Jia." she commented. Jia's strange teal-aquamarine irises glittering.

Nasuada regarded Ka with wary eyes. His red irises were cold and wary, flicking this way and that. She felt a tug on her sleeve and turned to meet the violet gaze of Elva. She bent to the witch child to let her speak into her ear,"He's stiff as a piece of board, so wound up he'd probably jump at a shifting shadow. Make sure he knows he can relax here and trust you. I sense great power within him." whispered Elva, who then withdrew to her place behind a curtain. Nasuada returned her gaze to Ka, who still seemed nervous. She sighed softly, then spoke up,"You need not be so wary. I understand, but if someone did attack you, what use are weapons against magic?" she asked, then deliberately reached into the folds of her skirt and pulled out a dagger. She took another from her bodice, then flashed them both toward Ella, who caught both by the hilt and tucked them into her sword belt. Nasuada raised her arms toward Ka, as if offering herself as a sacrifice or something of the like,"I have no other weapons. I am defenseless to you, save for my own fists. Little damage they will do against a ward." she said, and her dark brown eyes gleamed softly. Save for Elva, she thought to herself, but she only serves me by her choice. She could change her mind and decide to help Ka.

Jia grinned at Ka, her eyes sparkling mischievously. Nervous indeed. she said to him privately, and she too was remembering when they had first met. Had that really only been five days ago?

- - - - - - - - - -

Nasuada watched the glance being exchanged by Rider and Dragon and had to smile, only a slight quirk of the mouth,"And yet you seem as closely bonded to Jia as if you've been together for centuries." she said, and her smile grew slightly wider. Latania came back in, and instantaneously she was the strict and just leader. The girl set the tray on a low table, placed just perpendicular of her and the Dragon and Rider pair. The girl bowed and retreated outside once again. Nasuada relaxed as soon as she was gone, taking a goblet of water and sipping at it quietly before replacing it on the tray. There was a bowl of fruits and several arrangements of dried meat. She leaned back in her chair and regarded Ka carefully,"Why have you come to see me?" she asked. Ella began to speak, but she waved the elf away,"Other than to show yourself to me." she added, flashing a quick glance to Ella before returning it to Ka.

Nasuada's eyes hardened instantly to chips of black flint, and she turned them onto Ella,"You found Veldenir?" she asked sharply, her voice crisp. The elf nodded and lifted her hand. From behind her a groan broke the icy silence, until a limp body was dragged inside the dome and deposited at her feet. The Varden leader's eyes hardened further, if that were possible,"Lift him up so he must look at me." she ordered without even glancing at Ella to see if she would obey. The mans torso rose until his wide, terrified eyes met hers. She saw him cringe. She bared her teeth in a sugar sweet smile, but the flinty irises above it turned it into a hard frown,"Do you know why you've been brought back?" she demanded coldly. He flinched and swallowed hard, but didn't answer. Nasuada switched her gaze to Ella. The elf nodded and stepped forward so she was within his range of sight. The female had turned from the warm and friendly elf to the cold and hard Dragon Rider,"Veldenir...you remember what Ka did to you, no? I know you do, because you still can't walk." she said, her voice light and sweet. She leaned forward until her lips brushed against his ear,"Tell my leader what she wants to know, or you will suffer a thousands times worse by my hand. Now...Thorta du ilumëo! (Speak the Truth!)" she whispered vehemently, her tone suddenly cold as ice. A shudder went down his spine as she pulled away.

Nasuada flashed a look at Ka, intrigued. She was about to make a similar offer, but he had beat her to the punch. She turned her gaze back onto Veldenir, who was trembling by now, his eyes flicking back and forth from the formidable Dragon Rider to the dangerous Varden leader. She deliberately softened her face,"Just tell me, and perhaps I can sway the demands of the families of the soldiers you killed." she murmured, meeting his eyes. At her words, his jaw suddenly tightened. He spat at her feet,"I will never betray my true king, varden swine!" he hissed, his eyes suddenly flat and cold. Zeke bared his fangs and snarled, his ice blue eyes glittering with menace. Watch your tongue. he snapped, clacking his jaws together threateningly. Veldenir cringed but didn't back down, only stared silently, hatefully, at Nasuada. The Varden leader sighed. She had been hoping to avoid this.

Nasuada had dipped her head in thought when Ka spoke up. She heard the man hiss under his breath,"I don't care what happens to me, so long as my family is safe." he growled. He cackled madly,"Galbatorix of course." he said, and giggled.

Veldenir cackled again,"Oh, a rich threat that is! I would believe it, if I didn't know exactly where my family was. And it would be impossible for you to reach them, this I know for certain. Make all the threats you want, I will not budge." he snarled in reply.

Veldenir grew deathly pale, like he'd seen a ghost,"How did you know?" he choked, his voice barely more than a whisper. Then he grew angry, twisting about in his invisible bonds; his eyes smoldered with black fire. He snarled out an enchantment that released his arms for movement. He quickly reached into his tunic and pulled out a wicked curved dagger. A moment later it was spinning through the air and thudded into Jia's chest, right above her beating heart,"And you would threaten my defenseless twenty year old wife and five year old daughter? I don't believe a word of it. You'll never get an answer out of me; I know my family is safe, no matter what you say." he snapped, seconds before he committed suicide by one of the twelve words of death. He fell lifeless to the floor, his eyes still glittering with malice.

- - - - - - - - - -

Johdzsia stumbled back in shock and pain, crimson blood flowing freely from the wound. The tip of the dagger had pierced her heart, causing her to bleed out extremely fast. Through her darkening vision she could make out Ella springing toward her...but the elf looked sideways. It took a few seconds to register that she had slumped to the ground on her side. It took an extreme effort to keep breathing, but she forced her lungs to continue working, determined to stay with the living. Her consciousness faltered and fell into darkness so she knew no more; her breathing was hardly more than a faint fluttering of breath.

Ka finished healing her wound in a relatively short amount of time, around 30 minuets, but there was no scar. He still had one thing he had to do. "Jia...I'll be right back." He turned and faced the strange void sea he made earlier. IT was meant to hold Veldenir's soul just beyond the gate of death, that way Ka could get it. "Jia, have you ever heard of the Grim Reaper? It's a fictional notion that the humans thought up. They say that he comes and takes you into death, and it's based on my kind. Although they got it backwards, we don't take souls into death, but rather guide them once they get there. It's complicated, but I didn't want you wondering what I was doing." Ka put both hands out in front of him. Above his hands a Heaven seal appeared, below them a Hell Seal, to the left a Void Seal, and on the other side an Earth Seal. In the middle, a Reapric seal formed and from it tendrils on energy broke of and connected to the other seals. Once they were all connected, they pulsed once at the same time and a large black door opened. "I'll be right back." Ka said, and stepped into death.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Once inside the door Ka looked around, he had forgotten what Death looked like. It was a barren wasteland, and the only color that could be seen of the landscape was gray or some variation. Shimmers of color floated around; newly departed souls. Veldenir wasn't hard to find, as he was the only shimmer that wasn't moving. He walked up to him stopped. "Veldenir...I know you can hear me...do you know where you are?

Johdzsia listened to Ka explain what he was going to do, but even so she stiffened and waited tensely for him to come back safely.

- - - - - - - - - -

Veldenir growled to himself, though he wasn't sure if Ka would hear that,"I'm dead." he hissed,"Doesn't take a genius to figure that out." he shifted uncomfortably, or tried to. He still wasn't sure how to control this new, strange form of his.

Veldenir snarled and stepped forward, but collapsed instantly. He'd forgotten that the muscles in his legs had been sliced to pieces. He extended a hand on each leg and quickly muttered a long and complex incantation. Though it seemed to drag on forever, the muscles of each leg were completely healed in just a few seconds. Instantly he sprang to his feet with his black eyes smoldering at Ka,"Eternal resting place indeed." he spat angrily. He hardly even glanced at Ella, who had moved to shield Nasuada. His entire focus was on the man in front of him...who more resembled a beast than anything else. As his sudden movement jostled his middle, shifting the stones that were placed in his body, he winced and moved an arm to cover his abdomen, panting hard from the unexpected discomfort.

Veldenir cried out hoarsely, both arms folding tightly over his stomach. He fell to his knees, doubled over at the waist with pain. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead and he struggled to answer through the increasing agony,"Can't...tell." he managed to spit out between clenched teeth. The searing heat became much warmer after he said that. His breath came in gasps as he screwed his eyes shut and tried to fight the pain.

Veldenir remained where he was, doubled over on his knees with his arms folded over his stomach. He sighed in relief when the stones cooled,"I can't. Even if I wanted to I can't. My king asked me to swear and I did, for the welfare of my family." he looked up, and his eyes were like burning black holes,"He didn't directly say it to my face, but he hinted that my family would be hurt or killed if I didn't comply." he growled, moving slowly as he went to stand. He staggered but quickly found his balance. He met Ka's gaze, and suddenly he just seemed like a defeated man giving himself up to his enemy,"Do what you want with me..." he paused and bit his lip,"just please leave my wife and daughter out of it. They don't deserve any of this. They never knew what I was doing." he murmured, casting his eyes to the ground.

Ella looked sideways at Ka, inclining her head barely an inch in compliance. She paced forward until she stood directly in front of the man,"I will try to be gentle, but if you fight me it will cause pain." she said, then lifted both hands and placed her fingertips on each side of his head, just below his temples. She murmured a quick incantation, then abruptly she was within his mind. On the outside, both parties stiffened and became rigid.

- - - - - - - - - -

Veldenir tried to suppress the urge to fight, but it was hard. His oath wasn't exactly helping either. He didn't let her search; there were some things within his mind better left unseen except for who had originally seen it. He gave her all information she asked for, willing to do so if it ensured the safety of his family. He wasn't really concerned about his wife...it was his daughter he feared being hurt. Once Ella had collected all she wanted, she left his mind. He stumbled back and went down on one knee, panting heavily from the invasion. It had been perhaps five minutes in the physical world.

- - - - - - - - - -

Ella watched him stumble, then turned and related what she had found to Nasuada,"It seems that he was sent as a spy to learn the Varden's secrets and report them back to the King. He was found out by two of the soldiers he killed. He wasn't exactly sure who betrayed him, so he slayed all five, just to be safe." she said, then her sapphire eyes glittered,"And he is no pet magician either. Veldenir, show your left palm." she ordered, barely looking over her shoulder to see if he complied. Her ears pricked at the rustle of cloth, and she assumed he had done what she requested. She knew that on his skin would be a faded oval of flesh, tinted silver,"He's an ex-Dragon Rider." she added, and paused to let Nasuada think this new information through.

Veldenir's mouth spread into a sad lopsided grin, which was an odd reaction coupled with what had just been put on him,"That is no worse fate that what has already been placed onto me. Once bonded to your dragon, you become immortal. Unless taken by weapon, poison, or illness, you will live forever. Refian was a mighty warrior, but that did not stop Shruikan from slowly tearing him apart, making me feel every second of his pain." he snarled, his black eyes glittering. He turned away angrily,"I'd like to see you stand by and watch Johdzsia be carved apart, piece by bloody piece, like a cattle for slaughter, but while she was also still aware." A shudder went down his spine as he twisted around to glare at Ka,"Do what you will with me; nothing will ever compare to watching, hearing, and feeling my dragon being tortured and then killed before my very eyes, with me defenseless to help!" he roared, his fists clenched at his side. Abruptly he felt scales under his hand, and he started violently. He glanced down into the gleaming teal eyes of the dragoness. Tears unbidden swept into his eyes, memories of his companion pushing to the forefront of his mind. He felt the familiar vibration of a croon and bit his lip. He pulled his hand away shakily and shook his head,"Please...don't, dear one." he said hoarsely. Johdzsia's golden scales glittered in the light, reminding him so much of Refian.

Jia looked tenderly at her Rider, pain twisting the beautiful depths of her teal-aquamarine irises. Then just watch, little one. It hurts me to do so, but he must be punished, and he knows it. she said softly, then turned her gaze to Veldenir. She ignored his shaking hands he had feebly put up to block her and pushed her snout into his chest, purring softly. His fingers automatically shaped themselves around her scales, reaching beneath them to scratch gently at the tender underskin. Jia's deep purr increased to a rumble. She closed her eyes and simply stood there with her head in his hands. She could feel his entire body trembling now.

- - - - - - - - - -

Veldenir screwed his eyes shut as the golden dragoness pressed her snout into his chest, a move reminiscent of Refian. His fingers instinctively dug underneath the scales of her jaw, scratching gently. A tear squeezed from the corner of his eye as he fell to his knees. He bit his lip to keep from screaming his anguish to the heaven's. He pressed his forehead to hers, his breath coming so fast he was almost hyperventilating. He tried to pull away, but his body refused to listen to him...Until her head disappeared from his touch. His mind was confused, yet his voice let out an involuntary cry of pain as he could no longer feel the smooth, sharp-edged scales under his hand,"Refian?" he asked aloud, then opened his eyes and began trembling anew. It was not his beloved companion that touched him, but the bonded partner of the young Rider. She stood a foot in front of him, her strangely colored eyes glittering with tenderness. Veldenir fell onto his side in anguish, curling in on himself as he tried to escape the feeling of loss and pain that had sprung up within him with a new vengeance. He was muttering Refian's name under his breath over and over, as if it were some kind of medicine.

Jia nodded once, going to curl her body around Veldenir's prone figure. She laid her head against his chest, crooning softly. His hand reached up subconsciously to stroke her jaw. Her eyes met Ka's, their teal-aquamarine depths filled with sadness. Lead him home, little one. Help him find Refian, if you can. she murmured, scooting in closer to Veldenir as she spoke.

- - - - - - - - - -

Veldenir curled into the warmth, tears coursing silently down his cheeks as he sobbed his agony mutely. He idly stroked the scales beneath his hand.

Jia nodded absently, comforting Veldenir (or his body, at least) as the hours went by.

- - - - - - - - - -

Veldenir followed behind Ka warily, remembering the last time he'd been here. Finally, when they reached a dark place full of shimmering beings, they halted. He listened to Ka, but he hardly heard a word of what the Rider said. Though to most it would just appear as a brightly shining soul, he saw a pale gold, almost white, even, dragon with pure white talons, spikes, teeth, and the kindest, gentlest green eyes. Veldenir.... purred the dragon, rumbling tenderly in his chest. Veldenir was speechless for a few moments, then he sprang forward with the nimbleness of an elf and hugged the thick neck tightly, happy tears streaming from his eyes. Oh Refian.... he cried, burying his face in his companion's scales. He briefly pulled away from Refian and looked back at the retreating figure of Ka. Thank you, Shur'tugal. Remember to protect your own companion. Life without her would be empty. he whispered, sending the thought out like a javelin. He turned back to Refian, quickly clambering up to sit on the pale dragon's back. The landscape around them shimmered into an image of Vroengard, where Doru Araeba resided. They took off together joyfully, reveling in the feel of the wind.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia touched the tip of her snout to Veldenir's quickly cooling cheek. Find happiness again, friend. she murmured to him. She turned to Ka and placed her head in his lap.

- - - - - - - - - -

Nasuada watched everything with a pale expression underneath her dark colored skin.

Johdzsia prummed contentedly, merging her consciousness deeper with his so he could partake in her immense energy. She closed her eyes and purred affectionately.

- - - - - - - - - -

Nasuada swallowed heavily,"Fine, for someone who's just seen you do something that is normally forbidden in the normal laws of magic." she said, her dark brown eyes wide with bewilderment. She swallowed again, her throat quite dry,"How can you do that? Pardon me for asking, for I can see that your exhausted, but I'm very curious as to how you can do what hundreds of others have died to accomplish." she said.

OOC: This is a very good rp, guys, but Rathon you cannot bring people back from the dead. I was going to allow this guy because he wasn't quite completely dead yet, as you said, and you can bring souls back temporarily to talk to I suppose, but you can't bring people back. Sorry, but I have to enforce the rules.

OOC: Oh, I thought that had meant OC only...not ones we randomly make up. It won't happen again, but at least I did re-kill him >.> ...DS4, why didn't you tell me?! o_o

OOC: lol it's fine, just remember that. And like I said, this guy was dead for only a few seconds so I can allow that lol. (Also like I said before, this is an awesome rp guys! Just wanted to say that... I'll take my leave now! )

OOC:
Hehe...sorry...didn't cross my mind....>.< *goes into a corner and begins hitting head on wall* And that also nixes my idea for Veldenir and Refian coming back in a future RP to help Ka, since their kind of in his debt for him reuniting them, which I've been tossing around for a few days....bleh.lol

OOC: well it would...unless you could pull some kind of majority vote among the active RPG mods to override that rule for the sake of that one RP...just an idea...

OOC:
Eh.....maybe....

IC:
Nasuada swallowed, nodding absently at Ka's words,"Makes sense." she murmured, her features slowly gaining back color. She cleared her throat and focused her gaze onto Ka, inclining her head slightly toward him and Jia,"I thank you two for taking care of Veldenir. He will be buried with the liberty of a king for what he suffered." she murmured, then made a quick gesturing motion. One of her guards entered through the flap, lifting the loose fabric so he could see in,"Yes, Lady Nasuada?" he asked politely. Nasuada lifted a hand toward Ka, Jia, Ella, and Zeke,"Please erect two tents for my guests so they can rest. Quickly if you can; they have traveled far and are quite drained." she ordered. The guard nodded and retreated, issuing commands as he went.

Nasuada waited patiently for the guard to return, staying silent so both Rider's might rest. Both Ella and Ka looked exhausted. She straightened on her throne when the flap was pulled back,"Lady Nasuada, the tents are ready." he reported. The Varden leader nodded in gratitude,"Please stand by to lead my guests to them." she murmured. He inclined his head and retreated, waiting just outside the entrance to the grand tent. Nasuada smiled at Ka and Ella,"I thank you for coming to meet me, Ka." she said warmly, her brown eyes gleaming softly. Her head tilted to the side, concern slipping across her face,"Do you need assistance to your tent? You seem very lethargic." she commented, leaning forward a bit. Jia gently pulled her head away from her Rider's hand. I can carry him on my back, I think. How long will Eragon and Saphira be gone? It will take at least another full day for him to recover enough to travel. asked the gold-amethyst-dragoness. Nasuada pursed her lips,"Another two or three days. Ka will have plenty of time to rest. I will have breakfast brought to both of your tents tomorrow, and if you feel up to it, you can join the other soldiers at the mess hall for lunch and dinner." she said.

Jia shook her head in amusement and followed her half-asleep Rider out of the tent. She snorted with affection at his warm challenge. Normally I would say yes, but you need your sleep. she said, ducking her head in between his legs. Once his body was clear of her neck spikes, she lifted her neck up so he now sat on her back. They walked for a ways before they came to two small tents, made for single sleepers. She nodded to the guard, dismissing him. Thank you. she murmured to him sincerely. His ears warmed and he quickly left. Jia said good-night to her brother and slipped inside the human-shelter-tent. A single cot was at the far end, as well as a stool, a wash basin, and a pitcher of water. The gold-amethyst crouched down onto her belly, motioning to the cot with her snout. To bed with you, little one. Your not very coherent at the moment. she purred tenderly, her teal-aquamarine irises glittering at him.

OOC:
Want to think about wrapping this up in the next few posts? I doubt we could push it any further than we already have, honestly.

OOC: I was thinking the same thing. I think this one will be my last post.

Ka looked down at the sudden intrusion Jia, but was too tired to be legitimately surprised. He had intended on walking to the tent, but didn't argue when Jia picked him up. Once they reached the tents he slipped off Jia's back. He didn't notice anything except that it was a tent, he didn't even see the cot. When Jia told him to go to bed he glared at her playfully. "but I don't wanna..." He said brattly. He hugged her around the neck. and walked over to the bed. He didn't remember getting in, or falling asleep. The last thing he remembered was thinking, "Has it really only been 5 days?" He wondered what the future would hold, but not for long as sleep enveloped him.

OOC:
Sweet. After this post, I will attempt to move this thread...or maybe I should just wait for draco or dark to move it, cause I might screw something up....>.<

IC:
Jia prummed contentedly as she laid down at Ka's feet, keeping guard over him. She heard his breathing deepening, and knew he was within his dreams. She hummed softly, lulling him into a deeper, more restful sleep. She mulled over what had happened over the last five days, and wondered what future she and Ka might have together as Dragon and Rider. She lifted her head and looked at Ka, watching his peaceful face as he slept. She vowed to herself that she would make it so he looked like this when awake. She smiled at the thought and lowered her head back onto her paws, her eyelids closing gradually with fatigue. A last thought flickered through her mind before she succumbed to sleep; though she was fairly young and the weeks flew by for her, she would make sure that these last five days would never be days long forgotten. Ever.

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OOC:
Okay, let me go try and move this thing....