Lean nodded to both Medalanim and Taren gratefully, glancing at the former a moment. Yes, Morzan had a son. You are about to meet him. His name is Murtagh, the Rider of the ruby male, Thorn. she said quietly, turning. And thank you, both of you. she added. At Taren's reminder she smiled. Her wings lifted from her back and beat powerfully, summoning a strong wind to sweep through the clearing. After a bit she folded her wings and glanced behind her, navy blue eyes sparkling. Now all that should be left of your scents will be too faint to track, at least easily. she said, then shifted her attention to Thorn, who was landing a few dragonlengths away. Murtagh dropped from the saddle and stormed toward her, his gray eyes seething,"You idiotic, deer-brained, slavering old hag!" roared the boy. She flinched, knowing he could wield powerful magic if he wished it, and also knowing that Galbatorix might have told the boy to punish her here. She was proven correct when something hot lashed at her foreleg, making her grunt and shift her weight off that leg. She scowled down at Murtagh and lifted her upper lip to show him her teeth. I am not Galbatorix's lapdog to come to heel when he commands it. I do what I wish now, and you know it. she hissed. The sienna-orange dragoness stepped forward and snapped her jaws together. Stop acting high and mighty, Murtagh. You're just jealous because Lee is free of control. Keia retorted. Lean snorted, then winced as another line of fire appeared on her paw. She snarled at Murtagh and pulled her leg back. You've made your point, Murtagh. she growled softly. The boy planted his hands on his hips and glowered up at her,"Galbatorix wants you to return to him immediately. We are to escort you back, Keia is to stay behind and search for the other two presences that he sensed when he was pushed away from you. Please don't make my job any more difficult than it has to be, Lean." sighed Murtagh, and his shoulders abruptly slumped. Lean's eyes softened but she still refused to move. No. I am not his pet any longer. she said firmly. Murtagh looked pained at her reply.

- - - - - - - - - -

Keia glanced at the place that Lean had indicated with a discreet twitch of her tail. Ah, so that's where they were hiding. She snorted as she watched Lean and Murtagh, rolling her eyes a bit. She extended her mind out, avoiding Murtagh and Thorn's, and brushed it against something. Two somethings. Two someones, actually. She sat on her haunches and started cleaning her talons. Lean, Murtagh, cool it, alright? You both are irritable and snapping at each other isn't helping at all. So shut up and calm down. Galbatorix did not give specific orders for you to return right away, so lay back and chill for a bit. Sheesh, you two remind me of Shruikan when he gets something under his scales. she scolded, then turned her mental attention to the hidden presences. Hello, I'm Autarkeia Fincayra Vera, please call me Keia. Lean gave me the slip you two were in here. she said to Medalanim and Taren privately.

OOC:
Medalanim and Taren could hear everything that was said, just so you know. By the way, if you want, Bris, Medalanim could recognize Keia's name if you want. She was young during the Fall, but old enough to fight at Galbatorix's side.

Lean started at Medalanim's order to Keia, her navy blue eyes widening. She didn't get the chance to get away or Morph before the younger dragoness had pinned her. A growl was building in her chest, but then she heard Medalanim's voice in her mind, explaining her intent. The ancient dragoness flicked the blue's thoughts in acknowledgment. When your test is finished please let me go to her. she replied in a whisper. Carefully she constructed a mask of fear over her face, even straining against Medalanim's paw as if she were trying to get away.

- - - - - - - - - -

Keia's eyes widened with horror as her ears registered what she thought she had misinterpreted. She felt an invisible force pull her forward to Lean, like a rope that was tied around her heart that made it tighten and constrict painfully when she resisted. She fought it anyway, even though it hurt, dragging her heels in the ground. Her hand trembled as it grasped the hilt of her sword and drew it slowly, but she still fought, leaning away from the pull as hard as she could. The evocation of her True Name gave her no choice except to obey, however, and gradually she was forced forward until she stood right next to her friend. Lean's eyes were filled with fear, but also a strange acceptance, as if the ancient dragoness had expected this to happen at one time or another. Keia's shoulders shook with a silent sob, her hands shaking as they both gripped the hilt of the sword and raised it above Lean's chest, the point aimed at her heart. She squeezed her eyes shut and sobbed again, not bothering to hide it,"Medalanim..." she said in a shaky, tear filled voice, but she didn't open her eyes or look up. The blade tip plunged downward without her voluntary consent.

Keia abruptly felt resistance and thought that she had done it. She had killed Lean. The one dragon in the entire world that had showed her compassion and tenderness. But then she felt herself being pushed back, and she fell to the ground with an ungraceful "oof!", wincing automatically. She heard Medalanim speak to her again, and she opened her eyes a bit. She sheathed her sword as commanded, failing to notice that there was no blood on the blade. Her head jerked up, then, when she registered the rest of Medalanim's words. She let the blue dragoness help her up, then she stood stock still, staring at Lean. There was no injury to speak of on the black haired woman. Her eyes blurred with more tears. A test. No more. It had only been to test her True Name. Her body started to shake a bit. She started at Taren's comforting rub on her arm and closed her eyes, shuddering.

- - - - - - - - - -

Lean felt her heart almost stop as the blade plunged toward her chest. She swore it skipped a beat when the tip hit something a mere inch away from her skin. She shivered as the pale gold metal of the blade gleamed like yellow ice. Once she was on her feet, the ancient black dragoness looked at her nest-mate. Keia was shaking and still crying, though softly now. Her blade was sheathed once more in its scabbard. Lean glanced gratefully at Taren for a moment before she too approached the sienna haired woman. She wrapped an arm around Keia's shoulders and squeezed gently, making tender sounds in her throat that she hoped would soothe the girl. Lean glowered lightly at Medalanim. There are less drastic ways to check it as well, Medalanim. One of them is simply saying the True Name to yourself, but not aloud, so the owner can not hear you. If they react in anyway, then they spoke true. she griped, but she didn't complain too much. With the strength of Medalanim's magic, she had doubted very much that anything bad could have happened. She felt a shudder ripple down Keia's body and crooned softly, rubbing the girl's arm. Lean glanced from Taren to Medalanim as the bronze asked what would have been done if the test had 'failed'. She arched an eyebrow. Probably tried to heal me. When that failed because of the fatal nature of the wound, Keia would have gone into a blind rage and attacked, True Name or no. she said bluntly. She knew Keia's personality and knew that that was how it would have happened, if Medalanim's protection shield had failed to deflect the blow for whatever reason. But that is not what happened. Medalanim's magic is too strong to simply fail for no reason. she stroked Keia's hair soothingly; the girl was calming down now, the tears and silent sobs reducing to soft hiccups. The ancient black dragoness looked directly at Medalanim, her navy blue eyes as hard as granite. But if you do that to her again, you will experience the anger of a mother dragon when her young is hurt. she warned, again being blunt. Having no children of her own, she had adopted the many dragons of the Empire as her offspring, though they were not related to her at all by blood. Keia was the one she cared for the most.

Keia looked up at Medalanim and bit her lip, nodding silently,"I will do my best." she said quietly. She closed her eyes and shivered again, feeling the chill set into her bones. Lean rubbed her arm in an attempt to warm her.

- - - - - - - - - -

Lean sighed at Medalanim softly,"I would not be greatly missed, were I to die." she said, and shrugged. She listened silently to the blue and held Keia close, her lips twitching slightly. She grinned once the dragoness had left, and turned to Taren,"It's quite possible, actually. I would have to give my Name to someone that can handle magic. I would consider Medalanim, but she already has the burden of one and I would not give her another. I suppose I could set them on myself..." here she trailed off and smirked. Neither Taren nor Medalanim knew of her ability. She grinned widely at the bronze male, her navy blue eyes glittering,"I would like to show you something. An ability of mine, if you will. When Medalanim returns, think of a dragon that you knew, that you can picture in your mind as clearly as you can see me in front of you, and give me that picture. You'll see why once Medalanim gets back." she raised an eyebrow,"Or I can simply surprise you." she said, and chuckled.

Lean ignored Medalanim for the moment. She would show her the reason why she was doing this in a bit. No, she is not perfect. Look at her eyes, the shade of color is off a little bit, is it not? It is very difficult for me to do this. I only actually started using it once I was in the Empire. the black dragoness closed her eyes and released her Morph, black scales sliding over pale gold and her body growing larger. Finally she opened her eyes and shook herself. This is why I am dangerous and so powerful. And.... she closed her eyes and let another image ease into her mind. Her form began to shrink again, blue scales sliding over the black. She opened her ice-blue-ringed-with-midnight-blue. She was now an almost exact imitation of Medalanim. If the dragon I morph to has a special ability, then I too can use it, although it is a bit weaker than the power of the original dragon. she said. She let the form slide from her body, gradually taking on her own true shape. She snorted quietly and laid down with a yawn, gazing into the flames.

- - - - - - - - - -

Keia sighed and crossed her arms over her torso, raising the cup and taking another sip. At Medalanim's question she sighed again,"I'll return in a few days. Three at the most. And he can't, at least not at the moment. My True Name changed and he doesn't know it any more. That will likely change, but since you know my new True Name, hopefully it won't be too soon." at the mention of Galbatorix taking memories from her, she reached into her pocket and took out the tear shaped amulet again. It dangled from side to side on the leather cord,"This won't let him. It's a mind protecting charm that Natagath made and gave to me. It protects my mind from unwanted mental contact." she explained.

Lean's upper lip pulled back in a silent snarl, baring her fangs, though it seemed more like she had smelled something bad than a threatening gesture. She sighed, lowering her upper lip once more, and closed her eyes. I do the best with what I have been given, Medalanim. she rasped, her voice abruptly sounding tired and very much like her age. You can not condemn me for that much. she huffed gently, so her breath wouldn't blow out the fire. I use my ability only if it will help someone I care for, or if I can not avoid it because of orders. with that she curled into a ball and prepared to rest for the night.

- - - - - - - - - -

Keia pursed her lips as she thought about it,"Well, he doesn't know about it, yet." she said, tying the tear shaped amulet around her neck as she spoke,"At least, I don't think he does." she frowned a bit, unsure now.

OOC: Prepare for a long post! (And ps, the only thing that everyone else sees is a giant fireball that's so intense that it's hard to look at)

IC: Medalanim glanced at Taren when he foolishly attempted to block the magic and shove her out of the way of the energy. For once she had to give him a dark glare, telling him with body language alone to not interfere.

When Lean spoke, Medalanim glanced at her. I do not know truly what type of mind the ancient Magic has, even after studying all that the elves know if it and after being exposed to a source twice in my lifetime. If it has a consciousness, then it thinks in ways that we cannot understand; it's motives are those that are beyond comprehension. I can try to communicate with it to gain some time. But the priority here is that all of you need leave at once! It may also attempt to go after you.

She paused when the magic reached her. She felt a strong connection form between her and the source, and a minute later, a golden fire came out of the statue and began to advance towards her.

Don't mind my safety. I'll be fine. It was the last thing that she was able to get past the magic before her entire body was enveloped in a blinding twister of crackling energy.

The air shimmered around her, and vibrated with a deep hum that was near deafening. The light was so much that she had to close her eyes tightly. But she had to concentrate. She relaxed her mind, and following her normal procedure in handling magic, she allowed it to penetrate every part of her mind and body. She shuddered with the power of the wild magic. . . It was far more powerful and slightly different than the power she normally uses. . . And she felt slightly afraid.

Nevertheless, she expanded her mind outwards towards the source, and she met an even hotter core of power that even her mind had trouble looking at. She still pushed closer and closer to the source, until finally she touched it. The connection was made, and a powerful surge rushed through her body and the statue, more than what she could take. She roared in pain as her body felt as if it was being torn to shreds from the inside, and then. . . everything went black.

She woke up, and tried to open her eyes, but her surroundings were completely black. There was also no noise. No smell or taste in the air. She tried to move, but for some reason she couldn't feel her body. After a minute it eventually came to her with utter horror that she had no body. Was she in her Eldunarì? She tried to expand her mind, but she couldn't do it for some reason.

After a small moment, the memories of what had happened came to her, and she immediately guessed what had happened. She was in the Void, which she had guessed before that it was somehow connected with wild magic. She was dead. But wait, no, she couldn't be dead. She couldn't feel Solir. No. . . She said to herself as a pit formed in her absent heart. Solir. . . No, I only wanted to see you again. Please. . . She began to painfully sob in her mind, now feeling absolute torture and hopelessness now that she was doomed to spend an eternity alone.

But then a voice appeared: "Medalanim? Medalanim why are you crying?"

She recognized that voice immediately, stirring her from her sorrow. Could it really be? She tried to look around but she couldn't see anything. She still only saw blackness. She tried calling out with her mind, Solir?

She was met with a cheery answer. Can't you recognize your own Rider's voice?

W- Where are you? She weakly asked, trying to look around frantically, even though she had no head to turn. Solir laughed."You just simply need to open your eyes."
Medalanim became confused. What do you mean? I have no- She was cut off when a bright light greeted her, and feeling restored as a great wave of warmth. She opened her eyes, and beheld a shimmering yellow grassy landscape, and then looked down as she felt her body again, though this time, it was transparent, like colored glass. Then slowly she felt a presence in her mind that she had not felt in a hundred years. But it was not like any dream. It was real, and it brought a wave of tears into her eyes. She looked up, from her feet, and saw Solir, dressed in golden robes, wearing a beatific smile on his face.

Without hesitation, Medalanim jumped forwards and ran into him, knocking him down and began to nuzzle him in his chest. I have waited so long for this. . . Medalanim tearfully said to her Rider."And I have too. . . And I am so sorry that I had left you. I am also so thankful that we are together again." Solir calmly answered, savoring the embrace, yet after a minute his voice darkened. "But, unfortunately, my friend, it is not to last."

What? Medalanim asked with an edge of anger and horror, pulling herself away from her Rider. She quickly began to think that it was another dream about to change into a nightmare. Solir propped himself back to his feet, his face wary and his voice steadfast. "Unlike me, you are not dead, and thus you will eventually return to the physical world. I brought you here with the powers of the wild magic in you, and I need you to listen."

Medalanim could not believe what she was hearing. She had just reunited with her Rider and now she was going to be torn away from him again. . . She knew she could not mentally handle being torn from him again. She shook her head and roared while stamping her feet. NO! I am not loosing you again.

Solir walked up to her calmly, and when her face was low, he gently touched her snout to stop her and looked into her eyes with a twinkling stare. "Patience, Medalanim. I missed you as much as you have missed me, but you must listen as time is short."

Medalanim stopped, staring deeply into his gentle eyes. Solir smiled slightly. "Even a hundred years has not changed you." Solir then lost his smile, "Medalanim, as much as I appreciate you for surviving this long against the odds, I want you to never return to me by choice, or put yourself in situations where you will loose your life for a cause."

Medalanim stirred with confusion, but Solir cut her off. "Great threats have risen in Alagaësia, and your abilities give those that want freedom the advantage they need to overcome it. Your mission was to protect the Rider order, but now it is gone. Now, it is your duty to oversee the rise of the new generation in my stead; To help in any way you can until the land is free of evil once more. Do you understand?"

Medalanim hesitated for a moment, then nodded. But I will never see you again.

"Do not worry." Solir grinned, "I will make it so that the hole in your mind created from my absence is filled. You will be whole as if you were born free, and although you will still emotionally miss me as a friend, you will not physically miss me as you have for the last century."

Medalanim felt confusion and yet strange relief from Solir's answer. She felt oddly satisfied and relaxed to listen to him more. "I also want you to tell your friends that their dreams last night, are more important than other dreams. They are not essentially visions of the future, but have something of importance that they need to focus on. Taren's especially, as Kunerai is trying to send him a message through his dreams."

What about my dream? Medalanim asked with concern, wondering about it's meaning. Solir's face gained a sad look as he began stroking her face again. "Unfortunately yours was spawned from your fear of trust. I know that you have been hurt by your experience, but I hope that you can be more open to your companions. The same goes for young Keia, who is haunted by her torturous master. I sense the light in their hearts, and they hold no contempt towards you. They concern for your safety even now, which is why I need to send you back soon."

Medalanim first felt confused, then afraid as she began to lift from the ground and out of Solir's embrace. She struggled to break free of the magic, but she couldn't move. Tears dripped from her face as her Rider grew ever more distant. Solir! No! Don't leave me, please! Will I ever see you again? Solir answered, tears also appearing in his face, "Even I do not know, but be comforted to know that I am always watching over you. . ."

The world warped from orange to grey, then black, the white form of Solir disappearing last, and finally, Medalanim felt herself land on her side in something soft, and she heard the sharp sound of breaking glass in the distance. She then heard Solir one last time in her mind before he left for good in an echoing voice. Farewell. . . Medalanim. . .

It took her a moment to realize where she was as her vision was blurry. The first she felt was the ground, which was hard and hot, and a few feet away from her, she could see the twisting shapes of fire. Her eyes focused more and she noticed that the ground was hotter than she thought. The rock glowed a bright orange, and the air shimmered from the intense heat, yet she felt no pain. She then looked towards the statue, and saw that it was broken. No light flickered inside it.

Letting out a great sigh, she struggled to her feet, her muscles shaking. She noticed that her scales were shimmering like before, but much more intensely. She tried to take a step, and she felt the rock give beneath her. Looking down, she saw that her body gave off so much heat from the energy stored in her body, it was melting the rock.

Also at the same time, she felt slightly different. Not different in personality, but the pain of missing Solir was gone. She felt more whole and independent as she was before she hatched. A feeling that she never thought she would feel again. This is. . . strange. . . She muttered, her mind overwhelmed by what had just happened.