OOC: So I started an rp a long time ago that I can't finish cause the only other person posting in it doesn't get on anymore. Hopefully this one will be more successful.

Basically my charry Raven has a dragon egg with her. She's searching for the Rider of said egg, but I don't want to make another Rider character for it. Does anybody have an evil charry that'd like to steal an egg?
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Oceanis, I'm not so sure about this. Gil'ead doesn't seem like the smartest place to go looking for a new Rider. Raven eyed the city far below her with distaste. She wasn't scared of being attacked, her skills and those of her dragon were formidable, but she would rather not enter a gathering point for Galbatorix's troops if she could help it.

Turning her head slightly she spotted the small, feathery figure of Shrel riding a thermal to the west. Touching the falcon's mind with her own, Raven directed the bird of prey to swoop down and scope out the city once more.Remember what happened the last time we encountered a large group of those scarlet-clad traitors? That's the reason our names are known by the king.

Oceanis looped around in the air, happy to be flying through the skies with her heart friend. It was rather unusual for Raven to be cautious while Oceanis was the one pushing for action, but it had been months since her nest mate had stirred. The last time had been Drahs Leona, but whoever had caused the reaction moved on before Raven could locate them. Her brother inside the egg had certainly made it clear that they were close again as they came within sight of Gil'ead.

I understand your caution Raven, but whoever we've been searching for all these years is inside those walls! Surely you wouldn't stop now just for fear of being discovered! Besides, even if someone does find out who you really are while you're inside, we can escape and be long gone before Galbatorix even knows we were here. And I sincerely doubt there is anybody inside those walls that could trouble you. This is merely an overlarge barracks for Galbatorix's common soldiers.

OOC: I don't see why not. It's your charry getting the egg, so you can do whatever with it.

OOC: Yup, a Shade with a dragon.... Oh dear.

Raven leaned back in Oceanis's saddle and let the sun warm her face. Her long, brown hair whipped around in the slipstream created by her dragon's flight. Looking forward once more she saw a flash of light off to the right. Focusing on the spot where the light had come from, Raven saw a dragon take off. Oceanis, look!!, Raven snarled. Take us down, maybe they didn't spot us! Without thinking, Raven reached out and called Shrel back to her.

Oceanis jerked her head around at the alarm in her Rider's voice, then immediately locked her wings to her back and dropped to the ground. Even though they had been at a great height, it would have been no problem at all for another dragon to spot them. Pulling her wings in even tighter, Oceanis faced the ground until she was vertical to the ground and sky. When she was a few hundred feet from the ground, she righted herself and flared her wings.

I don't think they spotted us, but as high as we were, they might have before I was able to touch down. Oceanis grimly said as her hindfeet hit the dirt. Either way I'm not too worried, we spotted them first, so the element of surprise is lost to them if they decide to attack.

True, but perhaps we should have remained in the air. You are a much better aerial fighter than foot soldier. I suppose I got ahead of myself. Either way it can't be helped, we can't risk taking to the air now if they did in fact miss us. Raven replied, with a wry smile for her ill advised haste. Looking around with unease, she loosened Kveykva in it's sheath. Reaching up, she ran a finger over the rune for "Family" that was inscribed on her necklace as she often did when worried or distracted.

OOC: Sure, I'll send it in a pm, but there's not much to it really.

Raven anxiously counted off the minutes and seconds since the other dragon had appeared. Cocking her head slightly, she listened to the noises around her to see if anything was coming on the ground, but even with her advanced hearing she could not percieve any threats. Oceanis, I don't hear anything and it's been almost an hour since we saw them. I think we should get up in the air and see if they're lurking around anywhere. What do you think?

I think it would be best to wait until Shrel has returned and then send him out to search. A dragon is a bit more noticeable than a falcon, wouldn't you agree? If he finds them, then we should move on. Oceanis replied pensively, weighing the pros and cons of each of the actions available to them. If he does not find them, then we should go ahead and search for my brother's Rider. However, I don't think you should stay in Gil'ead with a dragon and Rider around that we cannot identify. I also think it would be worth the risk for me to be above the city while you are inside. I can fly high enough that nobody will notice me. Satisfied that it was a good plan, Oceanis laid her head on the ground and relaxed slightly, but not entirely. She wanted to get some rest, but she didn't want to fall asleep completely in case that was what the other two were waiting for.

OOC: My character has a satchel that she keeps mapmaking utensils in. It's inside that. She wears it all the time, so good luck getting it away from her.

OOC: *facepalm* It never got sent. This is how my mind works: I thought about the pm, went to the app I made for my charries, started reading it, and then forgot all about sending you a pm. It's just lovely to be me.

Ducking her head as Shrel swooped into the small clearing, Raven opened her mind to the falcon to hear what he had found. Nodding her head at what he showed her, Raven faced the direction he had come from. So they're over there are they? And the dragon is injured, but not seriously.... I think I should go into the city anyway, and if they still need help when we are ready to leave, we will approach them. Cautiously though, this could very well be a trap set by the king. Do you agree, Oceanis? Raven cocked her head at her cerulean friend.

It sounds like a good plan to me, but I will still fly above the city. If the other dragon we saw is injured then we need not worry about them coming after us. Let us depart then. Oceanis replied, uncoiling her long, sinuous bulk.

OOC: So what do you want to do?

IC:

Oceanis roared in anger and indignation as she felt Raven, her heart bond, her soul friend, knocked unconcious. Ignoring the danger, the cerulean dragonness plummeted towards the earth, intent on destroying whoever had injured her Rider. Reaching out with her mind, Oceanis commanded the falcon, Shrel, to guide her to Raven.

OOC: I know they closed their minds to each other before Raven entered Gil'ead, but they can still feel it when one or the other is injured.

OOC: May I join with Lakris? Look in his bio inside my signature for information about him.

OOC: Mkay, CDG, I'll wake Raven up then.

@FE: Sure, I don't see why not. This rp is really open to everybody, even though it's just been us two posting.

IC: Raven stirred feebly on the ground, slowly coming to with a feeling of great rage in her mind. Not understanding why she was so angry, the young Rider suddenly understood it was Oceanis's anger she was feeling. Opening her mind to her dragon further, Raven realized that the dragonness was plummeting to earth in her general direction. Oceanis, stay back! Whoever attacked me is long gone! There's nothing you can do, besides get yourself killed when the soldiers see you coming! Raven snapped at her partner. Groaning in pain she lurched to her feet, holding her head where she had been hit.

Looking around she saw Shrel perched on a rooftop, looking at her worriedly. Speaking in the ancient language Raven consoled the small falcon, "I'm alright Shrel, just a little banged up on the head, that's all. Did you see who attacked me?" Pausing for the bird's reply, Raven listened to the bird's thoughts. The color drained from her face as she realized what he was telling her. Raven ripped open her satchel and stared in horror at the contents. Whipping her head around to face Oceanis's direction above her, Raven shouted with her mind, They took the egg!

Oceanis stopped her downward descent as Raven communicated to her. Flapping her wings harder she regained some of the height she'd lost. Then her heart stopped as Raven's second message reached her from down below. NO!! How did they even know you had it? Was Galbatorix behind this?

OOC: Thanks.


Lakris walked towards the city of Gil'ead slowly. Sylverta was out hunting, but would likely return in less than half an hour. He was still in mental contact, however. Lakris had always entered cities alone, because he didn't want Sylverta to be discovered, and for him to be known as a Dragon Rider. If it was known, the Varden and Empire would be trying to recruit him, throwing lies in his face about the other. Gil'ead is such an odd place. I've heard a lot of rumors about it being a dangerous place to live in. I have also heard that there are many mysteries about the city, Lakris said to Sylverta.

At least it isn't as low-run as Dras-Leona. At least Gil'ead has some light to it, Sylverta replied.

True. Lakris walked into the gates, and searched around him. In the alleyway next to him, there was a girl who looked quite distressed, a bird watching from a rooftop next to her. There was a boulder sitting next to the girl, who had a bump on her head. Lakris mentally chuckled, Well, the rumors I've heard give quite an accurate description of this place.

It would seem so. I shall finish my meal in a few minutes, and I'll be overhead in Gil'ead in about ten minutes. Do you think you can buy supplies before then? Sylverta asked.

I'm not sure. I would ask this city first, if I were you. I might run into something interesting. Lakris continued down the street, and met the merchants. After getting some rumors and supplies, Lakris walked out of Gil'ead, a sinister grin on his face. Turns out I was a little short on money, so I had to pay a different way, Lakris said.

Way to keep yourself unnoticalbe. What did you do with them? Sylverta asked.

I'll just remind you how easy it is to manipulate a human's mind. Answer your question? Lakris answered sinisterdly.

Perfectly, yes. Gil'ead is within my sight, I'll be there in a minute.

OOC: I thought about it some last night and I think it would just be simpler to not have a set order in this rp. I mean, it's just the three of us so far and it'd probably make it move faster. What do y'all think?

IC:No I don't think Galbatorix was behind this, if he was, then whoever attacked me wouldn't have just stolen the egg. They'd have taken me prisoner as well. Shrel didn't get a good look at the guy, he only knows he was tall with dark hair and a cloak. Raven replied, gritting her teeth as a wave of nausea crept over her. Whoever he was he used magic to move that stone, I know that much. I didn't hear any footsteps behind me, otherwise this wouldn't have happened. Meet me outside the city, we need to regroup and plan the best way to retrieve the egg. Don't worry, we won't go far. She added as Oceanis's worry for her brother broke through over their mental link.

Keening with stress and sadness, Oceanis turned around in the air and started searching for a nearby hiding place. Swooping down low she spotted a depression among a stand of trees. Sending a picture of the spot to Raven, she said This should do for now. It's far from the road and you'd only see it if you were right by it. Raven, I just had a thought. Remember the dragon and Rider we saw earlier? What if they were attacked by the same person? We should join forces with them when we take my brother back.

Raven grunted as she trudged back along the road to the spot Oceanis had shown her. Stepping off the road she continued through the sparse woods to the makeshift camp. The Rider paused as her pair bond mentioned the other Rider and their partner. It's possible. However I'm not looking for anybody until I've healed this wound and gotten some rest. Shrel could use some food as well. He's been doing a lot of flying around today. We'll search for them tomorrow and then get some answers about who it was that stole your brother's egg.

Stepping into the clearing Raven walked over to Oceanis and took a waterskin from her saddle. Wetting a corner of her cape, Raven wiped around the cut on her head and then sealed it with a spell. Grabbing some bread and a piece of meat, she settled down to rest. After tossing Shrel the meat, she ate some of the bread, then used Oceanis's leg for a pillow and her cape for a blanket while she fell asleep.

OOC: Ok, in that case, I shall post.

IC:

Suvana sat in the forest, admiring the nature and beauty of the trees. She looked towards Freed, who was hungrily tearing at a deer carcass. She flinched as she felt a speck of blood hit her face. She wiped it off with a finger and dried it in the grass, disgusted. Freed's eyes turned towards her and he growled, Do you have a problem with the way I eat?

No, of course not. I'd just like to say that the way a human would rip open and cut an animal's parts out to make it edible is just as aggressive as the way you are, she hesitated as she said it, ripping open your deer..carcass. She felt the need to throw up.

Freed gained a mischievous look, Do you want some, he asked as he threw a leg of the deer to Suvana with his mouth. It landed, touching her leg. "EWW! Freed, that is repulsive!" she exclaimed wearily, pushing away the deer leg with her sword. Her voice echoed through the trees.

A little louder? An old man in Gil'ead didn't catch the last thing you said, Freed taunted. There may be people in this forest, you know. Don't scream so l- he stopped as a rock slammed against his head. He looked, bewildered, towards the obvious Suvana, who was in a throwing motion. "Oops," she laughed.

You'll pay for interrupting my meal, he said and picked up the deer's head in his mouth and leaped towards Suvana.

Several birds flew out of the trees as Suvana yelled, "NOOOO!"


OOC: Ok, so sort of a filler, kind of giving you an idea of their personalities.

OOC: Oh I'm sure he'll come up with something.

Raven stretched and rolled over. Blinking groggily she looked up at the sky to see how much time had passed. Oceanis, are you ready to go search for the pair we saw yesterday? Grabbing her cloak and satchel, Raven moved out of her dragon's way so she could get up.

Of course I'm ready. The longer we wait, the longer that scum has to get away with the egg. Oceanis grumpily replied, standing up and shaking off the dirt that had accumulated on her scales. Flecks of light danced across the clearing as her scales caught the sunlight.

Checking the buckles on Oceanis's saddle to make sure they hadn't loosened during the night, Raven searched for Shrel with her mind. He was a short distance away, diving into a small stream for fish. When he had finished his meal Raven told him to find the dragon and Rider they had seen the day before. Jumping into the saddle Raven held on as Oceanis leaped into the air and unfolded her enormous, cerulean wings. Shrel remembers the general area where he found them yesterday, so we should get up higher and wait for him to show us. If we follow him this close to the ground, we'll be spotted. Raven commented, surveying the ground below them. The tempo of Oceanis's wings increased and carried them up into the clouds above.

OOC:.... A few minutes later.....

Oceanis watched Shrel closely in case he signaled that he had found their quarry. Suddenly the small falcon did a sharp, counter-clockwise circle. Raven, he's found them. Shall we go introduce ourselves?

Yes, but slowly. We don't want them to think we're attacking. Raven replied, loosening the ties on Kveykva's hilt. Just in case.

OOC: It depends, which Rider and dragon are you about to meet up with?

Suvana gazed towards the dragon named Oceanis, Pleased to meet you, Oceanis, daughter of Greentalon. I am Suvana. I'd tell you my parents names, but I cannot remember their names, and I would drive them out of my mind if I did. Fortunately, I am not, nor will I ever be working for Galbatorix, she replied calmly.

Freed stared curiously from dragon to dragon, and from Rider to Rider. He hadn't seen a dragon besides himself in many years, and it was almost long enough to make him feel out of place.

OOC: We've already gone 4 posts without CDG. We should wait for her, k FE?

OOC: Oh, yeah, weird. I thought she had posted for some reason.

OOC: I know how that feels.

IC:

Raven looked at the first Rider, Corido, as he spoke. "He stole something very important from me and my dragon. You both claim to not work for Galbatorix, so I will risk telling you what it was. Oceanis," Raven gestured at the blue dragonness, "is one of the last eggs laid by her mother. The others were destroyed by Urgals when they attacked Greentalon. One other egg survived though, a full brother to Oceanis. We came to Gil'ead to find a Rider for him, but I was knocked unconcious by someone and that person stole the egg. You said something about a man named Zalda and from the description my falcon gave me, they seem to be the same person."

Feeling Oceanis's distress at telling complete strangers about the egg, Raven comforted her, We have no choice. We don't know what Zalda looks like exactly, and this Rider Corido could lead us to him. Suvana and Freed don't seem so bad, we could use their help. If worst comes to worst, we can always knock them out and erase their memories.

Oceanis pulled her snout against her chest and snorted quietly as she thought it over. I do not like so many people knowing about the egg, but I suppose it is necessary. Though we will keep a close eye on all of them.

IC: Suvana lightly jumped onto Freed, and they flew next to Raven and Oceanis. "Now, there are two ways we could attack Zalda. We could bend the light around us, making us invisible. This way uses more energy, but it gives us a much higher chance to attack Zalda successfully. The second scenario; we would stay high in the sky, and when Zalda isn't looking, we head down. This uses little to no energy, but the chance it will end successfully is quite low. Which do you prefer?"

OOC: Short one, pass.

Raven looked over at Suvana as she spoke and pondered what to do. "I think that bending the light around us is the best option. If we stay up high, there is no guarantee that we could descend fast enough to help Corido and Ser'lla if things were to go bad quickly. Remember, they're both injured. However, I am powerful, but as you said, bending light around a dragon as big as Oceanis will take a lot of energy. I say we stay on the ground close to where Ser'lla lands, that would make it easier to hide our dragons since they wouldn't be moving constantly. We can arrange a place and have her lure Zalda there. If we use magic to obliterate the signs that two more dragons have already landed there, Zalda should not suspect anything until it's too late."

Pausing, Raven tucked her chin against her chest, thinking. "He's a Shade, and they are rumored to have an excellent sense of smell, but I do not know what to do about that. And the scent put off by Oceanis and Freed is unmistakable, especially if he knows what it is." Raven leaned over slightly and scanned the ground below them. Looking forward she saw Gil'ead was less than a league away. Oceanis, go down closer to the ground. We need to find a spot big enough for three dragons to do battle that is far enough away from Gil'ead that Zalda can't call for help.

Oceanis tilted her wings and spiraled quickly downward. You forget that we are linked, my friend. I already knew what you needed and have found it. Look over there! Angling her large wings, Oceanis turned back to the left and faced a large clearing. Pulling her wings in, the large dragonness dropped towards the ground like a rock. A few hundred feet from the ground, she flared her wings and landed heavily on the firm ground. Stomping a foot against the dry grass, she turned to look at the Rider on her back. This seems like the perfect place for a fight, don't you think?

Raven jumped from Oceanis's back and landed on the ground beside her. Tapping the ground with a toe, she drew Kveykva from it's sheath and practiced a few movements with the graceful blue blade. You chose well, Oceanis. This is exactly the place I would have chosen. Spinning Kveykva in a small circle, Raven flipped the hilt from her left hand to her right and practiced a little more. Stopping, she sheathed her sword and looked at Oceanis.

I should probably disguise you now. Breaching the barrier in her mind with ease, Raven spoke the words of power that would conceal her dragon from sight. There was a slight sound, like a light breeze passing by, as the magic took affect and Oceanis disappeared from view. Looking around the clearing Raven decided it would be best to wait for the other dragons before destroying the evidence of their presence.

Well this certainly feels a little strange. Oceanis commented as she looked down at her front paws, but only saw the ground beneath them. I'm going to move over to the edge of the clearing, so Ser'lla and Freed don't have to worry about not hitting me when they land. Oceanis walked across the clearing and sat down under a large pecan tree. Watching Raven practicing with her sword once again, Oceanis thought about her sibling and what that Shade could be doing to him right that second. She thought about the day she had hatched for Raven and the horror she had felt when her new Rider had told her about the slaughter of her family. Closing her eyes against the images of her mother bleeding among her destroyed nest, the dragon tried to remember happy memories of her days with Raven and Shrel.

Groaning quietly to herself, she shuffled back across the clearing to Raven. We are going to get him back, right? She looked at Raven with more misery in her eyes than she had ever felt before, including when she had learned about her mother.

Pausing in the middle of a form, Raven dropped her arm and held Kveykva by her side. Looking up at Oceanis, the Rider could feel the guilt and shame her partner felt at not protecting her only brother better. Of course we are. I don't see how a lone Shade could defeat us, especially with two other Riders and dragons to help us. Patting the huge blue cheekbone hanging in front of her, Raven sent Oceanis feelings of pride and a will to never back down until the egg was safe again.


OOC: This post may make it seem like a long time has passed, but really it's only been a few minutes.

OOC: Yeah, they're visible now. I'll go add that to my post.

OOC: I'll go ahead and post. Btw, since Zalda is supposed to successfully escape with the egg, Raven's about to go postal. That's the only way she and Oceanis will be distracted enough for him to escape.

Raven shot off another arrow and cursed as it missed it's target. Stowing her bow on her back, she drew Kveykva. The blue blade shimmered in the sunlight as she charged at the Shade. "Suvana, I'll take over from here!" she snarled, swinging her sword at Zalda's unprotected side.

Oceanis roared as Raven attacked Zalda directly. She whipped her tail around her Rider, trying to trip the Shade. You will not escape with your life Shade, let alone my brother! She screamed with her mind, battering against his defenses even as her Rider fought him physically.

Rage...pure, uncensored rage flowed through Raven as she viciously attacked the Shade... And with the rage came something...else... something sinister... Raven cried out as she realized what was happening, "Oceanis help!" she yelled as she collapsed on the ground, holding her head. Kveykva lay forgotten on the ground next to her. She screamed in pain, it felt like her head was going to explode! She screamed and screamed and kept screaming for what felt like ages, then she stopped...

Slowly her left hand reached out and gripped the hilt of her sword... She stood up, still looking at the ground. Somewhere at the back of her mind, she noticed that she was breathing calmly, yet how could that be? The rage... She felt as if the rage was gathering at one point of her body... In her head... Why did her head hurt so much?

Vaguely she was aware of Oceanis landing next to her, trying to reach her through the awful storm of anger and power... But no, she could use this power, she knew what Oceanis was trying to do and she couldn't let her, not yet. With this power she could destroy the Shade and anybody else that tried to hurt her family. She lifted Kveykva into a fighting position. The air seemed to hum around the familiar blue blade... Moving faster than anyone could see, faster than lightning, she slashed at the Shade with her father's sword and the air exploded with that awful... amazing... rage.

As quickly as their assault on Zalda had begun, it stopped. Oceanis knew what was wrong even before Raven screamed for her. She reached out with her mind to the little one as Raven yelled in agony. Enveloping Raven's mind with her own, Oceanis forgot her surroundings as she dove completely into her Rider's mangled thoughts, trying to tame the anger and bring Raven back to her senses. Raven, come on Raven! Come back! Fight it! You know what will happen if you give in! Oceanis roared in frustration as she felt the Bloodwrath setting in completely, Raven wasn't fighting back! NO! Raven! Don't do it! Oceanis watched inside her mind as Raven gave in to the power, and she saw why she did it. Raven had given over because she wanted nothing more than to get the egg back, and she thought this would help.

Oceanis growled at the hatchling's foolishness, then redoubled her efforts to siphon off the power. So deep was her concentration that she couldn't move without breaking the small thread of contact that was allowing her to slowly leech the power from her Rider. Throwing a small part of her mind into contact with Ser'lla, Oceanis said, Get out of here! She may be attacking Zalda now, but if she succeeds in killing him, she'll move on to all of you. She can't control herself when she's like this, run! I have to stay here and pull her back into her right mind!

OOC: Oh yeah, I think that's a perfect place to finish it. One of those awful cliffhangers booklovers hate so much.

OOC: Lol, that makes two of us Ohhhhh, I can't wait for Talos to meet Oceanis.