OOC: This RP is open to anyone. I would prefer at least one varden sided character joining though.

IC: Marco sat on a log looking out over Leona lake reflecting on his current mission, at the time Marco thought it was a strange but simple assignment Galbatorix had sent him on. Go to Aroughs collect a scroll take it back to Uru'baen. However when he had arrived in Aroughs he had looked at the newly written scroll it only contained lists of words in the Ancient language and they were in a seemingly random order Marco doubted that he would ever know what the scroll was about. After Aroughs Marco took a ship to Terim where he was provided with an escort of fifty veteran soldiers and sent south towards Dras Leona his route hugged the river and lake which is where he was now. Marco stood and rejoined the column of soldiers heading south. Only thirty of the escort where left the other twenty had all disappeared during various nights probably killed. Because of this Marco was certain there were being followed and that the Varden where slowly killing off the soldiers. He had no proof but his instincts where almost always right. He eyed the road ahead and noticed a large outcropping of trees just off the side of the road which where the perfect spot to launch an ambush from. Marco shook of the feeling and continued walking telling himself he could always dive into the lake where he would be safe from all but dragons. Anyway he looked no different than any of the other soldiers and during an attack there would be plenty of time to escape. However much Marco reassured himself though his unease remained. As the sun winked below a nearby cliff and the column stopped to set-up camp for the night Marco thought he heard whispers from the woods as he lay down on the side of the road and began to slip into sleep.

OOC: Is it ok if a dragon character joins?

OOC: yeah it's fine, They make the story more interesting. Besides Marco does have defences against dragons.

OOC: Ok, here comes Ara! Also, would it be ok if I had two charries meet and maybe even mate, of course they are mine, but would that be ok?

IC:
Ara flew over the Spine, her natural curiosity had forced her to follow the soldiers once she had sighted them. She followed them at a distance, never wanting to get too close to the men in their aurmor, the events near Gil'ead still fresh in her memory. She flew high above the men, never making a sound out of th eusual, and every timeone of them looked up, she went into camoblauge, or invisivle mode. She watched them as they sat on the shores of Leona Lake and rested. So, when no one was looking she too landed. She silently slid into the water and watched them nervously from the safety fo the cool water.

OOC: That would be fine.

IC: Marco suspicions where proved correct when he was woken by the sound of battle, fortunately he had slept armed. It appeared that twenty Varden had attacked the camp and swiftly killed most of empire's soldiers though six of their own had died. Marco was lucky, he had slept at the back of the column. if he hadn't he would already be dead. Marco disregarded the idea of using his crossbow it would take too long to load instead he removed his bow and quickly shot off six or seven arrows and killed four soldiers before the varden noticed him and charged. Replacing his bow Marco aimed two of his throwing knives and released bringing down another two Varden seeing he didn't have time to throw again Marco drew his sword and prepared himself to quickly kill the eight remaing enemies. It was shame all of his allies where dead though it still wouldn't be a challenge to kill off the pathetic Varden scum.

Marco had used the opportunity provided by the dragon to fillet two more of the varden before the rest again noticed him. I've always got the crossbow to deal with the dragon later for now I'll do nothing, that was a useful distraction, anyway what can I do? It's flown off. Marco ducked, kicked, parried, thrust and slashed the Varden fell quickly to one with elven abilities. It was little over a minute later when the last Varden fell dead to the ground. These Varden where not who were troubling me on my journey something else is out there trying to get me. Marco discarded all of his armour that linked him to the empire it would only be a burden from now on and with it he would find it far harder to trick his enemies of which it seemed there where plenty. Marco started of south down the road.

OOC: you do realize that all the soldiers are now dead. I suppose your characters don't know that yet though...

IC: Marco was tired he'd had little sleep for several nights and tonight he had none because of that attack. About a mile south of the ambush site Marco decided it'd be better to sleep than continue.If I continue like this I'll be in no condition for a fight by tommorow and if I hide the woods I doubt anyone will find me. Marco climbed the bank and lay down to sleep in a hollow of a tree near the edge of the woods and from there he could still see the road though he doubted whether any road traveller would have even a hope of spotting him.

Marco had just woken up and started a fire in his camp, breakfast today would be fish again... Still it was to be expected, he was right by the lake and had lost all of his supplies. The safety of Dras Leona was only three days away. Three long days filled with running. Still he couldn't complain he seemed to have lost whatever was following him and the running would only make him harder to find. After breakfast Marco quickly packed up and destroyed whatever evidence there was of his small camp even existing before heading-off yet again in the cold foggy morning.

OOC: Marco is on the road like a bit over a mile south of the ambush site. What are your charries doing on the other side of Leona Lake?

IC: Marco had only just starting running south when he heard a long howl. That sound must have carried for miles. Whatever's making that noise dosen't sound too friendly though it's defiantly not a wolf, still Galbatoirx told me to investigate if anything like this happened. I just hope I live long enough to tell him about it. With that Marco again started heading into the forest though only at a walk, running would make far too much noise. This fog isn't natural it's far too thick. Another howl sounded this one was much closer, Marco started climbing a nearby tree he would be far safer than on the ground whatever it was might not even notice him. Soon enough Marco was high in the tree and looked down from his perch, the ground he had just been walking on was littered with corpses hoe had he not noticed then when he first entered the clearing was a mystery. Slightly scared Marco shrunk further back into the tree hiding himself in the leaves. To the north he could start to make out figures in the fog...

Marco silently cursed as three lethre'blaka slowly became visible through the fog. Trust my luck to meet these monstrosities, I thought they were all dead. There a great a threat to the empire as to the Varden. God I wish I was a spell caster two words and they'd be dead, as it is I might be able to kill one but it'll be a close run thing with the other two. Marco took out his crossbow and wound it up, he usually left it wound because horn bows did not lose tension over time as easily as real bows which were quite often left unstrung because of this . Marco started to climb down the tree then thought better of it and stayed where he was, at least it would be comfortable. My best bet is to wait for them to leave, the only creatures who'll be able to help me here are lots of elves or dragons. If either arrive I'll have to trick them for the short time were'd be together. Marco shivered, the sun was not yet high and the fierce west wind was freezing cold. If I ever do get back to the empire I'll ask Galbatorix for a force to eliminate this infestation with, who knows what havoc they'll reap in the meantime.

Marco was a fool not to think of it earlier, he gathered his consciousness and sent a mental probe at one of the Lethre'blaka, but there was nothing there. How is that even possible, I can hide my mind but the technique has flaws, this is flawless, I know their minds should be there but they're not. Marco lost his concentration as two dragons landed beneath his tree then disappeared the lethre'blaka where just as startled and took to the sky where to Marco's dismay, they joined even more lethre'blaka there. I suppose it's a tribe or a herd still at least the dragons scared them off, but, where on earth did the Dragons go? I going to get out of here as soon as can it's all gone crazy. Still at least the Lethre'blaka are leaving. Marco dropped to the ground as soon as the shapes of the Lethre'blaka where several leagues away. Halfway to the ground he landed on something, slipped and fell to the ground keeping hold of his crossbow just by instinct.

OOC: why would Marco look like he's working for galby? He's a master of disguise and he threw away anything that would identify him at the scene of the battle.

IC: Marco quickly shielded his mind leaving his mind open enough to just barely hear what the male dragon said. Great I've had ambushes, human-eating monsters and now dragons that can turn invisible. Why couldn't this have been a simple fetch mission. Speaking aloud Marco wearily replied "I am Marco I was travelling from Terim to Dras Leona and having the most awful bad luck, I was told to come armed and I did, but I would have stayed at home if I knew the trouble I would get into". Backing up Marco kept the crossbow pointed at the dragon and sat down on a rock. "What are you doing here. I've never seen a dragon in my life and now I've seen two at once, you've got something to do with those monstrosities I encountered earlier haven't you." Throughout Marco had kept up a fantastic northern accent almost no-one will be able to tell it was fake and those that could where defiantly not dragons.

OOC: Sorry, I edited that part out.

IC:
Ara growled lowly and said, No, we don't they were trying to attack us and we escaped with my help, you have made me very angry, ... jumping o nmy head like that, I expect an apology. said the green dragoness aggrivatedly.

Eroth growled at the human and said, Put the crossbow down, and I will not attack you right off, that weapon will do little against me, so put it down and lets us talk civily.(sp?) said the red dragon.

Marco scanned the green dragon with his eyes. He presumed it was female. "Just because you say the Lethre'blaka were attacking you, dosen't mean it's true, still your kinds have never been friends." Marco pondered on his dilemma before continuing "I am sorry for landing on your head" if only because it meant that I have to stop and convince you that I'm not your enemy "But it wasn't like I could have known I would land on it. I know quite a bit about dragons and none as far as I was aware could use magic. But you did something very much like magic and turned invisible, how? The more I find out about this place the weirder this place gets." From his perch on the rock Marco was listening intently to the area around them, waiting for his suspicions to be confirmed. Where the adults are the young are sure to follow his thoughts were interrupted by the red dragon, after waiting for the dragon to finish Marco rebuked him "If the weapon isn't a threat to you why do you want me to lower it? Still if it pleases you I will put it away" with that Marco clipped the crossbow to his belt. Fool of a dragon dosen't realize that this crossbow is specially designed, armed with the right bolts and at this range it would be lethal to almost anything. Despite their hostility the dragons would make valuable allies especially with the lethre'blaka around. Trying to be friendly "Seeing as I told you my name in good faith could you do me the honour of telling me yours."

Marco grunted in affirmation to Ara's comment and got up. Once on his feet he looked around and sighed it was as he feared he had to end the argument quickly. "How do you expect me to prove that I'm not with the empire, you can only go on my word and you already proved you don't trust that." It would be a service to the empire if we killed those lethre'blaka and these dragons can help. As long as they don't figure out who I really am we'll get along fine, in fact even if they do discover me they'll still probably want to help, the Ra'zac are as much my enemies as the Vardens'. "look as I see it you either trust me or you don't, talking won't help matters. If you trust me you'll help me deal with the lethre'blaka if you don't trust me I don't want your help though if you do decide to help I must warn you I have little idea about where their lair might be." Surprisingly Marco continued on talking with his mind I think that some of the Lethre'blakas' children are surrounding us one of them might know where the lair is. If you're with me we ought to attack now while there are still only a few of them. "Make up your mind dragons what will it be" Marco observed if they do disagree and attempt to attack me I can make my mind invisible and run into the forest they won't be able to follow me past this clearing the trees are too thick. Still he was uneasy waiting for the dragon's answer.

OOC: I'm assuming that these Ra'zac's minds are invisible but that they are not immune to magic.

IC; Marco began following the dragons when five Ra'zac erupted from the foliage behind him. Whipping around Marco shot his crossbow at the nearest Ra'zac killing it instantly. Back-flipping through the air he barely avoided the blade of the second Ra'zac. "I've found them now help me fight them off" Marco drew his sword and parried a sword aimed at chest then ducked to dodge one that would have beheaded him. Retreating he drew one of his knives threw it at one of Ra'zac. It screamed in pain and it's thigh erupted in blood as the knife ripped through it. "Don't be afraid to use your fire, it will have little effect on me but remember we need one alive." He doubted that the wounded Ra'zac would be involved further in the fight. Things aren't looking good it's three versus one, if those dragon's don't do something soon I could be in real trouble. The air around Marco was a maze of whirling swords and he retreated towards the dragons.

Marco retrieved his dagger "When we were busy fighting Ara was attacked by some Lethre'blaka and taken away by the Lethre'blaka. I guess the only thing we can do is try to find out where there lair is and rescue her." Marco walked over to the wounded Ra'zac and knelt down, faster than the eye could see the Ra'zac sliced a dagger through the air and Marco's thigh, the same injury that Marco had given it. However unlike with the Ra'zac the wound would not trouble Marco. Before even a tiny amount of blood had escaped the wound had scabbed over and Marco was able to rest his full weight on the leg, it would heal soon. Marco kicked the Ra'zac in the side and threw it's blood-stained dagger into the bushes. "Tell me what I want to know and I don't pour any of this on you" Marco was holding up a silver bottle marked with as sethir oil. "How many of you are there" the response was nothing more than a series of clicks but the meaning was clear 'I do not care about your threats' after a bit of persuasion the Ra'zac admitted that his tribe numbered fourteen, six Ra'zac and eight Lethre'blaka but now only one of the Ra'zac was still with the group. That would have been an advantage if Eroth was mu size still at least we know we're dealing with manageable numbers. Marco cruelly smiled at the Ra'zac underneath him "see, that wasn't so hard only one more question and I will end your suffering unless Eroth wants to ask you something" Marco raised his eyes ignoring the carnage to see what Eroth's response would be.

"Wait, how will we know where there layer is?" Marco turned back to the Ra'zac who had died in the short time Marco hadn't been paying attention. "Well that was considerate of it, it was our last lead". Eroth obviously wasn't slowing down, Marco sighed and sprinted to catch-up. "I guess you know where the lair is then? Care to share? Even if you don't want to tell me, this journey might be quicker if we flew considering the Lethre'blaka did but if you want to walk that's fine too I've got lots of time."

After they had been walking several miles Marco was getting bored. Eroth is hiding something I've got a nose as good as an elf's and I can only just start to make out the smell. "Do you have a plan Eroth? I don't fancy our chances versus eight Lethre'blaka in open combat I know we have some advantages but just rushing is stupid. I understand your angry that your friend has been captured but getting yourself killed isn't going to help anyone." It's like talking to an angry brick wall, he obviously dosen't trust me. Marco felt like running, now he could smell their enemies he reckoned he could reach them in a few minutes rather than continuing at a slow walk however he resisted the temptation he would need Eroth in the fight to come and Eroth might think that he had been betrayed and attack.

Wow, a dragon that can use magic at will, that's something you don't see everyday. I guess he's trying to prove I can trust him. "As far as I know no Ra'zac or Lethre'blaka can mindbreak so we should be free to talk with our minds which opens up several additional paths forward rather than just hoping for the best. If I had stole your friend I would make a trap so we should try think of a way avoid walking into one. We could split-up and keep in contact with our minds it would give us a better chance of finding Ara and avoiding any traps and that way if one of us gets captured we still would have chance at a rescue." Marco was watching the trail ahead, it was now very easy to follow, it was almost as if the Lethre'Blaka wanted to be followed and were making certain that him and the Eroth stayed on the path. "Have you tried contacting Ara with your mind she might be close enough to contact and your more familar with her mind than I am so you'd have better luck at finding her than I would." I can't shake the feeling that we're walking into a trap. "I don't like this trail it's too easy to follow the Lethre'blaka have made no attempt to hide it." Marco was on edge he we would probably jump at the slightest noise.

OOC: If you want you can time-skip.

OOC: Time skip

IC: It had been almost an hour since Marco and the dragon had separated and the smell of Lethre'blaka was now very strong. "At maximum I'm about five minutes away from where they are. how far away are you Eroth? When we arrive I was planning to take out the remaining Ra'zac first and then make it up from there. " Marco ducked under a tree and kept making his way forward the forest was thick here however that hadn't stopped the Lethre'blaka. The last time Marco had seen the trail it looked like the lethre'blaka had forced their way through. "Don't worry Eroth, we'll soon have your friend and be on our way out of here.

Not long later Marco arrived at the edge of a the clearing in front of the cave. He could see the Ra'zac, it was fairly close to his chosen hiding spot, carefully Marco wound up his crossbow, cursing silently for forgetting to do so in the forest. Eroth should be here by now he was closer than me to the cave, I suppose I'll just take the shot and hope he's nearby. I can't feel any minds around here so there is no point in trying to contact him. Loading and raising the crossbow Marco aligned the sights with the Ra'zac and released the tension in the string sending the bolt silently through the air. With his sword in hand Marco jumped into the clearing as the bolt shot home killing the Ra'zac. "Now would be a very good time Eroth!" Marco rolled dodging the paw of another creature. This is going to be a very short fight if Eroth dosen't turn-up.

Marco heard a roar just behind the Lethre'blaka that must be Eroth, good now I can press the attack. Things however, did not go as Marco planned and he was soon been driven back. I can't get close enough to kill them, I just wound them and then have to dodge another of their blows, time to switch tactics. Marco sheathed his sword and jumped back. His hand delved inside his coat and they whipped out a second later holding throwing knives covered in oil. Marco threw them at the approaching Lethre'blaka as it roared, the knives seared through the open mouth and out the back of the skull killing it instantly. Marco tried to do the same with a second Lethre'blaka but it kept it's beak shut and the knives just bounced of. Looks like that tactic won't work twice. Marco had drawn his sword again but like before he was slowly being driven back towards a cave. Fortunately Marco had fought beings like the Lethre'blaka before. Marco waited until the Lethre'blaka lunged with it's paw, it's was too easy to dodge. While the creature was still off-balance Marco rushed forward with his sword swinging it across both the monsters eyes. While it was still roaring in pain Marco dispatched it and got a moments breath to examine what was happening in the clearing. It looks like Eroth got a Lethre'blaka when he came out, added to the two I killed and that makes three. Eroth's currently fighting four of them so that mean one's still hidden somewhere, it'll have to wait though four Lethre'blakas are a lot, even for a dragon Eroth will need help Marco removed an incendiary glass grenade from one of his many pockets and hurled it into the group around Eroth. One of the Lethre'blaka was cut-off by the flames and started to advance towards Marco.It looks like Eroth will still be on his own for now. At least I gave him a chance.

Marco was already wounded on his shoulder and he had been fighting for barely a minute. The Lethre'blaka facing him was obviously far more experienced than it's predecessors it easily avoided his sword by only attacking when he came in range of it's beak. It didn't even attempt to lunge at him with his paws. It seems like I'm gonna have to rely on luck to defeat this overgrown carrion eater. If things get too roughh I can always run into the forest where it will be difficult for it to follow me. The Lethre'blaka however had realized this and was herding Marco towards the cave where he would be unable to escape. Marco was now on the defence now and scarcely five meters from the cave entrance. Its now or never with the thought still bouncing around in his head Marco threw a glass ball at the ground in front of the Lethre'blaka, covering his enemy in a green smokescreen and temporarily blinding it. Marco took the opportunity to run into the forest and arm himself with his crossbow. By the time the smoke cleared the Lethre'blaka was dead a bolt in it's head and Marco was panting exhasted at the bottom of a tree. It was the energy his body was using for healing that was making him so tired though the fighting hadn't helped.

Marco was fortunately still in the forest as Eroth charged into the leaving two small Lethre'blaka that Marco was in no condition to fight as it was they didn't see him. As soon as Eroth had left the Lethe'blaka alone they had looked around to see what had happened to their fellows. Upon seeing that all the other Lethre'blaka had died the two took to the air. Marco waited for a minute and then came out of hiding and went around the scene of the battle retrieving his knives. He soon finished and then sat down again waiting for Eroth to come out of the cave and wondering why he had been in their so long.

"Fine, it'll be quicker and I couldn't keep up with you by running anyway. If your going to stop and look around don't bother the bodies don't have anything we could use on them I checked." Without further ado Marco sheathed the knife in his hand and jumped onto Eroth's back. I don't really have to worry about hurting my legs they'll heal quickly enoguh.. "You can take off now Eroth, but don't do any complex air manoeuvres or I might fall of your back and die." This wasn't strictly true, however if he did fall-off Marco would break most of the bones in his body and after that any progress he made would be almost unbearably slow.

"Fighting together tends to brew trust and respect" the words came back to Marco from the past, one of his many teachers had told him the saying. I guess there must be some truth to the saying after all. Still I can't tell him the truth. "I can't use magic, I know all of the theory but it just dosen't work so unless you can use magic then that avenue is closed to us. What I said isn't a lie is just part of the truth. Still Marco felt bad about lying, he couldn't understand why. The wind was whipping Marco's eyes making them bleary but he thought he saw a cloaked man in the forest about a mile ahead. "Eroth do you see that man, maybe he saw where the Lethre'blaka went. Though you might not want to land in front of him you could give him a heart-attack"

Marco landed on the ground bending his knees to absorb the shock. "I think he was over here." Marco walked up to the where he thought he had seen the man. Eroth had been right when Marco arrived the man was long gone. However he had left in a hurry and it was easy to see that the man was headed south the trail of broken branches and disturbed plants went that way. "Eroth the trees are too thick for you, you'll have to fly above me in the air and I'll have to talk to you with thoughts again. One thing that is on our side is that I'm certain our quarry is human and were both quick as elves."

Could that be my contact in Dras Leona, if so I can finally get rid of this scroll. If I remember correctly he's a magician so he'll even be able to track those Lethre'blaka. Whatever happens I can't let him and Eroth talk, who knows what the results would be for me.. "Eroth can you describe him in any more detail, he sounds like a friend of mine. If he is then know he's a magician and might be able to help us however he HATES dragons so don't even think about letting him see you. Marco re-doubled his efforts to catch up it helped that Eroth could see the man as it meant that Marco didn't have to stop and check the trail as often as normal. Marco had also started racking his brain for answers to any questions that the man might ask him.

The awful scent reached Marco nostrils. Marco gagged and almost stopped running. It smelt terrible, like rotting meat. "Eroth whoever that is it's defiantly not my friend, he seems to carrying rotting meat probably food for our Lethre'blaka friends. Feel free to attack him if you want however be careful he might be an evil elf despite his appearance. He defiantly runs fast enough to be an elf. Marco had slowed his running pace in order to avoid alerting his quarry even so it would probably only take thirty seconds longer to catch-up.

OOC: Srry I haven't posted for so Long.

IC; Marco burst out of the trees behind the man hoping to pin the man to the ground before he was aware of Marco's presence however instead of colliding Marco went straight through the man. "Damn, it must be an illusion but the spell caster can't be to far away. An illusion didn't make the marks I was tracking or that terrible smell. I guess this means the Lethre'blaka probably have the help of a spell caster who is adept with illusions." Marco sighed and fell to the floor "I'm exhausted and I've run out of ideas, unless you have any we might as well just abandon this rescue attempt. Right now I think we should sleep, but not here, perhaps a little bit further into the forest.

Yes that high-minded dragon fell for it, all I have to do is wait for him to disappear over the horizon and then I can make contact with that spellcaster . What Marco hadn't mentioned to Eroth was that he had known where the spellcaster was as soon as he had walked into the clearing. Marco didn't have to wait long before he proceeded over to the hiding spot of the spellcaster, it was Tarin a fellow agent of the empire."What's with the dragon Marco? Don't you normally travel alone?"

"Listen Tarin, you know your spells are useless against me so don't try to make threats." Marco paused and took a scroll and some rags from under his cloak and then continued. "I need you to do two things for me, the first is to send this scroll direct to Uru'baen, the second it to find the exact location of a Lethre'blaka nest using this rag." If Galbatoirx finds out about Eroth I'll be forced to track Eroth down and probably have to kill him. I really don't want to have to do that I like Eroth. I guess the only solution is that I'll have to kill Tarin when he's done what I've asked.

"Fine, that dosen't seem like it'll be too hard" Tarin took the scroll in one hand and touched a diamond in his belt with the other. After a lengthy incantation the scroll disappeared. Tarin then took the rag and knelt down with his back to Marco. After a short while he stood-up and turned around. "The lair is in a cave in a black hill about 40 miles east you can't miss it there're are no other bumps in the land near there.

"Thank you Tarin" Marco stepped toward Tarin and plunged one of his wrist blades through Tarin's heart and the other blade through his head Tarin died instantly. Marco knelt down and absorbed energy from the gemstones at Tarin's belt energy coursed into his veins. Feeling refreshed and awake Marco rose and mentally screamed to the heavens "Come here Eroth I've found it".

"I've found the spellcaster as well, no he wasn't with them, yes I did kill him. Why? well he posed a very serious risk not just to me but to you as well, remember magicians can kill with a single word. Anyway, what I meant is that I found out where the Lethre'blaka's lair is I'll explain further on the way right now we need to get moving. The lair is about 40 miles east inside a black hill." Marco had found another clearing and sat-down on the edge to wait for a response from Eroth.

Marco climbed on to Eroth who took-off. In the first five minutes of the flight he filled Eroth in on the details of the cave. Several hours later Eroth spotted the cave and estimated they would arrive in a few minutes. Marco took the remaining time check on his weapons and prime his crossbow, he decided to use a regular bolt because if he hit Ara accidentally then he would do no permanent damage. All of Marco's weapons where in order as far as he was concerned they were ready to attack. "It's strange we haven't seem any movement.". They would reach the hill in less than a minute.

Marco was now at the entrance to the cave it looked fairly dark inside however he could make a faint outline of something dragon size towards the back of cave. His sword half-drawn and crossbow raised Marco advanced into the cave. "There's defiantly something at the back, we need more light. Saying so Marco switched the bolt in his crossbow to a fire bolt and fired. It flew towards the back of the cave and hit the wall immediately a small fire sprung up allowing Marco to see more clearly into the cave. Where he had seen the outline earlier he now saw the faint glint of scales. "Is that Ara?"

Eroth stepped into the cave and roared loudly. He no longer cared about secrecy, or anything else, all he cared about was finding and taking care of Ara. He used his ability over magic and caused a blingingly bright light to appear in the cave. He roared happily when he saw Ara. He bounded toward the green dragoness, but just as he got to her, the ground beneath him caved in. He roared in anguisk as one of his wings were broken and he was hurled into the dark depths beneath the cave.

OOC: Ok, this is the last failure of Eroth in this one, lol.

As soon as Eroth roared Marco was hurled across the room. As he slammed into the wall the breath was knocked out of his chest. Panting Marco got-up only to be blinded by a flash of light and deafened by an inhuman scream. He recovered in time to see the floor give way beneath Eroth who obviously hadn't heard the monster across from Marco. The Lethre'blaka was far worse off than Marco and was still blind from the sudden light. Getting to his feet Marco strode across the room and drove his sword through the creatures skull ending it's suffering. Now there's only two left.. Checking himself for injuries Marco only found the wounds on his back. Hearing the pain-riddled roar Marco hurried over to the edge of the precipice. "Eroth are you alright? Did you see were Ara went?" Marco couldn't see more than five metres as the air was filled with dust thick as smog. "Hold on I'm climb down." screamed Marce as he started his decent.

Eroth heard the noise below. He knew that whatever it was he and Eroth would be at a disadvantage in the dark so he removed his last incendiary grenade and threw it down below, where it smashed covering the area in light and fire. Seeing that he only had a few feet to the floor Marco dropped and looked around. Eroth was in bad-shape so Marco drove the creatures of him and took up a defensive position in-front in the meantime the Lethre'blaka prepared to attack again. The passage was narrow so only one of the Lethre'blaka could attack and still have any room to manoeuvre. Marco started hostilities again by hurling one of his daggers through the larger Lethre'blaka's eye causing it to charge towards him. Marco was tired, but the Lethre'blaka was now partly blind so it was a more or less even fight. During the first minute Marco maimed it's left leg but in return it barely miss killing Marco leaving deep cuts across his chest. As it again lunged toward Marco in he rolled to the side causing the creature to turn and face him exposing his entire undefended flank to Eroth. "Now, Eroth strike while it is distracted."

Marco was in no condition for a long fight and Eroth was far worse he had to end the the fight quickly. Marco placed himself in front of the Lethre'blaka he had daggers in both hands. This time it was the lethreblaka who started the fight charging towards him. Marco tossed the first blade at the beast's forehead and the second blade at the right side of it's face. In order to dodge both blades the lethre'blaka ducked it's head behind a rock putting Marco out of it's view. He immediately jumped towards the ceiling and flipped back off it landing sword point fist on the Lethre'blakas head which promptly collapsed Marco fell to the side of corpse, his mind screaming in pain as he hit the ground looking down at his foot Marco saw that he had broken his ankle he also suspected that he had broken a rib earlier and just not noticed needless to say he would be unable to climb.

Marco thought back to his training. He employed the old techniques and in seconds his mind was clear of pain he then ripped the hem of his robe and bound his ankle before following Eroth into the tunnel . "There must be another way out how else did the Lethe'blaka get in? Eroth did you see Ara up there or was it just another illusion." As Marco turned a corner his eyes were blinded by the sudden glare of the sun. He covered his eyes and and ran to the mouth of the cave and looked down. It was a sheer cliff the Lethre'blaka must have flown in. "Eroth it looks like we're trapped."

Eroth growled angrily and said, Yes, I think it was her, she seemed to be tied down and I don't think that the Lethre'blaka have any spellcaster friends who would create an illsuion like that, all we have to do it get out of here. said the red dragon sadly. He looked up at the sheer cliff above them and knew that they were still so far from rescuing the dragon that he had come to love.

OOC: Pass... Sorry.

Marco walked back to the pit which they had fallen down. "If you can survive then I can heal myself in a couple of hours however during that time I will be unable to assist you with anything that may go wrong."

"You really haven't met many humans up close have you Eroth." It was a statement not a fact. "None of the Empire's elite soldiers could have a hope of standing toe to toe with a Ra'zac isn't it strange that a simple traveller can, isn't it also strange that the traveller is much quicker than any human ought to be and is incredibly heavily and well-armed." Marco paused "In answer to your question no I cannot use the ancient language to perform magic" he repeated the last the last sentence in the ancient language and sat-down at the base of the wall waiting Eroth's response.

Marco sighed and the continued. "My body was modified by spell casters to make me faster and stronger there where side-effects one of which is that my body can heal very very quickly. However this wasn't done out of good-will but rather to make me better at my job." Marco paused and looked up at Eroth "I am a professional assassin, but not by choice". Marco was aware that what he was doing was risky but this may be his chance to get some friend on the outside.

Eroth growled sharply and moved away from Marco, saying, So, you kill for money, who do you kill for? If it is for the Varden, then you should quit. But if it is for ... him. Then you should leave... NOW! growled the injured dragon defensively as he moved even further from Marco, not knowing what to think of this new neews.

OOC: Just so you know, unless you want them to, I will not make Eroth Marco's enemy, I am just acting as if I were him, and an injured dragon, who was free, would probably do worse to Marco if he were with Galby, I still plan on them being friends, unless you want otherwise.

OOC: I don't plan on them being enemies.

IC: "I don't kill for money, as I said I don't have a choice. I am oath sworn to him. His servants took me and killed my family when I was just three years old, I can still remember the screams. Ever since then I have been trained by his men to be the best assassin possible. There were six of us to start with, only two of us are still alive and I alone passed the training. He killed the other four when he visited us I was just eleven at the time. He broke into our minds and made us swear an oath, the unlucky four went insane when he broke into their minds. Anyway that first meeting was when I found out the answer to the question 'why me'. He was fascinated by me because I am almost immune to magic. A spell backed by the full power of several eldunari will work but will leave the caster exhausted, a spell which is any weaker than that which has me as it's target will simply fail. It sounds like a blessing but it means that I can't be healed magically I just have to wait." Marco was pouring dirt from one hand to other and was talking in a detached sort of way as if this had all happened to somebody else. "Now you know. As for leaving I couldn't even if I wanted to." Marco pointed at his broken ankle and then continued. "I'm not a willing servant he gives me orders and I obey them but cause as much mischief as possible along the way. Do you remember the man I killed in the forest earlier" Marco paused for breath "Well he was an agent of the empire he told me what I wanted and then I killed him, he would have betrayed you if I left him alive." Marco shrunk into the wall glad that his story was finally out in the open.

"Those Lethre'blaka never worked for the empire. Galbatoirx had reports of disappearing patrols around the lake but didn't know the cause. I guess that's why he sent me out though of course that's not what he told me I got some hocus pocus about escorting a scroll which is now resting safely Uru'baen. As for why I helped you kill them, I'm not particular fond of creatures that only eat my species. My guess is that if Galbatorix had known about the Lethre'blaka he would have tried to recruit them." Marco laid down on the ground "Unless you have any other questions I would like to fall asleep when I wake-up we can hopefully escape from this unpleasant hole."

OOC: Time-skip

IC: Marco woke-up on the cave floor he hadn't had a bad sleep and had slept in far more uncomfortable places. Ankle looks healed, better wake-up Eroth and then get-out of this cave. A realization suddenly hit Marco, Eroth would still be injured and so stuck in the cave. I can only hope Eroth has a solution. Marco removed a dagger and stabbed it into the wall and then sheathed it again Good the rock soft. it'll easy to make handholds if I need them. That done Marco woke-up Eroth by pushing his side. "I'm going to try to ascend back to the cave now."

Marco was half-way up the rock-face and so far it had been an easy climb. He had stopped on a ledge to plan the remainder of the climb. Looking up Marco saw there was a crevice several yards above him however there were no hand-holds between there and him. Marco cursed and took a knife from his belt and stabbed it into the wall above him, it seemed stable he did the same with the other hand pulling himself up just with the strength of his arms. About halfway to the crevice Marco felt a quiver in the wall he immediately pulled his head in as rocks started to fall past him. The rock fall only lasted a few seconds but during that time they fell on Marco back and his left hand pulling it and the dagger out of the wall. When he thought it was finished Marco peered upwards, the side of his head was immediately hit and his body sent swinging he was barely hanging on with his remaining hand and the world flashed red and black in-front of his eyes. A few minutes latter Marco recovered and continued his climb.

When Marco finally reached the top he sat-down and assessed his wounds. He had bruises on his left-hand and all-down his back along with a large cut to the side of his face although this had stopped bleeding. He looked around and realized what had been troubling him, Ara was on the other side of the pit, there was no choice he would have to try to jump it. Marco took a few paces back for a run-up, he was still holding his daggers so if he fell short he could stab them in the opposing rock face and stop his fall. Marco ran and jumped, falling shot as he knew he would his body slammed into the wall but the daggers stopped him from falling to far down. He was quickly over the edge and standing outside the cage containing Ara , he fiddled with lock for little over a minute and then the door swung open. Marco immediately got to work on rawhide straps imprisoning Ara. During the time Marco was freeing Ara he explained Eroth's predicament. The last strap fell away seconds after Marco had finished his tale.

Marco almost laughed when Eroth was said that he looked okay. Aside from his massive head-wound his black robe was partly soaked in blood. Marco however realized it was a symptom of just how bad Eroth was. "I can't use magic and there seems to be no way for you to get out of this cave as you are, it seems to me that we're stuck." Marco sat in silence for a short while thinking. "I think I have a solution, I can't believe that I forgot about it" Rummaging around inside his robe Marco took out a ordinary rock with a ruby hammered into the middle. "It's embedded with a healing spell, I was given it a few missions back when I had to escort a noble across a city, but I haven't used it so it should contain enough energy to heal your wound." Marco gently pressed the rock onto Eroth's wing.

Marco could see what was happening despite the fact the words had been shielded from him, the attraction between them was obvious. "If it's alright with you Eroth I'll run to Uru'baen. However would you mind dropping me off as the base of the cliff, I don't relish the prospect of climbing down." Marco collected the equipment he had left on the floor and pocketed the healing stone, confident he had left nothing behind he waited for Eroth to respond.

Marco took the stone back and pocketed it. "I presume that it works both ways and that you can also contact me through the stone. There's nothing less to say other than goodbye and good luck." Marco watched the two dragons fly-away and started his run back to Uru'baen contemplating that the future now wasn't so bleak prospect as before.

OOC: This RP is finished can a moderator please move it to archives. (Don't worry I checked with Leonitus and he agrees.)

OOC: I can move it for ya'. Good job, guys.