OOC: Prefer no more than two other people to join. Open to anyone and everyone. Please post in the order that you join, as well.


IC:
Release me!
Siberia thrashed against the ropes constricting her; one around her neck and two around her front legs. Despite being over four times larger than the average wolf, Siberia was no match for the hulking fifteen men attempting to bring her down on the edge of Surda. Her midnight sapphire eyes were threatening, terrifying, but beneath that, she was secretly terrified herself. She couldn't be captured by these imbeciles. .
She had to find Cy Ara, before she got herself harmed. They wouldn't be able to last, separated, for too long. Siberia already had a long gash on her side, trailing from her shoulder blade to her thigh. The blood reddened her snow white fur.
Siberia yelped, another rope latching around her hind leg. The men holding the ropes all pulled at once, causing her to loose her footing and fall onto her wounded side. Immediately, she tried standing again, snarling, but a rope closed around her snout, shutting it with a loud snap and gagging her before she fell once more.
"Come on boys, we've got ourselves quite a catch!" It was the biggest of them all and the ugliest who spoke, a cocky grin on his face revealing yellow and gaps of missing teeth. He stood, arms crossed across his bulky chest. "We'll be getting quite a penny at the black market for you."
Snarling, a fierce growl emitting from deep in her throat. Her eyes were as threatening as they could've been, but they held no effect against the man.
"All right, boys. Hull her into town. We have business to take care of."

--------
Three days later, Siberia was locked away in a large metal crate, shackles around her front and back paws and her snout. She was laying on her side that wasn't wounded, drifting between consciousness and deep sleep.
She was outside in an alley, in the cool crisp night air, out back of some building that she figured had some kind of dealings with the black market of Alagaesia. They barely fed her and hadn't tended to her wounds. But because of her race of wolf, she healed quickly. Not to say the wound wasn't still bad. She had to find a way to escape. .
She had to find a way to get back to Cy Ara.

OCC: I'm interested in joining. I'm logging on during my break at work thou so I don't have time to post a IC response. I think I'll use Violeta in this one since Hurricane is is the other one. I should be able to post my actual response around 10 PM when I get off work.

OOC: Not a problem at all. I'll make sure a spot is kept open for you. I'll be waiting. ^^

OOC: Think I could join too? I'll wait till after F-14 posts to do so.

OOC: Of course. xP And thank you for waiting. I appreciate it. ^^;

I'm gonna say that this takes place during the time between Natagath and Violeta being reunited and their trip to Danthuania.

"Alright, wait here while I go get the supplies. I should be back by morning." Natagath said as he slung the empty canvas bag over his shoulder.

Turing to his amethyst lightning dragon, he added, "If I need you I'll call you."

Be careful, Naty. We don't know who we can trust around here." Violeta replied as she watched her rider walk walked from the hidden safety of the forest and down to the road leading toward town.

It was amazing how something as simple as a trip into town could turn into an epic adventure. Natagath made sure to tie an old rag around the top of his head to hide his pointy ears from unwanted attention. Slung across his back by a leather strap, Natagath carried his custom lever-action crossbow with the limbs folded for easy carrying. At his hip with his rider sword which matched Violeta's violet and white markings. The elf stopped at the top of a hill overlooking the town. A few windows were lit up but most of the houses were dark. Most of the light came from the moon high overhead.

With a sigh, Natagath proceeded down the hill and walked into the town. There were few people on the street at this late hour. They were probably people like him; people on the run who wanted to avoid drawing attention to themselves. Still, a couple of shady figures caught his attention. They just had that look about them that they were hiding something.

OOC: Was trying to think of a good way to join... and I found one! Hope you guys enjoy meeting Solarae.

IC: If only it was possible for a dragon to stay completely alert at all times. Solarae was very close to it: she was a light sleeper, had amazingly keen and well-trained senses, and could usually deal with anything that caught her by surprise anyway. Unfortunately, in this case, they had come upon her while she was dreaming of some particularly dramatic moments of her past, reliving them so vividly that even her senses (which should have been on watch) were wholly involved in the past experience. The sounds of their approach had come too late for her to react to, and she only heard scuffling and then felt a tremendous pain to the side of her head before she had been knocked back into unconsciousness.

Now, Solarae blinked open her sky-blue eyes blearily, very confused at why her claws were scraping across metal. When one wing half-opened reflexively, she was startled awake when it hit more metal. The tiny orange dragon (only standing a little taller than six feet when she stood upright) exploded to her feet, only to crash into a ceiling of equally-hard metal and collapse back down when a jolt of intense pain flared through her skull. Great. A head wound. Because melting your way out of cages is so much easier when you're dizzy, she thought angrily. Solarae lay still for a few moments, waiting for the pain to pass. Then, instead of jumping to her feet again, she slowly rose her head. The cage allowed her that much movement at least. It was better to know your surroundings before melting your way out of anything, first, anyway. The dragoness scented the air, and wasn't surprised to catch the smells of many humans. She also caught the smell of wolf, though it was different from a wolf, somehow. After making sure there were no humans nearby (who could be magic-users), she extended her consciousness. Solarae blinked in surprise as she brushed the mind of the wolf, for she realized that this was certainly no ordinary wolf.

Yo, you a prisoner too? I can smell more metal cages like mine. Name's Solarae, by the way, she said rather bluntly, though her voice was very friendly. Solarae was a very friendly dragon, and if this wolf was a captive like her, she would be more than happy to melt its cage too.

Siberia had finally dozed off when the orange dragon had been brought in, unaware of her surroundings. She usually wasn't so careless, but she was trying very hard to cease the pain on her side. She hoped by not moving, it would go away, but staying still for over twenty four hours hadn't helped. She doubted another would.
She had actually awoken at hearing the scraping and ka-thunking against metal, but had refused to open her eyes at first. But then she felt the presence of another inside her head and immediately gazed out of her cage. Thankfully, she didn't have to move. The dragons cage was right across from hers, not too awfully far away. It took her a moment to catch everything. She hadn't had contact with anyone in those three days she'd been in this cage.
. . .Siberia. And yes, I am a prisoner. Her voice was worn, as if she was extremely tired and resisting the pain that coursed through her.
How did a dragon like yourself become one. .?

Siberia listened half-heartedly to the other dragon. It wasn't that she was trying to be rude, but the pain seemed to be getting worse in her side, causing her vision to fade in and out. Thankfully, the pain receded after a few moments. At the question, she spoke quietly.
They separated me from my friend. .chased me to Surda's border, wounded me, then captured me. They were relentless.
Just as she stopped speaking, she sensed what the other was dong and sensed their capturers entering the alley.
Hold it! Here they come.
The leader showed his face first, the moonlight lighting his ugly features. He stopped beside Siberia's cage, tilting his head as if to mock her with compassion.
"He said we wouldn't get anything for a wild beast like her. But the meat would be mighty fine."
"Then lets start cuttin' 'er open all ready." It was one of the few lackeys that had actually returned to face what had harmed most of them. Siberia was secretly gloating about wounding a few of them before being taken down.
"Not yet. . he said he might be able to find us a sweet deal with someone from the Beor Mountains who's been looking for a nice fur coat."
He grinned at this, once again revealing his rotten mouth.
"And the dragon?"
He turned towards the orange dragon, grin fading.
"Apparently no one wants a dragon. So we've got dinner for the next few weeks, lads."
Turning back to Siberia, the man reached into her cage - stupidly, she might add - gripped her skin and fur close to her wound. She had been eying them hesitantly, but now, she was instantly on her feet, teeth clamping shut around thin air as the man, with surprising speed, pulled his arm away. Siberia reared, just below hitting her head on the top of her cage, and lashed out with her claws, but he was standing just far enough back. She lowered her head, expression fierce, midnight eyes full of hatred, and teeth barred as she snarled.
"It's a shame. You would've been a pretty piece on my treasure wall."

Solarae glanced back as Siberia warned her and craned her neck to see where the men were coming from. Of course she had smelled them coming, but it was hard to see exactly what was around her with all the metal bars in her way. The heat had already disappeared from her claw. When the men began speaking, and eventually revealed what they planned to do to Solarae (stupid humans: did they really think they could eat her?!), she snorted extremely loudly. These guys must not have gone to the Empire's men, or they'd know I'm wanted by Galbatorix, she thought with a grin. Just before the conversation ended, Solarae caught the scent of another approaching two-leg, who promptly stepped out into the open when the men finished speaking. Aww. Kinda wanted to free myself. Oh well, she said offhand to Siberia as she watched the proceedings.

Solarae finally decided that it was time for some magic fire. Her magical flames could burn through wards and other magic, very useful for getting out of cages. The orange dragoness closed her eyes and concentrated, attempting to bring on her fire state. As she did, she suddenly cried out in intense pain as a jolt of a white-hot burn coursed through her head, near where the men had hit her. A small cloud of blue and yellow fire burst from Solarae's scales and dissipated in the air, and there was a loud whooshing noise. Small fires abruptly appeared everywhere in the vicinity, one on the newcomer's pant leg and a couple more on the clothing of two of the men who had captured her. Random fires appeared in other places as well, all of them blue tinged with yellow. When the pain had cleared, a very loud, very abrasive curse was heard exploding from Solarae's mind as she realized her head wound was interfering with her special ability.

OOC: Note: this magic fire is fairly hard to put out with a normal spell. Heheh.

At the sound of the strangers voice, all of the men turned around, anger stricken across their face when they saw who had spoken. It didn't exactly make the biggest man any prettier.
"Well, lookie here. We've got ourselves a hero."
He spoke in a mocking tone, causing some of his men to chuckle.
Siberia had turned to gaze at the newcomer, curious. It wasn't often her or her companion were assisted in times of need. Nor that she was ever without Cy Ara. So, it was a bit of a change for her all together.
Her wound suddenly caused a shock of pain to course through her as she quickly moved as far back into the cage as possible, away from Solarae as she seemed to sprout fire in random places. Being an Allatik's bond, she was able to sense magic as it erupted, or charged, but no sooner.
The men who had caught on fire started to run around like imbeciles, trying to put themselves out. The others, cowards, ran for the hills for not knowing what was happening. But the leader, a reluctant frown on his face, didn't move. He'd been far enough away from the dragon not to hit him with the fire, and lucky enough not to get hit with any of the other fire. It was odd how he seemed completely calm. He yelled among the chaos towards the newcomer.
"I don't know what you've got planned, but you might as well turn around now."He rose a hand, using his thumb to jab himself in the chest. "I'm not about to let you strike down my lucky streak."

Resisting unconsciousness, Siberia lifted herself once more, dizziness seeping into her head, though she didn't falter. She looked from Solarae, who was talking trash about the man, to their rescuer, who seemed to be trying to apprehend the ugly troll.
She closed her eyes, concentrating for a moment. This was getting tiresome. All the noise. All the commotion. The insolence and drama. It was sending shards of pain shooting through Siberia's head and side.
"What a waste.."
The man murmured to himself and didn't look at all impressed, with either the stranger's threat or the dragon's excessively long rant about how disgusting he looked. Little did she know, he didn't take insults to heart. His frown seemed to grow, causing deep set wrinkles to appear among his face. He knew he didn't stand a chance without back up. He knew what he had to do.
He turned suddenly without another word, running at a surprisingly fast speed for such an overweight man. He headed away from his failed attempt at riches. He was out of sight within moments.
Siberia, on the other hand, was resisting a certain explosion from releasing inside her. Being an Allatik's guardian gave her enhanced abilities. And special ones. Because Cy Ara's element was fire, Siberia's was water and ice. But sometimes, when severely hurt, she couldn't control the outbreak of her powers. Same as Cy Ara.
Where she stood in her cage, the metal began to freeze, spreading up along the bars after covering the entire flooring. Being frozen like this, the metal would be extremely easy to break. But with Siberia in the position she was in, there was no way she'd be able to break it. She'd have to depend on one of the other two.

Siberia didn't fuss. She watched as everything went on around her, but didn't have the energy to help in the slightest, even if she had been free. She had lied down, the freezing cold from the ice comforting, like back in her home land that held nothing but ice and snow. Lying on her good side, she watched as the stranger sliced down the frozen bars with ease, then Solarae's. As the other dragon, who had landed without warning, began healing her, Siberia murmured quietly, closing her unusually pale blue eyes.
Thugs, slave to a man foriegn to this land. She was feeling much better. She knew the pain would go away eventually, but being brought upon by a special sword, it wouldn't leave that easily. She'd feel an ache or two for weeks.
Thank you, to the both of you. She looked from one stranger to another as she spoke, before finally beginning to stand again as Solarae spoke. Her muscles were stiff, making her shaky as she stood, but she tried her very hardest to play it off as if she was fine. She was healed enough. A little pain never hurt anyone.
Yes, what are your names? As Solarae has all ready pointed out, I am Siberia.

Siberia relaxed, setting herself stiffly down as she bowed her head, letting her eyes close. Her head was aching. .
At the others' words, Siberia shook her head, murmuring quietly.
No, chasing them would not be wise. And I thank you for your offer, Solarae, but. .i'll find her on my own. Regrettably, her defenses were up. Force of habit, is what she was telling herself. But something else was wrong. She couldn't quite put her paw on it. .
She lifted her head up, eying each of the other three as she spoke.
I do agree that we should leave this town, now, as quickly as possible. But there is no need to chase those fools. The leader had been given specific orders to hunt me down and find me, keeping it from his lackeys. They'll find me again. But I don't know if i'll be ready to fight again when they do. I. . could use a little help, at least until I do find my friend.
She wouldn't lie and say she didn't feel odd, asking for help. It wasn't something she was used to. But there was no way she'd be able to find her way back to Cy Ara without help. And truthfully, deep down, she did want revenge on the thugs that had separated and caged her like a wild animal - which she wasn't. She knew it wouldn't be a problem with the others by her side.