OOC: This is just a story to break in my new character, this is continuing on at the same timeline as A Familiar Sense of Woe as Tuorin and Sioc are busy in that RP, Everyone is Welcome.

IC:Umbra stretched in the surf as the waves lapped up against his side. Kylar was practising with the long-metal-claw again. As Umbra watched his Rider moved from one move to the next, almost as smooth flowing as the water nearby, and then he stumbled, with that Umbra chuckled Dead little one, now quit that and come join me in flight Umbra released a shot of silver flame and the water steamed and bubbled. He was quite proud of his new found ability

Kylar looked up at his Dragon as he boiled the water with a blast of fire. Enjoying yourself are you? Umbra chuckled again Yes Shaking his head Kylar turned back to pick up his sword and replace it in the worn out sheathe. When do you think ebrithil Tuorin will give me a true Rider's Blade? Kylar looked up dolefully at Umbra's massive silver eyes. Nevermind, when he think's it's best he'll tell me, right? With that he bent down and picked up his satchel. He dropped down beside Umbra who had moved to the flat area beside the cave they were staying in to dry. Sitting against his dragon's flank he began to work on his written studies.

Umbra sniffed at the air. There was the usual smells of the sea and ocean but there was another smell underlining it. A sickly smell that was being carried by the winds. Then the very earth shook. What was that?

Kylar quickly grabbed the wine flask by his satchel and handed it to the man. He glanced at the man's arm, or lack of, and felt ashamed for doing so. "Here drink up, Are you okay? You look like you've just swam here by yourself?" Kylar was curious as to who this man was, and if he was responsible for the recent event with the ground shaking. "I'm Kylar, and I am Umbra, his Dragon. where here to train. Our master said it's safer out here on these islands away from the Empire for us to get to grips with our new powers"

Kylar don't say to much until you know more Although Umbra could see the man was disabled he had a sneaking suspicion that this -two-legs-hybrid was the cause to the tremor he felt. Umbra eyed the man up and down, he reeked of magical essence, a pure energy outburst If what I think has happened, this one is in need of dire healing little one. See if their is anything in master's herbs that might help.

Kylar looked at the man as he once again took a sharp intake of breath and tried to rise. You're right, again "Rest here a moment, I will be back in just a second." With that Kylar grabbed his gear and ran into the cupboards in the cave where all the apothecary supplies were kept.

Umbra's eyes narrowed in on the two-legs as he reached out with his mind Speak quickly little one, I may not be a full grown Dragon, but a Dragon none-the-less. Do you mean to hurt my Rider or are you seeking our mentors Tuorin and Sioc?

Umbra nodded at the little halfling Too bad, our mentors have a great store of knowledge on healing ailments such as yours Umbra gazed at the stump Although I doubt you would be one to ask for help, it is still an offer.

Kylar returned with a clean wool towel and a tea designed to bring back strength and vigour. "Here clean yourself with this and drink. We can talk when you are done, as Umbra has informed me you are not here for us or our mentors, so what reason have you to be so far away from the mainland?"

OOC: Gah, sorry. I forgot I was in any RPGs in the "Islands" subgroup.

IC:

At the black dragon's reply, Arka immediately tensed. Ailments? How does he know about my. . . then Arka realized that Umbra was referring to his lack of his left arm. Mentally sighing in relief, Arka swiftly replied, I've gotten used to only having one arm. While, occasionally, I might wish I had it back, it serves well as a reminder. A reminder that Arka needs to find Zar'rac and tear the monster's throat out. Once Arka kills Zar'rac, he would consider getting his arm grown out. Well, if he lived long enough to do so, that is. I'll keep it in mind, though. Arka was surprised they would offer him to get acquainted with their masters so quickly. After all, if Arka's suspicions were correct and their masters were a dragon and rider pair, he would think that it would be a more-guarded secret.

When Kylar returned with a wool towel and a drink, Arka reluctantly accepted the items. He began to dab at his face, arms, chest, and back with the towel, drying up the accumulating sweat. He then took the tea and took a small sip, wincing as the hot liquid almost scalded his mouth. He set it aside for a moment so that it could cool a bit. Arka thought to himself, Well, I can't tell him that I left Alagaesia to find an uncivilized area to 'blow up' in. . . Deciding on what to say, Arka responded, I prefer solidity. It helps me think about issues and clear my mind, so to speak. Pausing for a moment, Arka added, [i]So, how do your masters hide in Alagaesia from that king, when he's so keen on finding leftover dragons and riders?

"Well, to be frank, they don't hide." Kylar smirked at the times he had seen Sioc take off right outside major cities. "They have no need, if Galbatorix wanted them he wouldn't be able to take them alive. And that is one of the first lessons they taught us." Kylar tightened the straps of his belt. "If you want solitude from the Empire then maybe you should keep going east. Lately there has been a mass of ships sailing to the islands carrying soldiers, supplies, building materials. We think the false king is trying to establish a training grounds on the island of Parlim"

Umbra sniffed at the air We ourselves have tried to sink the ships while the are still out at sea. The other day one ship was pulled beneath while we on looked from the sky. What ever it was that pulled the sailors to their watery grave did not wait around long enough for us to see it properly A shudder escaped his façade, It was definitely a threat as is the idea of the egg-breaker with a naval force, The islands, Du Weldenvarden and the Beor Mountains were the only place out of his grasp.

Kylar shook his head and stared into the distance. A few moments passed and then he spotted the sets black silk sails with Galbatorix's insignia on them. "Slightly after noon, same as last week."

Yes but count the sails. There is three extra ships Umbra's eyes narrowed, his sight honing in on the ships. The new ships are laden with people, a work force perhaps? Let me see Umbra shared his view with his partner

"It looks like the neighbours are moving in so. Tonight we'll try get them in the shallows okay?" Kylar turned to his dragon and Umbra nodded. "Arka you are more than welcome to join us if you have no love for the Empire, if however you try to stop us... well it would be a shame" Kylar tried not to make it sound like a challenge or a threat, after all this was the first person he had met in 3 months other than his master