OOC: Can ANYONE join? And if ANYONE can join, would Sarah be ok or would I need to use another character?

IC:
Sarah rode the streets of Terim confidently. It had been a long time since she had last gone to her hometown by the sea. Saggita stepped proudly down the rough cobblestone street. The mare remembered this place, and liked it much better than the dry mountain caverns in which they lived; however, she did miss the dwarven groomsmen who took such good care of her. She snorted as a small dog growled at her as she walked by. There would be no such nonsense while she was here.

The two of the rode deeper into the maze os streets and alley ways, not talking to many people or having much to say for both were deep in thought. Rememberance of the many great adventures and times they had enjoyed within the walls of this city. Sarah and Saggita stopped just short of the herbalists' shop and Sarah dismounted. The dragoness walked up to the door, but to her suprise there was no one there, and nothing. It was one thing for Angela to be gone, but another for her mother not to be there. Sarah glanced at Saggita and moved toward the small house behind the shop. Maybe her mother was back there tending to their small herb garden. When Sarah got to the door, she saw a small note. She then pulled the note off of the door and it read:

Debra is hearby under arrest for plotting against our mighty ruler Gaalbatorix.

Sarah was at a loss for words. She could not believe that her father had been killed, and her mother had been arrested and could be dead for all she knew in a dungeon in Uru'Baen. Sarah immediately ran back to Saggita and began to ride at breakneck pace toward Uru'Baen.

OOC: I am not Kit, but I am sure he agrees with me in saying that there is no such thing as a newb here and that EVERYONE has to start somewhere and that we are sure you are welcome here.

Avalon roared in exhiliration as he raced through the skies above the Spine. Snapping his left wing closed and throwing his tail to the right, he entered a perfectly controlled downward spiral. Letting go of the straps holding him in, Tobias threw his hands in the air and yelled along with his dragon. Straightening his tail and pulling in his other wing, Val stopped the spiral, but continued to shoot toward the ground at an impossibly fast pace. When they were little more than a hundred feet from the break-bone-rocks below, he threw open his wings. Silver scales flashed in the sunlight as he went immediately from the dive to rapidly climbing in the air.

How was that? The young male dragon asked his Rider. He looked over his shoulder at the boy on his back. Blue eyes with a crop of red hair flopping in front of them looked back at him, wide open with adrenaline. Val's own silver eyes were sparkling with energy and joy at being in the air with his closest friend.

That was amazing Avalon! You're getting so much better at your flying, and stronger to! Keep this pace up and we'll be the ace fighters of the Varden in no time! Tobias said, his excitement bubbling through over their mental connection. The boy looked down at the straps circling his waist. The ends were frayed and he could see where the stitching holding the straps to the saddle were coming loose. But before we join the Varden, we'll have to do something about getting you a proper saddle. I can't fight on something like this. We haven't even been in the air that long and it's already coming apart again.

Val chuckled deep in his throat. That's what you get for stealing old worn out quilts from some old famer's wife. And it's not like you have much skill at sewing anyway. I'm sure the Varden have leatherworkers. When we join them we can get them to make a proper dragon's saddle for you.

You're right as always. But now I'm more impatient than ever for us to join. Here I am, partnered to one of the most fascinating creatures in Alagaesia, and I'm not evenly properly equipped. People would laugh at me if I started calling myself Dragon Rider. The young Rider said in a joking tone.

Ah, but they wouldn't laugh for long. I'd see to that.

"Avalon, you wouldn't seriously attack someone for laughing at me?" Tobias said, so shocked by his young dragon that he spoke out loud.

Of course not, but you should have seen the look on your face! Val said, chuckling even harder as he leveled out far above the Spine. Without warning he blasted the air in front of him with blinding silver fire and dived back towards the ground. Tobias yelped in surprise, but recovered quickly and started yelling what he thought was a savage war cry.

Normally Anthony would have enjoyed the long ride to Teirm, but now he was just anxious. Levina could be waiting for him there and he had already wasted a week in Uru'Baen.

He had been stuck in thought when he was nearly thrown from he seek when the wagon hit rock in the road. He stabled himself and glared at the driver next to him who laughed. It was just the two of them on the open top wagon. "Where are we."

"We are almost halfway there," he replied.

"Great at least another night camping out. At least there is a stream coming out of the Spine." Anthony couldn't actually see it, but he could hear as they got closer to the bend in the road. He expected to see a roaring stream when then got around the small hill instead, he saw a woman and man standing there.

The driver whistled under his breath and began slowing down. "What are you doing?!" Anthony yelled in a hushed voice.

"Picking a gorgeous girl," he replied back.

"And possibly her serial killer boyfriend!" They exchanged a few more words before they got into hearing distance for their whispers, at which point Anthony gave up try to persuade him not to stop.

The wagon stopped right next to them and the driver asked quite directly, "What's a beautiful girl like you doing out in the middle of no where?"

Anthony shook his head in shame.

OOC: Who is the gorgeous girl?

OOC: I think it's CDG's character Elaina.

What do you think is going on down there? Avalon asked Tobias. The tone of the young male's voice was lazy. They'd been flying for a while and the sun was warming his scales up nicely. A nap was starting to sound like a fantastic idea. He looped over backwards to expose his belly to the warm rays. He focused on the group below them as he finished the loop and turned right side up again.

Tobias looked over Val's shoulder at the ground as his partner finished his belly-warming technique. Hmmm... I don't know Avalon. Perhaps we should get closer though, those ladies could be in danger. There are three of them, but those men are pretty big. Toby replied, reaching out to Val's mind so that he could watch through the dragon's silvery-white eyes. They were too far up for his own human eyes to see exactly what was going on.

He tightened his grip on the saddle as Val pulled his wings in and plummeted towards a clearing not far from the road. Although they could see it from the air, the trees around it looked to be too densely-packed for it to be spotted from the path.

Val flared his wings when they were a hundred-feet from the ground below and landed softly on the ground a few seconds later. Though their descent had been very fast indeed, he wasn't sure if their landing had been quick enough. If anyone with particularly good eyesight was around, they may have been spotted before he touched down. Do you think you can sneak over to the road without being spotted? With you there watching, you can signal me if those men try anything and I can come help you stop them.

In reply, Tobias slipped quietly off of the dragon's back and crept into the trees. Taking his time so that he wouldn't snap any branches or do anything else to announce his presence, Toby arrived at the roadside five minutes later and settled down to keep an eye on the scene. He snorted quietly in amusement as he watched the wagon driver try to sweet-talk a young woman standing with her back to him. The only danger here is that fool of a man injuring his pride. Tobias smirked at Val.

The boy watched with interest as the woman on the horse stared intently at the man inside the wagon. They must know each other. He thought to himself. Turning his attention back to the woman and man facing away from him, he had to stuff his fist between his teeth to keep from laughing at the imbecile driving the cart.

Anthony cursed as soon as he saw the woman on the horse. He'd know that face anywhere. Its that crazy chick from Narda. The one with the dragon! I hope she hasn't seen me. He tried to hide his facing by looking at the other woman to answer her question, but doubted that it would work.

"I'm heading there to meet a friend as well, hopefully." Anthony had to admit to himself that the only reason he was talking to this girl was to avoid the other one. He added, "Would you like a ride?" as a way to keep the conversation going.

The driver threw in as well, "I normally charge for ride, but for someone as pretty as you, I'll wave my fee."

Anthony rolled his eyes again.

OOC: Just so you all know, we don't have to go to Teirm right away, we can get delayed by a storyline if you'd like.

Toby, somebody just touched my mind. Two somebody's actually. I'm afraid I wasn't as quick as I thought I was. he said to his Rider. What should I do?

Nothing, I'll try and lead them away. Which shouldn't be too difficult, they're coming right at me. he replied. Without further thought, he stood up where the two ladies could see him, then took off in a totally different direction from Avalon. He ran expertly through the underbrush, leaving just enough of a trail that a tracker with average abilities could follow.

OOC: Just to avoid confusion, I thought I should get a picture of what the carriage looks like that Anthony is riding in; so here's a picture; except no seats on the roof or hanging off the back. Anthony is actually sitting up top next to driver, and the cab is currently empty.

IC: He had noticed anything because he was so focused on trying to avoid Sarah, but Anthony sighed with relief as Sarah moved past him to toward the thicket of trees. He almost didn't catch the other girl's reply. "Cool, just let me move my bag." Anthony jumped down from his seat so he could move his bag of belongings to the roof where it would've been if there were other passengers. The wind began picking up, coming down off both mountain sides of the pass.

Anthony threw his bag up top and glanced back toward Sarah to make sure she was still going away, and noticed the other girl following her. "Hmm..." Another gust of wind hit him. "Man this storm came out of no where," he said as he held the door open for the new passengers. Dark clouds had now covered the sun and the visibility cut in half.

Toby watched the woman warily. Whoever she was, she was strong in magic. How else could she have formed a shield like that to trap him? Avalon, stick to the ground and find some cover. I don't know who she is, but I don't want to risk her finding you. I'll go with her for now and try to slip away later. he said silently to his partner.

"I live in these woods. What are you doing out here?" Tobias lied, eying the stranger. He walked calmly through the rain, ignoring the cold drops of water. "And what do you mean did I hear anything? I was too busy running away from the strange lady that was chasing me," he said grumpily.

Alright, but be careful. As you noticed, she's accomplished with magic. I'll contact you as soon as I find a suitable place to hide. the young silver replied. He stood and walked into the woods. He hated not being able to fly, but even in the rain, his silver scales still stood out. If he took to the air, the woman might spot him and somehow connect him to Tobias.

There's no harm in telling them my name, Anthony thought. "My name's Anthony, nice to meet both of you." The rain dropped suddenly and Anthony was drenched. "I guess I might as well stay out here, and not soak the seats," Anthony said as he shut the door.

Anthony jumped back up to his former seat. "Everyone else ran off," he yelled to the driver, "so let's going!" The driver nodded and set the horses moving again. Anthony thoughts quickly returned the reason he was making this trip. He wanted to look at the letter again, he would keep the rain off it with his telekinesis.

He turned around to dig through his bag, but it had slid to the very back. Anthony started crawling back over the roof to grab it.

"What are you doing? That's just fabric over very thin board, you'll fall through!"

Anthony looked back at the driver, "I'm grabbing my bag. Don't worry, I won't fall through." Anthony condensed the water and air under his hands and legs so he wouldn't fall through. He reached his back and turned back toward the front, the driver was still watching him. He held up the bag, "See?"

Through the rain Anthony saw something in the road, and then recognized it as a fallen tree. He pointed. "Look out!"

The driver jerked back on the reins, the horse came to sudden stop.

Anthony was thrown over the side at the stop. He cursed at the pain. Anthony rolled into a sitting position and looked for his bag, it was laying a few feet away behind the carriage. He jerked his hand back from it as a flaming arrow descended. Anthony cursed again as he looked up and saw that the rain was mixed with hundreds of arrows, both flaming and non. "A whole army! Get the hell out there!" He yelled into the carriage as the arrows started coming down.

There was no time, so Anthony used his telekinesis to put a quick shield around the left side of the carriage to block the arrows, but he was too late. Three struck the carriage and two more killed the driver.

Toby's jaw dropped in surprise when they reached the road and could see the carriage, which was burning from the numerous fire arrows piercing it. He ignored the woman telling him to get down, the carriage driver's horses were still tied to the wagon. The boy jerked his dagger from it's sheath and charged towards the wagon, ready to cut the harnesses holding them in place.

"Easy boys, easy big bubbies," he said in a soothing voice when he reached them. He twisted the dagger around so the blade was flat against the underside of his arm where the bright, flashing metal wouldn't startle them further. As it was, they were still plunging around and squealing, making it difficult for him to reach them.

Just as he was about to cut the first one loose, an arrow grazed it on the flank, setting it off again. Tobias jumped out of the way of the crazed animal, and saw the door open and people come spilling out. "Hold the horses! I can't get them free like this!" he yelled at the man who exited first.

Avalon was just entering a grove of trees that provided adequate shelter from the rain when he sensed Tobias's alarm coming from the opposite direction. The silver's head snapped around and he went very still, trying to sense what was going on from Toby's thoughts. He snorted when an image of the burning wagon and panicked horses reached him. Leave it to me, and try not to get brained by one of those animals. he replied, turning and running awkwardly back the way he had come.

Anthony grabbed his bag off the ground and stepped back toward the others. "What the hell are you standing around for? Do something!"

Anthony left the shield up just long enough to get the horses cut loose and to start a retreat. The rain was too thick to really where the arrows were coming from, much less who was shooting them.

Though the rain was a curse it also was a blessing. With steady downpour the distance to get out of range was not that far. When they were out of range, Anthony slowed to a stop. "Are you guys okay?"

Then Anthony asked the real question wanted an answer to. "Who were they trying to kill?"

OOC: Sorry guys I've been kinda out of it, so my post isn't that great

Toby ran after the others, slipping and sliding in the rapidly forming mud. He wasn't sure what had happened to the horses after they had cut them loose, but he hoped they would instinctively return home. At least that way the carriage driver would be found and taken back to his family. He panted and clutched a stitch in his chest. As a Rider he may be stronger than a normal boy his age, but these adults were still bigger than he was, making it hard to keep up.

"I'm just a kid, who'd want to attack me?" he panted, finger-combing red hair out of his eyes. His vision blurred for a moment as what Avalon was seeing slipped into his mind. Val, stay away from here! I'm alright! he called exasperatedly.

The silver paused for a moment, the rain coating his mirror-bright scales. He reached into Tobias's mind and carefully inspected it for any sign of pain or discomfort. All he sensed was a cramp in the boy's chest from running too hard. Okay, but this is as far away from you as I'm getting. Whoever those people were after, they didn't get them, so they could come back.

OOC: Do either of you know CDG's character's enough Godmod them?

Anthony's mind instantly went to Sarah. Where the hell is she? he silently wondered. After a second, he turned his attention back to the small group that was around him. Trying to keep it as unnoticeable as possible, Anthony solidified a thin layer of air just off his clothes so they wouldn't get any wetter in the still coming downpour.

There was something odd about all of them, well more like special. He could feel it now that everyone was silent. It was the same feeling he had gotten when he first met Levina or Sarah. Though he doubted that any of these would be were-cats and he knew they couldn't be Dragon Riders because none of them were snobby brats who thought the world belonged to them.

"Well I do have a small history with the Empire, but we aren't even sure it was the Empire that attacked us. Maybe it was those... um... what's their name? Vidin? No, that's not right. You know the guys against the Empire? I could have been them. Any of you have enemies with them?" Anthony didn't expect a true answer if any of the did, but he figured it was worth a shot.

OOC: I don't, unfortunately.

IC:
"You mean the Varden, right?" Suvana said in reply to Anthony. "It could have been them, but it wouldn't make sense for them to venture into the Empire like this unless they were scouts. And if they were scouts, they probably wouldn't be attacking someone simply on sight," Suvana replied. Muttering a spell in the Ancient Language, she warmed her body so that the water soaking through her tunic and leggings would dry quicker. She looked behind her, expecting to see the group chasing them, but was surprised when they were not.

OOC: Me neither I could lightly god-mod them, just enough to keep them with the group until she comes back. Is that alright?

Toby raised his hand like he was in class. "I say again, I'm just a kid. I seriously doubt anyone wants to kill me," he said, breathing slightly easier. He stood up straight and looked the adults in the eye. Honestly, Galbatorix would have him killed on sight if anybody knew he was a Rider, but nobody knew that. And he certainly wasn't going to tell a group of strangers. What if it had been a set-up by one of them?

For a moment Tobias was surprised by his own quick thinking, but then he realized it was all Avalon muttering in the back of his mind. Oi! Trying to think here! Go get your own head to think in! he said irritably.

Avalon snorted, but retreated slightly from Toby's mind. He hadn't even realized his thoughts were leaking into his Rider's mind that much until Toby griped at him.

OOC: Alright that'll work.

IC: Nothing, just like he expected. "Well any way, I need to get to Teirm, I don't know what you are all doing, but that's where I'm headed. If any of you want to come along, that's great if not, I suggest you get out of here." Anthony slung his bag over his shoulder.

"So anyone coming?"

OOC: Okay, here I'd like for you guys to think of the worst possible thing that could happen, and throw it at our little group.

OOC: Worst possible thing? Ok, here it goes. . .

IC: "Teirm? That sounds like fun. I'll go if you don't mind," Suvana spoke softly. She didn't have any current assignments to fulfill for the Varden, and Teirm was certainly a place she wanted to visit. Then she felt a sudden feeling of foreboding, something that warned her away from her current position. Warily, she glanced around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. A fly buzzed near her ear and she instinctively swatted at it with her hand, scaring it away. The sudden buzz had frightened her for a brief moment, being as tense as she already was.

Dedread took the presence of a small fly, inspecting all three of those present. He snarled when his large multicolored eyes settled on a boy with slightly long red hair. A mischievous glint remained in his baby blue eyes. He recognized the boy. He recognized him real well. It had been a couple of months or so since the occasion, but Dedread had set his sights temporarily on this young boy's dragon. Unfortunately, he had gotten outnumbered and overpowered, and even in his dragon form, he couldn't overcome everyone there while fighting at once. However, Dedread had trained since then, and now there was only that boy, two females, and two males, none of which looked frightening. Looks can be deceiving however, and Dedread knew he would have to tread lightly.

Suddenly, an idea popped in the shapeshifting Shade's mind. He had passed an empire patrol not even two-hundred yards away from this position. If he told them indirectly about this young boy and his dragon, then there would be a fight. Then, Dedread could judge this group's strength, and potentially kidnap the boy in the process. It was a win-win! Du! Dedread called his bird-companion.

The eagle lazily replied, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know what you want. I'll tell the empire patrol about the boy.

OOC: Oh crap! I didn't realize it was my turn.

Toby thought for a minute, peering up at the older guy. "Sure, I'll go to Teirm. I've never been before, it might be fun. Besides, it doesn't look like it's very safe way out here in the middle of nowhere," he said, his eyes lighting up and a grin stretching across his face as he thought of the trouble he could stir up in the port city. What do you think of a quick trip to the ocean? he asked Avalon casually.

Val snorted at the images flickering through his Rider's mind. Sounds like it would be interesting. Although I think you should abandon that last idea, he said dryly, a vague picture of a bucket of waste landing on somebody important's head. That might be a little too risky to get away from.

Teirm it is then Tobias replied, bouncing around with excitement. "I'm ready whenever you are," he said, looking around at them. His hand darted out in an attempt to catch the fly buzzing by the woman from earlier's face. He wasn't going to hurt it though, he was just playing with it. "By the way, my name is Toby," he said absentmindedly, eyeing the fly closely. It was too high for him to catch now.