OOC: Hey people this is my first time back in a very long time, but I'm back and hopefully for good this time, anyone can join so please do

IC Tuorin pushed his hair back from off his face as he bent to examine the Dwarf's wares. He noticed the brooch, crafted in silver and sapphires, it was shaped like a finch with sapphire wings and eyes while its body was a delicately etched silver piece. The brooch reminded him of a time without worry, of a time when he was left to love. Over two hundred years have past and I still miss you my love. "How much for this piece?" He entreated. The dwarf grunted and fetched a companion. A slightly taller and leaner dwarf came from behind the stall. "Derûndânn Elf, how can I be of services to you?" asked the new dwarf, clearly younger than the smith. "I was just wondering as to the price of this finch brooch?" responded Tuorin. "To catch the eye of a elf is an honour. For you 15 gold pieces and the pretty little trinket is yours." Tuorin decide to pay instead of haggling all day. Once the purchase was complete he made his towards Beartooth River Sioc I'm making my way back to camp, how fares the hunt?

Sioc licked his foreclaw clean of the grime from his latest kill. The hairy-four-hoofed-goat had been quick, but he was faster. Sioc paused for a moment as a feeling of anguish swept over his partner-of-mind but Sioc knew this was no physical pain Little one why do you seek to remember the grief He thought to himself. Lifting his great wings Sioc took off from the cloud-breaking Beor mountains and circled over the river. When Tuorin called out to him Sioc began the slow descent over the sloped-cool-aired-ground, tilting his wings Sioc caught a downdraft from the mountain and rushed to their camp The hunt was easy, the meal was messy, I still have fur in my back teeth. I will see you at camp and be safe

Tuorin smiled to himself as he left the market. And then a mental spear lacerated through his defences, his head felt as if it would spilt open, he tasted blood and his vision blurred. In the distance he heard a roar like rolling tunder, and then Sioc was there. Helping him push back the attacker

Sioc had lost control. Panic had engulfed him. One moment little-one-Tuorin was taking to him, the next there was only pain and then nothing. He could no longer feel him. TUORIN! BROTHER! ANSWER!. He bellowed at the skies. Rage consuming him. He released his wings and paused to take flight. The dwarven street will run blood but just before he launched into the air he felt a tendril of Tuorin's thoughts touch his mind. The pain was fading, but he was alive. Sioc pushed his concious into Tuorin's and helped defend his Rider. Tuorin's mind was a blizzard of emotions and memories. Sioc quickly shelled his partner, giving him room to breath

Thank you

Sioc sighed. His thoughts are weak but he is alive. Sioc then assaulted the attackers with his own mind. Smashing through their barriers he quickly located 3 minds. Causing two to kill each other Sioc caused the last to break his own legs. Then he read their location from his mind. Returning to himself Sioc noticed that something was amiss. He was in the shade. Only seconds had passed it was not right. Turning about Sioc noticed a Dragon of huge proportions. Bigger than even elder Colrath who had taught him to fight. Every time Sioc knew this dragon would have the advantage of power, but if it came to a fight hopefully Sioc would be the lithe of the two. Tensing Sioc judged the elder ones movements. He was not ready for a fight, nor did he look frighten or cautious. Slowly he decided this massive Dragon was no threat. Yet. Who are you elder one And do you mean to hinder me?

Tuorin finally started to gain his sense back. First was the smell of the dusty ground underneath him. Next was the sound of the huddled crowd nearby. Tuorin slowly tried to rise, that was when he noticed the thud, thud, thud. My wards! He was being attacked. Tuorin's battle reflexes kicked in. Before his surroundings where in focus Tuorin swept his right foot in a wide circle on the ground, leapt into the air and drew a dagger from his belt. Landing close to the attacker Tuorin stuck the blade into the ground where the attackers throat should have been. Clang! The sound of metal on rock. Tuorin's eyes refocused. A group of dwarves surrounded him. A look of shock on their face. And under him was a small dwarven child. A wicked knife in his hand. Realisation dawned upon Tuorin, he'd missed his attacker's throat because it was a small child. Standing up straight and lifting the child by the scruff of the neck Tuorin began quizzing him "I HAD TO! I HAD TO!" the child began screaming. "What do you mean had to? Asked Tuorin. Setting the child down but keeping his hand on the child's shoulder. The market guards were standing nearby getting accounts of the events from the nearby crowd. "I had to" whispered the young boy as he began to weep. With the guards so close casting any spells aloud would be dangerous So he began to mutter in the ancient language. Spells he had devised to test if one was acting of their own free will or not. This child had not. Handing the kid over to the guard Tuorin said "It was a simple cut purse attempt. It seems he was trying to impress some older kids or something. No harm just make sure he gets home safe" "Of course and again we apologise Master Elf." "Think nothing of it, even I was young once" with that Tuorin began to walk away. Sioc?

We've company and you have something to collect Sioc showed him a window out-looking onto the top of a purple and red stall selling jewellery and such. The very stall Tuorin had bought his trinket

Tuorin made his way to the stall. It was getting close to dusk and the assistant was packing up the wares. Tuorin waited until he was gone and scaled the building through the window. By the door was his package, straining to undo the bolt lock. Tuorin knocked the black garbed dwarf out and threw him over his shoulder. Undoing the lock and strolling out the back way he made for camp I'll be there in less than an hour

OOC:
Mind if I pop in with Jia? Sarai might come in too (depending).

IC:
Jia beat her wings rapidly to slow her flight, alerted by the roar of a dragon. It was a male...and it sounded angry. She didn't hear an answering roar, so it wasn't a fight...She turned and listened to the dying echo, then twisted in midair and flew in the direction she believed the dragon to be. With her small body and slightly over-sized wings, she managed to find the source within fifteen minutes. What she saw however was odd. Two male dragons. She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. One of them had a saddle on its back. She snorted. That was probably the one she had heard. She flapped powerfully and rose into the air, watching them. After a few minutes both dragons took flight and began to fly together in one direction.

Curious, she tilted her wings and followed. Sarai might be fast but she would take a while to catch up, so she had time. Jia blinked when she saw the smaller male land in the trees, then thought that he was probably joining his Rider. The two crescent shaped scars on the left side of her neck twinged, and she scratched at them idly, pondering if she should investigate further or find her daughter. Curiosity got the better of her and she tilted her wings to glide down to the ground.

I feel like a hatchling again. she thought to herself in awe as she gazed upon the gigantic brown male through the trees. She wasn't even that close yet and she could already see him easily. She snorted and padded forward, her scales bristling. The light leather saddlepad on her back rubbed at her hide a bit. She rolled her shoulders to make it shift so it wouldn't thin the scales on her back.

She paused nearby when she knew all three could see her; she wasn't that hard to spot anyways with her gold-outlined-with-amethyst scales. She opened her mind to contact and brushed the two dragons and the twoleg lightly. Eka ach néiat malabra ono haina (I do not mean you harm). she said quietly. She moved forward so that her head and neck were fully in view. I heard you roar and came to make sure everything was alright. she said, speaking to the smaller white dragon with ice-blue markings.

OOC:The more the merrier. So me, Saphirarox up next then you again Dragon that okay?

Tuorin stared in awe at the new arrival. Another Dragon! Well this is getting interesting He said to Sioc.Extending his mind to the newcomer he greeted her but as he started to do so the dwarf began to move. Em excuses me a moment, I will allow Sioc to introduce ourselves, I've to just deal with this little blight Tuorin then lifted the dwarf up into a sitting position against a tree and offered him water.

Sioc gazed in wonder at the new dragon, it has been a long time since he had spent any length of time with more of his kind than young Umbra Maybe we should call our little apprentices here Tuorin? I would like for little Umbra to meet this Rok. He would not think me so old then. Mhmmm Maybe it would do them good, we'll see Sioc smiled, he had a great fondness for the Dragon and Rider he and Tuorin were currently training. Greetings Bjartskular, I am Sioc and this curious little two-legs is Tuorin my bonded Rider. It was me you heard, I was fooled into thinking my Rider had passed, a strange event indeed if you know of the bond between a Rider and Dragon. An event that this stone-lover will shortly help to tell us a little of the riddle. Sioc drank a small bit of water from Tuorin's trench Ugh you're summoned water always has a tang of metal. Could you not just pull it up from the ground Sioc turned to face Tuorin but he was distracted composing spells of truth and vision with the dwarf Nevermind though Sioc

Tuorin began asking the dwarf questions but the stubborn fool was so shocked at the sight of the three dragons he just stared mouth gaping from one to the next and back to the first. "Right so, time to do this the old fashion way" Tuorin announced, he never like talking with his mind to dragons he didn't know too well. He felt like he could trust Rok as a once bonded Dragon, but this new companion was a wild born of that he was sure, Damn you Sid, I can never trust another because of you and Emerald. With that bitter taste in his mouth Tuorin began to break through the dwarves mind. After a few moments with no progress he turned to Sioc Sioc is it just me or is this dwarf particularly good at defending himself? The dwarf was in pain, dazed and groggy, surely he should amount such a defense Check him for a protection amulet or suchTuorin quickly patted down the captive and found an unusual bracelet made of a strange dark green metal with a single orange gem set in it.This time he found no resistance from the dwarf. Sioc look at this. No reply. Sioc Again nothing "Oi have you cotton in your brain!" Tuorin yelled

Sioc turned quickly, surprised by Tuorin's outburst What is.... Tuorin was blocking him. Sioc's eyes narrowed in on the bracelet in Tuorin's hand. He quickly jabbed out a claw and knocked it from his hand. Instantly Tuorin was there again.

What was that? Then it clicked, the bracelet had been blocking him. "OH... Sorry". Gingerly picking the bracelet up in a piece of cloth Tuorin entered the man's mind as stealthy as he could. "Who gave you this?" he had no expected an answer but the man thought of a face. Blood red hair. Dark crimson eyes with slits for pupils. A wicked smile and a scar across the lip. "NO! NO! IT CAN'T BE. NO!"

Sioc once again pulled his eyes from the lithe female to focus on Tuorin. Just then Tuorin began to scream Little one?! Little one what is wrong Sioc wrapped his tail around his rider as Tuorin turned ashen in colour and his eyes were as wide as shields, the little elf and began to mumble and mutter to himself. Sioc roared, trying to grab his attention. When he glanced at the dwarf's mind he seen a bright yet sinister face Little one what is wrong? Who is this?

Tuorin looked at each of these ancient and beautiful creatures in turn. Even these could not protect him from the wolves tearing at his mind "It's him.... Sioc it's my lover's killer. It's the Shade who I chased across the lands. It is he who took Morwe from me! It's Verkir!"

Realisation slapped Sioc in the face like a tsunami. He roared in frustration and then wrapped his body and mind around Tuorin, trying to calm the elf as he looked at the other dragons, daring them to question his Rider's behaviour.

Jia tilted her head at Rok as he looked to the ground, curious, but didn't question what he was doing. When she heard his rumbling mental voice she smiled a bit and dipped her head to him, her teal-green eyes twinkling. At his questioning tone she grinned and let him figure it out. My little Sarai could be right under your nose and I doubt you would notice. she said with a joking snort. She winked at Rok. Hardly foolish, Rok-elda. In today's age, things are much different. she admitted, a little sadly. She glanced up when she heard the thuds of Sarai's running approach, then looked at both dragons anxiously. The only reason Sarai was even conceived is because I was captured and brought to Uru'baen. she murmured to Rok, Sioc, and Tuorin. A few moments went by, then the breathing of a dragon rasped in hearing and then came loping into sight. If the black-gold was any other creature, she probably would have been sweating bullets. Sarai skidded to a halt beside Jia and then stood with her head low, tail limp, and wings sagging, panting slowly for breath with her jaws parted. The gold-amethyst snorted at her daughter. Didn't I tell you not to run yourself ragged young lady? she scolded lightly. Sarai gave her a reproachful look, still panting. Once I felt the minds of two dragons and a Rider? Hardly. Like I would miss the chance to meet another Rider, another dragon outside of my family, and yet another dragon that could easily be larger than my father. she snorted and drew herself upright, having caught her breath.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sarai grinned at the three before her, her scales prickling with curiosity. She dipped her head slightly to each, her lavender-flecked-with-grey eyes bright with delight. I am Sarai Súndavfodhr (Shadowmarked), by the way, daughter of Jia Kuldrskular (Goldscales) and Shruikan Súndavblaka (Shadowwing). Pleased to meet the both of you. out of habit she added, Eka weohnata néiat haina ono un ach néiat lyst ono vandr (I will not harm you and do not wish you ill). She shook her wings and blinked as she waited for a returned response.

Jia nodded to Rok in agreement but did not speak. When she saw the expression on Rok and Tuorin's faces, she was tensed and ready to grab her daughter and flee should they attack. But they did not. She relaxed a tiny bit as Sarai cheerfully greeted them, and Rok returned the greeting in kind, as did Sioc and Tuorin. She snorted softly and sat back on her haunches, still tensed to spring and defend if she had to. She raised at eyebrow at the growl she heard from didn't comment, though a slight smirk pulled at the corners of her muzzle. She watched with interest as Tuorin summoned a small spiral of water and fire in his hand.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sarai prummed as Tuorin spoke to her first. She tilted her head at his choice in words, pondering them for a moment to see if he was being sarcastic (because of her father), or serious. She decided he was serious, and so smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling. I thank you for that. she didn't think she had to add that not many people had called her parentage 'curious', most of them had simply called it a curse. Sarai gazed up at Rox steadily, her eyes somber. Though she could not see physically, and some called her blind for it, she could see things most others could not. She crooned gently in her throat and dipped her head to the giant brown. A great pleasure to meet one as wise as yourself, and I thank you. she said, raising her head. She perked up at the sound of the growl, but then shrugged. She followed Tuorin's movement over to Rok, sympathizing with him as she read his body language. She skittered away and hissed softly when she felt something stir in the palm of his hand, but of course she could not see it. She snorted reproachfully. Warn me next time you do something like that...I can't see it. I was hatched blind but still with the power to know where I am, but I can't see magic or the elements. she said, eying his hand a little warily.

Sioc tilted his wings slightly to encumber the winds rising of off the mountains slant. He drifted for a moment and then quickly rose towards the clouds as he spotted movement. Flying in a spiral as a hawk would high among the clouds Sioc watched as a caravan of Dwarves, Humans and Urgals moved into an old abandoned watch-point of the elves. Urgals and Humans? This is not right they shouldn't be this deep into the mountains. Even with a Dwarf escort. Finding a downward draft Sioc landed on the closest mountain edge he could find and focused in on the old ring of rock and iron. As he watched he noticed the group working quickly to repair the gates and then he realised their was no markings No war paint on the Urgals and the Dwarves are wearing clothing without their insignia! Surely this is a force of rebels? And there, at the top of the watch tower was the Shade. Sioc's blood began to boil, his claws extended to full length and a roar began to swell in his chest Hurt my little one, you shall be skinned alive two legs, and then I will claw your evil heart from your chest Sioc clawed around to the other side of the mountain before he took off going towards the lake

I apologise Sarai, I did not mean to startle you Tuorin stopped the spiral and quenched the flame. A blade I will have on hand this time and I shall cut his heart out with my hands if the sword fails me. Tuorin's anger was reaching a dangerous point as his body temperature began to raise. Sitting and closing his eyes he started taking deep breaths. Still have anger issues I see. Really cousin, after all this time you need to smile more. You'll get worry lines Tuorin froze FENOR! How long it has been. You must be close indeed, unless you've been practising? Are you going to be here soon? I am currently scaling the very mountain Sioc pointed out, I should reach the cave before sunset, Unless of course you'd rather give me and Rima a lift? When Sioc returns we will set out immediately Tuorin stood up and began preparing his stuff "My cousin just reached the mountain, when Sioc gets back we mean to set out and meet him there you can are more than welcome but Rok I doubt you will fit in the cave with all of us, luckily it has a clef outside that will fit us all". Tuorin then began to look towards the skies, Sioc was getting closer

Sioc felt his Rider's excitement as he tucked his wings in and began his descent Are you ready to move out? I'll share what I've seen once we are all gathered, I hate repeating myself

Sioc tensed his legs as the ground underneath shook from his landing. He gazed at his parter-in-all as Tuorin began to tighten the bags on his saddle. Tuorin, the Shade is here. Are you clear minded? or has anger caused a maelstrom within your conscience? He bent his foreleg forward as Tuorin climbed onto into the leather seat and fastened his legs into place.

I'll survive. You'll see to that. Tuorin patted Sioc's large neck and opened his mind even more to the Dragon. I am both clear and pained, anger drives me as much as the knowledge that as a Rider it falls upon me to rid the world of this abomination. Now come fly on before Rima gets anger at us for being late.

Sioc allowed himself to grin and bunched his muscle in eagerness of take off. He launched thirty foot into the air and unfurled his wings as the caught a timely up-draft. The others were ahead of him and he did not try to over take them. They knew the way from his mind. Little one, why did you never mention this villain before. I would have hunted him down for causing you such grief and harm.

Tuorin sighed into the wind. Because, I honestly believed he had perished in that fight the night before I found your egg. And it was never a memory I liked to revisit. Tuorin's mind flashed through those dreadful moments of battle with Verkir and for the first time shared them with his Dragon. He felt Sioc growling deep within his chest. Calm yourself. There will be time enough later. The cliff side was coming into sight now. And less then a third of the way up was an Elf waving towards the Dragons. Pick him up will you. He looks like a fool flailing his arms about like that. Tuorin smiled at his carefree cousin, they're visits were too few and too far apart for both of their likings. Sioc grabbed both Fenor and Rima in his front claws as he began to rise towards the cleft.

HEY HEY HEY! Watch it! Don't drop me.

Agreed!

Sioc released a jet of steam from his nostrils Oh ssssssh and do not squirm. He landed on his hind legs while Fenor and Rima jumped out of the danger zone. When they were clear he fell forward and covered them in steam. Tuorin was already out of his saddle and flinging himself towards the newcomers.

Ooofff! Fenor quickly embraced his cousin back "Watch it okay. I was just man handle, well Dragon-handle but you get my point." Fenor and Tuorin the grasped each others forearms. "It has been too long Tuorin Vor." Tuorin just nodded. Fenor then patted Sioc's nose and looked into his big icy white eyes. I hope you have been looking after him with that he placed his head to Sioc's. Fenor slowed turned about to greet the other Dragons. Tuorin you travel in modest company lately you know that Quit the sarcasm or one of them will be using you as a chew toy..... It is a great honour to be in your company Rok-Elda, Johdzsia Bjartskular and Sarai Fricai He bowed to each in turn as he said their names.

Rima opened her mind to the Dragons in turn and also greeted them Indeed it is a great pleasure to know that the Dragons are still a force to be reckoned with, I would have missed your race otherwise.

Sioc waited for the greetings to be finished and then stepped forward to recount what he had seen. He made it brief and finished quickly. So as you can see they have a place to run and hide if we attack. Of course the outpost would fall quickly to any of us but there is more than likely some underground rooms that it would take us precious moments to reach with tooth and claw. Sioc knew if it was a normal plot he would trust Tuorin, Fenor and Rima to deal with the cowards below ground while him and the dragons killed the foot soldiers. But the Shade threw everything off balance. And he had no idea how many men there was in total. I'd say about a group close to fifty fighters, at least 6 magicians and the Shade. A snack for the for likes Rok but a Shade is a wild card.

Sarai looked over at Rok in surprise when she felt his mind overlap hers, and therefore his vision. She blinked and gazed around in silent wonder at the scenery, the mountains, the trees. They were more than just shapes and detail, they were color and life and beauty. It took her breath away. She laid down on her mothers back and simply watched, content. She barely noticed when her mother landed, except she didn't feel the wind on her scales anymore. She hopped down to the ground, bending her knees to brace for the impact. She snorted softly at the arrival of the two, tilting her head as she studied them. She dipped her head to them in greeting. A pleaure, Fenor, Rima. she murmured. Jia rumbled deep in her chest in welcome. Sarai turned to Sioc as he spoke and listened with interest. She thought for a moment, her tail twitching in response when Rok spoke her name. She raised her head and then nodded, weaving her tial back and forth. Yes, I would be. she wasn't boasting or bragging, though some humans of the Varden might think so. She was simply agreeing with his statement that she could help. She looked over at Fenor and Rima, her lavender-flecked-grey eyes sparkling. I can sense anything physical near me as long it is touching the ground. even it if is holding completely still, I can still sense it. It's hard to explain, but it's natural for me. she sat, sitting back on her haunches. She raised a paw and licked her talons to clean them.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia snorted softly. I would suggest something, but I do not know the enemy as well. However, if we do have need of it, I have the ability to change into a human form, or any form, really. If we need it, it is accessible. she offered, nudging her daughter's shoulder and rumbling softly. She sighed and looked up. I don't like my daughter being included...But she is here, and has abilities we can use, so we should take advantage of that. she said slowly. Sarai glanced at her and smiled, her eyes warm. Jia huffed but smiled a little bit back.

OOC:
Sorry sorry sorry, real life has me so busy it's not even funny...