OCC: This is mainly for me and DS4 but it is open to anyone else. Here is the back story for anyone who is interested.

Agatha, Fletcher the gryphon's former master, discovered from Iaras, the gryphon king that Fletcher was living in Danthuania on the other side of the ocean with Natagath, and elven dragon rider and his lightning dragon, Violeta. Angry that Fletcher and his mate had ruined her business venture with Iaras, Agatha reported Natagath and Violeta's location to Galbatorix. She knows they are wanted fugitives and wants to get them out of the way so she can finish off Fletcher once and for all.


IC:
It had been about a month since Fletcher and Sevena returned from Alagaesia with Mirriana and brought their young ones into the world. Natagath and Violeta had spent the time entertaining the young gryphons with tales of the Dragon Riders and of days long past. Presently however, Natagath was riding astride his dragon over the valley that they called home. As usual, they had the duty of patrolling the valley and ensuring that the Vanquishers stayed out.

The elf scanned the terrain below but saw no sign of the violent cultists. In fact, there had been no sign of them since they ambushed Sevena several months back. Maybe the cretins were gone for good.

"Well I don't see anything. Let's head back, Vi." the blond haired elf said, rubbing the back of Violeta's neck. The lightning dragon gave a satisfied growl and began to fly back toward the monastery that stood on the cliff face overlooking the valley.


Violeta spread her wings out and glided along the updrafts rising from the cliffs below.

Some day when the war is over, this would be the ideal place to start a new order of Dragon Riders. the dragoness mused as she soared along.

"Perhaps. We'd have to add on to the monastery though. The current dragon keep would not be sufficient to support a large number of dragons."

It would be a daunting task but it could be done.

OOC:
This shall be interesting.

IC:
Keia growled to herself as she flew over the foreign land. What a pathetic mission; going after some fugitives of the Empire. If Galbatorix asked her to go on one more kill mission...Ugh. She snorted, sending trails of smoke on either side of her. Natagath. She almost felt sorry for him. Almost. But he was a traitor, and she hated traitors. Violeta. Now there was a dragoness that might pose a challenge to kill. She grinned sadistically. She loved challenges. She shook her head and sighed. It would take at least another day to actually find...She squinted and looked ahead. Galbatorix had said that if she headed straight north into the mountains, she would get there fastest. Perhaps she was close now, because she saw something ahead. She smiled again, her eyes lighting up with eagerness. What do we have here? she murmured to herself. She increased her wingbeats but stayed carefully hidden. She banked into a cloud cover, beating her wings to gain height. Soon she was above the small, violet colored spec she saw in the sky. She grinned. She knew she was always a good tracker. Perhaps this would show that snip of a dragon, Lean, that she could handle herself. Now the decision part of her job; should she attack now, when they were vulnerable, or let them sweat for a few days, letting them know she was nearby and could strike whenever she pleased? Her grin widened. The second option. But how to go about it. Should she sneak up behind Violeta and Natagath and startle them with how stealthy she was, or simply speak to them while she was still hidden. She chuckled darkly to herself. It would spook them more if she simply spoke. She reached her mind down to theirs and brushed against them. You hide very well. But I have found you. she purred softly, and in her voice it was obvious she was smiling with pleasure.

Violeta roared with pain as a piece of flesh was torn from her shoulder. She was knocked on her side. Blood began to run from the wound on her shoulder and Violeta snarled at her opponent.

Natagath once again forced her from his mind, drawing upon the energy stored in the amethyst on the pommel of his sword. He unsheathed Eldrvarya Kveykva and began to charge at Keia. In a stunning display of elven agility, he leaped clear over her tail as she tried to whack him with it, skidding to a halt on the other side.

With Keia's attention now focused on Natagath, Violeta took advantage of the distraction. She quickly licked her front talons, coating them with venom. Then, stuggling uneasily to her feet, she crouched and sprang toward Keia using her wings to guide her toward her target. The lightning dragon latched on with her rear talons and dug her venom coated front talons into Keia's side, leaving deep gashes and causing the flesh around the wounds to begin to dissolve. Violeta quickly released her and hobbled away, limping on her injured leg and rejoining Natagath. She knew what was Keia was trying to pull. Her trainer had warned her against allowing enemies to separate her from her rider.


Natagath strengthened the mental barriers around himself and Violeta in case Keia tried to break in again. "Just out of curiosity, how did you find us here?" he demanded, assuming a defensive stance.

OCC: How is Galbatorix controlling her exactly?

Natagath could do nothing. Even if Mirriana were here, they still would not be powerful enough to force Galbatorix from Keia's mind. But there was no way in Hell he was going to give in to his demands and take part in more genocide! The elf thought of the mind blocking charm back at the monastery. How could he have been such a fool to leave it there? If he could somehow put it on Keia then Galbatorix would not be able to communicate with her unless he was physically standing there with her. On the other hand, if he had her Heart of Hearts, the charm would be useless.

Natagath pondered simply killing her. Both he and Violeta would be safe and they would have plenty of time to go into hiding again, but once again, if Galbatorix had Keia's eldunari then she'd be completely at his mercy.

There seemed to be no way out. However, before Natagath could act, Violeta suddenly pick him up and launched herself into the sky, flying toward the mountains.

"Vi, what are you doing?" he shouted.

He will have to ease his control over her in order for her to pursue us! Maybe we can do something then! In the mean time, I want to lead them away from out friends!

Violeta knew they couldn't risk telling Fletcher or anyone else where they were going. If the gryphons knew, that would make them a target as well. Violeta passed over the peaks and quickly dived into a canyon, using her small size and the terrain to her advantage.

Natagath climbed into the saddle and sheathed his sword. Then he placed his hand over the wound on her shoulder and quickly healed it, leaving a scar and a bald patch where the wound had once been.

OOC:
He used to have her Heart, but I believe that this thread is after her Heart was taken from the Capitol by a friend, Xelin (Rathon's character). Xelin took it and hid it with roughly 18 other Hearts that he had stolen. Now all Galbatorix has to control her is her True Name, which I think is just as binding as her Heart. (she doesn't know that if she changes a part of her personality so does her True name)

IC:
Keia looked up when she heard wingbeats. She held back for as long as possible, to let them get a head start; she was a very fast flyer when she put her mind to it. Galbatorix stabbed at her savagely and growled. Follow them! Keia finally gave in, shifting to her draconic form and spreading her wings. She took off from the ground like a arrow released from a bow. She climbed the distance to the mountain peaks in ten seconds and dove. She roared a challenge to Violeta, following the purple dragoness with relative ease from above. She reached her mind into one of the more powerful Hearts that she had with her. She felt its strength coursing through her and increased her flapping, her wings a near blur from the speed that they beat. She felt Galbatorix retreat a bit from her mind, though she knew he was still watching what she saw through her eyes. She had no choice but to keep hunting Natagath and Violeta. She rammed an icy dagger into Natagath's mind, using the energy of the Heart she was connected to to strengthen her attack against him. Her voice was her own when she spoke. There is no hope. No matter where you run to or where you try to hide, I will end up finding you. There are only two ways that this can end, and you know it. she said, but instead of cold and acidic, her tone was quiet and regretful. Either she would end up killing them, or they would end up killing her.

Keia had found two other deer and gorged herself on them, but she still felt ravenous. She forced herself to slow down and returned to the cave for more rest. She shifted constantly for five minutes, trying to find a position that was comfortable to her broken wing. Finally she found a place that nothing hurt. She fell asleep quickly.

OOC:
Shortness, not much I can do honestly. >.<

OOC:
Pass. >.< She's still in a recuperating sleep in the cave. Her presence is detectable, though, if Natagath looks for it.

Natagath smirked. "Nice try, but I'm fluent in the Ancient Language. I do not want this spell being used against anybody. The potential for misuse is simply too great."

OCC: Short.

Keia snorted quietly, and then listened as he invoked the spell.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jakin made a snorting like sound. I understand. he rumbled. He thought for a minute of a Name that best described him, different from his current Name. He made the snorting sound again and gently nudged against Natagath's mind. I have a Name now. Do I have to tell it to you or do I just think it to myself? he rumbled in question.

I'd recommend keeping it to yourself. The fewer people who know your true name, the better. Natagath answered.


OCC: Sorry for the short post. My internet connection keeps booting me off every five seconds!

Jakin would have nodded ascent, but since he had no physical head, he made do with another snorting sound. He thought his new Name to himself fiercely, focusing all of his thoughts and energy on it. Abruptly a shudder went through the Heart and a gentle glow emitted from it, as well as a soft humming sound. It abated after a moment. Jakin sounded a bit stunned when he spoke. It..it is done, I think. he rumbled, casting his thoughts out so Keia could hear him too. He knew that no matter what front she put up, she was nervous about this.

- - - - - - - - - -

And indeed she was. Although Jakin's touch assured her that it would be fine, the very thought of having her True Name completely erased was a terrifying one, and she hadn't the slightest idea of what she wanted her new Name to be. Something to describe her? 'Silent Snake of Death', 'Hljödhr Orúm abr Dauth', would be the most obvious. She snorted quietly,"I honestly have no idea what my Name should be. Perhaps 'Hljödhr Orúm abr Dauth'? I'm not creative." then she raised an eyebrow,"Does it have to be myself that chooses my Name, or can a third party?" she asked curiously. If Natagath wanted payment for his help, then having optional complete control of Keia was a good one, and a price she was somewhat willing to pay.

OCC: I don't know much of the Ancient Language. Any ideas?

OOC:
This is where I usually go for Ancient Language translations. http://inheritance.wikia.com/wiki/Ancient_Language I just can't honestly think of anything for Keia's name.

"Hmm, what about Hljödhr Dautr abr Dauth un Fyrn?" (silent daughter of death and war) Natagath suggested. He thought it described her pretty well and it was a fitting, if not somewhat morbid, name.

OCC: Sorry for another short post. There wasn't much to say. PS: You wouldn't happen to know what the word for "wing" is do you? I just had to make something up.

Keia tilted her head, mulling the Name over in her mind. She liked it, though it was a morbid Name. Hljödhr Dautr abr Dauth un Fyrn....Yes, she liked it a lot. Perhaps switch 'Dauth un Fyrn' around so it was 'Fyrn un Dauth', making it Hljödhr Dautr abr Fyrn un Dauth, Silent Daughter of War and Death. No, she preferred Hljödhr Dautr abr Dauth un Fyrn, Silent Daughter of Death and War. She smiled slightly at Natagath and nodded,"Yes. I have it set now. Cast the spell, please." she said. Her skin paled a bit from apprehension and her fists tightened.

OOC:
There is not an exact translation for 'wing'. The closest you can get is 'blaka', or 'flapper'. Skulblaka, a name for a dragon, is literally 'scale-flapper', and the same for Fethrblaka (feather-flapper), and Lethrblaka (leather-flapper -or bat- ).

Keia's expression relaxed with relief,"Thank you." she murmured again, then turned and limped back into the cave. She shifted to her draconic form, wincing as the muscles and broken bones in her left wing complained. She laid down as comfortably as she could, then fell Asleep. She would wake in exactly forty-eight hours.

OOC:
My mind is drawing a blank from there.

Natagath nodded. "Thank you. And good luck!"

With that, Natagath climbed onto Violeta's back. "Alright Vi, take us home."
The violet lightning dragon launched herself into he air. It took them about an hour to reach the monastery. The moment Violeta landed, they were confronted by Fletcher.

"Natagath! Violeta! You're alive! Mir told us someone from the Empire was here!" the gryphon exclaimed.

"It's alright, Fletcher. She is no longer a threat to us." Natagath answered.


Violeta padded over to her usual spot and laid down, curling up to rest. It had been a short but exhausting adventure. She was glad to be home but it worried her to know that Galbatorix knew exactly where they were. She knew they would not be truly safe from him until he was dead.

Sevena looked up as Violeta entered the dragon keep. The female gryphon smiled warmly at the lightning dragoness but didn't speak, though relief was visible in her green-flecked-with-gold eyes. She looked down to the two sleeping youngling gryphons that were curled up against her side, one obsidian black and the other white-brown, to make sure they hadn't stirred yet. Both were still asleep.

- - - - - - - - - -

Keia rumbled her gratitude to Natagath, then looked ahead. She increased her pace until the scenery below her was merely a streaky blur. She didn't stop to rest, even once she had reached the coast. With her ability of speed in flight she actually made it to the coast in five hours. It was late evening now when she started crossing the ocean. It was monotonous and almost made her fall asleep several times, but she managed to reach the Alagaësian coastline in just under twelve hours. She landed and curled up, instantly falling asleep. After a few hours of rest she roused herself and continued on. Uru'baen came quickly, though she didn't know how long it took. She hid the charm around her neck from sight, then folded her wings and dropped into the throne room. She landed with a clack of talons and instantly bowed her head to the king on his throne. My lord, I bring you Natagath's crossbow. I would have brought his sword, My King, but alas it was lost in the mountains during our battle. Natagath and Violeta are dead. she announced, holding the crossbow up reverently.

OOC:
You can do the king if you want.

After getting cleaned up, Nagagath returned to his quarters with the eldunari Keia had given him. There was much work to be done. First he needed to place defensive wards around the monastery to keep any more of Galbatorix's minions out. Then he needed to fashion a new crossbow.

Galbatorix grabbed the crossbow, examining it carefully. "A pity. They could have been very useful to me. I never had a lightning dragon in my services before. Nevertheless that is one more loose end tied up."

Keia snorted quietly in agreement. True, Sire. she murmured. She felt a yawn coming and fought to keep it back, but failed miserably. I beg your pardon, Sire. I've flown a long ways with little rest. By your leave, might I go recuperate, Sire? she asked, yawning again before she could stop herself.

OOC:
Short...
Probably should end it soon anyway, though. Maybe.

Galbatorix's expression did not change. Instead, he simply said, "You have done well, Keia. I bid you good evening."

Natagath finished placing wards around the monastery and decided to call it a night. They would all have to be constantly alert now though.

Keia said that Agatha told Galbatorix where we were. Violeta said to Fletcher and Sevena.

"Iaras must have told her about you." Fletcher replied with a growl. "We'll have to keep an eye out for anything suspicious then."

Violeta nodded in agreement and laid her head down. Just when it seemed that life taking a turn for the better, disaster had struck. It became clear that there would be no peace anywhere until Galbatorix was finally dealt with.


OCC: My final post.

Keia dipped her head to the king. I thank you, Sire. she purred, then turned and left the throne room. She yawned again on the way to the Dragon Stable. Her eyes were half closed when she entered the Stable and found her stall. She curled up into a tight ball and let sleep take her. She had a slight smile on her face. She was free. She would tell Lean tomorrow. For now, she would rest.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sevena hissed angrily, curling tighter around her children, as if to protect them. I will not let Agatha interfere with our lives again, nor threaten my children. she vowed quietly, her eyes fierce. She laid her head down, wondering why it seemed that her family could have no peace from the terrors of their past. But for the moment things were fine. She would see to it that it stayed that way.

OOC:
Very good. This thread has been moved.