OCC: Preferably a char with the empire would be welcome.

Two figures dashed across a grassy field into a woodline. A man almost as large as a bear and draped in torn dirty rags dropped to the ground and leaned his back against the trunk of a tree breathing heavily. "No, no... more. I need to rest" Atakai told Rothgar. Another prisoner he escaped with from the Varden prison camp of Osirus. The other man weak from malnutrition sat down next to Atakai also breathing heavily. "Ok pup" The man replyed. "But only for a minute. We cant stay still or rest until we reach a empire patrol. Were still in rebel country"

These two were the lucky ones. The mass break out and rioting left more dead then alive. The survivors scattering to the four winds. Rothgars reason for fleeing with Atakai was no secret. He already told the large man his intent to put in orders for Atakais transpher from the army regulars to the dragon slayer order. Atakais feat at the battle of Elru was no secret at the prison. In fact it got him beatings on a daily basis. Atakai had slain a Varden dragon. Some slayers trained there entire lives and never got such a honor. Yet here was a common soldier with a claim. Rothgar saw potential.

Atakai's breathing had returned to some normalcy and the burning in his chest no longer raged like a wild fire. Rothgar patted him on the chest. "Cmon lad. On your feet" Atakai did not respond right away until Rothgar forced him up with encouraging words. "We stay here we die. On your feet soldier"

The two ran some more until they stopped across dozens of burned human corpses that could not be recognized. Though they were probably escaped prisoners like them. Rothgar saw them first and held up a hand across Atakais chest to keep him from moving forward. The older man scanned the sky. "Dragons, ok lad this is the plan. We dont leave the cover of these woods and go in the open like those poor souls. We follow the woodline until we can cross open ground. When we do, move with a perpose" The man lowered his arm and motioned for Atakai to follow. "Dont let the dragon fear take hold of your heart boy. Focus on the task at hand"

Atakai was to tired to even respond. All he could think of was rest. All this running was taking its tall on him.

Atakai listened as he opened and closed his formerly broken hand in wonderment after noticing it was also healed. Speaking without looking up Atakai said. "Your humility honors me sir. I shall address you as a equal then. At least until we reach the capital and in the company of others. Such behavior is socially unacceptable. Status and holding you must understand. Is important among my people"

The large man walked up to Salzarar and gave what he thought a normal pat on the shoulder. But the mans strength, like his size, was unusual for a human. "No need kind sir. The grace of your magic has filled me with life and perpose. Where energy fails, the constitution of my spirit will prevail.

The man was not pleased with the cutting of the dragons throat surprisingly enough. The furrowing of his eyebrows indicated as much. But his voice remained the same when he spoke. "Was that really nessesary master dragon slayer? The opponent was defeated and unlikely to battle again for some time. The rules of war set down by the kings of old state" The man cut himself off from there only adding sadly. "Right, such honor does not exist anymore save in fairytales." The man took and knee before the dead dragon in a moment of rarely seen respect and spoke.

Creator, when the soul of this departed reaches the gate of paradise I would ask you kindly, to let him in.

The dragon slayers methods were not his way. But it was not his place to the none human otherwise. Standing back up the large man cleared his throat. "Right then. Lead on master slayer. I have your back. Though a weapon would bring my heart more comfort"OCC: I have only read the first book a long time ago and have no idea how the kings personality would be. Could you take control so I can take notes and get a idea for future reference when the need arise I should take the kings point of view.

OOC: Please excuse any typos, I'm on my iPod.

IC: Salzarar considered Atakai's words for a moment, "Nothing can be defined in concept by simply white and black, Atakai. There are many things about the king that I don't particularly like, but I still work with him because he isn't generally a bad guy. Even the rebels have their good points. If someone tells you that someone is good or evil, don't listen to them. Humanity's status isn't supposed to be judged by someone." Salzarar sounded like a hypocrite with his extreme dislike towards dragons, but his relationship with them was far too complex to be compared with his previous explanation to Atakai.

Salzarar accompanied Atakai to Galbatorix's throne room and kneeled down on one knee in a bow. "My king, I am recovered Atakai Crowe at your request," Salzarar said.

Galbatorix sat on his throne, an impassive look on his face as he examined Salzarar and Atakai. "You ran into trouble." It wasn't a question.

"Yes, my king. A dragon intercepted Atakai on his way here, but we dealt with it," Salzarar replied quickly.

Galbatorix nodded, his hand resting under his chin as he pondered the situation. "Explain your past journeys to me, Atakai Crowe, starting with your imprisonment and ending with when you met Salzarar," Galbatorix said quietly.

Galbatorix listened to Atakai's story attentatively, surprised by all of the events an insignificant human could go through and still live. Well, he wouldn't be a simple human for long as far as he was concerned. Nodding his head slightly, Galbatorix said, "Yes, that is what I expected of those rebels. As for Rothgar, he will be sorely missed. He was a great Dragon Slayer indeed, one of the finest of the Order. I understand your sorrow for his loss, but do not dwell on it for long. Don't think about what you could have done to make a difference," Galbatorix said, his voice cracking at an indirect mention of his previous dragon. "Regret will only...make you weak, and cloud your better sense of judgment," the king said tentatively.

"Well, your arrival here isn't just for show, as I am sure you know. While you were getting ready, Salzarar explained your exploits and skills to me, and I think that you are ready to join the Order. Not yet, of course. We will have a feast at your return, and then you will start as an initiate in the Academy. Also, weapons and armor will be smithed for you in the meantime. You are to rest here for a few days and then depart for the Order," Galbatorix ordered sternly, but not unkindly.

Salzarar watched the entire conversation with interest, especially Galbatorix's words. In all of the Skeletoid's time working for the King, he had never once seen him think back on his dragon, Jarnunvosk. He hoped that Atakai wouldn't push the subject. He was sure that Galbatorix would be particularly defensive around this area.