OOC: My first RPG! Anyone can join.

IC: Kicking a small stone a few feet away, Calem sighed. He looked around at the few dry shrubs and the mounds of bright sand, and then up into the scorching sun of the Hadarac Desert, already beginning to miss his cool, lush forest home. How could Deviandar even stand this heat? Anyone not careful would die out here.

Calem paused as memories of his older brother flooded his mind. He was the very reason he was out here, wandering in this wasteland. After undergoing a strange change and wreaking havoc, Deviandar, after accidentally and severely harming Calem, ran away. Calem was out here searching for Deviandar in part because he wanted to know what had become of his brother; if he was alive and well, living another life, or dead or captured as someone's prisoner. He only wanted to calm his grieving mother, who also wanted to know Deviandar's fate.

He placed a hand on his bare chest, tracing his fingers along the three deep grooves across his chest. I'll find you, brother. Even if you are dead and buried under a mountain, I will find you.

His attention was brought back up when he found a rocky outcropping, jutting out at a steep angle and providing shade away from the heat. Breathing a sigh of relief, he decided to set up camp. Drawing water out of the ground as his masters had taught him, he rehydrated himself, and looked out towards the massive dunes of yellow sand to the south, wiping off his sweat and making sure his magically placed human disguise was still there. If anything, his cloth headdress, dark hair and tan skin would make him look like a native of these lands. If someone was actually passing by. . .

OOC: Hope you don't mind if I join, Bris. I'm assuming by the conclusion to your post that you were expecting someone to walk by? xD

IC: Sweat was starting to form from the desert heat, and Malazan sighed in exasperation. This is a pain he thought to Asmodeus, who merely growled in return.

It's your own damn fault for coming into this place Asmodeus snarled.

Malazan couldn't feel Asmodeus's almost constant attempt to take over Malazan's body, which was probably because Asmodeus didn't want to be out in the sweltering heat that plagued the air. Malzan had cast a spell to cool himself, but the heat eventually began to finally sick in. Malazan had decided to travel to the Hadarac Desert when he heard about how hard it was to trek it, and he wanted to go 'sight-seeing.' Asmodeus had warned Malazan that it would only come back to bite him, but the oblivious Malazan hardly cared much for it. Malazan's head perked up as he sensed a consciousness. It wasn't familiar in the least, but anyone who traveled in this desert deserved a curious look at their undoubtedly high endurance. His search led him to a rocky outcropping where there was a camp set up.

Malazan waved at the person inhabiting the camp. "Hi there! Hot day isn't it?" he asked in an eager manner. The man looked to be a native to the Desert. A Nomad, perhaps? Still, Malazan felt that there was something 'off' about the human, or maybe it was Asmodeus who felt that? It was hard to tell over their link.

OOC: Sure, no problem.

IC: Calem jumped at the call coming from the distance, his hand falling immediately to his sword's hilt. He looked around and found a tall man standing about 30 or 40 feet away. . . It was hard to tell. One thing that immediately irked Calem was the man's clothes; black and mostly leather. How can he stand the heat in that outfit? Calem asked himself before gaining the courage to answer back. The man was otherwise very cheery in his demeanor from what he could see, so Calem lessened his guard a bit.

"Hello!" Calem replied with a smile. Raising a hand in greeting. "Indeed it is hot."

Calem scooted over and patted the sand next to him in an invitation. There was plenty room under the rock for two men, and Calem could tell that the man needed to rest. Maybe he could find out why such a person was wandering so far into the desert alone. . .

The long minutes passed as they trekked through the dunes. The sun beating down on them intensely. The spell he had cooling him off was slowly sapping his energy, making the climb up the high dune peaks even more tiring, not to mention the glare of the light sand and bright sky hurt his eyes. Yet he still moved on, greatly anticipating the cool rocky shade and possible shelter that awaited them in the Dragons' ancient mating ground. Even though he might not like what he finds there.

Soon, after an hour, Calem peaked a dune and motioned for Malazan to follow. In the distance rose a low, jagged arrangement of black rocks and spires, contrasting greatly with it's bright surroundings. Just in time too. Noon day and the even hotter afternoon was starting to creep up on them. "We're almost there." He said as he slid down the sandy dune. The journey was just as he predicted; a few more minutes, and they found themselves at the side of a gradual rise in the sand, which gave way to a low pit holed rock cliff that led into the sheltered hollow where the dragons used to sleep. With ease Calem climbed the steep rise because of the numerous foot and handholds. Though when he made it to the top, his anticipation for cool shade was stemmed by what he saw. . .

The first thing he saw within the hollow was the skeleton of a large dragon. It's white bones standing out against the rock. Also strewn throughout the entire place were other bones, scales, sand, scorch marks, and shattered eggs of numerous colors. It was a horrifying sight for him, an elf by heritage, which caused him to stiffen in the shock at what he saw. It only lasted a second, however, as he turned from the scene and offered Malazan a helping hand up onto the top of the cliff.

OOC: Look at Brisineo and Vedrian's char page to know more about the yellow dragon and the chartreuse egg.
Calem nodded with a frown. "Either he had passed by here, or the sight of the dead dragons was enough to cause him to continue onward, most likely south to the protected Beors. . . Yet something strange is going on. . . I feel like this place is still occupied."

Calem slowed his pace as he walked deeper into the valley. Stepping as smoothly and silently as he could without betraying himself as an elf, a single hand on his sword, he walked down past the broken egg fragments and the skeleton. Upon closer inspection, he could still see the remains of yellow scales strewn around the sandy corpse, along with the glittering fragments of a chartreuse egg in it's clutches. "Poor creature. . . It couldn't even save it's own eggs." He whispered as he passed it by.

Then suddenly a strange smell passed him by. Too feint for a human to smell, yet very obvious for an elf, such as him. Then, small noises coming from an outcropping close by. Making sure that Malazan was following, he stepped forwards. Not just two steps later did a low hiss permeate the air. Calem stepped back in surprise and drew his sword, twirling it into a fighting stance with speed and precision; the steel still ringing once it stood still.

You are intruding, twolegs. Came a low growling voice that touched his mind. The contact made him even more cautions. "And who, by chance, are we intruding on?" He asked back, as casually as he could while still maintaining his firm stance.

Sofranir peered out from behind her father's leg, curiously eying both twolegs. She took a step toward Calem, extending her graceful neck to sniff at his knee. She purred and lifted her head, which just barely reached his waist when she held it at full height, and nuzzled him in the stomach. She felt that tingling in the back of her mind, the one that she got when someone wasn't telling the full truth to her. Her vivid eyes, like two clear silver pools, gazed up at Calem. She nudged his mind gently and spoke to Calem privately, shielding her words from her father and from Malazan. You have not lived in isolation. she chirped at him, tilting her head curiously.

- - - - - - - - - -

Zeke smiled at Calem and Malazan. I thank the both of you for your words. he said, smiling at the twolegs. He glanced at his daughter as she went to Calem, curious as to what she was saying to him, since she was probably shielding her words from him and Malazan. He turned to the latter. Your scent is odd. You are human but...not. he said idly. He said no more than that, hoping that Malazan might explain more on his own than if pried for information.

OOC: Bris, I think Zeke was asking Malazan about the scent.

IC: The small pale hatchling stepped towards Calem and sniffed his knee. She appeared to be saying something to Calem at the time, but Malazan didn't feel the need to pry, especially when Sofranir had went to shield what she was saying. Malazan glanced towards Zeke at the dragon's observation. "I haven't been human for an extremely long time," Malazan whispered. "I doubt you have heard of it because it was mainly just in my homeland, but have you heard of a Fallen Angel?"

OOC:
'Tis alright. Were I hiding the fact that I was an elf and heard that statement, I would probably react that way too.

IC:
Zeke glanced at Calem, his pupils narrowing. He knew that Calem was an elf, he had smelled the elven scent on him when they first met, but now it was gone. He listened without interrupting as Calem spoke, then nodded. Yes, that would be it. he said slowly, his nostrils flaring. He looked at Malazan, tilting his head. Heard of them, yes, seen one, no. he said and then was silent to let Malazan explain.

- - - - - - - - - -

Anir purred in her throat as Calem pet her neck. She rubbed her head against his hand, half closing her eyes in delight and content at finding a new friend. She sniffed at the scale that he revealed, curious. The scent of it was mixed, of something that was both human and dragon. It stung her nostrils. She backed away a step and sneezed explosively. She pawed at her snout a few times, snuffling, then looked up. Her silver gaze found Malazan, and she eagerly bounded over to him as well. She slowed once she neared him and extended her neck to sniff at his leg, just as she had done with Calem. She lifted her head and nuzzled Malazan in the stomach, prumming gently.

OOC: Yeah, it was more for clarification than anything. I too was confused.

IC: The hatchling bound it's way towards Malazan with a lithe manner. Malazan hesitated as she nuzzled his chest. He had never really interacted with a dragon before. He tentatively stroked Sofranir's neck, regaining his calmness as he seemed to get more used to it. "Fallen Angels are, generally, evil beings that contain a lot of power. However, in my homeland, there are a lot of terrors that threaten the stabilization of society. Therefore, the town chief picked those pure of heart to suppress the Fallen Angels. It worked, and there hasn't been a single person chosen by the chief that has went insane due to the influence of the Fallen Angel." Malazan smirked, turning away. "The chief, however, died many millennia back. Right now, I have a Fallen Angel in my head," Malazan explained, one again placing a finger on his temple.

Anir's purr was gentle as Malazan stroked her neck. She pushed her head into his hand, her purr deepening. She listened to the twoleg as he spoke, her silver eyes wide with awe and innocent curiosity. How is there enough room for the two of you? she chirped eagerly. The pale-silver-blue dragoness twisted her head around to the crevice. She heard more scratching, like how her talons had, against the stone. Her pupils narrowed. Tel, I told you to stay at the nest. she cried in dismay as his lavender-lined-with-silver scaled head peered out. His icy-silver-pearl-white eyes glittered at her. And leave me with Quasar and Zeuk? No thanks. he muttered. He took a step forward to pull himself out of the crevice, but because he was blind he didn't see that he was stepping into open air. Anir nearly flew toward her brother as he was picking himself up from the ground, shaking his wings out. She crooned and nuzzled his shoulder anxiously. He shrugged her off irritably. I'm fine, Anir. he mumbled. She huffed worriedly but didn't push it. She laid her tail across his flank and led him forward to their father. Calem, Malazan, Malazan's Fallen Angel companion, this is my younger brother, Tel'aeír. Tel, this is Calem and Malazan. Malazan's Fallen Angel companion is inside his mind. she explained when he tilted his head curiously. He nodded and sniffed at the two twolegs.

OOC:
I love those two. They go everywhere with each other.

Zeke smiled down at his two middle children. I have four children. Quasar is my youngest daughter, Tel here my youngest son, Anir eldest daughter, and Zeuk oldest son. Quasar is still a bit wobbly from hatching and so I've told Zeuk to keep her around the nest area, which I know he will. He's a very protective brother. he said with a chuckle.

- - - - - - - - - -

Anir smiled at Calem and Malazan, though glanced at Tel from the corner of her eye. She contacted the twolegs privately, making sure that neither her brother nor her father could hear her words. Tel was hatched blind. I'm only telling you so you know why he might accidentally bump into one of you or Father. Don't mention it; he gets sour about his disability. she told them seriously, and eyed them in her piercing silver gaze as a warning. Anir had to chuckle at Calem's question. One to four hatchlings is pretty normal for a dragon clutch. she said in reply, and smiled widely. To Malazan her vivid silver eyes widened. Someone in my family has a similar situation. Our adoptive uncle, Ebony. He has another mind in his, called Reona abr Rauthr. He's mean sometimes, but he doesn't hurt anyone that Ebony cares about. at that Zeke laughed, a deep sound that shook the ground a bit. Because he knows how Ebony retaliates. he said, and chuckled again.

Anir almost laughed but refrained from doing so. Her father and brother would think she had lost it. She smiled warmly at Malazan. Father himself is blind. He understands Tel and can empathize. I don't know how fixing his eyes would affect his powers. They might be canceled out if he could actually see. she said to Malazan and Calem privately. She nudged Tel's shoulder eagerly. Show them what you can do, Tel. she said excitedly, now allowing her father to hear her words. He rolled his eyes in exasperation but obliged, nodding his head. Anir giggled and turned to the twolegs. Do either of you have a small metal object that you can hide on a part of your body? It can't be titanium, though. If not then I have one. she said. Her vivid silver eyes glittered.

- - - - - - - - - -

Zeke smiled. I understand the feeling. I have no older sibling, I am the older sibling. he said with a wry chuckle. Several years older, actually. he turned his head to his children when Anir asked Tel to show off his ability. The amethyst male shook his head, a twinkle in his ice blue eyes. His oldest daughter loved to have her brother show his power. She knew it made her immensely proud of Tel, and Tel knew it too.

Anir giggled but complied, closing her eyes. To make it more comical and also more obvious that she wasn't looking, she unfurled her wings and hung them both on her face, overlapping them so she couldn't see a thing even if she tried. She shrugged her shoulders slightly at Malazan's question. I have no idea, honestly. We could try, but it would be up to Tel. she replied to him privately, though also letting Calem hear her words as well. Once she smelt that Calem had returned, she furled her wings over her back and laid her tail over Tel's flank, Alright, Tel, do your thing. she urged. Tel smiled at her and nuzzled her shoulder affectionately, then lifted his head.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tel's silver-white-pearl eyes glowed like the moon as he activated his abilities. He roved over his surroundings slowly, looking for more than just the normal metals that resided in the ground. He stopped when he saw something apparently floating in mid-air. It was circular and appeared quite bright, as if it were silver. He nudged Anir's mind and told her where to guide him. There's a dragon skeleton there. Are you sure, Tel? she asked. He nodded his head. Yes. he waited until he was right in front of the skull, where Anir told him to stop so he didn't run into it. He touched his snout to the bone of the nose and ran his muzzle down the length of the cheek, searching for where exactly it was. He went by where the ear would be and the circular spot went away. He pulled back a few inches and it appeared again. Carefully he stuck his tongue into the eye socket and felt around. His tongue encountered something. He wrapped the tip around the object and pulled it out. He padded to Calem with Anir's assistance and lifted a paw. Carefully he took the ring off of his tongue and let it slide onto his talon. He offered it to Calem. Is this what you hid? he asked, tilting his head.

Anir snorted softly at Calem but kept her tongue. Instead she curled up around Tel, who in turn curled around her, so they looked like a pale-silvery-blue and lavender-lined-with-silver yin and yang symbol. Both hatchlings prummed at the thought and began to clean each others scales with their barbed tongues, a habit they had fallen into when they were only a few hours old.

- - - - - - - - - -

Zeke sat with his children at his paws, gazing down at them lovingly. He only glanced at Calem before returning his attention to the dragonets. He already knows. Of my existence, I mean, not my children. I saved my mother from him not very long ago. He has been quite...irritated with me, since then. finally he did look up at Calem, and his ice blue eyes were glowing, literally, with determination. If he ever comes here with the idea of hurting or taking my children away, he will truly see the wrath of a dragon that has a purpose. I will send him limping away with his tail between his legs like the pathetic mongrel that he is. he snarled. The sound made the rocks underneath them vibrate slightly.

OOC: Introducing a new character. Sorry DS4, Zeke kind of walked into this by saying that. Also good to have a villain here and there to ruff things up, no?

IC: Sniffing the air as a hungry wolf would when finding a meal, Vaerin wandered the sands of the Hadarac. Climbing dune after dune wore down his legs, and the beating sun didn't relent, yet he didn't care.

He had endured through much worse.

Looking about, within the glint of the sunlight Vaerin could barely make out a lavender trail of magic; similar to a slowly moving wisp of fire floating in the air. He didn't smile, yet his mind filled with anticipation. There was one reason why he was out here in the Hadarac, he remembered. One reason why he was out of the castle at all, and that is to hunt down the dragons who had survived the Fall. A little known fact outside the king's inner circle.

This time, his target was Zeke. A blind, yet powerful dragon that had proved quite troublesome to the king for sometime, now known to be lurking within Du Fells Nangoroth. It was now time for this creature to get what has been coming to him.

-------------

Calem's face twitched. He admired Zeke's determination and ability to still survive after being such a problem to the king, yet he knew that no dragon yet has survived a direct assault by Galbatorix. One of his close servants maybe, but the king is too powerful to match in terms of skill.

However, if so many dragons have survived, he doesn't know what to expect. . .

"Well. . ." Calen sighed, "Now that we've introduced ourselves, I guess then that the only question remaining is whether if we can stay here. At least until nightfall, where it will be cool enough for us to travel more easily."

OOC:
hehe And Zeke can take care of himself. XD And most certainly, some trouble is always welcome.

IC:
I would be alright with that, as long as you stay away from the nest. My mate Savania is still touchy about who comes around, and I wouldn't want your two to accidentally scare her. he said, chuckling lightly. Zeke stilled for a moment. The magic wards he had set around Du Fells Nangoroth were warning him of approaching company. He lifted his head and listed to the magic. He didn't relax, but whoever it was was still a good distance away. He looked down at Anir and Tel. Go back to the nest and get your other two siblings into the shelter place, you understand? Go, now. he ordered. Anir's eyes narrowed but Tel turned and began padding back in the general direction of the crack, forcing her to turn and catch up. Once both hatchlings were gone he looked down at Calem and Malazan. Someone has triggered the wards I have around Du Fells Nangoroth. he said calmly, though his muzzle quivered on the verge of a snarl. His eyes glowed gently, much like his sons had just a few moments ago.

Vaerin continued his trek east. Towards the looming rock formation in the distance.

Soon, however, he paused when he noticed a faint, but visible wall of magic. The source was definitely from the dragon he was hunting by his examination. A ward. Most likely one of detection.

Even still, he thought of it as no matter and proceeded to walk through the ward. Which reacted as he expected. Usually dragon's were considered more dangerous when cornered inside their own nest, yet he usually found it easier to kill them in that way. As he did with another dragon that was hiding within the Spine a few months ago.

He quickened his speed slightly but did nothing more. Dragons do present a challenge to him when surprised.

---------------
Calem took a sigh of relief when he heard Zeke accept his offer and begin to drop his pack, however he paused when he saw Zeke gain a suspicious behavior. Looking somewhat aroused, Tel and Anir both crawled back into their nest. Calem knew something wasn't right from the start.

However, Zeke contacted him again, with a face in something similar to a half snarl with his eyes faintly glowing. Someone has triggered the wards I have around Du Fells Nangoroth.

The back of Calem's neck stood on end, and immediately guessed where the intruder was coming from and climbed a small rocky rise to see into the distance. However he remembered to take care to make his climbing seem a bit more cumbersome to hide his race. When he reached the top, he didn't see anything except just sand. But then in the distance, distorted by the heat, he saw a small shape coming from the west. Only a single man, but from what Calem observed, he was coming straight from Urû'Baen. Not a good sign.

He jumped down and retained a hand on his sword. "It's only one person. Though I don't know who he is, and I fear where he may have come from."

Calem stepped back a bit when Zeke seemed to be riled. Smoke plumed out of his nostrils as he shook with apparent rage and anger at the threat to his nest.

Yet when Zeke calmed down and offered to take him and Malazan to his nest, which was the highest point in Du Fells Nangoroth, he was still hesitant. However, he gained the courage and would rather be safe in a more strategic location, so he climbed aboard.

-------------

As Vaerin came closer, the scent of the Dragon's and the visible magic signature became stronger. His brisk walk became a run, until the cliffs of the old mating ground came into view. He could even see smoke rising from the rocks, which caused him to begin to reach around to his prized dagger.

Calem dismounted in a sandy next where the eggs of Anir and her siblings were scattered throughout. At the suggestion given from Zeke, Calem covered his ears to protect his sensitive hearing as he roared and released a powerful and colorful plume of flame.

But when Zeke said that he didn't have to fight, Calem drew his sword; twirling it in the same manner he did last time, allowing the steel to ring when it stopped in an upright position. "We may not have to fight," Calem said with a smirk, "but I believe you would appreciate all the help you can get. Especially if he's an agent of the king."

----------------

Vaerin stopped in his tracks when he finally saw his target fly out from the lower reaches of the rocks and fly to an upper terrace. Most likely the nest. He gave a sly grin briefly as the dragon appeared in a drop off point and gave a powerful roar. It was considerably loud from even here, and he also released a purple and blue jet of flame.

He was challenging him.

Now slowly drawing his ever-sharp dagger, Vaerin suddenly burst forwards in a superhuman dash of speed, crossing the leftover mile in only half a minute. And as soon as he reached the peak the last dune, he jumped. He flew fifty feet through the air, and landed on the small rise bordering the rocks. Crouching to lessen the blow, he paused shortly before continuing his run towards the summit.

-----------------

Looking over the edge of the cliff, Calem saw as the man stopped for a moment after Zeke's roar, then dashed at superhuman speeds towards them. Calem watched in silence until he long jumped the gap onto the rocks.

Calem retreated back after witnessing the man's incredible speed and strength and muttered, "Like it or not, we may have to fight here. This man is fast. Faster than an elf. He just jumped a fifty foot wide gap with ease."

Calem listened to Zeke's instructions carefully and calmly. "I will." He answered.

The man was getting extremely close now, and would be on them in a matter of minutes. Calem clenched and relaxed his muscles, bracing himself for what could possibly be a horrific fight.

---------------

Vaerin made a calm snarl as he reached the rise that led to the dragon's nest. He could smell and see the stench of dragons emanating from there. Climbing the rocks with powerful speed and strength, he took only a few minutes before the drop off became within reach.

Reaching a small ledge, he crouched, and jumped the rest of the way, and landed in the center of the nest. Taking his attention away from the mysterious illusion he sensed over a crevice, he turned towards the amethyst dragon and brandished his black and gold dagger. His eyes also darted rapidly between the two men standing at his side.

"By royal decree of Galbatorix the king," he declared to the dragon in a slithering yet formal manner of speech, "You are hereby been sentenced to be terminated. Along with these. . . men. Any last words before we get this over with? Or are you dumb like the rest of them?"

He said that last insulting phase with a very quick and sly smirk.

Calem spat at the ground when the man insulted Zeke. How would he dare do such a thing . . . He thought as he twirled his sword in anticipation for the battle. An angry snarl breaking his face.

-------------------

Vaerin watched silently but with a smug amusement at the reactions of his opponents. Especially Zeke. He laughed at the angry verbal attack. "Sorry, but I've already been to Hell and back. Any more requests?"

Then Zeke flared his wings and flew over him, landing behind at a very close range. Vaerin stood his ground at the question that the dragon gave him. "I think you yourself know the answer to that, beast. Galbatorix has found you to be quite the annoyance, and so he has requested me, his highest assassin, to slay you in his name."

Then a silent moment passed; Vaerin eyeing his prey with dedication and determination. Suddenly, he stepped forwards, slashing at Zeke's throat.