Talithia and Zaaka in the Hadarac Desert

[†ä£¡thïα]

A huge black dragon zipped through the faint clouds that floated through the Hadarac Desert, a black haired elf sitting on its back. The dragon looped and rolled, twisting beautifully in the air while the elf held on with just her knees, green eyes closed as she enjoyed the wind in her face and the way it blew back her fringe which always seemed to half cover her eye.

You really love this place
She thought to the dragon, smiling slightly with her eyes still closed

Of course,
The dragon replied
I feel closed in around all those trees, but I know you feel safer there

I'm just used to it
the elf snapped
I never said I wouldnt come here with you. We can stay for a few days if you'd like.
She added her voice softening
I like it here too

It was only then her green hawk-slanted eyes snapped open

Theres someone else here
The dragon thought

Yes, and something about their minds seems different to the ones of the races I've encountered so far
The elf thought
We'll have to be carefull.

[redas]

(hey, it's me you sense, right?)

Redas climbed the stairs that led out of his underground home and onto the hot gritty sand of the Hadarac Desert. He squinted at the sun as it bore down on him, then strode over to a large hole in the ground. Sand blew into it in a gentle wave, pleasing to the creature that dwelled below.
Rise and shine, Kyandiyen.
He thought. There was a pause, then in a rush of sand, a huge golden dragon erupted from the hole. He landed gently on the sand, barley stirring it.
What is it?
Asked the dragon, yawning, his great jaws stretching wide.
Ready for our morning flight?
Said Redas across their mental link.
Of course.
Then let's go!
Redas climbed onto the dragon's back, and Kyandiyen vaulted into the sky. They flew through the desert air, Kyandiyen humming deeply with pleasure, and Redas whooping in exuberance. They did this for some time, Kyandiyen occasionally diving down to lunge palyfully at a camel. After Kyandiyen had done this the third time, Redas' smile faded. He sensed something. Something in the air not far away. Something large.
Do you sense that?
Redas asked Kyandiyen. After a pause, the dragon began to growl and said,
Yes. It is another dragon! A Rider!

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(course it is )

Tali twisted quickly. her fantastic hearing picking up the other dragons growl even over the howl of the wind

There's another dragon
she thought to the great black dragon beneath her

And rider
Zaaka replied, his black pupils narrowing
What if they are a threat?

They won't be
Talithia thought
I can tell by their minds that though they are dragon and rider, they are younger than either of us

If it comes to a battle of strength then I will be stronger
Zaaka thought confidently

And I will beat him in a test of magic skill[/color]
Tali thought back
But why do we talk like this?
She asked
Do we yet know if this dragon and rider are a threat to us?

No, but there's no harm in being prepared
Zaaka growled, allowing a small shoot of bright blue flame, the same colour as his eyes to erupt from his long jaws filled with sharp white teeth

Can you tell where it is coming from?
Tali asked, more a test than an actual question because she needed to know

Of course I know!
Zaaka snapped in his mind, giving her the faintest glare before he turned and headed straight towards Redas and Kyandiyen.[/size]

[redas]

Redas sensed a change in the wind.
They have sensed us.
Said Kyandiyen thoughtfully. He tossed his head, grunting, wings straining as he turned his wings sharply against the wind.
I know.
Redas replied. He uttered some choice words of the ancient language, and his sight improved. On the horizon, he could see a moving black dot. With another word, he zoomed in, revealing a black dragon much older than Kyandiyen. On his back was an elf.
An elf! I hope we can get on her good side.
Yes, I hope.
Replied the dragon, an inching fear pulsing from him. Redas tok a deep breath. All he could do is wait, and prepare for what the elf's purpose may be.

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Tali,with her excellent sight had caught sight of Redes and Kyandiyen, muttered something in the ancient langauge, and with her palm outstreched and glowing, she cast a spell that would create a magical sphere around the other dragon and rider.

Did you have to do that?
Zaaka asked quizically

They deserve to know my proficency in magic
Talithia told him as she and her dragon flew over to the bubble. Zaaka hovered in front of Redes and Kyandiyen, Tali staring at them suspiciously for a minute before she spoke in a beautiful yet authoritive voice
"Who are you?"
she asked out loud, green eyes narrowed.

[redas]

(can you make the type a little bigger, please? I have to squint to see it.)

Redas blinked as the sphere encircled him. Kyandiyen roared in defiance. Enraged, Redas glared at the other rider. His anry face then sofened into awe as he saw her elven features upclose. He stared at her eyes, feeling as if he were drowning in their emerald green depths. Suddenly, Kyandiyen's low growl jolted him back to the situation.
How much time passed?
Redas thought to his dragon, rubbing his eyes.
At least a minute. What is wrong with you? It was as if you were hypnotized!
Maybe I was.
Redas sighed. Kyandiyen grunted and gazed back at the rival dragon, studying him thoughtfully.
"The question is,"
Redas replied in a riddling tone.
"Who are you?

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"I don't believe that is any of your business"
Talithia said, glaring at him
"As your elder as a dragon rider, I have the right to know. You however do not. But if you answer my question, I may rethink that."

Or we could just keep you in the bubble
Zaaka projected his thoughts to Redas and Kyandiyen, his icy eyes glittering.

[redas]

Redas swore softly under his breath, wishing that he could take back his harsh words. Kyandiyen growled at Zaaka.
Watch your tongue, rouge!
The enraged dragon said, directing his thoughts at Redas and Zaaka.
You may not want to be so mean, Kyandiyen. Remember, they are our elders.
Redas gently reminded the dragon. Kyandiyen grunted, and Redas felt his anger fade. He took a breath, then spoke.
"I'm sorry, oh elf. I spoke rashly. I have not seen a Rider in so long that I forgot my manners. My name is Redas, and theis is my dragon, Kyandiyen. We live here."
He anxiously awaited the elf's response.

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"Common courtesy goes a long way"
the elf, young by her standards stared at Redas, ice in her beautiful green eyes.

And who are you calling rogue?
Zaaka shot a jet of icy blue flame at Kyandiyen, which didn't touch them while they were in the bubble
Are you not the ones out here, living by yourselves and obeying no-one? Who is it insulting theit elders? I think that you are the rogue
the huge black dragon hissed into the others minds

Zaaka!
Talithia thought sharply
As you rightly said we are their elders, however, we should be setting an example, dont rise to the bait of one younger and more inexperienced.
The black haired elf blocked their conversation from the other dragon and his riders minds. Zaaka merely growled in agreement.
Talithia muttered a few words and the bubble disappeared, leaving Redas and Kyandiyen free to move.

"And my name is Talithia"
the elf told Redas, her slanted eyes trained on him.

[redas]

Kyandiyen, whose was always quick to temper, was boiling in anger at Zaaka, an irateness so hot that it burned in Redas's mind.
KYANDIYEN!! Calm yourself. Remember, we want to be allies with Talithia, not enemies.
Redas clenchede his teeth as Kyandiyen's anger simmered for another moment, then reluctantly faded as the golden dragon nodded in agreement.
I am sorry. My anger got out of hand.
Kyandiyen's apology was sent to everyone. He dipped his head to Zaaka, an apologetic growl escaping his lips.
"So, Talithia, what brings you toour domain?"

[redas]

Miles away, at the edge of the Hadarac Desert, a horse galloped over a hill. He was tall and muscular, with black fur. His dark grey mane was cut short in a crude way, most likely hacked off quickly by a hunting knife. His flank and shoulders bore scars and wounds from a snapping whip. Mounted on his head, above wild, tourtured eyes, was the skull of a juevenile dragon. It's long horns shot out from behind the horse's head. The teeth still clung to the upper jaw, making the horse intimidating. At the edges, the skull was perminately stitched on into the horse's cheeks. The terrified eyes stared out of the eye holes of the skull. The most terrifying thing about the horse was it's rider. Upon its back sat a huge, muscular Kull. A skull headress sat on his head, tattered grey fur flowing from it down his back. In his left hand, he held a cruel black whip, stained with his horse's blood. In his right, he held a horn. He bared his teeth. Raising the horn to his lips, he blew a hard note that floated in the stiff air. Silence. Then, the ground began to shake with the pounding of hooves. In a wave, a hundred snarling, horse mounted Urgals appeared over the rise. Their horse's wore the skulls of various horned animals, stitched similarly into the cheeks as the first horse. A single Urgal rode foward, his white horse mounted with a cattle skull. He skidded to a stop next to the Kull. Raising his hand, he shouted, "All hail the mighty Krashnak!" In response, the crowd shouted,"Long live Krashnak!" Krashnak grinned."My brethren, in the depths of this desert, you will experience your first dragon killing. As my anscestors did before me, I shal kill a dragon and bring back its skull! I shall slice it out of the flesh right in front of the Rider, then let him live with the horrible memory, on the verge of insanity!" The terrible speech sent the warriors roaring in delight. "Our scouts report not one, but two dragons and Riders in the desert. Prepare yourself for a terrific battle, one in the likes that we will surewly win! Beckoning his warriors with a wave of his hand, he raised the whip and sent it crashing down on the horse's flank. The horse neighed then gallopped foward. The Urgals followed Krashnak in a tide, towards the two oblivious Riders.

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Zaaka gave a stiff nod in return, accepting the apology and listened for his rider's reply.

"We are travellers"
Talithia replied, eyes still narrowed. She trusted no-one but Zaaka and Redas was no exception.
"Zaaka and I travel all over Alagasia, though we stay in out home a lot of the year. I am a weapon maker"
She said and looked away. She didn't like talking to much about herself.
Zaaka twitched under her and curiosity and suspicion burned in his mind.

What is it?
Talithia asked across their link

I thought I sensed something
Zaaka replied, eyes narrowed and looking around, listening intently.

"Do you hear something?"

[/color]
Talithia asked Redas. She thought she had heard a horn sound in the distance.[/blockquote]

[redas]

Kyandiyen tensed, and Redas listened. Far in the distance, he thought he heard the slightest of sounds, a soft, rythmic thunping that sped closer and closer. He siad a spell in the Ancient Language, and, with a gasp, relaized that the pouncing was the ponding of one hundred hooves, paired with the coarse war shouts of...
"Urgals!"
Redas screamed. Kyandiyen roared and propelled fowards.
Let me tear their flesh! Those monsters do not deserve to live!!
Redas pulled back on Kyandiyen's ivory horns.
Kyandiyen, stop! There are many, at least one hundred! One Rider and dragon cannot stand to that! We must flee! Think with your head, not your anger!
Kyandiyen arched upright, flapping his wiongs against the wind, and turned back to Talithia and Zaaka, grumbling to himself.
"They are Urgals, at least a hundred, mounted on hoses! Its too much for us! We must retreat to my dwelling! There at least we will have shelter at our backs if we do have to fight."
Redas said to Talithia.

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Huh!
Zaaka snorted
I could easily incinerate them all.

"But if you insist upon fleeing"
Talithia sighed rolling her eyes. She hadnt used Zar'ngna in weeks
"Then I guess we will"

With amighty rush of air Zaaka propelled himself upwards and looked in disappointment to the fight they were missing with the urgal colony.

Later Zaaka
Talithia thought to him, rubbing her hand along his black neck
We'll get something later.

[redas]

Redas nodded, and led Talithia back to his underground home. He felt really cowardly at the moment. Kyandiyen chuckled, a deep humming coming from his throat.
What?
Redas asked irritatedly. Kyandiyen laughed again.
We are linked. I feel what you feel. ANd it seems like looooove...
Oh shut up! It is not!
Redas snapped at the dragon. He did NOT love Talithia! They had just met! But...there was something...a little flutter in his stomach, an admiration for the elf. He sighed.
If you want to prove yourself as a Rider to her, go ahead. Turn back.
Hmmm...Maybe you are right, Kyandiyen.Alright! Lets make a U-turn!
Kyandiyen roared and did a sudden turn toward the Urgals.
"Talithia, we're going back!"