Paladin Thread, Cont'd
by Chainsaw Baron, [CYA] Wolf, Firetalon, Lady Alani, Okissaki, Sapphire Night and Shadow of Light

Posted by Shadow of Light on September 2nd, 2000 07:36 AM:

Tarshaeva: The Village

"It's time to get moving. I want you to find the Heart of Flame and tell me what the situation is. Anything we can use."

Startlement at the sudden sounding of her bonded's voice quickly gave way to excitement at the message's content. At last, she could leave! "I'll leave a note for those who helped me and go immediately. What will you do?" she replied.

"I wish I knew. We were relying on Lord Wolfe's knowledge of the situation, and now he's gone."

Tarshaeva blinked. "He's WHAT?"

"Gone," SoL repeated, barely able to conceal both her anger and concern. "I'll keep you posted. Virtue be with thee."

"And with thee."

Eager to be away, the dragon called to a nearby villager. "The slavers have been dealt with," she said irrelevantly. "Are you sure you can't tell us anything about the steel dragon?"

"Nothing," the man replied. "We were all kept under the buildings while this was going on. We didn't even know of the steel dragon until you told us."

Tarshaeva nodded her head. "Thanks. I must go now. Please tell the three that will return here that I thank them for their assistance, and hope we meet again."

"I will. Thank you for the assistance, Bloodbound Shadow of Light!"

Tarshaeva pushed out with her hind legs and swept her wings down. Circling the village once, she let out a roar and sped north.

It felt good to be airborne again.

--SoL

Posted by Shadow of Light on September 4th, 2000 06:14 AM:

Tarshaeva
(from Steel Dragon thread)

Tarshaeva'd barely gone anywhere before something caught the corner of her eye. Craning her neck around slightly, she noticed the Bloodbound dragon and two riders following some distance behind.

If they catch up, then they catch up, she thought to herself, and turned her eyes resolutely forward again. If the dragon was young, it was about time he learned to speed-fly anyway.

Shadow of Light grinned and flew on like an obsidian arrow with silver feathers.

--SoL

Posted by Shadow of Light on September 7th, 2000 09:25 AM:

Tarshaeva

The Thal'drakkali mountains loomed up ahead. Shadow of Light locked her wings and glided, letting her knotted flight muscles relax a bit. The sun was sinking, and she used the waning light to crane her head around and take in the surroundings. The Bloodbound dragon was still following at some distance behind, his two riders perched on his back. There was no sign of another dragon, though... much less a steel one.

Tilting her flight slightly, she gained some altitude and flared her wings, fore-and-hind-legs stretching out to catch the protruding ledge on the top of one of the mountains. Barely waiting to fold her wings across her back, Tarshaeva crept forward into the darkened crater ahead. It was odd, she thought, for when she'd last come here the crater had been alive with burning colours of red and amber. Now there was nothing.

Her own scales, white in the darkness, gave off a faint light of their own, however. She could see well enough in the dark (most dragons could), but blackness where there should be light... was unsettling.

She passed between two stone dragons, took a bracing breath and looked down into the depths of the crater.

The Thal'raen, the Heart of Flame, lay at the bottom, as cold and dead as ashes.

--SoL

Posted by Shadow of Light on September 8th, 2000 06:41 AM:

Tarshaeva

She heard the dragon Darnok entering, followed shortly by his voice when he saw the Heart."This is not good."

"I think that steel dragon I've heard about did this," Valyna said, her expression disturbed.

Tarshaeva touched some deep grooves in the edge of the crater, no doubt made by metal talons. "Yes." she agreed. She hardly recognised her own voice, because it was a death sentence. "And without it, all living dragons will eventually die. We have to figure out a way..." she added, leaning forward and picking up the dead Heart, "...to light it again. Rekindle the Fire."

Though how...? She turned the blackened crystal over and over in her foreclaws. How...

--SoL

Posted by Shadow of Light on September 8th, 2000 07:06 AM:

Sha'o'el

SoL walked back into the Wayfarer Temple with the dragon and Wyrmguard behind. Her thoughts churned within her and she paid no heed to anything she passed, whether beauty or slaughter. She'd had enough of both, and longed for the freedom of the outdoors again. For the rush of wings sounding in her ears and the blaze of fire heating her blood.

At least I still have that, she thought with a trace of guilt. Firetalon didn't. Not anymore. If she'd been bonded to Khalembeth, they would have been able to tell if he still lived.

But if he was dead...

SoL shook her head inwardly and held back a sigh. She hoped the dragon was well, wherever he was now. And she hoped Firetalon would recover. The loss of a friend was not an easy thing to bear.

They walked several corridors in silence, but as they neared the place where Wolfe and the others had last been, a noise could be heard.

Not alarmed at first, as they drew nearer its source... they could hear it was a scream.

SoL almost started forward, but remembered what had happened when she'd left Alani behind. She wasn't going to leave her dragon (there wasn't that much room for the drake to manuever in a corridor if there was a fight), or Firetalon in her current state, no matter how well the Wyrmguard kept her emotions hidden.

"Think you two can run?" SoL asked the two quickly.

Fire nodded silently and to moved forward. "That way," she noted idly, gesturing down the corridor.

The three arrived to find a small crowd of Wayfarers surrounding a screaming woman. Sapphire Night.

Firetalon glanced idly as the woman thrashed about, striking some of the nearer Wayfarers.

"A man....not truly a man...one being trapped...another's body..."

Fire snorted, rolled her eyes and shoved her way through the crowd. Evading the flailing arms, the Wyrmguard studied the woman, who continued to thrash painfully on the ground, screaming and muttering words.

After muttering something SoL didn't quite hear, Firetalon stepped forward and punched Sapphire with her bare fist, knocking her unconscious.

The assembled Wayfarers glanced in horror at the Wyrmguard.

Fire rubbed her hand and glowered at the Wayfarers. "I don't know whether that'll stop any visions, but it certainly made ME feel a lot better."

SoL rubbed her own jaw involuntarily at the sight of Fire's ministrations. With a vague sigh, she hoped the Wyrmguard knew how to slug someone without breaking any bones.

Noticing Lady Alani lying nearby where Sapphire had left her, SoL knelt by the Squire and put one hand to either side of her head. Whispering the incantation to the only spell she knew, she willed the girl to wake up. She was healed, and it was time to get moving.

There was a steel dragon to stop.

And the mystery of the Heart of Fire to resolve.

And the meaning of this war in the middle of a Wayfarer to sort out.

She wished life were simpler. Waiting for Alani to come around, she glanced up and called, "Lord Wolfe? Markus?"

Markus appeared at her side quickly, and bowed. "SoL?" He aksed in a soft concerned voice. "I can't find Wolfe anywhere."

Firetalon narrowed her eyes at the individual. "Where is Wolfe?" she muttered, obviously irritated.

The Grand Temple shook violently and SoL crouched over Alani, glancing upwards in consternation at the trembling ceiling.

When it passed without anyone suffering any more than shock and confusion, SoL stood again and glanced around. She could feel a... difference. The Temple itself whispered it. The High Wayfarer was gone.

SoL gritted her teeth and called Tarshaeva through her Circle. "It's time to get moving. I want you to find the Heart of Flame and tell me what the situation is. Anything we can use."

The dragon's voice, sounding relieved, replied, "I'll leave a note for those who helped me and leave immediately. What will you do?"

SoL regarded those nearby. Sapphire Night unconscious. Firetalon impassive. Lady Alani barely coming to. Birdwing watching anxiously and Markus attentively. "I wish I knew. We were relying on Lord Wolfe's knowledge of the situation, and now he's gone."

"He's WHAT?"

"Gone," SoL repeated, barely able to conceal both her anger and concern. "I'll keep you posted. Virtue be with thee."

"And with thee."

SoL let the amulet fall and turned to Markus. "You said before you had something to show us," she said bluntly.

Fire narrowed her eyes again at the Wayfarer.

"Gone?" Markus said, meaning Wolfe. "He's not gone SoL, he's in the sanctuary stone."

Fire glanced at the stone floor idly, probably wondering whether or not to kick it.

Markus looked to SoL for a moment and saw her anger, "Yes, I had something to show you, but it can wait, we need to get a bearing on what's happening here. Damn it."

Fire blinked, and SoL's eyes widened slightly. The words were garbled and far from being clear, but the voice was Wolfe's!

"...all the elements together, Earth, Air, Fire and Water... combinded attacks... fell the beast... never understood until now...I can do much more from here."

Firetalon muttered something, then turned to Sol. "Sol, I think I'll take a little nap before we leave," she sighed. "I seem to be going slightly insane."

"You're not the only one," SoL remarked to Fire.

Sanctuary stone?

Disembodied voices?

Ye Virtues... she was starting to wish she'd never run across that scroll, messenger and scavenger in the forest.

Or perhaps she could ask Firetalon to smash her across the jaw. With any luck, she wouldn't regain consciousness until the whole situation had blown over.

That appealing idea disintergrated when she noticed Sapphire recover and stumble over. Five minutes of blissful oblivion wouldn't be worth the purple bruise she'd receive, SoL decided glumly.

Ooh, better idea... someone could try to sever her arm and she'd go unconscious through blood-loss! Not even magic would awaken her any time soon, if Alani was any indication.

SoL shook her head, growled to herself and looked up with a deep sigh.

"I really want to get out of here..." she murmured to no one in particular. "I wish I knew what was going on."

"I agree." Firetalon supressed a sigh. "I'm going to find a way out of this Flame-forsaken place. Who do I have to pummel in order to get a horse?" Her gaze fell on Markus.

SoL coughed, making it necessary to cover the lower half of her face while she grinned. Firetalon really did have an amazing temper, even if it was difficult to tell whether or not she was serious half the time.

"Fire, Earth, Air, Water," she said when she could control her facial muscles. "All needed together to defeat the steel dragon, I assume. How can that be possible any more if Fire has been stolen from us? For all we know, stolen by the steel dragon itself."

"You're correct SoL," said Sapphire, finally managing to reach them with the gentle aid of Whitewolf, who had so far remained silent. "That is one of the visions I saw. That monstrosity is being guided, I cannot see by what or who. It has stolen the power of flame. Because it does not breathe, it can bring forth continuous flame, without stopping. And we do have one advantage, small though it may be. I know where it is going: The Temple of the Earth," said Sapphire.

Looks like we're making some headway here, SoL thought to herself. She pondered for a minute.

They could apparently only stop the steel dragon with the combined or simultaneous dragon breaths of the four elements.

Without Fire, that was impossible, so how could they hope to stop the creature from taking the power of Earth?

Furthermore, if there was a way, how would they get there in time to stop it?

And most importantly... what was the creature's purpose?

Markus listened to Wolfe and looked to them all, he threw his hands up in the air, "Horses?" He asked with a slight trace of irritation.

He turned around and snagged a youngish Wayfarer, "Get as many horses as these folks want, I need to get away from this dammned place."

The youngster nodded and sighed softly, Markus gave him a cuff around the ear, "Less of that bloody sighing...!" The youngster ran off.

Markus turned to Firetalon and glared, "Pummel anyone here and you come through me, I've had about enough of all of you, I'm off to see what can be done about the Dragon myself, you can come or you can ride off into the sunset, up to you, I don't care either way."

He looked to SoL, "You're welcome to come SoL, get out of this place before it drives us mad." He grabbed his staff from where he'd dropped it before and stormed towards the master gate. "And don't worry about fire, I have plenty of that."

He reached the grand door to find the thing had buckled as the temple shook, without a thought he let his frustration towards it out in a burst of crimson flame that burned the door to the ground, through the ash he stepped muttering, "Dragon Breath, who damn well needs it."

He had had enough, it showed, grabbing a nearby sword from a dead warrior he tucked it in his belt and waited in the courtyard. "Well?"

Sapphire said, "I would like to go with you Markus, if you don't mind my bringing Inanna. She has the power of ice and poison as well as flame, so she won't be defenseless. You're welcome to ride with us of course," she added with a slight smile.

"And you father?" she said, turning to Whitewolf. "Will you come as well?"

--SoL and the other RPers

Posted by Shadow of Light on September 8th, 2000 07:12 AM:

Sha'o'el

Whitewolf shook his head and sighed, "We have much to do here, I can see the end of the Wayfarers as they are looming on the horizon."

He turned and headed into the temple without another word.

Markus shook his head, "I've had my fill of Dragons for a while Sapphire, I'd rather feel the ground beneath my feet and ride on a horse again. It's been a while."

He turned away and stared across the landscape out past the grand gate, which stood, now open.

"All right then, bring an extra horse for me, been awhile since I got blisters from riding," said Sapphire.

Inanna had by this time managed to pad over to where the discussion was taking place. "I will scout ahead," she said in a loud, draconic voice. "Which direction will we be going?"

Firetalon smiled slightly at Markus. "It's about time a Wayfarer showed some guts."

She took the reins of a horse from one of the apprentices and leaped into the saddle.

"Good luck to you all," she said briskly, then turned her horse away from the Grand Temple.

The Blood That Binds was a clan founded on friendship, SoL thought. Not duty, or obligation, though that came later. Friendship was always first.

With a glance at Markus and the others, she urge the dapple-grey horse she'd selected to catch up to the departing Firetalon. "Arthalan," she said when they were side-by-side, "if you want company, you have but to ask and I will come. If not..." she measured her words carefully, "you could seek out my father in the Desert. He has been studying rifts with the help of Tarshaeva's clan. They might be able to help you."

Sapphire pulled herself into the saddle of a speckled stallion, who immediately started prancing to be gone. "Let's go Markus," she said as Inanna vaulted into the sky and awaited direction.

--SoL

Posted by Shadow of Light on September 12th, 2000 01:36 PM:

Sha'o'el

Firetalon didn't reply and kept riding, so SoL reined her horse in to watch the Wyrmguard leave. It was obvious she just wanted to be alone.

After a minute and bitter sigh, she turned back to where the others were preparing to leave when Tarshaeva contacted her. She halted her horse, still out of earshot from the Wayfarers.

"Sha'o'el?"

"Here." SoL suddenly felt incredibly isolated and alone, and wished she could find the words to tell her bonded how good it was to hear her voice.

"We found the Heart of Flame."

Ignoring the 'we', SoL immediately focussed on the more important topic. "And?"

"It's dead. Someone or something has drained all the fire out of it. It's cold and lifeless and... and I don't know how to fix it."

She heard the hint of panic in the dragon's voice, overlaid with despair. She felt herself swallow hard in response. If Tarshaeva died, Sha'o'el would as well. All dragons and their bonded would. "It was the steel dragon, Tarshaeva. We found out that the four elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water are needed in unison to destroy it, so it's taking that threat away. Fire was first on its list."

She could almost feel the dragon's mental shiver. Tarshaeva's encounter with the steel dragon was one she didn't wish to remember.

"It's on its way to the Temple of Earth as we speak. The Wayfarers seem to think they can still stop it."

"Is there anything we can do?"

"Who's with you?"

"Two Bloodbound: a dragon Darnok and his rider Karrigan, and a Shinobi Ninja named Valyna."

SoL frowned slightly upon hearing and not recognising the Bloodbound names, but shrugged it off. They'd evidentally earned her bonded's trust.

"Meet us at the Temple of Earth," the Paladin said at last. "And be careful."

"You too."

Then she was gone.

Wearily, SoL nudged her horse to catch up with the departing Wayfarers.

--SoL

Posted by Shadow of Light on September 12th, 2000 01:49 PM:

Tarshaeva

"What do we do now?"

The white and silver dragon stretched her aching wings and shifted the Heart to one hand.

"First, I tell my bonded what we've seen." She touched her Circle of Binding and called Sha'o'el's name.

"Here." Her human sounded so tired. She wondered what could have happened to dull her spirit.

"We found the Heart of Flame."

Ignoring the 'we', SoL immediately focussed on the more important topic. "And?"

"It's dead. Someone or something has drained all the fire out of it. It's cold and lifeless and..." Tarshaeva quickly tried to calm the rising panic in her voice, and settled on a hopeless tone. "...and I don't know how to fix it."

"It was the steel dragon, Tarshaeva. We found out that the four elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water are needed in unison to destroy it, so it's taking that threat away. Fire was first on its list."

Tarshaeva shivered. She didn't want to remember her encounter with the steel dragon.

"It's on its way to the Temple of Earth as we speak. The Wayfarers seem to think they can still stop it."

"Is there anything we can do?"

"Who's with you?"

Tarshaeva glanced at the others. "Two Bloodbound: a dragon Darnok and his rider Karrigan, and a Shinobi Ninja named Valyna."

There was a long pause, then: "Meet us at the Temple of Earth," the Paladin said. "And be careful."

"You too."

Then she was gone.

Holding the Heart carefully in her foreclaws, Tarshaeva again looked at her companions. "If you wish to come... Valyna, you will fly with me. If not-"

"I'm coming," the Ninja said.

Tarshaeva arched a ridged brow at the other two and waited.

--SoL

Posted by Shadow of Light on September 22nd, 2000 02:16 AM:

Sha'o'el

Sapphire rode next to Markus. "Have you ever heard of a creature with red skin and wings? Not a dragon, but a...human-like creature?" she asked Markus. "I know it sounds odd, but that is one of the things I saw."

Markus looked to Sapphire and shook his head, he was still bristling a little in places, but he heard SoL's horse closing in on them, and slowed his to allow her to catch up. "Never heard of those, unless they're some kind of dragon humanoid hybrid?" He offered.

When SoL got closer, "Hail to Thee Shadow of Light." He said in the traditional greeting.
 

"Sounds more like what a daemon would look like," SoL said as she caught up, but she didn't slow her horse's pace. "Greetings, Markus of the Wayfarers," she said dryly as she passed. "And if you people don't pick up speed, fare thee well! We are trying to get to the Temple of Earth before the steel dragon, remember?"

Her silver steed moved into a gallop and she was past them, her forest-green cloak whipping out behind her in the wind.

Markus kicked his own horse, as black as the night, "Nope, no you don't" He galloped up to Shadow Of Light, "And SoL, the time of the Wayfarer's is passed...the order is dead, without Wolfe to lead them, they're finished." He took his symbol from around his neck and said. "Nothing lasts for ever, nothing..."

"Take this...use it on the Steel Dragon, it's the Symbol of Fire, if you're able to you might be able to use it in other ways."

With that Markus turned his horse to the side and galloped off another direction, "Been good working with you Paladin but now our ways must part, never did want to be a Wayfarer anyways."

Sha'o'el's brows shot up and she pulled back on the reins, one hand holding the Symbol of Fire.
"Just what are you talking about?" she demanded of Markus, her tone half-concerned and half-angry. "You yourself told me that Wolfe isn't gone. Besides..." she urged her horse after him, not willing to speak to the back of his head. "This has nothing to do with being a Wayfarer. Or a Paladin, or Wyrmguard or anything." Her eyes narrowed at him for a second, then she forced her voice to a reasonable tone.

"It's about being Drakan-born and wanting to protect your world. And your friends." She drew in a steadying breath, then continued, "Which is what I'm going to do, whether or not I succeed. Whether or not I survive," she added in an even softer voice.

A second later, Shadow of Light turned her horse's head back toward the direction of the Temple of Earth.

There was not enough time.

The loud noises behind her once again made SoL rein in. At first, she thought Markus or Sapphire had just fallen off their horse as their were lots of grunting noises and undergrowth rustling wildly.
She felt a sudden need to swear.

Very loudly.

Spinning her irritated mount around as the unmistakable sounds of fighting reached her ears, she dug her heels in and drew her Spiritblade. Clenching the hilt with both hands and gripping the horse with her legs, she urged the animal faster and plunged from the forested trail straight into conflict.

Her shimmering weapon lashed out and two orcs crumpled. With a shout, the Paladin charged over a wartok which fell beneath the iron-shod hooves of her dapple-grey.

"Markus!" she shouted to catch his attention, and leaned to one side in the saddle with one arm outstreched to grab him.

Sapphire pulled her horse to a halt and dismounted. She whirled towards the war giant and began concentrating. A slight blue glow emanated from her as she pointed her staff at the war giant. "An-flam adjur" she said, and a stream of blue-fire rushed from her staff, straight to the war giant.

A change came over him. He stopped thrashing some. His steps became sluggish, then stopped altogether as he began to change to a clearish bluey color. He was freezing. The change started from his feet and worked all the way up to the top.

"Markus break him! Quickly!" yelled Sapphire.

SoL grabbed Markus and hauled him into the saddle behind her, praying that the movement would not overly upset the bolt in his chest. She heard Sapphire's shout and saw the war giant-shaped ice-block. With a swift movement, she pulled a throwing knife from her right boot and threw.

The giant split up the middle and spilled across the forest floor in glistening pieces of frozen water.

"Sapphire, go!" SoL shouted and swept her Spiritblade in a vicious arc to keep two wartoks at bay. Her horse backed up a step then turned to flee up the trail. Bolts flew past and she grunted, swaying slightly as one struck her right leg.

Then something heavy hit her across the head and she was thrown from the saddle, barely feeling herself hit the ground before she lapsed out of consciousness.

--SoL

Posted by Shadow of Light on September 22nd, 2000 02:21 AM:

Tarshaeva

Darnok shot forth from the cliff, catching the wind in a powerful downbeat of his wings and bringing himself up next to Tarshaeva.

"After you," said Darnok.

They sped on their way, and it wasn't long before Valyna felt the dragon beneath her jerk slightly, and a growl rumble up her long neck.
"What's wrong?" the Ninja called.

"My bonded must be fighting. Again." Tarshaeva kept beating her wings and craned her head down to examine one leg. "I'll be ok," she added, her voice muffled from coming beneath a wing. "Just a leg wound."

Too bad, Valyna thought to herself. Someone could have done me a favour. Then she remembered who she was riding, and decided it was just as well she wouldn't be plunging to her death.

--SoL

Posted by Shadow of Light on October 23rd, 2000 01:57 PM:

Sha'o'el

SoL sat bolt upright with a gasp. Her leg hurt like anything, and she couldn't seem to focus. She could make out the wavering forms of Sapphire and Marcus, but couldn't hear what they were saying.

She had a fever. That couldn't be right... she hadn't been wounded long enough, and one of the Wayfarers would have healed it, at least enough to prevent infection.

It became hard to breathe, harder still to sit up. Her head hit the ground again, but the feeling was a distant thing compared to the fire burning her from the inside.

Her mind grasped at the only possible solution, and she rasped out a single word before passing out again:

"Poison..."

Time passed...
 

Whatever that is, it smells awful.

A second later...

And it tastes worse.

SoL swallowed reflexively, almost gagging but unwilling to disgrace herself with such a display. She'd already displayed her marvellous horseriding skills.

Oh Virtues... just let me die...

Another thought intruded on her own. In a strange tone, it said, "What? Give up, just like that? What kind of Paladin art thou?"

A new one.

"Ah... new, but powerful. I saw how thou didst handle that woman warrior in the Grand Temple."

Sha'o'el felt the potion drawing the poison from her body, and her mind struggling back to the realm of consciousness. Who are you?

"Just think of me as thy companion... thy provider..." Something about the chuckle that followed set her teeth on edge. "I'll be back, Shadow of Light. And we will... talk."

Wait... SoL threw the words into the vaults of her mind. Who are you?

"For now, thou mayest call me the Guardian..."

SoL opened her eyes and looked straight up into Marcus's. She let out a deep breath, unaware that she'd been holding it.

"Thank thee," she said.

Inanna landed then, swirling up the dust all around them.

"Are you coming or not?" she asked the Marcus and SoL.

Marcus looked to Sol and back to the Dragon, nodded to Sapphire and her bonded, "If SoL is ready, then yeah."

He looked back to SoL and smiled at her thanks.

"You're welcome, you saved me, but who's keeping count, friends don't do that."

He offered her his hand to help her up.

"Given that we are very needing of haste, I vote we all ride Inanna. The horses will be all right I think," said Sapphire.

"Are you up to it SoL?" she asked.

"I think I'll live." SoL grabbed Marcus's forearm and let him pull her up. Her wounded leg still felt weak, but she was alert and capable.

And hearing voices.

She limped over to Sapphire's dragon and and managed to climb onto her broad back.

All she had to do now was hang on.

Sapphire walked over and mounted Inanna. "Hang on tightly," she said as Inanna took off into the air.

A few minutes later, she looked at Marcus. "Looks like the Temple has been opened again," she said. "Let us.." she broke off suddenly as she caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye...

A shape in the sky, mostly visible by the sunlight flashing on it...

Sapphire felt a sinking feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach.

"The steel dragon," she whispered.

SoL's eyes narrowed at her first far-off view of the steel dragon.

"Tarshaeva, where are you?" she whispered, brushing her Circle with one hand.

"Not far! I can see it... and you!"

For the first time in a while, the Paladin felt her hopes rise. How she longed to be with her bonded again and be shelted by her silver wings.

She could feel similar emotions drifting back through the amulet.

"They're coming!" SoL said to her companions, a smile lighting her face.

Sapphire looked at SoL. "I hope that smile isn't for the steel dragon. I'm not sure if we're going to get there before it does. If we do, we have a small respite to plan before doing battle. If not...I don't know. Suggestions you two?"

Then she went sort of blank. When she came to, she whispered, "Wolfe," in a soft voice. She turned to Marcus and SoL, a tremulous smile on her lips.

"He's back...or he soon will be. Wolfe is coming back!" she exclaimed as Inanna dove into the Temple of the Earth.

Eyes still fixed on the rapidly approaching speck that was her bonded, Sapphire's words took a minute to register. When they did, Sha'o'el had to resist the urge to grin and reply, "About time."

Instead she tapped Markus (who was sitting in front of her) on the shoulder and said, "So, are you going to tell him you're leaving the Wayfarers?"

Markus blinked as well, half turning to look at SoL, he said over the rushing wind.

"One does not leave their family, nor their friends, in peace or war, unless by shame or death." He smiled.

"We'll be there to welcome him back, and put our blades by his."

The young Wayfarer gazed down at the world passing by and smiled once more.

--SoL, Wolfe, Sapph.

Posted by Shadow of Light on October 23rd, 2000 02:13 PM:

Sha'o'el

SoL smiled slightly at his words and nodded to herself. She hadn't even known Markus for a day but they'd already been through a lot. Virtues, they'd even saved each others' lives back there.
Yeah, she thought to herself as she held on to his waist, He doesn't seem too bad.

"Choose thy friends carefully, Paladin," an oddly familiar Voice whispered in her mind.

"Didn't you speak to me while I was recovering from my wound?"

No reply.

Frowning a little, SoL shrugged and tried to forget the interlude.

But she couldn't.

Finally, Inanna drew up into the Temple, and stopped before the form of Okissaki.

Sapphire dismounted from Inanna and bowed. "Hail to thee, Master of the Earth," she said. Then she dropped formality and drew him into a hug.

"We have missed you," she whispered as she closed her eyes.

"Sapphire." He paused to look into those eyes that seemed dark enough to hide the night, yet at the same time shone inexorably blue, as if from some fathomless ocean depth. "You honor me. And you have made an old man happy again. The Temple of Earth is at the service of Drakan and its Wayfarers, as it has always been."

Okissaki drew hiself up tall and proud.

"You will never be old to me friend," replied Sapphire with a tremulous smile. "Others are coming. I don't know if they will reach us before the steel dragon though. I'm not sure what Wolfe's plans are either. We may be able to contact him together. 'Tis good to have you back. Are you well?" she asked as she tucked her arm around him and started towards SoL and Markus.

SoL slid from Inanna's back as Sapphire ran to greet Okissaki. "Thanks for the lift," she said to the dragon, then squinted up at the huge mountain that was the Temple of Earth.

It was impressive. And all it was was a big rock.

The Master Wayfarer himself was somewhat smaller, old and seemingly frail. She knew the appearance was deceptive, though, as this man was also the Master of Arms for the Blood That Binds.

At least, she hoped the appearance was deceptive.

Formally, she drew her Spiritblade and saluted him as he approached with Sapphire. "Greetings, Lord Okissaki," she said. Then, with a wry smile, she added, "I'll spare you the recital of all your other titles."

"Master Okissaki." Bowed Markus, "Markus, Wayfarer of the Fire."

Markus was about to say something else, when he was cut off mid sentance, as a circle of starlight formed, winked in, and winked out.

Leaving the High Wayfarer standing there.

"Pick your jaw up off the floor boy..."

He turned and bowed to each, respectively.

Wolfe had returned.

Sapphire gave Wolfe a startled look, followed by a smile of joy...and relief.

"I swear, first you get half-gutted, then you put yourself into a stone...keep this up and you'll turn my hair grey and give me a heart attack!" she said with a touch of her typical humor.

She bowed to Wolfe, and followed up with a quick hug.

"I hope the others make it soon. The dragon is closing fast," she said, looking up at the flashing point of the steel one.

The steel dragon veered suddenly toward the open gates.

Then a golden hawk appeared, flapped over and carefully balanced himself onto the small outcropping of rock.

He spoke.

"My name is Odarin. We saw the steel creature, then felt the Temple reawaken," he said, then looked at Okissaki. "You are the Master of the Temple are you not? We had thought you long dead," he squawked with a small amount of awe. "I am glad to see such is not the case. Selinia approaches now, as do another druidess and quite possibly a wolf. Can you tell us what is going on?" he asked, looking calmly at each face in turn.

Then a raven appeared.

It flew in front of the group and in clear view of all, Changed into the form of a familiar human girl. She was shaking with apprehension and exhaustion as she stepped forwards and bowed.

"I believe I know some of you, but the others must please excuse my intrusion. I am Lady Alani, made Squire to Shadow of Light, who apparently forgot me in all the recent excitement..." She broke off with a gasp of exhaustion. "Excuse me sirs. I have travelled far. Birdwing will be here shortly and should explain the full situation regarding..." She paused, apparently implying her shapechanging abilities. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe I am going to pass out."

And so she did.

Things seemed to be happening pretty fast. No sooner had she greeted Okissaki then Wolfe arrived in an impressive cloud of sparkles...

Why did we even bother walking and flying here? the Paladin thought to herself wryly.

...then a talking hawk appeared...

So we have some Druids interested in all the fuss too, hm?

...followed by a raven, who turned out to be Lady Alani. SoL couldn't help rolling her eyes and letting out a sigh of resignation as Alani fainted. True, the girl had been through a lot, but it seemed she'd seen more of the apprentice wayfarer while she'd been unconscious.

"I left her at the Grand Temple because I couldn't get her to wake up," she muttered to no one in particular. Shaking her head, she turned her eyes up to where her dragon was still coming.

The Steel Dragon plummeted toward the open gate. Its steel form was slower than a flesh and bone dragon, but the steel creature possesed a deadlier nature.

The metal wings screeched sharply as it scraped against the narrow walls leading to the open gate.

--SoL, Wolf, Sapph, Oki, FT, Alani

Posted by Shadow of Light on October 23rd, 2000 02:21 PM:

Tarshaeva

"There!" Tarshaeva shouted, pointing forward with her head. "Do you see it?"

Valyna peered in the direction, but didn't have the eyesight of a dragon. "No. What do you see?"

"The Steel Dragon." Tarshaeva's body trembled slightly, though with dread or anticipation the Ninja couldn't tell. "It's almost at the Temple of Earth."

Valyna caught a glint of sunlight off something highly reflective. Chances were the creature would do what it had gone to the Temple to do, then either go to the next Temple or engage anyone stupid enough to challenge it. "What will we do?"

"If we get there in time to stop it from defiling the Temple, we'll delay it as long as we can. If we don't... we'll see which Temple it heads for next." She glanced back at the other two. "Let's fly!"

"Tarshaeva, where are you?" Sha'o'el's voice whispered.

Tarshaeva touched her Circle quickly. "Not far! I can see it... and you!"

A speck had appeared in the sky off to the south flying in hot pursuit of the steel dragon, which was almost at the Mountain.

At her words, she felt the hopes of her bonded rise. She longed to be with Tarshaeva again, and to be shelted by her silver wings.

In turn, Tarshaeva wished desperately for Sha'o'el's companionship. The understood each other like no other human or dragon could.

"There they are!" Tarshaeva shouted to her companions.

"There," said Darnok as Tarshaeva and he both spotted not only the steel dragon, but the others approaching it. "We'll be in combat soon I believe...are you ready?" he asked Karrigan as the specs grew closer.

"As always," was Karrigan's reply.

The others could be seen landing at the Temple.

"Tarshaeva!" Darnok roared to the dragon and her current rider as he pulled up side by side with her. "We need to try and get there first, or at the least delay the creature. What say you?"

"We won't have a hope fighting that thing alone," she roared, keeping her grip on the burned out Heart of Flame. "And I doubt we'll delay it long. We are no threat to it. Let's get to the Temple first! Hold on, Valyna!"

And she streaked through the sky toward the Temple of Earth with all the speed she could muster.

Darnok roared in response to Tarshaeva and dove after her, straining his wings to reach the Temple opening before the steel dragon...

--SoL, Sapph

Posted by Shadow of Light on October 23rd, 2000 02:27 PM:

Reunion

Sapphire turned to Okissaki, and glanced at the hawk perched alertly.

"Go. Save the altar and the Stone. I am going to try and stall it, somewhat. I suggest you hurry though, as I doubt I'll be able to do much," she said quietly and gave a gentle push towards the inside of the Temple. "Hurry!" she said, as she turned and made her way straight for the dragon.

"Let's move, people!" SoL ordered, and unceremoniously pushed the men through the Temple Gate. She herself scooped up Alani and carried her inside before putting her carefully down some distance from the massive entrance. Then, hurrying back, she watched Sapphire.

Sapphire darted to the side, avoiding the flame that suddenly spurted forth from the steel dragon as she got too close.

Inanna had immediately taken to the air as the dragon began to attack. She inhaled deeply, and suddenly let forth a tremendous burst of electricity, which hit the steel dragon dead on. It didn't do much, other than shocking the creature temporarily.

That's all Sapphire needed. She stopped, extended her staff, and raised. She concentrated as Inanna held the creature's attention, feeling the ripple of the tide, the cold of the arctic climates...and the ice began, creeping up the forelimbs of the steel dragon, and swiftly encompassing him in ice.

SoL watched as the two flesh dragons sped along behind the steel dragon.

"Come on, Tarshaeva," she whispered, then in a louder voice said, "Lord Okissaki, I suggest you get ready to close the gate."

***

Tarshaeva saw a blue dragon take wing from the Temple Gates and groaned when it attacked the steel dragon with a breath of lightning.

But when a tiny human form conjured a massive blast of ice that froze the metal creature into a dragon-shaped iceblock...

"This is our chance!" she shouted, and put on a final burst of speed. As the dripping iceblock plummetted toward the rocky ground and shattered (with the steel dragon still intact), she was speeding over it and straight for the Temple Gates.

A cloud of flames issued up from the fallen dragon, but she was past it... and going a bit too fast than was healthy.

"Out of the waaaaayyyyy!" she roared and, tucking her wings close to her body, shot neatly through the cavernous opening to the Temple of Earth. Hindclaws lashed out and screeched across the ground to reduce her speed and finally stop her.

An instant later, Sha'o'el dashed over to her with a wide grin and grabbed her around the neck. "It's good to see you again."

Tarshaeva wrapped one foreclaw around SoL's shoulders, mindful of her still slightly-smoking talons. "As it is to see you." She lowered her head so Valyna could dismount. "This is the Shinobi I told you about. Valyna, this is my bonded, Shadow of Light."

Valyna gave the Paladin a slight bow, her calculating eyes never leaving Sha'o'el's. "A pleasure."

"The pleasure is mine," SoL returned, inclining her head. "I heard how you helped Tarshaeva. My thanks to you. And what is that?" she added, indicating the huge and dark object the dragon held in her other foreclaw.

"This," came the sad reply, "was the Heart of Flame."

--SoL, Sapph

Posted by Shadow of Light on December 27th, 2000 05:08 AM:

*updating*

Sha'o'el and Tarshaeva

The two Paladins looked back through the entrance of the Temple of Earth, at the battle raging outside against the steel dragon...at Okissaki holding the Soul Stone in his hands...

"What can we do?" Tarshaeva rumbled in concern.

"We won't do much good in attacking," SoL replied quietly, her expression showing she wished it were otherwise. "We have more chance of hurting a friend or that copper dragon than the steel one."

"It's the copper I'm worried about," Tarshaeva growled as the steel dragon slashed at it.

Sha'o'el let out a slow breath and cast a glance at where Alani lay safe near a wall. Then outside again. "Sapphire will be lucky if she gets out of that unscathed," she said as the griffon clawed the steel dragon's shining flanks. "We serve two purposes here. One is to bar the way if the steel dragon seeks to come through. The other... help clean up the mess when it goes away."

Tarshaeva growled low in her throat.

Sha'o'el knew how she felt.

--SoL

Sha'o'el and Tarshaeva
(back a bit)

At length, the griffon/gryphon form of Sapphire Night tore the copper dragon crom the clutches of the steel. The bird-lion lost height gripping her burden, and drifted down out of sight from the Temple entrance... down to the forest below the mountain.

The steel dragon started to go after it, then stopped and flew straight for the gates.

Okissaki had gone deeper within the Temple to where the Alter was. Where the Soul Stone was. That left SoL, her dragon, Wolfe, Markus, Alani (though apparently still unconscious and out of harm's way for once) and the three Ninja in the large earthen passage leading up to the Alter room.

"Stop that thing!" SoL shouted, and jumped astride Tarshaeva. The dragon, a silvery white in the darkened corridor, dropped the Heart of Fire, leaped into the air and would have attempted a full body-slam into the steel creature had it not reached her first. Taking no more notice of the Paladins than one would take of a particularly small insect, the mechanical dragon ploughed through them and kept going without giving them a glance.

Tarshaeva had been knocked against a wall. She shook her head after a minute and looked around, half-dazed. "Where'd it go?"

SoL pointed down the passage where a bright light, as of fire, was burning in the darkness. "Someone keep an eye on Alani!" she shouted, then settled herself more firmly on the back of her Bonded. "Let's go!"

Tarshaeva let out a roar that shook dirt from the tunnel roof, then shot down the passage like a silver arrow.

--SoL

Posted by Shadow of Light on February 16th, 2001 02:05 PM:

Shadow of Light

The tunnel down which the Paladin human and dragon flew ended at the opening of a gigantic circular cavern. The walls were smooth and arched high up to form a flawless dome, the highest part dotted with glittering crystals. In the middle of the floor stood a man high altar of rock, and standing atop it, glowing with the aura of power, was Okissaki and the Soul Stone.

Above the Master Wayfarer of Earth, descending with mettalic talons extended, was the steel dragon.

"The shield Okissaki is using protected him from the dragon's fire," SoL said as Tarshaeva stopped just short of the entrance, "but will it do the same against claws?"

"I don't know," Tarshaeva whispered.

"Okissaki!" Sha'o'el shouted, drawing her Spiritblade. She touched Tarshaeva's flank with one foot, indicating the dragon should move into the chamber so they could be seen. "We stand ready to aid you, should you require us!"

"Don't ask me how," she added to herself. "Now we can only wait... and hope."

Markus came skidding to a halt, right behind SoL.

"Oh...my...gods!"

He looked at the Steel Dragon, and Oki. "Who wants to live forever eh?"

SoL dismounted and stood beside Markus, throwing him a quick smile. Tarshaeva moved aside and crouched, ready to spring at any time.

"Not me," the Paladin admitted. "Though I wouldn't mind having a long a healthy life. I guess I signed that right away when I joined the Blood That Binds."

Markus smiled softly. "With allies like you, how could we loose?" He watched again and chuckled. "I'd only come down to Hell to get you back anyways, or something equally daring." A wink.

SoL chose to be amused and gestured at the Steel Dragon. "One blast of fire in our direction and we might go to Hell together."

--SoL and Wolf

Posted by Shadow of Light on February 16th, 2001 02:10 PM:

Shadow of Light

That may still happen, Paladin...

SoL started, glanced around for the speaker and saw no one except her friends and the Steel Dragon... and it couldn't have spoken.

Could it?

Then the metal creature picked up Okissaki, shield and all, in its metal talons.

"NO!" SoL shouted in horror as it flew straight for them and the tunnel's exit.

Tarshaeva attempted to block the way out with brute force, but was once again brushed aside as though she were no more than an insect. She struck the stone wall of the cave and dropped to the ground, snarling, as her shining foe escaped with the Master Wayfarer of Earth.

"Where is it taking him?" SoL shouted, hurrying to mount her dragon.

Markus looked to SoL. "Damn that things got more tricks than a stage magician."

He watched her head to her Dragon, and yelled. "Hey don't forget me!"

Quickly the young Wayfarer bolted after SoL.

SoL grabbed Markus' wrist and hoisted him up to sit behind her on Tarshaeva. "Hold on," she advised. "Let's fly!"

Tarshaeva shot through the Temple again, out into the open air and clear skies. In the distance, two small draconic shapes could be seen flying away. "Do we give chase?" Tarshaeva asked, her voice a growl.

"We do," SoL replied grimly. "Somehow, we have to get it to drop Okissaki and the Soul Stone. We can think of how while we catch up."

Tarshaeva rumbled her approval and began her chase.

"Ice stopped it for a while," Tarshaeva said as she flew, steadily gaining on the steel dragon and the copper one not far behind it. "But it won't help us get Okissaki back..."

"And I don't think it will be all that possible to distract something that's not alive," Sha'o'el shouted over the wind.

"Perhaps Okissaki himself could do something."

"I hope he can. I don't see what we can do but buy time for him."

Tarshaeva shuddered slightly, not relishing the idea of trying to get in the steel creature's way again. "What about that copper dragon? I wonder why..."

"...she's chasing the steel thing?" SoL shrugged. "They were fighting before. Perhaps she wants revenge for that drubbing she got before." She squinted at the copper, trying to see it better, but didn't recognise her. "I wonder who she is."

"We'll find out very soon," Tarshaeva said, and put on an extra burst of speed.

--SoL, Firetalon, Wolf

Posted by Shadow of Light on February 16th, 2001 02:18 PM:

Shadow of Light

"Um... are you two seeing what I'm seeing?" Tarshaeva shouted to her riders.

SoL was... and she couldn't suppress a gulp. The steel dragon had spun around and was flying straight for them!

So was the copper dragon, she noted.

"Is it going back to the Temple of Earth?" Tarshaeva shouted. "Maybe it forgot something!"

Then SoL noticed something else below them. "Skeletal dragons!"

"Whoah!" Tarshaeva jumped (it felt strange, seeing how she'd done it in mid-air), and looked down. "Are they attacking us, her, or it?"

"They're not close enough to tell." Sha'o'el paused, teeth gritted, wondering what to do. Better part of valour! Better part of valour! kept repeating itself in her mind. "Slow down," she shouted at last. "Let that copper dragon past and we'll cover her back on the return to the Temple. Perhaps the steel dragon is trying to finish what it did to her earlier."

Tarshaeva nodded and slowed to a hover, one eye on the approaching pair of dragons, the other on the skeletal horde below.

Markus whirled his head from SoL to her Dragon.

"This isn't good at all." He muttered. "There's not much we can do, but going up against /that/ isn't one of my favourite options." He paused. "But if you do decide...just let me have a kiss for luck, it might be the last thing we ever do." He gave the Steel Dragon another look and shook his head. "I have to be out of my mind."

SoL glanced over her shoulder at Markus, an amused smile on her lips. "Kiss? Interesting idea. Good luck charms are usually found in the forms of rabbit feet, four-leaf-clovers and sheep intestines."

As they waited, the copper, steel and skeletal dragons drew nearer... but it became apparent that the skeletals were not interested in the Paladins, Wayfarer or copper dragon. They swarmed over the steel dragon in a flurry of tattered wings and creaking bones.

"I wish I knew what was going on," SoL muttered.

"That's what!" Tarshaeva gasped as the steel dragon broke free of the skeletal horde... and the tiny figure of Okissaki dropped gracefully through the unresisting sky. "Hold on! I'll catch him!" And she beat her wings, diving swiftly for the falling Master Wayfarer of Earth.

"I guess now's the time for luck," SoL said, and gave Markus a kiss.

Markus was stunned for just a little while, until SoL's Dragon dropped down through the sky, folding her wings slightly to loose height at an alarming rate.

It seemed to the Wayfarer that Tarshaeva was grinning.

Tarshaeva slowed down all of a sudden, and SoL felt the dragon's tense muscles relax slightly.

The copper dragon was speeding for Okissaki, and, with a quick snatch of hindclaws, had the Master Wayfarer of Earth in their grip.

Tarshaeva winced as the copper dragon, apparently forgetting that humans had weight, started to lose altitude at a noticable rate. It was either a very young dragon (which couldn't be right, if its size was any indication), had only recently discovered the physics of flight, weight and gravity (which also couldn't be right, if age was any indication -- what kind of mature dragon didn't know how to fly?), or it wasn't a dragon (which was, in fact, right, but she didn't know that. Besides, it looked like a dragon, and that was convincing enough for Tarshaeva that it was a dragon).

Even so, Tarshaeva had to concede that the latter was the most probable. Strange things had a habit of occurring in Drakan.

Like Wayfarers turning into griffons.

By this time, the copper had rather unceremoniously dumped Master Wayfarer and Master at Arms Okissaki on the ground, and had landed beside him.

The dragon Paladin glanced up. The steel dragon was a gleaming speck in the distance, no doubt heading to one of the other Elemental Temples.

"Let's go down," SoL said, and Tarshaeva nodded.

Silver wings stretched out and she glided to where dragon and Wayfarer sat in a grassy field. Tarshaeva landed, with the grace of a creature who's done this sort of thing fairly often, and automatically ducked her head as Sha'o'el jumped from her back.

The Master Wayfarer didn't look bad for someone who'd been carried several miles then subsequently dropped several miles. He was pretty tough. Considering his other job in the Blood That Binds, he sort of had to be.

And he still had the Soulstone.

Sha'o'el let out a slow breath of relief, and looked up at the copper dragon. "Thank you for-"

She stopped, and stared.

So did Tarshaeva. She was certain she'd never seen this dragon before in her life, but she was familiar nevertheless.

"Do I... know you?" SoL asked the dragon, frowning.

--SoL, Firetalon, Wolf

Posted by Firetalon on February 20th, 2001 07:25 AM:

Firetalon

FT was unsure whether to be surprised at being recognised, offended at being stared at, or confused about how they knew who she was.

She decided that all three were appropriate.

"Yes, you know me," she grumbled crossly, her scales ruffling slightly in tension. "I'm Firetalon. Don't ask how this happened, because I'm not sure either. And would you mind not staring at me? You're making me uncomfortable."

Posted by Shadow of Light on February 20th, 2001 10:59 AM:

Shadow of Light

"Er..." SoL blinked.

Tarshaeva, remembering Firetalon-as-a-human's rather strange temper and doubing becoming a dragon would have improved it, quickly looked away to Okissaki and asked him if he was hurt.

SoL, trying not to stare, had to admit that the resemblance the dragon bore to Firetalon was uncanny.

"Well, uh... Nice to see you again. That was quick thinking, catching our Master Wayfarer." She paused. "Speaking of which, why did you? I thought you'd had enough of Wayfarers and stuff."

--SoL

Posted by Firetalon on February 20th, 2001 08:33 PM:

Firetalon

"Well, I did have enough," FT admitted, her tone dry. "However, it's a little hard to get back to regular everyday life when you know there's a steel dragon flying around, people are fighting everywhere, and none of your clothes fit anymore."

The dragon shot a sidelong glance at the Wayfarer of Earth. "I was sort of hoping that ONE of these Wayfarer people might be able to tell be what happened, and whether I could change back."

She then craned her neck and whispered quietly to Sol.

(Well, quietly for a dragon, anyway.)

"I'm also wondreing whether anyone might be able to see if Khal might be alive," FT tapped the Flameseeker rune on her chest with a long claw. "If I have this, and *I'M* a dragon, perhaps he's out there somewhere in human form."

Posted by Shadow of Light on February 21st, 2001 03:23 AM:

Shadow of Light

SoL looked at the rune with interest. "You and Hissblood never Bonded, did you? I hope one of the Wayfarers has a clue what's happened to you, and how and where Hissblood is."

Tarshaeva cleared her throat. "Speaking of the steel dragon, shouldn't we figure out where it's going next and think of a way to stop it?"

Posted by Firetalon on February 26th, 2001 03:04 AM:

Firetalon

The dragon shook her head. "Khal and I never bonded, but I have no other way to explain this." She lifted a wing slightly and grimaced. "As for the steel dragon..." she paused, and gave the draconic equivalent of a pout. "I don't know where it's going, and I have no intention of facing it again. At least not without a really big screwdriver, and opposable thumbs."

Posted by [CYA]WoLf on February 26th, 2001 02:52 PM:

Markus spoke softly. Hopping down onto the ground.

"Perhaps, Wolfe may know something?" He ventured and bowed to Firetalon.

"I cannot say that the change has been a wasted one M'lady, the form is still magnificent."

His eyes trailed to Oki and back to SoL, he raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Will he be alright?"

Posted by Okissaki on February 26th, 2001 11:35 PM:

OOC: Sorry about the delay. I thought I had posted something else but don't see it. Here is something completely different.

The old man tumbled down. Now, he knew that he had a special communion with the Earth. He just hadn’t counted on showing it in such a demonstrative way. Still, he felt he might as well make the best of it, and twisted himself into the best swan dive he could muster, mumbling that at least he would go out in some style.

Just as he was sure the judges would score at least 6's or 7's, something snatched him away. Powerful wings banked and whirled and then, in a quick flurry, hovered close to the ground. At the moment he realized that the copper dragon had grabbed him from his fall, the dragon let him go again. This time he fell rather unceremoniously, a glowing heap of robes and hair and staff.

For he held the Soulstone still. He stood up, and those near him undoubtedly thought him quite mad indeed. Robe askew, hair and beard wildly tousled, panting raggedly as he leaned on his staff and juggled the Soulstone. Ha! He laughed to himself. Behold the power of the Master Wayfarer of Earth! If he had held out a tin cup, he was pretty certain those near him would have given what appeared to be an old beggar alms.

"Travelers" the old man croaked. Perfect. Even his voice failed him. "The metal monster travels to the Temple of Water searching for a weapon that will vanquish the skeletal dragons. Yet he returned here first. Who among you might know the reason why?" By the end of his question his voice had trailed into a hoarse rasp. It had been a long day.

A moment of silence greeted The Master at Arms of the BloodBound. He heard the distant slow sweep of the tattered wings of the skeletal dragons approach. He felt the deep bass rumble as the magnificent dragons near him breathed. He saw the assembly around him, the calm Wayfarers, the battle hardened warriors, and he suddenly remembered that he no longer required the sacrament of the Earth to transmute his form into that of Praetorian of Dracos. He smiled, and transformed.

Much later, when he recounted this tale, he thought it amusing to downplay the reaction of the gathered band of heroes, and always described the response as mild surprise.

Posted by Shadow of Light on February 27th, 2001 10:36 AM:

OOC: Nice post, Oki.

For ease of reading, those with Okissaki, some distance from the Temple of Earth, are Shadow of Light, Tarshaeva, Firetalon (the dragon), and Markus.

Shadow of Light

"Will he be alright?" Markus asked.

SoL watched as Okissaki tottered to his feet, looking like a (glowing) windblown haystack.

"Travelers" the old man croaked.

SoL winced and murmured to Markus, "I don't know." The Master Wayfarer didn't look that insane.

"The metal monster travels to the Temple of Water searching for a weapon that will vanquish the skeletal dragons. Yet he returned here first. Who among you might know the reason why?" By the end of his question his voice had trailed into a hoarse rasp.

He just sounded tired. SoL couldn't blame him.

Then she pondered his words. Why had the steel dragon turned back to the Temple of Earth? Someone there it wanted to kill? Maybe Wolfe... someone had made an attempt on his life before.

Or perhaps it had forgotton something.

After a long silence, Okissaki suddenly smiled, and his form blurred, burning with an azure glow. It was a colour SoL and Tarshaeva recognised...

The colour of a Praetorian of Dracos.

The only Praetorian of Dracos.

Tarshaeva gaped as the brilliance died away and Okissaki had completed his transformation from old and scholarly Wayfarer of Earth to powerful warrior.

"Sha'o'el," the dragon whispered to her Bonded. "How come your muscles aren't that big?"

--SoL

Posted by Firetalon on March 8th, 2001 06:29 AM:

"Perhaps, Wolfe may know something?" Markus ventured and bowed to Firetalon. "I cannot say that the change has been a wasted one M'lady, the form is still magnificent."

The copper dragon puffed up proudly.

She then paused. She was becoming as vain as Khal had been.

It was then the Wayfarer spoke.

"Travelers," the old man croaked. "The metal monster travels to the Temple of Water searching for a weapon that will vanquish the skeletal dragons. Yet he returned here first. Who among you might know the reason why?"

A moment of silence greeted The Master at Arms of the BloodBound.

He smiled, and transformed.

Firetalon blinked. "Well, that's something you don't see everyday."

The old guy had transformed into... well, a NOT-old guy, the dragon observed. If it weren't for the unfortunate fact that he was blonde, he'd be almost nice-looking (in a human sort of way).

Everyone sat around and stared at the newly-transformed Master Wayfarer of Earth.

Firetalon shifted uncomfortably. She was curious as to what the steel dragon was up to, concerned about a different wayfarer, and most importantly, she was bored.

"So what do we do now, Muscled- I mean, Master Wayfarer of Earth?" she said crossly.

Posted by Okissaki on March 8th, 2001 05:01 PM:

Okissaki felt his power fade as he returned to his previous form. Without an active challenge, he could only maintain his new form for a moment or two. Still, it had sufficed to focus the attention of the war weary and somewhat dishevled band of warriors.

"We have little time in which to plan. I fear the steel nightmare's sally upon the Temple of Water. Only great good fortune has saved us until now. Something made the steel dragon return, yet it left when the skeletal dragons appeared. Why did it return?

And then why did it go again? I know not what import these astonishing skeletal dragons might have. Perhaps our saurian friends here might share whatever they know about this peculiar sort of dragon."

The old man grinned wryly. "Drakan has apparently changed a bit more than I expected since my return."

Posted by Sapphire Night on March 8th, 2001 07:53 PM:

Night took Tay'Na's silence as agreement.

Selinia sat astride and she picked Tay'Na up between her forelimbs, holding him close to her body to avoid dropping him. He seemed more interested in the view than anything else.

She took off heading towards where the glowing sphere the steel dragon had dropped had been set down, courtesy of the copper dragon. Inanna had almost arrived at the group, and it only took Night a couple of minutes to catch up.

She and Inanna landed almost simultaneously, Night making sure to set Tay'Na down carefully. Selinia had nearly ripped her fur out from holding on so tightly. Night decided to let her get down at her own pace, once she felt comfortable again.

"Greetings all..." she began, then riveted her gaze to Okissaki as he began to change.

"I see you have become a Praetorian my friend. Congratulations," she rumbled softly, inclining her head to him in a 'bow' of sorts.

"This is Tay Navarre," she said, nodding to the great wolf. "And this," she indicated Selinia, "is Selinia, a Druidess. I heard you say that the steel one was heading for the Temple of Water next," she said, wincing slightly as Selinia finally let go of her fur and began making her way down. The druidess managed to stand, if a bit shakily.

"Heart of the Ocean is hidden, in such a way that it will take the steel one and his guide a bit of time to locate it. If we alert those at the Temple to make themselves scarce, we may be able to avoid serious bloodshed. What say you Wolfe?" she asked, turning to the High Wayfarer.

Posted by [CYA]WoLf on March 15th, 2001 11:49 PM:

Where Wolfe?

The High Wayfarer gave a long sigh, and mused for a while, he regarded the Master Wayfarer of Earth and each in turn stopping to bow to Firetalon, and Shadow of Light. He finally gave Markus a smile and a slight wink.

"I sense the Steel Dragon is controlled by another, who will have guile and cunning aplenty." He said softly moving to extend his hand to Oki, something he had not done in a long time.

Posted by Okissaki on March 16th, 2001 09:53 PM:

There Wolfe

The old man gladly took the High Wayfarer's hand. He felt a surge of confidence. The High Wayfarer had the gift to see things whole and as they were. With Wolfe's help, the warriors of Drakan, be they dragon, human or changeling, could face anything.

But just what were they facing? "High Wayfarer, can you discern the purpose guiding the sorties of the metal monster?"

Posted by Shadow of Light on March 18th, 2001 04:39 PM:

Shadow of Light

"The Heart of Flame," Sha'o'el whispered suddenly.

Tarshaeva blinked down at her with golden eyes. "You think the steel dragon went back for that? But it was all used up-"

"Perhaps it feared the Wayfarers could restore it?" SoL replied, keeping her voice down as the others talked. "Or some other reason... but why else would it have turned back to the Temple of Earth?"

"It could be the reason," Tarshaeva conceded. "You think we should go back for it?"

***

Valyna

And in the Temple of Earth, a dark figure appeared out of nowhere. The Ninja Assassin chuckled softly and crossed over to the dead lump of crystal that was the Heart of Flame. One black-gloved hand ran over its cold surface and she smiled in the darkness of her hood.

This will make the Master happy.

She took a pouch from her belt and cast its contents over the Heart. It shimmered for an instant, then turned invisible. Valyna kept in contact with it as she put on her own invisibility ring. Then she closed her eyes and murmured the only spell she knew.

"Yes?" a voice asked in her mind.

"The Heart of Flame, Master. I have it here in the Temple of Earth."

There was a heartbeat of silence. Then: "Slaying the Bloodbound was your objective."

"The steel dragon seems to have that well in hand, Master."

A sensation of grudging agreement. "I am sending Khelak to the Temple. When he has the Heart, you continue after the Bloodbound."

"Yes, Master."

--SoL

Posted by [CYA]WoLf on March 26th, 2001 09:11 PM:

To know is to see and to see is to understand.

The High Wayfarer smoothed back his long dark hair, now shot through with a streak of silver, dark eyes regarded the assembled group and his soft voice whispered into the air.

"The Steel Dragon's sortes are directed to a singular purpose by its puppet-master. Each of the hearts can be used in a grand ritual, one that will shake the very face of Drakan, one that could bring us face to face with an old and powerful enemy."

He let his voice trail away into nothing, finally releasing his friend's hand.

"It has been too long, Master Wayfarer of Earth."

Markus watched all of this, feeling slightly over-awed, standing next to SoL, he looked at her and whispered.

"That sounds ominous...very...ominous."

Posted by Shadow of Light on March 30th, 2001 08:27 PM:

Shadow of Light

Ritual? Hearts? Oh dear...

SoL and Tarshaeva stared at each other with an icy feeling in their stomachs.

"Um, excuse us, please," the former said to the group. "Tarshaeva and I left something at the Temple of Earth... something we didn't realise would be that important."

The black-silver dragon lowered a wing and SoL climbed up. "You should probably try to catch the steel dragon before it reaches the next Temple," she added. "We'll catch up with the Heart of Flame."

"It won't matter in a few more days," Tarshaeva murmured to her Bonded as she jumped into the sky and swept back towards the Temple of Earth. "Heart or no Heart, the Flame is dead. Dragonkind don't have much time left."

Sha'o'el closed her eyes, feeling the wing against her face and the sound of wings in her ears. If Tarshaeva died, so would she, but that thought didn't bother her so much. She couldn't imagine a life that didn't have this dragon in it.

"We'll get through this," she whispered, her voice almost lost in the wind.

We must.

--SoL

Posted by [CYA]WoLf on March 30th, 2001 11:36 PM:

Fire?

Markus looked to SoL and her Dragon and sighed softly. The High Wayfarer caught this and crooked his finger to the younger man.

"You should go with SoL and see what aid you can lend young Markus...after all, you are the Master Wayfarer of Fire." He chuckled ever-so-softly. "I will remain here and lend what aid I can to my allies and friends."

Markus bowed knowing full well not to argue with the High Wayfarer, and moved to SoL's side. "Perhaps I can find some fire left for the Dragon's?" He questioned somberly.

Posted by [CYA]WoLf on June 19th, 2001 10:17 PM:

On a Wing and a Prayer

Markus looked down at the ground, and then at SoL and down at the ground again, and back to SoL finally he sighed.

"I always wanted a Dragon of my own, but we don't tend to ride them...in the Wayfarers."

Posted by Shadow of Light on June 20th, 2001 07:49 PM:

Welcome back, furry friend.

"You're missing out," Sha'o'el told him.

"So's a dragon," Tarshaeva added with a grin.

They flew back to the Temple of Earth, the Bloodbound dragon gliding along currents of air. The damage the steel dragon had caused to the cliffs of the mountain were visible as they got closer - deep scratches and black marks where fire had scorched the rock. Tarshaeva spread her wings and glided down to the main landing in front of the Temple's gigantic gates.

SoL jumped down to the ground and waited for Markus to follow. She glanced through the doorway. "I think we left it in there."

--SoL

Posted by [CYA]WoLf on June 20th, 2001 08:28 PM:

Thanksie :)

Markus landed with his usual grace and style, hopping down to kneel for a moment, he checked the ground and stood, flicking his staff out and leaning on it. "So now what?" He questioned. "In there?"

His eyes looked to the opening, and he waited for SoL to move...a half smile. "It's good to be working with you again."

He looked to the Dragon. "And with you."

Posted by Shadow of Light on June 20th, 2001 08:54 PM:

Most welcome. ;)

OOC: By the Virtues, I may not have MSN where I am now, but at least I have ROLEPLAYING!! YAHAHAHAH!!

IC:

Shadow of Light

Tarshaeva rolled her eyes and snorted. She knew very well who's company the Wayfarer preferred. SoL only grinned.

"In there," the latter agreed, and led the way into the huge tunnel. Tarshaeva followed behind them.

Valyna

The Ninja Assassin crouched by the wall in the tunnel, invisible, and the Heart invisible with her. She heard the voices and could see them approaching, backlit by the light outside. There was no way she'd be able to move the Heart herself due to its size and weight, and if the Ninja dragon Khalek didn't get here soon, that Bloodbound dragon would smell her. It'd all be over.

Unless...

If she killed Sha'o'el, Tarshaeva would begin to transform to stone. That would leave only that young Wayfarer... and he didn't look like he'd stand a chance against anyone of her skill.

Valyna grinned, upended a pouch of invisibility dust over the Heart of Flame to keep it concealed, then crept stealthily up the tunnel towards her prey, keeping close to the wall... one hand tugging a poisoned shuriken from her belt...

--SoL

Posted by [CYA]WoLf on June 20th, 2001 09:22 PM:

Does a Wolf eat red meat?

Markus followed with a slow pace, alert and moving with a kind of feline grace, he muttered a soft prayer to the Wolf and stepped with SoL into the unknown.

Posted by Shadow of Light on June 21st, 2001 07:50 PM:

Gee, let me think. ;)

Paladins and Wayfarer vs Ninja Assassin!

Or, to abbreviate, Pawvna!

Both Sha'o'el and Tarshaeva heard it... a faint, barely audible clink of metal. Then there was an angry hiss and something small that glittered in the light flew from the shadows, straight at SoL's chest.

There wasn't enough time to think, let alone dodge, but SoL had turned at the initial sound. Thus the Ninja throwing-star didn't shear through her breastplate and kill her instantly -- it scraped a short line across the surface instead then clunked several inches deep into the stone wall.

Tarshaeva bellowed angrily and breathed ice in the direction the attack had come from. SoL, eyes wide and teeth clenched, drew her Spiritblade and crouched slightly to make herself a smaller target.
 

--SoL

OOC: Attack as you wish, Wolf. I have no objections if Valyna kicks the bucket.

Posted by [CYA]WoLf on June 22nd, 2001 02:32 AM:

Wayfarer

Markus whirled around and ripped his cylinder from his belt, in a moment, his quarterstaff shone in the half-light. He checked to see if SoL was alright, and watched her Dragon ice the area.

Markus was a Wayfarer and they knew when something wasn't right, and this ranked on the scale of a holy-hell something. A quick glance to the star told him that it was some kind of Assassin, probably a Ninja, so his first opening move was to spend a few seconds with a spell.

A light settled on SoL for a moment, a soft blueish sheen ran over her armour.

Then he spoke in a mildly amused tone. "Always hiding in shadows...you know one day, those shadows will be your death." Another spell and the mix of shadows in the room began to move...as if alive...

"Looks like this day is now."

Posted by Shadow of Light on June 22nd, 2001 06:04 PM:

bleh, MSN didn't work. :(

Cont'd

If missing Sha'o'el hadn't given the Ninja a reason to curse, the shadows twisting into thick ropes around her lets certainly did. She tugged her katana free, the steel pulling silently from its sheath, and attempted to swing the blade through the insubstantial bonds. The blade passed through them without apparent effect, and she felt the shadowy stuff loop around her neck.

A choked gasp betrayed her, and the dragon's head swung unerringly in her direction. Golden eyes burned with a fierce intensity as the creature drew itself up and inhaled.

"It appears I underestimated the Bloodbound after all," Valyna grated.

Her words had the desired effect. SoL lifted one arm and the dragon, with a growl, subsided.

"Show yourself," the Paladin demanded.

Valyna dropped her sword and managed to flick the ring from her fingers. It landed on the stones with a faint clinking sound. As her form wavered into full visibility the shadows lifted her off the ground by her neck and she grabbed at the substanceless cords gripping her throat, but caught hold of nothing.

"If I die you'll never find the Heart," she choked, glaring at Markus.

--SoL

Posted by [CYA]WoLf on June 22nd, 2001 07:58 PM:

Shadows...and the Light

Markus gave the Ninja an amused look. "That's a shame because, you'd have no qualms about killing us would you?"

He stepped forwards. "You really don't quite understand the power of a Wayfarer of the Blood do you?"

Another step, the young man was slightly miffed...

"What's to say that I can't simply question the soul when you're dead...what's to say that you think we're the really saccherine good guys?"

He guestured with his free hand and a patch of the room turned into rubble as a large rock was torn apart by forces that the others could not see, spirals of dust flew in all directions. "We've studied the arts of magic for centuries, we've walked in places that would make your kind go weak at the knees, we've fought beings far darker than you could ever hope to be."

"I'll ask you one last time...where is it, answer and you're free to live, and to go...unless you really want to fight, then I can introduce you to my staff personally...up to you...but I'm losing patience with you, and this damn steel Dragon."

He glared and his eyes lit...with the renewed anger of summer's touch. "Didn't tell you did they, that I'm the High Wayfarer of Fire, the Master of that side of the Temple, and I'm annoyed."

Posted by Shadow of Light on June 25th, 2001 07:47 PM:

...Fire...

Sha'o'el had to conceal her startlement. He hadn't told her he was the Master Wayfarer of Fire either.

Valyna was laughing and choking at the same time. "Master Wayfarer of Fire," she sneered. "Some power you must have, to lack even so tenuous a connection to your Element that you can't sense the Heart." She struggled for another breath, but the disdainful grin didn't leave her face. "If you must question my soul to find your answers, then so be it. But I hardly see killing me like this as an honourable death. You might not be Bloodbound..." her eyes flicked to the Paladins. "...but they are."

SoL and Tarshaeva both felt cold shock hit their stomachs. Despite the Ninja's treacherous attack, they were honour-bound not to retaliate in kind. It was murder, deserved or not.

Sha'o'el stepped forward and touched Markus' shoulder. "Not like this," she said, half-pleading. "You may have walked in places where others would run screaming, but leave this path alone." She glanced up at Valyna. "The darkness that road leads to cannot be fought. It only consumes."

Valyna inclined her head mockingly. "I knew I could count on you. So, Master Wayfarer of Fire, does your staff have a name?"

--SoL

Posted by [CYA]WoLf on June 25th, 2001 08:20 PM:

Answer

Markus nodded. "Yes, I'd rather not walk this path, at all, but let's show her how the Heart of Fire really works shall we?"

He smirked, it wasn't often that Markus really looked smug.

"Learn Ninja, the cold hard truth of the Wayfarers, and who we are...what we know and what...the Heart's are...they're nothing more than a callow focus for a power that doesn't belong in them."

He opened his hand and a flame leapt from his fingers into the roof of the temple, the whole building shook. "It's about time that we turned the tide of this war, thanks for keeping the Heart safe and the power.." He pulled his hand down with a whip-like crack and the whole building shook, walls shattered into shards of rock that spun away with a snapping crunch, the whole ceiling pulled upwards by the force of an unseen wind...spiralled off into the sky to be drawn upwards.

A howling wind began and Markus stepped away from Shadow and smiled. "Thank you Shadow, you reminded me that I'm not as low as her. My staff, has a name? it's called Pyros."

He opened his hand and put the palm to the sky as the whole temple rumbled into nothing, leaving them on the bare, barren plane...then the sky rained fire.

Balls of incandescence that lit the ground. "Do you really think that the power of fire could be constrained in such a petty little bauble girl?" He shook his head. And the whole plain shook as the fire continued to rain down. "I am the heart of fire Ninja, the soul of the flame, as Wolfe is the Spirit of the Moon, and now you know." He chuckled. "Pity it's too late to realise...your mistake."

He smiled softly to SoL. "You're safe and so is she for now."

Posted by [CYA]WoLf on July 2nd, 2001 04:34 AM:

Freedom

Markus guestured and a vague normality flickered around, as he withdrew the power of fire, a direct connection with his deity. The temple was gone, as though it never stood. "We're taking back what's ours, Wolfe's orders...all the temples are to be torn down. And the Wayfarer's dis...banded." He shook his head. "Our time is over." A glare at the Ninja. "Get out of here, and take it with you, go serve what ever master you have. I see you again, they'll be a reckoning." He strode off a little ways and stood glowering.

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

(Here the thread ended. I will conclude with the the last post I wrote to The Blood That Binds.)

Posted by Shadow of Light on November 4th, 2001 07:39 AM:

Farewell

Shadow of Light regarded herself in the mirror. It was odd to see herself in tanned leathers, especially after the Gathering of Cinders a few minutes ago. She'd got so used to the sight and feel of white platemail that it was almost like looking at a stranger. Then again, her appearance was lacking more than a suit of steel. Turning away from the reflection, she looked at the shimmering armour standing at the foot of her bed... the Spiritblade lying across the blankets. A hook on the back of the door held the heavy robes of the Sage of Tibor.

This was her room in the clan halls. She hadn't been here since leaving to seek the Paladin Chapterhouse - a place she'd never found, she thought with a small sigh. A journey half completed.

"That path is not mine," she murmured to herself. "No single path is. I can't dedicate myself to one set of values when there exists others just as worthy to be followed. Perhaps there is a way to champion them all, but I won't find that way in the Paladinhood."

Sha'o'el shifted the plain greatsword across her back and picked up the carefully written scroll from the desk below the mirror. Around the missive was wrapped the chains of two amulets: Tarshaeva's Circle of Binding and her own.

As for the clan, she thought, I don't know if we're doing the right thing by leaving. All I can say is that... I no longer feel needed here.

As she turned to leave, a brilliant flash of light from her discarded armaments reclaimed her attention. When the shimmering faded from the air, she could see that the holy aura that had infused both sword and armour had departed. The Spiritblade was again a plain steel sword. The platemail had turned the colour of a dark sea, what a Praetorian of Dracos would wear. The red-gold embossing of a Pendragon glinted there still, but was fading as it passed on to its new owner.

Glancing around at her own little corner of the Blood That Binds for one last time, the young woman straightened resolutely, opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. A brief walk led her to the chamber for the Council of Five. Cautiously, she pushed it open and peered in. No one was inside. She crossed the floor to her own desk and searched through the neatly ordered partchments to make sure everything was in order.

Satisfied, she located some sealing wax and held the silver stuff to a candle so that it dripped onto her own message. Then she pressed the signet of her office, the crystal ball symbol of a Sage of Tibor, to the cooling wax. That done, she dropped the scroll and Circles on her table for someone to find and left.

Next stop was the War Scrolls, where most of the Bloodbound spent their spare time talking with each other. SoL paused to leave her broadsword at the entrance (neither physical nor verbal fights were tolerated in the War Scrolls), then gave her password to the guards and entered.

The murmur of voices echoed through the large chamber. Some people sat in groups, others were alone. A few glanced her way as she entered and a couple hailed her from across the room, but she only inclined her head in response. Drawing a deep breath, she said the word that would seal her fate.

"Farewell."

And she was gone before anyone thought to reply.

***

"So how'd it go?" Tarshaeva asked. The dragon was waiting some distance from the Blood That Binds clanhouse, curled up in a grassy hollow and enjoying the bright sunshine.

"Everything's done," Sha'o'el answered, picking her way between the last couple of trees. "Did you say your own farewells? Mustn't have taken long."

"Dragons are more understanding about this sort of thing," Tarshaeva said, stretching both wings to their full impressive width. "You humans will argue about anything for days on end. We accept the choices our kind make without raising a fuss. Most of the time, anyway." Tarshaeva raised her head and yawned at her Bonded. "So now we're Fallen Wyrms?" she said with a grimace. "What a nice name to leave with, particularly after all you've-"

"I'll live," Sha'o'el interrupted, grinning back. "So will you. Were you planning to get up any time today?"

With a snort that sent flames into the sky, Tarshaeva pushed herself up, shook grass from her scales and scratched at a wing-joint with one hindclaw. "What did you say to them?"

"Aloud? Just 'Farewell'."

"Strange. You're usually more eloquent than that."

Sha'o'el chuckled, climbed up and sat at the base of Tarshaeva's neck. "Let's fly."

The dragon's wings swept down powerfully and they lifted into the air, branches and leaves of the surrounding trees whipping madly in the wind of their wake. The ground receded as they gained altitude and rose above the treetops, high enough to see the clanhouse again. Then Tarshaeva was speeding towards it like a black and silver arrow.

The clanhouse was actually more of a small castle. Four towers rose tall and proud at each corner with a fifth higher one rising in the middle of the structure from which flew a large flag bearing 'The Blood That Binds'. The entire building was formed of a brownish-gold stone that gleamed spectacularly in the sunlight, like dark golden flames amidst the greenery around it.

It was the central tower Tarshaeva was going to fly by; past the great crystal windows that lined the level where the War Scrolls were. She grinned and called to Sha'o'el, "Any last words?"

"I was thinking of shouting 'Freedom!', actually," the human replied with a laugh, "but I think I'll forgo that. Only a few people would get what I was talking about."

"Hurry up and decide!"

"Ready!" Sha'o'el held on to her bonded with all her strength as Tarshaeva rolled to her left, now flying parallel to the walls of the tower instead of the ground. She tore past the windows and let loose a shattering roar that made the crystal rattle violently. At the same time, Sha'o'el whispered, "Virtue be with thee."

Then they were past and away.

Shadow of Light had left the Blood That Binds.