The Ocean's Roar

[hallaloth]

The cliffs stood silent off the shore, the waves idly lapping at the rocky slopes. Occasionally the silver glimmer of a fish below the waters could be seen, but at this present moment, not even a gull stirred. It was deathly quiet, if it had been the forest, any seasoned traveler would have been on alert to danger.

A man stepped out of a cave, unreachable from the banks below, or the heights above. He stood square, staring out at the watery horizon where the sun had sunk hissing into the waves the night before. A small groan escaped his lips and he rubs his head, the throbbing headache a testament to his late night and annoyed partner.

"Why do I still go to taverns half way across the country?" he asked himself, sitting down on the ledge and leaning back, his palms flat on the stone. The leather jerkin he wore was well cared for, if coated in sand, the typical black traveler's breeches reimbursed with extra thick leather on the calves and seat. His eyes trailed back behind him, over the collection of items in the over sized cave and he sighed again.

A pair of fifteen pound fish slapped the dust behind him. He stared blankly at them a moment, then suddenly twisted, throwing himself off the ledge and grabbing a hanging vine to swing down beneath it.

"You missed you great Wyrm!" he shouted, hearing the sound of a massive bulk slamming into the stone above him, a set of wicked sharp talons glancing off the rock. "You're getting slow old friend," he clambered back up the vine, leaning back as he braced his feet on the ledge and stared up at his closest, and only living friend.

The ice colored dragon rolled its eye back at him, the fangs protruding from either side of his mouth bleached white with sea salt. Figures that the coot would have already gone out for his breakfast that morning, at least he had been courteous enough not to wake his rider.

"You look a mess," the deep words rippled through his mind, and the human merely grinned, setting his boots flat on stone and lifting both fish and bringing them inside the cave. It was neat and organized for all it was a bachelor's living space. Two different sets of armor hung carefully on stone pallets, the weapons that went with them set carefully beside. One was purely ceremonial, and of a far older style than the time's current ruling class. The other was a working pair of armor, scared and obviously well worn.

Valon walked in slowly behind him, ducking his long neck before raising it in the massive cavern underneath the cliffs. It was a pleasant place for the pair of them to live, and the sandy bed in the back was glittering with the gold of a dragon's hoard. Reaching his neck further down, the beast gave a low snort, a small puff of flame starting a fire in the stone grate. "Eat something, you know you will feel better with some food and drink in you,"

"Uhg, why did we go back to that place again?" Aeron moaned, setting a small slab of boar to reheat on the stones.

"Because, you wanted to see if the same serving maid was still there and remembered your name. Of course, she was, and proceeded not only-"

"Oh, be quiet, you pesky lizard," he dipped a beaker into the water barrel, downing it once before refilling and sipping. Conversation between them died down as he ate his meal, trying to keep his pounding head at bay. By mid-morning it had settled down, and he finally glanced sidelong at the dragon who simply blinked slowly at him before leading the way outside. Grinning he slipped out of the cave, climbing up onto Valon's back.

"You are going to want the saddle," an amused note touched the deep voice as he shook his head, settling himself. Fine, do not blame me if you plummet," he gathered his wings up, then dove down towards the crashing waters below. Spinning he burst upward, his wings opening to their fullest extend as they sailed low over the waves before rising above the cliffs and heading towards the plains on the other side of the forest. To their knowledge, there was a supply caravan heading out from one of the warring parties, neither really knew which side it was coming from, they did not really care, it would be interesting to see their reaction to an unaffiliated rider in the sky.

[Eveimei]

"Why do I have to guard this caravan again?" Lei crossed her thin, wiry arms over her chest. "I know i punched him, but he called me a-"

"He did, but the correct way to deal with it would have been to report it to an instructor. You may not be a student here, but the instructors deal with all discipline. Hence me talking to you." The advocate glared with apparent disdain, and it was evident that she was becoming annoyed. "You are guarding the caravan because the other rider gaurd is sick, and his dragon's wing was injured during scouting. You are the only rider who does not have any duties. Sitting here and gossiping is not doing anything to help our kind avoid the humans. We let ourselves be hired by them so they are less likely to turn on us. And if they do, we will pull our services."

Seems like she can read your mind. An amused sounding voice commented in Lei's head.
Yes, and it is annoying trying to talk to two people at once. Lei replied to her dragon, Saoria.
Fine. I'll be quiet. Saoria huffed, and smoked shot out of her nostrils, causing the instructor to take a step back.

"Now, go get ready. the caravan leaves in three bells."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The air is void of any other creatures than us. I wonder why? Lei looked around the azure sky. She could make out the edges of the shoreline to the east, and the spires of one of the human's capital cities. Saoria folded her wings to dive, giving Lei a view of the ground. From miles above the ground, the caravan looked more like beetles marching than wagons.
I have no idea. But I do think someone below is signaling us. Saoria tightened her wings, gaining speed.

Suddenly, a roar sounded above them. Saoria snapped out her wings in a well-practiced movement, turning to soar upwards. They could make out a dragon and rider, silhouetted against the sun.

[hallaloth]

A grin slipped about the edges of his lips as Valon loosed a thunderous road from deep within his chest. He could feel the sound building in the dragon's belly, bottling up and gaining strength and power until it burst forth. It vibrated through his bones, boiling his blood as the dragon pulled far back, circling over backwards.

"Ack," he clung tighter, shifting forward and wrapping his arms tight around the spines rising out the neck scales. "Do you have to-"

Hang on little brother, the voice came as a low laugh through his mind as the dragon resumed its upright position, wings tilting slightly until they hovered, perfectly in place. I told you to bring the saddle

"Oh shut it," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes at the bright sunlight. "Heading inward towards the capital, looks like anyway," he shifted, comfortable in the brisk air from the heat rolling from the scales. He had known people who claimed flying was too chilling for them, it had always made him laugh. Unless you were flying over the ice floats in the outer oceans far at the top of the world, it was hard to get cold dragonback. Even in winter, if you were smart, you never got too cold.

Tugging at his sleeves, he looked down at them, glad he was not afraid of heights like one woman he had known. A memory blindsided him, and for a moment he closed his eyes, wondering whatever had happened to his wing brothers and sisters. Not that it made a difference now. Everyone eventually died, even if they were immortal. There was always a better rider, always a better fighter on the ground. And while commons babbled myth about how you could kill a dragon by slaying their rider, he had seen it happen many a time, and had watched the dragon take wing and rejoin a fight. Had things changed so much?

We have company Aeron, if you would pay any sort of attention to your surroundings He sighed, why had he agreed to join with a pesky dragon anyway? Oh, right, because he had been a reckless young daredevil eager to play up his older brother. Look where that had gotten the world.

His threw his weight into the turn, settling himself easily back as he watched the pair speeding towards them. He blinked once or twice, feeling the currents of air about them and readied them both to move with it. Valon was a dragon who preferred the sea for all that he could fly, and only with his rider could he manage these air currents. "Does not look like they are up here to- is that an-?"

[i[An elf, indeed. It is interesting, is it not? Perhaps we should say hello before loosing the air on them? Certainly a young pair, would not want to put pride up head over tails would we? Least, not right away,[/i] The amused slightly sadistic tone in the dragon's mind voice reminded him of exactly why they had been pulled together, and his lips twitched again as Valon dropped, to a spiral pattern, leveling out just above them, in a tactical position, holding steady in the air, waiting for them to speak first.

[Eveimei]

Should I use a spell, or try to break their minds? Lei wondered.
They seem ancient and strong. Best to amplify your voice using a simple air spell. Saoria flicked her wings back slightly, shielding her rider long enough for her to draw her sword. The blue-black metal was smooth and polished, appearing to have never been used. The complete opposite was true. Even though she had only had it for 2 centuries, it had seen more than its share of battles. Lei touched the only knick in its edges. She sighed, then straightened to face the rider and mount before her.
Her breath caught in her throat. This pair...is the one known for scaring hunting parties, chasing off the prey, starving refugees. Her blood started to boil. Saoria tried to send calming thoughts to her rider, but they bounced off.
You haven't been this mad since your parents were murdered.
They might as well have murdered those refugees. They need to learn what is right and wrong. Lei thought out a spell that would amplify both riders' voices.
"Have you come to raid this caravan, like countless others? Or to steal girls from their families? Or, to kill us?" Lei now was glad for her armor. It might just save her neck today.

[hallaloth]

"Does she look familiar-"

<i>No</i>

"A descendant perhaps?"

<i>You are asking me?</i> the dragon rolled one deep, ocean blue eye back at him. <i>Neither one of us has a way of knowing that</i> he exhaled sharply from his nostrils, the cold breath of the ocean freezing the drops of moisture in the air, though they would melt long before reaching the earth. <i>Stealing maidens are we? I have not done in that in a long time. And then it was only for sport. They used to laugh so.</i>

"Oh, shut up. Nostalgia does nothing Valon," the rider sighed, listening to the elf-girl's shouts. Made a malicious name for themselves had they? Well, it was about time.

He felt the woman take up the winds, and smirked slightly. It was well done, he could understand her perfectly, almost too perfectly. This was one unhappy maid.

"Raid caravans?" he did not bother shouting, the spell was worked properly enough that it was not needed, but it was no doubt she could hear the hint of amusement in his voice. "Have we ever actually raided? I cannot remember, though the thought is appealing. Stealing girls from their families? Tried that last night, did not go over well, girl was not there anymore anyway. Besides, I prefer a night over a long drawn out relationship, too pesky getting involved any longer, not when they will fade like a rose compared to me. Besides, most girls seem to be terrified of dragons these days. Your doing perhaps?" he completely ignored the last comment. Let the silly woman think they were here for blood, it did them no harm. Only another rider could reach their cliff home and he would like to see them try and fight.

He had watched, and from a safe distance alone, the warriors of today. If this pair was any indication the riders were not doing much better. Sure, she looked good, and was obviously sure and confident. But he doubted any rider of the day had faced the flame, rider verses rider in a death match over clashing armies stretched below. But those days were long ago, too long ago perhaps. He saw her drawn blade, it was admirable, and he wondered if it had just been repaired to be in such good condition. He had needed to do it twice over the years, and it was painstakeningly slow process, one reason he never bothered carrying the dratted thing anymore.

"Telling tales of us are they? Well, when they figure things out, let us know. Life is getting quite boring, but no matter what they say one rider can never change the world. That takes an army," he barely shifted his weight and Valon lifted upwards with a wing beat, rearing back and catching a current that spun them upward another level, giving an even greater advantage should they choose to strike. Of course, magically it was foolhardy to expose a dragon's under-belly, but they had always been a pair to tempt fate.

[Eveimei]

Lei listened to the rouge reply. He seemed well-educated, but time away from civilization had roughened his speech a bit. He finished speaking, shifted back slightly, so little even Lei's elf eyes hardly caught the movement and tensing of his torso. The ice-like dragon reared backwards, rising up a few feet. His underside was now exposed, most likely a trap. Lei tensed the inner muscles of her legs, giving almost no perceptible cue. Saoria turned, curving around her enemies.
That dragon is a decent flyer, remarked Lei.
Yes, but they seem cocky. Shall I give them a taste of my dark flames? There was a black hint in Saoria's tone.
No, save that. Just distracting flames, aim to the...left. Lei started to shift the temperature of the air behind the rouges. The air shimmered with heat. Saoria clenched her abdomen, expelling blue and yellow flames from her mouth. They streamed towards the trickster's left. Lei encouraged a current to blow the blistering heat forward. She created a cold edge, and let it free. With her vision, she could see the heat start to burn his clothing.

{edited, is this better? And sorry, wasn't thinking straight. Very sorry.}

[hallaloth]

(...no controlling characters please, he does not even have a shield raised)

"Left," he said softly, knowing the dragon would hear him over the roar of the wind. Yes, straight through the flames bunching towards them. But he had discovered that typically, people who worked with fire and wind would bend the heat in towards a person, leaving the backside virtually unhandled.

Valon's wing swept up, angling them sideways in the air, into the current, stinging the underside of the wing. Pushing forward Aeron huddled against the scales of the dragon's neck, letting his long time partner take the brunt of the flames, he could feel them flickering about him, but he shoved the slight pain aside. He watched the current slam forward, directly where they had been a moment before and shook his head slightly, still tucked against the dragon's neck. Had this woman ever battled before?

Shoving his feet back against the scales he rose slightly, setting his hands against the neck and lightly touched one of the scales. While his friend could handle flames, his talents lay elsewhere. The liquid in the air began to condense, hissing away into steam that shrouded the air, creating a thick blanket of fog.

Bring it fast and hard, the internal heat will most likely quickly melt it, so get something else ready the casual advice had been heard many times before, but it helped. Making a few, quick gestures Aeron directed the liquid to hang about them, the only thing they should notice was a slightly rise in humidity as the water pressed closer about them. The low rumble of the ocean waves within his blood pounded and he spoke softly, a low hissing breath. And the water suddenly jerked together, freezing solid about the other dragon's wings and rider's legs. It wrapped in intricate coils about them, and he shook his head, it was a sloppy job, easy to break free from.

Already Valon was banking around them, by this point they were at the other pair's side, about fourty feet apart, and he could over and see her and her dragon still facing the spot they had been in. Touching two fingers to his lips he licked them, tasting the air and the water and suddenly shook his head. "Nothing up here to work with, drop lower old slug," he said, settling back. "I'd rather not deal with flames today, and the real sky powers just are not here," he glanced out, trying to find a bunch of clouds on the horizon, but for the moment there was none.

Dropping the dragon leveled out over the trees, still heading inland, and then suddenly dropped lower, reaching down with an outstretched talon and neatly slicing the air between a pair of oxen without touching them or the tracing holding them there. Of course, even steady ox will spook finding a deathflyer suddenly above them, and they were the third wagon back from the front and Aeron grinned slightly, hearing the shouts of the people and bawling of the livestock.

I remember the days when that would not have turned a hair the dragon sighed into his mind. It made hunting so much easier, if annoyingly so his wings began beating faster, picking up speed over the ground as an earthen shield began to wrap about them, not physically, but magically. And while they had always been a battling pair, their shields were typically steady unless concentration was broken. While not like the diamond shields of their teachers and other wing-members, still capable.

[Eveimei]

"Urgh," Lei growled. The current of air had missed, and ice had immobilized them for a moment. Saoria convulsed, breaking free. Lei leaned forward, and Saoria responded by diving. They swooped towards their opponents, giving chase.
Straightforward flyer, no flourishes. Saoria remarked.
Yes, and quite fast. But we can catch up, right? Lei was only joking. Saoria had always been the speediest flyer, even with armor. Did any ice get into the joints?
No, the layer was just to slow us down. When we get close, may I toy with them a bit?
No, we need to just defeat them, or at least question them. Faster, they're pulling ahead. Lei crouched closer to Saoria's neck, giving her wings more room to flap. They sped up, coming within fifty feet of the tricksters.
Now, steady flying, I'm going to cast a spell. Lei checked to ensure the straps on her saddle were tight around her legs. She stuck her sword through one of the straps, making sure she could draw it if necessary. She then drew upon the power in the ancient trees below. She reached into one of the many compartments in her belt, drawing out a cloth ball. She whispered over it, then released it to the wind. Shifting a breeze's direction, she blew it towards her opponents. She shoved the growing power of the forest into it. Brambles, nettle and rose vines exploded out of it, latching onto the other dragon's wings, tearing them. Some twined around his muzzle, and tightened. Lei caught her breath, grabbed her sword, and prepared for the real battle.

[hallaloth]

(Auto-hitting in a fight...not fun...I pride myself in taking hits that need to be taken you know)

"Fast pair, been a while," he murmured, glancing back.

Too fast, we turning or-?

"I never wanted a fight out of this, just a look see," Aeron gave a dramatic sigh, then cursed as Valon suddenly lurched.

Earth spells could be near impossible to work in the air, the ground, and anything that dealt with it, had a mind to keep itself firmly rooted. So he had to give the elfling that, she worked it well, and earth had never been his strong element. And combine her spell with the earth shield he had started to raise, well...the whole thing wanted to plant itself, regardless of the fact there was a dragon in the middle of the mess.

They would be laughing at us now a grumble of annoyance sounded in the Wyrm's tone. For all that they were a casual pair, being laughed at did not sit well, especially by some silly elf chit and her dragon. <i>Get a blaze. . .oh bother, too late</i> They had also been flying lower than was normal for a flight, and the roots had reached ground and were firmly planting themselves.

"On the crown," Aeron growled, wincing as he saw the thorns pressing into the delicate undersides of his comrades wings. "Settle lightly," he sighed, sliding off onto the dirt and rolling free of the entwining mess. Closing his eyes, keeping one ear listening for how close the pair persuading them was, he reciting a quick cantrip, a common fire spell used by travelers. It was enhanced though, and he was careful to direct the threads of flame away from the lighter under scales, carefully burning away the vines and natural mess.

The ice colored dragon slowly curved his neck around, looking down at his rider. Bested by a trainee. Really Aeron, and I thought I was out of practice

"Shut it dragon," he grumbled, reaching over and running his hands carefully over the near wing, before walking around and checking the other one. Thankfully he only found like nicks, and nothing serious. When he heard their wings beats closing in he stopped, looking up at his old friend as the dragon turned, covering his back as he checked Valon's chest. "Underhanded, even for a woodland elf," he commented dryly, finally turning around, staring up at the two. Sure, they had a tactical advantage, a better one than he had ever allowed most riders to get on him, hardly meant he was going to stop being arrogant. Somethings just never left the bloodline.

[Eveimei]

Lei watched as the ball of plants and flesh tumbled to the ground. The rider jumped free, rolling better than most elves. They must be ancient, to give him time to hone a save like that. That was better than the so-called "masters" of combat among my kind. Lei muttered, disgusted. This shows how little my kind fights nowadays. If only we had a real reason to fight. Only us riders fight. The elite just stay home, worrying about their children developing the gift of dragonspeak... They need to worry about the humans marching on us. Enough venting, I need to focus. Saoria swooped in, hovering above the rider, who was glaring up at them.

"That actually worked better than expected, to tell the truth. I thought it would just distract you two, not make you fall. But well done on the landing and burning the growth away. Oops, slipping into teacher mode. But, still, well done." Lei slipped off Saoria's back, landing lightly on one knee. "I just wanted to ask you a few questions. Let's not fight anymore." She laid her sword on the ground, backing up. Saoria folded her wings, thumping to the ground. She inclined her head towards the ice-like male dragon. "I am S’Chak-lei’onot’t-ai, but most call me Lei. This is Saoria. What are your names?"

[hallaloth]

Hardly that difficult Valon's voice was rather disapproving as he ducked his head down to his rider's level. He did not however, voice a word to the other dragon, though his eyes did rove over her scales briefly before refocusing. Who are we today?

"Not like they could ever trace it" it was a relief to be able to continue communication without speaking aloud, and still have the words be private. The human too studied the pair that had brought them down. "Not that difficult, not when you combind nature with an earth shield, Aeron, and this is Valon," He did not give their full names, or even their true ones, no sense in stirring up a flood of old problems.

The lowest of growls, almost more like a purr pressed over him the dragon. He was only aware of it because of the length of time they had served together, that, and their crankerous instructor who had, at one time, taken them and a group of early bondeds out for three straight years, forcing them to learn the ins and outs of their dragon's mind, as well as their own. Teacher? he could well understand Valon's frustration at the concept.

"Now, you know our names, feel free to pass them on to your superiors. Mind letting two travelers head on their way?" a small smirk crossed his lips, obviously a bit amused by the pair.

[Eveimei]

"Of course, as soon as I give you this warning: Human kings have been approaching pairs who are not affiliated with a school, hatchery, or other ruler. They are offering large amounts of gold for the pairs to fight in battles for them, telling the Rider the enemy is afraid of morte le ali, or death wings. The riders and dragons always get killed somehow, even with the best shields and others backing them up." Lei fingered the lavender armband she wore. "The school I live at, and will soon work at, has lost several young pairs. None of them were older than half a century. Now, my superiors are trying to stop more pairs from making this grave mistake. Keep this in mind, and try not to scare too much cattle." Lei snatched up her sword, spun around, and leaped onto Saoria's back. "May the sun always be at your back, the wind with you, and peace be in your heart. Goodbye now!" Saoria took off, heading toward the caravan.

[hallaloth]

Well that triple blessing was close the dragon rumbled to him, craning its neck around to peer up into the sky.

"Yeah, two out of three is not too shabby," Aeron murmured shaking his head. "Join the like of these weak Kings, as if," he flung himself swiftly onto Valon's back, ignoring the slight pain as the sharp scales tore through the leggings. "Up!" he demanded, and without hestitation or question, the crystalline dragon leapt skyward, bending into a backwards loop that brought his wingtips to brush the ground before leveling out in a steep ascent.

A crown for your thoughts? the chuckle died away as the dragon sensed his Rider's thoughts So, do we take fire to this one, or sit back on the sidelines again?

"What difference will it make? Can you see a legend taking the skies of the realm again? Would anyone draw blade for an ancient, forgotten name? The commoners of this day have no real backbone, no real sense of right. Change they desire yes, but they do not have the power to bring it. They have no leader to change the stars,"

Perhaps it is time Ae-

"No, what difference would it make if I were to lead them? To them I am a mere penniless begger, not fit to be a rider of their age. To think we took to the wings with a flock of wyrm that darkened the skies for the throne in those days." They both fell silent, banking along the upper edge of wispy clouds that dotted the sky. Just in site of the road, and heading in a vague north westerly direction.