Life as a rider

[Brianna Kayla Hawkins]

Brianna's eyes flickered open and she calmly stood up, stretching her cramped legs. Her hour of meditating and focusing on the world around her had left her at peace. The glade she sat in was several hours walk from the main city, but so much easier to concentrate in. The swishing of delicate green leaves and the whispers of the wind beneath the ancient trees, followed by the chatter of squirrels and the chirping of insects, made her feel so alive! She could still feel faintly through her connection with Valhalla the different talks about chaotic weather patterns and the different flight manuevers to use when in different situations that Valhalla was having with her teacher.

Brianna smiled, she would have to wait a while for Valhalla to get her. No matter, she had brought her sword just in case. She stepped towards the middle of the clearing and drew her pearly white sword with a flourish. She had been thouroughly pleased to get this sword a few months ago from the very talented smithy elf Runon. It was a sign that she would soon be made a full rider. Brianna held it up and swung it experimentally a few times, and, just like always, the balance was perfect and the blade flawless. She set her feet apart and began to go through her forms. A sweeping slash to up above her shoulder. A feint to an invisible left knee, followed by a cut across an invisible chest. A flick towards an imaginary right elbow, and so on.

She fought so hard against her invisible enemy that she didn't realize that Valhalla was there until she settled with a great thump. That set Brianna off balance, who stumbled and almost fell. Amusement radiated from the glittering white vastness that was Valhalla.

Hello Bri, it seems you are getting better. But you should probably pay attention to what is happening around you.

Don't even start with me! I wasn't the one mooning over the big handsome green dragon. Do you even remember which way you should fly in a storm?

Valhalla shuffled her wings and held up her claws to very calmly survey them.

I was not mooning over him. I was admiring his flight skills.

Brianna snorted, yeah right.

Will you just give me a lift back to the city please?

Valhalla nodded her scaly head and turned sideways so as to give her rider a good angle to climb up. Bri scampered up her dragon's leg and into the saddle, fastening her legs as Valhalla climbed into the sky. The sky was clear today and that made it possible to see far across the island. The fire mountains loomed in the distance as they aproached the Dragon sized city of Doru Areaba. The huge buildings and streets, made so any and all dragons could be comfortable, made it seem as if the human and elf riders were mere ants. Valhalla circled several times above the city that they had lived in for several years. Finally they landed at the door of a building that housed riders in training.

Valhalla, what should we do now?

I'm going to hunt. You said the other day you wanted to go to the library, why don't you do that now since you have a break?

You're right, I think I will.

Bri patted Valhalla's scaled leg and then turned and walked down the street towards the large building that housed the imense supply of scrolls and books that was the library.

Bri Think-talking, Talking
Valhalla talking

[Roy Atalo]

Roy took a few, last bites of his Breakfast. He then sighed as she made sure his clothes look decent before walking outside. His blue eyes blinked softly at the sun that met his frame. His muscular chest and slim shoulders and legs that allow him to spend hours on foot. The young rider is also wearing tan paints, brown leather shoes and a white tunic. Nothing really special, but enough to keep him warm during a flight on Soreth, if he need to take flight.

The young rider sighed as he scanned the horizon for a few minutes. He then heard a familiar voice, Good morning, Roy. How was your beauty sleep? asked a calm male voice that had some chuckles in it. Roy sighed, Good morning to you too, Soreth. Beauty sleep? Is that really what you call it? Well, it was refreshing, and I did stay warm tonight. Roy said softly with his mind.

Roy sighed as he scanned his surroundings Why don't you come down, for a bit. I will not mind some company while I go to the library. he said to Soreth who said, Oh, alright. I am coming. Stay where your at. said Soreth before a silence settled in Roy's mind.

The young rider leaned on a nearby wall as he waited for Soreth to show up. After a few minutes, Roy smiled as he saw the figure of Soreth flying toward him. The male, red dragon's wings flapped as they carried the 30 ft long and 25 ft high dragon toward his partner and friend. Roy stood a little straighter as Soreth circled above Roy before easily landing face Roy.

The young rider sighed at the presence of his dragon before walking forward and patted the handsome head of Soreth. The red dragon sighed before blinked his yellow eyes. Let's head over to the library. So, what are you planning to study? Soreth asked Roy who gazed ahead as the rider and his dragon walked forward to the library of the city of Doru Araeba. Well, I am hoping to read little more on the history of the dragon riders. the young rider answered as he and Soreth walked through many of the large streets of the city.

Finally, they reached the library building that loomed about them. Roy sighed before patting Soreth, You can hang around. I promise that I will not be long, Soreth. Roy smiled as Soreth nodded his head before snorting softly. The huge dragon head nudge Roy to the building and one of the eyes winked at Roy, before the young rider left his partner to go into the huge building.


Soreth's voice
Roy's mind voice

[Brianna Kayla Hawkins]

Brianna was sitting in a lovely reading nook in the library close to the entrance when she saw a young man walk in. He was around her height with brown hair and blue eyes, very handsome.

He looks nice. I approve.

Bri started and accidentally dropped her scroll on the floor. She grumbled as she bent to pick it up off the floor, wisps of curly brown hair falling in her eyes. She tucked the wisps behind her ears and sat further back out of his line of sight, up her tan robe.

It's not like that at all! I thought you were hunting!

Smug disbelief echoed across their connection.

I am hunting, but we are always connected, so if I feel something I find interesting...

Heat spread up Bri's neck to her face, leaving a light blush. She closed off her mind from her dragon and leaned forward to look out again. She couldn't see him. She released the breath she had been holding and settled back to try and focus on reading about Eragon, the founder of the riders. She was twenty-five for goodness sake! She should be over this type of thing. After a few seconds she was able to restore calm to her mind, she knew that things of that sort were not good to dwell on. Besides he looked several years younger than her anyway. Calm reigned in her mind and she was able to concentrate on the different treaties and facts on the war between the elves and dragons.

[Roy Atalo]

Roy sighed as he walked into the library. He then paused as heard a clatter of something falling and turned to the direction. His blue eyes sought out a young woman which pretty hair.

Oooh, you found a pretty one. You better go get her, tigerrr. purred a male voice in Roy's mind. Roy stumbled and muttered about privacy. Boy, she does blush a lot. Soreth chuckled as he saw the blush that Brianna did when she sat upright.

The young rider snorted and quickly tried to calm his nerves. Soreth, you silly dragon. I like her, but not love her. Also, stop teasing me...please. It makes my stutter. the young man said to Soreth who answered with other purr. Roy rolled his eyes at Soreth before walking deeper into the building. Reaching up he took down a book and looked through it. I found one, good. It will take me a month to read this huge book. Roy thought as he took the book with him.

He looked around and passed the table that Brianna is sitting at. No, SIT with her. I bet she won't mind. Roy sighed. Okay, Soreth. I will sit wither, but don't try to make me talk to her. She has business to do, you know what I am talking about. She is a rider. Roy said to Soreth who snorted back before being silent.

Roy sighed as he scooted into a chair across from Brianna. He opened his book up and started to study.



Soreth's voice
Roy's mind voice

[Brianna Kayla Hawkins]

Bri jumped when the boy sat in front of her. She squashed the feeling of surprise, but was really uneasy.

Valhalla! What do I do! He sat down beside me!

Really? Great!

Bri caught a glimpse of her pearly white dragon turning around from her hunting and speeding back. She forced herself to keep her eyes glued on the scroll and not look up at the boy.

What are you doing? Aren't you hungry?

Not anymore! I'll be right there, meanwhile ignore him completely. You don't want to give in too easily.They like it when you play hard to get.

Are you sure?

Definitely.

Yeah right. Bri shot discreet glances at the young man, all the while. Up close she realized he looked about 18 maybe less, he was intent on his book, and she wondered if he even noticed her. She kept silent like Valhalla had advised, but was itching to say something. She remembered how her teachers had said in the beggining that she always talked too much. Her mind started to wander into her past, into places she tried not to go. She pondered her parents, and what their lives might have been like.

Suddenly she shivered and rubbed her arms. Was it her imagination or had she just felt a draft?

[Roy Atalo]

Roy smiled slightly as he saw the woman jump a little when he sat down. His blue eyes blinked at Brianna before turning to his book.

Wow, Roy. You chose the right place to sit down. You made the woman jump in shock.

Yeah, I guess so. I bet woman are fun to watch to your eyes. She so pretty, her eyes are so startling to look at. But, I am not sure how to start a relationship with a woman. Roy thought and wondered.


All you should do is sit in the spot, talk to her and maybe complement on her clothing, hair or eyes. That will ultimately make her smile and talk to you. Soreth chuckled softly.

Alright, I should follow your instructions, Soreth. Here I go. Wish me luck.

I wish you luck and that I am anxious to meet the woman's dragon. I believe she will be here soon.

Roy sighed before looking up from his book that he is pretending to study. His eyes rested on Briana's face. "Good day, madam." he said in a calm and polite voice. His blue eyes blinked a few times as he thought of something else. "How is your lovely day?" he asked with interest and politeness.


Soreth's voice
Roy's mind voice

[Brianna Kayla Hawkins]

(ooc:I'm SO sorry I took so long)

"Good day, madam. How is your lovely day?"

Bri calmly looked up and found bottomless blue eyes peering at her with interest. She took a barely noticeable breath to steady herself.

"Good day to you as well. My day has been most satisfactory and productive. How has yours been?"

She felt Valhalla chuckling inside her head at her attempt at small talk. An image flashed in her mind of her brilliant white dragon landing in front of the library beside a red dragon. From what Bri could tell he was male.

I am here little one, and there is a red dragon out here who seems to be just as handsome and good a catch as yours.

A small smile grew on Bri's face, her dragon's antics were amusing. Her curls rustled as she flicked her head back and stared at the boy with piercing brown eyes.

Just don't make a fool of yourself!

Me? Make a fool of myself? Don't forget I am wiser than my years.

"I can't help but ask if the red dragon outside is yours? My dragon seems to have taken a fancy to him."

[Roy Atalo]

Roy smiled at the young woman, "My day...well, mine is a quite great. I might as well tell you my name. My name is Roy." he said friendly to Brianna. "What is your name, miss?" he asked the female rider, before looking down at his book a little bit before looking up again at Brianna.


Roy felt the presence of Soreth who seemed to be interested in a visitor. The male rider briefly saw a picture of a startling white dragon landing really close to Soreth who seemed to hold his breath.

Let your breath out, Soreth. Roy thought to his partner before he felt the calmness of his dragon. Roy blinked as he softly chuckled when Soreth commented on Brianna's dragon.

He turned to Brianna who asked him if Soreth is his dragon. "Yes, he is my partner. We have been bonded for about three months or maybe more. Time here seems to slip by fairly quickly." Roy said softly. He then added, "His name is Soreth and is really talkative, brave and polite." Roy nodded his head.

Soreth rumbled at Roy's words as he eyed the female dragon that stood near him. Roy feels the dragon's interest in Brianna's dragon. His wings opened up softly as he greeted Brianna's dragon with a soft nod of his head.

(( I can't think of anything to do. Do you have something in mind??))

Soreth's mind voice
Roy's mind voice

[Brianna Kayla Hawkins]

(ooc: hmm, perhaps a bout of swordplay?)