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Post by Wolf on Mar 28, 2007 12:35:49 GMT -5
Wylirean and Anciano both listened as Carmina spoke in the draconic language, thanking the big bronze for what he had done. Wylirean said something akin to the human, 'Your welcome' though in draconic it was slightly more involved then left the water and walked over slightly away from the others to shake like a giant dog and remove the frigid water from himself. Anciano turned a disgusted look at him and shook of his wings.
"Thanks a lot, brother. I didn't exactly need that."
Malkia and Avidan laughed at them and Carmina chuckled as well.
"Well, now we must cross the mountain. Malkia said that the place where the prince was being held is one the other side."
"Indeed. Malkia, do you have an extra heavy cloak? You may wish to wear it, it can get very cold the higher up we go. If you don't i have an extra that you can use. I have little need of it save when i wish to hide my wings," Anciano said. He reached into his pack which was still secured to Wylirean, thankful that it was waterproof, and pulled out a thick but luxuriously soft cloak and held it out, offering it to her.
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Post by Tiasalle on Mar 28, 2007 12:53:48 GMT -5
Avidan looked curiously at the cloak offered to Malkia, seeming a little protective of his charge. Malkia patted his shoulder reassuringly and took the cloak offered to her, "Thank you, Anciano, that is very kind of you" intended as a token of her appreciation, she kissed Anciano on the cheek, then returned to Avidan, putting on the large cloak. "Princess..." said Avidan quietly "What? I didn't have anything to give him back other than girl's clothes and a spear, but he already has a weapon. It's a token of appreciation, just as if I had given him a handkerchief or something" Malkia replied in a regular tone, as if it were the most common thing to do. ooc: EbDr, I hope you don't mind this post.
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Post by Wolf on Mar 29, 2007 18:11:32 GMT -5
"It is my pleasure, Malkia. As i said, the higher altitudes can be very cold and i would not wish you to grow ill from it." Anciano leapt to Wylirean's back and settled himself there. "Shall we continue then?"
Malkia leapt to Avidan's back as easily as Anciano had done and together the five took flight. They headed for a high mountain pass to take the route with the lowest altitude but hte air still grew quite cold. Carmina reveled in the icy air. Anciano and Wylirean were used to it and were fairly well unaffected. Malkia held the cloak tight around her. Avidan puffed his feathers and fur to insulate himself against the cold.
Wylirean landed on a peak, Carmina and Avidan landing near him, all gazing at the tableau that lay before them. Forests lay in emerald groves in the light of the sun and fields of grass lay in golden waves as the winds blew through them. Rivers and streams ran in silver ribbons through the lands, linking them like a chain among jewels.
"Now, Malkia. What shall be our plan?" Wylirean asked, turning his head to look at her.
((OOC: Hope you like. Not a whole lot of time right now and my imagination keeps dying out on me.))
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Post by Tiasalle on Mar 31, 2007 10:50:43 GMT -5
Malkia thought quickly, the cold air making her mind whirl in order to keep warm. She pulled the cloak closer to her face and thought. "The larger creatures could possibly fit in the courtyard and distract the soldiers for a while." Avidan suggested Malkia tensed a little, "I could understand the dragons, Avidan, they have scales to protect them, but you don't have anything, what would you do?" Avidan huffed, "I dodge arrows like anything, you know that. I could keep the archers busy, or protect you and Anciano while you go to the dungeon." An idea writhed itself into Malkia's mind, "Wait a minute" she said, "I got it!" she looked towards Anciano, Wylirean, and Carmina, "Anciano or I could very simply disguise ourselves as a lost traveler, they would probably take us in to warm us up, when all of a sudden, a big, strong, bronze dragon appears out of nowhere and starts creating havoc in one of the courtyards. Then an agile, fearsome, black dragon attacks another yard, pretending to be looking for a meal." "Then I come in!" Avidan said, catching onto his friend's plan Malkia rubbed his feathers, "Yup, then you come in." She turned to her other friends, "Predictable when told, but absolutely chaotic when put into action" She waited for their agreement, suggestions, or complete disregard.
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Post by Wolf on Mar 31, 2007 12:09:19 GMT -5
"That could work, Malkia. You and I should go together though. It would be safer and two are better than one." Anciano was thinking of the best ways to disguise himself and Malkia, the thoughts coming naturally after having done so for himself so many times.
Wylirean was the next to express his consent. "I do believe that i can play the part of a ferocious dragon. And the idea is sound though it sounds simple. Often the simple ones are the best, there are less things that are able to go wrong. Arrows are not a problem, for the most part. Often they cannot pierce scales and when they do, they cannot go deep." He looked at Carmina. "You will have to be careful not to get to close to the humans. If they come close on their own mistake, it shall not be your fault but it is likely not the easiest way to die and we only want to keep them occupied while Malkia and Anciano get in to get the prince."
Carmina nodded in understanding and agreement. "Perhaps it would be best for me to menace them from above while you and Avidan are below. I can use my breath weapon and purposefully miss to do less harm to them."
Wylirean nodded with a smile.
Anciano spoke up again. "I can contact Wylirean telepathically when we are in so that you know when it is time to come. Then, what guards there are will be drawn off to protect the keep and we will be able to get in with greater ease and stealth."
He looked around for agreement with the additions to the plans.
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Post by Tiasalle on Mar 31, 2007 13:46:12 GMT -5
Malkia grinned at the suggestions when a question arose, "What time of day would work best? Would we catch them best off guard during the day or should we wait until night time. Either way I think we would have them fooled" She thought even deeper, "How will Anciano and I get out with the prince?" There was a pause as Malkia searched for a solution.
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Post by Wolf on Mar 31, 2007 22:05:48 GMT -5
"If we can get to a window overlooking the courtyard where Wylirean, Carmina, and Avidan will be and it is big enough, i can fly us all down to the ground. . . Well, admittedly, it will be controlled falling. I can't fly with that much weight but if you both hold on i can get us down in utter safety. Wylirean can keep an eye out for anyone taking notice of us and keep them from getting to us before we can get to them and take flight. If necessary, and this may be an even better idea than the window, we can head for the roof and i can take us down from there."
"But we don't know how much he weighs, Anciano. How can you be sure that you can handle his weight and mine?" Malkia asked, slightly concerned though she had faith in him.
Anciano chuckled and Wylirean looked at him knowingly. "Have no fear of that. So long as he doesn't weigh more than four hundred pounds, i do believe that i can handle it. If he does. . . Well then he is not worthy of you."
Wylirean at last spoke up, "When we get him, who is he going to ride?"
"I think it would be best if he rode with you and i, brother. That way we do not hinder Avidan's maneuverability and it shall not affect your own. Of course, he would be unable to ride Carmina without much difficulty." Anciano smiled at Carmina and she shook her wings slightly. "Any other things that we have forgotten?" Anciano asked, trying to be sure that they were not leaving anything out...
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Post by Tiasalle on Mar 31, 2007 22:23:39 GMT -5
ooc: I'm not sure if Kyanick is going to make an entry yet... Do you think it would be ok to continue until she can?
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Kyalnick
Apprentice
Hello, good world...and goodbye!!!
Posts: 141
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Post by Kyalnick on Apr 1, 2007 12:16:00 GMT -5
((ooc: Don't worry, don't worry, I'm still here! It's just taken me a while to get on the computer long enough to reply, that's all. Here's my post that you've been waiting for!)) Carmina listened eagerly to the others' plan and nodded, her own idea coming to mind. "Perhaps it would be best for me to menace them from above while you and Avidan are below. I can use my breath weapon and purposefully miss to do less harm to them." Their plan seemed to be quite effective and she found herself looking forward to it. Lost in her own thoughts, she listened to the details vaguely until she heard her name. ((i'm not good with repeating long conversations, sorry!)) "Of course, he would not be able to ride Carmina without much difficulty," Anciano said with a smile on his face. When Carmina shook her wings slightly in a dragon shrug, he returned to face the others. "Any other things that we have forgotten?" Carmina cleared her throat gently, trying not to breathe directly onto Malkia and Avidan. "Excuse me, but I have a question that may sound totally stupid, but what if they have the means to kill us dragons that we haven't heard of yet? I mean, the plan's perfect, but where I come from, the humans (no insult meant to either of you) use magiked blades or arrows to kill us. Not to mention that they sometimes threw fireballs at my kind to warm us up to the point of vulnerability. Couldn't they do the same to Wylirean or Avidan?" She forced herself to be quiet before she gave more of her feral past away. She couldn't explain fully what she was in the limited timeframe they had. ((I hope you don't mind this section, Kendi. From all of the dragon books I've read, they all have a weakness.)) Wylirean rumbled thoughtfully, but made no comment. Avidan, however, was staring at her intently as if she should have mentioned this before. "As far as we know, Carmina, they have no means of attacking the two of you, so I don't see any reason to worry." Malkia reminded her. Carmina shrugged again. "It was just a thought. In my experiences, I've learned to plan for those instances where the enemy could surprise you. Anciano did ask if there was anything we might have overlooked, you know." A blast of cold air struck her face, but it didn't phase her; to her, this cold was like a warm summer's day back home. "What if they have their own winged beasts similar in size to those eagles or larger?" ((ooc: :throws out an invisible ball: Catch! I don't know how any of your chars would react to this, so I'll leave that part up to you guys. I'm seriously trying to catch up, so I think I'll be fine after today.))
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Post by Wolf on Apr 1, 2007 14:28:56 GMT -5
Anciano considered this seriously for a few moments. "Her point is valid. Even dragons have their weaknesses. I doubt that they would be throwing fireballs, they likely have no knowledge of your kind because even Wylirean and i did not and we have traveled much." He paused another moment. "You know what? I have an idea. I can fly down, high enough up that no one would be able to tell that i am anything but an eagles or a bird and take a look at their defenses. Wait here, I'll be back in a short while."
Anciano removed his cloak and leaped into the air with an easy grace of movement, his eyes fixed on the keep so far below him. As he observed, he relayed the information to Wylirean who in turn relayed it to the rest.
Wylirean settled himself as images and words flooded his mind. "Five catapults on the keep walls, all on the very edge, no way for them to be turned to the inside of the keep. Archers along the outer walls, just a minor guard, really. He says they don't look like they are really expecting anyone to try them." Wylirean paused for a moment as he waited for Anciano to say more in his mind.
"He says that, they look relaxed even from how high he is. As if they feel secure with their backs to the mountain and all of the resources pointed towards the only paths that enemies might be able to take. He says they do have oil but no fires beneath it, i guess they expect plenty of warning and the brackets are again pointed twoards the outsides of the walls. It seems as if they expect plenty of warning before any attack." He paused again. "It seems that so long as as we do not make our moves in front of the keep, the most we will have to deal with is archers and ground warriors." He paused a moment then his eyes widened. "What..?!" He got a serious look on his face and was obviously in firm conversation with Anciano, his wings and tail moving slightly in agitation.
"What?" Malkia asked when he stopped. "What is going on?"
Wylirean shook his head and would say nothing as he was mentally watching Anciano's actions.
Anciano landed carefully, high on the mountain side then began a slow and careful climb down towards the back side of the keep. He wanted a look at the arrow storage, or at least a slightly closer look at the ones that the sentries were carrying. He paused for a few moments as the guard was changed and noted the time of day to be sure that they would not bring in the dragons until after the change to be sure that less soldiers would be ready. A good hour after the change would be best. . .
As soon as the guards were in place and the rest gone within again, he moved closer and was finally able to see well enough to get a fair idea about the arrows. They looked as if they were no more than standard arrows, some of them even poorly fletched or cared for. He coulc almost see the strain in some of the wood of the bows and did not doubt that some of them, if pulled too strongly, would break with ease.
With care, he climbed back up and took flight getting swiftly out of sight before he made his way back up to the plateau where Wylirean and teh rest waited. The moment he landed he was knocked off his feet and had a sharp clawed foot placed on his chest, Wylirean growling deep in his throat. Do not ever do that again, he said as the others watched with worried expresssions on their faces.
It had to be done and you know it. Had you been able you would have done the same. Anciano was unconcerned with Wylirean's threats. He knew that the dragon had merely been worried about him.
At last, with a snort of hot air, Wylirean lifted his foot and Anciano pushed himself to his feet. He turned to the others. "It looks like the arrows are normal ones and some of the bows aren't very well cared for. I am surprised at that but not exactly going to regret it." He leaned against Wylirean's side, sending him an apologetic thought and knew a moment later that he was forgiven. Neither could stay mad at the other.
((OOC: Hope you like. Anciano can be such a nuisance to Wylirean... Sometimes i wonder why they put up with each other like they do. ;P ))
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Post by Tiasalle on Apr 2, 2007 14:26:59 GMT -5
ooc: Ooh! Ooh! My turn! Malkia watched as Anciano leaned against Wylirean. They really were like siblings, she thought. Avidan shuddered, bouncing Malkia out of her thoughts, "So... when do we take action? Have the guards changed yet?" Anciano nodded, "We will have to wait about an hour before we can begin out trek. Do you know what you're going to do?" Malkia smiled mischievously and brought the hood of Anciano's cloak over her face, making her body shiver, "I-I can't go on much...longer" her body went limp and she fell off Avidan's back, laying there for a moment or two, then popped back up again, grinning. "What do you think?" Avidan spanked her with his tail, "I think you're showing off again, missy" he said teasingly, although his voice projected a little more than that. ooc: What do you think? Convincing? Or does it need more discription?
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Post by Wolf on Apr 3, 2007 2:22:00 GMT -5
"You have to remember, Malkia, there will be no gryphon for you to fall off of. Otherwise i do believe that it shall be sufficient. Two travellers who have come a long way on foot and are very cold and tired. One a woman. The other a man. The woman faint and unable to go on. It is doubtful that we will be turned away. And we need not even go unarmed. What sort of idiocy would it be for two people to travel the roads with no weapons?" Anciano said with a smile on his face. "Will you need you cloak back?" She began to remove the cloak but he raised his hand to forestall her. "I have a lighter one that i can use. You need the warmth." He pulled another cloak from the pack on Wylirean and threw it about his shoulders, lightly securing his wings to his back and a moment later he looked like any other human. "We will have to take the long way around so that our approach can be seen for at least a small distance. We cannot merely appear at the gates." "I agree," Avidan said. "That will also give us time to get back here to attack from this side and not from the front." Wylirean and Carmina nodded in agreement. Anciano swung atop Wylirean's back as Malkia mounted Avidan's then together they flew just over the horizon, keeping close to the ground so that they would not be seen by the sentries at the keep. They landed just out of sight. Anciano jumped down and walked in front of Wylirean then wrapped his arms around his brother's neck as Wylirean held him close. Be careful, brother, and watch your wings. You do the same, little brother. Father will have my hide for armor if anything happens to you.Anciano chuckled despite the seriousness of his brother's words. No he won't. He would know that i had died doing what i believe in. But, i have no intention of dying any time soon. I want to see how long my lifespan is going to be and i am not going to go out with ease. Anciano paused a moment then began the ritual they often preformed just before battle. Dragons at heart. Dragons in mind. Wylirean continued it. Dragons forever. Anciano added the next part. Our lives entwined. Wylirean finished and Anciano nodded as he stepped back then walked over to Carmina and laid his hand on her frigid scales. "Be careful, Carmina. You are one of us and a part of us and losing you would be a great blow to us." ((OOC: Leaving Carmina's reaction to you, Kyal, and Malkia and Avidan's to you, Kendi. This is sort of a personal part that i believe needs to be addressed by each person themself. Hope you liked it. Can you tell that i enjoyed it?))
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Kyalnick
Apprentice
Hello, good world...and goodbye!!!
Posts: 141
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Post by Kyalnick on Apr 4, 2007 11:18:20 GMT -5
((ooc: I loved that part! sounds like something out of a movie, or something! ;D )) Carmina almost gasped out an extreme burst of cold air in surprise. She was relatively new to this type of companionship, but she didn't expect this! She hesitated for a moment before thrumming softly and whispering, "I don't know why I deserve this kind of friendship, Anciano and Wylirean, but I do know that if our plan goes wrong for some reason, I will gladly fight to the death if it means that the mission succeeds." She was never good at speaches, really, and she lowered her head in a dragon's blush. She was relieved when she and Wylirean took to the air again because she'd never recieved as much attention with her clan before. Wylirean was like an older brother to her, though she'd never had any siblings to experience the feeling. "Wylirean? I have a confession to make that I didn't want the others to hear." When the big dragon said nothing, Carmina took a breath and continued. "I've never been in service to any king or country. I'm feral, and that usually means I don't fight by the rules. I fight to stay alive and to help friends live, not to see that the other gets a fair advantage." "If you end up doing something stupid, I will be the first one to let you know." ((ooc: that's all I can think of for now. I hope you don't mind this part, though, Eb Dr. I'm a little rough when it comes to battle scenes and since most of the plan was your idea, I'll let most of the details go to you.))
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Post by Tiasalle on Apr 5, 2007 13:30:05 GMT -5
Malkia looked at Anciano, Wylirean and Carmina and yearned for the ability to hug Carmina as a confirmation of her and Avidan's appreciation for her great spirit. Instead she forced herself to be content with saying, "Carmina, you're a part of this group just as much as any of us, remember, you need different shades of color to form a rainbow, otherwise it just doesn't work" Avidan smiled as well, "Just to let you know, Carmina, we are united in a single cause, and that cause will bring out a great outcome" he lowered his voice so that Malkia couldn't hear, "Hopefully" Malkia dismounted Avidan and buried her head into his great black feathered chest, "Be careful, you great chick" Avidan wrapped his large claws around her, "You, too, little one"
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Post by Wolf on Apr 5, 2007 20:28:23 GMT -5
Anciano and Malkia stood and watched as the other three flew away, hugging the ground as they had coming in so that they would not be seen. They were quickly lost to sight and Anciano shared little more than a parting thought with Wylirean, though both were completely open to each other. When they were gone, he turned to Malkia who was still gazing off after the others. "Are you ready?"
Malkia turned to look at him and nodded, pulling the cloak a little tighter. He offered her his arm and she took it but lightly until they were about to come within sight of the keep, then she leaned on it slightly more heavily, more for show than for real at the moment. When they got closer she would do so for real or risk the falsity being detected.
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Wylirean flew with the others, only slightly above the ground to remain out of sight of the keep. He knew the moment they were out of sight of Anciano and Malkia and he looked back at that point. He was understandably worried about the two. They were only human . . . well... not technically on Anciano's part but still humanoid.
He had to stop himself from worrying. It would do no good and would only slow his reactions. Anciano could take care of himself and Wylirean would have to do the same.
The next bit of information to come into his mind was that the two humanoids had begun walking and moved into sight of the keep. He relayed this to the others then they continued on in silence, each caught up in their own thoughts. They landed together above the keep and waited for the signal to go.
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