Horizons of War - A Dragon Rider Roleplay

OOC: This is an original dragon-rider based rapid fire roleplay, open for anyone to join.

IC:

Another boring assignment to begin another boring week. Who would their taskmasters pair them up with and where would they be sent this time around?

[TruthSayer]

Ildrea walked briskly down the halls of Parliament, heels boots clacking on thick white marble as long black hair flowed like a cape behind her. Last door on the right, and she was in the dragon hold, breath misting in the cool air as she walked straight to her mount.

"Rise, Undra. We have a mission this day."

Personally, I'm looking forward to getting outdoors again, a mild voice echoed in his mind, as the human and dragon pair waited before the massive double doors and led into the main chamber.

"I'm not," he replied.

[TruthSayer]

Thick leather saddle in place, superfluous reigns in hand, Ildrea stepped with elfin grace onto Undra's back, waiting impatiently for unknown partners to appear. The sunrise through the open keep doors shone red upon the walls.

Where did they say the meeting place was again? the white dragon asked.

"Here. In front of the Parliament chamber. Obviously." the human replied.

Are you sure it wasn't the entrance to the dragon hold?

He paused, uncertainty at the dragon's word creeping into his expression. "Really?"

The dragon sighed, physically and as a mental image through their bond. And started making his way through the halls once again towards the dragon hold. Good thing I at least was paying attention to the messenger this morning.

"You could have said something beforehand," the human shot back, running to keep up with the dragon's big strides.

I thought you knew what you were doing!

"I thought you knew better than to think that!"

As the pair bickered back and forth all the way to the other end of the massive compound, the sight of and elf and another dragon came into view.

[TruthSayer]

"One more minute, and I'm going to report this," Ildrea said, long slender fingers tapping on the pommel of the saddle.

Undra gave a rumbling laugh. Then they should be pleased to have arrived.

Ildrea turned her head, dark brown eyes accusing, then sighed when she saw who it was. "I should have known," she said; if she weren't representing her kind, she would have rolled her eyes.

"No... Anyone but them!" He groaned loudly as soon as they got close enough to make out Ildrea's and Undra's features.

Rain! They can hear you! Frost admonished sternly.

[TruthSayer]

Ildrea's eyes narrowed. "Your lateness shames your people," she said, voice and back stiff.

Bitterness makes no friends, Ildrea, Undra said.

I am not bitter. I am on time, Ildrea returned, and mentally spurred Undra into the air, his massive amber wings unfurling with a lazy stretch as he stepped to the ledge of the dragon keep, long talons gripping the edge as massive back legs rippled with muscle. One leap into the air, two powerful flaps of powerful wings, and they were airborne.

"Good morning to you too," Rain growled in reply as Frost exchanged silent, and probably slightly more cordial, greetings with Undra.

Without a response, the other two flew off. Frost gestured for Rain to hurry and climb into the saddle so that they could follow.

"Do we have to?" Rain asked rebelliously, crossing his arms over his chest and stamping one foot into the ground as if to say he wasn't going to move no matter what.

Just hurry. If we blow another mission, we're going to get demoted. AGAIN. And I'm going to bite off your arm if I get sent back to the training academy.

So they followed the elven rider pair into the sky.

[Tammika]

Cana ran as fast as she could down the lane, bare feet silent as she jumped the log and took off down a side trail. The young healer didn't want to miss it again this morning. It was the time of day dragons lifted into the sky in pairs, their riders sitting high above. Just as she cleared the ridge she saw them, two massive creatures one right after the other lift into the sky. Her mouth wide open in awe. She waved, jumping with both hands in the air, short wild curls bouncing in the sun. "Good luck!"

Toth looked on as the dragons raced past, flying off to do... whatever dragon riders did when they flew off, whilst he got stuck guarding the Dragon Hold itself. He lent on his spear in is misshapen ill-fitting armour and gazed off after them, their agile forms vanishing into the sky.
He'd love to join them, but like most of those in the Dragon-guard came from the Poor quarter. All his senior officers told him it was a 'great honour' to be a Dragon-guard whenever he tried to get tested as a rider, but what they meant was 'your too poor and we don't want you dirtying up the place'. It was crap, but at least he got a good meal every night.

He looked on for a moment longer, then walked off to continue his rounds in the city. Maybe he'd catch a thief today, he needed to vent his spleen.

[TruthSayer]

Undra spread his wings as he hit the updraft, using it glide toward the north and the Sere Falls in the distance.

Lovely day for an outing, Undra said, words slow and content and meant for all. At the sight of the girl waving up at them, the dragon opened its maw, baring sharp teeth to the sunlight, and puffed a bit of smoke in response, tail scraping the top of the trees as he went.

"Would you like to tell me why you were late?" Ildrea asked, shouting to be heard over the wind.

OOC: We need a thief...

"No, I wouldn't," Rain shouted irritably in response, seeing the waving girl below and choosing not to acknowledge her on account of his foul mood. He was not having a good day at all.

No need to take it out on innocent bystanders, Frost remarked.

Rain bit back his first instinctive and rude retort. "Let's just get this over with," he replied instead.

Minutes later, or so it seemed, Sere Falls came into view straight below and Frost made to land just outside the city walls.

[Tammika]

Just as quickly as she slipped out she darted back into the Hall. Pausing she nodded in respect to a Master Healer that passed her, waiting patiently till he was a few steps beyond. Silently she prayed her lack of shoes wouldn't be noticed, her cloak cover the sleeping gown she wore.

When nothing was said she continued on only to be frozen in place by his voice booming from the end of the hall.

"Gazing at dragon riders instead of morning clinics again Cana? Since you have so much time how about mopping up the muddy tracks in the hall. Some barefoot urchin's been scampering about."

[TruthSayer]

Sere Falls looked nothing like their home base. Carved beside a massive waterfall that fell from heights so high that not even a dragon could find its beginning, it was made of solid sandstone that walked its way up the mountain face in twelve tiers, each just as impressive with the last with carved pillars, massive archways, and the largest population of citizens in the nation, even when census compared it to the capital.

Guards dressed in full regalia of the crown trotted out to meet them, pausing with uncertainty when Undra turned his head toward them and bared his teeth, even though his thoughts were far from aggressive. I smell fear on them.

Ildrea faced them and bowed, black hair falling a curtain over her shoulder as she touched first her chest, then her brow in standard greeting. "We come to speak with your governor on order from the king."

"This way," one of the guards said in a low tone and the pair started down a wide street that led into the city--or in Sere's case, deeper into and higher up the mountain.

Rain and Frost followed silently. It wasn't unusual for the higher ups to not give much detail on a mission beforehand. He assumed that they would be briefed when they met the governor.

Soon, they were passing through massive sandstone walls that made up the outer ring of the city center and climbing a spiraling walkway that led into the governor's receiving room. Rain and Frost entered but instead of Sere Fall's governor, a man dressed all in white, cloak and hood included, was waiting for them.

[TruthSayer]

They mourn... Ildrea whispered, startled by the white shroud, dark eyes flying wide.

"Death comes to Sere Falls, Riders and dragons, and with it, an ill omen that will shape our future to nightmare," the man said as the doors to the chamber slid shut, leaving them alone.

"The governor?" Ildrea asked, hand a shaking fist against Undra's neck.

What's that supposed to mean? Frost asked, as Rain unstrapped the spear fixed to the dragon's saddle.

Everyone knew that dragons didn't die, nor could they be killed by sword or sorcery. Riders on the other hand were very much mortal but in that case, dragons just picked a new rider. Rain in fact, was Frost's 13th rider since Frost joined the Rider organization.

"Elf, don't just stand there, get those doors open!" Rain shouted, hurrying towards the only entrance and exit out of the room.

[TruthSayer]

"Rain, stop," Ildrea said, eyes still on the hooded figure, one hand half raised in warning. "This is no tangible enemy for us to fear."

She took a stop forward, sharp elfin eyes narrow, nostrils flared as she inhaled the strange scent again, unable to place it.

An echo? Undra ventured, massive body shivering as the magic within the room sank into his bones. I have not seen an echo in years... Have you, Frost?

"Death comes upon the red morn," the hooded figure said, continuing on in the same flat tone as before as though no outburst had disturbed him. "When north and east collide and the red sun rises high in the sky, eggs will break, young will suffer, and dragons will fall."

"That's what I'm afraid of!" Rain growled, ignoring Ildrea's orders and pulling at the door's massive handles anyway. The heavy stone didn't budge an inch.

Not for hundreds of years, Frost said to Undra. We defeated them. They're all supposed to be gone... The dragon continued, referring the series of wars that brought about the formation of the Dragon Riders in the first place. But the particular heaviness and peculiar feel of the magic permeating the room was unmistakable.

"You!" Rain said, giving up on the door and spinning on the white clad man, spear held ready in one hand. "Quit speaking in riddles and tell us what's going on here!"