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Post by Rikki on Apr 25, 2012 22:16:54 GMT -6
Rikki felt a surge of delight as she settled comfortably on Nraith's back. Ktal, not quite as delighted as Rikki. He peered over the edge, swallowing back an involuntary catch in his throat. Rikki continued to smile as she leaned forward and hugged Nraith again.
Keeping her cheek resting against his neck, she could feel Ktals hands tighten about her waist as they dropped for a moment then lifted up into the air. A bubble of laughter sounded from her and a groan of panic from Ktal as they bobbled in the air then lifted higher becoming steady as they rode the current of air.
~Ash?~ she mentally called to her brother, frowning as she felt that distance that separated her from him. ~I will be with you soon...~ she called again.
The saddness she'd started to feel was neatly sucked from her as Nraith caught another rise and lifted sharply. Feeling as if she'd lost her stomach somewhere behind her, she giggled as she heard Ktal's deeper groan. Feeling his weight against her back, she half turned her head to look at him. ~not ok?~ she asked with a laugh before patting his hand. "Nothing to be afraid of" she called out as she sat up and held one arm out wide. It was exhilirating!
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Reldai
Junior Member
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Post by Reldai on Apr 25, 2012 22:38:27 GMT -6
Reldai smiled, a tinge of pink blushing her cheek. And at her age too, she thought as she laughed softly from sheer happiness. Ash had gathered his pack and gripped her hand as Je'raith touseled his hair.
"Bye" he said has Je'raith headed out, waving.
Reldai glanced around noting everyone had settled into their traveling teams. The younger were helping the older and the middle aged were helping the youngest.
"Ready?" she called out, hearing assent from the others. She stepped off and faintly heard a whistleflute being blown the help encourage everyone along. It was easier to walk to music as time seemed to pass more swiftly and aching feet did not feel so tired.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2012 22:49:18 GMT -6
Nraith Chuckled inwardly at Ktal's reaction to the flying. He touched the young man's mind to help ease the feeling of sickness
::You're doing fine Ktal. You'll get used to it::
they flew rising and falling with the thermals, though he didn't take them as sharply to help Ktal
Jraith continued along. he would circle, then fly forward, circle again, then fly forward, his eyes ever watchful and his senses ever clear and extended. As he searched with his senses he felt that presence at the edge of the link again, reaching out to it once more to take hold of it and find out who, but before he could it was gone again. He growled in anger, inhaling sharply as he circled once more.
So far, everything was good.
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Post by Rikki on Apr 25, 2012 23:43:24 GMT -6
Ktal just nodded, not daring to think let alone speak. Rikki leaned back against him, trying to get him to open his eyes and look around. "See, the river...it's like silver thread. It's beautiful." She sighed happily, for the moment, perfectly content and happy. ----------- Reldai slowed her steps as Nycia neared her. "He's pretty amazing, isn't he?" she asked glancing up towards where Je'raith had flown. "Yes, i get the feeling, he's doing more than we know." "What do you mean? More than just scouting?" Nycia asked, glancing up again with a slight puzzled mein. "I'm not sure...." Reldai shrugged before adding, "It's like a feeling...something important is happening. Something, different." Reldai frowned, thinking and nearly coming to a stop in her steps. Ash, wondering why she stopped, hesitated before tugging her hand in a 'come on' gesture. Nycia, meanwhile, laughed softly at Reldai's words. "Of course something different is happening, look at you and Je'raith" She smiled, then squeezed Reldais' hand. "Yes, I suppose that's it," Reldai said with a smile. "I best get back to the back, make sure no one is lagging behind." Nycia said. "I'll talk with you at our meal break." She grinned at the older woman, hugging her quickly before making her way through the group and to the end of the stragglers. She'd make sure they kept up. It wouldn't do to get someone lost now.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2012 6:23:21 GMT -6
Nraith continued to chuckle inwardly, both Rikki and Ktal could hear it through the link. He continued towards the group of travelers . He too felt that on the edge of the dragonlink, but it continued to be evasive and was beginning to concern him. He rose just a little higher. He didn't rise too high as he knew he could survive in the thinned atmosphere, but his riders couldn't, he watched below and let his senses stretch out around him. Dragons had flown this way. His head turned sharply in the direction that they had gone - towards the now empty village. He wondered what they would do when they found it empty.
J'raith figured it out as well, he glanced in the direction the group had come from only a few days before. He seemed to hover as he looked back. There were three. Then there was the touch again on the link
It seemed to reach out to him
::They will not attack you as you travel, but the village will never again be inhabited, they will destroy it::
then it was gone, well he figured out it was another dragon and a male, and old,
::Nraith, did you hear that?::
Nraith did in fact, and he knew that voice, it had been a long time since he'd heard it, still it confounded him how.. ::Yes Je'raith, I did. I just hope the villagers are far enough away that they won't see the smoke::
J'raith did as well, Reldai was able to hear the the silent conversations that took place, he knew she would hope as much too. He sent her reassurance, that other voice he got the feeling was telling the truth, of course with Nraith and himself there they would defend the group but he didn't think it would come to that. ::Reldai, keep them looking forward at least for another day until we round the coming hill that will block any smoke that may rise.
He tried to reassure her that they would be safe, but he knew she would worry, especially with him gone for now. He had a little more to go, he turned and looked ahead, no.. he had gone far enough ahead - on foot it would take them a day to travel to this place, maybe more depending on how slow the last few in the group were walking.
He would scout again tomorrow morning, for now he would go back.
Turning sharply he flew back towards Reldai, Ash and the others. He caught a scent just as he did and turned again tasting the scent upon the air, it was human, there were a few of them. They were hunting.. but what? And they were at some point going to meet up with the villagers..
He flew ahead just a little to catch sight of them, they hid when he went nearer. It seemed they were setting an ambush of some kind, he turned and headed north going around a hill before heading back to Reldai where they couldn't see him go in that direction - the hill and trees of the forests providing enough cover as he flew low enough.
He approached the villagers and landed a little ways ahead of them, shifting back before he jogged towards Reldai and Ash who led the troop. A smile set on his face, but worry in his mind.
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Post by Rikki on Apr 26, 2012 7:28:55 GMT -6
Rikki sighed as she realized Ktal was going to keep his eyes closed, though his tight grip on her waist had loosened somewhat. She knew she'd have bruises the following day but it didn't matter to her. She never wanted to land. After enjoying looking at the land, she began to scan the air. She wasn't sure what she was looking for, or if she was looking for anything, but it seemed important to keep an eye out everywhere. After several moments, she realised she'd found herself in a rythmn. When Nraith was looking left, she'd look right and behind. When he looked right, she'd look left. It was, for her, at this moment another game. ----------------- Reldai continued to encourage the walkers to a faster pace. The past days had caused sore feet and legs, aching backs and joints. It seemed, however, the longer they walked the easier it was becoming for men. Perhaps they had been too sedentary in their lives? Reldai knew her villagers were in better health but the determination of everyone was evident as the distance between them and the village grew. She'd sensed his worry, and kept her concern from clouding her eyes. But the time seemed to pass slowly until she felt him returning. As she saw him, she queried softly, ~what is wrong?~
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2012 8:11:26 GMT -6
Nraith knew that Rikki would discover small things like that, it made him joyful to know she was aware of it as well. This was a good sign
::Try to reach farther than your eyes can see young Rider. Reach out with all your senses. The sensation of touch can still be felt, but it will be an inward feeling more than a physical touch. Like when I touch your mind, or took your hand to help you out of the darkness within your mind::
she would find that she would reach farther, perhaps not right away, it took time to develop those inward senses, but she would as they continued to work and ride together.
He continued to smile, reaching her he hugged her close and kissed her softly ::They have sent others to destroy the village. We are safe, from what I have been told. But in the next day there will be smoke rising from the village as it is destroyed.:: he released her and took her hand walking with her now
::And we will need to take a different path. I could smell a group of men, they tried to hide from me when I flew over. They are hunting, for what I do not know, but if we keep on this path we will meet them::
The others that were at the waterfall took to the air, they did not concern themselves with the men that had sought them out, though Kez remained to follow them, as Galventh, Arlianth and Mileketh flew in the direction of the travelers.
Galventh chuckled inwardly to his mate, ::How did these two leggers become so important?:: she chuckled back to him, ::They were always important, we just didn't see it before:: Ah how she often spoke wisdom to him when he needed to see it the most, and this time was not different. She was often silent, but when she did share with Him in times like this.. His love for her grew ever stronger each day.
They took the route that would bring them behind the group of travelers so as not to be seen by those that lay wait ahead.
Kez looked to Gryvon as they walked away and the sound of dragons could be heard leaving
"It seems that which you hunt has left"
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Post by Rikki on Apr 26, 2012 23:26:42 GMT -6
Rikki nodded, knowing her would catch her understanding of his words. She remembered that feeling, the darkness and she tried to hide an involuntary shudder. What if she found that place again, what if Nraith had not been there? Telling herself to not think of it, she directed her focus to searching with more than her eyes.
She frowned, struggling with the concept until she thought of Ash. A smile flashed across her face as she thought of him, of hugging him, and for a moment, she felt as if she could, but the sensation passed as quickly as it'd come.
She bit on her lip, leaning her head back against Ktal. His arms tightened around her as his lips rested against her head. ~It's alright Rikki...just give it time.~ His concern for her brought his to look at her and he let the thought of being in the air fade from his thoughts.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2012 23:01:13 GMT -6
He would not let her go there again and if she did, both he and Ktal would come for her. He touched her with comfort knowing her thoughts.
He did not press it, she would figure it out. And even then she would struggle with it for a bit. it would take practice to develop it as few were born with the ability naturally.
He was impressed with young Ktal, he had grown up quite quickly, but he was doing well. He would work with Ktal as well to help him develop along with Rikki. He could learn something things, others because of the link to himself They would come more naturally for Rikki. She might even find herself doing it without realizing.
He could smell the group not far away and started his descent. They were coming from behind Ash so he would not see them right away. It would be good to see him. He missed Ash.
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Post by Rikki on Apr 28, 2012 1:59:05 GMT -6
So focused she was she didn't realize they were nearing the villagers on their trek. It was the soft nudge from Nraith that she looked ahead and almost set herself to toppling from Nraith. ~~Ash!! Ash!!~~ She mentally called out, laughing as she saw him freeze.
Ktal chuckled softly as he felt her delight, his arms tightening about her waist. The arms cut into her waist as he recognized Sahira. "Her?!" he whispered softly, his tone becoming biting in his anger. "I thought you left her!" he growled with memories of the woman that had been his former leader.
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