The beautiful City , the ugly truth

[Deleted]

Nraith chuckled at Rikki's reaction to what just happened between her and Ktal. He grinned and flew away. They were long past the path that Reldai, Je'raith and the others were taking.

::Nothing now. You missed it. We go to the City now:: It was time for them to see the city and learn the truth about their kind and their history; well most of it. He would not yet speak of Race of Legend in name just yet or of their history.

They neared the city as the sun was falling behind the mountains and the bright red sky lit up the city as they flew towards it. The stone walls and towers that rose up the side of the mountain and spread out into the mountain. The lifts and other non natural things that could be seen as they approached

::This is the Ancient City. It is many thousands of years old. It is older than I am.::

he flew to one of the landing platforms and landed. On it were ships that had not been used in many hundreds of years and likely would never be used again. Strange ships and objects that would bring a feeling of wonder and many questions.

[Rikki]

As unusal as it was, Rikki stayed silent as they landed. Awestruck she slipped from Nraith and walked to the nearest ship. A faint memory tugged at her.

Ktal followed, touching the side of the ship. "How do you get in?" he asked as he looked up. Why were these here?

As he prowled curiously around the ship, Rikki turned to face the mountain and the many entrances. She thought Ktal would like the mechanicals. She, however, wanted to explore.

"Tell me", she said softly with a hint of laughter inside as she thought of how Nraith had identified the city as being holder than he. "Are you not younger now, my dragon?" she teased lightly, using his play of words against him. Did he not call her his Rider?

She looked back at Ktal as he continued to examine the ship. Could he? She momentarily wondered. If he could fly that...then he could fly with Nraith.

Hmmmm....she thought as she found a lift and poked levers and buttons wondering what each did.

[Deleted]

Nraith shifts to his humanoid form and chuckles as Rikki and Ktal begin to explore. When Ktal asks how to get in, he shakes his head, "It is not for now Ktal. There are more important things for you and Rikki to learn." He followed Rikki to the lift and chuckled, "Come, We go to the library"

Nraith smacked Rikki's hands lightly, "Brat, unless you know how to operate it don't touch it." he waited for Ktal to enter, then pressed a button that she'd managed to miss and the doors closed and they descended a little quicker than normal thanks to Rikki's button pressing and lever switching. It did make him chuckle more though.

he wondered how they would react to the history of this place. What their thoughts and emotions would be. He would allow them to explore later, but for now they needed to know.

As it reached the bottom, or what could be thought of as the bottom the door opened and he stepped out, "We have to walk the rest of the way" he went to a set of stairs and started down them. They were long and went deep, spirally down into a large cavern. It would take them some time to get down, but when they arrived he took them down a narrow corridor and into a large room laden with books, chairs, tables, ladders, quill and ink, as well as data pads, though they wouldn't know what they are, not yet anyway.

Lights came on as they entered the room. There was a large couch. "It's late. We sleep now and in the morning we will begin" he moved to an area that had been cleared. He would shift and sleep there, as he had for many hundreds of years.

[Rikki]

"Owww" Rikki said as he swatted her hand. The ow was accompanied by a small laugh as she watched Ktal reluctantly return to them. She knew he wanted to look closer at the flying ship.

They descended and the enviroment kept her quiet enough as she looked at everything she could. And touched more.

"But I don't want to sleep," she started to say as Nraith walked to the clearing and began to shift into his dragon form. Ktal tugged her to the couch, tossing the cushions to the floor and creating a large soft place for them to sleep.

"Hush Rikki. You may not be tired, but I am." Ktal said with a smile as he pulled Rikki down with him. She started to speak again when he placed a finger across her lips.

~~:quiet....:~~ he insisted again as he wrapped his arms around her. She sighed then tried to get comfortable against him. A moment later her soft snore could be heard. Ktal chuckled softly and held her closer, "sleep, my little love" dropping a gentle kiss upon her head.

[Deleted]

He slept for a few hours, and woke up. Something had stirred deep within the earth. He'd felt it before, but now it's presence was stronger. He was curious. There was never any writings about other races on this planet. Could have kept out of our senses? out of the senses of the Dalhria? He did not think it was possible, but there was much he was still learning.

He lifts his head to see that they are asleep. Shifting to his human form he moves from his sleeping area to one part of the library, it was the oldest and contained the oldest of books. From the beginning. He began to go through them, looking for something, he wasn't sure what, but he was looking for something that would help solve this new mystery.

As he did he pulled books for Rikki and Ktal to read. They would spend more than a few days here.

[Rikki]

Ktal had awoken long before Rikki and had been watching Nraith as he moved about drawing book after book from shelves. Rikki had shifted slightly and he tightened his hold about her. She burrowed deeper into sleep, feeling warm and safe.

As she relaxed more into his embrace, he noted a few books put aside. Books Nraith glanced at briefly before setting down. Others, he deemed more important and placed them before him seemingly searching.

~What troubles you Nraith?~ It was nothing Nraith had done, yet it was everything he had done.

[Deleted]

He had felt Ktal waken, but didn't address him he just continued to search. Finding books, making two piles one for them to read and the other for himself.

When Ktal finally decides to speak he replies, ::I don't know. I felt a stirring far below us and East of us. The presence it brings is older than our kind, but I have never heard of any other race but the Dalhria being on this planet.::

he didn't stop, didn't look at Rikki and Ktal, kept looking for books. After a short time Ktal would see two stacks move from where he was to the tables in the middle. each stack finding it's own table. He didn't look, didn't make sure his aim was accurate, you would think he had done this before. He knew these days in the library you and Rikki would see a side of him few had in his life and only Aer'alyn had in the last 600 yrs.

When he finished looking in that section there would be almost 50 books on his table and 50 on the other.

[Rikki]

Ktal slid from aside Rikki, moving to one of the tables. He picked up the top book. "Right." He murmered to himself. He further narrowed down the books to a form a stack for himself and one for Rikki. Unless she'd drastically changed from the girl he'd known, he knew she was never one for learning.

From books.

He chuckled softly as he followed a thread of memory. The chuckle spilled over into thought and emotion which awoke Rikki.

Yawning, she stretched and arched her back almost purring in her contentment. "You're laughing Ktal", she said softly as she rose to her feet and headed to him.

"Just remembering you and school, Rikki." he said. She looked at the books with some alarm before seeking out Nraith with her eyes. "Can't I just look for things?"

She bit down on her lip as Ktal handed her one of the books from the stack he'd separated for her. "Here, Rikki." She fumbled with the book, then held it with limp hands. "Really, I think I'd do better if I looked around instead....umm...we could cover more ground, yes?" , she asked hopefully.

Meanwhile Ktal pondered on Nraiths words. Someone else? How did he know and who were they?

[Deleted]

Nraith moved from the section he was in with 3 more books. He set them on his table. He shook his head at Rikki's question, "No, because you do not know what you need to learn." two books opened up in front of two chairs and set themselves on the table. Nraith did not look up, nor did you hear a word uttered from his lips - there was sound, but it was unlike anything you had ever heard in your life or any of your elders had heard and recorded. "Start with those two. They tell of the coming of the humans, those like you but not, and the coming war that brought destruction upon my kind and this planet."

He sat and took a book on his table and began to read, skimming through the book, each page, lips moving as he read an ancient tongue. It was clear he was looking for something specific, but he could not even tell what that might be. He didn't quite know.

He knew of Ktal's silent question, and perhaps he would answer it one day soon, but this was not the day.

As Rikki persisted in her question Nraith did not speak openly, but through the link ::No, These are the books you must read. Not all, of each one, but specific times. They will open to you where you need to read.:: two of them already had. Nraith was not bending on this. You were to learn, but it had to be his way this time.

He did speak this one instruction to both of Ktal and Rikki, "As you read of the events, allow your mind to form pictures, allow your heart to feel what was felt and your senses to hear, smell, taste what was. It is in your mind to do this." he stops there, he could go on with what prophecy had told, but he does not, that would only add to confusion that was already present. "Allow the truth of the words written to touch your very soul." that would be the only for you to see why his kind hate them so, why they treat them as they do. It does not make it right, but it helps in understanding and makes the way for harmony amongst the races of these lands.

He grows silent as he continues to read, going through book after book at a particularly quick rate.

[Rikki]

~~:It's alright Rikki,:~~ Ktal gently rested a hand on her arm as he sat next to her. The book before him, he began to quickly scan the pages.

Rikki kept her eyes down and struggled down the first page, biting hard on her lower lip as the words blurred into milky shapes.

Ktal felt the hurt in her and scooted his chair closer. ~~:Rikki, I'll read it to you:~~ He touched her mind with his, that private link from him to her. She darted a quick glance at Nraith, seeing him absorbed in the books before him. A slight nod to Ktal and she held the book up closer. Privately to her, he began to read a paragraph, letting Rikki absorb the words, think them, feel them. While she did, he read his own book.

Working between the two he shared the writings with Rikki, each of them living the link between them and sharing the history that called them all to awareness and became alive to them both.

[Deleted]

He was not a dumb dragon and not blind to what was happening, he looked up without moving his head only his eyes as Ktal began to read to Rikki the book before her. He did not mind, but it had to be this way. He knew what they needed to know. But there was more even he had to learn, he knew this, but he was yet to find the books.

He continued to read, passing through 4 large books quickly before stopping on a page in the fifth book. He began to read to himself, the words for himself alone, held deep within that place that neither had been able to go, that place he kept closed. He could not reveal this yet

.. it was said that Ferdith saw something like a small child, a smile that seemed to glitter in the sun, hair that sparkled as light touched it. the face was like that of the Dalhria, but different. The interaction was brief, but Ferdith was quite sure this being had been here before the Dalhria were brought...

he stoped at the word "brought". Why did he use that word? From what he remembers reading they came willingly. He marked that place in his mind and the book, then closed it. He grew hungry now. He would have to think on what he just read. As he did he rose and stepped into what was a kitchen and started to prepare food for three.

[Rikki]

Lost in the stories Ktal read, they barely looked up as Nraith moved.

It was only the rumble of their stomachs that told them how much time had passed.

Nraith had passed into another room when Ktal placed the book down. He started to rise when Rikki stayed his movement with a soft touch, "No..." she smiled at him, and picked the book back up.

~~:you sure?:~~ he asked her. Her answer was the tight grip her fingers hand upon his and her head that rested upon his shoulder. As he continued to read, she focused on the words, willing herself to remember how they sounded to her mind. Letting the words reveal to them both things Nraith felt they needed to know.

When Nraith returned, he would see Rikki nestled closer to Ktal and her mouth slowly and silently saying the words as he spoke them to her.

It was clear she was trying to make him pleased with her and it was obvious Ktal already was.

[Deleted]

Nraith returned with food for three and plates for three. He stood at the door, their backs to him as they read. He smiled softly as he could see Rikki was trying hard. He was already pleased with her and he touched her mind to let her know that. Letting her feel the emotion he held for her for a long time. Yes he grew impatient and even frustrated, but he was pleased and proud. She had come a long way in such a short time. The words that flowed to her mind alone were ::I have chosen well a rider:: a high compliment.

He then brought the food to a smaller table with three chairs around it, then disappeared for some drink. returning a moment later he sat down,

"Come and eat. The book will be there when you have finished lunch." Well maybe not that book as they came to the end of the passage that he needed them to read.

[Rikki]

She stifled a cry at his words, then burrowed her face in Ktal's chest. He, in turn, looked at Nraith with a puzzled gaze. Pluzzled but pleased.

"come on Rikki", he said as he placed the book aside and drew her to the other table. As they neared, Rikki withdrew from his embrace and quickly hugged Nraith, brushing a kiss to his cheek.

The touch quick though it was, brought an embarrassed smile to her eyes as she returned to her space at the table. A moment later she ignored both as she took a bite, shielding her face with her bowed head.

[Deleted]

Nraith smiles at her reaction to his words, then waits for them to join him before he begins to eat. He grins at Ktal's puzzled look and the pleasure in his eyes. He was glad for the two of them, that Rikki finally found what she needed. Funny how sometimes it's right there in front of you sometimes.

As Rikki came over he received the hug and kiss with joy. He chuckles though at her embarrassed smile and begins to eat.

"Do you have any questions on what you have been reading?"

the question was to both of them, though he figured Ktal may ask more right now. eating and drinking a little at a time as he did. His thoughts turning to what he was reading a moment, puzzled by it's meaning, but he brought himself back to the two young Riders with him.