Zemes Devinu{Dragon-Riders/Fantasy RP}(ACCEPTING)[Semi-lit]

[ET4252]

(I am so sorry it has taken me this long to reply DX )

Sanaii looked around her eyes trying to find a crack in the dark blanket of darkness. Nothing however showed itself the tall grass and the night doing their best to hide the danger from sight. Nervously she briefly gripped the handle of her short sword, the heavy presence of the weapon did calm her even if it was not the most help against a band of raiders. Turning in the saddle to face forward once again she was surprised to feel vibrations reverberating from Ryce. Having felt the shift in mood and smelling the far off threat the pearly dragon's teeth showed white in the faint moonlight as a growled so long that it was not even really a sound, just subtle reverberations that only Sanaii could feel. Reaching out Sanaii patted Ryce's neck offering him a small smile even as she directed him into a steady lope along side the others. The only thing that Sanaii was really worried about was the letter secured under her cloak. This was her first alone mission, it had taken her months to convince her father to give her this chance and if she lost the message to a rag-tag group of theives she didn't know if she would be able to face her father. If worst came to worst she could always push Ryce to fly, this however would push the limits of even her dragon and she did not know if she would feel any better with abandoning her new found friends.

[Soriams]

Zahraa falls in line with the others, keeping up easily with them. Her gait seems awkward compared to the fluid movements of the dragons around her, but she is quick and agile and for an avian, that is a gift. Had Ada possessed one of the more common raptors as a mount and been grounded as they are now, she would have quickly fallen behind. Good girl Zah, keep it up. I know you're tired but just keep going, ok? She thinks, silently urging Zahraa on as they run. Glancing over to Sanaii and Ryce, Ada can sense that she too is worried.

As the troop turns and the dragons splash through a little stream, Zah instead leaps the gap, flapping her wings to lengthen her jump. Used to Zahraa's skipping runs, Ada is not surprised, but the move does send the pair out ahead of the others for a few moments and she has to reign her in as she has no idea where they are going. Slowing their pace for a moment, Ada looks back over her shoulder. The bandits are still invisible to her eyes, but she knows they are still out there, somewhere. There is something that nags at the back of her mind, telling her that they still follow, and as soon as Forrest is back into the lead she spurs Zah on all the faster.

[The Great ME!]

Fox kept Forest at a steady lope forward and kept his keen eyes open but even his sharp gaze couldn't spot the thin wire crossing their path until Forest gave a grunt and stumbled slightly, the red-haired young man cursing slightly under his breath. He already knew what it was and the yank on the wire was followed shortly by a pawup as something of a flare shot up from the grass on either side of them and whistled up into the air and momentarily lit up the land within a short distance. Of course it was enough of a distance to shine light on their little travelling band of four and their mounts and both Fox and Aobara tensed, knowing that the raider's would be on them soon enough now that they knew someone else was around.
"We'd better book it and hope we're faster than they are." He announced, leaving the full length of the reins and kicking Forest's sides, the dragon leaping forward more quickly than before.

[Soriams]

Following close behind Forrest and Fox, both Zahraa and Ada startle when the flares go off. The great bird leaps vertically, flapping her wings in fright in a vain attempt to gain purchase and fly. Almost instantly they fall behind as Ada tries to calm the panicked bird, and they are forced to run hard to catch up with the rest of the group. Though they start to gain back some of the ground they had lost, Ada can feel Zah's sides heave beneath her and she knows they won't be able to keep up indefinitely. Common Zah, just a bit further, ok?

Venturing to look around as Zahraa finds her pace once more, Ada sees nothing behind her, but as she turns her head she catches a flicker of movement. Feeling the hairs stand up on the back of her neck as she realizes what this means, she yells out to Fox and the others. "Oy, they've got us flanked! They're trying to turn us!" She cries, immediately looking around for any place to make a stand, any little scrap of cover that might give them any edge. I just hope they don't have bows...

[ET4252]

Ryce nearly sat down in his rush to stop as the flares burst up into the sky and Forest stumbled. Having stopped suddenly he lunged forward, breaking into a fast gallop so as to keep pace with Fox and Aobara. However hearing Zah's frightened movement's he slowed up a bit turning to glance over his shoulder, worried for his newfound friend. Not quite as rested as Forest and Mizuiro, Ryce could not quite matched their pace although he did manage to at least keep up. At Ada's cry Sanaii drew her short sword, the blade shinning brightly under the moonlight. Turning in the saddle she spotted Cailen running around ten yards to the left and about five yards behind the rest of the group. At a sharp whistle called the worg so that he was running next to the dragons. Ahead the castle was slowly raising it's great head out of the plains as they drew closer. She could actually see individual lights marking the outer wall, if they could just reach it then they would be safe. Suddenly Sanaii was thrown forward in her saddle as an arrow punched into her shoulder. As she was wearing a thick leather armor the arrow didn't get very far, stopping after burying its head only about half way. Gritting her teeth Sanaii reached back and snapped the shaft of the arrow off, however since it was placed at an ackward angle she was unable to pull the whole thing out. "We have to go faster!" Sanaii shouted desperately although she knew that none of the mounts could keep it up, Zah's sides were heaving, Ryce was beginning to slow, and while Forest and Mizuiro were doing well she doubted that they could keep up a dead run all the way to the castle. It seemed that the only thing they had going for them was that their attackers only had one or two people with bows, so at least they weren't being showered in arrows.

[The Great ME!]

((Yay for quick replies xD))

Forest and Mizuiro kept pace relatively well. The dragon's had been together at least a couple of years now and were well versed in working together and how fast each could go, and both Fox and Aobara had put a lot of work into training them for combat and how to react to such situations. The pair headed the group but not so much as to leave the other two of their travelling group in the dust. Fox's eyesight was better than that of Ao's so he kept watch more while Aobara followed at his flank.
The ginger-haired male caught sight of the flicker of movement, conceiled by the tall stalks of grass with expert practice but luckily enough Fox's eyes were sharp and even more so their dragon's had strong senses. The pair of long reptiles were at least good colors for camouflage in the darkness but unfortunately the other two riders and mounts of their party were not quite so well-hidden and their white plumage/scales were a dead giveaway.
The steps of the pair of reptillian mounts faltered and while Mizuiro fell back somewhat, Forest reared onto hind legs, long and slender form arching up over the grass with a snarl and front claws extended in warning seconds before a pair of creatures emerged in front of them, one being that of another mounted wingless dragon and a sizeable Worg that snarled viciously at the group with fangs glistening, the other dragon rearing up and seeming to size up Forest for battle, while the sounds of more movement could be heard to one side, likely intent on hearding them off course and away from the city like Ada had warned.

[Soriams]

Ada ducks as an arrow zings past her head, it's dark fletchings whirring as it arcs through the air beside her. So much for that idea... She thinks, heart pounding in her chest as she ducks lower to Zahraa's neck and loosed her blade from it's scabbard. Having no shield or armor, she is going to have to rely on the curved steel for both offense and defense. Luckily enough, the arrows seem to come few and far between, either do to their peruser's lack of ammunition or, as she sincerely hopes, their incompetence. Sensing a disturbance in the air of another inbound bolt, she swings her blade over her head and out of pure luck manages to knock it out of the air before it makes contact. "Ha! Take that!" She yells to the darkness behind her.

Suddenly, Zah's pace changes and Ada is forced to turn attention back to what is happening in front of her. Just ahead, Forest has reared up, a snarl issuing from the dragon's throat as another rider suddenly appears in front of him, a large worg returning the dragon's threat. Mizuiro too is coming to a stop and now Zah and Ada approach them with frightening velocity, and the BirdMaster is forced to make a snap decision. Oh crap, guess there isn't going to be a chance to talk this out, now is there? Knowing exactly what to do, she immediately drops Zahraa's lead and calls out. "Zahraa! Hajama!" The instant she feels her reins go slack, Zah knows what she is supposed to do and picks her target. With a piercing screech that makes the worg wince, Zah leaps on his back, digging her talons deep into the thick skin of he ruff. Lacking the long claws of her brethren she has no hope of actually penetrating the beast's thick skin deeply enough to do any real damage, but Zah's feet are still deadly weapons. Wings spread for balance, she digs in to get a good grip making the worg turn and snap as it tries to reach the creature now perched on it's back. This is a mistake, as the moment Zah has a clear shot, she balls her bony foot up into a fist and clubs him in the face. With a painful yelp the worg falls to the ground, and Zahraa leaps off his back, immediately turning to round on the creature. Before he can get up, she hits him again, and again until something gives beneath her foot and the beast lay silent.

[ET4252]

Sanaii gritted her teeth in frustration as the rider appeared before their small party, baring their way. Cailen snarled at the grown worg that accompained the dragon rider, showing more courage than was probally good for him as the opposing worg was several feet taller and weighed considerably more. However Cailen backed off quickly at the loud shriek, getting out of the way of the large bird as it hurtled towards the other worg. Sanaii watched stunned for a few moments as Ada and Zah fought the huge worg, quickly gaining the upper hand over the cumbersome beast. Narrowing her eyes she shook herself gently she tugged on Ryce's reins and then gave a double tap with her heels. Almost imediatly Ryce sprang forward rearing up and spreading his wings wide, beating the air savagely. Balanced carefully on powerful back legs Ryce kept his wings spread wide both for balance and for show. Racking the air before him with deadly claws he roared his challenge to the other dragon. Taking a couple steps forward Ryce positioned himself directly infront of the opposing dragon. Sanaii mean while was clinging to the saddle with her legs, one hand buisy holding her sword the other hanging loosely in her lap just managing to keep a grip on the reins. Really this move was for intimidation purposes, with an arrow in her shoulder it would be very hard for her to engage in a fight, however, Ryce on the other hand was a well trained battle mount who could hold his own in a fight. If the rider did choose to attack Sanaii hoped that it would be more of a clash between the two mounts. She could feel the point of the arrow moving around as she shifted herself sending hot waves of pain down her back and arm. Perhaps the worst part was that they were well within the shadow field, infuriatingly close to the city.

(not a great post I am having a major writers block at the moment)

[The Great ME!]

The piercing screech from Zahraa is one Fox is more accustomed to hearing from Avaris mounts, as opposed to the soft warbling from before, but despite that he still winces as the noise stings his ears and instinctively moves his hands up to shield them but stops short of actually covering them, a move of pure reflex. He could see the brilliant white of the large bird as it blazed past and leapt atop the Worg and rider. Even from a distance he could hear the snapping of powerful jowls at the bird but didn't have time to dwell on it, Forest shrieking as the opposing dragon leapt forward and toppled them over in the grass. It had hesitated a moment as Ryce spread his wings wide and roared a challenge but a command from it's rider sent it crashing forward obediently. Normally one might be worried of getting crushed beneath the weight but he trusts his mount and isn't disappointed, the huge reptile arching it's back just right that it's weight doesn't crush it's rider and rolls back to it's feet.
The dragon snarled and swung around to meet the Raider's dragon, which lunged to meet him partway and lock jaws which was a mistake. The curled forward facing horns adorning Forests head hook just under the softer flesh of the lower jaw and the enemy dragon let our a shriek of pain, trying to yank away and only succeeding in further goring it's jaw as Forest also yanks opposite until the dragons are flanked. The Raider's dragon had no choice but to move in time with Forest as the dragon loped forward, bringing Fox and Raider side to side. Fox had already drawn a blade and the clash of swords could be heard between the pained wail of the dragon.

Aobara wasn't too worried, knowing Fox could handle himself well enough. Actually he was more worried for himself since he was the less combative of the two and so less skilled. In fact he wasn't very combative at all, usually letting his dragon handle the actual combat. He did have a shield however and took it from where it rested hanging off the side of the saddle. He could hear the movement off to the side instead of the front and knew that there were more coming for them.
"To the left of us!" He warned for Sanaii's benefit. His sight was poor at best but his other senses were good and sight wouldn't do much in this darkness anyway, far as he saw it.
Not seconds later, three more dragons of different kinds appeared from their flank, two going for Sanaii's winged mount - probably due to the dragon's obvious higher value - and one for Mizuiro. Regardless of Mizu's unassuming appearance and generally tame nature, the dragon snarled and rushed forward, ramming his thick skull into the charging dragon and setting it off balance, teetering back and falling onto it's owner.

[Soriams]

((Sorry sorry sorry... X( Life just sucks sometimes, ya know?))

As the worg lay bloodied and silent beneath her feet Zahraa lets up her attack, letting out a sigh that sounds more like a long whistle. Ada in turn looks down at the mess, the worg is little more than a mass of cooling fur, his rider crushed by the beast's feet when Zah knocked him off. Their blood mixed, it now forms a spreading mass of slick black, glistening in the darkness as it sinks into the grass beneath her bird's feet. Good work Zah... I always knew you had it in you, but like this? I never imagined... Perhaps it is a blessing, but Ada has no time to dwell on her thoughts as three more riders appear.

The dragon riders immediately break off, two heading for Sanaii and Ryce and the other for Aobara and his mount. Suddenly finding herself with the chance to escape as her perusers seem to have chosen other targets, Ada pauses, watching as Mizuro attacks the approaching dragon. What do I do? I could run now and leave them all here... But they helped me before... At the same time I hardly know them. Zah puts and end to her indecision before she can regain the reigns. The kyte has clearly chosen her allegiance, and is not about to stand by let her friend face two attackers alone.

Puffed up like a pin-keeper's cushion, Zahraa rounds on the dragons as they approach Ryce, coming up from the flank and dividing their attention. Ada draws her sword, leaving the reigns back as she knows well enough that Zah needs no command from her to protect, and turns her attention to defending herself from the rider she now finds herself looking down upon.