There are 3 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [DL-W] Ohs and Ahs and Uh Ohs!
From: elfwench@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
2. [DL-D] Fire-Lances and Friend****p Gestures (JP)
From: trissana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
3. [DL-J] - Catch Me if You Can
From: "carys murray" <carysmurray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 22:00:30 -0500
From: elfwench@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[DL-W] Ohs and Ahs and Uh Ohs!
*Day 14 - Mid morning*
Xanthia had just arrived at the med center when she heard Meriwen call
out
to her. "Lady Ya****na! I found you!"
"Miss Merri! I was just going to mix some medications and take an
herbal
inventory."
"Yes, your man said that I'd find you here, mucking about in your
workroom.
But I do need to do a final fitting on your dress. Time is precious."
"Oh... Alright." Xanthia said, grinning like a silly schoolgirl.
"Uh...
Let's use one of the exam rooms."
As they walked down the hall Meriwen explained how she had just gotten
Ari
ready for the tour of the warren, but Xanthia was so excited that the
older
woman's words didn't sink in. All she knew was she was about to see
her
dress for the first time..
***
Miss Meri held up the gown. "Does this meet with your approval, Lady
Ya****na?"
"Just Ya****na... or Xanthia... Oh, It's *beautiful!*" Xanthia gushed
as she
viewed her gown for the first time.
It was indeed the same sapphire blue she'd remembered but it was also
embellished with silver inserts in the skirt and the sleeves which had
been
embroidered in an intricate knotwork pattern of the richest colors
she'd
ever seen. Xanthia examined the detail carefully, becoming more in awe
as
she did so.
"These colors match the gems on my circlet!" she exclaimed in awe.
"Indeed," Meriwen replied, "Now let's see if this fits."
<<TAG Carys!>>
***
*Mid to late morning*
Xanthia didn't know how she did it, but the dress Miss Meri made fit
perfectly. She was still beaming ear to ear when she opened the door
to her
workroom to begin the work she'd originally set to do when she first
arrived. Not that there was any hurry in it. She normally worked
evening
****ft anyhow, she just decided to put in some extra time in the lab.
"Good ta see ya!" Ari called out happily.
The petite healer paused, her hand still on the door. She looked for
all
the world like a deer who had sighted the hunter who had her in his
sights
as she looked into her normally quiet workroom and scanned the faces
of the
people that now filled it. Merissa, and Faylen, and Ari...And then her
eyes
landed on the prince, realization dawned even as her anxiety rose.
"We were givin the Prince a tour of our facilities." Ari explained.
Xanthia smiled and nodded. "Hope you have found everything to your
liking," she replied and curtseyed softly to the Prince. Her short
fingernails bit into the flesh of her palms as she nervously clenched
her
hands into tight fists. Silently she prayed to all the gods that she
didn't
do or say the wrong thing.
"Yes I have." He replied with a nod of his head to acknowledge
her. "Everything seems to be well organized and well run." He
complimented.
"Thank you your Highness." She replied. "We do our best."
She remembered suddenly why she was there to begin with and turned to
the
work table to begin combining some herbs. Her hands shook as she
heard the
voices behind her, and she wondered if her working at this time was
inappropriate or not.
"Did ya need some help later Xanthia?" Ari asked softly as not to
disturb
the quiet conversation the Prince was having with Merissa. "I can
come
back later in the afternoon." She volunteered.
"Yes, actually... Um..." Xanthia opened one jar and then another as
she
contemplated. Her hands shook, annoying her as she fought to maintain
concentration as well as still her nerves. "Oh drat! I'm out of the
elithrirum root!"
"I could dig some up for ya," Ari volunteered.
"If you have time, that would be great." Xanthia said.
She turned to face her friend, but as she did so her elbow brushed a
jar.
Panic flooded the small redhead's face as she made a desperate dive
for the
container. Her finger's brushed the glass just moments too late, and
the
crash of glass and pungent aroma of the jar's contents filled the
room.
Mortified, Xanthia knelt down and started anxiously picking up the
larger
glass shards and putting them in the trash, her own eyes watering from
the
aroma. She did her best to work quickly, the color rising in her
cheeks
form embarrassment as she was painfully aware that the room was still
filled with people.
"Dear gods, what is that smell?!?" Reolden exclaimed.
"Skunkweed!" Faylen, the junior queenrider, exclaimed in aghast
recognition
of the stench.
<The prince is gagging...> Xanthia's thoughts raced in panic. <Dear
gods,
the *prince* is gagging, I must hurry!>
She cringed as she bumped the table and heard another jar crash to the
ground, adding it's own pungency to the aromatic emergency at hand.
"And phylium!" Ari cried, looking at the label on the freshly
shattered jar.
Tears filled Xanthia's eyes, not just from the stench, but from her
total
embarrassment at the situation at hand, and she did her best to hurry
with
the clean up.
"Damn it!" Xanthia exclaimed, far louder than she intended as she
realized
that in her haste she'd cut her hand. Looking at the blood welling up
in
her palm, she wondered if the day could get any worse. Suddenly she
was
aware that the room went silent and felt all eyes on her.
<<TAG Arlene and Carys, and anyone else who may be on the tour or in
the
med center. KK, Allen, Eddie, Kris? Beuller??? *grin*>>
***
*Lunch time*
"What happened?" Dru'Kar asked when Xanthia entered the apartment.
and set
down her healer's bag. She didn't have to say a word, though whether
it
was his senses as a Guardian or the aroma which clung to her which
prompted
the question, Xanthia knew not.
"I broke a couple of jars, I need to take a bath," she confessed
holding
her bandaged hand in the other one.
Dru'Kar nodded, "And your hand?"
"My hand?," Xanthia blinked, "Oh, it's nothing. I just cut myself on a
piece of glass. It will heal."
"Let me see it," Drukar insisted.
Xanthia held out her bandaged hand and Dru'Kar unwrapped it with
amazing
gentleness. Dru'Kar examined the wound and grunted, "It's small, but
deep.
It would heal better if stitched."
"Yes, I'll do it."
"Better that I do it," Dru'Kar said in his semi-commanding tone.
"You can do that?" Xanthia asked in surprise, though she knew better
than
to argue.
"Hand me your bag and sit down," Dru'Kar responded, as if that was a
silly
question.
Xanthia sat patiently as Dru'kar diligently stitched the wound closed.
Once
he was finished she examined his work as he began to bandage the hand,
starting with two turns around the wrist to anchor the gauze before
covering the injured palm.
"You're *good*," she complimented the Nomad. "Where did you learn to
stitch
like that?"
He responded with a look that again let her know that was a silly
question,
then tied off the bandage. "Done! Now undress so I can bathe you.
"Bathe me?" Xanthia blinked. "I think I can bathe myself."
"And keep that hand dry?"
"Good point!" Xanthia agreed.
<<TAG Keeper, if you wish... Have fun!>>
***
*Afternoon*
She was alone in the apartment now. Both children had gone with
Dru'Kar to
help bathe Ursa and Maxima. Xanthia blushed and smiled to herself as
she
prepared to make some tea. She'd enjoyed having Dru'Kar bathe her. It
just
made her love him even more. Her reverie was interrupted when Merissa
entered the apartment.
"Xanthia, have you seen Th'rin?" the queenrider asked.
"No. Why?" Xanthia asked.
<<TAG Arlene>>
***
SUMMARY:
Day 14
Mid Morning:
After getting Ari ready for the warren tour, Meriwen finds Xanthia at
the
Med Center and has her try on her dress, which is perfect in every
way.
Xanthia is pleased beyond belief.
Mid to Late Morning
After the fitting, Xanthia heads to her workroom only to open the door
and
be greeted by Ari and a whole room full of people, including the
prince.
Her nerves rattled, she ends up knocking down not one, but two jars of
putrid smelling herbs. She cuts her hand, adding to her dismay.
Lunch
Xanthia returns to the apartment for a bath. Dru'Kar insists on
stitching
and re-bandaging her hand, and on bathing her himself.
Afternoon
Xanthia revels in the memory of the bath when Merissa comes in and
asks
Xanthia if she knows where Th'rin is.
***
Respectfully Submitted by:
Morgan
elfwench@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Amazon.com Wish List http://www.amazon.com/o/registry/AT4JWDUFRAML
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:49:04 EST
From: trissana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[DL-D] Fire-Lances and Friend****p Gestures (JP)
Day 104
Sharees nodded to Akety and Lexi as they passed them going into the
Duchess's office as they exited. But Sharees could only afford them a
passing thought as her mind was still reeling from what Thea had asked
of them.
Thea said that she wanted them to plan an attack on Triylar. Sharees
knew that city quite well and knew that there would be plenty of
places
to hide for ones wi****ng not to be found.
They walked into T'rell's office and Sharees leaned against T'rell's
desk as he poured himself another cup of coffee. She voiced her
concerns
as she thought it over.
"... so with so many holes to slip into, how do we route them from the
city? We don't want to go house-to-house. That would be just too
dangerous -- we'd risk falling into traps ..."
T'rell agreed and began to ponder the problem. "I know, use the
dragons
to create a rolling barrage ahead of the ground troops, and force the
enemy to come out and meet us in the open!"
"So, we just have the dragons set everything on fire? But... the
buildings are all made of stone," Sharees reminded him.
"Right," T'rell paused and then grinned, "We can drop incendiaries and
burn the areas that they are occupying. But that amounts to the same
thing, a lot of burned-out buildings.... How do you feel about causing
so much damage to the city?"
Sharees's eyes narrowed, "Buildings can be rebuilt. We need to get
rid
of the wyverns and the people who are working with them. If this can
save some dragons and riders from the warren, I'm all for it. So,
where
are we going to get the...things... you were talking about?"
"Incendiaries. Do you remember those fire-lances I was working on and
wanted to have Alexander test?"
"The hollow tubes you wanted Lexi to make?" She frowned, "Has he
gotten
them perfected yet?"
"Not sure. We still haven't run the tests on the different ideas he
came up with. We've talked a lot about different ways to make them,
but
I think the ones with the heavy heads to punch through the slate roofs
would work the best in Triylar."
"What would ignite it? Wouldn't they have to already be flaming when
they hit?" Sharees asked in confusion.
"If the fire-lances shoot some sort of incendiary projectile, they'll
go
thru windows and set the interior of a building on fire." He quickly
sketched it out for Sharees, who had not been a part of the daily
weapons discussions. "The shafts are hollow just a ways behind the
arrowhead... they hit something and punch thru, the hollow ****tion of
the shaft splinters, and the oil/phosphorous payload is released and
ignited."
"They'd have to be pretty accurate to do that," Sharees worried, "Or
fly
pretty close ... really low p*****. That would risk their being
caught
by a cross bow."
T'rell frowned "The dragons could also each carry something heavy
enough
to punch through a tin or slate roof before setting off the lances.
We used
simple incendiaries at Geode, burning oil and straw bales...this will
need a
bit more finesse, but I think it will work." He thought a moment,
rubbing his
chin. "Pointed tips, maybe some sort of fins like arrows have, for
stability..."
Sharees grinned, "Right, something heavy to smash through the roof and
then drop oil and then pass over with a dragon, flaming." She could
picture this easily enough.
"Or a saddle mounted, swiveling ballista that fires a heavy shaft with
some incendiary near the back...it would be fairly accurate, the steel
arrowhead could smash through windows at a considerable range, and
start
fires in selected buildings. The big arrows could also do damage to a
wyvern even without the flaming stuff...but imagine one hitting a
wyvern
carrying a rider, and the oil splashes forward over the wyvern and
ignites...very uncomfortable for the rider!" T'rell was on a roll and
Sharees smiled.
"OK, so we're in agreement, should we present this to Thea and see if
she has any objections?" Sharees asked
"Good idea... and meanwhile, we could work with Alex on figuring out
how to
aim the new weapons from dragonback," T'rell stated.
"That will take some doing, considering that the weapons we're talking
about
don't exist yet. Maybe you should first talk to Lexi about making
them,"
Sharees reminded him.
"I will, once we've done a preliminary test," T'rell said with a faint
smile.
"You see, we do have a prototype..."
* * * * *
The green, shortly afterward.
Alex looked curiously at the dragon saddle that sat mounted on a
wooden
post. Or, to be more exact, he was staring curiously at the
contraption that
was affixed to the saddle. "I have used lances, and I have used
crossbows," the
knight remarked, "but never anything quite like this. It looks akin
to a
small ballista."
"That's just what it is," T'rell said, running a hand across the
heavy
crossbow mechanism. "But notice that this one is on a swivel mount -
it can be
traversed from side to side, and also vertically. The vertical motion
is
limited, as you can see, to keep it from being aimed sufficiently
downward to
accidentally hit the dragon who's carrying it."
"What sort of projectile do you intend for this to fire?" Alex
asked.
"Something this size could sling something as large as a knight's
lance!"
"And here it is," T'rell said, leaning down to lift a canvas tarp
that
sat next to the saddle. Underneath it were three long, metal shafts.
Each was
shaped like an arrow, but was nearly six feet long and as thick as a
man's
arm. He lifted one and handed it to Alex. "As you say, like a
knight's lance."
As T'rell had expected, Alex's eye was immediately drawn to an
8-inch
segment just behind the tip of the lance. "Glass?" he asked. "This
will not
survive the first impact."
"It isn't meant to," T'rell said. "This will be filled with oil -
or
something even more flammable, if we can come up with something
better. The
glass will shatter, but not until the heavy tip just ahead of it has
smashed
through window and landed inside a building. It will also go through
wooden doors
or shutters."
"This is, then, made to destroy buildings?" Alex said.
T'rell nodded. "One of the weapons we plan to use for that
purpose.
But, I think it might also be effective in air-to-air combat against
wyverns...especially if the re****ts we've heard of wyverns with riders
are true. I need
an expert with weapons to test this thing and see just what *is* the
most
effective use for it. We've only finished the one firing mechanism
here, and only
half a dozen of the lances, but more will be on the way. Before we
actually
make more, though, I need someone who's familiar with weapons to test
them and
find out how they can be improved and made more effective for both of
the
purposes I just mentioned. Are you game?"
(Tag Tom)
* * * *
Shortly afterward
T'rell and Panda walked along the edge of the green toward the
queenrider's apartment. "T'rell, I think it is wonderful what you're
wanting to do,"
Panda said. "But are you sure this is a good idea?"
The Wingleader nodded, though reluctantly. "Yes, much as I'm not
looking
forward to this. But we're about to get into a very tough situation
here,
and we can't afford to have any...ah, tensions...inside the warren
itself."
Panda squeezed his arm reassuringly. "I am very proud of you to be
the
one to extend the olive branch!" she said.
"I'm going to expect something pleasurable after this," he told
her
suggestively. "I was thinking that maybe tonight, back at the
apartment, we
could..."
"I'm sure we can," Panda assured him. "But since you wanted to
talk to
Almantha first...well, here she is."
They had stopped in front of the queenrider's apartment, where
the young
copper queen lay sprawled on the ledge. T'rell sighed, and reached up
to tap
her nose to get her attention.
Almantha blinked and raised her head, glaring down at T'rell. She
started to snort a jet of steam at him, but then noticed that her
rider was standing
next to him and restrained herself. [Hmph! What do YOU want?] she
asked.
[Buddy-boy, you better not be doing anything to make my rider unhappy,
or I'll
chomp you!]
*I am, I am,* T'rell assured her. *Look, the real reason I
stopped by
is that...well, I know that you and I don't always get along as well
as we
should...*
Almantha snorted, as though to say that this was a tremendous
understatement.
*But I thought that perhaps it was time that you and I
could...well, you
know, bury the hatchet so to speak," T'rell said. *Now, I know that I
haven't
always been as nice to you as I could...*
[HAH! You never treat me with the respect you should!] Almantha
insisted.
T'rell rolled his eyes. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," he
whispered to Panda.
"A generous gesture is its own reward," she replied, quoting an
old
saying. "And you said yourself this wasn't going to be easy when you
came up with
the idea."
T'rell nodded and sighed. *Well, anyway, I wanted us to try
and...ah...be...friends...so I...thought, well, if there
was...anything I could...you
know, um...do for you...that could sort of square things between us?*
(Tag Tree - Almantha has a golden op****tunity here, I'd say!)
Submitted by:
John
T'rell & Flerrion
and
Arlene
Sharees & Chamelle
Daere Warren
Summary: Day 104 - In response to Thea's instruction, T'rell and
Sharees work
out a strategy for assaulting the enemy positions in Triylar. T'rell
shows
Alex the prototype of the new fire-lance weapon, and asks him to test
it before
more examples are produced. T'rell then goes with Panda to try and
mend his
fences with Almantha.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 00:21:54 -0800
From: "carys murray" <carysmurray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-J] - Catch Me if You Can
Day 1
Island off Coast of Jasra
[SNIP]
"We have spies in the Warren. The rest of us will return at once to
the
defense of Jasra. Tanami, Keer, Clowie."He looked each in the eye as
he
spoke their names. "You must succeed. I have all confidence in you."
[END SNIP]
Dylan watched as the 3 Kataani members of the wing were given their
instructions and she knew he needed to go, and this time, she could
not
follow.
She knew and understood the wisdom of her not being allowed to go with
him,
because she would be a hindrance. He would think nothing but of her
safety,
which would impair the mission.
She steeled herself for his departure. She was under no delusions of
what
might happen to either of them. She had been raised on the open sea,
and
had seen many a battle, and knew the risks involved.
She saw the darkening of his countenance as he too realized they were
to be
parted. She suddenly felt sad that she had not spoken of the gift he
had
given her. But, she also knew this was not the time to speak of it.
It
would become a burden and heavy stone, and he needed to be
unen***bered in
both thought and deed.
As always, he stepped to her and stood before her. His face was but a
mask
and unreadable, and she did not try to read into that. She knew he
had a
duty and a mission, and she hoped he would succeed and return to her.
Dylan on the other hand hoped that should he survive and be
successful,
there was someone and something to return too. She looked up and
smiled the
confidence she did not feel. She longed to hold him, to feel him
against her
once more for him to assure her it would be alright. But she was a
warrior
too, and she knew the waste of such banalities.
Keer stepped up before her, drew her close and held her for a moment.
This
surprised her, for he had not ever done so before. She returned the
hug,
for she knew this might indeed be their last moment together and she
understood the wisdom of this.
"Take these." Keer instructed softly as he slipped her a few long
daggers
that were of unusual design. "Those who once held them, have no need
for
them."
Dylan looked up and nodded as his eyes seemed to bore into hers. "You
know
how to use them, for I have trained you well, as you.."his hand
reached and
caressed her face. "have trained me." He leaned in and softly kissed
her
lips bru****ng them lightly with his and slowly pulled back.
"I WILL return, this I promise." He whispered briskly and with deep
emotion.
"Do what you must to live." With that he spun on his heels and
climbed
aboard Adas.
Dylan stood as if in shock and watched the trio run and leap beneath
the
waves vani****ng from sight. She was surprised she did not cry out,
for that
is what she wished to do and demand he return. She felt numb and cold
inside
and when she heard the orders to mount up she did so.
[TAG - Eddie - any thoughts for Keer on this mission and how he
feels?]
As they sped back to Jasra more information of more Kataani came from
below
the surface where Raven and Lir were scouting out ahead to make sure
their
path was clear.
Once again the small band was split up, one to go ahead, the other to
stay
behind and hopefully keep them busy until the others got away.
[SNIP]
<We go in fast and strong, before they can set up formation> Raven
replayed
the message through Lir. <On the first pass, the dragons will steam
them
from a distance, and we'll attack with any projectiles we're willing
to
spare>
[END SNIP]
The first past was not a total loss, but as Dylan released the strange
dagger she watched it swirl effortlessly through the water and then
only
skim along the enemy's skin, she knew that she did not have the
strength to
pierce their skin, not even with one of their own weapons. She
watched as
the other two fired their weapons, and she remembered Keer once saying
the
strength of the Kataani were double that of a human.
She knew this was not a fight that they would win, not unless they
turned
the tide to their strengths and used them wisely. After they swam
around
them and dodged the spears thrown at them Dylan knew that this was
indeed
the way to win this little battle.
And, if lucky, they might be able to divert their attention away from
their
goal and lead they away from the Warren, and the other members of the
group
that were now speeding their way home to see if there was anything
they
could do to help.
She positioned herself with Dru to be the scout, as in the training
episode
from earlier. She watched from the corner of her eye and watched
Dakhrau
used strange magic of some kind to release Raven from the spear that
had
pierced his shoulder. She had never seen such magic before, nor heard
tales
of it, and she pushed her curiosity to the back of her mind to dwell
on it
later.
With a yelp and winces in pain, Dylan also knew that both were down
for the
count. This was going to have to be a game of cat and mouse. They
were no
match for the strength and numbers before them.
When Dylan noticed them once again forming into defensive formation
and
slowly began to move forward, Dru called out the alarm.
*Dru, remember the dolphins?* Dylan asked trying to figure out how
they
could get out of this. With Dakhrau looking rather peaked and Raven
in
obvious pain with his injury from the spear, they needed a quick get
away.
<*Yes!*> she exclaimed. <*I did SO love that game, it was SO much fun
and
when I led Adas on a..*>
*Yes, Dru, that is what I need from you now, WE need you to show the
others
how to play follow the leader and do a bit of cat and mouse*
<*Yes, yes, I can do that, we do that all the time!*< she exclaimed
again.
*NOW Dru, you are the leader, Lir and Rrone need to try to catch you
to win.
You understand?*
<*YES, YES*> she exclaimed happily and shared with the other two of
her
hatch-mates what was needed, and to tell their riders to hold on.
Dru swam over them and doubled back to pick up speed and she then
banked
quickly and sped head on towards the Kataani. The other two
sea-dragons
were not so sure this would work, but agreed that neither of their
riders
were in any condition to stand and fight.
With nothing else better to do, they followed suit and sped after Dru.
When the Kataani saw the 3 sea-dragons speeding towards them they
shouted
and raised ****elds and spears and readied for an attack.
<*WHHHEEEEEEEE*> Dru called out as she buzzed them and flicked her
tail on
the pass through and it connected with one of the Kataani and knocking
him
over into the rest of his squad, buckling the formation. In her
exuberance
she did not realize she had also sent to the others as she happily
enjoyed
her new game.
[TAG - Eddie, does Adas hear what is going on? - Tag - Arle - the same
with
Syngnath - does he sense and learn what is going on?]
When the other two dragons saw what she had in mind, they sped up and
each
followed her and repeated her actions. With an opening Lir breathed
his
stream of hot water causing those in its path to scream out and lunge
towards something that was no longer there.
Dru banked and began yet another turn at them. This time she went
under and
rolled and smacked at them knocking several more over as they tried to
continue to move and keep formation.
Rrone then followed suit and as Dru buzzed, tucked and rolled under
the
formation he in turn fired off his stream of the hot water and the
screams
echoed in the eerie darkness of the depths.
Over and over the young sea-dragons played with the troops as if they
were
indeed a school of mindless moonfish. So intent were they to move as
one
and keep in formation, they became easy prey for the antics of the
young
sea-dragons.
The leader of the squad was becoming increasingly angry at the lack of
respect he felt the air-breathing humans and their demon beasts had
for
them. Did they not know they the Kataani were above them, in all
things,
that they ruled the waters below, and soon again the land?
He called out an order and the squad responded as one. Dylan heard
the
command and knew it was now time to end the game and begin to lure
them away
from the warren and get them out of harms way.
*Dru now is the time for tag!*Dylan spoke to her bond mate and held
on. She
knew what a wild ride Dru could give, she had experienced it a few
times
after the Dolphin episode and with help and training from Keer; she
had
learned how to hold on. She just hoped the others could, for this
would be
the test for them all.
Dru shared once again the plan and what they needed to do with her 2
hatch-mates and they agreed it was time to end this and get to safety.
With
the plan hopefully in place the 3 sea-dragons banked and headed away
from
the squad.
<*Sister?*> Dru whispered to her rider. <*Adas said to remember the
sharks*>
*The sharks?* Dylan questioned while the were speeding away to ready
for
their last pass by and away from the warren and hopefully some of the
squad
would turn and follow them.
<*Yes, they are waiting for us*> Dru replied
*Waiting?* Dylan stammered suddenly fearful and not sure which was
worse,
the Kataani or the sharks? They both were predators.
<*Sure silly, Adas says his rider left them behind to watch after us.
I
think they are a secret weapon?*> she replied rather not too sure what
it
was that Adas was talking about. Boys! Sometimes, they sure did not
make
ANY sense.
*AHHH* Dylan answered while a new plan was forming. *Dru, tell the
others
new plan, we are gonna lure them to the sharks!*
<*Will do!*> she answered happily, for to her this really was a game.
A fun
game with lots of daring and skill challenges and Dru knew she was up
to it.
Making a wide turn and speeding back towards the now semi- reorganized
squad
of Kataani, the 3 young sea-dragons bellowed their arrival and when
they
were close enough the 3 split off in the formation of a trident and
each one
let a stream of the hot water off that rippled forward and the cries
of the
wounded echoed once again eerily in the dark depths.
This time the leader was not about to let these mere humans play havoc
with
his time schedule. They needed to be somewhere at a precise time, for
the
rest of the assault and evasion were to succeed. He would NOT fail his
emperor. He would rescue him if it was the last thing he did.
When they returned to begin their torturous play he called out for
them to
attack and end this childish display of supposed superiority. Dru
banked
and flipped her tail again to smack the leader on the side of the head
and
he was forced to move out of the way and bumped into another and then
while
he was struggling with composure, the other 2 dragons sprayed them
with
their hot water.
The leader barked out his orders and half of the ****elds went down,
and out
came the nets and tridents. Dylan knew what those weapons could do,
for
Keer had trained her in the defense of such an attack. But, here in
the
water, their power was the speed of the dragons, and their water
spray.
<*OK Let's Roll!*> Dru called out to her hatch-mates and banked again
and
smacked another on her pass by. Dylan called out an insult in Kataani
and
made a rude gesture she had seen Keer make once and speed away.
The commander was out-raged and vowed to spear that uppity little
human for
defamation of his people, his language and belief.
"After them!" he ordered and although slightly less organized as he
would
have liked, they turned and began chasing their tormentors.
Dru excited that the chase was on, let them on a merry little chase,
always
coming back to make sure they were continuing to follow. Dru also
shared
the adventure with Adas, and she was very unhappy he could not be here
to
enjoy all the fun they were having.
Dylan let Dru take lead and she just held on. She had to admit the
thrill
of the chase was fun, and she hoped that it would not back fire on
her.
The commander cursed that his time schedule was being disrupted and
needed
to return to where their rendezvous was to be. But, HE was not going
to
allow such an insult to all that was sacred among his people go by.
Especially from one as lowly as some air-breather.
When he saw that they had turned into a canyon he smiled with glee.
For in
their over confidence and high opinion of themselves, they had just
made a
fatal error. He knew these reefs and coral beds well, along with the
maze
of canyons and dead ends.
It would be a good place to ambush a force. It was the perfect trap
to lure
someone too. He had trained here in his younger days and knew the
canyons
like the back of his hand.
He called for the squad to slow, and reform into smaller bands. He
knew
that everyone always went right when entering a crossroads. It seemed
to be
human nature. He knew for a fact that the crossroads ended in a dead
end.
He would take his larger force and circle around to the left, and cut
them
off. He would allow the rest of the squad to continue to pursue them,
giving them a sense of false victory.
He would skin the hide from the uppity human and her beast to hang on
his
wall to show all who saw one did not defame his people, not within his
hearing.
With the silent sign speak of battle, they split up and went to
rendezvous
with destiny and with such a good omen behind them, on to victory to
free
the Emperor and reclaim that which was theirs.
Dru kept in constant contact with Adas and her other hatch-mates. Dru
was
the only one who did not seem to understand fully the dangerous
position
they were in. She was happy as a pod of dolphins at play and altho
she
heeded Adas and did as he told her, she still was enjoying herself way
too
much.
They whipped through the tight canyon walls, and Dylan was worried
that they
were lost. Dru confided in her that they were safe and everything was
working out better than even Dylan could imagine.
When they rounded the next corner Dylan pulled Dru back hard, for
coming
down another bend was a large force of Kataani.
*DRU!* she cried out, fearful that in her pride, she had gotten 3
dragons
killed.
<*Relax*> Dru cooed back and then sent reassurance through her rider.
<*Turn sharp and go down this way*> Dru broadcasted to all and took
them
around the corner into another seemingly dead end.
*DRU!* Dylan cried out in fear and frustration. *We are boxed in!*
Dru giggles echoed in Dylan's mind and Dylan looked around to see what
it
was that Dru saw that she could not.
<*Look up*> she whispered softly.
Dylan slowly looked up and gasped in astonishment. She then knew they
would
be alright. When the 2 other riders look to her with a mix of
frustration,
and anger at being trapped she pointed up and then put her finger to
her
lips.
The grin on both of their faces was reward enough for Dylan and she
steeled
herself and waited for just the right time to unleash their welcoming
committee.
They waited anxiously for the Kataani to seal off the entrance to the
canyon. When they saw them slowly approach closer and closer
menacingly
Dylan took a deep breath.
*Anytime Dru*
<*NOW!*> she cried out to Adas.
The next moment became almost surreal as a darkness descended in the
canyon.
If Dylan was not so sure of Keer the panic she would have felt would
have
caused her to bolt into certain death.
As the shadow inched downward closer and closer the Kataani looked up
and
many did panic, and tried to break formation. Tightly squeezed and
boxed
into the canyon, they were unable to move well, and many cut
themselves on
their own weapons.
As the large school of sharks circled downward into the canyon Dylan
and the
rest slowly moved up the side of the canyon. When she knew the Kataani
could
not see them, she urged them to move to the rim and let the sharks do
what
they did best.
With the sharks now between them and the Kataani, and their way
blocked with
the sharks moving in for the kill, Dylan knew that they needed to get
up and
away as quickly as possible.
When the blood began to flow, the shadow turned from a dark menace to
a
boiling sea of red and dark silvery grey splashes as the cries came
from
within the middle of the growing red.
Once they had slid upwards to the rim of the canyon wall, they found
themselves floating above a large maze of canyons and what seemed like
a
partial reef of some sort.
Dru quickly gained her bearings and shared where they were, and the
suggestion of Adas and his rider where they should go to for safety.
They quickly made for the surface and put some distance between them
and the
surprise force they had stumbled into. Dylan's mind was reeling, as
she
pondered if anyone was even left at the Warren. Was Gus alright? Was
Tyler?
They reached the surface and bobbed quietly for a bit, more to catch
their
breath and shake loose the high intensity of the past hour or so.
Dylan felt a mixture of relief, sadness and horror. She did not give
in to
her shock and grief. She could not, she needed to get her team mates
to
safety and re****t back what had happened.
She made a quick check on both Raven and Dakhrau to make sure they
were
okay. Once she knew they were, she told them their options, and they
agreed
that it was best if they found some place safe, but near the Warren so
they
could figure out their next step.
Dylan had Dru keep in contact with Adas, and Raven volunteered to
contact
Corwin, since Dakhrau still had a slight headache and was not quite
back to
his normal self.
They made their way to a place they thought would be safe and waited
for
further instruction.
[TAG - Arle - what will Corwin have them do, and where will they be
needed?
Tag - Alex if you would like to add anything to this; and Eddie as
well.]
[SUMMARY]
Dylan and the rest of the party are on their way back to Jasra Warren
to
help with the protection of the Warren, when the squad of Kataani that
had
hassled Ansel and Dakhrau earlier.
Corwin takes part of the group back to the Warren and Dylan, Raven and
Dakhrau stay behind to see what they can do to slow the squad down, or
at
least keep them busy so they do not hassle the rest of the party.
After Raven is injured and Dakhrau weaken helping him, Dylan is forced
to
figure a way to help they get to safety and still slow down the
Kataani if
possible.
Dylan comes up with an idea of cat and mouse mixed in with tag. With
the
help from Adas and Keer, they set up a trap and lure the Kataani in,
and
make good their escape.
Respectfully Submitted by
Carys Murray
Aka
Dylan, rider of Dru
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
To Join World Weavers, visit: http://www.worldweavers.net/
Only members of WorldWeavers Worlds should post to this list. To post
messages to this group, send email to WeaversFiction@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
|
