Running Shadows: Rebellion in Numenor

Keiran looked puzzled. No one had ever spoken to him that way. He growled, irritated with the girl's annoying tone of voice, and small smoke tendrils came from his jaws.
"Please calm down," Atreyu said to Keiran. He did not want anoter fireball to ravage these trees. Turning to face the girl, Atreyu asked, "Why were you eavesdropping on us?"
Keiran shut his mouth, but he was still aggitated. His eyes snapped to Trys, wondering if he was going to do anything about this girl.

OOC: Darn you!

 

"Evesdropping?" Pantalimon echoed, confused. She looked the boy in the eye, competly lost looking. "I heard voices and saw fire so I decided to see what was happening." she explained, not sure what he meant by evesdropping. "I'm sorry for interupting your arguing. I didn't meant to talk outloud."

"MONSTER! ShOOT IT!" the little, aggrivating voice screamed in her ear, making Pan wince.

"With what?" she muttered, sarcasticly, glancing to her side for a moment and then looking up again at the dragon and boy. She could see the dragon didn't much approve of her but she brightened her smile anyways, liking the creature for it's protective nature.

 

Goldwin frowned further, listening for Trys to come back. "What now?" she thought aloud, a little exasperated.

Trys looked over the girl the Dragon had found and knew immediately she wasn't from Numenor; her clothing and even the way she spoke said that. He decided to step forward and try to make sure the Dragon didn't set this girl on fire; then there was no stopping the Dragonhunter behind them from destroying the beast.

"Miss, you should probably head back to town; it's not safe out here if you're not a Dragonhunter or someone that can tame these beasts. Princess Goldwin and I would be happy to escort you if you haven't any companions."

 

Pantalimon looked up at the newcomer and smiled to him as well. Feeling out of place seated, she slowly stood up and placed her hands palm to palm to give the new comer a short bow. She added another to the dragon and the boy incase they took offense at being left out. "Thank you for the concern, but I am safe enough. I will take my leave though... I didn't realize my presence was so upsetting." her tone didn't imply any guilt on the matter, in fact she sounded curious of everyone's aggrivation.

 

Keiran was takenaback by the bow. Atreyu was the only one who'd bowed before him, and that was on one knee with his eyes on the ground. Did that mean this girl had the same respect for him that Atreyu did? Keiran wasn't exactly ready or willing to find out. Atreyu was still the only human he trusted.
"You're traveling alone? In this land?" Atreyu was confused. Didn't this girl know that there were Dragons about? Could she even defend herself if one attacked her? It didn't look like it from the display Keiran had provoked.

 

Pantalmion nodded, mildly amused by his tone. "Until I find a companion, yes. I always find someone. And if I don't, being alone isn't as bad as people say it is." she winked at the dragon.

 

Kain began to wander the wilderness. He no longer belonged to his nation, he had no place. Looking for a place to stay for a while would not be easy as most good places where miles apart. Kain decided that it would be best to find either the dragon and stay with it, which would be no simple task, or he would have to become a mercenary. He didn't particulary like either idea for the safety of the dragon and his honour being tarnished even more. He continued to wander.

 

Goldwin nearly jumped when Trys put a hand on her shoulder; all her attention was on the Dragon and his boy that she didn't notice him walk over to her.

"You should let the boy go now," he whispered. "We need to get back to the castle and speak with your parents about this."

Goldwin nodded, clearing her throat. "You've heard the rules, my friend," she began a little louder, catching the Dragonhunter's eye and ignoring the girl that they had just stumbled upon. "If you stay outside the border, no one can hunt you because it's no longer our country and our rules don't stand outside Numenor. I will speak with my parents about your situation."

Gabriel sat up when a knock came at the door, half asleep being so deep in his thoughts. I knew it, he thought, grumbling and shaking his hair out of his face. There had to be a catch to a free night in a fine room at this castle. What it is I have to do now will be interesting.

"Come in," he shouted a little too loudly, and the door to his rooms opened, revealing an older servant in all-black velvet Moraning attire. "Yes?" Gabriel prompted when the man said nothing.

"Nothing slips past our Lord, sir," the servant began, a smile on his face as if he was enjoying a sick joke in his mind.

"I should hope so," Gabriel replied smoothly. "How does that rule involve me?"

The man's smile widened. "We've a job for you," he began slowly. "Something that needs your Summoning skills and your... lose morals."

"I'm not interested at the time, thanks," Gabriel muttered, lying back down on the bed and shutting his eyes. "I've got enough coin right here to last me a while without bloodying my hands again."

"Asking you was just a formality, sir," the servant chuckled darkly. "This isn't an offer; it's a command from Lord Michael."

Gabriel sat up slowly this time, his eyebrows narrowed. "What do you want, then?" he asked.

 

Blade closed his eyes."if all the talking is done then I will continue my assignment then" Blade said calmly as he opened his eyes and looked over at the dragon that he was ordered to capture. His sword was still rested on his shoulder

 

"If your assignment entails bringing down this Dragon, you cannot complete that task at this time," Goldwin began. "This boy and his beast will remain neutral to our laws until judgment is passed on his unique situation as my parents see fit."

 

"you sure do talk alot woman" Blade said calmly still staring at the dragon not heeding the princess's words. He was still fixed on capturing the dragon and the fact that the dragon seemed willing to fight him didn't help

 

Trys immediately stepped forward, drawing a throwing knife from his belt. "Watch your mouth!" he snapped, launching the blade with speedy accuracy at the the Dragonhunter's legs.

"Trys!" Goldwin exclaimed, putting out a hand to stop him from reaching for another weapon.

 

Blade simply sidesteped away from the knife. His gaze from the dragon finally changed and he looked over at the princess and the guy standing beside her.His grip on the sword's handle tightened a bit, not because of fear but because he was ready to fight if needed

 

"Another rude comment like that and I'll put you in the dungeons for a night myself," Trys growled, but stayed his attacks at Goldwin's nonverbal command.

"Go," Goldwin said to the boy and his Dragon. "This man has every right to attack you if you stay within these borders. I'll send someone to you once a decision is reached. And you, Dragonhunter," she added, turning t o the man whose name she didn't know. "Whoever sent you after this Dragon will have to wait; this case is special, but there are plenty of troublesome beasts you can take care of without a problem."

 

Blade closed his eyes and smirked "funny that you call me a dragon hunter despite the fact that I have never fought a dragon" Blade said sheathing his sword

 

Atreyu didn't want to stay in this situation any longer than he needed to. Lady Goldwin had given him leave, and he was going to take it. It was risky, but he needed to fly again -- and he had to stay on this time. He stayed Keiran the best he could, with difficulty due to the Dragon's raised temper, and climbed on to the Dragon's back. Keiran's massive wings spread as far as they could in their limited space.
"Thank you, Lady Goldwin," Atreyu said his parting words and then Keiran's wings gave a mighty push, and they were out of the trees. Just to spite the hunter, Keiran let loose an unnecessarily loud roar. He would have shot flames as well if it weren't for Atreyu's request of inconspicuousness.
Atreyu wasn't sure where to go, and wasn't fond of the idea of making any sharp turns again, so he let Keiran fly straight. They'd be out of Numenor's borders soon enough.

Boromir frowned. He didn't like the idea of such a Dragon roaming about with a boy. No matter what the situation, Boromir would never trust any Dragon. Adding to his frown was the nameless hunter. Foreigner or not, he should know to address Goldwin with respect.

 

Blade turned and noticed the dragon taking flight. Blade immediately stretched out his arm and pointed his palm straight at the dragon's wings. Suddenly his palm started to glow,but stopped the moment Blade clenched his fist. "Its not worth it. Looks like I'm going to have to cancel that assignment" Blade said as he looked over at the remaining group

 

Pantalimon watched the dragon and boy leave in the air, very impressed. But as soon as they were out of sight her attention turned to Lady and three men. They all looked stressed out and not in the mood to answer the questions she was hoping to ask. Besides, she'd said she would leave. With a last bow to each, again, she looked up and tried to gauge which direction was South.

 

Goldwin sighed, turning to leave with Trys and Boromir. As soon as the Dragon and his rider got beyond the southern Numenor border they would be fine. That was all she could worry about at the moment.

"How the hell am I supposed to explain this one to my parents?" she sighed. "And not to mention what that damn emissary decreed this morning."

"Just speak your mind to them," Trys suggested quietly as they reached the city again. "That's all you can do."

"If you don't mind I'd like you to bring up some more food when you're done," Gabriel added when the man didn't speak immediately.

"The country of Numenor is unruly," the Moraning man began more sternly, ignoring Gabriel's attitude. "All our emissaries and messengers say that they are itching to make their own rules, and would have others following them if they actually banned together."

"I've nothing to do with them," Gabriel snapped, a little too harshly. "Find someone else who cares."

"Listen, boy," the man sighed, his tone sharper now. "The Lord knows your skills and, frankly, none of your class in the Academy or any before you have the potential you do. Studying necromancy within our borders is the best place in the world to do it; you, however, were born with natural potential to be a Summoner above and beyond what others can do."

Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Let's get this straight, alright? I have no problem using dark magic or blood magic; breaking the rules to do whatever seems right for me at the time doesn't bother me. The rules for necromancy and Summoning souls are ridiculous; I hate the way things are supposed to work, but that doesn't mean that I want to have anything to do with your problems with Numenor."

 

Pantalimon walked directly south, hitting the town again after a few minutes of walking. At first the voice she'd been listening to yelled at her for leaving a dragon to the world but it soon faded to silence, leaving her to sigh with releif. As annoying as those whispers could be, they always disapeared if she moved away from them. Unfortunetly, this town seemed full of aggrivating and angry voices, so she wanted leave quickly and see what lived beyond it. "War, arguing, and unhappiness. I don't see why there are so many people living her." she thought aloud, causing a small family walking past her to glare in her direction. She smiled awkwardly at them and hurried past. "Thank you for proving my point." she mumbled under her breath, glancing back at them. Like many people she was passing, they were wearing old, worn clothes and looked less then happy. Pan entwined her fingers in front of her and pulled her arms back to pop her shoulders, glad she was free to move through and past such people. "Now where is that Alice girl? I should give her my good bye, unless she's moving out too."