Illicit Gains [plot]

[Kaya]

| 76.10.27 | Midday | Wagon trail between Golden Flight Hold and Rainbow Mists Weyr |

The wagon wheels turned with predictable rhythm as the tithe caravan marched along the well-worn trail. They had left in the early morning coolness, as though it was yet the beginning of the growing season at Golden Flight, the southern warmth was a familiar companion. The sun had turned just past its peak in the sky and the sore feet and heavy hooves desired a rest. Seeing no real hurry, for the weather was holding surprisingly well for their trip, they broke soon after for lunch. Holders and Riders, their dragons overhead and away from the beasts, perched on whatever place most resembled a seat. While the break was generally cheerful where food was sufficient, in another group nearby so such sentiment was felt.

The drought had hit their home hard, and while the Riders themselves in the northern Weyr had just barely enough to go around, their families elsewhere were facing empty cupboards and scarce food in the town, very little of it they could actually afford. They would remedy this, their desperation giving birth to a plan and the faces of their loved ones giving them courage to act.

At the lead was B’telli, a BronzeRider from Igen, and the brother of Anaela, Weyrwoman of Telgar. He had already gone to ask her if anything could be done for their many old friends and relatives living on the edge of the desert. To his request she had remained silent, so he took the matter into his own hands. The last attempt two months ago had succeeded and been met with little but angry words. It was an opportunity where no others existed. It had to be done this way.

“Remember, quickly,” he whispered to the woman he had chosen to take the lead behind him, a distant cousin of his. There was not one thing on Pern or off it more important to B’telli than family. She nodded and they moved to ready their dragons, looking down from the high vantage at the stopped caravan below.

---

The herdbeasts snorted uneasily but the men and women with food to tend to paid them little mind. A few hands sought to calm them, but they would not be soothed. A few had seen the wings overhead, but assumed they were the watch that Rainbow Mists had sent to see them safely to the Weyr. Abruptly the large, wing-created shadows blotted the midday sun. A plates clattered and cups clanged, some scattered, some ran to their wagons. A man screamed as a hoof drove into his leg, the beast’s eyes filled with all-consuming terror. Dragons. Dragons! Quick, the watch! Their raid could not succeed, but the uncountably many wings wheeling overhead spoke to their intentions. Failure was not among them.

[Deleted]

Sent ahead to scout due to Baneroth's quiet nature, Honolly willed the large blue to fly faster so that they could meet up with her father, who she was to report to. It was an exciting thing to be on watch for the life-pairs first assignment and both of them wanted to make a good impression. Honolly knew that her father would not coddle her to sugar coat things if she messed up. It was a thought that made the short-haired rider all the more determined to prove herself.

It wasn't long before the pair reached the limit to how far they had to go and paused to look around. Come on, Baneroth, lets head back and report to dad. An agreeable huff told Honolly that he was also anxious to return and the pair took off again, flying a little more leisurely than before. It was a hot day and easing well past noon as they flew. Honolly was almost killed by the wind In her ears until the sharp stab of her father's dragon awoke her. Without speaking, Honolly already knew something was wrong and Baneroth let loose a dark growl as he sped up as much as his wings would allow. This was not good! Pain laced the presence of M'lak's dragon as the roars of battle and calls of herd beasts mingled with the screams of terrified people.

A lie roar erupted from Baneroth's narrow maw as he connected with an enemy dragon and Honolly jerked in the saddle, looking round for the familiar dark hide of her father's dragon as she grabbed a weapon any readied herself incase a rider tried to get at her while Baneroth faught.

((its a tad short, but I'm on a Mobil phone, so yea..))

[Shoki]

“Bye!” Mau waved to Elnias and Senia before Qui pumped her wings and took them into the sky. It was amazing what a quick visit to some of her friends could do for her mood. The Greenrider watched siblings wave back, keeping her eyes back until they were out of sight.

Your paper friends are always so nice. The Green dragoness was flying lazily, heading back toward Rainbow Mists. It was a nice day, so a longer flight wouldn’t be bad for them at all.

“Of course they are, all my friends are nice.” Mau’s smile was quick to appear on her face.

No fair that Hammer gets to meet them first. The words were playful, with mock disappointment coloring them. Mau’s eyes shifted to the firelizard following them. The King seemed to suspect there was reason for his larger cousin and his mistress’ attention so his eyes were colored with mischief and he darted around the Green.

“If you spent as much time doing work, then I’d let you visit them more.”

Ha! The Green snorted, and Mau had to laugh. Hammer floated by, enjoying the pleasant atmosphere. It was a nice day. Warm people, nice weather, and even if she was a little sad that her visit was over, she had good company.

Of course something had to go wrong.

Hammer shifted his flight for a moment, before carefully flying to Mau and landing on her back. An inquisitive chirp could be heard, and the woman raised an eyebrow. The bright orange and black nose was pointed to a direction off the Green’s trajectory. Mau followed the line of sight until she too saw what Hammer had been curious about. There were a lot of dragons there. A wing’s worth, at least. She could see a Bronze among them, but the make-up of dragons wasn’t familiar to her. She looked closer, trying to recognize some of the riders, when she saw a Blue clash with one of the other dragons. A chill went up her spine.

“Qui, let’s go.” The Green shifted her gaze, having largely been focusing on the way home, but now was on alert with Mau’s tone. She spotted what her rider was concerned over and switched gears instantly.

Right! She turned then dashed toward the other dragons, hurrying to pick up speed. Large for a Green, she took a little extra time to accelerate, but she would be there soon enough, hopefully soon enough to help with whatever it was this was. Mau continued to watch, so she would know exactly what was up before they got there.

[Kaya]

"Shells, this isn't going smoothly at all!" B'telli surveyed the small pockets of dragons fighting amongst the wagons. A few had been crushed and had their contents spread about the ground. "No, no, no NO! We just came for these!" Hireth, his Bronze, roared and batted away at a Midnight that came near him.

The wagons! Grab the bloody wagons and fly! Hireth bellowed at the other dragons. A few had escaped the tangle of fights and managed to lift off three of the still in tact wagons. B'telli knew he was shrinking his fighting force. They needed the supplies, his people were starving.

He looked to see that Midnight was still one of the closer fighters, and he was irritatingly good too. Go for his Rider, B'telli instructed and Hireth came up behind the man. A nightmarish maw of shredding, tearing teeth loomed up behind M'lak. Nothing good could come of this.

[slush]

"Thanks again, M'tor," Veyala gushed, somewhat breathless. When she'd finally overcome her natural reticence enough to ask the Dream rider--the first person she'd stumbled upon in the dining hall that morning--if he knew of someone that might escort her to Golden Flight Hold, she'd never imagined he'd offer to do it himself. Of course, it was only because he was going anyone, but still. Most riders cared little for the whims of a lowly Candidate.

"I already said it's no bother," he said, offering a hand to steady her ascent even as Divoth primly extended a leg. "I just wish we'd left earlier. I wanted to see my cousin before the tithe train departed. But I suppose I'll see her in a few candlemarks regardless." Veyala scrambled upon the dragon's back as the man spoke, wincing. The Dream, sensing her anxiety, rumbled his amusement. At least his draconic laugh didn't scare her into almost falling off, this time.

"I assure you, he doesn't feel a thing. The hide may be soft, but it's tough. Even the cold of between doesn't get in there."

Yes, thought Veyala, But it's one thing to know it, and another thing to feel it. But she remained silent, giving a small, abashed smile in response. She clutched the sack of fabrics she'd purchased tightly to her chest as M'tor mounted easily behind her. She wasn't used to being the ungraceful one, but when it came to dragonriding, she'd certainly have a lot to learn.

"All right then, Divvy, take us up!"

He spoke purely for her benefit, Vey realized with surprise. That was kind of him. She didn't have much time to contemplate the nicety, though, for suddenly the wind and her heart both seemed to be rushing--in opposite directions. Dragonflight certainly was a peculiar feeling, but she couldn't say it was unpleasant.

As the great creature propelled them upward with strong beats, a tiny blip of bronze appeared above them. The firelizard creeled in distress; Veyala could see its eyes flashing orange-yellow even from this far below. The creature chittered gibberish, and the dragon's steady wingbeats slowed, faltered. He began to cruise instead of rise, making a sweeping arc.

Several long moments of silence followed. Veyala burned with questions. She wished she could hear the conversation she knew was flowing between dragon and rider, or even twist around to see M'tor's face. She had only the sudden tightening of the man's body behind her to warn that something dire was happening.

"Shards! Girl, we've got to make a detour. There's been an attack on the tithe train. They need help! Hang on. We're about to go betw--" His words were abruptly cut off, lost in the isolating blackness. A bone-deep chill (and not all of it from the gaping emptiness smothering her) settled into Veyala's still form. Attack on the tithe train? Panic twisted in her gut.

When they reemerged in the hot noonday Southern sun, the chill didn't abate. They were still a ways off from the caravan, but she could see dragons--oh, Faranth, they were fighting each other--twisting and writhing in the sky. Several of the struggled to lift impossibly heavy wagons from the ground while the others were locked in combat.

A low moan escaped her. M'tor was unleashing a litany of curses accompanied by his dragons ominous rumble. Suddenly, they slammed into the ground with a bit more force than Vey was expecting.

"Sorry for the rough landing. Divoth's in a bit of a frenzy. Defend his Weyr at all costs, and all." M'tor was looking a little wild-eyed, too, truth be told. He managed to focus on her for a moment. "You stay here, girl. It's much too dangerous for you to get near that mess. See if you can call your firelizard--you've got a Moonlight, yes? Send messages to the hold, anywhere you can. I'm sure the Weyr knows by now, but I don't know if anyone's thought to alert the hold."

Veyala nodded, face pinched. The rider practically threw her from his beast's neck, and they were aloft before she even registered that she was standing on solid ground.

She waited until they were a speck in the sky before beginning to walk toward the caravan. Her mouth was set in a grim line. She'd probably get in trouble for her disobedience, but it just wasn't right, standing there and doing nothing! She focused all her will on Drib as she walked, and before long the young creature popped into existence before her, ruffling her hair with a blast of cold. He chirped inquiry.

"Look, Drib." He twisted in midair, and his cheerful question turned into a screech of alarm. He very nearly disappeared in fright, but she snatched at his tail. "No, Drib! Wait! Go to the hold. Tell the Watchdragon, tell anyone who'll listen. The tithe caravan is under attack! Show them this image, Drib. Show it and make sure they know where. Make them come, Drib. It's very important. Now go!"

She let go of the now-shivering Moonlight's tail, and he disappeared with a desperate shriek. He was a good, loyal creature, though, and she was confident that he would do as she said.

Meanwhile, she'd gotten closer to the carnage. People were running to and fro, not paying her any mind at all. Beasts were lowing, screaming, stamping, foaming--expressions of terror were written on every face, human and animal alike. This was not good, not good at all. Still, she wouldn't panic yet.

Someone's staff--probably just a walking stick, really--lay abandoned on the ground. She grabbed it up, comforted by its weight in her hands. A thought occurred to her. Any person she passed that would listen, she shouted at.

"Circle the wagons they haven't gotten to! Anyone with weapons! Climb in them, around them. Just make it so the dragons can't take off! We've only got to hold them off until reinforcements from the Weyr and Hold arrive!"

Perhaps a few of them would listen. Most still scurried aimlessly, clutching at this precious thing or that. People were crying, shouting. One person had flat-out fainted. Veyala gritted her teeth, wished fervently that Drib or someone from the Weyr would soon arrive, and crawled like a tunnelsnake to the top of the nearest mostly-intact wagon, waving her makeshift staff above her head, half fearing she might feel a dragon's tooth or claw sinking into her very-exposed flesh. "Up here!" she called. "Climb up here!" Mad? Perhaps. Terrified? Certainly. Cowardly? Not a chance.

[Deleted]

Honolly was struggling to hang onto the saddle as Baneroth twisted under her, snapping and lashing at the dragon with which he was locked in battle. A lurch snapped her away from the search for her father as the great blue finally came free from his opponent, sending the other dragon away with some nasty marks. Silently communicating her pride, the blue-rider once again looked around for the midnight hide that was her father's dragon.

What she saw horrified her. On the back of his dragon, attempting to help the other riders stay focused was M'lak who was completely oblivious to the gaping maw behind him. Both screaming and urging Baneroth to yell at the midnight dragon M'lak sat upon, Honolly and her blue made a mad dash to his side. "M'lak! Behind you!" Suddenly cut off by the mostly reasonable command to circle the wagons, the pair turned and dived, lashing at any enemy dragon close to them.

Some of the people had listened, it seemed, as the tops of the wagons were slowly becoming thorny with whatever sharp object that anyone had in their hands at the time. It started with a single, probably crazy, person waving their staff above their heads like a wild-man. Had the situation not been so bleak, Honolly might have laughed at the sight of a person both crouching from fear of claws and standing in defiance at the same time.

Pride for those under the watch of her Weyr welled in her chest Baneroth and Honolly hovered at the center of the wagons, trying to stay above the people and keep an eye on all sides. It was a difficult task as Honolly couldn't ride reverse in the saddle and the pair had to constantly turn around. Baneroth's bleeding wing didn't help much either. Obviously unexperienced, and weakened by their battle with a much older dragon, the two made a perfect target for any dragons not carrying away a wagon or fighting with her weyr-mates. What a horrific first assignment this had become.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

M'lak Glared darkly at the rider that he and his dragon had just chased away and looked back and forth for where next to attack. He hated the cowardly ways of the rival dragons and the fact that they had ambushed the caravans like lowly bandits and scavengers. Prideless filth. He commented silently to Gandath. The great midnight dragon huffed his agreement and set himself to dive for another dragon harassing the wagons below.

Just as they were going to, the light voice of Honolly pierced his ears and M'lak looked around to see her racing his way only to pause reluctantly before turning to the wagons below. The voice of Baneroth upset Gandath who attempted to bank hard to the right and pull his rider out of the way of the huge dragon looming, open-mouthed behind him.

Late to react, Gandath and M'lak both growled in pain as the jaws of their newest opponent clamped down on the midnight's foreleg. Still having one leg free, Gandath lashed out with both the free fore-limb and gnashing jaws. Even being considerably smaller than the bronze, Gandath wouldn't go down so easily. Tenaciousness ran in M'lak's family and was still obvious in his dragon.

In an attempt to help and keep the larger dragon from wrapping around them, M'lak drew a dagger and climbed from the saddle to take a stap at the nose of B'telli's dragon. "B'telli! You coward! You and your wing are lower than dirt!" Growling, Gandath added his own taunt toward the bronze. Lower than the waste of a runner-beast more like it. Even in these frustrating circumstances, M'lak had to smirk at his dragon. Even with a leg in the mouth of a king, he stood defiant.

((Much better length.))

[Kaya]

Hireth sailed past his intended target, the soft human on the back of the Midnight. In the blur of the dodge he clamped onto the object speeding past him and sunk his teeth into the Midnight's foreleg. He shook and twisted, but was ill prepared to manage the other dragon's retaliation. He took the brunt of swiping claws right to the size of his face. He dug in harder with his own growing pain. His own arms reached to take hold elsewhere and keep the other dragon from biting his neck. Realizing his head was in too vulnerable a position he released with ripping power the other dragon's leg. He intended to regain a hold somewhere behind, where the other dragon would not be able to turn and bite him and he would have access to the beast's wings and rider. He was caught on the nose by that accursed man and his irritatingly sharp, small blade. Hireth made his decision and move together. He lunged up, pushing down, attempting to gain height and a new hold on the Midnight. The words ringing out were blurred in the pain coming from his face.

B'telli was wincing as his Bronze did. The cuts on his cheek were deep. He didn't very much care what his enemy thought, but the mention of his name did open his eyes and raise his brows. No matter, this man would be dead soon enough. He would see to it.


~~~~~~~~~~

Below the wagons were mixed in their disarray and attempts at organization. One of the old wagon masters had managed to gather up enough stray people that they were lined up passing supplies to empty the wagons' contents to the ground. Harder to steal that way. In another spot a group of three brothers who had their wits about them and several portions of bravery were gathering towards a girl and a staff, ready to be put to work. The rest of the area had largely cleared out except for one frantic mother still looking for her child. Firelizards were starting to arrive at Hold and Weyr to summon help. It would come, but not soon enough.

[Shoki]

Mau watched. Her, Quimyenth, and Hammer were drawing closer to the chaos, and Mau’s temper was rising. Some of the dragons involved she recognized, and she could tell more and more that things were not merely accidently. People were fighting. Hurting. Her mood started to distill into a familiar sort of fire, and finally her voice was clearly heard, toxically sweet.

“Qui, dear. Faster.” The Green’s eyes whirled into angry colors and she sped toward the other dragons, Hammer clinging to his mistress so he didn’t have to keep up. Mau touched the King flitter, whose eyes whirled in time with his Green cousin’s. The tiny King wasn’t going anywhere.

Mau, the Midnight. Mau scanned, trying to figure out what Quimyenth referred to, when she spied the Bronze and the Midnight fighting. Mau’s eyes narrowed, realizing the foreign Bronze had the upper hand. She didn’t know what they intended, but there was no way she was just going to let this unfair fight stand as it was. She needed to get the Bronze to let go, and hopefully distract the rider too. She tilted her head slightly, looking at Hammer. The bright Tiger was looking at her, patient, but intense. Would he be able to do what she wanted here? She’d never had to ask anything of the sort of him before. He was smart though, he picked up the ability to be her courier like lightning. Still, she didn’t want to ask this of her pet. Still, she felt like he wasn’t going to leave anyway, so maybe…

“Hammer, distract him.” She couldn’t control the sweet edge in her voice, she was still so mad. Hammer made a little bugle before letting go, and flying under his own power, making a beeline for B’telli. Mau wasn’t aware that the Bronzerider was about to get a face full of Neon firelizard. “Qui.”

Got it! The Green’s eyes were glued on the Bronze, aiming at his back, hopefully she would be able to gain his ire and make a break for it. With any luck she would be able to make use of her dexterity to draw the Bronze into a chase, but there were no guarantees. Mau held on, bracing for the conflict.

[Deleted]

M'lak sighed in a half-relief as Hireth released his hold on Gandath's leg. Still, he knew that it wasn't over as the larger king-dragon and his rider gained altitude in attempt for another attack. The older male knew that they wouldn't be able to get out of the way as Gandath attempted to right himself in the air and hold his twisted and torn limb as closely to his body as possible.

M'lak took the moment of silence to lean over in the saddle and get a look at Gandath's leg. The sight turned his stomach and he rested a hand on the midnight to try and reassure him. It was obviously broken and the skin was torn so that ichor dripped from the wound in amounts that could not possibly be safe. Still there was no way that M'lak could even wrap it until the battle was over and the enemy dragons were chased away.

The orange flash of a flit dashing past his face made the Midnight Watch-rider smirk. Perhaps they would have time to disappear and get the upper hand. Sending a silent thank you to whomever had sent the little creature that was dashing upwards toward the bronze, M'lak took his chance and directed Gandath into the heart of the fighting where the dragon's dark hide would be hidden in the flashing, writhing hides of every other color that was there.

Needing a chance to make their own attack, the pair attempted to get behind B'telli and his bronze. Unfortunately, Gandath found himself in too much pain to fly very fast and took to the climb rather slowly. Favoring his left side, the dragon was shut up in his own mind and M'lak could only talk to him without hearing any replies. The pair needed to end this quickly and get back home before Gandath bled out or M'lak got snatched off of the midnight's back.

~~~~~~~~~~

Relieved to catch a glimpse of her father getting free of his opponent, Honolly was free to focus on her own problems as she and Baneroth lashed angrily at the dragons who tried to harass their little pocket of Wagons. Inexperience made things hard, though, and the pair found themselves in pursuit of one life-pair that had gotten past them moments earlier.

[Kaya]

Hireth howled as his opponent fled down towards the ground. He would not esca-

Something, his face, an orange blur. The Bronze snapped at it and shook his head. He would not be so easily put off his prey. This man knew them, he must be stopped. But a Green was closing in on him and he did not wish to engage another fight. He had one to resolve as it stood. The Bronze, Rider holding tight to his back, dived with a snarl in an attempt to fall faster than the smaller Green. However, flight and its laws did not work that way and so his wing tips were vulnerable as he descended.

B'telli fixed them on the Midnight target. He was rising again and coming towards them. His injury was slowing him a great deal, as B'telli accessed. If they could attain the right angle this fight could end, and end well.

[Shoki]

Hammer avoided the Bronze’s snap, but was tossed to the side when he got hit by the shaking head. The firelizard cried out, as loud as he could, a challenging cry to the much larger King. He would not be ignored so easily. He lunged again, aiming for the face again. He would not let the Bronze forget the sight of the Neon Tiger.

Mau’s face displayed a thin, unconvincing smile. She was mad. Hammer seemed to be doing his part but things were not good. She unconsciously tightened her grip on the riding harness, because, as she had noticed, Quimyenth hadn’t even tried to slow down. The Green was going directly to her goal without so much as slowing down. Physics ensured that this would not be good.

The Green eyed the Bronze, and the moment he was open, even a little, she went for it. She didn’t have time to even think. His wing tips were open, so she went for them, grabbing with her claws. She had to stay locked to him, at least for a while. As she grabbed a hold, the bumped into him, her diagonal trajectory such that it required this, unfortunately she wasn’t quick prepared for this, as much as Mau had been. Mau lurched in the harness while Qui’s force was such that she almost lost her grip, and she tried desperately to grab on again. If she did this she could probably alter her course and the Midnight could make good on his escape.

[Deleted]

Noticing the green careening towards B'telli, M'lak gave a dark grin. Even with the bronze having noticed them, there was nothing to stop the green. When she got ahold of the Bronze's wing-tips, even for a second, it should have thrown the Bronze out of his dive and given M'lak his chance. Seeing it, he had Gandath level out and pick up as much speed as he could.

Unable to take the pair by surprise, M'lak was going to have Gandath hit Hireth straight on and without hesitation. "Don't stop, Gandath. We've got to end this." Bugling his agreement, Gandath pulled his wings in a little closer to pick up as much speed as he could in his pain and stretched out the one good fore-paw he had to dig his claws into the larger dragon's side and give his Rider the chance he needed to get at B'telli.

It was a stupid idea. Reckless, and a Suicide attempt. M'lak knew this very well and was sure that Gandath thought the same even though he complied. Both of them knew that the fighting could not continue. The newest arrival, the green who was helping them, was the only dragon uninjured and all of them could not keep going for much longer. Even his daughter's blue was showing difficulty staying in the air with a hole in his wing and a deep gash in his shoulder.

Unstrapping himself from the saddle, M'lak got ready to do his trick, completely unsure of what would happen. If he jumped too soon, he couldn't get onto the bronze and at B'telli. If M'lak didn't jump soon enough, he would be jarred out of the saddle by the impact and fall. Even if he did do it right, B'telli could retaliate with his own focused attack and jumping onto a writhing, battling dragon would not end well. No matter if he won or not.

Just before Gandath rammed into Hireth, M'lak drew his dagger and made a mad jump for B'telli on the bronze's back, drawing one arm back to swing and stab at him. Even if he missed the human on the dragon's back, M'lak's blade still had a chance of digging into the rival dragon's hide and causing some real damage. The only question was if Gandath would be able to catch him in a fall. He didn't want to think of that, though.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

((Kaya, it's your pick if M'lak connects at all. I think that if M'lak falls, Quimyenth can catch him since she's smaller and faster than Gandath. If that's fine with you, shoki))

[Kaya]

Hireth faltered as the tops of his wing sails tore along the sharp edges of the Green's claws. It hurt. He held back a whine. The two saw their target turning back around to face them. What were they-? And then the Rider jumped. B'telli's breath stuck in his throat and his hand went to rest on the dagger on his belt. Could anyone even make a jump like that? B'telli looked down to see the dagger of the other rider sticking out of a gash in Hireth's side, no rider attached. Shells.

The the darker dragon connected with his Bronze and the world stopped and started again, the force of impact clacking his jaw and sending a sharp and lasting pain from his teeth. Hireth cried out as the Midnight's claws connected with his side. The Bronze fought back aiming for the dragon's eyes, maybe his neck. He scratched at his attacker, feebly trying to block the pain. He needed a better opening. He couldn't think about where the Green was. He needed B'telli to watch her. He had to end his fight. Hireth lunged, twisting around to bite the Midnight's neck.

This has to end. It must end.

[Shoki]

Mau hung on tight as Quimyenth tried to continue buying time for the Midnight. The woman’s eyes looked toward the other pair, hoping that what they had done had been enough. What she saw was not what she was expecting. The Midnight was charging. Her eyes widened in surprise, and unconsciously it drew Hammer back, who was not even half done pestering the Bronze, but couldn’t resist the urge to protect his mistress.

Hold on Qui.

The dragoness dug in for all she was worth, until the moment of impact occurred, and Mau’s expression changed from surprise to horror. M’lak had jumped at the dragon, but that hadn’t even had time to register before she realized he was now falling. She didn’t have time to think she just immediately shouted.

“QUI!”

The Green’s reaction was near instant. The only spring board around was the Bronze, which was good enough for her. With a quick motion she pulled on the Bronze, to get her back feet into place, then pushed off and brought her wings down at the same time. She bolted toward the falling rider, who, fortunately enough was no longer sporting pointy objects. She spun in the air to catch him, then swooped to get rid of the extra downward force. The whole affair didn’t take any time at all, but Mau felt like it had been an eternity of the other rider hanging in the air. The moment that they weren’t hurtling toward the ground, she spoke up.

“Are you okay?” Her heart was certainly pounding, she hated to imagine what the other rider had gone through. Still, what did she do with him now? There was no good way of getting him back on his dragon, least not until the Midnight disengaged. She didn’t have much time to stop and think about the why of the fighting, only how to make sure that her fellow riders didn’t get hurt.

[Kaya]

The Midnight wheeled around as the Bronze aimed to sink his teeth in to the exposed neck. He twisted and thrashed, one arm waving lamely about, causing further pain with each twitch. The teeth came dangerously close to his hide, and in a panic the Midnight lashed his tail out towards the Bronze. Better his tail than his neck. The whip-like tail was poorly aimed and the Bronze ducked his head. Hireth dodged, but not B'telli. The black and blue tail slammed into the Rider's side and would have knocked him loose of the saddle if B'telli were not harnessed in. The harness jerked him back but his chest felt wrong. The impact hurt. Breathing hurt.

As B'telli began to realize the full extent of his pain, Gandath was weighing his options. His Rider had fallen, he had to- and then he felt somehow that M'lak was no longer falling. He looked and saw that Green. Against all odds had she-? Searing pain. He heard the other dragon's muffled sounds, the hot breath on his neck. He had lost his chance. The pressure in his neck was building, and then the Midnight went limp. The Bronze felt the terrible weight and released the neck. His side was bleeding, his wings were tattered at the ends and ripped further than the Green had originally struck due to his continued exertions. The rush of fatigue hit him, a tired wave. But it fought with something else. Hireth reached out his mind to find B'telli and all he found was panic. His Rider's breath was short, a panting rhythm that fought for air and found none. And the pain, trying to steal more air from the sky ripped at the injury. Their enemies had done this. That Rider was still out there, he had seen what the Midnight was looking at.

Then, just as a lit room thrown into darkness, it stopped.

B'telli?

There was no reply.

B'telli? B'telli, say something. B'telli? B'TELLI?!

Emptiness. Only darkness where a light should have been. A pain so great it consumed everything near it and left only nothingness.

No! NO! B'TELLI, NO! The Bronze dove. He had one mission. The pain would not stop until then. He ached, his mindvoice scrambled to find words. He neared the Green with staggering speed. He backwinged and felt the rips in his sails widen as the wind rushed against them. His clawed feet reached out. It was too late for everything. He contemplated the worst. There were two there, he could hold two. He grasped for the Riders on the Green's back. He came away with one, a limp and shaking man, and felt the other slip from his bloody claws. She was strapped in, after all.

I love you, B'telli. It's okay. It's over now.

The three of them vanished.






It was a few seconds later that Wings of reinforcements arrived. The remaining raiders took off some time in that messy order of events. What Hireth did not know, was that what had been started could not be so easily stopped. It would not end there.