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As Dricoleth left the forest, he felt a bit uneasy. He knew how to find his way trough woods, but he had never actually left the safety the trees offered. He was a little scared, he admitted, to himself, but the adventurous spirit took the overhand as he made his way out over the grass field in front of him. He watched a few rabbits and could help joking a little with them. The illusion of a predator appeared and attacked,k sending them running without harming them. After he had stopped laughing, he continued his path. He was very grateful for his wings, without them he wouldn't have been able to travel half as fast as he did.

((Did you guys have writer's block?))
Zeal stands silently, his posture relaxed but formal. His personal respect for Mirage is far beyond what could be accounted for by his association with Valden. He has seen what she can do, but that also does not seem sufficient to justify his attitude. Even Mirage herself does not know the reason for Zeal's respectful behavior and mode of address.


Valden chuckles quietly, for a dragon, at Artes's response to Mirage. The gravity of his words is not lost on the great dragon but neither is the extent to which this turn of events fits the plans that he and Zeal have begun to share between themselves. He is slightly surprised that Mirage's appearance has not caused a greater reaction in the bipeds. She is unique among a species of the unique and her beauty and grace are unrivaled.


Mirage smiles at the replies given to her. She blinks slowly and draws in a slow breath. Light flows from her mouth as she exhales, a soft mist of illumination that flows forward to surround the two. Their forms and features are clearly illuminated and her gaze focuses on them with great intensity, a protective glint in her eyes.

"You have both taken great responsibilities upon yourselves, and I will honor and hold you to your choice." Mirage's voice clearly indicates that she will brook no cowardice. "In your chosen path, Zeal will be your guide. He has protected both me and my clutch before as well as battling many foes beside my mate. Obey him and you will probably survive." She shifts her wing slowly, keeping her gaze on the new guardians of her young. As she moves her wing, the clutch becomes partly visible. "These are your charges. I will be their constant protector until they have hatched. It is then that your labor will increase in difficulty. In preparation for that day you will train under Zeal's direction. Know that you are not the only ones who may become guardians of my young. Others still may be accepted." She restores her wing to its place of rest over the eggs, having supplied an ample opportunity for their guardians to observe them.


Zeal shifts his balance and speaks, "Mirage, their training will begin today. Valden and I will be taking them to the Gray Waste in order to see their capabilities first hand. Kreen bears his own weapon but Artes has none. Do you have a preference as to how this should be remedied?" He is quite familiar with the general knowledge regarding elves but Mirage's knowledge is far greater.

Mirage shifts her attention to a dark corner of the chamber. Something shifts in the darkness there and a chiming clink echoes, as a sound of something falling to the stone floor. She turns her attention and gaze to Artes with a kind look.

"Go into the darkness there and retrieve the bow and arrows that you will find. When the last arrow has been released the bow will shatter. It is only for your training until you should find a replacement." In the darkness lie a bow, seemingly of elven design, and a dozen arrows. All of them seem to be made of the same material as Mirage's crystaline scales.

The mist had surprised Artes and made his eyes burn somewhat from the brightness. He understood every word and at long last responded, "I understand. Fair Lady, I will not falter in my charge."

When the weapon was brought up, he cringed a little. He hated weapons, battle, blood, but they were inevitable now. He went and collected them, standing as tall as he could and looking Mirage strait in the eyes now, "I thank you greatly for this gift and I promise that I shall not waste such generosity."

Zeal watches Artes as he recovers the weapons, a well concealed look of surprise on his face. She used her scales... I didn't think she would do that. He gives a slight bow to Mirage when both of Artes and Kreen had responded and turns to go.

"We leave immediately, Kreen. Artes, let's go." Zeal walks into the dim passage without another word. His only apparrant weapon is the sheathed dagger at his hip. Although Artes knows more of that weapon. A beautiful day for a hunt in the Waste. Zeal smiles.


Valden's expression is serious now as he listens to the words of both bipeds and watches Zeal preceed their departure with his own. He lowers his head and, with a brief exchange of glances with his mate, moves to follow Zeal. He pauses when his head is beside Kreen and speaks softly.

"Dragons do not remain hatchlings for long and a weapon made from a dragon's scales is worth far more than any other object you possess." Valden's voice is grave and he proceeds outside without another word, being careful to not even bump these new guardians.


Mirage mearly blinks, lowering her head back to the ground, after exchanging glances with her mate, as the light around the two bipeds fades. A slight smile is on her face as she watches them in silence. The light around her continues to shift and flow as she waits for them to depart and return.

"Perhaps more valuable monetarily," Kreen says in response to the dragon's words, trailing just behind Zeal's right shoulder. "Also, if your young do not remain hatchlings long after their birth, what will be our purpose here when they grow? I hardly believe that they will require protection, if you yourself are to be any indication, but I also fail to believe that you will set us free of our duties."

"I still feel like there is something which you are not telling me, but since you seem so...reluctant to say, I will let the subject lie," Kreen says, knowing full well that there's got to be something more. I mean, really, the elf is homeless and doesn't have a purpose. He can understand why the two would keep him around. Kreen himself is a skilled assassin and can help with the security of their home. Sound like fun, huh? Either way, that's their lot in life. But they want to recruit others...? They've got some kind of plan, and they're not telling either of their new friends what it is.

Zeal moves swiftly and surely, taking his position on Valden's head without a word. He turns to check that Artes is positioned correctly and then looks at Kreen with a focused expression. He doesn't seem impatient but he is ready to leave and only waiting on Kreen and his conversation with Valden.



Valden turns his attention toward the silver sea before him, knowing full well to what Kreen is referring.

"Your feeling is correct, however, that matter will have a very minor impact on your duties themselves. There is also a chance that there will be no effect on your life at all. But we have work to do and the day always passes too quickly. Take your place, assassin and guardian." Valden's voice has a slight tint of humor toward the end of his words, the ironic combination of titles being the most likely cause. He readies himself for the leap into the void, waiting for Kreen to take his place behind Artes.