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 Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:50 pm
Caleten stays away from men; she had great reasons to do so. For the most part, she avoids everyone; just men were a bigger worry. This time she had to talk to a group of them, trading was necessary. At first, it seemed perfectly harmless; she did the trading and was on her way further South. The group of men left in the north direction.
She thought nothing of it until she happened to look around and noticed Gem wasn't there. Reaching out to her mentally, she tried calling her baby but she wasn't responding. After thinking about it, she realized she had just been playing with her before meeting the group.
Narrowing her hazel eyes, she turned her runner and tore after them to get her gold back. It took her a good hour to find them, her location mattered not a lick.
The sun, high in the sky seemed to finally have stopped them; they were busy at a water source. Their wagon was sitting to the side with the team of four heard beast grazing unhitched. As her eyes scanned further, she decided it was safe enough. Getting off of the runnerbeast, a pat on its velvety nose before she got ready for a rescue.
Creaping forward, each foot step landing lightly on the dusty ground. Paying no mind to the dust that dirtied the hem of her long dress, her full attention getting Gem.
Gem woke up, her world spinning, she remembered treats then darkness. With a shining opening, the gold took her chance out. Her flight was unsteady, dropping and rising, her eyes wurling in distress. To her relief, she spotted Caleten and, without realizing the danger, trilled with delight as she flew to her friend's arms for protection and comfort.
Caleten mentally cursed, 'Shards!' and she held the pained and confused gold close to her as the captors turned their attentions to her. Now, she didn't know how many of them she could take, but she knew how many of them they would use, all six of them. Taking the odds, she turned and ran, going for the runnerbeast that she shouldn't have left so far away.
The men caught her, one guy grabbing her by the hair. With a spilt second to react, she threw her gold into the air before turning to take her battle. She got that had her hair, a swift punch to the glass jaw of the creep had him out. The other five had her surrounded, taking a deep breath, she briefly wondered how in the world she was going to get out of this one.
Still, the brave holdless survivor she was, she got into a fighting stance. There wasn't a look of fright on her face, just hard determination.
Gem fluttered into the sky, feeling her friend's distress. With no idea what else to, she sent out the image to anyone close enough to get it, hoping there were more flits or a bigger cousin around that could do something to help.
Neither knew it, but they were nothing but a three hours riding from the south hold.
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Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:06 pm
N'tren and Datiath had taken the extra time given to them between Threadfall and classes to fly home. It had been a pleasant visit with the stunning news that he was now an uncle. Yet, every time he visited it seemed that those who were blood to him were more distant than those who in the Weyr with him. It hurt him deep inside as the realization was finally coming to head that his family would never be his family again.
I am yours. Datiath crooned softly. I would be not without you.
"I know, my love. And I am nothing without you. Yet, I was with them for ten and four turns. That should mean something but slowly it means nothing." The teen sounded depressed.
Do you want to go to the cove? The bronze asked softly.
N'tren sighed. The last time they had been at the cove was with Caleten. It had been a great time but a sad time as well. Splotch suddenly perked up from his position wrapped around N'tren neck and chirped excitedly.
"What's going on?" N'tren tried to make out the images being sent by his little bronze. Looking around, he noticed a familiar gold in the sky. "Gem?" He spoke outloud.
Splotch fluttered from his Impressed's shoulder and went to meet his friend. Datiath tried to get Gem to calm down and made his way through her images. Something is wrong with Caleten. She is near. Tell her little one, help is here.
Datiath roared and dove down, causing N'tren to grip his saddle tightly. "What are we doing?"
Helping Caleten. We must hurry! I am coming, Caleten!
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Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:28 pm
Gem calmed and at the same time got more excited, friends were here! Chirping excitedly, she sent strong images right to Datiath and Splotch. She dived down and back up making sure it was clear where the trouble was.
Caleten did not get the images from Gem about N'tren and Datiath being close, she was focusing on the fight. As the dust was kicked up by her attacker's movements, she remained still, looking for the weak link.
Finally, two of them lunged at her. One was overweight and smelt worse then a runnerbeast's rear end, stupidly, he wore lose clothing and a bandana around his neck. Both clothing choices made easy grabbing. The other was dressed like he had some wealth, stole most likely, and had clearly bathed just a little while before. The wind could only pick up a few strained of his jet black hair, the rest slick to his head drenched still with water.
Staying where her back wasn't facing the other three men was harder, they were moving around her in a close circle like dogs surrounding a fight over a kill waiting for the alphas to take what they wanted first. Still, she tried to keep moving and attack the ones in front of her. The moment she grabbed the bandana to pull the guy off balance, she hear the roar and the familiar voice in her head. Pride spoke for her as she responded, 'I am okay, don't worry about me.'
The second after that message, she was struggling to keep balance as the other guy punched her right in the face. Unlike glass jaw, she could take a hit and didn't fall. Shaking her head, she vaguely wondered if they would run when they finally saw the dragon or still try to put up a fight.
Her arm did get grabbed and held behind her back painfully, but she didn't so much as whimper, which seemed to tick them off more. It always does, she thought to herself with some satisfaction derived from it.
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Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:38 pm
"Is she okay?" N'tren screamed to his bronze. Splotch was now very agitated by Gem and by her state of mind. Eyes whirling with red, the little bronze went /between/ and appeared by Caleten's side. Claws out, the young one tried to scratch at his friend's attackers.
I worry! I am coming! Datiath sent back. He could feel her pain though not like Gem. With anger and hurt coming from human and flit, it practically pushed the bronze over the edge. Eyes whirling red, Datiath swooped low, hoping to startle the attackers.
"What are you doing? Datiath! Listen to me!" N'tren struggled to get his bronze under control. The teen swore violently and pulled out his belt knife. He could not really do any harm to them unless they had seriously hurt Caleten. He was not close enough to get to the ground but maybe having the bronze flying overhead did something to startle the bandits. Scared that they would hurt her, N'tren let Datiath have most of the control.
NO ONE HURTS MY FRIENDS! Datiath shouted fiercely to N'tren and Caleten. Roaring again, he swooped with claws low and close to the ground.
Tangled up in his saddle and straps, N'tren began to try and cut the leather so he could jump when they got close to the ground. His stomach was knotted as he realized that Caleten was family to him and family needed to be protected.
Splotch went for the one who had grabbed the girl that was friend. A little flame escaped as his claws raked the back of the man. He chirped fiercely and proudly that he was defending his. Calling for Gem, he encouraged her to attack as well.
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Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:59 pm
Frankly, Datiath was one of the scariest things she had ever seen in that moment as he came out roaring. As much as she was impressed, it appeared her would be assailants were worse. All but the one that had her by the arm ran screaming.
Her attention, that foolishly left the man on her arm, was brought back as he pulled painfully on her arm, obviously shaking and trying to bat off the flit attacking him. He shouted to call off the 'flying rodents' or he'd kill her.
Caleten, on the other hand, would not be a bargaining chip and brought the back of her skull to impact the front of his. Tugging, she struggled to get free. To help encourage him to drop his hold, she brought the back of her foot to swiftly contact the groin of the man.
Gem came when she was called, by Splotch and Caleten. She fiercely clawed and bit the man's ear as hard as she could, cutting straight though.
Having enough, the man pushed Caleten away and she landed on the ground hard. Rolling, she was swiftly on her feet and watching the man closely as he tried to figure out if he wanted to fight, or run. Not a hard thing to decide when there was something big enough to eat him and two tiny ones doing their best to do the same. Running past Caleten, the man flapped wildly to try and dislodge the flits. He looked absurdly like he was trying to fly by the way he was flapping his arms.
With time to breath, Caleten touched her cheek, knowing it was bruised and only moved her arm enough to know it was still attached and would listen to her. Besides a sore chest from where she fell, the only other injury was a bruised pride. "I am fine, leave him alone, he learned a lesson he won't soon forget." She really hated that her battle was fought for her and called her flit back to her.
Gem came, curling against Caleten's neck, latched on to her shirt. Crooning, she sought reassure and tried to give it at the same time.
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:44 am
Splotch hesitated when Caleten spoke to him. Chirping at Gem, he noticed her calming and decided to try and settle. Fluttering around, the little bronze tried to land on her shoulder or her head or anything that was available.
Datiath fly low after the men one last time before turning around flying back to Caleten. The clearing was large enough for him to land in. He had grown in the past month or so, so his size was most impressive. The bronze was still not the largest of his clutch but he was lean and fast.
Are you okay? He ducked his head down low to Caleten, eyes tinged yellow with anxiety. I chased them for you.
N'tren cursed as he finally managed to get free of his saddle and straps. Though he would now have to make a new pair of straps. But it was worth it to see Caleten safe and sound, if not a little worse for wear. Dismounting from Datiath, the young rider kept his belt knife out just in case.
"Is everything alright? They didn't hurt you too bad did they? Do you want us to find them for you?" A rush of questions came sputtering from his mouth. Splotch, relieved to see his owner, came and settled in N'tren shoulder. His little chest was puffed out and he chittered about how brave he was and how he chased them all away.
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:25 am
Caleten offered her other shoulder to Splotch when he looked for somewhere to land. Her own nerves were just settling when she watched Datiath land.
He was impressive, and word would undoubtedly spread that she had a dragonrider on her side. There was a great chance that people would be less likely to try and harm her because of it. Nodding, she told him, 'I am fine, and surprised the men didn't faint when you came down. Thank you' She could easily say that to him, it would be N'tren that is the problem. Why thank a man when it was a man’s fault in the beginning?
Looking to N'tren she said, her head held high hoping the bruise didn't detract from the tough image she was trying to hold together. After all, she was not some weakling female needing a big strong man to protect her. "I am fine; they weren't strong enough to do too much damage to me."
Then she shook her head and spoke before she really thought about it, "Its not worth the time, they could be any man out here for how they behave, you can't fight them all." Neither could she for that matter but it wouldn't stop her. Looking to Splotch, she could see he was proud of himself and told him, "You’re a strong little fighter." Looking around, she made sure she was right and gave her the time to pull off a completely calm look. Finally she asked, "Where were you three headed?" Surely Gem didn't grab them from the weyr.
Gem trilled to Splotch, Datiath and N'tren, a lot less prideful and more then willing to tell them she was grateful for the help.
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:44 am
Datiath kept his head close to Caleten watching her with faceted eyes. Slowly, they returned to their blue-green color of peace and happiness. Settling himself, he sent a greeting to Gem. We were heading home.
N'tren noticed the bruise but wisely said nothing. After all, it was her choice whether or not to ask for help. Instead, he took in the sight of her there with Gem and waited for her go back to being Caleten.
"I see you handled them quite well. I guess there was no need rush to your rescue. Though Datiath would never let me live it done if we had not come for you." He tried not to sound too put out that he had no hand in Caleten's rescue.
We always help our friends. Datiath said most seriously. We would never leave you.
"I suppose we can't fight them all. But to have bandits on the road so close to South Hold. The Lord Holder should be warned. We were going to stop there so I could eat but if you need a lift any where..."
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 2:13 pm
Caleten brought her hand out and touched Dataith, she didn't smile but did send warm thoughts to the dragon. Smiling was a weakness out in the harsh environment she called home, a luxury at the same time that she could not afford. When Dataith said home, she assumed he meant the weyr so she didn't think much of it.
Glad that he didn't say anything, she put the injury back as nothing. After all it was not the worse she had ever received. Nodding to what N'tren said, she could imagine how it might be frustrating that his dragon and flit did everything while he rode through it. It was probably why it went so well. Problems men caused are not often solved by other men. "I have lived out here with men like them, and even some woman. There is more then one reason why being holdless is not the preferred lifestyle." She liked it though; it was freedom, and loneliness that she had come to accept as protection.
Looking back to the dragon, she could hardly hide her baffled expression. It was very different from the people she encountered out here. Still, she nodded. However, she heard South hold and anything she was thinking, went blank as she spun to look at N'tren. Had she really gotten this close to South Hold? First instant was to run, get as far south as she could, but then, that would make her a coward.
Determination set in as she told him, "They were probably going to South Hold. South Hold was my hold when I was young. I haven't been back since I left." Normally, she didn't tell her past, and she was only giving a bit of it because she wanted help, to finally get rid of that skeleton from her storage room. "It is about time I returned." She'd take his offer to give her a lift.
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:52 pm
Datiath leaned into the small hand and blew warm breath at her, causing her hair and clothing to dance. His closed his eye ridges and sighed. The bronze was happy to be with his friend once more.
N'tren shuddered as Caleten spoke. "You must have learned how to handle yourself early on."
He looked over at his straps and sighed. At least, he could pick up some leather at South Hold. He had a few credits on him. And it was a rider's duty to keep up with his gear and his dragon's gear. Spring green eyes looked away as Caleten started to talk again.
"Your hold? You are from South?" N'tren stopped his his ramble. She had opened up slightly again to him and he did not want to ruin the moment. Datiath looked up when Caleten spoke about returning.
I would be honored to take you.
"The world is yours, Caleten. Datiath and I would take you anywhere you want."
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:44 pm
Caleten resisted a chuckle at what Datiath did, and patted his nose. She didn't look at N'tren when he spoke the first time, just nodded. Who would ever hope to survive holdless if you didn't. Besides, she had older bothers and was kicked around all her young life, of course she knew how to handle herself.
When he asked about her hold, she looked to him and corrected, "It was my hold, was being the key word." It was small world, they were both from the same hold, it was possible they even met in their very early life. Though it was doubtful the 'youngest son' was the one that was never allowed out or talked about. One of the reasons she left.
'Thank you, Dataith.' She was glad they would help, with her work; a few demons might just be put to rest. Looking to N'tren she said, "I am asking you to take me to somewhere I never wanted to go to. I may need your help." She didn't elaborate, sure that when the time raised, even a male would know what to do, might even be a natural reaction. Could they really protect her against her family? Probably not, but then they may not even see her family or said family might not recognize her.
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:47 am
"I can understand was... Datiath and I went back to my father's hold today. It seems that the more we go, the less we belong there. The weyr truly is our home now." N'tren said with a small amount of regret.
You would not change anything? Datiath asked softly.
"Nothing is worth giving you up, Dattie. It's just weird... That's all." N'tren thumped the bronze's leg. Standing back up, he looked over his straps again. "We need to pick up some leather, anyways. I will have to work on new straps; if I don't then Farin will have my hide."
Datiath lifted his head and positioned himself so that Caleten and N'tren could remount. Splotch chirped happily at Gem, glad to have his friends with him and N'tren. He launched himself off of N'tren's shoulders and began to do lazy swirls around them. You ask for help? Datiath spoke in a teasing tone.
"Whatever you need, Datiath and I are yours to command. Mount up. Do you want front or back?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:13 pm
Caleten paid little attention to the conversation she heard. It struck a cord with her, signing a note that harmonized with her view almost perfectly. The only differences in the sound, she was not at home in the weyr. Part of that was her life style, the other part was worry of discovery by parents or someone they might have sent.
She didn't feel a comment was necessary, so she did not waist words. Starting to mount the dragon, she heard his comment and turned to walk over to his large head, patting him she said, 'I do, but not lightly.' She thought with a lightness because she knew he was teasing.
Looking over to N'tren, she was a little baffled, did he really trust her that much? Maybe, just maybe, she should try to put a bit of trust in return. After all no one in his right mind would agree to do what ever she needed them to do without a clue as to what she needed. "For future reference, it is a bad idea to just agree if you do not know what you are agreeing to." Taking a breath, exhaling through her nose she thought about her arm and did not feel comfortable with trusting her life to the injured limb so she answered, "I'll take the front this time." Did she really trust him that much? No, but she was sure she could.
Getting on to the dragon's back, she swollowed a bit, after the rough treatment she always got with males, this was a hard decision. However, it was for the best, not only because of her arm, which she craddled in her lap, but for images sake. Her head was still held high, pride being her strenght.
Gem joined Splotch in the air flying around with him, trilling and dancing with her aerial skills.
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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:44 pm
N'tren fought the urge to sigh and make anymore comments about his own current confusion. He would be no help to Caleten if he could not focus on the task at hand; whatever that task was to be...
Instead, he waited for the girl to mount up on Datiath and get settled. He did not offer his help for by now he knew that she would not take it. Instead, he stood there patient and quiet until she was ready. His only acknowledgement to her taking the front was to nod and move closer to his bronze. He frowned when she thought to admonish him and spoke like a rider for a moment. "A rider is only as good as his word. And since I have met you, I have done nothing but give you the good of my word. I am not going to take it back now."
Datiath tried to look back at Caleten. I think you hurt his feelings. He trusts you as you might trust me.
Nothing saying another word, N'tren climbed up and settled behind Caleten. He really did not want to let her ride loose but did not want to set her off either. Thinking quietly to Datiath, the rider asked for help. Datiath?
Eyes whirling in amusement, the bronze spoke to his friend. N'tren wants to know where to place his hands but is worried that the question may bother you.
Splotch sensed the change in N'tren attitude and came down trying to land on Caleten. He chirped quickly at her before chirping even quicker at N'tren. He could not understand where all the fun had gone.
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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:39 pm
When she was completely ready she looked back to him and said, "I know you wouldn't, I am just making sure you know it is unwise to make a habit of it." As much as it may sound like she was correct the behavior, she really was doing it out of concern for him. If he always did that, someone was going to take advantage of him. Men might deserve it, but she didn't think he did.
Giving a mental sigh she told Datiath, 'You don't realize just how hard this is, he may not realize it, but I do trust him, for no other reason would I allow a male to so much as touch me. I also wouldn't turn to him for help if I didn't trust him.'
She heard Datiath's relay of what N'tren wanted to know. It did say something that he was concerned about how she would take it. Rather then answer the dragon and use him as a go between she says, "Its alright, N'tren." Her tone was softer then anything she had used with him in the past. Her attention then taken by Splotch and Gem. Her gold had taken a perch on N'tren's shoulder and she offered her own to the little bronze. Painfully, she move her hair to fall over the hurt shoulder so he had a clear landing that would not harm her.
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