The Riders' Rebellion (Scarsmate and DH)

[Scars Mate]

"I guess we will have to,' Rivera said, frowning slightly. "Let's hope they just aren't terrified of us. Of hate us. Or both," she added as an afterthought.

Sure, she said to Zaq. No more hiding stuff.

I'm glad to see you getting along, Lyrea said, prompting a scowl from Rivera.

We aren't naughty children, she muttered.

You'd be surprised, replied Lyrea airily. Rivera merely sighed, a small smile playing on her lips.

Well, she said at length to Zaq, I actually don't know that my about you. Like, I know you have blond hair, green eyes, are way taller than me, a ridiculous flirt and annoyingly loveable. And protective. But, what about other stuff? Like, what's your favourite color? How old are you? I mean, I really have no idea.

[Dark Huntress]

I'm twenty. I'm from Surda. My parents were the leaders of a small rebellion. The king got a hold of them when I was fourteen and Elle was one. I'm deadest on taking that bastard down." His clipped tone softened. "And I have a very bad habit of putting revenge first. I think that's about all there is to know really." He stretched, muscles rippling.

[i]Waut a minute? he said suddenly, I know I'm protective, and a flirt, but I'm loveable? Wow. Not irrestible or amazing? He winked. So, his arms wrapped around her waist and he whispered in her ear, "I know you're way shorter than me and extremely pretty and have slight anger issues and are ridiculously in love with me, but...how do you feel about dogs."

[Scars Mate]

Rivera couldn't help it. She burst out laughing, pulling forward against Zaq's arms as her body rippled. Gasping for breath and wiping her eyes, she said:

"Dogs? Seriously? Phew. That's a hard one." After a few seconds she regained her composure, despite a smile slipping through and lightening her face. "Well, quite honestly? I'm more of a cat person myself. They like me better as well," she added. "I guess dogs don't like half breeds of something, but there was a cat at the village I used to go to before-" she stopped abruptly. "Well, you know what. He, um, used to sleep on me all the time. Loved me, I think. Big fluffy black cat." She sighed contentedly at the warm memory of a giant fuzzy form dozing on her lap in the sun. "Hey!" She said suddenly. "At what point did I say was ridiculously in love with you? And don't you dare say it was obvious from the way I act!"

[Dark Huntress]

"Good. I like cats better, even though they remind me of Rhinnëa." He grinned cheekily at the elf. "I suppose she's a dog person. Anyway...if I live someone, it automatically follows that the are absolutely, irrevocably, and forever in love with me." He shrugged, "That's just how it's been my entire life. I'm blessed with a sexy face that women like."

Rhinnëa laughed. "Wow. You are so modest."

"Modesty is...not for me." He winked at Rhinnëa.

[Scars Mate]

"I guess I should add an alarming amount of self confidence to that list?" Rivera asked, raising an eyebrow. "And, of course, modesty."

I'm not in love with him, she said immediately to Lyrea, who had not-so-subtly been listening to their conversation.

Of course not, the dragon replied.

Is that sarcasm I detect?

Maybe, Lyrea said derisively. But I don't approve if his- his-

Overwhelming confidence at his effect on women? Rivera supplied.

If that's what you call it, Lyrea sniffed.

Do you 'approve' of him? Rivera asked, pursing her full lips in an attempt to stop a smile.

He's yet to grow on me, Lyrea answered grimly. The her voice softened. But he has a somewhat good influence on you. You act freer around him, especially after you told him about your past. Rivera frowned slightly. It was true, she thought, but had she really been acting so differently? Maybe it was only because she was feeling more at ease with her companions.

Hey, she said suddenly to Rhinnëa, have I been acting-uh- more relaxed since me and Zaq, erm, made up?

[Dark Huntress]

"Yes," Zaq replied, "in addition to an enormous ego and a bad attitude I the mornings."

Rhinnëa screwed her lips up. You haven't really been talking to us, but you seem to be acting more...at ease. Probably because your worst secret is out and everyone doesn't mind. She smiled at her friend then looked ahead. "I can see the town ahead."

*£*

Rhinnëa tried not to be tense as Gweir landed, but the tension in her shoulders and back wouldn't leave. She was usually far too tense. She inhaled and turned to Rivera. "Do we just walk up? I don't know what to expect since two of us are elvish looking, there are two dragons, and Zaq is probably going to be a smartass."

[Scars Mate]

Lyrea landed with a light thud next to Gweir. Rivera leapt off the saddle, walking straight over to the others, who had accumulated to form a small group just in front of the two dragons.

"Uhhh...' Rivera hesitated. How bad could it be? Okay, very bad, but still. "Maybe Zaq- well, maybe Eyulf should be the mouth piece- and Eldárwen and Eyulf should be at the front, given their relatively normal appearances, then Rhinnëa, then myself and Nellas? With the dragons bringing up the rear. I mean, it may look a bit frightening for the town, but at least some human faces will calm them- I hope." She bit her lip, not convincing herself.

"It's the best plan we have," Nellas agreed, giving her sister an encouraging look.

"So long as you guys are okay with that," Rivera said, glancing around at her friends.

[Dark Huntress]

Eyulf shrugged, but tried to catch Rhinnëa's eye. What's wrong? She asked, frowning.

Be careful. If they get violent, I don't want you to get hurt.

She colored and joined Nellas and Rivera in the back, trying not to blush too vibrantly. They entered the town quietly and were intercepted by an envoy from the Duke, driving away possible objectors but not deflecting curious stares. One mother drew her little children away from the elf, hybrids, and dragons. Rhinnëa gritted her teeth and shared a look with Rivera.

It's not fair. If we don't protect them they would die, but if we do than they fear us. Either way they will hate us. There's no winning. She ignored the way both Eyulf and Gweir tried to soothe her. She didn't want to be soothed. Thus, her head may have been held a tad to high, her jaw set a tad to firmly, and eyes a tad to hard as they stood in front of the Duke. Words flew around her, but she didn't hear them. She stayed tightly curled away in her mental ball till Eyulf grabbed her elbowed and tugged her against his side, pulling her forward.

She glared up at him. "What happened?" She whispered.

He didn't seem surprised that she had no idea. "He has to discuss it with the nobles. The humans have a sort of feudal system." He seemed tense so she didn't push him away as he wrapped an arm around her.

"What's wrong?"

"I hate seeing the life I used to be part of." She swallowed, feeling rejected. He looke down at her, brown eyes warm. "It reminds me how I had no idea what I was missing." She shoved him, but she felt appeased nonetheless.

Only a few feet behind them, Zaq rubbed his hand down the inside of Rivera's arm and knitted his fingers through hers. "Are you nervous? About having to wait to see if they're going to dismiss us or lynch us?"

[Scars Mate]

"I'd like to see them try," Rivera answered after a beat, gesturing with her free hand towards the dragons. She became acutely aware of Zaq's large hand linked with hers, raising goosebumps on her pale arms. For some reason, she felt at ease where she hadn't used to with physical contact, despite her body signalling otherwise.

As the Duke returned from his conversation with the others of high status, Rivera squeezed Zaq's hand seemingly out of reflex. A blush spread down from her cheeks to her neck as she realised what she'd done, but kept her eyes trained on the Duke.

"After some debating," he began, "we have decided to allow you to stay." The rest flew over Rivera's head after a sigh of relief. She caught a few phrases- 'so long as no harm should come to a member of this town due to your company' - 'accommodation and supplies will be given'- 'no more than three nights'- before they were led (albeit begrudgingly) to a house a small way from the town by an escort, with large pastures behind it for the dragons to lodge.

"There are three rooms to sleep in," the man leading them said stiffly. "I am sure than will be sufficient." He cast his eyes around the motley crew. "We will send others with clothes and such, and you may roam the town at your own leisure, but please do not scare the people." As he left, Rivera muttered:

"I'd be surprised if the people even let us get close enough to say three words to them." She gave a strained smile to the younger girls as they claimed one room, the boys the other, and Rhinnëa and herself the last, largest one. She became aware of how tired she was, so led the way past the cozy sitting room and well stocked kitchen and pantry, up the stairs to the bedrooms. Even after the household somewhat settled down, Rivera had had a shower and changed into leggings and a plain shirt, she couldn't get comfortable on the bed.

"I'm going to go outside for bit, okay?" She told Rhinnëa, giving her friend a warm but weary smile.

[Dark Huntress]

[Sorry-couldnt do the whole thing without her talking]

Zaq could hear Rivera's steps in the hallway. Barely heavier and less spaced than Rhinnëa's and shot Eyulf a look. "Be back later," he said shortly before squeezing out the door and quietly stalking her down the hall. She seemed too wrapped up in her own thoughts to hear him so when she sat on the fence overlooking the pasture, he stepped up behind her.

Boo! he teased, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her back against his chest. He rested his chin in her long dark hair, which he couldn't shake his obsession with. Her unease emanated off her, from not being used to...this or from their situation, trusting people who obviously didn't want them, and he didn't like it. He tilted his head over her shoulder to look at her face. "What's going in your head?"

*£*

Rhinnëa sprawled across the bed, long legs bare with the short night gown she was wearing. She'd never one before, but it'd been packed in a trunk that she'd curiously gone through in Rivera's absence. She sighed, then jumped as there was knock and the door and the handle turned. She flipped quickly onto her side and pulled the short skirt of he apparel down as Eyulf poked his head into the room.

"You didn't answer my knock." His eyes bounced over her, glittering with amusement.

"Sorry, boredom's is loud." She glared at him, annoyed by what she could read across his face but he wouldn't say, "What?"

"Nothing." Her glared sharpened. "You aren't going to like it." She shrugged. "That nightgown is for recently married woman."

Rhinnëa's face burned bright red as she caught his meaning and lunged for her leggings, only to be caught by a strong, tan arm and swept against his chest. "Calm down," he chuckled, breath warm in her ear, "I'll leave if you want me to." She shoved him off and crawled into the bed.

"Now you don't have to leave." Her jaw slackened ever slightly as he flopped down on top of the bed, giving her an innocent look and flashing dimples she hadn't realized existed. Oh, but she did now.

"Now what are we going to." None of the things I'm thinking about, Rhinnëa muttered to herself.