The Riders' Rebellion (Scarsmate and DH)

[Dark Huntress]

She's right, Rhinnëa said softly, she's only a child. And if it makes you feel better I can't get Eyulf out of my head. Really ticks me off! She gave her friend a teasing smile then elbowed the boy behind her as his grip tightened on her.

"Back off, buddy," she growled. A playful, sleepy smirk appeared on his face.

"I made the chirpiness disappear," he told Eyulf smugly.

"It was a nice change," the lupine murmured. Rhinnëa shook her head and turned to Rivera.

"How long do you think it'll take? About two days?"

[Scars Mate]

'Including breaks,' Rivera called across the dragons- which wasn't very far- 'About 3 days. We can't force the dragons to just keep going. They'll get tired, and it'll be quicker if we let them rest.' She lapsed back into silence, drawing aimless patterns on Lyrea's back.

After a few hours, when the sun was high in the sky, they all ate. Unfortunately, they didn't have enough food for them to gorge themselves, so they mostly went hungry. As the sun started to set, Nellas leaned forward and tapped Rivera on the shoulder.

'Sorry.' She whispered. Her sister shook her head.

'No problem.'

'I didn't realise-'

'Jut forget it,' Rivera said tiredly.

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnëa gave Nellas a sad look. Men. As if he heard her, Zaq drummed his fingers against he stomach. "I think," she said, glancing back at him," I really do hate you."

"The feeling's mutual."

"At least some are," Eyulf quipped quietly.

"Oh, shush you two! I'm the one being used as a elvish pillow," she moaned and stuck her tongue out at them.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera rubbed her eyes, the sun stooping to brush the horizon. Lyrea and Gweir, however, didn't seem to tire.

We'll rest tomorrow, Lyrea said. You can get some sleep now.

Eldárwen, who hadn't really said much on the journey, let out a yawn.

'I'm going to sleep,' she mumbled, before letting her head fall against Nellas, who in turn fell against Rivera.

Night night, she whispered tenderly.

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnëa sighed as her companions began to fall asleep around her. Zaq kept his hands to himself, amazingly, instead leaning back on Eyulf, who leaned forward on him, making an amusing image. Rhinnëa sighed an stroked Gweir.

Have time for your Rider? she wondered to Gweir.

Of course.

She smiled. You and Lyrea seem to be comfortable. Gweir purred at the mention of Lyrea's name. Rhinnëa sighed, there seemed to be a large gap between the two since Lyrea had captured Gweir.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera smiled to herself in her sleep; she was having a dream. She was running through a field, full of wheat and barley, with the odd cluster of neon flowers. Zaq was by her side, holding her hand, smiling down at her. Lyrea and Gweir were frolicking about, snapping playfully at each other. Rhinnëa and Eyulf were sat in a small clearing, heads close and hands knitted together, on a blanket. Rivera and Zaq joined them; Nellas and Eldárwen were playing Tag behind them, which quickly became a large group game when she Tagged Rivera. They were all running about, with not a weapon in sight. It was so happy.

All of a sudden, dark thunder clouds rolled in. The acrid scent of burning flesh filled the air, smoke rising and rising. It soon surrounded them; Rivera was first pulled from her Zaq, the Rhinnëa and Eyulf, then Nallas and Lyrea. Hands were grabbing her, dragging her down-

She awoke with a gasp, her heart beat like drums of war in her ears.

Little one? Lyrea asked anxiously.

I'm fine, she muttered.

You aren't! Lyrea cried, trying to twist around to face her.

I'm just nervous, she said quietly. Lyrea humphed, but let her be.

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnëa ran her eyes gently over Rivera. Are you sure you're fine? Rivera had accidentally transmitted images to her, a few making her blush, but she could see why she would be troubled. I can see why you wouldn't be. She sighed.

Gweir glanced back at Rivera, thundercloud grey eyes sympathetic for Lyrea's sake. Rhinnëa smiled slightly, then looked away at the clouds. She was just all too hyperaware of the presence of everyone around her.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera flu seen slightly about what had happened, but kept her composition.

I'm fine. Honestly, she told Rhinnëa, who didn't appear to believe her, but made not her comment. Rivera almost wanted to talk to Lyrea, but her dragon was so engrossed in her own conversation she held her tongue.

Great, she thought sourly. My own dragon is ignoring me. Nellas was chatting to Eldárwen, neither of them paying her much attention. She didn't even know what their conversion was about, so she just sat in silence and studies the world.

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnea guessed her downtrodden expression's meaning. Its terrible when your dragon is off on his own thing, she sighed, patting Gweir's neck. He didn't even turn to look at her. A dull pain in her ribs caused her to twist and frown at Zaq. "What?!"

He sat back. "Eesh. Don't eat me!"

"Don't poke me," she quipped, "what do you want?" He shrugged and turned away.

"Nothing."

"You poked me for nothing!"

"You got a problem with that?!"

"Yeah, I-"

"Please just shut up!" Eyulf interrupted loudly. "Rivera and I's ears are going to fall off!"

Zaq leant forward. "Dang, someone woke up on the wrong side of the saddle." Rhinnëa laughed softly, instantly regretting it though as Eyulf gave her a dejected look. She turned away.

I'm so bored! She exclaimed to Rivera.

[Scars Mate]

Same, River groaned, lifting her arms above her head, and stretching like a cat. I want to walk again! She whined, wiggling her feet over the sides of the saddle. Nellas, behind her, laughed.

'Maybe we can land soon?' She directed the question at Lyrea, who didn't appear to have even realised Nellas was talking. Rivera rolled her eyes.

Lyrea? She asked patiently. No response. Lyrea? She asked again, louder this time. Still nothing. LYREA? She bellowed. Her dragon heard her this time, dropping in surprise.

What? The great black dragon asked, annoyance filling her voice.

Can we have a break? Rivera asked.