The Riders' Rebellion (Scarsmate and DH)

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnëa sighed as Gweir let her drop onto the terrace, then flew of to join Lyrea once more. Lucky, she thought enviously then stepped into the girls' room. She noticed Rivera sitting on the end of their bed.

"Okay?" she asked, jolting her preoccupied friend out of he trance. Rivera nodded lethargically before continuing running her fingers over her elegant weapon.

Rhinnëa shrugged and began to pack her bags up with the few items she'd removed. "We really need to get out of here before one of us kills someone," she said. "I know this is probably repetitive, but we should travel to Carvahall. It's close an we can figure out where to go next. Wherever we go, we just have to get away from the elves, they are just a waste of time!" As if to illustrate her point she slammed her pack down onto an elegantly worked side table with a decided thump.

"Now," she sat down next to Rivera ,"what's going on?"

*£*

Eyulf slipped into his room. The light from the sun was almost gone and he was quite embarrassed. Zaq was laying on his bed. An open book was lain on his pillow, but he'd laid his arm over it and used it as a pillow, now he fast asleep.

Eyulf smiled to himself and laid down on his own bed to sleep, though sleep wouldn't come easily.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera sighed, a frown creasing her brow.

'I just really hate it here- the way they look at me, and the way they have to act like they actually respect me. And I'm so paranoid they're going to convince Nellas to stay behind,' she added, looking up at her friend with worried eyes. 'I mean, I don't think she would- I hope she wouldn't- but it's so much safer here for her- I just don't know what to do,' she finished glumly, lowering her mismatched gaze to the floor.

Rhinnëa sighed.

She understands you, Lyrea murmured kindly, only to Rivera.

But I don't know what's right! She cried, desperation lining her usually calm voice. What's better for her? To let her stay where the danger isn't, where she might be changed beyond repair into another law-abiding clone, or take her where she could be so easily killed it terrifies me, but I'll have her near the rest of us, and away from the elves? I don't know what to do!

She was close to tears at the end of her small speech, which she had inadvertently told to both Lyrea and Rhinnëa. She let out a dry sob, and threw her head into her hands, waiting for either of them to speak.

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnëa drew an arm around her friend. "It's okay," she murmured. "Nellas would never leave you and she'll be fine. She's only a few years younger than us and I'm sure as able. I know she'll be fine!" She smiled comfortingly, then finally hugged Rivera. "Sometimes, it's best to let the affected person choose."

Out on the terrace, Gweir landed and stood beside Lyrea.

*£*

Eyulf could hear Rivera's soft voice in the other room. Concentrating hard, he squeezed his eyes shut then try to see them. In a few moments, a pleasing vision of Rhinnëa hugging Rivera and Lyrea and Gwir looking sympathetically on. Wow! he thought. What a great thing to ruin.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera squeezed Rhinnëa back, welcoming the comfort. She smiled up at her friend, somehow feeling more at peace with herself after her little rant.

I knew she would help, Lyrea said, not unkindly.

I should've known better than to doubt you, Rivera replied, cheekily.

'Anyway,' she said, turning to Rhinnëa and clearing her throat. 'Are you going to tell me what Eyulf did?'

--

Nellas sped down the stairs, only to find herself colliding with the Queen.

'Oh, Goodness!' She cried, her face a look of pure terror. 'I'm so sorry my lady, I was trying to find my friend- Eldárwen!'

'Oh, that's quite alright,' the queen said sympathetically. 'Eldarwen- she's, the human, isn't she?'

Nellas intook a sharp breath. She had to tread carefully. 'Yes,' she said slowly. 'What of it?'

The queen gave an unpleasant smile. 'If I were you,' she said lightly, looking down at Nellas,' I would avoid more humans at all costs. They don't like, well, half breeds.'

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnëa shrugged. "He tried to kiss me," she said nonchalantly then sniffed, "What a bothersome day." She looked over her shoulder, feel someone's eyes on her and hoping the elves weren't eavesdropping. "So," she said after a moment of silence, "I guess we'll leave in the morning. I'll go tell Zaq and Eyulf." Secretly, she hoped Eyulf wouldn't be there, but she doubted she would be lucky.

Her doubts were confirmed as he opened the door. "Yes?" He asked, flushing bright red.

"We're leaving," she answered bluntly. "At first light." Before she began to explain herself, voices from the lobby drew her attention and she waltzed down the stairs, Eyulf behind her.

Rhinnëa narrowed her eyes as she saw the queen. "Nellas," she said, "Come here, Rivera would like to speak with you." It wasn't a lie, exactly. As she led the girl away, Eyulf pulled the queen aside.

"Don't even think about manipulating Nellas," he growled.

"Don't speak to me like that," the Queen said coldly. "I am a Queen."

"And I'm a werewolf," he snarled. "This is my pack and you won't hurt it, I don't care if you are the King himself." He age her a hard look before starting up the stairs.

[Scars Mate]

Nellas shuddered and leapt ahead of Rhinnëa. What the Queen had been saying was repulsing and painful for Nellas; even as a half-breed, the elves had liked her, and humans never seemed to mind. In fact, they often believed Rivera and herself were elves, and counted themselves lucky to have met members of the usually isolated race. But the Queen- and Nellas knew this to be one hundred percent true- was trying to turn her against the others. As something to bargain with. Nellas didn't know. She didn't care. All she wanted was to be by her sister's side, knowing that she was safe. As safe as she could get, she thought bitterly, but not because of Rivera, but the Queen. The way Eyulf had reacted- and Nellas had heard him- had put them in grave danger. It was a good thing they were leaving at first light.

Rivera met them at the door, concern creasing her otherwise smooth face. She turned to Rhinnëa, who quickly recounted the whole story. Her face turned stormy, then ashen, and then finally full of controlled rage. It was at times like this she was at a danger of boiling over, and turning on someone. Her eyes fell on Nellas, who instantly glanced away. When Rivera spoke, it was with a wistful edge.

'Do you want to stay?' She asked quietly. Nellas whirled around.

'Of course not! I'd just be some toy for them to play with. And I want to help those under the rule of the king,' she replied defiantly.

'Just checking,' murmured Rivera, reaching out and ticking a ringlet of dark hair behind Nellas' ear. 'Get some sleep. I'll find Eldárwen.' She slipped out of the door and into the hallway, casting a reassuring glance at Nellas before desks appearing into the dark.

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnëa gave Nellas a smile as started for the door. "I've got to go do something," she told the young half-breed. "I'll be back in a moment." With that she slipped out the door to the apartment next door where she knocked. Zaq answered this time and, when she asked where Eyulf was, told her he was on the terrace.

I should've checked there first, she thought to herself as she crossed the boys' room. What a genius I am! She couldn't but blush a little as she stepped out on the porch, causing Eyulf, who'd been examining he city below, to turn and look at her. She joined him overlooking the intricate wood railing. "I wanted to say thanks for putting the queen in her place," she said quietly. "It probably wasn the smartest thing to do, but it showed her that we aren't going to let positions stand in the way of doing what's right."

Only silence from him. She sighed, she wasn't good at this kind of stuff. Plus, she hasn't done anything wrong! "We're going to ride out first light," she repeated herself. "We're going to west to Carvahall." More silence, this wasn't what she would call equal verbal participation. "Whatever," she muttered and started for the door.

"Hey," Eyuld said suddenly.

"What?"

"Why don't we start over," he said. "You know, you don't I'm a werewolf and kinda have a giant crush on you, and then well get to know eachother like normal people." Rhinnëa shrugged.

"Sure."

[Scars Mate]

Rivera skittered down the marble steps, trying to locate Eldárwen. At first, she was unsuccessful, but with Lyrea's help, managed to find her. She was in the library, surrounded by shelves upon shelves of leather bound books, perched on a low chair, engrossed in her book. Rivera chuckled and lightly tapped her on the shoulder, making the younger girl jump with surprise.

'Just me,' she said with a smile. Even though it didn't seem like it, Rivera loved books, and read whenever the opportunity arose. Of course, travelling didn't allow much time for reading, and Rivera bitterly regretted not taking the opportunity to make use of the large quantity of books just around the corner from her room.

What are you reading? Lyrea asked, interested.

It's a book all about Eragon and Saphira, and how they stopped King Galbatorix, Eldárwen said enthusiastically.

'I used to love that book,' Rivera said wistfully, admiring the beautiful cover illustrations, depicting a man upon a large, majestic looking dragon.

'What did you come here for? Is there something wrong?' Eldárwen asked, focusing her attention on Rivera.

'We leave tomorrow at first light,' Rivera said in a low voice, her blue eye the colour of the sky in the morning, her gold one glowing like the sun. Eldárwen nodded.

'I guessed. Carvahall?'

'Yes. We can get some followers there,' Rivera said, although she wasn't sure. Eldárwen nodded again.

'Can I read some more?' She asked meekly, giving Rivera a sheepish grin. Rivera let out a small laugh, aware that they were in fact in a library, and nodded.

'I'll stay here, though,' she added, gesturing minutely to the elves, getting a thumbs-up in response.

'By the way,' Eldárwen added, looking at Rivera. 'What's going on between you and my brother?' Rivera rubbed her temples, looked weary.

'I genuinely have no idea what on earth he is playing at,' she sighed.

'I'll find out,' Eldárwen said, flashing Rivera a sharp toothed grin.

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnëa returned to her room to await Rivera's return. She finished packing and then, overcome with boredom, she lay down on her bed to sleep. Unfortunately, there was too much going on in her elven mind. Her normal tactic of blocking out the world and dealing with it other wasn't working on the jumble of fluttery feelings in her stomach. "Oh, shush," she told herself as thoughts overwhelmed her. "Okay, he is cute. Yes, he's sweet. Oh, go away!" She buried her head under her pillow and blocked out herself.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera yawned as Eldárwen turned the last page of the book, carefully closing it. She rose out of the cushioned chair and stretched in a cat-like fashion, rolling back her shoulders and stamping her feet to rid herself of the pins and needles.

'Bored?' Eldárwen asked, smiling at her friend.

'Tired,' disagreed Rivera, but chuckling slightly. The younger girl lifted the heavy book and replaced it back into its slot, among the other ancient books.

'Lets go,' she said, and was rewarded by another yawn from Rivera. They walked out of the library and up the steps to their room, when Eldárwen said, 'I'll just say goodnight to Zaq,' and knocked on the door to the boy's room.

'I'm back,' called Rivera, to no one in particular as she entered her room.