A trek into the Spine

[strideraragorn1]

With sword in hand and his bow and arrows in his saddlebags, Caeltae looked to his trusty steed, Snowfire. Caeltae had been to the local village earlier that day and already he was having bad luck. Not only had he managed to tick off the local soldiers but, he hadn't collected any rations that would keep him fed for several days. Sighing, he looked up at the rising sun before lifting up into the saddle and rode off down a long since forgotten game trail. As the pair headed up the trail, Caeltae thought about the week's events. Not much could be said, other than the usual trouble with the authorities. What he really hoped for was an adventure. Shaking his thoughts, he urged Snowfire into a lope, hoping his luck would change.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{tasia anna georgios*}
featuring--! Sunglow--! ---! ---!
I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today

A flash of gold could be seen through the skies above the human villages, though most would not even notice it as it was too sudden and quick. The clouds above littered the sky and the blue sky was so bright and beautiful, even through the canopy of the dangerous and dense Spine that was upon the west of the land. I looked below my golden beast, my sister in the skies as we moved over the land as fast speeds. My black hair was braided down my back and the crown upon my head, made of vines with a emerald gem in the middle, the gem right on my forehead. My emerald eyes looked ahead, my bow string across my chest and my golden blade strapped to my sister's saddle. "First, I am a beast and now your sister... Tasia, you make me smile."

[/color] I looked at my dragon and smiled, patting her scaly neck as I held onto the spikes upon her neck. "Forgive me my sister, but you are a mighty beast, are you not?"[/color] A chuckle could be mentally heard from my mind.

My outfit was outlandish to most humans who I approached in the lands below. My chest was covered with a simple strap of golden armor, only one shoulder and arm was covered with the same armor, the one that welded my sword. My stomach and lower back were completely revealed and my hips began the leg armor that I had finally given in to wearing... "Once I get on the ground I am putting on my normal skirt."[/color] A deep chuckle could be heard from Sunglow as they flew over the spin. "Head down... I am sure you are hungry."[/color] A sense of satisfaction washed over the both of us and soon, we were passing over closer to the trees and then landing in a very small clearing with a thud. "Tasia, they need to make larger clearing in the Spine... At one time, I could land without a problem, not I have to be a bit more careful."[/color] I smiled at my sister and patted her shoulder. "I will get a fire going after I change into something more comfortable."[/color] I said as my sister nodded and moved through the forest.

After getting a fire going, I pulled off my armor and pulled on a black top, which only covered my chest and had one shoulder strap. I then put on a black matching skirt that was fitter perfectly to my hips and flowed down my thighs and then tore in many pieces like vines. I smiled as the fire got started and I sat down, placing my golden armor and sword behind me against a near tree. As I sat there, I pulled out some dried fruit and began chewing on some pieces, allowing myself to relax as Sunglow hunted in the mountains around me.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind

’word count 0.484
’tagged Caeltae Whiterider
’song Caledonia--! Celtic Woman
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[strideraragorn1]

They hadn't gotten far when Snowfire came to a sudden stop and suddenly became agitated; an unusual occurance with him. Caeltae tried to calm his friend but Snowfire continued to pace and shift uneasily. Curious, he dismounted and as best as he could calmed Snowfire down before tying up his reins to a nearby tree, grabbed his bow and arrows from his bag and left to see what had his horse so spooked. Cautiously, he crept further into the woods, even with the stallion's warnings. Nothing spooked his friend unless it was something important. As he rounded a hill, Caeltae stopped in his tracks as he spied a beautiful dragon. He couldn't believe his luck but he knew that also could mean trouble for him. 'Had they called on reenforcement to take him away?' he thought as he hid in the shadows, while watching the magnificent creature. He had heard many tales about them and the riders but thought of them only as story and nothing else. Shaking his head, he was just about to leave when he accidently stepped on a fallen branch, making a deafening crack across the tranquil clearing.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{sunglow*}
featuring--! tasia anna georgios--! ---! ---!
I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today

The scent of the deer could be smelt everywhere, it was going down my nostrils and into my throat but they were far away and it would be hard to sneak up on the small animals. It would take a few minutes to figure out a good plan, but it would come. As I wondered how to get as many as possible, I smelt the smoke from the fire and turned my golden eyes towards her direction and smiled. She was getting ready for the evening and that was a good thing. As I stood from my sitting like position the sound of a snapping twig caught my ears from up wind, which made sure that I could not smell what was there. My alert went through my mind and also my body, a harsh growl slipped from my throat and I could see Tasia coming through the forest towards my direction. "Sunglow, what is going on?"

[/color] I could hear her alert, but calm voice and my tail like spear lifted and it swung it at the direction of the sound, snapping trees in half and see the person I had missed with my tail. "A sneaky human..."[/color] I lifted my head and walked over towards the human. My teeth showed as I growl could be heard deep within' my chest and I heard the sound of Tasia coming before any human could.

"Sunglow! Don't! He might just be a hunter."[/color] I looked at her and snorted, flames coming out of my nostrils before I looked back at the human male. I could hear his horse panicking now that I listened to everything. "He was sneaking over here... No one sneaks up on me, Tasia."[/color] My voice could be mentally heard by anyone in the area and it sounded beyond angry. I hated having someone watching me without my knowledge and I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked down at my rider, lowering my head to her and allowing my eye to look at her own. I saw her smile at me and I allowed a purring like sound to come from me. "I am sorry about the trees..."[/color] I did mean it, but only she would hear it. I felt her hand under my eye and I closed it while she turned towards the human.

"Are you stupid, human?"[/color] I looked at my rider with open eyes as I lifted my head up, my eyes on the human once again. "You don't sneak up on a dragon... You let your presence known unless you and your horse want to be her next meal."[/color] Her voice was strong. Her outfit was beautiful, as always, as it covered only the important parts and allowed skin to be shown. Her vine crown set peacefully on her head, on her hip was a pelt that held the golden bladed sword on her hip. The blade had been created by the best sword maker in the elven world.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind

’word count 0.497
’tagged Caeltae Whiterider
’song Caledonia--! Celtic Woman
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[strideraragorn1]

Suddenly there was a loud crack, shocking Caeltae out of his stupor to see that a few of the trees had been knocked down. 'Great. He'd been spotted.' Hoping he hadn't been noticed he continued until he heard a growl from behind. Cursing under his breath at the lack of thought about getting caught, Caeltae slowly turned around to see the huge dragon baring his teeth.

"Please don't eat me. I didn't mean to startle you. Look I'm leaving okay? Leaving," started Caeltae until a girl's voice yelled out at him. At first he was a little unnerved by the girl calling him stupid but as he processed just how stupid he had been to go lurking in the shadows he knew it was true.

Caeltae gulped as he took in both the girl and the dragon that still seemed to want to rip his throat out. Just then he heard the thundering of hooves. Turning he ducked just in time as Snowfire jumped from the ledge and landed infront of him. He couldn't believe how much his friend was willing to sacrifice to save him as he watched the tempermental stallion pace infront of him snorting and pawing at the ground.

"Easy boy." tried Caeltae as tried to calm his companion who continued to face the dragon angrily. He then turned to the rider. "My apologizes. Had I known to do that, I would have bever done such a bone-headed move. I was merely curious and had no attention to harm either of you, although I'm sure your magnificent friend over there would love to use me as a chew toy. Look I'm not very good at hellos as I've lived in the forest most of my life. " Caeltae tried to figure out what to say but kept coming up blank. "Look I should probably leave. Besides, I don't think my presence is wanted.

He then turned back to Snowfire but, the stubborn stallion had planted himself between both the dragon and him. "Snow, come on, boy!"

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{tasia anna georgios*}
featuring--! Sunglow--! ---! ---!
I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today

I could hear the sound of the trees snapping as I got closer and I knew this couldn't be good. I ran as fast as I could, latching my belt to my hip as I ran through the forest. I swallowed hard as I got closer and heard the human speaking to the dragon. "Please don't eat me. I didn't mean to startle you. Look I'm leaving okay? Leaving." Unfortunately, it wouldn't be that easy, I knew it wouldn't. Sunglow wanted to teach a lesson, she was on a roll. "Don't do anything, Sunglow... He is just a human."

[/color] I knew she was angry, mostly because she felt like this idiot was trying to sneak up on her when he probably didn't mean to, but she was not going to stand down.

Finally, I was there and I had calmed my sister, but then I looked at the man right before a stallion had come and stood before me. I stood before the horse, with no problems standing strong as my voice turned into the tongue of my people, the tongue of the ancient language that calmed any beast that wasn't a dragon. The horses of the humans were very small minded creatures, though they were smart, they were easily calmed with the ancient language. "Calm down, stallion... Your master will not be harmed."[/color][/i] When the ancient langauge was spoke, it was truth. Unless someone knew the ancient language, they would not know what I spoke to the horse... But it was a creature of the earth and I knew my words would calm him.

"Easy boy." I looked at the stallion for a moment and then up at Sunglow who rolled her eyes. "You know, the horse would make a better meal than a mere deer."[/color] I looked at her and shook my head slightly at my Sister's words, happy they were only between just me and herself. "My apologizes. Had I known to do that, I would have never done such a bone-headed move. I was merely curious and had no attention to harm either of you, although I'm sure your magnificent friend over there would love to use me as a chew toy. Look I'm not very good at hellos as I've lived in the forest most of my life." I crossed my arms slightly and rubbed the back of my neck for a moment. "Look I should probably leave. Besides, I don't think my presence is wanted." I let out a sigh. "No... It is getting late... Join me and my Sister at our camp sight... You startled us, but she will get use to you... Snow, come on, boy."[/color] I said to them, looking at me sister who snorted and sniffed the air, looking for any form of meal after her loud noise.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind

’word count 0.466
’tagged Caeltae Whiterider
’song Caledonia--! Celtic Woman
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[strideraragorn1]

Caeltae watched as Snowfire cocked his ears to listen to the girl and started to calm down but still the stubborn stallion would not budge from his spot. Snowfire snorted at the girl and then at the dragon. He didn't trust either of them even if the girl did seem to know the words of his kind. No he promised to protect his master and if that meant losing his life, he would. Something was up and he was not prepared to find out what it was.

Caeltae was about to leave when he heard the girl reply saying it was late and that he was to join her and the dragon at their campfire. At first, he was relieved to not have to hide away for the nigh but he could sense Snowfire's agitation with the situation and felt somewhat out of his comfort zone. He wasn't a man that just sat by the fire with a dragon rider and had dinner together. He was an outcast, a thief and hard man to get close too. He couldn't loose sight of what had happened to him and what had made him become who he was today.

He looked at the black mustang who kept looking between the other too and sighed. "I would love to my lady, but I am not a man who is used to company. I am not an easy man to get alone with and my friend does not trust either of you, for we do not know your names. No, you should be far away from me. I am outcast and will remain an outcast. Again, pardon my intrusions." He then turned once more to his steed. "Snow, it's alright. You can stop."

Snowfire snorted once more before turning and walked over to Caeltae who gently removed the bridle from the stallion's head and throwing it over his shoulder. "I'll call you if I need you boy. Keep a look out for danger." Snowfire bowed toward Caeltae before turning and galloped off into the distance.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{sunglow*}
featuring--! tasia anna georgios--! ---! ---!
I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today

As the stallion calmed, I looked down at Tasia who was smiling at the work she had done to calm the stallion. I was not that impressed, as I has seen her do it many times. I looked at the human and stallion, knowing that it was not calm enough, but that did not matter. I lowered my body to the ground, tucking my wings into my body and lowering my head slightly too where it was level with my Rider’s own. I softened my eyes and took in a deep breath as I waited to see what would happen. As Tasia invited the two to our camp, I wondered why she was doing it, but soon my mind was put at ease with her own words. ”We are peace keepers, it is only right that we welcome anyone to our camp and get to know them.”

[/color] I nodded to her and watched as the man seemed to take in what my rider had said.

I could tell something was off, I smelt some fear within’ him, it was not hard to detect, I might have been an intelligent being but I was still an animal who could tell when there was fear in the air and it came from the human behind the stallion. ”I would love to my lady, but I am not a man who is used to company. I am not an easy man to get alone with and my friend does not trust either of you, for we do not know your names.” I lifted my head and waited for him to continue. ”No, you should be far away from me. I am outcast and will remain an outcast. Again, pardon my intrusions." I snorted slightly and lifted my head higher. ”Snow, it's alright. You can stop." I let flame erupt slightly from my nostrils and my voice was heard. ”My rider did not ask you to trust her or I, she invite you to enjoy our fire tonight… Your apologize is nothing more than a disgrace to us…”[/color] I said, standing as I looked at the two, growling slightly at the stupidity of the human. ”If you wish to know our names, then ask Pathetic man… I am Sunglow and this is Tasia… We are riders of this land, protectors of peace… And you think you are un-welcomed human?”[/color] I asked him, my voice as beautiful as it could have been.

My rider looked at me for a moment and then returned her gaze to the human. ”An outcast? Then we should be able to get along just fine… Because I see nothing different between outcast and those who are not. You will join me tonight by my fire.”[/color] She said to the human before looking at me. ”Go and hunt.”[/color] I looked at her for a moment and nodded, standing and opening my wings. It was not long before I was high into the sky, searching for something to feed upon that night.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind

’word count 0.499
’tagged Caeltae Whiterider
’song Caledonia--! Celtic Woman
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[strideraragorn1]

When he could not see his companion anymore he turned to see the strangers interact with each other.It wasn't that he was afraid of them but rather wary of getting close to another person. Suddenly, Caeltae heard the dragon let out a growl before it spoke to him. At first, he was a little annoyed at being talked too in such a manner and wanted to set things straight but the dragon whose name, he learned was Sunglow.

" With my past history, I am a wanted man in many villages and have lived most of my life in the woods, that I do not have much skill when dealing with people. I've closed myself off from most of the world, where I cannot be hurt. So yes, Sunglow, I think I am unwanted." He then turned to the girl, Tasia and listened to her tell him that he was ordered to join them for dinner. He flinched at the thought of his mother, before removing her from his thoughts.

He ran a hand through his hair before sighing and removed his bow from his back, "Very well, I will stay and eat with you. My name is Caeltae." He then watched as Tasia turned back to Sunglow and watched Sunglow take off into the sky. Praying he had made the right decision,he turned to follow Tasia to her campsite.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{tasia anna georgios*}
featuring--! Sunglow--! ---! ---!
I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today

”Such small minded creatures, I expected more after meeting Leilani, niece of the King of Broddering, but I guess I was wrong to assume.”

[/color] Sunglow said to me mentally as she flew higher and higher above to get a good look from above to find a large animal on the ground. I mentally agreed with her, as it was something that I had expected as well, however, it was not surprising to me. Humans has a strange tradition to hold onto their past and keep it from moving them forward. It was very annoying, but it was something I had seen. Only a few humans had gained enough knowledge to allow them to move forward without holding onto past guilt or anger.

”With my past history, I am a wanted man in many villages and have lived most of my life in the woods, that I do not have much skill when dealing with people. I've closed myself off from most of the world, where I cannot be hurt. So yes, Sunglow, I think I am unwanted." I remembered his words right before my dragon took off, she had merely rolled her eyes at the man and then I turned towards him. ”The past is the past… Humans always seem to hold onto it and they never move forward… It is only best you forget your past deeds and move forward, unless you wish to be nothing more than an ornament for this mountain side.”[/color] I said, gaining an approval from Sunglow mentally before I fixed my items and then signaled him to follow me towards my camp site, which was completely out of side. Sunglow had managed to get away from me to begin her hunt, I had not expected it be this far.

”Very well, I will stay and eat with you. My name is Caeltae." I nodded and pushed the limbs of branches away, walking with an authority and power, as well as grace and beauty. Once I arrived, my golden armor gleamed from the firelight that had dimmed and I pulled some more sticks and limbs into the fire before placing my hand over them. ”Brisingr!”[/color] As I focused on lightning the fire, the sticks caught flame and soon, there was a nice fire that caused the whole camp sight to glow. My golden armor danced with beautiful flames, reflecting everything around them. I removed my sword, placing it beside my armor and then pulled out a bag of food that I had. I was lucky that I had brought some dried meat in case Sunglow could not find food during the evening. It was not much for a dragon at all, but for the man, it would give him food for the evening. ”Good, let him have it… I hate that stuff.”[/color] I smiled at her mental comment and then turned back towards the fire, removing the dried meat and handing it, along with a cloth bag to throw any extra or trash in. ”Here, eat this… It is all I have, but it should do for an evening meal. Since Sunglow is hunting, she does not need dried jerky and lucky for her, I can make some more.”[/color] I said, a smile on my face as I pulled my own dried fruit out of my bag and sat down, leaning against my golden armor with one elbow pressed to it, watching the fire at it engulfed the wood and devoured it.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind

’word count 0.575
’tagged Caeltae Whiterider
’song Caledonia--! Celtic Woman
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[strideraragorn1]

Hearing the girl speak brought back memories of his mother making Caeltae's stomach turn thinking about the neglect he suffered under her. He didn't care if he couldn't forget because she didn't know anything about him and it what drove him to help people. "Why does it matter to you what I can and cannot let go of?" he asked, trying not to let the anger he felt sink into his tone. He knew he shouldn't be angry with her but he had a right to privacy. As he followed her to her camp, and sat down by a tree stump he thought of his grandmother and what she had taught him long ago but was now a distant memory. He remembered after being locked in his room by his mother, his grandmother coming into his room and saying, "Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?”

'The guilt of losing my mother.' he thought to himself .He sighed heavily before turning to see a lump of dried meat, quickly thanking her before ripping into the meat. Although, he still was wary of these two strangers, he was still hungry and had barely had anything to eat the day before. He needed his energy for the long trek into the Spine where he tended to the wildlife that lived there and checked on a few of the children he knew.

He had just broken into another piece of the dried meat where he heard the sound of hooves. Quickly, he got on his feet and grabbed his bow and arrows that had sat beside him. As the hooves got closer, Caeltae prepared to attack until he saw the white shape of his horse, Snowfire burst out of the dense forest and coming straight at him.

"Woah, Snowfire! Easy boy!" soothed Caeltae as the horse came to a stop in front of him but tensed up when the mustang noticed Tasai. Just then he saw what had the black horse so panicked about. At first Caeltae thought he was seeing things but as he walked closer to Snwofire he could see the tiny shape of a little girl clutching his neck with blood coating the black fur.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{tasia anna georgios*}
featuring--! Sunglow--! ---! ---!
I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today

I was not trying to cause problems of any form, but I could tell by the tension in the air and how open my mind was to those around me, that he was not happy about something. Elves had the ability to looking into the minds of those around them, including humans. "Why does it matter to you what I can and cannot let go of?" I swallowed a piece of the dried fruit and looked at him for a moment. "Because it waste precious energy that could be used in other ways."

[/color] I said to him as I felt something coming. I looked around, pushing my mind as far as it could go, but whatever was making the trees sway unease was not coming to me. I watched as the human dug into the meat and I smiled, happy that he was enjoying the meat. As I relaxed into my armor, though it was cold and hard, it made me comfortable knowing I had my armor near.

I heard the sound of hooves striking the ground and could sense the panic that came into the air as the mustang returned to his master. I stood as the horse came before the two of us and I noticed the young girl far before her human did. "Woah, Snowfire! Easy boy!" The air was far too cold for that poor child and I looked into the sky. "Sunglow?!"[/color] My voice sounded and my mental calling to her was heard. "I am already on my way."[/color] She said as I saw the sky rushing past her as she had gone out further into the spine and had found a large buck and a few does to feed on. "Get her down from there, she needs her wounds healed."[/color] I said as I rushed over to the side of the horse and touched the child on the arm. "She is cold as ice..."[/color] I said as I felt the poor thing shivering under my touch.

I turned as Sunglow landed and curled at the edge of the forest, but I smiled as she opened one of her wings, her tail making a half circle and her large wing going over that, make a tent like structure. "She needs to be in a warm shelter... Get her off your stallion and bring her over here where it is warm."[/color] I said as I ran over to Sunglow, climbing up on her shoulder and unstrapped the saddle and the bags on the saddle before taking them inside, beginning to make a pallet for the young girl. "What is a child doing in these dangerous forest? She needs someone who can take care of her."[/color] I said to my sister. "I don't know, but I have a feeling she is not the only one who makes their home in these forest, it is something the counsel should be aware of."[/color] I nodded, though Sunglow would not of seen it. The warmth from her inner fire was already warming the inside of wing tent and I began to whisper some words that caused a peal like ball to lift from my hand and glow yellow like a fire lit lamp.

"Get that child in here before she dies of the cold."[/color] I said as I stepped out from the wing tent. It was large enough for myself and the human male to stand up with plenty of room for three pallets and even the stallion if he came into as well.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind

’word count 0.581
’tagged Caeltae Whiterider
’song Caledonia--! Celtic Woman
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[strideraragorn1]

Snowfire looked at her master, urging him to help the poor child and tried to stay as still as possible until the strange girl came over to him. Not interested in anything the girl had to say, he snapped at her to show he was not easily swayed by her elven ways. Her kind had treated him just as badly and her take charge manner put him on high alert. When he heard the girl yell at her master to get the young child off of him, he almost took off there and then but a look from Caeltae told him to stay. Instead, he snorted angrily at her but walked over to Caeltae when he whistled him over, giving his companion access to the little girl. Just then the stallion felt the wind shift and he watched as the dragon came down towards the clearing. Startled he side-stepped away from the dragon keeping his distance.

Caeltae slowly went over to the black stallion, making sure to run his hand down the horse's neck and then lookd at the little girl. Slowly, he tried to remove the little girl from Snowfire's neck but in a second she was alert and fought to stay with Snowfire.

"P-p-please d-d-don't h-h-hurt m-m-me." she said softly as she clutched tighter to the black mustang's neck.

"It's okay, sweetheart. We won't hurt you. My name is Caeltae and that is Snowfire." soothed Caeltae who again tried to gently pick up the little girl.

"Mm-m-my n-n-name K-k-k-atie." whispered the little girl as she eyed the dragon and girl nearby and tried once more to bury herself into the stallion's neck.

Caeltae wanted to say something when Snowfire started nickering and nuzzling the girl. He smiled weakly as he watched the stallion tussle the little girl's hair. If anyone knew how to calm a young child, it was Snowfire. After a few minutes of watching them interact, Caeltae moved toward the small girl who quickly flinched back until Snowfire nuzzled Caeltae's hand and slowly Katie allowed him to pick her up.

Caeltae breathed a sigh of relief as the little girl hung onto him and slowly walked the girl over to the Sunglow and Tasia with Snowfire on his heels, already getting seated on the ground, allowing him to lean against the mustang and keep the little girl calmed. As he stroked her hair, he smiled thinking of when his grandma would hold him when he was scared. As the little girl fell asleep, he looked to the elf. "Do what you have to do, but do make me move her." As if to show his agreement, Snowfire bobbed his head up and down and pinned his ears back. Oh no, he was not happy with this situation at all.

"Oh and another thing, my friend has a name. It's Snowfire. Could you kindly refrain from calling him the stallion." suggested Caeltae in a whisper.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{tasia anna georgios*}
featuring--! Sunglow--! ---! ---!
I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today

As the stallion snapped at me, I looked at him for a moment, not scared of him at all. As my dragon landed, a growl coming from her largemouth filled of teeth. ”My rider has done nothing to you or your horse and you allow him to snap at her when she merely wants to help the girl and heal her wounds.”

[/color] I looked over at Sunglow and snapped my fingers at her. ”Enough… Make your tent for the child, she has lost blood and we will need your inner fire at your belly to warm her.”[/color] I said, earning a slight growl from the dragon before she laid down, curling her tail into the half circle and stretching her wing over it, making a very large tent area for them all to go under.

As I got everything set up, I waited for him to bring the child over to where it was warm. As he touched the child, she became very alert and I watched. ”P-p-please d-d-don't h-h-hurt m-m-me." I opened my mind to everything, wanting to touch the simple mind of the child and using calming touches to sooth her. ”No one is going to harm you child… We only want to help.”[/color] I said in a soothing voice that was calm and warm. "It's okay, sweetheart. We won't hurt you. My name is Caeltae and that is Snowfire." I looked at the human male for a moment and waited. ”Mm-m-my n-n-name K-k-k-atie." Tasia smiled and looked at Sunglow who held soft eyes and watched the child with warmth in her eyes. ”I am Tasia… This is my Sister, Katie… Sunglow.”[/color] I said in a warm voice while I waited for the stallion to let the child go to the male human.

After a moment, the child seemed to have settled down slightly and she was pulled into the man’s arm. As he moved towards the dragon, Sunglow lowered her head and laid it down on the ground, but turning it so she could see into the tent area. I smiled at my dragon and touched her cheek as I walked by. ”I wonder what happened to the poor thing.”[/color] I nodded towards Sunglow, as I wanted to know as well. I walked into the tent and it felt much warmer than even by the fire that was outside. ”Do what you have to do, but do make me move her." I looked at the child as I sat down. ”I can’t get to some of her wounds if she is against you, I need her laying down on the pallet so I can heal all her wounds.”[/color] I said to the man as I looked at a few of the wounds. With a lot of concentration, I looked at the child with my soft emerald eyes and I spoke in my own language. ”Sleep child and calm yourself.”[/i][/color] I said in my language. The words would have the following effect on the child: causing her to calm and fall to sleep. Once it had taken affect, the man would be able to place her on the pallet and she could heal the child.

”Oh and another thing, my friend has a name. It's Snowfire. Could you kindly refrain from calling him the stallion." I looked up at him for a moment and then towards the stallion. ”Fine… Hello Snowfire.”[/color] I said before I pulled out another few pearl like circles and spoke a few words to make them glow and hover into the air. I was beyond happy that they did not take too much energy from me.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind

’word count 0.601
’tagged Caeltae Whiterider
’song Caledonia--! Celtic Woman
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[strideraragorn1]

When he was sure the little girl was fast asleep, Caeltae got up and moved her towards the pallette bending down so he could whisper, "I'm watching over you, Katie. I will protect you. I promise." and kissed Katie's forehead. He then stepped back so Tasia had access to the little girl and looked to find the black stallion had retreated to the safety of the woods. Sighing, he followed his friend and ran a hand down his lifelong companion in a soothing gesture.

"I know you do not trust them as willingly as I do but, that little girl needs their help and there's not much I can do for her alone. I know you don't like the situation but we have no choice an you need to start treating them with a little respect." Snowfire pinned his ears back until he saw the look on his master's face. "Don't start with me. Snow,I know her kind has treated you just as badly as the humans have but, I'm here. This friendship goes both ways. I would do anything to protect you, my brother. Besides, if it wasn't for you, Katie could've died. Remember that, Snow. Your her hero today."

Snowfire nickered gently as he nuzzled Caetae's hand affectionately and then back towards the dragon and elf. He knew he had judged both of them harshly but, still the scars were too fresh for him. He nudged Caeltae encouragingly back towards Sunglow but did not make any move to follow.

Caeltae sighed sadly and as much as he wanted to get back to the little girl, his friend came first and decided instead to stay by his brother who began to munch on some dried out grass.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{tasia anna georgios*}
featuring--! Sunglow--! ---! ---!
I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today

As soon as the child was sleeping, I watched as the man placed the child on the small bed I had made for her, his words softly spoken, but my keen elven ears could hear them. ”I'm watching over you, Katie. I will protect you. I promise." As he kissed the girl’s forehead and then moved aside for me to get to her, I moved over towards her and began looking at her body for the wounds. They were not good and I knew it had to be an animal that had attacked her before the horse had gotten to her. I pushed her hair back from her face and began stringing words together to heal her badly torn skin that had been damaged. It did not take very long to do this, but she would be sore for a few days. I sat at work, tending the child’s wounds, not allowing any to go un-healed as my marked hand moved over every inch of her precious, tiny body.

As I worked, my mind was connected to Sunglow, who listened to everything around us, including the words of the human. No matter how softly he spoke, we could hear everything with her keen sense of hearing. "I know you do not trust them as willingly as I do but, that little girl needs their help and there's not much I can do for her alone. I know you don't like the situation but we have no choice and you need to start treating them with a little respect." The sound of the human talking to the horse as if he were human was rather funny, but I knew everyone had their own companion and many of those companions were human. Some had been together most their life and I would not say anything about it.

”Don't start with me. Snow, I know her kind has treated you just as badly as the humans have but, I'm here. This friendship goes both ways. I would do anything to protect you, my brother. Besides, if it wasn't for you, Katie could've died. Remember that, Snow. Your her hero today." I stopped my work at the words he had spoken and Sunglow took that as a sign to speak up. ”I don’t know what elves you are talking about Caeltae, but the elves of this land would never harm any living thing… They believe all life is sacred and to harm any form of life, from a crawling ant to a dragon is considered a crime among their people…”

[/color] I smiled at my sister before going back to my work as I found a few more places on the girl’s back. I moved her over gentle, speaking words to her in the ancient language to help her sleep and dream peacefully while I worked on all her wounds.

Sunglow sent me a mental picture of the scene and I nodded, finishing my work and then laying the girl down on the bedding and pulled out one of my thick woolen cloaks to cover her small body. I stood from where I had been kneeling and grabbed one of the two small orbs and spoke words to make the one dim to nothing and placed it back in my bag. I then spoke words and it dimmed the other, but it was still lite to give the girl some light in case she woke. I felt slightly tired from the use of my energy to perform the healing and as I walked out, I braced myself on Sunglow’s shoulder and leaned my head against her. ”It is done… She is healed and will need her rest Sunglow… Can you watch over her for me?”[/color] Sunglow smiled and pulled her head closer to the tip of her tail, encircling the girl completely as I walked over to the fire to grab my bag of dried food.

”You do know that I could hear every word that was spoken, right? What are you talking about elves hurting Snowfire? None of my people would dare harm any form of life unless the life had been corrupted by darkness they caused them to go rogue.”[/color] I said, remembering full well the time I came across a very sick bear that had gone rogue and who’s true spirit had died long before we had come across it. It had hurt me so badly to kill the creature, but she was so sick and there was nothing I could do but take her life.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind

’word count 0.753
’tagged Caeltae Whiterider
’song Caledonia--! Celtic Woman
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[strideraragorn1]

Caeltae looked to Snowfire who had stopped eating and had backed away from both Tasia and himself. He ran his hand through his hair before turned back to the elf and said, "I think you should be addressing my brother instead of me. I know some of his history but, even I do not know all the secrets of my companion." Caeltae then walked over to the spot where he had left his bow and arrows and returned them to the saddlebags. He then looked back towards the dragon and prayed the little girl would make it through.

"Snowfire, do you remember where you found the little girl?" asked Caeltae as he grabbed the bridle and brought it over to the majestic stallion.

Snowfire snorted as if to say it was a dumb question and quickly stood still as he handed the bit to the mustang, who took it quickly and Caeltae finished adjusting the straps. He then looked to Tasia, "Let us know if she wakes. Snowfire, can hear most any calls so just whistle. I hate to leave her but, someone needs to find out what has a little girl out here by herself." He then checked his saddle and quickly mounted his friend. "We'll need all the speed you can bring, Snowfire. We must be as swift as a fox." Snowfire pawed the ground impatiently as Caeltae turned once more to Tasia, "Take good care of her."

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{sunglow*}
featuring--! tasia anna georgios--! ---! ---!
I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today

I felt a hand touch my neck, the warmth was there and I turn my eyes to look towards Tasia who smiled at me and kissed me on the cheek. A sound of a rumble could be heard coming from my chest and it vibrated slightly as I laid my head on the ground and opened one eye to watch the child. ”How long will she sleep, Tasia?”

[/color] I saw her look over at the child and then back at me. ”Until morning… I want her to get a lot of sleep, so she will not wake until after the sun has risen.”[/color] I nodded and closed my wing slightly to make sure no wind could get where she was sleeping. The orb made my wing membrane close slightly, giving off some light. Tasia then looked over at the horse and man and I opened my large eye and looked at the man, wondering what he was going to say…

”I think you should be addressing my brother instead of me. I know some of his history but, even I do not know all the secrets of my companion." Tasia looked over at me for a moment and then turned her back on the man and his horse. ”Does he not know that horses that humans use only explain things through emotions? Elven horses are one of the only who can actually communicate like you and I and even that is borderline.”[/color] I looked at my sister, whom was mentally speaking to me as to not upset the human male and his horse. ”Maybe one day he will learn… You should rest, you spent enough energy healing that girl…”[/color] I nodded to my sister and sat down, leaning my back against her large front leg and shoulder.

”Snowfire, do you remember where you found the little girl?" I looked over at her and took a big sniff of the air before lowering it again. ”Let us know if she wakes. Snowfire, can hear most any calls so just whistle. I hate to leave her but, someone needs to find out what has a little girl out here by herself." Tasia looked over at him and nodded. ”She will sleep through the night I am sure”[/color] My sister spoke as she closed her eyes once again, the night was coming and I barely moved my tail to make it touch my nose so that way I could make a complete circle around my sister and the young girl. ”We'll need all the speed you can bring, Snowfire. We must be as swift as a fox… Take good care of her." I closed my eyes and allowed my own self to drift into the darkness of a light sleep.

I woke a few hours later, the girl still asleep and so was Tasia who must of moved during the evening to get her sword and armor, though it was only sitting next to her and she was asleep under her other cloak.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind

’word count 0.497
’tagged Caeltae Whiterider
’song Caledonia--! Celtic Woman
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[strideraragorn1]

When the elf nodded, Caeltae turned his majestic black mustang and took off back through the forest, weaving in between trees. He knew that the elf had said she would not wake that night but he still wanted to be there. He didn't know why but the thought of the little girl by himself made him think of himself. As Snowfire continued to race through the thick brush, jumping over broken logs, Caeltae looked around and noticed that the further in, the more dead looking the trees looked. Suddenly, he heard a scream, causing him to slow Snowfire to a stop and listen for where the noise was coming from. Not paying attention to his surroundings, he didn't see the urgal in the shadow. Seeing no one or hearing anything, Caeltae was about to carry on when the urgal jumped him, knocking him off Snowfire.

Snowfire whinned in alarm but was suddenly restrained by two more ogres. After the fall from his horse, Caeltae quickly was on his feet pulling out the small dagger he carried. He could see the two that were holding Snowfire's reins and two more coming for him. With quick reflexes he managed to stab one of them unleashing a high pitched shriek and cut off one of the second urgal's arms. He then made to rescue his friend who continued to struggle and pull free but the two combined were too strong for the stallion. Furious, Caeltae charged at the pair, killing one of them instantly but before he had time to kill the other, the one with only one arm managed to hit him in the shoulder. He hissed in pain before killing the urgal. Seeing their dead companions the other two took off back the way they came. When the two urgals were gone, he looked at Snowfire who slowly walked over to him. Caeltae sighed in relief when he saw that they had not injured Snowfire but hissed in pain when he rolled up his sleeve. Blood was pouring from the deep gash but he was use to injuries like this and shrugged it off.

Snowfire nickered worriedly before showing Caeltae his back and allowing the man to mounting him again and continue their journey. It wasn't long before both rider and horse could smell burning wood and as they went up a hill they could see the burning remenants of what used to be a village. Slowly, Caeltae nudged Snowfire forward and together they walked through the deserted village. Right away the stench of death was all around them making Caeltae's stomach revolt but he shoved the bile down. He needed to see if anyone was alive and get back to the little girl.

Just then, they heard coughing coming from what used to be a house but was not nothing but fallen debree. Dismounting, Caeltae cautiously walked over to see a man taking his last dying breaths.

"Who are you?" asked the man as he tried to take in air.

"My name is Caeltae. I found a small girl by herself and I had to know if anyone was alive." Caeltae replied.

"Katie?" asked the man quickly causing him to cough. When Caeltae nodded, the man continued,"Then she got away." Another nod. "Thank goodness. The urgals came onto us out of nowhere. They destroyed everything. Katie's my daughter. I tried to save her and her mother. Take good care of her. She's important." Again the man launched into another fit of coughs before looking once more at the man.

"I don't understand. Why is she important?" asked Caeltae urgently.

"Take....good...care...of...her...tell...her....I'm...proud....to...have...been...her..father." And with that the man closed his eyes, never to open them again. Caeltae swallowed thickly before looking once more at the burning village before walking back over to the black stallion. Once more he mounted, hissing when he put pressure on his right arm. Sighing, the pair left the little village and headed back to the campground.

Tired and weak from the blood loss, Caeltae and Snowfire made it to the camp just as a few rays of light started to appear. Slowly dismounting, Caeltae almost fell off if not for Snowfire who was at his side. He slowly walked over to the fireplace with the help of his friend and sat down by the fire. He then removed the bridle from Snowfire who happily stretched his neck and lay down beside his master.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{tasia anna georgios*}
featuring--! Sunglow--! ---! ---!
I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today

I watched as the man quickly turned his stallion and bolted towards the forest of the spine. I was tired, but elves rarely slept, it was more of a meditation that allowed one to rest and gain energy back. I allowed my eyes to close, my body to relax to the body of my sister and I looked around for a moment before I finally went into my trans like state to regain my energy. I was so happy to be at peace with everything, the trees were speaking to each other and there were some ants by the treeline to my left. Sunglow was humming in her sleep, her breathing normal and her heartbeat calm and steady. The evening was in full swing and it felt nice to relax and enjoy everything. Once I was completely in my trans, I did not hear the attack, not even the birds chirped in distress to warn me of danger. Caeltae must of ventured far off into the forest, away from my sense of sound. As I came from my trans, I was curled into her shoulder, my armor right next to me, my sword very close and my bow and arrow as well.

I turned my eyes to the sky as the sun rays were coming through the thick trees and the scent of smoke made me look to see the fire was smoldering. I stood, catching the attention of Sunglow. ”I knew you were about to wake, child… How is the little girl?”

[/color] I turned my eyes and Sunglow lifted her wing slightly. The girl had moved during her sleep, but she was very much asleep. ”She will sleep for a few more hours… It is how I welded the words, but she will wake by time I have fixed her something to eat so she will regain some energy.”[/color] I said out-loud even if I didn’t have to. I stretched slightly and grabbed my golden armor, replacing it on my body as my day was beginning. My armor was not much different than my style of clothing at all… My black skirt was under my chain mail armor skirt that went to my knees and was very flexible to allow me to move around. The council still wanted me to wear normal armor and I had a feeling that after this trip, I would have no choice but to do it. My torso was covered with about the same as my cloth covered… My belly was still exposed for the most part, except for the chain mail that went all the way down. My green vine crown was repositioned upon my head slightly and I quickly brushed through my hair and braided it down my back. The emerald gem caught the light of the sun as I heard the sound of hooves.

What I saw was completely surprising. ”What happened?!”[/color] I asked as I walked over to the fire with some more wood to get it started so that the chill of the early spring air did not bother anyone. As I held my hand over the wood and the embers, I said the word for fire in the ancient language and the wood quickly became fire and was burning very steady before I stood. ”You should be healed… Katie will wake in a few hours and you don’t want her seeing that.”[/color] I said to him as I stood and walked back to Sunglow to grab my bow so that way I could go hunting… Though I hated hunting, I knew Katie would need food and it appeared that Caeltae needed rest.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind

’word count 0.603
’tagged Caeltae Whiterider, Katie Dover
’song Caledonia--! Celtic Woman
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]