Eat drink and be merry
Prompt: 013 Eat drink and be merry
Universe: Original: Tevin
Genre(s): Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Rating: PG
Warnings: none
Word Count: 997
Note: I'm not entirely sure I like this scene, but I wanted to get it out and see what could be improved. It needs more details, I know that and the dragons need something. But here's what I've got for the moment. Also, I have gotten some feed-back from my beta, so the scene will be expanded/changed very soon.
The actual flight to the Guild stronghold was inconsequential, though Tevin found it difficult to retrieve and put on the cloak while Teoti flew casually along. By the time of their arrival the pair had taken on the perfected persona of Guild messenger and bespelled dragon. Tevin’s dismount found him alone, sharp eyes examining the cave. There were twelve dragons excluding Teoti and while they lay there unbound, he recognized the clouded gaze and sluggish reactions.
Free them, Teoti huffed, his teeth bared for a moment. I’ve forgotten how much I hate this.
Tevin couldn’t blame his companion. Being away from so many dragons in this state left him wary, especially with Teoti’s agitated whispers echoing in his mind. Oriofu’s words were there as well, though they were muted enough that Tevin could dismiss them. Even as he dropped down onto the straw-covered stone the dragons hardly stirred, still restrained with heavy chains to a section of wall. The smaller and younger three were left to support columns in the hand-carved cave, the remaining dragons trusted only to the thick outer walls.
Teoti flexed his wings as much as the cave allowed, keeping his eyes sharp as Tevin approached the first of the dragons. With a wave of his hand and a few whispered words - the movement of Tevin’s feet was lost to Teoti’s eyes - the post eased out of the rock and the chain fell to the stone floor. Several of the dragons raised their heads while the closest merely looked to Tevin with bared teeth. Apparently this one was restrained with good reason.
Tevin merely moved onto the next dragon, keeping his body calm, his steps even and his face uncovered. He repeated the process with each chain and soon found himself in a cave filled with curious dragons. The last dragon began to bear its teeth, but was quickly silenced from a deep-throated rumble from Teoti.
Are you ready? Tevin looked back to his friend. Teoti’s huff was answer enough and he crossed to the clear patch of stone in front of the unusually alert dragon. He pushed the few remaining wisps of straw from a small circle around him and then closed his eyes, concentrating a moment.
Free them free them free them free them! Oriofu cheered, his voice rising as Tevin let the magic swell through his body. He spread his arms wide and then pulled them in tightly to his body, swaying a moment. Teoti settled back onto his haunches and licked his jowls, keeping his eyes focused on the now-attentive dragons. If any were to make a move - Tevin had not been sure how soon the spell would work - Teoti was his only source of safety. On a battle field facing a dragon was one thing, while in mid-spell it was quite another.
The heavy cloak swirled around Tevin as he let his feet shift through the rapid footwork. A dim light rose from the stone below his feet and as it began to glow Tevin sank to one knee, the spell complete. He rose again and looked over the cave, never letting a sign of fear come through any part of his body. I do not smell of fear, correct?
Not a bit, Teoti reassured him, taking a step closer and offering his foreleg as a ladder. May I speak to them?
Tevin took the offered leg and paused at the knee, looking at one of the younger dragons for a moment. They are your kin. Guide them.
With pleasure. Teoti looked over the group of dragons, reading their confusion and increasing agitation without even the use of his nose. The younger were squawking and huddling together while the elder began to issue challenges of dominance between themselves, assessing their situation warily.
Teoti waited for Tevin to resituate himself in the saddle before puffing out his chest and craning his neck up as high as it would go. Too long it has been since you have tasted the air. Have you not missed it?
It has been years since I could speak. A large brown fluttered his wings and shifted his weight uneasily. How was this done?
A younger squawked again. I have never known this feeling. What is it called?
Freedom, Teoti gave a toothy grin and struck his tail against the floor once. We have freed you and your life is your own to do as you will, but I ask you this one question.
The group lifted their heads - all intently listening now - and Tevin wondered if it was the clarity of their eyes that sparked the desire to subdue them.
What will stop them from doing this to others?
The steady hum of contention increased and Tevin tightened his grip on the rim of the saddle. He looked exactly like the rest of the Guild at the moment and with Teoti riling them up, there was no telling where the dragons would strike first. But luck was with him and the hum was broken by a plume of flame. The other dragons growled and Teoti took a step back, well aware of the dangers fire held for Tevin.
The cave was filled with angry roars now and Teoti slipped out the entrance, his backwards exit disorienting both for a moment. But the cold air, falling sensation, and expanse of space was welcome to the red flashes and chaos of noise inside the cave.
Teoti laughed and hurried back to the rebel camp. They’ll rip them apart.
Did you wish to join them? While Tevin did not revel in such a slaughter, he found himself curious as to Teoti’s own desires.
Too much work. He yawned and caught an air current, rising higher in the sky and looking back a moment to see the lower levels of the stronghold erupt into flames.
A hint of a smile slid onto Tevin’s lips and he settled more fully into the saddle. The rebels would stand a chance now.
Universe: Original: Tevin
Genre(s): Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Rating: PG
Warnings: none
Word Count: 997
Note: I'm not entirely sure I like this scene, but I wanted to get it out and see what could be improved. It needs more details, I know that and the dragons need something. But here's what I've got for the moment. Also, I have gotten some feed-back from my beta, so the scene will be expanded/changed very soon.
The actual flight to the Guild stronghold was inconsequential, though Tevin found it difficult to retrieve and put on the cloak while Teoti flew casually along. By the time of their arrival the pair had taken on the perfected persona of Guild messenger and bespelled dragon. Tevin’s dismount found him alone, sharp eyes examining the cave. There were twelve dragons excluding Teoti and while they lay there unbound, he recognized the clouded gaze and sluggish reactions.
Free them, Teoti huffed, his teeth bared for a moment. I’ve forgotten how much I hate this.
Tevin couldn’t blame his companion. Being away from so many dragons in this state left him wary, especially with Teoti’s agitated whispers echoing in his mind. Oriofu’s words were there as well, though they were muted enough that Tevin could dismiss them. Even as he dropped down onto the straw-covered stone the dragons hardly stirred, still restrained with heavy chains to a section of wall. The smaller and younger three were left to support columns in the hand-carved cave, the remaining dragons trusted only to the thick outer walls.
Teoti flexed his wings as much as the cave allowed, keeping his eyes sharp as Tevin approached the first of the dragons. With a wave of his hand and a few whispered words - the movement of Tevin’s feet was lost to Teoti’s eyes - the post eased out of the rock and the chain fell to the stone floor. Several of the dragons raised their heads while the closest merely looked to Tevin with bared teeth. Apparently this one was restrained with good reason.
Tevin merely moved onto the next dragon, keeping his body calm, his steps even and his face uncovered. He repeated the process with each chain and soon found himself in a cave filled with curious dragons. The last dragon began to bear its teeth, but was quickly silenced from a deep-throated rumble from Teoti.
Are you ready? Tevin looked back to his friend. Teoti’s huff was answer enough and he crossed to the clear patch of stone in front of the unusually alert dragon. He pushed the few remaining wisps of straw from a small circle around him and then closed his eyes, concentrating a moment.
Free them free them free them free them! Oriofu cheered, his voice rising as Tevin let the magic swell through his body. He spread his arms wide and then pulled them in tightly to his body, swaying a moment. Teoti settled back onto his haunches and licked his jowls, keeping his eyes focused on the now-attentive dragons. If any were to make a move - Tevin had not been sure how soon the spell would work - Teoti was his only source of safety. On a battle field facing a dragon was one thing, while in mid-spell it was quite another.
The heavy cloak swirled around Tevin as he let his feet shift through the rapid footwork. A dim light rose from the stone below his feet and as it began to glow Tevin sank to one knee, the spell complete. He rose again and looked over the cave, never letting a sign of fear come through any part of his body. I do not smell of fear, correct?
Not a bit, Teoti reassured him, taking a step closer and offering his foreleg as a ladder. May I speak to them?
Tevin took the offered leg and paused at the knee, looking at one of the younger dragons for a moment. They are your kin. Guide them.
With pleasure. Teoti looked over the group of dragons, reading their confusion and increasing agitation without even the use of his nose. The younger were squawking and huddling together while the elder began to issue challenges of dominance between themselves, assessing their situation warily.
Teoti waited for Tevin to resituate himself in the saddle before puffing out his chest and craning his neck up as high as it would go. Too long it has been since you have tasted the air. Have you not missed it?
It has been years since I could speak. A large brown fluttered his wings and shifted his weight uneasily. How was this done?
A younger squawked again. I have never known this feeling. What is it called?
Freedom, Teoti gave a toothy grin and struck his tail against the floor once. We have freed you and your life is your own to do as you will, but I ask you this one question.
The group lifted their heads - all intently listening now - and Tevin wondered if it was the clarity of their eyes that sparked the desire to subdue them.
What will stop them from doing this to others?
The steady hum of contention increased and Tevin tightened his grip on the rim of the saddle. He looked exactly like the rest of the Guild at the moment and with Teoti riling them up, there was no telling where the dragons would strike first. But luck was with him and the hum was broken by a plume of flame. The other dragons growled and Teoti took a step back, well aware of the dangers fire held for Tevin.
The cave was filled with angry roars now and Teoti slipped out the entrance, his backwards exit disorienting both for a moment. But the cold air, falling sensation, and expanse of space was welcome to the red flashes and chaos of noise inside the cave.
Teoti laughed and hurried back to the rebel camp. They’ll rip them apart.
Did you wish to join them? While Tevin did not revel in such a slaughter, he found himself curious as to Teoti’s own desires.
Too much work. He yawned and caught an air current, rising higher in the sky and looking back a moment to see the lower levels of the stronghold erupt into flames.
A hint of a smile slid onto Tevin’s lips and he settled more fully into the saddle. The rebels would stand a chance now.