Erik glanced over at the old man and saw he was looking directly at him. Swallowing his food, he set his utensils down and wiped his mouth with his napkin.

”Then it’s a good thing the dragons and riders still patrol the sunlit sky so the people of the land can see we still are here for them. While many of us patrol the night sky, it doesn’t mean we’re less brave than the others. It merely means we have taken on the extra challenge of seeking out the enemy under the cover of darkness to prove to them they can’t use that same darkness for their on evil deeds.”

Now Erik realized where he’d seen the man from and stood up, slowly closing the distance between himself and the old man. The tavern grew eerily quiet when Erik approached the old man and stood a few feet away.

”Of course, you wouldn’t know I was a night rider unless you had seen so for yourself, now would you? Tell me…..story teller…..where is your dragon? Is she hiding just on the other side of the mountains there? Should I contact my dragon to see if she can flush her out? But I think the better question for all of us is this: What does a lone dragon rider want pretending to be an old story teller? And why was he so evasive the other morning when he was spotted by a rider on patrol?”

By now several more riders had gotten up from their seats and surrounded the man to make sure he couldn’t get away. Erik stood watching the look on the old mans face. It never changed although his eyes did glance around at the others who now stood around him.

Shiloh knew that Erik was right and she had to use more patience. But, she was an active woman, and there has never been many injuries that could keep her down. This shoulder injury, unfortunately, was not one of them.

"I know Erik and I know that you are right. My father always said that I made a horrible patient and tended to push myself further than I should, like my mother."

She then looked over at the old man who had Erik's interest. She'd never seen him before, but there was something about him that was......bold, almost warrior-like. Now, why would an old man seem warrior-like?

Then Erik rose, confronting the old man, talking about night patrols. As the others rose as well, surrounding the old man, she saw a look cross Erik's face and stared at him when he asked the old man about his own dragon.

Not liking where this was going, Shiloh rose herself, whistling for Sampson to enter the tavern. She may be injured, but her duty was to have Erik's back and she would. She stood behind Erik, not close enough to be a hindrance, but close enough that she would be able to help if needed. What she could do, she didn't know, but she would do something.

Sampson, on the other hand, had no such injuries and sensing that Erik was irritated at the man sitting down, the large dog made his way through various legs and wound up next to the story-teller, teeth bared, growling at him.

"Watch, Sampson!", Shiloh commanded her dog and he didn't move from his spot as he stared at the man, snarling, ready to pounce if he should try to bolt.

Miranda had been sitting quietly on the other side of the room, enjoying her meal when the disturbance caught her attention. Seeing that the old man was at the center of it, she rose from her table, drawing a dagger from it's sheath and holding close against her thigh.

Walking over to the group, she all but shoved her way through the various riders, her green eyes glaring at them. Stopping when she came up to stand next to the sitting man, she looked directly at Erik.

"What is the problem a rider would have with an old story-teller, sir? He is an old man, of no consequence to you and yet you would harrass the poor man. You're supposed to be a rider, not a annoyance to our elders whom should have our respect!"

Braum stood and looked at the young rider, then glanced at the others as they surrounded him. Placing his hand towards the canine the dark haired woman had called Sampson, he said softly "Qe sva ifpesp Sampson, si huven douta pliso thric korth." (Translation: Be at calm Sampson, I wish your master no danger) He then placed his hand on the canine's head and then reached out with his mind to Temeraire and said "Come my winged friend it is time we let ourselves be seen" In a matter of moments a distant Roar grew louder as Braum's dragon circled, rolled and dove straight down at the enclosure, only to flare and back flap her two hundred foot wing span, kicking up a torent of dust and toppeling benches and plates as he lit softly down beside Braum. Standing on her four legs and stretching her neck she glared down at those that surrounded Braum. Braum opened his cloak to reveal the leather uniform of an ancient Dragon Rider, his broad sword sheathed at his side. "I am Braum, this is Temeraire and I chose the guise of a story teller to see what has become of a once noble and couragious band of warriors." he said "You think it only overgrown lizards you fight and have to fear? No! There is a far more powerful foe that awaits you. A foe that has laid dormant and making plans to once again throw these lands into chaos. They are powerful and grow more so by the hour. They wish to place all under their control and to once and for all time grind the Dragon Riders under their heel."

Miranda's eyes grew wide as Braum threw off his cloak, revealing that he too, was a rider. Then they narrowed, her green gaze boring into him. Once he was done speaking, after everyone got over the shock of his dragon landing in a speactacle, beautitul though it was, she stood in front of him, clearly angry.

"How dare you! I do not appreciate being made a fool of, old man!! I was ready to defend you, you imbecile, but you did not need defending!! I also stood for you outside the gates, to gain you entry along with myself!!!!"

Raising her hand, she slapped him across the face, the crack being heard throught the tavern. She was a redhead, after all and had a temper to boot.

Her green eyes still spitting fire at him, she stormed out and headed for the stables to collect Satin, muttering under her breath the whole time about arrogant men.

Shiloh couldn't believe what she was seeing. This man, calmed Sampson with a few words and then revealed himself to be a rider. Of all things, a rider!! She looked to Erik's face and couldn't tell if he was angry, in shock, or both.

Calling Sampson back to her, she turned to head back to the table, feeling that Erik was in no danger any longer. As she did, she heard the angry words from the redhead and then the crack of the slap. She smiled, thinking that the older rider got what he deserved for no woman nor man liked being made a fool of.

She was almost back to the table, when another rider slammed into her shoulder, making her see stars. She stumbled, holding her arm closer to her as she made her way to a chair, sinking into it. Seeing that Erik's attention was still on Braum, she kept her mouth shut and sat there. There was nothing he could do anyway to stop the pain, that she knew of, so she gritted her teeth against it. Sampson, looked over to Braum, then to Erik, and back to Shiloh, laying his head on her knee, whining at her, sensing her pain.

"I'm okay, boy. Just still really sore I guess. Guard Erik." At the command, Sampson trotted over to Erik, shoving his cold nose into his hand, letting him know that he was there.

Temeraire spoke to Braum's mind "That went well, I must say"
Braum spoke to Temeraire with his mind "I thought so, must be my charm. It works so well with maidens."

Erik and the other riders instinctively called for their dragons when they heard Braum’s dragon. Soon, over head, the sky was filled with the sounds of dragon calls as the large, winged beasts circled overhead, ready to pounce when necessary. When the torrent of air caused by the dragon’s wings settled, and Braum revealed who he really was, Erik recognized the uniform instantly, and the surprise at seeing it couldn’t be hidden. He saw his own father wear one identical to it. The look on his face changed then to one of frustration. Looking down at the red head, he quirked the brow over his left eye.

”So much for your feeble old man theory, Lady.”

Looking back to Braum, Erik furrowed his brows once more.

”I believe it would be best if you were to send her back to the mountains until we have the chance to talk. I don’t wish to see your dragon set upon by all the others. Strong as she may be, it would be a highly unfair fight. But you could have entered the base without going through this elaborate scheme. You would have been readily welcomed here. There was no need for deceiving us. This enemy you speak of, I know what it is you speak of, but I don’t know who or where. I don’t suppose you’d care to tell us about it more, would you?”

Mina called to Erik and his eyes glowed the faint blue they always did when she spoke to him.

~Erik? Is everything OK? That’s the dragon we saw the other night. Is her rider there?~

Erik used his mind to talk to his dragon.

~Yes. It appears he’s come to visit. Seems he wishes to tell us about the threat building against us. His name is Braum.~

Mina gasped

~I’ve heard of him. I thought he was dead when his dragon was killed. Erik….be wary of him. If he has been gone all this time, there may be no telling what his mind is like.~

Erik assured Mina he would be very careful then told her to please go back to her lair and await word from him there. Mina stated she would leave when the strange dragon left and not a moment before then.

As Miranda stormed past the dragon, she couldn't hold back a smile which directed towards the dragon. Stopping, she bowed her head to the great dragon out of respect.

"M'lady dragon, you are beautiful. I am simply sorry that you have an arrogant ass for a rider."

Having said that, she headed for the stables, deciding she'd rather bed down with her horse than risk running in to that man at the makeshift inn when she noticed all of the other dragons taking flight. Some landed and some stayed airborne, clearly watching the strange dragon.

She stood, watching, waiting to see what would happen.

Shiloh had been listening intently to what Braum had said and she watched Erik closely, to see what his response would be. When she heard him ask him to tell them more of the enemy, she relaxed as much as she could. Deciding that she could make it back to the room on her own, she quietly slipped out of the tavern, heading for the dorm, holding her arm close.

She saw Mina in the distance and smiled at her when the dragon nodded her head to her. Her face was drawn and strained, but when seeing the questioning look cross Mina's face, Shiloh shook her head, quietly asking her to say nothing so that Erik could get the information he needed.

She made it back to her room, the maid waiting for her to help her get into her nightgown. She gasped when she saw the bruising forming on the shoulder from the rider slamming into her.

"M'lady, what happened? Shall I get your rider?"

Shiloh shook her head to the girl, "No, don't you dare. It's nothing more than me being careless, that's all. It's sore, nothing more and it's going to bruise, regardless. Being as deep as it is, I'm surprised it didn't take the bruise longer to come out."

Helping Shiloh get settled, the maid quietly left, worried but heeding Shiloh's words and saying nothing.

"Go my winged friend, if you are needed I will call you. Be sure you are not followed, fly high and you know where to hide." Braum said to Temeraire's mind and she reluctantly took two steps and seemed to vanish in a cloud of dust.

"So young Erik son of Vrael let us talk." Braum said then added with words only Erik could hear. ...... "Is there somewhere ....... less public, for there is much for you to hear...... "If I can so easily gain entrance to your encampment, perhaps others of a more sinster mind and purpose have done the same."

Miranda watched as Braum's dragon left, wondering if everything was alright in the tavern. Shrugging her shoulders, she headed for the stables, checking on Satin. Seeing that she was fine and well cared for, she changed her mind about sleeping in the stable and headed for the makeshift inn, getting herself a room, or more like a cot in the women's tent.

It wasn't much, a sheet seperated the cots, giving a person a sense of privacy. The cot was okay, at least it wasn't the hard ground.

Storing her belongings, which wasn't much, she settled in for the night, falling asleep almost immediatly.

Erik watched the redhead deliver her own form of justice to Braum. When the crack resounded in the tavern, Erik visibly winced While he’d never been on the receiving end of a slap like that, he knew they were quite painful all the same.

When Braum mentioned Erik’s fathers name, Erik blinked. He KNEW his father? While he wanted to ask a dozen questions about the man he admired but never really got to know, Erik knew he had to take care of what Braum came here to do. As things began to get back to normal in the tavern, Erik turned to look for Shiloh and grew concerned when he didn’t see her.

Looking down at Sampson, he asked the dog where Shiloh went. Sampson padded to the door then barked then walked back to Erik. Sending the dog back to Shiloh, he led Braum out of the tavern to and towards the weapons lockers. When they were outside Erik’s locker, Erik nodded then crossed his arms in front of him.

”DO you know who the sorcerer is that’s helping the Lizonians evolve?”

Shiloh tried to sleep, but found herself wide awake, thinking about the older rider, hoping that Erik was okay. Maybe she should have stayed, but, what could she do right now with her injured shoulder. She just would have been in the way.

Rising out of the bed, she walked over to the little mirror above the small dresser and pulled the shoulder to her nightgown down. Her shoulder still throbbed from where the rider had knocked into her and she went ahead and removed the bandage to take a look at it herself.

The large, deep bite wound was healing nicely, but now there was a dark purple, green, and yellow bruise around the wound. She should have stayed in her seat at the tavern instead of thinking that she could help Erik with her wounded shoulder. She tried to rewrap it, finding that she couldn't. Sighing, she headed over to the chair and sat down, leaving it unwrapped to get some air.

Sitting there, Shiloh didn't know what to do or what to stay Erik when he got back. Maybe he wouldn't come check on her, thinking that she was fine, when she heard scratching at the door. Getting up, she slowly walked to the door, opening it to allow Sampson to come in.

Patting his head, she went over to the chair, sitting down. A bruise would have formed eventually anyway, this just sped it up. Hopefully, with the healing poultice, this would actually help speed up the healing now that the bruise was at the surface.

Sampson whined at her, laying his head on her knee, his solemn brown eyes looking up at her. She smiled at him, stroking his head with her good hand.

"Erik is going to be upset with me, Sampson. I didn't stay seated like I should have." She gave a little giggle. "Oh well, I'll leave it unbandaged and let it get some air. It's actually beginning to feel better with the cool air on it."

Sitting in the chair, she layed her head back, her hand resting on Sampson's head. Closing her eyes, she drifted off to sleep.

Braum followed Erik to the weapon’s locker, where he sat on a bench and motioned for Erik to sit down. He then looked at Erik closely: “You look and sit a dragon very much like your father but you have your mother’s eyes. ..... First, a short history lesson for you, one that I am sure they do not teach in your places of learning.” Braum’s face then took on a distant expression, as if he were reaching back across the span of time ..... “Long before your father was born, the Dragon Riders were formed. To protect and guard was their mission, and for hundreds of years they succeeded. Their powers in battle was unmatched, for each had the strength of ten men. They were immortal unless blade or poison took them. For good only were their powers used, and in their time great cities and tall towers were built out of living stone. While they kept the peace, the land flourished. ......... It was a golden time. The Elves were our allies, the dwarves our friends. Wealth and prosperity flowed into our cities and to the people. ...... But weep for it could not last.”

Braum looked down and a deep and infinite sadness resonated in his voice as he continued. “Though no mortal or immortal enemy could destroy them ....they could not guard against the one foe they did not see, nor could they defeat ...... THEMSELVES.

It came to pass at the height of their power, that a boy, Elghinn, by name was born in the province of Inzelbeth, far to the north, which is no more, consumed by a mighty glacier. At the age of ten he was tested, as was the custom at that time, and it was found that great power resided in him. The Riders accepted him as one of their own.

Through their training he passed, exceeding all others in skill. Gifted with a sharp mind and strong body, Elghinn quickly took his place among the Riders’ ranks. Some saw his abrupt rise as dangerous and warned the others, but the Riders had grown arrogant in their power and ignored the warnings. Alas sorrow was born that day.

So it was that soon after his training was completed Elghinn and two friends made a foolish and fateful journey far to the north. To one of the believed last strongholds of the Urgals, a vile and violent race. Whose culture was steeped in acts of depravity, cannibalism, human sacrifice, debauchery and the black arts. Night and day they flew until their dragons tired and weak could carry them no further, foolishly believing that their new power would protect them. There on a thick sheet of ice, they were ambushed as they slept. Though his friends and their dragons were butchered and Elghinn suffered great wounds, Elghinn slew his attackers. Tragically during the fight an arrow from an Urgal bow pierced his dragon's heart. Without the arts to save her, she died in his arms. Then were the seeds of madness planted.”

Braum clasped his hands and looked around slowly at the other Riders that had slowly gathered, standing, crouching and sitting around Braum and Erick as he spoke and shadows flickered across Braum’s worn face. The next words he spoke came as a slow and mournful toll of a requiem bell.

“Alone, reduced of much of his strength and half mad with loss Elghinn wandered without hope in that desolate land, seeking death. But it did not come, although he threw himself without fear against any living thing that dared to cross his path, be it man or beast. Urgals and other monsters soon learned to flee from his haunted form. During this time he came to think the Riders would grant him another dragon. Driven by this thought he began the arduous journey back, on foot, across the lands he had earlier flown so effortlessly on his Dragon‘s back, now took him months to traverse. He could hunt with magic, but often he walked in places animals did not travel, his mind growing more and more deranged. When his feet finally left the mountains he was close to death. ...... Better it had been had death had come to him.” ..... Braum then looked into a nearby fire, reached down and took a sip of ale, sitting the flagon back down on the ground.

“A farmer found him and recognizing the tattered remains of his uniform, summoned the Riders. ..... Unconscious, he was taken to their holdings, there his wounds were tended and his body healed. Elghinn slept for six days. Upon awakening he showed no sign of his fevered mind. When brought before a council to judge him, he demanded another dragon. The desperation of his demands revealed his madness, and the council saw him for what he truely was. Denied his hope, Elghinn , through the twisted mirror of his madness, came to believe it was the Riders’ who were responsible for his dragon’s death. Night after night he brooded upon that thought and formulated a plan to take revenge.”

(To be continued shortly)