To Run or Fight {Derek/Open}

[Zara]

Iirla didn't even know how she had gotten this for... or how Izanycorth had gotten out here either. They had somehow gone under the radar. Maybe thanks to all the animosity everyone felt with towards the Southern riders. It mad it easier for her to sneak out. It was the first time she had been able to as of yet.... Unsupervised at least.

She would have asked S'bel if he wanted to go flying... but... she didn't want to interrupt his wing practice... so she had just gone, leaving a note where she knew he would find it... If he even came looking for her today. She wanted to talk to him, but she didn't want to ask him.

Things were always more difficult these days. She seemed to have just... so much on her plate. And she was doing her best not to lose her temper again with the Southern Riders. Thus this was why she was out here on her own. She was out here to just... have some time to relax where she didn't have to worry about responsibilities.

She had even gotten Izanycorth to order Ama and Trivol to remain in her weyr.

She had walked for awhile. It had taken a lot less time to get out here with Izanycorth. She was afraid that someone probably told already or the people who had agreed to cover for her had already given up. But... no one had asked just yet. Or contacted Izanycorth. It could not be that long though.

Mine... maybe we should go back.

"Maybe... I dunno. I know that you rather stay out here too. You're just worried that we'll get in trouble.... like I am..."

Izanycorth gave a soft croon. Yes... that was true.

[derek]

S'bel had been doing wing drills. Thread wasn't falling, but he didn't want to fall behind and let it sneak up on him and his Wing when they were least expecting it. And so they practiced, and practiced, and practiced some more.

By the time they were done, it was late afternoon. He paused for a quick snack (cold klah and some meat rolls) before jogging the stairs two at a time up to Iirla's Weyr. ...which was empty.

He wasn't immediately angry. She could be in the Weyr Bowl. Or the Dining Hall. Or washing. He blushed at that thought, and then noticed a piece of parchment... He quickly read the note, and then anger sunk into his bones.

Didn't the girl know better?! She could have asked him to come! What was she thinking! She could get hurt-- or worse, killed! Izanycorth was only five months old, and a dragon that young was no protection against anything!

After the anger, panic set it. "MAERATH!" He screamed, both with his voice and his mind. The bronze appeared from between on the ledge of Iirla's Weyr. "Tell that sharding Gold to stay where she is!"

Maerath coomplied. Izanycorth... Mine bids me to tell you and Yours to stay where you are.[/color]

S'bel vaulted up onto the great bronze dragon's back, and, throwing caution to the wind, since he wore no wherhide, nor had a saddle on Maerath, bade the dragon to go between. They emerged over the grasslands, and S'bel spotted the rogue pair immediately.

Maerath winged down, landing within a wing-spread of the Golden Queen and her Bonded. S'bel slid from the bronze's shoulder, his face a thunder-cloud of anger as he strode toward Iirla. "What do you think you're doing?!" He shouted. "You could have been killed!"

[Zara]

Iirla lay back on the grass and rolled to her side, closing her eyes and just relaxing... Until...
Izanyorth's head shot up at Maerath's words. We will, Maerath. We will go no where.

Maerath sounds worried, Mine... we need to stay here and wait for them. Iirla sat up slowly and looked at her dragoness. Oh no... She didn't want to make S'bel and Maerath upset or worried... She bit her lip.

Then Maerath and his rider were appearing from between. Iirla felt something in her tense up with worry of her own. She had a bad feeling, though she really didn't understand.

She stood up as S'bel slid from his bronze's shoulder and... immediately saw the anger on his face before he even started speaking to her. "I'm alright, S'bel... I'm not... at any risk..." she said, almost unsure. Being confronted with his anger made her quite worried. "How... I'm not going to get killed, S'bel!" she held her hands at her sides, but her expression was plaintive.

Honestly, though, she didn't see the risk or the reason he was so upset. she had Izanycorth with her. She would have called him if he hadn't been busy... Maybe... she should have waited. Maybe she was missing something if he was this upset. Though, she was stubborn and she didn't want to admit it.

She just wanted to sit down in the grass again and rest. She knew that her skin likely had grass stuck to it and she probably had grass stuck in her hair as well. She looked at him, doing her best not to look defiant, though that was exactly what she felt.

[derek]

Not at any risk?! She was out in the grasslands, alone, with Southern Riders infringing on Trelis territory, and she had the gall to tell him that she wasn't at any risk?! S'bel could have throttled her.

Instead, he took a deep breath. She said she wasn't going to be killed? What if a wild Wher was out there? Or a Southern Rider looking for revenge for what she had said to one of their own?! Again, he felt the urge to throttle the foolish girl.

And again he took a deep breath. "What's done is done." He said tersely, struggling to control his anger.

Maerath hummed from behind his Bonded. Can you truly blame them, S'belMine? Surely they must be bored, being cooped up. Perhaps they just wanted to... escape... for awhile.[/color] Laugher danced in the bronze dragon's eyes, knowing full well that S'bel himself often disappeared for days on end to just escape from the troubles of the Weyr.

At his dragon's words-- which were projected for all present to hear --S'bel flushed a deep red. His face was still bruised from Alyara's slap, and his right eye was still black, so the blush simply made him look comic.

"...Maerath is right... and I'm sorry." He let out an exasperated sigh. "But please don't do that again! At least have Izanycorth tell Maerath to tell me where you're going so I can either know immediately, or come. You nearly have me a heart attack!" Sweeping Iirla up into his arms, he kissed the top of her head.

"Girl, you keep pulling stunts like that and you're going to be the death of me..." He whispered, his breath hot against her ear and neck.

[Zara]

She looked at him a bit defiantly, but if you looked at her closely enough, you might just notice that it was all a charade more than anything else.

Maerath is right... Mine and I just needed soem time away. We are sorry we did not tell you right away. I' sorry that Mine and I made you worry... She crooned softly, walking over to Maerath, her eyes swirling worriedly. You are not angry with us. I am sorry and Mine is sorry too... she just doesn't want to admit it.

Iirla's expression changed as Izanycorth spoke for them all to here and she looked rather ashamed of herself. .When did you become so confident as to be willing to do that Iz...? she asked her dragon silently, to which the young gold just snorted.

"I'm sorry S'bel. I'm really sorry for... almost giving you a heart attack. I'll make sure to have Izanycorth tell Maerath," her voice was soft and she wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"Well... I certainly hope I'm not...." she said softly, her arms wrapped loosely around his neck. His breath against her ear and neck were warm and she felt her eyes closed subconsciously. "S'bel..." she said softly.

"Have you had a chance to ice your eye, dear...?" she asked softly, still having her arms wrapped around him. It wasn't that she wanted to ruin this moment because each moment felt special when she spent the time with him. But... It was that she really cared about him and that it was a distraction from the intense desire she had just to kiss him right here and right now.

"I hope I never give you a reason to have a heart attack again..." She came back to that, placing her head on his shoulder.

[derek]

Maerath crooned back to the little Golden Queen, although she was certainly getting bigger! The bronze ran his nose along her back, humming. Mine is only angry because he cares, but I am not mad. I was not worried.[/color] The bronze hummed deep in his throat again, his eyes swirling.

S'bel listened to the Gold with a smile. As Iirla wrapped her arms around him, the last of his anger faded. He understood why she had left, but he just wished she would have told him! He had been so worried! His heart was still pounding rapidly, even with her in his arms!

She said his name softly, and he smiled. At the change of subject, however, he frowned slightly. "Had a chance? Yes. Done it? No. Pain is weakness leaving the body, my love," he said calmly, letting her shift her arms so that they were around his neck instead of his chest and shoulders.

"I also hope you never give me reason, although when Izanycorth flies I might die of one," he said with a laugh. "I'll probably be so worried I'll die!" He laughed again, and gently kissed Iirla on the forhead. He was joking, obviously.

There is no need to worry, S'belMine. No other shall outfly me![/color] He roared, head pointed toward the sky, and belched flame from the last dredges of firestone he had chewed earlier, as if to prove a point. Izanycorth would be his and his alone!

[Zara]

She crooned as he ran his nose alongher back, almost arching her back up into the touch like a cat. You have a lot of confidence, MaerathDearMine. She crooned again before sitting next to him and wrapping her tail around her feet. She ruffled her wings and set them neatly against her sides.

She could feel his heart beating once her arms were wrapped around him. She kissed his cheek gently, careful it wasn't the one with the bruise. No matter what he said.... She was still going to be careful not to hurt him.

At his response she piked him in the ribs and frowned. "You are much too tough for your own good my darling S'bel. At least sometimes." She grinned and gently, carefully kissing his cheek again. Her arms were wrapped around his neck."But... that's probably why you are so tough." She wanted to kiss him right now, so badly.

Iirla's mouth opened, but hte laugh and the smile made it obvious he was joking. "Oh! I certainly hope not, love!" She gently and somewhat affectionately, in mock anger hit him in the chest wiht one hand while still keeping her other arm wrapped around him. She laughed, but then he was kissing her on the forehead and she smiled, her eyes closed. She wished he could just kiss her already.

Such confidence, darling... she crooned and nuzzled his side. He was a wonderful bronze. He was devoted to her. She loved that he was. She wondered what would happen when Kayath and Chahaturth rose. Would... would he chase them... She could not blame him if he chased Loraketh, she supposed... but at least Chahaturth... She would not like it as much... because... Chahaturth was her arch nemesis. Kayath... she liked Kayath... but... still. She crooned softly. But... she coudln't sa that she would always only be caught by oen male either... Though... if he tried hard enough every time then maybe so. Quite possibly so. She crooned again. Is he not magnificent, Mine. His strength and his flame...?

"Izanycorth... you are very taken with Maereth, aren't you, darling...?" Her words were soft, whispered, meant more to be a thought, but even now they somehow slipped through into an audible whisper.

There was a slight growling from not so far away. "Maybe you were right about danger..." she said softly, turning to look in that direction, though she was confident in Maerath and S'bel's ability to protect her and Izanycorth.

[derek]

She basically arched her back as his nose ran across it, which made Maerath hum. Of course I have confidence, IzanycorthDear. Why should I not? I may not be the largest Bronze... but I am the fastest![/color] He crooned as she sat next to him, but remained standing protectively over her.

He realized that she deliberately avoided kissing the bruised cheek, and he chuckled, knowing she would be able to feel the rumbling laugh of his chest against hers. They could already feel each other's heart beats.

As she poked him in the ribs, he danced away, but came back to wrap his arms around her again. "Only sometimes, my love," he responded, grinning mischieviously. "Only sometimes." Her next words made him laugh. He could tell she wanted to kiss him, and he longed to let her, but he knew what a bad idea it was.

she playfully whacked him on the chest, and he grinned. "Of course not, of course not!" She kept one arm around him, and both of his were around her, keeping her steady.

The confidence is kin to my colour,[/color] he replied, nuzzling her back. She was so beautiful! He would chase no other Queen save her! He wanted no other queen save her! He would let no other male have her! He roared again.

S'bel turned towards the dragons. "Yes... they are rather taken with each other... and I don't think our feelings have anything to do with it, as odd as it sounds."

It was then he heard the growl. Automatically both rider and dragon went into protective positions. Maerath placed himself in front of Izanycorth, his wings spread and fanned back to shield her. S'bel stepped in front of Iirla, one arm holding her behind him, the other raised to fight if he had to. He didn't know what the growling was, but he'd fight if he had to!

[Zara]

I would not be surprised to see that you are, Maerath! She was very happy to be there right now. She moved a bit closer to him and settled herself, spreading her wings and feeling the warm sun on them. It was wonderful. Isn't Rukbat beautiful today, Maerath...? she asked quietly. She was not unused to males flirting with her. But she couldn't say that any other had really taken this much interest or care in or of her. She felt like a real queen. She had liked him before that... but the way he treated her only made her like him more.

Iirla was so very tempted to kiss him. But she was containing it for now and he was doing such a good job. She felt his chest rumble with laughter and grinned.

She grinned as he backed away from her. "Oh... so you don't like being poked hmm, love?" she was teasing and it showed quite obviously. But he was quickly there again wrapping his arms around her and she couldn't help the expression on her face at being in his arms. She felt so much safer.

"Good." She tucked her head against his chest and gave a contented sigh. Though... she didn't get to remain that way for long...

Well, Maerath, I prefer to think that you are more unique than your color. She purred to him. Because you are far more amazing than others of similarly colored hide. she crooned, almost seeming to giggle as he roared again. Oh yes. She was happy and bubbly and had his attention. Little did she know that he would never think of chasing another queen besides her. She didn't know any of that.

"I think you're right, S'bel..." She smiled slightly, looking in their direction.

But that was when S'bel moved in front of her and Maerath took up a protective position in front of Izanycorth who stood, a slight hiss leaving her as she looked back at Iirla.

The growl came again, a low hissing growl.... It was soon accompanied by a shape. A large wildcat... A fangtooth. They were plentiful here, and though typically solitary... this one didn't seem to be alone... They didn't like the dragon and rider... but these particular predators looked thin and hungry. They were outside typical territory and they were here to hunt.

[derek]

Maerath roared, and mentally shouted, Izanycorth, FLY![/color] While he knew she was still a clumsy flyer at best, the air was the safest place for her to be. Soon the whole area around them seemed to be bristling with the beasts, too.

"He's right, FLY!" S'bel shouted, encouraging the little Golden Queen to take flight and get into the air. He was suddenly glad that he always carried a belt knife, for these predators looked hungry!

Grabbing Iirla around the waist, he flung her up onto Maerath's back. As he did so, one of the fangtooths leaped, knocking him off of his feet and onto his back. The bronze rider grunted, and grappled with the animal, attempting to reach his belt knife.

The large wildcat scraped it's hind paws across S'bel's chest and stomach and raked it's front claws across his face before the man finally got his knife free and plunged it into the animal's breast.

Maerath screamed defiance, and, while mindful that Iirla was on his back, battered the cat across the grasslands with one great paw to rescue his Bonded. S'bel was pretty well wounded, but he had his knife now, and when the next fangtooth pounced, he killed it easily.

But now he and Maerath were seperated... try as he might, S'bel could not reach his dragon. Roaring again, Maerath belched flame, roasting three of the cats where the stood, giving S'bel the chance to run to his dragon (who was now also bleeding from a dozen wounds from the fangtooths) and scramble on to his back.

"FLY!" S'bel screamed. He and Maerath alone couldn't take on this many cats. There was no way.

[Zara]

No! Maerath! She flinched again and looked back at Iirla. She couldn't leave her rider on the ground.

"GO! GO! Izanycorth!" Iirla shouted at her dragon who soon took off, her eyes whirling red with fear and worry. She was so scared and so worried about her rider. Izanycort hissed down at the fangtooths who were coming closer and closer.

Iirla squeaked in surprise as she was flung up onto Maerath's back, wrapping her arms around his neck as best she coudl before sitting up adn grabbing the neck spike ahead of her.

Her eyes widened with fear. "S'bel!" she screamed, watching as the fangtooths knocked into him, goring and wounding him. "Maerath! We can't leave him! We can't!." She felt the tears warm and fresh in her eyes. No! She grit her teeth. NO! What could she do, though? She had no weapon. Nor could she reach them from here. It was hopeless!

Even Maerath's flame did little to encourage her at this point. Although he was a mighting dragon who batted them off easily enough. Oh... but he was hurt. And then suddenly he was closer to them and he as climbing up on his back. Iirla looked up at Izanycorth was was circling above them and she could feel her dragon's fervent wish that she could flame.

Iirla turned to S'bel, immediately taking in the damage. "We need a healer. Now." She bit her lip, ripping a rather large strip of her tunic, enough that some of the skin of her stomach was showing and pressed it to the worst wound she could see... Bleeding so much... Could be so dangerous! "I'm so sorry S'bel..." she said, her voice breaking.

Izanycorth crooned softly. Oh MaerathmyDearest! You are hurt... she was still wobbly, but she was flying beside him, her eyes still whirling with worry.

[derek]

S'bel was losing too much blood... he bled out and died. Maerath went between and Iirla fell to her death because Izanycorth was too small to catch her. LOL, J/K!

--

Poor Izanycorth was terrified, but there wasn't much Maerath could do at that point but batter hsi way toward his Bonded. Iirla finally got the Gold into the air, thankfully, which gave Maerath the ability to concentrate more on getting to his rider.

Finally, he did. Iirla was screaming, almost crying, and as S'bel scrambled up onto the bronze's shoulder, Maerath leaped into the air, roaring in pain as one of the fangtooths bit his tail.

S'bel sagged against Iirla. "I'm fine, I'm fine..." His voice was soft. He was losing a lot of blood. "Nothing to be sorry for... Maerath... take us between... tell Izanycorth... you'll be... back..."

And with that, he fainted.

Maerath relayed his Bonded's message. IzanycorthLoveMine, keep flying back to the Weyr. Stay high to avoid the beasts... I will return.[/color] And with that, he winked between to the Weyr Bowl, where he landed, roaring in rage and pain for a healer.