The World of Drakonia--Dragons and Riders

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)

Erik listened intently at the story Braum told. He’d heard versions of the story in the past but they all seemed to hit the mark. Unlike Braum’s version. While some of the other Riders were listening simply for the value of the story, Erik heard the message Braum was sending. There was never such a thing as lax vigilance. If nothing else, Elghinn’s story was proof of this. Not even from each other.

”We’ve all heard stories of Elghinn’s madness before. Unlike this one though, the others seemed to be lacking authenticity. It appears many important details have been forgotten to make sure this story remained as true as it should. Pity….there’s no doubt there’s a lesson in here that should never be forgotten.”

Erik thought of Shiloh and wished she could be here to listen to the story. He thought she would find it enlightening and informative as well. Glancing back towards the dorms, he hoped she was resting after her exhausting day.

Braums nodded slightly to Erick then Braum’s words then fell to a soft tone just above a mesmerizing whisper.
“Elghinn found a sympathetic Rider, and there his insidious words took root. By persistent reasoning and the use of dark secrets learned from a Shade, he enflamed the Rider against their elders. Together they treacherously lured an elder into an ambush and killed him. When the foul deep was done Elghinn turned on his accomplice and slaughtered him, by severing his head and mutilating his body, without warning. The Riders found him crouched over both corpses, gnawing on his ally’s severed arm, blood dripping from his hands. A blood cuttingly scream tore from Elghinn’s lips as he leapt to his feet and ran off into the night, with the Riders in pursuit. In his madness he was cunning and with the use of dark magic, he evaded his pursuers and they could not find him.
For years Elghinn hid in the wastelands, like a hunted animal, studying the dark arts, always on the watch for pursuers. His atrocity was not forgotten, but over the span of time the searches ceased. Then through some ill fortune, he met a young Rider, Morbidtora, strong of body but his mind was weak and easily filled with lies and easily manipulated. Elghinn convinced Morbitora to leave a gate unbolted and unguarded in the citidal Alleria, which is now called Uru’baen. Through the gate Elghinn entered and stole a dragon hatchling.

He and his new disciple hid themselves in the evil fortress of Gagoridor, a place the Riders dare not venture, for it was the fortress of many Shades and Dark Wizards. There Morbibidora entered into a darks apprenticeship, learning secrets and forbidden magic that should never have been revealed. When his instruction was finished and Elghinn’s black dragon, Shruinkan, was fully grown. Elghinn reveled himself to the world with Morbididdora at his side. Together they fought any Rider that they met. With each kill their strength grew. Soon twelve other Riders joined them out of the desire of power and perceived wrongs. Those twelve and Morbididora became the Thirteen Foresworn. The Riders were unprepared and fell to the onslaught. The Elves too fought bitterly against Elghinn but were overthrown and were forced to retreat to their secreted lands, where the remain still.

Only Vrael, leader of the Riders could resist Elghinn and The Foresworn. Ancient and wise, he struggled to save what he could and keep the remaing dragons from falling to Elghinn. In the last battle, before the Gates of Dina brea, Vrael defeated Elghinn, but hesitated with the final blow. Elghinn seized the moment of hesitation and struck Vrael in the side. Grievously wounded Vrael fled to the mountains, where he hoped to regain his strength. But it was not to be .... Elghinn found him. As they fought Elghinn kicked Vrael in the fork of his legs, with this underhanded blow he gained dominance over Vrael and removed his head with a blazing sword. ..........
As great power raced through Elghinn’s veins he anointed himself master of all the Shades and Dark Wizards and has ruled the Dark World to this day.

You ask me who leads these dark forces? I tell you now it is ELGHINN!”

Braum then became silent as he reached under his cloak and removed his pipe and a small leather pouch.

As Erik listened to the story as it unfolded, he began to see how Braum knew about this story. There was plenty of details left out of the stories that still floated around the encampment and now he wished he had heard this much sooner than now. Of course when Braum mentioned his father’s name, Erik perked up even more. While he knew his father had been killed in the line of duty, no one had ever told him HOW.

Until now.

Hearing how his father died and who had killed him, Erik felt something inside of him flinch. Outwardly his expression never changed. Even when all eyes turned to him with a look crossed between sympathy and astonishment. Erik remained as stoic as ever. In truth he wanted to call Mina and ride as far away form here as he could. Escape the reality of it all but he dared not. He was a Dragon Knight. A Rider like his father before him.

He should say something but what? What does one say when the truth of their father’s death is finally revealed to you? Thank you? No. Instead Erik let the other riders have their time and ask what ever questions they needed to ask of Braum and right now, there was plenty.

Erik slowly melted into the background and eventually left the area entirely. He needed some air. H needed some space. He needed to come to grips with the news he’d just received. His mother, Gods rest her soul, along with Kryton and some of the other officers always evaded his questions of specifics regarding his father’s death. He had just accepted the man died in combat and that was all there was to it. But something always bothered him that no one would tell him how or where.

At some point Erik returned to Braum to inform him a room had been secured for him in the officers dorm and Kryton himself would see to it he was taken care of. After that, Erik walked around the encampment to make sure everything was secure before he headed for his own dorm. Still in a daze, he forgot to check on Shiloh. Keeping the lamp off, he sat on the edge of his bed wearily and didn’t move for a long moment.

He was 10 when his father died. Not yet a man but grown enough to know the emptiness and sorrow he felt at losing his father. A few years later his mother died and while everyone else told him it was because she was sick, Erik knew it was because of her broken heart. And now…..to find out his father had been murdered by none other than Elghinn, Erik could no longer contain his emotions.

For 20 years he’d swallowed down his grief. Try as he might, the young man simply couldn’t hold it in any longer and now he sat on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands weeping softly like a small child for the father he lost at such a young age and a mother who withered away from that same life.

Shiloh was still sleeping in the chair, Sampson having moved to lay down at her feet. When Shiloh began stirring, waking up, Sampson nudged her hand. She opened her eyes, looking out the window next to her and saw that it was still dark outside. Rising out of the chair, she walked over to the door seperating their rooms and heard....weeping?

She slowly opened the door, being quiet, peeking in to Erik's room and saw him sitting on the edge of the bed, weeping. She was by his side in an instant, kneeling down in front of him, laying her hands on his knees.

"Erik, what is it? What is wrong? Tell me."

When Erik said nothing, she stood up and sat back down next to him, wrapping her slender arms around his broad shoulders, cradling his head against her chest, stroking his hair as he wept. She kept quiet as he cried, hoping he would tell her when he was done letting it out.

"Shhhhh...it's okay, Erik. I'm here, it's okay."

It took a little while before Erik could calm down to the point where he had the strength to move away from Shiloh. Not that he wanted to but he had to. He knew if he stayed where he was things would evolve into something they shouldn’t. When he stood up from the bed, he took several shaky breaths and walked over to the window that overlooked the encampment, turning his back on her. He relayed the story Braum told him, almost word for word. When he got to the end, he turned his grief filled gaze to her.

“Vrael was my father, Shiloh. All these years I knew he died in service to the Riders, but no one had the guts to tell me how or who. I had to find out from some….washed up Rider who deceives people then takes it upon himself to relay stories to gain favor and coin.”

Erik’s grief was quickly turning into something more dangerous. As he turned to look outside once more, his hands curled into tight fists.

”I wish that man had never stepped foot in this place. I’m not sure if I’m more pissed about how my father did or the fact I had to find out by some traveling story teller with about as much compassion as a viper. I’ll be glad when he leaves.”

The muscles in his jaw kept flexing as he stood refusing to look at her. His humiliation was compounbded by the fact his aid...his FEMALE aid caught him crying like some baby. While it wasn't Shiloh's fault and he wold never take his anger out on her, it didn't help that his mind kept remembering how soft and warm her body felt against his.

Shiloh stood, walking up to stand behind Erik, wanting to comfort him, wanting to feel his muscular beneath her hands again. She tentatively touched his back, then began rubbing her hand in circles, her touch comforting.

"I'm so sorry Erik. I wish I could somehow make it better, but I can't. You father died defending what he believed in, protecting that which he loved. Take comfort in that. The way he died was horrible nonetheless, but he didn't give up."

She stepped away from him, feeling him tense beneath her hand. She too, knew that she should not be close to him, not with her feelings for him growing stronger every day, but she couldn't walk away, no matter how much she knew she should.

"Erik, come, sit down. Tell me what you remember about your father. Tell me about the man the boy knew." She struggled with the heavy chair, pulling it over next to the bed. She then grabbed his arm, gently tugging at it, trying to get him to sit on the bed. She was thankful that he hadn't noticed that her shoulder was unwrapped or the deep bruising that had appeared. She glanced down, making sure that her nightgown covered her shoulder completely. He didn't need to worry about her right now, this was his time to be cared for and that's what she intended on doing.

As Braum sat alone in the quaters provided for him, Temeraire reached out to touch his mind "Did you tell the young rider Braum?"

Braum answered her "Yes I told him."

"Braum," Teremaire said to his mind "Did you tell him everything?"

Braum said "I told him what he needs to know for now. The rest he will be told in time."

Teremaire asked "Do you think that wise? The boy has a right to know everything."

"And he will, when the time is right. Now he needs to focus his anger. Focus it on the threat that grows against us all. There is much strength and power in the boy. He needs to channel it, master it so he may become what destiny has in store for him. ....... Now rest Temeraire, I am safe......We shall speak and fly tomorrow ....... I will summon you if I need you. I am tired and am going to sleep." Braum said to her through his thoughts.

"Very well, call me if you need me, I am near." Temeraire said.

Then Braum laid down on the bed, his sword at his side.

The instant Erik felt Shiloh’s hand on his back, his muscles tightened in an attempt to keep from feeling her touch. While much of the feeling in his back had been taken away by the wounds that left the scars, not all of it was and she seemed to find the places where it was still very much in tact.

His emotions boiled within him and the last thing he wanted to do right now was talk about any of them. When she tugged at his arm, Erik reluctantly allowed himself to be led over to the bed to sit down. Weary as hell he merely kicked his boots off and slung his legs up on the bed and stretched them out before him. Shaking his head, he refused to talk about any of it, especially his father right now.

“No. Not right now, Shiloh.”

Seeing the look on her face, he ran his hand through his unruly hair and sighed heavily.

”Look…..it’s bad enough that you found me the way you did. Yeah I know what you’re goinna say but that doesn’t make me feel any better. Trust me. There’s just some things a man really can’t feel good about a woman seeing and that was one of them. Just….try to pretend you understand if you can’t. But talking about my father isn’t exactly what I want to do right now, Shi. I just…..I just need to be left well enough alone right now so I can sort through this.”

Seeing the hurt look on her face, Erik sat up and slung his legs to the side of the bed again and leaned forward taking her the hand of her good arm in both of his. His blue eyes implored her to try and understand as he spoke to her again.

”I appreciate you giving the effort here but sometimes a man just needs to handle things on his own in his own way and this is one of those times. Go back to bed. I didn’t mean to wake you and you need your rest. I’ll be fine. I promise. When I’m ready to talk about all of this, I promise I’ll find you and talk to you about it all. But for now….just leave it alone.”

Slowly letting go of her hand, he turned and pulled his legs back up on the bed and closed his eyes leaning his head back against the wall. One thing was for certain, Erik wasn’t going to budge on this. As Shiloh got up and went back to her room saying a soft good night to Erik, the Rider remained silent.

When the sun began to barely light the rooms the next day, Shiloh found Erik’s room empty and his armor gone. That could mean only one thing. He’d called Mina and the two had left the encampment. As the day wore on, Shiloh began to get worried when Erik still hadn’t shown up. It wasn’t until the sun was beginning to dip down behind the mountains again when Erik and Mina finally appeared on the horizon. When they finally landed, Erik slid from the saddle and worked at removing the device from Mina’s body. The look on his face was unreadable and from the looks of his armor he’d taken quite a bit of aggression out on some unsuspecting Lizonian foolish enough to get caught in his area.

Releasing Mina from her duty, he took his saddle into his tool shed then emerged, slamming the door behind him. He began to walk across the compound then, his hand once more clenched into tight fists. No doubt who ever he was looking for was going to need to be prepared and right now, there was only one possible person he could be looking for.

Braum.

Shiloh had been roaming the area of the compound for hours, looking to the skies for any sign of Erik. She'd not eaten, wrapped her shoulder, nothing all day, just looked for Erik. She was not only worried, but angry that he would do this. Kryton would have his head if he finds out.

Seeing him storming from the tool shed, she ran up to him, grabbing his arm with her good one, forcing him to face her, her gray eyes blazing at him.

"Where in the hell have you been?! Do you know the trouble you could be in if Kryton finds out you went out when you're supposed to stay here? What were you thinking, Erik?!", she says to him in a low, but irate voice.

Erik draws back, his own blue eyes like ice. Shiloh takes a step back, not knowing how to deal with this side of him.

"Leave me be, Shi. I'm telling you this for your own good, leave me be right now."

Shiloh takes a deep breath and steps forward, looking up at him, "No, Erik, I won't leave you alone right now. Right now, at this very moment, where you go, I go. I am your aid and as such I not only have your back but apparantly must keep you out of trouble as well."

Erik reached out and grabbed Shiloh by her good arm, dragging her towards the stables. His grip wasn’t all that gentle and his strides were far wider than hers but to compound things, she had to walk on her toes because of the grip he had on her arm.

Several curious glances were shot their way as Erik strode them both towards the stables. Sampson growling menacingly at Erik as he flowed right on their heels didn’t help. Once inside, he picked an empty stall and practically flung her into it. If she didn’t have such good balance she would have fallen. When she whirled about to confront him the look she saw on his face was nothing short of murderous.

”When I give you an order, you’re to follow it. Insubordination is grounds for dismissal for aids. Don’t do something you’ll regret, Shiloh or my hand may be forced to…”

His words were cut short by the barking voice of Kryton.

”JORDON! Stand down now!”

Almost instantly Erik snapped to attention and took a step back from Shiloh, his eyes going straight ahead of him. Kryton strode into the stall and put himself between Shiloh and Erik. Glaring at Erik, he turned a concerned eye to Shiloh.

”You alright?”

When she nodded she was, he turned on Erik then, speaking between clenched teeth.

”Get to my office now.”

Kryton stormed past Erik and just before Erik turned on his heels to follow the man, he shot Shiloh another hard look. It was almost an hour later when he finally came out of Kryton’s office. He still looked pissed but at least he didn’t look as pissed as he had been. When he got back to his room, he walked to where Shiloh’s room connected to his.

”The chamber maid will be here to help you collect your things within the hour. You’re to return to your own dorms. We’ll begin your training in two days. I’m confined to quarters until then.”

He didn’t look at her the whole time he talked. He remained as straight as a board and looked dead ahead. When he was done, he turned on his heel and disappeared into his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Shiloh looked at Erik when he informed that the maid would be in to help her move to her the aids' dorm.

Walking over to the door, it took everything Shiloh had to keep her tears in check. She opened the door, staring at Erik's stiff back. She didn't enter, but stood inside the doorway.

"The maid doesn't need to bother, Erik. I am already packed and don't worry about the training, you won't need to do it if you don't want to. If you wish, I will put in for a transfer and be reassigned."

When he said nothing, Shiloh took his silence for affirmation and nodded her head to him, tears finally falling. She was at a loss as to what to do for him.

She turned, walking back into her room shutting the door quietly behind her. Grabbing up her bag, she walked out of the room and headed for Kryton's office.

Once there, she knocked, waiting for him to bid her entry. Standing in front of his desk, she spoke, "Apparantly, sir, it would be best if I were reassigned to someone else as an aid. And, I believe that Erik is in agreement."

Kryton looked thougtful at the young woman who was the daughter of his own dead aid, choosing his words carefully.

"Shiloh, I have spoken with your father and as you saw Erik in a vision, I cannot reassign you. You were chosen specifically for him." When he saw her face fall, he continued. "Erik is a hothead, as I'm sure you know, but his is loyal and a good rider. Give him time, Shiloh. Your mother had to give me time when she came to me for I did not want an aid either, especially a female." He said nothing as to what he and Erik had discussed, feeling that it was Erik's place to speak to her about it. One of the things he did speak to Erik about was his treatment of her regardless of the reasons.

Shiloh whispered a yes sir, turned and headed for the aids' dorm. Once there, she ran into the head mistress who glared at her and Sampson.

"One mistake, you, and you're out of here. Both of you." She grinned at Shiloh, as if she could already hear herself kicking the two of them out.

Shiloh sighed as Sampson followed her upstairs to her room. She'd been given the small room in the attic where it was hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Throwing her bad inside, she sat down on the bed, unsure as to what to do now.

Shiloh was miserable. She would go out and roam about, do her laundry, eat, and finally, was able to ride RainStorm, but she hadn't seen Erik and had found out that she wasn't allowed to see him until his confinement was over.

Feeling as if it were her fault, she spoke little to anyone, simply doing what she needed to do. The other female aids wouldn't speak to her anyway as they were close to the head mistress and believed her lies regarding Shiloh and Sampson. She'd been telling the other girls that Shiloh was just causing trouble for Erik and being that her mother had been Kryton's aid, she had him in the palm of her hand.

Twice, she'd gone up to her room, only to find her belongings thrown about and the head mistress standing behind her, yelling at her for keeping her room a mess. Sampson, bless his soul, somehow kept from growling at her.

Finally, she convinced Kryton to allow her to take Erik's supper to him the night before his confinement would be over. Fixing him a tray of tender fish, vegetables, fresh fruit, and warm bread along with a bottle of wine and two glasses, she headed for his room, ignoring the others as she walked by them. Seeing Braum, she glared at him.

Reaching Erik's room, she knocked on his door. Not waiting for him to give her entry, she cradled the tray in her good arm and opened the door with the other, which was doing better. She set the tray down on the table and looked over at Erik who was sitting in the chair.

"Erik, we need to talk."

Erik was loathsome for being confined to his quarters for two entire days. Mina had reached out to him to make sure he was OK and he assured her she was doing just fine. Knowing he wasn’t telling her the whole truth, the dragon merely dropped the subject knowing when her rider was ready to discuss the matter, he would.

The one good thing the isolated time did for him was help him see that the way he treated Shiloh was terrible. He wouldn’t blame her if she left the encampment and never saw him again. Why that made him feel miserable, he wouldn’t say but he hoped that wasn’t the case.

He tried to read but all he could concentrate on was the look on her face the last time he’d seen her. The hurt he inflicted on her because of his own hurt was inexcusable and he owed her a huge apology. If she would even talk to him again.

He thought it was the chamber maid bringing his dinner when he heard the knock on the door but when Shiloh entered, he quickly stood up with a surprised look on his face.

”Shiloh….what are you doing here?”

When he heard her say they had to talk, he quirked a brow and glanced at the door before looking back at her again.

”Great, but if your caught here we’re i….”

She cut him off before he could get the sentence finished telling him she had permission from Kryton to bring him his dinner. Erik visibly relaxed and nodded then gestured to the table, walking over to take the tray of food from her. When they finally sat down to eat, he was the one that spoke first.

”Look….Shi…I’m sorry for the way I treated you. I was just….really….pissed. But that was no excuse for the way I acted and for what I did to you. Please believe me when I say that’s not who I am. Something…..snapped inside of me after I heard what happened to my father. That wasn’t your fault and I had no right to take anything out on you. Forgive me?”

Shiloh poured the wine while listening to his apology. Sitting down across from him, she drained her glass, then poured herself another one before speaking.

"I forgive you, Erik, but you should know that I went to Kryton and asked for a transfer to a different rider." She raised her hand to silence him when he was going to protest.

"He denied me. Saying that because I saw you in a vision I was chosen specifically for you, to be your aid." Takes a sip of wine.

"So, we need to get a few things straight. First, you ever man-handle me again like that when I've done nothing to deserve it, and I'll see to it that you never sit a dragon like a man again." She takes another sip of wine.

"Second, I WILL disobey you if I feel it's in your best interest. My job is to watch your back even if that means disobeying you to keep you out of trouble." She drains her second of glass of wine.

"Third, and final, I have feelings for you and if you ever treat me that badly again, I will leave and never look back."

Shiloh pours herself a third glass of wine in less than a half an hour, draining that one. She is becoming tipsy.

Standing up, she mumbles, "Now, I need to get back to my room in the attic." She heads for the door, feeling lightheaded.

Erik watched as Shiloh drained her first glass of wine even before he was done talking. As she sat across from him and talked to him, he watched as she finished off her second glass. By the time she confessed she had feelings for him, she polished off her third. By now, Erik was concerned. While he wanted to talk to her about the feelings she mentioned, he was more concerned about the fact she was now drunk.

When she got up to leave, Erik knew there was no way he could ever let her leave in that condition. Not that anyone would take advantage of her but no one was a saint either. Why put temptation out there when there was no reason to do so.

By the time Shiloh reached the door, Erik had beat her to it and placed his hand on the door to prevent her from opening it. The look in his eyes told her he was very concerned and when she turned her gaze upon him he could see the redness and glazed look her gray orbs.

“Shiloh….you…you can’t leave. Not in this condition. You need to stay here and let the wine leave your system. If I let you leave like this, there’s no telling what could happen. You can stay in the room you used to stay in when you were here.”

Something she said struck him then and his brow furrowed.

”Wait….your room in the attic? You…..you were supposed to have the room on the first floor so Sampson didn’t have that far to travel in the dorms.”

When Shiloh looked away, Erik clenched his jaw.

”That bitch….”

Seeing the look that crossed Shiloh’s face, he put her fears to rest.

”Don’t worry. I’ll handle this diplomatically. Just…..just stay here tonight. Please?”