Relic Hunting and Foolish Thinking

[Ilta Kveld]

It’s not like she couldn’t handle two jobs, more steady blacksmithing work with some adventuring on the side. And it’s not like she hadn’t run around the wilderness of North Ka’Glen before. She lived in the area her entire life after all. And, last time she did a trek like this, it was with two younger siblings. A much harder task. The real challenge was figuring out where to go. Obviously, outside of Setanul, but the continent was nothing if not vast.


She bought some basic leather armor with the job from Alex with what was left over from buying the initial materials. And she made sure to make some headway on the job before she left. Finishing by December would be easy.


She isn’t sure why she is drawn to the falls, but she is. It’s a sight that she’s seen before, but one that she never really got over.


The young woman stands by the falls. Her hair is down, allowing it to do as it pleases. She wears a green tunic under poor quality leather armor with a brown travelling cloak around that. She carries a pack on her back.  Black pants are tucked into brown boots. Fang, her longsword, hangs around her hips.


The look on her face seems to show that she may be considering scaling the side. It’s not like scaling the side for an unlimited wish was any less foolish than running around the country for lost relics for the chance of wealth. And probably both carried equally strong chances of something bad occurring.


She moves closer to the stone side of the fall, and puts a hand against.  It wasn't worth a wish if the job was easy after all.  Her skin turns more stone-like.  At least, it wouldn't hurt as much if she fell.  Slowly, she begins her ascent up the cliff.      

[Aria Wurud]

The sleeping dragon snoozed happily in a crevice in the cliff face. Un seeable from the ground below or the air above. A hind leg scratched harden scales; a large wedge shaped head resting on front paws. The large dragon was curled up like a sleeping cat, a long tail with fan like appendages tucked neatly under its chin. Large wings tucked tightly against her sides. The dragon was deep red in color; smaller then what you would think of a typical dragon by defiantly still a massive creature. Being twice the size of any draft horse, her body length being nine feet without the tail and easily twenty with the tail. A gold chain wrapped around its neck a large red jewel attached to the end.

She slept right up until a woman's head popped up near her crevice; as soon the girl made an appearance large wide eyes snapped open, pupils dilating like slits. Her head jutted out like a snake with a deep roar like his. A set of long sharp shark like teeth bared in a snarl. The large dragons scales ruffled up.

[Ilta Kveld]

Ilta’s making some good progress up the edge of the falls, not that she didn’t have a few near falls. Perhaps, her courage allowing, she could even get to the top. She starts to see a crevice during her ascent. It seemed like a good resting point since she isn’t sure if another one would appear further up. She hauls herself up only to be greeted by a giant roar. The thunderous sound and the giant beast it belongs are startling to say the least.

“Shit,” Ilta says, losing her footing on the edge of the crevice. She makes a quick scrambling motion toward the edge to avoid falling off. Surviving that near death experience makes her less afraid of the dragon and more annoyed by the fact it almost caused her to die. Anger burbles up, and she bites her tongue on the left side of the mouth. The earth mage isn’t so used to any beast taking a menacing stance toward her. On the rare occasion that they did, they normally backed away again. Glaring daggers at the creature, she brings herself back up into the crevice.

“You don’t need to be so damn loud!” she shouts at it. Then she turns to the edges of the crevice to see where she can get a good hold back on the cliff. She pulls herself up past the crevice, “I’m on the way out of here anyways.”

Was she being tested right now? Did the gods put a dragon in her path? It's not like people see one of those everyday.

[Aria Wurud]

Her ear appendages poked up as the girl scrambled and almost fell; when she didn't the annoyed expression returned to her face. The low growl emitting from her throat as a forked tongue came out and licked a clawed hand. Her ears laid back with the other external gill like appendages. While she was happy that the girl hadn't plummeted to her death, she was annoyed she was woken up.....and wasn't that the girl who was supposed to be making her daggers? As she blinked sleepily she couldn't help but wonder what her Father, or Grandpa Lee Lee would say if she accidently caused a death and hadn't even been back for more than a couple weeks....that would be an interesting conversation....plus it would mean her daggers wouldn't get made.

It did amuse her however that the girl hadn't freaked out upon seeing a dragon; especially an uncommon one. She even had the guts enough to snap at her...now that just wasn't nice. She was the one who woke her up. She raised her head and blew a puff of smoke from her nostrils at the girl in response.

Slowly she unfurled herself, stretching as much as the large beast could in such a small space. She slid out of the crevice, her claws digging into stone as she scaled up the side. Passing the girl with a small slap to the face with the tip of her tail as she went by. Not enough to make the girl fall mind you, but it was still a good tap none the less.

[Ilta Kveld]

Ilta tries to ignore the dragon crawling up beside her. The creature was a huge distraction on trying to climb to the top without falling. But then, SMACK, the dragon’s tail hits her in the face. If her skin wasn’t stone, it might have stung a little. She loses her grip a little, but rights herself immediately. She takes hold of the tail and yanks a bit. Not terribly hard, but enough to be uncomfortable. “You don’t get to be upset. I almost died. You were simply disturbed,” she growls at the creature.

Was this dragon climbing to the top as well? “You know, it’s cheating when you probably flew part way up. I could fly up part way too, but then I wouldn’t deserve a wish, now would I? However, the claws give you also an unfair advantage.” She takes a few breaths and keeps climbing toward the top.

“Do you even have a wish?” she says when she gets close to face to face with the dragon again. She doesn’t know what she is talking to the creature. Perhaps, some feeling of kinship? With the horns and the scales, she’s a little closer in appearance to one than some other dragonions. She heard some could transform into such creatures, but she pictured something different than the dragon before her. Perhaps it would be an obtainable transformation one day.

[Aria Wurud]

The large beast turned its head to look down on that little dragonlet as it yanked her tail. She had half the mind to push this fledging off the side of the cliff...Aria flicked her tail out of the girls grip, benevolently deciding not to send the other girl flying. Though pulling a strange dragons tail when it has already shown it has a temper not the wisest of decisions. Didn't matter if the girl almost fell off the cliff to begin with, you don't disturb a dragon from its nap or Aria for that matter.

You had to admire the girl for choosing hard work over the easy way out; but boy were her arms going to be sore when she reached top....good thing she was a blacksmith otherwise the journey up would be even more taxing. When asked if she had a wish Aria merely yawned in response. Whether that was her answer or just the act of ignoring the question was up for debate.

Aria took the moment to hop up a few feet above the girl; turning her head to look down. Her large blue green eyes blinking down at the girl. She couldn't help but wonder if those horns ever got stuck on anything. Now she could leave the girl to make her dangerous climb....or she could stick around and see what she was doing...Aria decided she would stay considering if the blacksmith met her doom her winters end gift wouldn't be finished. But that may take a while for the girl to complete...the falls were taller than any tree....by a lot...

[Ilta Kveld]

Ilta watches as the dragon effortlessly hops further up the cliff and turns to face her. It seemed that she had a climbing companion for the time being. However, she couldn’t help but be a little envious of its ability to navigate the cliff without issue. This was proving to be an exhausting pursuit. If she ever got to the top, she may consider a nap.

Yet, now she has a pair of eyes on her. Returning back down the cliff wasn’t a possibility anymore now that something was watching her. She couldn’t just back down. She seems to have some renewed vigor as she continues up the falls.

“I suppose I don’t blame you. I’m not even sure what I’ll wish for if I actually make it,” she says. Talking was a good distraction from the increasing distance between her and the ground as well as the way her arms began to grow tired. However, she realizes she must look insane to talk to something that couldn’t really respond back to her. Yawning was hardly an answer to any question.

She pauses for a few moments to regain her breath. “Well, I suppose that isn’t true. I do have something in mind, but I’m unsure anything can grant me that… But I guess we'll find that out then.”

[Aria Wurud]

Aria starred down at the girl, she was way too comfortable around dragons; her she was a strange large reptile and the girl was just casually scaling a cliff while carrying on a conversation. For all she knew Aria could be planning on eating her for an early morning snack...the thought made Aria pause for a moment...those horns would prove to be tough to chew around. Of course Aria wouldn't actually eat the girl, but that was her another dragon might.

This walk up the side of the cliff was proving it was going to take a while; Aria began to grow bored. She shortly debated on the level of amusement that pushing her off the cliff before catching her would provide. That was before the girl went on about her wish...Arias head tilted to the side. She wondered what ever the girl wanted to wish for. Looking up she figured the answer would be found on the top of the cliff.

Turning around she continued her leisurely climb up the rocky side. She would stay with the girl until she either fell or made it to the top.

[Ilta Kveld]

In truth, this isn’t the first time some creature decided to follow her. Ilta thinks back to all those times in childhood some form of beast took up an interest in her for whatever reason, and then proceeded to become her shadow for the next few hours until it got dull. Something about being an earth mage makes some creatures a little curious. The dragon staring starts to bother her though. She stares back for a while, trying to gauge what the flying lizard is thinking and partly because she wouldn’t back down to the dragon now.

When the dragon begins to look bored, Ilta takes a look down. “Ugh… And I’m going to have go back down after all this...” And then she continues up. She’s pretty quiet for the next while. She has a few near falls. They typically all go the same way. She’ll lose her grip, quickly recover, regain her breath, launch into a string of profanities, and continue climbing. This happens about 3 times.

Eventually after making some substantial progress up the cliff, she looks back at the dragon. “So I think I’ll have no issue going through Heaven’s Pass after this… Now, to head south or west after this, assuming I don’t die. There’s significantly more in the South, that’s for damn sure.” She then turns to look behind her, curious about the view and realizes that it’s quite breath-taking up this high. Her eyes widen in awe. “Is that the Forever Forest?” She laughs a little, “I guess this sort of makes my decision. South it is.” Somewhat excited now, she finds a little more speed to climb the small mountain.

[Aria Wurud]

A bemused look shown in her eyes as she continued her accent, Aria could think of a way that wouldn't take much time to get down. The girl wouldn't like it, but it'd be fast. As long as the climb was Aria was thoroughly amused with the girls close calls fallowed by an impressive colorful vocabulary. Then the girl mentioned heavens pass...a different beast all together then this cliff. The girl would face climate changes, along with predators, highway men, and plenty of other challenges....physical part she may be prepaid for though. On a more selfish note she couldn't help but wonder when her knives would be completed during this fantastic adventure.

She fallowed the girls gaze out when she made the exclamation upon seeing the forever forests from a bird's eye view. It was an amazing site; one that made her pause and also appreciate its beauty. At last the top came into reach. With a last few bounds she slithered up the top; stretching her wings to their full span. Turning she sat on her hind legs, front legs resting on her scaled stomach. She watched and waited for the girl to pop over the edge.

[Ilta Kveld]

Before reaching the top, Ilta takes one last look down. She certainly climbed a long ways. Then she heaves herself up over the top. She sits by the edge, looking down for a bit. It was certainly a boast she could be somewhat proud of. How many people climbed up the vertical face of a mountain?

She shakes out her arms a few times, feeling some slight cramping at this point. “Let’s see if legends are true.” She grabs a small stone beside her and tosses it back and forth in her hands. “I could wish for something selfish… but my own mortality weighs on my mind, and so I might have to go with the more noble wish. It’s a little disappointing actually.” So much threatened death to them all… rumors of war, the dusk. Couldn’t it be a happier time so she could simply wish for wealth and riches? Or maybe even adventure? Those are the things that she really wanted. But in order to get any of those things, she needs everything to continue existing as it was. She shakes her head, “Not that much is going to come of this, other than me coming back home with a damn good story.”

She whispers to the stone, “Carry my wish to whomever will hear it.” She thinks deeply one her wish: the ability to prevent the destruction of Feyerlun or whatever the next best thing might be. She channels a little manna into the stone. Then she tosses the rock over the cliff.

She turns to the dragon, “Would it be too much to ask for a ride down?”

[Aria Wurud]

A silent wish was made which left Arias poor curiosity to still wonder what the girl could have wished for. It was likely a question that wouldn't ever be answered, and she accepted it at that with a little bit of disappointment. It was like an itch that could not be scratched...A slight sigh escaped through her nose in a huff. When the girl turned to her she looked down, and tilted her head. Brave girl indeed...

She fell to all fours and turned her back to the girl; a yes by any standards. She extended her wing as a step up, a small space between the crook of her neck and wings was smooth and void of the small triangular shaped spikes that lined the top of her head and traveled down her spine. The gold chain around her neck that attached the amulet would prove to be a good hand hold for the girl. After all she was going to need it.

[Ilta Kveld]

Ilta looks at the dragon as it huffs. She can’t picture why the creature is annoyed. “Yes, there are more interesting wishes than hoping not to go up in the flames of war or devoured by corpses. But you know, then riches and glory are sort of meaningless if those things happen,” she shrugs. “Damn shame…”

She’s a little surprised when the dragon is actually willing to take her down. “Thank you. I suppose this means I owe you a debt. A minor one, but still one nonetheless.” What a dragon could want in return is unknown to her, but she is grateful enough to repay her for the act. It meant she didn’t have to risk death on the way back down. She steps up and takes a seat on the dragon’s back. She holds on to the gold chain, and she can’t help but wonder why a dragon has an amulet or how it got it on.

[Aria Wurud]

A satisfied glow appeared in the large almond eyes, as large bat like wings stretched out a couple of times making sure she still had full range of movement with the girl on her back. This would be her first flight with a passenger after all. Judging that her wings would not be affected she raised them above her head and with a powerful flap lifted off the ground and

plop

Right into the water where the large lizard lazily swam towards the drop off of the falls. There was a lull before the current carried them over the edge. They would drop a good thirty feet before her large wings spread out and caught the air below it. Lifting herself and her passenger high into the sky. She banked around the falls and slowly rode the air currents higher, and higher. Leveling out at a point where everything below seemed as small as a childs toy.

Aria circled in the air for a few moments to let the girl appreciate the sites and probably relax a bit from the scare she probably received. The lull did not last long before Aria lurched forward, increasing her speed faster than the girl would have ever experienced before. The large dragon heading not down but towards the west, the girl was certainly in for an adventure. But that tends to happen if you jump on large dragons backs.

[Ilta Kveld]

Ilta watches as the dragon stretches out its wings, only to land in the water. Now she had water in her boots. “Hmmm… are you sure this going to work?” However, the dragon keeps swimming toward the edge of the cliff. “Alright. I guess I’m going to just have to trust you here.”

She gets increasingly more nervous as they don’t take off but get closer and closer to the edge. Then, they start falling. “SHIT! SHIT! FUCK!” Ilta screams as they drop to the water and rocks below. And suddenly, they are flying. She breathes a sigh of relief, followed immediately by laughter. “I get it. I’m sorry for waking you up this morning.”

Taking flight is amazing. Turning into a crow had nothing on this. She couldn’t go nearly this fast. It was also a trick that she rarely did. As a result, she never really saw the wilderness of the North like this. At this point, she is grinning from ear to ear.

It doesn’t really occur to her that she is going westward until the falls are long out of view. However, she didn’t care all too much. This was what adventuring was all about, wasn’t it? “You do realize because of you, no one will believe my retelling of what happened this day. They might have believed I climbed to the top. But when I say, ‘And then I flew off on the back of a dragon’, it just sort of sounds like a lie.”