Nature's Call

[-Destinysend]

Militia Calvary Mount Descriptions:

Kavu- A Kavu is a large creature whose sizes can vary from that of an elephant to the size of a horse. Their most distinctive features are their long, low heads, square jaws and third pair of legs. They have thick, hoofed fingers that allow them to be equally nimble on land or in trees. The saddle is located along the first set of shoulders where the neck meets body.

Roc- Fierce, really large birds that dwell on cliff sides or mountains. Their appearance is more like a cross between an eagle and hawk (sorry no picture). Said to be able to carry off elephants on their own power and the wind generated by their wings strong enough to sail a ship by. The harness is attached to it's back.

Great Eagle- Giant eagles a little taller then the size of a man. The harness is located on the stomach of the bird, strapping the rider to the chest. (Note: This is based off Kate Elliott's "Spirit Gate" Reeves. I don't own the idea.)

Chocobo- A fictional, large, normally flightless galliforme/ratite bird capable of being ridden. Chocobos have occasionally been sighted as lightly armored war mounts in which case they can assist their riders with beak and claw. The harness is saddled on the back of the bird. (Note: I don't own the idea either.)

Great Wolves- An ancient breed of wolf that are intelligent and only a little smaller then a large horse.

War Horse- Need I really say?

---

It had taken her some time coming back from Necronus, having to gather the strength to forcibly grow a plant large enough to tap into the lifestream and travel back into the living worlds. Further more, it had taken her several months to track down the eagle and roc riders, the kavu came at her call. The Militia had restationed itself, guided carefully under the care of Caranor, nearby Mt. Volcano. Beyond the training the normal militia was undergoing, more specifically drills and better training so the faults of Domus would not be repeated. As with the case of Roft, it was literally a city of tents, ranging from forest green to milk white. Her own, the Commander's tent, stood taller then the rest in the center, a central piece unto which the divisions of the militia were bound. Even though mutual acceptance had wormed its way through the ranks, she could still see the divisions when she looked at the camp from afar.

This in part was not really hidden prejudice towards their allies, but rather necessary as each division fought differently. The eagle riders of the far east needed space for their eagles to roost, and room about them to deal with landing and take off. The roc riders needed even more space, and as such fewer came when she went in search of them. The birds were powerful indeed, but their species did not mate often so only so many would be spared for a battle that had not reached them as of yet. The kavu had their own enclosure, or field to be precise. The giant beasts were very temperamental at times, though Lilly never had a problem with them. The chocobo's were closer towards the blood elf regiment, their care under direct watch of Caranor.

All together they had three battle groups of warhorses for calvary, another four of chocobo's, four flights of six eagles each and a group of eight rocs. The rest of the militia was made up of foot soldiers, pikemen and make-shift knights. They were hardly as well trained as the soldiers of the Empire, but they were unorthodox in their fighting methods leading to surprisingly workable strategies, though the concept of many were rather preposterous. Lilly herself was surprised by one tailor who had an aptitude for trap making; give him a needle and thread plus enough cloth and he could capture almost anything. The woodsmen and fishermen were also valuable assets, as one was skilled in scouting and the other in using a net and in a few occasions a spear. The pikes were easier on the farmers, as they were similar in design to hoes, though a few had some minor training in using a sword from their youth.

Lilly placed her hand on the kavu primarch's snout, her gaze settled on the sprawling city of tents nearby. This particular kavu was larger then the rest, near the size of an elephant, and would be her own mount- it wouldn't let anyone else near it anyway. The rest were pretty much horse sized, and settled to picking their own riders out of the militia core. The kavu rider faction was a mix of races, much like the militia itself, though they got along rather well.

The blacksmiths of the militia were working almost day and night, forging lances, pikes, and swords. Armor was mostly leather and chain mail, though the occasional soldier had pieces of plate. The majority of the steel for plate armor went towards the mounts, making sure they would be well protected in case of battle. The kavu were pretty much armored themselves already, their hard scales nigh sword proof.

Hopefully they still had time to prepare before the next Demon offensive.

[-Kilik]

Ava looked upon the masses of tents that overwhelmed the fields. It seemed that there would be a differential in her arguments with her family and freinds of joining any type of militia and now the young girl understood why. Although there was some structure it was but a makeshift millitary. From Plowshards to swords. She had no experience in any of this but it seemed to run in her family. The articulite skill of war and language. Both curuptors and redemers ran in the family bloodline this would be but a chance to draw forth what hid deep in her veins.

She Saw a few men of both bold and lithe stature take close care of thier mounts. Low headed and thick skinned beasts with an extra pair of legs. No doubt a prefference for some of their riders. Slowly Ava walked up to one of these men who appeared thin and with short brown hair. "Do you know of whom I am to talk to for registration?" She asked quitely almost inaudible as she was a little shy at the moment.

He mearly grunted and pointed towards a tent where an almost nymph-like women stood. Her light green hair reflected the sun light. "Her names Lily... She's a little overwhelmed at the moment so be paitent with her." He spoke in a heavy accent but Ava just overlooked it and moved her pace towards Lily.

She had traveled far to get here after hearing about some of the deeds that the Guardians Militia have done for Redemption upon the ages. Hopefully she would add her names to the ranks and gaurentee a name for her self. The sudden thought caused her to take a more brisk pace towards the young green haired maiden. Ava was more than ready to get this all done and over with.

"Excuse me..." She spoke softly but got no response. "Ahem... Excuse me. Are you Lily, commander and recruiter of this militia?" Ravar had no idea if this was the best way to confront her but what else could she do. Besides life was too short to have to ask questions.

(Edit is done.)

This post has been edited by Kilik on Jun 2 2008, 06:37 PM

[-Destinysend]

The primarch shifted and rose slightly as the woman approached. Lilly whispered something to it to calm it then turned to face the woman. "Yes, that would be me, minus the recruiter part." she replied in a pleasant tone. "I'm guessing you wish to join us?"

Behind her the primach rose to its full height, towering above Lilly and the rest of the camp. Out of all the creatures there, perhaps only the rocs were of it's size. It stretched, much like a dog would, before trotting off to the kavu fields on the hill overlooking the camp.

"If you are to join us I'd like to know a little more about you, more specifically, why do you wish to join us." Lilly stated, after checking to make sure the primach didn't eat one of the stray beasts that roamed the camp. Several of the militiamen had brought domesticated animals with them, though none strong enough to fight beside them.

[-Kilik]

Ava looked at this young girl. She couldn't be any older than herself but she spoke with what appeared to be an impatient tone. More than anything she had control of one of the larger beasts under control. Ava watched as it streached itself out before taking a pace out towards its kind.

While she watched the multi-legged thing trot off Lilly asked for her reason of being here. "I have a couple of reasons. The larger of the two reasons being I want to defend my hometown of Roft. To be able to defend what so many have come to create with thier own sweat and blood." She paused for a second trying not to sound too over eager. "I want to be able to make my stand with this group of people as she did." Ava was refearing to Ellanette Selindis. She had been Ava's idol as a child and there was a certain feeling of belonging that Ava wanted to have with same brotherhood that Ellanette was in

"Ravar may Joi'slien is the name my parents gave me... um... just call me Ava." Ravar spoke proudly and with a certian kindness in her eyes. "Is there anything I can do?" She asked to try to make herself an already member of the Guardian Militia without haste.

[-Destinysend]

Lilly smiled at the girl, "Well your heart seems to be in the right place. However," her expression became steely and her tone far more serious, "Know this well. War is a dirty thing. Any aspirations of glory or fame you may have in your head, get rid of them now. As the shield of the people we fight to ensure that the peace everyone else enjoys will stay there." She swept a hand out, referring to the whole of the militia. "No matter who we are, where we came from, what race we are. Our hearts, our goal, our dreams. All of it is connected together. Leave your prejudice behind. For here, we are one."

She paused to let her words sink in. Many times young people joined in hopes of finding glory and fame out on the battlefield. She'd already had to send many of those children home missing limbs or under a burial shroud.

"As for what you can do... prepare yourself. The war is not over, and the second turning point is coming." Lilly looked back to the girl, turning her eyes away from the camp filled with cheerful and grim faces. "Do you have any skills in particular? We should get you suited to a regiment."

[-Kilik]

(OoC: Ava will be gaining the class of Guardian Mage. I was hoping to establish this through her joining of the Guardian Militia.)

BiC:

Ava watched Lilly as her tone went from airy to comanding. This was not a person to get in bad terms with and Ava knew it. She had met a few people like her but never had she worked or fought alongside someone like that. Never had she fought at all come to think of it. "I have no general skill. I am generally good with animals. I just want to help in any way possible."

She paused for a moment. "Regiment?" She didn't actually think about this. "Um... What kind of regiments are there?" This worried her. She had always thought about joining the militia but never actually gave any forethought to divisions and how she would best serve herself to the militia.

Ravar looked around and thought about all of this for a moment and was hoping that she could figure something out without appearing too dense of a young child. For young she was and glory and fame was but a step for her to take. She was just more worried with what else could happen if she made a wrong move.

[-Destinysend]

"I.. see.." Lily stated, calming looking at the young lady, measuring her carefully with a veteran's gaze. "There's far too many sections for me to merely tell you, but if you have any idea of what you are good at that could help. What did you do before you came here?" Honestly the woman didn't look like much. Obviously by human standards she was on the pretty side of the population, not that it would help her against the demon horde. Especially against Phiem of the Peridot. She hardly looked strong enough to be on the front lines, perhaps as support? If she had magical talent it could do to get her trained some.

Lilly turned to the side, motioning quickly for one of the soldiers to go grab the head of the medical core. While Lilly was adept at healing, she had not the ability to sense the magical potential of people.

[-Kilik]

Ava responded quickly and with a family history of military. "Before coming here I was a farmer in the town of Roft but from what I understand it was blazed to the ground by some hoards. I have little expeirence with magic but because of the old magi that lived not too far from where I lived I did manage to understand the core of it all. My skill honestly lies with persuasion and words."

Ava watched as Lilly made a geasture to another soldier which she assumed would be ment for someone to analyse her in whatever way. "Also I have a family history in the military. Two brothers and my father all have done a couple of campaigns in thier life time to be sure."

[-Destinysend]

Lilly nodded a little, running the girl's known abilities through her mind. "Words wont persuade a demon from removing your head from your shoulders. Family history is pointless, you're not any of your ancestors so it wouldn't matter much. Your magical training might prove useful, you're too scrawny to be on the front lines. Perhaps the medical core..." she didn't have to speak really as a rather effeminate looking man appeared in white medical scrubs. His hands were covered in blood, from what source was pretty much anyone's guess.

"You called?" even his voice was overly feminine for a male. Lilly merely smiled at the azure haired man, despite his oddities he was a fairly good medic and was apt at seeing the potential behind people. His violet eyes cut over to Ava, the rounded orbs seemingly seeing straight through her. "I see you've brought me another who might do well with a bit of instruction."

"Yeah, if you don't mind, get her acquainted with the medical team. She doesn't seem to fit well elsewhere. If her potential for medic isn't much funnel her to the mage core, they might be able to give her something she'd be adept at." she paused as if trying to remember something, "take her by the rider core as well. She said she was used to animals and we could always use another handler. Make sure someone is watching if she goes by the kavu, we don't need to have a repeat of the last incident."

[-Kilik]

A man with azure hair and an overly feminine voice despite his overall appearance came up. His dark violet eyes seemed to peirce through Ava and she shuddered for just a moment. This was something she would probly never get over. His blood covered scrubs was quite a sight for the young girl.

"Yeah, if you don't mind, get her acquainted with the medical team. She doesn't seem to fit well elsewhere. If her potential for medic isn't much funnel her to the mage core, they might be able to give her something she'd be adept at."

There was a moment of pause from Lily and Ava assumed she was trying not to forget something.

take her by the rider core as well. She said she was used to animals and we could always use another handler. Make sure someone is watching if she goes by the kavu, we don't need to have a repeat of the last incident."

Ravar looked at the medic and she knew where she would be headed first. This would be but of course her time to ask any questions but she really had none to ask so kept her mouth shut. The mention of the last incident sparked a flurry of imagination and now she was a little scared what was she getting herself into.

He motioned for Ava to follow him and she at first went to offer her hand but thought against it. She walked and followed this whole thing was about to be one big mess.

[-Destinysend]

"So... kid.." The medical head started, his voice matching his effeminate looks, "Lilly seems to think you have the ability to become a guardian mage. What do you think?" He wanted her take on the whole deal. If one wasn't mentally wanting to become a medic then they wouldn't get far in the business. She seemed to have promise, he could feel a little latent potential that could go either way really. The least he could do was just to show her basic non magical treatment. Heaven's knows where half the people here go the idea for their field treatments. Honestly, who the bloody hell thinks its a good idea to "suck" out poison. Oh right, the idiot in the ICU.

She was a little lanky, though her hands seemed dexterous enough for surgical work. She might do well. He turned abruptly, traveling along one of the invisible markers that separated the archer core from the pikemen, it would lead to the warhorse corral. "By the way kid, the name's Leon. We're also going to swing by the horses, see if they need help and if they like you. Damn beasts are picky as hell." He idly rubbed his hand as he spoke, the last time he tried to help them with caring for a wounded horse it had bitten him.

----

Lilly watched as they departed, traveling down one of the nearly invisible lines that separated the separate sections of the Militia. They were divided by division, and some cases by species, she hated it. Her bright amber eyes caught the sight of Caranestel by the chocobo stables, tending to a red one that was no doubt her father's steed. Faithful birds, the chocobo were, especially that one. She still remembered the father and daughter duo along with the bird fighting along side her against Torelm.

Caranor was no doubt watching his daughter, it seemed like he had a sixth sense about where she was at all times and what she was doing. That or he was just overly protective. The blood elf was always in some corner of her mind, since the fight with Torelm he and his daughter had become a part of her daily life, she made sure to see them at least once a day when she could spare a moment.

A roar from the kavu fields alerted her to someone getting too close.. again. Perhaps this time whoever it was would have an entire arm instead of a stump.

[-Kilik]

Ava listened intently on every word that the medic spoke. She gave thought to his questions before answearing as they headed towards the warhorses. "I would love to be a medic. Its on the feild at the same time away. Its perfect, besides I'm pretty used to taking care of people." She thought back to her brother whom she had taken care of for a while.

They walked what seemed like an enternity as the sun beat down on her. Sweat started to form on her brow. Ava's long hair started to get a little tangled in the heat but now was not the time to worry too much about it. "So... what exactly are we going to do first?" She spoke after a moments pause. "It's not going to really matter to me but I do like to know what I'll be doing."

She didn't mean her comment as an insult and hoped that he wouldn't take it as one but as feminine as he sounded there was no telling for sure.

[-Destinysend]

"Horses." came the reply from the effeminate medic. "As in, these horses." he stated, waving a hand in the direction of the stable grounds and the field nearby. These weren't the regular horses that people would be normally used to, they were larger and stronger then the breeds that regular folk used. They were also trained to fight with their rider, using their hooves to pound dents into attackers. It was also a trait that led them to be rather picky about their riders, dangerous creatures if you weren't accepted by them. "Take an apple," Leon took the basket of apples by the fence that separated the camp and field and held it out to Ava, "from there we'll pretty much get an idea if they like you or not."

After the first few incidents of people winding up at the medical division with horseshoe imprints on them somewhere, Leon had come down to find out exactly what the hell was going on. Yeah, every one of them pretty much had angered a horse by trying to ride it when it obviously didn't like them. Working with the handlers and other riders, they'd come up with a different way to test this. A pretty simple test really. If the horse would actually take the apple it pretty much liked you. If said horses didn't want the apple from you, don't bother.

"When you're done we're off to the medical division. If I'm gone for too long they tend to do something weird." Leon stated, reminding himself of the incident with the IV bag and lines. Yeah, he really didn't need to see that one...

[-Kilik]

He was right. The horses were twice the size of what she was used to. There was no doubting this she didn't think about what he said as she looked at them in both awe and fear. "Wha..." Nevermind she thought better not to ask.

She took the apple from the very effiminet man and slowly very slowly and cautiously turn around and took it to the first appealing horse she found. A light brown mare with a short mane that ran down its neck. Two white spots outlined its eyes and another on its rear end. "Hello... How are you." She spoke softly and held out her hand with the apple. She walked up to it slowly.

At first all seemed well and Ava didn't really think about it she had been around horses her entire life so she moved a little bit too quickly. A movement that would cost her dearly as the horse whinned and raised itself on its two legs to knock her down. "WHOA!" She yelled and determination showed through in her eyes. The horse itself looked fierce but Ava with her appealing build looked fiercer.

Slolwy it seemed the horse calmed down. Again she offered the apple and was close enough to rub the snout of the beast. The mare took and thats all that was needed to be known. "Well... So how about it?" She looked back at the man with a grin on her face.

"So whats next?" She asked with a more cocky smile playing across her face.

[-Destinysend]

Leon frowned, "What's next is we pray that that particular mare's mate doesn't decide to add a set of horseshoe imprints to your rear." He was eying the fully black stallion a few paces from where Ava stood, which was looking at her in a particular way that pretty much stated it's intentions if she continued what she was doing. "You're also being quite overconfident, we'll have to fix that soon enough. Confidence is good, overconfidence is bad." He motioned with one hand for her to follow him. "Trust me when I tell you that the horses are the easiest of the bunch to get along with. The birds are particularly troublesome and picky, the kavu even worse. You probably saw the primarch with Lilly earlier, she's the only one who's been able to actually lay a hand on that one without winding up with broken ribs and a missing limb."

He made his way back into camp after following the curve of the horse stables and field for a little. The path bent back into the main city of tents, particularly towards a specific large white one painted with a splash of red for the cross. The cross itself was a crude joke by someone else, painted there during the battle at Domus using some of the blood of the fallen. "Come on kid, we'll teach you the basics of first aid, and perhaps if you show some talent for magic we can add you to the ranks of our field medics." He honestly could sense she had some latent talent for magic, though her attitude would need fixing if she felt that getting the mare to take the apple was something to get cocky over. None of the patients or medics bothered to look twice in their direction, already getting the idea she was here to be taught something. They'd seen plenty of people walk with Leon into the tent but not many of them stayed longer then the first week.

[-Kilik]

Ava was feeling overconfident about the entire thing but why not. From what she understood was that most people didn't really get close enough to be able to touch the mounts. She listened intently to what the man had to say with his still effiminant voice which amused the young girl in so many ways.

They woulnded through the verious tents and Ava was a little more than surprised and slightly aghasted at what she saw and came upon. Another makeshift tent with red paint painted in a cross on the tent. At least thats what it looked like at first but after a while there was no doubt that it was dried blood. Someones idea of a prank most likely. This bothered her.

What the man said got Ava more than a little nervous she had always had a bit of trouble actually getting a spell's base down which always caused it to back fire on her. Still there was a sound in the mans voice that said in other words that she would do just fine.

[-Ezekiel]

The wind felt nice on Gaia as she swept around the mountains surrounding Mount Volcano, Wyverns and minor dragons hissed at her as she passed, her huge golden bulk making them shrink back in their roosts, only the sparrows had the courage to annoy her in her flight, the tiny little creatures flapping at her as she swept past their treetop nests. Below her she heard the startled cries of elf, human and other as she raked the trees with her large claws, collecting leaves and numerous angry or dead squirells in her claws.

Ah the Militia camp, Gaia could see it from miles off, in full detail as well. But she had come to appreciate the mortal way of seeing things up close, something about it gave her a sense of pride in everything around her. Plus everything was really little when it came to her.

She swung over the camp once, the cries of the humans and animals did little to make her arrival seem grand, a bad habit she had learnt from Leopold, dragon fear was common for anything around Dragons. She watched as the Rocs took flight, keeping a wary distance from her as she swept lower across the camp, her huge wings sweeping storm like winds underneath her. The Kavu huddled close together, protecting each other with their bulk and eyes. Gaia had hunted the large creatures before, if you were a dragon and you wanted a meal to fill you up for months, Kavu were the way to go.

On her third sweep, Gaia landed as softly as she could, which was to say the ground shook like a beast possessed and any barbarian tribes around where claiming it was the end of the world as the great big burning ju ju was about to go BOOM. Making her way, still as a great big ugly golden dragon, toward the rows of tents, she passed the Kavu fields. The largest of the beasts roared at her, plainly telling her that he was the boss and that she should leave. But being an incredibly intelligent being and being a beast herself, she roar back, the sound enough to make the bull kavu look at her as if there was no way she had just done that. To add to her very obvious threat, sparks crackled in her jaws as she glowered imperiously down on the Kavu, she was here on business, not to hunt.

Ignoring the Bull Kavu, who shuffled on his feet in a way that suggest that his honour and pride was in absolute tatters and that he needed a great big hug. Gaia moved through the camp, the men and women who stood in her way clutching spears as she looked down on them, sparks still flashing from her huge maw.

"WHERE IS LILLY" growled Gaia, doing her best to frighten everyone around her, out of the corner of her eye she could see the Rocs being pestered by the sparrows just as she had. Serves them right for not standing their ground.

[-Destinysend]

Leon stopped by one of the cots inside the medical tent. The man was wounded from training, so it wasn't too bad. A fracture at the most, easy stuff. "I'm warning you now, combat medical training for us at this time has a high learning curve. We don't have much time to get you to learn, and we don't want half-assed spells on the battlefield." he motioned for her to get closer, and extended his hands outward over the man's arm. "Alright. So he has a break here where my hands are. You've never learned magic but we're going to start you off right away. It'll be crude, so I'll be guiding you at the start till you get a handle on this. Put your hands where mine are, and close your eyes. Center yourself, and search for your core. You'll know it when you come across it, it'll feel right to you. Now, your source for this is differs in feeling from mage to mage, so I can't pinpoint it exactly for you. Mine is known under the category of "magika" in human terms. It has a sort of slippery feel to it and a coppery taste, if one were to try and describe it with the normal five senses. Now you're going to gather this, be careful as it tends to be quite volatile. You're going to draw this from your core and feed it to your hands, it's alright if you don't get much at first. Some of us feel a slight tingly sensation when this process works correctly. One of my medics swears she gets a minty sensation doing this. Anyway, you're going to want to direct your thoughts towards tranquility and the sense of contentment. Once you have that sensation, let the energy you've gathered flow outward and direct it towards your patient. Once again, be careful as you don't want to overload him with mana or you'll end up harming him."

He watched expectantly for the girl to begin, both psychic and magical senses directed on how she'd draw her energy. A lot of the times, the definition and category of their magic helped define what role they would take as medical officer. He ignored the sounds outside, as most medics were trained to do, though let it process in the back of his mind. They did, after all, need to be aware when danger appeared.

----

Lilly had been working with the few kavu riders that were available, teaching them proper handling of the beasts as they were far more intelligent then people gave them credit for. Gaia's arrival was something she hadn't been expecting, and had assumed that Leopold had come as well until she landed. The kavu had been startled by her appearance, gathering together in order to protect themselves better. Lilly attempted to assure them Gaig wouldn't mean no harm, though the feedback she received through her link to nature was pretty violent. Some things just could not be ordered in nature, chaos was its natural state after all.

She was behind Gaia at this point, having been on the sides of the kavu fields to start with when the dragon had appeared. Despite her rather peculiar appearance she did blend into her surroundings occasionally. Sighing, she shifted her body state, traversing into the lifestream by way of the field below her.

It began as a single sapling, growing from in front of Gaia, before rising to the same height as an average human being. It shifted, the outside having vines that intertwined around the body like muscle before bark grew along the outside. Leaves formed in the position for hair, vines and leaves making the trellises, before shifting towards a more human appearance. Her eyes formed first, before her lips took shape and the rest of her body fully materialized. She flexed her fingers a little before taking a step forward, making sure her body was in its proper state. The shift had been a little strange, though it did work as she had intended. It was a bit slow though, so that method of travel was probably best for just special appearances.

"No need to be so loud Gaia, Ascantha could hear you from here. I'm sure your appearance was enough to frighten most of the people here if that was your intention. "What do you need?"

[-Ezekiel]

"What I need?" said Gaia in mock surprise, technically she didn't need anything and technically she could take what she wanted, as was the perogative of all dragons, take because you don't give a damn. "I don't need anything at all" she said with a massive claw pressed against her chest in a very human manner, being annoying, another useless skill learnt from Leopold Crowley, was there nothing that human could teach her? Well, yes, he couldn't teach her how to dance, she sucked at it. Might have something to do with the fact that she retained her claws in her human form.

"However, Leopold has sent me with a message, using me as a carrier pigeon like those Rocs, while he does something terribly interesting. Honestly, you'd think that all the time I've spent with him, he'd stick to some version of normality, but no, he's always doing something different. He almost died you know, fought the demons not far from here, at the Orion Port. Took on a dark spell head on, I had to save him."

Gaia's rant went on to explain how Leopold had ripped out the head demon's heart while she burnt them both. She also added how Leopold was now sitting in the comfort of a building with a buffet and more then likely doing something really interesting that the whole world should see purely because it was Leopold.

"But to cap it off he goes and gives me a cryptic message, listen to this, I swear his mind must have more screws loose then normal: 'The seat of the pompous emperor hides the horde of thousands' Jeez, what did he reckon someone was going to capture me and try and take it from me? What captain fantastic really wanted to say was: 'Hey guess what, the demons are north, he's not sure where but he has a good idea where."

[-Destinysend]

Lilly grinned at Gaia's rant about Leopold. Sometimes, she swore they were worse then she and Caranor could be. "You complain like a married woman Gaia, you sure there isn't something going on between you two?" she shot back when the dragon was finished in response to her mock surprise and oddly human like gestures. "You can't seem to stand being apart from him either." Well, maybe it wasn't too smart to be poking at a dragon, but honestly it was just to wide open a chance.

"I thank you for the message though, the militia is still gathering itself so we won't be able to move out in full force until a few days, if not weeks, from now. I believe I know where Leopold thinks the demons have gone, but the question is why there?" she glanced up at Gaia, "Would you like to stay here? Or return to Leopold, who undoubtedly has caused several pounds of gold worth of damage.. or stolen something valuable." Gaia would be helpful to have around, especially in quelling some of the more headstrong of the mounts. Who knows, she might actually let someone ride with her in battle. Perhaps if she tried hard enough, she could get Gaia to teach some of the aerial core some more advanced maneuvers since bipeds generally weren't meant to fly so they hardly had a sense of what was available to them in the air. Too many soldiers thought in two dimensions, there was a third and it was quite exploitable to one's own advantage.

[-Kilik]

Leon stopped at a cot where a man lay injured and breathing softly and he spoke with that feminane voice of his. Ava followed her orders and placed both of her hands in which her for forefinger and thumb of both hands met creating a trianguler shape with both of her hands. Closing her eyes slowly she caught adrift of her 'inner self' and looked for that core.

She searched everywhere and couldn't do it at first this was going to be alot more difficult than taming a mare or helping her brother around when he was sick and wounded. Ava took a deep breath and imagined the outline of her body in the shadow of her eyelids and she dived in herself bringing her to a place in which she had never been. Tears welled up as memory's of her brother in her arms and of her family swelled in her. How she missed her parents and her brothers. Again she started to 'see' a dim light around her midsection just below her bellybutton and above her pant line.

She focused on this point and a soft and warm sensation started to swirl about her torso. This is it Ava thought. The sensation was sharp but soft and rough but delicate at the same time. The young girl brought this feeling towards the center of the triangle that she had made with her hands and she imagined in her blind sight a golden white glow envelop from this point.

A soft and caring hand guiding her but Ava couldn't care less. This was what she was here for. She squinted her eyelids shut even tighter and pushed with all of her inner self into this. It felt as sweat was forming on the young girl's brow but there was nothing that mattered more to Ravar than healing this man that lay injured before her. The soft feeling made her feel as if on a cloud a floating sensation ran throughout her body. This is it... The feeling he was talking about.

In plain sight a small pinprick of a golden glow did come from the center that her hands formed but that's all it was just a manifestation of her innerself. At first it was nothing but the pinprick started to grow in size and became a little smaller than half of her palms. It manifested itself as a butterfly and pushed itself into Leon's hands and past it over the fracture... but dissappaited before coming into full contact. Ava opened her eyes and gasped for breath. She had gone from an airy and light feeling to a feeling of falling and crushing rocks. Her legs were shaking and she was breathing hard. "Sorry... I can do this. It's just...." Pausing for a moment to gather her words. "That hurt.... Can I?" She glanced back down to the wound and spoke in reference of wanting to try again. Ava knew she could do it. It would take a bit more effort than what she at first thought.

[-Ezekiel]

"Leopold Crowley is probably the only human around who knows how to act like a dragon. He takes what he wants, when he wants and unlike male Dragons, he isn't interested something other then my winning charm" said Gaia waspishly, she did have to admit that she had a softness toward Leopold, but then again so did so many others who had been his sworn enemy turned ally and then friend. He was mad that was for sure. But there was just something about him that made you feel safe. "Besides, I'm certain you'd wish he were here right now, he may not sit still for very long but at least he knows how to make everyone stand up and listen."

As Gaia looked around the encampment her tail swept over the roof of the medical tent, ripping it from the rest of the tent, which in turn took out the walls of the tent, leaving the patients to the air and elements around them. The healers inside shouted at her as she glared at them, healing was such a pointless task. Then again, humans were frail creatures. Gaia really could only see the use of healing when it came to those who deserved it. So far her list was Leopold and Lilly, possibly a few others but then again she was fickle.

"I'll be delighted to stay" said Gaia as she ignored the healers and turned her golden eyes squarely on to Lilly. "While Leopold might be doing something enjoyable, he did give me a job. Protect the militia, not like you guys need it. But if you need any help do give me a shout"

[-Destinysend]

Leon smiled a little, the girl had promise, that's for sure. He had had to incorporate little guidance to her spell, and the trickle that she did let through was of the right quality. She just needed to loosen herself a little, she was trying too hard from what he could tell. He gave a mental shrug, she'd get it in time. "By all means, try as many times as you need. He wounds aren't fatal, just painful." He'd need to keep an eye on her, though the other medics could take over her training after he was done with this bit.

Before much else could happen the tent they were under let out a ragged tear as the dragon's tail passed through the top and removed their covering. Well.. it did need to be patched up soon anyway, Leon mused. The other healers were a bit agitated for losing their covering, but that was to be expected. He'd seen a dragon or two in his time, from far, far away of course, and had generally learned it's best not to try and get one annoyed.

---

Lilly merely grinned in the face of the retort by Gaia, "First stage is denial hun. And yes, I do wish Leopold were here some. Despite his oddities he does know how to lead and fight, though I get the feeling that the aspect of war is taking its tole." She hardly blinked much as Gaia's tail tore the top off the medical tent. She was an enormous dragon that put rocs to shame, what was she supposed to say really? The reply about her staying was something Lilly had expected and had prepared an adequate response for. "Then we welcome your company for as long as you'd like. Also, would you mind becoming something a bit more manageable? I'd hate to lose half the militia to your wandering tail."

"If you have the time later, it would be wonderful if you could assist with the arial core. I'm not much one for flying and I'm sure you know a few tricks the birdboys don't." Lilly smiled upwards at Gaia. Not many could say they had befriended a dragon really, so it was always good to keep on good terms with one.

[-Kilik]

Ava stood still and kept her cool as he gave permission for her to try agian. As she prepped herself a loud ripping sound gave through the tent and she spotted a long reptillian skin. Her eyes grew wide and before she could say anything he gave a reassurring nod that everything would be alright.

The young girl nodded and went stright back to what she was here for. Closing her eyes and prepping herself she repeated everything just as she had the first time. That light as a feather feeling once agian overwhelmed her and she pushed that feeling towards the wound. As a response towards the dragon tail it seemed to have 'loosened' Ravar up just fine. Everything was a success as the magic poured into the man to heal the wound. A smile revelaed itself in Ava through her eyes although she kept her lips seeled and stright as would be needed of any person.

[-Destinysend]

Leon nodded in satisfaction. "Good, very good for only taking too attempts at this. You're still using a bit excess, but nothing that would harm someone unless the wound is near fatal. With a bit more practice you won't be expending excess energy. Stick around, practice some, just be sure not to push yourself. If you're unsure who needs help, just ask one of the medics around here. Unfortunately, we'll have to field test you later.. probably in the middle of battle too. Ah, well." The effeminate man let out a whimsical sigh, obviously lost in thought.

"Anyway," he began, coming out of whatever memory had taken him. "You're pretty much certified to be able to handle breaks and minor injuries. Be careful though, as you're still new to the whole healing bit. Not every wound can be approached the same way as this one. Be careful on who you use the spell on as well, for certain species can be wounded by light based spellwork." With that, Leon wandered off, moving to help out some of the other injuries in the now open air medical section.