Annoucements:

[Essence]

Just now the young lass had left Du Weldenvarden and was now making her way southwest toward the Empire's capital. She rode a large bay steed, one of the elves' trusted horses. She had befriend him - Arai - since her childhood and decided to take him with her on her journies. Like a Rider and her Dragon she had a strong connection with the horse, as she did with Gavin.

Gavin was the sole reason she had left her beloved home. Just a few years before he had been killed by one of Galbatorix's soldiers and she would have her revenge.

Essence started her travels late in the day, being guided by the stars during the night. She wore thicker clothing, as the desert was very cold at night. This was the smartest way to travel in the desert. She did not sweat as much and therefore needed less water. The same went for Arai. She was positive they had enough. Now all she had to do was reach Uru'baen, where she was sure to find that soldier. The biggest problem was Galbatorix and his army...both would be hard to sneak past. That was for when the time came. For now she just had to worry about crossing the desert.

[NeoVir]

It had been a year, nearly a year, old friend.

He pushed his long finger across the silky sand, forming meaningless lines among the grains. A young man in his early twenties sat among the dunes, his back against his bulging bag. He stretched his shoulders, his lithe body following suit in a ripple of cracks. The man's arms reached out to the inky sky above, discordantly popping several more joints. Sluggish from his recent day slumber, he procrastinated from moving as much as possible, yawning and rubbing his face.

The heat from the past desert day seemed to rise from the sun-drenched sand and he found the warmth pleasant in the cooling night. The air stirred but something else seemed to move also...

(Sorry have to get off for the night but I'll be back on at 3:00pm [it's 10:30pm here right now])

[ShadowHeart]

Raven shifted the larger sword sheathed on his back, frowning as he once more was beset by the heat of the desert. He had planned to take the longer way home, but after running into the Ra'zac he knew that he was probably a marked elf, seeing as how one of the Ra'zac was now dead and the other almost beyond recovery.

He sighed as his feet sank into the soft sand and the blistering sun beated at him from above. His hand brushed against the hilt of the smaller sword at his side, a sword that had kept him alive all this time, despite living on his own as a nomad. He sighed, he knew that he might not be welcomed back into Du Weldenvarden, but he had no where else to go for the time being.

He looked up and thought he saw a shape in the near distance, but wasn't sure if it was a mirage or reality.

[Essence]

Leather boots truck the sand sharply, sinking in about in inch as she dismounted the bay. Her figners loosened the steed's girth until he was comfortably and she moved to walk in his shadow. Essence continued to walk him, one hand holding his leather reigns, the other resting on the hilts of her swords, Hai and Hei which rested on her left hip. Her gaze moved across the desert, searching for some shade. Anywhere. After some more time of walking Arai stopped and lifted his elegant head, auds forward as he spotted two distant figures. A low nicker sounded through his vocals and Essence gently prodded him for an image.

'Neither seem to mean us harm.' The youth thought, remaining silent as she gently pulled Arai forward. Lightly, both Essence and Arai slid down the dune and she was momentarily relieved by shadows. For some time she lingered in the shadow of the dune, savoring her moment's out of the sun. Both men were in the direction she was heading, though they were some distance from each other. They did seem peaceful enough, but one could not be too careful.

[ShadowHeart]

Raven studied the shapes in the distance with his sharp eyes. He couldn't see them clearly, but he knew that one had to be a horse and the other resembled something human. It could have been a soldier of the Empire, but none of those cowards would travel alone in the desert. He sensed another presence as well, but the figure must have been hidden by one of the many sand hills so Raven began making his ways towards the horse and its rider.

He stopped about five feet from them and saw that the figure was a girl. She was scarred and her ears were slightly pointed. He cocked his head to the side in mild confusion. Was she an elf? And if so, why were her ears less pointed then they should have been, after all, his ears clearly ended in distinct points. Whoever she was, she did not appear to be with the Empire, so his hands stayed clear of his swords and he touched his fingers to his lips in greeting.

"Greetings. I am surprised to run across another traveler in this vast desert...My name is Raven Shadowheart, may I ask for yours?" he asked.

[Essence]

[ooc; Sorry NeoVir, can't wait any longer. xP And incase you didn't get my answer in the C-box it's morning-ish in this rp. My char was/is looking for a place to rest.]

Essence noticed that one of them was an elf. the femme blinked once, slightly surprised to come across an elf outside of Du Weldenvarden. A slight, pleased smile formed over her lips at this thought. She highly doubted that he was allied with the Empire, though at the same time knew this didn't mean he was not a foe. She didn't let her guard down, though moved her relaxed hand from the hilts of her swords to show she would not attack either.

In response to his greeting she also touched her lips with two fingers, listening as he spoke in the Ancient Language.

''I am known as Essence.'' She replied simply, neither formal nor casual. Arai snorted quietly, annoyed at her neglect of him, and pushed at her shoulder. 'Arai, letta. Now is not the time.' Essence told the equine telepathically, giving him a sharp look. Sure enough he stopped, though not before flicking his ears back in annoyance.

[NeoVir]

(Sorry about that. Next time just feel free to continue posting. I wouldn't get angry )

The melting amber sun completed its ascent from the netherworld, an orb balanced on the eastern horizon. Squinting against the already brilliant light, the young man raised his arm to block the sun and pushed himself up from the gold sand. Brushing the grains from his russet cloak, he turned slowly to survey the surrounding area. He expected to find little but hoped to spot a craggy break in the desert to hide and rest under. Then he saw a most strange sight. Not far from him, almost stone-throws away stood what looked like two bodies and a horse.

He crouched just low enough to peek over the dune and grasped his pack with one hand for reassurance. He began to mull over his options.

[ShadowHeart]

Raven smiled. He could already tell that she wasn't to be taken lightly, and he would respect that. He was not sure why she was traveling through the desert, but then again it wasn't really his business. He stretched somewhat lazily and nodded to Arai.

'He's a beautiful horse,' he said truthfully, admiring the powerful animal. 'I must say it's been a while since I've seen one that could match him.'

He felt another presence and glanced around, but the sun was already reflecting blindingly off the sands and he gave up the search for the moment.

[Essence]

The youth could help but smile faintly at the compliment to Arai. The steed seemed to understand the praise given and let out a quiet snort, arching his neck elegantly while shaking his mane in a prideful manner. A hand was placed on his poll, hoping that she could subtle the horse's ego even a little.

''Yes, he is wonderful animal. I am lucky that he has chosen me to be his sole rider and friend.'' She replied, letting her hand drop from Arai's neck. ''Might I inquire as to why you are traveling the desert?'' Essence asked out of curiousity, mostly. Almost as soon as she did the horse raised his head, letting out a snort as he peered off to one of the dunes. Essence, in turn, shifted her gaze to where the horse was looking. Just faintly she caught sight of a figure and her eyes narrowed, a hand resting on one of her hilts.

'Friend or foe?' She asked Arai telepathically, letting his instinct take over her own. She was fully aware that the beast was sharper and would sometimes rely on him, though not often. The horse just tossed his head, striking the ground twice with his hoof. Seeing the horse didn't worry much about the 'hidden' presence the femme relaxed as well, letting her hand drop back to her side.

[NeoVir]

Spying for a few moments across the dune, the nomad sunk back and rested his back on the hill. He rarely came across other travelers, let alone in the this empty waste. Reality melting, he couldn't help but think back, back to that time. It's Fate. Somebody out there wants me dead...

He snapped back. With each precious second slipping by the red-headed man could only think of several scenarios. First, he could simply start walking away. Stupid! his inner self mocked. He could see what would happen next. He would be spotted as quickly as an elephant in a room. Then either he would be flagged down or, gulp, be cut down. Then there was the idea of him making the approach. Either they would welcome him or, as his macabre mind knew, be mugged like a toddler on a playground. He sighed and chewed on his lower lip. He had never been as smart as he sometimes said he was. He needed to decide quickly. If he stayed any longer, his brain was going to fry under the desert sun and then there was the possibility of the travelers stumbling across his hiding spot.

[ShadowHeart]

Raven smiled. It was always good to see such a bond, even if he had never formed one with any sort of creature. He chuckled slightly as Arai put on a dignified air and then wondered if he should answer Essence. He shrugged to himself, seeing no harm in it.

'I am traveling to the forests of Du Weldenvarden. Whether I will be permitted to enter or not is something I'd rather not think about at the moment,' he replied.

Raven watched Arai closely when Essence asked the horse to determine the nature of the hidden figure among the sands. When he saw Essence relax, his hand retreated from the hilt of his sword.

'It seems as though there are many travelers out today,' Raven said lightly.

[Essence]

[ooc: I'm sorry this took so long for me to reply to. Been busy and my internet connection is crappy.]

''So it seems.'' Essence replied with a slight smirk. ''I wonder if he will just observe us or come down.'' Her gaze shifted to Arai, watching as the horse flicked his ears in impatience. Her smirk grew slightly as she sensed his curiousity and impatience. The female gave him permission to go seek the traveler. Arai snorted and picked up a trot instantly, floating over the sand toward the traveler.

''I know nothing about your situation, but I assume that the elves will allow you passage. After all we need all the allies we can gather.'' Essence returned her attention to Raven, subtly hinting that she was allied against the Empire. She didn't suspect him to work under Galbatorix, as Arai would have sensed danger then, but she knew even a horse's instincts could be wrong so waited to see how he would react.

[ShadowHeart]

Raven followed her gaze to where the other person was, wondering the same thing. 'Maybe he is trying to see if we are a threat to him or not,' he said.

He watched as Arai fidgeted with impatience and smiled when the horse was given permission to seek out the hidden figure. It had been a while since he had seen a horse with such a personality.

He caught the hidden message in her words and smiled at her. 'Which is my only chance of joining with them again. You see, I left on unpleasant terms, forsaking the ways of the elves and becoming an aimless wanderer. I believe I was exiled by the elves, but I hope that I may enter their realm once more,' he explained, not wanting her to think that he was with the King.