faderift | (no subject)

The dragon’s dwelling place is a really long walk by foot, so the group is mounted however they choose. It makes the journey much quicker, and soon enough they’re approaching the mountains.

“It’s not much farther.” Kain pauses on his dracolisk, scanning the area more closely. He points toward one of the mountains in particular. “That one. I hope everyone is ready for this.”

He hopes he’s ready for this. He has a lot to prove to himself right now.

Inessa glances over at Kain; she doesn't need to guess at what's on his mind, as his thought patterns are very familiar to her by now. Not being able to take on the dragon before means that of course he's all the more eager to see it through now. That's what she's worried about, but she's made her case beforehand and is saving her energy for the dragon, not repeated lectures.

"We'll have to leave the mounts behind soon, then, or they're likely to flee without us."

Garahel barks from ahead, tail wagging. He's eager to have his two-legged friends on the ground again, though naturally Interceptor's company is welcome.

Kattrin has been keeping to the back mostly. Partially because she only knows one of the people here and partially because she's still finding it hard not to be cautious around someone who is a Templar. Still, she looks towards the man leading this party from her position on the borrowed horse in the back, noting the landscape soon after.

She can see what he means by them being close. There are some signs of a hunting ground in this area for certain. Taking it in, she secures the flap of her bag, signaling to the fennec within that it is time to be still and hide.

"This area should work if we wished to walk here. The area is not too difficult to manage on our own." Even for lowlanders who usually lacked the amount of experience in mountains that the Avvar had.

James pulled up Dauntless, and down at the horse's side, Interceptor stopped as well. Sat down, open his doggie mouth and let his tongue loll out as James peered up at the mountain that the Warden Kain had gestured to. Honestly, he had only come because of Inessa and Sam, and he glanced over at his young friend, before speaking up.

"Is there a stream near-by. We should leave the horses there so they don't have to worry about food or water if we are all turned into ... well."

He decided it would be prudent to stop right there, thank you.

During the journey Sam keeps towards the back, but more off to the side. Not for the lack of interaction, but simply because Conan, being a nuggalope, was better keeping some space from the others just in case. Especially when they were getting closer to dragon territory.

The talk of leaving the mounts behind has Sam nodding, stopping Conan to dismount as well when he sees James do just that. "While we should leave them in a safer area, we shouldn't leave them too far. Just in case we do need to get to them quickly."

With a nod of agreement, Kain glances around again, better getting his bearings. He'd only been out here the one time, so far, but he'd gotten a vague idea of the lay of the land. They ought to be just fine walking from here. It's really not much farther. And if he remembers correctly...

"There ought to be a stream not too far ahead. The first time I was out here, I camped not too far from one in this area. The location ought to be safe for the mounts... Right this way."

Kain urges Highwind along, the dracolisk starting off once more. He'd technically gotten this mount from a dead man, his weird namesake, and he doesn't intend to let the creature lose yet another owner. Not if he can help it.

Inessa glances over to James for his implication, though she likewise believes it best not to speak further along such lines. Morale must be maintained, after all. Nodding at Kain's suggestion, she urges her own mount along until the stream is in view. Upon reaching it, she dismounts as Garahel walks up to sample the water. All that walking is thirsty work, so why not?

James shrugs because honestly, he doesn't want their animals to suffer because they had enough thought in their head to attack a ruddy dragon but not to think of all the possibilities. Besides, he hadn't said it. Just implied it.

Interceptor jogs up to Garahel and bumps his head against his friend's shoulder, before getting a drink. He's nearly of a size to the other mabari now, but still young. He doesn't have the height that Garahel has.

As soon as the animals are where they will be drinking and remaining for the time being, Kattrin is down on her feet. She checks in her pack and a little nose pops out. She smiles and taps it and it vanishes again. With that, she pulls her staff off her back and starts studying the surrounding area to get clues about the dragon that could help her with what to focus on for healing.

Kain is sure to get Highwind settled, letting her also drink her fill of the water. He takes another careful glance around the area, but from the look of things... their mounts should be quite safe here. It's outside of the area he'd observed, where the dragon seems to mainly range for hunting. With one more fond pat of the dracolisk, he turns to the others, nodding as he points off in the direction he'd last met the dragon.

"It won't be much farther. From this point on, stay alert."

A thundering roar fills the air, as the massive dragon gradually swoops closer. At first, it simply flies over the area, circling around far our of reach of bows or magic, clearly agitated by the presence of the intruders. Then, with another roar, it lets loose, a huge burst of fire aimed down toward the whole group.

“Now! Let’s do this!” Kain has backed away just barely from the flames, though some manages to singe his hair a bit. He holds his sword steady, waiting for the long-range fighters to get the first hits in, waiting for it to land.

That roar sends a shiver down Inessa's spine, though she stands her ground regardless. She waits, waits...and then, as it draws breath for an attack, she casts Barrier around herself and everyone else.

"Don't forget the fire resistance tonics I gave you!" That goes for everyone, as Inessa took care to make a decent amount for all. As for the mabari, she's passed on her knowledge of fire-resistant kaddis, so they should be fine. After her initial spell is cast, Inessa casts Blizzard when it lands, calling forth dark clouds and brutal winds to chill the dragon. Garahel stands before her like the shield he his, ready to take attention of her whenever it's required.

She is no fighter and she knows it. For that reason, she stays close enough to be shielded as needed. After all, being able to defend herself hardly means the same thing as fighting a dragon.

"I will make healing my priority!" She makes sure everyone hears her as she pulls out some lyrium to drink before taking a deep breath and murmuring prayers to her gods. She knows she needs their guidance to win this battle. For they are strong and will surely bring them victory.

"We will take the creature from the rear!" James yelled, as he and Interceptor moved together to the far end of the field, shield lifting up to protect him and his mabari from the flames. He made it to the other side, and the moment the dragon landed, he and Interceptor moved together as one battle unit, going for the creature's back leg to weaken it.

"Jam-!" he starts, but James and Interceptor are already running to the other side of the battle -
thankfully they waited long enough to at least get a barrier. "Everyone stay on your guard!" With that Sam starts running off in the direction that James went, just so they had healing and support for everyone in the fight and no one could easily be singled out.

Kain stays around long enough for the barrier, making sure to down one of the tonics right away. He doesn't intend to hold back, after all, and he's going to need that fire resistance with what he intends to do. He may be powered by taking hits, strengthened by pain... but even he wouldn't be able to withstand dragon-fire. It's a good thing they're well-covered by healers.

He charges forth the moment the dragon lands, swinging his massive sword, Dragon's Fang, right toward one of the dragon's front legs. He's already got Ring of Pain activated, and Dragon-Rage, feeling the fury of his previous failure weighing on him. It's oddly to his advantage that he's not coming in to this at full health... the previous wounds only fuel his strength now as he slashes at the dragon.

The dragon, of course, doesn't seem at all slowed yet by their blows. It shakes itself a little after that ice bitterly chills it, but regains its form to blast fire toward Inessa and anyone else who happens to be in front. Its claws slice toward Kain, who braces himself against them. In the back, that mighty tail of its swings wildly, attempting to slam into James with full force.

With at least two other healers, especially Spirit Healers, Inessa is free to concentrate her efforts for the offense. It's not all about elemental magic, though. As the dragon lands, and blasts fire in her direction, she trust the barrier to hold while casting a Vulnerability Hex to make it even more susceptible to her ice spells, then follows through with Winter's Grasp. She knows it's too big to freeze in place, but the chill will slow it down nonetheless.

Garahel, with his fire-resistance kaddis, barks and snaps at the dragon to keep its attention off Inessa as much as he's capable.

James gets into position just as Sam comes running behind him, and the Templar rolls his eyes before he grabs the other man and firmly drags him behind him and Interceptor. Pointing to his mabari - "Guard Him."

He lifts his shield again as the wings swing out, and Interceptor knocks Sam to the side so both of them are out of the way of the blast. James takes the hit and goes flying onto his back, but the shield took most of the deadly force out of it. He rolls to his feet, and charges in again, while Interceptor acts as Sam's shield.

For now her focus is on Kain. She casts a healing spell his way to continue to keep him going, making sure that it isn't one that will heal him all the way. Their travels here have taught her some things about the members of her party and this one in particular requires the pain to fuel his abilities. Though she needs to keep him alive, she needs to let him feel pain too.

Glancing at Sam and James, she notes that they're not too bad off and currently out of her range. Very well. She'll focus on the three who still are.

That was the whole reason he had chased after James seeing as the Templar had decided to split from the group far enough to be out of spell range. Even so he wasn't expecting James to stop and then puts him bodily behind him. Before he could find his bearings he finds himself being body slammed by a mabari. Obviously it's for good reason as he watches as James goes flying backward where they once were standing and lands on his back.

Sam gives a huff, shaking his head, but doesn't say a word to it, instead pulling out his sword and focusing on a spell. As James charges past there is a distinct green glow that flows over him for a moment as Sam casts Heroic Defense over him, bolstering his physical and magical defense.

Each of the hits from the group strikes, though the dragon’s hide protects it from being anything worse than surface wounds, at the moment. Still, a few cuts here and there on it may be an encouraging sight. That ice cold chill settles over the air over the dragon, and its massive form shakes, a roar following as it once again manages to withstand the blast. There’s another fire blast from the dragon as if to counter that cold, the dragon’s head swaying from side to side as it shoots out that flame. It starts to flap its wings, then…

“Watch out!! Major attack incoming!”

Kain manages to catch just enough breath to shout the warning. He knows all too well what that entails, just from studying dragon behavior, and seeing it in action up close and personal last time. Sure enough, the dragon increases the intensity of each flap of wings, attempting to draw the fighters closer and at the same time sending forth damaging bursts of wind at them.

But this is good, as far as Kain is concerned… even if he grunts in pain by the end of that attack. The more damage to him, the more he can deal to the dragon. The healing from Kattrin is keeping him from falling below usefulness, which is the whole problem that happened last time, of course. After the dragon’s wings calm down, he spins into his own whirlwind attack, sword striking harder than before.

Oh, Maker. Inessa winces as the dragon begins to flap its wings, having been told before what's coming. She tries to use Fade Step to blur away in time, though the winds draw her in close before she can make her escape. Garahel places himself between the dragon and his mistress while she casts a Misdirection Hex on the it, hoping to buy her allies some time.

"Quick, while the hex lasts!"

James yells towards Sam and Interceptor, "Stay Back!"

Then the wings draw him in and he puts up a good Indomitable Defense, holding up his shield to form a wall to keep those breezes from tearing him apart. Thus, leaving him precisely where he wants to be.

Back leg, close to the other mages and Kain, and he begins his attack on the leg with the use of Charging Bull, trying to crack the bone of the Dragon's leg.

The wings pulled her in and she had to do what she could to provide healing for everyone close to her in that moment. It wasn't until the wings stopped that she did what she could to run a distance away. She needed to be far enough away to cast safely while near enough to reach them. But being too close to that dragon...

Already she could feel some bruising on her but she ignored that for the time being. There was not time to focus on it when the others needed her.

Kain isn’t about to let up for a moment, knowing that hesitation could mean death. It had cost him dearly last time, and it was this attack with the wings that had really done him in last time. That he’s still standing now is only thanks to the magic from the others. He has just enough pain… but also just enough health at the same time.

Aiming another series of whirling blows at the dragon, Kain continues to cut at its thick side. The sword occasionally bounces off those hard scales, but once in a while he gets a good, strong strike on it. Blood starts to seep out from the wounds he’s dealing. Good.

At least this time, the magic seems to have a bit more of an effect… a possible sign that they’re getting through to the dragon, finally wearing it down? Kain doesn’t dare to hope. The hex makes the dragon’s next vicious chomp of teeth miss wildly… a good thing, or he’d have surely had some literal mabari crunch to eat. This throws the dragon off just enough for James’ attack to also connect, similarly drawing blood.

The dragon is angry now, its rage growing as it again attempts to chomp whoever’s nearest, teeth snapping together viciously. It gives another wide sweep of its tail… and then… Then it takes to the sky, swooping upward rapidly.

“Maker damn it… She’s on the move!”

The dragon circles overhead for a while, raining fire down toward them. Only ranged weapons or magic can hit her while she's airborne, but she's starting to circle around toward another landing position some distance away.

Sam sees the attack before James yells out. Keeping up his spells doesn't allow him to get further away, but he and Interceptor are both at the very edge of the wing attack that they can dig in their heels to prevent themselves from getting swept up in the attack. With minor cuts and bruises from debris being tossed around of course.

When the wind dies down, Sam is quick to throw up another barrier around James, hoping to help against the thrashing the dragon was starting to do now that it was showing signs of being hurt. And then the beast is airborne. "Well shit..." It was bad enough on the ground, but at least there their fighters could hit her. While the dragon flies, Sam does take a few shots at her, but focuses mostly on intercepting the fire attacks with ice midair.

Seeing the dragon starting to make her way to land again, Sam takes that chance to regroup with the others with Interceptor right on his heels. "I can carry maybe two, but who needs a ride?" He doesn't give much explanation after that before there is a poof of black smoke surrounding him, and in his place a large Hart looking at them expectantly.

He doesn't make a habit of letting just anyone ride him, but they still had a long fight ahead of them and running to close the distance was going to leave them winded.

"Kain, come. I will keep you healed."

She might not be a fighter but at least she could keep track of someone who was. It was something of a specialty really. And the others could catch up and help to do more while they distracted the dragon for a time.

With a wave of her hand to the Reaver, she dashed towards the shapeshifter so she could get a ride. They needed to go now, something she understood from being around for hunts with the Avvar when they went after big game.

That's one of their tricks, of course, and what can make a dragon battle so wearying on even the toughest of fighters. Flying around, changing position... last time it had gotten so out of reach that Kain hadn't been able to follow... that and he'd been too injured at that point. But not now. Not this time. This time, they're going to keep up with it, and they're going to take it down.

"My thanks," he says as he turns to Kattrin, hurrying to join them. He knows he needs to pace himself, be ready for the next round of fighting. At the same time, he glances to see whether one of the others might need the ride more. "Let's go!" The good news, he thinks, is that the dragon might be wearing down more than it's letting on. Moving like it did is a sign it's trying to preserve its strength too.

The dragon, meanwhile, continues to circle above with its bursts of flame... finally coming to land in a spot on a small hill some distance away. It's in reach again once they get over there, at least...

There's only the slightest of a grunt from Sam as the two hurriedly mount before he's taking a moment to relocate the dragon without hitting anyone with his horns. As soon as he's orientated himself he's off, immediately going into a bounding gallop - hopefully his passengers have the mind to hold on tight considering this ride doesn't have a saddle or reins.

Like this it takes little to no time to reach the hill that the dragon has landed on. Taking into consideration that Kattrin probably doesn't want to be in melee, he slows enough for her to dismount safely at a decent range, but doesn't quite stop in case he needs to start running again.

The fight is over, time to heal and maybe take some souvenirs.

Immediately after, Inessa's head is still ringing with the tremors made from its fall but she tries to focus. Coughing at the clouds of dirt raised, she waves them away vigorously before attempting speech. Garahel limps back to her, whining, and she attends to him first before straightening up.

"Does anyone else need healing?"

Kain is very obviously exhausted, half-collapsing, but then steadying himself as he staggers toward the fallen dragon. He reaches out to touch it for a moment. This… this is how it should have gone down in the first place. Still, what an intense rush this was, and still is in many ways. His wounds aren’t as bad this time, too, so while taking it easy will be important for the next few days… it won’t set him back for a month like it did before.

"Finally… we did it… We really did it."

Kain looks over at Inessa. He won’t outright ask for healing, though it’s clear he needs it. He’s just still… really, really pleased, reveling in the aftermath of this battle. After all of this time… it feels so good to accomplish this.

"It’s really done." He limps over toward them. "I hardly believe it…"

Edited 2017-07-06 03:21 (UTC)

You're not fooling anyone, Kain. He doesn't ask for healing, but Inessa doesn't give him a choice. As soon as her energy recharges, she sends that blue energy his way, enveloping him in some much-needed restorative magic. At this point, it's not even worth nagging/complaining about, she'll just do it herself and spare the argument.

"Maybe now you will believe me when I say some matters are better accomplished as a team, rather than alone. We weren't going to let you fall, Kain." She walks over to stare up at the fallen dragon, still inconceivably large in death. "...but I have to admit, that went far better than I expected." All of their party alive, if bruised and bloodied. That has to count for something.

The healing magic restores some of that energy he'd lost during the battle, softening the harshness of all the aches and pains he's gotten during this fight. He can't stop looking at the dragon, amazed at the sight. He's fought lesser dragons plenty, but there's something even more astonishing about taking down a real high dragon.

"Incredible..." He can already envision making armor out of its scales... there ought to be plenty to go around between them all, for that matter. He turns back to look at Inessa, eyes aglow with an excitement rarely seen in Kain. "It went far, far better."

He smiles, then, a genuine smile, as he closes the distance between them further. Impulsively, he finds himself wrapping his arms around her. "I couldn't have done this without you."

The impulsive action catches her by surprise, as Inessa's well aware that he's not usually so demonstrative. Self-consciously, she smiles back, and that genuine smile of his catches her attention. Seeing it now, it comes to mind that he doesn't do that nearly often enough. And he really should, it's a wonderful smile.

"I'm glad I could be here to help, Kain. You have but to ask, you know that."

"That means a great deal to me. More than I can say. I..."

Then he does something far, far more impulsive.

He's overwhelmed by the feeling of victory, the power of overcoming something as unconquerable as a dragon. His ancestors had worshiped them and he can very well see why, especially after the fight this one had given them. There was a magnificence to this dragon, something that made it a worthy opponent. He will honor this dragon for all time, wearing its armor proudly.

Dragon blood is also coursing through his veins... it's been part of him ever since he became a reaver. He's never felt more like himself than he does here and now.

He's not worried about consequences, about the others watching, or anything else. He's just very, very happy right now. So he leans in, to kiss her passionately.

...well. That catches her even more off-guard than the embrace. Not that Inessa is oblivious, she's seen the way he looks at her and the tension between them at times. That she hasn't mentioned it directly has been more due to her needing time and space to figure out for herself what she wants. And though there's much they'd have to discuss, that can all wait for another time. Life is short and the Calling will take them someday, but for now they just cheated death. Isn't that worth a little celebration?

So while Inessa stiffens in utter surprise at first, it doesn't take her that long to respond in kind. Just for a moment, propriety is forgotten.

Kain himself is pretty surprised about this whole thing. He'd spent so long thinking it over, hemming and hawing endlessly. After the letters from the future and those dire warnings accompanying them... it hasn't left his mind to take some sort of action. Only his fears from his past have held him back.

But he's not even thinking about any of that right now. All that's on his mind is Inessa, how warm and soft her lips feel, how new and exciting this is... He keeps kissing her until he's breathless. He's gone this far, after all, so he may as well keep at it.

When he finally does pull away, it's slow and reluctant, and he doesn't move very far, not letter her go. He can't find any words just yet... that's not the easiest thing anyway, for him. She's not screaming and fleeing though, that's a good sign... right?

Kattrin could see they were, well, busy. But there were others around and she'd come to offer food and water. So with a brow lifted, she waited a moment before clearing her throat.

"When your mouths are ready for more than each other, I have food and drink."

Good thing she'd made sure to bring plenty with her supplies.

Kain is so lost in the moment, so wrapped up in the euphoria from the dragon battle that he isn't thinking clearly. He blinks, staring at Inessa in a new way, as if he'd never seen her before. She's still the same person, of course, but something has changed now, hasn't it? What he's done, he's... pushed some sort of boundary now, hasn't he?

There's no time to think about it. Kattrin's distraction comes at a good time. He's not too sure what to say right now, anyway. He doesn't want to potentially ruin things (had he already?)

"I, uh... Yes." He clears his throat anxiously. "That is, yes. I'd like something. That was an intense battle." And he still feels incredible from it, despite how drained he is at the same time.

Wrapped up in her own breathless haze, Inessa is likewise speechless at first. How is she supposed to respond to a sudden (but not that sudden) kiss. Her gaze is anxious, questioning...and then Kattrin's voice sinks in and her cheeks rapidly grow pink. It's not like her to forget decorum, and with the attention of others she scrambles to reclaim it. Clearing her throat, she takes a step back and averts her gaze from the Avvar woman. If she can look her in the eyes, it won't be any time soon.

"I...yes, of course. My thanks."

"Yes. Quite...intense."

She lifts a brow at them like a healer looking on a pair of teenagers with amusement. Each of them is given a cup with water as well as a bowl with some soup in it. Rich with meat and vegetables that Kattrin has been storing in her things so she'll be ready for travel. Like now.

"How are your injuries?"

Kain’s face turns bright red for a bit. If it weren’t for the whole dragon slaying moment, Kain would never consider doing this, and least of all in front of everyone else. It’s only now sinking in a little, what he’s just done, and what it implies. But what does Inessa think about that? Was she just swept up in the moment? He’s a bit worried now, and not able to just outright ask here and now if he’s done the right thing. What if she rejects him?

He takes the offered cup and bowl, realizing just how famished he feels. Dragon-slaying is also very hard work.

“I don’t feel too bad at the moment. A little bit of soreness… but this is nothing, compared to last time.” His choice of specialization admittedly gives him a high pain tolerance, though.

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Getting there

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Dragon fight

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Aftermath

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sorry for the interruption you lovebirds...

AHAHAHA totally fine!

thanks for not alerting me, DW

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