RP:Bonds Written in Flames

Hidden Mountaintop Colosseum

Svilfon is having somewhat of an argument with Alahir. He is standing on a seat quite high in the Colosseum, but one that if you lean forward drops right to the ground. Though Alahir's part of the conversation is silent, shared only with the wizard, Svil's words are spoken aloud. "This is the best way to learn how to fly!" He pauses, before shaking his head. "Oh, come now. I'll jump off too!" He snickers then, "Yes, yes, I know... but come on! What's the worst that can happen?!" The couatl, which is coiled around Svil's arm, snaps his gaze up to the wizard and speaks in his pscionic voice for a long time. Finally, Svil nods his head. "You know, I could just throw you off..." But the threat doesn't have much weight behind it. Alahir knows the wizard loves him too much. "And come, Piquettki can fly! You were the first born! This is how we learn!" Sadly, it does seem like the vampire is losing the, 'I'm-a throw you off to teach you how to fly' argument. Much to his dismay.

Hildegarde had spent much of her time talking to Kenway, trying her very best to explain her Oath and sensation of duty. He seemed receptive, though, always eager to find out more about it and emulate those values to the best of his ability. The Silver found herself wandering around Frostmaw, talking to Kenway about it in the effort to explain what she knew of it or what she had experienced here. Coming across the Colosseum, she gestured to it and said with a little smile, "This is where I met Queen Satoshi for the first time, young master. She is, I have been told, a great friend of your father." She always skimmed the topic of Kenway's parentage, uncertain what to say about it given that she hadn't learned much more about the situation. The couatl had curled himself around her underarm; upper body nestled on the less-spiky sections of her pauldron. A silent conversation was held on the part of Kenway, the Knight nodding slightly, "Yes, many do fight here - many win and many lose." The Knight then seemed to frown, shaking her head, "No, young master Kenway, there is no shame in defeat. There is such a thing as an honourable defeat. It is when..." but her explanation seemed to drift away as she caught sight of the wizard of Frostmaw, perched atop a seat as if he was ready to cast himself from it. While her hurt pride internally wished him some moderate ill, she could not bear to hold onto such a sensation. She looked at him and narrowed her gaze with some concern and confusion! Her voice carried across the Colosseum with relative ease; holding within the power of the Saurian voice, the might of the roar that was innate to all her kind, "Wizard! Is all well?"

Svilfon is so focused on his conversation with young Alahir that when Hildegarde speaks he starts, turns to look at her, before losing his balance and tumbling off the edge. He is prepared, though; he always was. And in an instant he snaps off the word to enact his teleportation spell. Both himself and Alahir, who is growing rather used to moving this way, snap out of existence and appear again on the ground. Svil is on his back and Alahir has unwound himself from his arm and shifted to sit on his chest. He has a strong urge to turn and face his brother, but instead he offers Svilfon a long look and an even longer silent lecture. Finally, nodding, Svil takes Alahir in his hand and stands. He offers Hildegarde a slight smile, one ambiguous in intent, before tipping his hat. "Well enough, lady knight... Though..." His gaze shifts again to Alahir, before looking back at Hildegarde. "I suppose I should owe you an apology.. or something." Those last two words are muttered. "I should have been more kind last time, and asked instead of telling." He nods, before stepping forward and motioning to Kenway. "And who is your friend?" This question is reflected by Alahir, who flashes his wings in a sibling greeting to Kenway.

Hildegarde sucked in a sharp breath as the wizard began to fall, so shocked by it that she couldn't think of anything to do! Even Kenway seemed to 'sit' upright a bit in shock and, perhaps, concern for his sibling. At the mention of an apology, she raised a gloved hand and shook her head, "It is not necessary, good wizard," she offered a compassionate smile, "I dealt damage to you in return, so... I believe we are even and in no need for apologies. You have healed well, I see." As the wizard motioned to Kenway, she smiled and looked to the couatl, watching as his wings rose up and shimmied in greeting to Alahir. "This is young master Kenway. Who is this hatchling here?" she gestured to Alahir. Her use of 'hatchling' was not intended to be offensive or even derogatory, it was simply a dragon thing!

Svilfon is silent for a long time as Hildegarde speaks her words, though the silence is filled by Alahir's thoughts weaving silently through the air, speaking to the knight with a sense of politeness... almost as if he were asking if it were okay to speak in such a way to her. ~I am Alahir, lady dragoness, first born of Emiur and Lin's children.~ If tiny couatls could smile he'd be beaming. It is now that Svil speaks, having waited for Alahir to be done. "Aye, you did... though, what was started in the fields of Frostmaw must be finished. I do hope you understand this..." Alahir turns to look at Svil, then, before he snakes his way down the wizard's arm and does a little 'hop' to the floor below. His wings flared for a moment, making the fall a soft landing, before he makes his way to stand just before Hildegarde and his brother. ~Don't mind him. It's his way. He doesn't understand any other.~ A snort in the background sounds, Svil heard the words, but he doesn't otherwise speak. ~Kenway... have you met our other siblings?~ There is amongst the silent sounds a wealth of joy and happiness only the young can share when seeing another of their kind. ~I see you chose well with her.~ Confirmation that like Pinquettki chose Iintahquohae, Alahir is glad Kenway chose the noble knight.

Hildegarde dipped her head respectfully as the voice reached her mind. "I am honoured to meet you, young master Alahir," she offered a smile, catching Kenway mimicking her dip of the head from the corner of her eye. As Svilfon spoke, however, she looked a touch confused, "What do you mean, wizard?" her body had went a touch more rigid; as if she were expecting some kind of combat or attack from the man. As Alahir made his way down Svilfon and to the ground, she dropped carefully to a knee and pointed her shoulder down somewhat to allow Kenway to 'dismount' more easily from his perch. Kenway replied with a little shake of his head, sending little flashes of memory and images of the Knight before them to his sibling; as if to explain that Hildegarde was really the only one he had spent any time with. He reveals how he witnessed the hatching of Pinquettki but was too hungry to pay attention! The Knight watches the two with interest; gaze flickering between them and the wizard almost cautiously. Kenway doesn't seem to yet have an entire grasp on speech, but he manages a few words, ~Magical one is safe!~ Clearly he was attempting to imply that his brother was in safe hands with Svilfon around.

Svilfon grins at the two couatls; the smile warm and full of genuine happiness. He ignores Hildegarde's question for a moment as he drops down to one knee and speaks soft words to the two hatchlings. "You two are brothers and of a like mind. Though you are young yet, there is within you both the seeds of greatness. Never forget that. Your sisters too are lovely, but it is you two who must help guard them until they are strong enough to guard themselves. For not all attacks come from the flesh and as powerful as I am, as... knightly as she is, we cannot always ensure you're safe. You two share what Emiur had. Be proud of that and let it guide you." The rare moment of tenderness fades quickly as Svilfon stands again, before finally he addresses Hildegarde. If he noticed her growing more rigid in her armour he makes no mention of it. "We must finish that which was started in the fields of Frostmaw. You not only guard one of my family, you guard one of Emiur's children. I must know you are... worthy." The waves of thought coming from Alahir at those words are ignored by the wizard, other than him saying, "It is the only way, young friend. I must be sure.."

Hildegarde had nothing to add to Svilfon's impassioned and tender speech to the young brothers, only smiling when she could see the pride billow from Kenway. At the final words of the wizard, she sighed quietly; digging her halberd into the earth to free up both hands. She reached for Kenway, smiling as he curled around her offered arm; urging Alahir to do the same, as she said gently: "Young master," as if to suggest he take residence upon her arm. If the couatl did so, she would wander over to a step and set them down gently upon it. The Silver leaned slightly to press her forehead to Kenway's, whispering soft words, "Do not fear for me, Kenway. Remember your name and what it means; remember what I have said to you. Battle is but an art and we must respect the artist in every way. I expect to take on injuries, but do not fret, little one. You know I shall always be your shield," she smiled a little wider, even if her eyes still held that sadness that always seemed to lurk within them. She dipped her head to Alahir and wandered back to her halberd, lifting it as she addressed Svilfon. "I am saddened to hear that you must resort to combat as a test of worthiness, good wizard, but if this is what I must do to prove myself as worthy... Then I shall do my best," within reason of course. The Knight had no intention of causing serious harm to the wizard, after all.

Svilfon stands motionless as Alahir climbs up Hildegarde's arm; the young couatl senses within her the same noble spirit he shares and already likes her a great deal. When they're placed down and the knight speaks, Svilfon again grows silent, as if he were weighing the next words he speaks with great care. "Understand this well, knight of Kirien. We can settle this here and now, within this very building built for such things... but if you do not take it seriously like last time, I will continue to come for you until we face each other in a battle that truly will be for life or death." He snaps his hand out to the side and draws from the air itself his Xalious-wood wand. "If you fear for me so much that you cannot try to kill me, then am I truly worthy to be the wizard-knight of Frostmaw? Guardian to Alahir? I demand little, but respect is one. Show me the respect I deserve and do your best to kill me." That said, he bows to the woman in a solemn gesture before offering the two watching couatls a small smile. "Worry not, little ones. This is the only way..." That said he turns back to Hildegarde and simply waits. "Begin."

Hildegarde listened to the wizard speak, shaking her head ever so slightly. "I feel that I am at odds with you, wizard. Your views are... jaded," she said softly; as if she were upset to even say the word! She sighed, sad eyes casting to the ground. She felt as though this man would kill her today. "I do respect you, sir. Combat is not the sole mean of showing respect, in my opinion." However, she knew she was fighting a losing battle. The man would not be swayed and he would only be content when she attempted to kill him, which deeply worried the Knight. She did not wish to be the instrument of death or help someone die because they enjoy courting death. She cast a smile towards the brothers, before giving her halberd a little twirl in her hands as if to readjust herself to its weight and feel. "Wizard," she dipped her head respectfully and inhaled deeply as if to clear her mind. That done, she charged forward as if to barrel right into the man. When she appeared to be at lunging distance, she seemed to tuck her body and roll diagonally; swinging the halberd around in a small yet strong circle with the intent of breaking the legs of Svilfon with the shaft of her weapon.

Svilfon returns the nod with one of his own. "Jaded..." he grins. "You have no idea." But that is the last words he would speak in the common tongue, for the knight has wasted little time in charging forth in a brazen attack. He cannot quite keep the smile from his face as the rush of battle again comes to him, something that causes Alahir to frown a little, but the wizard is beyond such distractions now. Focused as he is, he reacts quickly when the halberd is swung at his legs. He leaps upwards, trying to tuck his legs up to his chest, but he mistimes the evasion and is caught on the ankle. It causes him to wildly spin in the air, until he lands on his stomach on the blood-stained floor below. A 'ooomhp' is torn from him, but the pain coming from the bruised limb is ignored as he drags himself to his feet and points the wand at Hildegarde. He would show her here and now how serious he is. So with a few quick words spoken, not even a spell, just a doorway to his magic, he sends from the tip of the wand a scarlet-hued wave of power that rips the distance between knight and wizard with wicked speed. It snaps and cracks at the air like ravening beast, devouring oxygen greedily on its way to attempt to do the same to the knight's flesh... a vicious, brutal attack... but this time the vampire wasn't trying to just incite her anger... this time, it was serious.

Hildegarde had learned the first time around that the wizard was out to cause serious harm to her. She was quick to roll to the side after her attack; hopping to her feet and readying herself again. As the words were spoken, she closed her eyes tightly and willed herself to transform into a somewhat more true form. Of course, she felt it dishonourable to accept her truest form! So she simply made do with a scaled version of herself, along with some lovely talons and teeth. Serpentine eyes affixed themselves to Svilfon, feeling the crackle of magic in the air. She felt as though running away from it would only hinder her cause! So instead, she simply barrelled straight ahead -- into the crackling and brutal magic. As she ran towards it, she roared with anger and determination; but it quickly became infused with pain. Her mithril armour seemed to screech and cry with the strain, some weaker parts bending slightly. It was obvious that the Knight had slowed in her run as she passed through the attack; a few scales flicking off her to reveal spongy flesh. But she kept running; spurred on by the mental cheers of young Kenway and the yearning to do her liege proud! The wise words of Dami flitted into her head: kill or be killed. Hilde twirled the halberd in her hand so the rider-wrenching side was now skyward and the axe-head was now pointed at the earth. She cleaved it upwards and curved; hoping to swish the blade against his gut or right through it with an angry scream.

Svilfon is caught almost completely unaware by the knight's attack. He had not expected this at all... and though he feels a surge of strange pride in the way she drives through his magic, it is short lived. For death is coming on the end of that pernicious weapon and if he doesn't move fast, there will be two half-wizards instead of a whole one. So he reacts like she did; instead of leaping away or to the side he jumps forward while twisting in the air He evades the sharp halberd's odious blade and instead is caught in the stomach by the shaft of the weapon. Her strength is enough to send him flying directly over her head, but he keeps enough wits about him to land on his feet. A wince comes as pressure is forced on his wounded ankle, and he knows he'll have a vicious bruise on his stomach after. But he is alive and not split in two. Without wasting time he leaps forward at her back, shifting the grip on his wand so he holds it like a dagger, and attacking in the same fashion he would if the weapon was in fact a knife. He slams it down and around, aiming to impale it into one of the gaps in her scales and drive it into the soft flesh that was exposed...

Hildegarde was far too driven by the battle to consider how glad she was that the wizard had avoided being split in two! Honestly, Hilde could be far too honourable or sweet at times. As the wizard is thrown over her, she is ready to twirl her halberd around her and finish the job; slice him in two as she had intended, but the wizard found himself against her back and actually stabbing the exposed and spongy flesh. The point he chose was the exact spot where shoulder and neck meet, a part that is not hidden by her armour and lack of chainmail, given that she cannot afford such. The Silver screamed with pain; blood pooling rapidly around the improvised weapon. But she'd be damned if she let this get in her way! While screaming, she clamped a hand over the wand and Svilfon's hand; digging it deeper into herself with a cry of agony before leaning forward swiftly with the intent of throwing him back over her shoulder. Should the wizard be successfully flung over her shoulder and onto the ground; the Knight would lift her boot and attempt to stomp upon his trachea.

Svilfon vaguely recalls wise words spoken to him about dragons. That you shouldn't try to fight them strength vs. strength. Instead, kill from afar with mighty magic. This is a lesson he is quickly learning as the silver clamps her hand over his own and throws him over her shoulder like he weighed little more than a feather. Her strength is far greater than his, and when he lands this time on his back the wind is knocked out of him for the second time in as many heartbeats. His mind is awash with distracting pain that is only made worse when her boot slams down onto his chest. He is saved perhaps by having no more air in his lungs to drive out, nor really needing air to stay alive. Nevertheless, the pain is excruciating. But that's never stopped him before. No longer holding his wand, which remains in her shoulder, he instead lifts both his hands up and clamps them around her ankle, holding onto it with all the vampiric strength he can muster. He flashes very quickly a bloody grin at the silver, before he enacts his teleportation spell without any of the usual precautions he uses. He vanishes from beneath her and appears a few feet away in a heap on the ground. But what was left in his wake is a rapidly growing ball of fire that snaps and cracks at the air. Even from his distance he can feel the waves of burning heat coming from it, and with a groan of pain he drags himself to his feet and casts his pale gaze around, hoping to learn the knight's fate and secretly hoping she isn't devoured by his attack... she had tried to kill him more than once... when this was done, they would be friends... even if she didn't want it.

Hildegarde felt a delicious sensation of sating her anger as she stomped down on his chest. She was secretly glad she hadn't stomped upon his sternum or something similar to that in seriousness, but alas, she was glad to have done damage! As the wizard gripped her ankle, she looked at him with an expression of uncertainty and confusion, knowing full well that her armoured weight and strength along would exceed his! But then he was gone and she was left with this growing ball of flames that would surely burn her alive if she did not deal with it. Given that he had spells that could sweep this arena or chase her around; the Knight was well aware that running away from it would be entirely pointless and would only exhaust her own powers! So, she scrambled back a little and inhaled deeply and swiftly; her throat clicking more than once. The orb of fire had caught up to her, licking at her skin and causing the dragon's face to contort into pain. Once again, she was being burned by this man. But rather than scream or allow herself to run out of the flames - which every fibre of her being was telling her to do! - she held her ground. Hilde looked downward and expelled that long held breath; the intensely concentrated cone of frost aimed at the base and swirled around as she rotated; hoping to quell the flames and be free of the fire. If her plan was successful, she would stagger as quickly as she could towards the wizard, hefting her halberd at him warningly. If she even made it over to him, she'd raise the base of the polearm and use the rider-wresting tool at the bottom to strike him on the forehead.

Svilfon is standing still, refusing to give in to the waves of pain which assault his body. He watched the fires intently, feeling from behind him waves of uncertainty from Alahir; a plea to stop this before one of them died. But the wizard cannot react to the couatl's wants. He shuts out the pscionic thoughts easily; all couatls were far too polite to force their way into minds unless it was absolutely needed. And so he stands there, watching with detached joy as the fires are quelled by her breath, Frostmaw again returning to its namesake. Yet when she charges at him he doesn't wait this time to let her attack. Instead he snaps out his hand and causes his wand to vanish from her shoulder and appear again within his grasp. He speaks a spell he's forced to rather than wants to, for his voice is made guttural by the beating he has taken and this is one of the few chants he knows where that is needed. They layer over each other, the harshly spoken tones, growing louder and louder rather quickly. And by the time that polearm is striking out at his forehead, Svilfon's mouth becomes like a cavernous opening, growing far wider than what is naturally possible. And from this comes forth a wave of sound; the peak of the crescendo to his spell which causes a tangible sound wave of force to come forth, striking out at the Silver with enough strength to deafen a normal mortal. A dragon, though, wouldn't be rendered deaf by it... and in truth, Svil has no idea what it will do. All he knows is that his body is wanting to rest and this crude spell was the best he could do...

Hildegarde could see and feel the worried thoughts of Kenway who watched from afar, twitching with the urge to go help Hilde. The Knight yelped as the wand disappeared from her shoulder; disrupting the state of the wound and causing blood to spurt from it freely. But then that spell struck forth It caused the dragon to scream; clamping her hands to her ears and dropping to her knees. Silvers were so delicate to sounds, after all. Kenway had heard Hildegarde mention it as she talked of her species. The Knight screamed out with pain, scales all aflutter with the pain of it all. Kenway slithered off the step; attempting to flutter over to Hilde. His wings were not yet fully functioning, so he sort of flapped and flailed his way over to her; splaying his body onto her lap with a needy noise.

Svilfon stands motionless as Kenway flutters his way over to Hildegarde. He is still awash with the joys of battle and he almost attacks again as she drops to her knees, but something stops him. For as her couatl stands guard beside her, Alahir moves to slither in between them. He flashes his feathers in a defiant gesture and his thoughts come as never before. They are spoken with deep pride and unwavering certainty. ~Stop, wizard, or you will facing Kenway and I in battle next~. Svilfon is many things, some think him a little deranged, yet when that couatl makes his promise and stands so bravely, so nobly, the wizard lowers his hands to his side before dropping his wand. "As you wish, noble friend." He smiles, flashing bloody teeth, before he staggers the distance between himself and Hildegarde. Only then does he drop down to his own knees, oblivious to any danger this might cause, and he reaches out to rest his hand upon her shoulder. "Listen to me, dragon... listen to my words..." He begins to speak inanities, merely sounds, yet they are soft, almost loving in their tones; stark contrast to his last attack. For that is his intent in speaking them, to aid her in recovery with sounds soft and soothing, countering he hopes the effects of his spell. He's not sure it'll work, but she was his friend now, and he would do what he could, even as Alahir makes his way over, up Svilfon's arm, before curling around his neck and sharing a thought of thanks between them all, a sensation mixed with great pride in the two guardians.

Hildegarde's hand dropped from her ear; arm curling loosely around Kenway as if to suggest she'd protect him even in this less than fit state. But it is clear to see that the Knight was exhausted from the battle; her ear oozing blood to declare that her eardrum had burst. Her hand wished to brush Svilfon's hand away, but she was too weak and not willing to incite combat again with Kenway right beside her. The Silver finally spoke - a little more loudly than necessary - in the effort to ensure their battle was done, "Well, wizard? Am I worthy? Do you feel my respect?" If his answer was no, then she was uncertain as to what she would do. Perhaps she would attempt to show him more, but at this rate it looked highly unlikely!

Svilfon smiles as her words come loudly to him. He turns to face Alahir and whispers, before the couatl's thoughts politely speak to the dragon; weaving past the obstacles of her hearing being damaged. ~He says you are worthy, and a friend of both himself and Frostmaw. If you ever have need of him you only have to call and he will be there~ Svilfon whispers again, before the joyous thoughts of Alahir again sound out in silence, mixed with an almost musical laughter. ~He also says if his chest felt any more of your respect, he'd be coughing up pieces of shattered ribs for a week. You are worthy; of Kenway, of Frostmaw, of friendship. It is done~

Hildegarde 's hearing would return to normal in due time, but for the moment she was very grateful to have Alahir act as the messenger. She looked to the couatl and wizard wearily, before dipping her head respectfully to them both, "He is worthy of you, young master Alahir," she intoned, as if to suggest she had the same worries as Svilfon. "If we are truly friends," a commodity that the Silver did not have much of, surprisingly, "then you would be so kind as to not mind my leaving for assistance! I trust, you are well enough to seek out your own, sir?" So wounded and yet still so concerned with her own knightly duties!

Svilfon grins as Alahir nods his head in a solemn gesture to Hildegarde, but he speaks no more. Instead Svilfon does, "Go now, knight. I will be fine..." He doesn't really look forward to getting up, his body was in agony, but he doesn't let too much of this show upon his face. "Rest well, lady dragon, and watch out for her with honour, young Kenway. It was a pleasure to meet you, even under such circumstance." He offers them both a tip of his hat, before he twists his legs under him and sits down upon his backside. There he would wait, regaining his strength so he can make his way back home to the library.