Cliffs of Anova
Julaeus had never personally seen a dragon up close. In his youth he saw a few fly overhead, but he never expected a dragon to have so many spikes! The fire dragon snaked her head out of the cave's entrance to inspect the elf, and he found himself holding his breath as he braced for the coming fire. It never came. As the dragon's head retreated back into the cave he released a heavy sigh of relief.
He could hear her voice faintly echo from inside, but the crashing waves below made it difficult to discern. The dragon's yelp came more clearly causing Julaeus to jump nearly off of the cliff side. Despite the cool air, sweat continued to drip off of his forehead in growing anticipation. He knew his work was still not complete, and he would never be able to forgive himself if he did not follow through with his task.
Carefully, he edged himself closer to the cave entrance. He was about a two feet away from where he could hop onto the lip when the dragon suddenly poked her head out once again. This time, a high pitched yelp escaped Julaeus, but the dragon did nothing but sniff him, the inhaled air wafting the loose fabric towards her face. Her head lingered close to him without malice, and he hesitated as he tried to discern the gesture. Was the dragon blocking his way? A hesitant hand reached out to touch the spike upon her snout. The dragon did not seem to mind, and he used it as a means to hoist himself to the lip of the cave.
"Thank you, friend," Julaeus said as he quickly released his hold on the dragon's spike. He cleared his throat before continuing, his attention turned to the girl. "My apologies for startling you, but I bring urgent news. Reports have entered Syth of possible Dragon Warden activity along the coast, specifically in the cliffs. They know you're here, Dragon Warden. Syth has amassed at least twenty volunteers to go in search of you, and another twenty north in pursuit of other sightings. Miss, you must leave. They're likely a league from this location by now. You do not have time."
The Northeastern Border of the Twisted Woods
The last bounty hunter finally felt his fear set in. He had lost sight of his coworker, and did not even know he had succumbed to a terrible demise. His feet carried him further and further into the Twisted Woods, his heart racing as his surroundings began to darken. As a precaution, he knocked another disorienting arrow onto his bowstring and let it loose. It flew back from where he came, though he did not particularly notice to what it would hit. It was meant as a distraction or possible deterrance should his enemies be close to the impact site.
He traveled further and further into the woods, running as fast as he could, never looking back. Thick brambles and large trees caused his path to snake and turn unexpectedly, and he was beginning to lose track of which way he had come in the first place. The bounty hunter was lost, but he would run even past the point when his lungs burned.
Outside of the Twisted Woods, all seemed to have calmed. The falcon circled above like a dot in the sky, a faint cry escaping its beak as it called out for its master. It wanted to warn him of the two Dragon Wardens that retreated into the woods. Its call was blocked by the thick canopy of the ominous woods below. The bounty hunter did not know of his coming fate until a dragon crashed through the trees to loom before him.
The dragon's thick tail smashed the man against the tree, the wind escaping his lungs from the impact. His head swam as he gasped for air, and as it returned to him he clambored back to his feet. The bounty hunter reached back for an arrow in his quiver, but found none. The bow in his right hand was broken in two. The Dragon Warden tackled him to the ground and seized his throat in his small hands.
"Who are you? Who are you working for?" the boy commanded. The bounty hunter couldn't help but laugh at this pitiful attempt. The boy was acting on impulse, forgetting that choking a man prevented him to speak. The Dragon Warden was effectively deterring his ability to gain an answer. And it would be just his luck to die by the hands of an unseasoned child.
Locks of greying hair whisped from the hair that was haphazardly pulled back from his face. The thick beard upon his jawline still clung to golden colors denoting a man who was pushing past mid-life.
"You'd better tell me or I'll have you eaten alive!"
The bounty hunter weezed a chuckle, for it was all he could manage before airily struggling a response. "How much is it worth to you?"
Twisted Woods
The poison contained within the spiked tails of a wyvern is activated as soon as it makes contact with blood. It is slow and painful as it eats away at the flesh, muscle, and then bone, and if left unattended, the poison is fatal. Due to the location of her affliction, the Dragon Warden has two days before the poison eats through her organs and kills her.
It wasn't the shriek the dragon emitted, nor was it the wall of ice conjured from the damp mire around them that caused the wyverns to quickly flee. As the ice wall shattered from caster's magic, the stragglers felt the sting of impalement as they rushed away and cried out with the pain. It was coupled by the dragon's breath, and together they drove out the threat completely.
For a time the two would be left in complete silence within the Twisted Woods. Their once blazing campfire was now ash and smoke, and the muddy ground beneath them a mess of tracks suspended to display the chaos that had once surrounded them. Something drove them away, and that something was quiet and near.
Fear could almost prickle the hairs on the back of the Dragon Warden's neck should she be keen to her senses. Someone or something was there, nearing the girl and her dragon without fear. Another silent moment passed until an unsuspecting man journeyed out from a path behind a line of trees. He gathered his robe about him and stopped suddenly at the sight of the two. He showed no fear, but concern pushed his brows downward.
"My... I heard wyverns. Have they gone?" His hooded head craned to look about in search for the beasts.
The Northern border between the Twisted Woods and the Northern Mountains
Barrod herded his sheep safely over the foothill and headed towards home. It would take a few hours, and the entire time would be spent on pins and needles. The dragon and its rider did not follow, nor did they seem to care if they ever did see them.
The ride through the foothills would be particularly uneventful. The sun rose ever higher into the afternoon sky, the dull clouds thinning to invite more of its light. A falcon glided above them called out a mournful cry before turning towards the Twisted Woods. It would not hover above the gnarled mess of trees and kept along its border.
It is possible the old earth caster would sense the distress within the flora of the surrounding land. Sturdy evergreens and barren oak bristled with whispers of a happening further down the border. The grass sighed with relief that the earth further down the way was no longer disturbed. Tension remained within the magic of the inanimate that cast towards the Twisted Woods. These inklings would grow the further down the border the two would journey, and should they do so, they would travel a little less than a league before finding evidence of a bounty hunter's disorienting arrow cast to the ground after areal impact.
The Northern Woods of Eversyth
Eosphelon's head turned at the sight of Erramun, and he snapped his teeth in his surprise as he urged his companion to turn from the house. Before Idhrenan could even look upon the dweller, she turned about to see the large earth dragon, her eyes wide. Was it hurt? She could not determine its reason for such caution as it approached the home. It was a rather large creature who likely would attract attention with or without trees.
"Both of you come in," the dweller urged. Idhrenan turned back towards the doorway to find a young Naveri elf, her face frought with concern. "And bring your dragons to the Northern facade."
"But I am the only..." Idhrenan's voice trailed off as she felt another presence. Whoever it was, their presence was faint and slipping. Without word, Idhrenan relayed the plan for him to head for the Northern side of the home. He groaned and slithered across the open grass as if it were on fire, quick to get back into the shadows of the trees. As he passed Erramun, he sniffed the air and playfully brushed his wing close to his leg as he tested his bounds with the newcomer.
"Quickly!" the dweller said before retreating into the house. Idhrenan cautiously approached the imposing earth dragon and bowed low.
"Please allow me to aid you," she requested.