Findon walks along the road, looking down on the road as he does so, his short legs seeming to pitter back and forth in a running motion. He looks at all, not paying attention to what's in front of him though and muttering things to himself.
Archarus is quite similar in the fact that he isn't paying attention to what's happening about him, busy worrying about what will happen once he reaches the Aldani city where he has to buy supplies. Unfortunately, he is also on an almost direct collision course with Findon, unless things should change.
Findon continues walking forward, watching the road pass by, he looks at the side of the road, muttering a bit about his past life and where he is now.. Still unaware of Archarus, the crunching of the road under the two dragons' feet almost in beat with each other...
Archarus is looking up at the sky himself, and still manages to miss Findon approaching, the distance beneath them disappearing until... *thud*. Caught off guard, Archarus staggers from the impact, nearly losing his balance and struggling to keep it, unable to see what he hit for the moment.
A bird circles overhead, crying out a lonesome wail from the skies above.
Findon staggers backwards and slides backwards in the dirt of the road, he looks up from the road as he is hit, not sure who or what is there untill he falls onto his tail, with a grunt he gets up and looks at Arch, then his attention somewhat distracted by the bird, but only for a second as he notices what did bump into him, or what he bumped into, he can't quite tell who did what..
Archarus finally regains his feet, straightening his armor for a moment then whirling on Findon, red eyes gleaming in anger, the look only getting worse as he notices the color of Findon's spines,"I should have known only an Aldani could be this clumsy. Watch where you're going next time."
Findon glares slightly at Arch, stating before him, "Me, only a silly Vehrakt would go and bump into me, maybe you should stay at home, your eyes don't seem to be working on where your going.." He stands up fully now, after regaining balance fully from his stumble of a fall.
The bushes off in the distance rustle. Probably a small rodent in the trees scampering away.
Findon thinks... probaly just a small rodent..
Archarus snarls slightly at that insulting response, baring his sharp teeth in a humorless grin, "And your mind probably never worked to begin with. After all, that's only normal for your disgusting kind." He glances towards the rustles, but shrugs it off a moment later.
More rustles from the bushes where they first originated.
Findon smirks, "Well goody, my brain must be superior if you think right now it's not performing, no wonder your kind always keep away from us." He dismisses the rustles, little beast fighting over a meal at most he thinks...
Archarus shoots a glance once more at the bushes, one of his hands straying to a dagger of his... though this of course could be misunderstood by Findon, "If that's your idea of logic, Aldani, you just proved me right. Now, out of my way. I've no time to waste on /you/."
From the rustling bushes bothdragons hear rustling that is NOT the bushes. They sound somehow alien, yet familiar. Aluring, yet deadly. At that new rustling, they both hear the dying shriek of probably that first little rodent.
Findon watches the dagger, noticing the glance to the bushes, "Hmmph, me, yes your life would be stupid to waste on me, maybe you should go track that rustling of the bushes.." He glances at the bushes and shrugs.
Archarus begins to slowly back away from the bushes, eyes widening in possible recognition as he actually draws the dagger, "You may believe 'monsters' don't exist, Aldani, but I've seen one too many creatures I wish I could forget to foolishly dismiss things as you are doing."
The alien rustling slowly grows louder. One might even catch glimpses of a shadow moving swiftly through the underbrush.
Findon hrrms to himself and forgets about Arch, then begins to safely move a step or two near the bushes..
Archarus puts his dagger away and actually unslings his spear now, holding it ready to bring it to bear against... whatever.
Findon hrrms, and stands there, his new form screaming stay aware and cautious, his old sense saying check it out...
Archarus reaches down into a sheath, drawing a dagger again while holding his spear with the other hand, preparing to hurl the knife into the bush to flush out whatever it is.
From the bushes between them both stumbles a wounded Krzzn'tai. It's head swivels quickly to determine which is most dangerous and which is easiest prey. Its abdomen is leaking a green ichor, most likely it's blood. It is also missing it's right arm claw, although the rest of the arm is still there, also covered in green ichor.
Findon snarls and becomes ready, immedieately aware of this danger, he's passed some before, even been chased by some, so now he backs away slightly.
Archarus does the exact opposite now that he knows what he's up against, giving a feral snarl and a broad grin and hurling the dagger hard towards the abdomen of the bug, resettling his spear and beginning to close in towards the wounded creature.
Findon has never fought one of these.. yet, so he's pretty unfamilar with it all, so he just prepares with any type of fight or somewhat.
The Krrzn'tai's excellent degree of vision alerted it to Archarus's dagger in time to fling it's wounded arm out. Unfortunately for it, the dagger slices even more off of the arm, eliciting a high-pitched sort of scream from it. the arm deflected the dagger enough so it bounced against it's chitnous shell, rattling as it falls to the ground at the bug's feet. The bug swings it's good arm claw at Findon before turning to attack the more threatening prey, Archarus.
Archarus continues to slowly sidle towards the Krrzn'tai, to all appearances being cautious... then suddenly he tenses his legs and springs straight for the creature, wings flaring out to allow him extra air time though his armor makes him too heavy to fly. He angles his spear downwards at the creature as he swoops towards it, trying to plunge the weapon into it.
The Krrzn'tai scuttles backwards towards Findon as Archarus's swoop brings him closer. It raises it's good arm claw in a sweep against Archarus as he comes down.
Findon surges forward at the bug while it's attention is on Arch, he does a long breath of fire at the bugs midsection, stopping his surge forward but continuing in a circle around the bug as he breathes out the fire.
The Krzzn'tai starts it's wailing keening as Findon's fire starts seeping down into it's chiton. The fire burns it's tender flesh, soon stopping it in it's tracks after it goes a few more feet backwards.
Findon grunts and stops his charge, he looks down at the bug then looks to the bushes, wondering what hurt it in the first...
Archarus snarls again, this time in pain as the bug's claws slash all the way through his armor and score on the flesh below, blood beginning to flow from the wound as soon as he drops to a crouch on the ground before the burning being. Giving up on killing it honorable, he inhales sharply and then spews his own rain of the natural napalm towards the creature, aiding in finishing it off.
Findon walks away from the bushes, still a little curious about the reason the bug squealed then was hurt...
Within minutes, the Krrzn'tai's high-pitched keening dies off as the bug is thouroughly cooked. Green ichor burns black, popping and bubbling out of various portions of the bug's body. The stench is awful.
A smail trail of dripping ichor can be found trailing through the brush. A splattering of red blood can be seen pooled with green ichor, with another trail of the ichor leading deeper in.
Findon wrinkles his snout slightly at the stench, if a dragon can that is...
Archarus remains in his crouched position, glaring at the bush and clutching his wound. Getting back to his feet with a hand still to the wound, he hefts his spear again and as if from mere spite, torches the bush as well with another torrent of fire.
Findon watches... then looks back at the bug he forgets the trifle earlier and says, "What.. is that.."
Archarus reslings his spear with his free hand, staring at the corpse for a moment, then shaking his head and turning away, "It's a bug. From Krrzn'tai. They use those they disable for food by chopping them up and dragging them back to their native Sphere."
Findon says, "A bug? I was chased by those.. things when I arrived here.. I hate them..."
Findon walks back to the bug and looks down at it.. "Eh, stinky.."
Archarus looks down at his wound as blood begins to seep around his hand and through his fingers, "I'm lucky this one was wounded. I'd be dead now if it hadn't judged continuing to battle me too much trouble for too little gain."
Findon umms, "Well, first time I fougt one myself..."
Archarus opens his jaws a bit to try and get extra air in as his breathing becomes labored and the burning sensation from the wound begins to spread,"I've got to get back to my outpost, or I'll die anyways."
Findon nods, "Umm, yeah.."
Archarus turns away without another word, staggering along the path towards the border outpost... but he doesn't get far, dropping to his knees after only about 10 yards.
Findon says, "Umm.. hrmmg" he's trying to get over any differences, then shrugs it off, "Need any help... sir.."
Another bird above skrees proudly from the skies.
Findon looks up.
It is a simple bird or prey, falcon or somesuch, soaring the thermals of the air currents.
Findon looks back at Arch and walks over to him...
Archarus looks up at Findon, growling through gritted teeth,"Yes... My outpost is right up ahead. Just help me get there..." It actually almost comes out a whimper, the next word,"Please..."
Findon nods, then says quietly, "Okay then.."
Archarus struggles back up to his feet, practically slumping against the other dragon, proving the effectiveness of the bug poison with how fast he was reduced to this mess.
Sedired flies down from above.
Sedired has arrived.
Sedired circles a few times and lands, preparing to take over her duty shift.
Findon begins to help Arch to the outpost.
Archarus is using Findon as a crutch currently, blood running from a wound on his chest to all down his body, and with the rather obvious effects of bug poison going on.
Sedired turns her head as she smells the burning bug and sees Archarus being taken to the outpost by a unknown dragon. After taking stock of the situation, she pads over and with a nod to the other dragon, starts to help him with Archarus.
Findon nods and continues helping Arch.
Archarus is now able to relax a bit more with both of them helping him, and uses part of his reserves of strength to rasp out to Sedired,"Let me give you some advice. Never get clawed."
Sedired looks down at Archarus and with a grin, "Advice taken sir... " She turns to the Aldani at her side, "Did you see what happened?"
Findon says, "Yes, a wounded bug came from the bushes and attacked us both, I guess the bug thought he was more dangerous and attacked him mainly, then I torched the bug."
Sedired looks over the Aldani and nods, "Good. Let's get him inside to clean the wound... " She yells to another guard to take her place at the outlook and helps Archarus inside.
Archarus sounds even weaker and in more pain than he was before, actually being dragged now by the two more than he is walking,"Not.. wound... poison..."
Courtyard - Southwestern Outpost
The courtyard of the outpost that guards the Krrzn'tai Interface is oddly silent, lacking the sounds of battle drills and sparring that most other forts have. Only scattered groups of warriors dot the area, and they converse in mere whispers of normal voices, the minimal noise seeming to make things even more quiet if that's possible. However, the silence is not a lonely one. Instead, it has the air of esprit de corps, a bond that can only be forged through shared trials and from being forced to lean upon one's comrades.
The courtyard itself tends to be shadowy because of the high walls surrounding it, upon which soldiers patrol continously, keeping an eye out for bugs attacking the outpost itself. Within the walls, it consists of stone square in the center, surrounded by a fringe of grass and rocks. Hung within reach of the walls are weapon racks, make armanents easily available to the massed Border Guards should it be required. The gates leading within the outpost itself are towering ones crafted of the strongest wood. No insignias mark anything in the area, proving that this is truly a joint effort.
Sedired continues toward the outpost.
Inside - Southwestern Outpost
The inside of the outpost carries the appearance of a combination between a chapel and a military barracks. Windows allow light in from about two stories up, and torches line the walls on the ground level. Branching off from the main hallway are doors leading both to private rooms owned by the Border Guards, and other hallways that lead to training rooms and armories. There are groups of Guards scattered across the area, conversing normally, with laughter and jokes befitting soldiers in a war zone. Slightly gruesome trophies are on the doors to some of the private rooms: pincers torn off of fallen bugs killed by the occupants.
Sedired stops before the door to Archarus's room. Opening it, she motions to Findon to help her lay him down upon the bed.
Findon helps lay him down.
Warriors scurry as the severly wounded Archarus is brought in and order for more lookouts, scouts, and patrols are given. One comes to the door with a medical kit.
Sedired takes the kit from the warrior, and tells him to stay close in case anything else is needed. She turns back to Archarus and quickly starts removing his armor so that she can get to the wound on his side.
Archarus gives several choice words from the dragon language, hissing and snarling as the armor drags across the wound as it is removed.
Sedired finishes removing the armor, throwing each piece to the side as she goes. She lays the kit on the table beside the bed and opens it. She turns back to the wound, noting that it doesn't look bad but that if she doesn't work quick, the poison will claim another Vehrakt.
Findon looks around, nervously as in the outpost.
Once the chaos outside is settled, Findon starts to realize that Aldani and Vehrakt are *both* stationed at this outpost, not just Vehrakt. Odd...
Findon looks around, then hrms.
Archarus growls out,"Would you make up your mind about which scalpel to use and get this over with?"
Sedired frowns and hurmphs at Arch as she takes a scapel out of the kit. Looking around, she spots the Aldani still in the room and tells him to hold Arch down as still as possible as she works.
Findon watches.
The warrior steps up, pushing Findon closer to Sedired and Archarus, "She meant you, dolt!" The warrior, an Aldani himself no less moves to the other side of Archarus, to hold him down if need be.
Archarus doesn't try to move quite yet, watching the scalpel approach his flesh with morbid fascination, giving the warrior holding him down only a glance.
Sedired waits as the two take their places and kneels beside the bed, facing Archarus's wound. She looks at the both, "Hold him still. " Then looks at Archarus and nods to him as she starts to cut the wound wider and deeper, allowing the blood to seep out.
Archarus inhales sharply, muscles going tense all along him in a struggle not to try and get away from the scalpel, gritting his teeth to the pain and releasing tension in a low continuous snarl.
Findon and the other Aldani both hold strongly onto Arch, keeping him down as best they can without hurting him further.
Sedired soon finishes cutting and lays the scapel to the side. She leans forward and places her muzzle against the wound, sucking the blood, and hopefully the poison, from it. As her mouth fills, she spits it out into a large pot that another dragon brought into the room for her to use. She repeats this process for a while till, to her best guess, the poison is out. She sits up, muzzle covered with blood and assesses Archarus, noting the color of his scales around the wound and over the rest of his body.
Archarus is looking a bit of the draconic version of pale considering he just watched someone drink a large amount of blood from a wound, but other than that appears perfectly healthy if a bit weakened by blood loss still, the inflammation having gone down as the posion was sucked out.
Sedired nods to herself and uses a cloth to wipe her muzzle off as she rummages around in the kit. She removes a bottle and turns to Archarus, and with a grin says, "This may hurt a little... " then pours a good amount of liquid from the bottle over the wound.
Eyes widening as she says it's going to hurt, Archarus bucks abruptly as the fluids strikes the wound, actually letting loose with a full-fledged roar as he does his best to strike out at those holding him down, his thrashings continuing for as long as the liquid keeps on being poured.
Findon and the Aldani warrior now struggle to hold Archarus down, just trying to keep from being hurt by him now.
Sedired stops pouring the liquid and then waits patiently for Archarus to become still again on the bed. When he does, she removes a needle and thread from the kit and leans forward again, making quick tight stitches to close it. She talks as she stitches, "Archarus, the wound will be quite sore for awhile because you lost scales from around the area. As you well know, it will be tender untill they grow back. Untill I take out the stitches, you are not to use your arm for anything more than picking up a cup to drink with... no weapons!" When she's finished, she spreads a balm from a container upon it which seems to numb the wound. Bandages are quickly put on top and wrapped around his chest with help from the two Aldani.
Archarus manages to refrain from trying to harm any of the three people helping him this time, tongue whipping out and lashing the air as his only sign of the feeling from the stitching, his breathing slowing back to normal after she's done bandaging him up, his first words a complaint of all things,"No weapons... But I can't just stop training..."
Sedired turns to the warrior at the door and asks for some water. With the help from the two Aldani, bedding is changed under Archarus. Pouring some water into a cup, she uses the rest to bathe and clean him up. Once finished, she mixes a few herbs into the water in the cup and orders Archarus to drink... "Yes, no weapons unless you want that wound to fester and become worse. Then, I just might have to cut the arm off. You can lay off the training for a couple of weeks... "
Findon looks around and watches Arch.
The Aldani warrior reaches over for the bottle of liquid Sedired had just flushed Arch's wound out with. He says, "I think I need this now..." and tosses back a mouthful of it really quickly. A tiny trickle of smoke comes from his nostrils as he hands the bottle back to Sedired, "Thanks."
Archarus swallows the water with a few quick gulps, looking faintly amused at the warrior trying to get drunk, then looking back to Sedired,"A bug nearly got me when I've not been off training for weeks. I'll be dead if I stop using weapons for a few weeks." Shaking his head to try and clear it, he tries to sit up anyways, hissing with pain and slumping back down,"I guess they haven't started working yet. Anyways, I owe a debt of honor to you, Sedired, and to you two Aldani as well."
The Aldani warrior just nods briefly before leaving now that he sees he's no longer needed here.
Findon shrugs and watches.
Sedired shakes her head to Archarus as he still insists to use the arm. "For the last time, you are not to use that arm Archarus. If you have to train, then use the other. I'm warning you... you may be my commander here but if I have too... " She nods to Archarus, shrugging, "It is nothing that you would not do for any other warrior..."
Archarus begins to get a bit drowsy from the herbs in his drink, blinking rapidly to try and stave off sleep, giving a sigh as he gives in to her instructions,"As you wish. And while that may be the case, I still owe you, and I'll find a way to repay you."
Sedired nods to Archarus as he starts to drift off to sleep. "Sleep Archarus, to fight another day... " She turns and starts cleaning the room of bloody clothes and bandages. She takes up Archarus's armor and calls to a warrior to take it to the armory to be cleaned and fixed.