Merrin felt a hand on her shoulder and whirled - and before the furious mage could even take in the strange light in her eyes he was in a heap on the ground, an aura of white around him. Merrin looked in shock at her hand, from which a beam of blinding white flame had seconds before issued.

The slight hesitation of the advancing other mages gave her all the opportunity she needed to fly from the encircling monoliths. The earth shook again as a silver dragon, far larger than Wyvern but comfortingly familiar, thudded to earth beside her and its rider, taking in the Renegade emblem on her tunic, wordlessly proferred a a hand. "You come not a moment too soon!" she shrieked at him, and clambered aboard searching the chaos for Kendath or Gyre.

A flash of emerald - and Merrin saw him fall, to be trampled underneath the hordes. She did not pause to see what happened, tense with sudden fear. But they could not descend, the battle raged on even as Renegade paladins swooped from the skies -

And then another silver blur was beside her and Merrin leapt astride Wyvern to dive to earth.

_________________

"Damn" Semri cursed she saw Kendreth fall from the skies and knew that her chance at Merrin was lost. However, she did not forget the wrong he had done her twin...it was a good excuse as any other to kill him. Therefore she swiftly made her way over and drew her sword over his body "He is mine...i have a prior claim." Meiltha stepped back, yet held Gyre is cheak.

_________________

Made by Lembas

Merrin flung herself from the flight saddle even before Wyvern landed in the churning mayhem of clashing Renegades and Meiltha. Everything seemed a blur except Kendath's motionless form, and hot guilt assaulted her even though she could have done nothing to prevent his actions. Not even Semri, appearing suddenly to stand over him, sword drawn, slowed Merrin's frantic rush.

“Gods, no - “ she gasped, sinking to her knees to grope for a pulse, entirely vulnerable to Semri's naked blade. To her immeasurable relief she found one, and was on the point of shrieking for Wyvern when Semri's words sunk in.

“Prior claim?” she repeated incredulously, breathless, staring at Semri from where she still knelt as though the hard-eyed Renegade-turned-Meiltha had suddenly sprouted an extra head. Wyvern, tail thrashing about and laying Meiltha low left and right, sprang to crouch behind his rider, snarling. “Don't' talk nonsense!”

_________________

"Listen to me Merrin, either you can let me fight him, or i will simply let the Mieltha have him." She swung Evlyns ruby foreward. "Rember this...? This fight is for Evlyn...after that i am done with her....now move or i will take great delight in killing you also."

_________________

Made by Lembas

Staring at the conflict, Gyre felt something snap within her. She'd already lost one rider, and though she'd not yet bonded fully with her new one, she vowed that she'd not lose another. Especially not in front of her very eyes.

"No!" she shrieked, lunging forward. Like a striking viper the nearest Meiltha dragon twice her size skidded before her, barring her path. "What kind of fight will it be? You are unwounded!" But even as she spoke, she realized a quick death at Semri's blade would be far better than the torture the Meiltha could inflict. Frantically she glanced towards the skies, hoping to catch the attention of one of the Renegade paladins.

_________________

"You will not," snapped Merrin in reply from between clenched teeth, and was on the point of whipping out her rapier to stand over him when an inferno filled the air overhead. Three Renegade dragons thundered earthwards, flame issuing copiously from their gaping mouths. Wyvern took the opportunity to snatch his rider from the midst of the conflict, and with a brief shriek in Gyre's general direction the pair were gone.

_________________

"NO" The Meiltha scarttered back to thier dragons to take an assult apon the Paladins. Semri knew her moemnt was lost and yet turned to strike Gyre acrose the neck.
----------------------------
"And yet who are you to know how to to that?" hissed Jemx.

_________________

Made by Lembas

Gyre bridled to avoid the mortal blow, but nonetheless the blade gashed her at the nape of her neck. Steaming blood trickling from the wound, she roared in pain. Through her primal vociferation could be distinguished a desperate plea for help, and one of the enormous Renegade dragons responded by diving back to earth. Jets of white flame shot from its rider's palm, scattering the Meiltha long enough for Gyre to snatch the comatose Kendath from the fray and gain altitude.

The intended sacrifices rescued and the lightning incursion accomplished, the Renegade paladins shot away from the scene, leaving two behind as rear guard. In rage the Meiltha mages still on their feet harnessed their powers in coalition and blasted the remaining two Renegades to oblivion.

But Gyre registered none of this. All she knew was that she and her rider were safe, winging their way to the Renegade camp far away...

-------------

"My lady!" the few Meiltha still with their wits intact rushed to aid their apparent superior to her feet. That done, they fell back in fear. Semri had every reason to be suitably furious, and a furious High Meiltha was never a pretty sight.

_________________

"Wyvern!" Merrin had shrieked, watching in horror as the scene below grew smaller. "He'll die, Semri'll kill him!"

Gyre is eons older than me, Merrin, and even I knew to get my rider out of there. Just watch.

And sure enough, as they circled Merrin saw her rise, jade-green scales contrasting sharply with the vivid red gash Semri had inflicted. It made her remember Wyvern's injury and as she clambered up to the saddle she took note that he needed attention fast - even now his silver flanks heaved beneath her and Merrin could tell his energy was pure adrenaline. He listed slightly as they swooped to meet Gyre.

None of them were in very good shape, Merrin reflected in dismay. The dragons, both of them now, would likely be unable to fly very much for the next few days at least, and Merrin's stomach contracted into a hard knot with one look at the unconscious Kendath where he dangled limply from Gyre's talons. She had come out best, she realized, even with the blood-stained makeshift bandage about her arm and shoulder.

And as the foursome dove to land in the Renegade camp, its size regrettably diminished since the battle, Merrin found herself thanking the gods fervently that they were all alive.

_________________

Gyre alighted with a visible rumble of relief, subconsciously twisting her head around to lick at her neck wound. A few milliseconds later she had snapped back around and examine her prone rider. A small snarl escaped her as she assimilated the ragged laceration across his stomach, where blood still oozed. "Healer," she spoke quietly but sharply at the Renegades that swarmed around to collect the former prisoners. She jerked her head at Merrin and Wyvern. "For all of us."

One of the august silver wyrms shook his head. "Healers are few, and there are a dozen others that need tending." Nonetheless he made a point to nudge one of the white-clad clerics bustling about. The next thing they knew, they were all being led away - the dragons in one direction, the humans towards the tent infirmary in the center of camp.

Inside the tent, incense and minor enchantments fought valiantly against the reek of blood and vomit. The healers escorted them to the back of the long row of sick beds, where they plopped Kendath down and cleared another cot for Merrin. One of the initiates - a boy of fifteen, perhaps - lingered behind with the latter. "You are very brave," he said, eyes shyly downcast.

_________________

Merrin half-sat, half-fell onto the makeshift cot, and managed an exhausted smile for the timid boy. Her face was dirt- and tear-streaked, one sleeve of her tunic gone. "I would that I did not have to be," she said in reply, smile gone rueful, and took a breath. "You too are no coward, to tend to all these wounded."

The cot would have to wait. Merrin knew the healers were overtaxed, as would any be, and sinking to her knees beside the unconscious Kendath she gave the boy an inquiring look. "If you have anything to spare - I'll need bandages, and anything else you can give me."

_________________

The initiate stared at her for a moment, then wordlessly nodded and trotted off. He returned a moment later with a roll of bandages, an earthen-hued jar of shimmering salve, and a bowl of water. He dipped his hands in the water first before turning a curious look on Merrin. "You know the healing arts?"

_________________

"Oh, very little," said Merrin after a pause. She had not been listening. Somehow Kendath's still features made her quaver inwardly, and her hands shook very slightly as she too washed them. Resolutely looking nowhere in particular she found the ugly gash, stomach knotting tighter at the blood-stained tunic preceding it.

Again guilt assaulted Merrin, though she could not fathom what for, and she had to sit back and gulp shakily for breath. Very glad was she when white bandages, along with as much salve as she could in good conscience use, were wound securely about the wound; and Merrin found herself staring at his face, willing him to wake up.

_________________

The lifeblood slowly seeping from his soul... seared with fire... doused with ash... burning temple... Demon... Merrin... Merrin...

Merrin?

Sacrifice! He had to...! Kendath bolted to vigilance with a shout, hand shooting for his left hip where his falchion - No falchion. Not to mention that his explosive attempt at sitting up had happily flown off in the wrong direction, resulting in a painful stab in his torso that sent black shooting across his vision. With a stifled groan he forced himself to relax and calm the abrupt rush of adrenaline...

His vision cleared, and Merrin's concerned face floated into view. The candlelight illuminated her hair like a bronze halo that diminished her dirt and tear-streaked face. The sight of her was a welcome respite. In fact, he'd never been so happy to see someone in his life. He attempted calling her name, but somehow the words couldn't get past his parched throat.

_________________

Merrin, having been abruptly startled out of fitful slumber, shot halfway upright herself and in a moment was off her cot entirely before Kendath had quite managed to overturn his. In her haste she knocked over and extinguished a candle, and spilled water in no small quantity over the packed dirt floor while completely missing the pottery cup; but still managed to shove the thing, half-filled, into his hands after a moment.

"Shhh, it's fine," she told him in a whisper, sinking back on her heels. Most of the tent's inhabitants were asleep, and the sky outside was dark. She herself had been unable to rest very well. Visions of Kendath lying still and limp under Semri's glittering blade assaulted her dreams, as did the faint sobs of a child and the cold, glittering eyes of a Meiltha mage.

Merrin had to turn away under the pretense of relighting the extinguished candle. The sight of him awake again made her so violently relieved that she found herself at a loss for words, and turning back to him with it lit in her hand she sat down. "How - how do you feel?"

_________________

Semri screamed with fury and rage as Gyre and Kendreth took to the skies, she hardly registered the Meiltha about her, her natural arrogance preceeding her in a slef born belif that people would follow her, so she was hardly surprised when she was helped to her feet.
"My Lady"
How DARE you 'My Lady' me. She shriked pulling the unfortunate man back to her and snapping his head from his body in her rage.
Well what are you waiting for you idiots? She snarled at the Meiltha drawing back in fear, Pursue them, or are you so incompetant that you cannot do even that? She pushed her way though them RANO!! She screamed into the bloody sky. He smacked down to the earth breathing fire and roaring with anger. She vulted onto his back, as athletically as her sister had done, yet with done of the charm or grace. FOLLOW THEM YOU FOOLS, OR DO YOU NOT EVEN KNOW WHERE THEIR CAMP IS?! With that they lept into the sky after the long fled Renagades.

Back on the ground the Meiltha looked at the body of thier fellow in fear. "Do you know where thier camp is?" One asked. "No, but lets get out dragons and follow her anyway...just not to close." Answered another.

_________________

Made by Lembas