Private Tales Fraternal Diplomacy

[Kaveh]

Malakath - Near the City of Yurelia
Orissa

"Slow down!" Kaveh called through the din of the wind. His hand gently settling on Rayvath's massive neck as he sat cross-legged upon the length of her spine. The massive dragon being so large that his seat was more of a pavilion with straps than a proper saddle as it would have been with other Dragons. Something that still amused most other riders to no end, Kaveh often having heard snide remarks from some of the Ascendent about his ‘princely’ nature. Not that he'd ever really minded their barbs. It was hard to feel insulted when his bondmate was alive enough to eat most other dragons in a single bite.

Though once she had been a runt, Rayvaths wings now eclipsed the sun as she soared above the lands of Malakath. A single stroke of her wings sending gusts below and throwing her forward through the clouds.

"Pixaelys is a third your size!” The Prince hisses, thwacking the dragon in a gentle tap. Not even bringing up the others of the Gilded Wings. All of whom were likely struggling to keep up as the massive Red Dragon pushed herself through the sky. "Let them catch us.”

He reprimanded, a low thrumbling growling echoing through Rayvath’s chest. Her amused chuckle echoing even above the winds as her wings turned ever so slightly and she soared through the air. Descending and shifting as she pulled back, until eventually she dipped beneath the clouds and steadied herself just above Orissa and her Royal Guard. A few of the latter looking up as the sun was lost to their eyes.

"Sister!” Kaveh called as he stood from his saddle and walked to the side of Rayvath's bulky back. "Yurelia lies just over those mountains!”

Thanasis old ally had sent a missive some weeks ago. Not a cry for help or call upon their ancient treaty, but a simple invitation. It seemed that the Prince of Yurelia was to be married, and as one of the city's oldest allies the Thansian Royal family had been invited. Unfortunately, circumstances had prevented the King and Queen from attending, Nasri had declined, and Mehran had simply begged the whole thing off. In the end, diplomacy had fallen to Orissa, and it was by her word that Kaveh had come along.

His sister having practically browbeaten their father until he'd been allowed to attend. A meeting the Prince had heard about only later, suffering through the tale with no small amount of amusement. ”I think it might be best if you land first!”

He shouted through the winds, well aware that Rayvath's size could be off-putting to even friends.

 

[Orissa]

Whenever Orissa took to the sky, she was never alone. Pixaelys had not cared about her birthright, the rank bestowed on the human, but the rest of the Gilded Wings did. Five riders on their dragons selected by elite, a tradition to protect the royal princesses of Thanasis. Being the only female issue of the King and Queen, Orissa soon learned to make peace with the tradition, and allowed the riders to serve her with greatest honour.

They were her shadows even when the sun bore down on them between the cloud cover.

Cadoc and Olazor, the white dragon bonded to the once High Ascendant, rode ahead of the Princess, and the remaining Gilded took their positions to surround the Ransa. Two blues flanked her sides, a black taking the rear, and the moon dragon weaving below and above unseen. Although, Orissa knew the Malennis rider decided to take the lower position when Rayvath coveted the entirety of the sky above.

Kaveh looked relaxed as he sat upon the behemoth, but she heard him loud and clear as they descended below the clouds. A grin pulled at her face, wondering how it may look for the people of Yurelia to see six dragons inbound than the large god her brother rode.

"A wise idea!" She called. Dark eyes flicked forward, catching Cadoc twisting to look back at her. Orissa raised her hand, the signal for descent, and all six moved as one to make their way towards the city. They had all landed within minutes, the Princess still seated in her saddle until Sirine Malennis called it safe to dismount.

A greeting crowd met them at the other end of the field, the dragons moving with their riders to make way for Rayvath's desccent, but the crowd noticeably began to stagger back.

"I knew we should have stopped further away and came by horse and carriage." Orissa frowned softly, but knew there was no room for compensating one's fear. As if on perfect cue, some of the group began to shriek and call out, and Orissa knew that Rayvath was near. She felt the air grow cold, as the god blocked the sun and kicked up a gust.

 

[Kaveh]

As Rayvath bucked against the winds, Kaveh did as he always did when she landed. Slowly positioning himself within the center of the saddle and drawing two separate bindings to his hand. Wrapping them around his arms as he stood, and then braced himself.

The Dragon's massive wings spread out, and a single beat was all that it took for a torrent of wind to carry over the field. A massive gust of wind rolling forward and crashing over those who lay in wait. Drowning out the scared cries of some who fled, and silencing the laughter of those whom seen the Great Red Dragon once before.

The ground quaked ever so slightly as Rayvath's claws dug into the ground, her body shuddering as she lifted her head and proudly put herself on display for the gathered crowd.

Kaveh rolling his eyes as the Dragon preened, unlatching the bindings and quickly making his way down Rayvath's side. A small rope ladder thrown from his side so that he could climb down a little bit easier. The Crowd now attempting to reform itself as the soldiery and Royal representatives drew them back from their fears. Assuring them Thanasis was an ally, and even the largest of their dragons meant no harm.

As the Prince's boots kissed the ground, he turned to find Orissa and her Guard already waiting for him.
"She can be a bit dramatic."

He told his sister, a small smile playing over his lips.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed someone approaching. Three someone's in fact. He did not recognize the men who lead the party, but the woman behind him was familiar; Her name was Mitra. Though no Princess, Mitra was an adoptive of the Royal family of Yurelia, and a close personal friend of his wife Shirian.

"Greetings vaunted allies!" The man at the head of the party called to them, his robes denoting him as Vizier. One of the highest positions in the city, second only to the King himself. "We had not expected so many of your Dragons, but we are nonetheless delighted at your presence Prince Kaveh and Princess Orissa!"

He said, showing no sarcasm and practically beaming. "My name is Arman, Advisor to the King. His majesty regrets he could not be here to greet you himself, but his son's wedding is a busy time as you might imagine!"

Kaveh smiled, glancing at Orissa and letting her speak first. Knowing who'd been chosen for the diplomacy.

 

[Orissa]

"And yet she does so gracefully!" Orissa's voice was a touch louder so that the large dragon would hear, smiling. She still wore her smile as she looked to her brother, excited to be somewhere other than Thanasis. It was so rare for her to be this far out from home, but she was well protected with her present company.

Her attentions turned once a voice called to them; the three walking between the Gilded that moved to flank before the royal prince and princess.

Orissa smiled politely, a warmth filling her face and voice as she watched each of them bow. "How fortuitous we have you to guide us to the celebrations, Arman." Her dark eyes flicked to the two other unnamed, but the female she felt a familiarity in the air. "Forgive me, it is my first visit here and I am unfamiliar with your company..." Endearingly, the Princess adopted a sheepish expression and tone. She had used this plenty of times with her other brothers, who eventually gave in to her kind manipulations, but it always secured Orissa the last sweet biscuit when she was a girl. With strangers, it was a way to softly appear the least bit intimidating due to her role.