Ria

Ria sunk her talons deep into the icy plain. The Icewarden won't be happy about this. An army of Shade Creatures was descending upon the Fortress. Their black mass screeched with anger, ready to destroy the very pillar fragment she was sworn to protect. A group of Sentries was chasing them, but it was already too late. Their futile attempts to stop the black mass made Ria want to laugh, but that was probably not the best thing to do at this time. She spread her wings, ridding her mind of all her previous thoughts, and let out a deep warning cry. Her stations at least needed to be ready. The air from her breath turned to steam in the cold, wintry air and was carried away by the howling wind. It seemed to be cheering for the coming battle. The creatures coming closer and closer turned into a tidal wave of darkness that blocked out the sun, creating a moment of complete stillness and silence. Ria breathed in deeply before all hell broke loose.

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Shadow creatures flung themselves at her tiny battalion as they fought to protect their fortress from the oncoming mass of darkness. It was almost picture-perfect. Small, tiny white forces, wreathed in snow, battling against a rising dark mass. Ria growled out of anger and frustration as Shadow Creatures flung themselves onto her. They were impossible to escape! One after another, after another, flung themselves at her and slowed down her pursuit to their leader. Her battalion was struggling just as badly and many blasts of magic and light were rising all over the battlefield. If only she... could get... to... their leader. It was like struggling through molasses. But Ria had not been appointed to a leadership position for no reason. She was strong with the magic of old and connected well with the spirits around her. She called upon the Icewarden and those very spirits aid her. She felt a prickle of magic seep into her, but that was all she needed. Her spotted pelt began to shine and the Shadow Creatures' heads popped up, one by one. They began trying to scramble away, for fear of losing their lives. Oh little creatures. It's too late for that. Her eyes fluttered open and glowed with a fierce intensity. All battle on the field stopped as all the creatures, Shadow and Gaoler alike, gazed at the beauty of her magic. Ria cut through the creatures like a hot knife through butter, and soon reached the Shadows' leader. "Goodbye," she said softly, and stuck her talon right through his chest. The horrid cries of his followers rained across the battlefield. Shadows disappeared in little pops of light as the Gaolers cheered on their victorious leader. With a harrowing cry Ria took off, alight with happiness and wonder. That's why she didn't notice the stray shadow before he was on her, clawing her face and throwing her into oblivion. Well, not really oblivion.

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Bubbles floated around this strange dragon that had fallen into their waters. What was she? Blood flowed from a wound in her neck and her shaggy fur billowed around her. Suddenly her eyes opened and she seemed to panic. Bubbles flew out of her mouth and her wide eyes locked onto the other dragon. She lashed out and the dragon that had been watching quickly overpowered her, then shoved some herbs down her throat and tied her talons and snout. Her body relaxed as the herbs worked through her system and she drifted towards the bottom of the sea. Her mysterious attacker looped a rope through her binds and pulled her along after him, into the dark unknown.

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Ria opened her eyes slowly. She saw tiny pinpricks of light float down to her through a small canopy of trees that seemed to make a tent around her. What happened? Where am I? She tried to sit up and immediately the past events of the day assaulted her. She was suddenly hyper-aware of the dry blood caked onto her fur and let out a small moan. Collapsing back onto the bed, she noticed there were grass ropes ensnaring her. Her mind went a whirl with panic. I've been captured by Shadow Creatures! The need to escape overwhelmed her and no matter how much it hurt her she forced herself up and feeling a hint of left-over magic sizzle in her veins. She focused on it and her fur faintly glowed as she healed her wounds. She felt her wounds clot, her blood dry, and her bruises heal. Come on, come on. Suddenly there were voices outside the tent. Ria panicked and let out a roar of frustration. She easily broke her bonds leapt to her feet. She felt grainy sand shift through her talons, So they've brought me to a beach. She readied herself for attack. Then two dragons appeared in the doorway. They readied two darts, but they must've known that wasn't enough to take her out. Ria growled again and made her fur glow slightly. The fear in their eyes was obvious. They both lowered their darts and placed them gently on the ground. "Hey, hey. Easy there. You're not completely healed." The female stepped forward. "My name is ShallowBrook, and this is my mate, SplashAttack. We are the leaders of Riptide Clan. Do you speak our language? What's your name?" Ria began to speak. Her rough, yet somehow melodious voice rang through the tent and the ShallowBrook and her mate looked quite surprised, and a bit embarrassed. "Well first off it's quite rude to assume I don't speak your language. I'm a dragon after all," she spread her wings out to show them, "But I guess what with the Coatls not speaking our language in the beginning this makes sense. Well, never mind that. My name is Ria. It's very nice to meet you. Assuming I don't have to kill you." ShallowBrook let out a small laugh. "You don't have to kill us! SplashAttack found you floating in the ocean, half-dead and brought you here for me to heal you. Though, you seem to have done most of it yourself!" Ria cocked her head in surprise. "Well. I've never had someone do that for me. Thank you." She spread her wings and prepared for take-off, then SplashAttack spoke out. "Wait! Please stay. Maybe just one night? There's a lot to this clan underneath the surface and I think... well I think you could help us quite a bit. What do you say?" "One night." "One night!" They clasped their talons and shook on it.

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Well, Ria's 'one night' turned into two. Then four. Then those nights turned into a week. Then those weeks, to a month. Then those months, to a year. And so on. Now Ria is happily living in her clan, waiting for children of her own to make her life complete. She is the head of battle training and loves going out on hunts in the ocean. She has learned how to swim very well and her before green eyes, have started to get hints of blue running through them. Most dragons in the clan agree she is a full-fledged member of the clan and the flight

Dragon Lore Written By @Moonwatcher2811