Syndel was perched on the top of the Shimmerscale Lair and watching. It was only now she became visible. There was a narrowing of her eyes as she watched. She watched the two Draconian's apparently training. She frown at the savagery and the apparent lack of concern that the teacher had for his student.

What was worse, was the way he refused to acknowledge her presence. By now, the Seraph was very well familiar with Verbosk's rude ways. She had been watching for several days, invisible and undetectable by anyone not of divine origins. When she wanted to be seen, you would see her.

With his declarations and his current actions, the Draconian Verbosk was deemed a threat to the Dragons within the lair. She had intended to wait for Aurthur to awaken, but she also determined that if she waited, it might be too late.

In this case, it was better to beg forgiveness than ask permission.

With outstretched arms, She intoned softly in a language far older than many being have the ability to comprehend. The Wards were strengthened around the lair allowing only family and those she did not perceive to be a threat. Syndel stands before the mouth of the lair in her full armor. Her sword was in her hand and her wings, though visible, were tucked behind her.

She was frowning and seemingly talking to another, though unseen. "And you want me to get used to this chaos, Aydan' Get used to beings so willfully ignorant and short sighted."

She would not like the answer, but it would not deter her from this duty. Anyone not of Icer and Aurthur's Family would not be able to enter without the additional approval of the elder dragons and herself. Drake and Darkmere both charged her with guarding the hatchlings.

Truth be know, she had a soft spot of children of any race?

Crimson to crimson. Not blood to wood, nor ruby to amethyst, or fire to steel. Crimson to crimson, feathers to tresses. Dark to light, neither changed, neither chained. One to fall, and one to rise. There is fire, and ferocity, and contention. There is heat and anger and thunder and blood. And more to come"

"You were warned.

~ Nathaniel Black Raven

The crimson winged Seraph stood as silent sentry over the Shimmerscale lair. With the city being as unsettled as it was and Icer missing, while she was the not the only one truly watching over the hatchlings aside from family"

She felt like the outsider" Even the presence of the new dragon did not ease it.

In truth, she could easily by pass the wards. Such was her powers, but she did not abuse the trust in such a fashion. So she stood outside and watched"

She was tired of being told she was not as alone as she felt. She stood off to the side and until things fell into place, she had no one. They did not understand that. Or maybe she didn't understand their reasoning. The Draconian's rudeness only drove it more home to her.

She honestly missed the easy camaraderie, the brawling, and the ease with which she could talk to Telorrcanis. Surprisingly, it seemed he was a friend. Still the Seer's words drove a wedge of fear into her heart. She did not want to fall from Grace.

She wanted someone that would care for her. Cooper had said there was one out there, but now she knew"

It scared her. She had hoped for one of her brethren, someone she shared her mission with. Someone to understand her. Still, she would not tell him what she knew. Let the pieces fall where they may, and if"

....If fate were to change its mind, she would not tied him down without a choice. She threw away her right to choose in knowing"

She closed her eyes as a tear slipped down her cheek and she prayed.

"Our father, who art in heaven. Hallowed by thy name. Thy Kingdom come Thy Will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but Deliver us from evil" Amen.?

~Why are you so sad young one" You seem to full of life to be sad.~

She turned to the dragon. Another that saw her as young. Those ice were so lost.

"Very lonely. With everything going on, all the changes in my existence, I wonder where I fit in. Where do I belong?"

She was looking very much like she was losing hope. Losing her faith...

"I feel like I was setup to fail."

~Perhaps..Rhy'Din is not the place for you. If you feel as if you were set up to fail in this realm, then it is time for you to cut your losses and move on. For I see if you continue to let this get to you. You will only end up being unable to see nothing more that distrust and despair here.~

There was a sidelong look to that comment. Leave this land.

"If only I could go home." She said softly. There was a rueful shake of her head. "This is my path though, my lessons to learn."

She looked over to the lair, "How many innocents would suffer if I left' Not just from the evil in this land but from the so-called heroes that do more harm than good?"

She could see that was a greater problem. In the grand scheme of things she was only one Seraph. "I am called impatient for yearning, yet I am surrounded by the very things that cause the despair....the longing."

Azzure frowned slightly, staring at the paper that she had been given about a week ago in the inn, trying to make out the directions that Drake had given her to The Shimmerscale lair. She had been completely swamped with work at the Gunshop, and had finally been able to escape with that note and hunt down the lair. Quietly she continued to move through the woods, nothing but the light whispers of footsteps giving away her position. She was nearly silent to all ears...Especially human ears.

After a few more moments she finally broke free of the trees, and spotted A great black dragon, and several smaller figures near said Dragon. She shifted slightly, adjusting the strap on her SN-25, before she slipped forward, her head bent lowly in a sign of respect to the Dragon and his comrades. For now she'd wait to be noticed and addressed, before she spoke.

There was a nod to Aurthur as he emerged from the lair. She could feel that anger in the elder dragon and could at least sympathize. She truly didn't know and it was times like these she truly felt her own feelings needed to take a backseat.

She didn't know the loss. She never had in the first place...

....with that, she listened to the black's words.

~This land will always be cursed to a constant state of chaos. From those that truelly mean harm, to those that fumble and bumble their was through trying to help. While it is good that you wish to save it, there is only so much anyone can do.~

There was a brief pause as Azzure walked up. She nodded to the woman as she listened to those mental words.

~There are few here from what I have been told that might be able to help you to understand everything you are looking for. But in the end, there are certain things we all must learn on out own in the end. The challenge is in finding someone to be there at the end.~

There was another pause as the dragon looked to her.

~As for the despair. Everyone goes through it. Some let it consume them, while others over come it and become stronger. You are one of the strong ones.~

The blunt statement had a smile on her face. Still there was business to attend to, including introducing herself to Aurthur. The was a bow of her black maned head.

"I greet you. Drake asked us to aid you in guarding the hatchlings. I am Syndel or Syn for short.~ She gestured to Azzure as she spoke.

My body's made of fire Black and deep and cold Burning for the choice I made So many years ago

And love will keep me tethered For my wings are stripped of flight But into my mad, deluded world They cross the battle lines

Into their end

The Seraph's eyes narrow a bit. The very thing she longed for was pushed into her face by a grieving dragon. Not that she couldn't understand the why. But she really had no tolerance for blind rage.

"Then I must be clear on this Aurthur....If you chose to abandon your family to take your grief out on those that had no hand in this..." One dream of God One dream of less One dream of strength and cowardice With the rage of the seraphs at my side

The Seraph released her human seeming and those icy blue eyes regarded Aurthur. The wings extended from her back and seemingly caught fire. It was a bit of posturing, but it seemed it was needed to get the point across.

One dream of man One dream of fate One dream of love That's turned to hate With the rage of the seraphs at my side

"....I will be forced to put you down. The innocent will not be harmed. I stand for justice, not blind vengeance."

There was a fierce look in the Seraph's eyes.

"Do not force my hand and make those younglings Orphans, Aurthur Shimmerscale. You are certainly not that selfish."

The punishments I carry now Are of my own design For once I brought the hand of God And now this gift is mine

Lyrics - "Seraphs" by The Cruxshadows -> YouTube it Here

You both misunderstand me entirely. I am not going anywhere......I have given my word to many that mean the world to me, that I will stay HERE and guard my children with my life. It stands to reason that who ever took my mate may also have something in mind for myself......

*He shook his head, turning his eyes to the sky* No......I wont go anywhere, I will keep the word I have given. I promised my beloved long ago that if anything were to happen to her, I would stay here with the children.....I would never break a promise to her, of all people.

Azzure stopped after she took several steps foward again, before she inhaled slowly. "Um, I ..I'm guessing that You're authur." she murmured, eyes shifting to the black that seemed to be speaking rather passionatly about his mate. "I ah...About a week ago, I talked to one of the name Drake, and I offered to help with watching the lair...Once I was able to escape the shop, and Sean. If you're still in need of help I'm willing to give my assiastiance, whether it be in searching for her or watching the hatchlings." she said softly, her eyes fixed on Auther for the moment, before thet flicked to the others near him. The look on her face was one of determination. If there were children that needed protecting she'd help, whether they were dragon or human~

She stood just within the mouth of the lair and watched. She hated the changes that Poppa was going through and missed momma. She was too young to be caring for the hatchlings, yet she did so with no complaints.

She was sent here to be young herself and so far she's had to grow up far faster than anyone anticipated. It had been too much to expect to remain young for as long as she could. The Were-Hunter Drakos watched and learned from both Grammy and the Arcadian Drakos.

There was a well of power within the young one. Something rather usual for a Katagarian such as she was. Then again, what was normal for her kind?

She looked out at the gathered, looking tired....and very much older than the adolescent (read 25) should be.

Syndel wasn't as alone as she had prayed for, as Drake was making his way through the forest towards the lair. More to see how things were going on this end of Icer's disapperence. Not that he didn't trust those guarding the lair. He did trust them, but at the moment. There was nothing else he could do but offer his own body to the patrols.

He came to a stop upon seeing her, before pushing his hood back as he slowly moved towards her. Letting his voice carry so she would know who it was. "Syndel?" Brows rising a touch.

Vanyel too, was coming by route of the woods, but from a different route. He had little idea of what all had been going on, he'd been focused on trying to solve something himself, and failing. As he heard voices, he slowed a bit, making sure to make noise, breaking branches and things.

His eyes glowed softly, he could sense the amplified wards, and the others guarding. Edging toward where Syndel and Drake were, he pulled his cloak down, letting the light fall on his face, and in turn, reflect from the bell and tag around his neck. He made no move to sneak up on the pair, but, he was moving slowly, trying to give them time to notice him.

Dark green and black were his colors for clothing. A loose sense of empathy made him wince, and mutter something about shields. Still moving to the pair's location.

She sighed softly at that, "I know, I know. Patience..."

She didn't look particularly happy though. "If it is meant to be, it will. But Heavens, I'm tired of being an outsider." She glanced over to the lair. "I some days wish to return home, but I know I am assigned here."

She looked over to Vanyel as he approached them. She hid all traces of the emotional turmoil. Well, most anyway...

Yawning she uncurled and stretched before glancing about the cave curiously. Standing she headed for the tunnel that lead in, her emerald eyes aglow as she padded her way to the entrance of the cave. Seeing daddy she sped up to a trot to reach him, a soft thrum for him. She'd felt the tension, she knew something was wrong since momma was gone but she was still young enough and curious enough that it had not made a big impact on her.

Seeing Azzure her head popped up and her eyes glowed with curiousity at this new creature and with a lively prance she went over to Azzure and trilled at her as she watched her.

Drake smiled lightly to her words as he moved up to place a hand to her shoulder. "For what it is worth. You have Icer's family to call your own. And it's a large one, with each willing to help the other out." Perhaps Drake was trying to get Syndel knwo that she had a family that she belonged to now.

He glanced to Van as he approched for a moment. "She was patroling and I happened to meet her on my way to the lair." Rather smoothly as he patted Syndel's shoulder.

She never would have thought of biting anyone as she watched Azzure step back, then crouch down and hold her hand out. It also never occurred to her to be afraid of anyone and without hesitation she moved forward giving another chirp, butting the hand held out to her for some attention. She missed momma and the lessons she'd given, even if she hadn't realized she was learning, she'd happily absorbed what other's said, her young mind overly eager for learning. She puffed a little with pride at being told she was pretty, the rather part getting lost in it all in her hatchling mind. Her ever present curiosity poking at her as she inspected Azzure a bit, her emerald eyes taking in everything about her.

She promptly plopped her bottom down to sit near Azzure after the other sat and leaned in softly thrumming as she was stroked, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the bliss. Hearing the question she shook her head negative but in such a way that the scratching wouldn't stop. This was very nice as she thought on the other's words and one stuck in her mind. She opened her eyes after a bit to look at the other and said one word. "Friend."

She stretched her neck a little and rested her head on Azzure's lap and lay down, her happily thrumming as she listened to her new friend's chatter. Yes, she thought friends were a good thing and she was a little bored. She'd been exploring the various areas of the cave, it was extensive, some areas didn't seem to be in much use as others.

Drake smiled to Syndel as he gave her a brotherly hug. "Anytime, Syndel." The tone hinting that she could always reach out to him if she needed someone to talk to. Reguardless of what the subject was about. He nodded to Vanyel, as if telling him silently. Thanks for helping to show the woman that she had a family.