Recon At Best (open)

[Deleted]

Bellator had heard many rumors and later reports of the recent conflict between vampire and werewolves. Personally Bellator didn't think one way or another if the two races tore each other apart, it made them less of a threat to his men and the growth of the brigade and people. If he had to choose though Bellator would favor the werewolves survival over vampire as though their blighted bite was an infectious plague like vampire, they were more natural than vampire would ever be, and more importantly they were alive. They held a more distinct connection to nature and could live normal lives without needing to infect their plague onto others or feed from the life of those that deserve to live. This and the fact that many werewolves served within the brigade admirably and Bellators personal disdain for vampires his indifference was more likely to be swayed to the werewolves side. Though he would never take action he wasn't above rooting for their side. Normally Bellator would take this time to fly in his true form however he chose to ride to the vampire territory on horse in his human form and justify his purpose as brigade affairs as he was their to see how the recent outbreak would affect the brigade if it was any threat to them at all. The issue wasn't that vampire and werewolves were fighting for the billionth time. Bellator was concerned with how lightly the treaties made were being maintained. He wanted to understand better the reasoning for the battles and if it was any likelihood of it boiling over into the affairs of the brigade.

Some would argue a lone brigade soldier traveling alone to the vampiric lands was suicidal and foolish. However Bellator unbeknownst to most wasn't a simple soldier by any means and despite his importance as a high ranking member of the brigade, he would not risk his mens lives for a task like this. Bellator could be harsh at times but there was one thing that was undisputed. He cared for his mens lives and wielded them like precious gifts not weapons and never asked a deed he wouldn't personally do himself. Bellator rode his pitch black steed fast and furious as if the winds themselves were giving a boost to the horses gallop. Bellator didn't want to give the wrong impression. He was too look around the borders for signs of either species spreading outside the bounds of the war they wages and if possible ask any individuals that might present themselves of such events. He did not plan to stay long, most men were an unwelcoming site in this lands, viewed always as two thing most of the time. One a threat or two food, sometimes both. Bellator was neither, however his might alone could not repel an entire army in his current form, and he risked exposure if he changed in front of the wrong people. Bellator rode strong not wearing any armor but simple black leather and a large belt buckle which displayed a symbol of a dragon and his affiliation to the brigade. Bellator wasn't a fan of armor in tasks like this, normally his attire was simple and comfortable. He did however carry his blade crafted from his own magic and engraved in it the language of kin was translated as 'Tempest'.

Appearance: static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dwayne_johnson_4.jpg

Sword: reigninggifts.com/images/Ceremonial%20Broadsword50312508.jpg

Profile: yalanz.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=acceptdragons&action=display&thread=43

[Merry Noelle Lovelace]

The day was cool and so Mari felt the urge to dress warmly. Of course she also would never have warn the dress she was in had she not been covered head to toe. Her shoes alone could kill someone if she moved wrong. The horse didn't seem to mind and very few realized the dress was slit up both sides for ease of riding.

It was with this in mind that she enjoyed the night. Her retinue of guards that seemed to follow her everywhere circled her like she was going to run off. Many had been drilled not to let her out of their sight and the few that had usually died. Dameon was paranoid and while he had his reasons she found it annoying. Tethered to the vampiric lands and he still feared someone could steal her away. She sighed bored out of her ever loving mind. She let her horse go into a gentle walk and proceeded to read a book as others milled around. Just because she needed fresh air didn't mean she couldn't read, besides with all this black she doubted that there would be much in the way of trouble coming for her if she chose to look about. There was just nothing here. It was all dead and she was the only one with a pulse for miles.

[Deleted]

Bellator's concentration flashed to something that stirred in the wind. Dragons had greater senses than most races and though not as keen to specific scents like a werewolf would be or a vampire to blood or witch to magic, Bellators senses were strong and being a dragon of air all things that traveled with it came to Bellator with details to unfold. These lands were usually full of death and decay but something in the air represented a fluctuation that Bellator couldn't pin point but knew was different from the dead walking plague of the lands. He changed direction towards it and rode fast expecting the worst as anything other than vampire and the dead in these lands did not last long and it was likely when Bellator arrived to the source he might find little but a corpse or worse. As Bellator drew closer his great sight spotted a group where the source of his curiosity was. Through his long lived experience he was able to determine that most of the infividuals there were vampire but there was definately one among them that was not of those fallen. Bellator urged his heavy panting horse to keep on swift and fast as he feared he might not be able to arrive in time to intervene in what Bellator could only assume was the vampire had caught some poor beings lost as their prey or worse were looking to turn such individual. Bellator knew of vampire and their abilities more than any other that had the unfortunate experience to meet their wretched kind. They would have sensed him coming before he was even close which was why Bellator did not bother trying to move stealthily in his approach.

Over all Bellators strength was more than any vampire he had ever encountered to match in his human form but he was not without risk. Bellator was agile and quick for his size especially as a dragon of air, in comparison to other dragons his kind were quite graceful in their own right, but he could not match the speed and agility of a vampire in combat. Further more Bellator was not as durable in his true form as fire dragons and most earth dragons were hardier than his kind but the weapons of man and even allot of magic would still find it troubling to bring harm to his dragon scaled skin. In human form this was altered though unable to be harmed like a normal human sure, but if one managed to harm him he would be at a disadvantage as he did not share these dead creatures regenerative abilities. There were plenty of reasons why Bellator found most vampire little threat but it didn't mean they were harmless. Bellators own father was killed in a vampire occultist assualt with the assistance of demons, Bellator had always viewed his father as a dragon greater than himself, so if history said anything it was not to take these monsters lightly. Bellator had many tricks and powerful magic, but he wasn't about to reveal them if he did not have to. These creatures were unnatural and poison to his kind. He wanted to make this as quick as possible. Bellator haulted his horse a good distance from the group, about 800 yards and dismounted and drew his sword for defence. He was a large man, his might could be seen just by looking at him. Very muscular, tall standing six foot five, and clearly a powerful warrior. He glared at his opposition, his eyes showed no hesitation, little caution, and no signs of fear. He moved unfaultered and tried to keep his senses up as he would need to anticipate and predict any offense as he wouldn't be fast enough to simply react.

Bellator stopped about 300 yards away, almost a football field in length not wanting to be the one to start a fight if he didn't have to. Letting the wind carry his strong deep barritone like voice he shouted "Let your prisoner go and I will guide her to her people. She does not belong in these lands, she holds a heart beat so she does not belong to you either. As much as I would enjoy it, I do not seek to fight and am not permitted by the rules of the brigade to start one. But I am letting you know if you do not heed my demands respectfully, I will simply come get her myself and fortunately I am permitted to defend myself. What is your answer vampire? Let your hunger be sated by your livelihoods....or lack there of and think about your answer before you do anything rash." Bellator said sternly. Bellator was half hoping the vampire would attack though he was willing to save himself the trouble of having to answer to the brigade for going into the vampires own lands and making an assualt outside of brigade buisness. Even a commander would be held accountable if the brigade was put at risk for personal disputes which was against the rules. But Bellator was less worried about that at the moment.

[Merry Noelle Lovelace]

The sounds of hoofbeats fast and furious had Mari dropping her kindle in her side pouch of her saddle, grabbing up the reigns she looked a bit puzzled at Bellator. Her guards were equally puzzled by the declaration and milled into a formation that surrounded her completely. Never in her life had she had anyone in over a thousand years try and rescue her. It was suicidal at best. The look on her face showed just how confused she was by the declaration.

"She is our Queen. You cannot take her, human. She does not belong to you. Move along." one of her guard hissed out, "How can you not recognize her?" he growled in aggravation, "The King would slay us all if we allowed her to go with you. You had best go back home, Mercenary. We have no need of you."

The group turned, and the head of her travel guard grabbed her reigns gently to lead her horse away, "Come." he said gently as he moved her horse so she was no longer looking at Bellator, he pulled her hood up so it covered her features a bit more before she peaked back at the warrior who was making such a bold declaration.

"I thank you for the honor you do me, Sir but it would be better served on someone far more worthy." she said gently as her guard tried leading her away. Her black furred cape kept the chill from her as they lead the black mare she road away. Trying to hide her in the shadows so he would not be able to find her. She sighed gently and felt her back muscles twitch with the urge to fly and she bit her lip to resist it.

The guards muttered at the mercenary's ignorance and tried to go back the way they came. Silently speaking to themselves. 'Say nothing to him, Your Majesty.[/color]' the eldest member of the company said to her mentally. All her guard were telepathic and so she had to watch what she thought because they would tell her husband.

She sighed and nodded, her shoulders slumping. She did not wish to add to the stress of the situation.

[Deleted]

Bellator raised a brow as the vampire declared the woman to be their queen. Surely it was some trick but Bellator couldn't be sure. He had lived many centuries but like allot of dragons his wisdom was limited from how little interest he took in races beneath dragon kin. Though Bellator had gotten more involved in this world than allot of his kind, he cared not to dabble in the horrid vampire race. If they spoke the truth, Bellator was oblivious to such facts. Never the less Bellator would not abandon his cause on the lies of the dead. Bellator clutched his sword tightly contemplating how to intervine or if he should at all. Bellator flickered in the light then faded from sight altering bending the light around him to reflect only the surroundings around him rendering him optically invisible. The vampires would steel be able to catch his scent, hear him, see any alterations made to his environment like foot prints. But his purpose was not to escape them just make it harder for them to defend and offend against him. Bellators rage grew though he kept his barring and over the vampire a cloud shaped into a violent black form. With a crack and roar of thunder Bellator made his move with such sounds masking his approach. A single lightning bolt crashed infront of the steeds no doubt halting them briefly if not sending the horses in a frieght allowing Bellator to swiftly catch up.

The storm cloud faded slowly however as Bellator approached encircling them hopefully as they were trying to figure out what was going on with the sudden eruption of the brief storm overhead. Bellator made himself visible once he was in front of the party and pointed his sword towards the vampire and demanded once more "You are right, she does not belong to me, but as I said she does not belong to you either nor to these dead lands. Though she may not view her life to be worthy of freedom, I do. You say she is your queen then why do you treat her as your servant? You don't allow your own queen to speak her mind, to speak for herself, but more importantly make decisions for herself? Your lies fall of deaf ears for you claim to be protecting your queen but all I see here are guards guarding their prisoner." Bellator laughed amusingly then added "You fear the wrath of your king? I am Bellator Invictus Draconis, Commander of the brigades finest soldiers and heed this warning that before you stands more than a mercinary, a soldier, a man but the only thing you should fear more than your king right now. I am not asking, I am telling you. Let this woman tell me herself in her own words that she is not a prisoner, that she does not wish to leave these lands, but more importantly that she means what she says being happy here and I will leave if her words hold true. If not, you leave little choice."

Bellator spun his blade and positioned himself defensively. His eyes looked to Marina's. "Freedom is breathing the freshest air this world has to offer at the highest peak of the highest mountain. To look down at those below and know that this gift you have isn't blessed upon everyone and it makes you cherish the feeling. How long since you have felt the wind flow over your body as you ride with it and feel like you were soaring and that you know, truly know, not even the sky is the limit for what you can do? I have been around long enough to know the difference between obedience and loyalty. You have reason to be hesitant and even fearful. Should you say or act out of place and I should fall to these creatures because of it you might find repercussions for such actions and on top of that believe that you could have prevented my death. Or perhaps you are afraid I will succeed, then no doubt you will be hunted for by this king of theirs and do not wish that horror upon anyone. But you hear this from me now, I have lost plenty of fights in my life but I have never lost a battle, I have seen many things but I have never seen my men or the brigade come close to falling to any challenge, but most importantly I am not some fragile soldier to be protected. I can prevail and I can keep you safe from anything these beings may throw at me. The repercussions are not yours to trouble over; they are mine. This is my choice.....what is yours?" Bellators eyes now moved between the vampire cautiously.

[Merry Noelle Lovelace]

The guard were disoriented and many of their horses scattered lessening their numbers as they worked to quiet their animals and turn them around. Mari felt her horse twitch and jerk and only the iron grip of her eldest guard kept her horse from bolting. She patted the mare to calm her and whispered softly to her as she looked at Bellator, confused as to why he would bother. Shaking her hood free her crown shown in the moonlight as she regarded him, her brown hair gleaming as she felt it blowing free with the weather blowing about her.

"She is forbidden to speak to strangers. It is the laws of our land. None vampires are to keep themselves far from other mortals and the Queen doubly so. You risk getting her in grave trouble if she speaks to you." the elder vampire said as he tried to reason with Bellator, "The king has kept her at his side for over a thousand years. Do you honestly think that you can force that type of union apart by sheer will? He stole her from heaven itself what makes you think you can rescue her?" he asked incredulously.

"Do not speak to him, Your Majesty! He seeks to confuse you. You risk too much by speaking to one such as he. Even if we die it would be better than speaking to this living creature. He will expose you to strangers and you cannot abandon your daughter." the vampire said quietly although the urgency in his tone was evident.

She bit her lip and looked at Bellator, her eyes blinking slightly, "I have a child, Sir. I would not abandon her to who knows what fate. It has been over a millennia since I was free, but I...there is more than myself at stake here. Even if I were to leave with you, the spells on me prevent me from leaving the borders of this land. I would be teleported back to the palace to await the judgement of my husband." She gathered her cape about herself and shivered as the wind blew past her, closing her eyes to hide the longing to fly once more knowing it was denied to her and the best she could do was fly when Dameon was around. It was clear there was more at stake than just herself as she looked into his eyes and sadness filled them. "I do thank you for the offer." she said softly. Her heart ached and she sighed, biting her lip as she looked back at the warrior who wanted her freedom.

[Deleted]

Bellator listened carefully and was still for a minute or so as he contemplated what was really going on. Bellator stood at ease from his defensive position. He sighed faintly and sheathed his blade now understanding the truth. She was indeed a prisoner as Bellator believed though the circumstances were not what he imagined. She was magically bound, he could not free her the way he intended thus rendering any fight wasted here which was why he ceased hostility. He even more so noted that even if he could break the spell which he was sure his friend Merry could find a way that this woman could not leave her child behind for her own freedom. Bellator looked to the guard who seemed to be in charge and answered confidently "Yes! I don't just just believe I could free her from your king, I know I could." Bellator grinned and replied to his questioning of why Bellator could accomplish what heaven could not.

"I don't mean to insult the heavens but I keep seeing their methods of dealing with such thievery as this far too cordial in comparison to my bretheren. Especially my more hot headed cousins." Bellator stated allusively referencing Fire Dragons and his own kind without actually revealing it. However this is not the obstacle that has thwarted me." Bellator looked to Marina and spoke in a softer tone to her "You are bound here by more than just spell and guards, I understand now and am truly sorry. I know and respect that your child is more important than your own freedom as it should be and so I will respectfully yield from forcing your freedom as I know you will not go even if I do break the kings hold on you if your child remains here. But I cannot simply walk away from this as it would render every reason I chose to leave my kin and help those such as yourself. I cannot explain that statement further I am afraid but know that I have my reasons for what I now wish." Bellator turned his attention back to the guard in charge and his tone became once more stern "How do I gain an audience with this king of yours?"

Bellator learned much from this event. He learned that the vampire king was far older than himself, at least a thousand for sure but certainly it could be easily assumed older than even that. Next Bellator understood the king had access to powerful magic and was quite strict and rules with a iron fist which meant he was more than just a feared and capable fighter to defend his position and strike that fear into these men but an undisputed one. Bellator was indeed mighty and fearless and in his true form few stood any chance of even being a challenge. In this circumstance however Bellator perhaps was biting off more than he could chew. But Bellator still thought these vampires beneath him and as he usually underestimated his opponents because of this fearlessly believed he wasn't at any true risk in his proposal. Not oblivious to the threat completely but perhaps the fact of his arrogance that these creatures couldn't possibly hold him captive if they wished and prevent his escape should things turn out of Bellators favor.

[Merry Noelle Lovelace]

"You are an arrogant being." the vampire snorted as Bellator spoke about taking the queen away, "All your actions would do is harm her in the end. You are doing her no favors." he murmured as he looked the other man over. "She would just be recaptured." he asserted.

"I thank you for your kindness, Sir. You do me great honor and while I do not know what you speak of I respect your knowledge of such. Thank you for not making this a hardship on me. My husband often wanders the area. I have no doubt you shall meet him soon." she said simply with a nod of her head to him as she looked over at him.

"We must go now, Your Majesty. The king will find this man soon enough. You are needed back home.[/color]" the head of her guard said once more as he clicked his tongue and lead the horse away, "Good evening to you, Sir. I trust you will find the answers to your questions and more. For your own safety I suggest you move on" the vampire said as he looked him over and committed his form to memory for later when he gave his report.