"Over three hundred years ago a war took place. My homeland, Bergaria was reduced in size by roughly fifty percent. Hundreds died, and thousands were scarred for life...both mentally and physically. The church grew in it's influence here after that, people had to look somewhere for comfort, and God gave them that solace. The saint Deimos taught us that God embraces all that follow his word, many citizens took those teachings to heart and took the words for truth.

Now, in my time the nation of Bergaria has grown stronger, our military rivals that of our neighbor country, Refermaria. The esteemed Faith master of the church of Deimos has been blessed with visions of Deimos in his dreams. Our savior tells us that we must wipe the slate clean and pay our oppressors back to teach them that our God is the one to be worshipped. That is where the crusade began. The kingdom of Yokei, ruled over by Verdo Muri was to be taught a lesson for his kingdom's actions so long ago.

Being a woman of faith I took up my sword to serve my lord Deimos as he and God commanded. One and a half years ago I joined the cause or the lord and since I have fought in many battles. I know serve in the dragon cavalry unit known as the Black Sword brigade, we are led by cunning, yet mysterious commander Ghemnis." The stick snapped. Rhapsody white, twenty years old and clad in her full armor sat in her tent. She had been writing a diary entry, the first in nearly a year. She wished to keep a full record of her life and thoughts but with a broken charcoal utensil that didn't look to be feasible. "Damn it all!" She put the spiral bound notebook aside and stretched. It was another morning encamped near the Ixon/Bergaria/Yokei border. They had stayed there nearly a week while Ghemnis went over his maps and books of strategy, trying to decide upon the next action he would take against the royal Yokei forces, which were currently stationed in Paradisia, a strategic stronghold that would serve as a powerful tool if taken away from the royal forces. The city was surrounded by a thick stone wall in a hexagon shape and would make a terrific base for the crusaders if they could succeed in a siege.

"Espoir will have Charc sticks." Rhapsody stood from her spot on the floor of her tent and traversed all of twenty feet before reaching her destination. Another tent was in front of her. "Espoir!" She called out in the direction of the tent. She was trying to get the attention of a fellow dragon rider, a close friend in the ranks. His name was Espoir and he was a year younger than Rhapsody, they got along very well and watched out for one another during battles. Her ivory colored armor shone in the sunlight, it was the dead of winter but no snow had plagued the campaign yet. The crusaders had permission from the nation of Ixon to cross it's borders for supplies or shelter if they had been caught in a snow storm. In exchange for this aid the Ixonian people had been promised the city of Paradisia if the crusade was successful. Rhapsody stood, waiting for her friend to react with her long, red-blonde hair waving in the wind like a flag in a hurricane.

Ghemis placed himself gracefully on his cot. His faded black hair was at the length where it would usually be waving wildly, though it remained quite in it's place. The commander's stone grey eyes always remained as though they were constantly unfocused, never looking at one certain thing. His face rarely changed it's expression, which he had admitted was intentional. He felt emotions shown through the face were no more then a sign of weakness.
A crusade was in order, and Ghemis needed at the very least a moment to rest his mind. He allowed himself to drift backwards, lightly hitting the soft matress. Letting out a quiet yet relieved breath, he shut his eyes.

::Meanwhile::

Espoir fidgeted around his table, picking up leaves and oils with the highest amount of care. He dropped a faint green colored weed into a miniscule pot, and waited patiently for a minty-like aroma to follow. Espoir had never been a great fighter, but he knew he could assisst with his extensive herb knowledge.

If it was for the lord, he would follow. It was truly as simple as that.

As he dropped the last product into his syrum, he heard a melody of a voice call to him. With a wide spanning grin, he let down his experiment and swung around in such a speed that it had almost been enough to crack his stool in half.
Leaping up to his feet with ease, he bolted through the tattered flaps of what he called a door. "Yes, Rhapsody?" He said, beaming.

Rhapsody smiled at the sight of her friend. He was the only company she had with the exception of her dragon. "Morning Espoir!" She beamed happily, somehow she always kept her cheery nature no matter how much blood had been shed in her presence, or by her own hands. "I was writing a..." She suddenly became very embarressed. "A letter! Back to my family. And my charc stick snapped. I was wondering if you had any to spare." She grinned a wide grin and clasped her hands together. "Weeeeeeellllllll?" She smiled sweetly and waited for Espoir to answer.



MEANWHILE


"WHY WON'T THESE RAGTAG BASTARDS SUCCUMB TO OUR BLADES?!?" A thirty three year old, beared man with shoulder length, thinning blonde hair slammed his fists on a long table that was surrounded by armor clad men, all looking very distinguished.

"M'lord..." One man, grey haired and older than most of the others stood to speak to the blonde man. "A cunning young man is leading them. THough he lacks experience, he fights and plans with the wisdom of a tried veteran."

"I DON'T CARE! DESTROY THESE FOOLS AND BRING ME THEIR LEADER'S HEAD ON A SILVER PLATTER! I WON'T LET THE THREE HUNDRED YEAR RULE OF THIS COUNTRY BY MY FAMILY END WITH ME! I warn you Garrlion, fail and your head will roll!" With that he spun around, knocking the chair behind him to the floor and storming from the room. His scabbard smacked against his leg as he flung the doors of the conference room open and disappeared down the hall. This man, was Verdo Muri, descendant of Jeshias Muri, the first human ruler in Outerworld history, he carried the blade of his family, the sword that transformed to represent the true nature of it's holder. He had used it in the wars with Teritia fifteen years earlier, in those battles he earned himself the nickname of "Death's hand" from his opponents and the name of "Astral savior" from his allies. The man was a monster on the battlefield and off the battlefield his rage was not subdued. THough a wonderful ruler, his eccentricity disturbs some of the inhabitants of his kingdom.

"Charc sticks?" He paused, rolling his eyes towards the sky for a moment. "..I may have a few."
Espoir retreated back into his tent, and opened a box that slid up into three layers. On the bottom layer was three small rolls of parchment, and about fifty charc sticks in mint condition. Espoir always had a thing for being prepared.
He grabbed three and closed the unusually made box. He popped back out of the tent with a grin, as usual. Outstretching his arm, and spreading his palm wide, he stared into the Char Sticks laying in his palm. With a small twitch of Espoir's head, the char sticks began to float towards Rhapsody.

((Sean, grab them out of the air. I don't wanna mod you.))

Rhapsody swung her hand out and nabbed the sticks from mid-air. "Thanks." She smiled and winked. "Aren't you getting bored of just sitting here night and day Espoir? It's better than fighting but it's not quite as exciting." She thought to herself, what was going on inside of her that she found taking lives exciting? "I serve Deimos, I don't question his judgment." She resolved within her mind. "I'm bored of this place, but the weather certainly is nice." fifty degree weather was nice when you were wearing steel armor painted with an Ivory finish like she was.


MEANWHILE


Garrlion, the aged general of The royal Yokei army marched north with his men to help protect Paradisia. His specialty wolf riders and archers followed behind the man as he struck a magnificent figure, riding a gargantuan white wolf to match his grey-white hair. nearly 7000 troops were behind him, enough to wipe out the crusading Bergarians "in one fell swoop" as Verdo had so elequently put it before he sent Garrlion off to battle.

"Once this war is over...I can finally rest. No more battles for me after this." He grinned a bit at the thought of having the rest and relaxation he had always wanted...but he knew first he had to defeat a man who seemed to have made a deal with the devil for victory. "Ghemnis...who are you? Such youth, but such wisdom."

Within an hour of Ghemis's relaxation, he called every captain to an informal meeting. Soon after, in a secluded and dark tent, the skilled men surrounded him in a large circle, waiting for his words.
"Our attack begins today." He said, his voice showing nothing.
His head suddenly swung towards the captain closest to him.
"Why does an animal win over another?"
"..Because one has more strength, sir."
"Incorrect. A mouse could defeat a lion if it had the knowledge."
He revealed a small smile. "Luckily, because of our advantage, we will not have to think on these terms. Let me move onto our actual plan."

"Our attack plan is simple. We will send all ground forces to one section of the wall defense. We will draw as much attention as possible, bringing different sections of men towards that single area. Once this is accomplished, our calavary will attack from the weak point created. Destroying all in it's path, and bringing hell to their backs, we will surround them and win. We leave in three hours, to begin the day trip. I warn you, we will-"
Ghemis's vision moved towards the entrance, where a scruff-looking man stood, heaving in fright.
"Your dragon General, it's out of control!"
With the wave of his coat's tail, Ghemis was out of the tent, leaving the captain's to prepare the forces.

::A few minutes later::

Ghemis strided across the charred land before him, approaching a group of men armed with arrows covered in poison. Another group was a batch of men attempting to control the creature with chains, yet they achieved a larger amount of uncontrollable swinging then controlling.
"We are waiting for your order, sir." Said one man, holding his crossbow ready.
Flames erupted from the Dragon's mouth, shorching the clothing of one of the tamer's. Screaming in pain, the innocent man fell to the ground, tossing himself wildly throughout the ashes that had been shrubs.
Ghemis approached the black-scaled beast, and looked up at it, glaring. The dragon looked down, it's face was covered in visible scars, showing it was no doubt a wild species.
"Cease." pertruded from Ghemis's mouth, although looking like a quiet request, it coming out entirley different. Exploding foward, creating a shockwave throughout the stomachs and eardrums of every being around him. The dragon's large red eyes lost intensity, and it lowered from it's violent stance.
All the men around the general were silent in awe, but were awoken with the gentle clap of his hands.
"I suggest you get moving. We depart in a few hours."

"We're leaving?" Rhapsody was stunned. She was getting used to the surroundings and beginning to enjoy the rest...but this was war, no time for rest.

"You have two hours to prepare everything for our departure. Gether your things and load them onto your beast." The captain of the dragon riders, Kelim Nashburg was alerting his troops of their mission. "Once we are within 20 miles of Paradisia we will seperate from the main forces and head at a slower pace to the east while they head west. Our scouts will fly over Paradisia, watching for the movement of the rampart walking archers. Once the eastern forces of the wall have moved to the other side we will rush into an attack. WE will fly over the eastern wall and head into the city. Be wary, there are civilians in this city so the use of fire on uildings is strictly prohibited. Two of you will unlock the gate from within. Do I have any volunteers?" kelim looked out over the ranks of the cavalry. This would be the most dangerous mission, heading to the front of the city would be nearly impossible for even the most powerful of warriors. Twenty seconds passed without a word when suddenly a voice rang out.


"I'll do it!" Rhapsody's hand was in the air. She turned to Espoir who was standing to her right. "Will you come with me?" She whispered, nearly innaudibly.

"We have one. Who will join her?"


MEANWHILE


Garrlion stood beside his faithful wolf. A wild, black dragon lay at his feet. The entire company of men had been told to refrain frmo helping their general as he did battle with the monster. Six seconds had passed before he severed the beast's brainstem with his sword via it's right eye. Within four days they'd reach Paradisia, but what of it would be waiting for them when they got there?

"I will join her." Espoir said, his normal cheery voice become heavy with seriousness. He gave Rhapsody a grin, and turned around. Proceeding to his tent, he felt the pit of his stomach jolt.
He picked up a small capsule and shook the liquid in it before his eyes. Nodding his head, he began to pack.

"Tonight we break camp for Paradisia. THe victory of or mission rests on the shoulders of Espoir and I. When all the enemy troops are gathered at the west wall, firing their arrows at our comrades, Espoir and I have to head to the southwest and open the gate from inside while fending off Yokei royal soldiers from the highly trained 'Golden sons brigade' I am very worried, for if we should fail then our entire cause will be greatly wouded. I don't know why I volunteered to take on this assignment, but since no one else would I'm glad I did." Rhapsody put down her chrac stick, one of the few she had borrowed from Espoir and began packing things into a green, nylon bag.

She finished her packing just before they broke camp, dismantling her tent and collapsing it into the bag and then finally strapping it to her dragon, Prince's back. She took Prince's reins and he walked with her without struggle. THe march had begun, in less than 18 hours the dragon riders would break from the rest of the crusaders and head southest to Paradisia, the battle of a lifetime was waiting for them there, and Rhapsody knew it.

Espoir had his things packed rather quickley, considering he never took the chance to fully unpack his belongings. He covered his vile in a leather cover, and shoved it into his custom sewn pocket.
He finished rolling up his tent, and threw it off his shoulder with ease. One last thing had been left, a small custom carved flute laying in the palm of his hand. He brought it up to his mouth and blew a faint whistle, then with several other quick notes, he finished and packed it in one of the "easy to get to" pockets.
The sounds of flapping wings approached him, soon followed by small gusts of wind. Aegis, his blue tinted dragon approached him. It could be the most vicious of all, yet it was respectful among Espoir.
(Aegis means Zeus's shield. Espoir=Zeus and Aegis=His protector)
He lifted his things onto Aegis's back, and hopped on along with them. He grabbed the thick woven rope and gave it a light tug, enough for Aegis to feel. The long leathery wings swung downwards, thrusting them into the air. Lightly "hovering" along the tall grass, Espoir arrived at the gathering.

::Meanwhile::

"We head out now. Follow closely, when we arrive fifteen miles away from the city, split into your groups. I will give the word when that time comes. We depart."
Ghemis swung around on the balls of his feet and led his army foward.

The trek began. Rhapsody, as usual next to Espoir rode Prince as he walked. The dragon riders were encouraged to have a deep bond with their beast as to get better results from it in battle. "Scared?" She asked him as they marched soulessly. "Because I certainly am. If we fail...the entire campaign will have meant nothing. All of our comrades who died, their sacrifices will have been in vein." She shut up, realizing that she was probably disturbing Espoir. "Sorry."

"It's alright, Rhapsody." He said, raising his head higher. "I'm frightened too."
He rubbed his palm across the scaly exterior of Aegis.
"We cannot even consider losing an option. We will win, and continue onto the next city." He let a wide smile come about. "We have a good chance though! We make a good team, and we have strong bonds with our dragons. Plus, you have a gracious amount of experience for someone so young. If anyone could do this Rhapsody.." He paused, his face losing it's brightness.

"It's us."

Rhapsody smiled. Espoir always knew how to cheer her up. "You're right. WE'll do it and we'll be rewarded too. Maybe we'll even get to have dinner with Lord Ghemnis!" SHe was working herself into another streak of cheer, her trademark. "Wouldn't that be just great? Sitting at the same table as him!" She was getting rather loud and Kelim shot her a look as if asking her sternly to quiet down. He appreciated what Rhapsody and Espoir would be doing, for if they hadn't volunteered it would've been up to him to go. They rode three lines behind Kelim who was approximately forty feet behind and ten feet to the left of Ghemnis who of course rode at the front, upon his wild black dragon to give everyone a proud and admirable leader to follow.

"..Ghemis..yeah.." Espoir's smile faded slightly. He looked towards the head of the group, where Ghemis rode his dragon that had a wing span as long as two Aegis's. He frowned. Espoir was unsure of his leader, he could not tell if he was heartless, or a good decision maker. He could not tell if he was brave or simply put on a show. He simply could not tell.

"Why do you get so weird when he gets brought up? You should admire him like the rest of the troops." She cocked her head as she asked the question and smiled a bit with her suggestion. "I don't get you sometimes, but you're fun so I'll put up with you...for now." She looked up at the sky and shielded her eyes from the rising sun. THey had marched through the night. THat was an advantage the cursaders, they travelled by day and by night. They rested once every two days. THey had been trained to do so in the academy.

((If your not ok with what i'm doing, I'll edit it.))

Time passed, and so did the miles they traveled. Finally, when they had reached ten miles away from their target, they haulted. Ghemis landed at the front of the army, allowing a powerful silence to remain for more time then needed. His face did not alter, nor did his body.
Finally, he spoke.
"Follow the plan. Kill any who stand in your way. Mercy.." He paused. "Isn't an option."
He lifted his arms slightly, and thumped them down upon his dragon's back. It's wings made a wave upward, and it's body lifted into the air, knocking many of the ground troops stumbling backwards from wind and surprise.
He landed in front of the calvary. His arm beckoned the two foward.
"Espoir. Rhapsody."

Espoir was surprised he knew their names. He whipped the rungs softly, and Aegis stomped foward, towards Ghemis.

Rhapsody's eyes flew open from their half shut state. Ghemnis knew her name? That was shocking to say that least. She tugged on Prince's reins and made him step forward. "Yes Sir! I am Rhapsody White!" She sat with perfect posture and looked him in the eye with respect and admiration.

"You know your mission. We will be waiting for your signal."
Ghemis finished, leaving Espoir quite dissapointed. He turned his body, with the usual swing of his long coat tail, and marched off onto the other side of the army.
Espoir watched him as he walked off, and finally turned to Rhapsody. He did not wear a grin, not even a smirk. His face was stone, denser then it ever had been.
"Are you ready?" He asked her, holding back his fright.

"As ready as I'm ever going to be." She couldn't even fake a smile through her anxiety. Still grasping in the dark for the reason she had spoken up she shut her eyes. The troops began to split, it was time for the mission to begin. "So we wait approximately 20 miles out of the city and wait for the rampart archers to run off to the west to take care of the disruption and then we make our move?"

"That's the plan Ms. White. Let's get moving. You and Espoir should ride up front with me." Kelim was speaking to her again and her heart fluttered a bit. For some reason she respected him far more than Ghemnis, probably because he was more reachable and highly likeable. Ghemnis was cold and gruff but Kelim was easy to get along with, somehow the two got along famously and led this small force of troops to countless victories. The two as a team were nearly unstoppable.

"Yes sir." She rushed Prince to Kelim's left as he took his spot at the front of the cavalry troops. She motioned for Espoir to ride at Kelim's right.

Espoir followed Rhapsody's order, and moved into his right position.
His face was not of the happy genre, and Espoir had a feeling that after this battle, he would not be happy for a long, long time.

(Sorry it was so short.)

three hours later it had all begun. Rhapsody and the rest of the Black Sword brigade were sitting at the outskirts of Paradisia. THe last aracher made his way to the west and it was time.

"DESTROY THE IMPERIAL SCUM AND TEACH THEM THAT DEIMOS' CHILDREN SHALL NOT BE OPPRESSED!!" Kelim screamed and the dragons took flight in a cloud of dust. Rhapsody pulled on Prince's reins and directed his face upward, which meant it was time for him to fly. He took off with screech and Rhapsody removed her weapon from the sheath strapped around her beast. THe curved dagger shone in the sunlight as she ascended over the east wall of Paradisia and down into the city where she would head southwest, probably into the center of the ground troops who were prepared to fight if the crusaders scaled the wall.

Espoir immediatly followed Rhapsody, directing Aegis into the skies. The walls towered above the duo, but in a matter of seconds the dragon's wide spanning wings had thrusted them past the top.
Aegis unearthed a horrifying roar, and dove inward. Espoir found his heart thumping crazily, hoping it would not burst out through his chest. The hollering soldiers around him did not assist the dreadful sensation.
As the dragon's large body approached the ground, Espoir revealed a dagger from his belt. With the instantaneous swish of his arm, the dagger's blade had dug itself into the throat of a nearby soldier.
Cutting sideways, Espoir began to head towards the gates. He could tell that the men were pulling themselves together, and within the next few minutes Espoir and Aegis would have no chance of survival against the army.
As the team reached the front, Espoir's ears picked up the whistling of objects cutting through the air. They became louder, growing in immense speeds. Finally, they haulted arubtly. Aegis screeched, stumbling slightly as he hovered above the grounds. Espoir felt his arm burst into an explosion of anguish. Frantically looking downwards, he discovered an arrow lodged under his shoulder, as well as one in Aegis's thigh.
He clenched his teeth, and his fist on Aegis's ropes as well. He faught the need to rip the arrow out from him, for he had no time to control the bleeding at that moment.
Aegis continued, bursting foward in acceleration. The wind had pulled Espoir's flowing hair hard against his scalp. He felt his eyes sting, and knew it would be now or never.
"Aegis, GO!" He screamed, hoping the wind had not drowned his voice.
Suddenly, he heard several more whistling noises. Shooting his vision to the side of him, he spotted three flaming arrows coming straight towards, him.
His teeth pressed so hard against each other they would surely shatter.
"Not like this.." He muttered, shutting his eyelids.
The sound froze, and Espoir raised his eyelids. There, floating in front of him, were the three arrows.

Under his control.

He directed them back towards the men, thrice as fast as before.
Reaching an extremely close distance to the gates, he hoped Rhapsody would assist him soon..

Rhapsody heard Aegis scream and she whirled around. Prince's tail knocked four soldiers down in the spin. "ESPPOIR!" SHe yelled out and propelled Prince forward with a kick to the hindquarters. She gripped her dagger and raced up to his side in time to jab it through the neck of an attacking enemy troop. Her left hand opened and exposed her palm. Her hand began to glow white and an enormous blast erupted from it, dissolving the head of the soldier and freeing her weapon. "COME ON! We're almost here!" The imperial soldiers were surrounding them but as they raced toward the gate Rhapsody shot off beams of energy, keeping most at bay on her side. They were five feet from the gate when she turned to Espoir. "I'll hold them! Get the gate open!" Prince spun and face the horseshoe of soldiers that were running at her.

Espoir picked up the muffled sound of Rhapsody's orders. He immediatly wiped away the burning pain in his arm, and whipped Aegis's ropes viciously.
The dragon began to huff heavily, slopping it's body foward in a sluggish motion.
"Ignore the pain dammit! Ride foward, NOW!"
The let out an elongated moan, and advanced into the air.
Espoir ignited his quick thinking, and clasped a small bottle. He threw the bottle down hard enough to break the glass, and impatiently watched as the bleeding in Aegis's thigh ceased. The liquid drenched the arrow wound, and began to evaporate. With a sudden burst of speed, Aegis had risen higher into the air.
Espoir's vision locked onto the gate, as well at the many men around it.
"Aegis, torch 'em!"
The blurry mist of intense heat covered Espoir's face. In front of him were now the corpses of many charred men, some who were still suffering.
Aegis hit the ground in a messy style, almost tripping over his own tree-trunk legs.
Espoir leapt off, and ran towards the gate. Grabbing the first bar, he tugged it outward, feeling tension all throughout his body. He managed to pull one more, before his arms fell to his side from exhaustion.
There were two more left, and Espoir felt his stomach leap sideways as he realized what he would be forced to do.
"Dammit." He muttered, realizing this was the turning point of the battle, under his control.
He heard faint yells behind him, and suddenly a few that were in too close of a range.
"Your crusade is over you bastard!" A soldier screamed, as he swung his arm upward and began to attack with his sword.
"The crusade is your downfall!"
Espoir grabbed the man's arm and shoved a dagger into his chest, bypassing the tattered, cheap armor he had worn.
Spinning around, Espoir concentrated to his full extent, ignoring the precense of men behind him.
"Agghhh!!" He cried, holding his temples in immense pain.
The bar nudged sideways, and then burst outwards from it's clasps.
"..One more.."
He screamed wildly, feeling as though his brain would erupt from his skull.
"FOR THE LORD!!" Espoir's voice died out, and a wretched scratching sound replaced it.
The final bar loosened, and shot outwards, impaling and crushing a soldier's body as he was running to kill Espoir.
Espoir collapsed to his knees, and wiped away the trickling blood from his nostrils. The world around him became fuzzy..
..There was no way he could open the gates..
A roar from the heavens sounded above Espoir, and Aegis, head first, exploded through the metal gate before him..

"THE GATE! IT'S OPEN!" The roar of voices mixed with the cries of dragons and blood curdling cries nearly deaffened Rhapsody. This was her largest abttle to date and by far the bloodiest. The nearly thirty men who surroudned her were now no more than piles of dust. She watched as the infantry and spearmen charged into the city, creting massive havoc for the troops within. THe order came in next. Kelim's voice was screaming to all available cavalry units.

"TO THE RAMPARTS!" He cried out. "THE ARCHERS! GET THEM!" Rhapsody was off in a second. Prince flew through the air, screeching with the other dragons. No more than five seconds had passed before it happened. A volley of arrows was let loose towards the dragon riders, intending to keep them away form the archers. Prince was fast but an arrow struck him in the chest, and one landed just above Rhapsody's belly button, piercing the flimsy armor and digging into her skin. The pain and blood ruched through her and she blacked out. Her body fell limply to the left and dislodged itself from Prince's back. She plummeted toward the ground and landed atop an old wooden building. The frame cracked and crunched but did not give way.

"Dammit!" Espoir yelled, "Rhapsody!"
He watched her distant figure fall through the skies and land hard into the top of an object. Espoir instantly tried to leap to his feet but all he found was pain and a loss of balance. He quickley whistled.
The wind bursts of Aegis's wind followed the piercing sound of Espoir's whistle, and the gigantic reptile body landed before Espoir.
His hands reached up into the pouches hanging off the dragon, and he pulled out a small container holding a blue liquid.
"This isn't a good idea." He said, but without hesitation, he gulped the entire potion down. It's burning sensation in his throat forced Espoir's dizziness out of him.
A burst of energy came after, and Espoir leapt from his knees onto Aegis.
"Get Rhapsody, over there!"
Espoir ignored the war, and the men attacking him.
Homing in towards Rhapsody, Espoir let out a loud call.
"Rhapsody, are you alright!" He paused, hearing nothing but the distant yells and clanging of metal. "Rhapsody!"
Aegis lowered slightly farther, and Espoir lunged off his back.
He landed, hearing several small cracks as he did.
"Rhapsody.." Espoir whispered, running to her limp body.
"Drink this." He muttered softly, dipping the end of a small bottle between her lips.
The liquid drained from the bottle, and Espoir began rubbing her throat in order to make her swallow.
He emitted a sudden gasp.
Only then did he actually realize an arrow had pierced her.

Rhapsody choked on coughed as she began to regain conciousness. "Is that Kelim?" She asked herself. As her eyes opened it became abundantly clear Kelim was not sitting above her, it was her friend and trusted fellow soldier; Espoir.

"ESPOIR!" She bursted back into the concious world but could barely move due to her pain. "What happened?" Her eyes began to glaze as she felt her body going cold.

"NOT ON MY WATCH YOU BASTARDS!" A voice rang out. Four arrows headed toward the two were interrupted by a slender, silver blade. Runic etchings adorned the glimmering steel weapon. Kelim was now beside them, guarding them from arrow fire. "Get her to safety, I'll cover you."

Espoir felt hope erupt within him, reviving him with the soothing sensation he had begged for. His eyes lit up, along with his entire expression. He stood, finally feeling like he would not fall over.
He hastily lifted Rhapsody over his shoulder, and left he loosley on Aegis's back.
"Fly carefully, we've got a passenger!"
Espoir leapt onto the tough skin of his partner, and whipped the ropes swiftly.
"Go!"
Several arrows whisped right past Espoir's ear, but missed because of Aegis's thrust upwards. The large dragon spiraled around the attacks, and towards the outer walls. The trio approached the gigantic mass, and tumbled through the air over it.
With the sudden unbalanced throw of Aegis's body, Espoir was thrown to his dragon's thigh, hanging on what could be considered a thread. Along with this, the three bodys shot straight downwards, plummeting toward the rock hard ground..