Winging It (Eren/Shugo/Clair - Closed)

[Eren]

Eren flew on Mika, his wyvern swooping and soaring on the warm Bernese thermals. Eren was busy studying his map, trying to find a nearby bandit encampment to attack. It wasn't going so well. There were none in the vicinity, and the Dragon Knight had resigned himself to likely having to fly back to Orland's fort. It was a base for resupplying, and the lucrative agreement between the giant and Eren worked to mutual benefit. The weather was clear and sunny, and the treetops below rustled in a gentle breeze. On Eren's belt, the weapons Valcrist had forged for him shone in the sunlight, reminding the rider of that terrifying trip. There wasn't much going on at the moment, so Eren resigned himself to looking more closely at the map. Perhaps something would come to his attention that he hadn't seen before.

[Shugo]

It was a normal day for Shugo. He had left the company of the Illian flyers. Apparently he was too young to be fighting.  The words ringed through his head ticking him off once again.

"What do you mean I am too young to fight", shouted Shugo. He had not been this angry since the time he lost his parents. Shugo had been fighting since he first was kidnapped away from his home. He had been fighting to eat and he had been fighting just to get a place to sleep. Now he was turned away from the army because he was too young. He was not too young to be left out in the cold, or to be nearly killed by slavers. The whole idea just ticked Shugo off. As Shugo simmered over the words Luna picked up on a sent below. She had smelled the sent before and seemed to be delighted in the chance to meet another one of her kind.

Suddenly Luna let out a loud scream alerting the wyvern under neath her. At first Shugo wondered if they were under attack and the sudden sound nearly made him drop his spear. Once the boy realized what was going on he looked down and saw the figure on a Wyvern. "Who is that Luna", spoke Shugo, but the young rider could not make out what Luna's expression meant. It seemed they were going to have to find out the hard way. Shugo kicked onto Luna's side and pressed forward. The white Wyvern took a dive and rushed downward passed the rider. As they swooped by Shugo took a glance at the rider. Eren thought Shugo to himself as he pulled up on Luna's rains and sent them into a loop.

"SIR ERAN", shouted Shugo as his wyvern looped. His voice pitch fluctuated as he moved further and closer toward the knight. Eventually shugo pulled Luna into a flat flying pat parallel to the rider, not before taking another loop for the fun of it first.

[Eren]

Mika began reacting strangely, and Eren's senses were immediately put on guard. Whipping out a spear, the Dragon Knight quickly analyzed the ground and surroundings. There! Another wyvern's shadow! Pulling his wyvern into a quick turn, Eren prepared to throw, when he heard the familiar call of the wyvern. He knew that sound. But from where?

Still on guard, Eren looked up and saw a white wyvern. The only white wyvern he knew was... that one boy Shugo's mount. Lunatic, or Lunacy, or something like that. Could it be? As the wyvern descended, Eren raised the spear, ready to attack, when he heard a familiar voice call his name.

Yup, that was the kid. He looked pretty chipper, too. Well, that was good.

"Well, if it isn't Shugo? How are you, good lad? You're looking as fine as ever, if I do say so myself. And your mount... Lunatic? Lunacy? Sorry, it's been awhile. Anyway, she's looking in top form as well!"

[Shugo]

Lunacy thought Shugo to himself. It was a bit weird for somebody to get Luna's name wrong. But then again most people did not call Luna by her name. Shugo shrugged it off as a memory lag, but Luna seemed to take more offense. The Wyvern hissed a bit in Eran direction, but a quick rub from Shugo on her head calmed her down.

"Her name is Luna", spoke Shugo, "It is nice to see you again as well", spoke the boy as a innocent smile crossed his face. "So Eren what are you up too", asked Shugo as he inquired on the Dragon Rider's destination. The young knight was quite curious to Eren presence in this section of Bern. Shugo wondered if he had another job like last time. Last time the pay was pretty good for the job and shoug could use some extra coin in his pocket. He had already spent a fair bit on buying a new saddle and giving Luna some quality meat. Shugo was not hard press for cash, but a few more coins would not hurt his purse.

[Eren]

"Luna. My apologies. It's been a while now, and I've met many wyverns in my day.

What am I up to? Well, right now I was looking for a bandit encampment to assault. But I haven't found any. So I guess you could say I'm enjoying the day, Shugo. Just enjoying the day.

It's a good thing you called out when you did. I wouldn't have wanted to make a Shugo-kabob. But actually, upon reflection, I'm curious. Why are you here? I haven't seen many people around these parts. The villages are few and far between, so I'm intrigued."

Eren sheathed his spear back in the quiver Valcrist had made, looking over at the kid. He certainly was an unexpected arrival. Well, any company was better than nobody, and perhaps with more people he could find something more... lucrative to do.

[Shugo]

"Me", spoke Shugo as he pointed to himself. "Well", spoke Shugo as he started to think back onto the reason for him being there. "I was really just wandering around like I usually do", spoke the boy in a innocent tone. "I was probably going to stop in a village or someplace and look for a good contract so I can make some coin. Believe it or not I actually pay my own bills", spoke Shugo proudly as he stuck out his chest. Luna gave a howl and looked toward shugo on her back.

"Oh right", spoke the boy. "We also need to get Luna some grade A quality meat. She usually has a taste for cattle, but the price of a entire cow is quite high. So we usually do a lot of work and then pig out latter."

[Clair Feldsky]

In the sky, Clair was at home. On Corona's back, she could feel like she'd escaped out of her problems' reach. With the wind rushing across her, she could tell herself she'd left it all behind, and could focus on her job. Her duty to her country, and the people of Bern was up here. It was the high road.... But that didn't mean she didn't regret leaving her life and her friends down below. You couldn't focus so strongly on your responsibilities as she had in the past, and still have friends. It was something she'd learned over time, and it had taken awhile. Now she seemed to be drawn back into the trap of her duties. Unready to give up the little bit of life that she'd found, but unsure how to keep herself from going back. Her life was meant to serve in the sky, on the back of a winged warsteed of Ilia.... What else could she do?... Even the sky wasn't truly a refuge for her anymore.

Richter's absences may still hurt, but at least she still had Corona. She leaned over and gave the massive flying beast a scratch on his shoulder as they flew through the sky, his powerful wings driving them forward even against the wind. He nickered softly as she turned her gaze downwards again. Conflicting reports brought her out here. Reports of rebels moving. Reports of banditry. Whatever it was, she'd come out on pretenses of looking around for the source of the unrest. Both needed to be dealt with, but they would take two different sorts of action to do it. Whatever was out here, ground bound forces would be hard pressed to move to engage, she realized, as she looked down over the rocky Bernese slopes rising and falling beneath her.

A wyvern scream from somewhere further up the wind brought her attention to the sky in front of her. Two flyers in the distance. She couldn't make out who they were, or any faction signs on them, but prudence seemed the better part of valor here. She touched the lightning powered lance kept in one of the slings on Corona's harness to reassure herself that it was there, before climbing in altitude to match. At this point, they didn't look to be doing anything other than flying idly along side by side. Probably holding a conversation over the winds gusting around them, by how close they were flying.

She'd keep an eye on them. Maybe they knew more about what had been going on in the area here recently. What she'd heard had been incomplete. As to whether they'd know her or not, she wasn't sure. She was wearing the black armor she'd worn at the tournament in Bern. She was much more known for her white armor though. Caution would have to be the game of the day, she realized, as the three flyers drew nearer to each other.

[Eren]

"Working as a mercenary? A worthy cause for an aspiring Rider, Shugo. I'm sure you perform well..."

Eren's voice trailed off as Mika gave a low, wary growl. Looking down, he saw the pitch-black wyvern craning her neck, hissing slightly and sniffing the air. "What...? Mika, girl, what's going on?" Turning, he saw something a ways off. In the air, moving closer. It appeared to be... A pegasus and rider. Unusual. A pegasus rider in Bern? Unaccompanied? This smelled fishy. Very, very fishy.

"Okay, Shugo. Get your lance ready. Stay behind me, and if we need to, attack on my command. Let's fly!" Pulling out a spear, Eren and Mika turned tightly, and the Dragon Knight approached the pegasus flyer cautiously.

"Hold, Pegasus flyer! I am Brigadier General Eren Barrata of the Bern-Ilian Army, Air Division Six! These are Bern lands, and an unaccompanied Pegasus flyer is... Not a normal sight. If you belong to the military, state your name and rank! Otherwise, if you're a civilian, I will have to ask you to leave. We are conducting a military sweep for a bandit stronghold."

Technically, Eren was still in the army, only on sabbatical, so whoever this pegasus rider was would be able to recognize the legitimacy of his rank. Maybe it would have some sway. But for now, this situation seemed bad.

[Shugo]

Eran's Wyvern started to act weird and it was not long before Shugo's began to do the same. Luna however had a different reaction. Her mouth started to salivate and she began to let out a low growl. Shugo had seen this before. She must have picked up the sent of a Pegasus. Shugo had meet some not that long ago when he tried out for the Illian army. Luna had the same hungry reaction then as she was having now. "Pegasus", spoke Shugo

"Okay, Shugo. Get your lance ready. Stay behind me, and if we need to, attack on my command. Let's fly!", shotued Eren. Shugo was a bit confused on what was going on, but he knew if Eran thought something was wrong then it must be right. Eren was a trust worth man, and in truth he reminded him a bit of Valin. Though he wondered if it had something to do with him being a Wyvern rider in all. Personality wise the two of them were completely different.  Still there was no time for idle chat. Shugo need to be ready in case they were under attack. The rider drew his Dragon spear and followed behind Eren.

"Understood", he spoke as he followed Eren. He flew just above him a bit and on his right wing. Shugo stopped when Eren stopped and waited for further command, or a malicious action. 

[Clair Feldsky]

As Clair drew closer, she could feel Corona giving "the eye" to the winged reptiles. These were hunting beasts of the air, and while his muscle and mass dwarfed most other pegasi and his wings could out lift the competition's, there still was a wariness towards predators in his blood. The riders looked well equipped, though one looked tiny in contrast to its mount. The white wyvern was probably one of the most impressive things that she had ever seen before though.... Even if it was a leathery bag of overweight scales.

She pulled Corona up short as they started to address her, and with Corona flying into the wind, he was easily able to keep them aloft. A brigadier General, hmm? Clair wasn't quite certain where that put him on the scale of ranks, but she knew it was high enough. He seemed to think it odd to find a lone pegasus out here? It couldn't be any more unusual than finding a general with a... was that a kid? That rider was definitely smaller a kid, despite all the armor.

"Commander Clair Feldsky, of the Mistral Knights." Clair raised her voice over the wind."And, I find it hard to believe that a lone pegasus knight flying the skies is as odd as a brigadier general out flying with a child on a military operation." What was this? Bring your kid to work day? Of course, anyone could claim to be a general. Some double checking would be due when she made it back.

"Pardon me, General, but I hadn't heard anyone else would be out here. You see, I'm flying the same sweep. No luck for me yet."

[Eren]

"I've never heard of that group, Commander Feldsky. I'll have to check up on you once I return to base, but for now, I feel it most prudent that I request your help in securing a bandit stronghold. I believe it to be abandoned, but as one man, I found it unwise to enter and attempt to secure it, lest I find myself caught in an ambush. I'm surprised you did not spot the building, if you truly were assigned to sweep... Yet I am more disappointed in the lack of cooperation between these two affiliated militaries. If we are to be working together, let us set the good example and do so. The stronghold is a kilometer back the way you approached, on the hillside. It's a closed-top fort of sorts, built of wood in apparent haste. It showed no signs of resident life.

This is Shugo. Despite his dubious size and age, he's actually quite the dependable warrior. I met him once before, working on a recovery operation. Shugo was, and still is, a mercenary Rider of sorts, and as such has been hired by me to assist in the sweep. You see, there are few employers that would choose to hire an eleven-year-old Wyvern Rider. Fortunately for him, I know his worth.

Commander Feldsky. I wish to ask for your pardon, first of all, for my initial hostility. An Ilian Rider interfering in a Bern-branch operation has often caused strain. It comes down to a matter of trust, I gather. Either way, your actions and words have merited you the benefit of the doubt. For now, I would request your aid in investigating the building."

Eren was still very wary, but if this woman was actually an Ilian officer, then his job would be much easier. Plus, it would give him valuable intel. He'd have to ascertain exactly why she'd come, that much was for sure.

[Shugo]

"Hey I am not a kid", shouted Shugo at first, but Eren stepped in and took over the conversation. It was probably for the best cause Shugo would have mucked it up. Though he still wanted to say something in his own defense, but he stayed quite till Eren had finished speaking. 

"I know Eren told you a bit about me, but I would like to say something myself", spoke the boy rider. "I am not a kid. I am a knight, a Knight of the sky. It is my duty to protect the people of Bern and those who can not defend themselves. So don't call me a kid. I have bleed like you have bleed and I have seen war like you have seen war. I am no more a boy than you are. Well girl....wait woman... dugh,  you get my point", spoke Shugo a bit flustered. His white Wyvern let out a screech in agreement and shugo rubbed her on the back of her head.

It was not the first time somebody had not given Shugo his proper respect and he was sure it would not be the last. If only he was older. He would not have to go through this every time some new guy joined up with the group, or when he walked into a mercenary tavern. It was plain rude the way people would treat him. They would ban him from the counter. They would laugh at him when he ordered milk. Shoot one man even tried to take his spear in worry he would stab himself. Shugo was a warrior true and true. 

[Clair Feldsky]

"The Mistral Knights are rather small and new. I'm not surprised that you haven't heard of them before." She narrowed her eyes for a moment at the Bernese rider, before continuing. She was a little surprised that he hadn't recognized her name. Most people that had heard of Richter's army would recognize her as the one always flying overhead, providing intel, support, and command where needed, as needed. Of course, where else would she be but with Richter, wherever he had gone off to. That, and fame

"The building? A cursory pass showed no direct signs of activity. I noted it, but with the manpower we have now, we can go and take a closer look. As you suggested."

As the child flyer spoke up angrily, she listened. It was a bit shocking to see him trained and flying so well at such a young age. Things like this happened in Ilia too. It was a little depressing that a child as young as he be up in arms fighting for... what exactly? Could he even know what his actions would end up doing in the end? None of them could know that in reality, but some of them could guess.

"My apologies, Shugo. I haven't seen many riders as young as you.... Most can barely hold their lance right, if they've even begun training by your age." She hadn't been able to. Clair was still left a little skeptical, especially because of the extreme youth of the kid, but she'd been fighting in the army at seventeen, when she'd barely been able to ride the basic combat maneuvers. If he was already flying this high, and carrying such a weapon as that, then he must have some skill to back it up. She just worried for what he might grow into with war as his teacher. Not that I have a whole lot of room to speak.... It was war that raised me as well.

Hmm... She was trying really hard not to be bitter about the open suspicion he was putting out. Of course she was suspicious too, but she at least had the tact to keep quiet about it. The thunderlance in the saddle holster was crackling angrily as she bit her tongue, and she could have sworn that she felt sparks crackling in her spearhand too. Keeping quiet now was the best way to let it blow over. She tried desperately to think of something, anything, that could benefit her or the whole outfit by snapping back at Eren, but was left without a good reason. Just her own frustration being loosed, and that wasn't worth it. She didn't want to be a petty trader of jibes, as she'd seen others be.

"I'll do my best not to be an interference for you, General." Well, no one was perfect. She sighed to herself briefly. "But yes. I'll help. Would one of you like to take the lead, or shall I?"

[Eren]

"Well, then, Commander Feldsky, I am grateful for your assistance. If it suits you, you may take the point, and Shugo and I will form your flanks... Unless you would prefer otherwise?"

Drawing his Killing Axe from his back-strap, the Dragon Knight readjusted his headband and readied himself for any combat to come. He groaned to himself at the misfortune that was the Ilian rider... What a shame she had to have arrived and meddled. Now he'd have to deal with her presence. Well, at least Shugo was here. Although he had to make sure he didn't betray his true sentiments -- to be marked as a rebel would be disastrous. He'd be on his guard. Clair Feldsky, though... Hmm. Hadn't he heard of her for something? Maybe he had; he was unfamiliar.

"Ready."

[Shugo]

"The lady had apologized and that was enough for Shugo. He was not one to hold onto grudges for too long, but it did put him in a bit of a predicament. Shugo was not one for words, well not anymore at least, he was a man of action. Now he needed to show her what he was capable of. The young warriors was now hyped and ready for the fight. He began to think over his moves and what he was going to do. Shugo began to run scenario through his brain along with cool flips and punchlines to go with it. By the time he was done she was going to think Shugo was Hartmut himself.

"Alright it is battle time", shouted Shugo! The boy looked down at his mount and rubbed the White Wyvern on the head. "Hey Luna we are going to go wild. We need to show her why bandits fear the sky and knights sing of our name." Luna gave Shugo a blank stare that showed she had no idea what he was saying, but Shugo was too pump to truly notice. "Alright lead the way miss Clair", spoke Shugo.