Tyler deftly and skillfully grabbed a few more items before putting a slight pressure on Sahara, unnoticeable to the human gaze yet everything to the sensitive mare. She turned quickly and started heading out, her head raised high. Other horses flicked their ears and walked along lazily, their heavy hooves plodding on The hard packed dirt like iron, but Sahara pranced like the wind, her head raised high in a sign of honor and pride. Tyler only wished he could still hold the same pride atop her powerful back, though he couldn't. He kept the hidden stash of stolen food safely tucked in his leather jacket, his shoulders hunched slightly as he kept his gaze down. What could bring him to such lows that he had to hide his face like a thief? -Being a thief- Tyler thought sadly as the reached the outskirts of the busy market. He urged Sahara into a canter who obeyed easily, her gait smooth and powerful like rippling water. Tyler was so lucky to have this maginificent steed to ride upon, as well as having Fury. They pulled up near the big red dragon and Tyler slipped off, bringing out the bread, cheese, meat, and fruit he had snatched. He gave the meat to the dragon, her regal head Ben the down gracefully to nip it out of his hands. The way her eyes narrowed showed she was pleased, savoring the burst of flavor in her mouth. Tyler then fed the fruits to the mare, letting her velvet lips close around the shining red apples and rough oranges. He then ate the bread and cheese, not taking as much time to savor the flavor. Tyler needed to prepare, and he couldn't do that on an empty stomach. "Do you have a plan?" He asked Fury after he was finished, since the dragon had been a rogue and outlaw since she was born and knew how to fight just as well as Tyler and Sahara did. - "I hate to say this... but we can't do it alone." Fury hissed quietly, her red eyes glowing in the light. "Even with only one other dragon it would be almost impossible, unless they were as skillful and deft as we were" she finished with a slight growl, her deep voice rumbling in the night - Tyler nodded, his head tipped in thought. "I don't know anyone that wouldn't betray me to the king... but we are outlaws now. That means we need to find someone that trusts no one and doesn't obey anyone." He paused, then continued with a breath. "We need help from another outlaw."

As Valentina savored the stolen morsels, a sudden shift in the atmosphere caught her attention. She sensed a ripple of unease that permeated the tranquil haven. Turning her gaze, she found herself met with the petrified stare of a patrolling knight, frozen in place as if caught in the crosshairs of an impending storm. The knight's eyes widened in a mixture of fear and awe as they beheld the formidable sight before them. Valentina, the elusive outlaw, and Volkaris, the majestic wyvern, stood as a united force, an indomitable duo bound by a bond that surpassed the boundaries of ordinary understanding.

Though the knight trembled, they dared not take a step closer, for they were well aware of the consequences that awaited those who dared challenge a dragon and their rider. Valentina, her senses honed to a razor-sharp edge, maintained unyielding eye contact with the knight, a silent message passing between them.

Feeling the intensity of the situation, Volkaris drew himself up to his full towering height, his serpentine body coiling with untamed power. His eyes blazed with a fiery resolve, his teeth bared in a primal display of protective ferocity. In that moment, he became a living embodiment of their unbreakable bond, a guardian whose presence dared any would-be aggressor to challenge their union.

Valentina's heart quickened within her chest, a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She held her ground, the weight of the knight's gaze pressing upon her, but her resolve remained unshaken. She knew they were being hunted, their unity seen as a threat that needed to be severed. Yet, she refused to let fear consume her. With each calculated step backward, Valentina maintained her unwavering eye contact with the knight, her gaze a reflection of defiance and unwavering determination. Volkaris, sensing her intentions, mirrored her movements, his wings unfurling in a display of awe-inspiring grandeur.

The distance between them and the patrolling knight grew, but the tension in the air remained palpable. Valentina and Volkaris held their ground, a silent standoff that spoke volumes. The knight, caught between duty and trepidation, contemplated their next move, their fate intertwined with the choices they made in that fleeting moment.

In the face of this precarious encounter, Valentina's mind raced with possibilities. Should she flee, abandoning her sanctuary? Or should she stand her ground, challenging the knight's perception of her existence? The weight of her decisions hung heavily upon her, but deep within her, an unyielding fire burned. She refused to be separated from the companion who had become an extension of her very soul.

As the standoff continued, Valentina's unwavering gaze bore into the knight's soul, a silent message that conveyed her defiance and the unyielding strength of her connection with Volkaris. The knight, caught between awe and trepidation, made a choice—an unspoken agreement that their paths would not cross again.With a lingering glance, the knight turned and retreated, disappearing into the folds of the kingdom's labyrinthine streets. Valentina exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, relief mingling with the thrill of victory. She knew, however, that their respite was temporary, for the world outside their secluded sanctuary remained fraught with danger and uncertainty.

"We desperately need to flee this area, Volkaris-" her voice seemed faltering, the dread to be hunted demolished her heart and made her fear the worst.

Tyler took a deep breath. "I'm now realizing that I surely won't have to stoop to their level. I'll either have to rise to theirs, or they will have to stoop to mine. Which would be very hard, so I think at this point the tables have been flipped. The king is on the mucky pig rock hard bottom, and everyone who works for him as down there with him. Outlaws are the smart ones, the ones who work for no one. They really should be on top." He said quietly, letting out a slow breath. Tyler had already made the decision, even If he may not have liked it. A slight commotion stirred his vision, so Tyler peered out the trees to see the same giant black wyvren and girl standing off to a knight. "I think we found our outlaw." He said wearily, though he was impressed at how she just stood there. Even under the cold cruel gaze of the knight, which was undoubtedly mixed with fear. Tyler had never been scared of dragons, in fact, he had beaten them in battle countless times because of a couple reasons. They were so stunned he was brave enough... or stupid enough... to come charging at them on a horse. He was the best knight in the kingdom, the most trained. Plus his horse was a beautiful steed, one to be feared by everyone.

Tyler took another deep breath as he watched the knight pretty much run away, letting it out slowly. He mounted Fury and placed a hand on her shimmering neck, tense with muscles and power just waiting to be used. She knew what to do. The dragon unfurled her wings again and did a half glide on the air, landing about thirty feet away from the black wyvren. Tyler, being the person he was, slid off till he was at the same level as the girl, standing on the ground. It didn't help he was a lot taller, but he couldn't change that. "I don't want to fight, but I would appreciate if you could give me a moment to talk." Tyler said quietly, though his deep voice still reached the ears of both dragon and rider easily. He didn't bother hiding his face, since it was likely he died soon carrying out this plan. His gaze flicked to the dragons momentarily, sizing them up. Fury was a tad bit smaller then the other wyvren, but she looked a lot less calm. -What she doesn't have in size she makes up for in craziness...- Tyler thought with a slightly hopeless look that soon flashed off his face.

"I'm going to venture a guess that you are an outlaw, with the way you handled that knight encounter?" Tyler asked. He didn't really know a better way to put that... what did they call themselves? Or, at this point, what should he call himself? He was going to wait for an answer while his brain ran wild, meandering all over the options and scenarios that might play out.

Craning her attention from the vanished knight and to the appearing man with another wyvern, made her flabbergasted. And questioning the situation with millions of never-ending inquiries.

As the man approached, dismounting from his wyvern to stand at eye level with her, Valentina felt an electric current of fret crackle in her core. The intense sincerity in his voice, and an earnest desire for understanding and cooperation rather than conflict, ignited a spark of calmness in her quivering chest. It was a rare encounter, a serendipitous meeting of kindred spirits amidst a world that sought to sever their bonds.

Valentina locked gazes with the man, her irises shimmering with a fusion of interest and guarded positiveness. "Indeed, I am an outlaw," she responded, her voice resolute and tinged with subtle defiance. "But who might you be, another dragon rider?" she emphasized the ending.

Her thoughts churned, an eddy of possibilities swirling within her mind. She pondered the potential alliance that could be forged between them, recognizing their power as a united front against the oppressive regime. Valentina's heart swelled with a newfound sense of intention, a flickering ember of hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. With a brisk, yet graceful movement, Valentina shifted her focus back to the wyverns, her gaze scanning the beast with awe and discreet apprehension. She discerned the fiery determination ablaze within the depths of the wyvern's eyes—a reflection of her own untamed spirit. It was an inferno waiting to be kindled, a force capable of defying the established order.

Returning her attention to the man, Valentina's voice resonated with unwavering determination. "If you seek an alliance, a chance to defy the fetters that bind us, then I am willing to lend an ear," she declared. "But be forewarned, our path shall be fraught with peril, and the toll of our rebellion shall be treacherous."

The weight of her words lingered in the air, a defining moment that had the power to shape their destinies. Valentina waited for the man's response, her unwavering gaze fixed upon him, brimming with a mixture of anticipation and unwavering resolve. Together, they stood at the precipice of change, bound by a shared yearning for emancipation, determined to etch their own narratives in a world that sought to control them.

Tyler examined the woman carefully, his dark eyes flitting over her and her wyvren. They shared a bond... a connected. She was no normal dragon rider, and he knew it. Something deeper stood in the stilled waters of their souls, plus the girl reminded him of Fury. As she spoke his head dropped slightly, but he didn't let the shame flicker across his face that wanted to. "If I had to put a name to it, I'm a disgraced knight. A rogue, or outlaw, since I follow no one anymore. Now that I have Fury, I believe I can call myself a dragon rider." Tyler didn't add more, considering that as an ample explanation for the girls inquirings. He watched Fury for a reaction to this, but the majestic dragon stayed still and solid, her fiery red eyes scanning the black wyvren and girl intently. Searching for any sign of danger that might come abroad, ready to protect her rider at all costs.

As the female spoke again Tyler turned his dark gaze back to her, his chin lifted slightly as he listened to her truthful words. "I am searching for an alliance, and I know the dangers of this. I have been through many a hardship, and strive to make the wrongs I have done right." Tyler replied, his gaze stony cold and hard, his dark eyes holding experience and knowledge beyond even his years. Fear was not something to be considered, Tyler had learned. There was no such thing as fear unless you crafted it from your own mind. He was never afraid anymore... he had been through too much and suffered great things. People had tried to kill him countless times, including the one person he had trusted. -That will be the hard part- Tyler thought sadly, his gaze drawing back to Fury for a moment. -Learning to trust again, because a relationship strong enough for battle cannot be forged through hate- He quoted himself in his mind, wondering how many times he had said that. Tyler knew battles were hard fought and not just terrible things. To win one with an alliance you had to have a connection that no one thought possible. You had to be entwined with your steed, whether dragon or horse. He waited to see what the woman would do, his arms crossed over his chest like he always had them.

Valentina regarded the man with a piercing gaze, her eyes ablaze with unyielding intensity. She felt a surge of indifference wash over her, a disinterest in aiding him in his plight. After all, his troubles were not her burden to bear. But there was an undeniable tenacity within her, a stubbornness that refused to turn away from the opportunity that stood before her. Her lips curled into a wry smile as she listened to his admission of being a disgraced knight, a rogue cast aside by the very order he once swore to protect. It was a familiar tale, one that resonated with the depths of her own defiance. Valentina nodded, her coppery hair cascading around her shoulders like a fiery halo, a reflection of the untamed spirit that burned within her.

"Disgraced knight turned outlaw," she mused, her voice dripping with an undercurrent of aloofness. "Quite the transformation, I must say. But do not mistake my presence here as an indication of my willingness to assist you. Your battles are your own, and I have no desire to be entangled in the affairs of another." Valentina's gaze shifted to his dragon, its crimson eyes scanning the surroundings with a vigilance that matched its rider's. The connection between dragon and rider pulsed with an unspoken understanding, a bond forged through trials and shared experiences.

"As for an alliance," Valentina continued, her voice laced with a touch of skepticism, "it is a precarious path to tread. Trust is a luxury that comes at a high price, and I am not one to readily offer it. However, I cannot deny the lure of a shared purpose, the prospect of defying the shackles that seek to confine us."

Her arms crossed over her chest, the gesture a defiant display of her unwavering resolve. Valentina's eyes locked with Tyler's, a challenge simmering within their depths. "Prove to me that you are worthy of my trust," she stated, her voice tinged with a mixture of skepticism and a glimmer of reluctant curiosity. "Show me your dedication and unwavering loyalty, and perhaps, just perhaps, we may find ourselves on a path of shared rebellion." She observed the man with an unwavering gaze, her eyes dissecting his every nuance, searching for any trace of deception or weakness. Valentina's heart remained guarded, her spirit fierce and unyielding. She knew all too well the perils that lay ahead, the treacherous terrain they would have to navigate. But at that moment, standing before the towering figure of the man, a flicker of hope ignited within her, urging her to take a step forward into the unknown.

Valentina stood poised, her fierce spirit unwavering, waiting for the man's response. In this moment of reckoning, their destinies intertwined, their shared journey towards redemption poised to unfurl amidst the chaos of a world yearning for change.

As she spoke he resisted the old urge to reply with a heated remark, knowing that would only dig his mud hole deeper. "Believe me when I say I would never. I know I have my own problems and battles, and would never ask anyone else to assist. I am only requesting we form an alliance for the thing we both want." He replied, his eyes flashing for a moment and his voice cold and rough. Tyler paused as the girl went on, his head cocking slightly like it usually did when he was listening intently. Her words rang true in his mind, and he understood how difficult it would be to gain her trust. This was the part where he had to step on eggshells... which was hard for a 210 pound 6'3 man that didn't like to follow orders or give away trust. Thankfully this would be figurative eggshells, though Tyler was sure it would be just as difficult.

"Trust should not be given away freely, only a fool would do that. However, I will do what I must to show my intentions are for the good of all the people that don the have the courage to stand up. The people that have been beaten down. The people that obey because they have to, not because they want to." Tyler replied with a level tone, his dark eyes boring into hers. The only problem with this is he did not know exactly what this particular person was looking for with earning trust. Everyone wanted something different... some wanted your word, and some wanted actual proof. Some wanted to see you fight. It was different for everyone, Tyler knew. Since his intentions really were honorable he would have no problem with telling the truth, but proving to her It was the truth might be difficult. He remained guarded and stone cold, but his brain was searching for ways to prove he really could be trusted.

For a 6'3 man, towering really describes well xD))

Valentina's gaze softened slightly, recognizing the determination in the man's eyes and the sincerity behind his words. She understood the gravity of their mission and the necessity of forming an alliance, however cautious she remained. In this harsh world, trust was a luxury she couldn't afford to give away easily, but perhaps the man had proven himself worthy of her consideration. "Very well," Valentina said, her voice measured and composed. "If you are truly committed to this cause, then I will lend you my support. But remember, I am not one to be swayed by empty promises or hollow words. Actions will be the measure of your dedication ."

With a graceful movement, Valentina mounted Volkaris, her body settling upon his powerful nape. The connection between them was palpable as she stroked his sleek scales, a silent acknowledgment of the trust they had built over the years. Volkaris rumbled contently, a gentle response to her touch.

Valentina regarded him with an unwavering gaze, her expression serene yet resolute. She remained vigilant, her senses attuned to any potential threat. Stoicism was her armor, calmness her shield. The trials they would face required unwavering strength and focus, and Valentina was determined to navigate them with unwavering resolve.

"Mount your steed, disgraced knight," she commanded, her voice carrying an air of authority. "Let us embark on this journey together. But be aware, I expect nothing less than complete dedication and loyalty. Our path will be treacherous, and only those who remain steadfast will prevail."

She straightened her back, "I have a few remarks to say to those vile knights anyway,"

Tyler could feel himself slightly angry, but he kept it inside for fuel to use in battle. A lot of people said that anger and fury distracted people in battle, making them weaker. This was true for most men and women... but not for Tyler. He balled up that anger and used it to push him forward, even when others may fall. When the female spoke he listened, knowing this could be the turning point of his mission. At her words Tyler felt a small flame of hope start up, joining the flame of anger to grow into his battle ready self. He had been beat down, disgraced, thrown out, and attempted to be murdered... but maybe that could all change now. Maybe more people wouldn't have to die because of the king's vile intentions. "You have my word." Tyler replied evenly, his deep voice resonant with strength and readiness.

Now Tyler had to adress his small problem... their personalities. Obviously they were both leaders, and leaders could almost never work together without one or the other bowing down. He was... not the best at bowing down. Ever. To anyone. Tyler always stood up for what he believed in, and although he may trust someone, he hated to let anyone lead him where he didn't want to go. This girl seemed the same way, strong and straight in the paths she wanted. Tyler knew great teams had fallen in battle to him because they fought in between themselves where as he always fought alone. Tyler didn't have companions or partners in battle, and it worked for him since there was no one to oppose him.

When the female spoke again, his gaze grew fiery and showed a little anger. Already the beginning of his problem had started. For one, how dare she tell him what to do. For two, he absolutely hated someone else calling him a disgraced knight. That sounded so bad coming from someone else's lips. -Get rid of your pride and replace it with the humor that you lost... now- Tyler thought in his mind, mounting Fury swiftly and placing a firm hand on the powerful dragon's neck. He did not respond to her words, but a slight nod showed he understood and was ready.

I can definitely relate to Tyler xD I'm the same-))

Valentina observed the man's reaction, his fiery gaze, and the subtle signs of wrath that flickered across his face. She remained cold, her curiosity piqued by his plan, yet cautious about the potential clash of their strong-willed personalities. She had no intentions of bowing down or relinquishing her own beliefs, but she was open to the possibility of collaboration if it served their shared goals. As the man mounted his beast, the mighty dragon beneath him, Valentina's eyes narrowed slightly, assessing their readiness for the impending journey. She appreciated the display of strength and determination in his posture, recognizing a kindred spirit who was unyielding in the face of adversity.

Silently, she urged Volkaris forward, signaling her readiness to embark on this alliance. Despite her forbearing demeanor, a flicker of anticipation sparked within her. Valentina's mind raced with questions and scenarios, strategizing the best course of action and considering the potential hurdles they might face.

She couldn't deny the allure of the man's plan, the chance to take down the tyrannical king and bring justice to the oppressed. It resonated with the core of her being, igniting a dormant flame of rebellion that had smoldered within her for far too long. However, she remained guarded, refusing to become too invested until she saw tangible results and witnessed the man's true commitment to their cause.

In her heart, Valentina understood that their partnership would be a delicate dance of trust and negotiation. Their personalities clashed, both unyielding and fiercely independent. Yet, she couldn't deny the potential strength that lay in their combined forces. As Volkaris moved forward, his powerful wings beating against the air, Valentina's gaze shifted between the man and the path ahead. She maintained her indifferent demeanor, her features carefully composed, revealing little of her inner thoughts. She observed the man with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, waiting for him to prove his worth and demonstrate his unwavering dedication to their shared mission.

''Go ahead—knight.'' she mused casually. ''I'll follow you to battle,''