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Description

Let me just say... making own art feels awesome and a bit embarrassing.    Anyway, experimenting continues...

Originally I wanted this to be in one picture with this - [WoC] Last Ray , but in the end, it just didn't work.

Also, this is not an entry!

(rather a close up on one... But basically and without any shame, I used Felken Fair to further develop Ray's story.)

Just a storytime picture:

  SK preklad:

[WoC] too slow - SK(Aut. poznámka: lebo bordel! Príbeh sa odohráva na Felken Fair pár mesiacov po tom, čo sa Isu'ra vrátil z Mostu späť na Evenland. Značí tiež začiatok jeho pádu. Väčšina príbehu je vo forme dialógu medzi Isu'rom a jeho najlepším priateľom - felkenom - Ji'karom. Dievča spomínané v príbehu je Nizi'ri, ktorá v tomto čase žije spolu s Isu'rom v El-Katevere.)

(Extra poznámka: V príbehu sa hovorí o používaní transmogov a perkov, pre Ray sú to jej krídla a transmog. Keďže neexistuje podrobné info o tom, ako premena pomocou transmogov a perk

(Happening few months after Isu'ra came back from The Bridge , during Felken Fair in Evenland , this story marks the beginning of downfall. This time a bit longer, most of it is a dialog between Isu'ra and his best friend - a felken - Ji'kar . Girl mentioned in this story is Nizi'ri , which in this time lives with Isu'ra.)

(A note of clarification: In this story, Isu'ra talks about changing the appearance of Ray, her wings perk and transmog . There's no info about how applying these things works, so I made up my own way. Transformation is done through stones and magic and while they all work the same the requirements and experience varies greatly for each mount depending on what's being changed and what creature is being subjected to change. Adding a thing is different than replacing it with another. For that to happen, the old thing must be removed first. I'll write more about it in the 'next episode'. For now, what's important to know is that it's rather unpleasant experience.)

...

  As a ray of light awakening land, she announced their arrival with a chilling roar. Heads shoot upwards graced by the view at her massive wingspan. Ji'kar couldn't help but grin. - Showoff! He murmured eyes glued to flying dragon. It was a sight that never ceased to amaze. Most of the times she passed the city silently like a shadow of a cloud, but the times when she came like thunder sending shivers down the spine were those he loved the most. She made a slow turn and gracefully landed on the edge of encampment. Bunch of spectators followed in her direction. To see her up close was something rare, even for the locals who knew her. Ji'kar pushed his way through the crowd just in time to catch Isu'ra dismounting. He found it funny how dragoness always lowered her body to let her tiny human go. For him, it was proof how much she cares.

- You got me worried, I thought you'd never show up! - said Ji'kar slapping Isu'ra's back.

- Almost didn't I had to escape! - Isu'ra looked at him seriously but Ji'kar could sense lightness in his voice. They started walking towards tents.

- Girl giving you trouble? - asked Ji'kar smiling widely.

Isu'ra sighted. - She wants me to read to her. All the time! Yesterday I tried to take a nap and she just threw a book at me!

Ji'kar tried to hold back laughter. - So what book was it?

Isu'ra looked at him annoyed but seeing how hard was his friend trying to keep straight face made him smile as well.

They reached the center of fair, where most of the action was happening. - Anyway, you've been here before, so tell me where do I sign for that? - said Isu'ra pointing at the magical rings placed in the sky above the oasis. - I'll tell you, but only if you join an eating contest with me! - Isu'ra looked at felken showing him thumbs up winking vigorously.

- Guess I'll have to look for it myself. - he duly responded.

- Man, you're no fun. Just go there. - Ji'kar resigned pointing towards tent with red and gold stripes.

- Thanks, pal! - Isu'ra gave him pat on shoulder and went for the tent. He came back shortly, followed by small gray-furred felken, there to supervise the discipline.

- All good? Do you go for the win? - Ji'kar started. - Because if you do, let me say, I've seen some nasties. It won't be easy. - he continued but Isu'ra seemed uninterested. - Nah, just here for training. - he replied.

- I see. - Ji'kar could feel how atmosphere changed. Something was about to go wrong.

- So, wasn't Nizi interested in coming? - he tried to change the subject while they made their way back to Ray. - I didn't ask. - Isu'ra shrugged. - That's a little mean don't you think? - Ji'kar tried to scold him but Isu'ra's mind was already focused on the task ahead. Rest of the way he kept silent.

  They reached Ray. Most of the people that previously came to see her already left. Only those who suspected she's there for the show (or those who simply couldn't stop admiring her) kept watch. She was lying on the warm sand waiting. As soon as Isu'ra hopped into the saddle she got up awaiting his orders.

- I'll start the timer when you fly through first ring, you got 8 minutes, good luck sir! - said gray felken to which Isu'ra just nodded. There was no time for Ji'kar to said anything, with a strong gust of wind, sending a cloud of sand in all directions Ray took off.

He watched the dragon climbing higher in wide circles. He started to think about what she really was. Down here, on the ground, it was easy to forget that they were hunters. He couldn't imagine how it must look or feel to hunt down a wyvern. He asked Isu'ra on many occasions but all he learned was more on the side of technicalities. "Approach it from above", he remembered Isu'ra's words. "Then strike with fire." He watched Ray taking a sharp dive. "Burn its wings," she flew through the first ring. "That's the easiest way to bring it down," the second ring. "It's the only way you can win," the third ring.

- But if you miss... - He whispered looking up.

The fourth ring made of ice exploded in rain of tiny crystals as Ray came through too slow to fold her wings on time. He knew she's fine since the rings we're created magically, still, a cold sweat enveloped him. He knew that some other time this would mean death. "What do you do then? You can't outrun a wyvern, can you?" Said a memory in his voice. "No, you can't, not with this type of dragon," fifth ring, sixth ring.

- So you'll fight... - he said, but the time was already up.

Isu'ra finished flying through rest of the rings before descending. - That doesn't look good - Ji'kar took a deep breath. The look on Isu'ra's face could be described as mixture of disappointment and anger.

- You did good sir, your score is six rings out of ten. We'll announce the winners during the closing ceremony. Until then, please do enjoy the rest of the fair. - said gray felken, bowed his head and left.

Group of people gathered around the pair, showering them with words of praise. But Ji'kar knew Isu'ra's not in the mood, for a moment he saw him flying away but to his surprise, Isu'ra excused himself and went towards him.

- That was a good ride, - he said hastily but instantly regretted it. He knew that's not how Isu'ra feels and there are no words which could change it.

- Wanna sit somewhere? - he proposed.

- Sure. - a short reply.

They found a place nearby, with Ray still in sight and Ji'kar treated him to some beer.

- She got slow. - Isu'ra broke the silence. - Like Matri did. - He sounded distant as if he was talking to himself.

Ji'kar knew very well this is a touchy subject, but one from which you can not escape. They talked about this long time ago, the reality each wyvern hunter must face. As dragons were getting older, they steadily became slower. As a part of their nature, after some time their scales hardened and made their body stiff and less flexible. For Ray, the change came unnaturally early. Even with magic on their side, fighting against agile wyvern was something an ordinary feathertail shouldn't try. The fight was one of the minds. Outsmarting the beast was always safest tactic. A hunter should at all cost avoid head on fight. Wyverns though non-magical we're still quite smart. Many hunters met their end thinking a fire breathing beast could best the one so ordinary in nature just to be thrown off the sky. The speed and agility were crucial for surviving the encounter, which is why many hunters after their dragons matured traded them for younger ones or took the role of mentors. But there were some who decided to go against nature, using magic stones, they transformed their mounts, just to gain upper hand against their opponents. For a dragon though, the transformation was a gruesome act, one which many couldn't bear.

- What will you do, - asked Ji'kar after a while.

- Already did, - Isu'ra looked down, playing with his cup. - I've sent the letter after we got back from Bridge. I've noticed it back then. I wanted to be sure before the next season begins. She's no good. - he said.

- Did you get a reply? - Ji'kar already knew the answer.

- Yes. They said yes. Though they insist on it to be done in two parts. - said Isu'ra.

- So she'll get new wings? And then what? - Ji'kar took a sip of beverage.

- Then the rest. A transmog for mammalication. Probably need to wait a year to do that though. Depends on how she'll get used to wings. - Isu'ra drank from his cup.

- That's a big change, doubt she's gonna like it. - Ji'kar turned his head towards Ray napping on the warm sand.

- It's not for her to decide. She's gonna do as I say, - said Isu'ra coldly. Ji'kar gave him a stern look.

- I'm gonna be honest with you. I admire what you do for a living. Going out there risking your life for strangers. And what you did for Nizi, what you keep doing for her. I want to believe that deep down you are a good man, but sometimes you can be a real asshole. - Ji'kar pierced him with a sharp stare.

- I appreciate your honesty. I take no pleasure in this, but it has to be done. Even if the choice isn't always ours when it comes down to it, we must learn to own it. She'll understand. - Isu'ra looked him straight in eyes.

Ji'kar sighed loudly. - Imagine one day waking up, finding you are no longer good enough and being forced to change into something else. Just because someone wills it. It's cruel Isu'ra, this world of yours.

Isu'ra stayed silent for a moment. - All of them are. - He said silently before finishing his glass.

...

------------------------

Description

Let me just say... making own art feels awesome and a bit embarrassing.    Anyway, experimenting continues...

Originally I wanted this to be in one picture with this - [WoC] Last Ray , but in the end, it just didn't work.

Also, this is not an entry!

(rather a close up on one... But basically and without any shame, I used Felken Fair to further develop Ray's story.)

Just a storytime picture:

  SK preklad:

[WoC] too slow - SK(Aut. poznámka: lebo bordel! Príbeh sa odohráva na Felken Fair pár mesiacov po tom, čo sa Isu'ra vrátil z Mostu späť na Evenland. Značí tiež začiatok jeho pádu. Väčšina príbehu je vo forme dialógu medzi Isu'rom a jeho najlepším priateľom - felkenom - Ji'karom. Dievča spomínané v príbehu je Nizi'ri, ktorá v tomto čase žije spolu s Isu'rom v El-Katevere.)

(Extra poznámka: V príbehu sa hovorí o používaní transmogov a perkov, pre Ray sú to jej krídla a transmog. Keďže neexistuje podrobné info o tom, ako premena pomocou transmogov a perk

(Happening few months after Isu'ra came back from The Bridge , during Felken Fair in Evenland , this story marks the beginning of downfall. This time a bit longer, most of it is a dialog between Isu'ra and his best friend - a felken - Ji'kar . Girl mentioned in this story is Nizi'ri , which in this time lives with Isu'ra.)

(A note of clarification: In this story, Isu'ra talks about changing the appearance of Ray, her wings perk and transmog . There's no info about how applying these things works, so I made up my own way. Transformation is done through stones and magic and while they all work the same the requirements and experience varies greatly for each mount depending on what's being changed and what creature is being subjected to change. Adding a thing is different than replacing it with another. For that to happen, the old thing must be removed first. I'll write more about it in the 'next episode'. For now, what's important to know is that it's rather unpleasant experience.)

...

  As a ray of light awakening land, she announced their arrival with a chilling roar. Heads shoot upwards graced by the view at her massive wingspan. Ji'kar couldn't help but grin. - Showoff! He murmured eyes glued to flying dragon. It was a sight that never ceased to amaze. Most of the times she passed the city silently like a shadow of a cloud, but the times when she came like thunder sending shivers down the spine were those he loved the most. She made a slow turn and gracefully landed on the edge of encampment. Bunch of spectators followed in her direction. To see her up close was something rare, even for the locals who knew her. Ji'kar pushed his way through the crowd just in time to catch Isu'ra dismounting. He found it funny how dragoness always lowered her body to let her tiny human go. For him, it was proof how much she cares.

- You got me worried, I thought you'd never show up! - said Ji'kar slapping Isu'ra's back.

- Almost didn't I had to escape! - Isu'ra looked at him seriously but Ji'kar could sense lightness in his voice. They started walking towards tents.

- Girl giving you trouble? - asked Ji'kar smiling widely.

Isu'ra sighted. - She wants me to read to her. All the time! Yesterday I tried to take a nap and she just threw a book at me!

Ji'kar tried to hold back laughter. - So what book was it?

Isu'ra looked at him annoyed but seeing how hard was his friend trying to keep straight face made him smile as well.

They reached the center of fair, where most of the action was happening. - Anyway, you've been here before, so tell me where do I sign for that? - said Isu'ra pointing at the magical rings placed in the sky above the oasis. - I'll tell you, but only if you join an eating contest with me! - Isu'ra looked at felken showing him thumbs up winking vigorously.

- Guess I'll have to look for it myself. - he duly responded.

- Man, you're no fun. Just go there. - Ji'kar resigned pointing towards tent with red and gold stripes.

- Thanks, pal! - Isu'ra gave him pat on shoulder and went for the tent. He came back shortly, followed by small gray-furred felken, there to supervise the discipline.

- All good? Do you go for the win? - Ji'kar started. - Because if you do, let me say, I've seen some nasties. It won't be easy. - he continued but Isu'ra seemed uninterested. - Nah, just here for training. - he replied.

- I see. - Ji'kar could feel how atmosphere changed. Something was about to go wrong.

- So, wasn't Nizi interested in coming? - he tried to change the subject while they made their way back to Ray. - I didn't ask. - Isu'ra shrugged. - That's a little mean don't you think? - Ji'kar tried to scold him but Isu'ra's mind was already focused on the task ahead. Rest of the way he kept silent.

  They reached Ray. Most of the people that previously came to see her already left. Only those who suspected she's there for the show (or those who simply couldn't stop admiring her) kept watch. She was lying on the warm sand waiting. As soon as Isu'ra hopped into the saddle she got up awaiting his orders.

- I'll start the timer when you fly through first ring, you got 8 minutes, good luck sir! - said gray felken to which Isu'ra just nodded. There was no time for Ji'kar to said anything, with a strong gust of wind, sending a cloud of sand in all directions Ray took off.

He watched the dragon climbing higher in wide circles. He started to think about what she really was. Down here, on the ground, it was easy to forget that they were hunters. He couldn't imagine how it must look or feel to hunt down a wyvern. He asked Isu'ra on many occasions but all he learned was more on the side of technicalities. "Approach it from above", he remembered Isu'ra's words. "Then strike with fire." He watched Ray taking a sharp dive. "Burn its wings," she flew through the first ring. "That's the easiest way to bring it down," the second ring. "It's the only way you can win," the third ring.

- But if you miss... - He whispered looking up.

The fourth ring made of ice exploded in rain of tiny crystals as Ray came through too slow to fold her wings on time. He knew she's fine since the rings we're created magically, still, a cold sweat enveloped him. He knew that some other time this would mean death. "What do you do then? You can't outrun a wyvern, can you?" Said a memory in his voice. "No, you can't, not with this type of dragon," fifth ring, sixth ring.

- So you'll fight... - he said, but the time was already up.

Isu'ra finished flying through rest of the rings before descending. - That doesn't look good - Ji'kar took a deep breath. The look on Isu'ra's face could be described as mixture of disappointment and anger.

- You did good sir, your score is six rings out of ten. We'll announce the winners during the closing ceremony. Until then, please do enjoy the rest of the fair. - said gray felken, bowed his head and left.

Group of people gathered around the pair, showering them with words of praise. But Ji'kar knew Isu'ra's not in the mood, for a moment he saw him flying away but to his surprise, Isu'ra excused himself and went towards him.

- That was a good ride, - he said hastily but instantly regretted it. He knew that's not how Isu'ra feels and there are no words which could change it.

- Wanna sit somewhere? - he proposed.

- Sure. - a short reply.

They found a place nearby, with Ray still in sight and Ji'kar treated him to some beer.

- She got slow. - Isu'ra broke the silence. - Like Matri did. - He sounded distant as if he was talking to himself.

Ji'kar knew very well this is a touchy subject, but one from which you can not escape. They talked about this long time ago, the reality each wyvern hunter must face. As dragons were getting older, they steadily became slower. As a part of their nature, after some time their scales hardened and made their body stiff and less flexible. For Ray, the change came unnaturally early. Even with magic on their side, fighting against agile wyvern was something an ordinary feathertail shouldn't try. The fight was one of the minds. Outsmarting the beast was always safest tactic. A hunter should at all cost avoid head on fight. Wyverns though non-magical we're still quite smart. Many hunters met their end thinking a fire breathing beast could best the one so ordinary in nature just to be thrown off the sky. The speed and agility were crucial for surviving the encounter, which is why many hunters after their dragons matured traded them for younger ones or took the role of mentors. But there were some who decided to go against nature, using magic stones, they transformed their mounts, just to gain upper hand against their opponents. For a dragon though, the transformation was a gruesome act, one which many couldn't bear.

- What will you do, - asked Ji'kar after a while.

- Already did, - Isu'ra looked down, playing with his cup. - I've sent the letter after we got back from Bridge. I've noticed it back then. I wanted to be sure before the next season begins. She's no good. - he said.

- Did you get a reply? - Ji'kar already knew the answer.

- Yes. They said yes. Though they insist on it to be done in two parts. - said Isu'ra.

- So she'll get new wings? And then what? - Ji'kar took a sip of beverage.

- Then the rest. A transmog for mammalication. Probably need to wait a year to do that though. Depends on how she'll get used to wings. - Isu'ra drank from his cup.

- That's a big change, doubt she's gonna like it. - Ji'kar turned his head towards Ray napping on the warm sand.

- It's not for her to decide. She's gonna do as I say, - said Isu'ra coldly. Ji'kar gave him a stern look.

- I'm gonna be honest with you. I admire what you do for a living. Going out there risking your life for strangers. And what you did for Nizi, what you keep doing for her. I want to believe that deep down you are a good man, but sometimes you can be a real asshole. - Ji'kar pierced him with a sharp stare.

- I appreciate your honesty. I take no pleasure in this, but it has to be done. Even if the choice isn't always ours when it comes down to it, we must learn to own it. She'll understand. - Isu'ra looked him straight in eyes.

Ji'kar sighed loudly. - Imagine one day waking up, finding you are no longer good enough and being forced to change into something else. Just because someone wills it. It's cruel Isu'ra, this world of yours.

Isu'ra stayed silent for a moment. - All of them are. - He said silently before finishing his glass.

...

------------------------