Another continuation of the Wyrms (I was spelling them wrong. Its not worm, its wyrm)

Ce stood a few steps behind his father, looking down at the man before them. The man was tall and lanky, the white cloak large. His face was like leather, but the laugh lines gave him a kindly feel. His grey eyes reminded Ce more of a blind man, but the way the scrutinized the area proved that was out of the question. His hair was long; falling down to his bony knees, and was the same color as the cranes. The man gave a low, extravagant bow before he spoke.

"Lord of Wu, I must apologize for this surprise visit."

"It is of no problem. Surely whatever you bring cannot be more vexing then tracking down Lu Bu, or putting up with Yuan Shao," Jian said, keeping his tone even and polite.

"Then you remember me? I am pleased."

"I could not forget the man who saved my boys."

"All I did was deliver the message, good lord," the man said, giving another bow.

"I hate to be rude, but this has caught my curiosity and everybody else's here, what is it you want? Rarely does the messenger, the payment receiver, come to the doorsteps when there is no need for the services of the Wyrms."

"A good question. A question fitting of a good answer." The man straightened and smoothed out his clothes. "I am sure, as a well informed man, you have noticed the rise in activity in the Scavenger Demons, as your people so like to call them. It has worried our Powers."

"Powers?" Ce asked in a voice he had thought was quiet and unheard.

"The Lords of our land would be the easiest way to explain them," the man said, glancing over at the young man. Ce flushed and looked to the ground. "Since they have been given the task of fighting the Scavenger Demons for all of you, the new movements of the spawn have them vexed. As a precautionary measure, the Powers have made a new order. If the Lords of the Lands permit, three Wyrm Riders shall be stationed in the lands. Most preferably in the capitals, since the movements mimic something akin to army and scouting like, so as the Riders may protect the figure heads and beckons of hope to the humans of these lands."

"Wyrm Riders here?" Jian said, taken back at the offer.

"They would be, mostly, under your rule. Though your affairs should not be theirs, such as your wars, but they will watch for the Scavenger Demons. Protect your lands from them." The man shrugged. "It is your choice, Lord of Wu. If you do not want them, then they shall not stay here."

Jian stilled and glanced around the area. Most around had stilled, the soldiers gathered completely silenced. The tension in the air was thick. The Wyrm Riders were hardly looked upon with kindness, but could Wu afford to disrespect the Wyrm Riders? Jian took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and came upon his decision. "I do need to speak to my advisors first. Such a large decision can not be made by me alone. Even as a lord, I am not perfect. But yours and theirs journey must have been long. You and your riders and more then welcome to stay until a decision is reached."

It was a politically nice way of saying that they would be allowed to stay. Jian just had to appear formal and consult others before making such a decision. Nobody with brains would challenge an army of Wyrm Riders. The man knew this, it was in his smile, but he nodded. "I will not stay. I do have places to be, unfortunately. But the riders shall stay until you make your decision. All three are fluent enough in your language." The man looked to the sky, still giving a small smile, and everybody looked up as well. They started out as circling specks, but the closer they came to the ground, the more shape they took. The wind was painful, and some of the soldiers ran for cover.

The first to land was massive, and no wyvern. It was smaller then the average dragon, but much bulkier then a wyvern with four legs. Its face was square, eyes seemingly a little too small for its body. The vermilion scales down its body were more like spikes then scales all down its body. Long spiraled horns, with likeness to a unicorns shape, protruded on either side of the dragons jaw, curving just slightly down. The monster landed mostly on the cobblestone walkway, the weight cracking a few but mostly just scratching the stones.

When that wyrm was situated and done moving, the next one landed. This one caught Ce's breath, and besides him he could hear the strangled gasp of Yu. A speckled white wyvern awkwardly landed in the court yard, flapping its wings to try and stay balanced. If the speckles and goat horns didn't give the wyvern away, the cheerful giggle as a girl cloaked in white swooping down did. Ce glanced at Yu, to see him staring in slack jaw awe, before looking to the third with hope. He forgot how to breathe when the long red form twirled to a graceful landing on the opposite side of the massive dragon.

Ce made a move towards them, down the steps, but stopped remembering his place. He took a glance at his father, who was still staring with awe. "Pops," Ce started slowly, taking a glance at Yu, "should I go greet the… riders while you finish up your discussion with this man?" Ce hoped that was tactful.

"Yes," Jian replied. His voice was quiet, still in awe, and slow. Blinking a few times, he turned in time to see the smile on Ce's face and him waving to Yu to race down the steps. Shaking his own head, the older man turned back to his guest.

Ce slowed to a stop, slightly out of breath as he reached the bottom. Yu stopped beside him, pushing some of the hair that had fallen out of his little ponytail. The two walked up to the wyrms and their riders, who had dismounted, and gave a bow. Ce watched with fascination as all three kissed their knuckles and gave a deep flowing bow. The five all stood in awkward silence. The white rider fidgeted a bit before walking behind the vermilion one to the other lady. She, leaning on her shoulder, mumbled something to her.

"Shush," the red rider said, lightly pushing her away. She then turned back to Ce and Yu. "We thank you for accepting our…" she started, but floundered for a word. Her accent had lessened, and the words were less harsh now.

"Protection," the third rider supplied, his voice a deep and baritone like.

"Yes. Thank you," the red rider said with a nod. "We thank you. I am called Qiao Da." She gave another bow, kissing her knuckle and all, before pushing away her hood. She hadn't changed much in the year, if Ce's memory served.

"I'm Qiao Xiao!" the white rider said, bouncing forward and pushing her hood away. "A pleasure meeting you it is!" Da corrected her in whispers, making Xiao flush and chew on her bottom lip. Her features had matured some in the year, but still held her child like innocence.

Ce glanced to the man, expecting a name. He grunted, and Ce spotted a slouch in his posture under the cloak. The man reached out, his hand was covered in a fur glove, and untied his cloak. It slipped away, but Ce was more worried about what the man had to say. "One hell of a greeting," the man said, voice gruff but otherwise gave no indication that it wasn't his natural language. The rider slipped past Ce, and the anguish filled battle cry had Ce cursing as well.

The prince spun around to see Ling Tong, a young soldier who had joined the ranks but a few battles ago swinging blindly for the rider, who was making a point to direct him away from Ce and the girls. "I'll kill you! You'll pay for my father's death!" Tong cried out, kicking for the riders face. The rider caught his foot and gave a sneer as he prepared to counter attack.

This was just something I had in mind that was bothering me to write. I have a plot in mind, but it needs a lot of hammering out. Eh. I might take it and make it an original though. I've only got one vote on my profile (thank you to whoever voted!) and it was for modern if my memory serves. Which is hard. I have to think up a plot (especially since I don't know which snippet to work off of). Yeah guys, this is my subtle hint for feedback.