<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"What potion is it that you concoct this time, Rhan?"</span></span>It was the deep rumble of Osebon's voice, like the powerful rolling of thunder. It was soothing, almost beautiful. Rhan felt honoured that only he could hear it.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"This isn't a witch's potion, Oz, it's a remedy consisting of Citrus Berries, Talmoa Leaves, Wild Berries and Estus Embers. It's essentially a healing remedy that also invigorates the user. On a mission as dangerous as the one we're to face, you can never have too many."</span>Rhan continued to grind the leaves and berries into a thick paste before adding the Estus Embers. Afterwards he poured in a saline-like liquid, made from crushed sea salt and purified water. He then began to stir it altogether.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"But what about the Cleric, surely he'll have potions?"</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"You're right about that, he will. But it can't hurt to be extra prepared. And, again, the're not potions."</span>Rhan began to pour the mixture into separate glass phials, six to be exact. He then stoppered each of them and placed them within a leather pack which he would attach to Osebon's saddle later.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"Remedies, Draughts, Potions. What's the difference? Besides, they're no use to a Dragon."</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Y'know, for a Dragon, you're not as wise as I expected."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"Some say it is unwise to insult a Dragon. You never know how they could react."</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I can assure you, Oz, we would both wind up dead if you were to attack me. Or have you so readily forgotten our last battle?</span><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"I have gown a lot since that day..."</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"As have I. Now, enough talking. We need to leave."</span>Rhan gathered his things and descended the wooden steps of his stone tower. The tower served as his secluded home because it lay in the center of the woodlands just east of the city where he was raised. Most other Riders chose to live in grand houses in city centers where they could be the beacon of attention for most of the common folk. Whilst Rhan enjoyed the spotlight as much as any other, he much preferred a quiet home. One that was away from the hustle and bustle of city life and embezzled among a forest full of various plant-life. It was situated in the center of a grassy knoll, with enough space for Osebon to land and take off, seeing as the only way to reach his home was by Dragon-back.<br/><br/>Rhan strode out into the clearing and towards the giant, sapphire Dragon that was his companion. He secured his belongings to the many fastenings he'd had made on the Dragons saddle and then proceeded to mount him. Osebon stood on all fours and, without a word, pounced high into the sky. Already far above the treeline, the Dragon flung out his wings, catching himself in mid-air and began  forcing the air beneath him. The pair rose into the clear blue sky and then, when they were high enough, Osebon flew towards the meeting point.<br/><br/>--------<br/><br/>Rhan was one of the first to arrive atop the hill where the King and his servant stood. Dismounting Osebon, he bowed low and gracefully towards His Majesty then waited for the others to show. Once they had, the King began his speech but by this time Rhan had grown extremely bored and his foot was already tapping away at the ground. He was eager to get going. The thought of adventure tickled his senses and sent shivers running throughout his body. And although this wasn't the first time he'd worked as part of a team, this was the first time that such a team had been assembled. Usually Riders either worked alone or in pairs, on rare occasions they even worked in threes. But this time the King had summoned six Riders and their Dragons. It was completely unheard of and made Rhan's imagination run wild.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"What could possibly be so dangerous that requires six Riders?"</span>He thought, he'd been pondering over this question ever since he'd arrived.<br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">"Shouldn't you be listening to what your King is saying?"</span></span>Osebon, being linked to his soul, could hear everything Rhan said or thought. They shared everything with each other and had done for the past seven years.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Yes, probably, but you're not exactly listening either."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">"As true as that is, there isn't much that I need to listen to. Besides myself, there are five other Dragons going on this trip. Even with myself alone, there'd be nothing for me to worry about."</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"The King isn't stupid, you know. He respects the power of Dragons as much as any other Rider. And if that's true why would he deem it necessary to have six Dragons and their Riders? I could understand two Riders protecting a group of Knights, maybe, but the assembly of this many Dragon Riders leads me to believe that the Fallen Kingdom has a lot more to offer than just shadows and cobwebs."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">"Well if that's the case, we shall face whatever there is together, as we always have."</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"On that, I agree."</span><br/><br/>When the King finally sent them on their way, Rhan watched as Olga Galeheart leapt off of the hillside only to be caught by her Dragon. He admired the courage and faith in her bond with the light-brown Dragon, which had plummeted after Olga to catch her.<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"Do not think I will catch you if you decide to jump as well."</span></span>Came Osebon's voice. It was laced with playfulness.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Come now, when have I ever been known to do something so reckless?"</span>Osebon's bellowing laughter could have been mistaken for an erupting volcano. Rhan only laughed with him then ran towards the cliff face.<span style="font-style: italic">"You better catch me!"</span>He thought but no sooner as he had jumped from the edge of the cliff, swan-diving to his impending doom, Osebon's familiar claws grasped around him, catching him with ease.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">"How is it that I am the one to be matched with a fool?"</span></span>The dragon grumbled as Rhan began to climb onto his back and fix himself into the saddle.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I have great faith in fools - self-confidence my friends will call it. And if I recall correctly, I'm the least self-confident of us two."</span>Rhan replied, laughing.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">"Then, as fools, let's catch up with the others.</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Lead the way, Oz. You're the only one with wings to do so."</span>