The smoke in the air makes it hard to see (and even harder to breathe) but the silver stallion retains enough control that sets this expression into stone. A strong set of angles and planes that turns Tarian's face into marble, like some classical sculpture that the ancient Greeks or Romans might have praised. When he moves in defense of Lepis, it seems as if the whole world implodes in on them.
There is too much to take account of. His mind had honed in on Lepis and Tarian had acted like the weapon he had been named for - a Shield. She had moved to the left before pivoting to the right and when the bulk of the silver pegasus weight banked to follow her sudden movement, the Fire-Breather descended wrapping a scaled wing around her. He hadn't been quick enough to lean in with his own support but the stallion snarls in response at the Scaled One's closeness, descending from a deep and inherent trust of dragons that has been bred into him.
It lends color to his filthy face and where Tarian hadn't been fast enough to act, he is quick enough to make a sound. Deep and guttural, a growl escapes his dark labrums. The flames build higher all around them - the makings of a pyre - taking on the orange-red hues of autumn and dying days in an eerie glow. There is shouting; 'Finish him!' 'Wait!' screams another as she and another pegasus come soaring in. Another dragon rumbles. The dappled mare retains her distance, in the haze, somewhere.
And then the body of a dying stallion lays on the ground, blood painting him red rather than gold.
Straining to listen for more, he doesn't hear what he should have. Tarian doesn't hear the pale mare with the dark mane until she (and her many teeth) are there. With so many among them now, with the smoke wafting and rising like turrets all around, they disappear behind a thick wall of it.
Though much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength
which in old days moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are.
ooc: last post from Tarian
kahzie, let me know if i need to change anything <3