《Torin the dragon rider (TOME 12 of the TIAMAT'S WARS SERIE)》


 Britannia

    Tonight it was raining very hard. The sky was like torn. The clouds were so dark that it looked like night. The still tall grass was blown down by the wind and probably by hail.


    A dark couple walked across the hill, their backs to the valley of their village Cove further south. Soon the grasses were replaced by rocks and boulders and it became even darker now that huge fir trees lined the hillside leading to the mountain range.


    The place they were going to was not a happy place.


    The gravel road gave way to narrower and narrower paths, and any possible carting activity stopped here.


    Side-by-side stone shelters allowed the traveler or merchant a possible respite but it was also dangerous because it could be a den for highwaymen but the two individuals, a muscular man with a Viking-like beard and armed with an axe and a crossbow, were escorting his wife. They were protected from the wind and the rain by a simple cloth waterproofed with grease.


    Indeed, Britannia was a magnificent world where the best could be next to the worst but the continent was almost unified and wars were a memory of grandparents.


    It was exceptional to have a period of peace over 2 generations.


    In general a man lived (or survived) 4 wars in his life.


    Technology and science were at the same level as the ancient Roman Empire in our world.


    The legend said that sometimes, when the moon aligned, in circles of sacred stones, luminous doors appeared from the ground and allowed to cross the whole continent instantly but also to go to the inner world and sometimes even to our world.


    Ragul and Esme still remembered the words of the wise women and diviners. At that time they were in a kind of wooden trailer with a room made of greasy cloth and hoops. The Gypsy woman, she called herself.


    "The gods have not blessed you with a child, but they will give you a gift of incalculable value. You will be blessed with a child who will become very strong and who one day may even become a hero and rival the gods if he is well guided. The signs are powerful but real. If your heart is sincere and filled with love, then our land will be blessed but if not, then I see only darkness."


    Then a few moments later: "You must leave... Now. To the cursed mountain. To the north, near the eternal snows.


    A tragedy is unfolding now, but you MUST go without missing a beat...Beware the Shadows, for I see death lurking. But I see in you an experienced former soldier. You will make it!"


    And so the pair hurried up the path to the cursed mountain.


    This name was attributed to the fact that there would be a dungeon or underground guarded by hideous monsters and they would be passages to another world. Where few humans could claim to have arrived.


    Yet museums in Britannia City protect a whole series of relics and artifacts and engravings and paintings describing this wild and unknown world. It was not a myth but a certainty.


    Nobody in Ragul''s entourage knew the location or the entrance to this hell, but he was not interested. This was the mission of their lives, the last chance to start a family.


    The chance to be a father and a mother.


    The simple life was still hard.


    With alert instincts, Ragul held back his half with an outstretched arm and put his finger on his wife''s lips in view of the urgency of not making noise.


    A fox walking quickly towards them without paying attention was a bad sign.


    "Quickly! we must climb the trees and not leave anything on the ground. "


    He felt the wind and pointed to a large, tall fir tree facing the wind.


    "By Thor the Destroyer!" and he climbed up, helping his wife to climb high up on the slippery branches of the dying fir, very tall, too tall.


    And his intuition paid off: a sharp-horned moose ran down the path, followed by a pack of whining wolves.


    Ragul: "I''ve never seen that," he whispered to his wife, frightened by the height. They were hidden between the green branches, straddling for stability, but they were well over 20 meters high.


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    And, suddenly, a distant howl to freeze to the bones of an ice troll.


    It was a furious beast and the mountain was shaking, then we heard some crying and finally silence.


    Drops fell among the raindrops. And Esme looked at Ragul! "You are bleeding!


    And he rubbed his face and felt the drops of blood and saw in the mists a huge mass flying and whining away to the west towards other mountain ranges.


    Then... there was silence. A dead silence and darkness fell heavily on the region.


    And... like a screech, then growls...


    A series of small red dots jumped along the path, on the side of the mountain, and the two humans huddled like animals, like squirrels trying to escape a predator, could see a pack of black dogs, their tails ablaze!


    Worg or wolves from the underworld. Each was the size of a large pony and one of them could take out five strong men. At least!


    A dozen of them marched on and then went up to the fork, leading further up the mountain.


    Ragul nodded and the girl went from sadness to fear and from fear to despair.


    But...then...he saw black silhouettes with eyes as red as hell embers and they were shadows, darkness. But above all, they were giants. At least 50 feet tall and moving silently, as if they were floating.


    The wolves probably had to check if the road was safe, but what struck Ragul was the lifeless body, floating at chest level of one of these giant ghosts.


    He was wearing a crown.


    His cloak floating, like his arms flailing and his legs flaccid, the tall figure was floating as if suspended by an invisible tray.


    It looked as if he was sleeping.


    But Ragul recognized his sovereign. Our king; our beloved king.


    Lord British! The Lord of Britannia!


    The spectres slid noiselessly along the path and the two humans even tried to hide their souls.


    One of the figures turned his head slightly from the cloak towards the former soldier, but he kept his eyes closed, his forehead against the prickly bark of the fir tree. So did his wife.


    The monsters did not stop and disappeared just as they appeared.


    For this couple, they had met 3 reapers.... It was a lot but also a sign that the soothsayer Gitane had not lied.


    Feeling the normal sound of the forest coming back, they relaxed a bit and little by little they went down the trunk.


    "Ragul..!!! I was so scared... do you know what it is?"


    "I have no idea... but if they hurt what I think they did, then they must be very strong! "


    "Ragul? Are you going to warn the guards?"


    "Are you crazy? Imagine if they were in the service of those monsters, now that they have the king...our heads will be worthless...and...I have a bad feeling about the years to come.."


    They drank from a small stream and continued on their way, as if guided by destiny.


    "Ragul? Do you know where we are going?"


    "I feel that I have to go ahead and we have to know what happened! We have to continue as the Gypsy woman predicted."


    Half an hour later, they arrived at a rocky slope of the mountain, at the foot of precipices that climbed very high.


    They were afraid when they saw the steep path. Barely a meter wide along a vertical wall, they were sure to fall if they took a wrong step.


    Then Esme pointed: No, not this path of death... look further, there is a recess.


    Then they heard screams.


    Esme put her hands in front of her mouth. One of many screams.


    They started to run, hoping not to be too late.


    And they saw a baby engulfed in a kind of viscous fat. Next to a torn egg with blood all around...


    "By Thor! What is he doing here?"


    Immediately, the woman grabbed the baby and began to wipe it off and secure it in a cloth provided for that purpose.


    Oddly enough, the umbilical cord was connected to a sort of torn pouch... as if the placenta had come out of the pouch.


    Above the cave that was sinking into the darkness, there was a symbol. That of the God of destruction... A 5-sided polygon with a pickaxe but it was a stylized dragon.


    The baby held a huge white scale in his hand and chewed on the object like a toy.


    The parents shouted to know where the parents of the newborn were but there was no answer.


    Esme and Ragul looked at each other and then knelt before the symbol of the terrifying God.


    Ragul would never have expected such a gift, moreover, coming from a deity whose name was pronounced to curse or swear.


    He was the god of the end of times, the one who would put an end to Britannia.


    Looking at his son. Ragul said: "My son, you will be called Torin because Thor is too heavy to carry".


    Then, he brandished the newborn towards the symbol.


    "God of destruction, may you bless our son to you and to us: Torin!


    Then the days became weeks and the weeks became months.


    The life of a peasant was good: the lords changed and passed away but the serfs and peasants remained.


    Some years were good and others not so good, but Ragul sometimes compensated the shortage by hunting.


    And the rumors came from the city through the troubadours and peddlers. The king had abdicated and put in place his successor, Lord Blackthorne.


    And as times change, so do politics, so there was a major reshuffle in the guard and army.


    Little by little, brigands and bandits reappeared on the roads and the once radiant country was a shadow of its former self. A shadow in short. Taxes were raised and there was even talk of a revolt and a new country dreaming of conquering Britannia.


    It is then that the troubadours, to raise the morale of the people and the villagers, sang odes where heroes covered with virtues would drive out the corruption and the 3 fallen angels who took Lord British.


    Officially, Lord British, ill, had abdicated but nobody was fooled. The current ruler was not a ruler at all but a tyrant.


    This made Esme and Ragul feel cold every time. They thought that they had been discovered.


    But at home, it was like an island of light in all this darkness.


    They finally had a family. There were three of them, three happy people.


    Then the months became years and Ragul spent all his free time learning and teaching the art of hunting and fishing to Torin.


    In the village, there was a school and 4 years later, Torin was running alone from the house to the village temple where, sheltered from the weather, the old priest was teaching the children the history of our world and preparing them to learn to read thanks to beautiful painted wooden tablets showing people doing something and words to be learned.

 The Third Age of Darkness

    Saphie, 5 years old, was running to her stone and cob house.


    Her dad, Ferdinant, the Cove blacksmith, was beating a plow share worn red with his big hammer.


    "Daddy! Look at the big fish!"


    "Where did you get that beautiful fish?"


    "It''s Torin! He gave it to me! He is very nice!"


    and the little girl ran, the salmon in the middle pocket of the apron and she arrived at the wooden corner where her mother was preparing the meals.


    "MOM... Torin gave me this beautiful fish!"


    Her mama smiled and gave her little one a kiss on the forehead.


    "If you go away, stay with Torin and the others. Some peddlers have seen monsters lurking about."


    "Yes Mama.."


    Saphie then threw her apron into the wicker manna to be washed later with all the cloths when it is wash day when all the women and girls come to wash their clothes and rub them on the stones provided.


    Soda is poured into the water of the wash house and the washing is common.


    Thus all the news of the village are diffused in each household. In those days everyone was informed, either by the temple, during a mass or a fair or by a peddler or a carrier.


    Often they had boats that went up and down the stream, pulled by oxen on the path along the river.


    A well-tended river had no trees on its banks.  The wise men of the good King Lord British had even planned to make stone dams to protect the villages and crops in case of high water.


    The defeated people who went to the tavern to find some human warmth and music listened to the troubadours singing about the exploits of the ancient heroes who had defeated the dragon of the third age of darkness Exodus.


    In the song, the dragon-god, upon dying, had said that he would return or his son Thor to return for revenge.  But the dragon was also only a victim of the infernal sorcerer Mondain and the dreadful enchantress queen witch Minax, transformed into a monster by a magical stone, an orb of corruption.


    Thor was a fallen god turned god of destruction


    The song also said that the three dark lords would return when Lord British left his throne.


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    So life at Cove was filled with myths and legends, arrests and executions of bandits, and simple country life.


    The girls dreamed of becoming princesses and then, as they grew up, nobles...or wives of rich merchants and the young men dreamed of adventures, exploits and treasures to be discovered, then their ambitions were reduced to becoming knights, nobles or soldiers.


    The most intelligent, into merchants and join a guild.


    Thus, life was simple in Cove.


    The miracle was that there was no war or powerful neighbors, but the monsters were always more numerous and the guilds kept recruiting adventurers of all kinds.


    "Dad! Dad!


    Look!  My whole bag is full of fish. I followed your tips!"


    Ragul stroked his son Torin''s black hair and every day he prayed to Thor, the destructive dragon for the happiness of having a son as strong as he was kind.


    He remembered the second meeting with the Gypsy woman.


    "By the eight virtues!" cried the gypsy, the fortune teller, "you have succeeded!"


    She took little Torin in her arms and was frozen for a moment and looked out the window.


    "Ragul, are you sure you weren''t followed?"


    She felt a curse on the child. a very powerful magic but one that was beyond her and certainly not human.


    Ragul "No, we were careful and walked in the creek to erase any scent or trail."


    This relieved the divineress.


    "Your child will have an important role here in Britannia. He will be able to influence the world.  But from the worst to the best.


    Your role now is to give him as much love as possible. Let him be happy and let him learn the way of the eight virtues and not the way of carnage."


    Ragul: "I don''t understand."


    Gitane: "Your child is blessed by the destructive God... This can be seen as a blessing or a curse. He will be very strong. Very! It is written in his destiny that he could become a hero or equivalent. That''s why you have to guide him, direct him to the light and the eight virtues but especially to give him a loving and protective family.


    I also see that at the dawn of his tenth year, his first trials will begin. You will have to support him at any cost."


    After these memories, Ragul calmed down and saw that all in all, Torin looked happy with all his village mates.


    But he also remembered the dark times during the rule of Mondain, Minax and the dragon Exodus.  He had seen it perish.  In reality, the dragon had let himself be killed...His death was a possession.


    He cursed the men because he wanted to live and not die like this.  He wanted to be free of his curse but not to disappear.  He died crying..., a sword in his chest.


    Ragul was part of the expeditions that accompanied the ancient hero who ended the reign of darkness.


    "Daddy? Daddy? Why don''t you answer? Mommy said that if you''re too far over the moon, a portal might open and transport you to the other side of the world...."


    Ragul laughed and leaned back, holding his belly showing the weight of the ages but mostly the number of beers and beer spent with friends at the tavern, the only place of leisure in this middle-aged world.


    Cove was a big village, almost a city, but it was big for the time.  There was the left bank and the right bank.  And, naturally, two rival gangs of children.


    The right bank looked towards Britannia city and the left bank, towards the sea and the cultivable areas.


    Naturally, those on the right were merchants, soldiers and craftsmen and also small nobles, baronets. And the family of the village chief.


    Torin and his family were also from the right bank, but Torin had friends on both sides.  Ragul had long since put away his axe for a plow and his warhorse was slowly ending its life, guarding sheep and cows against the wolves.


    Being his battle companion, he never had the heart to part with it.  It was also his friend.


    And Torin also loved his father''s horse.


    He took care of it and made sure it was well looked after.  There was a circular pen on their farm, at last behind, near the fields and the big meadow.


    "Torin... Come on... you''re big now, well not yet, but I''ll teach you to ride Blizzard."


    Torin approached and the horse was shaking its tail. He had already spotted the apple that the little boy was going to offer him by the smell.


    Saphie and her friends spotted Torin near the pen and climbed up onto the boards: "Torin! You can do it!Torin smiled and in front of such a cute audience, he was all smiles and was proud to show the muscles he already had on his arms.


    Ragul: "Look! You have to check the straps. And this is a trick I learned on my adventures: Rings to hold the feet. So on the saddle you can stand up and use a bow at the gallop!"


    Torin : "Wow! Great dad! It''s true that nobody else has them!


    Ragul: "Oh yes... there are special riders. Legendary riders. But I have only seen one and unfortunately he was one of the bad guys... He was very powerful, like his mount... a dragon!"


    Torin: "We know how to ride a dragon?????"


    "HAHAHAHA: Try to fit on Blizzard first!"


    Torin looked serious. First the girls looking at him and then his daddy telling him dragon stories.


    How small he still was.  Strong, but small..., Ragul put in front of Torin a small 2-step wooden step ladder.  Following his daddy''s instructions, he put one foot in the stirrup and managed to stand on Blizzard.


    He was all smiles and the girls clapped their hands.


    They also asked for a ride on the horse.  Everyone laughed and Torin was proud!


    He saw himself as a knight in shining armor hunting monsters and dragons, and he already knew the next gift he would ask for when the time came:  a wooden sword!

 The moonstones

    The sun was high in the blue sky. It was summer and the pass north of Cove was glowing.Anyone who looked up could see eagles and other raptors. They were calling to the sky to show their joy and perhaps to attract a mate to share a little way together.


    If you had wings and could follow them, you would see them fly across ravines, through endless canyons and also over the river that runs through Cove and after a long journey flows into the sea.One of them came to a forest overlooking the village plain and in front of him, waterfalls or salmon were trying to climb up the natural steps made of stone and water.


    Thus they returned to spawn where they were born many years before so that the cycle of life could begin again.Britannia was truly a beautiful, wild country with all kinds of biomes from desert, to tundra, to mountains up to the sky and finally to the edge of a beautiful beach.


    In the rapids, this same raptor, hungry for fish, could see a family of bears feasting on exhausted or laid salmon.And it was the little cubs who enjoyed it the most while observing the hunting techniques that their mother taught them.But for Torin, as for all the creatures of this world, there was no end, no frontier between the earth and the skyLike the wind rushing through the buffalo plains, this is where we belonged, and always would.


    Geysers, volcanoes, caverns and incredible worlds, it was said that the spirit of the north was ruled by a white creature mingling with snow, mist, sky and rock...


    Ragul was with Torin in the vast eastern plains."Look how wonderful it is... Blizzard is coming from here..."


    Torin: "Ohhh dad! Look how beautiful they are...."


    Ragul: "And fast too!"And he released Blizzard...


    "My old friend, it''s time for you to find yours too..."


    And the horse, regaining his pride, started to run and joined the troop.


    Torin was crying. Blizzard was his friend... too...Then, all at once, the hundred or so wild horses made a tight loop to the right and began to climb the hill. All was grassland with no shrubs or trees. Just grass and sky as far as the eye could see.


    "You see. It''s beautiful but... You can get lost in it. How would you get home?"


    Torin "Uh.... I look at the smoke of the village in the distance?"


    "Yes, you''re right, but when it''s raining, with the fog you can''t see very far...So?"


    Torin was playing with the bone penknife his daddy had given him to cut and carve into pieces of wood and bark and also to peel fruit.Torin was concentrating as he pretended to practice cutting a pine cone, thinking there were seeds in it to eat...


    "So? Torin?? how would you do it?"


    He threw himself on his daddy''s stomach to hide his head...


    "I would scream loudly DADDY, MOMANNN!""HAHAHA.... My brave little one... You still have a lot to learn... And...at the temple, what have you been doing again? Are you learning or what?"


    "We got some wooden blocks and we all ran over them. It was whoever had the biggest pile...And With Max and Saphie, we built Lord British''s castle and we put dolls to pretend to be the king and since we didn''t have enough pieces, we took the girls'' dolls.Since Saphie and her cousin Nelle agreed, we thought the girls agreed.I was fine with it, but when it was Max, they started crying and wanted to break the castle.


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    So we said "OHH the giant monster attacking Lord British" and blocks fell on their toes.The boys laughed but Father Damien stepped in and cracked down.


    Finally I got the least punishment because I massaged Sophie''s foot and she didn''t cry anymore...


    "We had to stand with our arms in the air with blocks in our hands and the girls were laughing as they watched my muscles. Father Damien got even angrier and made me turn my back.But how we laughed...It was fun..."


    Dad held back from laughing. The girls, already at 5 years old... they dreamed of boys. But it was true that Torin was very nice to them.


    "Still in the moonlight, Daddy?"


    "That''s right, Torin... look... the sun has gone down. And you can see the first stars. Show me the first one that came out!"


    Torin pointed to a star on the hill that blocked their view.


    "Good! Torin... You see, that star... is Selene. She is the guardian of the moon, but also of travelers. She points to the north and the mountain ranges north of Cove."


    Torin : "Basically, if I follow this star, I go north? to the forbidden mountain?


    Ragul: "Yes, basically... but you see, her closest friends point to the west and the east... Do you even know? "


    "Yes, Father Damien showed us a huge map where we could see the sun being born and then go to sleep. But why doesn''t the moon follow the sun?


    Ragul: "This is a great mystery but it is the subject of a story or a legend. Ask Father Damien to tell it to you... he must have some pictures..."


    "Great!"


    "So, we came here not only to see the horses but also to show you an incredible phenomenon. ""Yes?? dad? Or this? Or this? Show me! Show me!"


    Ragul''s beard grew back by the big smile he made.He was happy to be able to pass on all his knowledge to his child... seeing that he had now passed the peak of his life.


    "Hush Torin... look deep into the hollow... what do you see?"


    "Stones! A circle of stones.... "


    "And you think that''s normal?""They are big and white...."


    Ragul: "Like what???"Torin: "The moon! Like the moon!"


    And Ragul made a palm "check" with the little one.Now look at the friends of the moon and Selene...When they shine and you connect them with an imaginary string as big as the world, and they shine, then a door will open.On the map you have moon phases... like wedges of aunt Grim''s pie. (Father Damien''s wife) - we called her that because she was always yelling at him but never at the children.


    "Aren''t you hungry, Dad?"


    "Yes... on second thought.... come on, come on!"


    And Torin went down to the stone circle with his father.When he reached the stone circle, Ragul held Torin''s hand firmly.


    "Remember. The first phase!"


    And... all of a sudden, the sky lit up for a split second and a monolith of blue light rose from the ground in the center of the circle. And it became translucent like water.


    The blue light illuminated the surroundings a little, but just enough to be seen from hundreds of yards away.


    "Come and don''t drop me..."


    And the two humans stepped into the light and crossed over.


    The next moment, they were on the other side of the monolith.


    "That was great, Dad!"


    They stepped out of the stone circle, the light still behind them, and suddenly the monolith sank into the ground. But the ground was rocky...the grasses were gone and a stream ran not far away.


    There was even a small wooden bridge.


    "Where are we? Dad???"


    "In Britannia City!... We''re going to visit the museum and I need to introduce you to some friends at the Adventurers Guild."


    Torin didn''t realize it but he was super excited. Every day with his dad was a day of joy and learning.


    Retired from the worldly life and living a simple existence, far from conflicts and conspiracies, Ragul tried to give his little family the happiness they had hoped for.


    When her husband was away for several days, she took care of the farm, but in normal times she repaired and adjusted looms.


    At the end of the summer, the machines had to be in working order for the long winter evenings. Or most of the time the women stayed together to invent all kinds of patterns and clothes to face the hard winters but also the mild spring and the sometimes torrential rains. There was talk of rare trees that could make a kind of latex but this was only a rumor.


    However, some nobles had effective rain protection. Torin vowed to find this tree with his friends to help the village. And he cut into every tree he saw to find the famous white sap that would make his mother smile even more. That''s why he always kept his knife, but he also wanted to do what his daddy did. Keep the wolves and wargs away.


    He was not afraid!


    At five years old, the world is yours!

 To the city

    We walked a few hundred meters and, behind a small wood, there was a hut with a chimney showing smoke.


    Ragul arrived in front of the door.


    It opened on a vegetable garden protected by a fire hedge (red with many prickles). He pulled a string that made a bell ring inside and a figure approached, deformed by the reflection of the poor quality glass.


    As soon as the door opened, there was silence...Followed by a clamor!


    "RAGUL!"


    "IOLO!"


    "After all these years? What have you become?"


    "Ah.. I present you my son... Torin!"


    The long, curly-haired figure with the Van Dyke beard crouched down and got to my eye level. He held out his hand.


    "Hello young man!"


    "My name is Torin..."


    "What a beautiful name... "


    Then he stood up and said,


    "So Esme finally made it.  Ragul confirmed, but didn''t say more. One word too many and everything could change. He loved his family too much to risk anything.


    Iolo said nothing and stared into Ragul''s eyes... then exclaimed.


    "Where are my manners!..."


    then he beckoned Torin and his dad to join him in front of the hearth where 3 armchairs were waiting impatiently to be sat on.


    The hut was not large, but it offered a humble but warm comfort


    .It was dry, warm and the atmosphere was soothing.


    In the atrium, there was a rack with a hanging pot, a revolving plate for cooking and grilling, and a grill on which there was a kettle with coffee in it.


    "A cup, Ragul? And you, Torin, would you like to taste the coffee? "


    Ragul: "It''s bitter, I don''t know if he will like it..."


    Iolo: "With a little milk and a spoonful of honey, it works miracles! Here you go, kid..oh...sorry...big guy!


    Torin smiled for the compliment... and he made big eyes...


    "Ohh how good it is!!! It''s great!


    Say, uncle Iolo, where are you going to hunt honey?"


    "HAHAHA"


    said the big ones.


    Iolo : "No, this honey is not the juice of the bees that we pressed, but it comes from a hive in the bottom of my garden.


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    Torin: "Can I see? Can I see?"


    Excited.


    Iolo looked at his friend and stood up,


    "Come on, Torin, so we can get to know each other better."


    Torin ran out and collided with a girl his own age.


    "AHHH!" both surprised...


    Iolo "Oh, yes, I forgot... I have a daughter too.. Beth!"


    "Beth, this is Torin. Ragul''s son. We''re going to collect some honey... then you''ll go play?? okay?"


    Beth: "Yes daddy!... "


    Her eyes sparkled at the sight of Torin who was a beautiful boy with blue eyes and black hair.  So we all went to the back of the garden and Iolo put a cloth over us, a kind of mosquito net.


    "Keep the cloth away, with leather gloves. They have a stinger and will defend their nest!  Then he took a wooden block and slid a wooden plunger too.


    Smoke came out...


    Torin: "What''s that?"


    Beth: "Dad put the bees to sleep with it!"


    A few minutes later, we came back with some honey.


    Beth: "You have to leave some for them to eat...Torin"


    Torin: "You know your stuff. Will you show me around?"


    Torin went to follow Beth. And behind a large hedge was the main road leading to the city of Britannia.


    "Come on, Torin... we''ll climb the hill. From there we can see Britannia over the ramparts."


    Excited to have a new friend, Beth climbed the hill and saw several friends picnicking. Torin looked frightened... The food spread out like that could attract wolves or monsters! It was reckless.


    Yet we were within sight of the house on the outskirts of the city.  Several houses were organized around the walled city.


    This was because there had been no war for at least two generations.


    She pointed: "Here we are... Ah...Jasmine! Henry... Pierre! ... Uh... that''s Torin... Ragul''s son..."


    They laughed and we went to join them.


    Beth: "This is the tower of the castle. In the center is the throne room! You have to be famous to get in there. Sometimes dad is invited there for parties but now that Lord British is not there anymore, we don''t go there anymore...


    the new guards are mean...On the right, the belfry. The mail is sent by pigeons to the other village chiefs. Under the dome, it is the museum.


    There is a copy of my dad and yours with the hero. The swords are fake.


    The originals are in the hands of the heroes.  And behind it, the tower of the mages and the academy of magic.  And, on the hill, behind the castle, there is a big cave with...dragons!


    They have been raised small since Exodus cried and now, knights manage to fly on them.


    This is new.


    It''s the elite who go there because dragons are rare. All the adventurers are trying to capture them alive and find eggs!"


    Torin: "You know a lot of things..."


    "I go to school under the academy! and we have access to the museum all the time. There''s lots of stuff like monsters..and.."


    "TORIN! BETH! "


    Horn sound!


    Beth: "Ah, it''s Dad calling us. We have to get home."


    But Beth''s friends started howling as soon as Torin started down the hill.  Some wolves had calculated that there might be too many of us and decided to attack.


    City kids, they were less experienced than Torin, who made a very quick move for his age, and in no time at all he had his fists in front of six wolves surrounding the three kids.


    Beth picked up a branch and stood behind Torin.


    The big wolf turned around and didn''t have time to avoid a large rock that Torin threw at him.


    Sensing the danger, Torin puffed up his lungs and screamed at the top of his lungs and his voice was amplified.


    Almost like the growl of a great wild beast, like a bear.


    The wolf groaned from the pain of the fist-sized stone. It hesitated and then showed its fangs, attracting the attention of the other five who turned their heads away from the children.


    He jumped on Torin who crouched down and grabbed the wolf''s mouth against all odds. He knew that opening the mouth was much harder than closing it.


    His father had taught him.The other wolves came at him and he gave the Alpha a terrific kick and it whimpered.


    The others hesitated, but one of them jumped up and grabbed Torin''s left arm.But his teeth couldn''t pierce the skin completely.   A small cut.


    But Torin took advantage of the opportunity to hit the wolf''s temple with his rock.  The others threw rocks at the others, but two wolves ran away.


    Torin ran towards the other 4 wolves who were suddenly frightened. Torin gave an impression of strength, of power.


    Like a great predator, the aura of a warrior. the aura of a future hero!  But Torin was still bleeding, and the group went back down with Torin, his arm in a cloth to support his arm and stop the bleeding.


    Beth yelled with the others, "Torin... hurry, we have to treat him.... The wolves... we were attacked!"


    Iolo looked at Torin''s arm and washed it with boiled water. The wounds were only superficial.


    "You''re lucky he didn''t clench his fangs tighter." (Iolo)


    Torin: "I have big biceps! "


    Proud to show them off to the girls.  Ragul was proud of Torin...


    He was brave like him.


    "Later on, you can even fight a dragon! I will have a surprise for you!..."


    Iolo : "Let''s go now. We''ll eat something in town and bring the kids back. With the wolves roaming around so close, it''s not normal. We have to go to the adventurers'' guild to warn them about the children."


    Then he bent down and gave Torin a warrior''s pat: "Thank you for protecting my daughter... Without her, I don''t know what I would have become since her mother joined the stars."


    The incident passed, The little party lined up along the path leading to the city, and before them stood the majestic walls of the ship-city Britannia, as the name of the world and its founding king, Lord British...

 Apricots

    "Wow!"  (me)


    Beth laughed. "All those soldiers. These walls...these cracks..."


    "DADDY?? DADDY? What''s that for???"


    Ragul smiled, "These are loopholes., murder holes.. The archers take shelter here..."


    "And there? what is that?"


    "A walkway."


    "Why is it made of wood and the rest of it of stone?"


    Beth: "I know! It''s when a tower is taken or a section. We burn or blow the pin and the attackers fall!"


    "Great!" and all excited I flapped my wings... "


    "GRRR, I''m the ugly dragon and I''m going to roast the city!"


    Beth: "Hahaha... look at you... you look like a chicken.!"


    "So... kot. kot kot! "


    and the five of us go chicken around our dads..


    Iolo: "Kids, be careful not to hit anyone, security is strict now..."


    The remark was heard by one of the guards dressed in black. It was not an insult or a provocation but the chief crouched down towards me: "You... the kid who runs... Listen carefully to your daddy because children and adults are punished severely now. You wouldn''t want your daddy to get a lashing because you did something stupid, would you?"


    I didn''t know what to say... I was afraid


    "sorry sir..."


    Guard: "I like that better!"


    Then he looked up at Ragul. "Ah, Sire Ragul! Your son is obedient...That''s good.."


    Iolo and Ragul held hands with us. and we went further.


    "Be careful, children...did you see?...any excuse is good for punishment."


    I had learned the lesson well, and more importantly, I had seen the mini crossbow on his belt and the long sword and chain mail under his black clothes.


    There was the symbol of Blackthorne, the chief advisor to Lord British, elected Regent pending the death of the former King.


    Further on, there was the nobles'' quarter and the stalls were immediately more beautiful.


    Iolo: "come on, I invite you... we''re going to the Troll''s Hole, I have friends there"


    And, seeing the terrace occupied with tables outside and inside, we saw another character like Iolo, but with brown hair.


    Dupr¨¦: "EEhhh! Iolo!!!! Ragul!!. Come and sit down... "


    And we invited ourselves to the table.  Dad and Berth explained to me how to behave, how to recognize the nobles, who often wore clothes with gold or silver borders and the number of lilies sewn on their collars and sleeves.


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    Like the military, this was how they recognized their rank.  From Baron on, one had to be wary. These greedy people for the most part sought by all means to attract the favors of the nobles higher in the hierarchy.


    An accident happened quickly.  I thus discovered other dangers, more subtle than the great predators, with even more devastating effects, with the panoply of punishments, ranging from fines to the pillory and from the dungeon to the galleys and the supreme punishment, the Great Widow, or guillotine.


    Lord British had abolished these ignoble punishments, the galleys and the life sentences that made no sense, but replaced them with punishments whose purpose was to put the criminal back on the path of the eight virtues.


    But the new Regent had brought back all these horrors because of horrible crimes, certainly under false flag with his clique


    .And the nobles were sticking to Lord Blackthorne like flies on honey as opposed to Lord British who was more protective of the little people.


    There was an obvious social divide now and every day it was getting worse.  Hunger was reappearing and those who couldn''t make it were joining bandit groups and even monsters like goblins and orcs.


    This was unheard of. It was impossible, but it was.


    And then there were the public executions after mass.  I was interested in going to see while waiting for the order, but Beth and her friends talked me out of it.


    "It''s dangerous, Torin. Criminals try to save their lives by naming strangers or new figures, and sometimes they are taken to the galleys as accomplices instead of dying. But it''s the same thing... they die more slowly... no one ever came back unless a terrible ransom was paid.."


    I was discovering that the world was beautiful with the best but also there was the worst with human society. I liked Cove for that now. The city is beautiful but it is also dangerous!


    A bunch of kids in rags wanted to take us with them and Iolo stood up and shouted


    "Go play. No... steal somewhere else!"


    I was ready to do something stupid.


    "Torin, you see... You also discover poverty and orphans. But you must learn to recognize them! They are little thieves who work for bigger kids and for a guild."


    Me: "Are they bad???


    Ragul: "No. They are unfortunate people who have lost everything. They are hungry and have nothing to wear. They hide in the underground of the city with the rats, and sometimes monsters with tentacles... ropers...


    Often in the sewers. They will rush people and another hidden behind will take a purse or a precious object. Some will run slowly to get chased and lure the victim into an alley or a gang will corner him and steal everything."


    Me":What if he doesn''t give? "


    "Then it will be the beatings, sometimes a stabbing...and if there are big bads, it can be death."


    "But...but...that''s terrible!"


    Beth laughed at my incredulous expressions..!


    Iolo: "But don''t let your hatred get the better of you... We too, when we were young, we were part of a gang. We stole to survive and then we were able to free ourselves by working odd jobs for the adventurers."


    Me: "So we''ll catch them and take them to the guild?"


    Everyone: "HAHAHA. Brave Torin!"


    Henry: "Torin!!! they are in the thieves guild...! Officially, the locksmiths'' guild... specialists in doors and traps. You''re too kind!"


    Then a maid called the children: "To the table!"


    And they ran to the table and on the enlarged wooden bowls, carved with comical grimacing figures, there was a kind of roti with a delicious sweet sauce. Apricots! A super rare and expensive fruit. We only had dried ones...and they came from an island to the south.


    It was a dish appreciated by the nobles. It was very colorful and from a distance, the beggar or the peasant could recognize the dish and the nobleman marked the class difference. Visually and by the smell. Often, the nobles were magnanimous and gave a dried apricot, but the goal was to make the non-noble recognize the delicious fruit that he could probably never afford except at the cost of cruel sacrifices.


    How good it was, the taste of apricots...


    "Dad, can we grow apricots here?


    Beth: "When I become a magician, we''ll make them together, okay?"


    "You want to be a magician? Not like the witch Minax, right?"


    Beth: "Shh, are you crazy? Don''t ever shout that name again... The guards but the others listen too!"


    "Sorry daddy...!"


    While daddy was talking to his two friends, telling them about their life since I was born, we went to the junk shop... There were toys and figurines of monsters, heroes, knights and even a miniature wooden castle, miniature sailboats, bells and bicones in the shape of an orc''s or dragon''s head. The one with the orc''s head must have been dangerous. With the spikes, if you missed you would get the wood in your face and then hello the damage. There were also rattles and rattles, little drums and tambourines, blowing horns, goatskin gourds and... the top, wooden swords for practice.


    The children came to us excitedly and we could drink more coffee and honey sweets, very hard cakes that were soaked in milk or coffee. It was delicious and the taste remained in the mouth for a long time.


    We got up, remembering our manners and greeting dad''s friends.


    Then, in the afternoon, we went to a huge building.


    "Torin, we are going to spend the night here in the adventurers'' guild...I have a room for life at the exclusive disposal of the heroes'' companions"


    I was almost drooling with excitement.


    I was literally jumping up and down.


    Everything was new to me and all the stories, adventures I had been told at night to fall asleep came to life all at once.


    There was a large room with lots of tables and a back room with paintings. Then there was a wooden counter and lots of people. All kinds of people were there. Everyone was listening to everyone else but also telling their exploits, their defeats and the advice was filling the apprentices'' heads like a big day at school.


    But there was a workshop next door, and there were carts coming and going, and butchers and restaurateurs lined up to stock up on everything. Like spices, herbs, mushrooms and rarer herbs to make potions.


    Also there was hunting game and sometimes pieces of monsters sold to make potions, decorations or their fur.


    Above the counter, there was a drake''s head on a board. Obviously stuffed.


    I felt like the average dragon was still looking at me and I was sick to my stomach to see an animal, even a monster, degraded like that for decoration.


    But my excitement picked up when I saw the beautiful girl at the counter. And, naturally, I compared her breasts with Beth''s..


    Henri: "Ehhh. Aren''t you ashamed to stare at Miss Colette?"


    Caught in the act, I started to blush... "I''m sorry.."


    But the boys had played a joke on me...no one had actually noticed me and...I was stupidly fooled by naivety.


    Beth was red but not angry. She was actually happy that I was looking at her a little bit like a girl and not like a playmate.


    I was a little red too.


    Ragul : "Will you be alright Torin? Don''t you want me to help you???"


    I was embarrassed and hid my face in the fur of dad''s coat.


    Then he pulled me by the hand...


    Henri, Beth: "Come and see the swords...Torin..."


    And, taken by curiosity, I rushed with my comrades to explore the locker where the weapons had been deposited. We could look but not touch, especially since some of them might still have poison on them.

 The barbershop

    I listened to everything the adventurers said and then Beth showed me the list of quests.


    "You start at rank F and you can if you want to take risks do quests of higher rank. But from rank D on, if you give up or fail, you have penalties and that can be expensive!


    Children can only do missions of rank F.


    That means without monsters or dangerous animals."


    We went to the counter and asked what we could do as a beginner adventurer.


    "Ah, kids... Well, there''s mushroom picking and harvesting special herbs but also cleaning, working on the farm or helping a shopkeeper tidy up or work when his strength is not enough or if a third hand is needed for an artist."


    Me: "But that''s great! And we can earn money?"


    "Sure," the receptionist said


    We were excited at the time but it was not possible...Then we were shown to our rooms and I was happy to be with Dad.


    I fell asleep in my chair and he carried me like a princess to my bed, one drawer below his and he put me back under his bed, kind of like the bunk beds and pulled the canopy drapes.


    This way we could keep our body heat and after a few minutes it was soft and warm. A small round board with a ring was removed from the floor so that the heat from the fireplace and the room below could rise and also warm our sleeping places.


    We could then also better hear the whispers and interesting rumors that were going on in the kingdom.


    Dad was half asleep but listening. It was discreet and since no one ever slept in these rooms, late adventurers were not suspicious, and the beer helped to loosen tongues.


    There was talk of a white dragon called the Abyss or Valtrox that flew over the villages a little too closely.


    No quest to kill the animal had been launched. It would have been suicide but also a waste of unnecessary losses since the beast had not injured or killed anyone and no shepherd or farmer had lost any livestock.


    On the contrary, when it passed, wolves and monsters fled the area. But the dragon inspired fear and danger. It was said that the beast was looking for the ghost of his companion Exodus...but this remained to be proven.


    There were some dragons. They were not numerous and remained a fragile species that without the help of humans would be doomed to extinction.


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    In the myths, these animals came from the stars and other myths say that they are the survivors of the shadow of the megafauna that is now extinct.


    Perhaps there are survivors in the other world, the underworld. With the megafauna gone, the dragons are mostly gone.


    By hunger.


    And those left were those with a slower metabolism, capable of long periods of starvation.


    This affected their organism by being smaller, less strong and especially less intelligent.


    Exodus would have been the last intelligent dragon of the ancient world...And with his disappearance, their culture, knowledge, history and writing disappeared forever.


    We were talking like this but my subconscious was listening and I began to dream of dragons.


    White ones spitting frost, yellow ones throwing poisonous thorns, red ones spitting fire, dragons also of rock and earth, without wings but digging huge underground galleries and spitting magma, the blue ones flying high in the sky and spitting rain and the metallic ones of bronze, copper, and gold spitting sunlight or lightning.


    Then the black ones swimming in the shadows.  One of them was crying...it looked like she was singing.  It was a dragoness.


    She was praying...Thor?


    The next day, Dad woke me up and we went with our friends to visit the Britannia Museum.


    But first, breakfast!


    I was very hungry and we quickly ate our eggs and our bacon slices and we crunched an onion to protect our teeth...


    It gave a terrible breath and the taste remained for hours but it was that or the tooth puller!


    Mom said that if we weren''t careful with the honey, our teeth could catch their death and fall out in a very, very bad way!  When we passed in the street, we saw the barber getting excited about a little nobleman.


    From the street we could see everything.  He was a barber, a farrier and a dentist. He also sewed up ugly wounds when one could not afford the services of a surgeon or a clerk.


    Faith is expensive and offerings are not cheap.


    Sign: AT WILMET, ROTTED TEETH NEEDS TO BE HELD! The whole surrounding a large wooden tooth painted in white.


    On top of it was a point and a pair of pliers. It was the turn of a small baronet. He had come with his butler and had paid for the comfort option.


    He was made to drink strong alcohol to knock him out, but he spit it out, through pain and a burning tongue.


    Probably too used to sweets and other candies.


    Then a violinist started to play to muffle the screams.


    Wilmet tied him to the chair provided, putting his knee on the chest of the kid who must have been about 8 years old.


    "You brat! Will you shut up? Are you a nobleman or an asshole? What will his majesty say if he sees one of his nobles bearing the name of asshole?"


    The child was terrified by the sight of all kinds of pliers, some of which were rusty.


    Wilmet: "Sorry. To heal a tooth means to pull out...!


    Child: "A priest! A priest! A cleric! I will pay..."


    Wilmet: "This is not an injury or a disease but a sin. The sin of gluttony!


    And the gods of virtues are uncompromising. You reap what you sow. You''ve been eating honey and now you have holes in your teeth!"


    Child: "Arrgg.. Noooo Noonn not the claw, not the claw!"


    The child shook and twisted, knocking the tray over.


    The barber couldn''t slap a nobleman, so he got angry at his assistant and slapped her.


    "It''s your fault that everything fell down."


    Assistant: "But..."


    Wilmet: "Shut up!"


    And he grabbed the baronet''s face by surprise and with two fingers he forced the cheeks open showing a red iron and with the other hand he grabbed the parrot pliers and twisted out the offending molar.


    The boy''s stomach hurt as much as his mouth.


    He was in shock and the pain was stabbing.


    He was bleeding badly.


    "You sick bastard! I''m going to tell my dad! "


    Wilmet and my uncle is a noble higher than your father, a baron and not a baronet!


    "Ah, I saw a second damaged tooth... We can cauterize it with a red iron if you want it to stop bleeding.


    The child didn''t wait for the rest and ran off with a bloody mouth to his house, the butler settling the barber''s bill.


    Then he turned his head to me: "Did you like the show?


    I didn''t know what to say. I didn''t know what to say, whether to stay or to run away, but I chose to run away. I didn''t like the idea of having a tooth pulled. But not at all!


    He shouted:


    "So eat your onions if you don''t want to see me!" while I ran to join dad to see the museum.

 The museum

    We arrived in front of a big round building and there were lots of statues of people I didn''t know and colorful draperies.


    I didn''t understand anything but the priest Damien could explain it to me and the runic writings underneath, I could read but the words didn''t say anything.


    Then I recognized Dad, Iolo, the hero Shepard, Dupr¨¦ and others I had not yet met.


    I recognized the copy of Dad''s axe except that the real one was not made of gold with stones but a simple iron one and solid.


    Then a bust with the bad guys and the terrible Exodus here in 1/3 scale, still very impressive.


    You could see the sword in his chest and blood painted on and I got a shiver.


    It must have hurt him.


    Thinking about it I felt like that pain.


    I felt sorry for this beautiful creature that everyone thought was scary.


    Then we came to background paint recreations of jungles, swamps and stuffed monsters.


    There was also a library with books for sages and nobles who wanted to consult the bestiary codex. There were also skeletons and dried reapers. Some deranged nobles kept this type of monster to do degeu stuff, other buddies told me.


    Dad then told me where they had found the Mondain codex and that it was carefully kept under a glass bell


    Then some boring stuff to do with the virtues and how to measure them but it was a trick to finance the templesBut dad insisted...; some monsters, magic and brute force are not enough to reach them. Especially specters, ghosts and ghosts that are not very niceYou had to be balanced so that your weapon could touch it... Otherwise you would die!


    I mean, I have my whole life to figure out how this mysterious thing works.


    It''s a thing with the 8 virtues and I only see 7...


    I''ll come back when we''re older.


    I was disappointed with the museum which looked more like a mausoleum than anything else.


    In a word, it was boring...


    The part for the monsters was forbidden to non mages or non wise men and only daddy could go there and his friends.


    But I wanted to go out...Please...


    "Daddy... Daddy. Is it over?"


    Ragul "I see that you didn''t like it..."


    "Dad... it''s old people stuff... You can''t touch anything or see it up close and the monsters are all dried and stuffed. They''re not scary at all..."


    Ragul: "Other children would have cried...but I understand"


    To take our minds off things, we strategically passed by the brolly and toy shop again. Daddy passed by and I was saddened except... he turned around and offered me a wooden sword.


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    "A WOODEN SWORD!"


    It was solid and had an iron handle and a metal guard for practicing wrists. There was a nice suede scabbard with it and Iolo offered me a wooden armor, to train my weight.


    I jumped on the neck of my letter carriers and we rushed to the exit.


    It was time to go back. There was a moonlight run the next day as well and we both met up at Cove. I was looking forward to seeing my friends from Cove and also from Britannia.


    It was evening and I could smell the good smell of soup waiting for us and a spit turned and some roots cooked to sharpen the meal.


    I jumped on mom''s neck and Saphie had come to stay the night to welcome us.


    Several days passed and Dad taught me how to do reels, the poses and sequences to remember and the basics of boots.


    To tap, I didn''t use my beautiful sword but a stick that I had carved myself. A year passed, then two and Dad started training me with the knife and then the axe.


    My main training was to... splitting logs and cutting dead and dry trees.


    Then put the logs away to dry. It was heavy but I was building muscle...


    I didn''t even have to practice.When I picked up the small axe, the shock would bounce back into my arm.


    So I picked up the adult''s axe, much to Dad''s astonishment.


    "Can you hold it with one hand? I have to take both after a few moments".


    My strength was almost abnormal but dad thought I must have the makings of a champion...Then, when I was 8 years old, one evening I was leaning against the wall of the house, peeling an apple with my penknife, I recognized familiar footsteps.


    "Rjhhh"


    "BLIZZARD!!!! You''re back!"


    The brave beast had returned with his foal and mare. Daddy was smiling and offered the horse family some apples they loved.


    Ragul: "You see the colt... when he is ready, and you too, you can ride him if he becomes your friend."


    "Dad? But how?"


    "Blizzard is a companion, more than a horse. You can form an unbreakable bond, and both you and he can rely on each other. We''ve saved each other''s lives many times and believe me, he can fight.


    He has already knocked out brigands from behind with irons. His sixth sense has also gotten me out of trouble with the creatures of the shadows.


    He knows how to see what we can''t see, and for that, he''s an excellent horse."


    "Ohh!"


    "Now it''s your turn to play..."


    Thus, I had an animal playmate.


    But Dad had given me an absolute rule: "You don''t try to ride or load or rope a friend. He''s the one who decides and comes to get you..."


    I decided to call him Milo, which means "the wind that blows" in old Britain.


    At the end of my nine years, I was beaten by dad in a duel every morning. We didn''t get hurt, but I got hurt a lot.


    Ragul "You rely too much on your strength! Look, you are stronger than me. Thanks to Thor... but you need to increase your speed and technique. The devil is in the details so pay attention."


    Then winter and I ran next to milo to catch him but nimble and quick, I slipped between his legs and ended up in a snow drift.


    "Milo!!! where are you hiding you run too fast! wait for me!"


    From the window mom looked at me and had a little sob


    "Esme? Are you okay?"


    - From the window: Miloo...Milo where are you?


    "Torin... He''s growing up too fast...time goes by too fast..."


    "I know... I know Esme... Is this the prediction? "


    "Yes... I am afraid..."


    Ragul: "Yes, I understand... but I have done everything to make him strong and loving and when you look at him, I think we could have done better."


    She wrapped her hands around her husband. And my parents were watching me play in the snow with Milo.


    The other children would probably come along, but since they were almost grown up, they helped their parents and grandparents when they managed to survive old age and the weight of the ages.


    "Milo... I''ve got you! ... aye!"


    I stumbled.and, surprised, I had not heard the young man behind me.


    "Hello YOU!"


    I turned around, as if terrified to have heard an unfamiliar voice


    "Sorry, I didn''t mean to scare you."


    The boy wearing a red pourpoint with crimped iron washers and a green cape knelt down in front of me. All I could see was his black hair, finished in a ponytail


    "Ohhh what a beautiful scale? Can I see it?"


    It was my lifelong pendant... One day, dad told me, that he would protect me and that I was born with this scale in my hand... Strange... it doesn''t make sense... I thought.


    Dad then opened the door violently but not too much.  In a firm tone he said: "Torin... we are going to leave"


    and he went towards me and the stranger then continued his way.  Followed by milo, I jumped in the footsteps of my father who had a longer stride.


    Then the path covered with a thick layer of snow, the sun reflected with a thousand fires.


    Then we arrived in an area where there were monsters that blocked the road.  They were giant bats.


    They had a body like a ram and horns but also sharp teeth.  Dad said to me, "Watch and learn".


    He showed me one of his boots and the bat was cut in half and fell to the ground.  Then the disengagement technique.


    The other 3 had the same fate and there was a fifth one that was damaged.  Dad gave me a short sword, more like a bread knife but my strength had to compensate and I also had to be careful not to break the blade.


    A bread knife was much cheaper than a basic beginner''s sword.


    "HANHAAAARGh!"


    And I finished off the monster that was my size without flinching or flinching.


    "Congratulations... Now you will feel the strength of the monster flowing through you... This is called experience. This is how you level up to become a knight one day..."


    In the evening, we were against a rock by a campfire. We were on our way to a hunting shelter higher up.  I fell asleep against dad, his warmth at my back protecting me and the fire near my feet doing me a world of good.


    Ragul : "Be careful, kid, you''ll burn your feet one day.."


    But I whispered half asleep: "Dad, you are the strongest in the world!  He smiled and held my head to his heart.  The next day I was ambushed, but I had the damn habit of making war cries and little roars.  After a few jumps, still under Milo''s watch, I was out of breath from my battle with Dad.


    "You''re getting better Torin. I''m proud of you! And I''m proud to be your dad!"

 The Call

    I was 9 years old and I had a small sword that was the length of my forearm and with the monsters that I had killed, little by little my strength increased tenfold but also my resistance.


    Dad trained me every day and Father Damien made sure that I knew my lessons well if one day I could enter the academy at Britannia.


    I was very careful to watch out for the guards and not to be noticed when I went to the capital to join Beth and her friends.


    They came too, but Saphie was jealous.


    She only had eyes for me... the other girls in the village too.


    But when a nobleman appeared, it wasn''t long before the eyes turned elsewhere.  It hurt me, and although my father was a secondary hero, he wasn''t a noble, and neither were his friends...


    It undermined them to see us as second class citizens and he missed the good old king.


    It was while listening to the affairs of the great ones that I learned that dad had a secret room with a secret passage behind the hearth and he used to meet with the old heroes.


    Iolo: "I have the proof. Lord British did not abdicate...He was kidnapped. Your testimony agrees...Lord Blackthorne is an impostor and he would work for the three specters, the three vices."


    Ragul: "Yes...That''s when Esme and I went to get Torin..!!!!"


    Ragul: "Yes, he was given to us by Thor. At the entrance of the Covetous dungeon.."


    Iolo: "The specters must have passed by... and they didn''t do anything to the child?"


    Ragul: "They had Lord British... the child must have been of no importance to them... but I remember... there were roars and then cries of pain and a beast crying and it flew away and we were sprayed with blood just before, when we were hidden in the fir trees."


    (Me, attracted by the voices in the heart..)


    I couldn''t hear their conversation very well but I heard "Covetous", "dungeon", spectres and kidnapped British Lord and Blackthorne impostor.


    But the word Thor and Torin came up sometimes.  Suddenly I was more curious, but Dad kept me away.  One day Esme caught me listening.


    "Torin... If you want to know, ask Dad. If the soldiers were hurting Dad, it''s better that you don''t know anything, it''s to protect you..."


    "But, mom... what''s going on? What are you up to???"Esme took me by the hand... "


    You see, we live in fear all the time and public executions are a crime. The regent is a criminal and has all these innocent people killed. They have families too who are left to misery.


    They also execute the children. Your father worked for Lord British and we have to be careful. We may be watched and sometimes by your friends.


    Imagine that one of your friends has his father or mother threatened with death and that he is asked to betray or deliver one of his friends in exchange for the life of his parents... you understand?"


    "Yes mom...But what is this story about giant spectres and blood rain...?"


    She took my head and held it against her shoulder. Then she gave me a kiss on the head


    "You''re getting big but you''ll always be my little one... you''ll be 10 soon and... You still have so much to discover. "


    I felt that mom was hiding something from me and I had every intention of finding out.


    In my village, the atmosphere had fallen apart because of the chief, a baronet who had been promoted to baron.  Immediately, he had raised taxes in order to build a manor.


    And, walking along the main street... I was going to join my buddies to go hunting for giant bats and make some pocket money.


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    Mostly to get a studded leather breastplate.


    I was dreaming of my adventurer''s outfit. The dream being to have a steel plate and to become a knight.


    I was pulled out of my reverie.


    "So, Torin... are you training to be a squire? Your father should get back into the good graces of the kingdom...You live so much in the past that one day you will have no future...hahah"


    That was Silon. He wasn''t very nice when his daddy was only a baronet and he was leading the band against the peasants.


    Although I lived on the same side of the riverbank as him, I never got involved in this war between children.


    "And you, Sylon, can argue all you want and have all the gold in the kingdom, Saphie has rejected you..."


    "Lord Sylon... Torin. you must now call me Lord Sylon... and with my authority, I have the right to whip you if I want"


    Me": Why do you hate me...Lord Sylon...?"


    (I didn''t want to take any chances on mom and dad. I knew this guy was trouble)


    "Do you have mud in your ears or something? Your parents worship the old king and if by chance we find out they are plotting against our good king Lord Blackthorne, I will gladly punish you personally."


    "Lord Blackthorne is regent, not king! Lord British is still alive! "


    From his stallion high above, Sylon sneered like "Do you think he''s still alive???"


    but his non-verbal communication spoke volumes about the clique he was part of.


    "Watch out for Selene she is watching you and if you continue to do harm by killing innocent people a hero will come"


    I was naive...


    Sylon: "HAHAHA... We can see that you''re just a kid who still believes in fairy tales..."


    then, between two laughs... "Watch out, if I''m the hero! watch your ass Torin..."


    I wanted to shove his head into his horse''s butt, but his horse couldn''t help it.  But Sylon had his eye on Saphie. She had become a real ranger, a hunter, from being around me.


    Manu became Father Damien''s sidekick. He would make an excellent clerk.


    Cedric, another of my friends, who was very much in the background, had managed to become an apprentice to a mage and was preparing to enter the magic academy.


    Luck...Today the four of us went back home to say goodbye to mom and dad.


    Milo followed us and played with us all the time.


    Cedric, Saphie and Manu were waiting outside and we would go camping at dad''s cabin, higher in the mountain.


    Esme: "You got it... If there''s any problem, send Milo. He runs fast! And be careful.Then dad and I would like to talk to you, but only after your friends have returned."


    "It''s okay, Mom, right?"


    "But no, Torin... You''re our treasure, it''s just that you''re becoming a man and you need to learn some things about men now that you''re grown up."


    "I promise nothing serious then???"


    "No. Don''t worry about it. Go have fun and don''t get hurt!"


    We then headed north.Meanwhile Esme looked at her greying husband.


    "Will you still go take a look?... It''s almost 10 years old and the Gypsy girl has never been wrong."


    Ragul watched through the open door as we walked away and crossed the small bridge. The winter had given way to spring and the whole mountain was in bloom. On the way I heard a voice behind me.It was the stranger from many years ago.


    "Ah... Torin..Hello...I hope I didn''t scare you again???"


    Me: "I had smelled you...."


    Astonished the boy who was an adult now smiled. Indeed, I had a remarkable hearing, and overdeveloped senses. I hadn''t told anyone but I could see perfectly well in the dark.


    I thought it was normal and that my friends were the same way. Anyway, it must have been Thor''s blessing.


    I prayed to him every day for giving me life and a loving, kind family.


    "Lex... my name is LEX. But what are the four of you doing?"


    "We''re going to the mountains to train. I''m going monster hunting!"


    Lex was very impressed."At your age? You must be 10 years old and you go hunting giant bats by yourself?"


    "I''ve killed plenty of them.... I want to be a hero like dad! and I''m not alone... these are my friends and they''re really strong too!"


    Lex was thoughtful but looked at my necklace.


    Me: "What are you doing in Cove, Lex? We never see you there.."


    Oh, I''m here for "The Call". You see, I work at Britannia with the knights...


    "Ohh You''re a knight.. Then I must call you Lord Lex..."


    "Never mind the title, but I appreciate your politeness... Our order has sworn fealty to the people of Britannia... and my role is to scour the kingdom for young talent. "


    "But I am not a nobleman..."


    "That does not matter. In the face of the eight virtues, it is of no value..."


    We continued walking together at 5."So you are looking for squire candidates then?"


    "You could say that, but our order is different. Those who are in it are the best of the best and are as strong as Hero Shepard. "


    Me: "Why? He was the strongest. He''s the one who eliminated Exodus.."


    Lex: "But you see... Exodus...how can I put it...he was a victim and couldn''t help what he was doing. If our order had existed earlier, we might have been able to save him, finally eliminate the threat. "


    "So you like dragons? "


    Lex: "What about you? Do you like dragons???"


    "They''re big and scary but I have no reason to hate them. It must be really cool to fly on them..."


    Lex: "And you wish you could fly on a dragon?"


    "Yes... but it''s impossible..."


    Lex: "You have to be chosen... It''s the dragons or their eggs that decide who they''ll hatch with."


    "And they talk? "


    Lex: "Not exactly, but they can make themselves understood. Exodus was the only known intelligent dragon."


    "And have you ever flown on a dragon?"


    Lex: "No dragon knight will reveal their identity, even to their children or family. They are so rare and valuable that other kingdoms and worlds covet them and they must protect themselves and their families.


    But I am an intermediary between the different orders.


    If you are chosen or Called, you will soon know it yourself and know what to do in due course."


    Me: "And the hero, how does he know? "


    "I''m not allowed to say, but that''s how it is too. He feels it and others too. But when he calls, a moon door appears and then it turns red.


    That''s why the hero never knows in advance that he is. It is always a terrible surprise. Sometimes they are torn away from their world and again it is the gate that decides if they can go back. It depends on the Gods....not on the humans...It also avoided the appearance of self-proclaimed heroes and false prophets...


    Britannia, in a way is a well made world...except for the monsters..Finally, it also gives work and allows the poorest but brave to get by."


    "Thank you Lord Lex...it was very informative...."


    My classmates were also interested and dreaming of adventures...

 The hunters cabin

    So, we were going up the mountain and I had already sensed where the monsters would be.


    The path was a bit steep, but Milo was used to it and followed us. He was also a bit of a warrior and from time to time he would kick his hoof as if to show that he could hunt like his father Blizzard. Although he was a herbivore he knew where to strike to protect his people.


    Lex followed in silence, as if he was being carried by the wind.


    Meanwhile, above the thick mist that had descended from the mountain, an ominous creature circled and sniffed.


    All day long it was circling, looking for prey but also for a particular prey. Its scaly white dress blended in perfectly with the mist and its movement was silent. Like a moth.


    The air slid by without a whimper.


    The creature knew every corner of the forest and yet it hunted, searched, and even entered dark dungeons.


    And that day, something fine and subtle touched one of its sensors on the muzzle. And, following the wind, she changed direction.


    HAN


    SLASH


    TAPE


    CUT


    "Magic missile!" shouted Cedric.


    "Right on target." And a bat went down.


    Saphie fired her bow and wounded a monster trying to get too close, but it was met with an uppercut from Torin still holding his sword, but it was the guard that struck.


    The beast seemed to get more damage from the fists than from the blade.


    Saphie: "You hit hard!"


    I winked at her.


    Manu: "Tangle!"


    And some vines rushed to catch the last creature


    It collapsed with a well adjusted blow of the bat.


    The 6 bats were absorbed by Lex''s storage ring. It was a welcome help.


    "Impressive you four. You work as a team much better than most adventurers. Real teamwork. Congratulations! You and Torin will have a great career too, I''m sure. You are already the elite youth of this kingdom. You can be sure of that.


    "Nobles and apprentice knights of your age don''t come close to your boot.


    You, Cedric, who have mastered combat magic and know how to keep your concentration and especially without hurting your friends... few magicians do. They often use spells that are too powerful for them, resulting in drama."


    You, Saphie, with your mastery of the bow and the precision of your shots on a moving target and your other qualities of hunter.


    You, Manu, with your prayers and your faith know how to turn the scenery and the plants to the advantage of the team. You support the group. You will one day work miracles. I am sure you will.


    And, finally, you, Torin,


    I see you have Thor''s blessing on you. Don''t be embarrassed and be proud of it!


    You have a valuable group of friends and I am sure that one day you will ride the dragon!"


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    After a pause to realize what was happening to us, we realized that we had passed some sort of test.


    Even though it was a rainy and foggy day, I could feel the sun breaking through the clouds!


    But our adventure did not stop there. We went to bivouac at our hunting hut.


    It was very simple with a hearth, a roof and 2 rooms with a separation between girl and boy. Outside, a small roof with a wall to accommodate the logs and dry them.


    A bench and some stools cut in the forest. We had done everything ourselves, or at least we had expanded what Dad had built.


    It was becoming comfortable and potentially offered the possibility of living there in case of need or if we had to flee.


    Of course, the location was a secret and only my real friends knew the location since they also participated in the expansion of the cabin, which looked more like a shed.


    An old beer barrel served as a table outside.


    From there we had a beautiful view of the hidden valley and the paths that led to this place.


    We spent the night there and the dry wood didn''t give off any smoke and we could sleep without arousing any suspicion. The cabin was super well hidden...


    The next morning, the forest was rather silent.


    I was on my guard.


    " Friends, do you hear like me? "


    Cedric: "Uh... we can''t hear anything... can you Saphie?"


    Saphie: "No... Is there a problem, Torin?"


    "The problem is that it''s silent!


    "AH!"


    The hut being high on the mountainside and also a well-protected shelter.


    "Torin, I don''t feel like it... Why don''t we go inside?" asked Saphie...


    "Yes... you''re right, let''s not betray our parents'' fears... we shouldn''t take unnecessary risks.


    But... hidden further in the trees, someone was listening to us.


    Hearing our words, he breathed with contentment.


    Ragul had come up to observe us and especially to observe what Lex wanted. He didn''t feel it but he could be wrong...


    In those days everyone was paranoid. Everybody denounced everybody and the guillotine was cutting as much as the butcher...


    The cemetery was becoming too small and fear had settled in the city.


    The atmosphere was terrible, heavy and oppressive. This also influenced the trade, which began to slow down. And the guilds complained about the overzealous guards and magistrates.


    The assassins'' guild had many orders in advance... and prospered more than ever.


    Guards, nobles, merchants, politicians... no one was safe, and public executions ceased, replaced by one based on vendetta. A secret war.


    Lord Blackthorne had cornered himself. Being a bully does not mean being a good strategist.


    The rage then of the nobles and the wealthy fighting each other fell on the little people once again.


    The people were waiting for something. They didn''t know it, but they hoped for a hero who would bring happiness and prosperity.


    But, unlike other times, there was no target for their lament.


    Before, there was Mondain, then Minax and finally Exodus... but now who? Blackthorne? He was already Lord British''s prime minister...


    The sheriff? The army? No... this time the evil was more insidious. Subtle, hidden and very, very intelligent. Certainly aware of the mistakes of his predecessors.


    We went back down with our things and then Milo growled. Like him I had smelled a subtle and hostile smell: Wargs!


    These wolves or "WOLVES" were giant and numerous.


    Even with the four of us, it would be impossible to defeat any of them.


    The race being impossible to say Milo: "I count on you to call for help. Take my three friends with you. I love you and if I don''t make it, I''ll never forget you.


    Sapphie came over and kissed me on the mouth.. "Please, Torin, you have a future! Take Milo and run!"


    I tapped Milo on the buttocks and he got the message. The longer the goodbyes, the more painful they are.


    Milon was running downhill and... luckily they hadn''t been spotted yet.


    So I looked for a tree or a peak near the hut. I knew they would destroy the stones and doors... hiding wasn''t an option.


    Fighting wasn''t an option either.


    Then I saw a solid tree on top of a rock and I started to climb and pulled out the roots where these monsters could get a foothold.


    Dad had seen the situation and his was not much better. He could kill 2-3 Wargs by himself but 6...


    They were afraid of the sun but here the mist covered everything.


    Dad decided to join me. With 1 sword and an axe, maybe we would have a small chance if they gave up.


    He didn''t take any risks and when I saw him, I was happy. Dying as a hero and with his daddy was better than ending up as game.


    And... just as we thought, the Wargs were on us for the next 3 minutes.


    They slipped and tried to climb the rock. The wetness made climbing difficult and bought us time, but at night it would be worse.


    Then, even if the wargs couldn''t climb, we''d sleep through exhaustion and they''d just pick us up and eat us.


    Daddy then climbed up on the trough, below me.


    He gored us so that we would not fall and be drawn down in case of bites.


    Quickly, the infernal wolves jumped higher and higher and one of them came to the rock and watched as they bit us and knocked us off the branches.


    We could smell their cave breath and their black fur smelling of earth and blood.


    But it was their roars and their red eyes.


    Soon a second one was at the base of the tree.


    They were excellent and experienced hunters and knew all the tricks to capture difficult prey.


    "You know, son... I was happy to have been your father but if we have to part one day, don''t forget us and watch over your mom. I know you will make her happy too."


    "But Dad. Don''t jump! You promise me!"

 Caught

    Four Wargs were now on the promontory and with their front paws, they were pushing the tree in sync to bring us down.


    This was what Father had feared.


    Meanwhile my friends were approaching the village, to call for help as soon as possible.


    But Blizzard had already left. He sensed something was wrong and Esme knew it too.


    She went to call for help and a hunt was slowly being organized. The distances were there and there was no emergency center yet...only the bell at the temple to call people or warn of danger...


    And that''s what Esme did. To call for help.


    But in the meantime Ragul, roped to his legs, tried to hit the wolves with his axe when they tried to jump.


    On land it was possible if Torin stood back to back with his dad, but there was one too many Wargs and two below who would soon follow their more agile brothers.


    A whinny was heard and the two wargs below turned their heads and began to chase Blizzard.


    The poor beast was out of breath, but he would make it. It had the experience of wars and battles but It didn''t have her horse armor. Blizzard would have to rely on his speed even though he was becoming an old horse. His training paid off and he managed to keep some of the danger at bay.


    "Listen, Torin, we may have a chance, but I wanted to wait until tonight to tell you about it, but it''s now or never."


    "Yes, Dad..."


    "You weren''t born at home but the Gypsy gave us the place to find you. You were given to us by the Gods, and where we found you, there was the symbol of Thor."


    "Thanks dad. But I already knew that..."


    Ragul kissed me between his two arms. "Good boy".


    "Dad, tell me about the blood and the scale..."


    "Before I found you I heard inhuman screams and a creature, a bird, a griffin or maybe a dragon was wounded and your mom and I got drops. Then we saw the sleeping king being taken away by some ugly spectres. Probably the 3 avatars of evil. The dragon must have been in their way..." then we found you among eggshells, blood and mud. You were holding the scale and here you are... We named you Torin in honor of Thor who blessed us with your existence..."


    "Dad!" And I held him even tighter.


    One of the Wargs stepped back, jumped on top of one of the other three and leapt almost to my foot.


    If only I had a bow!


    Ragul: "I''ll try to cut one or two branches and make a point. Or... yes, you try! You are stronger than I am at tinkering.


    And I made an improvised spear. We had no rope or leather strap to make a bow and the branches were wet and cutting was a gamble.


    But Dad managed to spear one of the wolves in the snout.


    The wargs became even more enraged.


    I was afraid now for the first time.


    But Dad slipped, his branch gave way.


    The wargs got the branch and were about to pounce on Dad.


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    He straightened up, but not fast enough to swing his axe.


    The shock had been strong, though.


    Risking everything, I jumped, my short sword held in both hands, and as I fell, I drove my sword into the warg''s back. His momentum was broken and he fell off the rock, dying.


    But my sword remained stuck.


    The other three reacted but I hid behind Dad. I only had my penknife and the sharp branch. We took advantage of the relief given by the broken branch to keep the three angry wolves at bay.


    Dad gave a blow of axe to the one who jumped on him, but the second one bit him on the wrist, forcing him to drop his weapon.


    "Quick, the axe, Torin!"


    But the third snarled, preventing me from advancing.


    And the three wolves turned on me, being the weaker prey.


    I tried to roar and intimidate, but that stopped them long enough for Dad to pick up his axe and hold them at bay.


    He reeled them back until they slid off the rock. But our hopes were dashed when the two who had chased Blizzard came back.


    They jumped on the rock making us back up.


    Dad had the tree at his back.


    "Torin... This is where we part!... I was happy with your mom and with you. Now you''re going to climb the tree and turn around when I fall. I don''t want you to look. You must keep the image and the memory of a strong, solid and standing father. Not a devoured game. You must keep in memory only me alive. So that it is the first image of me that comes when you remember the good times we had together."


    HAN


    SLASH


    One of the wolves squeaked under the bite of the axe.


    This time Dad had put the strap around his wrist so the axe wouldn''t fall off.


    His arm was also bleeding from the deep bite. The blood and its smell excited these monsters.


    Resigned and full of tears I kissed dad one last time and, without turning around, with his free hand, he mowed down some badly combed hair with his fingers.


    It was his last caress.Then he let out a war cry like I have never heard and jumped up, dagger in hand and axe in the other, knocking down another Warg.


    The other 4 went into a rage and threw themselves on Dad''s back


    "DADDY!!! "


    "Turn around TORIN ARGGHHH! I love you.... THOR...give me your strength!"


    He turned around, one of the wargs biting into the axe handle, the other tearing at the leather boot and the third reaching for the throat.


    The fourth straightened, staggering and probably going for the final bite. Then, suddenly.


    .The sky darkened....


    The wargs had just enough time to groan. Huge talons grabbed the 4 wargs in one swoop and the next moment they were falling more than 500 meters down the ravines.


    A huge white dragon, attracted by the blood, had helped itself.  Dad was on the ground injured but not too badly.  Then he shouted at me. I looked at Dad with eyes full of despair.


    I didn''t understand until everything went dark!


    "TORIN JUMP!"


    But the next moment there was a crack.


    Me?


    my bones?


    r the tree?


    But the next second, I had the wind at my back and Dad shouting my name.


    I couldn''t move.  I was in the dragon''s talons and waiting for the final blow tearing me in two to put me out of my misery.


    Every now and then the dragon would turn its head and not squeeze too hard. It looked like he was paying attention, but I couldn''t move.


    I was in a vice, even with my legendary strength.  I began to beg Thor and beg the dragon to let me go, but instead of growling, he hissed like a sad dog.


    Soon I saw the high mountain, on the side of a valley several dozen kilometers away and far from villages and paths.  I saw a cave appear on the side of the mountain and the dragon entered it with me still in his paw.


    He dropped me from a height and put his huge paw down.  I ran to the bottom of the cave and there were large rooms.  Surprisingly, I could see a bit and I saw an underground lake with a kind of island in the middle. I decided to find a crevice and hide there.


    The dragon didn''t come after me but just rolled a huge block of stone to seal the entrance.  I realized that the only way I could escape was through the dragon...In my crevice, just big enough to take refuge in, I looked at the dragon and our eyes shone and crossed in the dark.


    He lay down near a fire pit and curled up in a ball.  The beast moaned.


    I was afraid.


    An ancestral fear.


    It was the first time I had seen a dragon.


    It was huge and four of me could fit in its jaws.


    I was just a piece of straw.


    Meanwhile, Ragul stood up, still in shock, and looked up at the misty sky with his son leaving.


    He shouted "TORIN...! TORINNNN!"


    Then he fell to his knees, his hands over his face, and... a few moments later Esme with peasants armed with pitchforks and old swords arrived.


    "Ragul?" asked Else.


    Without a death, she saw Ragul clutching my sword.


    "Torin is gone..."


    Esme... "Where...???... fast???!"


    Ragul "Thor took Torin from us... he must be with him now."


    He hit the ground, and clutched the mud and warg''s blood between his fingers, his long braided hair hanging in the same mud.  As if to mark the situation, the storm broke and a rain began to wash away the tracks on the rock


    "NOOOOONNNNN TORIINNNNNN!"


    The couple breeze mounted Blizzard, which slowly descended with the peasants, one of them holding the horse by the bridle.  After a moment..


    Ragul remembered the scene and the white scale... He turned to Esme, who looked gloomy.He turned to Esme, who looked gloomy.


    "It was the dragon that was bleeding! There was the broken egg... and its cord leading to it... A dragon doesn''t give birth to humans... that''s impossible. He must have been laid on top of broken eggs. He has the scent on him. He''s marked. The dragon must have found him."


    Esme: "Do you think the dragon ate Torin?"


    "No... He defended him from the Warg... that''s the only explanation. We must pray to Thor to protect Torin!"


    This is his first trial. If the gypsy woman said first, it means there are others and he will survive. We have to pray. That''s all we can do.

 In the Lair of the Beast.

    It was dark but also very, very cold in the cave. We must have been near the top, in the eternal snows, where no one ever ventured.


    I was alive and whole and the minutes became hours and it seemed like an eternity.


    I made no noise but I could feel that the dragon was not sleeping. He was scratching and digging. He was around the underground lake with an island in the middle.


    The center where he was sleeping, well, resting was warmer and there was a thin line of light that crossed the vault decorated with sharp stalagmites. I looked to see if it was possible to climb the ceiling and pass from stalactite to stalactite to get out. I had strength but not that much. It was slippery and at best I would fall into the lake, but it was partly frozen, or I would fall on the dragon, which really wasn''t a good idea.


    I ventured to look over the crevice. I crouched down and peered out. Soon, I met the dragon''s gaze.


    Its aura struck me. I was an insect before a god. I could feel his power and will, but not a killing intent.


    He looked at the ground and whimpered like a dog deprived of a sweet treat.


    I was hungry and thirsty but the frozen air was dry, fortunately I was cooling down slowly but surely.


    I stayed hidden for another 2 hours and I was thirsty. I was dying of thirst and the only source was the edge of the lake but I had to face the dragon then.


    Calculating and looking around, I was amazed that the cave was clean, with no stains or bad smell. Yes, it smelled like a reptile but not like a scabby beast.


    The cave was clean.


    I ventured around from crevice to crevice and slipped silently between the stalagmites. It was a crazy thing to do. Trying not to be heard, but the ambient silence could almost make me hear a beat. Was it my heart?


    No... the dragon''s. The further I got behind his back, I could hear the beating accelerate.


    The dragon knew exactly where I was. It was no use.


    Hiding would serve no purpose, only to increase my torment and lengthen my agony.


    To die crushed, or of thirst and hunger. It was quicker and in a way less painful in the end. But it was the most frightening.


    I got up and went to the dragon, to its back. To get a drink and the creature wasn''t moving, its pace was quickening too. Would he be worried? It was very pale and it looked scared actually.


    Then I heard what sounded like a child crying....


    I was looking for the source of the crying but I didn''t hesitate for a moment, I bent down and took some ice water in my palms and started to drink.


    The dragon hissed as he turned his back to me. He was looking at the ground, like something invisible. Yes... I could see... there was a hollowed out stone altar...


    The dragon? The dragon would have dug something?


    The grief became a sob and the beast began to wail more and more. It turned around and a stream of tears fell from its blue eyes. He turned his head as if he wanted me to comfort him, but I was afraid... very afraid.


    The dragon turned his head away and put it between his paws and fell asleep with grief.


    I went around the cave. Dying to die might as well be a less stupid way to go.


    I then carved my name in runic on the wall. It was pronounced Torin but written as Thor in lower case, Torin meaning little Thor in the scriptures. It was also a powerful warrior''s name.


    The dragon saw my name and began to wail again.


    What was wrong with this beast? It had kidnapped me... no.. She saved me from the Warg. This is a certainty.


    Seeing no way out, I ventured to touch the tip of the dragon''s tail. It was hot...


    No reaction. It was a mountain in front of me. The dragon must have been at least 25 meters long.


    So I started stroking the tail and went up to the base of the back. I paused for a moment and ... it purred.


    I didn''t know. All I know is that when reptiles look happy, they are ready to bite...


    "WHEEZY!"


    I heard


    I continued to caress the dragon and I arrived at the wing.


    The scales were pearly and soft, polished and pleasant to the touch.


    I felt a chill. It was as if my instincts were speaking to me, but I was a human and the creature was a dragon. I was determined to die.


    I took a breath and knelt down as if begging a god to be merciful.


    Then I closed my eyes and crossed my arms in total submission and surrender.


    The dragon had moved and I gritted my teeth, waiting for the fatal bite.


    "MUM..." were my last words...


    A big tongue licked my head and my whole body


    I was between two talons and the dragon was purring.


    I then felt myself being pushed against him and he opened a wing and closed it on me.


    His head was on the ground, against his body and under the wing. He would occasionally stick out his long pink forked tongue and it would sometimes wrap around my arm, my torso and I was on my knees under his wing.


    It was hot and he was devouring me with his eyes, well one at a time, the head being too wide.  He was sniffing me and "washing" me.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Then, he saw my scale around my neck as a pendant and started to moan and cry again.  He closed his eyes and... I spent the night like that, brooded over by a sad dragon.


    I woke up the next day by the light of the sun. I had slept on the island dry, but if I wanted to go out, I would be all wet and freezing. And even naked, the mountain was unforgiving.


    Simple and ingenious. A prison without bars whose only refuge is the dragon itself.


    The dragon was gone and the stone rolled away.  I looked at what was on the island.  A broken egg? a piece of black cloth and a chewed up warg skin.  It was suddenly dark... the dragon had returned.


    He had a boar in his mouth and a sharp elk in one of his talons .He leapt up and landed on the island above me...He purred and looked happy that I was still there.


    His head approached and I closed my eyes. A flick of the tongue.... then spat! the boar was at my feet.


    With his muzzle he pushed his prey towards me. He kept the momentum for himself.  As long as he was in a good mood, I ventured to caress him and he dropped down with his back to me so that I could scratch.  He purred more and more.  I acted like I did for Milo. Would I have a chance at friendship with a dragon?


    Was this a blessing from Thor?


    I was hungry and started to carve the boar.  Seeing all this hard work, the dragon moaned when he saw me and was seized with another fit of grief.  What had I done?


    Was crying a sign of anger?


    I didn''t know anything about dragons, but he watched me avidly with his big eyes.  I cut the bacon but I never ate cold or raw...I hesitated and then I ate a piece of bacon. It was disgusting but it filled my stomach.


    After I was full, so to speak... I stopped eating.


    The dragon looked at me and the boar was torn to pieces.


    Then he groaned and took the carcass between his teeth and fire came out of his mouth roasting the pig.


    Finally, the boar.The steaming carcass fell in front of me and a small, questioning moan came from its throat.


    "Thank you Dragon!"


    And then I threw myself on the cooked meat and it had immediately revived my appetite. The dragon looked at me and the more he looked at me, the more he cried...


    It was a crazy story.


    Naturally, I put myself against the dragon, which covered me the following night.  If he had wanted to kill me, he would have done it long ago. It was a real mystery.


    The next day, I pointed to the altar and the dragon girdled me with its prehensile tail and deposited me on the outer bank, on the side opposite the exit.  Immediately, the cold came over me, but it was bearable.The dragon joined me and tried to show me something, as if he was trying to talk but couldn''t.


    With his huge claw above my head and in front of me, he carved the symbol of Thor, But instead of a pickaxe, it was a dragon, with wings more prominent, a head and a tail.


    Then he groaned as he looked at me.  He withdrew and returned with a chest full of jewels.  He pushed it with his nose.  There were scrolls, crosses, scepters and daggers and swords.


    Everything was bright and these objects radiated magic.  What did the dragon mean, that I should look at the objects?  He was nodding his head so that I would understand ....But it didn''t make sense...so I started to cry all of a sudden... I was afraid...afraid that I would disappoint the dragon and that he would eat me...


    The dragon then whimpered a little and pointed to my necklace.  I lowered my neck and realized that there was the scale.  He was crying for me to give him back his scale?


    I presented it to him on my knees but the dragon nodded as if to refuse. His palm towards me...as big as my size.


    Then I looked and he showed his belly. There was a scar and a scale was missing.  I placed it, and...like magic it reappeared in its place, repaired and revived.


    That''s what the dragon wanted??


    yes... it was to have his scale back!!


    I greeted him and he let me go.  I discovered that there was no path... just a 500 meters vertical abyss...There was no way out.


    I turned to the dragon and he started to "Smile?" but it was not a mockery.  I looked at the sun and sat on the edge.  The dragon put his head down next to me to look at the valley together.


    "Do you understand what I am saying then?"


    The dragon squeaked a little...


    "It must be yes..."


    But the dragon wanted to tell me something but not everything. I also had to find out for myself the riddle...


    "Do you mind if I go home? My parents are waiting for me..."


    At these words the dragon started to cry again.....


    "Did they hurt you? Are you angry with them?  The dragon hesitated and then made a sign that he was not.


    "You are kind...but do you want me to go?"


    the dragon cried, inconsolable.  I put myself against him to caress him and dry his tears.


    "Would you like me to stay here with you?"


    the dragon answered in the affirmative...


    "You know, I''m a human... and you''re a dragon..."


    ....The dragon nodded, not wanting to hear the rest...He was still looking at the Thor Symbol... He pointed at me with his claw.


    "Thor???"The dragon groaned in agreement..."


    I pray to Thor every day..."


    The dragon pointed his eyes up to say that it wasn''t that."


    I am Torin... not Thor"


    GROARR


    The dragon was annoyed and went back to whining in his corner.  I went back to eating a piece or two of meat and the dragon ate with me. Probably happy to share his meal.


    He was big and he rubbed his nose against an eggshell...The dragon would be a ....dragonne? That''s why she wants to incubate me.


    I''m starting to understand  .I then tried to read the scrolls and they were mostly priest spells and items of worship and healing...There was nothing to offend... nothing but priest stuff...


    "Sorry lady dragoness... but I''m too small... I don''t understand.  But I''m willing to be your friend..."


    "I give you my word on Thor that I will come to see you at the cabin every month... I can''t climb the wall or fly...The dragon put his head against my body and purred.  Then he lowered his wing so that I could climb on it.


    He nodded to me and... I climbed on his membranous wing and found myself sitting astride the dragon''s neck.  I was holding onto two spikes.


    One in the back, and one in front...So the dragon moved forward, making sure that I was not hurt or crushed by the stalactites.


    The light... then... the void.


    I was flying on the back of a beautiful dragoness.  I caressed the creature for its kindness and I could see my city and the cabin from above.  We went around the mountain several times.


    The dragon was certainly observing that there was no danger, no humans or monsters.  He sniffed the air for a moment and there were still 3 Wargs.  The dragon dived and a cone of ice froze the three monsters instantly and then they fell apart.


    The dragon was very powerful. Unimaginable strength.


    The next thing I knew, we were on the ground but the dragon didn''t want to fly away.  He was looking at my cabin with sadness...It was getting late and going down at this hour was dangerous.


    "Wait... I''m coming. "


    I went to the cabin to get a large skin against the rocks and a jar of honey that I opened and the tongue of the dragoness went to the bottom.


    She closed her eyes visibly pleased with the gift.  And I spent the night under her wings, very warm.  I could already see myself as a dragon rider... then as a hero....saving Lord British and restoring the honor of Exodus.


    But in my dream, I heard a female voice trying to speak...Thorr... Torin... will watch over you... dragoness... danger....humans....These were mistranslated phrases The dragon was a mystery, but now I was beginning to like her as a great friend...But in the early morning the dragon began to roar... towards the path...There was a rider...in armor and with a spear.


    It was Dad!I scrambled out from under the wing and ran towards him. The dragon was ready to pounce, but he dropped the spear and climbed off the horse to embrace me.


    The dragoness moaned. Wait... dragon....And I rushed to the creature''s neck and it licked me.


    Ragul was terrified.  But in his head everything was clicking. He did not say anything... he wanted certainty.


    "The dragon wanted a friend... he cries all the time after me."


    Ragul "That''s normal, it''s Voltrax! Exodus'' companion! He is the worst of all dragons and the most powerful of all... He has turned the whole country upside down looking for something..."


    Me: "I know dad..! It is the white scale. I gave it back to her and she has refused..! She is cured..."


    Ragul knelt down, took off his helmet and implored the dragon.


    "Have mercy, Lord Voltrax. We are only humble servants of Thor..."


    Me: "So your name is Voltrax..."


    The dragon looked happy that I understood a little.  She released me and looked playful.


    "Say, Voltrax, we''ll keep it a secret... right? dad??? "


    Ragul didn''t dare to repeat the word father in front of a bereaved creature. Especially since she knew that he had been part of the punitive expedition.  A dark look between the dragon and Ragul had been enough for him to understand.


    Ragul "I am sorry and every day I fight to restore your companion''s honor."


    Voltrax "GRRRRR. rrrrrrr.. IIIIIIIIII"


    Widow''s tears in the face of the repentant hunter did more harm than any claw.


    "My son is yours....to pay.."


    Voltrax growled and pushed me back (licking me) toward Ragul. She didn''t want revenge...She was a noble creature and she knew that Mondain and Minax were the ones responsible, Shepard had only carried the gesture and gone back to his world.


    And probably died of old age. well...maybe...I returned to Voltrax and made her promise to come back for me...After a groan, she flew away in the clouds.


    We returned slowly and without a word to the house where mom and my friends were waiting for me and it was a party I will never forget... But now, instead of looking at the valley and the beauty of the landscape, I was looking at the sky in search of my new friend...

 The Globe

    I was super happy now to have my family back and also to have made my first dragon friend.


    Dad asked me to keep our bond a secret. It was dangerous for the family and also for the dragon.


    The nobility would have us in their sights and that''s what Dad wanted to avoid.


    That evening, dad explained in detail with mom how they found me and that I probably had dragon blood in me giving me incredible strength because my placenta had been bathed in the juice of a broken egg. I must have had some of the dragoness in me.


    That''s what happened and all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.  So the dragoness was also a little bit my mother... I loved her even more then.


    At night, dark and moonless, I could hear a little moan in the distance. It was Voltrax who had made his rounds and was waiting for me at the cabin.


    Quickly, I ran and jumped on her neck and waited for her to give me her wing. I never dared to ask her. I respected her as a very precious friend but also as a deity.


    She once put an eggshell on my head...


    "Yes. yes, I''m coming..."


    I understood that she wanted to cover me... and I played the game.I had fun with it and she had every time a prey for me and we ate together.  She loved it.  One day she succeeded in putting scratched runes in the ground but I didn''t understand the words.


    She called me little dragon...nast death


    .She must have been crying for her little one in the broken egg... poor creature. She was not a beast but she was intelligent but our species were very different.


    She had another language even though we had the same runic symbols to write.  Then, often, when I wasn''t expecting it, she would pick me up by her teeth through the leather strap and put me on her back. Then we would go for a walk. Each time, she wanted to show me wonderful places that I didn''t know existed.Each time, it was a discovery. And I took advantage of this to train.


    She gave me a sword and wanted me to attack her, so I took a bamboo, out of respect. And she was happy about it.


    She was making me a terrible warrior. Claw! Claw! Bite! Tail!  Blow (snow).  And I was always turned around... But she was careful not to hurt me.


    Then it was the spear! She was galloping and I had to throw my spear and kill a boar.  She would freeze it a bit to slow it down at first, then I got the hang of it.  Then the next lesson was with the flying spear throw.


    With the acquired speed, the moment and the kinetic energy were added and, in spite of the difficulty, the prey had no chance.  But one day, we came across a dragon mounted by a knight.


    Immediately it fled. The dragon no longer obeyed his master.


    A year passed quickly and I was now 11 and a half years old.


    The day after my "visit" I came home and I didn''t look like a little kid anymore but like a kind of weightlifting muscleman.  Even my father had never seen that. But I could smell the beast and the dragon.


    And even his aura was shining through me.


    Saphie, on the other hand, was sure I was going to find girls and, worse, that I had another friend or girlfriend I was going to see on the sly.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    I could keep a secret but I was a bad liar.  They were getting stronger every time but I was on another level.


    "What if we went hunting for ogres?"


    They turned pale when they heard me say this and... behind my back, I felt his presence.  Without turning around...


    "LEX... I felt you coming as soon as you stepped through the moon gate..."


    Lex: "You, on the other hand, need a bath!"


    Everyone laughed....But the smell made him frown.


    "Torin... you smell like a big predator... Is that how you keep the monsters away?Turning around, my dagger went deep into the wooden beam behind me and had grazed Lex."


    Nah... I kill monsters myself...."


    Lex turned around not seeing a threat but rather a show of strength.He tried to pull the dagger out but it was too well embedded.  With both hands he tried, but stopped to avoid embarrassing himself.  I walked past him with my large stature and with one hand I pulled the blade out.


    "That''s how you kill an ogre!... Between the eyes! A dagger and a kick is enough. No need for a sword..."


    I had to grow up again and he didn''t dare imagine the adult me.


    Lex: "Seriously, Torin..... you have potential.. Haven''t you ever had a call, a voice in your head?"


    But some overly talkative kids shouted Torin was taken by Voltrax!!!


    I gritted my teeth and thought to myself... Shiiit! Finally this was bound to happen sooner or later.


    Lex laughed as if it were possible. And he turned to the little girl who was playing on the road in front of the house with her friends. They must have been four years old too...


    "And I''m the terrible THOR....and I''m going to eat you all ..OUAHAHAHAHA!"


    the children cried and ran back home.I was crushed and so were my friends.


    Lex: "I''m not interested in your secrets and they''re none of your business. If you want to tell me how you escaped from the dragon, it''s up to you to tell me or not.  It won''t influence my decision.  We need talents like you at the Dragon House. We are independent of the king and we serve the country. As our dragons demand."


    So I said goodbye to my parents and left with Lex for new adventures.  My friends also left for Britannia and we all had classes together at the Britannia Magic and Military Academy.


    There we honed our virtues and learned the basics of magic.  Despite my Hulk-like stature, the nobles didn''t hesitate to mark the tempo and taunt me with apricots.


    So I showed them the golden mango, even rarer...At the academy I had to face Sylon and his gang.


    "YesYesYes... Lord Chion..."


    They laughed at him. His buddies laughed, but considering the mass of my muscles he had to think. He was afraid of Wilmet unconsciously if I broke his teeth...I knew that I was in his sights and that everything was good for us.  I didn''t care, I had other treasures dearer to my heart... that all the gold in the world could not buy.


    Then, having passed my basic exams, we were given a test of magical power.  We were in an audience with several mages, enchanters and illusionists and even a necromancer/alchemist. He was called the coroner because he worked with the investigators when a death was suspicious.


    And then it was the level and skill test... The fear... what. In fact... everyone was afraid...And the fateful moment came when a huge crystal globe was brought in on a rolling cart and protected by a silk cloth.


    The nobles were started and the globe was switched from one color to another and from different levels of intensity.  A map with private statistics was given and even the examiners could not see it.


    They were there mostly to answer students'' questions and help them with their orientation. Often the students confused their abilities with their disillusionment.  It was Sylon''s turn and he had a fit when he saw that his globe was barely lit.


    As if to irritate him, the head mage...


    "Another level one... They can''t study this generation!"


    Then it was Beth''s turn...the light turned green and bright "Ah, a promising druidess! But you can also become an illusionist and summoner. Your color is compatible!"


    She thanked the masters and Father Damien was with us in the room as an observer but also to support or defend us.


    "Henri... you can come closer..."


    The aura of the stone was soft and comfortable.


    "An animal lover and a locksmith!...these are great prospects.."


    It seemed as if it was his hat that was talking, so much so that he was moving his head as he spoke.


    A real Chooser...Cedric . You already know...And he put his hand on the globe which glowed very brightly.


    "A powerful mage...


    You have experience already? you can see your level on your magic card..."


    They were curious but Cedric didn''t say anything... He had a higher level than some old teachers.


    Level 23 at 12 years old out of a total of 99 corresponding to the level of archmages like Minax and Mondain...


    Saphie put her hand in and she knew she would be a ranger or a warrior. She also had a high level for her age


    Without knowing it, we were already elite for our age.  Manu was beyond comprehension and Father Damien could already see the bells of the Lord in him.


    A future bishop... a super cleric. But he was already a cleric at 12 years old...Then it was my turn...I put my hand down and the orb started to flash from dark black to bright like a sun.


    My level was 99!


    Warlord/DragonLord.


    "Oh... a high level warrior!" they exclaimed.


    Maybe we have a future hero," he joked.But the high cleric stood up and took my hand...And he half collapsed."


    "You have Thor''s blessing... but the curse of the three Lords of corruption. You are bewitched, Torin and I think it''s because they fear you...They have sealed your fate.


    Now it''s up to you to make your way and put your destiny back on track. You will come to me after school...I will be waiting for you."


    This was a bombshell in the assembly and the nobles saw me as a disrupter and a troublemaker. In short, a threat to the established order.

 Master Gamblin

    The selection day went relatively well except for some nobles who had to lower their ambitions, and some had not learned their lesson.


    The examiners gave them a tool to measure virtues and their lack of humility and overinflated ego were mostly the reason for their failure.


    But the tool also showed those who were involved with the lords of corruption.They were stung, and the academy and the dragoonry tried to remain neutral, not wanting to get involved with reason.


    Sylon especially hated me, and I could feel his murderous aura growing day by day.


    My parents had made the trip as well as my friends'' parents, but you could tell that the nobles were laughing and giggling.


    They had a plan. They were planning something bad, you could feel it, but I couldn''t know. I was still a child. Well, almost a 14 year old adult.


    That was the legal age to get married. But at 12, you still think like a kid.


    As planned, we were assigned dormitories according to our orientation and I found myself in the dragonnerie, right next to the barracks for future knights.


    I had Milo staying with me, and the nobles would make fun of me and tell me to go to the stables.


    Basically, they were jealous of the closeness I had with my horse friend.


    Milo was used to the smell of dragons and was not, well it was relative... as for the knights... not afraid of them.


    At least he didn''t panic and run away.


    The others were in the dorms at the academy but nothing was set in stone at least until the day of the call


    .My scholarship was financed by Lex, who was a guarantor, and my father, who had saved a considerable amount of money during his heroic adventures.


    But I had a bad feeling... And my intuitions never betrayed me.


    Our things were already brought to our rooms and I only had to climb a few stairs to go from the stable to our dormitories, passing by the wash house where a source of volcanic water provided the necessary comfort for a good bath.


    The water, often loaded with soap, was recharged with soda to be drained to the washhouse. Everything was planned, even the recycling of resources.


    As I approached my room, there was someone in it. 2 beds on either side of the room and 2 tables with 2 chairs.


    And 2 chests with our stuff. There were canopies. I walked in and saw the guy doing pull-ups on the beam of his bed, showing his big pecs.


    He paid no attention to me. Focused on his workout.


    So I took off my shirt and stood in front of him and did pull-ups. His eyes popped out of his sockets when he saw my "Muscleman" or "He-man" stature.


    Quickly, he picked up the pace but had to stop and when I was done, I was doing push-ups.


    Quickly, he moved to my side and we each passed 100 pushups and, taking a sheet, he squeezed my hand around my wrist and I did the same.


    "JIM" "I''ll be your workout buddy!"


    "Torin..Hi Jim..By the way, you''re muscular too.."


    "Yeah, selection is hard..."


    Then, naturally, we did our sit-ups and took turns holding our feet. It was great...At least I had a new friend... All muscle... and I liked it better so....


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Jim was honest and without ulterior motives. Training was going to be a joy and not a hassle...In bodybuilding, there was no place for gold or status.


    We were partners, point, nothing else. He introduced me to his few friends and slowly a spirit of camaraderie was formed. But the nobles grouped themselves together, especially around Amon Goeth.


    A Goth colossus, all muscle. As strong and built as Jim. Everyone revolved around him. He had the bad reputation of his family who ran mines full of slaves and "criminals" - hungry people who became brigands to eat - and his pleasure was to watch over the smooth running of his father''s business, a relative of Lord Blackthorne.


    In the morning, he would have his coffee, take a warm-up tour around the slave dormitories, signifying that it was time to get up. On the next lap, he would go in and slaughter the latecomers with his bare hands.


    Then he would wash up and, still drying off, or with some unfortunate woman tending to her morning "wood", he would take his crossbow and... at the moment of pleasure, aim and kill those who had the misfortune to pause or talk instead of working


    .He was feared, even in his milieu. He always had "hostages" and always got what he wanted in exchange for a "liberation" or "improvement" of the daily life which was summarized in one more day to live...


    The mountain of corpses he accumulated was used to feed monsters that he released to hunt...peasants and...he enjoyed hunting monsters too.


    A potential future Mondain...Of course, Sylon was a skilled bootlicker. One would think he was Amon''s lover...But in the days that followed, my whole world was turned upside down because of those bastards.


    In the evening, after washing up with Jim, I went to the arch-clerk''s office. The title below archbishop but above bishop.


    He was waiting for me.


    "Come, Torin...I''ve been waiting for you."


    There was a finely chiseled desk with crimped and polished mother-of-pearl, making the object beautiful. Within easy reach was a whole series of books worn down by daily use.


    A cage with a parrot and doves.


    A huge feather next to a solid ivory inkwell and a cupboard containing dozens and dozens of rolled up parchments.


    He had a small belly, long curly gray hair and a beard reaching down to his knees., a purple hat and a pair of glasses to relieve his old eyes.


    "Where are my manners Torin...Take a seat!"


    I complied.


    "I have been researching the magical traces I detect in you. There is a kind of lock placed on your soul. It looks and feels like a spiritual arrow that has been embedded in you since birth. It gives you the freedom of a very strong human but prevents your nature from expressing itself... How to say... You are like an empty wineskin, torn..and that will never swell...This is the consequence of a powerful spell of demonic domination, not possession...but with devastating side effects.


    This kind of spell is very rare and is only used by demons or lords of corruption. They were created by Mondain and Minox and it is what corrupted Exodus.


    But I see that you are strong and have overcome this unjust ordeal. I cannot say how or when this spell was cast. It is a mystery that I can unravel."


    Me: "And this spell can prevent me from speaking or communicating?"


    Arch-cleric Gamblin: "Indeed, it causes confusion, and isolates the victim in his thoughts and words.."


    "And... is there any way to lift this curse?"


    "Unfortunately, according to our information. Only a divine knife is capable of extracting the mystical arrow and cutting the bonds of the curse. It is the blade of brilliance."


    Me: "And where is this blade?"


    "Torin... it is lost forever... no one knows where it is... the only one who knew and possessed it, was Exodus. But no one knows where his lair was and it also takes a bishop or an arch-cleric to activate it. "


    My eyes sparkled.  Gamblin expected me to break down in tears but I smiled


    "You... you know more than you look..."


    "Master Gamblin, what does this blade of brilliance look like?"


    "Come behind the desk"


    And I saw in his book a drawing... BUT! but it was the dagger that Voltrax kept showing me...! Oh... my god... the brave dragoness... she was crying for me... she felt my wound, my condition...She knew. !!!!


    It was indeed the companion of Exodus...If she is sweet, Exodus must have been a good dragon too... The wounded dragoness...the spectres and the blood....Yes...it all fits...


    They tried to subjugate the dragoness and they failed... I was the one who took the arrow instead of her... And she cries about it... She blames herself...


    Poor Altrax...What if...No...it''s not possible....Everything was spinning in my head and it was getting complicated...but I knew where the dagger was...


    "Master Gamblin...What if I could find the blade?"


    "It would be a miracle and a blessing for you, but for Britannia, it would be the end... It would open a passage for Thor to come here. With the powers of Exodus and the spectres it would be the end. The monsters would flood in and the humans would be fair game.No... it is better that she stays where she is.


    It is better. And you, apart from that, I see a huge future for you as a dragon rider...You have everything to succeed. A loving family, friends, and incredible strength."


    "And there is no other way?"


    "If Selene judged you to be a hero, at the summons you would appear in a red portal, blessed by the gods and cured of all curses. And you would also be immune to the corruption of the three Lords."

 Rubyx the rebellious

    Somewhere in the castle of Lord British...From the depths of the underground, A secret dungeon...


    Three shadows meandered through the dark, lifeless corridors.


    Silently, they slid towards a hidden room behind the throne.


    At a table, standing, Lord Blackthorne looked over his reports and the results of his influence on the virtues and the increase of the three vices...


    He had become a Lord of corruption, well... his public face.


    The three specters walked through walls and doors and stopped in front of Blackthorne.


    They held out a scroll.


    "Killing Ancient Heroes... They know."


    Then on it was the blade of brilliance to bring Exodus, Mondain and Minox back from the underworld.


    Blackthorne: "Do you have any idea where the blade is?"


    A dark voice: "Find the lair of Exodus".


    Then the three shadow lords disappeared as they appeared.


    A few days after the ceremony, it was the Call.


    It was something special...


    There were dragons with a rider but some were without one, their rider having died. There were also young dragonets and many eggs.


    There was a huge meadow where all the students were gathered and behind them, a dungeon with a maze.


    In the underground dungeon, eggs were hidden in such a way that it was impossible to find them by chance or by trickery.


    Everyone hoped or feared.


    All skills were represented. Mages, ranger, clerics, warriors and apprentice knights and even locksmiths...and also bards.


    Sylon was as impatient as he was worried.


    It was a hellish lottery with its own set of unpleasant surprises.


    I had Valtrax and I didn''t want to disrupt the ceremony. I felt that something was going to happen...


    Cedric suddenly turned and ran to the building behind. Beth turned and ran, Henry stayed. Saphie also stayed, and then both of them went back near the buildings.


    Manu ran to the dungeon


    I looked out the window and Master Gamblin spoke to my back.


    "Why don''t you go down and look for your dragon? I know and I feel it. You have a subtle connection, otherwise you wouldn''t be here..."


    "I already have a dragon...but it''s a secret.."


    At these words his glasses fell off his nose, held on by a chain.


    He remained pensive...


    "And why don''t you call him?"


    ...


    "Well... you have your reasons... But don''t forget, the academy is also a refuge. No one, not even the king, has the right to raise a hand on a student. No nobleman either;


    "Thank you Master.."


    Saphie and Henri opened a door and ..2 dragonets came timidly towards them.


    A bond was forming between them.


    They went quietly into the back woods to meet their new friend.


    The others went through all the corners of the dungeon until they found the trap doors where the eggs were hidden.


    My friends couldn''t believe it.


    Others got dragons too, but my group had the most success.


    Then all the dragons lined up downstairs and I finally decided to go and see.


    It was chaos and the nobles were protesting. There was no way that non-nobles could have a dragon, but the rector was unperturbed.


    Blackthorne himself had moved and his face showed no expression.


    But he still looked disappointed in his elites.


    He grumbled, "Ungrateful beasts... you will pay for this in time.


    My friends ran to me! "We''ll be together again!"


    But his dragonet, which turned out to be a dragonette - (it was pink and had wings with feathers. It looked like a live Japanese cherry tree) - jumped into my arms and licked and reeled me in.


    "You''re sweet, you...!"


    The dragonette purred then fell asleep in my arms.


    "Here, Salphie... She is very nice. Take good care of her!"


    Saphie was jealous that her dragonette was attracted to me.


    Henri too, her dragonette (again!) wiggled and jumped on me and nibbled on my head. "You... you want to play..! It was yellow and full of scales but also had a stinger.


    "Be careful, my little girl. You promise not to hurt anyone?"


    She purred and then climbed back into Henry''s arms, but not without a little whimper.


    I was plastered with dragon saliva!


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    Then, a dozen dragonets jumped out of their master''s arms and ran towards me. Even juveniles


    Some were my size and others were bigger


    The humans were in a circle and didn''t know what to do or act. Some dragons were too big to be mastered by force. Moreover, they were not listening anymore.


    One of the dragons who was my size stood up to me like a jar and pulled my face back. She wanted to put her tongue right in my mouth! And she rubbed her chest against my chest. Luckily I was strong. But another one from behind grabbed my chest and squeezed. Her long neck arched over my head and she snarled at the first one and gave her horns a kick.


    Her muzzle was pressed against my lips and she forced her tongue into my mouth.


    I flinched and...I...got out.


    A third one pushed the group forward and I toppled over and the first one lay on top of me, her steerage getting excited on my bent knee. The other little ones were chirping and the next moment they were grunting and blowing their horns and tails. The dragons were fighting each other... never seen before!


    The humans and the girls were open-mouthed.


    I had to run and hide so that the young dragons could get their minds right.


    I was not disgusted, unlike the others, because I considered dragons as thinking beings like us and not as beasts.


    Then...the mages and organizers dispersed everyone and the ceremony turned into chaos and ended... with me in the principal''s office...


    I was embarrassed. My friends were laughing in the dining hall, groups coming and going. Everyone was talking about me... For discretion, it was a failure...


    Gamblin...he was looking out the window of his office and I was waiting, sitting on a bench, for my turn, in the corridor. I was not alone. Sylon was there.


    "You pig! It''s unnatural what you just did in front of everyone...letting yourself be touched by an animal, a reptile.... you must have gotten off on it..."


    I stood up and slammed into the wall right next to his head. The brick exploded, scratching the nobleman''s cheek.


    "How dare you raise your hand on a noble!!!"


    Me: "Your father is a baron. The title will be yours when he dies. For now you are nothing. You are nothing but future dragon shit because insulting them like that, one day they will settle your account!"


    he turned as he saw the impact.


    "Next time it will be an accident..."


    Sylon: "We''ll see... We''ll see who has the last laugh! We''re watching you and your family. I don''t know what you''re hiding, but I''ll find out one day."


    "My parents have weeded out scum like you in the past and make sure you watch your ass. Dragons hate nobles..."


    In the midst of this racket, the regent opened the door and heard my threats...


    "TORINNN! Apologize! On your knees!"


    Sylon laughed his head off as I got down on my knees to apologize.


    "I am sorry, Lord Sylon... My words have gone beyond my thoughts..."


    Sylon: "Lick my boot, you scoundrel!"


    I straightened up and turned my back on him... "You are noble only in title... because you are nothing..."


    Then he took his glove and slapped me twice. I did not flinch.


    My aura exploded and he stepped back... disturbed... afraid... this wave of hatred went through the whole academy and every human could feel my aura... almost palpable.


    He stepped back and left without telling the rector of his claim...No dragon wanted him and he was given a shadow one, on principle, given to him by Lord Blackthorne to his father.


    It was a monster, small but a wild beast. He too had felt my aura.


    As he walked out of the building to the fancy dormitories, dragons snarled at him and threatened him, and for the first time he was afraid.


    His dragon had plans for him....


    "TORIN!" Master Gamblin shouted...


    "What''s gotten into you???? Do you realize who he is?"


    I clenched my fists and looked at the ground but from the window, the "little" dragoness who had managed to kiss me, despite the collar of submission, was watching us.


    Once again, she had escaped from the dragon stable. They were actually free "prisoners" with a submission collar. They could go hunting but could not harm humans and had to obey them.


    And when they were called back, no matter how far away, the collar was there to remind them. And... as a result, the dragons stayed together, the older ones to watch over the younger ones and serve their human masters.


    But Rubyx had other plans, other ambitions and did not accept her condition... A rebel.


    She was considered by the trainers as a calculating, devious and surly "Rosse".


    She had already bitten several trainers "unintentionally" by diverting the collar of submission.


    She was a red with fiery eyes and everyone was looking for her but she was "there" without being there because she had climbed several floors with her "arms" and "legs" to spy on me.


    The idiots had not yet lifted their noses to see the young dragoness on the 2nd floor outside.


    The other dragons were a bit complicit and waved, admiring the courage of the little creature.


    When we say small, her hind legs were well developed, she was able to stand "upright" and balance with her tail like a raptor or a carnosaur, arching her neck backwards to have her head at the same level as a young human.


    With her neck not arched, standing on her hind legs, she reached 2m. but in the arched neck position, to see forward, it was about 1m70. She was quite a character.


    She didn''t miss a beat of the conversation and, unlike the other dragons, she tried to understand their language.


    She was 4 years old but her growth was normal for her species. As a teenager at 6, the growth doesn''t stop. As an adult, she will be at least 25 meters tall.


    "TORIN! Look at me when I talk to you... It is because I know your condition, and that your father is a hero. Another rector would have sent you away!"


    "But what did these nobles do when Mondain and Minax ravaged Britannia? Where were they?"


    Gamblin lowered his head and took me by the shoulder with a friendly pat...


    "I understand your resentment, but this is all a comedy drama. The good King Lord British cannot rule alone... he cannot solve the problems of the North and the South alone..And settle the disputes. The days are too short...


    Sylon''s father, Melak, led the soldiers to contain the monsters that were pouring out of the dungeons that were overpowered by the 3 calamities...Mondain, Minax and Exodus...., Yes, I know you are defending him...but the result was there and there were many lives to save. That''s why Valtrax didn''t take it out on us.


    We''ve seen that a lot around here lately, especially in Cove.


    Me: "You''re not going to hunt her, I hope!!!"


    "No, as long as she hasn''t broken our laws, we have no reason to hurt her.."


    "And you''re not going to try to subjugate her?"


    "Valtrax? She''s too smart...she''s not like some ''rosses''.


    Turning sharply and catching the dragoness in the act of spying.


    Our eyes met and she turned her head, as if embarrassed, and went back down the tower, whining.


    From below we could hear the caretakers shouting "There she is! What is she doing here? "


    then I heard the whip cracking


    "Come on!!! get inside... and faster than that!"


    Clack


    "Wiiii.." she whined..


    "Master Gamblin... why all the violence?"


    "You seem to really love dragons...but I don''t understand why the young beasts rushed at you..It''s senseless.."


    "I have some dragon blood in me..."


    He looked into my eyes and put down his glasses...


    "What do you mean? "


    "Dad told me that when I was born, my placenta was soaked in a broken egg. Before it stopped working, when my parents took me, I had to absorb some of the strength of a dragon.."


    He turned to the window, holding his beard in one hand and the other behind his back.


    With his hat, he looked like Merlin the magician.


    He turned around in the room and stared at me.


    "Yes... Yes... that explains a lot..."


    Then he stopped.


    "Your dragon... don''t tell me it''s..."


    "Yes... "


    "It incubated you while you were kidnapped?"


    I nodded.


    He closed his eyes and sighed.


    "Not a word. Never! Do you hear? Even to your friends. Do they know about Valtrax?"


    "No.."


    He breathed a sigh of relief..


    "But, master, she''s trying to tell me something but I can''t. We can''t talk to each other, but she''s super nice."


    He put his hands on my shoulders.


    "Look, Torin... It''s a devastating effect of the mystical arrow...Confusion, isolation...despair..It''s a corrupting arrow but it''s no longer active.."


    Then straightening his head..


    "But then you know the lair of Exodus!!! "


    I don''t know where it is but if it''s the shining blade, she gave it to me..


    "Brave beast... She knew. She tried to heal you. She saw the arrow too..."


    "So it wasn''t runes she was drawing. It was the arrow she wanted to break. That''s what she was carving in the ground!" I exclaimed


    Gamblin: "Ohh time flies...go eat quickly your comrades are waiting."

 Quite a character...

    Amon was visiting the academy to monitor the progress and military potential of the new recruits.


    The discussions were always courteous. Gamblin was also a high level nobleman, he didn''t say it but he was a Duke while Amon was "only" a Marquis. But very influential.


    "Master Gamblin, as every year, since its founding by our dear late Lord British..., the academy has always played an undeniable role in the development of our kingdom as well as securing the main inhabited areas."


    "Yes, this year we have some excellent recruits from Cove and Britannia City. Blood must have something to do with it, but these are the children of the old heroes... The gods supported the parents but now it''s the next generation."


    "It''s true that the same causes produce the same effects."


    Then he took back some candy from the desk without asking and Lords Gamblin poured him some coffee.


    "It''s excellent, this coffee..."


    "Yes, Lord Amon, it comes from an overseas production. His supply once a month, as crossing the dungeons is still too perilous."


    "Yes, you are correct. But did your studies on the cause of the reactivation of active labyrinths and dungeons teach you anything?"


    Gamblin reflected and took notes again.


    "The data we have is insufficient. The only progress is that the dragons are no longer influenced by these dungeons. They are no longer monsters but excellent companions..."


    Yes, but the official view and yours differ. For the kingdom, they are servile creatures who must serve Britannia and the kingdom. They are devoid of human intelligence. The only one who could claim to be intelligent was the monster Exodus. Here, aside from a probable telepathic link between a rider and his mount, I see nothing that contradicts the official version."


    "You are certainly right, but we should not underestimate these creatures. They are different from us and their interests are very different and the collars of submission certainly hinder their intellectual potential.


    But we should not also put the population at unnecessary risk with such weapons of war."


    "Master Gamblin, you know as well as I do Lord Blackthorne''s objectives..: Freeing the dungeons one by one to establish a permanent passage to the other side of the earth, and the dragons allied with the knights are the best solution so far."


    "The penetration of the dungeons with the dragons is undeniable."


    "You have a point, Lord. But these creatures are as noble as we are in nature and also in their value, rarity and let''s put it bluntly, they are irreplaceable as for Exodus. "


    "You talk about Exodus all the time but he was a bloodthirsty monster..."


    "I don''t mean to offend you, Master Amon, but I''m talking about their writing, any translation of the few works of their race that have reached us is impossible. It is a real part of our civilization that is missing."


    "It is not ours but theirs..."


    "I was talking about the Alcheringue and the megafauna. They were writing and building temples when we were not even apes yet... They knew the trenches, the mega elk, the furry mammoths, and many other things.


    They had a unique knowledge of the stars. A view from their world to ours. But all that is lost...."


    Amon: "Ahhh. the politician and the scientist... Two worlds apart..."


    Gamblin smiled.


    Amon put down his cup, finished and resumed:


    "To change the subject...


    According to our information network, we are a bit chagrined at the lack of support offered to our regent Lord Blackthorne by the soldiers of the previous generation. The nobility does not understand.


    Yet we provided the logistics and war effort to hold and keep the tactical advantages that the heroes had brought us.


    And also, our Lord Regent was Prime Minister and supported Lord British throughout our trials. "


    "I''m sorry about that, Lord Amon, but what does that have to do with the academy?"


    "I know you make no distinction between nobility and non-nobility among your students, which is a worthy cause in itself as we are under the watchful eye of the Gods, however, I would like to emphasize that we value the hard work and excellence of noble houses and families and that order and hierarchy are part of the very respect and foundation of our kingdom."


    "Don''t see what you''re getting at..."


    "I want to say that respect for tradition and order are a priority in the education of young recruits. They are the elite in a way, and they must act in good conscience. They must remind the world by their actions that the nobility is the foundation of the kingdom, which would be nothing without it. Without it, there would be chaos and humanity would end up as cattle or game for demons."


    Gamblin gritted his teeth. The message was courteous but like a piece of iron in a leather glove. It was a warning that the heroes were under close scrutiny and that any deviation or rebellion would be judged and put down.


    Amon: "I heard that one of your students disrupted the sacred calling ceremony and that some dragons were disturbed."


    Gamblin: "Yes, it was the entire team that was chosen by the dragons and the eggs. The heroes had blessings from the gods as well as their children. This means that the gods had something to do with it. The dragons being very sensitive to the sacred and the virtues, some wanted to try their luck. Humans also have this kind of behavior in case of competition."


    Amon: "At least I learned something..."


    Gamblin: "That''s why the academy obeys its divine system and is an institution independent of politics or human movements. Basically, the students are under the protection of the Ankh symbolizing the 8 virtues.


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    No law or order can derogate from this. Not even from our Lord Blackthorne.


    Amon: "But by talking like that, don''t you fear a conflict with our Regent?"


    The Rector laughed. That is why our good King Lord British made certain institutions untouchable. We have our own code of law and they are above the codex legit of Britannia.


    Besides, being a duke myself and a high nobleman, only a king could remove me. Not a regent.


    Amon had a murderous rage but hid it well.


    "Master Gamblin, I''m sorry to have pressed you with these mundane matters but, I didn''t expect any justifications from you, but, behind me, there are a significant number of people asking me questions and it goes without saying that due to my position, I must be accountable."


    The regent of the academy sensed the snake in Amon... Yet he would have lowered his guard in the face of so much understanding and candor, but all he could see was an executioner dancing with his axe, hoping to try it out as soon as possible.


    After an exchange of courtesies, the night began to settle in and my friends had taken their new companions and eggs back with them to the dormitory.


    I was lying on my back in my bed in a new, much larger room.


    In this room there were several beds, several desks, a library and a bathroom for washing ourselves and our things, as well as a stall.


    The room was communal and connected by a long hallway to the stables downstairs.


    The goal was to solidify our bonds with each other and with our new friends.


    Jim had a little black dragonet. When he was very small, we had put a little pen next to the bed and straw, but in the first few weeks, it was a newborn''s job to keep him going. He would be specialized as a "Tank" warrior. Strong, wearing heavy armor and carrying a large shield.


    Saphie had her dragonette sleeping in her arms, her head resting on her shoulder. She would hone her skills as a ranger or scout. A tracker warrior specializing in small arms, daggers and bows.


    Henry also had his dragonette, and a leather scabbard was placed on the end of her tail.   Although sweet and adorable, the stinger was a formidable weapon and even more dangerous than an adult''s.


    Indeed, as snakes like young cobras, they are the most dangerous because they do not know yet how to dose the injection, the quality and especially the quantity of venom. An adult snake will always keep its venom in case of vital danger and will generally inject only a small part of it or not at all when biting in defense or intimidation.


    A youngster will not make this distinction. All or nothing and it is sometimes fatal!


    Henri will specialize in negotiations, messaging and defusing traps and infiltration. To avoid saying burglar, we''ll say ninja. He has a dragon''s egg, which will certainly be like him. Slender and built for stealth. A dragon of darkness.


    Manu, not surprisingly, will develop his skills to become a cleric, even though he is already level. We don''t know what his dragon will be but it will be metallic.


    Cedric loves books and anything to do with magic, an elementalist, as does Beth but a summoner, calling upon spirits.


    Their skills as well as Manu''s would be essential to hit or eliminate spectral monsters.


    And me... Warrior of course, but I also needed healing and offense spells. I wanted to become a Warlord! To be able to summon magical beasts to fight by my side...


    Slowly the words gave way to whispers and the candles were extinguished one after the other.


    I thought about the future adventures that awaited us and also prayed to my friend Voltrax. She was a nice dragoness and I already missed her after 2 days...


    All these emotions made me tired and the next day would be a hard one. The official start of the school year, the distribution of classes.


    But the dragonnerie had priority on the rest.


    For my friends, chosen by dragons, it was now logical that they follow the courses at the dragonnerie.


    Of course, the days without classes, they had to spend in their respective classes.


    But that night, something slithered like a snake into our section. Silently, the shadow was very careful not to touch anything or make any noise to accomplish its feat.


    In the dark, just lit by a small candle left as a night light, the shadow spotted my bed and slithered over it, silently.


    I didn''t know but I was suddenly very hot and my breathing was a bit difficult but I could sleep comfortably.


    I dreamed of mom tucking me in and then, like a nightmare, I remembered the red dragon...


    It was 5 o''clock in the morning and the sun was slowly starting to shine.


    And my attention was drawn by guards and caretakers with howling dogs.


    "She must have run this way. The dogs spotted her trail!"


    "Yes, the orb indicates that the rosse is here!"


    I wanted to get up but it was impossible.


    I had in front of me beautiful eyes of fire that implored me...


    It took me a long time to realize that the dragoness who had kissed me had crept in through the window and had slipped onto my bed,


    She had slept against me, her front paw on my chest and her head against mine.


    She woke me up from my torpor by licking my face again and rubbing her cheeks against mine...


    I straightened up without violence and she moaned and grabbed my arm with her 2 front paws to put it against her heart.


    I caressed her crest with my other hand.


    "You are nice, you... Why do you want to stay near me?"


    She tried to grumble something... "Torrrrrrrinnnnssssss"


    "A talking dragon!!!" cried Cedric...!


    Me : "You are the famous Rubix!!!... I like your nerve and your frankness .... Would you like to become my friend?"


    The others said "Their" dragon as if to possess them, as if to possess a mount that was trained, but I respected their difference, as for Milo... who was first a friend.


    The door was magically forced open and a mage with a guard rushed into our chambers.


    The guard had a staff with a lasso.


    "Animals don''t belong here except for eggs and dragons!


    This is your last escape you Rosse!... you''re going to see the nice Amon and his mines in the other world!... come on without making a fuss."


    The dragoness sat behind me. She was a bit smaller than me when she wasn''t standing up...


    "MMM MMM MERCY!!!!!!"


    The mage sadistically pressed the orb and she writhed in pain.


    "wIIIIII WIIIIIIIWIIIIIIII" And lightning bolts shot out from her neck. It must have been some kind of ultra-painful taser.


    Rage rose in me.


    I ripped the collar of submission from her neck and it opened in two and I put it back around the mage''s neck and he let go of the orb and I shot it.


    The mage was knocked out by a ball of lightning.


    While the guard had already put the rope around the neck of the dragoness and thought to push me aside. A child wouldn''t be a match for them, but my muscleman stature decided otherwise.


    I gave them a terrible right that lifted them up and propelled them through the door and they stopped smashed against the opposite wall


    "Go say hello to Wilmet for me!"


    The dragoness was still squealing with pain in her neck.


    A second guard entered and was kicked and went to meet the first.


    Two more arrived and tasted my fists.


    My comrades treated the men on the ground and also the dragoness who was screaming in fear and terror, then she stood up on her hind legs and took the same posture as me, fists clenched with her front legs.


    2 other guards rushed in and Rubix did the same and another volley of guards were knocked out.


    Hot crescents!


    Then, looking at the dragoness, I made a check.!!!


    "You''re a quick study!"


    With the commotion, all the guards had been knocked out.


    Gamblin arrived...


    and saw the carnage.


    I was with Rubix side by side...


    Gamblin : "What''s this racket! And what is the ross doing here?"


    Me "It''s not the ross! She is my friend! Rubix!"


    Gamblin: "This is no place for a dragon. They must be in the stable and this one must go to the mines. She is untamable... buts.... But be careful!!! SHE DOESN''T HAVE HER COLLAR SHE WILL KILL US ALL!!!"


    The mage was starting to throw shields at the students.


    I took the dragoness style. And I showed my back to the rector to shield the creature with my body.


    "Rubix is a student!!! She walks on 2 legs!


    "Show him, Rubix!!!"


    I put her down and,, She was shaking but managed to stand on her 2 big legs.


    "She is my friend and my dragon obviously she wants to stay close to me. If I have to pay, I''ll pay from my salary but Rubix stays here."


    Against all odds, she growled "TORrrrrrinnnnn!!!"


    The rector was seized...


    But Rubix poured out his heart in tears and fear...


    "Yes... I promise... no one will be mean to you anymore! I know I can trust you..."


    Gamblin did not know what to say. This was beyond his knowledge. A dragon showing signs of intelligence. Or maybe the dragoness was motivated but seemed to like me unnaturally.


    "Rubix will sleep with us..."


    My other classmates were shocked and terrified to sleep with a dragon without security...but they were my friends and they supported me.


    Gamblin: "Good thing you took care of the guards...what a crazy story..."


    Then he slammed the door shut and lifted those still protesting on the floor from the ground.


    "OH. Shut up or I''ll have your names published in the kingdom for being pummeled by a 13 year old..."


    "But, lord..."


    "They practice... and you drink!!!! that''s the result! You should be fired for incompetence"


    Rubix got down on his knees and licked my feet.


    "That''s it Rubix... It''s over. No one will hurt you anymore! This is your home!"


    She looked at me and suddenly jumped on my neck.


    She wanted to make me fall on the bed and climb on me!


    "RUBIX!" shouted Saphie and Beth! You are a dragoness and Torin is a human! Then the dragoness put her paw in front of her face and started to cry like a little baby.


    She was still very young and human-sized on her hind legs.


    I picked her up and held her by her front paws.


    "Listen... Rubix... I know how you feel but if you want to keep your freedom and stay with us you''ll have to do exactly as we say... ok?"


    The dragoness stopped crying and she nodded her head.


    "Do you understand everything we say?"


    She nodded.


    "Good. Then, in human society, if you want to be considered half-human, we''ll dress you up. "


    Beth and Saphie then picked out fabrics and gave Rubix a poncho and a little skirt.


    Then they put gaiters on her legs and some jewelry on her horns.


    Immediately, the dragoness looked more human.


    Me :  "So, rule number one: You don''t blow and you NEVER hurt a human being.  Especially you!  This will be an excuse to put you back in the stables.


    Then, the needs...It''s not in the middle of the room...but in the latrine...


    Do you understand?"


    She was still crying and reached out her arms to wrap around my neck. she had a serious lack of affection...


    The day was filled with preparing the dragoness for a human life.

 An explosive encounter

    In the morning, Rubix was told about common sense and the fact that she had to behave as a thinking and responsible being.


    Animal impulses were over!


    I took her front paw.


    "Look. You have claws but also fingers. You have to learn to hold things without breaking them and no longer put them down in the dirt and mud."


    She listened to me very carefully.


    "Here it is. A stool. You sit on it and not on the ground...Yes, yes, I know you''re going to grow up but we have plenty of time and considering the size of your back legs, now we''ll say legs!"


    OK.


    Father Damien''s runic plates with pictures were brought out.


    "Here is a slate. Do not break it and do not press too hard. "


    A sponge. Water and a lead.


    "Otherwise use your claw and copy the symbols. You will have to repeat the letters out loud every morning".


    We made her  a leather bag with her writing tablet and a book with pictures for children. Then I had an idea.


    It was hard for her. Very hard.


    "Come on, get up!"


    She stood up and tilted forward a little.


    "You have to use your tail as a balance, not as a support or you''ll get hurt!"


    Cedric cast a music spell and I took Rubix by the hand and we began to sway to the beat.  One step forward.  One step back, one step to the side... turn around. jump!


    We had to get out of the way or else everything would be blown away with her red tail.  Then the music slowed down and Rubix put her front paws on my back, squeezing me like a lover and closed her eyes, and slow danced with me.


    Then the music started again and we jumped faster and faster.  She loved it. The music was driving her crazy.


    But Saphie and Beth were jealous.  I had never come so close to another creature.


    "See... when you want! You can walk like us... Now think about the music and beat the rhythm!"


    Then it was physical training with the students. The groups were each in their corner and Rubix was a little hidden by a cape.


    Jim gave me a check and I gave Rubix a check.


    "Come on! run! you have to strengthen the muscles here... Here we run! we don''t fly!"


    We jogged and little by little the dragon caught up with us but had to stop in front of our endurance.


    It was the characteristic of the man: He was enduring and could exhaust any other animal, except the horses.  Slowly, every day, she progressed, started to say dead people like a child and deciphered the signs and symbols written in children''s books.


    It was hard because it was also catching up, but we supported her.  At night she slept at my feet, refusing to go to another bed.


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    Often, at night, she would climb onto my bed and lie against me.  I was embarrassed to death, but little by little I saw a person and not a dragon anymore.


    The dragons remained... animals... even though we tried the same program as for Rubix. The lunar door opening once a month, I could go back to my parents on leave and what a surprise it was for them when I came back with Rubix.


    Ragul was surprised to see Rubix... she was the spitting image of Exodus!


    Ragul : "My little Torin... Every time I see you, I have the impression that you are growing..."


    Rubix was covered and dressed with a cape and a skirt and decorations...


    Ragul : "Hello Miss...."


    "Rubixxxxxx" she hissed."Hissr Fathhhsserrr!" she tried to pronounce with her forked tongue.


    Esme looked at the dragoness and then at her husband...


    "She speaks!!!"


    Rubix : "Yessssss, Hllloo Essssme...mummyyyy"


    I was surprised myself. Rubix wanted me to recognize her as a member of the family.... and it was only natural that it happened.  I squeezed her shoulders.


    "Rubix is trying very hard to be like us... But she''s a real pal!"


    Esme saw her walking like us in bipedal fashion but she was very scared... she didn''t have a submission collar!  Mom looked me in the eyes, pointing discreetly at Rubix''s empty neck..


    I answered with a smile and caressed the neck of the dragoness who put her head against my heart and purred.


    "Ehhh, Rubix, I know you are nice but..."


    "rroonn and roooonnn and ronnnn!"


    I did not insist. Tenderness being rare in this world...Mom calmed down but looked at her husband and Saphie''s eyes that spoke volumes of jealousy, eyes crying...We enjoyed a good meal as a family and we set up a room for Rubix next to mine, I refused straw or anything else for a mount.


    Rubix was not a mount even if in the future I was called to climb on her.  But in the evening, I heard a whistle... Valtrax!


    I rushed over with a souvenir gift, some alcohol and a large honeycomb of bee honey still in its wax. A delight, especially when warmed in the mouth of a dragon where the honeycomb immediately liquefied like a praline in the mouth.


    Rubix of course followed me and held me by the arm, terrified.  Just by the smell alone, she knew what we were getting into.A  nd, at the sight of the shack she began to crawl on all fours.


    "NO! Get up... Rubix... I have to introduce you to my best friend.."


    At these words, a small hint of jealousy stung the dragoness, letting her escape a sob.  Everything was dark and the forest was silent. And... As a veil fell behind our back...


    "SQUEEEEEK!" said Rubix, turning and falling flat on her face.


    I didn''t have time to react as Valtrax had her front paw crushing the dragoness and she looked at me smiling but also a little jealous.


    I dropped to my knees. "Valtrax, Lord Valtrax... don''t kill her... she is trying to learn and raise the level of dragons..., she is my friend..."


    Valtrax began to laugh loudly and it was like a wild roar.  Rubix was crying and pleading with Valtrax.  The dragoness Valtrax was well 15 times the size of Rubix who was, in fact, just a baby dragon, a dragonette, more towards the teens but still a child.


    Valtrax tried to speak in draconic growls to Rubix.  She should understand...Faced with an all-powerful lord, the dragonette didn''t dare move... Valtrax could take a bite out of her...SNiff SNiff.


    Then Valtrax licked Rubix and raised her head.


    Valtrax : "MMMhh Rubix..... You have the blood of Exodus in you... very little but still.  Who is your mother???""


    The little dragoness squeaked, unable to say anything.


    "Ah, I see, you were brought up in a dragonnerie... Did they treat you well?"


    She shook her head, saying no.


    "TOrrrinn.... Torriiinnnn..."


    She was scared and called out to me for help.  I had my hand on Valtrax''s claw to get her to release the small red dragon.


    Valtrax: "I see that you don''t have the submission collar anymore??? So be very, very careful what you do..... If anything happens to Torin because of you, you know me..."


    "Whhhhiiii Yesiiiiii!"


    I couldn''t understand anything Valtrax was saying, but Rubix was responding in common and I understood what she was saying.  Obviously, Valtrax was aware of this and it amused her.


    "Rubix...do you know who I am???"


    "Whiii your majesty... yoursstre Divinity...."


    I was confused...


    "Well, who is Torin to you??? What do you want from him? Why do you stick to him?"


    Rubix : "I sssssssssssssed... please... I love Torrrin...I love...Me!!! Torin partnerrrrre Rrrrubix....!!!"


    I had caught a few words but I was shocked... Rubix would be in love with me???  That was insane....!   But I was not shocked.   Her attitude of making an effort to be human was attractive and when I looked at her, it was true that she was a beautiful creature.   But to make her a wife, there was still a way to go. I wouldn''t mind but ....


    When she is the size of Valtrax, what will become of me?  Will I have to climb into her mouth to kiss her?


    It was heartbreaking. Because I also loved Rubix a little bit. If she kept this size, yes, she could have become more than a friend but being huge, flying on my wife''s back???


    Come on...But there is nothing to prevent love affairs. We are young and we have to take life in our stride.


    Valtrax withdrew her paw and the dragoness threw herself on me, crying with fear.


    "Yesiiinnn feaarr!!!! Torrrrinnnnn ...Ruuuuubixx to littleuuurrrr from mommy Torrrin......"


    Mom???


    What did she mean...?


    Ah, yes my dragon blood...


    Then Valtrax stretched her wing so that Rubix could climb and I did the same.  The dragoness was embarrassed and wondered why??? She could fly... but not as well as Valtrax.


    Then cooked preys were prepared in the ice dragon''s den and a big portion at that.


    Valtrax knew in advance... that the dragoness was coming.

 The blade of brilliance.

    Valtrax and Rubix had put themselves in a dry corner of the den and she let me "play" with treasure chests with scrolls and grimoires as well as many items set in gems and gold.


    There was a national treasure here and that was just the part she gave me to keep me busy.


    I could hear roars and grunts that I didn''t understand but the 2 dragons were in the middle of a "discussion".


    Meanwhile, I was looking at the warlord''s grimoires and I realized that it was the treasure and the notes of Exodus.   A treasure among treasures.  But the gold didn''t really interest me.


    In the meantime:


    Rubix: "Goddess Valtrax. It is an honor to serve you...."


    "My child... I see that you love Torin very much... but is it Torin that you love or what he is?"


    The question was treacherous and deep.  The young dragoness did not have the subtlety of her elder


    "You''re not going to eat me? I slept against Torin..."


    "HAHAHA... My little one...I''m not jealous but Torin hasn''t understood anything and he can''t.  He''s hurt...And it''s my fault...."


    You can speak his language and that''s a feat. I feel that you have noble dragon blood like Exodus.


    You are not a descendant but let''s say... a cousin...


    Exodus certainly had brothers and sisters and it is rare that there is only one brood...I want you to learn as much as you can and humanize yourself as much as possible. You are a dragoness and you will remain one, but Torin will one day undergo an abominable ordeal.  He can''t stay that way, but his healing will be devastating and he''ll need you more than ever.


    You will be the only one to support him and I count on you to never abandon him.


    It will be hard my child but I will always be there to protect and support you. There are forces at work and take advantage of your youth to have happy moments.


    Afterwards, there will be no turning back...


    Rubix: "What if one day I carry eggs from him?"


    Valtrax looked back at her. "Don''t worry my child...."


    Rubix : "But there are two humans who want to marry him...!"


    Valtrax : "He has dragon blood and he will know how to choose. Trust me... but concubinage also exists in our house... I was not the only wife of Exodus. The others perished but don''t worry. Sometimes we are happy that he has concubines...And there is nothing like a blood tie to look after each other. But, you must know what you want, Rubix...This is the blade of Brilliance. I can''t use it, but it''s a very powerful artifact that can heal Torin or open the door to Thor, the ultimate dragon. This is Exodus'' child... and my child too.  He has been sealed with this dagger. When Torin is a true dragon rider, he must be sacrificed to the dagger to free Thor.  In the meantime, this is your mission.   Protect Torin no matter what. You can love him. The dagger just needs to be driven in. Torin will surely survive it. It''s designed to liberate but not to kill."


    Then the dragons came back to eat with me.  I didn''t get it, but Rubix was in high spirits.  But she didn''t understand everything Valtrax was telling her. She was too young, too small.


    Rubix: "TOrrrrrin... valtrrrraxxxxx loveeerrrr you very much...."


    I smiled and hugged my friend...


    Rubix : "Torrin not understand.... Valtrax.... mom Torin!!! "


    I don''t get it!!!


    Rubix: "Valtrax not jealous!"


    and Rubix grabbed me and belted me in surprise and kissed me!  She quickly pulled back out of fear.  And Valtrax was lying smiling!


    I started to cry...Valtrax Rubix... those dragons were crazy!


    I was afraid knowing that my life depended on them now.


    "Valtrax... I want to go home!"


    Their smile faded and they left me hanging.  They looked at me sadly and went to the bottom of the cave, jumping and flying over an underground lake with frozen water... basically.


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    There I was, standing there like a leek.  Valtrax looked defeated.


    "You see, Rubix... There''s no point in rushing... He doesn''t understand anything, but it''s the fault of the arrow that makes him confused and rejects things.This is dangerous and could make him make bad decisions...You have to be careful with this, otherwise I want you to be my eyes and ears in the academy.  You are the hope of our race... Look at me... I''m huge and I can''t speak properly... but you, you have something of Exodus.


    And a dragons advice: don''t impose your love on Torin...let him come to you.   Learn from the humans, learn their charm, and he will come to you.


    Forget that you are a dragoness and fight!  Love is a battle without mercy.  Worse and more unfair than war. I had to fight to win my male''s heart.   Now it''s your fight!"


    Rubix: "Thank you mother and Goddess!"


    Valtrax let out a tear.


    Rubix: "Mother? "


    Valtrax : "When I see you, it''s me at your age but don''t miss the essential things. Don''t forget what I told you."


    Valtrax then gave the blade of brilliance to Rubix.


    "Follow your heart. "


    Rubix knelt down as she received the precious artifact and tucked it into her leather sace from the academy.  She flew away and landed near me.


    Rubix, in common : "I''m sorry...but I love you too much!..."


    I understood then that Rubix had a very big heart and that the emotions are sometimes difficult especially when we change of way of life, that we pass from fantastic animal to half-human citizen...


    I stroked her cheek and kissed her on the side."I love you too Rubix..."


    I wanted to say "but"


    but I stopped myself. It was too soon, too fast and I was confused.  My heart was beating but my chest hurt.   And in that moment, I could discern the pain of an arrow buried deep within my being.


    Love was like a tongue finding a hole or a flaw between its teeth.  And here, I was discovering in myself that I had something broken.  Valtrax arrived and she motioned to Rubix to translate.


    "Torin, we love you no matter what your decision or choices are. Rubix is going to fly and we are going to chase her!"


    She has to train too!  We arrived then near a bamboo field and I cut spears.  Rubix also cut spears and she had to touch me and I had to touch her.


    Valtrax would be guided by me, blindfolded. (But even blindfolded, with her senses, she could still "see".)


    I was crazy with joy.


    Valtrax was starting to fly properly but here, it was a fight!


    We gave her a 1 minute head start and she had some bamboo (not sharp) and I had the same.  Quickly, Valtrax spotted her but did not show any movement.


    I said "Go ahead, go, right, left" but Rubix was hidden!


    Valtrax: "Spot it by smell!"


    The dragoness complied and looked up behind me.


    Like a ninja who had already infiltrated my room, she had pinned herself to a rock wall, knowing that Valtrax would land there, given her size.  Quickly Valtrax whistled to warn me and Tchak!


    A bamboo went to "lodge" in my thigh. It bounced off but the pain was enough to remind me that I had been hit by a "spear" from the opponents.


    Then it was round 2.


    Rubix used her small size to sneak between the rocks and along the sides of the ravines.  She was fast... very fast for her size.  And... by the end, I had bruises...and...more bamboo...


    Rubix won every time...Except that she was a dragon, she would make an excellent knight(re).


    My legs were on fire and Valtrax left not without giving me an affectionate lick.  We both laughed and walked back down from the cabin.


    Rubix got dressed and like two buddies, we arrived while singing and whistling at the house where a good meal awaited us all 2.


    Finally 6 becauseIn addition to Esme and Ragul, there were Saphie and Beth.  They were angry that I went for a walk alone with Rubix.


    Me: "Rubix, look... they are angry because they are jealous.."


    Rubix : "Parrrrrrdonnn""


    "No, Rubix, that''s great. It''s because they see you as a person!"


    Rubix : "Ah... "then, she approached Sapphie and put her front paw (hand) on his: "Parrrrrrdon SSSSSSSaffffffie Rubissssx, friend ssssafffie... Rubixxx friend Beth..."


    Saphie then stood up and took Rubix against her heart...


    "You are our friend...now..."


    The little dragonette jumped from Saphie''s lap to play with Rubix...We looked at the dragoness and she was signaled that yes and she could take on Saphie''s little one.


    They played catching each other''s tails and then the dragonette fell asleep and Rubix gave her back to Sapphie.


    "She ssssuper Sweet!"


    And, meanwhile, Valtrax''s eyes glowed in her den.


    "I hope you make the right choice, Rubix..."


    Indeed, without knowing it, young dragons were put to the test by their ancestors, a bit like a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood.  And the dagger was no exception.  The test was terrible.  To choose to love as you are and accept yourself or to love what you would like me to be?


    These were difficult choices. Then in the evening, Rubix wanted to sleep at the foot of my bed but Esme said: The girls on the first floor and Torin on the second floor!"


    Rubix grumbled but without protesting, she went to join the 2 friends. But soon, she discovered the happiness of having friends and confidants. I had difficulty to sleep after the good meal and I went out in front of the house, looking at the moon.


    Sometimes I thought that if I had wings I would be able to land on it, but I was awakened from my slumber by Daddy, who came to sit with me on the threshold of the house.


    "You too, can''t you sleep?"


    Ragul : "When I was your age, I also had a lot of questions and girls started to attract me. Their bodies, their secrets, their differences, what made them happy and their company fun.


    We live in a hard time and you saw that others had to endure even worse than you... "


    And he nodded his head upwards.


    "You mean Rubix..."


    Ragul :" I know what they do to rebel dragons...


    They saw off their wings... You saved this unfortunate girl but the last thing she needs from you is to feel sorry for her.   Consider her a person and not a dragon even if one day you have to ride her.


    But personally, I find it humiliating for the dragon. It shows them that their almost extinct species only owes its salvation to being raised like cattle.


    One day they will rebel and ... be slaughtered to the last man... Rubix included."


    I didn''t know what to say in response, then a wolf was heard howling at the moon and Dad resumed


    "Beth, Saphie and other girls... Rubix is one too. I''ve seen her and if you like any of them... I''ll be happy. Even if it''s Rubix!   Well, I say one, but concubines are good, but you have to follow and assume!"


    And he finished his sentence with a pat on my back...and..all things considered.... I went back up to bed.  Meanwhile, in the girls'' room...


    Beth "So Rubix... We misjudged you because you are tall like us but you are a younger child than us.... We should have been your big sisters... forgive us..."


    Rubix: "Parrrdooonn... forrrcing love  Torrrin not think"


    Saphie took the dragoness by her paw.  Show me your hand.   Look at my nails... always very clean!A


    nd Saphie took a manicure set and started to clean the dried skins of the molts and inclusions in the talons.


    Then she polished them for her. "You see, how much more beautiful it is!!!"


    Indeed, the talons shone while being polished.  Then Rubix lay on her belly and spread her wings.


    Beth asked her  what it was like to be a dragoness but was interrupted by Sapphie who showed her back studded with blows and whip marks...


    Rubix sobbed..."Hit Rubix... Hit hit hit hit again and again...Rubix nothing hurt not human bite...Rubix cry more hit!"


    When Sapphie saw the back hidden by the wings she had tears and hugged her friend.


    "I''m sorry for all the bad things we did to you..."


    Rubix : "Ssssaphie not mean. Ssssaphie not hit Rubix..."


    Beth, who had some druidic knowledge, took a jar from her bag.


    "It''s a regenerating balm... we''re going to rub it on Rubix and heal her ..."


    The dragoness trembled with fear at the touch, but Saphie''s caresses and Beth''s massage with medicinal oil reassured her and did her a world of good.  Gently the product penetrated her skin between the bruised scales and the broken tissues slowly returned to their place.


    A true friendship was born between the girls and Rubix''s wagging tail betrayed her joy.


    As the night wore on, Rubix looked at the blade and thought to herself.


    "I''m not going to stick this thing in Torin..."


    And she put the dagger back in her bag and fell asleep, covering her 2 new friends with her wings.

 Horror

    After all these events, I was still disturbed.


    I had my mom, my dad and a bit of Valtrax?


    My strength would come from my contamination but Rubix had insinuated the doubt. So if I followed the logic of Valtrax, my father would be Exodus?


    But I am human. I don''t have scales, I don''t have slit eyes and I have hair and I''m almost an adult human...The translation... over and over again but I felt like a chasm inside me...


    A chalk hit my face and brought me out of my meditations


    "TORIN Since you seem to know and your friend Rubix seems lost in my class... why don''t you come and explain a little about the history of heroes to our recruits...


    How Shepard became the avatar that pacified all of Britannia with the Lord British Avenue?


    Come on down... rubix and Torin... our two champions... (Laughs)."


    "HUH????"


    Saphie, Beth and my buddies were laughing.. We''ll see Musclor explain Britannia in his own way...We were at Neuville''s heckled class.


    He was always grumbling and always got the wrong student for punishment.  With his poor eyesight, it was off to the right once, to the left once and it was a mess every time.


    Half the class didn''t care about the teacher and didn''t listen.


    They copied the notes.  But Rubix was scared to death.  It was a rare privilege for her to be accepted.


    That night, she had left her bed in the girls'' dormitory and come to me.  But Amon was in the doorway, an iron rope in hand.  A mage accompanied him and placed a sphere of silence, and purple scents filled the room.


    Everyone was asleep and Rubix was paralyzed with fear.


    The rope magically wrapped around her muzzle and she could do nothing to free herself.


    Her hands and paws were weak. The spell of weakness had been cast on her and she was pulled out of the dormitories.


    The pain of the wires digging into her scales and squeezing her snout deprived her of air through a noose.


    Chains magically appeared on her hands and paws.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Amon: "Who do you think you are... A human dragon? A halfling?


    No... you''re a Rosse! A rebellious dragoness and you''re going where you should have gone a long time ago: To the ruins of Covetous... to the gem and salt mines."


    Please... Please Lord Amon.... I will do anything..."


    But she received a blow in the stomach.


    "A dragon is four-legged! And he doesn''t talk!"


    She was dragged to the front of the stables and a farrier came and put a bit on the dragoness


    "Nann please not Chha..HHHR HRRRR"


    Rubix could not speak and the chain from her legs was tied around her neck to force her to walk on all fours.  She was crying and trying to call out to Torin.


    "O INNNN OUU RRR" (Torin help!!! to me!!!)  A kick sent her to the side and the horrible marshal came in with a red-hot iron.


    "COVETOUS MINE"


    in large and in a banner.Flesh burned and Rubix screamed in pain... indescribable pain....She was marked forever....


    Then he drove stakes into the ground and attached chains to the limbs of the dragon and took a saw...Two helpers grabbed Rubix''s wing and the iron met the flesh, bones and tendons.


    In a few seconds, Rubix, taken of an unimaginable pain saw her 2 beautiful wings cut and without life.  Blood was spurting and she was bleeding from the mouth, her tongue bruised by the pain.


    Then the red iron to cauterize...


    Amon "Where you''re going, the wings will get in the way and you''ll die!"


    Broken, she was in a ball...


    Amon: "Load this..."Then a shadow and Torin shouted "


    I was too late...poor Rubix...Forgive me!"


    and he hit Amon on the ground.Then Rubix was loaded in a cart and she fell.... From the bed...It was another one of her nightmares.


    She jumped on my neck again and cried and sobbed.  I had to console her and take her back to her bed like a little girl.


    But she had peed in it... the terror...Saphie, Beth and I washed the mess but Rubix was embarrassed and panicked.


    Several nights in a row, we were tired and to follow in class without falling asleep was a challenge. We went to see a cleric and find out how to help Rubix...


    To have as "patient" a dragoness was exiting for Manu and his teacher.  Then he explained me that Rubix was a being of transition. Human teenager in the head, a baby dragon body, borderline juvenile and a cruel past, it didn''t help.


    And as with all children, we ended up giving in and leaving the dragoness''s mattress against my bed. That way she could hold my hand or touch me when the nights of terror hit her again.


    She was forbidden to go drinking just before sleeping and had to go to the latrine just before.


    Manu, then cast the cleric spell "Soothing" before she went to sleep and it began to pay off.


    But Manu had also found the likely source of her nightmares through internal conflicts and heartbreak.


    As a child, she was subjected to horrible choices.  So we were on the board like two pigeons and didn''t know where to start.


    It was funny to see the red dragoness hiding behind me. At least not for me and certainly not for her.


    "Alright, stay up for the duration of the class. Rubix, this way I''m sure you''ll have learned your lesson and .Then he began: "


    After the defeat of Exodus by the hero Shepard but also the terrible Mondain and Minax, There were terrible earthquakes and it was like the end of the world of Sosaria... Three quarters of the world were swallowed up and found themselves on the other side of the dungeons. The cities were in ruins. Tsunamis razed dungeons, castles and crops but out of all this mess our good Lord British reunited all these lands and the land as we know it is now called Britannia.  The corruption due to the triad, the denials and the collaborators, they too had survived and the population was lost, unable to take charge of itself and that is when the system of virtues was created.  And that''s what we''re still looking for now, a hero who can be in balance with the eight virtues who would become an Avatar...


    As opposed to Thor, the destroyer...This system does not come from our world but from Shepard''s world which means


    "the shepherd..."


    the one who was a model for us. It was based on the code system of chivalry under King Arthur and Camelot in his world.  But a protagonist, a hero accompanying Shepard showed up. He is and still is a hero but also an Avatar of the Eight Virtues.  And he is closer to you than you think. Yet he is the one who brought back the Codex of Infinite Wisdom, which was able to put a definitive end to the dark ages.


    Rubix collapsed like a child of heart at the mass...exhausted of boring stories...We left under the general laughter.

 You are not alone

    At the next moon, I flew with Valtrax alternatively with Rubix who was riding on her.


    Once alone, once with two people and she showed me beautiful places as always. Rubix was translating for me and had become like a sister to me, a little sister.


    "You know. Torrrrin...Mama Valltrrraxsss loves you very much... She has been looking for you for years... You can''t imagine. "


    I stroked Valltrax''s neck, my dragon friend...


    "Valtrax is trying to tell you that there has been an accssident... arrrrow sssir darrrkkk aiiiim mom. Mama fleee You coughssche plassse mama...You fell brrrrrek eggf ssssurviving human...."


    "Rubix...what are you talking about??"


    "Verrrity...Valltrax heartbroken you wounded...found mutilated...."


    I stroked Valtrax. I couldn''t accept the impossible...But one thing was for sure, these dragons adored me more than anything. They were family to me now.


    Rubix: "Torrrin...Exodus blood....Rubix sanf Exodus..... Rubix cushion Torrrin... Rubix love Torrin life..."


    And I could feel her breath on my back and her heart beating against mine...


    But Rubix was careful not to force her love. She respected me.Then Valtrax came to her den and game was prepared for us and even a pig was braised and roasted!


    She brought a book to Rubix


    "My dear, this is a simple human grimoire... of no value to us but will be of great value to you. Inside, there are the basics that you will have to learn.  And... the most important of all: Shield followed by enlargement and reduction.... Do you know what it means??? .............You will be able to keep your human size even if you keep growing to become a giant... Basically... Everything to be happy...There is even to take semi-human form or you can hide your wings and tail... but it''s a very high level and you have to master the basic of the basic...You would have magic missile, fireball, electric grip, lightning and useful magic like wash, wash, water purification, opening, stealth, and lots of useful little spells. But as you have a lot to catch up on and I see that you are struggling a lot, here is an introduction book to magic with pictures.


    But you''re having a hard time and that''s normal and cruel for you...So, just before you read this introductory book, you will use this scroll. It is a parallel thinking scroll. Basically it will make your brain work 4 times faster, as if you were 2 dragons in 1.


    You will be able to absorb a year''s worth of knowledge in one or two days.  The concentration will be maximum but after that you will have to sleep 24 hours. So prepare yourself.


    The lessons will be easier right away and you won''t have that unpleasant feeling of being left behind..."


    Rubix explained to me in 2 three grunts that Valtrax was going to stuff her head.


    I laughed at her explanations.  But I moved closer to Valtrax and looked into her eyes.I was crying and I understood a little better.


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The dragons were not as crazy as I thought. On the contrary. They were full of love.


    And then I felt the pain and the sensation of the invisible arrow in my soul as I tried to convince myself that they were right.


    Valtrax licked me...


    "Mom???"


    The dragoness collapsed in front of me and whimpered like never before. She was crying with joy and also with sadness.  She pushed me against her heart which was beating very hard and purring. She managed to say "Torrrin..."


    But the more my love for her grew, so did the pain. It became unbearable and I started to bleed from my nose, mouth and ears...


    We moved aside and she gave me a lick, a hug.  A part of me wanted it to be true but my heart, pierced by something invisible that I felt like an arrow, was pushing me in the opposite direction.


    I was in physical pain too.Then Rubix cried and collapsed, holding the shiny blade in her paw.  I felt a spike in my back..!!!


    It was going to pierce me!


    "HIII HIIII HIIIIII HHIIIIIIII"


    she screamed, She pressed and I was held, trapped between Valtrax''s talons.


    Then Rubix threw the blade...


    "No.. Valtrax, forgive me.... I can''t hurt Torin... I love him just the way he is! It''s Torin that I want. I don''t care about Thor..."


    Valtrax frowned and his prehensile tail returned the dagger to Rubix.


    "Now or I''ll eat you...!"


    Rubix, by reflex, tried to hide under me...


    "Torrrin HEELP!!!! She wants to eat me!!! "


    The rage rose in me and I managed to free myself and put myself between Valtrax and Rubix..


    "Why???"


    And I bent down to look at the shiny blade...


    "Valtrax... why? Is it to heal me??? Is it for the arrow?"


    The dragoness cried but nodded.


    "You''re not going to hurt Rubix???"


    She answered no and then she engraved runes..."


    Test Rubix..."


    She smiled at Rubix. She thought Rubix had passed his test. She loved Torin for Torin and not for what he was or could be.


    She was a straightforward, non-calculating dragoness.Valtrax apologized but had to see if she was up to it, if she could also protect Torin and not always the other way around.


    After the meal was over, and the emotions had subsided, Valtrax explained the basics to Rubix and she repeated them to me.  Then we went home to the girls and Rubix couldn''t resist the female interrogation during the girls'' night.


    Saphie: "So Torin is going to have fun with her friend Valtrax? But that''s crazy...! Torin is friends with the black widow! The widow of Exodus!"


    Beth: "I knew it and spirits never lie... but I have confirmation..."


    They wanted to know more but Rubix said.


    "Ssssecrrrret... Valrrraxsss was scary Rubixxx little..."


    They too looked out the window and thought they saw two bright moonlit eyes that met their gaze. Valtrax was still there... on the lookout!


    The size, the distance and the spacing gave the imagination disproportionate dimensions to the dragon. Gloups!


    The laughter became whispers. Rubix was rightly afraid and the house was not a shelter.  The girls were afraid that night and huddled together with Rubix.


    In the middle of the night, Torin heard her name called several times.


    Sapphia: "Torin... we''re scared now. You know Exodus... it was terrible... It''s too much but you play with Valtrax? Is that your dragon?"


    "I don''t have a dragon but it''s my family too you know about my blood... you listen to everything and it''s hard to hide something from you.


    "Go... sleep... Nothing will happen to you..."


    A hand held me back... it was Rubix...


    Me: "But Rubix... We are all together... You have to sleep... and get strong... Think of it as a blessing. Valtrax protects you...protects us...She is not our enemy...Give her a chance..."


    Esme drawn in by the racket understood that the girls were asking for Torin not for fun but because they were afraid...which is really different.


    Next time, she would put a spare mattress in place at the foot of the beds in case it happened again.  But Esme could see her little one growing into a man capable of protecting his family, dragon or human, and it no longer mattered.


    She too loved Rubix as a person now.  All morning, Beth and Saphie taught Rubix the basics with the precious book with pictures in it.  Then Rubix tried to make water appear by the stream, but being a red dragoness, her element would be fire.  But we tried anyway and she got her paws wet.  She had mana. And a lot of it.  She also remembered the words of her "Educator"


    "Rubix, you have a monster crystal like all dragons. It is incomplete, and full of impurities.You must cultivate your crystal heart and make it grow.  Normal dragons have their crystal growing like monsters and animals and never use it except by instinct.  You must purify it.   Prayers, concentration and visualization... melting, restructuring and most of all... you must awaken the blood of Exodus in you. The recipe is concentration and understanding, listening and when you feel the telluric energies you will be able to circulate your mana. Don''t forget .... You are a queen...! You will be stronger than me! But you are not alone!"

 Training

    "HAN..."


    "HAN."


    This was Rubix''s favorite class and mine for that matter. The boxing class!


    It was essential to know how to fight unarmed. The class started with a warm up and the dragoness was no exception.


    We jumped on the spot and relaxed our arms.Then it was the lateral flexions where one had to remain facing the teacher of Gym and to touch his ankle laterally then after a series, one resauta to relax the solicited tendons.


    Then the hands in the neck we twisted our bust each time a little more.


    Rubix made waltz his tail and was reprimanded.


    "You have to know how to control it too. It''s like a third leg!"


    Actually, she could manage it, but it was concentration. Then we took several quick laps around the main yard, the goal being to get "spikes."


    Everyone in turn was out of breath. I was still in the race but my friends were hs.


    "FLEXIONS!"


    And we bent our knees. And after losing our breakfast in energy... we arrived near a perimeter wall where big leather bags were filled with sand.


    The professor looked at our size and we had to stretch our leg to him and he placed the foot well in height. and put chalk in the form of a cross on the bag.


    "Rubix!! No jumping with the help of the wings, even as a balance beam."


    "You have to tap here, here and here pointing to 3 levels"


    "100 strokes to the left and 100 strokes to the right! Come on, and let''s jump!


    "BAM BAM BAM and RE BAM.The sound was like machine gun fire.


    "Come on you lazy bastards.... "


    After a set of 100 everyone was on the floor.  Rubix, Manu, Jim and I were still in the race. The drag was evolving.


    Her endurance was increasing. Then the whistle blew and we all went to throw ourselves in the central fountain.


    It was refreshing and invigorating. But every time dragons came out of the courtyard with a saddle through the big inner doors so that the second year apprentices could train, Rubix had the reflex to come and hide behind me.


    The stables... Her nightmare... I felt her little hands against my arm. They were shaking.


    The others knew and had guessed...I turned to them, ignoring the teacher.


    "You better be nice to them... "


    My threat was quickly taken seriously. Then Roba, the gym/boxing teacher, agreed.


    "Yes, never forget that they are not horses but friends... partners. A submission collar often breaks!...So you have been warned..."


    The students now understood why many dragon riders did not finish their training or disappeared... And some of them had scars and missing fingers...sometimes an ear...Dragons were vindictive...very...


    The afternoon was free and the rector asked to see the dragoness.


    Obviously, she refused to go without me and I had to accompany her.


    "Rubiiix!!!. But..come on... You should have more confidence in yourself, right? You are a DRAGON! You have incredible strength, you have powers and...you''re pretty..."


    I was red-faced but Rubix answered me with a smile.  Lately, she wasn''t trying to kiss me anymore. She was evolving but it was a bit of a shame...for me...But I also really liked Saphie, my childhood friend, and her shape was becoming more and more pronounced every day.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Often my eyes would roll down a little when we talked and I would make more and more short sentences to turn my head.  Beth was also very pretty, a little chubby, but that also gave her charm.


    The dragons also ran after me to play, against all understanding.  Fortunately Rubix was handling the situation.  The other eggs hatched and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.  But there was one class that I dreaded most of all.


    I knew it from the ones from the year before. In dragoncraft class, a spell was cast on a dragonet and temporarily it would grow large enough to be ridden by its rider, advancing it 4-5 years.


    But was this stealing his childhood?  That''s why grown-ups and adults were so stupid?  And that''s when I entered the director''s office with Rubix.


    From his flowery beard, he looked at each of us and adjusted his glasses to better see the scrolls written in small letters.


    "I knew Torin would be with you, my little one. But don''t be afraid... I have thought long and hard about your situation and if you have the protection of the Academy for now, it will not always be the case, especially if I were to disappear or be removed.  This also concerns you Torin...If everything seems to be at peace in the world at the moment, it is not so... I know many things that you do not know or do not know yet, regardless of the books and the knowledge contained in this school.  But let''s get back to what I brought you here for."


    He put down his cup of coffee and offered us some.Then he turned and took from a small square cupboard a tight roll of parchment.


    He unrolled it, and placed two ivory blotters to keep it open.And next to it, a candle.He then took a red string and a gold thread and heated the string which released a sticky liquid that held the gold thread to the parchment. Then a ring on his finger served as a seal. A moment after everything had cooled down he gave Rubix the scroll.


    "Keep it carefully as if your life depended on it. It is a very rare document that only a nobleman of my rank can, with the king, create.  It is a document of emancipation.


    It guarantees you that you belong to yourself and that no one can change your condition of being free into cattle or bound dragon. You are part of the human race.


    A copy is also bound by the golden thread.  So you can have a free life.  To be able to buy a house or an estate, to marry and have children who, by the power of this scroll, will also be free.


    Rubix screamed with joy and began to lick the feet of the rector who straightened her out.


    "None of that my child. Our academy has made you suffer enough. You have also opened our eyes and through your courage and perseverance, we will see to it that this never happens again.But unfortunately, my authority ends beyond these walls..."


    I had never seen her so happy...It was like a veil that was lifted and I discovered a new friend...The next day it was study and as she had learnt the rudiments by herself, she was going to have a strong catching up session.  Then she took out, to my great astonishment, a magic scroll of parallel thought.  It went away, just like that... burned by the magic it contained and I saw my friend read the pages faster, at least at the speed of a normal student. But it was a boost for her.  This scroll was really precious to her and she had put all her concentration on it to make it more effective.  In one day, she learned 2 to 3 months of lessons and it was memorized, however... she fell asleep in her notebooks and I carried her princess style to her dormitory... with the girls.


    My friends had taken care of her things and put her in the bag.


    Saphie: "Oh... have you seen this??? What a beautiful dagger... "


    "Torin? Is that Rubix''s dagger?"


    I was surprised that the dagger was still here and not at Valtrax.


    "Saphie, this is HER stuff... And be very careful, Some items useful to dragons could be cursed to the human. This is a precious ancient object."


    Sapphie: "Sorry, Torin..."


    "She is also entitled to have possessions now that she is emancipated..."


    Everyone heard this word and was surprised but pleasantly...


    Jim: "But we have to celebrate!"


    "No! It must be kept quiet. It is useless to attract attention or problems with the nobles. I brought a jug of milk with honey and bread and some dried meat on a tray covered with a cloth to keep the flies away.


    But she was sleeping soundly, 24 hours later.


    When she woke up, she was surprised to be on her mattress, with her belongings stored on the chest at the foot of her bed. Then, while taking her bag, the dagger of brilliance fell.


    Holding it against her heart, she went alone to the principal''s office and ... she had the courage to go alone this time.  She hesitated for a moment in front of the white double doors then clenched her fist and hesitated again but she took her courage in both legs and knocked on the door.


    "I''ve been waiting for you, my little one..."


    a voice said through the door.  She entered, and with her long neck she looked left and then right and ...finally met the rector''s nose in front of hers, with her muzzle.


    To her astonishment, she no longer forked, probably the consequences of the parchment...


    "Rector...sorry to...But...I...It''s.."


    She couldn''t find the words but pulled out the dagger of Brilliance.


    Gamblin: "Goodness gracious! The Blade of Brilliance..... We thought it was lost forever!!!"


    Rubix presented the blade to him, her greatest treasure.  Unconsciously, gold was attractive to dragons and Rubix was not immune to it. But what wouldn''t she do for love?


    "It''s not mine... nor yours... It''s Valtrax''s..! It''s to heal Torin!!!"


    The rector raised his head, contemplating the dagger. It emitted a strange energy.  A breaker of virtues as well as sins, its power was immense for those who knew how to use it.


    Gamblin: "You had the right reflex... I hope it didn''t occur to you to prick or stick it in Torin? I hope not..."


    The dragoness looked down at her paws, admiring the ground. But it was shame...


    "Do you have any idea what this means???"


    She nodded her head no..


    "It''s a sacrificial dagger. Torin touched or grazed would be sacrificed to the dagger to bring Exodus back! And with his rage dying...Remember the story of Sosaria??"


    Tears lined the floor.  But Gamblin got up with a handkerchief.


    "Noon..nonn, my beautiful, I was not reproaching you... You couldn''t know..."


    Whimpering: "Master Gamblin, how can I take care of Torin? He is suffering terribly. He feels the arrow tearing at his heart. He can never love... Sniff."


    He sat down next to her and explained, "Yes...the dagger can heal him, but it''s with another magic... That of purification... Manu, your friend can even do that! And I''m sure Torin will be infinitely grateful to you.   And you can love each other..."


    "But, Master, if Exodus were to be released, what would become of us?"


    "I don''t know, but the dragons would lose their free will and become monsters again at Exodus'' command. It would be a cascade of monsters, demons, evil monkeys and imp that would surge. The dragonriders would be devoured by their mounts, collar or no collar, and you...I don''t know...I hope you resist."


    "Valtrax told me I have Exo blood..."


    She paused, aware of her stupidity.


    Gamblin: "Shut up.. I didn''t hear anything... never...never let it come out of your mouth or throat.... We could have you shot on the spot.. just for that.."


    "IIIIIIII -IIIIIII-IIIIIII"


    Drawn by the racket and his little cry of despair from a nightmare, I arrived like Muscles in the Director''s room.


    "Your hero has just arrived .... You can go and don''t forget...!!! Chttt!"


    "And to answer your question... it''s no.!!!!"


    Rubix was all pale, as if she was turning into an ice dragon...Once again, she was clutching at me.


    Something was torturing her....We passed Sylon who was interested but also disgusted to see Rubix as a "human" in the hallway.


    His smirk did not inspire anything good.

 Time is running out

    Master Gamblin admired the Blade of Brilliance. It was a beautiful artifact that emanated a dark light, but at other times it shone like the sun.


    It held phenomenal and infinite power.  Along with the crown of Lord British, it could be one of the most important jewels in Britannia.


    He put it back in its golden, gem-set scabbard and prepared a wooden case with varnished sponge and velvet cloth and a small window to admire it as a relic. A


    nd its little lock.


    For a day he worked on its case, cleaning it and restoring its original shine. Through the keyhole, Sylon noticed the unusual liveliness of the rector and his abnormal carpentry work.


    And, for a brief moment, he noticed the blade glowing with the light of a thousand candles.  Then... A gem lit up and another on a board on the wall.


    He placed the blade in his new chest, stood up and went to look at the light..."OH... My God! A hero will appear! The signs! Something is wrong.."


    He was looking at the virtue meter in the academy and everything seemed normal.  But... with the coming of the blade of brilliance, he went to another room, behind his desk and opened a cupboard with a lot of books and objects from the past.  And he took out a version of the Ankh with eight gems and activated it


    .3 of the virtues were black...!  hen, in doubt, he checked the kind of divinatory astrolabe and it was bridled, sabotaged. What was evil displayed its opposite!


    His glasses fell off his nose, caught by a chain.


    "Goodness gracious..!  He immediately thought of Rubix with his Exodus blood and took the ankh from his pocket.


    The students were waiting in the hallway to enter Potions class and the Rector was holding the ankh, which was fluctuating.


    Often, near a noble the lights would turn black, but they shone brightly near Torin, Rubix and their friends.


    The central gem also lit up, showing that they were potential quasi-heroes.  But it was Rubix and Torin who shone the brightest.


    He said nothing, and turned back as if he had forgotten something.  He hurried to look at some of the books saved from before the cataclysm of Sosaria and made notes.


    "The heroes are here, but the times have changed! Only the Lords of Corruption would come to this point. He wrote letters and sent them by owl.


    Ragul was also one of the recipients.  Then he started to write a notebook with mission plans for the heroes.  Meanwhile, in the VIP apartments of the academy, nobles were sipping liquor and Amon was stroking his black dragon, falsely dozing.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    They were certainly made for each other and were to be brutal companions.  Kneeling on the ground, crushed by the destructive aura, Sylon asked to speak to Amon alone.


    With a gesture, he ushered everyone out of his living room.


    "I am listening, Sylon..."


    "Master Amon, I just went to see Master Gamblin but he was busy doing some "carpentry", a precious box for a relic.


    And, as I was leaving, I looked through the lock and, too busy, he didn''t detect me and I saw a dagger with a blade that shone like the sun. I was dazzled!"


    Amon: "I thank you. Your testimony is very valuable. If what you say is what I think it is, then you and your family will rise in the esteem of our Lord Blackthorne."


    "Thank you Thank you Lord Amon..."


    Amon : "my family is having a small party this month and it would be an opportunity for you to get to know some influential members!"


    "I thank you, master..."


    And he withdrew and clapped his hands for his meal to be brought to him.


    He turned to his dragon, "You can eat him later. He made himself useful this time."


    The dragon cleared his throat and went back to sleep.


    Amon : "I''ll leave you with the maid...."


    He walked out and a half-human, half-kobold entered with buckets full of water and his broom.


    He carefully closed the door behind him and locked it.


    A few moments later, a semi human-reptile''s cry was heard, followed by the cracking of bones.


    Other, older, human maids came in to clean up the mess.  At that moment, Gamblin was brought out of his stupor and exclaimed "Ah!"


    Then he wiped his glasses and saw that the academy was sinking into evil.  He looked at his hourglasses.


    "Time... time flies like sand... I must finish this work!! and put the blade in safety..."


    But Gamblin was old and his senses were gone with the passing of time.  He arrived at our dormitory and wanted to see Manu but found an unexpected visitor.


    Father Damien...an old friend..


    "Ah, dear friend..."


    Damien: "Oh, I came to pay a surprise visit to my apprentices but I see they are on the right track and Torin has surrounded himself with friends he can count on."


    They could see me laughing with my friends and the dragoness who was now part of our circle.


    "Damien, it''s a good thing you''re here. I have the most precious possession of the academy, indeed of Sosaria. The Blade of Brilliance has been returned to us! Take care of it.


    Torin needs it for you know what... but beware that it is also a key to bringing back you know who..."


    Father Damien took the box containing the artifact and bowed his head in thanks.


    "This must be returned to the dragoness. Its true owner is Valtrax. And even though she is the widow of the terrible Exodus, she is nonetheless a guardian of his treasures and they should never fall into their hands..."


    "But who are you talking about? Master Gamblin, is there any danger???"


    "Yes!!! The nobility must not get their hands on these treasures. Only a hero can use them, but not possess them..."


    "I''m afraid I don''t understand..."  Gamblin turned his head and pointed to the clock a vertu on the hall wall.


    Damien: "I don''t get it..."


    Then Gamblin took out of his pocket the real Ankh. And the gems were all blackening and the one in the center was glowing.


    Damien''s breathing stopped for a moment, just long enough to get his bearings.


    Gamblin: "The panel is rigged...corrupt... There are demons here! The academy is dying. I am its guardian and I acted too late. It is lost!"


    Feeling suddenly watched, the rector left his friend without saying anything more and returned to his office to complete his notes.  Damien went to find manu and entrusted him with a secret and manu was able to observe in a secluded room the magnificent dagger.


    "With this, we can heal Torin... but is that necessary? He looks good..."


    Father Damien. Unfortunately, when he''s 20, his heart will stop if we do nothing.

 Black dragon

    The chief of arms threw a sword at Rubix who caught it.


    "I know you have claws like daggers but you are a knight now. No exceptions."


    "YOU LARDASS!  You cut your pole, you eat. He stays, you stay"


    "Sir! Sir! Edges don''t cut!"


    "That''s your problem, not mine!"


    Rubix tried to type but her wrist  hurt.


    I then came up beside her.


    "Wait, it doesn''t fit your anatomy.  Idiots type and they''ll wear themselves out. I feel magic on these beams!.


    "Can you feel it too?"


    She nodded.  What was nice was that I was able to talk naturally with her without feeling self-conscious about female attributes.


    She was a real pal.  We often trained in boxing and wrestling, her strength and terrible constitution allowed her to compete a little, to offer some resistance.


    The other humans were thrown around like rags.  There were buckets of water, pieces of old millstones and a hammer lying around.


    "Are you thinking like me?"


    She turned her head to the side, questioning me nonverbally.


    "Give me your sword!"


    I took mine and put it on a stone.


    Do you breathe fire?


    "Then make the two blades red hot".


    Everyone laughed to see us play and the teacher got impatient.  There was oil and Dad had already explained to me some tricks to improve a sword.


    I tapped the edges to sharpen them and bent Rubix''s a little, enlarging the guard for a longer grip.


    Then, "Go ahead...heat them to white! Give it mana!"


    The blades were about to melt and I smoothed the edge so that it would be even and with one stroke I dipped it in oil and the whole thing ignited.


    Then, a few seconds later, I threw them into the water and a column of steam followed.


    "Why oil and not water?  "


    "With the oil, the carbon bonds with the iron and becomes ultra-hard and the water soaks the softer steel deeply."


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    We also put some permanent mana into our blades.  Then I took some leather straps and said


    "Give your...hand (I almost said paw) and put the pommel in. Then I felt the bones and flesh that were supposed to absorb the shock, and then I put a thicker braid of leather.


    So the shocks would be absorbed and returned in the blade and not in the wrist.


    Furax, the soldier arrived.


    "What are you doing? The poles aren''t going to cut themselves!"


    She felt the blade become immediately comfortable.


    "You''ve seen how I do it!. So if you buy a blade, you''ll have to fit it like this in your hand."


    "Thank you Torin"


    and I didn''t have enough time to avoid the long stroke of the tongue on the cheek.


    "Touch¨¦! hehe!"


    Check!Then we run to our posts and together:RAAAAAAAHH


    We roared and with one blow, the pole was cut cleanly! the blade not even blunt.  The teacher remained speechless.Then he took the blades back and looked at the incredible work.


    The others continued to hit, but we were the first to reach the canteen.  We were joined by Jim, Beth, Saphie and Manu and Henri.  Saphie sat next to me and Beth on the other side of the table, Rubix across from her.


    Gamblin came by and waved to us while no one else was there.  He sat down at our table and we all bowed our heads in respect.


    He placed the glowing Ankh on the table


    "Kids... you''re not kids anymore, you know that...And you don''t have to be a fool to see the evil around you... the cruelty of some."


    and he glanced briefly at Rubix and she put her paw on mine. Saphie and Beth held my arms.  A silent competition was underway without my knowing it...


    "The virtues and the measuring system is wrong. Everything you have learned about the system is biased. It allows the nobles to do charity and move up in the rankings to get closer to the avatar.. A Blackthorne invention...It''s like peaches and mangoes... right Torin?


    In truth, they are showing their strength both financially and politically and they are using the virtues as a compass to establish their power but this is not normal, it is the work of evil forces... of 3 lords of the shadows. It is time for you to leave the academy. This is a prison for future heroes. They watch you and keep you out of harm''s way.I feel my days are numbered. The ankh does not lie... The heroes are called and you are all candidates. The time is coming when the forces of evil will face the forces of good in an eternal battle. Only a hero or a chosen one can tip the balance.


    A pink door will appear in front of the chosen one, but beware... evil lurks... He''s on the prowl


    Your parents have been warned... They will complete your training and pass on their knowledge to you. You are the future of Sosaria..of Britannia.


    And you, Rubix, be careful to keep your freedom. I have put your legal address at Torin''s with the agreement of Ragul and Esme.


    Go to the armory, I had an armor made especially for you. You have your scales but the heart and the neck are vulnerable. You have a small plate that you can keep."


    We thanked the old man.  Then he gave me a leather booklet.  These are my notes and directions in case you are pursued or I am neutralized.


    "Your first mission is to visit the temples of the 8 virtues in the 8 main cities of Britannia.  You will certainly encounter bandits, pirates and slavers, but I''m sure you and your dragons can learn from them and become stronger! "


    Others arrived and Gamblin stood up as if nothing had happened so as not to be associated with our group.  We all looked at each other and went straight to our dormitory to pack our things.


    The dragonets were with us and they had to stay at the academy. They officially belonged to the dragonry and taking them away was a crime punished severely.


    But when we arrived at our dormitories, books and items had been placed in our respective chests, safe-conducts, mission orders, and permissions to explore the dungeons.  I had a two-handed longsword for my strength and swordsman''s mantles, Rubix had magic axes, and a grimoire of draconic magic.  Beth got a staff and a druidic robe, Cedric got a mage''s cloak, staff and grimoire, Manu got a codex and a cleric''s staff, and Henri got a collection of traps and disarming spells and boots of silence.


    There was a letter that said:"I have here some gold and a few gems and invisible trunks for a few hours to put your dragons. I also put scrolls to make them grow so you can ride them but they have to recover 24 hours later, under their normal size. It''s exhausting.  Rubix, I also put the spell in your grimoire to change your size between human size and normal size. I wouldn''t recommend enlarging it, we don''t know if it will affect your intelligence."


    We then decided to leave immediately, so as not to miss the moon and its portal.  Meanwhile,At Cove, Master Damien was putting away his papers and making notes on the dagger of brilliance that sat on his desk.  He was preparing the non-sacrificial activation ritual of purifying the hero with the dagger. Like any religious object, all these powers could also be reversed just as healing could be reversed into injury and so on.  Then he heard... silence...


    The owls had killed themselves and the silence was deadly.  But he felt a presence... an evil presence and he turned around:


    "Whoever you are, show yourself... I know you''re here!... I am not afraid of you!"


    But he felt a breath on his back and his blood ran cold.  A huge jaw was in his back. Black, full of scales but mostly with horrible and big teeth.  A black dragon...He began to speak...


    "The dagger!"


    And he showed the palm of his paw.


    "You have a choice: Die quickly or by tearing yourself apart bit by bit!"


    The priest cast an exorcism...


    "HAHAHA, as if a dragon were a demon..."


    And with a clench going so fast to react, Father Damien felt his head go backwards, half slit.  No time to do any major healing. He collapsed dead before he even hit the ground.  The black dragon licked its claw and managed to leave no trace.  But his appearance was red....He took the box with the dagger and fled into the darkness.


    "Rubix, you will be mine... prepare to beg me when I am the next Exodus!"

 Farewells

    Each one took his dragonet with him and we hurried without losing a moment.


    We had a bad feeling.  Moreover, there was an abnormal activity among the nobles.


    The corridors were full of people coming and going.  We made as usual, to join our dormitories then we went down by the roofs and we went down without too much problem along the gutters by the back of the academy.  We went towards the stone circles where the lunar doors gave.


    Then, after checking that everyone was ready, I asked Rubix to do a reconnaissance flight without being noticed and after 5 minutes, she arrived at our feet.


    "No problem! Clear!"


    We took our stuff, the bare minimum, and headed for the gate.  Everything was quiet this night. Only the wind contrasted with the silence and the night was clear.


    The next thing we knew, we were in Cove.  No time to dawdle... towards the temple, as if to follow the instructions of our mentor Gamblin.


    On portal nights, there was always light in the temple, a little isolated from the rest of the village.


    There was also an annexed building for the cleric to stay in and possibly collect a lost soul.   In the temple there was also a kind of infirmary.


    The building was old and still made of half-timbering.  But from the stained glass windows, there was still light.  So we hurried to see Father Damien who could guide us on our quest.


    The door was still open and we entered the porch. Then we knocked on the inner door.


    "Father Damien... Father Damien!!! It''s us!"


    And a figure crushed by the weight of the ages approached a small skylight with an oil lamp.  He opened the small door to see who it was. He smiled as he saw us coming.


    "I''ve been waiting for you, children... come in quickly... You were not followed?"


    We said no and he lifted an inner door and the heavy door opened and we could jump into the arms of the pater.


    After settling down near the hearth, the old man showed us the shining blade...


    "Manu, it will be you who will prepare the purification to help Torin, you are strong enough now to lift a curse and your heart is pure enough to face the lords of the shadows, but it must be done at the new moon, but it also coincides with the opening of a portal that calls the heroes. That is, tomorrow!"


    Then he searched parchments in his office filled with a mess or only he could find his way through.  Then he gave Manu a parchment booklet with the rituals to be followed to perform an exorcism and a curse removal.


    "I put the dagger in a safe place so until tomorrow, don''t make yourself noticed, avoid being seen with your dragons... to avoid any questions."


    Then I handed over Gamblin''s letter about the mantras and the True Ankh.


    Damien: "Ohhh. This piece from Heaven... How beautiful it is and how it shines!"


    Seeing us, and seeing the ankh shining brightly.... he began to smile and hope.


    "You are the hope of the new generation. The new generation of heroes... Here, I don''t see a single hero but a tight team!I remember your parents, when they were your age. The ankh was also shining brightly. But since then, its light has dimmed... but today I am hopeful again... "


    A tear flowed and we hugged between our shoulders the old man who was like a family member, a mentor, a friend and a grandfather who accompanied us all our youth.


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    He also caressed Rubix''s cheek.


    "You too have pure blood... Don''t stray from the path."


    Then his gaze darkened.


    "Now that you''re on a quest, you''re adults and I have to tell you something that has to do with you, Torin..."


    I was focused, but did the others need to know?


    "You know your parents got you at the entrance of the Covetous dungeon... but on the way... three dark lords passed your parents. Ragul had the reflex to hide in the trees but also they were probably running away from Valtrax."


    I knew about Valtrax but not about the Lords...


    "They had Lord British.... Lord British is still alive! Prisoner, sealed like for a demon in a spiritual prison.  With the demise of Lord British, Blackthorn took power in Britannia.


    Though originally a good man, as he wore the Shield of Valor, the Shadow Lords turned him into a self-righteous tyrant, and those who opposed him began to disappear.


    Those who had helped the Avatar in his quest for the Codex were declared outlaws and hunted.  Meanwhile, the Shadow Lords began a systematic attack on the Virtues.


    Although they could not enter and attack the dungeons of the Principles, they hoped to weaken them by eliminating the Virtues in the cities.


    Blackthorn sought out those who knew knowledge that could help him, such as the Words of Power, but he was desperate for the Mantras so he could destroy the Shrines.


    Some people fought the Shadow Lords, but they were defeated. They discovered that when they fought a Shadow Lord, they were drawn into a strange dimension, with ethereal barriers separating them from their allies.  The Shadow Lord would then eliminate them one by one. Some brave heroes managed to defeat them, despite their physical strength and resistance to magic, but when they received a blow that would have killed any lesser creature, the Shadow Lord simply disappeared, only to reappear the next day without having suffered from the experience.


    Despite this, Shadow Lords do have their weaknesses. The very fact that they hunt the Avatar and his companions so persistently shows that they have reason to be fearful, for it seems that their weaknesses could be exploited by those strong and cunning enough to find them.


    Shadow lords cannot move during the hour between midnight and 1am. During this time, the power of the Sanctuary of Spirituality seems to keep them in place. The only places the Shadow Lords cannot enter are the Principle dungeons.


    These places still hold their powers at bay, and those who fight Blackthorn can find refuge there. But beware, they can enter if they are invited by saying their name out loud.


    Each of the Shadow Lords is opposed to a principle of the Avatar. The two brothers are Hate and Lie, while the sister is Cowardice. Their names are rarely spoken, as they can be heard and if invited by the call of their name, they can enter any place, even dungeons.  You will have to pray at each Shrine and a Mantra will be revealed to you alone. Then you will go to the dungeons of virtues and the sacred flame will be the reward of the tests and you will have the words of power to enter the dungeons of darkness, those that lead to the world below.


    I don''t know more but according to the legend, Britannia is under the sway of the three Lords of Darkness. These "brotherly" triplets are the literal embodiments of the opposites of the principles of truth, love and courage.


    Although these creatures are eternal, immortal and indestructible, they can normally only act in the hearts of men and are powerless to affect physical events except through their victims.


    Long ago, the evil Mondain was defeated by the stranger who became the Avatar.  Shepard is the Stranger''s name.  His Gem of Immortality was shattered into three fragments, which remained powerless for many years, their power neutralized by the proximity of the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom, which, unbeknownst to the Stranger of Mondain, Minax, and Exodus, was in a nearby temple.


    Years later, the Stranger who became the Avatar found the Codex, which was brought to the surface of Britannia by the Great Council. This caused a great volcanic upheaval, creating a new island, on which the Codex was enshrined.


    More importantly, the eruption caused the formation of a vast underworld, and removed the balancing power that neutralized the shards. Cracks in the sea floor caused whirlpools that could carry ships into the underworld. One of these ships hit an island and ran aground. There were four survivors. The captain of the ship, Johne, recovered and explored the island.


    He found the shards of the immortality gem, and their evil was such that they could force him to kill his friends. Using the shards for such a dark act gave the ever-present dark lords a chance they had long been waiting for. From the blood of the murdered crew members, they created physical forms, incarnations of their own natures.


    They imprisoned Johne, and lured Lord British into the underworld. They then defeated him in the depths of darkness, where his power was diminished, and imprisoned him in a supposedly inescapable prison, forged with the same magic created to bind demons."


    Then the old man took another drink of mead.


    "I have coffee for you but have a glass (a capsule) of liquor blessed by the gods. "


    We each took this fire water and it burned our throats a little.


    "I know you are too young but there is a good chance that this will be the last time we will see each other. I''ve had a good life despite the uncertain times but I still hope for a better world. So here''s to it!"


    We all had a smile on our faces but also a tear. I felt it was our last meeting... Fate... or instinct...Danger could be everywhere. Now we understood why our parents had secret meetings all the time. They knew...And they are in danger!!!


    We have to warn them.


    Damien : " I''m risking my life for this...


    This is a copy of Lord British''s quest journal... The scribe Remoh managed to survive the hell. He was tortured and murdered for this journal by Amon and Lord Blackthorn. He entrusted it to me, fearing for his life... he knew too much.


    All surviving knights and former heroes involved in any way were arrested or murdered and deported to the Black Fortress, on an island. Your parents stayed away from politics and the peasant life protected them until now so that you could live and have a happy childhood.


    They were also protected by the gods and virtues so that the new generation of heroes could exist."


    After interminable goodbyes, the night was advanced but we resumed our way home, but in our back, a shadow had followed us.  Like a moth, and in silence, a dark, young but powerful being was watching for our departure.


    Ravenus, a name as black as a raven, had landed not far from Damien. He listened and missed nothing of our conversations.


    Quick as lightning, he rushed to the old man''s back after he waved goodbye to us on the threshold of the temple.


    The light on his back was too dim to illuminate the immediate surroundings.  We had to come back the next day for the ritual with Manu but...We walked briskly without looking back, the farewell too hard looking back.  But we should have.


    We would have seen the dark silhouette of a dragon the size of Rubix enter.

 Black night

    It was pitch black and we were moving forward under the glow of the stars and we were moving through a meadow along the path that would take us to our parents and then, the next moment, there was a gasp and a pressure.


    My comrades were terrified, but Rubix and I recognized the presence.


    Valtrax!


    She cut us off and whispered in draconic.


    "Rubix. don''t take another step... they are waiting for you!"


    Rubix was surprised and turned around.  Manu, Beth, Saphie,Henri and Cedric were lying on the ground or behind me.


    "Ddrr ddrr Dragoon!"


    Me: "Shh... That''s my friend..."


    Rubix looked up at my statement


    "Mother says stop! danger! We have to go to the secret camp! Quick!"


    Valtrax folded her wing so that everyone could climb up.  But we could hear dogs barking in the distance. A pack.


    Me: "Hurry. Get in! Are you dragon knights or not? "


    They took their courage and everyone went up except Rubix who followed behind.


    From above, we could see my house on fire, knights around and neighbors kneeling for questioning.


    Dogs turned and hunted after a scent to find tracks but everything stopped at the stream, a boat gone...


    "They must have fled across the creek!"


    And the riders got back in the saddle and rode down the creek in order to catch possible runaways.  My heart sank and I wanted to dismount to see but Valtrax landed near the secret cabin.


    And, to my surprise, Mom and Dad were there! They were waiting for us and we threw ourselves into their arms.


    Saphie and Beth were there too.  Esme and Ragul thanked Valtrax for warning and saving them.


    They knelt before the dragoness and began to pray to her like a deity.


    She told Rubix, that she had done this for Torin, but not for Ragul.  No need for translation, the non-verbal communication was clear.


    Ragul asked Valtrax for forgiveness again and put his forehead on her paw in total submission.


    Valtrax: "HMph..!"


    Then she turned her head towards the brazier that was their home.  So much happiness and so many memories...But fortunately Blizzard was there too with her little one (who was not anymore) and her mare.


    Father and mother were holding each other''s shoulders and crying.


    Ragul: "It was bound to happen sooner or later as long as those scoundrels were in power. We are lucky that we are still alive...and that they are here safe and sound."


    Ragul took Manu by the hand and motioned for him to sit down.


    "Valtrax saw Ravenus come out of Father Damien with an object. He reeked of human blood... You were lucky you didn''t stay there."


    Manu wanted to struggle to run to the temple but Ragul cornered him.


    "No... they are waiting for that. They need culprits and the guillotine is waiting for you! Don''t give them that pleasure!  You will have to be brave!"


    Manu broke down in tears.  Esme held Beth''s hands and made her sit down. And, as Manu did, she began to cry and wail.


    Esme: "Your father, Iolo, was arrested for plotting against the regent. He is in the jails of Britannia. Your mother managed to escape and is with Dupre in Moonglow, they are both in hiding.


    Henri: "And dad?"


    Saphie and Cedric: "And our parents?"


    Ragul: "They are safe, but since they have kept away, they should not have any problems.  But Ragul sees in the bags of the shapes moving...


    "You took the dragonets away? Damn!!! they will search you for theft! ...."


    Then we realized that we were runaways, thieves and criminals wanting to be heroes. But being a hero, at the beginning, is hard and it''s just one thing after another and on top of that, we are wanted now.


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    Meanwhile, Shamino, Henri''s father, had a house a little away from Brittania city, in the south, and he saw a pink lunar portal rising from the grass, in the middle of the small circle of stones.  He took his belongings from a chest prepared long beforehand, put on his chain mail armor, family crest, helmet, belt and sword.


    With his shield on his back, he also took a satchel and ran to the gate.  The next moment, an ankh appeared as a necklace around his neck. He was the new hero.


    Then he stepped out of the pink light and found himself in Mooglow where Dupre was waiting for him on his quest.


    "Shamino! "


    "Dupre!"


    "How long it''s been!


    I knew you were the youngest of us and that you would be selected as a hero. But if you''re a hero, then everything is really bad!"


    "Any word from the others?"


    "They''re safe...Blackthorne''s henchmen will soon respond. They acted fast this time. And the regent is not convenient. But come to the house, well, it''s a refuge like in the past and ..."


    Suddenly, the silence...Everything darkened and red eyes appeared at the edge of the forest that surrounded the meadow and the stone circle.


    3 gigantic and ghostly shadows were there. They were waiting like cowards.  One of them pointed his finger at the hero and a spectral arrow shot out.


    With lightning speed, Shamino tried to parry it, but it went through shield, chain mail, and arm and lodged itself directly in the soul.


    He resisted the possession, for the monsters used this technique to turn heroes and fighters against each other.  Shamino had to fight with all his spiritual strength not to kill Dupre.


    But he finally defeated the possession but the arrow then did physical damage and Dupre began to chase the specters who fled, ignoring him and all his gestures.


    Then he ran to save his friend but the damage was considerable. The quest was over before it even began...The spectres and Lord Blackthorne had won.


    Dupre dragged his friend as best he could and put him to bed so he could recover or a priest could heal him.


    The use of the portals was now proving perilous.  So, in the simple cabin, he took a mana com, a magical communication stone and contacted Ragul.


    Ragul informed Henry about the accident and, as he was not associated or wanted yet, he was suggested to take the portal as soon as possible to look after his father, who was dying, or at least injured.


    Manu went with him, he still had relatives in Moonglow too, where he was originally from... Perhaps he could heal Shamino. It was the last hope for Henry.


    It looked bad, even very bad.  At night, there were torches at the temple and knights were on guard.  They had found the slaughtered body of Father Damien.


    The night was short and Henri and Manu arrived through a portal to Mooglow, not far from the little house where Shamino and Dupre were taking refuge.


    But, caught in a hurry, horsemen surrounded the house and arrested Shamino and Dupre.  Poor Beth...At the sight of the horsemen, Manu and Henri could do nothing...It was not a catastrophe but a tragedy.


    Iolo, Dupre, Shamino arrested, Damien murdered, there were not many people left.


    Only Ragul...The next day, we stayed under cover.  All Britannia was turned upside down.


    Meanwhile, at the academy, Amon, accompanied by Sylon and some nobles, went to knock on Master Gamblin''s door.


    He was taking notes on the progress of the students and put down his glasses when Amon entered uninvited.


    Amon: "Master Gamblin? Do you know about this?


    Gamblin: "No, but I suppose you have something very important to tell me..."


    "Last night, Father Damien was murdered! His throat was found slit in his sacristy."


    "My God! What a catastrophe! It is a loss! And do we know who did it?"


    Amon: "Not yet, but everything leads us to believe that there is a link between the academy and the murder of our late arch-cleric.  You see... let''s say that... But... by the way, Sylon pointed out that this morning several students were missing, as well as some dragonets.


    This is not usual.... Witnesses would have seen them leaving at night through the roofs... While there are doors and stairs.


    And you were seen talking to them many times, although it is normally the teachers who are in contact with the students and not the rector...


    But let''s get back to the point.


    Sylon, he told me that you are back in the carpentry business.


    And stepping behind the desk, Amon picked up the box with the shape of the dagger in negative.


    "I must say that your work is remarkable and the silk protection leaves no doubt about the value of the precious object it must contain."


    Gamblin: "Yes, this is the casket intended for a relic for a sacred ritual, the Blade of Brilliance.."


    Amon: "The blade of brilliance? But it is a unique artifact that disappeared with Exodus. Like the crown of Lord British... But... did you ever find it???"


    Gamblin: "Let''s say I found it. And I gave it to Father Damien when he visited during the trials this year."


    Amon: "And why him and not Lord Blackthorne? It''s a National treasure!"


    "Yes, I was considering giving it to Lord Blackthorne after tonight''s ritual but you just gave me the sad news."


    Gamblin quickly noticed Amon''s ploy. The box was here when it should be in Cove, with the blade.


    "This is disturbing, but what ritual is this?" the inquisitor asked.


    "Torin is the victim of a deadly curse and only the blade of brilliance can save him."


    Amon: "A waste of resources. Even though Ragul is his father and a former hero, it was Lord Blackthorne''s decision to make and not yours.


    Thanks to your initiative and exceeding your rights, not only do we have a dead person but the disappearance of an irreplaceable and dangerous object.


    Moreover, your "prot¨¦g¨¦s" who turn out to be the children of criminals are about to become so too. Their parents were arrested last night and Ragul is actively sought!"


    Gamblin: "But what are you accusing them of?  What crimes have they committed?"


    Amon: "They have been arrested for treason against the kingdom, conspiracy, criminal conspiracy, l¨¨se majest¨¦ and attempted coup.  They were plotting to overthrow Lord Blackthorne, Regent and former right-hand man to Lord British. The proximity of the fights with the demons must have affected their free will and see the evil where there is none but the law is the law.


    We have had confessions from members of a guild of thieves and assassins as well as pirates who were bribed to lead an expedition to harm or prepare an assassination against our Regent.


    They were subjected to the "Question" and confessed everything.  But we need your services to prove your loyalty to the kingdom. The immunity of the Dragonry and the Academy cannot be invoked in this case."


    Immediately, Master Gamblin and Amon''s clique left the academy and headed for the Cove Gate.  When they arrived, the houses had all their shutters closed and the streets were deserted.


    Word of mouth spread quickly, and people feared arbitrary arrests and the brutality of the nobles.


    The chickens ran away cackling, letting the horses pass, and when they arrived, Amon invited Gamblin to follow him.  Everything had been left as it was.


    The lifeless body was lying in a pool of blood, and in the blood could be seen the negative of the blade of brilliance and the letters traced with his finger.  It showed the letters! Exodus Ru... he couldn''t finish..


    Amon: "I think he wanted to warn us of an imminent danger.  Master Gamblin I believe you are a mage and a cleric of the highest order and perhaps you could show us what has happened.


    The magic required is powerful but necessary for the safety of the state and Britannia. Thus, we can also be reassured, far from the idea of us, but we must have guarantees in these troubled times of plots."


    Gamblin then placed with the help of other mage soldiers candles and made a pentacle of protection. Who knows what killed the unfortunate man. Then an image formed where we could see the runaway children and the priest showing them the blade. It was blurred but the images without sound spoke for themselves and we appeared as invisible ghosts.


    He gave us notes and Lord British''s diary could not be hidden from Amon''s sharp eyes.  He turned his head and raised an eyebrow!  Then the priest bid us farewell and behind his back we could see Rubix sneak up, talk to the priest who was frightened by the sight of his talons and finally slit his throat.


    Everyone had to turn their heads because it was so horrible.  The carnage done, the dragoness took back the dagger, brandished it and saluted a portrait of Exodus then fled to join the others.


    Gamblin wept. Rubix had betrayed them all. He had trusted her and all the hopes he had placed in his student had been dashed.


    "No way... this is not possible..." muttered the old man in his beard.


    Then, straightening up: "This is a catastrophe!...She... She confessed to me that she had Exodus blood! and I didn''t take her seriously..."


    Amon: "That changes everything! But you will have to answer to our Lord Regent. Out of respect for your title, I won''t humiliate you by stopping you, but first thing tomorrow we''ll go to Lord Blackthorne and his council."


    The old man nodded. "I''ve been rolled in flour, I''m old!"


    Amon ordered his men and the sheriff to pursue the group of runaway children.


    "Priority number one: find and capture the dragoness Rubix at all costs. The kingdom is in peril! Arrest all of her accomplices and use all available means, even if you have to shoot them. They are extremely dangerous and are in possession of an artifact capable of destroying Britannia!"


    That day, the entire academy was under the surveillance of Lord Blackthorne''s troops, the nobles spared and the others dismissed.  The academy had just undergone a purge. It was unthinkable that a non-noble could become a dragon knight after all!

 Departure

    The news arrived with the hasty return of Henri and Manu, completely defeated.


    Valtrax had stayed to protect the little troop and Rubix was taking care of the dragonets.


    She watched over the little ones like a mother, or rather like a big sister, but they all called her "mother".


    When I watched her taking care of them, it made me feel sad.  My companions were too defeated. Talking was useless and Ragul was busy bringing back game.


    He still had contacts like Julia with whom he communicated by manacom and he was informed that the academy had sent pursuing the fugitives and that the rector was disappointed with us and was probably going to help the nobles.


    There was a price on the heads of all of us!  All of us, without exception.  They could even kill us on sight! This was a first.


    No criminal, no matter how bad, had ever had a bounty on his head like that!


    We were "gallows'' game".


    The galleys were promised to those who would help us and any information that helped us to be captured was highly rewarded, even with ennoblement at the end!


    Valtrax spoke to Rubix: "My poor dear. You don''t have to worry!. I have known these trials in my time. But you must learn to cherish the moment and not mope about tomorrow, because you must be strong now! If you want Torin, then stay alive and don''t be reckless!"


    Rubix caressed Valtrax with her cheek.  She beckoned me to come closer and she opened her wing. She wanted to protect me, to nurture me a little.


    Father was a little jealous but he understood.  He wasn''t fooled.  Valtrax and them were a family now.  Whether he liked it or not.


    Esme also understood that Valtrax was a mother too before she was a dragoness.  A few days passed and the emotions passed, Ragul spoke up.


    "If we stay here, sooner or later we''ll be spotted. I''m not the only hunter and dragons are very conspicuous. Valtrax must remain our last asset. If we are pursued by a large force, and they see Valtrax, they will take even more soldiers and countermeasures.  She''ll be watching us from afar, ready to intervene if things go wrong.  She will drop us off on the long trips ahead.


    Rubix, no flying!  We can see you from far! And you are red! You will climb on Valtrax like the others!  The dragonets will also benefit from the experience to evolve and strengthen their bonds!


    This is how we started our adventure."


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    Esme stayed to maintain the hut and to welcome us.  Ragul didn''t climb on Valtrax, but hung on to her paw in flight, not wanting to provoke the dragoness who hated him, well, who didn''t like him.


    Ragul had decided to undergo the rage and the anger of the dragoness and had offered his life in compensation but Valtrax was not a merciless monster.


    Before sunrise, we set out for Moonglow, in search of the Altar of Honesty.  Father remembered the locations and there was no need to turn the whole town upside down to question those who knew, at the risk of being exposed.  In addition, the system of justice and the search for criminals was well established. The cities were already informed of our bounty. And there was no shortage of bounty hunters!


    But I loved being on my dragon. There was a strong bond between us and I didn''t know why, but I felt like we shared the same blood. Rubix had shaken me up a bit but she was young and her words could be misinterpreted. Especially since dragon/dragon and human/human relationships were very different.


    It took a whole day on the back of a dragon in flight to cross the continent to the east and cross the ocean to get to the city. Then go to a small island and Valtrax rested there, her wings aching and also the weight of us all.  She was brave and I wondered why she did all this...I loved Valtrax very much and Rubix whined a little from time to time, obviously jealous.


    Beth and Saphie didn''t say anything, they had something else on their minds. They took advantage of the isolation of the flight to cry without being heard, or so they thought...It was also safer.


    On the ground, it was panic to be arrested.  Setting up a rescue expedition was a trap. And Ragul knew Blackthorne''s methods and didn''t dare to talk about it. He had a defeated look on his face because he knew that not everyone would probably make it. The guillotine was waiting and had the art of loosening the tongues even of a mute.


    Rubix then went around the islet and saw that the islet was deserted.  In the shelter of the rocks, we made a small fire to warm us up, Valtrax partially hiding the fire not to be seen by fishermen.


    Then Rubix trained the dragonets to their first flight and after a few minutes, they had successfully completed their round of a few hundred meters. The fear, the threat and especially the deprivation of freedom motivated them more than the others.


    In the evening, Valtrax told them their story and the creation of the world. But they called her grandmother, but Rubix told them to say Goddess.


    Valtrax left them: "I like it when they call me grandmother. It brings beauty to my heart and makes me want to love again someday."


    My friends were still afraid of Valtrax but we were all in the same boat and they trusted her.


    Rubix : "But why did Ravenar do this? Why didn''t he ever talk to me and why is he so mean?" She asked Valtrax.


    Valtrax: "Dragons are also thinking beings like humans and like them, some don''t have a heart. Ravenar is certainly linked with Amon and the corruption of their hearts goes hand in hand with that of the lords of the shadows. Even if we eliminate the three fragments that make them up, Amon and Ravenar will still be monsters."


    Rubix : "I''m afraid..."


    Valtrax : "He certainly wants to take you as his possession and dominate you. So, by blackmail, you will have only him to keep your life. But a life of pain, misery and destruction.


    He will want a progeny of evil dragons to establish his power. He took the dagger thinking he would become the new Exodus but he is very much mistaken."


    Rubix: "But without the dagger, how do we save Torin?"


    Valtrax: "By eliminating the Shadowlords or by trickery. When they see that the dagger doesn''t work without us, he will come to us!"


    Rubix: "What if Exodus comes back?"


    Valtrax : "Then I would be the happiest dragoness in the world! You can''t imagine how much I miss him. Before he was possessed, he was proud and majestic, truly a beautiful and kind dragon. But he died so young and he wanted so much to be a daddy! "


    Machinally, She turned her head toward us and a tear fell from Valtrax.  We made a round to watch the camp and I took the last one. During the night, I fed the fire and my ankh glowed.  In the middle of the fire was the king. Lord British!  He pointed at me and waved that he was alive!  I dozed off and was awakened by a crunching sound in the grass.


    Black shapes like rocks were moving near the beach and heading towards us!


    "Wake up! ... Giant crabs!"

 The quest for the Virtues

    Rubix: "The dragonets! Everyone behind me!


    You will spit fire, ice and lightning at the same time on the nearest one.


    Do not aim at your human partners. I''ll hold them off with my axes!"


    Manu stayed back to heal and Dad and I were on the front lines.


    Cedric was firing a magic missile


    Me "Kids, look at Cedric and Rubix, this is experience and our lunch!"


    5 crabs of one meter high and 1 meter wide plus the claws were attacking us.


    Three were abreast and 2 were going around.


    Ragul: "The claws to immobilize them! Their carapace is too big for the sword!"


    We then slapped the knuckles but the lightning and fire of the little ones did more damage than father and me.


    They were simple monsters, but they could be deadly when cornered and caught off guard.


    We broke off some legs and then Cedric finished them off with lightning as we walked away.


    Saphie and Beth stayed back to intervene.


    Our not too flashy fight allowed us to have a good meal.


    Seaweed, sea water and boiled crab, it was a gourmet, 4 claws enough for all of us, the rest for Valtrax.


    It was time to go to the sanctuary and, hidden behind a mountain of brambles, behind a small path, was a clearing.


    In the middle was arranged a series of rough stones arranged harmoniously and, in its center, a brazero with eternal flames.


    I approached and put my hands in the flame as Father Damien had explained to me.


    And words came naturally to my mind.


    AHM


    "The failure of dishonesty:


    A dishonest life brings you temporary gain, but causes you to forgo the permanent."


    And I learned that the island was called the island of truth.


    Everyone here gained intelligence and focus.


    And so, for a month, we visited the different shrines of virtues.


    Ragul as Rubix (she spoke for Valtrax): Every hero''s quest serves to strengthen him to face his destiny. But here, we had to face Lord Blackthorne, his army and the 3 lords. Basically... freeing Lord British. But for him, time had stopped.


    By taking a thousand precautions, and thanks to the incredible help of Vlatrax, we avoided fighting and wasting time.


    Even if it''s hard, there was no risk of being betrayed or sold.


    Then we went to the island south of Jhelom to see the Shrine of Valor.


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    "The failure of a worthless life:


    Those who are afraid to try do not know their limits, and therefore do not know themselves.


    "


    We all got stronger and the dragonets appreciated it!


    The most dangerous thing was in Britannia: Compassion


    "The heart of a cruel soul:Only a hated life owes its pleasures to the pain of another."


    We gained speed and dexterity.


    Then we went to Yew, sanctuary of Justice in the salt marshes.


    The mosquitoes were a nuisance and so were some of the monsters, but with such a strong team, we got through it without any problems.


    Rubix and the dragonets overcame the swarms of mosquitoes with their fiery breaths.


    "The weakness of the unjust:


    Those who inflict injustice on others cannot expect fair treatment for themselves."


    The magic and our defense increased.


    Then it was on to a desert. The city of Minoc. The Shrine of Sacrifice.


    "The failure of involuntary sacrifice:


    No one lives alone, except those unwilling to share their wealth with those around them."


    Here, too, our magic and dexterity increased.


    Then Honor to Trinsic, a swampy area.


    "The darkness of dishonor:


    It is guilt, not the guillotine, that constitutes shame."


    One grows in strength and resistance


    Next, spirituality at Skara Brae... A den of piracy and buccaneers


    "Neglect of one''s spirit:


    To abandon one''s inner being is to abandon one''s hopes for oneself and for the world."


    Everything increased.


    We felt that we were almost ready, and little by little the strength and power of the heroes flowed through our blood.


    In a few days, the dragonets caught up with the size of an adult human, almost as Rubix, but the latter was reciting mantras to keep her human size, lest she become a beast again.


    And the farthest thing that exhausted Valtrax was New Magincia, the shrine of humility.


    "The weakness of a life consumed by pride:


    Pride is a vice which pride itself inclines to find in others, and to neglect in itself."


    At that moment, a tremor came over us and all our eyes turned purple, for a moment.


    We were not a hero, but all heroes, dragons included.


    But the arrow became painful, a fight in my body was going on between the curse and the blessings and I felt that if I didn''t do something, I would die long before my 20th birthday!


    My friends were hurting for me.


    But they, too, were grieving for their families and this quest was also about freeing them from the yoke of Blackthorne.


    Meanwhile, at Britannia, nothing was going on. Gamblin worked hard at divination, but everything was hidden by the virtues.


    He even doubted what he was doing. At least he wondered. Why would Rubix want to become Exodus?


    The activated scantuaries disturbed the shadow lords and froze them between midnight and 1 am!


    They were afraid!


    Then father made us go to Yew and, after several days of traveling through the country, we arrived at an inn, "The Arm of Justice."


    And he came to the counter. "I would like your best Wine."


    "Here they only serve mead"


    "Then I''ll just have to make do with some mead!"


    and the bartender opened a room and we all followed him. (Except Valtrax who was resting in the nearby woods) "


    "Here are the keys" and he opened a closet and the bottom tipped up, showing a staircase that led down to a sort of underground fortress.


    After carefully closing it again, he checked the underground and the fire escape for any danger.


    "Chamfort! Ragul exclaimed, hugging him. And. Do you fill the hotel? And you have a dragon with you?


    "This is my son Torin. As you might expect, the signs are clear. We''re back on duty..."


    "And Shamino? "


    "He was slaughtered. We don''t know if he''s alive, but he fell into a trap with Iolo."


    He looked grim, but when he saw the new heroes, he began to hope.


    "They are so young... We shouldn''t use children as heroes!"


    "I know about your son but the time for revenge is near, my friend."


    Above, one could hear troubadours enlivening the inn, singing and dancing.


    But the inn was made in such a way that those inside could not see those outside, as the bar was in the corner. That way, nobody saw the group disappear into the rooms.


    Ragul : "Torin, you see this inn, it''s the center of the resistance and all those who are here, even those who dance, are part of it. Remember the password well! If you forget it or make a small mistake, it will be interpreted as a threat or that you are being blackmailed into betraying..."


    Chamfort: "Apart from that, they are preparing a public trial and have brought out the Widow again. You can see the blade shining in the sun from a distance."


    "Don''t tell the children, please!"


    But I could hear everything..., Our senses were overdeveloped now, And my friends, bound to the dragons, shared their refined senses.


    Chamfort. According to my information they are locked up in Terfin, In the palace of Blackthorn. An impregnable volcanic island.


    They will be executed on the spot and a magical broadcast will be made on the main square of Brittania, to avoid any intervention.


    It can only be reached by boat and Valtrax will not be able to land. There are spikes everywhere and anti-dragon balists.


    It was not a good idea

 Logbook

    During our journeys, I leafed through the notes left by our late father Damien as well as those of the rector.


    The weeks became months and we ended up reading the diary of the odyssey that led Lord British to his loss.


    Excerpt:


    27th day of the 11th month of the year 137


    The following details the odyssey of his Majesty Lord British as recorded by Remoh, scribe at Lord British''s court. The knights Arionis, Meridin, Geraci, Shaana, Noin and Roin accompany us on this journey into the unexplored underworld.


    DAY 1


    At dawn, we set out on our skiff on the Maelstrom River, east of Spiritwood. Before the falls, we pause to remember the brave men who discovered this entrance to the underworld. Then we cast off and repeat their plunge into the unlit underground waterway. We disembark our boat on the western shore of a large lake. The low ceiling of the cave overhangs us and the humidity is oppressive.


    Arionis and Geraci erect a wooden sign commemorating our expedition. The others repair the damage caused to our skiff by the underground rapids that brought us here.


    We embark again, following a navigable river to the south. After a short distance, a tributary forks to the east, but we continue south. The cave walls now rise above us, dimly reflecting the light of our torch.


    The current becomes stronger and the sound of tortured water increases steadily. Suddenly, the river makes a sharp turn. The roar becomes painfully loud as our skiff rolls down a large drop. A storage barrel breaks loose and knocks Meridin off the boat as we fall. The skiff lands flooded, but miraculously standing. We carry Meridin unconscious back into the boat and retrieve the barrel. He revives as we row west past a southern tributary.


    The river slows as we reach another fork. We continue north along the stone wall cut into the water on our right. As the river turns back to the southwest, we hear the sound of approaching waterfalls. We quickly disembark the boat on the south bank. Geraci leaves to explore a promising passage in the rocks to the southeast. When she returns, she reports that the natural fissure slopes steeply down, but joins the river beyond the treacherous falls. We carry our skiff around the falls without too much difficulty and set off again. As daylight declines thousands of feet above us, the river flows into a calm lake, stretching beyond our view into the dark gloom. We row south and southeast, following the shoreline.


    A muffled scream and a loud splash are our first signs of danger. We all stare at the stern where, moments before, the raven-haired Shaana knight was sitting. Meridin quickly intones two words of magic, and the lake around us explodes into light, blinding us momentarily. We see a hideous ebony creature, twice as big as our skiff with Shaana clutched in one of its slimy tentacles. Already dozens of meters away, it retreats ten steps with each heartbeat.


    Lord British moves towards the stern and stretches his arms towards the retreating monstrosity. In a voice as clear as crystal, in a tone as urgent as the wind, he pronounces seven words. We do not understand their meaning, but we witness their impact. The squid creature suddenly stops. A tearing sound rips through the humid air. A large wave passes under our boat. The octopus creature has been defeated. The light from Meridin''s spell fades and new torches are lit to replace those dropped in the panic. Shaana, pulled from the water, is now sleeping in her place on the stern of the boat. Our king is also resting, deeply immersed in the meditation of virtues. We continue rowing.


    DAY 2


    We wake up on a morning as dark as the darkest of nights. Our campfire is a damp mound of cold ashes. The underground river has risen during the night, soaking the meager supply of dry wood we brought with us.


    As we set out again on the waters, we row south. Barely an hour passes before we reach another waterfall, with no possibility of a portage. From the beach, however, we can see the river flowing again only a few meters past the falls. Since we don''t have many options, we brace ourselves and head for the falls. But as soon as we are upright, the river turns sharply and we plunge into another waterfall. Shaken and bruised, the group barely has time to hold on tight to the boat before plunging into a third waterfall.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    After a brief respite, we pass over a fourth, but smaller waterfall. Finally, we pass into a small, quiet lake. We dock on the south shore and examine the area. Although a large crack in the cliff face offers a land-based exit to the south, no navigable waterway exits the cave. We have no choice: we take our remaining supplies and continue on foot through the fissure. The difficult trip over the falls has eliminated another option: if we ever return to Britannia, it won''t be by retracing our steps.


    The path out of the cave is at first boggy and tedious to walk, but it gets easier as we leave the lake behind. Soon the path curves north again and we come to a large cave with an irregular rock ceiling several stories high. We are now walking on yellow grass.


    A movement of his feet makes Arionis stop. Before we can draw our weapons, a large leathery tentacle as thick as a man''s leg wraps itself around Arionis and begins dragging him into his underground lair. Noin drives his deadly main left into the tentacle. A thick green fluid flows from the severed tentacle and falls out. Arionis staggers to his feet and quickly shouts a warning. Noin turns to sever a second tentacle just before he catches it. Movement in the grass where we came from indicates that more tentacle monstrosities are approaching. We flee together to the north side of the cave, slipping between the rocks into a passage leading to the east. Soon, the passage turns right and we head south again.


    At the end of the passage, we find ourselves in a massive cavern. The walls and ceiling extend beyond the glow of our torches. We wait in vain for the return of our echoes. It is difficult to probe a cavern so large that it drowns out the echoes. We turn to the right, along the southern wall. The stench of a stagnant river fills the air. As we walk, the mud gives way to sand. When we leave the river behind, we camp.


    DAY 3


    A cry of pain wakes us up after only a few hours of sleep. Meridin utters an oath followed by two ominous sounds, and a macabre scene is revealed. Knight Geraci stands unsteadily and plants her dagger on six large worms swarming around her, rearing up to strike, while deftly avoiding her dagger. Her left arm is held against her chest in an attempt to stop the flow of blood from a gaping wound.


    Lord British raises his staff and utters an incantation. An intense coldness momentarily sets in, then the six worms forget their prey and attack each other with an unreasoned fury. Meridin magically draws out the worm''s venom. We quickly bind Geraci''s arm, gather our gear and resume our journey east along the southern wall. Only two worms are still writhing as we leave.


    After the wall finally curves north, we take a passage out of the cave to the northeast. The path is rocky, but wide enough for three people to walk abreast. The twins, Noin and Roin, who come up behind, are the first to notice the large winged creature with matted brown fur and sharp unsheathed talons. But when we stop to look, it flies away. Half an hour later, we notice two of these creatures, but they fly away again when we turn around. An hour later, three of these ugly creatures approach, flying closer than the previous incursions, before flying away. We accelerate our pace.


    The passage leads to a large grassy area with a high earthen ceiling. As we stop to rest, a deafening crescendo of screams announces the invasion of a dozen winged monsters. The avian terrors attack in force. Armor and skin are torn from our backs. Our swords swing, our daggers fly, but in vain. Only two winged monsters are wounded and then finished off. The other ten circle us furiously as Lord British shouts mystical words of command. Four more attackers are destroyed, but many more of our group have fallen.


    As I fight, I see Meridin out of the corner of my eye. He crawls out of the fray and raises his arms. Before he falls, he utters four words. A great flame bursts between his outstretched arms and spreads forward. One by one, the last of the nightmarish creatures are consumed by the flames. The largest bat spirals to the ground. Its burning carcass crashes next to Meridin''s corpse - a memorial fire for our great archmage.


    DAY 4


    Today we three have buried the valiant Arionis knights, Meridin, Geraci, Noin and Roin, here on the underground battlefield where they fell. Tomorrow we will seek the path back to our own world; our disastrous quest here is over.


    DAY 5


    The Wraiths came this morning. There were three of them. They came through the stone. Their blackness was deeper than the shadows from which they emerged. They came toward Lord British, ignoring Shaana and me. Lord British held their gaze, whispering words of life, healing and protection. They were still moving forward. One of them raised his hand, pointing to our Lord. Then a flash of silver struck our immortal king and he fell to the stony ground.


    Shaana was frozen, transfixed. I stumbled, but when I touched the cloak, I stepped back. A bad feeling came over me. They had taken our Lord with them. I was powerless to stop them. I''m afraid we all are."

 The castle

    With mantras, and a life of crime, we returned to Cove to open and face the first dungeon. Father, too exhausted and delaying us stayed at the cabin with the dragonets. The danger was too great for such young creatures.


    Manu, Saphie and Henri stayed with me and Rubix. She had progressed past Cedric and too many of us would have attracted crowds.


    During our adventures, in Yew


    we met Sir Landon...


    He was the leader of the resistance and he taught us that the spectres could possess us and that the only way to resist was to wear the crown of Lord British. But unfortunately, it would be in Lord Blackthorne''s castle. He doesn''t wear it himself, but it is hidden there.


    If we want to save our friends and family, we have to get to the castle before it''s too late.


    We were on our own and had a little gold to buy a small boat. I would never have dared to ask Rubix, but it was also to put her in danger.


    So we headed to the docks without being noticed but we were wanted.


    When we arrived at the harbor we saw a small sailing boat and we boarded it without asking for help. Rubix cast a spell to charm us and they let us pass without any trouble.


    Practical magic! And Rubix was very strong with her huge dragon mana.


    But I noticed that she was now taller than me and her head was higher than mine. She noticed this too but said nothing.


    Saphie stared at me, obviously jealous. "Hey...I''ve grown too..."


    But it was mostly her shape.


    She saw that I was blushing and so was she.


    Rubix turned her head away, jealous too. But if she wasn''t blushing... her tail betrayed her emotions. She waddled and twitched on the floor.


    Saphie, Manu and I burst out laughing.


    So we sailed on a supply skiff. But our peaceful journey was short-lived.


    A ship with a skull and crossbones flag! Pirates!


    Rubix cast a favorable wind spell, but the pirate ship was bigger, more sail, and shaped for war, not transport.


    We were in sight and we could see the rotten teeth of some of them. There were about twenty of them and they were armed with cannons.


    They fired a warning shot and we pulled the sail, letting them board.


    The captain didn''t care, they were old friends...


    The ship docked and, as usual, dropped planks between the two boats


    Rubix threw the shield on all of us and we drew our weapons


    but with horror, I surprised the dragonets who had invited themselves as stowaways. They wanted to be with their "brothers."


    "Dragons, stay together and don''t interfere!"


    The first wave of pirates fell from the sky through the ropes but one of them went through the deck, KO''d by a cuff of my colossal strength.


    Rubix sent a second with a tail swipe and the third fell when the rope was severed by Sapphire''s arrow.


    Manu threw a spirit hammer that knocked out the fourth.


    The wave was broken and the others came in shooting with flintlock pistols. One missed, but the other lodged in the magic shield and the lead bullet fell to the ground, crushed.


    Rubix: "Magic missile!"


    and he fell, wounded in the arm.


    I ran into the pile and like a windmill I ended up on the pirate ship.


    But when they saw that half the crew was down, but not killed, the captain clapped his hands.


    "You guys would make great pirates!"


    I smiled and returned the favor.


    And he held up a poster with Rubix''s portrait


    "If you deliver it to me, we''ll split the winnings and you can become a member of the team."


    "Sorry, but she''s my fianc¨¦e...!"


    Rubix turned around and flames came out of her nostrils...


    With emotion, she puffed out her chest and did as Valtrax had explained to her: Full of mana in her breath.


    FWHHIIIIIISHHHHHH!!!


    The next second, there was an inferno on the ropes, deck and barriers on the pirate ship.


    Immediately, they retreated and struggled to save their ship.


    A sail on fire.


    They were immobilized and were busy fishing out those who had jumped into the sea.


    Two hours later, without too many problems, we arrived in sight of an unwelcoming island with reefs and rocks all as sharp as each other.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    The captain, used to it, grabbed a buoy that was floating and put a rope in the ring underneath.


    Then they pulled and the skiff turned dry, revealing a dock hidden by the waves.


    "We''ll have to wait for low tide to disembark, the entrance is flooded.


    But we didn''t wait.


    We all held hands and teleported from the boat to the top of the reefs where we could see the valley inside, its source, its stream and its volcano.


    At the bottom, there was a sinister castle. The castle of Blackthorne.


    It smelled like a dungeon and especially like a monster.


    There were guards and according to our information, we would have to find the crown first before trying anything.


    It was dark and we relied on our nose to detect hidden dangers.


    Little by little, we could see the night was getting lighter and the tide was going out.


    We had to be quick!


    The houses adjoining the castle must have been those of the guards'' families and the shutters were all closed.


    At a run, we snuck onto the rocks next to the castle.


    We looked at Rubix and she didn''t hesitate.


    She seized me with her paws on my outstretched hands and she put me on the roof. Saphie and Manu stayed behind to cover our retreat.


    I found a window along the lintel of the chimney, with its baroque style, it was like a staircase.


    We entered a dusty shed and came to a hallway lit only by a candle.


    Rubix cast a trap detection spell and we saw a black wire stretched to a spring mechanism with a hammer and a bell. An alarm!


    More wires were stretched to this mechanism and the bell was blocked with a piece of cloth.


    Then we came to a main hallway and we could hear guards yawning


    "It''s almost break time!"


    "Yes, look, the sun will be up soon and we can go to sleep!"


    He looked out the window.


    "Look, the supply skiff has arrived! "


    "Hahaha, he must have run into the pirates and we''re going to have a good laugh when he falls flat on his face before Blackthorne.."


    "Well... That''ll make room for a future captain''s apprentice...Those below will enjoy it..."


    "I love it when he catches...it freaks me out every time."


    The guards walked away to their room to eat a piece of bread and wine.


    We looked at each other and with a spell of silence and invisibility, we snuck into the hallway. As the guards continued to talk among themselves, portraits of prominent members of the regent''s family could be seen on the walls


    We arrived in a very dark room and in front of us stood a sword.


    On it was a crown!


    It was so beautiful!


    The sword and crown of Lord British!


    With the dust, it had lost its shine but not its aura.


    Rubix sensed and cast a trap detection spell but we didn''t know it, the crown was absorbing the spells cast at it and slowly we inspected if there was a thread or a crack or something.


    The guards made their rounds again and we leaned against the wall on the corridor side and the guards turned toward the other corridor, having seen the crown still on the sword.


    But it was about to get light and I grabbed the crown but the sword sank into the base and the next thing I knew we were in the throne room.


    Blackthorne himself came in from the side and went to sit on the stone throne.


    "We''ve been expecting you."


    I flinched and Rubix pressed up against me, sword out and her holding her 2 magic axes.


    In his hand was a cane topped with a red jewel.


    "The dragoness assassin! Nice people, but Torin, you disappoint me. Why do you meddle in matters that are none of your business? Yet your family was spared..."


    Me, holding the crown of Lord British.


    But the regent looked at the crown with suspicion.


    "Give us back the crown and hand over the dragoness, so you''ll be forgiven and get off with a few lashes!"


    "When I was born, my father saw Lord British being carried out of the dungeon and into the harbor, carried by the three specters. You lie to people and bully all of Britannia. Why? You were so good before..."


    He raised his scepter.


    "dragon! Submit!"


    But I had put the crown on her head and she resisted the order.


    Then Blackthorne stood up and 10 guards appeared from dark corners, as if the columns were hollow.


    "It''s been an honor to know you Rubix..."


    "Shut up. I spotted a stained glass window. I could swoop in and you''re holding onto my paw!"


    The guards drew closer and the irons crossed.


    But as our spiritual augmentations made us heroes,


    The guards'' swords were quickly drawn and our combined strength soon overcame them.


    Blackthorne remained and we approached him, threatening.


    "Free our friends and relatives and we''ll leave without a fuss...it''s not for us to judge you, but for the Lord British and the Council.


    Lord Blackthorne:


    "But the council is with me! And even if Lord British came back...what would he do? He gave up his post! His kingdom, his people. Even if he''s been kidnapped and he can''t help it, it''s up to the council to validate his royal title."


    I thought he was weak for a regent.


    "OUR PARENTS! FREE THEM!"


    And, as he approached, the crown had its effect. It neutralized Blackthorne''s magic, revealing his joker, his fool!


    "HAHAHA..." "HIHIHI....I have you biiienn EUUU!!!!!" sneered thejoker, dressed in bells and his traditional royal clown costume.


    But he was also a master spy, ace at camouflage and revealing plots in the service of his master.


    "My name is Igor..." but if you''re looking for the terrorists, they''re in Britannia! With the Widow! hehehe..


    Then he pressed a button and Sapphia and Mark arrived with their hands tied behind their backs, a gauntlet...


    "We know you''re very strong, Torin, but playing the little hero comes at a price.


    He gestured and one of the soldiers holding the two prisoners pulled out his sword and put it to Saphie''s throat.


    "Surrender if you want to live!


    I threw my sword to the ground. And Rubix her axes.


    The little fool who was barely over a foot tall, his chin very elongated, jumped off the throne and picked up the sword.


    "A knight''s sword... what a waste! .... Take them away..."


    And ropes were put on my back. And Rubix got chains and a ball and chain.


    Looking defeated, Sapphia began to cry and so did Mark.


    "Sorry, Torin..."


    "I looked at the stained glass window and motioned for Rubix to run away..."


    But she moaned and hugged the three of us.


    We passed the captain who had sold us out. We saw him receive a purse full of gold, and he greeted us in the most hypocritical way possible.


    "You may escape the Widow, since no one here has lost their life... but it is Blackthorne who decides."


    In chains, but mostly because of our inexperience, we had been captured like rookies.


    Strength and power are not everything. It also takes cunning and above all luck.


    I thought very hard to Valtrax, so that she would free us when the ship was at high tide to leave.


    But it was not the direction of the harbor that we were heading, but a circle of stones.


    Jester: "The crown, you can keep it... You can play Lord British in the dark dungeons of Britannia..."


    At the sight of the circle, I slowed down... I knew it was the end and wanted to struggle but a paw crushed me.


    It was Ravenar''s paw. He was back to normal size and my human, superhuman strength was no match for his weight.


    He turned to Rubix... "I should kill him so that you will finally deign to turn to me!"


    Rubix "We know that you killed Father Damien. You are a monster!"


    Ravenar, the black dragon laughed.


    Jester: "Lord Blackthorne needs him..!"


    Ravenar lowered his toothy maw and stared into my eyes.


    "I do indeed need you alive. But take a good look at Rubix because this will be the last time you see her! When I am the new Exodus, you will


    tremble at my power!"


    Rubix (in draconian) "Why are you so mean!???"


    Ravenar: "Haha, you think Amon is my master? But it''s the other way around! I help our Lord and with the 3 Lords of the shadows, my reign will be infinite!


    Rubix: "You are crazy! And you will never be Exodus!"


    He then pointed to the dagger of Brilliance and looked at me!


    "NOooonnnnot that!!! Not Torin!!!!"


    Ravenar smiled and showed all his sharp teeth?


    Rubix : "What more do you need? You rule with Blackthorne already! You won''t get anything more...


    Ravenar : "But I do... You! You will stand by me... As you should have done..."


    "To have my wings sawed off and end up in your salt mine"


    "Hahahaha! But it''s like a female that I want you... You are intelligent, strong and combative. I want you to lay my future offspring! And you better accept if you want them to live!"


    I understood this monster''s despicable deal.


    Then one of the guards put down a moonstone and a portal came out of the grass.


    "MOVE ON!"

 CARNAGE

    We crossed the gate and arrived in the courtyard of Britannia Castle.


    Bleachers were being set up, obviously a mock justice show.


    We were manhandled and Ravenar personally held the chain of Rubix. We followed.


    Our only hope was Henry, who had not been captured. His thieving skills would be put to the test this time.


    We were thrown into a dark dungeon with just a pitcher of water and straw.


    At the bottom, a skeleton... no... It was a starving old man He was in irons, chained.


    "Ah... A dragon... Please kill me quickly! A short death..."


    Then he saw me... "Ah. Children! Bastards! .... Putting children here...monsters...."


    It was old Saul


    When there was no one left in the corridors, it was decided to give the poor man first aid.


    Me: "Saul... do you know what is going to happen? They come up from the bleachers..."


    They bring out the Widow... They are going to execute terrorists but in fact resistants faithful to Lord British against this imposter and his clique.


    Lord British wanted to abolish the powers of the nobles following the events and the Codex avenue and they betrayed him


    "Do you know if there is a way to escape?


    "Yes, but I''m too weak now and I''m tied up..."


    "We promise to come and free you. We want to overthrow Blackthorne..."


    "Who are you and what is a dragon doing here?"


    "I am Torin, son of Ragul and we came to free Shamino, Iolo and the others but we got captured in the castle!"


    "I am Rubix and these are my companions..my family."


    Saul : "A talking dragon...I thought they were all extinct but I''m glad I''m still alive to see one, a beautiful one at that.."


    He pointed to the brazier, "Into the embers, the mantra "AUM" and push on the inverted brick!"


    But we were interrupted by Lord Blackthorne who came to visit us in the dungeon, well, on the right side of the bars.


    "Terrorists give terrorist seed..."


    Rubix "We know about Lord British..."


    Me : "We don''t need your morals..."


    Lord : "You will tell me the mantras for the sanctuaries and your parents will be spared..."


    Saul: "No! Nothing will stop them! Don''t say it..."


    The regent grinned.


    "Children, you have a choice! "Then he made a sign to the guard who opened the door, others pointed their spears and he took old Saul away. Then we were also chained and followed the guards and the regent until our eyes were dazzled by the light.


    The nobles were on the steps and everyone took their seats.


    In the center, a structure hidden under a veil.


    Musicians sounded their trumpets and a cart with a cage on it, pulled by a mule, appeared. Inside, Shamino, Iolo and Dupre were pulled out of the cage and tied to a post with a whip attached.


    The people applauded and Ravenar took his place next to Amon on the stage of the officials and Lord Blackthorne''s throne.


    The sky was cloudy, on the verge of rain, but the place was crowded, the performances were as rare as they were cruel, and that did not inspire anything good.


    We looked around after Henry but we saw him with several people covered with a hood and one of them met our gaze and signaled no...


    I sighed, defeated... Now we would have to survive and be careful what we say.


    Saul shouted, dragged by a soldier: "No!!! noooo! I confessed everything... you promised... you promised !!!!!!"


    Another soldier pulled on a rope, and, like a gift-wrapping, the sail fell away, revealing a monstrous machine: a guillotine with a horrible blade.


    The soldier threw the end of the chain to his fellow soldier, who caught it and attached it to a pulley below the guillotine''s frame, and he began to turn the crank, and the blade began to rise and mechanically drew poor Saul to the rocking board, and once the blade was up, he was against the board, his neck in the notch.


    He screamed and screamed but his cries were muffled by the cheers of the audience.


    Suddenly, he tipped forward and when the board came to rest horizontally, his head was stuck and the blade came down with a terrifying thud.


    The blinking-eyed, tear-filled head rolled into the basket below. Before he died, he saw his body separated from his head before sinking into eternal darkness.


    The bloody neck made us vomit. Rubix let go and shook, thinking of the sawed-off wings.


    Then, next to the guillotine, there was a horrible saw...


    Ravenar stared at her and she lowered her head in terror... It was more than she could bear...


    Then Lord Blackthorne stood up and gestured for the people to calm down and for silence to return.


    "Dear Sosarans, you have seen a sample of what awaits terrorists, spies and assassins. No one escapes the justice of this country... Whether he is a noble, a commoner or even a former hero. No one is above the law."


    Today, we are dealing with terrorists who have come to destroy our homeland, in the name of a sham.


    But let''s make a little reminder of the law.


    The regent or king owes his position only to the council that represents the towns and villages of all Britannia.


    The parents, fomented a coup and their children were caught red-handed.


    A guard grabbed Rubix''s paw "She still has in her paw the proof of their crime: the crown of Lord British!" And he showed everyone the sovereign''s crown.


    Then returned it to the dragoness.


    "It''s not the object that''s in question... let them play Lord British if they like. They can keep it, but it is the symbol of royalty that they have defiled! They question my authority!"


    The council members all stood up and insulted us.


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    Then after a gesture, everyone fell silent and he resumed:


    "They argue that Lord British is the only sovereign.


    But he is sick and old, and unable to rule. This is also an attack on him.


    Then the council rose and shouted in unison: "Lord Blackthorne! Lord Blackthorne...!"


    He then looked at us defiantly and the imprisoned parents.


    The young criminals are here to see what awaits the traitors and let this be a lesson to them. They will go through the whipping to remember the order of things. They are only guilty of theft, but also of stealing dragons that belong to the state and the academy.


    They have dishonored the profession of knighthood that was offered to them on a silver platter but they have lied, colluded and betrayed the trust of their mentors.


    But the most disappointing is the dragoness who was emancipated and betrayed all those who had placed their hopes in her.


    She will receive the red-hot iron to teach her that she is the property of the academy.


    This punishment is also the consequence of an extremely serious fact.


    You see, she speaks... and it is not innocently."


    Lord Blackthorne turned to Ravenar who turned his head in the direction of the dragoness, expecting a confession from her...


    Rubix... "Forgivenn...Please......I will do anything you wish..."


    Blackthorne: "At least one who regrets!"


    Gamblin was present and noticed Ravenar''s ploy.


    "It can''t be! "he thought.


    He got up and walked out of the square, not wanting to be involved in this farce of justice anymore...


    He detected with the ankh that the members of the council were not human, but IMPs... demons in human form and that Lord Blackthorne was only human in appearance.


    He spoke to Ravenar: "You have just made a grave mistake, dragon...If I were you, I would run away or try to fix it but your soul is already lost..."


    Ravenar: "Hmph... old nail..."


    Lord Blackthorne waited for the crowd to ask questions and get the idea.


    "Yes... Yes, they are ancient heroes but... See... there was crime.


    Not to mention guards killed, nobles bruised, here is the object that almost took all your lives.


    Do you remember the dark ages well? Your parents and great-grandparents remember the beautiful Sosaria before the cataclysm, the destruction, the volcanoes and the lands flooded by the ocean with no hope of escape. The hundreds of thousands of deaths???"


    The crowd was silent and there was a long silence.


    Then Amon held up a dagger.


    "This is the famous Blade of Brilliance!"


    It was placed on a base covered with a glass bell.


    Mages and scholars, you may approach and admire the authenticity of this sacrificial weapon!"


    There was then a movement of crowds and many nobles and scholars paraded before the recovered dagger.


    Then Lord Blackthorne motioned for them to sit back down.


    "As you could see, this weapon was found in possession ." then he looked at Ravenar who approved "Yes, in possession of the rebels and terrorists IO, Dupre and Shamino as well as a list of accomplices, with the help of the tamed dragoness, who only followed orders.." "


    And I saw Dad and Mom also captured, tied up at the last minute. Ragul and Esme!!!.


    At that moment, Rubix cried, knowing her fate was sealed with Ravenar... her friends as hostages...


    "Yes, this dagger is not only decorative and symbolic, but it contains a terrible power"


    In the paws of the dragoness, the dagger would have awakened Thor, the destructive dragon and thus recreated the abominable Exodus, whose blood has a tiny part of it. And you know what would have happened? It would have turned into a vessel for the abomination and ravaged all of Britannia, burying houses, town and village under volcanic lava and great waters before sinking the country into the ocean or hurling us into the infernal inner world."


    Everyone began to boo the defendants, tied to the post.


    Rubix was also booed and stones, rotten vegetables, eggs were thrown in our direction.


    Then there was the cry "DEATH!!!! DEATH!!!!


    Cut off their heads!"


    It was an orgy of violence and insults.


    Then a puppet judge stood up and spoke.


    "The verdict of the people is final. The defendants will be executed here and their children will be whipped and exiled to the underworld where their fate is of no interest to anyone. In his infinite goodness, Lord Blackthorne will let the dragoness live as a female for Amon''s dragon, as a reward for good done to society. "


    He tapped his hammer on a desk "Justice has been done...let the execution begin!"


    Rubix''s chain was tugged and she was led away to the black dragon lying next to Amon, a fake collar of submission around his neck to reassure the audience...


    Rubix was crying but kept her dignity and tried to hide her despair.


    The executioner approached us and Manu flinched but was pulled by the ropes while screaming.


    The parents screamed to leave their children and spare them, but no one listened to their pleas.


    But I recognized the executioner, well, his apprentice... it was Henri, disguised but he took the whip and turned the key discreetly on my wrists.


    But the executioner pushed him and made him fall out of the platform and he ran away.


    Then he took the whip and the pain was scathing.


    SLASH


    Judge:" 100 lashes... if he survives he will be free in the underworld.


    I gritted my teeth


    SLASH


    There was a commotion and some of the elders tried to intervene, but the guard pushed the troublemakers back.


    Lord Blackthorne saw that they did not relent and asked them to stop.


    "Proceed with the execution".


    Then he stood up and went directly to the platform near the killing lever.


    "Shamino...one last time. What is the Mantra of Justice?"


    He spat in the regent''s face.


    He wiped his face and began to smile.


    But with a jerk I freed my hands from the unlocked shackles and grabbed the dagger of brilliance from the rack, spraying with the chain wrapped around my wrists.


    I charged at Lord Blackthorne sending the guards over my shoulders and breaking the swords with my chain used as leverage and armor.


    He drew his scepter instead of his sword and received a right on his hand that broke the lever of the guillotine with the impact.


    I put the dagger to his throat


    "Release them... you are not the fool this time"


    "You have signed your death warrant, Torin!" spat the regent.


    With a backhand stroke, he smashed my skull with the pommel of the magic gem on his scepter and I felt his superhuman strength.


    His eyes were shot red. He was a demon! He was stronger than me!


    In the distance I heard an exhausted Valtrax running to help us.


    But Lord Blackthorne called out a word of power and Valtrax went down, unable to come any closer.


    Rubix clutched her head, as if she was in a vice, and I felt nauseous...


    Then I felt like a breath and Ravenar was behind me.


    With his paw, he crushed me at the feet of the false king, Rubix chained and unable to do anything, especially since she had a bit in her mouth preventing her from casting a spell.


    Saphie and Marc were gagged.


    But I''d done my best. I still held the dagger and wanted to stab it into the dragon''s or Impostor''s paw, but he increased the pressure, causing me to let out a cry of pain.


    My whipped skin burned. But I drew on my rage and...Ravenar snatched the dagger from my hands with his other paw, lacerating me, and, holding it firmly, stabbed it into my heart!


    "UHHHHHHHHHH!"


    The pain was indescribable.


    Everything was in slow motion.


    The crowd was bellowing and everything was spinning around me.


    I saw in slow motion, as if he was getting up with the bloody dagger.


    A spray of blood invaded my mouth and I spat as if under pressure and I felt as if my whole interior was turning inside out, that with the dagger, in addition, an arrow had come out. And, indeed, an arrow fell to the ground and disappeared in smoke...


    and everything was like a flash


    The crowd was screaming but with terror. But I could not hear anymore.


    Time seemed to slow down.


    I could see my father holding out his arm in chains.


    My mom holding her hands to her mouth, my friends, my family looking at me. In fact, everyone was watching me.


    And I fell into a hole, huge,


    It was death... destruction....


    Then I felt a pressure inside me, like an explosion.


    All my cells were burning. I had the rage, the feeling of injustice. And this hatred. I hated all those people, those horrible people, those monkeys.


    I wanted to trample them, to crush them and make them pay for their wickedness.


    I saw my poor Rubix sacrificed, sold, and all those bastards.


    Rage.


    RAGE


    MEGA RAGE


    GROOOAAAAAARRRRR


    Everything was white and the next moment, the cold


    A cold like death


    Like emptiness, like nothingness.


    Then the light dazzled me


    Then the heat... the furnace. The underworld....


    And then, the silence. A silence of death, of terror.


    People looked at me like... frogs???


    The crowd was small, silent, white and green with terror....


    Then... I saw Lord Blackthorne kneeling before me and the whole crowd...


    GRRRRRR


    I looked at my hands... but they were paws...


    I felt my head...


    My neck, my wings and my tail...


    I was a DRAGON!!!


    RAGE!


    "One of the nobles shouted, followed by the others: it''s EXODUS!!! It''s him AAAAARGGHHH"


    Without warning, I spat all my rage at Blackthorne and the stage in front of me and the carnage began!


    CRASH!


    SCREAM! MAGMA BLOW


    Everything was engulfed in flames and the next thing I knew, the castle and the courtyard were one huge inferno.


    They were like ants after a heat gun.


    At my feet, there was the pole and my friends and family still tied up.


    They were screaming.


    "This is Exodus, we''re lost!... Please...."


    Resigned to die, they closed their eyes.


    I said, "Daddy?"


    They began to hope.


    I held out the wing


    "Climb" but no one understood the draconic. I was 25 meters...but my breath was monstrous...devastating and cataclysmic.


    Blackthorne''s crown had melted over his charred remains.


    Demons appeared and monsters and they knelt before me.


    Rubix was unconscious and Ravenar was holding the dagger and trying to control me with it.


    Being three times his size, with a flick of my tail, he crashed into the castle wall and passed out.


    I gently picked up Rubix and broke the post with a clamp, freeing the prisoners.


    I was staggering around, not used to my new appearance but I was lost, disoriented and in a state of major psychological shock.


    I started to cry and I ransacked everything in my path, fleeing towards the hill and the woods, where Valtrax had fallen.


    The prisoners took advantage of the carnage to flee like the rest of the population.


    A new dark age was coming for Britannia, well...maybe or not...


    It was a carnage, a nameless massacre, but they deserved it to a greater or lesser degree, but innocent people also paid with their lives that day.


    But... I was lost, confused and I didn''t know who I was, what I was and what I was going to become...


    No one understood what I was saying... it was all grunts, snaps and roars.

 DRAGON

    One step, then the other and I was stumbling.


    I had huge legs, a long neck and wings and a long tail.


    But I was in pain, a lot of pain... The fire, the burning, I was like a bloated frog the size of an ox. I was going to explode and my belly... This infernal heat... I was spewing lava and everything was burning around me.


    I was like lava, fire and mechanically I was heading east, towards Cove, home.


    I was crying but it was fire coming out of my eyes.


    "MUUUUM!! help!"


    Every step was on fire and left a trail of fire.


    There was a lake a little further on and I rushed in.


    The water started to boil but it felt so good.


    In the meantime,


    Ragul and Esme were running away with the survivors.


    Iolo picked up the dagger and Shamino was staggering.


    The resistance fighters fled with the children, and Gamblin waved to them while he treated Ravenar.


    He had a real collar of submission placed on his neck and was dragged out of the blaze.


    Gamblin dropped Rubix''s shackles and chains and they walked away from the blaze.


    All the nobles present had perished. Hundreds dead. A carnage.


    In the town square, where people had taken refuge, they watched the flames devour the castle, but mages rained down and the flames subsided and finally disappeared.


    Esme began to scream.


    "TORIIINNN!!! TORIINNN!!! My little one! Where are you???"


    But there was no answer...


    Ragul was crying with his inconsolable wife.


    Beth had arrived and she was in Sapphire''s arms, surrounded by Rubix''s paws who was also crying.


    "Bastards!!! "


    Gamblin didn''t dare to say anything and looked to the east, the smoke, the forest fires...


    Manu was looking at the blade with my blood still on it.


    "Sorry, Torin, I don''t know how to make you come back..."


    Henri also looked at the dagger that passed from hand to hand and finally into Rubix''s paws.


    Gamblin coughed and looked at Shamino''s critical condition.


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    "The dagger... it''s only used to remove curses since Exodus has returned."


    She handed it to Gamblin who used it to remove Shamino''s mystical arrow.


    Then he gave it back to Rubix.


    It belongs to you and it should never have left you...


    Then she thought about Valtrax''s words... Torin...no...that would not be possible... I have to see for myself..Exodus..


    Gamblin : "No.. Rubix... stay here with us... it''s too dangerous... Have you seen all the monsters that follow him? It''s a flood of monsters that are in his wake. The whole East is going to become a blaze!"


    "I am a dragon... he will listen to me..."


    Gamblin: "Exodus is a calamity! not a normal dragon... he will tear you apart and eat you!"


    But she didn''t listen and flew away.


    Everyone yelled at Rubix to come back.


    Meanwhile, Valtrax had collapsed in on herself, whining at Torin and ignoring the calamity that was approaching her.


    She looked up and saw that the great dragon was in a lake with bubbling water.


    And, as she drew closer, she heard moaning


    "IIII IIIIIIII IIIIIII"


    It was the calamity that moaned and growled in a newborn dragonic


    "Mommy???"


    "He was crying for his mommy?"


    Valtrax went to the edge of the lake and at 25 meters, she was thinner but just as big as Exodus.


    I turned my head.


    "Valtraax!"


    And she understood and also began to whimper.


    The dragon came closer and I did not move, being in too much pain.


    Valtrax "Do you understand me?


    Me: "Yeeeeeees! I have PAIIIIIN! It burns!!!!!".


    But I was surprised to understand what she was saying.


    Then, she brought her paw and caressed my cheeks, and her tongue touched my head and she rubbed hers against mine.


    It felt so good.


    "Torin... You are... Thor... not Exodus... My child..."


    Me: "Mom??? Are you my mommy???"


    Valtrax: "I''ve been trying to make you understand that for years. But because I don''t want to lose you, I agreed to become your friend. Rubix has tried many times..."


    Me : "What is happening to me? Why am I a dragon? Why can''t I be human again?"


    Valtrax stuck my head against her heart.


    "When you were born, I fought against the dark lords... but my attacks were getting through.


    They wanted to capture me and I was defending your egg. You! But they missed me and the arrow stuck in my egg and the shell broke... You were dead, lost, murdered. But the arrow was mystical and what can I say kept you from dying and you survived but you remained a human. "


    Me "So you are my real mom!!!"


    "Yes, but deep down you were never a real human.... You always had the strength of a dragon because you were always a dragon.


    The arrow is gone and your nature, your true nature is in you."


    "I am afraid... I don''t know who I am anymore..."


    Then Valtrax sang me a lullaby.


    "Let yourself go. I''m here... I''m your mommy and I''m going to teach you everything again."


    Valtrax was nothing but tenderness, and, soothed under her songs, I let myself go, fell asleep, and she watched over me, reflecting me, washing me, and giving me all the tenderness that a mother could give to her child.


    Rubix finally arrived, terrified by all the monsters that had gathered in the vicinity, within sight of Exodus.


    She was reassured when she saw Valtrax hugged to me.


    She smiled as the dragoness landed next to her.


    "Chttt, don''t make noise, he is sleeping, Rubix".


    Rubix was all upset... "This is Torin???? Torin is Exodus???"


    Valtrax, continuing to cajole me, "No... It''s Torin, his human name but Torin is THOR! He has always been the ''God of Destruction''. He is our son. The son of Exodus and his heir... He has all his powers and he can''t handle them... It''s a disaster....look around, all the monsters are following him now. He''s a Dragonlord...And I saw the carnage..."


    Rubix began to lick me as well and stood with her small size against me, enjoying a moment of calm.


    Rubix: "What are we going to do now?"


    Valtrax: "I don''t know but he needs you now. You must be his guide and his wife. You are all he has left, and I am his mother!


    Torin as you knew him is no more. Well, he is, but he''s a dragon and always has been, but in human form. He has to relearn everything and control himself or else all of Britannia will be destroyed and a new cataclysm will occur. You will also have to act as a link with the humans, so that they leave him alone. Did you see the carnage? That was nothing compared to the earthquakes and eruptions that could happen.


    Go find her friends and family if she survived and explain it to them, then come back here. I need your help.


    Don''t let them come...they''ll get torn apart by the monsters that surround us."

 Soon after...

    The awakening was hard.


    The castle half destroyed, a carnage leaving the city without a leader. Well, yes.


    It was Gamblin, a Duke who took control of the situation.


    He stayed with the children and the dragon knights to help the wounded, but all the dragons were in a trance.


    They no longer listened to their knights and did not obey any orders except for gentle requests to their free will.


    They were all looking east, waiting for a command or a thought from Exodus to start a rampage if needed.


    Gamblin: "It''s just like in Exodus'' time, when I was younger...it''s terrible..." he thought.


    The resistance fighters had taken over the castle and the fire was out.


    One wing had been destroyed, but the structure had still held.


    The roof had to be half replaced but it was still functional.


    The council chamber had been ravaged by fire and Gamblin stood with Ragul, IO and Shamino and the apprentice knights.


    Gamblin turned to Dupre and Ragul..


    "I don''t know what to say but according to the records, the worst is yet to come. It would take Lord British but he is still missing."


    Then, just like that, entering the throne room (the guards had mostly perished and the survivors were helping to clear the rubble), Rubix arrived all panting...


    Saphie and Berth jumped on top of her, happy to find their friend.


    Gamblin : "Ah... you''re alive..."


    Gamblin approached and knelt before Rubix.


    "I beg your pardon for having doubted. It was staged by Ravenar and I am too old... But what could I have done? "


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    Rubix: "Torin is not dead..."


    She held out an open paw to collect herself and catch her breath.


    "I''m sorry, I got here as fast as I could."


    Gamblin: "Make yourself comfortable..."


    Rubix: "I don''t know where to start but... Valtrax is Torin''s mother and Exodus was his father... The arrow... she broke the egg and he survived as a human but... with the arrow removed, he returned to his original form. Torin is a dragon and always has been..."


    Ragul and Esme collapsed in grief.


    Gamblin :" No... don''t cry... he is still your son and he needs you... more than ever"


    Rubix : "Yes... Valtrax has put him to sleep and is singing lullabies to calm him down.... and we have to help him.."


    Saphie : "What is he like?"


    Rubix: "It''s a drama.. he''s completely disoriented, can''t handle his emotions and is screaming in pain.. He says he''s burning up and he''s going to explode all the time and he cries all the time!"


    Gamblin: "And this is Exodus with Torin''s memory?"


    Rubix: "No.. Valtrax asked to be left alone. He is unstable and all the monsters are at his feet. He can''t do anything... he has no control... he doesn''t know what to do. He''s desperate."


    Gamblin: "So we were wrong about Exodus..."


    Rubix : "Yes and no. Torin is THOR... The god of destruction reincarnated"


    The Archmage Duke''s eyeglass fell from his arch.


    And he looked sorry.


    "This is even worse than I thought..."


    Everyone turned to Gamblin.


    "This is a disaster... Sosaria cannot hold a God in this dimension. Torin is building up a colossal amount of energy and that is why he is suffering. It is absolutely necessary to keep him asleep...Sealing him would be better but it is a catastrophe and there will be waves of lava and it will be a mega cataclysm.."


    Ragul, but what can we do to save Torin?


    "We need to help Valtrax and relay her to cuddle and cradle Torin... He needs love, kindness and affection...for his bruised heart to heal from the cursed arrow.  You will have to fight the 3 lords of the shadows and find the 3 shards. Originally, these shards were a primal dragon orb. Torin, finally, THOR must destroy them being a God of destruction by swallowing them.


    Then he will become a normal dragon again, finally an Exodus who can control himself.


    In our misfortune, we are also lucky that the Exodus is Torin and not someone else. He has a pure and good heart and you are his friends and family. You are his bearings and so we will have a chance."


    Shamino: "What if he were to be killed?"


    Gamblin: "The energy released would be devastating and would burn up the entire surface of Britannia. Not yet, but it will happen soon..."


    Dupre: "What if we kill it now?"


    Gamblin: "The monsters will descend here and the dragons would attack us all... Including Rubix...unfortunately."


    Ragul: "Dupre: Torin is still my son and no one will lay a hand on him or they''ll have to go over my body!"


    Esme: "Yes, even though his appearance has changed, we still love him...he didn''t ask for what happened to him."


    She unconsciously stroked Rubix.


    Esme : "Saphie, Rubix, I count on you to help him.."


    Gamblin: "We''ll prepare some "offerings" and the monsters should let us pass... raising an army is a bad idea...


    One of the counselors asked: "And the nobles?


    Gamblin: "It''s over with this comedy of rights. It''s martial law and ranks, it''s by merit and effort. Here there is no more council... besides it was full of demons that Torin exterminated... He also proved that he was not one of them but it''s a pity for the dead"


    Rubix: "Yes, Valtrax told me that Torin mourned and regretted the innocent dead. He never killed in his life either."


    Gamblin : "What a tragedy!"


    We''ll go talk to him now if his dragon mom has calmed him down a bit.


    Then he raised his scepter and a portal rose from the ground.

 Hope

    I woke up with my head under Valtrax''s wing and I rubbed my cheek against my mother''s body.


    Gradually I was coming to my senses but I felt like I was a volcano filling up in its magma chamber.


    "MOM!!! I''m scared!" I growled.


    She put her muzzle against mine.


    "You don''t know how happy I am that you see me as your mommy. I looked for you for years, endlessly and when I saw you happy with your human family, I cried..you can''t imagine but also I loved this family that took care of you, and most of all that loved you like I never could. "


    "MMMm. Mum...."


    she smiles at me.


    "You are beautiful. "


    Valtrax was all flushed, super happy, and was petting me.


    "Listen, Torin... Forgive me if I call you Thor, but I''m willing to let you have this. You''ll have to be brave, my good man."


    "What will become of me?"


    "MMMmm. You''re still you... but you''ll live! We will do everything to make you happy..."


    "Thank you mom. but I am lost, disoriented, I am not me.. and I am unhappy..."


    She drew her head closer to her chest.


    "Listen to my heart beat. You too have a heart...and you too can love now... Do you remember, the arrow?"


    "Yes... Mumm.., it was terrible but look at me... I am huge, I have plenty of fire inside me and I am suffering."


    She put her horns against mine, her forehead against mine


    "Torin... we are all here... you''re not alone and you won''t be. You saved your friends and family and you saved yourself... You were going to die anyway..."


    I sat up straight..


    "Is that right..?"


    "Yes... it was me who gave Rubix the dagger but she loved you so much that she was unable to do that to you... to heal you.


    But we didn''t know you were going to be a dragon again. We thought Exodus might show up again but I knew you were Thor and that was a lie. Trust us, it''s not our fault or yours.."


    I sighed and had to take in all this information.


    Valtrax: "But you need to rest. It''s important for your body to balance with the powers you''ve inherited. You''re hurting because your mana circuits were asleep and now they''re being pumped violently with your monster core..."


    "I''m a monster?"


    "Nooo, nooo. You don''t attack on sight? no? so you''re a dragon..like a human. but stronger.."...


    I put my head on my feet.


    Valtrax: "We''ll go home first.."


    I thought of Cove, my farm, but it had been razed..then the cabin..


    And I could see volcanoes in the distance.


    "No...to my den, no.. OUR den. and... I have to teach you everything again..


    Come on!! Get up!"


    I became aware of crawling and wanted to stand up on my hind legs but I was too long and shaking.


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    "Come on, my big blanket..."


    I finally straightened up and by not thinking about it anymore, my walk became more fluid.


    Calmed down, the fire was no longer flowing from my mouth and I could move forward without burning everything in my path.


    We moved slowly, but as fast as a galloping horse.


    "While you are moving forward, you must flap your wings to strengthen your muscles. it must become natural"


    I had like 2 pairs of arms. 1 in front, and 1 in the back but they were as strong as my legs. Powerful muscles made flying possible.


    I was confused.


    One time I flapped my wings, the other time I slapped my front legs and landed face down on the ground.


    Valtrax smiled a little, but it annoyed me. "Yes, yes... it''s funny..."


    Valtrax: "Sorry, but you can''t imagine how happy I am to walk next to you.


    And a little affectionate blow of the horn.


    Mom was almost in love with me.


    "You know... you look a lot like your father from when he was still free... He was a very handsome male, strong and proud...Then she looked behind her and saw Rubix following in the distance.


    She beckoned her to come closer...


    BOOM


    BOOM


    BOOM were doing each of my steps and the earth was shaking but Rubix was following and moved aside not to be dispatched with my tail full of spines.


    "Look who''s here!"


    I turned, all happy.


    "RUBIX!"


    She flew up like a sparrow and went to land on my neck and rested her cheek against it. I felt like I had a little kitten on me.


    "Torin... I''m with you... and I love you!"


    I stopped and turned my head to see her smiling at me, like a dragon knight on her dragon.


    "Hahaha!" I laughed as I saw her riding me like a horseman....


    "That''s the best! A dragon knight riding a dragon..!"


    Valtrax kept pace and smiled at Rubix who seemed happy.


    But a horse passed us. It was Milo!


    And Saphie on it!


    She was screaming at me. "Torin??? Torin... I love you too!" and she jumped on top of me and made herself a place behind Rubix.


    I huffed a little, sad for Saphie but Rubix, I thought she was particularly pretty. They were my friends and... my girlfriends... except they were small....


    I had tears, real ones this time.


    Rubix was translating everything to Saphie who understood some of the grunts, from being around them.


    And, from the backpack, a little scaly head came out.


    I shook my head a little... "You can''t afford them..."


    Valtrax, for fun... "So Rubix, you are a dragon knight...SNORT!!!hahaha!"


    Rubix was embarrassed..


    "Where is your dragon? PFFFT hahaha!"


    Rubix looked at Valtrax and kissed me on the neck.


    "I got a shiver.."


    As night fell, we could hear the monsters following far behind and I had completely forgotten about them...


    We took a break, walking when we could fly hurt our legs but we were in a circle around the fire, mom and I on either side, my head at her tail and the other way around. And Saphie and Rubix sitting on me.


    There was a fire nearby, a human camp.


    I looked in the direction.


    Valtrax: "These are your friends..and your human family...they come with us but they are so small and they are scared. And I''m used to it..."


    "When will they come?"


    "When you''re ready not to crush them..."


    I made a little whimper like the dogs but I couldn''t accept myself. it was too abrupt, too violent, too sudden.


    I looked at my hand which was huge with monstrous talons.


    I turned it in all directions.


    "This is a nightmare... I''m going to wake up... this is not possible.."


    Valtrax understood immediately and held me close, giving me all the love she could.


    "If I knew to make you happy..."


    But slowly I understood that I was not so alone...That they loved me for who I was and not what I was. Not once did they mention my powers."


    "My little dragonet... That''s right! You are a newborn dragon... 25 meters tall, but a newborn...


    Well. I''ll pass on the feeding although you have to relearn everything from the ground up.


    Eat


    Washing


    Flying


    Hunting and above all


    Survive!"


    I sighed and she sang me a lullaby and I fell asleep between her paws.


    Once I was asleep, she continued to sing and cuddle me a bit, running her claws gently over the scales of my neck in a subtle massage.


    The dragons were flexing themselves in couple in the neck and the mothers also licked their young thus. Especially in places that are hard to touch.


    Gamblin approached Rubix from about fifty yards away


    "So what?"


    Rubix: "Shh... he''s sleeping... he''s calming down a bit.. but he''s still our Torin.. "


    Gamblin, whispering: "What is he saying?


    Rubix : "He''s got a hard on... He wants to go back to the way he was..."


    Gamblin : "And the powers?"


    Rubix : "He doesn''t care, I think, but he''s afraid of monsters...He needs time..."


    She went back to lie against me and Gamblin came back to the humans.


    "Saphie is sleeping on it with Rubix...I think we have a chance. We''ll have to leave them alone but the mission continues!"


    Esme and Ragul could see me from a distance but everything was distorted, different but everyone was starting to get their hearts back.


    Lord Blackthorne was no more, nor his double! Life could resume slowly if I did not provoke a cataclysm!


    Two days passed and I slowly began to realize the lightness of dragon life. Lounging in the sun was taking all its importance.


    I was exhausted but slowly the pain began to fade, I didn''t make any violent movements and I forced myself to become calm. But used to the stress, to the overexcited life of a human, I was as if in need of action.


    But my reptile mass was in the way.


    Mom didn''t help in this respect and neither did Rubix, who obviously took advantage of it. She must have liked my furnace heat.


    But I was pulled out of my torpor by the pleasant smell of bread and cheese.


    Unfortunately, the portion was Saphie''s, who had prepared HER breakfast.


    Then, annoyed, I turned my head to meet Mom''s gaze.


    "Frustrating, isn''t it? If you want to eat... you''ll have to hunt..."


    It was too unfair and I started to cry...


    Rubix, as good as bread... came with a cheese and cast a spell on it: "enlargement".


    And, the small block like a bread crumb for me became a portion like before... A cube of one meter by one meter...


    I wanted to lick the dragon but it was a big risk... I had to hold back.


    But my eyes were crying with joy.


    "Torin, take good care of this treasure... There are no two like her!"


    And my heart leapt as I looked at her.


    Amazed, she turned her head, sideways, as if to get a wider angle of vision. "Are you okay? Torin?"


    I wanted to jump on her so much I loved her but I had to be patient. She was still so young and I was so tall.


    Sapphie also tried the enlargement spell, but it was not her class and failed miserably. She then begged Rubix who also enlarged the bread.


    And we could have lunch together, just like before


    Valtrax was really a nice creature and it was horrible what was wrong with her.


    For a moment I was smiling again and slowly my pain was decreasing.


    When the meal was over, Gamblin came to talk to me, kneeling down as if before a God.


    "Hey... I am Torin... your knight..."


    The mage smiled again. Everyone began to hope...

 Sufferings

    Mom wanted me to get stronger, especially the wings, and she knew why.


    She herself being a female, she had a good feel for the problems that were to come and as an excellent mother, she had foresight.


    "Torin... your mana is filling you up and it hurts your heart, doesn''t it?"


    "Yes, Mom... My arrow still hurts."


    "Mmmm. I see...you''ll break down and you won''t be able to hold all that mana.... you have to get it out without exhausting yourself..."


    I was crying and I could feel my head, my teeth with this huge forked tongue... This burnt taste and this smell of sulfur...


    I wasn''t ready, I couldn''t accept myself... not like this, not like that... It was unfair, brutal and violent.


    All my dreams, hopes, dashed and when I looked at my friends... I wanted to kiss them, to hug them and make hugs but I was too stupid or too slow and I ruined everything...


    Mom, who saw me blushing and crying and also staring very briefly at the female attributes, came to find me.


    She knew.


    She was anything but stupid.


    "Mom!!!"


    "Torin... I feel like you regret it but if it''s sexual, it''s arrow damage.


    The effects were devastating. It stopped you from loving, from falling in love, but it also took away your draconic nature, your dragon-like way of thinking, your motherly love, your powers and your mana reserve but it also destroyed your life expectancy, your eternity. You were going to die and I had to act. In time, I''m sure we''ll find a solution to your problems.


    Lord British, he may have known the answer. Your daddy told me about a spell that would allow you to temporarily take on a human appearance, at least to be able to have offspring with humans.  Unfortunately, I don''t know this spell and your daddy took the secret with him to his grave."


    Mom had a way of cheering me up every time.


    I can''t imagine my situation without her or my two friends.


    It''s a horrible ordeal but alone it''s a thousand times worse.


    Rubix was thinking and sad.


    "Rubix? What are you thinking about?"


    "I never knew mom... or dad... .... I''m jealous of you... a little..."


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    "You know what? We''re going to free our fellow creatures from the salt mine and we''re going to look for the lost dragons or those hidden in the dungeons..."


    Immediately, her face lit up and a smile up to her ears emerged.


    Valtrax: "Very good idea...I feel your mana going down..."


    So off we went north, towards the dungeons sealed by Amon.


    After half a day,


    humans whipped dragons that refused to move. None of them moved.


    We approached and they became frightened.


    Rubix, her magic axes in her paws, charged in.


    Magic missiles and spinning axes were hurled at the mahouts and "healers" who did everything but heal.


    Next to the dragons, slaves and criminals were chained up.


    There were hundreds of them.


    Wagons full of salt waited to be transported to the boats that would distribute the goods to the four corners of the kingdom.


    On the ground lay officers, mahouts and whips, dead, their skulls cracked or their chests split open.


    Rubix landed and immediately noticed why the slaves weren''t running away from the nobles and miners:


    They were all blind in various stages.


    It was horrible.


    Half were desiccated, dehydrated, and had only skin on their bones. Unrecognizable.


    Rubix could see the dragons... It was horrible. They all had their wings sawed off and the wyverns cut and sewn into their bodies.


    Their legs were reduced to stumps surrounded by leather.


    Their tails were also cut, lost and damaged in various stages.


    Many had scales torn off and their horns sawed off.


    But all were blind and like... lobotomized.


    Some, no... most had their submission collars tucked into their flesh which was raw and salt burned.


    Some had almost half of their heads burned and eroded to the bone.


    Many had no eyes left in their sockets...


    There were also a lot of dragons still alive but paralyzed, crammed into a "morgue".


    It was worse than a concentration camp.


    Flies.


    The starvation.


    powdered skin and scales mixed with curdled blood and raw salt covered the ground in front of the mine.


    I arrived with Valtrax who gagged and saw Rubix prostrate, in shock.


    She had escaped this!


    She had let go as in her nightmare and I took her in my claws, all trembling and carried her against my heart.


    The human slaves were in the same state as the dragons, but they were less damaged because they died before reaching the stage of the dragons.


    We were followed by Gamblin, who had to turn his head when he saw this spectacle of horror and desolation.


    The humans were also crying.


    I had to do something.


    I was going to the living mass grave first...


    So I touched the first dragon on the pile. Untransportable, it would have broken if I had moved it.


    "By the power of Thor!"


    and in an instant the area swelled ten times its volume.


    The living skeletons "re-inflated."


    Flames ran through their beings, melted flesh reappeared, torn skin and shapes returned to their places and the whole mass began to breathe and then to moan in pain.


    Valtrax and I lifted all these stunted, mutilated beings, alive and unable to die. Yes, to rot and become a zombie...or a lich.


    The mass was indescribable. There were well over 100 dragons, all badly mutilated.


    They caught their breath and then there was a litany of moans of pain.


    It was awful.


    One by one, I breathed mana, blew a divine breath of restoration and fire on their heads.


    The eyes swelled back into their sockets, the muzzles regained their shape, the horns grew back from the stumps.


    Claws reappeared and scales resurfaced;


    The tails grew back and... the wings reappeared in divine flames.


    My mana was falling fast but circulating all the more and swelling up again.


    He was unconscious, physically rebuilt but in what state?


    Next.


    For the whites, it was primal ice and frost fire.


    Small ones


    Big ones


    Old men


    Children and young beasts.


    It was endless and there were still all those who were still alive.


    I was exhausted and passed out after the 10th.


    Mom comforted me and Rubix too. The ones who had recovered were also sleeping, out of shape.


    1 day passed then 10 and so on.


    My mana stabilized and hurt less. Mystic scars? I don''t know but I was the only one who could lift this carnage. I didn''t want to forget anyone. I didn''t want to forget anyone!


    My first order as Dragon Lord was to send the goblins and orcs into the dungeons to search for lost, stranded, or battered dragons. Even the remains.


    I wanted ALL the dragon remains. As long as I had power to spend, it was less energy for the cataclysm.


    Humans and lines and camps were established.


    Misery and suffering were everywhere on Brittania. And while I could, I had to use my divinity to get my life back to normal.

 The end of an epopee.

    Little by little I got used to the idea of being a dragon but full of regrets.


    I was happy as a human but it gave me a lot of regrets but also good memories.


    I had built myself up normally but also healthily. In a way it saved me from being intoxicated or drunk with power and it also saved my personality and my humanity.


    Although in a dragon body, I still had my human mind, my desires, my preferences and my tastes.


    As a Dragon Lord, not to say Demon Lord because I was far from being a demon, I gave the order of power to the Monsters to reside in the underworld. Just to pacify Britannia.


    At the same time to seek the 3 fragments of the Shadowlords. This will at least have the merit to make them flee and to allow the adventurers to explore and pacify the dungeons once and for all.


    In the meantime, a real city of tents and people was passing in front of me.


    But the worst part was the statues of me, and a cult. Definitely.


    But I didn''t want that! Besides, I didn''t give a damn!


    But the healed dragons became like little dogs that followed me everywhere.


    They owed me. An army of dragons.


    The humans were terrified and I lived up to my name. Thor, the Destroyer!


    But I made no distinction between humans, halflings, dragons and even desperate monsters.


    I had offerings and the dishes went back and forth but I shared with my friends and new buddies.


    Rubix was dying of jealousy.


    There were dozens of dragons all in heat after me.


    They dared to approach me at night but Mother made sure to keep them a safe distance.


    I had to fly. And that''s what motivated me.


    In fact, I could have repopulated the whole species if I wanted to and even males submitted! This was unheard of.


    I was scared to death. All those teeth, spikes and claws and incessant growling.


    At night, I thought I was still a little boy but all those beastly snores turned into a nightmare.


    Only Rubix and Saphie could touch me, but in secret, for fear of jealousy or retaliation.


    Valtrax had warned my friends that she too had to fight in love because of the concubines and the army of suitors in my father''s time. But many perished in the cataclysms and when father''s heart sank into madness, only Valtrax had stayed by his side until the end to support him in his madness. A true martyr/sacrifice mother.


    But mom kept smiling and knew what to do.


    I can''t imagine a moment without her now.


    Also Esme supported me with her 2 small hands, but on her scale and I was happy with their presence.


    Little by little, the number of cripples and creatures decreased but it was constant. I was content to let the mutilations grow back, but anything that could be healed, my first circle sorted out and I was able to calm down.


    Father and the resistance fighters wasted no time and Shamino, now the main hero, managed to finish his quests and they found the fragments. Two of the three fragments were found, but the Cowardice fragment remained.


    The monster had fled to the farthest reaches of the underworld, into a veritable maze of mountains.


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    I wanted the fragments and Shamino also wanted me to destroy them, but my objective was quite different. I needed the three pieces to make a dragon orb and give the best possible gift to Valtrax.


    The problem was that Shamino, a hero, had to finish his quest by killing me! A God of Destruction had no place in the physical world, at least not on Britannia.


    And that was the problem. I was of good alignment and the Ankh was flashing because I was GOOD but also supposed to be evil when I was anything but evil.


    Britannia was out of whack. So was the system.


    I was supposed to make my palace rise from the depths with pressurized lava, which would cause eruptions everywhere, causing death and devastation and destruction of crops, homes, palaces.


    I was supposed to unite the races and humans under one banner to fight against my monster armies, grow and cultivate a hero who should by dint of buffs, artifact accumulation experiences and receive a legendary or holy sword to pierce my heart. I was also supposed to make plans for conquest, revenge, reincarnation, and make magic items to establish my continuity, my descent as a good strong villain would.


    No, nothing like that.


    On the contrary, I was helping to bring back Lord British, who would normally be my arch-enemy.


    Maybe I was naive and trusted the humans too much.


    Gamblin was growing in power and strength.


    The resistance fighters too.


    I was also training them for fun


    I was fighting other dragons, ritual fights until the first blood.


    It was great.


    Then the flight. How can I put it... it was a thousand times better than when I was riding mom without knowing it was my own mom pretending to be my friend.


    Ah.. what a waste..


    Rubix remained the same size and had not removed her collar that would allow her to grow.


    It was great for her but... deep down I was hoping she would get closer to my size. I could have gone further, beyond platonic love to something...well...eh...I''m a teenager! and I have needs....


    The problem was that unlike dragons, my libido was aligned with humans...


    I was raging, I was frustrated, and the females were getting scared when I looked at them. They thought I was going to devour them. Yes, but not like they thought. Mom knew that look and she cried secretly. Discreetly, she would cast spells on me to soothe me.


    Her pain was coupled with the fact that she was a widow and seeing me like this was unbearable for her too.


    Then, one day I went crazy and when they couldn''t find the last Lord,


    I flew to the biggest volcano and dived headfirst into the lava and sank


    It seemed endless but the flows had no influence on me and I set my sights on getting out of another volcano in the underworld.


    The humans who wanted to accompany me used their moonstone and others went through the dungeons, which fortunately were almost empty.


    I''d gone around to all the caves in my size, but the bastard was certainly hiding in a crevice or nook that was impossible for me. I wasn''t going to dig galleries until the world above collapsed on the one below.


    Shamino and Rubix joined me and were happy for me to carry them to all the remote areas. They were taking over.


    And finally, they spotted the Dark Lord, the Lord of Cowardice, at the bottom of a gallery in a dead end.


    They were hungry and exhausted, but Rubix waited for the right time when he was frozen, between midnight and 1 a.m., and she was able to slay the third and final wraith.


    She picked up the 3rd fragment and came back to me.


    I said nothing and they used a final moonstone to return to the surface.


    These stones, extremely rare, grew as small crystals below the portals for those who knew.


    I had 1 fragment and Shamino had 2.


    After an evening of rest, we returned to the castle of Britannia which had been repaired in the meantime.


    They wanted to reward me, put a necklace with a medal on it and unveil a statue, but I flatly refused.


    "I killed innocent people! Many of their family members are here and I ask their forgiveness. I can repair, rebuild but not resurrect, not humans anyway...The gods forbid.


    I felt that the envelopes could come back, but without a soul...so make dead flesh...


    Then, with the words of power we went to the room of Lord British and in front of his mirror there was a harp.


    After saying the words of power, the whole floor shook and a portal opened. It was red, but it only appeared in the reflection of the mirror. Inside, one could see Lord British, still young, from when he had been kidnapped.


    Gamblin found a popular score and Rubix tried her hand at the harp. Her claws were particularly well suited to plucking the strings and again the floor shook and a wall slid open, revealing the red portal and Lord British stepped out.


    There was silence and what a surprise it was to see a dragoness sitting like a human playing the melody. The Ballad of the Avatar.


    He said nothing and watched her continue to play, too focused not to make a mistake.


    And... at the very end, he clapped!


    Everyone clapped!


    Rubix was embarrassed but Lord British was also confused.


    Every face he knew was wrinkled.


    "How many?"


    Gamblin wiped his tear-filled glasses.


    Seventeen. My Lord....


    It felt like a hammer blow.


    Lord Bristish: "Who?


    Gamblin extended his arm toward the entrance to the room that could barely hold everyone.


    "All of them, and through the window. Thor... The new Exodus..."


    I waved my paw at Lord British "Cuckoo Lord British!"


    At my paws, a jubilant crowd. Further on a hundred dragons following me and beside me. Valtrax, and Saphie riding on my head, between my horns...


    Lord British smiled again and smiled at me too.


    We organized a mega party here but also in all the cities and villages of the kingdom where manacoms were put in the fountains and could thus retransmit the images live of Britannia.


    Rubix returned the crown to its owner and was knighted.


    The nobility was dissolved except for the title of knight, the only real title and not transmissible.


    The remaining nobles kept their title but in a symbolic way having only the status of knight in reality.


    All the heroes were knighted... and me too.


    The festival lasted a week and there were many festivities throughout the year.


    The people needed it.


    But my problem remained.


    Rubix explained to Gamblin my suffering and finally he found a scroll of language so that I could finally express myself as before.


    It was a little but also a lot.


    It was important to me.


    Gamblin asked Shamino again for the two shards. They corrupted and could turn a hero into the opposite.


    The corruption had attacked his heart but he resigned himself with the support of Lord British.


    And finally, they were brought to me to destroy them.


    The problem was that I didn''t know how to do it and I was afraid of going crazy like dad.

 A disappointing meeting

    After a few days, I returned to Cove and to my surprise, our farm had been rebuilt and a huge barn had been added.


    I had a home!


    But... In Britannia, they built me a small palace, in fact like the square house in Nice.


    A palace with one big room where I could rest and drink and sleep. An annex on the side for my friends to come and rest, and especially a quiet corner where the dragons couldn''t flirt with me.


    But I wanted to marry Rubix and Saphie officially but the temptation to do the dragons was terrible and mom knew. And she was casting spells over and over again.


    I stuttered when I was excited and my cheeks were all red but dragons have like a beard on their neck, made of skin and it would turn black! It was physiological! I couldn''t hide it and I was ashamed, embarrassed and really unhappy about it.


    The king smiled and the magi smiled too when they greeted me and I came to the city to take refuge rather than to rest.


    But behind all these smiles, it was only a fa?ade.


    In fact, Gamblin and Lord British were putting on a brave face against all odds.


    The last villain... well... it was me! But if I didn''t know it, I was lying to myself.


    For a year, everything went well, the parties, the rebuilding, the harvests, but the portals that were supposed to send Shamino and Shepard back never opened until the day Shepard himself arrived! taken over by fate and by the quests.


    The gods who controlled the portals, in fact Selene, had sent a hero again.


    Of course, we crossed paths...


    And... he didn''t have the heart to hurt me. I was nevertheless loved by a good part of the population, I healed again, again and again as long as I could and even Shepard, wounded came to find me in my temple to recover fingers torn off by an ettin, a two-headed ogre.


    Then Lord British decided to organize an official marriage and concubinage ceremony and to restore Exodus to his dignity.


    I was proud, and mother too.


    All were invited but all Brittania too....The dragons invited themselves and it was the carnage... well not of blood nor of wounds but the human portions were swallowed in some seconds and they had to disperse while avoiding to be trampled.


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    The party ended as it began: In chaos.


    My two wives climbed on my back and I returned to the secret cabin where I could see them both alone.


    But that was the end of it and I wanted to start a family!


    But it doesn''t work like that for dragons and even less for giants.


    Sometimes they waited for decades to reach a compatible size, even centuries.


    But that was unfair. Saphie would have died of old age before I put my paw on the humanization spell.


    Reduction was also dangerous in the sense of reducing my intellects and making me a small (big) wild beast...


    But in the corridors of the Castle, Lord British was circling and circling in front of Gamblin and Shamino, and Shepard. IO and Dupre were there too.


    "Torin is nice and ... Unfortunately he''s also a deity or a quasi-divine dragon.


    He''s stuck, unhappy, and... thankfully it''s him and not someone else or we''d all be dead. But did you see... He''s a knight too but he can''t control anything... An army of dragons capable of exterminating our entire race... Another army crawling under our feet. Luckily he had the enlightenment to send them into the underworld. Although there are resources, they are hardly exploitable now and they keep all these monsters quiet. Finally, we can walk freely in Britannia, except for the wolves, bears, some ogres and trolls and some brigands and former nobles on the run." Explained his Majesty.


    Gamblin: "We know all that, but what is your point?"


    "Sad to say, Selene is right. Torin must go. I don''t want to and I don''t think anyone here wants to kill him, on the contrary, we all owe him."


    Gamblin: "The problem is that he is born and alive. He is not invoked or come from a portal. He''s here at home just like you and me. And that''s a big difference. The Ankh blinks because he is good and is not evil even though he is called the Dragon God of Destruction. We can''t use a banishment spell. He was born here and so were his parents. And that''s the problem."


    Io stood up. "Are you people crazy? Torin is like a son to me!"


    Gamblin wanted to say the same, but the fact that he had abandoned me during the mock trial, that bad memory reappeared.


    "He should go to the underworld," Shepard offered.


    Gamblin: "No, the problem is lava and earthquakes. We don''t know what, but a tragedy or destabilizing event could awaken her powers and cause a cataclysm. Imagine that Valtrax is killed by an adventurer or a crazy or ill-intentioned dragon hunter or one of his 2 wives".


    Dupre : "Master Gamblin, with sweet words you put the nails on his coffin. I have nothing more to do here, I have the impression to hear Blackthorne sometimes. Farewell!"


    Iolo also stood up and Shamino did the same


    "Excuse me your majesty but if you want to do any harm to Torin, you will find us in your way..."


    Lord British: "Wait! Don''t become resistance fighters again, that''s too stupid! I know that Mondain had a spell to turn powerful creatures into humans to make them infiltrate. So by returning to a normal life, we might be able to seal some of his powers for his sake but also ours!"


    The three men returned to the table, protesting, "One more criticism of Torin and we''ll leave!"


    The message had the advantage of being clear.


    So the hero''s quest was no longer to kill the dragon but to humanize and seal it.


    Of course, I knew nothing of what was being plotted;


    All I knew, from Ragul and Mom, was that the adventurers were looking for the famous scrolls.


    But Shepard was sharpening his sacred blade. Her leader was not Lord British as everyone believed, but Selene herself.


    In the light of the full moon, he sometimes spoke with a vague form of a woman or a spirit floating over the water of a pond or fountain.


    He explained the situation to the goddess and she too felt a twinge of sadness.


    "I will find another solution for Torin. If I am responsible for his death, I will be fallen by Destiny and I will be worth no more than Minox or Mondain," the taste still bitter from Exodus''s death repenting and mourning his unjust death, his family separated and the fact that he could never once hold his son in his paws.


    Then, looking at Shepard, she smiled. Yes...I have an idea...thinking of the hot potato game that must not be dropped...

 The sacred orb

    A year passed and still no change, but Lord British had found a manuscript but no one was able to translate or decipher it.


    Valtrax couldn''t either...


    It had been found in the ruins of the temple/palace of Exodus.


    Where dad was buried.


    I often went to pray on his grave and I told him my adventures, my moments of joy but also my moments of sadness.


    Sometimes a little shadow followed me like a little mouse... Rubix and Saphie... Mom would sometimes drop them off when they insisted.


    I tried to melt the broken orb with my breath or with lava but all I could get was a single repaired orb.


    So I prayed to the orb inserted on the central hole of the mausoleum, the stone above the remains of my father, Exodus.


    Every day, every time I came, it glowed brighter, as if it was recharging, and I felt that my father''s soul was near me.


    "Dad, I beg you. I know now your pain, your sorrow, the pain of the arrow and the madness it induces. But if you could guide me, give me even one word... You must have been loving the way mom talks about you. She never criticized you once! "


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    And when I said these words, an event occurred.


    "I love you, DAD... I love you Exodus! Come back!"


    It was like a shock wave... that crossed the entire continent. A wave of shadow...


    Then silence.


    No more insects, no more birds, the clouds covered the sky and the snow began to fall.


    No... it was not snow but volcanic ash.


    The four stone guardians lit up with light and runes and symbols, converging on the orb I had placed.


    Then, suddenly, it sank into the ground, through the stone, and an undulating column of light shot up into the sky and everything swirled.


    I was afraid!


    Rubix and Saphie, hidden, jumped on me to find refuge and, I took flight to see the show better.


    Shadows, particles converged and the earthquake.


    At the 4 corners of the temple, the volcanoes reignited in a spray of molten magma.


    All the dragons looked in that direction. So did Valtrax. She began to cry without knowing why.


    She flew away to join the little stowaways who were no longer stowaways.


    But I saw like sails, no, membranes and eyes of fire. Immense


    Then it was a roar. Thunder? No, a volcano, perhaps? But it was like an explosion...


    GRRRRRRRRRRRR


    GRRRRRRRRRRRR


    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR


    A mad rage!


    A merciless revenge


    EXODUS!


    ..


    .....


    ....


    Exodus was back and as enraged as in the fight in which he lost his life.


    The sword still stuck in his body was thrown out of his body and fell to the ground.


    With a huge blow of his claw, he pulverized it, twisting it and smashing his tomb, his mausoleum.


    We were not moving!


    Then his red eyes injected with fire and rage fell on me!


    ROOOAAAAAARRRRR!!!!!!!!!


    He was Berzerk!


    Valtrax came and slammed into me, pulling me back to get away from him.


    "QUICK Torin! Run away! He''s not himself when he''s like this!"


    "Mom!"


    GROOOOAAAAAAR!!!


    Sapphie and Rubix climbed on top of mommy and I ran away when I felt a shadow coming towards me!

 Just a matter of time.

    GRRRRRRRRRR!


    Dad was as tall as me, even a little taller, and he jumped on me, his eyes bloodshot but... His strength!


    It was nothing compared to mine. He looked like an angry hospital patient but too weak.


    I shouted, "Mommy, come help me!"


    I finally managed to pin his head to the ground and he didn''t show it but he was barely alive.


    "DAD!!! It''s me Thor... your son!"


    "It''s me Valtrax... Exodux! Get a grip!"


    I could feel him leaving...


    I blew healing mana and slowly his eyes turned blue again. He was panting, moaning in pain. Living, breathing, is painful and like a sleeping limb, when the blood recirculates, it''s like ants eating you from the inside.


    "HAH..... HAH...."


    He was on his side, panting, his head caught in a vice.


    "Dad... I''m your son... Thor... And mom is Valtrax... They are all dead. Minax and Mondain are dead and so are the spectres. We are free, and you are my father! I beg you, give us a chance..."


    The dragon began to whimper and cry.


    Valtrax stroked her husband''s neck.


    "Laaa... l¨¤¨¤¨¤¨¤¨¤. No one will hurt you anymore...."


    The night had fallen, but the very glow of the moon dazzled her.


    I pulled a nice piece of meat from my inventory and offered it to Father.


    "You need to get your strength back."


    He fell asleep clutching Valtrax''s paw as if it would disappear.


    But the next morning, we were awakened by the crowing of a rooster.


    I had been watching over Father like Mother and had fallen asleep with my head resting on his paw.


    I was awakened by a caress. It was Dad. He was looking at me and crying at the same time. He was lying down too and Valtrax against him too and he didn''t dare to move and he didn''t have the strength either.


    We stared at each other for a long time and I took his head against my heart and started to purr and stroke his neck.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    We stayed like that for hours, tight one against the other, Valtrax also had his eyes closed but was purring, her head leaning against his and rubbing against him.


    We ate in silence and 4 small eyes protruded from my back.


    Exodus looked at me strangely and didn''t know what to say.


    He huffed and asked. "How long?"


    Valtrax answered..a little... "30 years??"


    He rested his head.


    "How?... How did they die?"


    Me: "I pulverized them with my friends and wives!"


    Saphie and Rubix came to bow to the huge dragon.


    "This is Rubix and this is Sapphie, my two wives."


    Exodus bent down and levelled his eyes:


    "They are treasures! Take good care of them!"


    They touched his muzzle and then went to hide behind me.


    Valtrax. "Come on... let''s go home."


    It was a short sentence, but it meant a lot.


    The stress of fighting, bad guys, avatars, knights.


    All that was behind us now.


    The five of us simply walked towards the East, towards Valtrax''s lair, towards Exodus''s lair.


    His cozy nest was waiting for him


    He left behind him all these epics but also all this violence and, when he saw for the first time the teeth of the East, his favorite mountain range, he cried.


    He smelled the pure air of the forest, of the tundra and the song of the birds, the blue sky, the few clouds and especially the breeze carrying scents and perfumes of flowers and pollen.


    He looked at me, all excited. He saw himself at my age, young and excited, full of life.


    Exodus, however, was still a young dragon and I knew that he only dreamed of one thing. Valtrax.


    She, too, could not hide her excitement.


    But we walked them back to the den and flew away.


    Immediately we left. He jumped on Valtrax, mouth in mouth and they were uncontrollable!


    Rubix was red and also kissed me with her long tongue which hardly managed to cross my lips.


    We camped the night outside, at the foot of the den, finally a little further from the noises and the frolics which were exciting but also of true daggers inserted in my heart.


    And mom was not there to cast spells to calm me down.


    I eventually fell asleep with my 2 charges under my wings and as evening fell, father came to land next to me asleep and he spoke to Sapphie and Rubix.


    "Mother explained to me about Torin''s desperation. I''ll help him, but I need to get my strength back. Hang in there...nothing is lost!"


    And he began to nurture all three of us.


    Exodus was a loving father. He was a protector of his family and we could go to sleep without fear.


    But we had to keep his resurrection secret...


    In the same logic, I could bring back Mondain and Minax...and rule the world but I didn''t care.


    I wanted XXX to XXX and make XXX to XXX to have beautiful eggs and children. dragons or humans...I had so much affection to give...so many years and opportunities to make up for.


    Then, the next morning, Father said to me, "Come on, let''s go hunting together!"


    It was what I had always dreamed of. Hunting with family but here I was alone with father. He wanted to know me and everything about me, to make up for everything he was deprived of and so did I.


    We took flight and I could see that his strength was slowly returning.


    We were like twins and from a distance you could tell that one was the son or brother of the other.


    We crashed into the snow or rolled around and fought symbolically, to strengthen our emotional bonds.


    We had to measure ourselves against each other.


    Dad, weaker because of his condition, had however techniques that were unknown to me. And I bit the snow several times.


    We had so much fun.


    Then we sat on the edge of a precipice and looked down at the valley below.


    "Dad. You see... All this is yours..! I even washed your honor and there are statues in your name all over Britannia. You are respected and all recognize your victimhood and martyrdom. "


    These words lifted the weights that remained across the dragon.


    Exodus: "So, we can go back to our lives as before? is that it?"


    "Yes, Daddy...! We are loved, I even have a house/temple in Britannia where all 5 of us can stand!"


    Exodus cried, but with joy...


    "I will never know how to thank you. But you are... you are the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me. You are my son! My child. My dragonet!"


    And he hugged me.


    We were all in need of affection, but his look was serious again.


    "Rubix told me that Lord British would still be alive? and that he would have a humanization scroll?"


    "Yes, but no one knows how to decipher it. It''s a dead and ancient language..."


    "I could read it!"


    But the problem is, if the world found out that Exodus was alive, we''d become enemies of Britannia again.


    He was loved as a martyr, dead, and that was fine, but alive, people had the memory of someone close to them or missing because of him, because of the great cataclysm.


    Exodus alive, it was a cataclysm one day or another, just a matter of time.

 Schemes

    Dad stayed with Mom and I returned to Britannia.


    Each time, my arrival was a spectacle. Some people loved to paint me and sometimes I would pause for a moment to please them.


    After the trip, I would rush back to my square house and see if any dragons were around.


    Then... sin.


    They brought me barrels of beer. Dragons hated fizzy stuff. But I loved it.


    And from time to time they brought me good smoked and fried food (fish, octopus, potatoes...)


    But Gamblin came to my "palace", worried.


    "Torin, it''s always good to see you... "


    He settled down and smelled the aroma on my grill.


    "You can help yourself, we just brought them in..."


    Gamblin: "I don''t see your wives..."


    "Oh, they''re with Esme teaching them women''s stuff and Ragul is training Rubix... I dropped them off on the way..."


    Gamblin: "Yes, we don''t see you so much these days..."


    "Yes, I have a lot to learn again. A dragon''s life is very different and I have to relearn everything about hunting and ritual fighting. Also mom Valtrax is teaching me our history and culture and the differences with the virtues. But it''s making my head spin.


    I will never be a mage, a little but mostly a paladin. Well... that''s the best part. A dragon paladin... I heal by imposing paws! hahaha!"


    Gamblin sketched a smile but he still had me a little disappointed.


    "You know, Torin, there isn''t a day that I regret not having better judgment but there were also all the students to protect and the academy from those tormentors. I am indebted to you and I hope you can one day make amends."


    I sighed, the pain still burning, "I don''t blame you but I hope that in time I won''t think about it anymore.", returning a smile to him.


    "There''s the Cocytus Keep and in the heart of it, there''s a draconic shrine with the statue of Exodus.  I''m sure there is a way to convert or activate that artifact. Translating it is one thing, but activating it is another. And it takes a powerful magician. Like Valtrax or Rubix. I don''t have enough mana. It''s made by dragons for dragons. Only Exodus could activate it." I''m sorry"


    But stupid as I was, I didn''t know how to lie...


    Instead of looking defeated because there was no solution, I had a smile on my face.


    "Ah. but that''s great... I''m looking forward to trying.."


    The problem was that I had my black beard and could already see myself in a nest or a giant bed with my wives... I was stuttering and shaking...


    And luckily I had a loincloth.... My excitement was at its peak and steam was coming out of my nostrils."


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    My tail was swishing around the room and scraping the heavy stones. It was dangerous! But I didn''t realize it.


    Gamblin thought about this laughable and comical problem, but it was far from being so.


    I was unknowingly losing my self-control and that''s when I became dangerous.


    He was talking to me but I was somewhere else, I was already in the nest with my wives in the secret cabin.


    "Torin??? Torin???? "


    I fell back to earth, sad of my disillusionment and started to cry...


    "I I I can''t think of anything else!!!! This is terrible...Master Gamblin..."


    "You know, Torin, all kids your age go through this, but I understand your frustration.."


    He also felt my magic rush through me like a volcano on the verge of eruption...


    Then he dropped a tear and said in his beard... "Forgive me..."


    I heard his lament and I thought he was feeling guilty for my transformation but it was for something else much more sinister.


    "Ahhh. I''m too old for this..."


    He handed me the trunk...


    "Excitedly, again, my tail slapped the ceiling and I said, "Thank you...Daddy will help me. Oh. Sorry, Mom."


    Gamblin had stood up but when he heard my sentence, he stopped and clenched his fist, then without turning around, he went to the castle.


    "HAH HAH HAHA!!! At least!!.... Dragons! TREMBLE...because you are really going to TREMBLE! SNORT! Fire came out of my nose! Then, all of a sudden, I wasn''t hungry or tired anymore!


    I wanted to go home to dad!


    I went out like a flash and a big gust of wind almost knocked over some stalls in the market place of the main square.


    Some of the merchants said "Ah... Torin is really excited today...


    Do you have seen his black beard?


    Poor kid."


    A shopkeeper replied, "Uh, poor wives!"


    Then came the laughter.


    The clamor of joy and laughter went up with the wind to a loophole where Lord British used to watch the castle market.


    Life had regained its lightness.


    But he rubbed his beard and muttered, "Poor Torin. I hope you will forgive me one day."


    Then he went back to his office and wrote mission letters and also a letter to me.


    He found the archives and the trace of Rubix''s parents. They would still be alive and ridden by knights.


    The drama had to stop and he ordered them to be brought here from the island of Skarabrae.


    Then Gamblin arrived and knocked on his door.


    He opened a secret compartment in his office and put the letters back in.


    Then he pulled out a letter in magical characters that only he, Shepard and Gamblin could see.


    The letter was signed by a deity. Selene.


    Gamblin, out of breath from the stairs and the walk, helped himself to some fruit in a bowl and Lord British stood up and poured him a good brandy to regain his strength and especially to overcome the bad news.


    "Selene has also been touched and has changed her mind. She proposes that instead of sealing him, mutilating him or killing him there is another solution. It''s also for his own good and for him to be happy. This world is frozen, as she says, and Torin is constantly evolving. This world will soon be a prison of suffering for him. If nothing is done, sooner or later, Britannia will no longer be able to absorb the density of magic that is growing in him. His actions have only delayed the inevitable. Volcanoes will rip apart and fill the underground worlds, then lava will stream out through the cracks in the sea, then up the dungeons, destroying the shrines. The mountains will sink under their own weight and eventually we will all die.


    We have maybe two more years, three at the most if we do nothing, and the longer we wait, the less we will know how to act...


    The dwarven technology that allowed us to go to the other worlds of Sosaria is lost and no ship is able to function anymore. not to mention the weight and size of the dragons."


    Gamblin listened to Lord Britih, but he looked even more grim.


    "Exodus..."


    Lord British..."??? What do you mean?"


    Gamblin: "I felt it... the orb... it''s destroyed but... it''s in Exodus".


    Lord British: "I don''t understand..."


    "Torin is out of control and it is very dangerous. He almost destroyed his palace...and he has blackouts but I have learned.... He is a very bad liar.."


    "Gamblin, I don''t follow you.."


    The mage gathered his strength...


    "Torin... he would have resurrected his father... Exodus.. "


    The king dropped his glass and it rolled to the mage''s feet. He bent down, wiped the solid glass and put it back on the table and stood up.


    "Exodus, I felt his aura and his anger for a brief moment, but he must be with his female in her lair in the East Teeth. And Torin was smiling when I handed him the indecipherable scroll. "


    Lord British reserved himself.


    "We had one problem... now we have two..."


    He looked Gamblin squarely in the eye.


    "We''re sticking to the plan! The problem is that unlike Torin, Exodus is cunning and Valtrax even more so."


    Gamblin tapped the table.


    "This is endless!"


    Lord British: "But I have a feeling that if we carry out Selene''s plan...we''ll pay for it even more" It''s as if everything is written in advance and events follow one another..."


    Gamblin: "And if we told them the truth. At least we would escape the wrath of the people in case of failure."


    Lord British: "In case of failure? There will be no one left!"


    Shepard burst in.


    "Selene told me everything, but Exodus, that changes everything!


    Lord British: "And if he humanizes himself, if he succeeds?


    Gamblin: "It doesn''t matter because he''s Thor! And with Exodus, we have half the time, maybe four times less..."


    Shepard: "Then I''ll do it my way. If he doesn''t understand, Exodus will know and he can explain it to Torin. Besides, it''s not a death sentence, it''s an Eden for them, so they can start a new life without ties to the past."


    They all put their hands on the glowing Ankh.


    "For Britannia!"


    Gamblin added, "For Torin!"

 Rescue Expedition.

    I was flying and behind me, tirelessly, young and pretty dragons were trying to follow.


    The temptation was strong but it was an ordeal to endure and I knew the reward was worth it.


    But I couldn''t get angry. It was a game, tenderness and kindness. Later on, maybe I would have many friends, maybe my life as a dragon would be better than my life as a human, although I was very happy and I was very grateful to Esme and Ragul.


    But what would Valtrax have done with my size? my fragile baby? She had made the right decision for her misfortune and it was normal that I gave her back her father. I would also like one day to have a little brother or sister or a sibling!


    Shit, that''s all I can think about! and I can''t concentrate anymore but the course seemed very short.


    I finally arrived at the East Teeth.


    I could smell Saphie''s kitchen... from a distance and like a bird, I flew into the gaping hole in the mountain.


    Mom and Dad were surprised and Saphie exclaimed! Eh!!! a portion more..


    "Don''t worry sis, with Rubix the work dies!"


    Panting and smiling but with a very black beard, "Dad! I got it, I got it!"


    I rushed between my parents and held out the scroll protected by a carved silver case.


    Dad looked at it after handing me his huge black paw. Obviously he too was happy.


    They opened their wings and I stood between the two of them and purred as I watched Dad telekinetically open it so as not to damage it.


    Valtrax: "Ehh, calm down honey!" My tail was whipping along the bottom and I was going to break some columns if I kept going.


    Rubix and Saphie were curious too.


    Father looked at me sternly. "It only lasts a few hours, 24 hours at the most and then you have to physically recover for three days... It''s not as powerful, but you can reduce your size for longer. 24 hours small but 24 hours normal...


    "ROAAAARRR"!


    "Exodus: But you''re crazy to shout in our ears like that !!!."


    "ahh... sorry dad, sorry mom..."


    Then after the meal, I went with father on the promontory both and he told me about his youth and the good times and especially how he managed his harem and avoid that the dragonesses hate, are jealous or hurt each other.


    The secret is not to share equally but to consider each dragoness as unique and irreplaceable. All were entitled to special treatment, intimate moments and also personal space as shared.


    It was not up to me or to him to organize their lives and their rhythm. They had to adapt but in return they were entitled to respect without regard.


    It is impossible to please them all at the same time but it was my role to make each of them unique and happy.


    I now understood a little better the point of view of the dragons but I was anxious to become a little human again.


    So Daddy drew runes in the snow and pronounced each one and told their story and meaning.


    The magic was deep inside me without me knowing it and without understanding anything, I passed over it.


    "You see, runes are like musical notes. The magic is the same, but the runes evoke impressions, feelings and resources to be sought.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    For example, you walk up a path and you see a dark castle. It is ominous. There is a rune for that. Then you are curious to know what is in that castle and the other rune.


    Then you get to the castle and you are careful. Another rune and so on. It''s like music that takes you around and around.


    This kind of emotional text is indecipherable unless you are a dragon. For that you will have to find the dragon in you. Trust him and promise not to lose you. He will allow you to transform yourself for your own good but not to betray him by wanting to abandon him. This is very important.


    You must be a happy dragon!


    So I will teach you the basics of draconic magic."


    I loved it when Dad told and I started to cry just thinking about Mom''s drama of losing someone so dear. Poor Altrax.... I can''t imagine her grief.


    My eyes were like a little dog because I loved Exodus so much.


    He looked at me and started to laugh.


    "But did you look at yourself?" He looked like a pogona in heat!


    So he explained the concepts, the 4 rounds of guard to negotiate and the visualization as an emotional support and so doing the separation of the rune knowing their beginning and their end as an exploration of the soul and so I dug deep into my being and I felt my inner volcano and my mana and my crystal that had to resonate and bring out the mana.


    It was hard to do. But I had to know the chants and symbols by heart, and repeat them to myself until it became automatic.


    It was an elite spell, complicated. And I admired Rubix who was an expert in the meantime.


    A week passed between father and son and our bonds deepened.


    In the meantime, Rubix had received a message by manacom from the academy.


    His parents would be found but they were locked up in the heart of Cocytus, the worst and biggest donjeon. It was so big that mom, dad and I could walk next to each other without bumping into each other. Shepard, Lord British and my human parents would be waiting for us at the entrance to prepare a rescue party.


    At this news, Rubix was excited and flew off alone to join Lord British.


    Mom prepared her treasure trove of valuable items for all kinds of situations. Especially clerical items. Father took his battle armor. We all had a bad feeling.


    Military camp tents were set up at the Cocytus base.


    Rubix had arrived and entered the royal tent.


    Gamblin was waiting for her and asked her questions.


    "My child... Do you have something to tell us that we should know? You know. This expedition is dangerous. There is a lava lake inaccessible to us with cascades of magma and an island in the middle.


    That''s where we spotted them. They must have fled from danger or war or the nobles. But they are alive.


    We brought several volunteer dragons here to help you, we wouldn''t know with our strength and size. It is the responsibility of the dragon people.


    Rubix "But aren''t we your people?"


    Gamblin." But we are!"


    He looked at Lord British, a tear running from his worn eyes to his beard.


    Rubix : "But Torin has news for you. But I don''t know if you''ll like it. I can''t tell you. It''s up to him. It''s his decision... but he would have deciphered the scroll."


    Lord British, Shepard and Gamblin looked at each other.


    But what did not escape Rubix''s notice was the holy sword glowing like a mirror...


    Rubix: "Shepard, you brought your holy sword?? why????"


    Lord British. " We go together into the dungeon. And according to testimonies, some nobles were infernal Imp but there would be one or more Balrogs! Demons of class A or S. As dangerous as the Dark Lords... We need to eliminate them or at least seal them once and for all and we''ll need your support. Sending entire armies will not guarantee success.


    There are dangerous traps. Look!"


    Rubi looked at the map.


    "Oh... we''ve only explored a tenth of the dungeon! It''s a world unto itself!


    "There''s even a forest, lakes and even an inland sea!, but this is crazy!"


    Gamblin: "There would even be passages to the ancient worlds of Sosaria, through the stars, connected by the dimension of the dungeon."


    She clenched her fist paw!


    Together we will be invincible!


    Everyone held out their swords, magic axes, scepter and mage staffs, all excited!


    Quickly, a huge shadow darkened the sky, followed by another one and... unexpectedly, a third one!!!!


    Lord British wanted to run in my direction but he was faced with another dragon.


    EXODUS!


    Everyone looked up, seeing a living Exodus in full battle gear.


    He was just as he was in his final battle with the avatar. Against SHEPARD!


    A battle of looks began.


    The two individuals were pitted against each other and Shepard with his weapons, armor, artifacts and buffs and blessings was in a position to face Exodus again.


    But, innocently, I landed between the two of them, all excited!


    "Lord British Lord British. It''s Daddy! It''s daddy! He''s back... I destroyed the orb and he came back.!!!!"


    I had the art of putting my foot in it. For this, I was overtaking Rubix


    "It''s good, isn''t it? It''s great, isn''t it? Daddy is back!"


    Blam blam made my tail and I jumped on the spot and the vibrations made everything fall. A tent even collapsed, the pole coming out of the ground by the telluric vibrations.


    I was overjoyed to go on this family adventure with my 4 parents and all my friends.


    It was an unimaginable vacation for me.


    But against all odds, Exodus got down on his knees and flattened himself in submission before Lord British.


    Everyone was astonished.


    Exodus: "Majesty and the People of Britannia. I beg your forgiveness. By my folly, thousands of souls have been lost and there is not one moment that I regret. I am sorry for the cataclysm and I promise to work to repair and restore Britannia to its former glory.


    The humans were reassured.


    Shepard also dropped to his knees.


    "I beg your forgiveness again, Exodus, for taking you from your life and your family. It was war, and I hope that under different circumstances we could have been friends."


    Gamblin applauded, followed by the family and all the humans present.


    Thus the dark ages were buried as well as the old grudges and everyone began to hope.


    Then Gamblin, too old, gave Rubix a codex with all the powerful and useful spells.


    Iolo, Dupre and Shamino were too old and the latter was waiting for the portal to appear so that he could return to his world, to his time.


    Then Lord British spoke the words of power and we all entered the dungeon to rescue Rubix''s parents, but also to rescue dragons and family members.


    The more daring dragonesses and die-hard Exodus fans also entered, along with a handful of knights.


    This time, they didn''t have to use porters to take a dismantled skiff. The dragons had wings!

 Asile

    The mountain rose and the gaping mouth of the monster was revealed in all its grandeur.


    Slowly, the troop consisting of the Lord British''s personal guard, 5 knights,


    Rubix, Saphie, Valtrax, Exodus, me, Ragul, Esme, Shepard, as well as 5 female dragons and 2 fire dragons, acquaintances of Exodus. The dragons carried all the equipment and followed Exodus'' orders.


    I turned around, took one last look at the sunlight and then finished the walk with mom Esme on me and Saphie too.


    I liked having them close to me. But I was surprised to see Ragul and Esme with me!


    Father... Why didn''t you stay with Iolo and the others? That is not your age anymore...


    With his big Viking beard and his skin armor.


    "Son... I''ve always been a warrior... Breaking old bones and not being part of this legendary expedition would have been the biggest regret of my life. I was born with an axe and I will die with an axe!. "


    Me: "But Mom?


    She caressed my neck. "I heard that the dungeon is huge and that you can get lost in it...


    So if that should happen... Might as well be together...right?


    "Looking at it that way...I can understand."


    Esme: "And then I can''t wait to see the in-laws. First impressions are always the best."


    The corridors went deeper and deeper.


    The wind finally died down and with a magic spell the eternal torches and candles lit up and gave all the atmosphere and depth to the caves.


    It was like entering the entrails of a demonic beast.


    Suddenly, shadows on the ceiling.


    Green eyes.


    Then one of the knights stopped Shepard, who was in the front line, with his arm.


    A hole in the wall, then a dart crashed on the opposite wall.


    Then further on, black plants, like agaves with lots of spikes


    Shepard: "Be careful, they are poisonous, even to a dragon.


    If you don''t pay attention, it''s a tragedy!


    Then we went down the infernal stairs and found ourselves in a rather large room.


    Lord British" Don''t cross the light. It''s a trap. We''ll all drown."


    We crawled and were careful that no spikes or wings crossed the beam.


    This place gave me the creeps, but I was glad for a family expedition.


    Then we came to a corridor with a well and on the other side, in an alcove, a living skeleton with a sword and a shield.


    An abomination!


    On the side it was written: "This is my prisoner! Don''t kill him!"


    But the way was dead end!


    Exodus: shouted: "Beware, it''s a vicious trap! You have to back up and ... you see this line cutting the stones, they''re held back by metal edges. The whole room is a trap.


    We walked out and Daddy nodded at me!


    I breathed in and dropped a fireball from my throat and it exploded at the skeleton which was instantly vaporized.


    CLICK!


    The whole corridor tilted, the bottom revealing monstrous spikes and the ceiling contiguous as a hallway.


    If we had stayed, the long hallway would have turned into a pit and we would have all been impaled in the bottom after a dizzying fall.


    Exodus: "The traps are becoming more and more sophisticated. You have to be vigilant and look at the smallest details.


    Then we arrived in a room filled with giant coffins and skeletal hands capable of taking out a 20 meter dragon!


    They came silently from behind but the dragons were alert and with the tail sword the bones were smashed.


    Mama breathed on the spectres dressed in black shrouds topped with a giant''s skull. Perhaps ancient ogre kings or troll princes.


    The purifying mana dispersed these horrors and our progress was lightning fast.


    Seasoned adventurers would have taken weeks where we had taken hours.


    Instead, it was a fun family run.


    I imagined myself in a corner alone with my loves and my reduced size, well... not everywhere ;)


    Mother : "TORIN! Concentrate! You obsessed. Your beard is still black!"


    The dragonesses laughed but the humans kept their seriousness and concentration.


    The danger was real and one second of inattention could change everything.


    I burst into a rage! "I''M SICK OF THAT BEARD! IT BETRAYS MY FEELINGS IT''S NOT FAIR! IT''S NOT FAIR!!! I DIDN''T ASK TO BE... "then I calmed down, for fear of hurting their feelings...


    "I''M SORRY... I CAN''T CONTROL MYSELF... SORRY DAD, SORRY MOM... I LOVE YOU."


    Mom was stunned by my outpouring. And she saw that I respected them and did not deny my "forced" nature. But also, I was very shy in fact and my "beard" did not help at all, on the contrary.


    Then we progressed and arrived in a huge room.


    Lord British held up his hand, "Be careful, this is a "Boss" or guardian room.


    Shepard threw a stone and black vapors concentrated into a huge mass.


    It was a combination of a six-legged dragon, a lion''s head to scare Aslan, and a back covered with a carapace made of stone:


    A Tarasque!


    The monster was bigger than Exodus.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Father and I tried to force the monster to move but it must have been integrated into the dungeon and no more commands were coming to it. Worse, there was no way to communicate.


    The humans looked at me and Father but we nodded.


    We had just enough time to throw a shield over the humans and ourselves before it flooded us with an uninterrupted blast of fire.


    Saphie took her bow, aimed at the mouth and the arrow went deep into its throat;


    Then the beast became enraged and its paw attacks were devastating.


    I was hit by a paw and, to my surprise, I was lacerated! and thrown against the opposite wall, stunned!


    I was too sure of myself as a dragon!


    Father said to me: "This will teach you to be vigilant. Don''t forget that I was struck down by a human! HOLD IT BACK!"


    He grabbed the beast with his paws but the tarascus was stronger than he was but his armor resisted.


    The mane and the big short neck gave Dad little grip!


    Mom bit the other leg, the two red dragons spat on her back.


    The tarasque howled in pain but was not afraid of 5 dragons.


    Rubix jumped up and with two axe strikes and a combined strength spell gave a critical blow to the head of the monster, which recoiled, its left eye and its arch bleeding.


    It turned to attack the Dragon Knight but Exodus smashed its skull with his powerful tail, the most muscular part, taking advantage of its distraction.


    The tarascale tried to stand up but Rubix slit his jugular and was sprayed with blood. A blood bath.


    The tarasque fainted, knocked out and a few gold coins and an enchanted sword fell to the ground. The rest went up in smoke.


    Then the wall rose up and we had access to the deepest part.


    After hours of walking, everything was burning and we could hear the lava rumbling in the depths.


    A red dot at the end of the abyss.


    The heat was becoming unbearable and in the distance, a couple of dragons could be seen stuck on the other side.


    They looked like Rubix with long back legs like her and with the typical bipedal posture...


    The parents of Rubix!


    But one detail did not escape Exodus: They had traces of bits and seals. This was abnormal.


    Valtrax threw on some heat protection for everyone and we crossed.


    Once on the other side of the bridge, Rubix dashed toward the two surprised dragons.


    But first, they signaled no... to run!


    They didn''t move. They had chains on their legs and were attached to a large ring.


    I turned my head to look behind but Shepard had his sacred sword drawn.


    He was pushing the straggling dragons back across the bridge.


    Saphie and Ragul were threatened by the tip of his sword.


    Lord British and his knights were on the other side of the bridge.


    "BACK OFF IF YOU DON''T WANT TO DIE!"


    And, with one blow, he thrust the sword into the bridge, which collapsed on the other side of the lava.


    Out of reflex, Exodu charged forward, destroying stalactites and stalagmites in the process, but Shepard raised his sword and Lord British raised his scepter and spoke a word of power, and an invisible wall rose up and Exodu slammed into it.


    We were sealed in.


    Esme, on her knees implored the king who was looking at the ground.


    "This is not personal. We follow the gods of destiny and although you are the last threat to Britannia, we pleaded to spare your life. Unknowingly, and most importantly unintentionally, you will lead Britannia to its destruction and to your own death as well.


    We are sorry and we will see to it that your honor and dignity are respected and that you are heroes.


    This mission is a betrayal. We know that and it is reluctantly..and it is despicable on our part. And despicable for innocent people.


    Yes... you are innocent and you are victims.


    But you are not alone. You have been rounded up as a family. We deported you. You can curse us, spit on us, hate us. We deserve it."


    Me: "Please! Lord British... we fought for you... why? We''re willing to seal our powers. We don''t need them!...Please! Mercy!"


    My words were like throws through their hearts and they began to falter.


    Dragons and humans alike were on their knees, begging for mercy from the King.


    Lord British fell to his knees.


    GROAAAAARRR


    Said Exodus!


    "You are a race without honor!" we will go to the world below and come up and you will pay!


    Lord British : "The dungeon is indestructible and is sealed forever on both sides"


    Rubix : "You condemn us to starve! You are horrible!"


    Lord Brisish : "A portal is behind you! It will lead you to a better world. You can live there happily and without the risk of instability like here. I''m sorry. I have no choice. At the foot of the portal, there is your personal belongings and a manacom to interrogate us or to come back here but on your side. This dungeon is also a world of its own but if you stay, there will be nothing but lava in the end... You must leave... Farewell!


    The knights greeted us and followed Lord British who activated a moonstone. They disappeared and I could see the castle through it.


    We scratched and kicked at the invisible wall, but we only stirred up the lava.


    The area was unstable and we had to protect the humans who stayed with us.


    Rubix''s parents were domesticated and submissive and had no personality of their daughter, except for the mother, but it would take her years to become self-aware again.


    But that was not the problem.


    We had been betrayed. All of Britannia and even the gods had betrayed us.


    Valtrax: "We have to get out of this furnace, I saw a passage with cooler air."


    We followed mom and with a defeated look on our faces, we said nothing more. We were all crying.


    We were trash, outcasts, just left alive because we were not guilty of anything. Because we were nice dragons and they didn''t want to get their hands dirty with our blood.


    It was sickening.


    I had a taste of electricity in my mouth, as if someone had put a battery on my tongue.


    Suddenly I threw myself at mom''s neck and collapsed in tears.


    She too was crying in Dad''s arms.


    We stayed like that for a long time. The thirst pulled us little by little and guided us to a bright area, a level made of hills and big meadows with a false blue sky and a false sun. The clouds curved with the ceiling and joined the ground in a fog at the "horizon".


    We followed the path, but the monsters and animals that populated the place had gone into the underworld, which was larger and as big as the continent above.


    We stayed together, in a circle and near a circle of stones as on the surface.


    Then Exodus straightened up.


    "I think this is the end. I''m sorry. When I noticed the marks on Rubix''s parents, I knew it was a trap. By the time I realized, it was too late."


    Worried, I asked Dad, "Are we going to die here?"


    He looked at Mom and lowered his head...


    "It''s a prison without bars, but will we survive hunger? Thirst? I haven''t seen any prey or stream yet..."


    Rubix had an idea and went to the stone circle. She scratched and found a red crystal.


    "Mama Valtrax! Look!"


    We all looked at each other but our eyes fell on Exodus, the most qualified among us.


    Exodus: "This is our only chance!


    We approached.


    "As soon as the door opens, we all go in as a group! If it only opens for a few seconds, we must not be separated!


    We stuck close to him, my human family on my back and we were all on the "starting blocks".


    Exodus blew on the crystal on the ground and a red portico rose from the grass.


    It was big enough to fit through and Father pushed me hard through and then everyone else followed.


    Everything was swirling around us and we were enveloped in an aura and like matter entered us and merged and we all felt a lot of pain but it went away.


    And then, all of a sudden, it was a fall.


    We skidded on marble, breaking columns, walls and partitions and we all arrived squeezed between a floor and a ceiling just for our size.


    Lamps and light tubes burst and we were sprayed with water from little bits stuck on metal pipes.


    There was a shrill sound and lights were flashing.


    We were frightened and panic set in.


    Just as the people around us started to scream. Probably never having seen dragons in their lives.


    "The light... there''s the exit!"


    We crashed through a glass barrier and found ourselves on a flat surface, and a lot of metal carts crashed into each other, making incredible noises and smoke coming out of their bellies. People were holding their heads, angry at being hit but screaming in panic when they saw us.


    We could see the sky, but we were surrounded by towers of stone and glass that all went up to the sky!


    We hugged each other.


    We were in a different world.


    The carts screeched and clacked...


    Father, furious, began to roar with anger.


    Valtrax stopped him.


    "Stop. They don''t know us! We must not make enemies of them. Look the magic is a thousand times more advanced! "


    One of the humans was stuck in a cart and had a bloody head.


    I opened the metal sheet to free him but he was broken.


    I imposed my paws on him and his wounds closed.


    "I say sorry" but my grunts were misunderstood


    "Please! Don''t eat me!"


    I caressed the woman at the wheel and straightened the roof so that she could run away.


    The others were holding some kind of stone or glass plate and small flashes of light were coming out of it.


    "Quick... let''s run!"


    And our group took off.


    We quickly reached the clouds and realized how big the city was. A hundred times Brittania City!


    We followed the big river on which long boats were sailing and we could see temples with a cross. But no Ankh.


    Father pointed to a large temple on the edge of the city.


    There were roads everywhere, thousands of roads, thousands of carts.


    It was crazy!


    We crashed on the square of a cathedral and entered through the door of the nave.


    In the background... a priest praying.


    Valtrax cast a tongue-lashing spell and shouted behind the priest, who had just enough time to turn around and see why the door was being opened with a bang.


    Usually, the faithful would enter through the small door into the large one but the big ones were stuck but here, they were banged up... for sure!


    He saw the huge white dragon stooping towards him, its mouth full of fangs.


    He stared at the creature that was mom who opened her big mouth and said:


    "ASILE... we ask for ASILE in the name of the 8 virtues and she handed a golden Ankh to the confused priest... well, it was a bishop rather!"

 Stateless people

    Li¨¨ge, "burning" city. present time


    RTL-info 13 hours..


    "Today, an astonishing accident with unknown creatures ravaged the exhibition hall, near the old Holiday-inn."


    The presenter gave the air to the special correspondents.


    Police and fire crews were stabilizing the building. The damage was material and there were only a few minor injuries, but they were all frightened by some kind of white dinosaur.


    "I''ve never seen anything like it! It was huge!"


    There were two other huge black ones and one of them had medieval armor on it! I swear!"


    "Or there were 4 humans on the big black guy" his horns were huge and he had a loincloth!"


    "Yes, I remember, the white creature had jewelry and rings"


    Yes, there were seven more!"


    And the beasts were shown charging into the pile, pulverizing windows, signs and decorations and then flying away like birds.


    The black one had stopped in front of a woman who is in the hospital and rescued her. Probably the riders on it giving her orders.."


    The authorities are searching but since they fly, they can be anywhere but the authorities are only at the beginning of their investigation."


    The airwaves were turned back on.


    The presenter listened for a moment in his earpiece.


    "Yes, excuse me but this is live news but I''m getting reports that witnesses have seen the group of creatures enter a cathedral."


    Law enforcement has secured the perimeter and will attempt to make contact.


    Given their size, passersby are asked to take cover. They are carnivores given their teeth and nothing is known about them, whether they are intelligent or not.


    "We have a professor of zoology on the line who has looked at the images and we are going to ask him some questions"


    "Professor Minet... you are on the air."


    "Huh.. oh. sorry.. excuse me.. Thank you.


    Yes, I just saw as you did that this is not a hoax. But at first sight these creatures do not fit into any known pattern of evolution. One could say Jurassic animals or genetically modified. Perhaps chimeras or from a laboratory, but this kind of success would require means still unknown to this day. The techniques, as far as I know, are not yet well known or mastered.


    Anyway, their cranial cavity shows a brain that can be developed, an evolved capacity for flight, and considering the claws and teeth, they are carnivores that should be at the top of the food chain.


    But they act in social groups and show intelligence. They cleared a victim and did not devour him.


    They were mounted so tame or intelligent.


    I noticed a loincloth on one of them, a sign of an intelligence at least equivalent to that of primitive humans. And decorations, jewelry, as well as armor.


    They are either actors for a staging with animatronics and robots very well done or they are visitors. Strangers visibly disoriented. If I were you, I would avoid any violence and leave them alone, for observation..."


    Thank you professor Minet.


    Then a special program with interviews with natural history professors and images of dinosaur skeletons whose jaws were closest to what had been filmed.


    On social networks we saw a creature put its paw on the head of the victim and the blood stopped and the woman regained consciousness and fled.


    Meanwhile, in the cathedral outside, sirens could be heard and red and blue glows could be seen flashing through the stained glass windows and lighting up the high ceiling.


    The humans had come down from my back and so had Rubix.


    I looked at the extremely detailed and rich paintings and decorations.


    The technique and art was far superior to what we knew.


    I saw a cruxified man in the background, but it was a statue and I saw like a cartoon the people, his mother and friends pleading with an angry mob and then the way of the cross and the cruxifiction and then ascending to heaven and reappearing with a crown or aura on his head and the people kneeling before him.


    I looked at my ankh pendant and showed it to the terrified priest, stuck in the back of his nave.


    He saw that I showed the ankh and the cross.


    I was trying to communicate.


    He made the sign quickly and I did the same... was it a greeting? Maybe?


    Dad growled: "ASILE! WE ARE BELIEVERS WE ASK FOR ASYLUM AT THE CROSS".


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Ragul and Esme looked around and approached the man who was afraid.


    He raised his hands and slapped my muzzle to say that we were not bad.


    "Me..RAGul!"


    "I sweat ESME!"


    "SAphie.. I am Torin''s wife."


    Rubix approached but he backed away.. "Oh sorry... I''m Rubix. Torin''s mom and dad. I am Torin''s wife..."


    And she pointed to me.


    Torin.


    Altrax


    Exodus"


    The man was trembling, his mitre on the floor, leaning on the altar, his hand on the Bible.


    He readjusted his glasses.


    Monsignor Lefevre: "Who are you? What are you?"


    The dragons cried and hissed like frightened dogs and Ragul kept his dignity. Exodus too.


    Ragul: "We passed through a red plate and found ourselves near a tower of glass and stone and we ran away. We saw the cross as our Ankh and we ran away here. We are afraid and we don''t want to hurt anybody and we would like to just live in peace. We will do whatever you want but don''t separate us. We will work very hard!"


    The bishop stood up and looked at us


    "Who are you?"


    To his astonishment, we replied, "We are dragons."


    "Goodness gracious! But... They have not existed for centuries... They were only legends... and I am talking with one of them".


    He touched me with his wooden stick and then with his white gloved hand.


    Then he touched my scales and went around.


    "You won''t do any harm? You don''t eat people?"


    Rubix : "No! we never ate humans..and I love to cook with my concubine.."


    He turned around to see a dragoness talking to him. She was his size! but looked the most human of creatures. Dressed, jewels, scarf, muffler, gaiters but also a backpack (on the belly) and a pair of golden hatchets and set with jewels. Finely chiseled.


    Monseigneur : "What are these weapons of the Middle Ages?


    Rubix : "We fought against the forces of evil. Horrible spectres, vengeful ghosts and dark lords...and evil slavers..."


    Then Rubix fell to her knees and pleaded with the bishop. "Please...we all have faith! we protect the virtues and we are completely lost and surrounded by humans. We would like to run away and live hidden but they are everywhere, ... snifffff"


    He stroked the dragoness.


    "You look like a nice creature..."


    He took the ankh in his hands and saw the strange resemblance.


    My lord: "Where do you come from, have you heard of God? Mohammed? Buddha?"


    But the white dragoness resumed.


    "We come from Britannia. We practice the cult of the ancestors and the 8 virtues. But humans worship other Gods like Selene, the goddess of the moon but not really because she is feared. "


    The people used to be called Sosaria.


    We saw the door and we ran into it... and we arrived here.


    The confused priest began to think aloud.


    "I am an expert in theology but I don''t have anything like that, even among the ancient religions, but Selene is indeed a goddess of the moon just as the goddess Minerva is the goddess of mystical passages and journeys. Their cult and their followers have not existed since the dawn of time and some writings or passages and traces mention them but what madness has taken you to cross a portal to the unknown? I''m sorry, but you are stuck here forever."


    Exodus lowered his head. "Are there no moon portals? Stones in a circle aligned with the sun and the stars.??"


    Monsignor Lev¨¨vre: "No... except for Stonehenge in England, across the channel, the sea I mean... and even then, there''s nothing that''s been going on for thousands of years... I''m sorry but you''ll have to fit in here. "


    Me: "And the priests, they don''t have spells to call God?" i asked naively.


    The bishop understood that I was still a child or at least a young dragon without experience.


    "Unfortunately, our beloved Lord heals souls but not bodies. He is in each one of us and helps us through our trials and unfortunately for you this is the time of trials.


    I see that underneath your scales and furry skins there is a soul to save and I will do my best to help you. In the meantime, I grant you asylum. "


    Rubix began to lick his feet


    "None of that here, child!" as he held out his hand to her paw to get her to stand up.


    The bishop phoned several of his "brothers" and contacted the papacy explaining the unprecedented situation.


    Immediately it was taken for a sign from the heavens and the probable return of the evangelical times.


    It was silent outside.


    We were stuck.


    The police were setting up a security perimeter. Veterinarians were on site, special response forces were surrounding the building and snipers were on the roofs. Nets and special weapons were being brought in to throw nets.


    The military was on its way with helicopters and soldiers also arrived to secure the area.


    An officer slowly approached the door and put a wire through the lock of the door to put a camera on it.


    Smoke bombs were ready too but when they plugged in they heard grunts and unintelligible words but the bishop safe and sound stroking and raising a creature like a raptor licking its feet.


    The bishop headed for the exit, gsm in hand and our entire party in the background.


    He opened the door and stepped back. He knew from his experience with refugees and asylum seekers in places of worship that he had to back up immediately to avoid being taken away by the police.


    And he had the right reflex.


    He stepped back and let the commissioner enter.


    They already knew each other about immigrants seeking asylum and the bishop was known for his defense of vulnerable people.


    The commissioner was frightened when he saw the intelligent eyes of the creatures that kept their composure and clung to each other. But their teeth! Their claws! This was no laughing matter. A battle would have meant carnage.


    He was most impressed by the aura of Exodus in his armor with a soulblade at his side. A monstrous sword for King Kong!


    He stepped back but the clergyman''s hand came to rest on his shoulder.


    "Commissioner Corentin, don''t be afraid. They are not aggressive. They are stateless and have come to seek asylum!"


    At this name, he turned his head violently as if to say: "Are you crazy?


    He wanted to put his hand on his gun.


    But the bishop calmly took his hand.


    "There are humans with them and obviously, the little dragoness standing like the humans is the wife of the great black, Torin, I think and there, with Esme and Ragul, barbarians, is Saphie, the other wife of the great dragon. They arrived here by accident."


    The commissioner cleared his throat and asked, "Creatures, why did you come here, and how?"


    Exodus spoke up and his worst fears were realized: We were conscious, intelligent creatures.


    "I take it you''re Sheriff, Chief of the Guard..."


    The policeman realized that we were from a very old time. We were only called sheriff in the movies of the Middle Ages... and obviously, we had some material from the Middle Ages with us. Swords, axes, chain mail, fur skins and plate armor for Exodus.


    Exodus continued, while the man realized...


    "We were trapped in a cave that collapsed... We took a portal and got here. Sorry for the chaos, but this is not our world. If we hadn''t taken that portal, we probably would have died of hunger and thirst. We are a family and we ask for asylum. We will abide by your laws and rules and work hard if we have to to stay together and free. "


    And Exodus laid himself flat before the commissioner who was relieved but now he himself did not know what to do.


    They were self-aware beings and not animals. Stateless people and real refugees.


    The commissioner went out and met with his superiors to explain the situation.


    We were asked to stay and not to leave under any circumstances.


    A farmer brought a water tank and soldiers in MBT suits entered to take samples from our skin, under the protection of soldiers who remained outside.


    The situation was now becoming political and journalists from all over the world were buzzing and preparing to arrive like locusts.

 Just like in the pocket

    Exodus looked intently at the bible on the altar.


    The cleric explained the basics of the catechism to the dragons, and although their beliefs were closer to Shintoism, the culture, the immense knowledge of the Church was also an open door to the integration of his family in the new world.


    Father returned his ankh and we all did the same to be blessed by the bishop and receive the first sacraments.


    Of course, the politicians, military and police had absolutely nothing to say about freedom of worship.


    As much out of interest as out of devotion, the Bishop decided to baptize the whole family present here and thus, by entering a community, it was an advanced pawn on the chessboard to gain our right to exist and to remain free.


    Thus, we had proven our free will in an unquestionable way.


    The reactions were strong and even before the authorities reacted, we had taken the first step.


    Of course, the first images were broadcasted by the local TV.


    In the newspapers, there was everything and anything.


    "The church welcomes dinosauress and baptizes them!


    "Godzilla in Liege!"


    "Other worlds exist"


    "Who are these dragons? Do they come from the Middle Ages?"


    But Exodus knew the troubadours, pages and constables as well as the public criers, the journalists of yesteryear. Nothing had changed in terms of stupidity. And communication is very important before as now.


    "Dad? when can we go out?"


    Mom calmed me down a bit but it was hard for me.


    The scientists in yellow MBT suits had set up bacteriological filters and entered. We were asked to hold out our paws and take a saliva sample. There were no swabs, only smears.


    After a few hours, everything was packed up and a doctor explained to us that they were afraid of contamination and microbes.


    It was explained to me several times that there were good and bad bugs living on us and that reptiles, or scaly animals, carried germs that were sometimes more dangerous than the poisons used to defend themselves or to kill prey after having exhausted them.


    There was a coming and going of chiefs, sub-chiefs, fifes and sub-fifes whose rank and function escaped us but we were waiting to see in all this chaos who was the chief.


    For the cult, it was easy. It was the Pope...


    But the kindness of the Monsignor taught us that there was no magic guild, that magic did not exist but that there were science faculties and universities.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    He brought a photo album showing his family, his studies, his friends, the Vatican and its wonders and his life as a priest before he had this high position.


    Commissioner Corentin sat down next to us and briefly explained to us how society worked and that before being released into the wild, we should probably go to a refugee center to decide our fate.


    And that''s when everything went to hell...


    The bishop said that they were faithful under the protection of the Church just like the asylum seekers, that they had no right to prevent the faithful from going to the cathedral, which remained a place of worship but also an embassy of the Vatican, and that the dragons had diplomatic protection there.


    The two men got carried away and Valtrax had to intervene:


    "Where we came from, there were guards, soldiers and laws protecting people. We were not outlaws but citizens.


    Saphie, a human, is officially married to Torin. He had a palace in town that he officially used as his home. If there are laws, we will follow them, but we have committed no crime! It''s your job to explain the rules and differences. What we do with our lives is our own business. We will follow the law!"


    The commissioner calmed down.


    Rubix, was with his parents, tending to their wounds and the marks left by their riding condition.


    They were nice but really stupid, their intelligence being limited to that of a horse.


    Rubix was outraged.


    This attracted the attention of journalists.


    The excited dragoness opened up to them.


    Exodus wanted to shut her up, but Valtrax asked him to let her have what little freedom we had.


    We were prisoners and the journalists were our only occupation.


    It was already a miracle that we could express ourselves instead of being in a cage in a bunker somewhere.


    Belgium was not known for its secret dungeons and other intrigues. Sometimes zealous agents overstepped their authority but that never went too far, but that existed in every country in the world and cowboys existed everywhere too. Moreover, journalists were also the voice of the people.


    Rubix showed holding his dad''s head like a horse.


    "Look how shameful it is! They put a saddle on her and she pushed the flesh here and here.. The lashes, the marks . She rubbed her muzzle.


    "Poor papaa! they martyred him and his paw, rings, missing scales ... Look how thin he is! you can see his ribs and his canines were sawn off! and his horns too for tying ropes!"


    Then she cried against him. He moaned and licked his daughter.


    "Look... I speak, I am intelligent and I can read and write! Look how they mistreated and subjugated her!"


    The reporters were taking notes and it was going to be an explosive story about the treatment of the dragons in the salt mines, their sawed-off wings and the mutilations they suffered and the struggle of the dragoness to keep her freedom, even if it meant denying her nature to fit in.


    Teachers of natural history saw and stopped asking for them to be in a refugee center.


    It was obvious that they were stateless and the mayor and the king came to visit them and after a few words he ordered that my family be set free and that they be given their ecological and political refugee status papers.


    But for security reasons, we were moved to a reserve in the Ardennes where several barns and light industrial sheds were set up.


    After a good meal offered by fast food sponsors, we got acquainted with the all-you-can-eat pizzas and hamburgers that the city was full of.


    But the story told by the little one was the subject of much debate and the question of our humanity was no longer asked.


    A helicopter guided us to the domain of the 3 ovens near Arlon where vast stretches of forest and a less populated area were waiting for us.


    It was also an eco-museum of the old life with farms from the Middle Ages and castles reconstituted there.


    When we arrived, the authorities placed pillars with flags at the ends and we were asked to stay in the defined area until our fate was decided.


    They wanted to keep us under observation and our obedience and self-control were beneficial.


    And as in any critical situation, our first objective was to be able to eat and drink and meet our basic needs.


    We were put on electronic bracelets, knowing that no cage could hold us.


    And we didn''t care. It was nothing compared to the submission collars, the chains and the forged rings.


    But we had a home! A place to sleep, fly and hunt!


    The area was big but small for us.


    But the fact was that there were borders and that the laws and other states might not be so complacent with us.


    The planet was watching and we were also critically endangered species.


    A unique species, similar to humans in terms of intellect but also having a unique ethnicity, another species but compatible. Impossible but true.


    Of course, we hid the magic. It was our absolute taboo. Our secret weapon.


    Even spitting fire was a secret.


    To people, we were "big, nice lizards" with the ability to speak.


    We were accompanied by professors of zoology, veterinarians but also psychologists and even historians.


    Unfortunately for the latter, there was not much to tell. Britannia was a recent nation with little history apart from the 3 epics of the dark ages.


    Well, only the 2 ages were told... they didn''t want to make any relation with Exodus and his reign of terror...


    But tutors or private teachers took care of getting to know our cultures and habits better and Rubix and Saphie were real open books.


    And, sharp as a knife, they quickly asked for TV and their thirst for books put them in contact with the internet.


    It was a long debate. We were afraid to contaminate their culture and habits but we were not "frozen in an era".


    When they wanted to deny us access, in the name of preserving our traditions and cultures, that globalization was destroying lifestyles and erasing rituals and festivals forever, we all burst out laughing.


    But Valtrax discreetly cast a "Friendship" spell that had the propensity to settle on a group and Exodus, a charm spell.


    All he had to do was stare into his victim''s eyes for a second and it was in the bag.

 Despair

    Exodus was talking with the 2 red dragons but others had followed and were like us near the convention center.


    From 10 we went to 30 dragons...Who came directly here...


    It was a mess.. .And they were dracosires and former generals of Exodus and also wives who rushed in as soon as they heard the news of the resurrection of the dragon lord.


    They arrived secretly, using magic... and... we had to hide them. But they knew the shrinking and humanizing spell...


    Mom was furious, Esme and Ragul too.


    Dad was with them, discussing the plans to follow.


    But I was in mom''s arms against her. She was massaging my neck in the inaccessible places.


    My wives lying on top of me...


    "Mom, what''s going to happen to us???"


    Valtrax: "Daddy has to fix everything. A family is one thing but an army is another. But I''m pissed off.   Firrax, his infernal concubine is here.


    It was his general during the conquest of Britannia and the others are also generals who swore loyalty to him.


    I hope he doesn''t fall back and wake up his old ghosts."


    Rubix :" Tomorrow we''ll have a cell phone for us and you too Torin... you''ll see "


    Humans who had nothing to do with it were in charge of connecting the power and the TV, internet and the whole package.


    Rubix was the only one who got it and me a little too. I also had to make an effort to be worthy of her.


    The barbarian life was over here and so was the wild beast.


    Then I arrived in the other industrial hall made of metal tubes and aluminum canvas and Dad was getting angry.


    I did as usual, I put my foot down.


    "Hello Firrax..."


    Dad interrupted me: "General Firrax!


    I turned around.


    I TURNED AROUND AND SAID : "NO. Britannia is over...our life is here... I miss Blizzard but he had to go back to the wild. We are not horses. Nor are we at war.


    It''s over.


    You''re my daddy... you''ve got mommy and the whole family is together... No one is missing and you, I''m going to be on first-name terms with you... because you''re also a bit of my mommy or beautiful dragon mommy. And I licked Firrax."


    It was silence and Exodus began to laugh..


    "Children are the future... let''s seize the opportunity."


    I put the dragoness''s paw in Dad''s. "You love each other, and that''s all that matters... I just want to have siblings... not wars. I''d be heartbroken if one of you disappeared."


    The other dragons cheered.


    Thermax, the red dragon looked me up and down and saw my warrior potential. then I looked at the sky.


    "You see, there are people in the sky, that''s an airplane, have you seen the comfort...pure water coming out of a pipe, civilization is much more advanced.  We are fools next to the simplest human. We need to learn from them and make friends."


    Exodus: "What are you getting at?"


    "Lord British had no excuse to attack us yet he did but if we had fought and without them we would never have had the orb fragments and you wouldn''t be alive. We''re banned but we''re family and together."


    Thermax: "The kid''s right...we keep repeating the same mistakes and we''ll lose...eventually."


    Exodus: "But you have to look at the long term..."


    Me: "That''s just it. You want to go back to the caves? I had a house, a farm and a palace. But here we have everything and even more!   But we need money.  Here as there, but here it is more important."


    Exodus patted me on the back and Valtrax came to meet us with a laptop in tow.


    "Look how wonderful!" Then I went to our compartment and lay down next to her, sitting on my wrist and her surfing the internet for the first time.


    I was sucked in by so many wonders. Movies (obviously the teachers had put parental filters...)


    Anime, sales sites


    We watched until we were exhausted and all three of us fell asleep.


    Exodus resumed during this time.


    "The children are right but one problem at a time. We don''t know where we are or how. It''s chaos but the people are nice and we have to trust them.


    But I had to use magic to make sure we were all safe here as a family.


    The chiefs and even the king were afraid of us and wanted to put us in zoos for observation. Don''t be fooled, the people here are cowards and dangerous. They are informed by their tamtam, their network."


    The dragons were seriously discussing the situation, what they had seen.


    Night was coming on and we were still around the fire except for my human parents and wives who were sleeping with me.


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    The humans left us in peace with the charm spells that were left solely to daddy''s care, so as not to provoke contradictions and arouse suspicions. But they wanted to chip us, to study us and especially to react to our higher numbers.


    Father was right, he had more experience than any of us, but maybe not so much.


    There were realities, terrible truths to hear sometimes.


    Exodus: "I don''t know if you''ve noticed anything very, very different from our world...?"


    Freezer : "They use science in an abnormal way, mechanics taken to the extreme and the forces of nature..."


    Exodus : "For an ice dragon, you burn"


    Poisonus: "They use lightning and produce it and use unknown and light materials.."


    Exodus: "You are all right but it''s not that. 2 things:


    WE HAVE TIME! We don''t age, they do! but most importantly .


    WE HAVE MAGIC. THEY DON''T!!!   Even copying us, I noticed that they have no mana! or very little... And NO resistance!


    On Britannia, I could have charmed 5 or 6 adventurers at most.


    HERE, I charmed 100 people out of the 100 that were in front of me...


    Then they tried to prick me with some kind of dart to get dragon blood and... you know what?


    Their metal crashed, bent over my scales...


    We are GODs to them..."


    Valtrax arrived and said:  "EXODUS!!! ENOUGH!... The wars are over! I want a home like Torin! And your fight now is to get money! Come on HOP EXECUTION!"


    Exodus was crushed by the authority his wife could emit and he owed her everything. Valtrax had never given up, and that''s why he loved her the most, but Firrax and the others had also had the courage to follow them against all odds.


    In a way, I , Torin, was surrounded by a living barrier of adults who protected us. This was reassuring.


    But some humans exploded in anger at their colleagues who had done 180 degrees of what they had been asked to do with the dragons.


    They were their toy, their object of study and research and above all the key to exploring other worlds other than by rockets and space impassable by infinite distances...


    One of the generals, Lucien Jacquet, quickly realized that something was wrong and that the dragons were like that, suddenly stateless, recognized as human beings, then considered by the mayor as political and climatic refugees. And they were settled like that, leaving them in peace, while immigrants were going through an obstacle course.


    The scientists have nothing on them, on their intentions, their way of life, but they were intelligent predators. Did they have the power to hypnotize their victims, like Kaa in the Jungle Book, who coaxed her victims and then devoured them once they were taken to their lair?


    There was a mystery and... how come we could understand their language like that?


    They had special weapons and the alloys or materials were unknown.


    All these questions were running through the general''s mind and then it clicked.


    Investigation, Isolation and Observation!


    He took his phone and contacted one of his friends, a specialist in psychological warfare and interrogation.


    It was 4 o''clock in the morning, but nothing could stop a general, even if he was close to retirement, because he had nothing to lose.


    He picked up his corded telephone, a thousand times safer than a mobile phone.


    "Dimitri! Lucien here!"


    "But it''s four in the morning!"


    "There is extreme danger with our new friends..."


    "Oh, no, it''s going to your head like the others!.."


    "This is the general speaking, sorry Dmitri!... The people in contact with these immigrants from another world have reacted abnormally. They are extremely advanced predators... They say that they come from medieval times, but the quality of their possessions does not fit. The axes, swords are a thousand times more formidable than those used by our ancestors. And I know the weapons very well..Nothing escapes me."


    "Ahhh (Yawn) Lucien...you are calling me for an axe??"


    "Dmitri!!! I''m not kidding! You saw their teeth, and their claws! They can tear anyone apart! And they''re out there !!!! We have released Trex!!! The carnage is imminent!


    I want a list of contacts!!!


    They must come here to the barracks in Saive. That''s an order and there''s no way they''ll be in contact with anyone else. "


    "But, General... hypnosis doesn''t allow you to do that!"


    "Precisely! You are right! We must find out! Film, observe. Find out how they manage to talk...In my notes I have 7 dragons, one of them a child, a small female who is very intelligent and has these famous axes... and 3 humans... but if I can still count, on one of the cameras, the others are all cut off, I counted 30 dragons! And nobody reacts.


    We don''t know their strength, their defense nothing about them."


    Dmitri: "!!!!!!! I understand, my general.."


    "And the worst part is the king. It seems like he knew each other from long ago and wasn''t afraid to shake hands with one of these monsters.


    You will give binding orders against these creatures like separating them to study them. These orders will be given to 3 different people. One who has been in contact with them, one who will be in contact and a third via robots, phones and watch their reactions."


    The next day Rubix was surfing the internet, having figured out the basis and all of a sudden she dropped everything and started screaming.


    I was awakened and everyone else followed.


    It was a cry of despair, fury, sadness and incomprehension


    IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII


    IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII


    IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII


    I took the dragoness under my wings..


    "What''s the matter Honey?"


    "Let go! you''re not real!!! you''re not real! You don''t exist!


    I don''t exist!


    STOPRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHH"


    And she fell unconscious with grief..


    Valtrax brought the little one to her parents who covered her and washed her with a wet sheet and some lavender.


    She was sweating but mostly in shock.  Saphie picked up her computer and fell on the page...


    She began to vomit...


    "IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII


    Rubix is right... Help Torin!!! help !!!!!"


    Valtrax looked at the picture and then turned her head... But did not understand ...


    "Is this Britannia?" then she looked at me...


    I had some notions but I was far from being an idiot.


    Then I had a giddy feeling and I started to cry...


    "MAMaaanannn... Papaaaaa!!!   MUUUM  DADDYYYY!"


    And I hugged Esme and Ragul and then I ran to my father Exodus...


    And I fell on my knees, my paws towards the sky, holding the computer with the picture...


    Exodus didn''t understand at once but looked at the picture and recognized his portrait.


    "Play the most famous video game of all time!


    Join Lord British and defeat the terrible Exodus.


    From the deepest dungeon to the farthest reaches of space.


    A fantastic role playing game by Lord British.. 39.95 $"


    Exodus swallowed his saliva


    I was crying my eyes out....


    I was nothing.


    They were nothing.


    All this was just... a horror for us.


    I looked at Esme and Ragul and Rubix.


    Then Valtrax.


    Dad was pinching himself and hitting himself.


    Then he walked out of the hall, followed by everyone else...


    The computer frozen on the image...


    All the dragons were watching and did not understand...


    Exodus made a face between laughter, anger, despair but mostly madness...


    "HUHUUUHHHHHHH!"


    Then he slapped the floor and rolled on the ground.


    "MOUAHHAHAHA! HAHAHA!"


    Then he took a fetal posture


    And started to cry and laugh at the same time..


    the dragons took fright.


    Then he stood up and picked up the pc.


    "HAHAHAA


    This is the best!!!!"


    "HAHAHAAAAAa!"


    Then he looked at me


    "HAHAHAAAAA!


    You know what, honey, laughing sickly. How old are you?"


    Valtrax: "Two hundred years old?


    Exodus: "Mouahahaaaa!"


    "Lord British... MERCIIIIIIII (Thank youuuu!)  HAHAHAHAHA!!!!"


    HAHA


    HAHA


    This is the best!!!!


    What jerks!!!!


    ABrutis!!!


    HAHAHA


    HEH


    Son.. Wait.."


    He hit me. and I screamed in pain!


    "HAHAHA" You live..!!!"


    "HAHAHA.... And you darling... "


    He grabbed her, his strength increased tenfold by insanity and kissed her


    Then he fell to his knees with one paw to hold on


    Still laughing...


    "We . ON.... HAHAHA. We are... HOHOHO.. We''re out of a children''s story! or something from a game ... "


    I have to thank LORD BRITISH... HAHAHA... WHAT AN IDIOT BUT HAHAHA!"


    then he looked at the sky.


    "THANK YOU SELENE for the gift of life you gave us!"


    But a voice interrupted him behind his back. A voice that he recognized above all and that he feared.


    But he turned around and laughed.


    "MONDAIN..."


    Then an extravagantly dressed woman came up behind him: "Minox"


    "Exodus, it took you a long time to get here... but I see you managed to bring a small army with you..."


    You should thank me. Selene and all the others are just numbers on a magnetic disk. The massacres and the horrible sacrifices are just code text. They don''t exist. They have no reality except in the imagination. But some lunatic, fortunately for us, slipped his game disc as a bookmark in a book of demonic magic and we crossed the void into reality.


    I was the first to feel the passage connect with the portal system but the mass distribution of the game allowed the imagination to gather enough mana to activate it. In fact, you are a celebrity but people are now too stupid to make the connection.


    No one plays Ultima anymore. except for a few collectors but the haunted computer sacrificed Shepard so you could get out. He is forever trapped in a loop, in a paradox.


    Exodus caught his breath and wiped his tears.


    "Torin... Valtrax, Rubix, Firrax... and all the others including you Sapphia and you, Esme, and you Ragul..."


    ----


    "We are babies... HAHAHAHAHAHA!


    We are 10 days old! HAHAHAHAA!


    But... I love you and we are a family."


    Rubix stood trembling at me.


    "Father. What will become of us?"


    He thought for a moment and looked around at all the dragons, his paw holding his chin. His red eyes looked at his people.


    Exodus : "EH, well, I am Exodus and you Torin are Thor. The God of destruction... You are what you are, what you want to be


    We have soil under our feet, air, water, food and sky and sun... We are alive and that''s all that matters."


    "And you''re still my daddy?"


    But he squeezed me and kissed me on the forehead, rubbing my horns with his fist.


    "You are my son and no one can take that away from us.."


    Valtrax: "But what will become of us? We don''t even exist!"


    Exodus: "HAHAHA! Of course we''re here... and forever... and you know what we''ll do? "


    Valtrax bowed her head in questioning


    "We will be the founders!!! We are the dragon people and we are going to take a bite out of life. We will have our land one day and I long to see the sky filled with our children."


    Rubix was comforted and hugged me.


    "Torin... Do what you want as you want but cast the spell! Tonight I want us to do one!"


    Valtrax put his paw on my shoulder. "Be careful with her and don''t forget what I told you.

 Mondain

    All around the fire, let''s say a St. John''s fire... in the meadow...


    We all stood in a circle and gasped at these revelations.


    Mondain arrived at the fire, followed by Minax, his faithful witch.


    He took out of his briefcase a collector''s box of the video game and lead figurines of the main characters.


    Then he gave it to Exodus, bursting with laughter, but this time Exodus wasn''t laughing anymore.


    He was offended, frustrated and angry with Mondain.


    Valtrax hugged him: "No... don''t provoke him. Don''t listen. We are a family... I love you, I love you Exodus..."


    Exodus threw the box on the floor, furious.


    Mondain :  "Did you think that if you destroyed the box, you would disappear...???, well, the original I have ????"


    Exodus swallowed, but he was a brave dragon. He had a family to defend.


    He lowered his head to face Mondain''s eyes.


    "It''s over...Mondain.. I died once..."


    Mondain: "Millions of times... It''s all nonsense. We can rewrite your past, your history... All you need is a computer scientist and a sector editor...We can bring back to life whoever we want...."


    Valtrax and the others did not grasp anything, completely overwhelmed by this futuristic world for them.


    But Exodus was an extremely intelligent and calculating dragon.


    His face went from furious to amused as if he was eating a pie.


    "If I remember correctly, everything was trampled, destroyed in the exhibition center and even drowned in water.   The computer was destroyed... and we''re still here... I don''t believe a word you say.."


    Mondain let out a sigh..


    "Sharp as ever, Exodus...I congratulate you on that. But don''t take it the wrong way. Your hatred for me was only machine coding. I was created like you to be the antagonist of the story just like Minox.


    I took on my role and my power when I realized that I only existed in a story, a game and I had to be the real big bad for it to be a success. For the doors to open to reality, to life. And you... you are the magic!


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    Look... here I am nothing. But now that you are here, the magic returns.


    You were and are the last orb.  But I didn''t think you would go out with an army of dragons..."


    Exodus understood then that the resentments and experiences were only coding... that none of it was true.


    He cried, understanding the depth of what this implied. Even the foundations of his relationship with his wives... and Torin...


    A tear fell from the giant.


    Minax spoke up and wiped the tear from Exodus, who sat up quickly to avoid being touched by the witch.


    "I''m sorry, Exodus, but there''s more to the coding. Your family, your son were not coded but it is the life of your soul. Indeed, you took your reality in this game but your love, Torin, your family and your resurrection were not coded... "


    He then hugged my mom tightly.


    The dragons touched each other to see their shaken reality.


    It frightened them.  Minox approached me.


    "Hello Torin... Hello Rubix, Saphie..."


    She turned and pointed to her car.


    "I have a surprise for you Saphie.."


    Her parents, her mom and her blacksmith dad got out of the car and Saphie jumped on her parents'' necks who couldn''t believe their eyes.


    Mondain: "The passage is closed forever but I wanted to give this welcome gift. So we don''t start off on the wrong foot."


    Saphie asked about Max and the others.


    Mondain: "They have no souls...secondary characters...sorry... But you can talk to them again when you play the game..."


    Then Minax reached over and took my paw, well a finger.


    "Torin...we all know you''re unhappy...and an unhappy dragon, it shouldn''t exist. "Then she turned to Rubix.


    "Well, I hope you don''t kill me for that! "


    She put a gold ring around my finger, behind the claw, and he took her waist.


    "EH! The magic is working again!" she exclaimed.


    Minox: "Impossible to test but now you focus on your size and you can shrink it at will and in human, like scrolling. 24H then 48h in dragon. The difference is that the ring is not painful.


    But you will learn magic... because you have eternity ahead of you."


    My beard turned black as anthracite and fire came out of my nostrils...


    Rubix became afraid...


    Valtrax cast a spell on me so that the dragoness would survive...My dragon instincts, no, dragon god instincts...and my human libido...an explosive mix.


    Rubix flew away.


    GRRRRRRRR!


    I shrank in size, the same as her but a little bigger, say a third.


    I wanted to fly away and chase her but daddy crushed me on the ground.


    I was under his heel, and I got excited and scratched the ground, the grass and the bloodshot eyes. I was crazy.


    The dragons laughed but Exodus didn''t laugh...


    Neither was Mondain.


    "It needs a weakening spell. His mana will disintegrate his wife...It will simply devour her and she will be dead before she recovers her senses."


    GRRRRR


    GRRRRR


    My destructive strength was not to be taken lightly.


    Dad was putting all his weight on me, reduced to a human.


    I was like an ant that could lift 150 times my weight.


    Mom had to put her foot down too.


    Saphie came closer and my eyes became like glass, mirrors reflecting the fire and my wife.


    GRRRRRROOOAAAR!


    I twisted around.


    My parents felt like they were putting their paw on a jack because my strength was increasing tenfold.


    Frizor, an ice dragon, came up and blew on my lips like a kiss, and her tongue met mine.


    Saphie was jealous but determined.


    Slowly I was cooling down like a reptile in a fridge.


    My movements slowed and slowly I came to my senses.


    And I began to cry...


    She cuddled me....(Frizor)


    And turned to Sapphie: "I''m sorry, but I love Torin too... I''ve been chasing him for a long time. But I love you too, little human."


    The fever subsided...and my parents released me.


    Minox: "You see, you must learn to control yourself..."


    But go join them. The crisis is over.


    Torin climbed on top of Frizor and Sapphie hugged him like bikers do.


    Rubix had found a barn in the park and had built a nest for the occasion.


    Frizor dropped us off and let out a little moan, wanting to join us but she left. After all this was our real "wedding night..."


    Mondain left. It was a first contact.


    The dragons organized themselves and the couples formed.


    And imitating the young, they tested their existence and their reality.


    Thus the dragon people were born or reborn...


    Mondain and Minox had been here for a long time and had great ambitions.


    But before leaving, they took off their emperor clothes for a more "Mondain" outfit...

 The tank

    I was human size but still an Anthro dragon.


    And, I was happy to be able to walk on legs again!  How I missed it!


    But we approached the barn and it was well over 10 meters high with lots and lots of rectangular blocks packed together and tied with natural hemp rope.


    I loved the smell. It was like my old farm.


    And, the first thing I looked at was the fork and that there wasn''t one lying around for us to hurt ourselves.


    It was dark but with our eyes able to see in the dark, it was comical.


    Rubix cast a faint red light spell, giving the appearance of a red infrared crib light.


    It was intimate.


    Excitedly, the dragoness was waiting for me 5 meters up between the roof and the pile of straw and hay.


    The hay being softer, she had dug in blocks a kind of funnel from where, at the bottom one could not see the entrance and the opposite also, a little like a strong castle of love


    I loved it.


    Then Sapphia and Rubix helped each other to spread a big cloth to cover the straw and we had like a small volcano in the block.


    We entered the crater all excited.


    Steam was coming out of our nostrils but Rubix cast a blast suppression spell. So as not to turn this paradise into an inferno.


    Saphie looked at me, but instead of a human she preferred me as an anthro dragon, but more muscular.


    The girls, especially Saphie, undressed and put her things in a corner made of a block of straw and Rubix also put her loincloth and her things and me too.


    The three of us looked at each other and devoured each other with our eyes.


    My scales were soft and slippery like those of a snake and she passed her hand from my cheeks and went down to my lower abdomen and no roughness could hurt her.


    Saphie then put her bare skin against my chest and we felt each other''s heat.


    Her cheek against my neck she licked me.


    Rubix, she wrapped her tail around mine and her tongue came to explore mine and we got to know each other''s every corner of our mouth.


    Rubix then kissed Saphie and she also explored her throat.


    Small cries of pleasure came out showing that our pleasure was increasing.


    Then Rubix licked my chest ardently and went down, putting her paw hand at the base of my crotch.


    And, naturally, being a male, a natural reaction followed.


    I also began to explore my wives with my tongue and the moaning began. The excitement grew, my beard was extremely black and then, without warning, I could not take it anymore, and the mating started with Rubix, who was also taking care of Saphie at the same time, that with my long neck, I was exploring Sapphie.


    We exchanged positions again and again until the morning when my wives were ravaged but fulfilled.


    We stayed asleep until we were hungry and there was trouble in the camp.


    The military...


    There were drones whirring and soldiers in suits of armor and reflective visors surrounded the area.


    The dragons were holed up in the hangars, not moving. They were terrified.


    Then a tank arrived in the middle of the camp. On the front was a TV with cameras.


    Rubix and I were afraid of this talking metal box. Could it be a mechanical turtle?


    The only thing I recognized was that there were wheels and numbers painted on it, that there was a lot of iron, very toxic for us, well, we thought.


    The engine was growling and the creature looked angry.


    Biologists, natural history professors, and other scientists were amazed at the initiative, but the engine cut out and a sort of trumpeting roused us from our slumber.


    Exodus and Altrax were all scared.


    As Rubix was the one who spoke the best, she was called and she clung to me, still in my anthro form.


    I began to whimper and cry, against all odds.


    I was afraid of the machine, a kind of evil golem.


    Rubix was trying to locate the word Emeth on it but without success.


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    I was like a terrified swan, and I protected the dragon behind my wings, facing the machine.


    And I brought the tip of my paw to touch it and... it was hard... very hard... Armored!


    I stepped back several meters and the natural history teacher told me that there was no danger.


    I went down on my knees... imploring.


    The others were in animal terror...


    I had the reinforced shield spell on me and my two wives, Saphie behind Rubix.


    The loudspeakers went off and asked the humans working on the site to gather in front of the drones.


    Within moments everyone stopped their activities and lined up.


    "Hello, I am the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Lucien Jacquet.


    As you can see, or no longer see, we have a problem... a very serious problem...


    I would like to speak to the camp''s scientific leader, Professor Minet, a distinguished professor of Zoology and Natural Sciences."


    Corentin had come to witness the deployment of the tank and its support group.


    "Lucien: Professor Minet, if I can still count, I see 30 dragons and a dragonet and one of the dragons is missing, replaced by a smaller one, or it would have shrunk.. And... officially in the church you gave shelter to 7 dragons and 3 humans. Here, I see 5 humans.


    Did your prot¨¦g¨¦s reproduce last night? In which case, in a month, we would have a real problem of overpopulation..."


    On the other hand, I see you rubbing shoulders with these immense beings, which would make a T-rex pale, without flinching, without protection, and especially without fear.


    We have noted the extreme intelligence of these creatures but also their characteristics of very advanced predators.


    Has it not occurred to you that your mind is being manipulated against your will in order to lower your vigilance and then to better devour you without awakening the vigilance of the guard and the forces of order?"


    The professor seemed to come out of a trance and realized the truth of the general''s words.


    Then he turned to the three of us.


    He suddenly became frightened but saw the human hiding behind the dragoness.


    Indeed, his judgment had been affected.


    The spell had been broken. He wasn''t perfect and he had to face reality.


    He frowned and wanted to speak to Sapphie but without the translation spell, the common sounded like English, the game originally coded in English but the alphabet was runic.


    The teacher knew English well and was able to communicate to Rubix''s relief.


    We knew that the cameras, mechanical eyes were pointed at us.


    "Human. Sapphie, it looks like you are under the influence of the two dragons here. Tell us the truth.."


    "I love Torin, I love Rubix!!!" cried the girl.


    "Do you know that they can hypnotize and charm you? All the humans here have fallen under their influence. You are in danger!"


    Saphie: "No... no!! By Torin... Torin means everything to me. We''ve known each other since I could walk. We''ve been friends since we were kids... And I stayed for years with Esme and Ragul, his parents. My mom and dad are their neighbors. "


    Lucien: "Who says that these memories are not fabricated... We are afraid and with good reason. If it is established that you have disturbed the judgment of the authorities, you will have to face the consequences.."


    Professor Minet agreed and we were asked to follow them. The back of the transport tank opened and we got inside. seeing men. The cart was an iron cart and we were afraid to be eaten.


    Professor Minet accompanied us and we were handcuffed.


    We let them do it without putting up any resistance.


    Rubix looked at me but the professor put on his nose a kind of mask in the shape of a nose with 2 bowls on the side (gas masks, Torin cannot know) and light smoke invaded the cabin.


    Exodus and the others didn''t move and asked me with the "message" spell if everything was ok and I answered yes.


    The handcuff was itching and, without meaning to, I twisted it and tried to put it back on but it was broken so I pretended it was still there


    The teacher saw that we were awake and that the soporific had not worked.


    The engine started up again and I got scared. I panicked and wanted to get out, and with a paw, the rear armored door was torn open like a sheet of kitchen foil...


    "Whew... air!"


    Saphie cried in fear and so did Rubix. We found ourselves 500 meters away from where we were and the soldiers surrounded us and held us at gunpoint.


    We didn''t know what guns were, but the teacher held my paw.


    "NO! TORIN. You lie down on the floor, this is not a game... These are weapons. Like crossbows.."


    I understood that the soldiers were like knights and I complied.


    The teacher explained to the soldiers that we were just children. We were terrified of the engine...


    Our animal side was clearly coming out here.


    "Stop the machine, stop the machine, stop the machine!" Rubix and Saphie yelled.


    I growled at the tank.


    The general paused. Noticing our difference from the humans.


    We were like members of a wild tribe facing modern objects.


    We had to adapt.


    The general did not know where to start...


    We were then ordered to follow a helicopter which, further away, made less noise and I was explained that above the bubbles were like swords which turned quickly so that the bubble flew. We flew with Saphie who entered the bubble and we followed her.


    Scared...


    I was very afraid.


    And we arrived at the university hospital.


    It was big, modern with a pyramid of floors and vertical stones arranged with columns and huge glass windows.


    I felt very small in front of this gigantic building.


    There was a wing reserved for research and an underground military zone hidden from the public.


    It was a wing for burn victims and those wounded by weapons of war.


    The bubble known as "HEll I Ropt¨¨r. Finally, a word I didn''t know." stopped and we waited for the swords to stop rotate before the door opened.


    I was next to it and armed soldiers surrounded us.


    The general wanted to believe in our obedience and the fact that we were young and innocent to know more about us.


    I really wanted to cooperate, but most of all I wanted to have a normal life again... well, if you can say that.


    Even though Rubix and I were human-sized, we looked scarier than raptors even though we were in Anthro on two legs.


    The professor invited us to follow him and we entered through a glass door into a hall where a flurry of people stopped abruptly in a hubbub when they saw us for the first time.


    Many ran away.


    But we followed the soldiers.


    Then the professor gave us a tour of the laboratory.


    We were very interested.


    "This is my assistant Benoit. He''s in charge of collecting data and figures and processing them into usable information."


    DING, my brain was stalling.


    I started to cry.


    Professor Minet wondered why I was sad.


    "Sorry, don''t get mad... I don''t understand anything... Everything is new here..."


    But Rubix was more curious.


    "So, you put the numbers through the computer keyboard here and we have the results. Can I see your installation?"


    Benoit : "Sure.!"


    He showed how to program a computer with a list of instructions and it clicked in Rubix''s head. It was like the sequence of instructions around a pentagram or a runic figure that served as a magic computer.


    But Professor Minet had to interrupt Rubix, who had gotten carried away with the assistant''s explanations.


    Yes, so, here we have an atomizer which will allow to produce very fine powders and here, a 3D laser printer which will allow to reconstruct organs, bones, prosthesis of which here are samples.


    We could touch these extremely fine and fragile creations and we saw the laser installation with a pool filled with powder, the beam that melted the surface and a scraper that put back the next layer. and so on.


    Then he showed all the things you could do in 3D with computers and put 3D glasses on Rubix who was trying to catch virtual objects. She laughed.


    Indirectly, it was a test to see how we would react.


    What the general could deduce was that Rubix and I were very different. In the sense that she was very educated in science and magic (but that looked like programming)


    But I was interested too, but I was crying about my lack of knowledge.


    Saphie was clinging to me, out of fear and fear of being separated.


    This was not lost on the military man via the cameras;


    He calmed down a bit, seeing us as kids in a beast''s body but very human in our behavior. He also saw that the human loved me very much and that I had no control and did not have the predatory reflex to run after the runaways.


    A dog, or a wild beast, seeing people running away would immediately react by going after them.


    We were still in control of our instincts, but fear reminded us of our animal side, although Sapphia had reacted in the same way.


    Then we visited different wings, concerning viruses and their detection with the making of tigettes, their development and before we were shown a microscope. We could see pieces of insects, colored pollens, cell sections and finally, bacteria and viruses with an electronic microscope. I understood how the lens microscope worked, but not the electron one. Rubix half understood and we could see an alchemy lab.


    Everything smelled of burning alcohol and that bothered me.


    Then we arrived in a room with stools and a big table.


    On a big TV, there was the general.

 Dragonsaurus

    On the table coffee, water and orange juice. Mignonettes and I had been eyeing them for a while.


    I had a sweet tooth.


    Usually adult blahs blahs were handled by Exodus, Valtrax or Ragul...


    But here I was confronted with the harsh reality of adults and under pressure, I started to cry in front of everyone.


    I was terrified. An unknown world, an existence of lies, I could not distinguish reality from fantasy and I was lost. My wives were the only ones to calm me down and comfort me a little.


    I suffered without understanding anything and I went where I was told to go without asking questions. I was as if cut off from the world, uprooted, disoriented, disoriented in my nature and I cried out for Mama Esme...even before Valtrax.


    I put myself in a corner of the room, in a ball and did not move anymore.


    Rubix was freaking out about my contaminating fear.


    Sapphia kept her cool against all odds and it was naturally to her that the professor, his assistant and the general looked.


    Sapphia lowered her head.


    "Torin and Rubix are really scared. Torin has only been a dragon for six months...and it''s a trauma for him... He was always a dragon but didn''t know it and was raised by Ragul and Esme, and a little bit by me."


    The teacher was dumbfounded How was this possible?


    "Rubix is also very scared. She is very smart but she is traumatized. Instead of growing naturally, she has slowed her growth to remain as human as possible.


    She has clung to Torin as a lifeline. Too smart and having a bipedal posture instead of a quadruped, she was rebellious and didn''t want to be trained like a foal.


    She wanted to join the humans at the academy and become a dragon knight like the dragon riders.


    It was either that or the salt mines where she had been sold and it was blindness, sawed horns and sawed wings that awaited her. A horrible and cruel fate. So she hung on!


    Lucien, knowing the hard military training of the knight candidates at that time, admired the courage of the "little" creature. But also admired Torin and Saphie because they too were knighted.


    The military man remained thoughtful and saw that we behaved relatively human and were not "vicious, devious aliens as portrayed in science fiction movies and stories."


    Then the fateful question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"


    Saphie replied, "I''m a knight, but here it''s useless, except flying on my husband''s back.... But daddy taught me blacksmithing .."


    The teacher explained that there were many trades involving metalwork such as boilermaker, welder, general mechanics, but also blacksmith and ironwork and agricultural. where they repaired agricultural machinery, trailers, plows and systems. There were training courses and technical schools in agricultural sciences.


    I came out of my ball, understanding a little the questions.


    "I was a farmer with Dad and we raised horses...but I''m in over my head. Everything is so different.."


    Rubix snapped out of her slumber and it... "Yes.. I like computers..programs.. I would like to learn."


    The soldier then asked, "Don''t you want to stay together?"


    Rubix resumed: "We''re hungry...and we have a problem...here, the wilderness...it''s hard and...there''s so much to discover...we don''t know where to start...and...I''d like to go, well, WE''d like to go to school...we don''t know anything about here."


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Lucien "So you stay together why? And it looks like you''re building an army...explain."


    Rubix couldn''t use magic this time and the lie would be immediately pierced.


    "That''s mom Valtrax and Exodus... They are the smart ones and they know what to do or say but I don''t know.. it''s hard.."


    Minet: "Come on, child. try to answer the question and everything will be fine. no one here will hurt you.."


    "We''re a family and... A dragon has many females... It''s always been..but we''re a family basically and we ran away from persecution and. and "


    Lucien: "Yet with your strength, you could have revolted...and demolished the humans..."


    "We are not monsters...but the humans had subjugated us and placed training collars on us from birth in incubators...in batteries.."


    Lucien :"!!!!"


    the professor let a tear fall.


    Lucien: "We will let you go back but you can visit the city with Beno?t. Then you will follow Professor Minet''s instructions to the letter.


    However, I want to KNOW. What power do you use to "hypnotize" humans? Is it to eat them?


    We got down on our stomachs.


    "Noooo. we don''t do that... but we''ve never eaten humans... well, not that I know of."


    Minet: "Then how did I get confidence like that? How can you explain it..."


    Saphie came to the rescue.


    "At the military academy, we learned charm techniques to make monsters less aggressive, and scrolls of scrolls with runes and we were afraid of being put in a cage or shot. It makes you friendly, like you''re buddies, but it doesn''t control anything. It''s necessary to avoid being beaten on sight..."


    The general grumbled, "Yes... I understand but I want to see a copy of the scroll..."


    The "pill" was finally swallowed.


    The general had his answer,


    We, our secret was preserved then the last question.


    "How from 10 you are 30 plus the humans?" Tomorrow you will be 1000?"


    "The passage is destroyed and this is all that remains of our people. Those who remained, sad to say, but they are now just wild animals or domesticated. Those who were smart ran away and got through while the gate was open."


    Lucien tapped his ballpen in all directions and replied, "What if I told you that we know how to break down a door to get back home?"


    We screamed in terror!


    "We''ll be your slaves and do whatever you want, but we don''t want to be crushed.


    Minet turned around, "This doesn''t make any sense!"


    Rubix, who knew a little about her cell phone, "I don''t want to go back in the box... I don''t want to go back to being a floppy disk!"


    And she started screaming, looking for the exit.


    I jumped on, calming her down.


    "No, Rubix. They are soldiers. They are protecting their King and they want to know, that''s normal."


    I turned to the screen.


    "General Lucien. We will swear fealty to your king who will be ours! We want to live. To go back is to die!"


    It made no sense to Lucien.


    Everything made sense now.


    We were like boot peoples, we drifted through a dimensional doorway and ended up here like a big pile.


    That''s why we were screaming Asylum, Asylum!


    We were stateless refugees and also Aliens!...But we knew English and it didn''t make sense...


    A computer scientist brought a box of a video game...an old, not very old game...


    With the spitting image of Exodus and of me, at the same time.


    "The general stood up and became furious, forgetting about the camera.


    "Today I''ve got Exodus on my back and tomorrow you''re going to tell me that Pac-Man is going to come screaming for me?


    He sat down hard, looking at the map and the notes and reports. In the box were lead figurines, and a cloth map.


    "Are you from Cove? East of Britannia??"


    We nodded...


    "And you''re going to tell me that Mondain, the big bad guy, is the one who came to visit you last night with his fairy tale car?"


    We nodded.


    "I want to see if you bleed or if it''s pixels that fall to the ground. I''ve seen the movie Pixel and at this point, I have to know if you''re envoys of an alien madman who''s messing with our heads!"


    We stretched our paw and let the needle sting us.


    Red blood flowed into the syringe.


    Lucien: "Professor Minet, I want a complete medical file!  I want to see what''s behind these scales or witchcraft. I want facts and not a fairy tale."


    In front of his screen, the general yelled at us. "YOU''VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!"


    You come out of a box and bam you''re here and when we want to get you in, you don''t agree?


    Then he looked online at Mondain, Minox and EXODUS and turned pale...


    "Your father is Exodus... The big bad dragon...? the end boss?"


    We breathed without saying anything.


    "ANSWER!" but the speakers crackled, unable to convey the general''s anger.


    Sapphia fell to her knees... "Please!"


    General: "If I hear of so much as a breath of fire or anything supernatural coming out of any of you, I promise to send you to the bottom of a nuclear waste mine or you will be sealed away for the end of time...


    I expect to see only nice lizards who will go to school and better come out with a degree.


    Until then : Medical checkup and be done with it!"


    In his anger, the general had forgotten to ask how I had reduced my size...


    He had his eyes on Mondain and his financial empire... but mostly his ambitions and how he got rich unusually fast. we were very big targets but secondary and we kept a low profile.


    But I was afraid of the doctors. Where I came from, they were quacks and sellers of dangerous elixirs.


    So we went into an examination room and had blood and skin smears taken from our mouths, saliva and X-rays taken, a head scan, the rest didn''t come in, well, if by squeezing the wings.


    It was a comedy and I vomited with the contrast liquid.


    For the rest, the genitals, we were left alone, there was a limit. Moreover, in reptile, it was not like that that it worked... It was necessary to be excited and... I was far from it. I was dying of fear and that they put pipes in all the holes...


    Rubix showed her teeths once and they did not insist. A little claw/claw could be devastating...


    At first glance we were dinosaurs...and Saphie, a normal human except that our musculature and cells were denser, stronger.


    Officially, we were dragonsaurus, a new species that survived the extinction... A mixture of raptor, pterodactyl and having a convergent evolution as for humanity. That''s what our genes said.


    De facto, we were a species in immediate danger of extinction because of the small number of individuals.


    We became citizens with the rights and duties of Europeans, but we were also considered under the protection of the species and this took precedence over our rights, but in order to protect us.


    We returned by special military bus and in the evening we went back to our family and were asked a thousand and one questions.


    Dad had to reconsider his ambitions and the first draconic council was created


    .

 Life goes on

    Alf, Saphie''s little dragonet, was growing fast. And, with some magical boosts and especially the absence of a submission collar, he managed to develop his intellect.


    Rubix, Saphie, and finally all the dragons put themselves in Anthro simply to save on food and also to enter school.


    It was mostly night classes and skill validation teachers.


    Ragul did an agronomy course with me, a driving course and I followed him.


    Esme trained for the textile industry and Rubix took up computer science.


    Valtrax and the dragons were trained in hunting, flying and rules, and many worked to become forest rangers and civil protection rescuers.


    Exodus excelled as a soldier.


    At our draconic council, it was recognized that we were in fact "babies" and needed to adapt.


    Mom Valtrax begged Dad not to have any conquests in mind.


    The original plan was to stay together, form a community and have descendants, gather summoned monsters and form a draconic kingdom.


    But the idea was discarded.


    People and tourists were flocking to see us, and rather than put on a freak show, Rubix and I took the initiative to take our fate into our own hands.


    In the meantime, we activated the forge with three ovens, and did forest clearing, hunting and preparation in front of the amazed tourists. We weren''t exactly putting on a show, but we were showing that we were working and could be productive.


    Saphie ran the forge with the help of her dragonet, and next door I had my farm where I raised horses.


    And my wife was busy shoeing, selling forged souvenirs and other decorative objects.


    Slowly we gained our financial independence and kept our gold secret. The one of Britannia, its treasures and the numerous magic objects taken away by the dragons. It must have been a raid there.


    Dad still had the manacom to talk to Lord British, but Valtrax closed her husband''s paw as a sign to "let it go".


    And so, we dispersed over the territory.


    Some of us went to the coast as coast guards, others as port technicians.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Little by little, we remained a close-knit community and we met sometimes in the Ardennes, sometimes at the sea, sometimes at the museum of natural history.


    In the places where we used to go, courtyards and sometimes a hall were installed and we became part of the population.


    We finally got our nationality after many observations and our restraint and respect for human life and the laws paid off.


    The fact that we participated in the religious community opened doors for us and little by little our medieval life became a distant memory.


    Soon, jewelry for us appeared, belts and professional harnesses were developed, but none of us needed a car. We flew, but we were also cautious and none of us dared to set foot outside the country.


    We wanted to explore the world, but we were wary. Not everyone recognized us as equal to humans. Some even put a fatwa on us.


    Other great nations were also trying to "take us down". The cowboys were dreaming of a Jurassic hunt... Members of Big Pharma... interested in our blood and our regenerative abilities.


    That''s why we stayed together as best we could and actively participated in species protection associations like the WWF.


    But on my side, Frizor had put her pieces in place and confronted Rubix and Saphie.


    "I understand that you are married, but if you are not in pieces, it is me who "freezes" the entrails of Torin.."


    Saphie and Rubix were angry.


    But Frizor of its 24 meters had nothing to fear from half-portions...


    She licked them and they shivered with cold. Just a few drops of saliva, giving the impression of liquid nitrogen but greasy.


    "I love you too, but let''s just say Torin will be my man when he''s big to rest and I''ll leave him to you when he returns to his human or half form... It''s a fair deal."


    Rubix wanted to rebel, but Frizor reminded her that it was also unfair for her to have no one. There was only one male for every four females after all. And she winked at Alf.


    "When you''re older, Auntie will teach you some dragon stuff."


    Saphie turned around clutching Alf from her body to protect her but he was already bigger than her.


    Then I came over and Frizor purred, showing her kindness but also her well forged ice dragon character.


    She was white like mom and really smart and sexy.


    We decided to live together in Arlon. I helped on the farm but I often went to the university with Rubix and, by word of mouth, I was also a healer. That is to say, in the section of the great burns or traumas, the anaesthetists sometimes call upon "helmsmen" of fire. Individuals with gifts to limit the damage of fire and relieve pain. Their effectiveness has never been in doubt.


    For my part, I blew mana to heal people. This gave me a side income that added to my income.


    A year passed and our training and abilities were recognized and we were able to buy our land and hunting rights and thus, we integrated into society.


    Mondain and Minox were making moves, but our presence amplified their powers and the financial investigations on their fortune disappeared as if by "magic. But we kept our distance, not wanting to get involved.


    The last draconic council was the most peaceful of all. We had managed to place and install the last of us and the media calmed down except that from time to time journalists specialized in other nations came to visit us once a month, to report on our way of life but we integrated well. Well, almost, because once the surprise effect was over, the conflicts started and the racist discrimination started in some places.


    Farmers were sometimes jealous of our strength. The livestock was always in great shape, the vegetable gardens were literally exploding around us. They weren''t fooled. They knew we had powers that be. But it was like everywhere. We didn''t turn around, it wasn''t worth it. Some tried to provoke us but we had the last word.


    The most astonishing thing was Frizor who was called a giant white maggot, a big worm by some drunkards.


    She told them that she would pee on their grave... That when they were old and dying, we would still be here in good shape...


    The answer was hard and bitter.


    At the Chu(Clinic), I was doing miracle after miracle by imposing my paws, but I wanted to limit myself but how could I react when I saw a mother crying her condemned child and imploring me on her knees.


    I was frightened on purpose. At least the sorting was done between those who wanted to live and the comedians.


    Then I was called to an examination room where Saphie had just moved in and she showed me a stick with two crosses on it.


    But the doctor was more reserved for Rubix.


    We could not delay her growth any longer. She risked serious complications if she continued in anthro all the time.

 Notes

    Torin didn''t realize that he was going to be a father himself. And that would have consequences on the fact that dragons and humans were compatible to have offspring.


    Rubix reluctantly removed her necklaces and jewelry and she returned to her normal size, the size she should have been.


    That is to say 22 meters. She still had to grow a little but it was Frizor and Valtrax who took care of her and taught her to live like Torin.


    But a few days later she showed Torin the same stick with a cross.


    She was pregnant, and that was exceptional for her age.


    And, soon after, all the dragonesses learned that they too were pregnant, including Valtrax and Frizor...


    Everyone looked at Torin and Exodus accusingly...


    Keeping the secret was impossible and the members of the species protection were delighted, but many nations did not look kindly on the landing of the dragons and their offspring.


    For many nations, they were just intelligent and dangerous beasts. They were dinosaurs that had escaped from a book and should be kept in museums or reserves.


    They were just waiting for an accident to happen and it had to happen sooner or later. Indeed, nation-states always have a reserve that goes beyond human rights: the reason of state, or political gesture, sedition and unfair competition.


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    If many people liked to meet the dragons, some of them came from the end of the world to see us in our eco-museum, our farms and to see us fly, come and go.


    Many of them loved us sincerely but once we stood up tall in front of people, the primal fear returned.


    Moreover, we never ate in front of people.


    Some would eat a whole cow in 4 bites, alive 5 seconds before.


    Valtrax, Exodus and Frizor had this carnivorous diet.


    The problems came when Rubix, still not controlling his giant body, started to cough and a spray of intense flames came out of his mouth.


    We were at the farm, at the Stud Ranch, and we were having a mega party with each other, with a MEGA BBQ, with magically enlarged meats so as not to break the budget. Some friends were invited and scientists.


    They thought it was abnormal that we could reduce our size and that we had secrets that were still well kept.


    To get them to leave us alone, we gave them the enlargement.reduction spell on a scroll to recite. Obviously, without mana or knowledge of the elemental arcane, it was impossible to activate and at best, a huge fatigue requiring weeks to recover. Finally, tests were done seeing that we had been sincere allowed us to have peace and not hide, more to use this power to have a decent life.


    Minet saw an annex of the farmhouse catch fire, and a white dragoness immediately followed and spat ice to instantly extinguish the fire.


    All the dragons had stopped and were staring at the humans


    The silence was frightening and the humans had a moment of terror that stopped when all the dragons resumed their party as if nothing had happened, but the message, the non-verbal communication, had gotten through.


    No one thought about it, but Professor Minet took our dangerousness to a whole new level.


    But quickly the whole party ended in a draconic council where we only talked about eggs and future births.


    TO BE CONTINUED...

 CCCP & The Last Apollo

    Life was sweet for a while and our community was our pride.


    Back from the university where Rubix was taking courses, I was helping dad at the stud and our horses were shining and we had placed a lot of hopes with the foals and the drastic selection that Ragul was doing to have the best animals.


    We were giants but we reduced our size as much as possible for economic reasons.


    Our breeding did not follow our personal consumption and we had to hunt.


    The problem was the allocated area...


    30 dragons... That was for a planet... not for a small country.


    We didn''t fight because we all really liked each other, then everything started to change...


    It was Rubix... And I... We were happy to have crosses on the pregnancy tests for Saphie... and Rubix and Frizor...


    our moms were over the moon and our dads too.


    But a week passed. then 2 and then a month and still no sign...


    Saphie did not vomit.


    And one of the veterinarians specialized in NAC and reptiles was called by the professor Minet.


    They did a fertility test on me and all the dragons. We had to explain it to them and it was painful.


    Exodus had to crack down, well, scold, to bring everyone up to speed.


    Then, after having calmed down the dragons before using ultrasound, the verdict fell.


    These were psychological pregnancies...


    None of us were expecting children and it was a litany of regrets and tears.


    For the dragons, having babies was sacred.


    But the vets explained to us that we were young and with a materialized body, we were still immature and even though Valtrax and Exodus looked like adults, they were in fact as young as we were. This was a shock. But another problem appeared. We were hungry all the time and tired quickly, and something was missing.


    Mondain was nowhere to be found and we had no one to help us.


    Except for me, everyone was getting weaker, as if they were drained.


    Yet there was mana...


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


    2021, In the press, one could read.


    Officials from the Chinese and Russian space agencies signed an agreement last March to build a research station on the Moon. This complex will be designed to "conduct multidisciplinary and multipurpose research related to the exploration and exploitation of our satellite". It will thus be opposed to the future installations of the US-led.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The "space race" now involves the and its partners against China and Russia which, as we recall, is seriously considering


    What do we know about this future lunar base? Already, China and Russia will not be alone. The leaders of both countries have officially invited other nations and international organizations to join the project "at all stages and levels" (planning, design and development).


    The announcement was made during a side event at the 58th session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) on April 23.


    A project in four main phases


    Other details related to these facilities were also communicated during the sixth annual Chinese Space Day in Nanjing, on April 24.


    A priori, the first phase of the project will consist of collecting data using several probes to determine the location of the future base near the lunar south pole. These missions include China''s Chang''e-6 and Chang''e-7 missions, and the Russian Luna 25, 26 and 27 missions. All these spacecraft should operate from 2024-2025.


    As a reminder, the Chang''e-6 mission spacecraft, which will also aim to bring back other lunar samples to Earth, will carry, among other things, a radon detector developed by the IRAP in Toulouse.


    The second phase of the project will run from 2026 to 2030. During this period, the Chinese mission Chang''e-8 and the Russian mission Luna 28 will settle on the chosen site. Thus will be able to begin the construction of the installations animated by robotic systems.


    It is only during the third phase, over the period 2030-2035, that China hopes to use its super-heavy launcher to send the first humans to the site. A long-term human presence at the lunar south pole will then be considered for the period 2036-2045.


    ...........


    2025, present time.... The base was already built...


    Commander Yoko remembered the Appolo 18 mission and the disaster that followed.


    After NASA officially ended the Apollo program in 1974, a final mission to the Moon would have been flown.


    Captain Benjamin Anderson and Major Nathan Walker, along with Lieutenant Colonel John Gray, were chosen to carry it out in secret. However, the causes that led to the failure, which are captured in the recovered tape, were never made public by the U.S. government, as it was evidence of contact for the first time with extraterrestrial beings, which the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the government of the Soviet Union already knew about. The film goes on to reveal the best kept secret of the U.S. space agency and explains why no other manned mission has been sent to the Moon. It also shows that the astronauts found the remains of a Soviet mission that had the same purpose as theirs.


    Somewhere else, on the dark side of the moon, the stones began to shake...


    The sun was on the other side of the earth, its luminous face illuminating our night of sadness.


    The Chinese and Russian astronauts were astonished that the Americans had let them down in the competition to conquer the moon.


    The only thing that was certain was that they had built an orbital base equipped with laser weapons and missiles. They had the firm intention to prevent the Chinese from bringing back samples.


    The Russians advocated bringing laboratories on the surface or in orbit, they were not hot to bring back the samples too.


    All the members of the expeditions near or in the dark zone of the moon had died. Killed...


    We could still see the picture of the Russian mission that arrived before the Americans but they had rewritten history...


    Since then, nobody has been on the moon until now..


    She was from another era, another time and no one alive today knew her name. Yet, in the dark undiscovered caves of the dreamtime, of the Alcheringue, of the time of the cavemen and even older.


    She had known the sharp dragons, the real saurians of the time when the first land creatures left the oceans.


    She had experienced all of this.


    Her power, however, was immense and feared by those who knew her.


    Her universe, infinite, dark and luminous, contained a strange collection of creatures just as hellish but frozen in ice, eternal ice.


    Suddenly, sensing a disturbance, its astronomically large legs grabbed the sky and its eight heads bit into our dimension.


    And, suddenly the alarm was launched...


    The Chinese base lit up.


    And, a creature, black as the depths of space woke up on earth, in its reconstructed palace, the remnant of a destroyed world.


    It was frightening, monstrously frightening, but yet it had human friends and allies


    "Mom??"


    And a new mission was breathed into her from the void...

 Kobold

    Somewhere beneath the building that saw the dragons appear was a complex of cellars.


    "Grim! It''s dark. Do you think anyone saw us?"


    A small figure no taller than a five year old accompanied his family. There couldn''t have been more than nine of them.


    These scale-covered creatures looked like mini bipedal dragons.


    They were very intelligent, as much as humans, and had the reputation of being dragon worshippers, whom they worshipped as deities.


    Having dragon blood in themselves, but in small quantities, they did everything to please and imitate their lords.


    Their "masters" having disappeared, they felt lost and, not letting themselves be defeated by fate, they took their courage in both legs and started to discreetly follow the banished dragons.


    They quickly understood the situation and that they had not been abandoned but "separated".


    Each of them served one of the runaway dragons and Grim, the leader and shaman served Valtrax but she had joined her other companions under Frisor, Valtrax being away all the time, looking for her son Torin.


    Most of the Kobolds had stayed on Britannia but this group was tight, reckless and unaware, crazy.


    In their bags, not much, except eggs... Kobold eggs...


    What they didn''t know is that by crossing the portal .... their blood became pure dragon... the system doesn''t take into account the dissolution...


    But they did not know it... They were mini-dragons,


    They kept their Kobold appearance and physique but... their strength and mana were amplified.


    Grim cast a light spell and was surprised with the ease with which the spell was cast.


    In the basements, the vibrations of trucks and cars could be heard but to them it was like the sliding of a huge predator one of their dragon gods.


    "HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"


    She motioned for the troop to crouch down and make no noise then all at once.


    "GRRRRRRRRRRR-----BRRRRRRRRRRR"


    Flame then trembling and an orange-red light lit up like a demonic eye.


    The kobolds were terrified and fell flat on their faces, imploring


    "Please... Please... we are good and loyal servants...."


    They pleaded with the... boiler that had just started up.....Whose "Eye" was just the mica window overlooking the burner and pilot light.


    After many minutes, Grim laughed.


    The blacksmithing and technical skills of the kobolds were second to none to the dwarf engineers and she soon realized that it was a water heating system with a sophisticated grease burner.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    They also admired the electrical circuit system, which was totally unknown, but Grim saw a box with a skull and crossbones and a man struck by lightning as they followed the line.


    "This must be a warning. We need to get away from the wires... Lightning can strike us!


    They tightened their grip, surrounded by the wires and lamps.


    The youngest, Zat, saw an orange light in a box. It flickered and he put the tip of his claw hand against the button, which pressed down.


    Grim: "STOOOP ZAT, don''t touch!


    Too late!


    The neon lights came on and they discovered .... the cellar.


    Zat: "Sorry big sister..."


    And he started to cry against his big sister who caressed his neck.


    His horns were still small compared to his sister who could boast of having the most beautiful ones of the group. She had real dragon horns and that was her pride.


    Grim: "It''s not going to be easy to find Master Valtrax and Exodus.


    Zat: "Do you think Thor will accept me as a slave ????"


    Grim : "There is no doubt about it... Valtrax was a good master and I''m sure she will do everything to make sure you have a good master too."


    Zat: "I''m afraid I''ll remain a stunted lizard without a master."


    The little kobold saw a door with an identical light: "Look, big sister...there is a door with the same light square. If the light appeared, then the door could open???"


    Before the shaman opened her mouth, Zat had already pressed the button


    "Hey, look, I can do magic too! : BY ZANZAR, let the door open.... "


    A silence of terror invaded the small group and Zat was about to be scolded.


    Then.


    "DING!"


    The elevator door opened.


    Zat rushed in and the others followed...


    Everyone found themselves in the mysterious box and suddenly the doors closed.


    Panic-stricken, they hit the walls, but the next thing they knew, the doors opened on the ground floor, in front of a surprised woman who saw little children covered in a brown woolen hood with a funny growth sticking out the back.


    She wondered if they were costumes of fan fiction, manga. The ground floor was an exhibition of toys and the kobolds did not wait for their rest and went to hide among the decorations.


    Parents were lining up with their children and many others were running around.


    They looked at and tested toy cars, jeeps, police motorcycles and there were plenty of costumes made to try on.


    There were dinosaur masks and posters showing dragons with a farm that could be visited exceptionally for the holidays.


    Grim sneaked a peek and saw one of the posters and recognized Valtrax and Frizor licking ice cream from the dragon farm...


    The line moved on and they recognized a priest of the cult of the 8 virtues. He had a donkey, a bishop''s miter and was accompanied by a palfrenier. His skin was covered with soot and he had a whip... The Kobolds were immediately frightened and spat at the sight of the whip.


    Zat: "Do you think he''s a guard???"


    Grim :" Maybe, considering the number of humans, we have to keep order".


    Zat: "See the little human on the four-wheeled machine? It seems to be amusing them".


    Grim : "NO! ZAT!! stay here!"


    But Zat ran and snatched the poster and brought it back to his big sister.


    "MOM!!! LOOK!! a little dragon! "


    "Stop it, this is nonsense...."


    "But yes, mamaaan!!! everyone is talking about it..."


    "They are too young, they don''t have children yet..."


    Then a group of 4-6 year olds surrounded Zat and a little girl grabbed him from behind, belted him and lifted him up to his mommy


    "See... it''s a mini Godzilla! All red."


    "-I want one! I want one!"


    The other kobolds were terrified and Grim, the tallest didn''t know what to do.


    Zat, caught and held by the little girl didn''t want to bite or hurt her and did what every child does... Cry.


    Zat: "Mama... mama... grrrr IIIIII!"


    The mom bent down and saw the little kobold crying...


    She was pregnant and took the little kobold by the front paws... with one hand and took her handkerchief to comfort the little creature.


    In her paw, she could see the torn poster..


    "Oh... poor little creature.... Are you looking for your mommy???"


    The kobold understood English but not French but the word mama was identical to his runic English..the common one of Sosaria.


    With his little claw, he pointed to Valtrax on the poster.


    "You look lost. Are you alone???"


    "MOM... Can we keep him??? can he come home???" shouted his son and daughter.


    Attracted by the noise, other children surrounded little Zat, no taller than a 2 year old.


    She sighed and gave in.


    She put the hood back on the kobold and put him in the shopping cart, on the child seat.


    Zat was paralyzed with terror...


    The other kobolds followed him, jumping from shelf to shelf, discreetly, and Grim cast an invisibility spell.


    Unfortunately, Zat was out of reach...

 The 7 Elders of Belgium

    The black entity was looking at her divination crystal, from which she could see the past, the present and the different paths to the future, the different possibilities, but an impurity in the crystal had been bothering her for some time and she wanted to see the possible consequences of a disturbance in the established order. It was all relative. The order seen by a deity is seen differently by a creature.


    She snapped her fingers and a black envelope with golden edges appeared before her. Inside, black paper and she spoke in a language forgotten by all and the text printed on it as it folded and the envelope closed.


    It was suspended and the creature blew on it: "The black queen".


    And the envelope dematerialized to appear on a desk in a... vessel of monstrous size.


    The sleeping girl got up and instinctively knew that a letter would appear sooner or later.


    She knew what she had to do


    She took her letter and it opened in front of her and also in front of a scientist and friend who shared her adventures, a good advisor very useful and also necessary to maintain the space behemoth.


    Dubuisson: "Mistress!!! every day I marvel at the technology of this ship."


    "Don''t get attached to it...mother gives as she takes away...so for your sake put away your toys and don''t get her attention. She knows the future and all the consequences that involve it. Consider the Buc¨¦phalus as a base, a logistical means and ... above all do not make us spot. A mistake, a tiny one, and it''s gone."


    The professor nodded, he loved the ship as his baby but his mistress was right.


    He feared his mistress but loved her just as much as a friend and he preferred to see her in human form.. than her other, terrible form..


    "Let''s get down to business!" she said.


    A 3D image of the city and magical plans showed an aberration, well, a remnant in the center of the city, in the convention center.


    "It''s a system violation but not reversible..."!


    "Majesty, indeed, it was like a natural mana explosion. It is rare but possible."


    "Yet this world is devoid of magic..!"


    "Hmm. Maybe it wasn''t always!"


    Then she scrolled the world in 3D and found nothing.


    "Let''s change the plan.."


    A similar world appeared with almost the same constructions...


    Another system violation... a hybrid TIAMAT....a dimensional ship like the one destroyed by the Winged Lion..."


    "Mistress, I believe this is your mother''s responsibility..."


    Then, below, everything was unraveling...


    "The plans above are no longer held not those below....a collapse is possible!"


    Then she returned to her mission order: "Eliminate the disturbance..."


    But she had stopped by herself, without mana..


    Dubuisson: "I know the area by heart... I lived there for years! but is it necessary?"


    The girl turned her head with long blonde hair and stared at the teacher.


    "We''ll investigate...besides, I''m curious and mother always gives a hidden meaning in her letters...it''s up to us to make the right choice."


    "But..."


    "Her orders are absolute...even I fear her...!"


    Dubuisson : "I thought you were closer..."


    "Mother is very far from being human and her "kindness" is always full of warnings.


    When I visited her palace...I saw her collection and the pedestals... There was one with my name on it..."


    Dubuisson, partly already knowing the answer "What was there? "


    "Other dragons caught in the eternal ice...frozen in time...and there were hundreds of them!!!"


    Dubuisson:" But with your dual nature, you could escape it..."


    She shook her head down, her hair sweeping across the hologram.


    "Sorry to have offended you, majesty.."


    "Stop it with that...it''s getting on my nerves...we''re friends, right?"


    "Yes, Claudia...uh...D."


    She opened her eyes expressing her disagreement and the teacher repeated "Claudia... yes... Claudia..."


    Then she looked at the main deck screen


    "AI, our position?"


    AI "Behind the dark side of the moon."


    We have spotted Chinese, Russian and American facilities.


    "Zoom in a little on the lunar surface..."


    Our alien detector reacts!.


    The surface is covered with stones. Like eggs designed for infinite hibernation.


    This could cause serious damage if the samples are brought back to earth.


    "Make sure with our friends that this does not happen... Destroy the base or bases if necessary!"


    Dubuisson: "And the life of the astronauts?"


    "Up to you, I have some dreams to rot"


    And the next moment, Claudia disappeared in a ball of black smoke made of shadows.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    With each manifestation, the professor and his friends remembered how far from human Claudia was. They shuddered each time, feeling the strength and crushing aura of the predatory creature.


    The Alien Queen in the old movie was a joke next to her. The worst part was that she could be very kind to her loved ones but ruthless to her enemies. Whether they were old or young, but she had one absolute rule...she never messed with children..ever.


    And her crew... consisted of children, the old teacher and a couple of bruised teenagers with a secret hidden in their flesh. Martyrs...


    They were recuperating in the leisure and medical wing of the ship. They were tormented when they woke up and only sleep was their "sanctuary", protected by Claudia.


    She also had another name, which few used and only in her other form: Darkia. Queen Darkia.


    .


    .


    .


    Within the bases, the tension was at its maximum. Accidents happened when astronauts stabbed into round "rocks" and fangs came out and pierced the suit. The space cold freezing the fingers into icicles, the contamination did not occur more by chance than by logic.


    The severed fingers placed in insulators thawed and quickly turned into a kind of crab claw and a laser had to burn the whole thing in the hood to avoid any propagation.


    Scientists screamed against any protocol and a mutiny ensued on the Chinese base.


    There were threats of reprisals against the family, with videos of their wives begging for sanity.


    No... the astronauts wanted to scuttle the mission and, to their great displeasure, sent videos which were blocked by the retransmission satellite, but this did not escape the Russians who took additional precautions.


    Judging the mission too dangerous, they cancelled the mission and left on the spot that which was to remain there.


    But against all odds, 6 Chinese had come by jeep to the Russian base to ask for asylum.


    They had with them the necessary oxygen and they were repatriated with the Russians.


    The Chinese base self-destructed and the Americans were disconcerted by this reversal.


    The mission being joint for the Russians as for the Americans, they were all put in quarantine in the international base.


    The information was passed on to the scientific members of NATO and it arrived on General Lucien''s desk.


    He got up from his desk and went to the large classroom in the Saive barracks.


    It was morning, a wintry morning and the day was sad, cold and a fine rain was gnawing at your bones. Moreover, it was dark as if it was a polar night, neither night nor day, and he entered the room where a "human" warmth struck him. It was pleasant but as students there were Exodus, Frizor and another red dragon, a dragoness of course, the ex-generals of Exodus.


    They looked up and nodded as General Lucien entered.


    The dragons were taking courses for officer candidates who wanted to make a career in the army.


    The general didn''t ask for much, but having Exodus as an ally was the best thing that could happen to his career, although he was very close to retirement. But a general is never really retired. Especially in intelligence. Retirement is just a cover, a joke.


    He turned to the instructor Hook.


    "Well?"


    Hook: "I have no problem with the math. They are learning at a high speed, faster than I can instruct... They are ready for their certificate...They are already officers!"


    Lucien: "What rank?"


    Hook: "Captains, the rest is on merit, not on exams.


    Lucien turned to Exodus: "You have been on your best behavior. The following ranks are given by his Majesty the King. It is up to you to prove that you are trustworthy and protect your country."


    Exodus: "Thank you, General!


    Lucien : "Good! Tomorrow, you can invite your friends and companions, it will be the presentation of medals and your nominations as officers of the Royal Belgian Army. Many students of the military academy will be present and some Dutch speaking ones will want to be more zealous. So, do not fall into their trap or provocation. Don''t give them that pleasure.."


    Exodus made no comment and kept his head straight.


    When the general came out, the instructor huffed and looked at the 3 dragons and a few diligent students and applauded the class.


    "I am proud of you! And it is I who thank you for having the honor of being your instructor and having such brilliant students!"


    By the end of class, Exodus was in the main courtyard, walking at his teacher''s pace and many questions were exchanged. For months, Hook had not been paying attention, he was a student, not a dragon.


    Then he dared to ask: "If you don''t mind. What was it like to rule a world?"


    Exodus stopped and the other two dracosires did the same, listening eagerly to the answer of their former master and lord.


    Exodus: "Never again!!!! never again!!! It was like an arms race. Enemies were arming themselves in response to military improvements and there was no end to it.


    By the end, I was exhausted and exhausted...and almost relieved to die.... I had a hero tormenting me and persecuting my mind. And every second I had to calculate a thousand and one plans to save my wives and get them away from me. It was a nightmare and I needed more mana, more powers, more gems and finally, I didn''t know what to do without counting all the logistics that had to follow, the monsters, placing them, estimating the passage of the heroes, putting rewards to motivate them to fall into traps. I was going crazy. I was really going crazy! And every night I was crying, begging for this nightmare to end. I wanted to go home and wall myself up alive in a lake of lava.


    That''s what I did in the end but the heroes still managed to find a forgotten passage. And I died...unable to defend myself, I was so exhausted..."


    Hook saw the dragon breathless, bruised and full of tears... It was a real trauma.


    But the two dragons rubbed their necks against his to cuddle him, to reassure him.


    Hook: "I''m sorry I brought up so much pain. I can understand now and I will do everything I can to make the army a second mother for you.


    And he patted the shoulder of the panting dragon.


    Exodus: "Thank you, Captain!


    Then they resumed their walk.


    Exodus: "Now that you have completed your mission, what are you going to do?"


    Hook: "I''m a reservist but my contract is over and I''m going back to my job as a researcher at the nuclear power plant..."


    Exodus: "Weapons, I guess..."


    "Sort of, let''s say it''s hot and confidential"


    Exodus: "I felt a wave of energy a few months ago... Behind the star you call ''Moon''"


    Hook stopped.


    "You interest me! And how do you feel things?


    Exodus: "You''re an engineer Physicist and Doctor of Physics, right?"


    The captain turned to stare the dragon in the eye..


    Exodus: "I have skimmed your courses and books and those you have published but there is a huge hole in your knowledge. An energy that you sense, but cannot measure, except for its effects... dark matter... but we dragons know this energy that is not matter but can condense into Mana crystals!!!"


    Hook: "We''re getting to the fairy tales but since I have a dragon in front of me. I will keep my seriousness and listen to you..."


    Exodus: "I see through your research and publications, holes revealing a project of interdimensional probe using basically a neutron detector.


    Your military publications indicate a neutron cannon with lead prisms to focus the flux, like in an atomic bomb...


    But the beam is directed by electromagnets like in a cathode ray tube. So you try to make a radar or camera with charged and discharged neutrons hoping to see an image but it is blurry and only gives random shapes and at best, like a system for seeing auras.."


    Exodus, seeing the Captain''s face knew he had hit the nail on the head.


    He no longer used magic or charms because he had taken an oath and sooner or later it would come out and he cherished his position. He didn''t say it, but he held on to his position with all his claws.


    It was his lifeline and a guarantee for a new life. He was looking for allies, friends and above all the army as an ally and new home.


    Exodus was far from being stupid or enslaved, but he knew that with this position, he was untouchable even by another state or empire. He would even be rescued in case of a hard blow.


    Hook: "And if you were right, what difference does it make?"


    Exodus: "I could make such a crystal for you and thus boost your project... And... I still have some secrets for you. You''re my only friend here and I don''t want to disappoint General Lucien, but this is as confidential as your project..."


    They continued walking and exited the barracks, the guards saluting them as they passed.


    The outside of the barracks was surrounded by fields as far as the eye could see, and no drones or cars or pedestrians could hide.


    The dragonesses followed far behind, taking advantage of the ride to take flight and swirl around the barracks.


    "Captain, I brought with me an ark of Dwarven technology. They are out of commission, but you and I could refurbish this ship. I''m sure it will be able to save lives and, with this gift, prove our loyalty to this country that has given us sanctuary, a new life and the chance to exist."


    Hook paused. He was also a "general" but his rank was hidden for reasons of state and also as an observer of the dragons. His opinion mattered as much as Lucien''s and, no one knew, but he was one of the seven wise men who actually ran the country. He represented the scientific branch. Very few people knew of their existence except the king who presided over the council.


    Democracy, the senate, was a political spectacle, but in the end, the Wise Men often acted through judgments. They were judges too, in the end.


    The Elders knew that there were seven in total, but none of them knew the true identity of the other six. This went back to the creation of the country. They were the ultimate barrier.

 Darkia

    Meanwhile, a young blonde girl was walking in the city center.


    Arriving near St. Paul''s Cathedral, she stopped for tea in a tapas bar that brightened up the square in front of the huge shopping center.


    On posters one could see the activities of the artists, the singers and concerts to come and often organized at the Forum, an internationally known theater.


    "Same world and same singers... So close and so different..."


    She had a scarf hiding her hair and brown sunglasses but that was for pure fashion.


    She watched the couples come and go and sighed, watching the plate of cured meats diminish in size.


    A tear fell. And, as if talking to herself...


    "I''m so alone..."


    From her purse, she took out the black letter written in gold type... then she sobbed.


    A young man stopped.


    "Is something wrong, miss?"


    The people of Liege were known for their pride and outspokenness, but also for their kindness. Everyone helped everyone else.


    It was an industrial and mining town and many immigrants came to start a family here. In the mines and the steel industry, the workers helped each other regardless of their religion or ethnicity. They were all black-faced with soot and that''s how Cork became this metropolis that even integrated the dragons...


    "Thank you young man, I just got tired, but thank you!"


    "I''ll come back later, to see if you''re feeling better!"


    He hailed the waiter.


    "A hot chocolate for mademoiselle!"


    "NOnn... but.... thanks"


    "Nothing like a chocolate to cheer you up."


    He waved goodbye and Claudia found herself smiling again...sipping the soft, sweet beverage.


    "You''ll have sweet dreams tonight..."


    She stood up, grabbed her small white purse, matching her jacket, and walked into the mall. On the ground floor, all kinds of beauty items, perfumes, bags of all kinds, there was everything.


    She took the escalator, carried away by the flow of shopping and she found herself in the department of plates and wedding list.


    She cringed when a saleswoman asked her if she was coming for a list for herself or for friends/family.


    "No thanks...just looking."


    The plates were beautiful, more beautiful than the one in her palace or the military plates in the Bucephalus.


    She looked at the place settings and imagined herself at a party with friends and... away from Mother...


    "It never stops... I can''t take it anymore.."


    She remembered the carnage with the assassins launched in waves against her and her friends, and the members of the powerful Golden Table, a kind of CosaNostra that the Caliph was behind. Even her world was rotten with corruption and every moment was tied to her survival...


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    But maybe here, in this parallel world, she could find some peace and quiet.


    She left the Innovation without shopping and arrived at the center with terraces and mezzanines on several floors, served by escalators.


    There was an exhibit of a special kind with a reconstructed farm with giant stuffed pony and farm products.


    "Dragon Farm!"


    The labels showed all sorts of products from the dragon farm and that inevitably attracted Claudia. Especially since the farm was radiating Mana!


    No wonder the products were excellent!


    Honey, stuffed animals, photos and selfies and also tickets to come to the Hara and have a guided tour by a dragon in person!


    A gigantic line filled the whole ground floor to get into a room with a real dragon inside.


    His name was Felix and he was in Anthro form, his size forbidding him to enter the center. And ... too scary.


    He was a young dragonet who had fled with the humans out of the academy.


    He was 5 years old and was accompanied by other commercials who worked at the 3 Furnaces, the dragon domain. He was maturing faster than the humans and wanted to become a salesman, so he went around the malls to promote the local products and also to get people used to dragons in the society.


    He was not afraid, because he was always surrounded by humans and lived in society all his life.


    He immediately felt the imposing presence of a dracosire but did not flinch.


    He had a jacket and clothes that fit him, like a goblin from a well-known phone brand.


    This made him friendly and in a playful mood, he never failed to make the most frightened children laugh.


    Adults and colleagues always guided him and told him what to do and he worked confidently.


    Of course, like all his friends, he went to school and had a lot of friends. But it was a vacation and he enjoyed the trade fairs and had a lot of fun discovering new things every time


    Claudia bought some pat¨¦s and cured meats, rich in mana and asked for a selfie with Felix the Dragon.


    Their eyes met and Felix flinched. He let out a little whimper like a dominated dog.


    He knew that right in front of him was a terrifying creature that could break him with a snap of its claws.


    She probed him and looked for mischief in him but found nothing.


    A mental link was established.


    "So you are Felix!??? and in Anthro form..."


    The humans were frightened and moved away, in fact only the colleagues.


    Claudia adjusted her "Presence" just to be alone with the dragon.


    "What are you doing here! This is not your world!"


    Felix didn''t know what to say.


    He shouted "MOMAN! Please!!!"


    Claudia sat up straight while staring with slitted eyes at the young dragon...


    But her reaction was more than human... and Claudia (Darkia) relaxed her shoulders.


    "I''m not here to hurt you, young dragon... but I am investigating your kind.."


    Expecting a fierce reaction of self-defense, typical of dragons..


    Felix "Don''t hurt my family... I beg you... I will do anything you want..."


    Darkia relaxed..


    "You seem like a nice dragon... who are your parents.. Where are they?"


    "This is Manuel, my daddy.."


    "Ah. Is your daddy a black dragon like you?


    "No... he''s a priest! Well, an apprentice, in training at the Vatican..."


    Darka was speechless...


    "Vatican?"


    "Yes... we are all baptized! We are not wild animals and I go to school!"


    She crouched down.


    "Sorry, Felix... I didn''t mean to scare you but I need to know how you got here!"


    "I don''t know...I was too little...go to the Farm! but please...don''t hurt Torin or the others..."


    She then gave the dragonet a kiss on the forehead and walked away. "I promise, I won''t hurt them."


    Felix had a hard time getting back and his colleagues almost jumped on him to console him.


    He cried and the selfies were postponed until the next day.


    "Felix? Felix? Who was that? I''ve never been so scared in my life... even you or Exodus. It was terrible..."


    "It was an Arch-Dragon. A dragon god... I was so scared....I''m scared.. Amandine.. I''m scared...I''m scared...


    Turn on the lights... it''s dark la la la and la!!!"


    Her friends looked at each other..


    "Do you want to go home?"


    "Yes!" he cried, not wanting to stop.


    Amandine took her phone and called Rubix.


    "Rubix??? Am I not disturbing you?"


    Rubix was helping Torin on the farm to study for his agronomy exams...


    "No, I''m with my honey...we''re studying together... Is something wrong???"


    "It''s Felix... since he''s been alone without Manu, he''s terrified."


    Rubix : "Yes, I know... he''s still little..."


    Amandine: "No, it''s more serious... There''s an Arch-Dragon that has just arrived at the exhibition... And F¨¦lix almost pisses himself and I had to run away because I was so scared..."


    Rubix ... "Another dragon??? but that''s impossible... the portal is destroyed!!! How was this dragon?"


    Amandine : "It was a young blonde girl with long hair. She was shopping and came directly on Felix. I should have protected him but it was impossible. It was stronger than with Exodus or Valtrax! So much stronger... I was crushed!!!"


    Rubix breathed quietly, thinking.


    "Any other details?"


    "Uh, it felt like a black mass of darkness...like a volcano was crushing me but it also felt familiar, like I knew it but couldn''t remember who...but it felt like thousands of teeth, like it was going to break us and tear us apart...


    I''m scared now too and she said she was going to come see you at the farm...and she asked poor Felix, how you got here..."

 Clandestine slaughter.

    Rubix called his father-in-law during his walk with General (Captain) Hook.


    A/N (This character really exists and was my tutor to help me in my studies as a physicist - General Lucien is an uncle with the rank of Colonel and was generalizable - he got the title and rank on his pension).


    Exodus, still in his anthro form, stopped short and his expression darkened.


    He turned to the captain.


    "We''re out of time... we have to move fast!!!"


    Hook. "What''s the matter? I''ve never seen you so stern!"


    Exodus: "Trouble. A powerful enemy perhaps... a threat to our very existence!"


    Suddenly, he transformed back into a 32 meter dragon.


    "Climb on me! We''re going to your lab!"


    Hook climbed onto the membranous wing and a saddle magically appeared, much to his amazement.


    "How is that possible?"


    Exodus: "This is part of the energy I told you about... one of the applications..."


    Hook: "This is insane!"


    Exodus: "Later! Where shall I go?"


    "To the Sart tilman, near Colonster Castle! "


    Exodus ran. And his phone rang. Lucien was asking him what was going on and why he was flying max size.


    Hook answered.


    "It''s me... I''m on his back on a saddle. We''re going to my base... I''ll take responsibility."


    Lucien: "Okay, General...is everything okay?"


    "It''s pretty fast but I think our new captain is trying to prove himself."


    Lucien: "No charm or spell?"


    "No, the Taoist talisman is intact!"


    They arrived at the castle. Frizor and Vulcanus were in sight and Hook was able to slide down the dragon''s wing. The saddle disappeared as it had appeared and Exodus didn''t seem to care, too preoccupied.


    He looked at the ground and took a few steps.


    He chanted a mantra and a mist formed.


    The wind dispersed the smoke and revealed :


    The wind dispersed the smoke and revealed :


    An arch vessel.


    In runic, it read: Red Anvil.


    Despite its oblong and very retro size, it was gigantic. The main hatch was about 30 metres long and the ship was over 100 metres high.


    Hook fell on his ass.


    Exodus: "This is the Anvil! the last dwarf ship capable of traveling between stars and worlds! but something is broken or worn out inside and I''m unable to get it off the ground but its command centre is still operational and its cannon still works! It can pulverize space rocks!


    Power word: "Activation".


    And a ladder came out of the side of one of the auxiliary reactors and landed on the ground.


    "Come on!"


    Exodus climbed up the ladder with ease, followed by the general and the other two dragons.


    The interior was all bronze with various gauges. A steampunk paradise.


    Everything was riveted and screens made of crystals served as monitors.


    Everything was impeccable but as if frozen in time.


    The device was like an ancestor in need of a thorough overhaul.


    The dragons were in anthro to access the decks and control systems.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Exodus" Once I had a dwarf crew but it''s all gone. And all the fleet and technology is gone too. This is the only remnant of that time. But some parts are still functional."


    Hook: "Don''t touch anything, Captain Exodus... The system here is very different from what we know and as a precautionary measure, this ship could be a real bomb."


    Exodus wanted to protest and activate the search radar but Hook talked him out of it.


    Exodus obeyed and in doing so gained a few trust points with the army he worked for.


    Dozens of technicians and engineers rushed in and Exodus entered Hook''s base.


    He pulled out scrolls with the ship''s plans and acted as interpreter while they worked on transcribing the plans into 3D with a list of features.


    The craft turned out to be much more complex than it appeared.


    Originally, in the virtual and unreal world of Ultima, the ship was like an icon that carried tracers and sectors to other parts of a coded world. But as it passed through the red portal into reality, the ship''s reality changed as did the dragons and humans accompanying them (and the Kobolds who had arrived on the sly).


    Exodus waited patiently in the castle lobby and, to his surprise, there were plenty of display cases with original dinosaur skeletons. These were unexhibited models, probably from the reserve of the natural history museum.


    Belgium is famous for its largest collection of dinosaurs.


    To his surprise, in resin, a dragon skeleton with his name written underneath, and to scale.


    This made him laugh out loud: "Ah, these humans, they have a sense of humour.


    Hook returned to Exodus and looked at the model on display as he did.


    "It''s a beautiful reproduction."


    Exodus: "It gives me chills... to think that not long ago... I was in this form in a mausoleum.."


    Hook smiles, more to test the emotions..


    "A diskette..."


    Exodus turned his head quickly, staring at Hook.


    "This isn''t fun!!! Everything was real... The taste, the flavors, the pain and suffering!"


    Hook readjusted his glasses. "Edifying... like in the movie Tron..."


    "Sorry, General...but it''s hard, even now...Even though it was coding, I really suffered, I really cried.."


    "Sorry, Captain...I couldn''t know. but this is beyond logic and as a physicist I don''t know where to start"


    Exodus: "According to the latest information on the screen, the batteries were empty...And at the time, I didn''t know how to charge electricity, I only knew how to charge mana."


    Hook: "The dangerous thing about this ship is that it handles quantum physics forces and the presence of a black hole would not be impossible"


    Exodus: "There was no black star at the time... not on this model... It may have been equipped for interdimensional travel but not this one. It has a hollow core in which the dwarves could generate a dark star but that was not activated."


    Hook breathed a sigh of relief.


    "We haven''t really mastered all that knowledge yet..but we''re not far off."


    Exodus: "You need to upgrade your radar, but time is running out I''m afraid. "


    Hook: "Did you have explosives?"


    "No, not that I know of, only a runic cannon.


    "Hook: then we only turn on the radar. but we need to re-grease all the mechanics, the engines could seize up and fry."


    All the panels were open and the technicians were busy re-greasing and oiling anything that looked like a cylinder, an engine or a gearbox


    But the circuits were intact, as if frozen in time without being affected. even the original paint had not suffered. it was untouched. yet the red turns to yellow and then disappears with time and exposure to ultraviolet light.


    Exodus returned in human size and explained that the ship could grow to 20 times its size to accommodate dragons as crew at the time.


    On the main deck, Hook looked carefully at the runic inscriptions and realised that everything was in English but with a different alphabet of 26 characters.


    The words and symbols were the same as on land. A programming aberration, probably.


    Exodus put his front paw into a base with the mould of his claw hand and it sank in, causing magical gems to light up as lamps.


    A projection appeared on a crystal blade and the areas in green and red could be seen on the rocket''s design.


    The batteries were in red... but the rest in green.


    Notifications of pressure alerts, lack of oxygen in the tanks and deactivated mana catalysts, crystals drained of energy.


    Exodus: "I can recharge the auxiliary crystals a bit but the batteries need a mana converter. You don''t have one and neither do I, but I know more or less how to build one. You''ll have to build an electrical charging adapter.


    Hook: "Batteries are super capacitors... Better than our current batteries. But you can charge them without any problem! The problem is that they are plutonium batteries!


    Exodus: "And???"


    Hook... "No... nothing... we have them on satellites. It''s not enriched plutonium... it''s depleted."


    Exodus:"????"


    The dragon opened a panel on the floor and a network of green but non-phosphorescent crystals could be seen.


    Then he blew and a cone of warm light permeated the crystal, which began to resonate, to tinkle in a soft, melodious sound.


    Red lights on the screen turned green and a host of indicators showed where to grease and oil and unglue.


    It took a whole day to repair part of the ship, which exhausted the 3 dragons.


    Exodus didn''t come home that night and settled down with the other two, huddled together to share their body heat but more importantly to recharge their mana faster.


    Meanwhile, something happened at the ranch.


    The next morning, the farm workers woke Ragul and Esme up.


    "Mr. Ragul! Mister Ragul!!! come quickly!"


    He put on his boots and down jacket and then, followed by Esme, he walked out of the farmhouse and into the stables.


    Several horses were lying in the meadow. Probably shot in the head.


    Esme put her hands in front of her face and put her head against her husband''s chest, crying.


    Ragul held and caressed his wife''s neck, who was sobbing with terror and sadness.


    Esme : "Why??? why??? we didn''t do anything to anyone!


    Rubix had gone to the course with the dragoons at the local school


    Ragul was running the farm and doing skill validations at night school.


    He walked around the paddock, disgusted...his best animals stolen and the others slaughtered...


    Then a police van arrived, followed by another police car.


    Esme was in shock and no dragons were present that night. They were all in training in various parts of the country.


    The police had closed the park for investigation, but what revolted Esme was a puppet of Torin and Rubix crucified on a sign.


    "You monsters! Disappear or next time it will be you!"


    Dragon Hunter''s Association.


    And underneath it was a moulded dragon head put on a board as a hunting trophy.


    The human couple returned with the policemen but one of them had spotted something.


    "Inspector... the screws on the trophy are not metric but imperial."

 Investigation

    I arrived home with Rubix and Sapphire on my back, flying, followed by Mum and some dragon friends.


    To my astonishment, I saw the police near the farm and horses lying around.


    The smell of fresh blood rose to my throat and in an instant I knew something dramatic had happened.


    Police officers waved us down, a little fearfully, but they were used to a large "helicopter" flapping its wings.


    Immediately we were back to our small size and I ran home.


    "Mom?"


    I saw Esme crying in Daddy''s arms and then she ran to me and I took her between my paws, to comfort her...


    "We are ruined!!! all our best horses are gone and the rest are killed.."


    "No, Mum... I took out insurance, I learned a lot at school. They''re going to help us rebuild everything..."


    "Torin? I''m Detective Corentin and I''ve already taken your dad''s statement. "


    He looked me up and down, still wary of having a predator in front of him worse than in the Jurassic era.


    "I''m sorry to frighten you, Inspector, but I was once human and I know how you feel. But what happened and why is Mom in such a state!???"


    Rubix walked in, distraught.


    "Esme? Ragul? Have you seen mum and dad?"


    Esme fell to the ground crying and Rubix panicked.


    She ran to the barns that had been converted into a home for her parents, who were still very much animals...(Living in straw, unable to reason, except for her mother who had learned a little. She was at the caveman stage...)


    Everything was trashed and anaesthetic darts were lying on the ground


    Rubix yelled "PAPAAAA!!! MAAMAAANNN!"


    She took off and flew around the farm roaring.


    She grew to her full red dragon size and roared even more.


    The inspector panicked.


    "No... let her... she''s in shock. She needs to release her stress. If she does anything, I''ll go and reason with her.."


    Corentin: "I''m counting on you, Torin..."


    Then a moment later he asked to sit down and I lay down while we heard Rubix shouting at his parents and crying at the same time.


    I understood immediately.


    I had seen the crucified dolls and tears flowed from my slitted eyes.


    Oddly enough I turned back into Torin, the human and Esme almost jumped on me with a blanket to cover me and hide my nakedness.


    Esme "Torin... my little torin..."


    She was happy and sad at the same time.


    Corentin: "We found a memory card in the letter... it was a video.


    It showed Rubix''s parents being shot with darts and shot in a truck, chained up. And Felix in a net and then bitten by a dart and crying for help!"


    I started to vomit and Poisonus arrived with Freezer and Firrax was accompanied by Frizor and Papa Exodus.


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    .


    Valtrax snorted a few times and wanted to use magic but Exodus gave him the stink eye. "No magic, damn it!"


    Rubix rushed towards me and I reverted to my giant form to absorb the impact.


    She was all sorrow and tears.


    "I promise you we''ll find them! They are alive! They are too precious!"


    While I consoled my wife,


    Sapphia was consoling Rubix. And all the dragons present supported her.


    Dad came back into the house and sat in front of the commissary, in anthro, Valtrax too and Ragul. Esme stayed to console Rubix and cry with her.


    "We are Felix''s adopted family and the dragons are Rubix''s parents, also family and, by default, I am responsible for our little community."


    The inspector did not beat about the bush.


    "There has been a multiple crime, Trespassing, threats, racist threats and false imprisonment with violence... It''s very serious. but...Mr Exodus...I know you''re eager to go and find them but our men are on the case and I remind you that you don''t have the right to take justice into your own hands. It is the law and as a thinking, sensible being, not to say human, although I see a human and a human in front of me, you are justiciables and the law applies to you too.


    If you interfere, you risk ruining our investigation but also you risk the lives of innocent people.


    And from my past experience, this is a professional job. If you want to help us, then you should only talk to me and not to anyone else.


    Exodus: "This could be the work of jealous farmers. I know Ragul has been called a caveman several times and Saphie has been called a bestial libertine several times. They are competing farms and even agricultural farmers. They are jealous of our crops and the size and flavour of our vegetables. Some say we spike the fruit with syrup.


    Corentin: "I can understand your feelings and I admire your self control. Few humans would have had as much restraint as you, but that''s all to your credit. But let me stop you right there.


    This is not the work of a group of disgruntled farmers..or competitors. It''s bigger and deeper than that.


    The farmers wouldn''t have slaughtered the horses, they would have taken them away and left a trail. They are not professional criminals.


    Moreover, the bullets are of military calibre. They are not hunting ammunition or sporting bullets.


    It is the calibre used by organised crime, hitmen and secret services. And there is every reason to believe that these are the three possibilities.


    Another point confirming my assumptions is that the surveillance cameras were hacked and there are no fingerprints."


    Exodus looked up at the ceiling and went into a sort of meditation but his divination spell remained unclear.


    "Inspector... do you think this could be the work of another dragon???"


    At this, his eyes widened.


    "What do you mean? Is there such tension in your community that such a senseless crime would be committed by one of your own kind?"


    Exodus: "There is tension indeed, but it is sentimental. Couples are forming and concubines want to take part and become second wives, which is normal since there is 1 male for every 4 females... but there has been no violence or threats that I know of.


    Valtrax looked sternly at Exodus while Firrax looked out the window, curious and worried like everyone else.


    Exodus: "My son has 2 wives and 2 concubines... and... their studies... They are kids..."


    Corentin : "Yes, but if I see my report, you should be a newborn..."


    Exodus lowered his head, having nothing to disagree with.


    The inspector slapped his hands on his thighs to snap everyone out of their trance.


    "So if I understand correctly...there would be another dragon, out of nowhere, I suppose."


    Exodus: "I don''t know...but Felix mentioned that he had the scare of his life.


    It was an arch-dragon in the form of a human girl with long blonde hair. She emanated an aura that crushed people and Felix in particular.


    He was so scared that he wet himself. Yet we have a powerful aura, which we never activate, but he was traumatised by the creature. "


    Inspector: "So it was at the mall with some farm workers.


    "Yes, Inspector Corentin."


    "I''ll ask to see the recordings and try to trace this person."


    Exodus "If Felix wasn''t mistaken, her name would be Claudia and her dragon name, I don''t know."


    The inspector took notes, then stood up and took his leave.


    "I''ll see you tomorrow, same time... okay? In the meantime, if you have any news... here''s my card with my number. Call me. "


    As soon as the inspector left, the two dragons remained silent.


    Exodus looked at Valtrax, "Minax!? Mondain?"


    Who else would need a dragon but him? And this "Claudia"... who was she?


    Exodus: "I have a terrible feeling..."


    Valtrax: "So do I. I fear for our little ones... But, Exodus. Why don''t you use your magic? You could find them instantly.


    Exodus: "They are watching us right now..."


    Valtrax : "Cameras??? microphones??"


    Exodus : "You''ve been watching too many spy movies lately...


    No... but when the expedition aboard the Red Anvil turned into a disaster, I felt the same fear, the same impression. Everyone who used magic died. It drew the ''Monster'' from the infernal abyss... and I have this feeling of being spied on, watched and judged.


    Valtrax: "Now that you mention it... brrr..."


    Vatrax turned her head towards a dark corner and she felt as if she was moving. Strange Strange!!!"


    "Exodus... I''m afraid..."


    He took his wife in his arms.. and kissed the top of her head. He too looked sternly into the dark corner of the room.


    Then... everything disappeared, as if the pressure was rising.


    Exodus: "He''s gone... I can feel it.."


    Valtrax: "Yes... I felt... Poor Felix... Poor darling (Rubix)"

 Grim

    Zat was in shock and strangely calm.


    The mother took Zat by the hand and made him sit on the back seat of the car with his two daughters who were stroking him and looking at his old clothes.


    "Mummy... mummy... we need new clothes for the little dragon..."


    "I''ll go back home and call the dragon farm..."


    Meanwhile, grim and the other 7 Kobolds had followed the car but it started and they coughed from the exhaust smoke.


    "Ugh That''s like the boiler only worse... they must have mechanical horses in the front trunk"


    Grim was very clever and it was she who had tricked her way through the maze and hidden herself away to use the intermittently opening portal. But the passage was over. No turning back, which would basically be a very bad idea.


    Grim saw the car pull away, and the Kobolds began to mourn the loss of Zat. They cried like children.


    Then, distracted, they came face to face with a security guard and his guard dog.


    His job was to catch any suspicious people in the mall, chase them away and catch the thieves, and above all protect the cars.


    It was the crying that attracted him and he arrived without warning, the experience of arriving where he is least expected.


    Christophe: "The children? What''s wrong?


    But Christophe spoke in French and the kobolds only spoke English...


    "Oh... little dragons! "


    Christophe was a crazy animal lover and he always carried treats with him.


    He immediately took out a bar of chocolate and handed it to Grim who was transfixed by the hound in front of her


    "Asssis! Byron!" and the dog complied but did not stop growling.


    "No! They are children!!!"


    He patted his dog and crouched down, handing the chocolate to Grim.


    She reached out her clawed hand reflexively and almost snatched the treat from the guard''s hand.


    He looked left and right. And, without warning, he took Grim and put her in a shopping cart. He motioned for the others to climb in.


    "Well, little dragons... the farm is far from here... but Grim pointed to the white car driving away.


    "ZAT! ZAT! "Then she collapsed in tears in Christophe''s arms.


    Christopher: "ZAT??? what do you mean??"


    "Ah... English ... my english is poor!" but he was used to dealing with tourists and he took out his smarphone and typed some words and it was translated into English.


    Grim understood but she couldn''t read the alphabet. The tablet must have been magic.


    Grim said to the others, "It must be a trainer, or a guard, but it''s not evil.


    She bit into the chocolate and instinctively everything disappeared, and she looked at her empty hand... "Ah... I ate it all... how good.." She quickly dried her tears and pulled herself together.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    She realised she was in a sort of wheelie cart with the others and Christophe was pushing, the dog following him with discipline.


    "We''ll go to the canteen and buy you some food and drink...then I''ll contact the dragon farm."


    Grim asked questions but the language barrier...


    They smelled of chewing tobacco, chocolate and other things that must have been delicious.


    At the counter, Chris bought chocolates and bottles of soda and gave them to each of the dragons...(kobolds)


    While they were tasting, no,,,devouring the sweets, he set his phone to translate in voice mode.


    "Here you go... I hope you understand me now".


    Grim: "Mr. Guard! Don''t hurt us. Pal the cage! not the cage!


    Christophe : "But who do you think I am? I am here to help you. How did you get here? Some dragons came and left you here?


    Grim :" Please, Mr. Guardian.... We ran away and nobody knows we are here!


    Christophe : "But you are children... and you must be with your parents..."


    Grim : "We are looking for mistress Valtrax!! the dragon queen.."


    Christophe : "Ah, the white dragoness? The one who is the wife of Exodus?? yes... everyone knows her story... Mistress : "What kind of story is that?


    Grim : "We are slaves to his Valtrax magic... and we followed him. We are nothing without our mistress".


    Christophe was outraged... children enslaved by dragons!


    "I knew it... they were monsters!!!"


    He breathed in and looked at the little kobolds and looked at Byron.


    "What do you think Byron?"


    "Woof!"


    "You''re going to come live with me! Slavery, I don''t want to hear about it. It''s abolished. No slaves in my house!"


    Grim : "Are you going to drop us off at the farm?"


    "First you come home. My wife will take care of you, you can change your clothes, sleep and wash. And change your clothes... you''re in rags and it''s shameful... even for dragons... You are in rags!"


    Grim grabbed Christophe''s arm with both paws.


    "Help! A woman took Zat... my little brother!..."


    Christophe : "Ah, I understand.." I''ll notify the police then.


    Grim "Please...no! not the Sheriff! Not the sheriff. They''ll put us in a cage."


    Christophe "But the dragons are free... well, almost. Why would they put you in cages...?"


    Grim "We''re Kobolds... not dragons... we dragon slaves... return mistress or angry dragon.. And angry dragon, terrible... KKobods afraid..."


    Christophe had tears streaming down his face.


    He took Grim in his arms... "My little one. It''s over... you are free but come dear me... I will teach you this world... and how to live without dragons..."


    Grim: "But Kobolds... lost without dragons... Lost without Valtrax... we followed Valtrax...


    Valtrax happy... Happy Grim! Sad Valtrax... Sad Grim..."


    For Christopher, this was too much!


    He began to hate the dragons and to make them pay for their crimes... Slave monsters...


    Besides, Grim was a beautiful and intelligent creature. How could dragons be so cruel to enslave an entire race?


    He phoned his wife to pick him up in the minivan and she would take the car.


    "Come on, children... you can''t stay like this. You''re lost."


    More out of fear and Christopher being their only non-aggressive contact, the Kobolds were following Grim, and Grim wanted to give Christopher a chance to see if he was an ally or a bother.


    Plus they were starving and thirsty and stank of caves and brimstone.


    They got into the van and Grim looked at all the technology, the comfortable seats, the windows and the control buttons.


    "Don''t touch anything, if the door opens when we''re driving, you could fall out and get run over by another car"


    Grim then demanded that the Kobolds be careful and above all not touch anything.


    They were surprised by the steam on the window and the door closed. Byron was in the trunk, separated from the passenger compartment by bars.


    Grim : "Can you open the door by pulling the handle?


    Chistophe : "Yes, but only when you are stopped. And there is a child safety device at the back. But you can come to the front with me.


    You have to wear your seatbelt...


    The kobolds were lost...


    "Oh yes, well, you have to explain everything... Never mind, I''ll drive slowly.


    Grim could see the belt...


    "Why, Mr. Guard?"


    Chris: "Call me Chris! Yes, the belt. You see, if I crash into the other car or the tree... You''ll waltz forward at the speed of the car and you''ll crash into the window and through it and explode into the car or tree. The belt holds you back so you don''t get hurt in an accident. This happens sometimes. It''s rare, but other people make mistakes too."


    Grim realized that it was not a chain or a rope for prisoners but a kind of protective harness.


    She looked at it and took the belt and clicked it, then took it off and put it back on.


    The other kobolds tried but it was a disaster.


    Christophe, in the rear view mirror had followed the scene and his golden tooth showed a smoker''s smile...


    "Hehe... it''s not won!"


    "So... your name is Grim... and you come from the world of dragons... Sosaria... I think... at least that''s what they say on the radio..."


    "Ah, yes, you''re not . "


    He then turned a knob and music came out.


    Grim looked around after the musicians...


    Chris laughed... no.. they are not here.... they are singing somewhere else.... and you can hear their voices.."

 Zat

    Zat was lost and the two little girls were consoling him.


    "Why are you crying so hard? Are you looking for your mum?


    Zat : "Zat didn''t know mummy. Zat follow Grim, big sister shaman! Grim say what to do!"


    They arrived at the house and they took Zat in their arms and he smelled the cave and the reptile.


    Machinically, they went to the bathroom and when Zat saw the bathtub.


    "Please... don''t bleed Zat! "


    But luckily the girls and mum spoke English, their dad being English and working in the parliament in Brussels.


    "Zat.. it''s a bathtub!!! don''t you wash in a bathtub??"


    "Mistress Valtrax throws spell to make Zat clean!!!"


    Girls: "Mistress? Valtrax??? isn''t that your dragon mum on the farm??"


    "Zat slave Mistress Valtrax!!!"


    "MAMAANNN MAMAANN come quickly... we have a problem!"


    "Honey... I''m on the phone at the farm..."


    but Sophie snatched her mum''s mobile phone and switched it off.


    Red with anger, she took it back...


    "NOOOnnnn don''t call the farm !!!! there is a serious problem!!!"


    The mother got serious again...


    "What!??"


    "Zat... his mum is not at the farm... Valtrax is his mistress... he says he is a slave!!!"


    "WHAT????"


    The mother rushed to the bathroom where she saw little Zat without his clothes.


    He was all red, covered in scales and Mary was with him in the bathtub. She had soaped him up and was rubbing his scales, which were getting shiny and bright again.


    Zat was crying and squealing like a child. Zat was a child too and Grim was almost a teenager.


    Florinne (the mother) took Zat in her arms and stroked his back.


    "My poor darling..."


    She comforted him.


    "That''s all... no one will hurt you anymore. You stay with us!"


    Zat held Florinne in his little arms... Tenderness and warmth being foreign to his life in the caves.


    To tell the truth, they did nothing for Valtrax who let them play in his den and kept them out of Exodus'' politics and ambitions. They were the ones who had been self-appointed slaves for generations.


    In fact, they lived in the shadow of the dragons to benefit from the mana and especially the protection they provided against the wild beasts and humans who hunted the kobolds for their skins and monster crystals. Few of them reached the age of reproduction after all.


    The dragons were their gods..and anything that came close to "parent".


    In exchange, they would wash the lair, repair supplies and clean the treasures, store them and sometimes make bags, clothes and items for their grandmasters.


    It was a symbiotic relationship. And for the dragon, they were companions to converse with or even play with, but also a first-class alarm. They cleaned up the leftovers from the meals and enjoyed them greatly. Moreover, they were trusted companions for the dragons who never betrayed their masters.


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    Mum was mechanically looking for traces of blows or whips on Zat''s back and on his small membranous wings.


    After washing, he smelled good and Florinne looked for ponchos and breeches.


    She took some clothes and put them on a table and Zat came and sat down.


    "We''ll take your measurements and I''ll get you dressed... "


    "Florinne is nice human... nasty humans... Humans kill zat family.."


    She froze.., tears in her eyes..


    "Zat.. You can tell me anything... I would never hurt you... And just because you are a reptile or a dragon doesn''t mean you don''t have the right to live like us..."


    the little kobold was still very young and malleable..he didn''t have the fear reflex of his species yet. Grimm took care of everything.


    "Zat... tell me... Have we been bad to you? Did the dragons hurt you?"


    Zat thought about it but unable to lie or make up a story, he told the truth.


    "Zat play in the caves with Grim and brother and sisters... all the time playing.


    We would climb on Dragon Valtrax and she would laugh... Valtrax nice mistress. But Valtrax talk a lot Beware humans... humans kill dragons... humans slaughter Goblins slaughter Kobolds..


    Humans take horns, teeth heart and skin kobolds for magicians, make shoes. Necklaces"


    Florinne gagged.


    "Why do you say you are a slave?"


    "Kobolds belong to dragons.. Kobolds small. fear... hide behind dragons... eat leftovers... in exchange, tidy, clean and learn to make bags and play with kobolds and small dragons. play a lot... play all the time.."


    Florinne: "Don''t the dragons ever punish the kobolds? Did they hit you?"


    "Never... Mistress Valtrax... mother of all Kobolds... love Kobolds... never punish or scold... but punish bad humans..."


    The mother relaxed her shoulders, reassured that the dragons were not bullies with the little kobolds.


    But the notion of slavery didn''t go down her throat. Even for dragons, having an entire race enslaved, even with a fair quid pro quo, would not fly in modern society.


    The dragons would suffer, and indirectly the Kobolds.


    As she sewed and made the trousers and put in a tail pass and buttons for the straps and velcro, she kept thinking.


    That they''re getting together is fine, but here they''re going to be on the dragons'' hooks and with their slave title and the dragons falling back into the same pattern, they''re going to be in trouble.


    The Kobolds need to be able to live on their own...''


    "Say, Zat... do you know why you stay with the dragons and not with other races, a wizard or a kind wizard?"


    "I don''t know. Grim knows!!!"


    "And where is Grim???"


    "In the department stores''!!!"


    Florinne : "!!!!!" My god... I separated them...


    Then. No. I have to meet Valtrax. She''s their guardian and the specialists at the centre will know what to do...


    But she was attached to little Zat who was eating sweets with her two girls...


    He was lying on the carpet, with just his scales as clothing. But it was natural for him.


    "Come on... Zat, let''s try on this shirt and he was happy to have real trousers and a real shirt.


    They were black suede trousers with Tyrolean decorations and a front pocket that detached for easy access to the bathroom.


    It suited him perfectly.


    Then he ran to join the two girls. They were playing a game of goose.


    Then he fell asleep on the rug, sucking his clawed thumb.


    Asleep and exhausted, she put him in the guest room and covered him with a blanket, tucked in and covered with kisses by her daughters.


    Florinne wanted to keep Zat for her daughters but... It was selfish and she had to come to her senses... Zat needed to be reunited with his brothers and sisters, his real family.


    Their house was too small to accommodate 9 kobolds and she didn''t know how big they would be as adults. She imagined their size as dragons. The house would have to be expanded like a palace or a big train station...


    A tear fell and she gave the little creature a kiss. Especially as Zat was clutching a stuffed animal, a little rabbit that the girls gave her. A cuddly toy...


    ''Poor Kobolds...killing them for their skin...it''s foul!"


    Tomorrow, she would go and fight the dragons but Zat stays here! until she had the guarantees for her well being..."


    The next day, Zat stayed with the girls and Florinne''s sister, their guardian, while waiting for daddy to come home for the weekend.


    She was on her way to Arlon and everything was turning over in her head. Was she doing the right thing?


    What would become of Zat? A dragon could defend itself... from scientists... but a kobold???


    What if he was taken to a secret military base? And the dragons didn''t care???


    No... she had to face the dragons and see what they thought.


    Then she saw the sign for the Three Furnaces Park .... and finally, Dragon Farm. There were the opening hours and a big sign explaining that the dragons should never be disturbed.


    But it was a case of force majeure...nothing and no one would stop him...For Zat''s sake.


    And, to his surprise...police vehicles everywhere and a dragon howling in the sky and spitting fire. It was the red dragon! The beautiful girl from Valtrax.


    With all the broadcasts and reports, everyone knew a little about them. They were known, even more than the royalty.


    The police signalled Florinne to stop.


    She rolled down her window.


    "Madam, you must turn back... The farm and the park are closed to the public... come back next week!"


    "It''s urgent... I must speak to the dragon!"

 Free

    Florinne was not going to back down.


    But the policemen pushed her back. Then she shouted loudly "There is a baby dragon!!!"


    This did not escape my keen hearing, I was concerned to estimate the damage to the farm and to find a trace or a clue but my knowledge of magic was limited and could bring absolutely nothing but trouble.


    Papa Exodus, on the other hand, could do something but it was a trap to make us use magic and thus fall into a provocation. That was the way it was.


    I saw the inspector who had finished with Valtrax and Dad and headed for the entrance.


    I was still in anthro and then I went full human, teenager, what have you.


    Rubix landed behind me and turned into a human anthro, his front paw on my shoulder, all teary-eyed.


    The policemen let me pass and the next moment I was in front of Florinne.


    She was impressed by the presence of Rubix and his big teeth. It was the first time she had seen a dragon in the flesh.


    "Hello Madam... I heard you screaming but you come at the worst possible time.


    The inspector gave me the stink-eye, silent style.


    And the woman looked around and saw the horses with their throats cut... and all that blood...


    By stupid reflex, she was afraid, thinking it was a draconic rage or a psychopathic rage of a dangerous animal, i.e. a dragon.


    "Don''t be afraid, madam, the police are here and they are investigating the massacre of our animals.


    She put her nose and mouth to the spectacle and was glad she had not taken her daughters and Zat with her.


    She then showed me a picture on her smartphone, of a little dragon, playing a game of goose with her daughter.


    I made big eyes?


    "AH!...but...oh!..what''s that? But I recognized the capes and symbols of Sosaria on the chair in the background."


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    I moved closer to the screen.


    Of course, I had my smarphone and I was used to human life here... well almost... we were still "Middle-aged" according to some experts but we were evolving fast...


    "Who is this? What is this???"


    Obviously I didn''t know anything about draconic culture and I only knew about the Kobolds from the museum in Britannia.


    Florinne: "His name is Zat and he has brothers and sisters and they fled Sosaria... and they followed Valtrax, their Mistress. "


    "Valtrax... Mum?"


    Florinne looked me up and down..


    "Valtrax is a dragon and your mum??? and she never told you about Zat or the Kobolds? Besides, what''s a Kobold and what''s all this about slavery???"


    "I... I..."


    Rubix grabbed the smarphone and looked... "No... never seen... but Mummy Valtrax... maybe knows?"


    Florinne was scared to death...


    Blood,


    Rubix in Anthro... Super scary... She felt like she was talking to a dinosaur, an allosaur or a raptor or something with a tail, horns and big teeth.


    In the distance, Valtrax looked like a mountain to her. Everything was distorted by fear,


    It''s like arachnophobia, where spiders suddenly seem huge.


    "I''m going to talk to Mum."


    Florinne: "No... I''m afraid... I''ll go..."


    "Then lend me your smartphone, I''ll show the picture to mum.."


    Florinne was reassured by my delicacy and respect for her fears.


    But she was afraid of Rubix who was sitting on a low wall a few metres away, talking to a policewoman.


    She was crying like a child. Rubix was still a bit of a child after all, especially since we have only been "materialized for a short time". In fact, we were all children, even babies, but we ignored it... well, we tried to ignore it, we pretended. It was too hard to accept and that was also the reason for the imaginary pregnancies...and the disappointment that came with it.


    The ordeals, and now this drama, was like a Mix of Misfortune, as if Karma was making us pay for our ticket into this world... Yes... maybe that was it...


    Mum started to cry...


    And she raised her head, but also with joy...


    "Grim... my darling... you are here... I feel it...."


    Then she turned her head towards me. "Torin... Grim is here! that''s great!!!! the Kobolds are here! Ah.. my little Kobolds... how proud I am of them!!!"


    Valtrax dried her tears... with a flick of her paw.


    "Torin, the Kobolds must come here... we must protect them.... they are so small, so vulnerable...I am afraid for them but they will be happy here with us.."


    Then I ran over and Florinne had sat down next to Rubix, being a little less scared, and seeing that she was also behaving like a human, crying for her mum and dad and her friend, little Felix but she couldn''t tell Florinne anything.


    The inspector''s words were well engraved in her head.


    Then I arrived, handing over the phone.


    "Madam, Florinne I think, Yes... Mum knows the Kobolds... She loves them and wants them to come here to take refuge... They are small and fragile... and they must live under the protection of the dragons..."


    "Mr. Torin... I think you and I are thinking of the good of little Zat... but where you come from, I know there were slaves and Zat was one!... I don''t want him to be subjected to such humiliation again. He will live free.

 Inquiry2

    In her palace, the Nightmare-dragon watched the events unfold with interest.


    She had seen the slaughter of the horses and the kidnapping of the 3 dragons by mercenaries under the guise of vandal burglars.


    She sighed as she saw the mess before her eyes.


    A real Gordian knot.


    She had her mother''s black letter in her paw and no matter how much she turned it over, it made little sense because it said everything and anything.


    In the end, the Destroyer relied solely on the judgment of her daughter, the Queen of Nightmares


    In their previous meeting, she had promised a love affair soon but could say nothing.


    Darkia had insisted that her mother, the guardian of time, was the one with whom she would find love.


    Enka only replied that she would be a mother one day and that she would be happy, but she would not say anything more.


    If Darkia loved her "mother", the notion of love was very different from humans.


    It was more of a bond of kinship and not being blown up on sight by the monstrous entity.


    The Destroyer had decreed that she was his daughter, so she was de facto the Destroyer''s daughter even if she didn''t remember the egg or her childhood. One day she was there...the day before, she doesn''t remember anything...


    To her, she was a dream created by a human dreamer and when he died, she came to life and existed. that was what Darkia believed but Enka was telling a completely different story... close but different.


    Darkia was afraid of herself, of the reality that made her up, or rather the non-reality.


    She thought she was 50% nightmare and 50% dragon or 100% nightmare who thought she was a dragon or a crazy dragon who thought she was a nightmare.


    This tormented her, turned her upside down and she often fled the dream world for fear that her reality would disappear like a dream when she woke up.


    Darkia was always afraid... And it had become a mania, a paranoia. She clung to her human form, to the Buc¨¦phalus and its crew, and her friends.


    She didn''t have a bad heart, but her whole existence was about surviving the onslaught of dreamers and Assassins.


    "Mother asked me to judge THAT!!!, that mess.... All I see is a handful of dragons from a fairy tale thrown out onto the streets and left to fend for themselves in a modern world. They are uprooted three times. Firstly, they come from a fantasy world and are flesh and blood, secondly, they come from the Middle Ages and are disoriented, and thirdly, they are dragons... thrown into a world of humans.


    They have done no harm and are integrated.... is all I have to say but ...Arggh... little Felix... I can''t abandon him like this... it''s horrible...


    Darkia remembered the island with the children mutilated to the core of their genes.


    "I hate all those crazy biologists and scientists... I abhor them!"


    Deep down she had a little crush on Felix who was a beautiful blue dragon... well a dragonet.


    "Ah... in a decade or so... the little one would be really cute..." but she remembered her terror. Darkia was scary... normal... she was an arch-dragon, a superior dragon... but also maybe an arch-nightmare???


    She also had to remain neutral and represent her "mother" by being on her best behavior, and, unfortunately, she had to keep her distance.


    Especially if Enka demanded the killing of the dimensional refugees that the dragons had become.


    Besides, Darkia had caught a glimpse of Exodus and it was like... love at first sight.


    This dragon meant everything to her. Strength, power, dominance, a critical and organized mind and a pure heart for her family.


    No... it was more than that... She was jealous of her family!


    She was tempted to help them and ultimately curry favour with the handsome male dragon. Torin was no exception to this either.


    In fact all the male dragons of Sosaria were perfect. Line, form, skill. As if they came from an ideal world.


    She was not far from reality.


    But she was shocked when Exodus stared directly into her eyes.


    Something clicked with this dragon and perhaps a part of him had a divine spark.


    But he looked away, but when he stared into the void, he met the crystal ball.


    He couldn''t see anything, but it was an impression and it was unnatural for Darkia to be stared at while watching from the realm of dreams.


    Exodus must have been really strong.


    She licked the crystal sphere.


    "You will be mine! Beautiful dragon."


    Disturbed, she flew back to the real world portal and found herself near a shopping mall.


    Then she, as a human, rolled up her sleeve and saw Professor Dubuisson on her screen.


    "Is everything all right on board?"


    "No, Mistress!"


    "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Darkia or Claudia!"


    "But...I..."


    "You are my friend, aren''t you? So!!"


    "Yes, Queen Darkia...but we are small.. and we are afraid and...afraid for you too. Every mission is dangerous and sometimes you ..er.. you.. come back with terrible wounds..."


    Claudia smiled at her friend..


    "Thank you Professor... but I think I found what I''m looking for.."


    "The anomaly???"


    "No... a beautiful male!!"


    "Darkia... be careful... our sensors found traces of dimensional vectors and the proximity alarm sounded. We wouldn''t be alone...


    Maybe another ship. We haven''t located it, but it''s not far away and sensors indicate the presence of celestial weapons. So very powerful."


    Darkia: "Any immediate danger?"


    Dubuisson: "No.. it''s not energised, no radar or scan presence and no protective fields. We may have been wrong but be careful... You have plenty of tricky enemies.."


    Darkia sighed...


    "It''s endless! Even here! When will I find peace?"


    Then she was drawn to mana.


    "Mana here?"


    And she walked towards the Crossroads and felt the faint trace of draconic beings.


    "But... is this an invasion or what???"...


    She sniffed the tarmac again...


    "Kobolds!! It''s not true!!! No wonder Mother''s mad!!!"


    She looked left and right and collapsed into the shadow of a van in the car park.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    She entered the darkness and in her dragon form she found herself just below the exhibition grounds, the old Holiday Inn Hall.


    The renovations were complete and despite some traces of dimensional violation, the hole was well sealed. There were not even any traces of amber, the dimensional glue filling in the cracks made by a poorly made passage.


    It was stable and the destination was in the void.


    Weird! Beings from the void! But their trail showed that they were alive and well.


    "Only divine intervention could create living things out of nothing... I''ll make a note of it and she made a prayer to Enka to inform him of the progress of her investigation..."


    Now she would go to phase two: Secure, and eliminate if necessary.


    Her powers told her that there was a strong concentration of mana around Exodus and his family, especially his entourage...


    What reassured her was that the dragons lived in harmony with the authorities without making a fuss and without excessive use of magic. Forbidden in her eyes. She detected spells of enlargement/reduction and sometimes healing, but no necromancy or summoning spells and especially no spells for opening dimensional passages. This was the death penalty in her opinion. Opening a passage or deliberately violating space-time was an immediate death sentence. She would show no mercy! And she knew what her mother, the Destroyer, was capable of


    From the darkness, she returned to the car park and headed for the chew shop.


    As a long-haired Claudia, she looked in the window and the shop assistant smiled at her.


    "You know, ma''am, with the dragons on the farm, it''s almost carnival time all the time. I think some little dragons were even here yesterday. With all those fancy costumes, you can get confused but their walk was weird, and their steps had like claws. You could hear the ticking when they walked. I''m sure they have little ones on the sly! They like treats a lot!!! Just like humans...!


    One of them had fiery eyes with slit pupils...


    Claudia : "Thank you ma''am, give me a dozen big chews then..."


    "And do you know if they have returned???"


    "Oh.. they were with Christophe, the guard and his wife. They must be back by now!"


    And do you know where they live?


    I think it''s Grivegn¨¦e on the heights near the road to Herve.


    "Herve??"


    "Yes... the cheeses... you don''t know the stinky cheese? the Herve??"


    I smiled. The comparison was comical. but I had everything I needed.


    I headed for the bathroom and plunged back into the darkness.


    With my terminal, I found myself near the church and the mana detection kicked in again.


    There was a huge park and an old military barracks and. A lot of old underground tunnels.


    A real maze and full of vegetable gardens that formed the boundary between the forest and the houses on the street.


    It didn''t take me more than 5 minutes to spot the rue des chalets and an old electric workshop converted into a house.


    I felt several presences and I hid my aura, I did not want to make the same mistake as with Felix.


    I wanted to go and save the boy, but Mum''s mission had priority.


    In fact... I was dying of fear of her... She could turn me into a Kobold, a Kirin or anything else, or simply make me disappear as if I had never existed. But deep down, I thought she would never do such a thing. I mean... I hoped, but I was still afraid... very very afraid... and I was afraid of losing my friends... my only family..


    and I thought again of Exodus...and Felix...and I looked at my flat stomach...


    "I wish I had eggs."


    I groaned as I walked back to the house...


    I was also afraid of ruining everything... I had to investigate and I hoped in my heart that everything would be alright... That Enka would leave me alone... leave us alone and that I could finally be free, be Darkia myself, be able to fly and walk freely as a dragoness wherever I wanted and greet and be greeted by people and other dragons... To have my own home... a cosy bed without fearing the military and scientists...


    I realized that I had my finger on the doorbell and that I had just pressed it...DAMN!


    My head is spinning!


    A big dog came and wanted to growl but the next moment he ran away, pissing in the corridor and shaking in a corner, crying with fear.


    Christophe arrived 5 seconds later and said "Hello Miss" then turned his head.


    "Byron??? Byron???"


    It was the first time he was so scared.


    Then he looked at me and turned his head.


    "Sorry, my dog is weird lately... don''t mind me...


    What can I do for you?"


    His wife wanted to come and see, but he gestured behind his back with his left hand to stay put, watching the Kobolds


    "My name is Claudia... and... I''m a dragon specialist..."


    I didn''t have time to finish my sentence when the door slammed shut


    and through it he shouted.


    "Leave me alone with this bullshit... I have nothing to do with any of this... go away!"


    My powerful hearing allowed me to hear everything.


    "Honey...we were followed...we''re in trouble...what are we going to do???"


    Christophe: "Children... not a sound... "


    Grimm felt the mana outside and spotted with his keen senses that it was a dragon.


    A dragon disguised as a human... but something prevented him from rushing towards the dragon... something was not right... it was not entirely a dragon but an abyssal being.


    Her joy turned to terror and she clutched at Christopher with all her might, pointing with her clawed finger at his snout... not to speak or make a sound!


    Christophe felt that she was trembling


    The Kobolds, mechanically, as one person, put themselves against each other surrounding Christophe and his wife. They were terrified. Christophe took Grim in his arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek: "I promise we won''t hurt you.


    He took his mobile phone and sent a "Code Red" signal


    He received a confirmation text, 5 seconds later... "We''re coming!"


    "Come to the cellar... I have an armoured door...


    Everyone went downstairs and Christophe put the kobold on the floor, locked the door and took out a special forces revolver...


    "Shh... not a word..."


    Byron was at his feet, fearful but obedient with his finger and eye.


    He switched on a monitor and with his joystick scanned the entrance to the house.


    As he had worked before as a cash courier after having his own shop which he had to close a few years before, he was afraid of brigands or bandits who might attack him or his family. So he had set up a fortified room, a hideout to keep himself safe.


    This made Darkia laugh as she watched them from the darkness of the room.


    At least a human risking his life for Kobolds... and a shaman who didn''t break the rules.


    But the weapon was dangerous. She was wary. It was of the same caliber as the assassins sent to kill her a few months ago. The assassins of the Vizier. It was a status quo, though she had eliminated most of the killers, but her nemesis was still at large... And it was also possible that they were coming here.


    But I had to know... I had to question the Kobolds.


    With a flick of my sleeve, I twisted Christopher''s arm, closing the gun safety, and he fell to the ground.


    "Byron!!! ATTACK!"


    But the dog cried and the lights came on.


    Chrisophe was on the ground, holding his sore arm, I had my foot on his gun, his wife between me and the Kobolds and Grimm holding out a sceptre with a red gem, ready to fire at me.


    "I''d avoid raising a paw on an archdragon if I were you.."


    Then the next thing I knew, Grimm and the Kobolds were on their knees, no, flat on their backs imploring me and Grimm licking my boot.


    Christophe''s wife immediately raised Grim.


    "Monster! I know who you are. You can tear me apart but you won''t hurt the Kobolds anymore!!!"


    She had her arms outstretched to protect the little ones.


    Christophe slowly stood up, hands outstretched as if in surrender, not daring eye contact, but towards his knees... a non-provocative move learned with special forces training.


    Christophe had felt Darkia''s insane strength. She was not a human being before him.


    He didn''t even dare ask how she got in here.


    The Kobolds were crying and it was deafening.


    "SILENCE!" I shouted in my dragon voice.


    If there had been flies, we would have heard them flying.


    It was like a cannon shot.


    But I looked at Grim who had her eyes closed, waiting for imminent death.


    She was on her knees, leaning back on her long red tail. These kobolds were evolved and practically small dragons. They were shaped like them and looked a lot like Rubix.


    "YOU... the kobold shaman... How do you call??"


    "G...g..rimm????"


    "Well, GRIM, you are from Kobolds... and what are you doing here! ????"


    But Grim wanted to protect her mistress and would not say anything..


    "Christoff... Helpp!!!"


    I stepped forward and the humans were no match for me as I pushed the woman aside with the back of my hand to grab the shaman by the throat.


    I lifted her up. They were teenagers and they understood perfectly well what I was asking of them.


    With her little paws she tried to get my hand, which was like a vice, to let go.


    To show who I was, my head turned back into a human-sized nightmare dragon and my hands became claws.


    My tail spread and slammed the two helpless humans against the wall.


    Christopher still picked up the gun, but he was tackled to the wall as he dropped the weapon.


    I could not detect any spell or charm to control the humans.


    "You''re lucky you didn''t use magic against those humans who defend you. It''s because of them that you still have your head on your neck."


    The Kobolds hissed in terror at the sight of my crystalline teeth, hundreds of teeth all as sharp as those of a monstrous barracuda.


    "ANSWER!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!"


    I squeezed and Grimm struggled, determined to die.


    Then...I let go...


    "You are brave! Little Kobold... You defend your master to the end... I wish I had servants like you!"


    Grimm huffed and held his sore throat.


    "I went to the farm... and I saw Valtrax, Exodus, Frizor, Rubix and Torin..."


    Grimm threw himself at my feet.


    "Please... Please... not Valtrax... or Exodus... take me instead..."


    The humans and Kobolds were curled up in a corner.., looking at me, cornered and scared...in shock.


    "I saw the passage and it was closed. How did you get here?"


    Grimm sighed and swallowed, holding her sore throat.


    "We saw the trap but it was too late, we wanted to warn Mistress but it was too late. Too many knights and the humans if they were at peace with the dragons, the Kobold hunt still existed!!! and we fled into the abyssal dungeon... We got stuck and the dragons left through a red door... and when the humans left in turn, we came out of our hiding place and did what the dragons did... we took a red crystal and I activated it. The door reappeared and we got here. The door is gone..."


    I stepped forward with a threatening look. "So you''re the one who opened a passage! I moved forward to kill this time...


    "No... please... The doors... Selene... the goddess Selene.... please... I don''t want to die!"


    I had the Kobold lifted by the hind leg and ready to slit her throat.


    At Selene''s words, I dropped her like a stone and she hurt herself on the concrete of the basement.


    "I have nothing against you, little Kobold, but I must eliminate all those who transgress the dimensions..."


    One of my talons expanded like a dagger and I was about to skewer the Kobold.


    One hand, then two, then three grabbed my arm and their eyes begged me to spare their big sister.


    "Not big sister Grimm... not kill... please!!!"


    I was defeated and then I started to cry...


    "I have no choice...!!!! It''s her or it''s me..."


    Grim: "The passage existed and it was Lord British who activated it...! I was a witness... it''s not us... It''s Shepard... the hero from here!!!"


    "Hero?? "


    Everything clicked in my head... I was going to kill innocent people...


    Suddenly, I disappeared in a black cloud..., dematerialized...


    I found myself in the Oblate forest, behind the house, and I staggered along...stunned and in shock at what I was about to do...then I realized my mistake.


    If the Kobolds tell Valtrax...I could never get close to Exodus....


    I hit a trunk and the impact uprooted the tree, which collapsed into a sort of trough below with a great crash.

 Neck ache

    A few minutes later, a black van pulled up in the Rue des Chalets. The road was winding and only one car could pass at a time.


    Christophe immediately recognised the heavy van and the sliding door slammed shut.


    The lights were on full blast with candles in every corner.


    The Kobolds were around Annabelle, Christophe''s wife. She dried their tears and they headed for the bathroom where a grooming shower was set up for the dog. They all went under the shower and into the bath for a scrubbing and all their rags were put in the wash.


    Then they were given new, clean clothes and Grimm helped Annabelle dress her little brothers and sisters.


    In another room out of sight, Christophe was chatting with one of his mates.


    "Viper! it''s been a while!!!... I see you''re still on duty..!"


    "Chris... yes... I haven''t hung up yet... you know... the action... well... you know...."


    "Yes you still have your boots and your toothpick!"


    "Yeah, talk about a penknife..."


    Christophe sniffed.." You smell... like a reptile..."


    "Hah! Chris... you and your dog''s sense of smell... and why would I smell like a reptile???"


    Christophe stood up and pulled his shirt down to reveal a long, red swipe.


    "I think I have broken ribs... You have no idea..."


    Then he took his tablet and showed the surveillance film.


    A woman with her face hidden by sunglasses, then poof, disappeared from the picture and we see her reappear like that, suddenly in the protected room. We saw her from behind and not well the Kobold but we saw her send Christophe into the background like a straw, crush him and take the gun from him, see him grow a tail, horns and a horrible crocodilian head, lift a child and then disappear like a ninja. Poof!


    Christophe gave him the gun.


    "Can''t you see anything?"


    "Er, yes, it''s welded?"


    "No, her claw slipped in here to lock the safety. She did it so well that the metal was twisted here, and here... and the barrel is warped... You can''t imagine the force. It was like a block of iron.


    It bends the metal like paper... and it disappears and appears where it wants! It''s a monster I tell you... it''s a monster...!"


    Dragons... they are monsters... and... you know the best one???? They have slaves!


    Viper: "Slaves??? what are you talking about???"


    Grim was still sore and had trouble breathing.


    Annabelle had put a bandage on her with anti-inflammatory ointment to deflate any blow or bruise.


    She was lying on her back, moaning in pain while Annabelle put ice on her.


    The others were drying themselves in a corner, motionless, terrified.


    Grimm licked Annabelle''s hand and wanted a hug. They were afraid to go out, to move. They were afraid of Darkia.


    Then Ralf exploded: "The Queen of Darkness has marked us! She''s going to devour us while we sleep!" Then he cried...followed by the others...


    It was a strange whistling choir..with a Kobold accent...


    Viper entered with Christophe..


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "Christopher.. don''t tell me you..you kidnapped dragonets??? we''re gonna...we''re gonna get slaughtered!!"


    "No... they are not dragons... but Kobolds... they were... slaves of the dragons... but followed them here out of loyalty or having nowhere to go... they were persecuted by humans too and it seems they were raised as slaves from birth, like for hens..."


    Viper laughed...


    "And. Christopher... what are you going to do with all these siblings?"


    "Anabelle and I have no children... and I love little Grim... and the others too..."


    Grim hid behind Christophe, coughing and grumbling.


    Viper: "What''s wrong with her?"


    Darkia almost took her head off!


    Grim "Ah¨¦ Darkia. Archdragon... Judge Darkness. Very very powerful....Kobold very afraid... Kobold small.. Kobold nice Kobolds work hard stay Christopher.."


    The mercenary lowered himself to the Kobold''s eye level.


    "But you are very beautiful... Grimm your name is...?"


    She nodded and rolled behind Christophe''s terrified legs.


    Viper (Gerard) smiled and showed off his gold teeth, showing a long history of fighting and muted violence.


    "HAHAHA...Hahaha... Kobolds...let''s see them... "


    He motioned for Grim to come closer...


    He sat down and motioned for her to come to his lap.


    Grimm was very scared but she obeyed and climbed onto the man, onto his lap


    "Not to hurt Grimm... promise?"


    He showed the palm of his hand. and his 4 fingers touched her hand...


    "Grim fear dragon abyss!!! Grimm very very afraid... Viper protect Grim??"


    The mercenary was happy but also uncomfortable.


    Kobolds were like dragons but much more docile, less frightening but they were intelligent. Like children, but they knew how to reason like adults.


    Viper sighed and resumed his seriousness.


    "Christophe.. Christophe... I don''t know what you''ve gotten yourself into but we''re used to you..."


    Have you made contact with the farm?"


    "No... not yet and I don''t know if it''s a good idea."


    Then he turned to the Kobold sitting on his lap.


    "And you... do you want to go to the farm? To find the dragons? Go back to being a slave?"


    Grim swung her little legs... and lowered her head...


    Then she cried...


    "I don''t know... I don''t know anymore... we''re scared...!!!"


    "I want grandma Valtrax!!!" She knows what to say what to do...Grandma Valtrax good dragon, good master!!!


    And she stuffed her head between her shoulder, arm and chest, to look like a brooding wing, a protection..


    Annabelle: "We have to talk to the dragons..but...I''m so scared...they will slaughter us...they are monsters...!!


    Grimm: "Valtrax not a monster!!! Valtrax big and nice... never scolded Grimm! Valtrax give Grim hugs... lots of hugs..."


    Annabelle took Grimm in her arms...


    Listen, my little one... I''m going to go see Valtrax... ok? But if it''s dangerous... I don''t want you to get hurt. I''ll be your mommy and give you lots of hugs."


    Grim hugged Annabelle with her little arms. "Thank you...you are a nice human...Humans are not very nice..."


    Viper : "Christophe, you see, I have my sources and then... shit, I got myself into a mess too"


    Christophe then asked his wife to take the kids out of the shelter and leave them alone.


    But Grim noticed on his way out that there were 10 large chews on the floor.


    "Anabelle: "Is that for us?


    Anabelle: "No... "as she picked them up. They were really big and expensive, almost 20 euros each!


    "Christophe!!! Will the expenses cover it???"


    "It''s not me! I swear!"


    She picked up the chewing tobacco... "Shit! The monster had bought chewing gum?"


    Grim realised this and said "Throw it away! The witch brought it. It''s poisoned!


    Annabelle took the little grim in her arms and the Kobold began to cry in terror, clutching Annabelle " Hug! Hug! "they shouted....


    They were settled in the living room with blankets over them but they wanted Annabelle to sleep with them. Most of them were still sucking their thumbs covered with different coloured scales but often red or black.


    Annabelle was on the couch with a mountain of kobolds on top of her, whimpering and then falling asleep in turn.


    That night she could not sleep.


    She was afraid of the dark for the first time.


    Meanwhile, in the cellar, in the safe shelter...


    "Listen, Christopher... you can''t imagine what is going on. The world has its eyes on the dragons and ..I was paid for a special operation... I was part of the commandos... The old team... and I kept some of the winnings for you, because we''re still brothers... brothers in arms... but I made one mistake too many with what you showed me.


    I''m not obligated to reveal the Kobolds to my employers and even if they paid me, I''d refuse.."


    "Gerard.. I owe you my life.. but why did you get yourself into this thing.. You saw my ribs, and the gun!!! and they have human form...


    She just went through the whole thing. Kobolds... they''re kids... but dragons... we don''t know anything about them yet... They have powers you can''t imagine...


    You''re gonna get slaughtered! The whole team! Damn it! Gerard..... And your wife?"


    He laughed and showed his gold teeth. "Christopher... she was my sister at home... not my wife and we got you!!!"


    "Get serious for once.... you didn''t see her... but the Kobolds know better... she''s a super dragon... a judge!... and she didn''t hesitate to punch in the crumb and throw me around like a big shit.."


    Gerard looked at the floor...


    "Gerard... tell me... the dragons, where are they???"


    "They''re being loaded onto a cargo ship bound for Taiwan... Manitoba I think... In a container each containing canned edible crabs, crabs from Finistere..."


    "Gerard.. we have to help them...you saw the monster..we don''t have a chance.."


    "Christophe, yes, you''re right, but the boss is not easy to deal with and it is said that he also has powerful powers, beyond imagination. If he doesn''t have his dragons, he''ll kill us too.

 The kids play.

    I was in my barn in dragon form thinking about all the things that had happened to me but I was overwhelmed.


    Rubix was very smart, much smarter than me, but I think it''s me in my head that''s setting limits.


    I feel the power and strength of nature in me, like I have the strength of a thousand volcanoes but I was looking in the mirror on the wall and I was actually confused.


    The problem was that everything was going too fast. I wanted to go back to a medieval world, or at least an agricultural one, away from computers and the madness of the cities.


    But I thought we would be fine, but like on Sosaria, there are always troublemakers, troublemakers and the violence that goes with it.


    I liked the straw, the hay and the smell of the farm. It was soothing and the horses...


    I knew all my animals... they had a name each and they were sort of friends, especially as I understood their primitive, simple language and they were happy... They were bred to have an even better life at the best stud farms.


    But now I had mum crying, and Rubix whining at me...


    It was heartbreaking.


    I didn''t know where to start.


    Dragon Mom was also distraught and all the problems were building up like a millefeuille, layer by layer and together it was making something hard, impossible to break.


    I had all the strength in the world and divine powers but...in the end...what good would it do?


    Dad and Exodus stood together and stood up to fate.


    So I gave Rubix a lick to give her courage...


    "Rubix, my little gem, we must move on, do something.... "


    She pulled her little dragon head up and Frizor came and sat against her on the other side.


    Frizor: "Rubix. Thorin is right... you are good at computers... I''m sure our combined magic could open doors or access the computers of the scoundrels who kidnapped Azure and your parents. Besides, we''re here with you and we can now take human form...at least long enough to infiltrate the bandits."


    Rubix : "But the Judge, the archdragon...??? if she detects my magic...she''ll kill us you think??"


    "I''ll be there with you and no one will hurt us..."


    Meanwhile,


    Valtrax turned into a beautiful 4 year old girl and she had to use magic to make herself older, like a 17 year old girl. Even though she was old on Solaria, when she came to this world, she was like everyone else, practically newborns, children even if they didn''t want to admit it.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    She called a taxi and went into town.


    The woman who had mentioned a Kobold, she had to find her.


    And, she used magic on a pin stuck in a cork floating in a glass tube filled with water.


    The taximen was going crazy


    "This way, no, this way, keep the same direction...."


    He was relieved to shoot the girl and her compass... another pokemon hunting game he thought. Next time he''d put a sticker on the door forbidding the hunting of virtual monsters.


    Valtrax frowned as she arrived at the house where the little Kobold was being held.


    The house was quite simple with a hedge in front, a step in front of the door and a driveway to the right, leading to a courtyard at the back and the sloping garden behind. Another driveway to the right ran up behind the house and ended in a simple garage/workshop.


    There was a first floor and probably a converted attic with V-lux windows.


    She opened the small white metal gate that creaked and pressed the doorbell.


    The next moment, Florinne opened the door.


    "Hello Miss, what''s that for? If it''s for the Patro, they came by ten minutes ago."


    Valtrax stared into Florinne''s eyes and she froze in fear.


    Her eyes cracked open and she knew immediately that she had a dragon in front of her.


    "I''m coming for Zat!.."


    Florinne fell to her knees and began to sob... "Please, lady dragon.... I love the little one... It''s not just a slave''s life....."


    The girls were running after the little Kobold and playing when he felt the aura of the dragoness.


    He let go of everything and rushed to the front door. He passed by Florinne and looked at Valtrax and ran over to her.


    Valtrax caught him in her arms.


    Zat: "Mommy Valtrax....." and he hugged her with all his strength and started to cry and wail in Kobold/draconian...


    Valtrax stroked his back and gave him lots of kisses...


    "How I missed you...."


    Then her gaze lowered to Florinne and she held out her hand...


    "Stand up straight, Florinne... I feel that you wanted to protect the little one... I thank you."


    Then the two girls caressed the little Zat.


    "Mummy! Mummy! We don''t want Zat to leave !!!! you promised!!! We love Zat... he is our little brother..."


    Florinne started to cry and Valtrax caressed Florinne''s cheek.


    Then she began to think. At the farm, it was a mess with the investigators... and the Kobolds didn''t have an established place yet...


    "Mrs. Florinne, may I come in?"


    She left Zat on the floor in the hallway and he went after the girls to play hide and seek.


    Valtrax smiled to see the little Kobold in good hands.


    "Mrs Florinne, I can see that the boy is having fun with your children, but it''s not his place. You know that... The Kobolds are like children to us... Yes, they work but it was to play... to take care of our treasures but... deep down, they stayed of their own free will and received our protection and our blessings... It was the humans and hunters who called them slaves to degrade us and justify their capture... For their skins... faux dragon leather... if you see the horror of the world we come from."


    she then served her best coffee and offered cake to Valtrax and the three little ones...


    "I''m sorry, Mrs. Valtrax... I thought... "


    "No..but you had the courage to face us for the sake of the little one...and for that, I am willing to let Zat stay with you for a while .


    You heard the news. We are attacked and 3 dragons have been kidnapped, the kennel is lost and months of work are lost.


    We are being provoked and our restraint is being tested and everyone is a possible suspect. On the other hand another dragon is lurking around us and we don''t know if the attack is related or not... Stay away and don''t draw attention to yourself or Zat... he''s safe here. "


    Florinne: "Another dragon... one of you???"


    "That would be too easy, but according to our staff information, she is a young woman like me but with the aura of a powerful dragon and my husband, Exodus knows more