《Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm》


 Swirling Storm: Chapter 1

    <u>Scales and Honor; Swirling Storm</u>


    <u></u>


    <u>Chapter 1</u>


    <u></u>


    Ramakox the blue dragon stood like a statue on the rocky outcropping of his mountain top lair. With his silver eyes he glared out to the vast countryside of his home, a multicolored collection of greens, blues, and browns. That made the whole thing look like a multicolored quilt of all those shades. He snorted when a breeze brushed against his thick armored scales that lined his body. He narrowed his eyes as he focused on the small dots of mortal villages that covered his quilt. He could already feel the sense of irritation lingering within his limbs, one he had known for many years. He spread his wings wide, ignoring the spiderweb of white that was in his soft blue membranes. He of course remembered when things were better for dragons, when he, Ramakox was known well. He bounded into the air, giving his wings a great flap, and carring himself into the lofty domain of any dragon. One where the little villages of humans, elves, and half-lings could not reach. His snout wrinkled when he realized that this was no longer the case.


    He recalled rumors being spead about the mortal nation to the northern reaches, it was called Lumara. They had managed to create these large flying ships, that could even intrude into the sky that he called his home. Like little rude guests they would come, floating away on the loud obnoxious things. It would not be that bad if he could swoop in, offer a roar, and scare the little ants away, but that was no longer the case. For you see, the nation had also created weapons that could fire pure bolts of magical energy, strong enough that the larger ones could even pierce his mighty scales with ease if he did not use the proper spell to shield himself. He let out a growl from his throat at the thought of his own scales being broken in such a way. Such an unfitting way to die. He dipped his wings and flew through one of the numerous grey clouds, imagining that rain would soon be on it''s way to grace his lair.


    He carried himself for a time, just basking in the sun''s rays and remembering the days of old. He thought back to days where he would sail down on his mighty wings near dusk, flaring up his lightning breath so that his membranes would give off a brilliant white glow. The mortals had been so startled at a time that they would offer him things to take back to his lair as gifts, so that he would not destroy their homes. He remembered chuckling to them, and offering them sweet words to sway their fears. For he was the great and mighty Swirling Storm, and despite their villages being small. He was their protector, the thing that others would fear to cross if they harmed his villagers, or thats how he saw it anyway.


    Despite his proclamation of this section of villages be his own he knew it was not the case For he lived within the country of Drenedar, who was ruled by a kind queen and king. The best if he had to recall a passing merchant''s words. He remebered long ago when he had sided with them in their little crusade against undead monsters. He had been their protector, their shield. He smiled to himself as he spun in the air. They had been so thankful for his great aid, that they had allowed him to continue to protect his villages despite their rule. Course they only allowed him to do so as long as he did not turn into a tyrant, a manevolant dragon from long ago.


    Like there is any chance of that. He snorted as he sailed through a group of birds, scattering them in every which direction. He continued on with his flight during the day, until the sun was starting to sink below the horizon, casting a red crimson light out into the vast sky. Ramakox sighed and admired the beauty of such a sight. He had remembered ages ago when he had asked his mother about the crimson sky. She had told him that such a sight meant that there was good things on the horizon, and that he should welcome such a sight. What could you have instore for me? He thought as he drifted his gaze from the sky to a winding path of worn dirt, that had seen far too many hooves from horses and paws from riding wolves. He beat his wings again to follow the winding serpent of a thing, closing his eyes and basking in the warm sun that was soaking into his scales. His head perked when he suddenly heard the sound of crying. It was small, faint, and he imagined if he was not a dragon he would not have heard it from how far up he was. He opened his eyes and scanned the ground below as he angled his wings and started to circle the earth.


    His gaze fell to what looked like a caravan the mortals used to transport goods along this road. There were several wagons that were missing the usual horses or wolves that Drenedar used frequently. How curious...did they get untethered and run off? He asked himself as he continued to circle the quiet collection of wooden wagons. Why are there no mortals around? His eyes quickly glanced around for any sign of the little creatures. They usually did not leave these wagons alone, for they contained valuable goods for their shops, farms, and other places they liked to freuquent. Some even have treasure inside of them. He felt the familiar erge to swoop down, speak with some glassy eyed human, explain who owned this road and than demand a toll. He gave a pleased noise as he imagined the man, or woman giving him several coins for his troubles. With his fourth pass around the wagons he was certain no one was around., infact he spotted numerous corpses among the wreckage. His eyes scanned the ground around the bodies, growling in his throat at the smears of crimson on the earth.Than where did that-


    His attention was pulled to one of the larger wagons, as he heard the sound of crying once again. He descended towards the tan covered wagon, back-winging to slow his descent. His mighty wings sent waves of air, scattering up any loose grass, dirt, or rocks that could be found. When his paws touched the soft earth it became even more apparent that these wagons had been robbed. The wooden frames that they had were covered with arrows that were sticking out of the wood. Several other wagons had their doors busted into, he poked his pebbly scout into several of the worn things. He noticed rather quickly that all their cargo was gone, taken by whomever robbed the caravan. He snorted in irritation as he flicked his tail. Figures that everything was picked clean. No chance at me to get treasure. He growled in irritatation, when the crying noise started again.Oh right..the crying.


    Ramakox padded his way over to the mahogany colored wagon. He made sure to muffle every step he took on the earth as he moved at a snails pace. He flared his nostrils and took in the scent, he smelled the scent of human, mixed with fear, and salt. He shook his head and snorted. Maybe whoever is left could tell him about these robbers....and perhaps what direction they had headed in. Ramakox smiled as he pictured a group of pockmarked humans, delighting themselves over their illgotten gains. He would barge in, puff out his chest. Most likely flare his wings, show off some sparking electricity around his teeth, and delight in their terrified screams. They would then hand over all the treasure. He grinned to himself. Or I would have no qualm in taking care of the said rogues personally.He looked around at the bodies that littered the ground. The waste of life that was laid bare infront of him. It was true that he was non stranger to killing, but a slaughter like this was always a sure way to get under his scales. He felt another growl coming on as he pictured the thieves laughing to themselves. He was certain if he found them now, he would do onto them what they had just done to this caravan. And I would actually find joy in it.


    He snaked his snout towards the wagon''s door, tilting his head to the side in curiosity when he heard another muffled cry from within. ¡°Hello in there?¡± he spoke clearly, trying to seem non threatening. ¡°Is anyone in there?¡± He backed his head away when he heard a yelp, and the crying cease. He sniffed in again to smell the fear surrounding the human increase, and Ramakox sighed. ¡°I am not going to hurt you.¡± he pushed open the door with his snout, the wood easily parting for him with a slight creak. Inside the wagon was a blanket of dark blue, with yellow letters stitched around the edges, that looked like elven runes. Clutching the blanket with white knuckles was a small olive skinned human child with messy brown hair. His hazel eyes were filled with tears, as he stared at the blue dragon in fear.


    ¡°What are you doing here little one?¡± he said, breaking the silence that had filled the air. ¡°I won''t hurt you.¡± he pressed a claw to his chest. ¡°On my very scales.¡±


    The human said nothing, burying his little snout into the blanket and continuing his crying.


    Ramakox snorted in irritation. This was apparently going to be harder than he thought. ¡°Please little one.¡± he lowered his voice to sound as sweet and appealing as he thought possible. ¡°Why are you out here?¡±


    ¡°I....was....riding..¡± the little boy spoke, his voice horse from the crying. ¡°Not a long journey.....they said.¡±


    ¡°Who said?¡± Ramakox replied, although a voice in his mind figured it was the boys parents, who most likely were dead outside on the ground. ¡°Your mother and father?¡±


    The little boy nodded without a word, wiping his fresh tears on the blanket that he held dearly within his trembling hands. ¡°Then the bad men came.¡± He pointed outside to the corpses, blood, and broken wagons. ¡°They took the horsies, the boxes...they shot arrows... and...and..¡± the tears came once again, and the child sobbed into his blanket as Ramakox watched on awkwardly.


    Ramakox snorted in irritation. He had never been good with the mortals when they cried. The sounds they made always got under his scales and made him shiver. It was like running a claw along the stone surface of a cave, and would always produce a growl from his throat. He however fought the urge, as he figured if he growled at the boy he would simply cry more. The blue dragon turned his head towards the sky, the sun having almost dipped completely below the horizon now. The sky had started to turn a faint purple, that gave way to the dark of night. He could even make out the faint light of stars that hung far above. He wrinkled his snout as it occurred to him he could not just leave the boy here. He was far too young to just walk his way back to where ever he came from, and even if he was not it was getting late. Humans had no way to protect themselves. They had soft skin, no talons, claws, fire breath. He flicked his tail in irritation. This human did not even have a sword, bow, or any other thing that they carried to fight with. Hes also too small. The voice in his head reminded him, convincing him to look back to the crying boy.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    ¡°It is getting late.¡± he said softly. ¡°I cannot in good concious leave you out here in the cold. I will be taking you back to my cave for the evening.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± the boy cried out, scrambling to the back of the wagon. ¡°I don''t want to be eaten!¡±


    ¡°I''m not going to eat you.¡± Ramakox rolled his eyes as he snaked his snout into the wagon. ¡°I am going to share the safety of my cave with you, and perhaps a meal.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± the little boy, curled his hand into a fist and punched the dragon right on his nose. It was not enough to hurt him, but it did make Ramakox retract his snout for a moment.


    ¡°Come here!¡± he shot his snout in like lightning, and pulled the human, by his tan shirt with his teeth.


    ¡°No..please...no!¡± the little child cried out, beating his fists uselessly against the grown dragon''s snout. When it became apparent he could do nothing, the boy slumped his arms to his side and just continued to cry.


    Your being an ass. Look at what you have done. Ramakox sighed, letting the human''s shirt go. ¡°Shhhh...¡± he nosed the human softly. ¡°I am not going to eat you.¡± he spoke softly, his voice but a whisper. ¡°What is your name little one?¡±


    ¡°W-why?¡±


    ¡°I don''t usually ask the name of things I am about to eat.¡± Ramakox chuckled, watching the human''s face form a slight smile.


    ¡°M-my name is Jandar....Jandar Chergoba....what is yours?¡±


    ¡°You may call me...¡± Ramakox flared out his wings wide as he grinned. ¡°Swirling Storm.¡±


    ¡°Wow..¡± Jandar spoke softly, his tears forgotten as his eyes traced the membranes of Ramakox''s wings. ¡°Those...are pretty.¡±


    ¡°Are they now?¡± Ramakox gave a pleased sound from his throat at the compliment. ¡°Now come, I wish to carry you home to my lair.¡± He quickly grabbed the human with his forepaws, who let out a quick yelp of surprise. ¡°You..may want to let go of your blanket.¡± Ramamox looked down to see that the human was still holding onto it like his life depended on it.


    ¡°No! It was a presant from mother!¡±


    ¡°Oh..so important treasure.¡± Ramakox grumbled, knowing he too had several things in his lair that could be counted as such. ¡°Then take it with you, those sort of treasures you never want to lose.¡±


    ¡°Uhuh.¡± Jandar nodded as Ramakox pulled him tighter against his chest. ¡°Ready for flight little one?¡±


    ¡°W-will it be long?¡±


    Ramakox looked up to the sky, his sight tracing the mountains around his home. They rose up from the earth like dark grey spines of a dragon''s back. It did not take long for him to spy the familiar shape of jagged rock that he called his home. ¡°No, should not be too long of a flight.¡± he rumbled, spreading his wings and giving them a test flap. ¡°Hold on!¡± he roared out, feeling the human''s little hands grip his limbs tighter. Ramakox flicked his tail before he bounded into the air on his mighty wings, carrying them swiftly into the sky he called his domain. His next few wingbeats were accompanied by the sounds of the child screaming and crying to some god he did not hear, but he continued to pound against the air until he found a current within it. When he did this he was able to spread his wings wide, and simply glide towards his home.


    ¡°You scream really loud.¡± Ramakox chuckled, glancing a peak down to the human, who had his face burried in his blanket, continuing his cries. Ramakox rolled his eyes, he was about to scold the human about how he was missing this grand flight. For surely this was unlike anything his little eyes had ever laid sight upon. He just lost his parents you big blue oaf. The voice in his head reminded him, which made him mind his purple tongue. ¡°Open your eyes Jandar, otherwise you will miss the beauty upon the earth.¡± Ramakox looked down to the forest at the base of his mountain, and the dark blue waters of the lake that was nestled within it. He felt the human hug him tighter, and sink his warm face further into his chest. Oh well. Ramakox sighed as he flapped his wings several more times, once again spreading them into a glide.


    ¡°What village are you from?¡± he angled his wings, turning them slightly towards his cave.


    ¡°It''s called...Eastcliff.¡± Jandar spoke softly, as Ramakox beat his wings one more time.


    ¡°Eastcliff?¡± The dragon rolled his eyes. Leave it up to mortals to name their villages dumb names like that. ¡°Is it perchance on the east coast by a cliff?¡±


    ¡°I....imagine so..¡±


    ¡°How old are you Jandar? I must admit I am not good with human ages.¡± Ramakox descended towards his cave, tensing his muscles to back-wing.


    ¡°I am.....seven....How old are you?¡±


    Ramakox back-winged several times, his wings slowing him enough so that his hinds touched the cool stone softly. His tail flicked behind him as he gently set Jandar down, his small leather boots making hardly a sound. ¡°I am....¡± Ramamkox stopped to consider how mortals counted age. He was certain they did not use seasons like dragon''s typically did, he believed they just used years. ¡°I am five hundred and sixty seven years old.¡± he said proudly, puffing out his chest.


    ¡°Thats old!¡±


    ¡°It is not!¡± Ramakox wrinkled his muzzle, turning away from the human, and guiding him with an outstretched wing into his cave. ¡°Dragons only reach old in the thousands!¡±


    ¡°How old can dragons live for then?¡±


    Ramakox looked away for a moment as he tilted his head to the side. That was something he did not know. For all the dragons he had known were either slain or died some other way. He had never known a dragon to simply die of old age. ¡°I don''t know.¡± he replied truthfully. ¡°I think if given the chance dragons could live forever.¡± he chuckled. ¡°For as you mortals age you get weaker and more frail, but dragons simply get stronger and stronger as we age.¡±


    ¡°That seems a bit unfair.¡± Jandar pouted.


    ¡°Maybe...but we don''t rule the world do we?¡± Ramakox looked around to his vast cave, shouting out the word light in dracnonic. The whole area was lit by magical lights around the walls of his cave. They looked to be little fires suspended in mid air, that glew with a soft orange light. It made the coins he had piled up glitter ever so nicely. From the piles of coins his eyes proudly went to the tapestries of every color, and clothing in boxes that were covered in treasure. He grinned at several mirrors, harps, suits of armor, and rows upon rows of books.


    ¡°Wow.¡± Jandar gasped, his eyes darting to all the treasure scattered around the cave. ¡°This is fantastic!¡±


    ¡°Glad you think so.¡± Ramamkox grinned, leading the human to several boxes of dried meat that he had scattered in the cave. He traced the wooden container with one of his black talons, scratching a line into the wooden surface. ¡°Are you hungry Jandar?¡±


    The boy just nodded as he looked to the crate. ¡°What do you have to eat Swirling Storm?¡±


    ¡°I just have this meat.¡± he gestured. ¡°Dragon''s usually don''t store much else, since we often hunt for our food.¡± He ripped open the box with a mighty crack, spilling the containter onto the coins. To his luck the meat did not appear to go bad as he picked up one of the dark red pieces. ¡°Here...just eat several things of this..and I will find you some water.¡±


    Jandar nodded, taking a cross-legged seat as he stuff his little mouth with the meat. He gave off some pleased sounds, most likely the only meal he had had for today.


    Ramakox searched his way through the golden mounds, looking for one of the magical items to grace his lair. He spread coins, looked around bookshelves, and even peaked around his white harp. He was about to give up with a snort when he spotted the simple wooden mug just sitting plainly by his bed of soft things. He plucked it up with a grin and made his way back to the still eating human. ¡°Here it is.¡± he announced with a brassy voice as he set the mug beside the human with a soft clink.


    ¡°It''s....empty.¡± muttered with a mouthfull of food. The boy then held up the mug, peaking inside with his eyes.


    ¡°Of course it''s empty now.¡± Ramakox chuckled, now hold it rightside up and tell it to fill with water.


    ¡°Fill with water!¡± Jandar spoke loudly, after doing as the dragon asked. He nearly jumped from his seat, spilling the liquid that suddenly filled the mug. ¡°Wow!¡± a large smile came to the boys face. ¡°Magic!¡±


    ¡°Yes..yes...magic.¡± Ramakox smiled. He looked up from the boy to see that the sun had gone down below the horizon, once more casting the countryside in darkness. The only light that he could see were the twinkling stars. ¡°Would you like to hear a story?¡± Ramakox smiled, turning to the boy who had his cheeks puffed out like a chipmonk.


    Jandar nodded, taking a swig from the mug of water. ¡°Very much so. I love stories.¡±


    Ramakox gave a pleased rumble from his throat as he curled around the boy, and looked down to him with a smile. For a moment it occurred to him that the little child looked like an amazed hatchling. It made him chuckle and consider if he looked that way when he was little and his own mother and father were telling him the same stories from long ago. ¡°Once upon a time there was a dragon.¡± He told the story with a brassy and proud voice, and miming out the actions. The story was about a dragon from long ago, one that no matter the obstacle placed in his path overcame it. He watche din delight as the human listened with rapt attention, and never interuptted. He finished by spreading his wings and letting out a small roar, to which the child clapped his hands in glee.


    ¡°That was a good story!¡± he smiled, taking more bite of the meat.


    ¡°Glad you thought so. It was one of my favorites as a young wrymling.¡± Ramamkox yawned loudly, showing off rows upon rows of his sharp white teeth. He stretched his body and worked out a kink from his neck, his scales clinking softly together. He carried himself over to his bed of soft things and curled himself into a ball of blue scales. ¡°If you get tired..¡± he yawned. ¡°You may come sleep with me in my nest if you wish.¡± he closed his eyes with a snort and drifted off to sleep.


    He awoke not soon after to the sound of crying once again. He blinked his eyes several times, trying to cast the grogginess of them as his vison came into focus. Jandar had pulled his blanket to the nest and was sleeping on the other side, crying into the blanket. He was calling out to his mother and father, admist all the crying, and Ramakox felt his heart start to ache. He reached out with one of his blue armored paws, and pulled the human who offered no resistance to his chest. ¡°Shhhhhh.¡± he said soothingly to the sobbing child like he was an upset hatchling. ¡°Shhhhh...¡± he offered him a lick across his face, just like his mother had done long ago to him when he was upset. He wrapped a forelimb around the childs back as he pulled him closer against his chest, and felt him rest his crying cheek. He gave a small pleased snort when the human''s annoying cries cease. With a small thump of his tail he wrapped his wing around the shivering human, hoping his warmth would out a stop to that as well. Without another word the dragon closed his eyes, and he drifted off to sleep once again with Jandar clutched firmly within his paws.

 Chapter 2

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    Ramakox flew towards his cave after his morning hunt. His wings cushioned his descent until his paws touched the firm stone softly. He stretched his serpentine neck, working a kink from it as he breathed in the warm morning air. He turned back towards the vast countryside near his home, delighting in the morning rays that danced across his armored scales. He licked his snout with one single swipe, savoring the taste of the elk that lingered on his tongue. The beast had not managed to run far before the huge dragon was upon the male, and it had been over in a flash of teeth.


    Today is going to be a good day. He was reminded of  a tale he had read long ago, where a good morning hunt heralded the start of a grand adventure, quest, or other things that destiny liked to send heroes on. Ramakox snorted at the idea as he narrowed his eyes. No more grand adventurers, or things for dragons...not anymore. He flicked his tail, letting a growl slip from his throat as he padded over to the entrance of his cave, his eyes going to the vines and roots that had grown near the edges. He rose his head with a smile as he focused on what he usually did during times like this. Rearrange my treasure. The thought brought a sliver of joy to his mind, for his treasure had sat in the same place for far too long. He stopped to think when he had done it last, and came to the conclusion it had to have been at least fifty years. Way past to be done. He also liked to do it as it allowed him to admire his treasure in it entirety, and bask in the stories and tales from long ago. When things were better for dragons...and for me. He snorted, taking a large breath that swelled his armored chest. His silver eyes widened as he smelled a most familiar scent, one that he had not smelled for two months. It was the smell of that human child he had plucked from the ravaged caravan.


    Jandar, that was the name of the human if he remembered correctly. He stopped his advance into his cave to drum his talons against the stone. Course that can''t be right....I dropped the little wyrmling off  near his village months ago without a peep from him. The blue dragon crouched as low as he could, suspicion starting to fill his senses. What is he doing back in my lair? It can''t possibly be him right? His next step he flared his nostrils, taking  the scent once more into his lungs. To his surprise he could not detect any other smell then the little boy he had saved that day and taken pity on. The great dragon sighed as he recalled the story of Valarax the great, who would take in wounded mortals, only to wind up dead by one that he had saved. Apparently the elf had done away with him by plunging a sword through his eye while he had slept. I would not be fooled like that of course.


    Besides...the boy was a mere wrymling...and had no weapons. Ramakox shook the unease from his scales and he rose himself to his full height once more. You''re just being silly is all.


    ¡°Unguard you vile villain!¡± came the small voice of the human. ''Take that!''


    Curiosity rose in Ramakox''s mind as he peered out to the mounds of treasure lit by torches of his home. Standing behind the mounds of gold coins was the boy Jandar. He was dressed in simple brown clothes with a dark blue sash around his waist. He was holding up a sword with strained effort, if the wrinkled face he was giving was any indication.  ¡°Have...at thee!¡± the human laughed, clumsily swinging the weapon and nearly toppling over with the effort.


    ¡°I don''t remember inviting you back to my home.¡± Ramakox spoke loudly with a tight voice that threatened to turn into a growl as his talons clinked against the floor.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Jandar shouted, tossing the sword, and sending it clattering to the floor in surprise as he fell over onto a pile of coins.


    Ramakox took a few more steps towards the startled child, smelling fear start to rise in his scent as he watched the boy''s eyes widen in terror. Several questions bubbled to the surface of the dragon''s mind as he slowly advanced on the quivering child. How did you get here? Why did you come? How did you find my place? And did anyone else know that you were here?


    ¡°S-sorry!¡± the child yelled out, his face starting to turn a bright shade of crimson as the dragon carefully approached. ¡° I just saw the sword....and started to play pretend!¡±


    ¡°Why did you return?¡± Ramakox said flatly, ignoring the boys excuse with the next drag of his forelimb. ¡°Usually one does not rush to see a vast dragon such as I unannounced.¡± Ramakox lowered his snout and gave the human a glare with narrowed eyes. ¡°You''re lucky that I am a patient and understanding dragon. And wise enough to not come in here with my blood boiling. Things could have gone very wrong for you otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Y-yes sir.¡± Jandar gulped, picking himself up from the coins. The human brushed himself off several times with pats, his eyes never leaving the dragon for an instant.


    ¡°So..I ask again...why did you return?¡± Ramakox spoke louder than he had previously, his words ended with a growl of irritation. ¡°I do not like visitors to just turn up to my home....It is most rude.¡±


    ¡°I w-wanted to see you again.¡± the boy stuttered, and fidgeted in place.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Ramakox froze in his tracks as he raised his neck until it was in the shape of a S. His eyes widened in surprise. He had somehow not considered that as a reason. The child wanted to see me?....Well of course he did...I was Ramakox the defeater of undead...Ramakox the protector of all. The dragon swelled out his chest and smiled.


    ¡°And how do I not be rude than?¡± Jandar asked.


    ¡°You bring gifts...tributes.¡± Ramakox waved the human''s question off with a snort. ¡°So why did you wish to see me?¡± He raised a scaly eyebrow, waiting to hear pleasing words of praise. He lowered himself onto a pile of coins, curling his tail around it''s edge.


    ¡°The story was nice.¡± the human replied quickly. ¡°And you saved me from the bad guys.¡±


    ¡°I was simply in the right place at the right time.¡± Ramakox held his head up high, and placed a claw to his armored chest. He looked away for a brief moment, remembering that mortals liked their heroes or legends to be humble of course. ¡°So you wanted to see me and hear a story.¡± Ramakox drummed his talons against the stone. ¡°Did it every occur to you that being in my cave was a one time deal? And that if you did return I would eat you?¡±


    ¡°Uh..no.¡± Jandar replied sheepishly as Ramakox began to move coins with his tail. ¡°What are you doing?'' the boy asked after Ramakox did it for the second time.


    ¡°Rearranging my treasure...I was going to get started on it before I found you in my cave.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because I wish to.¡± Ramakox snorted, taking hold of a wooden chest and moving it slightly to his right.


    ¡°Why?¡± Jandar asked again, causing Ramakox to narrow his eyes.


    Really? ¡°It needed to be done, hasn''t been done in years.¡± the dragon sighed, looking to all the treasure around him. ¡°And it is about time it should be done.¡±


    ¡°Why do you want to do that?¡± the child picked up a hand-full of coins and tossed them in the direction of the chest with a clink.


    Ramakox snapped his snout to the coins, waiting for the pieces of metal to cease their clattering. ¡°That is not where I wished those to be.¡± he growled in irritation. He felt the urge to bare his teeth and snarl at the human. Hes just a child. Came the voice within his head, making him snort a puff of air instead.


    ¡°S-sorry. I was trying to help.¡± the boy hung his head, fidgeting once more in place.


    ¡°And to answer your question. I like to rearrange my treasure. I get tired of it being a certain way. Trust me, when you actually have the treasure it''s a problem dragon''s face.¡±


    ¡°Are you lonely?¡± Jandar suddenly asked, striding over towards a suit of silver full plate armor that bore a lightning bold engraved on it''s surface. It was hanging from a rack, making it look as though a knight was standing at attention.


    What? ¡°Why would you ask that?¡± the dragon rose from his spot slowly, and stretched out his limbs one by one with a yawn.


    ¡°It''s something my grandmother said. She said that no one visits the Swirling Storm no more.¡±


    That was actually true. Ramakox felt another wave of annoyance sweep through him. Has it been so long that I simply forgot about tributes? He glanced back to the entrance of his cave with a frown. I will have to fix that at some point. He snapped his snout back towards the boy as a loud clang of metal falling to the stone filled the air.


    Jandar had his hands behind his back and his face was bright red once more. The armor that he had been inspecting was now scattered everywhere on the stone.


    I turned away for just a second. ¡°I think it''s time for you to go.¡± Ramakox growled, picking up the boy by his shirt with his teeth.


    ¡°I''m sorry, I''m sorry, I''m sorry!¡± Jandar cried out until Ramakox set him down carefully outside the entrance of his lair.


    ¡°Now climb back down where you came from. You should be able to return by nightfall.¡± The dragon spun around with a snort. He ignored the child''s cries as he strolled back to his treasure, and back to the task of reorganizing it.


    ¡°What to do, what to do.¡± he sat down onto his haunches with his tail curled around him. He tapped his claw against his chin, as he stared at a mahogany brown wardrobe that he knew contained silver and other soft clothes. It was some gift by a group of traveling nobles, they had claimed it was very valuable to others and most fitting to be in his hoard.


    He grabbed the ward-drobe with two claws and dragged it over several feet away from his piles of gold. ¡°There.¡± he grumbled, his eyes shifting to find the next piece of treasure to move. His eyes went to the armor as he gazed to its pristine smooth surface. I hope he didn''t scratch it. Ramakox thought as he picked up the metal armor piece by piece. It was rumored to have belonged to a great hero who had given his life for a small mortal town. The dragon wrinkled his snout when it occurred to him he had forgotten the mortals name. Perhaps it will come to me later. He smiled, imagining himself recalling the tale in his head. He was certain it was full of action, adventure, and things worthy of song.


    ¡°Who did the armor belong to?¡± came the inquisitive voice of Jandar, emerging from behind his haunches.


    How did he? The surprised dragon curled his neck round to gaze at the unafraid human boy who had dared to re-enter his lair. ¡°What are you doing back? Did I not just tell you to leave?¡± Ramakox growled.


    ¡°I just wanted to know...and I can''t climb down.¡±


    ¡°Wait..¡± Ramakox curled his neck back in surprise, his tail swishing across the stone. ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°I had to leap to climb a vine...and I''m afraid of heights...I can''t get down.¡± Jandar lowered his head as he rubbed his foot back and forth along the cavern floor.


    ¡°Afraid of heights?¡± the dragon cocked his head. That would explain why he did not want to look when I flew him those previous times. ¡°Jandar..I will return you to your village.¡±


    ¡°After a story?¡± the human''s eyes lit up.


    Ramakox groaned as he was forced to look away, the warm eyes melting away the armor he was throwing up. ¡°Yes...I will tell you a story.¡±


    ¡°Yay!¡± Jandar jumped up and down, hardly able to hold in his excitement.


    ¡°But..but.¡± the dragon held him down with a gentle claw. ¡°Afterwords you have to go back to your village.¡±


    ¡°Awwwww.¡±


    ¡°Buut.¡± Ramakox found himself groaning again as he thumped his tail. ¡°If you return with presents or gifts..or tributes..I will offer you a story in return each time.¡±


    ¡°B-but can you make it easier for me to get up? So I don''t have to jump to a vine and climb up?¡±


    The blue dragon rolled his eyes. ¡°Yes I will make it easier for you to get up then. Now will you do as I requested?¡±


    Jandar nodded quickly. ¡°I can do that Swirling Storm. Now what about that story? Will it have action? Romance? Adventure?¡±


    Ramakox chucked at the child''s enthusiasm, settling down onto some coins once again. ¡°I think this one will be about adventure...See long ago there was this dragon named Trazzinax.¡± Ramakox rumbled, tapping his tail on the coins. To his delight the human listened the entire time with wide eyes, and a bright smile. For the first time in awhile the grumpy dragon found a reason to smile besides his stories.

 Chapter 3

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 3</u>


    <u> </u>


    The next two years passed incredibly fast for Ramakox, as he would go about his usually routine of hunting, overseeing his land from afar , organizing his treasure, and remembering the days long since passed. Each week he was graced with Jandar arriving at his lair with a basket of meats and cheeses that the boy pad procured from gods knows where, but Ramakox paid it no mind each time as he dug into the delightful tributes.  He generously would accept each one, and true to his word he would trade a story to the boy. He would tell tales of wonder, magic, heroes, and of course dragons that used to glide above the countryside.


    The child would sit and listen to the stories intently. His face full of wonder with each sentence that flowed from the dragon''s mouth. He would gasp at the surprising moments, smile at the happy ones, and even tear up at the sad ones. Ramakox hated to admit it, but he was actually starting to look forward to the little human''s visits. He would feel a warmth spread through his bones like he had not known before. He could even figure out what time the human would arrive at his lair. He would sit, or pose with his head held high. His tail would twitch behind him softly as his limbs filled with excitement. When the child did arrive he would act like it was no big deal, casually looking away, or inspecting his claws. He had to of course retain that dragon regalness after all.


    On one such of these days he was laying down beside one of the creeks near his home. Jandar was now a lad of nine, and was busy holding a makeshift rod with a thin wire stretched out into the water.  The dragon was busy gobbling up a block of white cheese in his blue maw, savoring the sharp flavor on his tongue. ¡°You''re never going to catch anything like that.¡± the dragon wiped the remains of the cheese from his snout with a single swipe of his tongue. ¡°Better off using magic to catch the fish.¡± he chuckled. His eyes shifted to the small makeshift campfire that the boy had constructed with a ring of stones in the middle of the clearing they were in. There were small sticks leaning up against one another, waiting for a spark to set them ablaze.


    ¡°I can too!¡± the human turned back to stick his tongue out at the dragon, who offered him a snort and tap of his tail against the soft grass.


    ¡°You have yet to catch anything the past few times you have done this. Clearly it is not working , do you remember the story of fair dragoness Cratashka?¡± the dragon waved his paw, gesturing to the trees lining the creek''s edge.


    ¡°Yes.¡± the human groaned. ¡°But this is not a futile thing!¡±


    ¡°You''re not doing a good job of convincing me otherwise.¡± he chuckled in a draconic sort of way as he gazed out to the multicolored leaves of the trees around them. He sighed as he traced each one with his eyes, taking a deep breath and savoring the crisp air. When a breeze rustled his wing membranes he watched a leaf carefully fall from the branches, and then flutter down to rest on his scales. ¡°And you should wear that coat I lent you. You will catch a cold out here.¡± he glared down to a dark tan coat of wool that lay forgotten by the fire pit.


    ¡°I will not catch a cold Storm.¡± the boy no doubt rolled his eyes. ¡°I am tough...and besides it''s not that cold..Besides you''re not wearing a jacket.¡±


    Ramakox ignored the casual use of his title, the boy had been doing it for several months now, and it hardly annoyed him like it used to. ¡°Yes, but that is because I am a dragon, boy.¡± the dragon snapped his jaw. ¡°You''re a soft skinned human who can catch a fever or his death, put on the jacket.¡± He gestured to the clothing with his talons. ¡°If you perish, who would bring me tributes? Put on the jacket so I''m not forced to go without your gifts.¡±


    ¡°Ugh!¡± Jandar set down his fishing rod and threw up his hands. He turned around to glare at the dragon with narrowed eyes. He stomped over towards the jacket and put it on, without taking his eyes off the blue scales. ¡°There...That better?¡± the boy fastened the leather bindings of the jacket and held his arms out wide.


    ¡°Yes, now you will be fine.¡±he nodded, chuckling to himself when the boy stomped back over to his rod and began fishing once again. He held his head up and looked away from the child to hide his pleased smile. There may have been a tad of resistance, but at least he listened to me. ¡°You may of course return to your senseless fishing.¡±


    ¡°I already did!¡± the boy shouted out. ¡°and once again, it''s not senseless!¡±


    ¡°Why not use magic, and easily do it? Have I told you of the gryphon Aria?¡±


    ¡°No..¡± the boy turned around, his eyes returning back to their interested state.


    Ramakox gave a pleased trill as he wiggled his body and settled into a comfortable position. ¡°Well she would have never learned something so senseless.¡± Ramakox rattled off a story that was about how the female gryphon had used her magic to provide for her offspring, and then a nearby village of mortals. They had been so grateful for her deeds that they had constructed a statue in her honor.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    ¡°I can''t do magic.¡± Jandar wrinkled his brow as the dragon finished the story with his snout raised and his tail swishing.  ¡°So I have to stick to the fishing thank you very much.¡± The human quickly turned around once more and picked up the stick.


    Ramakox held up a claw and twisted one of his talons around lazily as he stared intently to the running water. One fish caught his eye and he imagined a sphere wrapping around it, trapping it, and it rising from the surface. He gave a pleased rumble from his throat when the fish in question did exactly as he imagined.


    ¡°That''s cheating!¡± Jandar groaned in irritation as his eyes followed the levitating fish.


    ¡°It is not.¡± the dragon chuckled, guiding the floating fish with his claw to the waiting fire pit. ¡°Now kill it, clean it, and you can eat.¡±


    Jandar sighed, throwing aside his rod as he pulled out a small dagger from his leather belt. In a short moment of time the fish was gut, cleaned, and roasting away on the fire that Ramakox summoned up by sparking the dry wood with a spell.


    ¡°See? If you learned magic like this, things like fishing would become trivial for you.¡±


    ¡°I said I can''t do it.¡± replied Jandar as he frowned. ¡°I''ve tried several times to do what you do. Each time I fail.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps you have the wrong teacher.¡± Ramakox tilted his head to the side.


    ¡°Grandma says magic comes from the head, got to study the books, the movements, and memorize incantations.¡±


    ¡°That''s silly.¡± the blue dragon chuckled. ¡°That''s not how all magic is cast. It certainly is not how I cast my own magic.¡±


    ¡°Well how do you do it?¡±


    Ramakox threw his head back as he pressed a paw to his dark blue chest. ¡°Glad that you asked Jandar. I use this.¡± He tapped his chest several times.


    ¡°Your claws?¡± Jandar rolled his eyes with a playful smirk. ¡°Everyone know that you need to do hand movements for spells.¡±


    ¡°Not my claws or talons boy..My heart.¡± he tapped his scales again. ¡°I trust in my instinct...the feeling...bending magic around you. I have heard that even some mortals can do such things if they have the right blood.¡±


    ¡°How can you tell if you have the right blood?¡± the boy settled down beside him with his legs crossed. He looked up to the dragon like he usually did with his inquisitive eyes. The look sending little shivers of delight down Ramakox''s spine.


    ¡°Well...in dragons...The magic manifests itself when they are fairly young...sometimes to the irritation of the parents.¡± he laughed, thinking back to when the human had knocked over his suit of armor.


    ¡°Did you ever have any offspring?¡± the boy asked, taking a bite of his cooked fish.


    ¡°No..No I did not.¡± he said with a sigh.


    ¡°Why not?¡± the boy gulped down his first bite in a flash, ravenously taking another one before the dragon could respond.


    ¡°Things always seemed to happen...dragons move around...heat cycles.¡± Ramakox looked away, irritation filling his heart. Not from the boy, but from his excuses. Each one could have been overcome with effort on his part, he just never did.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Jandar wrinkled his nose, ¡°So when does it manifest in dragons?¡±


    ¡°I said when we were young...Oh you mean at what exact age..¡± Ramakox tapped his tail as the human continued to pick at his meal. ¡°It can vary from dragon to dragon when it happens. I would imagine if it were to happen to you, it would be in the next year or so.¡± The blue dragon tapped his talon against his chin as he tried to wrap his mind around trying to test the boy. After several minutes of his thinking he finally had an idea.


    ¡°Jandar. I want you to close your eyes, and picture the fire that you roasted your fish in.¡±


    The human did so with a growing smile.


    Did I look this excited when I tried to cast spells for the first time? ¡°Okay good, now focus on that fire instead being inside your chest.¡± Ramakox pictured in his own mind what he was instructing the human to do. The cackling raging fire inside of him, starting to spread it''s warmth into his limbs. ¡°Now take that heat from the fire and let it flow from your heart and into your hands. He tapped his tail again as he watched the human clench his eyes tight, his hands forming fists.


    ¡°I....I think I got it.¡± Jandar said with a smile after several facial expressions of effort.


    ¡°Good.¡± Ramakox gave him an encouraging rumble from his throat. He flicked his tail across the grass for a moment as he drummed his talons on the dirt. Now what spell to have him try first?...Something easy...simple.. ¡°Imagine a slight breeze ruffling your hair, it''s best to start small like this. I''d have suggested fire or something, but I really don''t want to rush you off to a healer.¡±


    ¡°O....Okay....gr...grah!¡± Jandar grunted and clenched his fists tighter as he seemed to be struggling with this portion of the request.


    ¡°What''s the matter?¡± he asked, snaking his snout closer towards the struggling child, whose face was scrunched up into rolls.  Perhaps the boy lacks the blood after all....disappointing to say the least...but not the end of the world.


    ¡°I...I can''t do it!¡± the boy shouted out, his face crimson as he crossed his arms with a huff. Jandar looked away from the dragon. ¡°It''s too hard.¡±


    ¡°Or it could be that you lack the blood to do it.¡± The dragon sighed as he bumped the human gently with his snout. ¡°Would you keep trying to do it if you lack the blood? Even if you lack any natural talent?¡±


    ¡°I have been trying..I already said that.¡±


    ¡°That you did....but maybe if I were your teacher we could see some results. I may not be a wizard, but I can cast magic. I also may have a few dozen books on the subject somewhere in my lair.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Jandar spun to look at him with a large smile that threatened to take up his entire face. ¡°You''d do that for me?¡±


    ¡°You already visit me once a week, bring tributes and listen to my stories.¡± He turned his snout away again. ¡°Might as well make an investment out of it.¡±


    ¡°Investment?¡± the boy asked with curiosity lingering in his voice.


    ¡°Oh yes. When you are grown, and  going on adventures of your own. You can praise my name to all you meet, of my kindness, how I molded you into a great skilled mage.  You can even donate some of your treasure to me.¡± He snorted quickly. ¡°To repay me of course..Your kind and benevolent teacher.¡±


    ¡°Then you would teach me magic?¡±


    ¡°Jandar.¡± the dragon lowered his snout to the boy and gave him a great tooth filled smile. ¡°I will do my very best. You can rest easy knowing that if I have anything to say about it, you will be casting magic.¡±


    ¡°Thank you! Thank you!¡± the human hugged his snout tightly, causing Ramakox to snort and pull his head away.


    ¡°Less of that though.¡± he chuckled, pushing the disappointed human away gently.


    ¡°Aww..but that one night..you held me!¡±


    ¡°That was to stop your crying.¡± he replied, standing to all fours and stretching his wings wide.


    ¡°When can we start then?¡± the boy asked,  unable to hold in his excitement. He was practically jumping for joy.


    ¡°I think we can start next week, if I remember where the scrolls and books are located.¡±


    ¡°Yah!Yah!Yah!¡± Jandar shouted out, doing a little spin and pumping his fist in joy.


    Ramakox just offered the boy another warm smile before looking away to the mountain he called his own. As much as he shared the excitement with the prospect of passing on his knowledge of spell he could not help but think to the future that was in store for him. Of all the praises, stories, and songs that will be sung in my name...and all the treasure that will be mine.

 Chapter 4

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 4</u>


    <u> </u>


    ¡°Arrg!¡± Jandar angrily threw up his hands and stepped out of Ramakox''s cave. The dragon watched the boy of ten vent his frustration into the air. Ramakox drummed his talons along the cavern floor as he watched the child stomp around and cross his arms. It had been months now since they had started their training in the magical arts, and Jandar was showing no signs of magical talent. Ramakox frowned as his fantasy was slowly fading away with each passing day.


    The blue dragon snaked his head down towards one of the numerous old books he had found in his lair on the subject of basic magic. His eyes scanned the drawings of a human female going through various poses and stances that were required to tap into the magical energy required for the spell. But for some reason you can''t tap into it. Ramakox opened his maw, and with a slight breath let lightning dance around his teeth. When he was finished with that he resettled his wings against his back and followed the boy into the afternoon sun. He found himself thinking about what he could say or do to raise the boy''s spirits. After all, he needed the child to believe he could do it if he had any hope of him becoming a mage and adventurer.


    He did the meditation to prepare the spells...He did the movements rights...He said the correct words.....He even helped create a spell book ....he should be able to do something...anything...The dragon narrowed his eyes as irritation rose up in his mind. He could not think of any tale or story that could help him right now. For all his time on this planet he had never heard of something like this. He was almost certain he was told and read that anyone could do magic with enough practice and heart. But for some reason Jandar.. He watched the boy pace in front of his lair in the cold air. You can''t do anything. He wrinkled his snout at the idea that he would never be able to cast magic. Never able to spread the word of Ramakox, and never fit into the dragon''s plan.


    ¡°Jandar.¡± he spoke softly, his words lingering in the air. He made sure to show restraint and calmness. The last thing the child needed was a snarling or growling dragon. Something he had done previous weeks ago to show his frustration. It had reduced Jandar to tears, and made the dragon roll his eyes and embrace him so he would stop.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Jandar snapped to him with eyes full of sadness, with a voice that was ill fitting to be spoken to a dragon. Ramakox ignored it with a slight flick of his tail and a sigh. ¡°I don''t even know why you even bother. I can''t do anything right.¡±


    ¡°Its not your fault.¡± Ramakox held his head up, his voice turning stern once more. ¡°You''re doing everything right...It must be something else stopping you.....Something I have never heard of before.¡±


    ¡°Like....a sickness?¡± the human wrinkled his nose as the thought. ¡°Cause that sounds awful.¡±


    Ramakox passed the boy, his tail gently brushing him as he looked to the countryside that had started to have it''s colors fade away. The land that was preparing itself for the much colder weather, and the white blanket that would soon be covering it. ¡°It certainly could be something like that...but I doubt it.¡± The dragon gave a heavy sigh as he started to drum his talons on the stone once more, the sound of his clicks bringing comfort to his confused mind. He glanced back to the boy, who had his head hung down. The dragon felt his heart start to stretch, and feel pity for the human child. To never be able to cast magic? It would be like a dragon unable to fly into the sky. He shook his head with a snort. He knew someone that could help the boy. But I don''t know if I want...Her help.


    ¡°How much do you want to cast spells?¡± he asked, lowering his snout towards the saddened child.


    Jandar raised his head to look to the dragon, ¡°I want to do it more than anything I have ever wanted before.¡±  His words were filled with such honesty, it made Ramakox sigh again as he sat down beside the human and curled his tail around him.


    Besides...if you do get help...and the boy does become a grand adventurer....you will reap the rewards.. ¡°I know someone who could help you with your inability to cast magic.¡± he said after a moment of silent contemplation.


    ¡°Really?¡± the boy held his head up, his eyes filling with hope for the briefest of moments.


    ¡°Yes..but.¡± Ramakox''s eyes went to the collection of small brownish dots in the distance. The place that Jandar had called his home. ¡°I will need permission to take you to see them from your home...because I really do not wish to deal with dragon hunters...Or the Queen of this land declaring me an evil dragon.¡±


    ¡°What if my grandmother says no?¡±


    ¡°How could she?¡± the dragon chuckled in his throat, as if the idea she could refuse him was ridiculous. ¡°How could she deny her blood the chance to better himself? It sounds ridiculous.¡±


    ¡°Maybe they won''t trust you?¡±


    Ramakox had not thought of that predicament. Surely I had proven myself to them by now..The undead from years ago..the tales the boy must have already told the others..¡±I will simply have to put the dragon charms on her.¡± he grinned, spreading his wings wide.


    ¡°We are heading out now?¡± stammered the boy as his eyes traced along the white spider webbed membranes.


    ¡°But of course little Jandar, might as well take advantage of this on the wing decision. Here..¡± he held out his limb and gestured to the boy to come over.


    ¡°I always hate this part.¡± the boy stepped over, fear apparent in his voice.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°I won''t drop you...Have I not proved that the countless times that I have brought you back to your village''s edge?¡± He let out a sigh, and nudged the boy gently. ¡°Perhaps one day we will rid you of this phobia of yours. Then you will be able to look out to the countryside, and see it''s beauty from above like I do.¡±


    ¡°I...can''t help it.¡± the boy fidgeted slightly.


    ¡°Then here.¡± the blue dragon softly picked up the child in his forelimb and pulled him snug against his dark blue scales. ¡°How about that?¡± he curled his neck down to see that the child had pressed his cheek tightly against him, his eyes closed.


    ¡°Better.¡±


    Ramakox sighed again as he gave his wings a might test flap. Oh well...We will definitely have to work on this some more. The dragon bounded into the air with a flap of his wings, his beats carrying him above the mountain and towards the village.


    ¡°Jandar...you should look.¡± the dragon said reassuringly as the wind caressed them through the open sky.  He gave another disappointed sigh when the human would not do as he said, and instead just held his limb tighter, and refused to trade his view of the dragon''s scales for the countryside below. How is he going to be an adventurer like this?..Perhaps you will learn a spell or something to overcome this fear....Course that is if I am unable to cure you of it before you are grown.. Ramakox grumbled in the back of his throat as he avoided a white fluffy cloud. ¡°Would it cure you of your fear if you could fall from any height and be fine?¡± He asked, thinking to a spell called feather falling. One he had heard that would allow such a feat to be preformed.


    ¡°Y-yeah..I think that would do it.¡± Stammered the child, who would not unclench his eyes.


    One day... Ramakox returned his eyes to the village that was nearing with every pounding of his wings against the air. He spread his wings into a glide as he observed the small dots of people going about their business.  It occurred to him as he glared out to the collection of dull brown and grey buildings that he had never known what the boy''s nest looked like. And I don''t want to make a fool of myself by going from nest to nest. ¡°Jandar! What does your nest look like?¡±


    ¡°It''s a small building made of wood! Has a tan roof, and has one window!¡±


    Ramakox sailed over the village, it quickly becoming apparent that is what most of the buildings looked like. He saw elves, humans, and wolven glance up in his direction, point and no doubt start telling others about how great he looked flying high above their village. How happy they must be that the defeater of the undead graced their vision. He angled his wings, and began to back-wing to the collection of gasps of his mortal viewers. The gusts that he created cast up any loose dirt, grass, or anything else that was not held down. His claws settled down onto the worn dirt as he held his head high. ¡°Greetings mortals.¡± he spoke proudly.


    ¡°A dragon!¡± a grey furred wolf clad in leather armor shouted out when the gust settled down. The other mortals just looked to him with various looks of amazement or shock.


    ¡°Hes so big!¡± came the shout of another man.


    ¡°Are you sure it''s a he?¡± an elderly woman shouted out, waving her gnarled walking stick.


    ¡°Yes mortals I am a dragon...The great Swirling Storm.¡± he swelled out his chest, unfurling his wings and waiting for the praises and blesses.


    ¡°The who?¡± the wolf in leather asked, tilting his head to the side.


    Ramakox curled his neck into the shape of an S as he snorted his disappointment. He glanced around to the mortals that should have been praising his name, looking to him with fondness at his presence. However on their faces were just confusion, surprise, and some even had fear in their eyes. This was not supposed to be how it is. Has it been so long that they are not used to dragons walking among them? ¡°Do you not know who I am?¡±


    ¡°Uh..no.¡± the guard gulped. ¡°Should we Swirling Storm? Interesting name for a dragon that is.¡±


    ¡°It is a title..not my name.¡± Ramakox wrinkled his snout in irritation as he glanced to the boy. ¡°Surely you have heard of me from this boys tales.¡±


    ¡°We...we thought he was pretending this entire time...you know how kids can be.¡±


    Ramakox shifted uncomfortably from side to side. Surely it had not been so long they had forgotten me completely? ¡°Do you remember the undead armies that I helped your country defeat?¡± He fought the urge as his irritation continued to grow.


    ¡°Uh..you mean the tales from long ago...like several hundred years?¡±


    Has it been that long already? ¡°Yes..Yes.¡± Ramakox waved casually to the man. ¡°Those are the ones..surely you remember me from those tales..The great Swirling Storm, the defender, defeater of undead.¡±


    ¡°We...we thought you was dead.¡± the guard winced as Ramakox frowned. ¡°So...Swirling Storm...what brings you to our village?¡±


    ¡°I...¡± Ramakox pushed the irritation from his mind and focused on his task. This was why he would help the boy after all. So that the mortals would know his name once again, and this embarrassment would not happen again. I could also visit them more often. ¡°I have come to visit Jandar''s grandmother if you must know.¡±


    ¡°Well...just be sure to mind your manners...If you mean us no harm, we won''t bother you....Although expect some gawking faces dragon.¡±


    ¡°Mind my manners?¡± Ramakox snorted, thrashing his tail as his blood began to simmer. ¡°I saved your little dirt of a..¡± he caught himself when he heard several people gasp and back away from him. ¡°Ah...regardless..¡± he took a deep breath to settle his nerves. ¡°I will behave as it were.¡±


    ¡°G-good.¡±


    Ramakox turned his attention from the guard to the boy. ¡°Now Jandar....Would you lead the way? So I can spend as little time in this....Wonderful village of yours.¡±


    Jandar nodded and started leading him through the collection of houses that did not even come up to Ramakox''s head. To his surprise of the dragon, despite the ground being simple dirt the villagers had managed to keep it clean. There was no sign of any debris, leaves, animal droppings, nothing for the dragon to worry about stepping on. They passed several more groups of mortals that gawked at his scales. To his irritation they seemed just as ignorant about who he was as the first gathering. Not one single human, elf, or wolven seemed to have any inkling of who he was.


    ¡°Just get me to your grandmother.¡± Ramakox growled softly.


    ¡°I''m sorry no one knows you.¡± Jandar hung his head as they came to a house that looked exactly like the others.  How the lad could tell the difference from the others was beyond him, but he shrugged it off as the boy opened the door and told him to wait for a moment.


    Ramakox sat on his haunches, curling his tail around him and ignoring another group of villagers passing by on their horse sized wolves. His eyes narrowed as he could hear whispers among them. They were asking about who the dragon was, and why he was there. Jandar can not get old enough sooner. Ramakox thought to himself. And my name will be spread far and wide once more. He glanced around at the village, making a vow to make himself more known to them locally. Just need to remind these mortals just who their protector is.


    ¡°Here he is Mimi.¡± Jandar brought an elderly looking woman out of the house. Her face was so wrinkled that Ramakox wondered how she could see through the rolls of skin.


    The dragon explained who he was to her delight. She remembered who he was, and that made him swell up his chest in pride. He thumped his tail and spoke of Jandar''s talent, but how something was blocking him from magic somehow. She seemed interested so he went further on how about how he knew a friend that would of course be able to help her grandson with his problem. He watched her think it over for several minutes, looking to the face of Jandar, who was practically begging her to go.


    ¡°You can.¡± she smiled, causing Jandar to bound into her arms and clutch at her tightly.  She guided the boy inside after some joyous thanks, and asked Ramakox to wait while she gathered the boy some things for the journey.


    Ramakox did not have to wait long before the boy was back in front him with some food, spare clothes, a warm cloak, and a backpack made of leather. ¡°Come on.¡± Ramakox crouched low for the child, and gestured to his back with his tail. ¡°It might be a tad easier for your nerves.¡±


    ¡°N-No thanks..¡± the boy trailed off, fear still in his eyes.


    Oh well. Ramakox sighed to himself as he carefully plucked the boy like he was a wrymling who had yet to fly.


    ¡°Keep him safe!¡± the woman shouted. ¡°Or I will kick you in the balls so hard you will go cross-eyed!¡±


    Ramakox was going to correct her but found himself rolling his eyes and taking flight instead. His next flaps brought them above the village in a near instant to a myriad of shouts. He angled his wings and turned so that he was heading to the north.


    ¡°Who is your friend?¡± the boys voice lingered with curiosity after several minutes of flight. Jandar still had his face buried in the dragon''s chest.


    Ramakox thought to the land before them, and the great seer they were out to go see. ¡°She calls herself the Emerald Lady, and if anyone can solve your problem it will be her.

 Chapter 5

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 5</u>


    <u> </u>


    ¡°This place is huge!¡± Jandar gasped as Ramakox brought the child swooping towards a vast vine covered palace of trees. They had flown for several weeks into the northern land of Lumara, in their quest to go see the oracle dragon called The Emerald Lady.


    Ramakox had made sure to stay far enough away from the towns and villages that dotted the countryside of this place. His eyes had always kept a keen watch on the blue skies, trying to spot any airship that may have spotted them.  They rested for brief times during the days, to separate the long distance flying that he had been doing. During the nights they kept close in places that were not easy to spot from above, and the dragon continued to share stories to the boy to keep his spirits up. Mostly they were about the Emerald Lady, since the boy had decided to ask question after question about her. He chuckled at the idea that she would be amused with the boys apparent obsession of her.


    They were bound for the forest of despair. The great place stretching out for miles and miles in Lumara. It was close to the mortal capital of Entis he had learned, a great place that no dragon would want to go. He pushed the idea from his mind how crazy the dragoness was. To live so close to a nation that has a thing against dragons..Perhaps it is a statement on how powerful she is...that she can make a thriving home here...without worry. He thought back to when she and him had met during his younger days, and he was trying to make a name for himself. He remembered spending several nights within her forest, listening to her words. He sighed, recalling the nights of passion that she had shared with him. Teaching him things at the time he did not know. He shook his head softly,trying to not get caught up with fond memories of mating the green dragoness.


    ¡°And this...Emerald Lady lives here?¡± the boy asked in a hushed whisper as Ramakox set him down before the great vine covered door. The dragon arched his neck and worked out a kink  as he shook his scales with a series of soft clinks.


    ¡°Is she scary?¡±


    ¡°She can certainly be that at times.¡± Ramakox chuckled, snaking his snout close to the worrying child to give him a reassuring smile. ¡°I know her from ages past though, and every time I have met her has been most pleasurable.¡± He growled gently in the back of his throat, memories of her writhing under him as he knotted her coming to mind. ¡°So push from your mind the concern that lingers there. Remember the tale of Thesus the brave.¡±


    ¡°I know the story.¡± Jandar rolled his eyes with a soft sigh. ¡°Be brave, use your head.¡± the boy tapped his skull gently with his pointer finger, as Ramakox gave him a pleased croon.


    ¡°Good, keep your head up and your heart strong!;¡± He rose and placed both of his claws on the door. He tensed his muscles and grit his teeth, and the door opened with a mighty shove.


    ¡°Are you sure she will be here?¡± the boy''s question lingered in the blue dragon''s mind until the door opened up completely and let the sunlight from behind them shine into the darkened hallway.


    Ramakox nodded, ¡°Stay close.¡± he wrapped his wing around the child and started guiding him carefully into the darkness that lingered in the hallway. ¡°She tends to keep things in the dark here.¡±


    ¡°Why would she want to live in the dark?¡± Jandar asked,moving closer to the blue dragon.


    ¡°She doesn''t live in the dark all the time.¡± Ramakox''s eyes traced the hallways before them, making sure to keep Jandar close to him at all times and away from the pedestals that he knew the boy could not see. ¡°She likes to keep areas that mortals would see in darkness, on account that most of you don''t have good sight in the dark.¡± He sighed as he brought the boy around a corner, his tail dragging along the floor. ¡°She likes to have the upper hand in any situation she is in.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± the boy wrinkled his brow as Ramakox watched him hold his hand in front of him, as if the dragon was not looking out for him at every moment.


    ¡°You''re safe.¡± The blue dragon said softly as he watched the human like a concerned mother would her hatchlings. ¡°You need not hold out your hands.¡±


    ¡°Can''t help it...instinct.¡±


    They both stopped for a moment when the door far behind them slammed shut, the sound radiating through the halls and making Ramakox''s tail twitch in response. ¡°Shhh...Stay calm.¡± he said with a kind voice when he noticed that Jandar was shivering. ¡°I am right here Jandar, you have nothing to fear.¡±


    The boy took a deep breath, his trembling slowly stopping with each passing of Ramakox''s feet upon the floor. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Not needed. Just focus on you being able to cast magic. Surely it is worth a few scares and quickly beating hearts?¡±


    ¡°I suppose so.¡± Jandar sighed, crossing his arms. ¡°But I don''t like walking in the dark, and having to rely on you for my eyes.


    ¡°Sometimes you need others to be successful Jandar..No one can be perfect.¡±


    ¡°Does this include dragons?¡± the boy smiled, as if he were crafty and going to snare the blue dragon with his words.''


    ¡°Yes that does include dragons.¡± he replied quickly without much thought. Of course dragons are not perfect....even if we are grand. ¡°Not the answer you were looking for?Hmmmm?¡± he snaked his snout down to smile at the disappointed looking human. He was about to remind his human about one of the numerous stories he had told him over the years, but he never got the chance.


    From the floor rose the ruler of the great forest that rested outside this natural palace. The Emerald Lady spread her vast lime green colored membranes wide, causing purple torches to light the corridor with an eerie glow, that caused Jandar to shout out in surprise. The human wrapped his limbs in terror around the blue dragon''s forelimb.


    ¡°Emerald Lady.¡± Ramakox said flatly, not surprised in the slightest by her sudden arrival. He had known she loved to do this and gain an immediate upper hand on her guests. His lack of reaction made her glowing purple eyes focus squarely on him as she looked down at him. For as tall as Ramakox was, she was almost double his height.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    ¡°Ramakox.¡± she said in draconic with an amused tone as she landed on the floor with a gust of wind that brushed his scales. ¡°This is certainly a....surprise.¡± Her eyes drifted towards the mortal near his paws, and with her grin, he doubted the validity of her statement.


    ¡°You know why I am here...You have the gift to see into the future...I know it has been a long time, but I have not forgotten.¡± He smiled, chuckling to himself when he saw her return it.


    ¡°You know it is rude to enter my forest without my permission. I have turned others to stone for such a transgressions.¡± Her voice rose as she took a forceful step towards the blue dragon, but he did not flinch in the slightest. For Ramakox knew this was another game she was playing, to intimidate him and gain the upper hand.


    Ramakox however stood his ground and continued to look to the dragoness in silence as she took another step towards him. ¡°I have come here to ask of you a favor.¡± he said flatly, his eyes never leaving hers once.


    ¡°Hmmpf.¡± The Emerald Lady turned away from him,her tail running the underside of his chin, and for a brief moment he thought he saw her flash him her nether regions. Surely she wasn''t though...it has been years.. She gestured with her neck for him to follow her. ¡°Is that so? You know what I trade for favors, and it cannot be bought with coins.¡± She arched her head back to him with a grin. ¡°Even if old friends come to visit me in my home.¡±


    ¡°I doubt you would call anyone friend.¡± he chuckled. ¡°You don''t need to butter me up with sweet words.


    ¡°Oh yes..How could I forget.¡± She turned around and snaked her snout so that it was close to his, and she grabbed his snout softly with a claw. ¡°The strong and defensive Ramakox.¡± She laughed, playfully smacking him on the snout before resuming her walk down the glowing hallway. Once again her tail swished from side to side, lifting enough for him to see under it.  With his next breath he could smell her arousal in the air, making him growl lustfully in the back of his throat.


    I have never heard of her making that kind of deal. Ramakox thought with a mischievous grin. But I will certainly take her up on that given the chance...It has been far too long.  He continued along with the Emerald Lady as she led them from the darkened hallways to a room that was lit by mana lanterns, and smelled like lilacs in the summer wind.  His eyes traced along her scales, that seemed to shimmer in the soft glow of the torches. From her his gaze fell to a vast bed of soft things, most likely the finest silks and other materials in the land. She had numerous wardrobes, pedestals, and other various things to dot this vast room that stretched at least three times the dragoness'' height. Curiously she had a small amount of gold and gems, far less than a dragoness of her age should have had.  although if he remembered correctly, she kept people as her treasure instead, and he certainly knew the Emerald Lady wasn''t weak at all.


    ¡°Mother!¡± came a sound of two loud, young sounding voices from behind one small mound of treasure. Not a moment after, two green dragons the height of Jandar''s waist came bounding out from behind the mound.  Their scales were the same color of the dragoness before them, with black scaled chests, talons,and horns.


    ¡°Little ones!¡± Emerald Lady called out softly as he two wrymlings bounded over to her with smiles on their snouts.


    ¡°Now who are these little scamps?¡± Ramakox chuckled as Jandar let go of his limb with a smile.


    ¡°baby dragons!¡± he exclaimed, then pointing to the dragons with excitement lingering in his voice.


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Emerald Lady nuzzled her wrymlings against the frills that lined their spines with small purrs. When she was done subjecting them to her loving nuzzles, she moved onto licking their little green and black snouts next. She pointed to the wyrmling with a yellow stripe near the tail side of his wing membrane. ¡°This ones name is Cordenth, and the wrymling here with the zigzags is Lyyreth.¡±


    Both of her children at the mere mention of their names swelled up their chests, and held their heads high. This only lasted for a brief moment before both of the dragons were bounding over to Jandar and offering him some curiosity filled sniffs, causing the child to giggle. ¡°Who..are you?¡± Lyyreth tilted his head as Cordenth narrowed his eyes.


    ¡°I''m Jandar!¡± the boy exclaimed with genuine happiness. His face was covered with a smile, causing Cordenth to pull his head away with his frills fluttering.


    ¡°Now run along little ones....Swirling Storm and I have much things to discuss.¡± She lowered her head to playfully nose the wrymlings with her snout. Then she turned to Jandar with her focused eyes. ¡°That includes you a well little mortal.


    ¡°W-what?¡± The human looked up to Ramakox with a face of worry for a moment. Although it quickly faded away when the blue dragon gestured to the green wrymlings who looked absolutely happy.


    ¡°Yay! We get a mortal to play with!¡± Cordenth smiled his tail wagging behind him, the wrymling nosed Jandar playfully as Lyyreth laughed. ¡°Do you like princesses Jandar?...Or stories?


    ¡°How about magic? Or reading?¡± Lyyreth took position on the other side of the human, curiously sniffing his clothes as well. ¡°Are you from the coast? You smell like the sea!¡±


    Jandar laughed to the wrymlings and told them he was from Drenedar, and by a village called east cliff. They led him away with laughing tails and twitching frills. ¡°So what do you do for fun around here?¡± the boy asked, his voice starting to fade away as they reached the end of the hall.


    ¡°Loads of stuff, follow me!¡± shouted Lyyreth, no doubt by the sounds of joyous cries that he had started bounding down the hall with the others chasing him.


    ¡°You''re being most trustful with him.¡± Ramakox gestured with a claw to mean Jandar. ¡°I am surprised that you would let him play with your children.¡± he gave a rumble as she started to inch towards him with a grin,


    ¡°I know the mortal is yours, and a small bit of trust is to be expected...besides..your...Jandar was it? Should have some fun before undergoing the ritual that you seek to be done.¡±


    Ramakox frowned as she led him through the hallways once again to a dark room, magically darkened so that his dark vision could not pierce it''s inky blackness. In the center of the room was a large stone cauldron that had purple smoke rising from it''s lips and spreading to the floor below. ¡°Having future sight would be so helpful at times.¡± he mumbled, thinking to the numerous times in his own life how it could have changed outcomes to be in his favor. ¡°If you know why I am here....Will my idea pay off in the future? The one with the boy?¡±


    Emerald Lady sat down beside the cauldron, letting out a long drawn out yawn before gazing back to him. ¡°You know I can''t reveal the future sometimes, Especially if that knowledge might sway your decisions...and despite me knowing..¡± Her eyes darkened to be a soft shade of lavender. ¡°I wish to hear the words from your maw.¡±


    Ramakox sighed deeply, as he dipped his head low before her. Of course she would want him to beg her for it. Its how she works after all.  He lowered his body into a bow and unfurled his wings low. ¡°I Ramakox ask of thee Emerald Lady to assist in helping my mortal be able to cast spells. I have tried to teach him everything I know to cast spells, the books of a wizard, the heart of a sorcerer,  but he seems unable to do so. The boy does everything perfectly, but it is if something were missing from him.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± she slithered over with a grin, and licked his snout softly with her tongue. Just like she had done all the other times she had her way with him over the years. ¡°Let us take pleasure before diving into the unpleasantness that will be this ritual.¡± She intertwined her neck around his, and pushed the blue dragon slowly onto his back with a lust filled grumble.


    Ramakox groaned lustfully as his scaled limbs were pressed down by the larger dragoness to the floor, pinning his body in place. He moaned into her maw when she parted his own with hers, and snaked her long tongue into his mouth. He could do nothing but squirm as she held him firmly in place with a grip like steel. He could feel his lust rising with each pleased snort and breath of her musky rising arousal.  He gave a soft rumble from his throat when he started to feel the soft drips of her juices leaking onto his scales. He could not help himself, and his maleness rose from his sheath like lightning.


    ¡°Ready to experience the days of old?¡± she broke the kiss with a chuckling laugh, vines growing up from the ground to wrap around his limbs and pull him firmly against the floor.


    ¡°That I am my flower lilly.¡± he rumbled, his old nickname for her causing her to release a trilling noise from her maw.


    They mated again and again for the next few hours. They would try different positions, some requiring her to shrink down so he could mount her. They would gasp, moan and cry out into the air with each pleasured thrust. Each encounter would end  with them roaring out into the air.  It was after the sixth time that they were left panting and twitching on the floor when she held up a claw to stop him.


    ¡°That is plenty pleasure I think for now.¡± she smirked, licking him across the snout. ¡°There will be plenty of time after, for more.¡± she rumbled, laying down and licking herself clean.


    Ramakox shrugged and went about cleaning himself just like she was doing. It did not take long for him to clean himself. He gave a low rumble as he rose his head to see that the Emerald Lady had finished cleaning herself as well ¡°That was excellent as always.¡± he sighed, thumping his tail in delight. ¡°Makes me want to write a few books about it, catelogue the pleasurable ways the Emerald Lady can make a dragon beg in need.


    ¡°As were you Ramakox.¡± she chuckled. ¡°It is not that hard to get dragons to beg for me.¡±  She once again let out a large yawn, and rose to stretch like a cat with a rumbling purr. She resettled her haunches onto the floor with her tail curled around her. ¡°Now back to the matter of the boy.¡±

 Chapter 6

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 6</u>


    <u> </u>


    Ramakox sat in silence for a moment as he watched the Emerald Lady lick one of her forepaws carefully, her tongue tracing along her fine scales, making sure they were clean. Her tail flicked behind her casually as her eyes focused on him. He was surprised by her sudden shift to the topic of Jandar, it was like the past few hours of passionate mating had not happened at all.


    ¡°He is a void as it were.¡± She said sigh with a sigh, dropping her paw softly to the ground as she stared off behind him as if she could see something he could not. ¡°It means that unlike most things in this world, Jandar lacks the connection to the magical energy that runs through every living thing. That is why no matter how much you teach him, the boy will be unable to cast magic.¡± She returned her gaze to him, her eyes softning for a moment.


    ¡°A void?¡± the name rolled of the tongue with a hint of confusion. ¡°I have never heard of such a thing before.¡± He wrinkled his snout in irritation at his ignorance. He lightly tapped his tail against the stone. ¡°Why is he a void? How did this happen?¡± he growled lightly, not liking the idea that his little adventurer idea might go up in smoke.


    ¡°Not surprising you have not heard of it. It is a very rare condition that can effect mortal and dragon alike.¡± She gave him an amused look as he asked the second line of questions. ¡°There was nothing done to the boy Ramakox. It was how he was born, if you want to blame it on anyone blame it on his very creation.¡±


    ¡°So....¡± Ramamkox tapped one of his talons against his chin, mind swirling around for any ideas that might help. ¡°Is there anything that can be done to cure him of this curse?¡± He imagined some sort of magical artifact that he would have to retrieve. Ah yes, a magical maguffin that I will need for Jandar, a grand adventure for a dragon such as I...


    ¡°It is not really a curse.¡± She replied quickly, raising one of her claws to inspect it casually. ¡° Him being void actually helps him at times. It would make him more resistant to magical spells. Even those that would harm him.¡±


    ¡°So is there a way to cure him of this voidness?¡± he asked, striding over to take a seat beside the Emerald Beauty. ¡°You have not said if there is one.¡±


    ¡°Ever on point.¡± She chuckled deeply in her throat, looking down to him with a grin. ¡°The spell is an old one that I learned ages ago while I mastered my craft.¡±


    ¡°How long ago was that?¡± he raised an eyebrow as he tilted his head to the side. He had always known she was far older than he was, but how much older he did not know. ¡°If you do not mind me inquiring about that little bit of information.¡± He watched her the moment after the question left his snout. She at first did not say anything, simply staring at him intently with her tail flicking around him.


    ¡°A thousand years give or take now.¡± She replied flatly, looking casually away and holding her snout up. ¡°This spell will require effort on your part of course.¡±


    Effort? ¡°What kind of effort?¡± he groaned softly with irritation. He knew spells that required payment existed, that one needed the right amount of coin,items, or even life essence to summon the magics required.


    ¡°Your essense will be required for the ritual....Your blood..Semen..things of this nature must be used.¡±


    ¡°Why me specifically?¡± he asked, feeling like a curious hatchling infront of the towering dragoness. ¡°It seems rather convient that it would need to be me.¡±


    ¡°Ah...Ramakox..¡± She sighed, laughing to herself quietly. ¡°It is true that the payment does not need to be from you. It could be from any dragon after all. Even I could provide the payment for the spellcraft. The spell will infuse the target with the blood of the powerful magical being that is used as payment.


    ¡°That is all?¡± he asked, his mood brightening. ¡°You either need my blood or seed? I will gladly give you another sample if that is required.¡± he growled lustfully in the back of his throat.


    ¡°There...¡± She snappd her vision back to him, her eyes glowing a bright royal purple. ¡°Is some risk involved with this spell, just like all the old spells like it.¡±


    ¡°What kind of risk?¡± he backed his head away until his neck was in the shape of an S. He then wrinkled his nose in disgust.  He stretched out his limbs when she rose to all fours, and started to stride away from him.  Her tail swished side to side before him, raising slightly to briefly flash him once more. Damn..I forgot how fond of me she was. He bounded after her without another thought, quickly closing the distance and taking postion beside her as they walked in tandem. ¡°Now what kind of risks were involved?¡±


    ¡°It can have a wild and varied effect on the enchanted. It is different each time that the spell is cast. Some are apparent on the spells completion, some are revealed later in life....Honestly it would be easier to just transform the boy into a dragon.¡±


    ¡°Could you do that?¡± he asked as they passed below a large archway of dark green vines. He thought to Jandar transformed into a blue scaled wrymling, laughing and playfully darting around his limbs. But what of your plans? The voice in his head whispered to him as he focused on the little blue wrymlings snout, and his white spikes.  What of the great tales spread by him in your name?


    ¡°In time perhaps..¡± She said with an emotionless tone. ¡°I don''t want to use the spell just on anyone. Only mortals that have proven themselves worthy should be turned into dragons. After all it takes just one dragon to make us all look bad, and have armies of dragon hunters sent at our gates.¡±


    ¡°So your saying that eventually you could turn him into a dragon.¡± He asked, watching her arch her head around with a smile.


    ¡°You are that fond of the boy? I thought he was a way for you to spread your word far across Drenedar and beyond?¡±


    ¡°There are multiple ways to do that.¡± He placed a hand to his chest, looking away as he heard her chuckle. ¡°When can we start the ritual?¡±


    ¡°After we retrieve a sample from you.¡± she brushed his chin with the top of her tail, letting out a lust filled growl pass through her maw. ¡°I will send word to my servants to collect the little ones.¡± She tapped a claw to her green scaled head. ¡°I believe they are currently playing some sort of game called catch the human.¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Really?¡± he laughed, imagining Jandar sprinting for joy from the two scrambling wrymlings. Who had their maws open in happyness, as their claws dug up the earth below their paws. He followed her back to her chambers from before. There she collected another sample from him with her skillful claws and few licks from her tongue. He had gasped, and trembled in her grip, causing her to chuckle at him. She proved that she was a master at her craft, and had him practically begging and singing her praises to let him loose himself. When he had shot his essense into the air, she waved a claw, causing the white sticky globs to hover in mid air, suspended by soft purple magic. He watched them slowly hover towards her as his maleness retreated once more into it''s fleshy resting place.


    The Emerald Lady eyed the numerous hoving white globs, and with a flick of her tail they exploded into an amber light that danced around their heads. ¡°Now...that''s complete.¡± she chuckled, letting go of his maleness with a smirk. She settled down onto her haunches with her tail curled around her, resting on her paws.  She unfurled her wings, and took a deep breath that rose her chest with a soft clink. She closed her eyes when her tail trembled, and thumped the ground softly.  She extended her green forelimbs, and spread her claws wide. Her room seemed to shift around them. The collection of furniture, treasure, and other various things spun around them in a blur of multicolor.


    Ramakox held his head as the twisting scene made him dizzy and stumble in place. He closed his eyes tightly, finding it helped with the dull throbing pain that now worked it''s way into his skull. He shook his head lightly,finding it odd that despite the swirling nature of the room, he felt no movement on his scales. He found that with his eyes shut, the throbbing in his head faded away with each passing breath. When he finally opened his eyes he found they were back in the cauldron room with Cordenth, Lyyreth, and Jandar smiling. It seemed that Lyyreth and Jandar were chasing Cordenth around the room with a  series of happy cries.


    ¡°Quick Jandar! Get him!¡± Lyyreth shouted as he and the human sprinted after the cackling Cordenth. The pair were closing the distance rather quickly, despite the wrymlings insistence to keep changing direction at the last second.


    ¡°You two will never-¡± the green dragon cried out in surprise as Jandar tackled him to the ground. He was about to squirm away from the struggling human, but Lyyreth pounced on the pinned dragon and helped the human hold down the wrymling.


    ¡°Gotcha!¡± Lyyreth shouted out with a smile.


    ¡°That''s right, we win!¡± Jandar smugly smiled down to the wrymling, who had wrinkled his nose.


    ¡°Jandar.¡± Ramakox spoke loudly to get the boys attention. It occurred to him that he sounded like a concerned parent then anything else. His words caused the three giggling younglings to cease their playfully activities. They unwound themselves from one another and stood back upright before the blue dragon.


    ¡°Yes?¡± the boy asked, the green wrymlings settling onto their haunches on either side of him.


    ¡°We have a way to make it so that you can use magic.¡± he smiled warmly at the boy, anticipation building in his own chest.


    ¡°Really?¡± Jandar shouted out, his voice cracking as a smile spread to his face.


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± he smirked, looking away from the jumping for joy human. Who had turned to the two young dragons.


    ¡°Didja hear that Cordenth..Lyyreth? I''m going to be a mage!¡±


    ¡°Yay!¡± Lyyreth nudged the human playfully, his tail wagging behind him. ¡°Now we can cast spells together!¡±


    ¡°Then maybe you will be good at hide and go seek.¡± Cordenth smirked, turning his snout away as he resettled his small wings onto his back.


    ¡°That was unfair!¡± Jandar crossed his arms, and gave the wrymling a wrinkled brow. ¡°You used invisibility! That was cheating!¡±


    ¡°No it was not!¡± Cordenth snapped his snout back to the human. ¡°I just did what comes natural! Not my fault you can''t!...Hey!¡± the dragon recoiled his snout as it was playfully smacked by Lyyreth. ¡°That''s it soft scales...Imma gonna-¡±


    ¡°Settle down little ones.¡± Emerald Lady bumped the two wrymlings with her larger snout, then gave them an affectionate lick across their snouts as the magic still danced around her claws. This seemed to work as the two green dragons broke apart from one another, with cute pleased rumbles.


    ¡°W-will it hurt? The spell I mean.¡± Jandar gulped,his eyes tracing the magical energy spinning around the dragoness'' claws.


    Ramakox looked up to Emerald Lady that towered over them all,her gaze shifting to his. They locked eyes for a brief moment, waiting for his answer. There will be risks. Her words snaked through his mind as he returned his own view to the patiently waiting boy. ¡°The spell won''t hurt at all.¡± he smiled, ¡°No risks what so ever.¡± he lied through his teeth. There was no need to worry the child after all. ¡°However...life itself is full of risks Jandar...How badly do you want to cast magic?¡± he watched the boy think it over for a moment, his foot tapping on the stone.


    ¡°I want it more then anything.¡± the child finally said with a large smile. Jandar turned to the towering dragoness and gave her a quick and polite bow. ¡°Can you preform the spell for me please?¡±


    Those were the words he was waiting to hear when he shifted his view to the Emerald Lady with a quick nod. ¡°You heard the boy, he wants it more then anything.¡±


    ¡°You are most polite Jandar.¡± she let a pleased croon pass through her maw as she lowered her head closer towards the mortal. ¡°I wish more mortals had your manners when dealing with me.¡± She offered him a genuine smile, before giving him a lick across his face just like the ones she had given her wrymlings. ¡°I will of course preform the spell that you want...and when I am done¡± she quickly brought her snout back to her full height as the magic spread from her claws and turned into a vortex of purple, speeding around the room. ¡°You will finally be able to cast magic...Well with practice anyway.¡± She fluttered her frills as she traced several white runes into the air that looked like jagged lines and dots.


    ¡°Ramakox.¡± she hissed softly in draconic. ¡°Think to the boy, focus on him, let nothing else appear in your mind...Let your very soul spread forth into the child.¡±


    Ramakox nodded and did as she asked. He closed his eyes and focused on the burning fire of magic within him. With his next breath he felt the warm sensation start to build within his chest. He held out one of his claws as he pictured the power flowing from that and into the boy. He opened his eyes when he felt the warm sensation start to do how he imagined it. There was a cerulean light of magic that flew from the dragon''s claws and swirled around the amazed human. It circled him again and again,the magical light taking on the appearance of a flying dragon as it neared his head.


    ¡°Wow..¡± Jandar gasped as he followed the blue light with his eyes, watching it dance and fly with grace around him. ¡°So...Warm!¡± he excalimed when in an instant, the blue light flew into his chest and enveloped the child in a soft cerulean glow.  The magic then rippled over the boy''s skin, causing it to sparkle for a moment or two. It then shot out his back to form the image of a large blue spectral dragon towering over him with it''s wings wide. ¡°I...can feel it!¡± the boy shouted out, his face practically a full smile. He closed his eyes and shivered when the dragon opened it''s maw and descended onto the boy, fully encasing him in blue magic for several seconds before exploding and shinging a brilliant blue light through the room.


    Ramakox shielded his eyes with a claw. Clenching his eyes shut from the near blinding light that had filled his vision. When he heard little gasps from the wrymlings he opened his eyes. Jandar was standing before them all, with a circle of blue runes at his feet in the shape of dragons. The boy was holding up his arm, with his hand cupped and holding a small orange-red flame within it. His eyes looked to Ramakox with pure joy.


    ¡°I CAN DO IT!¡± he shouted, turning his head towards the Emerald Lady. ¡°I CAN DO IT!¡±


    ¡°That you can.¡± the dragoness said softly, returning to her fours and strutting around the gathering of dragons and mortal. ¡°You have been given a great gift this day Jandar.¡± she lowered her snout and licked him once again. ¡°Don''t squander it little one.¡±


    ¡°I won''t Emerald Lady.¡± he hugged her snout, causing the dragoness to flutter her frills in surprise. ¡°Thank you SO much.¡±


    Ramakox watched the conflicted look in her purple eyes when she looked to the boy and then to him. She closed her eyes for a moment and gave a long drawn out sigh. ¡°You are most welcome Jandar, you will do great things.¡± She gently shook the boy off as she rose her head to stare at Ramakox. ¡°The deed has been done. You may stay the rest of the week if you wish to help practice the boys growing magic.¡±


    Ramakox nodded as he saw the wrymlings start to play with Jandar again, nudging and brushing against him. ¡°I think we will take you up on that offer.¡± he bowered his head respectfully. ¡°You have my dearest thanks.¡±


    ¡°Don''t thank me yet.¡± she said gesturing to the hallways. ¡°We will setup accomidations...The boy can...¡±


    ¡°Can he slumber with us mother!¡± Cordenth suddenly said as he turned with a smile.


    ¡°Oh yes can he?¡± Lyyreth  added, ¡°It will be like we have another brother!¡±


    Emerald Lady gave her wrymlings an amused smile, clearly their cute eyes guiding her decision. ¡°Yes..You and the boy can stay in our chambers for the week.¡± she nudged the pleased wrymlings. ¡°How does that sound?¡±


    ¡°Fantastic!¡± Jandar exclaimed, clapping his hands together. Ramakox could see once again he was having trouble containing his excitement.


    The dragon smiled as he watched the human hug the two little green wrymlings, who seemed to  be just as excited as Jandar.  The blue dragon looked to the Emerald Lady, catching her eyes once again, and causing a tremor of guilt to spread into his hide.  He knew he had lied to the child about the danger, but look how it turned out. No matter the somewhat selfish decision of his, the boy had appeard better off for it. He will be able to use magic now.....Become an adventurer...spread my name far and wide.. He laughed as the young-lings started to tag one another again, bounding down the hallway with sounds of happiness.  He will thank me the rest of his life for this moment. The blue dragon gave a pleased snort as Emerald Lady brushed his snout with her tail once again.


    ¡°Care to go for a flight within my forest?¡± she asked licking his snout. ¡°There are plenty of things you did not see or experience on your last visit.¡±


    ¡°I would be glad to see anything that you are willing to share my flower lilly.¡± he nuzzled her snout with a pleased rumble, and followed the dragoness out of her palace into the vast domain she called her own.

 Chapter 7

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 7</u>


    <u> </u>


    Jandar did exceedingly well that week they spent within the forest of despair. It appeared the long days that Ramakox had spent teaching the boy techniques and movements had paid off to no end. For each spell that they tried at the boy he was quickly able to preform it in some fashion, even if just a small version of it. To the dragon''s delight, by the end of their week stay, the mortal had several cantrip spells memorized and under his belt.  It appeared that with the dragon blood infused within him, the boy was a natural when it came to spellcasting.


    The human had been all smiles the entire week that they had been there. He had spent most of his time with Cordenth and Lyyreth, the trio practically being inseparable. When they were not practicing spells, eating, or playing, the group was sleeping together just like wrymlings usually did. Each night that Ramakox had settled down to slumber with the Emerald Lady, he had looked to the pile of mortal and dragons, and found he saw three wrymlings at times. It was like Cordenth had said, it was like they had found themselves another brother.


    When the week was up it was with a heavy heart that he had to leave. Despite all the passionate nights and matings he shared with the Emerald Lady, he was told to leave. He had grumbled about it, thinking she had used him just to satisfy the nitch in her loins, until the last day she came to him. She lad licked him across his snout tenderly, before planting a kiss on his maw. She had explained that he was a very big distraction to her work, if but a very pleasurable one. She had laughed and said she could not spend the rest of her days mating.


    The boy had been quiet on the last day of their stay, it was like a rain cloud was following the child around and ruining all his good cheer from the last six days. However his sadness was soon shattered when the two green wrymlings had nuzzled and hugged him goodbye. Saying that it wasn''t forever after all, and that they would always be friends. To Ramakox''s surprise the Emerald Lady told him that he could return whenever he wished, as long as it was several months down the road. She had laughed with amusement in her eyes as her tail flicked adding ¡°even if it is unannounced.¡±


    So Ramakox had taken flight with his mortal held tightly in his paws, and pulled against his chest. He had arched his head back towards the vast forest that he was getting further away from with each beating of his wings, and felt the urge to return and never leave. He shook the thought from his mind, setting his sights back on Drenedar and his plan to be more well known. Who said he couldn''t do that and go visit the Emerald Lady from time to time? After all, Jandar had made friends, and it would be a real shame if he never saw the pair of wrymlings again. It would be good for all three of them. He looked down after several minutes of flying to check on Jandar, who he swore was peaking from his chest to look out to the countryside below.


    *


    The next four years passed in a blur for the blue dragon. The weekly visits from Jandar had slowly shifted from two a week, to three, to four, and then eventually it transitioned into every single day. Ramakox found himself caring less and less about the constant companionship within his cave. He found himself actually looking forward to the boy''s arrivals, despite having less and less tribute. The dragon eventually told him he did not need to bring tribute each time he visited, and that once a week was acceptable, for he was his investment after all.


    The cave he had once organized was now shifted again to better accommodate the pair on colder days when the freezing wind would bite at scales and skin alike. He even had a human sized bed placed in his cave close to his own, in case the boy did not want to return to the village that evening. When he did want to return, Ramakox would fly him down right into the village, for no longer did he drop him off at the village edge and wish him well. He instead would circle the place and settle Jandar down in the middle of the street in front of everyone.


    With the frequent trips to the village of east cliff came the familiarity that the dragon had been looking for. When once he had visited they had forgotten his name or thought he was dead. Now they would offer him praises as he strolled through their houses. They would compliment his scales, offer him gifts, or sing his many other praises. Each one would send a pleasurable rumble through his scales, that made him glad that he had taken the child in oh so long ago. His thoughts would wander with all these praises, and focus on the years ahead. The years where it would not be a single village that was praising his name, but the entire countryside that would once again remember The Swirling Storm.


    He did not just walk through the streets to get his praises like some dragons might have done. He always found some way to help them over the years with his magic. To providing summoned food through the times of hardship, collecting them water, to showing their hunters the best grounds to hunt. He soon found that they would even decorate the village with banners that bore his likeness, and found himself invited to their holiday celebrations, to which he always attended with good cheer.


    His days would usually be filled with hunting, flying, and then he would either have Jandar arrive, or he would fetch the boy from the pleased town. The child had grown from a well mannered boy into a lithe teenager, with his hair grown out and placed into a ¡°Wolves tail¡± the lad called it. Jandar had nearly sprouted from the ground, gaining at least two feet in height since the dragon first laid eyes on him. The human would now wear a tunic of earth brown that had stitching of coal. His waist would have a worn leather belt clad in pockets filled with trinkets or reagents for spells. He would wear a sash around his waist of a dark blue that matched the dragon''s own scales. From his waist he had dark black pants, with grey stitching on the side, and boots of the same color.


    Ramakox would then start their training by listing off one of the numerous stories he knew of magical beings, dragons or otherwise. They would go through techniques, movements, the feeling inside that you needed to harness. Luckily for him the boy had kept the affinity that he had displayed in the forest of despair that one week. So each time that Ramakox offered him a spell, the teen would learn it rather quickly to his rumbling approval. They of course made time to visit the forest of despair at least twice during the year for a week. This would be filled with smiles, good cheer, and pleasurable nights for Ramakox as he reunited with the Emerald Beauty.


    *


    Today was a one of many that Ramakox was spending with the teen of his interest. He had brought Jandar out to one of the fields surrounding his home, that was lit up by the bright spring sun. the vibrant green grass dotting the landscape only to be joined with bright crimsons and golds. The blue dragon was currently circling the boy, taking in the wafting scents of the flowers below him. His wings were spread wide into a glide, eyes focusing on the mortals current stance. Jandar''s feet were wide and his arms were extended outwards, just like he had been told to do. Good. He thought as he flapped his wings until he re-entered his glide. For today they were practicing a new spell that would prove useful to the teen in the coming years ahead. It was a more difficult spell then Jandar had attempted before, and a rather dangerous one at that to be practicing. For if he failed to get the right combination of heart,  and technique, he would end up injured. The spell was called spellcounter, one used to negate a spell cast at you or around you.


    Jandar turned his head around to trace the dragon that continued to circle him. His face was one filled with determination mixed with anticipation. His arms twitched for a moment when the spring breeze battered against him and made his clothing flutter. ¡°Are you going to cast spells Storm? Or are you going to circle round and round like you''re on the hunt?¡± He laughed into the air, his hands following the blue dragon''s movements.


    ¡°I am hunting Jandar!¡± he shouted out, ¡°For the perfect moment to strike!¡± he flicked his tail, while forming a figure eight pattern with his talon. He imagined a small bolt of lightning flying forth from his talons to the smug looking teenager below him. He made sure that he reserved his spell so that  it would not greatly hurt the boy,and only give him a shock if he failed to block it. Sure enough, from his claws came a brilliant white bolt of electricity that arced through the air towards the teenager.


    ¡°Finally!¡± the mortal exclaimed, catching the bolt with his left outstretched hand, while at the same time forming circle with his right one and moving it to his side. He seemed to say something from his lips moments before the spell exploded into a plume of black smoke. Jandar was send back into the grass softly, waving and coughing from the smoke. ¡°Damnt!¡± Jandar swore, standing up to brush himself off from loose grass.


    The dragon raised an eyebrow at the fact the human had not shown any hint of pain from the spell. Not a single cry  had flown from his mouth as the spell had failed. ¡°You did not preform the movement right!¡± he shouted out, pushing the weird oddity from his mind. He figured the boy simply had a higher pain tolerance than he had thought.


    ¡°I can see that!¡± the teen shouted back with an annoyed voice. He wiped his brow before once more entering the stance he had been in. ¡°Do it again! I can do it!¡± his eyes narrowed as he followed the dragon''s circling.


    Ramakox had to lend it to the boy. He was true to his word over the years, and always gave it his all when it came to the magical gift he had been given. It was like he was trying to live up to the Emerald Lady, and not let her down. ¡°Very well!¡± Ramakox shouted, his words turning into a soft chuckle as he spread his wings wide and glided around the human once more. He closed his eyes and basked in the warm sun shining bright on his scales,and taking in the pleasant air that was circling his snout. He laughed to himself as he was going to make the human to wait again before he cast another spell at him. He did this for several minutes, breaking up his glide with wing beats to stay aloft in the air. When he did open his eyes he found that Jandar had been following him the entire time, but he was starting to fidget in place. The human it seemed was letting his impatience get the better of him. But will it be enough to throw off his spell?Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°What''s the matter boy? Can''t wait for a dragon to cast their spell?¡±


    ¡°I figured you were trying to remember them in your horned head. Your age is when dragons go senile right?¡± Jandar laughed with a grin.


    ¡°Oh you think that is funny do you?¡± he grumbled as he flew overhead, eyeing the laughing human. ¡°Your enemies will not play into your time tables young one, why should I do the same?¡± He angled his wings and dove towards the human with his claws outstretched, like he was hunting and Jandar was his prey. He flapped his wings at the last seconds and avoided the boy, but not before sending a buffet of wind to batter against him.


    ¡°Hey! You''re deliberately teasing me!¡± the human shouted as Ramakox flew away.


    ¡°Nonsense! It is simply part of my teaching method! You have..¡± Ramakox angled his wings and turned once more towards the human. ¡°To expect the unexpected!¡± He roared out with a great smile as he did the same maneuver again, this time passing a few feet over the laughing human''s head. ¡°It''s to get your guard down little Jandar!¡± Ramakox did the same spell as before, sending a smaller bolt of lightning towards the surprised mortal.


    Jandar''s eyes widened in surprise and held up his hand to block the incoming spell like he had done, but it had the same result as last time.  Either from his failure to preform the right gesture,or the fact he had been surprised by the dragon''s casting of the spell at that moment. He was once again lifted off the ground and tossed back to the grass with a small explosion. He tumbled several times in the green field, eventually coming to a stop and spitting out some grass. ¡°Arggg...What am I doing wrong?¡± the teen shouted, raising back to his feet and ripping off his tattered sleeve.


    Ramakox''s eyes focused on the ruined clothing. He knew how much mortals valued the things they wore on their naked bodies. He would have to remember to fix the boys garments with a spell, he had not meant to ruin them after all. ¡°Feel the magic in your bones!¡± Ramakox flapped his wings, quickly entering a joyous spin mid air.


    ¡°I''m trying! It''s harder then it looks Storm!¡± The teen re-entered his stance, and almost instantly after Ramakox loosed another bolt of electricity, This time when the teen grabbed the lightning, something different happened. Instead of an explosion rocking his frame and sending him flying back, the electricity flowed down his body with little white sparks, circling around his right hand, and then getting loosed to the ground uselessly.


    ¡°You got it!¡± Ramakox roared out in joy. He could feel pride swelling in his chest for the human''s success.  ¡°See? I knew you could do it!¡± he rumbled as he passed by the mortal,who was busy giving himself little arm pumps of success. ¡°Although these were just cantrips! The basic spells I have been tossing your way!¡± He circled back towards the mortal and entered a hover with his wings pounding against the air to keep him in place. ¡°If I were to try more powerful spells, you will find that the spell is much harder to preform.¡±


    ¡°Such as what?¡± Jandar smiled, crossing his arms and giving Ramakox a smug look.


    ¡°Like lightning bolt, fireballs, and charms! Things like those can be harder to stop then the electric cantrip I have been using.¡±


    ¡°Okay..Then how about you try a lightning bolt on me.¡± Jandar laughed, his eyes focusing on the dragon. ¡°I now know what I am doing, I think I can handle one lightning bolt.¡±


    Ramakox snorted, amused by the mortal''s confidence, but annoyed by his arrogance. ¡°You should not rush this Jandar! You could get hurt.¡±


    ¡°Oh stop coddling me Storm.¡± the boy waved dismissively to him. ¡°Loose a lightning bolt to me!¡± Jandar thrust a finger towards him. ¡°Unless you think I am weak and unable to do it! I thought you wanted me to be a great adventuring mage?¡±


    ¡°I don''t think you''re weak boy. I however know you are inexperience in such things.¡± he hissed, starting to preform the movements for the stronger spell. He pictured the lighting bolt he would be throwing at the mortal below. He closed his eyes and willed the spell to be lesser than it was supposed to be. If he was going to be throwing a lightning bolt at the smug human he was not going to try and kill him. Instead he would make the spell just strong enough so that if he failed to stop it the spell would injure him , but not badly.  Nothing a healer won''t be able to fix with a quick spell or two...Sometimes the best lesson is to fall. ¡°You asked for it!¡± he roared out, telegraphing his spell so that he would not catch the human by surprise.


    ¡°Bring it on!¡±


    Ramakox let loose a larger brilliant white light from his claw. The bright light sparking towards Jandar in an instant, to which the human caught it with his outstretched hand. Ramakox watched with interest as the human seemed to be struggling to redirect the magic into his right hand. One moment everything looked like it should, he had the right stance, his eyes were filled with confidence, but it all collapsed in the next moment. The spell exploded out from Jandar, sending sparks of electricity flowing in all directions. It seemed the spell had been more powerful than the dragon had intended.


    ¡°Jandar!¡± the dragon roared out in concern as he flapped his wings and brought himself down towards the earth and his no doubt wounded mortal. He felt guilt wedge it''s way into his chest as he bounded across the grass. You just had to listen to him and throw the spell..what if he is hurt? Ramakox pushed the thought from his mind, spreading his wings wide and using a quick flap to clear the area of any smoke that would impede his vision. His eyes widened, and curiosity rose up into his mind what he saw. Jandar was picking himself off the ground with a smile, seemingly unhurt from the spell that had struck him.


    ¡°See? Totally fine¡± the human chuckled, as sparks continued to linger and dance along his skin.


    ¡°H-how did you do that.¡± Ramakox growled. ¡°You should have been wincing, yelling, anything to announce the sting I put into that spell. There is no way you have a pain tolerance so high you did not feel that.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps you did not preform the spell correctly?¡± the human laughed, raising an eyebrow.


    Of course he is going to act like this. Ramakox rolled his eyes as he advanced on the human. ¡°I certainly did it correctly.¡± he growled, irritation growing in his voice. ¡°Did you take a potion before our training? I also noticed you did not feel pain when you failed to stop the cantrips as well.¡±


    ¡°Me? Drink an electricity immunity potion?¡± Jandar gasped, placing a hand quickly to his mouth out of jest. ¡°You would think I''d do that?¡±


    ¡°I''m starting to think you did.¡± Ramakox snarled and snaked his snout closer. ¡° Sometimes pain is a good teacher, it makes you learn faster at times.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a piss poor teaching strategy.¡± Jandar crossed his arms, and this time something caught Ramakox''s eyes that made his own widen, and his jaw drop. For lining the boy''s arms were thin lines of dark blue scales.


    ¡°WHAT....are those?¡± he growled again.


    ¡°N-nothing!¡± Jandar quickly shifted his arms to behind his back as he took a quick step away from the advancing dragon.


    ¡°It was certainly NOT nothing...I saw dragon scales on your arms.¡± Ramakox  closed the distance between the two in a flash with his mighty limbs. He tried to maneuver his neck around the boy to get a better look, but Jandar kept moving and denying him.


    ¡°You must have been seeing things Storm. A human with dragon scales? I think you might have partaken too much of the half-ling pipe.¡±


    ¡°You know I do not smoke that stuff.¡± He lashed out with a claw and firmly grasped the boy tight enough so that he could not get away, although soft enough so that he was not injured in anyway.


    ¡°H-hey! Let me go!¡± Jandar squirmed, struggling to open the claw that held him bound. However it was no use, Ramakox held him firmly as the dragon snaked his head around to look at his arms.


    ¡°I need to see your arms. It could be the start of something Jandar....It could be the risks that the Emerald Lady spoke about..he felt the guilty voice whisper to him as the boy continued his struggling. ¡°You could be in danger.¡±


    The human looked away from him, anger apparent in his eyes as he ceased his struggling. ¡°What would be so bad about getting dragon scales anyway? They would make me tougher then normal, and even make me immune to electricity. Seems like a boon if I ever saw one.¡±


    ¡°Jandar...¡± Ramakox lowered his voice. ¡°Please...Do you have dragon scales?¡±


    The boy''s face softened as he sighed. ¡°Let me go....I''ll show you.¡±


    Ramakox did as the boy asked, flicking his tail against the grass as Jandar held out his arms, showing off the dark blue scales that lined them. He raised a talon and traced the thin line of smooth dragon scales, lowering his eyes and inspecting them clearly. They appeared to be part of his flesh, but in a way that they did not appear to be stitched on. ¡°And they are clearly attached?¡±


    ¡°Yes....They are apart of me..I tried to take one off when they first started appearing.¡±


    ¡°When did they start?¡± Ramakox rose his head towards the boy, who sighed.


    ¡°They started showing up about a year ago, but it was small. Like maybe one or so in different places, then they started to grow.¡± He gestured to his arms. ¡°Now they are like this.¡±


    ¡°You have more?¡± Ramakox''s eyes went up and down the human''s clothing clad body. ¡°Show me.¡±


    ¡°You want me to remove my clothing?¡±


    ¡°Yes..¡± the dragon rolled his eyes. ¡°Don''t be bashful now, you don''t have anything I have not seen before...and I need to know how far this boon has spread to you.¡± He tried to push the concern from his mind as the boy did as he asked and started to remove pieces of his clothing one at a time.


    ¡°There.¡± Jandar held out his arms wide after he tossed his shirt onto the pile of clothing on the grass. ¡°Is this better now?¡± he spun around slowly, showing off his naked body to the dragon.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Ramakox took hold of the teens soft skin, moving him around so that he could inspect every inch of his body. It was as Jandar had said, the scales had appeared in several spots all over his body. The boy had them on his knees, upper parts of his thighs, around his buttocks, and lining down his spine. It looked like he had little rivers of blue all along his body. ¡°There are a lot of them Jandar...do they hurt?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± the boy replied. ¡°I have no discomfort, nothing. You can stop your worrying...they are a boon Storm.¡±


    ¡°I am not so sure.¡± The dragon grumbled, turning away to look into the sky. ¡°You may get dressed again Jandar, I think I got the information that I wanted.¡±


    ¡°Well...I am sure they are a good thing.¡± the human smiled, slowly slipping back into his clothing. ¡°They even look like your scales! Makes me look like your son or something.¡±


    ¡°Say that again?¡± Ramakox spun around, his eyes gazing to the human who was slipping his tunic back on.


    ¡°The scales...they are blue...not any other color...They look like yours.¡± Jandar pointed to the scales with a finger. ¡°Storm...stop worrying about me...They are an additional blessing.¡±


    Ramakox lowered his snout and looked to the human in the eye. ¡°Someone has to worry for your safety Jandar, it might as well be me.¡±


    ¡°Is it because I am an investment like you said?¡± the human reached out and gently touched his nose, rubbing it softly.


    ¡°No little one.¡± he sighed, ¡°but that is certainly one of the reasons I wish to keep you safe.¡± he chuckled when the boy had just smiled. ¡°I have grown fond of your companionship over the years. I would not want that to stop. So if the scales progress further, I want you to tell me about it. Do you understand?¡±


    Jandar nodded. ¡°I can do that, how far do you think they will spread? Do you think I will be covered head to foot in scales one day?¡± his voice was filled slightly with excitement.


    ¡°Possibly, that is why I would like to know how far it progresses. Maybe they will stop here, and just be an after effect from the ritual.¡±


    ¡°You know I don''t mind having the scales.¡± Jandar laughed. ¡°I think they make me look rather dashing and mysterious..They also make me tougher...Perfect for an adventurer...Perhaps one day I will even turn into a dragon!¡±


    ¡°Jandar.¡± he said sternly, nosing the human with his snout.  As amusing as the thought of having a blue dragon running around with him, he could not shake the worry in his mind.¡°This is not a laughing matter.¡±


    ¡°I know Storm.¡± the boy patted his snout gently. ¡°But one can only dream right? Can we get back to practicing?¡±


    Ramakox nodded slowly, his eyes going back to the scales on the boy''s skin. He found himself thinking just like the boy, wondering how far those things would spread. Surely they are harmless? The boy even said he does not mind them, and they provided him with additional boons. Ramakox spread his wings and readied to pounce in the air with his tail flicking out behind him.


    ¡°So shall we work on the same spell or a different one?¡±


    ¡°Same one I think...You have yet to master it.¡± Ramakox flashed the human a toothy grin before bounding into the air seconds later. With the next pounding of his wings he spun back round to face the human once again. He found the worry melting from his mind when he saw the smile on the teens face. So what if he had scales to line his body? He smiled as he dove towards the boy with his wings stretched wide. It will only be a testament to others on how I helped the boy. They continued on with their training through the day, only stopping when the sun started to sink below the horizon and cast it''s warm red rays out into the sky.

 Chapter 8

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 8</u>


    Ramakox watched over the boy even more closely with the realization that he was growing dragon scales on his body. He would always do it discreetly as to not arouse the teens suspicion of him. To the dragon''s relief,  it quickly became apparent that the boy was not withholding anything else that might make the dragon worry. He made sure to keep Jandar training the entire time, through various exercises meant to test his endurance, mental fortitude, and magical prowess. To the dragon''s delight the mortal usually passed on the first try. Although the times he did fail, the human was quick to pick himself up, buckle down, and continue to work on it until he succeeded.


    The blue dragon watched in pride as the next two years passed with Jandar. The human, that he thought could grow no longer surprised him as he did so yet again. Jandar''s appearance did not change in the short amount of time, although he did manage to grow a thin beard and mustache. Despite the dragon telling him each time that the facial hair looked silly, the human never did once shave it. The boy would just laugh, smile and insist that he liked them, although Ramakox had a sneaking suspicion he only did it to irritate him.


    Jandar had moved from his grandmother''s nest, and instead stayed inside the cave with the dragon that proclaimed himself his teacher. It made the most sense after all, as the teen had spent nearly everyday heading to his lair to train. Despite the constant training, and companionship with the dragon, the teen still made sure to return home and visit his grandmother at least once a week.


    Ramakox would join him with his visit into town, and bask in all the questions, praises,and good cheer that the peoples of east cliff would provide him with.


    *


    Ramakox now was lying down inside the cavern of his home, drumming his talons against the stone floor, filling the air with little clacks each time they struck the dark grey surface. It amazed him to no end how much the boy had grown over the years under his care and guidance. It was hard to believe the now sleeping teen had once been a scared little boy that he had plucked from his caravan and silenced his tears.


    Hes practically your son now. His mind whispered to him as he watched the boy''s chest rise and fall with each breath he took. He settled his snout into his paws, his eyes drifting to the morning rays that just started to streak through the entrance to his lair, and bathing the stone in front of him in their bright golden light. Ramakox let out a yawn, stretching his jaw as wide as it could go as he blinked away the grogginess of sleep. He took a breath of the air, practically tasting the smoke from the candles they had lit last night for a ritual spell that Jandar was trying to cast. The boy had explained to him, that in theory the spell would allow them to communicate over vast distances. He had tilted his head to the side and asked the boy how he had come upon such inspiration, the curiosity nearly driving him mad as he had flicked his tail.


    Jandar had only laughed and gestured to the piles and piles of multicolored tombs that the dragon had collected over the years. He had explained that one of the books in that large collection had the spell he was preforming in it. He had chuckled about how his teacher did not know everything that resided in his lair.


    Ramakox felt his stomach rumble, feeling like wolves had begun to tear at his insides, like it was a fresh kill. He groaned softly at the reminder that he was still a growing dragon, and needed to eat just like everyone else. He was going to stand up, stretch his limbs and get ready for the hunt, but his eyes once again drifted to the still sleeping apprentice of his. Let the boy sleep. His mind said to him, causing the huge dragon to roll his eyes. He thought to how for the last few years or so he had been sharing his morning hunts with Jandar. He had started to like the boy''s companionship during such time, and even grew accustomed to how the young mage had cooked the meat with some various spells and applied some spices he usually brought. He wrinkled his snout as he realized that he liked the taste of cooked meat better than it being raw. He made a mental note to never share that little bit of information with other dragons, just on the off chance they had thought his scales had gone soft.


    The blue dragon slowly lifted his head when he heard a small yawn escape Jandar''s mouth. He casually glanced over to find the human sitting upright, with his limbs being stretched towards the ceiling as he continued to yawn. ¡°Have a good slumber?¡± the dragon spoke, his voice coarse like it typically was this early in the morning.


    ¡°Yes...No thanks to your snoring though.¡± Jandar placed his hands on the back of his head as he offered the dragon a warm, genuine smile.


    ¡°Me? Snore?'' Ramakox grumbled as his tail brushed aside a few coins with a soft jingle. ¡°You have not expressed your concern before, I do believe you are lying.¡±he smiled, gesturing to the human with a talon.


    ¡°You expert detective you.¡± Jandar stood up, giving out a loud imitation of a roar as he stretched the rest of his limbs in turn.


    Ramakox stifled in a laugh, as he had found the display rather adorable. ¡°Just because you have some scales on your body, does not make you a dragon.¡± he chuckled softly, arching his back and unfurling his wings wide enough to cover the human and nearly bump him on his head. ¡°Besides...That roar was too cute to be intimidating.¡± He snapped his gaze towards the human, who now was cackling with laughter. ¡°What is so funny O mortal brave enough to laugh at a dragon?¡±


    Jandar seemed unable to breath as he was clutching at his sides, face a bright crimson as he continued to cackle away. ¡°Y-You haven''t noticed have you?¡± the boy gasped in between his cackling laughter.


    ¡°Noticed what?¡± Ramakox tilted his head to the side and finally felt something snag one of his spines. What was that? Whatever it was, it felt soft, and roughly the same size of the red faced human before him. He reached up with a claw to grab at whatever it was, he made sure to do it gently, just in case whatever it was was fragile. Can''t be damaging my things after all. He tugged on the think lightly, finding that he could not dislodge it, as whatever it was held firm. What? He snarled, tugging again and stronger. He did not want to rip whatever it was, but it was getting increasingly harder to simply not rip the thing off.


    ¡°Need my help?¡± Jandar chuckled when Ramakox smashed his tail against his gold, scattering cups, coins, and gems every which way over the stone. The boy wiped away  his tears of laughter, crossing his arms and giving the dragon a coy smirk.


    ¡°No...I...Got it.¡± Ramakox struggled with the apparent piece of cloth, until with a satisfied snort he pulled it off and tossed it down onto the mounds of gold coins. He looked down to find that what had ensnared itself so well to his spines was a dress that seemed to be adorned with bright golden scales, that sparkled in the sun''s rays. It reminded him of a dress worn by a maiden in one such fairy tale that he had read about somewhere in his vast amount of books. ¡°What was the dress doing on my spines?¡± he said aloud, trying to figure out how it had happened. He usually did not keep garments and things with his coins, so they did not mix together. He snorted as the question swirled around his head, making him tap a talon against his chin several times as he sat in quiet contemplation. When he rose his head, his eyes widened, for Jandar was bolting from the cave like lightning.


    Oh good, hes getting ready for the morning hunt, just waiting on my slow scales to...He did it.             Ramakox rose up in a flash as the human had disappeared out of his sight. ¡°Think it''s funny to hang things from dragons?¡± he roared, a smile finding it''s way to his snout despite it being at his expense. ¡°Wait until I have you dressed up in this thing! The boys are going to be all over you, begging for dances and kisses! Won''t be that funny than will it?¡± His claws scraped against the stone as he burst out of his cave and came to a complete stop before the mortal.


    Jandar was standing proudly before the blue dragon, a smile on his face and his arms crossed. He looked proud of himself, gesturing out to the vast quilt of green below the dragon''s mountain with a wave of his arm. ¡°Ready for the morning hunt, Storm?¡± he asked calmly, as if the last few minutes had not happened at all.


    Ramakox rumbled a deep laugh in the back of his throat, sounding more like a growl. ¡°I will get you back for this you know.¡± he lowered his snout and gave the human a great tooth filled smile. ¡°Let''s see how you like it then, oh playful mortal of mine.¡±


    ¡°I wait with bated breath O great Swirling Storm.¡± the teen playfully touched the dragon''s nose with a laugh.


    The dragon shook his body, causing his scales to clink as he crouched close to the ground for the human. ¡°Hop on.¡± he gestured with his neck, eyeing the human with a grin. He watched the smug look that his mortal had been giving him melt away like a candle set to flame. Jandar''s eyes filled with worry as they traced along the membranes of Ramakox''s great wings.


    ¡°Are...Y-you sure?¡± the boy stammered.


    ¡°You can do it.¡± he said softly, his voice filling with concern as he brought his face close to the human''s own. They had been working on his fear of heights over the years now, and Ramakox figured that they were almost there. One last plunge to cure the human of it. ¡°I have watched you grow so strong over the past few years. From the crying child that could not bear to tear his sight away from my scales, to one that watches as we fly high in the sky. Please...Let this be the final moment when you cast off the shackles of your fear, and truly join me in the sky.¡± He gestured to his back one more time, giving the human a reassuring smile. He could feel the anticipation building with each moment that the mortal contemplated getting on his back. He tried to not release too loud of a trill when the human climbed up his scales, and swung a leg around his neck.


    ¡°Just...be careful.¡± Jandar said, the apparent fear still in his voice as he latched onto the blue dragons neck tightly.


    ¡°You will be fine.¡± the dragon spread his wings wide as he gently stood up to his full height. ¡°Jandar..¡± he turned to eye the human who was breathing nervously against his scales. He brought his neck around to offer the human an affectionate lick across his face. ¡°I am proud of you this day.¡± the words came easily from his maw as he flicked his tail. He imagined this was what parents of wrymlings felt when their little scaled offspring finally were able to glide on their wings beside them. Of course Jandar had no wings, so this would have to do.


    ¡°T-thanks Storm.¡± the human smiled, not releasing his hold. However his breaths began to calm down as Ramakox returned his head to gaze out to the bright countryside below.


    The blue dragon gave his wings a mighty test flap, scattering any loose dirt on the ground . He waggled his haunches and flicked his tail as he was about to leap into the air, the feelings joy already starting to settle into his bones. He prepared himself to pounce with a flap of his wings, but held himself back with his next breath. ¡°Are you ready?¡±he asked calmly to the human.


    ¡°Mmhmm.¡± the human nodded.


    ¡°Then hold on tight!¡± he replied after a pleased rumble escaped his throat. He bounded into the air with a mighty leap and pounding his great wings on the air. With each passing moment they traded the dull earth for the majesty that was the soft blue sky above. He continued to carry them into the air with the human clutching onto his neck for dear life. He only brought them a fraction of the altitude that he usually flew. The inner voice of his head reminding him that his companion was not as fond of flying as he was. He instead spread his wings and let the current carry them gently over the treetops around their home.


    Ramakox basked in the warm rays of the sun that shone brightly on his blue scales, his eyes started to scan the forest for his potential meal. ¡°So..How is it?¡± he asked after several quiet minutes of gliding.


    ¡°I...It''s better than I would have thought.¡± the boy stammered, his eyes clearly open and looking  passed the dragon''s scales to the vast green quilt that was quickly passing below the dragon''s wings. ¡°S-so whats on the menu for breakfast?¡± Jandar asked, obviously trying to take his mind off the ground that must have seemed miles away to him.


    Ramakox made sure to keep his flight steady, and help the human maintain his calm attitude about the flight. He felt a warm feeling in his heart at the boys bravery, that radiated out to his limbs and made him feel all fuzzy. His eyes found a collection of deer that were gathered in one of the many clearings in the forest. ¡°I was thinking that deer would make a fine meal this morning.¡± he wiped his snout with a single pass of his pink tongue, already tasting his future meal. ¡°Did you bring the pepper?¡±


    ¡°You would think that I would forget that the great and mighty Swirling Storm likes his morning meals cooked and dashed with pepper?¡±


    ¡°Shh..Don''t go blabbing it so loudly.¡± the dragon grumbled, quickly approaching the collection of unaware creatures. He angled his wings carefully so that he could circle around a tree that jutted out from the tree line. His eyes went to a stag that stood above the rest of it''s kin, well muscled and looked to have a good amount of meat on it''s bones.  Ramakox readied his claws as he started to descend towards the unaware beast.


    ¡°Why not? Are you ashamed to eat in such a way?¡±


    Ramakox breathed deeply, his next breath filled with anticipation as he neared the stag. ¡°Not..per say..but it is a tad embarrassing to prefer to eat it as such...It...Seems less dragon like.¡±


    ¡°Well...I don''t think of you any less Storm. Enjoy your food how you like it.¡±


    ¡°See...thats why I tolerate your presence.¡± he playfully rumbled as he slashed out at the stag with his razor sharp talons. The creature tried to bolt away from his attack but it was no use, the dragon was simply too quick. His talons ripped into the creatures hide, easily gliding through and painting the ground below it a bright shade of crimson.


    ¡°You got him!¡± Jandar cheered out as the dragon settled down onto the forest floor with a quick back-wing to cushion his descent.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Ramakox made his way over to where his prey had fallen over. Blood was soaked into the stag''s fur as it struggled and gasped for breath. He ignored the rest of the herd as they fled from him in terror. He swiftly brought his snout down to the thing''s neck, and with a quick clamping of his jaws he ended the stag''s life. There was no reason for it to suffer in pain after all. ¡°You act as though this was a big deal, and we don''t do it every morning.¡± he grumbled before picking the stag up with his jaws and dragging him away. He set the thing down underneath a tree, settling softly down onto all his paws as the mortal began to construct a fire pit of stones and wood. Ramakox took one of his talons and quickly cleaned the creature''s body, slicing away sections he did not enjoy, or thing''s that Jandar would have a hard time eating. Each part he set down onto a tan blanket that the boy had placed down for him, although after a few placements of organs onto the thing it was covered in red gore.


    ¡°So what spells do you have in mind for today?¡± Jandar asked after several minutes, smiling as red-orange flame sprung forth to engulf the twigs he had gathered.


    Ramakox speared one of the creatures organs,  bringing it slowly towards the fire to cook it. He let the human spear it on a stick instead and place it above the fire to be roasted. He thought to the myriad of spells that he had taught the boy over the years, from the spell counter, to lightning bolt, to firebolt, invisibility, and others. With a low grumble he flicked his tail against the ground and thought to a family of dragons that had flown close to his territory almost two years back. They had been a mated pair, and taken a cave just on the outskirts of the area he had declared as his territory. There was a red dragon by the name of Munaranax, who was rather full of himself at times, but had a good sense of humor. He acted stern most of the time however, but when he ever talked about his wrymling he was always excited and beside himself. Than there was his mate, a female black dragon by the name of Asdreea. She was always the most cheerful of the two, optimistic, and always would come back to her cave with something cute and fluffy to keep as a pet.


    ¡°I was thinking of seeing Munaranax and his mate Asdreea.¡± he rumbled, spearing another of the stag''s organs and letting Jandar do the exact same thing that he had done to the first.


    ¡°Finally I get to meet them.¡± Jandar crossed his arms. ¡°You have never taken me to see them. Despite me living with you now.¡±


    Ramakox wrinkled his snout. That part was true, and he felt a tad guilty about it. He kneaded the ground uncomfortably as the teen continued to stare at him in silence. ¡°Okay...I already feel bad about it.¡± he looked away as the human grinned. ¡°That''s why I am bringing you to meet them...besides they also had a wrymling that I thought you would want to meet.¡±


    ¡°Another  dragon!¡± Jandar clasped his hands together in excitement. ¡°It''s like you want all my friends to be dragons.¡±


    ¡°Would that be so bad?¡± Ramakox smirked.


    ¡°Well..what is the dragon''s name?¡±


    ¡°I..¡± Ramakox shut his snout as he realized he did not know the little dragon''s name. ¡°That will be something we have to find out.¡± he smiled. ¡°Think of it as a conversation starter.¡±


    ¡°Wonderful.¡± Jandar laughed, pulling back the meat after it was browned and appeared to be well cooked. ¡°Here you are.¡± he pulled out a little black vial and dashed some black pepper onto the meat. ¡°Just how you like it Storm.¡±


    ¡°Why thank you Jandar. Who knew you were ever the talented cook?¡±


    ¡°What can I say, just many of the talents you have taught me. Who knew you were trying to turn me into your personal cook instead of a brave adventurer to spread your good word?¡±


    The dragon took hold of the cooked meat and quickly popped into his mouth, savoring the delightful taste hinted with the right amount of spice. ¡°Lets not suddenly change focus.¡± he rumbled, finishing off the meat with a gulp. He continued on with the pattern of skewering the meat and letting Jandar cook it. He and the lad would trade off on what pieces of the stag they would eat, he even separated some choice meats and gave them to the teen. Just like a father or mother would do for their wrymling. He finished off the last of the meal with a series of slurps across his snout. ¡°There..That hits the spot.¡± he rumbled, feeling the hunger fade away. ¡°And...A good cook you may be, but it would be ill planned of me to hog you all to myself.¡±


    ¡°Your all heart at times Storm.¡± the teen chuckled. ¡°Would you mind?¡± he gestured to the flames, ¡°Can''t just leave this here after all.¡±


    The boy was right of course, many different things could happen, with burning down the forest being just one of them. ¡°I of course can do that.¡± he twirled one of his talons, picturing water springing forth to put out the flames. He tried to not act too pleased when a small blackened cloud appeared above the fire and started raining liquid onto the flames until they were replaced by plumes of black smoke. He rose up, gazing out to the blue sky, dotted with white fluffy clouds that seemed to float lazily in the air.  He gave a pleased snort as he lowered himself and gestured to his back once more. ¡°Ready to go meet a wrymling?¡± He unfurled his wings wide when he felt the human once more settle himself onto his back.


    ¡°I am always in the mood to meet new dragons.¡± the human patted his scales softly before grabbing his neck tightly once more.


    ¡°Still not over the fear yet?¡± the dragon gave his wings a test flap, wiggling his tail once more over the grass.


    ¡°N-no.¡± the human smiled through his fear. ¡°Although...the flying was not that bad from before...I think I could get used to it.


    Ramakox gave him a pleased croon.


    ¡°After some more flying of course.¡± he laughed. ¡°You are quite happy today aren''t you.¡±


    ¡°It''s not everyday that your son gets to fly high into the sky with you.¡±


    ¡°Your what?¡± the human tilted his head to the side.


    ¡°Apprentice! M..My apprentice!¡± he quickly replied, hoping the human had not heard him. Would that have been that bad? His mind whispered, but he shook the thought away when he pounced into the air. His wings carried them quickly towards the directions of the other dragon''s cave, and when Jandar let go of his neck and let out a loud cry of joy, Ramakox thought he could not feel happier.


    *


    Ramakox carried them for hours aloft in the sky with the breeze brushing them gently along. He had his wings spread wide to glide most of the way there, like a leaf gently floating across the air. He gazed out to the large spans of vibrant greens, broken apart by patches of brown earth or cerulean rivers. The landscape eventually started to rise and fall instead of remaining flat like it had done, then from the ground seemed to come tors. The large stone slabs jutting out across the landscape like jagged dragon teeth. He took a deep breath into his lungs and felt his scales shiver at the delightful salty smell of the ocean. He had not been their recently but he had always loved that place. He delighted in the feeling of the waves flicking at his scales while the sounds of the tide nearly lulled him to sleep. If he ever had to move his lair to anywhere else, he had decided long ago that it would be off a coast somewhere overlooking the ocean.


    The dragon peaked back occasionally during the flight to keep an eye on the human, just to be sure that he was not pissing his pants in fear or anything. Although each time he did so, he was filled with the same warm feeling of pride that he had felt earlier in the day when the human had made the decision to join him in the sky, riding on his back. The human who had once been terrified of the sky was now sitting upright with a smile, and he thought several times he caught the human spreading his arms wide and pretending to have wings of his own. He returned his attention to the countryside below,the mountain where his dragon friends resided quickly coming into view. He could make out the darkened earth stone, that was covered in a vast forest of many different colors. He chuckled at the memory of him finding a blue tree in that forest. Assdreea had been one to point out the tree belonged to a dryad. Which was a kind of fae that lived inside of trees, and it was she that wanted the tree to be that color. The dragon had just shrugged it off at the time, and told his friend that the dryad had a good taste when it came to picking colors.


    ¡°How are you doing back there.¡± Ramakox asked as he angled his wings and started to lower himself and turn towards the mountain.


    ¡°Doing fine.¡± Jandar answered, running a hand along the dragon''s smooth scales. ¡°Just excited to meet the wrymling is all.¡±


    ¡°See I knew you would like it. You were born to befriend dragon''s Jandar.¡± he chuckled in the back of his throat as he could make out herds of various wood-land creatures darting their way through the forest.


    ¡°Only because the dragon that is my teacher insists on that being the case.¡± the human replied, shutting his mouth and growing silent after the next couple of minutes.


    Ramakox had to peak back towards him the next time he entered a glide, curiosity lingering in his mind. He saw that the human did not look afraid, but he was hanging his head and looking to the back of Ramakox''s scales very intently. ¡°What is the matter boy?'' he asked softly with a grin. ¡°Do my scales have a  blemish or something that needs cleaning? Or is it that you are simply awestruck by my scales? You would not be the first mortal to stand transfixed by my armor.¡± he held one of his paws to his chest.


    ¡°N-no..It''s not that.¡± the boy said. ¡°It''s just...I was just reminded of when I first got my powers..and I first met you.¡±


    Ramakox wrinkled his snout, remembering the unpleasantness of their meeting. The parents he had lost that day. ¡°What about them Jandar? They have been quite some time ago for you now.¡±


    ¡°Well its not just about them...next year I will be heading out there.¡± the boy gestured to the countryside with a wave of his hand. ¡°Out into the world....adventure...the beginning.¡±


    ¡°Yes...to have stories of your own! Tales to be sung about your kind and benevolent teacher! The great swirling storm!¡±


    ¡°Yea..¡± Jandar said almost in a whisper with a frown on his face.


    ¡°You do not look pleased to be spreading my name to the numerous amount of people that will be singing your praised Jandar.¡±


    ¡°Its...just...¡± The teen looked away into the vast sky, and Ramakox saw him sigh. ¡°I''m....going to miss you.¡±


    Oh...that was unexpected...¡±It''s only to be expected Jandar, we have certainly spent a lot of time together. We must have grown on the other, and it will certainly feel odd not having your around the cave to get caught under foot all the time.¡±


    ¡°Hey I never got caught under foot.¡± the teen chuckled, his frown slowly turning into a small smile.


    ¡°Jandar..You''re going to go out into the world and do great things. Wondrous things.¡± The dragon back-winged to slow their descent and landed a fair distance from the cave of his friends with a soft bump. He lowered himself close to the ground, and Jandar leaped off of his back to the ground. ¡°You are going to have grand adventures...Meet friends to share those time with...And make me proud.¡± he lowered his snout and gave the human another affectionate lick that had him laughing, and pushing away the dragon''s nose.


    ¡°Hey...You''re going to embarrass me in front of the other dragons. They are going to think you adopted me or something.¡±


    ¡°Adopt a human?¡± he laughed, backing his snout away. ¡°I have certainly heard crazier things in my time..For instance there was once this story about the dragon Tondrynth. He actually took a human male as his mate.¡± the dragon chuckled,¡± Can you believe the craziness about it?¡±


    ¡°The male bit?¡± Jandar asked, stretching his limbs out wide.


    ¡°No...the dragon bit is all.¡°Mortals are find to befriend and other things, but do that?¡±Ramakox wrinkled his snout and stuck out a tongue. ¡°Disgusting.¡±


    ¡°Well it''s a good thing I am not trying to win your affections that way then.¡± Jandar laughed. ¡°Or else I would be really discouraged!¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Ramakox snorted, and started to guide him towards the cave with his tail. ¡°Enough talk about taking mortals as mates and focus on making a good impression with the dragons and their wyrmling. I have told them good things about you, and there is only once for a first impression.¡± He looked up to the cave, a slight hint of worry starting to creep his way into his mind. Why should you be worried? The boy is very good at casting magic...Will be out in no time to spread my name...It''s because his performance reflects on you. His mind whispered to him, making him narrow his eyes and snort angrily at his thoughts.


    ¡°I will do fine Storm.¡± the boy playfully punched his scales. ¡°You trained me well, so you don''t have to worry your scales about it, you can stop your trembling as you walk.¡±


    I was trembling? ¡°I was certainly not trembling.¡± Ramakox looked away from the grinning boy as he flicked his tail. ¡°I was in contemplation on how to explain you bad manners to the dragons when you meet them. I was trying to think of what excuses to make for you.¡±


    ¡°You''re a worse liar than I am Storm.¡± The boy thrust a finger towards his nose. ¡°I saw the way you twitched when you walk, and you only do that when your nervous. You do the same thing whenever you are trying to hide your eyes from inspecting my scales.¡±


    ¡°How did you know I did that?¡± Ramakox snapped his snout down, stopping mid stride to glare at the human. ¡°I thought I was most careful in my insistence to remain discrete.¡±


    ¡°Discrete?¡± Pffffft.¡± the human waved dismissively at him. ¡°I have seen some cattle that were more discrete than you at peeking at me.¡± The teen held up his hands to mime a wall, and poked his head out from behind them. ¡°Kind of hard to miss your massive blue head peeking out every few hours to get a good look at me. If it were not for that comment you just made, and the fact I have known you for years...People might get the idea that you were checking me out.¡± Jandar laughed. ¡°To make me your mate as it were...Heck considering with the scales, it does not help the matter!¡±


    ¡°Speaking of the scales.¡± Ramakox tilted his head to the side. ¡°Have they spread any further?¡±


    ¡°Uh....Yes...but only a little...¡± Jandar''s face started to turn a light shade of red when Ramakox stopped to glare at him again with narrowed eyes.


    ¡°What did I say about telling me?¡±


    ¡°I...I was meaning to..¡± the teen rubbed the back of his neck, his sleeve falling slightly down to reveal the blue scales that had at least doubled since he last looked.


    ¡°Has their been anything else with your transformation?¡± Ramakox brought his snout closer, his  eyes practically touching the scales on the boys arm. What else will I be responsible for?


    ¡°I''m...sorry.¡± Jandar looked away. ¡°It..just slipped my mind is all.¡±


    ¡°How can something this important slip your mind?¡± Ramakox gently placed a talon underneath the human''s chin and softly maneuvered him to look at his snout.


    ¡°It..just did alright? Its especially harder to remember them when they are not doing anything to harm me. I rather like the scales.¡±


    ¡°Jandar..what if they spread to the rest of your body? What if you grow a tail from your backside? Your talons grow sharp? What if what you think is human is ripped away from you?¡± He let his words linger in the air, and he watched the human think it over for a moment or two, fidgeting as he did so.


    ¡°Storm...I don''t care what happens...I would be happy with me...¡± He smiled, and ran a hand along the dragon''s pebbly face. ¡°You can stop worrying about me.¡±


    ¡°I''m just worried you might draw the attraction for any anti-dragon dragon group that wanders the world.¡± The dragon flicked his tail, nuzzling the human softly. ¡°Then who would spread my good name?¡±


    ¡°I think I would have drawn attention anyway. Considering I will be telling all the people I meet and save, that they have the mighty blue dragon Swirling Storm to thank.¡±


    ¡°Much less attention then if you are sporting your own blue scales I think.¡± The dragon pulled his neck back into the shape of an S as his gaze shifted to the cave once again. He took a deep breath in the air, finding the air smelled like dragon, mixed with the smell of an autumn breeze. ¡°We should probably make ourselves known to them, they can probably smell us from here.¡±


    ¡°PEOPLE!¡± came a loud shout from the cave. Not even a second after the words had graced their ears did a small black wrymling come bounding out of the cave with it''s head held high. Ramakox could tell it was a female as he spied her longer spines lining her neck and spine as she came to a stop. He watched the curious wrymling stand there with her emerald eyes, her tail flicking behind her. ¡°Who are you?¡± Shouted the wrymling as she spread out her wings wide to appear bigger then she was, and puffed out her dark grey scale clad chest. Her wing membranes caught his eyes, for they were just like her mothers, and looked like the vast night sky on a clear night.


    ¡°I am Jandar!¡± the human yelled out, ¡°and this is the Swirling Storm!¡±


    ¡°Ramakox!¡± The wrymling shouted out when her eyes fell to the blue dragon. She quickly bounded over the grass quick as she could towards them with a smile on her little snout.


    Ramakox looked up to see the form of her parents casually striding out from the cave with big yawns. It looked like they had just gotten up, and had chosen to rest the morning away in their cave. ¡°Well hello there little one.¡± he lowered his snout to nose the black wrymling gently, causing her to roll over and laugh. ¡°It has been quite some time since we first met.¡±


    ¡°Over a year!¡± she exclaimed with a giggle, turning her snout towards Jandar, who had crouched low to look at her. ¡°Who is he.¡± she wrinkled her snout slightly, eyeing the human with suspicion.


    ¡°This is Jandar, as he explained little one. You can trust him just like he was my own wrymling. I figured he would like to come meet you and make another friend.¡± He watched as Jandar held out his hand, and the little wyrmling sniff at his hand before licking it softly.


    ¡°Hi¡± the human gave her a warm smile. ¡°I am Jandar.¡±


    ¡°I heard him silly.¡± She righted herself to all fours, and started to nuzzle the human like he was a good friend. ¡°My name is Infinity.¡±

 chapter 9

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 9</u>


    <u> </u>


    ¡°See? You just have to be patient.¡± Infinity whispered to Jandar as she crouched low in a hunting stance as her emerald eyes focused intently on a cat sized crab close to the river''s edge. The wrymling flicked her spiked tail from side to side as the tan shelled creatures just scuttled along the ground unaware of the dragoness readying herself to pounce.


    ¡°Be careful now you two.¡± Ramakox said as he watched the pair from a large smooth grey stone. His tail hung over the rock''s edge, flicking back and forth as he watched them ¡°Hunt¡± the crab near the waters edge. This had so far consisted with the dragoness trying to instruct Jandar on how to crouch through the grass, how to hide his non existent tail, and finally how to pounce at things. He had laughed each time that Infinity had insisted that the teen do it ¡°properly.¡±


    ¡°We will!¡± Infinity rolled her eyes as she let out a small groan. ¡°Somehow..considering you don''t have any teeth, or talons.¡± She looked up to Jandar with a flick of her tail and wrinkled snout.


    ¡°I got this stick.¡± the human offered her a smile as he held out makeshift spear he had made out of sharpened wood. Ramakox had watched the boy try to convince the hatchling that he could use magic to aid in his hunt, but she had hissed at him and declared it cheating. Thus she had made him make the spear on account of his lack of talons or teeth.


    ¡°Don''t remind me.¡± Infinity snorted, returning her attention to the crab who had still not noticed their presence. Or possibly it had, and did not consider them anything of note.


    Ramakox settled his snout into his paws as his eyes drifted from the crab and quickly back to the pair that were staring it, still as stone statues that lined the Emerald Ladies forest. He grumbled to himself how thrilled Infinity''s parents had been when he had offered to watch the little wrymling and give them some much needed time to themselves. He felt a smile tug at his snout as he pictured in his mind that the lovely dragon mates were no doubt enjoying one another''s bodies this very instant.


    ¡°Okay?...Ready?¡± Infinity asked, briefly looking Jandar as she waggled her haunches from side to side. She let out a pleased croon when the human nodded, and she bolted from their hiding spot towards the crab. ¡°Watch and see how it''s done Jandar!¡± she cried out in glee as her claws carried her swiftly towards the crustacean. Her front claw caught a slipper smooth rock and she nearly toppled over into the rock covered earth, but luckily she kept her footing.


    Ramakox flicked his tail as he watched the wrymling and human close the distance to the crab. It looked like the Infinity did not need the human at all, and was simply going off on her own now. The way she was moving around the thing, it seemed like it was going to be an easy hunt for the black scaled dragon. That was until the crustacean suddenly turned around and eyed her with suspicion. The dragon felt a small sense of worry work it''s way up his chest. He had no idea what her skill level was at in hunting. For all he knew this crab could have been a hard thing for her to fight. With his next breath he tried to calm himself by taking it in through his nose slowly. After all, he had bit off more than he could chew several times when he was her age.


    The blue dragon went to rise to all fours, tensing his muscles and readying himself to bound after the wrymling, just in case things did not look good. He watched as Infinity dodged the thing''s pincers with a sly smile.


    ¡°See Jandar?¡± she snarled, raising a paw and smashing it down onto the crab''s shell, with all the strength she could muster. ¡°You gotsta boop them on the shell first....Then..¡± Infinity slipped through the snapping claws once more to flip the thing over with her talons. The crustacean was quickly on it''s back, pincers flailing away uselessly on the ground. The dragoness let out a little cute roar of victory, one no doubt that the little one thought was intimidating. She then proceeded to sink her razor sharp teeth into the thing''s softer underbelly, and rip off it''s arms limb by limb.


    ¡°See?¡± she smiled, ripping a chunk out of the crab and happily gobbling it down with a gulp.¡± She thumped her tail on the ground, releasing a pleased croon from her throat.


    ¡°Oh, I can certainly see that.¡± Jandar laughed, ¡°and the sounds you are making. ¡°You''re the best hunter that I have ever laid my eyes upon.¡±


    ¡°Mmmhmm.¡±the wrymling nodded, closing her eyes and swelling out her chest in pride. ¡°That is also what father says...He says I am the bestest hunter he has ever seen.¡±


    ¡°That so?...Did ya hear that storm?¡± the human turned his face to offer the dragon a playful grin. ¡°The bestest hunter ever!¡±


    ¡°Don''t go filling the girls head with such lies.¡± the blue dragon snorted, ¡°Although you are by far the best wrymling that I have seen hunt those crabs.¡± he quickly added when Infinity had appeared to be hurt by his words, and glared at him with narrowed eyes.


    ¡°Yay! Ramakox thinks I''m the best.¡± she smiled, smacking Jandar accidentally with her tail as she continued to make pleased rumbles in the air. ¡°So Jandar...did you learn to be a better hunter now?¡±


    ¡°I can use magic Infinity.¡± the boy chuckled. ¡°It is far easier to use magic then to rely on...¡± The teen gestured to the sharpened stick. ¡°Spear.¡± His chuckled turned into soft laughter as he held out a hand and began to pet along the dragoness'' snout.


    ¡°Well I suppose dats better then having to rely on those terrible claws.¡± she wrinkled her nose when his hands brushed against her leathery nose.


    ¡°Hands...they are called hands.¡±the human laughed.


    ¡°Nu-uh.¡± Infinity stuck her tongue out at him, flicking her tail defiantly on the floor. ¡°They is called claws.¡± Infinity licked him suddenly across his hand playfully, she then went to scamper away. She came to a stop though when something caught her eye and made her snap at the air. Infinity settled onto her haunches as she glared up to the flapping crimson wing''s of a bird that was darting above her head. She flicked her tail behind her as she followed the small creature with her snout.


    Ramakox rumbled a deep laugh in the back of his throat as the wrymling tensed her muscles, and wiggled her tail. Then as the bird decided to fly back over, the wrymling pounced up into the air with a mighty leap, and missed the bird right between her claws. She smacked the earth hard with one of those claws as she narrowed her eyes and glared at the bird. He heard her grumble underneath her breath as she stared at the ruby colored bird.


    ¡°Okay Jandar...use your magic to help me catch the bird.¡± she pointed to the bird that had landed on a branch not that far away. It was like the bird thought it was not in any danger, and was playing with the black wyrmling.


    ¡°What''s the matter?¡± Jandar chuckled, crouching low beside Infinity. ¡°Can''t catch it?¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°No..¡± She groaned. ¡°It''s too good at flying.¡± Infinity unfurled one of her wings to look at the beautiful membranes. ¡°I''m...new at it.¡±


    ¡°Hey don''t feel bad.¡± Jandar thrust his thumb to his chest. ¡°Me too!¡±


    ¡°How did you survive getting dropped from the sky?¡± Infinity tilted her head to the side, and then immediately bound to the human and started nosing him with her snout. ¡°Do you has wings somewheres? Show me! Show me!¡±


    ¡°I flew on Storm here.¡± he laughed, gesturing to the chuckling blue dragon with a nod.¡±


    ¡°That not flying.¡± Infinity waved a paw. ¡°That''s riding.¡± She pushed off the human with an angry snort that had her breathe out a small plume of blackened smoke.¡±


    ¡°So..when you were dropped from the sky.¡± Jandar leaned back onto his hands. ¡°Were you scared?¡±


    ¡°Of course not!'' Infinity looked away with a flick of her tail. ¡°Dad says that I am brave and strong, and braves and strongs don''t get scared of fallin from the sky or nothin.¡±


    ¡°That is mighty peculiar.¡± Ramakox rumbled, stretching up from his rock with a loud yawn. ¡°When I flew for my first time on my own, I was terrified.¡±


    ¡°Y-you were?¡± Infinity turned back towards the blue dragon, her little eyes filling with wonder.


    ¡°But of course little Infinity. I practically screamed out for my mother to save me.¡± He smiled down to the wrymling, who had snapped her snout quickly towards Jandar with a half-smile.


    ¡°Yes..I was scared.¡± she said softly, flicking her tail over the ground. She shot her head to look up as the bright red bird suddenly darted again overhead.  She quickly darted after the thing, her claws easily allowing her to climb the tree it landed in, and scare it off of the branch it had landed on for a perch. ¡°Tiamat''s backside.¡± Infinity scratched at the bark with a talon, ripping off some of the dark brown material. ¡°Ramakox...How do yous catch birds?¡±


    ¡°I don''t.¡± he snorted. ¡°They are too quick for the little amount of meat they provide.¡±


    ¡°Well I think they are fun.¡±


    ¡°Even if you don''t catch them?¡± he raised an eyebrow, laughing internally as the black wrymling looked away with a pout.


    ¡°Yea.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± the dragon shifted his snout to look at Jandar, who was standing there looking at him with a coy smile and his arms crossed. It looked like he was holding onto a secret that he could not wait to tell. ¡°What''s the matter Jandar? You look ready to spill forth something. So unravel your tongue and spit it out.¡±


    ¡°Your name is Ramakox.¡± the boy tapped his foot. ¡°I never figured that was your name.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Ramakox''s eyes widened as the boy unwound his arms and placed them at his side. It had never occurred to him that over all these years of having the boy around him. He had never once told him his name. Ramakox cursed himself as he drummed his talons against the ground. Not only did I lie to him about his risks with that ritual. I did not even give him my name as compensation...He shifted his gaze for a moment as the feeling of guilt washed over him in a warm grip. ¡°Well.¡± the blue dragon shifted his weight from side to side as his tail flicked casually behind him. Come on softscales...just get it over with..he has been waiting for so long for it. Ramakox tried to speak several more times,the words only coming out in low rumbles that made Infinity laugh and claim he sounded like a mountain lion.


    ¡°Graaah.¡± he growled under his breath as he reached out with his claws and dragged the teen close to him. He let him go and curled his tail around them both as he was practically nose to nose with the human. ¡°Jandar...the crying human that I plucked from the caravan...this is long over do.¡±


    ¡°Why are you making it such a b-¡±


    ¡°Because it IS such a big thing.¡± he silenced the human with a claw over his mouth. ¡°My name is Ramakox.¡± He pulled back his neck until it was in the shape of an S, and he swelled out his chest in pride. ¡°The Swirling Storm, the defeater of undead, and the savior of little boys.¡±


    ¡°You added that last one didn''t you.¡± the teen laughed, causing Ramakox to grumble. ¡°Finally though...I thought I was going to have to call you Storm for the rest of my life. I was starting to feel somewhat hurt that you did not share this sooner.¡±


    ¡°Oh right!¡± Infinity suddenly gasped loudly, her talons slipping on the branch as she strutted along the wood. She wound her limbs around the wood however and caught herself from falling. ¡°Whew.¡± she chuckled. ¡°I forgot.¡± She righted herself onto the wooden perch, hanging her head softly as she did so. ¡°Titles are for mortals...Names are for dragons.¡±


    ¡°How did you forget that?¡± Jandar asked with a warm smile as he padded over towards the sulking dragoness. He raised one of his hands, and gently brushed it underneath her chin and forced her to look up at him.


    ¡°You was the first mortal I eva saw. How was I supposta learn otherwise?¡± She flicked her tail, smacking the human in the arm.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Jandar pointed his finger at the playful dragoness, causing him to snatch it back when she tried to nip it with her jaws. ¡°What is your title Infinity? Before you bite my damn fingers off!¡±


    ¡°Don''t do yas any good.¡± she leaped off of the branch, landing to the ground with a thud. ¡°If you want it..¡±she wiggled her tail and bolted off from the river like an arrow loosed from a bow. ¡°You gottsta catch me!¡± She turned her head back once to taunt Jandar with a display of her tongue.


    ¡°Why you little! I will catch you!¡± Jandar shouted out in glee, moments after flashing Ramakox a nod. The human ran after the dragoness with Ramakox right on his heals.


    They followed the dragoness for quite awhile as she seemed unable to run out of energy. She brought them around rocks, through small streams, flying gently over mud. She would always stop to see where they were in relation to her, crouch into a playful stance, and then quickly bolt away when they got close. She kept this up for at least an hour before Jandar finally caught her by surprise tackled her to the ground.


    ¡°Gotcha!¡± he laughed, pinning the wiggling wrymling to the earth.


    ¡°Awwwww.¡± Infinity flopped her head onto the ground, giving her tail a little thump on the dirt. ¡°You win...¡±


    ¡°Now...what is your title dragon?¡± Jandar touched her chest with a  finger, causing the wrymling to spasm and cackle with laughter.


    ¡°Its...Night Rising...if you hafta know¡± she finally said after the human retracted his finger, and released her from her forced laughter. She suddenly smile as with her next wiggle she must have felt the boy''s grip lessen on her. For in the next moment she had slipped right through him and bolted away with a great laugh.


    ¡°Do you ever stay in the same spot?¡± Ramakox chuckled, trotting after the wrymling who seemed hellbent on leading them on a sightseeing tour of the countryside.


    ¡°Never!¡± She shot back, redoubling her efforts and running further away from the perusing dragon and human. This continued on for the rest of the day. When they would just have her in their grasp she would bolt away with another bout of laughter escaping her onyx scaled maw. They eventually made their way to a rolling hill dotted with sunflowers as the sun had started it''s descent towards the horizon, and fill the sky with colors of red and orange. It made the sky look like it had been cast aflame.


    ¡°Look! It''s a..thing that peoples wear.¡± Infinity grabbed one of the larger sunflowers that was the size of her head and placed it on top of her horns. ¡°I is a human now.¡± she turned to Jandar and then to Ramakox with a big smile, showing off all her pearly white teeth. ¡°How do I look?¡± she asked, thumping her tail on the grass behind her.


    Ramakox looked to the human, who just gave him a nervous look and a nod. He laughed internally as the human rubbed the back of his neck, and his face had started to flush red. ¡°You look delightful Infinity...I can hardly tell if your a dragoness right now...All I see are two humans.¡±


    ¡°I knew it! I knew it!¡± Infinity laughed, tackling Jandar in the next second. ¡°And you said I would not look like a human...Well in your face!'' she stuck her tongue out at him, tapping her paw against his chest when she had him on the ground. After another round of laughing, wrestling, and a dragoness licking his face playfully. The human and dragoness tumbled over the green grass, eventually coming to a stop with their backs on the field, and their eyes to the sky above.


    ¡°Thanks for this Ramakox.¡± Jandar turned to smile at him as he padded over towards the silly looking pair.


    ¡°For what? Letting you run around and act like a wrymling again?¡± he tilted his head to the side as he gave the human a coy smile.


    ¡°For this..¡± the human looked to the countryside and gestured with a sweep of his arm. ¡°It''s good to just relax for a change...no training..no drills..Just...fun.¡± Jandar crossed his arms, and settled himself in the grass. He closed his eyes gently, taking a deep breath as he did so.


    ¡°Oh..now you have the right idea!¡± Infinity let loose a pleased croon as she quickly dragged herself so that she was on top of the teen.  She rose only slightly to re-position herself, until she was curled up on top of his stomach. She brought her snout close to his chest and nuzzled him gently.


    ¡°Hey..¡± Jandar laughed softly with his eyes still closed. He brought up his hand, and gently brushed Infinity''s scales.


    ¡°You''re my bed now.¡±she mumbled, laying her head down and giving a long tongue curling yawn that seemed to linger in the air for a minute or two. ¡°So...warm...¡± she smiled, wiggling herself so that she was comfortable. It caused the human to let out a small pleased sigh.


    Ramakox strolled passed the two, who looked to be two wrymlings with each passing second that his eyes lingered on them. It seems like they are wise beyond their years...and have the right idea. He shook himself once, causing his scales to clink as he fought his eyelids to stay open. He felt his limbs then start to grow heavy, and start to dragon him down to the ground. Oh come now. He yawned, closing his eyes and stretching his back like a cat in the warm sun. So nice and warm.. He arched his neck, working a kink from his scales as he flared his nostrils and took in the pleasant smell of sunflowers wafting on the breeze. He blinked his eyes and shifted his gaze to the human teen that looked so content to be sleeping there with a wrymling held within his grip.


    Ramakox lingered on them a few moments longer, resettling his wings against his back as he felt his heart start to stretch. It made the dragon frown as he pictured his mortal walking away with a wave, finally heading out into the world to be the great adventurer he knew he would be. I''m going to miss him...So enjoy the time you have with him now...While he is here. The words whispered in his mind, carrying his limbs over to the sleeping pair. The dragon let out a small sigh as he settled himself to all fours, and curled his body around them like a mother might her clutch. The great blue dragon settled his snout down next to his mortal, and let out a pleased snort. With a final breath he listened to the soft breeze rustle the trees in the distance, and after a few minuted he let sleep take him into it''s embrace.

 Chapter 10

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 10</u>


    <u> </u>


    Ramakox awoke with a start, his nerves instantly going on edge by the loud scream that sounded out into the air. He swiftly rose his head, ice starting to grip his heart as he noticed that Jandar and Infinity had wandered off from their sleeping spot. Quick as lighting he summoned the energy to rise to all fours, swiftly scanning the field for the illusive pair. Where did you go little ones? He thought as his heart started to race with ever passing second. There were several dozen gruesome scenarios that were enacted in his head, but he shook them from his mind with a thrash of his tail. He narrowed his eyes at the dusk covered tree line, flaring his nostrils and taking in the air of the next breeze. He gave two large sniffs, finding traces of human in the air, mixed with the soft smell of a night breeze. That must be Infinity.


    The blue dragon unfurled his wings and bound into the air, making sure to not stay two far into the air. He pounded his wings against the air as his breaths started to come quicker and quicker. He could feel anxiousness sinking all the way to his claws, with each moment he did not have them safely within his sight. Come on. He willed himself to fly faster, following their scent. He felt his blood run cold when he heard something else sound into the air. It was the mighty pain filled roar of a dragon...An adult dragon. Come on slow scales. Ramakox chastised himself and redoubled his already frantic pace towards the direction of the roar, and to his horror. The same direction that Jandar and Infinity had gone.


    Please be something minor...Some misunderstanding...His mind said to him, trying to calm his nerves that were already on edge. He tried to will away the fear that was spreading through his limbs with each pounding of his wings, and each beat of his heart. He followed the scent until he was just near the forest''s edge at the cave that contained his friends. His eyes widened to the billowing smoke coming from the cave, and the body of  Asdreea slumped over by the entrance. He felt his nerves go numb as he realized that she was dead. For her body was covered in bright purple wounds, and it looked like several sections of her hide had suddenly exploded outwards and covered the ground with her blood and guts.


    He formed his snout into snarl as he took in the scent on the air. He tried to search for the pair he had been following, however something else caught his mind first. It was a vile smell he had not smelled in ages. It was the wretched stench of undeath.  I have to find them . He thought to Jandar and Infinity as he sniffed again in desperation. With a relief he found that Infinity and Jandar were really close, practically right on...The dragon looked down as he heard Jandar shout his name out to him.


    ¡°Jandar! Infinity!¡± Ramakox landed beside them with a quick-backwing. The blue dragon rushed over towards the pale faced human, and frozen wrymling and picked them up in a great crushing hug. ¡°Are you two okay?..Whats going on?¡± He set the teen and wrymling down onto the grass, arching his neck to gaze at the corpse in front of the cave.


    The human said not a word as he continued to try and peak over the dragon''s shoulder to the cave. He looked briefly once to Infinity, who shared the same worried eyes of the human. ¡°T-theres...¡± Jandar stuttered, ¡°S-something I have never seen before.¡±


    ¡°Was it an army of skeletons? Zombies?¡± Ramakox''s eyes narrowed as he inspected the unmoving corpse of his friend. He grit his teeth as he realized such simple undead could not do this to a dragon, not without an army anyway. And I don''t see any tracks of one. His eyes fell to the ground, not seeing one patch that looked like it had been trampled on by bony limbs, or anything for that matter. Unless they can fly...Maybe it was a Vampire...Mummy...Or..The dragon shivered. A lich....but why? Why would they attack dragons seemingly at random? He looked out to the nearly vanished sun. Maybe not a vampire..not when we have little bits of sun left. Ramakox wrinkled his snout as that only left a Lich or mummies, and both were equally bad for various reasons.


    ¡°It...held out it''s bone hands and struck the dragoness from the sky. He used some quick spells on her...but ended her with some powerful bright purple glowing spell. He seemed to draw several symbols in the air, like runes.¡±


    ¡°Probably a lich then if it knows powerful spells.¡± Ramakox grumbled, swelling up his chest and already picturing spells of his own he would need in order to fight this creature, and by the sound of explosions rocking the cave he would have to work fast in case the red dragon couldn''t hold it off.  ¡°Did it have multiple wrappings all over it''s body?¡± he asked, hoping just maybe he was wrong and it was just a mummy that could cast spells.


    ¡°No..It wasn''t a mummy...although it could do magic...I have never seen cantrips spells be tossed out of ones fingers so fast.¡±


    ¡°Jandar.¡± Ramakox growled in the back of his throat as he placed a claw to his chest. ¡°Take Infinity out of here, and keep running. She should not be here right now...Things are going to get extremely dangerous.¡± The blue dragon thought to his magic swirling around him and protecting him like a protective cloak. He drew runes on his scales with his talons, the lines lighting up to shine a brilliant blue.


    ¡°But..But.¡± Infinity fidgeted in place, her spines drooping as she looked to the body of her dead mother. ¡°What about...¡± tears had started to well up in her little emerald eyes. ¡°Dad...Mom..¡± She looked up to him with eyes so full of pain and sorrow the blue dragon felt his heart almost break.


    ¡°There...is nothing I can do for your mother.¡± he replied with a frown. ¡°Although I will try my best to save your father.¡± He gave her a reassuring lick across her snout, but found she did not respond to it. She just hung her head and started to grace the ground with her tears. I am going to tear that undead monster apart. ¡°Now follow Jandar...he will get you to safety.¡± Ramakox spun to face the cave, his tail passing just over Jandar''s head. ¡°Jandar.¡± he said softly, worry once more starting to work it''s way into his heart.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Keep your head up, mind your spells. Don''t try to fight it, the thing is most likely a more powerful caster then you. So use your spells to hide, avoid detection, run away from that monster.¡±


    ¡°Oh no..in this scenario you are what? Dead? What if he finds us then? What do I then?¡±


    Ramakox did not say a word as he kneaded the ground with his claws. ¡°I won''t be dead...If he does corner you, try to hold him off as long as you can...I won''t be far behind...You can count on my very scales.¡± The blue dragon flinched as he heard another explosion sound from the cave, this time it was much louder, like the fight was about to come roaring out of the cave and meet Ramakox head on. ¡°I have to go Jandar...go!¡± he shouted out,breaking into a wing quickened sprint towards the cave. He glanced back, sighing in relief as the human bolted off with the wrymling back into the forest as quickly as they could. Good...now that they are safely away from the battle...I need not worrying about them getting hurt.


    Ramakox continued to spring with his next heavy breath, his claws dragging up large sections of earth in his desperate attempt to go faster.  He wondered for a brief moment why the undead creature had come to attack them. It must have been for some dark purpose, since a spell caster did not simply become a lich through good means. What could be good by becoming immortal, and turning yourself into that thing.. His breaths came quicker and quicker as he was practically at the entrance now. His heart once again broke as the body of his red scaled friend flew over his head, and impacted the ground a good distance away with a loud crack. The crimson dragon tumbled and tumbled violently, until he came to a groaning stop. ¡° Munaranax!¡± Ramakox shouted out, panic starting to flow out from his chest like a river. His sight did not linger on his friend for long, for what floated out of the cave drew his full attention.


    The thing floated out of the cavern like a specter on the air. It''s long flowing black robes were tattered and ripped in numerous places. At the base of said robes were soft glowing orange runes.  The lich looked like a skeleton with parts of it''s body covered in rotted flesh, with it''s face looking like it was two sizes too big. It had large section''s of it''s undead flesh ripped away by what looked like dragon''s teeth, it looked like the two dragons had put up quite a fight.  ¡°It is a shame that you do not bear the same blue flames as your sister...She seemed ever so pleased to tell me your location...Such a wonderful family of drago-¡± The lich stopped in mid air as it''s one pitch black eye stared at Ramakox, the other one seemingly had been stabbed out, if the gaping hole was any indication.


    ¡°I don''t believe we have met.¡± the thing said with an amused tone. ¡°And you are?¡±


    ¡°Monster!¡± Ramakox opened his maw, his wings lighting up with sparks of electricity and making his limbs warm. The sparks flew from his maw and shot a bolt of brilliant white lightning towards the lich like a bolt of holy vengeance. The electricity struck the thing''s flesh cackling. Where a creature would usually spasm in pain, or scream, the lich simply stood there. It even held out a bone hand to inspect while the sparks flew off of it.


    ¡°Ah..You must be the swirling storm.¡± it replied, not skipping a beat. He backed away in a dash as Ramakox closed the distance. Both of his claws found their mark in his rotted flesh, ripping large chunks out of him as the thing laughed. Did the claws do nothing? Than try my teeth! The dragon tried to snap his jaws around the thing''s torso, but it managed to avoid that attack. It placed a hand on the dragon''s scales, freezing to the touch as Ramakox felt pain flow through his body. It was like the very life force was getting drained from him.


    Ramakox bounced away from the thing''s touch, already starting to feel his limbs growing sluggish. What is this...The dragon took a step, shaking his head. What are you?


    ¡°No talking then? I figured at least you. The Swirling Storm, the dragon who loves to tell stories would want to talk.¡± the lich took a confident step as he placed his arms behind his back and stood up straight. ¡°Feeling a tad sluggish? First time fighting a being such as I?¡±


    Ramakox narrowed his eyes and let out an angry snarl, finding words were lost on him. This thing had to be destroyed, not just for what it had done to Asdreea, but to keep Jandar and Infinity safe. If the creature was going to talk, it would only allow the dragon''s breath to recharge.


    ¡°Well let me explain..You see my limbs here.¡± the lich held out one of his pristine white looking limbs. ¡°They have special properties.¡± the thing smiled. ¡°Can freeze with but a touch...and...paralyze the living...makes things oh much more easier.¡± The lich chuckled deeply as he backed away and Ramakox snapped again and only tasted air. ¡°Really? The teeth again? I have to admit, your a bit smarter than those other two. They just kept on trying to use their claws...and look where that got them.¡±


    ¡°Monster!¡± Ramakox bound into the air, snapping at the lich, who kept on evading him and continuing to strike the dragon''s scales with beams of freezing cold magic. The dragon grit his teeth as his heavily armored scales shrugged off numerous beams, he pushed the cold from his mind as he latched onto the lich and ripped a large section of his shoulder with a snarl.


    ¡°Really? Not a single why are you here?¡± the lich snarled, clicking his fingers and teleporting a short distance away. ¡°You''re rather boring arn''t you?¡± the creature held out it''s limb, throwing a ball of red-orange fire towards the dragon. The sphere impacted against his blue scales, exploding and sending pain through his hide.


    Ramakox responded by passing by the lich, his white lines shining bright into the darkening sky. He let all his rage flow forth into his attack, the bolt of lightning loosed from his maw striking the lich square in the chest. However just like before, the thing did not shout out, but mere twitched and looked amused. ¡°Fine!  Why are you here then?¡± the dragon pounded his wings and avoided the creatures gaze as he circled him.


    ¡°Finally a question instead of this rude attacking of me!¡± the undead spell caster laughed with a raspy voice. ¡°That doesn''t concern you swirling storm, but thanks for asking! I am sufficiently amused right now. You should turn tail right now get out of here. I will even spare your life!¡±


    ¡°You attacked my friends!¡± the dragon roared, letting another bolt of lightning pass through his maw striking the ground uselessly as the creature teleported out of the way.


    ¡°Well I tried to warn you!¡± the lich held up one of his hands, and traced a white swirl in the air. The thing flicked the rune once, causing a flash of white light to explode in every direction all at once. The rune then flew towards the dragon, and no matter how frantically he tried to avoid the thing, it impacted his scales anyway.


    Ramakox felt a cooling sensation suddenly strike his body, spreading forth from the rune and leaking into his limbs. He snarled and hissed into the air when he realized he was starting to not be able to move his limbs. NO! He screamed out in his head as he fell towards the ground at high speed. The dragon tried to close his eyes but found he could not, he crashed into the earth with a hard bone rattling smack that left him groaning and moaning in pain. Must have been...power word of stun.. Ramakox''s mind grumbled to him, his scales already shaking off the effects of the stunning spell. Thank Bahamut for the spell protection...otherwise... The dragon pushed himself to all fours, his limbs wobbling for a moment. I would not be able to defend myself. ¡°You will have to try harder then that monster.¡±Stolen story; please report.


    ¡°Trying?¡± the lich crossed his arms as he floated towards the dragon once more. ¡°I am merely toying with you dragon.


    ¡°Toying with me?¡± Ramakox shook his scales, scattering any dirt that had wedged their way beneath them.  He eyed the dead thing''s black sphere, finding it lacked any emotion to read in it. It made unease snake it''s way into his mind as he took another step.


    ¡°Yes....Although consider yourself lucky this day Swirling Storm...For I am no need of blue dragons today.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± the dragon snarled, baring his teeth. ¡°You had no qualms about killing the dragoness.¡±


    ¡°Oh her?¡± The lich looked the corpse with a frown. ¡°That was sadly unavoidable. She left me no choice but to do that. I would have rather liked her help for the next part of the plan.¡±


    ¡°What part is that?¡±


    The lich wagged his bone finger in the air. ¡°You don''t really need to know about is Swirling Storm.


    Ramakox took another step as he tried to focus on the other spells that were swirling around within his horned head. Clearly electricity was not working as well as he had hoped. He would have to try something else to see it worked better on the creature. ¡°How about this little proposition for you lich. What should I call you? I certainly want to give you a name in the stories I tell, about how the mighty Swirling Storm vanquished you.¡± the dragon grinned as he saw the lich cross his arms. ¡°I don''t want to simply call you...The lich...It''s fitting of the stories of course, but I would like something grander to pass from my lips.¡±


    ¡°You will have to wait then. For I will not be giving my name to you Swirling Storm. You can certainly just call me ¡°lich.¡±...Now as I said...Be a good dragon and fly away so that I may get back to asking the red dragon over there some questions.


    ¡°H-he wants Infinity!¡± the red dragon shouted out, raising his head out only for it to flop down onto the ground seconds later.


    He wants her? Why? ¡°What is it you want with their offspring?¡± Ramakox crouched himself, entering a hunting stance as he pictured some spells in his mind, readying himself for a flurry of blows.


    ¡°Must I say this every time...That is for me to-¡±


    Ramakox launched himself at the undead monster with a snarl. He watched the lich try to back away, but he was only really interested in avoiding the dragon''s teeth. Big mistake. The blue dragon flicked his tail quickly, his claws shining a bright white light as they ripped right into the lich''s hide and causing him to loose balance and find himself caught in Ramakox''s shining white teeth. He pulled his neck, and with a sickening crack he ripped the lich''s right limb from his socket, and took a portion of his rib cage and flesh with it. He was about to follow through with another attack, when suddenly a large yellow spectral hand flew into him with the strength of a flame giant, tossing him to the ground it it''s vice like grip.


    ¡°Graah!¡± Ramakox roared as he struggled against the thing that was latched onto his scales. It was all he took to prevent the thing from squeezing down on his hide and popping him like a grape. The dragon grit his teeth as his limbs quivered and shook from the effort, however it was no use. When the thing started to clench around him, Ramakox felt himself slowly losing ground.


    ¡°You actually maimed me good.¡± the lich laughed, looking down to his armless chest. ¡°You ripped right through me!¡±


    ¡°I can...do..much more..then that!¡± Ramakox roared, fighting a losing battle against the hard as stone magical hand.¡±


    ¡°Looks like your going to be crushed actually...It was rather fun Swirling Storm..Pity you could not impress me further.¡±


    ¡°Oh yea?¡± Ramakox snarled, focusing on canceling out the magical hand that held him held taught. He let the feeling in his chest that he had taught Jandar all those years ago swirl around his body and into hid claws. He grinned as little cerulean circles formed around where his claws met the hand. Thin little lines then cracked along the yellow hand, until with a shattering sound like glass, the hand broke apart into a thousand pieces before poofing up in a vibrant yellow smoke.


    Without skipping a beat the blue dragon unfurled his wings and spun quickly to face the lich that had started to walk away. He felt the earth beneath his paws. He reached out with his thoughts and pictured them as an extension of himself. He pictured great tentacles like the great kraken, rising up and plucking the undead monster from the air. ¡°I would rather you stay awhile!¡± he snarled, as great earthen stones rose from the ground. The rose towards the lich, and nimbly wrapped around his legs and dragged him to the ground with a grunt. Ramakox chuckled as he watched the lich slam into the ground hard, and several of his rotted fingers flew off.


    ¡°Clever dragon.¡± the lich snarled, no longer chuckling in good cheer. The thing blasted several beams of magic at the stone holding him firm, but each time his spell broke away the hard earth, more seemed to replace it.


    Ramakox tried to not think about the pride that was lingering in his head as he lashed out towards the trapped lich in a vertical fashion. He let out a roar of victory as his glowing claws slashed down towards the lich, ready to bisect him in two lengthwise. He figured that would certainly stop him from casting spells, but to his frustration the undead monster clicked his finger and teleported out of the earths grip.


    Where did he? Ramakox frantically rose his head to look around for his adversary. He thankfully did not have to wait long, as his entire back lit up in pain that made him nearly collapse to the ground in agony. He let loose with a loud growl from his throat as he pushed himself through the pain and spun around, his tail glowing a bright light as it smacked the lich right in it''s rotted face. He must have caught the undead thing with one of his spines, because the upper portion of the thing''s head was sliced through, and  fell to the ground with a sickening schlump. ¡°There..I think that''s a better look for you.¡±


    ¡°Oh my!¡± the lich laughed, reaching up to fondle where the upper portion of his head used to be. ¡°I think you actually disabled me here...Not that surprising honestly..I did best two dragons before you.¡±


    ¡°Shut your tongue!¡± Ramakox grabbed hold of the lich and slammed him onto the ground, ripping his other arm from it''s socket as he did so with a loud pop. ¡°Now you can''t cast your spells you vile monster! Now tell me why you came after us, or I will keep you in pieces so that you may never regenerate!¡± Ramakox let the lie slip from his maw easily. Regardless of what the undead thing was going to tell him,  he was going to do exactly that. He just had to be careful he did not separate him too much, or the thing would cease to be, and the lich would simply regenerate again.


    ¡°Ah yes.¡± the lich settled his laughter down as the dragon pressed down further onto his dead chest, breaking a few more of his ribs. ¡°What if I were to tell you Swirling Storm...that I was not really here right now?¡±


    What? Ramakox turned his head around to see that his friend Munaranax was no longer resting where he had flopped down. He felt ice once more start to flow into his limbs as he heard the thing continue to speak with a chuckle.


    ¡°This fight was pointless..Why waste my time fighting with you Swirling Storm? Honestly I was not certain I could fight a third grown dragon after the previous two...Now my time is rather fleeting at the moment dragon..I think I have found the wrymling that the red dragon was so keen on keeping from me.¡±


    ¡°WHAT NO!¡±


    ¡°Farewell.¡± the talking corpse below him suddenly went limp and melted away into a pile of black goo that flowed off the dragon''s paws.


    ¡°No...he can''t have...no he couldn''t.¡± Ramakox rambled to himself as he spun around, looking for the creature to suddenly spring forth and catch him by surprise. When none came, his nerves went numb once more. No..No..No. He flared his nostrils, finding the scent of Jandar and Infinity. He bolted after it, quickly spreading his wings and pouncing into the air. With his next breath the terror started to sink in, for mixed with their smell was the scent of undeath. Jandar!....Infinity!


    *


    If he hurts one scale on Jandar..Or Infinity..Ramakox''s heard threatened to leap from his chest as he frantically pounded his wings against the air in a desperate attempt to catch the mortal and wrymling. He could see that the sun was almost gone from the sky now, the perfect reflection of the dwindling hope within the dragon''s mind. With his next breath he pushed himself harder, pounding his wings against the air.


    The trees and fields were a blur to his eyes as he focused on flying faster then he had ever flown before. His lungs were on fire with each pain filled flap of his wings. He simply grit his teeth at the realization he was going to be sore the next few days. How will you fight the lich if you''re exhausted? His mind questioned him, practically begging for him to slow down and conserve some energy. But how can I? How can I live with myself if he hurts Jandar...or Infinity. His eyes fell to a small black shape running through one of the various clearings, her posture one of worry when she came to a stop and gazed up to the blue dragon in relief.


    ¡°Ramakox!¡± the dragoness cried, bounding over to him with tears in her eyes and he landed softly with a bump. ¡°Jandar...h-he..h-he!¡± the stammered, jumping into the dragon''s waiting limbs and pulling herself tight against his scales. ¡°Hes still there with..it..¡± She buried her snout into his chest, sobbing into his scales. ¡°I..I tried ta get him ta run!....But he told me to jus keep goin!¡±


    ¡°Shhhh....Where is he?¡± he asked softly, trying to hide the worry that was every increasing in his chest. It made him flick his tail involuntarily, and made his scales itch.  I just have to get Jandar...and run with Infinity...then everything will be alright....but after that..where can we be safe?


    ¡°H-hes fighting the bony man!..he told me ta run!¡±


    Fighting him? Ramakox looked back in the direction that Infinity had been running away from. Somewhere in this forest, the boy he had saved, the one he had trained, was apparently fighting a powerful undead monster.  He kneaded the ground in worry, giving off a snout to hide his unease from the wrymling clutched in his limbs. I know hes good at spells...probably better than most mortals his age...but fight a creature like that? One that has probably ages on him?...Hes going to die.


    ¡°Infinity...Where did you see them last?¡± he felt his stern voice start to crack as he pictured his mortal lying on the ground with blood covering his face. He tried to shake the lifeless look his eyes would have, staring off into the void.


    ¡°B-back to the river.¡± she replied, wiping away one of her tears with a claw. ¡°Jandar thought it had some good hiding spots...but It found us anyway.¡± Infinity shivered in Ramakox''s grip, fighting off another sob it seemed. ¡°I didn''t wanta run...I was brave...and strong...but he mades me promise to run...¡±


    ¡°I know...I know..¡± he replied softly to the wrymling, giving her a single comforting lick on the top of her head. ¡°It''s going to be okay...We are going to find Jandar, and then I will be getting both of you out of here...I already beat his duplicate back...there.¡± he snapped his mouth shut. Without another word he pounced into the air, and quickly maneuvered so that he was heading in the direction of the river they had been in earlier that day. He was about to ask her how she was doing when suddenly he felt his wings scrunch up. Like he had been plucked from the air by an invisible hand, he felt his entire body compress. ¡°Graaaaah!¡± He roared out in pain as he felt several bones of his pop by the sudden pressure, it was all he had just to hold onto Infinity.


    ¡°Ramakox!¡± Infinity screamed out, closing her eyes as the blue dragon started to plummet towards the ground once more.


    The blue dragon felt her tighten her grip on his forelimbs as he regained control of his wings. He beat the air with his membranes, not caring if he was going to rip them or anything. However it was not to be , for he had recovered his wings a moment too late. He pulled Infinity against his chest, as he slammed into the ground with his back.  He gasped out in pain as stars danced around his vision and he felt the air pulled from his chest. His entire body wracked in pain as they came to a stop and he flicked his tail weakly. At least...Infinity is safe. The thought comforted him as he took an agony rich breath of air. It felt like firecrackers had gone off in his lungs as he winced from the effort. But at least your alive...for now.


    ¡°Ramakox.¡± Infinity whispered softly, nosing the great dragon on his snout with her own. ¡°You gotsa get up! Hes..Hes coming!¡±


    Sure enough, the lich seemed to spring forth from the trees. He looked like he had done so before, the efforts of Ramakox''s battle seemingly wasted on whatever he had been fighting. ¡°See? What did I tell you Swirling Storm?¡± the lich curled his rotted lips into a smile as his blackened eye gazed to the shivering wyrmling hovering over him. ¡°Thank you for finding the wrymling I have been searching for.¡±


    ¡°N-No.¡± Ramakox gasped, gulping down the pain as he struggled to flip over and defend the little dragon. ¡°I...I''ll stop you.¡± his tail flicked weakly again as he brought himself upright, glaring at the lich.


    ¡°I think you are done dragon.¡± The lich held out his hand, it glew with a soft purple light as he pointed it at Ramakox, and without a word a purple mist flew from his bone finger and impacted the dragon square in the chest. ¡°Die.¡±


    Ramakox spasmed in pain as the purple mist hit his scales and lit up his body in pain he had not experienced before. It made his vision go white, and everything else fade away except the talon curling, tail twitching pain. It was all he could do, to pull Infinity against him. One last defiant act before this undead monster finished him off. Have...To..protect...Infinity....¡±Graaaahhshhdhsh!¡± Ramakox roared into the night as his scales started to smoke, and when it was finished he slumped to the ground gasping for breath.


    ¡°Oh my, oh my.¡± You''re not dead yet?¡± The lich chuckled, striding over to flick the blue dragon on his nose. ¡°I would have thought that spell would have finished you off after such a tiring battle with my clone spell. I have to admit, you did a fine job in dealing with it. Ruined a good amount of time that I spent making it.¡± The lich then refolded his arms against his chest, chuckling as he saw Infinity shiver. ¡°Don''t worry little one. I will be taking you home to my place..Your father will even be coming with us, and we are going to have a pleasant time.¡±


    ¡°I don''t wantsa!¡± the wrymling hissed at he lich, shooting out a small gout of brilliant blue flames at him, causing him to laugh and step a foot back.


    ¡°Blue flames!¡± the lich clasped his bone limbs together. ¡°You will be perfect! Now I won''t have to go grab one of the Enchanted Rubies wrymlings instead.¡± The lich sighed. ¡°Its wonderful when things just come together, falling..perfectly..into..place.¡± he took step after step, easily avoiding Ramakox''s weak flail at him with a limb. ¡°No..You''re done Swirling Storm..Just lay there and be a good dragon...and I just might let you survive this day.¡±


    ¡°No! No! No!¡± Infinity screamed as the undead monster grabbed hold of her with his limbs. She screeched in agony as his hands started to cause a thin layer of frost on her scales. ¡°Ramakox!..Ramakox!...Mother!...Father!...Pleeease...¡± the wrymling struggled, thrashing as the lich fought to hold onto her.


    ¡°She is going to be a fighter.¡± the creature smile. ¡°She is going to be....perfect.¡± The lich brushed her scales one last time, letting her scream''s echo through the night until she fell unconscious in his arms.


    ¡°You...take me instead.¡± Ramakox gasped, pulling himself forward. ¡°Leave the little one...use me instead....I beg of you...please!¡±


    ¡°I told you this before.¡± the lich frowned, holding out his finger towards the blue dragon''s chest. Purple magic started to swirl around it slowly, misting in the air as it did so. ¡°I don''t need a blue dragon for my experiments...But this little one...She will do nicely.¡±


    ¡°You..Monster!¡± Ramakox summoned up little energy he had left to bit into the lich as hard as he could. His teeth found purchase in the thing''s arm holding Infinity. You...MONSTER His mind screamed, as his eyes started to go misty. If he failed now..She would have something bad happen to her..


    ¡°Good bye Ramakox.¡± the lich snarled, and flicked the purple magic at the dragon''s chest.


    Ramakox closed his eyes and readied for his death that was going to be just as pain filled as the previous spell had done. I....tried..I''m...sorry Infinity...He winced, clamping his teeth down harder on the unfeeling Lich. However to his surprise the spell never landed, and the lich let out an anger filled hiss. The blue dragon opened his eyes to see that the purple mist had formed a trail passed him, and to a grinning human with blue scales completely covering his arms. The purple magic was circling his finger now casually, orbiting around it like it was the moon that hung overhead.


    ¡°How..are you alive?¡± The lich gasped. ¡°I thought the chain lightning would have finished you off!¡±


    Jandar did not smile, but glared daggers at the lich. ¡°You will find that I am full of surprises.¡± The teen replied, holding up his hands and entering the stance they had trained to redirect spells. The human then flicked the purple magic right back at the lich. It struck his undead flesh and burst into a small plume of smoke, seemingly doing nothing to him.


    ¡°Oh wonderful, you can redirect magic back at me.¡± The lich grinned. ¡°Makes me want an apprentice of my own someday.¡± He backed away with Infinity held within his arms tightly. ¡°Now..Since I already have what I came here for...and I am not entirely sure that I can fight...both of you...I think I will be heading home.¡±


    ¡°Oh no you don''t! Jandar snarled thrusting a finger towards the Lich. ¡°I''ll stop you.¡±


    ¡°Boy...I think you have enough to redirect some of the spells I have left...But you do not have the strength to finish me off...Besides...would you want to hurt the little one?¡± The undead caster gestured to the limp dragoness held within his arms. ¡°You might hurt her...Or I might drop her out of pain....and it doesn''t look like Ramakox there is up for much flying right about now.¡±


    ¡°Jandar...¡± Ramakox forced himself through sheer willpower to stand on all fours, casting a defiant look towards the nightmarish creature. ¡°Do it.¡±


    ¡°Glady¡± The boy let loose 8 of magical fire spring from his fingertips. They flew towards the lich, ready to melt the black hearted thing. However to his and the dragon''s disappointment, the lich waved a bone hand and the rays faded out of existence.


    ¡°See boy? Dragon? It is because I know spells similar to that as well. So as you can see.¡± The lich started to float higher and higher into the sky with cackling laughter. He blocked every other spell that Jandar threw at him, each and every time his laughing getting louder and louder. ¡°Farewell Boy...Farewell Ramakox..You will not be seeing me again!¡± The lich clacked his fingers, and he and the wrymling he held vanished into thin air.


    ¡°Coward!¡± Ramakox shouted out, flopping onto the ground out of breath. He felt numb all over as he ripped at the ground with his trembling claws. ¡°Coward.¡± he said again quieter than before as his body quivered. His wings resettled against his broken and bruised body as he let out a pained groan. It was when Jandar collapsed onto him, and draped himself over his snout did he start to tear up. The boy was once more sobbing as he clutched at Ramakox.


    ¡°I..couldn''t save her...I couldn''t..:¡± he gasped out, his tears dripping down like rain onto the dragon''s snout.


    Ramakox wrapped his wing around the human and pulled him tighter against his chest. ¡°It''s okay..¡±he lied, his own tears joining the humans own. The only comforting thought that he had was that he still had Jandar right here with him. I''m sorry Infinity.

 Chapter 11

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 11</u>


    <u> </u>


    The next year dragged incredibly slow for Ramakox, testing his patience, mental fortitude, and it tugged ever so much at his soul. The first thing that he had done following the nightmarish encounter with the lich was contact the Emerald Lady. He was not going to screw around, if anyone could find Infinity it would be her. He flew all the way to her palace with Jandar upon his back. He had insisted the human follow him, never leave his side since that night. He had burst through her palace doors once again, praying that she would not mind the intrusion.


    When he found her, she was currently laid out on a stone slab with a white gryphon beside her. She had her green tail curled around him as her eyes were focusing on a red dragon with tan underscales before her. Ramakox had just caught the tail end of the conversation, but from what he heard the dragon was looking for a dragoness by the name of Sheondranta. There was talk about it being his mate, and he had seen the cracked egg. The red dragon was insisting that Emerald Lady help find the wrymling that might be his offspring.


    Ramakox was acknowledged by the Emerald Lady with a quick nod and glance in his direction. The blue dragon had sat down onto his haunches, and waited for the red dragon to finish his inquiry. Emerald Lady had told the red dragon that there was nothing she could do, and the wrymling in question was beyond her sight. The red dragon had held his head in acknowledgment, thanked the green dragoness and left her palace sulking.


    When Ramakox was asked why he was in the forest this time, he had explained his case to the curious dragoness. He told her every heart wrenching detail from that night. From the lich, the spell casting, the defeat, and the capture of the wrymling Infinity. He even told her how broken he had been, defeated, and how his heart had nearly crumbled when he reached out for small dragoness.


    Emerald Lady had listened intently, nodding the entire time he had spoken. Her gryphon by her side had even offered kind words in an attempt to sooth the blue dragon''s aching heart, but of course they did not. To his terror the emerald dragoness revealed something that he had not known. She explained with immense regret that she could not scry on everyone. Nor could she see into everyone''s future in the tapestry that was time. She had wrinkled her snout as she explained this Infinity, and the lich must have had some sort of charm to prevent such location spells. She had merely told him that she would keep her snout to the ground, and listen for any clues on the whereabouts of the dragoness.


    Ramakox left the forest the same day with his optimism crushed. His mind was in a daze as he had bounded into the sky to Jandar''s soothing voice, and flew towards their home. The entire journey home he had eaten very little, spoke even less, and had sleepless nights where he tossed and turned. Even Jandar trying to comfort him did not help, even when his cave was within his sights he felt no joy grace his thoughts.


    His mood remained sour the rest of the year, broken up in moments of crushing sadness. He would spend days at a time, secluded from the teen. He would meditate on his failure, and vow that it would not happen in the future. So he had gone about trapping his home with different magical devices, and wards to prevent entry by the undead monster that had taken Infinity away. He made sure that if the lich were to show it''s twisted face in his lair, the creature would be destroyed within a moments notice, never getting a chance to utter it''s wicked hiss.


    The only time during the year that Ramakox broke free of his paranoid, sour mood, was when the day came for Jandar to depart on his adventure. The dragon had flown him to the edge of his territory, and  stopped right outside the closest village. He had made sure to provide the teen with various scrolls, potions, and several magical items for his protection.


    The teen stood before him, blue scales now dominating most of his body. His eyes too had started to turn a tad dragon like. The spheres of his had even started to shift into a silver like color, very much like Ramakox''s own.  It had seemed the fight with the lich had sped up his bodies transformation into something akin to a half-dragon. Jandar had not minded the transformation, not even caring when his nails sharpened and turned into talons. He had just smiled and welcomed each change, seemingly delighted when two small horns had started to sprout through the hair on his head.


    ¡°Do you have your bedroll? The one with the dragon stitched into it?¡± Ramakox asked, shifting his gaze from the afternoon sun to the beaming human before him.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Jandar rolled his eyes. The dragon had already been asking him these sort of questions all morning, including just moments ago. ¡°I have the coins, my pack, the scrolls, the wand, and the potions.¡± the human crossed his arms, counting off each item with an extended digit. ¡°I got the protection amulet, a change of clothes, and yes,  even my cloak. Honestly Ramakox, you''re starting to sound like your my mother or something....Trust me.¡± Jandar laughed. ¡°I''m going to be fine.¡±


    ¡°That remains to be seen.¡± The dragon snorted, inspecting the human one last time. When he was satisfied nothing was out of place he raised his snout and drummed his talons on the worn dirt road. His eyes went wide to the collection of mortal buildings in the distance, the first stop for the mortal that would spread his name far and wide. Ramakox narrowed his eyes and flicked his tail. This was supposed to be a joyous day for the dragon, one where he should be smiling and roaring his happiness for all to hear. Instead his heart was throbbing, and felt like it was being pulled in two different directions as he shifted his weight uncomfortably.  He realized that despite his plans, despite the future, he did not want to see Jandar leave.


    ¡°You..can stay....To train some more you know...Never hurts to prepare some more..so-¡± The dragon circled a claw in the dirt as he looked away from the human.


    ¡°Ramakox.¡± Jandar interrupted, by placing a hand to the dragon''s chest. He ran the hand up to Ramakox''s snout when the dragon lowered it. ¡°I need to head out, start my path.¡± he smiled up at the blue dragon, whose eyes were starting to mist. ¡°Thank you for watching me all these years...But I need to do this...¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Ramakox wiped away a tear as he looked away from the human to try and hide it.


    ¡°I promise to return and share my stories with you....are...are you crying?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Ramakox lied, swishing his tail and offering the human a loud snort. ¡°Just..something in my eyes..Stings something awful.¡±


    ¡°Course there is.¡± Jandar looked over his shoulder and swelled up his chest. ¡°I think it''s about time.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? We can always go-¡±


    ¡°Ramakox.¡±


    The dragon shut his snout, and snatched the human up quick as a flash. He pulled him into a tight hug that nearly crushed the mortal in his limbs.


    ¡°T-thought you hated these.¡± the teen laughed weakly, struggling to free himself from the tight embrace of the dragon.


    ¡°They are appropriate during very emotional times.¡± Ramakox flicked his tail again as his scales shivered. ¡°And since I am going to miss you, this qualifies as one of those times.¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± Jandar patted the blue scales softly. ¡°I''m going to miss you too..But think about the bright side..all the good cheer that will be said in your name...all the tribute people will bring...You can''t say that doesn''t sound good.¡±


    Ramakox sighed as he pictured all the things the human had just said, and it made him smile. IT even fought off the sadness lurking in his heart for a brief moment. ¡°And.¡± the dragon said sternly, his good thoughts evaporating like water on a scorching day. ¡°If you find anything about..¡± His thoughts went to Infinity as Jandar nodded knowingly.


    ¡°I will...always look out for her.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Ramakox moaned, pushing the human gently away with his snout. ¡°You best be off now. I grow tired of your presence...Will be good to get some peace and quiet around the cave for a change.¡± He rose his head to look away from the smug looking mortal.


    ¡°Uh-huh.¡±


    ¡°It''s true...You annoy me to no end.¡± the dragon snorted, closing his eyes and giving the human a small grin. ¡°This will honestly be the best thing that has happened to me.¡±


    ¡°Then let me get out of your scales!¡± Jandar laughed, giving the dragon a salute. ¡°See you again...I''ll be sure to bring loads and loads of stories when I visit.¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°You better do that...Or I will be cross with you.¡± he bared his teeth playfully at the human, tears already starting to well up in his eyes. ¡°I might even reconsider you leaving...Force you to stay here until your ready.¡±


    ¡°Ramakox.¡± Jandar said, turning back and offering the dragon a warm smile. ¡°I love you.¡±


    The dragon felt his chest fill with pride, such warmth he could not help but let out a crying pleased trill into the air. ¡°I love you too, you stupid human.¡± he cried, ¡°Now get out of here before you see a grown dragon cry more than he should. Like I am some mother watching her hatchling leave the nest for the first time.¡± But it is like that isn''t it?


    ¡°See you again!¡± the human waved, as he turned around and started his way towards the village, with a confident stroll. Jander even started to whistle a joyous tune  as he strolled away to meet his future.


    Ramakox watched the human walk slowly away with a heavy heart. ¡°See you again...Son of mine.¡± the dragon whispered softly.  Joyous tears slid down his face unhindered when he spread his wings and flew back towards his home. Ramakox returned to the cave and settled down on his soft bed, and looked around to his treasure. He let out a heavy sigh, and for the first time in awhile, Ramakox was alone.


    *


    The days passed much slower after the human''s departure. The routine he had worked with the boy suddenly falling away into nothing. The dragon often found himself bored, his tail flicking onto the ground as he  contemplated what to do with all his free time. He would try to fill it with hunting, flying around his domain, and even visiting east cliff. However at the end of the day he would return to an empty cave, and wish that Jandar was there to keep him company.


    When he could stand that routine much longer the dragon took a more proactive approach to the lands that he called his. He would land inside east cliff, talk with the leaders of the village, and work on how to best protect his land. In return they would send little gifts up to his lair, little tokens of gratitude for the work he was putting in for them. He even continued up with his magical aid to the place, and he found himself growing closer and closer to the people that lived there. He eventually would spend his time in the village when he was not busy doing a myriad of other things. This at least kept him occupied, and happy while his teen was gone.


    The months passed, and the seasons came and went around the dragon. He relaxed and delighted in the warm summer months, often sunbathing in the fields around his home. During the fall he would dart above the trees and admire the multicolored trees that dotted the landscape. When winter came he made sure to have spells ready to heat his home, that way he did not fall prey to the scale biting cold that snaked it''s way under his scales and felt as though it jabbed at him with a knife. During this season he would often find himself looking to the human''s bed near his own, and with a grumble lamenting that is was empty now. Eventually the cold winter left, and the snow that had blanketed the countryside in white had melted away.


    With spring came the wet months followed. This also brought animals that had been in hibernation, bright colors, and the warm weather. The spring had also brought something with it, for it had been a year since Jandar''s departure, and the boy came back home with a great big smile. He had strolled into Ramakox''s cave like he had never left. His simple vest and clothes he had left with had been traded in for much more refined traveling garments. They were  regal, the dark brown cloth broken up with bright blue runes stitched into the fabric. They even seemed to allow the teen much more movement. The blue scales had made their way to his face now, and his eyes had turned to a perfect match for dragon eyes.


    ¡°Jandar!¡± Ramakox had shouted, bounding towards the human with a flap of his wings. He plucked him up from the ground and hugged him tightly against his chest. All the feelings of loneliness that he had felt fading away with the beating of his human''s heart. ¡°How have you been!¡±


    ¡°Good to see you too.¡± The boy chuckled, rubbing the blue dragon''s snout gently when he started to nuzzle his chest. ¡°My..You''re much more affectionate than when I left...Are you sure you''re Ramakox? And not some impostor?¡±


    ¡°You''re not much of a comedian.¡± Ramakox snorted,narrowing his eyes as he placed the human onto the ground. ¡°Now...You promised to tell me all of your tales since our departure.¡± He swung his tail around the human,and started to guide him deeper into his cave with a wing, until the human plopped down onto his bed with a pleased sigh.¡±


    ¡°Forgot how comfy these things were.¡± The teen sighed, lying down onto his back and closing his eyes. ¡°Had nothing but taverns and my bedroll for the past year..This..is...divine.¡±


    Ramakox rolled his eyes as the human looked more and more like a lazy dragon then the blue dragon had ever looked. Or at least that was what he thought anyway. ¡°Ok...Ok.¡± He nudged the human with his nose, causing him to try and push the insistent dragon  away. ¡°No you don''t..¡± he pushed Jandar with one of his paws, firmly enough to rouse him from his relaxation. ¡°You promised to tell me your tales. That was part of the bargain.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes.¡± Jandar yawned. ¡°How the tables have turned in such a way. Now you are the wrymling that is asking me for stories, instead of the other way round.¡±


    Ramakox sighed deeply, as he did not care who was doing the questioning. The only thing on his mind being that a story was going to be told. One that he would catalog down in his memory so he could write it down for later. ¡°Just get on with the story Jandar, before I change my mind of letting you head out on adventure.¡±


    ¡°Let me?¡± The human gave him an amused grin. ¡°I thought the whole point of me going out on adventure was to spread the name of the great swirling storm? Or have you forgotten, and miss me so much as to change your plans?¡±


    Ramakox said nothing as the human picked apart his emotions and hit the dilemma right on it''s head. He was about to tell the human that he was right, and that he wished he would have stayed. However as he looked to the cheerful human and the saw the joy in his eyes he fought the urge. ¡°I have not forgotten.¡± he grumbled. ¡°And  have you spread my good name?¡±


    ¡°Yes I have! You should hear me every time we help anyone out.¡± Jandar swelled up his chest and held up a finger. ¡°And you should thank the great dragon called Swirling Storm. It was he that allowed us to succeed this day.¡± the teen laughed folding his arms. ¡°You should hear my friends complain about it, says it stings their ears to hear it so often.¡±


    Ramakox nodded, stretching himself back among the gold coins. ¡°It is good you can at least follow instructions...It won''t be long now till I have tributes lining the entrance my cave, and people crying out my name in wonder.¡± The dragon slunk his way to his bed to curl around himself, trading the hard coin for the soft bed. ¡°Now about the stories...Tell me about the glorious things that Jandar the great has gotten himself into.¡±


    ¡°Well you see.¡± the teen held up his hands as he told his tale right at the beginning, and how he had stumbled upon three adventurers to be his friends. There was a wolven female called Rain. She had tan fur, and could fight better than anyone the human had ever seen. He described her as carefree, happy, and how he was always glad to have her sword by his side. Then he spoke of a dwarven cleric of Thor, and how he would go on and on about Thor this and Thor that. Jandar laughed that it actually reminded him of how he always spoke such fond words of the blue dragon. Ramakox had merely grumbled, and scattered the teen''s hair with a snort of air. Lastly he described a Siigonis by the name of  Graox. The teen described his forest green scales, and how he was always quick to the point, and hardly ever made a joke. Jandar laughed and described how the lizard talked about them as if they were already part of his tribe, and then discussed how he could shift his form and use nature magic to aid him.


    Jandar went on and on for hours it seemed, describing in detail events that excited the dragon''s heart. From goblin attacks on villages, getting lost within a cave filled with zombies, to exploring a tomb to the north east. The teen even laughed how in the royal marsh they had come across a dragon calling himself the Resplendent Overlord. Jandar explained how they had been there for several days, listening to the green dragon with copper splotches on his wings. How the dragon had seemed a tad strange, but glad for their presence within the marsh.


    ¡°But isn''t it a swamp?¡± Ramakox asked, tilting his head to the side. ¡°I am almost certain the area you are talking about has trees...That would make it a swamp. It should be called the royal swamp instead.


    ¡°Trust me...He insisted it was a marsh, got mad even.¡± Jandar waved it off, and returned to his tales of adventure and excitement. This continued into the night as Jandar spun tale after tale that brought such warmth to Ramakox''s heart, and made him oh so proud of the human sitting before him. The night eventually wound down, and the teen could no longer speak about his deeds. Jandar had let out a long drawn out yawn, and collapsed onto his bed. He then sighed, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep. Ramakox curled around himself, and with a sigh of contentment, joined the human in his slumber.


    Jandar had stayed the week, spending time with Ramakox like it was the years passed. The dragon showed him around the domain that he called his, and talked about how he was taking an active approach to helping those he protected. When he was not doing that, the teen still had no end to his tales, and would share them once in awhile as they went through books, fished, or practiced magic a few times. Ramakox had smiled as his mortal had vastly improved throughout the last year in that regard. He still did not have the raw power of the greatest of mages, but he did have the talent and the heart.  The dragon spent every night of that week with a warm heart, and an eased mind. He even one night pulled the human against him, and nestled the teen close to his scales, like he was a wrymling. Things could not last forever though, and Jandar needed to leave once more.


    The dragon had watched him leave with his collection of adventuring friends on dark grey furred dire wolves.  He would have insisted that he carry Jandar to their next spot, but decided against it when he saw his mortal laughing and joking around with the others. He instead wished him well, and gave the human a lick farewell, rumbling his approval that it caused the human embarrassment. ¡°Just make sure to be back again with more tales...and stay safe.¡± The human agreed, and headed out with the adventurers once more. Disappearing beyond the horizon in a matter of minutes


    *


    One year passed again before the dragon''s eyes. Just like before Jandar returned with stories, good cheer, word that he spread in Ramakox''s name, and trinkets or tributes to the great dragon that had taught him so much. One year then turned into two, then to three, and then to four. Each time his mortal coming back for weeks at a time, the stories getting grander and grander to the dragon''s approval.


    It was on the fourth year he started the morning like he usually did. He stretched his limbs out,gave a tongue curling yawn, unfurled his wings and then refolded them against his back. He had just got done with that when he padded over towards the entrance to his cave. What he found there made him smile and his heart grow warm. For outside his cave was a collection of mortals from all over. They were all dressed in different clothes, and appeared to be from different castes of life.  They cheered for the mighty Swirling storm, and presented him with treasure after treasure, thanking him for the mortal he had sent to solve their problems. He accepted each one with a grin, and a swollen chest of pride. This continued every month,with different peoples coming each time from far off lands. The furthest one that he got was from the northern city of whitedell in Lumara. That one had brought a rumble of approval from his throat as he thought they did not like dragons up there. However when the man offered him such kind words and trinkets of gold and silver how could he refuse?


    Ramakox would gaze out from time to time after the mortals had left, and the excitement of praises had worn away. He would watch the sun, the trees, or trace the mountain side with his eyes and just think. His thoughts would go to Jandar, the mortal that had gotten him what he had wanted. Trinkets, people praising his name, and fame. The great dragon thumped his tail, wondering where in the world his mortal was, and what glorious adventures he was having in the dragon''s name. He would also fight the thought in the back of his mind that would beg the mortal to stay.


    One such time he had sat down by one of the rivers by his home, letting the spring breeze wash against his cheek. He gave a pleased sigh as he basked in the warm sun, taking in the alluring scent of the flowers that made his scales shiver. He had just sent Jandar on his way, more proud of him than he had ever been. Apparently the now man had helped save the very queen from some dark cult or another.   He grinned to himself, wondering how the royals would repay the kind great dragon that provided them with such a successful adventurer. He watched the running water, his eyes finding fish that were darting around in the liquid, reminding him of all the times he went fishing with Jandar. He let out a sigh as he twitched his tail. It seems not that long ago...


    ¡°If you''re going to stare at it so intently, you should just hop in and swim around in it.¡± came a singsong voice that made him jump in surprise and unfurl his wings. For sitting right beside him was a sea foam scale covered dragoness with orange underscales and wing membranes.  She was sitting on her webbed paws, with her tail curled around her casually. It gave a slight thump against the grass as she gazed at him with her royal purple eyes.


    ¡°H-how did you sneak up on me!¡± he burst out, refolding his wings and trying to settle his rapidly beating heart. ¡°You''re lucky I did not accidentally strike out at you!¡±


    ¡°Oh right.¡±the dragoness smacked her snout with her front claw. ¡°You were so lost within thought, I figured I''d just slink in and introduce myself...Although I forgot to do that bit.¡± She wrinkled her snout, and turning her white horned head towards the river. ¡°My name is Fremra.¡± She curled her snout into a grin. ¡°And you must be Ramakox...The mighty Swirling Storm.¡±

 Chapter 12

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 12</u>


    <u> </u>


    ¡°H-how is it that you know my name?¡± Ramakox stammered, his gruff voice cracking a bit as his mind was still a tad flustered at being so thoroughly surprised. ¡°Uh..How did you know my name?¡± his voice returned, as he resettled himself and swelled out his scaled chest.


    ¡°Well...¡± The dragoness raised one of her claws to her snout, and started cleaning the scales with her long pink tongue. She traced along the length, around all the fine scales until she got to the orange webbed part of her limb. ¡°I thought everyone had heard of the great and powerful Swirling Storm.¡± her eyes traced along his scales as she continued to clean herself, moving onto the next limb when she had finished. ¡°Whose eyes were like treasured silver, and whose wings sprung forth thunderclaps every time he beat his wings?¡± She raised an eyebrow as the sweet words flowed from her maw.


    Were those the lines that Jandar had been using? Ramakox smiled internally, mentally reminding himself to thank the man for such strong and well fitting words of praise. ¡°I meant how did you know my actual name.¡±


    Fremra rose mid lick to give him a playful smile as she rose to all fours and began to stretch her limbs one by one. ¡°Depends on who you ask..And the mortals that you talk to.¡± She arched her back like a cat, letting a soft groan escape her mouth. One that made Ramakox''s scales itch, made him want to stretch as well. ¡°I just figured the whole thing was your name.¡± She took a graceful step towards him, and started to circle him as he kept his eyes trained on her the entire time.


    Ramakox eyed her scales, tracing along every portion of her. She had not adopted a hostile stance, and her muscles were untensed.  Always be careful. The thought occurred to him as he checked her talons. From there he raised his eyes to see two large scars along her scales, one right at the base of her neck, and the other in the middle of her long tail. She seemed well fed, fit, and almost his size in length and height. He had to admit that her orange frills that went from the top of her snout to the tip of her tail were most pleasing to the eye. ¡°Which mortal was that?¡± he asked casually, carefully watching her reaction as she continued to walk and smile.


    ¡°Hmmm..¡± She fluttered her frills with a soft chuckle. ¡°Checking my scales out are we?¡± She gave him a knowing smile as she came to a stop, and resettled her wings against her back. ¡°Oh you know...Some mortals with blue scales.¡± She raised an eyebrow.


    There was a brief moment of silence as Ramakox''s eyes widened, and alarms sounded in his skull. He felt his blood run hot and before he knew what he was doing, he was snarling and baring his teeth. ¡°What about him? If you have harm-.¡±


    ¡°Calm your scales there Ramakox The Mighty Swirling Storm.¡± She replied with a lowered soothing voice, that instantly set his nerves at ease. She glided her tail gently underneath his chin, giving him a wide grin.¡±All I did was talk to the man, ask him about the dragon that clearly had an effect on his appearance.¡±


    Oh. Ramakox untensed his muscles, and let the rising heat fade away with the next deep breath he took. He gave a pleased sigh as her scent was very much like the sea, and it made his wings flutter softly. This was ruined as he thought to the blue scales on Jandar, and felt a stab of guilt to his heart. ¡°What did he say?¡±


    ¡°It did not take much to get your name from him. I had to just ask with one of these.¡± She lowered her snout to Ramakox and gave him two large eyes. Adorable eyes that were full of wonder and curiosity. It instantly made the blue dragon want to tell her anything, possibly ask her to stay.


    Damn shes good at that face...So adorable....Don''t show her its working. ¡°Indeed.¡± Ramakox snorted, causing her to sit back onto her haunches and throw her head back into a fit of laughter.


    ¡°The thing that most had me curious though?¡± She ceased her laughing and returned to look at him, her tail casually curling around her. ¡°The way he talked about you...Not just the praises that were flowing from his mouth like he was a thrall..But everything else.¡± She raised a paw, and placed it to her orange scaled chest. ¡°You would think that you raised the man...Which by his appearance..I would say that it is not too crazy to think.¡±


    ¡°So..What brings you to my territory?¡± he asked, trying to avoid the topic of Jandar''s scales. ¡°Did you come looking to mate or something? Did you come to try and take some of my territory for your own?¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± The dragoness tossed back her head dramatically, and fell onto her back with fits of hysterical growly laughter. Her tail smacked against the grass, as her limbs spasmed, and her wings fluttered. ¡°Oh..thats...Aahhahahahah!¡±


    ¡°I did not think it was that funny.¡± Ramakox grumbled as he stoically watched the wiggling, cackling dragoness. He could feel irritation lurking within his bones as he drummed his talons against the dirt and waited.


    She continued on like this for a solid two minutes before ceasing her laughter, and wiping a tear from eyes. ¡°Oh..That..was..¡± She chuckled to herself as she sat back down with her tail curled around her. ¡°Where were we? Oh yes..¡± She chuckled slightly, looking like she was fighting off another bout of laughter. This time however it looked like she swallowed it down and continued on. ¡°Me? Conquer things?¡± She fought another chuckle as a smile came to her snout. ¡°Or Mate?¡± Her eyes once more took all of Ramakox in, and he noticed they did linger around his slit. ¡°You presume much...But alas.¡± she looked away from him and closed her eyes. ¡°What can be expected from a male.¡±  She ended the statement with a soft chuckle, and a thump of her tail.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Then why even come to my lands? Why seek me out?¡± Ramakox tilted his head to the side as the dragoness started inspecting her talons one at a time. It reminded him of the way the Emerald Lady usually had done it.


    ¡°Why does anyone do anything Ramakox The Great and Powerful Swirling Storm.¡± She raised her other paw next, eyes focused right on her talons. ¡°Perhaps I am simply a leaf on the wind, going where ever the breeze takes me?¡±


    A traveling dragon? He had heard about some in the stories from long ago. Some he knew quite well over the years. He just did not think he would ever meet one in the flesh. It had seemed like a fantastical idea. One that was simple a product of the stories. ¡°You don''t have a home?¡± the words came from his mouth but felt alien to the tongue.


    ¡°Now I never said that.¡± She strolled away from him towards the river with a flick of her tail.


    ¡°So what are you saying then?¡± the blue dragon padded after her, easily keeping pace with the dragoness. He suspected that she slowed her walk so that he could catch up, if the coy smile she gave him was any indication. He followed her in silence until she sat down gently by the rivers edge, and casually dipped a claw into the water.


    ¡°Your water is nice here.¡± She sighed, swirling a claw in the running water. ¡°Very much like the water of the coast near here...I think I even spotted a few placed that could fit me.¡±


    Is she asking something of me?  The thought popped into his head when she did not look to him, and gave a long drawn out sigh. ¡°Are you asking permission to stay on my territory?¡± he sat down beside her, letting his tail snake out behind him.


    ¡°Is that what I did?¡± she looked back to him, placing her two claws over her snout in surprise. ¡°If I did..¡± She placed her paws back down onto the ground. ¡°Would you let me?¡± Before he could offer a response she slid into the water gracefully, quickly submerging herself up to her snout. She swam through the water like she was a fish, easily besting the soft current.


    Ramakox sat and watched her swim around as he drummed his talons against the earth one by one. He thought about what she had just asked, the prospect was interesting to say the least. He grumbled to himself when he saw her dart quickly in the water, moving far faster than he ever could. If he did not know any better, he would say she was showing off for him. He broke his sight from the teal dragoness to the tops of the vibrant green trees. He imagined her great orange membranes carrying her over the treetops. He had to admit, things had been fairly lonely these past few years. Even if he had spent a lot of time in East Cliff with the mortals, it just was not the same as the companionship of a dragon. Or the mortal you care about. With a snort he came to the conclusion that it would be good to have her around.


    ¡°I will allow you to reside in my territory...On the condition that you do not cause trouble for the mortals that reside within it. If I find you have hurt them in anyway, I will forcibly remove you from my lands...If you can follow that, then you are allowed to stay.¡± He looked down with a satisfied snort. He was rather pleased with the way he had laid things out for her. He found that she was swimming on her back with a smug grin. It was like she had planned this the entire time.


    ¡°Very well....But I warn you Ramakox The Great and Powerful Swirling Storm.¡± She casually swam backwards away from him. ¡°I will be starting my heat in a few days, and if I catch you trying to take advantage of me, I will claw that face of yours.¡± She held out her claws, showing of the talons as she opened and closed them. ¡°I am in no mood to bear your, or any other dragon''s clutch.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn''t dream of it.¡± the blue dragon looked away with a snort, causing the dragoness to laugh.


    ¡°That''s what they all say. Then you have to claw up some handsome dragon''s face.¡±


    ¡°Handsome am I?¡± he turned to her with a toothy grin.


    ¡°If I say no, will I still be able to stay in your territory?¡± She raised one of her wings from the water, letting the water slide off of it and run down the membranes.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Ramakox frowned, flicking his tail as he grumbled to himself.


    ¡°I have certainly seen worse dragons...¡± She swam swiftly over towards the water''s edge, poking her neck out from the water. ¡°Why not come in? The water is fine.¡±


    ¡°I..no.¡± Ramakox snorted. He typically only went into the river to scrub himself with rocks, or wash away blood from his kills. He had not been swimming in quite some time.


    ¡°Oh come on.¡± she playfully flicked some water onto his snout. ¡°Or is the brave and mighty Swirling Storm afraid of some water?¡±


    The dragon rolled his head with a snort. It was like a small fire had been lit inside him, begging him to prove her wrong. ¡°I''ll show you afraid.¡± he grumbled, leaping into the water. He crashed into the cool liquid with a great splash that slammed into the surprised dragoness. He swam through the water like a dog, and treaded water before her. ¡°There..I am not afraid of water.¡±


    ¡°You call that swimming?¡± she gestured to his pitiful paddling against the water. She glided around him like the water was not even there. She continued to circle him as he made his way to the center of the river.


    ¡°Yes..This is swimming.¡± he followed the chuckling teal dragoness while she circled him.


    ¡°I have seen wrymlings swim better then you... Ramakox The great and powerful Swirling Storm. I suppose it can be added to the list of things he is not good at.¡±


    ¡°Your making a list of my shortcomings?¡± he growled lightly, fighting against the current with his paddling. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± she cackled, darting away playfully as he moved towards her. ¡°You''re too slow...You''ll never catch me swimming like that.¡±


    The blue dragon frowned and grumbled as he realized that was true. No matter how well he swam, she was ever more graceful than he was. He resigned himself to slowly paddling after her, causing her to always dart away with a chuckle. The only time he got close to her in the water, it was because she had allowed it. However sure enough when he got close, she bolted away and sprayed him with water. When he had enough of her teasing he made his way back to the edge,and picked himself up onto the ground. He shook himself powerfully like a canine, flicking the water from his scales in a large shower.


    ¡°Awww...Too much water for the old Ramakox?¡± she called to him in a singsong voice.


    ¡°No..it''s not.¡± the dragon replied gruffly with a snort.


    ¡°I..Could practically live in the water.¡± She swam towards the shore several feet away. She slipped out of the water, and flicked all the liquid from her scales with several shakes of her body.


    ¡°If you really are going to be staying here...I should show you the best hunting spots...The best sunbathing spots, areas where to scrub your scales clean.¡±


    ¡°No thanks.¡± she replied with a snap of her jaws. ¡°Besides...Anything that you hunt would not interest me.¡±


    Of that''s right. The blue dragon let out a sigh as he drummed his talons. ¡°You eat nothing but seafood.¡±


    ¡°Now he catches on.¡± she smiled. ¡°Although...I have tried Elk before..It was fairly tasty for land based food.¡±


    ¡°So will you be staying by the coast?¡± he asked, when she had turned to spread her wings. ¡°So I know where to avoid when you''re in heat.¡± He tried to fight the image of a needy dragoness begging for him to quell her heat. He shook his head and focused on the cool water instead.


    ¡°How sweet of you.¡± she replied back, turning towards him. She rose a claw to her snout and drummed her talons against the pebbly surface gently. ¡°Hmmmmmm.¡± she tapped her tail against the ground as she looked around at the trees, the river, and then back to Ramakox. ¡°Passed that mortal town.¡± She pointed with her left wing in the direction of East Cliff. ¡°On the rocks there by the ocean.¡± She curled her head around as if she were looking at it in that moment. ¡°It has the best view...Even has water right up to the entrance.¡± she flicked her tail at him, than quickly bounded into the air. ¡°See you around Ramakox The great and powerful Swirling Storm. I hope to not see you in the next month!¡± She bared her teeth and slashed at the air with her claws.  ¡°I''d really hate to claw up that snout of yours. Make it worse than it is.¡±


    ¡°Watch your tongue!¡± he called with with a snort of irritation. She gave him a loud roar farewell, her wings carrying her swiftly out of sight. He thought about following her for a moment but decided against it. As slightly annoying as she was, it was dragon to share company with. When he started flying towards his home, he wondered when he would see her next.

 Chapter 13

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 13:</u>


    <u> </u>


    Ramakox flew through the air across his countryside, letting the wind batter against his blue snout as he gazed down to the plains and forests dotting the landscape. He took a deep breath and shivered as he remembered the scent of Fremra on the wind. It had awoken a primal urge within him to seek her out and mate her, but he managed to control himself for that month. It had taken everything he had to not swoop down when he had spotted her close by, peeking in on him from time and time again. It had taken all he had to not brush up against her and start to put the moves on the dragoness'' eager body. He understood it was only natural for him, but it made him grit his teeth and knead his claws against the ground. He instead had pushed each erotic thought from his mind by tending to his own needs. This allowed him to focus on patrolling his territory and ignore the alluring dragoness.


    He landed softly with a back-wing in a large rolling field of vibrant green grass, highlighted by the bright sun above. It had been a week since the end of her heat, and the dragoness was still following him  wherever he went. When he would go hunting, relax, or inspect his territory, he would often find her close at claw. She would be just at the edge of his vision, spinning in the air, lazing around, or swimming in the water. He got the sneaking suspicion that the teal dragoness was following him for some reason. He pushed the thought from his mind as he settled down onto all fours, grumbling to himself as he curled around himself. He had just got done with discussing guard patrols with the council in East Cliff, and those meetings always left him drained. He let out a sigh as he just closed his eyes and enjoyed the heat that was spreading around his scales. He imagined he could stay there forever with the sun''s rays warming his scales, and the occasional soft breeze that would make him shiver and sigh in content.


    ¡°You kept your word about my heat.¡± the singsong voice, and the scent of the ocean signaling the arrival of the teal dragoness only a few feet away. ¡°T-that was unexpected.¡± He heard her start to pad over, taking a few deep breaths as she did so.


    ¡°You asked to be left alone.¡± he snorted, like it was the most obvious answer in the world.  ¡°And I don''t make it a habit to rape people. No matter how attractive and alluring they smell at the time.¡±


    ¡°So you were checking my scales out the other day.¡± She chuckled, settling down near him, and flopping down onto her back. She flopped her head back onto the grass, and let out a pleasured croon escape from her mouth. ¡°Come here often?¡± she asked with a soft sigh, wiggling her tail in the grass.


    ¡°When I need to relax. When I need to cast off the stresses of the day...Yes.¡± He opened one of his eyes to see her pawing at the empty air with a smirk on her snout. ¡°And If I recall, you were checking out my scales the other day. You even lingered on certain....areas if I recall correctly.¡± He chuckled internally, remembering how she had stared right at his slit.


    ¡°I think your male ego is getting to you Rammy. I think you wish I was staring right at your maleness.¡± she flicked her tail, as she closed her eyes gently.


    ¡°Rammy? Why would you call me that?¡± he tilted his head to the side. He tried to push down the feeling of irritation working it''s way up from his chest at the nickname.


    ¡°Easier to say than Ramakox, and less silly than The Swirling Storm.¡± She gave a growly laugh that made her fine scales clink together softly.


    ¡°Well..if my title is so silly, what is yours?¡± he wrinkled his snout, and narrowed his eyes at the still giggling dragoness. The irritation bubbling to the surface with each passing moment.


    ¡°Don''t have one.¡± she smiled, rolling away from him with a grin.


    Ramakox pulled his head back in surprise. He flicked his tail as the feeling of irritation melted away to only be replaced with one of confusion.  He placed a claw to his snout, as it felt like his world was about to spin around him. ¡°You...don''t have one?...So what do the mortals call you then?¡±


    ¡°Uh...My name, Rammy...Honestly, are all dragons around here this slow? Or is it just you?¡±


    ¡°Watch it.¡± he snapped at her with a taught voice bordering on a growl.


    ¡°You just give your name to the mortals freely then?¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± she held up her snout, and placed a claw to her scaled chest. ¡°It makes things thousand times easier too. None of that worrying about whose going to say it.¡± She released a loud chuckle as she looked passed him and to the trees. ¡°Why do you give them a title then Rammy?¡±


    Ramakox swallowed down his next words, wracking his brain for the answer. It was something that had been told to him by his parents when he was just a wrymling, and they having been told by their parents. It was a tradition passed down to all dragon''s. ¡°It''s just the way it is..Names are for friends, family and dragons, and titles are for mortals.¡±


    ¡°That''s a stupid reason if I have ever heard of one.¡± She rolled away, laughing as though she had been told the funniest joke she had ever heard.


    Ramakox turned away from the dragoness as the irritation that had been bubbling up reached its height. How dare she come over here and poke fun at him again.  ¡°Have you come over here for a reason besides getting on my last nerves?¡± He growled, his tail flicking behind him and cutting several blade of grass.


    ¡°Oh.¡± she came to a stop mid tumble. Her smile instantly vanished from her snout. ¡°You''re really upset aren''t you.¡± she stated softly, her voice almost a whisper.


    What? ¡°Did you think this was a game?¡± he found himself growling again, and instantly regretting it as she looked away from him quickly. ¡°Why even come to my territory if all you''re going to do is find everything I do silly?¡±


    She said not a word as she fidgeted in the grass. It seemed like she wanted to say something, it seemed to be right on the tip of her tongue, as her tail brushed the grass around her. ¡°Will you still show me the hunting grounds you talked about?¡± she asked clearly avoiding the question. Her voice rose ever so slightly as she did so.


    ¡°I...¡± Ramakox''s anger came to a dead stop as he looked to the dragoness gazing out to the fields around them. It was like it melted away like ice on a warm summers day. He watched her peak to him several times as he contemplated in silence. It would always be accompanied with a nervous twitch of her tail, or fidget of her right forepaw. ¡°Why would you want to see it now? I asked you last month and you seemed to brush it off like it was nothing.¡±


    ¡°Didn''t want a reason to go hunting in your areas. Especially with my heat on the rise. Who knows what could have happened with us being in constant contact. It only takes one mistake to suddenly have me swollen with your clutch.¡± She let out a sigh as she rose her talons to her snout and started to drum them against the pebbly scales.


    ¡°That did not seem to stop you during it. I spotted you several times following me.¡± he pointed out with a satisfied tap of his tail. ¡°What was with that?¡± He waited for her to respond, but she seemed to ignore the question and remained in silence. After several minutes of her not responding he got onto all fours and let out a sigh. Perhaps she would open up to him in time. ¡°Come on Fremra.¡± he strode passed her confidently, gesturing to the sky with his serpentine neck. ¡°I can show you those hunting grounds now. I have the time in my schedule.¡±


    ¡°Lucky me.¡± she replied, her voice returning to the singsong that he had known. ¡°You looked ever so busy just a moment ago.¡± She raised a brow and shot him a sly grin across her snout.


    ¡°Most busy.¡± he snorted, and spread his vast wings wide before her. He felt pleased when he saw her eyes widen at his membranes, and it sent a growling rumble of approval through his throat. ¡°So follow me.¡± he beat his wings against the air and bounded into the sky without another thought. With his next joyous breath he was high above the fields, and passed the treetops. He could feel the irritation that had been lurking somewhere in his bones be cast out with each beating of his wings upon the air. He even smiled as the wind brushed against his cheeks. The dragon  opened his maw and let electricity dance around his teeth for a brief moment.  He slowed down his wing-beats to cast a look back to her, make sure she had followed him after all. However as he did so, there was a teal blur that suddenly passed by his snout and almost struck him.


    ¡°So where are these hunting grounds that I must see.¡± she roared out, angling her wings and circling around to look at him. It appeared that she was just as home in the sky as she was in the water. ¡°Cause afterwords I could show you some of mine, and I bet they are way more interesting.¡±


    ¡°You already have hunting grounds?¡± he asked, catching up to her with his next series of flaps. ¡°You''ve only been here a month how do you..¡±


    ¡°Of course I do...How do you think I kept myself fed silly?¡± She tapped her skull with one of her talons. ¡°Got to use the thing between the horns Rammy...Besides...I doubt you were hunting the oceans around here for food anyway.¡±


    ¡°I..¡± he shut his snout as thoughts failed him. That was certainly true, and he felt embarrassment run through his scales at the face it had not occurred to him. When he did not reply she just let out a loud laugh into the air. He felt himself smiling as she brushed against him, her wing-tips briefly touching his own. He pushed her playful flying from his mind as he gazed out to the fields of viridian, focusing on a large black stone pillar that jutted up from the earth like some charcoal eyesore. It was there that the best hunting spot could be found, whenever the dragon would come here in the morning,he was almost certain to find prey.


    ¡°You''re not used to company are you?¡± Fremra asked him, taking position beside him again and flashing him a look of concern on her snout, and breaking the sound of his wings with her singsong voice.


    ¡°No.¡± he admitted with the next flapping of his wings. He thought back to to all the long days he had been spending without Jandar to break up the boredom. ¡°I am not.¡± he wrinkled his snout, and ignored her eyes.


    ¡°That''s alright. I''m not used to it anymore either.¡± Fremra said flatly, the look of happiness on her face instantly darkening. It only lasted for a moment before she angled her membranes and entered several spins in the air. ¡°Can you spin Ramakox?¡± she shouted, her joyous attitude infectious to the blue dragon. ¡°Or..¡± She arched her neck back to him when she returned to gliding. ¡°Are you scared?¡±


    ¡°Did you not learn this the first time you dared assume that?¡± he found himself laughing. He angled his wings like she had done, and did several spins for good measure. ¡°There.¡± he flew over to her, as she gave him a pleased trilling noise from her throat.


    ¡°So why the boy?¡± she asked suddenly, raising a brow.


    ¡°Why the boy what?¡± he replied with a slight chuckle, the euphoria of the spin still lingering in his scales. His wing-tips passed through a low hanging cloud, his membranes collecting several droplets of water along their surface.


    ¡°You know...¡± she pounded her wings against the air, and did a flip over him with her next maneuver. ¡°Why did you raise him like a wrymling? You don''t see or hear of many dragon''s doing that...Especially males.¡±


    ¡°Why so curious about my life?¡± he looked away from her with a slight grumble and raise of an eyebrow.


    ¡°You''re the only one around that I find interesting to talk to.¡± she chuckled from the back of her throat. ¡°Also figured I would get to know the dragon, whose territory I am currently staying in.¡±


    ¡°Why not the mortals?¡± he asked like it was obvious. ¡°Why have you not introduced yourself to them? They can be quite entertaining or sweet at times.¡± Ramakox smiled as he thought to all the interactions with the mortals of east cliff, their pleasing words and gifts. It made him all warm and fuzzy as he looked to Fremra, who was once again frowning.


    ¡°No.¡± she replied flatly. ¡°I may tolerate one mortal or two...But I hate groups of them.¡± she suddenly wrinkled her snout and snarled.


    ¡°Why is that?¡± he went to ask, but as he said the final word she had already bounded away with a series of wing flaps. He watched her tail for a moment before heading after her. Once again he felt the feeling of curiosity linger in his bones. More than ever did he want to know more about her.  ¡°H-hey!¡± he roared out. ¡°Who is leading who?¡± He quickly closed the distance between the two in a matter of moments. She may have been the faster one in the water, but up here in the sky, Ramakox was quicker.


    ¡°So you can catch me up here!¡± she cried out, suddenly changing direction and entering a nosedive towards the ground far below. Her tail almost smacked against his nose by inches as she dove. ¡°But I think I am the more maneuverable one!¡± she laughed as Ramakox renewed his efforts to chase her down.


    This continued on for several minutes until with a final beat of his wings his claw reached out and brushed against her smooth scales. ¡°Got you!¡± he roared out, blood pumping in his chest quickly. He felt like he was a younger dragon of at least a hundred, as he flashed her a cocky smile full of teeth.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°Oh very good Ramakox. You can catch females.¡± she laughed, taking wing beside him again without another word. ¡°Although, I only let you catch me mind you.¡± She turned to him and stuck her tongue out him quickly.


    ¡°Sure you did.¡± he chuckled, taking a few deep breaths to settle his excitement. It was when he looked down to the ground he realized he had lost track of the pillar. In all the excitement he must have simply forgotten about it. He entered a hover in the air as he scanned the ground with each turn of his neck.


    ¡°Get lost?¡± she circled him with a playful laugh. ¡°Too much attention on the attractive and alluring dragoness hmmm?¡± She circled one last time before joining him in hovering.


    ¡°Why all the playing?¡± he asked, tracing the green trees. It was not long before he once more found the large onyx pillar. ¡°Why the swimming, the catch, and the teasing?¡± he angled his wings and flew towards the stone.


    ¡°Why not?¡± she caught up to him, flashing him an irritated look. ¡°Is there a rule book somewhere on how I am supposed to act? Like a section that is full of stats and various numbers?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± he laughed at the crazy thought. ¡°Fremra...How old are you?¡± the question came out the moment it popped into his head. He knew she was roughly his size, so she was around his age. However by the way she acted, he could have believed she was a very young dragon, just a bigger one than normal. ¡°I never asked when we first met.¡±


    ¡°Twelve hundred seasons.¡± she raised her snout, closing her eyes and letting the wind batter her face, and make her frills flutter. ¡°Why...How old are you Ramakox?¡±


    ¡°Twenty three hundred twenty seasons.¡± he said without skipping a beat.


    ¡°So why are you not playing these games? You''re not that old Rammy.¡± She smiled, brushing up against him once more.


    ¡°Because I am not a younger dragon?¡± he replied. The words had seemed right in his head, but as he looked to the playful dragoness around him they started to sound wrong. Like he had no idea of what he was talking about.


    ¡°That''s funny because I knew...¡± She suddenly snapped her mouth shut and looked away from him. The look of joy once again faded from her face, causing him to want to question her about it. ''How much further?¡± she asked once again in  a flat voice, as they passed through a collection of large ducks. The birds honked their disapproval and scattered in several directions from the large dragons.


    ¡°Not far.¡± he pointed to the stone that they were practically on top of at this point.  He admired the pristine onyx stone. It was perfectly smooth on all it''s side, with various rune carvings on it''s surface. Ramakox did not know who had made the runes, but it had looked like it had been done with a claw. If he had to put coin to his snout he would guess that ancient dragons had made this pillar to mark something down of great importance. However for Ramakox it meant a good meal. ¡°We are actually here.¡± he rumbled. The thoughts of a successful hunt already entering his mind and filling his limbs with warmth. He could already feel his blood starting to pump faster, and his muscles ready in anticipation for the hunt.


    He tilted his membranes to enter a turn. He brought her lower and lower until they came to a large hilly spot near the stone. Ramakox thought to how good of a spot this was, since he could lay down on his belly and gaze out all around him in different directions. He could already taste the meal on his mouth as he licked his snout absentmindedly. He imagined a nice deer, elk, or moose would satisfy his appetite.  He back-winged with a  slight bump as his paws settled down onto the warm grass. He held up his snout slowly, closing his eyes as the bright sun''s rays struck them. He released a small sigh before he flared his nostrils and took a large lung filling breath that made his scales shiver. He wiggled his tail at the delightful smell of pine that was wafting it''s way all the way up to this spot from the forest. He gave a low rumble of approval when the scent of the ocean was soon mixed with the forest, signaling Fremra''s arrival.


    ¡°So this is it huh?¡± she asked flatly as she strode passed him and gazed down to the large hill dotted with flowers of all colors. ¡°I hate to break it to you...But I don''t see anything worth hunting around here.¡±


    ¡°This is where we wait to find our meal.¡± he grumbled as she settled down onto her haunches with her tail curled around her. He shifted his gaze to the tree-line, to sections that he had usually spied a meal or two creeping around. However this time it was as she said, nothing was skulking around. ¡°We may just have to wait a tad longer than I''m used to.¡± He chuckled, settling down next to her.


    ¡°So you just sit here and wait?¡± she turned to him, rolling her purple spheres. ¡°In the ocean...I swim around when I hunt...None of this waiting business.¡± The dragoness lowered herself to her belly and placed her snout into her paws with a snort.


    ¡°You are as impatient as a wrymling.¡± he chuckled, tearing his view away from her scales to the forest once more. He wondered if she was trying to distract him so that he could not hunt.  He closed his eyes once more, taking in another breath and focusing on the scents. Everything he had smelled before was still there, lingering in the air, however there was a new scent mixed in with them. It was the scent of deer that he had come to know oh so well over the years. He sniffed again, looking like a dog as his tail flicked. He may not be able to see them anywhere, but it was good sign. He opened his eyes and found that Fremra had rolled away from him. He scooched himself closer towards her in order to share the good news.


    ¡°Decided to give up and enjoy basking in the sun with me?¡± She flopped onto her back, throwing her head onto the grass.


    ¡°No.¡± he replied, returning his attention to the scent of deer. After several minutes he began to wonder if they had simply moved away from this section of his territory. If the creatures had spread the word about how the dragon that lived here liked to frequent this spot. But that''s impossible...Isn''t it? He was about to give up on this spot, and show the dragoness another such spot. That was until she spoke again.


    ¡°So why the human?¡± she asked again, tail thumping the grass. She rose her snout slowly to look at him, and grinning at him from ear to ear. ¡°Why did you raise him like a wrymling? You did not say so before...I was paying attention.¡±


    ¡°I did not raise him.¡± Ramakox snorted, pulling his eyes from the forest once again to the amused dragoness before him. He realized as the words left his maw, that he really did not believe them. When she said nothing and cast him a coy smile he looked away quickly.


    ¡°Uh-huh...So the blue scales are simply a fashion statement? I did not know mortals could grow scales in such a way...Must be oh so flattering he chose your colors.¡±


    ¡°Those...¡± Guilt punched it''s way through his armor to his heart as he thought to Jandar, and the lie he had told him that day. Granted the spell had worked, and the boy was better off for it, but he could still not shake the feeling from his scales. ¡°Were the after effects of a ritual to help him cast spells.¡± he waved to her dismissively as he brushed his tail against the earth.


    ¡°Uh-huh.¡± she said again with a soft giggle. She started to wiggle her tail again along with the entirety of her back. ¡°So how often did you see this human...Who has your scales and eyes?....But did not raise.¡±


    ¡°He saw me once a week...At first...Then everyday...¡± he grumbled as the smirk grew on her snout with each word. ¡°And then he started to live with me...It only seemed more convenient.¡±


    ¡°AHA! You did raise him!¡± she shouted out, filling the air with her growly laughter soon after, like she had not a care in the word. When she did this, it was hard not to admire her scales in the golden sunlight.


    Ramakox found his eyes drawn to her bright orange under scales, that seemed to be cast aflame in the afternoon sun. He found himself avoiding looking at her gender as her tail briefly brushed against his face. He traced every scale leading up to her snout, once more focusing on the scars she bore. ¡°So...whats with the scars?¡± he asked casually, looking back to the forest like it was no big deal.


    Her laughter suddenly ceased, and she grew more quiet than she had been previously. ¡°Oh it''s a long and boring story.¡± she said with her singsong voice. ¡°One we have plenty of time to talk about later... Now what about this bit of you having him around...Cause it''s clear that you miss the human dearly.¡±


    ¡°So what?¡± he smacked her tail away with a grumble from his throat. ¡°Of course I miss him home. How could I not miss the human that was my son?¡± He snapped his snout towards her, ¡°He is always on my mine no matter where he is. I find myself wondering if he is eating right, getting enough sleep, making friends, getting hurt...¡± Ramakox trailed off and rose to all fours. He could feel his blood starting to boil with each thought about Jandar and his absence. ¡°Do you even know what it''s like?¡±


    The dragoness to his surprise sat upright, all the giggling and wiggling gone from her body it seemed. Her eyes glanced to him, and then to the tree line. He saw the brightness that had been in her eyes fade away in an instant, as she seemed to be recalling something in her mind. For a brief second he was sure he had seen her scales tremble slightly as she hung her head and released a long and drawn out sigh.  ¡°Oh..Hey look a deer.¡± she shot her snout up, her mood suddenly returning to it''s normal and cheery self. ¡°Now you can show me how to hunt properly.¡± She rose to all fours, stretching like a cat. ¡°Than I can show how I do it better.¡± She smirked, after giving him a tongue curling yawn.


    ¡°Do it better?¡± he rumbled, disappointment lingering in the back of his mind. He had been close to something, he just knew it. Something was lurking beneath the surface of that dragoness'' scales he just knew it. He just had to figure out how to get under her defenses and figure out just what it was. He shifted his eyes from the now happy dragoness, to the form of a large stag by the treeline. The brown furred creature was just grazing away,unaware he had just strolled into the sights of two dragons.


    Ramakox swelled up his chest in pride as he took a few steps towards the thing. ¡°Get ready to watch me work.¡± he said proudly, turning slightly to her with a smile and a gesture to the stag with his wing talon.


    ¡°Don''t go waiting on my account.¡± She laughed, ¡°Go ahead and make a fool of yourself...Then I can show you how to properly hunt.¡± She flashed him a great tooth filled smile, showing off her bright white pointed teeth, as her tail started tapping the ground behind her to a tune only she knew.


    Ramakox would have thought she was up to something by the way she was grinning at him, but he pushed it from his mind as he lowered his haunches and prepared himself for the hunt.  He stretched his wings out wide, letting out a pleased sigh as he kneaded the dirt with his claws. He could already feel the ground that was going to be ripped from the earth as he bounded towards the stag in his sights. He pictured grabbing at the things neck with his mighty jaws, and with a quick snap ending the things life. He wiggled his tail and pulled himself from the thoughts as he let out a long hiss into the air.


    ¡°Just go already. I think I might actually be dying from anticipation.¡± she laughed, growling in the back of her throat.


    ¡°I''ll show you!¡± Ramakox bolted from his position like an arrow loosed from a taught bow. His world narrowed to the stag that had not detected his presence as he bounded across the field with several wing-flaps. He could taste the thing on his tongue as he opened his maw, his anticipation building with each paw that struck the grass below him. His eyes widened as the stag rose it''s head and wrinkled it''s black nose. It had a moment of terror as it''s eyes found the dragon that was almost on top of it.  Thats right...run his mind whispered to him, let me give chase. He could feel the thrill eating away at his nerves as the thing went to leap away from him.  However the stag never got a chance to do that.


    The grass around the stag''s hooves suddenly rose up like little green tendrils to hold the thing in place. It gave a cry of terror moments before Ramakox latched his jaw around the thing''s neck, and in a single forceful yank, snapped it.  His eyes looked to the grass, wondering what had made them rise up from the ground.


    ¡°See? It''s much easier when you use magic.¡± Fremra laughed, landing beside him with a gust of wind. ¡°Just had to use an entangle spell and your hunt was over almost instantly.¡± she smiled, playfully shoving him with her claw.


    He felt a small tingle of disappointment flash through his mind as he dropped the dead stag to the ground. He was reminded about the time he had gone fishing with Jandar, and had done practically the same thing to the boy. He wrinkled his snout as he did not like being on the other side of it for a change. ¡°You took the fun out of it.¡±


    ¡°Oh you''re just jealous.¡± she laughed, pushing him again. ¡°Did I ruin your chance to show off for me? To show the dragoness how powerful you are?¡±


    Ramakox said not a word as he looked away and replied with a small snort. ¡°No...You did not.¡± he lied.


    ¡°So...all that talk about having me watch you work was just normal talking for you?¡± She lowered her snout towards the stag and pushed it towards him gently with her nose. ¡°Well..you killed it, might as well partake in your kill.¡±


    ¡°You first.¡± he gestured to the stag with a wave of his claw. ¡°You''re the one I was showing the grounds. It is only fair that you get first helpings.¡±


    ¡°You''re sharing?¡± she replied with a pleased croon, smiling and tapping her tail. ¡°How polite of you Ramakox.¡± She bared her teeth and ripped a chunk out of the stag, quickly gobbling it up in her jaws.


    ¡°So..where did you learn to cast magic like that?¡± he asked her after ripping a section of the flank off for himself and swallowing it down. He for a brief moment wished the thing was cooked and had pepper, but reminded himself he was around a fellow dragon. Lets not share that little oddity. He chuckled internally to himself.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± she raised her snout, blood dripping down the sides like water. ¡°You mean the spell I used on the stag?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I have not seen a dragon cast that kind of magic before.¡± He took another bite of the stag, once more gobbling down the delectable meat, and crunching bones in his jaw.


    ¡°That''s because it''s nature magic.¡± She replied casually.


    ¡°Nature magic?¡± that would certainly explain the grass thing she had done. ¡°I usually only hear about dragon''s being able cast arcane magic...How is that you can tap into that section of magic?¡±


    ¡°Always have been able to.¡± She shrugged. ¡°You should have seen my brothers. They teased me something awful when we were growing up. All four of them would laugh and point with their claws. But oh the moment they hurt themselves. Suddenly my gift was a blessing from the gods.¡± She laughed, tracing her talon in the grass.


    ¡°You can heal with it then?¡± he tilted his head to the side, and wiped his mouth with his claw.


    ¡°Mmhmnm.¡± she nodded, clicking the last traces of blood from her snout as she shook herself casually.  ¡°I can even feel the plants around me...Talk to animals...Heal wounds...Control the weather at times...It has been quite fascinating really.¡±


    ¡°That''s wonderful.¡± he smiled at the unique specimen of a dragon before him. ¡°So did you always live on land? I thought dragon''s of your scale color usually lived in the oceans.¡±


    ¡°That..is true.¡± she said softly, looking out to the trees as a breeze brushed against her.


    ¡°So why did you choose to live on land?¡± He asked, watching her fidget slightly at the question.


    ¡°Graaah..¡± She gasped out, her mood darkening once again. She looked away from him and spread her wings wide. ¡°I''ll see you later Ramakox..¡± She bounded into the air without another word, her tail flicking behind her as she flew quickly away from him.


    He had the feeling to follow her when he saw the pained look on her snout when she flew overhead. One that his mind screamed at him to not do.  With a quick uttering of a spell, the blue dragon touched a claw to his snout and made himself turn invisible. He sighed at the cooling sensation and bounded into the air after the worried looking dragoness. He quickly found her flying in the air, and kept a good distance behind her. One where she not smell him,but he could still follow her wherever she went.


    His mind screamed to him with each beat of his wings. This is a mistake...You are going to upset her...She is going to claw you...You will scare her from your territory...Than you will be alone again. He shook them as they sprang to him, accepting the consequences. He had to know what this was about. Why she had suddenly darkened, and why she suddenly bolted away. So he ignored the good advice of his mind and continued after the dragoness with his next wing-beat.  He imagined the scenario in his head as she began to descend towards the coast of his territory. He would swoop in, ask his questions, and the dragoness would answer him quickly and without little fuss.


    Your being WAAAAY too optimistic. The sound of Jandar''s voice filled his head and made him wrinkle his snout. Well your being too pessimistic. He replied to himself, landing silently on a section of dark grey stone scattered among a field of sand. He saw her enter a cave, that sat between two large rocks, and had a section of ocean that came all the way to the entrance. The waves licked at the stone, and made Ramakox want to sit here and just listen to their pleasing sounds all day. However that was not why he was here. He was not here to bask in the delightful smells of the ocean, it''s breeze, or take pleasure from the sound of crashing waves. There will be much time for that later. He crouched himself, and tried to silently follow after the dragoness.


    He followed her scent through the winding stone that was her home.  It seemed the cave went on for longer then it should have been, and went further down. The thought occurred to him that she had shaped the stone with her magic, making a section large enough for him to walk on that was lit by glowing sections of algae. Occasionally he would hear the slow dripping of water on the stone echo through the cave. It would make him stop, sniff the air, and listen for any other noise to grace his senses. Ramakox finally came to a large section of the cave with a quick breath filled with her scent.


    The section of the cave had been hollowed out to fit nearly three dragons of Ramakox''s size from wing tip to wing tip. The vast cave was empty save for sections of rocks that jutted up from the ground like little pillars. The place was lit up by the soft glow of turquoise algae, that smelled salty, and reminded him of ocean water. He looked up to see the cavern ceiling was at least twice his height above his head,and was covered in stalagmites. He briefly considered if any of them were a monster called a roper, some beast that disguised itself as such a rock, and devoured it''s foes with its large teeth. He was drawn from his thoughts to the sounds of crying. It made his next steps softer, as his felt ice start to weave it''s way to his heart. For he had heard that type of crying before in his life. It had been the same sound he had made when Infinity had been tore from him, and how alone, empty, and destroyed he had felt inside. Ramakox crept around one such pillar, and he stopped in his tracks.


    Fremra was huddled over what appeared to be a large leather bound book. One that was at least the size of her claw. She was tapping her tail gently on the stone as she was humming to herself, tears flowing down her cheeks as she gazed down to the pages before her. Her scales trembled softly, as she would raise a shaky limb and turn the large pages. She wiped her eyes with a talon, and continued with her mournful hum. She broke down crying when she turned to a page that seemed to have three paw prints stamped onto the page in black ink. There were two smaller ones, and one larger one that nearly dominated the page.


    ¡°Are...you okay.¡± he asked softly out of instinct. Forgetting for a moment that he was supposed to be quiet, and that he had not been welcomed in this place.


    ¡°What....are you doing here?¡± She snarled out, tears instantly fading away from her eyes she snapped her jaw at him. ¡°You followed me?¡± she snarled, scraping her talons against the stone.


    Ramakox took a step back, regret finding it''s way to his mind as he stumbled with how to explain himself. ¡°I just wanted...to..know...help..¡± he stammered, bumping against one of the stone walls. He cursed to himself for not paying attention.


    ¡°That..was incredibly rude!¡± she snarled, pointing a claw at the exit. ¡°Now get your scaly ass out of my sight before I rip into your hide!¡±


    ¡°But...¡± he stammered. ¡°I was only trying too..¡±


    ¡°I SAID NOW!¡± she roared, causing the stone around them to shake from her fury. ¡°LEAVE BEFORE I STRIKE YOU RAMAKOX!¡± She thrashed her tail against the stone, her breaths short and ragged.


    The blue dragon bolted from her sight without another thought. He did not want to see how far she would follow through with that threat. Especially since it was he that had barged in on her unannounced. What did I tell you? You should have left it well enough alone. His mind laughed at him as he stumbled up the stone. Now she hates you, and she will leave.. Ramakox arched his head to see that she was not following him, having decided to stay in her section of the cave it seemed. When he broke the entrance and was back onto the surface he had more questions than he had arrived with. What was that book? Why was she crying about it...And why was she really here?¡±


    He hung his head with a heavy sigh, hating himself for his on the wing decision. ¡°I will have to apologize to her.¡± he stated flatly to himself. ¡°Than maybe...I can find a different way to get the answers I seek.¡± He snorted, spread his wings, and bounded into the air.

 Chapter 14

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 14</u>


    ¡°Has she been around the town lately?¡± Ramakox asked to the stern faced wolven guard captain. His dark black fur lined with signs of grey. It had been two months since the day Ramakox had followed Fremra and had the encounter in her cave. The one where her voice rose like the thunder, and radiated in the halls of her home till the stone quaked in her fury. The blue dragon flinched as he remembered the ferocity in her roar that made his head ache, but within that anger he had seen pain in her purple spheres. Whatever it was within them, Ramakox was certain it had to deal with the book she had been sobbing over, and the emptiness of her cave. He wrinkled his snout at the thought she didn''t even have a bed of soft things to sleep on, and only had to look forward to the cold stone''s embrace upon her weary scales.


    ¡°Havn''t seen a scale or tail of her.¡± The wolven called Fenix replied, brushing the back fur of his neck that was poking out of his dark grey chainmail. ¡°Is it really a big concern? You told me that she was fairly harmless.¡±


    ¡°It''s not that I am concerned with her attacking the town.¡± Ramakox lied as he gazed out to the myriads of people that were walking the now cobblestone streets with smiles in his direction. It was amazing to him how much could change in the at least eight years within the town. The one that did not even remember his name that long ago. Now he was hand pressed to leave the town without a group of people flocking to him for his blessing, questions about magic and dragons, and occasionally sexual favors they could do for him. ¡°I just want to know how she is coping. She has not sought me out all week, and I was starting to grow concerned.¡± He grumbled to the guard captain, who gave him a quick nod in acknowledgement. Course that little bit was not true either. He of course had spotted her, and shared a few words together with her over the last two months. It had just been as long as the previous times. She would look away from him, say a few words, and then make an excuse to excuse herself from the conversation. Yet despite that little fact she was always still around him. He would always see her on the edge of his vision, maintaining a good distance between him and her.


    There were times when he would try and close this distance, words finding their way to his mind. Questions about the cave, the book, and why she was crying. However each time he tried, she would dart away, avoid him swiftly, or no doubt use nature magic to hide from his eyes and nose.


    ¡°Well...The best thing I can offer is that we will keep an ear to the ground for her...And a nose to the air.¡± Fenix waved casually for Ramakox to follow him through the busy streets, saying hello several people that stopped and waved to the captain. ¡°If we do spot a sign of her, we will signal you with the dragonpowder launchers. Right now they use them for fireworks, but they can still set off a glow and sound you can hear for miles around.¡±


    ¡°Dragonpowder?¡± Ramakox raised a brow. It certainly sounded familiar to him, but he could not for the life of him remember why. He drummed his talons on the hard cobblestone as he padded along side the captain in a moment of silent contemplation. The only sound to grace them being the idle chatter of the townsfolk around them filled with silent or loud praises for the dragon before them.


    ¡°Come on Swirling Storm. We''ve talked about those things several times before. We suggested them to you as a warning system, you even sat in on the meetings about them!¡± The wolf crossed his arms, his tail swishing behind him as he tossed Ramakox a sly grin on his muzzle. ¡°Don''t tell me that you were just nodding along the entire time without paying attention.¡±


    Damn.


    Ramakox looked away as he flicked his tail carefully behind him, mindful to not catch any passerby or cart by mistake. ¡°Nonsense...Just was testing you is all Fenix.¡± he finished the statement with a snort and a dismissive wave, hoping that would throw the wolven off the scent. He mentally reminded himself to pay better attention during those meetings. But they are so boring and there is so much to remember that doesn''t concern me...What do I care about the prices of bread? Or how much a room at the tavern costs.


    ¡°Right.¡± Fenix chuckled, clearly not believing the dragon as he shook his head lightly from side to side. The wolf brought them passed many buildings rising out from one another, each one a different color then the other. It had been one of the suggestions that Ramakox made to the town, that way he could navigate it easier.


    ¡°Hard to believe you were practically unknown years ago.¡± Fenix finally said after they passed the home of Jandar''s grandmother. The old wrinkled woman waving to the dragon with a smile.


    ¡°I was just thinking the same thing actually.¡± replied the dragon, waving to the old woman in return. He reminded himself to sit down and have tea with her at some point, talk about her grandson and how proud of him he was. The dragon had to shift his eyes away from a crowd of flowery dressed men and woman of various mortals. For each time that he passed this brightly colored green building there always seemed one woman who would-.


    ¡°OH SWIRLING STORM! YOOHOO!¡± called out one of the dwarven woman clad in purple tight fitting clothing. Ramakox had known her over the years. Her name was Grundella, and was one of the most loud spoken woman he had ever met in his life.  ¡°When are you going to use your offer for a good time with one of girls? Or boys?¡± The woman gestured to the collection of mortals that were all casting him sultry looks on their faces. ¡°We got everything to satisfy a dragon''s wants and needs. You just need to ask dear!¡±


    ¡°Not today woman!¡± he called back to her in almost a growl. She had always been trying to get him to take advantage of her suggestions. ¡°How is that place still even open?¡± he replied with a tight voice as he and Fenix strode right on passed the gawking mortals.


    ¡°That''s an easy answer there dragon. Travelers and adventurers always are looking to slip into something tight. Relax themselves from time to time. I hear that she even wants to open a franchise across Drenedar.¡±


    ¡°Gods.¡± Ramakox rolled his eyes with a snort as Fenix led him to the outskirts of town. They had to push through several groups of chatting mortals that had tried to get Ramakox to bless their babies. To which he did offer them a quick blessing. How could he have said no to all of their pleading faces? When they arrived at the town''s edge, the sun had started to make it''s way down from the highest point in the sky.


    Two guards were standing beside a rather large looking card at the town''s gate. One was a human male, the other a half-elven female. They were busy talking to a well dressed, heavy set man clad in bright crimson silks. His cart was made of the same exact color wood, and was lined with golden beams. When they saw Ramakox, the half-elf approached him while the human continued to talk to the man.


    The female with white hair offered he and Fenis a crisp salute, quickly going to attention. ¡°Was just tending to Pennybags of their sirs.¡± She looked right to Ramakox with her bright green eyes, and offered him a nervous smile. ¡°Was also told to pass on a message for you Swirling Storm.¡±


    ¡°Me? A message?¡± he held a claw to his  chest, curiosity starting to swirl around like a vast storm beneath his scales. ¡°Who would want to leave me a message?¡± Especiialy when they could simply leave tribute near my lair. His mind raced at the possibility at what could be so important of a message. Perhaps it was because the tribute is too big to bring up to my lair....Maybe it''s another statue of me.


    ¡°The message was from that female dragon we have seen flying around here from time to time. You know...the one with the pretty orange wings.¡±


    ¡°Oh her?¡± Ramakox replied casually. ¡°What did she say?¡± he rumbled, looking up passed the guard to the winding road that snaked it''s way towards his home.


    ¡°To let you know she would be at the onyx pillar...The one with the carvings...I havn''t the foggiest of what she meant by that, but she seemed convinced you would.¡±


    ¡°How long ago did she leave the message?¡± Ramakox snapped his snout back to the woman with a flick of his tail. He pondered just how long Fremra would sit around and wait for him. It would be a shame to get there and miss his chance to strike up a lengthy conversation with the dragoness. And get some answers about what I saw.


    ¡°Not that long ago.¡± the woman admitted, turning around to glance at the guard talking to the larger man. ¡°She came round bout an hour ago. She was all nervous like, shifting from claw to claw. Gave me a tad fright she did, to suddenly have a dragon show up the way she did. Swooping down not fifty feet away and glaring at us...¡± The guard laughed nervously. ¡°For a moment I thought she was going to attack us, scared the living hell out of us.¡±


    ¡°She wouldn''t attack you.¡± Ramakox grumbled, looking into the sky and pictured her flying overhead. ¡°That was one our FIRST agreements for her to stay here. Trust me...If she was going to hurt you, she would have ME to answer to.¡±


    ¡°And we are thankful for that dragon.¡± The woman smiled warmly up him.


    ¡°Oh I get it.¡± Fenix nudged the dragon playfully, and giving the dragon a wink. ¡°You''re looking to put the moves on ole teal scales. I figure it was bound to happen eventually. Poor Grundella is going to be so disappointed.¡±


    ¡°Not everything I do is about mating or spilling my seed into a willing partner.¡± Ramakox growled, flashing the captain a frown before leaping into the air with a flap of his wings. He angled his wings and positioned himself in the direction of the hunting ground, and the pillar waiting for him.


    As his wings carried him through the sky he peaked down to the winding river near his home. Like some great serpent it spread across the earth. It was the place that he had been fishing with Jandar many times over the years, but his mind was pulled back to the first time they had done that when he was just a boy. The memory brought warmth for a moment to his limbs, the memory of the child laughing and showing such amazement with each story that the older dragon would tell. How old you have grown Jandar.. He beat his wings against the air and pulled himself from the pleasant memory, just as then hills seemed to sprout up from the flat earth. The fields that been covered in miles of green started to be dotted with sections of purples, reds, blues, and even golds from the numerous pleasing flowers. He imagined Fremra rolling around within their embrace, laughing without a care.


    The image of the happy dragoness soon shifted in his mind. She was replaced with the pain filled sob, the cries of anguish, and the ever crushing feeling of despair. He pictured her hunched over the leather bound book in her cave, tail quivering as she turned the page. He pondered the idea of apologizing again to her for interrupting such a private moment, as he felt a pang of guilt well up inside of his chest. Just what was that book? His mind whispered to him as he pictured the dark brown leather binding that held the book together. He had never seen a book that big before, it seemed almost made for dragons in that regard. Most books that he had come to know, were only made for mortal hands. Which of course made things a tad difficult to read them from time to time, but he always managed to do it. His mind shifted to focus on the pawprints on the page she had been looking at with tears in her eyes. Clearly whatever it was meant a great deal to her, enough that she did not want him to know about it. He wondered if the paws belonged to her family, her siblings, or possibly...That she had young ones at one time.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    It was not long that he was in the air for, soon finding the pillar from the hunting spots within the sea of green. He admired it''s smooth surface once again, however his eyes were pulled from the stone to the seafoam dragoness flopped down in the grass nearby with her great wings spread. He saw her cast her snout upwards to look at him, and she followed him with her gaze.


    ¡°What kept you so long?¡± she asked him, thumping her tail on the grass as he landed beside her. ¡°I have only been waiting here all day.¡± she looked away from him with an annoyed snort.


    ¡°I only JUST got the message from the guard. If you wanted to pass on the message, you should have told them to come find me.¡± He replied, padding his way over to the dragoness. She just laid her head back down into the warm grass and let out a heavy sigh.


    ¡°I thought leaving the message with them, that they would run and go find you. You are ever so popular there.¡±


    ¡°So why did you want me out here? You have been so reserved since...¡± he trailed off, embaresment wedging itself underhis scales and making his stomach queezy.  ¡°The cave.¡±


    ¡°I believe we are doing it right now.¡± she replied, not even lifting her head from her resting place.


    ¡°Talk? You just brought me out here to talk?¡± he asked in disbelief. ¡°You could have just stayed by the town if you wanted to do that. You did not have to have me fly all the way out here to simply talk.¡±


    ¡°You already know why I would not do that.¡± She flicked her tail, letting out a sigh. ¡°Besides...Someone had to teach you magic properly...Figure it would be me.¡±


    ¡°You? Teach me magic?¡± Ramakox snorted, chuckling as he sat down onto his haunches and curled his tail around him. ¡°Why would you need to do that?¡±


    ¡°Food to eat, water to drink, fresh air to breathe. These are things we need.¡± She replied with a grin, slowly sitting up onto her fours. ¡°And I don''t know who taught you to cast magic Ramakox...But clearly they knew nothing about it.¡±


    Ramakox flicked his tail against the earth, scattering any loose grass or flowers that were there. He offered her an annoyed snort in return. Far as he was concerned he was an excellent spellcaster. He had even been able to hold hid own against that lich for quite some time. He had even taught Jandar a thing or too. Things that had obviosly paid off and allowed the dragon to regain his fame of old. ¡°I am an excellent spellcaster Fremra.¡± He looked away from her with narrowed eyes. ¡°Did you bring me out here to insult me again?¡±


    ¡°Insult you?¡± she replied, her voice lowering as she slunk her way over to him. ¡°I would never dream of insulting you.¡± She took a seat beside him and gave a sigh. ¡°But when you see a child struggling to do anything. You offer them help and guidance in how to do it better.¡±


    ¡°You think I am a child?¡± he turned to her with a raised brow. ¡°I have never heard of that word to describe me.¡±


    ¡°Well in the ways of spellcasting you might as well be.¡± She chuckled, tapping his scales with her paw. ¡°I have seen...Wrymling have better abilities to cast magic than you.¡±


    ¡°Your pulling my tail.¡± he found himself grinning to her.


    ¡°No it''s true, even though I cast a different type of magic than you. You are terrible at doing even the basic of things.¡±Here..let me show you some ways to help improve your abilties.¡± She grabbed hold of one his claws gently. Her warm pads soft and warm to the touch. ¡°Now..I want you to focus on how you cast your spells...Feel the energy that you well up inside of you.¡±


    Ramakox allowed the dragoness to guide him along the grass, closing his eyes as he did so. He focused on the fire that lurked within his chest, the magic he could guide to his limbs. ¡°I have it pictured.¡± he said softly.


    ¡°Okay...and tell me how it feels to you.¡±


    ¡°Like...a warm fire, spreading it''s heat out into my limbs. The heat which I can guide and shape to my command at a whim.¡± He swelled up his chest as she rose his arms to the side, then swished them back softly.


    ¡°Okay..Now take a deep breath and forget about the flames within your heart.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± he asked, pulling his head back out of shock for a moment. The flames were what he had always pictured when he was just a hatchling. ¡°How do you-¡±


    ¡°Shhh¡± She placed a talon gently to his snout and silenced him. ¡°Listen to me Ramakox...We teal dragons are more magically inclined than you blues.¡± Her words soon wound themselves around him, pleasing to the senses. It made him want to sigh and bask in her presence forever.


    ¡°We lack any magical breath of anykind, so our bodies flow with more magic then we know what to do with. Now trust me when I say...Forget the fire..Forget the flames...Forget the heat that radiates to your limbs.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± he found himself saying, trusting in her words as he pictured the flames within his mind dying. The fire starting to smoke as it vanished.


    ¡°Now I want you to picture a calm sea. The waves beating ever so softly against your scales. The salty scent lingering in the air, and the occasional sound of a bird flying overhead.¡±


    Ramakox was about to suggest something else but the dragoness silenced him again with a talon, and told him to trust her. So he snapped his mouth shut and pictured what she had described. He pictured himself calmly on a beach with the waves rolling before him. The cooling water licking against his scales and making let out a sigh of happiness from his maw.


    ¡°Do you have the feeling pictured in your heart?¡± she asked, guiding a claw over his chest ever so softly. It felt as though she would caress her mate that way.


    ¡°I do.¡± He replied softly, he smiled as he could almost feel a light breeze drift over him and carry scents of the ocean to him. He felt blood rush to his membranes as he realized that the scent of the ocean was Fremra.


    ¡°Now focus on that feeling like your fire...Feel it swirl around you...Fill the rest of your body with that contentness.¡± She moved her claw from his chest to brush up along his neck. It made Ramakox sigh at her pleasing touch as he did what she asked.


    He let the feeling radiate from his heart to every fiber of his being. He felt every bone, limb, muscle, and claw get enveloped in this soothing feeling of contentness. It radiated around him like a summers breeze, and made him sigh. ¡°I have it.¡±


    ¡°Good. Now picture any spell that you can think of. Let''s start with something easy...Create a ball of water out of thin air.¡±


    ¡°I cant do that.¡± he wrinkled his snout. ¡°I can however summon a small raincloud.¡±


    ¡°Then do that.¡± she giggled, ¡°Make it rain Rammy.¡±


    He gave her a quick nod, and focused on the spell that he used to put out Jandar''s fires. He smiled as the feelings brought forth a memory when he had used the spell to playfully drench the boy in water. He had laughed so hard as the angry glare his son had cast at him. He chuckled vocally as he felt the spell spring forth from his claws.


    ¡°See! Much better!¡± Fremra laughed, pointing to the small darkened cloud that had appeard over a section of the ground,and was currently dumping droplet after droplet of rain onto the grass.


    ¡°It doesn''t look any different to me.¡± Ramakox snorted, his eyes trying to pick apart every last detail of the cloud before them.


    ¡°Yes..but it feels different.¡± She looked up to him with a smile. Her snout was practically against his now, their eyes gazing into one another. ¡°Can''t you feel the difference?¡±


    ¡°I...¡± He pulled away from her with a flick of his tail as he searched inside himself for the difference. He had felt the different feeling when he had cast the spell, but the spell had appeared to be the same as he always cast it. It would have helped if she could describe just what should feel different about the spell produced. He turned away from her in silence, drumming his talons against the earth as he tried to picture everything that had happened. I did the focusing...It was different this time..but I did it...I focused on the spell..Let it loose...Think..Think...What is.. His eyes widened as his talons stopped dead, and his tail thumped on the ground.


    ¡°Did you figure it out now?¡± She said in a singsong voice as she took a seat beside him with a smile. ¡°I knew it would not take you long to figure it out. You are actually quite capable at spellcasting.¡±


    ¡°Wait...So you were pulling my tail the entire time?¡± he turned to her with a laugh. He just knew in his chest that she had been doing that. ¡°So why say I sucked at something?¡±


    ¡°Cause I know its the way to get you to do anything.¡± she nudged him with a shoulder. ¡°Just have to imply the great and powerful Swirling Storm is afraid..Or cant do it...and he suddenly leaps into action to prove you wrong.¡± She smiled warmly at him from ear to ear. ¡°You may be great Ramakox...But you''re just like most males.¡±


    ¡°You''re distracting me again.¡± he laughed, pushing her away playfully with a paw. ¡°The spell casting...I feel less drained than I usually do.¡±


    ¡°You''re right.¡± she let out a pleased rumble from her throat as she wiggled her tail, and fluttered her frills. ¡°If you continue to cast the way I just showed you...And practice all the time..You will find that you can typically cast more per day than you usually could otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Fremra...¡± He said softly. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Don''t mention it..You did let me stay here after all.¡±


    ¡°Why did you want to stay here?¡± He asked suddenly without thinking about it. He figured with the way she was acting around him that it was okay. He winced as he saw her stop, and her cheerful face frown again.


    ¡°I already told you.¡± she snorted, standing up onto all fours and spinning around so quickly that her tail almost smacked him right in the snout. ¡°Why do you keep on asking me?¡±


    Because I know you''re lying to me about it. ¡°Why should I not? You''re staying on my land, and you have shared very little about it.¡± He trotted over to her delighting in the breeze that swept over them and made his scales shiver.


    ¡°Would you show me how to fight better?¡± She asked softly, her gaze not leaving the trees.


    ¡°Why would you need to do that? I thought a dragon you''re age would be great at hunting and..¡±


    ¡°Not that kind.¡± she turned to him, her eyes narrowed. ¡°Fighting other dragons...Fighting mortals....How to defend myself.¡±


    Ramakox tilted his head to the side out of surprise. He had not expected that, especially from dragon around 300 years of life. ¡°Clearly you know how to do that.¡± He chuckled, ¡°You have threatened to claw my face several times.¡±


    ¡°That...is different.¡± she looked away when he snaked his snout towards her and tried to look her in the eye. ¡°I just thought...The great protector would be able to help me...make me less...a.¡± she trailed off, thumping her tail against the ground.


    ¡°A less of a what?¡±


    ¡°Will you show me how to fight or not?¡± she turned to him with a low growl.


    ¡°No need to snarl and bare your teeth.¡± the blue dragon strode a few paces away from her and offered her a tooth filled smile. If this was her way of getting to talk to him about things, he was not going to turn the opportunity down. Besides, he always liked to get the blood pumping. ¡°I can show you a thing or two.¡± He stretched out his front fore-paw, letting out a small groan of happiness as he worked the kinks from his scales. ¡°So what do you say?¡±


    ¡°I saw thanks!¡± she playfully smacked his snout with her paw when he closed his eyes to yawn. She than bolted away from him again, a smile on her snout.


    ¡°Hey! You said you wanted to train and fight!¡± he shouted out when she spun around to face him, and entered a low playful stance.


    ¡°I did...and I am..You can show me how to defend from...this!¡± She raced towards him on her mighty limbs, closing the distance between them with a few flaps of her wings. Her front claws were outstretched when she caught him, and they tumbled into the grass intoa pile of playful snarls, hisses, and growls.


    Ramakox did his best to try and fight off the dragoness as she bit into his neck with her teeth. Not hard enough to draw any blood, but enough for a nip that made him growl and shove her back with his claws. So he slammed her against the ground for good measure, and with his blood pumping powerfully in his chest, nipped right back on hers.


    ¡°You like nipping dragonesses?¡± She asked, breaking free and smacking his snout with her paw.


    ¡°Only when they do it first!¡± he roared out, catching her with his rear paws, and pushing her off with a mighty shove. Without skipping  a beat he scrambled to his fours, and started to circle the dragoness as she recovered as well. He watched her lower herself as her eyes traced his own scales, her body readying for his next move. She opened her maw and let fly a long drawn out hiss. One that made him flick his tail in anticipation. The urge to leap upon her and start up the grapple again almost unbearable.


    She wagged her tail from side to side teasingly as she resettled her wings against her back. ¡°What''s the matter Ramakox..Think I am going to best you? Have you pinned to the ground with my claws holding you down?¡± she laughed in the back of throat as she waggled her haunches.


    ¡°I will show you who will be pinned.¡± he laughed loudly, leaping to her before she could launch her own attack. He found himself catching air as she skillfully moved out of the way, and pushed him to the ground with a mighty shove. He fell backwards onto the grass, landing with a thud. He only had a brief moment of breath before she leaped upon him like he was a wounded animal, letting out a victorious hiss into the air. He however was ready for this, grabbing hold of her limbs and using her own momentem against her. He slammed her into the earth, flipping himself upright on top of her. He swelled out his chest as she wiggled beneath his claw. ¡°There I...¡±


    She suddenly wiggled her hind paws until they were right on his stomach. Then with a mighty shove, she cast him off with a pained grunt.


    He flew several feet off of her, and once again landed on his back with a groan. He should have expected that from her after all. He quickly scrambled to get onto all fours, so that she could not take advantage and pin him to the grass.  He reminded himself to not forget about her lower limbs again, especially if she was that strong. ¡°That was a good move.¡± he smiled, as he and her circled one another with large smiles.


    ¡°It looked like you were counting your eggs before they hatched.¡± She flicked her tail. ¡°Ever like a male to forget, when he has a dragoness pinned beneath him.¡±


    ¡°I won''t forget that little tidbit again. I assure you.¡±


    ¡°We will see about that. I think you will look good pinned beneath me instead.¡± She lowered herself once more into a playful stance, her tail wagging back and forth over the grass.

 Chapter 15

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 15</u>


    <u> </u>


    Ramakox guided Fremra back to his lair midst the rain. He passed above the towering old trees, the rain battering against his scales and drenching his wings. He wondered if the lighting could strike them from the sky. He knew it would only tickle his scales, but he was unsure about the dragoness flying practically wing tip to wing tip with him.  He glanced  to Fremra, whose face still had a lingering hint of sadness lurking within her eyes. He wondered if she were controlling her emotions, and keeping the storm raging above them in check. They flew in silence, he stealing a few more glances as they skimmed the treetops. He watched her eyes widen slowly with each beat of her wings, as he could practically feel her anticipation in the air. He winced as a bolt of lightning arched across the sky, illuminating the dark clouds in brilliant white flash. Thunder roared almost instantly afterwords to signal the fury that mother nature was capable of. Although a dragoness returning home to find her mate and offspring dead? Ramakox grumbled in the back of his throat, picturing the scene in his head, as he angled his wings towards his home. I imagine she would toss out more devastation than even that was capable of.


    The vast entrance to his mountain lair came into view moments later. The darkness of his cave illuminated by the numerous magical torches that lined the walls, and filled the stone with a warm soft glow. ¡°Here we are.¡± he announced to her, quickly back winging, and landing carefully with a soft bump onto the smooth wet stone.


    ¡°I know.¡± Fremra replied softly, landing right beside him without a sound. Not even her talons made a clink against the rock. ¡°I came here sometimes during my heat.¡± She looked away, and refolded her wings against her back. ¡°However each time you were not here...Although I think you were near by.¡±


    ¡°Y-you came here during your heat?¡± Ramakox gasped, thinking back to the nights he had the hardest time falling asleep, trying desperately to not think about rutting the female before him. For a moment he thought she was joking with him, but that thought was cast from his mind with the sly grin that she shot him. ¡°Why?¡± he wrinkled his snout, and pulled his neck back into the shape of an S. ¡°I thought you said something about wanting to be left alone? Something about not wanting to bear my clutch?¡± he raised a brow as he tilted his head to the side.


    ¡°I..I..¡± She stammered, shutting her snout when the words would not flow freely. She closed her eyes for a moment, and let out a long sigh. ¡°Was lonely....and I...against my better thoughts...came to see you.,.Despite the heat...Despite the chance you would lose control and mate me...Despite the risk I would be swollen with your clutch....I just hate..¡±


    ¡°To be alone.¡± Ramakox finished her sentence with a heavy snort. ¡°Trust me..I know.¡± His thoughts went to the cave of his that had been mostly empty for the last few years. The cold that sank into his scales, and the quiet that would make his hide itch. He was amazed how used he had gotten to Jandar''s presence...and did not notice it till the human was gone.


    She hung her head as she sat down onto her haunches, and curled her tail gently around her. ¡°To not hear the scampering of their claws...The feeling of their breath on my scales when we slept together...¡±


    ¡°The incantations of his spells.¡± Ramakox trailed off, visually thinking to all the mornings he had awoken to the sound and scents of his human meditating.  Or the sound of an explosion that would rock the cave as the teen had experimented with his spell craft. ¡°They always seem to stick with you.¡± He let out a sigh, picturing the smiling human''s face before him, making his chest feel warm. ¡°And worm their way into your heart...Until you can''t bear to see them go.¡±


    ¡°Mhmm.¡± Fremra murmured as Ramakox guided her gently into his cave away from the rain, and towards the cave filled with his treasure.


    ¡°This is my hoard.¡± He said, sweeping with a forepaw to the piles of treasure and various other trinkets. He tried to not sound too proud of his collection, but of course he failed and had to end his sentence with a grin.  He slowly turned his head to Fremra, waiting for her reaction in her eyes. He watched as her spheres glared out to all the sparkling coin, the well crafted furniture, and the bookcases that now dotted his cave. ¡°What do you think?¡± He asked after several minutes of silence, the anticipation itching his scales. He kicked himself for sounding so smug. He brought her here to show her the books and the harp, not to show off and gloat for her. ¡°I meant about the books.¡± he added, shifting his weight from paw to paw  nervously.


    ¡°Its....nice.¡± She whispered, taking a few tentative steps towards the mounds of coins. ¡°I never was one for coins though...Had enough shiny things to keep me occupied.¡± She flicked her tail, brushing against Ramakox''s scales. She suddenly came to a stop, her breath building in her chest before she let it out in a long drawn out sigh.  She sniffed and wiped at her eyes with a forelimb, making Ramakox pad over to her. She held out a claw and stopped him. ¡°It''s alright..I was just remembering his scales.¡±


    ¡°Your mates? He asked, feeling her sadness lingering in the air. It was all he could do, to not embrace her as the sea foam scales trembled once more as she gazed out to the treasure.


    ¡°They were bronze..the brightest I had ever known...¡± She hung her head slowly, giving another loud, mournful sniff. ¡°They would shimmer in the mid-day sun, so delightful to the eye I could watch him all day.¡± She turned back towards the entrance of the cave which was still being pelted with rain drops. ¡°But...You don''t want to hear about him.¡±


    But he did. Ramakox wanted to hear every single word that passed from Fremra''s maw. He moved closer to her and nuzzled her snout with his own to show her he did. ¡°I will listen to anything you wish to talk about..You are my guest...And you should not be burdened as such.¡± He offered her another affectionate, reassuring nuzzle, and to his delight she pressed against him and sniffed. ¡°Besides..I am not embarrassed to hear about past lovers. Life should be enjoyed, and those times cherished as such...Our past is what makes us who we are.¡± He shifted his gaze from the entrance of his cave to the sea foam snout of the dragoness pressed against him.


    ¡°You mentioned a harp?¡± She asked with a half smile, her eyes still misting from the tears.


    ¡°I did in fact mention a harp.¡± He rumbled, licking her snout with his tongue and casting away her tears. He let out a pleased rumble when she giggled under the caress of his slippery tongue.¡±


    ¡°I wish to see the harp Ramakox.¡± She laughed, holding up a paw and pushing him away lightly until she was snout to snout with him. ¡°Enough licking the dragoness..¡± She smiled. ¡°And yes I know how that sounds.¡± She licked right on the snout as she flicked her tail. ¡°Now show me this harp....I wish to play it.¡±


    ¡°I can do that.¡± He rumbled, swinging one of his wings around her body. He felt her scales press up against him as they walked side by side through the mounds of his treasure trove. He brought her passed a pile of coins that was misshapen and had a rounded shield still face down in the coins. He laughed and pointed it out to the dragoness who asked about it. ¡°That is where Jandar used to ride down the coins with that shield.¡± He remembered the human''s joyous cries into the air, and his own of worry for damaging of anything. ¡°He got into so much mischief around here as he grew.¡± he trailed off, amazed he had let him get away with so much over the years.¡±


    ¡°Let a human move and possibly break your treasure?¡± she laughed. ¡°I would have never thought you had such restraint Ramakox.¡±


    ¡°Hmmpf.¡± the dragon snorted, starting to wonder in what other ways the human had shifted his behavior over the years. ¡°It was worth it.¡±


    ¡°And what....are these?¡± Fremra gasped in fits of laughter as they passed a section of woman''s garments that were laid out for all to see. ¡°Woman''s clothing?¡± She turned to Ramakox, with the biggest smile he had seen her throw out recently. ¡°Are you not telling me something?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes..I love to put on mortal woman''s clothing and prance around in here when no ones looking.¡± he rolled his eyes with a laugh as he continued walking passed the garments.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°You''re the one that said it...not me.¡± She chuckled from behind, quickly catching up to him and brushing her scales firmly against his. ¡°It''s okay if you like to wear those clothes..I will not judge you.¡±


    ¡°Unwind your mind about that.¡± he grinned, wrapping his wing around her once more. ¡°And focus on the white ivory wood of my harp.¡±


    ¡°Is that an innuendo?¡± She raised a brow as they passed yet another mound of coins.


    ¡°Oh...I guess it is...But that harp is not white.¡± he gleefully smiled when the harp came into view. ¡°Here....we are.¡± He gestured towards the instrument with a gentle wave of his forepaw. He briefly remembered digging the thing out when Jandar had first discovered it within his lair. He had shifted aside some coins, and placed it neatly level with the floor. He felt blood rush to his cheeks when she let out a loud pleased trill into the air, that brought warmth to his heart. He turned to her, delighted when he saw her grinning ear to ear.


    ¡°It....Its..Beautiful¡± Fremra fidgeted, her tail curling around her to brush against Ramakox''s own. She turned to him with large eyes filled with excitement. ¡°And you don''t mind that I play it?¡±


    ¡°Why would I mind?¡± he rumbled, trying to play it off like it was no big deal for her to use it. He pulled his neck into the shape of an S as he grinned at her. ¡°Someone has to play it..Jandar certainly didn''t.¡±


    ¡°He wanted to play it?¡± she bounded over towards the harp in the blink of an eye, scattering some coins with her tail.  Fremra stepped around the harp, lowering her snout to inspect every detail of the pristine ivory wood. He watched her frills flutter as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her scales shivering.


    ¡°No..¡± Ramakox wrinkled his snout. ¡°But I sort of hoped he would...I kind of have a chink in my scales for music.¡± He said softly, twirling a talon through some coins.


    ¡°And you never learned how to play?¡± She sat upright, laughing softly as she curled her tail around the instrument. ¡°When you had all this time on your paws?¡±


    ¡°It''s not easy for a dragon such as myself.¡± he snorted, looking away from her coy smile. ¡°I can''t shapeshift or change size. It makes things like playing the harp...beyond my reach.¡± He grumbled, shifting his eyes as she giggled again.


    ¡°Oh that''s right.¡± She splayed her ears, casting her eyes back to the snowy white harp. ¡°I had forgotten.¡±


    ¡°Trust me...It irritates me as well.¡± the dragon replied with a taught voice. ¡°Many things would be easier if I could simply change my skin or size.¡±


    ¡°It''s okay.¡± she playfully pushed him when he sat down next to her. ¡°I will play it for you.¡± She brushed against him with a soft rumbling purr that brought a smile to the blue dragon''s snout, and made his heart beat a tad faster than normal. She took another sniff of the wood, her tail tapping him happily as she did so. ¡°I always loved the smell of worked wood.¡± She laughed, taking a seat beside the harp.


    ¡°Wait..¡± Ramakox settled close beside her, worry starting to sneak it''s way into him as her talons neared the fine strings of the harp with every passing moment. ¡°Should you not transform? That way you do not end up breaking the strings?¡±


    The dragoness paused for a moment, wiggling her digits as a small smirk came to her snout. ¡°Silly male..You will find that I have quite nimble digits.¡±


    Ramakox''s head started to pound as she neared the harp. His senses were tingling as her talons reached out for the fine wire. All it would take from her was a simple wrong movement, and the thing would be damaged. A valuable piece like this in his hoard tarnished. He drummed his talons against the stone with soft clinks as he swallowed down his worry. This was for her after all, this was to help her. If she managed to damage something in the attempt... He almost snapped at her, yelled at her to stop as his stomach felt all queezy. However when he looked up and into her eyes, he saw radiant joy in them. Joy that made him smile and return, and casually flick his tail. So with a soft sigh he said to himself,  It would be worth it. The words brought slight comfort to him, and allowed him to not raise objection. It will be worth it. ¡°You may play it.¡± he said calmly, closing his eyes briefly and taking a deep breath.


    ¡°Thanks...But I was already going to.¡± she plucked one of the strings gently, causing the instrument to vibrate and let it''s soft note fill the air.


    Ramakox would have scolded her but kept the thought down with another repetition in his mind that this was good for her. The thought absolutely vanished from his mind when she plucked another string, the sound sending a shiver radiating down his spine.  He thumped his tail against the coins, watching the dragoness flow her digits across the harp, and continue to play with her eyes closed.


    Fremra plucked another string, then another as the music seemed to flow through her. The lone notes soon joined together to form a pleasing melody, that had Ramakox settling his snout down into his paws, as he lowered himself to his belly. The music brought him back to the days when Jandar would be running around close by, his laughter begrudgingly working it''s way into the dragon''s heart until he smiled. He sighed as he remembered the long summers they would train out in the fields near his home. The magical lines they would draw in the air together, as the human grew into the man he knew today. They would end each of those nights by staring up into the sky, with him pointing out constellations above, and telling stories of the dragons that resided up there.


    He shifted his weight as the melody changed around him, making the older dragon remember the cold winters that he and Jandar  spent out in the snow. He recalled one such day when the child had insisted that he could not produce a snow angel. The little child had held such a smug grin as he thrust a finger out towards the dragon. So what was a dragon supposed to do when such a thing questioned his abilities? So of course with a snort and a grin he had flopped down into the cold snow, wiggling his body to no abandon. He pulled himself from the memory with a snort. He tapped his tail as he felt his heart start to ache again. He looked up to watch Fremra continue to play, her tail tapping on the floor beneath in tune to the melody that she was letting loose from her heart. He smiled as she looked at peace, the music seemingly soothed her spirit.


    Fremra continued on for quite some time, never seeming to tire, always shifting to another tune to brighten the mood of the dreary weather outside. Each tune would take Ramakox to another place, another time, another memory that brought warm feelings to his now trembling limbs. He was reminded of every pained failure, every joyous victory, the bad moments, the good. He felt his eyes go misty for a moment as he looked to the cave entrance, and saw the waving smiling face of his blue scaled son. He wiped his eyes with a paw, and blinking away the forming tears.


    Fremra finished with the music, and she did it with a heavy sigh. She sniffed only once as she rose a claw to wipe her eyes, and flick the crystalline tears that had sprung forth to the cavern floor.


    ¡°T-that was beautiful Fremra.¡± Ramakox said softly, his nerves still tingling from the wonderful music. ¡°I had no idea...That talent graced your scales so.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± she said, a warm smile spreading to her face when she met his eyes. She strode passed him, her tail brushing underneath his snout softly. Causing the blue dragon to release a pleased rumble from his throat.  She continued forth with a confident stride until she was peaking her snout into his books, checking the spines for the ones she knew.


    Ramakox grumbled once, shaking the comfort from the music from his body as he rose too all fours and gave a long tongue curling yawn.


    ¡°I thought you were going to show me the books.¡± She asked, curling her neck back to gaze at him. Her frills started to flutter on either side of her head as her eyes darted from the dragon to the bookcase.


    ¡°How could I forget...¡± he stretched his limbs, snapping his snout shut several times. He rose up, shaking his scales with a soft clink before joining the teal beauty by his old books. He closed the distance between them like a dragon years younger, a prance in his step as he admired her features. He could not help it, she was pleasing to the eye,and she kept sliding that tail underneath his jaw and tempting him to sneak a peak at her nethers. ¡°Just had to stretch is all.¡±


    ¡°Oh no you were not.¡± She laughed quietly as he stopped before her. ¡°I saw you showing off yourself to me, and that little prance in your step. ¡°Typical male.¡± she sighed, turning back to the books. ¡°Have a female in their cave, and all they can think of is showing off for her and trying to get her wet and needy.¡±


    ¡°I..was not doing that.¡± he replied, tilting his head to the side. For a moment he was not sure if it was a natural instinct or not. He looked back to see that the way he was standing, he was indeed giving her a good peak at his dragon-hood''s hiding spot. He quickly adjusted his footing and returned to her face with a smile. ¡°See..Not trying that at all!¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh.¡± she smiled, nudging him gently with her shoulder. ¡°I''m flattered Rammy. Honest.¡± She flicked her tail as her eyes scanned the books. ¡°Now where did you hide the ones I mentioned to you.¡±


    ¡°Here....and here.¡± he pointed out with his claws to every book that she had mentioned to him outside in the rain. It was a fair collection as he rattled off each one. Some were adventure stories, pitting dragon, mortal, and monster at odds. Some were kind stories to tell children, of lessons they must learn through story. There were romantic novels, horror, mystery. Ramakox gave pleased croons to each one as he remembered the stories by heart. It was not long before she was curled up against him in his soft bed with a book held within her talons, and her snout ever so close to the pages to read. She threw her head back into his chest as she let out a loud laugh into the air.


    ¡°And then thanks to this book..He leapt up and shouted at us. No I am the best hunter around!¡± The dragoness wiggled against his scales, as Ramakox pictured her little wrymling''s cute face snarling up at his much larger father. ¡°But...That was long ago.¡± She set the book down, settling it with the others they had read somewhat part of the way. She had always stopped reading to recall some event that she and her family had shared.


    ¡°But not forgotten.¡± Ramakox licked at her snout, releasing a pleased croon when she leaned against him with a sigh. ¡°So are you staying the night then?¡± Ramakox rumbled, wrapping his forelimb tighter around her as he thumped his tail.¡±


    ¡°I thought about it.¡± Fremra closed her eyes, resting her head next to his own. ¡°But it''s still raining out...and I don''t want to get struck by lightning.¡±


    ¡°But you could walk.¡± he smiled, already picturing her trotting along the muddy grass, her tail swishing behind her she made her way back to her empty home. He wrinkled his snout as he realized that lonely fact. He pulled her tighter and delighted in the feeling of her warm scales against his own. It had been far too long since he had someone to warm his bed with, and to fall asleep to the sound of their heart and breaths.


    ¡°I could.....But my limbs are all tired and ache from use.¡± she sighed again, running a scaled limb up his neck tenderly. ¡°Besides..the company is more enjoyable here...and warm.¡± She wiggled against his underside and made him rumble his approval. ¡°So if you will have me...I think I will rest here with you.¡±


    ¡°That is most enjoyable.¡± he rumbled, pulling her closer against him as he cast his head down onto his bed with a pleased sigh. He closed his eyes as he felt her scooch up closer to him, until her head was right beside his own.


    ¡°Thank you for everything.¡± She said softly.


    ¡°You''re welcome.¡± he smiled, blood quickly rushing to his cheeks when he felt he kiss him right on the snout once.


    ¡°Good night Ramakox.¡± she settled herself snugly against him, making him never want to move away from her pleasing warmth.


    ¡°Good night Fremra.¡± He rumbled, and fell asleep to the sound of her breaths, the beating of her heart, and the warmth of her scales pressed tenderly against his own. For the longest time in awhile, Ramakox, the might Swirling Storm, did not feel alone.

 Chapter 16

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 16</u>


    Ramakox woke the next morning with a loud yawn. Snapping his jaw several times as he still felt the pleasing warmth of Fremra pressed firmly against him. She is still here? He thought as he released a pleased rumble, and nuzzled the dragoness held within his limbs. He had almost expected her to sneak out in the morning when the storm had vanished from his territory, but here she was. Sleeping peacefully next to him, the steady rythem of her breaths bringing the dragon''s soul warmth. He kneaded her scales softly, soaking in the heat of her body, and going to move his tail. However when he tried to so, he noticed that her tail was intertwined with his. Apparently the appendages had done this as they slept. He looked to the sleeping dragoness with a smile, and closed his eyes with a content sigh. There were worse fates than to be trapped, sleeping beside a beautiful dragoness in ones cave.


    He laid there for an unknown time, listening to her soothing breathes, snuggling against her enveloping warmth, and taking in her pleasing scent that made his scales shiver. Ramakox let out a soft groan of disappointment when he felt her start to squirm and waken from the sounds of loud chirps outside. He silently cursed the birds near his home, and gave the dragoness an affectionate lick across her  snout when she opened her eyes. ¡°How did you sleep?¡± he asked softly, nuzzling her as she blinked away the grogginess of the morning.


    ¡°I slept fine.¡± She sighed, settling back down onto his armored chest. ¡°have not slept like that in years.¡± She wiggled her scales all over his own, causing him to let out a soft sigh. ¡°What''s the matter? Do you like a dragoness sleeping with you?¡± Fremra flopped her head down next to him, pressing her pebbly cheeks against his own.


    ¡°I did.¡± he smiled, letting her company fill him with good cheer.  He rumbled his approval from his throat as she nuzzled his neck with her own. How he wanted to stay here  all morning pressed up against her, nuzzling and sharing each others embrace, but he had things to do after all. He was the mighty Swirling Storm, and he had to patrol his lands, help keep it safe. ¡°I....hate to go.¡± he groaned, letting her go and pushing himself to all fours. ¡°Stuff to do.¡± he grumbled,


    ¡°Ever the busy dragon.¡± she chuckled,flipping herself over with a smile. ¡°Would you care for some company?¡± she cocked her head to the side, tail thumping behind her.


    ¡°I am due to patrol my territory.¡± he looked to the cavern entrance, resisting the pull for him to leave.


    ¡°And what part about that says you must do it alone?¡± she grinned, rising to all fours and padding over to him. She dragged her scales along him as she strode by. ¡°Going to just stare at my flanks all day?¡± she arched her head back, flicking her tail at him. ¡°Or are you going to go patrol?¡±


    ¡°Patrol.¡± he sighed, following after the giggling dragoness'' swishing tail. Once more he found himself averting his eyes to her gender, although by way she was wagging it, it became increasingly hard not to do. He could feel the rising lust within his body, and quickly took pace beside her. He did not need himself springing forth from his slit at this moment. He had places to be after all, things to patrol, food to hunt.  So with a heavy heart he strode out into the morning sun, the rays already starting to warm up the stone beneath his paws to a delightful heat.


    ¡°Ah..the sun.¡± Fremra closed her eyes, and releasing a small happy trill into the air. ¡°So..good..¡± She sat down onto her haunches, flicking her tail behind her as she gave her paws a quick lick over with her tongue.


    ¡°Can''t stay here all morning admiring the sunlight or your radiant scales.¡± he replied quickly, stretching out his limbs with a pleasurable crack. ¡°I actually have work to do.¡± He flared his wings wide, and gave them a quick test flap in the air.


    ¡°How mortal like of you.¡± she wrinkled her snout, taking a spot beside him with a grin and spread her orange wings. ¡°Not like a carefree dragon at all. Are you sure they have not tamed you?¡± she raised a brow with a chuckle. ¡°And that you are their pet, protecting them from harm?¡±


    ¡°I am not their pet.¡± he snorted, dragging a talon across the stone, scratching the surface with a screech. ¡°I am their protector..they know this...and they provide gifts...tributes.¡± He bound into air, with Fremra quickly behind him. He sailed out into the mild air, passing through a cloud as he and the dragoness climbed higher and higher with the wind battering their snouts. He angled his wings so that he could spin around as he started to drop,  letting out a rumble of approval as the movements brought tingling sensations across his body and made him feel like he had been dropped in cool water.


    Ramakox found a current, spreading his wings wide and letting the winds carry him in a glide across the vast quilt below his membranes.  He looked down to the fields of green, mixed with multicolored flowers of all colors that were so pleasing to the eye. From the fields of green he found the forests of darkened viridian, broken apart by the dark blues of rivers snaking through their form. He sighed as Fremra took position right beside him, her wing tip''s brushing up against his own. He felt the familiar warmth from the cave spread from his chest to the rest of his limbs. He tore his sight from the vibrant teal dragoness to more mundane sights, that of the winding roads scattered around his territories. The ones that enabled trade, and he was sworn to defend from bandits,thieves, or monsters. He remembered when he had first taken up the task and he might run into the occasional group of trouble makers. However after years of the dragon patrolling, and constant vigilance by the guards around numerous villages and towns, things were fairly quiet. Despite the extended calm, he still felt responsible for their safe keeping, and gave a pleased rumble at his success.


    ¡°So you just fly around and look to roads, trees, and dirt?¡± Fremra laughed, flipping over him in the air with an infectious smile on her snout. ¡°That seems rather boring...How do you do it?¡±


    ¡°It''s not boring..¡± he lied, looking away from her teasing grin when she neared him. ¡°But it has to be done. That way others know I protect them.¡± He nodded, angling his wings and following the worn main road beneath them. The one that held most of the trade going to east cliff, one that only a fool would try to rob or attack.


    ¡°I can see you lying by the way.¡± the dragoness smiled, passing him in the air and sticking her tongue out from her snout. ¡°I am probably the most exciting thing that you have seen, or  going to see all day.¡±


    He stayed his tongue as she was mostly right. By the way she was smugly looking at him, she knew that was the case as well. ¡°Fine..You''re right.¡± he snorted. ¡°You are the most pleasing thing to look upon up here.¡± His eyes glanced to her tail going back and forth before him, teasing him to grab  hold of it with his teeth.


    ¡°Watch your tail.¡± he playfully growled as his world focused on the smiling dragoness before him. He felt his blood began to pump faster as the long scaled limb continued to swish in front of him as she flew.


    ¡°No you watch it¡± She smiled, ¡°Clearly you enjoy it.¡± Fremra let loose a loud cackle before entering a dive and bolting away again when he gave chase.


    ¡°Have we already done this before?¡± he called out as he followed her twisting movements through the air. His breaths came quicker with each beat of his wings, and inch that he gained on her flank.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps..but is that a reason I cannot do this?¡± The playfully dragoness snapped her jaw, swished and turned away from each claw that he tried to grab hold of her. ¡°If you want my tail you are going to have to work for it!¡± she roared her laughter out to the sky for all to hear miles around.


    Now wouldn''t that be a pleasant change of events. Ramakox smiled, his claw almost touching the dragoness playfully leading him on this chase. He pictured her cries of lust as he took her, the feeling of her portal wrapped around his mighty spire. It made his limb quiver at the thought of her gasping, twitching, and roaring out her climax as he knotted her. No time for that....work to do...dragonesses to catch. He redoubled his efforts, pounding his wings at a frantic speed to try and gain just enough distance to have ¡°caught¡± the dragoness cackling away.


    ¡°You will have to..¡± she let out a roar of surprise as Ramakox crashed into her mid air, and grabbed her tightly with his limbs.


    ¡°Got you!¡± he grinned, spreading his wings out in an attempt to slow their rapid descent towards the round below.


    Fremra struggled within his grip as the air raced around them, and tickled beneath their scales. She let out a small chuckle as she pushed against Ramakox forcefully, trying to dislodge herself from the stronger male. ¡°I..er...Ahh.¡± Fremra sighed pulling herself closer to the blue dragon who had her bound so tightly. ¡°You win!¡± she spread her wings wide, helping him regain control of their flight once more.


    When they  settled back into a gentle glide he shot her a smug grin, the blood still pumping from their little bit of aerial fun. He threw his neck up and let out a loud earsplitting victorious roar that all could hear for miles around. He let the roar carry on for several moments, before with gasping breath looked back to the dragoness. She just rolled her eyes and gave him an amused grin.


    ¡°Do you have to roar all the time when you are victorious? Are there things that when you conquer or win, you don''t announce it for the world to hear?¡±


    ¡°But they have to know.¡± he replied, eyes finding the road he was supposed to be following. ¡°That the Swirling Storm bested Fremra!¡±


    ¡°In a game of catch?¡± he giggled. ¡°They really need to know that you caught me? Wrapped me up in your arms and tried to crash me to the ground?¡±


    Ramakox offered her a quick smiling nod, flicking his tail on the wind. ¡°That they did, It will be quite the tale to tell I imagine. How the strong blue dragon caught the teal temptress, and quickly brought her under claw. Story worthy of song I imagine, told in every tavern by the bards.¡±


    ¡°Under your claws am I?¡± She sighed, looking away with a half smile. ¡°There you go, counting your dragon''s before they hatch. ¡°You have not won that yet.¡±


    The blue dragon pondered briefly what she meant by those words. His eyes widened as lewd thought came to his head once more. He felt blood work his way to his cheek as he glanced at her underside, and quickly looked away.  He shook his head of the instinct rising in his veins, and brought himself beside her once more.  There they stayed for the majority of the flight, turning, and diving. Briefly they passed over caravans being pulled by large direwolves of midnight black fur, giving out welcoming roars to the merchants that passed below with a series of excited waves and warm smiles.


    Ramakox could not help but feel pride at little interactions such as these, they were what he always wanted after all. To have the countryside speak of him proudly, bring him tributes, and apparently make statues of him. He started to descent once more when they neared the edge of his territory. The last bit of land that he could truthfully say was under his protection. He grinned to himself as sometimes he would go over his area and help rid those roads of bandits and such as well. Just to spread his good will, and protection.  However today was not going to be one of those days, as his eyes focused on a trade post located by the road, a wooden symbol of his land. It was located near a river he knew well, one that had plenty of fish to gather to eat. One that he figured was a good spot to rest their wings for a time. He angled his membranes and descended towards the building. Might as well say hello to the owner as well.


    The trade post was two stories tall, made out of the strongest oak wood that they could find when they had built it several years ago. Not by him of course, but the expert teams of carpenters that they had hired to do the deed. It had an angled roof made of a lighter brown painted wood than the rest, and had numerous windows lining both the upper floor and the lower part of the structure.  Ramakox back-winged and extended his limbs, kicking up any loose dirt and rocks scattered beneath his landing spot right at the front of the building. The dark grey horses tied out front, so use to the dragon''s landings did not even glance in his direction or pull up in fear as he landed with a soft bump on the worn path. Ramamkox let out a snort as his silver eyes fell to the manila porch at the building''s entrance.  From the beams of wood hung large blue banners with alternating colors of his scales with the black bust of his image plastered on it''s surface.  It brought a smile to his face that the owners of the establishment went out of their way to proudly show their admiration for the blue dragon.


    ¡°Swirling Storm!¡± Came the shout of a joyous sounding male. The sturdy looking front door suddenly burst open with a thwack to reveal a portly man with a greyed shirt that was frilled at the cuffs. He sauntered out calmly, his hands on his darkened brown leggings with tan stitches running up the side. ¡°I heard your wing-beats from inside the place.¡± he thumbed back towards the trading post with a sly grin on his rugged face.


    ¡°Greetings Darian.¡± the blue dragon replied warmly, folding his wings against his back, as he padded his way towards the human. The man had always run a fair establishment here, and offered the blue dragon boxes of various goods as tribute. They would usually consist of different foods, clothing, and other useful tools for mortals. It was not much, but it was what they could spare.


    ¡°You come here for the-¡± His amber eyes went from the proud blue dragon before him, to the teal dragoness landing behind him with hardly a sound.  ¡°Oh I see..¡± the man crossed his arms, a grin forming to his face. ¡°You brought yourself a lady friend here.¡±


    ¡°No..that was not.¡± He held up a claw to offer his protests but the man beat him to it.


    ¡°Don''t say a word, you just stick around and we will get some food for you. I think we got some in the back that is still fresh..¡± He turned quickly around seemingly continuing to mumble to himself about music, and what to get them for food.


    ¡°It''s all right really.¡± he stammered, trying to cut off the man who was practically planning a date for him and Fremra. By the sounds of it they were supposed to wait around till the stars were shining above, then they would have someone come out with a violin to sarinade their meal. ¡°We were just doing the tour of the territory, figured we would just touch down and rest our wings for a bit. She and I were going to go out to the great river behind the post, catch our meal there.¡± He thrust over the man''s head with a wingtalon towards the treeline.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Why would you want to have that over a well cooked meal?¡± Darian turned back to him with a wrinkled brow. ¡°Is it because your embarrassed to admit you liked cooked meat?:


    ¡°No.¡± Ramakox lied, blood rushing to his cheeks, briefly glancing behind the grinning man to the treeline.  He felt blood rush to his cheeks as he heard Fremra stifle a giggle from behind him. Great, now that''s out of the bag.


    ¡°Oh, we''re here to eat are we?¡± Fremra chuckled in her throat, striding confidently over to Ramakox''s side. ¡°I was wondering why we decided to land at this...house.¡± she said in her singsong voice.


    ¡°Well hello there miss.¡± Darian bowed low for the dragoness with a confident smile. ¡°Always nice to meet the Swirling Storm''s lady friends.¡±


    ¡°He has lots of lady friends does he?¡± she smiled, raising a brow as she continued to chuckle in her throat.


    ¡°Well no.¡± Darian laughed deeply, looking to Ramakox as his cheeks started to turn red out of embaressment. ¡°But if he did, it would be a pleasure to meet all of them!¡± he quickly added, folding his arms behind his back.


    Ramakox looked away from the dragoness who was no doubt staring at him right now. He could just feel it in his bones as he continued to focus on the trees in the distance, and the pleasant, cool breeze brushing against his scales.


    ¡°I think he would rather do his own hunting for food. Even if they are fish.¡± Fremra brushed up against him. ¡°Even if it is using magic to float them out of the water.¡±


    ¡°Hey it''s being smart.¡± he snorted with a grin. ¡°Just like when you used your magic to ensnare the stag I was going to give chase to.¡± He shook his scales of her, and turned to Darian. The man was still grinning at him from ear to ear. ¡°So..It was nice to see you, but I am going to take Fremra here to the river.¡± He gestured to the teal dragon with a  wave of his tail.


    ¡°Uh-huh.¡± the man said flatly. ¡°Just going fishing alone? My daughter has said the exact same thing when she goes off and dates this wolven boy. You are not fooling anyone there dragon.¡±


    ¡°I don''t compare to your little wrymling.¡± Ramakox chuckled. ¡°And we flew here together, why would we need help fishing?¡± He grumbled, already turning to leave. His stomach rumbled loudly into the air, making him lick his snout in anticipation for the sweet taste of fish to grace his maw. ¡°It was nice seeing you Darian..but I hunger, and would really like to solve that issue right now.¡±


    ¡°Right, so you come in here. Wing''s like thunder just to say hello and leave?¡±


    ¡°That seems about right.¡± Ramakox replied with a laugh. ¡°Is it so hard to believe that is the case?¡±


    ¡°It never was the case..You always stuck around for a talk, even when ya were here to pick up your tribute.¡± the man wrinkled his brow, but still held the smirk on his mouth. ¡°You go off and enjoy your lunch then. If ya need us.¡± Darian thumbed towards the building as he turned to see a caravan of horses and direwolves heading towards them near the edge of their vision. ¡°Although I might look like we are going to be busy.¡± the man clapped his hands together as he turned to head back to the building with a smile. ¡°Have fun you two.¡± the human waved, not looking back to the amused dragon pair.


    Ramakox ignored the cackling laughter coming from the amused human, and the giggling from Fremra as she caught up to him.


    ¡°So I don''t think you have shown me this river before.¡± She brushed up against him again with a grin. ¡°Is it the one where Jandar and you liked to go fishing?¡±


    ¡°It is one of those rivers.¡± he replied, turning to her. The warm smile on her face spread to his own without any resistance as he remembered the times he spent doing that once more. ¡°We did it to many of them, it''s safe to say we fished at all of them.¡± He gave a pleased rumble at the memory, as they reached the edge of the clearing, The blue dragon moved aside some dense foliage with his wing, so that Fremra would not hit her snout as they walked towards the path before them.


    ¡°Why thank you.¡± she purred, striding with a strut into the forest with a flick of her tail. ¡°Perhaps afterwords I can show you some hunting grounds in the ocean. She tilted her head slightly to peer at him as she followed the wide path before them. ¡°They''re some of the brightest places down in the ocean''s depths. Some breathtaking views of course, but plenty amount of fish one could want.¡± She flicked her tongue across her snout, as if imagining the scaled things clamped in her mouth. She quickened her pace along the path. ¡°Let''s hurry up, now I''m starving.¡± Her pace eventually turned into an outright sprint as the dragoness carried herself along the roots, trees, and various things that were placed before them. Each obstacle before them she slipped through, or hardly made any effort to avoid them. Her agile form not even brushing against a stray leaf.


    Ramakox on the other hand had stared to doubt his decision to walk to the river. Sure it had allowed him to talk to Darian for a moment, but was that really worth it to suffer the indignity as he was struck by a branch in the snout? On the third one he was ready to snarl, bound into the air and call it an end to this stupid decision. Fremra had even rolled over to her back, laughter filling the air as she clutched at her sides.


    ¡°It isn''t that funny.¡± he rumbled from his throat as he padded his way over to the wiggling dragoness. He had to fight the urge to join in with her laughter, just to maintain his dignity. He waited for her to cease her laughter, grumbling to himself as she did so. However after the first minute he had enough. ¡°Hey.¡± he nosed her with his snout. ¡°We can''t spend the entire day just laughing at me getting smacked in th-¡±


    Fremra rose her snout to his, quickly kissing him on the nose. ¡°I was teasing you.¡± She smiled, quickly righting herself to all fours and shaking herself. ¡°You really did look funny that last time..You went all cross eyed and everything.¡± she stifled a chuckle with her claw as he narrowed his eyes at her. ¡°Okay okay.¡± she waved to him, the grin still spread across her snout.


    ¡°Come on.¡± he found himself grinning, her good cheer too infectious for the blue dragon''s good. Thankfully the rest of the trip lacked anything for him to get caught on, trip, or get smacked in the face with. To which Fremra laughed the entire time about it when she was not talking about the trees, the plants, and the various birds they saw flying around the forest canopy. They eventually broke free from the trees to the vast river. Its clear surface sparkling in the sun''s rays streaming through the thin canopy of trees. It was deep enough for them of course, that being one of the criteria why he had brought them here in the first place. He followed the slow moving water up towards the rocks that it came down, a slight mist in the air from where the water struck the surface. He flared his nostrils as he neared the waters surface, the scent of wood and the running water soothing to his senses. He felt his muscles relax slightly as he sighed.


    ¡°This place is actually delightful.¡± came Fremra''s sing song voice as she slipped into the water effortlessly. ¡°Course that could be said about all your rivers and such.¡± She flipped onto her back and lazily swam through the water without a care.


    ¡°What about the fish?¡± he asked, sitting down onto his haunches, his eyes going from the swimming dragoness to the dark, blurry shapes he could see darting around in the liquid. He flicked his tail in anticipation as he felt his breathes came more steadily.


    ¡°I can get one myself!¡± the dragoness flipped over into the water with a flash. He watched her quickly bolt after some of the fish under the water. She sprung forth from the river with a great splash of water, a large tan fish clearly between her teeth.  She swam back towards Ramakox with a great pleased look in her eyes as she threw her head back. She caught the fish with her parted maw and with a loud gulp. swallowed the thing. ¡°Gahh..There.¡± she gasped, flicking her tail with a smile. ¡°That should tide me over for a bit.¡±


    ¡°Thought you would use magic.¡± he rolled his eyes as he caught a fish with one of his magical water balls like had shown Jandar.  He twirled one of his talons,the ball slowly levitating towards him as he followed it with his snout.


    ¡°Oh it may be easier at times.¡± She shrugged. ¡°But its a pleasure to do those things sometimes.¡± She cackled, leaping back into the water and swimming around like a fish.


    Ramakox shrugged, snapping his own fish from it''s floating water prison. He was about to simply crunch down like had always done, savoring the bones snapping in his mouth. However when he looked to Fremra playing around in the water, splashing around and laughing he paused. In the next moment he made his decision to be a little more like her. Her mimicked her movements and flung the fish into the air, and opened his maw wide to catch the terrified creature.  Although he must have messed up somehow because it did not come right back into his waiting gullet, he had to lean backwards until he caught it, falling down in the process as he gulped the wiggling fish down his throat. He let out a soft groan as he landed on the ground with a thud, his stomach feeling weird as he felt the fish wiggling around inside of him. He groaned as he got all fours, already starting to feel the thing in his stomach weakening.


    ¡°Coming in for a dip?¡± the dragoness called back to him, raising her dripping orange wing out of the water as she swam by him. ¡°The water is fine...And..I would not mind seeing you soaking wet.¡± she laughed, tossing him a teasing smile,  ¡°Nice catch by the way..Best I''ve ever seen.¡±


    ¡°Sure, Sure.¡± he released a chuckling laugh as he bound over towards the waters edge. With a flick of his tail and a great leap, he splashed into the water with a pleased trill. He sank into the cool water that wrapped around his scales and made his senses tingle. He quickly padded against the water and broke the surface with a gasp of the warmer air. ¡°Hey!¡±he protested with a smile as Fremra dashed by, spraying his snout with a whole tubs worth of water. ¡°Watch where you are going!¡±


    ¡°Oh I was..I meant to splash you with water!¡± she called out, swiftly turning back around to no doubt douse him with another wave of water.


    However Ramakox was ready this time, and ducked below the water before the incoming splash could batter against him. He felt the water push around him as Fremra swam right passed him, her limbs moving so much faster than his own. He naturally felt a small bit of jealously strike through his bones as the agile dragoness was soon turning once more and heading right for him. He tried to shift out of the way out of the speeding dragoness. To turn his body and deny her, but she shifted at the last moment when he tried and he found himself wrapped in her limbs. He tried to kick and squirm against the stronger swimmer, but she held firm and dragged him further down into the water until she had him pressed down against the river''s bottom.


    He struggled against her, bubbles raising to the surface with every movement as he thrashed against her. It was no use though, he could not use his full strength under the water and it seemed like the dragoness had lost none of hers. So despite his thrashing efforts, the teal beauty had him pinned beneath her form. He worried a moment about his lungs that struggled to draw breath as he thrashed for minutes against her unrelenting grip.  To his surprise she lowered her snout towards his, and pressed her lips against his own. He struggled against her as she tried to part his paw with her tongue, wiggling it around at the entrance like some kind of worm. He felt a rumble make it''s way through his body, sending a heat to his limbs at the sensation. However at the same time he did not want water to come rushing into his body and fill up his lungs. But she knows that right? His panic filled mind called out to him, until he relented, opened his mouth and let the water..and her tongue slip inside.


    What he expected was the water to come rushing in, overload his senses and fill his lungs. However while the water did flow into his maw, his lungs never filled with water. He only tasted the dragoness'' tongue on his own, as he suddenly found himself able to breath the water around him. His eyes widened in surprise when she snaked her head away with a smirk, her talons twiddling with white magic before his eyes. Oh He wrinkled his snout for a moment before she leaned down and kissed him once more.  She used some sort of magic.


    She released him from her grip like steel, pushing off of him and twisting her body around before him, her nimble tail passing inches from his nose. Fremra gave him a wave for him to follow as she darted away from in the water, leaving a cloud of bubbles in her wake.


    Ramakox shrugged, taking in a breath of the cool water around him. It felt strange to him in that moment. To suddenly go from breathing the air, to taking in the water with an icy chill. It sent tingles down his spine as he floated where he was for several moments, the dull sound of moving water filling the space around him. He shook his snout and followed after Fremra , gently paddling his way after the trail of bubbles that would lead him to the dragoness. With each pass of his paws in the water he came to the growing realization that he could swim in the water much better than before. With each pass of his limbs, he felt more of the liquid push it''s way away from him, carrying him further in the direction that he wished to go . With a pleased rumble he raced after the dragoness as he followed her quickly around sunken rocks and various pieces of plantlife.


    Fremra still managed to stay ahead of him at every moment, but she would wait for him to catch up several times. She would wiggler her tail as she stared at him with her lightly glowing frills in the water. It was something he had never seen from her, how her orange frills would fill the water with a soft lantern like glow.  She seemed to see his eyes wandering to her frills, because she suddenly stopped their little game of chase to extend all her wings and flutter her glowing membranes. She arched her head to the side, pointing to the glowing spots with a smile.


    ¡°He nodded for her. ¡°They are beautiful.¡± he wanted to say to her, have her smile and wiggle her way from him. However thanks to the water all around them he only got out a rumbling muffled noise that left her with an eye raised, and head cocked to the side. He did the only thing he could think of when she could not understand, he swam over to her and gave her a couple warm affectionate nuzzles against her neck scales. He gave a pleased rumble as she returned the nuzzle with closed eyes, and wrapped her limbs around him in a tight pleased hug.


    ¡°She smiled up at him, holding him there in the middle of the river''s depths. They tumbled slowly along in the current as she pressed herself against him and he heard her let out a muffled sigh into the water. Fremra rumbled her pleasure, radiating out from her neck and allowing the dragon below her to feel it as well.  When Ramakox offered his own rumble of approval her eyes widened, blood flushed to her teal cheeks, and she pointed upwards towards the water''s surface with a  talon. She gave him a quick nod, before rising so swiftly to the surface Ramakox thought she did it instantaneously.


    He followed after her, curiosity worming it''s way to his mind as he broke through the surface, and taking a deep breath of the air around him. To his surprise he felt the icy sensation return with the breath, making all his limbs shiver, and his digits tremble.  He got a face full of cold water, causing him to snarl quickly when he closed his eyes and pulled his neck back in surprise. When he blinked away the water that had found it''s way right into his spheres, he was greeted to the sight of Fremra stretching along a small section of the river''s edge that had a sandy beach. She was stretched down with her front section on the ground and her rear high in the air, with her tail curled invitingly to the side. Ramakox blushed when his eyes got a good clear view of her gender this time, glistening in the sun from water.


    She stopped stretching herself, returning her tail to it''s rightful position behind her, her womanhood hidden away from sight once more. The enchanting dragoness arched her neck around her, a sly grin on her snout. ¡°Oh finally you come to the land. I thought you had turned into a fish!¡± She  laughed,  throwing her head back into laughter as he approached, his nerves still flustered from her display. ¡°Whats the matter?¡± she asked, chuckling when he shifted his view from her. ¡°You look all riled up there Rammy....Like you saw something really  good.¡± She brought herself closer to him, rubbing her scales up against him and pressed her weight into him.


    They came to a stop, letting them shake the water from their limbs and scales. The crystalline droplets flew in every direction around them, and splattered onto the dirt.


    ¡°Hey.¡± she said, once more brushing up against him, her warm touch sending a radiating feeling of warmth and closeness through his scales. ¡°Thank you for letting me take a section of your territory for my own.¡± She licked him across the snout tenderly, ¡°And thank you for being here for me, showing me your cave...and making me not feel alone in the longest time.¡± She traced a talon through the sand, looking away from him with a mournful look, her frills drooping as she worked.  ¡°I did not expect that.¡±


    ¡°You are most welcome.¡± he pressed his scales against hers with a pleased croon escaping his maw. ¡°Although it is not everyday that a beautiful dragoness suddenly appears in your life.¡±


    ¡°That is true.¡± she poked his snout with a smile as she rose her head to gaze at him with her kind eyes.


    They held the gaze for several moments before the feeling''s between them could not be held back any more.  Ramakox felt the rising heat within his heart, and the comfort she made him feel. Without another thought he lowered his neck and parted his maw. He thumped his tail in happiness when the dragoness opened for him and kissed him right back. Their tongues intertwined with one another as they snorted and their wings fluttered together in delight. He rose a claw to caress the back of her frilled neck, gently running it along the scales until he wrapped the appendage around her, and pulled her snout closer into the tongue filled kiss. He felt a rumble of pride flow through him when his tongue pushed further into her snout with a small snort of victory.


    She broke the kiss with a soft sigh, a thin strand of saliva connecting them for a brief moment before breaking away with their gasping breaths.  Her eyes looked to him with a lust fueled stare, one that begged for the blue dragon to take her. ¡°Rammy.¡± she said, her tail brushing up against him. ¡°Would...¡± She gestured back towards her rear end,her tail lifting invitingly, giving no doubt to the blue dragon what she had in mind. She licked his snout, causing him to offer her a rumble of approval.


    ¡°That is something we both can enjoy.¡± he rumbled, taking in a quick whiff of the air and catching the growing smell of her arousal in the air. It twisted around his body, lighting up his senses, and filling his mind with lustful thoughts. He gave her a quick nibble on her neck, smiling to himself when she let out a soft groan at his display. From her neck he moved along her eager body, her scent getting stronger the closer he neared her flank. With each breath he felt his eyes glaze over as anticipation beat it''s way into his skull.


    They mated passionately on the beach, delighting in each other''s bodies as they sounded out for all the hear. He nipped at her neck while she moaned his name several times, wet smacks filling the air as they continued on with pleasure filled moans. They lasted quite some time until the blue dragon could take it no longer. With a final thrust rippling waves of bliss struck through his body and made him bite down on her neck softly as he tied her.


    ¡°Well wasn''t that fun.¡± Fremra moaned, licking his snout.  ¡°Might have to do it again sometime.¡± she trembled.


    ¡°Of...course..¡± he moaned ¡°Was most enjoyable on this end as well.¡± he licked along the back or neck softly, causing her to let out a small rumble of approval from her throat.  They settled down onto their sides, still locked together by the natural demand of his body, letting out soft moans at the delightful feeling. He wrapped his limbs around the dragoness, and pulled her body closer against him as his spurts had turned into small trickles by now. He continued to lick across her scales, with half closed eyes. He thought about Fremra going back to her lonely cave every night, without someone there to keep her at least some company. He gave a small grumble from his throat at the thought.


    ¡°Something the matter?¡± the replied with her singsong voice, forepaw rising to caress his scaled head. ¡°You would think that after rutting a female any bad thoughts would be cast from your mind.¡±


    ¡°Was just thinking about your empty cave.¡± He replied with another affectionate lick. ¡°I think you will be staying with me now.¡±


    ¡°Is that a demand?¡± she asked with a raised brow, sighing at his continued shows of affections.


    ¡°I think it is.¡± he rumbled, ¡°You should not have to go back to an empty cave.¡±


    ¡°I think your right.¡± she giggled, clenching around his maleness again. She turned her snout to offer him a quick kiss and a smile that made his heart warm. ¡°I will take you up on that offer I think...thank you.¡±


    ¡°Most welcome.¡± he grinned, letting his softening cock slide of her with a loud pop.


    ¡°When do you want to start round two?¡± she purred, pressing herself firmly against him. ¡°I am not finished with you yet Rammy.¡± She poked a talon to his chest teasingly as her frills fluttered on either side of her snout.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± he rumbled, already loving the idea,if the tingling sensation in his loins was any indication. ¡°What did you have in mind?¡± He smiled, flicking his tail softly.


    ¡°I can think of a few things.¡±She flipped him over to his back and settled onto his chest with a smile. She lowered her snout to his and parted his mouth with her tongue, intertwining his with hers.


    Ramakox closed his eyes and caressed at her scales softly, drifting away to her scent and sounds. He gave a pleased rumble from his throat, and basked in the pleasure she was going to provide for him. Not just in her physical body, but having her around to sooth his soul. ¡°Delightful.¡± he moaned out when she broke the kiss.

 Chapter 17

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 17</u>


    <u> </u>


    The rest of the year passed fairly quickly for the blue dragon, so much that so he was honestly surprised when it was time for Jandar to return home. The entire year had been spent with the delightful odd teal dragoness hanging around his cave to keep him company. They would share stories to one another, enjoy the other''s warm presence, and of course mate passionately in the night. Then summer turned into fall, the hot weather being traded for a much more mild climate. He and Fremra had flown blissfully through the multicolored forests together, joy in their breathes as Ramakox had felt like a dragon at least hundreds of years younger. They would cuddle up against one another in the brisk winds, and start to whisper sweet nothings to one another. Each one that passed from her lips would make the blue''s heart flutter, and his senses tingle in loving delight.


    From the pleasant crisp air of autumn came the snow that signified the swift change to winter. The frozen ice blanketed the countryside in fields of white and various greys and blues, and stretched out as far as the blue dragon''s eyes could see. It was the coldest mornings of the year that he was even more thankful to have Fremra by his side, and her warmth to snuggle against in his soft bed. For when she would cuddle up against him, wrapped within his limbs ever so delightfully, he would feel joy radiating from his heart. Those sweet nothings from earlier in the year soon turned into praises, delightful words of love that made Ramakox''s heart soar, and threaten to beat out of his chest. It was then they had even started introducing the sea-foam dragoness slowly to the townsfolk of East Cliff, one by one.


    Ramakox started her off with Fenix and some guards first. The wolven more then happy to smile and greet the dragoness with warmth and a friendly attitude. He had provided her with a list of questions that he and his guards  had, and she was happy to answer them with fluttering frills and a large smile stretching from ear to ear as she spoke in her sweet singsong voice. After the guards they tried smaller groups of people, that way she was not bombarded by the whole town, and get her used to bigger groups of mortals. From all her little meetings, Fremra''s favorite person in the town was Jandar''s wrinkled grand-mother. The aging woman having had baked her a loaf of bread in the shape of the dragoness'' body. Fremra had been so happy that her voice cracked as she sang the woman''s praises with fluttering wings. Ramakox had simply watched and smile at every interaction that she had, and delighted in the fact that this dragoness was starting to become more and more cemented into his life.


    So eventually the land thawed away, the snow disappearing before the dragon''s eyes to reveal the green countryside below it. From the grass sprung flowers, animals that had slept, and the winds that signified spring.  Birds were currently chirping away noisily as Ramakox stood proudly before his lair, the morning sun practically sparkling off his cerulean scales. He kneaded the stone with his claw as his eyes cast away the pleasing soft blue sky, the fluffy white clouds that floated in the air, and the vast green quilt of the forest. They instead fell to the worn road leading out of town, the one that Jandar would be coming down like he always did.


    ¡°You look like an expectant mother awaiting her hatchlings to well...hatch.¡± Fremra chuckled, taking a seat beside him, and curling her tail around him gently as she started to lick her forepaws. ¡°It''s pawsitively adorable.¡±


    Ramakox turned to see that she had a sly silly smile on her snout as she continued to work around her fine scales with her long pink tongue, like she was the most clever thing on the entire planet. ¡°N-now that might be true..but..Nice pun there....¡± He snorted, gesturing to her paws as she giggled in delight. ¡°How can I not be?¡± He turned back to the road, to the exact spot on the horizon that he would first see his mortal. He felt a small tingling sensation in his chest, that spread forth and filled the rest of his body with excitement. He could hardly contain it as he fidgeted in place with a flick of his tail on the hard stone. ¡°Each year he brings stories, more adventures, treasure, and knowledge of people he has helped in my good name.¡±


    ¡°Plus you like him hanging around for the time he is here.¡± Fremra rumbled, shifting her careful licks to the other forelimb.


    ¡°Well..There is that too.¡± He rumbled from his throat, as he flicked his tail softly. He took a deep breath as a breeze washed over him, tickling his membranes and having him shift them behind his back once more.


    ¡°Are you going to stand there all day? Or are you going to go out and fly?¡± the playful dragoness rolled over to him, stopping at his paws on her back. She smacked his forelimb with one of her own with a infectious grin. ¡°Honestly you should stay up here.¡± She laid her head back down onto the stone as she let out a pleased rumble from her throat. ¡°The warmth is sooooo inviting.¡± she groaned, her claws grasping at the air as she tail wiggled against the grey stone.


    Ramakox looked away from the dragoness, part of him wishing to stay right here with her, and nestle up beside her with a rumble. It got even harder when her playful wiggling, and her feelings of delight creept their way under his armored hide. He closed his eyes briefly, imagining her heat pressed up against his scales, and making him rumble in approval. The thought occurred to him that they might even get time for a session of lovemaking, complete with him knotting her. He sighed as he pictured her wet hole, and the sensation of her folds rippling over his pulsating maleness like it had done so many times before. No...Focus....Jandar. His mind snapped him from his arousing thoughts, grumbling in the back of his throat. He pushed the lusty images of the dragoness down, while dragging a talon across the stone beneath him. There is always time for that later after all.


    ¡°When he shows up on the horizon.¡± the dragon pointed to the section of the road where it''s brown touched the blue of the sky. ¡°Than I will fly out to meet him.¡±


    ¡°Well, you should move around more Rammy. You look like a statue standing still like that.¡± Fremra sighed, batting her limbs against the air again as she wiggles once more. She than opened her maw wide and let out a loud laugh. ¡°Are you sure you don''t wish to join me?¡± She rose her head with a mischievous grin plastered on her snout. ¡°We could even preform lewd things on one another.¡±


    ¡°The thought occurred to my my sea lilly.¡± he grumbled, his nickname for her rolling off the tongue easily. His tail flicked behind him in irritation at his decision to not stay here and mate the clearly willing dragoness.


    ¡°Awwww.¡± she groaned loudly, throwing her limbs into the air dramatically.


    ¡°We can mate later, when I am not thinking of my mortal''s arrival.¡± He snorted, causing her to let out a pleased trill.


    ¡°Well at least we can have some fun today. Although....Won''t little Jandar be surprised.¡± Fremra pressed her snout against his, a small purr rumbling it''s way from her throat as she did so. ¡°That I am now living with you...Probably be pleased you have company all the time.¡±


    ¡°He was never concerned too much about my loneliness.¡± Ramakox wiggled his talons at the unsureness of that statement. He honestly did not know what the man had thought about it, never taking an interest  that much of Jandar''s feelings concerning himself. How could he not? His mind whispered to him as he spread his wings and gave them a mighty test flap in the air, creating a small gust of wind. Ramakox wrinkled his snout as his eyes drifted to the bright blue sky. Surely he will be happy that I have found a dragoness to share the lonely times, to bring meaning to the other times, and retire from the weariness of the day.


    Right before he was going to settle back down and refold his wings, something caught his eyes. On the distant horizon came the large royal blue covered wagon that signified the coming caravan of various travelers, merchants, and most likely some adventurers mixed into the bunch. It was also the caravan that Jandar, always was a part of when he made his trips home.  His silver eyes were instantly drawn to the top of the wagon, knowing it bore a large dragon bust in his image, a grin formed onto his snout. He gave Fremra a quick affectionate nuzzle around the neck, before bounding into the air with quickened breath and anticipation rising in his chest like the sea.


    ¡°Be careful!¡± she shouted, her tail flicking behind her as she righted herself onto her belly.


    ¡°You don''t wish to come?¡± he asked, entering a hover with several beats of his wings. He tilted his head to the side as he watched her start to stretch like a cat, arcing her back and rising her flank into the air.


    ¡°Large crowds....Aggg.¡± she gave a tongue curling yawn as she pushed out her forepaws. ¡°You go meet your mortal. I will be waiting here for you two.¡± She waved to him  as she settled back down with another flick of her tail. ¡°Don''t worry that spined head of yours.¡± she grinned at him, starting to clean herself once again. ¡°I will be fine, I won''t destroy the place...¡± She shrugged, shooting him a another grin. ¡°Well...at least the entire place.¡± she chuckled, her tongue returning to her scales as she started to hum and tap her tail in tune.


    ¡°Then I will be careful.¡± he smiled, turning back towards the caravan with the next beat of his wings. ¡°And you better not destroy things in there! Or I will have to punish you for it!¡±


    ¡°Promises, promises!¡± she shouted back in a singsong voice, not looking up from her delicate work on her scales.


    He pulled his mind from her with a pleased croon, his eyes returning once more to the collection of wooden wagons that carried the mortal he sought. He rose through the air with grace, his tail swinging behind him as he climbed ever higher with each beat of his mighty wings. He took in a breath of the cool air, delighting in the rushing  air battering against his snout. However nice it felt to be in the sky, the sun''s rays on his back, the delightful feeling of the air brushing his scales, and the joy pounding in his heart. None of it compared to the excitement that was quickly overtaking his senses with each beat of his wings towards that caravan.


    He remembered that despite having some gryphon friends who could fly the man back sooner, the human had always opted to use the caravan instead. Something about it being nice to observe the scenery, and not cheating by flying there.


    The dragon''s wings carried him swiftly over the mountains of sturdy stone, rising up from the earth like dragon teeth to eat at the sky. The vast viridian forests below that were broken up by the bright sapphire rivers, passed quickly enough below his wings. All of this belongs to me. The thought made him smile as he picked up the pace, taking note that he was far closer than he had been before. Time seemed to have warped around him, making the trip seem all the while shorter. The anticipation lurking inside of him now was almost close to bursting through his scales, filling his limbs with a tingling sensation that made him want to let out a loud trill, as his heart began to beat faster and faster.


    He had never been this excited to see Jandar after so long before. He wondered for a moment why that was, but the answer was obvious with the next flap of his wings against the spring air. He knew deep within his very scales that it was because of Fremra, and the soothing fire that she was against the cool night wind. He spread his wings to enter a glide as he slowly started his descent towards the caravan or mortals that contained his son.


    Ramakox already planned it in his mind as he neared the collection of wooden wagons. He would swoop around the caravan like he usually did, give off a loud roar of welcome to his son and all the new guests to his territory. He would then walk the collection of stunned mortals to East Cliff. During this time he would get a chance to talk to the mortal that he cared about most, and the others would get a chance to admire the great Swirling Storm before their eyes. He grinned as he imagined all their stunned faces, mouths agape as he landed before them with a gust of wind and flaring his wings wide. It made a rumble escape from his throat as he pictured himself having to fight off numerous questions from the joyous mortals before setting his attention to his mortal. Hell he might even let the man ride on his neck, while the smiling man regaled him with stories of the past year.


    Jandar would tell him of the adventures that he had, the close calls,and the wondrous things that he had seen. All of the tales building upon the greatness of the mighty Swirling Storm.  I can''t wait. He snorted, stretching out his limbs as he neared the collection of gathered mortals.  He spied several of them riding horses with light brown fur, or dire wolves of dark grey. The mortals riding them pointed out with their arms as he passed by overhead with a grin.  He let out his roar of greeting, a joyous thing that all should rejoice in. It tickled his scales when he heard a collection of cheers, gasps, and clapping from several of the mortals below.


    The blue dragon back winged a far distance from the mortals watching him intently. So when he scattered up loose dirt and rocks it did not go out and strike the mortals he was trying to impress. He settled onto his paws as he refolded his wings against his back, striding out from the dust cloud he had risen with his landing. He flared out his wings when he had emerged from the lingering brown cloud, practically singing when he heard more shouts of praise about his wings and membranes. ''Greetings mortals!¡± Ramakox spoke with a loud brassy voice as he once more reset his wings against his armored back, and strode over to them with a swelled out chest. ¡°I am the Mighty Swirling Storm...The protector of these lands.¡± he smiled as a rider in leather armor smiled at him and crossed their arms. ¡°I am looking for the one called Jandar among you.¡± he stopped with a flick of his tail as faces not walking along the wooden wagons peered out from behind boxes and other various goods to get a good look of the blue dragon before them. His heart skipped a beat when from the sea of mortal faces, he saw the blue scales of his son.


    Joy sprang to his chest as he bound to the human he loved, nearly borrowing over several guards with his large frame.  The dragon gave a great big warm smile as the mortal wearing dark teal robes stepped out into the shining sun. The first thing that Ramakox noticed however was the quite obvious to the eye. ¡°You have a tail!¡± the dragon gasped, pointing to the wiggling appendage attached to the mortals backside.  ¡°Since when do you have a tail?¡±


    ¡°Good to see you too.¡± Jandar laughed, ¡°I missed you as well.¡±


    ¡°Oh..Of course that as well.¡± Ramakox snapped his snout shut, kneading his claws against the dirt. He felt the half-dragon human give his forelimb a quick hug, pressing it firmly to his chest.  It caused the older dragon to lower his snout and offer him a quick nuzzle with closed eyes. ¡°I missed you much little one.¡± he rumbled truthfully from his throat, resisting the urge to pick the human up and twirl him around in a great big hug. Can''t do that. He reminded himself with a flick of his tail. Have to maintain the old dragonic dignity, one nuzzle should be enough to get the point across.


    ¡°Well, let''s carry on!¡± on the guards shouted out to the others, waving to the collection of mortals to keep walking along the road. There was a series of groans, as several people returned to their cards with disappointed faces or muzzles. It made the dragon snort in delight at such sounds.


    ¡°So what tales are to be told now?¡± Ramakox asked, lowering himself closer to the ground for his human to climb up onto his back. ¡°What adventure did my Jandar get up to? What treasure did he win?¡± He gestured to his back with an arch of his neck and drummed his talons on the ground. He resisted the thought to just pick up the human and plopping him onto his back for his hesitation.


    ¡°There is certainly all of that.¡± Jandar laughed, with a large smile on his scaled face. ¡°Wait till you hear about our time in Rothdell, it is such a fantastic place!¡± the man''s spirit seemed to soar as he was imagining the place. ¡°But first, I have some news to share with you.¡± the human clasped his claws together tightly with a smack as he spun around in a single foot. He gestured to the collection of mortals with a smile and outstretched arms.


    The dragon followed the mortal''s arms with his eyes, the man apparently not gesturing to all of the caravan like the dragon had first thought. It seemed Jandar was gesturing to one person in particular, it was an olive skinned human female with shoulder length soft almond hair. She looked to his blue scales with her kind apricot eyes, as she held her hands together against her plain brown traveling clothes. She seemed to be anxiously waiting for something, if her happy face and fidgeting were any indication to his eyes.


    ¡°I am getting married.¡± Jandar smiled proudly, crossing his arms across his chest.


    ¡°You''re getting what?¡± Ramakox gasped, pulling his neck back into the shape of an S in surprise. He snapped his snout to look at the proud human, and tilting his head to the side. ¡°Married?¡±


    ¡°Yes married you blue thing...to that woman over there.¡±


    The blue dragon returned his attention to the smiling woman, who waved to him as the other mortals started to shuffle passed them, following the caravans departure towards east cliff.


    *


    ¡°So what is your name my dear?¡± Ramakox asked as Jandar and the woman climbed up onto his back with hardly a fuss. It seemed like she knew a thing or two about mounting creatures larger than herself. She did so with a large smile on her face.


    ¡°Names Imzel Dyernina.¡±  She said proudly with a smirk as the wind made her simple brown clothes flutter in the wind. ¡°Nice to finally meet ya Mr. Storm.¡±


    ¡°It''s the Swirling Storm.¡± Ramakox said with a snort, and flick of his tail. ¡°Only Jandar can call me storm.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± she quickly replied, her face starting to grow a slight shade of crimson as she looked to Jandar.


    ¡°Don''t worry, dragons use titles for mortals. Once you''ve grown on him, you''ll get his name. You will also learn he is not this un feeling thing. He actually is a big softy inside.¡± Jandar chuckled, patting his scales.


    ¡°Don''t go ruining my appearance to the girl.¡± the blue wrinkled his snout. ¡°My scales are quite armored.¡±


    ¡°Okay, well it''s nice to meet ya Swirling Storm, Jandar tells me all so much about you.¡± She settled into place with her scales on his neck. ¡°Only the nicest things of course. Its really an honor to meet you.¡±


    ¡°The feeling is returned Imzel.¡± Ramakox rumbled as he caught the departing wagons with a trot, causing some guards to look to him and chatter something about his large size. ¡° Not every day you meet someone who is marrying Jandar here. So of course I have to ask...How did you two meet?¡±


    Imzel explained that she had met Jandar while on a trip to her town almost two years back, smiling that the handsome blue scaled human had saved her brother with the help of his friends.


    Ramakox had chuckled at the story, for it was yet another thing to add to the growing list of deeds that Jandar had done in his name. Imzel explained with red faced glances to Jandar that the man had won her heart after several more journeys together, describing romantic situations where the human had held her tight, and whispered most pleasing words that made her heart melt upon hearing them. The dragon turned to Jandar as the woman continued on talking about his praises, each one music to the dragon''s proud head that made his chest swell with pride.


    When they neared East Cliff the dragon lowered himself for the pair, gesturing to his scales back as he rumbled his approval. He delighted with the woman''s pleasurable screams of delight as they bounded into his domain. Her sounds of intense joy made blood rush to his cheeks as each one brought such delight to his mind. It was then Jandar''s turn to ask questions as they passed over the rivers around his home.  The man''s voice of genuine interest was mixed with a coy smile as Ramakox had looked to him with a grin. He had a feeling under his scales that the human knew something beneath those amused eyes.


    With a loud cheerful voice, Ramakox spoke of the teal dragoness that had graced his life for the past year. The one that had filled his heart with such warmth and affection that it made him want to sing her praises to the very heavens. When the human chuckled at his words, Ramakox snorted in reply and told the human how the pair had met. He spoke of her odd interesting behavior, each detailed description on how she had driven him crazy at first.  Each word that passed through his maw seemed to make the human''s grin grow ever larger with each passing moment of the dragon''s tale. Finally he got to the point of his tale where he spoke of how she was now living with him,and filling his days with cheer.


    Jandar''s smug smile disappeared as he gasped in surprise. He stroked the dragon''s smooth scales  affectionately. The human then asked him if she was now his mate, to which Ramakox rumbled his amusement at the thought. Although his mind lingered on the idea, fondly imagining little wrymlings of his own racing around his paws. It was not too far of a stretch to see himself as a parent after all, he had practically raised Jandar himself. With their quick words exchanged the dragon angled his wings and brought them down towards his lair, offering another roar of greeting, this time to the dragoness he loved. He smiled when he spied her form laying around  a roaring fire outside the mouth of the cave, raising her own scaled neck and returning the greeting with a roar of her own.


    *


    ¡°So you two are doing well.¡± Jandar asked after biting into a piece of a roasted stag that Fremra had caught while the group had been on their way back to the mountain lair. They had all taken spots around the fire, the sun''s rays  just beginning to vanish, leaving the sky a glowing warm orange, mixed with the encroaching blackness of night. If you looked, you could even start to see the twinkling stars starting to come out. The scaled human smiled as his eyes went to Imzel before ripping another chunk of the meat in his hand with his sharpened teeth, steam escaping from the flesh and curling slowly around his head.


    ¡°You could say that.¡± Fremra replied, starting to lick her paws slowly in time with the soft tapping of her tail on the stone as she hummed quietly to herself. ¡°My nights have been most pleasing since being here. Especially since my sleep is no longer barren and cold.¡± She ceased her careful licks to smile warmly up at the blue dragon watching her intently.


    Ramakox felt his chest start to grow warm at her affectionate gesture. It made his limbs tingle as he felt blood rush to his cheeks.  He returned the smile, gazing deeply into her purple spheres.


    ¡°And you?¡± Jandar laughed. ¡°I noticed you are not being your typical grumpy self. Which I have to admit is a VAST improvement.¡±


    ¡°I wasn''t THAT grumpy.¡± Ramakox snapped back with a wrinkled nose and narrowed eyes. He turned back to Fremra when he heard the dragoness stifle a laugh with her paws. ¡°Yes Fremra?¡± he asked as she hit her snout with one of wing membranes.


    ¡°Nothing Rammy...Nothing at..all.¡± He saw her paw on the ground twitch as she apparently was trying her hardest to fight off the laughter swirling around in her body. One that she was losing the battle to contain with each soft noise escaping her snout.


    ¡°Regardless.¡± The blue dragon snorted, returning his narrowed gaze to Jandar. ¡°I wasn''t THAT grumpy all the time.¡±


    ¡°AHAHAHAHAHAHA¡± Fremra fell over, bursting out in laughter as she clutched at her scales sides. ¡°YOU WERE SO GRUMPY ALL THE TIME!¡± she cackled, as her tail thrashed behind her.


    Ramakox just returned her laughter with a snort, and narrowed eyes once more. He rolled them away from the dragoness he cared about back towards the two grinning humans, ignoring Fremra''s continuing laughter.


    Imzel was pressed up against Jandar with her head resting comfortably on his shoulder, with a warm smile of content. The scaled human, had his arm wrapped around her side, and seemed to be holding her against himself.


    ¡°So are you going to tell me more about the journeys you have had?¡± Ramakox rumbled from his throat, ¡°I would love to hear about how the past year has gone for you.¡± When the woman raised a brow at the request the dragon sighed, and drummed his talons softly onto the stone. ¡°It''s tradition you see, for Jandar here to return home and tell me about his adventures.¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°I see.¡± she nodded, turning to Jandar, who had stood up with wide arms and a smile on his face.


    ¡°Well..there was this one time..¡± the man moved his hands to his hips as he glanced up into the dragon''s eyes. ¡°That we were surrounded on all sides by displacer beasts.¡± Jandar paused and held up his hand. ¡°Okay, long story, the short version is that they were killing a bunch of the wild life around this village, and we went out to get rid of the dangerous magical creatures....And our dwarven guide....I think her name was Merlia Gallogalar..¡± Jandar laughed again, holding up his other claw. ¡°A loud mouthed woman with a mind of her own, led us to the beasts lair. When we arrived at the place in question we were in for a big surprise. What we thought was only two or three of the large beasts, ended up being a whole bloody pack of the things!¡±


    Ramakox gasped at that claim. Displacer beasts were a rather annoying panther like creature that was the size of a horse. They had dense black fur with two large tentacle like appendages that ended with spines that they used for snaring prey. This however was not what made them dangerous, for it was their magical ability to project a fake copy of themselves to the real one. So it was fairly easy for ones sword, spell, or claws to simply meet empty air.


    ¡°So thanks to some crafty illusions of our own, and that blasted dwarve''s enthusiasm. We were able to fend off those pesky things one by one. Now not saying it was easy mind you, they were snarling and lashing through every defense we had.¡± Jandar held up his left bicep and pulled up his shirt to reveal a section of his arm that had been scared over. ¡°I got a nasty bite right here.¡± the human smiled with his eyes closed. ¡°Made our cleric frightful it did.¡±


    ¡°Well..You''re obviously fine now.¡± Ramakox replied calmly, trying to mask his concern for the man. ¡°Trained you better then to be done away with by some weird twisted cat creature.¡± He looked away to complete his facade as his mind wandered to the other situations were the man had slipped through by the skin of his teeth. He sighed, trying to not imagine the other various ways that the human could get maimed or killed. But it''s all for the good name. He told himself with his next worried breath. You trained him well...and he''s obviously not dead.


    ¡°See there he is trying to mask his feelings again.¡± Fremra chuckled, having settled down from her laughter and sat upright before them with a grin.  She started licking one of her paws again as she flicked her tail casually behind her. ¡°You can see it by the way his wing fluttered when he spoke.¡±


    ¡°Fremra!¡± he snapped his snout to the dragoness, who stopped her insistent cleaning to offer him a sly grin and a pleased croon.


    ¡°It''s okay..We all know that you care about my safety like a mother.¡± Jandar laughed, smiling up at the warm faced dragon.


    Ramakox grumbled to himself as another series of chuckles rose up from his gathered company. He closed his eyes and pushed the irritation from his mind with another soothing breath. ¡°So if we are sharing things now, I would like to know a little more about how you two met.¡± Ramakox opened his eyes and gestured to Jandar, and then Fremra with a wave of his forepaw. ¡°How you managed to push a beautiful dragoness into my life.¡± he felt a pleased rumble rise up from his throat as his eyes fell to the dragoness'' sea foam scales. He readjusted his wings when he felt his body tingle in the warm feeling of affection. ¡°My Sea Lilly.¡±


    ¡°Oh thank you.¡± she purred, striding over to the blue dragon and settling down beside him. She wrapped her head around him and intertwined her tail with his own with a soft sigh. ¡°You know how to say the most pleasing things at times.¡± she smiled, ¡°Do go on with your words...My dearest Radiant Sapphire.....They make my heart flutter ever so wonderfully.¡±


    ¡°After I hear more about how you and Jandar met.¡± he nuzzled her affectionately, making her warble , and tremble in delight. Ramakox gave a pleased rumble, and smiled when he heard Imzel let out a loud. ¡°Dawww. They are so adorable!¡±


    ¡°Honestly...though.¡± Jandar spoke up, smiling weakly as he leaned onto Imzel, and offered her a quick kiss to her reddening cheek. ¡°We attacked a group of those red hand fellas that jumped us.¡± Jandar gestured to his scales and tail. ¡°They seemed determined to think I was some sort of demotic hybrid, proof that dragons corrupt other''s to their own version of the world.¡± The human rolled his draconic eyes.


    ¡°You''re not a demon!¡± his fiance kissed his cheek back. ¡°They are the monsters.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡± Fremra replied with a more aggressive tone that usual. Ramakox felt her tail pull tighter against his own as she closed her snout and gave a harsh snort.


    ¡°Well, we quickly dispatched them with sword and sorcery.¡± Jandar held up one of his claws and wiggled the digits. ¡°And when we were done we found a most peculiar book. One that was of larger size and clearly made by dragons. For I could read the scratching, admire the doodles, and look at the paw prints that had clearly been dipped in ink.¡± Jandar sighed as he looked to Fremra, and gestured to her with an outstretched palm. ¡°It was then that we found her, all huddled up alone in that cave we decided to spend the night in.


    ¡°I growled at him, and snarled.¡± the dragoness said softly. ¡°I even threatened to kill all of you were you stood.¡±


    ¡°But that''s when I took a leap of faith.¡± Jandar replied with just as soft of a voice. ¡°I asked this clearly upset dragoness what was wrong. I had just wanted to understand what was the matter.¡± The human smiled as he folded his arms. ¡°And woe and behold she had all her things destroyed by the very same group we had stood up to. Then it was with my great pleasure I returned her book...Storm you should have heard her trills of joy. I thought she was going to start proclaiming her undying love for me.¡±


    ¡°I almost did!¡± Fremra chuckled, ¡°You were a little miracle given to me by the grace of Bahamut. It was like she herself sent you to return my most treasured item.¡± The dragoness sighed as she pressed herself up tenderly to Ramakox, and relaxed onto his scales. ¡°Then he told me about the mighty Swirling Storm, and I knew it was a sign. I needed to go there if I wanted to be safe.


    ¡°Why thank you.¡± Ramakox rumbled his approval as he felt his cheeks once more feel like they had been soaked in the sun for far too long. He gave Fremra several warm affectionate licks across her snout, which caused the dragoness to release a soft pleased purr from her throat. ¡°So that explains one curiosity of mine.¡± he grinned, as when he finished his licks Fremra wrapped her neck around his once again. ¡°Now please tell me about this marriage of yours.¡±


    ¡°We''re actually on our way northward to get the thing done.¡± Jandar chuckled, smiling once more to his beloved.


    ¡°It''s when my village does them.¡± Imzel smiled. ¡°When our leaders unite all the couples that flock there...It is a most joyous and intimate thing.¡±


    ¡°Which village?¡± Ramakox tilted his head in curiosity as he drummed his talons onto the stone with soft clinks.


    ¡°The village of Holbeck.¡± she replied without skipping a beat.  ¡°You just keep heading north for a few days by horse, it''s right passed the town of Venzor..You know the one, the place were they have those large farms for the dire wolves.¡± The woman''s hand went down to her stomach, and rubbed in circular motions with a  smile. ¡°And we wanted to get it done on account of..¡± She paused, warmly looking to Jandar. ¡°Because I am also with his child.¡±


    Ramakox felt his senses go numb for a moment as he tried to catch his brain that seemed to have entered free fall through a vast sky. ¡°Y-you''re going to be a father?¡± he asked, snapping his snout to look at Jandar in the eyes. The human''s face that still had skin was starting to turn a bright crimson as he smiled.


    Jandar nodded in response without words, the smile now dominating his face.


    The blue dragon could not help it, he let loose a loud trill of his own as joy overfilled his heart. ¡°That''s fantastic!¡± he exclaimed, almost picking up the man and swinging him around like he was a doll. ¡°That''s absolutely wonderful!¡± he thumped his tail, keeping that outburst in check as the others giggled at his show of emotions. ¡°Oh you can all just sit their and laugh all you want!¡± Ramakox smiled larger than he had ever done in his life. ¡°My son is having his own offspring!¡± the dragon shouted, already his mind going to celebration. They would need some sort of drink, something to raise the spirits even more.


    ¡°Woah.¡± Jandar gasped in surprise, looking to Ramakox with a tilted head, making the dragon almost think that he was taking after him,. ¡°Y-you called me your son.¡±


    The blue dragon sat down gently before him. The realization sinking into him too, that no matter how often he had considered the human his son, he had never told him that. He only hesitated for a moment, before lowering his snout to nuzzle him most affectionately. ¡°I have considered it so for many seasons now Jandar.¡± he let out rumbling from his throat as the human caressed the sides of his face with his warm claws.


    ¡°It means a lot.¡± the human laughed, as Ramakox pressed his snout to his chest.


    ¡°Of course it does little one! I have watched you grow so much!.¡± He pulled back his head and could not help letting out another loud trill into the air, as Fremra offered her own congratulations to Imzel. The dragoness quickly questioned her about the child''s name, how long she had been carrying, and if she knew the gender of the child.


    The answers that came from the woman''s mouth flowed like the river as she could not stop smiling. She had not picked the child''s name, she was four months pregnant, and did not want to know the child''s gender.


    Ramakox perked up at her answers, figuring the last one was for the best. He also liked the idea of the offspring being a surprise for the expectant parents, besides what did it matter in the long run of things anyway? ¡°Come on, lets go find some spirits.¡± Ramakox rumbled as he returned his attention to his human. He pulled him along with any resistance towards his cave, and guiding him with a wing towards the treasure.


    ¡°This place always seems to get more and more resplendent with each of my visits.¡± Jandar smiled, his face still red from the previous conversation. ¡°Always something new to see.¡± the man gestured to a large statue of the blue dragon crafted out of pristine granite.


    ¡°Oh that.¡± Ramakox chuckled in the back of his throat as they admired his likeness frozen in the stone. ¡°Gift from the town of Rayleth, for that problem with the....the...¡± the blue dragon wrinkled his snout as he drummed his talons against the floor, trying to pull the memory from the depths of his mind. ¡°The....uh..¡± he narrowed his eyes at the statue''s chin as he struggled. ¡°Ah yes!¡± the he smiled as he pulled the memory finally. ¡°Those loose constructs!¡± he turned to the man with a smile, remembering the tale at how a bunch of towering flesh golems had been loosed on that said town, and thanks to some crafty traps and smart thinking, the mortals had been victorious as they always where. They had even saved the local lord''s daughter, and thus the reason for the statue''s creation was born.


    ¡°Come on, as good as I look in stone.¡± Ramakox smirked at the statue, letting out a pleased rumble from his throat. ¡°It is not the reason why we are in here.¡± he wrapped a wing around the man and guided him passed the statue. It became apparent as they came closer to mounds of coins that Jandar still had a red face,and by the way he was carrying himself looked to be nervous about something.  ¡°What seems to be the problem?¡± he asked almost instantly the thought came to him.


    ¡°Nothing...nothing really.¡± Jandar rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°I thought you might be a little upset about the whole kid thing....I''m honestly happy you''re thrilled around it.¡±


    ¡°Why would I be upset about it?¡± Ramakox snorted, raising a brow as he wrinkled his snout. He stopped in his tracks to curl his body around his son, his wings resettling onto his back as he did so. He lowered his snout to look into those worry filled spheres, and offered him a face of warmth and comfort. ¡°Why would I be upset for my son at such joyous news?¡± he asked, excitement building in his voice with each word. ¡°You''re going to be a father!¡±


    ¡°Well...¡± Jandar fidgeted with a weak laugh. ¡°I thought since you''d realize that I would not be free to go out and spread your name anymore.....We were going to settle down near her village.¡± We already had a place picked out and everything.¡±


    Ramakox froze at the words coming from his human''s mouth. It had not occurred to him until that moment, he had been too swept up in the joyous news that filled him with warmth. At first his mind rebelled at the notion of Jandar settling down. How could he do that? After all the time I had spent training and readying him for that task? It was his job to spread my name! The blue wrinkled his snout as he looked away from the human, his mind still trying to make sense of what he had been told. He desires a life. His mind scolded him as he thought to the years spent with the human. You said he was your son, so treat him as such, not as a pawn in some great plan. Ramakox let out a long drawn out sigh as he shrugged his shoulders. ¡°I...am not angry.¡± he replied with a tap of his tail on the floor. ¡°You deserve to be happy Jandar.¡± he felt his heart start to ache, as if it were starting to be stretched in two different directions at once. ¡°You are my son, and you should be able to be happy...You don''t need to help spread my name any longer...Besides...Look around.¡± the blue dragon swept around the vast treasure room with a sweep of his paws. ¡°I have all of this and more to come thanks to you.¡± He wrapped a forelimb around his human and pulled him close against his dark blue scales.


    ¡°T-thanks.¡± Jandar replied softly, pressing his head against the dark blue scales with sigh. ¡°I was stupid for being nervous.¡±


    ¡°That goes without saying.¡± the dragon rumbled, causing his human to laugh within his grip. Ramakox continued the hug  for a minute or two, enjoying the closeness and warmth that his mortal was providing him with the affectionate embrace. With a low rumble he let go of Jandar, and dropped to all fours again. ¡°Well...enough of that I think.¡±he said, his voice adopting it''s usual gruff tone.


    ¡°Ah yes, that way we can picture that Rammy has little to no emotions.¡± Jandar laughed with a coy grin, crossing his arms.


    ¡°Oh don''t you start that too. Fremra already picks at my scales for it.¡± the dragon spun around with a snort. ¡°And don''t call me that...Only she does that....you can call me..¡±


    ¡°Dad?¡± Jandar quickly added with a giggle that caused the dragon to groan lightly.


    ¡°I suppose if you wanted too..¡±


    ¡°That''s alright Ramakox....Let it just be a formality between us....I''ll always see you as that stern, brooding, mostly grumpy dragon anyway.¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± he turned back from his walking to narrow his eyes at the amused human. ¡°I am still a dragon, I''d watch what you say.¡±


    ¡°Or you will snuggle me to death? We both know I have been here far too often. Under your wings enough to know that you wouldn''t do anything to me.¡±


    ¡°Ah yes, but I could snatch you up and go flying with you. I think it would be adorable to show your new fiance how loud you can scream no?¡± he looked away as he put a claw to his chest, loving that Jandar gasped loudly at his proclamation.


    ¡°You...Wouldn''t...Dare.¡± the human exclaimed with a hushed whisper, picking up his stride until he was beside the dragon. ¡°Say you wouldn''t Ramakox.¡±


    ¡°I think she would get a great laugh out of it.¡± the dragon mused, imagining the woman that loved Jandar gasping for breath as she clutched her sides in laughter.  ¡°Almost piss her self at the sight of you howling like a banshee.¡± Ramakox grinned, flashing his teeth to Jandar.


    ¡°Yea? If you try it I will have you bound faster then you can say wrong move.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Ramakox spun around playfully, opening his maw and letting electricity dance around his pearly whites, that cast a faint glow to the surrounding coins.


    ¡°Yeah!¡± Jandar jumped back, his hands already starting to glow a vibrant orange as he glanced at the teasing dragon.


    ¡°Fine fine.¡± Ramakox chuckled, closing his mouth quickly, and spinning around once again. His tail passed close enough to Jandar''s head to brush his remaining hair. ¡°Come on then, do keep up...I know I have this drink somewhere.¡± Ramakox snorted, his eyes scanning the treasure for the old worn chest with the symbol of a sheep with wings. He knew it was a strange symbol,but it belonged to the noble house called Chergoba , who had very pleasant spirits.


    He knew the drink he was looking for  had a fruity flavor floor, something he was not ashamed to admit in the slightest.


    ¡°Another thing that was bugging me about it.¡± Jandar suddenly spoke as Ramakox eyes settled onto a chest full of silver goblets given to him by a group of passing merchants.


    ¡°And what would that be?¡± the dragon wrinkled his snout as he passed the chest back, irritation lingering in his mind. Certainly time to organize everything again in embarrassing. To not be able to find it....Perhaps I drank it?...No...I couldn''t have.


    ¡°That she got pregnant at all...Came as a surprise.¡±


    ¡°How could it have been a surprise?¡± Ramakox chuckled as he remembered human''s could breed at any time of the year. ¡°I thought we had this talk when you were thirteen.¡± he turned back back with a grin, teasing the human he cared for. ¡°Of had you forgotten? Well you see when two people really want to have some fun....¡±


    ¡°N-No, not that!¡± laughed Jandar loudly, his voice carrying through the cavern. ¡°You see...We were careful, were even using bitterweed.¡±


    ¡°Bitterweed?¡± Ramakox raised brow, he never had heard of such a plant before.


    ¡°Yes...It''s used to stop consumation in mortals if brewed correctly into a potion...Which is what we were doing.¡±


    ¡°Are you so arrogant that you believe you could not have made a mistake?¡± the dragon turned his attention to a suit armor, the one that Jandar had knocked over as a child. He gave a pleased rumble when he spotted the symbol of what they were looking for painted onto an worn dark brown wooden box half buried in golden coins. Ramakox took a breath and released a snort as he began to stride towards the box with a strut in his step.


    ¡°Well..no...I know I can make a mistake storm...It''s just that we were being super careful. I was sure to check each time, and we made sure that she took it...It should have worked.¡±


    The blue dragon grabbed the box with one of his claws as they came to it. His human''s dilema interesting him as he gave Jandar a sigh. ¡°What do you think happened then? Don''t forget the story of Zeorvuth, always-¡±


    ¡°Expect the unexpected.¡± Jandar sighed, ¡°I know all the storied you told me...The only creatures that ignore bitterweed are dragons.¡±


    Ramakox felt his blood ice over at that mention, memories surfacing and bringing a pang of guilt to his heart. The Ritual. ¡°Perhaps your little dragon infusion gave you our virility.¡± Ramakox chuckled, ¡°Clearly you have strong essence.¡±


    ¡°Ok okay, the is no way I am having that conversation with you.¡± Jandar chuckled, padding his way over to the box of spirits and tapping it with a  finger. ¡°Ah this the stuff eh? A bit fruity don''t you think?¡± the scaled human raised a brow and gave the dragon a teasing smile that made the dragon roll his eyes.


    ¡°Nice topic change , Like I was going to ask a question about your cock.¡± Ramakox snaked his snout towards the box, giving the wooden planks a sniff. He could still smell trace of that gryphonberry plants that resided near their plantation, or so he was told. ¡°And you can cease your teasing.¡± the dragon grumbled with a snort. ¡°I rather like the fruity flavor, it also makes my maw feel all bubbly.¡±


    ¡°Ah yes, the things dragon''s say to make people think they are big softies.¡± Jandar chuckled, flicking his finger with a  smirk. The heavy box buried in the coins suddenly levitated up several feet off the ground, seemingly lifted by nothing. Ramakox looked to Jandar, the man had a blue claw extended with his eyes intently focused on the hovering crate of wood. ¡°Ah yes, a levitate spell...Seems you''ve mastered it¡± the dragon cooed, pride swelling in his chest and making his wings all tingly.


    ¡°Don''t mess up now,  just take a break of concentration and crack.¡± The blue dragon slowly followed the human, creeping up on his tense body.


    ¡°Ramakox I swear if you make me loose concentration, you understand I will break all your precious booze right?¡±


    The blue dragon wrinkled his snout, he of course had forgotten about that. He pulled his snout away and proceeded to walk casually with his human back towards the entrance to his cave.


    ¡°Don''t you think this is a bit much?¡± Jandar laughed,  ¡°I don''t think even I could drink this much booze..And I''ve had practice!¡±


    ¡°Drink a lot did you?¡± the dragon chuckled, imaging his human''s face bright red as he sang some sort of drinking song, or danced on the long wooden tables that frequented taverns and the like. ¡°I had not idea that my son was a drunkard.....and the amount?¡± He arched his head to offer the human a sly grin. ¡°You do realize that there are two adult dragons out there? This amount of drink will hardly get us tipsy!¡±


    ¡°Hah? You tipsy? I would kill to see that...Course it will be funny to see Imzel drunk as well.¡±


    ¡°What about her being pregnant?¡± Ramakox gasped, ¡°Isn''t that terrible for the-¡±


    ¡°Don''t worry about it.¡± Jandar waved to him dismissively at him. ¡°We''ve been working on a spell for that.  Should eliminate the alcohol in the drink for her, but she will still feel the effects of a buzz.


    ¡°Some nifty enchantment eh? That certainly sounds like a good one. Certainly lets the girl in the good cheer....That was clever thinking...I''m proud of you...¡±


    ¡°I know..for..¡± Jandar chuckled softly, his eyes not leaving the crate.


    ¡°Not just for that...For everything you do.¡± Ramakox said softly, trying to show the human he cared.


    ¡°Hey..Don''t go soft on me.¡± the human smiled, ¡°Going to put a damper on that Mighty Swirling Storm bit I tell everyone.¡±


    ¡°I''m..Trying to show.¡± he wrinkled his snout, narrowing his eyes. Irritation start to swirl beneath his scales.


    ¡°I know  Storm.¡± Jandar added, instantly pushing those feelings the dragon had stirring. ¡°It...It means a lot to hear you say them.¡±


    ¡°Then you are most welcome.¡± Ramakox rumbled, a fire suddenly spreading from his heart as he smiled wide. ¡°We can now go back to discussing your transformation.¡± He raised a brow, ¡°Have you actually changed down there to be a dragon?¡± He laughed, his eyes gesturing to the man''s trousers.


    Jandar just rolled his eyes as his cheeks grew red at the mention of his maleness, ¡°If you must know, and mind you...It''s to get you to stop talking about it...Yes.¡± The man sighed, kicking some coins as he passed a large mound of the glittering treasure with his boot. ¡°Been quite some time since I had the standard human package as it were..Balls up and disappeared inside me one day...Got nothing but a slit and internals now.¡± The flustered man just laughed weakly, hand not leaving the box he was continuing to levitate. ¡°Was quite the shock when I woke up one day, and poof no more meat and grapes to grace my eyes. Should have heard me scream that morning, our cleric swore I broke every window in that place....and at least three miles away.¡± Jandar carefully avoided a goblet laying on it''s side. ¡°Won''t let me live the damn thing down. Always seemed to bring it up at every tavern when enough mead had graced his lips. ¡°Says I have the voice of a bloody angel.¡±


    ¡°Ah but I knew that when I plucked you from the earth and brought you to the sky.¡± the blue dragon smirked, picturing his human held within his arms when he was but a small child. ¡°I have heard opera has little words in it and sort of sounds like the shouts you make. Perhaps as you are settled down you should find a local theater to preform in and make some coin? They could certainly use your....unique talent.¡±


    Jandar held in a laugh with a crimson face. ¡°Great...next thing you will be telling me is that I had a throat for it.¡±


    ¡°I would never!¡± Ramakox held a claw to his chest with a snort. ¡°Would be far too easy to make dick jokes at your expense....You know...about cocks sliding down your gullet.¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± the human snapped back with a laugh. ¡°You don''t need to talk to me about dick swallowing Ramakox...Or is a subject that you are particularly well versed in?¡±


    ¡°Nice little come back.¡± the blue dragon flicked his tail as he snorted at the humans clever rebuttal.¡± But what if I had? What if I experimented back in my youth?¡± The blue dragon looked away in a dramatic fashion that he had seen Fremra do many times when she would tease him. ¡°Swallowed a dragon''s spear or moved my tail aside so that he could mount me like female? Would you still make your little jokes then?¡±


    ¡°I would!¡± Jandar roared, the box quivering as he clutched his side in laughter. With a quick stifled laugh and eyes wide, the human held his hand out once more before he box could drop to the ground below.¡±Because you seem to be insisting on ways to make this lewd!¡±


    ¡°I am not...Now mind your tongue about it.¡± Ramakox snorted, dragging a talon across the stone with a loud scrape. He gestured to Fremra when the vibrant teal dragoness came into view with the Imzel laughing away. The teal dragon had pressed herself up against the red faced human, he claw rubbing the human''s stomach gently with her frills fluttering softly.


    ¡°Oh you two are back.¡± Imzel smiled, looking up as they neared the fire with their next careful steps and paws. ¡°Got the enchantment I take it?¡± she asked as Fremra continued to caress her stomach only the care of a previous mother could do. ¡°Can''t wait to have some of the spirits, feels like ages since I had a good drink grace these lips of mine.¡±


    ¡°Wait what about the...¡± Fremra shot her a concerned look, but Ramakox eased her mind as he told her Jandar''s plans with the enchantment spell. He watched as her concerned look melted away, and smiled at him warmly, making him almost want to trill at the way the sensations made his wings tickle.


    ¡°Oooooo!¡± she exclaimed when her purple spheres fell onto the crate,  ¡°You had Chergoba''s stock? They were always my favorite! She shout out with a loud croon, tapping her tail in delight.


    ¡°And yet another thing you two share in common.¡± Jandar laughed, as he crossed his arms the moment the crate gentle landed onto the stone before him. The thing hardly made a noise as the wood was pressed firmly against the hard stone. ¡°Good thing that I am such an expert matchmaker huh?¡±The man turned around to Ramakox with a smug grin plastered on his scaled face.


    The boy''s look got under the dragon''s scales as he moved based him with a  firm shake of his clinking scales and a snort escaping his flared nostrils. ¡°Oh shush your snout.¡±


    The human said nothing but started to chuckle at the dragon''s display. Crossing his arms and giving him a coy smile, that made it ever hard to not snort air at him.


    ¡°Didn''t need your help.¡± The dragon grasped the wooden plank of the crate firmly in his firm claw. He gripped the wood tightly, before with a loud resounding crack, the material gave way and the crate was ripped open. He tossed the now lid of the box to the side, it clattering onto the rock as he flared his nostrils and took in the alluring smell wafting up from the container and making his scales shiver in delight. ¡°There we are.¡± he groaned, tongue almost lolling out of his mouth as he pulled out four large casks with the sloshing liquid inside. Each sound of the spirits splattering the wood inside made the blue dragon lip his in anticipation, his tongue already tasting the divine tasting alcohol. He sat down onto his launches as he took another waft of the air, his tail twitching behind him.


    ¡°There he is...Trying to hide his, excited yet again.¡± Fremra laughed in her singsong voice,  ¡°We best be careful lest he get really excited.¡±


    ¡°Oh my Sea Lilly. If I ever truly got excited, you would certainly be able to smell or even see my excitement. Some of you might be impressed!¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Jandar exclaimed, pointing a finger harshly as the sea foam dragoness who just laughed and fell to her side.


    ¡°That''s why I said some of you.¡± the blue dragon smiled. ¡°I was already not counting your anticipation of seeing my growing maleness.¡± Ramakox then settled onto his hinds with a dull thud as he let his tail fail roughly to the floor.


    ¡°Storm...That''s my fiance.¡± the human stated flatly, his mouth threatening to stay open as the dragon chuckled all the time.


    ¡°I know that.¡± Ramakox waved to the human with  a snort, and drumming of his talons on the floor. He lowered his snout towards the darkened brown liquid, taking the alluring scent of berries into his nose. He happily opened his mouth,once more letting his tongue fall out and dangle off the side of his maw.


    ¡°Are you certain you won''t be cresting from your sheath?¡± Fremra laughed, gesturing to his deep breaths. ¡° I have not seen you so pleased as you do sniffing those spirits. Hell I don''t even think you looked that way while enjoying me.¡±


    ¡°I know what it is Fremra.¡± he smiled, closing his eyes and letting the smell envelop him in it''s scent and remind him of the bright future ahead of them. He looked down when he heard the dull clinks of wood, spotting that his son had grabbed two wooden tankards, that had been inside the crate that the blue dragon had not seen.


    Jandar filled up his first tankard with the red liquid. It sploshed and splattered inside of it''s wooden confines. The mag swirled his hand around the liquid, sections of the concoction following along with his moments, With a smile the human handed Imzel the divine tasting liquid,and delighting when she gulped it down without a question or concern. ¡°


    With the female had been given first dibs, Ramakox found he and Fremra going to the same keg to savor their meal of sweet tasting drink.  The blue dragon laughed up a slight growl, betraying his calmness at the situation. ¡°Here.¡± he gestured to the open box of spirits


    ¡°How pleasing of you.¡± the blue teal dragoness chuckled, sliding beside him, his tail curling around her most affectionately. ¡°Thanks Rammy.¡± she smiled, nuzzling under his chin with her snout, causing the armored dragon to rumble his approval and close his eyes softly from the warm affection.


    The blue dragon offered her first dip into the keg of dark liquid, that was already bubbling at the surface. He felt his maw begin to salivate in anticipation as she savored the alluring, fruity smell in the air that seemed to stick to his senses like glue. He fidgeted slightly as her tongue snaked out and sampled the surface, lapping some up some of the delightful drink.


    ¡°Mmmmm.¡± she rumbled, closing her eyes in delight as she began to purr. ¡°Delightful as always.¡± she rose her snout, snapping several times to collect as small droplets dripped down from her jaws to the stone below.


    Ramakox resisted the urge to plunk his horned head down and slurp as much as he could, and instead copied the way that the dragoness had carefully lapped. He licked the surface with the broad side of his tapered tongue, the fruit flavor of cherries mixed with apples and strawberries danced on his tongue and made his scales shiver as he gulped it down. He smiled to himself as the other thing that he loved about this drink was it worked just as well on dragon''s as it did mortals. He was reminded of this fact as his face started to feel warm, and a slight fuzziness that appeared ever so lightly in the back of his head. ¡°Yes...Very good.¡± he grumbled after slurping his snout away from any dripping spirits as he rose his neck into the shape of an S. ¡°Now Jandar...Why are your friends not here to celebrate the good occasion such as this?¡± He turned to the mortal,imagining his friends possibly shunning or abandoning his mortal.


    How dare they...Might have to find them and give them a nice long chat about manners...Thankfully he was not left in suspense for long as Jandar finished off what was in his mug with a gasp and a loud chest pounding burp.


    ¡°Don''t worry bout that Storm, they didn''t abandon me..And don''t say you didn''t think that...I can see it in the way you''re looking at me.¡± the man smirked up at him, eyes already starting to glaze over from the delightful drink.


    Am I that easy to read? Ramakox wrinkled his snout as Fremra took another sip from the keg, and Jandar let out another loud burp into the air. This time the human ended it with a  chuckle and wipe of his lips on his sleeve.


    ¡°They are waiting for us in the village of course! Twas my idea to come get you for the ceremony.¡± Jandar smiled up at him, nearly ear to ear at this point. ¡°Figured you could be my best man...Er dragon I suppose the case is.¡± the man gestured to Ramakox''s chest, who rose a paw and placed it on his scales.


    ¡°You want me to go to this thing? And be this...Best dragon?¡± the blue released a throaty purr as he liked that title. Best dragon indeed.


    ¡°Of course he does!¡± Imzel smiled, ¡°Couldn''t think of anyone better in the whole wide world right?¡± she nudged Jandar with her elbow, as she took a sip from her own drink.


    ¡°No...No I could not.¡± the man smiled, refilling his cup at the flask, sighing with closed eyes. ¡°You know...this drink does smell really good.¡±


    ¡°See?¡± the blue dragon snorted with a grin. ¡°And you decided to poke fun at the old dragon. Almost as if you never learned any manners at all. Especially if one if in said dragon''s home.¡±


    ¡°I''ll try to keep that in mind.¡± Jandar chuckled, swishing the drink in his mug before bringing it to his lips and giving a loud slurp as he once more tasted the intoxicating concoction.


    ¡°Course...Now that your drink is refilled.¡± Ramakox dunked his head back down to slurp once more of the bubbling drink, swallowing it down with a pleased rumble. He leaned up against Fremra, and flashed the human a smile. ¡°Tell us another one of your stories...Make it one of the good ones.¡±


    ¡°Course I will.¡± the human tossed him a wink as he stood up, raising his arms wide. ¡°Just like the ones you used to tell me when I was a boy.¡± The next tale that he told was filled with excitement practically leaking from the human''s snout as he prided himself with every word. Ramakox watched him go on and on with glee as he described in detail their adventure, one such time about how they had looted an ancient tomb. The human held up a small ring on his finger of polished brass that had small runes in the shape of flames carved into the surface. Jandar had been awfully proud of it as he took another sip and continued with his tale. This one seemingly containing mummies, noble houses, and Iron constructs that stomped and made the earth shake.


    When the night weaned down, and the drink gone, the group retired to the cave. Jandar and his fiance took the mortal''s old bed within the lair, still there and well taken care of. Ramakox himself settled down with Fremra and fell asleep pleasantly pressed up against her scales, listening to the sound of her heart beats.


    *


    They headed out the next morning towards the village of Holbeck, the ever present joy in Ramakox''s heart threatening to spill out and make him sing the entire way there. The journey took them several days of flying, resting, and nights filled with laughter and even more stories of adventures and memories passed. The blue dragon had spent each one with a smile on his snout, and good cheer coating his senses. Fremra had even joked around that she did not know who he was anymore, and nuzzled him affectionately with her snout.


    When they arrived at the village it was a large and loud affair, with many different couples of various species being wed together. One by one the couples of different sexes and races stood before the village leaders and were bound together with words and kisses. Ramakox had waited with bated breath until it had been Jandar''s turn to be untied with Imzel as mates. He watched with a fuzzy heart as Fremra leaned up against him, and smiled as Jandar said his vows and kissed the woman he loved dearly. The blue dragon even sniffed at that moment, and became blurry eyed for just a moment at the pride and joy he felt for the mortal was simply beyond his ability to hold in. Jandar turned around, holding Imzel''s hand tightly with a  smile that carried such light it could cast aside any darkness. Ramakox smiled as the couple were lost within the sea of their friends. He glanced to Fremra for a moment, licking her snout tenderly as she pushed back against him with a rumbling pleased purr. The dragon thought back to all that he had gotten. The treasure, the mortal, the land, and the fame. He tapped his tail at his success, and when Jandar and Imzel strode over to them, he thought he could never be happier.

 Chapter 18

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 18</u>


    <u> </u>


    Five months passed fairly quickly for the  blue dragon as he eagerly awaited the arrival of Jandar''s offspring. It tickled his wings as Fremra mused that he was going to be what the mortals called a grandfather. He had loved the idea, it even had the word grand in it. The dragon knew If he was was anything, he was certainly grand. So it was with an excitement that threatened to boil over that he set out with the sea foam dragoness towards the village of Holbeck, several days before the nine months mark, just in case their little bundle of joy decided to pop out of Imzel early.


    This was however not their only trip they had made to the village in the past few months, to see the newly wed couple. They had done it at least once a month since the wedding. Each time they visited they would bring assorted gifts, trinkets, and other things to the expectant mortals. The Ramakox''s favorite gift was to offer the unborn child his first ever piece of treasure, a solitary old gold coin that had been given to him by his mother when he was just a small hatchling. The dragon had smiled and handed the cherished item to Jandar, certain the mortal''s baby would cherish it just as much as he did. The others had chuckled and thanked the old dragon to his rumbling approval, and stashed it away with other various gems, art, and assorted other things he had brought them.


    So it was with that that Ramakox entered a glide in the Autumn air, the countryside passing beneath his wings ever so quickly as he started to descend towards the assortment of wooden and thatch buildings that was the village he sought. Fremra flew by his sides as she usually did, the sun shining off her scales as her wing tips practically touched his own. She blinked her eyes, no doubt scanning the countryside of multicolored hues. Something he had been doing until being captivated by her beauty.


    ¡°I can see you staring at me over there.¡± She said with a rumbling purr. ¡°Probably should watch were you are flying Rammy, lest you crash into some poor bird or something.¡± She tossed him a smile before angling her wings and flipping over him with a trill of happiness, that made a smile spread to his own snout.


    ¡°Like I''d hit some bird.¡±he shot back, adjusting his sight from the smiling dragoness to the village growing closer with each eager intake of the crisp air. ¡°Would be their fault anyway...To clearly not hear the dragon approaching from behind them.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, I forgot how loud your wing beats were.¡± she laughed, easily catching up to him in hardly a moment. ¡°I believe they have been described as like a hurricane? Or was it like a monsoon?Regardless...You need to fly more gracefully.¡± She smiled, unleashing another roar of joy. ¡°Like me!¡± Once more the gleeful dragoness flipped over him, letting out another trill as her frills fluttered in the wind.


    ¡°I think you might even be happier than I, my Sea Lilly.¡± he purred, glad to see her like this. For each passing day she had fidgeted more and more, her happiness and good cheer infectious to even himself. The blue dragon found himself humming with her each morning as she cleaned herself from neck to tail. His own tail tapping in time with her own, pressing up beside her and filling his heart with a comforting warmth.


    ¡°Of course I am!¡± she shouted in a warm voice, spreading her wings, entering the current to glide gracefully beside him with a smile from ear to ear. ¡°Today I get to see that little bundle of joy that everyone has been snout over claw for these passed few months.¡±


    ¡°I think that was you dearest.¡± he laughed back, briefly touching her wing with one of his own. ¡°You would think it was you having the little one.¡±


    ¡°I am aware of that.¡± she flashed him a toothy grin, ¡°Still doesn''t make it any less exciting.¡± She sighed, looking down to the village, her smile still not fading from her snout as they extended their limbs in unison and prepared to land.


    There was no need for them to land outside the village, for the pair of dragons had been here so often that all the mortals had grown used to their appearance, just like the ones and East Cliff had done.  Thankfully there was also enough distance in between buildings to land, so they would have no problem as their mighty wings back-winged to soften their landing. Ramakox''s eyes found the one building among the collection of others that was slightly taller and made from the finest wood around. The dragon had made sure that his mortal had the best carpenters come to fix up the house they were going to build their nest in. He remembered chastising Jandar the first time the man had showed it to him, and he was forced to press the issue.


    ¡°No son of mine is living in...in this ...shack.¡± he had said, wrinkling his snout and snorting his disapproval at the chipping, rotten wood, the cobwebs that clung to every corner, and practically inches of dust that had covered every surface at the time. Thankfully however the blue scaled mortal had listened to reason, and in no time at all the place had been fixed up to the point that Ramakox himself might have considered getting a dragon sized house made for himself. Although he figured it would need some things more fitting for a dragon, like a extra sized door, or an opening in the roof to fly out from.


    Ramakox landed before the well kept structure, his paws softly touching the worn dirt path beneath him. He refolded his wings against his back as he gave a pleased snort to Fremra who had done the exact same thing as him. Several peasants walked by wearing assorted colors, not even giving the dragon''s a second glance over with their eyes. The blue glared at the man for a moment, wanting to tell them just who they had not paid attention to. The Great Swirling Storm that''s who..


    He turned back towards the house as Fremra  padded over to the dark wooden door of the house. His snout wrinkled when he remembered it was not made for dragons of his size, the dragoness easily dwarfing the entrance. Ramakox wrinkled his snout once more, wishing that he could change his size with a spell.


    ¡°I suppose they could be out back.¡± Fremra pulled her inquisitive snout from the fine wood and closed her eyes softly, flaring her nostrils as she took in a deep breath.


    Ramakox fidgeted in place impatiently as the dragoness he loved turned in several directions with her snout.


    ¡°Well...I''ll be.¡± she smiled, ¡°They are out back!¡± Fremra trotted around the structure with a grin from ear to ear with a strut. She even swayed her tail behind her, almost grazing the blue''s nose with it''s tip. If he didn''t know better he would think she was teasing him.


    I will have to pay her back for the teasing later. He lustfully growled in the back of his throat, picturing for a  brief moment of biting her neck as he tied her with his maleness. He almost snapped at the swaying appendage as they made their way around back. When they emerged around the building it seemed as though there was a small party going on outside with a bunch of differently dressed mortals. They seemed to have gathered around and were waiting outside a large wooden barn, with expectant, eager faces.


    ¡°What''s going on?¡± Ramakox asked as they came to a stop before a younger looking man who must have been a few years younger than Jandar.


    ¡°Having the baby...The barn.¡± the man thumbed at the structure with a shrug. ¡°They said on account of ya dragons, they wanted a place that you''d fit into.


    Ramakox rumbled his approval in the back of his throat and giving the man a snort. He trained his eyes onto the dark red barn door. That was awfully considerate of them to do this...Of course...it''s to be expected now. ¡°And why are all of you out here?¡± he quickly added, snapping his attention back to the man as Fremra just laughed loudly to herself. ¡°Yes?¡± he turned to her with a small snarl. ¡°What''s so funny?¡±


    ¡°Clearly you have not seen a mortal give birth.¡± he laughter turned into chuckling as she settled down onto her hinds, and started to lick her forepaws. ¡°I have heard it is quite painful for them to birth their young...I pity them in a way.¡± The dragoness shrugged as her frills fluttered on either side of her head. ¡°Because while full of pressure, egg laying was not that bad. One might even call it pleasurable for me.¡± she tossed Ramakox a wink.


    ¡°Is this true?¡± The blue dragon turned to the younger male. ¡°She is hurting in there?¡±


    The man shrugged with a nervous chuckle. ¡°But that is not the reason most people are here.¡±


    ¡°Well spit it out, why are you all out here, and not providing her with aid? Or words of encouragement in her time of pain?¡± He narrowed his eyes at the increasingly red faced man. It brought warmth to his heart that among the sea of faces he could not count Jandar  among them. He pictured his mortal in there right now, aiding his mate that he loved dearly. Just like he is supposed to do..


    ¡°Clearly you have not been to a birth before.¡± the worn voice of an older, wrinkled man filled the air. He bore a smile on his aged face, while he leaned on a gnarled cane of worn, scratched wood. ¡°Couldn''t pay me enough to go in there.¡±


    ¡°Is there something I don''t know, that you all do?¡± Ramakox tiled his head to the side, his tail flicking behind him. ¡°


    ¡°Well...she started spittin fire she did. I could almost see the steam comin out of her ears.¡± the old man chuckled, rubbing one of his hands on his brown leather vest.


    Ramakox turned to Frema with a confused look on his snout. The sea foam dragoness just shrugged her shoulder at him, clearly just as lost as he was. ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± he asked, turning back to the old man with a raised brow. ¡°Last I heard, human''s could not be spitting fire. Unless of course she drank a potion of something.¡±


    ¡°Do ya not know metaphors?¡± another pock marked face man chimed in from behind them.


    ¡°I of course know what a metaphor..¡± the blue dragon smacked his tail on the grass as he realized what they meant.  He gave a long sigh at his foolishness, hating himself for not catching it instantly. ¡°She has a temper does she?¡± he pictured the red faced woman, hollering at everyone gathered around her. Her eyes filled with a fury as they burned red. So she could scare them all away...but not my son. The dragon grinned at the thought as he nodded to the man and began padding his way to the barn that contained the family he loved. Might as well go give Jandar some help...With this mortal that could spit fire.


    ¡°I''d be careful!¡± the old man chuckled loudly as Ramakox placed his claw on the door. ¡°She might be even too much for a dragon to handle!¡±


    ¡°Please.¡± Ramakox snorted, ¡°She is just one mortal, why would I be scared of that?¡± he chuckled in the back of his throat as he slid the door open with a loud thwack.


    ¡°Don''t worry, we will be ever so careful.¡± Fremra called back to the man as she followed the blue dragon inside. She tossed Ramakox a smile as she closed the door behind her with her tail. ¡°Sounds like one of the mortal tales.¡± she chuckled. ¡°Although it is the dragon''s off to go face the fire spitting mortal.¡±


    ¡°That would certainly be one to spread the tale of.¡± he grinned as he took his first few steps forward on the dirt laden floor. His head perked up as he heard the sound of pained gasps and cries coming from further down the barn, and from one of the numerous enclosures within. He looked quickly to his left and right, figuring he could at least spread his wings wide inside of the place, if he really needed to. He smiled at the thought as the loud gasps, the pained screams, and shouts of Imzel filled his mind and made his scales shiver. His next breath filled with the smell of stress, anger, fear, all intermixed with the smell of his mortal.


    ¡°They feel huge!¡± Imzel screamed so loudly that Ramakox almost jumped at the sound that might have been more fitting to have come from a dragon rather than a human mouth.


    ¡°That sounds....painful.¡± Fremra muttered with her frills drooping. ¡°Poor girl...We will have to help or something...Maybe get her some fluids for after.¡± The dragoness flicked her tail as they continued towards the mortals cries. ¡°I always needed some of those after egg-laying. Exhausting it was..Each time.¡±


    ¡°YOU DID THIS TO ME!¡± the woman screamed like a banshee as the pair of dragons rounded the last wooden beam to see Imzel spread out on a pile of hay with her legs held up. There was a collection of mortals dressed in various colors with amulets dangling around their necks by small metal chains. The blue dragon instantly recognized them as symbols of various deities of the realm. He spied Loki the trickster god , Heldema the god of protection, and  even Tyrandaar, the god of magic. He even to his surprise spied one of the dwarven god Thor.


    ¡°AND YOU!¡± The red faced woman shouted again, thrusting a finger violently towards the blue dragon.


    ¡°Me?¡± Ramakox placed a claw to his chest as the woman''s eyes glared at him with the fury of a hurricane.


    ¡°YOU RAISED HIM! YOUR SON PUT THIS INTO MEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! AAHHHH¡± Imzel closed her eyes as she let out another scream into the air. The clerics went to her and offered her healing and other things for the pain. ¡°NO YOU TRIED THAT ALREADY!!! AN IT DIDN¡±T WORK!¡± The woman gasped with her next few breath, and continued to glare at the dragons. ¡°GET OUT OF HERE JANDAR! AND TAKE THE BLOODY DRAGONS WITH YOU!¡± she screamed again, as she raised a trembling hand and pointed towards the entrance to the barn. ¡°TAKE THE DRAGONS AND GO, THEY DON¡±T NEED TO SEE ME LIKE THIS!¡±


    Ramakox looked to his human, another thing occurring to him as he gazed at Jandar. There was not a trace of skin left on his face. In fact, his face had elongated into that of a snout. It truly looked like he was an anthropomorphic dragon at this point, he was just missing the wings.


    ¡°But...But.¡± Jandar sputtered, gesturing to the dragons with outstretched claws.


    ¡°I said...get the focken dragons out of here.....aahhhhh!¡±


    Ramakox pulled his neck back, part of him feeling pity for the poor girl, while the other half was irritated at her for the casual yelling and rude manners to the dragons before her. I will have to chat to her about proper manners when you have dragons for guests. He grumbled internally, wrinkling his snout as then reminded himself she should get a pass just this one time. She is in a lot of pain after all. He looked to Jandar as the man nodded and quickly bolted over to Ramakox and Fremra with a look of worry and stress plastered on his snout.


    ¡°Come on you two....Lets give her some privacy..I think shes earned that at least.¡± Jandar gestured with the dragons with quick shooing waves of his claws.


    ¡°I would have liked to stay and help.¡± Fremra replied softly as Jandar led them back towards the sliding door that they had entered. ¡°She sounds like she is in so much pain.¡± the dragoness'' frills drooped as she let out a long drawn out sigh into the air.


    ¡°I know, I know.¡± Jandar patted her scales softly with the palm of his claw. ¡°But shes the one giving birth, if it helps her cope with the pain, then I say let her vent...I''m sure she''ll apologize when this is all said and done...She loves you two!¡±


    ¡°Yea, yea.¡± Ramakox snorted, pulling open the sliding door once more and letting the sun''s rays  suddenly stream in, and threaten to blind the dragon. He squinted his eyes and held up a claw, quickly shielding his spheres from the brilliant light.


    ¡°Looks like she kicked ya out then.¡± the old man from before slapped his knee with a loud laugh. ¡°I warned ya she was a feisty one!¡±


    ¡°Mind your tongue.¡± Ramakox snapped at him. ¡°She is in a lot of pain.¡± He held up his head with a grin. ¡°No doubt from the strong child that my son seeded in her.¡± The blue dragon swelled his chest at this, and not understanding why he heard Jandar groan behind him.


    ¡°Can we not talk about how the child was made? We all know how it was done.¡± the once human sighed, shaking his snout from side to side.


    ¡°I guess so...if you insist on being shy.¡± Ramakox snorted, padding his way to a table with a smorgasbord of tasty treats. His eyes gazed out to the tabletop lined with dishes filled to the brim with samplings from all over Drenedar. He took a seat on his hinds, his tail curling around Fremra when she settled down next to him with a purr of her own filling the air, and making him feel all tingly at her happiness.


    ¡°Mmmm.¡± she sighed, pressing into the blue dragon for a moment. ¡°Despite her pain...I am excited for when we can meet the little mortal.¡± she smiled, tapping her tail against his own as he looked to the collection of tasty dishes.


    With the alluring scent wafting though his nostrils his mind wandered from the woman  in pain. He briefly pondered if that was why the food was here in the first place, looking around to all of the other mortals that were mingling with one another. The dragon twitched his tail as he smelled roasted pork, sauteed in some sort of fruity smelling sauce. His maw watered as his eyes went to each creation that the mortals had laid out. He took a breath and fought the urge to simply gobble it all down. He instead grabbed two roast geese that were tantalizingly sitting on off white plates, and just daring him snatch them up. He ripped into the steaming meat like he had not eaten for days. It made his tail twitch as the bones crunched and the meat practically melted in his mouth. ¡°Mmmmmm.¡± he rumbled in approval as he turned back to catch Fremra laying down with Jandar leaning up on her chest with her forepaw wrapped around his waist.


    ¡°Is it always this stressful?¡± he asked the dragoness as she played with his head with a snort.


    ¡°Sometimes.¡± she said soothingly, licking affectionately across his head like he was some sort of hatchling. ¡°It''s a strange mixture of fright and delight each time.¡± she cooed, tapping her tail gently behind her as Ramakox brought himself over to the pair.


    The blue dragon quickly offered them any of the food he had snatched from the table, smirking to himself when they refused. More for me after all. He popped the second goose into his maw, and crunched away at it happily.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Tell me how you''re feeling.¡± Fremra asked softly, pulling the half-dragon close to her orange belly scales. ¡°I wish to know.¡±


    ¡°Happy..Scared...Worried.¡± Jandar replied calmly, raising a claw to tenderly caress the motherly dragon''s face as she continued to try and sooth him with her gently licks. ¡°You can stop your fussing..I am not a hatchling you know.¡±


    ¡°Ah but you practically are. Just look at how you tremble and shiver.¡± she chuckled as she continued to lick him. ¡°Sit back and relax...There is nothing you can do but wait for the arrival....Trust me.¡± Her frills fluttered as she purred in delight. The blue half-dragon in her grip stopped  resisting and let her work with a sigh.


    ¡°Fine...you win,¡± he chuckled, leaning back into her scales.


    ¡°As you should.¡± she laughed. ¡°I''m only trying to look out for you little one...You''re practically family at this point to me as well.¡± she snickered. ¡°And that was before you decided to loose all your human like qualities.¡±


    ¡°Hmmph.¡± Jandar crossed his arms, a smile coming to his snout.


    Ramakox sat munching away at the goose still in his maw, savoring the flavor as the two had their tender moment. It warmed his heart to see Fremra taking such care of his mortal, and proud that Jandar was opening up to her so much. It was as she had just said...They were family. The blue dragon could not help but picture a little hatchling slithering where Jandar was now, purring away as the seam-foam dragoness licked at their scales.


    ¡°So how was it for you each time?¡± the once human asked, looking up to the affectionate dragonesss after quite some time. They had been sitting in relative silence, the only sound of her purrs to keep them company.


    ¡°Do you mean my hatchlings?¡± she asked, raising a brow.


    Ramakox caught his breath for a moment, considering the dragoness'' past with her little ones. He prepared himself to open a wing and curl it and be the warmth to sooth her troubled soul. However the dragoness didn''t shy away from the question or look sad in the slightest. She only gave a smile as she spoke fondly to the inquisitive mortal.


    ¡°I watched it three different times...Each one having the same mixture of feelings.¡± Fremra looked out as if she were watching her eggs hatch before her eyes. ¡°There would be a slight crack, followed another more firm one.¡± She chuckled, tapping the air with a claw. ¡°Then the shell would would move ever so slightly...I would be watching intently, with bated breath and offering sweet words of encouragement.¡± Fremra''s frills then suddenly drooped as her eyes started to mist up. ¡°Then the egg would break...and pop...out comes their little teal snouts and bright eyes.¡± the dragoness sniffed as tears rolled down her cheeks, but the smile did not fade from her. ¡°It was one of my favorite days of my entire life.¡± She pulled Jandar tighter against her scales as she shivered from the memory. She lowered her snout and pressed it firmly to the mortal''s chest, causing Jandar to stroke her tenderly.


    ¡°I will remember this days always then.¡± the once human smiled, petting her pebbly cheeks as Ramakox tossed a wing around her and snuggled up to her scales.


    The blue dragon lowered his snout towards the dragoness he loved, and offered her a gentle, affectionate lick across her snout. Hoping that would be enough to at least help.


    ¡°You will.¡± Fremra rose her snout with a sniff, still smiling. She pressed up against Ramakox and made him rumble his approval. ¡°Thank you my radiant sapphire.¡± she smiled, licking the blue dragon''s snout in return.


    ¡°It''s what I do.¡± he smiled, wiggling against her scales and making her blush. ¡°Comfort my favorite dragoness, and make sure my son is holding his head high.¡± He looked to the barn, his own heart beating faster as he kneaded the ground with his claws. ¡°So have you picked out names yet? The day is here you know.¡± He turned his attention to the Jandar once more, giving him a quick wink.


    ¡°Nope!¡± the half-dragon replied with a smile. ¡°Wanted to have it be a surprise to us when they popped out she said.¡± The man folded his arms once again, his tail flicking gently against Fremra''s scales. ¡°We figured to come up with them when they were born. That way we were not attached to a single name over the other.¡±


    ¡°Makes sense.¡± Ramakox grumbled. He had remembered thinking it was for the best when he was told the news months ago, but he figured the man would have at least picked out some names now that the day was actually here. The blue dragon flicked his tail as they sat in silence. Fremra was nuzzling Jandar ever few minutes bringing out a slight laugh from the expectant father. This continued on until from the barn came one of the half-elf clerics. The man''s face was almost white as he strode over towards the two dragon''s and Jandar.


    ¡°Jandar.¡± the man spoke with a voice filled with urgency and concern. ¡°You should come quick...and bring the dragons.¡± He looked up with his amber eyes towards Fremra and then to Ramakox, they were filled with confusion. There is something that you should...just come this way.¡± the worried looking man turned around on one foot, and waved for the group to follow him back the way he had come. ¡°Follow me please.¡±


    Ramakox shivered as they entered the barn right after the troubled half-elf. Something wasn''t right, the dragon could feel it in his bones the moment the sun overhead was shut out by the closing of the door behind them. He took a deep breath and snorted as the feeling tingled to his limbs and made them itch. Like little insects scrambling around underneath his scales. He looked once more to their guide, his color had let to return and his pace did not slow down in the slightest. Now Ramakox had never been to a birthing or mortals of course, but he doubted they involved this much dread and unease.


    ¡°It''s fine...It''s fine.¡± he head Jandar whisper to himself as they inched closer and closer with each worried step.


    The blue dragon nosed him in the back with a quick snort of air. The brief gesture he hoped would at least calm his troubled son, and put his mind at ease.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± the half-dragon quickly replied in a whisper, reaching back to pat the blue dragon''s nose.


    Ramakox rose his head once more, the smell of fear growing stronger with each step with the half-elf cleric. He steeled his nerves as they reached the final corner, trying to prepare himself for some form of bad news. He shook his head trying to rid it of all the myriad of problems that could be happening. She is fine. He said to himself, starting to sound like the son that he had nosed. Was it possible she died in childbirth? No,No, no....She had so many clerics around her...there is no way that happened. He turned his head to look nervously at Fremra, who all things considered looked calm and and example of peace. The blue wished for a moment to have her serenity as his heard pounded in fear at what they would find. He was not prepared for what they found around the corner, with the cleric stuttering and holding out his arms.


    ¡°Y-Your daughter...I think.¡±


    Ramakox''s eyes widened and his jaw dropped almost in unison with Fremra and Jandar''s. His mind rebelled at what he saw, desperately trying to comprehend what was before them. For Imzel was lying down, her face less red than it had been before and covered in sweat. Within her arms was a blue scaled hatchling female all wrapped up in a tan blanket. The hatchling looked to be pressing itself against her for warmth, her sunflower yellow eyes briefly going to Ramakox before returning to her mother.


    ¡°I know...A shock.¡± Imzel spoke first, smiling at the little bundle of joy that she was holding. ¡°Expected to have a proper baby, not a bloody dragon pop out of me!¡± she laughed, stroking the wyrmling''s scales causing the little one to let out a cute sounding purr. ¡°Course what did I expect? When I''m married to a man who is a half-dragon? Of course I was going to have a dragon for a baby!¡±


    ¡°That''s....That''s..¡± Jandar smiled, rushing over with tears in his silver eyes. ¡°Ours?¡± he continued with a hint of confusion as his snout conformed into a large smile.


    ¡°Mmmmhmm.¡± Imzel gestured to the hatchling with a quick nod. ¡°Beautiful isn''t she?¡±


    ¡°Fascinating.¡± Ramakox whispered to himself, finally finding his voice after several minutes of stunned silence. He could feel the dread that had gripped his heart slowly melting away with each moment that Jandar looked to his offspring and offered her praise after praise. Ramakox tilted his head to the side as he watched the joy wash over the mortal''s snout. More questions rising to the fore front of his mind with each second.


    ¡°It certainly is interesting.¡± Fremra replied softly as she brushed up against his scales with a gentle croon. ¡°Always nice to see new parents...and a dragon? That is certainly a nice surprise.¡± She rumbled, nuzzling his neck.


    So what happened? He pressed back to the teal''s touch, giving her a rumble in return from his throat. He wrinkled his snout as he observed the delighted parents, his eyes wandering to the little dragoness caught between them. Shouldn''t they have had a baby with scales at the most? He involuntarily tilted his head to the side as he lied down onto all fours. What could have happened to make him have a real live dragon birthed from the mortal female? Ramakox drummed his talons against the ground one by one until he realized with widened eyes what happened. The ritual. His heart skipped a beat as he remembered the risks the Emerald Lady had warned about all those years ago...The risks that he disregarded and lied to the boy about. But look at them. His mind whispered to him, trying to soothe his racing heart. Everything turned out fine...He  can even put dragons into mortals!


    <u> </u>


    ¡°So congratulations are in order then.¡± Fremra spoke for Ramakox, who once more could not find his voice as he lost himself in his thoughts. ¡°So what are we going to name the little dragoness?¡± The dragoness nestled up beside the blue dragon, curling her tail around him as she spoke with her sing-song voice.


    ¡°Hmmm...Let me think.¡± Jandar smiled to his daughter, holding his arms out wide. ¡°Can I?¡± he gestured to the little one, whose eyes were locked onto him.


    ¡°Of course you can stupid.¡± Imzel rolled her eyes with a smile. ¡°Stop being so daft, shes your little drake is she not?¡± the woman placed the little dragon into Jandar''s arms with a sigh. ¡°There we are...Now hold her tight, she was squirming something awful.¡±


    ¡°Hi little one.¡± the half-dragon spoke softly, his eyes starting to mist as the hatchling rose her snout to sniff the man''s own. ¡°Welcome to the world.¡±


    Ramakox wiped his eyes with a wing talon as he felt his own spheres start to moisten in pride for his mortal. His sight lingered onto the hatchling who had started to nuzzle the mortal he loved. And my grand daughter....The dragon born to two mortal parents...Ramakox grinned as he swelled up his chest. Yes....Grand indeed.


    ¡°Hi daddy.¡± the hatchling giggled, licking the half-dragon across his snout. ¡°I recognized your voice from beyond the egg.¡±


    ¡°S-she talks.¡± Jandar laughed, bursting into tears while he held his daughter tighter. ¡°Oh my gods...She talks!¡± the man cried out, the joy spreading from him like a wave. ¡°Wait a moment...Egg?¡± he looked to Imzel with a raised brow and a smile. ¡°That wasn''t an egg little one.¡±


    ¡°Ya huh.¡± the hatchling nuzzled him again with a soft purr. ¡°You can''t twick me..We come from eggs...I know that.¡±


    ¡°Guess I''m an egg now.¡± Imzel laughed, joined by Fremra who had lowered her snout to the little one with her frills fluttering slightly.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± the little dragoness squeaked, looking to the dragon pair as she seemed to clutch onto Jandar tighter through the cloth.


    ¡°I''m Fremra little one.¡± the teal dragoness cooed, her voice practically breaking as she spoke. ¡°And this other blue dragon is Ramakox...We are...¡± Fremra pressed her snout to the hatchling''s head gently, and nuzzling her with a small rumble. ¡°Our family.¡±


    ¡°YAY!¡± the hatchling smiled with a tiny cheer, closing her eyes in joy. ¡°I has family!¡± she pressed her snout into Jandar once more, nuzzling the laughing man once more as her tail swished below her.


    ¡°Yes...yes you do.¡± Jandar hugged her, and pressing his snout against the wiggling dragoness'' own. Tears were once more flowing down his cheeks as the hatchling continued to nuzzle him. ¡°Yes you do.¡±


    *


    The night was interesting to say the least. It started when the little not to be named yet dragoness declared that she was hungry. The mortals had exchanged worried glances as they were not entirely sure what to feed the little hungry snout. They made mention that normal babies usually drank milk straight from their mother''s breast. Something that Ramakox had wrinkled his snout at the idea. However one look to the little dragon''s teeth was all it took to sour Imzel from the idea. For she was terrified the damage her little one could do to her tender boobs


    Thankfully Fremra was there to quickly aid the two. She suggested that they find some food outside, and chew it up for her, and at least make it easier for her to digest. The dragoness had trotted out with a flick of her tail, and returning quickly with several mortals carrying various trays of the food that had been outside.


    ¡°It''s not perfect.¡± the dragoness had wrinkled her snout. ¡°But it will have to do for now.¡±


    They each took turns offering the little scaled offspring pieces of goose, ham, lamb, and even some beef that had been brought over. The little one of course tried them all, smacking up the offerings with a big smile and lightly swaying her tail beneath her. She even started to purr midway through her feasting, that made everyones collective hearts melt from the cuteness. They spent the rest of the evening alongside the new parents, keeping them company and offering to hold the little wiggling dragoness.


    Ramakox smiled larger than he thought possible when she pressed a paw gently to his snout.


    ¡°You have a big head.¡± she had giggled, and wiggled in his grip to no avail.


    ¡°Oh yes..Very big.¡± he had chuckled, licking her across her face and making her purr once again in approval. He sighed, thinking about little hatchlings of his own, scampering around his cave. He internally trilled at the image of three or four playing about in his lair, gnawing away at each other as he scolded them for not paying attention.  He shifted his tail across the barn floor as he imagined telling them story after story of his other son''s accomplishments, and kissing the dragoness he loved when she would ever get close enough.


    Things however cannot last forever, their little visit to the hatchling was over when she could barely keep her head up, and gave a long and tired yawn. Fremra had nosed the blue dragon to leave, and gesturing to the pleased couple with a smile. ¡°Let''s give them some privacy...It''s been a long day after all.¡± She pulled Ramakox away with her wing wrapped around him, and dragged him back to the entrance. He offered a quick good bye, and pressed into the dragoness'' scales with a pleased rumble.


    ¡°You''re thinking something naughty arn''t you my Sea Lilly?¡± he growled lustfully in his throat as he imagined his body thrusting up against her own.


    ¡°Maybe.¡± she giggled, her frills fluttering before his eyes. ¡°Thought we may want to be quiet about it.¡± she added, nuzzling his neck with her own. She pulled back slightly and licked his snout tenderly. ¡°We don''t want to wake ALL the mortals of the village up.¡±


    ¡°Oh...I will try.¡± he licked her snout back, flicking his tail with a pleased grin. ¡°No promises however, I recall you have forced me to roar out my pleasure several times.¡± he went in for a kiss, locking his snout with hers as they pushed their way out through the barn''s sliding door. The air filled with pleased snorts, soft groans, and gasps of pleasure.


    They mated passionately in the darkness that night, giggling as they tried to keep their sounds of orgasmic bliss muffled. Ramakox had nibbled along her neck, producing soft sounds of delight before breeding her with gentle thrusts. It was satisfying to end such a delightful day like this, knotted to the female that he loved. He finished her off with a deep passionate kiss as he filled her nethers to the brim with pulses of his thick dragon seed. He had groaned in delight as her pussy had fluttered and sucked every ounce that he was willing to give her.  They flopped down onto their sides after they were done, his maleness still tying them together when they nuzzled each other and together they eventually drifted off to a pleasure induced sleep.


    *


    Ramakox blinked groggily as he pulled his head up from the warm scales of his lovely dragoness. It was still night out, as the stars had not yet faded away with the sun''s warm glow. He gave a long tongue curling yawn, as he shifted casually in place, finding that he had retracted into his slit as he was no longer tied to Fremra. He ran a claw briefly along her scales, admiring the slow rise and fall of her chest. What woke me? He asked himself as the dragon scanned the grassy area behind the house for anything that could have done the deed. He pictured at first some sort of bird, chirping away noisily that might have done it,  or one of the many times that Jandar had managed to wake him up far too earlier than he would have liked. He wrinkled his snout as he pictured the accidental explosions that had rocked his home with a thunderous crack, and filling the cave with the smell stinging smoke. It had filled him with dread as he worried the mortal would actually set something valuable  on fire.


    Thank the gods those days are over. He chuckled to himself, flopping his tail gently as he laid his head back down onto the grass. He pressed himself up against Fremra, the sound of her breath soothing him, and making his eye lids start to grow heavy once more. He let out a pleased rumble as he closed them and readied himself to be caught in sleeps embrace.


    That is when it happened, from the barn came an ear splitting screech that radiated through the night. Ramakox''s eyes bolted open as a shiver went through his spine and all the way to the tip of his tail. Oh no. he bolted up to all fours, his stomach already feeling queezy as the familiar feeling of dread built up once more within him.


    ¡°W-whats going on?¡± Fremra mumbled sleepily, lazily opening one eye as Ramakox sprinted past her on his way to the barn.


    The blue dragon grabbed the sliding door, throwing it open violently with a loud crash. Please be ok...Please be okay. The mental repetition doing little to soothe him, or melt the ice that had gripped his heart with it''s freezing grasp. With each paw that he put onto the soft ground he felt pieces of his heart already begin to chip away. His mind started to once more picture horrible things as he neared the ever increasing sound of sobbing. He almost slipped on his way over to them, struggling to keep his balance when he came to a stop before the two mortals.


    Imzel was hunched over the tan cloth that had been used to wrap the dragoness in. Her face  a deep shade of crimson, and her eyes filled with tears. Jandar was right along side of her, his arm tossed around her quivering shoulders, his own silvered eyes misted over and wet. In Imzel arms was the dragoness from before, however something was wrong. The little bundle of energy that had been excitable for the last few hours was silent, un-moving, and it looked almost like she was...


    No.


    The quivering couple let out another pained sob as they looked to the little un-moving dragoness. Trembling and shaking as the tears continued to stream down their faces, and made it look like tiny rivers had sprung from their tear ducts.


    ¡°What...what happened.¡± Ramakox struggled to say as he swallowed down the lump in his throat. He clutched at his chest, his heart feeling like though someone had stabbed it repeatedly with a spear. His paws trembled as he took his next few steps, the sounds of the mortals cries drowning out any sound that he was making. His eyes misted as he looked to his mortal, shivering and trembling like a cat soaked in water. The dragon hung his head, as Imzel''s cries were even worse. If there was ever a sound that could accurately describe pure despair, the sound of her wails would be close enough.


    ¡°How..¡± Ramakox lost his words as he snaked his snout closer to the little scaled thing that had made his heart feel so warm earlier in the day. It was hard to make out by how tightly Imzel was clutching at her, but it looked like there were little black lines that crawled up over her blue scales, and spread out like little obsidian crack along the tapestry of her hide. He felt numb when the first tear tolled down his pebbly cheek, his own sob starting to work its way from his throat as the blue dragon felt himself tremble. She didn''t even have a name yet. His mind reminded him as the second tear came right behind the first. It was then that he unleashed his own sob with twitching wings. How...could this happen?


    ¡°What''s going on?¡± came Fremra''s voice from behind them, only to be followed by a pained scream as the dragoness'' voice cracked. ¡°No,no,no,no.¡± she cried, rushing over towards the couple with tears already in her purple eyes. ¡°Not again.¡± she started to shutter as her claws extended and shook. She stopped for a moment before rushing to Ramakox, and wrapping her limbs and wings around him tightly. She twitched in his grip, wrapping her neck around him and let out her own pained sounds that made her sound like a wounded animal. ¡°Why..Why..why.?¡± she repeated, as Ramakox draped his own head over her.


    The  dragon clutched his teal mate tighter than before when he felt her tears splatter against his blue armor like little droplets of rain. He closed his eyes as he felt the hopelessness that once drove him to despair because of Infinity''s capture.  They all stayed like that for quite some time, no other sound coming but the mournful sobs of parents and dragon. The only words that escaped any of their mouths expressed the disbelief that this was happening at all. Like this was some horrid nightmare, and that all of them would be waking up at any moment to find the dragoness alive and well. This however did not happen.


    With a heavy heart Ramakox rose his head to look at the wed couple through still blurry eyes, It  was even harder to look at the little dragoness dead between them, but when he did his eyes widened. He knew deep down within himself what this was all from. Just like it had always been, and what he suspected. Just like the spells, the scales, the tail, and the dragoness birthed to a mortal mother. This tragedy was caused by the ritual that started it all. The blue dragon twitched his tail as he felt the familiar feeling of guilt strike at his very soul. With a shaking wing talon, he wiped the warm tears from his eyes, silently making a vow to himself to set everything right. I need to know...I need to know if it was ACTUALLY the ritual. He felt anger rise in his chest as he pictured that spell all those years ago, and the lie he told the mortal for his plan. He gave you so much....and this is his reward? The one I call son? He should not have to suffer like he is.


    Ramakox tore himself away from the cries and sobs of the mortals he loved to sit outside and stare up at the stars above. With blurry eyes he gazed out to the shining balls of light, drumming his claws nervously on the dirt. It was not long before Fremra sheepishly sat beside him, and curled her tail around him. She let out a whine as she pressed herself up against him, sniffing as she wiped away her own tears. He spread a wing wide, and quickly wrapped it around the compromised dragoness, pulling her against him without another thought. He gave a soft sigh as her warmth wasn''t able to fully cast away the darkness they had just witnessed, but it certainly helped stay off more. The numbness he had felt over the whole thing had started to recede with each beating of her heart.  He looked to her, worry nagging at his mind. What would she think of me?


    ¡°I know...¡± He spoke softly, struggling to produce the words from his mouth. ¡°What happened.¡± He took a deep breath as his whole body trembled and shame gripped his mind. So Ramakox told her everything that he had done. He told of her of his aspirations at the time involving the boy, and the lie that he thought was bringing about such misfortune now. With each sentence he felt even worse then before, picturing Jandar in his mind crying his eyes out in that barn. When he finished with his tale he was out of breath, the guilt still feeling like it was weight wrapped around his body, and he was tossed into the sea to drown.  His heart beat ever faster when he saw Fremra wrinkle her snout and shoot him a look of disgust.


    ¡°You...Did...what?¡± she snarled, flaring her head back. ¡°After all this time you used him as a pawn in your little scheme?¡± she continued with a taught voice, snapping her jaw at the end of it.  She took a forceful step towards him, ripping up some earth with her claws and tossing it violently behind her.


    ¡°At first it was like that.¡± he took a defensive step back as the dragoness snarled once more. ¡°For a time yes.¡± the blue dragon hung his head as his mind swirled around a black void. ¡°That''s all I had wanted from him, some tool to help increase my own fame and renown. ¡°


    ¡°That makes me sick.¡± Fremra  shot back with a wicked hiss and with a fire that burned hotter than the sun. ¡°And I bet you never told him that did you?¡± she snapped her jaws inches from his own, but he did not respond.


    If anything she should be clawing me right now...Biting away at my hide until I can''t truly feel anything. ¡°But after a time he grew on me....and now I ...well you know....Hes....my son.¡± He looked up to the angry dragoness, feeling ever worse as she stared at him. ¡°I would never do anything to hurt him.¡±


    ¡°Except for that one time that is!¡± she thrust a wing talon towards the barn.  ¡°You could very well be the death of him!¡±


    Her words struck to his core, sending a wave of cold once more to wrap around him like a cloak. ¡°I know.¡± he replied sheepishly, not able to look her in the eyes. ¡°I regret that decision every day...Sometimes telling myself it turned out for the better....and nothing bad happened...It got easier and easier to not tell him.¡± Ramakox sighed. ¡°Why even possibly ruin what we had if nothing bad was coming of it?¡±


    ¡°Because all you had built with the mortal had been on a lie.¡± the dragoness hissed, thrashing her tail against the ground with a loud smack.


    ¡° I just didn''t....¡± Ramakox felt his heart sink, although he did not know how...As he thought he was already at his lowest point.  ¡°Want to loose him....You know how it is.¡±


    ¡°Don''t compare out situations!¡± the dragoness gasped, then growling from her throat. ¡°I never did anything to hurt or risk my offspring!¡±


    ¡°I wouldn''t now!¡± he replied with a raised voice. ¡°I love him Fremra! Please!¡±


    The dragoness backed away, shaking her head softly. She then glared at him for a moment, her tail flicking behind her. ¡°You have to make this right...Starting tonight.¡± She snorted, twitching her frills angrily, the membranes starting to slightly glow a faint orange that lit up the surrounding grass. ¡°You have to tell him what you have done.¡± She gestured to the barn with a snarl. ¡°He deserves to know why he lost a daughter this evening. He should know why he has experienced the worst pain a parent can...The pain they should never have to experience.¡±


    ¡°Please.¡± Ramakox hung his head lower, agreeing with everything that she had said. Each sentence another stab to his already wounded soul. ¡°L-let me have a plan to help him before we tell him..I don''t want...¡± The blue dragon flicked his tail, the words struggling to come from him as he knew Fremra was staring at him. He was surprised when she did not let him answer and instead cupped his head with a claw and made him kiss her on the snout.


    ¡°Deal...Now let''s work on how to solve this, and you can go back to being the dragon I know I love.¡±


    The blue dragon nodded weakly, plunging his snout into her chest as coating her scales with another thin layer of crystalline tears. He let out another sob, as he was thankful for having such an understanding dragon in his life.


    ¡°So what is the plan?¡± she asked softly, gently running her claws along his back. ¡°How are you going to fix this? For I will not let you wait long to tell him.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± he quivered in her grip, trying to not think about how vulnerable he looked right this moment, pressed tightly within her limbs. ¡°Emerald Lady.¡± he said softly, picturing the green dragoness in his mind. He imagined her glowing eyes glaring at him and Fremra from within her throne room. ¡°She is the one who cast the ritual in the first place...Perhaps she has a way to remove it?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± Fremra caressed the back his neck causing him to lean into her pleasing touch. ¡°Then you tell that mortal whats what...Agreed?¡±


    The blue dragon nodded without a thought. His mortal deserved to know what was done with his life all these years ago.  He wiped away his tears with a single digit, flicking the liquid to the grass below with a  small sniff. Enough weeping. He told himself, gently nuzzling the dragoness that brought such warmth into his bones. She will make everything right....I know it.

 Chapter 19

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 19</u>


    <u> </u>


    Ramakox explained that he was leaving to the Jandar practically right after he had finished speaking with Fremra. The man had still been grieving, his snout soaked in tears as the dragon spoke to him, it had been hard to not mist up at the man''s resonating sadness. The blue dragon did not explain the exact details of course, he had bit his tongue and simply told the mortal that he was off to see the Emerald Lady about something direly important. He had hated the words when they slipped from his maw, it made his scales itch something awful, as if there where tiny bugs  crawling underneath them.


    When I get back and have a plan....I will tell him. The dragon had told himself to ease his troubled mind. He at least wrapped the half-dragon in his limbs and wrapping his warm wings around him. He had held him as Jandar shivered onto his scales. He had told him that he would be back as soon as he was able, wishing that he could stay and help comfort him some more. Jandar nodded through soft cries, wishing the dragon well despite the ache that his heart must have been doing.  Ramakox had returned the man''s words with an affectionate nuzzle, holding him tighter against his scales, and words about how strong, brave, and how proud he was of him.


    So with a heavy heart the blue dragon strolled out into the near morning air, taking a deep breath of the cool breeze that brushed against his scales and made him shiver. He blinked once, looking to the vast sky that was being slowly filled with the sun''s warm and golden rays, its brightness almost a mockery to what had transpired. Ramakox wrinkled his snout and narrowed his eyes. He snorted once, mind thinking to the task ahead.


    ¡°We best be careful while dealing with her.¡± Fremra spoke, sliding in beside him without a sound. ¡°I know you trust her....But I know she knew something was going to happen...You can''t trust that she is telling you everything.¡± She puffed out her chest, leaning up against his scales. ¡°That''s why I''m going with you.¡±


    ¡°You are?¡± he asked, slightly taken back as he tilted his head. He had honestly thought she was going to stay here and comfort the mortals that were mourning. ¡°I thought...¡±


    ¡°I had wanted to.¡± She looked back with a frown on her snout. Her frills drooping as she took her next long breath. ¡°But Jandar told me they were good as is....and that I should not let you see her alone.¡± The dragoness turned to give him a lick across his muzzle. ¡°Besides...I know you could use the help anyway, even if you won''t admit it.¡±


    Ramakox wrinkled his snout as he kneaded the ground with his claws. ¡°That''s...not entirely true.¡± he lied, turning away from her with a flick of his tail.


    ¡°Oh sure...¡± she gave him another lick across his head with a slight chuckle. ¡°I will be here for you.¡± the sea foam dragoness unfurled her wings, and rustling of membranes flapped them gently. ¡°No time like the present. The sooner we leave...the sooner we return to them...and share the news.¡± the last words from her mouth were accompanied with a soft defeated sigh as she flicked her tail behind her.


    ¡°Then let us go.¡± he nuzzled her softly, his spirits lifted slight as she pressed back against him, and they readied themselves to take wing into the sky. He crouched low, wiggling his tail side to side before bounding into the air with a mighty leap. The blue dragon pounded his mighty wings against the air, and carried himself up to the domain that he called his once more. He looked back only once, the human''s house and barn slowly shrinking with each wing-beat. Don''t worry Jandar...We will solve this.


    *


    The journey to the forest of despair took several weeks of flying across the landscape between Drenedar and Lumara. Once more the blue dragon soared high through the brilliant blue skies with Fremra right at his side the entire time. From this height they could make out the vast quilt of multiple colors that made up the earth below. They would occasionally spot the forms of gryphons far below them, flying blissfully unaware of the two dragons flying ever so high above their furred heads. With the gryphons came the first airship that the blue dragon had ever graced his eyes upon. He had wrinkled his snout as he spotted the wooden thing floating casually in the air. It had looked like a ship of the sea, made out of sturdy wooden plants, and instead of a mast it was tethered to a large brown balloon with the symbol of a golden gryphon painted onto it''s surface.


    Ramakox remembered how much he had despised those things that invaded the territory that belonged to dragon, and visited by gryphons. He pushed his view away from the thing, still finding that its mere sight made him narrow his eyes, and a small fire ignite within his chest. He pushed his disgust down with his next few wing-beats and focused instead on the task at claw. For that thought alone had kept him going through all the long days of flying, and the nights where they would rest away from the world. He had spent a good deal of those nights just staring out to the great star dotted sea of black, wondering what all the souls of dragons would think of his actions more then ever before. He would feel his scales shiver at the shame lurking deep within his bones, knowing they would turn away from him in disgust. Some great Swirling Storm.. He would grumble to himself, drumming his talons on the earth, and snorting his disapproval.


    However each time that the feelings became too much, and the shame brought misty tears to his eyes, Fremra had been there to sooth his heart. She would slide over to him, as if she could always sense his vulnerability. Her pleasing touch would fight off the darkness that would slowly slip into his heart. Her licks calming, and would bring serenity to his troubled mind. She would sleep with him each night, her form wrapped tight by his wings, and her tail intertwined with his own. Ramakox would nuzzle her head before letting sleep take him, glad that she had come to aid in his endeavor.


    They kept up with the same routine day in and day out. They would rise in the morning, do a brief hunt of the surrounding area, take off into the sky and fly for a good portion of the day. When their wings would grow tired they would land to rest, nuzzle against one another and take in the warm rays of the sun overhead. When the burning sphere overhead would sink below the horizon they would rest, pressed up against one another until the morning once more broke through the dark sky. It was not long before they reached the dark hunter green dot that was the forest they sought. Ramakox narrowed his eyes as he felt his heart start to quicken in his chest.


    It was the first time in his life that he stared out to the vast forest, and he did not have pleasing thoughts on his mind. Instead he felt a slight light headed, and that his heart was being stretched in two different directions. That familiar itch beneath his scales returned as he glared out to the green quilt, unease filling his mind. He tried to shake the feeling from his mind with his next flap of his wings as Fremra passed by him with her tail nearly brushing against his nose. He spread his wings into a glide as his next few breaths came quickly, and brought him no comfort.


    ¡°Something on your mind Rammy?¡± Fremra called back, arching her neck to glance at him with her concerned purple spheres. ¡°You may speak your mind..I hate to see my brilliant Sapphire troubled so.¡±


    Ramakox could feel his tension slightly fade with her words, his next breath filled with the thought about how lucky that she was right here with him. Not luck...Jandar found her and led her to you. His mind reminded him, making the dragon hang his head and sigh. The blue dragon wanted nothing more then to rip into his own hide, something he figured which would be a fitting reward for his past actions. Once more he felt the guilt creep into his chest, and make his head swirl. ¡°Just...uneasy. Is all.¡± he struggled to say over the wind brushing against his cheeks. The joy he usually found with flight doing nothing to set his soul at ease. ¡°I worry if she will actually help us at all.¡± he grumbled, the thought making his head hurt.


    Fremra flew in silence, not even her wings making any noise. She seemed to be thinking it over at first, if her intense stare out into the sky was any indication. Her frills twitched away with each beat of her wings against the sky. ¡°She will.¡± The dragoness said softly, dropping back to be within a few feet of him. ¡°You can''t lose hope after all..besides.¡± she tossed him a tooth filled smile. ¡°You have me here...I think with the pair of us we can surely persuade her to listen to reason. ¡°And if she doesn''t..¡± The dragoness growled in the back of her throat. ¡°Mark my words my brilliant Sapphire. Jandar will be free of this curse.¡±


    ¡°That''s rather optimistic of you.¡± the blue dragon grumbled as the darkened forest was practically below them at this point, stretching out for miles upon miles in every direction. It''s green vegetation almost a shade of black, as if the forest itself was trying to ward the dragons away from it''s presence. For Jandar. He told himself, steeling his nerves with his next long breath. He angled his wings and started his descent towards the vast twisting forest that was known to snatch up mortals and drag them away. The winding trunks of the trees pulled his eyes as the two dragons practically skimmed the top of the canopy with their forelimbs. He scanned the fields of green for the palace he had visited all of those times before, the great structure of sturdy bark, and winding vines. However no matter how hard he looked, or how tightly he squinted his silver eyes, he could not even spot a small trace of the place.


    Ramakox hovered in mid air, the only sound the steady beating of his heart and the constant flapping of his wings battering the air into submission.  He wrinkled his snout as it occurred to him that the dragoness might be hiding her nest from him, using the magic of the forest to conceal the large structure from his sight. ¡°She''s never done this before.¡± he growled in the back of his throat as Fremra took position beside him.


    ¡°Do what?¡± What is it that you''re looking for?¡± his wonderful dragoness asked, her voice filled with warmth and concern.


    ¡°Her palace of great vines, the place she resides in. She must be hiding it.¡± he grumbled as he felt the urge in his bones to fly down into the forest and touch down on the ground. It was a small feeling that banged against his senses like a drum , and with each passing moment the feeling only grew stronger, until that little drum became a crashing symphony of thunderous slams. Ramakox held his head with a claw as his mind started to spin with each steady beat against his mind. ¡°Shes...calling to me.....Pulling me...She wants us to go in.¡± he widened his eyes, worry rising up within his chest with his next few breaths.


    Why was she acting this way? The thought sounded through his mind and made him try to grasp for any answer that could explain her acting so strange. How could she mean any ill intention for him? The Emerald Lady had been a friend all of these years, someone who he could look up to, trust, confide in. True she was a dangerous if you were not considered her ally, or if you showed disrespect, but she was an old dragon after all. Am...I not considered a friend and ally? ¡°Fremra.¡± he pointed to the hovering dragoness, who was giving him a troubled look with a raised brow.


    ¡°Yes?¡± she asked, bringing herself to swirl around him in mid air, nuzzling him gently as she passed close to him.


    ¡°See that clearing by the lake?¡± Ramakox pointed with a claw to the body of bright blue water among the sea of dark greens. ¡°That is where the sensation is coming from...I think she is there.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that? Surely she can be anywhere in this forest. What makes you think that she is there of all places?¡±


    ¡°Call it a hunch..That feeling to go down is pulling me there, as if I had a tether attached to me...She wants us to go there.¡± He looked down to the area, picturing her lying there with a flicking tail as she chuckled to herself


    Fremra followed his gesture with her snout, her eyes full of worry as her frills twitched slightly in the gently breeze that washed over them. ¡°Then we best be twice as careful. I seems your friend is expecting us.


    ¡°So it certainly seems.¡± he replied, knowing her firsthand over the years prior. She always had the knack of knowing when he was going to show up. It was hard to surprise someone with the ability to see the future after all. Ramakox flapped his wings and carried himself towards the source of that need, the place he suspected to contain the great and dangerous Emerald ruler of this forest. He could feel the anxiety rippling through him with each beat of his wings, and each breath that filled his lungs with air. It was hard to believe this much worry could swirl inside of him on a fine day such as this.


    Ramakox tried to sooth his worry by telling himself this was all a game, some sort of test for the dragoness below. That in reality this meeting was going to go well, and occur just like all the other times in the past. He let out a snort as the densely packed forest gave way far too quickly to a clearing large enough for several dragons to comfortably spread their wings from tip to tip. The darkened greens of the forest seemed to fade away to bright vibrant, gentle tan sand, and refreshing crystal clear water that rippled in the wind. It was among this field of green, reds, and golds that the Emerald lady was casually lying down with her snout held high, her frills twitching in anticipation as she briefly gazed to him with her royal purple piercing spheres. She turned her attention to a snowy white gryphon with tiger stripes who was playing with the two green dragons Cordenth and Lyyreth with loud laughs and playful squawks.


    Though the pair of young dragons had grown significantly since he had seen them last. They seemed to have sprouted several feet. Both of them now about the size of a standard human. Thankfully he could still recognize them from the yellow patterns still on their lime green membranes. The pair was currently chasing the laughing gryphon through the field, trying to nip at his swishing tiger tail. Each time it seemed that the pair would be able to snatch that fluffy appendage, the gryphon would change direction and yank that teasing tail out of their reach with a joyous squawk.


    ¡°Hello Ramakox.¡± The Emerald Lady spoke with a soft chuckle as she flicked her tail against the grass. ¡°Should best be going you three!¡± the dragoness called out to the playing trio of gryphon and dragons, gesturing to the blue dragon overhead with a stretch of her neck. ¡°I have an old friend that I wish to entertain in the meantime. We can go back to enjoying ourselves later.¡±


    The twins smiled up at Ramakox for a moment, before frowning at her mothers next words. They clearly went to protest with groans, but the white gryphon was quick to wrap his wings around them in a flash, and pull them away into the forest with a soft trilling noise escaping his beak.


    The Lady watched the group depart with soft sigh, and a smile appearing onto her snout. ¡°Always nice to spend time with the family...¡± She looked up to the blue dragon, her moment of good cheer fading away with her next rise and fall of her armored chest. ¡°Now that we are alone..¡± The dragoness snapped her piercing eyes towards Fremra, and then back towards Ramakox. ¡°We can get to discussing why you''re here in my forest, and what is to come of it.¡± She picked herself up to all fours, refolding her wings against her back as she shook her form. The sound of soft clinks filled the air as she worked a kink from her neck with a resounding crack. ¡°And...It appears you brought company.¡± the Lady chuckled, gesturing to Fremra with a wave of her foreclaw. ¡°That is certainly...¡± The green dragoness'' eyes narrowed with a flick of her tail. ¡°Surprising.¡±


    ¡°Nice to make your acquaintance as well.¡± the teal dragoness replied coldly, landing onto the field with a quick backwing.


    ¡°It is always nice to make MY acquaintance yes..¡± The lady held her head out with a chuckle as he chest swelled out proudly. ¡°I am the Emerald Lady my dear...and welcome to my forest.¡± She flared out her wings wide and flashed her sharpened teeth with a wicked smile.


    ¡°Oh yes, I have heard of you before.¡± the teal dragoness snarled, as Ramakox landed beside her with a gust of wind.


    ¡°Settle down.¡± He said calmly, eyes training on the ladies scales, watching her movements as the feeling of unease started to settle once more into his bones.


    ¡°Something the matter Ramakox?¡± the green dragon started to strut around them, holding her head high above even them. Her eyes filled with amusement as she glared down at them, like some lord on high. ¡°You''re tensing up. Is that anyway to greet an old friend? One might think you were nervous to see me.¡± She stopped, holding up one of her claws to inspect the onyx black talons. If the blue did not know any better he would think she were disinterested in this meeting. ¡°So tell me...What brings you to my forest you two?¡±


    The blue dragon just stared at her for a moment, not really wanting to play this little game of hers. ¡°You know why we are here.¡± he said quickly, wrinkling his snout. ¡°Why do you wish for me to say it?¡±


    ¡°Things can always change slightly.¡± the green dragoness snapped her snout towards him, her eyes narrowing as she focused on his scales. ¡°So it is nice to hear how things are progressing..I can think of several possible reasons you are here within my domain..So enlighten me on your purpose.¡±


    Ramakox just let out a sigh as he tapped a claw against the ground. ¡°We are here about Jandar.¡± he grumbled. ¡°The after effects of the ritual...He looks like an anthromorphic dragon now.¡±


    ¡°Mmmmm.¡± the lady smiled, sitting down onto her hinds as her tail curled around her. ¡°Isn''t that curious, I always knew the boy had some dragon in his heart.¡±


    ¡°That is not all!¡± Fremra added, her claw tapping the ground harshly. ¡°He found himself a mate, and produced a child! However when the child was born it was not a human baby, but instead a full dragon!¡±


    The green dragon''s eyes widened into pleased slits with the teals words. It seemed like she might even be a lost for words for the moment as she said nothing and casually flicked her tail across the grass.  She shook her head slightly as a deep chuckle resounded from her throat. ¡°Well that is certainly a predicament that I did not foresee.¡± She placed a claw to her chest, smirking as she did so. ¡°How did they react when the child was born?¡± The ladies smirk turned into a menacing smile, showing off her sharpened pearly white teeth. ¡°I bet they were shocked.¡±


    ¡°They were thrilled!¡± Fremra shot back, making Ramakox glad he was not the lady in that moment. ¡°Happiest mortals I have ever seen...All up until the little one....¡± The teal''s head hung as her frills drooped, and her face darkened. ¡°Died that same evening.¡±


    Emerald Lady seemed to take pause as she stropped her chuckle and quickly pulled up her snout. The great dragon fidgeted in place before them in uneasy silence, and gave out a single snort of air. ¡°Indeed.¡± was all the shot out before shutting her snout again.


    For a moment Ramakox thought that she felt a small bit of pity in her heart. For she was a mother, surely she would understand the fear and pain associated with losing ones children. So it was on that moment of vulnerability that he decided to press. ¡°So we come here on that troublesome news. This development prompted us to seek you out...To find a way to remove Jandar from this spell we cast upon him and twisted him to our likeness. He smiled to himself when he saw the usually smug dragoness look away with a tap of her tail and kneading the grass uncomfortably. ¡°So please Emerald Lady...Don''t let my son experience such pain again.¡±


    ¡°I...cannot.¡± she replied flatly, letting out a soft sigh as she shifted her gaze back to the two dragons before her.


    ¡°What?¡± he asked with a raised voice, finding himself at a loss. Surely she knew what was to be done right?


    ¡°That cannot be!¡± Fremra chimed in, bringing voice to his own thoughts.


    ¡°It can''t be changed.¡± Emerald Lady snorted. ¡°The spell has wound it''s way so deep into his body, that there is no way to remove it even if I wanted to. I warned you of something like this years ago Ramakox, but you decided to go through with the ritual anyway..You even told the boy there was no danger to be had.¡±


    ¡°A mistake that I wish to undo!¡± he shouted back, slightly unfurling his wings as he did so. ¡°Please...anything...surely there is something that I can do to make this right!¡± desperation filled his words, making the guilt he felt in his heart ever stronger as he stared at the great dragoness. There had to be a away to undo this he just knew it. He could not have come this far only to have nothing be able to be done.


    ¡°No.¡± she said again, ¡°This is the nest you have made Ramakox. It is time that you laid down within it.¡±


    ¡°You knew this would happen!¡± he shot back, his mind trying to find any solution to help the mortal he loved. ¡°There are even worse things to come aren''t there? You knew the entire time and did not stop me!¡± he snarled, thinking back to the moments years ago when she told him. If only she had said something, surely he would have stopped? His scales itched at the truth that he may have still gone through with it. The thought made the guilt find it''s way to the surface of mind again.


    ¡°I am not bound to stop every little thing from occurring Ramakox. Especially when said things fall perfectly into place with what needs to come next. If it is any consolation, I am sorry you and he had to go through this and the pain to come.¡±


    ¡°His suffering is part of some sort of twisted plan?¡± Fremra snarled back, ripping up some earth with her claws as her anger seemed to ignite the very air around her in flames.


    ¡°Just like Ramakox had his own agenda to bring him greater fame and power. I have a plan to better all of dragon kind in this world.¡± She let out a sigh, looking past the pair to something far away like she typically did. ¡°Sometimes...things need to suffer...¡± her voice started to turn into a droning thing, flat and without any emotion present within it. ¡°To make the future bright, some things must suffer like the rising night.¡± The lady fidgeted, shifting her piercing eyes towards the blue and teal, flicking her tail slowly behind her. ¡°To the near death of the Radiant Star, to a dragon hunter who strays so far.¡± She pushed herself onto all fours, stretching out her wings, and twitching her frills. ¡°I do not like it Ramakox...But some things must die...To forge the brilliant flames of the Crimson Sky.¡±


    ¡°Gah.¡± Ramakox shook his head at all the future rhyming as it made his head spin. It sounded insane to have everything suffer and die, just so she could get this future that she wanted? It made his scales itch, and him grind his teeth.


    ¡°Everyone had their part to play Ramakox.¡± The Emerald dragoness chuckled, inspecting another claw. ¡°Even you and Jandar in the end.¡±


    ¡°And that plan has him suffering or dying is it? You still haven''t said.¡±


    ¡°That is certainly true..It is like before..Does me telling you what will happen change anything? It has all gone as I have foreseen it..The good..¡± the lady rose her head high. ¡°And the bad.¡± her eyes trained on him, as if peeling back his hide and gazing into his soul. ¡°These things must happen.¡±


    ¡°You keep saying that!¡± Fremra roared, ¡°People''s lives are not to be tossed around or played with!¡±


    ¡°And what do you know about this hmm? Who are you to demand anything of me in this forest?¡±  Emerald Lady swiveled her head to face the angered teal, and curled her lips into a snarl, a terrible thing that made the blue dragon shiver. ¡°You are but children to me! Fumbling and trying to correct me on things you cannot understand! If one must suffer for the rest of dragon-kind then so be it! I cannot go about saving every poor soul that needs it!¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Her words made a little more sense to the blue dragon, as he narrowed his eyes at her. It however did not make him feel any better about the situation, and like hell he was going to sit here and be told it was his mortal that had to suffer.  ¡°What if it were your children? What would you do then? Would you still let them suffer so?¡± he tilted his head to the side, letting the words sink into the ladies horned head.


    ¡°Silence your tongue!¡± she snapped her snout towards him, thrashing her tail on the ground and tossing up any loose dirt in a shower of brown. ¡°I have thought about it.¡± the lady seemed to bite her lip with her next few words, ¡°And my answer does not change in the slightest.¡±


    ¡°You monster!¡± the teal dragoness gasped loudly, he wings twitching behind her. ¡°They are your children! You''re supposed to die to protect them!¡±


    ¡°Not with all of dragon-kind in the balance my dear ignorant dragon.¡± I love them dearly then life itself, but sometimes one must make sacrifices....Even if it plagues your heart with grief.¡±


    Ramakox shook his head as the ladies words lingered in the air, filling his ears with their twisted sounds. She would never let her children be harmed or suffer like that, she was playing a game surely. This was all a way to get them caught off guard with her words. The blue watched the rest of her body carefully, seeing if the green scales would tense up in any fashion. ¡°So what about Jandar?¡± he loudly proclaimed with a  deep growl. ¡°You have avoided the question and still have not said!¡± he dragged a talon through the dirt.  He watched the light in her eyes flicker like a candle''s glow over a pool of wet ink. ¡°He dies doesn''t he?¡± he gulped, hating the words that came from his mouth. He hung his head for a moment before raising his head again with narrowed eyes.


    ¡°She knew it the entire time.¡± Fremra spit out, ¡°But you knowing about it did not fit into her plan...Can''t risk that changing can it?¡± the teal dragoness brushed up against Ramakox, giving him a quick reassuring nod before staring back at the intimidating green serpent in front of them. ¡°You consider us nothing but pawns don''t you?¡±


    ¡°Oooooo..So you are certainly interesting.¡± the green dragoness crooned, eyes closing briefly as she let out a chuckle soon after. She rose up one of her claws, her spheres inspecting the fine scales as she clenched and unclenched her scaled digits. ¡°You being here is certainly an oddity.¡±


    ¡°I won''t let it happen again.¡± the teal flicked her ears back and let out a resounding hiss. ¡°No longer will I lose children do to others.¡± She lowered herself and flicked her tail violently. ¡°So stop playing with us..Tell me how to save our son and stop what Ramakox did to him.¡±


    Ramakox smiled in pride at the teal''s words, glad she considered the man her own as well. He bared his own teeth in unison with hers, flaring his wings wide to make himself seem bigger. He did not want it to come to claws or teeth, but if that is what needed to be done to save his son, so be it. ¡°Now tell me.¡± he growled the demand, kneading the earth with his talons.


    ¡°No.¡± the Lady replied with a deep rumble of her own. ¡°You have done your part, and I have answered your question that you inflicted onto me.¡± She flared out her wings wide, blocking out the sun''s rays before them as she bared her wicked teeth. ¡°I can see it in your eyes you know.¡± she growled, her eyes narrowing before them.  ¡°Think about your next few choices within this place ignorant dragon, it will determine the rest of your future.¡±


    ¡°We said tell us!¡± Fremra roared, a brilliant white bolt of lightning flying out to crash into the green scales, winding around the ladies claw and making her leap back in surprise.


    ¡°You insolent whelp!¡± the lady roared, making the bolt of electricity circle round her until it flew out towards the forest, striking a trunk and causing it to explode in a shower of wooden shards. The green dragon did not get a chance to recover however, for as soon as her hinds had touched the grass, several copies of Fremra lept at her with tooth and claw.


    Ramakox let out his own roar as he bounded towards the green dragoness clashing with his mate and her mirror copies. He crossed the distance instantly with a flap of his wings, his claws missing the green hide by scant inches as she twisted away from his strike. He cursed himself and tried again, only for the lady to avoid him yet again with a grace he thought only Fremra possessed while underwater. Damn''t he snarled  as despite being attacked by the two dragons, the lady seemed to be doing well. She ignored the mirror copies of Fremra, and went straight for the ¡°real¡± one.


    Fremra was sent smashing into the ground with a snarl of pain as the Emerald Lady struck her across the snout with a forceful claw. The moment she let out a pained grunt, the mirror copies vanished into thin air.


    ¡°This is my forest whelp...Learn you''re place.¡± Emerald Lady cackled gleefully as she continued to avoid Ramakox''s seemingly clumsy attacks. Until with a resounding roar of victory the blue managed to tackle her, his sharpened talons ripping across her green scales and drawing lines of dripping crimson. ¡°Graaaaah!¡± she roared out twisting beneath him, and giving his underside a forceful kick with her powerful hinds. ¡°Get...Off!¡±


    The blue dragon tried to hold onto her, but her strength was greater then he thought. He crashed into the ground with a shower of dust and throbbing pain. He almost expected for a flash of pain to follow as the green dragon took advantage of his vulnerable state. Instead he heard a screech from the lady as the ground suddenly grew spikes beneath her, glancing her limbs and cutting through her green armor. With the lady distracted Ramakox sprung up to all fours in a flash.


    ¡°You think you can control my forest?¡± The Emerald Lady snarled, twisting away from Fremra''s attack with her talons. ¡°How about you try a taste of your own plan?¡± The green twisted one of her claws, and gave a wicked smile. The ground around Fremra rippled like waves on the ocean, before large twisting tentacles of hardened earth suddenly springing up to try and grab the teal dragon, and forced her to take wing into the air to avoid their grasping appendages.


    ¡°You...will have...to try harder to try and catch me with such pitiful attempts!¡± the teal dragoness taunted loudly with a defiant trill, as she avoided tentacle after tentacle trying to pluck her from the sky.


    Enough of that I think. The stone skin spell should held out with her talons. Ramakox uttered a quick spell, his scales turning a dark tan, and adopting the hardness of solid granite. He charged at the green dragoness, hoping to break her concentration as the tentacles grew ever closer towards the dragoness he loved. With his teeth bared, he opened up his glands and let loose a bolt of lightning from his maw.


    She seemed ready for this however, easily deflecting his lightning with a flick of her mighty tail. ¡°Really? You again?¡± She quickly spun to face him, one of her outstretched claws glowing a bright yellow, as he leaped through the air with his teeth ready to sink into her.


    However as he neared the dragoness he felt his scales grow warm, and the color fade away back to his normal dark blue. Before his teeth could connect, she quickly spun around, her tail smashing against his face, feeling more like solid steel than scales. Bright stars exploded in his eyes as he was sent crashing into the ground once more with a pained roar and a spine tingling crack. He settled onto the ground with a grunt, struggling to push himself to all fours as the world around him spun uncontrollably.  ¡°You think....gah..¡± he struggled to say, his tail twitching weakly behind him.


    The Emerald ladies victory over the blue dragon was short lived, as large spears of sharpened ice pelted her hide from the sky, several of the rigid spears driving right through her sensitive membranes and even one piercing through her wing joint and into her shoulder. ¡°VILE THING!¡± the dragoness snarled as Fremra continued to dodge the coiling pillars of earth still desperately trying to snatch the playful dragoness.


    ¡°For such a powerful thing, you really need to focus!¡± Fremra laughed into the air, flipping out of the way of yet another seemingly slow attack by the magical grasping pillars of stone.


    ¡°We will see about that.¡± the lady snarled, the ice jutting from her hide melting away as flames wrapped themselves around her scales, and blackening the grass beneath her talons.


    With a final shake of his head Ramakox shook off the spinning world around him, getting enough clarity to quickly utter a protective spell. His scales shined slightly as the protective field spread out around him, and making him sigh in relief from the cooling sensation. He once more pounced at the Emerald lady, trying to keep her on the defensive. If he could keep diving her attention, it might be possible for Fremra and he to subdue the terrifying ness. He let out a roar to draw her focus to him, and not to the teal that was swinging around for another attack run.


    The green dragon spun to face him, flames flying from her claws out towards him. The red orange flames filled every inch of air around him, wrapping around the blue dragon''s scales like a blanket.  However thanks to the protective field already around him, the flames that should have burned his scales instead were a calming warmth that brought him an almost soothing calm.


    ¡°Lost your touch?¡± he grinned, lashing out with his talons, causing the ness to backwing away from him to avoid his sharpened digits.


    ¡°Clever.¡± the lady snarled, landing onto her hinds with a hiss. ¡°You have quite the mastery of protective spells it seems.¡± she sliced at him with her own claws as he closed the distance between them once again with his next breath.


    He was ready for her however, he shifted his attack so she struck one of his hardened plates. The talons doing nothing but rake uselessly against the dark blue armor. He quickly returned her attack with two powerful strikes to her snout, his talons ripping into her scales and splattering her blood onto the grass. He did not get in a third strike, as the quick dragoness leaped back again with a wicked hiss. He patted himself on the scales as Fremra pelted the lady with several bolts of purple magical energy, that struck her scales with little explosions of light and made the green ness snarl in pain.


    Ramakox winced at his throbbing chest as he continued to harry the green dragoness who had done the deed. Despite being on the defensive the snarling ness managed to get a few good strikes against his scales, ripping into his hide and making the blue dragon roar in burning pain. Fremra soared by again to unleash more magical attacks on the Emerald Lady of ice and fire. Ramakox avoided the ladies latest series of strikes, ignoring the pain under his scales. He snarled as he ducked, hating that it had come to this after all these years. The dragoness he had once called friend, now ripping into him as if he were her worst enemy.


    But this is for Jandar...To save him.. His mind shouted as he was suddenly thrown back into the air after a blunt column of stone rose from the earth to slam violently into his chest and nearly knock the wind from his lungs. ¡°Graaah!¡± the blue dragon tumbled to the ground, twisting over and over until he came to a complete stop. ¡°Ugh.¡± he spit out some rough sand that had worked it''s way into his maw as he started to feel the dull ache of the rest of his limbs. His next breath was ragged, and brought fireworks of pain through his chest, making him thump his tail weakly in response. Okay....try to not let that happen again. With great effort the blue dragon pushed himself to all fours, a smirk coming to his snout as his attacker was smashed into the ground with a loud roar of fury.


    Fremra fell to all fours, her front claws shining a bright silver as she barred her teeth and let out a long hiss. ¡°Don''t touch him!¡±


    Finish this. Ramakox willed himself to sprint to the toppled green ness, ignoring the pain shooting through the rest of his limbs. There will be time to heal later...after we have subdued The Emerald Lady. He leaped onto her wiggling form, his claws finding her twisting neck as he dug his talons into her hide. He felt his blood start to heat, his breaths start coming quicker as the rush of victory coursed through him. ¡°Now you will tell me how to save my son.¡± he snarled, pushing down onto the Lady and pinning her against the earth. ¡°Or by the gods help me I will..¡±


    ¡°Or...what?¡± she gasped, managing a grin as the blue dragon pushed down onto her neck. ¡°You''ll kill me? Rip me asunder for nothing more than not changing the future to your liking?¡±


    He narrowed his eyes and ignored her twisted words. They were nothing more then a way to divert his attention and throw him off his purpose. ¡°Tell me how to save him!¡± he roared, his blood starting to boil as he pierced sections of her neck with his talons, and causing the ness to gasp in pain.


    ¡°I bet...you think you''ve won here.¡± The Emerald Lady growled, struggling beneath Ramakox''s grip, and forcing the blue dragon to push down harder against her neck.


    ¡°Stop your stalling and tell me.¡± he growled, snapping his jaw several inches from her snout.


    ¡°Just as I thought.¡± she chuckled in the back of her throat. ¡°All....bluster..Do it and this little hope of yours dies...I...am...gah....Looking out for all of dragon kind....I will not help you threaten that future.¡±


    ¡°Curse you.¡± he hissed, pressing his talons deeper into her flesh, causing the Emerald Ladies chuckle to turn into a groan of pain.


    ¡°Don''t listen to her!¡± Fremra shouted, pulling him from his gruesome work. ¡°We can bind her, take her from here. Perhaps a charm of two could make her try to save Jandar.¡±


    ¡°And...You...call me a monster?¡± The lady gasped for breath, staring up at Ramakox with a fire burning in her eyes. ¡°Using brute force, spells, mental manipulation to get what you want from me? Once more I must....stress....All because I am not giving you the exact future that you want?¡±


    Ramakox shook his head, casting out her words. ¡°I refuse to believe the future is set in stone!¡± he snarled, ¡°It is you that is standing in the way of what we want!¡±


    ¡°In...a way...that is true.¡± she replied, a mischievous grin forming on her snout. ¡°However...your future does not exist Ramakox...You have been a pawn this entire time in this game of chess.¡±


    ¡°Stop your babbling.¡± the blue dragon snarled, pressing down further into that green neck to briefly silence her talk. ¡°We have you pinned right now, defeated. There is nothing left for you to do.¡±


    ¡°Really..now? What....a specimen you have become...Such the forceful Ramakox.¡± her look of fury suddenly changed into one of amusement, as she gave a deep chuckle. ¡°This will not end how you think it will end little ignorant dragon. I have seen how it will end...The only new addition to this meeting was the teal dragoness over there...And I already have a way to render both of you defeated.¡±


    ¡°You''re bluffing.¡±


    ¡°Am I? Get off of me Ramakox and surrender, or she dies.¡± The Emerald Lady gestured to the stern looking teal dragon with a flick of her eyes. ¡°And you can bet your tail that unlike your little bluff.¡± the green dragon smiled up at him with her sharpened teeth. ¡°I will certainly make good on my threat.¡±


    Ramakox held her down more. Surely she was lying to him right? He had her pinned, claws at her throat. This was all some sort of trick to throw him off guard, doubt himself in the final moments. Something she could to do to escape the defeat she knew was at hand. ¡°I don''t believe you.¡± he snapped, narrowing his eyes and glaring right back at her. ¡°I win this day.¡±


    ¡°This is my forest Ramakox. I control the ground if I wish, the vines and branches of all the trees with thoughts, the very water I can turn into weapons with a flick of my tail...I can even bind spirits to my will, or yank them from where they hide...Such as...Inside a teal dragoness.¡± The lady flicked her tail slightly, and Ramakox felt his heart turn to ice within his chest. He winced as he heard the dragoness he loved let out such a shrill of intense agony that he almost felt it himself through his bones.


    Fremra collapsed into a writhing pile of scales and claws as she screamed into the air. ¡°AHHHHHHHHHH!¡± she cried, grasping at the air as her whole body spasmed. Each of her limbs struck the earth as she flailed, snarling, and grasping at her chest as though something was being ripped straight out of her ribcage.


    ¡°How long can she survive without that spirit lurking within her body hmm?¡± the green dragoness pulled his attention with a slight snort. ¡°Care to find out?...Now Ramakox..¡± she snarled, her tone once more taking on the intimidating presence it usually did. ¡°Let go of me and kneel before me.¡±


    Ramakox trembled as his grip on the green dragoness wavered with the next pained beating of his heart. Fremra''s cries were like little cuts to his soul and he could not bear to look at her flails of pain. He watched in horror as the dragoness he loved clutched at the air, and her breathes became ragged as she struggled to breath air into her lungs.


    ¡°So...not long I take it? I have yet to even properly take it out of her yet...Interesting that she is in such pain as this...Do you think it will hurt her even more to have it removed?¡± The lady asked, raising a brow with a wicked grin.


    ¡°Cease this!¡± he cried out, digging his talons deeper into the green ness. Hoping that some more pain, and a reminder of her own mortality would snap her out of her dominant behavior.


    ¡°No.¡± she hissed, ¡°Now..on the count of three I will be taking it away..and if I feel any additional movements from you....like..digging into my neck some more with your pitiful excuse for claws..I will rip that spirit right out of her faster than you can end me.¡±


    DAMNT! His mind screamed to him as his forelimbs quivered. We were so close! He looked once more to Fremra, still twitching and screaming her pain to the sky.


    ¡°One.¡± the lady spoke with a flat voice.


    Ramakox snapped his snout down to the dragoness glaring up at him with eyes of murderous intent.


    ¡°Two.¡± she spoke the words with a hiss as that fire appeared back in her eyes.


    Shes going to do it....Fremra is going to die!...But...but..Jandar!...Hes going to... ¡°GRAAAHHH!¡± Ramamo pushed himself off of the green dragoness with a defeated snarl. He desperately wanted to save Jandar...But to watch Fremra die right before his eyes? That was something that not even he was willing to do, and the green dragoness knew it.


    ¡°Very good little pawn...That you know your place after all.¡± she rose up to all fours, holding her head high above him and glaring down on him like he was an insect to be squashed beneath her claws. Her eyes seemed to glow in the air and pierce his soul, and make him feel smaller than he had ever felt in his long years of life. ¡°Now say it.¡± she snarled, ¡°Or I will leave that dragoness like that for quite some time...for daring to strike me within my domain.¡±


    ¡°B-but I struck you.¡± he pleaded, shifting his gaze rapidly between the two nesses.


    ¡°Ramakox!..Stay on point! Say your surrender or I will leave her like that for days!¡± The Emerald lady cupper his jaw and forced him to look right up into her smug purple spheres.


    ¡°I give up!¡± he shouted instantly, his whole body starting to go numb as the words left his maw. ¡°I surrender!¡± his voice cracked as he imagined his beautiful Sea Lilly spasming on the ground in agony for days. He could swallow some more pride if it prevented that horrible fate from gracing her experience.


    ¡°Very good.¡± The ladies lips curled into a sneer, seconds before she struck the blue dragon forcefully with a claw against his snout and slammed him into the earth so hard that he heard a crack, and bright stars flashed before his eyes.


    ¡°Ugh.¡± he spat out, bright crimson blood starting to down his jaw. He did not even try to get up as the pain of his body came flowing in full force. All of it that he had been ignoring slipped past his mental defenses and made his body twitch and unleash a groan of throbbing agony. His only relief from all the pain was that Fremra''s own cries had ceased. ¡°Did..Did..You...free her?¡± he gasped, gritting his teeth as he took another pained breath.


    ¡°Yes.¡± The intimidating dragoness sat before him on her hinds, her tail curling around her as she glared at him menacingly. ¡°Ramakox...If you were not a wonderful pawn in my game right now...You would be dead.¡± the green dragon lowered her snout so that she was within mere inches of his own horned head. ¡°You were right you know...The future sometimes can be altered...Shifted to suit the outcome I might want to happen...This case being to prevent the extinction of dragons, and usher in a bright new future for us.¡±


    ¡°Y-you''ve altered how things were supposed to go¡± he gasped, flicking his tail.


    ¡°That...is true.¡± she replied, truth resounding in her words as her frills fluttered on either side of her head. ¡°Small things that one can shift. For instance...Telling a silver dragoness where to find a red hatchling...So that is not snatched up by his Father and taken back to that dragon''s wicked mate.¡± She raised her head slightly with a sigh, tapping her tail against the ground. ¡°Or eventually startling a horse with a spell to make it rear up and kill a boy''s mother.¡±


    ¡°Why..why would you do that?¡± he barred his teeth despite his injures. ¡°You would kill a boy''s mother over something?¡±


    ¡°To help push along the better future?¡± The dragoness asked, tilting her head to the side. ¡°Yes..It will set in motion the end of the Lunds....Well their dragon hunting side of their clan anyway.¡±


    ¡°Lunds.¡± Ramakox spit out some blood, spraying the ground with a crimson mist. Part of him was glad that somewhere down the line another one of them would be dead, for they had injured dragon kind over the years numerous times.


    ¡°Even you and Jandar were brought about by some tampering.¡± she snorted, tapping his snout with her claw.


    ¡°What?¡± He groaned, trying to push his broken body up to glare at her, but he could not find the strength. He wobbled for a moment and collapsed with a pained grunt onto the ground. His mind rebelled at her words, telling him that once again she was playing around with him. Although with one look into her gleaming eyes, he was not so certain.


    ¡°Oh yes...Do you think it was by chance that a caravan was randomly attacked near the lair of a known dragon? That despite killing everyone there they would miss a child that was not even hiding well?¡± The Lady laughed deeply as she threw her head back. ¡°It was almost like someone told them what was going to be on that caravan that day, and instructed them on what to not take or injure.¡±


    ¡°You...You..¡± the blue dragon stumbled through his words as he felt his life start to shatter around him. Ice started to grip at his senses, and powerlessness leak its way into his mind.  ¡°You..monster!¡± he spat out, glaring up at her with bared teeth. ¡°What lengths will you go to..¡±


    ¡°Uh..uh..uh.¡± The dragoness drummed her talons across his snout with a mocking laugh. ¡°I suggest you get a proper look on that snout of yours. I don''t want to have it just be throwing me glares or sneers the entire time we have this little chat of ours.¡±


    It was hard, but the blue dragon ceased his glaring at her, and he unwrinkled his snout. Though these things were gone, he felt his anger rise up like the tide within him at this smug, horrible thing that called itself a dragon. The dragoness that played with dragon and mortal lives like they were mere chess pieces to her. To be cast aside or discarded for the better play against a foe that only she knew about. ¡°What..what are you going to do to us?¡± he asked, his scales shivering as he looked back to Fremra and brought his mind back to the problem at hand. He could worry about what she said another day. Just another horrible thing that he had to share with Jandar, and Ramakox shivered at the thought .


    ¡°Now...Now..Now...Isn''t that the question of the hour now.¡± The green dragon drummed her talons against his snout like he typically did to the ground. Each one making his eyes wince from the sensation rattling his head. She held her head up, looking far off with a grin forming onto her wicked snout. ¡°Things may not have gone the way I had foreseen them years ago...But they certainly ended the same way.¡±


    ¡°Why...Why do this if you knew the outcome? Do you like shedding blood and causing other''s pain?¡±


    ¡°Oh Ramakox..You still think I do this out of anger? That I do what I do because I hate other people? No, no no.¡± she wagged a digit at him. ¡°Listen when I talk to you little ignorant blue. I do these things that should happen. So if I see myself preforming a certain deed or action...That is the part I play..¡±


    ¡°That''s..so heartless.¡± he replied in shock.


    ¡°It''s what need to be done.¡± she snorted. ¡°So all those titles that you and that ness over there spouted at me can be true. I am the affectionate, loving mother that adores my children. I am one that trades lives for a better future...I am a murderer...a protector...I can be even be called a monster.¡± She growled in the back of her throat as she pressed one talon harder against his scales, nearly piercing them and drawing blood. ¡°I am whatever the situation needs me to be...Just feel lucky right now that you have a part to play in this game still. Otherwise you would be adorning my forest as a stone sentinel. You would be a symbol to others, that not even the Mighty Swirling Storm could bully his way into my forest.¡±


    ¡°You...you wouldn''t sacrifice Lyyreth.....Or Cordenth..¡± he groaned to her forceful touch. ¡°No mother...would be that heartless.¡± He weakly flicked his tail, trying to not focus on the dull pain coursing through his body with every raspy breath. ¡°If you were me right now....You would have done the exact....Same...Thing.¡± he continued, the words coming easy for him as he watched her glaring stare. For a moment he thought she was going to lash out at him, pierce his hide and coat his blue scales with blood, but she did not and growled in the back of his throat. It pleased him slightly in the back of his mind that he might actually have made a point to her, and that yet again she was not telling them the whole truth.


    ¡°Stop your waggling tongue.¡± The Emerald Lady lowered her snout so that is was mere inches from his own as she let out a threatening growl fill his ears. ¡°Now take that teal ness of yours and leave this place, you are no longer welcome here for the rest of your days.¡± She returned her head with a quick snort of air, her eyes scanning to the treeline around them. She gestured to a collection of mortals that were hugging the field and clad in various armors and weapons. By the look of them they were wearing dark green tabards, adorned with golden trimmings. Clearly these were the mortals she kept as treasure. ¡°And if you ever step foot, claw, snout or tail into my forest again...¡± She barred her teeth as a flame lit in her eyes once more. ¡°I will make sure that the dragoness you hold dear will never walk this earth again, and instead be encased in stone for the rest of time...For while you fit into what is bound to happen...She on the other hand.¡± The green dragoness snapped her attention towards the still gasping dragoness, a slight grin forming on the edge of her muzzle. ¡°Is not that important in the grand scheme.¡±


    The intimidating dragoness finally released his maw from her ever pressing talon, and held it up to inspect with her eyes. ¡°And look at that, you have not only coated my in my own blood, but you actually made me sully of own talons....tsk..tsk..tsk.¡± She chuckled, flicking her tail back and forth over the grass. ¡°So you may now heal up, lick your wounds..Go to your ness if you wish...and then get out of my forest before you become permanent residents.¡±


    Ramakox groaned as he pushed himself to all fours, his limbs shivering slightly as he placed pressure on them again. He felt the crushing weight of despair weigh him down as he hung his head and slowly slunk towards Fremra, who was still lying on her back twitching and taking in long ragged breaths.  ¡°Thank you for sparing us.¡± the blue dragon hung his head submissively to the green ness, staring at the ground with a deep breath that made him groan and twitch his tail.


    ¡°No thanks are needed Ramakox.¡± she snarled, ¡°As I said, you are a part of things...Having you dead or done away with drastically changes things more then I would like.¡±


    ¡°Is Jandar still welcome here?¡± he gasped at the next breath, already wishing he had Fremra''s tender care and healing magic to cast away this shadow of pain.


    ¡°That mortal son of yours?¡± the Emerald Lady raised a brow, looking away for a moment to feign interest as she usually did. ¡°He has always been polite and respectful...I doubt he would have come in here and threatened to attack me if I did not help him. Thankfully he did not get his manners from you.¡±


    ¡°I think...if he knew...about his parents that might change.¡± Ramakox spit out with narrowed eyes.


    ¡°Mind those glances.¡± The lady snarled, thrashing her tail onto the ground with a loud hiss. ¡°But yes, Jandar is still welcome to enter my forest.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Ramakox sighed, at least he had not ruined Jandar''s chances with his actions. Perhaps one day the half-dragon would be able to persuade the lady over time to  change her mind. He turned slowly with a weakened step, limping as he dragged his aching body towards the teal on the ground. He clutched at his chest with a claw as a sharp sensation of pain rippled under his strong scales. It made the strong dragon wince, and limp again as he clenched his eyes and grit his teeth. He collapsed before her when he got close, his body no longer able to carry the useless burden that he was. ¡°How..how are you?¡± he gasped out, his voice horse.


    ¡°Just...fine.¡± Fremra replied with closed eyes and a long breath. ¡°How are you? I can hear your pain filled breaths and groans from all the way over here.¡± she chuckled softly, eventually turning it into a hacking cough that made her tail twitch, and clutch her sides. ¡°Grahhh....No laughing...for now....Focus on healing..¡± the teal dragoness held up her claws and preformed a circle within the air, magical energy of a brilliant cerulean traced her talon as it moved, as she wagged her tail back and forth along the ground.


    For a moment it looked like the dragoness had done nothing but cast a dud of a spell, or perhaps only made little sparks of blue light for his enjoyment. He had expected something at least, anything that could have been useful to heal his throbbing hide and sooth his aching joints. Then almost as if detecting his impatience, a cloud of dark grey suddenly sprung forth from thin air to hang over the dragon pair.


    ¡°What is...¡± he groaned out as the cloud suddenly opened and let fall a sprinkling rain that splattered his scales and ran gently down his aching wing membranes. ¡°Ohh.¡± he moaned, as the tiny droplets of water sent ripples of pleasing sensations through his body. It caused the blue to blissfully close his eyes and hold his head up as he could feel his wounds starting to seal themselves with each tiny rain drop striking his blue armor. He gave a snort, loving the smell of rain as he could feel his pain melt away and leave nothing but warmth and comfort.


    ¡°It''s healing rain.¡± The teal dragoness sighed, letting her claws slump and rest against the ever wetting earth. ¡°Always...loved the rain.¡± she rose one of her paws to her snout so that she could lick upon her fine scales with that long pink tongue of hers. She diligently worked for a minute before retracting her paw with a soft whine that made Ramakox wiggle closer towards her.  ¡°I''m sorry.¡± Fremra snorted, ¡°If I hadn''t attacked her so swiftly....Maybe we could have eventually used words to sway her...It''s just...when I thought of Jandar hurting...I...I.¡± she opened her eyes, as small tears ran down from her eyes, only to be lost in the rain dripping down her face.


    ¡°Fremra.¡± he pulled himself closer and brought his scales up against her warm body. He sighed at the warmth as he licked affectionately at her snout, and running  a claw softly down the fine scales of her neck. ¡°It''s not your fault.¡± He hung his head in reply as the dragoness rose hers up to nuzzle his own with a small weakened rumble.  ¡°I rushed her as well.¡± he unfolded one of his mighty wings and tightly wrapped it around the shivering dragoness and pulled her closer against his scales. He nuzzled her with a muffled whine, trying to not think about the road ahead, and what Jandar would say.


    ¡°You...have to tell Jandar now..¡± she said with a low voice, continuing to press her cheeks against his.


    The blue dragon''s tail twitched behind him at the dragoness display, causing him to close his eyes and the make the next few words come more easily then he would have thought. ¡°Yes...we will tell him.¡± He pulled away from Fremra, and locked eyes with the dragoness. Despite all the pain they had just suffered he felt her light shining through the darkness that was encroaching upon his spirit. He smiled at her as his head started to feel fuzzy, and made him lean in to offer her a pleasing maw parting kiss.


    ¡°I think that is enough of that.¡± The lady interrupted with a hiss. ¡°Leave from this place now...Or it will be as I promised....Doomed to be a warning to all others.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Ramakox replied sheepishly, not meeting the green''s gaze when he glanced back towards her direction. He shifted uncomfortably as he resettled his wings against his back with a snort.  He broke his view of her, his mind shifting to Jandar and the choice he made to bring him to this spot. The blue dragon closed his eyes as it felt like he was plunged once more into the sea...¡±Come on.¡± he grumbled to Fremra as he unfurled his wings and flapped them in test against the air. ¡°Lets leave this place.¡± he bounded into the air with a quick nod from the dragoness he loved.


    He brought them higher with each flap into the sky,trading the darkened forest and intimidating dragoness for the open sky and the joy of flight. Thankfully the steady beat of his wings and careful breaths drew his mind from what had happened down in the forest. He chased after the swift flying teal dragoness as she flew through one of the many clouds drifting lazily in the sky. The blue dragon sighed as he was coated in a thin blanket of water, that was swept away with the next breeze to grace his scales.


    They flew for quite some time away from that forest, never looking back the entire time. They flew in silence, the tension hanging in the air as he watched Fremra''s frills twitch every so often, and even tremble when she breathed. When they finally stopped for the night on a rocky mountaintop she burst into tears once again, apologizing with quivering sobs as she wrapped her head around the blue dragon.


    ¡°I''m sorry...I''m sorry..¡± She nuzzled him, causing Ramakox to grip her tightly with a warm embrace of his wings.


    ¡°It''s going to be okay.¡± he said softly to her, the words trying to comfort himself just as much as her. He patted her scales tenderly as he lost the battle with a rising sob from his throat. ¡°We...will find a way to help him...We will find a way.¡±

 Chapter 20

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 20</u>


    <u> </u>


    The return flight to the village of Holbeck was not one of most miserable times for such a once joyous thing. Ramakox was reminded of his time with Infinity, and the crushing despair he had felt at  being so helpless. Which each pounding of his wings he felt the cold grasp wrap around him and made his body shiver. Nothing could free him from this sensation, not Fremra''s scales,and certainly not the prospect of telling the mortal about everything that had happened, and what Ramakox had done all those years ago. The blue dragon would shutter each night, gazing up to the stars above and regretting his selfish decision more and more. Some nights he was left a quivering, sobbing mess that no dragon should ever be seen doing as he tried to find the words he would describe his misdeed.


    While he was doing this he would picture that mortals now blue scaled snout, all full of anger, disgust, and hatred for the dragon that cursed his life. The mortal then would yell, and shout such things that would darken the blue dragon''s heart, for he knew he would deserve each snarl, each insult, everything that would come out of that man''s mouth.


    When they finally saw the village in the distance, Ramakox felt worse than before, his heart falling to new depths that he knew not as he beat his wings  at the seemingly icy air that reached down inside him and made his limbs quiver. They passed over the fields around Holbeck, the colors all a greenish, reddish blur to the dragon as he extended his limbs and aimed for the house of his mortal. His eyes found the towering thing from all the other buildings, a symbol to him of the coming heartache that would plague him so. People below him stopped to point at his scales, shouting out various praises and exclamations about his magnificence. Each one of these was a small thorn into the dragon''s hide as he remembered the price for such fame, and how in this moment he felt so undeserving of such words and kindness.


    So he tossed his head to ignore the awe struck collections of mortals as he angled his wings and circled Jandar''s house. He gave a snort followed by a long drawn out sigh, hoping to sooth his racing heart, but as he back winged to cushion his landing, he found it did nothing for him. His wings kicked up anything loose nearby, causing some mortals to cover their faces and let out more praise about his mighty wings. He too paid them no mind as his paw pads touched down onto the worn dirt of the street. The house looked fairly the same, not having changed much in the month that they had gone, except today there seemed to be a white carriage adorned with small traces of gold to line the edges in front of the place. It was connected by fine black leather leashes to two sturdy and large looking dire wolves with fur of amber. Ramakox took a breath and found the smell of lilacs wafting through the air, coming from the twin canines. He snorted at the thought that someone had covered the large wolves in some sort of perfume.


    Mortals. He flicked his tail, returning his mind to how to tell his mortal the news he learned about in the forest, and about how he had lied to the boy all those years ago. The lie that had cost him his daughter. He stood silently in shame staring at that fine wooden door, that only one month ago had filled with excitement over his coming grand child. He tried to bring himself to the door, but found that he could not. It was like his body was stopping him in it''s tracks, dreading to take the first step towards that conversation he knew would happen.


    ¡°Frightened?¡± Fremra asked softly, landing to his side without a sound. She gave a small warble that rung out as mortals complimented her own scales and wings. He believe he heard them compare them to a beautiful reflection of the sea.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Ramakox said quickly, lowering his voice, hoping none but the dragoness he cared for heard it. He took a small step, his claws trembling like a frightened hatchling instead of the strong dragon he knew he was. Come on...Be brave..


    Fremra suddenly brushed up against him gently, her affectionate display making the next step easier than the last, and the same with the next few that followed in her pleasing wake.  With another snort the blue dragon found himself led passed the horse sized canines, who briefly observed him with their mahogany eyes, and twitching black noses.


    ¡°Thank you Imzel!¡± came a strong, confident, male voice as the fine wooden door sprung open to reveal a well dressed elven man. The elves piercing green eyes fell to the blue dragon, a slight frown coming to his clean face, before vanishing with his next breath. ¡°Ah yes, the Swirling Storm.¡± the man continued, brushing his hand on his pristine crimson vest with off white sleeves. ¡°Nice to meet you I suppose.¡±  the elf strolled towards him, clutching a small clinking brown sack, followed by several other various mortals dressed in different armors and wielding various weapons of steel.


    ¡°And you are?¡± the blue dragon asked, slightly annoyed the man seemed to not care about his presence.


    ¡°Me? The man held a hand to his chest, as he spoke with a slight chuckle. ¡°I am Lord Aster the elf held up his nose. ¡°Been away for almost a year now, probably why we have not met before this moment. I came here to procure some potions from the delightful Imzel over there.¡± he gestured back towards Imzel''s house, with a stretch of his neck.


    The blue dragon looked passed the man as Imzel, strode into the door frame of he house. She was adorned in dark brown clothes, that ended with green little stripes. She appeared to be healthy for the most part, her face was bright with not a frown or tear to be found on her fine features. While she was not smiling currently, it was nice to see her this way instead of the absolute wreck she had been a month prior.


    ¡°Now if you excuse me you two.¡± The elf gazed to Fremra without a look of concern. ¡°I have pressing matters to attend to...People to meet....business to conduct..Much too busy then to stand around and hold idle conversation with two great beasts all day.¡±


    ¡°Than be on your way elf, no one is holding you here against your will.¡± Ramakox snorted, pushing passed the man without another thought. Anxiety found it''s way to his chest once more as he took a seat on his hinds before the door.


    ¡°Welcome back you two.¡± Imzel smiled, striding out into the afternoon sun with a gentle stride. She waved warmly to Fremra as the teal dragon took position right beside him, her tail curling around him affectionately. ¡°Was wondering when you would be back.¡± she patted both dragons on their forelimbs with a heavy sigh gracing her breath. Her cheery disposition suddenly melted away like a wax set to flame. ¡°Considering what...happened.¡± she said flatly, causing Ramakox to tap his tail and fidget slightly in discomfort.


    Thankfully Fremra was much better than he was at this, and quickly nuzzled the clearly disturbed mortal with a soft purr. The human smiled at this, placing her hands gently onto the teal dragon''s snout with a soft smiling coming to the edge of her lips.


    ¡°Thank you Fremra.¡± Imzel sighed, running her hands along the underside of the teals jaw, and earning a pleased trilling noise for her efforts. ¡°So what did you learn?¡± the mortal raised an inquisitive brow as she looked to Ramakox with eyes wide with curiosity.


    ¡°Nothing that would help us.¡± he lied quickly, eyes looking passed the woman for the mortal he had to pour his guilt and sins to. ¡°Have you seen Jandar? I have much to discuss with that man.¡±


    ¡°Concerning the trip?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Very much so, have you seen him?¡± he asked again, returning his view to the woman tenderly caressing his forelimb.


    ¡°He went out to gather reagents for the potions we sell.¡± she replied with a sigh. ¡°I know we don''t need any more but he insists on doing it everyday since...The event.¡±


    Ramakox let out a heavy sigh, flicking his tail behind him as he pictured Jandar venting his frustration and sadness out into a vast field of tall grass, or blasting apart a rock or tree. The dragon hung his head, the guilt swirling around inside his head, rippling outward and making him feel all tingly.


    ¡°How long does he stay out there?¡± asked Fremra, voice filled with concern.


    ¡°Hours...All day some times.¡± Imzel closed her eyes briefly, crossing her arms as she did so. ¡°Do you want tea or something?¡± she asked, her view going towards the path that led around her house. ¡°Perhaps a few buckets of water? I know flying must be ever so trying to the body...Especially if it''s been such long distances as you lot flew.¡±


    ¡°I can drink from a normal cup dear.¡± Fremra cooed, pressing a paw to her forehead and slowly shrinking before their eyes.


    Imzel let out a gasp of surprise as the dragoness shrunk steadily, until with a little yawn, Fremra was the size of a large dog, coming up to the woman''s waist.


    ¡°See? Just takes a little concentration and there you go.¡± the little teal dragon gestured to herself with a wave of her forelimb and a rumbling purr.


    ¡°Can you do that too Ramakox? Would certainly make things easier.¡± Imzel turned her attention to the blue dragon, making his cheeks grow warm in embarrassment.


    ¡°I...can''t do that..¡± he looked away with a snort, tapping his talons across the ground. ¡°Not that I never tried of course...Just that blue dragon''s such as myself lack the magical ability to alter our shape such as that.¡±


    ¡°That''s too bad.¡± Imzel patted the blue dragon on his chest, stopping to rub the scales with her soft hands. ¡°I''ll go get you something to drink...Water? Tea? Some spirits?¡±


    ¡°Spirits?¡± he asked, rumbling his approval at the prospect of something warm find it''s way down his gullet. It would certainly help him with the arduous task of telling Jandar about the truth. NO. He shook his head slightly at the thought. I need to be at full faculties when I tell him...It''s only right. ¡°No...but the gesture is much appreciated.¡± he nodded to the human with a grin. ¡°I would like to find Jandar for the moment, could you point me in the direction of the area he searches for these reagents?¡±


    ¡°Ah...well.¡± Imzel looked to Fremra, who was busy licking one of her cute little paws. ¡°He is out to the west in the forest there...He likes to hunt along the river inside...He says it has the best plants, fungai, and other things that we need for our concoctions.¡± She crouched down to look at Fremra in her eyes. ¡°And I take it you''re going to say here and keep me company?¡±


    ¡°And sample your tea...and possibly spirits.¡± Fremra chuckled, flicking her tail softly as her frills fluttered. The teal dragon turned towards him with a grin, nuzzling Ramakox''s snout with a gently purr as he returned the gesture with a pleased rumble. ¡°Take care....and be strong.¡± She stepped back, grinning towards the human woman with a playful swish of her tail and bounding through the door. ¡°Now show me these drinks of yours so that I may sample them!¡± she proclaimed loudly in that sing song voice that made Ramakox consider staying to enjoy the good company and cheer.


    The feeling only lasted for a moment before he was turning around, and wishing Imzel farewell. He bounded into the sky with a few mighty flaps of his wings. He swallowed the lump in his throat, and started to search the countryside below for the forest that contained his son. Don''t worry...It will be over soon.


    *


    Ramakox followed Imzel''s words, heading directly west the moment he had gained enough altitude. He briefly caught the carriage of lord Aster, heading out of the village towards a large stone structure in the distance. It stood proudly atop a hill, looking down at all the other houses of wood and thatch. The blue dragon felt a pang of jealous course through his body as he glared at it with narrowed eyes. He made a mental note to provide Jandar with the best treasure and goods he could find. It may not make up completely for what he had done to the mortal, but it would certainly help. The dragon grinned to himself as he pictured that elven lord gasping at how nice of a nest that his mortal had.


    The blue dragon passed over the viridian fields that stretched for miles beneath his wings, the rolling hills raising up and down as if they were frozen waves of the sea. He breathed in the scent of growing pine, and shivered with realization he was nearing the forest. Sure enough one such hill gave way to a large body of multicolored leaves. He smiled at all the bright crimsons, golds, and oranges that painted every branch. Not like the forest of despair at all...That is green all the time. He tilted his wings and stared his descent towards the treetops. His eyes scanned  looking for the flowing river that could possibly contain his son. He circled the blanket of trees, looking past every gnarled wooden branch, every worn trunk. His eyes would briefly stare at lone trees, an odd shaped rock, or even some deer standing tall and still. Each time he had so the dragon had grumbled to himself, letting out a snort of irritation. For each time that he had done so, his heart would race a bit faster as his breaths had grown short. He had felt his veins grow warm with worry about seeing that little blue snouted mortal.


    Ramakox circled the forest several times looking for that winding thing, until on his third pass he spied out of the corner of his eye the running water, a ray of light glimmering off the surface. He turned to head towards the river, a blue thread lost within a vast sheet of green. He silently kicked himself as he descended towards the rushing water that had eluded him so. It was just another thing that he would never tell a soul about. The last thing he needed was people going on and on about the Swirling Storm who could miss the most obvious things right in front of his scaled snout. He just destroys his son''s life is all. His mind reminded him with a snarl, casting a shadow once more over his mind as he neared the forest below.


    He passed through the canopy, his great armor breaking branches and pieces of growth not strong enough to stand up to the dragon''s scales. He shrugged off the minor annoyance as he settled down onto the soft surface with his paw pads. He resettled his wings against his back as his eyes went to the babbling body of water. He took a deep breath, finding the smell of damp earth, fallen leaves, and old stone. The earthy smell calming his racing heart somewhat as he worked out a kink from his serpentine neck. He flicked his tail as he swung his head around, his keen eyes looking out for any sign of movement. He saw several multicolored birds dart out around his head, seemingly unconcerned what the large dragon was going in their midst. He snorted once, a loud thing that send the flock of feathery things scattering in all directions as he tried to lock onto his mortal''s scent.


    He closed his eyes, lowering his snout and flaring his nostrils as he did so. The idea he might look like one of those hounds briefly entered his mind before he cast it out with a grumble. That image of course was not fitting of a dragon. With his next breath his scales clinked and he grumbled as he tried to pull apart the plethora of strong smells that lingered in this part of the forest, they bombarded his senses and caused the dragon to wrinkle his snout at the overload. However with all those smells there was only one that caught his interest. The smell was ever so faint, just a small pebble in a vast quarry of rock. It smelled like the air before a rainstorm, making the blue dragon shiver, and anxiety rise in his chest once more.


    Jandar.


    The blue''s eyes opened wide as he took another sniff , pinpointing that smell above all others. Good...He wasn''t here that long ago. Ramakox thought to himself, bringing relief to the idea that he might miss the mortal. That his entire trip to this forest had been for nothing. It may not have been the wort thing, but it would have been certainly a few hours the dragon would never be able to get back. With a deep refreshing breath that made his scales tingle, Ramakox bounded in the direction of the smell, passing through shrubs, bushes, and other various greens with little effort. With the scent increasing he picked up the pace a little, avoiding several trunks lying down in his way. He gave a snort as the sound of crunching twigs filled his ears, reminding him of Fremra always teasing him about how the Swirling Storm had to always be loud. She had laughed at the time with a raised brow to his irritation, but nuzzling him soon after to set his troubled mind at ease.


    He passed by a den of foxes, the red and white vixen scurrying away with her small kits. The blue dragon''s next breath confirmed that he was almost atop his mortal now, his mind grasping at  at what he would say. His heart thumped in his chest like a drum, his blood starting to grow warm with each anxiety filled step. It was when he came to a section near the river that was covered in assorted multcolored stones, that he stopped.  They were all worn with age, and Jandar was among them resting on one such stone as if it were a couch to sit upon.


    The mortal was wearing his traveling robes with one of his sleeves pulled all the way up to his shoulder. He snout was transfixed on the blue scaled arm that he was currently hovering his other claw over, and wiggling his digits. With a little flash of light, the blue scales that coated his arm seemed to be wiped away as easily as cleaning a left over plate. They vanished into thin air, to leave only the olive colored skin of the human underneath. The half-dragon smiled in glee at the effect, his tail thumping behind him as little stones circled his horned head in mid air at a lazy pace.


    ¡°Hello there Jandar.¡± Ramakox spoke, struggling to bring the words as his throat started to feel tight and his cheeks warmer, almost like a raging fire were mere inches from his face.


    The mortal looked up suddenly in surprise, his eyes going wide as the blue scale suddenly came back in force, almost like flowers blooming in the spring. They quickly recovered his arm in a flash. Jandar grabbed the sleeve of his robe and rapidly pulled it down to cover the exposed limb.  ¡°Hey there Ramakox.¡± the mortal stuttered, his cheeks turning a darker shade of blue. ¡°H-How much of that did you see.¡±


    ¡°Nothing of interest of course.¡± he lied, sparing the mortal some embarrassment. After all, he was here to pour out his soul anyway. ¡°How have you been?¡± he asked softly, his mind starting to throb as he padded over to the mortal he was fond of. He took a seat beside him on his hinds, curling his scaled tail around the hard stone, and gazing down to the mortal that hung his snout and let out a long sigh.


    ¡°Truthfully?¡± Jandar sighed again, raising and dropping his shoulders as he did so. ¡°Things have been hard on both of us....How could they not be? To have ones child snatched away by the jaws of fate...It''s left everything....Colorless.¡± the half-dragon looked up to him with misted eyes and shallow breaths. ¡°E-Enough about me.¡± the man wiped his eyes with one of his sleeves. ¡°How did your time with the Emerald lady go? Don''t be shy now, leave in all the details.¡± the mortal gave a weak smile, trying to obviously feign happiness for the blue''s sake.


    The blue dragon saw through that little charade and lowered his snout to nuzzle at the once human. He pressed his scaled head into the man''s chest with a soft rumble. ¡°It was...eventful.¡± he said flatly as he felt Jandar start to caress the underside of his jaw. ¡°We...discussed a great deal.¡± he wrinkled his snout at the pained memory, of the bruises, cuts, and defeat suffered at her onyx talons. ¡°I''m...not allowed to set another claw in her forest.¡±


    ¡°That bad huh?¡± the mortal grinned, picking up a smaller rock with his claw. Jandar rolled the small thing in his palm before hurling it against a larger stone with a loud crack that made Ramakox twitch at the sound. ¡°Always figured you and her had a good thing going on..Especially since you two fucked every time we went there.¡±


    ¡°You knew about that?¡± he snapped his snout to the mortal who had crossed his arms.


    ¡°Hard to not know with how many times we visited her over the years. Young dragons are not known for their ability to hide what they smell or hear.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Ramakox snorted, flicking his tail and scattering some loose stones. He looked away from the mortal to the cool water running by as if somehow the soothing liquid could make the next few minutes easier. However before he could speak, get the burden from his chest that made it feel weak, Jandar spoke up.


    ¡°Been going through my head.¡± the mortal sighed, picking up another rock with his claw. ¡°All my years training...Adventuring...¡± Jandar tossed the stone violently with another crack when it struck the hard surface. ¡°All my mastery of magic...and I could do nothing while I watched my child suddenly go lifeless...The spark in her eyes fade away into nothing..¡± Jandar clutched his claws into a fist, punching the stone with a pain filled snarl. ¡°If only....I had been better....Stronger...Thought about it more...Tried anything...Maybe she wouldn''t...Wouldn''t..¡±


    Ramakox silenced the once human by nuzzling at his chest once more, letting out a soft rumble to the man that was practically on the verge of sobbing. The blue dragon felt tears splatter against the top of his snout as Jandar clutched him tightly in a hug with both of his arms. The blue dragon snorted a plume of air onto the man''s chest, just like he had done to him when he was but a child crying after losing his parents in the caravan.


    ¡°It was not your fault.¡± Ramakox found the words, as he wrapped his limbs around the quivering mortal. ¡°That lies with me....and me alone....So don''t dare you belittle yourself in front of me...So point your despair and hurt feelings towards my scales and my deeds.¡± The dragon gulped down the knot in his throat as he let out a grumble, trying to pull out the words. ¡°For...For it was the ritual that I had preformed all these years ago that led to this outcome...That is why you have suffered.¡± The dragon felt his heart start to stretch as his eyes misted over the thoughts of the playful hatchling that had brought him such warmth.


    ¡°That is why your daughter is dead...So blame me..¡± Ramakox sniffed, tears starting to bubble up then cascade down his pebbly cheeks.


    ¡°I..have known.¡± replied Jandar softly, running a claw over the blue''s nose.


    ¡°What?¡± Ramakox gasped, raising a brow. ¡°For how long?¡±


    ¡°I figured it out the  day after you left.¡± the man patted to his blue head three times with a single digit at his temple. ¡°I''m not stupid Ramakox...I know when you''re worried, or lying...and well..it''s not that hard to figure out.¡± the man sighed, hanging his head. ¡°Everything always goes back to the single day.¡±


    Ramakox found himself without words for this moment as he kneaded the ground with his claws. Of course Jandar was no idiot, or some simpleton without a brain for critical thought. It had just never occurred to the blue scaled dragon that this man would place everything together. ¡°T-than you know how sorry I am for that day.¡± Ramakox looked away, his heart racing as he felt his cheeks grow warm. ¡°And how I wish I could take it back...I never thought...that it would have caused what transpired to happen....From the bottom of my heart Jandar...I''m sorry...Even if it takes the rest of my life to make it up to you....I shall find a way.¡± Ramakox traced a talon in the earth, forming a shallow line as he unwound his soul. He could feel the guilt come pouring out of him like a burst damn.


    ¡°I will spend everyday searching for a spell, a ritual, some ancient ruin....I will even go on a god''s damned adventure If I have to.¡± his eyes misted as he turned back to the mortal with a low grumble in the back of his throat.  His emotions froze as the mortal he cared for did not say a word, and simple raised a scaled arm to gently caress the blue dragon''s snout. The man traced the scales back and forth with a smile coming his face.


    ¡°Ramakox..That.....I never doubted your affection for me...Never for a moment.¡± The half-dragon journeyed his claws underneath the blue dragon''s head. ¡°But you should not have all the guilt placed on you for that day.¡± Jandar said softly, his own eyes starting to grow red as tears once more started to well up in those silver spheres. ¡°I would be easy to blame you for that lie, to hate you with a passion, or place all the misfortunes on my life upon you...But I can''t.¡± the mortal patted Ramakox''s scales gently and pulled the dragon''s snout against his chest firmly.


    ¡°But I know the truth about that day. I would have accepted it even if you had told me there was great risk involved...Storm..You have given me so much...so much good has happened from selfish decision you claim to have made.¡± Tears ran down Janda''rs cheek to drop onto the blue dragon''s scales as Ramakox nuzzled the man with a soft rumble. ¡°We....We can work on solving the problem in the future...But I don''t blame you horned head...I care too much about you to hate you...Even if something happened like that.¡±


    Ramakox said nothing, utterly shocked. He could not believe the words that were flowing from the mortal''s  mouth like a river. He could feel all the guilt, the ice, and every terrible thought that had been lurking within his head be cast away with simple words and claw movements. Never in his dreams did he think Jandar would have forgiven him so easily. ¡°Jandar...¡± the dragon said with a quivering voice that lacked the strength it usually did. ¡°You..ever surprise me..Even now..¡± The first crystalline tear tolled down the dragon''s cheek, soon followed by many others as he picked up his mortal, stood onto his hinds and pulled him tightly against his chest in an affectionate hug. ¡°Thank you for being so kind...understandable...and truly unbelievable. You are just like the story of Cryphel the kind.¡±


    ¡°You taught me right I suppose.¡± Jandar laughed, pressing himself against the navy scales with a soft chuckle. ¡°I love you Ramakox.¡±


    ¡°As do I Jandar.¡± the blue replied, his heart beating ever so fast as it felt like it was going to melt in his chest. His next breath brought tingling sensations through the rest of his body, and he was almost certain that the beating organ in his chest was going to burst. ¡°So..about that arm I clearly saw you working on..Make any progress?¡± he let go of the half-dragon, sitting back down onto his haunches as he refolded his wings against his back with his next pleased breath.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°Oh....that.¡± Jandar looked away, his cheeks turning a darker shade of blue. ¡°I was of course trying to change back to a human...And no...The most I can manage is an arm or a leg.¡± The mortals shoulders rose and fell as he let loose a  heavy sigh. ¡°But even that takes a lot of effort. I can only make it last for several minutes, and it takes almost all my focus to do even that.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± replied Ramakox with his own quick sigh. For a moment he thought that Jandar was on the verge of doing something he could not. ¡°I know we can do something about it.¡± the blue dragon finally said, fidgeting in place as he flicked his tail behind him. ¡°As I said I-¡±


    ¡°Hey stop with that already.¡± Jandar smacked him on the snout playfully with his claw, causing Ramakox to pull his head away with a surprised snort.


    ¡°Well fine then...I was only trying to stress my deepest apologi-¡±


    ¡°Ramakox.¡± the man crossed his arms, smirking up at the anxious dragon. ¡°We already covered that bit. We are most fine when it comes to that topic of conversation.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± the blue dragon grumbled, wrinkling his nose as he looked away with a snort. ¡°Just wanted to stress it is all.¡± he looked to the sky, admiring the setting sun in the distance, the orange rays spreading out to light the clouds with it''s beautiful glory, and streaming through the trees.


    ¡°Beautiful isn''t it?¡± Jandar asked softly, leaning up against the blue dragon''s scales.


    Ramakox wrapped a forelimb around the man''s chest and dragged the human closer against his armored scales with a rumble of approval. ¡°Yes...It is always a sight to behold...I was told once that it meant good things on the horizon...and should be trusted to be a sign.¡±


    ¡°I am well aware.¡± Jandar chuckled, you''ve told me all your stories a hundred times. I think I heard them all by now.¡±


    Ramakox just grumbled, and gave the once human a quick snort from his lungs. ¡°Well...You never used to complain about hearing them.¡±


    Jandar just drifted his head back and let out a loud laugh as Ramakox held him tighter against his scales. ¡°I don''t mean that Storm...But you should hear this one about our time in Rothdell.¡± Jandar ceased his laughter to look up at the blue with a smile on his snout. The half-dragon held up his limbs and started to tell a story Ramakox had not heard before. He settled his head down beside the once human and listened with an eager tapping tail. Eventually a smile worked it''s way to his snout as Jandar broke into laughter over some silly antic his dwarven friend got into.


    ¡°You should have seen him Ramakox...All spouting ale and wobbling around.¡± Jandar clutched his sides as he let out another loud laugh. ¡°Had to fight off the woman he pissed off too..They were going to beat him half to death with frying pans!¡±


    Ramakox chuckled, tapping his tail as his mind wandered back to that elven man back in the village. ¡°So...tell me about this lord Aster.¡± he asked, after the mortal''s laughter had ceased but to small little chuckles. Ramakox thought to that proud looking man''s lack of concern at suddenly seeing two large dragons before him. ¡°I''d like you of course to have a better nest then that pointed eared man...When we get back we will get the best painters..the best carpenters!¡± Ramakox held up his head and announced loudly. ¡°We will make sure you have the best nest.¡±


    ¡°We are probably going to leave and head back to adventuring.¡± Jandar laughed weakly, cutting the announcements short. ¡°Without the child on the way...We talked about it..Besides..I don''t think I could stand it happening again.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± stated Ramakox flatly, all his sudden plans for the greatest human house ever, going up in smoke with that simple sentence. ¡°You don''t have to spread my name you know. You don''t have to...You could come live near me...If you..want of course.¡± The blue dragon looked away from his mortal once more, his wings starting to feel warm.


    ¡°I know storm.¡± Jandar patted his forelimb gently. ¡°I still want to do it though...And I have always loved adventuring in my heart..It''s what we want to do...But...thanks...Maybe when I am older and cannot adventure I will live by you. Build a house that is carved right into your cave!¡±


    Ramakox''s snout wrinkled at the thought. He had never thought about Jandar growing older. Silly to be sure, but it had never truthfully occurred to the blue dragon. He always figured he would be running around and greeting him with stories and smiles. The realization that this would not be the case sent a bolt of ice through his heart. He shook his head from the dreadful thought and pulled his son closer against his scales. ¡°But that day is far off..You have many...many years to travel and grace this earth before that fateful day approaches.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± the once human smiled, casting the dragon''s dark thought away in an instant. ¡°Never dreamed of doing it early mind you...Always something new to see, something to learn. Mark my words, Jandar the traveling mage still has lots to learn and do in his life time.¡±


    ¡°Indeed.¡± rumbled Ramakox in the back of his thought, sounding like tumbling stones as Jandar pressed against his scales and nuzzled him affectionately. ¡°Now do go on about this Aster, if only to take our minds off of such miserable thoughts of your eventual death. Lets not be like Goyzat the depressed or Ietu the mournful.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, how could I forget the hatchling stories about the dragon''s whose depression and despair were so great it literally killed them in their sleep.¡± the half-dragon laughed. ¡°Well that bastard came back not too long after you left with Fremra. Came in all loudly, making proclamations and such. He said he was off with this border skirmish with Lumara for the last year of so. Get this thought Storm.¡± Jandar poked the blue''s forelimb with a talon. ¡°The first thing he does when he meets me is give this death glare, like I had just taken a shat in his lap or something. Always seemed to question me after that when I was around. He went on and on about my adventures...¡± Jandar poked his blue scales, ¡°My scales, and the blue dragon that I got them from. Besides those things though? He has not been a cruel man in the slightest.¡± Jandar let out a little sigh from his snout.


    ¡°He seems nice enough, he even got more guards for the village, single handedly dealt with some orc raiders that hit a caravan of ours as well. I''d have done it of course, but the bastard went out and took care of it on his bloody own. Shoulda seen his smug face like it was the most biggest thing he had ever done in his lifetime.  Despite that however he always is around the shop, continuing his questioning...It is rather....annoying at times.¡±


    ¡°Well worry not, for you will not have to put up with him much longer!¡± the blue dragon smiled cheerfully and tossing his head up with his next soothing breath. ¡°You will be out there again, exploring, adventuring, and with all the good cheer of your friends to keep you company....Plus...he sounds like an arse.¡±


    ¡°Aye.¡± Jandar laughed, pulling the dragon''s forelimb from himself. ¡°Best we get back to the village eh?¡± The mortal patted a series of pouches that were attached to his belt with a smirk. The things looked close to bursting with little leaves of green sticking out of the top edges.


    ¡°How did you get out here?¡± The dragon stood to all fours, shaking his body with soft clinks. ¡°Do you need a lift back to the village?¡± Ramakox raised a brow as he gestured to one partially outstretched wing. Part of him wanted to bring his son back into the air, let them fly together again and experience the joy of flight. ¡°I would be delighted to carry you into the sky...be your wings.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like truly a breathtaking offer Storm.¡± the mortal gestured behind him with a thumb. ¡°Got myself a horse tied up not too far from here naturally. Probably should not leave ole starlight out here on her lonesome.¡±


    ¡°Probably not.¡± Ramakox snorted in disappointment.


    ¡°Don''t worry.¡± the mortal smiled, placing a claw on his shoulder. ¡°We can do that later...Or tomorrow when the sun rises....I rather miss flying on the back of a dragon.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± the blue dragon asked, his spirits lifting higher as the excitement rose in his chest like the tide. ''That can certainly be arranged, no son of mine shall forget the joys of flight!¡± Ramakox nuzzled the laughing once human with a snort of warm air.


    ¡°Then I look forward to that!¡± the man swelled his chest out proudly. ¡°I can''t wait!¡±


    Ramakox tore his sight from the beaming half-dragon to look towards the sky, the urge to bound up into it''s embrace and wish his mortal farewell a strong one. He would most likely promise to meet the man back at his village before carrying himself up to the heavens above. Ramakox drummed his talons in the dirt, fighting that urge and instead turning back towards the mortal. ¡°I think flying can wait for now.¡± He trotted over to Jandar with a bounce in his step as the mortal led them towards a tied up bay horse. ¡°I think I shall walk back with you to Holbeck.


    ¡°I''m fine...really.¡± the man smiled, hopping onto the horse''s back after untying the beast from the sturdy trunk of an oak tree.


    ¡°Oh that I am certain of.¡± replied the dragon with a proud, chest filling breath. ¡°I wish to catch up with you further of course, and keep you company...And..¡± Ramakox lowered his head and nuzzled the mortal''s chest once more. ¡°Be there for you like I should have been on that night.¡±


    ¡°Then I shall have you dragon.¡± Jandar caressing under the dragon''s chin gently,  his words just as such. ¡°But if you fall behind..I will leave you to pout.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn''t dare.¡± Ramakox gasped, playing along with this little performance that made his heart tingle and warm.


    ¡°Ah but of course I would dragon!¡± Jandar pointed a claw towards his snout with a quick wink. ¡°So don''t go on testing me now. Or you shall find yourself left.¡±


    The blue dragon let out a soft chuckle, ¡°I won''t be letting you get too far ahead human.¡± he narrowed his eyes and gave Jandar a quick lick across his snout before returning his head to it''s lofty position over the half-dragon.


    ¡°Well that is certainly good news!¡± Now follow me...We have much to discuss after all!¡± the half-dragon willed his horse to quickly gallop out of the forest, over the worn path, over twisting roots jutting up from the earth, and making the trees pass around them in a blur.


    Ramakox kept  with them, each step of his claws on the ground brought rippling waves of excitement. It was not long before the trees of the forest eventually gave way to the long grass of the rolling hills, thankfully Jandar had the horse slow down, and let the blue catch his breath. Ramakox grumbled as he finally took his place beside them, as he was not quite able to catch them during the gallop. He grumbled slightly at that fact, for he was made for flying and not sprinting like the horses were. With a snort he knew if it were his wings carrying him against that horse, he would have caught them no problem.


    They trotted across the fields, sharing a story about crazy people and events that had graced the pair over the years. Ramakox told the one about a traveling circus of wolven, who had adorned themselves in all white makeup and multiple colors. Jandar had rebuttled with one involving about a bunch of elves with spiky hair that seemed to be reaching for the heavens. The blue dragon had not known why Jandar was chuckling in laughter at the story, but he humored the man and laughed right along side of him. They were just striding over the crest of another ridge when the sing song voice of Fremra drew his attention.


    ¡°There you two are.¡± The teal dragon circled them with a glide, before back-winging and kicking up a gust. ¡°I was wondering where you two had gone.¡±


    ¡°Whats the matter?¡± Jandar tilted his head to the side, controlling his horse to a stop.


    ¡°Figured you would be back by now is all.¡± the teal''s snout wrinkled as she slunk over to nuzzle the blue dragon, running her head just below his chin with a pleased rumble.  It caused Ramakox to close his eyes and return her affectionate display with a quick nuzzle of his own.


    ¡°Decided to walk is all.¡± he sighed in content, another rumble building up in his chest as the delightful dragoness continued to rub her scales against his own. ¡°See, Jandar brought one of those horse creatures...I was simply escorting them back to his house safely.¡±


    ¡°So things went well then?¡± the teal swirled her head to look at the half-dragon with a casual flick of her tail over the grass. ¡°Or did Ramakox not tell you all of the information that he had meant to?¡±


    ¡°Oh he told me alright.¡± Jandar patted the worn leather saddle of his horse with a slight smile. ¡°Everything is fine between us, no need to worry your teal snout about it.....What brings you out here anyway? Can''t have just been to find us..You can''t have been that worried.¡± the half-dragon crossed his arms with a smug grin, looking up to the dragoness with pride. ¡°For you know that I, Jandar the traveling mage...and Ramakox the Swirling Storm, can probably handle any trouble that happens to knock upon our door step.¡±


    Ramakox nodded with a snort in agreement of such a true statement. He looked to Fremra with a grin as she rolled her eyes with fluttering head frills.


    ¡°Of course not. It was the dear Imzel that did not have the food that I was interested in.¡± the dragoness sat down onto her haunches to start licking at her claws tenderly, tracing the fine scales with firm licks of her pink tongue.


    ¡°So you wanted a deer, or elk, or maybe a moose-bear?¡± The blue dragon chuckled as Fremra briefly looked up from her ministrations to raise a brow at him.


    The teal dragoness looked away, tapping her tail on the ground as a breeze washed over them and made the grass come alive for the moment. ¡°So what if I did?¡± she raised the other claw of hers, and got right back to her diligent work with her slippery eel, causing Jandar to let out a hearty laugh.


    ¡°Ah it is good to see you again Fremra...I had almost forgotten how funny and odd you could be at times.¡± Jandar brought starlight right up to the dragoness with a flick of the horses tail. The mortal swiftly reached out with his limbs and trapped the teal''s snout in his embrace,. ¡°I missed you Fremra.¡± He smiled, leading his claw onto the dragoness'' snout, causing her to release a pleased trill. One that was so infectious that Ramakox himself found himself smiling as she nuzzled the  once human.


    ¡°I missed you too little Jandar! It is always a treat to catch up with my favorite mortal.¡±


    ¡°Favorite mortal my tail. I heard you refer to him as your son in the forest. You shouted it right to the Emerald Lady.¡± Ramakox smirked, offering the mortal a grin.


    ¡°That''s so sweet!¡±the half-dragon seemed to squeeze against the teal''s snout harder, but she did not seem to mind as she gently closed her eyes and snorted into his chest.


    ¡°Did you not already know this? My little gift from bahamut.¡± the dragoness let out a throaty purr as she continued to rub her head against him with the affection a mother might for her own hatchlings. She let out a soft trill as the half-dragon started to caress her soft membranes with his claws.


    ¡°So did you end up satisfying your hunger?¡± Ramakox asked, rubbing his scales up against hers with a pleased sigh. He closed his eyes briefly, shivering at her delightful touch as she purred and pushed back against him.


    ¡°Do you think I could not catch a mere prey animal?¡± Fremra pulled her head away from the diligent mortal to flash the blue dragon a tooth filled grin with a raised brow.  She smirked as she snapped her jaw together with a dull clack, and rumbling in her throat.


    Ramamox was reminded of her time catching the stag with the very earth that she could bend. How the grass had quickly snagged the creature and brought it down with hardly any effort from the playfull ness. ¡°I don''t doubt your hunting ability my Sea Lilly.¡± he said proudly, giving her another pleasing nuzzle as he sighed. ¡°Was just wondering if you had a good hunt is all.¡±


    ¡°Wonderful as always.¡± she glanced back to the mortal, her frills twitching as smile came to her snout. ¡°I will spare the mortal here the gruesome details, but the beast tasted delightful. I will honestly consider picking them if I was ever given the choice again.


    ¡°The moose bears?¡± The blue dragon asked, the odd twisted animal coming to mind as he glanced out to the rolling hills.


    ¡°If that is what you call the weird creature that looks like someone stiched them together...Then yes....That beast was..¡± Fremra threw her head back with an exaggerated groan. ¡°DELICIOUS.¡±


    Jandar just sat there with his arms crossed, laughing to himself at the teal''s display. ¡°By the gods Fremra...I thought you were going to have an orgasm there talking about eating the damn thing.¡±


    Fremra threw her wings wide and lashed her tail as she cackled into the air to join the human in his laughter. She settled down soon after, refolding her wings and her cackling turning into the occasional chuckle from the side of her snout. ¡°I guess we should be getting back now.¡± the dragoness sighed, glancing over her shoulder towards the direction of the village. ¡°That human mate of yours will be wanting to see us all back of course.¡±


    ¡°And she will have food!¡± Ramakox replied, grabbing hold of his stomach. In all the commotion of finding Jandar he had not eaten at all. The dragon narrowed his eyes at the scaled portion of his chest as it gurgled into the air.


    ¡°And there is that.¡± Fremra laughed, spreading her wings wide before them. ¡°She seemed rather eager to have us around.¡± She turned round till she was facing the village with a heavy sigh.


    ¡°Well what are we waiting for?¡± Jandar shouted, spurring his horse to start galloping as he yelled out a ¡°Hiyah!¡±. The big bay beast shot from the pair of dragons like a loosed arrow from a bow. ¡°I bet we can get there first!¡± The mortal called over his shoulder with a grin.


    ¡°Oh, like you''re going to beat me!¡± Fremra bounded into the sky with a great flap of her wings and a loud cackle from her maw. ¡°Come on grumpy!¡± she arched her head round to shout to the blue dragon in glee. ¡°We can''t let that little blue arse of yours beat us...Especially you!¡±


    Ramakox wrinkled his snout, drumming his claws for a moment on the earth before spreading his wings wide. He felt a rumble in his chest as he readied to pounce into the air, his breaths filling with excitement as he pictured catching that mortal he cared for. ¡°Very well!¡± he shouted back to the teal, carrying himself into the air with his next breath. He let loose a roar into the air as he felt like a dragon of years younger. He glanced out to the teal and the horse that was steadily traveling through the tall grass, parting it like a knife through flesh. Ramakox angled his wings and shot towards the pair that already had a large gain on him, letting out another roar of delight as Fremra let out her own joyous one into the heavens.


    To any other viewer it might be terrifying to see that two huge dragons were pursing a lone man on horseback. They would probably think that this half-dragon was going to end up in one of his pursuers stomachs at the chases end. The one on the horse might even be nearly pissing themselves in fright at the prospect, however Jandar was not one of those mortals. The half-dragon turned round to stick his tongue out at the pursuing dragons, and quickly smacked his ass several times in a taunting gesture.


    ¡°Oh that''s it!¡± Ramakox roared with a smile as the competitive spirit sunk into his bones and wormed it''s way to his muscles and made him beat his wings ever faster against the air. How could he let his mortal get away with a display like that? The answer was obvious to the dragon as he soared after that man and his horse. He was not going to let him. The wind battered against his snout as Ramakox pounded his wings against the sky in pursuit of that teasing mortal. His breaths came quick as his limbs tingled with excitement with each forceful flap and beat of his heart. He heard Fremra let out her own challenge when he passed her, pushing the blue to go faster than before lest she try to outdo him.


    Jandar passed over the hill, a look of pure joy on his snout as Ramakox passed that same spot moments later, each beating of his wings earning him some ground towards that quick galloping horse. It was hard to believe that mere hours ago  the blue dragon''s heart had been filled with nothing but guilt and dread at what was going to come from his conversation with the mortal, but here he was now playfully chasing that horse with excited breaths and a warm chest. It made him let out another joyous roar, dwarfing the others in it''s volume and length, as the village came into view as they drifted over another hill. The small collection of brown squares seemingly springing forth from the sea of darkened green.


    ¡°You''re so slow today!¡± Jandar called back with a smug grin that made Ramakox snort at the display. ¡°Have you forgotten how to fly Ramakox?¡± the man whipped his reins, causing the already fast horse to somehow pick it''s speed up again.


    ¡°You wish that was the case Jandar!¡± The blue dragon shouted in return, he pounded harder and harder against the sky, his determination carrying him towards the mortal and despite the horse''s new speed, the blue dragon found himself gaining on them with each breath that filled his lungs. ¡°I shall have you in my claws in no time human!¡± Ramakox angled his wings and started his descent towards the teasing mortal, outstretching his claws as he closed the distance ever quickly. The thought amused him that he might look like the beasts of old described in the mortal''s stories. Like he was hunting after some farmers sheep, and he was going to pluck this one from the very earth and carry it to his lair to devour. He was almost on top of the mortal now, it would not be long until he was the victor, and that thought made him warm and brought a grin to his snout.


    ¡°Too slow!¡± Fremra cackles, sailing past him with a grin, her tail sliding right below his chin.


    ¡°No!¡± Ramakox growled playfully in his throat as he tried to deny the teal her advantage, but it was no use. He tried to flap his wings harder, but no more speed came. It appeared as though he had reached his limit. So it was that he was forced to watch with a wrinkled snout and burning lungs as Fremra brushed the back of Jandar''s head with a soft lick of her tongue.


    ¡°Got you, you slippery mortal!¡± she exclaimed with a pleased trill,causing Jandar to let up on the reins and bring the horse down to a casual trot. He let out a loud laugh as the blue dragon spread his wings and circled him with gasping breaths.


    ¡°Well it looks as though I cannot catch a galloping horse.¡± Ramakox grumbled with another gasp, the air bringing minor comfort to his now aching lungs.


    ¡°Don''t feel bad Storm!¡± The man called up to him with a laugh, petting starlight''s neck. ¡°Made sure she was one of the fasted horses out there...Would take an awfully quick dragon to catch this little spitfire.¡± The man gestured to Fremra, who had landed beside the pair with a flicking of her tail. ¡°Quite the speed flier you have become.¡±


    Fremra refolded her wings against her back, throwing her head into the air as she let out a pleased warble, thumping her tail onto the ground. ¡°Why thank you...You say the most pleasing things.¡± She purred, lowering her snout towards the mortal with a smile. ¡°You might even turn my wings a bright shade of orange if you keep it up.¡±


    ¡°Yes..yes.yes..You can cease your bragging.¡± The blue dragon landed, resettled his wings with a snort and strolled over towards the pair. The interaction between the mortal and teal dragoness had once more devolved into affectionate licks across his snout. ¡°Keep that up Fremra and other''s might think you have developed an affection for the man.¡±


    ¡°Oh shush your snout.¡± Fremra laughed, perking her head up and swiping her lips with a single motion of her tongue. ¡°You''re just jealous.¡± She turned back to the mortal, closing her eyes and pressing her snout into his chest. ¡°Isn''t that right Jandar? He''s just being all grumpy like he typically is.¡±


    Ramakox tore his view from the pair and towards the village they were heading towards. His eyes scanned the collection of differently sized buildings of wood and thatch, catching several glows of torches in the distance, bringing their warm glow to an almost now dark countryside. He looked up into the sky, the stars slowly beginning to blossom in the black tapestry, and spread their light out from the void. He sighed as he settled down onto his hinds, glad that he had told Jandar everything. He knew as he kneaded the soft ground with his claws, that the souls of dead dragons might look better on him.


    ¡°You okay my radiant sapphire?¡± Fremra asked as she and Jandar took positions beside him. Fremra offering him an affectionate nuzzle, while Jandar rubbed and patted his scales on the other side.


    ¡°I''m most fine you two.¡± he rumbled slightly, gesturing to the stars above with a wing talon. ¡°Just thinking of long lost dragons, and what they would think of me right now. It...has been on my mind these last few weeks as certain things came to light.¡±


    ¡°They would look kindly I imagine.¡± Jandar replied without pausing for a moment, the words practically shooting from his mouth the instant Ramakox had stopped.  The statement made Ramakox grow warm, almost made him let loose a trill, but the blue dragon managed to resist and instead tap his tail with a smile.


    ¡°That...is most kind of you.¡±


    ¡°He is right you know.¡± Fremra coo''d, leaning up against him softly. ¡°You''re not bad all the time. It is why I love you my radiant Sapphire. You are not above admitting your failings and trying to make up for them...There are plenty of stories were dragons do not do this.¡±


    Ramakox could not resist nuzzling his ness back , his claws kneading the ground once more as his tail tapped in delight, as her touch brought his heart such warmth that it made him wiggle his tail in happiness.


    ¡°Come on you two love dragons¡± Jandar laughed, willing the horse to pass by them. He gestured towards the village with a wave, clearly for the two dragons to follow behind him as his horse trotted off towards the collection of buildings.


    The blue dragon gave Fremra one last nudge, then bounded into the air, a grin on his snout as he chased after the mortal once more with an excited breath filling his lungs.


    *


    They reached the village rather quickly after that, the fields eventually turning into the houses that had looked so small against the rest of the vast countryside. Ramakox briefly mused how it was that mortals had taken dominance in this world when they seemed so small at times...So insignificant in the grand scheme of things, Jandar himself would only last a brief flash in his own life. Ramakox shook his head as he started to descend towards the houses, reminding himself to not think about such things and enjoy the time he had with the man. When his paw pads touched the soft ground his mind was only on the earth beneath his paws, Fremra when she landed beside him without a sound, and Jandar when he pulled his horse up and dismounted with a hearty laugh.


    ¡°Mmmmm. I cannot wait to try her spirits now that my radiant sapphire has opened up his heart. I can now drink with a clear conscious.¡± Fremra coo''d, her sing song voice practically bouncing in the air.


    ¡°You didn''t drink?¡± he asked, licking her snout with a pleased rumble. When she just shot him a smile he offered her another affectionate lick, causing her to close her eyes slowly and release a soft sigh.


    ¡°Of course not.¡± she smiled, pressing against his scales with her own. ¡°I did think about it though.¡± she snorted, swishing her tail  as Jandar brought Starlight into the barn and no doubt placed the horse within her pen.


    ¡°I am proud of you...Truthfully.¡± Fremra pulled her snout away to wrap a warm wing around his scales, and pull him firmly against her.


    Ramakox gazed into her eyes, finding her purple spheres to be filled with the bright light from the stars above. The sight sending a tingling wave through his scales, and made him release a pleased rumble from his throat. ¡°I love you my Sea Lilly.¡± he smiled, parting her maw with his own as he leaned down and kissed her deeply. The blue dragon gave a pleased snort as she kissed him back passionately, letting loose a muffled moan as she intertwined her tongue with his. He shivered as she grabbed hold of him with her claws,and tried to force his tongue back into his own maw. Ramakox thumped his tail as he struggled to hold off her tongue assault with each passing second.


    ¡°Okay, enough you two. Or do I perchance have to get a bucket of cold water and toss it upon you?¡± Jandar returned with a grin, his claws resting on his waist, his tail wagged back and forth.


    The blue dragon broke his lust increasing kiss with a gentle groan, ignoring his mortals stares as he locked eyes with the dragoness he loved, and everything else faded away save her.  ¡°I suppose we can''t be here all night with our maws locked.¡± he chuckled deep in his throat at the idea. It made his scales tremble as the delightful image sprung to his mind.


    ¡°I suppose not.¡± Fremra smiled, gesturing to him with a quick nose to his chest, and giving the scales a warm snort. It made Ramakox raise his head, look away, and pretend to not enjoy the pleasing sensation. ¡°Besides...I don''t think Jandar wants a lesson on dragon mating rituals...And I am not really fond of them listening in when I really get into it.¡± She flashed him a tooth grin with a lustful growl.


    ¡°How could I forget?¡± he chuckled deeply, nuzzling her as the lustful images of the numerous times that had mated filled his mind. With a quick snort it took everything he had to not rise from his sheath  as Fremra''s pleased moans filled his thoughts with their lewdness.


    ¡°Don''t test me.¡± Jandar thrust a claw towards Ramakox''s chest, and adjusted it to point at Fremra with a grin. ¡°I will get that bucket of cold water...I can even douse you both with a  rainstorm if you are feeling really in the mood.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes.¡± Fremra chuckled, placing a paw to her chest as he frills fluttered on either side of her head. ¡°Getting me all wet will really teach me a lesson wont it? I dare say it will solve the problem very quickly.¡± she winked to the blue dragon with a flick of her tail as Jandar let out a loud groan and placed his snout into his claws.


    ¡°You know what I meant.¡± the once human moaned as the dragoness just chuckled away at his display.


    Ramakox passed them both as they started on about teasing and what not. The blue dragon would have paid attention if it were not for his growing hunger that rippled through him, and causing him to wince. His mouth began to salivate as he pictured Imzel''s cooking gracing his tongue like it had done so many times in these past few months. He licked his lips as he placed one claw in front of the other, the taste of turkey  and roasted red boar already on the tip of his tongue. His stomach gave another wanting rumble that made the blue let loose a groan, already smelling the sharp scent of the red peppers that could be found within the sauces. He looked up towards the soft lights of the candles that were lighting the house with a warm glow.


    The blue dragon felt a single strand of spit slip free from the side of his snout, forcing the dragon to slurp it up in a rather undignified way. He cleaned his snout with the upper side of his foreclaw. ¡°Ooooo...I cannot wait.¡± he mumbled quietly to himself as he wiggled his tail and rounded the building with his next deep breath.  The cooling sensation pulled his mind from his rumbling hunger long enough to stop himself from trotting to the mortals sturdy door, grasping the handle and ripping the the thing from it''s hinges. Once that was done he would have roared out his ever increasing need for Imzel''s mouth watering dishes that made him close his eyes and shiver as he pictured the food melting in his mouth. The delightful image almost made him release a pleased trill into the air, although he managed to stop that thought with a well placed snort and drumming of claws.


    ¡°You look positively lost in delight.¡± Fremra laughed, sliding next to him with a grin on her snout. ¡°Are you certain that you''re Ramakox and not some duplicate sent to replace him whilst I was not looking?¡±


    Ramakox rolled his eyes with an annoyed snort, as he wrinkled his snout. ¡°I get a little happy at the prospect of a delightfully cooked meal and it makes you question if I am a duplicate? You remind me of-¡±


    ¡°Bindrin the untrusting?¡± Jandar suddenly intterupted, slapping the blue dragon on the shoulder and making him narrow his eyes playfully at the mortal.


    The blue dragon gave him a quick snort that ruffled the half-dragon''s robes. ¡°Thank you Jandar.¡± he growled with a smile as the mortal shrugged it off and laughed.


    ¡°It''s your fault if I know all your stories.¡± the man proudly strode to the door with a swollen chest and a swaying tail. ¡°If you didn''t want me to finish your statements you should have not have spent all those nights and days telling me them.¡±


    ¡°Oh, a very grave mistake that I have made.¡± the blue dragon chuckled, nosing the smug human with a grin. ¡°One that I won''t be making again I assure you mortal. Just feel lucky that I am in an understanding mood this evening.¡± Ramakox rose his head high to glare down towards the mortal with a smug look. ¡°Else I''d be awfully cross with you, and you don''t  want to see this dragon cross.¡± He ended the statement with another snort that ruffled Jandar''s robes.


    ¡°I guess I will have to tell Imzel then, that the mean ought to be extra good this evening. After all it is not everyday that we have the famous and mighty Swirling Storm for supper.


    ¡°And Fremra the wondrous Sea Lilly.¡± the blue dragon purred, brushing up against the dragoness as Jandar grabbed hold of the door knob.


    ¡°Hey! I meant what I said earlier about the bucket!¡± the man laughed, ¡°I don''t want to catch you two mating out here.¡±


    ¡°Then we shall endevour to be ever so quiet.¡± Fremra laughed. ¡°So much so that we can mate and you will never know.¡±:


    ¡°And you?¡± Jandar snapped his attention to Ramakox with a raised scaly brow, causing the blue dragon to raise a claw to his puffed out scaled chest.


    ¡°Me?¡± he exclaimed with a feigned gasp. ¡°I am shocked Jandar, I am nothing but an innocent dragon....I don''t mate with..Beautiful...Attractive...And alluring females willy nilly like some sort of ravenous beast!¡±


    Fremra just giggled as she intertwined her tail with his, giving off a soft trill that made his cheeks grow warm.


    He nuzzled her with a lust filled growl. It looked like when things had settled down the crafty dragoness did want to mate. Ramakox grinned to himself, once more trying to not spring from his sheath as Jandar just shook his head with a sigh.


    ¡°I swear, both of you act like horny teenagers at times.¡± The half-dragon chuckled, turning the knob and spinning around on a heel as he threw open the door. ¡°Greetings dearest, I am back! And look what I found on my little foraging trip! I found dragons!¡± the half-dragon took a step into the silent house, no warm greeting or reply to grace their ears. ¡°Imzel?¡± Jandar asked after a moment of silence. He strode into the first section of the house, a small hallway with a painting of a tawny gryphon in flight that hung on the wall.


    The dragon took a sniff, disappointed it lacked any of the alluring mouth watering scents from his imagination. Instead he got the poignant smell of burning vellum, and wax from the candles still lit within the house.


    ¡°Imzel you can come out now!¡± the once human chuckled. ¡°I brought Ramakox and Fremra back for supper! I hope you don''t mind! Ramakox in particular seems mighty eager for whatever you''ve cooked!¡± The mortal rounded the corner towards the rest of the house, making Ramakox scowl at his inability to change his size.


    The blue dragon drummed his talons as he grumbled about it, knowing how useful it would be in times such as these. He could just change to about the size of a large dog and bound inside to inspect, sniff, and listen away. ¡°Fremra can you?¡± he turned to say, only to have the now smaller dragoness bound inside with a flash. The blue dragon barely got a glimpse of her frilled tail as she slipped right by after the half-dragon, whose voice was starting to crack as it got even louder.


    ¡°Imzel!¡± Jandar called out from inside the house, making Ramakox shift uncomfortably from side to side in concerned silence.


    His snout bolted up when he heard a loud ear piercing screech sound from inside the house. Fremra''s noise made his scales tremble as he bounded around the building, dread building in his chest with each step. He shoved his head through one of the windows, shattering the wood with little effort. He blinked his eyes as he took in the room softly lit by a lone lantern. The long shadows being cast around the room not hiding the worn books, scrolls, and quills that were strewn across the floor in a disorganized mess. Ramakox looked to the twin desks in the room, and the knocked over book case. Either Jandar was really disorganized, or something had happened in here.


    Jandar looked terrified as he stood in the doorway to the smaller room, his own eyes scanning the mess before crouching down to spread the books around. It was like the man was looking for something among the mess. While he worked, Fremra stood behind him almost like a statue, only the flicking of her tail revealed she was still moving. He face was frozen in fear as she took her next breath, staring at where Jandar was working.


    ¡°What''s the matter?¡± the blue dragon asked as Jandar tossed a book away from where he was working.  Ramakox could feel the knot in his stomach growing, as the sense of dread started to once more close in on his senses. He watched Fremra swallow, and struggle to find the words as she shifted from paw to paw.


    ¡°The smell...¡± the teal dragoness spoke, her voice lingering as her scales visibly shook. ¡°The burning vellum? I have smelled it before...It''s the calling card of the Red Hand.¡±

 Chapter 21

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 21</u>


    <u> </u>


    ¡°The Red Hand?¡± Jandar gasped, panic ever present in his voice as he placed a claw to his head, quickly scanning the room. ¡°What would they even want with us....We aren''t...¡± Jandar''s eyes caught his scaled limb and his face darkened. ¡°Oh..¡±


    Ramakox growled in the back of his throat as his own mind was trying to piece it together. The group that had struck Fremra twice in her life was here? It made his scales itch at the thought of them being watched this entire time. Could it be anyone they already knew? People just hiding for the perfect moment to strike when the dragon''s metaphorical back was turned?


    ¡°Cowards.¡± The blue dragon spat out, kneading the ground beneath his claws. He took a wiff of the arid smell, the burning vellum making his nose wrinkle in disgust. He flicked his tail and started to feel his blood start to simmer in his chest as he pictured some dark formless figure snatching Imzel away with a terrible cackle.


    ¡°We of course need to track them down...Simple as that.¡± Ramakox said with his next breath, keeping his rising anger and worry in check as he focused on the task at hand. ¡°We were not gone for that long, they could not have gone too far...and I bet they had even less time to cover their tracks if they did so.¡± He snorted, looking up to the mortal who had crossed his arms and was simply staring at the books and tapping his tail against the wood in silent contemplation.  ¡°So take heart Jandar...We will find where they have taken her.¡± Ramakox glanced to Fremra, who had her snout raised in the air, taking long deep breaths of the air. Her frills twitched on either side of her head as a small ripple traveled down the membranes of her wings, causing the teal to wiggle her tail.


    ¡°Got them.¡± she said flatly, missing the usual joyous tone in her voice. She bounded from that room, her claws ripping little lines into the wood as she briefly glanced to Jandar. ¡°Come on!Their scent goes outside! Least a dozen of them!¡±


    Jandar nodded, and bolted after the dragoness  grabbing a pack off the far wall hung by a dark iron hook. His tail vanished around the corner as Ramakox pulled his head out of the window, shaking any loose debris that might still be covering his scales in a fine powder. He took a deep breath of the night air as he trotted around the building to stand before  his son''s house.


    Fremra came barreling out the front door, her eyes narrowed as she seemed to be following an invisible line straight from the entryway and out to the main path of the village. She came to a sudden stop, resettling her wings against her back as she dropped her snout to the ground and gave a few deep sniffs as her wing membranes started to glow faintly in the night air, painting the ground in soft light as the dragoness worked.


    Ramakox also lowered his own head, nostrils flaring as he took in the night air. He shrugged and figured that two noses were better then one anyway. His scales shivered as he smelled the strong scent that could only belong to the dire wolf, the thick musky smell lingering in the air and making him wrinkle his snout. With the scent of wolf also brought a faint pleasing smell of lilacs. With that he also smelled the damp earth, the dry grass, and the various other animals that may have crossed this way throughout the day. Through these myriad of smells trying to sift through them for the burning vellum was quite the task. He sniffed for several more times, irritatingly not getting any closer to finding what he sought. It was possible  that they had only used that smell inside, keeping it hidden until that moment. The blue dragon thumped his tail in annoyance as he glanced up at the collection of mortal living places, all quiet and dark. None of them expecting something like this to happen. He looked left, and then right in an attempt to see if anyone was around and could have at least seen anything that had transpired.


    To the blue dragon''s growing disappointment, he found not a single soul that could fit that description. It was as if this entire part of the village was empty, not even a stray cat or guard to catch his eye. The dragon simply stood there, staring at the dead like village before him, with only the sounds of his breathing and the frantic movements of the others.


    ¡°They could be using magic to hide their tacks, scent, and various other things.¡± Jandar growled, his voice taught as he strolled over to stand beside the blue dragon. ¡°I can see you trying to pick it apart....You''re not that hard to read.¡±


    ¡°Can you use magic to locate her?¡± Ramakox asked, grasping at the first thought that came to his mind. It was an ability after all that he lacked.


    ¡°That...if you can believe it...Is not one of the spells that I have learned over the years..¡± The mortal wrinkled his snout as he looked to the horizon. ¡°Never needed it until this moment.¡±


    Where could they have spirited her away to? The blue dragon asked himself as he tore his gaze way from Jandar and out to the rolling hills. He caught Fremra in the corner of his vision passing by him, changing back to her original size with each claw step that she took on the darkened path.


    The teal dragoness continued to sniff upon the earth, her tail wagging back and forth as she seemed determined to not give up.


    ¡°Fremra.¡± He sighed, turning to her with a hung head. ¡°You won''t be able to smell them if they are hiding themselves with magic. You....will need magic to cast their spell away.¡± He sighed again, expecting the teal to look up, understand his words and sigh, or possibly start yelling at him. He did not expect for her to look away from him and keep sniffing.


    ¡°Shush your snout.¡± she replied quickly, returning her attention to the worn dirt. She suddenly stopped after a minute sniffing about. Her frills twitched as she rose her head into the air. ¡°When it comes to the hand and I.¡± She said, her lips curling into a snarl. ¡°I have always had the knack for tracking them down.¡± She finished the statement with a harsh thrust of a wingtip towards the road leading out of town as she stood proudly before them with her chest swelled out. ¡°They fled that way to wherever their vile den may be.¡± she spat, unfurling her wings with a hiss. ¡°I am through with them taking from me time and time again...Tonight...They all die.¡±


    It was hard to not agree with her after hearing her explain her own experience with this radical group of mortals. He hated the idea of simply going into a place to murder everyone they saw, but if she was right about them...It was not like they would want to talk anyway.


    Jandar was last to utter his agreement, his words course and underlined with fury. He without another word climbed onto Ramakox''s back, the dragon''s bones already yearning to take the fight to those zealots that dared to snatch the half-dragon''s wife.


    Ramakox kneaded his claws, the scales under them starting to itch as he desired to meet out any  justice that needed to be dealt. ¡°Lead the way.¡± he said, taking his place next to the teal dragoness who was standing perfectly still, her eyes filled with murderous intent as he looked to see that all her muscles were tensed. Like she was a coiled spring and was ready to leap.


    ¡°Come on..Every second we waste is another one they could be killing her.¡± Fremra hissed loudly, bounding into the air with a thunderous flap of her wings.


    Ramakox followed in her wake, his breaths coming quicker as his heart started to pick up it''s pace. He felt it thump powerfully against his chest like a drum, each beat wanting it to crack from his ribs and spring forth into the night. He focused on the teal dragoness'' tail that was swishing back and forth as she glided close to the ground. It was like she was being guided by an invisible trail out of the village and into the hills. He tore his eyes away from her after the first few minutes of flight, her form a nice distraction from the dread slowly brewing in the back of his mind. He instead traded the view of the dragoness for one of the vast moon that lit the countryside  below, bathing everything in a soft white light that was casting long shadows on the ground.


    *


    The dragons continued to glide above the road that rose and fell with each hilltop that their wings carried them over. The grass and any dirt that was loose being tossed around each time they beat their mighty wings against the air. Ramakox''s heart had not ceased it''s steady beat, the thing still pounding as his mind knew they were drawing closer to their destination. He glanced up to Jandar, whom was holding onto his neck tightly with his claws. The mortal seemed to be muttering something under his breath that sounded like.


    ¡°Please be safe...Please be safe.¡± The mortal repeated over and over as Ramakox looked away with a snort and heavy heart.


    The blue dragon snorted as his gut twisted the image of Imzel being dragged away from her home. He knew with each beat of his heart that this was partially his fault as well, for he had known this group had existed and took no precaution to guard himself or those he cared about.  He narrowed his eyes as a flame seemed to ignite in his chest, warming his claws and making him gain on Fremra. He clenched  his claws, feeling them tremble in anticipation on what they would find. He briefly wondered how many mortals he might have to slay to save this woman, but pushed it from his mind as he pictured her screaming into the night and uselessly struggling against her malevolent, diabolical captors.


    ¡°Don''t worry Jandar....If there be any luck in this world...I will save your wife.¡± He snarled, the vow coming easy to the dragon that had filled this mortal''s life already with much hardship.


    ¡°T-thank you. Although...we are certainly talking about lots of killing that is going to happen tonight.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully...It won''t.¡± He quickly shot back, not sure if he believed the words that were coming from his maw the moment they left. He had already started to picture the multitude of ways he would inflict harm on these people if they so much as hurt a hair on Imzel''s head.


    ¡°I would not refer to them as people.¡± Fremra snarled loudly as they passed over a wooden post with a sign pointing towards the village. ¡°People do not sneak into houses or nests and murder innocent wrymlings or snatch people in the night. These ¡°monsters¡± are just as bad as the demons and devils that they fight. It will be doing the world a favor if we slaughter each and every last one of them. Leave none of them alive to continue with their crusade.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but how many times have you tried this and it has not worked?¡± the half-dragon asked, tilting his head to the side.


    Fremra snorted and rolled her eyes, casting her snout back to looking ahead. ¡°They have to run out of members eventually.¡± The teal angled her wings and soared over the latest hill. ¡°We will keep reminding them on how it is a poor idea to poke dragons with death and pain. For we poke back much harder.¡± Fremra bared her teeth as fire seemed to fly from her eyes, staring out to the countryside so intently it was hard to not agree with her.


    ¡°Then let''s do this...Let''s show them not to mess with us...Or anyone else.¡± Jandar let up his hold, a look of determination filling his face to no doubt hide the worry.


    ¡°Yes! Very good!¡± Ramakox snorted, returning his gaze back towards the teal dragon leading them through the sky. His eyes widened as he saw the stone building of Lord Aster on top of the next hill. It stood looking at him like an ominous monolith of darkened grey stone, trying to strike fear into his heart with each beat of his wings. He looked briefly towards Fremra, hoping that perhaps it was just in this direction she as heading. However he saw her eyes were locked onto that stone building, with that furious look of fire in her eyes. Ramakox''s heart skipped a beat, for he had seen that man earlier. That frowning elvish bastard that had been unconcerned with the two dragons before him. If he was behind this...How could a man look to the woman with such a smile? Knowing he was going to try and murder her later? ¡°That..bastard.¡± the blue snorted, his voice taught and threatening to break into a furious roar.


    ¡°No...I never...thought..¡± Jandar clutched at Ramakox''s scales with a grip like steel. ¡°This is bad...If hes a lord...Hes protected...We can''t just...¡±


    ¡°No matter!¡± Fremra shot back,  ¡°Tonight it doesn''t matter if you possess land, have a silly title, or have an army at your beck and call. You pay for your actions.¡±


    ¡°There is no going back from this.¡± the man spoke flatly. ¡°We risk being labeled as enemies of the crown...Of all of Drenedar.¡±


    ¡°Then he should have chosen different targets then us.¡± Ramakox growled, unclenching and clenching his claws. ¡°I can''t wait to rip that smug little face from that bastard if he hurt her.¡±


    ¡°Aye.¡± Jandar replied cooly, steeling himself for the next few minutes that were surely be filled with death.


    Ramakox observed the darkened monolith that was the estate, the cold stone illuminated by numerous torches that covered it so.  It was like a shining beacon set before the darkened sky. The blue brought he and Jandar Higher into the air as Fremra did the same with her next few beats against the night. The whistling wind filled his senses as he studied the lords land that contained the woman, and planned his attack. The estate had a wall running around the outside of the structure, making it look more like an armored fort and keep than a house. The walls had several sentries at the ready by the look of some moving torches. In those walls were numerous buildings made of what appeared to be wood, no doubt to do the other things that this estate needed. The pair of dragons spread their wings to glide silently through the night air like the predators they were, their prey unaware of their fearsome presence above their heads.


    The blue dragon fidgeted his claws, thinking to the invisibility spell as he flicked his tail. With the movement finished he felt a cooling sensation like that of an egg cracked over his head spreading down his spine. He shivered as the sensation spread to the rest of his limbs and finally ending in his digits. He angled his wings and descended towards the estate, confident that he would not be seen, the perfect choice for the task at hand. He smiled as he rounded the buildings of stone, passing feet over some guards head.


    ¡°Oi! Did ya hear somethin?¡± one man clad in chain mail asked to another as the dragon''s passed by with a quick gust of wind that ruffled the man''s long grey hair.


    Ramakox looked down to the lit up courtyards, all  too small for him to fit his full size into, an annoyance to be sure, but something they would have to overcome if Imzel was being held inside one of the structures. He already pictured himself as the beasts of old, attacking and laying waste to such a place like this. Although unlike those flattering stories that mortals told to scare their children, he was trying to save someone this day.


    ¡°There!¡± Jandar whispered harshly, ¡°To the left of the main structure, look!¡±


    He did what the man said, sure enough finding the courtyard that the half-dragon was talking about. The enclosed area was filled with numerous mortals clad in off-white robes or tabards, all gathered around what looked like an altar that was raised on a wooden platform. Right below the platform was a black as night cauldron, suspended above a roaring fire, the flames licking the cauldron''s surface and casting the area and mortals in an eerie glow. Inside of all this was bubbling, boiling water, with steam rising off of the surface that curled and twisted in the air.


    The mortals were all staring up at another group of various species, their arms bound behind their backs, and made to rest on their knees before the crowd. They all were looking to the crowds, looks of terror and defeat plastered on all of their faces and snouts, and gags stuffed into their mouths. Beside the bound humanoids, were two snowy white gryphons with fierce, vigilant looking eyes, and shining metallic talons that shined in the fires light. They stood like statues, flicking their tails every so often as a robed figure stepped up next to the altar. His face was hidden by a mask with the mural of a setting sun painted on it''s surface, his green eyes briefly looking back to the captives, and then to the gathered crowd. The man held out his hands, and the crowd fell deathly silent instantly.


    ¡°Brother''s and sisters!¡± the man spoke with a voice all too familiar to the dragon, for it was the one he had heard earlier today spoken by Lord Aster. ¡°We continue the cleansing of those who would seek our submission to the evil forces that threaten our very existence in this material plane! The beings that view us mortals with malevolent intent!¡± The man gestured with an open palm to the wiggling mortals behind him, ¡°Just like the others, there  people  that kneel before us, have  helped the great beasts that seek to dominate us all!¡±


    ¡°Lies!¡±a brown furred wolven man spat out, managing to get the gag out of his muzzle. ¡°The dragons don''t do such things! You''re all mad. They only seek to help and protect us!¡± the wolven struggled as the snowy gryphon''s grabbed hold of him, and roughly shoved that gag right back into his maw with a muffled snarl.


    ¡°See how the beast''s words snake into an unprotected mind? They simply have to speak lies of protection and kind deeds to mask their true intentions. Then pour souls like this wolven before you believe the silver tongue of these winged devils. I have a cruel truth to enlighten to you my wolven friend. The beasts that claim to protect and offer their help are long lived creatures. They can position themselves to play the long game, subvert and weave their twisted plans until they have us under claw once more. Just look around to the countryside of the Swirling Storm! Over the years he has taken more and more control of the area!¡± The robed man strode over towards the captive wolven, patting his fur several times with his fair hand, earning a low muffled growl in return.


    ¡°Don''t you worry that furred head of yours wolven. You shall be set free this evening, and see that corruption stripped away  in a moments notice! The beast shall no longer have sway over your soul, I promise you that you will be clean!¡± The man turned on his heel, gesturing to the boiling cauldron with a wave of his hand, and a roaring cheer of shouts and claps from the audience.


    Ramakox circled around the courtyard nary making a noise as he angled his wings. He stared down into the fire light lit mortals, finding that a myriad of races were counted among them. He spotted the hardened faces of bearded humans, fair elves, fierce wolven, and some muscled minotaur to name a few. It seemed that anyone could be counted among this flock, and that thought made the blue dragon''s scales itch something awful. The smiles plastered on all their faces at this ¡°cleansing¡± did not help matters either, his eyes went to the boiling cauldron, wrinkling his snout. He could almost already hear the muffled screams of those being ¡°cleansed¡± in the boiling water that would no doubt echo into the night. The blue perked up as he heard a muffled cry of a man in pain, only to have it silenced just as quickly as it had come. He glanced down to one of those towers atop the wall to find Fremra wrapped around the roof of one such structure, a limp bloody corpse held within her powerful jaws.


    The teal dragon''s muscles were all tensed as she glared down to the mortals with narrowed eyes, her breaths coming fast as the frills on the side of her head slightly twitched. She fidgeted slightly, as if she were counting all the gathered humanoids one by one that she was going to kill. She let the corpse held within her jaws slip from her grip, it falling to the stone below with a quick jingle of chain and a sickening thump. Her tail swayed back and forth, letting the blue dragon know it would not be long before she made her move.


    Ramakox''s eyes gazed back to the wolven  who had been patted by the robed man, now being dragged by the smug looking gryphon''s by his paws with hardly any problems. The wolf tried to wriggle free, grunting as he clenched his eyes and tried to wrench himself from their talons. However his captives seemed to not pay him any mind as they continued to dragon him along, his efforts in vain.


    ¡°You will be anointed in our most pure of holy waters, ensured that way by the cleansing flames of our righteous fire. That way, when you enter the great beyond your soul will be cleansed...Free of any corrupt influence.¡±


    ¡°They are going to drown him in boiling holy water?¡± Jandar asked softly with a growl, his claws grabbing tight against Ramakox''s scales. ''Those....Monsters.¡±


    Ramakox circled the courtyard once more, finding it hard to not agree with the mortals assessment. His eyes scanned the bound mortals for the face of Imzel, looking for the comfort that she was at least safe. He had only gotten to the second such face of a half-elven woman before the wolven shouted out once more.


    ¡°Please, I don''t want to die!¡± the wolf struggled, spitting out his gag and straining once more in the gryphon''s iron like grip. ¡°I will help you! Join you! I will even help you kill the dragons!¡±


    The blue dragon narrowed his eyes, if he was going to do something it had to be now, finding Imzel would have to wait  if he wanted to save those mortal''s lives. But if we blow our chances..His mind reminded him. They might spirit her away...or simply kill her...But if I don''t...That mortal will die... Ramakox curled is lips into a snarl, letting lighting spark from each tooth and fill the air with his crackling fury. And that...I cannot allow. The dragon let loose a great bolt of lightning from his maw, a single stroke of defiance against those of the red hand. It raced through the sky like a tossed spear, crashing into the ground right behind one of the gryphons.  The bolt exploded powerfully, tossing up dirt in a thick cloud and sending the gryphons toppling to the ground with squawks of pain and ruffled feathers. It was then that Ramakox swooped in, catching one of the stone walls with his claws and digging into the stone with his talons. He swelled up his chest with small clinks, unfurling his wings, and letting the brilliant light of his spiderweb pattern on his membranes leave the mortals in awe.


    ¡°Unhand them all now!¡± The dragon roared, his teeth sparking even more electricity into the air as he bellowed. ¡°Or I swear to the nine hells all of you will be visiting that wretched place this very night!¡±


    The crowd let loose a round of terrified screams that echoed into the night and made Ramakox smirk in delight. Although a majority of the cultists shivered and trembled in terror, that lead clothed man and a handful of other stood confidently before the dragon, seemingly unafraid at his threat. ¡°


    ¡°Ah yes.¡± the masked man dusted off his robes as he stared to the blue dragon with his bright green eyes that lacked any of the fear present in the others. ¡°The ever powerful Swirling Storm! The beast that I was telling you about!¡± The man gestured to the dragon with a thrusted finger. ¡°Look at his insidious ways, the hundreds of mortals that he has corrupted into his influence!¡±


    ¡°Silence you''re drivel little man.¡± the blue dragon roared into the night, drowning out the man with his fury. ¡°I did not come here to listen to your jabbering insanity. I came here to spirit all these mortals from your vile hands.¡± he glanced out to the cultists, hoping that they could see the fury raging in his eyes. The death he could bring with his claws, and the devastation he could let loose with his breath. He hardly noticed when the invisible Jandar slipped free from his neck,uttering a spell under his breath to cushion his fall from the drop. ¡°Now release those mortals now...and I can see that things are made easier for you...It does not have to end in your blood being spilled. However.¡± He growled, showing off all his gleaming teeth. ¡°If you decide to test me, I will be see that you are put down.¡±


    ¡°See how the creature speaks words of peace lined with more threats and promise of spilled blood?¡± The man pulled off his mask to reveal an elven face that looked like an exact match for Lord Aster if only he was a few hundred years older. His fine features slightly marred by wrinkles around his learned green eyes, his dark brown hair streaked with whites. ¡°Your kind has sought our dominance since you were mere younglings upon this earth. Just like the demons and devils the abyss. Just like them, we must resist your kind time and time again, lest we be corrupted and brought under your sway.¡± The elves lips curled into a sneer as his eyes narrowed and his voice darkened. ¡°So no.....Tonight will end in the cleansing of your thralls just like every time before it. Hopefully by the blessing of the gods, we will count you among the dead tonight.¡± The elf held up a hand quick as a flash as Ramakox watched his offer of peace melt away like ice on a hot summer''s day.


    ¡°So be it.¡± the dragon snarled, electricity dancing around his teeth, setting the air aglow once more with it''s brilliant white light. He was about to press the attack until out of the corner of his eye he  found a group of Archers hiding on one of the walls closest to him, thinking themselves so clever. The blue dragon tilted his head toward the collection of archers, letting loose another great bolt of lightning that struck their hiding place like a strike from the gods. It exploded stone, wood, and anything foolish enough to stand against it''s mighty fury. Several of the mortals fell clutching bows, making them spasm and gasp. Their bodies twisting in agony before falling , dead before they even struck the stone.


    ¡°Fine!¡± The elf shouted, his hands starting to glow a bright purple as he thrust it towards Ramakox. The elf moved his body in a flowing motion as if he were guiding a wave of water through the air. The blue dragon went to flap away from the man, avoid the incoming attack with his next breath,but he didn''t need to. Just as the man had finished with his movements, his arm suddenly bent upwards, a blue scaled claw forming around his wrist. The purple magic he had conjured curled around the form of Jandar as he sprung into being before the man. The purple magic wound around him all the way to his feet before dispersing with a brief explosion of brilliant purple sparks.


    That''s my boy. Ramakox gleefully though as the collection of cultists started to scramble and scatter towards the exits of the courtyard with numerous cries and shouts. They did not get far before a fiery explosion detonated among them. Bodies flew like rag dolls, while those closest to the detonation were incinerated instantly in a bright flash of light. If it were not for the fact they were going to boil people alive, Ramakox might have felt sorry for them. Instead he observed with delight how they tumbled and screamed into the night air. With Jandar squaring off with the elf, that left Ramakox to look for additional threats. He swooped down, plucking up one of the guard gryphon''s that went to leap at the half dragon, the bird struggled in his grip, uttering numerous curses and insults at the dragon. With a snarl the blue snapped the gryphon''s neck with a sickening crack, then letting the limp body tumble downwards and impacting one of the wooden roofs and shattering wood as the corpse fell inside.


    Ramakox made another pass, lighting starting to once more flow to his mouth and lighting the sky with a thin brilliant line of energy. He observed Fremra leap from tower to tower, plucking any who dared to raise a weapon before her and tossing their bloody forms from the wall with a wicked hiss. He pulled his gaze from the fierce dragoness to see that Jandar was holding his own against the elf. The half dragon was practically dancing across the ground to avoid the multicolored sparks if various spells that the pointy eared cultist was tossing his way like they were nothing. There was a look of pure determination on the mortal''s snout that came no doubt with his years of practice as an adventurer. It was after Jandar tossed a bright yellow hand back with a crackling wave of purple energy did Ramakox spot the other white gryphon of the pair eyeing the duel with narrowed eyes.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Wisely the gryphon did not do what his comrade had done, instead the bird rose his gaze to glare at the blue dragon and unfurl his wings with a loud squawk. The gryphon flashed him a look of fury as he bound into the sky with a leap from his strong hinds, his feathery wings carrying right for the armored dragon.


    Ramakox admired the gryphon''s bravery and strength to continue to press on against a much stronger and well armored opponent. He of course could not let the gryphon win this day and angled a wing, heading straight for the white beast with a snot. He summoned forth another bolt of lightning from his maw,  an attack meant to cook that bird before he could even close the distance. However the crafty thing was already ready for this, flipping away from the deadly beam and recovering with a flap of his wings. The gryph let out a shriek into the air, and dove at Ramakox with renewed purpose.


    The blue dragon growled as the two closed the distance between another. If the gryph wanted to test the strength of dragons, then let him break like the rain against the stone. The dragon unclenched his claws, readying himself to rip into that white feathered being and paint his plumage red.


    ¡°Now!¡± the gryphon flipped away again, to reveal something the dragon had not seen before. There was a collection of archers on one of the walls, that had been right below the gryphon hidden by his wingspan. They held bows taught in their hands, letting loose knocked arrows right for him. The wooden thorns broke against his scales uselessly, his hide simply too tough for the puny attempt on his life. Ramakox relished the cry of his attackers, distraught that their attack had apparently failed.


    He turned away from the gryphon, letting loose another bolt of lightning towards the pathetic archers. Men shoved and pushed others to get clear from the wall and his deadly attack, some even leaped the wall to try and avoid it. The bolt exploded, catching several unable to get clear and striking them dead where they stood. The blue flapped his wings to begin another pass, the sounds of cries and explosions filling the night air as flames set fire to anything that would burn in their flickering grasp. He winced as he felt a burning sensation in one of his joints, a terrible thing that actually had the strong dragon gasp at it''s white burning intensity. He glanced back towards the source of the agony to see an arrow sticking out of his wing joint. How could a small thing like this cause so much pain? I have taken arrows before...They stung for mere moments but...not like this.. It was then that he saw with the dark wood, a small bead of green liquid dripping from the wound''s edge. It made his eyes widen before letting out a loud hiss. ¡°Dragons bane poison.¡±  It was the one poison on this earth that could easily poison a dragon as if he were a mortal. It brought intense pain, and had the additional effect of slowing the dragon down like a tranquilizer. Ramakox shook his head as he focused on Jandar swatting aside a fireball so that it exploded uselessly in the air, lightning up the night with a brilliant golden flash of deadly light.


    Ramakox blasted apart another section of the wall, whispering thanks to his limbs that the poison did not seem to be in such large amounts as to slow him down, but only fill every over wing beat with pain. He heard Fremra''s battle roar as she landed in the courtyard in a whirlwind of teeth and claws. She had apparently shrunk herself down so that she could fight unhindered as she ripped into them with tooth and claw. She let out another roar as reinforcements rose up from stone steps towards the courtyard. They were clad in iron chain, metal tipped spears, and large iron shields. Before they could even attack her armored hide, Ramakox passed over them, letting magic flow into his claws and enter the stone below them. He could feel their steps across the hardened surface as they ran with shouts of battle towards the snarling ness. With but a thought the stone below their feet rose to snag them, made crevices to trip unaware boots, and even little stone limbs to drag those not tripped up to the ground. It did not take much before the fresh wave of armored men were all prone before the angry dragoness, who had whips of water coiling out from her. The purple of her eyes faded away to the darkness of the deep sea.


    Ramakox looked away to the rest of the keep as he heard Fremra cut into them with all of her water whips. The screams and shouts sending shivers down his spine at how easily she was cutting them down, her whips gliding through their armor meant for swords and not magical whips. It made the wounds caused by those very whips ache as he remembered the deep cuts. Thankfully an explosion snapped his focus once more towards the blue snouted mortal.


    Jandar had been tossed back to a skidding stop, his clothes having been burned an leaving little black marks at it''s edges. The elf stood opposite of him, whips seemingly made of fire wrapped around his hands and dragging slowly over the ground. Jandar flung a spear made of ice right at the elf, conjuring the thing from the very air. Cultist merely smacked it down by a casual whip, the flames cutting the ice in two.


    The dragon belted out into the night, his eyes locking onto that smug looking man. His roar drawing the man''s attention for a brief moment, who gestured towards him with a snarl. Ramakox let loose another bolt of lightning, faster then the man could drop his arm, the air around him crackling with fury as it speared towards the elf. The bright bolt looked like it was about to connect and fry that pointy haired mortal and rid the world of his twisted views, but at the last moment the bolt was redirected towards a new comer to enter the courtyard.


    A large minotaur holding out his hand into a curled fist stepped a hoof forcefully onto the stone.  The lightning flowed around his arm, dancing it''s way across his meal armored chest, all the way down to his equally armor clad limbs. In his left hand he held a large warhammer that looked like any other mortal might need two hands to do what he was doing with one. The brown haired bull rose that weapon to point right at Ramakox, sending the lightning bolt right back at him, and colliding uselessly against his scales. He hardly felt a thing as he angled his wings and felt the wind batter against his membranes. He spotted more archers peaking up from the still smoking walls, with no doubt more dragon''s bane tipped arrows to send his way. He was ready for them this time however, and focused on turning his scales to the hardness of stone. The blue scales shifting to a dull grey as he passed the archers, who fired their volley of little thorns at his underside. Ramakox smirked as the wooden arrows struck his protected hide and splintered upon impact.


    The dragon''s eyes trained on the minotaur as he could safely ignore those pitiful attacks by the archers. The bull had been busy tracing a glowing circle into the air with fire that enveloped his hands without pain. Ramakox only had a beat of his wings to contemplate what spell could possibly be summoned forth before a pillar of white flames seemed to spring forth from the very sky. It wrapped around the dragon with intense heat that burned his very scales with brilliant light. Ramakox clenched his eyes shut as he angled his wings and preformed a quick spin, crashing through the flames with another roar and flash of intense heat. He exited the spin with a sigh of relief, unfurling his great wings wide as he rotated a claw. So you want to play with fire huh? He finished the spell by sending a cerulean ball of fire shooting from his maw towards the intense looking bull.


    The man tried to leap away from the rotating ball of flames, but only managed to get a few feet before it detonated in a brilliant flash of blue light. The force lifted the large man off his feet and sent him crashing  hard against the stone, his head hitting with a loud sickening, wet smack that left an imprint of crimson. The bull only managed to let out a pained groan before slumping over with his eyes closed.


    With that annoyance taken care of Ramakox spun back around, the archers that had poked at him with their weapons bolting and trying to hide from his murderous glare. He glanced to see Fremra, now beset by three mortals still standing among the dead of the ones that had come before them. Their once shining armor had been covered in layers of sticky blood that looked to be more from their comrades then the dragoness that was currently slicing through one of their allies with little effort. The blue strafed the archers once more, his tail knocking several from the wall as he passed by with a snarl. He landed atop the building overlooking the courtyard, his claws digging into the stone as he flared out his wings, letting out a loud dominating roar into the night. He let electricity dance across his teeth as his neck and wings glowed a brilliant white. The red hand seemed to be scrambling to hide, any left that he could see were hiding behind stone and shivering in terror at the two dragons and mortal that had ripped into them so easily with their surprise attack.


    He looked to Jandar, was busy still with the elf, trading spell after spell as he was still locked in that deadly dance. Neither one seemed to be out of energy either, going back and forth with some bolts of fire, clouds of green acid, or even rays of blue magical ice. It was when Ramakox roared again did the elf look up, look around at the collection of bodies, and his face darken. With a quick curse leaving his lips the man snapped his fingers, vanishing into a cloud of mist that flew hastily away from the half-dragon, down one of the branching corridors to the keep.


    The half dragon made his way swiftly towards the collection of bound mortals, pulling out a sharpened dagger with a hiss. His eyes looked to each one in turn, no doubt looking for the woman that he loved. It happened almost instantly when his eyes fell to the last mortal, his face darkened and he lowered the dagger with a wrinkled snout. ¡°Shes not out here.¡±


    ¡°What was that?¡± the blue called out, landing closer to the mortal as he started to look down at the others.


    ¡°I said she is not out here!¡± the half-dragon called back, his voice cracking.


    ¡°Do you mean the woman that was calling out for a Jandar?¡± suddenly asked the wolven, gesturing to his bindings. ¡°They spirited that feisty woman inside....Something about interrogating her before the cleansing was to begin. Could...you help us from our bindings?¡±


    The half-dragon''s face looked shocked for a moment, as if ice had wrapped it''s way around him and made him shiver. Jandar looked down to the blade, quickly grabbing the man and cutting the rope bindings as quickly as he could. ¡°Here.¡± the mortal thrust the hilt into the wolven''s hands. ¡°Free the others, I am going to rescue my wife before those monsters can do away with her.¡± Jandar spun on his heel, his voice starting to become more confident as glared up at the blue dragon. ¡°Ramakox! I''m going inside to rescue her! The bastards took her inside the keep!¡±


    The blue dragon responded with a snort of dismissal. He hated that idea, if she was inside he would not be able to help on account of his size. The best he could do was make sure that this courtyard remained clear for the mortals departure.


    ¡°I know you hate it...But I have to go Ramakox...she could....die.¡±


    ¡°Then you are taking me with you.¡± Fremra patted over on her blood soaked paws,her eyes gleaming at the continued slaughter of the red hand. ¡°You''re going to need all the help you can get, and Ramakox can''t change his size to assist.¡± The teal gestured to the collection of mortals that were getting their own bindings cut by the wolven. ¡°They don''t look like they could wield a sword, spear, or any other weapon as well.¡±


    Jandar thought for a moment, looking to Fremra, Ramakox, and then to the weary mortals before them. ¡°Then it''s settled.¡± He muttered with a flick of his tail. ¡°Fremra, you''re with me.¡± Jandar tore off one his tattered sleeves with a loud rip. ¡°Ramakox, you stay here and make sure this place stays clear and they remain safe.¡± he turned towards the mortals, thrusting a claw towards a dead red hand member that had been bisected by one of Fremra''s whips, the corpse still grasping it''s spear. ¡°The lot of you grab something, anything to defend yourselves until we''re back. Then the dragon''s can either fly us or cover our safe retreat!¡±


    Ramakox might have minded being told what to do by any other mortal, possibly snarled or growled at such a brave man. Instead he nodded at Jandar''s words, turning to the other mortals with a snort and narrowed eyes. ¡°Well you heard him.¡± the dragon rose his voice when the others had not stirred or moved an inch. ¡°Grab something before those cultist are back and looking to cook your hides!¡± With that powerful statement, and most likely helped by his final growl, the collection of mortals quickly scoured the corpse laden courtyard for piercing spears, gnarled bows, steel swords, sturdy shields, and helmets. Thankfully with the amount of people that they had all killed, all the would be sacrifices had gathered an assortment of weapons.


    Jandar offered a quick wave, dashing off in the direction that the elf had spirited away. Fremra bound after the man, shrinking down further in size until she would be able to fit through a door meant for a mortal without squeezing her way through. With a loud crack the fierce dragoness plowed straight through a wooden door meant to bar their path, the fine wood being reduced to mere splinters with the force of her strike. The teal dragoness turned back to flash Ramakox a quick tooth filled grin before bounding inside with a roar and swish of her frilled tail.


    The blue dragon watched with a swollen chest as Jandar disappeared into the keep, leaving him to observe the rag tag troops at his disposal. ¡°You there.¡± he pointed to a wolven woman who had grabbed a bow. ¡°Position yourself there.¡± he pointed to a raised section with some boxes that could be used for cover. ¡°Take that position, it should give you clear lines at the doors as well.¡± the white furred female simple nodded, only for the dragon to give some orders to the others as well. He swiftly with his confident, booming voice, arranged his mortals in preparation for the possible counter attack. They sat there in silence as the minutes crept on by, the blue dragon''s scales starting to itch as he fidgeted in place.


    He stared down to the courtyard, half expecting there to be a new wave of reinforcements, cultists clad in armor and spouting nonsense with weapons drawn. He narrowed his eyes for the sixth such time as they did not come. The air remained silent, the only noise the occasional cough from a mortal, or the steady in and out of his breaths. Surely the hand should be shouting orders? Trying to slay me? Is that not what they wanted? Ramakox shifted uncomfortably as he snapped his jaw several times in irritation, drumming his talons loudly against the stone with a series of clacks. Part of his mind reminded him that the silence was good, that it meant the red had given up, or possibly that Jandar had not been spotted. That the surprise attack they had done, had utterly devastated them in draconic fashion. Although despite that voice his nerves never calmed or relaxes, the entire time her expected something to leap out from any corner and strike at his scales. It was the wolven archer who was the first to spot something as she yelled into the air.


    ¡°Manticore!¡± she shouted, ducking behind a wooden crate as several hard sharpened spines sunk into the wood with dull thuds, until the last suck spine shattered the boxes frame into a pile of splinters and shards.


    ¡°Cover!¡± some of the mortals shouted out, echoing each other as they dove for safety from the rain of sharpened spines, from not one but seven of the fly beasts.


    The creatures called manticores angled their bat like wings, as they avoided several arrows that were loosed at their lion like bodies that had large spike along their necks, shoulders, and all the way down to their tail. Once you reached the tail, the similarities with a lion ended as that appendage was tipped with numerous spikes and spines. The black manticores let out roars as they sprayed the courtyard with sharpened spike after spike.


    Ramakox roared out as two mortals took spines to their chests, the sharpened points piercing their bodies and sticking out the other side covered in dripping blood. They collapsed with pained groans as Ramakox bound towards the pack of flying beasts, lightning already flowing to his paws as he focused on the snarling spiked beasts. He felt their spines strike his scales at several spots, some of the points sticking out of him and making him flinch in irritation. It was like a large thorn stuck in his shoulder, each movement sending ripple of intense pain. The blue dragon quickly grabbed the thing and pulled it free, gasping as something else caught his eyes.  Alongside the pack of manticore was that snow white gryphon who had brought six more archers  to the fight. They all glared at him with narrowed eyes and knocked bows, each one a face of experience. They were all clad in white leather armor made from dragon scales, a grim reminder at their quarry.


    With a snarl the blue dragon lashed out with his claws, slicing into one of the manticore''s neck. The beasts hide was no match for his sharpened talons, making it roar in pain as his talons glided through it''s flesh with ease. The lightning he had been focusing on sparked right through the lion like head, making the beast twitch and snarl in his grasp as he delivered a bolt of lightning as powerful as if had come from the very heavens. The electricity sprung from the unlucky manticore like a spiderweb of shining white light that crackled in the night with sparks of death. Only two creatures briefly caught a jolt from the magical spell, while the others darted away, opting to shoot spines from their tails at the dragon instead.


    ¡°Get him! Aim for his head or membranes!¡± came a shout from a female wolven adorned with bone jewelry in her dark grey fur. She loosed a string on her gnarled bow, an arrow flying towards the blue dragon, no doubt dipped in dragon''s bane poison. With that arrow came a volley of others as their owners joined in the attack, shooting through the air like a deadly school of fish intent of plucking him from the sky.


    With a quick though and focus on the hardened earth and stone, the blue dragon''s scales were once more turned to the hardness of the strongest stone. The barrage of spines and arrows broke against him uselessly as he ripped a manticore from the sky with his large claws and stifling it''s roar with a quick snap of it''s neck with his strong claws. He flung the body towards the archers, breaking apart their line and stone, causing some to dive out of the way of his gruesome projectile. One man was not so lucky, getting crushed by the dead beast, no doubt the place that he would die as well.


    ¡°He used stone skin!¡± came the hunter''s cry as the woman''s voice tried to stay calm. ¡°We need a dispel!¡±


    So she knows how to fight against a spell caster. Ramakox swooped as another volley failed to do anything to him. He felt a small tap as three of the flying manticore pounced on his scales, uselessly lashing away with their claws and teeth.


    ¡°No you don''t!¡± the woman dodged out of the was as Ramakox snapped at her with his sharpened teeth. ¡°today will not be my end you foul thing!¡± she boasted, back flipping away from a horizontal slash of his claws.


    Ramakox scowled in irritation as his next attack by his claws missed the woman by mere inches. In his frustration he tossed off a manticore from his back, and pinned the beast beneath his bulk. He then opened his maw and bathed the struggling creature in lightning. When it''s violent struggles had ceased he pushed himself off of the dead winged beast  with a ferocious snarl and took flight once more. As long as the spell holds.. Ramakox claws tasted blood as they ripped a solid chunk out of another manticore, spraying the stone below in a mist of crimson. They can''t do a thing. It was of course in this moment that his armored scales started to turn back to their shade of blue once more. The dull sensation of the manticore''s attacks suddenly lightning up in pain as two arrows pierced his wing joints. The flapping limbs feeling as though they had been shoved into an open flame. Ramakox roared into the night, taking the last few manticore and ripping them to pieces beneath him.


    ¡°We almost got him!¡± the woman gleefully shouted as several more arrows found their way into his hide through vulnerable spots.


    How could they take out the spell? He was almost certain that they lacked a spell caster to deprive him of his enchantment. The blue dragon angled his wings to swoop around his attackers, his eyes training onto the wounded minotaur from before. The bull was holding up his trembling arm, as blood leaked profusely from his brow. His fingers were pointing right at the dragon, and he appeared to be muttering something under his breath. There we are... Ramakox opened his maw and let fly another bolt of glorious light that was the bull''s reward for his spell. The mortal was ended right then with an explosion of bright white light, and the dragon''s blue of his scales started to shift back to grey once more. That''s more like it. The dragon roared in victory as arrows shattered against him, and saw his collection of mortals enter the fray against the hunters.


    The hunters fell one by one to the combined assault of mortal and dragon, each time they would focus on the blue, the equipped mortals would press the advantage. If the hunters dared to take focus off his blue scales he made them pay for it in blood, each claw strike and mortal that fell taking away their power. It was not long before the hunters were greatly reduced in number, and manticore gone.


    ¡°Retreat!¡± the woman hunter cried out as a wolven man plunged a sword through another hunter''s heart, who had been distracted by Ramakox passing inches over his head.  ¡°Retreat damn you! Fight again another day, the beast has won!¡±


    Oh no you don''t, not after all of this, you die here tonight if I can help it. Ramakox let loose a terrible hiss as he swooped around and electrified two fleeing hunters in his wake. Satisfied at having wiped their filth from the face of the earth with his glorious lightning. His eyes came to the female hunter, whose manticore had taken position beside her, it''s tail spines and her bow felling two mortals that the dragon had rescued as the last of the hunters scaled down the walls and attempted to flee. The blue dragon beat his wings and headed right for her, electricity dancing across his teeth once more. It was then he felt a force crash into his wings, claws ripping through the soft membranes and making him snarl in pain as the stone skin spell failed instantly. He flipped over, taking his attacker with him and roaring as he crashing into the stone with rippling waves of pain.  He gasped  as he felt something pop inside of him, making him curse the horrible keep.


    Damn the foul thing. Ramakox struggled to stand as his attacker emerged again to assault his scales. It was the white gryphon from before, his beak and talons glowing a bright green as he lashed out with his sharpened points, surprisingly slicing easily through his scales.


    ¡°You killed my wing mate dragon!¡± the determined gryphon shrieked into the air as he avoided Ramakox''s return claw strikes more quickly then the dragon would have thought possible.


    ¡°You will meet the same fate as your twisted kin little gryphon.¡± the much larger dragon replied, hissing as the gryphon sliced into his hide, causing him to stumble backwards. Ramakox winced in pain as twin arrows found their way through his membranes.


    ¡°Come on Ironwing! We have to go! You don''t stand a chance on your own!¡± the female wolven shouted, mounting her manticore with a concerned look on her muzzle. ¡°Hes going to kill you if you stay!¡±


    ¡°I''d listen to her little bird, if you all scatter in different directions you might escape my vengeance tonight.¡± Ramakox spat out, his claws glancing the bird and making him squawk in pain as the dragon drew blood.


    ¡°I can''t!¡± the gryphon roared as he dodged a horizontal strike from the dragon, digging his beak right through Ramakox''s scales, taking a good deal of blood before quickly bounding away with a satisfied chirp. ¡°It''s him or me! One of us is going to die!¡±


    ¡°Oh it will be you little gryphon. That is certain. You may be swift.¡± Ramakox snarled, chasing the illusive bird as he stayed just out of his reach. ¡°But it only takes one mis-step, one miscalculation and you will be dead by my claws.¡± he lashed out again as he noticed the gryphon''s hind leg slip, denying him his agile dart away and leaving surprised bird to take a few talons to his sullied fur. The forceful strike sent Ironwing tumbling to the stone, tossing and turning until he crashed into a far wall.


    The white gryphon shivered and shook as he tried to raise his battered, blood covered body back to all fours. One of his eyes was tightly shut, blood oozing from the clenched lid as his other glared at Ramakox with a great fire. ¡°Finish it dragon.¡± the defiant gryphon gasped, his limbs trembling to stand.


    ¡°Its a shame you chose such poor taste in friends. You could have been a force for good.¡± Ramakox opened his maw as he saw the wolven and her manticore leave their friend to his fate. He made a mental note in what direction she was heading, knowing that he would be following her later to ensure that something like this did not happen again. Burn the hive. His mind whispered to him, recalling a similar story that he could not remember the title of. Good bye gryphon. He let electricity flow into his maw, as he was about to let loose a final bolt of lightning to end Ironwing in one burst of white light, but an explosion stopped him. The shear force of the thing found the blue dragon lifted off his limbs and crashing into a wall with a pained groan, the air driven from his lungs.


    He struggled to see as the winds picked up to near maelstrom levels, forcing him to squint and hold out a claw to shield himself from the raging vortex. He heard thunderous cracks as stone was violently ripped out of the keep, easily being lifted into the air as a humongous vortex of chaos appeared out of thin air in the sky. The blue dragon struggled to stand, the force of the winds possibly even stronger than him as he pushed himself to all fours with great effort. He turned to look for the mortals he had helped save, a grim realization sitting in him that there was no way their fragile bodies survived that forceful blast. He grit his teeth and dug his talons into the stone as large sections of the damaged wall broke away to join the half of the keep that was rising slowly but surely into the stormy sky above.


    What in the nine hells could this be? Ramakox mind screamed as he struggled to hold his ground and not be swept away to oblivion. From the keeps now broken and mangled corpse he saw two forms within the destruction of ripped stone,broken wood, and dead floating bodies. It appeared to be a humanoid like figure in the middle of a swirling ball of lightish purple magical energy that was whipping around him. The other was a form of no doubt Fremra, holding her paws up to shield her maw from the force of the winds. He fought the urge to simply take off and fly away from this vortex of wild magic by shoving it down into his chest and gritting his teeth again with a snort. Jandar his mind whispered as he could make out the forms whipping robes, similar to the ones that the mortal had been wearing. Without another thought he took a strained pull forward, his limbs trembling from the effort as he fought the updraft of powerful wind that seemed determined to throw him away.


    ¡°Jandar!¡± he called out as he tried to bellow over the thunderous sound of cracking  stone as more sections of the broken keep rose  into the sky to swirl around with the rest. A knot grew in his stomach with each struggled pull, each gasp that passed through his maw, his eyes never leaving the humanoid form with it''s arms out stretched. What happened? His mind asked as he felt his claws start to slip, only for him to grind his teeth, ignoring the wave of pain, and dig deeper into the stone lest he be lost to the storm. What could make this happen? His first thought was to Fremra and her nature magic, it had been shown she could summon rain after all, surely it was possible for her to call forth the greatest winds? He briefly looked up to the floating form of the keep, making out floating corpses of various mortals that must have been caught inside when the blast had struck,


    ¡°Ramakox!¡± came the concerned scream of Fremra, her voice cracking and full of terror.


    The blue dragon snapped his attention to her as he lowered his body and held onto dear life as another powerful gust swept over him. This time in addition to the overpowering wind he felt warm tingle, almost as if acid had been poured onto his scales. That heat grew hotter, and the possibility that this magical storm might disintegrate him became a growing concern in his mind.


    Fremra was on her haunches, with her claws held up against a shimmering golden force field of water, the only thing seemingly untouched by the maelstrom raging outside of it. ¡°Get in here quick! Before it''s too late!¡± she screamed, a pained look crossing her snout as she swiveled her head towards the mortal, struggling to hold up her protective barrier.


    Ramakox crawled towards the teal dragon painfully slow as that slight warmth grew in each passing moment until it felt as though he was shoved into an oven, and he was being cooked alive. It was all he could do to not scream out into the swirling winds, collapsing with a thud as he passed through the golden barrier. He hardly noticed that his smoke had started to rise slowly in little wisps from his scales as he released a relieved sigh.


    ¡°Thank the gods.¡± Fremra groaned, gritting her teeth and struggling versus an invisible weight once more with trembling limbs.


    ¡°Wh...what happened?¡± Ramakox gasped, his body feeling like it was being weighted down by the heaviest stones as he pushed himself back to all fours.


    ¡°We...we found Imzel.¡± Fremra replied through struggling grunts, ¡°It wasn''t


    pretty....They...They drowned her Ramakox...¡± The teals frills drooped for a second before snarling and pushing her claws out and clenching her eyes as a tears rolled down her cheek.  ¡°They drowned her in boiling holy water...The monsters....Gods above...I can''t...¡± The dragoness flicked her tail as the bubble of golden water started to recede towards them, the strain of maintaining the spell appearing to be too much for the dragoness.


    ¡°But why the storm?¡± he asked, his nerves standing on end. It felt like he had been tossed in the coldest of waters, all his scales going numb as he stared at the half-dragon who was standing in the middle of a crater within the howling storm. ¡°What''s going on?¡± He looked up as a meteor crashed down from the sky to collide with a far wall, ripping up stone and earth as it exploded violently against the hardened surface. It was like the gods themselves were trying to smite this place from the earth.


    ¡°I...don''t know...he just...erupted into this...Barely got up the protective dome in time...If I hadn''t..¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Ramakox snorted, looking to Jandar as he watched the ground around the mortal rip up around him in large chunks. There was no way he could just sit here with an aching heart, not while his son was hurting and possibly in danger. The thought that this was all from the ritual rearing it''s ugly head occurred to him and made him wrinkle his snout. ¡°It''s the damn ritual again...I bet my very scales on it...It seems with traumatic episodes it progresses further and further..It clearly has gone too far this time..¡± He felt a dagger plunge into his heart as he remembered the Emerald Ladies words. The fear that he could lose both Imzel and Jandar this night a very real terror.


    ¡°I''m going out there...and I know what you will say my Sea Lilly.¡±


    ¡°That I want you to go?¡± She raised a brow, flashing him a smirk. ¡°To go rescue him before he is ripped apart by his very power?¡±


    ¡°You...surprise me.¡± he gasped, nearly taken back by her words. He laughed, it eventually turning into a cough as he calculated the distance between him and the mortal. It''s not that far...throw up a protection spell and head out there...you can do it.. His mind egged him on with each anxious breath. ¡°Wish me luck my Sea Lilly.¡± he said quietly, already tracing the signs for his protective magic. He figured the one to protect versus spells would work here if his theory about the storm''s source was correct.


    ¡°I would...If you needed it my Radiant Sapphire....Now go get our son.¡± She flashed him a grin as her limbs started to tremble, the storm ever apparent in her eyes.


    He gave her a quick nuzzle under the chin, uttering the spell past his lips as his scales started to shine a bright cerulean, a beacon of calm in this swirling storm of chaotic energy all around them. The dragon took a deep breath, passing through the magical field of water with his next step and having to instantly grip onto the stone as the calm of the bubble was left behind and he was subjected to the terrible winds once again. The arduous task of hanging on was even harder now, each step forward was a herculean task that only an adrenaline fueled parent could make. He silently whispered a vow and marching towards the mortal that he loved with all his heart. Nothing was going to stop him, not even the fiercest of storms.


    ¡°Jandar!¡± Ramakox cried in desperation as a large section of nearly under his claws broke from the earth and bolted into the sky like an arrow loosed from a bow. He almost lost his footing out of shock, quickly recovering with his next breath and whispering to Bahamut thanks for the divine luck. His next step brought the faint burning once more, signaling that the protective spell had reached it''s limit, and that the storm was more powerful then he even thought. He looked back towards Fremra, now further away then Jandar and still holding up her barrier with her snout full of worry as she stared at his hide. There is no going back now. He closed his eyes, taking another step as the heat increased and almost made him grit his teeth with each passing moment.


    You wont get long you know. He shook his head. It did not matter now, he had no more energy left for spells to protect himself anyway. Ramakox pressed on as his scales started to burn and his vision started to get hazy with each ragged breath that he took. ¡°Jandar!¡± he gasped aloud, feet from the mortal who was now slumped over the clear dead body of the wife he loved. The mortal''s snout was buried In his claws, clearly sobbing as thin bright lines of intense light cracked and spread all over his scales.


    ¡°Jandar!¡± he roared louder than before as it now felt like he was rapidly approaching the intense heat that felt like it was more at home in an active volcano. The great dragon took one last step and collapsed before the mortal with a pained groan. ¡°Jandar!¡±


    The mortal dropped his claws, his eyes leaking glowing tears of the brightest white as the mortal let out a pained cry that drove a spear right into the dragon''s heart. ¡°Shes dead!¡± he shouted, looking to the form of Imzel at his feet. She had remained untouched despite the raging storm, her face frozen in terror and of the brightest of reds from the horrible burns. The blue felt  a cold grip once more snatch around his chest even though his scales were burning in agony.


    ¡°Graaaah!¡± Ramakox groaned, clenching his eyes shut from the white blinding pain. ¡°You have to stop this!¡± he shouted in desperation, hating himself for pushing Imzel to the side. Right now he had to try and save Jandar, there was nothing he could do for the woman now. ¡°Or you''re going to be ripped asunder!¡± With his words the lines that were covering Jandar shined brighter as twin dragon wings suddenly erupted from the mortal''s back along with an agonizing scream.


    ¡°I cant stop it!¡± the mortal cried, collapsing on himself before the dead woman. ¡°I can''t....control it!.....Shes dead Ramakox!¡± his pained words were soon drowned out by the whipping winds, the latest gust making Ramakox whimper in pain  as the dragon started to feel his scales start to peel away.


    ¡°AAAAAHHHH!¡± the blue dragon roared out as his body trembled, he knew in his heart he had only moments at best before the chaotic magic would see him torn apart. ¡°Jandar!''.....Do it for Imzel! Shut this whole thing down!¡± he hoped to the gods that watched above that by some miracle the mortal would be able to heed his words and find the strength to gain control once more.


    ¡°Ramakox!¡± Jandar shouted, his voice starting to crack. ¡°I can''t...You have to get out of here....Or you''re going to die as well!¡±


    ¡°No...I am going to stay here with you Jandar....To the end if needed be.¡± The dragon dragged himself towards the mortal, groaning in agonizing pain as he could almost feel the blood starting to literally boil in his veins. It wont be long now...Fitting end to the swirling Storm...Torn apart by the ritual he placed on a little boy.


    ¡°No! Get out of here!¡± the half-dragon screamed, the lines on his face glowing ever the brighter as tears continued to fall. ¡°Ramakox please!''


    The blue looked up briefly into his son''s eyes, finding the desperate plea of his words echoed in those silver spheres. ¡°I have a plan.¡± he grumbled, ¡°I...do apologize for this.¡±


    ¡°Yes anything! Try it!¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡± Using the last of his strength Ramakox rose up and struck Jandar over the head, not hard enough to kill the man, but enough to knock him out. His claw struck with a dull smack, sending Jandar onto his rear end and sprawling out onto the ground. With the mortal''s departure from the waking world, the maelstrom like winds faded and grew silent  leaving the air a stagnant calm. Ramakox''s hide  started to cool with each breath, wisps of smoke crawling up from some of the blackened scales. Floating pieces of debris suddenly stopped their rotation, twitching slightly in the air. The clouds that had been swirling ever so violently overhead scattered to the winds, almost as if they had never been there at all. There was a brief moment of silence as Ramakox took a coughing breath.


    ¡°Ramakox!¡± he heard Fremra scream, pointing to the floating keep that would not be there for much longer.


    Struggling to stand the blue dragon grabbed Jandar, his body feeling weighted down as the adrenaline started to wear off. He spread his wings with a pained groan before bounding into the air. His lungs felt close to bursting as he drew his next ragged breath, his wings burning as if they had been dipped in acid. Ramakox found himself crashing to the ground after a few beats of his wings to stay aloft, grunting as pain radiated through him, and left him gasping and weakly flicking his tail against the earth. He glanced back briefly to the remains of the  estate, crashing down behind him. Thunderous noises that shook the very earth and echoed throughout the moonlit countryside. Ramakox shuttered as  Fremra came flying over, relief in her eyes as she landed onto her hinds with a quick back-wing. The blue dragon looked to Jandar, the mortal peacefully unconscious in his grasp, the white lines gone and seemly the disaster avoided. Ramakox blinked his eyes as the first few tears started to fall, the tragedy of the night sinking into his bones and making him tremble.  Flashes of his time with Imzel though brief flashed through his mind, knowing the pain his son would feel on his awakening.


    ¡°Oh Jandar.¡± he sobbed, nuzzling the mortal weakly as  tears came like a bursting dam, drenching the ground beneath his paws. He hardly felt a thing as Fremra closed in, nuzzling him frantically like she would have never seen him again. Ramakox simple sat frozen, sobbing uncontrollably as he hung his head for the mortal he had failed again.

 Chapter 22

    <u>Chapter 22</u>


    <u> </u>


    The months that followed for Ramakox were rough ones, as he had to help Jandar cope with the loss of his beloved mate. They had left the destruction of the estate to find that in their absence some soul had brought it upon themselves to burn Jandar''s house to the ground. The red orange flames a final laughing present to the weary dragons and the devastated mortal with them. They had traveled back home to the blue dragon''s lair outside of  Eastcliff with little fuss from the sulking half-dragon. The man had been quiet most of the morning after, and each one that had followed on the return trip. It was unsettling to say the least, and made Ramakox''s scales itch with each silent moment. It was like part of the man had died that night, and driven any trace of him away. The blue had fussed over him on the third morning, and continued to do so during the long days and nights that followed. He made sure to nuzzle and embrace the trembling man as Fremra instructed and often joined in. There was not a single moment that did not pass that Jandar was gone from their sight or held within their grasp. Often times the blue would stare out to the countryside, needing the comfort of Jandar held within his limbs just as much as the mortal needed him.


    When they arrived at the northern lair, a place that had now felt more empty then it had ever been, there had been a collection of brightly dressed mortals with smiling faces. They had brought with them gifts, good cheer, and were singing praises to the blue dragon the moment his hinds touched the worn scratched up stone.  He avoided their eyes as they started laying on thick with the praises, and seemed practically willing to worship the ground that he and Jandar walked upon. Thankfully Fremra had been the one to pull them all aside with one of her wings and kindly disperse the mortal visitors with that singsong voice of hers that could ease the fiercest of hearts. When she had padded over with a worried face they collapsed together as a family inside the treasure laden home. While they cuddled against one another they talked about the good times, and mourned the loss that was oh so fresh on their minds.


    The days that followed after that were filled with spreading the news and preparing a grand funeral for the woman that had given birth to a dragon, and held the heart of Jandar the traveling mage. They had constructed a large pyre of the greatest wood that they could find, and placed a token log that was decorated with beads, flowers, and any colorful clothing that they could find to dress it up in. The blue dragon had watched with a heavy heart as Jandar struggled to say his final words to his wife, the tears coming to his eyes as he spoke. The mortal leaned on the teal dragoness the entire time with his a trembling voice. It was enough that when the man had finished, and looked more tired than he had ever been, that Ramakox lowered his snout and nosed the man with all his heart. He gave a small rumble when Jandar wrapped his arms around his snout and pressed his head against his own.


    After the funeral the winters cold grasp latched onto the land, passing all the troubled times with ice and snow that covered the land in fields of vast white and greys. During this time the half-dragon spent most of his time inside the blue''s lair, taking back his bed that he had all those years ago with little fuss. Ramakox had to admit during this time that he had felt warm inside to wake up to the mortal once more living with him. It made his heart grow warm as he looked to the man, his tail flicking in delight. Although each time he did his snout would wrinkle and his warmness would suddenly be sucked away and replaced with cold. For the cost of such a thing struck at him, and made the dragon hate himself.


    Eventually the cold months of  Frien Hemdah passed and the spring weather of  Noreck Vene took it''s place. Ramakox hoped that the warm weather, bright colors, and start of new life would once more bring cheer back into the depressed man''s spirit, that had not seemed to have returned since the death of his wife. So it was that the dragon was lying down on his large bed of soft things, sprawled out undignified with his hind leg twitching ever so slightly.


    Ramakox lazily opened one of his eyes, briefly blinking away the grogginess from his vision as he righted himself  and let out a loud tongue curling yawn that echoed off the walls of his home. He snapped his jaws several times as he glanced around all the treasure that lay within his cave, to all the mounts of platinum, gold, silver, and bronze coin that sat in organized piles on the floor. His eyes drifted from these to the chests laden with gems of all varieties, mixed together so that they looked more like a mural that a painter had simply tossed the colors onto, not caring where they had landed. He turned his head towards the section that contained his instruments, pianos,horns, drums, his eyes falling lastly to the harp that Fremra had been playing more frequently as of late. She would entice the mortal to sit with her, and together they would play beautiful music that seemed to flow from their souls and into the notes. He smiled once, groaning softly as he pulled himself to all fours, arching his back and stretching with his haunches raised into the air as his wings splayed wide.


    Another yawn found it''s way to his maw, this time making him twitch his tail as he kneaded the ground and drew lines into it''s surface with his talons. He released a satisfied rumble from his throat, refolding his vast wings against his back, the membranes lacking any sign of damage from that encounter at Lord Aster''s estate. He gave a silent thanks to Fremra''s healing magic for that little stroke of luck, making his snout wrinkle as he pictured Imzel''s frozen face and Jandar''s pained screams of agony. The dragon shivered as ice wrapped it''s way around his scales and the image became more real with each passing breath, the treasure starting to shift and form to that of the courtyard and the swirling mana vortex.


    It''s not real


    He closed his eyes and shook his head with a loud snort, eventually pawing at his nose until the image faded from the forefront of his mind. He opened his silver spheres, glancing back round with an arched neck, finding that no one else was in his cave, only the sound of his breathing to keep him company. He snorted at the realization that the others had clearly risen without him and left the blue dragon to his slumber. He shook his scales with a rumble, filling the air with soft clinks as he trotted off into the morning light, the sun''s sparkling off his cerulean scales. He sighed at the warmth provided by the golden ball of fire, flaring out his wings to bask in the glorious rays as he glanced down to the vast tapestry that seemed to be made of every green imaginable. The morning breeze ruffled his membranes and brought the sharp scent of pine, and the combined smells of Jandar and Fremra lingering in the air.


    So they went off together? Good.


    The blue dragon smirked, glad that those two had been growing so close the past six months, it was good for both of them he imagined. The two souls that could comfort one another in a way they he could not. Since both had been injured by the same culprits. He narrowed his eyes as he glanced out to the darkened clouds on the horizon, a dark haze being cast over the far mountains and clearly drenching them in sheets of thick rain. Ramakox felt the grumbling of his stomach, a small thing that made his scales tingle as he eyed the bountiful trees and the river found among them. He briefly considered going into Eastcliff, looking to the myriad of buildings on the horizon.


    No..You are a dragon, at least go and track down your morning meal. The voice inside his head scolding him for even considering just ordering his meal from a mortal vendor.


    He wrinkled his snout, and lowered himself against the stone with a flick of his armored tail. He  gave his wings a test flap with a low grumble, the air feeling lovely against the sensitive membranes and making him long to be high above the earth in the sky''s lovely embrace. He bound into the air with a mighty leap and flap of his wings, soon rising higher and higher with each eager flap. He quickly found his meal, praising his skills as he chomped down on the moose he had caught rather swiftly, savoring the meat with each rip into it''s hide. When he had finished with his meal he returned to his domain, the wind tickling his membranes as the cool morning air made his lungs ripple in delight.


    He angled his wings with his next eager breath, descending towards the river to clean his bloodied claws and snout. He had business in the town after all, and it was really awkward to do anything coated in his meals life blood. It also had the habit of disturbing any mortal and made them nervous to be around such a great hunter such as he. He settled down near the rushing water''s edge, quickly paddling his way into the cool water that he knew so well. He plunked into the body of liquid, sinking low to the rock covered bottom and rubbing hard against the stones to clean himself of all the dirt, blood, and various other things that would have been caught under his scales. With that completed he returned to the surface with a large intake of air, turning into little grumbles as he climbed his way onto the surface and shook himself like a dog.


    Ramakox shivered once, the breeze biting his scales as it typically did after such a refreshing bath. His eyes fell to Fremra who was lying down in a nearby clearing. She was right below a tree with her tail along the ground and slightly curled around Jandar. They appeared to be holding up there claws while the dragoness tapped her tail with each swishing movement they preformed. He smiled to himself, imagining that she was humming to herself in this moment, something she was known to do when that tail of hers would be tapping away like it was. Jandar was looking up to her, following her movements with his snout, nodding several times before crossing his arms, the gesture causing Frema to throw her head back in an obvious display of cackling laughter.


    Ramakox frowned at his mortal, who had for all purposes sworn off magic for the foreseeable future. The man had simply been too afraid to cast any magic since the tragic day at the estate. Jandar had explained in a flat voice that it was possible for the magic to bubble over and once more unleash a violent storm like the one that destroyed the keep and the estate with it.  The blue dragon wrinkled his snout out of instinct as he watched the two enjoy each others company. He glanced up to the sun to see that it was almost time for his business in EastCliff. He flicked his tail, remembering he was supposed to be meeting with a representative of the queen today. Most likely the fall of the keep and how it was destroyed would be the topic of conversation. He shook his scales as he snapped his jaws several times with wet smacks. It was most likely going to be nothing but a waste of time. He was the Swirling Storm after all, champion versus the undead horde, and the great protector of Eastcliff and the surrounding villages and towns. It would be foolish to think that the queen would send people to get rid of him.


    Enough stretching and eating I suppose He trotted to the pair before him with almost a bounce in his step. He quickly nuzzled the teal dragoness under her chin before she could get away from his embrace.


    ¡°Good morning Rammy, nice to see that you have joined the land of the living.¡± Fremra closed her eyes, and pressed back against him with a small purr, sending a jolt of warmth through his heart. ¡°Going to go have your talk with the mortals down in the little hamlet?¡±


    ¡°How did you know about that? And it is a town not a hamlet¡± he raised a brow, tilting his head to the side in surprise. ¡°I made no mention of this before hand.¡±


    ¡°I didn''t, however I can certainly thank you for telling me just now!¡± she snorted and laughed, playfully smacking his snout with the soft side of her claw. ¡°But thanks for sharing my Radiant Sapphire. Perhaps they should tie your maw shut then?¡± She chuckled, ¡°Because you are the absolute worst at keeping secrets.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± he snorted, frowning as he grumbled and thumped his tail. ¡°It shouldn''t be too long, just something that''s going to be cast to the wayside...Just you watch.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain?¡± She fidgeted, ¡°Why do they wish to see you?¡±


    ¡°The queen wants information about  the estate with Lord Aster I imagine...It would certainly be the most logical thing for her to do.¡± Ramakox grit his teeth as he pictured the older Lord Aster, wishing that he could have been the one to rip that mortal''s soul from this world. Sadly they had never recovered his body, seemingly lost beneath the rubble and destruction of the keep. It was a small comfort that possibly the man had been trapped with his bones broken and bleeding to death from his wounds.


    ¡°Business with the estate?¡± Jandar hung his head, running his claws across his muzzle. ¡°Certainly sounds dangerous...Shouldn''t they have me there instead? The destruction wouldn''t have happened otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Don''t worry your scales about it.¡± Ramakox lowered his snout and raised the mortal''s head with a claw. ¡°I will not need you there....Besides..It was all a misunderstanding of course...And I am the Swirling Storm, destroyer of the undead if you remember. We were defending ourselves from an evil cult that tried to kill us! Surely they will understand, they would have to be pretty thick not to.¡±


    ¡°I suppose.¡± the mortal smiled weakly, brushing the blue dragon''s snout with a gentle stroke of his claw. ¡°You are certainly good at telling stories.¡±


    ¡°I am even better when I am the one in it.¡± He grinned with pride, although it instantly faded as the face of Imzel with lifeless eyes appeared before him. ¡°Any case...What have you two been doing whilst I slumbered away in my cave?¡± he tilted his head to the side glancing to some leather bound books that were spread out on a navy blue cloth on the ground with a backpack and several piles of green herbs.


    ¡°We have been practicing spells.¡± Fremra beamed, ¡°Jandar here was oh so nice to have met a druid in his travels. Who he somehow got her to share knowledge of spells for him...She didn''t have a book per-say, but the he drew pictures of her movements and everything else that was required.¡± The teal dragon let out a pleased rumble as she stuck her nose into the pages. ¡°He figured with my spirit, I might be able to perform some of those with enough focus and practice.¡± She rose one of her paws to lick along the scales as she chuckled softly.


    ¡°So are you managing the task quite well?¡±


    ¡°You doubt my ability to cast spells? She gasped loudly, placing a claw to her chest and letting her jaw fall open.


    ¡°No of course not! You are most accomplished at it!¡± he fidgeted in place, moments before she moved in and nuzzled his neck. ¡°So...Jandar..¡± the blue sighed, arching his neck to the mortal. ¡°Has she been a good student?¡± He felt a paw smack across his face at the question, making him snap his maw towards the dragoness and nip at her several times for good measure.


    ¡°She is doing fine.¡± the mortal crossed his arms as Ramakox continued to nip at the now giggling dragoness. ¡°We were working on spells that involved spirits.¡±


    ¡°Spirits?¡± he suddenly stopped his playful nipping, his attention now solely on the man.


    ¡°And souls.¡± the teal added with a teased rumble.


    ¡°Souls?¡± Ramakox snapped his snout back to the teal, thumping his tail on the ground. ¡°What could you be doing with spells that involve souls? Do I need to worry that you are turning into dark wizards behind my wings?¡±


    ¡°Yes souls Rammy.¡± the teal flashed him a tooth laden smile. ¡°Not stealing them or anything..More of..¡± she waved one of her claws in a circular fashion. ¡°Ways to get rid of curses, move souls to different bodies..Preferably a living one...So that the original soul is not crushed and faded into nothing.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm.¡± Ramakox rumbled, drumming his talons on the ground with curiosity glancing briefly up towards the sun. He noted through the brilliant near blinding light that it was slowly closing in on midday. He snorted in irritation as he rose to all fours. ¡°I suppose I have to go.¡± he groaned, arching his back like a cat and stretching with a yawn.


    ¡°Do be careful my Radiant Sapphire.¡± Fremra nuzzled his neck with such affection that he pressed back into her touch and let out a little warble.


    ¡°You warble?¡± the mortal behind them laughed, crossing his arms as the man''s tail swished back and forth behind him. ¡°I can''t believe the great dragon I have been spreading the word of bloody warbles.¡±


    ¡°Because I adore her you stupid human!¡± the blue dragon nosed the once human with a joyous laugh as Jandar chuckled and caressed his head.


    ¡°You sure you don''t want my help?¡±


    ¡°I can handle myself you two.¡± He snorted with a rumble. ¡°You can cease treating me like Piothius the wrymling.¡±


    ¡°Do you know anything other then wrymling stories?¡± the mortal tapped his snout with a talon making  him go cross-eyed.


    ¡°I certainly do, but you should know that little one...I told them all to you!¡± he nosed at Jandar once more, forcing the mortal to clench ever tighter onto his blue snout and release a joyous laugh.


    ¡°Okay!Okay!Okay!¡± the mortal cried, clenching his eyes as he cackled. ¡°You don''t need help...Just have fun at this meeting thing of yours.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes...fun.¡± Ramakox''s voice became flat as he wrinkled his snout. ¡°I am sure they will try to bring up taxation of trade routes or even more yawn inducing things such as that.¡± He sighed, pulling his head free from his mortal and holding at it''s rightful spot above him, glancing out towards the direction of Eastcliff. ¡°Almost makes me want to give it all up.¡± he chuckled, working a kink from his neck with a grin.


    ¡°Oh no you don''t.¡± Jandar playfully punched him on the shoulder with a laugh. ¡°You can''t just give up now...Toss it all away..Not after all that good word about your name.¡± The half-dragon placed his claws on his hips as a grin came to his snout. ¡°You wouldn''t want to make me a liar about the great Swirling Storm would you?¡±


    ¡°Oh shush your little blue snout, you know I was joking.¡± Ramakox grumbled, trotting a few paces before unfurling his wings.


    ¡°Take care Rammy.¡± Fremra cooed, before nipping at Jandar''s tunic and dragging him back towards the blanket with her teeth. ¡°Now lets get back to work human. I would like to learn these spells before I die of old age...So teach me!''


    ¡°But you can''t die from....¡± Jandar started to say, only for the Teal dragoness to cut him off with a head tossed back roar.


    ¡°I said teach!¡±


    ¡°Fine....but watch the teeth. I don''t want to end up bleeding with my scales pierced.¡± laughed the mortal, sticking a digit into his ear. ¡°And the roar, don''t want to go deaf because you got all roar happy.¡±


    ¡°If I did nip you that hard, I could heal you with but a spell.¡± she chuckled, sitting onto her haunches with a grin and a soft flick of her tail. ¡°Now please go back to teaching.¡± She curled her tail around the mortal as he held his arms up once more with a smile.


    ¡°Farewell you two. I shall desire to see you later!¡± the blue dragon smiled, bounding into the sky as they called out  and wished him well. His eyes soon fell to the town of Eastcliff,  his wings carrying him over the lofty domain and around clouds lingering lazily in the sky. It was not long before the small houses grew in size, and crowds of people suddenly came into focus as they continued to work, shop, or visit stores.


    Ramakox descended towards them as he usually did, the dragon angling his wings as a breeze washed over his hide and spread a delightful shiver through his scales, making his spine feel as though it had been dunked in water. ¡°Ahhh.¡± he gasped with a smile before snapping his jaws at the air. He had a good feeling, the sun was out and all the ones he cared about were cheerful. Everything seemed right with the world, all the dragon had to do was land, have this conversation with the queen''s representative and everything would be right. He landed with a quick back-wing after passing numerous buildings, and gawking people that moved quickly to get out of the larger dragon''s way.


    ¡°It''s Swirling Storm!¡± one mortal cried out, jutting a digit towards him with a large smile.


    ¡°Nice to see you storm!¡± waved a woman wearing a flowery bonnace, striding with several well dressed men in various shades of teal of the finest silks.


    ¡°Handsome as always dragon!¡±


    Ramakox struggled to hide a small grin as the praise was showered onto him from all directions. What dragon did not like it when they were told how beautiful they were?  With a little snort he swallowed that feeling and hid the smirk, changing his face into a stern one. He glanced to a section of grass that was typically covered in various chairs and tables. It was an area that the local town leaders had put together so that he could sit in on their meetings on account of his size. He trotted over to the collection of dark blue robed wrinkled mortals, passing several others in the streets with more spouting out about his glorious scales and wings. The mortals he sought were sitting around a large mahogany  table covered in papers with small pieces of metal to hold them down.


    Ramakox cleared his throat as he took a spot near the table on his stomach, curling his tail around him as the mortals all stopped their lively conversation to give his scales a good look over with their eyes.  ¡°Good day isn''t it?¡± the dragon rumbled, giving the council a small smile.


    ¡°Yes it is!¡± an elderly human woman exclaimed, running a hand through her creme hair. ¡°You''re a tad late you know. We had to stall that man for awhile with the guard captain of course. He demanded to see you the moment that he opened the door to our chambers!¡±


    ¡°Late?¡± he looked up to the sun, it was just barely cresting over the midway point. He wrinkled his snout as he looked back to the woman. ¡°I am not that late councilwoman Lida...If I am at all..¡± He held a claw to his chest as he looked away with closed eyes.


    ¡°Well he claims you are.¡± came the voice of councilman Mar, a balding half-orc with crooked teeth and dark grey skin. ¡°I think he looked all insulted with the way he was holding up his nose.¡±


    ¡°Or perhaps he was smelling you Mar.¡± Linda chuckled, causing Mar to flash her a glare.


    ¡°No! He was certainly most upset at Swirling Storm here.¡± Mar gestured to Ramakox with opened palmed hands.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The dragon sighed, it was not good to have the representative to the queen upset. It would make the talks much more harder and annoying. ¡°I suppose I can apologize to the man.¡± The dragon pushed himself to all fours, and gave his body a nice big stretch. ¡°Might even have to give him a gift of sorts for my apparent tardiness.¡± he wrinkled his snout, not really enjoying the idea of paying with things from his lair. Although he figured it was better then being executed for his crimes against Lord Aster.


    Just explain what happened...How could a rational man not understand what transpired?


    ¡°Where is he now?¡± he looked to the other councilmen who crossed the light blue trimmed arms of his robes. ¡°Yes?¡± Ramakox raised a brow, Did I do something wrong perhaps? Is there blood still on my snout?¡± he dabbed quickly at the corner of his maw. He always hated it when it got stuck there.


    ¡°No..None of that.¡± the first greyed wolven grumbled, placing a hand on the table. ¡°You just seem really at ease with this. Should you not be more concerned? The queen sent this man to interrogate you for gods sake..I''d be trembling in my paws! Tell me I am not wrong?¡± Cecil the wolven turned to the other man, who nodded quickly without a word. ¡°


    ¡°Have something to hide councilman?¡± the dragon chuckled as he strode from the table and started to bring himself towards the street bustling with people and filled with the passing of carts pulled by well kept dire wolves. ¡°I certainly have nothing to hide of course..¡± he puffed out his chest and strode out to the streets of various people, avoiding their glare as Jandar''s face stared up at him from every face. They all had his face, and his silver eyes that pierced the dragon''s scales as though they were simple tissue paper.


    ¡°We left him be taken to the guard barracks!¡±Lida shouted after him and an amused cry.  ¡°Remember, we got the fuzz bottom to watch him until you showed your scaly behind.  I hope luck is on your side this day!¡±


    ¡°Luck? Ramakox snorted as he was soon out of earshot with a flick of his tail. ¡°Always things happen for a reason...No luck involved at all. I however do not mind if I got some.¡± he grumbled under his breath as he took another step.  ¡°Won''t need it of course.¡± His eyes looked to every clad mortal that was casually going about their day before him. He only got the occasional gawker from groups of people that seemed to only have good words about the blue dragon and his living arrangements with the town. He came striding out from around the corner of a building, his head lowered for a moment.  ¡°Oh yes the guard tower.¡± the dragon mentally scolded himself as he glared at the stone like it was blackened steel.  He passed another group of mortal''s, avoiding their gaze to stare out to the multiple buildings before him, made of sturdy wood and whose roofs were decorated with horns. He powerfully strode out towards the guard house, spying the form of the wolven guard captain Fenix.


    Fenix was standing opposite of a rather tall human man clad in silver full plate armor, that shined in the sun''s rays. The man turned towards Ramakox, his stern blue eyes narrowing with each step of the dragon''s claws upon the cobblestone.


    ¡°Gods above finally you show up dragon. Took nearly all day for you meet me.¡± the man grumbled as a breeze rustled his blue tabard with golden stitching sewn into the edges.


    ¡°I am not that late.¡± Ramakox snorted, gesturing to the sun with a wing talon. ¡°Sun is hardly passed the midway point. Besides...¡± He held a claw to his chest. ¡°I had breakfast to have, people and family to meet.¡±


    ¡°Mmmmhmm.¡± the human crossed his arms once more. ¡°Interesting town they have here Captain....¡± The armored man turned on his heal, rubbing his hair through his almond colored hair.  ¡°What was your name again?


    ¡°Fenix¡± The wolven sighed, ¡°We have been talking for nearly twenty minutes now at the least.


    ¡°Sorry about that truly, just slipped the mind of course.¡± The warrior turned to Ramakox, striding out with careful steps, his armor clinking several times as plates struck metal and made the dragon twitch. ¡°So you are the mighty Swirling Storm that I have heard so much about.¡± he shot out an open hand. ¡°Names Alexandar Magnus, Pegasus knight commander of Drenedar''s royal court.¡± The man gestured to several golden bars on the top of his near pristine armored breastplate covered in engravings.


    Ramakox looked down to the man''s extended hand, slowly using a claw to awkwardly shake the man''s hand with a snort. ¡°Swirling Storm...But you already knew that human.¡± he settled down onto his haunches with a sigh, curling his tail around him with his next breath.


    ¡°Still a pleasure to meet you Swirling Storm, I have heard quite the deal about you before riding to this place. Destroyer of the undead? Protector of bandits and monsters? Raised Jandar the traveling mage...Who I might add saved the queen from assassins?¡± The man chuckled, ¡°You are quite the legend from where I am from dragon.¡±


    ¡°And where is it that you hail from oh knight that speaks of my great deeds?¡±


    ¡°From the north actually, the port city of Struport..Don''t mind the accent of course, parents brought me from Lumara when I was a wee lad. Never quite lost the speech pattern.


    ¡°You can hardly notice it actually.¡± The dragon lied with a large tooth filled smile.


    ¡°Ah but that was a clever lie blue dragon, but lets keep that to a minimum shall we?¡± Alexander''s eyes narrowed as he quickly opened one of his worn leather pouches along his waist with a snap. The opened container wafted the smell of ink, parchment, and sweet leather into the air. ¡°That will heed ill for you if you do so about what transpired months ago.¡±


    ¡°Oh so you can notice when a dragon lies can you?¡± Ramakox lowered his snout with a curious raise of his brow. ¡°That might be a rare gift that you have obtained.¡±


    ¡°Bah, something that is trained to be sure....and you are not that different from us ¡­.Just bigger and covered in scales...and wings...¡±


    ¡°Hmmpf.¡± He snorted, flicking his tail behind him and brushing against the smooth stone. ¡°We don''t sound that similar the continued way that you prattle on.¡±


    ¡°Ah but I meant in here.¡± Alexander tapped his head once, then thumped his head chest twice with a grin. ¡°When it comes to mind and heart I think we share many of the same qualities of one another...Even if several lord and ladies of the land do not share in that idea.¡±


    ¡°You are very lucky in that regard Alexander of Struport....So shall we speak of the evils that bring you to my claws? Do you wish me to spin you the tale so that it can put your nerves and fears at ease?¡±


    ¡°That would be most satisfactory I imagine.¡± the knight pulled out a folded piece of manila paper before gesturing to the blue dragon with a casual wave. ¡°If you would be so kind...I would like to see this place...Helps ease this whole process...Instead of just standing around and talking is all.¡±


    ¡°So you would like a tour of East cliff?¡± he pulled back his head with a snort, refolding his wings against his back. He tilted his head to the side, curious where this mortal could be going.


    ¡°In a way..Yes...I would like to hear from you, and see these people you look after...I recall...¡± the man unfolded the paper with a light wrinkling before tapping the page once with a light backhanded slap. ¡°Ah yes...Here it is....The Swirling Storm, the destroyer of the undead shall be granted the land around the village of Eastcliff on the condition that he not become a tyrant, and respects the decisions by her majesty the queen of Drenedar.¡±


    ¡°I have not become a tyrant of course....You can clearly see that.¡± He gestured out to a collection of small, bright faced people who were busy walking by and admiring some shops and various other buildings.


    ¡°Then you shall have no problem showing me around to all these happy people then.¡± the man crossed his arms after folding the parchment once more and stuffing it into his pouch.


    ¡°Well...I don''t know about being happy all the time....¡± Ramakox arched his head, looking to more mortals shuffling by looking in his direction with a series of waves. ¡°But you can look around while we walk, and see the town with your own eyes that this place is not that troubled of a place....Now follow me knight, and observe with your mind.¡± he waved for Alexander to follow with a wave of a claw.  Course what to show him that will highlight my deeds? To cast me in the best light possible?


    ¡°Plenty of examples to show you of course..¡± grinned the dragon as they passed a collection of singing half-lings that made Ramakox want to cover his head and bolt away to rid himself of the screeching sounds of their voices that he swore were coming from the mouths of dying cats. ¡°To the market!¡± he raised his voice, quickly guiding the armored man out of earshot of the wailing mortals. The people they passed in the streets soon started to pick up in number as they neared the busy market place. The dragon''s nose twitched at the delightful scents assaulting his nose of meals being prepared on cooking fires. It made his maw water, and made him regret having filled up on moose before coming to town. ¡°And here we have the market place.¡± he wiped his maw with a claw, hoping the man had not seen the large droplet of saliva that he flung to the cobblestone with a wet plot. ¡°A vibrant beating heart to help fuel our economy.¡± his voice filled with pride, his eyes going to each building with various signs for armor, weapons, potions, books, and a multitude of things that they sold.


    ¡°You can find almost anything you would want in there..Some even come to purchase arms and armor from our smiths, usually other adventurers visiting where Jandar grew up.¡± He snorted, chest swelling with pride as he glanced down to Alexander, expecting the man to be beaming,¡±


    ¡°It does look well put together.¡± the man''s fierce eyes followed a series of female elves making their way through the crowds with little waves of their dainty hands. ¡°And this was all your doing?¡± the man glanced upwards towards him with a raised brow, and gestured to the people with a casual wave of his limb.


    ¡°I would love to say that it was all me.¡± Ramakox grumbled, passing a cart filled to the brim with lime green cabbages. ¡°But it was mostly the council''s ideas to make the market like this. I honestly try to not pass out of boredom when it comes down to those matters.¡±


    ¡°Doesn''t sound like a great protector if you are bored tending to your charges.¡±


    ¡°Now...Now..I am a dragon, I will lend my opinion on how to manage guards and other things.¡± He snapped his jaws as he pulled  his head back with a grumbling snort. ¡°Ask me to spend all day talking about your economy and revenue? You will have to find another dragon...and for the land?¡± This is my territory, and I protect those that live within it.¡±


    ¡°Honest answer that was.¡± chuckled Alexander, eyes training on a juggler that was entertaining a small crowd of curious people. ¡°Now tell me dragon, do you think everyone needs to be protected? That we insignificant beings are incapable to the task?¡±


    ¡°Of course not!¡± Ramakox avoided a cart heading down the path bustling and rattling as the wooden wheels clacked on the stone.


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°It is true that I am a strong and powerful dragon with magic just as so.¡± He gazed out to all the busy faces of mortals carrying along with their day. ¡°But that doesn''t discredit anything you have accomplished...It doesn''t make it any less important¡± With a rumbling in his chest he turned to Alexander. ¡°It is my place to protect...Not to rule over or to dominate. I have seen great and wondrous things built in my time...Now it is true that I have from time to time longed for the days of long ago where dragons were more numerous...But it doesn''t make me hate or look down on you..¡± he sighed deeply, turning towards the mountains as Jandar''s face appeared in the sky. ¡°Just look to the man I consider my son despite a lack of blood being shared. He has been the greatest thing in my life.¡± he smiled warmly, closing his eyes and letting the myriad of moments he shared with the delightful human fill his mind. If he were alone he imagined that he would have been moved to tears from the memories playing out before him.


    ¡°So no Alexander..¡± The blue dragon opened his eyes with a gentle sigh, grinning to the mortals he protected. ¡°You don''t need my protection...But it is certainly my role in this life...and ask anyone here...I provide spells to the hunters of the forest.¡± he thrust  a wing talon towards the way out of the town, towards the fields with farmers. ¡°Fremra and I now help with the crops and turn away droughts and terrible storms..This is our nest...Our territory to help grow and flourish...Not to take away from your queen.¡±


    ¡°Well that certainly is a good answer.¡± Alexander stopped, looking to the people once more, his fierce eyes vigilant, almost as if he expected to be attacked. ¡°So if you are being so truthful...¡± he glared up to Ramakox with narrowed eyes, almost as if daring the dragon to lie. ¡°Did you attack Lord Aster''s estate?


    ¡°I did attack that horrible man''s nest.¡± Ramakox growled, almost baring his teeth. ¡°He deserved everything that was brought towards him that night. Alexander...that man stole from my family and several innocents. He was aligned with a group calling themselves the red hand, and was going to boil them and some captive people alive. I had to act quickly to put an end to his plans...He...ended up killing my son''s wife that night.¡± he hung his head as he felt a small tingle of cold threaten to strike his heart. ¡°We...Were not fast enough.¡±


    ¡°Did you end up slaying the man as well?¡±


    There was silence in the air for a moment, the tension so thick that Ramakox chose his next words carefully. ¡°I did not get that chance...The whole estate exploded into a violent storm of magical energy.¡±


    ¡°So you''re saying that you did not destroy the estate, that it was this magical storm that seemed to spring up from thin air?¡±


    ¡°It was...¡± Jandar''s face appeared once more in his mind, claws clutching at his scales as tears steamed down the mortals snout. ¡°Not anyone''s fault.¡± his voice grew flat as he looked away from Alexander and the image of his son, not caring if it looked guilty to the human before him. ¡°But if you wish to blame the catastrophe that claimed the innocent lives on me...You would not be entirely wrong.¡± the dragon tapped his tail on the ground, the faceless images of the estate''s workers and other innocent people appearing before him.


    ¡°You''re not lying when you say that.¡± the human''s voice sounded surprised. ¡°That''s unexpected...I almost figured you would....¡±


    ¡°You think I would lie?¡± the dragon snapped his snout towards the man. ¡°That I would say that there were no innocent lives lost that night?¡± The itch returned to his scales as he snorted his displeasure. ¡°It haunts my some nights human...I see blank faces of the lives I had not known...All beaten, bruised, and covered in their own blood.¡±


    ¡°I believe you.¡± the human replied after a moment of silence. Alexander looked to his snout as if he were trying to discover some great secret hiding beneath his scales as the man''s eyes inspected every scale lining his great body. ¡°So that was the market...What else are you going to show me about the town of yours?¡±


    ¡°Why does it even matter human? I have told you my story. What happened and the guilt of those innocent deaths...I don''t regret that the lord died...I say good, let his memory be washed away from this world.¡± he snarled, tapping his tail hard against the stone with an audible smack.


    ¡°Because dragon, I wish to know more about this place as I said. That does not simply stop because of what you told me.¡± Alexander crossed his arms with a smirk. ¡°What kind of man would I be if I did not see the clear picture before making a decision eh?¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡± Grumbled the dragon, starting to drag his talons across the cobblestone. ¡°Then keep up with me knight. I won''t let your little legs slow the tour down. We head next for the theater.¡±


    ¡°The theater? You think a play will help?¡±


    ¡°Not the play.¡± He sighed, avoiding a group of red robed men. ¡°But it is a happy place within this town..Just like the market...and since you already talked to the guard captain...¡±


    ¡°Oh yes..the guards and the trade routes are most well supplied and enforced...you said that was your doing?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± the dragon nodded. ¡°A long time ago to you, I met a child whose family was killed along the road. I made sure that would never happen again whilst I drew breath..And since I cannot be everywhere at once, the guards were replaced and reformed.  Now this place is very safe...probably the safest town in all of Drenedar.¡± The dragon''s chest swelled with as his eyes lingered on a large dark brown wooden cart with a symbol of an explosion painted in red and orange. Below the symbol were the letters spelling out ¡°Dan''s Dragon powder.¡±


    ¡°I can see that, impressive I might say. Certainly lends credit to your claim to be a protector rather than a tyrant. Some lords had even made a fuss that you were this monstrous dragon!¡±


    ¡°Of course they did.¡± he snorted,  narrowing his eyes. ¡°I would bet my very scales that they are grouped in with the corrupt Lord Aster. Probably the most corrupt people in all of Sethera!¡±


    With another breath he led Alexander through the joyful crowds of EastCliff, by building after building. They passed several guards who saluted and paid the dragon and knight quick nods before returning to their patrol. It was then that they came to an outside area that had been deemed the theater. It was a small wooden stage set before a clearing of grass and various flowers were the audience would sit. It was one more thing that the townsfolk had done so that the blue dragon could lie down and enjoy the stories presented on the stage. Around the place were wooden poles that were strung together with a myriad of flowers of all different colors. The reds and yellows intertwining their way across the wooden beams, occasionally split up by a great blue flower of the brightest cerulean, the dragon''s favorite of course.


    ¡°It''s fairly...quaint.¡± Alexander chuckled, running a hand along one of the firm poles. ¡°Although poetry or theater were never really my thing.¡±


    ¡°Clearly that''s the case.¡± snorted Ramakox, ¡°For this little quaint theater has more heart than possibly could be squeezed from those found in your cities.


    ¡°And this one you can sit and listen.¡±


    ¡°That goes without saying since your people don''t seem to take dragons in account when constructing your buildings!¡±


    ¡°To be honest it''s not ever day we have twenty foot guests to entertain.¡± the human took a few steps, hand sliding off the pole as Ramakox followed and ducked under some flowers.


    ¡°So if you do not like the theater or hearing stories, what fancied a man such as yourself?¡±


    ¡°Fancied the sword craft, horseback riding, chased a girl or two.¡± the knight turned to wink with a laugh. ¡°Tried my hand at drawing once.¡± The man wrinkled his brow as if he were tasting something disgusting. ¡°Was dreadful, never took up the damned thing again.¡±


    ¡°Pity...Practice makes perfect at times.¡± Ramakox rose a claw to carefully caress a flower that had not bloomed on a string. ¡°And things that first appear to be terrible soon grow and take shape into something beautiful.¡± He prodded a talon softly to the green bulb, the red flower blossoming before his very eyes. He released a pleased rumble from his throat, ¡°I suggest trying it again commander, maybe it will be something you enjoy in time.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps Swirling Storm.¡± Alexander''s voice softened as he watched the flower open, his eyes seemingly transfixed. ¡°It certainly sounds like I missed out on something magical when I hear you speak of it in such pleasing words. Do you talk about other things just as beautifully?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± the dragon chuckled. ¡°You will have to come visit here more often and listen to me talk. The guards could always use more advanced training.¡±


    ¡°You almost make me want to take you up on that offer dragon. I will certainly consider it once this unpleasantness is over and done with.¡± the human strode quickly until he was shoulder to shoulder with the dragon. ¡°Come..Let us return to the council men''s building. We still have much to discuss with them about this estate business.


    Ramakox nodded as his eyes briefly caught the form of a female humanoid clad in a green cloak, the form of a golden lion stitched into the surface clutching a sword and shield. He would have paid it more attention but Alexander drew his attention causing the blue dragon to nod his agreement, the other humanoid quickly forgotten. He led the polite human back whence they had come, this whole experience going as smoothly as he had joked about with the others. Wait until they hear how easy this went. He internally smiled.


    ¡°So do you have to leave right away or can you stay the evening? We have pleasing food and  other things to entertain the senses.¡±


    ¡°Would love to Storm,but time is something that is not on our side. We were delayed on our way here so we must leave swiftly ride away. The moment our business is concluded I have to head straight towards Treragon.¡±


    ¡°Can''t you be a few days late? You were delayed after all.¡±


    ¡°I could be...¡± the man''s brow wrinkled at the thought. ¡°But I am a man of my word you see. I agreed to be back at a certain time. Now things out of my control are acceptable delays. Stopping to delay myself because I''d like to sleep in a soft bed and enjoy a good drink? That is unacceptable I am afraid.¡±


    The dragon let out a small groan as they parted another group of mortals walking passed. ¡°You sound like you are chained by rules and regulations. You should stretch your limbs from time to time.¡±


    ¡°That is my life dragon and it keeps me happy.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡± his voice turned to a grumble with the next flick of his tail. ¡°You said others? How many people did you bring to this town of mine to talk?¡±


    ¡°Enough to get the job done, some of the finest men and woman picked out for the task as it were.¡±


    ¡°Enough to what? Bring me in?¡± they rounded the last corner building to find that in front of the council building was a large wooden wagon with a  metal cage built into it. The bars looked like a giant silver jail cell, made to clearly fit a being as large as the dragon. The back of the sturdy looking wagon was open like a ramp to show off the large leather belts that were bolted to the floor. Around the cart his eyes fell to a whole crowd of mortals clad in various metal armor of the brightest silver, with tabards of blue and cloaks of darkened grey. All of the mortals had stern, watchful eyes, but not a single one had a weapon drawn. Ramakox spied some on barded wolf back, and even several pegasi among them.


    ¡°Yes I did.¡± Alexander said after a second that made the dragon realize that he had been staring.


    ¡°But what of our talk?¡± he asked softly, already feeling his heart beat faster. ¡°Was that all a waste of time? Things seemed to be going fairly well.¡± He snapped his attention to the armored man with a flick of his tail. ¡°You said we had much to discuss!¡±


    ¡°And we do...In a manner of speaking..I have my duty and my orders. I was requested to bring you in for a trial to be conducted by her majesty. So that is what I intend to do, I simply had to ask you some questions and listen to your explanations so that I may know you better.¡±


    ¡°And what did you learn?¡± he growled, ¡°I feel like I have been lead on by you.¡±


    ¡°I learned that the dragon I have come to collect is not likely to murder in cold blood. When her majesty asks my opinion, I will give you a pleasing description, and prove to her the respectable dragon that you are.¡± Alexander sighed, ¡°I still have to deliver you however, for it is my duty...Please Storm..do not make this more difficult than it already is.¡±


    The blue dragon fidgeted slightly as he looked to that prison meant to hold him. He lingered there for a moment before shivers ran through him and broke his stare. ¡°What if I refuse human? What happens then?¡± he shifted his focus to Alexander, not daring to make any sudden movements that could be seen as hostile. ¡°What if I take wing and fly away?¡±


    The man casually gestured to the pegasi riders with a wave of his hand. ¡°Then they would be forced to pursue you.¡±


    ¡°What if they were not enough?¡±


    ¡°Then we would return with more...Please Swirling Storm...You agreed to this upon being granted the land.¡±


    You did agree.


    Ramakox gave another snort, looking out some townsfolk that had stopped to stare at him. To see their great protector carted off in chains. From the council building he spotted all the leaders staring at him with concern.


    They must have known.


    The blue dragon bit his lip as his thoughts shifted to Jandar and Fremra. For a brief moment he considered taking wing, daring the queen to try and shackle him. Let forth his draconic blood and issue a mighty challenging roar. It lasted until the magical burning vortex nipped at his scales and the howling winds threatened to deafen him. From the vortex of purple energy came the floating corpses of numerous mortals. They glared down to him with blank expressions on their dead faces all covered in dark dried blood. He got a sense from their frozen stares that they were judging him right now, their sight piercing through his mighty scales and straight to his very soul.


    ¡°I will do as you say.¡± he mumbled, hanging his head in defeat as the image before him faded away with a drum of his talons.


    ¡°That...Is...Surprising.¡± Alexander gently pressed a hand to his snout, locking his vision to the dragon''s. ¡°I will tell the queen how your story went, all your deeds, and how noble you are being...You have my vow dragon.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Alexander...but I believe it is time that I faced reprisal for my actions I think. How fitting that it be a human queen that judges my actions and deeds.¡± He pictured Jandar all bright faced as a child, then shifting to a man hunched over and  sobbing over the lifeless forms of his wife and daughter. ¡°I have to pay for what I have done human...Now is as good as any...I have but one request to make of you.¡± he rose his head with a snort, regaining some of his draconic dignity.


    ¡°What would that be Swirling Storm? I am almost certain that I can answer any request for you being so abiding...and again...apologies.¡±


    ¡°Send one of your riders to my lair, or around the area...Find a teal dragoness with the brightest orange membranes and purple eyes. Find her and the half-dragon Jandar. Instruct them to come here so that I may say my farewells for now...and convince them to not follow.¡±


    ¡°They could come along with us you know...Nothing says they cannot.¡±


    ¡°Someone has to stay here and watch the lands around Eastcliff. Especially since the Red Hand caught wind of us and made their attack.¡± Ramakox''s voice lowered to a growl as he nearly bared his teeth at the thought of the masked robed man. ¡°and I know that some of their members escaped from that place that night...All it takes is another moment of letting my guard down and I am certain they will strike like the cowards they are.¡± He looked away as an image of Imzel''s burned and lifeless body appeared before him and stared at him with accusing eyes. ¡°So the estate incident won''t happen again...¡± His voice lowered as his tail flicked. ¡°To me..or anyone else.¡±


    ¡°I will pass on the message then..Caecillius!¡± Alexander shouted, calling over a pockmarked faced man clad in armor with various metal plates spread around his limbs.


    ¡°Yes sir?¡± the man saluted, a bead of sweat already running down his large forehead as his eyes stared to the knight intently.


    ¡°Go to the mountains on your pegasus. Find a teal dragoness there by the name of Fremra. Instruct her in our intentions and bring her back here.¡±


    ¡°W-what if she attacks me sir?¡± the man gulped.


    ¡°That will not happen little human.¡± Ramakox grumbled, ¡°She may get a tad angry, but she wont actually attack you. She knows to treat your kind fairly, and to not act too rough.


    ¡°Well you heard the dragon.¡± Alexander pointed to one of the pegasus standing at ease among the others, flicking it''s white tail.


    ¡°Yes sir!¡± Caecillius scrambled to mount the winged horse, swinging his leg over with his next movement and willing the creature to bound into the sky. It lacked the grace of a dragon Ramakox mused, but it was better then those flying ships that Lumara employed. The dragon turned his attention to the cage with a snort of irritation.


    ¡°Do I really need to be escorted in that cage? And in be bound in chains?¡±

 Chapter 23

    <u>Chapter 23</u>


    <u> </u>


    ¡°Watch were you''re going! It''s like you have never driven a cart before!¡± Ramakox snarled as the sturdy cart below him shook and rattled, causing him to bite his tongue. He let loose a hiss before narrowing his eyes at the wide eyed and blushing halfling man, who seemed terrified to be caught in the dragon''s gaze.


    ¡°I''m sorry bout dat Swirlin Storm!¡± squeaked the man, using his reins to slow down the powerfully built bay horses that were pulling the cart as if the huge dragon hardly weighed a thing.


    ¡°Honestly, if this trip is going to be like this, I think I''d have rather fought tooth and claw instead of giving myself up.¡± he grumbled, lowering his snout to try and gnaw at the heavy leather straps that bound his legs to the hard wooden cart. ¡°Did you have to make the things so blasted tight? I didn''t resist you at all!¡± he snapped his attention up to a  mud colored haired Elven woman sitting before him in dark grey clothes with a blue tabard. She crossed her arms in her lap as she gave him a warm smile that almost made him feel guilty for his complaint. This elf was named Milalee.


    ¡°Sorry for the restraint Swirling Storm, but the commander said everything has to be by the book, so I was just doing as the man requested.¡± she replied, her voice just as warm and sweet as her smile.


    ¡°Well they could have been looser.¡± he snorted, trying to flick his tail and getting reminded that it too was also bound tight to the floor. ¡°GRAAAAHHH! Alexander I demand these things become looser!¡± he roared out to the company of horse riders, pegasus knights, and other various mortals riding along his mobile prison.


    ¡°Just be glad they aren''t any tighter.¡± Came the gruff voice of his other company for the day, a grey furred wolven by the name of Cray, who was currently smoking a pipe and letting rings of smoke fly from his mouth before showing his teeth with a  grin like he was so clever. His leather armor was all nice and clean with several signs of slash marks on it''s brown surface.


    ¡°Oh yes Cray, I should be thankful to be carted off like a common animal, lucky that I am bound so well or I''d smack you upside your furred head.¡± he grumbled, causing the smug wolf to splay his ears and avert his gaze.


    ¡°What was it that I heard? Is our guest not liking his accommodations.¡± came the voice of Alexander the moment his pegasus landed next to the card with a flick of the stallion''s white tail, and giving off equine snort.


    ¡°You heard right knight. Your bindings are far too tight, I am reminded of your snake creatures that strangle their prey. I did not even resist you lot. So why are they so restricting?¡± He let out another snort as he glared at the man with narrowed eyes. ¡°If you want a more compliant dragon instead of an irritated one, I suggest you loosen these straps immediately.¡±


    The human met his gaze, seemingly unafraid as his eyes shifted to the leather straps, and then back to the dragon''s snout. Alexander''s face softened for a moment as he gestured to Milalee with a nod. ¡°Well you heard the dragon. Loosen those straps just a tad, best to keep him happy like he said.¡± The man smirked, ¡°He has been most compliant after all.¡±


    ¡°That''s just what I said. Should I start calling you a mocking badger now?¡± Ramakox groaned, already picturing the small brown mammal in his mind making all a myriad of animal noises from it''s little snout.


    ¡°Listen...Storm..When we get to Tregagron I''ll make sure that you have the finest accommodations...Delectable food,  wonderful wine, and eager woman if you''d like.¡±


    ¡°Pffft.¡± he relied with a dismissive snort. ¡°You think I''d take pleasure from your mortal woman?¡±


    ¡°Men then? I presumed you liked females on account of the-¡±


    ¡°I like dragon females.¡± he licked his lips, unconsciously picturing Fremra''s haunches.¡±You mortals are too small and frail...I don''t find you lot appealing in the slightest.¡± Ramakox wrinkled his snout at the mere thought,and stuck his tongue out in disgust. ¡°Although the gesture is most appreciated...Thank you.¡± he paused, watching the man carefully,¡±Although...The food and drink do sound like something lovely to have.¡± He smirked, his stomach already churning and gurgling at the mere mention of getting something tasty.¡°I demand of course twice.¡±


    ¡°How about three times?¡± Milalee laughed, causing him to chuckle in the back of his throat.


    ¡°Well you heard her. I demand three times the standard amount. What you say to that knight commander?¡±


    ¡°Done!¡± the man smiled, thrusting a finger to the dragon as Milalee started to loosen the straps with a series of soft clinks. ¡°Now you be mindful the rest of the journey.¡±


    ¡°And you see what can be one about your driver, he seems to be hitting every bump in the path. It is most irritating.¡±


    ¡°Sorry!¡± the driver called back without looking, but the dragon could see how he trembled nervously.


    ¡°That can be done as well, anything else I can add to the list of things that our esteemed guest should like?¡±


    ¡°Not that I can think of.¡± Ramakox grumbled, shifting his eyes to his two companions sitting in the cart. ¡°Unless my companions would like anything?¡± he raised a brow, delighting that both of them looked shocked they had been chosen.


    ¡°M-me?¡± Milalee gasped with a smile, looking positively ecstatic the dragon had said anything.


    ¡°I''ll take another cigar, and the finest wine we can find in the next village!¡± Cray laughed heartily, taking another drag on his pipe with a sigh.


    ¡°I''d like a big meal, just like the one Swirling Storm is going to have.¡± The elf rubbed her stomach with a large smile. ¡°I''m famished!¡±


    Alexander''s jaw just fell open slightly as he glared at his two guards in honest shock for a moment before recovering his wits with a shake of his head.


    ¡°Well you heard my companions.¡± Ramakox snorted, causing the commander to shift his sight to him instead. ¡°One large meal, a cigar, and the finest bottle of wine.¡± he smiled wide, and would have tapped his tail in delight if he could.


    ¡°Very well.¡± Grumbled the armored knight, gesturing to the wolven and elf with a pointed finger. ¡°The moment this assignment is over I expect you two to act like professionals again...You get a pass this time because of the dragon''s request. You understand?¡±


    ¡°Crystal.¡± Milalee nodded quickly, Cray just offering the commander a quick thumbs up as he let more smoke rings loose from his muzzle.


    ¡°Understood Commander...Just going to relax in the meantime if that''s okay.¡± Cray closed his eyes, taking another puff of the pipe.


    Ramakox watched Alexander''s eyes narrow, and his mouth open as if he were going to say something. The dragon cut him off with his words. ¡°Well..My companion would like to relax while in my presence..and that makes me happy..We want to keep me nice and compliant after all.¡±


    ¡°That may be true Storm.¡± The knight grumbled, clenching his fist. ¡°But don''t push your luck, I can only be pushed so far before I snap from the pressure.¡±


    ¡°Understood commander, you can have your two underlings back the moment I am free from your tender care.¡± He snorted, fighting off a grin as he saw his two companions flash the knight large ear to ear smiles. It seemed to cause the armored knight to glare at them for a moment or two, before willing his horse to trot away with a snort.


    ¡°I think I can see him steaming from the ears this time.¡± Cray chuckled, ¡°Ever so funny to watch. What do you think of the show dragon?¡±


    Ramakox rumbled in the back of his throat as he watched  Alexander ride off on his steed, loving the fact they could get under his skin so easily. ¡°I have to admit it is a tad amusing , makes this journey somewhat bearable...Just.¡± He added before Milalee could say another word, her mouth frozen open.


    They hit another bump in the path before them on the well kept road.  Ramakox narrowed his eyes to the driver, swearing that the little man was doing this entire thing on purpose to annoy the blue dragon to no end.


    ¡°So why did you pick us?¡± Milalee asked, drawing his attention away from the annoying driver. ¡°Why did you pick Cray and I to accompany you on the journey?¡±


    ¡°Ah yes..¡± Ramakox turned to the two curious mortals who had their eyes trained right on his snout. Like he had some sort of delectable treat and they were dogs eager for the prize. ¡°I wanted someone to talk to is all. If I was going to go into this little prison I wanted at least some company to pass the time.¡± he grumbled, wanting ever so badly to shift his paws, but the straps denying him even that.


    ¡°So it was just anyone would do?¡± Her voice started to go softer, almost hard for the dragon to hear the words coming from her mouth.


    ¡°That it was.¡± he lowered his snout to look the elf in her brown eyes. ¡°Why do you seem so upset about it little one? Why? Does me picking you bring some sort of hidden joy that I did not know of?¡±


    ¡°It twas silly really.¡± The elf placed a hand onto his chin as the started to pass larger trees with bushes that were nestled at their base. ¡°When I was but a child..You saved our clan from the undead that threatened us that day. You swooped in like an angel from the long ago, tossing bolts of lightning that all but vaporized those vile monsters...¡± She turned back with large eyes. ¡°So in effect , you saved me that day, they claimed that without the mighty swirling storm our village might have fallen, and my clan devoured by the ravenous hunger of those creatures!¡±


    ¡°That...was two hundred years ago!¡± Ramakox snorted in surprise, his eyes looking to the elves form from head to leather boot. It seemed like she was still fairly young, not even a wrinkle on her face. ¡°You hardly look the age at all, I would have guessed only one hundred or so years had passed you by.


    ¡°Oh please.¡± Milalee giggled, waving a hand as her cheeks started to redden. ¡°You flatter me, but I am not that young dearest dragon..But thank you for the compliment.¡±


    ¡°I was only stating facts.¡± he smirked, shifting his eyes to Cray. ¡°And how about you?¡± He swelled out his chest, imagining the heroic things that he could have done to inspire this grey furred wolf.


    ¡°None at all I''m afraid.¡± Cray laughed, taking another sip from his pipe. ¡°Sorry if that deflates your ego or anything.


    ¡°Not at all, not everyone has had contact with me. I am not so pompous to think that every mortal out there knows of me. Although...I would certainly admit that I would adore the attention.¡±


    ¡°Of course you would want that.¡± Cray chucked, ¡°Only been hearing whispers of you for the past few years.Then there was that whole business with Jandar..damn near everyone in the castle was talking about the dragon who trained the mortal who saved the queen.¡±


    ¡°Did they now?¡± Ramakox grinned, liking the idea that the whole castle had been abuzz with all his past deeds.  That they had been praising his name and no doubt through song the entire time.


    ¡°Sooooo...I am surprised that mate of yours did not attack the captain with the way she was going on.¡± Milalee spoke aloud, interrupting his train of thought.


    ¡°Same here.¡± Cray added, taking another drag. ¡° She was so fierce...Wouldn''t want to catch her on a bad day.


    The blue dragon nodded his approval as he thought to earlier when Fremra had landed in the middle of the mortals her lips already curled into a snarl.


    ¡°They want to do what?¡± She had roared, the noise sounding more like a thunderous storm. ¡°You will have him over my corpse!¡± She had flared her great wings wide, water already coiling around her as the dragoness'' breaths grew short.


    He had called out to her as several mortals jumped back, eyes widening in fear with their hands brushing against the hilts of their weapons as the dragoness let loose another thunderous roar. It was one that made the blue dragon shiver a little under his scales as it had resonated through the air. ¡°Fremra!¡± he had called out again, his voice drowning out all the mortals that had started to yell out orders on how best to handle the ferocious dragoness before them. He had slunk to her as the teal''s blackened eyes fell to him, almost making him pause his attempt and sway his decision to not surrender. ¡°You have to let me go with them, it is the only way we can keep our home.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± she had hissed, eyes darting to the nervous mortals that had now fallen deathly silent. ¡°They could bring this queen here...No need to drag you away from here...From your home...from me!¡±


    ¡°I know, I know.¡± He pushed his snout below her neck, causing the dragoness to unleash a surprised meep. Ramakox sighed when he felt her push against him and let out a rumbling purr.


    ¡°I don''t want you to go.¡± she said softly, pushing more firmly with her nuzzling. He felt her refold her wings against her back, and her muscles untense.


    ¡°It will not be for that long...It will be all over sooner than you think..The mortal knight there knows what happened in the estate..His words carry much weight in all of this.¡± He gestured to Alexander with a  quick arch of his neck, hoping his truthful words would sway her wary heart.


    ¡°Then why must you go?'' She pulled away to gaze into his eyes, her royal purple spheres full of concern and worry that almost made his heart break with each passing moment. ¡°Cannot he go and tell this queen if his word is to be so trusted? Why must they snatch you away from me and risk...¡± She shut her snout but he knew the reason as she gave him a small whimper.


    ¡°That is how they do things..I need to voice my side of the tale.¡± he lowered his voice into a soothing tone one a mother might take with a scared child. He nuzzled her snout with his own, giving her scales a soft reassuring lick. He rumbled his approval when she pressed back into him, the purrs returning and setting his mind at ease.


    The mortals around the dragons had still not said a word, clearly stunned at the sudden affection of the dragons, or simply unsure on how to act.


    ¡°I''m going to go with you.¡± The dragoness snorted, ¡°That way I can be sure that there are no tricks being played...I swear if this is a -¡±


    Ramakox silenced her with a quick kiss and a rumble of approval from his throat. ¡°You have to stay here my Sea Lilly...Did the messenger not tell you my request?¡±


    ¡°He..he was too busy shaking in his boots to stammer much.¡± The dragoness chuckled, frills fluttering as her eyes found his again.


    ¡°Well..¡± He sighed, ¡°I need you to stay here my wonderful Sea Lilly. This town needs you whilst I am gone...The red hand...They will certainly strike if they catch wind that I am gone. I am sure of it. I can feel it in my very bones.¡±


    Fremra swallowed the news in silence for a moment, turning her head to look around at all the gathered mortals, the snorting mounts they rode, and the buildings that were nearly cleaned to perfection. She let out a long and deep sigh from her mouth, her shoulders rising and falling. ¡°Fine.¡± She narrowed her eyes into slits, snorting her displeasure.


    ¡°You have my word he will be safe Fremra.¡± Alexander spoke up, walking over with a confident stride. ¡°Everything will be done fairly and without room for deception.¡±


    ¡°I said fine.¡± She snorted quickly, a rustling of weapons timing with such a movement. ¡°And he better be human,¡± she hissed, eyeing the man like he was but another morsel in the ocean to her. ¡°Or I will see to it personality that you will not get very far in your already short life.¡±


    ¡°I stand by with what I said.¡± Alexander did not falter, the dragoness words seemingly not striking fear into his heart.


    ¡°My Sea Lilly, what of Jandar? His eyes scanned the crowd, he was certain the man had slipped off when she had landed in a bluster and kicking up loose dirt.


    ¡°Here.¡± the half-dragon''s sudden voice caught his attention, the dragon spinning around to face him.


    ¡°Well there is where u got to. I was wondering where you had gone.¡±


    ¡°Hard to spot one human when a dragoness is so ferocious eh?¡± the half-dragon raised a brow. ¡°I take it you would like me to stay here? I don''t even cast spells...I''m better off being by your side during this whole process.¡±


    The dragon swallowed as he pictured the blame shifting from himself to that of his mortal. All the faceless mortals pointing and screeching their accusation laden words towards the half-dragon. They would be partially right however, and that thought made his scales tremble. He had shook his head with a snort, gently tapping his tail on the cobblestone. ¡°I need you here with Fremra of course, help her keep in check..You know how she can be sometimes.¡±


    ¡°I heard that!'' she growled, causing him to chuckle in the back of his throat.


    ¡°I know.¡± Jandar replied sheepishly, looking away to face the mountains in the distant horizon. ¡°Just doesn''t seem right...You all helpless..far away.¡±


    ¡°I am not a wrymling!'' he growled, placing a paw to his chest and pretending to be offended. ¡°Honestly you two I am starting to think that you have absolutely no faith for me!¡±


    *


    Another bump in the road snapped the dragon out of his remembering, and made his teeth chatter. ¡°I said watch it!¡± he snarled, wrinkling his snout at the redding half-ling.


    ¡°Sorry!¡± the half-ling spouted, not even glancing back to his growing irritation.


    ¡°Can you focus on something other then the horrid driving?¡± Milalee raised her voice, giggling soon after. ¡°


    ¡°Each time I do that little bastard up front hits a rock or hole...They should have just let me fly the way there. Save you lot the trouble of carting me around like I''m some sort of cargo.¡±


    ¡°You can say that again.¡± Cray stood up slowly, arching his back and stretching his limbs to the heavens. ¡°Should have just flown you with the pegasi as an escort....Woulda saved us lots of time.¡±


    ¡°Then you should have been the one in charge. Sounds like you have a brain between those furred ears of yours at least.


    ¡°Well I''m still glad you picked me to be honest.¡± the wolf reclined against the side of the cart with a smug smile on his snout. ¡°Just means a lot of relaxing and getting to talk to a dragon.¡± the wolven closed his eyes with a satisfied snort.


    ¡°Glad that is on your list of pleasing things. I shall of course take the compliment that should have been in there.¡± he rumbled, looking out to the countryside rolling before them. The path ahead being uphill and winding through the large mountains that towered over them like dragon''s teeth jutting up from the earth. He could see that the sun was already starting to lower towards the mountains, casting it''s orange-red haze out onto the cloud laden sky.


    ¡°Well at least the view is nice.¡± Milalee said as the blue dragon''s eyes caught several bird flying up high in the distance, he felt his limbs start to itch and his wings practically begging him to leap into the sky and once more be in it''s embrace. ¡°This was a dumb decision.¡± he grumbled, tearing his eyes from the thick trees and beautiful sky to rest his head on the wooden floor of the art. It was just as uncomfortable and hard, and he regretted his


    ¡°Even the floor is dreadful!¡± he snorted, raising his head with a grumble. ¡°Most ill-fitting of a dragon..You would think they would have had at least put soft things for me to lie upon.


    ¡°Perhaps you could demand four times the gifts the commander promised? He seemed quite eager to keep you happy....no matter what.¡±


    ¡°I suppose good drink and company will have so suffice.¡± he sighed, looking down to the hard floor of the cart. The planks of wood seemingly taunting his head longing for a place to settled down.


    ¡°Here...If you wish to lie down on something soft.¡± The elf scooched closer, gesturing to her lap with several soft pats. ¡°You can use my lap.¡±


    ¡°That...Is acceptable.¡± he mumbled, settling down onto her with a soft sigh escaping his maw at the warmth provided.


    ¡°See? You''re just an old softy.¡± she chuckled, running a hand along the top of his head, her soft fingers tracing his pebbly face, causing him to close his eyes softly and release a small rumble of pleasure that sounded like tumbling stones.


    ¡°Oh and quite vocal!¡± she laughed, tracing around one of his eyes, changing her scratching to delightful rubs. ¡°Cray you should really try this! He''s like a giant cat!¡±


    ¡°Dragon.¡± he mumbled through the pleased sounds. ¡°I am much more dignified and regal.¡±


    ¡°And yet still practically purring like of of those fluffy lap cats.¡±


    ¡°Only because you gave skilled fingers little elf, and very soft hands. It is most pleasing.¡± he opened one eye softly as she continued her delicate ministrations. ¡°You surprise me for an elf.¡± he closed his eyes again, letting the woman continue on downward towards the back of his head. He felt his limbs start to quiver at the delicate touch, wishing that he could move just a little bit more. Especially his tail that he longed to flick, possible swish behind him.


    ¡°How is that?¡± she scratched under his chin, her touch so pleasing that the next shaking bump in the road he hardly noticed as he was too lost in her rubbings.


    ¡°I''ve...heard from Jandar and many others that most of your people are so....Stoic...Stern...I''ve heard you refereed to as cold as ice.¡±


    ¡°Oh pish posh.¡± Milalee laughed, patting his snout. ¡°That may be true for some of the more regal and dignified ones of us, but not my clan. We enjoy life that happens in front of us.¡±


    ¡°Good motto to live by that.¡± Cray chimed in, almost as if just to remind the blue dragon that he was indeed here.¡±


    ¡°I agree with the statement. It is a nice surprise to learn.¡± Ramakox grumbled, snorting a puff of air into the woman''s chest and making her giggle.


    ¡°But you''re ages old! How is it you do not know of many elves to compare me to?¡±


    ¡°Not too many elves live near me my dear....Or at least not enough of them high and snobby ones.¡± he growled as he pictured Lord Aster chuckling away at him admist a sea of crackling flames. ¡°There was always one of you lot that sets my blood aflame..¡± He sighed, ¡°But alas lets not speak of such unpleasantness. We have time for that when we get to Tregagron and I am before your queen.¡±


    ¡°Ah but of course.¡± Milalee returned to stroking his face with such tender care that he almost thought she was trying to seduce him in some fashion. With his next breath he told himself that was simply preposterous, and let out a pleasing sigh.


    So they continued on like that down the winding path that snaked before them for at least another hour. The sun had just started to touch the mountain when the men around Ramakox began to whisper about stopping, growling bellies, and sore legs and  tired eyes. The blue dragon perked his head up at such complaints, offhandedly making one of his own that he had felt the pangs of hunger for quite some time now, and that his stomach gnawed at him like a pack of ravenous wolves. He snorted his irritation at being made to wait so long, to Milalee''s giggling approval.


    The caravan stopped by a clearing beside of the path. Grass blanketed the place that was dotted with smooth stones here and there that were various sizes, the largest being as tall as a man. The riders dismounted with relieved sighs and cheers of approval along with a series of clinks and more shouts. They started to break out  pots, pans among other various things for their little encampment. The dragon watched with somewhat interest as various small animals were skinned and cleaned. Some men gathered firewood with loud chops of ax to the bark, while others used spades to dig holes for the fires. Smaller rocks were placed around the edges of the fire pits, finishing up just as the loggers returned with their bounty to supply the fires. With a series of scratches against flint, steel brought flames to life from the dry wood, enveloping them in the dancing red-orange flames. The guards grabbed sticks, skewering the meat that had skinned and suspended them above the fires to cook away.


    Ramakox complained another time as he felt his mouth water with his next breath. The smells were not too alluring of course for they lacked any hint of sauces or spices to be used, but his next stomach grumble made his care for that little detail evaporate away. When they brought him his share of the food, he practically inhaled the little morsels of meat, not even savoring the flavor as he cracked bones and crushed organs with his mighty jaws. He knew the four little creatures they had brought him would not be enough to fully sate his hunger, but it would at least fight off the bite for a time being. Possibly until morning and they ate again. He must have had a look of disgust on his snout, cause Milalee was soon laughing as he looked down to her and Cray.


    ¡°Don''t worry it''s not the best..But imagine how better the food in  Tregagron  is going to taste when we get there.¡± She took a chunk out of some bread that she had produced from her back, holding a leaf around it like some sort of wrapping. ¡°They have the finest goose, ham, and beef that you could want. They have this sauce that they cover it in...that oh..is soooo delightful.¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Yea...Can''t bloody wait to get there.¡± Cray laughed, taking a bite of his little morsel. ¡°Course you''re making me hate this little meal more and more.¡±


    ¡°Indeed..When we get there I will make sure that the three of us shall eat like kings every night!¡± He liked the idea even more as he pictured all the food slathered in tantalizing sauces, and all the delightful smells that would waft up and tease his nostrils with their alluring smells. Not like the ones that were currently attacking his nose, the ones of burning meat and charcoal. ¡°They could have done this better...used some spices...It''s almost so poor I''d think it was done by that halfling driver of yours.¡±


    ¡°H-he actually is the one who likes to cook!¡± Cray burst out laughing, nearly choking on his current mouthful and causing him to pound his chest several times.


    ¡°R-Really?¡± The blue smirked, the laughing starting to get to him as he chuckled softly. ¡°Now that is hilarious...I''d be careful what else you let him do, I shutter to think what he could mess up!¡±


    ¡°So hows the meal coming along then?¡± Alexander sat down on a rock beside the cart as someone jammed a pole with a torch on the end behind him into the soft earth with a grunt. The knight held a metal tankard in one hand, gesturing to the dragon with a gentle wave at him. ¡°Not too bad I hope?¡±


    ¡°It''s not the worst I''ve had..¡± the dragon snorted. ¡°That goes to a human woman down in Eastcliff. Bless her soul for offering tribute to me in the form of this cake like thing, nearly broke my teeth on it. The parts I did manage to chew and swallow down were not exactly the best tasting either. I had to go wash my mouth out just to get rid of the flavor.¡± the dragon shivered, trying to not remember the taste that had attacked him so long ago. ¡°My suggestion would be to not let the halfling cook? Perhaps find another person to fill that role for you?¡± Ramakox smirked when the others around him tried to hide their snickers with their hands.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± The knight sighed, ¡°Be hard to tell the little guy he never picked up his father''s cooking skills.¡± A grin came to the man''s face as he placed a hand to cover his mouth. ¡°I think it''s rather rubbish as well.¡± he whispered, then stopped with widened eyes. Alexander raised his head and quickly scanned the area around him, as if the halfling were going to be right there.


    ¡°Don''t worry commander, I don''t think your expert chef is anywhere that his ears can hear you.¡± he snorted as the others let out a series of laughs. Ramakox looked up to the laughing faces and flickering fire, the good cheer on their faces was pleasing to see. It was if nothing were on their minds regarding the trial, or what could happen if he was found guilty. It reminded him of all the years passed as he observed mortals a night before a skirmish against the undead hordes.


    ¡°You seem lost in thought dragon.¡± Alexander leaned against the cage, taking  a sip from his tankard, ending it with a small gasp. ¡°What''s on the mind?¡±


    ¡°Besides having my limbs tied to this prison despite me being well behaved?¡±


    ¡°Rules.¡±


    ¡°Yes...these rules....Besides your insistence to follow them.¡± Ramakox narrowed his eyes with a lingering hiss that filled the air and caused several mortals to cease their laughter and turn round to look at the pair. ¡°I am reminded of past battles, more specifically the nights before battles where men seemed to not think about the horrors of the next day.¡±


    ¡°What battles were you in?¡± Came the gruff voice of a dwarven man, striding over with a bouncing beard that had slight grey trimmings on the edges. His worn hands were crossed against his earth brown tunic. ¡°Maybe we were in a couple together.¡±


    ¡°You don''t remember?¡±Ramakox scoffed, ¡°You''d think you would remember a dragon being in your battle line I presume?'' the dragon raised a brow with an amused snort. ¡°Unless you were drunk out of your gourd the entire time?¡±


    ¡°I suppose I''d remember yee, guess we fought at other fronts...But I remember the undead bastard..Always liked the sound dey skulls made when I crushed them in.¡± The dwarf went on to describe several battles with enthusiasm that Ramakox missed. Several others of his escort soon found their way over to the cage and loud dwarf. It was this way until the dragon and storyteller had a small audience that was listening to them with interested eyes and eager ears. Ramakox soon joined in the dwarves joyous telling,describing his own deeds those day in glorious detail. He nearly trilled as the gathered guards all gasped and cheered at the right moments in his tales.


    ¡°Those all happened then?¡± An eager faced human asked, brushing his short hair from his bangs as he glared up to the blue dragon with curious eyes.


    ¡°But of course little mortals.¡± he grinned, his heart swelling up like all the times he had had these conversations with Jandar all these years ago.


    ¡°See what did I tell you?¡± Alexander laughed, ¡°I told the lot of you to look up Swirling Storm''s deeds here before we left..But NOOOOOOO..I guess I was the only one eh?¡±


    ¡°Aye commander, but ya never told us how exciten they be!¡± a man thrust his tankard at Alexander with a smile, a bit of the mead sloshing around and spilling out onto the grass. ¡°Oh look at what ya made me do. Gaaah.¡± the man frowned, as more of the contents of his tankard leaked down the side in steady drops.


    ¡°Well don''t you mortals worry.¡± The blue dragon grinned, his head all warm and fuzzy at the attention. ¡°I have plenty stories where that came from for the days ahead of us....Although.¡± he gestured to his binding with a small sympathetic whine. ¡°It would be nice to have at least one claw free, that way I could scratch or something. It is dreadful to be bound such as this the entire day.¡± he narrowed his eyes and snorted when he focused on the red faced Alexander. ¡°Especially after I have been most cooperative.¡±


    ¡°Aye but ya been complainin the entire day aboot it!¡±shouted another mortal, to a series of awkward laughter from the others.


    ¡°But of course! How would you feel to be bound to this floor, especially after not resisting? I already told my companions here...It is very ill-fitting of a great dragon such as myself. I should at least have pillows and other soft things upon to which I can lie.¡±


    ¡°How about that commander? Can we get some blankets for the dragon?¡±


    ¡°Aye I feel bad for em!¡± shouted a cherry faced woman.


    ¡°Hold on, hold on.¡± Alexander laughed, raising his hands to settle the cries for Ramakox to get some better things to rest upon. ¡°We have to have him bound up such as that. It is regulation and everything having to do with prisoners.¡±


    ¡°Can''t we bend it slightly commander?The dragon is a bonified hero!¡±


    ¡°That may be the case, but it does not mean we can choose what does and doesn''t apply to our duty. That is where I am aware of what I must do...and that means Swirling Storm here has to be bound during our journey. He will not be getting any special treatment in that regard.¡±


    ¡°Lucky me.¡± Ramakox snorted, resting his head back down onto the hard cart with an irritated sigh. His only comfort was when Milalee started to stroke his scales again, bringing at least some pleasure to this situation.


    ¡°Commander!¡± came an eager cry from one of the men. ¡°We have some brightly dressed travelers looking to speak with you. They said it is rather urgent, seemed pretty excitable.¡±


    ¡°Really now?¡± Alexander laughed, looking around to the others. ¡°Is it possibly a traveling band of bards? Maybe we could get some entertainment for tonight, how about that lads?¡±


    ¡°AYE!¡± came a resounding cry from the gathered mortals, one that almost made Ramakox smile at the good cheer they were tossing around.


    ¡°Well you heard the men. Go grab these visitors and bring them in. I will be glad to speak with them. If the gods grant us any luck they will be some sort of entertainer.¡± His eyes rose to look to Ramakox with a grin. ¡°Maybe they will be able to lift our guest''s spirits with their music.


    ¡°Do you think it could really by bards?¡± Laughed Milalee, finally finishing her meal with a loud burp that made her cover her mouth and turn a bright red. ¡°Oops!''


    ¡°For a moment there little one I thought you were a mighty were beast finishing it''s meal.¡± he chuckled, thoughts already drifting to musical scores that he had heard over the years. ¡°Possibly it could be, would certainly make this night more lively.¡±


    ¡°Damn righ'' it could lad!¡± Shouted the dwarf from before.


    ¡°Oh Stone beard, settle down before you go embarrassing yourself in front of the dragon!'' came a shout from the crowd of laughing mortals.


    ¡°Nah, I stop Ifn ya want, but I tell ya. The lot of ya could do wit some good ole dwarven spirits and song through dis place. It would livin the whole place up a wee bit.¡±


    ¡°Here, Here!¡± Milalee cheered with a raised up. ¡°I hope those bards are the best dwarven dancers, singers, or whatever else you want in the land.¡±


    ¡°Now dats day way lass! Ya got da right idea for an elf. Knew I likes ya da moment I settled me eyes on the back of ya head!¡±


    ¡°Careful you.¡± she grinned, ¡°Lest your playful words end you up with a good smack across the face or swift kick to the stones.¡±


    ¡°Oh da stones?¡± the dwarf called Stonebeard held his stomach as he unleashed a hearty laugh. ¡°Ya got spirit lass! And I meant nothin but a compliment to ya..Ya got fine hair...finest I''ve seen in all da land o Drenedar.¡±


    Ramakox snorted at the corny line as the others cat called or chimed in with echoing voices of ooo. ¡°Well I hope that our imaginary bards end up playing the violin, piano, or the harp.¡± he really liked the last one, already picturing Fremra working away at his own harp and filling the air with her pleasing melodies.


    ¡°Oh so ya into more of those types of things eh?¡± Stonebeard smirked, his cheeks all red as he took another drink from his tankard. ¡°How dey supposed to get these things all da way out here? Course maybe dey also got a pair of bagpipes wit them. Here''s hopin we both get lucky dragon.¡± Stonebeard leaned up against the cage, patting the metal bars with a rough hand. ¡°Pair of pipes for me, and a fancy violin for you.¡±


    ¡°That''s fair I suppose dwarf.¡± he chuckled in amusement at the series of laughter spouting up about listening to the horrid sounds of a screeching cat.


    ¡°It''s not a da sound of a screechin cat!¡± Stonebeard''s voice got louder. ¡°You jus dun know your music is all. It be the best sound I ever did hear!¡±


    ¡°Sorry I meant the sound of a dying one...Or one throwing up!¡± shouted another red faced guard with a smile. Even Ramakox found himself grinning at the delightful ribbing, a chuckle working it''s way down his throat.


    ¡°Oh the lot of ya wouldn''t know good music if it raised up beneath ya and kicked ya in the balls wit da force of a giant!¡±


    The collection of mortals and dragon perked up at the sound of clanking metal drawing their attention to the direction the messenger had come. There were not any bards or minstrels following the man, no brightly dressed men or woman. They were instead all clad in silver full plate armor, glowing faintly in the night from the ghostly glow from the flames. No instrument was strung from them, no bagpipe, flute, or even chime, all they carried were swords, axes, and other wicked sharp things to carve or cut flesh and bone. No joyous face could be seen among the collection of stern faced humanoids, they all instead just started at the group menacingly as their white tabards fluttered with each step.


    ¡°Why hello there commander.¡± Came a ragged voice that ended in a cough. The laughter and joyous sounds all had died away at the new arrival of the twenty armored men. From the sea of metal came a lone figure in bright white robes, a familiar mask that was painted with the setting sun on it''s smooth surface. ¡°I see you have entertained a friend of mine for the day...The Swirling Storm?¡±


    ¡°And who might you be?¡± Alexander found his voice, confidence shining through as the human glared at the gleaming soldiers.


    ¡°Its the Red Hand!¡± Ramakox roared, his blood heating in an instant to boiling levels as Imzel''s eyes appeared before him. He snorted, his next breath filled with the scent of burning vellum. ¡°Quick get me out of these straps!¡± he demanded, his head darting to Milalee quick as a flash. He felt his heart start to beat faster in anticipation, longing to do battle with that horrid man. For some reason the elf seemed to not have heard him, her face still transfixed onto the collection of knights with Cray right beside her with a hand close to her neck. The dragon''s nose found the faint smell of fear, and realized that the wolf was holding a blade to the elves neck.


    The wolven that he had shared the day with turned to him with narrowed eyes, and a cold stare. ¡°Shhhhh. Or the girly gets it.¡±


    How dare you! He bared his teeth, keeping his protest and utter fury silenced for now as he heard Milalee whimper, a spear right through his heart.


    ¡°I hate to disturb such a wonderful get together such as this!¡± The robed man with the coarse voice like sand continued, gesturing out to the wary guards, who seemed unsure of how to respond. ¡°Especially those working for the queen of Drenedar, and preforming their duties to the letter. It is an admirable trait that our own brothers and sisters share.¡± The man took a step forward, a forceful thing that had Alexander brush the hilt of his sword and causing the robed man to pause mid stride.


    ¡°What do you want? You have done much talking but still have not said. You have not even uttered your name.¡± The knight hissed, his eyes never leaving that masked individual.


    ¡°The dragon over there roared it out. We are the red hand, the protectors of mortal kind from monsters, devils, demons, and dragons that seek to subvert and dominate our way of life.¡±


    ¡°By the sounds of things, this dragon is the good thing running around in this world, and you lot are the monsters that go bump in the night.¡±


    ¡°From his point of view I suppose.¡± The man held up a hand as if to inspect the white cloth covering it. ¡°We are a threat to his plans after all, so it''s natural when telling his side he villanizes those that he seeks to get rid of.¡± The man lowered his hand, eyes focusing on Alexander. ¡°Now Commander..¡± The man looked around as guard''s hands moved over weapons while some still sat frozen with tankards, an uneasy silence filling the air. ¡°You and your collected soldiers can go back to your festivities, and we can get rid of the dragon that has plagued your nation..Sadly we had to have this conversation...I would have rather wished to have it with another man.¡±


    ¡°Why is that?¡± Alexander snapped back, voice taught as he glared at the robed figure with daggers.


    ¡°You should have stayed at the capital like was requested, did you not get the note that was sent to you before hand?¡±


    ¡°I did get a letter warning me not to go.¡± The knight nodded, ¡°But I ignored it obviously. The queen asked me to go...So that is where I must go...I would not let an ominous letter stop me from doing my duty. Sad to disappoint you man that hides behind a mask...You are a coward that strikes from the shadows of the night!¡±


    Ramakox fidgeted as the two squared off in their little battle of words, it was like a showdown described in various stories that he knew. The evil robed figure and the valiant knight, trading words and veiled threats until the tension would eventually boil over, and blood would be spilled upon the ground. He glanced down to Cray, the fire in his chest roaring as he tugged slightly against his bindings. He silently cursed who had made the blasted things, twice curse the man that had bound him to this cart. If he was free he would not be wasting his time with talk right now, he would be attacking that robed man he was certain was Lord Aster. He did not even think how it was possible the man had escaped the destruction of his estate, but in this moment he did not care. He was actually slightly joyed that he might be the one to actually rip the man to pieces.


    Curse the damned wolf. Ramakox glared to Cray, his eyes focusing on the blade that was being ever so forcefully held against the joyful elves throat. How could someone eat dinner with someone and share all the good cheer and then be ready to hold a blade to their throat at the drop of a scale? The red hand obviously...Their treachery knows no bounds it seems. He growled, picturing the movements required to rip the wolf away from the kind and fair Milalee. All he had to do was snap his snout down, clamp down his teeth into the wolf''s flesh. His sharpened fangs would make short work of him, until with a violent tear or twist, Cray the betrayer would be cast from this earth like a cherry pit spat from a mouth.


    ¡°Don''t you dare.¡± The vile wolf hissed as Milalee gave a small eep and the blade no doubt was pressed tighter against her vulnerable neck. ¡°I can see you thinking dragon...A single movement out of you and I will slice her neck so fast and so deep that there will be nothing you can do to save her.¡±


    Ramakox growled in the back of his throat wishing he could cast some spells without movement or words, or roast the wolf alive. Anything would be better then being held captive such as this without the ability to do anything to help anyone. His mind started to wonder if attacking anyway would be the best course of action, risking her life in process. No. He snorted again, hating himself for the thought. Enough people have been hurt by my actions. I do not need to add another one to the list. His eyes scanned around the collection of tension filled mortals, everyone''s attention locked on Lord Aster and Alexander still continuing their bout of words. The only one that had moved was another man clad in the blues and greys of Drenedar, Alexander''s second if the insignia on his gambeson could be trusted. The blonde haired man took position beside the knight, and helped glare at the Lord.


    ¡°So commander..I tire of this back and forth, although once more I admire your dedication to your orders. It is with a heavy heart that I must say this to you and your men.¡± Lord Aster seemed to lean forward to look passed the commander and to the collection of other mortals. ¡°All of you gathered here. If you do not wish to fight us raise your hands above your head and do not resist. If you do not do this you will be cut down by my brothers and sisters as associates to the vile dragon that you have in your custody. Please dutiful and loyal soldiers, make the right choice here and don''t cast yourself to guard the vile creature behind you.¡±


    ¡°We are not tossing our lot in with him. I am doing her majesties will.¡± Alexander growled, taking a forceful step. ¡°Currently the dragon is under our protection until he stands trial before the queen.¡±


    ¡°And what if she lets the dragon go? What if she does the wrong thing and sets loose this vile creature back into her domain to subvert her rule and twist her people to his own tyrannical plot?¡±


    ¡°I have seen that town you deft fool. Those people don''t appear to be twisted or corrupted, or whatever blasted word that comes drooling from your mouth under that mask.¡±


    ¡°Ah...so you don''t have the courage to do whats right..That...is a pity Commander.¡± Lord Aster took an opposing step towards his armored knights. ¡°So if I were to try and kill the dragon by force, you and your soldiers would be honor bound to stop us?¡± he gestured to his knights who had not moved an inch since their arrival.


    ¡°Aye, it would be my duty and every guard here.¡± Alexander sneered, his hand grabbing the hilt of his sword.


    Ramakox observed several other guards grab whatever was closest to them to brandish as a weapons over their heads. There were swords, spears, bows, some even had just grabbed pots and pans to defend themselves. Each one of them had lost the stunned expression on their faces, only the grim determination to do their duty lingering on them now.


    ¡°Very well...¡± Aster sighed, placing a hand to the front of his mask. ¡°Do it.¡± he waved. The order came as a horrid thing. Slicing through the air and sealing the fate of everyone in the clearing. The man next to the captain suddenly pulled a dagger, thrusting it into the commander''s side with a forceful resounding schlick. Alexander stumbled as cries rang through the camp from his men. The knight fell to his knees as the red hand knights rushed passed him, ignoring the fallen warrior.


    The royal guard soon found themselves fighting each other as several more that were once laughing and drinking pulled their own wicked blades to sink into their once friends. Ramakox twitched as he was forced to watch in silent fury, unable to make a move thanks to Cray''s dirty ploy. Before his eyes Alexander shambled to the ground, clutching the hilt of the blade lodged into his side, seemingly still lost in disbelief as the robed man brushed him aside like he was nothing.


    ¡°No offense commander, but those that don''t have the strength and get in our way will be moved. The man strode passed the fallen knight, casting his masked face towards the dragon as his knights started to cut into the collection of royal guards, who were struggling to form a battle line that he could recognize.


    ¡°Come on ya bastards! Ole Stonebeard''s got a present for ya!¡± The dwarf from before roared into the night like a lion as he jabbed a spear straight through an armored visor of one of the red hand''s armored warriors. There was a flash of bright white light around the metal helmet, seconds before the man''s head exploded, blood spraying out the holes in the helm and coating those closest in a thin mist of crimson blood. ¡°I told ya I did!¡± the dwarf laughed, pulling back the spear and thrusting it into the chest of a traitor guardsman. ¡°And curse ya blighted traitors too! I spit at ya!¡±


    It was in that moment that Milalee chose to make her move, elbowing Cray right in his chest hard enough for the man to let out a rasped ¡°Feisty Bitch!¡± as he sliced horizontally across her neck and tossing her body to the ground with with a thump and a gurgle from her.


    ¡°Damn that stung you stupid-¡±


    Ramakox acted like lightning, his jaws clamping down on Cray''s neck, and giving a powerful yank before the man could even yell in surprise. With a sickening rip the backstabbing wolven''s head was ripped clean from his shoulders. Blood sprayed from the man''s body as it slumped to the ground and Ramakox spit his severed head from his maw like a cherry pit. ¡°Good riddance.¡± he snarled, eyes falling to the twitching form of the elf who had showed him much kindness through the day, and the red pool of blood that was slowly forming around her on the hard wooden floor. ¡°Milalee.¡± he said softly, his voice cracking. It was true that he did not know her very long but it still did not mean that he wished to see the elf die right before his eyes.


    ¡°Oh...So ya can block me spells can ya?¡± The dwarf named Stonebeard shouted out as he led the defense against the red hand and the traitors closing in on him and his allies. They tossed boxes and other various items to act as distractions or help with the fighting as it dominated the camp. The defenders were doing fairly well for a force that had a fourth of it''s members betray them, and ambushed during a party. But it was no use, the red hand were simply too well equipped and had the numbers. The royal guard were falling one by one to sword, ax, or spear, until it was but a handful, practically backed into a corner of the clearing, all back to back just fending off the onslaught of attacks.


    ¡°Come and get a piece of me ya dress wearing finger twiddling ninny!¡± Stonebeard continued to roar his defiance. ¡°I''ll take that fancy mask of yours and smash it right against ya skull like a gong! Just get a wee bit closer ta me!¡±


    Lord Aster either did not hear the challenges flying from the dwarves mouth like water, or he simply ignored his words. Instead the lord averted his gaze to Ramakox as the attackers gathered around the remaining royal guard who were jeering and taunting the valiant defenders.


    The dragon opened his maw, the fury inside of him swirling around like the storm he was named after as his lines and wing membranes lit up a bright white in the night air. Electricity cackled around his teeth briefly as he narrowed his eyes at the horrid robed man before him. He felt the sensation build up until he could hold it in no longer, and he let fly the bolt of lightning from his snarling maw. It shot towards Lord Aster, quick as a flash. The bolt struck the robed man and danced around his body, seemingly doing nothing as the elf just continued to stride unhurt through it all.


    ¡°It does make one feel good when they come prepared.¡± Lord Aster sneered, holding up a hand to display a golden ring around his finger, a small lightning bolt engraved on the surface. ¡°I will have to thank the man who made this ring of lightning immunity for me, works wonders versus the horrid blue dragon that I faced this night.¡±


    Damn''t of course he planned for it. The blue dragon snarled before Ramakox lowered his head quickly, biting into the leathers that bound his claws to the floor. If no one was going to left to get him out, by the gods he was going to do it. His teeth easily ripped through the tanned hide, the taste making him want to drink water and constantly spit his disapproval, but pleasing tastes could wait, he had to do this, bound as he was he was the perfect prey for the red hand. So with a snort he bit again, almost through the leather strap, he just had one more bite to. ¡°AAAHHHHHHH¡± the dragon roared as a sudden searing heart stopping pain flowed across his chest and made his body tremble and shake. Soon after four more of the same sensation struck various other sections of his armored chest, each one making his claws twitch and his breaths get pushed from his chest. The scent of burning scales drifted up to his nose and made him growl.


    ¡°Oh do pay attention swirling Storm. I would like you to be at least aware that it was I that killed you...and what other things will transpire this night.¡± came Lord Aster''s voice, all coarse and sounding like the man had a hoarse lung.


    The dragon weakly looked up as feeling returned to his chest, the pain finally subsiding and leaving him panting. With his next breath it felt like a thousand needles were prodding beneath his mighty scales and making him wince. He glanced up to see that Lord Aster was flanked by five separate knights all carrying large and cumbersome crossbows of the darkest wood he had seen. Along the weapon''s necks were vents made of metal where small plumes of smoke were coming from. Each knight held the thing pointed at him, a soft hum filling the air that made his scales shiver.


    ¡°Wonderful weapon that Lumara invented. No?¡± Lord Aster patted one of the weird looking crossbows.


    ¡°E...Energy Crossbow.¡± Ramakox hissed, wincing again in pain. He had only heard the stories after all of such weapons...and with a quick look to his blackened scales it looked like they were true. ¡°Not...as powerful as I thought.¡± he gasped, lying right through his teeth as he clenched his eyes shut.


    ¡°Ah yes...This model is a lesser version..Prototypes as it were...If we were to get one of the larger ones we might not be having words right now dragon. You would have your scales ripped open and your insides on full display for us!¡±


    ¡°Pity then....that I have to listen to you prattle on.¡± he tugged weakly against the strap, hoping to force the leather thing to snap at his strength.


    ¡°Fire again.¡± the Lord pointed, the weapons lightning up a bright crimson before energy bolts were let fly, and struck his scales with another series of burning pain that made him clench his eyes and roar, unable to twitch or spasm away. ''There were plenty of ways to kill you...but I figured that this one would be good..and painful..to repay you for the my own loss.¡±


    ¡°Your own loss?¡± Ramakox gasped with narrowed eyes. ¡°You killed my sons mate you horrid piece of filth! What could you compare to that?¡±


    ¡°My son.¡± Aster said flatly, ¡°The explosions that night claimed my dear wife and son in it''s violent fury....Two innocent lives claimed by you and your horrid kind. I knew that your treachery was diabolical...But to kill a woman and my son?¡± Lord Aster held up his hand as shouts sounded from the dwindling royal guard. ¡°That is a low thing I thought you would not dare stoop to.¡±


    ¡°That...was a mistake! I did not mean for that to happen!¡± Ramakox''s eyes drifted to the guards all but wiped out by the red hand and their traitorous allies. ¡°Let them all go...Just kill me..and let them all go.¡±


    ¡°We can''t do that monster. I have to wipe your filth from this plane.¡± Lord Aster thrust his finger towards the blue dragon, a series of bolts following his gesture and making Ramakox scream into the night as his scales broke away and small holes be blown into his twitching hide.


    ¡°Is...that..the best you got?¡± he groaned, smoke starting to billow off of him as daggers seemed to be stabbing his every breath. The act of holding his head up was starting to feel like a chore.


    ¡°Not at all Swirling Storm...These weapons can go on and on..I''m surprised you''re this coherent.¡± Lord Aster crossed his arms with a chuckle. ¡°How many more volleys can you perhaps take before your body gives out eh? Two or three more? I must say that I do like putting you in your place dragon...Does it feel good to know mortals have finally beaten you?¡±


    ¡°Hah, beaten me?¡± Ramakox chuckled with a flash of pain. ¡°You attack me while I am bound and caged..¡± He lowered his voice into a growl, snapping his jaws in defiance. ¡°If that were not the case you would be trembling in your boots right now.¡±


    ¡°Fire again.¡± The shots seared off more of his scales now, all his muscles flinching and trembling as pain blinded him for a moment or two. It left the dragon''s head spinning as he snarled.


    ¡°Gah...Gah..,¡± he coughed. He truly did not know how much more he could take as he weakly stared at the mortals before him with blurry vision. If only he...Ramakox suddenly felt a small tugging at the leather binding holding him so. A quick eye revealed that it was Milalee, Somehow still alive and holding a dagger. The elf was crouched low and diligently working away to sever the last bit of leather that was holding him. He quickly ignored her, not wanting to give her position away and reveal that part of him soon would be free. With that freedom came spells.


    It has to be a good one...A surprising spell that could turn this whole thing around in a flash. Something that could incapacitate or kill. His eyes narrowed as he met those smug, confident spheres behind that painted mask, those eyes that had helped kill Imzel. Kill. His mind hissed.


    ¡°I want you to know Swirling Storm, that after I am done killing you, and ridding the world of your treachery I will be attending to your mate and son.


    ¡°What?¡± he snarled, his temper flaring up as he tried to stall and buy the elf more time. ¡°That is a grave mistake targeting them.¡±


    ¡°Oh not just them dear blue. But the whole damned town that you corrupted. Any moment now.¡± the man suddenly grew silent moments before a thunderous explosion echoed in the distance. It sounded like a terrible thing filled with misery that briefly lit up the countryside.


    The blue dragon''s eyes widened as he had heard that sound numerous times. It was the sound of dragon power exploding. But to make a noise that reached out this far? The explosion had to be massive....EastCliff. ¡°I...am going to enjoy killing you Aster.¡± Ramakox growled, ignoring the pain rumbling through him. ¡°You...deserve a more painful death, but it appears as though time is of the essence.¡± With each word the edge of his vision had started to go red, crimson replacing everything else as he snorted in fury. He pictured screams into the night of all the people of EastCliff being forced to defend themselves from the radical red hand. ¡°Whatever you have done...We will stop it...and every member of your little cult will be cut down and killed...This I swear to you.¡±


    Lord Aster said not a word, the only sounds coming from the dying combat as the royal guard were cut down some more. The masked man closed his eyes, hugged his sides, and let out a loud, mocking laugh into the night air. ¡°Kill me? Oh dragon, I admire your defiance to the last, but no...With you bound so wonderfully by the loyal guard being cut down this very moment? I think not.¡±


    ¡°Come a tad closer to this prison and I shall show you how helpless I really am.¡± he snarled, his words sharp as the blades being used to kill the gathered mortals.


    ¡°Oh do you mean like the lightning that you shot at me? The one that my wonderful ring cast aside like it was nothing? My Swirling Storm I have prepared for that as you saw, and for your bite? While I doubt you can fit your head through the bars I would not risk it. I will safely stand back while my gentlemen and lady charge up their weapons and deliver you to the nine hells from which you were spawned.¡± Lord Aster rose his hand almost in slow motion before the blue dragon''s eyes.


    ¡°Hey! Ya dress wearing sissy! Target me if ya have da stones!¡± Stonebeard shouted, a wall of fire spreading around him to roast two knights in their armor, the men falling to the ground screaming in pain until they ceased their struggles.


    ¡°Goodbye dragon. I shall cherish the days you are gone from this earth, and thanks to these weapons perhaps there will be a day that no dragon flies over Sethera.¡±


    Ramakox heard the final strap give way as his claw pushed forward. The remains of the leather falling uselessly to the floor. He shot up his claw quick as lightning, his mind already forming the spell he knew he wanted. He felt inside his heart the cooling sensation of the deepest ocean, swirling inside of him and spreading to his digits. He could almost see the magic that was building up and begging to be released. He curled his claw into a cup as he pictured the spell he wanted, a thing called horrific wilting. One such spell that would drain the moisture from every living thing in an area he chose. ¡°vol luvnuloke¡± he snarled, his voice carrying all his fury. He did not care how grisly the spell would look, Lord Aster deserved every bit of pain that was going to be coming his way.


    ¡°Fi-¡± Suddenly Lord Aster choked, the words seemingly stuck in his throat as he visibly shuttered, the knights beside him suddenly doing the same thing as their armor rattled.


    ¡°No Lord Aster...¡± Ramakox growled. ¡°It is you and your filth that will be cast from this world, not dragons or those they care for.¡± The blue looked passed that man to the other gathered knights, who were all frozen and trembling just as Aster was right now. The blue having snared all of them with his powerful spell. ¡°This end for you might be too quick, especially after what you have done to my son''s mate and no doubt countless others that you have terrorized over the years.  Your mistake is thinking us as the monsters, but somehow...¡± Ramakox sighed. ¡°I don''t think you care.¡±


    ¡°Grcccchh.¡± The bound elf gasped, nearly doubling over as the man trembled and shook with ragged breaths.


    Ramakox gave a snort, the trembling a clear sign that the spell was reaching it''s end. The red hand and traitorous guardsman would soon be nothing more then husks. The blue dragon pushed from his mind the pleased shouts from the royal guard. Stonebeard warning the others to step back just in case the spell spread to them as well.


    ¡°So Lord Aster. You will die knowing that I did not die from your care, and I will put an end to whatever you have done to my town. You can know that I will hunt down every last one of your little red hand cult if anyone of my loved ones is injured.


    ¡°M-Monster.¡± the robed man shot out, somehow despite the deliberating pain.


    ¡°No, you are the monsters Aster. Killing woman, children, and countless innocents in your misguided attempt to save them from demons, devils, and dragons. It is your kind that fills this world with so much death, destruction and hate. So I say good riddance, and I say to the nine hells with you.¡± With a final clench of his claws all the knights, turned guardsman, and lord Aster twisted and spasmed before him in some alien dance. They unleashed screams of agony that made the dragon''s hide twitch but he persisted, guiding the magic to do it''s horrific work.  From the red faced mortals started to come thin strands of red liquid, flying from them like little ropes and forming a large sphere feet before the blue dragon, hovering in the air like a twisted globe of blood.


    The orb grew larger and larger with each passing moment filled with the cries of those afflicted by the spell. It was a sound never meant to be heard by living beings, but Ramakox ignored them. For these were the red hand, the slayers of woman, children, and wrymlings. They deserved everything they got. With one final snort they all collapsed onto the ground as shriveled husks, their faces contorted into frozen expressions of pain. Ramakox ignored the cries of victory, and the shouts of praise that were shouted his way by the handful of surviving guardsman.


    Ramakox cast his focus from the corpses that littered the clearing to that of the crumpled form of Milalee, who had rolled onto her back. She had a large, deep red line that was drawn across her neck where the dagger had slashed and dug into her. She had a smile currently on her face, panting and gave him a laughing cough.


    ¡°I take it we won?¡±


    The blue dragon almost trilled at her words. The small bit of relief finding it''s way into his worried mind over his loved ones and town. He lowered his snout to inspect the wound that had troubled her more closely. It appeared to be freshly healed despite of things, and possibly tender to the touch. ¡°How did you heal such a grievous wound? Unless you were a healer and I had simply not known. Although how did you cast such a spell without the command phrase?¡±


    ¡°Potion you silly thing.¡± she pointed to an empty glass bottle that was resting on the floor beside her. ¡°Didn''t know if it would work. Got it for a discount after all.¡±


    ¡°Well that is mighty fortuitous.¡± Ramakox chuckled, ¡°Thank the maker of that potion that it wasn''t a dud.¡± He looked up from the smiling elf to the guards who were now inspecting the shriveled bodies of friend and foe alike. ¡°Just glad you''re safe for the time being.¡± his eyes glared down to all the bodies of guardsman he had failed. ¡°I can''t say the same of your friends.¡±


    ¡°You did your best.¡± she smiled weakly, placing a hand onto his nose that made him wiggle it. ¡°And that''s all that anyone can ask of you.¡±


    ¡°I will have to keep reminding myself that as I look to the scores of corpses that are laid before my claws.¡± he grumbled, slicing off the remaining straps with careful strokes. After this attack by the red hand there was no way that he was going to remain the guardsman''s prisoner.


    ¡°Commander are ya still breathin???¡± came Stonebeard''s concerned shout as weapons were plucked from mummified hands.


    ¡°Over....here!¡± coughed Alexander, as with a wince he propped himself up against a large smooth stone, and the others rushed over to his aid.


    ¡°So  ya still be kicken afta all.¡± Stonebeard chuckled, kneeling down to inspect the blade sticking out of the commander''s side. ¡°Nasty bit o work dat Jenkins did there wit dat knife. Don''t you worry, I made sure he took all of my spear inside of him.¡± the dwarf laughed with wink. ¡°He couldn''t handle it.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Alexander laughed weakly. ¡°I thought for a second he would get away with it.¡± He winced as Stonebeard grabbed the hilt firmly.


    ¡°Now dis is gonna hurt, once da blades outta ya I can get ta healin ya proper.¡±


    Alexander nodded, his eyes drifting to Ramakox. ¡°Do it.¡± he clenched his eyes tight.


    ¡°Okay, hold onto ya beard.¡± Stonebeard pulled that dagger out, making a loud gasp of pain sound through the air from the human''s mouth.


    ¡°Alexander!¡± Ramakox called out to the human as several guards moved into bandage the knight''s side. Stonebeard had moved his glowing hands over the bleeding wound, as blood was dripping from it in copious amounts.


    ¡°Yes dragon?¡± the knight groaned loudly, shifting his weight to his other side. ¡°What is it that you want?¡±


    ¡°I want to be released...Now!¡± Ramakox gestured to the back of his cage with an arch of his neck, a groan escaping his maw at the throbbing pain. ¡°And...Some healing from your cleric there...¡± He tried to stand, his limbs all wobbling before he was forced to sit back down, his chest throbbing and stabbing pain into him.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Milalee whispered, siting up with a groan of her own to touch his sensitive chest.


    ¡°Grrrraaahh.¡± He grit his teeth as even her careful, soft touch brought rippling waves of pain across his form. ¡°Fine.¡± He gasped, giving her a fake smile.


    ¡°You heard him!¡± The commander shouted, thrusting a finger towards the blue dragon with a growl. ¡°Stonebeard, use all your healing on him. Only get me to a position where I won''t die.¡±


    ¡°Aye sir, if you tink dat be the best course of action...Course ya could o''ve had ya brain rattled in da.-¡±


    ¡°Stonebeard!¡±


    ¡°Aye, ya don''t got ta get yer knickers in a bunch, I heard ya.¡± The dwarf laughed, patting the wounded knight on the shoulder.


    ¡°Swirling Storm, I hereby release you of all your crimes set forth against you. I find you innocent and a  great protector of the realm.¡± Alexander shouted out, before he was forced to wince and grab at his side.


    ¡°Can you even do that human? You certainly don''t look like the queen everyone has been insisting I go about meeting.¡± Ramakox snorted, tilting his head to the side as he locked eyes with the human knight.


    ¡°I admit...I have no authority to issue such a statement...But after tonight and that attack...and the threat to Eastcliff? The queen can have my own head if she disagrees with my choice this evening. You damned just saved all of use from certain death!¡±


    ¡°Here here!¡± came several shouts from the weary, scuffed up guardsman. Only a handful now left from the whole group set out to capture the dragon.


    ¡°If you wish to thank anyone, thank Milalee here.¡± Ramakox gestured to her with a quick nosing of his snout, while Stonebeard opened his cage with the turning of a key and a clank. ¡°Without her trusty knife and cuts, I would not have been freed to cast the spell that delivered us from the red hand''s vile clutches. The elf rose up, leaning gently on his side as she released a soft sigh as he felt Stonebeard press his rough hands against his flank and begin to chant in dwarven.


    ¡°Three cheers for her and the dragon then!¡± Shouted a wolven man, pumping his furred fist into the air, only to be joined with everyone else. They sang praise after praise, which would have been music to the blue dragon''s ears if not for his worried thoughts of Eastcliff and what troubles had befallen it this evening. He shivered as the words died down and his body started to feel all warm. The sensation originating from the dwarves hands and spreading through his body with soft pulses that made him let out a sigh and lean into the man''s touch.  He felt the pain that had been troubling him fade away in the next few moments, making him ever thankful that healing magic existed in the world at all. He felt his wounds knitting themselves together and sealing in a mere instant. Scales that had been blackened and burned returning to their beautiful blue luster once more, until with a snort Ramakox shook his neck, not a trace of pain left in his body.


    ¡°Many thanks dwarf.¡± he turned back to Stonebeard, raising to all fours and nosing him gently with a rumbling purr.


    ¡°Aye, ya can repay me by not kissing or nuzzling me! I was just getting ya back onta ya paws!¡±


    ¡°Swirling Storm!¡± Alexander shouted, his exclamation ending in another groan. ¡°I have an order for you this evening that carries the weight of the queen behind it!¡±


    ¡°And what would that be royal knight?¡± Ramakox strolled from the cage into the night air, stretching all his sore limbs one by one. Each one sending a slight shiver of delight, ending with a flick of his tail across the grass.


    ¡°Eastcliff...Those explosions...Tonight''s troubles are not yet done...and you know it as well.¡±


    ¡°I do.¡± The blue dragon growled, shifting his head towards the direction of his town. He kneads the ground beneath his claws, images of people...His people getting cut down by sword and arrow. He ripped up a section of the ground, gritting his teeth as his vision started to turn red once more.


    ¡°I need you to lead the others willing to fight...back to stop whatever malevolent plan that man set into motion...I need you to protect the queens people...Your people.¡± Alexander started to cough, covering his mouth.


    ¡°It will be done Alexander...You can rest easy knowing I will make good on that promise that I made to that twisted lord.¡± He turned to the man''s shriveled husk, snorting his approval at his death,a  small jolt of joy finding it''s way to his heart.


    ¡°Well you heard the dragon!¡± Alexander rose a hand, pointing to Stonebeard. ¡°Stonebeard, get the others ready and make haste to Eastcliff. The queens people need all of us this night.¡±


    ¡°Aye commander.¡± the dwarf turned to the other weary guardsman. ¡°Well what are ya standin dere gawkin? Do ya want ta live forever? Grab ya weapon, git yer gear and mount up! We gotsa town to save!

 Chapter 24

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 24</u>


    <u> </u>


    Ramakox beat his membranes against the cool night air, although the chill that wrapped itself firmly around him he doubted came from the sky beneath his wings. He stared out to the vast darkened countryside that he called his domain with anxious breaths, pounding away at the sky with every intake of air that filled his lungs. He had never been more determined to reach somewhere since the night Imzel died, the image of her lifeless form appeared before, reminding him of that failure. He pushed her dead eyes from his head to instead focus on the darkened treetops, the muted hills, and the mountaintops that seemed to be coated in the nights dark cloak. Everything that seemed except for bright shining town of Eastcliff.


    The small town that he had seen grow over the years was lit up like a vast beacon in the dark land. One where darkness could not even rear it''s ugly head. If this were any other night Ramakox might have thought some sort of festival was going on with the amount of light being shed onto every building. If he stared he could see the flames dancing in the distance, the red-orange flames that slowly were enveloping almost every building that he could see. They waved and curled into the night air, plumes of blackened smoke rising up from other sections and making terror worm it''s way into his heart. He snorted , pushing the slight soreness of his wings away, for he knew in his hearth he had to get there. Not just for the town he cared for but for his mate and son who were caught up down in that chaotic mess that was threatening to take everything he had worked for.


    With each anxious breath and beat of his wings his worry continued to grow. They had been flying for over an hour now, the pegasus riders and he. The horses could certainly fly faster then him, but Stonebeard had shot that idea down. Instead insisting that they all arrive together and not in piecemeal to be cut down, since their own numbers were so dwindled. So with another eager flap Ramakox led them across the darkened sky, like some great alpha of a pack of beaten wolves out to try and save the rest of their fellow kin. It was the silence from them that ate away at his nerves. The guardsman that rode with worried faces, and hands on their mounts reins as they passed over hilltops and forests below. Ramakox felt sorry for these mortals with him, for they lacked the healing that he had been provided with, the armor of his mighty scales, and had no wings of their own to help them. Although here they are anyway, ready to trade their lives to save the others of your town. He growled in the back of his throat, making a silent vow to see them through this to the end, and hopefully not have anymore be added to the list of the dead that he was responsible for.


    Only Stonebeard it seemed could speak, filling the silence with curses, shouts, and complaints over having to ride the flying steed instead of his. ¡°Trust horse that he could rely on.¡± As they neared the town glowing with dreadful fires, Ramakox wished that the silence would have remained, for when he heard the first scream of many he felt his scales shiver and shake. It was like a symphony of pain and misery that struck a spear right through the mighty dragon''s heart. He bared his teeth, letting electricity spark around them for a moment as he felt the raging fire within him stir and grow in size. His next breath brought the arid smell of the smoke wafting through the air. It stung his nose something awful and made him snort in displeasure, with narrowed eyes he recognized the stench of blood lingering in the air, and that raging fire only consumed his very mind. For he remembered that promise to Lord Aster, and he could not wait to sink his sharpened talons or teeth into those that would harm woman and children casually like one would cut down wheat for the harvest.


    ¡°By Thor''s beard.¡± Stonebeard uttered in a near whisper, the usual bravado that he had been spouting lost for a moment as he clutched at a pendant of a hammer around his neck. ¡°I didn tink dey were dis big of a threat.¡± The dwarf stared to the large ruined  buildings that were consumed with flames. It looked more like hell itself was rising from the ground to snatch away the structures.¡°Look at what deyve done.¡± There was a quick murmur among the guardsman as their pegasi kept pace with the blue dragon. Their wing-beats doing nothing it seemed to sooth the mortal''s concern.


    ¡°Well it don matter!¡± Stonebeard shouted, finding his courage from a moment of stunned silence and whipping wind. ¡°We got da mighty Swirlin Storm wit us! An top o dat we got another bonnie lass of a dragon down there as we speak! You can also bet we got us a finger twiddler of the ''ighest caliper as well. Jandar da travlin mage!¡± The dwarf unbound the spear from his back, holding it in firm hands as he thrust it into the night above his head. ¡°So the lot of ya best be ready to crack some skulls or stab a few of dem cultist, dress wearing bastards, cause ole Stormbeard is lookin ta force my spear into dose cultists and it be a dam shame lads. I didn bring any lube for dem!¡±


    Ramakox snorted as a cheer resounded from the guard, casting away their worry to the winds with the next beat of the dragon''s wings. His eyes scanned the damaged buildings in the distance, the vast flames that seemed to dot every building with their red fury. He could see crowds of mortals littering every street like little ants scurrying around, but from this distance he could not make out who was friend and which of those were foes. Another resounding shriek into the night made him briefly look up to the vast sky that should have been clear, but instead finding that large billowing storm clouds hung overhead and were rumbling their fury across the land.


    ¡°So what be da plan dragon?¡± Stonebeard''s pegasus carried him closer to the dragon''s head with a snort.


    Ramakox continued to eye the numerous craters that he could see, the ruined rock that seemed to be ripped from the streets by some great animal or beast. Those were where the dragon powder went off. He spotted one where the town hall should have been, the building only half standing and in shambles with flames consuming what was left of the building''s tattered shell. ¡°I think we find a place of resistance down there.¡± He grumbled, hoping with his bones that Jandar and Fremra were safe and well admist the chaos and destruction that plagued his town. ¡°Then we coordinate with the survivors, and we make a strong push back against their forces. We make them pay for every drop of Eastcliff blood that has been spilled this night. That is until we retake the town and raise our flags high.¡±


    ¡°Sounds  mighty good Swirlin Storm...but what about your bonnie lass?¡± Stonebeard pointed out to the sky right above the fire filled town. ¡°I don''t see her flying around at da moment, you tink dey got her?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± He snapped quickly, not really believing the certainty of his words the moment they left his maw. ¡°They have to be...Both her and Jandar.¡± he shook his head with his next wing flap, trying to cast the image of their broken and bleeding bodies from his mind. ¡°I bet on my scales if anyone done there is alive, it will be my wonderful Sea Lilly and my son.


    ¡°You''re an optimistic dragon I''ll give ya that. Never thought I woulda taken ya for one.¡±


    ¡°It''s not just that.¡± he growled. ¡°Both of them have proved they are very hard to kill over the years. ¡°It''s using that fact to make an educated guess.¡±


    ¡°Well nights have a mighty way of turnin when ya least expect it.¡± Stonebeard turned to the others with a large grin and gestured to the town once more. ¡°First we find the survivors holding out, we get their bums out of the fire so to speak. Den we start ta make out push to these bastard backsides! So the lot of ya grab yer bows, javelins, and let me know...Are ya ready?¡±


    ¡°Aye!¡± Came the shouts of the handful of guardsman, Milalee included from his right. Their voices all combined into one resounding roar, filling Ramakox''s heart with warmth and casting away the cold if just for the moment.


    Good. Ramakox spread his wings wide, entering a glide as he started to descend towards the village that grew closer with each passing moment. When they drew closer those little ants of unrecognizable shapes soon changed into that of wicked mortals in dark leathers and white tabards or cloaks. They carried sharp curved weapons or flaming torches, and were using them to light the streets with devastation. The smell of smoke got worse as he heard the shout of ¡°Dragon!¡± ring through the collection of mortals below them. Several arrows were loosed towards he and his collection of riders, but from this distance they easily avoided them with hardly any effort.


    To the dragon''s horror it looked as though those that had resisted the attack were already dead in their homes, or littered the street with their mangled corpses. He felt the flames rise in his chest ever more as he opened his maw wide, and let the bright electricity dance around his teeth and light up his wings like a vast star in the dark night. With an almost grin of satisfaction he let fly his great beam of pure electric fury. The white cackling attack catching a group of cultists as he descended like some great angel of death, forcing them to twitch and spasm in place until collapsing to the cobblestone dead.


    ¡°That''s the way!¡± Milalee shouted from her pegasus, as she and several guardsman pulled back the arrows of their knocked bows, and let fly their projectiles into wicked mortal throats as they closed in on the burning streets.


    They avoided and dodged several more volley''s of arrows as they passed quickly over the ruined rooftops of the homes of Eastcliff. Each one a reminder to the dragon that precious lives were being snuffed out this evening. Each one he had helped build and shape over the last few years, and making him clench his claws out of rage. The riders beside him let fly with arrows or javelins as they continued their pass, catching unaware raiders in throat, chest, or sometimes even head with sickening success. The blue dragon was not idle with his scanning of the debris laden streets, hoping for any sign of those he loved. He let fly more bolts of lightning to ease his concern, each time finding some new raider to destroy with his powerful strikes of draconic fury.


    Fremra should be here. His mind whispered to him as he blew apart a surprised group of cultists with another breath of his lightning. They did not even get a chance to call out the typical ¡°Dragon!¡± which was being shouted out each time they passed another group. Stonebeard was correct in his assumption...If she was able to..She would be here right now...This is her home...and She would not give it up without one hell of a fight. His eyes finally found a small section of the chaos filled town that looked to be well maintained. There was a large tavern standing strong against the tide of raiders and cultists hooting and hollering outside the dark wooden structure.


    The tavern''s sign rattled as a fireball exploded close to it, taking several cultists lives with the brilliant red-orange explosion. The sign had the image of a blue dragon grinning, with the letters stamped below it in bright white. ¡°The Grinning Dragon.¡±


    ¡°Dragon!¡± came the loud cries of his attackers as he and knights easily sailed over their heads, starting to rain their destruction onto the wicked mortals. The attackers took cover as arrows found their way into exposed shoulders, chests, or even groins, causing shouts for them to find cover to echo through the air.


    From the grinning dragon''s windows came a series of arrows, along with at least four bolts of multicolored magical beams. The red hand''s forces were forced to pull back behind turned over crates, large sections of debris, or large crates to shield themselves from the combined attack of the defenders,  the dragon, and riders overhead.


    ¡°Yeah, take that ya sissies!¡± Cried a brown bearded dwarf from the tavern, sporting an eye patch and a nose ring of bright silver. ¡°No one burns da place with da drinks on me watch!¡± The man turned back towards his unseen helpers. ¡°Nice shot dere boyos!¡±


    ¡°Dey still holdin out.¡± Stonebeard grinned. ¡°I can''t believe it...Course deres a dwarf dere so dat be the reason!¡±


    Ramakox angled a wing as a volley of arrows let fly and easily missed his sensitive membranes by feet. He arched his neck and returned the attack with a great bolt of electricity, sending several cultists diving for cover before getting blasted to death. His eyes continued to desperately search the streets as he dove down, slashing two mortals with his claws and sending their limp bodies flying to the ground several yards away.


    ¡°Get the hun-¡± a large half-orc man went to shout with his face smeared in dried blood. Those words were all he got out before a passing pegasus knight tossed a javelin  straight through his heart. The man''s sounds that followed were pain filled groans as he collapsed to his knees, clutching the weapon that had felled him.


    ¡°Swirling Storm is here!¡± Came a loud resounding cheer from the tavern as the blue dragon swooped through the smoke billowing out from a building across the street. Several cultists let out  brief screams before he dove into them, his claws tasting their blood before he bit down onto the last of their number with his jaws. He held the kicking man until his legs ceased their struggles, tossing the limp corpse back onto onto the street and snarling loudly into the night.


    The pegasus knights above circled the tavern, raining death by javelin or arrow to the immediate area around the tavern, their agile mounts easily avoiding any return fire from the cultist attackers below. It was almost sad to watch as the mortals below were falling to the withing attack, and  cried out their misfortune for all to hear with cracking voices.


    Good. Ramakox mind snarled as he bound into another of their groups with a powerful beat of his wings. He ripped them to gruesome pieces one by one like an animal, slicing through flesh and bone, tossing those that remained around like little rag dolls with a mighty swing of his tail. They let out screams as they flew through the air, before smacking hard into walls with sickening thuds then slumping down to the earth without another sound. There was a single one among their number that held up a thin piece of wood towards the sky. His thin hands flicking the wand and summoning forth red sparks that flew upwards to explode high above their heads and paint a large arcane symbol in the air. It shimmered and sparkled as  it hovered silently like an ominous sentinel.


    A wand? The blue dragon questioned himself briefly before the man who had summoned the symbol dashed away and out of sight, dropping his longsword to the ground with a loud clatter. ¡°That''s right flee!¡± Ramakox rose his head into the air, letting out a threatening roar that shook the very cobblestone beneath his claws. He spread his wings wide, letting electricity spring forth from his maw, causing his membranes to light up the night. He would have roared again if not for the loud slamming noise behind him that sounded the tavern, drawing his interest.


    From the bastion of defiance came a plethora of multicolored mortals streaming through the door. They had many different weapons clutched in eager hands. Some even having shields that had the blue dragon''s likeness on them, clearly purchased in town. ¡°For Eastcliff!¡± their cries combining together to form a single roar that brought warmth to the dragon''s heart. With the attackers pinned, the collection of mortals and guard among their number crashed into the cowering cultists with sword and shield. They made quick work of the vulnerable attackers, and in a matter of moments the night was filled with the sounds of swords slicing flesh, shouts of victory, and blood being spilled onto the ground.


    ¡°Now dats what I like ta see!¡± Stonebeard shouted from above as he and his knights circled the collection of cheering mortals who had cleared the street around the grinning dragon. The mortals had seemed to have retained most of their numbers, quickly taking positions to observe the streets, heal up their wound with flashes of soft white light, or even some of the more roguish looking ones starting to loot the fallen for any treasures that could be found.


    ¡°Don''t get too complacent.¡± Ramakox grumbled, landing with a back-wing and a series of cheers praising the very scales that lined his body. He hid the trill that would have slipped from his maw with a snort and gave a stern look as he gazed out to the gleaming faces of all the mortals before him. They appeared to be glad they were defending the town he loved with smirks or grins adorning their joyous faces. ¡°If this enemy is worth anything..Then this is not the end.¡± He gestured to the great red symbol still lingering in the sky by that man''s wand with an arch of his scaled neck. ¡°I bet on my scales they will be regrouping this very moment now that they know where to concentrate their forces. So keep your eyes peeled for their return¡± He drummed his talons against the stone with series of soft clacks, remembering the times that the undead had done something similar. They would lull the soldiers into a false sense of victory, then spring their trap once they were good and ready.


    ¡°You ''eard da dragon!¡± Stonebeard shouted with a wave of his spear. ¡°Keep ya eyes peeled the lot of ya!¡± The dwarves pegasus landed with a series of clomps as it''s hooves struck the ground. ¡°Now you lot over dere! You helpin us? Then listen ta orders. I want da lot of ya over dere.¡± The dwarf pointed to a series of mortals clad with worn leathers and strung bows with a growl. ¡°And da ones with the armor and shield! Yes you, Mr bright hair, I said move it!¡±


    Ramakox strolled passed them towards the tavern as Stonebeard continued to shout and order  the collection of adventurers, most of them snapping to his commands fairly quickly and moving to where the shouting dwarf was pointing. His eyes scanned all the elves, humans, and wolven that seemed to be streaming from the tavern, carrying weapons of various size and quality. All their faces had the same smiles or grins as those before them, but they all shared the same tiredness lurking behind their eyes. Ramakox felt his heart start to quicken as the dwarves shouts started to fade from his mind. With each passing mortal his breaths grew shorter and shorter, for he could not find Jandar among their number.


    Maybe he is somewhe-


    ¡°Ramakox!¡± Came a joyous cry from the tavern doors. The half-dragon he loved racing out with a large grin on his scaled snout. His ornate leather armor was all covered in scars and burn marks, clearly from the night''s attack, as Jandar would have never let something dirty or blemished linger for that long.


    ¡°Jandar!¡± Ramakox cried, tears nearly summoned to his silvered eyes as his heart threatened to spill from his chest as he bound towards the mortal who had spread his arms wide.


    ¡°I nearly feared that you''d..¡±  The half dragon wrapped his arms around the blue''s forelimb seconds before Ramakox rose up and pulled the once human into a tight hug.


    ¡°You thought me? I thought that you were you stupid human.¡± he chuckled weakly, his despair melting away with each breath his mortal took. ¡°And you shouldn''t have used my name in front of so many people.¡± he weakly chuckled, teasing the mortal wiggling in his grasp. ¡°I am glad you''re safe Jandar.¡± he lowered his voice to a near whisper, nuzzling the mortal who had started to caress his snout that made his tail twitch and a small purr resound in his throat.


    They stayed like that for a moment or two, locked within each other''s embrace as the destruction of the city and shouts were all but forgotten. With a snort he placed the mortal back down to the ground. They were in the middle of a battle after all, and he did have his image to maintain. ¡°Good to see that you''re safe Jandar.¡± he repeated with a more serious sounding snort, gazing out to the town that seemed more ruins and crackling flames then anything else he remembered.  ¡°And that the training we did payed off. What happened here?¡±


    ¡°Explosions went off while ago.¡± Jandar pointed to the debris littering the streets. ¡°Took out the town hall and the guard barracks just like that.¡± the half-dragon snapped his fingers together. ¡°Then their people seemed to pour from every street corner and hidden pathway. It appears as though they have been sneaking in for days with their apparent numbers.¡±


    ¡°I thought that as well.¡± Ramakox snorted, the itch beneath his scales returning and making his tail twitch. He wondered if he would ever truly be safe from the red hand''s reach. To sneak in so many that they had an army? After tonight they would have to go over the town''s weapon policy. He sighed as a piece of a ruined building collapsed with a loud cracking of wood that echoed through the air. If there is a town left after this.  ¡°What of Fremra?¡± he tried to mask the dread in his words, but by the expression on the half-dragon''s snout it appeared as though he failed.


    ¡°She''s in the tavern Storm. Took a big hit when the attack started, but she got away. Transformed into an elf and made her way to us rather quickly.¡± Jandar thumbed back towards the structure. ¡°Healers tending to her right now. She got a rather nasty dose of dragon''s bane poison. She claims the leader of the groups a woman wearing a green cloak with the symbol of a lion holding a sword and shield.


    ¡°Hmmpf.¡± Ramakox flicked his tail as he watched the embers from the fire float away into the night sky. If it was not currently destroying his home he might have even called it beautiful. ¡°So it appears as they have dragon hunters then...It looks like the red hand thought of everything.¡± he growled in the back of his throat as he pictured Lord Aster mocking him from death with that coarse laugh.


    ¡°Everything but you living it seems...I take it a group went out to try and kill you while you were being held captive?¡± the half-dragon looked up, tilting his head to the side as some adventures with bright green goggles and flamboyant leather armor walked by.


    ¡°Evidently so..And yes they did try that.¡± Ramakox paused, shivering as he recalled all the dead guardsmen that had paid for his survival. ¡°Killed Lord Aster while he was there...Horrific Wilting did the trick..He is nothing but a shriveled husk now.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Jandar loudly spat a wad of saliva onto the stone with a wet plop. ¡°Couldn''t have happened to a nicer guy.¡± The half-dragon placed a claw softly on Ramakox''s shoulder soon after with a sigh. ¡°Course after they hit Fremra, those group of dragon hunters have not been seen too much. It appears as though they have no interest in burning EastCliff to the ground.¡±


    ¡°A noble dragon hunter?¡± Ramakox grumbled in a growly sort of way. ¡°Only paid to kill the dragon I suppose, so that''s all they lift a sword to do.¡± He turned back to the mortal with a drum of his claws. ¡°How is Fremra now? Is she able to stand?¡± He focused on a large fire across the way that rose into the sky with little red-orange serpents.


    ¡°I can go check on her, she was coherent a few minutes ago before you arrived to save the day.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Ramakox sighed in relief. ¡°We will need her nature magic to put out the flames..I think a  nice torrential downpour will do the trick...I always loved the rain.¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°No you didn''t¡± Jandar punched him playfully. ¡°You only like it now because of a teal dragoness that it reminds you of.¡±


    ¡°I admit nothing.¡± he looked away with a snort and swish of his tail, a growl forming in the back of throat. ¡°Of course it would not be so wrong.¡±


    ¡°Of course Storm, maintain the dragon dignity and all..¡± Jandar laughed, then turned to the destruction laden streets. The mortals gaze lingered there for a moment or two in silence before his brow wrinkled and he let out a long drawn out sigh that lingered in the air. ¡°Kind of hard to believe this is happening..Eastcliff...Look at it storm.¡± Jandar''s eyes wavered over the burning buildings, the ruined houses, his tail slightly twitching behind him. ¡°First Imzel..Now my home...¡± The man grew silent once more as the sounds of Stonebeard ordering people around sounded nearby.


    ¡°Don''t worry Jandar...These are just buildings. They can be rebuilt if given enough time and work...But the lives?¡± Ramakox''s silver spheres fell to the corpses of the townsfolk that had already lost their lives, and scattered around like forgotten dolls. ¡°Those are the most important...and not so easily replaced...¡± He turned back to Jandar with a little snort of air escaping his nostrils. He may have looked a little more vulnerable as he peered down to the mortal, the itch beneath his scales coming back to annoy him and making him shiver.  But how could he not look vulnerable in a time such as this? So many dead that were now laid out before him. The lives that were all dead because of him. The lives that he had failed.  ¡°Did anyone else make it out? I shutter to think that everyone else is dead.¡±


    ¡°Yes actually. We funneled many out through the basement of the tavern. You wouldn''t believe the shouting captain  Fenix did.


    ¡°How did you sneak them out through the basement?¡± Ramakox tilted his head to the side as a few mortals walked passed him with gawking eyes.


    ¡°Yes we snuck them out....Apparently Bob the innkeeper was smuggling potions and other illicit goods into town through an underground tunnel that he had some druids dig. So we used to get woman, children, and any sick or elderly out through there as the fighting raged on. Thanks to that man there a lot of people that are still alive and kicking instead of cut to pieces, burned, or currently choking on the smoke.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Ramakox quickly added with a sigh that brought a small comfort to his head. Like Jandar had said, it wasn''t much...But it was something.The red hand wouldn''t completely win this night.


    ¡°Put yer back into it!¡± Stonebeard shouted out to a collection of mortals who were currently dragging a large cart across the cobblestone to form a semicircle for archers and various other ranged combatants to use as cover.


    ¡°Who are they anyway?¡± Ramakox asked, looking out to the mortals all working together to try and protect this final refuge from the evils of the red hand.  He gestured out to the multicolored humanoids. ¡°So many different colors, heraldry, they look to be from all over the countryside.¡±


    ¡°That a matter of fact happens to be the case actually.¡± Jandar laughed, pointing to a man clad in half-plate who bore a blue tabard. ¡°These are the fruits of our labor storm. What you see before you are all the adventurers that were inspired by my own tales and your stories. They are all in different times of their careers. Some are just starting out, while some have been at it for years. Each one came here to learn about the Swirling Storm, the dragon who trained the mage who spread his name and deeds across the countryside and beyond. So here they are, acting like the heroes in those stories that you told me oh so long ago.¡±


    ¡°Hmmpff.¡± the blue dragon looked away as his heart started to grow warm, and he shifted his weight from one claw to the other. He could feel the pride swelling up his chest as he gazed out to working mortals supposedly inspired by his deeds. So not everything that became of my actions was bad. We at least inspired some other mortals to take up various weapons and try to be heroes. ¡°Well they certainly got what they asked for this night.¡± he grumbled as Stonebeard started throwing out curses left and right once again, his face growing more red with each passing moment.


    ¡°You should go tell Fremra that I am most fine. She must be ever so troubled as you were that something rotten happened to me on that trip to the capital.¡± He refolded his wings against his back, letting out a long yawn as he shook his head in place.


    ¡°I will...But you know that when I do she will walk out to come see you. No matter what condition she is in.¡± Jandar crossed his arms with a smirk, letting out a small chuckle. ¡°She loves you Storm..and I fear for the people that try and stop her from getting to see you.¡±


    Ramakox just snorted his approval before letting out a small rumble from his throat that made his claws twitch. His head perked up as a loud drowning horn sounded through the night, and the droning stead sound of marching came soon after and made his scales tremble. He had heard that sound many times, years ago when he had battled the undead armies of old. It was the sound to reform and head back into battle. ¡°You best go get her quickly.¡± Ramakox growled, lowering himself and baring his teeth at the approaching enemy forces. ¡°I think our mutual friends are going to be coming back in force.¡± When the mortal did not move at first he nosed him in the back of his wings. ¡°Hurry!¡± He hissed as he heard the steady sound of marching feet, and another wailing cry from their horn of battle.


    ¡°Form up!¡± Milalee shouted down to the collection of grinning humans, the fact they were about to be in battle seemingly lost among them.


    ¡°Aye, ya heard da elf! Ready yer spells...Clerics, best get yer heals ready!¡± Stormbeard chimed in, cupping his mouth with his hands.


    Ramakox just snorted as he felt the first droplets of water splatter against his snout, as the sky above seemed to open up and unleash it''s wet contribution to the ensuing battle. It was not enough to put out the flames that danced in defiance of the wet payload, but it was still enough to drench everything else it touched. Good..It will make an excellent conductor for my electricity..I almost feel bad for them.


    ¡°Stand firm!¡± He shouted out, flicking his tail behind him as he narrowed his eyes towards the incoming sounds. He spread his wings as the mortals formed a ring around the remaining tavern with their weapons held tight, and vigilant eyes seemingly watching every corner for signs of movement. It did not take long for another horn to echo through the night air, as a horde of mortals marched around the last corner before the tavern. They carried large wooden shields at the front all painted different shades and colors. Not a single one shared the same heraldry. In their hands were long swords, with spears flanked close behind them. The mortals marched down the street towards them, the sound of their clinking chain mail or scale armor mixing in with their footsteps. Near the front they carried a large billowing white standard with the symbol of a red clenching fist splattered on it''s surface. With the shade it was, it appeared to have been made with blood, and that fact made Ramakox clench his teeth, narrow his eyes, and angrily flick his tail as he unleashed a drawn out growl.


    The dragon''s eyes searched the wicked looking mortals. He traced every rugged or stern faced mortal among the bunch, looking for any sign of a leader or a person of power among them. He shook his head as he could not find a single one among their number that he could pick out and choose to be a target of interest. The enemy it seemed was playing it smart, and it irritated him that there was no sign of the hunters that had plucked Fremra from the sky.


    ¡°Ready yer weapons!¡± Stonebeard shouted to the gathered masses of multi raced adventurers. He pointed to the collection of ones holding either longbows or crossbows held within their tight hands. ¡°Get ready to loose yer bolts and arrows on my mark!¡±


    This can''t be it.¡± Ramakox''s mind whispered to him as he scanned the rooftops for any sign of movement. Any shimmer that might draw his eyes and reveal an invisible foe. He thought he heard the squawk of a gryphon before a mortal in their ranks rose a horn to his lips and blew that sound to announce their arrival.


    ¡°We can do this!¡± a mortal clad in splint mail said. The worry present in the half-elves voice as Ramakox saw him shiver, his hands trembling and struggling to hold onto his sword.


    ¡°Don''t worry little one.¡± Ramakox uttered with a voice brimming with confidence. If they needed someone to help lift their spirits, then it should be the dragon to do it. He was the Swirling Storm after all. He looked to the approaching mass of cultists, all formed up and in formation as they diligently walked like a well oiled machine. So they want to stand right there in the open when facing a force that has a dragon such as I at their disposal? He opened his glands to draw electricity to his teeth, the crackling of the energy as it danced around his teeth was music to his ears. He narrowed his eyes as with his next breath he pictured all the formless lives that the red hand had taken over the years. With a flick of his tail and quick snort his sympathy was dashed from the corners of his mind. Die.


    He let forth his bright light of pure fury towards the gathered mass of red hand. It lit up the destroyed streets and ruined buildings as it shot passed almost too quickly for mortal eyes to trace. It looked like it was going to strike dead center of the platoon and scatter their formation, however at the last moment the attack arced up and struck a large metal staff being held by a robed man several rows into the formation. The bolt of electricity flowed around the cultists before flying away from them into a nearby ruin, causing the structure to break away with a thunderous crack.


    What? He snarled, watching the mass of cultists continue their advance, seemingly unhindered by his display of force. They must have a mage with them. Ramakox started to grumble unintelligible words to himself as several mortals around him gave curious looks about why his attack failed. ¡°They were able to redirect it with a mage.¡± he said casually, irritation growing as he glared to the robed man.


    ¡°Well lets see dem redirect this!¡± Stonebeard thrust his spear forward towards the red hand. ¡°Loose yer arrows!¡± The moment he had finished shouting the last syllable, a volley of arrows were loosed passed his shouting face towards the menacing cultists.


    Ramakox heard a brief shout of orders before the company rose their shields, protecting themselves from the wave of wooden death falling towards them. Although despite this defensive maneuver, some of the cultists still caught arrows into their bodies. Some even took fatal wounds to their heads, and slumped to the ground with a jingling of their metal armor.


    ¡°Now second volley! Throw in some spells while we''re at it!¡±


    Rays of blue intense cold, and bolts of flaming spheres were tossed at the horde of metal and leather before them as more arrows were loosed into the air. Like before the shields of the cultists kept many of them protected, but even more fell to the magical prowess or arrows that rained from the sky. Ramakox joined in with the attack, letting loose another bolt of lightning from his maw towards them. Once more he aimed for the clumped mass, knowing the ensuing explosion would do the most damage there. Although just like last time that he did this, the attack was redirected once more by the robed man. Except this time the attack was sent back towards a clumped form of his mortal allies. The bolt exploded around them before the humans could get to cover. The adventurers let out a brief scream before slumping to the ground all dead to Ramakox''s horror.


    Another few added to the list. Ramakox''s mind growled as he focused intently on the robed man amidst the sea of armored cultists. If he wanted to unleash anything powerful on their clumped numbers, it appeared as though that man would have to be dealt with first. Stonebeard seemed to have the same ideas as he pointed to some pegasus knights who were currently holding their ground and bows at the ready.


    ¡°Take care of dere finger twiddler in the middle! We need da dragon''s spells and breath if we are ta level the field!¡±


    Milalee just nodded, raising her bow as she and five knights took wing with a series of snorts and whinnies from their mounts. The knights flew into the air, lining up their shots with tightly drawn bows, but before they could loose their arrows a screeching noise sounded out through the air. Soon after multi feather pattern gryphons seemed to appear out of thin air and were led by the snow white gryphon called Ironwing from the estate. The white gryphon wore leathers that covered his more vulnerable areas just like the others of his flock. However he had something they all lacked. The white gryphon was sporting a black eye patch, a clear memento of he and Ramakox''s first encounter.


    The pegasus knights were immediately on the defensive, darting away from the pursuing gryphons. One unlucky rider was torn to shreds by razor sharp talons, his mount getting it''s throat ripped out and being tossed to the street below.


    ¡°Incoming!¡± A half-orc adventurer shouted out from the other direction. The tusked individual gesturing with a large battle ax towards the sound of clomping hooves.


    Round the other corner came galloping horses all white and brown with barding of dark crimson. Each mount bore a human, elf, or wolven clad in chains or scaled armor just like their fellow cultists.  The horses started to pick up speed as the night rang with their ferocious roar.


    Ramakox spun around to face the new attackers, begrudgingly forcing himself to ignore the marching cultists for now. He preformed a quick gesture with his claws and pressed them firmly against the cobblestone with a snort. The words of power slipped from his maw easily as the mortals felled several incoming riders with either spell or arrow. Some were creative with their magic. He saw one rider pulled from their horse by a series of twisted vines that sprung from the ground. Another was thrown from his mount as the equine suddenly stopped moving, it''s body seemingly frozen in place. The blue dragon''s words would only help with this attack of spells as he could manipulate the ground beneath their very feet. He formed holes or little crevices in which to snare the galloping line of calvary. He released a pleased rumble as the first line of beasts suddenly collapsed in a series of pained screams and terrified whinnies. The others behind them being forced to move around their fallen comrades and be peppered by more magical bolts or arrows of wood. Some to his surprise continued on with their charge, crushing the bodies of their allies in their wake. It seemed that the hate for him and his town was greater then their loyalty to their kin.


    He let loose another bolt of lightning from his snarling maw, this time it was not redirected by a bothersome mage. Instead it crashed into several stampeding horses, and caused them to flail back into their allies and impede their progress even further. A roar from the cultists from before drew his attention away from the nearly broken riders. The marching mortals suddenly letting loose another loud cry of battle as they suddenly broke into a charge towards their line like men possessed. The blue dragon looked up to see the pegasus knights all interlocked with gryphons. Sword and spear being used to drive off sharpened beaks and talons. With a snort he returned his attention to the charging mortals before him. With their mage I cannot simply stop them with a spell. Ramakox wrinkled his snout as he started to move and reposition himself, adventurers taking his place as he already started to utter the words required for stone skin.


    Stoneskin should do the trick with their weapons...Hoping they don''t have any magical ones. He shook his head, not really having the time to cast another spell and scan their collective horde for any weapons that could cut through his defensive spell. By Bahamut''s platinum scales...Grant me the luck this night. He flicked his tail, twiddled his digits, and forcefully placed a claw to his thick armored chest. ¡°Gol karaake¡± he said clearly, the last syllable lingering with a hiss. From his claws came the spread of grey that would soon over take all the blue in his scales. The familiar spell almost bringing a smile to the older dragon''s snout as he spread his wings wide and let forth a challenging roar that echoed through the night in defiance at the red hand and their evil ways. It was a single glorious thing that held in the air, the sounds of mortals joining him in their mock roars only making the dragon''s determination to succeed  grow ever stronger.


    ¡°For Eastcliff!¡± he shouted at the top of his lungs, scratching lines into the cobblestone as he flung himself like a stone missile towards the horde of charging cultists. He flapped his wings once, propelling himself swiftly into their ranks, and smashing aside their little bodies with his limbs, or slicing them to pieces with his sharpened claws. Mortals around him gave screams of surprise as they tried to adjust to the dragon that was now in their ranks and tossing them about like rag dolls. Ramakox thrashed his tail, sending at least ten of the armored bastards to the ground. He felt them try to stab or slice at his limbs, finding that their weapons were useless against his magically protected scales. He trained his eyes onto the mage, the one who had redirected his breath and made him kill three adventures fighting by his side.


    The robed man was standing firmly while the others threw themselves toward the dragon, almost as if they were buying time for the man who had his hands held up and glowing a faint sickly green. He moved his arms in a fashion that gave away that he was planning to use the spell dispel magic and rip away the dragon''s defensive barrier.


    Ramakox threw mortals aside with the next breath that filled his lungs, slashing and smacking them  with such force he could hear their bones splinter and crack with each quickened strike. He tried to barge his way through the mass of men towards the mage that was getting increasingly within his grasp. It looked like the Elven man would finish his spell as he thrust his fair hands up to point right to the dragon''s chest, a smirk forming on the edge of his smug lips. However before the elf could finish the spell, an arrow suddenly passed right through one of his unarmored hands and made the robe wearing finger twiddler howl out in pain.


    Milalee sailed quickly over head, giving the dragon a quick salute. The arrow an apparent gift from the fair maiden as her pegasus carried her quickly away over the chaos and the two tawny gryphons chasing after her with eager wing-beats. ¡°Go get him Storm! For the queen!¡± She shouted out, averting her gaze to the pursuing birds and willing her mount to go faster with a loud ¡°Hiyah!¡±


    Excellent. Ramakox roared his approval as he blasted the stunned mortal with his breath. The elf was too distracted by his hand to deflect the lightning this time. The doomed elf even had hardly enough time to shield his face before the brilliant light of electric death struck him and forced his body to twist and spasm before collapsing to the ground dead. With that magical pest taken care of, Ramakox gave a mighty snort and continued his gruesome work of the cultists around him. Their attempts to hurt him were pathetic, thanks to his spell they did nothing to injure or slow him down.  He was serving as the perfect distraction as the adventurers came right after him to attack the cultists head on.


    The distracted cultists did not stand a chance as the mortals crashed into their ranks, the cries of dwarf, elf, wolven and human forming together to sound just as fierce as the dragon''s mighty roar. Their weapons struck into red-hand flesh, splattering their blood against the ground as shields smashed against their victims and sent them flying to the ground where they were easily finished off. Spears collided with head and chests, axes cut open torsos. It was a gruesome slaughter to say the least as the spell casters behind their lines aided the melee troops with buffs or distracted enemies with curses or illusions.  Ramakox even spied a dwarven man playing a bagpipe in the back to pass the time. The blue dragon found the sound not even irritating like he usually did. The melody flowing into him and instead filling his bones with strength and casting away the weariness lingering within them. It was as if the very notes coming from the little bag were themselves magical.


    So Ramakox let out another terrifying roar to his enemies as he now had a theme to crush their skulls or slice heads from their torsos. He flung another group into the air with a swipe of his great tail, observing the pegasi overhead as they continued their battle with the fierce feathered gryphons. The knights were not so lucky as the dragon had been with Milalee. The fast gryphons had caught two of the riders and ripped them from their mounts, sending the beasts crashing to the ground. It was only when the last two riders were sliced from their mounts did he start to worry about  Milalee''s safety as she managed to just barely hold off a gryphon with a sharpened blade.


    Milalee was holding her own against a brown and white gryphon that was trying to slice her head from it''s shoulders. She sliced at the attacking gryphon who already bore bloody signs of her previous attacks success, her blade slicing deep into the bird''s unprotected neck. Her mount carryed her safely away from the dying bird''s slashes of retribution with another beat of it''s wings. It looked like she was safe, but in the blink of an eye another gryphon was slicing at her, a brightly colored female  with crimson feathers letting out a screech of fury as she made the elf turn to the defensive just to avoid being sliced to ribbons. It looked like Milalee was going to be cut down as she was steadily followed, and talons slicing at her leathers.


    ¡°Ya won''t be killin her ya stupid bird brained twit!¡± Stonebeard roared as his own mount carried him towards the pair, his spear sinking into the crimson bird''s chest just in time to cease her attack and explode her chest with a flash of white light.


    ¡°Thanks Stonebeard! Thought the gods had chosen this day to be my death!¡± Milalee cheered, unstrapping her bow and letting fly a couple more arrows towards a gryphon that had not closed the distance between them.


    ¡°Aye lass, can''t let the dam cat birds get ya! Not when we be the last two riders left! Now get yer behind back to da tavern so we can regroup!¡± Stonebeard dove away as two more gryphons flew towards him, only for Ramakox to catch one with a breath of lightning. The bird losing control of it''s flight and smashing headfirst right into the side of a building, the ruined wood collapsing onto the gryphon''s no doubt mortally wounded form.


    ¡°Back to the tavern!¡± Ramakox echoed the dwarves order with his booming voice, smashing aside some more cultists for good measure. He was the last one to fall back as the adventurers started to do so one by one, the dragon filling their positions and halting the cultist advance in it''s tracks. With a quick look around the blue dragon came to the realization that not all the adventurers had made it back to the tavern. Many of their bodies were dead on the street, blood oozing from their broken bodies. He narrowed his eyes and vowed to never forget them. That I swear to you mortals...I will know all your names. He narrowed his eyes and let forth another bolt of lighting, sweeping it before the cultists and making them back off and halt their advance for now.


    ¡°Come on ya show off!¡± Stonebeard called to him, the defenders already starting to form ranks as they moved shields to the front with spears right behind them. ¡°Ya ta save some for da rest of us! Can''t have ya hoggin all the glory!¡± The dwarf gestured to the dwindling riders that somehow had not been wiped out yet, that were slowly being brought down by the clever adventurers.


    Ramakox snorted, smacking another puny human cultist aside into a building with a loud clang as the sound of yet another horn filled the air to announce more reinforcements on their way. However just as he was turning around to bound towards the tavern, Ramakox was struck by three separate large forms in his side all at the same time. The combined strength of the trio lifted the dragon off his claws and sent him crashing through a burning building''s wall. He hardly felt a thing as wood splintered against him and the wall gave way to his bulk. He had hardly let out a breath before the burning corpse collapsed onto him, trying to crush the blue drake beneath it''s form. He was once more thankful for his spell as everything broke against his scales like they were nothing, and the weight of the fallen debris was not enough to trap him beneath it. What was that? His mind shouted as he tore loose chunks of blackened wood and ash from his body and tossed it away like trash.


    His answer came in the form of three separate squawks as he emerged from the ruin, shaking the soot from his scales, the powdery substance leaving a thin cloud lingering in the air. Three sets of sharpened talons ripped straight through his protected scales and drew blood from his insides. The blue dragon snarled and pushed back his attackers with a forceful swipe from his claws. Standing before him were three strong looking gryphons. Two grey feathered ones with narrowed eyes of ice with scared tan leathers with the symbol of a red clenched fist painted on their surfaces. The other one with them was a snowy white gryphon with the eye patch. The one from before who called himself Ironwing.


    He lashed back with a snarl, a sharpened claw slicing down the form of one of the grey ones. It caused the gryphon to let out a pained squawk as it flapped frantically away to avoid further strikes. Ironwing punished his attack however, rewarding his glancing blow with two large strikes to his forelimbs. One stuck his hardened scales and did nothing to him, the other cut right into his scales and painting the dark grey a bright crimson.


    How?? His mind snarled as he snapped at the snowy gryphon and made the eye patch wearing bird avoid being caught by his sharpened fangs. He snarled and let loose his breath upon his winged attackers, the gryphons easily avoiding it and knocking him to his side once more with a synchronized powerful strike that left him wincing in pain and his spell fading away the moment he struck the hardened ground with a pained gasp. ¡°Enough of that!¡± he roared, lashing out with a claw and summoning a chain lightning spell to his mind. This time as he righted himself he let loose two attacks of electric fury, one from his breath and the other launching from his claws with a loud crack. Iron wing was the only one to avoid it with a flap of his wings, the other two not quick enough to avoid both of the bolts of light. Their forms shook and trembled as electricity coursed through their bodies, sending a jolt of satisfaction through the blue dragon''s heart at his success.


    Ironwing slipped in and sliced opened his maw with a powerful quickened strike, making Ramakox wrinkle his snout and snarl in response at the quick flash of pain. The gryphon''s ploy to save his allies was too late, the grey feathered birds collapsed to the ground, never to rise again. The snowy gryphon attacked again before Ramakox could utter another syllable. His frantic slashes finding scales that opened up before his continued assault. It was in that moment that the blue dragon noticed that the gryphon''s talons were painted a dark teal. Like they were dipped into a cup of dripping ink.


    Adamantium?? His mind asked as his tail smashed through a window with a loud crash. It shattered glass and sent the shards to the stone below. That would explain why he is having such an easy time going through my scales. He knew that material had magical properties, and boasted some of the strongest armor and weapons throughout the land. ¡°Once more you find yourself alone.¡± Ramakox snarled, his claws brushing the gryphon as the bird leaped away once more, his wings carrying him high above a building with a mighty flap.


    ¡°I''m not alone dragon.¡± Ironwing growled. ¡°I have the others, and they are making sure to get rid of your minions.¡± Sure enough a loud yell drew the blue dragon''s attention to see that six manticores were hovering over the adventurers and launching down their sharpened spines to make the mortals scatter and run for cover before the withering attack.


    Ramakox growled and continued his duel with the slippery gryphon. He had to end this quickly then, if only to make sure that he could free up his defensive line from the lion like beasts suppressing them with their sharpened spines that were sinking into flesh and causing so much trouble. He bound after the snowy gryphon, joining him in the air as he lashed out with a snarl. His claws missed the first time, but his second strike with his talons found purchase in Ironwing''s flank. Lightning flashed across the sky as Ironwing battered his snout with claws and still managed to dodge and weave and narrowly avoid the blue dragon''s next quickened attacks. ¡°Graaaah!¡± Ramakox shouted in irritation as his claws smashed through a ruined wooden beam as he pursued the gryphon back down closer to the burning homes.


    ¡°It seems as thought you are slow this evening dragon. It actually saddens me that you are not as challenging as you were.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? You seem very eager to dodge my claws, perhaps you should stick around to experience them? Just slow down so I can do the world a favor and get rid of you and your groups activities.¡±


    ¡°I would say the same to you dragon! I will not rest until your evil ways are stopped, and the death of my wing-mates are avenged!¡± Ironwing''s limb suddenly glew a bright blue before he struck back at Ramakox, catching the blue dragon on his snout. The paw had so much force that Ramakox was slammed into the ground with a groan as the stone beneath him shattered and cracked.


    ¡°Ugh.¡± Ramakox snarled, shaking his head as he pushed himself to all fours. He could feel the rest of his body aching with a dull pain that made his tail flick in response, and caused him to grit his teeth with his next breath. He must have something to increase his strength..Some sort of item or spell..I have NEVER felt a gryphon that strong. He gasped out, eyes training on Ironwing who gave him a sly smirk.


    From the tavern came a loud defiant roar that brought a smile to the blue dragon''s snout. The familiar quaking sound that echoed through the night and belonged to none other then his Sea Lilly announcing her arrival to the fight.


    ¡°Get the ness!¡± came a shout from the collection of cultists.


    ¡°Oh gods save us! Duck!¡± cries sounded out as the dragoness started to pluck manticores from the sky with her strong claws and slicing the lion like creatures to bloody ribbons.


    ¡°Looks like history is repeating itself little gryphon. You could have lived in peace from me if you only kept hiding and running.¡± Ramakox took flight to chase after Ironwing as the gryphon darted away with a squawk. ¡°But you intent to come back to my home...and kill my people?¡± He let out another bolt of lightning, making the gryphon swerve and avoid the brilliant bolt of death.


    ¡°Yes it is dragon, but not for me!¡± Ironwing snapped back, angling his wings and quickly changing direction to slice a the blue dragon''s underside and only getting a shallow wound in return from Ramakox''s claws. ¡°But for you and your mortals! Just like that woman that Aster killed.¡±


    ¡°How dare you speak of her!¡± the fury inside the blue dragon''s heart starting to cause his vision to turn shades of various reds. He raced with renewed purpose against the vile gryphon, his eyes narrowing and filling with murderous intent. He pictured Imzel''s frozen face staring at him with accusing eyes. ¡°You will pay for her death!¡± Ramakox roared as the gryphon led him away from the tavern and towards the crater that used to be the town hall. In the back of his mind  he could hear warning bells going off. The white gryphon''s actions clearly leading him away from the bulk of the battle. However with another smug look tossed his way and another thought to Imzel he pushed the warnings from his mind and pounded ever harder against the air in pursuit. He rose a claw and focused on horrific wilting, the spell that had put and end to Lord Aster. It may not have been an original way to dispose of the gryph, but it was ever so fitting for he and his cultist friends.


    Ramakox preformed the claw movement as the mental image of Ironwing writhing in pain as the horrid gryphon clutched at himself and was reduced to a withered husk lingered in his mind. The grim image brought a feeling of satisfaction to his murderous mind. He went to snarl the words, the final part of the activation to end Ironwing''s horrible life. There was a loud twang that filled the air, the only warning that the dragon got as it threatened to be drowned out by the sounds of combat. He gave a surprised yelp as a large net of dark hunter green collided with him, quickly binding up his glorious wings and limbs in a matter of seconds. The surprise made him stumble in thought, the spell fading away into nothing as he lost his concentration. That was not all the net did however, from each green strand came a burning sensation that lit up his body with pain so intense that it made him gasp, twitch, tremble and clench his teeth as he plummeted towards the earth. He crashed into the street with a ripple of shattering pain, his bones seemed to all smash against one another as the air was forcefully driven from his lungs.

 Chapter 25

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 25</u>


    <u> </u>


    The world seemed to spin around him as stars danced in his vision, making it seem as though the twinkling souls of dragons from above had blanketed everything. He roared out  in pain as the net continued to send rippling waves of agony coursing through his body and making him feel as though he had been plunked into molten lava. I...have to get out of here...not be some defenseless pile of broken dragon on the street...Easy prey for the red hand to do away with. He grit his teeth and pushed the pain from his mind, instead focusing on the eyes of Imzel that stared at him from beyond the net. No..they will not. He cut sections of net with a sharpened claw as the shouts of mortals were drowned out by his pained gasps and growls he would make with each slight movement. With a final shiver he ripped the net from him with his talons, pushing himself to all fours and shaking as he stood proudly with his scales still burning. He let out another groan, eyes falling to the net, to find that it was covered with metal spikes that were all dripping a mixture of green and red thick ooze.


    ¡°D-Dragon''s bane poison.¡± he groaned, stumbling as he took his next pain filled step upon the ground. Thankfully it did not appear that he broke anything in the fall. The hunters...this is how they must have gotten Fremra..Some sort...of Launcher.. He took another step shaking the weariness from his hide and any residue of the poison that was seeping into him with each passing moment.


    ¡°Get him, he''s ours now!¡± Came a confident yell as a human adorned in full plate literally appearing out of thin air. The man charged at him with a glowing runed longsword that brightened up the street as he sliced a thin line into Ramakox''s left forelimb, causing him to pull it back with a hiss.


    The blue dragon weakly leaped back as the brown bearded mortal did not stop his attack, quickly trying to slice the other limb.


    ¡°On it!¡± Came another voice shouting in return. It came from a woman dressed in dark navy robes with a series of sea foam arcane symbols stitched into the edges of the fine looking cloth. She held up her hands and without a word summoning a swarm of bright lights to form around her. She gestured to him with a thrusted finger, causing all her bolts to sail towards him like little piranha eager for their wounded meal.


    Ramakox avoided another awing from the armored man, trying to snap back at him but only finding a shield to block his angered snap. He tried to swerve to avoid the incoming wave of missiles but it was no use as he stumbled backwards. The bolts traced his every movement that he made until they collided into his scales and exploded with brilliant lights that made him roar as searing pain swept through him once more. Damn...Magic missiles.. He hissed, ripping the armored man''s shield away with one of his claws. He was about to land a blow and send the man flying with his next attack but it was stopped by a large forest green vine that sprouted from the ground and swiftly wrapped itself around his limb like wiggling anaconda and forcefully pulled his limb to the ground.


    He snapped his attention to a feather clad siigonis with lime green scales. The lizard held a large gnarled wooden staff, pointing it at the dragon as it glowed a faint purple light. His golden eyes were narrowed into pleased slits as Ramakox struggled to free himself from the surprisingly strong vine that bound him so.


    Curse the luck. Ramakox opened his maw to fire forth his lightning at the lizard concentrating on the spell. The bolt struck a section of earth below the caster, a small explosion sending the scaled man backwards with a quick groan. The vine almost immediately faded away into nothing, the spell having been lost. The armored knight from before had not been idle, while the blue dragon had launched his attack the knight had taken advantage of the distraction and cut twice into Ramakox''s other limb. Not deep enough to cut bone, but enough to cause him to release a hiss and back away with bared teeth.


    ¡°That''s right ya winged devil! Hiss at me! Snarl if that''s what ya got!¡± the man smiled, holding his shield once more aloft while he glared at Ramakox with narrowed eyes. The flames of the town reflecting in his pupils like a pool of wet ink.


    You want my all knight? No little spell caster to protect you. Ramakox spread his wing and took flight with a mighty bound into the air. If he was going to fight these pesky mortals then he would do so on his own terms, not be stuck on the ground like some wounded animal ready for the slaughter. He was a dragon, and this was his domain. He gasped as his wing-beats made his limbs shiver, the lingering pain still present with each motion that he took. Will have to see Fremra about removing the poison. He briefly thought as he passed over the cursing knight below. That''s right little human. I will not be fighting you on the ground this day..You can taste my lightning from the air. Ramakox arched his neck to fire another bolt of lightning, this time at the woman who had pelted his fine scales with her little angry bolts of magical energy. One good attack deserved another after all, and if she was going to mess with the dragon and try to kill him? Then he was happy to return the favor.


    The woman rose a hand to summon forth a magical shield that took the brunt of his electric fury. The electricity licking the edges of her brilliant shield of pure energy. She cried out into the night as it seemed to take everything she had to not be swept away by the sheer strength of his breath.


    Hmmpf...Why must there always be a spellcaster? It always makes things so...Complicated.. The blue dragon felt his wings start to weigh him down as though they were covered with heavy stones. He grit his teeth as he tried to work his way threw it, knowing that it was the damned dragon''s bane poison steadily at work. He traced across the ruined streets for the launcher that had plucked him the sky so easily. He did not need it happening again after all, one large dose of that agony inducing poison was enough. His search rewarded him with his next breath as he spied two mortals standing around a large looking crossbow device made from sturdy wood and metal. It was draped with large flowing banners of dark green with the symbol of a golden lion holding a sword and shield stitched onto the regal looking surface.


    I know that symbol... The lack of knowledge concerned him as he angled his wings and aimed for the launcher. It made his scales itch with his next breath as he started to pool the electricity into his glands, opening his maw and letting the lights dance around his teeth. I should definitely know that symbol...it..isn''t good. He narrowed his eyes and let loose his building up bolt of fury towards the device that had plagued him and his mate so. The wood cracked and exploded as the bolt of electric vengeance struck it''s surface in a near fraction of a second. The two humans that had been loading the thing with another heavy looking net were caught in the brief violent explosion of light. They were hurled to the ground with a series of wet smacks several yards away. Ramakox snorted as he passed overhead, observing with a grim satisfaction that they were no longer moving. Not even a slight twitch was present on their lifeless forms.


    One target down..Now I should regroup...get healed..find Fremra...Scold myself for getting pulled away like some hot headed whelp fresh from the cave. I should have known it was a trap..Curse that Ironwing for playing me...Thankfully I did not go down like you thought I would little gryphon. He looked out to his scales still dripping with blood. Although you nearly damn got me. He smiled as he traced his eyes to the tavern that seemed to be flashing a whole assortment of colors as spell after spell was being flung outside it''s sturdy doors. Above the place also seemed to be alive with lights, as brightly shining golden eagles sailed overhead and were ripping into cultists without mercy. Their brilliant talons carving into cultist flesh like a turkey ready for the evening meal. Among all the carnage he spied Fremra with snarling teeth and lashing claws all coated in crimson.


    Hold on everyone...The Swirling Storm is...¡±Graaaaah!¡± Ramakox roared into the night as he felt a large sharp object suddenly be forced down through the joint of his wing mid flap. There was a resounding crash soon after, like a lighting bolt had just shot down inches from his head. He shuttered and shook as he began to fall, not able to move the limb in the slightest as it lit up in intense, eye clenching agony. He arched his neck with a snarl to find out what had done such a grievous wound to him,only to find the form of a human woman standing on his back. How he could not feel her boots against his scales he did not know, but here she was. She held a hammer in one hand that glew with several runes, clearly the device she had used to drive whatever it was into his wing. She glared back at him with brilliant green eyes as her shoulder length hair flapped in the wind with her dark green cloak that was wrapped around her neck. He tried to snap at her, make her pay for such a wound dealt to him, but she casually flipped away, his jaws just missing her dark leather armored body as it hardly made a sound.


    ¡°Grraaah!¡± he shouted, trying to unfold his wing and correct his flight path. The joint lit up in a quaking pain as the spike lodged inside of him denied any movement. He plummeted towards one of many buildings with no way to correct his altitude. He felt the mortal leap off of him as he tried to spin around and drag her down with him, his claws only licking her cloak as she passed right through them. What a stupid thing to do to me little mortal. While I might survive a fall from this height...You surely will not..and you will only fall right back into my waiting claws..


    Suddenly out of thin air a black gryphon popped into existence, her scaled limb quickly snatching the jumping woman with ease as her white speckled wings carried the pair up away from the plummeting dragon.


    Damn''t...of course.. He tried to angle his wings one last time as the building before him got dangerously close, but it was no use. The hunter had disabled his joint thoroughly. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, readying himself for the pain that was sure to follow. He crashed into the roof of the sturdy building, causing it to crack and splinter beneath his hefty bulk. His body lit up in pain as he crashed through floor after floor to the orchestra of cracking wood and shattering glass. He couldn''t hear as his head throbbed, smashing hard into the floor with a loud resounding smack. He saw stars as he came to a stop at the bottom floor, more of the building collapsing onto his battered form and forcing a groan to pass through his teeth. Get up...Got..to get up. His mind snarled to him as his next breath brought a crackling pain. The building around him whined and groaned as the compromised structure started to collapse, intent it seemed to bury the blue dragon with it.


    Ramakox coughed hard as smoke filled his lungs, making him thrash and scatter debris violently away from him. He clenched his eyes as his lungs burned along side the feeling of his injured wing. He could feel that the metal spike was still firmly lodged in his tender flesh. Lund the thought passed through his mind as he started to push himself to all fours, his limbs wobbling as another beam, collapsed and struck him right on the head with a dull thud and splintering of wood.  Lund...The gods damned Lunds...How could I have been so dense? How could I have missed the symbol for the greatest dragon hunters that have ever lived? I even had warnings this night at their arrival....Ugh.. He gasped out, the rippling pain from his wing making him twitch. Stop....Focus...Panicking will do you no good. He pulled his bulk through a wall, breaking apart the structure like it was nothing. He winced as more of the structure above collapsed onto him, threatening to drag him down and have this place become his tomb. You have a knight...two casters....two gryphons...and that Lund hunter....A whole gods damned group of adventurers out to kill you... He broke through the final wall, the building finally whining and collapsing on itself. Loud cracks and groans filled the air as the burning thing finally passed from this world with a  plume of dust rising into the rain filled skies.


    The blue dragon gasped and choked on the night air, trying to push the smoke from his lungs as stars began to dot his vision. His limbs felt heavy and his wings like they had been dipped into a forge''s fire. With each gasp of air he wondered how he would get out of this predicament. He peeked back to his wing, dreading the sight that awaited him of his crippled limb. His eyes traced the metal rod that was sticking slightly out of him like a grey needle that was smeared in a dark red paint. He tried to flex that wing but all he got in return was intense pain that made him snarl and thrash his tail angrily against the stone with a thump. He gasped out into the night as the rain pelted against his snout,a  small relief to the lingering sensation that was lighting his nerves on fire. He kneaded the stone, accepting that he would have to get it out later, the horrid pain inducing thing was simply too deep for him to grasp with his claws and pull out. He once more longed for the ability to change his size as he stumbled with his next step. I must....press on for now.. He snarled, narrowing his eyes as he took another trembling step,


    ¡°Hes over here! I saw him go down into that building!¡± Came a loud male shout from nearby, the voice lined with youth and confidence. ¡°I think the bastard died from the fall!¡±


    ¡°Don''t get yer hopes up lad! You know that dragons are hard ta kill at times. Keep yer blasted eyes peeled for the blue scaled bastard!¡± Came the gruff, loud voice of what sounded like an older man.


    Damn the luck. He cursed to himself, trying to shake the ache from his bones. That hunter and her friends will be on me shortly...I need...help.. Cursing himself he opened his maw, throwing his head back and let out the loudest pained roar that he had ever mustered. It shook the very air around him as his lungs lit up on fire in defiance at such an act. It echoed through the night, filling every corner of the town with his wounded cry. He was left gasping for air as it came to an end. His nerves were all tingling as he once more had his vision covered in stars.


    ¡°Oh shite! He''s bloody right here!¡±  Shouted a clean shaven human clad in earth brown leathers with small metallic studs embedded into it''s surface as he rounded the corned on a lithe looking white stallion covered with a saddle full of pouches, little trinkets sticking out of every pocket.


    ¡°Quick den! We have to slow him down for Lund!¡± Shouted a second man that had the gruff voice from before, as a second horse rounded the corner with the older looking stern man. The human pulled a javelin from his back with his strong looking hands, and willed his horse to break into a gallop towards the dragon. ¡°For Lund!¡± The large bearded man roared from his lungs as he narrowed his fierce looking amber eyes towards the stumbling, wounded blue dragon before him.


    Ramakox limped forward as the two mortals bravely charged at him, the younger looking male having also pulled a spear that had been wrapped around him with a leather belt. Once more a thin wand was drawn into the older looking male''s hand, raising it into the air and sending off another brilliant flare like the one from before. Good...That will let Fremra and the others find me as well...He glared at the men that were getting ever closer on their swift horses. He could hear the courage that was resounding from their battle cries, as if that would improve their chances against the wounded dragon. You think that I am easier prey? That I will simply collapse onto the earth and let you have your way with me? He snarled with his next limping movement and patiently waited for the men to get closer. He could feel the weight return to his limbs, threatening to drag him down to the ground with each beat of his heart against his chest. He struggled and pushed, saving the last bit of energy just for these unlucky mortals. The older mortal was the first to attack, tossing a javelin with a snarl straight for the dragon''s head. It looked as though the man had practiced this for years upon, years, and it might have connected if Ramakox had not been ready for him. With a groan he avoided the spear and bolted towards the man with a grit of his teeth. The surprised human hardly got out a cry as he was struck from his horse with a powerful strike, lifting the mortal right out of his saddle and causing him to fly straight through a a ruined wall across the way. There was a sickening crack as the man folded in on himself, the building swallowing him up like a tasty little morsel.


    One down. He turned to the other man, who had thrown a javelin of his own. The thing flew at him and struck a hardened scale of his, bouncing off to clatter uselessly against the ground as the blue dragon closed the distance between the two with another pained leap. The man whipped out a sword, the blade leaving the sheath with a hiss. His upward swing caught the side of Ramakox''s neck, the desperate strike and only leaving a shallow cut. With his blood oozing down the side of his scales the blue dragon chomped down onto the mortal, his teeth sinking into the man''s torso with a gut wrenching schlick. The mortal went limp as he ground his teeth, the dragon spitting him to the stone with a quick snort. He felt the weight grow ever stronger with his next step, causing him to stumble and curse the dragon''s bane coursing through his veins. He collapsed onto the street, his head falling into the blood puddle that had started to form beneath the once live hunter.


    ¡°Found the blue dragon!¡± came a shout from behind him that sounded like it came from the human female. Her voice sounded strong and powerful, the confidence lingering in her words. He was not entirely sure it was from the hunter or the mage as he gasped his breaths, but he imagined it was the green eyed warrior that had brought him down. More fitting if it is her to kill me...In a gruesome sort of way.. He groaned, stirring in defiance as he tried to pick himself up. It was of no use however, his limbs trembled like a terrified cat before he collapsed onto the ground with a pained grunt.


    ¡°Damn...The gods...I told them not to engage the dragon..The poison takes longer to effect blues..Shadowwing..To me..We best not be too careless..He could still have a trick or two up his scales.¡±


    ¡°As you say.¡± Came a quick feminine chip. Ramakox heard the hiss once more of a blade leaving the confines of it''s sheath, no doubt the final thing to end his life. He had known that was a preferred way of hunters to dispose of a bound and wounded dragon. One sword plunge straight through the eye and into his brain. One clean motion to dispose of such a glorious creature such as himself. He grumbled unintelligible words as let out another groan as pain continued to lick away at his nerves.


    ¡°Look out Tana! Get down!¡± Came the gryphon''s cry as a roar sounded through the night. Ramakox smirked to himself as he knew that intimidating sound that was causing the two hunters quickly to start uttering commands. For that was his mate coming to save his wounded hide, and nothing would stand in her way.


    ¡°Quickly..Take cover!¡± Cried the female hunter. ¡°Ready your weapons...Savesh what spells have you got left? It looks as though she was healed since our last encounter!¡±


    The worry ever present in their voices brought warmth to his heart as he dragged his talons against the stone and tried to push himself once more to all fours. Fremra will not arrive to my corpse...I will live.. He told himself, fighting against the poison that brought such strength sapping effects into his bones. Just need to survive for the next few moments...


    ¡°Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. You won''t be getting away that easily Swirling Storm.¡± The woman called Tana muttered, striding around him with a wicked looking blade at the ready. Her eyes were narrowed as she stood before him, her green cloak billowing with the next gust of wind that brushed against his scales and brought with a quickened pace of rain. ¡°Bring her down with a grasping hand!¡± The Lund called out, ¡°Then we pepper her with arrows and vines...Teals are not known to have breaths..So Mara..Keep a counter spell handy for when she tries to do anything funny. I don''t intend for anyone else to end up like poor Richard and Elric here...The poor bastards..¡± The fierce woman let out sigh as she returned her attention to him as he let out a mumble that was slurred and unintelligible.


    ¡°Oh yes..the poison..Can''t really have a final chat if it''s working so well on your system....Pity..¡± She let out another sigh and shrugged her shoulders. ¡°You are quite the specimen Swirling Storm..Able to take flight and kill those two after such a heavy dose of dragon''s bane? I''d almost thought you were immune to the stuff somehow.¡± She gave him a quick bow as she continued to eye him, seemingly not letting her guard down for a single moment. ¡°Wish you could talk right now...Tell me your name before I kill you and all...¡±


    ¡°Tana! The other dragon swiftly approaches, cease your talk with the blue and put an end to him!¡± Came the concerned cry of her gryphon companion, no doubt preparing herself to rip into Fremra''s hide.


    Ramakox formed a growl in the back of his throat as the Lund waved her sword back and forth before resting it inches from his left eye.


    ¡°Names Tana Lund. Figure you should know it before I send you to the afterlife dragon..It was....An honor taking your life from you.¡±


    ¡°Ramakox!¡± Fremra roared out through the night  as the blue dragon heard their wizard start to chant for the grasping hand spell that would pluck his teal mate from the sky like she was a wafting leaf ready to be snatched.


    Ramakox let out a heavy sigh as the hunter gripped the hilt of her sword tightly. He could already feel the blade piercing through his tender eye as he narrowed them before her. Do it then you vile thing..I will not be begging you for my life. He flicked his tail weakly in defiance, but with the next moment something happened that surprised even him. From the ground appeared a thick murky white cloud of fog that blanketed everything in sight. It rolled along the ground, so thick that Ramakox could not even see a foot in front of his eyes. Instead he was forced to feel the sensations of the ground around him, the smell of worry rising in Tana''s chest, and the sound of the mortal''s worried cries.


    ¡°Get this fog out of here!¡± Tana cried from the top of her lungs, Ramakox felt her pull the weapon she held back as she prepared to plunge that sword right through his eye.


    This is it..Move! He gave the last of his dwindling strength to suddenly push forward and down so that the human woman''s blade struck against an armored portion of his neck. The sudden forced blow caused the Lund to loose her grip on the sword, the metal stick clattering to the stone. Ramakox weakly lashed out with a claw, forcing the hunter to easily avoid it like she had a sixth sense on the matter.


    ¡°I thought you were on the counter spells?¡±


    ¡°I am on them Tana!¡± came the mage''s snappy reply as another roar from Fremra resounded through the air.


    ¡°Then what dare I ask is this? Are you telling me the fog suddenly sprouted from the earth?¡± Tana snapped back, Ramakox could sense her slowly backing away from him, no doubt looking for another weapon that was not currently under one of his claws.


    ¡°Perhaps big blue was the one to cast it? Tana forget the dragon, he''s wounded! Focus on the live one we have breathing down out necks!¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    ¡°Never leave a quarry unattended! He could recover from the poison that has him so drained! Then were would we be eh? Set against by two dragons. Aster foolishly lost the other half of our little group, we don''t really have the supplies for two dragons at once!¡±


    Ramakox heard the hiss of another weapon that the hunter pulled from a sheath. He let out a quick snort, trying to adjust himself slowly away from her, scraping his claws weakly against the stone.


    ¡°So...Swirling Storm. I bet you think this is going to go all right for you now...That the other dragon has come for your rescue...¡±


    ¡°Tana!¡± The mage screamed again as Fremra''s thunderous roar was almost on top of them now. Ramakox could even hear the sound of the dragon''s quickened wing beats, her usual stealthiness now traded for speed it seemed.


    ¡°I....In fact do.¡± he smirked weakly, the force required to push the words from his mouth making his throat sore and ache. He let loose a feeble groan, his tail shivering as he tried to not focus on the pain. ¡°You...best flee now before we tear into you hunter. Your group can walk away...They have not killed anyone and I have no quarrel with you in particular. But if you force my claw to defend myself I will kill all those that try to take my life.¡±


    ¡°Ah...Honorable to the last...But I am a Lund dearest dragon. I never turn down a job, and I never fail to take out my targets. The chance that I give you up is the same as one of my kin eventually falling head over heals for one of you scaly brutes and announcing their love for you for all to hear.¡±


    ¡°Never say never.¡± The blue dragon chuckled in a growly sort of way. ¡°While not to my tastes...I have heard of stranger things happening in the world.¡± He started to bare his teeth as his voice suddenly grew sharp and shifted into a growl. ¡°So choose now hunter...My mate is almost with us...and she is less forgiving than I.¡±


    ¡°She''s got those weird water things again!¡± Screamed the mage once more as the sound of something metal struck the street. ¡°She tossed Harold! Harold are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Ramakox!¡± Fremra roared, drowning out the other hunters little cries for help as he heard her stampede towards him, no doubt smacking aside two gryphons by the sound of their two separate pained squawks.


    ¡°Choose now Tana!¡± Ramakox roared, sensing the hesitation apparent in the Lund. He felt her go to thrust once more as she advanced on him with a tentative step. To end his existence with one firm stroke, but he moved once more at the last moment and caused the hunter to plunge the blade painfully into his neck. It made him grit his teeth as he felt his flesh part in the blade''s wake but he was still alive. Besides a wound like that could be healed with a simple spell. ¡°You....fail.¡± he gurgled as blood came to his snout and coated his tongue with the taste of iron.


    ¡°Get away from him!¡± Fremra snarled, leaping through the fog with a powerful bound and smacking aside the Lund with an angry slash of her claws. Tana moved with the blow, no doubt lessening the impact as she dissipated with a loud crack, Her boots touching the ground several yards behind the blue dragon. It was as if she had briefly teleported away. ¡°Did they get you with poison?¡± Fremra snarled, circling around his wounded form and spreading her wings with a loud swoosh.


    ¡°I said clear the fog Savesh! Use the damned whirlwind spell if you have to!¡± Tana shouted out, her voice starting to crack.


    ¡°They...did.¡± He replied, his eyelids starting to feel heavier with each beat of his heart. Even his words were starting to fade back down into silence.


    ¡°It was reckless of you to go off like that...You could have gotten yourself killed.¡± the dragoness scolded, all amusement missing from her voice as she smacked him with a paw. ¡°But...I''m glad you''re safe.¡± She held a claw against him firmly, slowly kneading the scales as her touch started to turn icy and the phrase ¡°govey viidoste¡± left her lips. The effect was almost instantaneous the moment the words were spoken. The cold sensation that made his tail twitch began to spread from her claws to the rest of his body like a rippling wave of ocean water. It swept away the lingering pain from the poison, causing him to gasp his relief as the weight that had been tormenting him faded away into nothing. For a brief moment he felt as light as a feather, and sprung to all fours with excitement building in his chest. With a quick stretch he felt all that good feeling evaporate away as the spike in his wing reminded him that it still existed. He let out a pained gasp, recoiling on himself as his scales twitched.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Fremra''s concerned voice wormed it''s way into him, parting the sea of pain long enough to focus on her.


    ¡°Hunter...drove a spike through my wing.¡± he winced, already picturing the teeth being bared by the ness he loved.


    ¡°The woman? The one with the dark green cloak?¡± Fremra hissed, scraping a talon hard enough against the stone so that he heard the sound. ¡°I''ll kill her.¡±


    ¡°What..about Jandar...the tavern...What of the mortals?¡± He gasped, taking his movements slower now as the mortals once more began to shout to one another through the fog. ¡°Are they safe?¡±


    ¡°I would not have left them if they were not my Radiant Sapphire. Even as we speak there are several that came with me to save you. I think that dwarven man Stonebeard, this elven archer named Milaady, and Jandar.¡±


    ¡°And where are they now?¡±


    ¡°My wings can carry me very swiftly if I so wish it. They fell behind in my wake.¡± She ran a claw over his scaled neck, her touch tender and warm. ¡°Now stay still..We can sort all this other stuff later.¡± It felt like water was streaming steadily from her claws as they began to glow a soft green through the fog. ¡°vokras ahraane¡± she uttered softly, like a mother would do to sooth the troubles of a sweet and innocent hatchling.


    Just like the one you failed all those years ago. His mind snarled as the warmth from her touch radiated from her claws to bring life and good feeling to his limbs. It was as if he had been laying down in the sun on a warm summer''s day in the month of  Friin Suun. The heat made him want to close his eyes and drift off into a pleasure induced slumber. Even the pain from his injured wing was forgotten as Fremra stroked his hardened scales.


    ¡°Ready?¡± Came the cry of the female Lund as the siigonis man started chanting in a hiss filled voice.


    ¡°I think she is asking if you are ready to strike back at them.¡± Fremra turned to his back, her tail flicking past him as her voice started to get lower and fill with murderous intent.


    ¡°That she may be.¡± he growled, lowering himself against the ground and baring his teeth. With a snort of air he readied himself for the fighting that was sure to follow. The twin dragons sprung from their positions the moment a large gust of wind suddenly swept through the street. The magical gale force wind easily casting away the fog that had been summoned forth.


    Fremra let out an intimidating roar as she pounced at the siigonis man who was holding his gnarled staff at the dragons. Her membranes started to glow faintly in the night like smoldering flames as she sliced out at the scaled male, making him duck and weave lest he have his head severed from his shoulders.


    Ramakox saw the first target that drew his focus. The human mage from before. She had already taken cover behind a turned over wooden cart. He pushed through the sudden pain of his wing and scraped at the earth with his talons as he practically galloped right for her. The woman flicked a wrist at him, summoning forth a large yellow disembodied hand in the air. It sped through the street straight for him, it''s digits clenching in and out as if eager to wrap themselves around his mighty body.


    No you don''t. He bound away from the hand towards the human knight clad in full plate who was currently charging him with clanking plates and a roar of courage. He leaped over the little man like he was nothing and exposed his teeth for the woman to show what was in store. He started to focus on the cool sensation of the deep sea within his chest, the one that Fremra had taught him as he had to hastily avoid the grasping hand as it shifted direction and followed him. Each time that he had thought he would be able to get to the human mage, the hand always managed to get in the way and block his access. It was a clever ploy to buy herself time as he heard the sounds of combat ring from behind him, and the hunters start to focus on the ness he cared for. ¡°mahfiil gramaane¡± he uttered, already feeling the flames start to sprout from his vision as he focused on the powerful spell. He hardly ever used such things because of the amount of magic that is used, often using up all of it for the day. But this was no such time to hold back. If he did not end this fight as quickly as it could things would certainly not go as they should. The clouds overhead seemed to open up to reveal the form of several flaming boulders that arched through the night sky towards them. Their bright flames like a sign from the gods as they sped towards the human mage that had not thankfully looked up in all her concentration.


    The first flaming rock crashed right beside her, exploding with a brilliant flash of light and thunderous quake that made the dragon''s ears sting. The flash licked at her robes and burned away the cloth to blackened cinders as she let out a pained scream. It was only silenced by the sound of the second projectile landing right in front of her, that explosion causing the woman to go flying backwards as her blackened and burned body hit and ground and rolled and rolled until she came to a complete stop. Plumes of smoke started to rise from her non moving body.


    ¡°Damnt!¡± Lund shouted from the top her lungs, pulling out a bow and loosing arrows close enough to Ramakox''s eyes to give him pause looking to her. He only got a moment to think before two gryphons pressed their attack with sharpened beaks and talons.  The one called Shadowwing hit high at his snout with a forceful strike, while Ironwing went to his side quick as a flash. Ramakox sluggishly tried to avoid their quickened strikes but the pain struck him from his wing and slowed him down for them to land their blows. Ironwing struck first, his adamantium tipped claws ripping past several scales and made him snarl. Shadowwing was not as quick, striking instead with great force so powerful that it felt like he was getting smacked by a creature three times the gryphons size. He was sent crashing to the ground with a pained roar, his wing smashing hard against the stone and making his entire body tremble and shake with pain as it radiated through him. His head struck the stone with a loud smack, stars instantly bursting to his eyes and blinding him of everything else.


    Damn the hunter. His mind screamed as he struggled to fend off the quick gryphons that instantly leapt back to him, not giving him a second of reprieve. He saw Fremra bound passed, getting struck by several arrows that exploded into a shower of sparks upon impact. The brilliant blue light bringing a flash of quick illumination to the fire lit streets. The teal broke into a pained roar as sections of earth from the ground rose up and smacked hard against her chest with a dull thud. Ramakox watched in horror as she was lifted up and sent flying into the side of a building from the attack, the force so great that the entire building collapsed onto her with a thunderous crack and a sudden explosion of dust and ash.


    ¡°Fremra!¡± he screamed out, his claws striking the black gryphon right on his shoulders. His sharpened talons easily ripping open the bird''s flesh and splattering the stone a shade of crimson beneath his trembling paws.


    ¡°Shadowwing!¡± Tana cried out, her voice cracking as she knocked two arrows almost in sync with Ironwing pressing his attack further to cover the black gryph''s retreat.


    Ramakox preformed a quick claw gesture, pushing the pain through his body as he backed away from the ferocious gryphon. From the ground rose a section of stone that snared the gryphon''s hinds, causing Ironwing to let out a surprised squawk as he suddenly fell forward trying to bound away. The blue dragon let out a snort, taking the opportunity at the gryphon being so exposed in such a critical juncture and sank his teeth into the back of the gryphon who had tormented him so. He almost took pleasure as the white feathered thing let out a loud pain filled shriek into the air. He only got to savor his success for a moment before a loud, resounding roar echoed through the night, and drew his attention to loud stomps that soon followed and shook the very street.


    He only got a second before a giant reptilian creature with sickly scales of earthen brown smashed into him with such strength that he was sent flying back and into a burning building. The dying corpse of a thing collapsed behind him as he pushed himself to all fours. He hissed and panted as pain coursed through his body again as he stared down the apparent sharp toothed, small armed dinosaur before him. Tyrannosaurus. He growled in the back of his throat, knowing such creatures existed far to the south. It was something the siigonis man must have seen in his travels, druids often being able to shape shift into any animal that they had seen before. Just...an overgrown animal..Nothing compared to a dragon. He opened his maw and blasted the angry snarling lizard with a bolt of lightning as it let loose another primal roar that rang through the air and made the dragon''s scales twitch. The once druid ripped up the cobblestone and charged right towards him, the electricity not even slowing him down in the slightest as it struck the thing''s chest dead on and rippled outward. Ramakox willed himself to meet the large creature head on, their two bodies colliding together as they lashed out at each other with sharpened claws and gleaming teeth.


    First blood went to the shape shifted druid, the creature''s fangs sinking down into Ramakox''s neck with a ferocious snarl. Thankfully he had his scales to protect him, otherwise the lizard would have had a much stronger grip than what he had currently. The dragon lashed out at the lizard with his claws, the druid''s hide not doing a thing to protect him. The blackened talons glided right through the thing''s flesh, causing the beast to let go and retreat before Ramakox ripped the thing to ribbons. He was not done however. With a trembling gasp he leapt at the reptile, toppling it over into a building as his own attack sounded off with sickening sounds of flesh being ripped away.


    The T-Rex roared in agony as Ramakox tore again again and again into it''s weaker then scaled hide. The large reptile was simply no match to the superiority that was held by dragon kind.  The druid was not alone however as Ramakox was reminded, the sharp claws of Ironwing slicing into his wing and lighting up his body in a trembling pain that left him weak. He let go of the T-Rex, blood oozing from his teeth as he snarled into the night and snapped at the annoying gryphon. He blinked his eyes as pain coursed through him, evidence that Fremra had not quite healed him to 100%. Lightning flashed in the distance, bringing light to the dark sky as his two attackers repositioned themselves. The T-Rex was back to it''s feet, panting as the rain splattered against it''s bleeding body and washing away the blood oozing from it''s numerous gaping wounds. Beside the thing was a familiar face, the gryphon Ironwing from before, looking almost pristine despite the ruffled feathers and fur.


    The strangest thing that Ramakox spied as he pulled himself back to all fours was that the gryphon was almost his height and size, practically twelve feet to the head of the dragon if he had to guess. ¡°Looks like..You got a spell cast on you.¡± The blue dragon gasped as the thunder followed the lightning from before


    ¡°Let the hunters deal with your teal mate.¡± the gryphon snarled, ruffling his feathers as he crouched low into a hunting stance. He looked like a lion that had set his eyes on a weakened gazelle, easy for the hunt. ¡°And leave you to me.¡±


    ¡°Just to you?¡±he snorted, returning the gesture with a lowered snout and sharp hiss as he watched the two creatures before him. ¡°Looks like you have help from this scaly thing of all things...Honestly...Makes me...flattered little siigonis...But your chosen form pales in comparison to a dragon.¡±


    The T-Rex did not reply, it''s golden eyes just glaring at him in murderous intent as it snapped it''s jaws several times with a resounding glomp.


    ¡°If you wish to avenge your wing-mate gryphon...Here is your chance.¡± he snarled, letting electricity built up around his teeth. If they were going to let him stand there and prattle on he was going to make them pay for each passing moment. The lightning bolt he spat at them seemed only fitting as he gave a thrash of his tail against the cobblestone.


    Ironwing was no fool however. He quickly avoided the bolt with a quick side winged bound, leaping from a building with a practiced grace before speeding towards the blue dragon with a flap of his wings.


    Ramakox snarled, avoiding the gryphon''s front sharpened strike, swerving to the side and snapping his teeth at empty air. He felt a cart go flying when his tail swept and struck it as they scrambled and maneuvered around one another. Each of them was looking for an opening to capitalize on. They clashed several times with angry squawks and ferocious roars, the stone beneath them cracking as their talons dragged against it with loud scraping sounds that hurt the ear. The blue dragon smacked the gryphon away, irritation building with each moment that the gryphon pressed him. The clever bird was keeping him on his claws, and preventing him from being able to preform the right movements for spells. The blue was holding his own despite his injury to his wing, something he was reminded of each time he saw an opening that he could have taken advantage of if he only had his wings. Instead he was forced to play the gryphon''s game as he heard Fremra roar into the night, a relief to his adrenaline fueled mind. He snarled and smacked Ironwing again, feeling the worry for his mate mixing with the good news that she drew breath. For he knew that while he was dealing with the enlarged gryphon, she no doubt was beset by problems of her very own. Most likely it being the rest of the hunters that had given Ironwing the sole reward of challenging him.''


    ¡°Enough of this little bird!¡± Ramakox roared, his claws slicing deep into the gryphon''s shoulder as the angry gryph returned the favor with his talons and clack of his beak.


    ¡°I think you need your eyes adjusted dragon...I am anything but small.¡±


    ¡°You want vengeance as though I have done you wrong!¡± Ramakox sliced again through the gryphon''s hide, sending him flying back to the ground with a squawk. ¡°When it was you and your group that harmed me first...I cannot wait to end this squabble.¡±


    ¡°That.....I can agree on.¡± Ironwing pushed himself to all fours quick as a flash, a bright light flashing from his chest as several wounds seemed to reseal and stitch themselves back together, a sure sign of healing magic. He and Ramakox met in a clash as he and the blue dragon held claws against one another, trying to avoid the other''s beak or sharp teeth. ¡°Savash!¡± Ironwing chirped out as he began to struggle against the dragon, and arched his neck slightly with concern on his beak.


    Good Ramakox bit into the distracted gryphon, his teeth finding purchase in that white feathered bird, and coating his fur in a dark crimson. There...now I can.. A roar sounded that lingered in the air as the T-Rex suddenly charged at him, seemingly not willing to let his teammate die in front of his eyes. Oh hell. Ramakox was head butted on his side with the force like a thousand war-hammers. The air was suddenly driven from his lungs as he was lifted up by that strong lizard''s attack, and sent topping to the street and tumbling over debris that prodded him like little annoying thorns. Damn...Druid.. Ramakox groaned as he once again found himself on his back with body trembling in pain. The rain splattered against him, making him wrinkle his snout as lightning arched across the dark sky, the coming thunder drowned out by Fremra''s roar of pain.


    ¡°Got her!¡± Came a victorious cry from the female gryphon Shadowwing. ¡°I just knew you could do it Tana!¡± The gryphon''s words as sharp as an admantium tipped spear, and plunged into the blue dragon''s heart.


    Ramakox felt the coldness that came with the words and wrapped itself around him like a icy cloak. It only lasted for a moment as the realization sank in that he could very well lose his mate this evening. Just another added to the list of victims of the red hand that had plagued him so.  At least.....At least Jandar is safe from them....They only hunt dragons. The thought was a bitter pill to swallow that made him sick to his stomach. He flicked his tail weakly across the ground as he gasped for breath, moments before Ironwing leaped onto him, talons pressing straight to his throat. Ramakox thrashed as his breaths came in ragged gasps as he lashed back with weakening effort at his feathered attacker.


    ¡°I knew this is how it would end dragon.¡± Ironwing mocked with a smug grin plastered on his beak. ¡°You beneath my talons, as I watch the life drain from your eyes.¡±


    ¡°Grrrrahhh.¡± Ramakox choked. Stars already starting to burst in his eyes as the strong gryphon held his head back and forcefully to the ground. Each struggle earned him a piercing pain through his neck, even casting away the one that was still presently aching in his wing.


    ¡°Get away from her!¡± Came Jandar''s cry, followed by a mighty roar of what sounded like an army of mortals that had helped them from the tavern. That fact alone brought a brief feeling of warmth to the dragon''s heart as he continued his desperate struggles against Ironwing''s iron like grip.


    ¡°Don''t make me kill you Jandar! This is between us and the dragons!¡± Spat the Lund as the sounds of combat started to fill the air and drown out the shouts of the two opponents.


    ¡°Help da dragon out! Get that blasted white git off of him!¡± Stonebeard shouted into the night. His cry almost like a sign from the god''s as a volley of arrows suddenly flew into the side of Ironwing''s head, narrowly missing his good eye and causing the bird to quickly close his own.


    Ramakox snarled, pushing up against the momentarily distracted gryphon once more. He lifted the thing up slowly and allowing a sweet intake of air to fill his burning lungs, that brought with it strength.


    ¡°Now you die!¡± The bird''s talons suddenly started to glow a bright blue as the force of his weight suddenly doubled and Ramakox felt the bird''s sharpened talons claw against his scales and cut off the much needed supply of air to his throbbing lungs.


    ¡°Get off of the dragon ya feathery twit! I seen much stronger tings from a goat!¡± Stonebeard thrust his spear towards the gryphon, another volley soon following in the wake of a sudden burst of white light magic by the bird''s head. The arrows once more stuck into the strong gryphon, but did not cease his downward force that had the blue dragon wriggling with his life depending on it,


    Must...Push...him off.  He thrashed beneath the magically enchanted gryphon, brushing aside loose debris and broken wood with his pained movements. The sounds of swords clashing drew his attention but only briefly as he saw Jandar and the female Lund crossing blades. Their weapons clashed several times creating sparks to fly from their weapons at such ferocity.


    ¡°I thought you were a bleeding sorcerer Jandar? When did you learn how to wield a sword?¡± Tana spat out, avoiding one of his son''s attacks and pressing hers with practiced grace.


    ¡°You will find that I am a man of many talents.¡± The half dragon smirked, leaping back to avoid the woman''s attack and force her away with his own thrust, clearly the better swordsman of the pair.


    Ramakox would have felt pride lingering in his chest if it were not for the gryphon currently strangling him like a simple prey animal.


    ¡°As long as I draw breath you will not take these dragons from this earth!¡± Jandar pushed the woman back once more, she avoiding him,parrying his blow. ¡°Do you not care that they are our protectors?¡±


    ¡°I care not for their titles little boy. It was my job to kill them. Now remove yourself and your little adventurer friends before my allies dispose of them all. She gestured to the snarling T-Rex, that took another step and let out another roar as it eyed down the defiant half-dragon.


    Ramakox struggled to snarl, pushing up on the gryphon again with quivering limbs at the effort. He once more pushed Ironwing just enough up so that he could take another raspy gasp. He even got the chance to slash against the gryphon''s torso and cut lines into his hide. The blue dragon heard Fremra roar out suddenly before the T-Rex let out a pained cry seconds before a loud cracking of wood filled the air. Ramakox quickly looked to see that his mate had leaped onto the T-Rex that had stomped its way closer to Jandar. Her sharpened claws were making short work of the beast''s hide and ripping gruesome chucks with each of her near blinding attacks. He could hear the sound of combat intensify as Lund''s allies seemed to be worrying as they shouted  in concern to their dwindling ground.


    ¡°Come on ya blasted dress wearin girls! Take care of da giant cat bird before da dragon is dead! Give er all shes got!¡± Came the cry of Stonebeard as arrows seemed to fly into the gryphon at a near constant pace, almost like it was raining arrows from the side.


    Ramakox felt the gryphon''s grip weaken in that moment before a spear struck the side of his white feathered head and exploded with enough force to cause the bird to unleash a pained screech into the night, and the smell of burning fur fill the air. The blue dragon seized the opportunity, possibly the last chance that he was going to get. He forced his claws once more into his distracted opponent, ripping into his flesh and causing blood to drool down onto his cerulean scales like water.


    ¡°Then draw breath no longer.¡± Tana suddenly snarled, leaping away from the better swordsman with a puff of smoke. In one clean motion she pulled the bow that was wrapped around her back, and loosed twin arrows as quick as lighting. The twin sticks of death flew straight into Jandar''s chest and right through the mortal''s leather like it was not even there.


    The half-dragon''s eyes widened in surprise as he let out a gasp, blood already starting to form at the edge of his snout as he collapsed onto the street. His sword fell from his grasp and clattered useless against the cobblestone street.


    Time suddenly seemed to slow down for the blue dragon as he felt his mind start to shatter and crumble away. He watched the mortal he loved clutch at the arrows lodged in his chest almost in disbelief. Behind Jandar he saw Fremra was knocked back by the T-Rex, only to have the beast sink it''s teeth firmly into her less protected neck and clamp down. The dragoness letting out a pained cry into the night as blood dripped down from the beast''s maw.


    Ramakox felt the pain that had plagued his wing fade away with the jumbled mess of sounds that seemed to be growing more silent with each passing second he watched his family get wounded. He felt his nerves all go numb for a moment, before a snarl found it''s way to his snout as he bared his teeth. How...dare they. His mind screamed as he let out a fierce resounding roar to the very heavens, lifting Ironwing from him as if he was nothing. Another spear was tossed into the gryphon''s head and exploding with a loud noise and light that left Ramakox''s mind ringing. It allowed him to grab forcefully to the bird''s head and slam it hard as he could against the cobblestone with a sickening smack, and a pained groan.


    Everything seemed to shift and change around the dragon. For in his claws he was no longer holding the gryphon that had plagued his life, but with each smack against the ground it became the Lich that had taken Infinity all those years ago. ¡°I am through with monsters such as you coming into my life.¡± he snarled, smashing Ironwing''s head against the stone ever harder and paying no mind to the gryphon''s shiver of pain. ¡°And taking those that are dear to me!¡± He pulled the gryphon up, his face still dripping blood as his beak had been chipped. The dragon only let out a brief snort before smashing  Ironwing against the stone and shattering the bird''s beak with a sickening crack.


    ¡°Tana! Use the black arrow!¡± Ironwing screamed out with cracking voice, desperately trying to avoid being smashed into the ground once more. ¡°Do it before we lose our chance!¡± The T-Rex was suddenly sent passed the blue dragon''s vision, the thing''s head having been bent at an odd angle as it''s scales had been ripped open and most of it''s organs being put on a grisly display. ¡°Do it now Tan-¡±


    Ramakox smashed the gryphon again against the stone if only to silence his grating voice. He turned his attention to the woman that Ironwing had been shouting to, the mortal that had wounded his son. He narrowed his eyes as the image replayed in his mind once more. She was no longer on the ground like she had been before, but was not standing on top of one of the roof tops opposite of him and holding her bow taught. The wind blew once, flapping her cloak violently as a bolt of lightning arched in the sky behind her. The blue dragon went to bound towards her with a snarl and make that horrible hunter pay for hurting his son, however he went crashing to the ground with a loud oomfff as the impact rattled his teeth. He glanced back to see that the bloodied and beaten gryphon was now holding onto his hinds with his talons, sinking the sharpened things deep into his limb.


    ¡°Do it!¡± The gryphon roared, just as Ramakox yanked his leg free with one violent pull. He made sure to lash back at Ironwing, his claws ripping into the gryphon''s throat and spraying the street with blood. He gave a satisfied snort as the gryphon''s over sized body began to slump to the ground and return slowly to his original form.


    And now for the hunter. He snapped his attention back to the human hunter, that had already drawn her blackened arrow from her quiver and was holding it knocked in her bow. Not even Fremra''s roar made the stern looking woman flinch as Shadowwing passed by.


    ¡°Come on we have to go!¡± the gryph shouted, sweeping her gaze to the hunters who were already retreating with the horns sounding out from the red hand.


    Ramakox pounced towards the human, already imaging his teeth sinking into her flesh and thrashing her body until she no longer moved. It was not meant to be as she let go of that blackened thing, the projectile flying out from the bow quick as a flash. It left a thin trail in the air of a darkened shade, almost as if it were trying to suck all the light that was dwindling from the fires that were slowing being extinguished by the rain. It struck his chest like every other arrow before it had, no pain even coming as it stuck out of him and Tana''s eyes widened in fear. Her body visible trembled as she turned to bolt away and back towards her gryphon companion.


    Oh no you don''t...You''re not going to get awa- Ramakox suddenly felt a small explosion ripple through his scales. He felt as if all the warmth from the world was suddenly sucked away to be replaced with the biting cold of the fiercest of winters. He felt his claws slip with his next step on the stone, collapsing with a weakened groan escaping his maw. He gasped for air as it seemed he was able to get less and less with each intake of breath. He tried to scream or roar but found that was even denied him as he recoiled on himself and clutched at his chest. His body trembled for a moment as he peeked down to the apparent wound, a black patch forming on his scales like little tributaries of water that dotted the mountains around his home. The edge of his vision started to get fuzzy as colors soon stared to mute and eventually fade away into nothing but blacks and greys. With a final choke he felt the last of his air leave his lungs, and no matter how hard he tried nothing seemed to come as he struggled and thrashed away against the stone. His vision started to turn black as his claws clenched and unclenched, and the pain that had been plaguing him started to fade away.


    ¡°Ramakox!¡± He heard Fremra scream, her voice cracking as his head hit the stone with a dull smack and allowing darkness to take him.

 Chapter 26

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 26</u>


    <u> </u>


    ¡°You gotsta wake up silly.¡± A small sounding voice called to Ramakox from the back void that stretched out before him.


    ¡°Ugh.¡± Ramakox groaned, his body still sore as he shifted on the soft grass. Grass? He opened his eyes in an instant, finding that he no longer was outside in the pouring rain, lying on the broken cobblestone street gasping for breath. Instead he was sprawled out in a bright green field that seemed to stretch as far as he could see. The only break of it seemed to be faint mountains in the distance that only licked the vast clear blue sky above. The brilliant cerulean was more bright then he had ever remembered, staring at it almost brought with it pain to his silver spheres. He quickly averted his gaze away from the bright sky and the burning sun hanging ever so carefully overhead and bringing warmth to his scales. He settled his head down onto the grass, wiggling his tail as he did so. He delighted in the smell of lilacs that were wafting along in the slight breeze. He closed his eyes and let out a small sigh of relief.


    ¡°Finally...I thought you was going to sleep forever.¡±


    He felt a small paw touch the top of his snout causing him to bolt open his eyes once more. He caught the faint smell of a cold night ever so close to him. More surprising then the smell was who the paw belonged too. For before him was none other then the small black wrymling with bright green eyes and black scales that he remembered from all those years ago.


    ¡°You''ve been so lazy...You remind me of father.¡± Infinity smirked, flicking her little spade tail against the grass.


    ¡°Infinity..¡± He gasped, barely finding the words as he stared at her in utter amazement. He flipped over onto his stomach in almost an instant, confusion wrapping itself around his mind and pulling tight. ¡°H-how...How is it that you are here? I remember being back in Eastcliff...The rain...¡± He started to grumble as the fight flashed before his eyes and he remembered the painful details. ¡°And..getting hit by that arrow....and watching Jandar shot by those other arrows.¡± He flicked his tail, worry starting to replace his confusion as he replayed the horrific memory before him. He felt his scales twitch as he remembered the mortal''s pained expression and gasp of surprise.


    ¡°I''m not sure..¡± Infinity brushed up against him with a little purr. ¡°It''s never really anything but sunny here....I was kinda bored until you showed up.¡±


    ¡°Am....am I dead?¡± he asked softly, thinking of no other explanation to what it could be. ¡°Is this some sort of in between realm?¡± He hung his head as Infinity crept closer and nuzzled his scales with her snout. ¡°I''m....I''m sorry for failing you Infinity...Your capture has plagued me ever so much since that Lich snatched you away.¡± His eyes began to mist as he stared down at the little wrymling that had not ceased her joyous smile.


    ¡°It''s okay...¡± She rolled her eyes with a little smirk. ¡°You''re not dead either silly..Cause I know your part of the brave and strong dragons you told me about.¡±


    ¡°Yes...But I am rather foolish at times.¡± he smirked, nuzzling her with a smile whine. ¡°If I''m not dead....Where am I?¡±


    ¡°Get the dragon some air! I think he''s breathing again!¡± Shouted Milalee from all directions, her voice making the very plains quake with each word.


    ¡°I...Dunno.¡± Infinity shrugged, wiggling her tail slightly before bursting into a thousand dots of black and white.


    ¡°What?¡± he shouted, panic suddenly striking his chest as his breaths started to come quicker, and a heat suddenly found it''s way into his torso , like it was a stove set a flame. ¡°Infinity!¡± he roared out, head swerving from side to side, hoping that this was some cruel joke.  He could not have lost her again. ¡°Infinity!¡± his voice echoed across the empty space, getting no response to ease his mind as colors started to blend together, like an artist had tossed all his paints onto his easel at the same time.


    ¡°Who is Infinity?¡± Came Fremra''s voice of concern, it sounded like if it were just right beside his head.


    Ramakox fell to the grass, no longer soft but hard and smooth beneath his paws. ¡°Grraaaaaaah!¡± he screamed out as an intense burning sensation suddenly exploded from his chest and made his entire body tremble in pain.


    ¡°Is he going to be alright?¡± Jandar''s voice parted the pain only briefly as another jolt of the scale trembling feeling spiked through his wing right at the joint.


    Ramakox instantly recoiled on himself with another pained cry, and weak flick of his tail.


    ¡°He''ll be fine lad...Just got ta get ta spike out! It really did a number to em. Not ta mention dat fancy arrow of that..¡± Came Stonebeard through sea of murmuring voices.


    ¡°Stonebeard!¡±


    ¡°Sorry, getting back to it....Best Grit yet teeth Swirlin Storm..I tink it tends ta help.¡±


    Ramakox did not reply, and only let out a near quiet whimper as he felt pain was all that he could experience. Even his breaths grew painful as air flooded into his lungs. That''s right...the fight....the fall...the spike...The....¡±Graaaaah!¡± his body quaked as the metal spike in his wing was suddenly yanked out of him.


    ¡°Quick! Heal it, deres lots o blood!¡±


    Fremra practically sang to him, her paws gliding over his scales and putting an end to the intense pain that had been coursing through him. He felt it fade away into nothing with each tender stroke of her digits. The wound then start to close itself shut and stitch itself back together. The sensation felt utterly alien, but welcome to his exhausted mind. He was left gasping as he focused on the dull ache now in his chest, and how his vision had started to come back into focus. From the multicolored haze came the dark blues, greys, teals, red, every single color that had been present in that street suddenly taking shape before his eyes.


    ¡°Graaah!¡± He gasped, thumping his tail as a ring of concerned looking mortals and Fremra suddenly appeared from the hazy fog.


    ¡°He''s awake!¡± Jandar shouted, the look of concern melting away from everyone''s faces in a near instant.


    He let out a surprised meep when Fremra suddenly nosed him, her breaths coming quickly as she nuzzled him like it had been decades since she had last seen him.


    ¡°I just knew you would pull through my Radiant Sapphire..You are the strongest.¡± She whined, her voice sounding as though she had been crying not too long ago.


    ¡°Bravest and strongest.¡± Ramakox saw Infinity among them, waddling by mortal legs unseen with a smile on her little snout. She looked to him with a wagging tail, and gestured to Jandar.


    He ignored the little wrymling, knowing she must be an illusion to his rattled mind. He pushed back against Fremra''s affectionate nuzzles with a groan as he felt a soreness flood his senses. ¡°W-What happened to me that had you looking so worried?¡± He smiled weakly, trying to hide the terror that he had felt. His eyes narrowed in on Jandar, who was standing with large eyes and two holes in his leather armor, but lacking any wounds. ¡°And...how...Jandar..I saw you take those arrows...How is it?¡±


    ¡°Healing magic Storm.¡± The half dragon laughed weakly. ¡°We had enough adventurers with us. I didn''t go a whole minute with those things sticking out of my chest. Some crafty gnomes pulled the bastards out and worked their magic. Good as new!¡± he poked the wound with a finger, his eyes instantly flinching for a moment. ¡°Scratch that...still a little tender.¡±


    ¡°I told ya it might take awhile!¡± Came a little women that hardly stood up to Jandar''s waist from behind his son. She had a wrinkled brow and was clearly a gnome dressed in simple robes of silver and green. ¡°It was a deep cut, and I didn''t have my good healing spells left. You were lucky I even had the small ones left mister!¡±


    ¡°Then you have my thanks little gnome.¡± Ramakox chuckled with a weak groan escaping his sore snout. ¡°For making sure that my son survived the night.¡± He turned his head to see that the fires that had dotted all the building had all been drowned away by the nights rain. The storm clouds from above had even started to clear up to reveal the star filled sky. However the dark sea was starting to be cast away by  warm rays starting to crest over the mountains in the distance, signaling the sun''s arrival and the start of a new day. ¡°It''s the next day?¡± He turned back to Fremra who had just pulled her nuzzling snout away from his neck. ¡°It could not have been that long.¡± He gulped as he saw her stare at him once more with worried eyes that drifted downward at his chest.


    ¡°It took the rest of the night to get you up and about...That arrow she used...It was a powerful magical curse...Mixed with a very potent poison. It...¡± She looked weakly back towards all the mortals gathered around them. ¡°It took everything I...and they had to just hold off the force that threatened to take you from us..¡±


    ¡°I...died?¡± The blue dragon gasped, turning his head to the others with a flick of his tail.


    ¡°Not..exactly...but you were very well on the edge of it for hours.¡± Fremra quickly pressed herself against him once more with a soft whine. ¡°There were moments that I thought we had lost you my Radiant Sapphire.¡±


    ¡°The...what was that arrow?¡± He pushed back, mind picturing that blackened thing that caused such misfortune to his aching body. He gave Fremra an affectionate lick across her muzzle before gently pushing her away so that he could take a look at the impact point of that cursed object. He expected the thing to be glowing an eerie green, or leaking blood. It seemed fitting of whatever magic had worked over him so well and left him in such a vulnerable state. ¡°It..was horrible...I could not breathe...Speak,,,Everything went dark.¡± His words came slowly as he traced the black lines that had spread out over his dark blue scales. They did not hurt to the touch, but he could feel his heart begin to beat quicker as he continued to stare at the wicked little rivers.


    ¡°It..It was an arrow of dragon slaying.¡± Jandar rose up a white cloth, plucking out the blackened arrow. It looked just like any other arrow, complete with black feathers. However on the thing''s cursed surface were engraved golden runes. ¡°They are also called black arrows...and you can guess..They are used to kill dragons...They are old magic, mixed with potent poisons. They pop around the globe from time to time as adventurers loot them from old tombs. I don''t think anyone can even make them anymore...The fact the Lund had one.¡± Jandar settled the cloth and arrow on the ground, glaring at it with a look of hatred. ¡°It is terribly amazing.¡±


    ¡°Great.¡± Ramakox snorted, flicking the vile thing away with a talon. ¡°The best dragon hunter in Sethera needed a legendary arrow of dragon slaying to bring me down? Part of me feels honored she needed to resort to that at all.¡± He wrinkled his snout, already picturing the woman getting away on her swift gryphon. He drummed his talons against the stone in irritation, trying to grumble away or twitch the ache out of his bones. ¡°So I was hit by this dragon slaying arrow yet live.¡± He gestured to the chest wound with a hiss. ¡° Doesn''t quite live up to it''s name does it?¡±


    ¡°That''s the thing.¡± Fremra replied with a low voice, her frills drooping on either side of her head. ¡°We only slowed it down and held it back...We could not cure you of whatever poison or curse has ensnared you.¡±


    ¡°So...¡± Ramakox ran a claw over his chest, swallowing down a lump that had formed in his throat. ¡°It will eventually...¡± He looked back down to the blackened thing that had caused all this trouble. He winced as a phantom pain rippled through him and made the dragon shiver. ¡°Die from the arrow.¡± He spat out, the words tasting vile to his tongue.


    To be victorious over so much and then end up dead anyway? Ridiculous...Preposterous...That would not be fair...Not in the slightest. He looked away out to the rising sun, Fremra''s words swirling inside of him like his namesake. He let out a groan, clutching the wound with a small gasp as he flicked his tail. No....It''s just that you didn''t try ha-¡± he looked back to his dragoness, the words stalling from his throat as he saw her worried filled eyes that were on the verge of leaking tears. Of course she tried all she could. He gazed to the mortals who had remained silent but looked to him with just as concerned faces as the dragoness he loved. They all tried their hardest. ¡°Oh.¡± he sighed, hanging his head as he shifted his body slightly. ¡°What of the red hand and their hunters? What happened to them?¡± He let loose a low growl with his next words. ¡°And did they get away?¡±


    ¡°They ran away...Far away as they could from us.¡± Fremra hissed, wrinkling her snout. ¡°I would have pursued them and cut into little ribbons if not for your grievous wound.¡± She let out a quick low whine before nuzzling him affectionately. Her touch brought a flash of pleasure that fought back the aching soreness and worry that had gripped his heart so.


    ¡°The hunters got away as well.¡± Jandar sighed, placing a claw to his scaled shoulder. ¡°I don''t think they stuck around to see that you pulled through with healing magic. They seemed much too eager to flee with their lives.


    ¡°Not afta da thrashin we gave em!¡± Stonebeard shouted, punching his fist into the air and summoning forth a ¡°Hell ya!¡± from the crowd of adventurers.


    ¡°Yes..Yes..¡± Ramakox looked away, trying to hide the smirk that was threatening to work it''s way to his snout despite the bad news. He found himself looking to the burned out skeletons that used to be homes, building that were nearly crumbling away and holding on by a thread. He could feel the guilt boiling up inside of him as he looked to bodies lining the cobblestone streets. It made his scales start to itch something awful, and he fought the sensation with the next snort of his lungs.


    ¡°This was the hand storm...¡± Jandar said soothingly. ¡°Not your fault in the slightest. We can''t choose who hates us, and how far they are willing to go to hurt us.¡±


    ¡°No...But I could not have been so brazen. I still feel like it was....Bringing this all down upon you mortal''s heads.¡± He snapped his jaw shut, grumbling to himself as he averted his gaze and once more stared to the the half-dragon. ¡°So my wounds..What is to be done about it? Is their really nothing that can be done?¡± He asked, words fading as he looked to the bright sun''s rays that seemed to be slowly bringing life to the destroyed town. ¡°And....if you only stalled it...How long..do I have left?¡± The thought made him sick, like dying should have been to anyone. But he was a dragon, would live forever if given the chance. To be struck down at the age of 479? That would almost be an injustice, some rule against nature. He glanced back to the others as no reply came to ease his troubled mind. The wound on his chest began to itch, so he brushed the aching thing gently with his claws. Even that sensation however sent a slight tremor of pain through his limbs that made his tail flick. He pulled the claw away slowly, hiding his pain with a cough. He didn''t want to appear weak right now anyway. Enough of that was on full display last night. He drummed his talons against the stone as he looked to all the worn and weary faces of the mortals covered in scratches and dirt. The ones that had fought bravely to defend not only his town and her peoples, but the family that he held dear. He imagined himself thrashing on the ground with his next breath as they all struggled for hours, never leaving his side the entire time of his suffering.


    Despite the display of vulnerability he was touched, no dragon could ask for more loyalty then what was displayed last night. ¡°All of you.¡± he cleared his throat as he settled down onto his haunches. ¡°I would like to honestly, from the bottom of my heart and on my very scales thank you for the deeds that you displayed last night in protecting Eastcliff...and the lives of her citizens and dragons.¡± He started to grumble as he pictured the scores of dead that littered the street. Cultist, adventure. And townsfolk all sprawled out together on the ruined streets in a grisly display of blood and violence. ¡°I will never forget the courage that you and the fallen have displayed, and will see to it that none of you are forgotten around these parts. Each one of them and yourselves should look to yourselves as heroes...To be sung about and remembered fondly in tales.¡± He ended his heartfelt speech with a gently tap of his claw against the stone, and flick of his tail.


    ¡°Well ya heard da dragon!¡± Stonebeard smiled after a moment of stunned silence wafted over the crowd. ¡°All ya weak wristed, dress wearin sissies are heroes it seems!¡± The dwarf put on a big smile as he held his stomach with a hearty laugh. ¡°I suppose I could have a drink or two in ya names.¡± Ramakox watched as Milalee strode over to playfully punch the dwarf on the shoulder.


    ¡°Or four you loud mouthed bastard.¡± She laughed, fondly gazing up to Ramakox.


    ¡°Or..Four of course!¡± The dwarf''s face started to turn a red as he laughed some more. ¡°I could even drink to da Swirlin Storm! I bet I could even drink him under da table if given da chance!¡±


    Ramakox weakly grinned as cheers and shouts of thanks spread around the collected mortals like a wild flame in a dry field. They were soon all recounting the evening''s activities and heroics displayed by them and their fallen kin. ¡°So what can be done?¡± he turned back to Jandar as he lowered his sore wing and with a groan pulled the half-dragon closer to him without another word. Fremra joined him by sliding ever closer, and pressing her warm scales against his own with a soft purr escaping her lips.  ¡°I need to know if anything can be done my wonderful mortal...Or that I am to reside myself to the fate of death...even if it pains me to admit it.¡± He snorted, narrowing his eyes as his anger started to rise up as he pictured that smug Lund woman''s face.


    Jandar took a deep breath, running his hands across his snout as his wings fluttered softly. The half-dragon looked down, his tail swishing behind him as he started to pace and mumble to himself in unintelligible words.


    ¡°Jandar?¡± Ramakox asked after several minutes of listening to his son ramble on and on about what to do. The mortal had even backtracked in thought several times as he started to drum his little claws against his blue scaled snout. ¡°Jandar?¡± he rose his voice, his chest starting to ache like a sword had been plunged into it. ¡°Grah...¡± he grit his teeth and involuntarily recoiled on himself while he grasped at the blackened wound. ¡°I''m fine...I''m fine.¡± he gasped, pushing away Fremra''s concerned snout with a quick nose of his own. ¡°Jandar.¡± His voice started to strain as he pushed the pain from his mind. ¡°I need to know if you have any ideas...We can return to my cave and see if I have any books on the subject...You can ask around town...Perhaps one of these adventurers knows something more about these dragon slaying arrows.¡±


    Jandar held up a claw to his snout, stiffing his words as the man shot his head up with a grin. ¡°The mistress of the wood!¡± he exclaimed, practically leaping for joy. ¡°The mistress of the wood! How did I not think of her?¡± Jandar returned his claw to his head as his breath seemed to come faster, his smile not having faded. ¡°Stupid Jandar...She should have been the first person to think of.¡±


    ¡°Mistress of the wood?¡± Ramakox thumped his tail, tilting his head to the side as he tried to pluck from the depths of his mind whom this person was. He was certain that Jandar had told him such a story once over the years. Curse this mind of mine. Forgetting knowledge that I should have known. He wrinkled his snout as he gave a quick annoyed snort at his apparent ignorance. He turned his head to Fremra, hoping that perhaps she knew something. But she had the same look of confusion that must have been reflected in his eyes as well. ¡°I know you may have mentioned her..But who is this person?¡±


    ¡°An old witch that we met years ago to the far west. It would be past the city of  Wallowdale. We managed to find an item that had been plundered from her domain by a group of elven thieves. Trust me was a hassle at finding the bloody bastards...See cause they decided to hold up..¡±


    ¡°Jandar.¡± The blue dragon groaned, nosing his mortal gently. ¡°I do love stories but I believe every second is now precious.¡± He gestured to the wound. ¡°And we best use our time wisely.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Jandar rubbed the back of his neck with a weakened chuckle. ¡°Anyway...Our reward was one favor from this lady.¡±


    ¡°A favor?¡± What could she offer us that we need? You are both competent spell casters and you could not cleanse me of this accursed poison. Why should this ¡°Mistress of the wood.¡± Be any different?¡± he looked away with a snort and quick series of claw clacks against the stone as he drummed his talons slightly in irritation.


    ¡°Because my dearest Storm. She claimed that with all her knowledge of ancient magic and spells. That she could with a mere wave of her hand cure any wound or ailment from the victim.¡± Jandar replied matter of factly, sticking one of his digits right against the blue''s snout, ¡°Caught your attention did I now?¡±


    *


    Ramakox beat his wings steadily against the cool air. White billowing clouds pushed away from his membranes with each flap of his mighty wings against the sky. He gazed out to the vast blue that stretched on for as far as the eye could see, the brilliant cerulean brighter then he had ever pictured it. Far below them were the mountains of the silver highlands, stretching up like the bottom jaw of a dragon with the peaks being the tips of the creature''s teeth. The stony brown and grey surfaces were broken up with great trees of oak and pine. The green quilt being broken up by rivers, rock beds, and other various tors as they traveled to see this mysterious ¡°Mistress of the wood.¡± They had been traveling for several weeks now to find this miracle worker of a witch. The days and nights had started to blend together to the weary dragon as he continued the journey. Every so often during this time the pain in his chest would flare up, and what had started as a small itching sensation had evolved into something that made him clench his teeth each time it did so. He would feel his limbs tremble and quake until the sensation passed, often lasting for several minutes at a time. He would be left gaping in agony to the point that he could do very little but focus on Fremra''s tail through the sky.  Jandar and her were not his only companions on this little trek of theirs, for Stonebeard and Milalee had come along as well with their pegasi. It was kind of hard for the dragon to turn away such help, especially during the rests they had to take and they would offer kind and encouraging words, and in Stonebeard''s case, offer healing magic.


    The stops that had been only several times a day for a quick rest and food were starting to become more and more frequent as Ramakox could feel the ache and soreness lingering in his limbs dragging them down. During these times it was up to Stonebeard and Fremra to work their magic and help him cope with the arrow''s lingering effects. He would settle down onto his side, often in soft grass as they would combine the divine magic from the dwarf and the nature magic of the dragoness. He would watch as their glowing appendages would glide over his fine scales, their touch bringing a brief reprieve to the pain. They described to him numerous times when he would ask that they were strengthening the spells in place that were holding the dragon slaying curse at bay. He would snort each time and trace the wound that had spread to the rest of his body. Where his scales were lighter and blue and dark navy they now were segmented with little sickly black lines that spread to every limb, tail, wings, it was like every scale was partially black in it''s own twisted way. He did not admit it to his companions during their healing, but it troubled him greatly with each inch that his curse spread.


    Ramakox had even started to wonder if he would even survive the journey to find this witch. I just have to right? Would be ill fitting of a story if the hero died on his way to be healed from the thing that plagued him so. The blue dragon would have loved to carry his son through the sky, but the wound had weakened him greatly and he did not want to put the mortal he cared for at risk. Besides...There will be plenty of time for flying when I am healed from this wound. These words had often found their way to his mind during the nights as he would recline with Fremra held ever so close to his body while he would watch the flames of their firelight dance away into the night. The captivating red orange serpents so delightful as he nuzzled his dragoness and almost forgot that he was cursed for death.


    As they neared their destination Jandar kept insisting that it was. ¡°Any day now Storm.¡± The half-dragon glanced out to the landscape below, the signs of civilization slowly fading away. From where it used to be hills covered with little huts, houses, and whole collection of dwellings came forests, rocks, rivers and lakes. With each passing hour they dwindled, until nothing remained , not even a hint that mortal kind had even ventured out this far. Or at least had not having large enough structures that the blue dragon could notice. He supposed that their could be some crafty hermit that had built their house into a tree or something, or that there was an unspoiled civilization that lay underneath the ground, unaware that two dragons were above them.


    It was on the fourth week of their travel that finally Fremra angled a wing and descended without another word towards a vast lake among a forest of gigantic trees. As they neared, it occurred to him that each trunk was roughly the size of ten lesser ones, and that the large things stood at least five times his own great height. Such beauty from the damp air teasing his scales to the sweet smell of earth and leaves that were almost lost to the next clench of his teeth as the wound reminded him it was there. Like it was some child wanting attention and he the worn out parent. A child that is going to kill me. He winced, paws touching down among the soft grass and feeling relief work it''s way through his body. It was if he had been traveling for days non stop, and his body just wanted to slump down and drift off into sleep. That''s how it will be.. He groaned, fighting the urge with a slight growl. To simply close my eyes and then pass from the world. He took another step, his eyes looking passed the concerned looking mortals and dragoness to the crystal clear waters of the lake close by.


    ¡°Y-You took us to a lake to rest?¡± he grumbled in irritation as he pulled himself towards the source that would provide the dragon with a nice refreshing drink. ¡°I thought you said we would be heading to some mystical woman that could heal me...It seems that we are always closer but never there.¡± He stopped for a moment, turning to Jandar with a sigh. ¡°You did not become lost did you?¡±


    ¡°No..This is the place.¡± Jandar strode passed him with crossed arms and his head held high. ¡°The last time I saw her she was by this very lake.¡± Jandar unfolded his arm and gestured to the waters lapping at the grounds edge. ¡°She said that if we ever wanted to get our favors all we had to do would be to come back and we would be able to find her.¡±


    ¡°Doesn''t look like she is here though.¡± Fremra replied flatly, slinking over to the water''s edge and dipping in one of her fore paws. ¡°I could go search underwater..¡± The dragoness'' eyes watched the small ripples as they spread out across the water''s surface, her frills twitching slightly. ¡°Perhaps this illusive Mistress of the woods is hiding under there? Or perhaps going for a refreshing swim? It is what I would be doing.¡±


    ¡°Yes..¡± Ramakox chuckled slightly. ¡°But not everyone loves the water as must as you do my Sea Lilly.¡± He let out a groan as he took his place beside her, and with a pained gasp laid down onto his side by the water''s edge.


    ¡°Not very much ta look at.¡± Stonebeard scoffed, pulling out his darkened leather water skin and taking a swig. ¡°Always preferred stone to all dis green anyway.¡± he looked to Milalee with a raised brow.


    ¡°Simply because you had your head in the ground.¡± The elven women nudged passed him playfully before striding over to join the dragons by the water.


    Ramakox sighed as he sat in silence, only listening to the beating of his steady heart and the chirps of some sort of bird in the distance. If he were not on the verge of death he might have thought all of this was relaxing. He ran a claw through the sand, the coarse stuff easily parting for his sharpened digits until thick lines were drawn through the surface. ¡°Jandar...We spoke of time being of the essence. Where is your mistress of the wood? And if she turned out to be the Emerald Lady in disguise I might actually die of surprise.¡± He smirked, turning back to the half-dragon to hide his growing worry in his chest.


    Jandar only offered him a shrug. ¡°I don''t know now Storm. You know as much as I do now, and I have done all that was tasked of me to get this favor.¡± He spread his arms wide and waved towards the lake. ¡°She said to bloody come here...and here we are...and no witch.¡± Jandar''s arms fell with his head as he let out a heavy, defeated sigh. ¡°I did not mean to waste the time we have left Storm....Or get your hopes up and dash them...I honestl-¡±


    ¡°Never you mind then.¡± He nosed the mortal with a slight grumble. ¡°We will find another way then.¡± He stretched a wing around the mortal, fighting the urge to groan that was building inside of him and threatening to spill forth like a burst dam.


    ¡°Something is here.¡± Fremra picked her head up so quickly that Milalee took a step back in surprise, letting out a gasp. ¡°I can feel it in the water.¡± The dragoness turned to the lake and licked her nose once. ¡°I can even taste it in the air...This place has powerful magic...Ancient magic...Natural magic.¡±


    ¡°Wonderful.¡± Ramakox brushed the wound, fighting off the concerned stares once more as he could almost feel the black lines spreading throughout his body. ¡°At least we have the right place...Now we just need to summon her.¡± He snorted, drumming his talons against the sand. It slightly irritated him that it was not accompanied by the usual clacks he was used to. So he tapped his tail and wracked his mind for something..There must have been plenty of stories that had passwords, phrases, or other various commands that heroes would use to summon forth things like faeries or other mystical beings. Perhaps this would not be any different...Although saying something in this witch''s natural tongue might work...If we knew what that was. He looked to Jandar''s claws, then quickly back to his own. Or perhaps a certain spell would be required...Any spell to alert this witch that she had visitors that needed tending to...Sick dragons that needed tending to...Let''s just hope she is more accepting of guests than the Emerald Lady. He snorted as he pictured that smug green dragoness with her glowing purple eyes staring at him from beyond the trees.


    I will not die you vile thing...I will live on...¡±Grah!: He winced, the pain spiking up and being too much for him to hold in as he recoiled and collapsed onto the ground as a pathetic pile.


    ¡°Ramakox!¡± Jandar and Fremra shouted in unison, their habit of calling him his title lost for the moment in their touching concern.


    ¡°I''m..Fine..¡± He gasped, lying through his teeth as the heat pulsated through him and started to make his vision turn fuzzy, ¡°Nothing..to...¡± His words got lower and softer as the other''s concerned cries started to fade away till only a loud ringing noise was in his ears.


    ¡°Quickly! Strengthen the spells! He saw Fremra shout out, quickly shoving  a paw to his chest joined by Stonebeard''s rough hands.


    The blue dragon felt the mind shattering pain start to fade away with their quickened glances and glowing hands. It felt like a blanket had been wrapped around him and was snuggling close with it''s warmth. He let out a sigh as his vision started to come back into focus, and his heart started to slow back down to a normal pace.


    ¡°Thank the gods above.¡± Jandar wiped the tip of his head with the back his claw. ¡°Thought we might have...¡±


    ¡°Takes more to kill me than that.¡± The blue dragon smirked as a cough wound it''s way to his chest and made him spasm as stars burst in his vision. Although the pain had receded he was left gasping on air as his breaths became ragged. He turned his head towards the others who had fallen silent as they stared at him with large concerned eyes. ¡°I''m fine..So honestly..No more worrying about me like I''m some hatchling .¡± He grumbled, pushing himself to all fours with a snort. ¡°Best we find this mistress of the wood anyway.¡±


    As if his words were the final key to some ancient ritual the waters of the lake parted in a near instant. The sound of it''s rustling drew his attention and made him stare in wonderment as he watched a  figure rise from the clear depths, water falling off her dark brown skin that looked exactly like the bark of a tree. The pointy eared woman stood on top of the water, her dull green hair looking like it was made from moss. She waited there for a moment or two, as if this was a common occurrence for one such as she. The wood elf glanced to them with her emerald eyes, the air around her almost seeming to shimmer.


    ¡°I have heard you all speak...Is it I that you seek an audience with?¡± The woman spoke clearly and flatly, her voice sounding more like the wind wafting through leaves then anything else. She seemed to glide over towards them without moving a muscle, the water not even parting or moving as she passed casually by.


    ¡°Y-yes..It is I..Jandar the traveling mage that has sought you out o Mistress of the wood.¡± The half-dragon found his voice, taking a quick bow before the curious elven maiden.


    ¡°So that I can see Jandar the scaled once human. It would appear that you have sought me out to use the favor that I bestowed to you?¡± Her spheres stared straight at the mortal, ignoring everything else as everyone shifted positions and gave the mysterious woman a wide berth.


    ¡°Yes I have, and I brought the mighty Swirling Storm to use my favor for me...For it is he that is in need of it more then I.¡±


    Ramakox made sure to hold his head up and swell his chest, fighting the soreness that made his bones ache. Let the little wood elf get a good look of his draconic body.


    The mistress of the wood shot her attention to him in a jerking movement that truly looked alien to the dragon and had him wrinkle his snout. ¡°That I can see once human.¡± The woman suddenly shifted from the water to the sand beneath their feet. She glided through it just as easily as the water, and still the ground showed no sign of her presence.


    ¡°Hey.¡± He went to snap as without a word she suddenly pushed a hand to his scaled chest. Her touch was rough, and felt like he was being caressed by the bark of a tree. He grit his teeth as she rubbed the wound that had blackened his scales and brought such agony into his life. He could feel the anxiety rise in his chest with each pass that the elven lady made against his strong scales. The sensation made his scales itch as he fought the urge to pull away with a snort.


    ¡°You have experienced quite the magical attack. One that threatens to kill you where you stand.¡±


    Great it seems as though the wood elves have the same talent of being blunt as some high elves in the stories. ¡°Yes..That I have little elf. I have fought the greatest hunter of my kind and was struck with an arrow of dragon slaying. Some call it the black arrow..It has a curse that as you said will eventually make me succumb to death''s embrace. We need your abilities to heal the wound...So that is why we are here...and the favor that I ask of you.¡± He lowered his head with sigh escaping his scaled lips. ¡°For like most beings I do not wish to die.¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The wood-elf paused, her hair seemed to rustle like little bugs were crawling underneath the mossy surface.  ¡°You misinterpreted me Jandar...Yes these waters can be used to heal the injured..But to heal such a grievous wound such as this...¡± She rubbed her hand softly against his scales, causing the blue dragon to gasp once more. ¡°Sorry dragon.¡± She retracted her hand and jerked her head to Jandar, ignoring Fremra''s brief defensive growl. ¡°For this wound that the dragon possesses if beyond my power to treat and cure.¡±


    Ramakox felt his heart sink to a new low as he hung his head, Fremra quickly brushing her head underneath his own in a gesture of comfort. He nuzzled back against her as she let out a small near silent whine. He pushed back against her harder, unable to find the words. What good was lying about it not being a big deal now?


    ¡°But..¡± The elf spoke up, head raising as her eyes drifted from her guests to the surrounding wood that had seemed to go quiet. ¡°The spirit of these woods could have cured the curse that ails you...If you had just gotten here sooner.¡± The wood elf jerked her head back to Ramakox, a slight crack filling the air and making his scales shiver.


    ¡°We got here as quickly as our wings could carry us!¡± He snapped at her, pounding a paw aggressively against the ground and scattering the sand in every direction ¡°I can not have have come all this way to trip at the end!¡±


    ¡°That does seem to be the way things go for you isn''t it?¡± Infinity suddenly poker her little snout our from behind the woman, and offering the blue dragon a large tooth filled grin.


    Ramakox blinked rapidly, casting the image of the wrymling from his vision with a quick snort.


    ¡°I''m afraid great dragon that the cursed arrow has progressed much too far inside of you. It''s blackened tendrils go far deeper then just on the scales. They pierce their way through your heart and line your very insides with their ill intentions. There is no longer a cure for what afflicts you now. Come tomorrow you will perish from this earth.¡±


    ¡°T-Tomorrow?¡± Fremra gasped, pushing up against him harder as she coiled her body around him.


    ¡°Well if dis ain''t a load of goblin spittle!¡± Stonebeard shouted, ¡°We''ll go find another healer dis ones obviously too far wooden ta be any help. See? What did I tell ya, nothing ever good came from trees.¡±


    ¡°Shush Stonebeard.¡± Ramakox snapped, the loud mouthed dwarf instantly silencing with a quick muttering of the word. ¡°Dragons..¡± The blue dragon softened his voice, and adjusted his view to the silent wooden elf.


    ¡°There has to be something. We can''t have journeyed this far only to fail now.¡± Jandar said quickly with a gulp, his voice starting to crack.


    The mistress of the wood turned to  him in silent contemplation. She held her gaze for quite some time before shifting her eyes to each one of them in turn. ¡°I can speak with you Jandar....Alone of course...If you want to help that dragon..But as I repeat myself, there is no cure to be found here now..It is far too late for the dragon before me..I''m truly sorry that one of you has to die. The world can be a cruel and unforgiving place at times. Even to the mighty dragons that spend their lives being the protectors of many villages.¡± The wood-elf glided over to him, once more placing her hand onto his scaled chest. ¡°This is for the pain dragon.¡± She mumbled, her touch suddenly bringing warmth to his aching chest. In a single moment everything melted away, not a single trace of pain to lick at his nerves.


    ¡°Thanks for that enchantment.¡± He snorted, not even the promise of no pain easing his mind. Ramakox looked away with narrowed eyes, trying to brush away the dreadful feeling as he pictured smashing something, anything to take his mind off the bad news as Fremra continued to nuzzle him with her soft pained whimpers. I''m sorry that I won''t be here for much longer my Sea Lilly. He pulled back against her, the despair forming a pit in his stomach and causing a small whimper to escape his own maw.


    ¡°I''ll be right back then.¡± Jandar patted the blue''s scaled shoulder, the mortal''s words almost lost by the affectionate caress of the anxiety driven dragoness.


    ¡°You best be back then.¡± Ramakox sighed with a flick of his tail. ¡°There is much to discuss about...after.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡± the half-dragon grabbed the wood-elves hand when she held it out and offered it to him without a sound. Together they walked out into the center of the lake, the mortal''s boots not even pushing passed the water''s surface. It was like the sloshing liquid was a solid to him. Jandar turned to them, offering the dragon pair a brief wave before the lake swallowed he and the elven woman like a tasty morsel. The tops of their heads quickly falling below the surface, and towards the watery depths.


    ¡°Well all right den.¡± Stonebeard crossed his arms, ¡°What do we do now? Just sit around all doom and gloom?¡± The dwarf instantly shut his mouth once again when the blue dragon shot him another glare. ¡°Well alright den.¡± The dwarf slung off his leather pack to the ground and started to unbutton the pocket''s buttons. ¡°Lass..Milalee...Come here and help me out...Maybe I can summon us up some food with the reagents I got. It might not be the tastiest of stuff but it will manage to do. Maybe I can even summon up some steak?¡±


    Milalee simply nodded and quickly had unpacked an assortment of various items, parchment that looked to be crumbled and ancient, books with wax signets pressed to their covers, and glass potions with red sloshing liquid inside.


    While the mortals tended to their own devices, Ramakox laid down upon the sand, letting Fremra nuzzle and caress him with tender strokes and purrs. He pressed back into her warmth, as his worry tried to cast away the joy she brought him. ¡°I''m thankful for the time that we managed to share.¡± he rose a claw to caress the underside of her snout with tender care. He gazed into her purple spheres that had started to take on the same luster as shining amethysts. They were already misting and on the verge of tears as he lost himself within her eyes. ¡°I would not trade an instant that I shared with you my Sea Lilly. I''m sorry things turned out the way they did.¡± He pushed his snout against hers, her cries soon filling the air as she pulled against him trembling.


    ¡°Thank you for being my Radiant Sapphire that I could lean on Ramakox. I know we met and I threatened to rip your pretty face.¡± She laughed weakly, a tear already starting it''s descent down her face. ¡°But you would have made an excellent father to our wrymlings.¡± She pulled away from him with tears now cascading down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably. She moved in swiftly towards his snout and offering him a quick kiss on his lips.


    Ramakox kissed back with a snort, managing to fight off another cough and ripple of pain radiating from his heart. ¡°I love you my dearest Fremra...¡± He broke the kiss with a soft trill. ¡°And thank you for the kind words in my darkest hours.and...if you don''t mind.¡± He let out a sigh, looking to the lake his son had ventured into with that mysterious woman. ¡°I would like for you to be with me at the end. He realized this may have been a tall order to ask about, for it was not usually something people wanted to remember. ¡°If you think you can stand it...I would understand if yo-¡±


    She silenced him with another kiss, pulling back as more tears joined the others in running down her pebbly cheeks. ¡°Of course I will be by your side till the end Rammy.¡± she chuckled weakly, her voice threatening to break again as she was reduced to pained sobs that hung in the air and made Ramakox press his scales against her own.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Was all the blue dragon could manage as he tried to not think about what awaited him on the other side. He wrapped his neck around hers and held her close as both of the dragons trembled and shook in the other''s grasp. Both of them cried and sobbed, not wanting the day to continue. For they knew the pain that was soon to follow in it''s wake. So they sat side by side, staring at the water that looked so peaceful. They were pressed up against one another with his wing wrapped around her, and her tail intertwined with his own. To any passerby that might gaze upon the large dragons, they might have thought something romantic was going on. The last thing to grace their mind would be that they were readying themselves for death. It was quite some time before the water started to churn once more. The calm liquid soon started to ripple violently, as a swarm of bubbles suddenly rose from the surface at an alarming speed.


    From the bubbling surface sprung Jandar and the mistress of the wood. They shot out from the surface like rapidly growing weeds. The first thing he noted was despite being submerged within the enchanted lake, the mage''s clothes were perfectly dry. Not a single drop of water could be seen on their surface, and they seemed to be as dry as when the mortal entered the lake. Jandar was holding something in his two claws, clutching it close to his chest with his snout down. The wood elf meanwhile was gesturing to the others, moments before she started to glide back towards them in that eerie sort of fashion. She guided Jandar right to the land''s edge, before returned to her position at the center...and sinking once more into that watery domain.


    Jandar took a step from the water to the sand. Looking up with a surprised expression coming to his snout like he had just come from a daze. The mortal looked around briefly, his wings flicking every so often as he took a deep breath. ¡°I suppose I am back then.¡± the man opened up one of his pouches and casually stashed what was in his claws inside without a word. ¡°What did I miss during my time inside the witches den?¡±


    ¡°She lives down under da water?¡± Stonebeard called back, pulling out a thin piece of parchment that seemed to have been covered in dwarven runes. ¡°I knew we couldn trust her! Underwater homes are worse then trees!¡±


    ¡°Did you find anything else out?'' Ramakox blurted out, ignoring the dwarves comments as the man went back to what looked like constructing a fire. ¡°Did you find a way to somehow stop the spreading of this curse?¡± He raised a brow, sounding more hopeful then he had intended to. Silence soon washed over them as Ramakox watched the mortal shift his weight uncomfortably from side to side, raising a hand to caress the blue dragon''s cheek.


    ¡°There is no cure Storm.¡± The man said, his voice lowering and nearly cracking. ¡°She explained all that to me at the bottom of the lake. She suggested we enjoy the time that we had left while we could. This is where our story ends.¡±


    ¡°N....No..I refuse..to..¡± Ramakox drifted his eyes to the gathered mortals and dragoness, smacking his tail on the ground. ¡°That can....You must have....¡± he snorted, words failing him as he hung his head. ¡°So what did she give you then that you stashed in your pouch without a word? You think I would miss that one little detail?¡±


    ¡°That was an amulet she gave me. A little token for coming here as it were.¡± Jandar patted the pouch with a frown. ¡°And before you ask..No the amulet cannot heal you...That was literally my first question when she handed it to me down there.¡± Jandar wrapped his arms around the dragon''s snout as Fremra nuzzled him again, causing a surprised meep to escape his mouth. ¡°I...don''t want to lose you either Storm...but..I see no other way now..¡± Jandar''s eyes started to leak tears as the man pressed his little snout against the dragon''s much larger one. ¡°I''m sorry I failed you Storm...I''m sorry.¡±


    ¡°You did not fail me little one.¡± Ramakox licked the mortals face with a groan. ¡°If anything this was all my fault once more..Only fitting that I be put an end too because of my fame and spreading of my name.¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Jandar smacked him gently on the snout, caressing the underside so that he was staring back into those silver eyes of the mortal. ¡°We already talked about the blaming of all of this.¡± The once human''s eyes started to mist as his arm trembled. ¡°It is both of our faults.¡± Jandar''s voice cracked, wiping his eyes with a sleeve of his robe with a sniff. ¡°So don''t go taking sole blame like you usually do.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Ramakox snorted, nosing the half-dragon in his scaled chest. ¡°I think..¡± the blue dragon let out a sigh, pushing against the mortal when the man wrapped his arms around his snout. ¡°I would like to spend the last moments that I have with the ones that I love the most.¡± He opened one of his eyes to look at Stonebeard and Milalee who  were putting on the finishing touches of their fire. ¡°And Stonebeard and Milalee are free to stay awhile as well.¡±


    ¡°Thank ya dragon.¡± Stonebeard replied, starting to rifle through his stuff again. ¡°Don''t ya worry ya scaled arse about food fer da night. I''ll get something summoned up really mighty quick. It might not be just as good as a freshly killed animal to ya..But I think I can get some meat and other things that we might want to sample as da night goes on inta wee hours of da night.¡± Stonebeard gave a wink, pulling our a metal tankard with the symbol of a green wagon painted onto it''s surface. ¡°Found it! Can''t very well have a good time without me tankard!¡±


    So it was that they got the fire roaring and crackling away with loose logs from smaller trees and twigs. Stonebeard was true to his word, summoning up a whole banquet it seemed of any food that the dragon had requested. There was goose almost cooked to perfection, the juices running down the blue dragon''s happy snout each time that he chomped down into the sweet tasting meat. He had to remind himself several times as he sampled this, some beef, and even venison that all of it was summoned forth out from nothing. Although as he chomped away, ignoring the worry he could not tell the difference between the real thing. With the plethora of steaming foods there was also fruit, vegetable, bread, and even barrels of dwarven ale. Even the dragon''s had managed to get large cups in which to lap away at the dark frothing surface of the bitter tasting liquid. Although it had started out bitter the drink played with the taste buds and made the dragon give out a satisfied gasp as he drained his current tankard with a grin and a burp.


    Ramakox sat around, sharing words with the ones that had made his life so full of wonder these past few years. Jandar would tell the others with a smile of all the little adventurers that he had over the time, going all the way back to when he was training with the blue dragon when he was just a lad. Several times he would share things that had Ramakox nudging him playfully and telling him to watch it. He had to nose him one time especially as the once human had told a story where the blue dragon had put on over sized woman''s garments and pranced around his cave pausing in front of his mirrors.


    ¡°That never happened!¡± The blue dragon laughed as the others quickly joined in, Fremra shooting him a sly grin as the sun began to sink down below the horizon.


    ¡°I knew something like that happened! I thought you were joking!¡± She nudged him playfully, before sliding her head underneath his with a pleasurable purr escaping her maw. ¡°Never knew that you liked woman''s clothing that much.¡± She smiled, closing her eyes in content.


    ¡°You know me.¡± he chucked, caressing the back of her neck with his own. He closed his eyes as well, her touch casting away the ache lurking deep inside of him. ¡°Can''t resist just flaunting how good I look in them around.¡±


    ¡°You tink dats great.¡± Stonebeard set his tankard onto the ground, ripping off a piece of summonsed up boar. ¡°Listen to da tale that I weave for ya tonight. Ya will tink it''s from a master story teller ya will.¡±


    ¡°Do go on.¡± Ramakox chuckled with a groan, nudging Fremra one last time before shifting his focus to the red faced mortal. Who by the looks of his little fidgeting was eager to share the tale. ¡°What tale do you speak of that will leave me so flabbergasted?¡±


    ¡°I tell ya of the tale about an ole dwarvin lass. Who had a mighty strong kick.¡± The bearded man gave a quick wink. ¡°An if ya were a mortal with a set o stones ya best watch out. She had da best boots for kicken such things.¡±


    ¡°Really now?¡± The dragon chuckled, already picturing the scores of men that must have fallen prey to this feisty dwarven woman if she had inspired such a tale in her name.


    ¡°Aye I speak da truth. She even had a pair o boots enchanted to help her along with this power of hers. They say she could even kick dragon''s hard enough that they would fall over, just as if they had the items of which I speak. They called dem the stone kickers. They ere dese big brown boots, with small metal plates on da tip. Dey even had runes engraved inta da surface o dem. You can be sure it twas the last thing males felt when they tasseled wit dis lass.¡±


    Ramakox nudged Fremra, and wiggling the tail that she had intertwined with his own. ¡°Sounds awfully like this woman that was heading north towards the royal marsh roughly two hundred years ago. She even threatened to kick me in the balls for suggesting that she looked healthy and well fed!¡± The blue dragon remembered the woman''s olive skin, and green eyes as she had shot him such daggers that he was afraid they might pierce his blue hide at the time. ¡°Although the woman in question was a human Stonebeard...Not a human as you say.¡±


    ¡°Human, dwarf...It doesn''t matter. The story is still da same.¡± Stonebeard waved him off casually as the sun finally sank below the trees and allowed the fire to lighten the area with it''s warm glow to full effect. ¡°Her name was the fierce Mirelle if I recall.¡±


    ¡°I think that green dragon in the marsh would have gotten more then he bargained for huh?¡± Jandar laughed, taking a swig from his own drink. ¡°Course when I met him he looked no worse for wear.¡±


    ¡°Maybe the dragon ate her if she tried to kick him?¡± Milalee leaned back onto the sand with a slight groan.


    ¡°He didn''t seem the type to just eat someone. If anything he would have probably captured her and told her stories.¡± The half-dragon looked to Ramakox with a grin. ¡°I think you two would have been friends if you had left to go meet him.¡±


    ¡°Had enough to worry about over the years.¡± Ramakox looked up to the night sky, gazing out to the sparkling stars above. ¡°Didn''t need to meet every dragon that lives in Sethera.¡± He gazed out in silence for a moment or two before Fremra was nudging at him, and running her snout close to his own.


    ¡°You know...Since you are not in pain.¡± The dragoness licked the edge of his snout with a whisper. ¡°We could always get away and share each other''s pleasure.¡±


    Ramakox chuckled, kissing her quickly with a pleased rumble. ¡°That I think would wonders my  sweet. Experience all the joys of life.¡± He pushed himself to all fours and wrapping a wing around the alluring dragoness with a rumble. ¡°I think we will be going for a flight.¡± He eyed Fremra with a grin. ¡°Might be a bumpy one.¡±


    ¡°Oh get ta fuckin already!¡± Stonebeard laughed, raising his tankard once more. The thing was once again filled, as it''s contents sloshed around and spilled down the side. ¡°I can tell da others more stories ta pass da time...Now there was this other woman...¡±


    Ramakox padded away with the feisty ness, who had just nipped at his neck playfully. He growled in the back of his throat as he pressed against her and strode out away from the camp with quickened pace. They eventually broke into a run, avoiding the larger trunks and racing through the forest floor. Flora would pass them by quickly as their claws dug up the ground beneath their claws. It was not long before they were far from the camp and he found himself tackled to the ground and a tongue finding it''s way down his throat.


    Ramakox snorted in delight as the two smacked and kissed away. Their tails tapping softly almost in unison as they held each other delightfully close together. His maleness eventually parted through his scales and rose into the air dripping it''s musky liquid. The kissing eventually found it''s way down towards his dragonhood, that nesses tongue working wonders over his ridged member. He was left gasping as she flicked away at it, gulping down any pre that bubbled it''s way to his throbbing tip. From her ministrations she eventually positioned her moist slit over him, and her depths parting for his length like it was made to be there. When she had hilted him, she ground her scales against him with a lewd grin and lick against his snout.


    The two mated passionately, he rocking into her and making her cry out into the night as his length delved into her and hit just the right parts to make her sequel. He was in utter bliss the entire time as her moist confines caressed his member and milked him for every drop of his essence that he was willing to pump into her. He was left gasping and groaning as she clenched and pushed back against him, until his knot had spread her lips, and locked them together with a loud roar escaping his maw. After that they went at it again and again, rocking into each other with little gasps and moans of intense pleasure. Losing track of time they changed positions many times, until it was that she had drained every single drop of cum from him. He collapsed with a smile next to her, kissing her gently. She snuggled against him, wrapping a wing around him as her purrs made him laugh. They were like that for a time, close together and looking up at the stars while they laid on their backs. Ramakox tried to not think that come tomorrow he would be high up there with the dragons of old.


    ¡°Thank you...I needed to experience that before my time came.¡± he sighed, nudging her gently with his head. ¡°You were wonderful as always my Sea Lilly. Practically milked me dry!¡±


    ¡°Mmmhmmm.¡± She nuzzled him back, thumping her tail on the ground gently. ¡°We should probably get back to others. We may have kept them waiting for longer then intended. ¡° She laughed, letting out a pleasured groan. ¡°Not that I am really complaining. You felt wonderful Rammy.¡±


    Ramakox pushed himself to all fours with a groan, ripping himself away from the touch of the warm dragoness. It was as she said, they could not stay here for the rest of the night. He stretched like a cat, a yawn finding it''s way to his maw as he wiggled his tail and kneaded the ground. ¡°Well come on then.¡± he gestured to Fremra with a slight angle of his neck before bounding off in the direction of the mortals with his next quickened breath. He dared her to catch him once more as he sprinted through the forest like a wrymling all those years ago. He let out a small trill when he heard her give chase and easily close the distance between the two. The pair raced and nudged against one another as they passed tree after tree, until they could see the glow of the fire in the distance. With a small groan the blue dragon slowed  his pace to a trot, and gave a quick snort to settle his racing heart.


    It was as if the all the pleasure he had just faded away with his next step, his mind reminding him that he was set for death. He paused, a grumble working its way up his scaled throat as he turned to the dragoness who had not left his side. Her actions now seemed strange to him. Blinded by the prospect of her nethers. He scolded himself as her gaze met his. ¡°Whats the matter?¡± he asked straight to the point as they came to a stop.


    ¡°Matter with what?¡± she replied with a quick tilt of her head.


    ¡°Don''t play coy with me Fremra, you certainly know what....Why seduce me..and mate with me when you know that I am bound to die?¡± He took a soft step towards her, refolding his wings against his back.


    ¡°Am I not allowed to enjoy the last night I have with you?¡± Her voice cracked, ¡°Am I not allowed to share pleasure with my mate?¡± She nudged him gently with a soft whine that made her words strike him right to his core, and making him feel like an arse.


    ¡°Of course you are.¡± he wrapped his wings and neck around her, stroking the dragoness softly as she began to sniff and shake. Of course that''s what she wanted.. He hugged her tighter, whispering little noises like he was a mother dragon and she was an upset wrymling.


    ¡°B-besides.¡± The teal ness looked up to him once more, wiping away the rest of her tears. ¡°I am on the verge of my heat...I thought that if there was a chance to have eggs with you I''d take it.¡± She nuzzled him softly, pushing her warm scales against his cheek, ¡°The last chance I''ll ever get.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± he said letting out a long sigh as he held her quivering form. ¡°Then I hope that it takes my Sea Lilly, and that many wrymlings that bear our scales.¡±


    ¡°One can only hope.¡± she hugged him one last time before pulling back and righting herself to all fours. ¡°Shall we?¡± she gestured to the fire in the distance flickering away against the dark trees. ¡°So that they don''t think we are still passionately mating in the distance.¡±


    ¡°Oh I doubt they think that.¡± he rumbled softly as they resumed their careful strides. ¡°There is no moaning ness to fill the air with her sounds. Trust me, there is not a single soul for miles around that did not know that you had just been mating.¡±


    ¡°And I loved every second of it.¡± She laughed, licking his nose softly with her slippery eel of a tongue. The air glowed a warm orange as her membranes slightly lit up. Ramakox nudged her affectionately and wrapped his neck once more around her for brief moment as they came into the clearing with the fire.


    ¡°There dey are!¡± Stonebeard laughed, clasping his hands together the second he saw them. He was holding a small stick towards the fire that had a little white puff thrust upon it. The elf and dwarf greeted them with waves and giggles, Jandar being to interested in whatever he was holding in his claws. The half-dragon simply stared at it, and gave the two dragons a quick wave.


    ¡°Have fun?¡± Milalee asked with an odd smile. She must have realized the awkwardness in what had transpired.


    ¡°Nothing wrong with enjoying life. Even on my last night of it.¡± He grumbled, settling down in the sand with his body coiled around Jandar and Fremra pressed up against him. ¡°Besides....We wanted to try for wrymlings if you must know.¡±


    ¡°Oooooo. I bet they will be very strong and brave.¡± The elf pulled back her stick, prodding the little white thing with a finger before deciding it was ready and popping the thing into her mouth. ¡°Mmmmmmm.¡± Milalee moaned, her ears practically splaying. ¡°What did you call these things?¡± She gulped down the last of her sticky treat, turning to Stonebeard with a raised brow.


    ¡°We call them tasty pillows.¡± the dwarf laughed, his own mouth full of the white goeyness.


    Ramakox shifted his attention to the mortal he called his son. Despite the apparent good cheer being tossed around by the elf and dwarf, the half dragon seemed to be sitting like a statue in silence simply staring intently at the silver amulet in his claws. The flames reflected in the surface of the little thing ever so slightly as the mortal did not move a single muscle.


    ¡°What is on your mind little one?¡± He asked, his voice all growly for a moment as the man let out a sigh.


    ¡°This is strange is it not?¡± The half-dragon clenched his claws tight around the amulet, turning back to Ramakox with narrowed eyes. ¡°That we are just sitting around talking and acting like tomorrow isn''t going to be your end. It...just is several types of awful.¡± The half-dragon''s arms fell to his side as the dragon''s heart ached despite the wood-elve''s claim.


    ¡°It''s because that is how I asked it to be.¡± The dragon grumbled, shaking his head slightly and making his scales clink softly. ¡°Would you rather my last hours of life be all tears and crying noises?¡± He tilted his head to the side as he snaked his snout closer to the mortal who had looked slightly away. ¡°I would rather my last moments be filled with the sounds of my loved ones, and my last moments be warm and full o the life that I wanted to have.¡±


    ¡°Put yourself in my scales Ramakox.¡± Jandar carefully set a claw onto the blue dragon''s snout with a sigh. ¡°What would you be doing right now if our situation were reversed?¡±


    ¡°You mean to say if you were dying instead of I?¡± The blue dragon wrinkled his snout, already picturing Jandar gasping for breath, grasping at the air as he thrashed violently trying to draw breath. ¡°That is not the case.¡± Ramakox shook his head, scattering the image from his mind. ¡°So there is no point in talking about it.¡±


    ¡°You avoided the question my dragon. Why hide from such thoughts now? You perish tomorrow, at least humor me.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Ramakox snorted, ¡°I would be besides myself with worry..But I would respect your wished my little human...It would be hard..¡± He kneaded the ground with his claws as an itch returned to his scales. ¡°But I would manage.....For you.¡± He nuzzled Fremra as she took that moment to slide her head under his chin and tickle him with a soft rumbling purr. ¡°So can you enjoy yourself for one night Jandar? Let tomorrow be the day filled with tears.¡± he nosed the human gently, sighing as the man grabbed his snout into a chest hug. ¡°Let tonight be filled with smiles, good cheer, and all the tales of the good times.¡±


    The once human pulled back, opening his claw and glancing down to the amulet with a slight frown. ¡°I can do that Storm..¡± The mortal chuckled softly, lightly smacking the blue dragon''s snout. ¡°So did you two have fun?¡± His chuckles soon turned into a hearty laugh as Fremra let out a cackle and licked the half-dragon''s face.


    ¡°Of course we did..Hopefully we get a clutch out of it...You''ll be a big brother of all things.¡± the teal ness cooed, pressing more against Ramakox and intertwining her tail with his own.


    ¡°Brother eh?¡± Jandar crossed his arms with a grin as Ramakox pulled his head back with a snort.


    ¡°But of course..I have said this before Jandar. You are not my blood in any shape or form.¡± He looked down to the mortal with a warm heard and a smile. ¡°But I consider you my son regardless.¡±


    ¡°So what will you call them when they hatch?¡± the mortal shot back with a grin.


    ¡°Now isn''t that certainly a good question.¡± Fremra turned to Ramakox with a slight lick across his snout. ¡°Any thoughts on the subject my Radiant Sapphire?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm.¡± The dragon drummed his claws against the sand, picturing a strong female dragoness with his eyes and Fremra''s frills. ¡°Achaaz...I think that will do nicely for the first dragoness....What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Sounds perfect.¡± Fremra smiled, practically releasing a trill as a smile dominated her maw. She rose her claw to her face next, starting to drum her own digits one by one as she wrinkled up her snout. ¡°Now we have to think about six others I think.¡±


    ¡°Six?¡± Ramakox gasped, poking the dragoness playfully with a talon. ¡°Did not think I was so virile.¡±


    ¡°My own mother had a clutch of seven.¡± The ness laughed, ¡°I better prepare if I happen to take after her in that regard.


    They continued to bounce names of one another as the blue dragon pictured all the scampering little feet, the wagging tails, and the fluttering wings as he told them story after story. He felt the ache find his heard again as he realized he would never get that chance now. His offspring would grow up without him, and only hear about him through the words of his mate and his son that spoke of all his greatness. He kneaded the ground once more and changed the subject when they had the seven different names selected. Some where male, others female. They had picked the perfect mix of both so that the dragoness had a bunch to choose from if the time came. He brought up more stories, even dragging Stormbeard and Milalee into the tellings, if only to distract his now troubled mind from the sour thoughts.


    After another joyous story about a dwarf punching an undead mummy in the jaw Jandar suddenly broke up the laughter. ¡°What do think happens when you die?¡± He looked around to the laughing dragons and mortals.


    ¡°Now isn''t that an odd question.¡± Ramakox grumbled, ¡°Especially after such a delightful story such as that.¡±


    ¡°I know..Just was on the mind is all...Especially since...Well.¡± Jandar rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°Sorry for bringing it up...You can tell me just in private if you want.¡±


    ¡°No that is alright Jandar..it is fresh on the mind.¡± Ramakox looked up to the stars, flicking his tail gently on the ground. ¡°I have said that the stars above contain what is believed to be all the souls of lost dragons looking down upon us. That they sit up there in their lofty positions gazing down to watch our actions from time to time.¡±


    ¡°What of mortals?¡±


    ¡°Well that depends on the god I suppose.¡± The dragon wrinkled his snout. ¡°Stonebeard for instance would most likely see his god of Thor when he died, and be spirited off into his realm. Much can be said for most different mortals. Each one gathered jealously by the god that created them.¡±


    ¡°Can they ever cross realms?¡± Jandar looked to Stonebeard, who shrugged.


    ¡°I do not know.¡± Ramakox sighed. ¡°But I hope that they can...Not wishing you to die so soon. But it would be nice when you do die to be able to visit you from time to time up there.¡± Ramakox''s words turned soft as he gazed up to the twinkling lights once more. He felt the itch beneath his scales make him scratch and grumble at the prospect of what it would be like up there. He felt himself shiver as he tried to picture something fitting of a dragon afterlife, but shook his head trying to bring himself back to the here and now.¡±


    ¡°That..Would be nice.¡± Jandar said just as softly, looking down the amulet held within his claws. The man let out a heavy sigh as he looked to Milalee and Stonebeard once more. ¡°Can I have a moment alone with my dragons? I just want to have some words with them that I think should only really grace their ears.¡±


    ¡°Should I have ta worry about you doing the nasty with the dragons now?¡± Stonebeard burped, taking a swig of his tankard.


    ¡°That''s his father you bearded twit!¡± Milalee, punched him playfully, helping the clearly inebriated dwarf stand.


    ¡°I...I think I may have had a wee bit too much.¡± The dwarf laughed, stumbling and forcing the elf to help guide him out of the clearing.


    ¡°Let us know if you need anything!¡± Milalee laughed, quickly moving to catch the cleric who had nearly stumbled onto his face when she had turned to talk.


    The once human sat in silence as Ramakox and he watched the others leave. The man''s tail twitched slightly before he lowered his head and stared down at the silver amulet clutched in his claws. ¡°Oh Ramakox.¡± The man sighed, taking his other hand and placing it gently onto the blue dragon;s snout.


    ¡°Oh what?¡± he closed his eyes as the tender touch started to turn into gentle scratches that made him rumble and place his head into the mortal''s lap. His tail wiggled as the man''s little talons worked his scales, knowing the exact places to touch to make the blue dragon purr.


    ¡°Where has all the time gone.¡± Jandar ran a fingertip around one of Ramakox''s eyes, his tail thumping softly on the grass. ¡°Just yesterday it seemed like you were an angel, descending from the heavens to pluck me from that broken caravan upon the road.¡± The mortal worked his way back to the underside of the blue dragon;s head, making his tail twitch involuntarily. ¡°And look at us now...Time certainly flies doesn''t it?¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± Fremra nosed the mortal, pushing her snout into his lap as well with a growly rumble. ¡°If you are giving out scratches and rubs then I demand to get some.¡± She licked the mortal''s face tenderly until he set the amulet down and placed his other hand on her and began to scratch her scales as well. ¡°Much better.¡± She cooed, intertwining her tail with Ramakox''s own as she started to lightly purr. The sounds filling the air and bringing a sense of serenity to the blue dragon''s mind.


    ¡°Just wish we had more time....This is not the way things were supposed to ho.¡± The mortal trailed off as he stared to the dancing red-orange flames flames, and continuing his diligent ministrations to the two dragons.


    ¡°Everyone wants more time.¡± Ramakox grumbled, pulling back from those delightful touches to raised his head and look to the mortal that had given him so much over the years. ¡°This is a luxury that is never guaranteed.¡± He narrowed his eyes with a snort, already hating the words forming in his throat. ¡°Let;s just hope that they never forget the tale of the Swirling Storm.¡±


    Jandar did not reply, continuing to caress Fremra''s snout as he picked the amulet from his side. The mortal''s silvered eyes rose the little metal thing to his vision, before adjusting his gaze from Ramakox then back to the amulet several times.


    ¡°I''m proud of you my little mortal. You have changed so much since we first met. Who would have thought you would have turned out to be a powerful mage?¡± He chuckled weakly, nosing at the half-dragon. ¡°Or that you would be scaled and have wings?¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± The man said dryly, looking back to the dragon with a look of deep thought. ¡°You certainly knew the first part.¡± The mortal gulped, clenching at the silvered item in his hands. ¡°Ever had a big choice to make that there is no going back from?¡± The mortal''s eyes seemed to be filled with curiosity as he stared back into Ramakox''s own. It was like the mortal was looking for some long lost item that was contained lurking beneath his spheres.


    ¡°Certainly.¡± Ramakox shifted his weight, stretching out his limbs with a yawn. ¡°You and I have done it over the years...Some I regret...¡± Ramakox remembered leaving Imzel that one night, and the ritual when Jandar was but a boy. The blue dragon shook his head with a low growl escaping his maw. ¡°While others...For instance...Finding you...Are some of my fondest memories lurking inside of mind.¡±


    ¡°You would have made an excellent father.¡± Jandar laughed weakly, his eyes starting to mist before he returned his gaze to the amulet. ¡°It''s a shame that even immortal beings can be brought low by an arrow such as that.¡±


    ¡°Don''t remind me.¡± Ramakox spat out, irritation building in his chest like a fire. ¡°I already loath the injustice of it...I would rather like to enjoy my evening.¡±


    ¡°What...What if you didn''t have all evening?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Ramakox snapped his attention towards the mortal and away from the fire his eyes had been drifting towards. ¡°I think an explanation if in order after saying something like that.¡± the words rolled off the tongue, the implications making his nerves taste ice once again. ¡°Why would you say something like that?¡±


    ¡°Because...¡± Jandar gulped as Fremra opened one of her eyes, pulled her head away and gave him an inquisitive look. ¡°The wood-elf lied to you to ease your mind. She figured if you knew it was coming it would damper the evening...Best for you to die in your sleep.¡±


    Ramakox snorted in disbelief, feeling the cold sensation work it''s way deeper into his scales. Surely what the man had said was a fallacy...But why would he lie? Jandar wouldn''t want to hurt me anymore then I am. The dragon grumbled and drummed his talons against the ground. That only leaves one explanation for Jandar''s words...That he is telling the truth. The thought made a knot form in the dragon''s stomach. He wrinkled his snout and grumbled away like he always did. ¡°Surely you jest Jandar..That this is some mortal prank meant to get under my..¡± He shut his snout as the mortal ran a hand tenderly up his face when he lowered it down. ¡°No...I suppose not...I would not get that lucky I suppose.¡± He sighed, all the warmth being sucked out of him and only feeling the icy cold working it''s way steadily towards his heart.


    ¡°How long does he have left?¡± Fremra''s words were lace with concern and worry, Ramakox could already see that her eyes were starting to mist as her forelimbs trembled. Ramakox pushed against to try and help her troubled mind, but it was no use. The dragoness pushed her head into his chest and shivered away.


    ¡°She said that you would most likely pass in your sleep tonight.¡± The man pointed to the black wound on the dragon''s scaled chest. ¡°That the arrow''s magic had finally wound itself so deep into you. That you made it here at all is a miracle in of itself.¡± Jandar cupped the underside of the dragon''s head, letting out a sigh. ¡°That''s when her enchantment would do the most good. When the poison finally took you...You would feel no pain..Not anything. One second you the Mighty Swirling Storm would be here....and the next...¡± The once human hung his head, unable to finish the sentence as he quivered and let out a small sob. ¡°And....leaving us to go on.¡± Tears cascaded down his scaled cheeks, the agony shining through his words. Fremra was the first one to place her snout next to the mortal, and let out a low pained whine.


    The blue dragon spread his wings wide with his next breath. He could not have the two individuals he cared about most being in such pain and sorrow. He wrapped them both up with his warm membranes, and nosed at the trembling mortal and quivering dragoness. ¡°I know this isn''t the best...Trust me..When I say that I despise everything about this outcome with every fiber of my being.¡± he growled. ¡°But..¡± He let out a sigh, pressing his face against both of them. ¡°I will always be your hearts.¡± He gestured up to the dark sea above them with all the brilliant lights. ¡°If you ever want to know where I will be....I will be up there....Watching over both of you and being the proudest dragon anyone has ever known.¡± he felt his cheeks warm up as his own eyes started to waver and grow moist. ¡°It will be okay.¡± He whispered, lying to them if only to soothe their little pained cries. ¡°It will be okay.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Storm.¡± Jandar poked his snout with a claw. The mortal rose up the silvered amulet, his eyes once more drifting between the little object and the armored dragon. The half-dragon''s gaze lingered there longer then the blue dragon would have liked. The once human''s seeming obsession summoning forth a wave of concern.


    ¡°Is everything alright Jandar?¡± Fremra spoke first, wiping more of her tears away with a forelimb. ¡°What has you so transfixed?¡±


    ¡°Just thinking is all.¡± Jandar tore his head away to touch the two dragon''s snouts once more, and start his soothing strokes along the smooth surface. ¡°Thinking about an important choice.¡±The mortal sighed, his head falling as his digits squeezed the blue dragon and Fremra''s noses. ¡°One that would impact everything.¡±


    ¡°And what choice would that be?¡± Ramakox rumbled, a slight hint of curiosity working it''s way into his troubled mind. ¡°What lies in store for Jandar the traveling mage when I am long gone? Do tell me little Jandar¡± He nosed at the half-dragon once more, groaning when the man not smile, chuckle, or even giggle at the display like he usually did. ¡°You used to giggle at those...It''s alright..I understand...The night...The wound..¡±


    ¡°It''s not that.¡± Jandar turned to Fremra, his scales shivering slightly. ¡°Before you die storm...I would like to ask of you a favor.¡± The mortal patted the dragon''s nose with a gulp. ¡°Nothing too hard I assure you.¡±


    A favor? What could I possibly give you?? ¡°I''ll humor you....But if you want my hoard you will have to share it with Fremra here....But you are welcome to it my little human.¡± Ramakox smiled, licking the blue scaled mortal across his face and giving a pleased rumble as the man scratched his chin. ¡°Anything you ask of me shall be yours...You have earned that right I think.¡± He pulled his head back to stare warmly into the mortal''s eyes. ¡°It''s the least I can do for the man that has given me such joy in my lifetime.


    Jandar gulped again, seemingly words failing him as he continued to stare and caress the underside of Ramakox''s jaw. ¡°Okay good.¡± he finally said after a pregnant pause and some affectionately nuzzling from Fremra, who seemed determined to not be left out. ¡°Then I am going to have you hold this amulet and say some word with me. It will help facilitate things.¡±


    ¡°Words?¡± Ramakox asked, raising a scaled eye ridge. ¡°I thought there was no cure for what ails me? Is that little trinket that you have going to cure me?¡±


    ¡°She said there was no cure...That part is true.¡± Jandar sighed. ¡°Think of this as a amulet of memory. I would like to hold onto it and see the image of you from time to time...It would be nice to have at least some sort of image or smell to hold onto after you....are gone.¡±


    ¡°I suppose.¡± Ramakox grumbled, his slight hopes of being cured suddenly being dashed more easily that leaves being cast about in a windstorm. ¡°What is required of me to say?¡±


    ¡°Here.¡± Jandar held up his hand, the appendage quivering slightly as the mortal''s breaths began to pick up pace. It looked like he was greatly worried about something.


    ¡°Jandar..You look positively skittish.¡± Ramakox grabbed hold of the amulet with a slight snort. He licked the mortal across the face, rumbling in approval as the man''s worried movements ceased. ¡°There...now what are the words that are required to activate this little amulet of remembrance?¡±


    ¡°I love you Ramakox.¡± The half-dragon smiled, looking up with nervous eyes and quickened breath. ¡°And would like to thank you for everything that you gave me in life.¡±


    ¡°You are most welcome little Jandar.¡± The dragon felt his eyes start to moisten up again. ¡°No cease your pleasing words before you have me crying as well.¡±


    ¡°Okay...¡± Jandar took a deep breath, and rubbing his thumb over the amulet''s surface.  He spoke twisted sounding words, very much like the whispering of the trees it seemed.


    Ramakox mimicked the sounds without another thought, returning the man''s tone just as well. He closed his eyes briefly, letting a large breath fill his lungs and make the insides tingle in delight. Then something started to happen that he did not expect. The cold that had been eating away at him suddenly started to fade away. In fact he could feel the rest of his body start to warm up, right at his chest. It felt like a sudden weight had suddenly been lifted from him. With a sudden burst of energy he shot up onto all fours. Everything seemed to be more intense. The smells around him of dragon and sturdy oak. The sounds of crickets in the distance chirping away. Even the stars above seemed to be brighter. ¡°What...what was this?¡± Ramakox roared out in happiness, when he looked down. For it was like the horrid thing that had covered his body had vanished. For all that remained were his armored scales, looking practically pristine and new. It was as if the last few weeks of sickness had not even happened. ¡°I''m cured! I''m cured!¡± He roared out in glee, unable to contain his happiness as he nuzzled Fremra something awful. Though the teal dragoness was frozen in place, not even looking to him as he nudges against her.


    What luck! Ramakox closed his eyes, feeling all the worry and despair that plagued him melt away. His mind not even registering that she was not joining him in his display of happiness.  It was not until he felt her suddenly move forward like a loosed arrow, and Jandar let out a pained cry that he opened his eyes.


    ¡°Jandar!¡± The teal dragoness screamed into the night, no doubt startling everyone within miles The dragoness clutched at the mortal that had gone to stand and stumbled into her arms, letting out a groan.


    ¡°Whats the matter? The man obviously had too much to drink.¡± He dragged himself closer with a soft chuckle, ¡°Come on Jandar, tell her that...¡± That''s when she turned him slightly over in her paws and Ramakox saw something that he wished he hadn''t. For it drove a spear right into his heart and twisted. It made all that good cheer fall away, and his mind shatter like glass. For his mortal''s scales, the ones that were a constant reminder of the ritual were now blackened and sickly looking.  The same exact coloration that had been on Ramakox''s own thanks to the arrow. He felt his words catch in his throat as it was like he was tossed into the coldest of blizzards. He stared in shock as Fremra fussed over the half-dragon who weakly raised a trembling claw to her snout.


    ¡°What have you done?¡± Ramakox roared, his voice nearly cracking as he lowered his snout towards the now gasping man His eyes traced every sickly looking smooth scale that lined the man''s face, and felt his own body tremble. ¡°Jandar...what have you done?¡± He looked to Fremra, desperately trying to find anything that could help.


    ¡°I took....Your curse...into me...The amulet..¡± Jandar groaned, as he released a ragged cough that struck Ramakox to his core.


    No..no....no...no..Not like this please....not like this..¡±Stonebeard!¡± The dragon belted out to the heavens, the loudest that he had ever shouted anything. ¡°Stonebeard we need you!¡± Surely he and Fremra could stall whatever had been done right? Long enough to put it back?He was not a full dragon...Surely there was a chance?.


    ¡°He...won''t be able to help..¡± Jandar replied, letting loose another hoarse and pain filled cough.


    Fremra said not a word, holding a glowing paw to the man''s forehead, her limbs trembling as a small sob escaped her lips and brought tears to Ramakox''s eyes.


    ¡°Why did you do this.¡± He cried out, ripping into the earth through clenched teeth. ¡°I was ready to die! This was my punishment, not yours! Why?....Why you stupid little human?¡± Ramakox tore his sight away from the fading human towards the trees. ¡°Stonebeard!¡± he screamed out again as his throat started to hurt at the sheer intensity. There was no way that the two mortals had not heard his desperate pleas.


    ¡°Fremra.¡± Jandar said, looking like he was fighting off the pain that Ramakox knew all too well over the last few weeks. ¡°Wyrmlings..Grah..¡± Jandar gasped loudly, clutching his sides and making Ramakox snap back to him and push against him with a pain filled wine.


    ¡°Jandar....no..¡± Ramakox said weakly, despair wrapping it''s way around his heart.


    ¡°This way..¡± The once human groaned loudly, looking like he was fighting for his life at this point. The noises he made cut deep into the blue dragon''s hide like the sharpest of blades. ¡°The story of Swirling Storm does not die.¡± The half-dragon caressed Fremra and Ramakox''s snouts. ''That way, he is not done away with by a lucky hunter with a magical arrow.¡±


    This can''t be real.. Ramakox nosed the mortal as seconds started to feel like an eternity. No father should experience this..This is all a trick being played on me by my mind right? Just like the vision of Infinity that I saw running around...¡±But this isn''t what I wanted,¡± Ramakox said, fighting off the sobs building up in his scaled throat. ¡°I was ready to die..¡± Please...Don''t let this happen. Ramakox blinked, the tears coming from his eyes a he pleaded to anyone that would listen to save his son.


    Gods above...anyone..please...I can''t bear to watch him die....Not like this...


    ¡°You should not die because of me Jandar.¡± He cried, clenching his teeth through blurry eyes.


    ¡°Do you remember the story of the dragon who would not be stopped by anything? Always overcoming what was put in his path?¡± Jandar leaned back into Fremra''s scales, smiling as if he were fondling remembering it, his breaths getting slower.


    ¡°How could I forget?¡± He curled around him, pressing his body against the mortal he loved. ¡°It was the first story I ever told you..The night I found you.¡± Ramakox sobbed, a despair filled cry as if seemed no god was coming to his rescue, no diving intervention to shield him from what was to come. This wasn''t a dream that he could wake from with a relieved heart. His body trembled like a scared child, he was going to witness his die in his arms and not be able to do a thing about it.


    ¡°You''re the dragon in that story Storm....I give my life to you so that you may continue on.¡± Jandar rubbed the sobbing blue''s snout, the touch breaking Ramakox''s heart as he watched the light slowly start to fade in the man''s silver eyes. ¡°What is one mortal life....When you can save the immortal dragon from death? Now you can have those wrymlings...and continue on....Touch many more others in your lifespan.¡±


    ¡°But this...¡± Ramakox pulled against the mortal, closing his eyes as the tears continued to flow down his pebbly cheeks like a river.


    ¡°No one will ever forget the Swirling Storm...¡± Jandar''s voice started to fade as his breaths slowed down to the point that Ramakox was not sure the man was even taking them. ¡°I love you Fremra...Storm..¡±


    ¡°I love you too my sweet gift from Bahamut.¡± Fremra sobbed softly, wrapping a wing around them both and licked Jandar one last time.


    ¡°I will never forget you Jandar...my son.¡± Ramakox cried, watching the man that had come into his life and given him so much take his final breath. The steady thumping of his heart stopped dead in it''s tracks. The blue dragon felt everything fade a way as pain coursed through his heart worse then anything he thought ever could. He shivered and shook, crying into the air as he held Fremra and the corpse of his son tight. ¡°Oh Jandar...¡± he sobbed softly before raising his head to the heavens and letting loose a deafening pained roar of anguish into the night. It shook every tree, rattled every bush, and startled every living thing within miles around. He held it for several gut wrenching moments, eventually joined by Fremra to form a symphony of despair. When they stopped he was left gasping as he nuzzled the teal dragoness with fresh tears. He felt his limbs ache, his heart throb in pain. The rest of him felt numb as he tried to adjust to the horrible nightmare that he had just experienced. For Jandar...his beloved son lay dead in his claws, and he fell to the ground sobbing, and wishing that he were dead instead.

 Chapter 27 (Finale)

    <u>Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Chapter 27</u>


    Storm opened his eyes, blinking away the grogginess as he stretched out on his pile of soft furs made from the fur of various creatures. He opened his maw wide as a yawn sprung up from his throat, echoing off his lair''s walls before snapping his jaws several times. The years had passed sickeningly fast for the blue dragon, the old cave he knew being discarded and abandoned. He glanced out to the inner stone walls that had been constructed by the queen''s servants to be a safe haven for he, his teal mate, and the daughter that he held dear. Where piles of treasure had once littered every surface, nothing remained of the glittery gold, jewels, art, statues. The only things that remained were little trinkets that were dear to the dragon''s weary heart. Storm narrowed his eyes as a feeling of disgust spread through his tired bones, for he had given all of his treasure away the moment after his son''s death. He burned everything else save the things that the mortal had collected for him personally over the years. He felt as though he did not deserve any of the other treasure...Not if it had cost him the son that he loved. He let out a long snort, pushing himself to all fours and taking a whiff of the morning air that was filled with the salty pleasing smell of the ocean. He knew it was from a hole that had been dug in his new lair to be used as an exit to the ocean. It was a way for he and his family to leave their new home without being seen by the mortals of the port city of Struport.


    The dragon padded his way towards the large entrance on the far side in hardly any time, passing the rows of multicolored books lining several book cases and exquisite harp that lay silent. He dragged his talons against the floor until he was before the gaping entrance, the sun shining down in bright rays as if to mock the dragon''s foul mood. His thoughts drifted to Jandar, like they usually did this time of year, the time of the man''s birth. Storm held his head high as he stepped out into the light and felt the warmth of the sun come to his cerulean scales. From the entrance came a large courtyard with high walls made of blackened, sturdy stone. High enough so that if the blue dragon stood on his hinds he could not even see the other side. They were currently being patrolled by several mortals in blue tabards wielding pristine looking halberds. They were an organization that the queen had drafted up called the sapphire guardians. It was their job to protect the secrecy of this place, and defend Storm and his families lives from any danger.


    Storm slunk over the soft grass, ignoring the warm breeze that licked at his scaled and begged him to relax like a soothing voice of an escort of the night. He paid it no mind however and strode over to a large tree in the center of the place to find the form of his daughter curled around the trunk of the large thing. The ness of twenty picked up her teal scaled head, her silver eyes quickly focusing on him as a smile came to her snout.


    ¡°Father!¡± She cried out in glee, quickly leaping to all fours before scampering over to him with an excited trill.


    He lowered his snout, nuzzling the little bundle of scales that had brought warmth and happiness over the years following Jandar''s death. He licked at her light blue frills that lined her body, very much the spitting image of her mother. He closed his eyes softly as she began to purr and press a tad harder into him. The display from the dragoness that hardly came up to a man''s torso made him chuckle softly.


    ¡°I thought you were going to sleep the whole day away!¡± Her tail flicked as she let out a pleasured sigh.


    ¡°I can''t spend the whole day sleeping away Achaaz, I have to have my day of silence and mourning...No time for relaxing.¡± He said softly, his voice hardly but a whisper as he rose his head and pushed passed her. He heard her bound after him, a bounce practically in her stride.


    ¡°So are you going to the place?¡± She asked softly, once more nudging him and no doubt trying to distract his sorrow filled mind from his dead son. ¡°You know....the grave?¡±


    ¡°Most likely. It is certainly on the list of things to do.¡± He grumbled, casting his eyes to a series of mortals striding towards him atop pegasi. He spied Stonebeard among them holding the reins of a sturdy brown looking one with dwarven runes on it''s blue barding. He already knew what they were hear to tell him. It had been the same every year since their arrival into the city. They were here to tell him there was no one around so he could fly out of the walls. For Storm never appeared before the populace of Struport, always turning invisible before heading out to do a myriad of dragon things like hunting or flight. This way he could not be spotted, and no one would know where he lived.


    ¡°Hail Swirling Storm!¡± One of the eager and fresh human recruits smiled, blushing atop a white pegasus with flowing blonde hair.


    ¡°I said to never call me that.¡± The blue dragon snorted. For he had given that name up twenty years ago. In fact he had given up his name as Ramakox as well, even having a grave near Eastcliff. It had been the idea that he should have perished after the attack in Eastcliff, felled by a dragon slaying arrow. That is the story that the queen and her people had weaved in order to protect the blue dragon and his family. Hidden away from the red hand that might have escaped the her investigators and adventures that were sent to hunt them out. He remembered fondly smile at the fact that even the Lund hunter had slain several of her employers over the attack. Apparently what they had done did not align well with her moral code. ¡°You can simply call me Storm...It''s my name now.¡±


    ¡°Sorry about that.¡± The crimson faced mortal rubbed the back his neck, as the collection other guards chuckled and playfully teased the man with smirks and smiles.


    ¡°All is forgiven, you are new little human.¡± He passed the collected group, nuzzling Achaaz softly as she insisted to push against him. ¡°I take it the way is clear of mortals?¡± He arched his long neck back to look at their concerned and sad looking faces.


    ¡°Aye..That it be Storm¡± Stonebeard nodded, his usual happy demeanor looking just as concerned and sorrow filled as the others.


    ¡°You know I can simply turn invisible and head out right? You do not need to clear this section of the city for my departure.¡±


    Stonebeard nodded slowly. ¡°We know ya can dragon. Jus figure if ya don''t want ta do that, the option be available.¡± Stonebeard shifted in his saddle, the man''s eyes glancing behind the blue before returning to him. ¡°Wheres the sweet lass of yers? You know da one, the wee one''s mother.¡±


    ¡°I''m not a wee one!¡± Achaaz protested loudly, settling down onto her haunches and sticking out her tongue. ¡°I am a growing dragon!¡± She smacked her paw against the ground and swelled out her chest to no doubt appear bigger then she was. ¡°And if I am a small one, that clearly you are as well! I am almost as tall as you!¡±


    ¡°Aye...Course ya are.¡± Stonebeard chuckled, eyes filling with warmth as he watched the cute display by the teal ness. ¡°But I was talkin bout yer age o course. I got ten times of dat on ya.¡±


    ¡°....Oh.¡± The young dragoness looked away, her cheeks turning a darker shade of teal. ¡°Of course you were.¡±


    Where was Fremra? She usually was here to go to the grave with me. She just as much as I liked to pay her respects to the gift of life that Jandar had given to us.


    ¡°Achaaz.¡± He curled his neck around to the young dragoness who had started tapping her tail softly on the ground. ¡°Did your catch where your mother got off to this morning?¡± He rose his head looking around to several wooden buildings within the large courtyard. They were made of oak and covered in great flowing banners of the royal colors blue and gold.


    ¡°She was with the egg.¡± The dragoness hung her head, frills drooping very much like her mother. ¡°I tried to get her to come out..But she seemed particularly obsessed with it today.¡±


    The egg.


    Storm flicked his tail, the image of the dark blue object wrapped up carefully by his teal mate came to his mind. That usual pleasing image brought more trouble to his mind as he lingered on it. It was something that had been with them for twenty years now. For Achaaz was not alone when she had been lain, there was a second egg that had been lain right along side of her. Storm remembered fondly the little cracks across the ness'' egg, each little push of her snout against the leathery surface bringing jolts of joy to his heart. Just as the thought of Achaaz hatching brought him untold joy and happiness, sorrow and despair filled him at the reminder that the other one had not hatched all those years ago. He recalled being depressed for weeks on end over the thing. Being reminded of Jandar the entire time. Fremra had taken it in stride with hardly any fuss. She still tended to the little thing to this very day like it was ready to hatch. Storm would have called her crazy except for one little oddity that perked his interest over the years. The egg had not yet rotted away or perished like he expected a dud egg to do. Instead the little thing remained healthy and alive, just not hatching. So it stayed tucked away and safe within Fremra''s limbs, only ever being left while being watched by the ones she trusted.


    With each passing day though Storm doubted that the egg would hatch despite the little miracle of it not rotting. It was just another thing in his life that did not go right for him. Thankfully he had Fremra and Achaaz to fight off the cold despair that threatened to wrap itself around him and drown him in sorrow. ¡°Then that is where she should stay then.¡± He finally said as he stretched out his limbs, letting a pleased rumble work it''s way from him with a final twitch of his tail. ¡°We both know what happens when she is disturbed too early.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh.¡± Achaaz rolled her eyes and flicking her small tail. ¡°She is all grump scales and teeth. You don''t have to remind me father.¡±


    ¡°But of course little one. Was simply stating that fact.¡± Storm turned back to the mortal''s who had stayed quiet the entire time. ¡°Thank you for the support Stonebeard, but I think the usual fly into the sky will work this time...No doubt to your abilities.¡± He looked up, voice growing soft as an image of those he lost came to the forefront of his mind. ¡°I don''t wish to put anyone else at risk lest the red hand is still lurking about.¡±


    ¡°Storm..We haven''t heard a lick of dose bastards since da queen hunted dem all out of dere houses. What a fine day o course to see all dose lords cast down and dere land stripped away. Almost brought a tear ta me eye.¡± Stonebeard glanced at him, his eyes shifting to Achaaz who had began to fidget. The ness showing off her impatience.


    ¡°I do not wish to place my family at risk dwarf.¡± He replied with a coarse voice, turning back around and spreading his vast wings wide. ¡°Coming Achaaz?¡± he asked, arching his neck when he did not hear her loud movements follow him.


    ¡°Yes!¡± She scampered over, spreading her own light blue wings and flashing him a tooth filled grin. ¡°I always love to fly and cast magic!¡±


    Storm looked away from her, fighting off the smirk as her eagerness only brought light to his darkened heart. He flapped his wings, bounding into the sky with eager breath and leaving behind the mortals who did not follow him into his lofty domain. They must have known that he wished to be alone with just his daughter for company. Just like every other time he had visited the mark of Jandar''s grave. He climbed through the bright blue sky, passing through clouds as Achaaz struggled to follow in his wake. He burst through the fluffy white things, looking around to the white sea and not seeing a single speck of land beneath his paws. He closed his eyes from such beauty, the sun''s warmth flowing into his bones as he spread his membranes into a glide.


    ¡°Mother never takes me this high!¡±


    ¡°And why don''t you go on your own?¡± He murmured, lazily opening his eyes to see the dragoness had sped passed him and was currently doing a loop.


    ¡°Dunno.¡± she admitted, taking a place beside him with rippling frills. ¡°I think I''m....Just scared is all.¡±


    ¡°Don''t worry little one, you are going to be one of the bravest and strongest dragons one day.¡± he snorted, already imagining the proud ness venturing out to the world. He remembered Infinity''s words to him and let out a sigh. ¡°You will be destined to do great thing.¡± His voice trailed off as he remembered saying such things to a little human oh so long ago. His eyes lingered on the sea of white below him, and wishing in his bones that his human was here right now to soak in the pure freedom and majesty that spread out below them.


    ¡°Thinking of him again?¡± Achaaz asked, angling a wing and flipping over him with almost the same grace of her mother. She struggled at the end with a surprised yelp and she caught herself with a sigh of relief. ¡°Perfect!¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, absolutely perfect.¡± He chuckled warmly as he saw her, cheeks turning a deeper shade of teal. ¡°Don''t worry, I won''t tell anyone about the last part.¡±


    ¡°Good...No one needs to know that.¡±


    He sailed through the sky, savoring the breeze licking at his scales for several more minutes before angling a wing to start his descent. ¡°Come little one, I think we have had out fill of flight for now. We can come back later after we have visited.¡± He passed through one of the clouds, sighing as water droplets hugged his scales and brought a relaxing cooling sensation throughout his body. He broke free from the clouds with a soft trill, as his daughter glided along side of him. He looked to the vast rolling fields around the busy port city of Struport, hardly a mountain in sight except on the far horizon. He searched through the quilt of greens and yellows that dotted every hilltop, glad to see that no mortals were wandering around.


    They passed over one such hill, the air rustling all the grass in their wake, scattering flowers and pedals in all directions as he spied a lone tree sitting out of place. He back-winged quickly, scattering any loose dirt before he and Achaaz''s paws touched down onto the soft warm grass, and causing a flock of crimson feathered birds to squawk loudly and take flight into the air with a great rustling of little wing beats. Storm stretched and eyed the darkened brown trunk, working a kink from his spine with a rumbling groan. The wind flowed over them, rippling his membranes before he refolded his wings against his back. Storm''s eyes did not leave the tree as he took a slow tentative step. He felt a creeping cold seeping through the ground and into his paws as the sounds of the wind shifted slightly and he thought for a heart stopping moment he heard young Jandar''s voice laughing away.


    ¡°You can''t catch me storm!¡± He saw a ghostly image run by of the human in his youth. The mortal laughed again as an image of Storm chased after him with a trill.


    Training you called it. His mind whispered as he watched the two practically play with each other and cast little sparks of spells back and forth. Storm sighed, taking another step as the coldness only intensified with his next anxious breath. The scent of lilacs wafted into his nostrils, swirling around and sending a slight shiver through his scales.


    ¡°Jandar the greatest adventure of all time!¡± Shouted an older image of the human wearing his adventuring garb with a quarter staff held within his hands.


    Storm arched his neck with misting eyes as the mortal gave him a quick salute, warm smile, and finally a wave before walking off behind the tree. Storm trembled as his paw touched the ground as it always did. The memories came faster and caused tears to run down his cheeks. Through blurry eyes he focused on the tree as different images of the mortal raced by. All various moments in his life that struck the dragon''s heart, right through his toughened armor. By the time he made it to the tree he was crying rivers, and letting out soft sobs before settling down onto his haunches. He glanced down to the base of the tree, a small little stone all there was. A marker for those to know who was buried here.


    ¡°What does it say?¡± Achaaz asked, taking a seat beside him, and pressing herself close to him with a soft whine.


    The little dragoness had never spoken much whenever they came to this place, the heavy weight and sorrow must have always had her mind her tongue. Storm gazed down to his daughter and finding the same eyes that Jandar used to look at him with whenever he told the mortal his stories. ¡°It says....Here lies Jandar son of the dragon Ramakox...May he soar in the afterlife on the wings of dragons he adored in life.¡± Storm hung his head, nuzzling Achaaz as his thoughts drifted to his own grave back at Eastcliff. ¡°He was so wonderful....I wish you could have met him.¡± He pulled away, a moment of silence being interrupted by another gust of wind rustling past them and masking the icy grip at his nerves.


    ¡°I do to.¡± she nuzzled back, ¡°Are you okay father?¡±


    ¡°Fine little one.¡± he laughed weakly, thumping his tail. ¡°Just wallowing in all the good memories we shared.¡± He slowly looked up, seeing more and more scenes play out before him of the mortals life.


    ¡°Do you still wish you were dead instead of him?¡± She pressed a paw against one of his forelimbs when he wrinkled his snout.


    ¡°Some days.¡± He sighed, wiping his tears away with his talons. ¡°But I can''t do that...¡± He took another trembling step, ¡°I have to live on and do the best that I can manage. To do otherwise I would be squandering the gift that Jandar gave to me and you.¡± He looked back down, and licked the dragoness on the back of her neck, producing a small purr from her throat.


    ¡°Thank you Jandar.¡± The teal dragoness said softly, her eyes drifting to the small stone with a slight swish of her tail over the grass. ¡°You were the best brother that I never knew.¡±


    Storm raised a wing and pulled his daughter close when the ache in his heart suddenly became too much. He was left trembling as he held the ness who began to nuzzle him with little wines. With another series of licks, nuzzles and warm embraces the blue dragon looked back to the stone as if the mortal were standing right there before him with arms crossed like he usually did. Storm sat in silence, fighting the tears that threatened to summon forth again as the tree''s leaves rustled in the wind.


    ¡°What was he like? You never tell much stories about him father....Other then his adventures.¡± Her eyes opened up with curiosity, looking ready to devour any information he was willing to part with.


    ¡°He was funny, kind....Thoughtful.¡± Storm sat, smiling as he pictured the blue scales of the mortal mage. ¡°Always polite to dragons when he needed to be. He even had the respect of the Emerald Lady, if you can believe that!¡± Ramakox laughed, nuzzling his daughter with a quick closing of his eyes. ¡°And I''m certain the two of you would have been the best of friends.¡±


    Achaaz said not a word after that, slumping to the ground and letting her head fall to the grass with a quick snort and mumbling of unintelligible words. ¡°Now I know I''m sad I never met him.¡± she said in but a whisper.


    Storm settled down beside her, wrapping his scaled body around the much smaller ness, and he told her about Jandar. He spoke with such warmth as all the normal stories came flowing out of him, sharing each tale about the mortal that had come into his life and filled it with such warmth and affection. He described all the young days when the boy had laughed and played without care in the world. He shifted the stories to the times of training and the spell casting that they preformed years later together, and how the teen had been so eager and determined. With a flick of his tail and voice that got warm he described the mortal venturing out into the world to be the best adventurer that he could could be, while also telling the world about the wonderful dragon that had trained him. He continued on like this, glossing over the pain that had come after the man''s marriage, opting to instead just share the good stories with the curious ness.


    She tapped her tail and listened intently, even fighting off her usual bolts of energy with a wagging of her tail as she held her head high.


    It was when Storm''s voice grew tired and the sun had passed overhead, casting a warm orange glow to the horizon, and making the sky look like it had been set aflame that he knew they must go. He pulled himself from the pleasing memories that continued to flow like water. ¡°I think.¡± Storm pushed himself to all fours with a soft groan, arching his neck towards the stone as he stretched his wings and flexed his tail. ¡°We best get back to the nest, they will no doubt have food prepared.


    They always do...Especially on this day. ¡°Besides, we best check in on your mother anyway. See if she needs help with that egg of hers.¡±


    ¡°She let me cuddle it you know.¡± Achaaz beamed, bounding after him with a slight snap of her jaw and flick of her tail. ¡°It was soooo warm. I can''t wait till it hatches!¡± The little ness spread her wings, wiggling her haunches at her father as he strode out to her. With a quick flap she bounded into the sky with a brief little trill that made a smile work it''s way to the older dragon''s snout. Storm followed soon after her, pounding his wings against the sky to carry him higher and higher back to his place where he could see everything of the countryside below.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    When Achaaz playfully glanced his scales mid flap he chased after her with a rumble of approval, nipping at her little tail. She darted away from him with eager breaths, making the blue dragon have to take her a little more seriously if he did not want to lose the teal little thing. So it was they danced in the air together, round and round they spun through the vast sky. It was as if there was some music playing in the distance, filling Storm with pride as the happiness from the little ness flew around him with an infectious smile that of course spread to his own. He did not even resist the urge to trill when it came knocking, opening his maw and letting out a loud pleased sound for all to hear. It only made his heart grow warmer when he heard his daughter join his own with hers. They continued on for several more minutes before Storm dipped a wing as he glanced down to the spiraling city below, the multiple collection of grey and brown houses that the mortals called their own. All wrapped up nice and protected by several large walls made of the finest stone. From this height, and the sea of grey and light blue did he see the large section of green that was his home. With a quick muttering of the command phrase, and flick of his tail the blue dragon felt the cooling sensation of invisibility wrap itself like a cloak around him once more.


    With the fear of being discovered behind him the dragon swooped just over the rooftops. His wake scattered banners of his colors dotted with little images of Fremra and Achaaz. The pair being like mascots for the city and a sense of pride and joy. He sighed, letting all the mouth watering flavors of the market fill his senses and practically beg him to land and sample their delectable morsels. His next flap scattered a flock of birds, angrily squawking and leaving a chorus of barking dogs in his wake. The mortals below just carried on about their business, unaware that the older dragon of legend was just about their heads and getting a good look at their little forms as they passed on by. He spied a group of multicolored mortals of all races siting down within one of the courtyards and enjoying what seemed to be a puppet show being put on by a troupe of bards that recently arrived, if their unpacked cart was any indication. He noticed as the crowd cheered that one of the performers had a little swirling storm puppet and was using it to wrestle a gryphon puppet being played by another of his troupe.


    The tale lives on Jandar. He sighed, eyes not even leaving that little act for a second as he angled a wing and circled the crowd below. I did not die...And we won''t ever be forgotten. With a heavy sigh and quick direction change, Storm rustled all the mortals with a gust of wind, startling them as they held onto their clothes and hats lest they be swept away.


    ¡°It''s so weird having you be invisible.¡± Achaaz wrinkled her snout just like he always did, keeping pace with him the entire time. ¡°I don''t like navigating by scent alone...It''s so...weird.¡±


    ¡°But it is a thing you must master little one...One of many things before you are ready to leave the nest and start your own story.¡±


    ¡°You think I will have my own story? Achaaz the great?¡± The wrinkled face suddenly gave way to smiles and good cheer in a matter of moments. ¡°I can see it now.¡±


    ¡°I would not start with a title like that...¡± Storm chuckled, ¡°I''d start with something simple....Inviting...Let mortals know that you are a kind soul. Achaaz the curious?...The observant?¡±


    ¡°Those are dumb names father. I''d want something grand! Regal! Like all the dragons in your stories!¡±


    Storm smirked, of course she did. It was dragon nature after all that she would be fighting against. He was like that when he was her age after all. With his next breath he descended towards the courtyard of his new home and passing over some poor guard''s head and scattering his toupee of black hair to the ground.


    ¡°Come on!¡± the man groaned as Storm back winged, sending rippling waves across the grass before he settled down with a low rumble. With a soft snap of his talons he felt the cooling sensation leave him, and he knew he was visible once more.


    ¡°Finally.¡± Achaaz landed next to him with a soft thump before bounding over with another smile. ¡°I can''t wait to tell mother about my flying. Perhaps she will be so jealous she will take us to the bottom of the ocean to compete! I ever so love looking at all the beautiful fishes down there.¡± The dragoness snapped her maw softly before licking her snout from side to side. ¡°So many tasty things down there as well...What''s your favorite thing to eat down their father?¡±


    Storm nuzzled her, chuckling softly at her displayed energy. He set his eyes on the building that he knew the egg resided inside, and where Fremra was bound to be. ¡°It...Was dolphin I think.¡± he grinned, showing off his sharp teeth before gesturing with a casual arch of his serpentine neck He padded over the grass with the excited ness quickly following him, practically turning into his shadow as he strode across the peaceful courtyard. He passed the tree and ignored the waving mortals from the walls, and focused entirely on the building.


    The structure was made of the same blackened stone as the rest of the wall. Sturdy, built by the dwarves and made to last. He remembered how Achaaz had spent many afternoon trying to scratch the surface with her little claws in an attempt to claim her own territory. Each time left no mark on the hardened material, and the little teal dragoness wining about it. Storm set a claw to the cool surface of the stone, pausing and straining to listen to any inkling of sound from the entrance that was designed to look like a cave. He almost expected to hear sobbing from inside, which would match the hunch he had over the years. Although he would not have been surprised, for the egg had not hatched after twenty years after all. Achaaz leapt onto his tail, and easily climbed all the way to the top of his back like she was a dragon riding mortal of old.


    ¡°Why hello there.¡± he turned his head slightly to see that she had laid down quickly and was wiggling her haunches at him.


    ¡°Why hello there yourself.¡± She grinned, ¡°I figured I would ride you. It looked so comfy up here.¡±


    ¡°Hmmph. Well when I shake you off of there don''t be surprised.¡± He chuckled, letting out a sigh soon after filled with relief. At least he would not have to add the egg being destroyed on his list of bad news for the day. It still brought the question why the dragoness had not come with him like she usually did. She could have left the egg in Stonebeard or Milalee''s tender care. They would have just had to watch the unmoving egg while it was being kept warm with thick blankets of the finest furs.


    ¡°What are you waiting for father?¡± Achaaz smacked his back softly with a paw, and giving him a quick snort of irritation that sounded oh so much like his own.


    ¡°Just...Nothing....Thinking is all..You should be patient little one. Good things always come to those that take the time.¡±


    ¡°That doesn''t sound right father. You have to take things to get them.¡± The little dragoness clenched her claws, a smirk forming on her snout. One that Storm had in his youth when he was her age. When the world seemed new, things were ripe for the taking, and to him it seemed that dragons could do anything.


    How you were wrong. Storm snorted, the emotions of guilt worming up his scales like a brief flash of cold. He shivered for a moment before letting out a hiss and pulling himself into the makeshift cave, ducking as he always did so. The dwarves not quite getting the exact height correct for the larger dragons. Storm lowered his head inside as to not have his horns drag across the smooth ceiling. He passed torches that lined the place, ever burning thanks to a spell that Stonebeard had cast on them years ago. Something the dwarf had laughed about while sprinkling powdered ruby onto the torches with a look of glee before pulling his hand away to reveal a vibrant fire springing from the cloth. Achaaz had been memorized at the time, delighted to know she could touch the magical flames without fear of burning or pain.


    Shaking his head from the memory the blue dragon''s steps became harder, as if he was being dragged down by heavy stones as he drew nearer to the soft hums that he could hear even from the entrance. When he rounded the corner he lowered his head to the point of almost touching the ground, taking a deep breath and being rewarded with the smells of pleasing daises, damp earth, smoldering fire, and little smokey wisps of candles filling the air. Fremra was curled up like he thought around the egg. Her scales glowing every so softly from the magical torch light as she stared intently at the dark navy egg that was nestled within her grasp. She was stroking the little leathery sphere with careful motions that one might not think dragons were capable of. All the while she was whispering things in a growly way with a smile tugging at the corners of her snout.


    ¡°Mother!¡± Achaaz cried out, bounding off of the blue dragon and sprinting for the teal dragoness before Storm could even open his mouth. The little bundle of teal scales nearly slipped on the stone in her excitement, the scraping of claws and a quick catch saving her from ending up sprawled up on the stone.


    ¡°Well aren''t you excited to see me.¡± The older ness laughed, frills twitching slightly as she licked one of her paws with a soft coo. When Achaaz got close enough the teal dragoness dipped her head and nuzzled her most affectionately, causing the little one to purr and arch her back in pleasure. ¡°Nice to see you both actually.¡± Fremra pulled back her snout, flashing him a tooth filled grin. He could feel her warmth for him travel through the very air and cast away the slight cold that lingered in his smooth scales.


    ¡°Have you been here the entire time?¡± He slunk over, nuzzling the ness with a soft rumble escaping his scaled throat. ¡°Why did you not come with us to the grave?¡± he finally asked after several moments of affectionate scales pressed against his own.


    ¡°Oh my...Was it that time already?¡± The ness looked down to the egg, her cheeks turning a darker shade of teal. ¡°I lost track of time on the egg....It needed me...If it wants to hatch.¡±


    ¡°Fremra...¡± He said softly. He did not know what to say that might convince the ness he loved that the egg might never hatch. It had been far too long, and despite it not rotting. The thing might just end up being some fluke. But how could he say that without breaking her heart and sending her into despair? The thought made his scales twitch slightly as he nuzzled her again. ¡°My dearest Sea Lilly, it has been twenty years....Surely you can go to the grave now...I can watch the egg...Or the mortals.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± she said flatly. ¡°The egg needed my...and twenty...¡± She trailed off, looking passed the blue dragon like she was seeing something far off in the distance that he could not. Fremra then looked down with a soft wine to Achaaz, then quickly back to Storm. ¡°That''s been all my fault...Twenty years.¡± Tears suddenly swelled up in the ness'' eyes, causing her to let out a pained sob. ¡°I''m so sorry Ramakox...I didn''t mean..I...¡± Fremra collapsed her head onto his scales with a shivering cry and clenched eyes, filling the cave with her sounds of despair and anguish. Each one felt like a stab right through the blue dragon''s toughened scales and straight to his heart.


    ¡°Achaaz.¡± Storm nudged the little ness who had taken a step towards he and her mother. ¡°Run along for awhile..Go play with some magic or entertain the guards with your antics. I need to speak to your mother alone.¡±


    ¡°But..¡± The little dragoness looked to her mother with concern as Storm wrapped his wing around her and pulled her tight against his chest. The blue dragon curled his neck around hers, sighing as she nuzzled him back harder amongst her sobs.


    ¡°Please little one...We need a moment...You can return when we are finished..I promise.¡±


    ¡°Do as he says.¡± Fremra pulled back, taking several deep breaths with a flick of her tail over the stone. From the sadness filled eyes he suddenly saw determination, a kindling fire springing forth. He saw something else within those purple spheres he might now have expected. He saw a feeling of hope lurking inside. ¡°We will not be much longer..I need to complete something...and be forgiven for my ignorance.¡±


    Storm turned to his daughter, who seemed at a loss of what to do or say as she shifted from paw to paw, and snout from mother to father. He offered her a little lick, nuzzling the worried young dragon to assure her that everything was going to be fine. ¡°We shall collect you shortly...We promise.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Achaaz sighed, arching her back and pressing into his affectionate nuzzling. Her membranes started to glow faintly, casting a soft blue light to the stone below her little claws.


    Storm returned his attention to his slightly shaking ness as Achaaz scampered out of the cavern without another word. He almost anticipated her to make a witty response about not catching them mating or something with a clever grin. With a soft shrug he licked Fremra''s neck scales tenderly, making sure to take his time with the careful licks across her warm scales. ¡°Now why do you think you failed me?¡± he asked, closing his eyes when she pressed against him and gave a weakened purr. It was warming his heart to know that with each stroke of his tongue he could feel her trembles and quakes start to fade away into nothing.


    ¡°But I did.¡± She broke away from his affections to offer a quick wet lick across his snout. She hung her head with drooping frills that made Storm tilt his head to the side and raise a scaly brow.


    ¡°So tell me then dearest. How is it that you failed me? I have seen you do nothing but wonderful things over the years. Make a home here, raise our daughter with me. It may not be what we once had in Eastcliff....But it''s nice...Not really fitting of you to say you failed.¡±


    ¡°That is not it.¡± She let out a sigh, once more looking passed him. Like she were looking to a scene from long ago. ¡°It was the night that Jandar died...I failed to cast a spell that I had been trying...I..¡± She hung her head lower, a weak tap of her tail sounding off the floor with a smack. ¡°Panicked...Wasn''t even sure if it would work with what I had in mind...But I tried it anyway.¡±


    ¡°So..what did you fail?¡± Curiosity worked its way inside of him, swirling around as he rose a claw to raise Fremra''s snout to look at his own. He offered her a quick kiss before pulling back so they were mere inches part. ¡°It''s okay.¡±


    ¡°It''s...¡± She looked away, pulling out of his claw. ¡°Easier to show you then to tell you. I figured out what I was missing all those years ago. I...¡± The dragoness pulled out of his embrace to coil around on herself. ¡°Just a bit of sacrifice.¡±


    ¡°A what?¡± Storm gasped, pulling his head back in surprise. Images flocked to his mind of gruesome things that might be considered a sacrifice to a myriad of other beings in the world. Each one was less pleasing then the last, consisting of copious amount of blood being spilled. ¡°What...spell requires you to do such sacrifices?¡± He wrinkled his snout, tapping a talon on the stone with a soft clack. ¡°Is this some sort of dark magic that I joked about all those years ago?¡± He laughed weakly, gazing into her purple eyes and begging that was not the answer.


    ¡°No my love.¡± She smiled warmly, this time she was the one to caress his face. ¡°Not that kind of sacrifice..But something fondly remembered..Something that means the world to the caster...Like an object..Not a person.¡± She laughed weakly, mood seeming to darken when she finished the sentence. She adjusted some more, her scales making hardly any noise as she stretched her neck and pulled out the worn leather book from her family. The one that Jandar had rescued from the red hand one fateful day.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± He licked her softly, dragging his tongue across her cheek when he saw a frown come to her snout.


    ¡°I thought about it for years...What I had been missing...And I came to the conclusion I needed something to finish the spell...I needed this.¡± Fremra fidgeted slightly, letting out a long sigh. ¡°I needed love for the spell.¡±


    ¡°Love?¡± Storm chuckled, ¡°That sounds like some sort of tale for children.¡± He flicked his tail slightly at the prospect. It sounded ridiculous, love for the spell?


    ¡°Excuse me..Are you the expert in spiritual magic? For that matter nature magic?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then you listen here my scaled mate. Yes...Love can fuel spells such as these, just like the logs to a flame. Besides even you have seen what it can for you. Fill you with strength you knew you didn''t have, push you to keep going.¡± Fremra rose her head slowly and curled her tail softly around him.


    ¡°So..¡± He rumbled at her affectionate display. ¡°How do you go about putting more love in your spell then?¡±


    ¡°Memories, warm feelings, something that has all these qualities.¡± He eyes fell to the book, admiring it''s worn surface covered in little scratches from over the years. Her words drifted away as it looked like doubt had crossed her mind. It only lasted for a moment before she shook her scaled head and held the book out. ¡°So this book contains all the good memories of my offspring...¡± Fremra rose a claw, and to Storm''s surprise she summoned ghostly images of little teal dragons rolling around the floor and nipping at each other. Their attention solely on one another, not even registering that there were two other dragons in the room. ¡°My mate.¡± She flicked her claw in the other direction, and from the floor sprung forth a similar ghostly image of a much larger dragon. One that was just the same size of Storm with shining bronze scales. The proud looking male simply stared at them with a casual curled tail that thumped on the floor several times without a sound. ¡°It means the world to me.¡± Fremra gazed to the images, her eyes starting to mist as Storm saw her tremble softly. ¡°But what I do is even more important than this. Then holding onto that piece of my memories. The teal dragoness closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. One that one might do before a great plunge into a cold ocean. She held up her claws and swirled them around in a circular motion.


    The images were then yanked towards her motions, stretching long for a moment before turning into teal and bronze lights that she held with each claw while She began to hum softly to herself, tears starting to drip down her cheeks. Fremra began to utter something, her words sounding more harsh as she wiggled her tail and cast her gaze to the book. With a sudden explosion of white lights the book vanished into sparks of brilliant light, flowing from the air and into her swirling claws. ¡°It had to be done.¡± he first tear splattered against the ground as Storm moved in. The blue dragon spread a wing around her as he saw her tremble again, his motion quite welcome if her purr was any indication.


    ¡°Later.¡± She hissed, raising one of her claws. ¡°For now I return a favor that was done to me this day.¡± The lights that had been swirling around her claws spread out around her, circling the two dragons like a vortex of brilliant lights. The dragoness looked to the lights unafraid, a smile coming to her snout despite the tears and her trembling scales.


    ¡°Fremra...What spell are you casting?¡± Storm asked the moment his mind shouted it to him, watching the lights circle round and round. He would have called the whole scene beautiful, something to have been painted and remembered fondly, if he were not in the middle of it and having a feeling of ice grip at him. For what spell could she be casting that required all this dramatics?


    ¡°It''s easier...If I show you.¡± The teal ness almost whispered, raising a claw to gently touch the egg resting before them. It was the moment her digit touched the egg that it suddenly cracked, the lines spreading out from a single point near the top.


    ¡°What did you do?¡± Storm shouted, cold licking at his senses as he stared in disbelief at what he had just seen. His eyes locked to the thing that had remained undamaged for twenty years. The little egg that had remained a miracle. He was not sure it was going to hatch, but to see it damaged and broken just seemed like an utter waste in the dragon''s mind. ¡°Fremra!¡± He snapped his head down, nose inches from the thin little lines that spread out from the point her claw had touched. From the egg he looked back to her, tears now streaming down her face like a river and onto the egg with little drops splattering against it''s navy surface. There was the sound of a small crack that drew his stunned attention back to the egg. For that little section that she had touched suddenly pushed slightly outward, the lines intensifying. It was then that it occurred to the blue dragon, the egg wasn''t damaged. The egg was hatching.


    The egg is hatching. His mind tried to grasp at the situation as he felt like everything but that little thing was fading away. He watched with bated breath as another push cracked more of the egg. After all this time? It decides to hatch now? He was too distracted by the little thing to ask Fremra what she had done, instead he simply let out a loud. ¡°It''s hatching!¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Fremra chuckled, still sobbing as she pressed her face against his, and wrapped around him. ¡°Lets welcome the little one into the world together shall we?¡±


    ¡°Seems only fitting my Sea Lilly.¡± He smiled back at her, intertwining his tail around hers while warmth spread through him and made him want to trill, laugh away and sing like a mad man. He almost wanted to take to the skies and proudly announce that he had another child. One that they had never given up hope on. Well at least Fremra had never given up hope. He nuzzled the sea foam ness again as the egg wobbled in place, and the cracks only intensified. For a brief moment he thought he saw them push outward some more, finally the little hatchling gaining some ground in his battle against the egg.


    ¡°It''s hatching!¡± Achaaz shouted, scampering in and flopping onto the wound dragons with a pleased trill.


    ¡°I thought we told you to play somewhere?¡± Storm licked her softly, eyes not leaving the egg as the teal dragoness placed her little snout close to her parents.


    ¡°That is the thing father. I never listen when you tell me to do that. I always listen in, it''s just a matter of masking my scent.¡± The little ness swelled her chest proudly as the egg rocked once more with the fury of the little one inside.


    ¡°Come on little one.¡± Storm muttered, the words passing through his maw softly as he imagined the little hatchling fighting with all it''s might to free itself from it''s twenty year prison. With a final crack the egg gave way, and out popped a wedge shaped blue head with silver membranes lining the top of it''s little head. The silver eyed hatchling shook his black horned head, casting off the slimy goo of it''s home and looking up to the stunned family of dragons that waited with anxious breath.


    ¡°Father! Momma!¡± The hatchling cried out in glee.


    Storm felt his world suddenly freeze up once more as the good cheer faded away in an instant, only to be replaced with genuine shock. For the little one had used a voice that he knew from the past. It was the voice of Jandar when the lad was just seven years old. His mind suddenly felt like it had been pushed into the sky and he was free falling. Thoughts were just outside the grasp of his claws as he stared with jaw open at the little dragon, eyes widening. ¡°H-How.¡± he stumbled in words, eyes starting to mist as the little hatchling looked to him with curious eyes. It took all the blue dragon''s effort to cast his gaze to Fremra, his head feeling like it was made of lead. ¡°What is this?¡± he asked trembling, he could already feel the tears starting to well up in his eyes and make his vision blurry. He twitched his tail as he fought the sobs that were slowly building up in his scaled chest and threatening to spill from him.


    ¡°The spell.¡± Fremra cried, a smile forming on her snout as she looked to the little hatchling with such warmth. ¡°It was a spell I was practicing with him...To move souls to another. Body... It was never intended to be used with dragons...But I tried anyway..The night we mated...How could I have let the little mortal simply die without trying?¡± She gestured to the little hatchling that Achaaz was currently sniffing with her nose inches from the little one''s snout.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± The little dragon asked, playfully smacking the older ness'' snout away.


    ¡°Achaaz, your sister!¡± She loudly proclaimed, chest swelling as she spread her wings wide.


    ¡°So it may not be his original body.¡± Fremra nuzzled Storm softly, ¡°But within that little dragon is Jandar''s mind and soul.¡±


    ¡°So that''s...that''s..¡± Storm felt the vortex of emotions suddenly come flooding into him as he snatched up the little blue dragon with sobs, tears streaming down his pebbly cheeks. He pulled the little one tightly against him, tail trembling softly.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Jandar protested, squirming violently against the older dragon''s grasp. ¡°Help! Father is trying to squeeze me to death!¡±


    Storm knew not what he had done to deserve such a miracle such as this but he did not care. He sobbed tears of happiness as the little one continued to wiggle. He nuzzled Fremra when she nosed him, wrapping a wing around her trembling form and lowering her head to nuzzle the little hatchling.


    ¡°Momma! Father is squeezing me tight!¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± She gasped softly, licking his little head. ¡°We just missed you is all our little Jandar.¡±


    ¡°Who''s that?¡±


    Storm opened his eyes for a moment, that question slicing through the torrent of tears to find his mind. Does he not remember? ¡°Do you not remember anything Jandar?¡±


    ¡°I just hatched!¡± The little one snorted, smacking the larger dragon''s paw with his own. ¡°What am I supposta to know?¡± The little dragon shifted his gaze to his mother, tapping his claws again. ¡°Momma, Momma! What am I supposed to know?¡±


    Storm was speechless, as the little dragon still had not ceased his struggles. The blue dragon looked to his silver frills, his cerulean scales. The little dragon looked like a perfect mix of Fremra and Storm. And he is your son now.  So what if the little dragon did not remember anything right now? Storm was just thankful to have something of the mortal back, nuzzling the little dragon with a rumbling purr.


    He cried for the next hour, his sounds only filled with such overwhelming joy that it would have been hard to conceal it anyway. He had his son back.His wonderful son after all this time. Even if he didn''t remember anything. Jandar was alive and that''s all that mattered to the older dragon. He kissed the wonderful ness who had preformed such a miracle. Her lips a warm treat. They passed the time soon after by watching from their bed of soft things Achaaz play with her new draconic brother.


    Storm pulled Fremra up closer against him with a wing as the Achaaz scampered away from Jandar with a smirk. ¡°Do you think that he will ever remember his memories that he had when he was a mortal?¡± He asked, the question burning in his mind as he watched Jandar slip, fall to the ground and quickly push himself up to all fours.


    ¡°I''m going to get you!¡± the little one bound after Achaaz, who scampered away with a flap of her wings.


    ¡°You have to catch me slow poke!¡± She cried back, once more nearly slipping on the stone and ending up face first on the ground.


    ¡°I do not know.¡± Fremra replied softly, nuzzling Storm gently with her warm cheeks. ¡°The spell was not intended to be used on a dragon. It may very well be that he will never remember anything about his old life.¡± She whined softly, intertwining her tail with his. ¡°But he''s alive...And that is all that matters to me in this moment. I will love him just like any other hatchling, and I bless Bahamut for the luck that it worked.¡±


    ¡°Thank Bahamut? I thank you my Sea Lilly.¡± Storm said softly, feeling all fuzzy and warm as he nuzzled the dragoness'' neck. ¡°You have truly brought a wonderful miracle this day...You just like all the other times you have filled my life with light....Have my heart.¡± He bowed his head, ¡°Until the day that I am snatched away from this earth.¡±


    ¡°You''re doing the formal thing again Storm.¡± She chuckled softly, humming a sweet sound to herself as she licked the top of his snout. ¡°Although you can give it to me later...I think we deserve to enjoy ourselves. What do you think?¡± She curled her lips into a lewd smile, and ran a claw over his scaled chest. Her implication very obvious and arousing to the mind.


    He rumbled playfully back to her at the offer. It did sound appealing, so he nipped at her gently, tapping his tail. ¡°I think that can be arranged...But first!¡± He raised his voice, turning to the playing little ones with a smile. ¡°I think its time for a story.¡±


    ¡°What kind of story?¡± Jandar asked, stopping his playful activities as he rolled to his stomach. ¡°I love stories!¡±


    ¡°How do you know what you love silly?¡± Achaaz nosed her brother and knocked him to his side with a playful trill. ¡°You just were hatched today!¡±


    ¡°I just do! I like stories!¡± The blue hatching''s tail wagged all the while, apparently unable to hide his emotions as his sister just sighed and curled around him. Jandar righted himself and nestled himself in between her careful forelimbs, wiggling his body cutely as he gazed up to Storm.


    ¡°It''s story time...So relax¡± she chuckled, nuzzling the hatchling softly, causing the cute thing to close his eyes and begin to purr in time with her tender ministrations.


    ¡°What..kind...of story?¡± Jandar managed to say through his involuntary purring.


    The display made the blue dragon tilt his head and smile warmly down to the pair. He could not imagine a luckier dragon in this moment as he slowly dipped his spade head and brought it close to the two little dragons with a smirk. ¡° I was thinking of one with adventure....With magic...And it may have a dragon or four in it.¡± He laughed.


    ¡°Sounds like the story of Jandar the traveling mage!¡± Jandar squeaked as Achaaz held him tightly against her chest.


    The comment made Storm gasp and fight to not have his jaw drop at the words. He tapped his tail, while drumming his claws against the ground with soft clacks. He felt a sensation of warmness spread out to his limbs as the back of his head felt fuzzy. He fought off a trill that was working it''s way to his mouth. ¡°How did you know the story little one?¡±


    ¡°I dunno...It just came to me.¡± The little wrymling licked his own nose. ¡°I think I heard the story while in the egg.


    ¡°Well...It is in a way.¡± Storm smiled warmly, looking up to Fremra who had started another round of joyful tears. It looked like Jandar would be able to remember his memories one day. ¡°It is also the story of the bravest human that I ever met.¡±


    ¡°And what is the name of this story that has the bravest human evers?¡± Jandar laughed, tilting his little head to the side as Achaaz continued to nuzzle and lick at the hatchling''s scales.


    Storm nuzzled the pair with a soft rumble, pulling Fremra close with a wing and thumping his tail against the ground. He thought for moment as he licked and tended to his two children that he could feel his heart beating ever the faster with their closeness. ¡°I think I will call it...¡± He dug through the confines of his mind, trying to pluck forth the best sounding title. He laughed to himself as he realized he almost had called the story ¡°Stupid human.¡± But that would not have been fitting. Not for the human that had given him so much, and filled his life with love and wonderful memories that he would never forget. ¡°I will call it. The Dragon''s Mage.¡± Storm then told them the story of Jandar''s life. He thought to the stars above and the family that he had gathered around him with the softest of smiles and eager of eyes. He pictured them flying together high in the vast cloud filled sky. One happy flight, trilling and roaring their joy so that all may hear it across the countryside below.


    So it was when they settled down for the evening. When the little ones energy was finally spent, and Storm was tired from such emotional displays, he curled around the two dragon''s and his larger mate. He snuggled his head between his offspring and closed his eyes with a relieved sigh. He found himself looking forward to the future that he would have with his family. He did not even mind that his lair lacked any of the gold, treasure, or anything else that all dragons wanted. His family, and having Jandar, were the only treasures that he truly needed. With a final sigh he let sleep take him away into it''s warm and ethereal embrace.