Chapter 4: Surprise Dragon

Swiftly they were brought to the man's house, hardly taking a minute. Gus was all smiles as he marched straight up the stone steps, shoved open the door with a brassy tone, his arms wide, “Mary! I'm home my dearest love, have you gone and gotten more beautiful while I wasn't looking?"

“What do you want, Gus?" Came the stern voice of a woman, one whom knew her husband all too well.

The man chuckled, “Just because I'm happy to see my wife means that I want something?"

“Not always the case, but more often than not." She laughed.

Veledar could see no better time than to make himself known. He trotted up, popping out from behind Gus with the others right on his heels. He found himself in a well-kept home with polished hardwood floors but weathered with scratches and dents. There was the scent of gryphon and burning wood upon the air, mixed with an invigorating scent of lush greenery. The doorway he stood in was rather snug, hardly able to fluff one's wings, it was framed by dull mana lanterns, waiting their chance to cast their glow. In the heart of the home, a warm living room featured a comfortable couch, cushioned armchairs of varying design with gold stitching. Nearby, a hearth dwelled to cast it's warmth, the metal engraved with feathers and hammers. An adjoining kitchen offered the inviting aromas of freshly brewed tea and homemade meals.

Before the dragon was a woman with ebony skin and friendly eyes of honey. She carried herself with a confident demeanor, every movement deliberate and filled with grace. Her hair was a lush cascade of midnight black curls that framed her face and rolled down her back like a waterfall. “Gus, I'm not your mother, you don't have to ask if you want friends over." She laughed, brushing her hand against her blue corset.

Veledar merely gave her an honest smile, he knew the best way was to butter her up, “Gus never mentioned he had such a beautiful mate!"

The woman blushed and rolled her eyes, “Such a gentlemen,  this one seems polite." Her smile died as Arcturus and the others came in on the dragon's heels, “This isn't about guests, is it? Gus, what sort of trouble are you in?"

“Nothing much I hope." Gus swung around his beloved, brushing his fingers across the white laced cuffs of her sleeves, “The black haired one with many different teeth is actually Arcturus."

“Oh, how much have you had?" She bats at her husband's chest, “There's no way that, no offense mister, that this drifter is Arcturus. The man was a knight, well taken care of, this one looks like he's been dragged through feather alley, soaking in every bit of piss."

“I give my word that this unsightly man is Arcturus. The others are his adventuring friends, they've traveled far on their noble quest, looking for a place to stay while they are here."

Arms crossed, eyes filled with skepticism, “If it is Arcturus, why not stay at his house, he has one of those last I remembered."

“It's…complicated my love. Come now Arcturus, drop the visage."

Arcturus tapped his wrist, the illusion fragmented and collapsed to the floor, disappearing with a poof of lavender smoke. There he stood with a nervous smile as Mary's jaw dropped open, “He speaks truth."

Mary suddenly leaped forward, trapping the paladin with a deep hug. “It is you! We thought you were dead! Oh, the gods heard our prayers!"

Was everyone going to hug Arcturus today? Veledar narrowed his eyes and tried to hide the burning jealousy that radiated through his being. With each passing second as the knight ensured the woman that he was fine, the dragon's blood boiled and raged through him. He almost marched over and separated the pair if not for her pulling back, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Of course, all of you can come in if you're friends." Mary gestured to them all, “And Arcturus, you'll have to tell me why not your own house, I imagine Gus here promised my cooking?"

Everyone replied with a quick nod, or in Asterion's case a harsh snort.

“That would be certainly typical of him." She exchanged a knowing smile with her blushing husband, rubbing the back of his neck, “We have a room upstairs and of course room in the stable…"

“We girls call the room." Merlia announced with a grin, “Boys can have the stables."

“Hey!" Veledar growled, “If anyone deserves the bed it is I."

“Ya want to deny Lyndis and me our beauty sleep?" She tossed her braided hair with a laugh.

“It would take months to make any progress."

“Besides, last time I checked beasties like you sleep in the stables!"

His eyes steeled, “To think I'd prefer the smell of hay and manure over your perfume- “

Arcturus laid a hand on his shoulder with a polite laugh, “The stables will do nicely Mary, we're used to roughing it anyway. I should spin you tale of my times in Rothdell…"

Veledar rolled his eyes as Arcturus sat himself down on the couch. The knight began telling the tale of how he met the dragon and the quest he was commandeered for. Not wishing to hear the retelling again, he made his way across this room to the next. There he found a large oak table by human standards for meals, adorned with a brown covering with gold stitching. Mana lanterns hung from the walls here, dormant without life. He caressed the weathered surface of the table, catching the hint of dried spirits.

He eyed stairs leading both up and down, wondering if human hovels always had basements in which to store assorted goods. Part of him hoped for booze, it would ease the embarrassment of still being trapped in this human form and sooth over the fact the stables would be the perfect spot for him to relax and assume his true form. He eyed Merlia, seated back in the other room, smirking over her victory.

“Annoyed by the story Pavel?" Asterion asked, leaning up against the wall, “I thought you'd want to hear the dragon's praises sung."

“Oh, I do." Veledar replied, “But even I tire from it's numerous retellings. If something changes, I'm sure you'd tell me."

“Not worried that these people will turn us in?" The bull crossed his arms, giving the pair a hardened stare. “The thought hasn't even entered Arcturus' mind. He's far too trusting with these people."

The thought had occurred to him, that these people would find loyalty more to their king than to the injustice dealt to him. The dragon stilled, eyes focused upon Arcturus, a light seemingly cast on his spirit. He didn't look worried, “Or he knows these people, I trust his judgement in this."

“Then you are a fool."

“If we're such fools, why do you remain?" He challenged with a sly grin, “Go on out there, start knocking heads together till you find somewhere to stay."

Asterion snorted, “Perhaps I will. There were several taverns that looked durable enough for me."

The dragon grinned, noting the bull had yet to move, “And precisely what coin will you use for said room?"

Eyes widened, clearly, he had not thought of that. The bull averted his gaze with a harsh snort, “You'll need me here anyway, how you are, you're useless."

He'd count that as a win. The dragon was just about to rub the bull's snout in the entire affair when the entrance to the house slammed right on open.

“Dad!" A little girl in a red dress sprinted into the room, she leaped into the arms of her father. “You're home!"

Gus lifted her up with pride, “Did you have fun with Krotos Gwyneth?"

“Mhmm!" Gwyneth nodded, gesturing to the gryphon that strolled in through the door with a welcoming chirp.

Krotos, the gryphon, displayed a striking palette of colors across his majestic form. His face was a subtle shade of grey that gracefully transitioned down his chest, blending into his belly. Atop his regal head and along his back, rich navy-blue feathers adorned his crowns and wings, each delicately tipped with a vibrant teal hue. His tail featured a luxurious, cobalt-blue fur adorned with sleek black stripes, culminating in an oversized, lion-like tuft of obsidian black at the end. He padded over, bumping his forehead against Mary and Gus' own before nuzzling against their necks, a sign of gryphon affection and greeting.

“Was she good Krotos?" Gus asked with a raised brow, “Not up to mischief, was she?"

“No more than the usual." The gryphon's yellow beak with a thin orange stripe opened into a smile, “She was well behaved for the most part, she's getting better at not pulling on my mane as hard and leaning into my turns as we fly. She'll make a good rider one day, just you wait."

“Do you hear that daddy?" Gwyneth clapped her hands together, “Krotos thinks I will be the bestest flier ever!"

“Most excellent!" Gus gave a jubilant laugh, putting a hand on her head, and ruffling her raven like hair, “Guess she has it in her blood."

Krotos blue ears perked as he struts across the room, seating himself beside his family, “Just like her parents." He said with a knowing grin.

“Oh, I didn't know you flew with him as well Mary." Arcturus chuckled.

                “Well, no, I don't like flying that much." Mary laughed sheepishly as Gus' cheeks started to flush red.

In no short order, Arcturus' cheeks took on the same shade, understanding what the two were laughing at. “Well, I suppose that's one form of riding."

“Sounds like my favorite kind." Merlia chortled, pulling out a pipe from her pouches, meeting the gryphon's gaze.

Krotos tilted his head, eyes traveling to each of them, “So, who is this lot we have?" He focused on the dwarf, “And this little bit of fire."

“That's Merlia Gallogalar to you pretty bird." Merlia said with a wink, marching across the room to press her forehead to his, earning herself a pleased coo.

His crown feathers fluffed, “I'll be sure to remember that stout one, not many know gryphon culture."

“You pick up a few things over the years." She winked.

 “Well, what about your friends, are they equally informed of gryphon ways? I don't recognize them." His crown feathers extended one by one as he gave a pleased warble, “Though I'm always happy to meet Gus' friends!"

“You don't recognize the man right there?" Gus slung an arm around Krotos, pulling him in close, “Arcturus Lund, paladin of the realm, slayer of the terrible Dreadflame?"

“Arcturus Lund!" Krotos pulled back with a squawk, his feathers ruffling. He clacked his beak several more times before giving a deep bow with splayed ears. “It is such an honor to meet you sir, I know you served with the great Skywing during your tour of Rothdell the word of your exploits was chirped far and wide. Then, when one thought you couldn't rise higher, you went and defeated that terrible dragon that plagued us!" He rose, a fire in his deep brown eyes, “That beast slew my brother upon your ship." He pressed forward, bumping his forehead against the man and nuzzling along his throat with a warble, “You have my gratitude good sir, and should you ever have need of me, I am your gryphon."

The paladin pushed back the gryphon as he drew close, his face darkening, “You don't need to flatter me gryphon, that moment isn't well remembered in my life."

“Oh." His ears stitched themselves to his head, realizing his grave mistake, “I'm terribly sorry, I'd forgotten about your family. Excuse my ignorance."              

“Its alright you meant nothing by it."

There was an awkward silence that hung in the air, broken only by Asterion's cough. Gus was next to give a nervous laugh, placing his daughter on the ground, who had looked ready to leap out of his arms.

                “Arcturus!" Gwyneth then shouted. She latched onto the man with a great hug and buried her face into his belly.  “Were did you go!" she asked, pulling back, and looking up at the amused human's face. “Dad said you went to fight a big bad dragon! Did you end up killing him? Was he big? Did he talk funny?" Gwyneth's face started to turn red as she continued to speak. “Did he smell? Did he roar really loud? Did he hold his head like this?" Gwyneth held out a hand and shaped it to look like a dragon's neck, forming an S.

                He laughed at her enthusiasm, “Indeed I did go fight a dragon." Arcturus began, lowering his voice, shaking off the shadow that had gripped him, “You should have seen him Gwyneth, ever so arrogant, greedy and ever full of hot air I thought he might fly away like our ships." He poked the girls nose, causing her to giggle. “He had the clumsiest tail I've ever seen, catching on everything in sight, why there was even a time he tripped on a table."

Veledar simmered as the man laid bare all his embarrassing actions. Eyes narrowed, letting the man know to tread carefully or so help him, he would be paying for it later. Already he could hear the man's shrieks of being tickled or being held down with a powerful paw and subjected to numerous licks, he knew how much the man hated his saliva coating him. If that didn't work, he supposed he could always swipe his coin or burn something. However just as he was picturing more punishments in which to inflict upon the man, he surprised him.

“But he was not bad at all Gwyn. I found him to be one of the most noble beasts that I've ever come across." Arcturus gave the once dragon a knowing smile, “I saved his life, he saved mine, we became the best of friends. I even got a chance to ride him."

“No way, you rode him?" Krotos squawked. “You are lying! Dragon's don't just let people ride them!"

“Know many dragons, do you?" Veledar teased as the blue and grey gryphon adjusted his feathers.

“Well, no." Admitted Krotos with a groan, “But I doubt one would let Arcturus, of the dragon slaying family Lund on their back."

“I never heard of dragon friends before." Gwyneth exclaimed, tilting her head, “Are you making that up, I've only heard of big meanies."

That made the dragon grit his teeth, averting his gaze with a huff. Of course, she had never heard of good dragons, he imagined people here were only told about the worst of his kind. Grandiose slanders that they would burn, eat, and destroy everything of which they held dear. “I think you should look up the dragon Swirling Storm, the champion of Eastcliff. You'll find a good story right there."

“Who?" Gwyneth asked, eyes shimmering with interest, “Is that a dragon?"

“A blue armored dragon that used to dwell in Drenedar. His wings would thunder against the sky, his lightning cleaved the heavens. Fair folks found shelter and protection in his shadow, those of ill repute would tremble before his piercing, silver gaze."

“He sounds nice."

“That he was."

The little girl turned to Arcturus, “What happened to your dragon friend?" Her eyes going big and round, “Did he get hurt?"

“I would like to know as well." Krotos chortled, “The one that becomes friends with his enemy and lets him ride on his back."

“Laugh all you wish Krotos, but what I speak of is truth." Replied Arcturus, “They call him Crimson Sky. He is currently waiting for me to return his stolen book to him."

“A mere book? It must be very valuable for him to hire you."

Arcturus took a deep breath, “It's value can not be measured in coins alone. He told me that it's more valuable than life itself. I gave my word we would return it."

“Lucky them I was stupid enough to follow." Merlia said, taking a puff of her pipe, “But I got into a few good scrapes, haven't had this much fun in years. Been worth every wee moment."

It was Gus who had a worried eye as he laid a hand on Arcturus' thigh, “And where is the dragon now? How long has he given you to retrieve this book? Arcturus…if you're in trouble we can help you."

Veledar's heart skipped a beat, was this where they were going to backstab them? He was just about to voice himself when Arcturus did it for him.

“There is no reason to worry, you have my word. The dragon is as trustworthy as you or me, there is no reason to fear him."

“Are you sure?" Gus grimaced, “You saw what Dreadflame- “

“This one isn't Dreadflame." Arcturus replied, his voice stern, “And I'd trust him with my very life. In fact, I already have. Gus, I plummeted towards the ground at terrifying speed, nothing was able to save me. I should have been dead, nothing more than a bloodied spot on the mountainside. That dragon, that wonderful dragon risked himself to save me. He plucked me from certain doom and shielded my body against the fall."

“He saved you?" His eyes widened in honest surprise before the guard bowed his head, “Apologies, I should not have doubted you. I didn't…I only cared about your safety…"

“It's alright." Laughed Arcturus, clasping him on the back, “That said, he is quite impatient with the quest, and by the gods he wouldn't stop complaining on how miserable he was. Honestly thought he whine until my ears started bleeding."

“You would too if you'd had your home invaded and all your possessions taken from you." Veledar crossed his arms, averting his gaze as the two humans laughed at the idea of a dragon moaning and hissing his displeasure.

“Well, we're glad to have you." Mary said, “Do you mind Krotos?"

“Me?" The gryphon's tail thumped with excitement, “Hell no, I love having new people over, they're so much fun!"

Arcturus gave a nod to all three of them, “Thank you for opening your home to us. We have one more among us, but hopefully she shouldn't take long."

“One more?" Mary sighed, “Is there anymore I should know about? I don't want to be entertaining a whole circus."

“No more, I promise."

“This friend of yours…What is she getting up to?"

“Hopefully someone can locate the dragon's lost treasure. I doubt walking up to the castle and asking nicely will prove fruitful. But until she returns and we can plan our next move, you have my deepest appreciation for allowing us to stay."

“And you have my thanks woman." Asterion huffed softly, bowing his head.

“Same goes for me, don't mind the big guy, not very polite." Merlia laughed.

“Arcturus is staying with us!?" Gweneth turned to her mother and cried in excitement.

“Yes Gwen." Gus laughed, “For a couple days actually."

“Yay!" Gweneth cried, as she jumped up and down for joy. She smiled ear to ear, as she grabbed Arcturus' hand and started trying to pull him off the couch. “Come on Arcturus! I will show you and your friends the basement!"

Veledar sighed he might as well see this basement of theirs.

Gwen grabbed a lantern and activated it's mana crystal with a touch. The dark stairway was bathed in the lanterns light dull orange light. “We're going to have so much fun all of you! We can play with dolls, and then we can play knights! Gwen started dragging Arcturus down the stairs. “We can even play dragons!"

“You played dragons with this whelp?" Veledar chuckled with a large grin. “I would have loved to see that play out." Veledar imagined Arcturus giving out small roars as he ran with his arms outstretched and flapping.

He would have been so adorable! Caught in thought he did not keep track of his footing and tripped, stumbled, and fell down the stairs. The dragon failed to catch himself and crashed all the way to bottom, pain lancing through his being. When he finally came to a stop his world was spinning, stars blinking in his vision wherever he looked. Evidently there were looks of confusion, Arcturus was holding Gwyneth back with a hand.

The dragon groaned, rubbing his snout with a paw. With this luck he was going to have a concussion. His heart skipped a beat, he had a paw? That wasn't good. He winced as the little girl suddenly shrieked.

“Drag- “She didn't get out much more as Arcturus covered her mouth in the blink of an eye.

Krotos surged to the top of the stairs, his muscles poised and ready. Feathers fluffed, eyes steeled, he snapped to Gwyneth and then to Arcturus. “Gus ru- “He tried to shout but his words died in his beak.

“Vostavek Lu." Asterion snorted as he thrust a palm towards the gryphon, silencing him.

Arcturus held tight the girl squirming in his grasp, desperately trying to scream as Krotos clacked his beak angrily, “Calm down the lot of you." He spoke firmly.

“Why does he need to be calm Arcturus? Did someone fall and get hurt? Now dwarf, unhand me! I need to see what's going on!" Gus emerged beside the gryphon, sword in hand. The color drained from his face the moment he found the sprawled-out dragon on the stairs. “That's a…d-d-dragon." He stuttered before his eyes rolled into the back of his head, collapsing to the ground with a thud.

“Oh great, he's fainted." Veledar sighed, starting to pull himself to all fours.

“A dragon!" Shouted Gwen, managing to slip from Arcturus' grip, “A dragon!" She squealed this time with excitement, “The red one, is that Crimson Sky? Is it? Arcturus, is it?"

“What do you mean there is a dragon!?" Mary yelled, “Oh bitch you better let go!"

“Everything be fine lass!" Merlia shouted out, before a dull smack could be heard, “Oh, it's going to take a harder pounding than that to knock me down!"

Krotos twitched, feathers twitching, eyes steeled and filled with a mix of courage and fear. He took a step towards Gwen.

Arcturus sighed, shaking his head, all eyes upon him. He gestured to the dragon, “Yes Gwyneth this is Crimson Sky, we were trying to keep him a secret."

That seemed to convince the catbird, Krotos into letting himself relax. His eyes returned to normal, his feathers unfluffed, with a flick of his tail he was full of interest instead of fear.

“Well, hello there Mr. Crimson Sky, Dragon sir!" Gwen smiled, “Mom, Crimson Sky from the story is here!"

“Crimson Sky?" came the reply from Mary, who sounded in shock. “You mean to tell me there is actually a bleeding dragon in my house?"

“Yea but can ye keep it quiet?" Merlia responded.

“You're actually here!" Krotos exclaimed, the spell worn off. “He's actually here!"

Mary stomped her way down the stairs as the dragon shook off his embarrassing fall. The woman was a ball of fury as she jabbed a finger straight into Arcturus' chest, ignoring Veledar's hiss, “You brought a bloody dragon into my house without telling us! I thought you said he was waiting to get his book back!"

“What he said is still truth." Veledar replied, noting how the woman's eyes widened at his words as if surprised he could speak. “Here I am, waiting for my book. Fear not woman, if I wished to hurt you, we would not be speaking right now." That didn't have the intended effect, the woman's legs starting to tremble at the sight of him, he sighed, “Arcturus didn't wish to frighten you, I know my beautiful, grand form can be most alarming to your kind."

“What…No." She protested, “I'm just startled is all!" Back to Arcturus she grunted with narrow eyes, “And I suppose Crimson Sky here is right, you were technically correct."

Though his head hurt, and his frills threatened to burn in embarrassment, he supposed this was for the best. Afterall now he didn't need to hide his true self within this human's hovel. He let her know this, and to his surprise, what fear she had possessed was now replaced with a fury to rival that of a dragon.

“It's not a hovel dragon! It's my ruddy home and you'll speak of it with respect!" Mary roared.

Veledar huffed, ruffling the woman's feature, “As you wish human."         

Everyone's attention was drawn to the groans of Gus from the top of the stairs. “Man, that was the strangest thing, for a second I thought I saw a dragon on my basement stairway." Gus chuckled, holding a hand to his face as he shook his head from side to side. His attention returned to the stairway, and Veledar watched the color drain from his face once again.

“Someone catch him." Growled Veledar, “Before he smashes his head again." The last thing he needed was to be blamed for that one's injuries.

 Thankfully Gus held his composure as he rubbed his sore temple. “Care to explain this little development?"

So, he did, only making the guard sigh.

“You should have come clean the moment we spoke. I wouldn't have minded a dragon." Gus beamed, only to gulp when he caught Veledar's eye, “I mean, we already have Krotos here, what is a dragon to that?"

The paladin shook his head, “Now I feel foolish for doubting you. We were unsure how you'd react; figuring it was best that we keep caution while in the city. With the king giving me orders to slay him, sending Garroth after me and then the laboratory we found, we don't know who we could fully trust." The man exchanged a knowing nod with Asterion, the bull looking pleased, “And I didn't want to rope a friend into all this trouble. Enough people have paid for my choices."

Gus held up a hand, “It's okay Arcturus, I understand. Though there isn't any going back now!" He sighed and turned to his wife. “Well, can they still stay? For at least a couple days."

“Couple days?!" She exclaimed, “You expect me to put up with a whole group of adventurers for a few days! After this? Not to mention Crimson Sky here!"

Veledar huffed, “Well, if it makes you feel any better, I will be on my best behavior. I can be a most graceful dragon." The dragon tried to give her his best puppy dog eyes, after all, he'd heard that humans couldn't resist those. To his horror, Arcturus burst out laughing but instantly stifling himself with a hand. The dragon's gaze narrowed, oh that human was certainly going to pay for that one.

“I don't mind if the dragon stays!" Krotos said with a happy chirp, “I always wanted to meet one of those basta-." He paused as his eyes locked on Gwyneth, “Guys." the gryphon gulped.

Mary just buried her face into her hands, “Fine the lot of you can stay...but!" She raised a finger and jabbed it at them all, “If I say to do something, I want to you to do it! Now before we continue with the night, is there any more magical creatures lurking in my house I should know about?"

“Not any more lass." Merlia laughed, “We can only manage the one."

“Well come on Crimson Sky we gotta show you everything!" Gwen smiled, looking up to his snout with wonder.

The dragon gave the little wonder filled human a grin, he supposed things could be worse. “Okay my dear, I would love to see your basement."

“Well come on.... Asterion was it? You're going to help me cook while everyone gets ready." Mary ordered the warrior.

“Can I help cook as well?" Krotos warbled, as he padded away from Veledar's sight.

“You just want to add booze to everything and spices to everything!"

“What's wrong with that?"

** * * * * * * * *

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