Scales and Honor: Darkened Skies

Chapter 25: Lost moments

Arcturus quickly made his way down across the torch lit street fighting back the night's encompassing cloak. The sounds of a nearby tavern caught his ears with the jubilant laughs and clinking of tankards of its many patrons. He stopped to admire the light sneaking its way underneath the thick doors, a lingering want for ale finding its way to his tongue. He pulled close his crimson cloak, hugging at his body and trying to will away the chill of the night air as it flowed around him. Even with Veledar hiding beneath it was doing little to cast away the icy daggers of the night. His foot falls sounded echoed off the quiet and darkened buildings as they turned down a tightly packed alley. He kept vigilant during this time, knowing what sort of folk this sort of place could attract. Thankfully none of that happened as they emerged from the alley, setting their sight on a lone house lost within the port district as the scent of the salty sea wafted along the breeze. Just over the numerous buildings around it he could see the towering masts of vessels tied to their docks. The great white sails folded up and awaiting the sun's morning light. If he were younger, he'd have made more time to admire such things, perchance even asked Veledar to fly around the bay, drifting through mists that crashed along more rockier parts of the shore. That would have to wait for another time thought, they were on a mission. They were here to meet with Kioko.

Though her words had intrigued him he couldn't help but remain a tad skeptical as they had discussed Bahamut and his adventure in length. How could a god go missing? If she had, where had she gone through the years? What had he seen within the cave of Veledar's now home? Then to top off the greatest question of all, what was providing him with his powers? It was all very troubling to say the least. He recalled trying to stave off the fear that he made a deal unknowingly with a demon or devil, eventually awaiting to claim his soul upon his death. When he had made that suggestion to Veledar the dragon had pulled up his head in disgust, insisting that couldn't be the case, and if it were. The dragon flicked out his talons and promised to tear to shreds whatever dark entity that it might be. If that had not cast away the darkened thoughts, then the dragon's nuzzles and tender affections had certainly done the trick as he rubbed at Veledar's chin. Besides, the dragon had mused. What kind of demon would give a human the ability to heal and protect anyway?

That was certainly a good question.

But if not that, then what was going on? Kioko had seemed so certain as she spoke, the conviction in her eyes something to be admired. How could he expect to tell an elf that he knew more than her? She had spent triple his life looking up on the topic! So, when she had asked him to her house for the evening to discuss the topic further how could refuse? She promised to explain more about Bahamut and ponder on just what had given him power over the past few months. Her last request was not to bring the entire group along. Something about how her house couldn't fit everyone.

“You might be walking into a trap!" Veledar had snorted, paw tapping the ground with a swish of his mighty tail. Before he could offer his rebuttal, the dragon had lowered his snout, teeth on full display in a joyous grin. “Instead we're going to spring a trap for her!"

“Aren't you the strategist." He had smirked, agreeing that the drake would shrink down to hide beneath his cloak. Just in the off chance something did happen. They had learned about what had happened to Lyndis in Entis after all, then again with Nivra dealing with that hag. Besides, it would be nice to have the dragon's fire and company if things were not on the up and up. Though his little talons did poke into his skin through his gambeson every so often.

 Veledar rumbled something about being hungry as they passed a fisherman's shop, the scent of his daily catch still lingering in the air. He tapped the dragon's nosing snout as it snaked up through the back of his cloak, telling him to stay focused as the small grey roofed house r. It was a diminutive thing, stuck right between two larger structures that looked like minotaur bodyguards to a small seafoam colored kobold. A single light illuminated a window no larger than the knight's head, and painted the cobblestone around in inviting oranges and yellows. Thin strands of cherry blossom pedals hung from twine above the door that bore a single knocker of dull silver.

“Well…this is the place." He said softly, eyeing over the scratches near the roof as if done by the dragon's talons. When he had asked about that feature, Kioko had insisted it had been from a local dragoness called Achaaz that in her younger days had chased after a flock of seagulls flying overhead. The elf had laughed, describing all the panicked honks of the birds and all the shocked people as the dragoness' claws ripped shingle after shingle loose. She had joked about having thought she was going to need buckets to catch any leaks after that day.

The longer he stared at the quaint home he was rather amazed she lived there, proof that one didn't need outlandish things to go along with their power or deeds.

“This?" Veledar hissed, poking his head out from the cloak. “It's tiny! How can she live in a place like that?"

“Not everyone lives in large places o dearest dragon."

Veledar's snout wrinkled as his eyes rolled from that to the streets. “Clearly you seem to like being packed in like rats. Would it kill you to be able to stretch your arms out?"

“Not the best choice of words."

“But oh, so accurate."

“What about this rat?" He rose a brow as the crimson dragon looked away from him with twitching frills and a single snort.

“You're different. Clearly not a rat. But back to this Kioko woman. I thought she'd at least have a bigger place. Maybe a tree..Not…" The dragon's eyes locked onto a piece of string dotted with varying seashells that rested on the wall closet to the door. “So strange."

“This coming from the beast that lives in a cave telling people what's strange."

“Hey! It's normal for us! Caves ae very nice. They go deep enough to protect against winter's bite! It provides privacy! It keeps out pesky mortals…" Veledar's eyes narrowed as his snout nosed at Arcturus' chin. “Most of the time that is."

“They could also I suppose be cool in the summer?"

“Who wants to be cool in the summer?" Veledar scoffed, claws kneading through Arcturus' gambeson. “More heat the better!"

He smacked lightly at the red drake, reminding him he wasn't a scratching post. With a quick apology and chuckle about humans being so soft they strolled right up the house's steps and knocked firmly on the seashell coated door.

“You made it!" Kioko beamed, pulling open the door to unleash the memorizing smells of vanilla, mint, and even a slight hint of lavender. “I thought you might get lost of all things! Humans aren't the best of trackers even at the best of times. Better to leave that to the wolven or." She flicked one of her pointed ears." Before he could respond to that oddness she snatched his wrist, quick as a striking cobra. “Come in! Come in! I was just brewing tea for us to enjoy. Can't have a conversation or guest without the wonderment of tea! What kind is your favorite? Mine happens to be jasmine."

He had heard of tea from Drenedar but not had it himself. “More of a coffee drinker myself actually." He rubbed the back of his neck, explaining about how in Entis it was not that large of a commodity.

“Coffee?" Kioko's tongue came out in disgust, looking more like Veledar as her features wrinkled. “Yuck. We must show you better stuff. Always keep an open mind I say, there's always a new thing to learn. Don't worry, you're in good paws."

“Paws? You mean hands?" He rose a brow, giving her an odd look and pointing at her slender fingers. “I don't see any."

“Oh sorry!" She laughed smacking the back of her hand, “I deal so often with the dragons of the city that I get used to their own words. “Of course, I mean hands, just don't be surprised if I slip up!"

“Of course, makes perfect sense."

“And besides, it just means you get to start with the good stuff! How lucky you are! I had to start with some third-rate herb from the gryphon chest coast! Almost tasted like mud!" Kioko's strength returned, guiding him into the smallish room packed to the brim with trinkets of all sorts. Bottles of varying colors were stacked on shelves that lined the walls. Inside were liquids, solids, some even having some bugs flying around their glass interiors. Shells rested on nearly every surface, covered in draconic looking runes painted white. Portraits of spellcasting forms hung at odd angles flanked by several unlit candles as the fireplace brought life to a room packed with things Arcturus wondered how they were going to move. He could hardly see the floor with how many books, chests, and other knickknacks lay underfoot. He traced the mint and vanilla smell to a blackened kettle that was resting over the fireplace. Chairs were already resting next to a smallish table only suited it seemed for two. It was already laid out with small wooden plates with off-white tea cups. Arcturus sighed as the night's embrace was quickly extinguished by the fire's warming fingers. He was guided to one of the brown cushioned seats that welcomed his rear like a lover. He settled into it with a sigh, ignoring how Veledar shifted under the cloak and held him tighter.

“You have impeccable timing you know." Kioko gave him a smile, gliding towards the fireplace to check on the bubbling water. “The tea is almost ready." With that complete the strange elf returned to the cups, sprinkling some purple shredded herbs into the bottom of them. “Then we can get to this chit chat about Bahamut some more. Figure out how in the nine hells you claim to be her paladin of all things. Also." She perked up, retreating to one of the shelves and pulling out a small wooden bowl that seemed more fitting for a dog, and then putting some herbs in that as well.

“It's a good thing that you didn't bring that red dragon of yours."

“Oh?"

“Yea. He has such dull scales for someone so full of himself. How he can find himself attractive is beyond me. Then there are his dinky horns. Seen longer horns on stags. You'd think that such a young upstart like that would at least know what other dragons like before firing of his maw like he does."

Well that was something he didn't expect. He could practically feel Veledar's stare on him from underneath his cloak. “He does tend to be a bit hot headed at times. He grows on you though. He has a sweet heart."

“Oh dear. I knew you'd be biased. Trust me." She winked. “I know real handsome dragons. His I'm greater than everyone routine gets really old rather quick. Seen it numerous times over the years. Think he compensates for having a small lance?"

“Lance?"

Kioko gave him a lewd smirk, a chuckle passing through her lips.

“That's it!" Veledar unwound himself from the paladin, peeking out his head as Arcturus' cheeks blushed red. “My scales are not dull, my horns are well sized, and I can tell you my lance is of adequate size!"

“Do you tell all the female dragons that?" Kioko glanced down, not a hint of surprise on her features as the red dragon pounced onto the table. “It would appear you're his shadow. Couldn't let the paladin go on his own, could you? Couldn't trust him alone?"

“I trust him!" Veledar smacked his paw on the table.

“Then why follow him?" Kioko placed a bowl right in front of the snout wrinkled red dragon. “If you trust him so much."

“So, he didn't end up ambushed by your elven trickery!"

“Says the dragon who snuck into my home under his lover's cloak?"

“Precisely! You could have seduced him with your elven charms!"

Arcturus reached out, to pluck the red off the table and place him in his lap. His hands gliding along his back to stroke between his wings. The tiny dragon tried to protest but found himself purring and rubbing back against such affections. The knight laughed as Veledar tried to maintain his level of irritation, but failing with each touch along his scales.

“Can you…Grahh….Not…" The red dragon tried to scamper away, but the knight only persisted. “I hate you sometimes."

“I don't think you have to worry about that." Kioko smiled warmly, grabbing the pot when it started to whistle and bringing it over to pour some water into their waiting cups and bowl. “Seems as though he has enough of the charms already."

“Agreed." He retracted his hand from the wiggling red dragon only for a paw to quickly find his hand as the drake spun around.

“I didn't say to stop."

He laughed heartily as he plucked his cup of tea from the table. He sipped at the hot drink, getting a hint of a taste somewhere between that of a lemon and an orange with a dash of vanilla mixed in. His spine tingled as the concoction spread its warmth down him. “Woah." He found himself saying as Kioko slurped loudly at hers. It wasn't as good as the best coffee he'd had, but up there in the number of drinks he'd tried.

“I know, I know!" Her infectious smile spread practically from ear to ear, “Just be careful to not fall in love now. Tea can be so…" She sighed, a look of contentless relaxing her whole body. “Comforting."

Indeed. With each sip that he took it seemed that every tightness in his body was begging to release. Like he was a gryphon that wanted to laze about in the mid-day sun. Even Veledar seemed to like the beverage as his little snout dipped cautiously into the provided bowl, his tail soon waging back and forth as he lapped hungrily at the drink. It was not long before the little dragon had drained the entire thing, wiping his snout with the back of his paw. When Kioko crossed her arms and gave him a knowing look the dragon simply rolled his eyes with a snort.

“I guess, you're not that bad. You can make good whatever that was."

“Do you want some more little dragon?" The elf grabbed the teapot and some herbs again before the red could nod his approval. She poured him some more as the dragon released a pleased sounding warble before diving his snout back into the drink with disregard to the heat. The tea splattered around the edges of the bowl as he loudly slurped at the heated drink with a ravenous fury.

“How nice it must be to not worry about getting burned." Arcturus chuckled, sipping away at the scalding drink.

“It does have it perks!" Veledar smiled, pulling his head up as tea dripped down from the sides.

Kioko soon caught their attention, turning everything back to Bahamut. Arcturus asked how she knew so much on the topic, saying that usually only dragons were interested in her. There was a brief mournful look that spread across her face as Kioko sighed. She stared down at her tea cup as if viewing a bitter memory within the leaves.

“Why is there no Bahamut clerics?" He followed up, hoping to stay whatever thoughts the usually cheerful woman had. Veledar plucked his head up from happily slurping to voice his own approval of that question.

“Can't have my paladin serving some dark deity! It will ruin my image!"

“And I'm just chopped liver?" He crossed his arms with a raised brow, smiling as Veledar turned his little head around to stick his tongue out at him.

“Nonsense, if anything you're sirloin steak!"

Kioko cleared her throat as the pair went back and forth with little snide comments about stinky scales or messy hair. “The reason." She said calmly, “Is that Bahamut was fractured thousands of years ago. While the other gods remain in their domains to grant powers to clerics and paladins, the dragon goddess is silent. She is missing from her domain.

“But that can't be right." Veledar tilted his head to the side, his tail swishing behind him and nearly knocking Arcturus' cup over in it's wake. “My mother told me that she shepherds the souls of dragons into the stars!"

The idea that she was missing was rather troubling. Arcturus didn't know that the gods could even go missing. How was that supposed to work? He maintained his crossed arms as the red dragon stamped his paw and looked increasingly frustrated at Kioko's responses. “Well, what happened to her?"

“She was shattered." Kioko replied bluntly. “Were you not paying attention? I jus-“

“I meant how." He sighed.

“Oh yes, well that makes more sense doesn't it!" She laughed, setting her cup back onto the table with a thud. “Long ago it was said that she was betrayed by a powerful dragon named Bryrdayr. He struck when Bahamut was most vulnerable. Though he did not savor his victory for long, as Bahamut's allies vanquished him.

“How could a god be vulnerable?" Veledar's snout wrinkled. “Seems wrong."

“For you see the gods had gone about creating the world, protecting it, filling it with people. Well they concocted a plan to spread their own magic to the world. In this process they would lose their ability to directly shape the world. They would stick to their own domains and create afterlives for those that they created. During this transition the dragon struck, thus striking when she was at her weakest."

Now wasn't that peculiar. Arcturus leaned back as that prospect flickered across his mind like a snake's tongue. Why would they give up their divinity?

“You mean to tell me they had all the power in the world, and they gave it up?" Veledar scoffed, rolling his eyes and flaring out his frills. “That's crazy! You expect us to believe that?"

“Some would say it was. But whose to say the will of the gods is wrong? Or that they don't make mistakes?" The elf picked up their cups, bringing them over to a small sink. “Though I myself have seen people give up power to make things better for others. Perhaps this was on a grander scale. Thanks to this act we have magic to help make things better. Divine ways to heal wounds or cure the sick. Can you imagine a world without those things?"

“And how do we know this isn't just another fairy tale." Arcturus eyed the woman with a hint of skepticism lacing his words. True she had been polite, offered him some tea and provided some good hospitality but how did she know for certain? How was she an expert on such things? She even admitted to not having divine magic. How was she qualified to speak of such things? “And that you're not guessing."

She sighed, dipping the cups into a bucket of water that she must have already filled before they got there. “It was all in the books and carvings within the temple."

“Temple?" Was that the one they were looking for? He turned his head to the side as Veledar's head perked up into the shape of an S. “The one we're looking for? You've known where it is the entire time?" He uncrossed his arms, planting a finger onto the table. “Why were you keeping it from us?"

“Oh, silly human." Kioko smiled back to him over her shoulder. “There are many temples long passed to that goddess. I wasn't leaving the one you were looking for out of reach. I have much better time on my paws."

“True." He leaned back in his seat, mind brimming with thoughts on just how you would go about shattering a god? Some sort of spell perhaps? It would have to be some potent magics to affect a god that he was certain. “How would you go about shattering a goddess of all things? I thought they were unfaultable."

“Trying to shatter a god are we?" Kioko smirked, gliding back to the table and resting her arms on the surface. “Won't really work now. None of the gods have the power they used to. Would be nothing to siphon anymore."

“No, no no." He held up his hands in defense as the woman continued to eye him up and down. “Was just making conversation. I mean, that's really interesting is it not?" He rubbed his chest, wondering just what was lurking inside of him. After all, if Bahamut was shattered. What did he meet and talk when Veledar was brought low? “I…want to know that I'm not just some puppet."

“Don't worry Umraadi." Veledar tilted his head back to look over his wings. “You'll only be my pet. No one else's!" When he frowned at the dragon's words the red turned around, nuzzling into his chest to fight away his darker thoughts. The human tried to resist those cute affections but, in the end, could not. With a grumble Arcturus started to massage and stoke along the dragon's body.

“You win this round."

“All according to plan."

“It will be something to make certain that is sure." Kioko held up a cupped hand, swishing it through the air as if painting a picture. “I will have to take you to the place eventually. The temple that is." She sighed, running her fingers through her hair. “After we go about making sure that the Lund is not possessed by some dragon hunting spirit." Her voice suddenly shifted into something tight at the mention of the name. The cheerfulness in her eyes faded for an instant as if the elf were remembering something dark about it. Unsurprising considering his family's reputation.

“I can assure you it at least doesn't' want the death of dragons." He laughed off the cold pit growing in his stomach. “Otherwise I think the red one here would be really in trouble."

“Not to mention that spirit would be in for a nightmare for how much I find myself filling you at both ends." Veledar mumbled, wiggling proudly in his lap.

“Yea.." He blushed. “That too." When Kioko seemed unphased by the dragon's statement he had to question about it. “You seem unconcerned about that! Most Drenedarians seemed odd about that little fact."

“Oh that you two are a thing?" Kioko pointed between the pair. “Not really that surprising. While my mate may not get the appeal of humans…I find that love knows no gender or intelligent species. If you can make it work and better the other, then why should I care?"

“Good to hear." Veledar rumbled his approval. “Otherwise as a certain princess would say. I'd be focken cross with you."

“And back to the spirit." Arcturus left his purring dragon to place his hands comfortably on the table. “How would we go about testing to see if it isn't something malevolent spirit lurking beneath my skin?"

“Simple matter actually human." Kioko stood up, pushing her hands together with a pleased sigh. “You've already drank the brew required to help boost the process. Nothing harmful mind you, just special mixes to strengthen the magic that I'd like to weave on the both of you."

“Wait..what?" He spat out, glancing briefly at the cups resting in the sink. Even Veledar seemed taken back, staring intently at his wiggling paws.

“You fed us something? Was it poison?" The dragon growled.

“No, no." She chuckled, guiding his hand down to the table with a grin. “Just something to strengthen the spells. I've found it helps those not usually affiliated with the tribe to help the spell along. Makes things less….messy."

“Well you could have warned us!" Veledar flared out his wings, stamping a paw on the table with a thud. “Not scare us half to death! Just look at my human there, he's a proper example of frightened!"

“Hey." He playfully shoved the dragon on his flank. “I'm not terrified like some kitten." He sighed, meeting Kioko's eyes. “Though he's right. Little forewarning would have been nice."

“But surprised can be fun!" Kioko held up her hands, palms facing out. “Now.." She suddenly slipped over, smile ever widening as she stared at his chest. “May I listen to your heart?"

“Um…" He was taken back. You usually never heard of anything like this, and he'd met some quirky characters in his years. That wasn't counting the encounter with Florimel months back. There was a time over in Rothdell where he had met a group of traveling halflings that had insisted that they were an all drum band. He met her smile, feeling it melt away any reservations that he might have had. “Whatever for?"

“For the spell! There is…" Kioko placed a finger on her chin, tapping a few times. “You have an aura about you. Something that's hard to explain. Like a spice on the air each time I look at you.

“Watch out now." Veledar rumbled, “That might be your attraction to this human. I know the appeal."

“No not that." The elf rolled her eyes as Veledar nuzzled into Arcturus' chest. “Something else. So…may I?"

He shrugged. Where was the harm in such a thing anyway? She'd been kind, truthful and interesting to say the least. If this helped truly with whatever test she wanted then sure. He nodded, almost instantly recoiling as she screeched out like a harpy.

“Wonderful!" She slipped in closer like an eel, wrapping an around his back and pressing her pointed ear against his chest. She pulled back for a moment, moving her hair away from her ear before returning with a hum. “Fascinating." She mumbled as the steady thumping tickled her ear. She closed her eyes and continued to listen. It felt rather odd to have her right there. Not that he didn't enjoy a woman this close to listen to his heart, but it felt rather funny that she'd wanted to. Only time he had this sort of thing happen was with fertility clerics of Portanga back in the military. Always making troops were viral and well kept.

“Everything sound alright?"

“Yea!" Veledar peeked around the woman, frills fluttering in and out, his voice containing just a hint of concern. “Is my mate alright? Does he have a sickness?"

“Oh fine…In fact." Kioko smiled, flashing Veledar her teeth. “I had no idea that you two shared the bond! That's really special!"

“Wait.." The dragon's head shot back into the shape of an S. “You know about that?" He returned his snout closer to practically nose at Kioko's ear. “What else do you know about it?" The woman pulled quickly away with a smile.

“You don't hear about most dragons achieving it. Less so that even know about it. So you could say that its rare!"

Well that was certainly an interesting predicament. Whatever intrigue for this woman only grew tenfold in the paladin's mind as Veledar started asking her questions about her knowledge about it. Maybe she could help strengthen their bond. Who knew whatever else lurked within it? Sharing spells, emotion, and language were already useful tools. Could there be more?

“I don't know more than what I've read." She sighed, pushing back Veledar's snout to which he grumbled and plopped onto his haunches. “Now don't give me that look dragon. It's a really rare thing." She then listed off all the things they already knew about the bond, with one additional thing that they didn't. The mention of dragon bond companions being immune to their dragon's element.

“So I could make Arcturus fire resistant?" Veledar turned towards him with a mischievous smirk.

“No setting me on fire!" He countered, thrusting a finger between his nostrils.

“Couldn't if you were fire resistant!"

“But most of my gear isn't!"

“Then you'd be naked." The dragon rumbled, thumping his tail. “Could then chase you around."

“Now you're getting silly." He crossed his arms as the dragon gave him a lewd smirk.

“But you like it."

“Shush you."

He was drawn away with his little vocal sparing as Kioko slipped a firm hand onto his chest, staring intently into his eyes. Within those purplish hues he saw a genuine look of interest gleaming within mixed with the flickering of the hut's candles. “Have you perchance ever encountered a flickering pool? One that seems to shimmer like a silver moon? Perhaps reflecting a rainbow at the proper angle?"

“No…" He replied cautiously, but even as the words left his mouth he felt a sense they weren't true. Like he'd just eaten a rotten meal.Why did that seem so familiar? He recalled a series of rocks set within a cavern, a silvery pool rippling outward as he stared down into it. His hand flew to his head as a sudden pain spiked within him. It was sharp, as if though someone had stuck a spike into his brain. He groaned, rubbing his temple as the others looked on in concern.

“Are you alright?" Veledar was the first to bring his snout closer. His concerned snort bringing a gust of warm air across his skin. That staved off the pain for a mere moment.

“Yea.." He groaned, petting the dragon's nose. The pain had started to recede, now nothing more than a dull ache that he could easily push away. Course the thought of what that was now was greater than before. He'd never remembered that pool before. Why now when she mentioned it? He found Kioko's eyes, still locked on him, her focus never wavering.

“Having a memory?"

“Yea..I think.."He rubbed his temple. “But it hurt, like one of the worst head-aches I've ever had."

“Hmm." The elf pulled back, rubbing at her chin. “Memory can be suck a fickle thing. Spells to alter it, hide things. Even the brain itself sometimes forgets to protect itself from trauma or pain."

“But why would I try to forget a shimmering pool? It seems rather silly."

“That is certainly the question isn't it." She leaned forward, grabbing at his chin and admiring his jawline. “Have you ate too many special mushrooms?"

“No."

“Wonderful. Then the spell I intend to cast will shine some light on that as well."

“What must I do?"

There was a loud slam that coursed through the cottage as the form of a dog sized teal dragoness came scampering in. She perked up her head that had blue membraned frills that were tipped with purple orbs. They twitched in and out as her tail swished over the floor. Her webbed paws were covered in a dull red substance that seemed to have been smeared all over her pebbly scales. “Mo-“ She rolled her eyes with a snort. “Oh…you're already here. Wonderful. Can't even show up on time."

“Who are you?" Veledar peeked out, snout descending towards the teal ness. He wiggled within the human's lap.

“I'm Achaaz." The teal ness replied dryly, trotting over to the table without a glance to the curious red. Her tail wiggling behind her like a teal scaled snake.

“And what are you doing here?" Veledar hopped off onto the floor, tilting his horned head to the side.

“People I know live here red scales. Duh." She scoffed, locking her snout onto a smiling Kioko. “Need anything else?"

“No…You did well. Scamper on back to your father. I do believe he wanted to go over some spells with you before dinner."

“Ugh!" The teal dragoness tossed back her head, wrinkling her snout. “I hate how he teaches it. Why can't I just learn with you?"

“I'm busy young one."

“But do I got to?' Achazz wined. “Dad tells all the stories we've heard a million times!"

“Yes, but within his stories are always wisdom. Who knows perhaps the millionth and one time will reveal some hidden secret?" Kioko smiled back, to which Achaaz only seemed more irritated.

“How did I know you'd take his side."

“See? Wisdom already gleamed."

“FINE!" The teal dragoness spun around, ignoring Veledar as he tried to question her again. “I'll do what you want. Have fun with your friends." Her snout was held up in a huff, scurrying over to the door, opening it with her paws and slamming it shut with her tail. “But I won't like it!"

“Oh children." Kioko sighed. “How impatient they are. She'll learn in time. Just must keep at it. Like the running river she will bend and shape the road ahead for herself."

“Going through a phase?" Arcturus laughed.

“I'm afraid. What used to adore her has now instead turned to distain and irritation. She used to scurry happily to hear her father's stories. Listening with a swaying tail and smile." Kioko just sighed, looking long fully at the door. “Won't be long before she's ready to leave the nest I think. Her stubbornness can't fit in the same nest with her father."

“Storm?" Veledar tilted his head. “Was that his daughter?"

Kioko nodded with a smile, gathering a bag to stash with assorted vials and herbs from around the hut. “Though we can discuss such things later. But yes, Storm has two children running around this world. One on the other claw is at least much more behaved." The elf stopped, hand clutching a glass vial with a red liquid swishing around inside. “Though he is going through some things now. Couldn't bear to stay here for a second longer." On Kioko's face was etched the look Arcturus had seen often in mothers saying good bye to their children over the years. When they would have to realize that their offspring would no longer be around like they used to. “But he's healthy and finding his own way." She sighed, stashing the vial into the bag. She spun around, a brightness springing to her face. “Now this spell of mine that our dear Achaaz helped prepare. We best get to it." She clapped her hands together with a smile. “Otherwise I won't hear the end on how I wasted her efforts. You know all about that, though right?" She cast Arcturus a knowing smile before her eyes drifted to the red dragon now gazing up at her.

“I was never like that!" Veledar protested, settling onto his haunches. He turned to Arcturus when Kioko said nothing. His snout wrinkled when the human didn't either. “Really?"

“Well.." Arcturus chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck as his dragon glared at him. “You can at times be…" He rolled his hand. “A lot."

Veledar huffed, smacking his tail against Arcturus' leg as he spun around. “Fine, that's your second strike."

“Second?"

“Yes! The first was not defending me against this elven woman!" He pointed a wing talon at Kioko with hardly a glance in her direction. “Now let's get this spell over with before more blemishes to my character come to light."

“You're saying there are more blemishes to your character?" Kioko mused, passing the now fuming dragon who was opening and shutting his maw.

“No! That's not what I…" He snorted, stomping his paw. “Lets just get this over with."

“As you wish." The elf curled her hand towards the door, pulling Arcturus as if by a string as he followed the now grumbling dragon. “Now you best prepare mentally for this spell. It's going to be rather…Interesting for one such as yourself." Kioko guided them into the street, closing the door softly behind them. She explained the ins and outs of the coming spell. It was a ritual done by the teal dragon tribes to bring about memories that one could admire and sift through. It involved drinking a special brew like they had done and painting symbols onto ones skin or scales and focusing on your memories. She said it was also performed on a day of remembrance through the year known as ______.

“Yea but who's the teal dragon? You just sent away the only one we've seen. Why not keep her around to help prepare the spell?"

“She doesn't know the spell. Mother hasn't taught her yet. Now is not the time for her to blossom. Though often she forgets she has little control." Kioko chuckled as they passed a couple of guards with torches patrolling the streets. They nodded to her and she to them without a word being exchanged at all. “But she can follow instruction for the preparations fairly well. Just needed a more…Nature environment." The elf brought them through the winding streets of the port, passing building after building, street after street until they came to one section with a tree that had a plot of grass growing all around it. It was rather larger than most of the tree sections Arcturus had seen, large enough for say a larger dragon than Veledar to curl up and snooze away if needed. Upon the grass was a circle made from a crimson paint that looked almost jet black in the lantern lit area, the paw print smeared bowl resting at the base of the tree.

“Over here!" Kioko skipped over to the tree, swinging around it's bark and gesturing to it's many branches that reached out as if for the stars. “This is the right spot." She placed her bag on the ground, admiring the circle of runes that Achaaz had drawn within the grass. “Looks like she did a rather good job." The elf crouched low as Arcturus and Veledar padded over to the circle's edge. She stuck a finger onto one such rune, pulling it back and rubbing her fingers together. “Seems the right consistency. I'll have to tell her how well she performed. Perhaps that will shine some light onto the dreary mood she was in." Kioko strolled over the paint smeared bowl, plucking it up in her hands and sticking a finger inside to swirl it around as she strolled over to Arcturus with a smile. “Now we just have to administer the runes. Nothing sinister, just some runes on your face."

“Wasn't worried until you added that bit of detail." He laughed as the woman rose her finger, dripping with paint.

“Oh. Goes without saying I won't draw anything crude on your face. Regardless how tempting the feeling is." She gave him a wink only alluding to what she meant as he closed his eyes.

“Well…good then." He mumbled, ignoring how Veledar was snickering.

“So..you're going to make him look like me?" He felt the red's snout descend towards his face, hovering over the skin like a vulture as Kioko placed her paint covered finger gently on his cheek. There was a chill that traversed through his flesh, seeking out his spine and sending a tremble down to his feet.

“Hardly. Just going to…apply some runes." Kioko's finger traveled around his cheek in a swirling motion then curled around his jawline and towards his ear. She dotted every so often in several spots, the sensation feeling as though his face was being teased by a light sprinkling of the rain. He sighed as she continued her work in silence, the sound of Veledar's breaths bringing a small bit of comfort as the runes brought cold through his skin and seemingly into the marrow of his bones. Yet despite that he didn't shake. How many times had he seen the rituals conducted by the clerics of Nutambar the god of the hunt. How they would adorn all their followers with various runes and vibrant colors to emulate various animals before each mission. He'd always found the prospect rather silly, like a child getting their face painted at a fair. Course here he was now, sitting patiently while an elf drew unknown things upon his face. His nose started to itch but like a cobra, Kioko snapped at it just as it even wavered.

“No touching it! Can't have your clumsy hands messing it up."

“Hey. Crimson here is at least several times over clumsier than I. Least I can walk through a street without catching something on my limbs."

“Put a penis right on his forehead." Veledar snorted.

“So easily wounded?" He chuckled as the dragon nosed at his hair, a dull smack sounding as Kioko struck his mate.

“But he wasn't protecting me!" Veledar grumbled, no doubt rubbing his snout with a paw. “And for an elf you strike pretty hard. What do you have in there, rocks?"

“Don't need you messing it up either." Kioko replied flatly, returning a finger to start running lines around Arcturus' forehead. “Plenty of strength for smacking misbehaving dragons on the snout. I've gotten quite good at it. And a penis?" She chuckled, “You could have at least of thought of something original."

“Hmmpf. Next time we're walking, I'll show you a clumsy tail."

Arcturus chortled, opening his eyes as the elf finished around his ear and instructed him to do so with a jubilant tone. “Well..how do I look?" He turned to the properly sized Veledar, who only rolled his eyes and swished his tail behind him. The dragon flared out his head frills, replying with a growly grumble. “You look like a wyrmling covered in paint. Or like you stashed your head in a pot of berries and gotten the juice smeared all around your face."

“Is that good or bad?" He tilted his head to the side, asking Kioko if she had a mirror but she didn't have one. He sighed as the dragon returned his gaze that traveled around his paint covered face.

“How about this. You look like someone tried to do a painting but failed so horribly that they quit doing it."

“Wow." He crossed his arms as the dragon shook his body, scales clinking in the air. “What a way with words you have."

“What did you expect?" Veledar fluffed up his wings, giving out a tongue curling yawn. “I'm a dragon, not a poet. If you want better words, go find Feku. Though only in draconic. At least in my tongue she doesn't speak brokenly."

He went to touch the runes but Kioko smacked his hand again, pointing at his nose.

“Mind the touch, the paint is still wet. Be patient. You can wash the stuff off when the ritual is done. Until then." She thrust her finger mere inches from his nose. “Don't touch the paint. I can smack humans just as well as dragons."

“Understood." Arcturus nodded as the elf placed the bowl back near the foot of the tree. While she pulled some herbs from her pack and began to sprinkle them around the area Veledar padded over to the bowl, sniffing at the paint. His snout wrinkled as he stuck his tongue out in disgust.

“Smells terrible."

“Its not for eating dragon." Kioko rolled her eyes, turning around in a near twirl and clasping her hands together. “There is one last thing we need for the spell though. Someone from the teal dragon flight to perform the ritual."

“Wait." Arcturus' sighed, recalling the frilled tail of the younger dragoness. “Then why did you send the other one away then if we needed her?"

“I double that question!" Veledar snorted. “Seems rather foolish if you ask me. Now you're just begging for me to track her down. “ The dragon shifted from side to side, glancing down one of the ally ways and taking a long drag of the air. “I volunteer of course to track down the female."

“Of course you would." Arcturus rolled his eyes. “Any chance to track down a female dragon eh?"

“What?' The dragon's frills fluttered in and out as he rose his jaw ever so slightly to the side. “Females are nice to track."

“No salacious motives?"

“Nonsense." Veledar rolled his spade head away from him, flicking out his tail. “And if I did. I would make sure to bring you along."

“How considerate of you."

“I know!"

Kioko interrupted them with a cough, gesturing to her chest with a wave of her hands. “I was speaking of myself of course." She got onto all fours, thrusting her rear high into the air. The elf closed her eyes and wiggled her haunches, letting out a mewing sound that Arcturus figured was supposed to be a roar. Though it sounded more like she was trying to be an oversized house cat. The human sat in stunned silence as Veledar's tail wound itself around him. Moments passed before the elf froze, opening her eyes and staring at her behind. She wiggled her rump again.

“Well this is rather awkward."

“Have you gone mad?' Veledar blurted out, thumping his tail on the grass. “I don't know what you're playing at but you're very much still an elf!"

Kioko stretched out her neck, bouncing from arm to arm. She grit her teeth, clenching her eyes shut and gave a roar. When nothing happened, the elf hung her head with a sigh, followed by a cackling laugh. “Oh. It's just been awhile red scales. Just you watch." She stomped the grass with one of her hands, summoning forth a burst of purple smoke that quickly consumed the entire area.

“As I said." Emerged a sing song voice from the purple haze, one that sounded from a creature several times Arcturus' size. The smoke was quickly cast aside by the flapping of powerful wings, revealing the form of a teal scaled dragoness. Bright orange ventral scales flowed down from her neck all the way to the base of her tail, glowing faintly in the night air. Radiant purple eyes gleamed with amusement as they narrowed into slits. Her orange frilled membranes twitched in and out in interest, her tail wiggling behind her on the grass. Her pristine white horned head shook, laughing in a growly way as her frilled tail smacked the ground. “See?" She placed a white taloned paw to her chest. “You just had to be patient." She fluffed up her wings, easily twice Veledar's size in height and length. “My name is Fremra."

“Oh!" Arcturus recovered from the shock that had gripped him. Instantly bowing his head before the towering dragoness as she shifted before them. “Nice to meet you."

“No need to do that formal of a greeting to me human." She descended her pebbly snout to lift his jaw with a low rumble. “I'm not some sort of queen that needs to be heralded. Simple hello will do."

“Well that's new…And your name! What did I do to earn that?"

“As I said." She flashed Veledar a tooth filled grin. “Titles are a silly thing that some dragons still do. Honestly. I found just giving my name to be the better way about doing things. Less mess, no one must remember to use my title. It's just Fremra this and Fremra that." She shook her head, eyes shining like amethysts in the moonlight. “Way easier if you ask me."

“But you were the elf!" Veledar growled, thumping his tail upon the ground. “And when you showed off for my mate here. What was that about? Why the whole cat charade?"

“I didn't lie." Fremra's flashed them her neck. Long pink scars were trailed down her teal scales like marred rivers. “I do enjoy being a cat or an elf. It's you who assumed that was my true form. Regardless. If one thinks that why should I go about destroying that illusion?"

“You just did!"

Fremra stopped in her tracks, tilting her head to the side as she pondered her words. Her snout wrinkled as they sat in silence for a moment before with a flick of her tail, she burst out laughing. “That's true! Oh well. The spell needed me in this form to work anyway. Doesn't flow right when I'm an elf. Trust me." She surged forward to bring her snout mere inches from Veledar's own. “I've tested it over the years." The dragoness padded her way back where she came a bounce practically in her paws. “Now where were we." She plopped her haunches in the grass, her long tail curling around them both. “Oh yes! The ritual." She rose up to spread out her paws, Arcturus noting that her scales were not as large or seemingly as thick as Veledar's own. Less protection for more mobility. They were typically the fastest sprinters and swimmers to be found within the dragon kind.

“Now the Bahamut connection makes sense."

“Hmm?" She tilted her gaze to him, “What does."

“You being a dragoness. It all makes sense now!"

“Oh.." She tapped her tail. “I suppose that it does now." Her long neck traveled down till her eyes were level his. “Now before we begin. Is there anything I should call you differently? Or is Arcturus the name you want to be known by?"

“Why would it be different?"

“I don't know." She sighed, flicking her eyes to Veledar. “I thought maybe you'd picked up on the utter craziness of titles as well."

“My mother taught me that!" Veledar rumbled, planting his rear right next to Arcturus with a huff.

“Course she did." Fremra chuckled, pulling back her snout. “Still makes it silly though." She held up a paw to silence the irritated red dragon as he was about to go into a rant about why dragon titles were important. When he didn't get the hint, she closed her paws around his snout. Like a vice she held him as he struggled to get away. “Trust me young one. I've dealt with someone more stubborn than you. I've heard every excuse that you can bluster at me. “ She lowered her eyes to him, resting her nose against his. “Now lets get to this ritual right? We can discuss the absurdity of titles later. Perhaps over some tea!"

“Wait…" Veledar stretched out his jaw several times before freezing on the shifting dragoness. “You're Fremra! From the Swirling Storm story!"

“One and the same." She fluffed up her wings, placing a paw to her chest. Perhaps there was a little bit of dragon vanity still lurking within her bones. “Though that stubborn sack of scales just needed a push or several dozen. But now isn't really the time for that either. More opportunities for tea and company. If you wish we can trade stories in the nights to follow, but I really must insist." Her attention narrowed to the paladin once more. “We should really get back to the ritual. Distractions are often enemies to the mind. Young one, curiosity tugs at mine when I look to you. It's rather odd that I must confess. While you smell like a dragon you look rather humanish in nature. Very confusing no?"

“Yea I get that a lot. You mentioned his seed." He thumbed back to Veledar who only held up his head proudly with a pleased warble.

“I make sure he smells like me all the time. Everyone knows he's mine." The red dragon beamed.

“Not about how you mate young ones." Fremra rolled her eyes with a low grumble. “I meant he smells like a dragon in his own right. Like my nose is trying to trick me that there isn't a human right before me. Then to add to the mix is this claim that you met Bahamut and she gifted you the powers you so wield now. Ones that have helped save not only your friends but that of your dragon lover right here." She warbled softly on the air. “Which I find rather adorable mind you. I'm all for finding love where you can find it. Often it can even help you when all looks bleakest. I've even found spells that benefit from it."

“Spells that rely on love?" Veledar laughed, skepticism dripping from his maw. “Sounds positively rubbish."

“Oh dragon. How I've met those before you that scoffed at such things. Perchance you will learn things during your stay here. Maybe then you wont be so skeptical. Now back to your mate." Her snout descended on Arcturus, her tongue licking across her jaws. “I am mighty curious onto why you think Bahamut visited you."

Arcturus went to tell the story again, but she silenced him with a nosing to his chest with her pebbly snout.

“Yes, yes. I heard the story. I don't need to hear it again. Your lover was dying. Quite the miracle you preformed." She rose her head, glancing high into the star filled sky , gazing out into the shining oblivion before taking a long drag of the crisp air. She closed her eyes, as if listening to the far-off cry of owls drifting along the wind. “I will get to the truth though. Both of us are going to be leaving this circle enlightened."

“Will it hurt?" He blurted without thinking. Flickers of pain induced from Emerald Lady's stones came to mind. Even now as he thought about the distorted images, phantom pain ached across his fingers and crawled up his arm. He visibly shook as her snout snapped down to him, and Veledar scooched closer.

“Not that I can think of. Though I can't promise looking back into the past won't be painful." She sighed, a softness appearing in her purple pools. “It is often hard to remember the past is the past. One should not dwell too much on it."

“Sounds like the fairy realm." His brow wrinkled as Veledar's head rested on his shoulder. “This one and I had a rather unpleasant time there."

“Don't remind me." The red dragon grumbled, his eyes narrowing as he no doubly remembered the scene with his dead brother.

“It…may be like that." She stated flatly. “We're going to be melding our minds ever so slightly so that we can gleam through your memories for the one in question. The one with the shimmering pool that I asked about earlier."

“What if we don't find it?" He said softly, concern lapping against his thoughts as to what lurked within him.

“Then we will have to look elsewhere for the answers wont we? Not finding that pool means nothing really in the grand scheme of things." Fremra wiggled closer, lowering her snout until it was close enough for the human to lay his hands upon her. “Though if you are familiar with the fairy realm then you will be familiar with this. For this spell needs the one guiding and the one being searched to be in contact to work."

“That all?" He laid a hand upon her lightly scaled snout, relishing how it was warm at least. Nothing like Veledar, but it was more pleasing than the icy fingers dragging across his skin. “Like this?"

“Yes." She rumbled, frills continuing with their captive dance. “Now lower."

So he did what she asked, running his fingers along her cheeks. When she closed her eyes and purred for him to go lower, he did so again. He was soon rubbing her neck as she rumbled away like a giant cat.

“I think you're having a laugh with me."

“Perhaps." She chuckled, pushing away his fingers before resetting them against her nose. “Now we just have to close our eyes and focus on the past. The loved ones we had, the ones we still have, and the life you lead now. Its part of a ritual my people conduct to remember the dead."

“By reliving memories? That sounds rather…" He frowned, thoughts of his dead family and friends bubbling to the surface of his mind. He felt a chill wrap around his heart, but the touch of both dragons at least fought it off for now. “Unpleasant."

“Only if you look it at that way. Often people look to the end and thus it's sorrow. They tend to forget that such good came before that moment. Why not remember those pleasing moments instead of focusing on the bad? In order to have been that sad there had to be equal if more joy."

“Is this why the journey is guided? So that one doesn't get lost within the memories?"

“Precisely. Besides, having another voice to guide you along can be comforting. Now focus." She snorted, licking at his hands. She moved with him when he flinched and tried to remove his hands. “Don't let go now."

“You licked my hands!"

“You're going to let some dragon slobber stop the spell?" She scoffed, mischievousness in her eyes. “Seems like a personal problem."

“Oh lord. Do I have to put up with a second Veledar now?"

“No human. Clearly, I came first. You'd be putting up with a second Fremra. Get it right as least. But focus. Look inward. Imagine a running stream that bends and twists down your spine. Feel the water coursing through such movements as it wraps around your very soul. Let it carry you away into the past.

His next breath was deeper, the inundating scent of the ocean permeating the air. His lungs tickled with chills as Fremra closed her eyes, those purple ended frills twitching as if on their own volition. There was a brief flash of white light that started above them and like the lights of thousands of fireflies began to drift slowly away from one another. They plummeted to the ground, settling on the ring around them. He resisted the urge to reach out and touch the flickering lights and instead wiggled his fingers on the dragoness' snout and closed his eyes as a sense of comfort suddenly wrapped around him. The sound of the waves crashing against the stone swished by his ears, tugging him along to some unknown fuzzy realm of thought. It was like he had fallen backwards into the ocean's embrace. His world narrowed to a gentle coolness that lapped against his skin.

“Now lets go back." Her soothing voice came from everywhere at once, settling whatever nervousness dwelled within his rapidly beating heart. He felt something pass below him, as if a giant fish had left him in its wake. He almost opened his eyes as his body tumbled head over foot, but still her soothing sounds came to his ears in a pleasing coo. He steadied himself, figuring this was Fremra herself.“So many memories." She whispered, “In such a short amount of time on this earth. That is the curse of humans and others like you. Often finding yourself so insignificant in the web of the world, and yet touching so many others. Changing lives with your mere presence." There was a brief flash of coldness that entered her voice. Muffled sounds could be heard as if miles away, mournful cries that he recognized as her own.

“Cleric!" His echoing voice shouted, followed by the hardened foot falls of boots on cobblestone. “I need a cleric!"

“But the past is the past." She sighed, a gentle force pulling along his wrist. The sounds but her voice drifted away as if caught within the tide. “And we must push onto what we seek."

Dull murmurs came next after the silence. It had to be at least two others talking about something Arcturus couldn't quite make out. It was as if they were muffled and behind layers of thick walls. Slowly bit by bit they came into focus, the sounds of his wife and child. The darkness slowly started to recede as a bright warm light of the sun swept it away. Where once only inky void had permeated was instead an uneven field of green grass speckled with yellow and white flowers. There was a tree in the distance, its branches filled to the brim with pink pedals that would fall down with the pleasant breeze that was washing over them. Arcturus' wife was settled down with a brown blanket set upon the ground with a whicker basket that she always used to take with her for picnics. She was in a simple dark green vest with brown slacks. Her face was smiling, redness in her cheeks as she sipped at a drink. His son was beside her, smiling happily as he held a flakey biscuit in his hand.

Coldness trickled down his spine as he watched the two enjoy an afternoon meal, one that joined by something he didn't expect. Sitting around them were two teal scaled dragons, tapping their tails happily against the grass as Selina offered them some meats plucked quickly from the basket. Curled around the tree was also a bronze scaled dragon dwarfed it. His tail was curled around everyone like a protective wall. The black horned male stared out into the distance, right at Arcturus without making a sound. His pink tipped frills that ran down from his head to tail rippled in the wind, a look of serenity passed about his snout until he curled his head around to nose at his happily eating hatchlings. His snout was nuzzled and poked, even Selina and Geoffery applied some tender rubs to his curious snout. The male was soon rumbling, soothing sounds that Arcturus knew all too well.

“What is this?" He asked softly, watching as his wife offered a treat to the pink tipped male. “This never happened."

“An amusing thought though to say the least." Fremra replied just as softly, a hint of sadness lingering about her voice as she took ghostly form beside him. Her form wavered as she looked long fully out to the happy family unconcerned with the pair watching over them. “Our minds are intertwined now. Not surprised that our loved ones found a bit of an overlap for the meantime. Even when gone they are with us."

“That's…your family?" He looked up to her as she settled down onto her haunches beside him. “What about the others? What about storm?"

“This is the one from before." She sighed mournfully.

He knew that look all too well the longer she held the scene in her sight. It was one he had known all too often when looking in the mirror. “They're no longer of the land of the living, are they?"

“No." The dragoness curled her neck towards him, her eyes a reflection of Arcturus himself in moments such as this. “Though I never forget them. No matter the years that pass between their departure and now."

“How?"

“Slayers." She flicked her head back towards the joyous loved ones. “And yours?"

“Dragon." Arcturus winced, Dreadflame's voice coming to mind. His malevolent cackle at having struck a blow so personal and wounding. “Killed them in revenge for injuring him."

“How unfortunate that they all passed before their time. Its our burden to carry on without them." The dragoness rose to all fours, fluffing out her wings and lashing out her tail. “Though I would enjoy seeing our loved ones connect we cannot stay here." She strut across the field, waving him along with her neck. “Come. We must find what we seek."

“And what is that?" He jogged after her, eventually meeting her pace. “You haven't elaborated much."

“That pool I mentioned." The scene around them started to shift into a blur of colors. Like a painter had started hurling his ink against a blank canvas. The sounds of the hill started to fade away, lost again to the void. “The shimmering pool. Does that ring any bells?"

Why does it? He scrunched up his brow as he tried to focus on what she asked. Somehow it felt so familiar yet beyond his grasp. “Sort of. It's all rather fuzzy." He held his head as a dull ache began to grow within the base of his skull. Like a seed had suddenly erupted and was slowly growing a mighty plant.

“Interesting." Fremra froze, spinning around and nosing at his chest. “Here is something peculiar."

Pain suddenly coursed through his body like a knife. His head snapped forward, pressing up against the larger dragon as his fingers dug into her scales.

“Arcturus!" Veledar's voice suddenly sounded out from all around them. It seemed so far away yet filled with such concern that he would have been touched it not for the needles being pressed against his skin. He quivered as he collapsed to the winding colors, pulling Fremra's snout tightly against his chest.

“That's it." She stayed calm despite his mind-numbing pain. “You must push through. Something is blocking this memory of yours. A spell binding you ever so tight…I wonder.."

Binding him tight? “Someone enchanted me?" He gasped, gritting his teeth in agony as the pain only increased. The mere thought was sickening to say the least. The question became just who had done it and what was it hiding?

“Any moment now. Just hold on Arcturus. This might hurt even more. Whoever cast this spell on you was quite talented." She breathed out softly, her warmth not doing the slightest to ease the finger trembling pain. “Ready?"

“Its not even here yet?" He clenched tight his eyes as it started to feel like a cat o nine tails was striking against his flesh. Though her tone and calm allowed him to focus, this had to be done. “Just do it." He groaned, just as a new sensation joined the pain. The scent of a summer's fire suddenly found him as he felt Veledar's snout rest on his back.

“Here for you Umraadi. You can do it." The words came softly yet wrapped around the paladin's resolve like a suit of the strongest of armor. The fuzzy mismatched colors started to swirl like a vortex and the man felt as though he had been put into a freefall. Breaths came quickly as the pain started to dull and his heart sounded like a stampeding herd. Far away Arcturus heard a child scream as a jolt of electricity coursed down his spine. With the blink of an eye, gone was Fremra, gone was the pain. They were no longer outside by the tree. Arcturus found himself back at the home of his estate, observing his younger self sitting at a long wooden table. One that he knew all too well from his youth. The grizzled form of his father strode into the sun-lit room. His dark green vest pristine with the symbol of a golden lion holding a shield stitched into the cloth. There was a happy look on his bearded face as he led in the form of an elderly balding man with baby blue robes that flowed down to his onyx tipped boots. The elderly man had snow like hair, and an oddly cheery face that seemed to disarm the concern etched into the younger Arcturus' face. Arcturus' father patted the shoulder of the shorter man like he'd known him for years.

“Now I know you've been struggling the past few weeks since…the.." The older Lund frowned, then coughed. “Accident that we had at the championship."

What championship his father meant Arcturus' didn't recall as his father went on about how great a magician that this blue robed man was. He watched as his younger self glanced casually at the balding man, a raised brow upon his features. There was curiosity reflected upon them, but Arcturus could practically feel the concern flowing through his veins. Something was off-putting about this magician, he just couldn't put his finger on it. Especially when his father was involved and looking so happy about it.

“This is Nigellious. Friend of the family over the years my boy. Might have given your old man a hand or two with those villainous dragons!"

The younger Lund groaned loudly, rolling his eyes as the older man and Nigel exchanged banter of previous dragon hunting that they had done over the years. Ones that always mentioned the heads and scars that the older Lund had kept in his study.

“So, this is the day that had been blocked." Fremra's voice was but a whispery as the elderly mage assured the younger Lund that everything was going to be just fine. He was just going to help with the memory about the dragon he had killed.

I killed a dragon? Like a heated knife pressed to his temple, pain coursed through his trembling body. Before Dreadflame? That must be wrong…Right?

“You were troubled by the death of a dragon?"

“I..dont.." His thoughts came like a slug as he tried to grit his teeth through the pain. “Don't remember any of this."

“Just look her son." His father strode out, a caring hand clasping on his shoulder. “Everything will be fine. In the end you'll thank me for this."

Nigel reached out, his frail fingers touching at the boy's temple. The older Arcturus recoiled slightly as a coldness brushed on his head in the same spot. Like the old man's hands had been left out in an icy cold. Blinding pain came next as both the older and little Arcturus screeched in pain. He could scarcely hear Veledar calling his name this time as he crumpled to the floor.

“Strong upper lip son." The older Lund's voice came like a snarl. “This will be for the best."

Though his younger self was writhing and screaming he could still hear the voice of his father and that of Nigel tacking back and forth as pain encompassed every fiber of his being. His hands sprung to his head as he curled in on himself.

“I can't go back Markis. As far as I can tell…Something is blocking my spell." Nigel's voice dripped with curiosity. “How interesting. I've never encountered something like this before."

“Well what can you block out?" Markis growled. “Ever since his mother dies it's been dragons this and dragons that. Not to mention that incident at the tournament. He let them go!"

“I recall it being whispered to me. I do have my eyes and ears old friend."

“Of course you do. But is there anything that can be done?"

“Well I can't go as far as you'd like. It seems there is a point the night your wife died that I can't go past. There is something there."

“Then do it. I'll be damned if my son is to be killed by dragons. He won't go the same way my brother did. Be strong my son. First there will be pain before greatness can be achieved. I promise you, there will be greatness to be had. I'll push you along every inch if I have to."

“Please." Arcturus gasped through clenched teeth, the pain only stopping as a paw was placed against his back and the smell of the ocean found him.

“Arcturus." Fremra's voice cut through the pain. Like a warming hearth in the dead of winter it cast everything away in a pleasing haze. “Let's see what memory they spoke of. Though forcing it to be forgotten did not work, perhaps together we can coax it out."

The scene melted away with each calming breath. No more pain, only the scent of Fremra and Veledar to sooth his troubled spirit. This wasn't real. To his relief a ghostly image of his lover swept under him, causing him to rest on the red dragon's back. He called out to him, but the dragon didn't reply, only peaking back to glance at him and winking before taking them out to a great sky that was filled with numerous colors that swished around and curled in a chaotic fashion. As he squinted his eyes the shapes appeared to be memories, parts of him spread across the sky in long brushstrokes. There was a brief glimmer of light as Fremra came into focus, drifting alongside the red dragon with her wings spread wide. Her eyes glowed along with her membranes as the great teal dragon swooped over them with a pleased warble.

“What is this?" He cautiously patted the red scales of his mate.

“A pleasing memory. It helps the mind cope and bring where you want it to. My magics weave around you, spreading out across the sky like a tapestry. Though your memories might be hidden, with me we can focus and find them."

“And Veledar here?"

The teal dragoness cast him an amused look, one that held great warmth as her eyes traveled to the dragon. “The bond connects you far deeper than you two realize. His strength Is yours. So is yours his. So, use all of us to tear down this wall that was placed around you."

He nodded as the shapes and sounds started to take focus. With one final breath he closed his eyes and remembered everything. Bronze scales of three wrymlings he had befriended as a child . Their mother that he had rescued from his father's brutal judgement of gathered hunters. She had thanked him, kept him for a few days and showed him a different side of dragons then he'd ever known. She'd told him to pursue his dream of being a knight and flown off to the safety to Drenedar. Telling him to come find them one day. Howling tempest was her name, and he teared up at having forgotten her.

“Yet despite this revelation. Something is still blocked." Fremra cooed, as an image of his younger self started to take shape. He was prancing around three wrymlings as they tried to grasp the game of tag in a rolling, grassy field. They seemed to give up on their efforts and instead released little roars as they tackled the human and licked the startled boy. “Push further. Past this."

“But." He held out his hand as the gleaming scaled neck of Howling tempest curled around them, her frills lining her body a vibrant green.

“Your mother would have been proud little one. I'm sorry we can't take you with us." The words from the bronze dragoness struck like a knife as everything started to shift into darker shades until once more, Arcturus was falling. Though this time little fear remained as Veledar and Fremra brought him down to a dimly lit stone cavern. One that was damp, the sound of dripping water bouncing off the halls. It was cold, sending a shiver up the knight's skin as he found why they had come this way. Kneeling over a shimmering pool of liquid was his younger self. The boy was holding his sides, bawling his eyes out. It dawned on him as he stared without words. He'd been here before. The damp smell of earth, the pitter pattering of rain that he could hear from outside.

“This was the day my mother died." Arcturus said softly as his heart felt extremely stretched. “When her horse reared up and she broke her neck." The pit inside him stirred, growing thick cold tendrils through his being. “I must have fled to this place. Sobbing for untold hours until Father found me." His eyes drifted to the softly glowing waters that seemed to breathe with how they rippled. He couldn't see the bottom of the stone, yet he knew it was there. The cavern started to glow bright as a voice sprung up from the waters in growl like voices that the knight recognized as draconic. His younger self released a surprised cry, stumbling backwards in terror against the cavern wall. The water started to mist, filling the room as a ghostly shape of a platinum dragoness started to pass about the room as easily as a fish swimming through water.

“So." Fremra's voice pulled him from himself, the ghostly dragoness curling around him. Her wing extended over him, shielding him from the vision. “This was the day she wrapped tight along your soul. You found a shard."

“Shard of what?" He turned to those radiant purple eyes.

“Bahamut did find you. Just far sooner than you knew." She gestured with her neck to the pool.

“But what Veledar's home? What happened when he lay broken at my knees?"

“I imagine that was the final moment you became attuned. Sparked no doubt by what was happening with Veledar and you. His need to protect you formed the bond, thus I imagine helping the shard finally awaken."

He rubbed his forehead as the weight of her words started to feel heavy upon his soul. Was that the reason for the faint roars all his life? The struggled cries of a goddess wanting to connect with him but his mind not able? She'd been with him that long? How come she didn't connect when he was faced with the death of his family? He clenched his hand into his fist as he recalled his father's spell. Had that spell kept it from happening? Another black mark upon his life because of that wretched man.

“Oh Bahamut." Frema sighed. “Moved by the tears of a crying child. How utterly motherly of you. Even in your shattered state." The dragoness looked to him with another face of understanding as his hands trembled and found her snout. “I'm sorry you had to lose your mother so young. Tis a hard burden for anyone to grow up with. Even us dragons take pity on the young risen without them.

“Yea I know." He closed his eyes, taking calming breaths as Veledar's scent came to him again. He could almost feel the dragon nuzzling at his face and whispering things were going to be okay. “Are we done here? Has your curiosity been quenched for the eve?" He fought off the tightness in his voice as his mother's warm smile came to mind. She must have noticed his fist and unease because she nuzzled him like a wyrmling.

“Yes little one. I believe we're done here." She rose her head, looking out into oblivion. “Will us home if you would. I think your mate is dying to see you again."

“I can imagine." He sighed, closing his eyes and picturing them back to where they started. With a tingling sensation up his spine, Arcturus brought them back.

* * * * * * * * * *

Struport started to come back into focus as the paladin blinked rapidly. Color exploded from every corner of his eyes as the black void was whisked away. Instead he was greeted to the star filled sky, the tree resting close beside him, the teal dragoness' snout he was holding, and the red dragon currently nuzzling at his cheek. He stared for a moment at Fremra's scales, running a hand along the underside of her large snout as he contemplated on what they had just experienced. Was that all real? The memories? The possibility of this shard only brought more questions. Were there more out there? He left Fremra's snout, rubbing at his chest. As if his mere contact would somehow give him the answer he sought.

“Arcturus! You're back!" Veledar trilled, pulling him back with powerful claws as the dragon brought him with him as the beast flopped onto his back. “I thought the absolute worst!"

“Did you now?" He chuckled as the dragon wiggled beneath him. His good cheer helping uplift his own.

“Well.." Veledar suddenly froze, only his tail twitching over the grass. “I didn't worry that bad." The dragon rested his head on the ground, like he was trying to hide his concern. “I knew you were going to be okay."

“That's why you're acting all sweet huh?" He scratched at Veledar's neck. “Cause you weren't worried?"

“Maybe a bit more worried."

“How the plot thickens."

“Shush that little face of yours." The dragon wiggled, letting out a sigh. “You're back now. So, it hardly matters…So curb my curiosity." Veledar curled his neck up, tilting his head to the side. “What happened?"

“Well.." He rolled over in the red's grasp, trying to find the proper words as what he had just experienced flickered across his mind. Veledar only shifted for a moment, before narrowing his eyes at the teal dragoness behind him.

“What did you do?"

“Hey!" Like a pouncing gryphon he surged forward to snatch that spade head before any animosity could grow. He pulled Veledar's attention back to him as he described all he had seen. The bittersweet images of his family, the incident with his father, and lastly the pool that had laid shimmering before him. When it was done he felt drained, on the very verge of snapping if pushed any further. “So everything is going to be fine…Nothing really changes."

“Well." Veledar rolled his eyes. “Least you're not possessed by an evil spirit." The dragon rumbled, licking Arcturus across the face. “Told you so."

“That you did." He tried to half heartily push the affectionate dragon away as his tail thumped in time with his licks.

“Now I know why you smelled different back in my home!" Veledar tilted his head away with a smirk. “Knew I had the best nose for these sorts of things."

“Guess its good for something other than nosing where it doesn't belong." He poked Veledar's snout, causing the dragon to chuckle in a growly sort of way. It's sounds bringing a glimmer of warmth to Arcturus' soul as warm paws ran kneaded his back.

“But my nose belongs on each part of you. So that's not too many places it doesn't."

Then he went into detail about Howling Tempest, and how the bronze dragoness had helped put him on the path he was today. Veledar only sighed, a roll of his eyes and the only real concern he had was if she was more resplendent than he."

“Doesn't really compare does it?' He laughed to which Veledar only snorted and grinned.

“Guess not. “ He sighed, frills ruffling in and out. “Course it does mean I wasn't the first dragon you saved. Somehow that twists in my belly." The red's eyes narrowed as his nostrils flared in and out.

He rubbed his love's chin, getting a soft grumble in reply.

“Good thing you're cute."

“Careful now." Fremra padded around them, gathering up the scattered supplies around the grassy area. She glanced up briefly to the moon with a sway in her tail, like she was still gazing upon her lost family within the memories. “You might go turning into Storm if you become so grumpy."

“Oh yea!" Veledar peered past his human, giving the dragoness a tilted head and needy eyes. “I want to know why we haven't met that blue dragon yet!"

The dragoness shrugged with her wings, giving the red dragon a knowing smirk. One that seemed like his own. “What can I say?" She rumbled, “He's a rather busy dragon. Besides, he didn't need both of us watching you."

“Fine." Veledar rolled his eyes, letting Arcturus out of his crushing grip. He rolled over, swishing out his tail as he shook his body. “But can you at least find us a better place to slumber? That little stable that was provided was terrible. I could hardly fit at all!"

“Do I look like the master of that keep?" She laughed, picking up the basked full of things with the tip of her tail. “Course I can see what we can do. Maybe there is a place outside the city. I think my daughter might know a place or three. Goddess only knows how many hiding spots she has from us. Course." The dragon curled her neck back to them with a smile. “There is a catch."

“And what is that?" Arcturus stood up, dusting off his clothes. “Always a catch with dragons isn't it?"

That made the teal only rumble more. “Does seem the norm does it not? But no, it is nothing sinister. I only request that you stick around for awhile longer. Someone that has interacted with a shard of Bahamut and formed a bond with a dragon?" She snorted, flicking her tail slowly across the ground. “Can't really pass up that little oddity, can I?"

“Seems like side quest stuff." Veledar grumbled as they padded after her, licking his nose.

“Perhaps. Though I also know where those fancy dragons that Arc met have gone."

“You do?" He blurted out, nearly stumbling in surprise and face planting onto the cobblestone. “They came here? Where did they go? How are they? Did she mention me?" He surged forward, placing a hand on Fremra's forepaw.

“So many questions little one." She stopped, fluffing out her wings. “Far from here. They are fine. No she didn't."

“Can you tell me more?"

“All in good time paladin. I believe that temple of yours is more important no?"

She had him there. Her look only making his want to meet this dragon family only grow more. “But Fremra..please.." He wrapped an arm around Veledar's snout when the dragon nudged him in the side. “I need to know."

“I promise Bahamut knight. I shall reunite you with them." She nosed his chest. “After you are finished with this quest of yours."

He bowed his head, issuing her his thanks.

“You're being formal again." She giggled, licking the top of his head. “If you wish we can all talk about it more in length again another night." She stretched out her body, letting out a yawn. “For now the body tires, and sleep is knocking at the door."

“Also!" Veledar rose his head with a grumble, eyes lighting up as if he remembered something important. “Can we talk about this so-called flight license that was told to me?" He shifted his weight from paw to paw. “I would like to fly around your city without being restricted! Nay I demand it! Can't really go about being champions of Bahamut without it!"

“Oh that?" Fremra laughed, slapping the ground with her paw as she nearly collapsed. She held her cackles for several long moments as Veledar and Arcturus simply watched until she was flicking away tears. “That was a joke I had them tell you. Utterly priceless."

“No way." Arcturus burst out laughing as Fremra resumed her own infectious sounds. He tried to hold in his hurting sides as his mate stared daggers at them both. To end that little glimmer of anger he kissed that snout, turning his sour mood into one of sighing and acceptance.

“Okay…So it was a bit funny." Veledar pulled away, staring up at the chuckling ness. “I'll have to get back at you of course."

“Free to try." Fremra laughed, strolling away with a swish of her tail. “No one seems to succeed though."

“Well." Arcturus laughed, wrapping Veledar's head in a hug. “Ready to go to bed? I've had quite the day."

“I guess." Veledar rumbled happily, before lowering himself. “Shall we?"

Arcturus scampered onto his dragons back, mind all filled with questions. When they pounced into the air, he held the dragon tight, wondering what awaited them next. After all, when this adventure was done, he had a family to reunite with.