Scales and Honor: Darkened Skies

Chapter 26: Viridian Dreams

The next week and a half went by in a monotonous blur. While each day was filled with the prospect of reading new books, hardly any new information to aid in their search was found. Many yawns were given, books were tossed aside, and eyes were grown heavy as eyes sluggishly followed along the written word. Not to mention that halfway through this time Veledar had started to voice his displeasure whenever he could. He'd whine, flick his tail, or grumble away about how he was making this great sacrifice in staying. Though each time the dragon would be silenced by Arcturus' wandering fingers, tenderly massaging the dragon's chin.

This surprised Lyndis, not because he was complaining. That part of the situation was to be expected now. Rather she was shocked he was acting this way despite having been given new quarters outside the city walls. It was a small abandoned house with an overly large stable attached to it. Large enough that Veledar could spread his wings outward, and not duck his head too much when strolling around.

She'd often find herself during their studying period, flicking through pages and staring at the empty seats that lingered about the area. For despite their strong start, they had been down four of their number during their search for the temple. Merlia and Krotos afterall had not returned to the library since the first day. Asterion and Feku had grown bored of the endless grind, the little Kobold often unable to even pick her head up. Lyndis had watched each day as those two got to go off and train, fool around, or do anything other than sift through the hundreds of books that appeared to be practically the same! Each day this time would be quicker and quicker, until one day they just stopped going to the library! How she longed to go with them, but instead she was stuck sifting through the heaps of draconic knowledge. Glimmers of the past would shine during these moments, wondering if she'd really escaped the training her parents had forced her through.

After the third day of spending nights in the royal rooms the half-elf rogue could stand it no longer. She'd moved her things to the place Arcturus and Veledar were calling their home. She'd unrolled her pack over an unused cot and taken rest in the small, previously abandoned cottage. Leaving the spacious stable that was beside it to the two lovers. No sense in her struggling to sleep as their sounds of passion filled the air. Twice though she'd caught them in the past few days, envious that her nights were cold and lacking another to share them with. She'd spend the nights staring up to the shining void, clutching firmly at Cordenth's scale as her mind bubbled to life with unpleasant scenarios on why he wasn't answering. True she'd have glimpses of him or phantom smells that would waft under her nose, but lately he was no where to be seen. It was on their tenth night in the city when something changed. Cordenth was once more in her dream.

It was a place she didn't know as the countryside spread out before her. Mountains towered over the green wave like hills, large and brown jagged things intermixed with a hint of grey. Like giant serrated dragon's teeth, they tried to devour the sun. The golden ball hung overhead, wrapping the entire land in a golden glow, and twinkling off the lakes and rivers she spied in the distance. Making them look like sparkling sapphires that squinted her eyes. Cordenth was standing beside her, standing proudly twice as tall as he usually was. His scales were a darker green than she remembered, adorned with numerous scares and specks of chipped away yellow paint. His paws were wrapped in golden bands adorned with gemstones that sparkled in the sunlight. Confidence was etched onto his regal snout as a soft wind flickered his frills on either side of his head. The breeze flowed off of him, teasing at her breasts and revealing she wore nothing but a leather necklace with his scale chained to the middle.

Her fingers bolted to the leather as a fearful chill gripped her heart, slithering down her spine like a chilly snake until it settled into her belly. Curses flowed from her lips as she slipped a few fingers underneath and tried to desperately rip it off.Her furious and aggravated noises brought the green dragon's neck curling towards her, his now golden eyes gleaming with a sense of amusement as his tail flicked behind him.

“What's the matter dearest pet? Is the collar we had fashioned for you too tight?" The green dragon rumbled. “It's to let the others know your mine. That way you don't end an improper dragon's paws."

She went to demand what was going on but found she had no voice the longer she stared into his golden eyes. The air around him seemed to be rather pleasing, wanting to squash out her concern for the collar with each moment. She averted her eyes, tugging at the leather. The dragon settled down onto his haunches, pulling her close with a wing. It was as she was guided to look down to the land did the princess realize that she wasn't looking at some unknown land. She was looking at Struport. Although something was very wrong in what was going on. Numerous dragons were flying overhead, while Siigonis were walking along numerous humanoids with whips carried within their clawed hands.

“Isn't it wonderful?" Cordenth tapped his paw happily as the rag covered humanoids dug into the earth with many tools. “Your people have finally accepted their place beneath our claws. It may have taken years, but now we truly have peace. No more bloodshed or war. Dragon's can finally live in peace all across Sethera without worry."

“No..This is wrong." She shook her head as her eyes drifted from the beaten and worn faces of her people. In each of them was a tiredness, a hopelessness about them that broke her heart. These people had any hint of resistance stripped from them. Nothing more than servants or pets for their scaled masters. She turned to Cordenth, hoping maybe she could convince him this was unsettling. He was being crazy, he wasn't like this. He cared for the many races that dotted the globe. “Cordenth..What have you done?" She caught his cheeks in her palms, voice shaking as those golden eyes locked square onto her. Chills went down her spine as within those slits she didn't recognize him. All she could recognize was a heavy feeling of despair pooling in her belly as the green dragon swiped his tongue across his snout.

“You shouldn't be focken like this!" She punched his snout right between the nostrils as he gave her a lewd smirk. She tried to slip away from him but found a green tail thumped down to prevent her escape.

“You certainly know how to tease me human." His snout moved in, sending a plume of warm air around to tease her skin. Her skin trembled, her knees felt weak as they threatened to buckle. Whatever charm this dragon had over was starting to regain its claws into her mind. “Well trained after all."

“You're not him!" She screamed out, punching harder than before in the same spot. “You're not focken him!" Her fist stung from the effort, but she didn't care. It was all fake anyway right? There was no way this dragon was even remotely Cordenth. Just some terrible mockery of her feelings for him. “So piss off!"

He shook his head, rubbing his snout with the back of his paw. The golden eyes faded away to leave the sunflower ones instead. Confusion spread across his snout as his eyes darted to the scenery around them. “Lyndis..is that you?" He practically whispered. His eyes widened, flickers of terror spread about his slitted eyes as he shifted from paw to paw. He stared out past her almost as if to oblivion.

Against her better judgement, whatever feelings she had up to this moment were scattered away by the wind. She was just glad to see that he was back to normal. “Oh Cordenth!" She bound to him, arms wide to hug him. “What was that nightmare?" She reached out to touch him, but her hand went through him like he was a ghost.

“Damnation!" Cordenth snarled, raising up and whirling around to snap at some unknown thing she couldn't see. His wings flared out in a mighty whoosh as he let forth a challenging roar. “Lyndis!" He screamed in desperation, his spade head darting back and forth as if she were invisible. “Where did you go? Please!..No..You monster!" The green dragon collapsed into a writhing heap, sobbing into his paws as his shook like a scared cat. “She wasn't here. They didn't get her too."

“Cordenth I'm here!" She screamed, trying to touch his scales but once more gliding right through him. Again and again she tried to reach him, her voice breaking from the effort as she called his name through ever blurring eyes. No matter her effort though he remained just out her reach, and instead of a warm scaled dragon to save she was left with nothing but a sickening chasm inside her.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Cordenth!" She awoke with a startled yell, reaching out for her weapon alongside her sleeping bag. She missed and fell off the small cot, hitting the worn wooden floor with a dull thud. She groaned as the first hint of light snaked it's way through the windows and stabbed at her eyes like little molten blades. She hissed like a dragon, tossing up her hands and feeling just a tad grateful that what she'd seen was merely a dream. Cordenth wasn't being held captive, and she wasn't some scantily clad slave at his beck and call.

It was a dream wasn't it? She held up one of her arms, admiring the skin as she tightened and released her fingers. It had been so vivid, so real. Just like all the other times they had shared dreams with one another. But the green dragon with golden eyes. That couldn't have been Cordenth. She hesitated as his voice called back to her, screaming her name as terror seemed to consume ever bit of him. She plucked herself off the ground and silently wished that it infact was a dream. For it wasn't that fact would shake her to the very core.

The cold wind of Autumn slowly losing it's battle with the oncoming winter cleaved through the wooden boards of the cottage with a high-pitched whistle, demanding the Drenedarian princess quickly bundle up in the clothes. She tossed on some newly purchased clothes, thick and insulated as to better fight off her icy opponent. She quickly admired the onyx cloth, mixed with grey fur around the edges. She'd picked them up with Nivra the other day as the now approaching winter winds had been at their fiercest and left her chilled to the bone. They fit nicely underneath her armor and did their job rather well.

 “So was that a nightmare then Cordenth?" She said to the empty air as her breath came as a whitish mist. Like she was a she dragon letting out a cone of smoke. “Or are you actually in trouble?" The idea formed a pit in her stomach that curled and wiggled around like a worm. “And if you are." She sighed, clenching one of her hands. “There's nothing I can do about it." More then ever she regretted not asking the green dragon to follow them on their adventure. How she hated being helpless.

Holding up her scale she let the emerald object spin round before her eyes. Whispering a morning prayer to keep him safe she stashed it quickly beneath her leather clad chest. Maybe Bahamut would keep him safe if she was unable. With a heavy heart she left the small wooden cottage and breathed in the morning crisp air, admiring the fields of green that spread out before them. To her left she saw the tall wall of the city, with numerous buildings that were hugging along it's base before another gate. Welcoming town is what they were called. Places people and travelers could stay when the main gates were closed for the evening. The grey roofed buildings all had small trails of smoke rising out of their stone chimneys, ready to fight off the cold lingering about the air. To her right were the farmlands with dotted houses every so often all the way to the far mountains. She spied a few windmills, their blades spinning ever slowly in the morning breeze.

“Oh I bet you're asleep aren't you?" She rolled her eyes to the stable next to the cottage. It was beat up old thing, that looked to be close to collapsing. Though it had been in this condition it had been a place to stash Veledar comfortably. She strode over to the chipped wooden door, grasping the rusted handle and heaved it open with a heavy grunt.

“Come on lazy scales! If I can't sleep in, you definitely don't get to sleep in either!" If it had been anyone else to come in and wake a sleeping dragon, they might have been terrified. Possibly even nervous at the prospect. Lyndis though? She had this down. Sure, enough she had to carry her way through a collection of knick knacks as the dragon had arranged various objects around the stables. Coins were scattered around the dirt floor and mixed with hay. Veledar had claimed that when the sun cascaded down into the room it sparkled off the coins and made him feel more like home. So, he could at least pretend he was there and not in some shaggy cabin that smelled like horses. There were some books they had brought home, resting in a messy pile beside the dragon's bed of multicolored blankets of various kinds. There were some of silk, thick wool, some of linen. All of them had been donated on the word of Threlfall. All in the attempt to placate the red dragon from snorting about in an unruly fashion of having to sleep on the dirt.

“Come on sleepy head!' She roared again, giving out a yawn as she admired the sleeping form of the dragon curled up with his tail wrapped around him. She surged forward to rest a hand tenderly on his sleeping neck, gliding her fingers along his warm scales as his chest rose and fell. She passed a few empty bottles of wine and a half-done painting of what clearly was the red dragon on his haunches with his teeth on display.

Should you really wake them? She sighed as the red dragon was rather cute as he slept. His soft sounds rumbled through the air, his wings fluttering every few moments. Through the sea of red and tan scales she saw Arcturus' head poking free, the human having been wrapped up in warm paws and wings. For a moment of time the red scales turned green and Arcturus was replaced with a vision of herself wrapped up in those onyx claws. Envy spiked through her like an unchecked fire until she cast it away with a shake of her head.

“Come on ya sleepy drunks." She shoved Veledar's snout with both hands. “Start getting ready for the day. Can't have you lot muckin about!"

“No." Veledar snorted, his frills twitching. “We're too comfy here. Go bother some one else with your shrieking. We're going to stay right here." As if in defiance his tail thumped the ground.

She rolled her eyes. “Are all dragons this lazy or just you?" She shoved his snout again, this time putting more effort into it. “If I have to sift through the books then you'll do the same amount of work your brightness. And don't think you can get away with it. You've not won me over with your charms."

The dragon shifted, lazily opening an eye that glinted in the morning sun with annoyance. He yawned, tongue curling in the air before snapping his jaw several times. For a moment she thought he was drawing out his motions to annoy her. He pulled his head back into an S, eyes locking right onto her. “You're worse than my mother."

“Really?" She crossed her arms across her chest, glaring straight into those cerulean slits. “Did she also chastise you for being a lazy sack of scales?"

“Not in so many words." He undid himself from the bed, letting Arcturus fall from his grasp and pushing himself to all fours. The dragon stuck his haunches in the air as the stretched out his legs. “But you've perfectly emulated her nagging. Should I tie some horns around your head? Would really fit the image."

“Should we cut yours off then and dangle them above my hair?" She chuckled, pointing to her head when the dragon gave her a dirty look at the idea. “Hey, you're the one who suggested it."

“Get mounted." The red curled his head around, nuzzling at Arcturus' hair when the man sleepily righted himself. With a quick good morning and affectionate lick, the red dragon scampered out into the morning light. He hissed as the sun no doubt stabbed his eyes before he grumbled and stretched out his wings.

“Will you be getting breakfast with us at the near by tavern?" She called out as the red swayed his haunches at her. “Or shall I tell the man that your lordship wont be gracing him this morning?"

“I'm going to take a piss princess. Unless you'd rather go and watch that. Perhaps I could squat, and you observe that as well?" He stuck his tongue out at her and flicking his tail in her direction. “Of course I will be eating from him. Does it look like I'd turn down free food?"

“You can go piss off dragon. “ She scoffed, waving him off with a roll of his eyes. “You'll be lucky if I don't tell the man to toss yesterdays leftovers on ya!"

“Don't worry." Arcturus yawned, “I'll tell him you'll be there."

“Thanks Umraadi! Unlike certain roguish princes, I can always count on you!" The dragon kissed the man on the cheek before spreading his wings wide and bounding into the air with a wind summoning flap. “And don't forget to make sure Lyndis dear gets mounted!"

“How late did we sleep?" Arcturus tossed on a dark red vest, slipping into a pair of blackened slacks. “And don't worry." He chuckled. “I won't make sure you get mounted."

Rolling her eyes and punched the man with still too much grogginess etched onto his features. “Spend you're the time with the dragon drinking and painting into the wee hours of the eve?" She pointed to the painting canvas.

“Among other things." Arcturus swung his red cloak around him, shoving on his boots. “Went on a training session with Asterion. Damn near sore all over."

“Not to mention the wine."

“Oh. That was the dragon. He took a real shine to it. Practically guzzles the stuff down."

“Well my friend. Let's get a bloody cup of coffee in the both of us. Luckily for us both you didn't sleep in too late. Watch that bloody concoction melt away any lingering tiredness from yer bones!" She swung a friendly arm around Arcturus' shoulder, pulling the man towards a smallish building with a dark almond roof. It was none to far, a mere few minutes' walk from the stables. They were greeted by a wooden sign hanging from the exterior with a pair of bull horns dangling from a metal chain. The bull's drink was its name and lucky for them it served food this early. Not to mention it was one of the few places to serve Lumarian coffee. Not to knock the morning tea that Kioko kept on pushing on them, but nothing could replace the bitter drink that hit all the right chords in the rogue's morning pallet. Not to mention the innkeeper named Bob had heard about their resident dragon and struck a deal with some local hunters and fisherman to have prepared morning meals for the red brat when he wanted them.

When asked about how much the banquet of foods would cost the grizzled and portly man had just insisted that their meals had been paid for by lord Threlfall, with a mighty big bonus for the inn in question. Claimed that after their stay he'd even be able to add onto his establishment. Course that had worked out well and the food wasn't that bad either. The double chinned man had even offered to donate some blankets and pillows to Lyndis when she talked about sleeping on an old cot.

The food that he cooked was mostly Drenedarian, despite his drinks being Lumarian. Which meant lots of rice, fish, and the occasional chicken with assorted vegetables to grace their pallets. This morning when they burst in they were greeted to toast and jam, and the sweet smelling coffee that practically stitched Lyndis to the waist high seats.

“So, sleep well?" Arcturus finally asked after downing a few pieces of toast. She'd played with her own meal of rice and eggs, pondering if she truly should tell him about the nightmare she had.

“Nothing bad." She chuckled softly, “Might have had a few too many." When the human shrugged it off and went back to gobbling down his meal, she vowed to tell him later. When it was more than a simple nightmare of a princess longing for her dragon. She brought up his late night spent with training only for him to describe in detail how Asterion and he sparred, eventually the man devolving into a mixture of kicks and punching as the bull started to teach the human more about hand to hand techniques. She joked that he just wanted to get better hands for when he was on the outs with the dragon. Knowing when to knead or stroke to get whatever he wanted.

“Have you noticed how close Feku and Asterion are getting? “She chuckled, briefly mentioning how the kobold could always be seen with green scales around the cleric as he instructed her on wielding her sword or about the gods. The exchange was not just one sides either. The stern warrior could be seen smiling, always in a good mood whenever anyone but Veledar talked to him. But even then, it was always snarks or quick jabs. Nothing to think animosity had grown between the two.

She'd just finished her breakfast when Veledar returned, announcing his arrival with a warble. When no one replied the dragon issued his demand with the upmost grace he could muster. He snaked his head right through the doors and rose his voice like the tide.

“I seek to devour your morning meal inn keep." The dragon rumbled.

She rolled her eyes as the red-faced tavern owner carried out a cast iron pot filled to the brim with a meal of grilled fish and riced mixed together with boiled eggs. The red dragon thanked the man with a nod and playful swish of his tail before diving snout first into the pot. Loud slurps soon filled the air as Veledar solved his ravenous hunger. Rice got tossed in all directions as it dripped from his snout each time, he rose it from the pot. Some morning patrons wandered by, staring at the red lizard ravenously devouring the offering.

“You know for quite the deadly predator." She smirked as Arcturus just sighed as his dragon happily trilled and thumped his tail. “He can be quite adorable."

“Hopefully our enemies never learn. They may not take us seriously again."

“They don't already?" She countered, sipping at her brew with a raised brow.

“Fair enough."

“Worried about your image? Are you perhaps growing some scales?" She punched the man in the shoulder as Veledar started to lick the empty pot with his thick tongue. “You're starting to sound like him now. Should I ask you to lift up your clothes to prove that you're not turning into a dragon?"

“Oh shush woman." Arcturus laughed right back, sipping mug of water with a sigh. Or I'll sick the dragon on you."

“Oh what I wouldn't give to see that. Just like a trained dog!" She turned and offered their thanks to bob, just as Veledar belched loudly for a group of gathered children who had stopped to admire the food splattered dragon. “Ain't that right burpy?"

“A burp can be seen as a compliment." Veledar rumbled, cleaning his maw with the back side of his paw. He rose his head to compose himself, placing a paw to his chest. “How you didn't know that is beyond me."

“Yea, yea." She smacked at his scaled shoulder. “Lets take you and your complimenting arse back to the library."

“Ugh." Veledar snorted, “Must I? We've spent so much time in that place I think I'm starting to get scale rot!"

“Oh boo hoo." She stomped around to shove at his non-moving haunches. “You wanted to be an adventurer. Well this is part of the process sometimes!"

“Hmmph. It's a nuisance is what it is." He curled his neck around, grinning at her struggling efforts. “You know you're not going to get anywhere like that right? Arcturus already tried and failed your highness."

“Should I get the wrist band?" Came the amused tone of the dragon's love.

“Didn't ask for your help Umraadi! I think Lyndis almost has it!" The dragon rolled his eyes, shifting his body forward ever so slightly. He tossed his head when she made the case yet again he had to go. “But Krotos doesn't have to do it! Why can't I just let the minions do it? That seems like what a proper leader would do!"

“Leader wouldn't be afraid to get their paws dirty." Arcturus laughed, sticking a finger on the red's snout. The dragon's eyes narrowed.

“How'd I know you take her side."

Lyndis dropped her arms, “Besides dragon Krotos got himself kicked out!"

“So, what your saying." The dragon smirked to her, as Arcturus scratched at his chin so that his words were laced with a purr. “Is that I should cause some mischief. Then I will be exempt from this trivial endeavor?"

“That's not what I said! You're twisting my words!"

“Oh, come now." Arcturus patted Veledar right on his frills, drawing a nuzzle and warble from the pleased beast. “Don't encourage him. And Umraadi." The human got close, smooching at the crimson scales. “I'd like to think you're better than a disobedient gryphon. Much more dignified, poised, and most of all patient. I'm sure a little thing like book reading won't kill you."

“I know what your doing." The dragon pulled away, narrowing his eyes as the paladin did his best to look innocent. Veledar tossed his head, whirling around with a groan. “It's a good thing you're good with words. You've convinced me."

“How utterly hard."

“Watch it umraadi." Veledar snapped back with a growly chuckle.

“Come on both of you!" Lyndis tapped them both, “Before that tail of yours causes anymore damage. The rogue pulled herself up onto Veledar when the dragon offered by lowering himself and swaying his tail. He chastised her words about his tail, scoffing that it was much more behaved lately. Though despite his boast she saw his eyes glance back to the thing, as if watching it's every movement to be sure it didn't snag on any little thing that might dispute his boast. When they had settled onto his back the red dragon bounded into the sky with a joyous trill, which yanked a startled yell from her throat. Tilting his head back, Veledar grinned at her as his eyes gleamed over with mischief mixed with joy of that fact. It didn't help that Arcturus had not been surprised at all, joining in the dragon with his happy sounds.

They spiraled upwards into the air with a great swoosh that sent air ruffling past the two humanoids on the dragon's back. Lyndis was hugging at Arcturus tight as Veledar spiraled around, soaring over the sprawled-out city of greys and lightest blues below. He flew low enough so that she could make out the crowds of various races going about their morning routine but not so low as to accidently hit any of the taller buildings. He rose and fell along with the morning breeze that despite her extra layers had seen fit to chill her skin. Though the knight was smiles, a perfect mirror to that of the resplendent dragon below them she couldn't help but feel a dark cloud still lingering about her heart. Familiar muscles rose and fell below her, the touch of the air's chilly kisses on her ears as they flew, and the clouds drifting just above them in the cerulean sky. All of it was dull and meaningless as she stared out, pondering about what another set of green scales would have felt or looked like this morning.

Veledar snapped at a series of gulls that were scattered in his wake as the dragon brought them around the library with a mere tilt of his wing. Guards that had been greeting them every morning waved their salutations to which Veledar warbled to them and Lyndis and Arcturus waved back. They landed with a swift backwing, one that ruffled the guard's loose clothing and seemed to cast a sense of good cheer about them. Despite the dragon's little boasts they had seemed to taken a liking to him. Lyndis was sure to thank the dragon with a rub of his neck after she dismounted and brushed any hair from her eyes.

“Just be glad you get to ride me." The prideful dragon grinned, fluffing up his wings as he appeared to look regaler. “Not everyone gets that honor." He swelled his chest, just as large as his ego as she rolled her eyes with a chuckle.

“Will try to remember that your brightness. Just remember tho." She stuck her finger to his snout with a sly grin of her own. “you're toying with bleedin royalty. What ya think will happen when my people catch wind of the mischievous dragon who gave her a rough time?"

“Throw a parade in his honor?" Veledar pulled his head away with a growly chuckle and swish of his tail. “Or perhaps pay me to keep such a thin-skinned individual from any matter of government." He brushed passed her towards the door, sliding his tail alongside her legs. “Or maybe even make a national holiday about me. I'm thinking….Dragon day."

“Sounds good to me. What does one get on dragon day?" Arcturus laughed, settling his hand on the dragon's shoulder as the library opened for them. “Presents?"

“Oh plenty of those. But especially choice meats, words of praise. Kind scratches and rubs from certain paladins that stray to close to my clutches." Veledar rumbled, nosing as the man's hair.

“How utterly dreadful. How will I ever cope with such things?" The human smiled, planting a kiss on the dragon's snout when it wandered too close.

“Yuck!" Lyndis shoved passed them, sticking out her tongue when both shot her a wondering look. “Come on ya love birds. Stop yer muckin about and come on. We have work to do. Plenty of time after for ya to be snoggin after."

“Something wrong dearest princess?" The dragon's question tugged at her ear as she began to lead through the forest of books and shelves, back to their base of operations. Where no doubt the two wizards were hard at work. How they could continue to slave away at this project was beyond her. It almost seemed unhuman at times. Shandalar she could understand, elves seemed to have that alien sense about them at times, but Nivra was another matter. Guess it was just wizards when it came down to it.

“Nothing." She snapped back, leaving the dragon with a raised brow and head tilted to the side.

'Sure doesn't sound like nothing. Sounds as if someone is a bit envious."

“I'm not your brightness. Just want to get back to bloody work alright?" She shrugged off any more concerned questions about her night, angrily slumping into the one of many chairs without another thought. Before they could question her further, she had hastily grabbed a dry and frail book, cracking it open and placing it between the dragon and knight like a sturdy wall.

“How have you two been?" She peered over her book to her companion wizards, who were both as she thought slumped in their chairs and surrounded by stacks upon stacks of already read books. Bags were heavy under Nivra's eyes as she looked zoned out of it, slowly creeping back and forth. Candles were already out beside her, the wax having long dripped to the sides and the wicks extinguished. Voidwing had fallen asleep around her chair, his chest slowly rising and falling with the tiny trembles of his feathers. Nivra slumped forward, face finding the page as she finally succumbed to her hard work's fatigue. Shandalar on the other hand simply nodded to her, insisting that she was perfectly fine. She'd taken a trance a few hours ago.

“Though Nivra here seems to have needed more sleep." The elf frowned slightly. “Sometimes I think she doesn't recall she's human."

“See? Nivra and Voidwing get to sleep." Veledar grumbled, flopping down onto his reading nest. “Its as if you lot have instigated a well thought out rebellion against your leader! I wont stand for this you know!"

“I know." Arcturus sighed, scratching Veledar's chin. “You'll lay down for it."

“Precisely I….." The dragon's eyes narrowed as the man just smirked. “You're having a laugh with me."

“Perhaps."

“Get over here." Veledar latched out to pull Arcturus into his mighty claws, tongue swiftly lapping at the man's face as he struggled to get away. “What about now huh human?"

“I give I give!" The knight cried.

“Hah not good enough!" The dragon's tail thumped happily as he continued to assault the human until he squirmed. “Once more dragon defeats the mighty hunter."

“You're….horrible!"

“Do I win human?" The dragon ceased his knight crippling teasing. “Or shall I administer another round?"

“You are victorious! Now can we get back to work?"

Veledar rolled his eyes with a harsh snort. “I suppose so. If we don't mrs angry breeches will shriek our ears off till we do."

“Oi!" She finally snapped, eying the dragon with a pair of daggers. He simple stared back, a hint of amusement lingering within his cerulean polls.

“Yes?" He smiled.

“Don't make me come over there and show you why they call me miss angry breeches."

“Oh, sorry your highness. What was I thinking?" The dragon cracked open an oversized book, pulling Arcturus up against his chest so that the man could get comfortable with a book of his own. “I will of course endeavor to remember your wishes in the future."

She knew he didn't entirely mean it. Not with the way his tail wiggled ever so innocently, and he didn't look up at her. The way he was happily hugging at Arc as his eyes traced along the thick pages in his claws. Lyndis clutched at her side, feeling ever the colder than ever before. During her tedious reading she would find herself peaking above the pages, enviously watching the lovers across from her as they continued their work in pleased silence.

Some work had been made on the temple's location on the past few days. Shandalar had told her that they had narrowed it down to three possible locations. Each one was set within a different set of Drenedar. With one of the locations being quite near to Struport! That had been one of the better bits of news she had heard. Even made her relax for a tad, kicking up her boots as she opened yet another tome to gleam through. She glanced up to Shandalar. Despite her trance the elf had a slight hint of tiredness about her. The way she moved and skimmed the pages, it lacked the speed that she had been going the numerous days she'd been watching. It would appear that the elf was not beyond the stress of the arduous task.

“Every work for my father? Going through all these ruddy books reminds me of time spent within his study. So much information they wanted me to go through. Not to mention the studies of other things." Flashes of her many lessons, with so many trainers that she hardly remembered them all. She'd been ran ragged, being groomed to be the perfect next in line to rule the kingdom.

“No. I never had the pleasure. Though its always to good to spreading your expertise across all forms. When one restricts knowledge to one source it becomes rigid and stale. You must learn from different sides, point of view, only then will you have the flexibility required. I'm sure I would have gotten around to learning from your people next."

Instead of pushing the manner further Lyndis became lost within a record of various battles and wars that had been waged within Drenedar's borders. There was a time that the lizard folk had clashed with local humans. Another where the elves and wolven could not share their forests and fell into brutal and bloody conflict. Dates and names rolled passed pages of numbers and combatants, what lord where there, how many had died. She skimmed the rest of the book in silence, the only sounds being Veledar's occasional rumbles to his human other half. Four hours in Nivra slid down onto Voidwing, the sleepy gryphon shifting slightly and wrapping the princess up tight in his wings.

Tossing the book to the floor Lyndis crossed her arms and fought off an overpowering yawn. That was when Kioko returned, carrying a silver tray with numerous empty cups in a steam curling pot of tea. Within an off-white bowl she had dumplings in the dozen, no doubt to tide them over until dinner. After that brief delay of delicious lamb wrapped in pastry the day went by in a blur. Though during this time her heart ached the longer she caught Veledar and Arcturus flirting with one another. Little compliments stabbed at her sides, as rumbles and cute kisses were like claws on a chalkboard. The final straw to break her spirit was when one of the many books she had plucked had a green dragon proudly flying on the cover. Cold soon bubbled up within her, pulling her spirit ever further down. His light tan wings were spread, a look of pure bliss on his snout. One that was all too familiar to her. She slammed the book shut.

“I need some air." Lyndis stormed out, ignoring the confused questions and looks all her friends were asking of her. Even Kioko seemed to swoop down, denying her departure with a few questions about what was the matter. “Nothing that concerns you." She ducked away from the woman, avoiding those oddly strong hands everyone had talked about. “I'll be back later. Don't go waiting." In a matter of minutes, she had scampered through the rest of the library and back to the city streets now bathed in the red-orange light of the near setting sun. She looked for a solitary place on which to be with her thoughts, striding past street after street that were still filled with the people of the port city. Finally, when she found one that lacked any hint of people, she ducked down it. With a quick spell of spider climb she was up the side of one of the buildings, stone after stone she climbed until she was finally resting on the grey scaled roof. She settled down next to an onyx, smoking chimney. She set her eyes out to the ocean and the distant ships on the horizon. She'd often considered heading east on one of the numerous boats years ago. When the scent of adventure was new, and she thought as much distance between her and her kingdom was the best thing that could happen.

“And here I am. Watching the boats while you suffer." She muttered bitterly as her thoughts turned to lime green membranes and viridian scales. “Cordy." She folded on herself, hands connecting around her legs as the cold breeze swept around her, mimicking the one around her heart. She glanced to the flying gulls around the docks, the wolven carrying barrels onto tied ships, or the steady clacks of wolf drawn carriages below. Yet nothing could sway her thoughts of the handsome, scarf wearing dragon. His face even appeared on the horizon, one filled with the all-encompassing look of fear.

“You know. You should have told me what the matter with you was." Veledar's voice pulled her away from the ocean. “That way I wouldn't had to go through the trouble of finding you." The dragon strolled over the roof, claws clacking against the shingles as he folded his wings against his body. “And looking at the ocean to feel better?"

“It didn't have to be the ocean." She muttered. He'd followed her? Why on the ever-living earth did he do that? Did she secretly look like Arcturus without knowing? “And why did you follow me? Seems rather out of place for you my brightness. Would your beloved start to weep without your presence?"

“Hardly." Veledar snorted, curling around her and settling onto his haunches with a rumble. “I'd like to think he's much stronger than that dearest rogue. Otherwise he'd not be a knight would he?"

“I suppose not." She whispered as the dragon shifted closer, not even minding when his tail curled around her.

“So why did you remove yourself to cry? The way you snapped. I thought you'd started to grow dragon teeth and a tail!"

“I didn't cry!" She counted, thrusting a finger ferociously onto his nose.

“Then why are your cheeks wet?" He nosed at her face. “Explain that for me?"

“My.." She felt her cheeks, finding that indeed they were warm and wet. When had that started happening? She turned a bright crimson, not dare looking the dragon in the eye. “Fine you bloody moppet. You caught me crying alright? Just don't go telling the others. Might think I've gone soft!"

“On my scales." Veledar rose his head proudly, placing a paw to his chest. “Course the question must be asked. Why?"

“You know why."

“That green scaled brat that you're head over tail for?"

“He's less of a brat than you!"

“Careful now princess." Veledar sighed, his nose descending towards her with a concerned look in his eyes. “I'm trying to be helpful. Is it wise to make fun of me now?"

“No." She slumped, hands finding his snout and running her fingers around his jaw. “Thanks for trying at least you sod. Even if you can't help but insult the other dragon."

“Guilty. He is quite the brat."

“Says the red dragon."

“What did I just say?"

“Fair enough." She laughed softly, running a hand along his cheek until he purred. “You stupid..dragon." She rested her head against his as the feeling that had started to hint before only grew stronger. She wrapped her arms around Veledar's armored head, and cried softly at first onto his crimson scales. Eventually her body shook, her lips quivered, the air filling with the mournful cries.

“It's okay Lyndis." Veledar wings wrapped around her forming a mini fortress to where no cold could pierce.

For minutes she sobbed, hands gliding along his scales as she held him firm. The dragon simply breathed, listening to every sound and with a soothing tone tried to sway her broken heart. When the tears eventually began to abate and she pushed Veledar away he licked her face, ridding her cheeks of the tears. That was when she told him everything about the dreams. What had been going on the last few months and ending with the big reveal of the twisted dream right then. How could she resist? After the dragon stared at her with such kind and open eyes. Within that moment she didn't see the powerful beast that had protected them all versus the undead. She saw a friend, a good one at that there for her. When she was finished with her tale, she was left trembling, her throat aching from the effort.

The red silenced her weakened whines with another lick, pulling his head soon back with fluttering frills. “Believe it or not I may have met someone that could help you with your dream problem."

That couldn't be right. Or at least that's what she told herself. “How is that possible?" She chuckled weakly, holding his chin in a cupped hand. “We haven't been here a fortnight. How is it that you met someone?"

“You're implying I can't?" The dragon countered with a raised brow. “You act as if I'm not a charming dragon."

“Charming?" She chuckled, rubbing the dragon's chin to summon a growly purr. “You dragon charms could use some work mr. brightness. Seems to only have caught us and a certain knight."

“I did find someone though." He narrowed his eyes, tail flicking across the ground. “Truly. I met the dragoness Fremra from the story."

“Wait…You met her?" She pulled his snout in, kissing him briefly on the cheeks. That was certainly good news. If anyone could find out what was the matter it had to be her right? “Take me to her." She demanded, after the dragon was done warbling about how the princess had kissed him.

“After you confess you love for me?"

“Veledar." She squeezed his cheeks. “Please.."

“Fine." He snorted with a role of his eyes. “Is that an order your highness?"

“It will be if you don't bring me."

* * * * * * * * * *

Though she wondered how the red dragon had found the Fremra from the tale of Swirling Storm she didn't know. Despite her taught tone and prodding finger, the dragon's lips stayed as sealed as a dwarven vault of the strongest mithril. In fact he seemed to get more joy from the fact he knew and she left begging for an answer. As he flew back to the library, he was all rumbles and frills fluttering in the wind. The playful red found it in his nature to spin around any building that reached a tad too high into the sky, getting pointing passer people to take notice of the dragon's scales. She told him he didn't need to show off, but he of course ignored her. When he curled around the library, he was chuckling to himself as he brought them around. His ego inflated to untold heights as he asked her if he had seen the people pointing.It was not long before the dragon had his wing spread out around her, insisting that they go deeper into the library.

“I said take me to Fremra!" She grabbed him by the chin as he curled his neck around to her. “Are you having a bleedin laugh with me? I open my heart to ya and you take be back here? I was being serious!"

“So quick to judge." He snorted, “I was bringing you to Fremra." With a flick of his tail the usually impatient red insisted it was her time to be the patient one. “And when we go in there. Try to not rip stuff up with your hands. I heard she hates that." He freed himself with a rumble, striding past her with a swish of his tail.

“Fine." She crossed her arms, casting her view to the city behind them. “You go get her then."

It wasn't long until the door behind them cracked, and out came Veledar with Arcturus. The dragon had his snout lowered, grinning as he and the knight were discussing something quite interesting. She didn't know exactly what, but the red dragon's attention was squarely on him with his frills fluttering in and out. For a moment she had thought he had forgotten about her demand, but the dragon suddenly stopped before she could ask.

“Guess who set you up with a meeting with Fremra?"

Now wasn't that utterly surprising. Figures that he'd come through with that silly sort of way. “Really?"

Veledar just grinned as Arcturus gave a quick nod.

“You know you're something special right?"

“That's what this human keeps telling me. No matter how much I swish my tail at him to go away he follows me!"

“Oh shush you." Arcturus playfully shoved the dragon's flank.

“So when do we meet her?" Lyndis grabbed at Veledar's head, bringing his nose mere inches from her own.

“Tonight." The dragon rumbled. “See what I said about being patient?"

* * * * * * * * * *

“And your charms helped smooth the deal over eh?" Lyndis crossed her arms across her chest as Veledar bobbed his head up and down through the air.

“For the hundredth time yes. Fremra said she'd happily help you with your problem." Veledar sailed through the night sky, drifting through the low hanging clouds. “Did you happen to bring that scale of yours?" Veledar curled his neck slightly back, his cerulean eyes seeming to shine as the pale moonlight struck their surface. “I mean the scale of your lover."

“Got it right here." She pulled free the scale from her neck, letting it slowly rotate around.

“Good." The dragon reset himself with a stretch of his wings, letting himself glide around the numerous darkened buildings only broken up by the thousands of lanterns hanging from the streets. “There was a special section of the city she wanted to meet us at." Veledar set his snout towards a walled off area of the city near the most southern wall. It had it's own gate and guard houses that watched over them, with pale blue roofs in the shape of wizard hats.

“Yes.." Lyndis held tight her cloak as the night's bitter cold seeped in through her clothes. “But why at night?" She shivered. “And why did it have to be so blasted cold. Could we not get this spell done inside by the comfort of a fireplace?"

“Sadly.."No." Veledar snorted, tilting his wings as they passed over a clocktower. “Trust me. I despise winter's bite just you do. It does not brighten my mood to taste that snow will be soon upon us. Week tops."

“That good of a tongue eh?" She chuckled. Figures that dragons would have yet that quality about them. “Or did you ask around and taking credit for the answer? I'd not known you lot could taste the weather."

“It's something you pick up in time. What's the matter? Don't like trusting me?" The dragon smirked as they passed along the city's outer wall, a lone guard waving out to them as they passed. The poor man had to hold tight his wide hat lest it be caught in Veledar's wake and be wrenched from his head. “And I have never had someone complain about my tongue."

“Look at you." She laughed, settling a hand onto the base of his neck. Feeling the powerful muscles that held them aloft and carried them through the sky. “Such the showoff. I wonder what ended up happening to your love? I hardly see you two apart!"

“Would have." The dragon grumbled, flapping his wings a few times to crest them upwards over the darkened buildings brightened by the ghostly glow of the moon above. “But he's busy with Merlia and Krotos now. He spent the time sparing with the bull after the library." Flame suddenly smoldered within Veledar's sapphire pools, that seemed to light the air around them aflame. “And the damned bull scratched my human. He is so fragile!"

“I doubt that." She laughed, tapping at the dragon's scales as he gave her a peaking look. “I think he'll survive a small scratch. I think you're just upset that you'd rather be out with them right now. Enjoying in on the good cheer. Clacking a few drinks, sticking you head in a barrel and singing? You're mad they're doing it without your scaly arse."

Veledar said nothing as he set his sights back onto the shadowy hills, his frills only fluttering in with the wind.

“Think I hit it dead on." Her voice was soft as she cupped the scale around her neck. She could almost feel the dragon's warmth flowing from it. It would not be long she told herself. Till whatever was going on was brought to light.

And something can be done.

“I would have been princess. But someone needed the help of a charming and handsome dragon. How could I turn down a maiden such as yourself in need? You may try to get beneath my scales, but it won't work."

“Maiden in need?" She snorted at that one, having to hold her mouth to prevent herself from bursting out laughing like a shrieking monkey. “I think you read too many stories dragon. When have I ever been a maiden in need?" When he turned to her, scaly ridge raised she could already tell the response he was going to give. Her demeanor hardened as she thrust a finger towards him. “Shut it."

“We both know the answer." He grinned, curling around a skeletal like tree sprouting from the streets. It's thin and numerous branches spreading out as if to touch the sky itself.

“I'd also have to know a handsome dragon. Do you know one I could get in bleedin touch with? Only one I know has green scales, wears a scarf."

“Hmmpf. Nice try Lyndis." Veledar rolled his eyes as the towers of the city started to glow a faint white light. Not enough to illuminate around it's base but enough so that it could be seen for miles away. She'd been told by Kioko that they were a charm to ward out any unsavory undead. Vampire or other sun weakened creatures would find the city just as in hospitable even when night had the cobblestone streets in its clutches. “But despite your impish ploy to deny my radiance you only strengthen it."

“Not what Arcturus told me about your little encounter with Fremra. Said you were positively ruffled that she dare insult your lance of all things."

“Did he now?" The dragon sighed as he rose up with the breeze. His frills pinned against his head as they started to descent towards the walled off section of the city. It's towers were thinner than the rest of Struport. Looking like grey stone cat tails that one saw along a bog's shore. “I'll have to reprimand him for such an indignity."

“Oh, bloody behave. I don't need a story about what your going to do to him." She smacked the dragon's scales as he growled lustfully over just whatever he was going to subject the paladin to when they met up again. “Plenty of time for your lancing after we get this focken taken care of."

Veledar landed in the middle of a grassy section between the walls. One that had a gnarled tree at its center. Its buds were closed, making its branches look like the twisted arms of an elderly man. She slipped off the dragons back, just as guards clad in chainmail came running over with lanterns held at the ready. On their tabards was the symbol of the sapphire guardian's, a blue dragon regally with its wing's spread. They demanded to know what she and Veledar were doing just as the dragon's wing unfolded behind her. Before more questions could be asked a teal dragoness burst through the section of the wall that had appeared to be flat mere moments before. Now it had a large gaping hole fit for a dragon that was at least twice Veledar's size, with jagged points of stone jutting from the base.

“Mother wanted them here." The blue frilled dragoness called out, trotting over to them with a flicking tail. “Something about a spell she wanted to cast." The teal dragon fluttered her wings as she strolled around them, coming only about seven feet in height. Her silver eyed shown like a blade as they darted between the two rapidly. “Isn't that right clumsy scales?"

“Hmmpf. Didn't think to see you hear Achaaz. Your mother told us much about you." Veledar held his head high as he nudged, he and Lyndis closer towards the neck curled dragon. “Who even told you I'm clumsy?"

The teal ness shrugged with her wings, and guiding them forward with her neck. “I can tell it about you just by looking." She growled, starting to trot towards the hole in the wall. “Now come, mother expects you. I'd rather get this over with so I can get back to my own things."

“And what would that have been?" Lyndis replied casually as they passed through the entrance which was covered in thick scratches that looked as though someone was measuring someone's height. in fact, probably the dragoness in front of them.

“Writing." Achaaz tilted her head back towards them as the cavern started to dip down, uneven rocks forming a path wide enough for even Veledar to have enough space on either side of him. Lanterns hung from the walls, bringing life to the darkened and paw print covered stone. “When I'm not practicing forms of spell casting and such. Mother is quite good at it….The teaching bit." There was a crack in her sternness that revealed a softer voice.

“Well that's always a good thing." Lyndis sighed, tracing a finger along one of the chipped stones. “Met a few dragon teachers in my time. Right Veledar?" She nudged at the red who was watching his paws as they passed over some moister spots in the cave.

“Don't remind me." The red grumbled.

“But you ended up liking Lyyreth!"

“So?" He snorted, pulling back his head. “I can still remember those foul berries he tricked me into eating. Then.."Veledar's frills pinned against his head as he looked away with a hack. “Vomiting."

“Yea.." Lyndis laughed, “Tricked." Even Achaaz stifled in a laugh as they passed a rock that had seemingly been carved into the shape of an aquatic dragon head. Thick dull chunks having been carved right out of it as if done by some tool or claws.

“Oh look what you've done rogue. Now our guide is laughing at me."

“Won't be the first or last time a female does that will it Veledar? Best get used to it."

Achaaz snickered again but Veledar was not as welcoming. Lyndis had to avoid a quick nipping from his jaws.

“Plenty of females have yet to laugh at me."

“Well. By the time we're done. I assume that bleedin number will be raised ever higher mr brightness."

The teal ness slipped on a stone, bursting out laughing as the red tried to counter the rogue's words with his own failing ones. Her tail was soon smacking against the ground as the air filled with her joyous cackles.

“HEY!" The red dragon snapped his jaws. “Its mighty rude to laugh at your guests!"

Flicking away her tears the teal recovered quickly with a weaker laugh. “Oh mind your jaws handsome. Mother warned me about dragons who snap at female's tails."

“Handsome?" Surprise flickered across Veledar's features.

“Um…what?" Achaaz looked away as her frills had started to turn ever darker, even apparent in the lantern's light. She snapped her jaws at Veledar, voice almost a threatening snarl. “Just come on." She bound away with renewed energy. Quickly disappearing behind a series of rocks as if she were trying to lose them.

“Look what you've done!" Lyndis pushed aside the red dragon's snout. “You've gone and scared off another female!" She burst into a sprint, feet thumping loudly against the worn stone as she tried to match pace with the much quicker dragon.

“Handsome." Veledar mumbled to himself. “She called me handsome."

“Come on your brightness. Or your handsome butt is going to be left behind! So stop muckin about!"

He merely warbled in response before scampering off after her, quickly catching up with her as they traveled through the winding tunnels that wove ever deeper as they went. Soon the chill of the air was gone, replaced by a luke warmness that brought her at least some reprieve as they admired the numerous half treasures if one could call them that. Instead of say coins that usually one would think would adorn a dragon's home was instead numerous baubles that were questionable in rarity at best. Statues or carvings from drift wood, tables that looked to have been scratched all along the surface. Boxes of clothes messily left open with garments of all colors thrown about into piles. There were dressers, blouses, numerous shirts of all shades plopped next to a full-length mirror with so many pairs of mismatched boots that Lyndis wasn't sure if they even had a matching pair.

“Come on sir Vanity." Lyndis had to pull Veledar's horned head as they passed that full length mirror, as it had captivated his attention like a child. “Dragoness be waiting for you."

“Can't they wait?" Veledar licked his nose as they passed beneath a grand portrait of a city but constructed only using seashells.

“Okay..woah." Her arms found her hips as they both stood in awe at the vast wall art. “If Fremra put this much effort into art…woah."

“Now whose memorized?" The dragon's nose found her back with an impatient prodding. “The dragoness' is waiting Lyndis." His voice sounded a tad like hers, his tail flicking playfully behind him. Though he had added a high-pitched whine to it.

“You just had to make my voice annoying, didn't you?"

He looked away with a glint of amusement in his eye. “Did I now? Perhaps my imitation was so perfect you realize that it's annoying? What's that say about your voice my dear?"

“Watch it." She prodded his chuckling snout as she rubbed his chin.

“Watch what? You're only encouraging me you know."

“How can I not? It seems like focken everything encourages you." She tossed up her hands with a loud laugh as Achaaz's head came poking out from an overly sized carving of a wooden dragon covered in numerous teal colored spoons.

“Finally, you got here! What did you do? Suck that bad at tracking that you got lost?"

“That's not true!" Veledar tossed his head with a snarl as they crossed the distance in a trot. “I did a fantastic job of tracking you. Right Lyndis?"

She shrugged. “I can say you didn't all together suck."

“See?"

“But in reality." Lyndis gestured to the glittering shells of the tapestry. “We were admiring your mother's artwork. She did a really fantastic job."

“Oh!" Achaaz glanced away, her silver eyes traveling from piece to piece as she refolded her wings. Her frills only turned a deep shade of azure. “Which one? Cause…they're not hers. They're mine."

“Really?" The princess crossed her arms as the dragoness had yet to look at her. The teal had instead shifted her weight, curling her neck and trying to lead them along. “Well they're all wonderful This place is much bigger than I would have ever thought! I'd heard the story about your mother and father, but I thought your home would be much smaller!"

“Well." Achaaz's frills fluttered like a moth's wings as the knick knack laden path welcomed them further. “When I was truly little perhaps this place was. But after say my thirtieth hatch day they would have tournaments for local druids to practice their rock shaping abilities. The trusted winners would be brought down here to assist with mother in extending our home further into the earth! That way my brother and I would have ample room to ourselves." She rolled her eyes, “That way we didn't have to keep living in the same close quarters as our parents."

As they walked they traded stories about non other than being too close to that of her parents. Lyndis told her about the times her parents had her grueling study for all sorts of tests and tasks that would be required of her, even bringing up how they had tried to marry her off to a siigonis from the northern marshes as some sort of alliance to keep them happy. The dragoness had gasped at the realization, countering with tales of her own about having to put up with her father's snoring, or mothers' constant words of being “wise." She went on about how she couldn't wait to travel out on her own, probably settle near the coast somewhere. But then the undead came along, and any idea of that had been dashed away like leaves before the wind.

“So why does your mother keep all this junk?" Veledar butted in, sticking out his tongue at goblets made from wood. “Everything here seems so…plain."

“Mother has a unique approach of things." Achaaz flicked her tail to some stacks of plates made from clay, some being covered in dust or cracked away onto the floor. “She doesn't really have the drive to collect anything that my father speaks about. How he and other dragons like him used to do. Can you imagine? Sleeping with piles of gold around you? I think it would look rather pretty."

“It does. It sparkles wonderfully! Especially if you have some sort of light source. Looks like the stars when the sunlight reflects off them in the morning. Especially if you set up some sort of mirror system to reflect the light into your cave. Tried it once, but there was a problem."

“You kept looking into the mirrors?" Lyndis laughed, drawing the ire filled look from the red. His eyes narrowed, a single harsh snort passing from his nostrils. When he didn't reply she only laughed harder. “I hit it square on the scale, didn't I?"

“I won't even dignify that with a response." Veledar huffed, sticking up his head and striding beside her. Clearly to ignore her. Course that only made Lyndis even more certain she was right.

So instead she pointed out rug tapestries that hung from numerous walls that were works of art in their own right. Multitude of lines running in circular patterns would cover one, while a whole countryside in yarn or cloth would be crafted into the other. The last bit of art that they had stopped around was a glass chandelier that Achaaz had said she was taking inspiration from the Rothdellian design. For the glass like pedals near the base would curve outward like little hooks instead of straight down.

“Take your time daughter? Though it is wise to smell the roses, sometimes haste is required." Came a sing song voice from up ahead, flowing sweetly out of the maw of a towering teal dragoness with orange underscales and frills that lined her body. The dragoness was a spitting image of Achaaz, of course except for her colors. This was the illustrious Fremra from her people's stories.

“Oh Fremra!" Lyndis smiled, waving and bowing her head. “Nice to finally meet you. I've heard so many tales about you!"

“Yes that does seem to be the way things go with your people princess." The larger teal smiled, striding forward with a pleased flick in her tail. Her snout descended, her nose brushing under Lyndis' chin and picking it up. “And just like I told your paladin. We don't do the bowing thing around here. Do you know how long I had to break Storm of that habit?" She grinned, raising back up her neck into the shape of an S. “Literally decades of constant reminders and snout bats with my paws." She rose one of her paws, wiggling the digits in the air. “How he moaned and ached. But he learned!"

“Apologies then. Did my dragon friend here tell you why I needed your help?"

Concern spread across the dragoness' features as she settled onto her haunches, tail curling around her. Her talons found the tip of her snout before she tapped it several times in rapid succession. “ Her gaze fell upon a pool of water that was rippling to her side. “Oh yes. It was something about the Green dragon Cordenth. Terrible nightmares and dreams that make you concerned for his safety. Especially since as Veledar described it, both of you share each other's dreams. May I ask." Fremra tilted her head to the side, her frills twitching in an inviting fashion. “How is that possible?"

“By this!" Lyndis pulled out the green scale, holding it before the teal's eyes as they shown bright with curiosity. “He enchanted it. Something about similar spells that his mother had cast."

“Oh of course his mother." Fremra growled in the back of her throat as she moved ever closer to the scale. “I can practically smell that scent of hers lingering about the scale. Course, that would only be a hint. Can you tell me what exactly has been happening?" She waved a paw to Veledar as the dragon settled beside Lyndis with Achaaz right on the other side. “He didn't go into the fine details."

Words soon flowed from her like a raging river whose dam had burst. They traveled out through the air, curling around the teal dragoness' head. Fremra merely nodded and kept her going on, listening intently with only the movement of her frills as Lyndis spoke further. Lyndis explained the vision, the dreams, and how she and Cordenth had met which seemed to reach part of Fremra. As the dragoness' tone turned sour.

“Hopefully that apple fell very far from the tree. Don't need another dragon in this world like his mother."

“Met her did you?" She let the scale flop against her chest as Fremra snorted, eyes glancing off into the cavern as if remembering something terrible.

“We had a disagreement on what was morally sound.

“Well I get that. She and I butted bloody heads as well. You have my word that he is different. There is no ulterior motives that he gave me that necklace." Still though, Fremra looked to her with a hardness that revealed she still wasn't convinced. “He cares about those he meets, he's kind.

“Not to mention a showoff and annoying at times." Veledar hissed with a thump of his tail. When Lyndis spun around to stare daggers at him the dragon merely stuck out his tongue with a huff. “Well, he was."

“Yet despite that you miss him."

“I'll deny it till my deathbed."

“Is that how you bloody live with yourself?"

“Perhaps." Veledar snorted. “Try me."

She sighed, rolling her shoulders as she returned her attention to Fremra. “He even ended up falling pretty hard for me. Even proclaimed his love for me after a mere few days.

“Sounds like a bad fairy tale story." Fremra chuckled, lowering her snout again.

“Yea I heard that before.

“But still." The dragoness rumbled, raising one of her paws in the air. “That is good to hear about him. Such sweet words and thoughts you lay bare before me. I doubt even the Emerald Lady could count those that honestly speak such ways about her." Frema's paw swished through the air as her purple eyes locked squarely on the scale around Lyndis' neck.

Like it was caught within a light breeze the scale started to shift and rub against the leather, a warmth radiating out from the object and warming the princess through her armor. The scale then drooped as Fremra's voice started to whisper and hiss through the air like an angry snake. She snapped at her jaws.

“Well…what's the matter?" She plucked up the scale and stared at it. Like it had been left in the sun all afternoon it was warm to the touch. “Did anything happen?"

“Nothing." Fremra tapped her chin, staring up into the ceiling to a section of stalagmites that was drapped in layers of yarn. “How odd."

“What do you mean nothing?" Veldedar stomped his paw, “I spoke at length about how wonderful you were. You mean to tell me after all my sweet praises you couldn't do it?"

“Patience red drake." Fremra rose up to all fours, striding around and tapping Veledar on the snout with a wing. “We just have to take a different approach. Must consider all the possibilities before admitting I can't do something. I suspect though that he's not dead, as the spell would have told me that as well. I believe that he's on another plane of existence. One that this spell cannot pierce.

“Oh don't focken tell me." Lyndis hissed. “Its starting to sound like he's in the fairy realm." She glanced up to Veledar, who was shifting from paw to paw and growling in his throat.

“Why. In all my recent travels is it always that place?"

“Right?" She chuckled trying to ignore a growing sense of gnawing pit in her stomach. What were the chances he was only there for a quick visit? A quick pop before coming back? That pit coiled and turned inside her, sliding an icy tendril around her heart. If this was so, perhaps he'd been there for the entire time they'd been in Drenedar. She spun back to Fremra, crossing her arms and trying to hide the dread lurking within her face. “How do we go about finding him?"

“Another spell. Just let me go gather the things." The teal dragoness replied calmly, striding around her home to collect a few more things to spread out around them. There was a pile of ash neatly cut into a square, a few cracked open coconuts, and three cold coins laid side by side. With that complete the ness settled back onto her haunches and rose her paws with a flick of her tail. She waved around her paws, drawing heavily the nearby air before weaving a flickering blue light that shifted to purple bit by bit. Then just as her movements ceased it flew out through the air like a hand, wrapping around the Drenedarian princess and tickling at her skin. The smell of pine quickly inundated her senses as she closed her eyes and pictured Cordenth when she was told to. She felt the scale rise once more and thump against her chest as sunflower eyes appeared out from the darkness.

“Lyndis." Her green drake whispered, almost lost to Veledar's breaths. Lyndis rose her hand, it was if he was right there. Part of her knew that was impossible, but she just had the growing sense he was just out of her reach.

“Found him." Fremra's announced with a sigh. “And he's deeper than I'd like in the fairy realm.

What's that supposed to mean? Lyndis' eyes shot open, and quickly asked the dragoness just that. She didn't even know there could be a deeper place within it. Fremra lowered her head, eyes not meeting hers as she explained something called the deep fae. The realm within the fairy realm if one were to get lost within its expanse.

“So that's what that place was in the woods." Veledar mumbled, merely for Fremra to cut him off.

“Partially. You only grazed the surface of that place. This Cordenth has gone even further. I'd say he got lost within it and now cannot find his way out." The teal dragoness shuttered, a moment of hesitation flickering across her snout.

“Well…how do we get him then?" Lyndis blurted as the cold started to seep in all around her. Like she was free falling she once more felt helpless. “There has to be something we can do right?' Her voice cracked as Veledar scooched in closer. “There just has to be something. Some magician that can help?" She threw up her hands when Fremra didn't reply and Veledar extended a wing. “I'll get the damned Emerald lady if I have to help! I can't just…"

“I can send you right to him if you want." Fremra's eyes traveled to the water's edge as she gave a heavy sigh and swish of her tail. “Though it will be fraught with peril. Though you will be able to pull him from that place you risk getting lost there yourself."

“So, another risky day!" She crossed her arms. Even if she didn't fully understand the threat of this place it didn't matter in this moment. Cordenth needed her. “And I won't let a simple bit of death scare of from helping the people I care about."

“Like me?" Veledar tilted his head, sliding up against her.

“Of course you too." She grabbed Veledar's head at the base of his horns. “So." She stared up at Fremra, letting her face become the hardened warrior she wanted to be in this moment. “What do we have to do?"

“I.." Fremra's frills drooped as she glanced around the cave, taking in everything around them. She sighed, realizing that the rogue would not be swayed. “Just need time to prepare. Since there is a need for two to enter, I shall send the both of you in. Increases the chances that you won't be lost within its twisted clutches. Achaaz and I here will act like an anchor for you. Pulling you back when you've reached him."

“Fine." Lyndis patted Veledar's head. “We can do anything. Just point us in the bleedin direction and we'll go rescue him."