Chapter 8: Off Course

“Greetings fair people of Tetragon, for I am the Radiant Star!” Cordenth’s brassy voice rolled elegantly off the tongue as he and Lyndis strolled through Fremra’s portal. Instead of cobblestone or a well beaten path to emerge to, he found snow. It crumpled beneath him, pulling him forward, sending the dragon flopping snout first into the white powder. Did they not shovel their city?

He sputtered and grumbled at how his membranes burned at winter’s touch, or that this would be the introduction they remembered. He rose spitting and shaking, flicking away what had clung to his scales. Something was wrong as he froze, there was no city at all.

Far as the dragon could see was a vast valley before him, lined with thick masses of snow speckled trees. Icy mist hung about the air near the bottom, practically tracing the dark river that wound far below. Nature’s call sounded around him, not a hint spoiled by human’s cacophony of progress. Grey feathered birds fluttered in the distance, chasing between the spires of sunlight streaking through the cloud covered sky. With every squirm he could hear the gentle snow creak and pack beneath his paws, threatening to drag him deeper. Had they been sent of course? Where were the towers? The steeples? The packed streets of mortal kind? Had she played a cruel joke on them?

Blood burned through his veins, and not from the icy chill about the air. Teleportation while useful had failed them yet again. Who knew how long it would take them to get back on course. With a huff of the air he turned, scattering snow in his wake. Perhaps he could call out, warn Fremra of her mistake. The portal was gone, only Lyndis taking a pleased drag of the air.

She’d hardly disturbed an inch with her soft boot steps, gazing with wonder upon the horizon. She brushed the hair from her eyes and sighed, only meeting him with a smirk. “You missed a spot.” She gestured to his horns.

“Show off.” He grumbled, shaking his head free of his unwanted guest. “How can you be so calm? Look around! We’re clearly not in the right place. Should we not have seen a pegasai by now? They are like chickens where your from right?”

“Isn’t that the bleedin question.” Lyndis fished a scroll from her pack, uncoiling it as she shivered. The air misted in wake of her breath as she spread it wide. For minutes she hummed and traveled her eyes from the page to the countryside, pacing a line around the dragon. When his snout came in, she slumped and let the map fall to her hips. “Well, I have no idea.” Her eyes narrowed. “No time to panic though. We do have the element of flight!” She sprung up, rolling up the map before Cordenth couldn’t even utter a retort.

“That sounds like my kind of plan.” He gestured to his back with a curl of the tail. “We can travel the headwinds, find a village, hamlet, hovel, cave, whatever your people live in. Just swoop in, ask them some questions and depart!”

“Well I thought I’d never see the day.” She did smirk, taking hold of his scales. “A man asking for directions? The world really must be ending.”

He gave her a tooth filled grin, letting his huff curl mist around her features. “Dragon if you recall. So that little joke need not apply. And how hard is it to find humans in a human kingdom?” He chuckled and stretched out his wings as she righted herself upon him. “It’s going to be over in three swishes of a gryphon’s tail.”

“It could be.” Lyndis’ sighed, words losing that spark of confidence. “For all we know the old girl could have sent us halfway round the world.”

“Then we best get figure it out.” He rose his head, chest brimming with excitement. “Worst case scenario we get a message back to her and return!”

“You’re being awfully cheery, what gives?” She gave him a queer look, leaning forward.

“There something wrong with that?” He rumbled, flaring out his wings. “Someone has to be. Can’t have you going all quiet and worried on me.”

“So you’re trying to be a hero?” She rolled her eyes, “Come to my every moment of emotional vulnerability?”

“Perhaps.” He smiled and flared his frills. “Plus it was an excuse to fly.”

She nodded with a chuckle, rolling her hand. “Then you may proceed. I’ve walked too much today already.”

“Is this how you’re going to be now that you’re home? All dignified and royalty?”

She lost her composure, giving him a smirk. “Are you going to fly or not?”

“I am!” With a running start he stampeded across the snowy landscape, leaping to the sky with a grand flap of his mighty wings. With eager breaths he cleaved through the frigid air, and ignored the icy wind kissing at his membranes. What would have made him scowl or hiss was instead forgotten with each cry of unbridled joy Lyndis did shout. She gave him strength, power to keep climbing, and shielded his scales from the cold like a leather clad hearth.

He spun and circled in an aura of joy, scattering any cloud that dare cross their paths. Up and down they traveled, gathering up a tempo to their happiness. She’d encourage him to go faster, to dive or climb. When she uttered it he delivered, releasing trills as easily as water. The ground became a distant blur that no longer caught his attention. His eye only drifted backwards, captivated by her reddening cheeks and honest smile from ear to ear. Truthfully they lost track of time, only being pulled back when they entered a relaxing glide.

She patted his scales, “Perhaps we get back to task.”

“You’re the one advocating for a rest? To get back to responsibilities?” He peaked back to eye her up and down. “I should be asking who you are.”

“Oh shush that cute snout of yours and help me look.” She scanned down to the white and green tapestry below.

“Its cute now?” He grinned.

“You knew that!” She laughed, smacking his scales.

“And it will never get old.” He rumbled, tilting a wing, and descending so they could get a better look. It wouldn’t do them any good if the human villages looked like tiny dots.

True to his words it wasn’t hard to find the villages they sought. They were scattered across the land as if someone had tossed a pawful of stones. The wooden houses marked their place with trails of smoke, guiding the dragon in as if a signal flare. The tiny shingle roofs of these hovels could barely fit a family, gathered in neat little circles for protection. Their walls were thin and made for a simple defense, a tower being their only means of protection or scouting. He spied her people walking about their routine, with dire wolf and wagons in tow.

One was nestled close to a running fjord, it’s people busy knitting or practicing smithery. Thick, bearded hunters were roasting their morning catch, rotating it while enjoying a hearty laugh of the hunt. Fields that used to carry crops now lay dormant and waiting, the only sign of their existence being the fences peeking through the snow.  Children played through the snow, stopping to point and shout as his wings drew closer on Lyndis’ word.

He circled with the grace of his kind, observing as his little messengers fled to grab hold their elders and pass it on. There would be no worried glances, faces frozen in terror as he landed dramatically in this town. They would have ample time to see him, and know he meant them no harm. He didn’t wish to spook them after all, as a spooked mortal was a dangerous thing. They could do something stupid. Besides, they probably hadn’t seen too many dragons in this weather. Which was understandable, if it were up to him, dragons would be hibernating in such times. Leave the barren wastelands of white to the mortals.

“See? I know what I’m doing.” He beamed as the shouts of his arrival filled the air. “Think I can drop that in my “has more tact than Veledar column.”

“Its not that hard to get.” Lyndis smirked as the townsfolk called for their militia.

“What? Militia?” His frills fluttered, that’s not what he wanted. He had to rectify this before it spiraled out of hand. Tilting a wing he drew closer, landing in the outskirts with a bumpy trot. Those that drew too close were wrapped in snow flurries courtesy of his wings.

“Greetings humans of this err…hamlet. We bring you no ill will. There is no need for militia of spears!”

Children whispered excitedly as the air continued to fill with calls for their militia. Men and woman gathered thick furred leathers and pressed fluffy hats upon their heads. He was even certain spears were being grabbed.

“Nice story there dragon!” One man shouted, shielding his daughter clinging to his legs behind him. “Still the same we’d want the militia!”

Others joined in his cry, giving the brave man three cheers.

“Oh come now. Is this really needed?” Lyndis slid from his back with the upmost grace, advancing on the townsfolk without a hint of concern. One spear was levied in a rapid defense, but she merely brushed it aside with the tip of her finger. “Come now, he was carrying me. You can trust him, honest and loyal as the bravest of knights. Polite and probably the most delicate paws I know.”

“They’re not that delicate.” He snorted with narrowed eyes.

Murmurs abounded like an unchecked plague of this confident woman and the steed she rode in on. They spoke of a dragon trainer, or a master, possibly even being his mother. Yet she corrected them with a smirk, flip of her hair.

“I suppose you’d call me a dragon rider. Adventurer for hire. I’m Lyndis Kuxion, traveler of the lands! This is my dragon adventuring companion Radiant Star!” She gestured with a smile, “Don’t let the scales fool ya, he’s anything but green.”

Why were they so hesitant or scared? Had they not heard of tales of Ramakox? The blue dragon who helped drive back the undead? He advanced slowly, not moving too quickly as to set off their nerves. “Hello.” He bowed as graciously as he could, “We’re only looking for directions.”

“Dragon asking for directions?” The same man from before laughed, “I never thought I’d hear the day!”

“Did you hear that gran? Dragon’s lost his way!” A woman shouted, any anxiousness in her face draining away.

The same worry melted away with every pad of his paws. Calls for militia were soon lost as villagers emerged from their homes. The braver ones advanced with a mirror of his caution, nervous laughs spreading through them. The children though had the courage of paladins twice their size. Each of them raced forward to get a better look of the dragon. With wide eyes and slacked jaws, they couldn’t help but stare in disbelief.

Fruits and snacks were soon fished out of pockets and wagons to offer at his paws. They asked their questions with little difficulty, getting what they required in return. It turned out they had landed far south like the dragoness had promised, merely overshooting their target by at least sixty miles. The town which ended up being named Borwang wished them well, waving excitedly as he left in another shower of snow. This one managed to catch every child across the face, making his assent serenaded with happy cackles of unbridled joy.

For countless hours, their journey continued among the clouds. Sunlight had all but cast away their greyed companions and left the ever-blue sky to them alone. The valleys and treetops below became a game for her to name as rivers and rock formations became their path to show the way. Through the currents he glided, eyes drifting closed at silent times, simply relishing the closeness he felt. At times they dipped closer to the earth, racing through valleys or teasing treetops with his forepaws. Anything to break up the boredom of such a long flight. They broke for lunch and several rests along the way, pressing up close to one another as they simply relaxed in each other’s limbs.

Though they said little adrift the air, he could feel the space between them growing colder with each flap of his wings. Not because of him as he first thought with his first peak, but something clearly dwelled upon her mind. Her amber eyes would linger on the horizon, seemingly lost within the landscape beneath, caught wickedly by the reflections of lakes down below. She was biting her lip, how could he simply pretend he didn’t see this? She should be enjoying herself, or at least be bored.

Across the vast sea of clouds and sky, Cordenth drew some high above the crawling mountains and forest of white and green. He followed a windy river, at the same time ensuring he peered back at his fair princess. Though now she was less frigid, her demeanor hardly changed. She looked as though she was biting her lips, eyes nothing but a troubled sea. But why? She should be enjoying herself!

“Cordenth.” She said softly, barely louder than the wind. “Have you looked to the future during our rests?”

“No.” He snorted, “You’d know. There is lots of meditation and tail curling.”

“Why not? What if we haven’t changed anything?”

He shifted in the air, remembering the warning of his mother. Without her guidance, the searching would be dangerous, the emperor could be waiting. Keeping his tongue shut on that little detail, he simply let her know it was dangerous. “So I’d rather only look when we’re certain something changed. Else we’ll never get anything done, I’d be turning into my mother. Only looking into the future and plotting.” He shook his head of the idea. “And like hell I’m turning into her.”

Silence soon found them, only broken by the lone whistling of the wind. Still her face remained in such a way, begging his tongue to ask.  “Whatever lurks within your eyes so lost? Speak and unburden yourself upon my scales.” That had sounded elegant, kind, he’d almost grinned to himself. But she didn’t look exactly relaxed. For his concern

“So you were peeking. Glad to know I wasn’t imagining your wandering eye. Though should I worry your now lost?”

“I can navigate and keep out an eye!” He cast her a smile, twitching his frills. “Besides, compared to the countryside below, my thoughts dwell upon you instead. How can I enjoy myself in such a sight if you’re troubled?” He laughed in amusement. “What kind of gentledragon would I be?”

Her brow furrowed as his statement settled upon her shoulders. What cold lurked within was assaulted by a dwindling fire. Her eyes rolled as a smile poked at her lips. “Why must you be cute and thoughtful?”

“Cause.” He rolled his claw, placing it to his scaled chest. “As a gentle dragon I have the upmost quality of manners.”

“Unless another dragon is around.” She scoffed. “And if you must know nosey, its about the reception that’s waiting for us.” Her tone grew far colder. “If you haven’t guessed…I haven’t been home in ages.”

“I didn’t think you were that old.” He chuckled.

“Not literal ages you nunce.” She smacked his scales.

Yes he’d heard of this. Just like he, she’d departed on some grand adventure that caught her fancy. “Yes I remember it well. You said how you wanted to head out, to be known for your own deeds. Sought more than you could find at your pampered castle or in a book.”

“See, that’s the thing.” Lyndis winced.

Was she lying? So he stared at her while starting to descent.

“I wasn’t as clean of a leave as I said. Let’s say it was the prelude to what transpired back at your home.”

He gasped, trying to cast away her reservations. So, what if her parents were like his mother? Shed been there for him then, especially when he’d made the decision to look for his father in that blasted caldron. “Should I expected dragon hunters to be awaiting our arrival? To save baby dearest from the terrible dragon that’s taken her away? Don’t tell me your people are just as bad as the Lumarians.”

She waggled a hand. That wasn’t very reassuring.

He sighed, already scowling at the treetops below. “Will your dragon rifles be cocked and loaded?” His scales itched at the reminder of the harpoon. “Now I resent the fact we left the cleric behind.”

She shook her head. “Well I don’t think so. See when I left, I was to be wed. See our treaty with the Siigonis was needed to be renewed, and I was to be the promise given to their eldest son.” Distain dripped from her words. “As you can imagine…I didn’t follow through with it.”

“You mean to tell me you couldn’t be forced to love another?” You were holding out for a dragon?” He chuckled softly, “Wise choice you made. I’d have done so in your place.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re already a dragon.” She smacked his scales.

“I meant as you.”

“Oh.” She blushed, though recovered with but a breath. “Thinking of being a woman now.”

He battled back at her with a wiggle of his wings, forcing the clever rogue to cling tightly to his scales. “Not in the slightest. Now answer my question.” He smiled mischievously.

“No. I didn’t have a draconic lover in mind.” She smacked the back of his spine frill. “Dragons were not even in the periphery of my thoughts” She sighed, looking long fully at the drifting clouds. “I despised them for forcing me to marry. Cursed them to no end. How could you love who you were forced to? Learn to love as my mother would have said.”

That certainly sounded dreadful but not all that surprising. Alliances meant defense and power. Not to mention with Lumara breathing down their necks. No wonder Lyndis looked to the refugees and burned out homes, seeing her choices played out in full. He wasn’t entirely sure that he could bear the weight of so much suffering.

“Do you blame yourself for everything?”

“No.” She scoffed, looking away. “It’s my mother’s fault. That’s why were flying to her doorstep. Choice words I’m to have with her. Just you wait.”

“Just don’t get us kicked out by gun or spear point.” He shook his tail. “We don’t need more countries hating us. Now question, how realistic would it be for us to swoop in, have a chat with your mom and head out with the cavalry? Surely these winged horses will blunt the undead.”

Lyndis could do nothing but shrugged. “Storm and those lot did it before. Lets just hope history has a habit of repeating itself.”

“Then here’s to hoping it does.” He smiled back, but she wasn’t moved. “Come now.” He glided above an enchanting lake, fighting back the urge to dip in his claw as they passed above its sparkling surface.

“Veledar is supposed to be the brooding one now. Haven’t you gotten the announcement?”

Lyndis simply sighed, offering a reassuring massage of his scales.

“I hope you’re right then, Why wouldn’t father and mother listen to reason? Especially with their people on the line.”

“Exactly.”

“But” The princess’ grew quiet, questions abounding within her gaze.

“Why even surrender in the first place? Give up their land to the Lumarians? I tremble at the very thought of what could kowtow my father. He used to speak of fighting to the bitter last Cordy. Never letting evil go unopposed. Even he surrendered.” She fell silent, hands winding across her chest.

“Perhaps they had a problem of their own within the city?” He could imagine some petty squabble between royalty and noble folk while the commoners suffered at being caught in the middle. “You know, a situation that would distract from the Lumarians? How often do your people have rebellions?”

She gave him a withered look. “How many do you think?”

“You mentioned the Siigonis. How many other times have tensions arisen with your people. It has to be more than zero.”

“Never that bad.” She sighed, the wind caressing her hair. “Especially with the undead involved. Not a sane creature would ally themselves with those blighters.”

“I thought you spied necromancer wizards among them?”

“I said sane person.” She smirked, “If we’re going to count the crazies, we’ll be here all day.”

“I wouldn’t mind.” He mused, heart aglow as she and he chuckled together.

By dusk they’d all but came across their destination, trading the sprawling forests and valleys for instead signs of further civilization. From the mountain tops came stalwart forts, towers ready to be lit if an invading force dare poke it’s troublesome head. Though he wanted to keep going until they were finally there, Lyndis insisted they land. She spouted some nonsense about not spooking her people in the dead of night.

So he found them a clearing among the countryside, long shadows crawling across the beaten down snow. Fiery tendrils were cast across the sky, reaching out in one final attempt to kiss the clouds above with it’s orange-red embrace. It was not long before they’d gathered some loose wood and lit with paw sparks of magic. The strenuous flight of the day was soon melting away from his scales as he curled around the delightful heat.

When her fingers graced him, he was already purring, watching the glittering diamonds clinging to the branches overhead. Their one final moment of beauty before the sun sank below the horizon, leaving the all-encompassing night in it’s wake. They grew quiet during this time, simply enjoying the moment with one another by the fire. He pulled her tight with a forepaw, let her sinfully massage his scales, there was nothing much else he could ask for.

They shared songs to one another from their youth, trying to match the vocals they’d come to know. While neither of them may have had the chords for such things in the other’s tongue, the meaning was still the same. Her eyes caught his without her meaning, pulling him closer the longer they serenaded the other. When they finished their heads were gently pressed, warmed cheeks met protective scales.

How much longer would they have of this? He thought to the darkened premonition and shivered. One wrong move and all could be lost, simply because he was greedy. Perhaps that was the draconic curse in a way, always wanting more than one could hope to have. Wise as his love was, she noticed his minute tremble, pulling his snout up so she could look him in the eye. It was stern and uncompromising, but filled with love.

“Anything wrong? Its not often you see that cold look upon your snout. So spill before I have to beat it out of you.” She playfully smiled, gently punching his nose.

He averted his gaze. “Just was the vision was all. Thinking of what Arcturus said, and my moth-

“We agreed to not care what she thought.” She closed his jaw with but a chuckle. “You shouldn’t let it trouble you.”

“It still is.” He pulled away, licking his nose.

“Well, why is that?” How defiantly she wove her arms across her chest. “Has it changed? I thought you said you hadn’t looked!”

“I haven’t checked. But I can’t shake the feeling we’re to make things worse. True I gave her my mind when I stormed out of there…But will it really help? It came from a place of passion…”

“Yea, we’re going to ignore the last bit, but the first bit? You’re starting to sound like Arcturus.” She leaned against his scales, turning their gaze to the stars as they winked slowly into existence. “If you’re going to have doubts already, why did we even leave? Don’t tell me you want to crawl home to mummy dearest?”

“Hell no.” He hissed, thumping his tail in the snow. “I can be nervous about the unknown is all. Especially when I look again into the future.”

“What’s waiting for you there, that has you so troubled?” She leaned back, staring straight up with an innocent look.

Cordenth looked away, knowing it would break his wall. “Nothing that I can’t handle. Long as I stay vigilant and not stay long.”

“You know. For one who hates secrets.” She thumped his chest, “You’re starting to sound like your mother.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Oh Lyndis, how dare you question my methods. Pish posh and all the things that stupid bint goes on about.” She chuckled, “Next thing you know, you’re going to be talking in a boomin voice and insisting I bow for ya!”

“

How his frills burned as his insides squirmed and begged for him to tell her. He almost did, but quickly snapped shut his jaw. “Its complicated. Lets leave it at that. It leads to that terrible dream I saw alright?”

“The one with me in a slave get up?” Up went her brow.

He nodded without a word. “So I can’t mess up alright? Its that entity in the deep fae.”

“Oh that one.” Lyndis replied softly, holding his snout as a whine passed through his throat. “I beat that thing last time. You can do the same. Just mind what you do, think of it as a frightful game of tag. It catches ya and you’re dead.”

“How uplifting.” He snorted, ruffling her hair. “Do you do parties?”

“Give it time and I might have a shop up and running.” She pulled him close, tenderly rubbing the top of his snout. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“But I must eventually.” He replied, pushing against her chest. He didn’t care if she saw him so vulnerable. “It matters not what I think. You’re putting a great amount of faith in me. The least I can do is pull me weight.”

“And a lot of weight that is.”

He rolled his eyes and booped her with his nose. “I’ve never heard you complain.”

They both laughed together, falling backwards into the crunching snow.

“How about when this is over. We go adventure somewhere warm eh? Find a pleasant beach, kick up the ole boots and paws, simply drift asleep to the gentle sounds of the waves. We bask in the sun, and plan the next adventure to grace our stories. Hopefully, something ruins and possibly a hint of magic or gold to sweeten the deal.”

“Sounds delightful.” He sighed, picturing just that outcome. Maybe enjoying her during such a relaxing time. His hinds stirred at the salacious thoughts set his mind adrift. “Instead we drag ourselves into a war, say to hell with fate and forge our own path. How heroic of us indeed.”

The air stilled, the only sound the crackling of the fire and their steady breaths. She stirred in his grip, letting loose a long, heavy sigh. “Lucky us. Never thought I’d have to drag my bum back to kick my mother in hers.”

“Life is full of surprises. I never imagined being whisked away by some roguish half-elf on some strange adventure.”

“That’s because I didn’t.” She chuckled, “You dragged me into it.”

“Semantics. We can be both at fault. How does that sound?”

Around his forepaws her hands wove, pulling them close to her warm chest. He curled around her with a soft rumble, never minding the snow that held him. His eyes closed as she rested against his chest, the day all but having drained them.

“That sounds acceptable.” She replied softly.

He purred and gently massaged her frail form, tenderly basking in the warmth they shared. For countless time they rested with one another, until the fire was nothing but smoldering ashes. She procured a woolen blanket, wrapped it around herself and kissed his scales to slumber.

“Are you sure we can’t just fly there?” He trapped her in a blanket of his wings. “What I’d give for soft things instead of icy snow.”

She giggled softly, “You’re so pampered.”

“Heaven forbid I live in a mud hut somewhere, wallowing down in the filth.”

She silenced him with a kiss before he could go on further. Together they started to drift, letting everything go. Though for Cordenth he started to dwell inward, chase the vision he’d lingered upon. He couldn’t help it, they were so relaxed, and he was unable to resist the siren’s call.

He knew the risks as he felt his hide tremble, but he cast them away. He would just be a minute, there would be no harm. Any sign of their troublesome foe and he’d be out of there without a shake of the tail. With every tentative breath he fell further inside, tumbling downward into the depths of his very being. With a final huff he was there, back in the corpse strewn battlefield.

The ground around him still made him wince, the stench of death wrinkling his snout. For a pregnant pause he stared at the scattered bones, memorizing the blood stains that adorned them. Only the roars of the dragons above drew him from his stupor. He was on a mission after all, he didn’t need another delay.

Had anything changed? He slipped and traveled through the rubble and corpses, scanning for the slightest change in this vision. Though try as hard as he liked, the blackened charred remains of Struport hadn’t budged in the slightest. It still found itself draped in corpses, buildings burning away as the defenders cried or hid from their coming slaughter.

“Veledar. Where are you?” He whispered, focusing on his crimson scaled friend. His paws carried him in a manner of strides, to what appeared to be a debris littered catacomb. Scorch marks adorned the place, marring each and every broken stone surface. Scores of undead lay broken or turned to ash around him, evidence of one final act of defiance. Yet by how they were strewn about, the undead had been the defenders. “How curious.” He sniffed, finding the red hovering over the body of a child.

It was the Axton teen from before, the one Storm had found and taken in. His face was bone white, blood pooling from the side of his lips. Eyes once filled with life were darkened and void of anything, his body lay limp, clutched in Arcturus’ arms.

The man was sobbing, holding the child close. Inconsolable as Veledar pressed in, wrapping around them both. Their sorrow echoed off the walls, stabbed at the soul, even Cordenth’s heart chilled. The paladin cradled the lifeless body in his bloodied, bruised hands, whispering his apologies to someone who’d’ never hear.

They’d survived. That was to be cheered for, warbled to the heavens. Yet as the green watched in silence, he couldn’t find the energy. Not when the colorless child stared blankly at him. Why had that changed instead? His skull hurt as he cast away his attention, this time seeking out he and his love. What of the shard? What of their fates? Surely that had changed.

He returned to the sky, watching helpless as he himself brought scores of pegasai to bear from parts unknown. Their lances winked in the stormlight, a golden radiance was flowing off his wing membranes. As the grey dragon collapsed to the earth, that left dreadflame to contend with. With spell and fancy flying the red dragon was assailed with what strength they could bring to bear. Spells were slung, riders tossed from their mounts. It was a perpetual blood bath as he tore through them.

Lastly it was Cordenth that lay clutched in his jaws, blood dripping in shock. Lyndis was thrown from his back when she tried to stab upon the terrifying dragon’s snout. With a startled yell the rogue tumbled to the earth, and he was forced to watch, unable to escape the larger dragon’s clutches as they too plummeted to the earth.

He’d seen enough. With a huff he glanced away, trying to ignore the rapidness of his beating heart. His mother had been right, they’d only made things worse. True now two of his friend’s lives had been saved, at the cost of his and…His scales shivered as he heard Lyndis’ mournful scream, announcing his passing. Her death joined his soon after, crushed beneath the beast’s crimson claws.

“What must we do to win?” He trembled, paws quivering as he scanned over the blood stained pegasai around him. “Clearly…more will be needed.” He closed himself from the metallic scent around him, trying to picture the numerous futures that his mother worked in. “What…do I need?” He ignored the itching in the back of his scales, the gentle voice whispering him to stop.

Did he need Matilda and all her poly morphed dragon friends? The survivors from Grozo? Could he return and beg for his mother’s aid? Would she even listen as he laid his case before her? No. He shook his head with a savage snarl. He’d not go along with her plan. He’d end up captured again, bound in leather until what she saw fit would transpire. For minutes he paced, dragging his tail through the dirt, letting idea after idea bounce around his horns. He froze when the ground rumbled, and a golden aura emerged from the mountaintops.

Any thought of how he was to snap back to reality ran right out his tail and into the dirt. He couldn’t look away, staring off into the trickles of golden rays. Malevolence swirled in the air, caught fire to the mountains and set Cordenth in their gaze. He needed to flee.

Without a thought he sprinted across the ethereal plane, kicking up phantom dirt and snow was he passed. Muscles ached as the countryside below him blurred, lost to him with every stride. What did his mother say? How could he return? The air on his neck was warming with each passing second. Dread coiled in his cut, crawled up his throat and almost made him call out for help.

From the vast expanse came a solitary howl, one that spread across the land. It called to him, pierced the golden horizon like a lance, and gave the green dragon pause. He was left staring as a grey furred wolf casually strode into view, setting its amber eyes upon his scales. It gestured behind it, turned and scampered off into the dark, heading towards a thick forest of towering oaks beyond.

Should he trust it? His tail flicked; every sense told him to stay. What else could lurk within this realm besides the emperor he feared? Spirits or entities that wished the snatch his unguarded mind. Yet its howl came again, and instead of dread he could feel a comfort spread about his paws. It sung of warming suns, lazy dips within the river, and lounging to enjoy the gentle breeze of a summer’s day. He followed without another thought.

With tentative steps he followed in the wolf’s wake, leading him through the well-traveled snow. The darkness around them started to recede, revealing the mist covered tops of the forest beyond. Faint lights scattered about the branches, gently wavering on the air as if beckoning one to enter. The furred beast sat upon the tree-line, proud ears flicking in wait. At it’s side was a beast the size of a dragon, with red feathers rolling down it’s frame. They seemed to shift and change in the faint light, a smoldering fire’s embers in the dark of night.

The onyx beaked bird cast upon him a quizzical look with eyes like a radiant sun. The air around it wavered and trembled, the snow below melting softly against it’s steel like talons. There was but one name for a creature such as this, that burned with such intensity. The phoenix, a beast of legend, told to die and be reborn from the ashes. Though what was it doing here in this forest? Cordenth’s stride slowed to a crawl.

The wolf’s howl came again, joined by the shrieking cry of it’s phoenix companion. The combined making every tree around quiver and shake in terror. Snow leaped and jumped away from them, leaving the pair surrounded by nothing but flourishing, vibrant grass. Once done they looked to him, their eyes shimmering with an inner light. Magic in it’s purest form on display, like the one that existed inside all dragons.

“But what do you want?” He spoke softly, taking a tentative step. It brought more weight than he thought, crashing snout first into the snow. Going to push himself up only made things worse, his other forepaw soon joining the first. The harder he squirmed the further he sank, until the powder had swallowed him whole in it’s icy grip. Frantically he slashed at his snowy prison, desperately not wishing to relive his time in the deep fae. He roared and snarled, found purchase, and dragged his scales up through the snow.

He burst with a great gasp, flopping upon the hardened earth, met with the creatures like before. He panted and dragged himself up, lashing his tail when they cocked their heads in interest. Like they just hadn’t tried to kill him. “What do you want?” He gasped, kneading thin lines into the ground.

“Come.” The wolf spoke deeply, gesturing to the forest encompassed by mists.

“Find. Reborn.” The phoenix nodded, using the same exact tone as its companion. “Unite.”

“But what does that mean! Its not helpful at all!” Down went his paw, scattering snow. “Speak plainly.”

They did not, only repeating what they said with an ever-deeper tone.

“Ever cryptic aren’t you?” The world started to spin and drain with every breath. Stars were bursting in front of his eyes while his skull was squeezing on his brain. Clearly, he’d spent too long here. “Lucky for you…” He said softly, flopping to his belly. “I’ve run out of…” His snout hit the snow, and he was lost to this realm once more.

*

He awoke with the dreamworld still tugging at his mind, wrapping sluggishly around his limbs. He yawned, squirming in the crinkling snow, and taking a drag of the crisp morning air. Birds were chirping in the distance, his frills were fluttering, the sun hadn’t even stabbed at his eyes yet. He sighed and blinked away the grogginess still clinging to him, only to find a dozen soldiers standing over him, and a metallic spear hanging inches before his eye in the shaky hands of a thick bearded human. Eyes did widen, his lungs slowed, things were certainly going to be interesting.