Chapter 42

A shadow fell upon Struport, finally squashing it’s light from all of Sethera. Shambling horrors traversed the mangled streets, tearing apart the last fragments of the defenders, blood and gore dripping from their rotted jaws. The winds brought the smell of salt, rotting flesh and misery, mixed with the anguish of those huddling away in terror within the port. The skies above where dragons used to play, were now choked with smoke and swarms of tattered monstrosities that screamed their victory from the shattered rooftops. Mercenaries looted the ruined remains of corpses and buildings.

Though Dreadflame had been cast down from this world, and his dragons scattered to the mountains, there had not been enough strength to cast his forces from these streets. Without a great host and effort, Struport would become a great necropolis, a fly infested place of filth and darkness. Even now, Necromancers patrolled the broken, debris littered streets, casting their foul spells to bring unnatural life to the mangled corpses of the defenders.

These attackers would not hold their prize for that long, for a great sound erupted over the morning fields. It came, deep and poignant, thousands of horns blown in unison. The vibrations shook the earth, gave pause to the dead, lit fires within the hearts anew in those that heard it. For it was the call of Drenedar, the rightful Queen, her forces had arrived to cut out this blighted nest.

Jeriah and Keerla, trusted among Lyndis’ court, rested atop the backs of their multicolored pegasai. Clad in armor of the finest elvish blacksmiths and equipped with the best weapons dwarves could provide. Their steeled gazes were sharper than any sword, and sturdier than any dragon’s scales. They watched over a great host of many faces, races and classes from all across Drenedar.

Elves, humans, wolven, and dwarves from the foggy mountains each standing side by side, determination within their faces as they stared down the shadowy remains of Struport. Where fear might have gripped those without purpose, instead they wore looks of determination, strength, and the willingness to get revenge for their countrymen. There would be no mercy for the monsters within that hold, the streets would be purged, this would not be allowed to exist. They strode with gleaming armors, breast to breast, ranks intertwined with shields to resemble the protective nature of dragon scales themselves. By their side were horse sized dire wolves, strapped in armor, riders with lances all more than ready to tear apart the dead, they were joined by war pegasai, wings twitching, eager to take flight.

If it were only this group of brave woman and men, it might appear to be not enough rip out the blackened heart that was the undead, but they were not alone. Marching along side them was a force that one might not expect, the siigonis from the west. Endless rows of scale, muscle and fang were strewn out beside Drenedar’s forces, clad in thick leathers and adorned with warpaint. Among their sharpened weapons were claws and teeth eager to tear into rotted flesh. Their hiss carried over the fields as an imposing storm, some of them riding ravenous, spiked beasts adorned in the skeletons of those they’d slain.

Together they were a cloud of vengeance, summoned the first moment the undead had breathed Drenedar’s lands. They cheered and roared their courage to the morning sky, one demanding order from their queen Lyndis, retake the city, no dead will remain.

“I hope that some survivors still dwell within these shattered walls.” Jeriah said softly, gripping tight the reins of his mount, “I did not think to find it in such a state, I’d rather not have all this be in vain.”

Keerla scowled at the twisted things with wings, “If that’s the case, anyone left in there won’t savior the victory for long.”

Broxl was the first to lead the charge, right at the front of the siigonis host. He stomped his feet and let loose a terrible roar, one echoed by his people and the Drenedarians with them. For one moment they were unified in purpose and mind, driven forward by the commanding shout and spear risen by Keerla. The peoples of Drenedar stampeded into what remained of the shambling ranks outside the city, dispatching them with claw, blade and tooth. Blackened blood splattered the snow, softened skulls were splintered to dust. Direwolves and Siigonis tore monstrosities apart with their bare claws, creating grim trophies of spines and skulls.

They were a whirlwind of death that would not be contained, the chorus of justice for those the undead had unrightfully butchered in their conquest. Evil magics and greater undeath were turned away by the holy magics of clerics, elemental shields of earth, water and fire were wielded by the siigonis shamans to devastating effect. Separated these peoples might have been easy to dispatch or be squashed, but together they were an unstoppable juggernaut that could not be stopped. Together they sang a symphony of death, cleaving through the undead for numerous hours.

Eventually the flanks of the undead crumbled, beaten down by elven arrows, siigonis claws and dwarven black powder. The Drenedarians retook every bit of land outside the city, even breaching into the walls themselves. Nothing that came against them could stand in the light, burned away as if they were nothing more than rot to be purged. Necromancers sought escape and life instead of standing to fight, disappearing into shadows and letting their minions die by the hundred. By dusk a great work had been done, the attackers had established their foothold. The skies were deprived of the dead, leaving only the feathery wings of pegasai to fly victories. To the west, the sun cast a crimson glow, painting the mountains and snow with swaths of reds and oranges, speaking of a great day.

Cheers rang out from Siigonis to Dwarf, building until it threatened to reach the very gods themselves. A great victory had been had, they had won, now all that remained was to begin hunts into the tiny corners of the city itself, where undead such as this always liked to hide and fester.

** ** ** ** *

Arcturus found himself in a disorganized storm of thought and shapes, surrounded by rampaging sounds and scattered memories. His body was whole, not a wound about him, suspended without weight. Each direction that he looked a new sensation rippled through him, parts of his life spread before him like a book. Wasn’t he supposed to be at the shard of Bahamut?

The paladin spun around in the haze of color and shapes, uncertain where to draw his focus. It seemed with every flick of the eye he was transported somewhere else, experiencing moments of great triumph, and crushing defeat. His heart throbbed at loss, then swelled again with love, it was all so overwhelming, hard to think about anything else.

What about your dragon?

The thought came slow, nearly drowned out by the cacophony that was his life around him. That’s right, he’d been at the shard of Bahamut, pleading for Veledar’s life? The paladin focused, bringing everything to a pause, he trembled at the sound of his love’s quivering breath, the haggard cry of his voice. No, all of that was a far away dream, long since solved. That quelled his rising fear, allowed him to sigh in relief, he was better off exploring this new realm, instead of dwelling on things that had long since been. They no longer concerned him after all.

With a thought he found himself navigating through this strange realm, no up nor down, it was quite disorientating if he lingered on anything for more than a few minutes at a time. Strangely, among his life spread before him, he found images that were not his own. A crimson whelpling he observed cuddling with silver ones, all snoozing away to a grand silver mother, Veledar’s mother. As he lingered the scene changed to a proud, noble dragon with scales he knew too well. He danced across the sky ever delightful, catching the knight’s eye with his beauty. As he traced his movements he remembered the pounding of his wings, the taste of the crisp air, experienced the thrill within his heart at being so free, all that power contained in such a form.

How were these his memories?

The question did not linger as the other did as he passed on with bated breath. He was a young child, losing his mother weeping over her crimson stained corpse in the rain. With his next breath he was swaddling a newborn child, cheering to the heavens and praising the gods, pulling in a tired Selina, who looked just as proud. Skywing came bursting into the abode they called home, all chirps and trills for the happy couple, they embraced him, letting the white and black gryphon beam down to the newborn.

Arcturus closed his eyes, letting satisfaction radiate through him. He’d done what he’d sent out to do, saved those that he cared for. He’d heard people say that your life flashed before your eyes before being spirited away to the god’s realms, this is what it must be. When he opened his eyes the moments of his life were gone, replaced with rolling fields of vibrant greens and golds, dotted with flowers of nearly every color, creating a patchwork quilt for the gods.

Mountains rose in the distance, topped with snow, where gryphons and dragons danced around upon wings of leather and feather. They trilled and warbled to one another as they swooped happily over the fields, appearing in such number they better resembled the autumn leaves swirling around in one great mass of happiness. The sunlight shown high above them, painting the landscape in its golden hues, reflecting off rivers, ponds, and lakes, diamonds exploding across their surfaces.

Among all this the human flew, without wings but he was one of them. He received chirps and warbles from beak and scaled snouts as they passed by him in a thundering of their wings. Some of them were no larger than his chest, others at least twice Veledar’s size. Arcturus’ hands traced along these long beasts of legend, weaving between their scaled limbs before setting his sights upon a lone hill of aquamarine flowers, where two figures awaited him.

His heart trilled, as even from this distance he knew who they were. One was of a feminine shape, wrapped in a simple dress of browns and golds. Raven locks cascaded onto her shoulders, intermixed with beads and threat. It was none other than Selina, his wife, and Geoffrey his son right next to her. A smile spread ear to ear as they caught sight of him, waving him downward.

When he landed, it was Geoffrey who broke into a run, the young man’s emerald eyes sparkling with delight.

“Father!” Geoffrey screamed at the top of his lungs, sprinting as swiftly as his little legs could carry him.

Arcturus met him halfway, careful to not send his son crashing back to the ground. He wove his arms around the boy’s chest, trapping him in the tightest hugs he could muster.  With a great laugh the knight sprung his son upwards, holding him extended as he spun and spun through the field. Tears in his eyes, when it was done, he resumed his embrace, fearful that should he let go, the boy would fade away.

“It’s good to see you again dear.” Selina’s voice came as cheerful as ever, complete with a knowing laugh as his attention turned to her. “Will I be getting such a warm welcome?”

“You doubt me?” He burst with laugher as he sprang to her side, one arm holding Geoffrey, the other slinging around her waist and pulling her in. She captivated him like nothing else, her beauty just as grand as the day he’d first met her. They both giggled before their lips met, soon trapped in a passionate kiss long since overdue.

“Good, I was worried.” She parted with a fluttering of her eyes, one hand upon his chest. “I hope our reunion was due to something important?”

“Did that really trouble you?”

Selina smirked, “I’d have been disappointed if my husband died to something embarrassing yes.”

“Then I can attest it was not that.”

“Care to share?”

He paused, feeling the strands of his mortal life tugging once more upon him. He could hear Veledar’s voice upon his ears, the heat of his breath upon his neck.

“Umraadi.” Came the dragon’s soft whisper, bringing with it a warm breeze that washed over them all.

“What was that?” Arcturus turned around; the bright field somewhat duller than before. With his next breath he could practically taste the spicy musk that was dragon, mixed with a summer’s campfire.

“Umraadi.” The field around them trembled, caught within a phantom wind.

That was not just his voice cleaving through this reality, that was the Veledar calling out for him. One not yet eager to see him slip from the mortal plane. Arcturus dwelled on the vast sky, seeing not a swarm of dragons like there had been, but instead a lone red one, distant, but a speck, but he could identify the wings even from here.

He turned to Selina, his heart heavy. Here he was, finally reunited with his love and his son after these long to years. How could he simply abandon them now for a dragon he’d comparably just met? Within the woman’s eyes was a wisdom that rivaled that of Fremra. There were no tears, no anger, merely a sense of love. As Arcturus searched her with a gnawing guilt, she clasped his hands with her own.

“It’s alright Arcturus.” She said softly as he moved a hand to her cheek. “It would appear it’s not your time.”

“But it could be.” He replied, pulling her closer against him. “I’m sorry for failing you that night. If I’d been fast enough, strong enough, saw the signs before they –“ She silenced him with a kiss, “Selina.”

“I never blamed you stupid.” She laughed, playfully smacking his cheek. “I won’t selfishly hold you here…Not while another still needs you.”

“Some say he’s a big red baby.”

“And yet, you’ve ensnared his heart something awful, haven’t you?” She caressed his head, stealing another, passion filled kiss, “You devious man you.”

“I wasn’t devious, I only followed your wise words.” More words than that faltered at her smile, the understanding woman that captivated him so.  She merely gestured to the lone crimson dragon in the sky.

“Now, best you go before he does something incredibly stupid.”

“Thank you.” His head met hers with a smile, tears welling up his eyes, “We’ll meet again someday. I promise to stay when it’s time.”

She held him close, hands trembling, “Don’t make it too quick, place was fine before you showed up. So go on, run off to that love of yours, his great days are yet to come.”

“They couldn’t replace yours.” He kissed her forehead as she hugged him close, tears in her eyes.

“Umraadi.” Veledar’s voice clear as a robin’s song rolled over them all, putting an end to tears and hesitation.

Arcturus said goodbye and hugged his son a final time, before turning and facing down the lone dragon above. All around him the fields and mountains faded, anything other than the crimson dragon melting away to black. Then without warning, that too had vanished, leaving the human once more suspended, weightless, and adrift.

“Veledar?” He called to the darkness without end. He turned, or he imagined he did, fear building up that he’d somehow gotten lost. Another repeat of Umraadi shattered such thoughts, proving to be a crimson beacon in the darkness in which he could navigate towards. Upwards he rose as silvery bands coiled around his limbs, speeding his travel.

As his heartbeat quickened a comforting heat spread around him, enveloping every inch of the paladin in waves of sinful warmth, reminding him of days of spring, sprawled out and enjoying the sun. Next came Veledar’s smell, thick and filling every breath with the aroma of dragon and a summer’s fire. It made the back of Arcturus’ head tingle with delight, his love was waiting for him, better not disappoint him.

He woke with a start, panting deep breaths as senses slowly returned to him. He blinked his eyes, around him was hardly any light, merely traces of the sun that filtered in through what windows not shielded by blinds. It gave life to scattered books, scrolls and sheets, it was evident he was back within his quarters of Fremra’s keep.

Fremra’s keep? Had it not fallen? The paladin’s heart started to beat ever faster. Hadn’t they lost, Dreadflame victorious? The last thing he could remember was slipping into the shard of Bahamut. He froze, recalling those harrowing moments, facing down certain death as Veledar was meeting his. How could he be here, alive, uninjured? Had he not spoke with Bahamut and asked her the power to save everyone?

Shifting revealed that he could not escape on his own, for he found himself imprisoned by none other than the dragon he held dear. Arcturus’ chest as being loosely held by a solitary crimson paw, while the other laid out like a trunk before him. All along his back was the dragon’s underbelly, his head gently pressed to the beast’s chest. It rose and fell with slumber filled breaths, combined with the steady beating of his powerful heart. He was ensnared.

Veledar was all around him, a bulwark of comforting scales and made an argument to remain better than any words could. The dragon’s head was more than an arm’s length away, eyes closed as he took deep, growly breaths. He was a fortress, a protector, better than most in this world would have during their slumber.

He didn’t look hurt. His gaze traveled to what he could see of the dragon’s snout, down to between his legs and tail. There was no sign of cuts or scars, not a speck of dried blood about his red-orange scales. The dragon’s tail merely flicked to form a red wall, completing the prison in which held Arcturus so well. Insistence of freedom fueled him to stir once more, only to find that his aching limbs were nothing compared to the resolve of his draconic lover. He collapsed with a grunt as pain flickered through him, like he’d spend a day of arduous training, pushing him to the limit.

“I suppose I’m stuck here for now.” He said bitterly as he winced, “Suppose there could be worse fates.” As he laid his head in defeat against the dragon’s chest, he could only wonder what had truly become of the others to have him here. “I really hope that I’m not dead.” He grimaced, uncertain how they could have escaped from Dreadflame’s clutches. “Though if this is the afterlife, I’m glad that you came along.” The words were bitter, but massaging the tender paw around him soothed their bite.

“Arcturus is that you?” Came the surprised squawk of none other than Krotos, as the bird’s face snapped over the dragon. “And please don’t tell me I’m dreaming again, I don’t think the others will forgive me for calling them.”

His blue and grey feathers were uneven and grizzled, lacking the tender care he usually insisted upon. Krotos’ eyes were bloodshot, ears occasionally twitching, an aura of tiredness resting across his features.

How could that be? Arcturus’ eyes widened at the same time as the gryphon. If he had lived, then surely, they had defeated Dreadflame? Course, that could make the case for afterlife far more compelling, he told himself.

“You are up.” Gasped the yellow beaked bird, slinking over Veledar’s tail, careful to not catch the dragon’s frills. He pounced up his paws and hands with a happy song, swishing his tail back and forth before planting himself upon his hinds. “Of thank the stars, the gods, praise Parunga, whatever, you’re alive!” He rolled a talon to tap his beak, ears pinned, “Unless this is another one of those hallucinations, I swear I’ll never  drink three mitarinok in a row again.

“This isn’t an illusion.” Arcturus grunted, “Or at least Veledar’s paw isn’t, it has me ever so thoroughly secured.”

“Only one way to be sure.” Krotos extended a single talon, gently brushing it against the human’s nose. When it didn’t pass through his teal tipped crown feathers sprung up nearly at once, joined by a boisterous trill, “You are real! All my praises a second time, good drink, food, and tail to everyone!” His head practically dove to Arcturus’ hands, feathers rubbing themselves against his digits. When they could not find fingers they settled instead for his face, forcing the man to half-heartedly push away the warbling, chirping gryphon.

“Krotos, Krotos, how long was I out?” He sputtered; face absolutely covered by feathers. When the gryphon pulled back with splayed ears and a whine, he dreaded the answer, “Long I take it?”

“Four days, if you consider that long.” He waggled a wing, “Long enough for Lyndis’ army to arrive and clear out the undead, too long for Asterion trying to put you out of your misery.”

“He was trying to put me out of my misery?”

“He considered it an honor. That if you were to die, it should be like that, rather than in a coma. Don’t worry, he failed.”

He held his chest, massaging the tender surface. With a wrinkled brow he remembered his flesh tearing, bones snapping, all his strength fading him. “I’m surprised we even escaped…How did we even accomplish such a feat?” He held his head as a dull throb pounded at his temple.

“Now that seems to be up for debate.” Krotos chuckled, “Some of the men seem to think in their delirious state that Bahamut herself came to heal them, then burn away Dreadflame’s soul before their eyes. Ridiculous I know, they must have saw Veledar doing it and got confused by the colors in the dark.”

Bahamut herself? The paladin’s heart skipped a beat as he peered back to the sleeping dragon, still unaware of the squawking gryphon beside him. Perhaps they hadn’t died, and his plan had worked? He sighed in relief, finding comfort in squeezing his love’s paw. After all this time, these two long years, the beast that hounded his thoughts, terrorized his dreams, tormented his soul over the death of his family was dead. His next breath he pressed into his dragon, like a weight had been seemingly lifted off his chest, he was free.

“I’m just glad that he was put down. Not going to lie to you Arcturus, that curse he put on me? That was one of the worst pains I’d ever experienced, and I’ve listened to minotaur trying to carry a tune.”

“You’ll get through it, we all will.” He replied, seeing how Krotos hung his head, “Every battle leaves it’s scars. So, in my coma, you and Veledar decided to not leave my side?”

“What makes you think I didn’t leave your side?”

He gestured to the state of his feathers, the gryphon dragged a claw against his chest, pressing a few stray blues down. “We took shifts, figured it was the least I owed you two for saving my life.”

“And Veledar?”

“The guardians did try to get him out to help them reclaim the city, but he told them it was their job now. He’d spent so much time protecting it, now you needed his help. They tried to protest but he held his ground, curled around you in here and growled at anyone that approached.” Krotos chuckled with a chirp, “Poor William Threllfall tried to sway him with words and the dragon threatened to burn him to cinders.”

“Is that so?” Arcturus’ heart swelled at the thought of such a gesture, “Though a bit selfish.”

“That’s what the guardians said! Though Veledar merely snorted and told them to get mounted.”

“Typical him.”

The gryphon’s ears pinned, “I just wish Merlia had been here, she would have had a few more colorful insults to have instead.”

That hit him square in the gut, dowering any good cheer that might have been had. Somehow in all the relief of finding himself here, he’d forgotten the departure of his dwarven ally. Her face flashed to him, that defiant, pained wrinkling of her brow as she spat in the face of Dreadflame for the final time.

“Maybe added a threat of an arrow or three. Before you go lashing out, we already paid our final respects to her, said a few words.” Krotos closed his beak, going silent for a time before continuing with a labored sigh, “I’d like to think they were nice, that she’d have liked them. Though knowing her, I imagine she’d laugh that we’re crying our eyes out over her.”

“She will be missed of course. Walking the road that we all must take one day. At least you could say she went out in her choosing.”

“I suppose. It still doesn’t sit well with me, I’d rather she not shoved off at all.”

He hadn’t known her for very long, but the dwarf had always been there to lend a bow and boisterous boast, keep the spirits up with her crass demeanor.  From his prison he offered a hand to the ever drawing nearer gryphon, eventually faced with the whining kittybird leaning on both he and the dragon.

“Grah, you could have warned me.” Sputtered Arcturus, his face covered in Krotos’ feathery neck.

“You and your dragon make a good couch, warm, comfortable, able to sooth gryphon hearts.”

Grunting and accepting his fate, Arcturus kneaded the feathers that fell beneath his fingers, “She will be missed. She was brave, adventurous, always keeping us on our toes. Her loyalty was admirable, something Dreadflame took advantage of.”

“I find myself looking for her when she isn’t there, hearing her voice out from around corners. Her absence is felt.”

“In time that will fade, but never forget it. To feel all of this misery, you must have once cared. That is what you should be thinking of the good times that you had. Always the risk with love, to have It deprived of you.”

For a time, they simply lay there, speaking of the times in which they’d known her. The drinks, the stories, the long nights in which she lit a flame in their hearts. How she would have been laughing louder than all of them in these moments, maybe even taking a time to piss on Dreadflame’s grave.

“Can you imagine that loud laugh, just spurting away?” Krotos cackled, feathers fluffing, “Take that ya red bastard, told ya didn’t I? Just in case you’re listening in the afterlife, I’m going to turn part of ya into a bunch coin purses!” He wiped a tear from his eye as he and Arcturus shared in another bout of laughter, his impression almost perfect. Eventually the gryphon settled down, clearing his throat and his gaze growing more serious, “She had family didn’t she?”

“I imagine so.” Arcturus leaned back into Veledar’s chest, closing his eyes. If this was just another dream, it was a good one to have. “Dwarves are numerous, you remember all her stories, cousins, and nephews and all of their exploits. I imagine we’ll have to pay them a visit after this, tell them all that has transpired.”

“Though we leave out the embarrassing bits.” Krotos gave a beak parted smile, “Add a few embellishments, slap a few arrows in this one’s rump.” He pat Veledar’s flank, “Think she would have loved that.” It was then the gryphon’s beak suddenly shut tight, his eyes going wide, a look of terror passing across his brow.

“Something the matter?”

His ears splayed, “Shit.”

“Come now, don’t leave me in suspense.” Chuckled Arcturus, intrigued where this turn of events would go.

“You see, I told the dragon that I’d wake him should you wake.” Krotos winced, “And he was indisposed, or slumber had gripped him.”

“Alright, I don’t see the issue, you agreed to wake him, wake him.”

“Yet here I sit, looking him over, that particular agreement is looking fairly arduous. You know what they say about sleeping dragons…” The gryphon rose to begin pacing, muttering to himself how exactly to get out of this.

“Pacing isn’t going to help you know. You gave your word, be over and done with it.” Laughed Arcturus, “He won’t bite that hard, you’re his friend!”

“Yes, but he loves you Arcturus, I can see how waking a slumbering dragon leaves you with no hesitation. I’ve lived this long, survived the siege, I’d rather not be killed by an upset dragon.”

He rolled his eyes, “He’s not going to kill you. Worst thing I can imagine is he might pluck a feather or three.” As the gryphon gave an indignant squawk, the man could only shake his head. “Look, what would you rather have, wake him now so he can speak with me, or find out later that you didn’t do it.”

“Why would he ever find out, would you…” Krotos’ gaze narrowed with a chirp, “I hate you.”

“I never said I would! But if he asks, there isn’t anything exactly keeping me from telling him. The worst thing that’s going to happen is a bit of wrestling.”

“Ugh, fine.” Groaned the gryphon as he slunk to Veledar’s snout, thrusting a wing to Arcturus, “But know I’ll tell this to little miss Gwen when I see her and sweet Mary. Gus would have wanted them to know how you pushed me to death.”

“Alright dramatic bird, if he hasn’t killed you yet, I doubt that he’ll do so. He’d have to be the worst dragon in all of Sethera.”

Was he going to poke him away, swat the dragon across the snout with his wing? Maybe he’d press into him with his hands and shake him till the dragon had no choice but to wake. The gryphon cleared his throat, straightening his neck as he began to crow with all his heart. It was delivered there in four, strong pulses, with only a momentary pause between them. It roused his crown feathers as he rolled a talon to his chest, pride flickering in his eye. It filled the room with it’s ear splintering sound, there was little that couldn’t be able to hear such a thing.

Crimson bulk began to shift as the crimson protector shrugged off the shackles of sleep. Veledar groaned, kicking a hind as he transitioned into a hiss. “I knew I should have not set that alarm. No one deserves a gryphon’s crow.”

“Get up lazy scales!”

A paw was Krotos’ reward, batted right across his head. The crowing ceased.

“There we are…Five more minutes.” Veledar mumbled, flicking his tail as Krotos pulled away with an indignant squawk.

“You were supposed to get up!” Shrieked the gryphon.

“Well, now I don’t want t. The beds comfy, Arcturus is warm.” The dragon flicked a wing, “Could you see if they have goat or something? I’ve worked up quite the appetite.”

Teal tip feathers ruffled as eyes narrowed, the dragon waving the gryphon off with a dismissive paw, “I’m not your servant! I was waking you up cause you asked!”

“I said wake me.” Growled Veledar, snout wrinkling, “Not shriek in my ear with your noise.”

“Shriek?” That was one of the gryphon kind’s loveliest songs you simpleton!”

Veledar shrugged, “Sounded like a bag of dying cats to me. Didn’t it sound like shrieking Arcturus?” The dragon kneaded the human in his grasp with a thumping tail, dropping his voice to do an impression, “It was horrible Umraadi, did I mention you’re quite handsome today?”

“No, you hadn’t!” Cooed the dragon, “Why thank you Arcturus, you yourself are most dashing. Why, I might wish to lock my maw with you and kiss the day away.”

“That does sound rather appealing.” Arcturus remarked, “And yes I found Krotos’ song to be shrieking.”

“See, Arcturus here is in agreement.” The red dragon’s eye suddenly snapped open, realization dazzling in the pool of sapphire, at sight of Arcturus’ awake, his snout shot up with a mighty warble.

“Arcturus, you’re awake!”

“Why I was trying to wake you.” Krotos bemoaned as Arcturus smirked.

Veledar coiled on himself, thrusting his snout to the human’s face, easily dominating it with his affectionate nuzzles. If Krotos’ had been an attack upon his senses, then this was an army swiftly overpowering him. Nostrils flared amidst his tender embrace, the space filled with affection growls. Paws caressed the human with care, holding him in palace as to not escape the red dragon’s gift.

Arcturus laughed, caressing the scaled snout, finding his own spirits starting to be corrupted by the dragon’s own. Eventually he found himself flipped over, laying on Veledar’s belly with two strong paws on his waist. Sapphire eyes glinted with affection, the only warning Arcturus received until he was forced to deal with being secured in place, then a parted snout that trapped him in a most passionate kiss. He blushed and groaned, stroking that lovely snout as the beast seemed intent to feed him his thick tongue. Together their muffled moans danced upon the air.

“I heard you stayed by my side the entire time.” He smiled when they parted, but only leaving inches between them. “That is rather sweet.”

He rumbled, chest swelling with pride, “Others might have worried that you’d not wake, but I knew the strength of my Umraadi. I figured you just needed a little extra help to return, perhaps a familiar voice or smell. I hope it that they helped?”

“It did.” He held the crimson snout in place, trying to recall the dream that had it’s hold on him. It made his heard throb, all but a haze. “I think I was with my family, Selina, and Geoffrey. Your voice called me back.” It was like holding onto grains of sand, details swiftly going through his fingers. There had been words perhaps? He just knew that Selina had not been upset.

“Are you well?” The dragon’s voice cut through his throughts, ending with a great huff that ruffled the man’s hair. “I can sense the unease within you.”

“Of course.” He ran a hand along the top of Veledar’s head, letting the beast settle his nose against his belly, “Just its all so confusing. I heard that we defeated Dreadflame? Great rumors if you could believe it.”

“You don’t remember?” Veledar pulled back with a gasp, “Krotos, you mean to tell me that you had my Umraadi awake this entire time and you didn’t…” The gryphon, as they had greeted, had slipped away through the door.

Veledar huffed, thumping his tail with a growl, “Suits him right. Last time I entrust him to wake me.”

“So, what happened?” He pulled the dragon’s snout back to him, gracing those scaled lips with a kiss. A pleased rumble was his reward that shivered his skin and cast a wave of delight through his bones. “Is Dreadflame truly dead? Krotos seems to think so.”

“Oh, Dead he is.” Veledar growled with a grin, “Not even returned to his orb. Arcturus, I saw as you, transformed into an avatar of Bahamut herself, ripped the soul out of his chest. With your flames you burned him away to nothing. Which, can I just say, you had a most attractive rump. “He licked the blushing man’s cheek with a coo, “The guardians now speak of both of us, the dragons that stood before and defeated Dreadflame.” The dragon held tight as he wiggled in excitement, “Were going to have so much renown and coin! Everyone will know our names!”

Yet even as Veledar recounted on and on about his renown, Arcturus could only stay focused on the story. A dragon? Surely that had to be a joke, though Veledar would not lie to him would he? Arcturus looked to the palm of his hands, calloused, not a sign of dragon about them. “You have to be pulling my leg. I’m not a dragon.”

“I saw you revert Arcturus! When all was done there was a silver dragon, and he became you. Don’t go on thinking I was hallucinating or hoping, I am certain that it was you.” He rumbled and pressed Arcturus with his nose, “So, how was it, being a dragon instead of having one inside you for once?”

He stared into those sapphire pools filled with delight, unable to come up with an answer that he knew would satisfy him. Perhaps if there had been a power that changed him, considering he was not dead, it might have been depleted from him anyway.

“Come now, the suspense is killing me.”

“I can’t recall.”

“Oh, now you’re the one pulling my wing.” Veledar flopped his head to the sheets with a hiss, “You can’t turn into a dragon, save my hide, then tease me with that sexy rump and raised tail.”

“But I can’t, honest, if I could I’d have said something.” He felt his chest, just the aching pain, not the expected, “See? No dragon.”

“You really don’t know?”

“No.”

Veledar’s snout rose in time with his scaly brow, “Do you think you could do it again?”

“I can’t remember the first time, what makes you think I can do it again?” His arms crossed, “And why, so you can get a good look at my scaled rump?”

“If I wanted to look at your ass I could do it now.” He teased, squeezing Arcturus’ rump, “While yes, this newfound power you displayed was attractive, and I’d definitely like to mount and break that rear in, at the same time it would be incredibly useful.”

He blushed, “No doubt.” Perhaps it hadn’t been as preposterous, he had asked Bahamut for the power to save them. “Question is, should this power be true, will it remain?”

“Why do you think it wouldn’t?”

“In the shard.” He took a deep breath, shivering as he remembered that strange realm, “I made a deal, one that I thought was going to kill me. She said it would save you and the others…Yet here I am, speaking with you. Either this is a different part of the afterlife, or she was lying.”

“I hope she was lying.” Veledar huffed, “The idea of you dead sits ill in my heart.”

“Perhaps.” He grimaced.

“Or it could have been a test!” The dragon rolled a paw, “One of those paladin tests, would you choose to save others over yourself. Now you have the power to turn into a dragon! Oh Arcturus, we will fly together, go on hunts, dazzle people all around with our beauty, the world is our gem to seize!”

“Careful now, you get any more excited and you’ll flag right out of your slit.” He chuckled as the dragon neared, teasing his cheek with affectionate chuffs and nuzzles.

“You sound as that’s a terrible thing.” The dragon rumbled with a hungry glare, “I haven’t had relief in days, I believe our victory deserves a proper celebration. What could be better than my paladin as a reward?”

“You sound insatiable.” He laughed, flushing at what the dragon might have instore for him.

“Only for you my Umraadi.” Another squeeze of the paladin’s rump brought music to the dragon’s ears, “I know my passions are great, but you are a durable warrior that can endure them.”

They connected in a jousting tongue, groaning and moaning into each other’s mouths. Days of stress and tension began to melt away in these passionate moments, hands gliding over scales, paws tenderly massaging flesh. Blood began to warm, drawing forth an undeniable allure. To spend the next few days lost in one another, it was certainly a great temptation. The dragon smirked as Arcturus’ eyes fluttered, neither it seemed to mind the idea of days and days of relief sex.

Arcturus collapsed with a pleased groan to the dragon’s chest, getting a crimson paw to stroke his back. A sense of calm came over them both, merely content to share one’s company.

“It is good to have you back, the others were brooding over your unconsciousness. Granted, their concern for your wellbeing was not as grand as myself of course, for my perturbation over you has no equal in this world.”

He laughed at the prideful boast, even as he tried to give comfort, “Of course my jealous love, I would never assume the contrary. I do hope in your protection of me, you let the others come to put their minds at ease?”

“They could stay for a limited time” Veledar huffed with a growl, “Though that was before our uplifting cleric of Korde threatened to kill you. After that, all lost permission save Krotos.”

“Why Krotos?”

“He’s fluffy, can trade a few barbs back and forth, and he’s not against simply laying here, quiet and cuddling for company…Just don’t utter that to him, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Would that be the end of the world?”

“And have to endure his constant squawking and wing tapping?” Veledar huffed, snapping his snout away, “Yes.”

“Cuddling?”

The dragon rolled his eyes, “Nothing of the sort happened, though he did act as a blanket for you. If you caught a cold, take it up with him.”

He smiled at the tender affection shared to him by the two quadrupeds. At least he had some company here, he just felt bad for the others. “How did you express this to the others that didn’t threaten my wellbeing?” He gave Veledar a questioning look, watching as the dragon merely smirked and growled in amusement, “Nothing too harsh that might sour their glorious opinion of yourself?”

“Nothing exceptionally harsh.” He waggled a wing, “Some questioned it, but once I explained, they understood. The only one to fight me on it was Feku, but luckily she’s small and easy to bat away with a tail, wing or snout.” The dragon leaned in with an affection chuff, pressing into the man’s cheek, “I figured you didn’t need her little claws digging into you as she showered her affection with tight hugs, or try and shove her created goods down your gullet before you were ready.”

“How has she been?”

“Fair enough. She’s been helping tend to the wounded, provide her little songs, though you could see her trying to keep her spirits up. The dragon paused, an icy chill going through her, “After Merlia, the almost death of Krotos, I don’t think yours would have sat well with the little lizard. She kept asking about you, peeking and keeping out of the distance.”

“You could smell her?”

“No, she was smart enough to hide that.” The dragon thumped his tail, “But it was Tenzin, her Ilbir that I could smell from a mile away. He has been celebrating life like his people, how I would wish to, with good cheer, food, drink, and lots and lots of mating. I think he found a guardian; Josh was his name. By the look on the human’s face, he was about to endure the wildest ride that the Ilbir could give him.”

“Big imposing Ilbir, lots of muscles?” Arcturus purred, “I could definitely see the appeal.”

Veledar rose a brow, “Something I should know?”

“Dragons are still my favorite.” He groaned as the jealous dragon drew closer with a growl, “And the others?”

“Fremra lived, I know, surprising, hiding herself with Jandar away in a room to heal. Achaaz found them, bless her soul, I don’t think I’ve seen her happier. Why she even kissed me!” The dragon chuckled in the back of his throat, eyes glimmering with mischief, “She even brushed up against me in a most suggestive way, giving no illusion on how she wished to celebrate such a wonderous reveal.”

“Just a kiss?” He replied, knowing just what the dragon had implied. “Did you?”

“I had you to protect! You can see by my diligence how much you nattered to me. That even in the face of such pleasures I maintained my vigil.”

The man blushed over such concern, “I’m just surprised you didn’t. I can’t imagine the days have been kind to you.”

“Fraught with worry and concern.” Rumbled Veledar, gracing the man with a tender nuzzle, only to pull away with a lustful growl, “Though with you now returned to me, perhaps I should inquire if her offer still stands.” He licked his lips, “I could even ask if she would accept your presence.”

They laughed together, certain that despite this, the dragon was dead serious when it came to such matters. They trailed off into salacious jests, boasts, just how they were going to indulge with their newfound freedom of responsibility. Veledar suggested they go somewhere warm so that he might indulge with his paladin to his hearts content, free to get as loud as they wished.

Arcturus found himself captivated by the sapphire pools of his beloved. It was hard to believe, that he would find himself here, that all his torment had gone. Dreadflame, the thing of his nightmares, that had hung a weight around his mind was no more. To think no more nightmares, guilt, the knight closed his eyes and relaxed as Veledar stroked his back with soothing purrs.

The concerns over the shard and it’s warning fluttered away, his thoughts narrowing on the bundle of scales that captivated him so. Eventually he found himself trapped within kisses and gropes, forced to endure the pleasure filled snorts and groans of his crimson love. He pushed back into this embrace, his heart building it’s pace, just as glad to be reunited with the salacious dragon. Relief was cast away, replaced with pleasure, lust, and desire, all of it bubbling within their blood, filling the hall with warmth and groans.

“I need you.” Veledar said, his husky voice fraught with desire, “Do not make me beg for you Umraadi.”

He chuckled, only but inches away from the dragon’s sinful tongue, “Naughty you, my love.”

“What?’ The dragon chuckled, pressing into Arcturus mouth as he gave a powerful thrust. Paws made sure the man was forced to endure tit, ever reddening his cheeks. “I think I deserve to be tended to my treasure, just as you deserve to have your breath stolen from me.” The dragon smirked, “And instead replaced with moans of my name. I think after days of near death we both deserve it.”

“Is that so?”

“Besides.” The dragon gave another demanding hump, “I do love watching you try and stay composed as your dragon humps you.”

The beast was not wrong, especially how red his cheeks had gotten. He could only kiss back when the snout returned, whimpering as the dragon subjected him to another few rounds of thrusts, promises of what awaited him in the coming minutes. It was seductive, tempting, Arcturus found all thought save finding himself mounted by his love thrust from his mind. As he ground against the dragon’s scales, sucking on his hot and muscular tongue, the musky, spicy scent of something familiar caught his nose. He chuckled, pulling away to leave the dragon staring at him with an overpowering lust, he knew the smell, he’d been face to face with it numerous times.

“It would seem you don’t lie, you do need me.” Arcturus chuckled.

“That I do. Should I have you feel it, the desire in which you put in me? It’s like nothing else.” A paw grabbed Arcturus back, tender and domineering, “I wish to toss you over and rut you like a dragoness in heat.”

“Then why do you not do that, are dragons not supposed to take what they want?” His smirk brought about a demanding growl, oh now he’d done it.

“Oh, I will, don’t you think otherwise.”

“Then show me.” He grabbed Veledar’s jaw, pulling him into a sloppy, wet kiss, “Show me why I’m yours my love.”

Flustered, lust coursing through his very being, the two souls mixed with one another as they kept up their teasing. The man could only kiss and go along with his salacious mate, giving soft groans of encouragement. Hearts beat as one, desire was imposing, unable to be ignored, they parted, mere inches from one another, eyes glazed over with lust and desire, ready to take the lustful plunge. It all came crashing down with Krotos’ clacking tails returning.

The door was crashed open without warning, the gryphon was in the middle of going on about Arcturus’ recovery, all cheery and not a hint of what he’d find. Clever eyes suddenly fell upon them, a squawk shook the hall as blue, teal tipped wings flung out, shielding the sight out from those that followed him.

“One, moment Axton, it would appear as though they are still getting decent.” The gryphon pushed back the others with his hind, before pressing forward and closing the door behind him with a slam. He wheeled around, eyes brimming with fire as he stomped over to the pair who had given the gryphon their undivided, glazed attention.

“What is the meaning of this?” His feathers ruffled with an indignant squawk, looking more like a dog freshly dried from a bath, “Did you start getting busy the moment that I left?”

“That is what it looks like doesn’t it.” Veledar teased, running his tongue over Arcturus’ neck, rumbling as the man pressed back with a weakened groan, “And if you’d excuse me, I’d like to go back to mating with my Umraadi, I think we both need the release.”

“But the others- “

“Have been waiting for days, they can wait a few moments more.”

“Hours?” Arcturus lustfully whispered back, getting a pleased coo and kiss upon the mouth.

“Hours sounds lovely, how do you know me so well?”

He smirked, holding that crimson snout, the origin wasn’t so hidden, he could feel the tendrils of that desire leaking into his being, they both wanted it. “You know.”

“Another thing to thank Bahamut for.” The dragon nuzzled, groping at the paladin’s rear.

“Could you not flirt and grope with one another in my presence?” Krotos chirped, ears pinned as he lashed his tail, forgotten by the two lost in one another, “Especially when I’m not going to be invited.”

“If you were to be invited, he’d want to hump that rump of yours.” Arcturus chuckled. He blushed, had that slipped out, curse the dragon’s desire.

“Gryphons do have nice…fluffy ones.” Veledar rumbled.

“Should I be worried?”

“Yours has no equal in this land my love. I wish to show it my gratification, as it only deserves a lance with no equal.”

“Ok, that’s it stop, both of you!” Krotos slapped them both with a wing, unphased how Veledar snapped and growled at him. Even Arcturus narrowed his gaze.

“Come now Krotos, I thought you’d be pleased.” Arcturus replied, “Are you not a follower of Parunga?”

“Yes…but…” The gryphon’s beak opened and closed as the pair grinned at their apparent success. He finally lashed his tail and held his head tall, gifting them with a disappointed croon, “I suppose I can tell them to wait. Axton and Feku however are going to be crushed.”

“That’s unfortunate.” Veledar growled, lapping at Arcturus’ ear, lathering it in his thick, draconic drool, “But it’s not wise to get between a dragon and their treasure. They can return when we are satisfied, isn’t that right Arcturus?”

The man, though caught up in the whirlwind of emotion that was Veledar’s desire and pulling himself out of that was unthinkable, mention of the youth’s name came as a thunderbolt. It drove a wedge, allowing Arcturus to gain a semblance of control, “Did you say Axton?”

“Umraadi?” Grumbled the dragon, disappointment in his tone.

“Now, don’t go to pout already.” He turned, meeting those sapphire pools, glistening with desire, “He’s the reason that we risked everything, how could I not speak with him, trust me.”

“But…” He thumped his tail like an impatient child, “I am ready for you now.”

He felt the beast’s hips shift, having the imposing, ridged, pulsating length catch the corner of the knight’s eye. He had to admit, it was an powerful weapon, one he knew was destined for him to sheath. Sighing, he leaned forward to sooth the dragon with a kiss to the nose, “I wish to speak with them now, later you can have me all night? Any way you wish of me, for how long. We will only be done when you are completely satisfied. How does that sound?” He ground his hips against the red-orange scales, watching the beast think it over, licking his lips with growing desire.

“All night?” His brow rose, “Anything that I desire?”

“And what would you mean anything?”

“Roleplay?” Veledar rumbled, cocking his head.

“Should I ask, more plays?”

“Not that complicated, but a…personal fantasy of mine.” Again he licked his lips, waiting with hungry eyes, giving Arcturus’ bum another grope, “What do you think?”

He could only imagine what lewd thing was running through the beast’s head, but he could sense the overwhelming desire racing through him, whatever it was excited him greatly. The knight sighed, a smirk on his lips, this was the dragon he loved. “I want to make you happy, besides.” He chuckled, “I think I’ll be having a great time anyway.”

“The best.” Grinned the dragon.

“Can I be invited?” Krotos chirped?

“No.” They responded in unison, both with a growl.

The gryphon’s ears splayed as he turned back to the door, grumbling under his breath that, “They’d have fooled around if he was Skywing.”

Veledar flipped to his belly with a creaking of the bed and a groan, Arcturus was still held swiftly to his chest with his paw. “See how patient and understanding I am Umraadi?” He rose his head with a prideful snort, “Just know that while I am glad we rescued the whelp, don’t keep me waiting for long.” His snout wrinkled as he gave a lustful growl, “Or else I will get my payback later.”

“Now that sounds like you want me to do that.” Arcturus teased, tapping the dragon’s chest. “Should I take the rest of the day to find out what your payback is?”

The dragon stirred, clearly not expected this response. His snout wrinkled, tail curled and tapped, “I would request that you did not.”

“Did I just call your bluff?”

“Don’t press your luck.” Rumbled Veledar, batting the paladin lightly with his paw. “Krotos, by the gods, just let them in and stop staring! I gave my word, were not going to get started again!”

The gryphon had been waiting by the door, hand upon the handle, captivated by their exchange. He squawked about not getting anything today and let the others, who had ever been patiently waiting, inside.

Axton came rushing along in with his casual attire, brown jacket, black trousers, and a satchel full of goods wrapped around him. The lad had a stitched hat upon his head in the colors of Korde with the boy’s initials. His face was bright as the sun, very much infectious to the paladin that held him in view.

“Arcturus, you’re alive!” He stopped midway through his sprint to eye Veledar’s looming look, “Right, I forgot.” He cleared his throat and bowed his head out of respect, “Apologies Crimson Sky, but I heard Arcturus was up. May I approach him now?”

“Do you hold allegiance to our cleric now?” The dragon growled, eyeing the hat.

“Just to fight the cold.” Axton laughed, he grabbed his satchel and fished through some of the goods, procuring two more wool hats. “I have one for both of you, Asterion made them for all of us. Though I think yours dragon is more for when you’re in your human form.”

“I’d hope so. It’s rather small.” He waved a paw, beckoning the ever patient boy forward, “You may approach, I don’t think you’d kill him.”

The knight laughed at the display, eagerly grasping up the offered crocheted hat between his fingers. Sure enough it was of the cleric’s handiwork, a gift of apology perhaps? “Thank you boy, I’m glad to see you well!”

“I didn’t get hurt too badly.” Axton rolled his shoulder, clearly trying to play tough, “Been helping the others out there with healing and stuff. It isn’t my exact expertise, but they seem eager for any pair of hands.”

“Oh?”

“Yea, Fremra is out there directing them. Big dragoness never seems to tire, even when facing down someone as Dreadflame.”

“I heard somewhat about that.” Arcturus remarked, gesturing to Veledar, “Turns out you took one of the beasts eyes?”

Axton rubbed the back of his neck, “Yea well…It didn’t exactly slow him down did it?”

“It helped.” He offered a kind hand on his shoulder, “You did what you could, when you could. Regardless of what you think, you were brave.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

“Yea, well that can’t compare what happened to you!” Axton replied, pushing Arcturus’ gesture away with a laugh, “I heard that you turned into a dragon, a fucking giant dragon!” His eyes widened for a moment as he realized his mistake, “Apologies.”

“You needn’t apologize for fuck around me whelp.” Veledar snorted, “Say it as much as you want. Fuck, fucketting, fuck.”

“Language Umraadi.” Arcturus laughed, getting a playful nibble at his ear.

“Oh, you’re so in trouble later.”

“Can you do that all the time?” Axton asked, realizing he wasn’t going to be scolded, “Like turn into a dragon I mean. That was so awesome! I got turned into a dragon once, wasn’t nearly that big was only a wrymling actually, Emerald Lady did it, I thought it was rather neat.” The mage took a deep breath, instantly continuing, “But that was like zoom, crash, boom, there was lights and smoke everywhere! Everyone that saw it was talking about it, most even forgot that Crimson was even there!”

“What?” Veledar snapped his jaws with a growl, “How could they forget that I was there right before Bahamut showed up?”

“That was Bahamut?”

The dragon waggled a wing, “Complicated, it was a mixture of Arcturus and her we think, not sure. Focus both of you, how could people forget that I was there?” He growled and stomped his paw.

“Perhaps you’re not as beautiful, enchanting, or awe inspiring as you think?” Krotos had padded his way in with the others.

Veledar snarled, “Careful gryphon, there is only so much attacks on my pride that I’ll endure.” With a roll of his eyes and deep groan he pressed a paw to his chest, “I’ll have to take solace that they’ll remember that it was my Umraadi that was there to defeat Dreadflame once more. It will only ever increase other dragons envy that I was the one to conquer Arcturus’ heart. They will sit and growl at their own inadequacy, knowing I hold one of the most valuable things ever in my hoard.” He thumped his tail, holding Arcturus close to his chest.

“If that’s not a declaration of love I don’t know what is.” Arcturus laughed as the dragon gave a deep, imposing growl, picturing these phantom dragons.

“You laugh Arcturus, but I’ll have to fend them off with fang, paw and wing.”

“Ah, but don’t discount your accomplishments any of you. Crimson Sky, the dragon that held out long enough for me to coax Bahamut’s favor, the young mage to blind the beast, Fremra to batter his hide to shreds…”

“To the Ilbir that laughed as two gold dragons were put in their place.” Laughed Tenzin, the sizable Ilbir holding onto a large tray piled high with golden brown delights. Steam curled off their jellied surfaces, hinting at sweet and fruit. “I think I heard them whimpering as they fled down the halls. Served them right.”

“Did anyone catch them?” Growled Veledar, “I would have liked to see them pay.”

“Sadly no, those cowards fled for their very lives, not a hint of them.”

Krotos cackled, “Did you think they’d go home to rethink their lives?”

“Not many experience the horror of facing down one’s gods.”

“It wasn’t entirely a god.” Veledar groaned, “It was Arcturus here, mixed with her, lets get the legend straight. I don’t want any other nonsense getting spread around and ruining the story.”

“And your valuable treasure?” Krotos chuckled, raising his eyebrows up and down.

“Shut up gryphon.” Huffed the dragon, “I’m in no mood for your teasing.”

From behind Tenzin, came the kobolds that he was practically stitched to. Azzik, in his cleric vestments, had an assortment of potions, healing bandages and salves that he was currently sifting through in a series of clinks. He’d procured several in his claws, giving the human a beaming, toothy smile. He was relative calm in comparison to his mate, who, in her bright green scales, leaped upon the human like a dire tiger.

“Oh Arcturus, Arcturus, I feared you deadz!” She wailed, clinging so tight her claws dug into the man’s side. Her head pressed to his chest, rubbing back and forth, only ceasing when the groaning man wrapped her in his arms.

“Nice to see you too Feku.” Arcturus winced, the ache from his bones joining the party. “I’d hate to see if I was out for any longer.”

“She’d probably have burst down the door, despite the dragon.” Laughed Tenzin, “You should have seen her, she was already trying to get me to fight the dragon so she could see him.”

“She what?” Veledar growled, only to get a nervous laugh from the kobold.

“I had no choice, you said no!”

“And you wanted to hire an assassin?”

“Not assassin, distraction!” She thrust a talon to Veledar’s snout, “You were big jerk! Not allowing to big human, who do that?”

“You’re lucky I don’t snap at you right now!”

“You wouldn’t, I hold human!”

“You want to bet?” Veledar growled.

Feku blinked, snout snapping shut before she turned to Arcturus, “He wouldn’t would he?” Her eyes seemed to grow larger, drawing out sympathy against the paladin’s will.

How could he not side with her? “Crimson, leave her alone, she only wanted to check up on me.”

“Arcturus, she was going to- “He thumped his tail with a snort.

“If it makes you feel better dragon, I am most kind to those I defeat in wrestling.” Laughed Tenzin with a salacious rumble, “No one is left unhappy.”

“You defeat me in wrestling? Unless I let you win, I doubt it.”

“Want to have a wager then?” The Ilbir countered, “My people are quite strong, me exceptionally so.”

The dragon glared, starting up a debate on over what exactly the wager would be about.

Arcturus was left, setting Feku at ease as the kobold went on about days of distress and worry that he would not pull through. She was at wits end!

“And that’s brought jelly tarts!” She gestured to Tenzin’s tray, “Heard humans and elves like when sick or need to get better! They’re strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, a bunch!”

How long had it been since Krotos had told her? He eyed the still steaming tarts, “And did you conjure them?”

She shook her head, “Nu-uh, made with claws!”

“Would that not have taken hours?”

“Uh-huh.”

“And you were doing this before finding out I had gotten better?” He rose a brow, watching as suddenly she realized he’d caught on. Scales began to blossom grey within her sea of green, she wiggled her nose.

“Well…I doing it anyway, but since you better, you get all! Yay!”

The man eyed Azzik, doubted that the story was true. She must have swiped them from the kitchens or something. The cleric kobold just shrugged, unwilling it seemed, to side against his mate. He supposed the best way, without lecturing her, was to let her down gently, “Then you won’t mind if I request you give the tarts to those that needed them? I’ve got you lot and Crimson here for- “

For a moment her snout was shut, gears ticking on how to proceed. Out came the puppy dog eyes once more, including a pathetic little whine, “You don’t want my cooking?”

He groaned and relented, “I’ll have one.” Suppose he would just need to remind himself to pay the baker back, whomever she swiped them from. “Azzik, who is the person in charge of the kitchens?”

“Sergey, tall, round man, caterpillar mustache, wearing big white hat. Nose like a gnarled trunk.” Azzik replied, “Waving around rolling pin, oddly fast for a man his size, can’t miss him.”

“I’ll have to swing by and have a chat with him at some point.”

“No need to.” Feku chuckled, “He hates kobolds.”

“Is that why he chased you with a rolling pin?”

“He never said he did that!”

“Regardless.” He thanked her for the tarts, gently pushing the clinging kobold off his chest. It warmed his heart, despite the interesting circumstances, that everyone here had worried over his wellbeing. It had been long since he imagined there would be so many to do so. Years within that house, after Selina, it was like he didn’t have a soul in the world, and yet here, so many. He couldn’t hide his smile, even as Veledar growled and thundered.

“I will NOT be lifting my tail!” Snarled the dragon.

“Then best not lose.” Tenzin countered with a chuckle.

Arcturus, couldn’t help but notice the lack of one of their member, “Where is Asterion?”

“Oh him?” Krotos was the first to speak up, “Don’t fret too much about it, he was tending to the wounded, and don’t worry, not with an axe.” The gryphon laughed.

“Only cause they confiscated it.” Axton added, getting a groan from the gryph.

“I wasn’t going to tell him that.”

“Oh.” The boy blushed.

“I take it he won’t strangle them?” Asked Arcturus, shaking his head.

“Unlikely.”

“Here’s hoping he’s not avoiding me. I’ll just have to confront him about it.” The man rolled his shoulders, the ache slowly subsiding, “It’s not minotaur like to avoid such things.”

“Perhaps he feel guilty.” Feku said softly.

“Or envious.” Azzik snorted. “You go off and beat big monster while he stay behind and heal, especially after he doubted you. He must feel silly.” He clanged his potions together, “Now I have some for stomach aches, energy, aches, another for nausea, ooo another for swelling- “

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” The kobold sighed, stuffing the potions in his pack with a defeated groan, “Brought them for nothing.”

“Not for nothing, it was the thought that counted…All of you.” Arcturus turned to them all, “You’ve moved me with your care, concern, I could not ask for better friends. I thank you for staying here, in our darkest hour, I wish there was more I could do for you in return. Now, if you wouldn’t mind, Crimson and I could use some alone time with one another, it’s been a long, stressful few days.”

“Finally.” Whispered Veledar.

“Ah, yes, I understand.” Tenzin thumped his chest, “I wish you both well, and wonderful night ahead.”

“What did he mean?” Axton looked to the warrior, who had taken the mage by the shoulder, leading him out with the kobolds.

“When you’re older young one.”

Arcturus rose to walk the group out their quarters, to close the door and trap himself in with a passion filled dragon. The lewd feelings from before returned in full force, no doubt Veledar’s patience having run it’s course. There was no question, the moment they were gone, the knight would be leapt upon, kissed, groped and humped until both were an exhausted, dripping mess. Arcturus shivered, oh that was going to be a good night. There was only one problem.

“Arcturus, what are you doing?” Krotos had turned, a brow risen, “Why are you on all fours?”

The man blinked, somehow, standing on two legs had not occurred to him. He was doing just as the gryph had said, flat feet, like it was just the normal of doing it. He couldn’t help but blush, “I…don’t know.”

“It’s the after effect!” Axton squealed, practically sliding onto his knees at Arcturus’ side, “You just shape changed into a dragon, your body is going through a shock process! I bet it’s all confused on how to move! Tell me, do you think you have a tail and wings right now?”

“Axton…No.” He flopped to the ground with a groan, much aware as Veledar rumbled and padded to him, claws clacking on the stone.

“Alright the lot of you, Arcturus needs time to rest.” Veledar shooed all the curious eyes away with his wings, “Not inquisitive eyes and questions.” Despite the protests and groans, the dragon managed to do so, closing the door behind them with a thundering slam. “Finally, I thought they’d never leave.” He returned to Arcturus’ side, as the man had not moved. “Need help?”

“Yes.” Arcturus lifted his head, pushing himself to all fours. “I feel utterly foolish.”

“No need to be, you heard the mage.” Veledar offered his snout for the man as support, pressing with tender care till Arcturus was on two legs, leaning upon his nose. “I suppose it will wear off.”

“Or we go discuss this with the dragon we know that specializes in spiritual things such as this.” He sighed, “I’d rather not spend all my time on all fours.”

“Oh, you were going to do that tonight anyway. Speaking of which, before we go off and disturb Fremra…should we…indulge?”

He laughed at the dragon’s persistence, including the lick he received. “If we start, we’ll be stuck here all day.”

“Is that a problem?”

Words caught in his throat as the dragon chuckled, pushing him without much resistance back towards the bed. There was no disguise where this was going to lead, his heart began to beat faster. Perhaps after some stress relief, this new problem would not seem so bad. By the time Veledar had pressed him back to the sheets, his tongue upon his neck, any care in the world was whisked away. He groaned and gave into his love, their talk with Fremra could come later.

** * * * * * * * * **

 Thank you for being so patient in waiting for this chapter to arrive! If you read my journals around this time, you will know that I was struggling with an infection and being brought to the hospital. As you can imagine that put a serious hamper on my ability to type and edit my stuff. Anyway, I'm home now and doing better, the infection all but got away. I hope you enjoyed this part of the story, I'll be sure to have the last bit in the enxt couple of days to make up for my missing of the chapters.

Don't be afraid to leave comments and likes, I read and cherish every one of them. Good to be back!