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Chapter 14: Draconic Bonding Veledar sat relatively quiet as Arcturus told him, in his own words, of all the events that transpired after the crash. He honestly did not remember much through the thick haze of pain inflicted by his wounded condition. Memories were still just a blur to him, so Veledar nodded at the right parts and gave little gasps at others. He would occasionally twitch his tail, lick his healed wounds or scratch the top of his head with one of the talons on his wings when Arcturus spoke about thick storm clouds and magic swords imbued with the power to change the whole world. Arcturus ended his story with his return to the waking world, then took a deep, shaky breath. By the sound of it, he needed a bit of time to recover from the tempest of emotions he braved through.

"Bahamut...I knew our Goddess does more than gawk at her subjects. She listened to you, a human! You know what that means, right? Our Goddess is far better than these silly gods you blabber about when you find yourself in distress." His lips lifted to reveal a tooth filled grin across his snout, "I am astonished She decide to save my life through you. I mean I've always known I am destined for great things, but to be snatched back from death's grip by a puny human is something that surpasses my wildest expectations!"

"Puny, huh? That's how you address your savior, you brute?"

"Why, your return from Bahamut's bosom certainly hasn't made you any bigger! You might have glowing hands now, but I have mighty wings and a tail that can smack some righteous sense into you should you dare to disagree!" Veledar tilted his snout up to look as regal as a dragon could, letting his wings spread out magnificently at the sides.

"Oh. Excuse me, your scaly brightness," Arcturus bowed in front of the dragon, then returned with an amused grin. "It's just difficult to believe the vision that stands before me is the same whelp that moans when my tiny needle pierced his bleeding flesh."

"It was just a quick hiss." The dragon stuck his tongue at Arcturus, who just chuckled heartily.

"Aye. A hiss that threatens to eclipse the screams of our women!"

Veledar pushed his head under a wing to lick one of his healed wounds again.

"No need to hide, dragon," Arcturus patted his chest. "I'm well aware of how you came to acquire those injuries, and I certainly hope my mirth doesn't bring up enmity. That's one type of pain I cannot easily heal."

"I might be proud...but I'm not thick," Veledar surprised Arcturus with a fond nuzzle along his chest. "I know I owe you a debt that cannot be repaid even if you were to return my stolen belongings to me."

"You mean those rags you slept on?" Arcturus arched an eyebrow. "The gryphon...you're thinking of that silly toy you cuddled!"

"Along with my nest, my books, my pots, and the rest of my treasure. I'm curious if your glowing hands have the power to materialize those!" the dragon snorted, pelting Arcturus with bits of warm, disgusting mucus.

Even so, he had no room in his heart for ire, as he probably understood his dismissal of his healing of him was a joke. Or at least he hoped he understood that. Sometimes it was hard to tell what thoughts roamed through the human's head, considering he lacked a proper muzzle to read at times.

"I'll see what I can do about that when the time comes. Now, is there something significant going to come out of that maw apart from self inflicted praise?"

"Do allow me to indulge in a bit of self-appreciation, my dear human. I have been touched by Bahamut herself, after all." he gestured to Arcturus by waving a paw at him, "With a little help from you, of course. But make no mistake. You are but a vessel to a much higher power."

"Oh thank you for finally admitting my importance. You are most humble, Veledar, I will remember how utterly skilled you are next time you lay bleeding. I might just avoid to interfere altogether so that I can study how a greater species than mine deals with crippling, life-threatening injuries."

"Well... let's not get too carried away now." Veledar replied, scrunching up his snout at the mere thought of being abandoned. "However, I think we should figure out how we are going to find our half-breed friend and that dwarf we encountered in Drakenburg." Veledar said. He tried to stand on all fours, but his limbs shivered with weaknesses.

"Don't you dare!" he kept the human away with a sharp hiss. "I can...do this on my own just fine."

After a few attempts, he finally collapsed onto the ground with an annoyed growl, causing the human to shoot up in worry.

"But not now." Veledar groaned, "I'm fine, doe-eyes." He brushed Arcturus away with a paw. "You do not have to worry about me like I am some wee, helpless hatchling." Veledar once again tried to stand, his paws shaking during the entire attempt. He tried to avoid the look of dread painted on the paladin's face. After several minutes without falling he let out a small cackle of glee.

"See? I knew I could do it!"

He turned towards Arcturus, who he figured would be impressed on how fast he had recovered some of his mobility. However, his glee quickly festered into disappointment. His friend, the man that moments ago had his hands all over his scales, was busy inspecting the carvings on the cavern walls.

_ I did this. I sent him away,_ Veledar wanted to roar in anger at his stupidity. Once again pride got the better of him. However, he could not appear weak in front of the human, so Veledar licked his snout, relaxed his lips, then walked over to Arcturus.

"Fascinating, is it not?"

"Aye...it is quite something." The human had the same look of curiosity about his eyes as he did when he asked the questions by the stars. Veledar imagined it must have been a shock for a dragonslayer -even one out of commission like Arcturus- to discover this side of dragons. In fact, it was a lot for Veledar himself to take in.

"I'm curious about one thing." Veledar stuck his snout next to Arcturus.

"Haven't found any hint of a gender if that's what you're wondering."

"Females? You think my mind's on-"

"I know there's all sorts of weirdness locked in this scaly ball of yours."

Veledar hated how the human brushed his hand over his head, like he was some sort of big, scaly dog.

"I actually meant to ask a proper question."

"Then ask. Don't expect me to read your mind."

Veledar waited for the paladin to move over to another set of drawings as to avoid disturbing him at the wrong time. "How does it feel to be an actual paladin, instead of a mere pretender?" He said with a grin.

"Really? That's your burning question? Thought it might have to do with these drakes scratched on the walls." The human traced the outline of a dragon that lounged on the ground, its head pointed towards the stars. "It feels like... having a fever, only without the headache or the illness."

"A fever?" the dragon cocked his head. "That's the best Bahamut's chosen can come up with?"

"It's not exactly easy to describe for a so-called pretender!" Arcturus sighed. "It feels warm and weird, hard to put in mere words."

Veledar shook his head. "That isn't descriptive at all. I was expecting something more significant after the swirling vortex of clouds and the thousands of star-dragons that noticed you."

"Well then I must humbly apologize for shattering your sky-high expectations." Arcturus turned to inspect another set of drawings, though Veledar was sure he did it only to avoid looking at him. "I have just found out I can cast magic after all my life I've relied on objects to do that for me. Here, let me try again." He placed both hands on the cold stone. "It feels like that tingling you get when your limb has gone to sleep. First, it's cold, but then you move it, and coldness gives way to warmth. Now imagine the same feeling is all over your body, extending around you like a curtain, going as far as your fingertips, or claws in your case."

The dragon dipped his head in acknowledgement. "Must be odd for you, to lack something your entire life. I imagine it must feel like seeing for the first time." he replied.

"Or maybe like spreading your wings in the wind for the first time. Dragons aren't born fliers from what you told me."

The dragon once again dipped his head. "It is just a small step on the road of learning. Even I don't know everything I can do, Arcturus, and I am about four times older than you." The dragon smiled in that toothy way of his, then walked over towards the makeshift fire that Arcturus had slapped together. It wasn't what Veledar would have liked, but it had to do for now. After he settled himself comfortably on the warm ground, Veledar dragged a claw over his chest, clenching his snout with discomfort. He could almost feel the hole that had been there before Arcturus had healed him.

_ I do owe him more than I ever owed to anybody save to the mother that birthed me and the one that raised me._ Veledar pondered. Sure, he was glad the human had been by his side during the most trying moment of his arguably short life, but never in a hundred years Veledar imagined Arcturus -the same man that stormed into his cave and imprisoned him atop the deck of his ship- would hold his life in his hands. For a long time he only thought of the human as a toy with benefits who only recently acquired the noteworthy rank of a friend. Veledar had given him his name out of trust rather than complete fondness, but to have Arcturus submitting himself soul and mind to the sole purpose of healing him? That was something no mere toy or friend could provide.

"What are you plotting in that horned head of yours?" Arcturus settled by Veledar's side with his back against his shoulder and the pack between his legs. The human barely waited before he started to rifle through his pack in search of something.

"Nothing worth talking about."

"Really? Have your thoughts never strayed to a female of your own?"

Veledar didn't like the smirk that started to take shape on the human's face. A devious thing no doubt. "What reasons have you to believe I cannot control such basic urges?"

"Oh, I don't know," the human scratched his beard in jest. "I might remember the word mounting escaping your lips."

"When pain clouded my senses!" The dragon hissed. "What dirty mind you have, to think I'm a mere beast to rut whenever the season's right. Preposterous!" the dragon gave a long, growly sigh. "I can see I won't be rid of your eyes unless I lay my thoughts bare, so have at it. I was just thinking about the journey thus far and the people I have met." He said, scratching another phantom wound to distract himself from the flush of embarrassment coursing through his body. "I did not think friendship could grow so fast as it did. I think you are starting to corrupt me."

"Yes, Veledar. You best be careful. Before you know it, your fondness for me will turn you into a proper human." Arcturus said, holding up a hand and twiddling his fingers.

"Dreadful thought to be sure. I have heard transformations like that cause the sort of pain I recently endured," he gasped, imagining the cracking bones of werewolves. He looked to Arcturus and only found the human giving him a look of Oh really?

"Regarding your newfound magical abilities, we do have the rest of the day to explore them, so why not do something more interesting?" Veledar extended a wing over Arcturus. "My mother used to have an ancient book from a long since dead paladin. She said it was his tome of divine blessings or some human nonsense like that. Perhaps it could contain what you are seeking, or maybe at least where to get started."

"Well that's awfully convenient. Why would your mother keep one of those tomes?" Arcturus asked, pulling out a small bag of trail rations to eat.

"She always had a knack for storing items, dreaming about the days when she needed them most." he said, his stomach rumbling rather loudly. Oh right, his eyes squinted. I never had the chance to feast with those gryphons interrupting my morning hunt.

Arcturus extended a hand full of rations towards Veledar's snout. "Care for something to take the edge off?"

Veledar shook his head slowly, "No, I will endure this. The amount of gold and belongings that you owe me will sustain my body and mind for generations to come.

"Owe you?" Arcturus asked, raising his eyebrow in surprise. "If I remember correctly, you were the one that conscripted me in this heroic quest of yours. How is it I possibly owe you any money at all when I indulged you at every tavern you snuck your hungry head into?"

Veledar gave the human a predatory smile. Oh he was going to enjoy this. He wiggled his tail in excitement, gave his wings a stretch and gave a deep breath. He could see Arcturus was already regretting his question.

"Well you see, despite me hiring you to assist me in getting my book back, we have suffered some complications that you needed to be billed for."

"Yeah? Would you be so kind as to illuminate me on these...complications?"

"Putting up with horses, suggesting you ride me, the way you joke around with me as if I was not a fire breathing dragon, how you shove me about when you have a point to prove, and lastly, risking my hide to protect you and the others at every turn due to your impossible inability to avoid attracting trouble." He finished, watching Arcturus' reaction as he got closer to the human's face with a grin.

"That's going to be one heavy bag of coin, isn't it?" Arcturus asked, giving a playful fake gulp.

Veledar made sure to give Arcturus an eyeful of his numerous rows of very sharp teeth. "It will be a fortune if I can even carry such hefty amount," he chuckled, "Now since a dragon decided to hear your plea and make you her paladin, I imagine it only fair that a dragon teaches you how to work this magic."

"And what possibly could you know to teach me?" Arcturus smirked, "You're only just a normal dragon compared to Bahamut."

"Arcturus!" Veledar gave a pained gasp as he held a paw to his chest. "Such blatant disregard for my abilities pierces me far deeper than any gryphon or sword! I know everything you need to know for the time being. I am a magical creature, after all, while you're still a man who wears a steel dress and glows like a fairy."

"Yea that may be true, but how much will this tutoring cost me once everything's said and done?" Arcturus asked, standing up and brushing himself off. "Tis not a bargain to save your life and put up with you in this cave only to become destitute."

"I assure you, my fees are more than reasonable." Veledar closed his eyes and tried to focus on his first lessons in magic. "Alright. First I want you to focus on that feeling you described. Now imagine yourself grabbing that feeling within your claws. Hands. A term I can never get behind. Now imagine forming the energy into something."

"Like your flame breath?"

"That's ambitions." Veledar growled with amusement. "I was thinking of something crafted for your abilities. Let us start with a small bolt of fire. Imagine a small orb of red and orange held aloft in your paw....garrr hand." Veledar opened his eyes to see what he had described being held in his left paw. He tried to not be proud of it, he really did, but it was no use. He gave a big grin at how he had produced such a flame.

Then he looked over to Arcturus, who did not have a red and orange orb within his outstretched right hand. His hand instead held a glowing, soft white light.

"That doesn't look like any flame sphere I know. You obviously did something wrong." he said flatly. "Typical of such short-lived race, although what could I expect from a puny human?" he gave Arcturus a smirk letting him know he was not being serious. He tapped the human with his tail softly for good measure.

"Oh cheer up, that is certainly good for your first try. I honestly expected you to produce smoke, or light. Something very different from fire like I did on my first tries." He turned towards one of the cavern walls, gesturing Arcturus to do the same. "Now picture yourself throwing it at the wall." Veledar moved his paw in a striking motion, and the fire bolt flew from the dragon and exploded on the stone. He turned to Arcturus to see his pupil give it a try.

"That's child's play." With a look of determination Arcturus punched his hand out, and not one but three separate white bolts flew from his hand and exploded on the wall. "I did it!" Arcturus cried with a big grin on his face, "It wasn't fire, but it was incredible!"

Veledar just watched the human laugh and just be plain excited at something he had mastered long ago. He imagined his mother had the same look when he had cast his fire bolt for the first time.

"So when did you learn to cast your spells, master?" Arcturus said, once again turning towards him with those eyes of curiosity that Veledar could not resist.

"About ninety-five of your years ago." He groaned while he stretched his wings, limbs, and finally his tail. "Although I ended up setting several of my mother's books on fire. My excitement knew no bounds, and years did little to change that," he continued with a yawn.

Arcturus took this in and grew silent, as if he was thinking about something.

"Something on your mind, Arcturus?" Veledar asked, cocking his head to the side.

"Nay. I mean...aye. Was just thinking about how I came to earn these powers."

"Move on. You've been given a great gift this day. One that will help you just as much as you helped me in my time of need." Veledar groaned, "but continue, I will try to indulge you for now. However if I ask you to stop....please obey my request."

"Of course. I just wanted to know if you were afraid up there, with all those gryphons coming at you."

"Of course I wasn't!" The dragon hissed, "What coursed through my bones was excitement, for I knew I was going to make it through everything those little birdies put me through. Dragons are strong, after all." he said, turning to the statue of Bahamut.

He tried to avoid thinking of how the ground had been rushing to embrace him, or how the winds tore at his wings. Veledar shook his head as he remembered slamming into the ground, and the pain that shot through his body like forked lightning. Truthfully, he was terrified of meeting his end in such a brutal way, but he couldn't tell Arcturus that. He had to keep up the appearance of the strong, independent dragon that he was. Although, judging by the look Arcturus was giving him, Veledar had the sneaking suspicion the human had seen through his little lie.

"It lifts my hear to hear such bravery, although you didn't seem so convinced while you were bleeding on the very stone we stand on."

"Graaah, the ramblings of a pain-addled dragon." Think nothing of them. At least I know I wouldn't take anything I said for a silver." He waved a paw dismissively at Arcturus, "Let's try to discuss something else before you compare me to a frightened kitten." He returned his gaze to Arcturus who had taken a stance with his arms stretched wide, like he did when he practiced in the morning. Veledar sat amused as he watched Arcturus go through his routine. He wondered how often others defaulted to something they knew as they learned something new.

Veledar suddenly smelled something as his attention drifted from the smooth movements of his friend. He sniffed again. Strangely enough the smell was faint and familiar. He followed the scent with his snout, finding it was coming from the entrance. He looked out to see the raging blizzard outside, but found that the snow seemed unable to enter the cave. It was no doubt a spell he thought to himself.

"That friend of yours was unable to see the entrance to the cave you said? Are you sure that he has good eye sight? For all I know he could be having one of the many ailments attracted by your kin." Veledar chuckled, picturing the dark armored warrior walking straight into a tree.

"I've never known of Garroth to have any difficulties locating his friends -or enemies- from a fair distance. There is an illusion at work at the cave's entrance. I'm sure of it."

"Yet you did not go outside to test your theory?" Veledar asked, as he moved to the cave entrance and extended a claw tip towards it, as if to tap an invisible wall.

"Apologies. Found myself far too busy saving your life, but the thought occured to me. Although...if this is indeed a temporary sanctuary granted to us by the benevolent Bahamut, is it not wiser to remain here while you completely recover? I would rather rest and wait for Garroth to move on. For all we know he can have his sentries posted around the cave, waiting for us to fall into his clutch."

"You're far too paranoid." Veledar went to tap the wall, but his claw did not strike anything. It simply moved through the empty space. Veledar wrinkled his snout in disappointment. "Bah." he said in irritation, and smacked where the wall should have been. He sniffed again trying to analyze the smell.

"Dare I ask why you are sniffing so deeply?"

"If you must know, this place smells familiar. I know the scent, but I can't seem to place it."

"Growing senile already? I thought dragons lived for a lot longer than a few hundred feeble years." Arcturus chuckled.

"Grarr! Mraawr. Go ahead. Keep laughing at the forgetful dragon, for all the good it will do." Veledar said, smacking his tail as he sat on his haunches. "You know as well as I do who is the leader of this party, and if you want to pay your debt while you live, you'd better avoid stepping on my toes."

"Hah! As if my boots can do any damage to your chicken feet!"

Veledar was about to unleash another one of his growls, but the honest smile on Arcturus' face seemed too much of a decent trade-off to pass. He liked seeing him in such bright spirits, for he could only imagine what the paladin went through. Veledar tried for a moment to think of the reverse situation, then snarled, too afraid to delve too deep into such a gruesome scenario.

"So your friend in the black armor. This Garroth you spoke of. What should I be worried about?" he turned towards Arcturus. "Does he have any more friends he can reach to? How about one of those flying contraptions? Should we worry about them on our great quest?" Veledar mentally patted himself on the back. He liked the sound of that. Veledar the heroic dragon, he grinned wide to himself. That has a nice ring to it. One that many more humans should appreciate.

"Garroth, eh? I met him on a tour in Rothdell. He and his band were to help us secure one of the villages there. Rothdell managed to summon a great earth elemental that gave us a fair amount of trouble."

"You...banged your heads against mud? Really?"

"T'wasn't mud we faced. The elemental was almost twice as tall as you. Made out of hardened stone that makes even your scales seem like leather pitted against steel."

Veledar licked his snout as he pictured the creature lumbering around, smacking Garroth and some other people around. He liked the image of that...then he wrinkled his nose when Arcturus popped in his mind flying across the battlefield, battered and hurt.

"Thing was tough fight, but we managed to subdue it with minimal casualties. After Rothdell, Garroth and I became friends. He would spar with me every time he visited Entis. He always had a story to tell, as legs always kept him on the road."

"How come you never went to have adventures of your own? Is that not what you humans do?" Veledar replied, tilting his head to the side. "You obviously have some skill with the sword, and you know your way around numerous enemies. Even your personality is agreeable most of the time,." he smirked.

"Gratitude, Veledar. You can be a valuable friend too when your pride doesn't choke the goodness in you." Arcturus smiled, then his lips puckered, and his eyes fell to the ground.

"What's wrong?"

"It just occurred to me that Selina and Geofferey were still at home back then, when I last sparred with Garroth."

Veledar's eyes went wide. Flames! He had completely forgotten about those two.

"I...I'm..." He mentally whipped himself with his tail. "Envious of this Garroth now. Wish I had the chance to match my claws against your metal stick. Any more friends I should know about?" the dragon casually asked, trying to divert the conversation from such a sad turn. This seemed to work as Arcturus resumed his stances, his sword now expertly held in his hands. Veledar wiped his head with his wing in relief.

"I've got Elizabeth and Gus back in Entis, two of my fellow guards. Then there is that bird brain of a gryphon, Elizabeth's, Swiftwing. We all play cards every Fireday night, although Swiftwing has a mind for drink rather than cards."

Veledar grinned, "That reminds me of two gryphons I met years ago, traveling west. They stopped by and paid me tribute in respect for my greatness." He momentary paused as Arcturus gave him a concerned look. "I did not bully them into doing it if that's what you're afraid of" he said, holding his snout high. "It was a few barrels of wine that turned the night into a merry revelry. Their names were Rundak and Vik." Veledar made his way closer to Arcturus and put his snout into his paws.

"Speaking of friends...how is that other dragon that went to explore the east? What was she like?"

"Looking to replace me already?" Veledar raised his head to stick his tongue out at the human. "Because I have bad news for you, sire. This red dragon is here to stay."

"Yes, I know it takes a lot more than a few words to be rid of your pestering snout," Arcturus sighed playfully, "I am still curious as to her whereabouts."

"Well if you must know, then who am I to keep you bursting with curiosity?" Veledar said, the mental image of his friend coming to his mind. "Her scales had the color of the sky at early sunrise, a pleasant shade of dark purple, her eyes were molten amber. Her breath was of red lighting. She had a little chip on her scales, but she always had fun with me. We would fly everywhere together and got into so much trouble you wouldn't believe! She called herself the Pale Lightning." concluded Veledar, although he thought to Pale Lighting's real name, Zyadel.

Veledar thought to Zyadel when they had played a game similar to what mortals referred to as king of the hill. They would use their breaths to disqualify the others. His siblings, her, and himself would play to see who had the most skill. He remembered diving down, spinning to avoid her lighting breath and the look of shock on her snout as he tackled and pinned her to the ground. He also unfortunately remembered getting thrown off and getting his wings tickled. He looked to his wing membranes as he began to flex them slightly. He hated to admit it, but years did little to harden them against tickling.

"Aha! Would you look at that!" Arcturus exclaimed to Veledar's annoyance. He liked remembering annoying little details.

He looked to his friend, who fortunately had his attention focused on something else other than his wings. Arcturus had his sword in both hands, swinging it around. However, the blade was glowing a soft blue. "Look here, Veledar! I have applied some sort of enhancement to the blade!" The human swung his sword a few more times at the air, a big smile on his face.

"I am not blind," Veledar squinted his eyes, "Clever trick, though not very useful when trying to stay hidden."

"You don't always need stealth, my perceptive friend. The thugs in Drakenburg certainly couldn't be taken by surprise. Remember how we disposed of those?"

"Yeah...I'd have more of a challenge smacking my head against the walls." Veledar yawned as he felt his limbs grow tired. His eye lids started to grow heavy. "I think...I will rest for a moment. Keep practicing magic or do whatever human things you do." he waved his paw before curling up on the cavern floor.

"Veledar, wait! I have a question that has been bouncing around in my mind. Why do you pull me in when you sleep?" Arcturus' voice was calm, yet excited. Even without looking Veledar could hear the smile on his face.

"Ever have a stuffed animal you used to sleep with before a marauding band of armor-clad pillagers removed it from your embrace?" Veledar snorted, "It's pretty much like that."

"So, in this idea of yours, I am the stuffed animal?"

"Well you and your minions stole mine. I figured it's only fair you replace it until I get it back." He waved a paw for Arcturus to come over, "If you feel tired, feel free to come close and assume the position, unless you prefer the company of cold and dampness.

"A generous offer," he heard Arcturus mumble before the swish of his sword started to cut through the human's steady breathing. Veledar sighed, breathed in deep and let the tiredness claim him in its embrace.

*

He was flying high into the peaceful sky, Veledar flapped his wings as he gracefully danced above the white blanket of clouds. With a slight tilt of his wing membranes he started circling upon the gentle gusts, then, when the wind grew fiercer, Veledar unleashed a roar of happiness as the wind battered against his snout. He went below the clouds to peer over his domain of green hills, dotted patches of brown and mountain tops. He could just barely make out the tops of little houses where humans had no clue of the mighty creature that flew overhead. At this altitude, even the larger dragons could easily be mistaken for birds, or at least gryphons.

"Veledar!" a familiar voice rang out from nearby, making the dragon hover in midair. With each wing beat Veledar turned, looking for the source of the voice. It had sounded like Arcturus of course but Veledar was certain humans lacked the ability to fly. However, now that he thought about it, he wasn't too sure where he had seen him last. He thought hard as he looked to the moving clouds. He remembered a cave, and shivered at the creeping cold he suffered in that place. He roared out to the paladin, hoping for an answer.

But nothing happened. Veledar waited in silence for a few minutes before he began flying once again. Perhaps it had been nothing more than his imagination. He had certainly been through a lot lately, like being chased by gryphons, falling towards the ground at blinding speeds. He recalled the winds howling that passed his ears as the ground rushed up to greet him. Suddenly the peaceful sky around him crackled and thundered, turning cloudy and grey. Veledar blinked in bewilderment at the sudden change in scenery.

"What is this?" he said loudly out of confusion. It couldn't be Bahamut...could it?

Veledar began to fall.

He tried beating his wings, but found them of no use against the wind that blasted him from above. The dragon roared in frustration and terror at the rapidly approaching earth.

"Veledar!" Arcturus' voice came louder this time, practically a scream.

Veledar forgot about his predicament for a moment. He looked around as he fell to see the clouds swirling and changing shape and color before his very eyes. He noticed that he could no longer feel or hear the wind anymore. Around him, the swirling clouds started to form into fuzzy shapes, and when they came into focus the dragon found himself in a very large room.

Veledar looked down first. He was standing on all fours on what felt like a stone floor. Even though he could make out his legs and claws, the area around him was still fuzzy, and appeared to be covered by a thick fog that constantly shifted about. A humanoid shape suddenly approached him from the eerie mists. Veledar squinted his blue eyes to make out the shape of a sword held at the ready. The red dragon swiftly turned and snapped at the figure. He was not going to give it a chance to catch him unaware. The figure ducked as Veledar tried to slice it with his claws, then tried a swipe from his tail next as a surprise. However, the figure raised what looked like a shield to block it. The tail met the shield with a crackling slam, causing the dragon pain, but also pushing the figure on the opposite side.

Veledar roared his victory and leaped onto the figure. His bulk pinned the figure to the ground,but it still struggled beneath him. Veledar tried to snap at him with his teeth to end this pitiful conflict. His maw opened, moving for the kill, but suddenly the figure's arms wiggled free and caught his snout between them. Veledar tried to bite down, but somehow he found himself unable. Either he was growing weaker, or this small figure had more strength than a dragon!

"Die! Why...won't you...just fall beneath me?" He struggled, snapped, and hissed in the figure's grasp as saliva coated its bare muscular arms.

"Veledar, s-stop!" Arcturus' voice rang out again, only this time it came from the figure itself.

Veledar's struggles ceased as the room suddenly cleared. He was in some kind of throne room with adorned with high marble walls, torches, and paintings. Great pillars lined the room every ten feet or so. He focused on the figure, where his friend was struggling beneath him. The human's face was red, covered in sweat, and scrunched up in pain. His arms were holding Veledar's jaw from closing on him. Veledar obviously tried to lift his snout to prevent himself from eating his best human friend, but just like before, when the skies themselves cast him down, the dragon found himself unable to do anything.

"I...can't...rraaaauuurrghhh!" Veledar roared. His body thrashed on its own and panic set in as he found himself taking on the role of an observer; a passenger inside his own body. He tried to focus hard on stopping this madness, but his maw kept getting closer to closing to the one human he really cared about.

_ Fight back,_ he screamed to himself, do something, or you are going to end the life of the man that saved you!

Veledar couldn't even shake his head from how ludicrous this situation became. How did he get here? He was in the cave, cuddled up against Arcturus...

_ It is a dream. Has to be._

For a dream it certainly felt frighteningly real. The hard stone beneath his claws, his struggling friend, sweaty and covered in bulging veins that pumped with terrified blood, the dim light of the torches on the walls... and the feeling of his fire glands starting to open up to unleash devastation upon the pathetic prey that struggled in his grasp.

"Fight it, damn you! I didn't save your life just to die at the tips of your claws!" Arcturus shouted as Veledar's snout descended another inch, despite his struggling defense. Veledar felt his throat get hotter, another sign of the impending inferno that was going to roast his friend in front of his very eyes. If was going to save him it had to be now, for he knew it deep within the marrow of his bones that he would not get another chance. The dragon focused with all his might to move his maw just a little bit, just enough so the flames would miss the human. He strained internally, roared in his mind as loud as he could, and he would have even thrashed his tail if he he was able.

"No, Veledar, don't!" Arcturus screamed in terror at the rising flames.

Then came the fire, pouring out like a geyser of red and orange. It flowed out into the air, striking a wall to leave a large scorch mark of blackened stone.

"By the Gods...you did it," Arcturus sigh in relief. "For a moment I almost thought you'd..."

Veledar tried to smile as he felt control return to his body, but before he could speak and comfort his friend the floor vanished, and he was falling once again into the swirling clouds.

"NO! I was victorious!" Veledar shouted out to the angry clouds that surrounded him from every side.

Why was this happening? Was it some sort of test? A punishment? Veledar blinked as the air was rushing passed his snout once more. The dark clouds had vanished once again to be replaced with the blue sky and white fluffy clouds from the beginning of his dream. He was once again diving in the sky, looking down at what the sun had illuminated on this fine, beautiful day. That's when a small silver streak flew passed him, causing him to turn than gasp. Flying right beside him in mid dive was his brother, his silver snout open in joy as he unleashed a playful growl.

Veledar continued to dive as his brother circled him quickly, poking his underside with one of his white claws. Veledar looked to him with sorrow. He had forgotten how nimble of a flier he was.

"That tail is mine!" His brother sped out of his reach as Veledar tried to catch his cute tail.

"If you can! Your lazy wings can never match my speed!" His brother smiled back, sticking his tongue out at the red dragon. Then the young dragon started to do a loop in the air.

Veledar closed his eyes and covered them with his paws. "I don't want to relive this dreadful moment," he breathed to himself, trying to think of the cave he knew he was sleeping in. He tried to imagine Arcturus doing his little movements. He tried to picture the human getting held in his grasp which was the norm for a while now.

But none of those memories protected him against the dreadful sound that pierced into his ears. The roar of pain that broke through his concentration like a flaming blast, and he knew what it was. Veledar felt the familiar sting of panic as terror welled up just as it did all those years ago. The feeling of hopelessness paralyzing his wings as his brother tumbled to the earth. The terror that opened his eyes wide to a most dreadful image. His brother, an agile flier mere moments ago, turned into a choking, moaning pile of misery as a huge spike pierced him through his chest. Veledar shook his snout, trying to not picture the dragon's shocked expression as his body tumbled lifelessly to the ground.

"Nooooo!" Veledar found himself roaring, tears welling up in his blue eyes. He shut them tightly, trying to focus on anything else. But that was hard. Too hard, even when that place was one of relief. "Please" he said to himself as he imagined the relief on the paladin's face right after Arcturus returned with Bahamut's light in his hands. "Please...."

Veledar opened his eyes, finding himself in a cave, but not the same one where he fell asleep in. Another silver dragon lay next to him, but instead of his deceased brother now stood his sister, Adalina. He could hear her sniffling as she struggled to stay quiet, and Veledar slowly wiped his own tears from his eyes. He looked up as a large silver dragon slunk into this portion of the cave to curl around the two wrymlings. She had frills lining her spine, bone white claws, and large grey membraned wings. Her scales were smooth and covered her entire body from head to tail, and carried them with a grace he always had seen her display. Her horns were less pronounced than male dragons, and her white claws were smeared in thick, half-dried blood.

Veledar whimpered as she began to stroke the small dragon.

"It will pass. In time, even the gravest of wounds heal," she said softly and calmly.

Veledar admired the strength she had always shown around them, but even he could see the heavy pain carried in her green eyes as she looked to him.

"Time will only ignite my vengeance further. I hate them!" Veledar hissed to her, tears welling up once again in his eyes. "It isn't fair! We were just flying in the sky like we always-" he found himself unable to finish the sentence as he collapsed onto his mother's chest, sobbing out his misery.

"I know it's hard to find mercy in your heart now, little one, but you have to remember to not judge a race based on the actions of a few. Humans too lose wives, husbands, children..." She rested her head on Veledar and curled her tail around Adalina.

"Besides, the ones responsible for this atrocity have been taken care of. There's nothing left to worry about now, my little Veledar." His mother squinted her eyes, and said with a grim look on her muzzle. Judging from the blood on her claws the small dragon knew what she had meant. His mother licked Veledar across his head affectionately as he continued to cry.

"I miss him so much. Are you sure....there isn't a way to bring him back?"

"I treasured him just as much as you do, little one," his mother whispered, "But sadly, there is no way to bring a dragon back once death claims his body. It is the way of the world, unfair as you may now think. Try to find comfort in knowing that your brother is in a better place...a place where there is no pain. No suffering. Not even hunger."

"He doesn't have to hunt?"

"No, my little one. Bahamut will see him provided with everything he needs." She laid down her head, and Veledar finally saw large tears fall down across her snout.

"Then why are you crying, mother?"

"Because..." the female's voice cracked for a moment. "Because I wished to feel his presence under my wing for a few more seasons before...before-"

The young Veledar nuzzled her neck and cuddled close to his mother as they cried together.

*

Veledar awoke with a start. The smell he had sniffed before. He knew what it was!

"Up! Up! Move your heavy, glowing arse, sir paladin!"

"What is that noise?" Arcturus mumbled. "Shush your snout for just a while longer. Isn't even morn yet."

Veledar had none of that. He tried to get up from his resting spot, ignoring the complete darkness that surrounded him for a moment, a good hint at how long he's been asleep. Still, even in pitch black darkness, he figured that his wing was being held down by the paladin, who had wormed his way between his paws.

"Comfortable, are we?" Veledar teased the human with a few strokes along his curled body. He was hugging a forepaw, head rested on a hind one.

"Aye. Very. Wing's warmer than a stove. So very...soft and pleasant."

Veledar quite enjoyed seeing Arcturus make some sort of love to his wing, but unfortunately he found himself pressed by more important concerns.

"Arcturus! You have to move now, or I'll get up. Believe me, you won't like it if I do that." Veledar said loudly, poking the human with one of his claws.

"Just give me a few more moments." the human mumbled, griping his wing tighter like a blanket. "What got you in such rush? There's nothing to do here apart from sleeping."

"That's what a sleepy head would say." Veledar rolled his eyes as he poked Arcturus a tad harder this time. This left him more frustrated as the human would still not wake. Veledar grinned to himself as an idea came to him. He opened his maw wide, looked in Arcturus' direction, then unleashed his loudest and messiest of roars. Arcturus' eyes bolted suddenly open, and Veledar held him tight as the human tried to bolt up.

"You didn't have to blast my ears and pelt me with saliva, dragon." Arcturus grumbled, "I would have gotten up if you just gave me a couple more moments like I bargained for!" Arcturus lifted the dragon's paws off himself. "So what's so important you decided to wake me up with a near deafening roar?"

"I've identified the smell that evaded me before." Veledar smiled, showing off his white teeth. "You're going to like this."

"What, is it a female in heat? Cause they're problem for all species, not just dragons." Arcturus replied sarcastically.

"It's my mother's scent you clanking bucket of pebbles-for-brains! I am a tad disappointed that I did not recognize it before, I must have been distracted by all the excitement that poured over me once I saw what your glowing hands can do. Imagine if I would've been the one graced to stand in Bahamut's presence. Do you think she would've made me more resplendent than I already am? Or maybe she could have fashioned me an iron suit like yours to mraaauuurrghh," he was interrupted by his stomach rumbling loud like a lion's roar. Veledar clutched his chest as it felt like a wolf was tearing at his insides.

"You know for most people, waking up to that roar, being held tight by a dragon, and hearing his stomach rumbling in hunger would be a nightmare. Me, however? That's just a normal day." Arcturus said with a grin.

Veledar chuckled as Arcturus fumbled around in the dark trying to find his pack. He figured dark vision was something humans did not have.

"But you're the lucky lad. Chosen of dragons, and champion of Bahamut as it now stands. You get more than the bare privilege of spending time with me. Aren't you grateful you let me out of that cage? Imagine how boring your life would be if you followed your bloated king's plans."

"Yeah. Lucky me," Arcturus said, then paused for a moment. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but if that's your mother's scent, does this mean we are now occupying her cave?

"I don't know," the dragon paced around, the sound of his claws clicking on the stone accompanying his steady breaths. "She has at least been here long enough to impregnate the cave with her scent. Trust me, her home is much bigger and far better looking." Veledar yawned, stood up, and stretched from his wings to his tail. He ignored yet another growl from his stomach. "I can tell you're up to something. What are you looking for?" he asked, moving next to the human.

"Maybe a torch that I did not burn earlier." Arcturus replied. He stopped his hand within his pack and frowned. "Well I guess that lake is dried up. Oh the things I'd do for something to eat right now..."

"I can produce some feeble flames if sight is an issue."

"I guess that could work if we needed it. What would you eat, Veledar, if given the chance?"

The dragon cocked his head. "Are we talking about the kind of prey I hunt or cooked food?"

"Gah, is that even a question? I am talking about prepared food of course. I really don't want to picture you ripping through an innocent animal's belly after all the wounds I had to stitch."

"Fine. If you insist, I shall delight you with my desires. Right now...in this present moment... I would want one of those sheep animals that humans breed in their fenced meadows." Veledar licked his snout. "A good sheep roast with some thick spicy sauce to bring out the flavor. My mouth waters at the thought." He laid his head down and folded up his wings. He pictured the food on a silver platter, swallowing often to keep the strands of saliva from fleeing down his jaw.

There was a sudden clatter sound from close by. The dragon stood up looking around in the dark cave to discover that on the floor suddenly rested a large silver platter with what looked like a roasted sheep coated in the same mesmerizing spicy sauce he thought of earlier.

"That smells good, or am I starting to hallucinate?" Arcturus asked as he put a hand on Veledar's flank.

"Not unless I am as well. By an oddity of fate or perhaps a striking twist of magic, there appears to be a plate of roasted sheep waiting for me to devour it right after I pictured it in my mind."

Veledar approached the meat carefully and slowly. He had no idea his mother had this sort of enchantment on her cave. He knew there were spells that could summon food, but this was more than he had heard it could do. Throwing caution to the wind he sunk his teeth into the meat, letting the juices sit in his mouth. He savored their flavor, smoky with a hint of lime.

"I take it you're stuffing your snout then?"

"Wiser words have never been spoken!" Veledar meant to say but all that came out was a jumble of sounds and sheep meat.

"Can you try to picture other things? Perhaps you can summon a fire?"

Veledar stopped his feasting. He had not thought about such insignificant things for the moment. He gulped down his last chunk of food and reluctantly left his meal to grab Arcturus and pull him against his chest.

"Hey get your clawed paws off me! I don't want to smell like a sheep." the paladin ranted, struggling lightly in his grip.

"You may want to be close for what I picture next." Veledar smiled, closing his eyes.

He pictured a banquet table several feet long adorned with food fit for kings. He pictured various meats, breads, fruit, and cheese. He focused next on a chair.

Only one though? No, he needed three. Had to have one for Merlia and Lyndis whenever the women stumbled upon this cave. He pictured them adorned with red cushions, and a place at the table for himself. After that he imagined torches lining the cave walls complete with a roaring fire in the center to provide heat.

_ I'd be surprised if the human doesn't bow before my ingenuity now_, the dragon thought proudly. He opened his eyes to gaze upon the magnificence of his mind, given form. "It's...perfect." His tongue rolled out as he let go of the shocked human.

"Bloody blazes! I-it came right out of thin air!" Arcturus exclaimed in shock.

"Best grab some food before I devour it all then you loud mouthed slug!" Veledar said, bounding over and grabbing a roasted turkey.

"I think you may have forgotten something," he heard Arcturus say from behind him.

"And what could that possibly be?" he chuckled, turning to the human who had sat down to start grabbing food.

"I think you forgot the drinks."

"Of course!" Veledar exclaimed, his eyes growing wide. "Of course. How in the world could I miss those?" He closed his eyes and thought of several bottles of wine adorning the table. He also grinned to himself as he imagined several barrels of the same liquid next to him.

"That's more like it!" Arcturus said, grabbing a bottle swiftly, uncorking it, and taking a swig from the bottle.

"Don't you dare get started without me!" Veledar hissed loudly as he ripped the lid off of one of the many barrels beside him. He dunk his head practically in the wine to take a large gulp of the red liquid. He swished it around in his maw, savoring the bitter flavor before swallowing it and returned to stuffing his snout with meat. Arcturus asked something but Veledar found himself too lost in the cycle of meat and drink that kept repeating inside his maw. It was on the tenth cycle of feasting when he finally heard the human clearly.

"If this is your mother's place, where is she hiding?"

Veledar paused from his eating duties, some of the wine still dripping down onto the cavern floor. That was a great question. Of course she could always just be out. Flying, hunting, tinkering with spells. Any number of these things sprang to his mind.

"Probably dragon stuff," Veledar replied, grabbing what looked like a roasted hog from the table.

"Well yeah. What else could a dragon do? Sew clothes and dress up like a human?" Arcturus replied, and by his tone he was no doubt rolling his eyes. "But what's your plan with her anyway?" Arcturus then paused for a moment, "Don't tell me. It's wait here until she gets back, isn't it?" The human took another sip of a bottle of wine before speaking again, "I mean how long could that take? Days? Weeks? Months, perhaps? From what you've told me dragons aren't holding time in the same regard we humans do."

"My mother's not a dumb hatchling to get lost in her own territory. She will be here in a day or two." Veledar lied, hoping it would not have Arcturus worry.

"I figure we enjoy this feast, enjoy the lovely drink..." Veledar took another gulp of red wine, emptying the barrel, "Drink again and bask in each other's good company while we wait for Lyndis, Merlia, and my dear mother to show her face."

Veledar watched the human mull it over for a moment. "Solid plan, that. I suppose they do have the broach, and it will most likely lead them here. It does not sound like too terrible of an idea, considering what happened today." Arcturus said, then a smirk sprang onto the human's face, "Although I shudder to imagine what your mother will think when she finds her proud Veledar passed out drunk in her cave."

"Hey! You stuff those back in your little maw, sir paladin. I fell out of the sky, nearly died for it, and bled over the snow when I dragged my wounded body over to this cave! I think a dragon who gets saved from the brink of death deserves to get as drunk as he wishes!" Veledar exclaimed, opening another barrel of wine. He finished his words by sticking his wine-dripping tongue out at Arcturus.

"Do you know what I think she will do?" Arcturus continued.

"What o, dearest and wisest of humans? What will my mother that you know so well will do?"

Arcturus cleared his throat suddenly, "GET YOUR SCALY ASS OFF MY CAVERN FLOOR, VELEDAR! YOU'RE EMBARESSING YOURSELF INFRONT OF THE MORTALS!" The human raised his hands and smacked them together as if slapping his hand, "YOU BROUGHT THIS UPON YOURSELF YOUNG DRAGON."

Veledar narrowed his eyes at Arcturus, causing the human to stop and laugh.

"Is that so? And do tell me, Arcturus... you find such outburst... funny?" He asked slowly, trying to let his voice come off threatening as he advanced onto the human. He let his chest swell up in good measure.

"Aye! I think I do!" laughed Arcturus, crossing his arms, "What are you going to do about it? Get me drunk too?"

Veledar grinned at the human's final words, He had asked for it after all. With a playful shove Arcturus found himself sprawled onto the floor, his voice nothing but laughter.

"So what do you, oh great dragon, possibly do for fun before we came along?" Arcturus asked, getting back into his chair. "I've only seen you hunt, complain, fly, and do your little jokes." Arcturus lifted a finger up for each one.

"Hmmmm" Veledar started to say, pondering for far too long. The thought popped into his head that the drink was getting to him and he drowned that thought with another gulp of wine. He then continued with his "hmm".

Arcturus watched him in disbelief before returning to his laughter. He took another sip from his own bottle. "Perhaps you have had enough for now, my scaly friend. I don't think I will survive the wait on your hmmmms."

"They certainly do not last forever. You're just being impatient like you were this morning when I woke you up." Veledar swung his head up to look more regal, of course. "We like to hunt each other, which of course ends in wrestling, telling riddles or stories, dancing, one upping each other in magic, and of course mating."

Arcturus spit out his drink at the last one, "What was that last one again?"

"Dancing?" Veledar said with a grin.

"Oh, you very well know which one it was, you perverted dragon. If not before, I certainly think you have had a bit too much wine now." the human laughed, taking another sip of wine.

Veledar just had a hissing fit as the paladin turned several shades of red as he did not know whether the color came from the wine or the embarrassment of imagining how dragons mated. He certainly would have to press this further. How could he miss such grand opportunity?

"Dear skies, you look like a ripe cherry that's about to burst. Should I assume you don't mate on a regular basis just for the pleasure of it?" he tilted his head to the side and raised a scaly eyebrow.

"What a human does is between them and their friends, families, acquaintances and what not. Not that I would discuss to you dragon, or anyone in casual conversation about such uncivilized things."

"Your loss, Arcturus. Just remember you could have learned a few things that no book ever mentions. Besides...I had the opportunity to see many things during my life." Veledar replied, taking another gulp of wine. He now could feel the fuzziness around his head, a pleasant warmth that pulsated with a dull throb.

"Ah, fine. Just so you don't go into describing the particulars of your matings, what is dancing to dragons?"

"Do you not have dancing in your culture?" Veledar laughed," Well I guess not considering the lack of wings and all."

"Since when does dancing require wings?" Arcturus asked. "I think the drink has blurred your thinking, dragon."

"Nonsense! Dancing is when two dragons hold one another by the paws and fly high into the sky. They then do maneuvers in the air with one another, which is obviously why you don't have it in human culture."

"Oh, another form then. Our dances don't require wings, and there is typically music attached to the timing of the steps."

"How strange," replied Veledar as he wrinkled his snout, "but how do you do aerial maneuvers without wings? Well I suppose you could just strike poses on the ground, but where is the fun in that?"

"We don't do maneuvers, you deaf dragon. There is usually a sequence of movements, but nothing too elaborate."

"I will then have to observe what you call dancing after our quest is done. It certainly sounds like something you lot stole from dragons." Veledar pouted before finishing off his second barrel of wine with a loud audible burp.

"And since I have answered your inquires human, I of course have some...*burp*...of my own." said Veledar, looking over to the third barrel of wine briefly before turning his attention back Arcturus. "So, enlighten me. What did you do for fun before I fell into your care? I imagine your life was all tidy before you found yourself stuck with me. How does Arcturus, paladin of Lumara, champion of Bahamut, entertain himself when he's not too busy spending his time warming up to a dragon?"

Arcturus gave him one of those amused human faces before taking a swig of wine.

"When I am not practicing, meditating, or studying dragon anatomy, I fancy painting."

"Dragon anatomy?" Veledar laughed loudly. He parted his legs, thrust a claw between them, then gestured very close to his slit. "All dragon Anatomy?"

"Not that kind of anatomy, you drunk fool! I'm speaking of the fire glands, the wings, weak spots, things of that nature. What good is knowing whether you have a cock or not 'tween your legs when you're trying to kill me?"

"So, in all your books there was never anything about that?" Veledar grinned, still trying to make the paladin turn red.

"Alright, fine, yes! There was a book or two that covered that topic. However it failed to grab my interest so I only leafed through it." Arcturus sighed, "You happy now?"

"But of course. The mental image alone of you staring and learning about our weakest of spots is priceless. Funny, how nobody ever thinks of striking us there, where even an arrow is enough to provoke serious injuries," Veledar chuckled, "Now about your painting, did you go about painting 'that' as well?"

"Of course not! I painted buildings, landscapes, plants, trees, dragons who've got better things to do than flaunt their scaly crack." Arcturus coughed at the last one, clearly trying to hide his embarrassment.

"So, despite training to kill our kind....and looking up our anatomy, you painted us as well?" he nudged the human playfully.

"Yes, I see the irony, but there was something about painting dragons..." Arcturus gestured to all of Veledar with his hands, "That is worth painting. At least in my eyes. I cannot speak for the thousands of other humans that prefer to stick to their own kin."

"Ah, how amusing. I suppose I will have to pose for you sometimes .Get a painting or two of my glorious self to adorn the walls of my lair." replied Veledar as he pictured himself sprawled out on his cavern floor. He pictured Arcturus painting away on an easel.

"Why not just get a mirror if seeing yourself is all you're interested in?" the human laughed. "You clearly don't have to force a poor painter to get every last bit of you."

"Because then, dearest Arcturus, I would have to stand in front of it all the time. You have any idea the kind of aches you get from sprawling on solid stone? Course not. You're a human wearing silly boots and clothes on his body," he stuck his tongue out once more. "So you mentioned you studied a dragon's weak spots. Amaze me with your knowledge. What do you think you know?"

"Well for starters, generally your joints don't have as much scales on them, if any. Your eyes are another prime spot for an arrow or a blade to pass through. Certain parts of the underbelly are also soft to either sword or spear. You have to look for how the scales go. Then there is the wings of course."

"What about my wings?" Veledar spread them to his side, as if to admire himself.

"I'm surprised you're asking. They are one of your weakest features, letting even pebbles through if swung with a modest amount of force. Like I mentioned earlier, the joints are hardly armored at all, attracting both archers and gryphons." Arcturus stood up and walked over, grabbing one of Veledar's wings. He paid this no mind as he opened the third barrel of wine.

"All this talk of wounds makes my head ache. How are you feeling?" he massaged along the hot membrane.

"Quite good, if not a bit too warm, and don't get me wrong, it's not because you're standing right next to me."

"I'm ugly?"

"All humans are. Perhaps that's why you favor dragons in your paintings. Your eyes simply rebel at the thought of splattering the face of a fat, gassy merchant onto the canvas."

"You're being a rude dragon now."

"I'm being truthful!" The dragon groaned and rolled his eyes. "You know...if you keep rubbing me like that you might just get a peek at what makes me a male."

"So you're enjoying this?" The human smiled.

"Of course. You said it yourself. Wings are sensitive to harm, touch...anything, really."

"Good, because I know another weakness of the wings. They are usually very ticklish!"

Suddenly Arcturus started tickling his wings like his sister and friends used to do. Veledar collapsed to the floor in a bout of laughter, thrashing with his claws and tail, and even amidst that storm of claws and flapping wings, Arcturus kept going. He started to really get aggressive, tickling the dragon around the whole wing, not slowing down for even a moment.

"That's for shoving me like your toy!" the human laughed in drunken cheer. "Not fair now when the little human gets the better of you, eh dragon?"

"Pause. Raaaaarr please stop!"

The human thankfully put a momentary reprieve on his frenzy so that Veledar could regain some of his senses and dignity. He was breathing deeply, staring at the human who was still laughing.

Oh, how he thought himself so clever. Veledar would certainly have to remind him that he was still very much a scaly, fire-breathing dragon.

"You might've gotten the upper hand by ambushing me with your fingers...but if you think you can out wrestle me, you are more mad than I ever gave you credit for."

"Really?" Arcturus smiled. "Why don't you give me a try? I am, after all, the chosen champion of your Goddess."

"Not against the GREAT AND POWERFUL VELEDAR!" the dragon puffed out his chest. "Why else would you start your assault with the customary wing tickles? Trickery and deceit to mask your human weakness!" he hissed as he went to grab the human with his claws.

"I think I can manage something when said dragon is quite inebriated!" the human laughed. "Come now. Show me if you fight as well as you talk, great and powerful wyrm!"

Veledar quickly did a triangle pattern with his paws, then slapped the air. A sight tingle moved through his body. The spell he had just used would make himself lighter, that way he would avoid crushing the human when the glee of contest washed over him. Of course, it also gave him an excuse if the human somehow managed to best his four agile paws, tail, and wings.

"That thing you did with your paws...was it magic?"

"I'm not cheating, if that's what you're implying."

"That's exactly what I believe, dragon. Admit it. You're afraid of me."

"Never!" Veledar growled and grabbed Arcturus by his side and went to flip the human onto his back and pin him down, just like he had always done with his sister. However, the human was prepared for this as he used the momentum to roll over again with the dragon instead on the floor. Veledar felt his tail knock over a chair that crashed onto the floor with a loud thump.

"Well this may be more interesting than I thought!" He snorted as both tried to pin the other beneath them. Veledar felt his blood quicken as they tumbled. He could not resist nipping the human with his teeth every now and again.

"You bastard! I knew you'd be cheatin'!" Arcturus shouted as he struggled to get a better hold on the situation. "Got your scaly arse now, dragon!" Arcturus exclaimed as he had almost pinned the dragon beneath him. Veledar struggled to break free. He was not going to lose. Not to a human, be he the king of the world himself! He was of course the mighty and powerful Veledar after all.

He's not half bad at this game, he frowned as his mind quickly analyzed the human's practiced techniques. He guessed he would have to take it a tad more serious than he had intended. With a loud growl he turned the tables quickly as Arcturus let out a surprised yelp. Veledar managed to finally pin the human with his claws, and this time it was Arcturus that struggled in his grip. With his blood burning hot, he let out a roar close to the human's face, signifying his victory over him.

"You know, I did not intend to go deaf. What would your mother say for stealing the gift of hearing from the man that saved you, right here in her cave?" Arcturus laughed weakly.

"Well perhaps you should have given up when you had the chance!" replied Veledar before moving his snout to be mere centimeters away from the human's face. "It's not wise to challenge a dragon, after all. I admire your courage, but the result is as expected. I am the victor."

"Bahamut's bright arse! It does indeed look like I have been vanquished!" Arcturus closed his eyes, dropped his head onto the cold stone, then let out one last loud sigh.

Veledar's heart skipped a beat. Arcturus laying dead at his feet...it felt too close to that horrible dream he had. "Arcturus," he nudged the human's head. "Hey. Steel-head. I don't appreciate my prey going dead on me. Get up. Come on. We have plenty of other games to try."

But Arcturus said nothing. Upon closer inspection, Veledar realized he didn't even breathe. In a fit of instinctual desperation, he pushed his snout against the human's face, opened his mouth to breathe his air into the human's lungs, then suddenly froze as a familiar voice came from the cavern's entrance.

"Are we missing anything good?"

Veledar pushed his head back as if struck. "I-no, I was just checking if he's indeed as drunk as he admitted." He turned towards the voice to see Lyndis standing there with Merlia. It looked like they had been in a few scuffles on the way here, as their armor was covered in slash marks. The half elf had brought out a bag of trail rations and was currently munching on a handful. She was holding out the bag for Merlia to take some.

"You usually have to pay to watch this sort of thing. Please, proceed. We will just watch and let nature take its course." She said with a mischievous grin.

"Right you speak, lass! Big scaly bum was practically makin' out with Arcturus!" Merlia exclaimed as she walked over the table, "Does dis sort of ting happen all da time?" she asked, grabbing a bottle of wine and taking a swig of it.

"What are you talking about?" Veledar asked, kneading his claws gently into the trapped human beneath him, "I have vanquished this paladin here and then I took a closer look at him to see if he's..."

"Hot fer yer tail?"

"...passed out drunk." Veledar finished with a hiss. "Go check the barrels if you don't believe me."

"I think they believe you alright," Arcturus picked himself up with a groan. "Dragon, let me go before Lyndis over there springs a leak or something."

A geyser of red wine accompanied the next loud laugh from Merlia, spraying all over the floor. "Dats funny lass, he is talkin' about your bits!"

"Don't think I won't" Lyndis shot back toward Arcturus with laughter. The half elf strolled over the table to join the dwarf in feasting on the collected food.

Veledar guessed Arcturus had enough, being pinned like common prey and being teased by the girls. He released the human who sighed and patted the dragon's scales.

"Thank you for the contest, but next time I won't go easy on you," he said with a grin.

"You tell yourself whatever you need to mask the bitter truth," replied Veledar with a hiss, "I look forward to besting you once again."

The two of them walked over to join Lyndis and Merlia at the table, who were busy shoving food into their respective mouths.

"So how did you get here, you two" Veledar asked, tilting his head to the side. His eyes strayed to the third barrel of wine.

Lyndis held up her pointer finger as she finished swallowing. "It's an interesting story to tell." she started, holding her hands up. "And this particular adventure started when we got separated in the woods..."