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Scales and Honor: City of Light

Chapter 22: Feathers and Friends

Arcturus woke the next morning with a smile on his face. Pleasant dreams of Veledar had kept him happy all night. With his eyes still closed he reached out to grab the dragon. He frowned as his hands clenched at empty air, and he felt his good cheer darken, and his heart sink.

_ Oh right._

He opened his eyes and sat up slowly, coughing into his fist as he felt a cold grip wrap itself tightly around his heart. He gave a shiver, trying to tell himself it was the morning chill. With a groan he was reminded of his first morning without Selina and scowled. He was reminded how Gus had come over to help him grieve that lonely morning oh so long ago, and adjust to the now painful life he was going to live.

_ And now I do not even have that._

He ran himself a bath, thankful the water was still running there. He fought the pit in his stomach as he remembered what had made the mana crystals that were now heating the running water. He undressed and sank himself into the soothing liquid. The heat casting off the chill for just a moment as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth. It was not the dragon's warmth of course, but it did the job. He scrubbed through all the cracks, wrinkles, and areas of his body. He let out a soft sigh as he worked off the grime, sweat, and the feeling of despair. It only lasted for a moment or two, as with the last few scrubs he felt it returning. He emptied the tub, got out with a groan, and dried himself off with a towel he found in the closet of his bathroom. It had seemed clean enough, and probably had been there for years.

He returned to his room with another grumble. He threw on his black linen shirt, than stepped into his charcoal pants, tossing his belt around his waist. He sheathed his sword and gave a deep breath before heading down towards the kitchen for breakfast. It occurred to him how lucky they were to have Feku now preparing their meals, he chuckled in the back of his throat before coughing again. He remembered eating nothing but dried meat or trail rations on his trek with Veledar across the fields. Although he did recall one time the dragon had returned to Lyndis and himself. The dragon had dropped a half eaten deer at their feet, and proudly held his horned head high. Like he was doing them such a grand favor.

He had hardly looked up from his meal that consisted of coffee and a crimson fruit from Rothdell called a snatchberry, toast, and an omelet. The smells mixed together to form a pleasant aroma that made his stomach rumble, and his mouth salivate in anticipation. He thanked Feku as his companions chatted away about a myriad of things. He glanced over to one of the empty wooden chairs to see that Shandalar was once again absent, most likely still upstairs in the library. He noticed as his gaze shifted to his friends, that Asterion was eating his own meal in silence and not looking up at anyone. Lyndis on the other hand was chatting to Merlia about something involving daggers, and would occasionally look to Asterion with a look of irritation. Like his very presence was a horrid thing to her.

With a quick burp into his hand, Arcturus finished the meal. The delightful aftertaste lingering in his mouth. He pushed his chair in, and cleaned the plate he had sullied. "Anyone seen Shandalar?" he asked to a collected reply of "NO".

"Well someone ought to check on her. Figure out what she has gotten up to." He grabbed a plate, and picked up several things for her to sample from the collection of breakfast foods that had been laid onto the table. He made sure to grab two of the snatchberries since they were from her home. She likes fruit right? He shrugged, and made his way out of the kitchen as Krotos began squawking about someone spilling something onto his feathers.

Arcturus quickly made his way up to the library were he knew Shandalar would still be. She would most likely be leaning forward in one of the chairs, with the papers all strewn around her in an organized mess. Or perhaps she is trancing? He recalled his time during the current war were elven soldiers would enter a state called a trance. It was a form of meditation that brought the same restfulness of sleep, but could be done in half the time. They would find a place to kneel and close their eyes, and enter a deep state of mental focus. It was strange to think they could get rested from such a thing, but with a shrug he pushed it from his mind. After all he could cast magic, and spent most of his time with a shape shifting dragon. It honestly was not the strangest thing he had heard of.

He took a breath and pushed open the library door with a smile. "Hey figured someone should bring you breakfast before you starve. I know you are busy, but that does not mean you should neglect yourself Shandalar." He laughed, entering the dead quiet library.

The morning light cast a soft glow to all the collection of books, papers, and scrolls that were found here. Shandalar was still in the same spot as before. Her quill was dancing away at the current piece of vellum. Her eyes were staring at it attentively, not even looking up with his apparent greeting.

"Oh that is most welcome. Thank you Arcturus. " she waved to him without looking up from the papers. "Just leave it on the table. I will get to it eventually."

"Your really caught up in all this." He smiled, moving aside some of the paperwork with a brush of his hand. With the amount she had spread around it looked like the table was more scattered paperwork than wood.

"Yes!" She looked up with a smile and pointed to the current paper she was writing on. "It's quite fascinating. Each moment I think I could learn some great secret about these things, and the dragons that originally produced them.

"Well...everyone knows it was the dragons that originally made them. Its not really a secret."

"Yes, but what were they originally for? Why were they put into being?....Why does it kill the person turned into one?" Her eyes fell to the plate he had placed on the table. "Oh snatch berries! My favorite!" She grabbed one of the red skinned fruit, her fingers pressing softly into the surface. She took a large bite, a small spray of juices leaking out from her mouth that made her grab a handkerchief and dab at the liquid. "Grah.. I always forget how messy these things can be." She sat the fruit down onto the plate and returned to writing on the vellum. She did this for a moment before turning the page for him to see.

"See right here?" She pointed to the page, that had a picture of what looked like a giant golden crystal. "This is referred to as "the source." She than pointed to a picture of five other crystals circling it , in what looked to be a rotational pattern. "Then there are these smaller ones that have a strong connection to this "source"."

_ It almost looks like_. His eyes widened as he spotted one of the crystals that was orbiting the larger golden one. It was the exact shape of the crystal that the Emerald Lady had given Merlia in the forest of despair.

The crystal is for what comes next. He words echoed into his mind, as he pictured her sly grin, and her piercing purple eyes.

"Let me see that!" He quickly snatched the paper before she could offer any form of resistance. He brought it close to his eyes and stared at it. Sure enough he was correct in his thought. It was in fact the one Merlia had.

"Whats the matter?" Shandalar asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We have one of those crystals!" He blurted out, setting the paper back onto the table.

"Really?" She asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

"Yes! The Emerald Lady, ruler of the forest of despair gave us one of those crystals. She said it was for what waited for us after Vel..Crimson Skies quest for his book."

_ Did she know we were going to fail?_ He thought to when she had looked to Veledar and himself and chuckled in surprise. Did she know we were going to develop feelings for one another? He wrinkled his brow at the thought. Did she know what was going to happen afterwords? He imagined her sitting on her haunches as her great emerald tail swung back and forth as she let out a deep laugh from her throat at his misfortune.

"Where is this crystal than if you have it? I would like to study it as well, it would be a great opportunity!"

"Merlia has it...for safekeeping." He replied, running a hand through his hair. "She got put through a lot with the green dragoness so we figured she would be the best to hold onto it."

"Hmmm." The elf frowned, her ears twitching slightly. "Than I will have to ask our resident dwarf. See if I can learn anything about the crystal that could prove useful to our endeavor." She sighed, "I can of course assume that NONE of you looked into studying it?"

"No." He returned her sigh. The thought had actually not occurred to him, and he felt a small tingle of embarrassment at that fact. Although he figured it was most likely due to everything that was going on in Entis that pulled their thoughts away from that little thing. "We..were busy."

"Indeed." Shandalar's eyes went back to the paperwork, her quill once again getting back to work. "How are you faring Arcturus? You remind me of son."

"You have a son?" He laughed.

"Of course. He is a carpenter on the coast of Rothdell. He has the same sort of look you do when things troubled him."

"Feeling the same since yesterday." He admitted with a sigh. "I am still...sort of in shock that it all happened." He looked out the window and to the great blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds in the distance. He imagined the red dragon spinning in the air outside. His snout opened, his teeth gleaming in the sunlight in happiness as he roared out his joy for all to hear. "It's hard to believe he is gone." He trailed off, and hung his head.

"What will you do if he does not return?"

"I.." He tried to pull the thought from his head, but honestly he was trying to not think about it. He could not imagine going on without the dragon by his side. Truthfully through all the pain, the ache, and hurt he still hoped the dragon would return. The idea he would have to face the rest of his life without the dragon by his side was terrifying. One such fear that he, a brave paladin of Bahamut did not want to face. "I...don't know." he ran a hand over his back, letting out a sigh. "I guess....try...to go on? Find something else to hold onto to occupy my thoughts? It would not be the first time I had lost someone I cared about."

"You...could travel with me if you wanted." Shandalar said, her voice sounding as though she was showing concern. "You could help us fight Lumara." She lowered her voice. "It might not cure what ails you, but it would certainly keep your mind off of the dragon."

_ That would certainly help._ He thought to the days ahead filled with fighting, crossing swords, and non stop death that would be in that life. What kind of life would that be? To spend his days doing nothing but fighting all in an effort to forget about the dragon he loved? "I'll...consider it." he said after a minute or two of silent contemplation. He stood up, offered her thanks for her words and left the elf to her work. He imagined as he closed the door that she had given him one last look of concern on her fair face, one that he was sure Veledar would have poked fun at if he were here. He would mention something about the "emotionless" Shandalar showing emotions.

"Grahh." He rubbed his sore chest as it ached at the memory of his dragon. How I miss you Veledar. He clenched his fist and buried the feeling deep inside, as his feet carried him down the stairs, out the hall, and out into the morning air. It still had a slight nip to it, although it was not nearly as bad as the night before he had flown with his crimson beauty. He breathed in the crisp air with a sigh, wishing he could smell dragon instead. He strode across the grass, gazing up into the vast blue sea that was the sky, dotted with small blackened clouds in the distance. Probably more rain. He scowled, pulling out his sword and going once again into the motions.

He managed to say his oaths today, thankfully able to choke down the rising emotions he could feel billow up as his mind once again drifted to his dragon's scales, his pleasing touch, his intoxicating aroma, and his comforting heart. He felt his own heart only ache in dull throbs as he finished with this ritual, sheathing his sword and once again gazing out into the sky. He paid the breeze little mind as it rose up to ruffle his clothing slightly. I hope you did not go too far love.

"Arcturus!" he heard Feku cry out.

He turned to see the kobold bounding across the field with a large smile on her green scaled snout. "What are you up to?" she came to a stop, her tail swishing back and forth as her frills twitched slightly.

"Just was readying my spells is all." he replied, "Just finished up actually."

"Oh.." She pulled out her violin, "Did you happen to see Asterion? I have not seen him since last night..." She wrinkled her snout, "And he did promise to teach me how to heal better."

Arcturus tilted his head to the side in surprise. He would have thought after the grim realization that Asterion chose to not resurrect her mate she would have tried to avoid the man. Hell he figured she would actively spurn him like Lyndis was doing. "Your still going to go through with that? After....you know?

"Right.." Feku scales started to sprout little islands of cerulean around the sea of green. "I...still need to learn.." She placed her neck to the violin and started to play some notes. She continued for a minute before resting her arms at her side, and letting out a small sigh. "Cause I also need to get bettering for everyone!"

Arcturus stood in rapt attention as she went back to playing her music. He had never heard the tune before in all his time in Lumara or part of the knights. It was a quick tune, that had him tapping his foot in time with the beat. He crossed his arms and gave her a grin, surprised by her apparent happiness. Some would want to learn from you Feku..To let the world in but know how to deal with it.

She finished up with the song, and gave him a large bow, her snout practically touching the grass as she did so. "Thanking you, Thanking you." she continued to bow to several locations, as if to an imaginary crowd.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you are fantastic at playing that thing?" He gestured to the violin with a finger. "I have heard far more people play those things terribly. How I would have killed to have my ears feast upon your music on many of a night in taverns."

"Well thanking you." She smiled softly, dots of pink forming around her eyes. "I was the best of my clutch of eight."

"You have seven siblings?"

"Yes of course!" She laughed, as green dominated her scales again, fading away the other colors in an instant. "Most kobold's have many siblings!"

"So.." He looked to his left and to his right. "Would you give me an autograph if I wanted it?"

"Autograph?" She asked, the word seemed foreign to her as she tilted her head to the side.

"Yes...it's when someone like you, signs paper for people that love your art...Your playing."

"Oh yes!" She clacked her claws together, closing her eyes in a smile. "You can certainly have this autographing of mine!"

"Autograph."

"Yes that is what I said!"

Arcturus just let out a chuckle as his gaze turned to the wooden door leading to the kitchen. "So..what will you do if Asterion does not show for this training he promised you?"

"He has to show up!" She squeaked loudly. "He gave his word as a warrior!...buuut." She fidgeted slightly, and glanced back to the estate, than back to Arcturus. "I guess I will just have to keep you company!" She padded over to him, taking a seat on her rump. She looked up to him with large royal purple puppy dog eyes as he tail swished back and forth along the grass. Arcturus could not help the smile that came to his face from her apparent cuteness.

"How are you fairing Arcturus.?" Her frills than drooped. "After Crimson Sky left us."

_ Are you trying to cheer me up as well little kobold?_ He smiled internally at her thoughtfulness to try and cheer someone up she hardly knew. He sighed, taking seat beside her cross-legged in the grass. He looked to her as another breeze washed over them, her blue robes joined his cloak in fluttering in the cool wind. "It's been...rough waking up alone....again."

"I know the feeling." She wrinkled her snout as if she were going to sneeze. "Its....lonely." He saw the viridian scales once again start to shift to a plethora of blues. "I almost expect to feel Azzik pressed against my scales each morning, cuddled against me." She held up her claws as if to grasp at an invisible ball. "But each morning I clutch air, and my scales lay cold." She hung her head, thumping her tail weakly. "I cannot imagine what it must be like to loose a dragon of all things.....that loved you..It must be like one thousand times worse."

Arcturus brought himself closer, and placed a hand on the back of the kobold. He felt her shift herself to be closer. He was surprised that she had managed to say exactly what he was feeling. "Well..it's how you described it...but hes just a lot bigger." He frowned as his thoughts reminded him that it was in fact different than hers. Veledar could come back after all,Azzik had no such chance.

"I wish he were still here." she said softly, her voice but a whisper. "I sometimes hear his voice when all of you are talking. Or I think I have seen him in the crowd. She looked up to him, her eyes misting with tears half-formed.

"I know Feku. It will pass in time. You just have to remember to keep them in your mind." He pointed to his temple, resting the fingertip gently on his hair. He gave a loud gulp, as ice gripped his heart and he thought to his loved ones lost. "That way, they are truly never gone."

Feku just nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes with her sleeve. 'Thank you Arcturus...You know he loved you right?"

"Yes." He laughed weakly, "I might have gotten the inkling of that."

"Cause you smell like him...Even after you bathed." She giggled slightly as her scales started to shift to a light shade of lavender. "Is it true? Did he really mate with you?"

"Yes." He replied, "It was most enjoyable as well, would definitely do it again."

"You lucky bastard." She uttered almost under her breath, but still loud enough for him to make out. "I mean...you lucky human." She put a claw onto his arm, smiling. "I hope he comes back for you then."

"Thanks." Arcturus smiled, and looked up from the kobold to see that Asterion was striding over towards them with purpose. He had his brown mat rolled under his arm and held firmly. His loin cloth flattered lightly in the wind, giving them a quick flash of the bull's sheath and balls. Arcturus shifted his gaze from the black package and instead to Aster ion's eyes. He watched them drift from himself to the kobold next to him. Than in the blink of an eye, the bull's gaze was filled with guilt and sorrow.

"Good...morning you two." Asterion uttered in a gruff voice, before coughing into his hand. Arcturus watched him stand there in silence thereafter, shifting his weight from side to side.

_ He must really be guilty from the last few days._

"Tis okay for what it is." Arcturus pushed himself up off of the ground, and brushed off his pants quickly with his hands. "I would certainly not call it a good morning." He than gestured to Feku with a tilt of his neck in her direction. "Feku here was telling me how you were supposed to teach her how to heal better."

Asterion looked to her, swished his tail, and snorted. "Indeed...I am surprised you still came."

"I said I wanted to heal better!" She exclaimed, crossing her arms and glaring at the bull with twitching frills. Arcturus could not help but see the bright red scales forming on the back of her throat. "So here I is to do that!"

"Than you must wait for me to meditate and get my spells prepared for the day ahead." Asterion gestured to a small patch of earth, to which he strode over and kneeled upon after spreading out his mat with a loud swoosh. "Do you need to-"

"Nope." Feku shook her head with a grin. "Magic just comes to me. None of your silly books, scrolls, or begging to deities!"

"Is that so?" He snorted, frowning as if in irritation at that fact.

Arcturus decided to take his leave and start heading back towards the estate, only to find the sound of little kobold feet following him along the way.

"So what are you going to do?"she asked, her scales starting to shift to a bright yellow that reminded Arcturus of the golden sunflowers around his home in the spring months.

"I.." he trailed off as he tried to pluck the answer from his mind. What AM I going to do? He looked up to the estate windows, knowing Shandalar was still working away at researching the answer on what came next for her, and most likely this group as well. He glanced back to the meditating bull, who had closed his eyes and held a firm posture of serenity. He shifted his gaze to the hilt of his sword, an idea formed that might take his mind from the distracting thoughts from his scaly lover.

"I could always spar with Asterion over there. Warrior against warrior. It would be a good way to keep my thoughts entertained. Although I will also have to wait for him to get his spells."

"And wait for me to learn to heal good!" She poked him gently with a claw. "I was here first Arcturus. If you wanted to spar you should have been the early salmon."

"Early salmon?" he laughed. "I dare ask, whatever do you mean?"

"It's a human expression?" She tilted her head to the side. "The early salmon gets the worm?"

"I think you mean bird. The early bird gets the worm."

"If you say so." She crossed her arms and held her snout to the side like Veledar might have if proven wrong.

"I will of course accept you were first with the bull." He smiled, and ruffled the scales on her head, "I will have to find something else to occupy my time and hands."

"And what will that be?" She happily asked, bouncing on her claws as he carried himself again towards the estate."

"I think I will go grab a quill and some parchment." He gazed out to the beautiful countryside of his once home. "I figure there is something here I could end up drawing to satisfy my time."

"You like to draw?"

"But of course! Have we not had this conversation?"

"No."

"Okay, yes Feku. I used to draw and paint in my spare time." He laughed, remembering Veledar gesturing to his slit the first time he had told him this. The dragon had inferred that he liked to draw male dragon's cocks at the time. Although after the last couple of days, he wondered if drawing all of the red bastard awaited for him in the future. If he comes back at all. His mind reminded him, making his face darken.

"W-would you like to draw...Me?" She fidgeted in place, twisting one of her feet on the ground gently. She than gestured to herself with her claws.

"Why?" He chuckled at her reaction. "Do you like getting drawn?"

"I do not know!" She exclaimed, then gestured to her body with her claws again. "No one has drawn me before!...Uh..Does it hurt?"

"NO!" he laughed.

"Okay good, for a moment I was worrying."

"I can certainly draw you if you wish. I just have to get the right supplies to get it done."

Feku nodded as they continued to walk, finally reaching the kitchen door and striding right in. She held her claws together the entire time, her face seemingly to have a smile frozen on it.

Arcturus trotted over to the den, passing the empty brown couches and large chairs that had kept them comfortable their first night around the fire. The air even still smelled like the burnt wood, a pleasant smell if he had ever smelled one. He opened up the buckle on his pack and started sifting through it's contents. Until with a smile he pulled out a quill, a vial of ink, and several pieces of parchment.

"I can hold them?" Feku asked, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Yes be but be careful now, lest you spill the ink everywhere and make a mess." He laughed, sounding like he was talking to his son more than a grown kobold at the moment. He fought the frown that would have came to his face at that thought, but with a quick look to her pleased face was all it took to obliterate that thought from his mind.

_ I can think of worse ways to spend a morning._ He thought back to when they had been chased by gryphons, and Veledar had crashed into the snow. Almost dying in the process. _Like that for instance. _ He imagined what Veledar might think of what they were going to do. The dragon would probably chuckle and tease that Arcturus was going to draw some enticing pictures of the kobold. Arcturus rolled his eyes at the thought, then took a sigh.

_ If only you WERE here to make that joke my dragon._

"Come on Feku!" He laughed out, shaking off the ice forming on his nerves. "We can get to drawing!" He bolted towards the hallway with the kobold giggling after him with the clacking of her claws on the floor. "Just wait you'll see the best-" He turned his head just as he barreled into a large blue mass of fur and feathers.

"Hey!" Krotos squawked with a laugh, as they collapsed together in a heap in the hallway.

"Sorry about that." Arcturus laughed, looking into the gryphon's eyes as he tilted his head to look at him.

"If you wanted to push me to the ground and have your way with me, you had to just ask." The gryphon laugh with a soft pleased chirp.

"You know lad...It's awfully rude to slam into people when dey are not lookin." Merlia chuckled from behind them, with her arms crossed. She was wearing her dwarven runed studded leathers, and white fur lined pants.

"Well you would know about that wouldn't you." He poked the gryphon's beak with a laugh, as they unwound themselves.

"I don't know what your implying." Krotos held a talon to his blue feathered chest. "Whom ever I ever slammed into was always looking in some fashion." He opened his eye and flashed a smile to Merlia. "Isn't that right my little pleasant dwarven hen?"

"Your lucky yere pretty Krotos!" She playfully slapped the gryphon on his face with a smirk. "Or I'd be punishin you for dose words!"

"Is that so?"

"Oookay. Moving on then." Arcturus laughed.

"AWWWWWK!" Krotos suddenly looked down, grabbing at his feathers with his talons. "Look at WHAT you did!" His ears splayed as his eyes narrowed. "You dirtied my plumage you horrid rough housing human!" Krotos resettled his wings against his back, then he started preening himself, with annoyed eyes resting on Arcturus.

"So what were ya off ta in such a hurry dat ya went and decided to wrestle Krotos here." She thumbed to the gryphon. Whose world seemed to have narrowed to the fur he was currently preening with his beak.

"I was actually off to go draw Feku here. I figure I find a way to pass the time until I can spar with our resistant cleric." He waved to them to start walking, as he led them down the hallway slowly. This allowed Krotos to move along with them, the bird still not ceasing his preening.

"Ya want ta draw us nude?" Merlia chuckled. "Dat's mighty forward fer ya Arcturus. Has the dragon's affections opened a whole new world for ya?"

"Not nude woman!" He laughed, "Where would you even get that idea?"

"Well..I figured ifn ya wanted ta draw it twas nude." She shrugged. "Isn't that what all dem statues and pictures are about?"

"No."

"Well yer jus gonna draw us normally?"

"Yup." He nodded, pushing open the door to the outside. He shivered as the air whipped by them. It made him clutch at his cloak, and pull it against him trying to find warmth.

"Den count me in! I always wanted a picture of me self!"

"I would want one as well!" Krotos squawked, tilting his head up, and extending his teal tipped crown feathers. Than slowly unfolded his wings.

"Oooooh!" Feku clacked her claws together with a smile. "That would look so pretty!"

The gryphon smirked and looked at his wings for a moment, before casting his gaze to the little green kobold. "They are quite pretty arn't they?"

"Oh well ya look at dat. Keep talkin like dat birdie, and ya might grow red scales and start spittin fire!" Merlia laughed.

"Well at least one of us will think I'm pretty. Instead of comparing me to that dragon." The gryphon stuck his pink tongue out of his beak before going right back to preening his feathers.

Arcturus brought them across the grass laden field until they were a good deal away from the estate. He chose a spot that he could gaze out to the rolling hills of green. That rose and fell like waves on a stormy ocean, as clouds above drifted casually on the breeze. He turned to the others, not fighting the smile that had worked it's way to his face. The others had followed closely enough, having led the still preening gryphon from the house.

"So whats going on out here?"

Lyndis' voice carried to draw his attention as the half-elf sprinted across the grass with her boots hardly staying on the ground for a mere moment. She wore her grey cloak with a golden leaf clasp, that flapped in the wind. Around her neck was the pendant that ended with a green scale, the one from the dragon Cordenth thumping against her chest with every stride. She wore a longsleeved black as midnight shirt, with charcoal pants. Around her waist was a worn leather belt adorned with pouches. "What are ya all gathering for?"

"Good of ya ta join us lass!" Merlia laughed, gesturing to Arcturus with a grin. "Da paladin here was going ta draw pictures of us. I tried ta convince him ta do it to us nude, but he was against it he was."

"Don't believe her lies." Arcturus shot back with the same grin. "You have to try better than that Merlia."

"Right." Lyndis crossed her arms. "The paladin's right Merlia." She laughed. "Him? Draw nudes of us? " She placed one of her fingers to her chin and tapped her grin several times. "Well...maybe if you had scales and wings..."

"Or feathers!" Krotos added with a pleased chirp. "Perhaps it's us four legged beasts the paladin likes drawing nude!"

"How the hell am I supposed to draw you then?" He laughed, gesturing to the gryphon who still looked like he was trying to eat his own fur. "You don't wear any gods damn clothes. So it would not be drawing you nude as you put it."

"Hmmmpff..."

"Has anyone seen Asterion?" Feku had moved her snout from side to side, standing on the tips of her feet. Her tail wagged back and forth as she did this, a small portion of her tail scales turning a bright golden yellow.

"Ya I saw da lug heading over the other way." Lyndis thumbed back towards the estate. "Maybe he is trying to avoid the lot of us." her lips formed a sneer as she spoke. "Course he focken should. After what he told us? I don't feel comfortable traveling with him anymore." She held up a her hand extending a finger. "Its another rule of adventuring. Always be able to trust your companions, since they are the ones you are going to need when the chips are down." She looked to Arcturus, a smile breaking through. "And the rest of you have kind of spoiled me anyway."

"Dun mention it lass!" Merlia smiled, "I always aim ta please o course."

"Does this include me?" Krotos tilted his head to the side, a momentary reprieve from his cleaning.

"If you go adventuring with us? I would of course be glad to count on you Krotos." she said to the gryphon with a sweet smile. "Any friend of Arcturus, is a friend of ours. And besides. I heard that you helped in my rescue from the many eyed hideout."

"I flew around all night looking for you!" He smiled. "Had to put up with this one the entire time!" He gestured to Merlia with a slight tilt of his head.

"Oh like ya even complained about it. Ya were so happy we got to do dat together." Merlia added with a small chuckle.

The gryphon narrowed his eyes at her as he splayed his ears. "So?"

"Jus sayin is all."

"Hmmmph." Krotos gave an irritated chirp, before returning once again to his cleaning duties, the others seemingly forgotten.

"Well I need to see him about our private lessons. He said after he was done getting spells we could do it." Feku continued after everyone fell silent for a moment. She looked to each of them with a pleased look as she practically jumped for joy. She seemed over the moon to learn the healing techniques that the cleric had promised her.

"So he wanted ta train ya privately ya say?" Merlia laughed, as she seemed to talk to Feku, who was smiling with her frills fidgeting slightly.

"Yes. I was going to be learnering how to cast healing magic bettering!"

"So privately...wit jus da two of ya." Merlia replied with a mischievous grin, causing Krotos to cackle with laughter into his fur.

"Oh settle down you two." Lyndis rolled her eyes as she strode over to take a spot beside Arcturus. "I don't even think that bolder head even thinks like that in his little cleric brain....Hell I think he might be focken abstinent.

"No...hes had sex before." Arcturus coughed, looking to the others. "Well who wants to go first and get a portrait done?"

"Wait jus a minute dere." Merlia raised an eyebrow. "Pray tell us how ya figured dat one out on yer own?"

Arcturus stared at the blank parchment as Feku handed it to him, along with the quill and ink, his cheeks reddening. "Well when I walked over the other day, he claimed I was walking with the same limp cows that he had mated with had." He wrinkled his face as the others burst out into stifled laughter, all of course Krotos who let out a loud "Awk Awk Awk."

"See I tought ya were walkin funny da other day! I jus didn say nothin!"

"Can we just get to the picture?" He tapped the paper with his quill softly. " I would very much not like to dwell on the dragon, and how I got so sore."

"One minute!" Krotos said, his beak still running through his fur. He seemed to have started over in the first spot he had started, seemingly unsatisfied with the job he had been doing thus far. The gryphon took a seat onto his hinds, his tail thumping the ground behind him as he worked diligently.

"While we be waitin on miss fancy feathers here." Merlia walked away from the others, crossing her arms and holding her head slightly up as she were looking into the sky. She held that pose for a moment before speaking. "How does dis look lad?" Do I look all heroic and what not?"

"Lovely." He laughed, taking a seat cross legged on the cool grass. He dipped the quill in black ink, and pressed the fine tip to the parchment. "Now..just stay still.." He said to her as he quickly sketched her with quick strokes of the tip. It had been some time since he had done anything of people, however he found it was like riding a horse, in that you never really forget. The others watched in silence as he continued to work. Lyndis and Feku actually walked over to watch him sketch the heroic posed ranger. Occasionally he would hear little comments from the kobold. Usually an "ooooo" as he moved to a different section of the dwarves armor. Krotos on the other hand was still preening his plumage. Arcturus wondered how much longer the bird was going to be. It seemed mighty excessive at this point. Heck even Veledar did not take this long to clean himself with his careful licks.

"There!" He said, setting the quill down after several minutes of diligent work. He turned the page over to show his work to his beaming friend.

"Oh lad!" Merlia rushed over, snatching the parchment from him in a blur of flesh. "Dats...fantastic!" She smiled, her eyes dancing around the page, no doubt taking in every detail that he had put onto the vellum. Her own joy brought a small warmth in his heart, that he could bring her such happiness. He laughed when she strolled over to Krotos, and thrust it right into his busy beak.

"See right dere?" She thrust a finger onto the page. "He captured all dis dwarven beauty!"

"I certainly don't think your booty is all that big." The gryphon replied, slightly tilting his head to no doubt try and get a better look at the ranger's backside.

"Beauty! Not booty! Clean da dirt from ya ears blue boy!" She playfully smacked his beak, causing the gryphon to thump his tail and splay his ears with a pleased rumble.

Ignoring his friends playfully squabble about dwarven booties. Arcturus looked to Feku, and Lyndis. "Okay whose next you two?" He was actually surprised how much this was helping him. The entire time he had not thought about those beautiful crimson scales, his radiant cerulean eyes that twinkled like sapphires, his tawny glorious. Gods damnt.

"Why not both of us together?" Lyndis bounded over to the kobold, who was grinning from each edge of her snout. She crouched down and whispered something quickly to Feku. Who peeked out from behind the half-elf and gave a stifled laugh.

What are you two planning? He smiled.

Lyndis turned around with a grin, placing her hands onto her hips. Feku did the exact same thing as they held their heads up in unison. To complete the image the wind blew their cape, and dress as exactly the right moment to have them flutter in the air.

"Now we look like Arcturus!" Feku cried out, puffing her small chest further out. "Might Paladin power!"

"Hey I don't do that all the time." He chuckled, starting to draw the two in their heroic poses. He made sure to capture their garments caught in the wind.

"By da gods." Merlia rubbed her eyes with an amused chuckle. "Am I drunk? Cause I be seen three of ya Arcturus!"

"Well...if you are drunk than so a I!" Krotos quickly added between mouthfuls of more fur or feathers.

"Ok I've had enough." Merlia turned to Krotos, crossing her arms. "How long are ya keep doin dat? Ya can't be dat dirty after a quick wrestle on da floor with Arcturus over dere."

"I will keep preening until my beautiful feathers are back to normal!"

"So till were all dead then?" Lyndis arched her head back with a laugh.

The gryphon just stopped mid preen to glare at Lyndis like he might a deer that he had been hunting. His tail thumped the ground once, as Arcturus thought he actually might pounce on his half-elven friend. It only lasted for a moment before with another snort, Krotos went back to picking at his fur.

"This good?" Lyndis pointed out far to the skies behind Arcturus, as once again Feku mimed the action with a smile and closed eyes.

"You know girls. If you actually wanted to be me...you could try on the armor." He smiled, gesturing back to the estate with the quill in hand. "It's just a quick trip to the den, and we could make the transformation to me pretty quick."

"ooooooo!" Feku jumped suddenly, clacking her claws together. "That would be terrible!...I mean...f-fantastic!"

"I'll pass." Lyndis laughed with a grin. "I like to be able to sneak up on my enemies. Not alert everyone within a mile to my gods damn position with all the bloody clanking you do."

"Pfffft." he dismissed her claim with a casual wave, almost spraying the parchment with spittle. "Well think of it this way Lyndis." He grinned, "While I am doing all this bloody clanking you speak of, it hides your own footsteps. It will distract them long enough for you to get around and get them from behind as it were."

"So...your saying shes good at doing it from behind?" Krotos stopped his preening once again. His crown feathers lifted as he tilted his head to the side.

"Oye! Keep your blue brain from thinking about that!" Lyndis turned to shout at him, her face reddening like a cherry. "I honestly don't know whose worse at these dirty thoughts, you or the bloody dragon!"

"It's me." Krotos puffed his chest out proudly. "Crimson Sky as I heard it stumbled into them by accident. I fly down on purpose." He crouched low, and wiggled his hind end. His tail wagging back and forth. "And since I don't have that scaly bum, or all those spikes I am much more adorable while doing it."

Arcturus had just finished with Lyndis' face when she turned and resumed shouting at the wiggling gryphon.

"Did you just stare at my focken arse?"

"Your the one just puffing it out there like a female gryphon in need. It would be considered an insult if I didn't look at it."

"Why I outta!"

"Outta what?" The gryphon grinned. "Your stuck posing for the minute. There's nothing you can do little half-elf." The bird than cast back his head in joyous laughter. It only stopped when a ball of water smacked right into his head, dousing his feathers in liquid.

"He-"

Another ball of water flew through the air, and silencing the gryphon as it splattered once again over his face. Krotos bounded backwards, spitting out water.

"You rotten thing!" Krotos spat out, water still dripping from his beak. He shook his feathers like a dog might, while the others, Arcturus included roared with laughter. When the bird was finished all his fur was a fluffed out mess.

"Thought I'd better cool you off before you started flagging like that dragon you dirty thing." Lyndis crossed her arms, quite amused with herself."

"That dragon has not walked around flagging!"

"Actually." Arcturus held up a hand, finger extended. "That actually happened once."

"Really now?" Merlia chuckled, placing a hand to her chin as she seemed to be imagining that scenario in her head, as Lyndis laughed ever the harder. The half-elf's face was almost the same color red as Veledar's scales, as she continued to laugh, clutching her sides.

Feku just stood there, transfixed. Her snout turning a shade or purple, as her tail fidgeted behind her. "This happens...a lot?"

"No Feku...it does not-"

"Can you imagine?" Lyndis wiped a tear from her eye. "This fierce and...bwaahahhaha... mighty dragon.." She held her side tighter than ever. "Just laying there with....his..spear just jutting up! It-" She was silenced by a large ball of smooth, creamy, mud soaring through the air and splattering against her fair face. It got all over her cheeks, hair, and ears.

Arcturus turned as Lyndis let out a shriek of surprise. to see Krotos grinning to himself, his talon holding empty air as if he had just thrown the ball of mud that had the half-elf frantically wiping her face clean.

"Not funny now is it?" The gryphon shouted out, causing Lyndis to glare daggers at him with her eyes, as the others laughed at their antics.

"You used focken mud? I used water!" She shouted out, wiping more mud away with each passing moment.

"Some of us don't have magic to toss water little rogue."

"I'm going to kick you in your bloody eggs gryphon boy!"

Arcturus put down his quill with a sigh, as Lyndis sprinted towards the amused gryphon. His grin soon fading away as he realized what she was going to do.

Krotos spread his wings wide, and with a flap he bolted from the ground. "Not wise to shout your attack Lyndis! Besides I have wings, no egg kicking for you toda-AWWWWWK!"

From the ground came a large green slithering vine. It coiled around the gryphon's hind leg like an anaconda, easily snaring him and pulling taught. Krotos struggled with it for a moment before it started to pull down, and dragged the bird back to the ground.

"Merlia!" The gryphon squawked in panic as Lyndis cracked her knuckles. He flapped his wings frantically, trying to stop his descent to the ground. "WHY?" The gryphon did not get a response as Lyndis was after him the moment his bound hind leg touched the ground. The gryphon was forced to hop away from the half-elf.

"You think it's funny to stare at my arse?" Lyndis moved in to kick the gryphon, who bounded away.

"Not funny really, I was paying it, and you a compliment!" Krotos laughed as he struggled to keep Lyndis away. "Although I think brown really is your color!...AWK!" The gryphon squawked in surprise as the rogue's boot almost struck him in the most vital of areas. "Arcturus!" He shouted out, his voice cracking.

"Yes?" He replied as Lyndis pressed the attack again. Krotos tried to grab hold of Lyndis, only for the half-elf to slip right away from him. The gryphon spun quickly around, denying her strike to his eggs.

"Help me! Is it not your job to defend the innocent?"

"Your innocent now?" He laughed, "I saw you throw that ball of mud you know! Perhaps this is exactly what you deserve?"

"AAAHHHH!" Krotos gasped, tripping onto his back as he bound away and as he did the vine pulled taught. He flailed with his limbs as Lyndis jumped on top of him, instead of just kicking his exposed eggs. She avoided his deft paws, and attacked where his limbs met his chest with her nimble fingers. "BWAHAHAHAHAH.....NOOOO!" Krotos cackled with laughter as his entire body spasm-ed and flailed under her devilish tickling. "STOP ....Please!" He gasped out between laughter. "KICK ME IN THE EGGS INSTEAD......BWAHAAHAHAH!"

"It's not so funny now is it Krotos?" Lyndis continued her assault as the others joined her in hearty, joyful laughter.

"Help me!" Krotos gasped. "Arcturus!.....Feku!.....Merlia!"

"Why? Cant the mighty gryphon fend off one adventurer?" Arcturus stretched out his limbs as they continued.

"Not....when....she has backup!"

"Lay in the bed you made!"

"I.....did...not....make...bwaahahahah....a.....bed!" Krotos flopped his head onto the ground, tears starting to stream from his eyes. "I yield! I yield!....Stop your tickling!" He gasped out.

"Fine then." Lyndis laughed as she stopped her tickling torture. She rose her head, and gave Merlia a quick nod to unsummon the vine that held the gryphon still tightly in it's wiggling grasp. "There." She pushed herself off of the gryphon. "Did you learn your lesson about smacking ladies with mud?"

"Ack! Look what you did!" Krotos ignored her, looking down to his feathers that were now splattered with splotches of brown from the dirt. "Fine Lyndis I learned my lesson about throwing mud at mortals!" He glared at her, as she walked on passed him. Although as she did, Arcturus saw a mischievous look appear on the gryphon's beak as his eyes once again stared right at her rear end. Krotos stood onto all fours, and with a strike like lightning the gryphon struck the half-elves ass with a loud smack that sounded into the air.

It happened in a split second. Lyndis spun around with the reflexes trained by her craft. She whipped her boot around at the perfect height to kick the mischievous gryphon right in his furred flank. However unfortunately for the gryphon, he had moved just slightly enough that her boot missed his flank and hit the very tender maleness hanging under his tail. There was an ear piercing screech of surprise and pain from Krotos as his entire body collapsed onto the ground with his wings and ears splayed out. His eyes went cross-eyed as the gryphon grabbed at his eggs with his forelimbs.

"GGRRRAAAHHHHHHH!" Krotos groaned out, his body recoiling on itself as his feathers twitched slightly. "Achhhhhhhh." His talons and hinds fidgeted in what was surly agonizing pain.

"Oh my Krotos!" Lyndis covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. "I only meant to kick you in your flank!"

"Well........you missed...." The gryphon gasped, clenching his eyes shut.

"See I told ya to always work on yer aim." Merlia laughed, clutching her sides.

"And...yet..you laugh Merlia..."

"Perhaps ya should be stickin to grabbin lady asses dat want ya to do it Krotos. Lest ya be getting kicked in ya eggs."

"Damn.....dragon...." Krotos' tail thumped weakly onto the grass, as Arcturus crouched over the gryphon after padding over.

"Are you okay their Krotos?" He asked, running a hand through his soft fur. It was warm, yielding, and pleasing to the touch. "Ya...kinda took a forceful kick right to-"

"Thank you Arcturus I know where she kicked me!" the bird snapped, his tail swishing from side to side. "I can very well feel them ache! Oh gods.....ssssssss." He breathed in a painful breath.

Arcturus fought a laugh, as Lyndis joined him in a crouch. She too giggling under her breath at the gryphon's pitiful display as he continued to coil, clutching his throbbing balls.

"Perhaps you will not be smacking me in the ass again?"

"I was paying you....another...." He groaned out again, "A compliment!"

"A compliment? Which idiot told you smacking a woman's ass was a compliment?"

"Not..just...woman....any mortal.." Krotos looked up to Arcturus. "His dragon told me!"

"Really now?" Lyndis laughed, turning to Arcturus with a grin. "Well Krotos that's your own fault for listening to the resident dragon about how to behave around mortals. I am surprised you didn't know any better." She turned back to the gryphon who was still breathing raggedly. "You lived with mortals for how long exactly?"

"Would....you believe the topic of smacking asses never was covered?" Krotos finally let go of his eggs, still groaning as he shifted his body so that he was laying down on his stomach. "And I have only lived around a bunch of mortals for two months now. I was from a village almost exclusively of gryphons.

"Your from Havenwing?" Arcturus raised an eyebrow, scratching at Krotos' skin, causing the gryphon to let out a small soft trilling noise.

"Yes...I was..." Krotos' tail thumped the ground weakly. "Arcturus. I have heard you can heal with but a touch of your hands?" The gryphon laid down onto his side, and spread his legs, displaying his taught sheath, and dark furred balls. "Could you heal them? They still ache."

"That's not how it works." Arcturus rolled his eyes, taking his hand off the gryphon as he let out a small chuckle. "Did you learn nothing from smacking Lyndis here?"

"Yes...I learned to not smack Lyndis' backside in compliment." The gryphon spread his wings, stood up, and bounded up into the air with a flap. With his next series of wing beats Krotos was on top of the estate roof, glaring down at them as he went back to preening his feathers.

"Well dere ya go again! Should we expect ya ta be done in da next week?" Merlia shouted up at the cleaning gryphon.

"Can't hear you Merlia, I am preening my plumage that you all ruined!" Krotos shouted back, his voice seething with irritation. Which caused the girls, and Arcturus to let out a round of side gripping laughter.

"Well lass, did ya want ta practice hittin yer target? Dat way ya dun hit a poor gryphon in da balls by mistake?" Merlia waved to Lyndis to follow her to the house, with a grin from ear to ear.

"Fine." Lyndis rolled her eyes. "I guess I could work on my aim."

"You damn well can!" Krotos shouted down. Arcturus saw him ruffle his feathers, and flick his tail.

"Regardless if I missed, I'm starting to feel good you got kicked there!" She shouted back, cupping her hands around her mouth. "So keep on digging your hole deeper bird boy!"

Arcturus was about to follow the girls inside who no doubt were going to collect some arrows and daggers when he noticed that the kobold that had been smiling, and laughing with them was no longer present. He quickly whirled around, scanning all around himself with his eyes as he tried to locate where she could have gone to. He was reminded of a few times that Geoffery had managed to suddenly disappear at the turn of his head. Perhaps she really is a child that needs looking after?

"Oye Arcturus."

He turned to Lyndis, who had waved for him to come over.

"Do you want to come with us?" She asked him with a grin. "You can...show us how to hit targets again." She struggled to not laugh with that statement. Arcturus frowned as he recalled his time in the forest of despair when he had missed the targets they had set up by a large margin. Much larger than anyone else at the time.

"No." He thumbed backwards. "I think I'm going to go find where Feku got off to. Maybe spar with Asterion if I can find the bastard lounging around. He snuck off when we were sketching."

"Oh right." Lyndis' voice seemed to darken as her eyes narrowed. "I forgot that walking sack was still around." She spat out, like her mouth had something vile stuck in it. "Honestly Arcturus. Have ya considered focken tossin him to the curb when we get the first chance?"

"Why would we do that?" He asked, although he figured he knew the answer already.

"You heard what he did." She crossed her arms, her voice hard. "He chose to not help one our team when they needed it most."

"If I recall Azzik was not part of the team yet."

"He focken should have counted!" Lyndis held up a finger and thrust it into his chest. Her face was starting to grow red as she continued to speak. "You know what happened to him...What he did...to...save..." She turned away to stifle herself with her fist. "Anyway." She said flatly. "If you do end up sparing with that cleric." Lyndis held up her hands and punched her open palm with her fist. "Make sure to knock some sense into the focken bastard while your at it."

"And kick him in da ass for me lad!" Merlia added with a wrinkling of her brow. "An ta tink I tought he was pretty!" The dwarf continued to grumble as she pushed open the kitchen door, and quickly walked inside and out of sight.

Arcturus just placed two fingers gently to the bridge of his nose, before closing his eyes and letting out a heavy drawn out sigh that lingered for a few more moments.

"Sorry about all this tension." Lyndis said softly, placing a hand to his shoulder. Her eyes full of concern when he looked up into them. "I know it's a lot to take in...considering.."

_ Veledar._

"We can talk about it later ya?" She gestured to the building with a quick stretch of her neck. "I'll go work on my aim with Merlia there." She smiled, and looked up towards the preening gryphon. "And make sure I hit a gryphon in the balls when I mean to."

"If YOU had balls I would have hit them back!" Krotos squawked loudly.

"Cut out your eves dropping Krotos!"

"Your one to talk half-elf." Krotos stuck his tongue out at her. "You hear every conversation!"

"You know I am starting to feel like I WANT to kick you in the balls now."

"Arcturus! You heard the rogue!" Krotos pointed down to her with a talon. "She just threatened my balls over playful talking!"

Arcturus sighed again, smiling to himself as he shook his head. "Lyndis, would you please refrain from kicking our friends in the balls? We kind of need them in top shape if the worse happens."

"Well tell the blue arsehole up there to stop making it so easy, or egging me on."

"I heard that, nice pun!" Krotos replied, than gave off a pleased trilling noise.

"Thanks Krotos!" Lyndis grinned, rolling her eyes. "So did you want to talk later about what had happened?" Lyndis refocused her attention on Arcturus again, seemingly ignoring the laughing gryphon.

"I." his mind tried to grasp at a coherent thought that did not remind himself of the dragon he loved. After all he could spend the day laughing and drawing his friends, At least without one of them ending up on the ground clutching his balls in pain. That single thought managed to chase away the impending image of his red dragon. The one that he knew would have reduced him to a tear filled mess. "Maybe.." he finally admitted to her, hanging his head as he did so. "My heart aches, my head pounds, and the only time I have been able to cast out his lovely image is when I was drawing with you, or Krotos was making lewd remarks that shocked me.

"I know..." She said softly, wrapping her arms around his chest tightly in a hug. He returned the soft embrace, and thanked her with brief words. "No problem Arcturus." She backed out of the hug with a smile. "It's what friends are for after all."

"I will let you know if I need help." He said. "Although I think you told me this already last night."

"Well I know that." She playfully punched him in the shoulder. "I am just making sure it stuck after all. You probably are a swirling vortex of raw emotions right now. And I bet the major one rattling around in your skull is most likely not joy.

Arcturus nodded to her.

"So go smack around that bull for me." She thrust a finger into his chest playfully. "Find that kobold of ours. I could use her cooking and lovely music right about now. Lastly, she thrust a finger up towards the ceiling. "Don't forget to talk to gryphon boy about what has happened."

"About what that has happened?"

"Everything!" She exclaimed. "I think he's been wanting to talk to you about it, just been too afraid I guess." She chuckled, "I of course did not expect a blue gryphon to be so yellow."

"My plumage is ROYAL BLUE Lyndis!" came a loud squawk from above. "So please get the color right! Oh wait...are you color blind by chance?" Krotos tilted his head to the side and then laughed loudly into the air when Lyndis held up both of her hands and made obscene hand gestured to him. "Giving me the bird then? How is that an insult? I find it rather complimenting!" Krotos continued with his smirking. "Best be careful or I will give YOU the BIRD!"

"You try that and you will find my boots and your balls meeting each other again!"

Arcturus watched the gryphon flinch, and glance back to no doubt his slightly throbbing balls. "No thanks Lyndis. I would rather not like to be kicked their any time soon!"

"Than stop being a dirty thing! Hey Arcturus." Lyndis thumbed back towards the estate before spinning on her heel and starting to sprint towards the door. "Have fun Arcturus, watch out for the frisky gryphon!"

Arcturus just stood there as the breeze once again washed over him. He thought about how lucky he was to have all these friends caring enough about him to try and take his mind off the pleasant thoughts of the crimson dragon that was missing. He reached for his chest, still feeling the dull pain from before, but thankfully it was less intense. He did not even have to clutch at his chest this time. His eyes narrowed and his brow wrinkled as he realized to his irritation that maybe over time the pain would fade. The memories of Veledar no longer having the pleasantness they used to. With a hard kick to the ground he wished that would never happen. Even if this was a pain he would have to endure the rest of his life. He never wanted those memories to be tarnished. Not of the dragon he loved.

He began walking with his cloak flowing behind him, as his boots carried him across the viridian fields of green. He lost track of time as he made his way around the place. He would stop, stare out into the country side, and take in it's majesty. This continued for an hour or two. The entire time he never once saw trace of the kobold or the minotaur. It was like they had vanished without a trace. His next minutes after had him thinking about how lucky he was to have friends like the ones he did right now. That's right...They are my friends. He smiled at the thought. He sighed as he would have never figured going after a dragon would result in him finding even more adventure than he thought, least of all getting kidnapped, running for his life, and making possibly life long friends.

Lyndis, Merlia, Feku, Krotos, maybe even Asterion...hell maybe even Shandalar....To think...I would have never met any of them if you had not kidnapped me. His thoughts darkened once more as he looked to the blue sky, that looked more empty than it had ever looked in his life. Despite the clouds filling up almost every inch of it's color, it seemed dead. Devoid of any life that would make one think it were alive or beautiful. That's because the sky is a dull thing without you my love.

He closed his eyes and tried to not think about the dragon that had been with him for the most part of two months. He really did try to will himself, but it did not matter. Bright crimson scales appeared from his mind, with wide tan wings that looked beautiful, his cute twitching frills, his enticing scent. His warmth that would cast away any cold. The sheer comfort he felt when he was held within his paws, and pressed up against his scaled chest. If there was anywhere nicer to be, he did not know of it. He clenched his hands to fists as he felt the first of his tears start to roll down his cheeks. He tried to fight the coming sob, but he failed. It came anyway as he opened his blurry eyes and collapsed to his knees once again in the grass. He pictured next the growling laughter, the playing nosing of his snout, the smiles on his face, and the feeling that made his spirit soar into the sky itself.

"Veledar." He mumbled to himself, clutching at his eyes softly. "How I wish I could have changed yesterday. Maybe have been there with you...Helped you cope with what happened." He gripped his hair for a moment, letting out a pained groan before letting go and looking up into the sky with eyes full of hatred.

"I guess that's what I get for being a Lund. One final reward from the gods themselves. To drive the dragon that I care about more than anything away from me." His words broke into nonsensical mutters as he continued to sob. Only stopping when he suddenly felt wings wrap around him, and talons pull him tight against a furred chest.

"Wha-" Was all he could get out before he was pulled tighter against what looked like blue feathers. It was then he noticed it was Krotos who was holding him against his warm chest, his heartbeat pounding away at a steady rhythm.

"It's okay Arcturus." The gryphon said softly, running a talon along side his back. It was not unpleasant in the slightest. It was just odd it was coming from the bird.

"Uh...Krotos...What are you doing?" He asked, wiping his tear with one of his fingers. He looked up to find the bird looking at him.

"I am comforting you, what does it look like?"

"It...Okay you got a point." Arcturus admitted with a soft voice. Despite it being odd, the hug was certainly warm and comforting. It was like the damn bird was made for this sort of thing. It was not as warm as Veledar of course, but it still fought away the cold. "You do in fact feel nice." He laughed weakly, trying to pull away but the gryphon held him tightly.

"Are you sure your okay Arcturus? You looked absolutely distraught, and I could hear your tears from over at my perch."

"No." he admitted with a sigh. "I miss Veledar with all my heart."

"Veledar? You mean the dragon?" Krotos tilted his head to the side as his crown feathers extended. "That's his name?"

Shit. Stupid, stupid. "Krotos. Please don't tell him I just said that."

"Why not? What is so important about a damn name?"

"It just is, okay? Dragon's give titles to mortals, and their names to people who are truly special in their lives.

"Oh.." Krotos frowned, but than instantly perked back up. "Than I will keep that a secret Arcturus. Your dragon will never know I know his name." he grinned, and than chuckled. "I know his name."

"Krotos.."

"I know Arcturus." the gryphon nuzzled him with his neck. "I am trying to pull your attention away from saddened thoughts."

"Or trying to seduce me or something." Arcturus frowned, "Your getting your scent all over me."

"Hardly." Krotos rolled his eyes. "Do you know how much like HIM you smell? It is like you were bathed in his essence or something."

"Ah..er..."

"You did?" The bird let out a pleased croon. "Well that would explain you smelling like him all the damn time now. His feathers ruffled as he let out another hearty laugh, that pulled Arcturus tightly against his soft chest. "That is certainly a relief off my mind."

"Would you mind...letting me go now? I am not a babe to be coddled, or prey to be caught so easily."

"Very well." Krotos let him go, the cool air returning with a vengeance and making the human shiver. "But if you wish to feel more of my comforting embrace let me know." The gryphon said softly. "I do not wish to see you so distraught."

"Thanks Krotos." He looked around at the vast fields. They looked beautiful before turning into forest and mountain. He thought to his parchment and vials of ink, the need to draw was in his hands. It was like a soft itch that irritated the senses, but you could never quite reach. He focused on all the colors, and realized he needed to draw it. If just to take his mind off of things.

"Uh..Krotos?" he asked, causing the gryphon to turn back towards him, his eye brow raised. For a moment Arcturus thought the gryphon might think he was going to ask something lewd of him. "If your looking to comfort people." He gestured to the grass. "Would you mind staying out here with me while I draw the countryside?"

"I can do that of course." Krotos puffed out his chest. The gryphon followed him over to a soft spot, leaning softly against him the entire time. When Arcturus finally say down, and pulled out the parchment the gryphon coiled around him.

Leaning back onto the warm gryphon was pleasing. It felt like a soft, heated chair that would rise and fall with the birds breaths. "You make a fine chair." He mumbled, causing Krotos to just give a pleased chirp, and flick his tail.

"So what are you going to draw?"

"That." Arcturus gestured out to the rolling fields with his quill.

"The sky?"

"No the hills, the trees, the mountain!"

"Well show me then." Krotos rested his head onto his shoulder, his eyes glaring at the parchment. "Well...I am waiting."

"I can see that! Your more impatient than my child!" He laughed, placing the quill tip to the parchment. Although stop your moving or you will mess me up!"

"Only when I have not seen things done before. Now show me how you draw." The gryphon than chuckled, causing the rumble to vibrate on his shoulder, and almost causing Arcturus to laugh. "You best learn to draw under pressure. Might as well have a gryphon on your shoulder!"

"Is that so?" he started to trace the fields with a few strokes. "You think your being helpful?"

"I am being VERY helpful." the gryphon cooed as he moved his talon to brush Arcturus' side. "You just are not aware of it."

Arcturus just gave a little smirk as he continued to work. He knew what the gryphon was doing, he was making sure his thoughts did not slink into despair as he worked. So when he started on the trees he gave out a sigh.

"Arcturus?" Krotos suddenly asked, his voice but a whisper.

"Yes?" He continued next to start on some clouds.

"What was Gus like before I met him? He spoke very little of things like that."

"He was.." Arcturus paused as he pictured the portly guard. His chain mail, and bright smile that would come to cast out the shadows of life after Selina had died. "A good friend to have."

"Obviously." Krotos wiggled his body closer against the human, his forelimb wrapping around his waist as he was pulled back into his chest once again. "I was thinking about more...concrete things. People he knew, what he did for fun....If I made his life better..."

Arcturus had not expected that. Well he knew Krotos was hurting, he just did not know the gryphon was comfortable sharing with him. "That's... a good question Krotos." He said softly, placing a hand onto the scaly forearm of the gryphon. "I knew Gus for a long time. He was caring, kind, honest. But you already knew these sort of things." He felt Krotos just gulp, and nuzzle his neck harder. As if this was the movement keeping him from breaking down and sobbing into the human's clothes.

"He always wanted to fly." He laughed, remembering the guard looking to the sky each morning. His eyes following the gryphon's as they darted too and fro through the air. "You should have seen him watch your people Krotos....he did it every morning...It almost brought tears to his damned eyes each time."

"R-really?"

"Krotos. He practically begged me to fly before I went and met with Veledar. You made dreams come true, you were his fantasy brought to life my blue friend." He turned and placed a hand under the gryphon's chin, so he could look into his eyes.

The gryphon's eyes were misting, with slight tears leaking down the side of his face. They were filled with so much pain, a reflection no doubt of his own eyes. "You think I did? I made his life better?"

"Yes." He patted the gryphon softly, as the tears still continued to flow. "You magnificent blue bird..You made him better."

"D-do...you think he would be mad I failed him?" The gryphon buried his head into Arcturus' chest as he sobbed to no end. His tears starting to drip onto the man's black shirt.

Arcturus wrapped his arms around the gryphon's neck tightly. Just holding him as his entire body shivered from his sobs, and whines. "It's okay Krotos...he would not blame you...

"I-...I know....But I still feel like it's my fault."

"Listen to me." Arcturus hugged the gryphon tighter, feeling his wings wrap around his back. "It is not your fault. It was not my fault. We tried out damnedest." He pulled the gryphons head up until his beak and his nose were practically touching. The random thought went through his head that the gryphon could have damned kissed him they were so close. "If you need any more comfort, you come to me ya?"

"Ya." Krotos laughed weakly, looking up from their embrace to the rest of the estate. "Now..what were you doing out here before I had to come comfort you?"

"I was looking for Asterion and Feku."

"Oh...did you look behind the stables? I saw them there when you began your search."

Arcturus just froze, and stared at the gryphon, unsure if he was kidding. He closed his eyes and smacked his head. It was of course a place he had forgotten to check in his many rounds of the building. "And you did not care to mention this when you saw me wandering around?"

"I just figured you were going for a walk or something." Krotos looked away with a smile. 'Don't go blaming me for your forgetfulness."

"Fine..lets go find them then. I need to get a spar under way." He gently pushed the gryphon, who released him with a soft "aww."

"You know." Krotos stretched out his wings wide as he arched his back. "I now know why Veledar likes cuddling you...Your very comforting to a saddened gryphon."

"Is that so?" Arcturus crossed his arms and began walking steadily towards the stables. The gryphon right beside him. Arcturus ignored the bite of the wind as it ruffled fur and his cloak alike.

"Yes indeed. Perhaps it is a hidden trait of paladins?" Krotos nodded. "I will have to remember if Merlia is not available, that I can go snatch Arcturus up and comfort myself that way."

Arcturus just laughed, imagining Krotos doing just that. "You might have to fight Veledar off with one of your talons. He seems rather in love with me." Arcturus nudged his side gently.

"Maybe he would share you while cuddling?"

"Krotos." He frowned and glared at the gryphon.

"Awk, Awk awk." Krotos flared his wings, as he rose his beak laughing. "I of course jest. I certainly know when we get your dragon back that you will be caught with his claws for all time I bet."

_ I hope so._ Arcturus rounded the stables slowly. His mind drifting back to the night with the rain, and how Veledar had tricked him out of his clothes. He sighed, it was the first time they had done anything physical. The start of the inevitability. He looked to the worn wood of the building, surprised it was still standing after all this time. He would have thought it would have collapsed years ago, when it had little maintenance paid to it. His thoughts darkened as he drew a parallel to himself. How something that was so worn, and almost broken could still continue to stand.

"There did I do it good?"

Feku's voice rang out in glee from the other side of the stables. Arcturus let out a groan, as Krotos just chuckled and nudged him gently.

"See what did I tell you?"

"Yes...I still cant believe I wasted that entire time and did not think to look here." Arcturus said flatly, mentally kicking himself for his forgetfulness. Although the thought occurred to him that this was normal for someone such as himself going through such a hard time. I had more important things on my mind anyway....like keeping myself distracted from the dragon. He glanced over to Krotos as they neared the back of the stables, the sound of Feku's laughter getting louder with each step of his feet. Krotos was just giving him a knowing smirk, playfully taunting him with his next breath.

"The ever observant paladin."

"Oh mind your beak Krotos lest I get Lyndis to come over and strike your balls again."

The gryphon just cringed as he splayed his ears. "You did not have to remind me. Graaaaaah." His voice lowered, "Damn...they still ache..are you sure you can't?"

"I am not touching your balls Krotos." Arcturus laughed, "Not sober anyway."

"Awk awk awk." Krotos than jerked his head up, his crown feathers sprouting up. "Wait what?"

"Got you!" Arcturus laughed, placing a finger carefully on the gryphon's smooth beak. He continued to smile as the bird narrowed his eyes.

"I could always force you to touch my balls. If you keep this teasing of yours up human!"

"Hah, I bet I could out wrestle you any day Krotos. I practice with a dragon!"

"Oh you like to wrestle huh?" Krotos raised an eyebrow with a grin.

"Oh stop your flirting!" Arcturus pushed the gryphon away, only for him to bound back and brush himself against him. "Hey!" He went to smack Krotos on the flank, only for him to dart away with cackling laughter.

"Never!"

"Tell me I did good!" Feku cried out again, drawing his attention. It was than followed by the familiar sound of her clacking her claws together in excited glee.

"Yes...you did well." replied Asterion with a gruff voice, followed by a snort. He wore a pleased grin on his muzzle as Arcturus rounded the corner with the gryphon almost right on top of him.

"Hello Arcturus." Asterion looked up and nodded to him, than his eyes went to Krotos who was still nudging him. "Should I worry about the gryphon now?" He chuckled.

"No." Arcturus pushed him harder away. "Hes just being annoying."

"I see when I am not wanted!" Krotos bounded over to Feku, who was standing a few yard away. Her scales were all the color green as she held her claws up extended. She was swirling them in circular patterns, slowly moving her feet as she were dancing in place.

"Why hello there Krotos!" She smiled, as he circled her with a pleased chirp. She ran a claw through his feathers as he flopped down beside her.

"Why hello there Feku!" Krotos thumped his tail.

"So I take it you still want to spar then?" Asterion gestured to his silver mace, that was leaning carefully against the stables. "Truthfully I expected to see you earlier...So I instead just trained Feku all morning."

"Funny story about that!" Krotos added with a laugh.

"Ignore him." Arcturus waved to the cackling gryphon dismissively. "I just could not find you two...I forgot to check here."

"Oh?" Asterion laughed weakly. "That actually is kind of funny."

"Regardless...are you ready to spar? I have been dying to shake the cobwebs out." He strode a few paces out away from the bull, his right hand tracing the hilt of his sword.

"Cobwebs? You fought with the damned stick like two days ago!" Krotos squawked out.

"Yea Krotos, and that has been far too long!" He pulled out the sword with a hiss, releasing the onyx blade to the air. He held it high above his head, the suns rays seemingly absorbed into it's pitch black surface before he lowered it to point right at the bull. "So are you ready Asterion?"

"I am always ready for combat." Asterion snorted, raising his right hand into a fist and pounding it against his chest three times in rapid succession." The bull picked up his mace with a quick grab, took four forceful steps before suddenly stopping to Arcturus' surprise. Asterion turned back to glance at the kobold, whom was not chatting away with Krotos. "If..that's okay with you Feku?"

"Oh that's fine!" She giggled. "I have trained with you all morning..." She turned back to Krotos, scratching under his beak and giggling once again as the gryphon pressed himself into her touch and purred."Your fur reminds me of blankets! And your rumbles are so cute!"

"Glad you think...so." Krotos groaned out, flexing his wings wide.

"And your wings are so pretty!" She pointed to the teal tipped feathers, causing the gryphon to let out several trilling noises.

"Careful little one, or you will make him turn into another dragon that likes comforting words." Asterion laughed before turning back towards Arcturus. His eyes that were full of laughter soon became hard like stone. The smirk on his face faded away to a stern neutral expression. Just like that, the fun happy Asterion once again became the stern-faced warrior he knew.

"Are you ready Arcturus? I believe I have improved since our time in the forest. I have shaken out loose the "cobwebs" as it were."

Arcturus nodded, pulling his sword tight against his body as he crouched and entered a battle stance with the sword held extended. Always remain a threat. He told himself as he and the bull circled one another, brandishing their weapons out and watching each others movements. The paladin watched his muscles ripple with each step, his grip tighten on his mace. He was going to be sure that if Asterion made a move he would capitalize on it.

"Go at it already!" Krotos yelled out, joined by Feku shouting the same thing with a bout of laughter.

"First to three hits wins agreed?" Asterion asked as he took a step closer. "Only wounding strikes, not to kill."

"You don't have to remind me Asterion." Arcturus laughed quietly, "I am not looking to kill you." The paladin took a step closer, ignoring the continued taunts from the cheeky spectators. He went first, moving in quickly, avoiding a swing from the bull's mace. Without his armor he was surprising light on his feet. Even if it is lighter than normal plate. He went in for a practiced smack of his sword with the dull side against Asterion's leg. However as he moved he saw Veledar. The red dragon was sitting with Krotos and Feku, laughing away at the spectacle.

_ Wha-?_

Arcturus stumbled for a second, his attack forgotten, and his defense lowered. He was thrown to the ground as Asterion swept his feet out from under him. "Woah!" he fell to the ground with a hard thump.

"One point for me than." The cleric smiled down on him, extending a hand.

Arcturus grabbed it, pulling himself to his feet as he glanced back towards the audience. His eyes widened as Veledar was no longer there. There was just the two forms of his friends, staring at him silently in concern.

"You can do it Arcturus!" Feku cried out, thankfully breaking the silence. "I know you can!" She turned and smacked Krotos with a firm hit of her claws.

"Uh yes. Arcturus you can do it!" The gryphon cheered out..

"Ready for another round than Arcturus?"

Asterion's gruff voice pulled his attention from his two friends trying to lift his spirits.

"You certainly need to work these cobwebs of yours out. You should have been able to easily dodge that attack, just like you did the first one."

"Don't worry about me." he shot back with a smirk, holding his sword up again as he maintained a distance of a few yards. "I am of course ready for the next round bull. Bring it on so that I may show you how to work a sword."

"I bet you do!" Krotos yelled out. "Want to come over here and help with mine?"

"But you don't have a sword." Feku turned to him, wrinkling her face.

"Its...an expression Feku...See the sword..."

"Is a metal claw that you use to slice things. I know this." She crossed her arms, and glared up at him. "So of course he is good at handling his sword."

Krotos just flopped to the ground laughing hysterically. It looked like the cackling gryphon was going to die from lack of breath as Arcturus returned his attention to the bull who looked to be standing perfectly still like a statue.

"Its his WHAT?" Arcturus pulled himself from the laughing gryphon and watched the muscled bulls movement again. The way he moved, how he carried his weapon. He found himself circling the bull once more, waiting to make the first move. This should be easier. He told himself. He had seen the bull fight many times now, and should be at least familiar with how he moved. If only....Veledar.. He shook his head and began his attack again. This time he rose his sword to look like he was making a wild slash at the cleric's upper body. He grinned as Asterion went to avoid the feint. Arcturus twisted his wrist and went to change the blade's direction, and smack the bulls side. However just like before Veledar appeared to him.

The red dragon was standing there behind the bull. He was on his haunches with his tail curled to the side. The sun was shining off his scales, making them the brightest crimson he had ever seen with his eyes. His cerulean eyes were staring at his movements, with the same fondness that he had seen in the night previous when they had confessed their love for one another. With another smack he felt his leg get swept out from under him yet again. With a surprised yelp he smashed onto his butt once again with a pained thump.

"damn!' he shouted out in irritation. He looked up to see the beautiful form of his dragon was gone yet again, leaving nothing but the empty air. He felt the cold grip of dread wrap around him once more, threatening to pull him under the water he was treading, and drowning him.

"Arcturus...are you sure you wish to continue?" came Asterion's voice from behind him. "You do not seem focused at all. I have scored a second hit on you from an attack that should not have stuck at all....You need to focus if we are to do combat."

"hah!" Arcturus stood up with a snarl. He turned around to glare daggers at the cleric. He thrust a finger at him and shouted, "You speak of focus?" He sheathed his sword in a single motion, "I had the dragon I care about more than my own life fly away!" He held hid hands up to the heavans, his voice getting louder with each sentence that left his lips. "I had my best friend...in the whole wide world melt in front of MY very eyes Asterion...After I failed to save him!" He spun around, running his two hand through his hair as his mind flashed with images of the horrible things he had seen the last few days. "I found out MY nation was doing what was done to him to MANY others!" He spun around, lowering his hands but clenching them in fists. "I helped evil flourish in a world that I was sworn to defend people against!"

He stomped his feet angrily as he marched towards Asterion with his finger still pointed at him, his voice now a roar. "AND YOU...The cleric that would not bring back a kobold who died....who DIED protecting your battle sister!" he thrust his finger firmly into Asterion's furred muscled chest. He breathed in ragged breaths, as he could feel his blood boiling at this man. The man who had turned a brave kobold away. The bull's reaction shocked Arcturus. He expected anger, shouts, defensiveness, not for Asterion to drop his weapon, lower his head, and fall to his knees.

"I know..." the cleric said in a lowered voice. "It is my shame to bear." He glanced up weakly to look at Feku, before quickly returning it to a hung position.

"So tell me then Asterion." Arcturus continued with a growl. "Why did you make the choice to NOT help Azzik?" Arcturus glanced back at Feku, to see that her scales had shifted once again to a darkened blue. She was almost the same color of the gryphon that she had grabbed hold of, and sunk her face into.

Krotos just wrapped a forelimb around her, glaring at Asterion with hate filled eyes. He could already hear in his mind the insults and murmurs that the gryphon was no doubt going to say when they were out of earshot. The way he was tensing his muscles reminded Arcturus of a mother protecting her child.

"Feku.." Asterion said his voice still low. "It is you that I hurt the most with my actions. My...selfish decisions...the decisions I promised myself that I would no longer make when I devoted myself to healing....Know that I should have brought back your mate. He was brave when he should not have been. He tried to help my sister despite knowing what it would cost him." Asterion closed his eyes and hung his head lower. "He died a true warrior, with honor."

Arcturus just stood there with arms crossed. He was amazed with such conviction that the bull had said that with. He had watched his pain filled eyes for any wavering, any misdirection and found none.

Asterion took a deep breath, breaking the silence before continuing to speak. "I have strove to do Korde's will, and live my life honorably....but in my quest to regain my own honor I have further dishonored myself." Asterion swished his tail, collapsing onto all fours, and placing his snout almost so that it was pressed up against the earth. With the way he was, even Feku standing was taller than he was.

"So I pledge my life to you little kobold. Do with me as you see fit...You may even end of life if you so wish."

"W-hy?" Feku squeaked out, her voice on the verge of breaking, before anyone could comment on the bull's actions.

Asterion rose his head, and grabbed his pack without a word. He sat it right on the grass right in front of the cerulean kobold. He unbuckled the worn leather, and dug around with his hand for a mere moment,before pulling out a small red wooden box that Arcturus had seen him with before. It was the one that he would not speak about the contents when they had asked him before.

"Because of what lies in this box....and my deeds.." Asterion looked Feku square in her eyes as he set the box on the grass at his feet, and kneeled. "You may not know this....but in my blind rage at one point I slaughtered a whole village of men, woman, and children. Whose only crime on this earth was that they found a broken and wounded warrior and healed him. That night." Asterion maintained his stare, swishing his tail. "I lost my whole unit....I lost my birth brother and sister...I even lost my honor. For I will always carry this dishonor on my soul, and when I die I will not go to Valhalla with my brothers and sisters. I will be cast out, never to join them at the table of warriors. That Feku...is why I made that decision.."

"H-how does not bringing Azzik back, stop you from fixing your bad deeds?" Feku fidgeted, hugging Krotos even tighter than before as her purple eyes started to mist.

"It is because of this." Asterion pressed a small section of the box, and with a click the small thing opened up. He reached inside and pulled out an ancient looking scroll that was the size of his palm, wrapped up and bound with a red string.

Arcturus peaked into the box to see that the other half of it was filled with diamonds of all different shapes and sizes. Beneath the diamonds Arcturus could make out a piece of vellum that appeared to be a list of some sort.

"this." Asterion tapped the scroll carefully. Like he was touching the most delicate piece of art in the entire world. He than spoke, lowering his voice to a near whisper. "Is a rare scroll of mass resurrection."

Arcturus gasped aloud, only to be joined in with Krotos. Resurrection magic was in itself a rare thing to hear about. He of course heard of powerful clerics being able to do such things. But they were always the exceptions not the normal thing in the world. Despite is already being rare he never heard of such a powerful spell that it could bring back many people at once. That would make it the single rarest piece of magic that he had ever heard of or set his eyes upon. He imagined that it was so rare that if the bull wanted to he could have traded that single scroll for enough gold or power that he could have bought two kingdoms twice over.

"So...you have a scroll...why did you not use it?" Feku cried through her tears. Krotos moved his body so that he wiped them away with his fur.

"It...can only be used once..." Asterion looked to each of them with tired eyes. "and it uses diamonds to fuel the spell. It needs one diamond per soul that I wish to return to the world of the living. Which you can imagine in that village is a lot of souls I wish to return." He pointed to the small piece of vellum with the writing that looked like a list. "Inside is a list of all the souls I wronged that day, and how I vowed to one day bring back the life I snatched from them in my anger." He returned his gaze once more to Feku, who had gone back to sobbing into Krotos' plumage. Thankfully the gryphon who had been upset at being covered in water, seemed to not care he was being used as a living tissue.

"Do you understand now Feku?" Asterion whispered.

She nodded slowly, before returning her snout once again into the gryphon's fur. Krotos wrapped her up tightly with his wings, effectively sealing her away from the bull.

"I think that may be enough for today Asterion." Krotos said calmly.

Arcturus stood in shock as he watched Asterion sigh, stride over to his hammer, pick it up, and walk away towards the house without another word. His thoughts conflicted on the whole issue presented before him. Yes the bull was in the wrong for lying to them about being able to help the kobold. However it was also true they never agreed that he would that function for them, as they did not even know he could bring people back from the dead.

_ Doesn't help this feel any less rotten._

"Feku." Arcturus voice coarse as Krotos opened his wings invitingly.

"Y-yes?" She stammered, as she continued to mush her snout right up against the gryphons fur.

"Do you want me to kick Asterion out of the group?" The words came quickly and easy when he looked to her tear filled eyes, knowing who had brought her such pain. It seemed fitting after all, the bull had sworn his life to her anyway.

He watched the kobold shift her weight from claw to claw as she continued to hold Krotos tight. She just continued to sniff, cry, and wipe her tears on Krotos' feathers. "H-he can stay." she said after a minute longer of silent contemplation.

"What?" Krotos squawked in disbelief. "But...but..he...he.."

"Feku...are you sure?" Arcturus asked, the kobold's answer surprising him probably just as much as the gryphon whose beak was now open, gawking at her.

"H-he was scared."

"What do you mean?" Arcturus raised an eyebrow. "Just becau-"

"In his eyes....I saw the fear that was lurkering in his eyes when he spoke...It was the same fear that Azzik had in his eyes the night he did not want to help Lyndis." Feku pushed herself off of Krotos, and turned to him. Quickly giving his beak a small peck with her snout, causing the blue bird to give a pleased croon. "Thanking you." She said, running a claw once more into his feathers. "For comforting me."

"Your most welcome Feku." Krotos grinned down at her. Arcturus rolled his eyes as there was no doubt a dirty scenario playing through the gryphon's mind this very minute. "My feathers are always there for those that most need them."

"Now I wonder." Feku spun around so quickly on her foot she had to catch herself from suddenly falling over. "Woah...Okay...I wonder what that spell also need to bring people back from the deadify place."

"We will have to ask him!" Krotos squawked, standing up to stretch his feathers, "But good luck getting it out of him now."

"I don't know..he was rather open..as apposed to his usually closed off self." Arcturus trailed off, glancing back to the horizon. He looked up the every darkening clouds, the sun streaking through them in great cylinders of light. Like there were small patches of earth the gods themselves deemed should be illuminated. It was moments like this that if he did not know there were gods above, he might actually believe in them.

"How did that take up so MUCH time?" Krotos clacked his beak in irritation as Arcturus felt him, brush up beside him again.

"You know what they say about fun and time." Arcturus rose a hand and set it on the gryphon's soft fur. He ran his hand through it, digging his nails into the hide beneath, and causing the gryphon to twitch and let out a pleased chirp.

"I know...the saying...Arcturus..." Krotos gasped. "Gah....I may have to get you to scratch me more often......You know just the right spots!"

"I've had practice on a dragon." Arcturus chuckled, "Despite his armor he does enjoy a good scratching. You should hear him purr, it sounds so adorable." Arcturus waved to them to follow as he started making his way back to the estate.

"He can purr?" Krotos tilted his head back with his beak open in laughter, as they passed the front of the stables. The gryphon carefully jumped over the dragon's paw prints from the other day, like he was trying to preserve them for the paladin.

He is really thoughtful. "Yes the bloody dragon can pur, just like your fluffy ass can."

"So...your saying you want to make me pur?" Krotos swished his tail from side to side as Arcturus held up his head.

"Stop trying to flash me your balls Krotos!"

"Who said I was doing that?" The gryphon shrugged with his wings. "I was simply walking. Perhaps you should keep your eyes up and not have them eye level with bouncing balls." the gryphon chuckled as Arcturus picked up his pace, so that there was no chance the gryphon's eggs would grace his sight. "So what are we going to do in the estate anyway? We can simply stay out here!"

"I can cook lunch!" Feku cried out, bounding over with a smile returning to her snout. She clacked her claws together as her tail started to wag behind her. "I am most hungering."

"Aye you can." Arcturus gave her a sweet smile as he though to the previous times she had already made them food. He felt a small tinge of guilt. They had after all not helped her once. "Let us help you thought. Figure it isn't fair to make you do all the cooking." He turned his head slightly, looking to Krotos. "Isn't that right Krotos?"

"Oh you are most right." The bird held up one his talons and wiggled the digits with a smile. "I have the most nimble of talons at your disposal Feku. I also possess a practiced tongue.

"Krotos!"

"For singing." Krotos finished with a laugh, causing Arcturus to roll his eyes.

"Well I imagine Merlia loves your nimble talons and tongue for singing."

"You can bet your handsome paladin ass she does! Awk Awk awk." the gryphon smiled, splaying his ears.

"Wait..what?"

"Just force of habit Arcturus." the gryphon playfully shoved him as they made their way into the kitchen. They both snapped their attention to the kobold who immediately bolted by them to open the pantry doors.

"Hmmmm." Feku casually said, pressing a digit to her snout tip. She bent over with her tail swishing as she seemed to be inspecting the place for anything.

"I am starving!" Krotos squawked loudly as he took a seat onto his haunches. His lion tail smacked against the floor softly.

"Well...it looks like MOST of the food from the tavern place is gone." She turned back to them with a frown, her frills twitching slightly as her gaze shifted to Krotos in a flash.

"What ever are you suggesting Feku?" The gryphon placed a talon to his furred chest, and tilted his head to the side.

"I am saying you did the eatering of most of the food." She tapped her tail against the pantry door with a small smack. "I am saying you eatering the food." She repeated, her frills moving slowly.

"Did you hear that Arcturus?" the bird gasped, turning to the human with his ears spayed. His eyes were wide, as Arcturus realized he was pretending to be hurt by her words.

Arcturus just looked to the staring kobold, and the gryphon who was trying to drag him into this lie of his for some reason. He just glared at the gryphon for a few moments before his victim through his beak up and dragged a talon across the floor. "Cures Arcturus! Alight fine! I was hungry!"

"So how about pancakes than if we can't find any more of that food?" Arcturus sighed. They were not the best food, but if they were hungry those fluffy things would certainly take care of the hunter that would wedge itself into their bellies.

"Arcturus do you want my plumage to get all dirty?" Krotos glared at him, clacking his beak.

"Well perhaps you should take your skilled tongue, and set it to work cleaning yourself." He raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms. "Unless you like having a sticky beak and feathers to match.

Krotos just grumbled something into his paws as he sank to the floor with his stomach resting on it.

"AHAH!" Feku cried out in joy, a she emerged from the pantry holding a tray covered in dried meat of a dull red, and orange cheese adorned with holes.

"How did I possibly miss those?....I mean...how did we miss all those." Krotos splayed his ears, clacking his beak several times.

"I suppose we will have to get food stuff from miss Shandalar." Feku wrinkled her snout. "Summoned ingredients will have to don't"

"Do you mean?"

"Yes. That." Feku rolled her eyes a she placed the tray onto the table with a clink. She grabbed several other plates, and spread out the gathered food onto it evenly. Arcturus laughed as he watched Krotos' eye watch her every movement. For a moment he was sure the gryphon was going to leap onto her and snatch the food away. Or at least if the swaying of his tail back and forth was any indication.

"Hardly a meal really." Krotos poked a talon through the cheese. "It's hardly even a mouthful!" He slurped up his food quick as a flash after that.

"Perhaps for ye birdy!" Arcturus laughed, imitating Merlia. "It be good fer da two of us dough."

"Yes...very goosh!" Feku mumbled, her own snout full of cheese. It looked like the kobold had simply shoved the entire thing into her mouth instead of eating it piece by piece like Arcturus was doing.

Arcturus just laughed as he took his time with the small amount of food that he had been given. The cheese was a tad tart, and left a slight after taste on his tongue. The dried meat was not too salty and tasted as though it had been cooked on a stone. Whatever meat it was was lost to him, but with a shrug he figured it did not matter.

"Well...that was at least....something." Krotos licked his place, trying to get the last of it. "Thank you Feku for preparing such a fine feast. " He held his beak up to toss the bard a smile.

"Why thank you gryphon! I slaved for hours on it." She bowed, and giggled with laughter. She than stifled herself with a claw before extending it to point at the gryphons fur. "You..er...ah.."

Arcturus followed her digit to see that the gryphon had somehow managed to get crumbs all over his fur.

"Thrice damnt!" groaned the bird, puffin out his chest. "I swear..I will never get it right." Krotos rolled his eyes before resettling his wings, thumping his tail, and resuming his preening from before with an annoyed chirp.

"Don't worry! I will sing you a song to make you feel better!" Feku turned towards Arcturus. Her purple eyes filled with anticipation as she brought her claws softly together.

Arcturus was reminded of times Geoffrey would do the exact same thing. Although it was always for things he was not supposed to at the time.

"Is that okay if I sing Arcturus?" She asked, tilting her head to the side and somehow getting her eyes to grow larger to the point it looked like she was giving him puppy dog eyes.

"Feku.." He replied softly. "You do not need my permission to express yourself. Just sing to your hearts content!"

The bard nodded with a warm smile before she returned her gaze to Krotos and opened her snout. What came out was a beautiful sound. It was a joyous melody of sounds that Arcturus figured were in draconic, by the way they sounded like hisses. He found himself tapping along to her song as Krotos clacked his beak in time with the music. The human tried to fight off a smirk at the craziness of this scene. He tried to fight the good cheer of being here and enjoying his friends company. He smiled from ear to ear before letting out a joyous laugh as Krotos squawked in joy as well.

_ See you can still be happy...even without Veledar._

His thoughts than swirled and shifted around within his head until he could see Veledar sitting along side his friends. The dragon was opening and closing his snout with Krotos, his tail tapping the floor every now and then. He than looked up to smile and gaze fondly into the human's eyes. Arcturus shook his head, and lowered his gaze to the floor.

_ Its not real...its all in your head...the dragon is not here._ He clutched at his heart at it began to ache once again. He held up his hand to excuse himself before he hurried out of the kitchen. He ignored the concerned questions directed at them. He simple responded with a quick "I'm fine." before shutting the door behind him and starting his climb back towards his room. He entered it with what seemed like his next few steps, the rest of the journey a blur of emotions. He rose his hands to hold his head as he took a deep breath and flopped onto the mattress with a sigh.

"Veledar" He mumbled, his spirits sinking from their height back down. He touched his chest with his left hand as he felt the cold icy grasp of despair threaten to take hold once again. He grabbed his sheets as he closed his eyes. He pulled the soft covers over his body and right up to his nose. He sighed, picturing once again being wrapped up in his wings, pressed against his scaled chest, and listening to his heart beat steady. Arcturus felt himself slipping off to sleep, where he prayed he would have no dreams at all.

* * * * * * * * * * He awoke several hours later. The sun had already drifted away below the horizon to be replaced by the vast blanket of night. His room was a dimly lit, the only light coming from a lone sliver of white moon light. He could not remember what it was that he had been dreaming about if he had been dreaming at all. He gave out a yawn, as he heard the sound of pitter-pattering rain on his window. He stood up slowly, as the wind outside let out a loud whistle. He imagined that the stables from before were creaking with the effort to stay erect within the mighty gust. He ran his tongue around his mouth to find that it had dried in his sleep, making him long for the refreshing embrace of some water, or other liquid. With a rub of his eyes and a groan, he padded his was to his desk, picked up the mana lantern there and activated the rune to bathe the room in a soft light.

He opened the door carefully, and carried himself down the empty hallway. His only company the sound of the winds outside and the light he carried aloft in front of him. His eyes scanned the long shadows cast on any stray furniture still left in this place. With each step he was reminded from creatures he read about in his youth. They were large shadow creatures, with bright red crimson eyes that lurked within dark places. When one would get close enough they would spring forth like a tidal wave to wrap the victim in their embrace. Then they would drain you of your strength until your body withered away into nothingness in a matter of moments. Than to top off the horrible thoughts of that happening. Your form would emerge as one of them. Just another mindless shadow monster to stalk the night looking for more lives to wink out of existence.

He passed the den with what seemed like his next few steps. He peaked in to see a dying fire located within the fireplace. It's faint glow bringing a warmness to the room. Asterion sat near the fire with a poker, seemingly stoking the flames to make the fire return to him. Krotos was on the couch asleep. His head was curled over Merlia, while his forelimbs were clutching the forms of her and Feku. Both of them had their heads pressed into the gryphon's most likely warm chest. Arcturus could not help but feel a small tinge of jealousy at them. He pictured how nice it would be to be holding someone right now. Feel their warmth pressed up against him as he nuzzled his head against them. He sighed, wishing that he was the one currently cuddling the gryphon.

_ But they need his warm embrace right now as well...Can't go hogging the warm gryphon to myself._

He continued onto the kitchen, opening the door without a word as it's creak echoed through the hallway. He cringed for just a moment, afraid that the sudden noise had woken the soundly sleeping group of his friends. However after a minute of frozen silence with only the sound of pattering rain and whistling wind gracing his ears, he breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly looked to find a clay pitcher, that after a quick peak revealed that it still contained water. Most likely some from the night's dinner that he had missed while he slept. He found a tankard, and poured the water slow into it. When he had the right amount he wanted, he rose it to his mouth and took a long swig. Letting the cool liquid sooth his dry mouth. That is when he felt a jolt of emotion run through his body. Like emotional lightning it struck hard and fast, making him spurt water into his tankard and throw set it down roughly with a clink. He felt the dull feeling of curiosity in his bones, and the feeling was close. Close enough to be right outside, and it felt exactly like all the times before when he had sensed the dragon's emotions.

_ Veledar!_

His heart skipped a beat. Without even thinking further he sprinted to the door and tossed it open with a violent shove. He could feel the emotions swirling now within his chest. The rage, sadness, mixed with guilt and confusion. He continued his desperate race into the great rain. He hardly noticed as it drenched him with droplets as he squinted his eyes, trying to find any trace of his dragon in the whipping wind.

"VELEDAR!" He cupped a hand to his mouth and shouted with all the strength he could muster. He cared not if his friends could hear him in this moment. With the next pounding of his heart he shouted out again, trying it even louder, desperate for his dragon to hear him.

_ He has to hear me...Veledar...Please!_

"VELEDAR!" He shouted ever the harder, as his throat ached from the effort. He felt his head start to throb as his vision blurred from the tears that were starting to form. "VEL-E-DAR!" He shouted out again, his voice cracking into a sob as the tears began to roll down his cheeks. For no matter how much he was moving around, no matter how strongly he could feel the emotions of his dragon. He could not see the beautiful red dragon, no matter how close he felt right now. It was almost like he could reach out and touch the red thing it felt so close. "VELED-" He collapsed onto his knees. The mud splattering as he dropped.

Arcturus looked up into the cloudy sky, with little holes that allowed the moon-beams to leak through and light up the dark earth below. He could feel his heart aching worse than it had all day. The tears that were now no doubt on his face were slowly being wiped away by the pelting rain and whipping wind against his cheeks. "Veledar." He mumbled, dropping down onto all fours. Letting his hands sink into the soft mud as he continued to cry in pained sobs. Through his tears and cries he could not help but remembering the dragon's warm embrace. The feeling of his claws against his soft skin, the smell of his scent. The passion of his licks, and the love of his heart.

He stayed there for quite some time, until he was drenched down to the bone. His thoughts desperately calling out to even Bahamut that when he rose up his dragon would be right there in front of him to comfort him. He rose his head to find that of course that was not the case, and all that remained was the aching in his heart and the throbbing of his head.

With a sniff, and a groan he picked himself off the muddy cold ground. The single thought running through his mind as he looked back to the estate.

_ I have to go find him..._