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Scales and Honor: Emerald Secrets

Chapter 9: Momentary Repieve

They made their way back to the village, traveling swiftly through the forest. They were greeted by a crowd of the survivors of the attack. They seemed scuffed up but not too worse for wear. Mira was the first to emerge from the crowd,

"Thank you heroes!" escaping her lips as she looked to them as if she had set eyes on living legends. The other townsfolk joined in as they crowded around the collected group.

"Please, Please" We must be on our way to see the Emerald Lady!" Arcturus had to shout over the cheers from the townsfolk. "Cordenth, and survivors are a distance from here in a clearing."

The cheering stopped as the town listened to what he had just said. "Is everyone alright out there?" came a voice from the crowd.

"Yes the dragon was hurt during the fighting but was saved by Asterion here." he said, clasping the minotaur on his shoulder.

"Well we will send out groups to retrieve everyone then, Cordenth included." said Mira, turning to the crowd. "No time to just sit around then, lets get some cool water, some towels, and some medicine for our injured! The crowd parted as Mira continued to shout out commands to the others, as people ran off to go get the things she had requested.

Lyyreth soon led them away from the people and towards the lair of the Emerald Lady. Arcturus had to catch up to the green dragon several times as he seemed to have picked up his pace. Lyyreth continually held his head high the entire time, and seemed to raise it even higher as the lair came within sight. Arcturus looked to Veledar who was carrying himself with the same confidence as he always did. His blue eyes looking to the lair with hate. He imagined the dragon was simply dying to get this curse removed. Arcturus felt his chest, imagining the pain she had inflicted to him the other day. He scowled at the thought of having to experience it again.

He just hoped the Emerald Lady held up to her side of the bargain. Arcturus could not see why not, they had just defeated a gods damn army sent down to her forest. Otherwise the alternative was to fight the lady again. He felt a grip on his heart all of a sudden, most likely the curse she has cast on him. Hopefully if they did have to fight she could not simply will him dead, he shuttered at the thought. They continued in silence until they stood outside her lair. Lyyreth paused and looked unsure as he scanned over them with his eyes.

"We came this far!" snarled Veledar, shoving the door roughly. It opened easily for the dragon with a thud. Arcturus followed after him, in case he got himself into trouble.

"Emerald Lady!" Veledar roared out, "We return to remove the curse you placed on my paladin!" Veledar thrashed his tail against the ground at the last word. "I have done what you asked of me!"

It seemed to work as the long dark corridor seemed to swirl until they were back in the room with the purple cauldron. The Emerald Lady towered over them, her tail slightly twitching and her purple eyes glaring down at them.

" How dare you tell me what must be done in my domain!" she snarled, spreading her wings wide. " You should feel lucky I permit you to live!"

Arcturus saw Merlia draw her bow slowly as the dragoness spoke, her attention squarely on Veledar for the moment. He moved his hand to hover right above his sword's hilt. He he readied his muscles to pull out his shield.

"I do dare, for we have saved your village from an army!" Veledar roared back, he too spreading his wings. "Now remove your curse from my friend or I will rip it out of you!"

We that certainly was not how Arcturus would have asked, but the Emerald Lady not instantly going to kill them from that outburst was a good sign. She just put an amused expression and chuckled deep in her throat. Arcturus felt shivers go up his spine, it was a ominous as ever.

" You have spirit young dragon, to threaten me even now." She held out a paw and waved it at Arcturus, " I will of course honor our agreement."

Arcturus felt like he was covered in a cool breeze. He gasped in surprise how his body seemed to feel lighter than it had done moments ago. This was short lived as he suddenly felt incredibly drained. He collapsed to his knees.

"Arcturus!" came the voices of Merlia and Veledar in unison.

"Nevermind me, I'm fine." he replied breathing deeply. He looked up at the Emerald Lady to make sure she met his eyes. "It's a good thing I am understanding and forgiving, otherwise we would have trouble when I feel better."

" Very well indeed." she scoffed at him, clearly not considering him a threat. He felt used, as if he were just part of a game that she were playing. She had returned him and got what she had wanted. He frowned at the realization they had been her pawns after all.

"I want my freedom!" Asterion shouted out towards the dragoness "I saved your son from death by the hands of the invaders."

" Did you now?" she chuckled, " Isn't that the task I make you preform anyway?"

"Let me go she dragon or kill me. I will not remain here any longer underneath your claws." Asterion replied with a sneer. He crossed his arms and waited for her reply.

'That's cute pet, you pretend as if I would give you the choice of death." she threw back her head and laughed loudly. She than stopped and seemed to consider what he had said, " However...." she than looked to the others, stopping to focus on Arcturus, Merlia, and lastly Veledar. " I believe your time with me is at an end. You have of course served your purpose well." she returned her threatening gaze to Asterion, " The deal that you have made with my son over there was with him, not with me. I told them to not go help you in the forest, and they disobeyed me. If you wish to be free, I will have these adventurers preform one more task for me."

"Very well." Asterion snorted, "That is acceptable."

" Good....now what do you say Veledar? Will you do yet another task for me to free this bull from my ownership?"

"We will of cou....." Arcturus went to say.

" I was talking to Veledar!" the Emerald Lady roared with a sudden flash of anger. To the point that Arcturus almost drew his sword in response.

Veledar was staring at the dragoness in thought. "We will do it, but I want to know why he was your pet. I am sure my friends wish to know as well."

That took Arcturus by surprise. It was honestly well thought out for the dragon, and he took thought of their opinions. He typically rushed into things, this was a nice change of pace.

The dragoness moved passed the cauldron that was still steaming it's purple mist, lighting the ground in a slight glow.

"V ery well young dragon, I will tell you the tale of my dear pet over there. However after you have heard it you may not wish to set this one free." she hissed with a grin.

She than told the story that Asterion had told Arcturus of course. However it was more her side of things, and of course painted the bull in a more villainous light. She finished, clasping her claws together and staring down at Veledar. " There is my tale young dragon, do you still wish to free the bull that slaughters woman, men, and children?"

The Emerald Lady fidgeted as Veledar mulled it around in his head it seemed. "We will shall still do it." he said at last, "In my quest I could certainly use a healer of his skill. Especially after seeing him fight.

" Interesting." the dragoness replied, stepping closer to Veledar. " So you would be his master instead of I? You might be more like me than you think Veledar."

"Nonsense, I do not keep people as pets or things to be owned." Veledar snarled in reply, "He would be free of you, and be just like my other companions." Veledar than turned to Asterion, "Asterion if I free you, will you come with our adventuring group?"

"Do you face strong enemies?" Asterion asked sternly.

"We go up against Lumara, on our quest to retrieve our friend's possession. You just saw the lengths they are going to put a stop to him." replied Arcturus.

"I have one condition if I am to follow you to battle, and aid you in your quest."

"Is it not enough that we free you?" replied Veledar in irritation as he rolled his eyes.

"You will give me any diamonds your group finds. You may keep all the other treasure that you find." said the bull calmly. 'Otherwise I will not go with you"

This seemed like a good deal to Arcturus, after all he had no need for diamonds. What a cleric would need with them he did not know. Although by the look on Veledar's snout he was torn about giving up the gems, even if they were hypothetical at this point.

"Come on Veledar." whispered Arcturus to his friend, "It's just diamonds, we literally get everything else and a healer to boot."

"But I want the diamonds....." Veledar quickly complained back at him, before pouting. "Fine Asterion, against my better nature you will have your gems. " Veledar held up a claw to point it at the bull, "However I will hold you to the other part were we get everything else." he hissed.

"Now what do we need to do?" Arcturus asked, turning towards the Emerald Lady. He was annoyed that yet again she was manipulating them with promise of the healer. He had a sneaking suspicion that this was still going according to her plan, whatever that may be.

" What VELEDAR has to do for me is lay waste to a camp of Lumara soldiers north of here guarding an internment camp." she than looked to each one of them, " If he wishes to bring his.........friends that's up to him." she replied, the last bit she seemed to have spit out as if it were rotten food.

"You can bet your tail they will be coming along." Veledar snapped back, "why do you need this camp attacked anyway?"

" Besides in retaliation for this attack on my forest? I want to rescue it's prisoners and bring them here to be my possessions. The other reason of course is not your concern. The player does not tell the pawn why they must go, they simply move them to do so."

"An internment camp?" that sounded like one of the places that Arcturus had set up with books, learning centers, and training for new citizens of Lumara's conquered lands. He looked to the Emerald Lady,as her gaze fell to him. He had the feeling this game she mentioned was for the long term, and only in her twisted way did she know what was going on.

" Besides there is something there that your human, and princess need to see there" she said.

"Very well, so we destroy this camp and rescue the prisoners there. Than Asterion shall be free?" Veledar asked.

" Oh young dragon he will be, than you will be ready for the journey ahead and beyond."

"When do we leave for this camp? And where is it?"

" Tomorrow is when you leave, they need to believe you flew there."

Veledar nodded and turned to the others. "Any objections?"

"Non from me lad." Merlia replied, breaking her silence.

Veledar nodded and focused on Arcturus. "and you Arcturus can I count on you?"

"No" he said almost instantly. He watched Veledar do a double take.

"Say again, I must have misheard you, I thought you said no."

"That's right" Arcturus replied, crossing his arms defensively. Killing mercs when given no choice was acceptable, attacking soldiers who were just doing their jobs was out of the question.

'Why? You were so ready to fight those men in the woods, how is this any different?" asked Veledar, turning his head to the side.

Arcturus looked to the Emerald Lady who was simple watching with a smirk on her snout. Damn her for getting enjoyment out of this.

"Because Veledar, this will be people doing their jobs. I helped set those places up, they are for teaching and self improvement." He than remembered Lyndis' words, perhaps he was currently clutching onto the image he had, too afraid to find out what she said was true.

"What about what Lyndis said?" What about your king wanting me dead for no good reason? What about the long list of growing things?" Veledar asked, each time getting louder. "I have seen nothing Arcturus to offer your people any benefit of the doubt. I will go do this without you if need be."

"I'll go" he said to the irritated dragon. "On one condition that you follow."

"ugggghhhh" moaned Veledar, "Why can't people just do things? Why must their always be a condition?

"We don't kill everyone there. We give them a chance to surrender. She said she wanted the place destroyed, not everyone killed."

"Fine" said Veledar, as his voice died down. "To think Arcturus you almost made me go alone. I will of course pay you back for that later." Veledar turned his snout back to the dragoness who was currently stifling in laughter "Will that be acceptable Emerald Lady? Whats so funny?"

"Y ou are adorable, the way you bicker. However yes young dragon that will be acceptable. Now take your leave, I grow tired of your presence. Return tomorrow, I will have arranged how you will get to this camp and back." she replied, gesturing them to a door that appeared out of thin air. Arcturus gladly walked out of the door back to the forest with his friends beside him.

They walked back towards the town at a normal pace. Arcturus could feel Veledar's eyes looking at him as they walked. He could tell they were filled with concern, but also mixed with joy. He was just thankful when he had spoken with Veledar that the dragon would not just go on a slaughter spree because of what the Emerald Lady had said. He had to admit he had been a bit concerned on how far the dragon would go. It was always in the back of his mind the closer they got to Entis. The dragon seemed to read his thoughts as Veledar suddenly was beside him, matching his pace almost perfectly.

'So what is going on with you? I can feel the tension hanging in the air between us." Veledar tilted his head to the side.

"It's what I said Veledar. Besides would you have really gone to kill everyone there simply to get the cleric on our side?" Arcturus spied a root, and avoided tripping over the damn thing.

"You know I will do what is required to get my book back. You know what it means to me. If someone had stood in my way........yes, although I would of course give them a chance to flee." Veledar ducked his head from a branch hanging in the path.

Arcturus breathed a sigh of relief, thankfully he did not entirely not understand his friend.

"Was that all that was troubling you?" Veledar stretched his wings as they walked. Casting a moment of shade on Arcturus.

"Yes" he admitted with a smile.

"Than good, stick with me and we'll spend the rest of the day relaxing! Some good food, that music they play, and dancing!" Veledar grinned as he playfully bumped into Arcturus with his side. Arcturus recovered from the bump and did the first thing that popped into his mind, he tried to shove the dragon back. However the dragon held firm and did not move in the slightest.

"When will you learn that doesn't work!" the dragon let out a loud laugh.

"Never!" he let out his out laugh as he continued to struggle against the dragon's hide.

They finally returned to were the town, where Cordenth now was with a group of villagers around him. They seemed to be tending to the dragon that was spread out on his back. He had several towels that were soaked in water covering his scales, even Lyndis was holding a towel to the dragons forehead. Cordenth appeared to be chatting it up with Lyndis. Lyndis was all smiles for the most part, what they were talking about he could not tell, but as they closed in Lyndis pointed them.

"How did it go? Cordenth was keeping me occupied while you were gone here. I of course was telling him how to properly save a woman, and not get himself killed." Lyndis laughed, patting Cordenth on the head.

"Fine, she agreed to let Asterion go, but we need to go destroy a Lumarian outpost north of here tomorrow. She seems to also think that there is something you and I need to see there."

"Don't forget Arcturus, you thought I was going to go on joyful murder spree!" Veledar said, lowering his head to be level, right in between Lyndis and himself.

"Whats that now?" Lyndis asked, raising one of her eye brows.

"We can talk a bout it later. Lets just say my faith in Veledar keeps getting rewarded."

"How touching, it warms my heart." snickered Veledar.

Arcturus rolled his eyes and gave the dragon a smile.

"Something both of us should see?" Lyndis asked curiosity in her voice. "I know it will open your eyes to what I said awhile ago, but what could I possibly need to see there?"

"Gods if I knew, you know how little information the Lady has been the last couple of days."

"Try years." Cordenth grumbled, wrinkling his muzzle. "She doesn't speak to us with any more information."

Arcturus had almost forgotten the green dragon was there. "Cordenth I forgot to ask, how rude of me. How are you doing!? It is not everyday you take a harpoon to the chest!"

"Thanks for reminding me." the dragon rubbed the spot where the harpoon had been sticking out previously. "It still itches, and it aches occasionally.........Although I have Lyndis here for nice company to get me through it!"

"So we relax the day, and prepare for tomorrow." Lyndis said, crossing her arms.

"Dat doesn't sound too bad!" came the voice of Merlia from behind. Arcturus turned to see that she and Lyyreth had come walking over among the crowd.

"We're goin ta be spoiled afta our stay here. We feast every night! We best have out fill before we hit da road again!" laughed the dwarf, slapping Lyyreth on the side of his hide.

"Well take it easy Cordenth, we don't need you hurting yourself any more than you were." Arcturus said turning to leave Lyndis and the others to themselves, "See you later."

He wandered through the damage town for quite awhile. If he had to guess it had been for at least two hours. His eyes traced along the damaged buildings as he walked that people were going to have to rebuild after this. He was reminded when Dread Flame had attacked, and all the damage the city had to rebuild after that whole ordeal. He stopped to look through the trees at the rays of sunshine leaking through the trees. He stood there deep in thought, thinking to Garroth. He thought to the look his friend had given him, and how it had pained him to draw a weapon on a friend. While Garroth was in the wrong place, his friend was truthfully trying to save him. He ran his hand through his hair as he breathed in deep. He never imagined it would be like this, not when he agreed to help the dragon. How many more friends would he have to choose between? What would happen tomorrow when he lead the attack on his own countrymen? He opened his water skin to take a swig from it. He led the cool water swish in his mouth before swallowing it down with a refreshing gasp.

"So what are you up to?" came the sound of Veledar behind him. Arcturus put his waterskin away. He put his hand to the bridge of his nose, of course the dragon had followed him.

"I should ask you that. You follow me as if we are attached by a thread." he let out a laugh as he turned to look at the red dragon walking over towards him. The rays lit up his scales, making them look even more beautiful in the light. "Or perhaps you could say you were pining after me." he moved over towards a shady spot and sat down.

"You have been missing for awhile actually. Merlia is planning more drinking activities with our dragon friends, while Lyndis has spent all her time with Cordenth. I on the other hand was bored and decided to find my favorite human. You should be flattered Arcturus." Veledar held his snout how he did before sitting down beside him. "Besides I deserve a rest after all that fighting today. I think that's one to add to the tale of the mighty Veledar and Arcturus!"

"No doubt about that, fifty soldiers and twenty four constructs? That's a damn near feat of strength worthy of song."

"Or three" the dragon grinned, putting his snout into his paws. "Still be glad to get out of this stupid forest, can't wait to actually be going towards my destination rather than all these detours."

"They call these things called side quests." Arcturus laid back, and breathing in deep. "It is all part of being an adventurer. I am sure Lyndis can tell you all about it."

"Well they should do away with them." Veledar snorted, blowing some dirt around. "I don't have all the time in the world you know."

"Well that's weird to say, as you fave waaay more time on this realm then any of us." Arcturus laughed at the dragons impatience.

"And I don't want to waste them on side quests!" Veledar hissed, than sticking his tongue out at Arcturus.

They sat and talked for awhile about the days excitement, describing each others deeds with such flattery, one would think they had done deeds of legend. When they had finished with that they decided to spar with one another.

"Besides, you and I have not actually fought" Veledar laughed, as he started leading Arcturus to the forest floor.

"Besides the first time of course?" Arcturus grinned.

"Oh that hardly counts, you brought a whole damn platoon to attack me." Veledar waved dismissively.

So they went at it, sword, claw, shield tail. Although it became quite apparent that both of them were not going all out. It kept going, until Veledar tripped him with his tail. Instead of taking advantage of it, Veledar just stood their laughing at his antics.

"So that is the way we are playing than" Arcturus laughed, standing back up.

They went at it again, and to repay the dragon he waited for the right moment. IT came when Veledar spread himself to far in a lunch, so he used the dragon's weight against him and toppled him with a correct application of his shield.

"So the mighty have fallen" he laughed, standing there just as the dragon had done. He watched Veledar stand back up, his blue eyes not wavering from him. They seemed to be filled with... uh oh.

"That's it!" Veledar snarled playfully as he pounced at Arcturus like he had done in their wrestle. Both tumbled, got in and out of several pins as Arcturus began to notice something he had not before. Veledar was much lighter than he typically was, he had thought it was the dragon was drunk before, but now was not the case. The dragon was going easy on him, he must have made himself lighter! They tumbled around on the ground as he tried to feel Veledar like he had done before in the sky. He tried to focus on it like he had done with magic, when practicing with his eldritch blasts, except he pictured Veledar. There he could feel the magical presence of the dragon as they tumbled again, it was hard to describe but it was like having a feeling in your gut. He reached out with the feeling and connected himself to Veledar with a tether. He imagined the earth pulling Veledar down, the dragon slowing and becoming weaker.

Veledar than gave him a playful nip strong enough to draw blood. "Hey!" he shouted as he used his strength to toss the dragon below him. He held the dragon down and soon had him pinned.

"Hah I have bested you Veledar!" he said with a triumphant smile.

"Nonsense I can break your......" Veledar struggled beneath his grasp. He wiggled all over but despite this could not get free. "WHAT IS THIS?"

"Times up, I win!" Arcturus cheered, standing up and holding his hands up in victory. "And the crowd goes wild as Arcturus has bested the mighty Crimson Sky!"

"How could this be...there is no way you could have..." Veledar's blue eyes suddenly squinted, "What did you do?" the dragon stood up, stretching his limbs one at a time.

"Its a spell called hex that I read about in that book of yours. It sapped your strength, figured I would use magic if you did."

"I used magic to make it easier for you!" Veledar snorted.

"Well that is your own fault, you still lost." Arcturus laughed, crossing his arms.

"Is that so?" a mischievous smile coming to the dragons snout.

"Veleda..aaahh" Arcturus shouted as Veledar pounced on him. This time however he was much heavier than he was before. He struggled in the dragons grip but in hardly any time the dragon had him pinned to the ground. Veledar lowered his face painfully slow towards his face, so that it was mere inches away from his own.

"Don't dare you roar." Arcturus struggled, as Veledar just gave another grin.

Veledar than let out another roar close to his face. However Arcturus did take note it was not as loud as he had done the first time when they had been in his mothers lair.

"There now we are even." Veledar got off of Arcturus, thumping his tail on the ground. "The crowd turns against the human, as Crimson Sky takes his rightful place as champion!"

"even? You caught me unawares, that was hardly fair" Arcturus dusted himself off as he stood up, using the dragon as leverage.

"Just like a certain paladin did in my cave?" Veledar lowered his eye towards Arcturus, and raised an eyebrow. Arcturus could just see the smile in that eye, even if he was not looking at his friends snout. "This was fair o dearest Arcturus."

"So you admit I was fair when I beat you in your cave the first time?" Arcturus cupped the underside of the dragons head as he chuckled. He watched the dragon's pupil widen in realization at that statement.

"Curse you Arcturus" Veledar squinted his eyes. The dragon backed away slightly, and Arcturus noticed that his tail had started to sway like it usually did before the dragon pounced. Arcturus decided to run as the dragon bounded after him with a push from his mighty legs. Although this did not last long, as Veledar was much faster than he was. With a pounce and a great laugh, Arcturus found himself once again beneath the dragon. Who stared down at him with the look of victory on his snout. Thankfully though Veledar did not seem to want to roar.

"Happy you got that out of your system?" He laughed, holding Veledar's right foreleg with his own hand.

"Yes actually, very much so." laughed the dragon, "I think I like seeing you underneath me, pinned and helpless."

"Don't get used to it, I typically have weapons."

Veledar than collapsed softly on the human as both erupted in laughter, as if to a joke only they understood. They spent the rest of the day roaming the forest, practicing spells, eating, and enjoying each others company. This lasted until the sun began to set, the nightly festivities began to take hold in the village. Arcturus had returned to his room and taken off his armor. With a quick prestidigitation from Veledar his clothes that were covered in sweat were now pristine clean. With a smile he had gone out to join his friends. The festivities seemed to be going like normal, well at least normal for this place. Merlia had yet again beaten Lyyreth at drinking.

"It's not my fault" the dragon had hissed, as his tail moved and knocked over an empty chair. "dwarves seemed to be made of alcohol!"

"Dun worry bout it ya baby, we will toughen ya up!" she had laughed, ribbing Lyyreth with her elbow.

Lyndis had spent the evening with Cordenth, who had taken the advice of taking it easy. The dragon had not drank a drop of ale, wine, or any kind of alcohol. Hell he was not even overly loud, or rushing in any movement he took. When the music started up he turned into a human with dark green hair with yellow stripes in it. He had apparently had conjured up some elaborate green clothing with golden designs of trees stitched into them. Than he and Lyndis began to dance once again as Veledar watched with eyes filled with jealousy.

'Come on Veledar, I will teach you how to dance if no one else will." he said, holding out a hand to the dragon. 'I mean I can only teach you the guys part of it, but you can watch and feel how it goes."

There wasn't even a reply by the dragon, as he instantly transformed into his humanoid dragon form from the night before. Veledar grabbed his hand firmly. They went to the dance floor and Arcturus started to show him how to do it. Veledar wasn't entirely bad but he kept on stepping on Veledar's boots with a "Sorry" quickly followed from the dragon. Veledar was certainly doing better than he had the night before with Lyndis, he figured the humanoid body must have helped with the dragon's coordination. Arcturus let the music guide his dance with the dragon as they carried around the hall. Their eyes met briefly in between Veledar looking down to check his feet. He had that feeling from before in his gut.

"Am I doing well?" Veledar asked, after having not stepped on Arcturus' boots for five whole minutes.

"Yes your picking this up quite well." they spun around, holding hands. Once again their eyes locking to one another. Heck he almost got lost in those blue eyes for a moment as Veledar just gave him a predatory grin.

"Good, yet another task to be mastered by me."

They continued to dance the night away, losing track of time. They only stopped when the music had ceased playing.

"There that should have you covered for a bit" Arcturus said, grabbing a glass of water and taking a swig from it. "You happy now Veledar?"

"Yes" the dragon smiled, than with a poof he had returned to his normal four legged self.

The night wound down until everyone could barely stand. Arcturus was the last one to bed if the empty hall was any indication. Arcturus looked to the empty tables, Merlia was passed out on one of them with a tankard in each of her hands. Arcturus dragged his feet towards the dark inn, through its solid doors, and climbed the stairs slowly. He did so while clutching the railing as if his life depended on it. He fought his eyelids to stay open. "Why had I stayed up so late" he wondered, than remembered, "oh yes, because everyone had kept dragging him into conversations."_He made a mental note to not do this again any time soon. He figured that when Veledar had gone to bed, that might have been a sign to go to bed as well. He gave a big yawn as he opened his own door with a creak, he was greeted to the familiar scene. Veledar was curled up on his bed with what looked like a large enough spot for him to squeeze into the dragon's arms. _'It's easy" he thought, "all I have to do is head to Veledar's room, and I can finally sleep by myself." he tried to move but found himself unable to turn around, "Than why can't I move my legs?" He shrugged and yawned again, finding moving towards the dragon was easy for him to do. He squeezed into the dragon's arms. Upon his entry he heard the dragon give a sigh as he was held tightly in his arms. He felt at ease, being held by the dragon. He felt his heart beat a little faster as he snuggled the dragon. He closed his eyes, and fell asleep to the sound of Veledar's heart.