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Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm

Epilogue

"And that my friends is the legend of Swirling Storm, one of the greatest dragon's to grace Drenedar's lands." Lyndis the half elf held her fair arms wide, the campfire she stood before casting a warm glow to her equally fair face. The flames dancing in her amber eyes as she looked to her friends with anticipation. "So...What'd ya think?"

"I have heard better of course." Veledar smirked in a draconic like way, proudly lifting his crimson scaled head and slightly puffing out his tan armored chest. "Possibly from yours truly."

"Hey you're squeezing me to death there." Chuckled the human Arcturus Lund, the once dragon slayer now the dragon's proud mate. The brown haired male tried to half-heartily push the dragon's claw that was holding him around the waist and tenderly pushing him against the red drake's chest.

Veledar relented slightly with a soft sigh, letting the human wiggle a tad before the black tuniced man was once more resting against his scales, making the dragon's head feel all fuzzy and warm. "Course you did a fair job in your delivery of such a tale...Even for a half elf." the red dragon smirked. "All and all....I would call your attempt adequate."

"Who went and made you the bloody judge of story telling?" Lyndis laughed, placing a hand to her hips and using a tone that would be very ill fitting to speak to a dragon in. Veledar ignored it, for despite all his friends shortcomings, like not being dragons. He did enjoy their company.

"I believe it comes with the fact that I am a dragon dearest Lyndis. I am the best _judge_of everything." He proudly said, making sure to fill each word with his dragon regalness. "It may be a daunting task." Veledar gave a fake sigh, "But I suppose I will be forced to do it." He hung his head and drooped his frills as if he were hating the idea, but his tapping tail behind him betrayed his actions. He was just glad that the half-elf could not see that appendage, it would ruin the whole act.

"Uh-huh...Arcturus help me out here. Your mate just proclaimed himself the overlord of story telling."

_Overlord?_The thought made the dragon's smirk grow only bigger. It was a well fitting title after all, and made him wiggle his tail some more. Veledar cast his gaze down to the little human who made the dragon's heart threaten to leap from his chest. With a flick of his tail he lowered his snout to play with the paladin's hair, lightly snorting and rusting the fibers. "Oh..Yes Arcturus, do tell me." He chuckled in a growly sort of way when the man rose a hand to slightly touch his nose, but not really pushing him away.

"I don't know Lyndis." The man looked up with a sly grin that made the dragon think the human was up to something. It would only be fitting after all. The man had spend many nights spent under the dragon's wings and pressed firmly against his chest. Seemed only right that a little of the dragon rubbed off on him, he certainly was getting enough of the dragon _in_him. "Overlord sounds too common...Too...Human...I'm thinking..His brightness...His resplendence." The human chuckled, lightly patting the dragon's nose with a tender touch.

"See Lyndis?" Veledar smirked, nuzzling the human with a soft purr as his head felt all fuzzy once more. He rose his head soon after with a smug look and a twitch of his tail. "Arcturus sides with me. I proclaim myself the Brightness of Story telling!"

"I second da motion!" Came the joyous laugh of his dwarven companion Merlia. She threw back her braided red hair and accidentally spilled some of her ale from her metal tankard onto her dark maroon vest. "Ah..damned. I wasted some of me drink.."

"Shandalar could always summon you some more." The blue furred gryphon Krotos smirked, the orange stripe on his yellow beak looking like it was on fire by the way the light was dancing off of it. The kitty bird began to chuckle, flicking his tail as Merlia started to dab away at her vest with a handkerchief.

"Nah, it's not as good as the real stuff. I tink dis be the last bit of stuff that we got from Trost.."

"Anyway." Lyndis raised her voice, cutting the dwarf off. "Before we get to talking about booze for the hundredth time.."

"I like booze!"

"I know." The rogue crossed her arms, and making Veledar tilt his head to the side as he fidgeted his frills back and forth. "What did you think I could have made better about the story then oh my brightness?"

Veledar gave a rumbling noise before releasing a pleased croon at the fact she had used his made up title. He rose his claw to his chin, acting as if in deep thought but already knowing the answer. He gave a few more snorts and fluttering of his frills before deciding to depart his dragon wisdom onto her. "Almost everything really. But the biggest thing that I would have changed?" Veledar smirked, and casually flicked his tail as he looked to his gathered friends and mate. "The dragon fight in Eastcliff went too poorly. I would have made him win..Perhaps not have killed the mortal Jandar.." The red dragon glanced down to Arcturus, absentmindedly stroking the human gently. He might not have said it to everyone but that part of the story struck a sensitive nerve. He nuzzled the human softly for good measure, delightful when the skillful paladin's fingers traced is scales and averted his touching to his sensitive frills on either side of his head. The pleasant sensation left the dragon gasping, paws kneading in utter delight as he closed his eyes and began to purr.

"Thank you mate." He said softly, letting the human know that his ministrations were most pleasing. "Cast away the sadness of that story with your hands."

"But that's not what happened!" This was not some made up tale dragon, it really happened!" Lyndis proclaimed loudly, getting slightly red faced and making Veledar chuckle internally to himself.

"And how did ya know that Storm survived the arrow lass?" Merlia asked with a final swig from her tankard and a loud belch as her cheeks began to grow red. The smell of almonds filled Veledar's nostrils and made him tremble softly. He would have to remember to snatch some the next time they visited one of those villagers or towns.

"Right." Lyndis sighed, throwing back her brown hair. "I forgot to mention that focking part. It's a part of the story only known by the royal family and the sapphire guardians. Everyone else things the bleedin dragon died right there in the city, thanks to the Lund's arrow."

Veledar wrinkled his snout at the mention of his mate's kin. He growled for a brief moment before remembering that the Lund's of old were dead and gone. The only one of their kind left was held within his paw and was the love of his life. He made sure to cast away his slight anger with a quick lick to the human's cheek. "Well that's what you get for not being smart about your fame. I would have done it better." he grumbled, wings fluttering softly as Arcturus trapped his head within his hands and began to rub the top and bottom of his snout.

"Really? Really?" Lyndis gasped, throwing her hands up into the air. "That's the thing you say about the story?" The half-elf rolled her eyes, striding back to her seat on a wooden log with a quick sigh. "Of course you would have said that. Silly for me thinking otherwise."

"Yes very silly half-elf indeed." He chuckled with a grin, tail tapping the ground as he nuzzled Arcturus again. "I think she's learning." he whispered, making the human give an amused snort who went back to his careful and loving ministrations that made him start to purr in delight. Through his rippling sensations of pleasure Veledar made a vow later to tend to Arcturus in the same caring and loving way. It was only fair of course, and he figured that Arcturus would enjoy it greatly. It might even lead to some lewd things, and the dragon did enjoy being lewd with his human.

"So what would you have done differently, Oh great and powerful Crimson sky?" Krotos chirped, spreading out one large blue feathered wing tipped with sea foam teal. The gryphon wrapped it around Merlia and pulled the dwarf close against the gryphon's side, the gesture making Veledar imagine lewd images of what the pair had been getting up to. His thoughts then shifted to himself mating Arcturus of course. The cute moans and prayers that always escaped the man's mouth whilst the dragon mated him like a dragoness. He smirked and continued to nuzzle the human, who had a grin on his face.

"I felt that." The human laughed, looking up to offer the dragon a knowing smirk and kiss.

Veledar rolled his eyes and nestled his head between the mortal's chest, and offering him a brief rumble that made the man giggle. The human's delightful touch cast away his annoyance at not being able to hide his emotions from his mate. Although it often had it's advantages, one of them being that during mating their pleasure was compounded on one another. With each thrust he could feel Arcturus' own pleasure course through him, and quickly driving the dragon to a new high of climax that he had never known.

"So dragon rudeness aside." Lyndis added, placing her hands on her tan clothed legs.

"Hey!" the dragon protested, lifting his head from the care of his mate to narrow his eyes at the rogue.

"What would have you done differently? You have not answered Krotos there, and I am bloody curious what you would have focken done differently in all your _esteemed_wisdom. What crazy thing that will come snaking it's way from your head dripping with narcissism."

Oh she asked for it. To think he wouldn't answer that question to it's fullest? He nuzzled Arcturus for good measure before holding his head high and pressing his other claw to his chest. "I would have stayed on the move, never settling down in one place. That way those damned red hand or whatever they were called could get to me. That would solve the whole issue with them in the first place. It would allow me to continue to build my own legend, and spread my word to all those other human villages and towns."

"What if the red hand got to you anyway?" Asterion theminotaur cleric snorted, pulling his head from his manila scrolls to cast a skeptical look. The warm glow of the fire making his brown fur look like it were aflame.

"Then battle would have been met warrior." Veledar rolled his eyes, "And I would have been more prepared. For starters, I most likely fly faster then our dear ole storm. And I have the lot of you for help too. Even if I loathe to admit it, you all quite handy in a pinch."

"Even my help you loath to admit?" Arcturus gave him large human eyes that tried to strike a feeling of guilt into the dragon's heart, and it of course worked.

"Don't be foolish my human mate." Veledar nuzzled the man like the lover he was. "Your help is always welcome. I would be foolish to not want the help from the man that has saved my life on two separate occasions. We make a fine pair you and I. More then a match for those red hand cultists."

"Agreed." Arcturus grinned, tapping the dragon's snout before tenderly kissing him on the lips and making the dragon close his eyes and flutter his frills.

"Hmmpf."The minotaur grumbled, flicking his bovine tail and raising his rune covered scrolls to block out his muzzle.

"So there you have it Lyndis." Veledar pulled away from the tender kiss, already wishing he could lock lips with his mate once more. He would have to do that later. "You have your answer. I would have handled it much better."

"Much better?" The woman wrinkled her brow. "All you did was announce you were simply better! That's no plan, you don't have anything else to add? What would you have done if they came for Arcturus?" She gestured to the human with a thrust finger.

"Then I would have winged it obviously." Looking casually away and smirking as the half-elves face started to turn a slight red.

"Graah! Honestly Arcturus, I don't know how you put up with him."

"Animal magnetism." Merlia laughed, slapping her knee. "Or some sort fangled dragon magic dat hes cast a on our poor human's mind. Some enchantment that his wrapped him around da drakes finger."

"If it is..It's such a pleasing spell Merlia." The paladin laughed. "I would never want it to be removed."

Veledar released a pleasing coo as he played with Arcturus' hair with happy breaths. "Such pleasing words my paladin, I knew I chose correctly to have you." He rumbled, closing his eyes as Arcturus started to touch his frills with the upmost care.

"Any more tales about dragons?" The purple scaled kobold Feku asked with a quickened breath. Veledar chuckled to himself as he had been told what exactly that color of her scales meant for her emotions , and the thought made his wings tickle in delight. For they shifted with her current state of mind, and that color meant lust. He kissed the human on the head and swished his tail, smirking as the kobold's eyes never left his scales, seemingly transfixed upon his glorious crimson armor. "Especially one with lewd bits..You know..Like the dragon in the dungeon story I told."

"Ah yes, like that one tale." Merlia laughed, "I got a few that might tickle ya fancy lizard.

"I liked the beginning fair enough, but it quickly lost my interest." Krotos grumbled, starting to preen his feathers as Merlia hugged him tightly around the chest.

"You only lost interest cause it got less lewd!" The dwarf playfully punched the narrow eyed gryphon.

"So?" The gryphon smirked, "I liked the lewd bits."

"Well then listen up the lot of ya!" Merlia clasped her hands together with a loud smack. "There we were, infiltratin this siigonis brothel."

The blue gryphon paused his preening to give the dwarf a lewd grin as she spread her arms wide and talked about how she had busted down the front door and practically requested every male in the joint.

Veledar listened intently, chuckling and grinning at each lewd description as he held his paladin tight. The human simply looked nervous and not sure how to react. It was rather cute if the dragon had to put a name to it. It was something that he hoped to help the human become more comfortable with over the next few months. So the red dragon nuzzled the man softly, giving him a few reassuring licks on the cheek to let him know that his mighty dragon was here for him. To his rumbling approval Arcturus did not rebuff his actions and instead tenderly caressed his claw holding the man around the waist. Throughout the story the others laughed, chuckled, and even cat called when the time was appropriate. Even Asterion had settled down his scrolls to listen in on the salacious story being offered from the joyful dwarve's mouth. Only one it seemed did not listen in or enjoy the tale being spun. That was no surprise to the dragon, for it was their elven wizard Shandalar that was away from them on her royal purple magical carpet.

Veledar cast his sight passed the flickering flames and passionate Merlia, who had stood up to tell her story. Her tankard having returned to her hands at some point. Her voice only getting louder and louder with each time that she gulped down more of whatever ale she was drinking. The target of his interest was not that of the dwarf, but the near stoic demeanor of their leader for now. The pointy eared elf sitting cross legged on the flying carpet with her magical book of spells laid bare on her lap. The book itself was made of old worn leather, and covered in gold and green runes of various symbols that appeared to look more like symbols for water or wind. The red dragon did not know which one he would have rather preferred, both kind of seemed fitting in his mind. He snorted only once in irritation at the so called leaders preference to stay away from them in their time of merriment.

If they all knew that I was truly the leader things would be better. Veledar smiled to himself, kneading the laughing human with his claw, delighting that the male moved into his touch and gave a pleased sound. Veledar knew that the elves actions were simply something that Arcturus mentioned you would have to get used to when dealing with high elves. He mentioned that most of them were like that in some regard. But how could the dragon not pay it any mind?

I would make sure my underlings at least knew it was I that would be supporting them, and where they could praise for my assistance. He shifted his gaze back to his friends, Krotos seemingly haven groped the dwarf right on her butt cheek with a talon. To which the red faced dwarf smacked his hand away with a loud thwack.

"You can go back ta gropin when da story is finished ya horny bird!"

While his friends continued to laugh and listen to the dwarf's story, the red took the opportunity to nibble at Arcturus' neck, causing the usually strong paladin to giggle and gasp. Veledar growled his approval as Arcturus cupped the bottom of his neck, rose his own head and kissed the dragon on his playful nose. The red dragon felt his heart start to beat faster as he parted his maw and tenderly kissed the mortal that made his mind all fuzzy, the sounds of his companions and their story slowly fading away with each tender second of his passionate embrace.

***

It was not long before everyone had drifted off to sleep, or in Shandalar's case, entered her trance. Veledar was left curled around Arcturus, who was still awake and stoking the campfire with an extra long stick. One that might even look like a spear if it were sharped to a deadly point. It made him smile that his mate was so thoughtful to his friends that their source of heat would not get lost within the colder night. Veledar sighed as he looked to the little tents that were scattered around the campfire. He guessed that was the best they could do without a dragon to snuggle with. That honor was reserved for Arcturus, the man who had practically slept under his wing since their meeting.

"You know I can simply reignite the fire with a breath right? You do not need to bother with that little stick of yours."

"And risk you setting fire to the tents and burning everything? I'll stick to this...Stick actually..Much safer in the long run." The human stuck his makeshift poker into the ground with a practiced thrust, unsheathing his ebony black blade with the hilt the shape of two dragons from it's scabbard with a hiss and pulling out a small little wet stone used for sharpening of blades. Veledar watched with a twitching tail as the sounds of scrapes filled the air as Arcturus stroked the fine blade.

"I doubt the blade you got from a Bahamut's tear needs to be sharpened like some common knife." The dragon scoffed, letting out a snort of dismissal as he continued to watch the man work with careful strokes. "It will most likely stay as sharp as it is for the rest of it's life."

"Probably." The paladin replied with a smile. "Just a habit I have trained myself for is all. One must upkeep their equipment if they want it to last for them. I suppose it is strange, since magic armor and weapons require no maintenance at all. "But as I was taught. You must tend to the things important to you." The man looked up into the dragon's eyes, a flash of warmth and love being shone inside of them. "That way they will be there when you need them to be."

"I know." Veledar gestured to the man's silver armor that was scattered besides his pack and other things. "I saw you tending to your armor earlier in the evening, you practically had it polished to the point I could see my reflection in it."

"You would like that thought." The man tossed him a sly grin, making the dragon return it with one of his own and tap of his paw.

"See? You are slowly becoming more dragon like with each passing day my mate." Veledar snaked his serpentine neck down to kiss the mortal with a pleasing croon. "I bet one day you will be sprouting wings and you will join me in the sky as my wonderful and beautiful dragon mate...And on the matter of you tending.." The red dragon rose his head with a pleased snort, puffing out his chest with a grin. "Does that mean you would be tending to me?" He gestured towards his slit while slightly raising his leg in a very inviting gesture. "Cause I rather like the idea of your roaming hands and eager mouth tending to me in the most pleasurable of ways. And I know for certain.." He nosed the reddening human with a grin. "That you love tending to me as well."

"Oh shush you. You know very well that you are more important to me than all these instruments of battle. If you mind your manners I will rub down your scales and make sure they really shine."

"Oooooo." Veledar crooned in surprise, the prospect sending a brief jolt of pleasure as he pictured Arcturus' tender hands roaming around his body. "But if you did that I'm certain something lewd would happen."

"Is that all that is in your mind dragon? Pleasing thoughts of me and how I would be tending to your maleness?" The human laughed softly. "If only the dragon books could hear you talking right now. I think they would have chapters upon chapters of material that no mortal would ever think to come from the majestic dragon's mouth.

"Not..All the time...But..We both know that you would. I can see you blushing Arcturus, not to mention I can feel the amusement as the prospect flowing around in your mind." He nosed the human with a growly chuckle. "I won't tell too many people that the brave paladin of Bahamut loves tending to one of her children." Veledar wiggled his tail and gently pulled Arcturus against his chest, getting a laugh and sigh of comfort for his efforts. "Also....The fact you have not yet denied my claim might be another sign that I am indeed correct in my assumption."

"Course." Arcturus cupped the dragon's chin in a sensual manner. "I think my dearest dragon that we are passed the point of me denying you anything when it comes to me."

"Is that so?" The red dragon playfully growled, as Arcturus sheathed the blackened blade. He made sure to pull the handsome man ever tighter against his body, and refold his wings against his back. "Then come here my tender paladin. Your dragon needs your skilled hands to breath life back to his scales."

"Hey I said nothing lewd! I told you..." Arcturus rubbed the dragon's head softly with a smirk. "I can do that after the others are not counting on us to keep watch. The man returned to cupping Veledar's chin with his warm hands, and offered the dragon yet another pleasing kiss upon his lips. The brief contact left the dragon with a fluttering heart, a fuzzy head, and made a soft snort of victory escape his nostrils. He pulled back with a soft purr before licking the human for good measure, who would have thought a human dragon hunters touch would feel so desirable? That he would make his heart threaten to beat out of his chest?

"I cant wait for another of our friends to wake and watch then." He smirked, offering Arcturus a lewd grin as the paladin blushed and said nothing to deny the dragon's claim.

"And I cannot wait either my scaled mate. I think we deserve some pleasure. The long journey can be often trying on the spirit.

"That it can be my favorite human." Veledar looked out to the vast dark countryside rolling out before them. The darkened hills the ones he first reappeared from the fairy realm with the mortal almost two months ago. "I love you Arcturus..My mate.." He rumbled, nuzzling the man that gave his heart such warmth.

"As do I my dearest dragon." The man grabbed one of the drake's claws and guided it to his beating chest. The slow rhythm of thumping graced the underside of Veledar's leathery paw. "Feel how my heart beasts just for you now. May we go out and travel together for the rest of our days."

"Inseparable." The dragon rumbled his approval as the human went back to stroking his head tenderly. They sat in relative silence, if you could call it that with the small rumbles that were working their way from Veledar's snout with each passionate stroke of the human's careful and caring hands. So it was that the once dragon hunter continued to show off that his hands were made for healing, protecting, and caring for dragons rather then slaying them. The dragon hugged him close, until Arcturus broke the "Silence."

"You know...I think you might be the most adorable dragon sometimes. Makes me almost forget that you have teeth and claws that can slice a man in two. Best of let our enemies see you like this, they might mistake you for an over-sized kitten!"

"Less talking." Veledar groaned as Arcturus' delightfully traced one of the dragon's eyes with his wonderful hands. "More scratches and rubs." He rumbled, pushing against the man's chest with a snort.

"So...What did you think of during the story earlier? I noticed that you had a feeling of dread and sorrow."

Veledar opened his eyes, the human's delve into his soul nearly taking away the pleasing touch. "Don't know what you are talking about." He lied nonchalantly, closing his eyes once more and pretending like the question did not bother him in the slightest. He hoped that by doing this it would put an end to the questions. No need to remember how the human Jandar had sacrificed himself for the blue dragon..

Damnt.

"I don't believe that statement for a minute. I know you are lying my scaled mate." Arcturus said softly, with almost the same amount of loving care that he was showing with his gentle strokes around Veledar's nose.

"Do you now?" He snorted as the man's hands moved to delightfully rub the underside of his jaw. The sensation sent a rippling wave of pleasure that radiated from the man's skillful hands and down through the dragon's spine. He made sure to wrap a forelimb around Arcturus and try to repay the sensation with a simple rub of the paladin's back. It was only fair after all that he provide his mate with an equal amount of pleasure.

"Yes. I felt it..Remember we can..."

"I know." Veledar rolled his eyes swiftly in irritation, and tapped his tail gently against the ground. "It is really starting to get under my scales that you can read into my mental state. How am I supposed to keep up this attitude of dragon regal ness when you can see straight into my soul?"

"You didn't seem to mind it when you were putting emotions in my own head." The man chuckled, "Or when you were able to read my emotions and tease me about them with little growls and hisses."

Veledar just grumbled back in reply, the human's words of course right like they usually were. "That's different." He spat out, nosing the man with his next breath, Arcturus chuckling in amusement.

"Of course it was. You had the upper hand in that situation, you just don't like it when the situation is on the other foot!"

He still stayed quiet, instead kneading the man's back. Maybe giving him something nice to focus on would distract the chuckling human from this little bout of words. "It...It was when Jandar sacrificed himself." Veledar pulled away from the paladin and casting his gaze to the man's bright emerald eyes. The warmth that he found there brought a brief wave of joy to the dragon's heart. "I thought to the kobold Azzik, the battle aboard the flying ship, and the words you said before that night."

"You mean about me dying?" Arcturus whispered, softly touching Veledar's cheek like his mere fingers could cast away the dark thoughts that were plaguing the dragon's mind.

"Yes." Veledar spat out, desperately trying to picture _anything_else. Any image he would have preferred over picturing his human dead and gone.

"Veledar." The paladin stroked the tan scales below the dragon's eyes. "You said it yourself that night. The day I mentioned is far away, many years from now. Why waste our time in the present speaking of ill things right now. They only spoil the moments we share right now. Besides, we have not known each other for even a year yet. Perhaps we should wait a tad longer before worrying about when I am going to die. That will be many years from now.

"Many years for you perhaps. But to me your life can pass in almost a blink of an eye." The dragon's frills fluttered as he moved in to hug Arcturus tight. "You can spend your life with me my mate....But I can't spend my life with you."

"You don't regret your choice to have me?" The man's words were laced with concern as he continued to tend to the dragon's scales.

"Not in the slightest my dearest mate." He rumbled, pulling back slightly to give the human a tender and affectionate lick to his flushed face. "My heart beats for you my lovely paladin..But I know there will come a day that you will not be here to fill my heart with the warmth and joy that you provide." Veledar rose his head to look to the shining stars above, the little souls of dragons that were said to reside there. He briefly saw the ghostly images of his silver adopted brother and mother, right along the smiling image of his dead mother. The one that he had never met, but had made sure he was alive to face the world. "When that dreadful day comes I know it will break me." The dragon shivered, letting out a small whine as he hung his head with drooping frills.

"Shhhh." Arcturus grabbed the dragon's scaled head, going back to rubbing the crimson armor. The man's tender touch was like a hearth on a cold winter's night. It cast away the growing ache in Veledar's chest and swiftly destroyed the image of that horrible day that he would be standing above the human's grave that he had given his heart to. "But it is not that day my wonderful dragon. So today, we focus on each other. I will even use your own words." He gently kissed the dragon's lips with a soft sigh. "I have you right now...So let's focus on that for the moment. "

Veledar let out a heavy sigh, not finding the strength to resist the man's loving embrace or words. He simply held him close against him, wrapping him up against his scales and pulling tight. "Thank you my mate." He said softly as the man's heartbeat was the final thing to push away the dark thoughts. "Let's not share how weak and trembling I am with the others." He did have an image of dragon kind to uphold, no need to for his companions to know anything of the sort.

"Of course I won't tell them how scared you actually are." Arcturus replied softly, running a hand up the dragon's segmented plates. "This can be our little secret..None shall know the vulnerabilities that exist within your scales."

"Mmmhmm." The dragon closed his eyes in content, tapping his tail against the ground as he started to curl around the human male. "Another thing Arcturus....before we end this little talk with kisses. I do not wish you to sacrifice yourself for me."

"Why...Why would you not want me to do that?" The paladin asked, gently pulling away from the embrace to gaze up to the dragon's eyes. "How could I not want to see you live if given the chance? I am a paladin my mate. So helping and saving others is kind of what I do."

"But I don't wish to have that happen." He snorted, nosing the human gently with a low rumble. "I do not want to continue on if you were to die in such a manner...It would be painful."

"Hmmm. Then I shall make a request for you as well. If ask of you the same. Don't go sacrificing yourself just for me. So if we are going to die...."

"We die together." Veledar kissed the man tenderly, easily dominating his mouth. He shivered as the man practically swooned at his ministrations and closed his eyes in bliss. "So that we may pass into the afterlife together. Just like we were in life."

"Morbid talk you two lovers got there. Think ya can go back to keeping us bloody watched?" Came Lyndis' voice, pulling Veledar's attention from the human he loved to the smirking half-elf who had taken a seat near by on a log.

"We were...just got...distracted." Arcturus blushed, nestling himself between Veledar's limbs and turning around to face the smirking, pointy eared woman. "What's the matter with you? Can't sleep?"

"That would appear to be it." She sighed, looking up to the red dragon. "Haven't been home in years, and this whole business with the surrendering...and what we learned in Entis." She gazed out to the countryside, as if she were looking to her homeland. "It has me a tad rattled at what we are going to find in my homeland...What new terrors are now lurking there." The woman visibly shivered, grabbing her grey cloak and wrapping it around her for warmth.

"Whatever these problems are. I am sure they will not be enough for our group." Veledar smiled, nuzzling the top of Arcturus' hair. "We have the best adventurers. I am sure of it in my bones. There is nothing that we can't accomplish when we put out minds to it...You also may have a dragon to back you up." He smiled when she just sighed with a slight chuckle.

"Ever the optimist you are Veledar. Would be nice to have that. I suppose we will find out tomorrow when we cross the border...and we are officially home." She shivered again, this time because of a cool wind that washed over them. "Not to mention I have not heard any word from Cordenth.

"What happened there? Last I knew you were sharing dreams with him each night." The red dragon tilted his head to the side. "Are you still not doing that?"

"Not sure...I think he may have lost the amulet...Last I heard from them they had found this black dragon called Night Rising and were heading west."

He observed her worried form, her trembling brow. How could he just watch his companion suffer so? "Come here." Veledar held out his other limb, making room for the worried looking rogue. He gestured with a tilt of his neck for her to take a place within his grasp. "You look worried, it's cold...And I think you need the touch of a dragon right now. Even if it is not the one you would prefer...I'm much better anyway."

Lyndis hesitated for a moment, laughing to herself before sliding up against the dragon's scales. "I would argue about you being the best, but your concern for my well being is most appreciated." She sighed when Veledar wrapped a limb around her as well.

"Have to make sure my underlings are well taken care of after all. Else you might band together against me." He chuckled, pulling the two mortals tight against him.

"Underlings? If anything dragon you're Arcturus' underling. Was it not he that roped you into this part of the adventure thus far? Enticed you with words and his heart?" She turned to the blushing man with a smirk. "May have done some lewd things to you as well."

"No comment." The paladin blushed, rubbing the dragon's claw as Veledar chuckled away and nuzzled the man's head.

"Well until you can speak with the green scaled dragon, I suppose I will be here to ease your heart as well." Veledar turned warmly to the rogue, who leaned against him with a sigh. "But..It of course will require a higher payment from you of course. I know your good for it as well, being the princess and all." He chuckled before looking out to the hills, already imagining the pristine buildings and exciting adventure that he knew awaited them. He knew there would be a new tale to add to the legends of old. The story of Veledar, The magnificent Crimson Sky.

"Oh shush your snout." Lyndis smacked his claw, letting out a sigh. "Thank you Veledar."

"You're most welcome." He rumbled, nuzzling the woman with a smirk. "So when is it your time to take over for the watch? I have a human to tend to after all."

"Hey!" Arcturus laughed, face already turning a bright crimson at the lewd suggestion.

"Should only be a couple minutes then." Lyndis chuckled, settling a hand onto the dragon's snout. "Glad to have you along with us. Even if you are infuriating at times and know how to push just the right buttons to get under my skin."

Veledar gave a pleased croon as they sat in each other's good company for the next few minutes. Few words were said as they snuggled close and enjoyed the twinkling stars above. When she gave him a nod and pat, he quickly pushed himself to all fours and nipped at his human mate. Veledar pushed the human away from the fire with a lusty growl, mind already starting to form of the lewd things he was going to do to the eager paladin. With a final flick of his tail they left the princess to her thoughts of the road ahead, and her eyes on the dancing red orange flames.