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Scales and Honor: Twisted Night

Chapter 10

Hadariel stumbled to the hard-stone floor as his gnoll captors shoved him into the hallway that seemed to stretch for miles. Crashing to his knees the teen released a pained groan. His teeth grinded together as he tried to forget their angered demand came like a wicked blade.

"Keep going pup!" One gnoll snarled, cracking his knuckles. The canine's massive muscles flexed as he bared his sharpened teeth. It was almost like the dog man _wanted_him to disobey. Just one reason to let him loose whatever pent up aggression lurking beneath his coarse, brown and black, hyena like fur.

His limbs shook as he pushed himself to all four, a soft whimper escaping his lips. He peaked up, eyeing the gnolls with narrowed eyes. They didn't deserve an answer, so he stared down at his hands covered in a thin lair of dust. He panted heavily, dimly aware of the lavender scent lingering on the air.

"I said keep going!" The gnoll lashed out with his leg, kicking Hadariel square in the chest. Pain exploded from his lungs as the air was driven right out of him. He wheezed, collapsing to his side and gasping for any air. He recoiled as the gnoll pulled back his leg again, , but the other guard slipped a hand around the man's black leather clad chest.

"Let the pup up." The black furred gnoll growled, his mahogany eyes narrowing at the panting teen. "They don't need him roughed up when he gets there. "

Good._Hadariel's spit pooled in his mouth before drooling down onto the floor. _They at least need me alive for something._While the dry air filled him, his thoughts drifted to that of his mother and just what _she was going through now. All because you had to surrender. He groaned out loudly, maybe to make it seem as though he was more hurt than he was before rolling to his fours and slowly with quaking limbs rising to stand.

Bile built in the base of his stomach as he took a trembling step along the darkened and near pristine stone hallway. He squinted his eyes at the flickering torches that lined the hall like will o wisps guiding a traveler along a swamp to their death.

They passed windowed rooms with transparent walls that revealed smaller enclosures with what could only be prisoners. Within one he saw the feral form of a sphinx. It had the lower half of a giant lioness, while the upper body portion of an anthromorphic one. The amber eyed taurric cat eyed him with casual interest from her makeshift bed of straw. Within her gaze spoke volumes of pain and pit. For him or herself he didn't know. He'd never find out, for gnoll's hands returned to his shoulder to push insistently and ordered him to move.

What they passed next was a cell filled to the brim with twisted vines and flowers that clung to every surface of the walls and floor like an unruly mold. Like a fog the air was thick of pollen that drifted like thousands of tiny insects before sickly viridian, glowing leaves. Several humanoids shambled within the pollen rich air. Their skin was all molted and covered in yellow-green pus oozing from holes where thick vines had burst through the flesh. The boy winced and turned away when one bald humanoid with torn up clothes eyed him with a slack jawed stare. Within those dilated eyes was a sense of emptiness, as if the world around them was a complete enigma. Or at least he hoped so. He imagined being controlled by such a thing with not say and being aware for it was a living nightmare. This could only be the handiwork of a creature he had only read about in books of dangerous wild life. This was a Vegtavore . The sickly-looking tree like entity would set up where ever it could find it's prey. Once they were lured the pollen that was breathed in would infect the living creatures and twist their minds to protect the tree. Then once they were thrall like beings the transformations would start. He held up his hand to avoid staring into all their hallow eyes.

Magical Prison. That's what the magisters had said. But why keep those things around if they were so dangerous? Why am I here anyway? He stared at his boots as they passed the final cell, a near statue like gryphon was standing before the view port with flames of viridian fire and onyx like fur. The gryphon's piercing green eyes followed him like a predator as the teen forcefully dragged his feet. They suddenly felt heavier, as if tiny anchors had been tied around them. The bird's head tilted to the side as if pondering just why this teen was before it's presence. The weight vanished as the guard from before strolled over, banging his hand hard on the glass and shouting with a savage voice.

"Knock it off you vile thing! Or the warden will make you rue the day you messed with this one! Do you want to be frozen to death?"

The gryphon bound away with its powerful hinds, slinking back over to the room's corner like a wounded animal. It's ink like feathers puffed up as the bird clacked its beak angrily several times at the snarling gnoll.

"That's right you stupid thing!" The guard sneered, putting an arm around Hadariel's shoulder and pulling him close against his steel like chest. "Just ignore that thing boy. It can't cast at you from within the cell. Now come on." The man grunted, pushing him forwards towards a doorway at the end of the hall.

Standing in front of the black as midnight door was a man garbed in dark mahogany robes with a simple cloth belt wrapped tightly around his waist. Hanging from the man's neck was a medallion held tight by a metal chain. Fear clutched at Hadariel's chest when he saw the man's square jaw all covered in blackened marks that appeared as though they had been seared into his flesh. The man's glossy marble like eyes staring past the boy into oblivion. His pupils were gone and instead nothing but large blackened circles reflecting the hallway like a pool of glistening wet ink. It turned its shaven head with a nightmarish creak. Its voice coming like claws scraping down a chalkboard. "Is this boy?"

"Yea it is." The first guard dragged Hadariel forward by his shoulder with a vice like grip. "Just like they wanted." The gnoll eyed the creature up and down, leaning back to the other guard with a smirk. "Can you believe they left this stupid thing to meet us? What's the matter?" The guard snarled at the creature. "Master too busy to greet us? "

"He is..." The thing trailed off, staring right into Hadriel's eyes with another tilt of his head. "Busy" The thing straightened it's back, turning on it's heels towards the door. "Come." It grabbed the doors brass handle with a hand that looked to be covered in dry, peeling skin. "Master waits."

Hadriel hesitated as the stench of brimstone hung heavy in the air. He thought his heart could never had been faster but here he was. It was pounding away like a stampeding heard, threatening to leap from his chest as he fought the urge to run.

"You go on now." The guard shoved him when he had taken too long. The once man's hand struck out like lightning, curling his long thin fingers around his shoulder. The creature's grip was like ice, flowing right into Hadariel's core. He quickly flashed the guards a look of panic as his hands shot out to rip the creature's hand from him. Though it was no use, the thing was too strong. It held on tight despite his protest.

"Don't give me that look boy." The gnoll waved off his concern. "The magisters there will take real good care of you. And if you misbehave that much." The man sneered, nodding to the creature grasping his hand. "They call them shells. And that's what will happen to ya." The gnoll burst out in mocking laughter as the shell repeated its demand.

What kind of people could even do that to another being? He stared at the many burn marks on the creature's face. The same people that would kidnap a young mage and mother and not adequately explain why. He grit his teeth, taking a step further towards the slowly opening door, his heart thumping somehow harder as his hands trembled. He was met with shouts that filled the air as they casually passed through the door. The one speaking was sounding rather harsh, like a vein might be popping from his head.

"How can we do this? Doesn't this seem a bit wrong to you?"

"Do you want everything to be lost?" Replied a calm yet sterner voice. "I was given the order to achieve this by any means necessary. You can certainly agree that survival is the better outcome over what was predicted?

Hadariel was dragged into a circular like room dominated by series of circular desks that rose along its circumference. Lanterns hung at every seat where Humans, gnolls, liones, and even some elves clad in blackened robes with gold trimmings around the sleeve and neck sat. Hadariel shook as not a single one seemed to be happy. Their muzzles were wrinkled, brows were stitched, or had their arms crossed firmly across their chests. Thankfully their eyes were not on him but that of a lone figure on high with a similar seat but was stacked with numerous tomes. There was an elf there, standing as if a statue before the collected mages. He was glaring down at the others with eyebrows that extended at least a palm's length on either side. The room may have been a tad colder than the hallway but within this man's clay eyes he saw something colder. As if his mere gaze could freeze whatever he glanced at.

"Still though. They were trying to help us! Why did you speed up the shell process?" A gnoll with brown fur asked, thrusting a hand towards the standing elf.

The elf merely offered a tut before waving his hand. "We can speak of such business later. Rest assured that it was well thought out and you do understand the dangers of leaving just one of them right?" The elf's demeanor hardened. "Is dangerous to not just this facility, but to the entirety of Rothdell." The man's lips curled into a sneer as the gnoll seemed to shrink within his seat. "And that I will do _whatever_is required of me to save this kingdom. I suggest you remember such things in the future."

The gnoll grumbled to himself, leaning back in his chair. Whatever bravado he had was whisked out like a flame before the wind.

"Now. If you would be so kind to draw your attention. It seems as though our _honored_guard has arrived." The elf's gaze along with that of the room of mages suddenly snapped to Hadariel and the boy had never felt so small. "Now bow." The elf's eyes glared deeply into his own. "I heard that you caused a bit of trouble is that right?"

Finally. A question that was actually asked of him. "Yeah!" He shouted, thrusting a finger towards the elf. Even if it didn't do much it felt good to simply display this act of defiance. "I was kidnapped from my home by your goons. My mother was then threatened and assaulted! We did nothing wrong to you people! Tell me why I'm here and what to exactly to call you! I was just about to attend a nice wizard college!" He rose a hand to stroke the blackened collar around his neck. "What could we have done that deserved this level of inhuman treatment?" He felt his brow wrinkle as he felt drained, all the frustration of the past few days flowing out of him and lingering on the air like a thick cloud.

The elf's demeanor didn't shift as Hadariel's words lapped away uselessly like a gentle breeze against a steel gate. But before this man could speak any words the chamber erupted into an argument that spread like wildfire.

"See? This is what we're talking about!" A different gnoll from across the room hissed. The female's amber eyes were two smoldering flames as she gestured to the teen with her hands. The white markings on her muzzle made her look like she had white vines wrapped around her dust colored fur. She slammed her fist angrily against the table, lips curling back to show all her sharpened fangs. "Kidnapping younglings and their mothers to get this job done? And what if it fails. Are we just going to turn them into shells as well?"

The elf raised his hands and the room suddenly silenced. "I will do whatever is required counsiler." The elf snapped. A coolness in his voice only matched by the room's chill. "Now get in your seat madame. I will explain to you all the details on this specific case. But not when the young mage is in the room. You will understand every action that I take is a must especially with the time we have left."

The gnoll shut her snout, settling back into her chair like a scolded dog.

"Now since that has been clarified." The elf turned back to Hadariel, the world narrowing to that long eyebrowed man. "I respect your want to understand what is happening child, but you won't be getting answered. Not until proper measures have been taken and certain abilities of yours have been tested."

"So you want me to what? Act as your slave?" Hadariel curled a finger around the blackened collar around his neck. The metal bit as his skin like a winter's breeze. "You don't have to take these methods. You just have to ask for my help, and I will give it! Can't you do that?"

The elf sighed, putting his palms together. "I have done this multiple time child_. Everything_ must be given the upmost care in its application to prevent it unraveling like a tangled mess of string. The collar that you have pointed out is an assurance of your compliance. A control that is needed in such delicate proceedings. You will be doing everything that we demand of you for not only your good but that of your kingdom. Failure to do otherwise will be met with grave consequences that will ensure your further compliance."

"Fine." He hissed, crossing his arms and trying to block out the series of murmurs chattering around him like a storm. "What is needed of me to do then? Do I get a room? Or do I get a cell like all those prisoners out there in the preceding hallway?"

"That will be up to you now wont it? We have a series of tests that need to be concluded before I place you into a room that can be perfected to contain you. "

"But the boy will die from that test!" A consular shouted out from the rest. "Why subject him to that if we need him! The others didn't need to do it!"

"Silence!" The elf shouted, curling a hand back to stroke his shoulder length white hair. "I am aware of what I am doing with this one. It's a tad different from the others and I would like to show you what I mean."

In the next moment strong hands grasped onto Hadriel's shoulders on either side. He winced at the roughness that felt as though vices had locked onto him. He glanced up to see the towering form of two different gnolls from before. Though they had the same black boiled leathers strapped to their forms, their fur was a more grey color than the others. They didn't say a word and simply started to drag him off.

"Don't worry." The head mage called out after him as the shell lead the two guards towards a portcullis hidden behind one of the desks. "You'll do find. I am confident." With a flick of the slender elf's hands, the collar around his neck clacked open and clattered to the ground.

Well at least he was. Hadariel wished he could say more of his abilities. "Whats going to be in there?" He turned to the two gnolls, the words coming swiftly as panic started to eat away at his insides. Icy blood tingled down his spine as the plain wooden door creaked open from the shell's mangled hands. They didn't reply to his inquiry as they just dragged him through the door and back into the tightly packed corridors of ever-increasing temperature. Why did he think they were going to be any help? The two dogs simple had their stern gazes on the hallway, not even breaking up the silence lingering with any chit chat.

"Who has done this before? What happened to the others?"

"Shells." The shell replied with a hissing sound.

The shells? That really wasn't good. He winced as those blackened eyes gleamed back at him, taunting the human with an untold promise of an unknown horror that awaited for him at the end of some wizard's twisted spell. No...Focus. It's just a test. You can do this._He clenched his eyes shut, trying to bring calm to the storm of unease brewing within his chest. _Its just like every test Cyran made you do.

Course those were meant to test you. Not kill you or your mother.

He gave a defeated sigh, picturing the woman he loved banging on one of those darkened cells with hands bunched up into fists. She would be screaming his name till her voice was horse and threatening to break. What was he going to do for spells? They hadn't even given him a moment to even prepare any spells, course he would have needed his spell book for that. That meant he only had his cantrips, the most basic spells to mages and needed no preparation. He didn't know how these tests wee going to be proceeding but that already but him at a disadvantage. He tried to steady his rising nerves, remind himself of his mother's soothing words or the numerous times spent with his master and other students over the years. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath, telling himself things were going to be fine.

"Get in." The heavy handed gnoll growled, tossing him through a portcullis, shattering the pleasing memories of his wizened mentor. "Try not to die in there. The master had great plans for you." The man sneered as the teen struck the floor, pain shooting up his legs. "Be a shame for all of it to go to waste."

"How.." he gasped, pushing his chest off the mismatched stones, hardly even hearing the whine as the metal gate slammed shut behind him. "Do you expect me to do anything with just my cantrips?" He rose up, grasping at the browning metal bars. His sight darted between the now sneering gnolls, his plight obviously falling upon deaf ears as their hyena like cackle filled the room.

"Go through the door pup. You'll figure something out. Prove _you're_not a waste of everyone's time."

"This is crazy!" Hadariel spun around, throwing up his hands before the door emerging from the stone. He admired its dull grey surface that was chipped and worn with ages long since past. Below the bottom was a thin sheen of clay colored sand, slowly but surely sneaking its way through the cracks. "What's in there?" He gulped, closing his eyes as a sense of dread coiled in his gut. Shivers traveled up his spine, but he managed to hide it from the two snickering gnolls.

"A test. What ya expect pup? It ruins everything if we tell ya."

" I thought he was supposed to be smart or something." The other gnoll turned, tilting his head to the side. "Not just some dumb kid."

Just another thing to add to the list of unknown. "Stand back and watch I suppose." He growled, reaching out with a snap of his hand to grab firm the copper handle. It was warm to the touch and tickled at his palm when he cupped it. Was that peculiar? Why was it warm? He took a breath as if he were to take a plunge into the icy depths of the sea. This is for mother. He swung open the door, getting blasted by a heated wave of the desert. It swirled past his ears with a high-pitched whine and fluttered his clothes in it's gale. He covered his face as sand slung against his face trying to bite at his sensitive cheeks. Before him was the endless, sprawling form of a desert. He blinked when the wind died, it truly looked like he was about to set forth into a sea of brown shifting sand that rose up to kiss at the clear blue-sky cresting over the mighty dunes. "What's this?" He turned around, "This isn't a room. It's a god damned desert!"

"Yup. That's where the room is." The gnoll pointed with a careful digit, teeth starting to bare. "Now get in there pup. Master is watching ya."

Hadariel didn't even wonder how that was possible_. Probably some form of scrying magic._ "Fine." He rolled his shoulders, feigning his bravery with a wicked crack of his neck. "Better than this cold danky dungeon anyway. Have to dry out my bones." He leaped through the door with a single bound, his boot catching the soft sand. His world suddenly slid out from underneath him. He tumbled head over foot, his whole world nothing but a blur of mismatched blue and brown shaped as the door slammed behind him.

The sun bared down overhead as the wizard sat up, holding his head as his world still swirled around him. He tasted sand clinging to his tongue. He spat it out with a wrinkled face, scraping some off with his fingers. "Ugh." He groaned as his eyes squinted to deny the harsh sun's rays the ability to stab at his eyes. The desert before him seemed to stretch for miles, or at least as far as he could see_. How could this even be? How could it fit within a single place?_ Surely, they had opened up a spell to transport him back to the desert right? That had to be the explanation. Some great joke at his expense.

"What's even going on?"

Why are you even calling out? No one to hear you anyway

Maybe it helps me think better. He sighed as he of course got no response. So, he rose up, dusting the lingering sand from his clothes. "Okay. Find whatever this test is and get it over with...Although." His hands went to cup his waist as he glanced out to the sand covered dunes. They all looked the same as he admired the sea around him. "Where the hell do I start?" He sighed, slowly strolling down the sand. "There has to be something right? They wouldn't just plunk me in the desert to die. Surely." He grit his teeth as that elven grin reflected in the sky. Mocking him with those cold eyes. "Right. That would mean I was dealing with psychopaths. What am I going to do? What would Cyran say in a time like this?

He shook his head, foot catching something hard and sending the young mage tumbling back down a dune with a surprised yell. He wound up back on the sand, staring up at the blue sky once more. "Really?" He shouted, thumping his arms on the ground. "I had to fall twice?" He thrust his hands up towards the cerulean expanse, his face scrunching up. "Do you just like watching me fail?" He shook his clenched fist defiantly at the silent blue thing. It gave no answer as his blood boiled and simmered until the throbbing in his foot subsided.

Losing your temper isn't going to help at all. Use your head boy. Think. His old master's words lingered in the wind as he stared out to where he tripped. What did I even trip on? Whatever it was it had been harder than the rest of the sand. Something was solid up there. He surged back to where he had started, trying to be mindful of his footing. He didn't need another episode of him tripping.

Once back to his starting point he crouched down to get a closer look of a blackened plate sticking out of the sand. It appeared to be a corner of sorts to some stone structure buried in the sand. He dusted it off with his hand and robe sleeve until he had uncovered the entire thing. It was at least his arm's length in size and made of darkened stone that appeared to suck all the light into its surface the longer he stared at it. Shivers wiggled up his neck as he pressed a hand to the small surface. It was cool. That surprised him the most as he pulled his hand back to cup his chin. Far cooler than something within the desert should have been. Unless this wasn't the desert. For a moment he thought he got the whiff of lavender drifting along the sands, but that was crazy. This was the desert after all.

Curious fingers reached out to trace the grooves, whispering softly for the prestigitation spell. Perhaps if any magic resided with the hardened stone, he could force it to reveal itself. With a last utterance of the words he felt the magic course through him, guided down into his fingers. With a purple light it danced around his fingers, spreading to the stone. The motes of light rippled outward, running along every nook and cranny he could see. The, just as quickly as it appeared, it faded His shoulders slumped as he stared at the stone in reserved silence.

"Oh well. It was worth a shot." He sighed, righting himself and going to turn around. That's when a glimmer of light caught the corner of his eye and pulled him back round if by a wire. The spell had indeed worked. Across the stone's surface lights suddenly sprung to life and traversed the blackened stone. They formed lines of brilliant white that even in the sun's light shown like tiny stars. They spread all in unison, like little rivers of light to form shapes and symbols that Hadariel failed to grasp. With a moment of pondering he realized they were forming not words but pictures. Shapes that showed what looked like a serpent with a sparkling cobra's hood that was rolled up and observing a humanoid perform what looked to be a dance of some kind. This was depicted with other symbols all showing different motions involving forceful hand and leg placements. Around they went in a circle, one by one as the teen's eyes followed along with curiosity bubbling in his mind.

Ripping his gaze away from the stone he stared out to the shifting dunes. He shielded his face as an angry wind whipped sand passed his cheeks. Why was this even here? He closed his eyes as the wind's shrill cry howled by his ears. He clutched at his sides as his robes thrashed and fluttered around him until the sudden wind attack died down. For a fleeting moment he tried to keep his attention on the desert, but he found himself drawn back to the tablet that was still glowing its figures. He shook his head as the scent of lavender laced the dry air.

"It has to be important right?" The wizard had certainly said there would be tests. Could this be one such things before him? He held out his arms, just like the first position depicted on the stone. He clenched his hands into fists as he thrust his leg forward and stomping onto the ground with a deep breath. "Fine. If this is going to be part of the test. I'm going to commit it to memory. Besides." He glanced over his shoulders at the sandy landscape. "Not much around here anyway. Least I feel like I'm accomplishing something." His brow furrowed as he imaged those elf's and how cold and unsympathetic they were. His next breath brought another harsh stomp, laced with as much fury as he could muster.

As he tirelessly worked, doubt began to whisper in his ears. The sun beat heavily down on him heavily until his brow was slick with sticky sweat. Even his breaths were dry and hot_._

Would these even be needed? How can I even save mother with these?

He came to the final pose, clenching his eyes shut and trying to will those thoughts away. He took long, soothing breaths that tingled his lungs. He tried to focus on her smile and times long since passed.The trees they had climbed together in the park. The cool leaves that tickled his face as he laughed away. He sighed, even though he knew it was just a memory he swore that he could feel it. He sighed softly, opening his eyes and blinking away the harsh dry air that greeted him. Now as the time to pick a direction to head out in. No use in sitting here after all. "And any direction is good as any if you don't know where you're going right?"

He glanced over his shoulders, hands going to his waist. "Course that isn't true Hadariel. Don't go the way you came."He chastised himself, rolling his eyes and puffing out his chest. "Forward it is then! And why not? Already found the tablet. Might as well let good lady luck run it's course. And besides, like they'd leave me in the desert to die anyway."

"You hear that?" He shouted out, hands cupping his mouth. "I can see through this little charade! I'll solve this damned test. Just watch from that stone chair of yours!" When he of course got no reply he quickened his pace, mindful of each stride along the shifting dune. He didn't need to trip again afterall. If the wizards were watching he didn't need to give them a front row seat of his clumsy antics.

So it was that he walked for what seemed like miles across the shifting and scorching dunes. The heat tested his resolves as scooped away his copious amounts of sweat. Despite his progress the scenery never changed. The only thing he was graced with was the seemingly infinite desert that rose and fell like the world was breathing below him. This was the way to test him? Not only whatever lurked within here but the very elements themselves? Part of him wished it had all been about magic. He was much better at that. He had just grumbled another series of insults for the elf wizard when he crested a dune and came face to face with a dull grey structure that rose out of the sand like a towering monolith. He blinked at first, shielding his eyes from the sand that kicked up around him. It was made of stone, or at least what appeared to be and was of decent size. Enough to put a small church to shame in any hovel or hamlet. Even some towns would be envious of this dull grey thing.

Was it a mirage? Tales of desert travelers pursing such things whispered to his mind. Usually of people meeting grisly ends and winding up as a corpse only to be plucked clean by any scavenger flying by. But what choice did he have? He took his first step; his hand shield never falling as if the very winds were trying to halt his egress. It stung at him like tiny heated daggers as a renewed fury swept over him as the wind became a near constant adversary. Each stride was met with nature's blinding fury for him to stop.

"No." He whispered to himself, words lost within the howling winds. His lips chapped, his bones rattled, but he wouldn't let this break his resolve. He needed_to see this through. He _would succeed. So, with a grit of his teeth the young mage pushed onward through the raging winds until passing into an eerie calm. "Finally!" He gasped, his body arching with little effort and letting him breath easier as he listened to the near racing of his heart. He chuckled to himself in half shock, falling to all fours before the cylinders of stone that grew from the sand like great trees. The wizard shivered as he looked to the rock and it seemingly looked right back at him. He saw eyes. Not some phantom before him but little figures carved into the stone by old hands or magics. If not for the test he'd want to stay and study such things, but a quick thought to that smug elf had Hadariel seeing red and cursing that man's name under his breath. With a groan his body protested the effort to stand. Like weights had been tied around his limbs one by one he moved slowly at first.

"Is this what I am to expect from you boy?" The elf's voice suddenly sprung from the air, cool as an icy blade. "to be defeated by the desert heat and winds? I am truly disappointed in you human. And here I spoke to the others at such promise. I did not think that I had to remind you during the first test what is at stake.

"I didn't forget!" Hadariel shouted, pushing himself to stand with wobbling legs. Anger brought life to his weary limbs, allowing himself to pull them forward. "Just you watch!" He snarled, pulling himself toward the rising and curling stone entrance before him. He crept slowly, the whispering sound of the deserts sands flickering behind him. The stone walls seemed to bulge inward, shrinking as he climbed the smooth steps. It smelled old, a musky scent that brought images of clay or dried earth to mind. Outwards his hand shot, almost on it's own volition to caress the rough stone covered in so many bumps. Eyes locked onto a chasm before him, waiting like a hungry mouth to swallow him and encase his world in darkness. He paused, admiring the thin long stones that hung above like hungry fangs of some great serpent. Could this be it? Curiosity brewed inside him as the urge to go forth teased across the base of his skull like the flickering of a feather.

"Well?" The elf's voice cleaved through the racing of his heart like a sword. "Do I need to remind you again what happens should you cease this test?"

"I'm looking at it!" He turned, shouting to the raging sands. "Do you want me to rush along and get myself killed? Only a fool would do such a thing!"

"Or someone that is pressed for time boy. Things of which we don't have much of. Now enter that cave . Or face the consequence of your indecision." The man's words were followed by an ice cutting scream. One that he knew to be that of his mother. "So, boy?"

Ice dragged at his heart as the world around him dulled and faded. "Why won't the rest of you listen?" His voice cracked as he stumbled forward. "Can't you see he's mad? What kind of man does this sort of thing? Are you not men and woman of knowledge? Surely you're heard the expression to attract more owlbears with sweetened water over whiskey!" It was like the whole world hardly made sense as he waited for an answer. The only sound that mattered being the thundering heart in his chest.

"Now!" The elf snarled, the boy's mother's scream coming and filled with soul crushing pain.

"Damn you!" The boy willed himself forward, even as the rest of his body threatened to freeze.

He lit a light to his hands with a simple spell to bring illumination to the darkened clay colored stone that spread out before him. His stomach churned as the elf offered his praise, his vile words laced with a nauseating satisfaction. With deep breaths Hadariel surged forward, holding out his hand.

Through the mazelike stone corridors, he went, mindful to always keep a hand on his left and follow the weaving stone. The whistling wind had all but left him in near silence that pulled threads of his anxiety. So, he whistled for whatever good that would do him as he went through the endless spiral of stone. The walls themselves had the same image of the tablet from abuse, snakes as large as horses and people bowing and offering piles of treasure to them. On such piles of carved goods seemed to be people with an aura of sparkling shapes.

Spellcasters? The people fed those snakes spellcasters?_Thoughts came forth like a stampeding herd as he lingered on each of these pictures for several minutes at a time. It grasped for anything, like little gems that he might have gleamed over years of study. Nothing. That's all he could pull as he stared at the images like a fresh learned mage still wet behind the ears. No where in all his years of study had he heard of such a thing. Now of course there were dragons and all that, but never these types of serpents. He rose a hand to caress the bumpy and rough stone, tracing over the serpentine creature. Behind it was a circular shape that wavered and rippled outward over the stone. It looked to be a portal of some kind. Or was it a spell that the beast was using?_

Don't be silly. How could it be doing spells without any limbs? Course that little comfort did little to sooth him as the dungeon welcomed him with his faint foot falls echoing down the hall. Just when he thought he could last no longer, and his renewed energy was spend he found himself entering a vast room different from the others he had peaked into. This one was barren save for the floor that was covered in bumpy stones. Like the valleys of the earth they traveled outwards towards a singular pedestal with a faintly glowing amethyst placed within the mouth of a claw colored stone head in the shape of a gnoll.

"Really?" He said aloud, taking a tentative step into the room, holding his light bearing hand high. "Explore a temple and find a pedestal?" He groaned at the sheer cliché that rested before him. He would have checked for traps of the magical kind but he had nothing. _If only someone had let me prepare spells._He took a soothing breath as his anger began to boil within his gut. Carrying himself to the pedestal with trembling legs he tried to push away any flicker of thought about instant death traps that awaited him. None came however to his surprise. He thanked the gods for his safety, wiped his brow with the back of his hand and leaned forward to loom over the waiting gem.

Do they want me to take it? Isn't that how the cliché goes? He glanced around at all the stones that bore symbols like that of which had been carved on the block above. That's when he noticed something peculiar. Sections of the stone floor seemed to have been worn away as if next to a running river. Even some portions of the floor were of a different color, twisting and winding through the room. In fact the longer he looked upon these little valleys of uneven stone he noticed that they started to resemble not an ancient floor but the stone scales of some giant beast. "Oh, son of a bitch." He cursed, nearly stumbling over as the floor suddenly shook and began to shift below him. Dust that had clung to the surrounding stone shook free to fill the room with a thick cloud of thousands of little motes. He coughed for breath, leaning against the wall as something rose up from the floor with glowing, yellow slitted eyes. It swayed back and forth, slowly sliding towards him.

He waved his hands to try and clear the dust, get a good look at the thing that clearly was towering over him. It had to be at least twice his size in height, whatever head it had rubbing against the ceiling of stone. Against his better judgement he held out his hand with the light, illuminating the dull brown scales of a great serpent. The snake recoiled its head with an angry hiss that radiated through the air. The hood on its head flared outwards and seemed to ripple on the air before it suddenly lit up with a brilliant purple light. The rest of its body followed suit as purple lines wound around it's muscular body. Its eyes locked onto his hand as it's tongue flickered out of it's snout. Terror burst from his chest as he stepped back, letting out a loud scream. There had to be a way,out right? He peaked in the corner of his vision to the left and right, determined to never leave the snake's memorizing, swaying head.

It glared down at him like a predator looking for it's next meal as the room settled down around them. The head shifted back and forth, moving with him as he tried to shimmy either left or right. It sent a clear message. It wasn't going to let him go, and it was waiting for something. Spells flashed by his mind that he didn't possess, cursing the elf that had sent him in here.

That must have been a good laugh. Send me up against a giant reptilian beast without a way to fight back. Wonderful. Fear rippled in his chest with each breath. Would it be quick? Would It swallow me whole, leaving me to suffocate? He trembled at the grotesque image of slowly being digested by this large beast. Though nothing happened as the snake simple stared with a practiced patience, it's long body curling around it into a makeshift pile.

Do something. He begged his limbs as they had started to thaw. If you don't, you're going to die. Think. It's a puzzle. It must be. He leaned to the left, the serpent's head following him as if pulled by a string. He moved right and got the same response. Maybe the stances? Why else would those symbols be there if not to be used? And you better do it quick._He bit his lip as the serpent's eyes stared hungrily at him. _Well here goes nothing. With a deep breath he clenched his fists, taking a heavy step towards the pillar of scales and tongue. He flung out his arms and entered the first stance. If he didn't know any better curiosity suddenly sprung to life in those reptilian eyes. Hope built in his chest as he entered the second stance, spreading his arms fluidly like a bird with yet another step around the room. He tried to not seem too proud when the snake's head rose back, tongue flickering in and out.

Good. He closed his eyes, ignoring those eyes as he went about all the other stances. Each one brough with it more optimism, hope. Maybe he could get through this. With a final deep breath, he finished the makeshift dance, ignoring how lavender started to fill every breath he took. It was thick, overpowering and almost left him gagging.

Why is that smell here again? His nose wrinkled. Then it dawned on him. Why hadn't he realized this before? He had never left the tower. When he opened his eyes everything colors around his had dulled. The dry old smell of the temple had all but been swept away and the stone around him had became fuzzy and featureless. Then with the next beat of his heart everything vanished. He was left in the dead center of a black stone room as wider than any great hall he'd seen. Torches of blazing red lined the walls, casting a fiery glow to the smooth onyx stones. The scent of lavender hung heavy in the air, drawing his attention to the still towering serpent that despite the dispelled illusion was still there. It was real.

"Excellent." The elf's voice caught his ear. "Took longer than I was hoping for, but here you are." The man was standing with a statuesque stance, his left hand up and twirling it in the air. From his fingers sprung a fountain of emerald light that spiraled upwards into the air in the shape of a double helix. "You might want to stand back."

The snake suddenly sprung forth without warning, quick as a bolt of lightning it crossed the distance far faster than it had done with him. Hadariel realized it must have been playing with him. He was all grins at the prospect of the mage getting teeth sunk into him, but the man was ready. The snake only got a few inches before the lighted shape burst into thousands of individual strands of pulsating light that wrapped the serpent like a gift and halted it in midair.

"Rabbit." The elf sneered, a purple cloud springing forth from the serpent's scales just like a heated steel touching water's cool surface. Instinctively Hadariel shielded his face, the clouds warmth lapping at his skin like a dog's wet kiss. He coughed as the small of lilacs came rushing to his nose and permeated in his lungs. He blinked, and within the span of a heartbeat the cloud had vanished. Where a towering snake had once been was now a smallish rabbit with brown short fur. It stumbled forward in a daze, like it had ingested a few fermented apples.

"There we are. Such a danger rendered harmless with a mere spell." The elf's gaze narrowed on Hadariel with a hardness that chilled the very air. "You did adequately boy. Next time you shall do better and see past such illusions. Now come." The man waved, spinning on his heels and starting to stride towards the onyx walls without another word.

Hadariel didn't move. "Tell me why I'm here. I need to know sir."

The elf paused, a sigh escaping his lips. "You actually don't boy." The knife eared wizard peaked over his shoulder with a sneer. "And you will learn in time that those questions are pointless. You only mater to us at what you can do. Not who you are as a person. So, keep that in mind. Keep your moth shut, do what you're told, and your life will be quite nice here.

"Only that I won't be allowed to leave when I like."

"Course not."

"If you need a tool why not turn me into one of those puppets? Or fragment my mind. Why go through these hoops?"

"Oh. We have tried that some time ago. But we found it ruins the potential spell casting ability of the subjects. Now follow, I have one more test for you, and it's an easy one I assure you."

"And why would that be?"

"Oh, easy for you. It just involves retrieving a dragon scale."

* * * * * * * * * * *

The sounds of their steps across the smooth stone echoed down the corridor as his elven captor brought him through the maze of torch lit stone. Several times they would stop, the elf's hands would caress his chin, pondering to himself aloud if this truly was the way to their hidden destination. Doors of all sizes lined the walls, stone, wood, and even some steel ones could be found among their number. Though they all varied with locks and colors that prodded at his interest he minded his tongue. He knew it's what the elf wanted, and it made him sick. But if that was a way to have a semblance of peace it might be worth it. Besides, it wasn't like they've been a fountain of knowledge anyway. He yearned for his old master as they passed a door of thickened glass that was darker than the night sky. Within a brief glimmer of light that sparkled across the surface he thought he saw his master's eye. Watching him silently judging at this whole predicament he found himself. That his pupil had failed, and just how disappointed he was.

"Here we are." The elf's words rolled off the tongue like a marching soldier as his hands placed together as he spun around. The wizard gestured with his eyes to a frosted over door of darkened, grey steel. Large rivets lined the base and hinges. He noticed that there was a slight mist in the air, rolling off the door's scratched surface.

"What lies within that?" He asked without thinking, tracing the frame with his eyes before drifting back to the elf.

"Your test of course. The one with the dragon scale."

Right. Forgot that part. Did he truly expect him to procure a dragon scale without any spells of merit? "Is this from a pedestal or something?"

"The nature of this test will reveal itself with time human." The elf frowned, waving his head toward the door. The metal thing creaked open, unleashing a burst of air that ruffled the mage's robes. "Don't mind the cold."

Was it? Hadariel shifted his weight, cocking his head to the side. The room didn't feel any different. True he had felt the wind, but it hadn't been cold. "I don't feel anything."

"Really now?" The elf's brow rose. "This temperature is the preference of the rooms inhabitant. She likes it rather chilling in there. Finds it right at home she does. It will be _her_that stands between you and procuring your prized dragon scale. "Ah and before I forget." The man pulled free a palm sized vial from his robes and held it out for Hadariel to see. Within a thick, red liquid swished around inside. "Drink this." He shoved the glass into the teen's hands. "It's a healing potion to revive the fatigue that you were complaining about."

He stared at the cork, eyes traveling to the mage that watched on expectantly. Realizing he had no choice he uncorked it with a mental curse, then downing the liquid in a single gulp. He gagged as the thick drink crawled down his throat, seeming to stick to every inch as it did so. His whole body lurched as he practically felt it plop into his stomach, but he held it down and handed back the vial.

Questions came to him like the chittering of thousands of voices as the mage violently shoved the boy through the ice encrusted door frame. "Hey!" He managed to shout before he flung his hands out to catch himself, the door slamming behind him. He fell up the rocky floor made of thick, mismatched stones that tickled at his palms. "What was that all about?" He glanced over his shoulder, sighing as the door was nowhere to be seen. Only a thin outline of runes was left on the uneven, jagged surface of stone. Each inch was covered in a thin layer of frost, yet oddly enough wasn't even that cold to the touch. If anything, it felt rather normal for lack of a better word.

"Great." He groaned, pushing himself up and dusting off his robes. Either he was going mad or he was slowly dying. He rolled his shoulders, cupping a hand to summon the ball of light once more to his fingers. Better than fine in fact. Whatever had been in that potion had him feeling refreshed, like he'd had a night of well rest. Even the aches that had been present in the desert no longer troubled him. His brow stitched together as he was a tad grateful for the potion. "Yup, going mad it is."

Around him was a large open area of rising and falling stone of different varieties. Stalagmites and stalactites covered each surface like thorns, forming a makeshift path that he could fit it he went slowly. He took a drag of the crisp air as he always minded his footing. He cautiously crept forward into the cavern that to anyone else wouldn't be as inviting. Occasionally his journey was interrupted by thin rays of semi blue light that cracked through the ceiling stone to bring light to the darkened halls. Where they came from, he didn't know. He tried to peak but the light's brilliance stung his eyes and left the young mage blinking away a green after image.

Silence bugged him to no end as the cave had started to crest upwards, the signs of an old river running along the stone ever apparent. Though when he got closer, he realized there had been water here. it was just frozen in place. Whatever cold surged through here had been sudden. He frowned, running a finger over the surface and finding yet again it lacked any bite. It felt like just any old surface of smooth ice, just without any cold. Had they placed an enchantment on him or something? He rubbed two fingers together with a groan. Just another mystery to solve one of many that had been placed in his lap.

The longer he traversed the frozen stone and rocks the more he was certain he was that this was yet another test. Why else would this be so frustratingly confusing? He came to a dead stop within a larger cavern that ran off the man one. He crossed his arms across his chest and began to pace back and forth, mind pleading for an answer to escape. He had been in numerous caves within the last hour, some so small that he had to squeeze through and hold his breath, while others had been vast places that echoes his curious cries when he called out. He felt alone. Despite in the back of his mind knowing that the wizards were watching somewhere with eager eyes of every step he took. Waiting for their test to be completed. But what awaited him then? He shivered at the thought, but even more so of what was waiting for him should he fail.

"Where to do." He found himself speaking aloud, kicking a loose pile of stones that had been arranged into a pyramid like formation. The loose rocks clattered across the ground, striking the base of an oddly colored wall. No, not just any wall. Hadariel crept closer towards the multicolored rocks sprouting from the floor. Bursts of orange like paint swirled around various colors of blue and green. This wasn't a natural thing, someone had painted this. His hands fell to his sides as he admired the shapes, pressing a finger to the stone and tracing along the surface. He was no painter to be sure, but the lines seemed to tell a story if he had to guess, only with colors. In one corner where things were bright and mixtures of gold, eventually faded away into darker shadows mixed with curving lines.

"Is this another test? Another puzzle for me to solve? It's a shame, the artwork is rather pretty." He paused, finger resting on the images of a white dragon with it's wings outstretched. It was pointing upwards towards a picture of the sun, which had squiggly lines of yellow and orange descending towards the white dragon as if to carry it into it's warm embrace. "Course, who would they bring here to do this?"

"That would be mine little human." Came a hiss from the air. It lingered like a fog and practically wrapped around him.

"Whose there?" He called out as cold raked across his heart. He hadn't seen anyone. His arm lashed out with the light as his eyes strained to see anything among the darkened shadows.

"Intriguing. They never send me things to play with anymore. I'd almost thought they had forgotten about me. What is going through your head I wonder?"

Hadariel took a step back, his heart practically leaping from his chest. His foot almost slipped on a loose stone, making him yelp in surprise.

"Oh, how your heart is beating so fast little one. I'd forgotten that wonderful sound. I could practically dance to the beat. And do be careful human. We would not want you to hurt yourself." The voice released a sigh that echoed off every stone. "Pity really. How fragile you humans are in the scheme of things. One simple rock, tree, or fall and your little short lives could be brought to a halt. Whatever where the gods thinking they made you?"

"Who is there?" His voice faltered, doing little to bolster his bravado. "I was tossed in here against my will." Again, his eyes squinted, trying to follow any shape that greeted him. Was the speaker using magic to throw their voice? It sounded feminine in a way and deep. Like the speaker was a large being. He took a step backwards and bumped into the stone wall. "Can you help me?"

"Oh well that is a rather interesting question is it not?" The voice cooed, as several rocks around him shifted and cracked against the floor. "So many different things to so many people. Could I end your suffering? Possibly. There often is a monkey's paw to these things young one.Course my mind brims with the why you were plopped in here to wander aimlessly among my caves."

"They didn't tell me!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Of course they didn't. They're not usually in the sharing of information to their subjects." There was a sudden snort of air as the voice chuckled on the wind as if some great joke had occurred to her. "One such quality that I can count myself lucky I suppose. Did they send you here as a meal for me I wonder?"

Terror suddenly rose up like the tide within his chest as he visibly shook at the imagery. "I'd make a terrible meal! He pinched at his neck, pulling tight on a section of skin. "Nothing but skin and bones!"

"Hmmm." The voice rumbled as rocks scraped against the floor, drawing his head to snap to their clattering direction. "I suppose that would be rather outlandish of them would it not? Most times they send me meals they are hardly as talkative as you have been. Unless you of course are a polymorphed cow or horse that they have gifted with the power of speech." There was a snapping sound, as if a large creature were smacking it's jaws together. "Human. Have you ever tried steak? One that is slathered in wonderful spices?"

Now that was a strange question. If not for the lingering thought he'd be disemboweled he'd have answered right away. Instead he hesitated, teeth chattering together as the voice waited, eventually breaking into little hums that wafted on the air in a disapproving way.

"Little human. Did my words not reach your tiny ears? I asked of you a question. You're the intruder in my home. You should at least answer the questions the lord of it asks."

"No!" He burst, not wanting to be rude. Especially not with how large she sounded. "That was one such dish I never tried! We often kept to fish, chicken or other meats!"

"Pity." The voice rumbled like a set of rolling stones. "It's a rather delicious treat." There was a sudden scrape across the stone that radiated around the cave. "If not to be my meal. What could they have sent you in here for I wonder? Not to kill me obviously. Not one so small and insignificant as you. Boy...Or is it girl? I must admit it's often hard to tell with you apes.

"Male! And they said something about a test! They said that I needed to find a dragon scale in here to retrieve. Could you help me find one? I'll leave your hair once that's done. Please..." He fell to his knees. "They took from me my home, they stole my mother. I didn't mean to upset you. Can you please help me?" He lowered his head as silence fell around him. It was only broken by the sound of her hum followed by a hard snort on the air.

"I do know where you can find one. Though they must have known."

"You do!" He perked up, brightness peaking through the darkness around his heart. "Can you show me?"

"To allow you to do so would result in your death young one."

"Why?"

"Because human, a dragon guards those scales jealously. They wont part with them easily either. Trust me. If you lay a hand on them, you will be struck dead where you stand. Many have already perished in such a manner.

Death? Surely whoever was talking had to be joking. Though the tightness of their voice and stern-ness with how they talked it seemed more likely they weren't. But there had to be a way right? What was the point of sending him in here to die like sick dog? "No." He snapped back, eyeing a thin layer of mist that lingered high in the air. Maybe that was where his conversation was being held. He tried to ignore how it was three times his height. "They had to have a reason. They didn't send me in here to die."

This only seemed to amuse the voice as the rocks rustled around him, clacking in a rumbling choir. "Ah but would you put your life on the line? You already said they kidnapped you. What more is it to kill you?"

"They would have it done by now."

"Oh really? She cooed. "And what if it was leading up to this moment? That all your suffering has brought you to be killed by me in some twisted form of enjoyment? I've become quite good at killing you humans in my time. Course that is little of an achievement." She sighed, "You're so easy to end after all. No, I have a better idea." There was a sudden harsh wind that thrashed through the cave as the sound like that of a great set of wings beating in the air fluttered his cloak. "Give me some entertainment. It has been rather dull around here as of late. The prisoners rarely give me any trouble any more. One can only gander upon a spellbook or three before the boredom starts to eat away at the mind."

She wanted him to entertain her? Well that was certainly better than being killed! "So..You're not going to kill me? You seem to keep wanting to wag your tongue instead. Can you come out and face me so that we can get better acquainted?" His eyes darted around the rocky room, searching for another burst of mist. "I feel as though you can see _me_perfectly.

"Oh, that is certain human. " The voice growled. "But I shall not be revealing myself. I would like to retain at least _that_aspect of my freedom."

"You're not free here? Are you a prisoner like me?"

There was a pause, silence falling upon his ears except the pounding of his heart. "in a way, but that is a story for another time. One that'd I'd not waste breath on a dead man. Instead I will reply with that I am a prisoner yet am not one at the same time."

"Oh yea? That doesn't sound any different than me. How do you figure you're not a prisoner here?"

"I said in a way that I was. I however oversee the rest of the prisoners little human. I am their warden."

"You're the warden here?" He found himself gasping to the amusement to the voice that flowed around him with a laugh lacing its words.

"Yes little one. But at the same time, I can't leave this place. So thus, a prisoner of my own choosing."

"Well..fine..What makes you think I'll die then?" He whirled around, straightening his robe as he was certain something had passed over him. "I was my master's best student. And maybe you could help me with the dragon then." His brow wrinkled at the mere thought of such a large beast. The gleaming teeth that could rip a man in two with hardly any effort, to the sharpened claws that could cut a being to ribbons.

"Answer me with your name then human."

"Hadariel." He tried to say proudly and with a smile. "And what is your name?"

"That is something you'll have to earn Hadariel. But alas, we don't have the time. I issue you this statement instead. Turn back the way you came and beg your captors for another test. Travel further into my home will only result into your death.

"B..but I can't turn back!" He bit his lip as images of his mother injured filled his mind. "They have my mother! Threatened to hurt her if I don't do as they ask!"

"Yes, that certainly sounds like them. Would you believe this is not the first time they have done such a thing?"

"So, will you help me against the dragon or not? They took all my spells from me save my cantrips! If anything, you can offer, anything will be useful!" He dropped to one knee once more, pushing his hands together if he were praying before an unknown deity. "Please. You might be my only hope to see her again."

"No." The voice snarled as little white lights sprung to life in front of him. They sparkled in the air, forming an unclear shape that came into focus within the passing of seconds. Before him emerged a towering dragoness with scales as bright as a winter's snow. Her eyes glared down at him of the brightest cerulean that were narrowed into slits. Her onyx talons and horns glistened in the dwindling light. "I cannot. For it is my scales that they with to take." She flared out her feathery wings, rippling them outward as the smacked her scaled tail against the stone.

"You're a dragon!" He blurted out in panic, rising and stumbling backwards as the dragon took a powerful stride forward. With a chuckle she folded her wings against her back.

"Yes I am. How observant you are little human." She slunk forward slowly, snout lowering closer to the ground with a throaty growl. She seemed to eye his shaking limbs and made a pleased croon. "Have I stunned your little mind into utter shock? Not surprising mind you, but all together charming more or less." She rolled her eyes away from him, seemingly staring off into the carvern's depths. It lasted for only a second before she sighed, turning back to him and offering her warning again. "Now depart my cave." Her eyes hardened before him before she spun around, the grand tail sweeping feet over his head with a mighty swoosh. Scrapes resounded off stone as the powerful hinds of the dragoness carried her swiftly away.

Then just like before, Hadariel was left with only the sound of his breaths on the air. His hands were frozen by his side as he contemplated his choices. At first he thought about heeding the dragoness' words. If true, then she could slay him at any point. But she didn't. He argued with himself for a length of time why_she hadn't. he listed off theories about the large dragoness that he was sure to finish him. _And would going against her words prove fatal to his health? Would the wizard truly understand what he had asked of him?

"You look rather confused boy." The wizard's voice sprung up from a nearby stalagmite in the shape of a man's face.

"The dragoness told me to leave." He hissed, turning away from the twisted face like stone. "I have no spells to help me. What you ask is impossible to accomplish."

"Well, you must understand my confusion here on the matter. Are you listening to the dragoness or to me? Was she the one that instructed you to go down there?"

"N..no." He grit his teeth, already seeing where this was going.

"Then head back down there to retrieve one of those scales. Unless you need more motivation to do so. Perhaps your mother could be persuaded to assist your mental unwillingness. Such is that of family after all." The rock's voice seemed to be bounce with a horrid happiness as the next words flowed off his tongue. "What is your mothers favorite blade perhaps? A dagger? A shiv? Perhaps she is in favor of a medical knife. That is my favorite I must admit. So precise in it's work. Always cutting where I choose, never disobeying me."

"Fine!" Hadariel shouted, what bravery in his voice leaving him with an undignified crack. He closed his eyes, trying to shake away the mental horror of his crimson splattered vision of his cut up mother. "But the dragoness said I'd be put to death if I took a scale. What do you have to say to that?"

"Find a way child. That is the way of the world. Things are not always what they seem. Obstacles are always needed to be overcome. Now go out there Hadariel and make us proud of you. Your mother and I will be watching with keen interest. I'm sure you won't disappoint mother dearest, would you?"

"No." He whimpered before surging outward after the dragoness. It may not have been the smartest decision he had ever made, but what choice did he have? He silently prayed to the gods to see him safely and traversed a path through the stones large enough for him to squeeze or scramble over.

Up and down he traveled through the path that seemed to wind to and fro like a stone serpents back. The air hung heavy with the sent of a crisp winter's day mixed with his own fear drifting by with each hand held in the stone. His fingers were sore from pulling so often at the crusted over rocks of ice. Several time he had to blast them with firebolts just to get a mark well enough to put his scuffed-up fingers. If this kept up by the time he met the dragoness he'd not worry about running from her. He might just collapse in front of her, all energy have been wasted here. He groaned and grunted as he came to the final rise of the rocks and giving a satisfied sigh as he held his light hand up, illuminating the vast expanse of varying blues and greys that clung to every surface encased in ice. His breath misted in the air before him like little tendrils, yet still he felt no cold. He pinched his skin just to be sure he had not lost his feeling. He recoiled with a gasp. Yup. He still there.

He stood, taking long lung filling g breaths that left his insides all tingly as he stared out to see many things lost within this ice abode. Old chandeliers, lanterns and what looked like torchy stands stood out from the floor like pillars of ice dotting around the cavern. From there were little areas of trinkets. Figurines carved out of wood into little humans, elves, and horses that they rode. He casually took his next step, passing a pile of discarded and dented armors of varying metals. Most had browned over the silver portions that were not consumed by the ravenous growth of ice. His thoughts soured as he spied a skeletal head still within one of them, and noting how some of the metals had traces of long old blood still splattered on their surfaces.

"Doesn't matter." He whispered to himself, fighting off the shivering fear of what she could do to him. "I don't have a choice in this."

Wonder started to pull at his eyes as he wandered over more sections of art drawn about the cave in such vibrant colors. He spotted depictions of a desert of brown with people outside a series of grey buildings that twisted around like little growing trees. The people had their hands up towards the image of a brown dragon flying high in the air with tendrils of red flames spewing from it's outstretched maw. He next saw a painting of a forest of many greens, then an ocean with dolphins cresting above the waves. Were these hers too? He'd never known that dragons were to be artists of any kind. Course she could have always had a mortal come draw this for her. "Doesn't matter in the end." He grumbled bitterly, running a hand along a frost encrusted desk covered in old dried up make up and bottles that were labeled with flowery names. Most likely perfumes perfect for oneself when lost within a sea of smelly commoners. It was then that the dragoness' enchanting voice drifted along the wind.

"I must say human. Your persistence is most interesting. You return despite my warnings. Some might call that bravery to do such things in the face of a mighty dragon such as I. Others might call it foolish, ill sighted, or just plain stupid." There was the sound of claws scraping against stone, followed by the dull smacking of one's jaws. "I could go on with these flowery descriptions, but we both know what I entail."

Hadariel glanced around looking for the sound that had graced his ears. It had seemed to come from all directions of this cavern. It was on his fourth rotation around did the dragoness sigh and deem it fitting to reveal herself.

From up high on an overhang within the stone she sat, easily blending in with the snow white walls and carpet resting below her scales. She pounced from the overhang, landing with a dull thud as her tail coiled around her like a white snake. "I doubt that you have brought gifts for me this time. So that must mean that you've continued on with your utter foolishness that will get you killed."

"I have to." He wandered back as the powerful dragoness started to slink around him with a lowered snout. "Perhaps you could simply give me a scale?"

"You think that idea hadn't come to me?" She mused, chuckling in the back of her throat as she glared at him with amusement in her eyes. "My scales still retain their bite when plucked from me. Trust me." She snorted, turning her head over her shoulder and glaring out to oblivion. "I've tried many times."

Drat. Well what was he supposed to do now? The elf wanted that scale! He bit his lip as he pictured the man's sneer, not even skipping a beat as he instructed him to rip a scale from the dragoness' body. "Then what does it matter to you if I pluck one or not? You said so yourself that I'm to die. What's one life of a stranger to you?"

She snapped back to him with eyes of cerulean fire. "You think I adore having lives taken in such a way?" She stomped a paw close to him, making the boy recoil with a startled yell. "I bet that you'll say its not my fault. That you were forced into such an act. If I am to kill someone human I will make the decision to do so. That way I can enjoy the experience. The perversion about my scales is an inconvenience, and I shall not be claiming lives when I don't intend to."

"That makes perfect sense!' He shied away from her wandering snout as growls ran thick through her lips. "Sorry! I did not mean to offend!"

"Indeed." She stepped away from him, noticeably keeping her distance as she followed along the many paintings on her walls. "Course there again is your heart. Pitter pattering so quickly." She laughed, throwing her neck back and letting out a cackle with a thrash of her tail. "How I missed his."

"You...missed terrifying people?" He stammered, stepping back when she returned her gaze.

"I guess..." She looked away with a smirk. "In a way I do. It reminds me that I'm a dragon. Something those wizards have forgotten about from time to time." She rolled her eyes, plucking a helmet from the ground and tossing it against a wall with a clatter. "And you can imagine just how frustrating that is."

"Oh undoubtedly." He bowed. "Especially for a beau..beautiful dragoness such as yourself. Such stunning and radiant scales!" With a slight rise of his head he peaked at her response. Perhaps with sweet words he could sway her rising distain.

Her head pulled back, tilting to the side as she settled down onto her haunches and curled her tail around her hinds. "Oh, such sweet words." She mused, letting out a brief warble of pleasing notes. "Another thing that I have missed. Even if I am very aware of what you're doing human. Sweet words will do you no good here. Even if they are appreciated." Her eyes then traveled to his boots and back again to his eyes, a lingering need permeating their slitted surface. "What was your name again human? You have intrigued me enough to commit it to memory. Which is more than I can say for the half a dozen faces that have been brought within here during my time.

"But why bother if I am to die right?" He countered with a weakened chuckle that was brought about more from the awkward way she was now glaring at his daring digit.

She turned away from him, twiddling her claws before her eyes. "Course that is always true. I suppose such a thing doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things." She twisted over her claws, giving off a large tongue curling yawn. "Course your chat has broken up my boredom. Perhaps I wish to engage in that aspect before your stupid demise?" She curled around him, resting onto her belly with a rumble and thump of her tail. Ice cracked around her many scales, rising up a cloud of cold dust that fluttered into the air like tiny angry insects.

Fine. If this was how she wanted to do it then fine. No one would say he didn't try to do what was required to get this scale. "Well your scaliness. As I so put it earlier. I am Hadariel. Apprentice of the wizard Cyran" He pushed up his chest, placing a hand to his robes and appearing as though he might have been a bloody prince. He quickly met her eyes as she rumbled, bowing without another thought as if he were before a regal queen. "Nice to meet you o great and powerful dragoness. My life is truly blessed for gazing upon such memorizing scales and wings. I must admit they put anything_else I have seen to shame. If I were to die right now, I would die a happy man to know I have glimpsed upon what others would _kill to do. " He smiled to himself when he heard her pleased, warm warble radiate around the halls.

"There you are again with the flowery speech befitting of my station. How right it is to hear those words spoken, yet we both know you are trying to be clever." She snaked her snout down, a grin forming on those snow-like lips. She extended them, showing off her sharpened teeth. "So, let's cease with them shall we? Unless you speak truth."

"But of course I speak truth!" He countered, standing tall and meeting her predatory gaze. "Why would I lie to one such as yourself? That would be most unwise when you could squash me like a bug!"

"Now that is true." She nodded, fluffing out her wings. "You are indeed a smart one. Tis a shame that you will meet your end in such a manner. If not for these walls I might suggest keeping you as a servant if you're going to fill my presence with such uplifting praises. Honestly you sound more like a kobold than human right now."

"Then I shall consider that a compliment miss." He nodded his head. This seemed to be working. He just had to play more to her favor. Course then there came the problem with her scales. Maybe whatever enchantment they had cast on him would work then? Perhaps that's why he wasn't feeling the cold right now? He fought the urge to wrinkle his brow as he imagined the elf's sneering grin. Of course that would be just like him to devise a little trick like this behind an imposing dragoness such as she. "Now would you be oh so kind to grace me with your name?"

"Do you really not know?" She tilted her head to the side, amusement gleaming in her cerulean eyes.

"Know what?" He crossed his arms and leaned back. Was it something he said? He tried to keep his heart in check as she glanced him up and down as though he was having a laugh at her.

"Oh you really don't know." She pulled her head back, tapping her claws against the ground. She repeated the words with a hint of laughter, shaking her head as she did so. "Dragon's don't give their names to mortals human. They only do so for other dragons or those they deem worthy. But..." She shook out her feathery wings, lightly tapping her tail against the ground as her chest swelled with pride. "You may call me Arctic Wind."

"Titles huh?" He rose a brow, honestly surprised with how she was grinning at him. That was something he hadn't expected. "So..uh Artic wind. What did you wish to know. Or I could ask questions of you I suppose."

"Hmmm." She strode to all fours, slowly striding around him as her long tail followed behind her like a giant white rope. "Pray tell me what passes through that little head of yours before your doom little one?"

"Well..." He shied away from her piercing gaze, and how her snout looked like that of a demon the way the shadows coiled around her more pebbly scales of her cheeks. "Do you deserve to be here?"He gestured to the paintings and treasure. "They seem to provide you with many trinkets."

"Oh that." Her snout wrinkled as she admired a piece of coin she plucked from a discarded bag. "Bones tossed to an obedient pet I assure you. Something the wizard up there deduced in his infinite wisdom. That dragons like to possess things."

"You're a pet?" He instantly realized his mistake when her snout snapped back at him like a cobra.

"I am not a pet." Her eyes radiated fire as she glared at him. "I'd never go that far. They hold me in a gilded cage of my choosing. They provide me with anything I ask, and they ask of me to watch over the residents of this prison of theirs." He noticed as she glanced away, tossing the coin with a sigh. She lingered over her painting and an aura of coolness passed across her snout.

"You didn't answer me." He sat down on an icy chair that he had found among a ruined set table. The wood had been completely frozen and splintered down the middle as if by her very claws or tail. "Do you belong here?"

"Again, with the question after I have told you that I choose to be here, and that I am the warden." She rolled her eyes, "What do you wish to here me say human? In a way to your kind I do belong here. Just like the many denizens of this prison I am very dangerous. I have also killed scores of your kind that have come up against me in my years. I have killed fathers, mothers, and most likely other family members who have ever risen a blade or weapon against me or my kin." She drifted her eyes to the suits of armor that lay torn and splintered on the ground. "I remember the fools they sent to bring me here. How they pranced around in their silvery armors." She smirked as if she were watching the whole thing play before her eyes. "They brought steel, magic, and arrows to try and bring me down. They were in for a rude awakening when I brought them the cruel cold kiss of death upon them instead. Even the mage and cleric they brought were surprised at the sheer tempest that I could muster."

He winced, drawing a curious look and chuckle from her maw. He even stuck out his tongue at the disgust of such actions.

"Squeamish aren't you? I take it you would wretch if I described numerous of their cries over the years?"

To that he nodded, and she pulled back her head into the shape of an S.

"How about the stories of the countless that I slew that tried to take me from my home? How I painted the white snows a bright crimson that they will never forget?"

"No. Gods no." He waved his hand. "Though I figure I know how it ends. They obviously succeeded in getting you here."

"No." She snapped, her words like talons in the air.

"So how did you get here then if they didn't win?" He crossed his arms, giving the warry dragoness a curious stare.

"A deal and a story that I'll not waste on the ears of a dead man. You know human." She held up her talon, a coldness starting to sneak its way into her words. "I have half a mind to simply cut your head from your shoulders. Would save you the death of getting frozen. I've watched those go screaming in agony as the magic of my scales does its work on them. The skin goes all black as frostbite consumes them. I could spare you all that pain. One simple swipe of my sharpened talons and poof. You'd be no more. No pain. No nothing. Only the sweet embrace of death." She clenched her talons against her pads before scraping one long against the stone. "We could even do battle if you want. Toss a few spells around, I've seen you humans always want to go out fighting. "Course you'd not be the only one to commit suicide by dragon. I'm sure many of the countless fools that went up against me had some sort of deathwish against them. So..." She lowered her head closer when fear permeated from every pore of his being. "What do you say about that? You get to go out on your terms, and I get a hint of amusement for my trouble." She tossed her neck back over her shoulder and belted out a mighty shout that shook some of the lingering snow. "Unless Theren decides to stop me from killing his little plaything!"

When she got no reply, she gave a pleased noise. Like a bird had just caught its morning meal. "See? It would appear that your purpose for being here is to be a toy to amuse myself with till I tire of your presence. Oh, how thoughtful of Theren. I had not known he was the caring sort."

"I will not fight for your amusement!" He countered back, thrusting a finger defiantly towards her ventral scales. "Let me try it my way! That is how I want to go out if that's how it has to be. Not like some whimpering dog in fear!" Silence then fell as she locked onto his finger, and he gulped as anxiety consumed him and wrapped tightly around his heart. He swallowed down his rising terror, unbelieving of the bravery he had shown. Perhaps in a way he didn't care, and that choosing his death was far easier on the mind. The worst bit was when Artic Wind shifted her weight, and growled a terrible sound on the air. She could have ended him right there as she said, but she didn't.

"You certainly are a brave one." She instead snorted, a thin cool air of mist rushing past him. "Or is stupidity, but we've discussed that in length. Though it might pain me. Fine child. If you feel that your life is truly at an end, I shall grant you the request to go out how you indeed want." She sighed deeply, rolling onto her side and gesturing to her flank with her neck. "Choose one of the looser scales near the base of my tail human. That is where you will wish to pluck one. I'd get rid of me myself but in this way, you get to do a useful thing before you perish before me."

"Thanks." He bowed his head. When he stood back up the distance between he and her flank had seemed to triple in length. No longer was he within a few arm lengths away, but now a whole countryside lay between him and his snow like prize. Closing his eyes, he breathed away his worry, assuring himself with a whisper that everything was going to be fine.

"You're hesitating." Artic Wind groaned. "See?" You're prolonging your suffering. If only you'd let me-"

He surged forward without a thought, snatching one of her smooth scales between his fingers. It was slightly cold to the touch but nothing more than a mild frigid day. He glanced back to her over his shoulder, proudly plucking the thing from her hide, worry giving way to one final act of bravery. He waved it before her, cheering unbelievably that he had done it.

"You did it." She whispered, her eyes softening as they drifted to the scale. "This is some sort of trick isn't it? No one has been able to..." She trailed off, her eyes darting quickly to his body. "And...now it comes."

But it didn't. He waved the scale again as his heart pounded itself against his chest like it was trying to escape. "Hah!" He jumped for joy, a warmth finding its way to his soul before he landed to spin around and letting out a jubilant cry. "Told you! Told you!" He kissed the scale, not even sure if what was happening was a dream. It hardly mattered, because he was alive. "Take that wizard! I got the dragon's scal...I" The good cheer suddenly paused as he met the dragon's utterly shocked and widened eyes. Still had she not moved from her spot, seemingly paralyzed from the sure miracle of it to her.

"How.." She breathed in softly, nosing towards his grasping hand. Her voice trembled and cracked. "Did you do that? Not even my mate could do that without feeling some sort of pain."

"I.." Hadariel's hand fell to his side as he failed to procure an answer from the depths of his mind. "Don't know." He admitted.

"It would appear despite that. You've passed this section of the test." Theren's voice came swiftly to dispel the pregnant pause now lingering between the two. Hadariel had hardly noticed his arrival as Arctic wind was still transfixed upon his hands. "You did marvelous boy." The man smiled, one that drained any remaining joy from the air like a black hole. The wizard latched onto his shoulder with an evil grin. "I even have the perfect idea to make this little arrangement more enjoyable." He swung the boy around and gestured up to the dragon with a sweep of his arm. "Arctic wind here will be your new warden. And you will be her servant in a way.

What?" He recoiled from the idea as Artic wind only looked on with interest.

"What was your name again little one?" Artic wind softly, seemingly ignoring the wizard's gleeful words.

"Hadariel." He replied, almost unaware as the wizard attached back his collar with a dull snap.

"Best rest up." Theren grinned wickedly. "We start the true labors tomorrow. Marvelous things will come of this boy, just you watched. Who knows? At the end of this tale perhaps a creature such as you will be the big hero?" The elf snapped his fingers, vanishing in a cloud of grey smoke that rippled over the ice.

The teen turned to look at the large expectant eyes focusing square on him as though he were just a dream. "Well I suppose I live here now." He popped to the ground with a defeated sigh.

"I guess you do." She rumbled, settling down onto her haunches. "Never had a human servant before, nor has he given anything like this to me." Her snout fell slowly until there was but an arm's length between her snout and his hand. "It will be intriguing to say the least. He must really have something invested in you. I've never seen him so happy."

He grabbed at his side as a phantom pain coursed through his guts. "Yea...that's what I'm afraid of."