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Scales and Honor: Darkened Skies

Chapter 28: Golden Wraiths

Lyndis' arms trembled as she held firm the leather saddle beneath her, calmly taking in each breath to fight the worry stirring within her gut, coiling around her insides like a writhing snake. The red dragon was silent, carrying them swiftly through the haze of purples and reds that swirled like the many strokes of an artist. The ground below that had once been the bog was now replaced by thick almond colored trees that were winding upwards at the base of the strange mountains. The ones that sat waiting, as if begging them to get closer.

Veledar's snout wrinkled as he angled his wing, bringing them closer to a floating part of the mountain that was surrounded by floating gems that sparked a rainbow of colors in the alien light. Several swarms more of the emeralds, sapphires, and even rubies were floating slowly upwards, like an upside-down rainstorm. He voiced his concern with a flick of his tail, swishing them through safely and setting their sights to the new obstacles before them. From the gems came hovering turquoise rocks, some that seemed to fade into reality when they got to a certain distance away. They were jagged, serrated like things with broken spears, swords, and buried shields of faded colors lodged into their surfaces. It was as if each one was a battlefield from ages past, a long standing testament to some bloody war. Among all these relics were glowing green moss, that clung to the rusted blades like a ravenous beast, slowly swallowing them whole.

Is this just another thing to mess with our heads?

Lyndis eyed the floating rocks with suspicion as Veledar wisely avoided them. After their encounter with the plant creature they figured it wise to be extra cautious. They didn't need some floating rock monster thing to start flailing around and trying to eat them. Veledar had made the wild accusation it would grow seven heads and breath sharpened rocks at their direction if they got close. She'd have countered his idea crazy, but thanks to this place. Nothing seemed quite normal. They had flown as close as they were comfortable, curling around it to face a literal field of the things. Like a planet itself had broken apart in the sky, leaving a scattered asteroid field for the ages.

Veledar's worry rumbled through her. Though he was doing his best to hide it with his little boasts and disregard of the strange things they'd seen. He'd speak of how he could feel Arcturus within him, helping guide and aid in their journey. Like he'd leave the man to wonder what would happen to him. That wasn't dragon like after all.

"Good to hear you're scared too." She laughed off the worry, running a hand along the side of his neck. She glanced up, catching a glimpse of a flock of teal furred fox creatures with wings like that of an onyx raven. They darted around the many rocks, their little brown eyes gleaming with curiosity as the red dragon and half-elf rogue avoided them. Couldn't be too careful after all.

"I never said I was scared." Veledar snorted, curling around another rock. This one was covered in a mist that was rising slowly from the brown liquid that was bubbling on its surface.

"Oh pish pose you mischievous thing. Trying to hide behind dragon pride? You can be honest with me you know. Most of this stuff, trembles my heart something awful." She shivered, remembering those sullen faces of the plant entity. "What else could wait in this place?"

"Nothing that can't stand up to the skills of Lyndis, and Crimson Sky I'm sure." The dragon smirked, casting a joyous peak back to her. Within those Cerulean spheres was the spark of hope. One she knew was inside of her as well. "So, while I may find this place odd, creepy, and unsettling. I know that we will be able to come through on the other side."

"Cause you're a dragon?" She smirked with a raised brow. She rolled her eyes when he let out a growly chuckle, bringing them higher in the air.

"Now you're catching on."

"So mr dragon. What have you for a plan then? I don't think these golden wraith things will want to talk. Course, unless they want to. That plant focken thing didn't really have the best hospitality."

"Figure we fly into this bizarre castle. Then rely on the scales of our tails. Is that not how all the other stories like this go? The brave knights swoop in to rescue the beautiful maiden locked in her tower from the monsters guarding her?"

"Yea but you're no knight, and the princess is with you."

"Well the details can be ironed out, but I'm sure in this scenario we're the knights and your green dragon is the princess." Veledar smirked, then snickered as he realized what he'd just said. "Oh, that's rich."

"Oh, mind to task you." She rolled her eyes, tapping his neck when he rumbled. "WE can make fun of Cordy later. When he's safe with us. Then you can make all the focken jabs at his scales you want."

"I plan to."

"And your plan is to just stumble in there and figure something out?" She crossed her arms. "When has that ever worked?"

"Many of times!" He licked his snout, "Besides, I could have said wing it. Would you have rather had that dragon like pun instead?"

"Maybe." She smirked, her eyes drifting up towards the castle's towers, past the rock field they had just flown through. Somehow despite their progress it still seemed the same distance away. Her lips frowned as clouds had started to come into focus around the sky. Thick, bulbous clouds in a mismatch of shapes that instead of a white, were instead a pea soup like green. Billowing around in a circular fashion, like a storm frozen in time. "Ever weirder this place gets."

"Want to get a home here? Oh, what sights we could see within this place? Maybe we could convince Merlia to explore it? She might get a kick out of it."

"Perhaps." Lyndis tracked a bit of movement in the darkened clouds. It was as if something was stirring beneath the surface. From the green clouds came a black, shadowy limb, quickly diving beneath the green waves like a serpant. "I think we're going to have company." She groaned, pointing out the winding limb as many more joined it across the cloud. "Here's guessing whatever these wraith things are have a few of them flying around. Speaking of which. Ever heard of them?"

"No. And that doesn't sit well with me." Veledar's good cheer evaporated as he snaked his scaled neck towards the castle. "Though the most things I don't find are flame resistant."

"You can't just barge your way into everything. Thought you'd learned that bit of finesse when it came to Entis?"

The dragon simply gave her a sharpened eye and a snort.

"Yea that's right. Those blighters don't want to kill Cordy. That _thing_said that they wanted him alive. Even started bloody carving that thing up to get him. I figure they won't harm me either."

Veledar scoffed at her with a growly chuckle as he tilted his wing and glided around in a circle through the air. "How do you figure that? You think some sore of ghostly creature will listen to reason? I'm a dragon and even I_find that ridiculous._ What happens when you're wrong? What will I have to tell the others? I don't think my heart could handle the heartbreak."

She didn't want to think about the consequences. It probably meant ending up worse than those people back with the plant. Frozen to time and left to rot in a mind twisting agony of which had almost no end. What if they sucked out her eyeballs? She shook her head, clearing her bangs from her eyes. "The bond Cordy and I share. That creature confirmed it. The same thing that connects you and Arcturus!"

"Right." Veledar grumbled as he beat his wings, then spreading them to follow along the warmer currents. "When did yours form?"

That was true. It had to be in the forest of despair, right? Was there a prerequisite for a dragon bonding to occur? Was that why she was longing for him after all this time? "So, I figure these things might want to capture me as well."

"Oh great. Capturing princesses. How this sounds like an old dragon story."

"Didn't your story start with you kidnapping a knight?" She poked his neck with a grin.

"Shush you." He snapped, flaring out his frills. "I'm not letting you get kidnapped. WE already had that happen once. I wont let it happen again."

Was that guilt she heard in his taught voice? She'd known he had been less concerned for her in the past. More focused on his book during their time in the city. Her heart suddenly warmed as she rubbed along his neck. "You sweet softie. Caring more about me now?"

"Don't get too many crazy ideas." He wiggled his neck, snapping his jaws against the air. "Have to make sure you're safe for Cordenth. I don't want to deal with his whines if I fail. "

"Sure." The dragon couldn't fool her. "I noticed that you avoided the bond stuff. She dragged a finger along his scales as he carried them around, away from the shifting shapes. "Bit envious, are you?"

"Nonsense." He grumbled, spreading his wings for a glide, letting the alien wing flutter against them. "I guess it's just for everyone now." He whipped his tail, slicing through a low hanging cloud like a knife.

Yup, he was envious. "No need to be so envious. It doesn't take much from you bloody does it? If it bugs you so much that other dragons can form bonds, maybe you need to grow up a tad more?"

"I could drop you." He rumbled, sneaking a peak back of her with mischievous eyes.

Now that really got him! "But you wont!" She cackled, smacking his scales. "All your words mean nothing when we both know you consider me a true friend! Even risking your life to help me!" Then without warning the dragon suddenly dove straight down, everything flowing up as she clutched around his neck for dear life and screamed as the wind battered her face. "See?" She shouted as he eyes teared up. "How that little jab slips so easily beneath your scales! You reveal yourself dragon!" She laughed away the scream as her heart pounded rapidly as the makeshift ground steadily approached. Sure enough, Veledar reoriented them into an updraft, drifting along peacefully with a careful flap of his wings.

"Bloody called it?" She brushed her wild hair. Her fingers tracing along the headband resting there. When the red curled back with narrow slits, she smiled innocently at him.

"I hate you sometimes." He snorted, thrashing his neck as a chuckle crawled up his throat. "And curse you for that."

"Curse you too red guy!" She froze as a sense of dread slithered up her skin. Cold licked at her bones, like she'd been tossed into a blizzard with nothing to protect her. She tried to shout but found her breath had slowed, like water was slowly filling her lungs. She spasmed, collapsing to the red's neck with her arms stitching to his scales. Panic coursed through her as her fingers dug into his scales.

"What's wrong?" He snapped his snout to her, entering a hover in the air.

She gasped in sweet air, then choking through a coughing fit. "I don't...know." She groaned. She shivered. Despite her freedom, she was still freezing. Even her breaths were coming out in little mists. What could even do that? Veledar didn't even look cold at all! He had just tilted his head to the side, giving her an odd look. Like she had gone mental or something!

"I'm fine. Don't give me that look." She gasped, catching a glimpse of movement in the corner of her eye and passed the red's scaled head. The dark shapes from before had burst free of their green prison, like leaping dolphins from the ocean. There were three in total, roughly the size of a dragon four times Veledar. They left a shadowy, billowing trail as they flapped their mighty bat like wings. They appeared to be out of focus, hazy, and she couldn't define any exact features. All except the crown of flames that traveled around each of their heads, curling around hazy horns. Though she saw something that made her shiver worse than the cold and feel more dread then the size or crowns. Each one had a pair of glowing, brilliant, golden eyes. Like the ones from her dream with Cordenth. The three shadow serpents were heading right for them, and the dread from before swallowed her heart.

They flew in unison, like sharks across the sky.

"I think we h.have company!" She caught the dragon's attention.

"Don't they look rather inviting?" Veledar hissed, ignoring the concern in her belly as they spiraled towards the base of the mountains. "Do you think that blasted plant told them we were coming?"

"I hope not. Otherwise this will be a whole lot focken harder." She leaned forward as the dragon glided towards safety. She tried to avoid looking at the thing's wings that were slicing through the air with unholy hums that made her hair stand on edge. "Less talk and more finding a place to hide!"

"Look around you Lyndis. All of this looks the same! How do you expect us to find anywhere?"

"There!" She pointed to an overgrown area, thick with purples and turquoise fauna. It seemed to breath and giggle as Veledar swooped just over the trees. Lyndis offered to do the plan from before, both she and the dragon turning invisible with their next pass around the area. The dragon brought them through the canopy, branches cracking and splintering as the red dragon forced their way through. He landed with a hiss, his tail flicking aside some strange bush.

"Fine. We're here." She felt him shift, maybe looking up into the sky. "I can still hear our friends coming."

"Then turn small and hop onto my shoulders!" She crawled off his side, thankful for her boots to touch the ground. Even if it was growing thick with yellow grass that all swayed in various directions. With an utterance of the activation word for her cloak she was invisible. Surging forward she slipped in through the overgrown roots of an aquamarine and orange painted tree. She pressed up against the dry earth, setting her sights passed the wooden bars of her hiding place.

"Would be easier if I could see you."

"Where was that dragon smell and blind sense?" She countered, slipping beneath one of the many tree's winding roots. She didn't want to hide hear, but where else would do when everything was just as chaotic and weird?

"Fine!" She heard him scamper over, the grass parting to the invisible dragon. She felt him come resting on her shoulder, no bigger than a housecat with his talons slightly digging into her skin. "Happy now!"

"Wish you wouldn't be such a brat." She hissed, going to poke what was his snout and missing.

"You missed."

"Shhhh. Or their going to find us." That had shut him up. His snout snapped shut, letting a small snort of irritation be the only reply she got. Now all they had to do was wait for these things to pass over. Leave them by. She ignored how her heart pounded in her ears, making knees weak. She heard the thing's vile wings from above, swooping over with a near deafening whine. Cold soon permeated her being, inundating her senses as she took another misting breath. Involuntarily she pulled free the green scale around her neck, rubbing over the surface with her fingers. She had to be brave, strong for Cordenth. If she wasn't then no one else was going to get him out of this.

Dragon saver She laughed internally at the thought. God damn paladin in my own right when this is done. She tried to shake the feeling with some steady breaths, but it did little to squash down the feeling. Especially when the loud thumps of their pursuers landing in the area around them.

Screams of wild life of strange sorts, filled the air with a cacophony of ear scratching sounds that had Lyndis clasping her palms over her ears. The giant shadowy creatures slithered around the trees, easily fitting in places that they wouldn't be able to. It was like they were made of mist, curling and twisting around every surface. When they did come into focus, they had blackened scales, and looked vaguely like dragons. The wiggling grass beneath their onyx taloned claws withered and died when they traveled around.

Why did it have to be undead or spirits? At least with humanoids and other things of that nature you knew where you stood. But spirits and undead specters like this? You never quite knew where to hit or if your attacks would do anything! She pressed her back firmly against the underside of the tree, taking in a breath and holding it as the shadowy dragons scanned the area.

"They look really unfriendly." Veledar whispered, his snout almost pressed against her ear. She could feel him tremble against her, his tail curling around her neck. "And those got Cordenth?"

As if hearing his words, the three shadowy serpents suddenly stopped dead. Three sets of golden eyes snapped to their location, and their bodies whipped around. Tails gliding through the trees and leaving blackened spots along the bark. Lyndis rose her hand, ready to defend herself as their large snouts slithered downward, resting outside their hiding spot.

"Master?" One grumbled, its voice coming as a scratchy thing as the three gathered like moths before a night lantern. "Why do you wander here?"

She didn't answer and neither did the dragon at her shoulder. Terror had caught her voice. The only thing she could do was tremble with her arm outstretched, her thoughts on Cordenth. The longer she maintained a stare with the golden eyes, she felt as though things were being drawn from her. Like everything was being drained from her, leaving only a freezing chasm of nothingness. She felt her hand waver, almost dropping to herside. The only thing that kept it raised was Cordenth and the thought she needed to save him.

"Dragon." Another hissed. "Do not venture to the master's domain. He bid no others welcome save him."

"If you return again. Your life will be drained. That is his decree." The three maintained their hallowed stare for several more terrifying moments, only filled with the near fluttering of her heart. Then with a series of low growls, all three of the darkened specters flapped out their wings, and glode into the air without flapping them. Their shadowy maws parted, letting out a series of shrieks that left Lyndis curling on herself, her knees made of jelly.

Had they ignored her? Lyndis clutched at her heart as the invisibility spell faded away, falling to her knees. How had they survived? It looked like they didn't want to kill everything after all.

"Finally!" Veledar leaped from her shoulders, turning visible and growing in a matter of seconds. It was not long before he was his normal height, head staring off into the distance, tail twitching as he eyed the specter's departing trail. "Thought they'd never leave." He shook his snout with a snort. "Creepy things. Wonder who that master is of theirs?" He curled his head around, "Think it might be the green boyfriend of yours?"

Oh gosh she hoped not. It struck a tad too close to that dream, sending ripples of worry through her heart. She padded over, resting a hand right at the base of Veledar's horn. "Beasts me red." She rubbed the top of his snout, subsiding the cold ripples for now. "Just glad to be alive. Felt all damn cold and damp. Like they were sucking all the joy out of the area."

"So like Asterion all the time then?" He chuckled softly, his tail twitching as he shifted from paw to paw.

"Worse than that. Like I'd never be happy again."

"Strange." He twitched his frills, sliding his snout out of her grasp. "I just felt creeped out. Maybe whatever they did to you was a half-elf thing?"

"Possibly. Whatever they were could not affect dragons in the same way. We just have to be more careful then."

"Because they might make you more glum than our cleric?" He lowered himself with a fluff of his wings. "I hope that doesn't mean our little rescue mission is put on hold?"

"Some more saner people might say yes." She sighed, climbing up his crimson scales, tossing a leg over the side and locking herself into the saddle. "But since when have we been bloody safe eh?"

"You've been crazy as long as I've known you." The dragon rumbled, rising with a chuckle.

"Brat."

"Thief." He test flapped his wings,"I bet you want me to ride into battle like a magnificent companion to save that dragon of yours."

"You seem to already be getting ready your brightness." He rubbed the base of his neck. "Perhaps you can read my mind?" She explained her plan to him regarding the spirits. They would be a problem if they were defending the temple, but she had an idea for that. She instructed Veledar to fly her close, and when he confirmed he could use magic to make himself faster it was settled. He would have them give chase, while she fell from his back. Using a feather fall spell to cushion her fall, and then use the scale to find the missing dragon. Once she had found him, she'd light off a dancing light spell in the sky, prompting the heroic red dragon to swoop in and rescue them like a knight of old.

"How come he won't just fly you out?" The red cocked his head to her, flicking his tail frill in and out. "Cause he's lazy?"

"Figure that he'll be injured or something. Too tired to fly out on his own. If he can, great we have a way out. Though I'd like to plan for the worst scenario I can think of."

"I can think of a few worse ones..." He stopped dead when she tossed him a concerned look. He instantly shifted from paw to paw, snapping at the air. "Though they won't be there. I'm sure he'll be lazy, sleeping for you. Just waiting for some princess to kiss him awake."

"Now whose sounding like a bad fairy tale?"

"We're in the fairy realm Lyndis." Veledar flapped his wings. "This whole damned thing is a fairy tale!"

"Heh. Yea." She chuckled, as a sense of vertigo went about her. It was like they were standing before a cliff, precariously perched so that a mere waver would send her toppling over the edge. Fluttering, her heart teased at her insides as she glanced to the strange castle in the distance.

"Could I work out a payment plan for this course of action?"

"Really?"

"Well." Veledar's snout wrinkled, a playfulness still in his eyes that betrayed his taught tone. "You will be placing both of our lives on the line for some green tail. I might demand a greater payment then we agreed upon."

"We agreed on a payment?" She laughed, crossing her arms. "Can we just stay focused and serious for one bloody moment?"

He licked his nose, shaking his neck. "Thought I'd just break the tone. You look rather scared and worried. Bit of the ole dragon charm to ease the nerves."

"You softie you."

"Don't you start." He snorted. "I am a brave and heroic dragon. One that is not a softie." He stuck out his tongue like a defiant sword.

"Right. One who likes to cuddle and rumble and batter a poor human with your snout."

"Shush." He looked away, wiggling his haunches as he prepared for flight. "How I can't wait to find this green of yours. Then you can regail him with your frustrating words."

"And I bet you want to hold a favor over his head."

"Now you're thinking like a dragon!" Veledar pounced, quickly flapping his wings and spirally them up into the sky. "Can't wait to see the surprise in his slits when he realizes he owes me!"

"And you like him no doubt!" She shouted as the wind started to curl around her face.

"For comradery and friendship no doubt!" He swished through the air like a snake, "Just don't tell Cordy will you?"

"That's okay Veledar. Cordy likes you too."

He warbled as they carried on through the air, "Then let's go get that stupi....." He eyed her dagger filled eyes with a roll of his own. "Wonderful mate of yours!"

"How charming of you."

"Only the best!" He smiled, aiming them right for the base of the twisted castle.

* * * * * * * * * *

Like a protective sheet the dragon's wings carried them across the bizarre sky, ever darkening as they narrowed in on the structure of broken stone and metal. Lyndis had hugged the dragon close, wondering just how much time had passed since they'd entered. She remembered how Arcturus and the red had spent a month inside without even noticing the entire time. How long had they been gone since this venture? She was sure it was only a few hours, but how could one be sure in this chaotic place? With a whisper to Bahamut she shook away the thoughts, focusing on scales of green and eyes of yellow sunflowers.

Strange and bizarre winds swept over them as Veledar brought them through. Temperatures would dip to extremes in both regards. One moment she would be shivering, clutching firmly against the warmer dragon as breaths came like little mists in the air. Then just as quickly the air would shift to the hottest of deserts. Like she was walking in mid-day sun of the rothdellian country side. She nearly vomited from the change in air temperature, but the dragon thankfully looked unaffected. He carried on with a stoic look on his snout, the casual beat of his wings a comforting thing that quelled the storm brewing inside her.

The towering castle grew closer, a terrible clawed demon that had her love tight within its onyx stone walls and towers. It looked far bigger when they approached, the steepled roofs of the towers ending in several spiky points. Walls raced around like snakes, complete with arrow slits and spikes near the top to prevent any people from scaling the walls. It looked like a fortress with crumbling walls. Time had taken a mace to every inch of the place, large chunks had been scraped away or smashed. Debris seemed to cover every inch of the winding structure. She found herself clutching tighter around Veledar's neck as the building seemed to chuckle at them. Waiting for them to meet their doom.

Veledar suddenly swerved with a surprised growl, his wing tips nearly grazing a sudden rock the size of a house. It appeared out of thin air, a turquoise thing that wiggled like an overly excited tiny dog.

"What the hell!" She shouted as the dragon altered his wings, entering a hover and swishing his neck around to inspect the immediate area. "That thing came out of bloody nowhere!"

"And there's more of them." The dragon snarled. "Like invisible mines spread across the sky. It would appear as though out friends dislike visitors."

"I guess when they're as rude as us." She chuckled even as concern brimmed her words. "Didn't even bring a house warming gift. You bring anything?"

"Fire. Does that count?"

"NO."

"Well my dearest rogue. It looks as though they agree with your assessment!" The dragon pointed with a claw to the darkened serpents breaking free of the clouds overhead. The flock of dragon like creatures flew in unison, spread out as if to trap their prey. "Looks like there isn't another way!" He tilted a wing, entering the air with a snort. The dragon swerved and changed his body to avoid the things that Lyndis could not see. She crouched low, hugging at his chest as terror filled her with each bone chilling second. Any moment they could crash into a rock, and that would put an end to everything.

"You bloody got this right?" Her voice cracked as she held on for dear life.

"Of course!" He roared back, swerving around an invisible rock. Lyndis felt the hardened body brush against her cloak.

"Watch we're you're going!"

"They're invisible!" He snapped, "I have to use a spell to even see them properly!" He suddenly spiraled upwards as if he were following a tunnel. Though to her it simply appeared to be nothing there. Nothing but the looming castle and the unimpeded spirits. She could tell him to turn back now. But could she?

"Gods above." She clenched her eyes, pulling close against his neck. Never would she tease him again.

"Don't worry!" Veledar roared, righting himself as his body swayed like a dancer. "Just...a little...tight!" He surged forward, tucking in his wings and grunting as she heard rocks drag against his scales.

She just had to trust him. This was his domain and he was doing his best. She could have used a spell to see the rocks as well, but she figured it was better to save the spell slot for later. "Do you see an opening? I don't think the wraiths have to worry about the rocks!"

"Not...too..long." Veledar swerved, gasping through a grin. If he was putting on a brave snout for her, she'd love him for that. "When I say jump. You jump right?"

"That's the idea!" She rested a hand on her fastening chord. Ready to unclasp it and fall from the dragon's frame. She eyed the castle down below, the darkened and beaten walls covered in battlements that looked more to be like serrated teeth. A stone dragon set to devour her the moments her boots touched the ground. Boxes lay broken and splintered along the walls, their contents having been pillaged long ago. She was going to do this. Willing to leap from a dragon like some sort of daredevil. Descending into some unknown, bizarre hell.

"Now!" Veledar roared as he began to drift upwards, one that seemed to thunder across the air. It was followed by three sets of unhuman shrieks, no doubt their friends looking for the rebellious red who defied their order.

Lyndis undid her chord and let herself slip from his back, instantly falling face first towards the many walls. "Don't forget to pick me up scale head!" She shouted back as the air began to whistle past her ears, casting her hair upwards in an unruly whirlwind.

"Get mounted!" He roared back, starting to wind, twist, and contort his body as he navigated himself through the field of invisible rocks once more.

The good cheer belayed the underlining fear in his words. Especially as the three darkened shapes billowed towards him with deadly intent. Though she knew he was strong, and none had bested him thus farm, that feat still ate way at her as the warm wind caressed each inch of her face. "Stay safe scale head." She said softly herself. "Not just the paladin is waiting for you."

She sailed by one of the high hanging towers that was covered in broken stones worn away with age. Burns marred their surfaces as tattered and dirt caked banners fluttered in a ghostly wind. Each way she looked it was a snap shot of a battle from long ago. Discarded spears, rusted armor, and broken bows were stashed away in debris covered corners. It was if an explosion had gone off, bringing ruin to the inner structure of the castle. With a flick of her hands she spoke the trigger word for the feather fall spell, righting herself and landing into the broken courtyard with hardly a bump at all. Instantly she felt cramped amidst all the discarded rocks and towering debris that seemed to press in on all sides.

Her ear twitched as Veledar disappeared, scanning around the corpse like building. Whatever life this thing once had was now long gone and decayed. Tales of old whispered to her ears as she took a few tentative steps.

"Oh Shandalar." She whispered. "How you'd love this place." Her voice cracked as the rocks settled around her. Like whimpers in the night on a cold breeze. She shook her head, pulling herself up with the green scale held aloft. This was no time to sight see. She was on a mission. Now where could they be keeping her green dragon? The scale pulled her as if by a string through the ruined and thick courtyard. It eventually broke way to a large hallway that wound downwards into the earth. She passed below a half-broken stature of what appeared to be a dragon. Gold if the large broken whiskers were any indication. Its long body was in numerous pieces, sprawled about the darkened corridor were hick bits of mold and moss had reached up its surface to retake its once stone.

"If you don't find Cordenth soon. She grit her teeth, imaging the red dragon flying around outside with those creatures breathing down his neck. "Veledar might die. So, you got to hurry Lyndis." She took a calming breath, moving even faster than before over the uneven terrain and deeper into the stone abyss.

Down the rogue scurried, over the numerous man made stones covered in age. Some with darkened spots that might have been blood, others cleaved in two as if by some siege equipment. The corridors wound around the place, maybe having confused some who had ventured into this place. The signs of old bones were one indication. She eyed them with a bit of disgust and worry, placing faith that the scale would lead her through the winding maze of death and age. That it did.

The walls of this place had the same carvings that the Emerald Lady's temple had. Though unlike hers these were all broken and marred, as if to hide something that had happened. Not even one had been left unmauled by hammers or claws. Though as she slowly advanced through silence, she found one such picture that was unsullied by age, nor taken a hammer to. It was one of mortals and dragons all bowing before a towering serpent with golden scales and pristine white feathery like wings. Sapphires rested in its eye sockets, gleaming in a faint ray of lavender light that cast a beacon over the whole thing. Whiskers round it's regal snout, one that only Veledar could probably best. Before its black taloned claws rested scores of mortals and dragons, all bowing for a chance to pay fealty to his claws. As she stood transfixed, it seemed the eyes followed her movements. Hair on the back of her neck started to rise. Like someone was watching her, her skin grew cold.

She snapped away, not daring to look this thing in it's gem eyes. Something was un-nerving about it, and she didn't want to stay around and find out. Yet even after she left the room behind her and carried further into the stone labyrinth, the sense of someone over her shoulder never left her. When it got too strong she whirled around, weapon unsheathed in a mere instant and held steadily in the air. She was left with short breath and a rapidly beating heart. Then when a growl found her ear, she flung a fire bolt at a section of broken glass. And for a moment she thought she saw a cerulean slitted eye reflected in the surface. Gazing deep at her, piercing her soul.

Though the glass shattered, the growl still persisted. It was faint at first, then rose to such a clatter that she had problems hearing her thoughts. Even as she walked away it followed her, causing her more than once to check over her shoulder or lash out with her weapon at the air. When she crossed a four way intersection she tossed down a copy of herself. A well-crafted illusion that called whatever invisible force this was a tosser and a muppet before scampering off with a middle finger. Though, still this didn't work. The growl soon wound its way deep inside of her, a sense of dropping to her knees and begging forgiveness coming to mind.

"Where you belong." Came fractured whispers from all around her. Lyndis felt her legs waver, threatening to have her collapse. "Submit."

"Focken hell." She stumbled into a wall, gasping for breath and clutching the green scale with white knuckles. "Cordenth needs you." She pressed on for a next few steps, her feet getting heavier and heavier as she went. Soon it felt as though weights were tied to her ankles. The scale brought her to a series of rocks that seemed rather odd. They were pristine, not even having any layer of dust or dirt that had been found everywhere else!

"You lead me to a dead end." She shook the scale, though coming to the realization rather quickly after a few pondering taps of her foot. The wall was an illusion! Or at least she hoped it was. She stuck out her hand, her fingers gliding through the surface like it wasn't even there. What luck! She pressed on, the weights around her feet fading and the growl turning into nothing more than a mewing cat.

"Take that you tosser." She smirked, sighing in relief. It had been just some sort of stupid illusion trap that carried her down. She laughed. "Stupid me. Probably from that stupid picture of the gold." She rested on a nearby corridor, taking a few calming breaths to steady her nerves. Even though the air was stale and dry, it did the job. That was until one such deep breath brought the scent of pine mixed with dragon. It was then as if a fire had been lit beneath her, and the rogue held tight the scale. He was close, she could feel and smell it!

"Cordenth!" She called out to the vast chamber before her. One that was filled with rows of stones roughly her height and covered in various runes that appeared to be caved by talons. Faint streams of light drifted from cracks in the vast ceiling, dust drifting through the rays of light like little bugs. She saw rows of what appeared to be coins, art, armor, and even furniture and clothing amidst all the stones. Though on closer inspection they were made of rocks themselves. Either they were carved to be this way, or the ruler of this place had everything turned to stone. To deny any future adventurers from gathering their long-lost bounty to time. Some had paint on them that sparkled with the many metallic colors of the valuable metals of her world, captivating those that sought such things. Though nothing in this room could compare to the radiance and beauty that was of her green dragon, curled up and surrounded by more frozen shapes of stone.

His long green tail was over his pebbly snout, eyes closed in slumber as his body shifted with each breath. His lime green wing membranes twitched, reminding her of how they carried them aloft through the forest of despair. The blue scarf she had given him was still around his neck, the white diamonds stitched into the cloth pristine as ever. All the despair and unease that had built up over the past few months seemed to melt away in a mere instance of time. Like she was an ice set before a roaring fire.

"Cordenth!" Tears sprung to her eyes, carrying her forward into a near sprint as all safety for her life had gone out of the window. Here he was, just stupidly sleeping. Of course, it would be something like that. She pressed on, scampering over any debris left in her way. Nothing was going to stop her from reaching the slumbering dragon. Nothing except the sudden army of humanoid shadows that rose from the stone like silent, malevolent demons.

Terror leaped from her chest as she skidded to a stop, hands instantly drawing her weapon and curling, reading to unleash her spells onto them. Golden eyes sprung into existence on each of their bodies, slited like a dragon but none in any of the usual spots. There was always two, but they were not always together. Some had the shining suns right where they should be, roughly on the humanoid's head. Others though had them on their torso, their feet, or sometimes even their arms. They advanced in near silence, not even leaving a trace of their passing. It was then the hissing sound returned, almost sounding like laughing as she slashed out her rapier in a flash.

"Oi stay back ya bloody things!" She shouted, climbing up onto one of the stones as they pressed in. She leaped to another stone, then to another. Stepping her way over their heads at a blinding speed as she sprinted for the green dragon she cared for. Though as she went, more popped up. One after the other they grew, till eventually there was a wave of them between her and the dragon. No where left to run. With a snap of her fingers, three copies of herself sprung into existence. Each one as defiant as the other, with flames nearly spewing from her eyes. Determination hung thick in her limbs, no room for worry or doubt. Her dragon was here, and hell if anything was going to stop her. Spirit, human, or fucking demon. Nothing was going to get in her way.

"Well come on then!" She screamed. "Whose first to meet my blade? I'm here for the green dragon you muppets!"

The shadows froze, eyeing her over with their unblinking eyes. The air rippled around them as hisses or little growls were exchanged between their otherwise unreadable expressions. She almost attacked while they were stunned but held back with a bite of her lip. Her patience was even rewarded, as the shadows suddenly parted, leaving a path from her straight to the green dragon. It appeared as though they approved of her statement. Now wasn't that odd. She could hardly believe it, rolling her rapier in a circle as she mocked their choice our of instinct.

"And what's the catch?" She rose a brow, watching every shadow as though it would be ready to strike at her. All her muscles remained tensed, ready to spring. Nothing of this made sense. Why would they just give her Cordenth? There had to be a catch, right? Some illusion, some trick. Some doppelganger that this was all setting up to be. Warning bells flashed within her mind of thousands of different terrible situations. Each one worse than the last. That all changed when she saw him stir, and his tail flick across the ground. When his scent returned to her she knew he wasn't fake. Or at least she didn't want to believe he was. So, she stashed her weapon and surged forward towards him, wiping the misting eyes and flicking away the tears.

"Cordenth!" She nearly skidded to her knees, dropping to caress the dragon's scaled cheeks. He was still warm to the touch. Like the calming waves of the sea, warmth spread through her. Her other hand joined the first as she rubbed his cheeks, flopping onto his head and hugging him tightly. "I was so worried." She trembled, fingers gliding along his scales as she recounted all the worried nights and concern that had bothered her for months. How she would shutter to think of what happened to him. Though he was still sleeping to her dismay and hadn't heard a word.

"But your okay." She wiped her eyes, rubbing his cheek with a smile. "Now you got to get up you stupid dragon. Can't have you lazin about all day, can we? Your scales don't look to be a shade of red. Have to show those other ego driven dragons how its done yea?" Her fingers found his frills on either side of his head, rubbing the base of them. "Come on Cordy." She smacked his head with a sigh. "Veledar's going to be so cross that you were sleeping. I guess that will be our little secret eh?"

The dragon didn't stir. Whatever dream had him bound did so stronger than any rope.

Lyndis frowned. It looked as though a bit more force was going to be required of her then. She held up her hand, steeling herself for the smack to come. "Sorry about this, but ya need to get up." Smack! Her palm struck his cheek, right below the eye that made her hand sting. She had to retreat, wave off the pain as the dragon still didn't stir in the slightest. "Okay, how in the focken..." She kneaded the middle of her nose, pulling out her waterskin. "Guess we try something different then?" She undid the top, dumping the entire contents onto the green dragon's snout.

"Not now Infinity." He groaned, blinking open one of his sunflower like eyes. Cordenth thumped his tail, stretching out his wings. His voice was scratch and sore, like he'd talked for hours and yet not had a refreshing bit of water. When his snout focused on her, the eyes blinked away any sort of confusion. His snout wrinkled as a sigh passed through his lips. "Oh. It's another you."

"What do you mean its another me?" She struck back, resting a hand on his snout. "Why would you say that?"

His eyes widened ever more, like that of the grandest of canyons. "Wait...You touched me! It's really you!" He practically warbled with his next breath.

"Well yea." She smirked, her eyes misting as the dragon's tail thumped. "I kinda like to touch you."

"No, you don't understand." Cordenth shifted his paws towards her, groaning at the effort. "They used illusions of you in this place. Nearly nightly a version of you came to taunt me...Or whatever counts as night here. It's so hard to tell." His snout pressed against her chest, taking a deep whiff of her scent. "Oh my gods...It is you." The dragon trembled, his wings shaking. "Its you...Please don't be fake."

"I'm not fake." Her hands wrapped around his head, rubbing at his jaw as the dragon quivered like a leaf in her fingers. For at least a minute they stayed locked with each other while they both let out the build up of emotions that had been hanging over them. "But we have to move." She whispered when they parted, staring into each other's eyes. Cordenth replied by placing his snout onto her lips, a kiss gesture to be sure. She kissed back, rubbing his jaw as a tired rumble passed about his long neck.

"I'll try." He groaned, trying to lift himself up with wavering limbs. "But..They've done something to me." Green scales clinked as he took a first tentative step, his weight soon working against him. The dragon collapsed to the ground with a puff of dust, a defeated sigh, and a weakened flick of his tail. "Its hopeless. They've made it sure I can't leave. I tried to escape too many times."

She'd have to ask him how he came to this predicament, but she doubted they had the time. "Tell me about it later." She tugged at his forelimb, though it was useless. He was much heavier than she was, and there was no way she was going to get him to budge. "But I got to get you focken out of here. Veledar is outside and waiting for us!"

"He came to rescue me?" The dragon's voice ended in a surprised inflection. "Did you bring the whole gang of misfits?"

"Yea and no to the second bit. He has a bleedin heart for you. Guess you're the best of friends. Do you really want to let him down?"

The green's snout wrinkled. "Hes only here to get a favor out of me isn't he?"

"Not entirely." She tugged at his forepaw. "Its just him being cheeky. Can you turn small? I'll bloody carry you if I have to."

"I can try." He winced, pressing a paw to his snout. "Though each time that I tried to leave, these dark shadows things would bring me back. Each time I'd be left drained in the dark. With my limbs nearly weighted down by metals."

Well that sounded lovely. "Well they never had to catch me, did they? I can't leave big ole red outside on his own. Do you know how much flak I'd catch from his paladin mate?"

"He's the red's mate now?" The green weakly chuckled, running a claw down his snout. "I will certainly have to catch up.

"Likewise." She plucked up the dragon when he shifted down to the mere size of a house cat within her arms. Though his claws dug a tad into her, she settled him onto her shoulders. "I just need you to hang on." She hissed, as the shadows suddenly snapped to her. Somehow, she knew as they slowly advanced that this time they would not be so allowing of her to pass unhindered.

"So, you lot want him then? Too bad! Cause I think he wants me instead of some spooky shadow things!" She summoned the three copies of herself again to help aid in their escape as the shadows leaped at her like ravenous dogs. She weaved through the stones, avoiding their limbs that had sharpened into long wicked looking claws. She was forced to once more sprint across the stone tops, slicing aside any that stood in her way. When they grouped up, she let out burning hands, fireballs. Each spell drained the slots she had left, but it didn't matter. They needed to get out of here, even if that meant using every one she had. Only one touched her in the room. Claws raking across her arms before it was destroyed by a magical blade to the head. As it fell twitching she smirked, passing through the door with the illusions. Who said they couldn't be felled?

"Take that you focken ass!" She roared as the hisses that had plagued her before came back in full force. Though this time they were weaker. Like the sound was coming far off in the distance. The shadows sped after her feet like ravenous wolves. She flung a fireball back at them, delighting how the red-orange flames reduced a good number of them to nothing more than piles of discarded ash. Guess magical flames still did the trick as well. "Chock up another one for me!"

Scampering over rocks and debris with the upmost care she could muster, Lyndis was hardly slowed down as she escaped from the tide of black and gold death. There was so much of a clatter that she knew anyone could hear her. Probably for miles if this sort of luck was anything to complain about. She passed the golden dragon statue, it's eyes staring right at her as it passed. She held her head down, trying to ignore the way it seemed to shift and tug at her heart.

She glanced back at intervals to check on her pursuers and find that each time she did they were gaining. Where they had been several dozen yards away, they were now practically breathing down her neck. Her heart was pounding like that of a drum, her nerves were shot, breaths came more quickly than the last, and worst of all her spells were dwindling. She casually cast them out each time the shadows got too close, buying her more time to escape. She doubted she had much left as she saw the lavender light of the surface calling down to her from above. This was going to be close. The surface was like a sweet prize as she burst through it, Cordenth even giving a happy cry. Though it was short lived, as pain coursed through her lower torso.

Lyndis stumbled forward, sliding off the blackened claw that had pierced her gut. Blood suddenly flowing out as she tumbled down the rocks, grunting and gritting her teeth the entire time. Hisses hung in the air as she shook her head, trying to shake off the disorientation. She clutched at her side, groaning as pain stabbed across her senses. "Fock!" She cursed, summoning up the strength to end the creature that had done it. Her blade striking right into its chest and making the thing burst into a thousand pieces like a holiday balloon. She limbed backwards as the creatures burst forth from the ruins like an unholy tide of black death. She fired off a dancing lights spell into the sky, the three brilliant white lights sailing ever higher to wiggle about and flag the red dragon that should be waiting for her. She wasn't granted the comfort of waiting though, the shadows came for her.

She lashed out with her blade, it swished through the air in a blur. She ignored the pain stabbing at her as it tasted many of their unholy hides, scattering them to the wind. Though she repeated such victory over and over she was soon surrounded as she danced about the area. It was then that the shadows ceased their unrelenting attack. She was surrounded and they knew it. One by one they now came, as if a way to wear her out.

She'd stuck out with a groan, ending one after the other as they came. One though got lucky, slashing deep at one of her legs when she pulled away. She was sent stumbling to the ground with a pained cry. Like a wild animal she lashed out when it pounced, luckily ending it before it could do away with her. Cordenth was counting on her. She fired off another flare into the sky as she pushed herself with trembling legs to stand. Then came the hissing laughter from all around her. Mocking her resistance to their overwhelming numbers.

Where are you? She struck down another foe, her arm ever tiring from the amount of effort and blood now dripping from each limb. She flared out a hand, catching numerous foes with a blue burning hand. One that scattered them away into dust to buy her enough time to scream out for the red dragon. She pulled out a red potion, downing the contents with a mixture of satisfaction and disgust of the taste. Though the tiredness or cuts didn't seal shut. The potion wasn't working as intended.

"Veledar!" Her voice cracked as another untiring shadow took one's place. She side stepped that one, nearly collapsing to the ground. Though her blade swung true and ended that one as well. "Come one!" She pulled free another potion, downing that one with a groan. Still though, the effects did nothing and she was left throwing the glass bottle at the shadows like a defiant rock. "Focken hell!"

She was slashed at with wicked claws trying to hold off their advances. Each one a teeth gritted and groaning affair. She was left gasping for breath, clutching at her side, and blood dribbling down each armor torn limb. It was a miracle she was still standing as she held her rapier defiant. The tide of gold eyed shadows simply stopped to admire her. Though she had killed many of the things, their number didn't seem to dwindle. In fact, it was as if she didn't make a dent at all. Still was she surrounded, with no way out.

"You struggle against my will." A deep voice hissed along the air like a terrible snake.

Her legs wobbled, struggling to even hold her aloft. Her blade wavered, her last defense against the shadows starting to crumble as weariness and fatigue settled into her bones.

"You think yourself so defiant and free? That you have not made it here because I allowed it? That dragons and mortals could be your friends? Lovers?" The voice devolved into a throaty chuckle that spread around her like an uncomfortable cloak. One with thorns and bristles that scratched at the skin. "You are nothing more than an amusement, a toy, a pet, plaything for us little one. Return to the castle with your master half-elf and we can await my return together. Your compliance will not go unrewarded. In fact, you will be held above the rest of your kin. A treasure not to be wasted."

"This is how you get followers?" Her sword arm fell, along with that of her body as she collapsed onto the blood-stained ground. It was cold, uncomfortable and she was certain things were getting quieter. It sure was starting to get harder to breath.

"Only the persistent or defiant." The shadows slowly advanced, now less than an arm's length away. "Your wounds can be healed."

"Yea." She winced, "But there's a catch." Black lines spread across the edge of her vision. Where was that red drake? She'd throttle him if she got the chance. Cordenth however stayed silent around her. Maybe too terrified or exhausted to speak.

"That is the rub of things isn't it?" The voice mused. "A little sacrifice to ensure your survival. A lesson I'm very aware of child. What will it be? The sureness of death as it snatches you up like a wounded prey? Or compliance. One that will ensure your survival and place in the coming future?"

"Is this the test you gave Cordenth?" She hissed, thrusting a finger to all the surrounding pack of shadows. "Some join me or die choice? What the hell is that?"

"You can ask him when you're both back in the castle. You will have lots of time to consider your place and that of what will happen. The dominance of your kind is at an end. Choose the winning side."

_Course._She felt her body grow heavy. Like she was going to be sucked into the ground. Was that their magic going to town? Or was this her final plunge into the inky claws of death? Was this the bloody end?

Ugh. How focken terrible. Yet she had a way out. Cordenth would be brought back to them. That she was certain. Maybe...there's another way. "Fine." She sighed, coughing up blood. "I'll...-"

"Get away from her!" Veledar's roar came like a tempest's fury. Everything else muffled from his triumphant cry. The dragon swooped in with wings like fire, unleashing an inferno of red-orange death that reduced all the surrounding shadow's to ash. Such was his accuracy that she wasn't touched, with just the heat of his flames licking at her wounded skin. She'd never been that comforted to feel a dragon's fire before. His wing beats were like that of an angel as he curled around them, tender paws reaching down to pluck her bloodied form from the ground and hold her against his armored chest. She could kiss him if she wasn't so tired.

"You came." She smiled in disbelief at his segmented tan scales. She wasn't sure if he was even here. Or was this an illusion from her rapidly fading mind? "You came."

"Yes I did!" He yelled back, rising out of the courtyard with a matter of wing beats. "You seem to have gotten your love. But I need you to hold on."

"I lost your rapier." She mumbled, shivering in his paws. "Back on the ground."

The red curled around a tower, tail nearly smacking against its broken form. "That's fine Lyndis." He snorted, the concern present in his voice. "Just hang in there. We are not out of this yet. My friends still want a piece of me!"

"Dragon pride." She mumbled. "Not everyone wants a piece of your cock Veledar."

"Not that!' He hissed, "I meant the wraiths woman"

As if summoned by his words, their unholy screech sounded out through the sky. The three shadow dragons closing in on their red dragon prey. Golden eyes filled to the brim with death ever approaching as their wings sliced across the sky.

"Well you sure know how to piss people off. Should we just tell them your love intends to pay them back?"

"Perhaps." He swerved around a few of the floating rocks, nearly grazing them with his scales. "Though maybe my dragon charms will work wonders on them?"

"Like me?" She smiled dreamily, an air of fogginess about her head. "You were such an ass when we met..." The words trailed off like a slippery snake all slathered in lube. She closed her eyes, resting her head against his sturdy chest as his breaths came like a summer's breeze. Fatigue tugged at her senses, whispering to her to drift off into it's enticing embrace. Her eyelids flickered, surely a nap would sort this all out right? Veledar had her. None could match him in the air anyway.

"I need you to stay awake." He jostled her, flying over some sort of ground she wasn't sure. Was that the swamp? The smell of rot certainly wafted up to wrinkle her nose. She held Cordenth tight, smiling as the dragon's tail coiled around her arm. The wingbeats of the dragon above started to dull. Like they were miles away. In fact, everything seemed to getting further away. She closed her eyes, thinking back to more pleasing times. Weren't they all nice? A fine adventure they had. It was like she was slowly falling through the sky, consciousness fading from her.

"That's twice you owe me." She mumbled, letting out a sigh. Veledar said something she wasn't quite sure of. Something that was laced with concern, like a beacon of light in the night. What was he worried about? They had each other, and she had Cordenth in her arms. Everything was going to be fine! "You worry too much." She mumbled, and darkness took her.

* * * * * * * * * * *

"Lyndis?" Veledar shook the half-elf currently resting in his paws. No response from her, just like he had done before. Cold talons dragged against his chest as he averted his gaze back to the swamp around him. It just meant he had to follow his way back to Fremra, and the pulling sense of Arcturus. Like an invisible line he followed it with aching wings, ones that burned from the effort that had been exerted with the numerous haste spells. They were starting to rebel, screaming for the dragon to cease and let them rest. His teeth clenched, pushing them ever harder. He couldn't' stop. There could be no rest. For that would let the shadow dragons nearly on top of him catch him. Then they would never get away. Would be lucky to even survive that encounter. That wasn't where his story was going to end anyway. He was crimson sky. The dragon he and his brother talked about years ago.

The best dragon.

"And I have friends to get back to. " He pulled Lyndis closer, steeling his reserve. He couldn't' help but glance a peak at her ragged form. Blood was cacked and dried around her limbs, some even pooled at the edge of her mouth. How she was alive was a small miracle. He'd been late, and look at her. He snapped away with a snort, pushing his wings until he was almost blinded by the burn.

If she's going to live.

"Hang on rogue. You can't die on me now!" He snarled, "You have so much to do. So much to owe me!" He was starting to sound desperate, cracking his voice even worse than the shadow dragon's unholy screech.

Please Bahamut.Let me make it in time. He was nearly skimming over the twisted tree tops which came to life. The purple and teal like branches were reaching for his paws. Calling out to him with little giggles or cries that sounded like wounded puppies calling for their mothers. He was getting close. He could feel the warmth in his heart, almost hear Arcturus whispering a silent mantra of his name. Then, a cold washed over him, and he could practically sense the dragons at his neck.

"Turn back now dragon." A voice screeched out from behind. One great and terrible that would have made any mortal tremble in their boots. Something like a vile demon seeking to snatch one's soul and torment it for ages. He turned back to stare at the shadow beasts, wiggling like great serpents as they chased them. Their eyes were widened now, laced with golden flames. "Or face my ire!"

"Hah!" Veledar roared his snarky response, ignoring the fact his lungs were burning, struggling for air. He couldn't keep this up for much longer. Sooner or later they were going to get him and.

Can't think of that.

"Then you choose the wrong side young one. Even now you tire. Your wings fail you. Breath comes ever harder. I can even smell the fear permeating from your scales. You will die."

"Shows how much you know!" He felt the spell that had been keeping him ahead fade. His speed that had kept him safe gone. Despite his next flick of his tail and utterance of the spell, nothing came. He had used up his spells for the day.

Damn Arcturus, Shandalar. Where are you when I need you? Terror clawed up his chest as the wicked dragons closed the distance. Shadowy teeth now chomping close to his swaying tail. If not now fearing for his life he might have taunted them. Lyndis surely would have. Stars sparkled across his vision now as he drew closer to his destination. Just as they were about to clamp down onto his tail everything suddenly vanished. The dragon found himself surrounded by water, darkness replacing the bright and twisted landscape. Comfort eased his wings, but he had no air. All that was around him felt like water.

_Water?_He padded up with his rears, using his tail to help boost him faster towards the light source right up ahead. It was warm, orange, and he realized they were back in Fremra's pool. "Yes!" He roared out, taking copious breaths of the sweet air. He lowered a forepaw, crawling out of the pool and dripping water all over the stone floor. "Quick!" He gasped, gesturing to Lyndis as Arcturus, Fremra and Achaaz greeted him with warm looks and greetings. "They need healing!" The effort finally caught up with the dragon as he let Lyndis go, flopping to his side to calm his heart with gigantic breaths.

"What happened?" Arcturus quickly asked, trying to heal the bloodied princess with his hands. When it didn't work the human didn't even skip a beat. He instructed the dragons to quickly gather a kit. Something to help stem the bleeding. He leaned in, listening to her heart. The man's look hardened as he pressed hands to her chest, quickly pressing against her chest and breathing air into her. For two minutes the knight repeated the action.

A sudden fearful chill gripped Veledar's heart, slithering like an icy snake down his spine till it coiled around his belly, making him shudder from muzzle to tail tip.

_ _

Oh no

The knight of bahamut never gave up however and with one final push and breath, Lyndis shuttered and coughed. Spurting up water and thrashing herself to consciousness.

"Where are they?" She whispered softly, hands searching for the green dragon close at hand.

"You're safe now. No one's going to hurt you." Arcturus said warmly, taking a bunch of gauze that Fremra had collected from around the cavern and nosed over to his fingers. "Can you help me?" The dragoness nodded, shifting to that of her elven form to offer the man a pair of helping hands. Together they worked in unison to bind and put a stop to the half-elf's bleeding form. She would wince, or make small noises, never letting Cordenth free from her grip.

Veledar stayed flopped down, weakly flicking his tail as the others worked. He couldn't bring himself to look at his wounded friend. If he had only arrived a bit sooner, and not been delayed by the dragons. He snorted as guilt tugged at his heart. If only he'd been better. But surely his brother would have been proud of him? He'd saved those two from certain death! That should have been a story they added into the blank book! Thankfully his worry was put to bed, when Arcturus slipped over to him, announcing that Lyndis and Cordenth would be fine.

"They just need a bunch of rest. Never seen spirit wounds like that before." He frowned. "Fremra says its not treatable by magic. Nasty bit of thing that is. Imagine weapons made from that stuff." Arcturus shook his head. "Terrible thing that would be."

"Well...when will they be better?" Veledar's head rose weakly, quickly flopping back down as the effort proved too much. "Ugh." He groaned. "Might have pushed too hard today."

"Got to be the hero did you?" The knight's tender hands rested on his snout, rubbing along the scales in a way to no doubt get a purr from the dragon's throat. To which he did and added a good tail thump for measure. "And you love that fact. Have to hog all the attention eh?"

"Someone had to be the hero. Didn't have the rest of the party to help. Nor a paladin to come to my aid." The dragon licked his snout. "I should dock your pay for that one."

"You don't pay me." Arcturus chuckled, slipping down the dragon's neck to inspect his scales. One by one Veledar rose his limbs for the human to gaze upon.

"Trying to peak at my slit now?" The dragon rumbled as Arcturus lifted his leg with some help. "You just had to ask you know." He grinned, casting the man a lewd look.

"Taking lessons from Krotos I see. " He set Veledar's leg down, kneading along his tail. "You look fine. Exhausted...But fine."

"You missed it. I burned a plant, and got to save a princess." He rumbled, thumping his tail to hide the memory of his fearful flight. That he wouldn't make it in time. That they would have died.

"Proud of you then." Arcturus plopped himself beside the dragon's snout. He rested his hands on Veledar's nose and rubbed around with a smile. "You did a great job Umraadi."

He licked the man's nose when it got too close. Prompting a wrinkled nose and sputtering about dragons being brats. "Yea, but I'm your brat aren't I?" He thumped his tail happily.

"Sadly, it seems." Arcturus rested against the dragon's neck.

He pulled the man closer with a trembling forepaw and cast his gaze to the now sleeping Lyndis and Cordenth. Both of which had been placed within a made-up nest of blankets and pillows. Fremra was currently watching from the other side of the room with a concerned look of a parent about her face. "Would you mind carrying me back to our bed in that house? I think I might need a well night's rest."

Without a jab of being lazy Arcturus tapped his shoulders and welcomed the swiftly transformed red onto him. Flopping around his neck he sighed and let the human carry him back. He closed his eyes to the thumping of his mate's heart.

"You did well today."

"I know." He rumbled sleepily. "But how Cordenth owes me."

"Of course." Arcturus chuckled, running a hand along the red's spine.

"Always."