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It had been three days since KelGore and Olivia had met, and where KelGore had unveiled the past and present events of all dragonkind. Many hours into the revelation of many millennia of history and information, it led the dragon to be far more intrigued in how the dragonelle before him knew such things. Since then, the two dragons had taken the armor that was left behind by the ancients and departed the ruins to let the dead rest.

By the time they rested for the night that had passed, KelGore made sure Olivia's flanks leaked with his seed and reeked of his scent. Her cries of lust stretched out through their first moments of ground-based mating before the crimson dragoness called him to rest on her. When they awoke the next day to travel, they carried their armor and used it well to kill their prey in swipes and jabs in hunts for food.

Something about this armor felt strange, as silver material normally became brittle and broken by many hundreds, if not a thousand years in wait. They looked uniform now, even if KelGore didn't like wearing things that could very well be used to eat for his scale and hide. Their Sii and Saa's were covered by battle claws, gauntlets that shimmered in a strange light, with ancient runes and lines draping a draconic symbol of origin and point.

Within these three days, the two dragons had flown southwest, mainly to uncover a familiar point of an old road that she would use to find their needed destination. Flight seemed to serve Olivia well, especially when her Saa ached from the many evenings of mating. The dragon had a great sense of direction when they came to work; a surprise to the dragonelle as they were talking back and forth about every conversation regarding why they needed to speak with Dwarves.

Yet, when KelGore had informed Olivia that he would head more north inside the mountains if she wasn't here... she could only breathe slightly harder knowing he could have easily been killed or captured. After they had made their way through many dragon-flights wandering aimlessly through the Red Mountains, KelGore had one question to ask before they found their target.

"Can you speak the language?" He asked.

Olivia caught herself before she could affirm, her silence took a few seconds to give KelGore the realization of the moment that she could not speak it.

"I shall lead the conversation then, you will be the eyes that sees and I the mouth that speaks." He spoke with humorous intent. In affirmation, the dragonelle would fly back, letting a positive pruum sound off to please the male.

"So be it then, just do not hold back telling them everything I say. If you do that, I will reward you later." Olivia spoke, bringing the male to look at her curiously. "-and yes, a mating flight is on the table." She spoke with a coy voice between them.

"Good enough for me... but be prepared for a long month of mating once we have sealed our flight."

*_*

Olivia and KelGore soared high above the rolling hills, their powerful wings flapping rhythmically as they headed towards the Dwarven hold of the Diedem. Upon finally finding a location that pointed the way to the great dwarven hold, the two did not waste any time in making a quick flight to the location.

As they approached the mountain stronghold, they could see the sturdy stone walls and hear the clang of metal echoing from within. There were horns being called and guards dotting the entrance where the dwarven hold was located. Screams echoed along the mountains, something that worried both dragons as they made an approach.

Knowing these hominids would attack if they came too close, Olivia started to fold her wings and glide nearest to the ground where the dwarves were gathered the least. She landed gracefully alongside her companion, watching the gathering of dwarves preparing to defend themselves.

Voicing to KelGore's mind, Olivia advised him on how to approach the situation. As for KelGore himself, the dragon spoke, his deep and resonant voice carrying across the courtyard. "We come in peace and to trade," said the black dragon in Parl after Olivia advised him. "And we have knowledge to share with the Great Partners of the Diadem."

The dwarves, bearing their masks as well as their weapons, stilled when there was a request made along with the opportunity of seeing what dragon trade could be. However, seeing the uniform armor of the dragons, it gave the dwarves the sense that there was something more than two dragons standing there to imply terms of peace.

One of the dwarves in a line formation ahead of the entrance had made a walk in front. He spoke in a guttural voice when addressing KelGore specifically, implying that he was the leader of this group. She knew that KelGore relish this opportunity as she looked to him in translation. With their minds linked to the conversation, the exchange happened.

"Who are you to come to the heart of the Chartered Company of the Diadem?"

"I am KelGore and this is my female, Olivia. We have come from the Far East to do trade with the west, we are travelers and tradesfolk offering our services."

"What is it that you offer other than simple trade?"

Olivia, the dragonelle, made a walk between the dwarves and KelGore so that she could spit her foua in front of them. When her flame touched the ground and the vegetation grew in front of them, the dwarves were quick to start making their rounds to look at the vegetation or think of what they would be able to get out of a dragon who could make crops grow instantly.

"We seek to speak with Vekay and Zedkay, there is a bounty more that we can provide in service and as an employer." KelGore would voice to the dwarves, before Olivia walked up to the dragon and rubbed her snout against his chin. It brought the dragon to pruuming in pleasure, but with the names of the Founding Partners being used in common language by outsiders, especially by dragons no less...

The dwarves looked at each other for a moment before they started to make their approach to motion the dragons into the chambers. KelGore realized the precarious note of the situation, but the dragonelle merely passed him and flicked her tail at his chin. Allured by the female's flanks... his flanks... such a dragonelle with such knowledge was something that caused the male to follow and be entranced by her affections in return.

Time to speak to old dwarves.

*_*

Olivia marveled at the intricate stonework of the dwarven hold and the bustling activity of the dwarven inhabitants around the halls of the Chartered Company. She moved gracefully in the central square, where a group of dwarves had been waiting to escort her to the Charter Company's headquarters.

The dwarves were initially wary of Olivia and KelGore as they moved. But they soon saw that the female held control and KelGore knew the tongue. They led the two dragons through the winding streets and even the presentation of the Founders.

The red dragonelle drew many curious looks from the dwarves she passed, as few outsiders ever came to their city. Some of the younger dwarves ran alongside her, eager to get a closer look at the dragons who walked into the chambers where the founding partners Vekay and Zedkay dwelled.

Eventually, they arrived at the Charter Company's headquarters, a grand stone chamber with a great opening and guards standing at attention. The guards announced the dragons' arrival to the keepers, who then allowed the two to move into the center of the chamber.

"They call us 'crop-grower dragons' in the announcement." KelGore growled beside Olivia. Whilst they were interred into the area, the dragons were greeted by two dwarves dressed in fine clothes, elderly in nature and by the looks of them. The dragonelle could tell both males were the Founders, each guarded closely by guards in the ceremony of greeting. Many of the dwarves in the room wore the famous masks of tradition, one that was matched by the sharp helms of the dragons before them.

"It seems our names precedes us," began Vekay in a humbled opinion of thought and predicament. It wasn't common for dragons to bear a magic of breath, but also one who had the names of the few living Founding Partners of The Charter dialed in. "I would assume our names be that of good terms and passing wherever the far east knows of our name."

"We do not wish to put you at a disadvantage, great founders. The enemies of dragonkind have brought us into a desperate time." KelGore spoke, growing curious where Olivia was going with this. "As folk who respect those who partake in our desire for trade and commerce among all, we have turned to The Diadem to share our secrets of the trade. You are not of the Wheel of Fire dwarves and neither are you of Hypatia or the Thanedoms of the North; you are of a people of logos and leave out ethos. Traits we admire of your kin." KelGore explained.

Out of reaction, the two dwarves seemed to be soothed by kind words before chiming into chuckles and interest. "Sweet words to say, but we are mere tradesfolk and not chosen ones in a prophecy. We earn our gold and live in the business of trade, so what trade do you bring?" Zedkay spoke in dwarvish, as translated by KelGore.

"I bring insight into that which brings better trade. Information and strategy that is key to bringing a civilization to a golden age. While my mate's breath brings the fire of life, our minds can grant you the ability to defend yourselves and allow your kind to rarely require the services of mercenaries or the influences of a King to allow passage." KelGore brought before the two dwarves. Many guards took the strange admission of information as something to weirdly acknowledge as Zedkay and Vekay stared at the two dragons in examination.

"And what would keep us from silencing you once we have documented this information?" Vedkay asked, testing the two dragons. KelGore was easily angered by his growl, but Olivia was swift to still him, wanting him to play it word by word.

Once the translation came in, Olivia spoke careful words to KelGore to reply in turn. "I doubt you would wish to use information you haven't tested out. Having a fully sustainable society is different from writing a simple book on how to pay your taxes." KelGore spoke, to which caused the two dwarves to chuckle out as wit one over ego.

"This one I like." Vedkay humored, before he would consider several items.

"I still find it strange that one would suggest the use of taxes in our chartered company." Zedkay replied, finding slight but little humor in this.

"There is more to taxes than meets the eye, sales tax on a purchased good is an application by the governing body on a company or charter that is used to support municipalities or communities in need. If a company applies this as a ruling body, then you are increasing profit or normalizing your profit margins." KelGore translated for Olivia. "There is much we can offer to the chartered company, both in insight to increasing profit, supplies, and currency; and ensuring protection of trade routes without demand for gold or compensation."

The effect this brought to the dwarven men in the room caused the two founders to clear their throats and take the dragons more seriously. "A Skyking with more insight than a dwarf. Now I have seen everything. But with your... kinds' proclivity to feasting on gold and metals meant for trade, wouldn't that be a moot point to offer a bargain?" Questioned Zedkay.

KelGore looked at Olivia at this, it was a good point, especially since this was what KelGore worried most. He looked at the dragonelle and translated their words for her. Olivia would look to her own ground-mate, licking his cheek. "Is it possible for you to exchange memories of the language to my mind? I wish to speak to them with a clear mind." She asked him.

"I could certainly try." KelGore would voice the dragonelle.

"Do it."

As if someone had rushed an entire high school's length of a language class into her mind, KelGore attempted the subject at hand and the mind pictures of how the dragon learned Parl and Dwarvish burned into her mind. Memories of humans teaching KelGore were witnessed, a kindness she had not seen in the books and neither in how she had bore from the logos of dwarves. Olivia shook her head of the mass of information rushing into her mind, a headache had throbbed her skull in rapport to quick learning.

Given the mind lessons of the dwarvish tongue to understand and parl to speak it, Olivia would walk to KelGore's side and attempt the Parl speech. "You are wise to see the truth of dragonkind. Our kind feasts on gold and silver, that is true. However, KelGore and I are not these dragons, for we have overcome our nature through insight and meditation. Even if it is in our blood, you can trust us to bring you the gold and not for us to eat it. What is better, to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?" Questioned the dragonelle, looking fiercely at the two dwarves where they were.

A silence would overcome the room as the dwarves thought heavily of the words Olivia spoke.

"We will decide matters at a later date, you have given us much to think about." Vekay would say.

"Would it be prudent for both parties if we have a minor contract made to have the Founders consideration documented? KelGore and I wish to at least be provided assurances of The Diadem's protection should men encroach upon your territories in search of us." Olivia explained. It caused both dwarves to grow curious about the matters at hand.

"Did you do something to them to hunt you down?" Questioned Vekay.

"No, Great Founders. Dragonkind is being hunted by man from across the lands surrounding the Red Mountains, we do not know the full purpose, but we fear this brings danger to all, especially dwarves, elves, and any who are free." Olivia hinted, looking at the dwarves cautiously. However, in seeking such assurances in the dangers of what came for all dragonkind and not themselves, it was easy to see both dwarves observed how far she saw. Her perception was greater than what they could estimate.

"So be it." Vekay would imply as he would motion for a random dwarf to go and fetch him his parchment. "But do tell of these far fetched tales. I daresay you have more to bring than idle tales."

"It will soon not be far-fetched if men to the far north have their way for the next several years. Man is using your kin in the Wheel of Fire and the elves to capture or kill all dragons in the region of The Red Mountains, taking them to the north where even I do not know of their fate."

"These matters do not concern us!" A youth dwarf would curse in the foreground, causing the dragonelle to turn her head and fan her long neck to spite the young runt of a dwarf.

"They will use the dragons they breed to ride on horseback and then they will burn you all in your holds and claim the lands for man. Elves, dwarves, blighters, and more will be cleansed; then the dragons will be killed and only man will remain." The dragonelle responded, looking at the young one before pointing head back at the founders. "But yes, for now these matters do not concern you, yet I bring magic, insight, and trade that will prove useful to The Diadem in employment and contract."

"How do you know this?" Vedkay pointed out, using his insight to see clearly.

"While you trade in goods and supplies, I trade in information as well as how to use knowledge to build and construct by command. But if you want to know who I have learned this from, I have learned from a merchant who has dealt in trade from the barbarian lands. They speak of a Wyrmaster, a user of magic who has learned some secrets of dragonkind. His head will be upon a coin, sign enough to tell who may support them. Why I have such a prediction is simple, I connect dots, patterns, and insight on what is to come." She pointed out.

Now this was something that brought an immediate cautious look from all the dwarves. There was silence among the many dwarves, something bigger than trade and the idle fantasies that founded the charter. Since the dragonelle spoke of war coming to them whether good or ill, it wasn't long before words were exchanged even more.

"You both shall be treated with a good meal and an abandoned mine as a hold. Use it while the contract is made." Before they could dismiss the two dragons, Olivia rose a sii.

"I would like to see the temporary contract before we are let go, I am a contract maker and I would not wish us both to have a misunderstanding of contracting."

*_*

KelGore wondered if Olivia was truly a dragonelle.

To witness the female taking command of the conversation, he could barely understand how she knew so much of the dwarven race. No one really knew of the Diadem's inner workings, especially dragons. So when the female spoke of information that was far beyond the perception of any dragon, the black male felt deceived by the dragonelle's vices and cunning nature.

Was she far-sighted or did she speak in pure deception? What was the truth and what was a lie?

It infuriated him that the dragonelle spoke of news of the race of men that saved him. He was raised by humans, and yet she gave information that would leave all he had known in his many years of flight to be stricken low. So much remained clouded for him, especially since he was raised so well from what others had in store for him. There were good men and there were bad, why generalize all men as bad?

One thing spoke true about his life: He was kept from being taken by the men who killed the brood who gave him life. What does that say for kind-hearted princes? Were they all bad?

He could not stomach the fact that parts of his life could have been lived in a lie, he had to know more.

The way Olivia spoke voiced something that sunk deep into his blood, everything that she displayed was nine-score knowledge beyond that of any in this world. Whether this was sight or an illusion bypassing him.

And when they were interred into the abandoned mine of The Diadem, he had his chance. Just as he was going to approach her, the dragon recalled something the crimson female had initially said in the moment of their meeting:

"I may as well have."

That caused KelGore to focus on that memory in knowing its significance and clue, before he questioned her on a great deal of other points that she had made in the previous few hours. And so the great and towering black dragon made his assurances to himself along their walk, seeking answers to the truth of this female's origins. There was too much confidence for the female to be confused with her identity. He was certain of that.

When did she start coming from being confused and now being confident in herself?

Sadly, the only other dragon he has ever met was the dragonelle herself. He could not identify when Olivia started to become more assured of the situation.

And he had to question her validity all over again.

"Was that all true?"

*_*

Olivia's mind was left in disarray after she pulled that stunt. What she had revealed had the potential to either save the Diadem from the Andam or make the dwarves here into future enemies of dragonkind. The effects of her actions remained unclear, and she was unsure of what consequences they would bring. The dragonelle spent a great deal of time pondering on the short-term safety of KelGore and herself, but the price of her actions was yet to be determined.

She stood inside the empty chamber where they were assigned. The abandoned mine had been a site of bustling activity once, but now it lay dormant and deserted. Cobwebs draped the walls and ceilings like shrouds, and the only sound that could be heard was the occasional drip of water echoing through the tunnels. The rusty rails that once carried carts of ore were now overgrown with moss and weeds, and the wooden supports that held up the ceiling were rotting away. The air was thick with the musty scent of damp earth, and the darkness seemed to stretch on forever.

In the depths of an abandoned mine, the dragonelle soon laid down, resting. Her shimmering, iridescent crimson scales gleamed in the dim light that filtered through the cracks in the rocky ceiling. Her wings were folded neatly against her body, and her long, slender tail curled around her like a protective coil. Beside her body, all of the silver armor she wore were placed to the side, leaving her body bare and naked to the cave.

The dragonelle's eyes were closed, but her ears were alert, listening for any sound that might disturb her peace. Her nostrils flared slightly as she breathed in the musky scent of KelGore approaching her from the entrance of the mine. His sii and saa chipped at the rocky ground upon his eager approach. Sensing him, the female perched her head upwards to look upon the great dragon. At his approach, the dragonelle's eyes flared with a pleased gaze and she would give him space to lay upon her body.

Looking into his eyes, however, the dragonelle saw the conflict inside. "What ails you, my lord?" She asked.

"Was that all true?" KelGore asked, looking rather sternly where he sat.

Knowing that the dragon was referring to the conversation that gave them all some manner of shelter, the dragonelle nodded slowly with a slightly defeated stare. "It is... at least a majority of it." She answered. "I see you are rather... upset about what news I brought."

To see a dragon angry made the dragonelle shake from the upset notions he brought. "Very, and now you owe me an explanation on all of it. Every detail. You asked me to translate and to give you the insight to carry out the discussions with The Diadem, discussions which were far more above the rapport of the tongue of a regular folk of this age. You are hiding something, that, and there is more to what you speak."

Hearing the words of the dragon, the dragonelle's ears deflated and she would lower her head. "That I do, KelGore, and I am sorry for shaming myself to keep this from you. Not after you have done so much to help me stay grounded in this situation." Olivia replied in mind speech, she felt as if her hearts were dipped in cold ice. A chill filled her blood here, but she swallowed her pride and looked to him. "I deny what I was because I feared what I am. KelGore, I have the memory of a human in me. And I might be that human now, not knowing what else I might be on the inside."

KelGore didn't seem pleased with Olivia's revelation, his eyes widened and he stared at her, and then back at the ground. "Show me who you really are, Olivia. You do not need to fear me." The dragon spoke in turn to the young dragonelle, moving to her side to comfort her with a nuzzle.

"How can I? To share what I am is something I have yet to master. You were able to share your memories with mine, how can I do the same?" She asked, lifting her head to nuzzle his chin.

"Simply recall your memories and we both will look into them, the rest we can figure out in time." KelGore advised, licking her cheek in the process.

"Prepare yourself then, KelGore." Olivia would speak, looking at him sadly as she knew such knowledge would bring him much pain.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, recalling every moment that she could remember. It was a jumble of images and information, but she did her best to focus on the most important moments in her life. First, she recalled the first memories she had with her grandfather on a military installation; humans who rode screaming metal objects that rode into the air faster than any dragon ever could.

Olivia remembered her life in her childhood, the joys and sorrows, and the friendships that she had built along the way. All the pains and experiences of her world were in front of KelGore, the thousands of years of history that the woman recalled in mere textbooks, libraries, and... technology that were far beyond his experience. Yet he realized she specialized in the technologies that supported them.

That was when he witnessed the dragonelle, or Olivia, showing him a sliver of what a world of human dominance was across all lands. There was cruelty, war, and devastation on such a massive scale. Hominids were all gone except humans, and technology was used to commit destructive acts on principle... not even survival. Humans were wasteful, lustful, greedy, and ambitious above all their prideful points in envy and hate in this time.

Where Olivia had ended up for the market, it made the dragons blood boil in the manners of which her kind were treated in trade and place in life. People regarded those who supported the environments of tech as expendable, whereas the cheats and liars of the world thrived.

Religious dogma that sprouted from the world that she knew was deprived of its soul, claiming to represent a symbol of it. There were few in her life who were kind, who were loved, caring, and intelligent enough to share their compassion and insight to her. And KelGore could see it all happening in front of him from the perspective of the dragonelle. He asked for a window into her life, to see it all... but she showed him the full canvas of humanity this time.

That was when the dragon saw what gave the dragonelle insight into the whole world. Everything she knew here, all of the fates of the dragons, hominids, and the creatures of the world left it to one thing: A Book series. It all started with the woman being forced from her favored lifestyle and driven to a dark time, something that made him completely not understand completely here.

How did she come here?

Everything from that point on, it had been shambled in confusion; all in fear of what she had done now. She was fearful of the future she may bring... but unsure of what was to come with her intervention. Unsure of what the future was to hold, KelGore would watch the dragonelle's world spin out of control before he could stop it. She was powerless in her own desire to change things for the better.

It was here that the dragon leaned forward and pressed a claw to her shoulder.

"You are not alone anymore, Olivia," he said. His eyes softened and he leaned down to lick upon her forehead before looking up at the sky once more. "We will figure this out together."

"You... do not resent me for what I am?" Olivia asked.

"No, I do not. I think that you should know you are the reason why we are still alive right now. If not for your interference, I would have suffered a fate far worse than death. The Red Mountains and the barbarians of the north have done things I thought unimaginable. That is a fact. So yes, I do not resent you for being you. I am glad that you came, whether by magic or by fate." KelGore said, looking deeply into her eyes.

"I feel... strange though, not knowing everything about myself." Olivia sighed.

"That is the hominid inside of you. As of now, you are a dragonelle and soon, my mate. What you know of that book, it shows now how we as dragons can perform the life song and the mating flight. And I would not have it any other way, so do not disobey your lord. We will mate in the fortnight." KelGore spoke, moving dominantly to caress his thick and reeking odorous body against her own. By now, the dragonelle was used to it, and she laid on her back submissively to let him have total control over his mate. "And tonight we plan our next move."

"After a round of mating." Olivia pruumed.

"After a round of mating... yes." KelGore agreed, rubbing his strong hips against her body.

A soft sigh escaped the dragonelle's mouth, and she closed her eyes, relishing the sensation of having her scales rub against each other. A moan slipped from her throat and she opened her eyes to see her new lover. Their bodies entwined, the male held her tight against him, making sure to take his fill from her eager flesh.

The two moved in tandem and made love to one another. For hours they fucked like animals, and soon, the scent of sex began to grow heavy in the cave. No dwarf would go near the entrance to the mine, not even while there was silence along the cavernous alcoves.

*_*

The silence of the night was broken by the rhythmic movements of wings. Through the crack of the Diadem's entrance, a draconic silhouette could be seen standing against the moonlight outside the building. One wing was folded tightly behind its back while the other stretched out to the side and flapped gently. Olivia remained perched from the angle, ready to take flight as KelGore was already ahead of her.

With the starlight gleaming overhead and the valley below lit by the shade of the full-blown moonlight; Olivia knew this was the night where she and KelGore could enjoy the pleasantries of their mating flight. Yes, this was not something that many dragons would prefer, but the moon shone like the sun and no assassin could see the dragons from this height.

They were purely safe in these clouds and Olivia leaped from the Diadem's gate and flew into the air with her body bare of armor. She and KelGore would mate as they were, without any cloth or silver to keep their scales from touching each other. The dragonelle pushed off the ground and soared up through the cloud layer. The wind was strong enough to push them upwards as if they were riding an invisible beast, both red and black ascending to incredible heights.

"I still cannot believe we are doing this," Olivia rasped. Her breaths started to get shorter the more they carried themselves up into the air. A testament to the capabilities dragon anatomy shared as they soared past the peaks of the mountains and climbed further to poke into the starlight and carry above the clouds.

"Remember, you had the knowledge to complete the mating flight... this is yours to make and mine to receive." KelGore complimented the dragonelle, just before he felt his hearts pulse and the instinctual drives bringing him close to her. "And know now... it is time."

"Yes... my mate... let us interlock our claws and come down the world as mates." Olivia would say, coming closer to the dragon and opening palms.

KelGore, locking their palms together and bringing their bodies from the top, it was soon before the two dragons paused in mid-flight and soon turned down to face the ground. By now, the two dragons fell to the earth, bodies clinging to each other as the wind picked up and the chills blasted their scales.

The dragon nuzzled Olivia, encouraging her to begin.

Nuzzling back in return, the crimson dragoness opened her mind and started her life song:

"A human life I have lived

Dreading, short, and pains it has bid

Their history in me from mind to bone is thine to bear

Yet dragon blood brought me in the tear

Through the screams of your kin, I cometh thee

From futures passed, to set you all free.

_Human form, now left behind, _

_In dragon scales, now enshrined, _

_Wings spread wide, ready to soar, _

I fly high, like never before

_A dragonelle fierce and untamed, _

Forever a symbol of dragonkind's flame.

The names of my kin, I shall forget

Seeking to make friends and mates I shall never regret

From the tale of AuRon The Gray,

To RuGaard The Tyr

I seek to save all they hold dear

My soul tears at the deaths of Jizara

To Irelia, mother of the Copper who was left astray

They bore three hatchlings who had a great aura

Whom's fate I understand

But cannot bring myself to let the pains they face stand.

Now I come to you, KelGore

Ready to go to the wars they bore

Born anew and mind freed

To nestle your line when we breed

I turn from my world, lest I forget

My mind holds the tools of their fame

And their regret.

To that, I shall share you as I am your Dragons Dame.

Ready to fly and ready to mate."

---

As the dawn began to rise over the horizon, the two magnificent dragons returned from their mating flight, soaring gracefully through the clouds. Their scales shimmered in the last rays of the night, and their wings beat rhythmically, carrying them back to their lair in the Diadem's holdings. Olivia and KelGore secured their mating with a spark of intimacy. Both of them were new to the instincts of a pure pair bond. They had never experienced such an intense feeling before. Olivia could feel her partner's feelings for her as they shared the connection between their minds, hearts, and souls.

She felt secure knowing that she was safe in his talons. A black dragon such as he, bearing the strength and will of NooMoahk, gave her insight to lay with him no matter where they be. Olivia sensed KelGore wonder about the great dragon NooMoahk, especially since she compared him so much in thoughts and mind speech. Yet, as she compared the dragon to another, Olivia also sensed that KelGore did not mind the talk as the pleasures he gave her caused these assumptions to be made... not a bad thought after all.

Yet, as they both neared the entrance of the Diadem's halls, Olivia looked to the main dwarven guard and looked to the male where he stood wearing the company mask and cloak under a torchlight.

"Did you find where Djer might be?" Olivia asked the dwarf, causing the young guard to stand tall at attention.

"I erm... did and he has left to trade no longer than a fortnight ago. He is heading to the Iron Road for simple and minor work for the charter. Shall I arrange to have him return?" Responded the dwarf.

Widening her eyes, Olivia had a sinking feeling in her gut something was amiss. As a response, KelGore was right at her side and licking her cheek.

"Is there something wrong Olivia? I feel your thoughts turning to..." In seconds, KelGore would see the memories of Olivia reading about the murders of Irelia and Jizara... and sensed Olivia connecting the dots to Djer's travels. She believed that they did not have long until The Dragonblade and The Wheel of Fire came upon the Egg Cave of Irelia and AuRel's clutch.

"No, but please let Founding Partners Vekay and Zedkay know that more dragons are coming and we will house them in the Abandoned Mine. Should they protest our involvement with bringing more dragons, then tell them that they will have the gratitude of many Skykings should they grant them temporary housing." Olivia spoke. She could see that the young guard was beginning to regret his life's decisions, especially when a dragon was asking something of him.

"I will need to have a witness-"

"Guard of the Diadem! We are going to save helpless dragons, bring your captain if you have to in order to retain command of the situation, but we are helping other dragons in their time of need. You meet us in the Abandoned Mine with a full detachment if you have to record what I ask hand-in-hand, but the Diadem will benefit from our arrangement should The Founders see wisdom in at least doing me the favor of letting me help." Olivia spoke, before she walked past the guard with KelGore following her in astonishment.

"So we are really doing this, we are going to armor up and do battle with The Dragonblade?" KelGore asked, causing Olivia to shiver. At this point, the dragonelle dragon-dashed to the mine. She was moving with all haste to reach the mine, wear the armor, then make travel to The Egg Cave of Irelia and AuRel.

"Yes... if we cannot help it." Olivia replied.

"I know how to handle humans, but not the one who can kill dragons."

"Then I will share some insight on how to handle both humans and the Dragonblade. Art does have a way to help provide better insight on how to fight, we just need to make sure Silverhigh armor can handle clashing with spears and swords."

"You make it sound easy, but I don't want to lose you to them."

Olivia knew that the young male dragon was scared for her, or at least her safety. So the dragonelle turned around and nuzzled him closely. "We will be fine. We are together. I am here for a reason and you are my mate and protector. We are called to do this, let's not fail our kind and save as many dragons as we can, for ourselves and our future clutch." Olivia replied.

KelGore looked into her eyes, and she felt that he wanted to say something more, but instead he fell silent and followed behind her. Together, they went to the abandoned mine to prepare for the coming battle. As they were strapping their armor pieces together and gearing up for the conflict ahead, Olivia and KelGore communed with each other and started to exchange all of what they knew of immediate tactics and battle strategy against spearmen, longswords, and the infamous bows, crossbows, and attacks their enemies will use against them.

They exchanged mental notes of how to approach their opponents, of which Olivia relayed the knowledge of how to best defend herself and KelGore in combat in enclosed spaces. She showed how men cornered animals and butchered them if they were not too careful, so one should at least have multiple angles covered within the cave and along where the hominids would intercept. The dragonelle could show the dragon how to use his own wings to shield himself without exposing his vulnerable belly scales.

There was even the technique of using their talons to act as spears, to push or redirect targets from a long distance before claws could be reached with a sword. Tails were useful, but only with tailblades were they truly effective. They did not have this, not just yet. But battle claws, that was a luxury they could use to great effect.

The dragonelle could show the dragon how to use his body to its greatest advantage, how to position himself to strike at the correct angle to deliver deadly blows. Olivia could show him that while in battle, he must move quickly and not allow his opponent to gain the upper hand. It was a strange thing to communicate with someone telepathically, but KelGore seemed to pick up on her teachings and thought patterns just as much as she did.

With the armor pieces sealed tightly onto them, Olivia and KelGore moved out of the abandoned mine and into the cold of the dawn. However, as they walked out with Silverhigh armor in hand...

Sekyw was there, waiting for the dragons to come out.

"I hear you were inquiring about one of my staff?" The dwarf spoke, looking up to both dragons. "And now I hear you both armoring up for battle and telling The Founders to sod off; just what is your angle here lizards?" Questioned the leading headsman of Djer.

KelGore was about to take a bite from the dwarf, before Olivia stepped in.

"If you haven't heard, we are going to save dragons in need." Olivia explained in quick detail. "And if all goes well, The Diadem might actually have several investment opportunities in the future."

Hearing this, Sekyw would grumble slightly before he would look at the two. "Ah alright, but before you go, The Founding Partners wanted you two to have this before you go off and play hero." The dwarf soon reached into his bag and pulled out a scroll and handed it to Olivia.

At first glance, the dragonelle took the parchment and studied it briefly. Her eyes widened as she saw the information and the details laid out for her. "You do realize that I can make my own sub-company with this letter, in this mine, right?" She asked the dwarf.

"That is up to you, that mine was going to be turned into a blacksmithing shop anyway." Sekyw humored.

"Then I shall return in time. Good luck." With that, the dragonelle raced to the edge of the mine and took flight from the perch of the entrance. In cloud cover, KelGore would swiftly follow suit, curious as to what she had obtained.

"What does the letter tell you?"

"The Abandoned Mine is ours, so long as we continue our prior arrangements with The Diadem."

"Why is that good?"

"KelGore, let me tell you something about Property Value."