The Music Of Life
a story i wrote back in 1998 did some clean up fixed a few things (it was written originally in an html editor)
ever believe that you lived life before?
or just in fate?
sometimes theres a reason for everything
He looked down from the hill over the city it seemed so long ago now "but dam if it hasn't been only six months" the fight now had gone very wrong all the best laid plans had gone to shit and the commanders pulled back beyond the shield mountains he had stayed to guard the rear.
Not to be a hero but to finish the song, in most peoples eyes they were one and the same to him it was the right time, he pulled the flute from under his armor licked his lips and started to play....
THE MUSIC OF LIFE
WRITTEN BY WILLIAM MORRIS A.K.A. CYBERHORN the DRAGON STARTED IN THE LONELY DAYS AT THE END OF 1998 WHEN NOTHING WOULD GO RIGHT ID FIX SOMETHING AND SOMETHING ELSE WOULD BLOW UP LITERALLY
Once again the main character is me ^_^ who else better to tell the story
He looked down from the hill over the city it seemed so long ago now "but dam if it hasn't been only six months" the fight now had gone very wrong all the best laid plans had gone to shit and the commanders pulled back beyond the shield mountains he had stayed to guard the rear.
Not to be a hero but to finish the song, in most peoples eyes they were one and the same to him it was the right time, he pulled the flute from under his armor licked his lips and started to play ....
His house was falling apart and he never had enough money to do the repairs, the housing association wanted their money, cable and the phone co.
His truck had just tossed its drive shaft off into a bayou, which was what he was after, slogging through the mud he dragged it out onto the dry ground.
"Damn u joints I knew you were going out YOU COULDN'T WAIT!!!" kicking it the metal rang
He rubbed the mud off his steel toe boots "all I need now is for my boots to fall apart" something glinted from the mud, shinny things had always got his eye he dug around the object finding a lock then a handle ideas running through his head as to what it was.
He got home much later, a friend had drove him to the parts store to get a new u joint he thanked him and fixed the truck. His attention was on the case he'd found in the mud it had at first looked like trash all beat up the lock clearly the receiver of several heavy blows even the clean hole of a bullet through it's heart hadn't got the thing open the edges were all pried up but the case had held its own.
He gave it a complete cleaning, spreading out an old towel on his work bench clicking on the florescent then an over head light shoving other projects out of the way rubbed his fingers on the now clearly silver and gold case the once fine craftsmanship now obliterated by the attempts to gain entry it had a tiny chip of a precious stone still in one of the many facets "god what kind of shit did you go through?"
He smiled as he set the chip aside for later it might be worth something at least, now how to open a case that clearly don't want to be opened. He examined the lock but any chance to have worked the tumblers was ruined due to the crud inside it and the damage via the bullet. . He smiled and grabbed a caulking gun and using a piece of wire to hold it up he covered the lock and it's side holes smoothing it all around the lock and around the shackle he left it to dry
"now where did I put that coffee cup warmer of moms?"
He found it and set it to warming grabbing an old glass cup he went out to his truck and with a turkey baster drew out equal amounts of battery acid from each cell
"refill you here in a little while"
pushing the hood closed, he set the cup on the warmer then got a soda.
Turning on a small fan to vent the fumes that would be forming
"now I'm no scientist but if I can evaporate some of the water from the battery acid it'll concentrate and should work on this lock from hell...ah I know! What might help" he grabbed a bottle of rubbing alcohol and dribbled some into the cup "alcohol disperses water from the gas in my truck it might help here too"
The cup steamed and the fumes were as he expected quite bad he even had to cover it due to the alcohol invisible flame Potential, finally with the silicone dry to the touch he propped it up so what was left of the locks key hole was up, the cup had lost a third of it's contents to evaporation and was quite hot he put on his barb wire gloves nice thick rawhide and with a plastic funnel gently dribbled some into the key hole it hissed immediately bubbles forming at the top of the liquid, smiling as he watched the acid do it's work, he fed more in as the bubbling slowed this went on for most of the night he ate and checked on the progress. Larry his roomer came home shocked to see him up so late.
He smiled "I was just about to crash"
"don't you have to work tomorrow?"
"I did but I'm gonna call in sick...'yawning' you can get on line if you like I'm working on something"
"nahh I'm going to collapse see you later" he bounced over to the stairs and ran up
'ah the power of youth.. Something I lost out on enjoying I guess' he smiled and sat back in his recliner (something a neighbor gave to him because it was broke he fixed it and was now his favorite place to relax) he watched a few commercials and fell asleep.
In the morning he woke up late and called in using the lateness as an example of how bad he felt they said ok and asked where was this and this. Hanging up finally god you figure they have to be helpless "am I the only one who can do shipping around that place...jeezzeus!" sighing as he walked out to the garage he smiled as the acid had really done it's work to the insides of the lock were nearly nonexistent he took it outside and used baking soda'n'water to neutralize the acid and with a sharp yank the lock popped off.
He set it back on the bench tossing the lock away in the trash" now then lets see what some one wanted so bad" he pulled the hasp open the case was hard to open but it moved, gooey strings of some kind of sealant held onto the lid as he laid it open he wiped his fingers off they smelled of pine sap and cinnamon. The insides were dry gently pulling a cloth lining away he smiled "a flute a dam sliver flute...but dam ornate one" he lifted it out feeling the soft cool metal the jewels he smiled and blew into the end but nothing came out "dummy" thonking his head with it he picked up the mouth piece and put it into the end it had the head of a dragon as the end it's eyes were sapphires "star sapphires! Oh my god" he rushed up stairs and got on line using one of the many thousand search engines he found an on line jeweler he sent off an email asking if they had a current price for star sapphires of at least excellent quality and the size of a pecan meat half!
He smiled looking at it "you my silver and jewel flutey friend are about to be my key to fixing my home and a new truck" he put it to his mouth and blew into the dragons mouth...he felt as if suddenly he knew just exactly what to do and how, a song came from the flute smoothly and wondrous it made him feel the sorrow it spoke of then the joy and the power the fear and the most moving the love. Suddenly the knowledge was gone and he blinked
"what the hell was that?" looking at the flute
"play for me"
he jumped spinning around to be looking at a fox?! A humanoid fox, a furry! He smiled; she was drop dead gorgeous!! Three tails that were fanned out behind her, her fur wasn't the reds like a normal fox but whites and blondes
"play for me"
her voice had a tinge of demand to it
"umm how did you get in here? And how can you be a furry?"
"Furry? I am Avarelas...you will play for me...then we will talk"
That was the demand and he'd got the idea that if he didn't she could get real angry just her dagger like canines that gleamed when she said you will! Play for me...and the claws at the tips of her fingers
"I ...I don't really know how to but I'll try"
she nodded once to that
"alright then..."
he put it to his lips and that same feeling came and the melody came out she closed her eyes listening then it stooped again.
Her eyes popped open "continue"
this wasn't good she didn't sound at all happy "I don't know how I'm sorry, I don't even know how I did that... honest"
her eyes narrowed and glowed like blue balls of fire
"PLAY FOR ME WILLIAM PLAY NOW! OR YOU WILL REGRET IT"
he felt his heart stop "I don't know how I'm sorry"
she snarled and her hands rose "NO BUT YOU WILL BE..."
There was a moment of pain worse than anything he'd felt in his life even his appendix when it was near to exploding in his gut wasn't that bad.
He took a deep breath the air was different sitting up he was dizzy for a moment
"good your awake"
he snapped his eyes open she was there sitting on a rock
"where am I why are you so mad at me!?!...All I did was play a flute"
"that is my flute William, I'm angry because you did not play for me I did warn you...you took the risk of playing the flute"
"what risk? There was no warning that if played you'll piss off a...a..."
"goddess is the term your looking for"
he clenched his eyes closed and sighed looking down he got a shock his hands were all scaly, claws
"I have punished you William...I have made you into a dragon...you are not on the earth you will wander this world till you can play for me..."
He looked up at her, her face was soft and kind it looked almost as if she regretted doing this
"but why all I did was play a flute...I meant no offense, I never meant to anger you"
"I know William but you did not play for me...had you done that, this would not be happening"
"but how!?! I don't know how to play...I don't understand this...I don't even understand how what came out of the flute did!"
"You will learn...you like all dragons have great power, strength. Your own body as it is dragon may run away from you, new things that a male dragons heart desires it shall have if you are not careful..." She looked at him with a sly grin,
"You can even return home any time you like..."
"and be seen as a dragon shot and killed cut up like a monster...no thanks"
"you see your learning already...but you will fair no better here dragons are wild killers and all peoples see them as monsters to be feared.... Your quest is not an easy one... "
She slipped off the rock and started to walk away, turning and looking back
"you need not fear about the flute...even if stolen it will return to you...you have to have it to play, don't you. "
She smiled and disappeared into a poof of blue flames and wind.
"GOD DA...better not finish that one..."
he sighed looking down again there was the flute hanging from a chain around his neck he wanted to explode and toss the dam thing into next week. But that might piss the fox goddess off even more...
he took stock of his new home big probably ten eleven foot tall, armor scales, wings? Yep, tail check, what else? Nice color kinda aqua to green metallic some blues mixed in. he stood up
"bipedal at least...thank you for small blessings I guess"
he dusted off his armored hip looking around. Nothing for miles, he felt his nose as he itched it impressive set of teeth too he felt his tongue flick out...a new sense kicked in.
"Fear...blood...anger...death, DAMN!"
he took to running towards the sent which his nose and ears soon got more info for him he saw in the darkness a group of five riders on horses running full out from ten right behind them, a flash blinded him and one of the five fell from it's horse like creature
"dead, dam those guys mean business"
the lead two horses flew past him the fear from one of the riders was incredible the last one was nearly past him as he stood and roared at the pursuers there horses went wild shying away
one had some kind of light in his hand and it shot skyward harmlessly he turned to look at who he was defending two were in cloaks two were in armor swords drawn
"go! I'll hold them up,"
a clang on his hip made him look down,
"well what do I find trying to bother me? A little puppy!" smacking him away as his friends rushed in at him a bolt of light smashed one to the dirt he looked quick as one of the cloaked figures lowered its hand the other readying another blast
"thank you!" he spun and his huge tail swept them all off their feet in a crash of armor an bodies
He smiled as two ran, one got up and ran in he flinched as the sword penetrated his belly
"Ow damn you!"
he slammed down with his palm on the dog like furry, bones cracked and blood sprayed he roared out in pain and from deep within a huge burning came up like the worst heartburn, the explosion of flame from just in front of his nose made his eyes go wide in shock it bathed all his opponents in fire they ran around for just a moment before falling into burning heaps sizzling and popping
"ouch"
fingering the sword gently it wasn't in to far but dam it hurt, he turned the two warriors had their shields up and swords at the ready their wolfish faces illuminated by the fires the mage had both hands ready and glowing it looked like a skunk...his nose told him female as was the other cloaked figure
"Umm your not going to kill me are you? Them light bolts look awful painful"
they looked at each other then the till now motionless and unknown figure pulled her hood back it was another vixen!
"Oh great just what I didn't need"
she put her hand on the mage who lost the glow in her hands
"why did you say that...dragon?"
he smiled nice voice "my bad luck...your not a goddess too are you?"
she and the others actually smiled
"no if I was those slavers most certainly wouldn't have been chasing us"
he sighed "that's the best news I've had today. Excuse me just a second"
he griped the blade and pulled it out tears came "ahhh dam"
letting it fall he reached over to the squashed dog morph ripping it's cloak off he tied it around his belly.
Standing up straight they looked up a little
"I guess I'll be moving on now hope your travels are better than today"
"wait!"
he stopped
"why did you say that about a goddess?"
"Because I just got done being cursed by a vixen... what was her name, ah Avarelas, yeah that was it. All because I couldn't play a flute"
she moved her horse closer to him against the urgings of her escorts
"so you're not a dragon?"
"Do dragons talk like they were raised in a city? No, no I'm not she made me a dragon to punish me"
the red-haired vixen smiled "I and my entourage owe you a debt, umm?"
"William is my name" he bowed to her flinching in pain a hiss came through his teeth
"and you're wounded.... Galer!"
"My lady?"
"Is there a place nearby where we can make camp?"
"Yes my lady the dragon has got the hunters off our tails for the moment"
"lead the way please"
he nodded "yes my lady"
He walked along holding the cloak on the wound as the mage was making spells behind them the lady was riding along side him
"so why were they chasing you?"
"I am murr, that is enough...but I am also the kings envoy. I bring his laws to the cities and village magistrates. They would do any thing to keep me from doing that. And I'm murr; a valuable untouched potential slave. But you should know all this being from a city"
he smiled how to tell her I'm not from any city around here
"the goddess also took many of my....' She was listening and looking with absolute concentration he found he couldn't finish the lie he'd come up with... not if she was that truly interested
"umm...that's not the truth lady...' he sighed ' you'll think I'm out of my mind...but I'm not from here I was in my home id just played the flute somehow... I don't know how but suddenly there she was demanding I play for her...so I did... she wanted more but I couldn't give more of the song so she brought me here making me a dragon as punishment till I can play for her...."
She smiled
"so I'm not from here I'm from a world called earth...where I am, I haven't the foggiest. On earth I'm a human and dragons are legends... and furries like you are just paintings that artists make... you probably think I'm nuts"
"no I don't. I don't say I understand it all but clearly you've been put into a bad situation with few ways to undo the damages"
he smiled he liked her she was a smart one "ok so your a murr? What is she?"
gesturing to the mage with a thumb
"she is also murr...but I think I'm starting to understand you. Murr means never mated female"
"ah ok so. Your virgins I get it"
"is that what it is in your world?"
"Yes, I'm a virgin my self, looks like it'll be that way for a long time to come"
he huffed as she smiled
"how old are you William?"
"29. Nearly thirty"
"I'm only 20 but I can understand the frustration you feel at not mating...I have my duty to my king and must be murr to approach the king on the day when he calls me"
she didn't sound as if she liked that idea he didn't ether they soon set up camp
As the warriors made a fire the mage examined his belly
"deep but not dangerous, I will have to use some magic's"
looking at him as if looking for approval he smiled
"sure if it will help sorceress"
she actually smiled "I'm not yet of that skill but thank you for the faith you put in my meager abilities"
"not so meager if they stop the bleeding which hasn't slowed much"
she just smiled again She actually smelled very nice nothing like a true skunk, she concentrated hard then looked up at him with a very vexed look
"you must relax your magic William for me to help you"
"okay how do I do that?"
the blink he got from her made him smile
"sorry you don't know all the...hey how is it your all talking English, never mind"
rubbing his head slowly sighing
The lady vixen walked over as the skunk actually giggled
"Zisa?"
"My lady, he is very confused"
"dam straight I am, an proud of it. Actually doing the normal for a human in this position" they both laughed
"he's having trouble putting his protection down so I can help my lady. But I think I know a way" she stood and gestured for him to lean over
"William I want you to relax. Just look at my eyes. Nothing else"
They glowed and he felt warmth spread under his scales "feel the shield you hold up to protect your self with, see it"
A glow appeared between them thin at first then thicker finally a deep blue wall shimmered and flowed around him
"wow is that from me? I'd hate to have to figure out how many bulbs that would take to make" smiling he saw the lady was at his joke,
"Now pull it down"
"how?" he reached out and fingers passed right through
"you must use your magic William"
"umm, so just think it down? See it falling in my mind?"
"Yes I think that will work"
so he did as asked and it immediately fell still shimmering at his feet but open above
"Ahhh that's it hold still please"
he watched and saw the magic she poured out of her palms into the wound which immediately felt better the bleeding stooped and a scab formed she stepped back and smiled
"healing spells are some of my favorites"
He smiled as the warriors called them over for dinner he found he had quite an appetite but held it in check letting them all eat first even though the lady had asked him to go first, he easily cleaned the pot the stew was gamey very rich and dam good, surprisingly filling too, the dry bread left him thirsty she offered her water skin...the look she had on her face was...unknown to him, but it stirred feelings that he'd felt before and they all led to pain. Rejection
"please William, I know the bread it leaves me dry with thirst each time I eat it"
he took the skin and let the water pour into his mouth it made for one good swallow "thank you very much my lady"
she smiled brightly "of course, we will have to see about getting you some things, even a dragon like you shouldn't walk around without at least a loin cloth"
he tilted his head very slowly to look down at his lap seeing the bulge he sat up and tried to think cold soothing things
She actually snickered at him knowing exactly what was happening
"the next village is how far Gerin?"
"two days my lady if we can keep the hunters off our tails four five if we have to avoid them"
"then will you accompany us William? The king would be ever grateful I'm sure, and we can get you a few requirements for travelers. As payment for a dragons protection...hmmm?"
her smile and the fact he didn't know the first thing about. Anything here...
"sure! That's the best offer I've had in a while"
"then I'll take first watch...you rest William the magic needs time to do it's work"
Gerin was the werewolf or the closest thing to one he'd seen
Galer wasn't as he thought at first the same as Gerin but more like a long-haired wolf hound, a much longer nose and tail built a little thinner too.
He sat there by the fire watching the stars the cloudless sky was full of them, he noted the two moons that were now coming up over the horizon one a reddish tint to the color. It was the closer of the two by far other than the color they looked just like earth's moons.
A hand touched him on the tail he looked and found the lady looking up at him
"you should rest William"
"I know, just not tired enough to sleep yet..."
"thinking of your home?"
"No not really...just...some of it, I like the moons here" gesturing to them "earth has only one"
she just smiled
"I know get some rest"
she just smiled again and pulled her blanket up rolling over.
He found some of his new senses were working a little to well for him, like the ones telling him just how good she really smelled
'I'm gonna have to find a cold river or I'm gonna be in trouble noth'n like pissing of a king I ain't even met, you had sex WITH MY LADY! Why me?'
He finally took over for Galer {like Gail but add vr ie: Gailver as he'd corrected Bill} who repeated the ladies request he get some rest he nicely replied he couldn't sleep and that Galer was far more tired...he'd been nodding off standing on watch he did reluctantly.
Bill walked a few paces away and the wonderfully nice smell disappeared a deep sigh escaped as a result being up wind though it was only a wisp and a little farther away made all the difference
'all I wanted to do was get a little cash to fix my home and at the least get a tune up for my truck, POOF I'm a scaly dragon who's body likes the smell of a virgin vixen.... This beats all the other strange stuff I've ever heard of'
he stopped and let his ears search...rustling grass...oiled metal, everything went silent again the air bought him leather...sweat and fear, he grinned.
"Ahhh such a night, too bad they didn't have enough to fill me up. I'm still hungry"
he let that go with a mild growl...they didn't move away
'their loss'
he drooped and slinked off into the grass which proved quite easy, he found them close to the clearing swords still not drawn
he taped one right on the shoulder who spun eyes flashing with panic two fingers clamped around his nose keeping him silent he smacked his companions hip
"what? We almost have her you fool"
he looked at Bill nose to nose
"boo"
he fainted falling backwards out of the grass
Bill tied them up to the tree with their own belts then bringing their horses in he looked through the saddle bags
"ah"
taking a huge bite out of a chunk of salted meat he chewed looking at them whispering
"be quiet or ill eat you next"
he found ones sword was big enough for him to use like a dagger so he kept it
both saddle straps tied together and one blanket made a nice loin covering and some pockets from the saddle bags he striped them of everything and had it all ready to travel in the morning
Gerin was first he yawned and went over to the grass to take care of the usual morning business
"good morning Gerin"
"morn William, sleep well?" yawning as he peed into the grass
"no I couldn't sleep but that's ok ill be fine"
he turned and jumped in shock at the two tied to the tree
"they couldn't sleep either I guess, so I kept them occupied"
he laughed and called Galer, Zisa and the lady came too he smiled
"found some clothes at least my lady" she looked smiling in disbelief
Gerin pulled the gag out of ones mouth
"keep that thing away!!!! Please I beg of you"
Bill sighed and smiled. Gerin untied them after finding out all he could
"you tell the others, the lady has a dragon as her guardian they would do well to leave her alone from now on"
they both looked up at Bill who nicely grinned and rolled his tongue along his lip they nearly turned white
"now run! Run to your masters you sewer scum!"
'Sewers? Ah so they do have cities big enough for that too hmmm'
They set out Bill walking along as they trotted the lady and Zisa came up on both sides
"you didn't sleep at all last night did you?"
"No I didn't Zisa, I just wasn't tired"
"you will be tonight then..." shaking her head in disapproval she rode on ahead a little
"William"
he swallowed "yes my lady?"
"You couldn't sleep because of me"
he looked at her "no, my"
she held up her hand cutting him off
"Gerin and Gallin along with the others who died, they all had the same problem at first it is because I'm murr and I know this...you don't have to hide that fact from me" smiling at him
"the goddess told me I had a male dragons urges and what he wants he'd get, I'm not going to let the beast get control of me...but you do smell very nice and that was most of my problem I, really don't want to cause any trouble my lady, but it's best if I sleep up wind of the camp"
she smiled nodding "of course William, I understand a wise precaution till you learn more about your new body"
he smiled "thank you my lady"
He found himself watching her far too much, feeling the attractions that he'd felt twice before in his life he shoved them down they'd led him to far to much pain for his liking but dam if she wasn't sexy as hell and so darn open about it
during the night he napped but didn't sleep preferring to walk around getting used to his body he flicked his tail experimentally at a sapling which toppled over cut clean.
He pulled his tail up to look and found the reason he had a pair of scales that hinged out forming a cutting blade edge on either side, the tip was prehensile and strong
trying his wings they weren't strong enough yet to get him air but gliding was a big potential he'd lit the campfire using his flame so that was a plus,
her sent washed over him and he closed his eyes wanting so bad to...taste, his tongue flicked out the world changed in an instant
he turned and looked into the woods that they had entered earlier the smell of a female was over powered by the sent of food
He slipped away into the darkness and found his night vision was rich in information his flicking tongue just adding to that there were flashes of intense color that immediately became the prey
it bolted and the chase was on he flew in short bursts of speed wings half open the bounding felt incredible the chase took only moments but the total freedom gave him a rush when the prey fell trying to make a hard turn to lose him it slid to a stop and he was there over it it's total terror and the sent of blood pushed him over the edge
he pounced ripping and tearing at it he tasted the rich iron of fresh sweet fear filled blood soon it was only but a memory that he knew would haunt him for quite a while...
he kept to himself most of the next day, they stopped at a stream he went up from the camp and relaxed into the cold water washing the last traces of his hunt off he heard and felt a giggle he knew who it was even before he looked.
he looked at Avarelis laid out on a flat rock near him she was out shining the sun
"well William we have a little problem last night?"
"not really just the dragon having his way. just part of being a dragon. sorry to disappoint you"
she lost her smile "you don't really mind being a dragon do you William"
"nope...it'll just take me a little while to figure out the little things"
"then let this be your curse. the longer it takes for you to learn what you must the more you will lose...you each year will become more and more dragon till you finally are all dragon and William will no longer be...."
he sighed and lowered his head "why are you doing this to me?...why?"
"because"
"I couldn't play a song?...."
"because you didn't know it...you should know much more and could have played for me...but you will learn now. so learn William learn quickly, or you will one day turn on those who will trust you devouring them all....."
he sat there long after shed gone tears cascading around his cheeks he didn't hear her till it was to late
the lady walked around the bend clearly looking for him seeing him sobbing she rushed over
"William!?"
"go away lady...i don't dare stay near anyone now ...the goddess has changed her curse on me. now I'm as much a threat to you as anyone else"
he remembered the pain he'd felt as his mother was near death. she'd been all he had to hold onto the prospect of being totally alone was terrifying to him. the knives her pills his gun upstairs they had all called to him finally arguing over who was better
that small break let his fear of dying take him and he'd called for help a hotline got him to a doctor ...she after a month of counseling and his mother finally dyeing after being in a coma for a week. he'd lost that fear for some reason now death didn't seem so terrible
"William...please talk to me tell me what she's done now"
he did never looking at her he told her about his mother and how his life had nearly ended then
"but you fought the urge to take your own life then. do it now"
"but I had a shadow of hope lady...now there is none"
he looked up at her and there was one thing in her eyes that none of his friends had...was it love? he couldn't tell anymore
"then live for me William...be my guardian. be my friend for long as you can I too am afraid...please ...William"
he looked again and she smiled holding a hand out to him
"I swear we will find a away for you to beat the goddess's curse you will play this song for her.."
he walked out towering over her and smiled
"you may not like my attitude at times lady my temper fits a dragon. and I eat like one ..even as a human"
"I think I can accept that. I have a bad temper too" smiling at him
"then my lady' kneeling before her 'I William of earth, a man who is a dragon at heart. swear my life and loyalty to you... I will see your enemies dead and destroyed to insure your safety"
when they walked into town people panicked, as he expected and tried to warn the lady about she would hear none of it saying people were better than that...
he went to say something but she stood up in her stirrups and in a voice he'd never heard come from her she yelled at the top of her voice
"HOW DARE YOU! TREAT THE KINGS ENVOY AND HER GUARD LIKE THIS!!!!! I DEMAND YOU HALT! AND THE TOWN ELDERS IMMEDIATELY COME HERE!...NOW!"
her hair looked as if it would explode off her body any second and her tail was three times it's normal size the hair all on end thrashing in irritation
Zisa rode over but she stopped any conversation with a look at her
"yes my lady" and Zisa wisely backed off...
the people had stopped and were looking back at her
"I WANT THE TOWN ELDERS NOW I WILL NOT ASK AGAIN"
three of the group of people came over quickly avoiding Bill
"lady please"
"ill give no forgiveness for this outrage!... I want a meeting with the elders now and food provided for my guardians"
"but the dragon? lady"
"he is William my friend and guardian. cursed by a goddess to be a dragon he is true of heart and kind of spirit...you dishonor your town and the king by running from such a warrior"
he felt a spark of pride start to burn deep inside at her words another thing he'd lost over time it felt good again.
it took only a short while for Gerin and Galin to be gorged on food and ale Zisa was meditating floating gently off the blanket shed laid out
he smiled and wrapped his tail around her sash which kept her from floating away like a balloon ripping a chunk of meat off thick bone and took another huge gulp of ale chewing the excellent meat thinking best beer he'd ever had
a small group of youngsters were spying on him from behind the trees and the wagon the food had been brought in he flicked four apple like fruits into his mouth and savored the crisp sweet citrus flavor belching a small roar out
"your pardons my friends"
wiping the rivulets of meat juices and ale off his jaw not meaning to maie such a mess but his lips that far back didn't quite make a perfect seal
the two warriors smiled "you still eating William?"
"he is a dragon Galin they have huge stomachs"
"true very true"
"your pardoned William at least you have manners those two have none at all"
they laughed
"and thank you for keeping me from drifting.. I'm still working on that part"
"not a problem Zisa glad to help"
he tipped back another small cask of ale he'd opened with a thumb claw and drained it dry. he felt one of the youngsters reaching to touch him from under the wagon he'd found his skin could feel changes in the heat near him even under the armor plating
he caught the young wolf by the wrist who yelped and struggled to get free
"calm down"
he did looking up at Bill who set him on his knee
"here have one"
offering him a fruit he took it eagerly the others all came out to touch and climb on the dragon
Zisa smiled from under her hooded cloak the warriors just sighed and relaxed in the sun full bellies bulged.
Bill soon invented a story that had them all wide eyed in wonder hanging on every word as he enjoyed the remainder of his food and drink,
the lady came with several of the townsfolk following they were apprehensive at first but saw the children all sitting there listening.
"so you see he is a good dragon...and I expect the best for him as he's caused the slavers to lose me twice"
they all agreed
"good then come along"
Bill smiled as he finished the story on a happy note the elders shooed the kids away
"William these good people are here to fit you for armor and appropriate clothing be fitting your station and rank of guardian to the kings envoy. this one will make you a sword and this one a bow"
he smiled keeping his teeth covered
"my thanks I do need the sword and something to protect my belly from the lady's enemies blades as I found out all to painfully"
they stayed and got well rested for several days as the lady had them prepare a town meeting for the new laws calling in farmers from the local area
he was sleeping out in the sun letting the kids run around him playing he loved the belly plate padded and suitably covered with a loin cloth of leather flaps like the roman regulars wore
then a gambeson covering his upper body and back, armor panels covering hips legs and tail the padding under them the gambeson was layers of tiny silver dollar sized disks of metal attached to a padded 'shirt'
he strapped on a collar of the same with larger spine plate flaps and looked like a tank an a huge helmet nose guard an cheek flaps fitted him out
the black smith walked up with two assistants carrying what he'd been eagerly waiting on
"sir your sword is ready"
"wonderful!"
getting up with a leap they all cringed as he came down with a thud armor crashing an ringing he took the blade and sheath from them and slid it out into the sunlight it gleamed
he tried the balance and smiled as he did a windmill then parried lashing out slamming down as if to chop something in half he stopped the blade just inches from the dirt
"wonderful excellent balance hand grip is exactly right, fine work indeed" they smiled
he smiled at them as he pulled the shoulder strap tight the blade hidden under his wing. The scabbard had more armor plates as well
the town meeting was as he expected less than exciting and far worse than an election commentary the lady stood there in front of the gathered people reading to them the new laws and changes made since the last envoy came which as he listened was three ladies ago ..
the others and their escorts were missing or found dead on the road by passerby so this was a major upgrade in the laws and tax requirements
good news was a legion of the kings guard was coming to make garrisons in each town leaving a squadron of thirty warriors in each town due to all the slaver raids on villages robbers and just the lack of proper help out here for the people.
he rolled his eyes back and sighed standing at attention looking like he was interested was worse than waiting to see the dentist.
A couple of the kids were playing off behind the people Bill turned as he heard one start to scream and was silenced
he aimed his ears and flicked his tongue
'dam to many scents and people whispering'
he turned and looked at Gerin
"watch the lady I'm going to check on something"
"she's already looking at you wondering what's wrong"
he looked and just nodded to her, she smiled and kept on with the news. he slipped away and quickly found the spot behind the square where the kids had been
'fresh blood fear ..'
he growled and followed the trail he moved quietly around the buildings having been a security guard for 6 years he didn't waist it. practicing the art of being out in the open and not be seen stalking people who were looking at new cars suddenly appearing and scaring a few years out of them then just as easily disappearing again it helped to have been built big as a human ..the same skills worked well in a dragons body
he slipped around the main grain storehouse a wagon had been pulled up next to it and bags of grain were being tossed in, another wagon was filled with young ladies all bound and gagged the kids he'd seen were on top one had been cut fighting
he spotted the lookouts watching the town square, a horse whickered and they all went quiet he froze as one came out and looked right past him then went back to tossing bags out
Bill moved quick drawing his now very sharp dagger and slashed the traces off the one loaded with people spooking the horses which brought out the thieves
"the dragon!"
Bill smiled as he hacked a couple down then got a mage bolt to the nose it burned a little he looked at the group on horseback that he'd missed as they rode around from a side street
"SURRENDER NOW ! and ill let you live"
one he recognized as one of his late night friends they came on at a full gallop magic burning and swords at the ready he bulged then roared, flame wasn't an option in the town so he snapped out his wings and flapped hard while taking two off there mounts with a slash of his sword the gust of wind caught them off balance and they toppled off onto the ground
he smacked two with a back hand then put his blade onto the neck of the leader
"yield or you die..."
the lion looking man dropped his blade with a clatter
the towns folk and their few warriors came he let them take the lion
"you will suffer for this dragon"
"the best have tried and failed kitty boy. your just another purrrfect prisoner for the kings mines"
the town made a celebration out of the fight of course and his eyes wandered to the lady as she danced with townsfolk
he sat there gulping ale eating as the music played and his heart ached watching her tail glide along the bounce of her breast as she moved
her eyes as she looked at him from her various partners was far too much finally. slipping away into the woods he promptly took care of his arousal but the dragon didn't want it and was fighting this, it wanted female. it wanted her, to feel the soft fur the tail sliding on his belly in the movements of passionate mating the hot & soft silkiness of her insides.
he nearly relented to the urgings but his manipulations won out just in time and he found release and it did as he hoped left him drained and sated. a part of his anatomy wasn't gona like him tomorrow irritated by his scales that was the price to keep her safe from the dragon's urges...
he'd dozed off in the brush and awoke to a faint sent of ...another dragon but far ..very far distant and Avaralis giggling! he snapped around and had her with his tail around her neck and a hand around her chest
"YOU!! dam kitsuni!!"
she choaked pulling on his tail
"I've got you now you bitch you wont be laughing at me any more"
she relaxed and fear came to her eyes the look made him pause the fear was new to her.
"William you don't want to do this"
"don't I goddess.. you did this to me, you made this body and it's urgings.. I WILL NOT HURT THE LADY AVARELLIS !!!...I'd rather DIE before I do AND YOU HAVE THE BALLS TO WAKE ME UP LAUGHING!! ID SAY YOU WANTED ME TO KICK YOU'RE TAILS INSIDE OUT FOR YOU!!!"
"I wanted you to get mad. please set me down"
that was a smack to the head and he complied but still held her tightly
"why goddess.. why do this ?? and don't say because I couldn't play that dam song"
"you didn't know it William that is the reason. I have my reasons. you as a man of nearly thirty should have had a song that could have had me enthralled and sated. I would have enjoyed rewarding you .."
the tone and smile were one of a sexual reward but something bothered him her tone wasn't one of disappointment but. casual familiarity
he growled and tightened his grip "no goddess there's something your not telling me. your visit to my room wasn't the first was it!!"
a tiny smile broke along her cheek
"yes William .."
"why then were you watching me...and ..you've been watching me for years! haven't you ! the flute was just an ends to a means ! but why me!?!? why dam you what did I do to be the object of your attention !!! tell me dam you or I'll crush you into a pulp!!"
"if I tell you will you let me breathe"
"you bargain with no strength in your foundation goddess.. but ...yeah" he loosened his grip but not his tail
she smiled "your good at heart William ..I saw that in you as a child ..as a thief , spoiled by your mother but you learned. you learned so much ..she held you far to tightly to her skirts but you are strong, good at heart I was there watching when you stole to survive and for fun. the pain that you suffered through as you gave your heart and it was roughly tossed away...
you are a mixture of good and evil William a balance that should not exist does in you. and the creator above only reveals so much to my eyes so I must do what I have to too find out all I can about you. and why "
" why bother with me? I'm just a man"
"yes you are ..but one with a soul which has been here before" she smiled " you took to the body as if it was second nature William, the sword you wielded it with all the skill of a master you deflected the mage bolt and didn't even realize it..."
his thoughts became a flood of images things he'd done, seen , made ...
"my collection of dragons and unicorns. the attraction of furries...being closer friends to my animals than humans...my dreams that I've written into stories of fiction?"
"yes all part of it...you have been here before William I want to know how and how many times"
"why if I am a reincarnated soul then I have a mission a path I must take"
"and I want to see it William so I have done this to you..."
"and if you get what you want ..what am I left with?"
she was silent for too long then smiled " what ever you make of your life here William. for this world is where your path shall end I can not see or find any more of you beyond this. thus you need to learn what you need to live well William for your soul finds it's answers here in this world as a dragon"
she slipped free and flew up out of reach giggling as he snarled
"my curse on you still lives William find the lessons in life you lack play for me the song of life from the ages let me see what the creator has done to two worlds that would have souls wander between them why would he allow this, why would he want it?? let me touch the one who made us all ...it is all I have now William"
she exploded into a ball of her blue flame "I WILL KNOW I SHALL !!!"
he sat down and let it soak in he slipped out the flute and played it finding the song had changed already, more strength ..joy and longing had colored it.
he made his way back to town where townsfolk greeted him Zisa came up along side and walked with him for a short time
"the lady was worried about you William"
"I had to take care of something private"
"she wondered why you left the party so early ..but if it was important"
"I had to take care of the dragon zisa.. he wanted something I couldn't give him or let him have ..you understand"
"I think so" she looked up into his eyes
"I also had the goddess by the throat ..but let her go, after she answered some of my questions ..and gave me more"
"she has done so many times to others William... she only answers what she wishes. if you had her by the throat then she let you do so"
"yup you would be right..." walking away from her as she sipped on a cup of juice
he laid down in the stables cool breeze blew across his rump shifting a little straw the air stopped then he looked up she was there a sad look on her face
"it is cold tonight William you have no fire to stay warm by?"
"not in a stable my lady, fire and hay don't mix well.."
she sighed "Zisa told me you had to leave because of the dragon"
"yes i did...i'm fine now my lady I do appol-" she put her hand on his mouth
"I felt how you were looking at me William.. I--I did not help by dancing as I did looking at you...I..."
she turned and rushed off back to her room in the inn he watched her look out the window at him her shoulders dipped slowly head lowering at the same time,
she turned away and the lamp went out
"sleep well lovely lady I will dream of you" pulling a saddle blanket up to cover his rump
the next morning he went to the square and found the remains of the meat that had been cooking on a spit several people were cleaning up so he cleaned that and any other food needing rescue
relaxing back into his straw bed chewing on a large bone the sun was just about to crest over the mountains to burn away the light dew and mist. a bright glint on the peak caught his eye refocusing, it cleared and wings opened! huge wings thinking
'a real dragon. then I did see something last night'
he smiled as it bathed in the early sunlight which suddenly flared in his eyes
"aggh damn it"
cringing away from the glare blinking the spots he found as it faded the warmth from the sun was all to fulfilling spreading his wings to gather it he understood why the dragon was doing this on top of the mountain it felt wonderfully enriching looking closely the dragon was gone too...
they set out soon after, the lady keeping to the lead of the group he brought up the rear, Zisa rode around and came along side
"she is mad at herself William for being a fool last night and wanted to let you know that it wasn't your fault and apologizes for doing that"
"zisa..."
"I know but I think she was trying to ...encourage you. to dance with her"
"she cant do that dance zisa you know that"
she nodded "thus is why she's mad at herself...she finds it difficult to look at you today because of that"
"tell her I understand and it's alright I wasn't offended..." but I so wanted to show her that the dance is still new to me ..but I'm eager to learn
she looked into his eyes "you have fallen in love with her haven't you William"
he blinked then smiled "is it that obvious?"
"yes she knows it too"
"tell her ..."
Zisa looked at him intently "I enjoyed the dance that she shared with me but I will not hurt her life, her future those things are everything to her..."
she nodded and rode off
the next village they reached had been burned to the dirt the dead strewn about the area. he walked in through the smashed gates sword at the ready he knelt and examined a body of a young male badger, a stab wound to the neck had severed the jugular.
the state of decomposition and the amount of bloat was good estimators of how long, Gerin rode up holding a cloth over his mouth and nose
"what news?"
"dead about 5 days possibly 7...looks like experts trained pros they knew where to hit the gate to get in quick. most of these people were roused out of their sleep and hadn't had a chance to arm themselves"
"how can you tell that?"
"that city guard is in his underwear and was pulling his pants on the scabbard is in his right hand but no sword two more empty scabbards are over there by more city guard"
looking at him on his mount
"most have smashed or broken lanterns with them thus it was a night attack"
he nodded and turned his already spooking mount out of the village..
Bill checked the city elders house which was one of the few still partly standing the city's gold was gone as was any documents. he found a chest plate under a fallen wall the emblem was melted but it was clearly a warriors armor and very well kept.
he walked out the far side and walked up to the camp that had been made the lady smiled at him he bowed his head to them all
"no survivors I'm afraid"
sitting down Zisa gave him a mug of what was in human terms hot chocolate with coffees kick with a hint of cinnamon in the aroma. he sighed
"but it was definitely a professional force.. this armor was under a collapsed wall the owner had several valuables in his arms when he died"
setting it where they could see it
"that is king Vagarins standard"
"a supposed good friend to your king my lady?"
she nodded lifting the armor up "supposed to be very good but his kingdom does nothing about the slavers and raiders that come and go from his lands"
"id say he wants a cut of the action now my lady...this was a planed military strike this village is at the entrance to a series of valleys below us" pointing to their traveling direction
"and is a perfect way to cut off this region from any and all assistance if I look around"
"I found them already William it was a sizable force it went around and into the valley"
that struck Bill wrong...he got up and went to look ignoring there questions
he soon found the obvious tracks going past them he found the less obvious Garin walked up seeing the new tracks
"it was a HUGE force Garin heavy wagons filled with supplies so many troops they had to replant these plants to cover the tracks"
pulling out a trampled to mush bush from under the dirt
"this is an invasion force but doing it from a raiders point of view?"
"it wouldn't arouse the kings ire if it was just raiders Garin.. a military invasion would"
he nodded to this
the lady insisted they continue into the valley chain not only for her mission but to warn the villages and the one garrison that was in the path
he moved up near Zisa and held her mount as the others rode on
"I'm going scouting, I maybe gone for several days you can send a message to me if I'm needed?"
she nodded "William your avoiding her"
"I have to Zisa or she will find a reason....or I will' sighing heavily 'she must remain murr Zisa...... what happens to those who are called and are not?"
"they go to him ..but are never seen again, occasionally it is rumored that the ones who return to him murr are made his mates and he tries to get the heir he needs to pass on his crown"
he sighed again thinking 'dammed if I do or don't'
"well we need to know as much as possible to be able to fight them and save lives with minimal costs...you call me immediately if you even see a scout got me"
"yes...she loves you William through the scales and size she sees you for who you are.. and loves you for that"
he lowered his head and ran off....
he followed the hidden tracks and well into the first valley running through another village burned to the ground several small settlements with no walls and slid to a stop as the battle group divided sniffing the air and tracks.
He turned to the left following the heavier slower wagons filled with wine and ale one of the casks was leaking and the still sweet wine was heavy in the dirt he could also smell the captured females there urine and pure fear
he followed for two days finally coming to a slow halt in a glade clearing a small stream bubbling to the sound of the breeze in the trees
it was a nightmare scene from a medieval time, females of all kinds skinned some crushed or raped to the point of hemorrhaging to death a few used as targets for the archers it was so strange as he entered the glade there was no smell to all the blood and death
feeling with his hand out to the air he caught the faint spell like a fine gossamer veil over the glade he smiled as he understood it instantly and opened it freeing the glade which the smell slammed into his nostrils
"a warning trip wire system clever thin delicate as a moths wing"
he checked the ones which might be still alive and was about to give up when he found one a big zebra lady her clothes shredded and hanging around her the stab wound to the chest had nearly been on target to pierce the heart
he used the spell Zisa had on him but put his dragon strength behind it she roused instantly and panic flooded in
"be calm lady I'm here to help I'm one of the lady's guardians see here"
pointing to the emblem and words on his right chest plate the terror faded and so did she passing out again..
he couldn't burn the dead it'd warn the enemy he was behind them so he set to the task of burying them digging long trenches his arms and claws were excellent for digging and he was soon setting the bodies down gently
checking on the lady occasionally when she woke and sobbed out a scream he stopped her from getting up
"lady please rest your safe"
"no, NO, NO please let me die"
he blinked at that "but .."
"the children!! they have hundreds of children and the young females!! you have to stop them let me die"
he could hear more there than just selflessness almost blame
"lady tell me what happened? we know who they are and it's an invasion"
she calmed looking at him now as if the first time
"a dragon? but your not are you"
"no lady I'm cursed by the goddess.. now please"
she nodded and told him so much detail that he felt as if he'd been watching the column for days she sobbed as he hoped she got to her blame
"we got word, warned by a rider from Agasara that they were coming the council pledged to stay and fight but so many wanted to run with their children... I was the school teacher and volunteered to take them all to safety.."
sobbing covering her eyes blood started to seep from her wound again
"I got them out of the village into the forest where they were waiting with the rider" smashing her fist into the dirt
"lady"
holding her still gently he looked into her eyes deep inside those clouded pools filled with sorrow and blame knowing as he did so she was slipping from him
"you are not to blame it was a clever trap set to catch you and the children to use against the village...you will be commended for your duty to them all rest assured .. I will kill all these invaders and will do my best to save the children"
she smiled and sighed dieing in his arms
quickly burying the last he rushed out after the wagons and found them the next day, more dead females the warriors and slavers drunk or busy raping the ladies
two were tossing a ladle full of slop at the children in caged trailers the ladies not in use were chained to these
he snarled silently slipping into the brush eliminating a tripwire spell.
He reached out as a male wolf was about to impale a young lynx girl on his arousal and crushed his throat snapping his fingers onto her mouth
"shhh I am one of the ladies guard I'm here to help"
the wolf was pulling on his fingers trying to breathe
"stop or I will do you like you were about to do to her"
the wolf went wide eyed in terror
"and' looking in front of him 'mines much bigger and longer"
the wolf fainted or passed out from lack of air he flicked him hard into a tree bone cracked
"can you be calm?" she nodded he let her go
"thank you" hugging him suddenly he smiled
"I need you to play act like he did that to you alright and go over to the others tell them I need them to distract the able guards and hopefully bring out the mage"
"I can do that"
"then soon as you see me start fighting start setting the others free"
she nodded
"and be careful"
"I will sir dragon"
moving close to the mages tent he heard the guards shouting about the females the leader came out with the mage at his side looking for the reason of the commotion
he slipped in behind them, jumping cursing as a guard slammed into him from behind trying to run out of the tent the mage an warrior leader both went wide eyed
he snarled and slapped the warrior away the mage opened some kind of portal and tried to escape
Bill snagged his leg and listened to the shouts of surprise from beyond the portal as he yelled for help
Bill reached through he caught a glimpse of a castle throne room and a near black tiger sitting on it he grinned
"THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO TRESPASS IN MY PATH"
he ripped the arms off the mage and brought them back with himself
"here mage enjoy your return home" tossing the limp body through "tell your warriors king Vagarin. William the dragon is coming they will curse the day you sent them to there ends at my hands"
he learned the portal magic and closed the gate roaring through it into a castle who knows where in the world from here he looked up as the warriors gathered to attack, the ladies holding their own now with renewed hope and anything that they could find at hand as weapons
he just smiled and let lose the dragon...they never had a chance
soon as he washed the blood off he attended to the ladies and children many were dazed with shock a few were just so furious they kept chopping the dead warriors into tiny chunks till they were winded
he smiled and gently hugged the young lynx who was still nude and bouncing in joy the others smiled one reminded her of her state a quick yelp and she was gone in a blur
"well ladies once I get some healing magic's into the worst of you. I want you to get out of the valleys"
they all looked on in amazement he smiled making eye contact with each lady the lynx came rushing forward to sit quickly in front of them
"I know what I'm saying ladies.. and though it sounds like the thing to do, fighting them isn't what you can do best right now it's helping the wounded and the children..' pointing to them still sniffing some calling softly for mothers that would never come 'a lady swore me to save the children the school teacher that was tricked into leading her villages children out into there hands she blamed her self till she died... I need you to get them to safety.
they cant and are helpless in this state this is not an order from one of the lady's guardians but a wish from the dragon who saved your lives that you will get out to safety and remember this they killed your mates fathers brothers.. don't let them kill you too if they do then those who died will have for nothing they need you I need you to be safe and away from the valleys if they recapture you"
he sighed "I will be held back by the fate of the children like those who died already.. do you understand?"
they nodded and agreed to do as he asked
administering the healing magic's to those he could help one of the last was a very young lady wolf her hemorrhaging was so bad he knew the brutal rape shed suffered would claim her life he smiled and brushed the hair away from her eyes
"hello there young lady"
she smiled weakly her hand reached up to touch his cheek she had a flash of surprise
"so warm...dident...expect...that"
"why ? do dragons not have fiery passions and tempers?"
she smiled in earnest "I'm cold hold me please"
with a smile he gently picked her up cradling her in his wing the warmth stopped her shivering.. as time all too soon claimed her life
he cursed his lack of abilities softly wishing he knew surgery instead of how to rebuild an engine he could have saved her... if only....
he was sorely tempted to go back to that castle but knew the king would have had his mages and his guards ready for just that eventuality
he looked as they got ready to leave he sighed
"do any of you know her name?" setting the wolf down next to the others
"Invaness i think sir dragon"
"then they all shall know her name as will their king before they die ... go now I'm going to light a funeral pyre now, I want them to know I'm hunting them...take care avoid the main road they will have scouts to let them know of troops and traders"
they nodded and rolled out, he waved to the lynx she bowed to him and nearly fell off the wagon. he smiled then it faded as he turned and inhaled deeply his flame filled the clearing and beyond all things burned in that heat he slipped away to hunt the invaders
in three days time he'd found and killed five groups of ten to thirty each with a low classed mage but each had a spell book that they willingly gave to him.. and he found each because they were willingly given added the spells of the others to it's self so he had five identical spell books
with the mage he had tied up across a fire from himself it'd soon be six, his legs broken from a whip of Bill's tail. tearing the last chunk of meat from a thigh bone a herd animal that had been taken an suffered a mage bolt
Bill smiled flicking it over a shoulder "id hate to have to hurt you more mage.. but I want your spells and information... where is the main column of your forces..."
he sat there silent just glaring at the dragon Bill smiled and licked his lip
"you know the magic you use each day makes the meat taste rich and flavorful?... I enjoy eating good food"
the mage didn't flinch Bill thought this is a tough one
"ok so I don't eat mages.. but I do kill them"
"then do so dragon I wont tell you anything you've killed friends of mine I wont help you "
Bill grinned "you will though, in the end it's all in how you'll die. quick or slow that is still your choice, it's been the last one I gave them all so how do you die mage... I have things to do warriors to kill a king to eviscerate with his own claws"
the mage just smiled at him and started a spell for a moment Bill felt compelled to obey then it faded Bill broke into a huge toothy grin
"thank you mage! that spell will be very useful indeed"
"NO DAM you!!!"
Bill leaned closer eyes narrow "now then ......
in the morning mist he followed a group of scouts as they followed someone else he moved in close and realized who they were following
the lady! she was taking a drink from a water skin Zisa was using her magic to scan the area the mage was nodding to his leader
'hiding from Zisa so you thought'
he looked at the lady and felt his heart skip a beat shed gotten even more beautiful a glow to her hair the dew on her ears they moved forward to rush them and Bill roared a battle challenge they all stood stark still the mounts shying
"warriors an mage I am here for you I am William the dragon!!"
they rushed at him the mage letting off bolts of energy the lady and her escort rushed away as he roared smashing two into the dirt flaming four to ash the mage he snagged with his wing claw and ripped free most of his shoulder
the leader seeing he was hopelessly out classed bounded away on his huge kangaroo legs, he killed the last few and ran after him...
The lady looked at Zisa, fright had her breathing fast
"was that our William?"
"yes m'lady.. he has changed, the dragon has given him power and he has grown"
"my lady someone approaches"
the bushes exploded out as the warrior spilled out onto the road panting his Roo legs the only reason he could have stayed ahead of the dragon he drew out his sword
"you will die this day lady!"
Garin and Galler dropped off their mounts and readied to fight Galler got a kick that sent him flying over the bushes behind them Zisa was readying a bolt as the roo jumped smashing Garin to the dirt and took the lady off her mount spooking Zisas into running
he pinned her sword held high "DIE MURR FOR THE KING!!"
she screamed and a huge shadow blotted out the sun.. the mist swirling around the shadows a deep dirt vibrating growl slipped into hiss of air
"you strike me dragon she dies"
"you strike my lady and all the people of your home shall pay the ultimate price.. I have your sent warrior any with your blood shall be the last to die all shall blame them for there pain and suffering till only they remain then they will beg me for mercy"
huge balls of blue starlight cast surreal glow over the two
"your life or everyone in your lands your choice"
his teeth gleamed daggers ready to strike the blue glowed along their length the lady was quivering as the blade moved a flash of light blinded all a gust of wind and the light returned she felt her neck
"MY lady!" Zisa was at her side instantly
the sounds of fighting and a scream brought silence, Garin and Galler came over
"are you alright my lady?"
"I'm alright and you two?"
"nothing a skin of wine wont cure"
they all looked as he came through the brush
"thank you Zisa for that well aimed mage bolt"
the lady trembled in Zisas arms, he stopped smiled and bowed to them then in a sweep of his wing had the lady from the ground she panicked but he held her gently to place a single kiss on a cheek he then stood up straight head at her level
"I needed a reward m'lady I have been killing your enemies and the kings for days ..saved the children of all the villages they have taken so far and sent them and the young ladies to safety outside the valley gained much power from the mages I've fought...are you alright?"
she blinked and didn't feel the calming spell he cast over her she smiled and put her hand on his cheek brushing the dirt from her clothes
"I'm quite alright William thank you"
"I'm glad, he will never bother you again my lady"
"good.."
looking into his eyes she smiled brightly he felt the warmth from her increase
"We've missed your company William"
"I have missed yours as well...but there was work that needed to be done, we should make for the next village quickly they haven't moved on it as of yet and we may be able to save it from them"
smiling as he wished he could have another kiss
looking at her he removed the calming spell and she didn't react
"I know from those I've questioned that there commander is a lord Fygar"
looking at the lady to see if she knew anything more about him but got nothing
"he is awaiting his reserves and a second column which will be in route within twenty days the reserves will be sent via mage gate and will be here in 6 days his force is all battle veterans with a collection of equipment for barrage and siege enough supplies to last 20 days, one sorcerer'
Zisa stiffened at the mention
'6 battle mages and a good 2 dozen scout mages that unfortunately are stronger than you Zisa.. and they are expecting with the reserves a team of thirty experienced dragon killers"
he sighed
"we need help my lady and now, not in 10 days or 5 but now.. can the king get help here quickly?"
she took a breath and let it out slowly her face reflecting the fact she was deep in thought
"the odds are not in our favor for much help my dragon...but we need to call for it immediately, Zisa send a message to the king give him all the information that we have and request any aid he can provide"
"my lady"
she set to sending the message Bill watched with intent and found the spell and gate she opened were right to the king he noted that for later................
they arrived at the small city in the morning fog an dew the city guard were changing over as they rode up Bill walking up behind the lady and setting his shield down on a rock they were wide eyed at him
"my lady?"
"get the captain of the guard and the council start sealing the city warrior, there is an invasion force in the valleys and they are burning the villages to the ground"
he nodded gesturing to a rider inside the gates
"we know my lady we've been warned by another a rider come to warn us"
Bill turned and looked over the wall at a rider talking to the council, but he was looking more back at the gates Bill heard that they had to get the children out now.
Bill let out a roar and leaped over the wall easing down onto all fours eyes narrow glowing star flares he moved forward slowly towards the rider
"I'm here for you liar.. deceiver!...MURDERER!! send out the children you say! into the hands of your friends!"
the rider went pale turning his mount away
"so they too can be raped.. killed! MURDERED!!!"
the council was stunned the lady was hollering but Bill only saw one thing...the school teachers brutal wounds her pain! the loss!
"I am here for you child killer! I am William the DRAGON! An you will plead for the mercy which will never come!"
"ohh gods! ABOVE!"
he spurred his mount and rode out the far gate as Bill ran after him into the woods
everyone watched as warriors ran out in a panic to get clear of the dragon a mount came sailing out above the trees crashing into the dirt a roar echoed screams of pain an terror, flames exploded in the trees suddenly a mage blast detonated the trees into millions of splinters..
it was silent as the smoke and dust cleared the warriors lucky enough to have gotten clear stood there stunned as was everyone of the village, people gathered on the walls and in the gates, a shadowy form appeared it's eyes flared into two blue stars
"I am William the dragon... I am your invasion forces judge, jury and executioner...you are all guilty and shall be punished.. run back to your leader.. tell him his king is a fool for not pulling you back home now it is far too late you all shall pay the price for the children and the ladies you have so ruthlessly raped an killed...run, run now or I will send you to your gods"
tossing the smashed and bloody riders body at them it flopped out in a puff of dust. they turned and saw the people were arming themselves they turned and ran away into the woods..
later as dusk fell the day spent closing the city off, he dusted off and sat down listening to the lady, council and the city guard captain discussing the imminent attack he gulped a keg of ale down
"this is all pointless they wont attack now that the dragon is here"
"you are an expert on this council? id say since they have requested dragon killers they have every intent of continuing this invasion and this city is a keystone"
tapping a map with her dagger
"six roads and three rivers meet here this is a key point of the valley area all trade has to pass through this city all supplies all people...no there commander will have to capture this city so his supply lines aren't interrupted as he goes farther into the valleys"
"I have to concur council"
Bill looked at the captain his eyes and smile were wrong for agreeing to the plan but he was agreeing to something else on his mind
"the lady is correct this city was placed here for just that purpose to help control the valleys"
"then we do our best to hold the city and await the king to send aid"
snapping her tail as she finished all the males smiled and agreed the ladies of council had coarse gazes for the lady but agreed
Bill sniffed but the dirt from the explosion still had his nose clogged the lady turned to him he watched the males
"William what in your opinion needs to be done??"
he took a breath glaring at the males whatever was going on he didn't like it
"the south wall is the worst it is in the process of being disassembled to build someone's house, very large family indeed"
the captain of the guard looked at the council
"did I not warn council about this"
"who would have expected an attack here?!?"
"indeed as council"
"AS COUNCIL' they all turned to the lady shocked by her tone 'YOUR FIRST RESPONCIBLITY IS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE, NOT TO YOURSELVES... what is your recommendation William??"
"the blocks in question haven't been cut just moved and built into a house id say to rebuild the wall it will be the first place id attack by either direct or indirect means.. the north east gate tower and gate are in total disrepair they will collapse with any attack I think I can topple the tower blocking the gate thus rendering it impassible"
"BUT THE REPAIR"
"silence! let him finish gold and costs mean nothing if were dead...William"
"the east wall is open to a long field that has rise.. a good place to build battering rams and let them roll down to smash through the wall...the city planer should have foreseen this and designed the walls accordingly but no.
I can dig trenches and pits to keep this from happening it will also control any attack by funneling the warriors into channels where bows can pick them off before they can get a good run at the wall
The west gate and it's sister to the north need to be braced they are near rotten and would fall quickly under a siege there is far to many bales of dry straw around homes and grain storage they need to be moved immediately
homes with thatch roofs need them soaked with water soon as possible a few well placed arrows with a little burning tree sap could destroy this city in hours. these things will buy us time till help arrives"
she turned to council "then we better get to them hadn't we counsel? captain get your troops ready counsel we need the ladies to start making arrows and soaking the roofs moving the feed"
Bill watched them move out leaving her with him
"William"
he looked at her "why are you glaring at them?"
"I do not like the way they look at you behind your back my lady something is going on the ladies are hateful the males are far to pleasant and agree easily"
she nodded "thank you William. keep your eyes open"
"always my lady...always"
slipping away into the shadows she smiled and then sighed rubbing her hands on her hips walking to the inn
he went out that night and fell trees across the roads for half a mile in each direction 'now to bring his siege machines to bear he will have to move trees. taking valuable time'
in the morning he yawned gulping the sweet coffee from a huge kettle like a coffee cup the lady walked up and smiled
"been awake all night?"
"hmm? oh no my lady but I was up late taking care of the roads"
she held out her cup he smiled brightly and filled it from his
"mmm you sweetened it?"
"added a little extra honey I think I'm gona need the sugar today"
"lots to do"
"yup" he looked at her as her hand slowly caressed his hip and moved around the back side of it
'she's feeling my butt!? oh my GOD! ummmmmm....
she sipped her coffee clearly thinking about the tasks at hand but not noticing what she was doing to him!! his tail standing out straight as a rod of steel wings fluttering
he swallowed hard feeling the dragon going nuts she was touching all the right places
"thank you William this is wonderful"
walking away he collapsed with a thud she spun and looked at him he grinned stupidly
"lo!" waving, she laughed and continued on shaking her head....
after a quick mage gate to the river to cool his fires he went to work, first he looked over the gate tower and it's foundations looking at its lean he tossed some dirt into the air watching the wind the warriors on the walls were watching with all curiosity
he smiled and moved some to the left wanting the tower to fall right and close as possible to the gateway he closed his eyes and felt the power inside he focused it into a hand looking it was a glowing ball floating just above his hand..
he spun slashing the left side with his tail the blades slicing through the stone cleanly the mage blast he tossed at the right side which exploded into dust and for a moment the tower leaned the wrong way then eased over collapsing into the gateway covering the rotting door and it's arch.
they all cheered he bowed and felt a mage bolt flying at his butt he spun and caught it flicking it back at it's sender who yelped the warriors laughing on the wall.
the trenches were the longest time consumer he had to pack the dirt and flatten the tops of the excavated soil so it forced them up high without places to hide, mage bolts flew at his rump constantly he finally ducked one and looked at the woods
"hey if you don't like my butt then go away don't go shooting at it...you might make me mad!"
taking a deep breath he flamed a stretch of the trees which of course had warriors yelping and running for the river tails on fire...
he went to the wall and the counsels house which he promptly tore lose two large blocks collapsing the side out into the courtyard females and children screamed one lady was in bed with another doing what he thought only human ladies did turning away slowly his tongue flicked
"my my my"
most of the night he dodged mage blasts as he set stones trying to find the proper fit so the wall would be strong took time finally figuring out the marks on the stones made it easier but still finding the right ones in piles of them
he sighed as he put another aside an arrow whizzed by his head another pinged off he roared and flamed the trees where they had come from, breathing hard as he sat down puffing
"William?"
he looked as the lady walked up holding a mug of ale and a bright smile
"thank you my lady"
downing the cup he gave it back it wet his whistle at least
"how goes the wall?"
"ehh it's just another brick in the wall..."
smiling and frowning as he remembered she didn't know earth music
"why the frown?" softly caressing his arm he forgot the reason looking deep into her eyes he smiled again
"it was nothing my lady, stupid joke that holds no meaning here"
"ahh so?"
"not well the builder was a master of his craft each stone is matched to its kin so much so that if you don't find the kin it wont fit or falls out I've had to take down two rows of them because I made a mistake"
she sighed then smiled again tail swishing lightly
"come rest William your exhausted"
he was and followed her to the inn as a mage blast turned the night sky to day she held onto him
"about half a mile away he's bringing up his siege machines"...
he fell asleep in the stables even with the mage power explosions she came out and looked over him smiling hands touching his hip softly she snapped up as Zisa came over from the shadows
"yes Zisa?"
"my lady...Garra you know what is happening to you"
"yes I forbid you to interfere"
Zisa was shocked "but m'lady"
she could tell the lady wasn't here it wasn't her talking shed seen it to late now, but she was the lady and was to be obeyed
"in fact I have something for you to do"....
he awoke to the lady in his lap wrapped in a blanket clearly very comfortable Galler and Gerin smiled holding out a huge cup of steaming coffee to him he took it nodding thanks
"he doesn't know"
"apparently. but he's a dragon that could be the reason"
"umm know what?"
they smiled and walked away
"thanks guys remind me to torch your butts"
she roused and smiled at him "I thought you'd be lonely William so I kept you company"
he smiled "thank you my lady I slept very well"
she bounced up and flagged her tail stretching right in front of him he clicked his jaw covering his blush with the cup gulping the brew she slid a hand on his
"may I have some of yours? it feels very warm"
he was getting problems and just held the cup out for her to dip hers from it instead she just sipped it from the cup
"umm my lady I need to go.."
setting the cup down he slipped away and found digging trenches in front of the south wall sweated the problem out but he always found her looking at him if not from a tower the wall or even from her mount as she rode around the city
late into the night he walked in over the wall an arrow pinging off his shoulder plates went unnoticed as he dragged his tail over the stones
'never thought id be digging trenches all day but ..dam'
"William"
he stopped as Zisa walked up from the shadows
"hi Zisa you'll have to excuse me I'm dirt tired... literally"
"I know.. you've done well avoiding her"
"you mean the beautiful vixen who I would love to dance with in ways she could only imagine...what's with her? your her best friend"
"yes but also her servant thus I must obey.. she.." stopping as she noticed others listening in
she pulled him away "zisa ?"
"this is for you alone to hear William"
she found a dark dead end alleyway with no windows in it she pushed him in and checked around then moved in close to him he sat on his heals to be lower to her she smiled seeing his expression from his glowing eyes
"William do you not know what is happening?"
"id sure like to know she's starting to make me have serious problems wit the dragon in me"
"it is her moon time William"
he blinked "it's.."
"it's her time to mate, she's trying to get you to do it.. but you don't seem to notice it"
"umm as in how?"
"she waves her tail at you or near you she is fanning her sent at you.. she is quite ripe now nearly all the males in the city have smelled it but haven't made a move on her because of.. you"
"her smell...excuse me for just a second hold that thought"
turning he blew his nose hard and coated the ground with huge clogs of crud he sniffed and got a surprise blinking
"wow"
"that is just because I have been close to her as she was waving...your nose was plugged up.. it figures"
"sorry bout that" he smiled sheepishly
she actually giggled then stopped
he frowned at the giggle it was familiar but dismissed it
"she needs your protection she has forbade me to interfere but you are not bound by any oath but one to keep her safe you must watch her once she reaches a certain point she will encourage any male to mate with her since your not, she doesn't know what's going on William she is not herself. you must save her from herself..."
"she will remain murr Zisa or I will carry her far from this world to escape the king"
"NO, no, no.. you mustn't.. just take her away from this place hide her away from males who don't care. who take a females murr away without love or caring.. promise me swear to me she will be safe.. I have to go to the king to petition for immediate aid I must leave tonight and cant watch over her"
he gently hugged her "fear not my friend she will be safe and murr and I will find away to keep the village protected also"
he smiled wide bearing more teeth than she'd liked he noted the fear
"a cave I found and used to sleep in for a night only a dragon could get into it on the side of a cliff it's warm and isolated she will be safer there than her mothers womb"
she blinked but smiled he opened the gate to her surprise
"so you can recover your power quickly Zisa I have plenty, tell the king id like to talk to him one day"
"umm I'm sure he'd like to meet you also he has made mention of this in other messages"
"should make for quite a meeting can you close it?"
"yes thank you William"
he walked off tail still dragging the portal closed as a blue flash disappeared behind it... three mage blast explosions through the night heralded the arrival of the siege equipment in the area he readied to take care of it near the south wall looking out he could see the catapults and some kind of cannon the captain came riding up to him
"William do you see"
"yes I'm going to need your archers to help keep their heads down while I take care of this mess"
"it will be done" smacking Bill firmly on the side he looked slowly at that the captain who swallowed hard
"umm my apologies sir dragon"
Bill nodded and looked out seeing the sorcerer readying a huge blast!
"holy shit get down!!!"
snatching the captain and as many he could he instantly realized that even this was not enough. deep inside something flowed and he roared out magic flowing from his flame and hands it was all in slow motion
a domed shield formed as the blast hit destroying the work he'd done to the south wall totally the blocks turning to powder the mage blast tried to flow around to get to it's target only to be stopped at all sides by his shield sweat poured from under his scales as he roared out in defiance
"was that the best you have sorcerer!?! try this then!"
he concentrated gathering his power letting it build he inhaled deeply and roared sending the semi sized mage blast riding on his flame it hit the siege equipment and detonated, half a mile of trees fell back from the blast but Bill knew the mage and their leader had gated away in time.. of course the equipment was his true target..
grinning as he surveyed the damage 'nice hole Bill very nice '
he immediately put the felled trees to use as a pike fence piling the now useless stones up behind them to make a makeshift wall he dug trenches while watching the lady as she wandered around watching him..
late that night he came in mad as hell an arrow had finally found its mark in his cheek just under the guard on his helm he flinched as he dropped it to the ground the captain came riding up in a hurry
"William how bad are you injured?!"
he pointed to his face the arrow was jammed into his top teeth through the cheek he slid off and looked lifting his lip and grimacing "it's through the...umm"
Bill was drumming his fingers giving him a 'please I know this stupid' look
"I will get the healers over here William hold on"
he nodded flinching she came up in a run he lifted his head up so she couldn't touch
"Ohh William!"
he gently held her down she kept trying to grab it he finally plopped her on his leg and put his hand over her lap pointing to the arrow and waving no, she clearly didn't catch the implications so he gently pointed to it then took his claw and lifted her lip poking her tooth
"it's hit your tooth?"
he nodded gently catching her tooth with his claw she flinched and pulled away
"that hurt"
he nodded she blinked
"it's caught on your tooth and hurts!?"
he nodded again
"I'm sorry I was worried about you"
he nodded gently rubbing her back the healer ran up and immediately lifted his lip she took the moment to look
"it's jammed into the gap between your teeth William I will have to break the shaft to get it through and pull it free"
he nodded taking a deep breath. he felt her hand grip his her eyes warm filled with concern and love.
the healers first try ended up only making the pain worse blood rolling down the shaft he reached up and using a claw yanked it free of his teeth
"aghhh gad damn it"
holding his mouth open tears flowed the healer was now able to snap the shaft and removed it he roared out in pain and snarled as he turned on a heel picking up a water fountain the stone cracking and popping
he strode over to the wall and with a huge heave he tossed it out into the woods a dozen trees and numerous warriors were flattened instantly he sighed and slid down behind the wall the healer walked over
"that was a town landmark"
"so i'll make you a new one ahhh god my face"
lowering his shields to the mage so he could administer healing magic's
"dragon"
his ears turned to listen beyond the wall into the woods
"can you hear me dragon?"
he held the healer for a moment
"I can! who are you?!"
"I am lord commander Fygar of his majesty's first regiment the long shadows"
"impressive title but I'm unimpressed"
"you have not heard of my regiment?. pity then, you would know that this is a useless waist of time defending this worthless village against us"
"ehh I'm all kinda stubborn in my ways don't much like bullies or braggarts and from what I've seen so far your both"
he smiled through the pain he liked annoying some people
"then I guess I shall have to conquer you and this village to prove you wrong"
"you certainly can try but one thing I can say from my home to you!.. no quarter no pity no surrender I expected none nor should you"
"fair enough ..then let it begin..."
"one thing Fygar! I want your king I don't suppose he'll be coming to see you lose!? would he??!!"
warriors on the wall laughed mage bolts started immediately chunking the stone walls archers trying to find a target, he looked to the healer as the pain finally eased...
his cheek still hurt as he put his helm back on she gripped his hand
"you need to rest William the healing needs time to work"
he sighed hearing a call of alarm fire had started on a house roof
"my lady can you get the people to work soaking the roofs.. I will be fine, we don't have time for me to rest"
she sighed and nodded he held her for a moment looking deeply into her eyes
"if you have need of me my lady ask"
a faint smile came as more cries of fire came "I will"
he turned and went to a wall seeing a mage bolt smack just to the left of the captains head who hadn't flinched
"they have more catapults coming up William"
he looked to where he was pointing just inside the tree line Bill could with his sight could see five catapults and two people on their mounts looking over the setting up
Bill opened a gate and retrieved his bow from the inn he knocked a shaft sighting in carefully the captain had a respectful smile for the size of his bow
"a worthwhile target?" Bill nodded to the question
he pulled back and huge snap cracked the air the bigger rider was thrown from his mount as it was ripped from under him
"damn it! I missed him by inches!!"
the mage blasts went silent
"that was a fair shot dragon! you nearly got me, broke my leg and tail but I am alive"
"stand up Fygar and I can fix that quick enough!"
"oh no you wont catch me unawares again.. impressive bow dragon very impressive.. I shall have to find it's range so to stay clear of it"
"aww now see how you are! here I'm trying to help by ridding the world of people like you and you go and do that!"
he knocked another drawing back all the archers readied he nodded as they let lose into the catapults with flaming arrows he let go and his speared through some hapless warrior and the mages mount smashing them into a tree
"whoops now see if you would come out that poor mount would be able to finish it's days replanting the crops you've destroyed but no ..couldn't have it the easy way"....
in the morning light the first ranging shots from the catapults came still far short but wouldn't be long he'd been watching some odd troop movements through the magic induced mists and fog
he kept the captain appraised of what was going on his eyes filtered through the magic
he watched as a pair pointed right at him talking
'dragon killers.. discussing the fact I'm not a normal sized drake...hmm I wonder if that mage has thought of blocking my gating ability.. me I would have but waited to activate it till I came over ...attacking.. thus couldn't gate away when the killers came up making my life hell...wonder if I could snatch them two and ask um a few nice questions'
he opened one and quickly pulled them through to have his gate slam shut on them he promptly tossed his half of them back into the woods
"hey sorcerer! try putting them back together!! all I wanted to do was talk to them.. yuck"
wiping the mess off his hands the warriors were all rather green looking at each other
"sorry bout that guys.. I just wanted to talk to um" shrugging as he walked away
he'd did some scouting and come back in the early evening looking for the lady who was nowhere to be found he looked to Gallin and Gerin who were both near drunk
"where's the lady?"
"she's gone out...draken" his head swooned
"your both drunk.." feeling his lip tremble in anger
"the lady ..rewarded us "
That was it Bill snarled and they both froze "you two idiots!"
snatching them both to there feet he put his nose right to there's
"she's not in her right mind much less the fact were under siege.. if I find her and someone has hurt her.. you two are mine.. your duty is to her safety not your pleasures!!"
crushing the skins they burst spraying wine all over them
"you both would do well to remember that from now on"
they nodded fear clearly had the wine fog burned off
he snarled and ran out to find her sniffing the air he turned slowly
"there!"
he trotted along weaving through the city he found her visit to a public toilet and her stopping near a wall then her sent was joined by two others ...male
he ran finally finding a set of doors into a basement her smell still fresh
he snarled silently and slipped into the shadows rounding a corner he found her kissing the two very young males both clearly very exited by this event
she slipped her pants off the smell intensified
she smiled and slipped her tail across their noses he inhaled deeply and moved closer the dragon was furious that his female would be offering to any other male
he kept the dragon down watching as one boy moved closer nearly ripping his pants off to get his arousal free
she turned and moaned as he slipped his hands onto her hips readying himself positioning to take her
Bill gripped the other around the neck as she bent over tail flagging arching over to one side to give herself to the boy he enjoyed the view of her butt,
the one he had tugged on the others tail
"stop it I'm first we agreed"
"your nothing if you don't turn round boy"
he did and paled as Bill's eyes eased down from above
"run now boys and I will forget this happened but if I see you near her again ..you wont see another day"
they nodded and ran in a panic the one naked his clothes forgotten
Bill turned to see her still bent over tail flagged a passionate sigh escaped her as her hands slid through her hip fur the dragon grinned his tongue flicked and the world became a faraway place he had a female needing a mate with him easing over to her
he slipped the back of a claw along her leg up towards the hip and she shivered moaning tail swishing he pulled his hand away finding the claw moist he sampled the flavor, her flavor.
his body surged feeling as if he'd been struck by lightning he took a deep breath and covered her, she didn't move but to flag her tail more a soft reply to his unasked question came
"yes please yes"
the world crashed blinking he realized what he was about to do seeing his arousal and her rump only inches from it he fell back away from her.
near breathless fighting now with the dragon who savored ,desired, DEMANDED this ready female who offered her self to him,
clenching his eyes closed he fought it down and sighed looking over at her
"if only you knew how much I love you.. how much I want to do this ...but just cant"
scooping her into his wing she reacted smiling at him
"ohh William you came" kissing him rubbing her need over his wing he kissed her head and applied a sleep spell
he gated to the cave and laid her gently down onto a rock ledge, he cleared his head and mind reaching out with his magic he found a river of magic power underground something he had felt and not had the chance to experiment with but now was a good opportunity
he reached into it and felt it surge into him he jerked as it slammed into his body then calmed he opened the door and let it flow like water washing over the cave changing it cleaning altering.
the power obeyed and soon had the cave transformed into a large room with a bed and a fire pit for cooking and mage lights he'd even made a rudimentary toilet that would empty out far away via natural crack in the mountains stone washed by a spring that didn't take much to reroute also provided fresh water for them both
smiling thoughtfully as he opened a gate to the inn and her room he borrowed the bedding and her things from the room
hearing a loud gasp he looked through to see the inn keepers wife cleaning
"sorry m'lady I've moved the lady to a place where she will be safe from ..herself and males"
"oh umm"
"I will return the bedding later.. how long does a ladies moon last?"
"it varies from lady to lady sir dragon.. this is her first?.. it will be 7 days at least once her ..body shows"
"shows? how??"
"she will swell and be irritable she wont sleep much"
smiling he bowed his head to her "I can fix that...thank you lady.. deliver a message to the city guards captain to have a mage signal me when they need my help immediately"
she bowed and rushed out to deliver it .......
using magic he brought food and soon had a decent meal ready. for a moment as she awoke she was her old self then it changed
she looked at him with nearly predatory eyes the moment she moved her scent filled the room and he could see bright pink under her
thinking she's swollen and showing ..now starts the problems
"ahh my lady hungry I hope ?"
"hmmm...not for food my dragon...William why don't you relax and enjoy?.. don't you like me?"
"on the contrary my lady I.. love you ..but cant because you have a life you wish to live if I were to love you that would ruin your chances to have that life.. you would no longer be murr"
"I do not care about that any more.. I will live my life as I see fit"
"and the king who your sworn to?"
"I AM HIS SLAVE... I want for me, I chose! I want to enjoy my moon to be with you"
she nearly leaped into his arms and proceeded to rub and caress trying to get him to join her
"then my lady we must gain your freedom from him but legally not like this.. I don't want him mad at me because I've ..stolen from him"
"he owes you now my dragon.. you can name your price.. you can name me..."
kissing his stomach and sliding down her claws touching places no one had, he gently put her to sleep before she got the dragon exited
"if it were so easy my lady.. if it were"
he was awoken by a flare of light as it appeared in the cave
"mage flare have to go"
he checked her and opened a gate or tried to finding all the ways to the city were blocked he opened one close as possible slipping out into the darkness of the woods
he ran wings held out so he was nearly flying his feet touching only occasionally he torched a group of tents and took several riders off their mounts bursting out into the clear it was a full scale assault!
the enemy leaders were just off to the left some thing caught and slowed him like running into molasses but he reached for the magic below and the ground cracked asunder as he roared breaking the spell a wing caught Fygar and he was looking him in the face wing claw hooked in his Gambeson
he smiled as Fygars cat eyes went wide in surprise. at the top of his voice he turned to the troops advancing to the city
"HOLD ALL WARRIORS..I HAVE YOUR COMANDER AND HE SHALL DIE IF YOU CONTINUE!!"
a cheer rang out from the city they looked at each other and their leaders Fygar was still in shock
"surrender now Fygar you have no choice"
"very well dragon.. you win this day...but my king shall win the war. ATTACK MY WARRIORS!"
with that he pulled a cord that hung with his hair and a loud ripping came out ..his eyes glassed and his head promptly fell off now it was Bills turn to be shocked
a roar of voices brought him back and he reacted surging forward killing the mage instantly a claw slicing through his magic protections an his torso spraying blood.
the walls were being stormed, he suddenly found his feet no longer touching the ground a reflexive flap of the wings and he was somewhat flying immediately losing his balance didn't help and he balled up rolling right through the worst of the troops slamming into the wall.
he got up dizzy and flailed his tail around till he could regain his equilibrium the dragon turned now in control it roared out flame and magic it took several hours but he held the south wall
the captain of the guard came out of the village with most of his troops forming up into a Calvary line he broke the siege
Bill roared out a welcome to them the survivors were running for the woods fleeing in panic a total rout but he wasn't done now his temper needed satisfaction
he opened a gate to the kings castle having not only Fygars body but several wounded leaders he walked through to a brightly lit throne room a white fox sitting on a dais guards rushing forward to protect him
"I AM William the dragon.. your majesty, I have been traveling with your lady as a guardian".........
the king gestured to the guard to stand down
"she has spoken highly of you William.. what is this?"
"the commander of the forces which were attacking us they are from your 'ally' king Vagarin.. an invasion force has killed hundreds of people and burned nearly a dozen villages.. I an the city guard just defeated them"
tossing the leaders to the floor they all turned and bowed to the king
"is this true? show me the head"
one picked it up showing it to him
"it is Fygar.. indeed this is something i must discuss with king Vagrin"
"allow me your majesty"
he opened a gate to Vagrins castle and knocked out the mages trying to close it he plucked the king from his chair and set him to be standing in front of the fox
"what is the meaning of this! I demand an explanation"
"the king wished to discuss why your troops were invading the southern provinces killing adults keeping only the young and females.. some being killed after the troops got a hold of them .. I just defeated commander Fygar of your black shadows legion...he took his own life instead of being taken alive"
the tiger glared but turned sweetly to the fox king
''Fygar.. turned ..difficult to control my old friend.. I'd asked him to help your people along our borders he betrayed me and ..you"
Bill coughed near to breaking out into hysterical laughter the fox king looked from Bill's outburst to Vagrin
"if old friend you expect me to believe that ...."
the tigers grin changed Bill caught the fine line of magic being used and snapped it putting a barrier between the fox and tiger
"care now to explain to the king wizard cat...without yer glamour's"
he snarled and gathered his power Bill felt it watched and learned it's strength ..and weakness he roared and launched it at Bill who yawned and held out a hand it stopped and the tiger went wide eyed
"how can??"
"silly kitty the moment you made it I knew how to stop it would you like it back?" rearing back to toss it hard the tiger paled
"William...please, Vagrin I challenge you one on one combat here and now for the rights to both kingdoms ..if you will battle me fairly without your magic's.. which I'm sure if you agree William will be the best witness if you goto use magic's he will know"
"and if I refuse?"
"then id say William will want to discuss this invasion ..Privately with you"
Bill smiled and made the magic dissolve into a fog
"then I agree but I will want someone to watch him .."
"agreed"
Bill watched as in less than a half hour both were outfitted for a fight something like a swordfight ...he glanced over at ten warriors brought through a gate to watch him each held a spear with a wicked tip glowing with magic black rivulets of power coiling around it deadly magic to be certain
he enhanced his shields from the magic below him and turned to the fight as it began
both kings were lightly armored but the armor would mean nothing to the blade if it struck home the tiger surged forward and the fox slipped away
Bill snarled looking at the warriors they backed off a little
"fine spears ..Avail you naught in the end little furries"
one just smiled, the action Bill had expected from one or more.. they were here to kill the king ..not guard him
he turned hard to the fight as the fox scored a stab to the tigers midriff and a slice across a forearm ..the sword arm he tried to keep the blade up glaring
"dam you"
"I was always the better with a sword old friend or did you forget our childhood? surrender and"
"Never!!!!"
he slashed out and caught the fox across the leg he went down but stabbed out as he did the blade went in and found it's mark the tiger staggered and looked dumbly at the blade protruding from his chest
he looked at the warriors "k-kill them"
Bill lashed out and took legs and feet out from under them all but one fell he was readying a toss for the fox king
Bill wasn't able to stop him in time but leaped forward and caught it in his teeth inches away from the foxes chest he was wide eyed
"I have it yur majsty"
who smiled at his slurred speech around the shaft
the warrior yelled and charged at them blade drawn the king grabbed the spear from Bill's teeth and heaved it right into the warrior who twitched and screamed dissolving into a puddle of black oil
he hopped a little leaning on Bill, finally Bill stood tall
"you forget me old friend!" Bill lashed out and his tail swiped through the tiger he laughed in response the fox hobbled forward
"Vagarin!"
"fooled you old friend ..that's but one of my servants made out to appear like me...as for you William...we will meet again"
Bill couldn't read this magic.. and it disappeared
he snarled the king placed a hand on his and smiled,
Bill turned and for a moment the dragon wanted to eliminate this pest who interfered with his life with the female but he calmed
"she has spoke of your battle with the dragon inside you, the one who would do even a friend harm I'm glad I'm enough of a friend that you calm it down before it harms me"
"it's not easy with how you treat her...she's in her moon as we speak I've had to protect her from herself as much as others...count this as my note ..you owe me your majesty...this dragon will claim that debt when the time is right"
"I understand...wish her well ..advise the captain of the guard reinforcements are coming... I accept the debt William ..you've done me great service ..in exchange for clothes and weapons"
Bill nodded knelt down the king expecting him to swear allegiance got a surprise as he put his claws to the leg wound he felt the incredible power flow into it through the magic shields put on him by his mages the wound healed instantly he stood and walked away from him
"William ..who has your allegiance?..."
Bill turned and his eyes glowed "the lady.. my lady, for only she is safe from the dragons rage..."
Bill watched and waited trying to keep her fed and himself in cold dips in the lake ...finally she woke one morning and instead of rushing at him, flicking her tail up at him seductively...she just sat there sighed and stretched "mmmm"
"g'morning m'lady"
she smiled and nodded then frowned
"umm where are we William?"
"a cave I made to keep you safe while you came through your moon time my lady how are you now?"
he looked under the blankets and set them down
"I tried to keep you clothed but ...a lady will do as she wants ..m'lady"
her face reddened
"I need to bathe please"
"of course my lady.. I know of a hot water spring will that do?"
"yes that will do"
he opened a gate to the place and they walked through she said nothing as she bathed he kept his back respectfully turned, though he'd seen all she had many times before
"how long has my moon had me?"
"ten days m'lady the city is already rebuilding and Zisa has with the healers nearly everyone recovered from their wounds...the king wished you to know he wishes you well"
he heard something like sobs but didn't look. after awhile she came over dry and dressed looking all the more radiantly beautiful ..his heart was enslaved instantly once again
"let us return to the village William"
"yes m'lady" gating them there
he waited and ate as she took care of the real reasons she was there Gerin and Galler came along side him they had cleaned up and attended to there gear in the lady's absence
Bill looked and nodded still not all to happy with them
"we appreciate the second chance you've given us William"
"yes.. reminded us of our duties to the lady ...and king"
"good id hate to have to get mad at you like that again"
they shivered a little showing they hadn't forgotten his anger
they moved on after his gear had been repaired with a new group of eight warriors some of the kings very best the captain trotted his horse up along side the lady and bowed his head politely
"my lady...the king sends his regards and complements to you for the defeat of the.."
she turned and pushed her hood back to glare at the badger
"I had little to do with the defeat of king Vagrins forces captain...it is William you should be speaking to ...."
"and on that subject m'lady I have orders to insure your safety ..even at the dragons life"
"you have more to fear from Vagrin's forces captain ... I am the kings lady and Vagrin would love to see me dead"
"the dragon is by the kings orders to be watched ...he is not loyal to the king"
"no he is not captain ..he swore his life to me.. he obeys no one he does not wish to"
Bill watched these new warriors closely
two he immediately formed a disliking of ..the others he hadn't yet formed an opinion of but the captain he had ...one of the things he'd learned in life was to trust instinct when it reared it's head into the light
it was bellowing out warnings to high heaven when he looked at this badger...
he sat down after hunting and set a choice piece down for everyone else the captain 'accidentally' kicked dirt on it as he walked by Bill snarled silently taking it to a lake to rinse it off he returned and found them cooking something one of the warriors had caught
he flicked the meat into the trees and slipped off into the shadows to take up watch
he watched from the shadows eyes burning with hate, Zisa walked up and watched him glare for a moment
"she sees the fury in your eyes William"
he turned slowly to fix the skunk in his glow she smiled and sipped her drink
"she sees nothing for these warriors friend ..calm the dragon"
"this time Zisa it's not the dragon ..he's sitting behind my eyes watching letting me do the work... I do not like that badger...and do not trust him"
"she does not like his orders...to protect her from all threats.. and you"
he snorted growling
"easy...easy"
a sigh came and his body relaxed
"the king is simply protecting ..his property"
"which I should have taken from him"
"no then she would be your slave...not what she'd want at all and you would never do that to her.. no the king must give her freedom to her first"
he nodded and started to think
"now I see William in control of the dragon.. not the reverse"
he grinned evilly "so sure about that Zisa?.. be careful where you try to separate us now ...the dragon might fool you"
she blinked and moved away.
He meant to frighten her, the lady now that her moon was gone wasn't interested in him any more that was clear but he had sworn his protection...
love was an unforgiving master he sighed and tears came he felt the loneliness that had eaten at him for years leaving his insides cold and empty.
The self inflicted solitude never to know the pain because he'd shut it out of his life...he heard Avarellis settle down onto a limb above him
"and now little dragon do you understand why your song is so short?"
"yes... I chose it to be so"
"very good....and?"
"I am a coward of the worst kind... imprisoned by my own actions to be alone forever.. running away from the pain and heartache.. it was so bad, I shut down even desire and love not even looking at a nude woman was enough to even get my body to react ...to be safe from the pain I couldn't protect myself from the rejection the never to be wanted"
he looked up at the kitsuni and saw the tears in her own eyes
"I was there with you William .. I watched as you tried to do as others did so easily and were violently and callously shoved away ..your affections ignored ..used as a tool to use you ...made to make you into a fool to hurt an abuse you ..
when finally the one called Amy laughed at you even as you professed your love for her then proceeded to humiliate you in front of others ...you even after all that still hold a memory for her"
"she had no one who truly loved her...no one wants the love I offer goddess I am out of place"
"yes you are William ..yes you are, and it is why I have stuck with you over your life ..to try and understand why the creator did this to you"
he turned away from her
"as punishment for not doing as I should have done when love is given between souls .. I held back now I am cursed to never be happy again"
"I doubt that is the case William...but one day we shall know wont we" she poofed and was gone
he led for the next few days avoiding the others unless to report about the road ahead when he came up on the ridge into the next valley
the others came to a stop at the huge dragon shaped statue the head pressed into it's chest wings held in close it held a slab of stone engraved with runes and hieroglyphs to just scratches the lady turned to the side
"Zisa what does it say ..can you make it out?"
she slipped off her mount and examined it closely
"I do not understand these or these...but this is a signature of magic an official seal of a wizard"
Bill looked closely at it and could see the power and the magic in the scratches he felt one with a claw and had a rude surprise as it snapped him with power and a smell came to his nostrils
he looked at the words and understanding came
"it is a warning and guarantee my lady ...this is the valley of the dragon, the road is marked and guaranteed safe passage wander from the road and you are hers to do with as she will. it is signed by the wizard ,king of the day and dragon"
"you say it's a she?"
"her sent was hidden till the magic bit me...the same magic will tell her I'm male but yes this valley is ruled by a dragoness"
the lady gave it a thought and gently healed her mount so it trotted past the statue "then we shall stay on the road and make this passage quickly"
Bill sighed and held Zisas mount as she climbed up into her saddle
"you see the wall zisa?"
she nodded rode on past he walked over to the magic wall and slipped through so it wouldn't mark him as it had the others another smell came his head swiveled and he caught sent of her
he stopped at the stone edge of the road where the grass was immaculately trimmed a still steaming spot indicated where shed just marked and watched them
so not to break the invisible barrier he got a stick and rubbed it on the grass the smell was so incredible and so delectable it was a struggle not to lick it like a popsicle
he finally waged his tongue near it and tossed the stick away ..that alone left him light headed
he caught up and walked along watching his nose flaring tongue flicking trying to catch sent of the valleys owner Zisa came over looking at him
"William.. you have avoided us for the past days ..why?"
"thinking...remembering...wishing' he sniffed again tongue waging repeatedly 'she's here nearby but is watching keeping to the trees...waiting for us to foul up"
"were going to have to camp soon"
"advise the lady against it ...if a mount wanders off it'll be lost and this road is no place to set up camp.. we must stay on the road or it will give the dragon freedom to do as she wishes"
"breaking the agreement ...yes I will advise her"
not that it mattered they found no place to rest on the road that night so kept on walking the mounts till the morning light brought a glow to the east he was leading and heard the trees rustle ahead
not changing his pace he rounded a turn and found a huge buck sitting in the road and just off the turn a clearing with a fire already going a stew pot on a tri-pod and several skins all waiting he felt his hackles rise
"captain! look!"
he turned to see three of the warriors racing forward spurring their mounts
"no! DON'T!" trying to stop them as they raced past into the clearing
he held out his wing to stop the rush of the others the captain glared at him
"move dragon!"
Bill turned and glared at him "stupid fool I'm saving your life, as they have tossed theirs away"
reaching out with his other wing he brushed the sand away from the hidden stone edge
"captain!! the food is hot and the wine is wonderful!!"
"lady come, the fire is warm!"
Bill looked at them and sighed
"the trees m'lady"
pointing to one which fell over without a sound a huge clawed hand reached out and snatched one of the mounts still wandering lose it shrieked and died
"help them! William!" she implored
for the first time he stood with out doing anything
"wait for it my lady you will see the reason why I don't ..my duty is to protect you"
the warriors reacted and grabbed weapons as a huge dragon walked out blood running from it's mouth it looked at them sill on the road
"some are easily fooled some are not, you do well not to aid these fools"
tossing one of them right at the captain but he hit the barrier and exploded into flame screaming running around
she snatched him up blowing out the flame an promptly ate him
"mmmm just right'
smashing another with her tail the last ran for his life into the woods
"you could not help them ..you knew that didn't you dragon" the dragoness said softly
"I suspected as much ..the wall was far to strong to just be an alarm to warn you"
she grinned blood still dripping
"enjoy the meal I give to you..." gesturing to the buck sitting in the road
she flicked the crushed warrior into her mouth and disappeared into the trees
he sighed and let his wing fall
"if any of us cross the roadside it is impossible to get back, the magic as you see prevents it"
Zisa was so surprised she let off a spray like a skunk everyone moved away from her but Bill who offered assistance she was weak and near to collapsing.
"William .. I cant use my magic"
He gestured to make a light and found it incredibly difficult
"some kind of dampener holding the magic at bay.. that why you lost control?"
she nodded weakly "fear an never have I felt such power"
he gestured a gentle calming spell over her with no shields it took immediate effect he helped her back onto her mount
"William can you take her to bathe please"
"impossible m'lady the dragon has a magic dampener over the valley ..it's why Zisa panicked she has no shields and can not use her magic at all. I in fact am having a difficult time of it also, this dragoness has prepared her valley well m'lady"
she thought for a moment watching Zisa sighing holding onto the pommel of the saddle as if for dear life
"if needed can you get us away from here?"
he shook his head slowly saying nothing he walked Zisa's mount past them holding the reins
"we should keep moving..."
picking up the dead buck the captain snarled Bill stopped and glared back at him tossing the carcass off into the trees
"I picked it up so we all could have something to eat but since your so dam distrustful of me.. you go get it now and to hell wit ya"
"William?!"
he sighed looking at the lady turned and walked on with Zisa in tow after quite awhile Zisa spoke up
"now she knows how much you two don't get along...as I tried to tell her"
"his ten foot of attitude being shoved in my face is getting on my nerves Zisa I'm gona show him what a dragon can really do"
"I believe he awaits that from the very first"
"more the fool he is then...sticking his face into the very thing that would kill him ...stupid very stupid"
"he has great courage though"
"perhaps but wont do him any good dead"
"the lady is frightened William ..never has she seen the like of what we all saw... sometimes those who care have to be ..persistent in there attempts to help?"
he looked back at the skunk and smiled walking on .
through most of the night they walked there mounts Bill carrying the supplies so the pack horse could rest, for a moment he found himself wondering what some of equine ladies thought of horses and how much they looked alike, being evil he wondered if they saw more in the males
blinking back to reality he saw the group stop he moved forward to the lead the lady was knelt down in front of the warrior who had ran into the woods to escape the dragoness
"he's badly wounded William.. but alive"
Bill looked at him for magic and found a deadly trap spell
"don't touch him m'lady he has a trap spell over him"
he slipped out an arrow from his quiver and reached towards the young hyena
"no---don't" Bill eased back
"she has put a trap on you"
he nodded slowly "and a slow death...please m'lady leave me ..it will kill all...but him"
pointing at Bill "s-she left me alive for h-him to enjoy"
Bill backed away in shock the captain glared
"you--your working with that MONSTER!!"
the warriors pulling there swords and knocking arrows he was still stunned a clang came from behind him turning as he saw Galler expertly knock a sword away and put his to the warriors throat
"defend your self drake! these honor less curs were about to take you from behind!!"
Bill had his sword out and deflected a blow meant for his neck from the captain....
Bill snarled and flung him away
"stupid fool! she thinks id prefer him! because of tossing that buck away earlier!!"
"or is that what you wish us to think!!.. no dragon this time you'll not cost me more of my troops!!"
he came at Bill with a war cry, he glanced at the lady who was clearly unable to stop this madness Bill had, had it roaring he leaped up over the captain and smashed him to the dirt with his tail knocking the wind out of him
he moaned and went limp glaring at the remaining warriors silently one by one they put there weapons away he turned to the lady who was actually holding on to Zisa for support
"he is alive because I'm not like that dragon I am not from this dam place! I was NOT BORN A DRAGON!! dam you Avarelis!! I will not kill him for your glory or giggles!! but I will make sure you don't get what you want for putting me into this position!"
pulling his Gambeson open he ripped the flute out bits of its chain sparkling
the lady blinked as he tossed it down and wheeled his sword and slammed it down with all the magic he had focused on the edge of the blade intent on destroying the flute an the cornerstone of the curse on him
for a moment time slowed for him as it struck home cleaving the sliver of the flute in half a roar came from inside the flute and it exploded tossing him backwards and high into the air
his sword flying off he felt his wings be the first thing to respond opening to try and catch him but the trees sailed by him and stars exploded as he hit hard knocking a tree down his vision blurred
he heard her, the lady screamed! he rushed ignoring the pain bursting through the trees the roadside barrier was gone as was a lot of the road the mounts were running and he saw the dragoness!!
she had the lady! he leaped and smashed into the dragons head knocking the lady free he kicked and found a soft spot in her throat doing a move he'd only seen in the movies he kicked her again and flipped away landing with a little slide on the dirt the dragoness roared at him
"go!" pointing at the lady and Zisa who'd appeared at her side
she had he look of questioning but he snarled and roared out flame at the dragoness who leaped into the air to dodge it
"I said leave! I'll hold her run! Damn it!"
Galler appeared from the brush and pulled them both away towards the mounts Gerin had caught, in a moment they were riding away
"it will not save them from my vengeance!!" he looked up at the dragon
"I think I can convince you other wise!...come catch me if you can dragoness!! I'm the one who damaged your road"
he ran but when he tried to open his wings they flashed pain into his back a huge clawed hand appeared in front of him he yelped and leaped over bouncing a foot off her nose he laughed as she jerked about trying to follow him
"dam you drake!"
"ha! too slow!!"
dipping and weaving he darted through the trees as she plowed through chasing him a gleam caught his eye
'my sword' snatching it as he raced past
it instantly seared his hand he grimaced in pain not from heat! but cold he dropped as she rushed up and flew over him he darted away from her
"dam! I will turn you into a bloody pile of crushed bones drake!"
"others have tried lady! none have succeeded!!"
he ran for all he was worth the pain now from hand and back burning into his mind dulling his reactions he made a mistake and ran out into the open and she laughed roaring at him
"now your mine drake!!!"
he ran faster hoping to make it to the next stand of trees but she literally flowed into place in front of him
her massive head coming round he roared out flame but found it held off by a similar blast from her!
he turned and found her there too encircling him in flame he had no magic left and she stopped at the only opening holding her wings high her eyes glowed a deep golden yellow
"now ..your mine..."
he held the still frost covered sword out to defend himself but she stopped only a few steps into her attack
he found the moment fleeting as she moved more he stood straight
'might as well die fighting least I wont hurt any innocents this way' he thought
"so you thought to tempt fate did you drake...what are you called ..so I may enjoy telling the others of your death"
"I am known as William the dragon ...and I do not fear you dragoness I do this to save the lady and end this dam cursed life of mine!"
she stopped and looked at him he felt the magic roll around him
"this magic on you covers your true self yet this is you... I recognize that magic...Avarellis!! that dam multi tailed thieving bitch!... that blast.. what did you do?" her eyes narrowing watching him
"tried to destroy this dam thing! Out of frustration an out of patients" reaching into his Gambeson he tossed the flute out and before it could hit the dirt it faded out and reappeared on his neck
the dragoness tilted her head as if to question what shed seen but then smiled
"human.. dragon...a hero?...she's playing that game again is she...she wants something.. doesn't she?!"
he took the moment to reach down with what little he had left and tapped into the magic rivers below the sword defrosted and he stood defiant
"you will not like this...William ..but"
the magic suddenly disappeared and became unreachable
"this is MY valley...my magic"
his heart thumped hard she smiled and moved slowly forward one foot at a time
"answer me! ..."
"she s-said she wants to touch the creator she wants to know god! alright! So she cursed me"
she stopped and sighed "then she is just as much a fool as you"
"am I the fool dragoness?... I found the flute thinking it was a treasure to save my home perhaps my few worldly possessions I played it purely out of curiosity...and in doing so ended my life as I knew it"
she'd stopped again and inhaled deeply he expected the flames to hurt only a moment but stared right into her eyes something glimmered across those huge pools and the flames didn't come .....
he was dumb struck sword long since fallen to the grass standing there waiting to be dragon flambé and it didn't happen
she blinked and another deep inhale this one turning into sniffing as she leaned over closer still then only inches away she sniffed
"you are male... "
he just blinked she eased back away from him and broke an immense smile teeth gleaming
"play for me William ...let me hear what Avaralis believes is her key to god"
"y-you want me to play??"
"yes! Now play"
he brought it out and looked into her eyes as she laid down with a ground shaking thump the flames slowly dying
he thought 'if I can only hold on I might be able to still get away'
she smiled again "if you run William I will kill this ..lady you protect ..slowly and very painfully ...play for me and we shall talk about an ..agreement we can come to ..but play"
he sighed and played the song had changed yet again ..it had a moment of pure contentment of pure terror and now confusion all woven together when he stopped the dragoness opened her eyes and a tear fell!
he sighed "so now what?"
she blinked and smiled "I have an offer for you William...... I will teach you magic and other things... I will heal your wounds I will even let those you traveled with pass through my valley safe and unharmed ....if you will stay with me for awhile...play the flute for me when I ask ..is it agreeable?"
turning her head to one side grinning
"to help you decide ..if you don't, they will never leave this valley alive and you will still give me what I want ...but it will be ...most enjoyable if you agree willingly to stay..."
"h-how long would.."
"you worry about her even now..."
opening a viewing circle the lady and others were having to canter the horses
"the fighting's gone quiet m'lady" seeing the captain ride up along side the lady
"you don't like this one do you"
"no an I trust him even less"
"he seeks that which you desire but do not take, though she has willingly offered to you, honor truly befitting a dragon William... this one he has little and will take what she has when he gets the chance...
stay with me and I will put special magic on her, he tries to take that from her and .. the magic will make sure he gets no such pleasure in the future. Now! ...answer me I have offered a great deal more than id offer anyone else! ...and never have before...do you agree to my offer?"
"how long?"
she blinked and smiled again
"she truly has your heart doesn't she... such a prize and doesn't know she has it"
she laughed
"no more than twenty days ...unless you so wish to extend our agreement" her eyes narrowed "well your answer?"
"will you let me tell her ..that I will be staying willingly"
"no...but I will give her the message.. is this your agreement?"
he nodded feeling as if he'd just signed his soul away she bugled an roared! Quickly she surged onto her feet nearly motionless as she towered over him he felt her hot breath roll down his back she let out a sigh
"nasty wounds much blood ..it will take them time to heal" and with that she turned "stay here I will return ...watch the circle ..so you know I tell them true"
he watched as they for a few moments kept riding the captains eyes now showing his thoughts truly
"dam that badger I'm going to kill him ..and like it..."
he rode up along side her again
"brave and fearless the drake was m'lady ...he may have bought us the time we needed to get away"
she glared at him
"his name is William! and he will find a way!"
"AND SO HE HAS LADY"
the horses reared and whinnied as the dragoness eased out from the trees to stand in the roadway they readied for an attack but none came
Gerin and Galler got the lady to the back of the group the warriors finally finding a shred of courage armed themselves
"I am not here to fight ..or even to harm you I am here to advise you lady ...William has chosen to stay willingly with me for a time.. he watches even now via viewing circle so that I speak true to you.... he was about to die and told me of the curse..
Avaralis will grace the bottom of my foot one day ..she is a thief and a bitch with no comparison...he is wounded very badly
both wings broken and the magic from the flute has burned him he is drained he surrendered to save you"
"I-I don't believe you!!"
the dragoness sighed "he knows you well lady ..he wished to tell you personally but I will not allow it.. this one"
flicking a claw full of sand at the captain
"would use William's state to kill him .. I have my right to extract my due from all who wish to pass through my valley"
she leaned over to him and liquid started dribbling out of his breaches
"would you who just proclaimed William brave and fearless take the hero's place and pay for all of your passage through?"
blinking in terror only more pee ran out onto the dirt
"as I expected"
"I will take his place dragon" Galler moved forward
"very brave of you warrior ..but you do not have that which I need or want...and your duty is to the lady ..not William.. no William will rejoin you but it shall be some time, time for him to heal...and pay my fee"
she grinned and moved forward gesturing out to the lady magic flowed like dust out of her hand over the vixen
"part of my agreement with William lady ...my magic will protect you and your being murr...only William will be able to remove it"
the lady shimmered like gold for a moment then it faded
"if any male tries to mate with you he will find that he will become female permanently and she will be in her full moon...just to teach that male a valuable lesson"
glaring at the captain who swallowed his heart she turned and the huge wings rose up to pull her into the air
"wait please..."
she turned as the lady moved closer
"please don't take him from me"
"why not lady...have you not been cold to him of late? ..have you not been favoring that weak bladdered fool with your conversation? avoiding William, for he knows more than even your king about you, under those clothes you wear"
the lady blushed and Bill was wide eyed
"yes William I too have been watching ...her dancing and playing with you forcing you to go out into the woods to satisfy the dragon in you ...so he wouldn't give her what she wanted ...games lady .. I play no game with him .. I need a male dragon he is not the most grand nor the largest but he has the greatest honor an courage I have ever seen and he is the one I chose ...he will return to you lady, his spirit and honor would allow nothing less, but he will be.. different"
she leaped into the air
"leave my valley lady ..do so quickly! or I may have to renegotiate with my lover because I needed food and you were ..available"
the circle snapped closed and he blinked more from shock at how much the dragoness knew! and the fact that she wanted him as a ..mate
looking down at the sword and his freeze burned hand which was blackened frostbitten and bleeding. he hated to do it but turned and looked at his right wing which had given him the most pain, it was snapped the bone showing blood dribbling ... the left was dislocated and hanging at an odd angle
he saw her coming and with a gentle breeze she stepped onto the ground and walked forward towards him a sly grin on her face as she stopped over him
"so I guess size doesn't matter?"
"it does not, it's all in how you use it William...you are not a full sized dragon ..but it does not stop you from becoming quite a warrior..."
he sighed she just smiled and moved around behind him looking closely at his wounds her hot breath rolling down his neck the smell wasn't unpleasant as he had expected
his back suddenly felt like it was being ripped apart!! and he felt sharp pains in his shoulders his legs buckled and he fully expected the ground to hurt when it hit ..but she leaned around
"the wings had to be set or you wont ever fly William"
her eyes gleamed as she held him around the chest inhaling deeply at his neck he felt the healing magic's flow into him feeling like he was under a warm pounding rain it relaxed and soothed so much more than Zisa's had,
he felt light and free no more pain looking at his hand the burns faded and healed sleep overcame him but in his dreams she was there holding him comforting, healing ...
he awoke to a snapping pain as his wings were assaulted once again surging from his attackers he turned and readied a fire blast
"William"
he blinked as the dragoness smiled
"I was fixing the problem with your wings ..why you can not fly ..the joint does not open fully ... I'm sorry to have hurt you in your sleep I thought perhaps the healing magic would have left you still numb"
he swayed and flopped to his rump realizing he was nude!
"muh armor?"
feeling all too much like he would have after a long binge. she walked closer smiling
"for your comfort and to clean it ..the blood and dirt ..."
he felt her gentle touch and the magic once again flooding into his soul. he had dreams of Avarelis and her flute ..laughing over him then the dragoness literally ripping one of her tails off roaring as the goddess fled then laughing cursing her name
he awoke to the smell of food he rose and saw the buck standing there he roared and pounced devouring it in moments belching as blood ran from his jaw he looked around finally she was there smiling he sat down
"you will grow strong now, the hunting in my valley is good most times but the animals are becoming experts at avoiding me, still hungry?"
"n-no I'm fine thanks, how long have i been sleeping?"
she smiled and moved over curling around him like a snake he felt her warmth soothing his senses
"five days now but the wounds were worse than I had thought ..the magic burned you deeply"
he sighed as his belly finally registered he'd eaten he looked slowly up into her eyes
"you are afraid strange for one so brave in all other things"
"a little I've never"
she leaned over and touched her lips to his, tongue gently pressing yet demanding access he relaxed as the meal digested and relented to her he'd heard of French kissing ..but never thought a dragon would know about it!
as the stars came out she gently rolled him onto his back her nose and tongue doing things to him he'd only dreamt of her eyes were suddenly over his
"let the fire burn in you William let the dragon free of the chains you have bound him with all your life ... I set him free this night free to burn me with passion smother me in love..."
she moved and kept her eyes locked on his her hand was suddenly at his lips wet with a musky sent it dripped onto his lips and nose
she watched as he shivered at the sent of her ready-ness and his eyes deepened there glow he reached out and took her hand in both of his licking sensually
she had to moan as he did it the soft touch he used she suddenly felt his tail caressing her belly and reaching for places farther down she smiled and arched her back allowing him to do as he wished he smiled holding her hand unwilling to let it go still licking slowly she gently used the hand to guide him down where more could be found
after awhile unable to keep her legs from collapsing on top of him she rolled them both together he never lost a single moment she bugled out to the world proclaiming him the child of a god! he eased up and with help from her holding him in the right place he set lose the dragon..
he stood there awaiting the sun to rise his new wingspread near twice the original held up and out awaiting the light she came up behind him and nibbled on his neck spreading her wings to do the same the sun rose and the glare into his eyes was nothing compared to the incredible feeling it gave
she licked around his neck her tail caressing his groin he smiled not looking away he'd noticed the flute was nowhere on him last night but hadn't asked
"I dreamt the kitsuni was here while sleeping off the healing magic's"
"she was trying to put the flute back onto you... I caught her"
"you got one of her tails?"
"yes she'll have to go heal up thieving little bitch took my flute and then sends it back around the neck of ..a dragon hidden in the human world"
grinning at him as he looked
"she tried to bargain with me for her life ...the flute was mine long ago ..given to me by the wizard to help find those who were true of heart and thus deserving my help or safe passage ..she asked to borrow it to see if a young male god was being truthful to her I never saw it again...
well I caught her trying to give you nightmares ..to force you to leave my valley quickly, so you wouldn't consider staying a little longer"
he licked her cheek and smiled nipping at her neck she rolled over, him in hot pursuit relaxing later he gently slid a claw along a scale on her chest making spirals and geometric designs hearts with arrows through them she sighed deeply
"what is you name?"
she smiled from what he could see
"nearly all my life I have been called dragoness, but long ago I was once called Tee'a"
he coiled his tail around hers squeezing a memory came up from before ...Tee'a mat!
"Tee'a mat"
her head came up and she looked right at him "how .."
"I'm sorry it is the legendary name for the...queen of dragons"
her eyes glow intensified and a glimmer flowed over the surface she relaxed back
"it is indeed an ancient name...my mothers in fact"
"so your now the .."
"queen of dragons? yes but my people are few now and they have become monsters not proud strong dragons"
she leaned over and he sat down on the ground to look at her
"since you have been the only male I have found for awhile ..."
tears came he walked up and comforted her best he could.... he went hunting as she slept he'd held her and comforted her enough so the tears came and she fell asleep
he heard the giggle and did his leap Avaralis choked as he ripped her from a tree her three tails snapped and waving
"well now goddess much as you think you are so powerful you can get in over your head ...the dragon and I are now one and this I owe you for laughing at me"
yanking one of her tails out she cried and screamed flames exploded around her body as she boiled with fury . he smiled flicking the tail side to side
"y-you YOU! DAMN!!"
"dragon I think is the word your looking for ...now Avarelis this is the bargain I make with you refuse it and ..well ..." he smiled and flashed his huge fangs
"the curse you put on me is a hoax as the dragon and I became one of course id become more and more dragon ..and id of course forget some of my life as a human that's natural...."
she blinked and the flames died down
"now you have no power over me we can make an agreement listening? ...good, now I will wear the flute and play for you ...but, BUT! this valley is my refuge from the world and you... I don't want you in this valley ..especially when Tee'a has the babies she wouldn't have any qualms about feeding you to them"
she blinked and floated up "why"
"because you told me about the lady and her moon ..as Zisa"
she blinked again shifting a little as she eased higher
"why the lady interests you I don't know but I swore to protect her and I shall, do we have a deal goddess?"
she flared up again blue flames flicking all around
"deal?! I am the goddess!! I have"
Tee'a rose up behind her silent as the wind and she yanked out another tail she yelped and found herself in Bills arms where she'd fell
"see you woke her up with all yer goddess blustering"
"damn vixen bitch!! William..."
"hold on lovely, I'm talking with her" he looked at the goddess who was so angry her eyes were blood red "your choice goddess"
she exploded with a burst of blue flame he sighed and flicked the tail over his shoulder Tee'a smiled and reached down nipping his butt
"dealing with her..."
"trying to keep her out of the valley ..she has some interest in the lady and needs me to watch over her"
"more of the bitches games.... come lover let us hunt together"
he watched as she leaped into the air and circled waiting for him she smiled and waged her tongue at him
"a greater reward than food is given if the drake can fly me as well as he mates with me on the ground"
he smiled and raised his wings for the push hesitating she swooped over him flashing her belly at him for emphasis of her intentions
okay boy, that don't really fit anymore now does it!, his blood rushed
"BECAUSE IM A DRAGON!!" leaping up into the air he flapped with power her eyes widened and a huge smile came as he caught her...
as the sun started to set he caught sight of a group of bucks and charged at them spooking them into the open where she dove down and plucked a meal for them he walked over as she swallowed one
"I saw you keep the kitsunis tails Tee'a what for?"
she smiled and held one of the bucks out to him which he accepted
"not much misses those eyes of yours does it"
"not much"
she grinned "watch" and she poofed out in a huge burst of blue flame!! and giggled behind him! he spun and received a long loving kiss as they parted he held her cheeks
"you gain her powers?"
"her abilities not her powers. she can teleport and become invisible"
fading out he could still feel her she moved forward and licked his neck slowly
"one tail for you two for me I have already attached it to your armor it will keep the father of my babies alive and safe... "
the next day she started it with a nip to his ear and a hunt for the dragoness...which he won ..of course to her total surprise ...
he laid there watching her bathe in a lake she was totally submerged then only her eyes and top of the head came up he grinned
"playing submarine?"
She blinked but said nothing he felt a thin line of magic flow over him his hackles rose and he leaped and bounded rolling clear as the spot he'd been on turned to solid ice!!
"Tee'a ! what's that for?"
she rose up smiling "testing you lover you have a rare gift ..you can sense any magic even the most subtle I worked the spell to be totally undetectable but you felt it any how"
he walked over to her
"now I know how you avoided my traps and such before...now that I know that I can start teaching you magic true dragon magic's"
grinning wide as she slowly pulled him into the water to play
twenty five days had passed and he stood in the morning light his heart tearing in two his armor polished and gleaming a new magic shield a treasure she had given him along with a dragons hoard of gold saying he would want it later on
he had a purse of gold coin in his hip bag his mage books now down to one filled to the point of spells on the margins he looked at the kitsunis tail like a neck ruff under his chin
he stood there looking at the road and the ridge line marking the edge of her valley to the east
"you need to go lover.. she has made it to a part of the kings lands which her being murr is again a real treasure to nomadic slavers she is the first to these lands for many years..."
he looked up at her eyes and she smiled
a tear rolled down her neck slowly
"you must go...soon I will not welcome your affections and my temper is ..memorable"
he nodded and sighed
"the babies will drive me to run you off ...instinct you called it ... I will let you know when you can visit us I swear on my honor"
he nodded again the knot in his throat so tight it hurt he sighed out a huge breath
"go now William the dragon.. consort to the queen of them all.."
gently pushing him with her nose she licked his ear and disappeared
he walked forward and slowly picked up speed till he ran up to the statue looking out over the hills beyond as they slowly turned into a desert he felt her looking in on him with a viewing circle
"take care Tee'a and thank you ... I remember your warnings of the deserts lack of magic's"
he felt the magic fade and walked through the barrier
he sighed and ran picking up speed he opened his wings and glided upwards on the thermals his shield slipped over his shoulder between the wing
she had shown him an inner eye lid that protected his eye it also was the source of some of his hunting skills at night it allowed him to focus in on movement like a guided missile
he glanced over at a river that meandered through the now scrub brush and tiny thickets of brambles one side of the river was high cliffs that were near impossible to climb so all the traffic was run along side the river which as he flew it just got hotter.
finally drenched in sweat he landed and waded out into the river dunking his head it was incredible how much water could feel like a god send at a moment like that
he walked out and relaxed against a scraggly tree in a little shade the heat had him dry in minutes and as warned the magic here wasn't readily available
he had to reach really far just to feel it and it was a meager trickle the brush rustled and he felt her instantly he ate a dried fruit from a magic bag Tee'a had given him the spell for
"hello Avarellis come to bother me again?"
she appeared in a poof sitting on the ground three tails slowly shifting from one side to the other he just grinned ...
"your a very bad boy William"
"only cause you made me into one..."
smiling as he flicked another fruit into his mouth "fruit?"
"no"
"your loss"
eating another he was gazing intently at her as he chewed
"do you want something Avarellis? or is this a sit and stair at the dragon eat visit"
"I'm trying to decide how best to punish you for your behavior..."
"and risk Tee'a making a fur coat out of yer hide hmmm"
"She has no power over me!!"
"no but she is powerful ..and was once your friend ..now your enemy..."
he sighed pulling the cord tight on the bag and slipping it into his hip bag
"she trusted you and you lied to her, then tried to steal her time with me away ...why is the lady so much in your plans kitsuni? I know you wont answer me or if you do it'll be some half truth or full lie"
he stood and towered over her and for a moment then he smiled she was still drop dead gorgeous even if she was a pain in the ass
"I swore to protect her goddess and so I shall now you'll excuse me"
"she is...important to me"
he looked into her eyes and for the first time saw the truth
"why?"
she stood and glared "ohh no William ...you had best keep your word to her keep her safe... oh and"
gesturing at him he felt the flute drop onto his neck
"you'll need that" disappearing in her blue flames
he just smiled and walked on the heat now to much for flying he passed abandoned towns and villages the wells still good but the water very low he slept inside the inn's stables smelling the mounts
then the lady and the badger it was getting late when the roads ended on a good sized town it was walled and the gates had sagged to be unmovable weeds growing around
he wondered if he'd ever see anyone alive in this region of the kingdom but he smiled as he heard laughter of children walking round an old collapsing shack he saw a lady coyote just showing she was pregnant the bulge to her belly evidence,
she was hanging out the wash as her three kids ran around playing
"hello there!" he waved they all went wide eyed and rushed for the house "wait! I'm not ...oh damn it"
walking over he picked up her wash off the dirt shaking then draping it over the line he sighed and gently tapped on the door she and the kids started crying
"I'm with the Kings lady, I am William, one of her guardians. Please don't be afraid of me, I'm not a bad dragon"
he sighed as they continued to whimper an cry walking over to a ring of stones for cooking he got a fire started and went out into the wild outside the town he found a small buck and returned with it in the darkness he could hear her singing to the children trying to calm them
he hoped they were hungry soon enough the smell of the meat cooking drifted around the house the door finally creaked open and the smallest girl came out he smiled and patted his knee she ran over the mother shrieked and bolted out the door sliding to a stop
"I have enough for everyone missus she was very hungry don't be mad at her"
she eased over cautiously
"did the lady not tell you her guardian would be following?"
"s-she did but said nothing about a dragon"
"I'm sorry I mean you no harm, I was just very happy to finally see a living person. been walking alone for a couple days now so much of the region is dead even with so much water from the river"
she calmed as he gave the little one a small chunk of meat he'd been blowing on to cool it she devoured it he smiled
"slow down and enjoy your food there's plenty"
she soon had them all out eating with plates knives and forks she offered him one but he declined the kids were soon full and she put them to bed, walking out he held out a plateful to her which she took and sat down...
"my apologies William"
"its alright most are afraid of me in the beginning"
"she said you stayed behind to ..pay for there passage through the dragons valley"
"yes and I gained quite a lot from my staying willingly"
"so the dragoness will be having babies then?"
"Yes, she is queen of dragons" smiling as the ladies eyes went wide "oh my...then she will be hunting more then"
"yes to feed them but her valley is well stocked she flies outside so to stretch her wings and for the pleasure of flying. Where is your mate?"
"Hopefully coming up river from dropping the lady off"
he nodded but heard something other than worry in her voice
"you suspect something of him?" she blinked clearly caught off guard then she sighed
"I am the guardian to the lady .. I chose who I wish to help and protect I am sworn to no king... does he hurt you?"
"no ..but he takes far to long to travel up river after going down I have found strange long hairs on him they are not mine ..they smell of laursta and fellar flowers..."
"he has family in other villages on the river?"
"no"
Bill knew then "I can tell you with out a doubt lady if he has ..my sense of smell can tell a single ladies moon from all other smells in a village if he has mated with another I will nod at you ..if it is worse I will nod and close my eyes"
"why do you do this?"
"because if he is doing this to you he is hurting the others too .. I can not stand by and watch that"
he worked around the empty village tearing down old colapsing buildings and repairing the walls and gates when she needed some wood he got it for her, lifting heavy baskets of wash and such.
weeks went by he wondered about his home for the first time thinking about his dogs ..his fish. the kids started yelling and cheering as a result he slipped into the river and waited for the barge to come into the dock under sail
a burly coyote tied her up and dropped the sails hugging the kids they ran for their mom the father walking towards the house
she came out as Bill moved with all the dragoness smooth sinuous movements slipping up behind him Bill leaned over inhaling softly he caught the scents of two in moon, one not but still young
she looked up as the male opened his arms to hug her Bill nodded and closed his eyes...
she trembled
"Cersta what's wrong...your trembling"
"I'm j-just so glad your home .. the ladies guardian arrived and has been waiting for you"
"he has well! where is he!?"
she gestured behind him he turned and went near panic
"greetings.." Bill grinned toothily with the full intent to scare the crap out of this ass
"ahh hhh a d-dragon"
"who has been waiting for quite awhile for you to return" he smiled a clearly evil grin
"so you've been in that dragonesses valley ..is it true about the treasure hoard she has?"
moving from her arms pulling free without any concern for her feelings she nearly broke, her eyes glassed with tears being treated so coldly
"she has quite a treasure ..more than a legion could carry away why?"
his eyes lit with gold fever he smiled and pulled Bill away to talk in private clearly even his good sense of survival had completely failed him
Bill finally asked him what of the ladies he had waiting in other towns which for a moment finally shocked the coyote but then he grinned tapping his nose in some kind of false idea Bill understood him
"ehh they all want, want, want ..only really good time with them is when they're all red and willing then they want to give an give in such sweet willingness ahh such delights"
Bill took his purse and felt it's weight
"Then I buy them from you, I enjoy ladies when ever I chose"
he smiled "deal! dragon take the boat as well it's yours I'm off to find a treasure"
"Then I'll open a gate for you it will be a strain but I can do it ..you'll be on the road not far from her horde"
"my thanks dragon! let me get my mount"
he was soon packed and ready she pleaded with him for a moment he turned to her
"your his now and so are the three others I've enjoyed ..like I told him I enjoyed what you gave willingly but grew tired of the want, want, want ...goodbye"
Bill opened the portal "are you sure you wish to do this? There is still time to mend your issues"
he rushed through onto the road ignoring him "enjoy the ladies dragon... I will the gold"
Bill gently put his hand onto Cerstas shoulder she saw the dragoness but lowered her head
"then enjoy what you have left of your life treasure hunter ... I too have wants and needs .. I wanted to make sure you hurt these ladies no more and your being there makes sure my queen does not go without"
closing the portal as they heard the dragoness greet the coyote with a long pleased hiss..
he let her cry but when she came to talk later she had a slaves submissiveness
"your not a slave lady .. I set you free the moment he accepted my gold I set you free from him"
she nodded shocked
"I've noted that the hills around the area are filled with gold mines"
"all worked out though William"
"don't bet on it"
he soon gathered a tumble weed like bush that was filled with highly flammable sap and stuffed a mine to the point where a huge old water wheel shaft couldn't jam any more in it'd taken a couple days but in the end it would be worth it.
she'd watched this with interest he stopped and smiled only his loin cloth on he sighed
"now then inside I saw this black rock and it's in the tailings' holding one up, hard anthracite coal
"vents have been made for air the mine was dug so its slopes up following the hill so this should work"
Taking a deep breath he torched the nearest part and it was soon burning deeper into the mine shaft the rock becoming red hot steam an smoke rising from every tiny crack regular bursts of heat an rumbles underground
he smiled seeing the first of it trickling out she looked
"what is that?"
"gold an other metals melted by the coal and sap burning deep inside the draft the air vents high up is fanning the fire into an inferno inside as well as any underground gasses adding to the fire"
he watched as the gold flowed into bowls he'd made into the soaked sand as one filled it flowed onto the next
"this I give to you lady and the others he has hurt ..together you can be very powerful and quite rich able to pick and chose your future mates as you! wish ...or none permanent at all ..wise investment ..into played out gold mines ..could get riches beyond all belief"
her smile reflected her thoughts he bowed his head and went to get the boat loaded with provisions best he could
three days later two hundred of his blocks of gold the mine fire burnt out on its own an the hill had collapsed,
all the families belongings and provisions for the trip they set sail the current gentle but not quite enough to get the boat going
"do you know the river lady?"
"I should my father was a boats male"
he nodded smiling pushing the rudders oar to the left to get into the deeper water
"id be glad of lessons so I don't wreck us"
"id say your doing quite well as you are, children lets get the deck tidied up if you please"
he stood at the stern as she had the kids pour buckets of water over the decks the oldest working the pump to remove excess water from the keel with all the gold it wasn't needed
it was nearly sunset when he heard a familiar wing beat looking to the stern Tee'a settled into the river to float along his purse dropped to the deck
"he didn't need it anymore"
Bill smiled
"I didn't kill him William ...he is cleaning my cave scrubbing the inside and removing the centuries of nesting material inside. I need it very clean"
"I didn't say you did lovely one but I'm glad he's found a female who can make him behave"
he reached out to kiss her but she eased back away
"you behave drake ..or I will play with the boat"
"but why? when I'm here.."
grinning sly she laughed and smiled as the lady came out unafraid
"you will find lady ..William does not do anything without expecting something in exchange .. he has his price it may not be now he asks for payment he will one day"
"anything he might ask for ..is his he has set me free and given me a life ..if he wanted me I would give that too"
he blushed
"that is something the lady has ..and by my eyes does not care much about it ..take care drake, live life well"
"I shall dragoness take care ..if you"
she plopped a claw on his lips, smiled, and with a sweep of her wings was air born and gone... the smaller lady smiled and patted his arm walking back inside the boats cabin
three days later they finally broke out of the canyons he set into shore so they could camp
he also needed to hunt striping off virtually everything but his loin cloth he slipped into the brush and woods wandering
well into night he came on a clearing a huge circular clearing from the tracks it was a major game attractant he found three buck scrapes.
"big buck too, might even give me a run fer my money...stripping the bark clean to about my chest height off these saplings"
he smiled realizing the huge dead tree in the center of the clearing was a perfect hide he sailed up and settled down on top opening a gate took effort but he got his bow and quiver from the boat
folding his wings around himself like a cloak so that only his eyes and nose were revealed to wait
for awhile he thought he'd miss judged the age of the scrapes but the herd came into the clearing nothing but does ..then the moons came up
'dam there goes my cover'
his shadow loomed up over the clearing just a part of the huge snag but the does were clearly more interested in the scrapes the buck had made
then to Bill's eyes came a glowing sliver buck near to dancing into the clearing!
'my god look at him prancing around like he's a god' he knocked his arrow 'sorry bud, but dragons gotta eat ya know'
He eased his wings open silently an ever so slowly pulling the bow back at the same time aiming for the buck who turned and looked right at him
it smiled and bared it's neck to Bill and it waited then stomping it's foot once
the does burst into a flurry of tails going for the woods in every conceivable direction but the silver stag stood there rock still
Bill rolled his lip back in a snarl seeing the magic now flowing around the buck
"will you shoot me William?.... or can you still not kill when your victim is looking at you?"
he let the arrow go with a vicious snarl and the buck popped up letting the arrow stick into the ground just behind it
"and I thought better of you ..."
Bill stood and leaped into the air somersaulting and landing on all fours in front of the buck
"your first mistake"
"William really now"
the buck glowed and changed becoming humanoid his face smiling as Bill sighed
"another dam god wonderful" he stood looming over the buck "excuse me" plucking his arrow from the dirt he cleaned the point and tended the fletching as he slipped it away in the quiver
"not curious about me William?"
"not particularly"
turning he went to walk out of the clearing but found it blocked with hundreds of eyes every animal for miles was there ..Waiting
"Bill Morris your not being very polite.. I have done nothing to you to warrant this insulting behavior"
"yer a god and I'm starved wasted hours of time for nothing"
his belly growled loud enough that the collected animals shifted a little
he turned to the buck god and grinned "perhaps you'd still like to be my dinner?"
"Not hardly, but I can perhaps make amends"
waving his hand a beam of moonlight intensified and a huge meal appeared wines ales breads roasted foods pies!! he snatched up a huge pecan pie!
"holy sweet mary a'peacan pie!!"
he had rivers of drool rolling down his neck as he smelled and savored the incredible smell then stopped looking at the buck an its pleased smile
he let the pie slip back onto the table with a clunk of the glass dish it was in
"what do you want"
the buck smiled and laughed bright an lovely like a music for a moment
"you haven't changed as much as you think you have Bill... the food has no strings attached. it is my way of saying I'm sorry for wasting your time ..Could I take a few moments of it to talk to you? As you eat of course"
Bill thought for a second and nodded, he was provided with a huge pillow and a table cloth for a bib getting comfortable the breeze drifted over the buck to his nose and he snarled
"Avarellis" he roared
the buck tried to do his evasion again but Bill had him instantly pinning him to the ground his cloven hooves pawing at his belly scales ineffectually his drool dripped over his face and real fear came to the bucks eyes
"b-b-Bill now I'm not Avarellis !!"
he snarled roaring into the bucks face
"I HAVE HAD IT WITH YOUR GAMES YOU MULTI TAILED GOD DAM BITCH! NO MORE! THIS ENDS NOW!!"
"SHES MY MATE! ...PLEASE BILL DONT.. PLEASE"
one of the big cats leaped onto his back and he let lose his personal reserves of magic flaring it out like an explosion of flame holding the event horizon just off his wings it was searing the soil the cat had beat a wise retreat
Bill looked back down on the buck who was clearly in pain and incredibly frightened
"I am William the dragon not Bill Morris the human, that was stolen from me that life is gone now ..."
he let his magic collapse into himself and let the buck stand he brushed off his clothes now keeping a wary eye on him sending the animals away
Bill smiled and set down to eat he walked around to face Bill
"that body has become quite powerful"
Bill nodded gulping down a huge bowl full of crab alfredo the creamy sauce dribbling out of his jaw
"and has" swallowing "a huge fuel requirement' gulping a keg of ale down he belched and let that settle for a moment to go after a huge leg of real beef roasted slowly with garlic an herbs
"Bill I wanted to thank you personally for helping these ladies ..And in giving them a future to be enjoyed.. lived for them and there children.. And I wanted to say this Avarellis can be very irritating and infuriating but she has her reasons for everything"
he chewed for a moment and let it slip down his throat with out even needing to swallow
"I'm sure even the most mad out of their minds have reasons for what they do. she wants something from me an has done so much to hurt me in the process"
"yes.. And she will have it ... I've never seen her like this, your recent actions have changed her moods now she's constantly looking for ways to get you back under control"
"and finds she chose the wrong way of doing this and now it's too late to go back to the beginning not that what I've learned from Tee'a would let that ever happen again"
"yes.. The creator is wise for allowing us only so much power.. And never total control of something"
"like you and the animals" gulping down more ale
"yes, I can ask them to help, but can not force them to... but I came to ask a favor of you.. Of which I will pay you well, not in gold ..or power but a gift of something you will enjoy having for when you are with the lady once again"
he smiled with humble pride at the dragon who let the pie slip into his mouth and simply let it dissolve into a sweet mouthful of warm joy sighing as he let it disappear into the black hole of his stomach
"would you consider doing me this favor Bill?"
Bill nodded it felt right for some reason
"Good I'm so glad ..Bill down river for the next ten days you will come to many villages and four towns several score of farms ...I need you to use your dragon flame to destroy them all to the very dirt they are built on"
looking at him with an amazed look then Bill relaxed back against a tree
"why me?"
"Because your the only ..highly intelligent dragon with knowledge from a world where these things some time happen...an accident, a child found one of the other gods items of power a creation tool so too speak.. the child wished for a bully to get sick and die so sick no magic could cure him ever.."
"this god was probably playing with his mother and he found it that way...."
the buck nodded an sighed "your very perceptive Bill...seems that dragons are immune to this plague a child set free but it is spreading"
"how do you know dragons are immune?"
"a rouge mad male is taking dead bodies and contaminating the wells of other cities an towns.. spreading the sickness"
"ahh so the real truth comes finally ...you need a dragon killer?"
he said nothing but his grim nod said it all
Bill gave it serious thought then nodded
"you will have to do this as I ask to stop this, now for sterilization procedures...if you an arrange for it not to rain for awhile and for magic to kill any of the carrion eaters before they eat and fly away , also if there is a problem with the wells dry them out and I'll burn them clean also"
the buck was nodding in agreement..
"I will want clean water for the lady and the children, supplies to last through the area and all the animals within a days travel need to be destroyed.. fleas other pests can jump from host to host possibly spreading this. we have to err on the side of extreme measures"
"I understand though the sickness hasn't killed them"
"it can spread that way ..Possibly if we don't know scientifically again we must err on the side of extreme caution plague can spread an become a disaster in the blink of an eye"
"Then so shall it be"
he took a meal fit for kings and queens to the kids and the lady he told her of the problem and the fact that the only way through was by boat he would be following on land to protect her and destroy everything for miles around each village
she nodded and went to sleep he watched the sliver buck nod once from the trees
"if she comes to harm god ..we will be finishing our face to face talk"
he nodded again and disappeared into the woods they came to the first town the next day early just after sun up he had them sail on by the stench was horrible
he slipped into the river with only his sword and loin cloth she looked at him face covered with a rag soaked with strong wine
"take care William"
"I will be right behind you lady never fear"
she nodded and pulled into the current
he walked into the gates and could see the dead everywhere finding dragons claw marks on the homes and the well looking down he could see several bloated bodies ..he found the lamp oil cellar where the towns supplies of oil were kept he smashed two down the well and sloshed the rest around the entire village
he slaughtered the surviving animals and plied the dead into the villages place of prayer for the gods he stopped at the image of Avarellis and nodded once
he turned and with some of the magic he could pull from the depths he ignited a roaring inferno inside the building flaming the well which exploded, then going outside the walls set the entire place aflame finding smaller homes near by he burned them too
taking to the air he used magic and his flame to burn the crops around the village homes and bridges seeing bodies in the roads he incinerated them and kept on his course ....
After days of death and destruction he dove to cut off a trader heading into the area from outside he flamed the bridge directly ahead of him as he set down and fanned the flames into a huge wall
"turn back! There is a plague!! I have been called by the gods to destroy all these towns and villages!"
The wagon stopped he moved to see why things were so quiet the horse was pulling it alone, the trader had died literally at the wheel the mount didn't even shy away of the flames it was so starved and tired
he moved over and set it free of the harness it whickered softly and dropped dead from exhaustion
he ate when he found a buck and staved off thirst with visits to the river.
he had to stop one night as he heard dragons wings on the move he soon spotted the male drake collecting fresh bodies from a town he expected to visit the next day
Bill readied a spell building the power it would 'lock' onto the drake and fry him totally he held it ready and the drake saw him it hissed and licked it's lips
"foolish youngling"
"youngling? and here Tee'a says I'm the best mate she's had in her long life ..You killing the people in the villages huh?.. Why?"
"Because one stole my treasure. I will find it"
thinking yeah he's whacked.. gone nuts, so that's why the buildings had the doors crushed in hmmm okay "what treasure?"
"It's MINE!!"
he rushed Bill and he let the magic fly using the tail to disappear the drake was a credit to his kind as he dipped and swooped to avoid the spell..
it caught him in a deep dive he screamed in pain wings gone limp as he fell into the village which exploded into flames Bill made sure of it's total destruction and the area around
he took to the wing finding the next village already a victim to the sickness people moaning in pain many delirious everyone was dieing.
he couldn't just burn them alive so he barricaded them into the village and prepared it for the burning then backed away trying to think what to do. a thunderclap knocked him flat on his face as a bolt of lightning struck in the village and the flames went wild with the wind blowing up
he shook off the blast and turned to see ten gods and goddesses each different all quite beautiful beyond anything should be standing on the wall facing in to the village as it burned Avarellis let her hand fall slowly
he blinked and walked away somehow knowing this was the last one to be destroyed he would let them make sure to hear the screams ..He wanted no more part of it glad they had found the strength to accept their responsibility in it
he found the boat and the lady at anchor half a days walk down river he bathed and washed in pots of boiling water scalding his skin under his scales but making sure he was safe to be near he scrubbed and she helped him with a long handled brush
"what is this we are using on you?"
he smiled and laughed "it's antibacterial soap from my home ..the buck god brought this id be"
"his name is Bruvalis"
"I pity him for being Avarellis mate.."
scrubbing his hands for the tenth time he rubbed soap over his head and worked it under his scales
"he loves her for the fact they must work together for children to be ..."
Bill nodded and rinsed off again his loin cloth was being boiled his sword as well
that night he was sore and tired he was sleeping very hard when a hand touched his he looked and found himself facing the buck 'Bruvalis'
"I apologize for the timing William but it was necessary"
he sat up still very tired "hmm? Ehh no worries buck god"
he smiled "I spoke to a few of the other gods they too were very worried that this would have gone beyond what it did ..They wished to add to my payment to you for the service you provided"
"add to? Be nice to know what ya gona pay me in the first place"
he smiled getting up and sat down on the ground near the dieing fire tossing a couple chunks of wood on it
"what is it you desire about the lady Bill?" crouching down near him picking up a stick an prodding the coals a bit
he thought deep for a few moments and reached for the flute playing only a portion of the melody it was the part that spoke of such incredible longing that nothing but that would satisfy it
he realized for the first time he had played not the flutes magic
"Avarelis wants to touch the creator and thinks by holding one of the wanderers souls that she will gain the knowledge she so desires... you are a wanderer Bill your soul has traveled many lives through this existence and each time you have failed to find that which would answer that longing that has no name and no clue to what it is ..
Only your heart knows.. Avarellis believes the moment you find it he will be there to celebrate your joy with you"
"and she said this is where my life finally comes to an end ..Thus finds the key"
he nodded smiling
"Bill my gift to you is this"
gesturing at him a bright ray moonlight slammed into his eyes he flinched and cringed from its powerful glare then it was gone leaving him..
Cold
he reached for his blanket and near to screamed as a human hand reached out
"to be human for one day but the others each gave you a day also as payment so for nineteen days you can be human"
"nineteen? Avarellis bowing out of this of course?"
"Of course" smiling "But she told me to tell you her gift is not taking this away from you"
Bill laughed he had to "so how do I"
"you must touch that which is dragon still in you"
he looked down and found he still had the blue green belly scales and a few along his arms
"you have become dragon in spirit Bill.. thus it is impossible to ..Change you completely back"
"I understand"
concentrating he felt the regrowth of his body and felt much better looking from his normal height the buck smiled
"now take note my dragon friend, this could save your life when you need it most Bill.. have a care not to use it all at once, much as the want to do so might push you to it"
"only nineteen days? Never any more?"
the buck smiled "think of it as incentive to help us, when we need your skills.. and unique knowledge. Take care William the dragon, enjoy the gift you have well earned it"
he leaped in a single movement changing into his stag form he danced away into a beam of moonlight disappearing from view
Bill nodded and laid back down to sleep
the next village they came to he leaped to the dock to the villagers shock in terror as he tied the boat up he immediately caught the sent of one of the lady's
he walked over to her standing looking on with a questioning expression
"lady" bowing his head "the male who you enjoyed your moon with.. Will never come again this way he sought the dragonesses treasures and now serves her needs.. His first mate wishes to talk to you"
gently putting his palm onto her back he guided her to the boat where she was waiting looking on
"come up dear.. We have much to discuss"
he turned to the villagers "I am William the dragon the Kings lady guardian, I need to speak to the elders"
they complied and he was soon sitting at a table of food with two ladies children enjoying the meal the ladies on either side
the new one gently tugged his arm to the approaching elders he simply smiled
"ahh elders greetings"
"what is it you want dragon"
"yes were very busy"
he lost his smile "what I want is the following for one of the kings guardians, my sword repaired the boat provisioned and a little respect for the lady's guardian ..Is that to much sirs?" glaring at them they backed up a little
"not at all sir dragon!"
"Good.. The king will repay you for the service.. now go away since you clearly are busy"
he tried the blade and nodded the elders were now more than helpful one walked up with a scroll
"a message was delivered for you sir dragon by mage gate"
he took it sheathing his sword braking the seal and took a second to get the magic understanding of the message It's text wasn't one he could read but it became English to his eyes
"William the lady has sent me word of what you did to help her, I hope this finds you quickly Vagrin has gathered his forces and done something quite rash he claims to be preparing to invade an ancient city said to be once home to the gods.
saying there is a way from that city to a world with even greater power.. Enough that he could easily defeat this one and thousands of others.. I could only think of your home the lady spoke of this earth in her messages and the many things you told her of ...could they be used for war?
Please rejoin the lady soon as possible and come to the castle together Vagrin wishes to speak to you before launching his attack... he has stipulated I have till the next full moons to retrieve you from the wilds or he will destroy my castle and proceed to the gods home..
Could I ask for your help William? You said I owe you ..Now I say to you name your price if it is my crown you wish ..Then so be it, I just want to save the lives of those who have no power of there own reply if possible.. Ursatll your debtor and hopefully a friend"
he tried to open a gate and couldn't
"ladies we must go now"
the supplies were loaded and they set sail they quickly made way down river stopping only to gather the ladies and there things each agreeing to come all to willingly
they came out in the last of the moonlight before they all went dark as the new moons.To see the dragon brooding on the stern of the ship his blue eyes casting an eerie glow over the deck each looked at the others and smiled
"his heart is someone else's dears and his mind is now filled with the worries of a mad king invading his home him trapped here because of the lack of magic"
"he is .. Quite handsome in his own way" they all agreed smiling
He tied up to the dock at the next port and was greeted by a familiar smell "Zisa"
he turned and surged through the gathering crowd to scoop her up she was giggling profusely as he spun her around "Zisa!!"
she hugged him around the head "how are you now?"
"I'm fine...found a special friend" gesturing to a young male skunk who smiled and walked over to hold her close as Bill set her down
"I did not believe Zisa when she said you were a dragon sir"
Bill nodded smiling sniffing lightly he caught the change in her sent he brought a glowing smile up from deep inside
she blinked as he set his hand on her belly "a true sorceress makes her own magic's ehh Zisa"
she laughed and nodded "the lady has waited for quite awhile for you to return"
he stood proud spreading his wings high she was surprised as he bugled loud as he could and leaped into the air
"I have returned I am William the dragon!! And I am the lady's guardian!!"
Four ladies walked up to Zisa who was stunned at the beauty and the fact each had been touched by great magic's so strong they nearly glowed from it
"William has found her then?"
"You must be zisa"
she nodded to both questions
"he destroyed the plagues that were spreading behind your journeys"
"not so far behind I'm afraid, the lady is quite Ill. no magic has helped she's been locked away to keep it from spreading"
they all became very somber a few let tears flow
He found the inn barricaded by the kings warriors the badger standing there arms crossed he held his hand out to stop him
"move"
"you don't know what your doing Dragon"
"she is sick with the plague William"
looking to Galler
"Gerin died caring for her she forbade Zisa from helping because of the baby to come"
"then I can help her"
"how drake there is no magic here.. Not enough to cure that which wont be cured"
Bill glared at him "back away badger or I will send you to the dragoness I have had more than enough of you for a lifetime" snarling
he did trembling in his boots
Bill walked in finding a shallow grave with Gerins shield set against his sword.. He put his hand there and sighed
looking into the window he could see her there shivering. concentrating he knew what had to be done only one thing could help now.. When magic was certain to fail
he closed his eyes and reached deep inside he gestured and a crack of thunder racked the inn as he opened a gateway to the earth using dragon magic's
he changed into a human his armor shrunk to fit his form! Which came as a surprise He smiled and ran up to her room she was delirious as he picked her up he smiled as she looked at him
"hello my lady.. Fear not I'm here now and always"
"w-w-illiam? You mustn't"
"lady fear not dragons are immune to the sickness. Sleep now"
he wrapped her up in the blankets walking to the courtyard
she was there head hung low he glared at the kitsuni tears making both there cheeks wet
"William ..please don't take her"
he shoved his face into hers his eyes flared blue fire
"your game is over kitsuni.. Never speak to me again ask me not to take her to where she can be saved by what right do you ask me to let her die"
"I have every right!! To ask you not to take her!!"
"What RIGHT DO YOU HAVE!?!?" .....
"I'm her mother"
He turned to the portal the strain all to clear on him
"you will see her killed there William"
"no.. Because I will care for her I will do this and bring her home"
he flashed her a glaring look then strode through into his bedroom the gate closing behind him he felt the huge increase in available magic he used it not to cure but to ease the fever to a safe level
she roused as he carried her down stairs
"where??"
"Easy my lady"
she looked and was shocked for a moment then smiled "William?"
he smiled "rest lady .. I'm taking you to a place where they use no magic to cure the sick"
Larry walked out of the kitchen nearly bumping into him, he yelped seeing her
Bill covered her up
"uhhh"
"Larry open the front door grab my keys would ya" Bill nearly slapped himself "heh stupid me forgot I could do this"
he teleported right to the emergency room doors of northwest memorial as he walked in the officers on duty saw his sword
"I need a quarantine unit she's been infected with a plague virus!"
the guards stopped and stood back a doctor came from the emergency unit with a sterile mask and gloves the moment he moved the blanket Bill held him
"she's not from around here but has the same physical body as a human ..cept a few small differences she needs anti viral treatments"
the doctor went to say something but the lady eased the blanket up a little the lights glare made her moan in pain the doctor nearly fainted
"please sir help her she's dieing" using a little of the compelling magic
the doctor nodded seeing the fact that she was still a living person who needed help
They were soon in a quarantine area him sitting on the bed next to her refusing anything for himself but an occasional soda
he smiled shed already improved from the wide spectrum antibiotics and iv solutions oxygen through the nostril tubes she breathed in and out softly
he'd heard that the CDC and the feds had been called they showed up wanting to do there examinations but he held them off with a single finger
in the morning doctors and nurses were busily tending to her needs a single fed came in dressed like the staff in environmental suits he walked over to him
"not afraid of the virus Mr. Morris?"
"I'm immune but it's nothing you can use to help her"
the doctors had heard and responded now only sighed and went back to the tasks at hand
"immune how?"
"lets say it like this I'm not all I look to be ..Appearances can be deceiving"
"and her?"
"She is the lady and will be accorded the proper respect you'd give a foreign dignitary of state"
"ohh.. you know how crazy you sound don't you"
he grinned "know about magic agent?"
"Well yes.. Going to do some illusions?"
Bill gestured closing his hand a badge appeared the agent looked at it
"yours from the locker outside I believe"
"cute trick"
Bill smiled "agent.. umm"
"brown"
"agent brown I brought her here because for all the power i have .. A child's wish was much greater you see I had to destroy over 400 miles of crops villages towns homes to stop this plague from spreading"
"where did you do this??"
"Another world of course silly ...okay short form is I found a flute got cursed and taken to another world to live out my life met the lady here and ..The rest is far to complicated and confusing to go into ..Any ways the child made a wish with a creation tool.. Think of it as a magic wand if you wish ..
The god responsible for laying it around was paying attention to the child's momma who was widowed i gather'd.. anyhow he wished a bully would get sick and die with something that no magic could cure no matter how strong.. thus what all of you are doing is technology science. Not magic.. thus it is saving her life"
"what is she?"
"a lady ..vixen if you must bow to crude animal comparisons"
"And you ..Refusing any examination"
he grinned "Are you ready to see what I became agent brown??..."
He laughed at Bills bravado
"sir I'm afraid that this lady is going to be moved to a secure facility and your going to a facility for those who need help"
Bill gestured and bars of steel surrounded him
"she's not moving unless I move her that is your only option she's not moving till she's fully recovered do I have to show you just how bad it can be if you make me mad"
he shook the bars and looked at Bill who stroked a bar with a finger and it twisted and curved waving like a snake in the air he let the bars dissolve into mist and smiled at the agent
"be nice to me agent I've broken no law and I'm a paying customer"
plopping a gold coin in his hand he felt it with his thumb
"once she's better we will leave she's no threat to national security or the united states so no reason for you to be bothering with us"
"she's not human"
"neither am I agent brown.. I was once ...do you believe in reincarnation?"
"Yes I do mater of fact why?"
"Know what a wandering soul is?"
"One searching for completeness or to fix a wrong done to it or someone it cared about"
"I'm a wanderer I was cursed by a goddess because I couldn't play a song to her satisfaction"
pulling the flute out he put it to his lips and played letting the flute do its magic they all were wide eyed finally they all were in tears he smiled and let it drop onto his chest
"she is that sorrow you felt and the longing.. Even the joy.. In my life she is my lady and I am her guardian I am William the dragon"
bowing his head to them and there smiles he grinned and changed they weren't grinning any more
"I am now as much dragon in spirit as I am human, I was given a gift by the gods for destroying the plague a few days of my humanity to use as needed till they decide when they need my help again I will say this agent brown..
an evil wizard king is preparing to move on the gods city there ..Inside is the permanent gateway to earth ..He means to invade and destroy the earth taking the power he finds here back to destroy my new home perhaps you should find an agent more able to understand what is going on"
The agent took his statement again and left he moved the bed and sat closer to her his wing draped protectively over the bed it was very late his belly growled as a nurse came in
"um s-sir the cafeteria has sandwiches available"
he smiled gently not looking away from the lady he held out his hand to the nurse
"could you get me fifteen pizzas and couple dozen 2liter sodas an oh sa dozen cheesey bread sticks please.. a sandwich would just make my stomach mad at me and start gnawing at my back bone"
she laughed and caught the coin as it dropped
"keep the change dear ..Should be quite a lot for three ounces of gold"
"I sure will! Thanks Mr. ..Morris" he nodded
later the nurse came in with several others carting cold pop and hot pizza he smiled gesturing over the items he removed the powerful sedatives someone had added and gathered them into a tight frozen mass he held it out to her in a bed pan
"give it back to the feds please.. let them touch it it'll put them out like lights"
he ate and burped from the fizz her eyes fluttered as she dreamt he gently slid his claw through her hair combing it gently the fever had broken and she looked so much better. A man walked in and walked around to the side of the bed he looked up at Bill
he looked seeing the immense power this man had and recognized it from the statues
"hello so is it Merlin? Or something else?"
he smiled "you talked to Tee'a then"
"talked.. yeah you could say that we talked a little"
"then why have you broken the agreement?"
"because sir.. I'm not born dragon use that power of yours look a little closer"
He blinked and sighed.. "those dam demi gods there playing around"
"Avarellis is the specific trouble maker she used the flute and my not being able to play a song as an excuse to pull me into that world"
he held up his hand "I've guessed the rest"
"so what's your name"
"special negotiations agent John Sanderson"
"pleasure to meet you Mr. Sanderson" holding his hand out to him he shook it with earnest Bill liked him immediately
"she magic sick?"
"nope creation tool in a child's hands"
"ooh god damn it ..careless damn careless of them"
"over 200 villages 400 hundred miles I had to burn to ash to stop it.. she caught it somehow. Magic resistant virus"
"ahhh and science being technology. I understand now .. Smart guy err drake"
"thank you I do try ..she's more than life to me ...has been for a long time now.. you sent in because I'm not a normal person"
he nodded gently looking into her eye then brushing her hair back
"that world was always one of my favorites some of the most incredible ladies.."
he spoke with such age experience that Bill knew it was the legendary Merlin it had to be. Or he who was known as Merlin
"so sir how do I keep her safe ..Me alive to return to my home?"
"You are home, Bill okay?"
"fine, no sir the earth isn't my home now that world is"
he nodded "well your being a paying customer and not being violent has helped quite a lot"
"I can bet ...you been told what I told the other agent?"
"Yes"
"Vagrin is insane"
"his father was quite a good king, but something about the boy. I knew he'd turn wrong...gathering an army to invade the earth hmm"
"sir. He will and has been collecting mages of every class to fight ..The earth knows nothing of battle magic's"
"not true ..But our response forces to such an invasion would be ..Limited in there effectiveness"
"I have a duty to see the lady back to king Ursatll's castle Vagrin wants to see me before he attacks the gods city if I don't show he'll destroy the castle"
the silver haired man sat down on a chair and clasped his hands "fox king?"
"Yes white as snow.. she is his lady"
"his lady you say...bringing his new laws and information to the peoples on a circuit around his kingdom"
"yes"
"you know she has ..Interesting parentage then don't you"
"I just found out before coming here"
He sighed seeing so much of Avarellis in the lady and yet so little
"she is his slave to do with as he pleases Bill.. I know this kingdom.. His father searched for years to finally find a lady who bore him a son ..He I gather has even less luck"
Bill nodded still staring at her face a tear fell the man was quick as light and caught it in a small vial
"what's that for?"
he smiled "a tear of love longing and servitude is incredibly rare. One from a dragon is priceless"
Bill snapped his fingers and had it in his claws the man clearly stunned
"An Tee'a taught you...well now"
Bill pocketed it "if you would like it and more Merlin ... then ask me.. Not nice to just take"
he nodded "my apologies" and felt weight in his pocket knowing it was the vial
"she's doing incredible Bill from what the medical records detail ...will you stop him there?"
Bill looked up at him from the lady "alone? Well I defeated his general and saw to it his servant lost to the fox in a sword battle.. He pulled the shadow routine disappearing before I could wring his striped neck"
"on a scale of one to ten Bill where would you rank his powers?"
"You n me 9 and 10 him...from what I felt of it...a 12"
"you underrate me friend"
"have I?" Bill opened up the gates and let all his potential flow to the surface then drew on that which was dragon only magic the man blinked as Bills eyes turned into blue stars glowing like searchlights
"by the ancient Atlantian gods..."
"Tee'a said it is because my soul has wandered between the earth and there so much .. I have lifetimes of magic experience"
"of course and why Avarellis is interested in you"
he looked back to the lady as his eyes faded back to there normal glow
"she's told me my souls wanderings end in this life she sees nothing of me beyond this ...the lady is what my soul needs ..Something about her something she can do"
"and the reason you now brood over her.. A dragon guarding his greatest treasure"
Bill nodded smiling
they talked more of the world Merlin had called Tarrva asking questions of it till he grew tired and left Bill clicked off the lights watching the dozens of agents out side looking in on him he closed the blinds he leaned over and gently touched his nose to her cheek stealing a soft kiss
he felt something he sat up feeling the change then nothing 'powerful magic ..Someone opened a gateway Mr. Merlin.. Done went somewhere id guess'
she took a deep breath and yawned he felt his heart leap in joy eyes opened and she smiled
"will I always find you there when I need help?"
"Always my lady, forever and a day. How do you feel?"
"Better.. Where?"
"A place I spoke to you of. A city I once called home"
she tried to sit but he held her to the bed "no. You rest ..There will be time to look around later"
she smiled with a warmth he'd missed so much
"I missed you my dragon"
he bowed his head
"I thought the dragoness had won you away"
"no my lady. but I do love her for all the things she's done for me... as she said to you ..You hold my heart and always shall"
she smiled and reached up to touch his cheek seeing the tubes
"let them be they are part of why your getting better"
"as you wish my dragon you know this place and it's ways far better than I ..But I do now know some of what you felt when you first came into my world that evening"
he just smiled
"was it the fever.. Or were you.. Different?"
"A reward my lady for destroying the plagues.. from Bruvallis and the others"
"show me please"
he gently covered her eyes and she giggled gently pushing his hand away he was human she held the hand looking at him ..And the hand
"not quite what I am as a dragon"
"your wrong.. I see the dragon and William even more so.."
he changed back she lost her smile a little
"a limited gift my lady .. I have eighteen days and some spans or hours left before the gift is gone"
with that she regained her smile "thus you shall use it wisely I would hope my dragon"
"been told that ..it will save my life when I need saving most apparently"
"then you shall use it very sparingly, I want my dragon with me"
They talked of Tee'a and the ladies he'd helped till her body pulled her back to sleep he smiled needing to hear her voice had kept him awake now with his head laid on the other bed and a tripwire alarm spell on the door he fell asleep.
He awoke to the smell of food sitting up she smiled at him eating her breakfast several nurses talking to her in whispers giggling his alarm wasn't going off and seeing Merlin just outside he knew why
"you were very tired my dragon"
he nodded and opened one of the warm bottles of soda gulping it down it rumbled in his belly for a moment the nurses were all rock still staring
"his belly does that all the time dears.. He is a dragon" they laughed and got back to there business
he yawned under cover of his wing then smiled at her cleaned plates
"how was the food my lady?"
"Delicious.. I was very hungry"
"I would hope so.."
he wanted so bad to hug her close kiss her and let her know how much he loved her .. He leaned in close to look deep into her eyes
"my lady.. I .. missed you so much"
she reached up and touched his cheek
"there is always more that you need to say but don't.. it is because of my being the kings lady isn't it"
the door opened saving him the wizard came in with a basket all nicely wrapped she smiled brightly as he came in with out the hazard suit as had the nurses
"well lady I wanted to be the one who told you that your officially cured ..A few days of bed rest and your right as rain"
setting the basket between her legs she was looking it over
"I took the liberties of letting the nurses and doctors in with out waking you Bill"
"I see that"
"you needed the rest ...the doctors are quite surprised as to how quickly the sickness responded to the medicines. seems Bill bringing you here was the best possible option lady"
she smiled and looked up at Bill and saw what he had been showing her all this time for the first time, she saw the love for her
Merlin moved him aside and she smiled watching
"Bill did you gate back last night?"
Bill turned quickly to the wizard "that wasn't you?"
Holding his voice low the lady sniffed an apple and took a bite she smiled and took a bigger one
"I thought it was you...must be Vagrin sending scouts"
"no.. He knows I'm here"
Bill gestured at the basket of fruit cheese and wine just to check
"don't trust me?"
"You I trust Merlin. It's everyone else" it was safe he sighed
"Avarelis told you she was gona die here"
Bill nodded "foolish kitsuni ... Bill the moment I became your friend that future timeline changed. I too see the future. Had you attacked me as that future had been started. She would have died in the fight protecting you from me"
he smiled and let his eyes turn to the lady who was sniffing at a chunk of cheese
"Bill" he looked back at the man and smiled even more
"to your unasked question. Yes she does love you, she has for quite awhile"
Bill took a deep breath and sighed smiling
"she's seen how you feel for her now too ..finally, I was starting to wonder if someone was gona have to hit her in the head with it"
Bill snickered "so wizard what can I do about this striped nut case"
he smiled and brought out a folded map "was hoping you would ask"
Bill was soon provided a nice bed on the floor a huge stack of spell books which he was reading like a starved person eats a ten course meal she was watching TV with a child's total fascination asking him questions every so often
he heard her sigh and looked up "something wrong my lady?"
she looked at him "the incredible amounts of ..Everything!"
he reached over and turned it off via the button on the bed
"see that is yet another.. How does touching that stop that"
"my lady in this world the science of knowing has led man to know how to make things ..machines ..this is a machine for watching your heart breathing blood pressure and body temp" pointing to it above her bed
"but why know these things?"
"because man knows nothing of magic, science developed machines to help healers to heal people, knowing your blood pressure can tell a doctor ..Another name for healer. Many things if your stressed very sick if your heart has had damage to one trained in medicine this knowledge can be very powerful indeed. The doctors of this world take an oath to heal the sick no matter what be they a warrior a lady a child. Even a killer"
nodding in understanding she looked up into his eyes "why is it then William that no female of this world wanted you when clearly you are very well educated and knowledgeable of the world and how it works?.."
he sighed knowing this would come didn't help him to prepare for it "I, because of my soul's wanderings .."
she had that deep look to her eyes ..He knew only the truth would do now
"I did not want to hurt anymore. I isolated my self from others by my choice to avoid the pain.. Then I met you"
"but you were not here any longer"
"perhaps that is why I was able to let the shield down m'lady to, try again." he moved closer eyes soft and a tiny smile
"I fell in love with you from the first moment we began to talk... you cared and had a happy glow to you. I couldn't adequately describe in a hundred years. I swore to protect you from all threats I pledged my life to you."
lowering his head "because I did not have the courage to say what I wanted to say in truth. So I chose to stand if not beside you then one step behind at least I was near you and able to enjoy even that"
He noted a misaligned tile while staring at the floor he felt a hand gently touch his head "you have more courage than half the kings legions William I understand from all that Zisa repeated to me Galler and Gerin told me,
even what the king himself mentioned of your visit to him. You do not say what your heart wishes not from lack of courage, but out of why you do not say it"
she pressed up gently on his chin and he lifted his head in response
"it is because you love me and wish to see me happy, if my duty to the king is what makes me happy then you would not interfere though this choice clearly causes you to be unhappy you chose it because you love me"
he nodded once
a glowing smile came to her "then say what you want to say what you need to"
he smiled took a deep breath "my lady"
"my name is Garra, William"
"Garra, I - I love you and would like to share the dance with you to share the sunrise and fly through the mists an clouds... together"
she smiled and gestured for him to come closer he did and she kissed him sliding a hand along his cheek he responded and placed a hand on her back after a moment she eased back and took a breath
"I think you learned quite a lot from the dragoness"
she giggled and he laughed then her mood changed
"but I am still the kings property as such"
"as such my lady ..He owes me a debt and has said he would even give his kingdom to save the innocents from Vagrin. I believe your freedom is a fair trade for so much"
she reached up and hugged him tightly but said nothing
Merlin came in not looking happy at all
"sorry to interrupt you two now that your on the same page finally"
they smiled together as Bill placed his hand gently on top of hers, which told Merlin he was right to say that
"but Vagrin did send scouts through and more some kind of golem there's a few hundred lose one attacked the white house and is holding the president hostage another is working at getting an atomic bomb from a storage facility it's been contained inside pressure doors but it's slowly breaking through"
"foot thick doors?"
"foot thick doors. It's incredibly strong the one who has the president dropped this ..It's addressed to you Bill"
holding out a scroll to him
"its magic keeps anyone but you from reading it. I was finally able to"
"and?"
"He demands you return to Tarrva for he has surrounded king Ursatll's castle and will begin the systematic destruction of it. I think he's rather displeased with you"
"you think?"
he sighed looking at her, her eyes were filled with concern
"id guess he wants to fight you one on one Bill from the tone of the threats and what he's doing"
"he sees me as his only obstacle for conquest of earth and Tarrva"
"he doesn't know I exist thus I'm a ace up your sleeve"
Bill nodded
"then I do as we spoke of then?"
"I would recommend it Merlin. When can my lady travel?"
"I'll go check doesn't seem to me like they should hold her last blood work showed her to be clean of the plague"
He turned to her she smiled "I have seen you fight my dragon.. Vagrin will regret his challenging you"
"I hope so ..He's very powerful as a wizard.. But I have magic only dragons can use"
Merlin came back in and nodded "she's clear to go Bill last cultures say she's clean"
Bill smiled and nodded once, removing the iv for her she flinched and he slipped his finger over it healing the wound instantly he helped her stand slowly she was a little weak but smiled
Merlin grinned appreciatively seeing what the dragon had to look forward to
"your a incredibly lovely lady, lady please don't be a stranger to the earth make this love sick drake bring your ravishing beauty back for these tiring eyes to enjoy once in a while"
she smiled and realized she was bear across the back
"umm"
Bill smiled and gestured the gown changed and flowed into calf high riding boots of black leather and a suitable pair of doe skin riding pants and jacket dyed deep red with a flowing white silk shirt under it to top it off a thong of the same silk coiled around her tail and tying her hair back
Merlin smiled and applauded softly "magnificent Bill she's a goddess"
she looked and smiled
"is it suitable my lady?"
"Oh yes ..Its wonderful"
"then shall we go my lady?" Opening a portal outside they stepped through onto the lawn in front of his house she looked around as Merlin smiled
"good luck Bill."
he stood there silent for a moment clearly wanting to say more
"sir I'll do all I can if I fail then your all that will stand between him and.."
"Yes, you remember what we planed if ya have to destroy the portal way I can show you how to rebuild it one day"
he nodded and shook the mans hand who smiled "Arthur would have liked you a lot. Take care William the dragon good hunting to you an remember what I told you theres some odd connection going on with you teo its old very old"
Bill bowed and he was gone in a blink he looked to the lady as she watched a car zip by mindless of the dragon and fox on a lawn
She turned to him in a blink "William?!"
"That was a horseless carriage my lady they have the power of hundreds of horses inside.. This was my home" gesturing to it she smiled and he changed to be human walking in he met Larry on the way out who's eyes landed on the lady and went totally wide
"oh wow!" he smiled
"this is Larry , a roomer of mine"
she bowed her head to him and smiled
"she's incredible Bill where'd you find her!?"
"Another world Larry"
gesturing he opened the gate back to Tarrva which left Larry totally speechless she smiled
"cant we see your home before we leave?"
he smiled and closed the gate it cost him nothing now the pathway now a familiar one and the amount of magic available
he walked her to the door holding her arm as she was still a little unsteady he smiled and flicked a little magic at his red rose bush which he promptly got a huge bloom in response
a flick of magic as they walked in it appeared in his hand he smiled as she turned looking at all his dragons and furries as he held the rose out to her she smiled the most loving smile he had ever seen
"this is a rose my lady ..They are given for many reasons the colors vary but red is always given in love"
He showed her around the house then finally his room she moved to his favorite pictures of incredibly beautiful ladies each different but one was a vixen her body wrapped in a robe standing at a porch doorway her head turned to look back at the viewer with a seductive look her tail just lifting the robe up enough to say what she wanted all to clearly
she looked at him questioningly
"umm"
she then covered her mouth to giggle
"caught like a youngster watching through an open window"
he sighed "or one who wanted to see and got more than he expected"
she laughed at that and hugged him close her tail flagging as he held her tightly a tear came and it dropped onto her clothes he held the rest as she eased back from his embrace
"we should go soon"
he nodded but as he moved to open the gate
she held him " why tears my lover?"
He smiled "To finally know you understand what I've been wanting to say but really couldn't find the words makes me so happy.. They are tears of pure joy"
she as if to test this gave him a quick lick to the cheek where the tear had slipped over it
"sweet not bitter" she slipped into his arms again and hugged him close
They stepped through into the kings throne room who was immediately shocked at there appearance she bowed quickly but Bill didn't the guards rushed to block
"guards.. hold" they backed away "Garra? is this the young and intelligent lady I sent out many spans ago?"
She stayed bowed "I am your majesty I have returned as you asked"
"I was informed you were walking with death at your side my lady"
she looked up at him a willful display of independence
"I was my king . But William saved my life yet again, he took me to his world to the healers there the wonders I have seen my king would send most into a stunned shock that most would be left addled from"
the king turned his gaze to Bill who was still human but held his body the same "William?"
"I am your majesty. a gift from eleven of the gods for assisting them in the destruction of the plague one of there number was responsible for"
he changed back and stood proud the white fox smiled and walked off his seat to be right in front of her
"stand my lady"
she did
"and a more incredibly lovely lady I haven't seen in my life"
Bill waited with out a word the king sighed and stepped back
"my lady I owe a debt to you I could never be able to repay you have found our world a champion to fight Vagrin who in his madness believes that he has the right to destroy all for his glory"
he took from his neck under his satin shirt a medallion which he placed around her neck
"I give you your life Garra, could I ask you to continue your service to me as my herald? You will be paid well and given all the rights given to those who serve the king.. I know your heart belongs to another and could never be turned from that immense warmth it offers I would be honored if you both would stay as my guests. Once this problem is settled"
The white fox king Ursatll looked up at Bill "and William I here by give you control of my armies and castle as my warlord, if you would accept the position I would be forever grateful a castle and lands would be yours and much, much more"
"you don't have to do that your majesty. I believe this fight with Vagrin was foretold long ago by an intertwining of fate I have never had such a longing hate for anyone nor a longing love for a lady"
looking at her she moved into his arm a free lady
"I will fight Vagrin majesty we can talk later on a job offer. I will need all your mages to help me if needed first order of business get them gathered let us go look at Vagrins forces"
he smiled and led the way to a balcony several floors down and along the side of the castle Bill walked out and up to a rail to see a huge mountain side castle and city done in whites and burgundies below.
a wall surrounding the entire place roads winding through fields and forests were filled with black troops siege towers and catapults were being readied the enemy's encampments were visible on a far hillside dust was being stirred up all over by Calvary and marching monsters
"my commanders put the numbers near three hundred thousand strong my friend"
"more like half a million majesty there's more troops waiting beyond your scouts best eyesight" looking at them both with his inner eyelids closed
He watched for a few moments as the mages gathered and were rightly shocked at him and the kings familiarity to him the fact this dragon was sitting with the king on his lap and the lady also pointing to various stratagems that were going on with the troops below
the king stood and smoothed his robes "my mages at last William"
he checked each for power and pointed to two "you both need to stay at the kings side, he at my call needs to be moved to safety immediately no arguments or discussion even if he commands you to stay you take him to this place he will be safe"
giving them a circle with the image of his cave
"it is shielded and is my cave he will be safe there"
they looked to the king "you will obey William in this ..He is my warlord till this crisis is over"
they nodded once
"as for the rest of you"
he was cut off by the sound of thunder and the overwhelming silence of the troops below, they had all gone totally still looking up the dust settling Bill saw him rising floating up to finally be at eye level with him but well out of reach
"Finally came to your doom did you dragon"
"you underestimate me Vagrin.. I have more to fight you over this day than just this place this world this time.. DO YOU NOT FEEL IT VAGRIN!?"
_ _he the lady and Vagrin were suddenly in another place another time. Bill was a lady of great power and influence her life though had been lonely and this had drove her to be perhaps far to careful to long, so when she saw the stonemason who had been hired to repair some damage done by a group of vandals using magic familiars such as gargoyles
her heart was lost instantly to him his strength and eyes the love there was without end, but it was her caste her place to take a mate from her class of society not beneath her and many wished that place but none had her love like he did
it was late one night as he finished for the day she invited him to enjoy a mug of mulled wine to wash the dust away he looked into her eyes and smiled they did not know her sister was watching and hungered for the power she held as a high ranking sorceress what she could not earn she could steal. that which she could not get through guile an honesty and this meeting was the key!
In the morning they were started from the bed they shared and quickly violently dragged out to a gallows where her sister awaited smiling gleefully already weaving the spell to take her sisters powers and inherited position from her the lords viceroy and judges were there to witness
"what is the meaning of this!!??"
"You've been judged lady a traitor to king and caste, this lowborn will be burned at the stake, but you will be hanged till the flesh rots and falls from the bone"
her sister smiled and cast the spell she felt it ready to rip away all she had but it couldn't till she died she quickly thought of the one thing she had to fight with her familiar!
He came and was held off by the judges he held the form of a brilliant blue drake small enough to sit on an arm she cast her own spell
_"my familiar carry my love and I far from this place keep us together forever till I can gain my revenge on my dear sister!!" _
Its eyes glowed and the lady was hauled up by the rope
"now I shall be the sorceress!! Forevermore!!"
fully expecting the power to come flowing to her and all its joys. her sisters eyes glowed into flares of light even as the light faded from them the familiar did as bade the two died instantly the lover dieing before the flames took his life
then it looked to the sister who was linked to the power of the lady and that power had to travel with her she screamed and exploded into flames screaming
They met in many more lives each time the familiar arrived at any of the three dieing and the others died together finally as a sorcerer in his last life tried to effect a change seeing the curse on himself suddenly to die because two warriors on a battle field ran each other through they awoke with old hate as the world returned and Vagrin was stunned
William glared the lady wept and collapsed to her knees in the sorceress's voice William sneered
"so sister DEAR now we are the end of this horrible fiasco your petty jealousy an greed of my power caused. you are now a insane wizard tiger I am a human turned dragon and my poor innocent lover who has been dragged along for an eternity of our stupidity finally we stand on equal ground for the final battle
the familiar will give the one who wins such powers as neither has known even the foolish demi gods on this world would be pale in comparison one of them even made this fated meeting possible!"
Vagrin snarled and Bill hit him with all he could from the magic rivers and dragon magic to the very soul force of his form
he surged forward off the balcony slamming into the tiger and they fell for what seemed an eternity claws and magic flashing at point blank range
they crashed through a building dragon flame and huge blasts exploded deafening thunder rang through the world a dragons roar and a scream of pure hate echoed through the valley
then all fell silent
She looked over the rail down at the destruction seeing the smoke and dust feeling all the hopes of thousands of lives that this was the end
but Garra came forward and wanted only William ..Her hopes faded as a small person came stumbling out of the ruins he snarled and looked back
"I have won!! Let all the gods of the heavens know my power!!"
stones shifted and the dragon rose into the light
Garra held her cry of joy
"you claim victory far to soon Vagrin!!"
leaping into the air he flew out and circled readying again to attack, Vagrin floated free of the ground and with a sneering snarl
"this is the last chance you have dragon your soul ends here! I too now know how much this has cost us you will die and I will rule all!! And she will be mine now too"
"so that's it is it Vagrin all these long centuries not only have you wanted the power but the love I received! Never! I would soon die for a million more times before I would allow that!!"
Vagrin turned to lash out at her and Bill flashed out a mage blast on his flame which Vagrin deflected away and grinned evilly
"strike at a person while there back is turned not very honorable dragon"
"learned long ago never to allow you a moments trust, honor in your case is a waste!!"
he smiled and readied a huge blast
Bill readied and watched as he turned sending it for the castle!!
The kitsunis tail! He thought and appeared next to her on the balcony using all he had and the tail the world wrenched and tore
he fell to his knees and the fur exploded into flame the castle settled a little as it came to rest in the river valley that had been the recent home to the battles they had fought he collapsed drained
the wizards immediately setting up a defensive shield over the castle
She felt the magic of the which had shown them the past and there souls history fade he sighed and sat up
"dam, dam, Dam"
she brushed dirt off him he sighed again "what is wrong my love? Are you alright!?"
"My plan to shock him enough to win failed DAM!" smacking his fist down
"is the castle gona stay up?" they nodded still checking
"its all here my friend"
he looked to the fox king who was leading a contingent of servants with food and drink
"Vagrin will want revenge my dragon friend an with the lure of greater than god like power"
"now more than ever! William. What, what can you do to him?"
he lowered his head "I have to win and he has to die it's the only way it's been this way since the beginning and only then can we live in peace"
he gulped down food and some ale feeling his magic rebuilding he pulled the remaining tufts of kitsunis tail fur from his helm "so much for my escape route"
they all stood there nearly silent as he finished and stood feeling the food flow into already tired muscles he looked to the king and his court then to Garra
"he will not attack today I've hit him hard and will need to rebuild his strength, please forgive me my love an eternity wont be long enough to express my sadness"
making a viewing circle it was being blocked but they could clearly see Vagrins assistants helping him to sit before the circle was smashed he slumped and the king ordered the servants into action
He awoke in a huge bed of pillows and pads a cool breeze blew to him the sent of his soul mate the vixen who had been his souls desire for an eternity an more
she turned and smiled from the balcony she was wearing a robe and a seductive smile her tail flagged his heart pounded she giggled and ran over leaping into his arms
he laughed and she looked into his eyes "I thought I could give you the view that that picture did.. You enjoyed it I hope"
he smiled and changed "I think this is a time when words just wont do"
sliding his arms around her she pulled in close and kissed him which he returned and slid the robe away from her fur as she did his armor she soon had him nude save the scales that would not leave him she smiled
"I'm-I'm so sorry I teased you at the dance"
"don't be now we can enjoy the dance together my lady love"
he stood nude and held his hand out to her she giggled
"dance with me now Garra as you did and wanted me to see show me what you wanted that night and I will show you what it took to win my heart for all eternity"
she rose and took his hands to enjoy the dance together finally they went to bed and he shared all he learned from Tee'a and sleep came too soon
He awoke to the sun just rising its warmth he soon gathered inside his wings hunger rumbled his belly but another hunger needed attention
he moved over and laid down to be next to her to feel her breath on his face to know her smile as she slept was because of him his soul was content happy all the pain gone the sadness too
but the anger for what Vagrin now threatened caused him to snarl silently
he went and found the kitchens eating his fill as the cooks took cover checking her once more assured him she was asleep an happy he dressed readying for the last battle
he heard a door open and there was Avarellis looking very much dressed down to size she walked over to him and looked up into his eyes
"I have been a fool haven't I"
"a little"
"more than that, I've been cruel and heartless"
he looked at her as she searched for some compassion in his eyes
"it isn't me you should be speaking to goddess. She is your daughter abandoned to be a slave a king's lady who could have easily died alone raped used like a rag and tossed away without a care. I am at peace with my heart can you say the same?"
"No and it is very troubling"
"finally gained a conscience ehh Avarelis? I'm happy for ya it will lend ya to learning what happiness is but I think others were playing cards you did not know of an you did as needed to be done"
He walked out sliding his sword into the scabbard shield over the shoulder he turned to see her staring at Garra all to clearly a mothers tears in her eyes
"tell her goddess"
she looked and wiped tears
"tell her if I cant win there is still hope for when he thinks all is won.. a friend will show him the truth of what must be done in war.. And that I am her lover and dragon forever"
he turned and leaped into the air tears falling as he did knowing he was going to miss her smile most of all
she watched as he left "I will William for I know now how much love you do have for her"
it was a short while later Garra woke and looked for her lover in bed but found only a silver and blonde vixen at her side her cheeks wet with tears
"where's William?"
"Gone to finish Vagrin my dear. Seems I chose not only a hero and a wandering soul but the male who would become your savior and lover"
"your, Avarellis"
"yes dear, and as William in not so many words told me ... I'm your mother and don't expect you to forgive me for all I've done wrong but as he told me it was my place to tell you so I could rest easy he could do nothing for me"
she turned and looked at Garra "he loves you far more than you know it is for you he now goes to live free of Vagrins threat to insure your safety"
she repeated what he'd said and sighed slumping down a little
"what a fool I've been"
Garra gently touched her arm
"you knew no better but now you know and that will guide you if you listen to the voice here" touching her chest
It took a mid air gate and an hour of flying but Bill arrived on a hill over the ancient city he looked around and saw some of the kings forces left behind a commander came riding up from the line as they prepared to receive the enemy
"move behind the shielding mountain commander this is my fight and if I fail you will have to hold them inside the city when they try to return and to also destroy the gateway"
he blinked "but lord dragon he has ..."
"I know what he has sir, it is my fight with him that will end this"
looking down at him eyes soft full of sorrow
"I don't want anyone else to pay the price"
he sighed and unwillingly agreed riding off the troops moved out double time soon only he stood there feeling the stiff breeze pull at him
He looked down from the hill over the city it seemed so long ago now
"but dam if it hasn't been only months"
the fight now had gone very wrong all the best laid plans had gone to shit and the commanders pulled back beyond the shield mountains he had stayed to guard the rear.
Not to be a hero but to finish the song, in most peoples eyes they were one and the same to him it was the right time,
he pulled the flute from under his Gambeson an armor licked his lips and started to play... The song went on for quite awhile he played letting all the world hear his song it echoed through the valley and through the old city
voices from the past came through of happier times in this ancient place it's magic shields rebuilding as he played feeding from the rivers of magic that flowed his presence was the key his song was the way
Vagrin had rested and still felt the troubles of the forced recall of all the lives he had lived. The same burning pain each time had given him the answer to a life long fear of open flames when he had never been hurt by it.
Least not in this life he had to curse the dragon for this his plan was so well thought out why did he have to show up now. And realized that it was the way fate had set it up they always met right as one was about to gain the upper hand thus they both insured the others destruction.
Licking his cut lip and personally bandaging a broken rib the vixen would be a treat indeed as would the harem of females he would take from dozens of worlds with the prize his even the gods would be his to enjoy!!
He walked out and sat on his throne slaves lifted him high as his demons came in to protect and whip them into movement it was a lovely day excellent to take the city of the gods and the gateway
the trick of teleporting the castle away will have left the dragon drained and unable to stop me. I can kill him at my leisure then I can bask in the power his death will give me
The columns of his army came to a halt and his demons looked to him
"well what is the delay?!"
they all lowered heads not wanting his wrath to fall upon them
"it is the dragon milord he has rebuilt the city's age old shields he has sent a message it comes now"
a rider came up quickly and turned away after handing off an arrow of immense proportions a note wrapped around the shaft
"let me see it fool"
he pulled it out holding the arrow in his other hand
"so it has now come ehh Vagrin you n' me one on one till neither is left standing no hold barred honor or not, there is no other way to end this if I win your forces disperse disband if you win...well if you do then even the gods cant stop you can they. come to me my sister, enemy, master, servant, ally all the things we have been to each other
let us fight once more for all the things we fought over all the lives we have ruined in our foolishness
I know the true treasure now, and will tell you of it
William the dragon"
he snarled crushing the shaft of the arrow to powder, flew up looking down at his forces
"prepare to destroy the shield! And take the gateway!! I go to battle the dragon for the final battle!"
Bill smiled and opened a gate pulling his bow to him he wrote a note and shot it to land in front of their lead line as it crested the far hill. He soon got his reply as Vagrin came shooting over to settle down in front of him eyes blazing with power
Bill smiled and lifted the flute to his lips
"You seek to entertain me. What kind of fool have you become?"
"An old fashioned one"
He played and as with all others who heard the song Vagrin became held in its thrall.
Bill suddenly roared out a flame blast. Vagrin was slow to react and the flames scorched his tail and leg to the meat.
He roared in pain as Bill took the initiative pummeling and blasting him into the mountaintop blowing it virtually inside out.
He took to the wing calling up the earth dragons power then the power of the ice dragons combined to hammer him into the very dirt. an explosion flung him back and dissipated his storm,
Vagrin floated free of the hole.
Bill was breathing hard Vagrin wiped blood from his mouth eyes seething with hate Bill tossed the flute at him, he caught it and charged up a blast in his palm to disintegrate it.
"You toss a flute at me after reducing a mountain to rubble and think it will make any DIFFERENCE!?!? You cannot stop me! To prove it I will convert this flute of yours into a chain to bind you I don't need the power the prize I want you to see the pain the lady will suffer at my hands!"
He flashed the power into his hand as the flute chose that moment to disappear
Vagrin tried to stop the power a moment to late and it exploded in his hand like a firecracker in a can his hand disappeared in a wisp of bloody mist and he howled in pain curling around his arm in agony Bill pulled the flute out and tooted it in insult at him
"Whoops kinda stings don't it Vagrin" Laughing at him
he roared and rushed at the dragon who unsheathed a massive blade. Vagrin put a massive blast into his remaining fist and struck Bill's magic shield full force then as it shattered the tigers fist struck the metal one that Tee'a had given him
The explosion tossed them in either direction away from each other. Bill slammed through dozens of trees to slide to a halt on his butt; shield nearly molten hissing he blinked and coughed.
"Damn now that was one hell'a boom"
Shaking his head to clear the ringing he stood and thanked the shields Tee'a had pounded him into erecting at a moments note
he surged back at Vagrin who was already moving swooping down he collected his blade which the explosion had knocked lose
"Then we do this as it should have been William not Uralsatle but you an me for everything!"
The blades rang and sparks flew magic blasts slammed into each other, as the blades grew hot and shields failed to the onslaught.
Bill did several fast strokes, tossed his dagger he was near dancing with Vagrin the dagger found a hip, Bill pressed his advantage roaring flame, and magic constantly his strikes clashing ringing like bells no normal person could have followed the speed of the blows
He felt a sharp pain as Vagrins blade chopped into his arm Bill countered with a full mage blast upon his blade to Vagrin's shield which exploded tossing them apart again
this time Bill rose slowly panting chest heaving
Vagrin's remaining arm was gone now his blade missing as well Bill looked down and found it in his gut
"I have you now dragon"
Bill stood slowly and tried to ready a blast and found himself dry. The river below drained of power even his shields were gone shattered it would take weeks to rebuild them at full power.
Vagrin gestured and a quarter of his troops spontaneously committed suicide; the violent power of death flowed to him and his eyes glowed with pure hate.
Bill stood firm his wings physically exhausted he readied himself for the blast to come
"Defiant to the last dragon? I will take the greatest pleasure in torturing you for quite awhile"
He blasted him and the melted shield shattered flying off in all directions leaving his arm broken he held the blade up eyes filled with hate for the tiger
The next blast exploded the blade and chunks of the super heated metal ripped through his armor and into him he fell to a knee
Vagrin laughed in his madness "Now you see don't you how futile this was DRAGON!"
Hammering Bill again the armor shredded tossing him through another stand of trees into the ancient city he slowly moved and rose to Vagrin's surprise holding his left arm to his chest blood pouring from all over him
"Y-you can't win Vagrin, you c-cant"
"Cant I dragon?"
He smiled a sweet happy little smile. Blasting him again through the wall of a building the white stone wall slowly collapsing in to show the dragon slammed into the structure of the gateway
he slumped over unconscious, wings and body broken utterly
"cant I? I think so dragon..."
Bill came to in a haze of pain and total agony he wanted to scream out in pain but his mouth was inside a steel strap muzzle chains clinked as a dozen hammers pounded them sealed
Vagrin came into his sight a huge grin came as he floated up with a cloak covering his left side
"So you still live ehh dragon. Good I'm very glad you see, my scouts know about the mage on the far side of the gate he is an ancient himself from what I can tell, powerful, legendary according to what I can find about him.
I taste his power on you William he will surrender the earth to me or I will kill you take the prize destroy the earth and all the humans there" standing proudly
"You will be my mount through the gateway William aren't you proud?"
he snarled and tears came as pain racked him from head to tail Vagrin smiled
"Spirit dragon such impressive spirit I will break you, and see you crippled like you have made me!"
Flicking the cloak away his shoulder wrapped in a bandage
he snarled and gestured to the demons to get him moving, as he sat down in the seat made by Williams wings the bones broken and tied to make into a chair like shape the membrane warm on his burnt rear and tail.
William sagged under the pain his arm in pure fire the bones grinding together the chains hobbling him then the bastard sitting in his broken wings.
The multitude of pain and agonizing hurts were shocked away by a crack of a whip to his rear then another on the opposite side they hit him with whips in areas the scales had been removed others pulled him forward via chains to the harness.
He now longed for death as the first step shot fire and needles of pain into his shoulder another crack of the whip made him wince in pain as it struck another raw place
"I had my healers fix up enough of you so that you won't die from the stab wounds or blood loss. Nice of me wasn't it my pet"
Patting him like a dog on the head the whip cracked and he moved forward again by the time they reached the gate many of Vagrin's troops became glassy eyed as he wove another spell
"They wont fear the gate now ehh William they will march on through. all the machines and weapons your people have to send against them with out question"
The whip cracked and Bill moved forward ready to die he hoped Merlin had done as they planed or his sacrifice all the pain would be for nothing!
They walked through behind a huge group of demons and golem, as he walked through and felt the heat instantly breathing the noxious gasses.
He leaped pushing off the ledge reaching for the far wall of the volcano chimney. The chains held him and the ledge he aimed for was simply gone.
Falling the heat seared his body where his scales were gone a sudden flash of incredible pain fogged his consciousness as he came to an abrupt stop hanging from the chains around his arms.
Dangling above the lava lake below he could see through the heat haze Vagrin's demons and golems troops compelled to march without mind fell like rain past him into the oblivion below
he cried tears of sorrow and pain it had worked it wasn't all in vain the Earth and Tarva were safe
"Ohh Garra I'm sorry so sorry"
The rocks the chain were caught on crumbled and he slipped a little it didn't hurt anymore now he felt movement
"Did" coughing "you, think id be so easily killed!"
Vagrin was holding onto the chains tangled in the straps binding his wings he suddenly felt a handgrip his looking up it was Merlin!
he coughed "It's going to erupt soon Bill! we have to get out of here!"
Vagrin let off a mage blast making Merlin duck low the rocks crumbled more the old wizard looked on at him as Bill's eyes pleaded forlornly knowing what Bill had in mind tears came as he readied a blast to destroy the rocks holding the chains, Bill smiled
"It's been a pleasure Merlin go visit Tarva more"
He nodded and blasted the rock Vagrin screamed as they fell the buck gods words came like a hammer
"Use the time wisely it could save your life"
He willed the change and fought the pain as the chains and straps fell away Bill looked up at Merlin he reached out in what seemed slow motion the mages hands were to far! He felt the heat and knew it was done
Merlin watched as they fell he could still hear Vagrin's screams even as he was consumed by the magma his troops still falling into the pit below he sobbed leaning back away from the edge gating back to the top of the volcano as it slowly started collapsing the ground shaking an rumbling
"He became human"
There was a tap on his shoulder he nearly jumped off the ledge in total shock as a group of faces gently laid Williams burnt and broken body down.
Avarellis walked forward and healed a wound stood and backed away as another god moved forward and healed another.
The sky grew dark as the familiar appeared not as an arm sized beast but immense filling the sky its eyes filled with light and it looked upon William for a long moment then disappeared with a roll of thunder.
They all turned looking at the prone form of William the dragon some smiled and then they all disappeared back to Tarva save one, Avarellis who stood there waiting.
"I'm here creator! He has finished the path! Come see! be with him as he awakes"
Bill eased up eyes flares of blue light he smiled and yanked one of her tails out she screamed out in pain and turned blinking shocked
" FOOLISH KITSUNI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN HERE, I'VE HAD MY EYES ON HIM FOR ALL HIS LIFE FOR A DIFFERENT REASON THAN YOU.
HE LEARNED THE LESSONS THAT HE TRULY NEEDED TO LEARN IN THIS LIFE BECAUSE OF YOUR ACTIONS"
She was so stunned that she collapsed to the craggy surface eyes wide Merlin smiled and knew when to make an exit, disappearing.
She gathered her wits and finally stammered out a question
"B-but I wanted"
The voice that came did not shake the heavens any more but it most assuredly wasn't William's
"Avarellis you taught him by bringing him to your world, to see how his actions effect others. How to love another without enveloping them in his passions,
which not all would dislike, but the one who has lost most in this who is now your daughter dragged along eternity never to have known why or how only knowing love had been the price and curse on the soul.
William is ready now you see Avarellis he will live in Tarva a long and happy life he and Garra will give you enough to fret and worry over with many grandchildren
But Garra will finally pass from this veil as she has so earned the rest long denied, an he will have no reason to live save one to guide the four children who he helped save there mothers from pain and abuse the ones who he found along the river of sorrow
they are five who will leave Tarva and travel far to create another world filled with life. Do you see now don't you Avarellis, do you truly understand what it is you have been apart of?"
Shimmering in front of her was a human shaped being but it was more an less all at once it smiled and gently touched her cheek she felt her rump tingle glancing back she now had four tails instead of three
"The mark of a maturing goddess lady nine is the full number, then you will truly feel the reasons for all"
it went to move away
"I've helped begin the lives of gods."
It smiled and the sun burst through the clouds warming her spirit and the creator was gone and on the wind a voice
"You have helped with the birth of a creator young kitsuni. Now you will forget till nine is your number then you will be ready also as you still have much to learn"
The sun fell back behind the clouds and she blinked and smiled in relief seeing William was alive though clearly not totally recovered
he looked at her groggily shaking out the fog
"Is, is he gone? T-tarva safe?"
She wondered for a moment, knowing shed spoken to the creator but though her memory failed her, she felt her questions had all been answered.
"Yes Vagrin's gone William. Now lets get you back to Tarva id say Garra is worried sick about you and making a goddess's daughter worry herself sick is not a good thing to do"
he smiled and stood up eyes glowing blue stars
"You get to speak to the creator goddess?"
She smiled and nodded once
"And I owe my daughters mate a reward for his bravery"
he held his hand out and stopped her
"No goddess no offence but no more gifts, I just want to rest and live my life with Garra together I think I've earned it"
She smiled and spun the flute on her finger a sly grin on her face as he stepped through the gateway.