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Well! Im glad folks are still enjoying the tale, updates are going to be erratic for the next month or so as Im going on a month-long trip to the USA for a conference and to see friends. please keep the emails coming! in response to a lot of comments im opening forestkeep on its own webpage soon too. forestkeep.net..nothing there yet but hopefully in a week or so. there will be a little about me and the chars and hopefully some art and a tip jar (hehe) to help inspire me to greater efforts.

cheers Shim

ok..now back to the action..

XXV

Cill flashed home with James and gave him a noisy slurping kiss as they arrived.

"So you think you are going to enjoy learning from Marre?" Cill asked as she made herself comfortable on the bed.

"Well I hope I can control this power, It seems all I can do is turn it on and off and to be honest it scares me a bit" James sighed as he slowly undressed and slid onto the bed next to her. "I hope I won't disappoint you or Marre"

Cill grinned and ran a slow talon down his chest, curling it through the short hair there playfully "Oh I don't think you will make too many mistakes though you do seem quite strong. It takes time to learn to control it properly so you can do the fun things"

James let his hand roam along her graceful neck and leaned closer "Like going invisible and teasing poor humans?" He gave a low growl and nipped at her throat "I'm looking forward to when you can turn human and you can meet MY parents. Then it'll be my turn to laugh"

Cill rolled over onto her back with a humph "I suppose you'll embarrass me at a 'dance' in front of all your friends" she feigned displeasure but couldn't help a squeak of pleasure as her mates fingers slid over the soft hide of her breasts and down across her stomach.

"What a good idea" he chuckled and reached down to get the bottle of oil from beside the bed 'Or I could take you out to meet those friends and have you dazzle them with your beauty"

Cill gasped as the oil slid over her hide and she relaxed under the caress "I might be an ugly human" she purred "Or I might decide to be a male since they seem to have all the fun"

James gasped in mock horror "Oh no...I didn't know you could do that..." he licked a nipple and heard her whimper in response "at least then I wouldn't have to keep all the men away from you but you would have to deal with the women"

Cill grinned and arched her back as she felt her vent twitch with desire "And why would I do that? I might like being a male human"

James's fingers slid along the slicked lips of her sex slowly "Oh I wouldn't advise it" he murmured "Most of the women are pretty ugly and I wouldn't be able to live down the shocked stares I would get whenever I kissed you"

Cill giggled and then gasped as an oily finger teased her clit "I-I think I'll stay female then"

James slid over her and kissed her on the snout as he let her feel the stiff length of his shaft rub against her slowly. "I love you Cill... Perhaps I could become a dragon one day"

Cill smiled at him undulating her hips slowly "You'd make a rather small dragon. The Anifornum spell can't create mass so you'd be pretty funny looking" she licked along his neck tenderly and let out a soft grunt as he spread her lips and slid within her.

"And I love you just like this" she purred, her green eyes wide as they locked gazes.

James slowly worked himself deeper and made gentle thrusts as the heat spread through her loins and up towards her chest.

"Mine" He mock-growled licking at her muzzle, capturing her tongue in a deep slippery kiss. Her stiff nipples brushing against his chest as he started to move faster.

"Mine" she responded eagerly with a growl that rumbled round the room, her talons pricking his rump as she clasped him, her paws urging him on while the air filled with the sweet scent of their mating.

Cill murmured his name as her walls massaged and suckled at his shaft and he swore to himself that nothing would come between them while he could draw breath. He felt a fiery heat build in his loins and ground himself against his mate's loins in urgent short thrusts.

Cill panted noisily as she felt herself tense and shiver in anticipation of her climax, her tail thumping the ground noisily as she encouraged him to empty himself into her womb.

James stiffened as his shaft swelled and spurted milky semen against the dragoness's walls. The feeling of the pulsing erection deep inside her triggering her own release and with a roar that shook the walls she shuddered and trembled through her climax. The walls of her sex milking James's shaft for the last thick curds of his semen.

Cill had a sudden vision of sitting on a nest laying a fine egg and squealed loudly as she climaxed again, surprising James who kept moving within her so as to draw her orgasm out further. The sweating human grinning as his mate quivered and trembled under him, a talon firmly stuck in her muzzle as she sucked on it.

Cill's eyes were wide as she stared at her mate, his hair tousled from the sweat and exertion "Oh....It does get better."

James grinned back at her when he felt he could breathe properly "So I'm told" he chuckled and collapsed on top of her, the couple sated for the moment as the night closed in.

* * *

Outside the storehouse there were several frightened novices and a score of curious merchants who had wondered at the strange and terrifying noises and shook their heads. Some removed their hats in a gesture of respect and clasped them to their chests

"Lad's been eaten for sure" they murmured, wondering who was going to have to go in and clean up the mess.

Next morning Nokala looked at the huge Clan hall and hoped, not for the last time that he was doing the right thing. Already several other members had shown up with a curious light in their eyes. They had all heard the rumours and wondered what was really going on. Most couldn't believe it when he told them but so far he had encountered little hostility.

The younger members seemed to be the most interested of all. Small collections of the females had been muttering together. This had surprised Nokala and made him suspect that someone had been talking. He checked the ring where the ceremony would take place and ensured the amulet was ready and on the pedestal.

Marre walked up beside him "Nervous?" he murmured. Nokala nodded quietly.

"The Clanmaster will likely turn up late. You know how he loves dramatics" Nokala nodded again as he looked at the waiting rows of lounges "Are we doing the right thing Marre?" he asked the old blue.

Marre shrugged in response "Who knows. I think it's a good idea to let this happen. At least it'll provide some entertainment "

Nokala chuckled "are you that bored with your potions and magic?"

Marre grinned at him widely "You saw his mana level, imagine the look on their faces when they see...and the Clanmaster's"

Nokala gave a soft groan "I'm trying not to think of that right now. I have visions of him being torn to shreds in front of Cill"

"They may surprise you. In fact I am already surprised at the knowledge about them. I think someone has been spreading...well... stories" murmured Marre as they walked towards the pair of huge drums near the entrance to the hall.

"You suspect Moona?" Nokala asked with a frown.

"No Carlina actually as there seems to be something of a... revolution going on amongst some of the mated couples"

Nokala flushed "you don't think..." he broke off as he remembered something about her friend showing up while he was drunk "Mella!"

Marre groaned and slapped his paw against his muzzle "Of course. She was there and heard all about James and his power" his eyes went wider "and about the possibility of Cill getting gravid"

Nokala sucked a talon nervously then pulled it out swiftly, embarrassed.

"I know Carlina tells her everything too...even ...um..." his ruffs flushed pink at the memory of the matings following the revelations of human ingenuity.

"Yes yes I'm too old for all that now but I imagine that if she has been spreading the word about our couple there will be a lot of interest in them"

Nokala nodded and went to greet another clan member with a smile fixed on his snout.

James woke next to Cill and scratched himself idly. This was the big day. He wasn't sure what to expect and suspected that Cill didn't know either. He slowly untangled himself from her grasp and washed, shaved and cleaned himself before slipping quietly out the door and heading to Marlow's wagon.

The garish stall and wagon were quiet but James heard rustling at the rear and he stepped behind to find the fat rear of the merchant as he hunted through piles of cloth "Good morning Marlow" he said with a grin "Is it ready?"

"Ah young sir, it most certainly is and I have it safe here for you".

With a gap-toothed grin the rosy-cheeked merchant held up a gold circlet and a small velvet pouch for it.

"The pouch is a gift from myself, Sir "the merchant mumbled and held out the elegantly crafted ring for James to inspect.

"Thank you Marlow, Its wonderful" he looked at the ring and its inscription and felt a gleeful jump in his chest.

"Oh yes, she will love it" he reached into his pouch and handed the remaining coins to Marlow in payment "I will be sure to have some other small jobs for you in the future my friend" he said as he tucked the ring into a pocket.

Marlow shuffled his feet and looked curiously at James "This er...wouldn't be fer yer dragon would it?" he asked, unsure of the response he would get. "We've all heard of it now and there's a lot of talk goin' round"

James grinned "Yes Marlow, this is for her. We are getting joined at a ceremony and this is my gift to her"

Marlow blinked "Joined? Like married?" his face went pinker than usual.

James nodded slowly "Yes. Just like being married. But in the dragon way" he winked at the merchant "We will still have a ceremony at the chapel here though"

Marlow looked as if he was going to choke "B-but... it's a dragon!"

James nodded "Really? Oh my...I hadn't noticed" he gave the bemused merchant a clap on the shoulder and turned about. "I'll introduce you to her later on if you want?"

Marlow nodded stupidly as he finally realized the sarcasm in James's words.

James smiled and walked back up to the mess hall to find some breakfast for himself and Cill.

The mess was quiet with only a few novices sitting around the tables. They welcomed James with nudges and pokes, asking about the funny noises they kept hearing.

"You can't tell me that was bellyache" one said with a wink "What is it between you and the dragon anyway?"

James smiled "She and I just enjoy one another's company" he said ambiguously. The other novices grinned at one another.

"So what are you going to do?" asked Tommy who leaned forward "Use it to fly round and patrol?"

James grinned "She may let me fly with her, but it's up to her. I don't 'use' her for anything. We are partners"

Tommy grunted "Sounds like you are in love with it to me"

James grinned and sipped from his tankard "would you like to meet her?"

Tommy blanched and shook his head "not me, I'll stay away from it"

James leaned forward "you don't need to be scared of her, she is intelligent and nice"

Tommy slammed his fist on the table "I'm not scared of anything" and standing up he turned and stormed out.

James shook his head "well, his loss" he murmured to the others. "I'm going to bring her out to the training yard this morning. For those who DO want to meet Cill don't bring your opinions until you've said hello to her"

The other novices looked at one another in alarm and then back at James "She won't try and eat us will she?"

James grinned "you have my word on that. I'll get her some breakfast so she isn't hungry"

Standing up he wandered towards the kitchen to see what was on the spits. "Jane?" he called into the back room.

There was a squeal and a slap and a few moments later a ruffled Jane appeared from the storeroom "And what can I get ya Master Lawrence?' she asked, patting her hair into place.

"I'd like some breakfast for Cill if you have some...and haven't given all of it to Joe" he leaned over and tried to peer into the back room.

Jane smirked and moved in front of his gaze "I hear ya've been real noisy lately. 'ridin' the dragon hard are we?" she asked impudently and made her way over to the spits to select a roast lamb.

"Oh we dragon riders have to keep in practice" James said with a straight face as he took the steaming lamb in his arms juggling it so he wouldn't get burnt

"No matter how tired we get. It takes dedication and a rock-hard determination"

Jane stifled a giggle and winked at him before heading back in to the storeroom.

Walking back to the storehouse he smiled to himself. Everything seemed to be coming together nicely. He hoped the clan members wouldn't be too put out with him and that he could survive any challenges. Pushing the door open he maneuvered the lamb in front of him and shoved his way in.

Cill was still snoring gently, wafting the lamb in front of her nostrils he chuckled as they twitched suddenly. "Wakey wakey" he said with a smile "Breakfast in bed"

Cill didn't even open her eyes as a paw shot out to snag the lamb tucking it close to her chest. James tried hard not to laugh as he watched her grumbling in her sleep.

He stepped back and decided to let her wake up on her own, cleaning up the sides of the bed and tucking his clean clothes into the chest. He realized he didn't know much about her family other than her parents.

Did she have a grand-dragon somewhere? What would they be called?

Cill mumbled on the bed and rolled over, cuddling the roast in her arms as she slumbered.

Occasionally her tongue would flicker out over the meat and she would smack her lips approvingly at the taste.

James chuckled quietly and put his dress uniform to one side, ready for the ceremony in the evening. He wanted to look his best after all.

Cill woke with a jerk and looked down at the lamb roast she was cuddling. James jerked as a mental shriek almost made him jump out of his skin "Cill?" he asked, walking round to the front of the bed.

Cill was looking shocked as she clutched the roast, her gaze flicking up at him and then back down at the meat "I thought for a moment I'd...cooked you in my sleep" she flushed and then tried to look angry as James bent over and howled with laughter "It's not funny!"

James couldn't speak as he was laughing so hard he could barely breathe. She narrowed her gaze at him and he tried to control himself, gulping great lungfuls of air when he could manage it.

"I-I tried to wake you for breakfast, but you just grabbed it and wouldn't let go" he explained to the frowning dragoness as she spun the roast in her paws.

Cill humphed and took a large bite out of the lamb, swallowing chunks whole as James recovered enough to come over and give her a hug. "I'm sorry love but you must admit it is a bit funny. I did want to give you breakfast in bed today"

Cill relented and gave him a greasy lick "Just don't tell father or he'll laugh his head off too"

James nodded "Cross my heart" he said and leaned in to give her a kiss on the snout "Would you like to meet the other novices this morning? Some will be very scared and shy"

Cill tore a strip off the lamb "That would be a good idea. I'd like some fresh air and a swim too"

James nodded "Marre wants me there today, but I think you have a day off so you can have a dip after dropping me off at his lair"

"That would be perfect" she nuzzled his head affectionately "You need to practice your sweeping"

James nodded "I'm supposed to learn humility I guess, but I get enough of that falling on my ass here"

Cill finished the lamb and licked her talons clean slowly before looking round for some water. Spying the ewer she drained it in a gulp and looked round for more "I'm thirsty, Where does one find water here?"

James grinned and opened the door "The well, I'll take you there and then we can go meet the others"

"Hold on" Cill walked over to the mirror and checked to make sure she hadn't any lamb left on her muzzle and giving herself a little primp before walking up behind him. "Alright, lets go" she murred at him as he led the way out into the bailey.

James looked round as the couple walked out into the sunlit path before the storehouse they had been given. Thankfully it was still early enough to keep most of the myriad citizens inside but there were a few slammed shutters and muffled squeals that he could hear.

Cill grinned at him as she could also hear the noises "I think it'll take some time for them to get used to me" she said with a note of sadness in her voice.

"That's their problem love" James replied firmly and stroked her neck as they headed towards the well.

The Keep's well was large so as to be able to supply the various townsfolk and industries and there was usually someone hanging around as it formed an informal focal point for gossip.

It was the unfortunate blacksmith's apprentice Ronald who was destined to be the first unsuspecting person at the well this morning. The smithy required large amounts of water for the manufacture of weapons and tools and he was frequently sent out with a pair of buckets to replenish the stores.

He had just pulled up a brimming bucketful when he heard strange heavy footsteps behind him. Hefting the full bucket onto the ledge he turned round in time to see James and Cill step up to the side of the well and look down into its depths.

Dropping his buckets with a scream Ronald tore off back towards the smithy as fast as he could run. James sighed and stroked Cill's neck "they'll get used to you love" he murmured as he saw the sad look in her eyes.

"At least he left us couple of buckets" Cill picked one up and lowered it to get some fresh water which she drank with enjoyment "Good water"

"I'm glad you like it" James murmured as they wandered back towards the training grounds and the waiting nervous novices.

Joe was giving the recruits a lesson as they turned the corner into the yard though most of it was forgotten in the sudden rush towards James. It seems most had taken Jack's word for it and wanted to get a closer look at Cill.

James blinked as he saw the novices running towards him, most still brandishing weapons of some sort. He felt Cill tense beside him in nervousness.

"Slow down!" he shouted at the approaching group "your scaring her!"

The novices screeched to a halt, the stragglers piling into the ones in front until there was a scrambling pile of assorted arms, legs and weapons.

Joe shook his head as he walked up slowly to watch the fun "And this lot want ta be knights?" He said and spat noisily on the ground. Grinning he made a florid bow to Cill "A pleasure to see ya again Ma'am" the novices goggled as Cill bowed her neck back to him with a pleased smirk on her muzzle.

Cill made her mental 'channel' a little wider so as to include the novices as they slowly stood and brushed themselves down. "Nice to see you again too Joe, Are these your fine students?" she asked pleasantly as James fought to hold his mouth shut.

The novices quailed as they heard the seeming voice from nowhere "Aye ma'am" he walked over and cuffed a couple after dragging them back into line. "A sorry shower I'm afraid, but we have hopes for some o' em".

Most of the novices seemed to be having second thoughts about being there as Cill moved closer. Several were visibly shivering while most were pale and breathing hard.

James gave a small cough and moved in front of her so as to mitigate the effects of her presence. "Everyone, this is Cill. That's not her full name but it's what she prefers" reaching up he stroked her neck slowly.

"As you can see, She's not a dumb animal and certainly not tame" he grinned up at her "Are you tame dear?' he asked her on a private channel. Cill grinned and let a paw rest on his head meaningfully so the others could see the talons.

"She and I are... Partners and find we compliment one another well in many ways" he continued from under the paw "She doesn't eat humans and is very well mannered and friendly"

There were skeptical glances amongst the group at this but they turned to looks of awe as he lifted her paw off and pulled her head down to rest on his shoulder instead.

"Cill's going to be staying here with me for as long as she wants and I want all of you to treat her with respect. If I come home and find her crying... "

There was an amused snort from his shoulder.

"...I'll be most annoyed" he let this last sink in and saw several nods from the men.

James grinned at Joe "Did I leave anything out?" he asked, scratching Cill's jaw gently as he smiled up at her. Joe shook his head "No, I thin' they'd like to say hello themselves though"

James nodded and stepped aside as Cill fixed her gaze on Tommy who had the misfortune to be first in the line. His knees were visibly knocking James noticed with a small grin.

"Hello?" Cill asked as she took in the novice's stance. Tommy's throat bobbed like a float in a stream as he struggled not to embarrass himself in front of the others. "H-hello Ma'am... You're awful pretty" he stammered.

James blinked as he realized Tommy wasn't scared of Cill for the reason he had thought initially as a tide of pink made the novice's ear's glow.

He grinned as Cill took the compliment gracefully "Thank you, call me Cill and you are...?"

"T-Tommy" sputtered the flushed man and held out a trembling hand.

James smiled as Cill shook it gently while the others either sucked in their breath or let it out in a whoosh.

"I think you've made another conquest love" he murmured to her privately and was gratified to catch her brief look of embarrassment.

"Are all humans like this?" she murmured back to him. "First frightened then aroused?"

James snickered to himself "I bet not all of them are..."

The greetings continued without major mishap and only one of the novices wet himself when Cill reached out to shake hands. There would likely be fights in the barracks tonight after all the tension had worn off and they realized the enormity of the situation. After all, No other keep had its own dragon.

Joe slumped onto a barrel as the excited novices finally departed from the ground.

"Thank god tha's over" he said "I wasn' sure if they were all gonna faint or run away"

The dragoness looked over at him and grinned "I think they did rather well. I just hope James gets the same reaction from the other dragons this evening"

James nodded "I hope so too...I don't know what to expect" he looked at his mate "Do you?"

Cill shook her head "No, I do know it involves gifts from the clan and an acceptance of some sort" She gave James a warm lick of affection. "You will do fine" she assured him.

James nodded slowly and they began walking back to the storehouse. "Will you drop me at Marre's before heading off for your swim?"

Cill nodded "I think Moona appreciates having someone to help with the cleaning now"

James rolled his eyes "twenty years of sweeping?" he groaned "Is that the price of learning?

Cill smiled and pushed him past the door "Its not just sweeping, but potions watch and keeping the library clean too"

James took her paws in his hands and wrapped them round his waist "Just drop me off and let me get on with the sweeping" he murmured as he pressed himself close

Cill purred and triggered the spell.

Marre was waiting when the pair arrived on the platform "Ahh on time and eager to learn I hope" he said to James.

Cill gave her mate a lick and then flickered back to the keep.

"Yes Master Marre" said James, still feeling a little awe at being taught by a dragon.

Marre grinned "Excellent, but first there was a small potion accident this morning and Moona is off elsewhere so I'm afraid it needs cleaning up... off you go"

James sighed and went to have a look in the workroom. It looked as if someone had inflated a sheep with... something then dropped it from a great height. There was noxious greenish ooze sliding slowly down the walls to pool on the floor and he was despairing on how to get rid of it all when a new feminine voice suddenly broke into his head.

"Oh my, so you are Cill's human, are you? Aren't you the lucky one " Shalla murmured as the human turned to face her...

To be continued...