FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

(Story is intended for those of you over the age of 18, characters are copywritten to myself, and blah blah blah)

After Zatos little "incident" he returned to the castle, where he was promptly subdued by his three children. All three as healthy and as lively as ever, yet each now bore scars, showing their time in the once tyrant controlled kingdom was not as easy and carefree as many an outsider thought. Though the scars weighed heavily upon him, he knew in his heart that those scars showed how they had SURVIVED not perished. He would have scarred children over then...the much darker side.

After his short reunion, he made his way to Pink, where much heavier thoughts would be revealed. Like always, she knew what was coming, Zato having found her already sat upon a chair and waiting for him to join her. Without sugar coating things, he moved up and told her of Azura and every detail and his plans. In the end, he was shocked. Pink simply smiled to him and said two simple words.

"Do it."

He couldn't help but smile and kiss her on the lips before making his way out of the castle and soared off to the kingdom where Azura was most likely awaiting him. His plan was simple, easy, if not guilt ridden. He was going to tell her the truth, that he already had a mate and would not be taking others. However, she would be more then welcome to live among them in the kingdom, should she choose to.

Yet, when he did arrive and finally convinced her to let him in the house, soon followed by his tale and proposal, he was shocked. She simply smiled, kissed him on the cheek, and spoke to him in a voice filled with nothing but love and admiration.

"That is fine Rick, or should I say Zato now? I knew the day your memories returned to you would come, yet I did not expect you to be a dragon. It nonetheless showed that the day came your memories would return, and as I thought, one such as yourself would already have a mate. I will be fine and I will cherish our memories. Goodbye, Zato."

After that, his mind was blank. He could not form any word, sentence, or even noise to respond to her. He simply allowed her to walk him outside, where he took to the sky. As he flew, he felt her stare upon him, and he began to feel horrible, but if one thing showed itself about her, she always had the last word. He would check on her now and then, protect her when the time came, and wish her and her new mate, when she found that right one, many years of happiness.

=====

The life that Zato had fought, suffered, prayed, cried, and spilled blood for finally came to him after the council was taken down. The kingdom flourished and had withdrawn back its borders, instead choosing to build their kingdom up into the sky using pillars, towers, and winding stairways. One tower consisted of one hundred dens, each den large enough for a dragon family of ten. Though many other species saw this as redundant and dangerous, the dragons seen this as homey and a great change from the small shacks they had copied from the humans. Sure, other species had a hard time visiting when they were allowed from the Queen, but some dragons enjoyed giving them rides.

Along with the new building style of the homes, the castle had changed as well. Instead of the sole white tower of the past, it melted down into a huge castle directly copied from the humans. This was seen as a good shift due to the constant negotiations of the Queen with various other species over trading, friendships, and such. Allowing much easier access to the species that could not fly, and allowing most to feel a bit more comfortable instead of being flown up to the queen aback the Guardian Zato, who most feared because of the ancient stories and rumors.

Of course, most laughed when they did meet him. He was extremely friendly, polite, and as the queen once said to a human king who visited "Holds the values of what it is to be a dragon who loves and honors his kingdom, along side those who live upon the world."

The most shocking change during this time was that everyone held the constant thought and weight upon their minds that another war would break out, yet one never came. Day after day, week after week, month after month was nothing but peace and quiet for the kingdom. The soldiers had even begun to forgo training, to which none complained. Like the ancients, the ability to fight was once again burned into their minds and bodies, and it would be a long, long time before it was forgotten again.

Trading thrived, friendships with the other species held strong, everything went as everyone had prayed and dreamed for. Most even began to joke that Zato and Pink would become fat with the new peaceful kingdom, along with their kids. Yet, all of them simply laughed to the jokes. They did train constantly, yet, they enjoyed and used the peace time more so then any others. They were constantly seen playing on the grass-fields that replaced the jewel covered floor of the old kingdom and more so seen flying in a family formation through the towers.

Even with this time of peace, a nagging notion filled the hearts of all. During the years a disturbing fact began to rise up to each and every dragon before it became a widely known fact, one even the Guardians couldn't understand. Their dragon magic, the strongest of all magics of the world was beginning to wane and falter...most unable to even lift a piece of parchment, and none understood why or how this was happening.

=====

"Queen Osia! Calm down! We will find out what has happened to cause our magic to falter!"

Grave couldn't help but worry. Osia, their queen, was pacing back and forth. Her mind was rattled with worry and sorrow over the new events. Sure, over the years their magic had slowly began to weaken, but in one month nearly every ounce of magic vanished. Only a few still held onto their magic strengths, herself being one of the few. Though Grave was still voicing comfort and words to rest her mind, she still continued to pace around the throne room. Occasionally she would peek through the sky light, a huge piece of the roof missing and allowing the sun to shine directly into the throne room. She was awaiting her most trusted Guardian, Zato would surely bring good news...right?

"Queen Osia!"

Her mind snapped back into reality and she looked down towards the two massive wooden doors as they were thrown open, Junior rushing up on the black and gold carpet in his anthro to only kneel down as he approached her. If any, he took after his father the most. Over the years he had aged to look almost exactly like him, save for the pink belly and chest scales, whereas Zato had his blue.

"Speak Junior."

She, and Grave, could clearly hear him panting for breath. No shock, he had been placed upon the kingdoms walls to await Pink as she went to the elves. So, if anything, news had arrived from the elves and Pink first.

"Mother has returned with good news. The elves feel they might know whats wrong with our magic. However, they can not be sure. She is staying there with them to batter as best she can for any information. They keep asking for us to teach them some of our ancient rituals and magic in trade for the infor-"

He stopped himself as thunderous wing beats sounded out, causing the three to look up into the sky light as a great shadow casted itself upon them and blocked out the sun. Black scales brightly shining the sun at them, polished far beyond a shine, and a neon blue and neon green eyes staring dead at them all as the massive feral landed and bowed.

"Brother! Please tell me you bring good news!"

Her heart sank from his expression. Out of everyone, he was the only one who could talk with the gods. The one dragon they trusted to hear their words and see them in person, and he had constantly went to visit them to gain information concerning the events that caused their magic to die. He himself being one of the few still able to use magic, albeit at a minimal level.

"The news is bad. The gods are punishing us for over using it. We have caused the balance of the natural world to become off balance. We use it to place our armor on, open doors, prepare our food. They told me given time, we will be allowed to use it once again. However, the world must first be allowed to recover and reset the balance."

Osia could only blink to the news. It was truly this easy to get the information from the gods? How? What did they ask for in return for telling them?

"Zato..."

"Do not ask what they wish for, because even I do not know. After three weeks of visiting them, they finally just came out and told me. Yet, I could tell by their eyes they plan to ask us of something."

A sudden weight befell them all and each was stuck to the floor, straining their muscles and limbs to stand back up before giving in. This had happened two times before, it was a sign of the gods or A god coming to visit. And as before, a sudden burst of white light came that blinded them all for a few minutes before their vision slowly began to return, the Goddess greeting them as they did.

"We finally did think of a punishment. We ask that we are allowed to brand thirteen gifted dragons, all those being the ones who may still use magic. Osia, Pink, Zato, Junior, Aditi, Grave, and seven others we have chosen. Zato, you will lead them using these."

The Goddess waved a claw and thirteen heavy collars appeared, bright gold with ancient carvings and runes, save for one that held a Topaz emerald in the center.

"The one with the Topaz is yours, Zato. When placed upon the necks of the others, they will go blind and a magic tether will bind you all together. You will then fly to our home and we will brand you all there before returning you to the kingdom ourselves. And Zato, it is our second place of dwelling."

Zato opened his maw to object but it was useless as she vanished in another flash of light, leaving him to stare upon the collars after the blinding effect had paced. He couldn't help but let out a long sigh and shake his head, before he moved to the collars and simply stood over them.

"I will do it myself...I will carry them all to the gods and I will just be branded with the thirteen symbols."

As if the collars had listened, they each hummed to life and a soft glow emitted from them before they shot into the air. The Topaz one snapping onto Zato, others attaching onto the others in the room, before the rest shot out the opening to most likely attach to the others. Now, he could only look to Osia as the color in her eyes faded down, leaving her with colorless, pure, white eyes.

"It would seem...Zato...we HAVE to do this."

Surprisingly enough, none panicked...or so he had hoped. For not a moment later small flashes of light appeared and the rest of those in collars appeared, each simply laying down on their bellies whilst looking straight to Zato. Sure, their bodies were calmed, but their minds screamed at him. All of them, twelve voices streaming right into his skull that caused him to nearly claw his ears off, if he had any.

"Everyone...please...calm down...I will lead you there...I can hear the Goddess' voice from the collar...she is explaining it to you all...my love, please...fly by my side."

He made his way to Pink and slowly rubbed his wing over her own, a soft purr coming from her throat as he did so. He could not help but always be mesmerized every time he saw her now, her feral was stunning. Perfectly kept scales, claws, horns. Polished to a unbelievable shine, and the way she moved...

"Please...try to keep up with me...I know this journey is going to become hard...fast."

Zato spread his wings and the instant he did a blue, magic, tether appeared and attached to each collar and in some unspoken sign, everyones wings spread open at the same time the tether hit them. He gave a few blinks and flapped once, everyones wings matching.

-Least they were kind enough to make the flying part easy...-

He gave a strong flap, strong enough to send him into the air, and flew out the sky line. Each and everyone of the others matching him and they all quickly fell into position. None would need to know where they are going, why they are gone, or anything. No meetings were planned, no need for the queens attention would arise, and surely no wars would break out. The kingdom would be fine.

As he continued to fly, he began to notice that his wings and the muscles controlling them were beginning to tire. They had barely came out of the Coils! How could...he turned his head back and looked to see that all of their wings were perfectly matching his own, like earlier, so...it must be cause they weren't flying, HE was flying for them all. Thirteen adult ferals all controlled by two wings, oh...this would be a long trip.

"Love, we know you are beginning to fatigue...we should land, walk from here. It will take longer but-"

"Silence Pink, Im fine."

He straightened his wings and continued to fly. Each flap slowly becoming harder and harder, the muscles in his wings straining as he continued to fly. He, himself, was not tired. Only the muscles controlling his wings. Sure, he was an avid flyer and his wings and muscles were well trained. But never, never, had he controlled thirteen sets of wings. One reason he was doing it, was because it was excellent training. Secondly, walking would take them nearly a week, if not two. Flying would only take them about two days, three if the weather got bad.

He looked back as he flew over a cloud and noticed they all had their colorless eyes fixed on him. He could feel it, but he would not land. He had to get their fast, for their sake. He would have preferred to do this himself, taken all thirteen brands, but...

"Love...you're in pain, land."

"Yes brother, land. We can walk."

"Guardian Zato, please, land..."

"Father...Me Adi and Junior all agree, you need to land."

He sighed heavily and folded his wings back, dropping down from the sky. He could not continue to fight them, and as they had voice, his wings quickly went from annoying pain to blind pain that felt like each flap was tearing the muscles apart. And as the ground came into view, past the back of clouds he was flying in, he regretted opening his wings. The simple action shot up his spine and he visibly shivered, but a gliding land would be a lot better then a crash landing.

"We should rest...you stressed your muscles too much love."

As all of their talons touched the ground, he simply continued on. His wings painfully bunched on his back, taking each step as fast as he could. Yet, it did not keep up for long as he slowed down, for the sake of the others, and continued forth. He wanted to at least walk as far as he could in one day, hopefully shortening the trip.

=====

"Goddess, do you truly think this test will work?"

One of the other gods said. His blue scales the same color and look as that of the ocean, another, bright as a the sun moved up and gave a tilt of his head.

"Yes, it seems rather hard having the best magic users in the kingdom do a test that is meant for those that should, could, not use magic. To show that our kind hasn't become completely reliant on magic."

The goddess turned from the viewing portal she had created and simply smiled to her brethren.

"That is why we are doing it with the magic users. The ones who can still use magic should decide either use magic, or don't. That is the test. Out of two options, what does one choose? The easy way, magic. Or, the true way, with your own. So far...I would say they are doing good. Zato could have used his basic magic to either numb his pain, or lighten the load of the others. Well, I shouldn't say basic since he can now tap into the others magic as well."

"Mother Goddess, please...explain this further."

A timid looking dragoness, bright pink with blue markings here and there said as she approached and bowed. To which the Goddess smiled and gave a nod.

"Alright, the test we are about to do when they venture further into the forest should be dealt with without magic. However, will they all decide to use magic to make things easier? Or choose to do so by their own accord, relying completely on the trust and choice of their Guardian? And the test right now is simply, Night. In the forest of darkness, where it could become so dark that even the ability of dragons and even cats to see in the night become useless. Will Zato decide to use magic to be able to see? Or will he go by what the tiger tribe does, sound? Of course, each test will become harder."

The gods simply nodded, the first test was pretty simple. Even just waiting for day would be acceptable, but to them all they knew it to be impossible with Zatos current drive.

=====

"Zato, my love, please. We need to stop and rest. Your wings...we can feel the pain. Stop and allow Queen Osia to use magic to heal the pain away."

Zato let out a heavy growl to them all, they had all become irritating. Every step since they had landed was one complaint to stop for his sake, or let them use magic, or this or that. He could feel Osia about to talk, with the magic tether most likely, and simply snapped in the air to silence them.

"Shut up! The gods are easier to read them children books from the humans! This is a test! Not to use magic! If I stopped and allowed Osia to heal my simply aching muscles, it would prove to them that we have become reliant on magic like the humans and elves! Our kind has always but the balance of the world before everything! Why is it that during the time that the council and after, when we did not limit the use of magic, that this happened? Because we got lazy and forgot our ways, even myself! They are sore muscles, nothing more. Now...silence. We are in the forest of Darkness, we must continue forth for as long as the light allows before I have to stop."

After that the trip became silent. Only the sound of each step and the occasional twig, branch, leave crunching under the heavy steps of themselves. His eyes now useless since the sun had set, forced him to become like the others and stare off into nothing but black. He knew that the forest held magic, if one listened you could hear the voices of the woods themselves talking you. The Rat tribes loved it here, along with choice other tribes, but he did not want to wait and listen for the voices to help them. Plus, he could feel a few of the ones behind him with fatigue setting in. Two of the ancients, dragons approaching ten thousand. Most dragons never lived that long anymore.

"We shall rest here tonight. It feels like a clearing, everyone settle down and get some sleep. I will stay up and watch for anything out of the ordinary, well...listen for it. Do not object, sleep. An order, not request."

They all simply nodded in the darkness and curled up to sleep. However, Pink and his children moved up to him and he found himself in the middle of four dragons, all of them with their heads resting upon his back. He could not help but smile, while at the same time feel a great weight in his heart. What if they got into a fight? The gods home was near the orc tribes and the centaurs, random patrols were always moving around the area. Of course, most would never suspect the gods of the dragons hiding amongst their greatest enemies.

-Guess...that will come when I get there.-

=====

Morning came all too slow for Zato, having constantly been straining his hearing and what little sight he had. It was tiring, but he could not go to sleep. He was the only one WITH sight, the only one who could fight blind. But, most of his thoughts silenced as he listened and felt the rustling and movement around him. Thankfully, the light was now streaming in through the canopy and tree line, illuminating the once pitch black forest. No one knew why it changed so drastically, none could even fathom to begin thinking of a reason. They just knew, once the sun set, you could not see.

"Morning love."

Pink said as she awoke and stretched herself out, their kids and others doing the same thing. They all knew how much he wanted to get this trip done, so they simple stood and waited for him to continue.

"I know a few of you need to answer the call of nature, please do so now. Might as well just go...none other then myself can see anything."

After waiting a few more minutes for them to finish, he continued on. Thankfully the forest was not that big compared to some of the others around the kingdom, though surprisingly enough it held quite a few tribes. Something else Zato was thankful of, so far he hadn't bumped into any. Some were friends, some weren't.

"Zato...we still in the forest?"

"Yes, my love. We are still here...about another two hours and we will go out into the plains again. Unless I can find a clearing big enough to get us out of."

He felt one of the tethers slack as Pink moved up and growled next to him, clearly disliking the thought of him flying.

"You wings are still in-"

"Silence Pink. It would be a quick flight, simply long enough to get us the hell out of here. Nothing more, nothing less."

Silence did follow his command and he gave a inward smile. He didn't like being rude, esspecially to his mate, but the time came now and then and this was one of them. Her concerned was well placed, the strain had already opened a few tears along his wing membrane, but it was truly nothing that would bother him in the long run. It was just a minor nuisance of a soft, throbbing pain that his mind was easily ignoring as he thought out his route.

"Let's go."

Nods greeted his order and he continued one through the forest. However, now each step was placed carefully. Last night he had heard faint patters and soft crunches of foot fall, most likely rats, so he knew if anything there were being followed. The thought of them being attacked by the rat tribe truly didn't bother him, they used stone weapons and blunt tips for spears. They had not yet gone the way of metals or magic blades, yet then again they didn't need to since their were so very few that could even think to waste their time to attack the rats. Their tribes were completely solitary, never venturing to others, so none seen the point. So Zato knew the rest of the trip would most likely be uneventful, or so he hoped. Oh by the goddess how he hoped.

=====

After a grueling two hours in that forest, Zato and his party finally got into sight of the edge of the forest. Yet, the sight made him freeze instantly, along with the rest. His eyes were strained, but he could clearly make out the faint shapes of wyverns scavenging on a few horses and humans. Sure, the wyvern kingdom had become allies, but there were a lot of them who still resented dragons with a passion. And seven wyverns versus one dragon, the odds were heavily stacked against him. Plus, he could not fly in his current state.

"You! Dragon!"

He visibly clenched, along with a few others, to the voice and then just let out a heavy sigh.

"Get out of there! Come! Join us!"

Oh by the goddess, they're friendly. With a smile now on his maw, he made his way out of the forest and into the sun with a heavy murr from the warmth. Though, with the sounds of the stomachs behind him, it was clear everyones attention was on the food they so easily smelt. The Wyvern leader, a thickly muscled grey wyvern smiled and pushed over a few humans and their horses.

"Come, dig in...and explain why you are all collared."

Zato positioned some food in front of each of the others and simply stared to the wyvern leader. One thing he could never get over about wyverns was how their wings were fused into their arms and made their arms scrawny, nearly useless things. At times he wondered how they survived, but with the scrawny legs they were blessed with powerful hind legs that, in a few cases, could rip an adult dragon in two.

"I thank you for your offer of food. My friends have been starving, and as to your request I am sadly unable to tell you."

The leader and other wyverns gave tilts of their heads before laughing. He had truly seen it before. A bunch of collared dragons running about. They were most likely criminals on the run from that Guardian Zato or Pink. He had never seen either of them, but he had heard so many stories of them, he thought he would lose his lunch if he heard another. Thankfully the dragon kingdom had gone silent for some time and had even placed upon friendships with others kingdoms.

"Alright then. Well, me and my friends need to go. Its mating time in our homelands and our females are awaiting our return and food. Enjoy it, and may Rausha watch over you my friends."

As if they had practiced, each wyvern raised up onto their hind legs and jumped into the air in unison, before using their wings and quickly becoming faint dots on the horizon. It was amazing the speed you could muster when your bones were lighter then a piece of parchment and you didn't wear more then a legion of soldiers in heavy armor.

His head drifted down to the horse he had set aside for himself and simply tore into it, taking half of it with one solid bite and swallowing it down before taking the other half soon after. He, unlike the others, didn't have to worry about chewing or even concern himself over bones, hell, he didn't even NEED to eat. He just liked too. Plus, being part Viper Dragon, it was quite easy to make a meal last a LONG time.

"We are done, Guardian."

He looked back to the ancient female and nodded to each to make sure they truly had finished their meals. And with the knowledge of them being full, he began his trek once again. In his mind it was the only truly present thought and conern. Get to that damned cave in the Troll Mountains and get those damned brands, the faster the better. Zato had gone so long without being forced into some stupid quest like this one, he was actually lazy and dreaded the thought of doing this all. He just wanted to spend his eternal life with his mate and kids, and possibly make more once they got back.

"Zato! Not while others can hear!"

He gave a few blinks and looked behind him to spot a blush ridden Pink, kids giggling and the rest playing they were ignoring the words by looking off in some random direction, though...that gesture was highly useless.

"So...this entire time even my blocked thoughts can be heard?"

Multiple nods met him and he gave a sigh.

"What else is connected?

They just all sat there in complete and undisturbed silence. He had not thought that his thoughts could be heard by them, which was now even more of a burden. So, confirmed was thoughts, both blocked and non, wings, and subtle movements that he had noticed some time ago. Even when he began to move without making a noise, they always did, same with each time he swayed his tail and moved a wing. If not for the other colors and size differences, him being the biggest, it would seem he was looking into a mirror.

"Well...enough stalling let us go."

He turned and went to take a step, but he halted and didn't even twitch as he came face to face with another black dragon, snouts not even a full inch apart. The black before him was of greater muscle build, his muscles seeming to pull the scales taught over them, yet he had no wings. And those firey red eyes looked at him in pure rage and hatred. It was a look he had long since memerized from the others in the kingdom, from the ones he had hurt. Yet, this dragon did not attack, he simply stood there before him breathing through his nose, each hot breath washing over Zatos own.

"Guardian Zato, I presume?"

A voice entered Zatos mind, and unbeknownst to him the others as well, and the tether between the collars disengaged and the others eye sight slowly returned to them. Yet, they said nothing and simply backed away, the voice in their own minds telling them as such. An action and movement both blacks were unconcerned with.

"Yes, who are you?"

Zato never got his own answer as the black before him raised a claw and slammed it into Zatos cheek, twisting his head to the side, yet nothing more. It truly was a brutal hit, but he was use to most now. Of course, it hurt like hell, but he was able to hold down any signs of it. He simply moved his head back up and returned the gesture, slamming his own clawed fist into the others cheek, this one inexperianced and tumbled onto his side, not expecting a blow such as that.

"I do not have time for petty little revenge quests against my name. Seek me another time."

Zato turned his head and spit what blood, and the two teeth he had lost, out and simply continued on. The others following suit as the black forced himself to his feet and charged after Zato, who was expecting as such, but not what the black ended up doing. He lurched into the air and came crashing back down upon him, his maw tightly locked around his neck and claws embedded deep within Zatos shoulders, forcing the first sign of pain out of him as he let out a roar.

He did not seek the help of the others, and simply snapped his wings back and up, slamming the thickest part of them against the blacks head and forcing him off of his back, allowing for a counter that never came. Other then a claw placed upon his throat and a wide, fang barred, glare.

"Listen! I! Do! Not! Have! Time! For! You! You are young! You are inexperianced in combat! Showing from your feral mind set in your attacks! You act of the ancients! I could have killed you before you even punched me before! Attack me again and I will not be so kind as to give you a third chance!"

The black below him simply looked up to him and returned his glare, yet Zato did not waste anymore time and simply continued on. He left the other there to just lay, thankfull not to hear the rustle of him getting back up. What he did not know that during this entire fight, the tethers had disengaged and only barely reappeared among the collars. Yet each of the others continued to feel everything Zato did and what happened to him, and they all knew that the other black had left quite a bit of damage to Zatos neck. They all knew what would come if they tried to say something to the effect of stopping though.

=====

After a full day of trekking through the plains and scattered chunks of forests, it started to become apparent on just how much blood Zato was beginning to lose. His normal long legged steps turned into steps a hatchling would make. His head, normally held high and proud, was drooped down and his once keen eye sight was constantly blurred. He could not stop though, he had to get there, get this damned quest done and just relax again...

"Zato...let me heal you...please..."

"No...I'm fine."

Those words left him in long, tired sighs and the fatigue was setting in more and more. Now he was barely even dragging his limbs along the floor. After a few more minutes, he finally gave in and just collapsed onto the floor, black peace overtaking him as his eyes closed. Yet, Pink and Aditi did not think over the fact and moved up and began to run their claws along the wounds on his neck. There were three gashes, none more then the length of a fang, and the rest were just punctures, why it took a full day for the signs to fully show themselves. After examining, they simply held the wound and slowly began to heal it. The topaz on Zatos collar instantly lit but nothing came of it.

=====

"The first use of magic during this time is...acceptable. I did not forsee such an occurance during their quest here."

The others looked to each other and gave a tilt of their head. Wasn't the whole trek planned out and set up? There was no way it was just a normal trip here, that would be far too simple even with the Centaurs and Orcs preparing for war.

"Goddess, I feel we should allow the others to have their sight...and remove the tethers..."

They all turned to face a small little hatchling that was hidden amongst the shadows. The only thing shown of this drakeling was nothing more then a neon blue slit, and a neon green.

"You would feel that way...fine, I will allow it. They will still face troubles soon to test their faith against using magic. Even then the test will not end for another thousand years. We will monitor them constantly, as the others know. Our race has become far too lazy, any true god knows when to intervene."

=====

Aditi and Pink were now rubbing over Zatos neck, smiling inwardly that they still had enough magic to fully seal the wound. Though, a heavy fatigue set in them and before they knew it, they had collapsed onto the floor and ontop of Zato, the others of the group falling to the same fate. In the open of the plains, they had all succumbed to the Goddess spell and their tethers vanished, their eyes slowly becoming usefull once again. The worst of the situation was that they were already surronded by other dragons, each bearing a deep green and brown coloration to blind into the surrondings and covered in magically, tribal, runes. They had been following ever since the group had departed from the Forest Of Shadows and now was the best time, hating to be in the open plains. The oldest of them, a bright green dragon to show his age, moved forward and lowered his head down to Zatos own, giving a few sniffs to the black.

"Royal Dragons....what are you doing so far from your precious kingdom?"

=====

Pink awoke with a soft groan and gave a soft shake of her head. It felt like she had been hit with a warhammer, her head was throbbing. As she laid there, wondering what happened, it hit her and her eyes snapped open and she was taken aback. She could see! But...where were the others? How did she get in a hut? She shot her eyes around and couldn't see anyone or anything, only a bowel of water and a cloth. How could they have been moved apart from each other? The tethers would have...the tether was gone.

"Glad to see you are awake, Royal."

She turned her head and instantly got into a defensive posture, backing away a little bit and glaring to the bright green dragon before her.

"Is that anyway to repay your savior? I had my tribe save you and your group and not just leave you to your fate, after four days of sleep anything could have happened to you."

Her eyes opened a bit and she relaxed. Four days of sleep?

"My mate! The Black Dragon with a topaz on his collar! Where is he?"

"Come."

He turned and held the flap of his hut open for her and she followed without a second thought. Though she followed the green, she could not help but look to his village. It was...huge and nestled deep in a forest from the look of it. It was a large clearing where huts, tents, and even a few holes stretched out in your entire sight, yet everything was well placed and left plenty of room for a adult dragon to walk freely. Another thing was that this tribe had nothing but green dragons. Be it dark green or bright green, all were green with brown belly scales and eyes colored from green to brown. And all of them bore some form of tribal runes on them, be it just on their head or like the chief with his whole body covered in the markings.

"Your mate...is quite a dragon."

Her attention snapped back onto the dragon before her and she tilted her head.

"What do you mean?"

"The sun had barely moved when he awoke and ever since then he has been busy helping my tribe, when he found none of you would awaken from whatever blight had set upon you. It quite amazing really. He has only slept for barely a night."

"Sounds like my Zato."

She could faintly see the greens cheeks move up into a smile and couldn't help but give a faint giggle. Though, their trip stopped as a large black shape appeared in the sky and Pink couldn't help but smile as the shape gave a few spins. She knew it was Zato, and she knew he was working his wings out after nearly crippling them.

"He was quite worried over them, you know. His wings were on the verge of being useless. He is lucky my shamans are skilled in repairing wings and their membrane."

"Aye...he loves flying."

She watched Zato descended and give his normal running land next to her, instantly locking her into a kiss as he stopped next to her.

"Take it you have your eye sight back as well?"

She gave a soft nod and gave him another kiss, holding this one and giving a soft murr into it as she did. She knew why she loved his contact even more, but thankfully it was another day or two away.

"Green Scales, I thank you and your tribe. However, we must get going now. It is an urgent quest we have been placed with, one of which I have told you about. I have told your war leader and helped him plan, the humans will not stand a chance now."

The chief gave a nod and smiled to the the black as Zatos group appeared in the sky. Without another word spoken, Pink and Zato took the sky and they were all underway once again. The chief knew from Zatos constant warning that once Pink was awake, they would leave and he knew the quest to be an important one. One no Royal would so easily give up on.

"Chief...do the Royals truly need magic so much?"

He gave a nod to the young huntress that was sitting off near her hut with her children eatting at a boar she most likely caught earlier in the day.

"Aye...you see a Royal is truly breed with the use of magic. If it was not for Royals our kind would have died off long, long ago. The world would not know of Dragons, nor would the world know of knowledge. Even then...the world only continues on with the use of the Royals magic, much like the Elves. The Royals and Elves help keep the magic in balance, unlike the humans who use it for self gain and useless wars."

=====

Zato and Pink flew side by side while the others flew behind them. He was beyond grateful to the tribe that had saved them for numerous reasons other then the obvious. The village was only a half day flight from the Orc territories, and then it was only another half a day flight to the cave. They would fly all day, use the day to fly to the Orc lands, and use the night to fly to the cave. The trip would be over soon. Though, his mind shot back to their flight as he felt a warm muzzle nuzzle against his neck and a wing gently placed upon his own for a few seconds.

"Zato...you know my heat is coming...we need to get back to the kingdom soon."

"I know my love. We will be back soon."

=====

Zatos plan continued on without a single intervention. They had flown through the rest of the day to the Orc lands and just as they arrived night was settling in, so now they flew under night cover. One use of magic during this entire trip, there was no way the goddess could complain about misuse of anything of the like. He had made sure that little to no use of magic was allowed, save for the one time he could not object. He just wanted to continue living on in peace. With no worries, no wars, nothing. He would be the first to admit he was lazy, with damn good reason. His entire life was lived in constant work, he never got to relax. Now that he knew what it was like, it was too good to give up. Of course, he wasn't as lazy as some, he still trained and such, but a useless campaign to prove to the gods they did misuse magic?

=====

"We are here...follow me."

He tucked his wings in and dove, the others following suite. Due to unseen luck, the trip was a lot shorter then any of them expected. At least, in their own eyes. Their decent was rather short and they landed on a rocky outcrop from the mouth of a large cave with faint runes etched around the opening. It was easy to tell that the runes only permitted dragons or those with dragon blood to enter, so they all walked in without a second thought. And as they did, their worlds flashed and they all found themselves standing on top of...something. It looked like a cloud, yet it was as hard as any shield, and one could make out the faint shape of grass land right under the cloudy overhang.

"Well well well...easy trip I take it?"

Zato bowed as the goddess approached, the others taking in her form and grace. If they only knew.

"What a wonderful job you all did! One use of magic! And it was acceptable! I must say though I did not expect such a thing. You will find that your magic will return to you all within the coming days, yet be warned you all must limit to what you do with it. We will take it away from you at a moments notice...oh...and the brands were a joke."

Before any could even utter a word the Goddess waved a claw and they all vanished back to the kingdom, Zato only remaining still bowed down before the Goddess and the silhouettes of the other gods.

"Now...as you clearly can tell Zato I have something to tell you."

He gave a small nod and allowed her to continue.

"I take it you remember the last time me and you mated. During that time I took it upon myself to mark you as an Avatar, as the humans would name it."

He lifted his head as she said that and went into shock. Standing by her side was a small dragon that looked exactly like him, but pygmy in comparison and bore no scars what so ever.

"That...is your soul."

He was now completely baffled. His soul...took a shape, albeit shrunken, like its host? Kind of...understandable. Why...

"I did it because like this you are completely immortale. However! You will still die like any other, to their eyes, and remain as such until we deem that you are needed once again. Or revive you on the spot. You will not be permitted to go beyond a certain point of our choosing. We were debating to just keep you here among us, but you would never allow it. That we know. You can go no further then the Wind Plains outside of the kingdom and now where past the coast. It is not up for debate. One day...we might just remove your immortality, we might allow you to keep it until the end of time when all things end. Now...goodbye."

She once again waved her claw jsut as a sigh was leaving him. They always rushed their meetings and even then it was like talking to a stone. Plus...they loved doing stupid little "tricks and actions" upon him. Not a surprise they would make him immortal...well...more so...he guessed. Though for the time being he pushed those thoughts aside and found himself to be in the castle, smiling to his mate as she came into view. The others most likely having left home and the kids to play with their friends and mates. He was still unsure which of them did have mates....

"You promised me something you know..."

Zato moved up and gave her a loving nuzzle that she instantly returned. She knew he did this before disembarking for something else, but she knew by tonight that he would keep to his promise.

"I need to go check on something my dragoness...I promise tonight I will sate that burning urge in your nethers once I return."

She gave a nod and watched as he turned and left. He was quite easy to read but something hung about him. Something she had not felt since the days when he had been plotting to leave the kingdom and hide amongst the outlying tribes and even with the humans. Could he really be thinking of leaving once again...?

=====

Zato made his way into the Archives and smiled. It held everything. From the first writings of the Ancients, to the newest laws that had barely been placed. Wars, stories, spells, history of the dragons, and even the armors and weapons of the greatest of dragon warriors. The statues with their armor and weapons lined the entrance to the archives and he was searching for one certain and choice statue that had just been placed here.

"There we are..."

He sat down on his haunches and lifted his head a bit to look upon the form of himself cast in Obsidian with a blue gem and a green gem for his eyes. His armor he once wore placed upon the black statue and the Zanbatou he had killed so many clutched in his fists. He had given up fighting when he thought peace was coming onto the kingdom, never thinking nor wishing to ever lift either piece of ancient memory. Sure the populace still remembered him, but it was only because he was still alive. Very few remembered those that came before him. Siren and the others from the Great War, the kings and queens of old. No memories of them. Yet...his mind was currently ignoring them as well. What the Goddess had said made him think...was some great tradegy once again going to strike the dragons? What would be the cause of this one? Some stupid rumor cast amongst the humans? Some king seeking the glory of taking out the dragons? Maybe some dragon would actually seek to stop the peace...

"Father?"

The soft voice of his daughter caused him to come back to reality and he looked upon his daughter who stood with silent grace in her own right. She wore a robe made for a feral, made from the softest and highest quality of materials. It was something most females had begun to do to give themselves some decency among the males who had come into their own ruts, but then again no one complained.

"Yes, my heart?"

She moved up to his side and sat down, looking upon the frozen, lifeless form of her own father before her and knew exactly what he was thinking. He always thought he was hard to read, which might be true to others, but he could truly not hide himself from his kids and certainly not from her. His eyes told more tales then any words could even begin to.

"Father, you are not planning to don your armor and sword again are you? You gave those up along with mother. Its time for you two to have peace and tranquility, no more blood on your claws. It's time for you to let others fight your battles for you. Do not allow anything thoughts to change that, please father."

He lowered her head and nuzzled her, a soft coo emitting from her as she returned the loving nuzzle.

"I wasn't planning a thing my daughter. I was just remembering those coutless friends I lost in useless fighting and hope they know peace where they are...even those that fell to my blade."

He stood back up and walked past her, leaving her to sit there and stare at the statue. She would hide that armor and weapon if she could yet each statue held special runes so that only the warriors who marked it would be able to remove the equipment.

"By the Goddess I wish I could hide this armor from my father...I don't want to see him fight anymore..."

She stood and began to turn yet a light to her side forced her to look back and instantly take a few steps back, the gems for the stautes eyes were shining and blue veins were appearing in black stone. The viens began to travel down, each part of the armor it came upon snapped off and dropped to the floor and even knocked the great Zanbatou onto its side as it did. She did not know what force was doing this, why it had happened, but she quickly collected the heavy plates as best she could and darted out with her tails dragging the blade. She would hide it in the tombs...best place for it, no one looked nor went there. She would first have to get Grave to open it...though that shouldn't be too hard.

=====

"Where did it go!?"

Zato forced himself to keep himself from roaring out but his neck action didn't help at all. He spun and swung his tail with everyone ounce of strength he could muster and slammed it into his staute, shattering it and letting out a roar as he did so, finally giving into the rage of someone actually managing to steal it. Whoever it was, was foolish to believe that he didn't come check on it. If one actually watched him knew that he came at least twice a day, once to reminence and the second time was to clean it along with the other armors. No one else did so he had too. Of course the reaction from the crash and his roar caused two gaurds to come rushing in and they both froze as Zato just glared to them. Soon after them, Osia arrived as expected and that was when he let out another, much louder roar.

"What the hell happened to my armor!

She looked to the destroyed statue and seen that there was, as he said not a shred of armor left upon the statue and not even that behemoth of a weapon he used. She did not understand...no one could pry the armor nor weapon off unless it was the same warrior that put the stuff there in the first place.

"Zato...brother you are playing a trick on us. Only you could remove-"

"Do not try to play tricks on me Osia! I would not be this pissed if it was I who removed it in the first place because I would know where it was!"

She took a few steps back, as did the guards, and he took a few forward. Each step he sunk his claws deeper and deeper into the floor, restraining his rage the best that he could.

"If my armor does not return by night fall there will be...."

He instantly froze and rethought about just how angered, how upset, the threat he was just about to say. He simply let it bottle up inside and simply moved through him, simply moving back to his room much to the utter and complete bafflement of the guards and his sister. It was hard to understand, but by the gods it had to be creepy to see someone so completely full of rage and then just calm once again. Esspecially someone like Zato, who was known to give into his rage and go completely insane. Something as valuable as that armor and Zanbatou just up and vanishing, would normally have caused him to level half of the kingdom searching for it.

=====

"Thank you so much Grave! Now father will never fight."

Grave just gave a soft nod to his sister as he locked up the tombs once again and stretched out. He was sound asleep after a nightful of mating with his mate when Aditi came into his cave, tumbling around with their fathers armor, and woke him and his mate up from a rather peaceful, locked in, sleep. Of course, it was a foolish but understandable thing she was doing. But he wanted sleep...

"Can I go back to sleep now? I'm tired..."

She gave a quick nod and gave him a quick kiss before bolting back off towards the castle, Grave happily returning to his cave and once again succumbing to his sleep along side his mate. Aditi was happy now, even if her father were to go into the tombs to search, she had hidden the pieces among the tombs chambers and side passages, not leaving a single piece in the open.

=====

Zato kept pacing back and forth in his and Pinks room, growling to himself with his mate watching off to the side. He had explained himself to her earlier once he had arrived and she fully understood why he was so angered, sure he was keeping most of it withheld, but she could not do much more then rest in the nest of hers and try to calm her body. She didn't know if he knew it or not, but her pheromones had a clear effect of him since the evidence was hanging between his hind legs, but she would not pressure the matter right now. Though, it seemed to dawn on him as he stopped and looked to her while giving the air a few sniffs.

"By the Goddess...I forgot Pink. I will concern myself with the armor tomorrow..."

She felt her insides give a back flip as he began to move towards her and she pretty much lunged at him, but forcing down the will to actually do so, and locked him into a kiss that he happily returned. Though before she knew it, she felt two claws dig into her vent and she arced high with a moan into the kiss, a grin settling on her mates face as she did so. She knew what was coming, and she was more the willing to let him. Without a second thought, she rolled onto her back and spread her rear legs open with her swollen and dripping vent in the open for him to do as he liked. And that was exactly what he did, he lowered his head and instantly dove his tongue into her while rubbing over her pearl with his clawed digit, being extremely careful as to not hurt her as he did. They both had taken to some of the humans stories of sex they made into books, and they both had been surprised that humans were so...lively.

Pink always loved the feel of his tongue so deep inside of her, rubbing over each of her sweet spots and teasing her to no end. He always brought her first climax on fast and strong, making her go nearly numb and her vent become even more sensitive when he took her. It was wonderful because the orgasms that followed were always so wonderful it was like she was in the Goddess' kingdom. Though, at times, she loved his slow and drown out playing even more.

She could already feel the warmth begin to build deep within her, causing her hips to thrust against his maw and tail to spasm behind him. Her vent was already gripping and squeezing along his tongue, working herself towards a climax as her mate so skillfully helped her to her peak. She loved when they did this, something that had become so much more often during the peaceful times. She took every chance she got to get him to do this now.

=====

Zato dragged his tongue up and over a rough patch of skin inside her vent and watched as she arced high and screamed as a climax washed over her and her muscles locked with her inner ones spasming around his tongue while he drank down her juices happily, enjoying his mates taste. Her juices were sweet, better then any drink one could make.

He slowly withdrew his tongue once she began to calm down from her climax, smiling from the small shivers the action caused to race through her. As she continued to pant, he positioned himself over her, but stopped as she placed her paws to his chest. He gave a gentle tilt of his head, but he understood why she stopped him a moment later as she rolled onto fours and lowered down onto her chest with her rear high in the air, her tail held along her back. She truly did loved this position...

With only a smile and a deep rumble he mounted her and positioned his length to her overly sensitive vent, a shiver racing up her spine, before he slammed his entire cock deep into her vent with a breathless gasp coming from her as she clawed at the floor. She had been waiting for this for the better part of a week, to finally get this urge satted and her wish was finally coming true. She was in bliss as he began to withdraw and push back into her, and as normal, she felt his maw seal around her neck and her body responded in kind by completely going limp and holding still while she was taken. The only movement coming from her was her hips simply thrusting back against his in time with his thrusts. She could care less about those fancy human moves and those awkward positions the human females would get into, the ancient way of mating like this was truly the most pleasing to her. His cock rubbed over every single sweet spot inside of her, the spines and ridges assualted her g-spot and clit with each thrust, and the head even bumped against the deepest part of her vent. The moment she waited for now was simply the most pleasurable, when the love of her life would fill her womb with rich, heated, seed.

His thrusting was slowly beginning to speed up as she raised her rear higher into the air, her vent massaging his cock in a long mastered and memorized pattern. And within a few moments, he was slamming into her with each thrust causing a soundless gasp to come from her. This was one of the best times during their mating, when she was taken like nothing more then a breeder of old. He kept this up while his teeth sank into the softer scales of her neck and his claws formed long gashes along her shoulders and back, each one causing a loud grown to come from deep within her. Each time his slammed into her now, she felt a jet of pre hit her cervix. She knew he was close already, she prided herself on bringing him to a quick climax, knowing that she was able to please him that much. Plus, at times, mating for a full day would leave both extremely tired out.

"Come on love...fill me-"

She went silent with a soundless gasp as he slammed his entire length into her, the head slamming against the opening in her cervix, before he began to unload himself directly into her womb. Each, thick, heavy, and heated jet of his seed caused her body to shudder and push her over her own edge, gritting her fangs as her muscles tensed and locked and her juices mixed in with his own. This held up for a good minute for the both of them, unsure of when they last mated and both having been quite backed up. After, they just relaxed, Zato on top of her while reclined down onto her belly and dreamed of the kids this would mating would bring. None would replace the love of her first clutch, but mothering was something she loved to do and knowing that she was a mother and he was a father just felt her heart with so much more love.

"Mother...father...you really need to learn to close the door..."

Both of them couldn't help but laugh softly as Aditi's voice rang out. They would often forget to close the door but that was half the fun, chance of being caught or seen. No dragon truly cared if they walked in on two dragons mating, they would either leave or just wait. Unless the party was "open" and then they would just join in.

=====

The goddess viewed into her portal and just watched the two lovers in the aftermath and afterglow of their mating, talking to their daughter as if nothing was amiss. It was true she had intended it for her children to openly mate within own families and never concern themselves with watching others mate. Unlike the humans truly no diffects came from it, since all dragons came from her and a drake she had summoned and created herself. So in reality, all dragons were related by some form or another.

"My children...how is it I can warn you of the great tradegy that is about unfold without breaking my vows to the other gods of the world....how can I warn you that the age of dragons is coming to a close.....Star, you mustn't sneak up on me..."

"Forgive me mother."

Star moved up and lowered her head down in apology. She had just been revived from the true afterlife and most of her memory was still returning to her, along with her sisters. The heat curse finally being removed from them, the first thing she remembered and realized. It was a great untold pleasure to not constantly want something shoved into your vent. Though, right now her mind was on what her mother was worried over and the truth was...the end of dragons should never come.

"Mother...our race can not perish...can't you tell or hint to Zato that-"

Star silenced herself as the Goddess slammed her claws agaisnt the floor, knowing full well it was a sign to silence.

"I can not break the pact with the gods! They have already begun the events that will cause the death of many species of the world! The planet is too polluted with species that should not be! The gods of each species have already began to grant their respective, endangered, children with divinty of some form to help them through the coming chaos. I granted my kind with two immortals...one true immortal and one that may still die, but has the protection of another. And...I broke the pact to return the magic to my kind....in one week the stars are going to fall...we can only hope and pray my children notice the beginning events and take action...if anything the Guardians do. I've entrusted them with the strongest of magics."

Star just laid there next to her mother and viewed into the portal. Watching it switch between views of dragon families playing, enjoying themselves, teaching a whelpling to fly, brothers and sisters bickering over a piece of meat, expecting parents awaiting the day their eggs come and even those children planning their own futures in dragon society.

"What if...someone who isn't a god warns them...?"

The goddess turned to Star and opened her maw to object, yet in no pact with the other gods have their been such a thing said that no Chosen was forsaken from telling them events of the gods, just highly discouraged. Why had she not thought of it sooner? Star could easily go to Zato, give him and his sister the warning, and fly back...if anything she could hide Star from the view of the other gods.

"Yes my daughter, tomorrow you shall be transported to the kingdom. You will have one hour to give them the warning before you return to us. Please, pass the word directly into the queens and Zatos ears, I will transport you directly into the main chamber of the castle."

Star smiled and gave a nod before quickly excusing herself and running off to her sisters. The goddess simply laid there and smiled to herself, as well as the others hidden amongst the hazy coverings of clouds.

"If any of you object...say so now."

The other dragon gods simply stepped forward and laid in a complete circle along side their mother. None opened their maws, none had any form of distaste of their expressions. The higher gods disgusted them for choosing to "cancel" out species that have done one or two wrongs in their excistance. It was...stupid.

"Mother...we agree with you full heartedly. The Higher gods; The Gods of Balance and Order, do not seek out all information and understanding. If something begins to somehow, even slightly, tip the scale they decide harsh and unusual ways to punish the world. The lose of fifteen species, esspecially our own? I don't think so."

She smiled to the red god and nodded slowly.

"Go warn the gods of the species that are doomed. Tell them to help their species, some how, in some way. Make it to where they survive."

They each gave a nod and vanished with a soft swirl of the clouds about them. Once they were gone, she looked into the portal and gave a soft sigh. Zato was stareing off into the night sky. Maybe she had made him too atune to the gods, he must know something is amiss now.

-The tombs...-

She watched as he lifted his head and closed his eyes, only to lower his head and make his way back into the castle and to his inevitable destination. Aditi truly did want him to stop, along with his two sons, but he would be needed soon.

=====

"Grave, I am your father. Do I as I ask and open the tombs for me now."

The slits of Zatos eyes narrowed as he looked upon his son, fumbling with a key and a spell to unlock the tombs. He had been making nonsence excuses to keep the tomb sealed, that it was haunted, that a new body had been placed there and the smell was unbearable, or some such. The first was truly false because no dragon spirit, well almost none, stayed after they had passed. And the second, the bodies were properly prepared before they were placed in there.

"Now...you will stay here. We need to talk once I get back..."

With that, Zato made his way down into the tombs while Grave bolted off to Aditi. He stretched his limbs as far as they could go to get the most out of them, using every ounce of strength to get to the castle and Aditi. Sure, the castle was close by, but it was an emergency. And within a few minutes, he was bolting and sliding around the insides of the casltes and heading towards Aditi room. Only to crash through her door, only to have a swift kick meet him from the action that sent him right back out the door.

"How many times have I told you not to do that!"

He ignored her rage, jumped back onto his legs and simply panted out. Stuttering and tripping over his words, to which seemed to only irriatate her even more.

"Father...tombs...armor...bad!!"

Her rage vanished and a fresh look of panic and fright over took her before she sprinted past her brother, who did his best to stay at her side, and they rounded the first corner and both slammed into a hard, metal object and went sliding back, whimpering as they did.

"What the hell is-"

Aditi immediatly stopped herself as she looked upon the form of her father clad in his armor. Even in his anthro he was as study as a metal wall, and he just stood there looking down to her from behind his helmet. That accursed armor...how did he find it so fast? And where was the Zanbatou? She knew she had hidden it...

"I had guidance, my daughter. And my weapon is right before your eyes."

She watched as he lifted a hand up and showed a metal ring around his wrist, barely visible agaisnt his armor, but her mind was nearly completely on how he had read her thoughts. She was blocking them from anyone else to hear them or tap into her mind. How did he?

"Guidance. Now..onto the matter at hand..."

He slammed his armor clad foot down onto Graves tail and a loud cry filled the air, forcing Aditi to cringe from the pained cry.

"Don't you try sneaking off. You are in as much trouble as your sister."

No answer came to him as only whimpers were leaving his son and his own eyes were still completely focused upon his daughter.

"This armor is the sole reason you are laying there, your brother is crying to my side. This armor and weapon is the reason your mother is here, that I am here. That our KINGDOM! is here. If you EVER try to hide it, I will turn both of your hides red. Trust me...I want to do it now. However, the only thing saving you....you don't need to know."

He walked right past her and freed Graves tail, who promptly made a retreat, and Aditi just sat there in her gown thinking over a few of her own thoughts. For some reason however, she kept returning to the same conclusion. Her father was preparing for a fight to some degree, be it leading the fight, or joining in it along side everyone else. What kingdom was trying to fight them? What had they done wrong to make a kingdom WANT to attack them? What was going on now after so long...

=====

Zato marched through the halls of the caslte and passed the roaming patrols and stationary gaurds, getting the occasional nod and salute. Yet, his mind was on his goal, Osia's private quarters. And with another two turns, he was there, though he froze outside of it. It was not because of fear, to pause and think over his thoughts, it was soley because of the smell. The strong, wonderful, scent of a dragoness in heat. That was why there were no gaurds at her door like normal.

-Shes going to be pissed at me...-

He gripped the handle and pushed his way in and promptly shut the door with his head held low. As he expected she screamed and he listened to her fumble around before she clearly relaxed with a sigh.

"I keep forgetting you and Pink are the only two allowed to just walk in here...what is it brother? I was busy sateing my own urge...unless you are here to take your Queen like she has asked of you so many times before?"

"No, my Queen. I am simply here because I request, at this instance, you have patrols for the kingdom intensified. I fear an attack of some kind is approaching and I wish us to be prepared."

"Fine...now leave me....wait...what?!"

Her need forgotten, she jumped onto her feet and moved towards her brother, who was pressed back against the door as her glare burned into his eyes. Her lips went up and her teeth barred out, flame building up in her maw with licks of it erupting through her teeth.

"What did you do! I should have noticed something was amiss when you came in wearing that armor of yours!"

"I did nothing! You know to trust my gut, now, having the patrols increased and stop all flow of traffic in and out of the kingdom! We seal our borders and prepare ourselves!"

Her expression soften in a flash and she slammed her way past her brothers, doing exactly what he asked as he simply moved out to the balcony and looked off to the horizon...nothing. No signs...no approaching armies...why did his mind feel as if something grave was about to happen?

To be Continued...

(Yes, I know not as long nor as up to par with my normal works but I had to finish this quickly since my program I use to write broke and need to find another, so please bare with me as I do.)