Chapter 39

A cloud had set itself over the port’s gate, a deep, terrible weight that spread it’s cold to one’s greatest depths. It was a terrible calm that matched the state of the sea beyond, that had grown ever still from it’s ruthless fury. Not a light could be seen floating among the waves, where no doubt debris littered the surface along with the lifeless corpses of the countless crews.

Merlia still clung to life, despite her curse, her face pale and blooded. She hadn’t risen for she lacked the strength, forced to reside nestled up within Asterion’s powerful arms. Though the cleric had remain stern and cold, he’d not hesitated in fighting back the tireless curse with his spells.

Arcturus occasionally peered to keep track of her progress, the dwarf was not improving. His heart darkened, with the storm abated, they were supposed to take flight and meet the bloody mermaid. Once aboard, they were to launch off with what refugees they had to parts where Dreadflame would have trouble following. With each passing moment it rested in the back of his mind, and when he shared a look with Veledar, they both knew, they might have to leave Merlia behind.

“How is she doing?’ Veledar asked with a growl, as Feku and Azzik clung like protective mothers around the dwarf, their Ilbir protector leaning upon the wall, just as stern as Asterion himself. “Can she move?”

“She can always move.” Asterion snorted, his fingers touching her flesh to burn away a patch of rot that had begun to renew itself upon her cheek, “The problem is what I will have to do when my magic has been used for the day.” He levied a firm stare to both of them, “I said that this task was fruitless. If you want to free her of her curse, one course of action must be taken.”

“And what would that be?” Krotos asked in a wounded whisper, his ears splayed as he hovered around Merlia like a shadow. “Don’t hold back now- “

“The beast must be slain if we can’t dispel it.”

“When you say beast.”

“I mean- “

“Dreadflame.” Arcturus growled through clenched teeth, feeling the mocking gaze of the crimson demon upon his shoulders. “Each time we think we are the victors, he pulls the horse out from under us.”

Krotos perked up, eyes wide with fear, “You can’t be serious. You’re asking us to kill that dragon? Now is not the time to jest.”

“I am not joking gryphon.” Replied the cleric with a grunt and swish of his tail, “If we have any hope of saving her, that is what must be done. I can move her to the ship if you ask, but that will only choose where she dies.”

The air fell silent, no one had expected to be asked to return and slay Dreadflame. Arcturus didn’t stir as Veledar padded around him, sensing his concern before he nudged at his side with his snout. There were no words to be shared, the quest was to go to the ship; they couldn’t return and risk losing everything on account of Merlia’s curse.

“Arcturus.” The dragon said softly, his frills pinned.

“Don’t you say it.” Replied the knight sharply, crossing his arms. “Don’t you dare.”

“I think we may have to leave Merlia behind.”

“I told you not to – “

“You know as well as I, that no one resides upon the bloody mermaid better than Asterion.” The dragon took a deep breath, heaving a great sigh, “I don’t want to leave her either.”

“Then don’t!” Squawked Krotos, “Asterion will figure something out, surely with Feku, Azzik, Arcturus and you, you could- “ His face fell as the bull merely shook his head, “No one here has anything?”

“No one has anything gryphon.” Tenzin grunted, extending an arm to pull Feku into a tight hug as she sobbed into his fur. “Best say your last words to her before she goes.”

He gulped before nuzzling the ranger with a weakened coo, soon caressing her trembling forehead with the back of his hand. “Oh Merlia, why did you have to go and get cursed?”

“Sorry, wasn’t thinking straight before I did it.” Grunted the dwarf with a weakened smirk, “Guess it be another thing to mark against ole Merlia. Some blue bird of mine didn’t make me think clearly.”

“I’m flattered.” Krotos whimpered, holding her quivering hand to his cheek, “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Course I did. Who else was going to save that pretty face of yours.”

“Arcturus?”

“Bah.” She laughed, “He’s too busy saving everyone else with that arrogant beastie of his.”

“I am right here you know.” Veledar said with a mournful laugh, joining the others by plopping himself down. “Say that again and I’ll bite your head off.”

“Will ya now? At this point it would be merciful, thanks for the offer dragon! Arcturus, you comin over? Thor isn’t going to be waiting on ya.”

“I doubt Valhalla will be waiting for you.” Grunted Asterion.

“Big bucket o sunshine you are.” Merlia swatted him weakly with the back of her hand, “I’ll be explaining to my god why I did what I did.” She paused, for a moment fear traveling about her features, “I just hope he be understanding.”

“Korde would not understand.”

“Well rubbish on Korde then.”

“Arcturus.” Veledar said, his voice soft yet firm. “Time draws near.”

He paused, unable to bring his gaze to that of a dying friend. The one who’d convinced him to start his romance with Veledar, the one who’d brought smiles to the group so many times these past few months. The knight’s hand trembled, it had almost felt like he’d known her for years. “So…Dreadflame is now at the keep as you said?”

“That’s what his plan was.” She coughed up blood in a terrible fit, leaving her drained and skin withered. “Take a look.”

So he did, past the ruined city, to where Fremra’s keep was once illuminated by a shimmering dome of light. The dome was gone, it’s walls enshrouded in darkness. Even from his distance he could hear the clashing of steel, the explosions that rocked the night. A shadow fell over Arcturus’ heart, it’s removal meant that Jandar was weakened or dead, if Dreadflame had found Fremra…he wasn’t certain that the dragoness could turn him back.

“It’s not a pretty sight, is it?” Achaaz spoke from above, the dragoness clinging to the ramparts. Her features were wrought with fatigue in the dwindling light, the perfect image of a dragoness whose soul was being tested. She gave a weakened flick of her tail, “I stared at it, wanting it to be a dream…but there it is.”

“We don’t know what’s happened.” He replied, lacking any conviction in his words.

“No, I can be certain what happened. Just look at our luck, look at what we face.” She whimpered, claws scratching the stone, “Dreadflame attacked while we were out…My mother…and brother…” She trembled, looking away with a snarl, “Are most likely dead and gone.”

“Achaaz.”

“Don’t try and lie to me, and say it will be better Arcturus, cause it won’t.”

“I wasn’t going to. I was going to tell you that we were here for you, that you’re welcome to come with us. I know what it’s like to lose a family to that monster.” He turned to return to the others but paused as he caught the teal dragoness beginning to weep into her wings. Grimacing he shook his head and returned to the others, how many other lives was Dreadflame going to destroy?

“So the metal skirt wearing lad returns.” Merlia announced his return with a cough, “Lucky you that Asterion here didn’t let me cough me last!”

“I said I was going to keep you alive.” Grunted the cleric, “Are you going to snarl and shout until you can’t?”

“It’s what I’ve been doing all me life, what stop now?” She laughed, fingers caressing Krotos’ feathers, the gryphon had buried his head into her chest with a weakened coo. “Take that Emerald Lady, I’ll be going out surrounded by friends. Oh if I could only see her face one last time, I’d give her the ole bird for good times.”

“Don’t worry, you can count on me to give the message to her.” Veledar said softly.

The dwarf gave a weak smile, “You’re a good dragon, I’d even say the best.” She chuckled as even in this moment, Veledar had taken to rumbling at the praise.

“The keep is defenseless as you said…Dreadflame has made his move.”

“As I said.”

“Which is why we must leave.” Asterion growled, “The longer we stay, helping this Hotak, the more chances we give Dreadflame to make his victory absolute.”

“You, advocating for running away?” Arcturus replied with a sharpened gaze, “I didn’t think I’d see the day.”

“Running away?” The look that the cleric gave could have killed as he wove another of his spells, “I only speak on how we can achieve victory. We are not running away.”

“Sounds like running away to me.” Veledar mused with a roll of his eyes, “But the last that I was aware, my orb of draconic kind had to be kept out of Dreadflame’s clutches.” As Arcturus came to him, he lifted a scaly brow, “Is that not still so?”

He knew he was right, but Arcturus bit his tongue, not wishing to give it voice.

“Lad, you got to let me go.” Merlia coughed, “Don’t have me makin you waste your chance to escape.”

But when he looked to her and the others, all he could see was the laughing visage of the beast that haunted him. His skin chilled as the surrounding’s faded away, only to leave the smoking remains of all the loved ones that Dreadflame had taken from him. Arcturus trembled, his eyes wide as he beheld the mangled forms of his family, Fremra, and her son. Right at his boots was Merlia, looking to him with a pleading expression, how was he to leave her to that monster?

“Arcturus, your empathy is misplaced, we must leave her.” Asterion growled, “Especially after what she’s done. Instead of resisting and dying to the beast, she helped him. Thanks to her, thousands have died in her selfishness.”

“You’re welcome.” Merlia gave a weakened sigh, “I’ll have a lot of explaining to do.”

“I second the thought.” Grunted Tenzin, as he stood tall, “Let us not have her treachery claim us as well.”

Merlia coughed and laughed, “See? They know to let go, Arcturus, it’s ok, let go and saunter off with your red assed love. No one is going to miss me sorry face.” When Krotos whimpered she gently batted him with her tired hands, “No time for yer cryin either, you’ll go off and find a lovely hen to have all your fat, squawking babies.”

“And I shall always remember you.” Veledar rested his head inches from her own, “When the years have claimed everyone else, I shall continue to speak about the foul mouthed dwarf that I knew. How she laughed in the face of danger, faced down a Balor and was one of my most cherished friends.

“Bah, leave the last bit out.” She thrust a finger to his nose with a grim smile, “I want everyone to know that I didn’t let you get away with nothin.”

“It’s my story, I’m telling it how I wish.”

“You red scaled bastard, I swear, I’ll be shouting at ya from the heavens above!”

“I hope so, maybe the gods will be so annoyed they’ll throw you back.”

When he whined and nuzzled at her cheek, the ranger was having none of it. She protested, swore, and pounded his scales with halfhearted attempts, “Asterion, let me die, I can’t handle all this blubberin!”

“As you say.” Grunted the Cleric.

“Asterion, let her die and it will be your head.” Arcturus snapped, getting an icy glare in response as the bull wove another healing spell.

With a grunt, Merlia had freed her hand from the gryphon and dragon currently whimpering over her weakened form, “Ah, not know ya bloody bastard.”

“Wow, that’s rather rude.” Veledar pulled back with a snort, “We’re trying to show you some comfort in your last moments.”

“Not you ya prideful arse, the other red dragon.”

Other dragon? Arcturus’ brow rose as the dwarf fumbled for something in her pouches. Was she hallucinating? Though the presence of that foul beast could be felt within these confines, the knight knew he was not here; at least he hoped he wasn’t.

“Here lad, take this.” Merlia pulled a hand mirror from her pouches, thrusting it into Arcturus’ hand.

“A mirror?” Arcturus asked, turning the light object in his hand. It was cool to the touch, like a spring bond in the early morn. Veledar was soon to offer his nose, his breath coating the human’s hands in warmth.

“It’s not just any mirror. It smells of sea water, iron, brimstone and fire.” His eyes sparkled with interest, “It’s an old and magical.”

“A magic mirror?” It vibrated in his hand as if it were alive, nearly causing him to drop it.

“Careful Arcturus, that’s valuable!”

“It surprised me! Merlia, what does that mean?”

She gave a weakened groan, “That means he’s calling on me, trying to get his report.”

The air stilled as the mirror vibrated once more within Arcturus grasp. He stared to it’s simple surface, his own reflection seeming twisted and dark. Behind his emerald eyes, he could almost picture Dreadflame’s own, filled with arrogance and vile. “How do I answer it?” He asked, gripping tight the handle. Everyone around him looked to him as though he’d gone mad.

“What would you want to do that for?” Krotos squawked in alarm, his feathers all fluffed.

For a moment he was speechless, the words seemingly lost within a thick fog. The beast that tormented him all these years, the phantom in which controlled his doubts, his nightmares; only but a magic word away.

“I get it.” Merlia coughed, casting away the questioning looks as her flesh blackened, “You’ll want to wave your hand across it, saying these magical words.”

So he did, all to the startled gasps and scolding of the others. An image appeared on the glass, life like to the point where he could reach out and touch it. There was no mistaking the blood red visage that appeared before him, the glowing, forge like eye, the haze of superiority, this was Dreadflame.”

“Merlia, has the task been done? This wretched female’s spell was able to take effect! Tell me, does Arcturus now drown below the waves at this very- “The crimson dragon’s eye lit up as he and Arcturus caught each other’s gaze.

“I’m not dead, so worry not Dreadflame. Your underlings fall one right after the other, failing to do what you cannot do. What is the matter, too afraid that I’ll beat you again, wound your other eye?”

“Arcturus.” Snarled the dragon, “How good of you to survived.”

“Of course, if anything to capture the inadequacy that you exude.” He laughed right into that snout, “How does it feel, to know that you’ve been made the fool of three separate times?”

What should have brought anger, fire brimming from the beasts eyes, instead gave life to an amused smirk. “How wrong that you are Arcturus, that even now, you fail to see that you continue to lose. I’d almost compliment you on your arrogance it is ever so, dragon of you.” Teeth gleamed in the mirror’s surface, “The shard of Bahamut is mine, the dragoness of this keep is slain, you and your traitor of a dragon now fly away only to delay the inevitable.”

He bit his tongue as his blood chilled, he’d expected to hear of Fremra’s demise, but to have Dreadflame speak of it, it sent a terrible tremble down his spine. With white knuckles he gripped tight the handle, sparks practically flying from his eyes, “Mark my words, it may not be this day, it may not even be with an army at my back, but will make you face justice for all the lives you’ve destroyed.”

The dragon clicked his tongue, “Now, now Arcturus, let us not go making promises that you cannot keep. We wouldn’t want to make a liar out of you. Besides, the day is not yet done, you might be adding a few more names to that list of yours. After all, for such a rousing oath, I suppose I could do my part and give you more motivation.”

What did he have planned? His heart skipped a beat as he searched the worn faces of his friends. “You speak of Merlia, we’ve already found her treachery.” He laughed off the concern, “It won’t be long now, till you’re left alone, without your prize.”

“You mean the orb that you possess? Come now, my dwarf has been feeding me information since her arrival, and what secrets that they were.” His chuckle was a sword upon the air, ready to pierce the paladin’s chest, “Ones that are mine to have, weapons to be wielded one by one. I wonder Arcturus, how much can your poor heart take?”

“You can’t goad me monster. Enjoy your keep and your useless shard, it’s power will never belong to you.” He went to put down the mirror, giving the others a knowing nod. There was no point to continue, they needed to get out of here.

“Even if Axton’s life hung in the balance?”

Arcturus froze, not believing that he’d heard the word uttered from the beast’s maw. Yet as Dreadflame chuckled and growled, he knew that he had. Axton’s screams came soon after, begging, pleading the dragon to put him down.

“How close he wavers, close to death, but one gulp away from exploring a dragon’s insides.” Chuckled the crimson beast, holding his open maw before the mirror. Cruel delight danced in his molten pools as Arcturus’ face drained of color, “That’s it Arcturus, show me your true self. The man who has had failed so many lives left in his care. Shame, I was told this one was to be reunited with his lost mother. How utterly…tragic.” He opened his maw and let his tongue plop out, chuckling as Axton kicked and screamed in protest.

“Stop it! By the gods cease!”

“Ah, there it is, the weakness.” Dreadflame momentarily lowered the boy with a prideful grin, a victory achieved, “You will be giving me the orb of dragon kind Arcturus, or I shall end him as painfully as I did your wife. How I enjoyed her whimpering, pleading, convinced that her dearest Arcturus would save her.” His growly chuckle was like icy claws on Arcturus’ throat, “Do you think he will look the same when the hope dies in his eyes?”

He was right before his burning house in Entis, watching the embers as they spiraled into the blackened sky. The heat was almost unbearable as he clutched the charred remains of what had once been his baby boy. The spark of life that he had would never grace this world again. The sound of breaking beams and the crackling of the fire spoke only one thing, that here Arcturus had failed once more.

Veledar thundered his way to Arcturus side, nostrils flared and tail whipping back and forth. “You think Arcturus would hand over my orb like that?” The dragon snarled, slamming down a paw, “Your deception and under pawed tactics won’t work.”

“How do we know you won’t just kill him if we did.” Arcturus spoke with a shaky voice, ignoring the questioning looks turned his way, “And if that’s even Axton to begin with.”

“You think I’d lie to you my nemesis? That I would pull such raw emotion out of you on a lie?” Dreadflame tossed back his head with a laugh, frills fluttering. “But know that I have not given my word on what will be done.” The dragon grinned, wagging a paw, “I simple see you have no alternative.”

“And you’ve revealed yourself.” Growled Veledar with a smirk, “See Arcturus, nothing but lies drip from his tongue.”

“I can assure you they do not.”

Arcturus could almost kiss the red dragon at his side, his point ringing true. He brandished the mirror with a confident grin, “This is truly your last trick isn’t it? To get right under my skin and try to have us make a mistake? Farewell Dreadflame, enjoy the shard, and I hope you like looking at our backsides.”

“Such a brazen remark of the deluded.” Dreadflame sighed, twirling a paw, “I can see that a demonstration is in order for how serious that I am.” He shot his paw towards the mirror, staring with malice into the depths of Arcturus’ soul, “Arcturus Lund, you will bring the orb to me this eve, or they will die.”

For a moment, the world slowed to a crawl, a gift to the overpowering dread that had taken hold of him. It was not Merlia or Axton that found themselves in the direction of Dreadflame’s ire, but that of an unexpected source. Arcturus winced as a pained squawk resounded through the hall, the others shouting Krotos’ name as the gryphon collapsed to the stone and began to tremble.

Blue and grey feathers thrashed as the gryphon struggled for breath, his eyes rolling into the back of his head. Fur had begun to wither and die as if set about to a ravenous flame. Blackened chasms had spread about his flanks, drawing blood that dribbled down the sides in copious amounts. Even as Tenzin and Veledar tried to cease his struggles, Krotos spasmed in their grasp.

“Krotos what’s going on?” Veledar asked with a growl, frills pinned to his snout.

“Now is not the time for jokes catbird!” Tenzin shouted, trying to slap the gryphon out of his stupor to not avail.

“Hek no, hek no, hek no.” Feku raced to the gryphon’s side, scales already bone white as tears streamed in her eyes. She rose her claws and began chanting her spells, joined by Azzik at her side.

It was no use, the moment their healing strands had graced his body, the curse that held him cast them back. They were forced in horror to watch as the gryphon’s beak fell upon, his flesh rotting away before their very eyes. He clawed at scales and kicked them with his hinds, shrieking as a terrible pain had it’s terrible sway. Arcturus could only stare, frozen, only dimly aware of the cruelty filled cackles of the dragon within his mirror.

“Hang on, hang on.” Pleaded Veledar, “Arcturus come on, don’t just stand there!”

He hurled the mirror away, letting his lay on hands flood to his digits. He knelt at his friend’s side, heart stretching thin. The strands around his fingers was dim, still drained from his previous use. “Please, please.” He pleaded to whom he not knew, pressing his hands to the cold flesh of his struggling gryphon. Inside his brain was screaming as his magic was pressed to it’s limit. Even with his effort and that of the kobolds, it was nothing before the might of the curse that held him.

“Asterion, help us, we can’t save him!” Veledar finally blurt, his voice cracking.

The bull merely snorted, holding his hand above Merlia’s white face, “Which do you want me to keep alive? Merlia or Krotos, if it is the same curse, I can’t do both.”

The air was still as Arcturus held firm to his doomed task. Nothing he did was working, not even attempting to dispel it. How could it be that after all this training, the powers that he’d gained, that he was just as helpless as he’d ever been. He stared down into the terrified face of the doomed gryphon, seeing the pleading to be saved.

“Arcturus.” Sputtered the gryphon with hardly any strength.

“Arcturus!” Asterion thundered, “Time grows thin, I need an answer!”

Krotos or Merlia, that was the dreadful choice. Whose life was he to extend?

It was Merlia herself that broke through the terror that now held them in it’s grip. Her voice shook and cracked, but it held within her the last of her strength. “Let it be me!” She roared, gripping Asterion tight till her knuckles grew white, “Don’t let that handsome bird die on my account! Besides, I’ve gone on living far too long anyway.”

Eyes on him, Arcturus could not spout a word to deny her. He merely gave a nod to Asterion to do as she requested.

“Are you sure?” Asked Veledar, pressing his snout into the dwarf’s palms, what was typically filled with strength was now fractured and nearly broken, “You’re supposed to keep me on my paws, trade barbs, turn my haunches into a pincushion.”

As she was guided to the floor, she gave the dragon a sweet smile. Fingers trembled as the curse took it’s hold, withering her flesh before their eyes, “Aye, but that be Arcturus’ job now. Asterion, save that gryphon’s rump or I’ll haunt the blazes out of ya!”

“You heard the woman!” Veledar whimpered as tears welled in the dragon’s eyes, unwilling to look away, “Get to it!”

Asterion was to Krotos’ side in the blink of an eye and clomping of hooves, his hands radiated with holy magic as he pressed them to the catbird’s gasping chest. With the first incantation, the curse upon Krotos began to stall and collapse, the tide soon turning with but a flick of the minotaur’s tail. But as life returned to the feathery beast, it seemed to drain straight from Merlia herself.

“Arcturus.” She whimpered, hardly able to lift her head, “I’m sorry for what I did. You and Veledar.” She gave a weak smile, “The best dragon I ever did meet.”

“It’s alright.” Arcturus knelt beside her as Veledar trembled, “You’re forgiven.”

She coughed and held them in her gaze for long as she could, her dwarven strength on display. Even as life drained from her eyes and her flesh became waxy and devoid of color she never looked away. As they held her hands the clung to them, giving her last breath with a proud of herself smirk upon her face, like she’d spat right in Dreadflame’s eye herself. What light was behind her eyes eventually dimmed then flickered out, never to reignite. She stopped trembling, shivering, her flesh was stone cold, there was nothing left of Merlia Gallogalar but an empty shell. Heads hung, the silence was almost deafening as a somber moment passed between them all. Asterion brought it to an end, making sure that Krotos drew another breath.

“I take it I have your attention now Arcturus?” Dreadflame’s voice pierced the air like a lance. It dragged the paladin back to the mirror, clutching it so tight he almost drew blood from his palms.

“Oh, you have my attention.” He seethed, glaring pure hate into those forge-like eyes, not spying an ounce of empathy, mercy or remorse. There was only pride. “What is it that you want?”

“What I want you possess. The orb that you so kindly reminded me of. Arcturus, you and your draconic pet will bring the orb to the shard of Bahamut within the hour, since I’m being so generous. Failure to do so?” He snapped his jaws to Axton, getting the boy to yelp in terror. “You get the idea.”

He didn’t dare counter the request just in case the dragon had any more hostages to lay bare before him.

“Then again, you might be a bit more practical in this decision. Feel free to depart if you wish, just know that I am a beast of my word Arcturus.”

With a hiss, the image behind the mirror faded, leaving nothing but a cold, dull bit of reflective glass before him. In a flash he hurled it to the ground, not even registering as it bounced and clanged against the stone. The other’s faces were a reflection of his own, trying to weigh the choice before them, of practicality or loyalty.

“You can’t go.” Asterion grunted, “It is obviously a trap.”

“Of course, it’s a trap!” Arcturus snapped, “But we don’t have to go do we? All we have to do is saunter off and keep the bastard from getting what he wants!”

Asterion eyed the man as he marched to the windows, looking into the bleak black of the horizon, “I’m glad we’re in agreement.”

“Yes, but that would mean that we lose Krotos as well.” Veledar hissed, frills pinning to his snout.

“Indeed, it would, such is the way of things. I can hold it off for now, but I can’t best it. Eventually I will tire and he will succumb to it. It would be better if I put him out of his misery right now-”

“Don’t you dare end him before it’s time.” The dragon snapped his jaws with a snarl.

“Very well, but you only coddle him.”

Arcturus swallowed hard as Krotos’ fate was in the balance. “The only other way to get rid of it would be to kill Dreadflame himself wouldn’t it.”

There was a moment of silence, followed by Veledar’s harsh snort.

“Yes, but we’ve discussed we can’t kill him, he merely returns to his orb.” Veledar said.

“Perhaps that would be enough to break his hold over him.”

The dragon padded over, his voice low, “You were the one who wanted to best the dragon. Are you suggesting that we throw everything away to try and rescue two people?”

He gently lay his hands across Veledar’s snout, hoping that the dragon could feel how his heart stretched. How when he thought to them departing, he could only hear Axton’s screams and that of the family that he’d failed. The knight trembled, holding his head to the dragon that enchanted him so, “I don’t recall saying I was going to try.”

“I know you Umraadi. When you look to Axton you see your son.”

“How can I leave him Veledar? Alone with that beast to be done away with?”

“Easy, you simply do it.” Asterion grunted, “The beast is playing with your emotions to get what he wants.”

“I’m aware of that.” Arcturus grit his teeth, “But I cannot just run away. You might be able to live with yourself, but I know I would die inside.”

“The world will die.”

There had to be something he could do, couldn’t there? Giving Dreadflame the orb was unthinkable, but leaving Krotos and Axton to their fates was equally as appalling. He held Veledar close, taking deep breaths to calm his aching heart. He closed his eyes and focused instead on the dragon’s own.

“Arcturus.” Veledar spoke softly, his voice a growl. Beneath the dragon’s scales, a fire had been lit and raged. He shifted, sapphire pools practically wishing to ignite the air itself. “Ask of me to leave and we shall, choose to go rescue Axton and Krotos and know that I will be with you every pawstep of the way.” His nostrils flared, searching Merlia’s withered corpse. “He cannot get away with what he’s done.” He gestured to Krotos with his eyes, “Will do.”

“Your command is a tall order. He has defeated our defenses, penetrated the keep, now waits for us at his leisure.”

“Sounds as though we know where he’ll be. He’ll be suspecting a trick; we will have to be devious if we want to succeed.”

“At what, snatching Axton right from under his claws?”

“For a start.”

“And then what, just hurl an army at him and hope that he dies?”

Veledar huffed, gesturing out to the courtyard, “I do believe there is a host of guardians looking for a chance to put down the enemy that took their city.”

“But- “

“Of which we have the last of the greatest dragon hunting family, his Umraadi- “

“And us.” Feku stood, thrusting a claw into her chest, instead of where there should have been fear, was instead courage and determination, “Dreadflame hekkin pay for what he did to Merlia and Krotos. We help snatch little human, can’t let him get eatted.” She shifted to Azzik, who rose with a sigh and hard gulp.

“I will go as well.” Said the kobold, getting a clasp on the shoulder by his Ilbir bodyguard.

“Your heart is brave little one. I will make sure that the beast is paying attention to us rather than you.” The Ilbir rumbled, patting his claymore with his other hand, “I suppose it’s fitting I get to face off against another dragon today.”

“All of you are mad.” Asterion grunted with a flick of his tail, catching all their disapproving glances, “But if you’re to be mad, you might as well try and put an end to that beast.”

Arcturus steeled himself, seeing the determination across all their faces. Who was he to deserve such loyalty and courage, especially in such a bleak hour. He almost gave voice to his reservations, to put their lives at risk, but then he met Veledar, those strong and confident eyes biting his tongue. The knight composed himself with a breath, “Very well, since I know to ask of you to stay is out of the question, and that you’ll all follow me to the beasts lair, we’re going to need a plan.”

As they spoke back and forth a plan began to take shape, one that would take advantage of Dreadflame’s arrogance and assurance that he was in a position of strength. The knight bit his tongue as his allies spoke of illusions, deception, throwing voices and invisibility; some might have thought these tactics dishonorable, but in the face of losing Axton and Krotos, it was worth the price. Lyndis herself would have proud of the plan they concocted.

“Do you think this will work?” Achaaz had wandered in halfway through the discussion, flopping to her belly with a growl, “You don’t think he will suspect the guardians to accompany you?”

“I second that thought.” Alonso was beside her, “I speak for all my men that we’d wish to see this beast dead for what he’s done…Fremra…But he’ll see through the invisibility surely- “

“Which is why we give him something real to focus on.” Arcturus spoke slow, picturing the moment when he and Veledar stood before the crimson beast, laying down their challenge.

“Like a flash of light from a shield?” Veledar asked.

“Something better.” He turned to the teal dragoness, “I do believe we need to make a stop at the bloody mermaid.”

** ** ** ** ***

Blood stuck to Ilvintar’s claws, running away like a river from the gurgling gasps of its owner. The crimson dragon paid no mind to the carved open human, bits of bone revealed to the torchlit air. Around him, what had been once a place of refuge and hope had been reduced to nothing but another chasm of misery that he was so used to creating. Across the treasure and trinkets that adorned this hall was a painting of agony and pain that his paws had the privilege of dishing out.

The taste of their blood was still upon his tongue, metallic and ever with the hint of salt. Within was the fear that he instilled within them, tantalizing and caused his tail to twitch, now that he was alone, he almost regretting putting them all down. No more could their cries amuse him, their screams for mercy put a bounce in his paws. Here he was, left alone with his thoughts, staring at the mist covered pool that was the shard of Bahamut.

This was all the fuss was about, what his father would have killed to obtain? This close, it sent a shiver down the crimson dragon’s spine, who knows what mystery lurked within its surface. His forepaws itched, phantom ropes seeming to attach to his head and tug until he snapped his head away. He growled and lashed his tail, circling it with purpose. Why should he look away, why must it give him pause; he was the son of Tiamat himself, equal to no dragon on this world! Yet as he stilled, taking in the heavy air, he could feel no stronger than a wrymling facing down his father.

For a moment his eye widened, a shape moving below the fog. His heart quickened as the ancient dragon reared up and retreated, frills pinning from a phantom roar. It sent pin pricks through his membranes, turned his blood to ice; though he’d never heard that sound in the flesh, he knew just what it was. He knew it as he did his name, that was the sound of Bahamut herself.

No, that was ridiculous, she had been shattered long ago by his father! The dragon snorted, shaking his head as he took a safe distance two dragon lengths away. Ilvintar searched around the corpse laden hall found no witnesses to his moment of hesitation, his fear. He snarled at the thought, him having fear of anything? His claws shrieked across the ground as he carved savage valleys across their surface. He was Ilvintar and he feared nothing!

“I’ll save you mystery for later.” He growled towards the shard, getting nothing but it’s rolling mist in return. “It’s not like I have need of you anyway. You can just lay there and watch as I dispatch you supposed champion.” He wheeled around and settled onto his haunches with a weakened laugh, making sure that he was two more dragon lengths away.

Yes, he was in control, nothing could go wrong. He had Arcturus on the ropes, at his mercy. He grinned to himself as the boy in which had been the key brought in the two golden dragons that had accompanied him thus far. Erentis was chuckling in amusement, beaming at his handiwork across the way. Urrag was pushing Axton along with his golden snout, snapping if the boy didn’t stride fast enough. Each yelp made him laugh in a hissy way that made his whisker wiggle through the air.

“It would appear as though you’ve been busy.” Erentis said in a brassy voice with a swish of the tail, “I take it everything has been secured?”

“They managed to nick my scales here and there.” He rose, giving the younger dragons a gaze upon his scaled flanks, letting them wonder where exactly their little bullets had pierced him, “Little stings in exchange for their lives, it’s rather sad when you think about it.”

“A waste of a life.” Urrag clicked his tongue, sitting upon his haunches and bowing before Ilvintar out of respect, “The keep has been taken care of. The defenders have all been slain, torn apart, burned to a crisp- “

“Or closer than you might think.” Erentis rumbled with a cruel grin, patting her scaled belly.

“You had the time in all of that? I am honestly impressed.”

“What can I say.” She teased, “I can be insistent when I want to be.”

“I’ll have to remember that.” Urrag said, “But Ilvintar, forgive me, I thought you were going to slay the teal female.”

Was he teasing him? Ilvintar snorted harshly, eyes steeled, “Did you not see her corpse laid upon the courtyard, blood drooling from her form? The state I left her in, there was no recovery.”

The gold dragon winced, “When we toppled the keep, there was no such corpse.”

Oh of course, she had a plan in case he had harmed her. Ilvintar chuckled in the back of his throat, how foolish of him to believe that putting one as old and clever as her would have been easy to get rid of.

“What is so funny? Are you not worried?”

“The state I left her in? She will be limping for days, even if they get healing to her.” Ilvintar rolled a paw to his chest, “No, I imagine she whisked herself away to lick her wounds, to some hidden cave within this place. She can only hide for so long before we find her.”

The gold dragons exchanged worried glances before bowing their heads.

“We have the shard, and what of the orb?” Erentis was the first to rise, “Have you solved that problem?”

“Yes, why it carries itself to our very door.” Ilvintar announced with pride, slamming his tail down with a thud, stopping Axton from strolling away. To the human he grinned, “You’re not going anywhere my little mage.” He made sure to show off his wounded eye, “Your life belongs to me thanks to your little strike.” There would have been compliments on his tongue for being so small, but the dragon merely let the boy slump over, his head hung as he accepted his fate.

“And how will the orb be carried to us?” Urrag tilted his head, “Our enemy can’t be that daft ,could they?”

“Not in the slightest.” He gestured to the boy, “But Arcturus has a weakness, one that is ever so deadly. He wouldn’t dare run off with our orb while we hold the life of this whelp and his gryphon in our paws. The knight will come to us in the hope that we will spare them.”

“And will you?” Erentis asked with a raised brow, eyes glancing to the whimpering human.

Ilvintar huffed, “I have not decided, we shall see when our dashing hero gets here shall we?”  He couldn’t help himself from snapping at the boy, relishing in how he shrieked and hurled himself backwards to avoid his snout.

“I did as you asked!” Axton covered his face as Ilvintar growled, washing the boy in hot, putrid breath. “Please!”

“Oh, you’re not done yet being useful my little pet.” Ilvintar chuckled, plucking him up in his paws and standing the boy up. “When Arcturus is here, I want you to beam, to show you’re all well.”

“You’re going to kill him.” Axton replied softly.

“Perhaps.” The idea tickled his thoughts, “It does arouse my interest to see the great dragon hunter strung up, his corpse for all to see.” Ilvintar rose, picturing the glory and wonderment of that moment, how years of trouble would wash down his scales. “Yet I could also see him as a converted servant, shown the error of his ways.” His tail flicked in amusement, now that would have been a prize for his father, the great champion of Bahamut turned to their cause.

“And you think he will just go along with this?” Urrag questioned, padding behind him, “Just because you hold the life of the whelp?”

“I agree.” Erentis said with a snort, “This is going on the assumption- “

“It’s not an assumption.” Snarled Ilvintar, sending the pair back with a swat of his paw, “I know Arcturus better than both of you. This whelp is not just some innocent that the knight will save, but a reminder of the wound that still torments him. You can see it, behind that armor, within those emerald pools that try to maintain an air of strength, he’s haunted, never forgiving himself. No, Arcturus will come here.”

“Then he will try a plan. You cannot think he’s beaten.”

“Oh, when you have your prey cornered my dear, the more dangerous they are.” He slunk, claws clicking on the stone, “Arcturus will come, of course he will, with his little army, a plan he believes ever so clever. I want you to wait outside these chambers, in secret, ensure you’re not seen.” He gazed upon the shard, almost believing he saw it tremble out of fear, “When Arcturus and his dragon enter, I want you to make sure they do not leave.” When he turned, the pair had a look of worry on their snouts, doubt.

“Forgive me Ilvintar.” Erentis said softly, “But wouldn’t you rather have our help for when Arcturus arrives?”

“You think I need help against Arcturus?”

Urrag snorted, “He has bested you- “

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence.” He said in an icy tone, “I am more than a match for the pathetic excuse of a human. The times we have faced he’s got nothing but lucky, mere flukes in my story. You have seen what I can do, the lives that I have slain in all my terrible glory. I will not be underestimating him this time, my strength has fully returned, mark my words dragon, that just as it is certain the moon will rise, when next we meet, I shall finally put Arcturus into the ground.”

** * * * * * * * *

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