Chapter 5

The shaman's hut was a like the grim effigies that adorned the grass before it. Towering over the other structures, beams of wood, carved with passion were strung together with thick cords of wood. Thick leaves adorned the roof, morning dew glinting off their waxy surfaces. The door of this two layered home was affixed with sharpened points, resembling the toothy maw of some hostile beast. The air was aglow with incents, even at this distance, retained their potency. Smoke curled from a hole in the roof like a blackened snake, giving the dragon pause.

His heart quickened as the others murmured around him, a faint whisper teasing at his ears about the swamp in which he was drawn. Memories surfaced as he studied the shaman's home, of the old woman in the forest of gold, who sent he, his brother, and a dragoness named Infinity into the fairy realm. Would they be waylaid by such foolishness again? His tail stilled, remembering the demon that had gripped his brother so. He'd been silent for far too long, that much was certain, when Lyndis massaged his forepaw and pointed out the house wouldn't fit him.

“Of course." He hissed with distain, ignoring the questioning looks of the siigonis. Up until this point they'd shown great wonderment at his scales, a reverence not seen in other two legged creatures. “Lets hope my appearance is not tarnished with my reduction."

“How could it be?" Lyndis giggled, not helping ease the dragon's troubled gaze.

“I'll only be slightly smaller than the rest of you." He gestured to Broxl and Vishta, who tilted their heads, wondering why they'd been suddenly included. With a gesture of his paw and focusing on the spell, a plume of lavender smoke wrapped around the dragon's scales from snout to tail. When it cleared he was as he said, smaller in every regard. As he pinned his wings he approached his companions, noting his head sat slightly higher than theirs. “Try not to be too disappointed in my size, slight hiccup everyone." He called to the siigonis in a brassy voice. “If you still wish me to bless babies upon my return, I shall do so."

“That was only like the once." Lyndis remarked with a sigh, “What makes you think another will?"

“Oh Lyndis, I am ever the optimist."

“News to me is all."

“It will be a tight fit dragon." Broxl remarked calmly, gesturing to Cordenth's wings.

 With a dramatic flare he sighed, “I suppose such hardship I will be forced to endure."

At the other's behest, he padded after them, straight on through the wall of beads that the shaman insisted must have been a door. Each one was perfectly carved from various woods, of animals and humanoids that roamed the marsh. With their touch came a comforting sensation, chilling down his spine. He wondered if magic dwelled within them, lingering to long, and causing Lyndis to drag his horn to coax him forward.

What had only been an inkling before, now was filling every breath of the air. Incents were lit across the shelves of this cramped quarters, their smoke crisscrossing like webs of ribbons. They nearly masked the crumpled scrolls and weathered baskets, their tops adorned with holes. Inside he spied fruits, vegetables, dirt and other spices, reagents for spells if the dragon had to guess. There were vines that wrapped themselves like snakes around every wooden beam, sprouting ivory flowers with purple spots. In the center of this place kneeled a siigonis man garbed in leathers and muted feathers, chanting in the draconic tongue, sprinkling dust upon a prone siigonis before him.

This shaman's scales were that of fresh clay, lines of green painted in criss crossing sections on his snout. Eyes of the brightest silver found them, but only for a moment as the siigonis continued his mystic spell. His other clawed hand swirled through the air, it's scales scared and withered into a black, their claws practically chipped away to their stumps. An aura of power surrounded him with every recited word, guiding the sand before him through the air, to the wounded lizard before him.

Cordenth drew closer as the other's stilled their tongues, peering at this bloodied soul. Scales were cut in so many places, it was as if he'd picked a fight with a six limbed demonette from the nine hells. By the rivers of crimson that slithered down his scales, it was clear this man wouldn't survive the night. Yet, if he had to guess, that's what the shaman was here to do. Sure enough, the sand began to swell with a soft turquoise light, seeking out the injuries like thousands of hungry piranha. There they gathered and clung, restitching muscle, refilling blood, sealing the injuries so well there was no evidence of them being there. All that remained was the patient to thrash back with a guttural groan, claws digging thick lines through the hut's dirt floor.

“I know it hurts, but that is why you know better than to hunt the stalker beasts of the marsh." The shaman spoke soft but firmly, padding over to a bench and procuring for his recovering patient a cup of steaming tea. “Drink deep and think on your kin that found you."

The siigonis nodded, color returning to his green scales. With a sip he bowed, shivering. “You honor me Kizzik. I deserve not to be healed this day for my foolishness."

“Nonsense. For in life, defeats teach more than victory." Kizzik chuckled in the back of his throat, gathering a few herbs and reagents for the now sipping lizard, oblivious to the dragon standing before him. “Now run along and thank the kin that found you, I seem to have more…Interesting matters to attend to." His voice turned sour, eyes traveling over each of them, lingering on Broxl, who shifted uncomfortably in the light.

“I was wondering when you'd return to me." Kizzik's gaze was like poison as the red tinged frills on his back thrummed, ready to flare, “Looks as though life was kind to you. The capital has treated you well." Over to the table he slipped, picking up a curved dagger within his claws. “I have just the thing for you and your…companions are they?"

“Here we go." Cordenth rolled his eyes with a sigh. “Stabbing time."

But instead of lunging to skewer them with steel, the shaman turned, popped off the lid of one of the baskets and procured an apple for each of them, returning to cut them. “You don't offer guests were you're from young dragon?"

“Young?" He snorted, shifting from paw to paw. “I'm one hundred and twenty three of your years."

“As I was saying, young." Kizzik smirked, offering them the labors of his work. “I assure you they are not poisoned." He turned to glare at Broxl, “Even if you brought your new wife to darken my doorstep."

“You knew about that little detail?" Lyndis looked taken back, “Who else knows about that?"

“Nobody here, just me." The shaman remarked, “It was you that he left me for. Did he not mention that little detail? Perhaps a sliver of guilt remained within that heart of his."

As the trio soon found themselves bickering, Cordenth's head couldn't stop flicking between the two. This was preposterous, it was sounding as though these two had known each other for years prior to this meeting, intimately even. Cold claws gripped his heart as reality fell into place. “You were to be married to him?" He loudly gasped, thrusting his head up and nearly getting his horns caught in the beams. “When were you going to mention this to me Lyndis? How many other men were you betrothed to? Where any of them dragons?"

For a moment, Lyndis looked to him as if the world had gone mad. She might have been trained and well versed to talk her way out of situations, but she fumbled as Cordenth searched her up and down. She blushed, waved off his concern, “Nothing to talk about, nothing interesting really. Father had me wed to the siigonis out of a deluded idea of friendship and alliance. I was not into being used as a bargaining chip, so I grabbed a horse and swanned off. Clearly without that little fact, they were unwilling to go ahead with a treaty."

“You did refuse me. The elders considered it a grave insult to us." Broxl uttered calmly, scratching at his snout. “Which I've always wondered, I'd thought it was because of the difference in species, but considering your…Current attractions."

“Don't feel bad that the lovely Lyndis here had higher standards than your bog-soaked tail." Cordenth mused with a growl, “

“She's not my type anyway."

“Well…Make sure that it stays that way." He huffed with a swaying tail, considering the matter handled. But the shaman had yet to let it go.

Kizzik rounded on Broxl, a fire clearly lit within his chest, “By Nutambar's grace Broxl did you remain in Qui'ttax? Were you so cowardly that you couldn't even face me when you broke my heart? Did our time mean nothing to you? Did I mean so little?"

“Must we discuss this now?" Broxl grunted, shying away, “Infront of the dragon and the queen?"

He clicked his tongue, folding his arms. “The winds spoke of you wishing my help. If that is still what you want, you'll part with such knowledge, or another village you must find for whatever spell you must want."

“Well, you heard the man." Cordenth scoffed, “Just spill whatever drama filled lewdness you got up to in the capital, a fancy male or female catch your eye, sway the tail?" The dragon tossed his head, ignoring the hardened look he got from the others, “Or inadequacies in the bed-“ Broxl fumed without another word and stomped out, his tail knocking over a basket filled with raw livers. “Talk about overly dramatic." Cordenth chuckled, shaking his head over such a reaction. “I do believe I touched a nerve I knew not he had. Talk about being soft scaled. No wonder things didn't work between you two."

If it wasn't obvious by the cold fury in Kizzik's eyes, their welcome was well since worn out. As Lyndis and Vishta tried to plead their case, it fell upon deaf, heart broken ears. “Get out." Kizzik hissed, his eyes silver flames. “You've brought with you a foul wind I want no part of. Not depart before I call for the guards."

“But you must hear us out! We need you!" Vishta sprung forward, clutching the shaman's claws like a vice. “Please, ignore the dragon and your ex lover, this is far greater importance than some lover's quarrel. Please, a friend of mines death needs meaning. You're the only one that could provide that." Her eyes began to swell and waver, she even quivered the lower part of her snout. But it proved fruitless to try and move the hard of such a jaded lizard. He tossed her away with a snarl.

“You bring him into my home, beg of me for help when you need of me? Believe it or not Kobold, my people and myself are not tools that you can twist into acting how you wish. “You've brought with you a foul wind I want no part of. Now depart before I call for the guards."

“I would like to see them try." Cordenth snarled, padding around the trying to maintain calm shaman. Even now, he could see the hesitation in his eyes, the occasional glances. “How many would die in the attempt I wonder? I may be young, but my teeth are ever as sharp, double for my claws. Have you seen what happens to those who breath the poison gas of a green dragon? They choke, their blood turns black, feeling as though it's been lit aflame. Could you live with that? When you could have simply helped us?"

“Enough of that. I mean, like come on." Lyndis hurled herself forward, clamping Cordenth's maw shut with a nervous laugh, trying to gain control of the situation. “He's just really bad at this bad guard routine, he's really not that aggressive, standup guy. I know we have not been the best of guests, but we bring news of an attack on Gearmell. We believe the queen of eternal flame is to blame, we need to find the location of her hideout."

Nervousness shifted to curiosity as the siigonis eyed the now struggling princess, trying to keep Cordenth's maw shut from making an ass of himself. “And pray tell, how do you expect me to do such a thing?"

“Broxl said you could use this." Vishta replied, procuring Hurta's severed head from her pack. She winced only once before taking a deep breath and composing herself, “To talk to his spirit."

Kizzik approached, an aura of calm about him. He crouched, inspecting the quality of the severed head, clicking his tongue as he worked. They watched in silence until he shook his head, raising up to his full height. “I could do as you require…But I must refuse."

“What?" Cordenth finally shook Lyndis free, sharpened gaze falling upon the siigonis' scales. “How can you refuse such a request? I asked…threatened you…The kobold gave you puppy dog eyes!"

Shaman retreated under the dragon's forceful step, even curling his fingers, ready to cast a spell. “The queen I've heard rumors of. A great vampire, whose armies cast a dark shadow upon the humanoids to our east. Tales speak of her battle with the great dragon Storm long ago, how he and others slaughtered her children. You bring a way for her attentions to be drawn here, I wish for you to leave. I will not have her descend upon our village seeking vengeance, not after we've spent so long rebuilding it after the storms years ago." The shaman padded around the room, taking a sip from a cup on his desk, staring long fully into the carved face of a siigonis on a beam, clearly meant to be Broxl.  “We've had too much darkness cling to our hearts. I won't see what I've cherished here torn asunder."

“I understand." Lyndis replied mournfully with a bow, “Just tell us where we can go though. Lives of many more siigonis hang in the balance here."

“What proof of you of this?"

“Just the obvious? The undead hate all the living, it's only a matter of time."

“You best have a better argument than that." Kizzik replied, “If this queen is to blame, she's ignored us thus far. It stands to reason she will do so again; it is only Storm and the people that helped him does she despise."

As Lyndis nodded and turned to leave, Cordenth stood frozen, disbelieving what he'd heard. Lyndis had just given up in the face of opposition. Where he used to see a woman that would plan for what was to come, he now saw defeat and questions. How could he let that stand? Especially when he had the way to solve it. Undead leave them alone? That was preposterous, they hated every living being, wanting nothing more than to slaughter all they saw! More importantly however, would he let this afraid little man stand in the way of saving his love? His friends? Protecting his future kingdom? Would it be wise to let the emotions of some scorned lizard stand in his way?

No. He snorted, striding forward with grim purpose to the quivering shaman. With a flick of his tail he let the magic flow through his chest, an aura as bright as the sun encompassing the room. All the blackened sections on his scales turned a bright and shimmering gold, his voice lowering but filled with the weight of a god. He could feel the lizard's mind connect with his as he stood transfixed, maw agape at whatever sorcery was being enacted in the here and now.

“You will assist us Kizzik, for we are you closest allies. The queen of Eternal flame means you and your people harm. She will find your village and destroy it, it is merely a matter of time. We will be offered lodgings within your village and cared for as your greatest of guests." He grinned smugly, knowing that despite the look of absolute fury on Lyndis' face, she was loving every second of it. “Oh, and while I'm dispensing good deeds. You will forgive Broxl for whatever he did and make up with him. The both of you deserve some light in these trying times."

As the lizard received what he said in a monotone voice, Cordenth couldn't help but smile and turn to Lyndis, his paws bouncing. There had been no blood shed, the day had been saved, she was going to be so pleased. “Well, think that calls it a day." He warbled, “Now we can lay down, relax, and wait for whatever spell we need to be cast and-“

“I CANT believe you did that!" Lyndis shouted, finally finding her voice. She shook with utter fury, eyes nothing but raging fires that begged to light the air ablaze. “You…You…" She grabbed her head, shouting out her frustration as she stormed from the hut, when he went to follow he found himself warded off by a slash of her hand. “Get away from me, I don't even know who you are anymore."

Standing there, dumbstruck as she departed, silence found the dragon's maw. He wished to chase after her, ask her what he'd done, but wisdom held him back, insisting that she needed her space. To his side slid up Vishta, shaking her head and clicking her tongue. Instead of shocked she looked pleased at how things turned out.

“Good job going there green guy, got me what I wanted but lost the girl. You're bad at this aren't you?"

To that he had no reply, finding himself in agreement.

*

The passage of time did little to quell the dragon's gnawing dread over what had transpired. It pooled within his horned head, twisting within his head like a swarm of angry bees. It drove him mad, stilled his tongue, brought about numerous flights around the village, oblivious to the sun's golden radiance departing this realm. His wings carried him above the treetops, through bats and insects locked within their deadly dance. Pools of stagnant water became mirrors, reflecting the twin moon's above in glorious detail. To some it might have brought comfort, but within the sharpened look lingered, tormenting him further into the night.

As it was he was laying on his belly, lost in thought, warmed by the siigonis' fires. It seemed to invigorate these lizard beings, summoning up hours of throat singing, dancing to tribalistic drumbeats, and cooking their catches for the eve. His tail twitched as he caught the sight of numerous little children, clinging to their parent's legs, too shy to go and ask the dragon questions that flickered within their diminutive eyes. His attention shifted to the shadowy forms of the siigonis as they wiggled, their dancing not as regal and methodical as the humans, nor as graceful and beautiful of the dragons. To him it was little more than spasming, something he'd have no part of. But that's not why he lingered. Lyndis lay beyond the mass of joyous scales.

There she was, her armor gone, clad in a comfortable onyx shirt and trousers. Her eyes gleamed with brilliance as she spun a skewer adorned with meat, the siigonis delicacies she'd been offered were far too raw for her system. Her fight with the dragon wasn't even remotely on her, the rogue busy chatting away with those that asked her questions, no doubt telling stories of her exploits on the road. Some gasped, thumped their tails, others laughed and bet they could do the same if not better. How the dragon wished to be beside her, yet occasionally they'd share a look, and the tension was still there.

“Explain to me why she's so irked by me again? It confounds the mind." He turned to Vistha, the kobold calmly flicking through the pages of Hurta's journal, one she'd mentioned contained notes on the uniter.

She licked her fingers, turning a page as she released an exasperated sigh. “And what makes you think it will stick this time? My throat can only get so sore from explaining it."

“You think knowledge cannot linger within my mind?" His snout wrinkled, “I was remembering things far before you were born…On an unrelated note, I do believe I need it described again. Obviously your previous times have been less than adequate."

“Remember this time he says." She muttered under her breath, adjusting the spectacles upon her snout.

“I wasn't asking." He growled, smacking the journal from her claws.

“Again you chose the rudest path available." She slunk to her dirt covered journal, dusting off it's leather cover and offering him a withering look. “Which, why would you make my life go easier? Evidently my part of this team is to constantly be explaining things!" She plopped herself back down onto the log she'd been using as a chair, “Radiant Star, I'd like you to tell me why you think she's cross with you."

“If I knew that, I wouldn't have need of you." He snorted, averting his gaze back to the now laughing rogue. “Think Vishta, the future of my relationship could very well hang in the balance. What greater travesty could their be?"

“Undead armies running rampant on an ill-equipped countryside?"

“Well of course that." He snapped, “But why is she angry, focus."

“Do you suppose it was the weather?" She cracked open the book, resuming her place. “Or a lack of nutritious foods, ill pressure in the air...And don't give me that look, if you suggest to her again that it's her period, I will batter you with this journal."

He rubbed his nose, “But she never did answer if it was. You'd think she'd explain that in her screaming."

“Then, follow me on this. You don't think that it might be a certain dragon that went back on his word? Used his powers and essentially made this shaman your meat puppet?"

He turned to her with a growl, none to liking the tone she'd taken with him. By the look in her eyes, it almost seemed like she was suggesting this entire affair was his fault! “You'll have to think harder, this is a most confounding predicament that I'm in. Is this what they call having a spat? I've never had a lover's quarrel with a female before."

“Wait…Really?" The kobold cackled, nearly falling from her log. When the dragon turned, a fire in his eye, she composed herself and cleared her throat. “Which I suppose is only because you're so thoughtful with your words and choices. What male or female wouldn't wish to find herself attached to you…romantically. It would have to be an honor of the highest accord!"

“Precisely. But it would seem despite my obvious greatness, I have bungled the mood of my beloved queen. So, one wonders…How would one rectify such a predicament."

“What would you do, if say, she was a dragoness?"

“Oh, that's easy, kill something and drag it back, shoot insults at one another. Perhaps batter each other about with our paws, claws, teeth, the whole shebang. Then to put an end to it, engage in a bit of carnal rutting to put a pin on the evening. Though…With how she's reacting, I'm definitely thinking that's not on the menu."

“No." Vishta replied bluntly, flipping the next page. “It would be safe that's not."

“Then what must I do? I linger upon her and tremble. I know this feeling must be beyond what you can experience…But when a dragon loves, oh it's a powerful thing. Though I've known her for but a fraction of my days, I feel this connection between us. I shudder to think what would transpire should we part." He turned to her; a phantom force had seen it fit to bring him to his fours. It built courage inside him, flicked his tail, with his next breath he knew what must be done. “I will go apologize to her this instant…For…Whatever it was that happened. Excuse me…I must speak with my-“

As the siigonis parted for the good dragon, at behest of his gestured wing, Vishta could only look up from her readings, pity painted on her brow. “Oh my god, how many times is this?"

He turned back with a raised brow, “I do believe this would be the seventh time. You do know what they say about that number, it's ever lucky."

“Look, you can't just go over there and expect her to just forgive you." Vishta strolled to Cordenth's side, jutting a finger towards his nose when he lowered it, “And saying you're sorry she got angry isn't apologizing."

“Well, now you're just being ridiculous." He exclaimed, slamming down to his haunches, his tail thumping around them. “If I'm not sorry for her getting so angry, why am I doing it? I got what we wanted didn't I? No one got killed, you're going to get the information! What on earth is their to be upset about?"

“And yet…You didn't listen to her." Vishta clicked her tongue, “Rookie mistake, I know. Had that issue with my first wife. Look, I don't mind what you did, as you say, we're going to get what we came for…But her? She got a good look at what might one day be her future…mate." She paused as the dragon retreated, warbling to himself about the prospect. “But she saw someone who might disregard her, put his own selfish wants and needs above her own."

“I would never!" He retorted, pressing a paw to his chest. “I am the prime example of a worthwhile mate! I'd never!"

“Then why can't you accept that she might be right? That you're the one to blame?"

Silence found the dragon as he opened and closed his maw. He was doing everything that Vishta had just said, despite the usual correctness he existed in. He shuttered, shaking his head, shivers traveled down his spine. “Vishta…I could have been…" He nearly vomited at the thought, “Wrong."

“That's the spirit." She sighed, patting him on the back and retreating to her log. Into her pack she searched, lingering on the dull gaze of the kobold she knew. “Look, just go over to her, tell her what you told me. The entire sob story like deal, the love, your fragileness, woman love that sort of thing. But the most important thing…You must admit that you were wrong, promise to do better…Than do the most important thing."

“And that would be?"

“Stick to what you say. Don't do what I did, continuing my work, ever forgetful of those I loved." Vishta clutched herself tight, shivering in a phantom wind. “Or else the people that hold you together depart, leaving you a fractured mess."

“And where did you get so wise?"

“Traveling around Sethera and beyond, had lots of time to think about it." She slung the pack over her shoulder, clutching tight her book. “Now, if we're done exchanging feelings, I have a ritual to get to. I've never seen the dead speak to me before." Like night turned to day, the kobold was smiling, eagerly tapping at her pack. It tilted Cordenth's head.

“Where did all the mournful ness of the day go? Do you not hold the head of a previous lover?"

“That is what I said wasn't it. Have a good night-“

Now he understood, how had he not seen it before? “It was all an act wasn't it. To get us here, to get you to the shaman. You've been playing everyone with the woe is me, cute little kobold schtick."

“Why on earth would I go about doing that?" Vishta peered back, pausing mid stride. “Though I'd admit it would be quite fortuitous if I did so. It pays to have a pair of wings to get you places."

“You're aware I don't like being manipulated." He growled, “Nor wish to keep the company of those who try."

“It's a good thing I haven't isn't it." She chuckled, gesturing behind him. “Though I think you might have bigger messes to attend to good dragon. Both of us would rather see you with the queen. Believe what you will, but things like this can grow if not handled correctly with communication. If you dwell too long tonight, you very well might lose her." She turned and waved, leaving the dragon to his thoughts. “Have a nice night!"

He stared in silence, watching the woman he loved talk away to those around her, perfectly blending into a society that should have been foreign to her. Why was he surprised, she'd most likely been all around the world, from the southern shores of Tinux to the frosty mountains of Eiteon, seen dozens of other societies, why would one more trip her up? He coiled himself, willing what courage lingered in his scales to prominence. He was a dragon, not some weakling of a human, trotting over to admit he was wrong should be no harder than roaring out to the heavens. Yet here he was, watching in silence, seemingly stuck to the ground, paralyzed by what might come. The future not yet set.

Muffled voices surrounded him as siigonis questioned if he was alright. He paid them no mind, letting them wander away with their gifts in hand. His world narrowed to that of Lyndis and her rosy cheeks, sipping from a tankard of mead. Standing to all fours, he knew what must be done. If not for his future kingdom, but for her and his happiness. Taking a deep breath he padded towards her, the siigonis parting before him like the sea. He made sure to lower his snout, adopting a submissive posture as the rogue looked over him with a curious stare.

“If you're going to suggest I'm on my period again, I'm going to smack you harder than before." She brandished a fist, not prepared for his pitiful whimper.

“I…Made a mistake this day Lyndis. But can I do this beyond the eyes of so many? Do they really need to know what transpired? Would it not risk what peace we've achieved?"

Her arms crossed, eyes sharpening like a blade. “You can leave out the particulars. No need to summon a brawl while we're here, I do like my insides where they are."

He sighed in relief, settling onto his haunches, thanking her for patience. He told her everything Vishta had insisted, his yearning for her, the fear that he felt, the wanting to keep her and everyone safe. “I got carried away, impatient-“

“Brash." She countered.

“Yes, brash-“

“And arrogant-“

'Yes, and arrogan-:

“And so daft you might be mad."

“And-hey…You don't need to be…No you're right. I'll need to be more mindful in the coming days."

“To which you better." She tore a piece of meat from her skewer with the fierceness of a dragon, slammed her tankard down and rose to leave the siigonis to their celebrations. As Cordenth lingered, hesitant to follow her, she turned and gestured. “What are you standing there for? Come on."

He hesitated as she gestured again, “I thought you were still cross with me?"

“I am, but I'm cross with a lot of things. It doesn't mean the end of nothing, now if you want to be talking more privately come on, I don't want to be dyin of old age waiting on ya."

“Anywhere you'd like to converse?" Cordenth hurried to her side, fluffing his wings. “Perhaps a quick flight to get the blood pumping? Take in the evening sights?"

“Are you trying to just butter me up with such an offer?" She turned to him, already three wingbeats ahead of him.

“Quite possibly, but don't hold that against me. I don't very much like you cross at me."

She smirked and leaned against him, striding off into the night in time with his pawsteps, “Well good, I don't like very much being cross at you either."

They stopped a bit from the village edge, the fire's burning light kissing upon their cheeks. The air around them grew shaky, questions wishing to be said. Back was the tension Cordenth was ill used to resting on their air. She didn't speak, but he could sense words just ready to bubble to the surface. The moon's broke through the clouds as if to bear witness to their exchange, bringing with it a chorus of frogs that screamed in the distance.

“So why did you do it today?" She asked softly, pressing close against his scales, “When we talked about not tricking people into helping us?"

“I wouldn't call it tricking-“ He clamped shut his snout when she shot him a hardened glare, “Alright, it was tricking adjacent. But what would you have me do? Kizzik was going to refuse helping us! With that our hope of helping our friends crashes and dies, possibly even your kingdom!"

“But to be no better than your mother?" She turned, eyeing the dragon up and down, “To force your will onto others, with no regard of their thoughts, robbing them of free will?"

“And how is it different then when you charmed the guards back in the fort? Or lie your way through an adventure?" He made her squirm with the question, “Hypocritical if you think about it."

“Its far more important, this bloody matters. What ya think is going to happen when we build something on as fragile as a lie? You don't think I wouldn't love to charm them into helping us? It'd make things so easy! But we can't, like or not, there can't be dodging this, or out-maneuvering, or straight up lyin. We stand there and do it the old fashion way."

Oh, that twisted his stomach as he slid around the moisture slickened grass, cold little daggers stabbing at his paws. On the horizon his gaze did set, picturing the future he sought within its darkened mass. “But no one got hurt, nor really. Someone helps us, and maybe a bit happier because of it. Even now, Vishta gets what information we seek. The only thing I regret is doing it without consulting you." When she looked away with a sigh, he could feel the distance growing between them. “Listen, I'm just trying to ensure everyone stays safe and alive. I'm not use to having people rely on me."

He padded around her, lowering his snout to force her to notice him. “I truly mean I will think before I act again. I admit, there may have been a better plan I hadn't thought of-“

“Cause we're a team, remember?" She remarked softly, “Or we're supposed to be. Not everything has to be on your shoulders. Need you forget I'm the bloody queen?"

“Right, then you admit that it might have needed to be-“

“But what about this power you keep using, can you guarantee that it's safe?"

That gave him pause, enough for him to open and close his jaws, forcing words to slither out. “Well, we've seen them after, Keerla's family back in Tetragon, they seemed well enough! Then there was your mother, right as rain afterwards. Lyndis…It's entirely safe." He reached out with a paw, dragging her close against his scaled chest. She didn't try to escape.

“Then what about the golden scales and horns?"

“Just a side effect." He scoffed, brushing aside the accusing finger she jabbed at his chest.

Hesitation flickered across her brow, eyes glinting in the moonlight, “And you can promise me that?" She asked softly, holding his head between her palms. “I've lost people with powers we hadn't understood, magic items only guessed at. I don't want you snatched away from me. Could you hold off using it for the time being? For me."

“You're asking to hinder us." He grumbled, shifting from paw to paw. “Would you ask Arcturus to stop using his sword? His magical abilities from Bahamut? How about Broxl, would you stop him from hunting? Why deprive yourself of me?" Sunflower eyes wavered in the moonlight, “There is more to me than some simple brute. I'm not sure if you've watched, but this…This power is the first time I've not been outclassed, dare I admit my faults. Since I've left my forest, everyone has been far stronger, more clever…even more skilled. It's most frustrating for a dragon to take, you should take note of how patient I've been."

“Perfect model of patience you are." She rolled her eyes, stroking the middle section of his snout. As she lingered on his twin horns, surprise painted itself across her face. She gasped, playfully smacking at his black armored scales. “You're jealous!"

“Hmm?"

“You, you're jealous! You don't want to see me taken away! By whom? Broxl?"

“You were to be betrothed at one-“

“Like ten years ago you bloody tart! Both of us ran away from it, never looked back. You think what? He'd flick a tail, kill a few animals and I'd swoon over him like a randy housemaid?"

“You ran away." He huffed, “He didn't."

“Really? Really?' She pushed herself away, hiding in the shadow of a tree with snake like vines, dangling from overhead. “Wasn't it obvious he moved on? He has a husband."

“Does he?" The dragon tilted his head, taking a relieved sigh. “He doesn't mention him much."

“Why should he? What possible reason would he have to?"

“To avoid this embarrassing situation of course! Some parties would have been more at ease if that were the case."

“Stars above." Lyndis shook her head, padding away as Cordenth followed her. “Jealously, while stereotypical of a dragon doesn't suit you." She stated calmly, rounding on him with a stern gaze. “Now get this through your thick skull. You don't have to worry about that sort of thing. Lest you turn into a total twat, nothing worse than that."

“I don't think that's particularly fair, being undead could be seen as-“ He met her steeled eyes and composed himself, “Again, sorry."

For a time, she looked to him, rubbing her chin, thoughts swirling over what to make of this sympathetic looking dragon before her. The longer she held her resolute stance, the more his eyes bored holes through her defenses, until with a heavy, dramatic sigh she approached, trapping his offered snout in a tender hug.

“Just think before using it again alright? Let me and the lads do our jobs, let me do my job. Sure, Kizzik was being a total nob, but I coulda talked our way round. You say you love me, that you wished to be there for me. Well, let me do the same for you. Not everything has to fall on your shoulders." When he nodded, she drew his snout up, kissing gently upon his lips. “And that rubbish about not being great? Total hogwash, I've always thought you were great, and would I lie?"

“Yes, I've seen you do it plenty of-“

“Oh my god, not the point!" She laughed, gently banging her head against his nose. “Just, get it into your brain, your fantastic, polite, good for me…And you're always a delight to be around. And like that, you have me looking like one of those love drunk woman from the fairy tales."

He blushed; words stolen from him as he wrapped this wonderous creature with a wing. In silence they watched the stars emerge from their slumber as viridian flashes of gaslight popped into existence on the horizon, gathered around the water's edges. They settled down with one another, he shielding her from the moisture slick grass.

“Gas lights." She whispered, cuddled up against his paw. “Say they bring luck."

“How could they?" He scoffed in a chortle, “They're nothing but bugs fucking." He licked her as they started to laugh, only ending with a smooch upon his lips. Her hands wandered to his frills and his eyes closed, drifting into a haze of utter delight. There was nothing else within this world to him as their sounds of passion intertwined with that of the marsh, all that mattered was her, and he loved every moment.

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Thank you all for tagging along in this adventure as we follow along with Cordenth, Lyndis, Broxl and Vishta. If you like it, don't forget to favorite and vote it a few stars. If you feel like being awesome, leave a comment below, I certainly read them and respond!

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