Chapter 18

Though the days victory should have left him in a state of unbridled joy, it could not help but leave a bitter sweet taste upon the dragon’s tongue. No closer was he to Arcturus’ whereabouts, the paladin’s safety still in jeopardy. Though Dust ensured her contacts insisted the knight was safe, the dragon doubted he was being told the whole truth.

Veledar made his way back to the keep, his thoughts still clouded and uncertain, a level of hopelessness he’d not known since his wings were taken from him. The isle of draconis he’d bested such thoughts, helped by Arcturus’ determined spirit and hold he had on the dragon’s heart. Yet here, even within his domain, a cold had prevailed through his scales, creeping through his flesh. Darker whispers hounded at his mind, would he even see the man again?

Voidwing returned to his wife, going on about how he’d saved the day with his muffins. The dragon had not the ill heart to convince the silver tipped beak gryphon that he was wrong. For it had been his words and confections that had stayed the white wolf ever slightly, allowing him to succeed. Let Nivra smile as the runt told her the entire tail, embellishing and chirping at the dragon’s success down within the arena. All of course aided by his intervention.

Krotos, with his baser needs met, followed the dragon back to Fremra’s home. Veledar had snorted at him with a growl, the arena’s events still on the mind. Though as he was ready to give the gryphon a tongue lashing and threat for his actions, he was met with a whimper and ears splayed that disarmed him.

“Look, I’m upset you ruined my feathers and caused them to be cast off of me.” Krotos tentatively flicked his tail, “But you didn’t deserve what I said in there. I did try to go and get help when I realized it was real.” He shifted his hinds, as if realizing the dragon would not accept that, “If you got the impression that I didn’t care if you died…I didn-“ His words were silenced as the dragon approached, ruffling between his ears with his nose.

“Just as I am ready to discount you, you surprise me.” He retracted, only to slide beside the blue. “But do know that now we’re not even.”

“Wait…What?” His ears perked, feathers fluffed, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Nope, entirely serious. I’ll just need time to think about how to get you back.” He tapped his snout with a grumble, playfully looking away as the gryphon chirped and squawked.

“Oh, come now Crimson Sky…If you’re to get me back…Can we say no ruining my feathers?”

His plea brought a smile to the dragon’s snout. Nuzzling his cheek against the bird, he whispered into his ear, “Fine, but everything else is game.”

Questions came on why he was returning to Fremra’s instead of with Voidwing and the queen. The retort was scathing and filled with embellished tales of abusing gryphons with her spells. That the streets with the guardians were almost safer than being within that woman’s clutches. The answer was satisfying for the dragon, who took off, a blue, grey and teal shadow on his heels.

Veledar landed along the courtyard, his claws clicking as they met cobblestone. He huffed and let the gryphon go back to his own quarters. One that he was certain would be filled with songs, chirps and extended bragging remarks by a certain dwarf.

Like a shadow he wandered through Fremra’s halls, slinking back to his training quarters. With any luck she’d been kept busy with her tasks for the day, tending to meetings and protection of the city. He’d be back where he was supposed to belong, no one the wiser that he’d cast off his duties and gone on a personal quest. Why she had him practicing drahkras at this time, and meditation of all things was a mystery, it wouldn’t help get him closer to Arcturus.

His head shook as he entered the aromatic smelling room, it was so pungent if was as if an invisible field of wildflowers had taken root within the spacious room. Inside were several mattresses built for dragons, the perfect size to sprawl out upon with one’s wings spread wide. Bookcases rested behind them, towering things grafted to the very walls. Their wood was of bark, resembling that of a tree more than any human construction. Upon their shelves were books of all various sorts and colors. These were of course made for dragons, each one’s spine needing more than one human hand to grip. He sauntered in with a heavy groan, catching the soft blue light from above, cast down by the root like fixtures above his horns.

Why this place was a sanctity for relaxation was beyond him. His scales shivered, getting the sense that someone was watching him. The dragon stretched with a groan and flick of the tail, resembling a cat. He ended it with a yawn, padding his way over to slump right down into a mattress. As he did so, thoughts drifted to Arcturus, how he was going to pluck the man from his predicament. Could he convince Nivra to divert her research to the task? Maybe by force? He snorted as the idea fell apart. He’d gotten no further than flipping over and staring at the strands of blue light before a teal like blur appeared in the corner of his eye.

Claws met red scales as Veledar was sent tumbling from his position. The dragon yelped in alarm, frills flaring as he flipped right over and landed with a thud to the floor.

“Got you!” Growled Achaaz as they tussled across the floor, snarling and snapping at one another’s jaws. The teal scaled dragoness was quite the playmate, nipping at Veledar’s scales.

“Were you just waiting for me to return?”

“Looks that way, doesn’t it?”

“Shouldn’t you be busy with literally anything else?” Veledar batted her away with a raised paw, her retreat accompanied with a lashed tail and deep hiss.

“I’m currently on a break.” She charged him with a resounding trill, raising up upon her hinds to bat and snarl with her crimson counterpart. To onlookers they might have been locked in a deadly battle, teeth practically kissing. However, it ended with them hurled to the floor, crashing beside one another in a defeated groan.

“And you’re one to talk.” She flailed and smacked his underside with a paw, “Where were you all day? I thought you were supposed to be in here, being a good little red dragon. Doing as mother requested.”

He blushed at the words, knowing she was trying to rouse him. He’d hoped to have something for this moment, information to justify his disregard of Fremra’s command. Instead, he had nothing but a snort as he shook himself and returned to all fours.

“Ooo. Playing serious, are we?” Achaaz flipped over, her light blue spine frills flexing. “I take it things didn’t go well on the Arcturus front?”

He slunk away as she trailed behind him, flopping onto the cushions opposite him when he did the same. “No.” He growled as he spotted her cheery face, perhaps that’d ward away any questions. “The white wolf had not what I sought. Another dead end, he is still lost to me.”

“Mother came looking for you.” She rolled over, keeping eye contact. “Asking where Veledar was, what he was doing.” She chortled to herself, tail flicking in amusement, “You’d think you were her son or something now.”

He groaned; the fact of his departure now known. This was the risk that he took, one he’d hoped to have paid off. Instead, he now would have a dragoness rightfully cross, and his paws empty and devoid of information they needed. Into the mattress he smushed himself, already feeling the phantom pierce of Fremra’s teeth upon the scruff of his neck. This was a fitting end to a terrible day wasn’t it? His reward for hic decisions.

“Oh, don’t fret about her. I have her handled.” Achaaz scoffed with a wave of her paw. “Told her you were with me all day, helping about, doing your little exercises. Just told her a story where you complained about the wind, whining like a little wrymling the entire time. Should have seen the smirk on her face, fell for the story hook line and sinker.”

“And she didn’t wonder why I left the study here?” He rose a brow, why would she help him.

“Easy.” She countered with a smirk, “You needed some fresh air, anywhere away from this dreadful flower smell.”

It would seem that in his day’s misfortune, the gods did smile upon him. Who would have thought that this mischievous dragoness would have come to his aid? The dragon wiggled into his pillow, relief spreading through his aching muscles. However, the moment he opened his eye and caught the gleam of ill intent in her lavender pools, all that good cheer went and died. “What is in this for you?” He growled, brow furrowing as her snout spread into a toothy grin. “You’re going to black mail me, aren’t you? Force me to pay a ransom perhaps? Require I be your servant, tending to your needs?” He huffed and snapped his snout away to hide the worry in his heart, “I was already going to tell her anyway.”

Her paw raised, frills fluttering. “Just a favor don’t worry that thick skull of yours. Nothing terrible, or salacious, so keep that lewd snout from concocting any ideas.” When he averted his gaze, frills pinned she let the image of a mastermind slip for but a moment, “It sucks that you came across a dead end. If it means anything, I hoped you’d find him. I don’t want Arcturus hurt.” She crossed her paws, tail flicking around her hinds, “Any sign of the others? Asterion, Tenzin…Feku?” The last one was slathered in worry.

Did the little kobold grow on her so? He’d have chuckled if not for Arcturus. Instead, he nodded slow, telling her about the information they’d gained. That the lumarians were being kept in several different locations, one that could change upon the hour. It seemed that the guardians had taken note of the red dragon’s antics, ensuring that he couldn’t simply barge on in and spirit them away. “But those are now with Nivra, figure the location of her people belonged to their queen.”

Lavender eyes flared up in delight as the dragoness practically bounced on her paws. She warbled and trilled, raising up to canter around Veledar’s resting place. She leaped for joy, sang, rubbed her scales up against her own. When he gave her a queer look, she finally came to a rest, a smile unable to be hidden, “You’re not fooling are you? Feku and the others are safe?”

Again, he nodded, “At least for now. Last they heard she was being kept with her mate, our minotaur and ilbir.”

To his scales she nuzzled up upon, slow, dutiful stroke as she covered him with delightful purrs. “Guess you’re not such a jerk after all.” She mused.

“Jerk?” He shot up, “What did I do to you?”

Achaaz scoffed, stepping back, “You went to the wet bitch without me! Like come on. I would have loved to get involved in all that fun you lot had.”

“Fun?” He hissed, eyes steeled, “You’re upset that we didn’t include you in our visit to the dangerous bar?”

“Dangerous to humanoids maybe.” She rolled her eyes, “I am a dragon, or have you forgot? I’ve fought pirates, faced down sea monsters! Besides, I’ve known that lady for years, could have gotten you in easy, that place loves me-.” Her eyes caught sight of the entrance, where Fremra had just strode inside, “-ad. Which I suppose fits, seeing how they serve ale and wine and the like. Like you’d ever catch me in a place like that! Oh, hi mother, didn’t see you there!” She scampered off to nuzzle along her mother’s flank, drawing the larger dragoness’ skeptical eye. “When did you get here?”

“What’s this I hear about your information about the wet bitch?” Replied the dragoness with a singsong voice, but within it was a lone tired note.

“Just the typical information you get out of the place.” She scoffed, dismissing the concern with a  paw, “You’d never catch me there, as I say again.”

“Is that so? It would fly in the face of everything you get up to.” Fremra shrugged and padded along, “But do be careful, such places are fraught with danger.”

“Of which I just explained I could handle.” Achaaz nodded.

This answer seemed to answer the older dragoness’ query, as her attentions shifted to Veledar. The red dragon was currently trying to avert his gaze, appearing as innocent as possible. Tail tucked, wings pinned, frills gently ruffling with his breath. “Which, leaves you to wonder about. I’ve dealt with her antics to know when someone isn’t being innocent.”

“Whatever do you mean? I was with her, practicing my drahkras just as you asked!”

She came padding to his side with a swish of her tail. Looming over him, it was sometimes hard to remember how large she was to him. Did she know something that he didn’t? “Quite the honestly, I almost expected you to lie!” Around him she slithered, “Why did you leave this place though?”

“Fresh air.” He snorted, not even following her movements as he settled down to get comfy, “Have you smelled in here? If you wanted to keep me here, you’d have replicated the rocks of my home. Instead of making this some druid’s wet dream.”

“Interesting, most interesting.” She paused to tap her snout, “So, what accomplishments did you make in your practice? What spells did you empower with your technique?”

For a moment his heart stopped, almost certain that he spied a knowing gleam in her lavender eye. No, that was impossible. To hide his guilt he laughed, telling her of all the spells that he’d used to fight the giant. He just left out that little detail. “I even managed to get a misty step accomplished, cleared the mind as you’ve said. You should have seen her look.” He couldn’t help but smirk, remembering the look of shock upon the white wolf’s face. Oh he’d savor that.

“Her face?” She gestured to her daughter, whom had sat with a smile. “I wasn’t aware that misty step was a spell worthy of surprise.”

“Yes, but him focusing?” Achaaz scoffed, “That’s the surprising bit.”

Fremra chuckled growly to herself, circling the red dragon and running a paw along his flank. It seemed she was inspecting every scale, searching for an imperfection.

“Do you know what we’re to do about Arcturus and the others?” He asked calmly, “We can’t let them rest within the paws of those guardians. Something must be done in the face of corruption blatant as this.”

Fremra, despite her reserved nature was upon him in a flash. Her eyes blazed with an honest fire; teeth sharp and exposed as she snapped at him. Playful nature had been swept away by the ferocity of her fury. When he retreated with a yelp she followed, practically stomping around the training area and ripping up pillows with her claws. “What did I say to you about the direct approach?”

His frills pinned as he kept out of reach, padding from one end of the quarters to the next. “That I should not be so bold with it.” He replied, “I do recall you said to think things through. This time I did! Nivra even helped suggest pumping them for information!”

“You call barging into the wet bitch and causing a commotion being less bold? From what I heard today Veldar, you fought giants, tossed apart tables, and caused quite the ruckus!”

“To be fair, I did try to sneak about. Subtle like you said. Is it my fault that they put a trap door that I slid down, falling into her trap? Of the two of us Fremra, it was she that tried to kill me. I was merely defending myself! Also, there was only one giant.”

“One giant, three giants? The number isn’t the issue!” Panting, she trapped him in a corner. He was but a mouse before her as her tail swayed side to side in a predatory stare.

“I didn’t get any information on Arcturus except his safety, but I did find out that they are holding the Lumarians! They have them hidden in several spots around the city!” He slammed his paw down, meeting her icy stare with one of his own, “He’s my mate Fremra, what would you have me do? What if it were Storm trapped now by such dirty hands? Could you sit here on your paws? At least I did something. Here I thought you cared about us!”

“I do care about you, or has that fact eluded your thick skull?” She roared, drawing but inches from his snout. “I’ve been patient young one, put up with your antics. Helped to try and guide you to a better path. Yet when presented with two options you always choose the poorer route, making things harder for not only yourself but your friends.”

His snout wrinkled at such an accusation, “I did my best, tried to do as you requested. Still I fail?”

“You were supposed to wait and listen.” She growled, wheeling about and nearly smacking him across the snout with her tail, “Do you know how much falls upon my shoulders? That your failures reflect not on yourself but all of us within this city?”

He bit his tongue as she stopped dead in her tracks, visibly shaking in her paws.

“Countless look to me, try to catch my ear, just like they did his. They ask, politely because of course they would. To them I’m not quite what they wanted, I’ll have to do. Battle tactics, traps and wards, to them I now am the defender that he once was. You should see all their pleading faces, all with empathy. They know the void in which he has left-“

“If you don’t want to do what Storm did then, choose not to.“

“I must, for he’d have done it if he was here.” When she turned back, she growled, tears welling within the corner of her eyes. “And not care of you?” She prodded a claw at his chest like a sword, “The meditation you were supposed to do Veledar was to ready yourself for the eve. You asked for a way to find Arcturus, I had a way to help you.”

His tail twitched, had she? Words failed him as her breath washed over him. With a deep sigh he released the ground on which he’d been holding. “Perhaps you should have relayed such intention. I went and did what I have done because I’d imagined you’d forgotten.”

“Why would I have done such a thing? I don’t say it Veledar, but get it through your thick skull. Though I’ve only known you both for a short amount of time, your presence has grown on me. Clearly like mold mind you.” She snorted and looked away, “Arrogance, you need to understand you don’t need to do this on your own.”

“But I did-“

“But you conceived the plan.” Back she snapped, eyes wide, “The world need not fall on your shoulders young dragon. Trust that others have ideas equally as valid as your own.” She huffed and went to wheel around. With a powerful stride forward, she paused at the exit, her voice soft and a curious eye peering back, “I could have relayed that better to you, instead of leaving you in the dark.” As he began to warble her eyes narrowed, “Don’t mistake that for praise mind you. You’re lucky the guardians did not catch wind of your antics. They might have moved Arcturus and the others, making your entire little quest pointless.” With a snort she gestured for him to follow, “Now come, since you’ve neglected to take my advice, this next experience might be less than pleasant.”

With a groan he relented, following right upon the teal’s swishing tail. As he passed Achaaz he tossed her an icy look, only to be greeted with the smug, satisfied expression of a sibling having won a little bout. Evidently vengeance did run in the family.

** ** ** ** **

“And you’re sure this contraption will work?” Veledar asked, sniffing at the edge of a growing pool of water, contained within a large basin of smooth stones. They were stacked well past his knees, stretching the length of the sizable cavern he found himself in. Walls of uneven stone, chizled into the rock surrounded this place, large enough that Veledar could spread his wings wide without touching the sides. His stomach churned at the heavy smell of salt and the sound of the nearby ocean’s waves.

Fremra was reared up on the other side of the basin, paws waving through the air. From a hole in the cavern wall, a steady stream of water was covering a layer of salt that she’d spread across the basin floor.  “After some potions and other ways to boost your focus?” Replied the dragoness, her eyes gleaming in the lavender lights that sprinkled the cold cavern. Algae she’d said, that lit up in the presence of magic. When the pool had grown to fit the edges of the basin, she snatched a bowl she’d set up nearby by it’s handle with her jaws and padded over to Veledar’s side. Inside was a smattering of dark blue paint, to which she placed down and dipped a single talon inside.

“Now sit.” She said sternly, waiting until the red dragon had done so before touching his scales and starting her work.

The sensation was cold, spreading down his scales like an icy claw. It left him shivering from snout to tail. As he was so bound by her command, servants came with their own buckets of soapy water and brushes attached to long sticks. They began scrubbing his scales of any muck or grime had clung to them.

“And what exactly will this do?” He grumbled as they continued to work, his tail flicking to avoid their brushes. “You still haven’t said.”

Her frills flared as he watched the mortals cleaning him, only for Fremra to snatch his snout and force him to stare straight onto her nose. “The oils are such to make you smell better, you reek of giant and death. As for the paint, the plant extract obtained from the yoweth fruit is known to help loosen the inhibitions of even dragons. It will allow you to think of new possibilities, aid in your mind’s wandering-“

“You’re going to drug me.” He snorted.

“That’s certainly one word for it.” She giggled, applying a thick drop onto his nostrils, nearly making him sneeze. “Its one of a list of things that you could have avoided, should you have listened to me. Instead of running off to play with my friend Dust.”

Frills flared at the mention, she knew of the wolf? “How could that be?”

“I do have friends. Just because you’ve not met them doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Though friend is really a stretch here. What did Storm like to say? Keep your enemies close to gaze upon them? Regardless, we meet for cards every towerday. I can almost beat her now.”

“You’re how old and can’t win in their game of cards?”

Fremra shrugged, “She’d rather good at it. But what I’m getting at, is that I’m not always as silly as the outward impression gives.”

“Are you drawing a cock and balls on my frills?”

“Think not on that my apprentice.” She snickered, dipping her talon back to the paint, avoiding the question. “Instead, think of Arcturus.”

“Drawing a cock on my frills?”

“I mean, you could. Do you like that?” She fluffed her wings as she chuckled, only pulling a growl from his snout, “What I meant was think of him, it needn’t be an activity.”

“I have been thinking of him, every moment that he’s gone.” He grumbled, tail thumping and startling the servants behind him. “Is this what you want to know, that my heart aches? That it feels as though a part of my soul has been ripped from me?”

“Sounds perfect, focus on that pain!” She smiled bright, tapping his nose with an ink sullied claw. Her eyes widened as she realized her error, before adding a few more symbols for good measure.

“Did you draw another dick?”

“No.” She whistled innocently, going for another dip in the paint.

If he survived this indignity, he’d deserve a medal. Think of Arcturus? He could do that. The red dragon closed his eyes, letting the chuckling dragoness work. Oh, how his scales were going to be vandalized. He pushed the thought from his mind with his next breath. He lingered upon the bearded face of the rather handsome human, though by any logical reason should not hold his heart the way that it did. He didn’t even have any dragonish qualities! Besides of course the courage that he showed, the bravery, the ability to take charge and yet. Veledar sighed, picturing himself curling around that being that held him so and playing with his hair until it led to a passionate kiss. They’d collapse, the dragon soon dominating that accommodating mouth, feeding his human his tongue as they moaned together in passion.

His heart stretched, reminded of his absence. This is what she’d wanted. Groaning he pictured him curled up at his belly, peacefully held within his paws. Content was painted across the dragon hunter’s face, for a creature that by his family’s blood he should hate. The dragon warbled, knowing there was no where safer this human could be. That he’d die for him, live for him, ensure each day of this human’s life would be filled with love and passion. Flashes of their times gazing at the stars passed through him, followed by long strolls, painting at the beach, each moment filled with a new day’s delight. To think he’d not known such joy before, that made him still. One might joke that the man had the dragon tamed, so enthralled with his human. The reality is, that caused the dragon to smirk, was that both were enthralled with one another, always seeking to shower the other with affection. At this point Fremra had finished.

“Good, now that you have him on the mind, drink this, it’s a tad bitter.”

Eyes shooting open, he only got a fleeting glance before a glass potion was shoved into his maw. The liquid inside was a greenish yellow, the consistency of spoiled milk. It seemed to roll and slither out of it’s confines, crawling and onto his tongue. Thoughts of pleasure and passion were shattered as the horrid smell reached his nostrils, like a decaying corpse left in low tide. The taste was even worse, splattering across every tastebud, enough to cause his hinds to wince. His tail even rebelled and lashed, almost knocking a human across the room. All sense told him to wretch, nothing good could come from this potion’s offering.

“Don’t spit it out! Swallow!” Fremra’s paws found his snout, wrapping tightly around it. He was trapped, no where for the potion to go, but down.

He shook, head raising up until he let the slop find its way to his belly. It clung to every inch of his throat, desperate to avoid the fate of his stomach. It left a rancid after taste, that even as he panted and groaned at his victory, it soured the feeling.

“There, that wasn’t so bad was it?” Fremra’s cheerful warble did little to lift the red dragon’s mood as he wheezed.

“You’re punishing me aren’t you?”

“Oh please, I’d smack you around if that were the case.” She trilled with a wink, “But again, if you’d done as I’d requested, you’d not be asked to endure such a thing. She grabbed another of these potions and grinned with mischievous intent, “Alright, time for round two!”

He was forced to endure the same scenario again, eyes clenched tight as his tail thrashed in protest. At it’s end he was left drooling, gasping for air. Inside it was like his stomach was doing loops, unsteady and ready at a moment’s notice to wretch what he’d been given. As his scales turned a sickly shade, Fremra held him fast.

“Don’t wretch it up now.” She whispered, curling around him, “Or else you’ll have to eat what you loose upon the floor.”

The thought of having to go through this a third time quelled his stomach, enough for him to burry the feeling with a few more gulps. Though she wouldn’t admit it, he couldn’t help but feel this was a form of revenge for her. With every breath and shiver, she seemed all too pleased with his struggle.

“What was even in those?”

“A special concoction of herbs, roots, spices and other potions, blended together into what I call a magical smoothy.” She flicked the potion bottle and set it down with the other.

“And was this worth it?”

“Do you think contacting Arcturus is worth it?” When he didn’t reply she grinned, rubbing herself alongside him and then gesturing to the pool of growing water. “You need to listen to me this time. Else you fall prey to my antics.”

He sniffed the rising pool as Fremra moved her paws through the air, tendrils of magic spreading forth, crawling upon the air until gracing the water’s surface with a thick hiss. Waves sparkled, spreading a glow that overtook the body of liquid. With this came the scent of fresh rain, causing the dragon to wrinkle his snout.

“Is there something special about this?” He sensed magic all over this thing, something he couldn’t quite put a paw on. “I don’t think a bath will help find Arcturus.”

“Astute observation my apprentice. But this isn’t a bath.” She grinned, “For this isn’t really water. I mean, it technically is the body of a water elemental, stretched from wall to wall.” Padding over to the edge, she dipped in a single paw, gently stroking as though at the slightest of motions, it would explode. “Though don’t play to rough, you might upset it. They can be quite moody.”

“Water elemental? As in summoned from the plane of water?” He’d read terrible stories where wizards had lost control and their summons ran amok within human villages and towns. She wanted to use one of these? “Are they not unruly and dangerous? How is that you have it remaining here and docile?”

“Trick of the trade.” She bumped him with her haunches, “So play nice.” Rearing up she pressed her paws into him, sending the red dragon tumbling into the pool. He splashed and flailed in surprise, a yelp making her grin. “See you’re a natural! Remember just stay calm!”

Around him the water teased at his scales, held him fast within it’s confines. Instead of a piercing cold like he’d expected, instead he found a comforting heat massaging over him. It whispered for him to relax, soothing the days aches away with gentle licks of it’s motion. A rapidly beating heart swiftly calmed as a deep notion of comfort creeped through his soul. He couldn’t help but warble, eyes drifting closed. He was able to relax as she requested, ending up upon his back. Wings spread; he was practically weightless. How was this? He had to put practically little effort into keeping himself afloat. Was this the elemental’s doing?

“That’s the way.” She was at his side, a smile upon her snout as she sat. “Now close your eyes and focus.” When he did, she praised him, “Think of Arcturus, imagine your tether to him as a physical road. Follow it and press through, think of yourself as Arcturus. That you and he are the same living being. No matter what defenses they have, they won’t be able to stop you.” She chuckled, “Unless they have a way  stop Arcturus from thinking to himself.”

Himself, as Arcturus? The dragon’s head throbbed at the concept. What could she mean that they were the same? Was she just speaking gibberish? To anyone else she might have appeared as mad, but Veledar did his best to focus on the words. Arcturus did mention that sometimes he could feel the wind beneath Veledar’s wings, as though he were the dragon himself. At first, he figured it was just the man describing his love of it, but what if he were actually sensing through the dragon himself? Could he do the same?

Why not? His tail twitched at the concept. Arcturus and he could already share emotions, language was being shared as well, was it a far stretch that they could share more, like touch, smell and taste? Could they then share thoughts? He rumbled, realizing this is what Fremra had wanted.

“That’s it, release yourself. Think of your Umraadi. Find him and speak with him.”

Words faded, replaced by the gentle hum of the water around him. With every deep breath he moved inward, eventually leaving his very body. He found himself in a black void, a thin layer of water beneath his paws. Around he looked there was nothing, no sky, no stars, just an endless expanse of darkness. Again he focused on the man he adored, his smile, his comforting words, the way he made the dragon’s heart feel weak. When he opened his eyes there was a thin strand of light, one that he could follow. So he did, letting his body drift, weightlessly along.

Smells eventually came to him, the moistness of earth, the sweat of a human, and the lingering musky scent of a male gryphon. His eyes fluttered, finding himself in a closed cell. His skin was cold as a breeze swept through, but he found himself bound tight by feathery jailor. It was not any gryphon that held him, but Skywing, the commander of Lumara.

Success! He could almost warble as the gryphon’s gentle trills filled Arcturus’ ears. It would appear as though his human was in a cell, relief washed through him. He was alive! Riding high upon this he yelled out to him, practically roaring with its intensity. “Umraadi!” Even if the man couldn’t hear him, it was wonderful to know that he was safe.

The human stirred, within his fur and feathery prison, earning a questioning chirp of his jailor.

“What is it? Something wrong? I can feel your heart quickening.” Skywing asked softly , head perked, ears standing tall.

“You didn’t say anything did you?” Arcturus asked tentatively, a brow raised as his eyes flicked from corner to corner. There was no one there to have spoken the words. “Like, right now?”

The gryphon chuffed, flicking his tail, “Course I did, that’s how questions work Arcturus, don’t tell me you’re going mad now are you?”

He rolled his eyes, “No, not just now, but before. I could have sworn I heard someone.”

Veledar’s frills flared, he’d heard him! Could that mean he could speak with him? The thought dazzled the mind, needing more tests. With a resounding trill he shouted, “Umraadi! It is I, Veledar!”

“Veledar?” Arcturus asked softly, eyes widening. Could it be?”

“What’s a Veledar?” Skywing tilted his head, “Is it some sort of club?”

“No, it’s the name of my dragon.”

The dragon gasped, relief swiftly turning to a flash of frustration. “Umraadi, you’re not supposed to share my name!”

“Alright, name of a dragon, but why are you telling me?” Responded Skywing.

“I swear…I could hear him.” Arcturus said, holding the gryphon’s forelimb tight. “But yet, I don’t see him.”

“Perhaps you are going mad. It hasn’t been that long Arcturus, or is sharing a cell with me causing it to progress faster? Or perhaps it’s something in the walls?” Skywing suddenly pinned his ears, holding Arcturus tight, “Will it happen to me? Oh say it isn’t so.”

“I don’t think anyone’s going mad.” He bid the gryphon to clamp shut his beak, trying to dismiss the rapid breathing of the furry beast and cast aside any other distractions. Softly he spoke, “Veledar, are you there?”

“Course I’m here!” Veledar growled from within Arcturus’ head. “And watching you break dragon tradition!”

The man’s cheeks flushed, “I didn’t mean to, it was…How can I be sure it is you?”

“Is it the dragon?” Skywing asked.

“It’s certainly someone.”

Rolling his eyes, Veledar sighed. Were they going to be this thick? Especially after he went through all the trouble? “I’m reaching you with a spell. Terrible preparation for it mind you, I think Fremra is trying to kill me.”

“But how could it be anyone?” Skywing’s ears splayed, “We’re in a zone of antimagic, you heard the guards."

Yup, they were going to be dense. “Anti-magic only works on the weaker of the spells.” Veledar growled, “You can pierce through it as I have done.”

Arcturus hesitated, a look of suspicion crossing his brow, “Prove it.” He hissed, “Prove you’re my dragon.”

His nostrils flared. Thoughts soon swelled of numerous lewd things that he could utter to darken the paladin’s cheek. It made him chuckle as each one came to mind, but he quelled this with a deep breath.  “Arcturus, you’ve spent numerous nights with me, traveled for months. Know that you know me more than most. I love you, and you’re aware that I blamed myself for my brother’s death.”

“Is it him?” Skywing whispered.

The paladin gasped as the gryphon slumped with a defeated chirp.

“I’m so lost.”

“It is my dragon! I don’t particularly know how he’s done it, but he’s found a way to communicate.”

The next few minutes each of them filled the other on what happened. The capture, the interrogation, the torture that left the paladin shivering. At this Veledar was snarling, his eyes lighting with a fire that few had ever seen. How dare they in their arrogance inflict harm upon his Umraadi.

“When I find this woman I shall roast her.” He promised, “To this I swear Umraadi.”

“Don’t waste time on her, for there are more important things.” Arcturus winced, wishing he was there to hold the dragon’s snout to sooth him. “For they have the other Lumarians captured and at their mercy. They wish for me to give a false confession; failure to do so will end in their deaths! I don’t know where they are being kept, but you must rescue them.”

He grinned, “On that front I have good news Umraadi. For I have found their locations with a little digging of my own.” With a swish of his tail he told them the darling plan he’d concocted, defeated a giant and proclaimed that his mate was the strongest dragon hunter, not that brute. “And the locations are now with Nivra and Voidwing, at my say so we can rescue your kinsman…and gryphons.”

“You truly are a miracle of the gods.” Chuckled Arcturus, “What have I done to deserve such a beast?”

Veledar trilled at the praise, “Pamper my scales when you return to me. Caress me and show me how much you missed me. I know that I will be doing the same.”

For a moment they sat in silence, not a word to be spoken. Their emotions were shared to one another as easily as air, comfort, protection, relief. Though they were separated, it was as if they were next to one another, cuddled up close. It was Arcturus that closed his eyes, breaking the silence,

“Can you stay for a while.”

“Can’t go anywhere.” Skywing groaned, resting his beak on Arcturus’ head. “Unless you’re talking to that red beast of yours.”

“I am.”

“Then tell him hello.”

“Skywing says-“

“I heard him.” Veledar huffed, “And of course I can stay for a while longer. Just you don’t go forgetting about my touch in the embrace of this gryphon!”

Arcturus smiled softly, “Never.”

** ** ** *** **

Hours passed for the dragon, or was it mere minutes? It was hard to know floating in the water elemental. He stayed with Arcturus and spoke until his throat was raw, never wanting to have the man’s senses depart him. It was strange, comforting, to be that connected, yet it felt right at the same time. When he returned to his body there was a sense of emptiness, a longing for Arcturus to be nuzzled up close to his chest, held tight and never let go. He instead was face to face with Fremra, her nose touching his.

“So you’re back!” Her voice was loud, again with that singsong tone. “How was it? Was he doing anything interesting?” She chortled to herself as he spun himself over, “Imagine all the possibilities that you could share with the mind. The secrets, the plans.” Her tail curled as a mischievous grin grew on her snout, “All the lewd things you can do to embarrass him while he’s trying to stay composed!”

To the basin’s edge, Veledar did pad, not saying a word as he dragged himself to dry land. He’d doubted her. Guilt gnawed at him as Fremra turned, happily going on about plans and potions, not to mention his ditching of her practice. He surged forward to her with a happy warble, nuzzling against her side without a prompt.

“Oh!” Her frills flared as crimsons scales rubbed against her haunches, then her flank. She curled down her head and returned the gesture, “Someone is affectionate.”

He sat, regaining his composure before the larger ness. “I’m…Sorry for disobeying what you said earlier. I didn’t think…I’m…” Words failed him, she’d given him the ability to find Arcturus and confirm that he was safe. How could he thank her? Before he could speak it was Fremra to lick upon his head, comforting the smaller dragon with a rumble.

“I’ve had disobedient children before Veledar, think not of yourself as special. I was never angry with you, just disappointed in how you solved the problem.” She used her paws and caressed his jaw, making sure his eyes met hers, “I only want what’s best for you. That includes Arcturus.”

Moved, he nodded softly. Her words washed over him, prompting another nuzzle. Her tongue came next, washing his scales as though she were a caring mother. Scale after scale received her wet blessing, leaving the red dragon on his back, soft rumbles filling the air. “But we have to move fast…I heard they are holding the Lumarians hostage to try and get a confession out of Arcturus.” He held her snout, trying to adopt a stern tone, “They are afraid of him and the others getting positions of power, willing to sacrifice the future between Drenedar and Lumara to achieve this.”

The dragoness rested a paw on him with a throat filled chuckle, “Then it would appear the time for waiting and watching is over.” Up she went, tail almost smacking Veledar in the snout as she turned, “The time for action is upon us.”

“What about waiting? Being patient?”

“That was then.” She winked, “Now we have a few places to visit.”