Shattered God: Chapter 15

Veledar awoke in a happy glow, dreams hadn't troubled him. He sighed, gently kneading his paw to find his human tucked cozy against his segmented underside. Weeks of moping and grating challenges seemed continents away. He rumbled softly, not daring to open his eyes. Let him enjoy this enveloping closeness for another moment longer.

“I know you're awake." Arcturus groaned softly, stretching up his arms. “I've been stuck for at least an hour."

He pretended to be asleep, certain it couldn't be that long.

“Veledar." The man tapped his paw, and still he didn't move. He started to wiggle, yet he didn't relinquish his grip. The dragon groaned and held on ever tighter. “Oh come on, I know it!" With a grunt and firm push, Arcturus was finally free. As if to seek revenge the human kneeled, pressed both his palms to the dragon's snout and pressed. “Come on you sleepy lug, we have places to be."

Why did he have to be so demanding? Veledar stirred, groggily blinking his eyes and leveling the man with a steady stare. “Can you not sleep?"

“Not half as well as a dragon." Arcturus' arms crossed, a grin about his bearded face. “Now come now, we can't run forever. Eventually she'll come looking for us, drag you out by the tail."

He meant Fremra of course, and Veledar didn't doubt she wouldn't. He pushed himself to all fours, stretching like a cat as he yawned. “Will that be your threat from now on? She'll come to reprimand me?"

“Should it be?" Arcturus caught the dragon's snout in his grasp, meeting a coming nuzzle with a gentle kiss. “Will it get you to stop being stubborn as a dwarf?"

“Oh please." He flicked his tail, turning to lead the human up the stairs. “If anything, dwarves are as stubborn as us."

Up the stairs they bounded, a bounce in the dragon's paws. The sunlight was like an enchanting song, ever brightening the spirit and invigorating the muscles. Dew sparkled in the golden rays, like diamonds in a field of viridian. Clouds coiled and curled around the pure blue sky, fluffy and practically singing. The dragon warbled, knowing for certain that today was going to bring luck, good fortune, and an end to this part of his story. He even eyed the flock of multicolored birds in the distance, tweeting and darting amidst the green bar like trees.

“Guess she isn't here." Arcturus glanced around, sighing, and starting into his morning stretches. Under his breath he was reciting his oaths, no doubt focusing on the spirit of Bahamut in his heart. The dragon was keen to simply watch, sprawled on his belly with a flicking tail. As the time passed he eventually closed his eyes, focusing inward on his drahkras.

It was then that Fremra sailed over, the sound of her wings sounding through the field. Her orange membranes flickered in the coming breeze, her beats gently bending the grass. Lavender eyes shown with happiness as they traveled between the pair, a knowing smirk about her snout. Tied around her forepaw was Arcturus' gear neatly bound in leather straps, attached to his pack.

“I take it everything went swimmingly?" She pranced over, setting down the equipment with a purr. “Even by the look of the eye you can tell, passion beat out stress and doubt. Perfect preparation for what we have instore today."

“Don't tell me, the next challenge will include dancing or kissing?" Arcturus shook his head as he strode over, “Just like the bards along the iron roads south of Whitedell.

“Now wouldn't that be an enchanting thought." She chuckled at the mental image. “But no, today you're going on an adventure of sorts." She held up her paw, seeing their shock. “Don't worry it's not that far, and not filled with as much danger as you're used to."

The pair exchanged confused looks as Arcturus started to undo his equipment as Fremra paced around, dreamily staring off to the horizon.

“At the center of one of these isles, dwells a hidden ruin home to both our kin. The order of the scale, those that trained and harnessed the power of the draconic bond that binds you two souls together." She shifted over, a wing pressing them together, nearly knocking Arcturus over. “It is there that I wish for you to lean upon one another."

His snout wrinkled. “Another place to learn? Can you not do it yourself? What about the drahkras?"

“Oh that's important to." She smiled, touching him gently on the nose with a paw. “I imagine those will come into the equation as well. One must walk before you run after all."

Great she was being secretive again, not telling what she clearly knew. He was left to stew, thumping his tail as he agreed to the predicament. “What choice do we have anyway?"

“None!" She warbled, “Though I suppose if you don't, you'll never get your wings or magic back."

“That's not a choice." He scowled at her smile. “That's an ultimatum."

“And also, a motivator!" She strolled but a wing's length away as Arcturus finished attaching his armor.

“And what do you hope for us to achieve there?" The man rubbed at his silver bracer to make sure it was secure.

“Wonderful things." She purred, fluttering her eye. “Marvelous things. Perhaps a secret that's been there all along. One that will put an end to all of this and bring you two even closer together."

“It would seem you're as vague as ever." He sighed, patting the paladin spell book at his side. “Despite that, we'll try to find what you want us to. Isn't that right?" He tilted his head back to the dragon.

Veledar merely snorted, lashing his tail against the grass. “Can you not unwind your tongue? Simply tell us what we're going to find?"

“Oh come now!" She held her head high, gently tapping the man in the chest. “Where's that adventurous spirit and thrill of the unknown?"

“Fluttered out the window, didn't you see it?"

The dragoness chuckled, gesturing them along with a wing. “Come now, onto the deep end!"

“Deep end?" Arcturus and Veledar exchanged twin looks of concern.

“Of course! Have you not seen dragons or gryphons toss their young into the sky to fly?"

“Wonderful." Veledar sighed, letting Arcturus clamber on top of him.

*

Through the forest she led them, around the moss claimed trees. The air was thick with the smell of wet leaves, brought with every breath by a gentle breeze. The worn path saw the signs of wear over the years, clearly used for mortal feet or the wheels of their wagons. It weaved and forked like a troublesome river, almost as if the forest itself was trying lead them astray. With every step the sounds around, them were getting ever louder, either by the bird's calls, or the howling buzz of the cicadas.

The true path that Fremra pointed out, was one that had polished stones every few dozen feet. They were cold to the touch, like plucked from a wintery tundra. Thick with the spice of magic they flared his nostrils, sending a tingle all down his spine. With a scratch he revealed dirt covered runes, ones that spelled out in draconic, “The bonded path." As he focused along the dirt, he could almost see the ghosts of humans from long ago, trudging their way on foot or y cart to wherever Fremra was leading them.

Eventually the air that had been warm and inviting had started to shift and churn. Mist had risen from the edges of the path, setting an unearthly chill about the air. Far along they could sense this hunger, this desperate need to draw them in. The dragon and human pressed close, their eyes locked to the edge, memories of the forest of despair still lingering about them. Even when Fremra insisted no danger was instore for them, the pair couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to leap out at them.

“For a teacher, you're fond of putting me into harms way." Veledar grumbled.

“Oh come now, it's not that bad." Fremra chuckled, tapping an oversized peach overhead with her wing talon. “Focus on each other, don't give any mind to the sounds or feelings. Let it all flow away like the creek." She closed her eyes and happily marched along, humming as she swished her tail.

Veledar froze as the chill about the air slithered deep to his bones. If he had his wings, they'd have been flared out in alarm. Something was out there, hunting them. That much was certain. He growled and crouched, the air thick with the stink of fungi, but that couldn't be right. Fungi didn't move.

“Arcturus, stop." His paw flung out, holding the human back. “There's something in the brush." His heart was racing as the plants around them shook. He was mistaken, they were surrounded.

Despite the danger, Arcturus was a bastion of calm. “There's nothing out there." He spun around, eyes tracing the brush.

“Its because your senses are not that strong. How can you not hear the rustling of the brush?" The dragon growled, his fire glands swelling.

Tender hands wove themselves around his snout, pulling him to stare to the human's eyes. Veledar squirmed and snorted, digging lines into the dirt with his claws. What was he doing?

“Arcturus, let me go! There is danger out there! Can't you-“

The man didn't relinquish, stroking gently along the dragon's nose. “There's nothing there. Focus. There is no brush, no monster or hunter, focus on me. Hear my heart. Can you sense my fear?"

This was absurd. How could Fremra not hear it as well? He tried to shift away but found himself unable, eyes locked onto the ones he loved. So, he did as was asked, focusing on the bond between them. The man's heart was steady as the ocean's waves, never shifting from its tune. There was no fear, no anxiety, how could this be? With every breath the dragon's heart stilled, until the air around them was warm and welcoming once more. His eyes opened, and the mist was still there, but the dread was gone.

“There we are." Arcturus smiled, scratching the dragon's chin. “Knew you could see through them."

“See through what?" He looked around, frills flaring.

“The illusions!" Fremra called out, further down the path. She was but a speck. “Did I forget to mention them?"

Of course. Veledar grumbled at his own foolishness as he renewed his pace along the moment Arcturus remounted him. “I should have known." He grunted, easily catching up to the amused dragoness.

“They were mighty protective of their home this order. Illusions and tricks to keep the unwanted away." Fremra muttered, unphased in her sea song like tone.

“Is there anyone there?" Arcturus questioned, “To keep up these illusions?"

“Not these ones." She mused, “Powerful magic, they always reset themselves. Though once you know they're there, you're not affected by them anymore."

“Can they bring you harm?" Veledar kept pace with her as they began to slope downward, the air filling with the sound of flowing water. He shivered at the feeling within the mist, that encroaching hunger.

“Not in the slightest." Fremra chuckled, then stopped. “Well some illusions can, but not those ones."

“Will ones we find be capable of it?" Arcturus' brow rose, crossing his arms.

“Perhaps?" She shrugged, “I've never set forth into their temple."

“And you think something you've never seen can help us?" Veledar groaned, nearly stumbling over a collapsed trunk, overgrown with moss and flowers.

She simply nodded, curling a mischievous eye back to Arcturus. “Curious isn't it?"

“I mean why not, lets just add it to the list of all the other ideas."

“These riders and dragons could achieve great things with their bonds. Perhaps there is a shard of that knowledge still around? Though who am I to know exactly what you'll find, its not like I know the schedule."

Confusion swirled around the pair's head as the dragoness was none to straightforward in her answers. They tried to question her again to her meaning, but she was as slippery as an eel. Be patient she had said them, “In time the answers you have will be answered."

“But that's not going to be by you?" Arcturus asked.

“No."

“Then by whom?"

She didn't answer that one, picking up the pace until she led them to a sprawling sandy beach. The river was hugged by a rising wall of stone, moss crawling diligently up it's side. Trees hugged the edge of this lazy river, dipping their branches as if quenching their insatiable thirst. Mist swirled and curled around the water's edge, lacking the hunger from before. It billowed and framed a forgotten age worn dock. Tied to one of the elder beams was a solitary canoe, a paddle silently waiting within.

“Right on time." Fremra smiled as the pair stood frozen. She glanced up, sighing at the swelling clouds above that threatened to eat the sky. “Shame all this work to cut themselves off."

“Why hide from the outside world?" Arcturus asked softly, eyeing the empty shells along the shore. Tiny red crabs scuttled around them, peering their stalks around for a unclaimed meal. “Why shield from those of this island the secret of the bond?" He rubbed along Veledar's neck, getting a welcome rumble of approval.

She gestured to the canoe, “That's a question for the ruins is it not? It's better to teach instead of give."

“And make us do all the work?" Veledar groaned as Arcturus dismounted. “And where is this temple anyway?" He searched around through the fog, only catching the shrouded shape of rock forms in the distance. His eyes squinted but even he could not make out their jagged shapes.

“Everything in life you gotta work for young dragon." She slide along him, bopping him on the head with her wing. “Down the river of the bonded you will travel, just like all the inspiring riders beforepaw. Fall under their shadow, keep an open mind, and look out for one another."

Why was this sounding like the fairy realm again? He peered to the boat, noting it was only large enough for a single human. Was someone waiting for them? Set this up before? There was no way that it lasted this long. He turned to Arcturus, who seemed to be in agreement, tentatively making his way over to it. “I take it I must swim?"

“Don't like the water? Oh that's right." Fremra seemed to relish in his irritation over the cold water. “Fire dragon. Don't worry, it isn't that far. Bout a few miles or so, easy for even one as injured by the water as yourself."

“I'm not that injured." He snorted, padding to the shore. “I just don't have to like it." He gently tapped the surface, hissing as icy daggers stabbed at his pads. “Its like ice!"

“But think about how nice your wings are going to be!" Arcturus called over with a smile, tossing his things into the boat. “Sometimes I think the only way to grow stronger is through suffering."

He scowled at the man as he slipped into the water, wincing and hissing at every arduous inch that slithered underneath his scales. To his ire the bite had faded at the river's center, the water just over his shoulders. He grumbled as Arcturus cut his boat free and started to paddle along, waving farewell to their teacher.

“Now behave the both of you. I'd not want to hear about your you sullied the temple or anything! Watch those clumsy paws, both of you!" She turned and took flight, easily shooting her way through the dominating clouds above.

“I'm certain she's playing with us half the time." Arcturus sighed from his boat, passing inches from the dragon's snout. “Just having a laugh the entire time."

“You and me both." He slithered like an alligator along, paced easily with his paddling companion. “But the question lingers, why use that stupid oversized bowl when you could ride upon me?" He swished his paws, easily swimming ahead of his slower human.

“And get soaked to the bone in the freezing water?" Arcturus chortled, “No need for us to both suffer through it."

“Ah but you heard our teacher. We're supposed to do this together, be one." With a playful grown he sped towards the canoe.

“Where did she say that?"

“Somewhere in all her prattling." He eyed the edge, paws already moving to put an end to his human's insistence to be dry. They were going to do this together, drenched and frozen together. Plus he had to pay him back for chuckling at his expense.

He tried to paddle away, eyes widening as he predicted the dragon's scheme. “Veledar don't you dare!"

“I dare!" His paws found wood, his tail thrashed with all his strength. He cackled like a villain as the boat overturned, flipping all the equipment and the man he loved into the water with a resounding splash. He tried to not smile too hard at his victory.

“Oh your cursed scaled beast!" Arcturus pierced the water with a crimson face, flailing around like an overturned turtle duck. “Had to be sure both of us were drenched?"

The dragon swam upon him, easily sliding below and slipping him onto his back. He chuckled and snickered a joke well played as he swam and collected the human's floating pack and offered it in truce.

Through dripping hair Arcturus' gaze was as sharp as his sword. He flicked away the last bit of water, snatching fast his equipment. “You're lucky if the scrolls or books I have are not ruined."

“Oh, come now." The dragon rumbled, “When I have my magic back they can be restored. Plus that paladin book is fireproof and waterproof. Trust me." He recalled the numerous times he and his brother had played around it. Once or twice the spell craft practicing wrymlings had possibly struck it with magic. “Just had to ensure we worked together. Do it as was intended."

'That's not what she meant-“

“Either way. Now that you've come to your sense." He grinned as Arcturus sighed, hands grasping as his neck. “We can be off."

 “Now that you're come to your senses, we can best be off." When Arcturus' look hadn't softened, the dragon knew the cure. He knew the cure. “Oh Umraadi. Don't let anger dwell within your heart. I think you're rather cute covered in water and embarrassed. I love you."

Arcturus went to blush best but the words had done their job. His rebuttal disarmed the man's eyes. “Can you once not ease your troublesome nature with a cute jab?" He sighed, flicking away water from his hands. “I love you as well."

“Lovely! Dragon riding temple here we come!"

*

Along the mist encroached river they did swim, silence wrapped around them tight. Though that didn't cease the cacophony of buzzes or chirps shrieking from the thick foliage that lined their journey. Pink and purple trumpet like flowers dangled out of reach of the dragon's snout, seemingly staring at them as they passed. Why would dragon riders construct their hideaway in such a disconcerting place? Not for him of course, but any human that would paddle their way through the river.

When Arcturus' nearly jumped at the piercing cry of a off-white feathered bird with reptilian like eyes, Veledar sought to put an end to the man's shivers. Totally to not disguise the way his frills pinned, and a cold tingle coiled at the base of his skull.

“You should meet my friends when we return to Deet. They'd probably find it highly amusing you're a human." His snout wrinkled, as he realized they might want to include the knight in their fun. “They'll have to share."

“To you mean the gryphons?" Arcturus sighed, his cheeks slowly warming. “The ones from your salacious stories? Those gryphons?"

“Rundak and Vik." He grinned, “Loved to swim around the rivers, course was it to see each other dripping wet?" His head tilted, the gryphons had always been far lewder than even him. “Anyway, Rundak eventually took up brewing, loved to experiment. Vik on the other claw, wonderful singing voice. How he used to captivate us with all the flowery tunes. Often would bring musical books from the villages he frequented."

“And you never heard of Lumara?"

The dragon peered back, narrowing his eyes. “Guess he didn't have a high opinion of it."

Arcturus crossed his arms, not letting the dragon get to him. “Perhaps, or you were more focused on their feathers, and what lay beneath their tails. Don't forget, I remember you story."

“Oh our first meeting." The dragon chortled into a paw. “You'd have to trade barbs with them, you've more practice with me than either of the pair. How envious you'd make them."

The man turned bright red. “Very well. But how did Vik sing, could he hold a candle to Cordenth? Lyndis claims he could do opera."

Veledar pondered as he slithered around a trunk collapsed into the river, darkened mold and mushrooms blossoming at the base still clinging to the shore. “It pains me to say this, but Cordenth proves superior."

“Cause he's a dragon?"

“Hardly." He snorted, “Because he hasn't sounded like a bird choking on a lance."

“I meant when he was singing." The man squeezed his nose, “Not when he was tending to-“

“I did mean when he was singing!" The dragon's frills flared, “The feathery bastard would practice all around the cave. Sure he was good, but that was after thousands of failures! I'm lucky I still have my ears!"

“How considerate of you. To not throw him out of the cave. I take it the pair would have hated you."

Veledar rolled his eyes, snorting as a pair of purple feathered birds swooped down lazily across the water, clinging to his horns before he could shake their tiny bodies away. They chirped almost in thanks, to mock him of course. “Oh I did. Was quite hilarious, how Rundak and I cackled with laughter. Should have seen their feathers fluff, looked like a cushion."

“And what of Vik? He must have been offended his mate didn't protect his honor."

“Oh he was." The dragon merely smiled, waving off the tickling of his paws by silver scaled fish that strayed too close. “Never seen a gryphon strike at the jewels so fast. Like lighting."

“Why did go to steal your-“ The man paused, with crimson cheeks as Veledar flashed him a knowing smile. “Oh. Bet you found it hilarious."

“That I did!" He warbled, imagining the squirming gryphon, wheezing as his feathers fluttered. “They turned it into a thing, nearly killed me."

“They try it on you?" The man rose a brow.

“That they did, course we dragons are built superior than that. Can't disable us with a kick."

“Shame for all the maidens supposedly captured in the stories."

“And the knights the found charming enough. Believe I read somewhere a dragon charmed away a woman simply to charm the knight that came after her. Princess was in on the plan the entire time."

“You're making that up." Arcturus countered with a knowing eye, merely pulling out the dragon's laugh.

“Am I though?" He grinned, pressing ever forward into the mist.

If Arcturus believed him was left to the wayside as the thick fog started to peel away. From either side of the path came towering dragons of stone, frozen in regal stances. Some bore their teeth, others flared their wings. Moss and grass swarmed around their hinds, as vines wrapped like jewelry around their necks. The stone legends welcomed the pair into their protective shadow, beckoning them onward to their destination.

“Marvelous craftmanship, untouched for hundreds if not thousands of years." Arcturus gasped, rubbing a hand along the dragon's neck. “Built by dragon paws or human hands?"

“Both?" Veledar replied softly, caught within their all-powerful stone gaze. “I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd have loved to seen that in their time. Mortal and dragon side by side, unburdened by the hate of either side."

“You could say that again, though one wonders how they got the dragons to sit for so long."

“Oh if you told us that you were creating things that would endure to honor us?" The dragon's paws quickened through the water. “I'd sit however long you needed."

“Oh stop with the lies." Arcturus laughed, “You couldn't even sit still with the wrymlings!"

“Not my fault, they were insistent! Try me again and you can paint to your heart's content!" he stole a look, meeting the man's sly eye. Both had the same thing flickering on the mind.

“I'm sure I could draw something that would drive you wild. Would be quite entertaining to see how patient you'd be."

The dragon's tail swished as his scales flushed across his haunches. He rumbled at the salacious thoughts. “Oh I could hold out, we'd have to see how long my patience." He rumbled lewdly, “Would keep me in check. No doubt you'd pay utterly for such a crime though."

The man coughed mid laugh, gesturing to the way ahead. “Perhaps focus on not cutting open your paws? Who knows, these things could spring to life. You know what happened with Lyndis and Cordenth. I wouldn't put it past anyone to make these beautiful statues attack us."

“I think we'd fair a little better, give us some credit." He grumbled, eyeing the stone paws, expecting them to shift and rumble. “And beautiful?" He peered back, dramatically sighing, “How does one compare to me?"

He couldn't help but chuckle as Arcturus smirked, “Must I worry your envy extends to inanimate objects?"

“It might." He rumbled, “Though you're now admitting their simply statues. I do believe that means I win."

“Win what?"

“This contest we were having!" He rumbled and pushed forward, delighting at how the water warmed across his pads. “Now cease your prattle, your handsomeness is distracting me!"

*

Eventually the river spilled into a great lake, surrounded by the green and bar like trees. Yellow flowers splashed with red stripes dotted their branches that rested far above human or dragon heads. The beach was dotted with large weathered stones seemingly sprinkled perfectly along the shore, created for dragons to recline, and observe the shimmering lake. There was a singular dock where the canoe could have been tied to, but with a snicker Arcturus and Veledar shared a playful look.

From the trees rose a steep mountainous path packed with trees and bushes. The stone spiraled upwards like a treacherous snake, one wrong move would send the visitor plummeting to their death. At the top was a colossal temple of onyx stone. It stood silently, unphased seemingly by time's affect, looming like a parent overhead. Even from this distance could they make out the forms of dragons rearing out from the stone with their paws. One a bright silver, their teeth on full display, the other crimson as the hottest of forges. Above them both were miniscule dots, almost lost within the majesty of the twin beasts. They were humanoid, standing tall and mirroring their companion's ferocity.

How could they not have seen this temple from anywhere else on the isle? It would have stood out from the serine atmosphere they'd come to expect. Veledar and Arcturus exchanged twin looks of worry, yet steeling themselves with a breath. Trickery was no doubt afoot in this moment. Either to shield this section from the isle before, or they'd been transported somewhere else. Arcturus squeezed tight the dragon's scales, hands itching to embrace his sword.

“Even if it is a trick." The dragon huffed, ignoring how grand the red dragon looked against the stone. Envy slithered down his spine. “You have to admit it's quite breathtaking. Could be better of course, but breathtaking regardless."

“I imagined ruins, crumbling stone, tombs on which we had to explore. Possibly debris littered about, consumed by vines and moss…" He gulped, “Not something this grand. Though I suppose it makes sense, dragons would need something large enough to suit them."

“And if they lived long enough, they could get ever larger still." He grinned, paddling to the shore. His brother would have been awestruck in such a sight, his sister envious beyond reason. Cordenth himself? Veledar couldn't help but picture his warbling reunion with the green dragon. How the frills would darken over having missed something so grand. One literal representation on which that dragon family sought to achieve. “Take that Emerald Lady. Someone did it without manipulating others through fear."

“What was that?" Arcturus asked as the dragon clambered onto the shore, dripping at nearly inch.

“Oh nothing." He rumbled, letting the man dismount and begin to shake. His coming scowl only brought a nuzzle and a lick. “Don't give me that." He mused, holding his head high as a breeze washed over them. “Moment my magic returns, we'll see what can be done over your wetness." He chuckled at his own joke, “You got wet over my touch."

“Very funny." Arcturus sighed, glancing around the deserted beach. Not even a paw print was to be found, by animal or dragon. “Lucky for you the armor and weapon can't rust. Poor day for the rest of my clothes and parchment though."

“And lucky for you that a dragon such as I loves you!" He grinned, nuzzling when the man didn't return it. But after several moments of this assault, the human was forced to give up with a sigh. Hands wrapped around his snout to his amusement.

“You make it so hard to be mad at you."

“All part of the plan dearest human." He rumbled with a swish of his tail. When he got a kiss he stood proud with a snort. “And worry not about your things, minor trinkets to be replaced!" The dragon surged forth, scattering sand in his wake. Energy coursed through his veins, lifted his spirits. He was only hours away from having his wings again! He only stopped as the forest kissed upon the beach, their roots creaking through the dirt. Birds called out to one another, almost signaling the warning of a dragon about to arrive.

From the temple he followed a gap of trees that seemed to curl and twist across it's form. By his estimate they'd just have to break a way through this thick forest, walk the rest of the way. He rolled his eyes, groaning at lack of wings. “Its okay." He told himself with a deep breath, “This is just the last challenge. The final plunge before everything you deserve is given to you."

When Arcturus caught up they set out as one, sliding and maneuvering through the thick forest around them. Multitude of times they received bushes or snapping twigs for their trouble, but never did any feel as though they were malevolent. Not even bugs tried to sting or bite upon them. Within the hour their persistent was rewarded, and the forest gave way to what they expected to find, ruins of of dragon-kind.

For what was supposed to be the long-forgotten ruins of the dragon riders, it seemed to be a well taken care of village given shape by magical hands. The stone flowed up to form a multitude of hovels. They smelled of dry stone, were pristine and lacked the usual sign of magical tampering. The buildings were large enough for dragons to find their way into, with side doors meant no doubt for humanoids. Perches rested atop these miniature hills, the perfect place for people watching or resting ones eyes.

This had to have been a market if they had to guess, the slotted stone beneath their paws appeared to have once held pens, gates, or possibly even stands for merchants to sell their wares. They shared a chuckle over the idea of dragons haggling with business man selling sheep..

“Better thought, what if the dragons farmed the sheep." The human rose his brow in amusement until the dragon rolled his eyes with a laugh. “Or there were dragons that had the shops."

“That would be the day. Next you tell me, the dragons gave up hunting and let the humanoids do it for them. Better yet, they grew fruits and vegetables. You sound ridiculous. Unless this whole place functioned on a barter system, trading goods for favors." He padded a few steps, nearly tripping the human with a swish of his tail. Yet as he stood in silence, the idea didn't seem that farfetched. He traced along the old stone, wishing to have seen such a place in it's prime. As it stood now, empty and forgotten, he expected ghosts to start patrolling.

“Guess it was called, Martivir" Arcturus whispered.

He turned round, casting aside a loose stone. “How you-“ Arcturus pointed him to a carved mural along the side of one of the houses. The expression of humanoid and dragon peace was given physical form by loving hands or paws. It was of dragons sailing blissfully like fall leaves cast about by a powerful breeze. Far below the village dwelled of smiling people, some even rid atop the dragon's backs. There were no flames, no death, not even a single trace of hostility found. Near the top was the draconic name. “It means peace." Veledar replied as softly, his heart starting to swell. He doubted he could rub it in Cordenth's face even if he wanted. Well, not without much time between this moment and then.

“I wonder what happened to this place." Arcturus slowly approached, tracing carefully over the stone. It's reverence silenced him as he stepped away, taking in the weight of it. “I wish it hadn't."

“Perhaps it could be like that again." The dragon softly nuzzled the man's cheek, then slinking back towards the ruins. He eyed the temple piercing out of the tree-tops. “It just starts with my wings. Maybe we can get Cordenth to pay us to show him."

“Surely you wouldn't extort a friend in such a manner."

“Not for long at least." He snorted, rolling his eyes.

Eventually they passed sections that they would have guessed, where time had eventually had their last laugh. Debris didn't gather below such places however, merely leaving sections chipped away. Who had taken it away remained to be seen, as the stone here was just as pristine as ever. It was here that they found what appeared to be a school of sorts, the carvings showing various techniques in which humanoid and dragon couples could pleasure one another. Veledar rumbled and shifted his hinds, nuzzling in amusement as Arcturus' cheeks reddened at all the lewd imagery.

“It would appear like they knew what they were doing." He snickered, pushing against Arcturus.

“Should I take notes?" Arcturus smiled back, chucking as his face received a well-earned lick.

“When the task is done. Suppose we have time to experiment." He pressed on, shaking away such salacious thoughts. While pleasing to his baser urges, and they'd copy each technique eventually, he had his wings to return.

“Had you ever heard of such a place before?"

“Not at all. The island yes, but this wonderful organization? They must have somehow been forgotten to time." The dragon grumbled, wondering why in his youth these were not the tales that were spread around. It would have filled his head with other ideas of what humanoids had been capable of. “It warms the heart to see somewhere it worked out. At least for a time."

Arcturus didn't reply, merely resting a solemn hand upon his shoulder.

He merely nodded, appreciating the human's touch. “All things can come again in time I suppose. Good news for Cordenth and Lyndis huh?" His tail brushed a small stone, “Possibly even the legend we'll make."

“I doubt an empty place like this will exist when we're through." Arcturus grinned, “Though you a teacher? Would that be a tall tale."

He rumbled, not quite catching the joke. His paw tingled in delight at the compliment. “Not right away of course, far into the future. My people and yours building brighter futures for one another. One of acceptance, and learning."

“And love?" Arcturus eyes twinkled in the light, drawing a coo from Veledar's throat.

“And peace." He rumbled. They briefly shared a tail swishing kiss before continuing their venture.

Eventually the village began to dwindle and fade. Structures had dimmed, melded closer and closer to the earth. In their place came stalks of corn, flowers bursting of at least a dozen colors, and the ever increasing smell of fruit. Here the earth was tilled, signs of footprints pressed into the softer dirt. Arcturus rubbed his chin as they neared,  “I think this place isn't as abandoned as we'd like to believe."

“You think?" He whispered back, slowly approaching. Surely Fremra would not have sent them somewhere dangerous? Both scanned around to find this section, nature had restated some of it's claim. From the streets came roots, grass of all shades, and of course the garden. The grass ruffled with his neck paw step, instantly drawing his slitted eyes. Blood flared to life.

“Just a squirrel. You can calm your heart."

“Calm my heart?" Veledar snorted, placing a paw to his chest. “It was you that was scared." He glanced away with a snort, composing himself with the next calming breeze. It brought the scent of damp earth, intermixed with something even more familiar. Elf. “It would appear as though you were wrong."

“How could that be?" Arcturus pressed close, “Are they friend?"

“Uncertain." His tail coiled around them both. “Perhaps more found their way through the illusions?"

“Maybe this is why she said to behave." Arcturus sighed, relaxing. “I'm going to trust the dragoness here. Clearly she's having a laugh."

Was she? His nostrils flared as the scent was getting closer. Arcturus' words made sense. He quelled the ever beating his heart. Clearly something else was at work here. Some magic to increase his worry. That had to be it. “As you say. Though don't come whining to me when we're under attack."

“I'll be glad to tell you that you were right before we die."

“See that you do." He snorted, eyes training to the plants. The smell hadn't left, their quarry was hiding?

“Human! I can smell that wood and grass scent upon you!" He announced in a brassy voice, “Don't think you can sneak upon us with such a pitiful display." He couldn't help but puff up his chest. “Now come on out so we can get a good look of you. None to quick mind you, fire solves many problems." He grinned as Arcturus squeezed his nose and shook his head.

From the thick garden came a dark-skinned elf, his amber eyes bright as the morning sun. This was a sunelf. Dirt was smudged over his simply earthen tunic and trousers, even dotted along his hands and bare feet.  He smiled, unphased by the pair he wiped the sweat from his brow. “Don't get many visitors round these parts." He gestured to a woven basket filled with red circular orbs with an orange band around their middle, and reddish looking arrow heads with purple stalks sprouting out the top. “Least of all dragons and…Knights?"

He flicked his tail. Clearly the man was mad then. “I understand the confusion then." He pretended to glance upon his claws. “We're quite intimidating to the sight. We understand if you're frightened and hiding."

“Who said anything about hiding?" Sun elf laughed, tossing back his braided and bead filled hair. “I was doing some harvesting of firespheres and radishes. I should be the one asking you why you're blundering into our home. He wiped his hand. “Almost gave me death of a fright."

“Home?" Veledar tilted his head, almost taken back. He turned back to the empty houses they'd passed. “You're living in these things? I didn't think we'd run into a hermit!"

“Who said anything about being a hermit?" The elf's eyes bounced in amusement. Veledar's eyes narrowed in irritation, clearly something was afoot.

“Do you have any neighbors?"

“Can't say that I do."

“See you're a hermit" The dragon thumped his tail in satisfaction.

“No I'm not. Unless you don't count my wife."

The dragon's frills pinned. “A wife? Arcturus did you-“

The paladin was already gently making his way between the two. “And this will go on all day. Hail sunelf, this here is Crimson Sky, you may call me Arcturus Lund."

Waving for them to follow, the sunelf rose a brow at the mention of the human's name. “Interesting name you have there." He tapped his basket, “What brings a human and dragon to an abandoned place like this? Treasure? Fame? Honor? Don't tell me that a fair maiden was spirited away here?"

“We're on our honeymoon." Veledar replied with a hiss, “We got married and can't wait to consummate our lovely union."

The sunelf merely smiled, “Lovely news! Glad to hear it, always warms my heart to see such love blossom. So, I assume you're going to be bearing eggs soon?" Those playful amber eyes followed Veledar's scales all the way to his tail.

“I'm a male!" He growled, only making the elf laugh ever harder. “You knew!"

“Of course, I knew. You're just too easy to read. Now come, we can have lunch."

Dumbstruck Veledar stood, uncertain if to follow. They hadn't been warned of someone here, course when did Fremra ever be forthcoming. His tail hesitantly swished as he pondered it over, then exchanging a worried look with Arcturus. They were both thinking the same thing, that was clear. They could be walking into a trap.

“So keep your eyes peeled, if he does anything funny-“ The man smacked his palm, “You pounce and roar."
“And what will you be doing?"

“Thinking on ways to interrogate him." He massaged his beard. “Unless you'd rather be interrogating him."

“I could think of a few ideas." The dragon grinned with a rumble.

“Don't hurt him."

He snorted with narrowed eyes, “You're no fun."

“And you need restraint, now let's go." He patted the dragon's nose, following the sunelf who was politely waiting for them.

“What are you doing?" He pulled the human into his chest with a paw, glaring daggers at the still smiling sunelf. “Something's fish can't you tell? No one is this nice to random strangers! I smell a trap. He hasn't even told us his name!"

“Its Callon by the way!" The sunelf waved enthusiastically. “Come on now, we can't be waiting all morning. Humans have short lives if I recall…"

“Not that short!" He growled, thumping his tail against the stone. He snapped back to Arcturus. “See? Dastardly."

Now even Arcturus gave Callon an odd look, “You know, maybe he is just rather nice."

Of course, he wouldn't suspect. If someone were magically lying, they'd never know. He lowered his growl to a harsh whisper, “You're far too trusting. Remember Nivra's tale with the hag?"

“I can rest assure you that I'm not a hag." Callon flicked his pointed ears. “And I can still hear you." He chuckled and pinched his arm. “Least, not that I'm aware of anyway. Now you must be exhausted from travel." He eyed Veledar's lack of wings, a mournful look crossing across his face. “Dragon's homes are the sky, not the ground! Your paws must be woefully tired!"

“Exactly!" Veledar chuckled, this man knew what he was talking about. His distrust momentarily forgotten.

“Then they'd just be scaly horses!"

Callon was starting to make too much sense. Warry eyes searched from his dirt smudged toes to his still smiling face. What game was he playing at? “Nice try." He lashed his tail with a growl, “That's what  hag would say to trick us. I shall not be hoodwinked by some parlor trick."

The elf sighed, as Arcturus shook his head. “While I'm for being careful. I doubt Fremra set us into a lion's den."

He rolled his eyes, “Well obviously." He chuckled, “I'd match any lion any day of the week. It wouldn't even be a problem! But a coven of witches that could bewitch us? That's the problem!" He pressed forward to their new acquaintance, sniffing even when the sunelf didn't pull away. He had to give him that,  he was certainly calm for someone first meeting a dragon.

“He always like this?" Callon laughed as his clothes ruffled with every draconic sniff. “Guess it's lucky he just doesn't burn with his breath eh? I'd lose the crops!"

Arcturus tilted his head at the man's lack of concern for his life. “Apologies, he's been quite hesitant about strangers recently." He gestured to the dragon's stumps. “Understandable."

“Ah, then sniff away dragon. Do go on to your heart's content. Just don't mind the other smells. I have a passionate wife."

Veledar had never met a sunelf before, but this one smelled heavily of dried earth. Either it was from his garden or that's how they naturally smelled. He groaned and swished his tail as everything seemed in order. Defeated he retreated with a heavy snort, exchanging a look with Arcturus. “We'll trust you for now. But why are you calm around me? It's refreshing in a variety of ways, but disconcerting in others." He kneaded the ground below him.

Callon laughed, patting his belly. “When I was small I perhaps might have jumped, climbed to the trees or dug a cave in fright!" He peered up, seemingly searching the sky. “But how time and familiarity wears that away." He gave the pair a wink. “Though red isn't my color. Gold would be my favorite, great big feathery wings, noodle-like whiskers. That satisfy you?"

It did, but the mention of red not being his favorite ground the dragon's scales. “I suppose."

“Wonderful then." He gestured over his shoulder, “Then follow along for some lunch. Growing dragon like yourself needs everything they can get! Though I must ask." The elf paused, eyes flicking to Arcturus, a hardness abut them. “How did you slip through the illusions?"

“Illusions?" The dragon's paw tingled. He knew something was up! While Arcturus was voicing his confusion, he spoke over him. “There were none we saw elf. See? Your dastardly tricks didn't work us then, and they won't work on us now. So don't even think of trying anything with your lunch plot."

Arcturus sighed, “What he means to say is that we'd love to have a meal."

“Delightful." Callon smiled. “And it warms my heart to see yet another dragon and human brought here. I thought we'd never see another again."

“And why is that?" Arcturus and Veledar asked in unison.

“I thought it would be obvious by the ruins you passed, you're in the village of Martivir, home to the order of the scale."

* * * * * * *

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Sorry to have taken so long, was trying to get both this one and the next one done before posting them. Almost close to being done with the next chapter during the proof reading. Wish everyone is staying safe and virus free.

If you liked the chapter don't forget to comment, fav and vote! Each comment helps the spirits in continuing to post. Always glad to hear from everyone!

What could be instore with Callon?

If you'd like to help support me further, you can find my patreon here! : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=371744&fan_landing=true

Twitter can be found here: https://twitter.com/UNSCforces