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Scales and Honor: City of Light

Chapter 1: Arrival

Veledar the red wrymling raced through the forest quickly on his little legs. His tan membraned wings were folded over his back, being as they were still too small to carry him into the sky. He stayed close to the ground as he took a deep sniff. He was following a scent he had never smelled before. It smelled like pine, but mixed with another strange smell. He wrinkled his snout for a moment, the smell kind of reminded him of the cave he had hatched from. The little wrymling stopped, his white claws digging into the soft dirt. He listened with his ears, his frills slightly twitching in anticipation.

He smiled to himself at how well he was doing. He had taught himself how to hunt after all, and that was certainly something to be proud of. That's how it had always been of course, ever since the day he had hatched. He remembered breaking free from the prison that was his egg, to find himself in an empty cave. He had thought his momma would have been there. Her voice had always been there. He had especially loved it when she had sang for him. He remembered searching for what seemed like a an eternity for her voice, the one that had spoken to him the entire time. The one that had told him his name, the one that had sung to him, the one that said she had loved him.

He liked the name his mother had given to him. Veledar.. He loved the way it sounded when it rolled off his tongue. He ducked as he came close to a tree, as the new scent had gotten much closer. Perhaps it is the momma ? He crouched low, kneading his claws into the dirt. The scent was strong now, and it did not smell like any of the animals he knew in the forest. He figured it must have come from far away. His eyes fell on a pawprint left in the earth, it looked like one of his own but bigger. He sniffed in deep again, his nostrils flaring wide. The scent was so close now, he was practically on top of it. Why can't I see what it is than?

He bounded to another tree, he raised his hind legs so that his fore paws touched the bark. His claws dragged across the tree trunk slightly, leaving little scratch marks. He looked up to scan the viridian trees as his tail twitched behind him.

Above the trees flew a dragoness clad in silver scales all over her body. She held her head up with a pride that Veledar usually did himself. She angled her wings membranes and started to lazily descend to the forest below. Veledar dove to hide in a nearby bush as the dragoness landed softly nearby. Her snout turned for several moments as Veledar saw her breathing in through her snout slowly. She raised her head and sniffed the air like he typically did when he was hunting. Uh-oh. She than turned her head straight for his hiding spot.

She won't find me. I am good at hiding. Veledar stayed silent, breathing softly as his tail fidgeting again. The dragoness seemed to shift her focus away from his hiding spot as she still continued to walk over.

“I know your there little one." the dragoness said softly, her voice carrying the same care his mothers had done. “I spied you from above when I flew over."

How did she know? Veledar still stayed silent, watching her movement carefully.

“Your in the bush right there little one. I can see your tail sticking out." she laughed softly.

Veledar looked back to see that his tail was indeed sticking out of the bush. Curses! Veledar slowly crawled out of his hiding spot, his stomach low to the ground and his eyes never straying from the dragoness. He thought to her voice and how it was similar to his mother's. He knew it was not exactly the same of course but it put him a little more at ease. He raised his posture and puffed out his chest to look bigger.

“I have watched you over the last few weeks. You have done well on your own little one."

Veledar wrinkled his little snout in irritation, How could he have not spotted her? “Nuh-uh I would have spotted you!" he said proudly.

She chuckled at his display of confidence. “Where is your family little crimson?"

“Family?" he sat down on his haunches and tilted his head to the side.

“Anyone else, your mother.....your father?" the dragoness looked around slowly before advancing on him, one paw at a time.

“Just been me." he smiled, “That's why I've been so good. I taught myself everything!"

“Always?" she asked, as her eyes begin to fill with pity.

Veledar nodded, causing the dragoness to frown. “I am Veledar!" he proclaimed, spreading his little wings as wide as he could make them. “What is yours?"

“I am Seogheith." she said, than let out a large sigh. “You can call me your mother from now on."

“Really!?" Veledar exclaimed in joy. The voice was her!

Seogheith paused for a moment as she prepared to lie to Veledar, something he had not known at the time. She than moved in and nuzzled the little dragon, “Yes my little crimson."

Veledar nuzzled the silver dragoness back, not believing his luck. “I looked for you along time!" he said closing his eyes. I am a lucky dragon. He nuzzled her chest harder.

“Don't worry my little Crimson, from now on you will never be alone."

Veledar opened his eyes, the morning light making him close them again tightly. He let out a loud groan as he got up and stretched his limbs. He looked around to find the others already were packing up camp from yesterdays travel. Didn't they set up tents to cover me? He looked around, for them. I was certain they used tents. He even remembered Lyndis suggesting it so he would not be seen from the sky. His eyes found the remains of the tents. They were wrapped up and placed securely within the packs of his companions. Well that certainly was nice of them. They had let him sleep peacefully in while they went about packing up and doing their morning routines. He breathed in to be greeted with the smell of a burned out fire, mixed with the smell of horse. He scrunched up his muzzle. Wonderful....

He scratched the top of his head with his left wing talon. Slowly he scratched, sending shiver of pleasure down his spin. It radiated all the way down and made his tail twitch in response. Didn't we also look up at the stars again? He looked to Arcturus, who was currently saddling up their horse they had been riding upon. If the horse minded the extra weight being placed on it, the beast did not seem to mind. He thought back to last night, remembering that they indeed had looked up into the night sky. He remembered looking up and pointing out Bahamut's tears once again as he held Arcturus ever so closely to his chest. He remembered how at ease he had been, and felt all fuzzy all over.

Arcturus seemed to have finished packing up his horse as he now held the mirror shield in one hand. The human sat down while the others worked, and seemed to be caressing the shield with his right hand. Veledar did not get closer, but it looked by the way the human was moving his mouth that he was muttering something under his breath.

Well it certainly looks like he is practicing a sp-."ARrrgggggg!" Veledar snarled, gnashed his teeth, and was forced to cover his eyes.

From the shield came a brilliant, blinding light. It had shone so bright it was if Veledar had spent the last few minutes staring into the sun.

“Arggggggg!" Veledar thrashed his tail, and accidentally smacked one of the horses. The poor creature let out a frightened whinny, as he heard Asterion try to calm the thing down. “What did you do?" Veledar rubbed his eyes with his front paws. He slowly opened them to see that Arcturus was once again coming back into focus.

“I was trying a new spell in the book you gave me." Arcturus placed his hand on Veledar's snout as his vision still was coming back. “It was strange, I could not cast it before."

“And now suddenly you can?" Veledar chuckled, as his vision finally returned to normal. “How did this happen? Did you finally read the spell correctly?"

“It is called spell power." Asterion suddenly said, putting his bedroll onto his leather pack.

“Well what does that mean anyway?" Veledar turned his head so that it was curled around so he could see the minotaur.

“It means as we gain experience using our spells, we eventually unlock the potential to cast even stronger ones. Eventually Arcturus will be able to cast greater and greater magical spells. Just like any mortal spell caster." Asterion's tail shifted to the right.

“Yea for instance, Lyyreth showed me a spell that lets me create a realistic illusion!" Lyndis added cheerfully, as she took swig from a water-skin.

Veledar than suddenly felt a tapping on his left shoulder, right before the wing. He looked down to find a small disembodied green hand poking him with a single digit. He opened his eyes wide as he was briefly startled, although he quickly recovered and narrowed his eyes. He raised his claw and brushed the hand away calmly.

“And now I can use my that spell to distract people!" Lyndis smiled, crossing her arms with a smirk.

“Well that certainly is an annoying spell." Veledar grumbled, rolling his eyes and resetting his wings against his back.

“It's called mage hand o Veledar, I can also manipulate things at a distance with it."

“Well regardless the spell is annoying." He hissed, as he swiveled his neck around to find Merlia. The dwarf was currently mounting up a small black pony. Well that must be Ulga. Veledar just out on a grin and padded over towards her. He ignored the gnawing sensation of his stomach as it gave a rumble. “Did you get tired of riding with the minotaur? He gestured to the bull with his tail, and gave his tail frill a stretch.

“No, I got tired of needen help ta get up! Trust meh I loved ridin wit him." Merlia's gaze than looked passed Veledar and towards the minotaur. “He is so handsome."

What? He tilted his head, and widened his eyes in surprise. “How is the minotaur attractive to you? Your a dwarf are you not? Well she certainly doesn't look like a cow.

“Oh I'm glad ya asked Veledar, it's like hes covered in one giant beard, its so pretty! I just want to go over there and run me fingertips through it. Perhaps even take a brush to it." She seemed to be on her tippy toes. Veledar was reminded of an expression called swooning from the books he read. Merlia than returned her attention to Veledar, as she put her hands on her waist. Her eye brow lifted as she gave him a smirk. “Besides what do ya have ta judge about lookin at non dwarves? I see ya lookin at Arcturus."

“What's that supposed to mean?" Veledar tilted his head to the side, lowered his tail and curled it around himself. Was she a mind reader? Or a WITCH?

“Do I need ta explain everything to ya wee one?" she laughed, “I can see when a creatures on da hunt dragon. Ya can't fool me, yer playin the long hunt."

Nonsense, if was hunting Arcturus he would know it. Unless he was doing it subconsciously. He shook his head and rolled his eyes as the dwarf returned to packing up the pony. He walked away from the snickers of Merlia as his stomach gurgled again. _Why didn't they wake me? I bet it was to starve me. _ Veledar scrunched his muzzle up and narrowed his eyes, just as Arcturus made his way over to him.

“Good you can help me put my harness on." Veledar grinned, lifting his tail slightly and giving it a slight shake. He gestured to the leather harness on the ground with his eyes.

“I know you can get this on yourself." Arcturus said with a smirk as lifted up the harness and dragged through the grass.

“Yes but I very much like having you put it on me instead." He pointed a claw to the way Arcturus was dragging it. “Be-careful now squire, that harness is a treasured possession of mine."

“Oh am I your squire now?"

“Well you are now helping me don my equipment." Veledar stretched his neck into he shape of an 'S'. “Is that not what squires do?"

“Yes, although I would argue you are more like my steed." Arcturus put the harness around Veledar's back. “My annoying talking steed."

“Watch yourself Arcturus." Veledar snapped his teeth at him playfully,

“Who likes to try and bite me all the damn time."

“Be fair Arcturus." Veledar held out a claw and started to tick them off one by one. “I also like to burn things, fly into the sky, swim, and kidnap paladins."

“Yes you brave hero you." Arcturus laughed, starting to fasten the belts around the dragon's scales.

“Of course I am the hero Arcturus. I had my book stolen so I gathered a team of adventurers to travel forth and get it back!" He grinned, showing off his teeth. Yes he liked the thought of that.

“So in this scenario I am your squire?"

“Or side kick."

“Right...so what does that make everyone else?" Arcturus turned and gestured with an open palm to the others.

Well he certainly had not thought of that. “Well I suppose Merlia is a hireling that is good for tracking and shooting things." Veledar held out his paw and flipped it over as he spoke, showing off the pads of them. “I would than say Asterion is the dedicated healer, and I think Lyndis would fall unto the category of mysterious rogue."

“Mysterious rogue huh?"

“Well she DID keep her past from us, that certainly has her fit the bill." Veledar stuck his tongue out and closed his eyes.

“There finished!" Arcturus exclaimed, as Veledar felt him tighten the last strap.

There was the sudden sensation of the harness perfectly shaping to Veledar's body. It felt odd and made Veledar shiver from his snout to his tail. Than he opened his eyes slowly, just to make sure the human was still looking at him. He was of course. Perfect.

“Well you should probably shape shift now." Arcturus looked towards what Veledar knew was the city in the distance. “We might have already risked it by taking this long to get you up."

“Well I don't see a flock of gryphons descending on us Arcturus, so I assume your blind people did not see me." Veledar raised a claw to his snout and placed one of his claws their carefully. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on being human. He tried to ignore how beautiful his dragon form was, the feeling of his wings, the twitching of his tail. Manticores Bottom. He shook his head as he had to start over, and focus on being human. He gave a final sigh as he pictured himself as human, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and standing taller than Arcturus. He snickered at the thought of STILL being taller than the human. He breathed, smelling the puff of smoke that sprung forth around him. He felt his body change, and shrink both at the same time. He felt his wings and tail suddenly shoot into his body, making him shiver. His claws started to recede back into his paws, as they slowly began to turn a light shade of pink. It was all over in a second or two, and he spread his arms wide when the smoke cleared. “Human!" he smiled.

He was greeted by a pair of clothes hitting him the face. He wrinkled his human face and pulled them off. Well they at least don't smell of sweat and grime. He looked to the dark brown pants and a green tunic in his hand and back to the human who was staring at him. “Why do I need these Arcturus?"

Arcturus said nothing as he gestured to Veledar's body. “Because your naked."

_ Naked?_ Veledar looked down to see that Arcturus was indeed telling the truth. Because of course he was. Veledar was on full display for all to see. He stood their proudly of course, why would he hide it. “Yea what is the problem with being naked?" He used one of his hands to poke his now exposed male organ. It was all soft and just flopping there. How strange! He carressed it softly, than wrinkled his face. I miss my sheath. “Well for starters Veledar, most human's don't go walking around naked through the streets.

Arcturus smacked his hand away, "and they certainly do not do that in the streets."

“Yer goin down da wrong streets den lad!" Merlia called out from Ulga, than giving out a loud laugh.

Well how did I do clothes before then with Lyyreth? Veledar frowned as he started putting on the pants. It was a tad awkward as he had never done it before, but he tried his best to mimic Arcturus. This worked well enough and he soon had the pants around his waist. Than he worked the tunic over his chest, struggling with it for a moment before getting that too on his body. He gave a grin full of pride as he held out his hands wide. “See I have of course mastered the art of dressing!"

“Good than you can try these next." Arcturus shoved a pair of black boots into Veledar's hands, followed by a pair of black socks.

“You want me to wear feet clothing as well?" Veledar held up the sock and let it dangle a few inches from his face.

“Well unless you want your feet to hurt Veledar, human feet are sensitive."

Veledar grinned, “Are they sensitive enough to be ticklish?" He thought back to when the human had tickled his wings. He would of course have to find a way to get him back for that. He watched Arcturus just roll his eyes. They were ticklish! “Well your silence speaks volumes Arcturus. Now I know were to press my next attack on you." Veledar sunk his feet into the socks, although he had trouble at first. His 'nail' things kept getting stuck into the fabric before they reached the end. He gave a growl, and eventually shoved them all the way in there. Next were the boots, thankfully they did not give him as much trouble as the socks did. They slipped on quite easily, and he buckled them quickly.

“Now come one, we have wasted enough of the day." Arcturus gestured over towards the horse that was his. The human walked over and easily took his place in the beasts saddle. Arcturus pulled on the reins and brought the horse over to Veledar with minimal effort. Arcturus extended a hand to Veledar, “Well come on up then."

Veledar took a deep breath before grasping the human's hand. Thats when he realized something to his horror. The air lacked the usual horrible smell of horses. He sat snugly behind Arcturus as he touched his nose. No wonder the human's don't mind the horses. They can't smell them! Veledar scrunched up his human face in disgust. Or at least not as well as I could.

He felt Arcturus squeeze the horse with his thighs as he tugged the reins. The horse moved in the direction that he wanted and started to canter. Arcturus rifled through one of his pouches and pulled out a small brown bag about the size of his palm and offered it to Veledar. 'Figure you could use something to eat, considering you slept the morning away."

Veledar grabbed the bag and quickly opened it up, as his stomach gave another gurgle. He looked down into it to find a collection of small purple berries. He frowned as he remembered the dragon's bane berries from the forest. He picked one up carefully with two of his fingers and recognized them immediately. Good-berries! He popped one into his mouth and split it open. The juice was sweet, and satisfying as normal. He felt the berry work it's magic through his body, and his stomach grow quiet. “Where did you get the good-berries?

“Merlia summoned them up when she saw you were sleeping. She figured it would save us the trouble." Arcturus than raised his right hand and started to do an impression of Merlia, “We don want da big baby winin all day cause e didn eat!"

“Very funny Arcturus." Veledar narrowed his eyes and looked back to the others following them across the plains. Lyndis was practically right beside them with her horse, a big smile on her face. Asterion was next behind her, with that same stern face on his muzzle as the breeze blew over him. His hair rustled and he did not seem to give it a care. Merlia was on the tail end with little Ulga, her little legs moving quickly to keep up with the larger horses.

“Don let dem beat ya Ulga! I know ur better den dat!" the dwarf cried, as Ulga seemed to redouble her efforts and catch up to Asterion's horse.

The new horse that Veledar had decided to call Stinky two ,carried them across the fields leading to Entis. Veledar scowled as he felt the breeze wash over his face, rustling his blonde hair. He looked up to the clear blue sky, that was dotted with fluffy white clouds here and there. Of course it would be a perfect day to fly. He wrinkled his human face again.

“Be-careful there Veledar! Keep wrinkling your face like that and it will get stuck like that!" Lyndis called out from beside them.

Veledar just turned to her and stuck his human tongue out. “Wrong Lyndis, my snout will go back to normal when I return to my gorgeous dragon form!" At least I hope it doesn't. He tried to not picture his snout stuck in a wrinkled human shape. He closed his eyes and shivered.

“It's always seems like something huh? I bet your disappointed you can't fly again." Arcturus said, as stinky two galloped over the grass, making Veledar bounce slightly in the saddle.

“Yes." Veledar hissed, “Trust me, I cannot wait to have my book back. Than I can fly far away from here!" He looked back up the sky, imagining himself flying up there through the clouds. The sun on his scales keeping him warm, the breeze on his face, and Arcturus cheering on his back. “When we are done with this book business I will fly for days. Just you watch, I have to make up for all this lost time."

“Well I can't argue with that!" Arcturus replied in good cheer, he turned his head slightly so Veledar could see the big grin plastered on his face. However than he watched the human's face darken as the smile vanished. “Although I imagine we will be on the run for the rest of our lives."

“Yes Arcturus, but my wings can carry us to places they will never find us."

Arcturus' turned back to face the incoming city without a word.

Well I hope that cheered him up. He hoped that when they got back into the air Arcturus would feel better. Of course he will feel better. He will have me there for him.

“There it is!" Lyndis shouted out, pointing to the large stone wall coming into focus.

Veledar thought back to what the peasants had told him before about the city. How he had dismissed their claims as just stories, or lies. He had found it impossible to imagine floating castles, and giant cities of mortal kind. Although with each hoof beat carrying them closer to the city, he found each statement had been true.

The stone walls in question were at least twenty feet tall, large grey slabs that seemed to grow from the very ground. Beyond these walls were numerous buildings with the occasional tower jutting out from them like a flagpole. Probably for the gryphons that call this place home. On top of the walls were numerous stations fitted with what looked like the same energy cannons that had lined the fort they had attacked.

Above the city floated two large fortresses, with large banners draping down from them. They were brown and had the symbol of a golden gryphon on them. These fortresses were covered in even more of the energy cannons that lined the walls, and were connected by what looked like thin wires to the city below. Probably so people can get up to the fortresses without having to call a gryphon.

In the sky above the city were numerous gryphons flying around doing whatever those kitty birds got up to in a typical day. He watched them fly for a moment, as his jealousy grew with each spin, each dive, and even each pounding of their wings against the air. With them were numerous ships of every size floating around the city. They looked like schools of giant fish swimming in the air. Veledar's eyes widened at this, he had not expected for them to have so many ships all in one place. Arcturus was not kidding when he mentioned this. Veledar counted at least fifteen large ships hovering, and countless little ones darting around in the air. If he had to guess, they were like the ones Lyndis had used in the forest. He tried to squint his eyes to see further, but sighed. Right human eyes are terrible. Veledar realized that he had his mouth open this entire time, when Arcturus closed it gently with his hand.

“I know it's a lot to take in Veledar. I wish I was seeing it through your eyes for the first time. For me it's all just so mundane now."

“Its not that spectacular." Veledar lied, as he folded his arms defensively. “hmmph" his eyes found their attention to a large line forming that lead to the large wooden gates of the city. It seemed to stretch on for at least a mile, a mile of nothing but carts, horses, travelers, and other various animals.

“Human, and still a poor liar" Arcturus laughed, as he led stinky two towards the end of the line of mortals.

Veledar looked up as suddenly the larger ships seemed to be heading out in all different directions. Leaving the airspace around the city looking rather empty without their presence.

“They must be heading out to go check on their forts you threatened." Arcturus pointed to the large ships as they sailed overhead. 'We will probably only have a few days to go in and get your book." Arcturus retracted his hand and continued with a scowl. “I hate to admit it, but I think we might have to give thanks to the Emerald Lady. Thanks to her help we will be having a much easier time of this."

“Don't remind me." Veledar closed his eyes, “I would very much like to forget my interactions with her."

“Yer not da only one!" Merlia shouted from atop Ulga, who was moving quickly with her little legs to keep pace.

How did she even hear this with those ears of hers? Was she part elf or something?

“Trust meh, ifn I see her again in tree years it'll be too soon!" Merlia's brow wrinkled as her eyes filled with annoyance. “She was wit out a doubt da worst I've met in me two hundred years o life."

“YOUR TWO HUNDRED?" Veledar gasped, his mouth opening again in astonishment. “How is it your older than me?" Veledar than placed a hand to his chin and smirked, “Oh I get it your having another laugh at me. Well played Merlia!"

“Not dis time lizard brain! I, Merlia am two hundred years young!" She placed hand to her chest like Veledar usually did when taking pride in what he said. “I was not kidding when I said yer all like babes to meh."

“Arcturus how is it you never asked for her age? I have a hard time believing this is the first time we have heard of this."

“It's impolite to ask a woman's age Veledar." the human replied, bidding stinky two to slow down for Ulga.

“Well why is that?" Veledar asked, tilting his head to the side. He had to blow his blond hair out of his eyes as it covered them. “It seems like another one of stupid traditions you mortals throw around."

“It's cause some are insecure about dere age Veledar!" Merlia laughed, “perhaps ya should learn dat while wearin ur disguise!

“Speaking of disguises." Veledar turned his attention to Lyndis, who had led her horse right beside them. “Lyndis, when should we stop to disguise Arcturus and yourself?" I imagine most people will recognize Bahamut's paladin here on sight."

“Figure before we get in that line there. The spell should last for awhile." Her eyes focused on the long line as Veledar saw her face scowl. “Well at least long enough for us to get inside it looks like."

“Well what about Asterion?" Veledar raised his hand to gesture to the minotaur with his thumb. He turned his head slightly to see that Asterion was just looking ahead and just as silent as ever.

“People here do not know me dragon, and the foes you faced never saw me. I will be beneath suspicion when we enter that city." the minotaur snorted.

Veledar rolled his eyes as he went back to complaining about the sky, the gryphons, and how being a human made his skin itch. “I don't even have a good claw to scratch myself!" he groaned.

“Guess you should get used to that Veledar." Arcturus laughed, “We are going to be here for awhile."

“Yay for me." Veledar replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

The group quickly closed the distance between themselves and the end of the line. They took their place within the ever growing line of mortals waiting to get into the great city. However they stayed a little bit behind so they could could cast their spells. Veledar held his nose as the smells of animals, excrement, and unwashed people were overwhelming, even to his human nose. He gagged into his shirt. Thank the gods my friends don't smell this bad, and I don't currently have the sense of smell as a dragon. He shuttered at the thought of getting a deeper smell of this horrible stench. To his irritation his friends let out a round of chuckles as he gagged again. All except Asterion of course. Oh very funny. He narrowed his eyes as he looked to each of their smiling laughing faces. I will find a way to get back at them. He smiled to himself. Yes I like the thought of that. HE gagged once more on the smell.

How he missed Lyyreth and Cordenth in this moment. Oh gods I miss Cordenth! At least they would understand his plight and not snicker at his gagging. Well maybe Cordenth, but he would be gagging with me. Veledar held his nose and breathed through his mouth. This seemed to solve the problem, and he could not smell anything.

They brought their horses to a stop as Lyndis brought hers over. Veledar watched her slowly, knowing she was just taking her time to annoy him. Or at least I think she is. She held out her hand and placed it softly on Arcturus' armored shoulder. Moments later Veledar watched the human's brown hair sprout several inches, and turn a dark shade of black. The stubble that adorned his face vanished, so he looked smooth and clean shaven.

“Thanks." Arcturus turned to Veledar. The dragon noted that his green eyes were now bright blue. “How do I look?" Arcturus smiled, “Not to bad is it?"

“I liked how you looked better." he saw his words make the human's face turn a shade of red, as he turned back towards Lyndis.

“Thanks again for the spell Lyndis, hopefully it will work."

“Of course it will work! That's why you brought me along wasn't it?" Lyndis laughed, playfully punching Arcturus in the shoulder.

“Have more faith in her Arcturus, Lyndis guaranteed it would work. I trust her expertise in the area of illusions." Veledar mimed casting a spell with his hands.

“Well thank you very much Veledar." Lyndis smiled, “I will remember that next time you deserve a good smack."

Veledar went to swish his tail in response. Oh right. He scowled, I don't have a tail. “I miss my tail!" He moaned loudly.

“I know." Arcturus said calmly, as he made the horse trot over to the line.

“and my claws!" he held up his human hands and turned them over. They were so squishy and pink, and small.

“I know."

“And my wings!"

“Veledar I get it!" Arcturus whispered back harshly. “We'll get this over with and you can go back to being your beautiful dragon form. Okay?"

“Well okay only if yo----" Veledar suddenly did a double take. “You just said I was beautiful."

“Did I now?" Arcturus looked away, the red shade returning to his face.

“I am certain you just did." Veledar grinned, “Don't be ashamed Arcturus, I am naturally beautiful as a dragon." Oh he most certainly liked the sound of that coming from the humans mouth. He grinned to himself. Beautiful he had said.

Arcturus said nothing as their horse came to a stop in line. The human dismounted swiftly, and gave a sigh when his boots touched the ground. “Well it's not going to be exciting, but we have to wait."

Veledar winkled his brow as he could not see the guards high on the wall like he most likely could've as a dragon. He groaned again as he could not even try to focus on hearing whatever it was they were talking about. Being a human is the worst! How does Arcturus do it? “How do you do ANYTHING?" Veledar suddenly exclaimed, throwing his hands up into the air. He looked around as several people backed away from him and shot him strange looks.

Arcturus just looked back at him, and held his hand against the bridge of his nose. “You might want to resist having outbursts like that. We are trying to not draw attention to ourselves remember?"

Veledar swung himself off of the horse, and landed on the ground with a thud. He felt his feet sting a bit, even through the boots. That didn't help at ALL! “Well it's easy for you to say Arcturus, you had to live with all these.......disadvantages." Veledar crossed his arms and pouted, “I feel blind, deaf, and lack the ability to smell. I don't know how you humans do it, its like your so …....HANDICAPPED!"

Lyndis chuckled at the last word as she walked on over, leading her horse by the reins. She was followed by Asterion and Merlia, who took their place beside them in line. “Well don't hold it against them Veledar, they all can't be dragons after all. Although they can't be elves, dwarves, or minotaur either.

“Well when you put it that way, what are humans even good for anyway?" He turned to face her, and cocked his head to the side.

“Multiplin" Merlia added with a smirk, “They pop up so fast it be hard ta keep up wit em. Ain't tat right Arcturus?"

“We can also be resourceful, intelligent, and have a drive to get things done." Arcturus crossed his arms. “Besides we get things done you longer lived races take ages to do."

“Oh is dat da best ya got?" Merlia chuckled before letting out a "HAH!"

Arcturus just looked away as everyone snickered with laughter.

Veledar sighed in relief as the line started moving. He found it comforting that he would be soon inside the gate and closer to his book. It would even mean a shorter amount of time he had to stay inside this body. He reached up and started scratching the back of his neck. Why are these clothes so itchy? He thought as he scratched like a man possessed. This distracted him enough to forget that he was in line, until thirty minutes had passed. He stood there in disbelief as the line was hardly moving.

Veledar leaned against stinky two, as the sun glared overhead. Where once it felt nice on his scales, it now felt terrible on his weak human skin. He looked back to the line, that was still moving at a snail pace, and let out a loud groan. “What are they even doing?" Veledar let out, trying to ignore that as a dragon he could have just flown over and checked it out. Instead he was forced to stand here as a human, in uncertainty.

“Well guards typically inspect visitors into Entis." Arcturus replied, taking a sip from his water-skin. He than held it out to Veledar, and shook it lightly. 'They are just probably being over zealous today." Arcturus leaned against the horse and closed his eyes, “Just relax Veledar, we will get in their eventually."

“Ya should see our process!" Merlia laughed, patting Ulga on her flank. “It be even longa den dis!"

“I preformed checks such as these while I was part of the army." Asterion spoke up finally. It had been so long since he had spoken, Veledar had thought he had become a mute. Thankfully that was not the case, a mute spell caster meant no spells. “I was thorough in my searches, much to people's irritation." Asterion than snorted, as his tail flicked to the right.

“How could they have found you annoying?" Veledar gasped, his words filled with sarcastic intent.

“It was meant for protection, not for tending to people's happiness."

“Anyone want some more bread?" Arcturus cheerfully exclaimed, as he pulled out some more bread from his pack. Surprisingly it had not been destroyed in the ride, and was still wrapped up. “I think we might be here for awhile."

“Yes I will provide some water as well. We do not want to cook in the sun." Asterion held out his hands, and did a circular motion with them. Water seemed to be pulled from the very air, before it snaked out and into his companions opened water-skins “There." Asterion rubbed his hands together, “Now we will not be thirsty."

Veledar begrudgingly took some of the bread Arcturus had offered, and bit into the bread hard. He decided to chew loudly so that others knew the extent of his irritation. Once again he borrowed Arcturus' water skin, and washed the bread down with a gulp.

“So have you thought on a name for the city Veledar?" Lyndis asked, putting a hand on her brow to block the sun's rays. “We can't very well call you that when we get closer to people, and Crimson Sky is out."

Of course he hadn't. Everything about being human sucked. “Do I have to have a name?" he wined.

“I am fine with just calling you human." Asterion said sternly with a grunt.

“Well of course YOU would minotaur!

“How about Pavel Dodsk?" Lyndis took another bite of bread, chewed and swallowed it.

“Pavel rolls of the tongue nicely, How about it?" Arcturus put his hand firmly on Veledar's shoulder.

Pavel. The name was weird, but all human names were weird. Veledar shrugged his shoulders, Well it was as good as any other name. “Only while we are around others." Veledar crossed his arms. “I will always be Veledar, or Crimson Sky."

Lyndis laughed, “How could we forget the great, and wonderful-."

“And handsome!" Arcturus interrupted to the dragon's enjoyment.

“Veledar." Lyndis finished.

“Jus focus on not turnin back. We don need da trouble here." Merlia pointed a thumb to the guards high up on the gate. They were simply standing there, no doubt vigilant for any signs of trouble.

Manticores bottom! He had forgotten about trying to focus on staying human! Although it probably was for the best. _ Now he was starting to worry. _Thanks Merlia!

He could picture it now, a puff of smoke as a chorus of “Oh my gods dragon!", and than crossbows shooting at him.

“Don't mind her." Lyndis said, snapping him out of his thoughts. “I know you won't let us down."

Veledar just gave her a smirk, “Well naturally Lyndis, I am a dragon after all." He put a hand to his chest, causing her to roll her eyes. He sighed once again as they returned to waiting. He turned his head to focus on the people that were all around them now. They were all busy talking about a myriad of things, like weather, Rothdell, the war, were the airships were heading, and something about a dragon. Veledar picked up his head to that one.

The one who had mentioned a dragon was an elven woman wearing simple brown traveling clothes and a leather traveling pack. On that pack was slung some rope and a water-skin. Her blonde hair was tied neatly behind her with beads in it, all different shades of brown. She was standing next to a female gryphon that was brown with yellow tipped wings.

“Should have seen the red dragon singing!" laughed the elf. 'It made me think differently about dragons. You hear tales about how terrible they are, but here is this one just singing away without a care in the world!" she lightly slapped her knee, “You should have seen him come into the bar. He trips in and smashes a table!"

The gathered people joined her in a laugh. “Thats some tall tale you have there!" a man laughed from the crowd.

“It was true!" Squawked the gryphon. “I met him, called himself Crimson Sky!"

Veledar smiled as he heard this. He was about to walk over and start up a conversation, but he found Arcturus was holding him back with a hand.

“Going to mingle with your adoring fans?"

“Would that be so wrong?" Veledar turned back to the elf and gryphon. She was holding her hands wide now as she went on, talking about how wonderful he had been singing. “Listen how they talk about me! My tale is already being told across your countryside!"

Arcturus looked passed Veledar towards the elf, than returning his eyes to Veledar. “If you want to go, that's fine. Just act casual. We don't want to give it away your a dragon and all."

“Your worry too much Arcturus, do you really think I would give it away that I was a dragon?"

Arcturus did not reply and simply gave him a smirk. He simply waited as silence hung in the air.

Veledar gave a snort as he crossed his arms, “Well what do you know anyway." Veledar turned and dismissed him with a wave of his hand, as he walked over. “So what was your favorite thing about this dragon?" Veledar casually made his way over to the elf.

“Mine was when tripped and broke the table." laughed the elf, as the threw her head back. “Never throught a dragon could be so clumsy!"

Veledar narrowed his eyes. Of course it was that they were remembering. Not how great he was, but how humorous he was.

“Well he did have a great singing voice." the gryphon added, “Wouldn't mind hearing it, and I typically find non gryphon singing irritating."

“Well about that..."Veledar started to say with a smile, only to find Arcturus and Lyndis dragging him away. “Hey!" he struggled, trying to pull himself free. However he found himself weaker in this form and could not break free. “Well I will see you in there!" Veledar shouted to the elf and gryphon. He was quickly placed once again next to stinky two.

“Literally like two minutes and you go to blow your disguise." Arcturus pinched his nose with his fingers.

“You don't know what I was going to say!" Veledar crossed his arms."Just cau-"

“I actually kind of did." laughed Arcturus, “I think I might have spent too much time with you."

“Too much or the right amount of time?" Veledar bumped Arcturus with one of his elbows. Once again Arcturus turned a light shade of red. He had no idea why this was, but when it happened Veledar felt a small tingle in his nerves. It was an almost faint feeling, buried deep down within his body. He tried to focus and pinpoint what exactly it felt like, it certainly felt familiar to him. Wait. Was this feeling joy? His gaze met Arcturus' for the moment, causing the human to look away.

“Come on, the line is moving again." Arcturus motioned Veledar to keep moving with a wave of his hand.

The once dragon sighed as the horses moved once again, than instantly stopped almost instantly after. “Are you kidding me!" He groaned loudly, as he ran his hands through his hair. He breathed in heavily as he lowered his head, eliciting another collection of laughter from his companions.

“Well Veledar, I'm glad yer a source o entertainment. Oterwise I'd be bored as well." laughed Merlia deeply, as she held her stomach.

Veledar just continued to groan as they stood in the line for over an hour more. He complained the enter time, causing Lyndis to comfort him. How he wanted to be back to being a dragon right now, ever single moment now as a human was torture. Thankfully when he looked up from Lyndis' latest round of telling him it was going to be ok, he spotted where the guards were doing their inspections. There were four guards in total between the large gates to the city. There were two humans, an elf, and a dwarf. The guards were all dressed in a combination of leathers and chain-mail. Over this they wore brown tabards with golden gryphons stitched into the fabric.

The guards were currently looking through a large impractical cart. It was large, had a roof, and was made of sturdy looking wood. The red surface of the wood looked pristine, along with the golden trimmings that covered the thing. “Well Mr. Smallbags it looks like everything here is in order!" shouted out one of the human guards, as he wandered to the front of the cart. Veledar figured the man driving the thing was sitting there, waiting just as impatiently as he was. However as the guard turned and had wandered he spotted the man's eyes were glowing a bright blue.

“They are detecting magic!" Lyndis gasped in a whisper.

Veledar turned back to his friends to spot that Arcturus was wisely not wearing his tabard. Although it made the human look a tad awkward as it left his groin completely uncovered, and the leg armor just drew attention to it.

“Well that certainly is new." Arcturus turned to Lyndis, holding a hand to his chin. “They did not do this when I was the guard captain. They must be trying to stop a plan like this from working."

“Wait does that mean they will be able to see me?" Veledar felt his anxiety rising, as the guards moved onto the next batch of mortals in line.

“Well no, its not like the spell gives them the ability to see through the disguise." Lyndis gestured to the guards with glowing blue eyes. “ It will simply tell them there is a magical spell afoot, and tell them what school it belongs to. For instance an illusion spell....or shape-shifting."

“Well should we look for a better away in?" Veledar pictured the guards already shouting for more, and cannon fire piercing his glorious red scaled hide. It would ruin his entire plan. All of this time, all the hardship, all the gods damn walking, would be for nothing. Veledar twitched slightly as he realized the next few minutes could collapse the entirety of his quest.

“Just focus." Asterion snorted from behind. Veledar pictured his tail swaying as he did this. “No sense in worrying about it. If it fails we try something else."

Thats easy for you to say minotaur. You have not been with us that long.

“Ok I got a plan." Lyndis clapped her hands together suddenly, than turned to point at the minotaur. “Okay Asterion, you use dispel magic. That should turn off their detection spell they have going. Than I can try a good ol' charm person on one of them. Than finally our good paladin here can talk our way through this checkpoint." She gave a quick thumbs up, “We get in without a hitch, and they are none the wiser!"

“Sounds like a good plan." Arcturus grinned, “Nice thinking there Lyndis." Arcturus' eyes focused on the guards. Veledar could almost see him imagining the plan in his mind, carefully planning the next few minutes in his head.

“No problem Arcturus, I know you could cast dispel magic as well. However I figured we spread the spell usage around, and give everyone something to do."

Wait she did not include everyone in her plan.....

“Dats not everyone lass!" Merlia said, before Veledar could mention that fact.

“Wat do da baby and I do? Stand ere an look pretty?"

“We both know I would be better at that then you Merlia." Veledar gave the dwarf a grin.

“Well I suppose yer savin our strength for somethin better!" she pulled out her water-skin and took a swig from it.

Veledar sighed in relief as the line once again resumed moving towards the guards. To his enjoyment there were no sudden stops this time, to cause him to start pulling his human hair out. When they got within thirty feet of the guards that's when his friends sprung their plan into action. He tried to pay it no mind that he was practically useless here. This is what I brought them along for. He reminded himself, as he crossed his arms yet again.

“Vostavek lu" Asterion snorted, clasping his hands tightly together like he was squeezing a lemon. There was no wave, or outward effect to signal that he had done anything at all. In-fact Veledar was convinced nothing had happened at all until he looked at the guards. There eyes were no longer glowing blue.

Arcturus and Lyndis than walked over towards the closes guard, a human male. He saw Lyndis discreetly flick her left wrist as she walked, thankfully the guard did not seem to see her hand movement. There was a brief purple light that flashed in the man's eyes before he looked to his companions with a smile.

“Good day friends!" the guard said, his voice full of cheer. “What brings you to our fair city of Entis today?"

“We have business in the city my friend." Arcturus said politely. “People to catch up with, things to see. You know it is of course." he held up his right hand and twirled it gently.

“Oh of course I do, now would your group submit to a magical detection spell? Were doing it to make sure no unsafe magical items make it into our wonderful city. We also want to make sure there are no disguises, shapeshifters, and other nefarious things. You can't be too careful you know!" Veledar looked passed that guard to the others, who had apparently started taking to one another, and he heard the phrase “the eyes" mentioned at least once loudly.

_ Well that did not take them long to figure out the spell wasn't working._

“Well if we could get in there as quickly as possible I would be most grateful. Our friends just can't wait to see us you understand." Arcturus sighed and crossed his arms, “You see we are in quite the rush, is there nothing else you can do to expedite this process?"

The guard turned his head to look at small brown hut built it seemed into the gate. It was rather small, and could by the looks of it hardly contain six people within. There would practically be hardly any arm room in there.

“Well I can have you meet our wizard stationed here. He is kind of......odd, but he can cast the spell on you. Once we get the okay from him, we can let you into the city no trouble." the guard sighed, “I wish I could do more for your friend, but I don't want my superior to get upset with me. We just cant go bending the rules for people, even our best friends!"

“If that's the best you have, than I guess that is what we will have to do." Arcturus replied, without skipping a beat. Arcturus turned back towards the others and motioned with a hand for them to follow.

Veledar walked over slowly towards his friend. How could this be the best they could do? Surely the wizard would be able to see through the illusion? He tensed his muscles. If there was going to be a fight coming he was certainly going to be ready. He wondered if he could fly in quickly, and avoid the guards by shape-shifting back to human. Than he remembered that if he raised the alarm about a dragon they would most likely move his book or increase the amount of protection it no doubt had. Veledar narrowed his eyes. He would have to go along with this little detour, and hope that his friends could see him through. He breathed in deeply, and let out a drawn out sigh. It did not help that he felt completely superfluous right now.

“I hope dey tink of sometin fast." Merlia whispered from his right. “Ifn dat wizard is able ta sniff us out we gotta whole kobold nest of problems.

Veledar raised an eyebrow. How could a kobold nest be a problem? They were little lizard people that lived in large underground tribes. He had read tales were they practically worshiped the ground dragons stepped on. How that could possibly be a problem alluded him. “How is bunch of dragon worshiping kobolds a problem?"

“A course ya wouldn't get da connection. Ya see cause dem damn kobolds spread so fast. Ifn ya don set some groun rules dey overflow an area." Merlia mimed with her hands if she were snatching invisible cups.

The guard leading them to the small shack, waved over another one to follow him. The stern faced elf that had been inspecting the large cart, swiftly joined his fellow guard. It seemed that Lyndis and Arcturus were talking to the two guards about something, as both let out loud bits of laughter. The elf even slapped his knee. I bet it was a lewd joke. Veledar narrowed his eyes, wishing he could have heard it and shared in on the laugh.

“Dun worry I gots a plan." Merlia grinned with her teeth on full display. “Ifn that wizard goes ta try anytin." She pointed to Asterion. “We make sure he don get a word out."

“I have a spell called silence. That is for just for times like this." Asterion's gaze fell onto the hut, and his brown eyes seemed to be filled with anticipation as he let out a snort. The bull then lightly pounded his chest twice, the first time lightly, than the second time rough enough to let out a slap.

Probably some sort of battle ritual. Veledar rolled his eyes. Although if the bull could silence the wizard, they might be able to get through this without an alarm being raised. Veledar grinned as he felt a swell of hope fill his chest. Yes we will get through this, just like always.

“Well remember, the wizard here is rather......odd." The human guard said, as his hand rested on the doorknob of the small shack. Veledar could see on the wooden walls that it had the same cracks as every magically constructed building he had seen.

“You keep saying odd, but whatever does that mean exactly?" Arcturus asked, as he raised his hand and lightly flipped it over.

“It's hard to explain. It's best to just witness it." The guard opened the magically created door wide.

Veledar than remembered this was his first time every seeing a wizard. He was probably all regal and proud. Very dragon like in the regard, or that is how stories often portrayed them as. He imagined a bright blue hat that was pointed at the top and had yellow moons stitched into the fabric. That's what wizard wore right? He imagined the long flowing blue robes that he must have, going all the way down to the floor, leaving you only able to see his purple curled slippers. He would have a caring face with some of the goggle things humans wore on their faces. He would have a large white beard that went all the way down to his feet. How that would help him Veledar did not know, but that is what he pictured. He had to resist putting his hands together as his anxiety turned into anticipation. I am going to meet a wizard!

Reality however was much different than the dragon had thought. What he got in front of him was nothing short of a disappointment. The small room before them was bathed in the sunlight streaming in through the three windows that were on the walls, and the opened door. It was a cluttered mess of papers and books that were scattered all over the floor. The guards that led them in had to tip toe to free spaces on the wooden floor to avoid all the clutter. Despite what they had said about the wizard, they did seemed concerned to not disturb his things.

Instead of long flowing elegant robes of the wizard of his imagination, the individual wore a dull brown robe that seemed to be made out of the same material that human's kept their potatoes in. Instead of a pointed wizard hat with all the moons, he had a hood that was apart of the robes covering his head. Now this appearance might have been saved perhaps by a meaningful question, a smart comment, or genuine curiosity from the wizard in question. However to Veledar's growing disappointment he was face down on a brown wooden desk, and snoring quite loudly.

Atop the man were two cats that were curled up in little balls of fur on his sleeping back. Their fur was white, with patches of black that seemed to be in the shape of a skull. They had their eyes closed, as their little chests rose in fell in tandem with the wizards own.

“Wizard........what was his name again?" The elf guard asked to the human one.

“Florimel Thanac-Jhar I believe." replied the human, as he fidgeted nervously in place.

Veledar did not know why the men were nervous. Perhaps the wizard was actually powerful? Although the longer he stared at the man's sleeping form he figured the wizard could probably not cast much. He was probably a hedge mage or something.

Lyndis gave a little gasp in surprise when his name was spoke by the guard.

Perhaps there was something of interest about him after all.

“Florimel sir!" yelled the human guard that took his place beside the sleeping wizard. The man waited for a whole minute in awkward silence, as he waited for a reply. The wizard just let out a much louder snore than before, but still remained very much asleep. One of the cats however did stir, it gave a great big yawn showing off it's little teeth. “Florimel!" the guard shouted again, although this time he also grabbed thick leather book and slammed it loudly on the table. The two cats let out a yelp and bounded off of the wizard back.

The wizard suddenly bolted up in his chair, but still had the hood covering the upper portion of his face. “HELLO?" he shouted out, “IS ANYONE THERE? AND WHY IS IT SO DARK?"

“You have your hood on sir." the guard said, sounding very tired.

_ Perhaps he has to do this more than I thought._ Veledar put a hand to his chin, If he was dragon like he at least got the sleeping part right. Or perhaps wizards need extra amount of sleep to fuel their powers?

“Of course, how silly of me!" Florimel replied, pulling his hood off to reveal the brown bearded face of a half-elven male. He had a large smile that was almost devoured it seemed by the beard on his face, and had the same color brown eyes that were filled with kindness. Florimel looked to all of them, before his gaze fell onto Lyndis. His eyes widened just for a moment as he spread his arms wide our. “PRINCESS!" he shouted out loudly.

That seemed to the trigger word as things happened in the blink of an eye. Asterion muttered “Nahlot", and the room suddenly lost all sound within. Asterion seemed to give a snort as he rushed the human guard, and shoved him roughly with his elbow. The man hit the wall with a pained expression on his face, as it looked like he let out a yell of pain. However with the silence field on it just looked like he opened his mouth really wide. The bull was not finished however as he slightly moved his head back and head butted the man. The human's head hit the wall behind him, and he slumped limply within the minotaur's grasp. Although there did not seem to be blood from this, the bull possibly just knocked him unconscious.

The other guard was not quite so lucky as the first one. The elf had fallen onto the ground clutching his groin. He was rolling back and forth, scattering books and loose paperwork all over the floor. Merlia stood over him with a fist out, looking mighty pleased with herself. The elves face had gone all red, as a small vein seemed to be popping out of his head. Veledar was glad in this moment his genitalia was hidden by a slit, and no so easily kicked, punched, or abused. Although I am human now. Veledar frowned as he felt pity for the man.

Florimel stood their, his eyes full of confusion as he looked once to the guard held by Asterion, and the one continuing to squirm on the floor. He looked to be trying to talk, than wrinkled his face as he realized nothing was coming out of his mouth.

Lyndis waved to Asterion to get his attention. She raised a hand to point to Florimel, and than mimed for Asterion to turn off the silence spell. She did this by gesturing with her hands she wanted to talk.

Asterion snapped his fingers, and Veledar heard the sound return to the room. This was heralded by the sound of the elf giving pained grunts.

“Did you have to hit the man in the bloody balls?" Lyndis gestured to the man who seemed to have been turned into a worm, by the way he was wiggling about. “That may have been a bit uncalled for."

“Wat? I missed lass, besides it seemed ta do da trick!" Merlia replied, resting her fist at her side.

“Well she is certainly right of course..." Florimel began to say, than turned his head towards the floor. “NO CARRIC SHE WILL NOT HELP YOU CATCH MICE!"

“Uh Lyndis..do you know this man?" Arcturus raised an eyebrow and pointed to the wizard who was still yelling at the floor.

“Why of course she knows me!" Florimel shoved books off of the table. They collapsed onto the floor with a series of dull thuds. “I taught her to cast spells of course! Florimel than once again turned his attention towards the floor. “NO YOU DID NOT HELP HER HARRIC. YOU WERE NOT EVEN WITH ME AT THE TIME." The wizard than walked over to give Lyndis a great big hug.

Lyndis returned the hug as Veledar saw her grip Florimel's robes tightly in her hands. “Why are you even here?" she asked, as the guard on the ground let out another loud groan.

“Sorry about dis lad, really I am." Merlia said, before striking the man on the head. Knocking him out in no time at all.

“Its a long story......I think it involves your mother ordering me up here........to keep an eye on things." Florimel stepped a way for a moment to stroke his beard. “Yes...yes that was it. Although their no good king here puts me out here to inspect visitors!"

“Perhaps it is because your not that good of a wizard?" Veledar asked, crossing his arms, and gestured with a hand to the state of Florimel's robes.

“All a ruse I assure you! Do you think their king would trust a well learned wizard as myself flaunting my abilities willy nilly?"

“Yes?"

“No, he would think me some sort of spy!" Florimel turned his head slightly, and Veledar could see he was looking to one of the cats. “SHUSH HARRIC I KNOW HE'D BE RIGHT!"

“Who is this Harric and Carric you keep mentioning?" Arcturus' voice dripped with confusion as the human cocked his head to the side, just like Veledar usually did.

_ Perhaps I am turning him into a dragon_. Veledar chuckled, just thankful that the human had asked it and he did not have to.

“They are some of the most annoying beings in......" Florimel turned once again to one of his cats. It looked at him with large eyes, as it swayed it's little black and white tail back and forth playfully. Florimel rolled his eyes as he looked to the cat with kindness, “YES CARRIC I KNOW YOU ARE LOVABLE AT TIMES." The cat Veledar figured was named Carric just sat there before starting to lick one of it's paws.

“Harric and Carric are your cats?" Arcturus placed crossed his arms, as disbelief ran rampant in his voice.

Florimel picked up the two cats in question and held them up next to his head.

“And they talk to you?"

“You can't hear them?" Florimel looked to the car in his left arm. “No I don't think he looks like the dead Arcturus, why would you say that Harric?" Florimel looked up at Arcturus and rolled his eyes, “Don't mind Harric, he has no idea what he is talking about most of the time." Florimel than snapped his gaze back to Lyndis. “Princess!" he smiled again, “You simply must meet Harric and Carric! They have been dying to see you!"

Lyndis was handed the cats one by one, as they relaxed within her arms. The one called Harric began to purr loudly, as he rubbed his face against her chest.

“So what brings you to Entis? NO CARRIC I AM SURE SHE IS NOT HERE TO PURCHASE SOME NEW SHAMPOO....OR HELP YOU CHASE RATS!"

Veledar watched the curious wizard start to fidget as Lyndis just stood there, with a look of confusion on her face. How this wizard had managed to teach anyone anything was a shock to him. He turned his attention to the two cat's as Lyndis still just stood their in a daze. The cats intrigued him, especially as it seemed they or at least Florimel could see past Arcturus' disguise. He looked down to his well built chest and wondered if he could see through his own shape-shift. He looked up and his eyes met the little cat Harric's. The cats brown eyes just stared at him, unblinking as if the cat were looking right through him. He narrowed his eyes to return the stare as he was filled with uneasiness. Well it certainly looks like the cat knows something. He thought before quickly dismissing it with a shake of his face. Nonsense, I am letting the wizard get to me. He laughed internally. Imagine a cat that can see through illusions.

“Well we are here to get a book back from the dearest king." Lyndis finally managed to say as she crouched, and placed Harric and Carric on the ground. The cats just looked up at her and each gave her a soft meow, before starting to rub up against her legs. “Nothing about shampoo I'm afraid Harric."

“Well sadly princess I am stuck here on guard duty as it were. HOWEVER! I can let you through the mounds of paperwork." He dug through the stacks upon stacks of paper, before snatching a manila parchment with a golden stamp on it , and thrusting it into Lyndis' hand with a smile. “That should let the other guards outside know you got my approval!"

Lyndis nodded, as she folded up the paper till it could fit within her palm. “Have you heard from my parents Florimel?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

“None, I am afraid." Florimel just waved his hand around in a circle, “I just imagined they were too busy to send a sending spell." Florimel sat down once more behind his desk, slumping back into the wooden chair. “I admit I have lost part of myself here dear, but you needent worry! Your mother and father are sure......I'm sure of it!"

“I heard they signed a non aggression pack with Lumara, and that they were acting very strange soon after."

“Wait, that cant be right!" Florimel stroked his right hand slowly through his beard, stopping only to curl one of it's hairs with a finger. “Who told you this?"

“Gerald, of the pegasus knights."

“Florimel breathed in deeply, than wiped his forehead with his left hand. Flinging away the sweat that had condensed on his brow. The wizard than turned to him, and Veledar saw confusion fill his eyes. “Now princess, why are you here again?" the wizard raised an eyebrow.

“She just told you!" Veledar said loudly in irritation. He gave out a snort. It was like this man was deliberately wasting their time. He wished he had a tail now to thrash around, or teeth to bare. Instead he just crossed his arms and scowled. If there were a joke or game being played here it was lost on him.

“Seriously my dear, why are you here. Also WHY IS THIS HANDOME SHAPECHANGED MAN YELLING AT ME?" Florimel stood up once again, and backed slowly towards the back wall. His eyes scanned Veledar up and down, and the dragon saw the color drain from his face. “NO HARRIC THAT WAS NOT NICE OF HIM TO YELL." Florimel turned to the other with a slight tilt of his head, “I'D PUT A SOCK IN IT CARRIC, YOU'VE MADE HIM MAD YOU KNOW."

Veledar held up one his fingers and pointed it at Florimel harshly. “Listen here y-"

“So how did you know he was shape-changed?" Lyndis interrupted suddenly, and placing her palm over Veledar's mouth.

The dragon shut his mouth and decided to glare daggers at Florimel instead.

“Please dear, you can almost taste it in the very air around us. If I had to guess...." Florimel once again put a hand on his beard as his eyes scanned Veledar from head to boot. “That your friend here is quite new at it."

How in the world? Veledar shook his head. “We are here to get my book back wizard. You gave Lyndis here a way for us to get inside the walls." he gestured to Lyndis, and tried to keep his voice from boiling over with irritation. “She mentioned that Drenedar signed a non aggression pact with Lumara......." Veledar tapped his foot as he placed a finger to his brow. “Ah yea, that her parents were also acting strangely!" Veledar finished that by slamming one of his fists on the table. It rattled, as several books fell over. Perhaps I had done that a tad more aggressive than I thought. Although it would perfectly understandable if someone such as myself were stuck as a human all day, with the horrible horses!

“Crimson Sky." Arcturus was the first to speak up softly, as the room was filled with an uneasy silence.

Veledar quickly turned his attention to the human, who was now standing to his left. “What is it Arcturus? Is this man playing with us?"

“AM I?" Florimel asked suddenly, holding up one of his fingers. “My mind hasn't been what it used to..well before the accident anyway. NO HARRIC IT WAS NOT THE ACCIDENT WERE I FELL INTO A GIANT PIE!"

“Ya fell inta giant pie?" Merlia gasped, “How in bonnie blazes did ya do dat?"

“Well my dear it was actually a fine bit of spellmansh-"

“Florimel!" Lyndis grabbed him by the shoulders, “What kind of accident did you have?"

“Oh right the accident...the not pie accident..."

Veledar felt his irritation start to simmer slightly. Perhaps the human was not playing with them after all. Veledar let out a large breath, as he slumped his shoulders.

Lyndis guided the wizard to his chair, as he slumped down into it once again.

Florimel took a breath and looked to all of them quietly, than he looked down to Harric and Carric. Who were not batting a piece of paper across the floor. “WELL AFTER THE MANA CRYSTAL EXPLODED OF COURSE!" Florimel suddenly yelled, standing up once again and holding his finger high towards the ceiling.

“It bloody exploded?" Lyndis gasped, almost covering her mouth with her hands, “Why on this earth did it do that?"

“Well I was experimenting on it my dear!" Florimel clasped his hands together tightly. “I was trying to unlock their secrets princess! How to make them was my first goal, it seems to be a tightly guarded secret!"

Well that certainly did not occur to me. Veledar turned his sight to Arcturus' energy crossbow. He had seen what the mana crystals could do for weapons, magical constructs, and even their flying ships. He just never imagined the mortals made them, he always figured they had looted them from some ancient ruin or something.

“They are still making them?" Lyndis turned her head slightly. Veledar quickly looked to everyone else, seeing that they too had expressions of disbelief.

_ It seems everyone thinking like a dragon now. Good._

“Well of course they are Lyndis!" Florimel gestured to outside the window, and out to the city. “That's how Lumara powers all it's defenses!" He quickly turned around, casing his robe to scatter some papers on the ground. “I imagine they are powerful ancient dragon magic...but alas........" the wizard than trailed off as if he were trying to remember something just beyond his grasp.

“PRINCESS!" Florimel shouted as he turned his head to Lyndis. He snatched her tightly and gave her yet another tight hug. “When did you get here? I did not even see you come in!" Florimel's face than soured as his eyes fell onto the two unconscious men. “And why are their unconscious men in my hut.......Again? NO HARRIC I DO NOT CARE IF THEY LOOKED LIKE GIANT MICE, YOU DO NOT KNOCK PEOPLE UNCONCIOUS!"

Veledar stood in silence, as Lyndis once again explained their situation to the wizard. However when she did it her voice would catch on certain words, and Veledar could feel the sadness within them. With every passing moment as the wizard stood their listening, Veledar wondered if he would 'reset.' This time however Lyndis did not mention the mana crystals. “Thank you Florimel." was all she said, as she gave the wizard another hug.

“So before we go, can ya do sometin about dese guards?" Merlia gestured to the two men, who looked to be sleeping among a blanket papers covering them. “I don tink we need dem tellin a story bout us here."

“Think nothing of it dwarf!" Florimel kneeled beside the man Asterion had smashed into the wall. “I think a small memory charm should do the trick!" Florimel pressed his index finger his forehead. “My minds as tight as a trap you know."

Veledar eyes filled with pity as he followed Florimel, as he went to the first man and kneeled beside him. The wizard waved his hand lightly, as a small pink mist flew from his hand and surrounded the man. With the man's next breath the pink magic was sucked into his lungs. The unconscious guard seemed to give a sigh of relief, as a smile came to his face. Florimel then moved onto the next one, and preformed the same motion. He felt his pity grow as he realized that Florimel must have been powerful before the accident. To cast a spell without a key phase took a great amount of knowledge and practice. It was such a hard thing that Veledar read not a lot of people could do it. It was a shame his mind had been broken by the crystal's explosion. He would have made an excellent addition to my party.

“There!" Florimel finished, and stood up. “NO HARRIC I DID NOT MAKE THEM THINK THEY WERE MICE!" He than turned towards the cat named Carric, “YOU STAY OUT OF THIS CARRIC. I DO NOT CARE IF IT IS TWO AGAINST ONE."

Carric just sat down looking to Florsheim with two big innocent cat eyes. With a swish of his tail he gave out a cute little meow.

Florimel dismissively waved a hand to Carric. “Anyway, they are going to wake up thinking they slipped on my books scattered around the place and hit their heads......or did I make them think they ate too much pie....." Florimel brought his hand to his face, and drummed his fingers against his chin.

“Well regardless of what they end up thinking. Thank you friend!" Lyndis smiled, giving Florimel yet another hug.

_ Perhaps wizards gain more power through hugs?_ Veledar chuckled to himself. Now if only he could convince Arcturus that giving him hugs would make him more powerful. Perhaps he could have the paladin start rubbing his snout.....than make him go lower..... Veledar shook his head, returning his attention to his friends. He could think those thoughts later.

“Well I wish you the best of luck princess, in whatever you are getting up to!" Florimel started to guide them out of his hut, with waves of his hands. “Now best luck to all of you, make sure the princess does not throw any wild parties. Her mother hated that you know.

Veledar had taken his last step out of the hut when Florimel spoke once again.

“And tell your dragon friend his disguise is absolute rubbish!"

“Rubbish?" Veledar went to stop and turn around but found Arcturus had grabbed him by the arm. “Arcturus no, I want to see how he knew!" he started to struggle as the human dragged him away from the hut. “How did he do it?' Was it simply a lucky guess?

“Come on, lets go gather the stinky two and the other mounts." Arcturus laughed, clearly ignoring the dragon's pleas.

“Unhand me Arcturus, or so help me I will make you pay!" Veledar tried to struggle again but found Arcturus was much stronger than him....again.

“Well tink about it dis way!' Merlia suddenly shouted, drawing his attention away from the strong paladin dragging him away. “We can finally git inside and outta dat dere line!" Merlia cracked her back, letting each vertebrae let out a small clack.

“Well I suppose that is the ONE good bit of news I have gotten all day." Veledar frowned, as Arcturus let him go and grabbed stinky two by the reins.

“Well the other good news is we are not yet dead." Asterion snorted, as he walked by dragging his horse along.

“Well are you not a ray of sunshine Asterion? What next should we be thankful that the ground has not opened up beneath us?" Veledar fell in tandem with Arcturus' footsteps as they passed under the great gate. He moved slightly closer to the human as they made their way further inside. This was mortal territory after all, and he could practically feel how close his book was. He closed his eyes and pictured holding the brightly colored pages in his claws, the different dragons painted inside of it. He saw himself turning the pages, littered in draconic with tales of old. He imagined how old the pages had felt in his claws. He chuckled, perhaps he would read them to Arcturus. No even better! I will teach him draconic! He grinned to himself as he imagined himself curled around the human as they read books with or to each other, he cared not which it was. Oh yes I like the idea of that.

He opened his eyes as the feeling intensified with each boot step on the ground. It felt like there was an itch underneath his skin that he could not scratch. He glared at his skin, as he furiously scratched his skin with his nail claw things. He let out a hiss as he scratched his skin raw. He focused his attention back skyward, trying to ignore the itching sensation returning.

He was looking to the large fortresses that hovered over the large city. Veledar saw they were bristling with many energy cannons, all jutting out like little spines of a cactus from the desert. He tried to not picture them all firing, the destruction those things could wreck on anything. He wondered just how much strength it would take to conquer this city. It would surely take probably the largest army he had ever seen. Although he had to admit he had not seen too many armies. He felt doubt fill him once again, at the sheer magnitude of what these mortals had constructed. He sighed and looked back to his friends. If they had any doubts he could not see it in their eyes. Lyndis seemed to be unimpressed Only Merlia seemed to be impressed.

“Well would ya look at dat!" she pointed to the fortresses. “I could see im from far away, but bonnie blazes! Dey are beautiful up close arnt dey?!"

“Beautiful, if they are not firing at you." Veledar grumbled, as he rubbed his chest lightly. He could almost feel the sting of the one that had grazed him, it had felt like one thousand daggers being plunged into the spot all at once. He shook his head lightly, thankful that he had just managed to deflect the construct's cannon with a shield spell.

“Even so dere Veledar, I'm sure someone tinks yer yer pretty when yer blowin your fire, or baring your sharp teeth."

Well he had to give her that one. He certainly was handsome whenever he did anything. Veledar quickly snuck a look at Arcturus, who seemed preoccupied with leading them to hear what the dwarf had said.

Thankfully the trip through this section of the city dedicated to the main gate did not last long. They had mounted up once again after they had shown a group of guards the paperwork Florimel had given them. The horses quickly covered the large open space of cobblestone street, their hooves clattering loudly. Veledar looked to see the faces of numerous people that were walking along this section. They had looks of relief on them, with many smiles. They must just be glad to get out of that damned line. Hells they might be trying to get as far as physically possible.

“So what is the plan now?" Lyndis asked, as her horse pulled up beside their own. Veledar had of course decided to call that one smelly two.

Veledar was about to open his mouth by Arcturus beat him to the punch. He tried to be mentally proud of his human for having a new plan so quick.

“Well we need to lay low until we can find a way in the castle I figure. We can't stay out here all day after all.

“Why not just turn invisible and wander on in?" Veledar spoke up, “It seems like something terribly easy to do and the least amount of mess."

“The ways into the castle are guarded with spells to disable magic when you cross it. The spell would have to be pretty powerful to ignore those wards."

“Well why don't we just fl-"

“We can't just fly in Veledar." Arcturus interrupted to his slight annoyance. The other part of him was once again impressed the number of times he and Arcturus were thinking the exact same thing.

Perhaps he is becoming a dragon. Veledar chuckled at the idea and pictured the mental image of the white dragon Arcturus had suggested.

“There are cannons lining the walls of the place, and you know how much they sting." Arcturus gestured to his chest with his pointer finger, making Veledar wince.

“Well how do you suggest we get in than Arcturus?" Veledar crossed his arms and pouted, “I do not believe for a moment your people built an impenetrable defense."

“I would have to think on it. I do not know every nook and cranny of the castle after all."

“You said you knew the layout!" Veledar exclaimed, “Thats why I recruited you!"

“I said I was familiar with the layout.....also you kidnapped me!" Arcturus laughed slightly, “although that did turn out to be more pleasant than I imagined."

“Details, details." Veledar hissed, scrunching his face up once again.

“So where did you have in mind for us to 'lay low.'" Lyndis asked, using her fingers to quote the last part.

“Perhaps your house?" Veledar returned his gaze to the human. “You do live here after all, and no one would be in your house of course...."

“Yea that's not a great idea, suddenly having a bunch of strangers going into an abandoned house. That will certainly draw the wrong kind of attention, attention we don't want."

“Why not stay at one of the inns than? There must be gryphon sized inns in this place." Veledar held out his arms to gesture to all the buildings around them. He than pointed a group of three gryphons flying overhead at that moment. “You have kitty birds everywhere!"

“Well that might work." Arcturus placed his hand to his chin, “hmmm. Although if anyone sees you as a dragon we're in trouble. However if I recall all the gryphon inns in Entis are off the ground, you need wings to get to them!" Arcturus sighed as his shoulders raised and lowered, “Well scratch that plan then."

“Than what do you suggest, we sleep in an alley?" Veledar hissed in irritation, folding his arms and looking away from the human.

“No you don't want to sleep in an alley, so many prying eyes there." Lyndis muttered casually, as she had smelly two avoid a pot hole.

“Well than suggest a place!" Veledar threw his hands up into the air, “You make it sound this place does not exist!"

“Well....I may have a person in mind who could help." Arcturus shrugged, “I don't think she would mind seeing Veledar in his true form if he had an.....accident."

“You make it sound like he is going to wet the bed!" Lyndis held up her hand to stifle a laugh as Veledar narrowed his eyes and glared at her. “Ok, ok. Who is this fantasy person your talking about?"

“Very funny Lyndis, but a lot of people want to see me."

“Yea like dat guard, dat guard, dat guard, dere king, Garroth...." Merlia started rattling off each one with her fingers.

“"Matilda of course!" Arcturus said, drawing the dragon's attention once again. “She is an inventor friend of mine."

“Ooooooo." Merlia cave a happy croon. “I'd love ta meet da lass. I always love me some inventin!"

“Well you will certainly get your fill of that. She was always making some sort of knick knack when I went in." He than knocked his armor twice, “She even made this suit of armor for me.

“Arcturus is this the woman you said would be thrilled to see me? I remember you saying something about a halfling woman or something." Veledar tilted his head to the side, a habit he seemed unable to break.

“Gnome woman." Arcturus corrected, holding up his finger.

“Ok, so gnome woman. Is she the one?" he asked, the joy rising in his chest.

“Yes it is Veledar, getting excited already?" the human laughed.

Its true he was already getting excited, it was not every day that people wanted to see him. Present company except of course from that. “Oh Arcturus it is always nice to meet people who adore me." he smiled, showing off his white teeth. Although he hated the idea his teeth were rounded now and did not give off the same dragonish charm they once had.

The human trolled his eyes, “Well yes, although you might want to ease up on that dragon charm.....er....charm of yours."

“Why do you think I may be a tad too much for the little gnome woman? That she wont measure up the the task?" he raised an eyebrow with a smile. Good one Veledar.

“Oh so your a comedian now?"

“Of course now Arcturus, although by the way you describe her I have no doubt she can handle my charm." Veledar narrowed his eyes as Merlia and Lyndis burst out snickering. He turned his head to them, “Whats so damn funny you two?"

“Yer can say wit a strait face ye have charm!" Merlia gasped, “Ya got as much charm as me left foot!"

“Says you." He stuck his tongue out at the dwarf. “I must have some sort of charm, the rest of you seem to put up with me quite well."

“well......."Merlia stumbled with her words for a moment, staring to talk only to stop once again, than she let out a sigh. “Fine, I hand it to ya, yer makin tings enjoyable. Ya happy?!"

Veledar just gave her a smirk. “Yes actually, now was that so difficult to say?"

“Jus take da compliment!" without another word she returned her eyes to the street they were currently trotting down.

“Best to not let him get to you. Dragons like to do that." Asterion said suddenly, and calmly from behind. It made Veledar jump a little in surprise.

“I know day do, but eees good at it!" Merlia responded, making Veledar smile once again in satisfaction.

Veledar scanned the most recent street that Arcturus had guided the horse down. It appeared to have led to some sort of market thingy?...market hovel?.....market nest?......nono no... Veledar gently smacked his own forehead with the palm of his hand. Of course it was called a sellers place. He was bombarded with the sight of so many people walking around next to one another. It looked as if someone even stretched their arm slightly they would end up elbowing the person next to them. He looked to the collection of dull colors that the masses wore. He knew that mortals could reproduce quicker than his kind, but he never pictured so many all in one place before. He looked out to mass of people and counted at least one hundred of them on this twenty foot wide street alone.

Among the masses were all different races, of elves, dwarves, humans, Veledar thought he even saw a lizard folk walking around with green scales. Hanging above the street at about nine feet off the ground were multicolored banners hanging from strings to the various buildings that lined the street. They were all strung together closely with little pictures painted on them of various animals, weapons, or clothing it seemed. His eyes narrowed as he reached for his horns that were not there. He remembered catching his horn in one of those things and glared at them.

The air around him was filled with the chitter chatter of various languages and accents. They seemed to spin around the dragon as they echoed around the street, almost sounding like a dull roar. He tried to pick out several of the voices speaking but found he could not. Once again he cursed his human ears as he gave a sniff to the air, perhaps his nose would be of better use here.

The smells he could make out were of things cooking on small carts in front of the buildings. It seemed to linger in the air, and want to grab Veledar from the horse and dragon him along the air towards it's source. The source of such a stomach rumbling pleasing scent came from a small cart with a lamb being roasted on a rotisserie. How he wished to go over there and start chomping away into the seared meat. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve as he felt himself start to drool onto the horse below him.

He shook his head and returned his gaze up to the clouds, hopefully the sky would distract him from his now roaring stomach. He saw several more gryphons playful glide over head. Two of them were the standard golden color with white. While the last one seemed be like a zebra from one of his books he was sure. With stripes that covered his head all the way to his long fluffy tail. He tightened his grip on Arcturus as the masses around him got a tad too close for his liking. He was practically rubbing his legs on the shoulders of people now.

Why wouldn't they just give the horse a wide berth? Do they want to get trampled on or something? Veledar closed his eyes and breathed in deep. It's going to be okay, your friends will not let them suddenly drown you in their bodies. He told himself, trying to keep his rising anxiety in check.

“It's going to be ok." came the soothing sound of Arcturus' voice as the human gently grasped his hand on the man's shoulder. “Your going to be fine."

Veledar breathed in deep and nodded in response.

“So Asterion dis mus be excitin for ya! Bein home in yer capital an all!" Merlia laughed loudly.

Gods her voice is so loud, he could make it over all the crowds of people.

“Not really. I never liked the city, it creates false sense of security." Asterion gestured out towards the people below him. “All of these people are blissfully unaware about the ongoing battles, or the struggles of anyone else.

“Well I suppose wen ya put it dat way..." Merlia grumbled, shutting her mouth.

“How about you Pavel! You have been oddly silent as we walk among the steets of this large city. Are you really afraid of so many mortals?" Asterion gave him a knowing smirk on his stupid snout.

He was probably loving watching me squirm around all these people. “ Of course I am not minotaur. I was trying to..." He held up his hands to do air quotes, “Laying low." he lied, and hoped the bull did not see through his ruse.

“Right....so that's why you were clutching the human like a terrified cat." the bull thrust a finger towards the hand currently gripping Arcturus tightly. Veledar retracted it instantly towards his chest, and held it with his other hand.

“I was just making sure I did not lose the human here as I looked above." Veledar looked away from the bull. There ,I hope that throws him off my scent.

“Whatever you say Pavel." Asterion snorted, than spit onto the street.

“So how much further until we get to your most excellent friend?" Veledar swiveled his head so he was looking back to Arcturus. He felt his thighs feel sore from riding the horse. He groaned as he missed his paws right now. They would of course not been hurting. He imagines his claws clacking on the stone, and only groaned louder in disappointment.

“Not that far Veledar. You just have to be patient is all." Arcturus snuck a peak back with his blue eye, with a grin on his face. “I know it must be killing you right now."

Veledar did not reply, but the human gave a knowing nod. Than continued through the sea of people in as much silence as they could manage.