FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 56

The journey with Skywing and his team had been a far cry from the cautious, shadow-lurking travel he had known with others. Instead of skirting danger and hiding from prying eyes, they soared openly through the skies, embracing the freedom that came with it. Lost within the clouds, he’d cling to the powerful gryphon beneath him, gripping the warm, sleek feathers as the wind rushed past. Unlike a dragon he experienced every gentle shift of Skywing’s body as he navigated the currents, leaving his heart all aflutter more than once. When they would drift, he’d focus himself, gazing out to the tapestry below that was Lumara, unburdened by the shadows that gripped it.

Rolling fields of wheat swayed like a sea of liquid gold, the occasional farmhouse peering through with chimneys lazily spewing smoke. Forests came as if painted by a brush, of towering oaks and pines standing like sentinels over their surrounding villages. Their deep greens contrasted with the vibrant hues of wildflower meadows that dotted the landscape. They could always spy gryphons fluttering about the sky, going about their business along with the occasional airship.

As they flew, Arcturus often found his gaze drifting toward the east, where he knew Drakenburg lay. His thoughts would inevitably turn to Veledar, who he imagined standing watch over the treasures of his once-mighty mother’s hoard. Already he could picture his stern gaze, hoping what lay in his pack could sway him back.

Questions from Talonheart and the others hovered like an ever-present shadow as they flew, their voices tinged with doubt. They wondered how Arcturus could be so certain of the dragon’s whereabouts, especially since his methods differed from what they expected of a dragon hunter. He didn’t track claw marks in the earth or analyze charred remains of forests. Instead, he relied on something deeper, something unspoken. During their brief rests or steady glides through the air, he deflected their concerns with quiet assurance, insisting that the lure of the treasure was too powerful for any dragon to resist. He was there, amidst those glittering hoards, that he could find solace—no matter how they’d gotten into his possession.

“And what if you’re wrong?" Frostbeak asked, his tone sharp, cutting through the night air one evening. "Will all this have been for nothing?"

The question gnawed at him, a dark specter that haunted the edges of his mind. But Arcturus buried it deep, refusing to let it show. He kept his voice steady, his demeanor resolute, projecting an air of unwavering confidence. He assured them that the dragon would be there, waiting among the spoils. And if not, they would always try the dragon’s original lair in Deet as their fallback.

As they traveled, Arcturus would entertain them with tales of past exploits, recounting the daring adventures and close calls he had shared with Veledar and their companions. He carefully chose his stories, omitting the more humiliating moments that had threatened the dragon’s pride, but what he did share was enough to draw smirks to beaks and even summon the occasional burst of laughter.

In between these tales, the journey was filled with the usual camaraderie that came naturally to the gryphons—chirping songs that echoed through the skies, playful wrestling matches that ruffled feathers and fur alike, and the inevitable demands for scratches by the fire at night. The warmth of their companionship, the rough-and-tumble playfulness, and the shared laughter brought a sense of nostalgia to Arcturus. It reminded him of his days spent in the army, where bonds were forged in the heat of battle and tempered by moments of simple, honest fellowship around the campfire.

Several times, however, doubt crept into the paladin’s mind, it’s icy tendrils souring the coming reunion. That all of it would be in vain, that Veledar would greet him with snarls and flame. With every mile they drew closer, the dread grew heavier, and he found himself clinging to Skywing, the comfort of the gryphon’s feathers grounding him in the face of his inner turmoil.

As the days passed, and stories of Asterion and his fabled scroll were shared around the campfire, Skywing’s demeanor softened, his ears splaying as he shifted upon his hinds.

“Did you ever think about—” The gryphon said sheepishly.

Arcturus knew what the gryphon was getting at. How could he not? The thought had crossed his mind more times than he cared to admit—Selina, Geophery, all those who had been lost. The tantalizing possibility of bringing them back, of restoring what had been cruelly taken. But he could only shake his head, the sadness clear in his voice as he explained that such a miracle required parts of the person, something tangible to anchor their return.

“And they were cremated,” Skywing replied with a weakened chirp, “Curse the luck.”

His hand had found the gryphon’s side, the pair gazing out to the afternoon sky. They lingered there, remembering the past as they took comfort in each other’s company. The rest of the group was busy gathering their things, stretching their wings in preparation for the next leg of their journey.

“Have you thought about what you’re going to say to him?” Skywing asked, his voice tinged with curiosity as his gaze drifted to the mountains rising like jagged teeth on the verdant horizon.

Arcturus’ hand instinctively caressed the pack that held the book, the weight of the question pressing heavily on his mind. For days now, the thought had consumed him, his mind spiraling as he tried to find the right words, the perfect apology that might soothe the dragon’s wounded heart. He knew that if he stumbled in those crucial moments, the fragile bond they shared could be shattered beyond repair.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll manage.” Skywing finally said, breaking the silence that had lingered between them. The gryphon bounded up to stretch his limbs, adding with a playful chirp, “It’s a weight off my feathers to have you flying with him again. If you grab him as tightly as you do me, you’ll be a curse upon him.”

“Regretting your offer already, are we?” Arcturus replied, meeting the mischievous grin that curled on Skywing’s onyx beak.

Skywing shrugged, his feathers ruffling with a groan as he gestured for Arcturus to climb up. “Just that it should be done more often. You’re obviously an amateur when it comes to riding a gryphon.”

“More often?”

“After I’m through with the Emerald Lady, I don’t intend for our talk to be the last,” Skywing sighed, fluffing his wings in preparation for flight. “I just hope your dragon doesn’t get too jealous.”

It was not long before the moment arrived for them to cross the familiar town of Drakenburg, a place forever marked by the deeds of the once Indomitable Aegis. Her altruism had won the hearts of its people, leaving behind a legacy that was impossible to forget. As Skywing soared above, the gryphon patrols didn’t challenge their progress, merely offering nods of assurance as they passed. Arcturus clung to Skywing, his eyes wide and locked on the snow-covered peaks that loomed ahead. Despite the countless trials he’d faced, he felt as uncertain as he had on his very first days of training. Within those beautiful but treacherous slopes, two paths awaited him—one of which he was terrified to tread.

He swallowed hard, forcing a brave facade as they began the ascent up the mountain. The path twisted higher, leading them to the very place where Garroth had shattered their group, forcing Veledar into that fateful dive to save Arcturus from certain death. When they reached the spot, Arcturus asked to be set down, a request that drew questioning squawks and curious eyes from his companions.

With snow crunching beneath his boots, he took deep, measured breaths of the crisp, biting air. The dusted tree trunks around him seemed to pulse with an energy that beckoned him onward. Arcturus closed his eyes, steeling his thoughts and casting away all distractions. This moment wasn’t about the past or the future—only Veledar mattered now. He focused all his will on the dragon, seeking out the tether that bound their fates together.

For several heartbeats, nothing came, and the cold fingers of doubt began to creep in, whispering insidious despair. But then, like the first light of dawn breaking through a storm, Veledar’s presence blossomed in his mind. The dragon was a tempest of anger, sadness, and frustration, emotions tightly coiled within the armored shell of his scales. The intensity of it seeped through Arcturus, warming his blood and quickening his breath as he felt the weight of metal beneath his paws. There was no turning back now. Arcturus had made his choice, and he would see it through. Veledar needed healing, needed to be freed from the storm raging within him. Furrowing his brow, Arcturus let his own senses flare, matching the dragon’s intensity. In that instant, he felt a spark of surprise—Veledar had sensed him. The connection was there, fragile yet unbreakable.

"He’ll be here soon.” Arcturus opened his eyes, meeting the curious gazes that surrounded him.

“How can you be so sure?” Talonfeather asked, her wings rustling uneasily as she glanced up at the sky. The snow beneath her shifted under her weight. “I don’t hear anything.”

“We share a bond.” Arcturus replied, his eyes drifting toward the tallest peak, cresting over the treetops. “A tether that binds our souls. I can feel what he feels, even from this distance, and sometimes I catch glimpses of his senses. When we’re close, it’s as if our minds blend together—it’s hard to tell where I end, and he begins.”

“Sounds terrifying—”

“Romantic is more like it.” Frostbeak interrupted, nudging Powerfeather with a playful grin before receiving a gentle pat in return.

“You should all go,” Arcturus said, his tone firm. “I won’t need you here.”

“Not even to catch you if you fall?” Skywing took a few steps closer, concern etched in his features. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

“I won’t get the chance to attempt flying if you’re around.” He sighed, seeing the concern painted across the other, “I don’t want to give the impression we have a team to capture him.”

“Why would he think that if you love him?” Powerfeather mused, his mustache twitching. “I know we can be a handful, but once you get to—”

“Trust me,” Arcturus cut him off, not daring to voice his doubts. “Everything needs to go perfectly.”

“I still don’t like it.” Skywing clacked his beak, glancing at the treetops. “Last time, he swatted you away and left you bleeding. I want to be close enough to intervene if—”

Their eyes met, and Skywing’s words faltered, his resolve crumbling under Arcturus’ unwavering gaze. The conviction he sought to muster died in the flick of his tail.

“Very well,” Skywing sighed, pinning his wings back. “I’d warn you about the dangers on this mountain besides the dragon, but I doubt you’ll listen.”

“Not likely.” He tapped his scabbard, “I’ll be ready if danger finds me.”

With a nod and a soft chirp, Skywing moved closer, bowing his head as his ears splayed. “Our time together was too brief,” the gryphon murmured as their foreheads touched. “I pray my worries are unfounded, and that the dragon is waiting, ready to listen.”

“And I wish you luck in getting your wing mates back from the Emerald Lady.” Arcturus said, giving the commander a final pat on the side.

“Oh, she’ll get an earful, you can count on that.” Skywing remarked, straightening himself with a shake of his wings. “Alright, gryphs, no point in lingering here. We have another dragon to find.”

“Lovely,” Talonheart sighed, her pink feathers drooping. “And you said this one’s worse than the red one?”

“Just leave the talking to me,” Skywing grunted. “We’re only going there to retrieve those lost to me.”

With final goodbyes, the gryphons’ synchronized flutter of wings announced their departure. Their powerful beats stirred the snow beneath them into swirling eddies as they ascended. Swiftly, they drifted over the treetops and vanished from sight, leaving Arcturus alone. He busied himself with checking his gear as the tranquil sounds of the forest filled his ears. It was now only a matter of waiting.

It wasn’t long before the unmistakable sound of leathery wings pierced the stillness. From the pristine whiteness of the mountain, a formidable vision emerged—Veledar, draped in crimson scales and borne aloft by wings of fiery red-orange membrane. His sapphire eyes blazed like twin flames, fixed intently on the paladin below. The dragon circled with a deliberate tilt of his wings, a majestic yet menacing predator whose very breath could spell Arcturus’s end. He held his ground as Veledar growled a harsh greeting, landing with a wave of cold powder that swept across him.

The tempestuous fury that Arcturus had glimpsed before now swelled to terrifying heights. His body nearly trembled with the force of it, caught precariously on the edge of a rage that could consume him. Yet, beneath the raw emotion, there burned an undercurrent of deep sorrow and guilt—emotions that steeled his resolve, compelling him to stand tall even as the dragon’s blood-curdling snarl filled the air.

“What are you doing here?” Veledar’s voice cut through the chill like a blade as he advanced on deadly paws. “Did you not heed my request?” His eyes narrowed, nostrils flaring with disdain. “I never wished to see you again. To blight my vision with your presence is a torment I did not seek.”

The words cut through the air; an opening salvo meant to shatter his resolve. Instinct and their bond urged Arcturus to reply with equal fire and venom, but he forced those impulses down, anchoring himself against the tide of overwhelming emotion. Any sensible man might have fled before the imposing dragon, with its tail swaying and smoke curling from its nostrils, but Arcturus had a quest that demanded his courage.

“No, I heard you clearly,” he said, his voice steady as he knelt before the dragon to remove his pack. “But I had to come find you.”

“Then you didn’t understand,” Veledar retorted with a harsh snort, his tail lashing against the snow, “Or do you choose to ignore my demand.” His head tossed, “Why am I not surprised you couldn’t even muster the decency to heed my request.” The dragon began to pace around Arcturus with heavy, deliberate steps, his snout frills pinned back. “You had to return, to torment me, remind me of everything I’ve lost? Just when I thought you couldn’t sink any lower—”

As Arcturus wrestled with the buckles, the raw emotion of the moment threatened to unravel him. The intensity of it clawed at his resolve, pushing him toward anger and defiance. It took every ounce of his strength to take deep breaths and quell the storm within.

“Veledar.” He spoke the name with deliberate care, a tenderness that softened even the dragon’s venomous fury. “You came into my life when I thought it had ended, when I believed I would never find joy again. I was lost, adrift without purpose. You showed me there was more. On your wings, you revealed the joy of flight, teaching me that merely existing isn’t the same as truly living. You were noble and kind—” He paused, a chuckle escaping as he recalled their shared days, “Unafraid to speak your mind. What I first thought was a selfish, narcissistic beast was someone I came to cherish deeply. Do you think I could stand idly by and let you wallow in this pain?” He met the dragon’s sapphire gaze with unwavering resolve. “Not after everything you’ve done for me.”

His hands found the book, and he held it as if it were a lifeline. “I care about you more than anything else, even with everything that has happened,” he said, taking a steadying breath. “I wish I could have been there to explain everything you saw, to tell you that what you witnessed was not the truth. I despise that painting, the day it happened, and what I was forced to do. Believe me when I say I’d never seek to hurt you.”

Veledar said nothing but offered a lash of the tail.

“That is why I am here,” Arcturus continued, his voice wavering with earnestness. “Not to taunt, not to disrespect you. I want to mend your soul as you mended mine. I was duty-bound to return.”

“I’m aware of your quest, Arcturus,” Veledar growled, drawing his head back. “Your words are sweet as honey, but they cannot change what has happened…” His gaze steeled. “Nor can they change what you are.”

“I beg of you listen.” Arcturus implored, “By all rights, we should be enemies by our blood, but we…care for one another. You can try to deny it, but I know it’s true.” He tapped his chest, heart stretching. “If this truly is the last day you wish to see me, so be it. But…” He revealed the dragon’s tome, holding it out as an offering. “Never say I didn’t keep my promise to you.”

Here it was, the moment of truth. His future seemed to hang in the balance as Veledar’s piercing sapphire eyes fell upon the leather-bound tome. Silence wrapped around them like a shroud, the seconds stretching into an agonizing eternity. Veledar’s eyes widened, his frills flickering outward on either side of his snout, a glimmer of surprise and curiosity breaking through his stern facade.

“Is that- “He said meekly, gears turning between his horns, “It can’t be- “

“It can, and it is,” Arcturus answered firmly, holding the tome aloft. “Your brother’s tome, down to the last page.”

“No, it has to be lies.” Veledar recoiled, shaking his head as wounded. “I saw it burn, with my own eyes!”

As the fire of anger ignited in Veledar’s gaze, Arcturus remained resolute. The dragon’s growls and the lashing of his tail were mere distractions to Arcturus, who stood firm. His heart, though guarded, did not waver. “Another deception.” he said, his voice steady despite the dragon’s fury. “The Emerald Lady is a master of trickery and misdirection. The tome that burned before your eyes was a fake.”

“Why would she do that?” He thrashed his head with a hiss, “What could she possibly gain?”

“What slithers in her tangled mind is beyond me. Perhaps she wanted us to have the book but had no care for your presence. If you believed it destroyed, why would you come looking?” Arcturus flipped it over, “Shandalar urged me to leave it behind, hoping it would prove useful on our journey.”

“And you…refused her?” The dragon rose his head with his brow, searching the man from boot to head.

“You meant more to me,” Arcturus admitted, taking a deep breath as he spoke. “I gave my word to return it to you.” He extended the tome above his head, “So here it is…take it.”

For a moment Veledar hesitated, searching upon the knight for any trick or deception. He approached with caution, bringing his snout close to the tome. He drew in several deep breaths, his nostrils flaring as he tested the authenticity of the gift. Meeting Arcturus’ eyes, he murmured softly, “It’s real.” He then lingered, his gaze flicking to Arcturus’ side, where his claws had dug through flesh, “Arcturus…I…What happened… I didn’t…”

Arcturus placed a hand on the dragon’s forepaw, gently touching the scar he had inflicted. “It…we…” He caressed Veledar’s snout as the dragon came closer. “We were not our best.”

“Know, that from the depths of my heart, I didn’t mean…I would never- “

“I know.”

“Must have been quite the journey to come here on a gryphon.” Chuffed Veledar, the air around him warming as he curled around the man. “One wonders how it compares to my wings.”

“Bit too erratic for my tastes.” He replied with a soft smile, “Much prefer the steadiness of a dragon.”

“As one should.” Veledar nodded, his snout drifting to the looming mountaintops.

Silence lingered between them, the weight of the moment tugging at Arcturus’s thoughts. Veledar took a few deliberate steps, pausing to breathe deeply the mountain air. “You know, Arcturus,” he said, his voice softening as he gestured with a paw, “my home is much warmer than this dreadful cold. Perhaps you’d join me there?”

Without hesitation, Arcturus agreed. He was soon enveloped in the dragon’s crimson embrace, his heart untroubled despite the last few weeks. As Veledar carried him, Arcturus's fingers brushed over the dragon's scales, each one a precious gem beneath his touch. He was pressed close to the armored chest as they bore down on the grand entrance of Veledar’s mountain sanctuary.

Arcturus couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly things had changed. That only weeks before, Veledar had crash-landed upon these snow-clad peaks, the mark of his horrific crash still visible amidst the white. The paladin’s heart swelled as he recalled the tumultuous moments when their destinies had become irrevocably entwined.

Once inside, Veledar gently put Arcturus down allowing the human to follow him through the dimly lit cave, the howling wind of the outside world echoing behind them. They passed intricate carvings of Bahamut, her image serene and almost approving, depicting a harmonious union between dragons and mortals—caregivers rather than rulers. Veledar touched a rune on one of the distant walls, invoking a spell that ignited a magical barrier and revealed the grand treasure vault.

Before them lay a trove of unimaginable splendor—piles of gold coins stacked as high as the mountains they found themselves in. A path of platinum coins sprawled out before him that glittered beneath lavender flames that lined their perimeter, casting their ethereal light. He couldn’t help but be awed by such a splendorous hoard, but his gaze frequently shifted to the dragon beside him, finding something even more precious.

Veledar led him through the ocean of treasure, navigating around peaks of glimmering wealth until they reached a submerged boat nestled among the riches. The boat’s wooden planks were well preserved. Veledar's eyes lingered on an empty flagpole, his voice heavy with emotion as he spoke. “For so long, your family’s banner has haunted my mind. It took everything I cherished, left scars that will never heal.” He raised his head, “It’s been a torment I cannot escape.”

“Veledar- “

“Just seems a cruel joke that it had to be you.” He growled softly, “That all I had ever wanted was vengeance for what your family had done…But instead there is now an absence without you that can’t be replaced.” He drooped his head, “My heart aches for your presence, it’s maddening to say the least.”

Arcturus’s heart ached as he saw the pain etched in the dragon’s gaze. He placed a reassuring hand on Veledar’s shoulder, his touch gentle as he began to massage the dragon’s scales. “If I had known about the painting, who was behind it, I would have told you, “He said softly. “The truth is, I never wanted to make that shot—”

“I know,” Veledar replied, his voice heavy. “Deep down, I knew it was true. I was just too blinded by my own rage to see it.” He curled around Arcturus, his voice thick with emotion. “In my fury, I almost destroyed everything I hold dear.” The dragon’s paw trembled as he reached out, gently grasping Arcturus. “I felt the pain of my actions, and if it had gone any deeper, I—” Words faltered, his throat constricting. “Arcturus, by my word, it will never happen again.”

“And I’m sorry for stabbing you,” Arcturus said, his voice earnestly as he caressed Veledar’s snout. “I should have chosen my words more carefully, sifted through our bond to ease your pain. Instead, I met fire with fire, only making things worse.”

“Dragon-like, as they say.” Veledar chuckled, a few tears glistening in his eyes.

“Yeah,” Arcturus replied with a faint smile, sharing in the sentiment. “Still, you have my deepest apologies.”

“It didn’t hurt that badly.” Veledar said with a playful roll of his eyes. “Though I appreciate the gesture.” With a rumbling purr, he pressed his head gently against Arcturus’. “Many have deserved my claws, my fangs, and my fire—but never you. Never you.”

For a time, they spoke little, his fingers gliding across the dragon's scales as they reveled in the comfort of each other’s presence. In those moments, they clung to one another, offering quiet prayers of relief as they allowed themselves to break down. When they finally parted, tears were tenderly wiped away, soft smiles exchanged, and Veledar turned to survey the vast treasury that now lay before him.

“In my youth,” Veledar began, “I would dream of owning this hoard, revel in the clinking of coins against my scales. I fancied myself the most resplendent, richest, and most dashing of dragons, a figure so magnificent that tales and songs would be crafted in my honor. I sought to give my suffering purpose through this wealth.” His gaze swept across the shimmering mounds of treasure. “Yet now, the allure has faded. The coins no longer sing my name. I have wandered among them for days since we parted, feeling only emptiness.” He turned back to Arcturus. “Something was missing... you Arcturus, I’ve never felt this way about anyone else.”

Hearing his own experience reflected back at him was surreal, yet it made sense in their intertwined existence. “It’s daunting,” Arcturus admitted, “that such a profound connection can take hold of our minds.”

“But exhilarating.” Veledar countered, standing tall and assuming a regal posture before bowing his head. “Arcturus, I know this might be presumptuous, but…will you be mine again.”

Without hesitation, Arcturus grasped the dragon’s snout, lifting it to meet his own. They kissed, a burst of passion filling the air as their tongues briefly intertwined. The weeks of uncertainty and doubt dissolved in that single moment of shared delight. When they pulled back, Arcturus, blushing, dropped to one knee while Veledar lay on his belly.

“Veledar,” Arcturus said, tracing the dragon’s jaw with a gentle touch, “what my family did to you was inexcusable—a scar that can never truly heal. But I vow to devote my life to trying to mend it.”

“You devote your life to me?” Veledar rumbled, licking his lips with a teasing glint in his eyes. “That sounds almost like a marriage proposal.”

“An oath,” Arcturus replied firmly, holding the dragon’s gaze. “That I will strive each day to make your life better.”

“Then I accept,” Veledar rumbled with a hint of amusement, trying to hide his excitement behind a stern facade. “You will be my most cherished treasure, unrivaled by any other, the envy of dragons far and wide.” He chuckled, spreading his wings in triumph. “The last of the Lunds, won over by me, Veledar the mighty!”

“Yes,” Arcturus agreed with a soft laugh, leaning in to kiss Veledar’s cheek. “I’ll be honored.”

Veledar gestured to a spot among the glittering coins. “I’m thinking... right there. For your statue, of course. In honor of the human who has captured my heart.”

Wings enveloped him in an intimate embrace as the two locked lips, a tale of passion told across flesh and scale. For minutes they remained that way, holding one another close, getting lost in the closeness. When they finally parted, their foreheads rested together, eyes closed as tears fell from cheek and scale alike.

“I thought I’d lost you.” Veledar whispered, his voice soft.

“I’m glad I returned.” Arcturus replied, after a tender kiss.

“I missed you every day, even Merlia’s ridiculous jokes.”

“You’re in luck,” Arcturus smiled, “she missed you too.”

“I knew it.” He chortled, pressing into Arcturus.

Kisses returned to the dragon’s scales Arcturus held him ever tighter. What tears they had were gone, any traces of the past forgotten for now. He knew that this was where he belonged, held by the firm paw of the dragon he loved.

** * * * * * *

The night passed in a fervor of passion, two souls intertwined, seeking solace in each other after weeks of heartache. It was a tempest, an overpowering whirlwind where their combined songs of delight echoed throughout the cavern. When this storm finally subsided into the wee hours of the night, they settled against one another with shallow breaths; succumbing to slumber’s embrace with the knowledge their flame had been reforged once again.

Artificial light filtered through the cave to announce dawn’s arrival, Veledar awoke to find Arcturus nestled against his belly, the warmth of their closeness sending a deep, satisfied rumble through his scales. The dragon’s heart swelled with a rare contentment. He had regained his brother’s book, a treasure he thought lost forever, but more importantly, he had reclaimed something far more precious—the knight who had returned to him, defying the Emerald Lady’s cruel predictions. Arcturus had been his greatest treasure, lost and now found. Yet, as Veledar gazed down at the serene face of the sleeping paladin, the realization dawned upon him like the cold chill of the mountain—they could not linger here.

Arcturus had confided in Veledar the next phase of their journey—their commitment to thwarting Nigel and dismantling his schemes in Lumara. It touched him to hear such loyalty and concern, though he shouldn’t have been surprised. This thought stirred something deep within, rousing his great limbs into action. Adventure whispered in his ears, promising not only the chance to carve his name into the annals of history but also the allure of treasures yet undiscovered, waiting to be added to his already magnificent hoard.

“Morning, Umraadi.” Veledar rumbled as Arcturus stirred awake. The dragon lowered his head to receive the knight’s familiar caress along his neck and the tender kiss upon his snout. “I trust you’re comfortable in my grasp?” He couldn’t help but chuff and ruffle the man’s hair.

Arcturus sighed contentedly, leaning back into the dragon’s scales. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be. No finer bed in all of Sethera.”

While pleasing to the ear, yet he could not let Arcturus' words dampen the fire burning within him. “Such honeyed words from your puny snout.” Veledar mused, a playful gleam in his eyes. “But alas, we cannot linger in idleness. Even now, with you in my grasp, I hear the seductive call of adventure. It whispers our name Arcturus, promising to be in the ear of all beings across Sethera and beyond.” He laid his head down, his chest swelling with pride. “How could I ever refuse such a call?”

“That sounds like a powerful call. Are you sure?”

A deep rumble resonated in Veledar's throat as he fluttered his frills, his eyes narrowing with resolve. "Just as sure as I was about you.”

Arcturus closed his eyes, a pleased grin about him, hands falling behind his head, “It certainly doesn’t sound like you. You, wishing to leap into adventure upon rousing? Something is afoot.”

“Nothing nefarious.” He rolled his eyes with a grin.

“I’d almost think you’re an imposter. Any other day and you’d snarl and growl about staying in your chambers till noon.”

Curse him and such an offer, it resonated deep within the dragon’s blood. He stretched his limbs with a deep, resounding groan, the call was too strong. He stretched his limbs with a long, resounding groan, but the call of adventure was too strong, too insistent to ignore. "I’m simply a dragon of action now." he declared with a hint of mock resignation, shaking his head as he rose to all fours. "I blame you and those blunt-snouted companions of ours for corrupting me with such an affliction."

With a fluid motion, he released Arcturus and trotted a few paces, pausing to admire himself in a massive mirror propped up by a mound of coins. As always, he was as dashing as ever. He took a deep breath, savoring the moment before turning back to the man with an amused rumble. "Someone has to return you to them before they make a complete mockery of my adventuring party. And as you can see," he added, with a playful gleam in his eyes, "it simply won’t do."

“And I assume you want to take a more direct approach?” Arcturus mused with a smirk.

"Of course." Veledar rumbled. "Who else will whip those adventurers into shape?" He rolled his paw to his chest, watching as Arcturus began to gather his things, dressing with deliberate care. "With your eloquence, my commanding presence, and natural charisma, our group shall be the envy of every soul that hears of us." He added a playful growl, his eyes narrowing with a hint of mischief. "Besides, the others would be positively lost without me."

“I’d imagine Merlia or Lyndis would have a word or two with you on that.”

“They can fight me on it.” He teased, tapping the dressing human with his paw.

“Don’t test them.” Arcturus chuckled, grabbing the coming snout and applying an affectionate kiss, “Though on our return we’ll have to swing by the estate, I’m sure Reginald will be more than pleased to see us back together.”

Veledar sighed, realizing the problem, “You didn’t bring my harness, did you?”

“It was large, did you expect me to drag it upon my back?”

There was a pause as their eyes met, both knowing the answer.

“By the gods you did, didn’t you?”

“It would have been a kind gesture.” Veledar groaned, rolling his eyes. "It would have been a kind gesture. Let’s pray, for the gryphon’s sake, he cherished it like the heirloom it is." Padding a few steps away, he cast his gaze over his vast hoard, a gleam of playful cunning in his eyes. "Then you can return to your quest of repaying me for the treasures you stole from me upon our first meeting."

Arcturus blinked as the dragon circled him, a predatory gleam lighting up Veledar's crimson eyes. The knight seemed to freeze as the dragon's snout descended upon him, "How do you figure?"

"The book may have been returned, but the rest has not," Veledar rumbled.

“Have I not sworn myself to better your days, given you my heart?”[[JB1]](#_msocom_1)

It still tickled his scales to hear such sweet words, and Veledar rumbled affectionately within his throat. “And while that is most charming, romantic, and ever an attractive quality—” He lowered his nose until it was just inches from Arcturus' own, a harsh snort escaping as he steeled his gaze. “You still owe me, to my estimates, sixty-five percent of what you stole.”

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”

Circling the man with a low growl, Veledar reveled in the disbelief painted across Arcturus' face as he ran a hand through his hair. It was delightful to watch him blush, to see that moment of uncertainty before being nudged by the dragon's snout. “No running from it now, or mewling.” Veledar teased, “I expect you to hold your head high and take it. I’ll be riding you hard until every coin has been repaid.” He withdrew his head with a prideful smirk, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Did you not proclaim yourself mine?”

“So, there it is, the real reason.” Arcturus laughed, hands on his hips, “You know, you can just say you want to go instead of conjuring up some great joke.”

Nostrils flaring, he tossed his head, “Laugh all you want, all I said was true.” He took on a regal pose, wings lightly fluffed. “Now hurry up my Umraadi, if we hope to catch up with those minions of ours. I refuse to let Lyndis have the last laugh.”

They exchanged another kiss before Arcturus was hard at work, gathering his gear and getting ready for the flight ahead. There was another bout of boasting as the dragon imagined their great adventures, of which he was the dazzling star. After a morning meal conjured up by the ghostly attendant Auron, and Arcturus’ armor was donned, they hastened their step into the icy, dagger like cold.

There he stood on the frigid mountaintop, the cold biting through his scales, a stark contrast to the warmth and treasure that whispered for him to stay behind. But Veledar's heart was already set on the path ahead. He drew in a deep breath of the crisp mountain air, envisioning the destiny that lay before him. It might not have been the grand vision he once shared with his brother—a dream of solitary glory, unmatched by any other dragon. Instead, it was a destiny entwined with a human, one he loved most curiously of all.

Out there, beyond the cold peaks and his familiar hoard, awaited the legend he was meant to become. A legend known far and wide, one who had faced every peril, outwitted the mightiest kingdom, and emerged victorious. He was the defeater of undead mages and fallen kings. His teeth glimmered in the morning light as a low rumble escaped him, already picturing the envious gazes of those who would learn that the last of the Lunds had confessed his love to him.

Though the road ahead was uncertain, and the time it would take to crush Nigel to dust was unknown, Veledar knew there would be no return home until the deed was done. No dragon would suffer the same fate as his adoptive mother, and he would see to it personally. His destiny was no longer just a dream—it was a promise.

"You’re going to leave this place unguarded?" Arcturus asked, his voice tinged with concern as he rested a hand on the dragon’s scaled chest. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for yet another flight in Veledar’s powerful paws.

Veledar turned back, his gaze lingering on the treasure-laden cavern. In his mind’s eye, he could almost see the ghostly form of his mother, her snout curled into a satisfied smirk as she watched his departure. There had been a time, in his youth, when the thought of turning his back on this vast sea of wealth would have been unthinkable. Yet here he was, doing it again. The hoard didn’t really feel like his anyway—it still felt like the treasure of a dragoness far greater than he. A heavy sigh escaped his maw as he kneaded his paws into the snow.

"Auron will keep an eye on it, along with my mother’s defensive spells," he replied with a snort. "Let it be sealed away, forgotten to these peaks, a mere legend until the day comes when I’ve earned it. When I can walk into that vast hoard and know she would have been proud to pass it on." His voice grew firm, "I cannot rest while her murderer waits out there, clinging to unholy life, unpunished. It will take time, as I imagine his phylactery will be well hidden and guarded."

Arcturus nodded, his expression softening as he laid a hand upon the dragon’s paw. "You have my sword," he said quietly, his voice filled with unwavering determination. "No matter what dangers we face, what paths we are bound to travel, you shall never find me wavering."

He rumbled, nuzzling at the man’s cheek, “To think once I held distain for my mother’s view on mortals, how foolish I was.”

“Still foolish, I think.” Arcturus teased, his hands caressing the dragon’s chin. “Lets hope we never encounter banners again where one can ensnare their horns.”

“Watch it Umraadi.” He growled playfully, “You can always walk back to the others.”

“And who will be giving you directions to find them?” Arcturus countered with a chuckle, the sunlight gleaming off his armor as he donned his helmet.

“How shrewd of you, Umraadi, to make yourself invaluable,” Veledar rumbled, conceding with a nod. “You win this round. But during our flight, we’ll need to discuss the fees we’ll be charging our little band of adventurers.”

“A fee?” Arcturus laughed as the dragon’s paw wrapped around him. “You’re going to charge a fee to be in your adventuring party?”

“Of course, not everyone gets a dragon.”

With a raised brow, Arcturus crossed his arms, his tone light but curious. “And what, pray tell, are these fees, fairest dragon?”

“Oh, you know, the standard stuff.” Veledar fluffed his wings, feigning nonchalance. “Fire taxes, claw maintenance, food expenses, endangerment fees, and the misuse of draconic presence tax—that’s the killer one.” He grinned, his teeth gleaming, as Arcturus scratched under his chin.

“This is never going to grow old, is it?”

“Oh, worry not, my beloved. Those fees are no longer your concern.” Veledar nuzzled Arcturus’ nose before casting his gaze over the rolling countryside. “That will be Lyndis’ problem.”

“I’m sure she’s going to love that.”

“Of that we are in agreement!” He warbled, pumping his wings, “Now are you ready my dearest Umraadi?”

Arcturus’ coming smile and nod lit a blazing sun in the dragon’s chest that none could equal. Veledar grabbed him tight, holding him against his scaled chest as he pounded his wings against the air. “Then hold on tight!”

Together they rose, the wind battering them as they soared higher, setting their sights on the distant horizon and the destiny that awaited them. Veledar reveled in the sensation, the vast tapestry of the world unfolding beneath them. For now, they would enjoy the freedom of the skies, though they might need to transform into gryphons or something less conspicuous once they cleared the mountains.

The dragon warbled, utterly content, his mind alive with thoughts of adventure, treasure, and the beloved human nestled in his grasp. He didn’t know what the future might hold, what splendors he might encounter. The uncertainty thrilled him, quickened his pulse, and left excitement lingering on his tongue. This was his destiny, he knew it deep in his bones, and with Arcturus at his side, nothing could stand in their way. Tilting his wings, Veledar roared to the heavens, declaring to the world that the legend of Crimson Sky was just beginning.

** * * * * * * *

Thank you if you've been reading along this far. I know most of you that read my stuff, this might have been a slog seeing me edit and retype stuff you've already read. Here is the end of it, the complete of book three. I hope that it has been fun to read the new stuff, and tie more accurately future stuff.

I appreciate and love all your comments, any words you have fuel my passion to continue these projects. If you're ever interested in chatting, we do have a telegram, it can be found here: https://t.me/+bFP5zAI4UIWBIGX2