FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 16: Lunch

Callon strolled right through the fields of plants, casually pointing out the various birds and different plants he'd collected in his garden. There was the aracae flower with eight furry pedals, a tundra berry plant, their palm sized fruit icy and painful to the touch, or even the lionflowers, that roared when the wind raced through their stalks.

“Always better than summoning your own food. Besides, have to keep up a hobby to fill the time right? Both of you should try my recipe for blunder berry pie. Picked it up from a person on the east coast of Sethera, down by the trail of paws. That place still around? Was wedged in the kingdom of Deophate."

Arcturus stared at the man like he was crazy. “Deophate?" He coughed; brow risen.

“Of course! The one north of Ruryn! Don't tell me they went bankrupt after all this time?"

When they didn't give him glances that he wanted, Callon insisted they never mind. It clearly was far beyond any of their time. Veledar couldn't help but stare, elves were only known to live for hundreds of years, maybe five hundred if they were lucky. Unless this sunbathed elf was simply speaking gibberish to confuse them their was no way he could have known about them.

Veledar proceeded to memorize their path through the man's garden, figuring out the quickest way towards the ruins. If they needed an escape plan, he wasn't going to be the one without it. Though hopefully they didn't need it. By his accounts, this elf didn't look too threatening anyway. He didn't even have a spell book or anything.

“When can we visit the temple?" He gestured back to onyx temple watching over them. His stomach pierced his side like a lance. “Even if I'm hungry, we shouldn't wait too long. What if we lost our chance?"

“Oh you won't lose your chance." The elf cheerily mused, marching onward to a thatch hut in the distance. “Trust me, if its about the bond. You have all the time you need here, best to rest up and steel yourself. Quite the test within those halls!"

“Test?" The dragon almost stilled, suspicion swirling across his skull. What did this simle sunelf know about any tests? “Were you once a scholar?"

“Once before." Callon flicked his onyx hair. “But that was ages ago. Doubt anything I know of history is even around." He gestured back to the temple with a thumb and a whistle. “Bet I'll only be useful to explain that stuff to ya."

“And when can you do that?" He nearly growled, lashing his tail against the plants.

“After lunch!"

Oh how this sunelf was going to be the death of him. The dragon practically stomped his way over to the sparsely decorated hovel, amazed that the thatch roof hadn't been whisked away. Callon wasn't doing a great effort into convincing him that he wasn't a hermit. He stilled, searching around the simple structure.

He found an already bubbling cast-iron pot suspended over a roaring fire, steam curling upwards like little snakes. There were statues and sculptures of clearly of a golden dragoness and Callon himself. The attention to detail was ever stunning, each scale of the dragoness was depicted to an exquisite degree. Even Arcturus he imagined would have had trouble with it. Across from this area was a smooth wooden table, half a dozen fruits and veggies already sectioned and placed into neat piles to be easily scooped into the waiting pot.

There rested a tarp over a pile of gnarled wood. Infront of it rested a totem as large as Veledar himself, wolves, rabbits, and even turtles carved lovingly into each layer. Beyond all of this was a gathering of stone behind the structure, dwarfing it at even this distance. They'd seen such things before already on the island, this was more draconic statues of old.

“Now come, rest along the fire. I bet my wife will be back shortly." He chuckled at the fire and cut ingredients. “Its clear she already finished." He procured a basin below the table, gently washing his bounty one after the other. In no time at all he got to work cutting them open.

Arcturus shrugged and traveled over to a weathered stump around the fire. He was quick to sigh, begin to peel off his armor and relish in the chance to be dry.

There was no wife to be seen, no immediate danger, Veledar took this chance to scout about the area. He tried to get Arcturus to follow, but the human insisted that his soiled clothes needed to be righted. “I won't be long." The dragon whispered, slinking slowly around the diminutive structure. It looked as though a dragon would hardly have any room! Perfect size he supposed for this solitary elf and his wife.

“We're you going?"

“Just making sure while you dry. Call out if you get into trouble." He glared daggers at Callon, only getting a smile and a wave in return.

“He won't get into trouble trust me! Just drying out those pesky clothes. How did that happen again?" He tilted his head to Arcturus with a chuckle.

“Someone with thin scales attempted to drown me." The man sighed, wringing out his gambeson and tunic. “Lucky for him, I proved resistant."

“Lies and slander!" Veledar hollered back, “I merely tried to get him to swim with me! Was that so wrong?"

He didn't wait for a snarky reply, easily outpacing the thatch house. He spotted draconic tracks leading their way to the stone statues beyond. He placed down his paw, clearly they were larger than he. Was there a dragon here? His scales shivered at the idea, possibly the thought that Callon himself was one. “But he didn't smell of dragon." His eyes narrowed as he peeked back at the flickering fire and how laughter had clearly stricken his love. They must have been telling a wonderful story of their adventure.

Grinning, Veledar trotted to the towering statues, letting curiosity guide his ever movement. He didn't have to venture too far, and would still be within galloping distance if Arcturus hollered for him. Plus he would feel at least a tiny flicker from the bond.

There were three pairs of statues in total, each of a different dragon species. They were far larger than Veledar even was, he imagined they were at least thousands of years old each. Even Emerald Lady would have been dwarfed by their sizes. He spied red and blue dragonesses, and a black dragon male, each of them frozen in time with a humanoid at their side. Instead of roars or appearing to be regal, the draconic guardians were locked in displays of emotional expression. Nuzzles or kisses each one of them was shared, stone hands always locked upon their snouts. Just like the dragons the mortals were diverse, a human woman, and a wolven and dwarven man.

Unlike the stone and trees around them, their stonework lay untarnished by nature's paw. Even as stone Veledar could feel the warmth radiating from their hearts. It made the dragon shift from paw to paw, smiling honestly at the displays. He turned back, fighting the urge to instantly return to the bundle of soft flesh he adored for. If a statue was to be made in his honor one day, he was to make sure Arcturus was right there with him. Proud and more dashing than he'd ever be. If the artist failed to capture it? Veledar grinned at the idea of stomping his paw, giving that phantom artist a hardened snort. “I'd make him do it again and again."

To ruin this aura of draconic bliss was a sudden spike of surprise. It pinned Veledar's frills, wheeled him around and surged his paws to life. Something was right back at the hut. Arcturus was missing from the campfire and pot. “Arcturus!" He shouted in alarm, bounding with all his strength across the grass. Heroically he slid to a stop in front of the house, blood surging through his ears. The human was inside the house, door open and a look of joy about his face. Evidently, he'd been surprised by how nice the house was.

Frills burned in embarrassment as the pair of elf and human smiled back at him. Veledar played off his concern with a huff, trying to compose himself. “Oh good, you're all right. Figures you'd be caught up in the arrangement of some furniture."

“That I would be, the bed is fit for a bloody dragon!"

“It was?" He dashed over, thrusting his snout passed the humanoids into the hut.

Inside was far more complex than a simple hut. Instead of a ground floor fit for a peasant the dragon was astounded with what he saw. For starters, the interior was far larger than he would have thought. It appeared to be able to fit at least three dragons the size of the statues! There was a single bed that towered in the far corner, watching over the main expanse of the floor. It was draped in silken sheets, gold stitching lined within the white threads. It's dominion was a series of tables covered in pots and pans, vials filled to the brim with a multitude of experimental liquids. Bookcases were tucked into the corners, stuffed with thick tomes from ancient times.

Circular arcane shapes were sketched into the tiled floor with half-broken chalk still dwelling near the scene of the crime. Floating lanterns hung about the area, lacing everything with an enchanting orange light. Veledar fumed and huffed in the marigold smelling air, swishing his tail in astonishment. “Its bigger on the inside!"

“That it is." Callon chuckled, softly pushing out the dragon's snout. “Often I'm told looks can be deceiving."

“Are you a dragon?" Arcturus asked first, his arms crossing. Veledar slipped around him, adding a hardened look to the question.

Callon merely laughed, dismissing their stares. “No, just a flesh and blood sunelf. Me a dragon?" He cackled and chortled his way back to the fire, locking the door with a magical rune upon the air.

“You're a mage." Veledar hissed in surprise, pulling Arcturus close. “And looks can always be deceiving."

“Says the being that includes shapeshifting as a natural ability." The elf chuckled, taking up a seat. “Or should I point out you brought a dragon hunter to a dragon rider ruin?"

He had them there and it stilled the dragon's tongue. Arcturus was already sighing, his cheeks turning a shade of red. It seemed he couldn't escape his name's legacy, even here. “But he's not like the rest of his kind." The dragon waved a paw, “He's healed me, rescued me, hell he's even shared a nest with me on several-“

The man shut tight his snout with a hand, his brow furrowed. “I don't think he needs a recount of every instance. He just needs to know I'm not like those that bore my name before."

Callon padded his thigh, procuring a cup of tea out of thin air. “So, it would seem. Unless you've convinced the dragon here to speak well of his captor." His brow slightly rose, “That would be utterly fascinating."

“He's not so egotistical that he doesn't offer his compliments." He sat opposite the elf, taking hold of his own warmed tea cup. He thanked the man, scratching Veledar's chin when the dragon neared.

“How do you know of my companion?" The dragon stared, ever so often watching the trees. “You've been here many a year. Yet you know of his family."

“Who hasn't heard of the family of Lund?" The elf's voice grew solemn. “Many of dragon they have slain over the years. Their methods generally change, but the mission the same. To end the existence of your kind wherever they hid. Some have varied in this conviction. We'll see what sort of Lund you end up to be."

“Hopefully one that dragon kind can call friend." Arcturus stared into his cup, “I might not get long to undo what has been done, but I'll have you know I'm going to try." He long fully peered back at his dragon, knowing his time on this earth was not long. He scratched the dragon's cheek when it nuzzled him and he sighed in content.

“Yet you said you were bonded?" The elf asked in surprise.

Veledar nodded, happily swishing his tail until he coiled around the fire. “That we are. Even if the emotions are but a flicker of what they were." He sighed, flopping onto his belly, “But that's why we're here. To bring back the bond, my magic, and my wings."

“Ah." The elf smiled into his cup, slurping down the brownish tea. “Then who am I to offer spoilers? Better you learn of it. Always the greatest of news when they do."

“What news?" Both cocked their heads in unison.

The elf said nothing, sliding up to inspect the bubbling pot. So they repeated their question, only getting a vague chuckle passing his lips. “You'll learn in time. Don't be so impatient. So Crimson Sky, how did the sniff go?" Callon's eyes sparkled in delight. “How the wife loves her a sniff of new things. Granted we don't get that anymore, but alas."

He recounted the stone statues he observed, insisting that Arcturus see them as well. “It's a delightful example of the bonded. Though they are quite life-like-“ He stopped dead, snapping to the softly humming elf, his eyes all innocent. “You said your wife likes a sniff?"

“That I did."

Elf that likes to sniff? He wasn't sure that elves liked to take part in that activity, unless Shandalar had done an outstanding job of hiding her impulses. The dragon tilted his head, but Arcturus was already sighing and laying a gentle hand on his cheek.

“His wife is a dragon."

“I knew it!" Veledar thumped his tail, raising his head into an S. Everything he could do to hide his ignorance. Why hadn't he thought of it? “The entire time!"

“Course you did!" Callon snarked, stoking the fire with a wave of his hand. “One wonders where she went off to though. Maybe to hunt for the days meal? I told her we didn't need anymore."

“Don't be preposterous." Veledar snorted, “We could never have enough meat in a stew."

“So how long have you been here?" Arcturus coughed, trying to shift the conversation. “Elves on Sethera only live for around four centuries, I get the feeling you're far older than that. You mentioned kingdoms I presume I've never even heard of."

Frills fluttered in interest as Callon returned the question with a gentle smile. He'd suspected it as well, yet waited to hear the elf out.

“Isn't that the question of the day." He winked, stirring the pot. “The marvelous mystery that allows us to take care of this temple. Dragon and humanoid bound together. Even allows us to cheat the years when we feel fit." He tapped his skin softly, “Though our turn is coming to an end soon. We'll be joining the others in the sleep within the year." He sighed deeply, his ears twitching. “Not to be sad though. Two others will come and we'll be back with our loved ones."

“You're going to die?" Veledar's frills flared in alarm. How could this one be so, jovial about the whole thing?

“And why can you be so calm?" Arcturus added.

Waving his hand dismissively, Callon chortled. “Yes and no in a way. Should have seen my first time we did it. All the things that changed. Eons had simply passed us by in the blink of an eye. The other caretakers had arranged for us our accommodations, laid a list of our duties. In the beginning we waited patiently for dragons and riders to find us." He leaned back, staring off longingly towards the trees. “But eventually they stopped."

Depression radiated in the elf's tone, radiating with Veledar's heart. He rubbed his chest, his frills twitching like mad as he pictured all the dragons and their riders eventually fading away into what remained around them. “They bring you back from the dead?"

“Again, yes and no." The sunelf gestured back towards the stone statues behind the house, birds now racing around their stone wings. “We grow tired of the world. We engage in what we call the time of stone. We can shift ourselves into rock and earth. Our minds drift away of course to the heavens beyond, to dwell with our lost loved ones and family." He rubbed his wrists, “Of which there are many."

“How many caretakers?" Arcturus asked softly, letting the elf have a moment of silence.

“Once there were many." Callon sighed, “But they soon lost their way. They never returned from the sleep, choosing to abandon this place to time. Now there are only five pairs remain. Dragons and mortal that havn't yet surrendered to ever lasting bliss."

“Who could give that up?"

“Not many." Callon clasped him on the shoulder. “Lucky for us we can't remember it. Would be ever on the mind otherwise. Perhaps that's why we engage in all the artistry and magic. Keeps the mind and hands busy. You should see my game with human caretaker. For a human she's quite the wizard at chess. Beaten me at least a thousand times!"

“Fascinating." Veledar grumbled, not particularly in the mood for a history lesson or this elf's social life. Even if it was with ancient humanoids and their dragons. “Now about the temple."

“Ah yea, ever on task." Callon dipped over, ladling out some soup to sample. He smacked his lips in delight. “Now what do you hope to find there? It's all about dragon and rider, never is it about returning one's wings." His eyes darkened as he stared at the dragon's empty stumps. “Ever is the shame. We're you born like that? Or some foul deed was done to you."

“The later." Veledar hissed, thumping his tail. He recounted his encounter with the lich nigel. How the undead monster had caught him by surprise, used a tremendous enemy to distract and stall them both. With his story he avoided his own fear, the impending doom that hung about his mind. The perfect recounting of a heroic tail. One that he was certain would make everyone proud, and he wouldn't mind retelling years down the line to showcase how he overcame such a tremendous hardship.

“So you thought coming here would restore them? Who on earth would give you that idea?"

He hid his disappointment with a hiss. Yet with but a look from Arcturus, it coaxed the dragon to not be swayed simply by the elf's ignorance. Fremra was a tricky dragoness afterall. He expected they might be hiding something still. “It was from a friend of ours. My magic had not returned, healing failed me. She tried to impart to me the drahkras presented around the island."

“Oh you mean Fremra told you." The elf smacked his knee, sprinkling a few handfuls of pepper into the soup. “You'd think she'd understand the meaning of secret."

“So you've met here?"

He nodded, “Ever so delightful, great at singing. Though dearest and her didn't get along, too many pranks exchanged paws. Should have seen her all smothered in honey." Callon's face went blank. “I don't think I've seen so many bees before. She looked like a writhing gigantic hive!"

“Back to the dragon's wings." Arcturus set down his cup, thanking him for the tea. “If he gets them returned, a terrible fate instore for us can be prevented."

“Quite the predicament. Though it makes one wonder if your goals are noble, and you deserve to be spared."

Veledar snorted as Arcturus tried to make out their case. “He's a paladin of Bahamut." He flicked his tail towards the shield. “Shocker I know, but I thought it might be enough. Also, if we're keeping score. Yet another reason he's different from his slayer kin." The dragon grinned as Arcturus could only sigh and pet the dragon's snout.

“What he means to say is we're trying to rescue a vast number of people from undead. We don't wish to perish in the pursuit of that. Can't exactly continue on helping the cause if you die prematurely can you?"

A breeze swept through the camp as Callon said nothing, letting the silence churn his thoughts. He contemplated and hummed, pacing when he wasn't stirring the pot. Eventually his sighed, head drooping as his hands balled into fists. “Portunga find me the strength to not shout at that teal in our next meeting."

“Surely she hasn't committed that bad of a sin!" Veledar chuckled, inching closer to Arcturus. “Cut her some slack."

“Not that." The elf sighed, “That she send a glimmering beam of light before out slumber." He peered up, eyes traveling between the pair. “Its like a cliffhanger to a good book. We'll have to wait eons to figure out how it goes."

“How what goes?" Veledar swished his tail, cocking his head. “Oh you mean us." The dragon laughed, “Don't worry, we'll make a good story for you read up on. Maybe even a legend or ten?"

“Ten?" Arcturus crossed his arms.

He nodded, eyes closed as he rumbled. “One is but the start." He took a moment to let the human sigh before he snapped his attention back to Callon, who'd went and gathered four bowls. Though two of them were the size of buckets. “Are you going to be the one that teaches us?" Up went the dragon's scaly brow, remembering Fremra's words. Knowledge should be accepted from all places, even if it came from a snarky sunelf. “I assume you and your wife are bonded?"

“That we are." He nodded, “And no I won't be the one. Often the teaching more comes from an inner source." He tapped the dragon's chest with his palm. “Your willpower and the bond guiding you to an answer. We are merely guides to get you there in the end."

“So, you don't help at all?"

“In a way I suppose." He started to calmly ladle out some of their steaming broth. “Yet the bond wouldn't be nearly as strong if everyone gave it to you. Just like its formation, it's all on personal decisions and hard work. Rewards it brings are better than treasure of any kind."

“And what pray tell treasures are that?"

The man gave a knowing grin, “I did mention not giving away spoilers didn't I?"

He sat down and dished out the soup, slumping down into his chair. The dish was filled with chunks of potatoes, radishes, juicy meat that melted on the tongue. It had an earthy taste, lingered after it vanished, and had the dragon and human wanting more. The air was filled little with conversation, and instead the slurping of a well tasting meal. Callon wanted to know more about the realm in their absence, asking questions related to kingdoms and peoples.

“So the gryphons made peace with Lumara huh?" The elf leaned back, arms crossed. “Here I thought the idea of humans and feral beings was far too alien for them."

“At first possibly?" Arcturus shrugged, “But a prince and an assassin put aside their differences and tried to make peace. Think they fell in love with each other as well. Ask the gryphons though and they'll insist the two men were making out the entire time."

Arcturus knew some salicious stories of his own? Ones that involved delightful pairings of humans and gryphons? The dragon was all giggling as he nosed at the red faced man, insisting that he share them right now. “Come now, I shared mine. Call it historic curiosity."

“No it isn't, you're just horny as ever!"

“Course he is." Callon laughed, look at his scales.

“Since when have you taken his side?"

“Since your cheeks went so red!" The elf and dragon laughed together, masking the sound of wings swooping over their heads.

Gold shimmered briefly in the periphery of their vision as a scaled blur whipped overhead. The feathery winged dragon swung around them, leaving a gust storm in her wake. Piercing blue eyes fell upon them all as she wheeled about, her noodle like whiskers fluttering in the air. She landed a few yards away, her massive size made apparent as she pinned her wings behind her. Scales adorned her from head to tail, thick enough to turn a blade or shatter an arrow. She marched over with a regalness that Veledar dreamed of emulating. She was in full control, knew she was beautiful, and didn't have time for interlopers.

“Who in Bahamut's name are these buffoons?" The dragoness snarled, raising up her head to tower over Veledar. She was twice his size. “And why are you having tea? Has your brain finally rotted away into ash? Callon they could have killed you!"

“Nonsense my dearest Sessayn!" Callon hastily stood, sliding to one great forelimb of this mighty beast. “They're only but the sweetest of companies! Even the Lund surprised me with politeness!"

“THE WHAT?" Her eyes narrowed, her teeth barred. The ancient dragoness snapped to Arcturus like lightning. She stomped to him, tail lashing. Veledar sprung up to shield him from her with his own snarl.

“My bonded partner."

“Hnmmmph." She snorted, lowering her snout to Veledar's. “You have a few minutes to better explain yourself whelp. Before we start cutting you asunder. For all we know it could be yet another trick."

The dragon's growled and glared at one another. The air brimmed with sparks, almost catching itself aflame. Arcturus was beat red at this point, trying to find the words, gently repeating what he'd said earlier. Callon on the other hand was right to the dragoness' side, massaging up her armored snout when she turned.

“Now, now. Don't you think you're being a tad over aggressive? They've been nothing but polite and inquisitive. Sure they were a tad impatient, but what youth isn't?" He sighed an tapped her nose, getting a huff in reply that shook his hair. “I had everything under control. So just relax and have some soup!"

She rolled her eyes, “You said the same thing with the crocodiles. Look how that turned up."

“Its nothing like that! And you liked the belts I made from them!"

“Uh-huh." The dragoness curled around them, setting the pair with a sharp glare. “So, dragon hunter and dragon." She rolled her eyes at the mere thought. “Spill your names and the reason we shouldn't spill your blood upon the ground."

“Sessayn!" Callon scowled, his arms crossed.

“Fine." She groaned, waving a paw. “Send you on your way with your memories altered."

“That's better."

She glared. “I hate you."

“No you don't!"

She grumbled and snapped back to them, thumping her tail in irritation.

Veledar sighed, shaking his snout. “Why must every dragoness I meet boss me around, snarl, or threaten to kill me?"

“What of Fremra and Achaaz?" Arcturus asked.

“They don't count." He snorted, “And don't fit my narrative."

“NAMES." The golden dragoness snarled, shoving her snout between the two. “SPEAK THEM."

With a yelp both of them shared their names, pressing close to the other.

“Dear, dear, dear." Callon sighed, leavening against the gold dragoness' shoulder. “They're our guests. You shouldn't be so rude!"

“Rude?" She gasped, snapping to the knife eared man, who all but lost his ground as her spittle sprayed him from boot to head. “You're the one letting strangers blunder into our home! They passed the illusions! Clearly they have devilishly sharp minds! They could be schemers; you know what others have done. Maybe they even work for…" She glared back at the two. “HIM."

Veledar and Arcturus didn't know who him was, but they both shared a look of interest. Before they could defend themselves, Callon was getting the attention of his golden companion with a casual shrug and confident tone.

“Would his agents share tea with an elf? I think you and Veledar here would get along wonderfully, both of you are paranoid. Did you not have a good hunt?" He turned to them and whispered against his palm. “She's always cranky after a poor hunt."

“I AM NOT!" She snarled like thunder, stomping her paw against the stone. “And I had a most productive hunt!"

“Then where is the catch?" The sunelf grinned, mockingly looking around the larger ness' golden scaled underside. “Is it beneath your belly? Come now dear, we shouldn't squish our food."

“No it's not." She snorted, looking away. “I had a catch, but your naivety and disregard for your wellbeing were ever distracting. If anything you ruined my catch.

He merely chuckled, amusement shimmering in his eyes. “They're at least polite. You'd prob do best to return the courtesy." When she snapped back with a snarl on her snout, he bravely rubbed her nose until she quieted. Her eyes still burned at the pair behind him. “Else they'll get a bad impression of one of Bahamut's finest dragons!"

She rolled her eyes, her whiskers gently smacking the smirking elf on the face. “Flattery, will not win you this day."

“And yet it always does." He gave her a wink as the proud dragoness retreated upward, leaving Arcturus and Veledar in relative silence.

“So explain to me, how a slayer fell into riding a dragon." She narrowed her eyes, tail thumping.

Veledar was quick to his mate's defense. Even before the man could speak, Veledar had pressed forward. Even if she towered over him, the red dragon's chest swelled. She eyed him and he didn't back down. “He slays dragons no longer. His family line is dead. In fact, the only thing even close to slaying that is draconic in origin is my lust."

The air suddenly went quiet. The tensions that had been there, swept away with the coming breeze. The golden dragoness' eyes widened, surprise clear as day across her snout. Arcturus sighed, squeezing his nose as his skin turned redder than Veledar's scales. No one said a solitary thing until the dragoness threw back her head with a throaty chuckle. It built and swelled until it burst forth into a thundering cackle that could be heard all around.

“See it worked?" He smirked back to his head shaking human,

Sessayn cackled and shook, flailed her tail and beat her paw against the stone. Tears fell from her cheeks until they had no more left to give, the dragoness clearly had a weakness to exploit. Eventually she stilled, a final tear swept away. “That's rich." She snickered, eyes falling to Arcturus, a warmth there that hadn't been there before. “A Lund sharing his heart with a dragon. How amusing that the end of their family is brought about by love and passion for a dragon." She strut around the fire with an amused sway in her haunches, “How your family must be turning in their graves with every thrust of that one's haunches."

“Yes!" Down went his paw, “if this was to diffuse the situation he'd continue. “And quite the talented way of taking my knot! His understanding of a dragon's anatomy is clearly demonstrated it-“

“Can we cease this." Arcturus eyed him like poison, stilling the dragon's tongue. “So that I can hold onto a sliver of my dignity? I don't think these strangers need privy to how I moan."

“But he didn't mention your passionate moans human." The golden dragoness chuckled as she flopped to her belly, a devilish grin about her snout. “Though it seems you only prove out point further."

The man's jaw tightened and clamped, his cheeks lava at this point.

“Ah…Well." He waved along his hand as he returned to his seat, trying to drown himself in his waterskin. “Is that quite enough to earn your trust? Or must you know more of our intimate nature?"

While the others still snickered or agreed with an aura of humor about them, Veledar coiled around his blushing mate. Though even as he wrapped a paw to pull him tight, let loose a chuckle. “I don't think that sort of thing is any reason to be embarrassed here." He smiled and whispered into the man's ear. “Remember the carvings?" Playful hands tried to shove him away, but he didn't yield an inch.

The stories of their journey were told very much the same, though ever shortened for the watchful Sessayn. With every word she waited with baited breath and narrowed eyes, almost waiting for the moment to be proven of Arcturus' lineage. She was like a statue, not a whisker or wing movement out of place. Callon brought an end to her troublesome glare with a bowl filled with soup, insisting that she return to her humanoid form.

“You're free to not of course." He tapped her flank, “But I doubt any amount I make could fill your belly!"

“It's not that big of a belly." She sighed, rolling her eyes with a huff when Callon poked her in the snout. She couldn't blush, but this was the closest she was able.

When the tale had finished and Arcturus' voice grown tired, Sessayn's head retreated far above them. Her paws kneaded the ground beneath her as she slowly studied them, a coldness soon returning to her gaze.

Despite the warmth of their previous story, Veledar couldn't shake the gnawing sense of dread coiling in his gut. Through his periphery of his vision he eyed a path to the woods just in case they needed to make a break for it.

“So as you can see, we mean you no harm." Arcturus coughed, pressing close to Veledar's flank. “Just here to inquire about the temple, and peruse what information it keeps within."

“Much information it keeps." She shifted to the temple's steps far above. “Years upon years of sacred knowledge, secrets, and sorrow. It's been empty for far too long, it would be joyous to know someone else traverses through it's trials."

“Trials?" Veledar's head tilted. No one had said anything about a trial. Where these thins typical in the usual adventure into ancient temples? He'd have to ask Cordenth when they next met. He almost pushed Sessayn back her snout got so close to his own. Her coming grin sent shivers down his spine.

She chuckled, deep in the back of her throat, like boulders down a hill. “Of course there would be trials. How else would we test or stress the bond in which you value? You come to us as circling souls, close yet still separate. Perhaps in time that will change." She rose up, thanking her husband for his meal with a tender lick.

“It was as delicious as always. Though it could have used more meat."

“I guess you shouldn't let my naivety distract you again." Callon smirked, earning himself a gentle paw press to the ground.

“Don't push your luck sweetie." She nuzzled him across the cheek. “Now for you two." She snapped back with narrowed eyes. “Follow after me."