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Chapter 6: Dragon’s Delight

What an odd circumstance the dragon found himself, at the mercy of his fellow companions. Not something that one of his kind often found themselves, dragons usually coasted along on their superior physical attributes and magical abilities. His thoughts drifted out one of the many windows of this domicile, taking flight into the dusk air. The dragon huffed, traveling from the shades of lavender intermixed with streaks of black, painted ever lovingly with the red oranges of the departing sun. From the depths of his soul he whimpered, catching sight of a pair of gryphons dancing on above, oblivious to the freedom that they now held.

He had to remind himself that this was for the greater good of his mission, that he must endure this embarrassment and powerlessness if he hoped to succeed. That his strength would be needed elsewhere, and Lyndis’ guile and finesse would prove fruitful, after all, that is why he’d allowed her to stay in his group. No doubt she could talk her way through the underbelly of this place, uncover the whereabouts of his stolen treasure.

It left him to his own devices, of which he thought he’d repay the fair head woman of the house by helping her with her cooking. After all, she would be delighted that a dragon would give her the time of day. He’d been tasked with constructing some dumplings with his finesse filled paws, he’d bragged to her so. Unfortunately, the woman’s flour had proved somewhat, uncooperative, resulting in everyone getting a fine dusting of the white powder. Resembling one of the snow animal creatures, she’d banished him from her kitchen with the roar that only a dragon could match. That was alright though, Veledar knew that his skills could be appreciated elsewhere, he just wished in his huff filled exit he hadn’t caught her pots and pans with his tail, gracing all within to the symphony of clatter.

Arcturus was busy with Asterion, engaging in a crude form of wrestling, the pair interlocked as they traveled about the basement floor. In a series of grunts and growls they traveled about the cold floor, determined to not let the other win. The dragon departed with a harsh snort, although stopping to linger upon the bare shirted form of Arcturus. While not a dragon or containing many scales of his own, he could not find it quite alluring. His frills burned for a moment or two before he padded his way out, not wishing to discuss to the pair why he’d flagged during their contest of strength.

This left him to be dragged away by the naive and sweet little girl, who ever was delighted to find a dragon within their home. He found himself unable to resist her as she dragged him along by the horn, her demeanor that of the sun. Her caretaker, however, wasn’t as thrilled, Krotos had followed along after them with a hardened gaze, lashing his tail against the walls. While the others seemed to relax around his presence, in close proximity to the girl, the gryphon was all business. By this aura about him, he imagined at the slightest hiccup, and he’d find himself with an angry ball of feathers and fur breathing down his neck. Granted, he imagined he could pin and put the bird in his place, but he was trying to make a good impression, and he imagined making their guardian look like a fool would do little to help their plight. So instead, he was forced to roll his eyes and let the gryphon think that he had any sort of position of strength.

So now it was that Veledar lay down upon his side, gazing out the window as the little Gwen played around him, strutting about her room with the pride to rival that of a dragon. She would pad her way to her pile of stuffed animals and bring them one by one to introduce the red dragon to them. She’d evidently picked plenty of silly names, he’d nod, and she’d be thrilled that he’d paid the slightest bit of attention. He scratched his chest as his thoughts removed themselves from his quest and instead to the thing that had been bugging him all day.

He’d felt Arcturus’ emotions, that much was certain. There was no denying it now. The idea puzzled him, wondering if this all went back to their moment upon the mountain, where they’d saved each other from certain death. Veledar trembled at the thought, recalling the numbing pain that held him gripped, threatening to strip the dragon from this mortal coil. There had been Arcturus, his paladin, the brave and heroic knight that had brought him back. Was it then that he grew fonder of the man’s un-dragon like features? Appreciated his determination more than anything else? The dragon rumbled to himself over these thoughts, wishing the man was right here to lay his hands upon him, make him laugh. As he dwelled on such pleasing thoughts, he could only focus on Merlia, laughing at how she had been right the entire time.

Curse her he thought as he growled, his claws digging into the hard wood beneath him. He then suddenly blinked, the realization dawning on him for the first time. He actually liked Arcturus, and not only that was swept away by his demeanor and charm, wanted to be around him, thought of him fondly, even as he teased and played with him. Was that so wrong? Did it matter that he belonged to the Lunds? His tail thumped at the thought, the only question that remained was how to tell him, or if he even shared the same sensations. Of course, Arcturus would want him, he was Veledar, a dragon, the sexiest and most beautiful thing on this entire plane.

His chest filled with pride, blood surging with confidence, he’d march down there this instant and look the man in the eye and tell him his intentions. But his paws felt as though they were made of lead, it was certainly how he’d have done it if the man was a male dragon, but humans and their ilk were sensitive, quirky, he imagined the wrong move might scare him off. He hated to admit it, but the next step for him would require a bit more care. Again, he pictured Merlia, oh he was going to bite her next time he saw her for daring to intrude upon his thoughts so often.

“Hey mister dragon sir, you’re not paying attention at all!” Came Gwyneth’s voice, cutting through his biting Merlia fantasy.

He shook his head, focusing his attention on the red faced human before him. Why, he thought the little girl might even grow scales with how vibrant crimson her cheeks were! He laughed, assuring her that he indeed was paying attention, he just caught sight of the gryphons outside the window flying about.

“You like them flying too?” She beamed, her anger seemingly forgotten as she padded her way over to gaze out the window, eyes twinkling as they followed the gryphons in their dance. “It’s so fun looking, I can’t wait till I’m older and can do it too.”

“You’re aware I give you rides.” Krotos mentioned from across the room, sitting upon his hinds, gaze locked firmly upon the dragon.

“Well obviously.” Scoffed the youth, “But I mean like flips and stuff! Loop de loops!” She mimed the action with the small stuffed red dragon within her grip. “Oh yea, Mister dragon sir, this is smoky!” She snapped about, brandishing the toy to Veledar’s snout as if it were the greatest treasure, “It’s my positive favorite!”

It made him rumble in the depths of his throat, she evidently had good taste and a rightful head on her shoulders. The little dragon in question appeared to be pristine, speaking of the care the girl took in keeping it. The stitching was flawless, the membranes of the toy’s wings a dark red and it had black horns and two orange buttons for eyes. To make sure of her taste he gestured to the heaping piles of gryphon stuffed animals scattered across the shelves and dressers, “Among your vast hoard of stuffed chickens?”

“Mmhmm.”

He grinned as Krotos thumped his tail, insisting they were gryphons not chickens.

“He likes to fly about all day, blow fire and uh…kidnap princesses.”

“Kidnap princesses?” Veledar rolled his eyes and drummed his claws on the floor at the stereotype, how it got started he hadn’t a clue. Yet despite this, he couldn’t help but chuckle that Cordenth, one of the green dragons from the Forest of Despair, had gone about courting one of his own. “And why would Smokey go and do that, cause himself nothing but trouble?”

“Because he wants to bring them home to his giant lair and have a.... a tea party!” Gwen twirled the small dragon around as if in flight. One such turn she lost her balance and fell onto Veledar's snout, with an “oomph”. She paused for only a moment at his reaction before laughing aloud with glee as he let out a playful snort, ruffling her dress.

“Careful now small one, I don’t let anyone touch my snout without permission.” He playfully hissed.

“Hey!” Squawked Krotos his feathers ruffling, “No hisses for the little misses!”

“Oh, come now you overgrown turkey, I was playing with her.” He rolled his eyes, getting another series of her giggles.

Gwyneth pulled back, “I’m so sorry mister Crimson Sky sir, I didn’t mean to, it was an accident!”

“That’s alright little whelp.” Veledar cooed, careful in the rise of his head that he didn’t strike the ceiling.

“I’m not a whelp.” She corrected him, “I’m a little girl!”

Veledar just chuckled at her, “Whelp is what dragons refer to their young, especially ones as small as you. You’re not exactly a dragon, so I cannot give you the proper aging.”

“Well, if I were a dragon Mr. Crimson Sky sir, what would I be called?”

“And how old are you?”

“I am six!” She showed him with her fingers.

_“_Six years old you would be considered a wrymling.” He took one of his claws and tapped her nose slightly, eliciting a giggle.

“Would I be able to fly?” She asked, holding smokey close to her chest.

“Just barely, since as we do not have the ability to fly when we are small. Our parents carry us into the sky for several years.” Veledar thought back once again to his time flying with his adopted mother. Remembering the wind battering his face, the sun's warm rays on his scales, and the thrill beating in his chest.

“Wow that must be scary.” Gwen pouted, “So how do you learn to fly?”

“They drop us one day, so that we may try.” He chuckled, remembering his first time and how he shrieked with excitement and terror.

“They drop you!” She gasped, looking horrified. “That's terrible! They sound like bad moms.”

“It really isn't, we have out wings.” He stretched his wing for her to see the leathery membranes. However, he forgot the size of this room, his appendage pushing a small wooden box off a dresser and send it crashing it to the floor where it burst on impact. In a clatter, wooden jewelry beads and other assorted metal trinkets scattered across the floor like vermin.

“My treasures!” Gwen cried, bounding over to the mess. Frantically she started picking up the scattered things, soon joined by Krotos with some concerned chirps. “You got to be more careful mister Crimson Sky sir!” She wheeled around as the catbird closed the container and placed it back.

His frills pinned to his snout, “Apologies, I did not mean to damage any of your...things. I know what it’s like to have others disrespect your possessions. I merely intended to show you my wing.” He wiggled the wing he still had extended, almost hitting a painting on the wall of a horse running in a forest.

“Dragon!” Krotos squawked in alarm, “Could you put your wing away before you ruin the rest of her room?”

He folded up his wing, giving the uppity kitty bird a well-deserved snarl. However, instantly he regretted the decision as little Gwyneth sprinted for safety, hiding in the gryphon’s chest fur.

“Apologies again little one, I forgot that you’re not used to my sounds.”

She gave a soft nod, her features softening, “Okay.” She replied softly, taking a deep breath as she clutched Krotos tight.

“Finished startling little girls?” Asked the gryphon with a steeled gaze.

“I just explained it.” Huffed Veledar but minding how fierce he sounded.

There was an awkward bit of silence between the trio, Gwyenth eventually finding the courage to let go of her gryphon cushion and return to her dolls. Thankfully during this moment, Arcturus chose to return, clad back in his simple onyx tunic and trousers, sweat upon his brow.

“And that’s when he barges in, trips on the table, you should have seen all their faces.” Arcturus laughed to Gus at his side.

“Oh Trost, love that place.” Gus chuckled, “They make a mean stew, not to mention the gryphons are so hospitable. Think on our last visit Mary and I got caught up in singing!”

Veledar caught sight with the jovial knight, deducing the topic in question was his own embarrassment. They exchanged knowing looked before the dragon warbled, he would teach him for poking fun at his scales, “You think that was funny, you should have seen Arcturus when I first took him flying.” The dragon flickered his frills as the man’s cheeks went red, “It was then I learned my paladin likes to scream for dragons.”

“Scream for dragons now does he?” Krotos put on a sly grin as Arcturus looked ready to die. “Arcturus, now that I know this factoid of your character, is there anything else you liked to do for our red friend?” He nudged the man with one of his wings.

At this remark the blushing man held his calm, “Nothing that I can imagine is running between your ears I imagine kittybird. You would shriek too if the blighted dragon grabbed you and leaped out the belly of a ship!”

“Kitty bird?” Krotos tilted his head, “Of all the little names given to my feathery kin, that has alluded me. Wherever did you hear it?”

“Is that not a standard name?” The knight looked puzzled before flicking his attention to Veledar for answers, “Crimson Sky here has referred to them as such, for the life of me he won’t stop.”

“And what if I went about calling him a bat winged, fire breathing lizard?” The gryphon’s feathers fluffed, earning himself a poke of the dragon’s paw to his yellow beak.

“Do it and we shall learn how flammable feathers can be kittybird.” Veledar hissed with a wicked grin, relishing in how the gryphon pulled back, clacking his beak.

“So, Krotos, what were you and Gwyenth getting onto up here.” Gus chuckled, hands on his hips, giving both his daughter and the gryphon knowing nods, “Nothing too mischievous, I hope?”

“Hardly.” The gryphon rolled his eyes, “Though she did fancy doing loop de loops and rolls on our next flight, I think she might be a dare devil.”

Gwyneth merely smiled as her dad rounded on her, thrusting Smokey the doll right to his face, “I was showing Crimson Sky Smokey and he told me I was a whelp.”

“A whelp huh?” Gus padded over to one of her dressers and grabbed a small brown gryphon doll with white wings. “Will Smokey and the great champion of the air do battle again like they always do?” The man lowered himself, shaking the gryphon doll as if it were to attack.

“NOO!” Gwen held smokey against her chest, “They are going to become friends and go on an adventure!” She ran over to the gryphon, and pressed smokey against the gryphon doll. “They will fly away together, get treasure, fight bad guys, save princesses, and get rid of bedtimes.” She leaped away into Krotos embrace, playfully batting the animals against the soft nibbles of his beak.

_ _ “Well fine!” Gus, exclaimed “They will travel to the farthest land, together!” He held up the small gryphon and pretended to have it fly, as Gwen bounded after him with smokey. “Will they perhaps find love?” He asked.

“Of course!” Gwyneth scoffed, “They will marry one of the princesses they find!”

“How about if they find a noble knight?” Veledar asked, sharing a look with Arcturus. It pleased him the man swiftly averted his gaze.

“They can do that too!” Gwen ran back towards Arcturus, as Krotos playfully followed her the entire time. She then suddenly stopped, eyes wide and fraught with despair, “Oh no! What if one of them gets hurt on this adventure?”

“That would mean they need someone to heal them!” Chirped Krotos without skipping a beat, nibbling at the little girl’s hair in affection, “So that little girls don’t cry over them.”

As the parent and his gryphon chased the little girl around the room in a symphony of play growls and trills, Veledar rose to all fours, returning his attention to where it belonged, Arcturus. He gave the man a nudge of his snout as he pushed him out of the room. “So, did you have fun searching through this lair?” He growled in amusement at the knight’s inability to resist him, “I can’t imagine it was that interesting. Remind me to bat at Lyndis for good measure for leaving us to heaping piles of boredom.”

“Don’t blame me, you hired her if I last remembered.” Arcturus replied, retreating from the dragon’s nose to take position at his side, “But it was just him showing me all the rooms, he asked some brief questions about you.”

There it was, the sense of mystery and intrigue, it practically forced the dragon to dig ever deeper. “What sort of things about me? I hope only good things, I’d hate to burn this poor human’s lair down. I don’t imagine Mary would be very happy with me.”

The man laughed at his good joke, “Go and do that and I can guarantee you’d find yourself on the receiving end of an exceptionally heavy cast iron skillet. Just be glad you’re not a gryphon.” The man mimed slamming said object right between the legs.

“You very well know we lack that certain weakness.” Chuffed the dragon, “Of the things you learned from your books on dragons, I imagine anatomy was among them.”

“I mean, there was all sorts of things in them.” Arcturus gave a nervous laugh as the dragon merely drew closer, enjoying how his cheeks flushed. “But as for Gus, you can imagine what sort of things he might imagine.”

He imagined something boring, but he decided to groan and ask anyway, “Spit it out Arcturus, I’m in no mood for games.”

“He was…rather forward in his inquires. Go figure since he has a gryphon now as part of the family, things of that nature become everyday life.”

“I take it he asked about something intimate?” He rumbled, “There is no need to shy away from such things, honestly I’m amazed the gryphons have not rubbed off on you more.” The dragon paused, chuckling at his lewd joke, waving a paw, “What did you tell this friend of yours?”

In that moment, the man found no words. He merely rose a finger, wrinkling his brow in contemplation. The dragon’s heart skipped a beat as something radiated through him, a peculiar sensation that traveled down into his paws. It only grew warmer as the knight rubbed the back of his neck, rolling a hand.

“The truth, that nothing was going on between us. That we were on a quest for your book and treasure and that was it.”

He huffed in disappointment, hoping to get more than that. The dragon rolled his eyes and pressed forward, gently nudging the man into the wall, rubbing his form against his flank. Down the steps he went, ignoring the paladin’s silence and instead focusing on the sensation now crawling into his spine. What was this sensation, it wasn’t disgust or annoyance, certainly not hate; he rumbled in his own head to that. But what could it be? He clicked his talons on the stairs, the thought swirling through his mind. Then it came to him, it was embarrassment, mixed with a hint of lust. How juicy! The dragon’s eyes widened, peering back to the man now pretending to be inspecting a painting of a countryside on the wall. Was it possible that the knight shared similar thoughts to himself, that he didn’t know how to properly approach him?

Arcturus padded down after him, turning the dragon’s head as the flustered man sought to compose himself. Had he worked up the courage? Veledar’s mind buzzed with anticipation as he wheeled about, careful to not catch anything on his tail.

“Well go on Arcturus, speak your mind.” The dragon rumbled, drawing ever closer. “What is it? You look ever so flustered.”

“Upstairs.” He gestured, “What possessed you to stay there? You can’t possibly have been playing with dolls the entire time. Unless you’ve hidden this dark secret from me.”

To that he rolled his eyes, “We were not playing with dolls. I was brooding at my current predicament, waiting for our princess while the wrymling was showing me her dolls. She then asked me about the dragon life cycle…”

“Oh gods, don’t tell me- “Arcturus squeezed the bridge of his nose with a groan, “That you told her about the bird and the bees?”

“What nonsense is that?” Veledar’s head cocked, “Do you mean the drakes and the gryphons? Like mating and courtship among dragons?” He flared his nostrils as evidently Arcturus had entertained it as a possibility. “Why would I tell one so young about this, I have at least some class Arcturus.”

“You say that, but you often have the ability to fit your paw in your maw.”

“Was that all you wanted to ask of me?”

Silence filled the hall as Arcturus laid a hand on the dragon’s cheek. There was a heaviness between them for a moment or two, a thread seemingly connecting them both and winding tight. Arcturus’ cheeks flushed, eyes trapped in the dragon’s own, possibly trying to find the words to his inner, most intimate thoughts.

“Foods ready you lazin nobs!” Lyndis shouted from down below, shattering what tension lingered in the air. “And hurry up, I worked up an appetite finding this place!”

“Food?” Krotos’ keen squawk resounded through the hall, the gryphon soon stampeding down the stairs and passed the duo to the kitchen. “Come on the rest of you, if you don’t hurry up, by Thor’s thunder it’s going to be mine!”

“Like hell you are feathery fiend, I’ll be stabbing ya before you get any of mine.”

“Mary, who is this feisty, pointy eared woman?”

Mary’s laugh bounced through the air, “Lyndis and she’s been fairly charming, so mind yourself though I’d be careful, I think she’s relatively serious.”

“Charming to meet you Lyndis, could you perhaps put the dagger down?”

“You put down your talons first bird boy!”

Arcturus sighed as a series of shouts and squawking curses came from the kitchen, “Suppose we have to play mediator again.”

Veledar growled in annoyance at having that moment interrupted, he was certain Arcturus was just about to take on the irksome task of being the first to admit their emotions to one another. However, his irritation would swiftly die, at least he wasn’t the one causing the current ruckus, and the promise of food didn’t hurt either.

The air was filled to the brim with alluring scents, of roasted fish and seared lamb. The dragon was warbling as he plucked out the spicy hints of pepper and garlic, even spying a dash of honey in for good measure. He rounded the table which Lyndis and Krotos were now squabbling over, where bowls, plates, cups, and utensils were made from simple steel. Here there was an assortment of goodies, not just the glistening meat that sent shivers down his spine. There were apples of red and green, oranges peeled and sliced into wedges. The less appealing plates of cheeses and steaming vegetables could be found here.

“My, there looks to be enough to feed an entire squad.” Arcturus gasped the moment he caught sight of all the numerous dishes, piled high with food, “You didn’t need to- “

“Nonsense!” Mary barked, gesturing to where he and the dragon could place themselves, “Having a gryphon about makes one prepared for this sort of thing. Besides, we could do to empty the larder.”

“We can pay if you need us- “

“Arcturus, shut your yap and sit down.”

To give the woman’s words the added weight, Veledar nudged the man forward, nearly knocking him over. “You heard her, sit down!”

Though it was tighter than he would have liked, the dragon placed himself firmly between Lyndis and Arcturus, sitting upon his hinds, curling his tail around the knight and ensuring his horns were not dragging on the ceiling. The half elf exchanged with him a pleased grin, evidently whatever her mission was had been a roaring success. When he asked her if that was the case, she merely winked, letting him know everything was taken care of.

“Just sit back, stuff your gob and relax, come morning we’ll know more.” Lyndis grinned.

“Going to share exactly whom we’re dealing with?” He raised a brow, getting a roll of the eyes in return.

“Not really.”

“Probably someone dubious.” Arcturus said, eyes narrowed.

“If they are or not isn’t really your concern, what is- “She poked Veledar square in the chest, “Your dragonship is getting back your treasure. Last thing I need is a righteous knight and pompous dragon spoiling the entire affair.”

Veledar huffed as the others joined them, taking seats around the table. He would have pressed the woman further on the subject, but he’d trusted her this far, given her his name, he owed her at least that. “Still, I would want to know the person’s name.” He thumped his tail.

“Damon, and that’s all your getting.”

“I suppose that will do for now. Just let this Damon know that if he double-crosses us, he will feel my flames.”

“You think he’d be so daft as to double cross us?”

Arcturus grimaced, “Didn’t Crimson Sky meet you running from bandits, then again we faced off with those thugs in Drakenburg?”

She blushed, averting her gaze, “Well…It won’t be like any of those times. This time they know we have a dragon to whip out if they need a good thrashing.”

“What are you whipping out?” Krotos interjected, the bird’s crown feathers raising.

“Nothing that would interest you.”

The catbird chuckled, “Don’t be too sure woman, I’m interested in many things.”

Veledar meanwhile had his snout watering, ignoring the plate that was placed before him. Eyes traveled over each alluring dish, begging for the dragon to merely dig in and gobble it down in a symphony of snarls. “Do…I just dig in?” he asked with a wavery voice as he sat transfixed on the glistening fish. He slowly reached out with a paw to spear it with a talon.

“No, you wait to be served, like a good dragon!” Mary laughed, smacking his paw with a ladle.

Veledar instantly retracted his paw and glared at the woman.

“Well wait your turn.” Mary laughed as she began serving out to her guests, Gus soon helping in the process. Together in a series of scooping, plopping and slicing everyone gathered was served. Krotos and the dragon of course had been served the most, both getting at least four fish for themselves.

“And will there be something else besides water?” The dragon mused as Arcturus nursed a tankard.

“I second that motion!” Merlia laughed, “Nothing goes better with lamb than a pint of Foggy Mountain brew.”

“Anything you like, but I’m not quite sure we have that.” Mary laughed, gesturing to Krotos, who had already gotten up on his path to the larder, “Krotos here can’t go a meal without a whole bottle of wine.”

“Just because you lack the acquired taste Mary isn’t my fault.” Chirped the gryphon in reply.

“Sounds like my kind of bird!” Smirked Merlia, “Grab me something strong gryphon.”

“I’d be amiss if I didn’t tell you drinks for my kind could kill less sturdy folk.”

“Do I look like a babe? Show me what swill passes for booze in this house.”

Krotos’ ears perked at the dwarf’s challenge, disappearing with a pleased chirp, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you Merlia!”

Drinks suited for gryphons? The dragon was intrigued, he certainly wasn’t going to be left out of their antics. “Grab me something as well gryphon. My day has been exceptionally strenuous.”

“Strenuous? You waited in line, lazed about and relaxed in a room!” Arcturus remarked with a laugh, “On what plane is that Strenuous?”

He rolled a paw to his chest, “I’ve been denied the opportunity to hunt my own food, the ability to fly in the sky, and even strolling about in my natural form beyond the halls of this human hovel- “

“House.” Mary corrected.

“House.” He grumbled, “And forced to endure the burden of having my fate rest in the hands of my minions, I say that deserves a drink.”

“Should we fetch you a mug?” Mary gestured to his paws, “Even our gryphon tankards might be too small. Suppose we could use pans, pots- “

“Whatever is larger.” Huffed the dragon.

“He could change down his size or be a two legger.” Arcturus grabbed a piece of bread from the table with a sigh, “But I suppose your pride won’t let you?”

“What’s the matter with my beautiful form?” The dragon mused, rolling a paw to his chest, “Why the rest of you should be pleased that I have graced you with such splendor- “

The man silenced him with a cup of the dragon’s chin, massaging the scales, “You just have to make things difficult, don’t you? Krotos I could use some wine as well!”

“As could I, have anything that could grow hair on your chest?” Asterion snorted, slamming a hunk of lamb onto his plate. “Anything to dull the dragon’s prattling.”

There was soon a flurry of requests from the gathered guests, keeping the catbird busy as he gathered everything in a series of clinks. Merlia was swift to join him and offer a pair of helping hands. By the time they returned, they were carrying a whole basket filled with bottles of all shapes and sizes.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn the lot of you.” Krotos challenged as Mary placed a cooking pot before the dragon.

With a pop of a cork, she tilted a bottle of shaded lavender glass, emptying the contents and filling the bottom of it. The liquid was a midnight purple, bubbling and smelled of apples, pears, and honey. When he dipped in his tongue he was greeted with an earthy taste, betraying the scents that had tantalized him so. He swished it around, finding it not unpleasant, and burned when he swallowed It down. “Nothing special.” He lamented as the gryphon merely gave a pleased trill.

“Don’t like the fruity stuff dragon? I assure you it hits like a draft horse’s kick.” Krotos laughed.

“By thunder he might be right!” Merlia pounded her chest with a cough with a smile, “It might not compare to our stuff, but it’s certainly better than that swill you find near the Wallowdale mountains.”

Lyndis rolled her eyes, “Maybe you should teach them if you hate it so. The elves there instead focus on more spiritual pursuits.”

“So, the unfun stuff.” She laughed, “Suppose next you tell me they sit around readin books and doing each other’s hair!”

With the drinks down the meal could begin. Veledar regarded his utensils for a moment, knowing that his green dragon friend Cordenth would have used them, but he was a proper dragon. He devoured the fish with a chomping of jaws, filling the room with his pleased warbles. Apples he stabbed with his claws, let them pop into his maw and the juices run rivers down his jaw. The dinner devolved for him into a blur of tastes and pleased sounds, ignoring the looks that he was surely getting. Even Krotos among them, who was taking his time with upmost care.

“Gwyn dear, use your fork. You’re not a beastie.” Mary said sternly as the little one had plucked up a piece of fish and shoved it into her mouth.

“But Crimson Sky is using his paws!” Protested Gwyn.

“Do you look like a dragon?”

“Hmmpf.” She crossed her arms with a pout, sitting back into her chair.

So, the dinner continued, with laughs and merriment as they dug into the offered meal. Talk came of days passed, of battles and days fraught with delight. Arcturus spun them a yarn about something years ago during his training, where they’d helped apparently shave a poor gryphon named Skywing on his hind end. There was another tale of drunk halflings caroling through the streets, handing out pamphlets for a new device they were deeming the auto sweeper, a broom that would tidy and clean one’s house without fuss. Gus was in tears as he mentioned they had also been naked, then grew rowdy when they were forced to put on clothes. Krotos evidently had Merlia all swept away with a conversation about flying, the kitty bird’s beak dripping with narcissism, pride and vanity that could rival the dragon’s own. She must have liked it, as her cheeks were flushing red, eyes dazzling as though he were a tankard of mead that she was going to swallow up.

It was when the drinks had started to go empty and they were being refilled that talk finally turned towards him, interest resting in each of the gathered eyes upon him; except Asterion of course.

“Do you entertain guests often?” Mary remarked, pouring herself some blueish wine, her glass frosting at the edges, “Must get awfully lonely up in your home.”

“I’m well enough as it is.” Veledar remarked with a tap of his tail, then gesturing to his own empty bowl, “Although I must admit, sharing company with so many faces has been a bright spot these many months. Maybe when this adventure of mine is done, I shall do it more often.”

“Maybe we could visit mom, could we?” Gwyneth squealed, “I’ve never seen a dragon’s home before!”

“It’s rather crowded place, nestled above Drakenburg.” Lyndis chortled, “Everything scattered about.”

Mary sighed and let the child down easy, insisting that they might be able to if he was willing and not on the run from the king.

“Awwww.” Gwyn groaned.

Veledar eyed his bowl, an icy tint lapping at his soul. Thoughts darkened as he realized his home was now within the mountainside around Drakenburg, where his mother had once called it so. His head lowered and the others wondered if they had hit a nerve, but he told them to drop it and move on. When they offered him more booze he gladly accepted, instantly lapping at the mind effecting liquid and drowning out the darker thoughts.

“Woah there dragon, take it easy!” Squawked Krotos, before taking another beakful of wine, “I can’t let you beat me at my own stuff!”

Talk soon turned towards Merlia’s spirit, Gus laughing and going on how about there had been a pony one minute and then it was gone.

“Oh, ya mean Ulga?” Merlia turned towards the stairs and calling to the spirit, from upstairs came the small little orb. It danced and swirled as it moved through the air, floating several feet off the floor. It soared towards Merlia, before deciding at the last second to do a circle over the table overhead before coming to rest in an orbit around the dwarf’s outstretched finger. “Dis ere is Ulga.” she proudly said, as those unfamiliar gasped in surprise.

“She is so pretty!” Gwen cried out, practically bouncing out of her chair, “May I hold her?”

“Dat be up ta Ulga here. She doesn’t just let anyone hold her.” She gave the spirit a questioning look, “How about it girl, I promise she doesn’t bite.”

Without further prompting, the spirit flew into Gwyneth’s outstretched palms, sprouting a smile onto the little girl’s face.

“She is so warm!” The young girl gasped, starting to giggle as the spirit rolled up her arms and onto her shoulder, “What is she doing?”

“She’s getting a good look at ya.” Merlia took a swig from her mug. “She likes ta do dat from time ta time.”

Seeing an opportunity, no better than now, Veledar lowered his snout with a curious grin, “Care to divulge to your employer on where one acquired such a curio?”

_“O_oooo!” Gwen gave a happy croon. “I love stories!”

“Is it a salacious story?” Krotos raised an eyebrow.

“No ya dirty bird.” Merlia laughed, “Those can wait till afta da wee one is in bed.”

“What does salacious mean?” Gwen turned to ask her mother.

“It means a story that is meant for grownups, or gryphons, and I perhaps dragons.” Mary replied quickly.

“So dere I was roamin thru da forest near me old home.” Merlia lowered her voice and held up her arms. “I had just been kicked out a few days before.” she waved her hand, “Not important to da story, cover it another time. I was feelin down o' course, draggin meh feet thru the dirt.” Merlia held up two fingers and placed them onto her palm and dragged them against it.

“Kind of hard to see you dragging your feet in the dirt.” Veledar snarked.

“Well, I was ya baby. It was a hard time for me. Now back to da story.” She held up her hands once again, “I stumbled thru a part of da forest I’d had laid eyes on before. Plants that hung from trees of so many different colors, glowing like a candle lit beneath them. They seemed to be callin me name they were. Now I know what you’re thinking, Merlia why did ya go to da voices, that sounds like a bad idea.” She took a drink of her wine. “You be right most of the time, but at the time I didn’t care. So, there I went, tossing caution to the wind. I collapsed a time later and these strange plants started ta curl around meh. But I couldn’t do nothing about it.” Merlia's face darkened and lowered her voice to almost a whisper, “It was my lowest moment I think, almost taught about ending it right there.”

“Thats when I saw her. Floatin ta me like a little angel.” She gestured to Ulga, currently orbiting Gwen's head. “She flew round meh, inspecting meh, and changing colors. It was like a shadow had lifted over me.”

“But why call her a girl’s name?” Veledar snorted.

“What’s wrong with the name? She wouldn’t leave me alone, like a lost pup she was!” Merlia shrugged, “Wut was a dwarf ta do? I just kept walkin and let da spirit follow me.” She placed a thumb on her chin, “It was den I vowed to be da best explorer in the land and forget me clans exile. If they wanted ta do that, I'd make da best of it.”

“Tell us more about your exile!” Krotos practically shouted, wine springing forth from his beak to coat the table. “Oh, sorry about that.” the gryphon laughed, and grabbed a rag to start cleaning his spittle.

“Nah it be a tale for another time.” Merlia said softly, “Only good stories tonight.”

“Well, if we are going to be telling good stories, I have one that involves Gus over there. It may also have something similar to Crimson Sky’s tale of Arcturus.”

Veledar stretched his neck back and raised one of his eyebrows. “And what would that be kitty bird?”

“Gus likes to scream as well. Well during flying I mean, not during the …” Krotos coughed, and then dipped his beak into his drink to silence himself.

“You screamed Gus?” grinned the dragon, turning to the now reddening guard. From the drink or from the mention of him screaming the dragon did not know, or care. “I may want to now see who can scream louder, Arcturus here or his friend Gus? Course I would bet my scales it's my little human here that can scream the loudest.” Veledar wrapped a wing slightly around Arcturus and pulled him closer.

“What? I had never gone flying before.” Gus stammered, “It can't be helped if I may have shouted a tad.”

“You screamed Gus, so loud I thought I would nearly go deaf.” Continued Krotos.

“Nonsense, it couldn't have been that loud.” Gus took another sip.

“Trust me, it was loud enough I thought there was a nearby gryphoness who had reached an orgaas...” Krotos suddenly stopped, his gaze settling on Gwen, then back to his drink. “Perhaps this was not the best idea to do before Gwen goes down into her nest.”

“Oh, I coulda told ya dat!” Merlia cried, smacking her hand against the table. “Let’s get a randy gryphon, and an accident-prone dragon drunker den da nine hells, what could possibly go wrong?”

“I object to that.” Veledar raised his snout with a snort, “And I am most certainly not accident prone! You just place things all in my way! Besides my pint-sized friend, I’m most graceful in the air.”

“Only because they don’t build things that high to get in yer way!”

The dragon’s gaze narrowed as he took another slurp from his bowl of booze, relishing in the burning sensation it brought, it soothed the flushness of his frills as the dwarf proceeded to laugh and make a mockery of him. By the time he was done he was licking the thing clean, having swallowed every drop and ignoring the haze that had built around him.

“May I help you Crimson Sky?” Mary laughed, as the dragon eyed her. “You seem to have fallen madly in love with the pot. Should I perhaps leave you two alone?”

“I could always use more.” He licked his snout.’

“As could I dearest!” Krotos cried, now having taken a seat firmly beside Merlia on his haunches. As the dwarf curled a hand around his beak, he chirped something in her ear that made the dwarf rightfully blush.

As the night continued, drinks loosened tongues, lowered inhibitions as they told embarrassing stories from their youths. The dragon of course held his tongue, unwilling to sully his image any further. It left him chuckling and huff away as they shared onto him their deepest secrets. He found himself often drifting to Arcturus, warmth filling his heart with every stolen glance.

“How about that time Arcturus and I were in the military, and we mistook some gryphons for females. You should have seen Skywing laugh!” Gus burped, his face now bright red.

“Gus, this may not be the time or place!” Arcturus collapsed on his friend’s shoulder, face as red as Veledar’s scales, “That was supposed to remain a secret!”

Veledar merely teased the knight with his snout, “And what happened my noble knight?”

“Nothing I’d like to share in good company.”

“I am really good at keeping secrets!” Gwyneth said, the little girl all but forgotten until now, “Like once I saw Krotos, mom and dad wrestling. He must be really good at it because he always ends up on top! Or at least I think he was on top, his wing was blocking them wrestling.”

The room went dead silent so that one could hear a pin drop. Everyone turned to Gus and Mary, who were nervously laughing at the reveal.

Gus rose to sweep his daughter off her feet as she yawned, “And like that I believe it’s your bed dear, gods where have the time gone?”

Gwyn was whisked to her room by Gus, as she waved good night to everyone. Gus brought her swiftly up the stairs, as Veledar heard her ask why everyone went silent over wrestling. “It's ok if you lose dad, he’s much bigger than you.”

The dragon tossed back his head and laughed, scraping his horns across the ceiling as everyone joined in. His tail caught upon Arcturus’ chair, threatening to drag him down, but the man was still swift enough to catch himself from falling.

“Watch you infernal tail dragon!” The human playfully punched his scales, “You’re going to make me fall for you...I mean because of you.” He blushed, “You know what I mean.”

The sensations from before had returned, burning and spreading through the dragon like wildfire. He rose, eyes locked upon the human’s own, a playful smile spreading to his snout. With a soft rumble he planted his head squarely in the man’s lap, “Arcturus, I demand you pet my scales.”

“Come now, what has possessed you?” Arcturus scoffed, trying to remove the beast but finding it rather difficult, Veledar wouldn’t budge, “You’re being ridiculous.”

“Am I? Consider it payment on the long list of items you still owe me.”

“I still owe you?”

“My book is not yet in my paws, and neither is my treasure. Besides, it will be pleasing for both of us. Now get to it before I make more a fuss.”

The knight rolled his eyes, resistance crumbling in a chuff from the dragon. Hands softly were placed on the beasts scales, traveling, and pressing firmly across their surface. Skill wove their way through the dragon’s flesh, closing his eyes and dragging forth pleased purrs into the air.

“You like that don’t you?”

“You got expert hands for this.” Veledar replied softly, “Did I say stop?”

“You’re not tricking me into something dirty, are you?”

“Why, would you want to be tricked into something dirty?”

Arcturus’ cheeks burned, “Just still that tongue and enjoy it.”

And that he did, minutes locked away in the paladin’s tender care. For one taught to slay dragons, he certainly knew enough where to press or massage the dragon’s face. He was trapped in moments of bliss, a euphoric embrace that he wished to never escape. When the knight reached his frills the dragon trembled, taking all his willpower to not spread his wings and take out the table.

“Have you done this before my paladin?” Rumbled the dragon in bliss, “I think I might inquire you to do this again.”

“Can I work off my debt that way?”

“If you do as good as this, I will think about it. “He sighed, as Arcturus pressed harder into his frills it elicited a soft moan.

“You best be only enjoying this the normal way.” Arcturus groaned, “I don’t want to see you flagging about.”

“It takes more than a good frill petting to make me flag.” The dragon pressed into his touch.

“Good because I won’t be seduced into doing anything lewd with you.”

“Who mentioned doing anything lewd with me? You’re the one with the dirty mind Arcturus. I’m just getting a good massage from my most treasured minion.”

Lyndis, who had been watching the entire time merely laughed at the display, “You know, if we knew he could be defeated this easily, it would have saved us a lot of trouble.”

“I’ll say, it shuts him up.” Asterion grunted, downing another tankard.

“So, are you volunteering to pet him?” Arcturus laughed, only for the minotaur to give him a steeled glance.

“That would be your job.”

“Arcturus you handle me like your sword. “Veledar murmured, pressing into Arcturus’ firm chest.

Gus returned to their graces, brandishing an old, weathered guitar. “Look what I found, brings back memories doesn’t it?” He shared a knowing look with Arcturus before tossing the man the instrument. “Have a look.”

The man caught it as Veledar retreated, turning it over in his grasp. “Where did you get this?” his hands grazed over an engraving on the back, of three letters close together SAS, enclosed in a heart.

“Something found back before you moved out here.” Gus scooched close to his wife, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Figured you’d be wanting it back, old thing still has some life in her, I was never good at it.”

“You played music?’ Lyndis remarked with a smirk, “The uptight paladin has a bit of ease to him? Who knew.”

His eyes softened, transfixed as if drifting back to years long ago. Hands quivered, sending a sharp bit of pain to the dragon’s chest.

Veledar grunted, rubbing at his scales. What on earth was that? It lingered and pulsed, as if he’d been slammed by a hammer. What was this pain over a small object like that?

“Years ago.” Arcturus said softly, with a darkened face, gently stroking the strings.

“Kept it in tune of course.” Gus’ chest swelled with pride, “On the day I gave it back, figure this is as good a day as any.”

“What are ya waiting for?” Merlia slurred, leaning into Krotos, the gryphon’s claw wrapped around her tight. “Play us a wee little something!” She blushed as the gryphon nibbled at her hair, prompting the fire haired maiden to whirl about and smack him on the beak. “Oi, watch your beak mister handsome.”

“Mister handsome, am I?” Krotos chuckled softly with hooded eyes, “My lovely dwarf, would you like to play a game of who has the prettiest feathers? I promise to not be biased.”

For a moment there looked as if there was going to be a murder, Merlia jabbing her fork into the overly forward catbird. However, the ranger’s expression hardened into one of determination, her hands locking like a vice over his yellow beak. “Listen here ya feathery bastard, you think that just cause you be handsome and make me so wet that I can slide all the way to my room that you can nibble at me? That you can drag me up to your wee nest, throw me onto the bed and rut me like a good little hen?” She leaned in with a hungry gleam in her eye, “Cause you’d be right.”

Krotos stuttered, his ears splaying, clearly this approach not meant to work this well. He clacked his beak and stuttered for a moment before returning with a confident chirp. “But how do we get away?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be taking care of that.” Merlia put her hand to her lips, “Just watch a wee bit of Dwarven subtlety, they’ll never know anything.” She sat up, her voice swelling to the strength of seven dwarves, “You’ll have to pardon us, Krotos here wanted to show me something interesting about his nest.”

“Most interesting.” Krotos nodded in agreement.

“Like how firm the cushions be.”

Without another word, the duo rushed from the table with excited whispers and teasing glances. Veledar was certain he caught sight of the lewd gryphon nipping at her rear end. He couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head, wondering if gryphons and dwarves could create some form of hybrid, he supposed come morning they would find out.

“Well, that was certainly something.” Laughed Mary, falling onto Gus, “That’s Krotos for you, can hardly resist a pretty face.”

“Male or female.” Gus rolled his eyes, nuzzling at his wife’s cheek, “Guess that means it’s just us in our bed tonight.”

Asterion poured himself another drink, still a wall of stone. He rose, padding his way to the couch and the fire, “Your gryphons disgust me. Can they not keep it in their sheaths for a single moment?” With a heavy snort the warrior plopped onto the cushions, staring into the fire and nursed his tankard.

“Gryphons, you get used to them.” Arcturus shrugged as Lyndis merely threw back her head laughing, “Sex to them is as casual as a hello.”

“Speaking of gryphons and being lewd.” Veledar chortled, his mind ever fuzzy from the copious amount of drink, “One time in my home, I had these two gryphon friends Rundak and his mate Vik. See there was a misunderstanding over territory and if I was a female or not, which resulted in them allowing me to- “

Arcturus closed his arms around the dragon’s snout, bringing an end to what would have been a most thrilling and erotic tail.

“Oh, come on, I wanted to hear it!” Mary chortled into her drink, “It sounded like he was going to fuck them!”

“I think you might have had enough dear.” Gus laughed.

Veledar merely growled playfully at the paladin locked upon his snout, swearing that he’d pay him back for being such a wet blanket. He huffed and thumped his tail, shaking the table.

“What did I say you horny beast? Don’t make me have Lyndis splash you with ice cold water.” Arcturus slid off the dragon’s snout, returning to his seat.

“She can try, you’ll find I’m quite swift.” He growled, “But know this Arcturus, for depriving your friends of my delightful story, you shall know my wrath.”

“I can’t wait.” The paladin replied flatly, earning himself a nip at his side. “Hey! Watch the teeth!”

His tail playfully flicked, “You know, with that reaction, I’ll only do it more.”

“Just play your music and distract him.” Lyndis rolled her eyes, “Please mister bard, can you spin a sweet adventurer and her dragon a song?”

“I’m not so sure, sweet could describe either of you.” Arcturus scoffed, “And I’ve not played in quite some time…Who knows if I’ll be any good.”

“Play!” Veledar teased, nudging his chest as Gus and Mary joined in on his assertion. “How about you Asterion, should Arcturus play?”

“I don’t care.” Growled the warrior.

“Who cares what he thinks anyway.”

With all those around, pleading to hear the man play, Arcturus’ resistance was battered and tested. Eventually, under all their expectant looks he crumbled. “Very well, but don’t expect much.”

“Just shut your face and play.” Lyndis laughed, “I’m sure you’re fine.”

Veledar caught the man in his sight, both getting stuck as they gazed into each other’s deep pools. The dragon flicked his tail with a soft rumble, the very image of a proud beast. “Don’t you wish to play for me?”

Arcturus sighed and positioned himself, gears turning between his ears on what to play. For a moment he seemed to drift away, to a place far beyond Entis’ walls, back to where he was once happy and more filled with life. The man smiled soft and tender, beginning to strum. Arcturus’ skilled fingers danced across the strings with grace, weaving a tapestry of his soul. The melody that came was tender and commanding, resonating through the air with each chord struck. Notes echo and linger upon the air like memories of distant lands and lost loves, evoking a sense of nostalgia that tugged upon the dragon’s heartstrings.

His eyes gleamed like emeralds in the firelight, betraying the depth of his emotions. A mixture of sorrow, hope and longing played across his face as he became one with the melody he conjured. His very being poured into every note, every passage, carrying the weight of his triumphs, his tribulations, and love.

As the song progressed, the tempo fluctuated, mimicking the ebb and flow of life’s unpredictability journey. The music swells with passion and intensity mirroring the fierce battles he fought in Rothdell’s war, and then it softens to a gentle whisper, reminiscing the moments of tenderness and intimacy he’d experienced.

Arcturus eyes closed, allowing the emotions to envelop him entirely. Every strum and pluck became a cathartic release, shoving off the burdens he carried and replaced with dreams he held dear. As the last note reverberates, the room fell silent, only then did he open his eyes; there was a hushed awe that lingers in the air as tears welled in his eyes.

“Thanks for the instrument.” Sniffed Arcturus as he shoved the instrument back into Gus’ waiting hands and making his way out of the house.

Veledar sat stunned, hearing and experiencing a glimpse into the man’s spirit greater than he’d ever known. Through that entire sequence, he’d been lost in the whirlwind of emotion that had passed through him. There it was upon his neck, a tether between them, insisting upon the dragon to follow on after him, not let him get away.

“I shouldn’t have asked him to play.” Gus said softly, giving a defeated sigh. getting Mary to rub his back.

Mary rubbed his back with a tender coo, “It’s alright, you did nothing wrong. I’m sure that it’s still fresh, no matter how long passes.”

Even Lyndis, who had been eager as the others bit her tongue, instead staring into the depths of her drink.

He supposed it was up to him then. Veledar stood tall, nearly knocking over the table as he rose to all fours. Without thought or mind of the protests, the dragon barged out of their quarters and followed upon Arcturus heels. He had been of mind to change his appearance back to his human form however, thankfully shutting down Lyndis’ desperate cry.

Finding the man wasn’t hard, he’d left the stables open, an invitation for the dragon to follow. Veledar did as pain and sorrow flickered through his being, striking deep through his flesh. With a deep breath he composed himself and entered the stables, ensuring that he closed the door behind him. He found the man in one of the far stalls, placed upon a stack of hay, sobbing softly to himself.

“What are you doing here?” Arcturus asked as Veledar padded into the stall, resuming his true form.

“Not allowed to check upon my paladin?” The dragon asked, curling himself around the man. “Especially when something troubles him.”

“It’s nothing of your concern.” He wiped his swollen red eyes. “Nothing that can’t be forgotten with mead or ale, things that won’t pass me by again.”

There was a truth in that statement, a depth of despair hanging on the words. The dragon without skipping a beat, grabbed him with a paw and pulled him against his scaled chest. He softly rumbled as the man didn’t resist, instead wrapping his arms tightly around the dragon’s neck and squeezing tight.

“It’s all my fault. Everything, the one thing I was trained for and couldn’t do it.”

He pulled the man in with his neck, rumbling to counter how he shivered and trembled, “There, there it’s going to be alright, I’m here. It’s just the booze talking out your maw.”

“Your words are wasted upon me; I know what I’ve done, and failed to do.”

No doubt he was being plagued by the horrors of what Dreadflame had done to his family, having them snatched away in a moment’s notice. “You’re not one to do anything halfway, I know as well as they must have that you gave it every bit of strength you had. That’s right, let it all out, take comfort in my scales.”

Moments passed as he let Arcturus loose the depths of his despair upon him, weeping and wailing like a babe who’d lost their mother. The dragon didn’t tease, taunt or poke fun at his weakness, he was there to be a paw to hold, a bulwark that he could use against the emotional arrows. When it passed and all the tears had been shed, Arcturus gave a final sniff.

“Feeling better?” Veledar cooed.

“Just promise not to leave me.” The words came softly, “I don’t want to be alone again.”

Alone? What did he mean by that? “Arcturus, you have all those friends in there that…” He wrinkled his snout; the man had fallen asleep against him. Figures that the paladin would leave him hanging like this, using the dragon as a bed. He chortled to that, the man finding enough comfort within his grasp to drift off to the realm of slumber. Veledar lowered himself, maneuvering Arcturus to be placed securely between his paws. With a tired huff he closed his eyes, guessing that just this once he would not charge the man any fees for using him as some form of tissue.

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