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Scales and Honor: Darkened Skies

Chapter 34: Survival

Wood tasted like it'd been worked for hours by human hands, bitter and something the dragon certainly didn't need in his maw. He spat chunks of the ruined timber from his teeth, groaning as he shifted within the dragon sized hole he'd made crashing through some poor peasant's house. Despite his efforts he'd been tossed through a second house. At least that's what he thought it was, looking at all the ruined debris and chunks of furniture that was strewn about the broken and splintered floor, dimly lit by the flames still alive and burning outside.

Arcturus was laying with him, pressed up tight and held by a paw. Coughing as dust sprinkled upon them. Luckily the dragon had saved them any lasting damage with a last moment stone skin spell. Though by the looks of his crimson scales, it had faded mere moments after their impact.

“Are you?" The human groaned, thick with concern.

“Fine..though I dislike getting tossed through your hovel's." He hissed, struggling to stand as it seemed tiny needles pressed in at his hide. He could feel his wet blood dripping from the numerous cuts lining his scales, dulling the ache that seemed to consume him. He knew dragons were tough, but even that had hurt. “And what of you? Of the two of us you're the more fragile."

“I'm fine. What was that even?" Arcturus' hands began to move, white light clinging to them as he chanted the words for a cure.

“Imposing hand? It looked like a large spectral fist." It reminded him of the spell that Shandalar had used. One she was fond of keeping foes at bay. If their unseen attacker had one of those, it would be a tad more difficult to press in on them. As the spell would seek him out and keep him at a safe distance. A distance where the spellcaster was free to pelt them with any number of spells that they wished, and that was something that wasn't going be stood for.

Screams sounded from outside their shadow clad hiding spot, each one a knife along the dragon's heart. Wolven and humans scattered by like terrified horses, their eyes wide, color gone from their faces, legs moving in an almost blur to carry them to safety.

“What ya doing mate? The dragon was on our bloody side!" Shouted a gruff sounding voice, someone braver than the rest.

“Ya, what are ya dense?" Came another, then a moment of silence. Screams came next, louder than they'd been.

“We have to get out there." He groaned, pressing into Arcturus' touch when the spell began to weave around his scales. Small cuts that had been a nuisance sealed themselves, sending a shiver down the dragon's neck. “I'm glad they are sticking their necks out for me…"

“But not in exchange for their lives."

He nodded; the paladin knew him well. Or at least he felt the emotions brimming in his mind. The unease, the concern, the way his claws were tensing up right now.

“And your plan is to rush out at them?"

“Not that simple…" He shifted from paw to paw, tail brushing against a broken and shattered chair. “Give this person two targets to deal with. Rather then just the one. Trust me, I'd rather have you on my back right now."

“Think we can't regroup and find the others?"

“The construct attacked when I didn't reveal myself. If it was working for this unseen mage, you think they wont stoop so low?" He fluffed his wings, glaring at the somehow still standing building around them. How it whined like a wounded wolf, as if a mere touch would bring the entire thing crashing down on their heads. “I can't have more people getting hurt because of me."

“I understand." Arcturus rubbed his wrist, saying the words for his wristband. “I guess there is nothing more distracting than a dragon to the face."

“That's the idea. Need to keep him from casting spells."

“Wizard without spells is a much easier target." The paladin plucked up his shield, sword, and giving the dragon a nod. “We should try to keep them alive. Find out why now, how, and if their connected to Garroth."

Veledar snarled at the name. That dark plated warrior that had accused him of enchanting Arcturus' mind. Now part of that was true, but not as insidious or terrible as the man had proclaimed. He'd done it in a sweeter way, won the man's heart rather than claim it. “Why must you utter that name?"

The paladin sighed. “I'll explain later. It's why I took so long."

“Is everyone else alright?" He snapped to the man, eyeing him up and down. He'd never considered beneath that armor that his mate might still be hurt. He nosed him, pressing in like a concerned mother. “Did he hurt you?"

“Yes…and later." Arcturus pushed him away. “Lots to unpack. But everyone is safe. That's all that matters."

“Fine." He snorted, pulling himself up to his full height. “Then watch for them. I'll draw their attention. Like they could resist such a handsome drake as I."

“I couldn't."

He smiled, heart pounding as he scampered into the street with a mighty growl. One that buried the unease lurking in his gut. The one that whispered he had only one strong spell remaining. Best make it count. With his next paw against the street his scales were a bright shimmering blue, a gift from his mate right behind him. He thought it might be a tad hard to find his new opponent, but that was further from the truth. The entire street had emptied save an elderly man dressed in baby blue robes with a furred color around his frail neck. He was surrounded by several charred bodies of chain garbed humans. His eyes were like blackened coals in the dark, the burning buildings flickering in them like a pool of wet ink. His hands were up, fingers splayed open and ready to attack as an orange floating hand hovered a few feet above his head. It was at least the same size of the dragon, digits swaying as it waited for its master's order.

Then it flew with a flick of the man's wrist, shooting towards the dragon like an orange bolder. But it never reached its target to the mage's widened eyes. Arcturus had taken it down with a slash of his blade from a distance, and a phrase meant for dispel magic. Veledar roared his approval as the spell's orange light burst around him like a burst mushroom. With blood pumping he struck, landing with a snarl and trying to bat the skin and bones man.

“Why did you strike me?"

He got no reply as the man backed away, hands forming a rectangle before letting out a ghostly image of lavender light. It splashed against Veledar's scales, seeking to bind his legs against their will. But the red was a dragon, he willed away the spell with a snarl. He'd not be felled by such a simple trick.

“I would think for a mage you'd know, better!" Though his strikes were being dodged, the man could not avoid the third such one. He'd tried to sneak around under the drake's claw but took the other to the back. Head over feet the wizard tumbled across the snow-covered cobblestone, humorously coming to rest at the base of a burning grey house. He surged forward, seeking to not let this nameless mage get even an inch. If he was not going to talk the dragon was not going to let him even utter a spell. At least Arcturus had tried to speak with him when capturing. This was a new level of rude.

The mage rose before he could reach him, dropping a section of dirt he'd held tightly within his bone like fingers. The earth seemed to bend to his will, sprouting sections that rivaled Veledar's head height that spread around him like a maze. Though it separated the dragon from his elusive prize, Veledar would not be stopped. Not by simple stone.

Try again. He bound with a flare of his wings, claws catching on the top of one such wall. His weight proved to be too much, starting to topple the thing with a mighty crack. The wizard was before him, but not as surprised as he would have hoped. The old man had snapped his fingers, springing up three copies of himself to confuse him. But even that would not slow Veledar down. He knew of such tricks. He flapped his wings as he landed, scattering snow about the images. Only one the snow struck, the real one to focus on. “You can't hide from me mage." He snarled, talons dragging across the stone as he snapped at the eye wide man. “Not with such simple tricks like that."

Rocks flew as he followed the wizard through the field of stone, crashing walls against one another as his bulk slammed up against them. This human was quick, annoyingly so. Enough to get off another two attempts at binding his limbs with ever increasing force. Though Veledar's draconic aura kept him safe, warding off such spells like a protective shield. Which speaking of shields, where was his mate to help him? Wasn't their supposed to be two to keep the mage off guard?

He peered back after his claws swiped through the blue robes, tasting but fabric and not the wizard he increasingly wanted to injure. The stone walls were still around, ones he'd not tipped over. One formed a square, most likely sealing the knight in a prison of stone.

Of course.

The mage wasn't dumb. He'd separated them to conquer. He really needed to disrupt this man then. Get the spell to fail. With a roar he pushed his limbs ever faster and sunk his teeth into the man's shoulder with a satisfied growl.

Perfect. That should put an end to your tricks.

But it didn't. The mage didn't even look phased by the dragon's sharpened teeth. Not even a flinch, tremor. In fact, the man's body lacked warmth, the smell of fear, the familiar iron taste of blood coating the dragon's tongue. This tasted wrong. Old, like meat that had spoiled long ago. Like he'd bitten into a corpse.

Like ink set to the rain the wizard's image melted away, revealing the skin and bones of an undead mortal. One with pitch black eyes, skin as if it were two sizes too big and molted greyish green. His boney hands lashed out like lightning, pressing against the dragon's snout. Like he was tossed into the arctic's bitter winds, cold consumed his face. Before he could retreat the undead creature had already pressed his clammy bones to three different sections of Veledar's nose.

Pain suddenly found him, as if it were traveling through his veins. It was like a spear stabbed through his scales, across his entire body. He struggled to swat away the advancing undead monster, but he was too clumsy. The mage struck him again, three times on his scaled chest with the same results as before. What pain he had felt before had been like a gentle breeze compared to what came next.

“Graaaaah!" He snarled in agony, fumbling backwards as his vision blurred, only getting a flash of blackened void like magic clinging to the undead thing's bone hands.

What was this?

He pressed up against a wall, liquid flames seemingly consuming his insides like a dry field. He had to stop this! He opened his maw taking a gasping breath and bathing the creature in his glorious red-orange inferno. To hell with keeping him alive. He needed to live. But nothing happened.

The mage emerged through the terrible flames. Brushing off what had torched and taken the lives of so many. He held a bony hand up, showing off a golden band around one of his white digits.

Then if not fire. He stomped his paw, focusing on the cold eating away at his scales. He'd use that then. The bitter cold to rid himself of this boney abomination. With his tail smacking the wall behind him he unleashed a roar, letting the magic he was so used to guide through him. It spread from his paws, touched his bones, and flowed into his very wing membranes. He opened his maw, prepared to let out a cone of bitter cold, one that would hopefully put an end to this creature. But nothing happened. What magic he usually had built beneath his scales, lingered there like thousands of skittering insects. Then something felt wrong, like he'd messed up the casting. Explosions of agony spread across his being, spine tingling, paw trembling sensations that blinded him. He collapsed onto his side, coiling in on himself. He could hardly even think as his mind focused on simply not shattering under such pressure.

“You're coming with me dragon." The thing finally spoke, it's voice as cold as the winter's wind.

No! With herculean strength Veledar pushed through the pain, leaping into the air. He might collapse later from the effort, but he had to get away. Even if his muscles felt like they were burning with every flap, his lungs close to failing with every breath. Where were his friends? Didn't they know he needed them? He shouted for them, eyeing Arcturus from this height and the man desperately calling his name to the heavens.

Then the wizard gave his reply. One with two boney hands extended, and twin green lights of crackling magic. The beams hissed on the air like a twisted song, striking Veledar's wings. They started to burn like paper set before a flame. Sizzling like cooking bacon.

The dragon screamed. How could he not? It felt as though molten lava had been poured across his wonderous wings. It was blinding, muscle spasming. He'd only gotten three more flaps before they could no longer support him. Then he fell. Just like his brother before him he crashed into the ground, his bones rattled his teeth shook. He was certain one horn split in two with a crack as his head slammed into the cobblestone right before his paladin's feet.

“Veledar!" Arcturus' gut wrenching cry did little against the ringing in his ears. The man's hands flew to his quivering body, even as every breath brought fireworks of pain through his chest. “Oh god…"

The words were like a final blade to his heart. Somehow making what he was going through only worse. He hesitantly snuck a peak at his once beautiful wings, turning to ash before his eyes. It wasn't just his membranes though. With a wince the rest of them collapsed into a pile of dust, all the way down to his joints. Leaving twin charcoal like stumps against his crimson armor. Just like that. The wizard had taken what made him a dragon.

“We'll…do something.."

Sounds started to fade, the pain dulled, Veledar stared as his world was crumbling around him.

“We just have to get out of here."

The walls crumbled away, the undead attacker standing malevolently over them. His blackened eyes winking like a demon as he advanced.

“You bastard!" Arcturus growled, surging forth with his sword raised, glowing white holy magic.

“Warriors are dispatched with a mere charm." The mage casually waved his hand, regarding Arcturus with as much importance as an ant. But that was a mistake. Runes had flashed before the paladin's boots, bright white to fight off the purple mist leaving the mage's fingers.

“In Bahamut's name!" The holy blade cleaved through the mage's arm like butter. Then it exploded with radiant light, burning rotten flesh and forcing the creature away with a hiss.

“So, you do have a paladin's magic." He sneered, “How troublesome." He cracked open his pouches as Arcturus' blade slashed around him, thirsting for his undead flesh.

Come on. Veledar tried to rise as the one he cared for most pressed in against the horrifying mage. He stood for only a moment before his body wavered, and he crashed to the stone with a defeated groan. All energy he had left was gone, he had no magic. He was forced to watch as they continued their deadly duel across the street. Where Veledar's claws and teeth had done nothing, the paladin's mighty sword was keeping the undead mage at bay. The brilliant light slicing off blackened pieces with every slash.

“Fus kasak." The wizard yelled, tossing a clawful of crimson powder at Arcturus' form. The red dust grew in size, halting his egress with a blinding flash and smoke. When it had cleared the knight was trapped. Held within a crimson barred cage of glowing magical might and well outside sword distance. “There. That should hold you."

“Like hell it will!" Arcturus blade touched the red bar, snarling the spell for dispel. But nothing happened.

“You'll find that forecage my dear paladin is quite undispellable. I hope you enjoy your prison for the 26 hours." The undead mage dusted off his robes, walking past to get serenated with Arcturus' snarling curses.

“Turn to face me you arse!"

“You are just a man with a sword. No more trouble than a gnat. Farewell knight. Be glad I'm not killing you right now."

“Coward! Coward!"

No No No. Dread bubbled up, practically leaking from Veledar's scales. With a racing heart he tried to stand again, anything to deny what this creature wanted.

“Get away from my dragon!" Bolts in the shape of tiny dragons crashed into the mage's head. One by one and tossing him to the street. When the wizard stood, he took three more to the chest, burning away whole sections of rotten flesh.

“And yet it wants to return, seeking death. Then so be it!" One boney snap summoned another beam of green. This time sent towards his mate with deadly purpose. Veledar tried to scream but terror sealed his throat shut, watching the events in slow motion.

But Arcturus was ready for this. With a smirk he rose his shield granted to him. The green magic struck it, curling around the edges with a blinding viridian flash. Then it shot back, seeking the one who'd summoned it. The wizard deflected it with a horizontal slash of his remaining arm, though not without some injury. Green cracks raced up his bones as he snarled his displeasure on the wind.

“I have not time for you, stupid knight." With another drop of dirt, numerous stones surrounded the annoying knight. Sealing Arcturus from casting any more spells in their direction. “What annoying friends you keep dragon." The mage snapped to him, almost narrowing his blank eyes with a burning hatred.

“Come back and fight you bastard! Had enough?"

“I've bested your guardian dragon. Now you will be coming with me."

Terror clung to his scale as the lich approached, forcing the dragon against the stone behind him. His story was not supposed to end here. He was the hero, the proud dragon that stood against everything set before him. He was the one his brother and him would tell each other through the years. The one where nothing ever bad would happen or mar his scales. He had friends, adventurers to protect him. He had a paladin of his goddess. How could this happen?

“I…won't be." He scratched the stone in a final attempt to keep himself from the lich. His heart practically leaping from his chest.

“I've heard of your heroics dragon. Tis a shame we had to meet like this. If only fate had granted the me the time I could have convinced you to help me willingly."

“I'd never help the undead. You monster."

The lich sighed, almost rolling his eyes in amusement. “Don't fear dragon. I would have killed you if I wished it to be so. I need you alive. For now."

Clenching shut his eyes Veledar whined. One weakened voice to his despair. Whatever was going to happen he didn't want to be face it. He expected more pain, scale numbing cold. But it never happened. Stones crumbling filled the air, a sweet song as the mage snarled his disapproval.

“What are yo-“

The dragon's eyes cracked open to see twin beams of cerulean crashed into the mage's torso, forcing the undead monster to stumble backwards. The wizard's chest billowed thick smoke; a mirror of the destruction wrought buildings around him. Then like a shining knight from all the stories came Voidwing. His eyes but amber flames, his talons shining silver steel, onyx feathers like a shadow. His blows came like lightning, ripping and tearing rotten flesh in a whirlwind of heroic cries.

Veledar nearly wept. His friends had arrived.

* * * * * * * * * *

Nivra weaved a spell to trap the undead creature's feet, cease his already struggling attempts to avoid her gryphon's magically enhanced talons. After getting his first taste the enemy mage had seemed unwilling to feel their bite rake across his putrid skin. She unleashed her magical attack in the air with a twist of her wrist and twirl of a finger, but to no avail. It had been her third one and yet nothing would stick. He must have had an indomitable will to ignore it. A crack of one of his ribs was the only sweet thing she heard.

“He's not effected by fire!" Arcturus yelled from his magical prison; one she'd be unable to free him from.

“Right!" She followed the brawling mage and gryphon and with heart pounding like a drum. She created a circle with her feet and rose her arms. She focused inward, letting the energies flow through her whole body, like little sparks of electricity were twisting round her veins. Skin numbing cold flowed from her heart as frost started to case about her fingers, and with a mere word she summoned up a wall of ice, cutting off the undead mage's mobility options, perfect prey for her bodyguard.

Shandalar was nothing but idle, peppering the pair with magical explosions that would sweep the area with blinding light, ignoring the onyx feathered gryph and pressing the wizard to no end. When he would try to block such spells, the gryphon would lash out, quickened talons disrupting his motions.

“Get away from me gryph. Don't make me hurt the queen's bodyguard." The thing hissed, spreading blackened tendrils across the ground to keep back her love. They twisted like snakes, coiling in the air as they tried to grasp and pull on retreating limbs.

She recognized the voice. An all too familiar one from her past. That was the steady tone of her previous master. The one she called Nigel. The one Shandalar spoke so ill about. Could that all be true though? Would he have betrayed her in the future? Even now when attacked by all three he was not tossing any spells in her direction. Course that could have been because of her bodyguard's pressing attack.

“Look out!" Shandalar had shouted, releasing five bolts of shimmering blue lights from her fingertips, sailing towards the mage with deadly purpose. Though it was too late for her warning, in a flash of crimson light the gryphon was trapped by the same spell as Arcturus.

“There. Now I can have some room for our little duel!" Nigel sighed, surging passed the pinned gryphon without a backward glance, even as the onyx feathered guard snapped at him with his beak. The lich dragged a hand along the ice as he seemed to glide, blackened pits locked onto Shandalar's movements as he released waves of rolling fire.

The elven mage danced back, her next stomp on the earth breaking the cobblestone with a thunderous crack. Stone hands rose from the earth, fingers grasping and clenching, trying to seize a boney foot as he passed unhindered.

“Grasping hands?" The lich laughed, letting a swarm of fluttering insects fly from his robes. “I'd have thought better! How long has it been?"

With a slice on the air, Nivra put an end to the spell. The insect's wings stuttered and froze, little bodies crashing to the earth.

He was forced back by Shandalar's next spell, a shimmering green sword of energy. It floated on its own power, slashing and stabbing when it could. Its sharpened blade making her more twisted mentor avoid, only tossing back bolts of fire on his hasty retreat. “So, you wish to join as well child? I'd have preferred if it was only you. My business is merely with this Rothdellian dog. Though I am glad to see you. I'd had terrible thoughts what had befallen you. When this matter is settled, we have much to discuss."

She nearly froze, her hands raised in pose tense. Her heart fluttering in her ears. Why was he talking to her so candidly? Did he not realize they were in a fight?

“You look so lost girl." He flicked away a blue beam from Shandalar as easily as a fly. “It is I. Nigel. I know the face looks all methods of terrible, but It is I girl."

“I realize that." She didn't let her guard down, “I'm wondering why you're here. Why you're fighting her, and why you injured my friend." She gestured to Crimson, the dragon not having moved from his spot. His soft whines tugging at her heartstrings.

“Nivra." Shandalar spoke calm and steady. “Take the dragon and go. Shrink him down if you must. Whatever he wants Crimson for. He must not be able to achieve it."

“What makes you fear what I want with him?" The lich's jaw formed a twisted grin. Like his bones were hardly staying together.

“Knowing you? It will be ill for my people."

But shrink the dragon and take him? “What about Voidwing?"

“I'll shrink him to get him through the bars."

“You speak as though I'd let you." Nigel fired a green arrow from his boney palm, dripping with sizzling, vicious liquid. Shandalar deflected it with a raise of her hand, a barrier of the same color springing forth. “The dragon is coming with me. And I won't let one of you take him from me. And stop me Elf? Your people should know better that one of their agents couldn't hold a candle to me. Look what you helped create and bask in your misdeeds."

“You did that to yourself Hadariel!" Shandalar fired a lightning bolt, one that Nigel didn't even block and simply let the blue light crackle and sizzle through his bones. “You waste your time talking. You know which dragon lives here. The one you fear. Storm will be upon you."

“Don't call me that! If your people gave me a name. Might as well use it!" The wizard twisted his hand, silencing Nivra's next spell before it could even leave her hands. “And that dragon elf? I've faced him before. I'll be long gone before he finds me."

She tried another spell, this time one to help weaken his will. Soften him up for a curse or some other form of mental attack, but with a twist of a finger her spell was yet gone again. Leaving her foolishly in her stance and the lich disregarding her.

“This is between us Nivra. Your interference is at an end." He rose his decomposed hand, strands of purplish magic springing like vicious goo rising up like a puppet bound by strings. In it's wake the cobblestone broke and shifted, rising like zombies of stone. They were humanoid in shape, covered in signs of magic, and blank faced. Nivra tried to attack them with yet another spell, but Nigel put an end with another mere flick.

But Shandalar took advantage of that. As the creatures raced towards her with an inhuman stumble, she met them with a cone of cerulean flames. One that seemed to bring life to the street, incinerating the creatures like mere leaves before a wildfire. They blackened and cracked, smashing into the stone as mere ashes at her feet. No sooner had the smoke cleared and the final rock collapsed, Nigel had surged forth like a warrior. His bone arm curved into the shape of a wicked looking blade and his skin all metallic, winking in the firelight.

“You taught the girl well you know that. But there is much more she can learn from a master. Not your feeble attempts." He swung savagely, missing the elven wizard by mere inches of her neck. Her rapier was soon pulled, Shandalar muttered a phrase and a blue field wrapped around the blade before it struck with a glorious clang. She brought the lich's arm down and tried to plunge her sword into him. Yet the magical blade rebounded off, her eyes wide.

“And yet. It didn't-“ Nigel was sent toppling backwards as Nivra took advantage of his focus, hitting him with a spectral hand.

“What was it you used to tell me master? Keep an eye focused on the task at hand." She couldn't help but smirk, taking her place beside Shandalar with wiggling fingers.

“So, you continue to test my patience. Fine." The lich ripped her magical hand in two, rising from the ground without using his hands. “Then I apologize for any harm that befalls you my queen. But you bring this upon yourself."

Nobility from an undead? “You're no better than the queen of eternal flame!" She watched his hand, trying to time when he'd next cast his spell. All she'd have to do is try to counter it, give Shandalar that much more of a chance. If what the elf said was true, they didn't really have to win. All they had to do was stall. Bide their time until Storm arrived. Though with what her former master could do, and his boast. Would that even be enough to put an end to him?

“Not like her." Nigel hissed, starting to twirl his finger, red light following like a boiling pot's steam. “She is something else. I was forced to become this."

“Hardly." Shandalar snapped. “You did terrible things to achieve that form. We had nothing to do with it."

“Is that how you see it elf? Is that how your people sleep sweetly in their beds? I know far better in that regard. And Nivra. When have I lied to you? I dislike having to place you in my way but you force my hands…well hand."

“Can you not see the obvious? You're a lich for starters! That would have been something to share!"

“It would have." He sighed, “But would you have trusted me then? I hate this form but that is what my body looks like now. I was forced to do what I had to do to survive. You know of such things do you not?" His eyes locked onto Shandalar, ice practically dripping from his words. “It was this or spend eternity as some creature's plaything."

Would she have? It was hard to think her father would have let someone with that kind of body lurk about the castle, let alone train his daughter. She knew her father thought her weak, but would have never intentionally put her in danger. Nigel knew she was right too, just the little glint in his blackened eyes.

“I trained you girl. Helped you be what you are. Saw that you had potential when your father did not. You still have far reaching potential. Least I had your best interest at heart. Train the next leader of your nation to become a powerful magician. Not like this witch standing before you. One who serves a council that would love to see Lumara cowering before them. Just like all the others who lack the magical gift."

“I seek peace. Not further bloodshed." Shandalar hissed with eyes narrowed. “And Nivra knows of where I am from Hadariel. Whom I serve."

“Use the name you gave me!" Nigel went to fling a fireball but Nivra stopped it right in it's tracks, forcing the lich back as Shandalar tried to hit him with a beam of clay colored light. Nigel blocked it with a raise of his claw, stone springing up to cut it off. “But what about your masters elf? Does she know their agendas?

“She told me everything." Nivra practically snarled, ignoring the pounding of her heart, the trembling of her fingers. It was like dancing on a blade, one misstep and they'd be cut or broken.

“But did she? You have such faith in her?" Nigel's voice sounded almost tired. “They trick and weave our minds Nivra. They've been doing it for years before you or I was born. I bet her quest is to dismantle the mana stones. Deprive our nation of our defense against their superior magics. I've seen them go through this before girl."

“But the stones need to be stopped. Look how their formed! The people using them! It is being abused!"

“Then change it Nivra. You have the power as queen! Do it after the war is complete. After Rothdell has been subdued and peace achieved. Only then will it be safe to bet rid of them. Any other time will only leave us defenseless. Easy prey for the Rothdellian magicians that would love to enslave anyone not of magical birth. Isn't that right Shandalar?" His demeanor hardened, the words like a steel sword.

“What they did to you and the others was wrong."

“Clearly."

“But they are gone now."

“But the agency still remains. Families whose power was built on a tower of pain and misery. Peace can only be achieved until your magical council is disbanded. Those in power stripped and discarded."

“Nivra…I don't wish to put an end to your country. This creature is trying to twist my quest. I only want peace."

“But what of her leaders Nivra? What of their motives. Can we really trust them after all this time?"

She glanced to her elven mentor, memories of their time together flashing before her. What had been taught and learned. How she'd shaped her like clay into who she was now. When the elf flicked her eyes toward her, she saw the warmth there. The trust that had been built over the years and she nodded.

“Ah…But did she ever tell you about your brother?"

Time seemed to slow down, ice pressing in at her heart. The one who'd been claimed during the war. Whose death had plunged her own mother to end her life. “He was killed in the war." Her voice cracked as his face appeared to her, what was one full of life nothing more than a shadow. “Why do you think I want to stop the war! To end all this senseless loss!"

“Wrong girl. He was taken prisoner during it by their ministry. By this elf's people." He gestured with a flick of his boney finger. “Her people as a bargaining chip."

Her heart skipped a beat. She snapped to Shandalar, what trust she had wavering on the edge of a knife. That couldn't be true right? She'd spent many of nights praying to the gods he was alive; she'd even accepted he was gone. How could something she longed for be so terrifying? Practically making her blood run cold as she stared accusingly at her once master. “Is this true?"

Shandalar's eyes didn't waver from the lich, equally as hard as his own. “I was waiting to tell you child when the time was right. That plan was put to an end."

The skip turned into a hard stop. Her heart pounded hard at her chest, almost like thunder. Cold was replaced with fire. “When was the right time going to be? After Lumara was weakened? After your mission was a success? After you'd gotten everything from me you wanted? You didn't think I'd have liked to know my brother was alive?"

“I was forbidden from telling you girl."

“See Nivra?" Nigel hissed, face curling into a wicked grin. “Their ministry is nothing but a den of snakes. Never to be trusted. What other orders can she not tell you? Secrets lurking around that elven head. I learned that ages ago. Never in all these years have they changed."

“Young one." Shandalar's voice came softer, “I helped train you. We weaved magic together, researched. We traveled. We fought side by side, bled. Are these things not building of trust? I mean you no ill will. That topic we would have reached in time. When you were re-“

“Shut your tongue." She snapped, hands clenching into fists. She was done hearing of excuses, finished with lies wound around her ears. The wound she thought knitted closed came springing open, thanks to this her mother had perished. “My mother died not knowing of this." Her fingers trembled as spells came to mind. “Have you ever had my back. Don't speak to me of trust and bonds when this has been laid bare before me! At least Nigel here has only lied about his appearance! You though?" She shook, fire springing from her eyes. “Thanks to you my family had been shattered." She almost flung a spell right at that elf's face.

But her brow fell. What strength lurked in those elven eyes cracked. “I didn't mean to hurt you Nivra. I apologize for my actions. Mistakes were made, but I have always had your best interest at heart. It ached to see you suffer through that time. I tried to be there for you ever since. I saw you as my own." The elf's eyes started to mist, a caring look about them that only a mother would have had. “I'm so-“

Her words were cut short by a ragged gasp, a green beam of magic striking her square in the chest. The elf's robes began to burn with emerald fire, consuming the fabric and her skin all in one. She collapsed with hardly a breath, eyes wide in fear as her skin blackened and charred.

“It would appear that this is your end Shandalar." Nigel smirked as her arms crumbled away to dust as she gasped for air that wasn't coming. Her eyes dulled over, seemingly burning from within as her fingers quivered. With another wave of his arm a gust of wind washed over her, breaking apart what remained.

The princess stood frozen, staring at the dusted cobblestone. Nothing was left of her mentor. Not even a speck that could be brought back with the cleric's spell. What flames that had roared inside her had been stifled, reduced to smoking coals. Cold replaced it, numbing her tips and stabbing her heart. She collapsed to her knees in tears crying the wizard's name. “We didn't need to kill her!"

“She would have betrayed us my queen." Nigel strode over, resting his hand on her shoulder.

“You don't know that!" She slapped it away, staring daggers through blurry eyes at his blackened pits.

“I do sadly." He bowed his head. “Harsh lesson to learn when your most trusted allies betray you. One must always be warry."

She flung a ball of acid at him as she rose. He deflected it with a look a parent might give to a disobedient child. She was left trembling, hardly able to form the words to her spells.

“You will thank me in time for this. I've heard of your exploits from the people of this land. You've done some questionable things as well. Ones you did to survive? The one with the hag for instance."

Her arm fell as tears ran down her face. Her head drooped. What hope did she have at besting him anyway? He'd done what he did to protect her. “This is different."

“No it isn't."

“Why did you need the dragon? Why did you have to hurt him?" She gestured to all the broken stone, the blackened ash, the burning buildings, the trapped gryphon and knight. “Why all this?"

“I am pressed for time." The lich sighed. “My hand was forced by my apprentice's too large heart. The construct attacked and I had to act. I knew the red beast would not simply leave with me. Thus I was forced to subdue him."

“But his wings."

“Something I could fix with time. He is alive, and I need him so. Once I secure this dragon, I can get my old body back. And we can then go about getting your brother back from his prison." He tentatively wrapped his bone like arm around her shoulder and she didn't shy away. “I swear once my goal is reached, I shall return the dragon's wings."

“What are you doing?" Arcturus shouted, banging his cage with his shield. “Nivra!" His words stung at her sides but she knew what needed to be done. Not just for her kingdom, but the survival of everyone here.

“Negotiating paladin!" She snapped to him, her words full of royal purpose. “This way we get what we want, he gets what he wants. Everyone wins in the end."

“What about Shandalar?"

The future queen winced, her heart aching as she eyed the remaining dust. “She would have betrayed us! She wasn't who she said she was!"

“And who told you? That undead monster?"

“Sometimes you need their help paladin. Especially to do what's right! Things are not so black and white!"

“I'd say it is! That vile monster just killed your mentor, turned her to literal dust, and you're just having words like he's an old friend!"

Nigel was quick to twirl his hand, putting an end to the stream of curses being shouted by their paladin. The human still tried though, going red faced as his mouth flapped, eyes full of emerald flames.

“What of you Voidwing?" She turned to her gryphon's silence. He was only sitting in his cage, large eyes looking back at her. His ears were splayed, and his head drooped, but he didn't say a word.

“He'll understand." Nigel stepped infront of him. “It's not his place to question the word of his queen."

She nodded, she needed to make sure the others would be alright. “What about the paladin? The dragon would be much more agreeable if you brought him along."

“I suppose we can take him with no weapon." Nigel sighed, glaring at the human's cage. “Though if he tries anything, I would be forced to subdue him."

“Very well. But no one else gets hurt. We take the paladin, the dragon and we get on with whatever you have planned." She caught a glimpse of the hardened stare from Arcturus, her heart throbbing as hate shown through those emerald pools. He just like her bodyguard would understand in time. Survival meant compromises. They'd thank her in the future.

“Then we must make haste." The lich seemed to glide over to Veledar, his arm already raising for a spell. “I fear that our fighting has drawn the eyes of this cities inhabitant."

As if by an answer from the gods themselves a roar sounded out through the night, deep and terrible. One that shook the ground. Lightning crackled across the sky, blue-white bolts that tore it asunder with such brilliance that it seemed like day had come at last. From the pulsating clouds came a cerulean scaled beast out of legend. Vast wings etched with glowing lines of rippling power carried his body easily through the sky. Silver eyes of fire were narrowed, sharper than any sword as electricity crackled and sparked over every square inch of the dragon's body. Round and round it twisted, practically flowing from his eyes.

Nivra stood frozen, transfixed as the undead creature she knew took one look and gave pause. He spun around, snarling a curse underneath his breath. His disregard for such a dragon seemed a hallow thing. Gone with another beat of the blue's wings.

“I'd not like to have a confrontation with him now." He hissed when she asked, already starting to weave the spell to shrink the dragon. Crimson groaned, weakly pawing at the air as his only resistance. Though before he could finish the spell their sight was blocked by a towering wall of teal scales, purple eyes glowing with latent power. Orange frills pulsated with life as the dragoness' white talons dug into the cobblestone at her paws. She'd emerged from a nearby tree. Seemingly leaping from the very bark.

“Hadariel the lich?" She snarled, flaring out her vast wings.

“That would be a correct guess dragon." Nigel shied away, forced to retreat as the dragoness' teeth glowed blue. “But I don't remember you. Have we met?" He was forced to dodge as vines sprung out of the stone, trying to grasp at his boney feet. “We will have to get better acquainted at a better time." He turned and ran, using spells to keep her just out of reach. Though it was only short lived as she chased him through the street. Lightning cut him off, digging through the ground and tearing up the stone.

“You think that could hurt me Ramakox? Lightning? I ha-“

His words were cut short as electricity circled all around him, arching up like a tiny hut before diving towards the lich's rotten body. It crackled with power, ran through his flesh, searing away his robes and blackening the skin. Nigel's body thrashed, one eye popped, what was left began to burn. He collapsed to the ground smoking in a defeated heap, letting out a ragged gasp.

The blue dragon landed with a mighty backwing, curling any smoke left in his wake. With a flick of his tail the sky suddenly opened, spilling rain over every surface around them. Fires that had plagued the buildings vanished in mere moments, bathing the town in a comforting glaze of water. He flashed his teeth, sparkling with electric fury as he surged forward like a hunter to his downed prey.

“Its over." He snarled grabbing Nigel's arm and ripping it free of it's socket. He pinned his wings to his back and trapped the lich with his paw.

“Is it?" Nigel laughed in a cough, his face cracking as the teal padded over. Her body all tensed and ready to spring. “Or is this simply a repeat of all those years ago? I'm touched you remember."

“I never forgot!" The blue snapped, pressing his paw down, cracking a few more of the wizard's rips.

“Then kill me. Do it dragon. Take your revenge."

“Oh, I will." He smirked with a growl. “But I know of your kind. If I kill you like this, you only reform. Once I smash your phylactery before your eyes, then you can die."

The princess stood paralyzed as the rain pelted across her form. Any dirt and unease she had was swept away with the drizzle. Just like that what she'd thought was going to happen reversed. Sound dulled as Storm called out for clerics to tend to any wounded left among the rubble. They came moments after, Asterion counted among them. They sought out those trapped beneath rubble, healing those that were still clinging to life. A black collar was brought to clamp around Nigel's neck, a relic from years past. A device constructed in Rothdell to deny a person their magic. Essentially turn them into a void while they wore it. How this dragon had one was a mystery, though she wasn't all together surprised, knowing how old he was supposed to be.

“Don't kill him!" She found herself shouting as they hefted him up. If this was to be Nigel's defeat, then she was going to use it to get what she wanted. The dragon's snapped to her, sudden interest swirling around their eyes. For a moment she hesitated, not knowing if she should be relieved or terrified. Would they throw her away with him? “I need him to find my brother!"

Storm nodded, whispering something to Fremra with a swish of his tail. Next, he padded over to her, keeping his snout towering high. He gave her a searching look, eyes traveling over her trembling body as the water soaked deep into her robes. How small she felt before him, his judgement like a hefty weight tied around her neck.

“You're Nivra. The princess of Lumara." He said sternly, a flash of lightning lighting the sky behind him. Water dripping from his scales like mini water falls.

“That is true." She nodded, knowing he had been most likely informed of all of them. Her stomach began to shift, squirming inside her as Shandalar's face reflected in his silver pools. Her hands shook as he sat on his haunches before her, laying his tail around his hinds with a hefty thump.

His voice was gruff and stern. “Then you're going to tell me why that thing from your nation was here. Why that Lich has returned to plague me."

But she had no answer. Last she knew that construct had been destroyed. “I…don't.." Her lip quivered as the excitement from battle and survival wore away. Seemingly dripping down her face with the rain. Her eyes misted, tears sprung, and she fell to her knees.

“Tell me everything." He lowered his snout, not even showing a hint of warmth. “Lumarian."

So, she did. Every speck of her journey to now. How she wanted to end the war, meeting her friends. Each step was laid bare before those steady eyes. He listened without interrupting, only swishing his tail back and forth at a snail's pace. Then she got to the part with Nigel, and how he'd revealed such damning knowledge that her trust wavered. How angry and compromised she was. She was forced to sob, hands going to shield her eyes as she retold what had happened. Shandalar's burned face appeared before her, frozen in so much agony as it was eaten away, eyes wide in disbelief of what was happening.

“We all make mistakes." Storm grumbled, “That thing has taken more than his fair share from others over his lifespan. But Bahamut willing it will be his last." The blue rose his neck, ordering more guards to take the wizard away. “Lock him up underground, never to see the light of day again. We will find his phylactery."

Nivra's arms wound themselves tight across her chest, trying to warm the cold permeating her trembling being. It did nothing though as Storm looked back to her seemingly through her, starting to say something that she knew was supposed to be soothing or at least comforting but his words were like this frigid rain splattering the side of a stone wall. When she looked to her gryphon she felt hallow, like a void in her heart could not be filled. Alone amidst a vessel trying to stay afloat on an unruly sea. Once more, she'd survived.