FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 6

With the dragon off to charm his way back into the good graces of his half-elven bride to be, that left Vistha, for the most part, unsupervised as she scurried off to meet Krizzik for the ritual. Though she was not in a rush, she scurried as if she were. Her father hadn’t spent years drilling into her lessons from his youth, like aversion to tardiness, the need to never let sloth grip one’s actions, and how to slither away from those bigger than oneself. Although this had been before his unfortunate crushing by an inebriated giant crashing into their home.

She moved like the shadows themselves, slithering in and out, careful to never reveal her scales for longer than she’d like. Pure instinct, she chuckled internally to herself, knowing that to be a K.I.N agent meant to be in full control of one’s surroundings, never to be surprised, always to be vigilant. To do otherwise would be barbaric, imbecilic, she’d be no better than the uncivilized kobolds that still dwelled in their mud covered huts, worshipping the phantom image of their dragon gods. She and her kin were superior, casting off those humble shackles and flying into the light of prosperity.

Too focused on where she was walking, she slipped off the log she’d been on, collapsing with a groan to the cold grass below.

Spitting out the grass, she searched around, blood rushing to her cheeks over her ineptitude. Of course, she’d trip, why wouldn’t she? She sighed, noting not a soul had seen her slip, would never know, her image was still thankfully intact. Dusting herself off she resumed course, mindful of where her feet did wander, at least until she came to the torchlit glow of Krizzik’s hut.

The place seemed to be like a creature straight out of legend, light escaping it’s walls to resemble great, terrible eyes. It flickered and winked as if staring at her, daring the little lizard to come forward. Instead of snarls or growls, it instead had the twin bickering of draconic inside, clearly Broxl and Krizzik, unaware that any might be eves dropping outside. The hunter was apologizing for his journey to Qui’ttax long ago, while the shaman, despite the outburst earlier, seemed to be all about moving on. If she had to guess, he almost seemed thrilled that Broxl was here.

But that’s what drew a smile on her snout, unconcerned with how they’d come to the predicament. Though it was worth noting how easy the shaman had bent to Radiant Star’s will, something they could exploit for later. Standing tall she approached, calling out in a brassy voice to ensure she didn’t interrupt any diplomacy in the intimate nature. “I do hope you don’t mind that I’ve arrived early, I had some wisdom to instill into the thick skull of our dragon.”

The twin lizards were seated over a meager looking table, bowls of soup placed before them, tankards of what smelled of mulled wine in their claws. They almost looked happy to be sharing a meal together, a sliver of a smile on the hunter’s snout, sliding away as his eyes shifted to her.

“What are you doing here?” The hunter hissed, eyes sharpening.

“Now, don’t be rude. She’s a guest.” Krizzik twirled his hands, whispering words of power to conjure up a simple chair from the earth. “Have a sight kobold, finishing touches to your spell won’t take long. I was…delayed myself by the arrival of a handsome, thoughtful hunter.”

“Let me guess, this was discussed earlier?”

“Shouldn’t have stormed out if you wanted to be kept in the loop tough guy.” She chuckled, planting herself into the chair, amused that it had a hole to fit her tail. “I’m just glad we found someone to get it done, can you imagine being left in the dark? Terrible.”

Broxl’s brow rose over her wiggling feet and cheery eyes, “You seem…Strange for what should be a somber task.”

“Can’t be reduced to a mourning wreck at every moment, this is going to be exciting! Strange magic, talking with the dead, don’t you think this is going to be an enlightening experience?”

“I think it’s something to be done.” He growled, gulping down the contents of his bowl, soup dribbling down his scaled chin. “Why should I care if you’re sad.”

“Duly noted.” She hissed, shifting to Krizzik, who’d taken to grinding up powder into a clay bowl with a tapping tail. Unlike earlier he seemed to be in a good mood, like he was sharing the company of a long-lost love. It seemed that whatever charm that Radiant Star had cast, it still was affecting him. Most only lasted a single hour.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, where would your dragon be?” The shaman smiled to her, eyes glinting with a powerful need. “So that I may gaze upon his fine scales once more. I envy the both of you, sharing in his presence each day.” Krizzik sighed, “It’s a gift from the gods.”

“Is that right? He’s back with his queen, heading out of the village. He was quite smitten with her. They might be banging out some tensions between each other, if you get my meaning.”

“The warm blooded bitch. His affections are wasted on a primate such as she.” The shaman ground the powder ever harder, putting all his distain to strength, “One hopes she realizes what an honor it is to have his affections.”

“I wouldn’t call it an honor.” Broxl replied bluntly, “She’s making the sacrifice to spare us his presence a moment longer.”

“Easy Broxl, it can’t be that irksome.” Krizzik mused, slinking to Vishta and holding out a white dusted claw, “I will be needing the head of your friend. It must be lathered in a fine layer of sipaktri powder for the affect to take hold. Otherwise, we might get another spirit…Or a demon…Isn’t that right Broxl?”

“Speak not of demons.” The lizard’s voice was cold, “If a demon is summoned, I will have your head, no matter how many nests we shared.”

“Then I need the head.” Krizzik’s huffed, thanking Vishta when the head was procured, pressed into his palm. Humming to himself the lizard took the severed head, rolling it around to apply an even coat of powder, “He only gets sour when you mention them…Destroyed his village they did.”

Broxl’s arms folded over his chest, his gaze sharp. “Long ago…..and If your spell works as you say, it will not matter.”

Vishta leaned back into her chair, adjusting herself to get comfortable. From her pack she procured Hurta’s journals, cracking them with a satisfied sigh, “Take all the time you need Krizzik, I’d rather not have to deal with a being from the hells thank you very much. We don’t need the dragon taking credit for that as well, we’d never hear the end of it.”

“Tell me about it.” Broxl remarked, slurping his wine, “You’d think with such an inflated ego, his head would float away.”

“Oh pish posh, he can’t be that bad.” Krizzik padded his way to the other side of his hut, moving aside a curtain to reveal the bones of a crocodile spread out along the floor. Every part was carved and painted with a cascade of colors and shapes, creating a strange, beautiful display of life and death. It was at the center that Krizzik plopped Hurta’s head down with a sickly plop. “And you bite your tongue. Some would kill to have the position you now fill.” He sighed as he grabbed a bowl of crimson pedals, scattering them around in a circular fashion. “Basking in the divine glow, thankful for whatever is bestowed upon you.”

“Was he always like this?” Vishta leaned over to whisper, her journals forgotten, “He sounds awfully like other kobolds. Dragon this dragon that, terrible old.”

“Not particularly.” Replied Broxl, eyes not straying as Krizzik worked, “Though dragons are seen as good luck charms to certain clans, especially those of the forest clan.” The lizard gave a heavy sigh, almost pained, “Greens most of all.”

“Oh lord.” She groaned, “We can’t let him know or else-“

“He’ll never shut his snout about it.” He grunted, taking another long sip from his tankard.

“You two all ready for the spell?” Krizzik gestured, “You have my word the spell won’t take long. Perhaps after we could go find the dragon and tell him I’ve done as he asked. I’m sure he’d be delighted.”

“They’re mating.” Stated Broxl, “Half humans and dragons like their privacy.”

“We don’t know till we ask do we? Why are you shaking your heads? It’s a valid point!” When they didn’t agree, he was left shaking his head, hissing about them being ungrateful. He ushered them over, insisting they take up positions equally apart around the ritual circle. “Now don’t move a muscle, the slightest deviation can ruin it.”

“Remember, demon and you won’t live long.” Broxl snarled, earning a dismissal scoff.

“You’ll have no one to blame but yourself.” Pressing together his claws, Krizzik began whispering words of power, long and exaggerated the syllables were. As he paced, his arms traveled out, the shadows seemed to reach towards him, begging for embrace. A phantom wind swept through the small abode, rattling bones and clothing, snuffing out the fire with it’s wintery bite. Where the sound of crackling fire might have brought some comfort, it’s ilk was unwanted, un-needed, replaced with the ghostly whispers of the souls beyond the grave. Now was not the time for the light or something radiant, instead it was the hour for darkness and spirits.

From the skeleton rose the severed head, slowly and unsteady as if held by a pair of elderly claws. A heaviness set in the air around them, laced with the sweet scent of rot, drawing out soft gasps, and ever widening of a certain kobold’s eyes. Like a darkened puppet obeying it’s master, the head turned to each of them, lingering as if trying to recognize just who stood before it. When it came to Vishta it straightened and stilled, it’s jaws went slack as a ghostly turquoise light crawled right out of it’s eyes. It began to speak with a ragged voice, sickly, chilling to the very bone.

“I remember you.” It said with no emotion, “Why do you summon me?”

Vishta found her maw stitched together, her voice all but robbed of her. Sure they had said this would happen, she’d even longed for it, yet here she was, shivering in place. With her silence, Krizzik insisted she would have to ask the questions, the spirit had chosen. She nodded, swallowing down her timidness and willed courage into being, though her voice to threaten to crack. “Hurta, I hate to say this, but you-“

“Don’t tell them.” Krizzik scolded, “They never like that.”

“Oh-“ She cleared her throat, trying to right her course once more. “I need to know what happened before your trip to Gearmell.” It was hard to stare into those glowing sockets, like facing down the underworld itself. She could feel the emptiness, combined with the hunger, desperate to take hold of what light of life she held. She had to avert her gaze, listening to the monotone reply.

“I was investigating a temple, deep within the marshes northwest of Tlaqua, a sacred place to the followers of Nutambar.”

“The god of nature?”

“The very same.”

“By the stars why were you there? I thought you were supposed to be searching for the uniter’s wearabouts!”

“I was.” The voice seemed to linger, weighing heavy on the air, “But I followed clues there, to a shepherd that dwells within that temple, a being beloved by all those in the marsh.”

“What being?” Vishta replied, already digging through her pack for parchment and a quill, she wasn’t going to let this go to waste.

The head grew quiet as if in deep thought, “I was forbidden from saying, even to you.”

“Heck.” She cursed, punching the ground, “What about the uniter?”

“It was there.”

“At the temple? Really?”

“No, but within the swamp of shadows. The queen of Eternal flame dwells within this temple now, plotting to steal the uniter, turn it against the world of the living. But the magics of the swamp confound her, stall even her. But one day she will pierce it’s defenses, steal that device for her own.”

“And how is she going to do that? It sounds like it’s well off.”

“The eggs.” Hurta replied, “I saw her use the eggs of the siigonis to fuel her spells. She sacrificed them, using their souls to try and trick the swamp into letting her in.”

Souls of unhatched children? Vishta shivered at the thought, scribbling down the notes as Broxl clenched tight his fists with a growl, fire burning within his eyes. “Trick the swamp, how?”

“Rumor says that the swamp defends itself from those of evil intentions. It tricks, confounds, even kills those that linger for too long.”

“And as a vampire that must be really difficult.” She scoffed, “Every bit of her screams unholy beast. So, she’s using these souls as some sort of disguise.” As the head of Hurta answered, she rubbed at her chin. Sure this revelation would all but guarantee siigonis help, they’d no doubt need proof to convince them. “Are they still at this temple? Is there proof there? I’d kiss you if there was.”

“I tried to snatch something, but I was found. Deep within the temple is a book in which she uses, written in the blood of the innocent, bound in flesh stripped from humans still alive. Their souls were stripped from their earthly coils, ever bound into this book’s dark pages. It’s as much an abomination as she.”

“Though that sounds utterly terrible, that’s delightful!” She blurted, nearly jumping for joy. “Where did they hide it? I have an expert thief in my employee that would love to steal from a vampire bitch like this.”

“Within the base, next to the sacrificial chambers. There is where it dwells, hidden behind lock and key. I heard her whisper that the key can only be found in the eye of the guardian.”

“Eye of the guardian?” Her snout wrinkled at such a thing. Clearly a riddle, but that would questions for later. “Bah, we can handle that. Either by trickery or strength, a simple lock will be nothing.” She remarked, waving off the ghost’s concern. “Now where is this temple?”

“Ask what clan this was.” Hissed Broxl, threatening to dig his claws through his palm. “Who dares to betray our people in such a way, allow that thing to destroy the souls of our children? Ask so I may know where my blade must go to cut out their blackened hearts.”

“Before my siigonis friend turns into a raging dragon, can you answer what he asked?”

“It was a clan of druids, the spirit keepers they are called. Ironic that they value life above all else, she must think it a cruel joke to corrupt them so.”

“The spirit…Keepers.” She chuckled at the name, “Broxl you have any information? K.I.N logs are quite lite on-“

“Preservers of life.” Came the siigonis’ grunt, “They even refrain from meat if you believe it. If what your kolbold says is true, it is a dark day for them and my people. They cannot be allowed to breath.”

“But could you take us there?” She asked softly, placing a gentle hand on the seething lizard, “To steal this book and get back at these wretched monsters?”

“I will gladly take you there.” He snarled, “The toughest part will be convincing the dragon.”

“Hard?” She nearly laughed, patting his chest, “Leave the convincing to me. Dragon has a weakspot for bit eyes and the word of his lady. All we need to do is convince her and his compliance is all but assured. Besides, he has a hero complex for Drenedar. Think he’d pass on the chance to kill a vampire?”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 7

It was dawn that Cordenth found himself rudely awoken by his lizard companions. His eyes had hardly blinked away as the sun’s insistent rays stabbed at his eyes. He pawed and hissed as Vishta and Broxl prattled on about clans and druids working their way to destroy Gearmell and all who dwelled there. Even as he gobbled down his breakfast, slurping ever loudly, they continued to discuss the particulars with Lyndis. Only when they started making suggestions about his flight pattern did he lend a more inquisitive ear.

At first he was a stone wall to their offerings. The flight was in the opposite direction they were going. He reminded them that time was the essence, they knew not when the undead would be upon Struport. Their people and his friend’s lives would be at risk. Yet they played with an unfair hand, Vishta and Lyndis teaming together to subject the dragon to an assault of large eyes, quivering lips, and in Lyndis’ case, a rub along his flank, insisting she knew he would make the right choice. How could he resist that? Groaning and dramatically tossing his body, the dragon relented, much to the cheerful cries of his compatriots.

Their departure was the talk of such a small village, the townsfolk flocking to see them off. Bags upon bags of supplies were offered to them, bristling with food and a multitude of tools to aid them. They were practically fighting these good meaning people off with Cordenth’s wings by the time they agreed to only take a handful. Even still, the dragon took one look at his harness and growled that he more than resembled a traveling horse with how many satchels were strapped to him. But the cheers and hisses he received when he flared his wings, wiggling to pounce to the sky, were more than worth the little darkening of his frills.

To his wonderment, and the other’s dismay, their time through the marshlands was filled with fierce, dark grey clouds, bristling with rain that would fall upon them at a moment’s notice. It often felt in these times, that periods of dryness was the oddity instead of the norm. He’d hum to himself and continue onward, relishing the feeling of droplets rippling across his wing membranes. Thankfully they were not to be grounded too often, but when they were, it was due to the sprawling mass of lightning above. It shook the land like an earthquake, sending rivers of pure light, cleaving the sky in twain.

During such times he’d nuzzle up to Lyndis, briefly catching the tentativeness in her eyes. Even when she held or stroked his scales, there was a hesitancy that was not there before. He ignored it for a time, watching the wheels turn in her mind, still coming to grips with what happened with Kizzik. He tried to sway her fears over such things, but it didn’t matter, even during the flights he kept observing fleeting looks, periods of the uneasy silence. He couldn’t wait for this journey to be over, maybe then her silly lack of faith in his abilities would be cast to the heavens. Until then he would be made to suffer.

By the third sun set without fire to warm them, snapping at each other became the norm. From the slightest snore, to an offhand comment, the adventurers were at each other’s throats. Thankfully he was there to put it to an end however, all with a growl, heavy stomp, even a threat that he might to a barrel roll midflight. He chuckled at that one, more so that Lyndis smirked, insisting that she’d like that. Gods he loved her. That night Lyndis nestled herself between his forepaws like she did every night, but a calm had been restablished. He nuzzled her close, shielded her with a wing, and drifted off to a sea of warm bliss she provided. A dragon could ask for nothing better in the world.

With Lyndis’ affections came the clearer weather, where cold and grey were replaced with sunshine, illuminating the swaths of clays and greens far below. Numerous times he found himself staring at the pockets of flowers or colorful birds, drifting off to the radiant warmth upon his back. It was in these moments he found himself thinking about the misty forest calling his name, listing towards it’s siren like call, only corrected by Lyndis’ breaking him out of such a trance.

“What was that about?” She’d inquire, her brow raised, citing she’d seen such a thing from Veledar before they met his mother. “You think she’s hear?”

“Hardly.” He scoffed, readjusting his orientation, and letting the wind batter against his frills. “Just lost track of myself, you try these long flights, see how you do.”

“Maybe one day.” She countered with a playful smile, bringing memories of their magical night together. Where she was a white dragoness, dancing across the sky with him, their forepaws wrapped around one another.

Eventually trees and villages rose from the marsh, seemingly at the snap of the dragon’s tail. In these places they caught sight of the siigonis people, going about their routines of hunting for fish, weaving baskets, striping the meat from their kills. Often they’d stare at their passing, some in disbelief, others lowering their snouts to pray to their gods above. Some even excitedly pointed, hopping to those around them and trilling so that all could hear. Cordenth could only purr at such displays, grinning as those on his back groaned, insisting his head would explode from the praise.

“When we find this clan of lizards that helped the Queen of Eternal flame, what will become of them?” He finally asked one day at lunch, munching happily upon a sizable bird with dull orange tipped feathers. He’d kept his distance, only to save the others from gazing upon the mass of gore splattered across his snout.

“We share no mercy for traitors.” Broxl replied with a savage growl, tearing the meat from a fish he skewered. “They will be found, strapped to a slab, their beating hearts carved and ripped from their chests.”

“Kind of overkill don’t you think?” Lyndis scoffed, “Brutal doesn’t even come close to compare.”

“Do you not tie people’s limbs to wolves and let them pull? I thought you wouldn’t be as squeamish.”

Cordenth rumbled with a swishing tail, “Now don’t be critical on them Lyndis, I think it’s rather fitting. Traitors deserve everything that comes to them.”

“And those that talk at the theater.” Vishta added with a nod.

To these counters, Lyndis had no answer but to sputter with flushing cheeks. As Cordenth paid no more mind and returned to his meal, she was hard at work, conjuring up explanations and excuses for the way her people’s laws were punished.

On the fourth day, the finally arrived at their destination, cloaked in an invisibility spell. For a time they circled, searching through the overgrown countryside, leaving only sparse sections of water. It was like finding a needle in a haystack as the human’s would say, Broxl’s directions, while great for on the ground, were less than ideal when observed from above. Often they’d have to land, simply to give the hunter some better perspective on just where they were. But in the end it was not the hunter that found their target, but Cordenth’s draconic eye, much to the siigonis’ irritation.

The temple was choked by vines and branches around it, carved from vast blocks of marble and granite. It rose from the marsh in multiple layers, each more decorated than the last with swaths of colorful murals. It’s magnificence out shown the rest of the land around it, even stroking the dragon’s desire to own such a place. Yet, he was forced to tilt his wings and avoid it, the others fearful that they would be discovered, despite the spell that protected them.

He found a clearing of land far from the temple grounds, landing with a gentle trot upon the thick, moisture slick grass that squished under his paws. As the others slid from his scales to get a lay of the land, he complimented them on their experience. “And Vistha, you didn’t fall off like last time!” He chuckled as she tossed him a sharpened glance.

“Blame Broxl, he didn’t tighten the knots well enough that time.” She hissed, digging through her pack to procure a map the hunter had drawn.

“My knots were well made.” He hissed, “Don’t blame me for your lack of grip.”

Lyndis pushed herself between them, rolling her eyes, “Stuff it the both of you. We didn’t come all this way to gander at you two bickering. And before you say the other started it, I don’t care.” She cupped Cordenth’s snout as he strolled past, exaggerating his stretches so that she might get a good look at all of him. She kissed his cheek when he offered it, “Going on like a screechers isn’t going to help any of us.”

“I still think we should have sped towards them like a loosed arrow, bombarded them with our spells.” Cordenth mused, padding his away around the clearly, staring at the bird’s darting their way through the branches beyond. Even now he could see how tight a fit walking would be, the moss covered trunks were practically on top of one another. “Any takers? It’s not too late to rise to my rightful domain and assail them like a force of the gods! They’ll be trembling in their scales, or falling down to bow at my paws. Either way, I’m happy, and bonus, we don’t have to do the walking bit I just know Lyndis is going to say.”

“You don’t know I was going to say that.” She replied, arms crossing. “But even If I was, you think trumpeting our arrival is a good idea? While we’re at it, we going to hoist the banner high, let it flap in the wind and really capture the image of a charging army? Now don’t frown at me, I just want to make sure we do it proper!”

“You’re mocking me.” His eyes narrowed with a lash of his tail.

“Why in the gods would she do that?” Vishta huffed, “It’s not like this is a stealth mission you know. No sauntering off, no dramatics, no shenanigans. Just swoop in, grab the book and get out.” She wiggled her snout, adjusting her goggles. “And I know this next bit might be hard, especially for two of you…But lets try to be…professional.”

He laughed at that assertion. “Kobold, my middle name is professional. Look me up in your definitions and you will see this wonderous visage.”

“Lyndis could you clamp shut the maw of your glorified horse? I’m trying to listen.” Broxl hissed, crouching low with his ear upon the ground. “Some of us are working.”

“Glorified horse?” Cordenth marched to the Siigonis’ side, nostrils flaring, “How dare of you to make that assertion! I am equally as important than anyone else in this fellowship.” His wings fluffed for good measure, the wind almost knocking the siigonis over. “Now care to repeat that to the face of your better?”

“I would if I wasn’t certain you wouldn’t just take it far too personally. At least your tamer has a semblance of control.”

What audacity, the dragon could not hold in his dramatic gasp as he rose his head. “Listen here your barbaric fool, she is certainly not my tamer. Lyndis-“

Lyndis could only groan, rolling her eyes. “Come off it my tamed dragon, the lizard is just trying to have a go at you.” She waved off the fire in his eyes, and the squirming of his paws. “Broxl, there you go, silent as ever. How’s the approach looking?”

“Silence would need you as well.” He replied bluntly, closing his eyes and taking on a statuesque appearance, focusing on the world around him. The air seemed to still around him, even the marsh growing duller with each breath he took. “There are sixty between us and the steps. Some hunters, others practicing spells.” The statement was laced with a hiss, “It seems our friend has done us the favor of alerting them.”

Him? He’d just gotten here with the rest of them! “Listen here, I won’t stand before you and simply take your blatantly wrong accusations. How in any way could I have alerted them? We swooped in from that direction, under protection of an invisible spell. Keep this up and I just might…Why are you shaking your heads?”

“He meant Hurta.” Lyndis groaned, “Obviously he meant it.”

“Oh.” He shifted from paw to paw, “Then someone should have informed us, just in case of such a miscommunication. Now I look unjustly foolish.”

“Going to apologize for the outburst?”

“What don’t you understand about unjustly?” He snorted, waving off their hardened looks with a wing. As they bickered between them he slid away, picturing the wall of muscle and scales that stood before them and their price. “Sixty lizards with sticks?” He called back to them with a brassy tone, “Is that the best they could muster? I laugh at the face of such pitiful numbers.” He rose a claw, chest swelling in pride. There was silence as the others took in his words, no doubt appreciating their obvious merit. “Well, you may speak, I wish to hear your praises.”

“I mean…I like the enthusiasm, but it’s not practical.” Vishta shrugged, “Unless your plan was just to kill them all, again, maybe, they have spells. We’re looking at a lot of unknowns and risk.”

“But nothing that could compare to-“ He clamped his mouth shut, realizing the promise he’d made nights before. Even now he could feel her eyes upon him, piercing through his scales. Judging, worried, waiting for him to break his word. Instead he rumbled to hide his worry, “What I meant to say was that we should interrogate some of their number, perhaps we will reveal a hidden entrance. If not that, we could assume their appearances. It worked wonders at the Lumara fort, why not here?”

“Wonderful idea, but one problem.” Lyndis sighed, gesturing to Vishta, “At the fort, none of us, save Crimson Sky stood out. Vishta doesn’t exactly belong after you change shape”.

“Going in dragons blazing seems to be looking more appealing.”

Her brow rose as the dragon began to pace, “You’re rather blood thirsty.”

“They’re hurting eggs, it sounds as those these wretches are ill deserving of such mercy.”

“I agree with the dragon for once.” Broxl grunted, tapping his blades. “No mercy for those that trade our people’s lives.”

“Alright you two, lets quit it with the murder boners.” Lyndis replied with a sharpened gaze between the two, “We just go in killing, someone’s going to notice the bodies. Besides, the last thing we need is the Drenedarian queen going murder crazy on a bunch of misguided siigonis!”

“Then why not let us do all the work?” Cordenth fluffed his wings, “Problem solved, your image stays clean!”

“No murder!”

Frills pinned at such a demand, but still he licked her forceful finger thrust. “Gosh Lyndis, you needn’t shout, I’m not as deaf as Broxl you know. Besides, in your plan, you don’t exactly fit in either.”

“I have an invisibility cloak.” She groaned, squeezing tight the bridge of her nose.

“How about charming them?” Vishta chimed in, bouncing on her feet. “Radiant Star could use his powers on any hunters we meet. Boom, they’d be eating out of claws. He would just have to ask and they’d do it! Stroll in, stop for lunch, no fight even needed! Zero risk, not a lick of danger at all.” Vishta was beaming, hands on her waist as she looked to the others with pride. “Sounds like an absolute victory in my book.”

He squirmed, sharing a look with Lyndis, knowing this to be so. Under her concerned gaze he couldn’t help but sigh, “Regretfully I can’t, I’ve caught…A terrible cold…Messes with my magic…Cough…Cough.”

“You’re aware you said cough twice and mimed the action into your paw, instead of you know, actually coughing?”

Had he? His frills blushed at the thought as stood in silence, flicking his tail, giving the whole deception away. As he opened and closed his maw, conjuring up an adequate excuse, Lyndis was there to beat him to the cut.

“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m convinced. Still think you’re up to help hun?” She slid to his side, dramatically holding his head as he pressed it into her with an exaggerated sigh.

“I know it won’t be easy, but I endeavor to press on. The mission is too important.”

She patted his head, “There, there, we appreciate your sacrifice for us all.”

Vishta rolled her eyes, “You’re not fooling anyone.”

Broxl however, didn’t share the kobold’s certainty. “If the dragon is sick, it must be a plant he was exposed to. It must be incredibly powerful to eat through his natural resistance.” He ran his claw across the bottom of his chin, scanning over the various plants. “It could only be a few things, all equally bad. Don’t give me that look Vishta, these sorts of things can happen.”

“I don’t believe it.” She whispered to herself, “Have all of you just gone touched in the head?”

“Dragon!” Broxl snapped to Cordenth, “Did you eat a wildflower with red thorns at our last rest period?”

This was getting rather ridiculous, he waved off the lizardman’s concern with a wing, insisting that he was still feeling a tad under the weather. “But not too serious, just gums up the spelldragonship from that particular power.”

“How convenient.” Lyndis nodded along.

“I know.”

“Come on!” Vishta groaned, “He’s obviously faking! What’s gotten into all of you?”

“He was?” Broxl tilted his head, “He’s a good actor.”

“Yes!” She hissed, “Look at him and her, they’re exchanging looks…Oh I get it…Someone is tying the dragon’s wings behind his back and the other is allowing her to do so!”

“Oh.” Broxl’s eyes narrowed, “I see what’s going on.”

“Alright, you can stop your glaring.” Cordenth growled, drawing all attention to his scales, “There are things we’re not quite certain with my powers…We thought it best to hold off until we further understand them. If you can’t accept that...Then go, get mounted and prepare for a long walk home.”

“No thanks, Kobolds are not my thing.”

Vishta was less convinced, even as Lyndis rested a hand on Cordenth’s shoulder, agreeing with his statement. “Why do I even try to work with other people?” The agent groaned, looking visibly ill. “If it’s one thing it’s another, it’s like you all want to fail. Do you have any idea how much harder you’ve made my life?”

“I like to think of it as interesting.” He rumbled, “And could we not just ask the hunters how to get into their temple?”

“And how do you expect to do that without your long-term charm smart guy? I may have a potion or two, maybe even a blade, but would that be too squeamish for you?”

“I do have a short charm.” Lyndis sneered, “And where did I say I was against threatening them?”

“Ah yes, the good ole, aggressive persuasion.” He nodded with a smile, “There’s your answer kobold, we don’t even need my charm that would make this laughably easy.”

Vishta could only shake her head at the choices presented before her wondering what god had cursed her. With a heavy sigh she finally relented, “Glenreich, give me strength.”

“There’s the spirit.” Cordenth grinned.

*

Silently they creeped through the thick fauna, the leaves grabbing at their flesh and scales. Cordenth followed right behind Lyndis, practically her shadow, whispering to her thanks of having his back during such an embarrassing exchange. The air was muggy, hot, and filled with so many insects they practically enshrouded the place in their swarming fog. While he had no care of their numerous legs or fluttering wings, only Lyndis found her attention drawn to the colorful butterflies that would cross their path. She’d point and coo, even drawing in an excited breath one just missed her out stretched finger, instead landing right on Cordenth’s snout.

“Look at you, so adorable.” She whispered, harshly waving off Broxl’s irksome stare as he motioned them along the path.

“Dragons are not adorable.” He disputed with a swish of his tail, but not removing the butterfly from him either. The way Lyndis smiled and dazzled at the orange and black wings; it was worth the indignity over such a thing.

“You keep saying that, yet here you are…Looking adorable with a-“

He flared his nostrils, scaring away the little insect, leaving it to tumble through the air to reorient its flight. As he chuckled, she smacked at his scales, insisting that he was an absolute brat_._ “I’m not sure, you saw how it floundered away, but I do believe I helped it achieve an elegance it only could achieve in it’s wildest dreams.”

“Please, I’ve seen some cat’s squat with more elegance than that.” She scoffed.

“Why are you watching them do that? Is that an elven thing or a human thing? HEY!” He had to retreat, lest he give into her renewed assault on his scales. Again, she had the ill-conceived delusions that he was the brat in this scenario. To which he pranced away with his snout up, flicking his tail to and fro so that she got a good look at his haunches. As she rolled her eyes and scoffed at such a thing, he turned, giving the girl a wink. “Oh, despite what words you sling at my scales, I know you heart burns for me. Even in the state I find myself.”

“So much that I need an ointment.”

He went limp to the ground, clutching his chest. “How you wound me.” He gasped, grasping at the air with a trembling claw. He wheezed and quivered, collapsing, eyes closed, his tongue dangling out. Only to be on the receiving end of a rather shrill, quite upset kobold. How was he supposed to know he’d fallen onto her pack?

“And look at all the ink!” She shrieked, digging out the parchment, practically in tears. “You ruined my copy of rare mammals of Sethera, I was saving this one for later!”

He sneered as she pretended dramatically was seething, “You should keep a better handle on your things. How is it my fault you just go leaving them around? That’s just poor accounting.” He couldn’t help but snicker as she ranted and fumed, insisting it would take hours to use some magician to separate all this ink from the ruined pages. Even Lyndis was chortling and leaning up on her dragon, hiding her grin each time Vishta made eye contact with her.

“Perhaps we should return to our travel?” Broxl growled, using what magic he had to hide their tracks from sight. “Before lunacy takes it’s grip on us all.”

“Right, like it hasn’t before.” Lyndis rolled her eyes, keeping instep with the siigonis’ own.

For hours they slid among the marsh’s denser greens. What would have hindered the stoutest of dwarves, proved nothing to the trained eye of Broxl, who had them gliding from tree to tree as if they were shadows themselves. Silently, they remained unseen, passing several patrols of hunting siigonis, their scales many different shades of green, but all with the same pattern that Cordenth bore. It wasn’t until they narrowed down into a lone patrol of two did they spring their trap, certain they’d not be found. With a flick of a tail and several hand gestures, the two unsuspecting hunters found themselves pinned to the ground, mouth’s gaged, and a snarling dragon towering over them.

Their limbs tied in rope of the finest silk, knocked out by a dragon’s paw, the pair were dragged into the wilds. Broxl followed in their wake, hiding their tracks, no one would be the wiser. They brought them to a gnarled tree, it’s branches covered in thick layers of blue moss. There they were bound together, weapons stripped from them, blindfolded, perfectly waiting for their interrogation. Cordenth tilted his head to this, wondering why they were so concerned. Were they not just going to put these two to an end? When he asked such a thing he got scathing looks from his beloved, but his other companions didn’t seem concerned in the slightest.

Lyndis wove her spell through the air, reciting the words of power as though they were a pleasing poem. Pinkish strings connected from his fingertips, slithering around with every syllable. It curled around their captives, caressed their snouts, settling into their eyes with a gentle poof. No answer would be hidden from her, these two would treat her like a treasured friend. She cleared her throat and shifted her voice to a pleasing coo, after Vishta offered her a tiny vial that allowed her to speak in any tongue.

“Is there another way into the temple my friends?” She asked with a draconic hiss, “Away from those tough looking guards of yours? I find myself rather shy.”

“Why would you want to do that?” One replied, “I mean, there’s the forbidden path friend, but no one uses it. Specially if you want to live.”

“And why would they be dying may I ask?”

“Cause the beasts that watch the entrance.”

“And what sort of beasts would those be?” Cordenth inquired with the tilt of the head. Not knowing something fierce enough to give him pause. At least not in this part of the country.

“Who’s that?” The smaller lizard replied, starting to shift in his bindings. “And why are we bound and our eyes covered?”

“That’s perfectly normal for this sort of check!” Lyndis chuckled, disarming the dragon with a look that screamed for him to leave this to her. “The two of you stumbled into some bramble bushes, caught something nasty, don’t want to get the others sick.”

“Oh no, we’re sick?” Gravely voice asked, “Oh stars, tell me we’re not dying.” The other lizard started to shutter, insisting they were too young to die.

“No one’s sick, just got a cold is all. You know, the kind that has you loosing arrows at both ends you get my drift.” Despite the lesser symptoms, this did little to sway the dreadful aura that had wrapped tight around their captives. Now they were ranting raving about going through that whole ordeal. “Look, you’re not going to suffer from it alright?”

“We’re not?” The first one breathed in relief.

“But you just said-“ The second one began.

“I know what I said, but we have the best druids working on it. We’ll have you right as rain in no time.”

“Ok…makes sense to me…Somehow.” The first lizard relaxed, “But what of that other voice? The one that sounded like plague ridden kobold?”

“Yea.” The second lizard laughed, “One with a snaggle tooth, clutching at it’s candle and saying it’s pretty…”

Ok, now Cordenth stirred from his seated position on his hinds. Eyes simmered with fire, his tail lashed the ground so hard it hurt, cutting through the conversation with the thunderous thwap. As Lyndis tried to assure them nothing was wrong, his claws dug thick ravine through the mud. They were lucky that he was so patient with this blatant insult upon his pride. When this adventure was over, they’d spin legends about how gracious and well-mannered that he was. Until then he was left to grind his teeth, keeping his growl to an inaudible level, lest he terrify these lesser creatures. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, if they only knew who they were talking to, they’d never dare utter such a word, for he would have ended them were they stood. It was only right after all.

“Never you mind that voice, we have it sorted. Focus back to the beasties.” Lyndis laughed, “What do we trust so much we have no-one guarding it?”

“You should know friend, everyone’s given the tour on their first day.” First lizard chortled.

“Yea, what are you some kind of stupid?” Second lizard asked.

“Silly me, you caught me, my memory has never been that fresh alright?” Replied Lyndis, clamping Cordenth’s snout before he could unleash such a scathing tongue lashing, they’d never forget. “But let’s not do the insults alright? Things might not go swimmingly if you do.”

“Alright, alright. But don’t go forgetting again friend. Leader doesn’t like people forgetting.” First lizard sighed.

“New leader will have you punished most severely, don’t want that happening to our good chum!”

“New leader?” Lyndis’ brow rose in time with Cordenth’s.

“Yea, she never comes out of the temple though. Least enough for us to see her.” First lizard shrugged, describing that things really didn’t change all that much. “Although there were shipments in wagons, everyone got real tight snouted about it.”

“Wouldn’t even let us take a gander.” Second lizard grumbled, “Which only fuels the need more to look. Bet it’s something good, nothing worth sharing.”

The eggs, Cordenth thought, and a shared look with Lyndis knew she thought the same. He could see the wheels turning behind her eyes before steeling, laying a hand on Cordenth’s scales and once more returning the question to the beasts.

“Oh them? Why didn’t you say so?” Scoffed first lizard, “Big bug like things, many wings, terrible stinger, and a life cycle so gruesome, you’d never visit!”

“Terrible, like how? Do they keep pestering you about your warranty on wagons?”

“No, worse!” Second lizard shivered, “They sting you, which of course paralyzes you, in which they stick you again, this time laying their young into your gut. And well, you can just imagine yourself as an egg from now on, though they do eat your insides.”

“While you’re still alive.” First lizard shook his head, “Terrible way to go.”

As stout as Cordenth was known to be, even he found himself struggling to not vomit at the thought of such an occurrence. His paws trembled, he had to take deep breaths, even fluffing his wing to stave off the rising tide within his gullet. The others thankfully were doing the same, all save Vishta, who sat, tail thumping, eyes wide, a smile across her snout.

“I can’t believe I get to use my readings! Vrak Jimos, here? They’re terribly rare! What luck!” She nudged him, oblivious to his current state. “Can you just picture it?”

“Trying not to.” Cordenth gagged.

“Oh come on you big baby! You’ve had to eat grosser things! You can’t stand there and tell me that it’s not the most fascinating reproduction cycle you’ve heard of in such a large insectoid?”

“Vishta-“

“I mean, terrible for the victims, but imagine the size of them…” She held out her claws, trying to stretch them as wide as possible. “At least.”

“Vishta!” This time it was Lyndis, coughing into her fist. “Please.”

“Oh.” She adjusted her goggles, twitching her snout. “The rest of you really are more sensitive than I thought….Why the dragon? You eat food raw!”

“Yea, but not like that!” He huffed, “We at least have the decency to kill our food first.”

“And the terrifying chase for your prey leading up to it? Where their heart is all aflutter? Unable to escape from such a predator?” Vishta crossed her arms. “Sounds worse to me.”

“I’m not going to get into a debate about hunting with you.” He waggled a wing at her, “My hunting isn’t comparable to whatever…Abomination that thing is.”

“Vrak Jimos, first of all, and furthermore nature is nature. I thought you’d be all-“ She clamped tight as he wheeled on her, teeth bared. She squirmed with a nervous laugh, gently touching the dragon’s nose. “Perhaps a discussion for another time…Preferably with drinks and when you can take a joke.”

“How about never.” He growled.

“A good second choice.” She spun on one leg, practically dashing away to Lyndis’ side, anything to get her away from the cross, tail swaying dragon that towered over her. “Now, lets focus on how we’re going to sneak through this dastardly hive.”

“What?” He followed without a thought, stomping, and huffing as he did so. A terrible chill traveled down his spine, caused him to shiver as he pictured such a terrible fate befalling Lyndis, or worst of all himself! “Lyndis, you can’t be taking her seriously right now. Don’t give me that look, like you can handle it all, what if something happened to you? How could I live myself, knowing I’d done such a terrible job?” He dramatically held a paw to his head, trying to look sympathetic, drawing her gaze. It did, and her hands tenderly caressed his snout, but to his dismay she was not deterred.

“And that’s the sort of thing they’d least suspect, which has all the makings of a great plan. Trust me, I’ve faced far worse, yeti, marauding hobgoblins, plagues of madness, sure these bugs sound deadly, but so is half a dozen things I’ve done. I say, to the hells with your tiny bugs.”

“They’re really not.” First lizard said flatly, “They’re like the size of wolves.”

“Alright not so puny bugs.” She laughed, holding Cordenth ever tighter as he rose his snout.

“I vote for beating our way through them again.” He said softly, only getting a gentle rub along his cheek, insisting this had to be the way to go.

“Could we not talk about what we’re going to do in front of our guests?” Broxl grunted, tapping his blade. “Unless we don’t mind what’s going to happen afterwards.”

“Why? What’s happening afterwards?” First lizard asked tentatively, “Something bad?”

“Oh that?” Lyndis scoffed, though clearly had forgotten. “Nothing to worry about fellas, we’re just going to be throwing someone a hatchday party.”

“Oh, were you? I was confused about the other bits.” He wrinkled his snout.

The second lizard smiled, “Oh you remembered Frax’s hatchday! Here I thought everyone had forgotten. That’s terribly sweet, he’s going to love it!”

“Yea, but it’s a secret, so you can’t tell him that we’re coming. Especially not were we’re bringing his present.”

“Course.” Lizard two chuckled, “I can seal the lips.”

“Bah.” Cordenth huffed, slipping away with a lash of his tail. He clawed a passing tree for good measure, the natural sights all dulled for now. The last thing he expected was for Vishta to tail behind him, waving as he peered back and gave her a harsh huff.

“Everything alright big guy?” She smiled with a nervous laugh.

“Course not.” He huffed, wheeling around to glare at his reckless love.

“You heard her though, it’s so crazy it might work. We just need a sure-fire way to make sure it goes off without a hitch.” She tapped her chin, “We got to find something to exploit. These things don’t like light or luckily, certain smells. Which, lucky us, if I remember correctly, that spray I have should work doubly as good on these things. Also, they’re nocturnal, during they day they should be dormant. Plenty of time for us to slip in undetected.”

“Suppose so.” He grumbled, planting his haunches down with a thump. “But you’re not spraying me with that spray.”

“I mean, if you prefer getting stung and larva hatching in your flesh, be my guest!”

“No thanks.” HE nearly wretched_,_ ”But I should be good, greens are natural insect repellents.”

“Yea, with the tiny ones in the forests, but these monsters? Want to press your luck on that one big guy?”

“They won’t be able to paralyze me.” He huffed, reminding the little kobold about his kind’s immunity to most poisons, “And if they manage to land on me, I doubt they’ll be so resistant to my poison.”

“Right, course, silly me. We really got lucky when it comes to magic utility with you and the others.” Vishta sat beside him, deep in thought, “Although one could say it was planned. Say, would you be able to take a lizard disguise? With like polymorph and stuff?”

“Course I can.” He growled, “What sort of green dragon do you take me for? Who doesn’t know how to polymorph?” How the dragon bit his tongue, remembering how the red dragon Veledar had not known himself. Even now he threatened to laugh, fall over at such an embarrassment.

“Oh right, like your red friend. He had problems, yes?”

“Yes.” He rose a brow. How did she know that? The only ones that would have known were himself, his brother, and his mother. “I assure you, I’m much better than that buffoon.”

“All right protective scales, prove it.” She crossed her arms, giving him a skeptical look. “Put your words were your snout is.”

Scoffing at such a display, he dismissed her with a wave. “Vishta, I need not prove a thing to you. Even if we sneak into this place, what good will this disguise be for me? Its not like these wasps care if I’m a fancy, two-legged lizard.” He grinned as her maw snapped shut, the point going clearly to him. That was until Broxl strolled casually over.

“I am with the kobold. When we get inside, we need disguises.”

Oh these people were getting under his scales. For show he strolled around the clearing, digging up dirt, lashing his tail for affect. When their stupid faces didn’t shift, and flaring his nostrils didn’t work, he was forced to comply.

“Fine you inquisitive prats. But know I don’t question your ineptitude.”

“Yes, you do…Like all the time!” Vistha blurted, “Like that funny time you insulted Broxl’s singing over lunch, you said and I quote, ‘That it was worse than a symphony of screeching cats, and broken glass had more rhythm.’ End quote. “

He rumbled at that one, relishing in such a creative retort. While she prattled on about half a dozen times, he paced, paying her no mind as he focused on the siigonis in back with Lyndis was rapidly speaking. His love had a piece of parchment out, scribbling away as the siigonis spoke. Obviously getting directions to this hidden entrance. He lingered on each of their scales, committing their appearance to memory. Their soft green scales twisting within. He swished a paw, recited the words, letting the magic course through his entire being. Purple smoke burst from all around him, choking lungs, depriving sight, and more importantly, interrupting Vishta mid-sentence.

His wings retreated in the blink of an eye, shooting down into his back. His snout cracked and shortened, turning stockier and far less armored with scales. Horns that he cherished to his heart vanished, replaced with a frill that traveled down to the tip of his tail. Scales that would captivate the eye with their splendor dulled, weathered, nothing more than a common green. He reared up as his bones rearranged themselves, forepaws becoming arms, his spine cementing for a more upright state.

As the others coughed and wheezed over his change, he emerged, snout held high, gesturing to his form with the confidence one might expect. “Behold mortals, does this satisfy your curiosity?” He was beaming, “I would understand dearest Vishta if your simple eyes cannot comprehend the feat of which you beheld.”

“Good for you, you did as you said.” She coughed, “Would you like a medal?”

“In fact I would, make it platinum, able to fit around my snout. Oh don’t give me that look, if you’re going to make a sarcastic remark, better make sure I can’t call you on it.”

Broxl was less impressed as he approached with an inquisitive eye, pacing as he searched Cordenth from nose to his tail, unlike say a human, the hunter questioned not why the dragon’s form was naked. He merely paused, tapping at his shoulder, “The markings are wrong, they belong to the shadow clan, they’d not be here.”

“Shadow clan?” Cordenth peered down, noting that he did have black marks that traveled down his chest like little rivers, paint if he was to be sure. They slithered past his waist, down to his tail, crisscrossing back and forth, trapped forever in a silent dance. “Who cares if the colors are wrong?”

“I do.” He huffed, “And so should you, unless you like getting asked questions.”

“Ugh, fine, get picky now of all things. I won’t even bother to remark how backward it is to mark your body as a means of expression.”

“But the teal dragons do it.” Vishta replied, “For fighting, romance, times of happiness, harvest, ceremonies for adult hood and…Oh, look who has a cross look now. If you’re going to have a wrong opinion expect to be called out on it.”

The dragon’s gaze narrowed as the kobold’s courage seemed to remain. He huffed, deciding their verbal spat would be best reserved for later. He would win, she would admit defeat. Closing his eyes he preformed the spell yet again. The blackened shapes twisted and wiggled as if life had gripped them, forming new spirals and squares across his scales. “Better now?” He snapped.

He took one trip around the dragon, eyes widening from the markings. “You’re not very familiar with my kind are you?” He chuckled, deep in his throat.”

“Course I know about them, why wouldn’t I?” He scoffed. “Brother and I read numerous books on the subject.”

“Then you meant to put the symbol for one who lifts their tail?”

Oh, how his cheeks burned at the statement, hastily doing the hand motion again to shift the colors red. “Fine, this make it any better?”

The lizard shrugged, “If you’re into that, I am not a judge.”

Furrowing his brow, he rounded on the siigonis with an accusing finger jab, “By the stars! Tell me what symbols I should use then! I won’t play this game with you!”

Broxl, to his credit didn’t chastise the dragon further, instead retreating to a nearby bush with dark black berries in the shape of stars adorning them. With a claw he sliced them open, letting the navy blue juice seep into his out stretched claw. Dipping a digit in he returned to the dragon, taking great precision to adorn his snout and neck with varying symbols and shapes. Each stroke left a cooling sensation, slithering down Cordenth’s spine, making each breath feel crisp and brand new. When he finished, pride trickled into the hunter’s eyes.

“There, now you could pass as one of them. Now just not talk and we won’t destroy the illusion.”

“Hmmpf.” He retorted, admiring himself, “I bet you’re people stole these from the teal dragons.”

“It’s a tradition that dates back centuries-“

“That you stole?”

The hunter’s gaze grew sharp, his voice taught. “No.”

“And what of you?” He gestured to the kobold, who was currently sloshing around an orange liquid in a bottle, with the consistency of curdled milk. She uncorked it, took a whiff and nearly gagged at the scent.

“Going to be looking at it all day?” Cordenth teased.

“Its…Just be glad you don’t have to drink it.” She sighed, composing herself with a deep breath. One swig back she chugged down the entire thing, her body resisting the entire time. She shook, her tail wiggled, it appeared as though it took great effort, all the way to the final, disgusting drop. When she’d finished, wiping her snout, the potion’s magic worked it’s way across her form.

She grew twice her size before their eyes, even her gear as well. But even still, she was smaller than the rest, hardly up to Cordenth’s chest. The dragon chuckled as she admired her new form with wide eyes, clearly excitement within.

“That’s your magic? Look like a bigger kobold? How is this not as bad as my bad markings?”

“She could always pass as one of our…More stranger young.” Broxl replied, “An ugly one for sure.”

“Or one of your captives.” Vishta snapped back, eyes narrowed. “And you’re an ugly kobold.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Cordenth rolled his eyes, not believing what he was hearing. They’d want to go with their plan instead of his? This was getting worse by the minute. Without listening to this for another second he huffed, turned and focused on the only one he cared about, Lyndis. He marched over, a smirk on his face, unable to wait for what she would say over his new form. No doubt she’d be disappointed, how could he not? Trade a dragon for siigonis, unthinkable, she had more standards than that.

“How is the chat going?” He sighed, dramatically gesturing to himself, “I’ve done my best, what there is little to be done for such a ghastly body. I do hope the siigonis there are blind, otherwise there might be some complications.”

“They are not blind.” Lizard one replied, “Very perceptive.”

“See? Very perceptive Lyndis. How are you going to get by anyway?”

“Invisibility for one.” She laughed, sliding around his new form, slinging an arm around his shoulder. “My my, what do we have here? A mysterious, new, handsome lizard? I’d be careful, I have one who fancies me, and he’s incredibly jealous.”

“It’s me.” He replied bluntly, only making her laugh ever harder. How his frills scales warmed at the prospect, “Did you least get the path’s location? Instead of playing this little game?”

“Flirting?”

“Yes, that.”

“Well…More or less, these two lads offered to bring us, but their friendship let’s say won’t last that long. Then we’d have to handle them, and that leads to a few more complications…”

“Perhaps, but nothing I couldn’t handle.” He scoffed, then corrected himself. “I mean, nothing we couldn’t handle.”

“That’s my boy.” Her smirk warmed the dragon’s heart as she scratched at his chin, melting when she kissed him on the cheek. “But let’s not get head over heels with one another, no reason to not keep our guard up. Remember the temple in the forest of despair?”

“How could I forget.” He replied bluntly, recalling nearly getting them all killed by the twin stone guardians that sprung to life. Not to mention the dragon orb that tried to suck him inside, Lyndis holding her ground to save his life. “Let’s hope I don’t end up in some sort of fangled trap.”

“I don’t know, I rather liked saving your tail.” She playfully nudged at him. “Oh, and before I forget. No sneezing, last thing we need is you breaking cover.”

“Who do I look like?” He scoffed, nuzzling at her cheek. “My brother?”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thank you all for tagging along in this adventure as we follow along with Cordenth, Lyndis, Broxl and Vishta. If you like it, don't forget to favorite and vote it a few stars. If you feel like being awesome, leave a comment below, I certainly read them and respond!

If you like the content and help support it, my patreon can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=371744

Feel like chatting and hanging out with us on telegram? The group can be found here: https://t.me/joinchat/6Qc64-7LrtlkMWM5