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Scales and Honor: City of Light

Chapter 9: Magical Support

Arcturus strode down the busy streets of Entis once more. His footsteps muffled by the busy drowning sound of people's voices, the clacking of wagon wheels on the cobblestone, and the occasional snort of a horse. He was once again wearing the disguise that he had settled on with Veledar, although the cheeky dragon still would pass an insult or two at it, than follow up with a compliment. This morning had been slightly different, as the dragon's compliments were more direct now. He had even leaned in for a kiss,to which he did not resist. His eyes had opened wide in realization, it was right in front of Gus. If his friend minded he had shown no disgust, and simply grinned at them. Although he did let out with a “Good you took my advice." before downing the rest of his meal.

Arcturus passed by an alleyway, turning his head back slightly to see Veledar following right behind him in his human form. He was currently shielding his eyes from the rays of light covering the city. His face was wrinkled in irritation, as it appeared he was trying to bare his fangs and hiss. Although lacking these things, just ended up looking rather silly. Which made Arcturus just form a half-smile. Hes going to kill you for laughing at his misery. He chuckled as he wrapped an arm around his once dragon's shoulders and pulled him over to a shaded area of the street.

“Curse these human eyes for being so sensitive." Veledar growled in the back of his throat. “When I get my claws on those who took Lyndis..and made me wait even longer for my book.." Veledar made a cracking noise with his mouth.

“Probably best to not dwell so much on murder dearest dragon."

“Oh? So you don't plan on putting down some thieves and dastardly thugs?" Veledar cocked his head.

“Well only if they push the issue of course. They could very well just hand her back over."

“Yea that does not seem very likely Arcturus." Veledar laughed, “I think you might be a tad naive."

“Ok, I know it _ wont _ happen like that, but that would be the best case scenario. It would be pretty grim if I thought every encounter we had ended with more death and misery."

“Well if they surrender of course we can do it your way Arcturus. However if they do it the way I imagine they will, I think wherever they are hiding will be painted with their blood."

Well if that isn't a grim thought. “Well I don't think you will be doing much of this painting anyway." Arcturus replied, as they resumed walking down the busy street.

“And why would I leave our dearest friend to remain kidnapped by these people? If you think I will not try to take out some revenge on them you are sadly mistaken."

“What I mean is that you should not probably assume your true form. Not until we are far from prying eyes. We can't afford anyone seeing you remember?"

Veledar let out a loud and drawn out groan. “I hate that part of this journey. I cannot wait until I don't have to wear this around anymore." he pinched his chest, and rolled the flesh in his fingers.

“Trust me I'd rather see you in your true form as well. Besides it would put an end to all your whining."

“Well...not all my whining." Veledar nudged him with an elbow. “I am sure I can find more things to whine about." He watched the dragons eyes look him over from head to boots, and a spark of emotion suddenly strike his mind. Arcturus tried to swirl his thoughts around to pinpoint the emotion, truthfully it was getting easier than before. Perhaps his acceptance of his feelings from the night before had helped in that regard. That emotional spark happened to be lust.

“Hey keep your mind on task, you naughty thing you." He pointed a finger into Veledar's nose.

“I can offer no such promises." Veledar playfully growled. 'Not when I know the human in my little group so thoroughly enjoys my company."

Suddenly there was a loud smack of flesh on cloth, and a sharp spike of brief pain through Arcturus' buttocks. The damned dragon had just smacked his arse! Their eyes met, as Veledar gave a wide grin.

“What the hell was that?" he finally said, coming to a stop in the bustling street. He glared at him, while the dragon just gave him an amused look.

“What? Is that not how you human show affection?"

“Well sometimes it is...." Arcturus thought to the times he had done that to Selina. “Although not in public you arse. You do it again and you will find yourself with my boots upon your stones."

“Hah jokes on you I don't have any......." Veledar's eyes widened, as his hands slowly went to guard crotch. “You.....wouldn't"

“Oh did you just realize that little detail?" Arcturus grinned back at him. Some horses clomped by rather loudly as Veledar tapped his foot in irritation.

“Well I don't know what you want me to do then." they resumed walking down street.

Arcturus held up the note that Shandalar had given to him the other day. He started read the instructions, but only got three words in when Veledar continued.

“I can't even show you affection the dragon way." Veledar whined, but matching his own quickening pace.

Arcturus' next breath brought the heavy mixture of earthy horses, the sweet aroma of a collection of fruits, and the slight hint of tomatoes. This came as no to surprise to the paladin as they just passed a large green sign with yellow letters, welcoming them to the produce market.

“What pray tell is the way dragon's show affection then?"

“Well to my irritation you have no tail to intertwine with me. This one is a fairly basic one." Veledar held up one his hands and started counting off with his digits as they passed some stores selling general goods. “You have no wings for my to caress with my own, you have no proper neck for us to nuzzle each other, and I don't get it, you seemed ok with the tail smack earlier in the morning." Veledar pouted, as Arcturus remembered the tail slap in question.

It was pretty much a duplicate situation as the hand slap. He had gotten up from bed trying to shake off the grogginess of sleep, smiling at his sweet dreams he had had. Something with Veledar flying around with him. He had stretched his arms to the ceiling, and let out a loud yawn. He was almost thrown to the floor from the sudden strike of Veledar's tail on his rump. He had shouted the same thing he had just said about the hand. “Its just my way of saying I like what I see." Veledar had responded, waving a paw. The bastard than had laid out on the bed, giving him a rather good look at his entire body. With his neck curled slightly, his tail frill twitching, and his limbs wide. The pose looked rather inviting. He remembered wanting to just dive right into the dragon's waiting limbs and be smothered in his embrace. Instead he had slipped over to the dragon, and traced the underside of his chin with his hand. “You think yourself so amusing don't you?" Veledar had just grinned back at him, his wing membranes fluttering softly. His tail twitched than curled inward invitingly.

“Do you even have to question that?"

Arcturus had planted a kiss on the dragons snout. “Next time be a tad more careful, I nearly was knocked over!" He playfully smacked the dragons head, getting a chuckle from Veledar. “Although this means I will have to smack your rump in return.

“Oh you want to smack my rump now?" Veledar had raised an eyebrow and his rear slightly. “You are certainly free to try paladin." he had playfully growled, his frills twitching on the side of head.

“Well that was different." Arcturus pulled himself from the memory of the morning. “That was just with me around." Not out in public with all these watching eyes. He gestured to the streets around them with a grand sweet of his arm. They crossed the busy street just as several horse drawn carriages passed them by.

"I want to show my affection for you so that all might know." Veledar crossed his arms, “What is the proper human way to do this than?"

Arcturus put a hand to his chin, “Well you could always intertwine our fingers as we walked, there is hugging, and wrapping arms around each others waists.....there is also brief kisses." He felt his cheeks turning red as he pictured the dragon moving in for a tender kiss. When he stopped and turned to check on Veledar he found the dragon practically right on top of him. Veledar swooped in with his mouth and planted a firm quick kiss on Arcturus own. The human returned the gesture, and gave a soft sigh. It still had the same emotions rushing through him when Veledar was in his human form. Small tingles radiated from his head, and felt like little streams of warmth, flowing down to the rest of his body. When they pulled away from each other, Arcturus thought he saw the face of Selina in the crowd glaring at him. He stuffed that feeling down and focused on the dragon who looked rather pleased with himself.

“How was that for showing my affection then?" he grinned, running a hand along Arcturus side. It was soft, gentle, and carried the tenderness of the dragon.

“You've been waiting to do that since we left the house haven't you?"

“Well it is what I can get from you right now." grinned the once dragon. “I take pride in knowing you love the attention."

Well that certainly is true. He placed a hand on Veledar's own side, and gently traced his frame with his fingers. “Well my dearest handsome dragon, we cannot stay here kissing the day away."

“Why not? I mean besides the Lyndis in trouble part it sounds like fun!" a mischievous grin formed on the once dragon's face. “It might even lead to other things." He gave Arcturus a wink.

Arcturus felt his blood quicken, his heart flutter in his chest. “When I am ready of course." He sighed with a smile, wrapping his arm around Veledar and dragging him down the street once more. “Your going to keep pushing on that door aren't you?"

“Just like the story of to give a Dwarf a beer." replied the dragon with a grin.

Arcturus remembered that particular story from his youth. The narrator of the story in question gives a dwarf a beer, and though a series of shenanigans ends with the dwarf getting another beer. Circling back around into a never ending cycle. The implications with Veledar made him shake his head with a smile.

“Why did Krotos get to sleep in?" Veledar groaned as several earth brown gryphons darted playfully overhead. The sounds of their playful squawks radiating through the air, as their wings carried them just as swiftly out of sight.

Arcturus pictured Krotos this morning, his blue wings sprawled out on the couch, fluttering with each rise and fall of his chest. His night black forelimbs were wrapped tightly around the sleeping form of Merlia, who had her face buried in his chest. Arcturus had smiled, before padding over to the table to eat his meal. He had never seen Merlia so content before. Perhaps she actually did like Krotos more than just for a quick fling. Although his face turned into a frown as he realized they the two had not woken them up. Which meant they had not found anything.

“Because they stayed out all night looking for Lyndis."

“Well they did not turn up anything. No offense here, but how do you expect us two handicapped individuals to find what our two best hunters at the moment could not?"

“Because if you had stopped to listen to me instead of lustfully staring at me you might have heard about this." he held out the note.

“Well I can't help it." Veledar said softly, and than leaned into him, “I'm just so excited."

Arcturus' chest tingled again as he leaned back against the dragon. He laughed internally as they must appear to be love struck teens. “Well you cant have just lewd thoughts of me running through your head. Do what I do and try to focus on the mission at hand. The lewd thoughts can wait for later."

“Oh so your saying you do have lewd thoughts about me?" Veledar chuckled.

_ Well damn, I did walk into that one._ “So what if I have or have not?"

“I'd say you had good taste in where you place your interests." Veledar than waved a hand, “But fine you win Arcturus, what does that note say? Although mark my words, we will discuss your lewd thoughts of me." The once dragon grinned, “I want some ideas."

Arcturus blushed again, trying to keep his focus solely on the note, and failed. He pictured Veledar in his mind, proudly standing before him all fours. His face in a knowing smile, his tail curled in just right way to frame his form in an inviting way. Quickly glancing down his body to his flank revealed the growing rigid...

“Arcturus?" Veledar laughed pulling him from his mental image, “You seem to be lost in thought. Did my suggestion really entice you that much?"

Arcturus shook his head, That was certainly a powerful image. “I'm fine." he smiled back, holding up the note. Although it does answer a question I had before..I find him most attractive. Once again the image of Selina staring at him from the distance, judging him, asking him with her eyes. “Why?" He shook the guilt that was slowly snaking it's way into his mind. He focused on Veledar and how he made him feel joyful. He traced the writing on the paper with a finger.

“Well I know your fine Arcturus. I was more curious about what was running through that brain of yours. What possible lewd things you were picturing in there." Veledar pointed to his head, with a mischievous grin.

Arcturus rolled his eyes. Of course he knew, this connection we have. He laughed, “Fine if you must know, yes there was a lewd thought forming in there."

“I knew it!"

“Am I not even allowed the privacy of my own thoughts now?"

“What was happening in.." Veledar suddenly stopped, placing a finger every so carefully on his chin, “You know what don't say...I will picture it.."

He managed to pull himself away from the dragon to peer once again to the note held carefully in his hand. It read aloud, “Enter the produce market, find the alley labeled sunturn alley. Find a small black stone that is painted different from the rest. Take your hand and knock four times on it's surface."

“Why couldn't she just be in that inn again?" Veledar groaned as Arcturus resumed his walking. “I hate all this walking you are subjecting me to. Next thing you know I will find myself unable to take to the skys." He pinched some loose skin on his arm and rolled it within his fingers, “I cannot wait to leave this place, so I don't have to wear this." He wrinkled his face in disgust, showing off some of his tongue.

Arcturus pictured the dragon flying high in the sky. The sun's rays shining off his crimson scales, sparkling in the sunlight. The wind battering their faces, that contained large smiles that threatened to overtake their faces. “You already said this my handsome dragon."

“Oooo." Veledar happily crooned. “Flattery will get you everywhere Arcturus...You were saying I was an attractive dragon?" he whispered as they passed a densely packed group of chattering people.

“Yes I think you are most attractive, do I need to keep reminding you every few minutes? Do you simply forget the words that come from my mouth?

“Well no, but I simply love hearing them over, and over." Veledar raised his head, as if it were his snout he was holding high, trying to look regal. “In fact I think the first thing I will do when back to my glorious self will be to steal another kiss from you."

“You can't steal what is freely given." Arcturus help up a finger and said matter of factly. He smiled as he practically saw the dragon bounce on his feet with joy, and give off another croon.

“Well you certainly do know how to ruffle this dragon's frills." Veledar tightened his arm around and pressed himself tightly against the paladin. Arcturus felt his heart begin to quicken again, as butterflies danced in his chest. He relished at how good it felt to be walking this close to the once dragon. They continued carefully along in silence, the only sounds coming from the masses around them, before Veledar spoke up. “How much longer do we have?" he asked, as they began shuffling between masses of people looking to purchase goods from numerous multicolored cars that practically filled the streets.

“Not much longer now." he shouted just to be heard over the roar of background noise of people talking, horses clomping along, wagon wheels clattering on the stone, and gryphons chirping overhead. He looked up to see the alley they needed to go down, blocked by what looked like a solid wall of people. With some persistent pushing and uttering of “excuse me." they managed to flow through the sea of people until they were standing before an alleyway that had been painted with every shade of blue. There was one spot however were a great yellow sun was painted, with golden rays streaking across the stone walls. Well it certainly looks like the place. He looked to the empty blue spaces that did not even contain any clouds on the painting. He wrinkled his brow, and pictured what he would have done differently. Probably add some dragons, a cloud here, maybe an airship. Anything was better than just the empty space the artist had left.

He took a step forward, and stopped when he was within arms length. He took a deep breath, and slowly placed one boot into the alley. He wiggled his foot in mid air for a moment before placing it carefully on the ground. He breathed a sigh of relief when it was clear he was not going to explode or anything. Thank the gods. He carefully strode down the brightly colored alley, his eyes darting back and forth as they scanned the sea of blue for the small black stone. He started at the top, working his way down. He had to admit whatever the painter used to craft this artwork was something he had never seen. There were no brush strokes what so ever. Well I suppose they could have used magic to just create the image...but that's boring...and cheating. He crossed his arms as he worked his way to the base of the picture, where the bright blues of the paint met the dreary grey stone of the street.

That's when he found the little black stone, it was practically in the rear back corner. It would have been practically impossible to find if he did not know what he was looking for. It was right at the line where painting met street, and he would have most likely passed it off as the artist missing a spot.

“Well it certainly doesn't look like much." Veledar said in a silvery voice. The once dragon crouched so that his hands were dragging slightly on the ground. He than extended a finger, and went to prod the stone.

Arcturus reached out and snatched the dragon's fingers, moments before he could have placed it on the stone. “It says to knock..." he said as Veledar turned to look at him, giving him a confused look. “Not to touch, not tap, but to knock." He held up his other hand and mimed the action of knocking on a door.

“You really think she would have it trapped?" he said flatly, before his eyes suddenly widened in realization. “To the secret door to her lair....ugh." Veledar placed two fingers to the bridge of his nose. “How could I not see that?" He looked up, and waved. “See the longer I stay a human the more stupid human like qualities I get."

“Are you calling me stupid?" he laughed crossing his arms, as Veledar suddenly looked mortified. The color drained from his face, as he held his head back slightly.

“Uh...er....Not you of course...I...." Veledar stumbled through his words, very much like the places were his tail would scatter everything around.

Arcturus patted him gently on the shoulder reassuringly. It was cute how he was trying to spare him the accidental insult. “Don't worry Veledar, I'm not toooo insulted. You can of course make it up to me later." He held a hand to his chest and held his head up. Trying his best to do an impression of the red dragon.

“Can I make it up to you in any way?" another mischievous smile sprung to the dragon's face.

“Is that all you think about dragon?" he playfully punched Veledar's shoulder.

“I didn't hear a no." a playful growl sounded from the once dragon's throat. Arcturus could feel the rising feeling of lust now spreading out from Veledar.

Damn what have I gotten myself into? He laughed to himself as he turned back to the stone. Enough pleasant distractions.

“I still didn't hear a no." Veledar growled again, brushing up close, and wrapping his arm tightly around him once more.

“Yes I heard you Veledar." Arcturus formed a fist as anticipation built in his chest. “Ready?"

“Oh I did not mean right now Arcturus, I have a tad more dignity than to have at you in an alley."

“Not for sex dragon! I meant for knocking on the stone!"

“Well perhaps you should be more specific, I know how your mind goes to the gutter." Veledar jabbed a finger softly into his cheek. “Besides I can tell you like the idea anyway."

Arcturus touched his cheek briefly, finding they were warm and flush. When did I start blushing?

“Course we now know red is an excellent color for you..Now by all means." Veledar waved towards the stone. “Knock on that little stone." He than rolled his eyes and gave a sigh, “Cause I so wanted to see this elf again."

“Well we wouldn't if we didn't need her help. You heard Merlia, we would need magic if they are using a pass without trace spell." He raised an eyebrow, “Besides you _ do _ want to find Lyndis right?"

“Yesssssss." Veledar snapped back as his eyes narrowed. “We don't need to go into length about that again. I can assure you my need to rescue our fair maiden Lyndis greatly outweighs my..." Veledar snorted. “Need for my book."

“Uh-huh."

“Honestly Arcturus!" Veledar wrinkled his brow.

“Relax dearest dragon. I know you want to rescue her." he gave him a wink. “Although I will leave out the part where you decided to call her a fair maiden."

“Oh are you suggesting she isn't fair?" Veledar grinned. “Cause I will let her know you think she is horrid looking then."

“ That is not what I said." he held a finger to the dragon's nose, who just laughed at it. “Well anyway, enough distracting me." he turned back to the stone and knocked on it four times. He backed away when the sound of a small hiss, like that from a snake sounded from the stone. “Uh....is it supposed to do that?" he felt a small tingle of panic fill his chest as the stone started to expel a thick grey smoke. It billowed out and enveloped their feet and claws. Wait claws? He looked up to see Veledar was standing in his full draconic glory in the alleyway. “Veledar you shapechanged!" he said in a harsh whisper, his eyes darting to the alleyway entrance. Although even more shocking than his friend standing before him was the fact the alleyway seemed to have been sealed off by a large grey stone slab. Ok don't panic it's just the wizards...

“Arcturus, quick!" Veledar shouted, bounding to him in a single pounce. The dragon grabbed him with both of his fore paws and spread his wings as wide as he was able. “I got you." he muttered as Arcturus spied the reason for his friends urgency. The very top of the alleyway seemed to be closing off on them. There appeared to be two stone slabs growing out of the rooftops, sliding towards one another with loud scraping noises, threatening to seal them inside this alley. Veledar leaped upwards, and pounded his wings against the air, his snout aiming for the slowly shrinking hole.

Arcturus was not sure if they could make it, most of the alley was closed off already. That certainly was quick. The only section left now was a small hole, and Veledar was heading right for it. “Veledar you wont fit!" he shouted as the dragon neared the exit. Veledar must have thought the same thing since he angled his wings and avoided the small hole. He crashed into the alley wall with a grunt of pain, and he tumbled in the air then clattered to the street below. The dragon angled his body as to shield Arcturus from the fall, so when they struck the cobbled street, all Arcturus felt was a sudden bump, instead of having his skull cracked open. Arcturus stayed still for a moment, the only sound he could hear was the pounding of Veledar's heart.

“Well that was a tad rougher than I thought." Veledar breathed in, “But it was nicer than falling from the sky."

“Agreed." he sprung free from the dragon's grasp as Veledar loosened his hold. “How are you feeling?" he asked, The dragon stood onto all fours, and seemed to be working knots out his body.

“After a minor fall like that?" Veledar rustled, resetting his wings against his back."Stung a little bit, but no more than stubbing one of your claws I imagine."

“You mean toes?" He reached out and placed his palm softly against the dragon's scales.

“Yes, your claws." Veledar arched his head to give him a smirk.

“Call them whatever you want, but they are still toes." he grinned back, and focusing on healing the dragon. Of course he was not going to expend a lot of magical power, it was only a minor fall after all.

“Really now? You almost sounded like me for a moment." replied Veledar before he let out a pleasured sigh as white magical energy flowed into his scales. He closed his eyes for a moment as his body shivered in pleasure. “That feels really good." He moaned, “Leave it to Bahamut to make my paladin's heals most pleasurable."

“Hopefully not too pleasurable, we don't need you springing forth here in the street."

“Oh I assure you its not that pleasurable." Veledar chuckled, he turned around and nuzzled Arcturus gently. The human leaned into the dragon's touch, it was firm, unyielding, and warm. Veledar than pulled away slowly and the dragon's eyes locked onto his. “Thank you Arcturus."

“Don't mention it dearest dragon." The color of the alley faded away until all the remained was the vibrant color of his dragon's scales. He leaned towards Veledar as his chest grew warm. He planted passionate kiss onto his maw. The last thing before he briefly closed his eyes was the twitching of Veledar's snout frills. They stayed like this for a moment or two, before Arcturus pulled away and shifted his gaze once more to the alley. He could see that the only light flooding into the place was coming from the hole in the new ceiling above their heads.

“Did you knock it the right amount of times?" Veledar held up his snout, as his tail frill twitched. He settled it on the ground, as it curled around Arcturus. “You were supposed to knock, remember?"

“I know, and I did!" he held up the note Shandalar had given him, practically dragging it against his eyes. He hastily read it three more times, just to make sure he did not get the instructions wrong. “No, I even got the number of knocks right." he slapped the note with the backside of his hand.

“Do you feel that?" Veledar lowered his snout to the ground, and scraped one of his claws across the cobbled surface, leaving a long scratch dug into the stone.

“No what are you--" Arcturus suddenly felt a rumbling at his feet, slow at first like it was a minor thing. Like a carriage slightly bumping along on the street. Than that feeling blossomed into a violent shaking, threatening to topple the human over. He stumbled as he struggled to find his footing, until he fell over. Thankfully it was into Veledar's waiting arms. “Thanks." He offered a brief smile.

The dragon spread his wings wide as the entire place was violently shaking now. “Why can't wizard have normal entrances to their lairs? He barred his teeth and let out a drawn out hiss.

Arcturus looked to the alley's painted walls. The once blue vibrant sky that had looked so calm was now being consumed it looked like by thin black lines darting every which way like little streams. It began to look like a bubbling poison was consuming the sky, as these lines seem to drip, spreading their blackness to the rest of the painting. “You got me, Vele-" His voice was drowned out by a loud thunderous crack, that made him spasm and cover his ringing ears.

The sturdy ground below them suddenly gave one last violent lurch, as another crack radiated from all around them. “Hang on." Veledar growled, causing him to grab hold of his dragon tightly, as with a final crack the cobbled stone collapsed from the two buildings. They began to free fall as far as Arcturus could tell, by the ever shrinking form of the the sunlight as they plummeted down a black inky abyss. However besides that there was no other indication that they were falling. There was no wind, no sudden lurch in his stomach, no feeling of impending doom lurking in his mind. If not for the ever so small sunlight now, he would have swore they were not falling at all.

“This does not seem right." Veledar whispered, his claws still tightly clutching Arcturus against his chest. He held his snout high up to stare at the small speck of light, as Arcturus saw his frills twitch slightly in the ever diminishing light.

“Yea it feels like....." Arcturus smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand with a dull smack. Of course, what fools they were being. “Veledar this is an illusion!" he cried out in joy. He looked from the dragon's surprised to snout to see that the black void around them began to crack and fragment outwards in bright piercing orange lights. They cascaded out in all directions around them, snaking around the ever growing funnel. “Just focus on it not being there!"

“Thank you Arcturus I know how to dispel an illusion!" Veledar rolled his eyes, “I know it's not really there." The moment he finished his words the orange lights grew in all directions, practically covering the funnel in their glow. “How clever of them to hide their lair with an illusion. It seems so obvious now." Veledar smacked his tail against the ground hard enough for Arcturus to feel it radiate through his body. Veledar threw back his head and drew in a deep breath, that caused his tan plated chest to expand . Arcturus suddenly felt extremely warm pressed against the dragons frame, as he could feel what was coming.

From his friends open maw came the torrent of orange-red flames, that burned with such an intensity that Arcturus thought his skin was going to develop a tan. He felt sweat drip from his brow as flames licked the walls around them in the ever continuing wave of fire. The black void around them erupted suddenly with light as everything seemed to explode in a cascade of multicolored lights. Arcturus shielded his eyes, but found he did not need to. Veledar wrapped them both in his wings, like a protective cocoon. He felt the dragon rest his snout on the back of his head. “Well there we go, one illusion shattered." he panted.

“You could have just focused on how it wasn't there." He curled his right arm around the dragon's neck.

“Well yea, I suppose I could have done it the mundane way." he could feel Veledar's chest swelling with pride. “I however chose to do it the dragon way of course."

“So an over the top way so that you could show off?"

Veledar did not respond for a second as Arcturus than leaned back into his embrace.

“I will take that as a yes than?" He laughed, “Don't worry I was ample impressed."

“Of course you were Arcturus, it is only natural for you to be so thoroughly impressed with me." He felt Veledar raise his head in the smug way he usually did.

“Is it because your a dragon?"

“Well also because I know you like me." The dragon returned his head to nuzzle Arcturus' soft hair. To which Arcturus tried to catch his snout in his fingers and failed. “Well I suppose we should see where we are." Veledar groaned, unwrapping his wings, and setting them against his back.

Arcturus had to blink his eyes for a moment at the sudden barrage of sunlight covering the area before them. The street they had been standing in was gone, he looked quickly around in all directions to see that it was no where to be found. Instead they were currently standing in the middle of a large garden. Arcturus figured by the size of it, they could fit three of Veledar with his wings spread wide and probably have enough room to move around still. It was littered with vegetation in every directions, in all different greens imaginable. Among the sea of green were little sudden explosions of red, yellow, blues, and others. He breathed in to find the busy earthy smell of the street replaced with the smell of freshly cut grass, mixed with a sweet fruity smell he could not exactly identify. He blinked his eyes once again, as he felt his mouth open slightly, his brain racing with numerous questions already.

“So did we teleport or something?" Veledar said, shattering the silence with his silvery voice. Arcturus saw the dragon's tail curl around in front of them. “My isn't that just a lovely myriad of alluring scents is it....Veledar took a deep breath through his nostrils, before suddenly stuttering for a moment.

Uh-oh

The dragon threw his head back as his limbs tightened around Arcturus. He sneezed violently as his entire body shook and spasmed. Arcturus saw a thin strip of orange-red fire escape Veledar's snout and catch one of the numerous hanging vines ablaze. The green plant soon withered, blackened, and turned to ash in a mere moment of Arcturus' heart beat.

“You would think after one hundred so years of life you would learn to not set something on fire when you sneeze." Arcturus stood up, as his dragon relinquished his hold on him.

“Well you try having fire glands little human of mine. Than tell me how hard it is to not let just a tiny bit of fire out." Veledar snorted.

“Intruder." came a flat voice, from behind. Arcturus turned around in an instant, only to find that no one was there. The only thing that he could see was Veledar, who was sweeping his snout side to side, and the rest of the peaceful garden.

“There is someone here." Veledar whispered, his eyes widening into slits, as he bared his teeth.

“Thanks for that, I head the voice."

“No it feels like they are moving around in the--...aahhhhhh!" Veledar was suddenly punched in the chest from a large smooth stone fist. He was knocked several inches off of the ground, snarling in response as he stumbled backwards.

Attached to the stone fist sprung a dark skinned man from the earth, with amber flowing robes. Arcturus could not believe his eyes as the man landed gracefully on his boots.

Veledar flared his wings wide, his tail thrashed the ground behind him, and he lowered himself into a combat stance.

_ Great the one time I don't bring my weapon._ Arcturus focused instead on the eldritch spell he knew. He held out his hand and let three dragon shaped mana bolts fly through the air towards the man. They soared through the air, striking their attacker square in the back, right at his shoulder blades. The bolts impacted, shredding the man's robes like paper. Yes, bullseye. The man however did not flinch as the mana bolts seared his flesh. He turned his head slowly around to look at Arcturus, the paladin gulped.

On the ferocious looking man's face was a snarl. He stared with glowing yellow eyes, as blue pulsating runes lit his face up every few seconds. Arcturus knew this could only be one thing standing before him, he had seen them before in the war with Rothdell. “Its an elemental warrior!" Arcturus shouted, as the snarling man glided through the ground at him like it was nothing. Arcturus tried to back away but the man was right in his face, already swinging his hulking fist. Arcturus turned his head at the last possible moment, and got a good look of his stone covered hand as it passed inches from his eyes.

“What the hell is that?!" Veledar roared out, charging his frame into the silent man. Who was thrown feet through the air before crashing into the ground. If he was hurt he showed no sign of it, no sound escaped his lips. “Damn he is heavy." the dragon groaned, as he rotated his shoulder. “It was like hitting a sack of rocks..."

“Its an elemental bound into a person!" Arcturus pointed to the man's face as he pushed himself off of the ground. His glowing eyes locking onto them once again. “I would guess an earth elemental if his abilities are any indication."

“You don't say?" Veledar snarled, as the man glided towards them once again.

“Oh come on that wont work a sec...." Arcturus went to dodge out of the way again, but the man descended into the ground like water in a single step. Uh-oh. He figured the man was going to spring from the earth like the land sharks, so he sprang up from the earth. He started practically bouncing towards Veledar.

“Great he is going to play hide and go seek. Just like the buelette."

“Yes but I think this one may be a tad tougher than a single buelette." Arcturus landed beside the dragon, his eyes desperately scanning the grass. Looking for any small deviation that might give him a clue on where the man was. He knew it was night impossible to spot one of these things when it was submerged, but he had to try. What other choice do I have?

“I can sense him!" Veledar snarled loudly, pointing his tail to a spot on the earth that was close by.

Bless his blind-sense.

“Here he comes!"

Arcturus readied himself to jump up the moment he saw the hard stone fist of the warrior. He felt his palms grow sweaty as he felt his heart quicken in anticipation.

“Gotcha!" Veledar roared, lashing out with his fore-paws. It struck the man as he emerged from Arcturus' left. The warrior was thrown back as the dragon's claws raked against his chest, sending him tumbling along the ground once again. However just like before the elemental warrior stood back up, the only sign of the dragon's attack was the slash marks in his robe. They only stayed on for a moment before the robes fell away, leaving the warrior standing there in just his grey delicates. “Well these elemental warriors are sturdy, I can give them that."

Arcturus rose his hands and clenched them in fists, as if he were to be boxing. He felt Veledar brush lightly behind him, as the dragon flared his wings, and barred his teeth and let out a long hiss.

The warrior eyed them in silence. His eyes shifting from Veledar to Arcturus, it was as if he was trying to figure out the best way to attack them. He then glided towards them again, just like before. With a punch of his fist, Arcturus sent three more dragon shaped bolts from his arm. Just as Veledar shot him with a bolt of fire. They peppered the elemental warrior, throwing him back onto the ground as his chest began to crack as though it was made of stone.

“See they are not so..." Veledar's snout was suddenly wrapped in a thin band of water, like a rope. The dragon than was dragged to the ground with a pained snort, as his head slammed into the earth.

Arcturus turned to find a blue robed woman. She currently held out an arm littered with white runes, her ice blue eyes locked onto the dragon. In her other hand seemed to be a large ball of water, jiggling as she took a heavy step. Clearly by the runes on her arm, and the ones pulsating on her face, this was another elemental warrior. He went to thrust out his arm, and let loose another eldritch blast but stopped midway. From his right ran another man, straight for him. He wore loose fitting dark crimson pants and shirt. His face was filled with determination as red runes flickered on his face. Oh great another one. The man's fists lit up in flame as he punched at Arcturus, who tried to dodge. However the man was too quick, a searing heat impacted his chest. He felt the air pushed from his lungs as he was thrown back several inches, and collapsed onto the ground. He gasped as the man stood over him, his face wrinkling into a snarl. ]

“Subdue Intruder." the man said in flat voice.

“Yes Subdue." chimed in the woman.

Arcturus rolled to his feet as the fire warrior resumed his attack with a pounce. Arcturus dodged a fiery punch, as he slammed his own hand into the man's face. With a bright flash of light the warrior stumbled backwards. Woah the holy energy works on my fists!? He looked at his glowing white fist with a smirk, before resuming his boxing stance. He glanced over to see Veledar trying to lash out a the woman, who seemed to be flowing like water. She ducked, weaved, and seemed to flow gracefully out of the dragon's claws.

“Stay still!" he roared out, his claws slicing through her hair as she backed away. The woman lashed out with thin strips of water, slicing into the dragon's hide. Veledar let out a pained grunt as he lashed out again. This time he connected and smashed the woman with his fore-paw. She let out a surprised gasp as she was thrown into the earth warrior with a grunt. They stumbled backwards together, falling to the ground. They only remained their for a moment, as they recovered almost instantly to their feet.

Arcturus watched them stand side by side, their eyes moving as one from the dragon to himself. He was reminded of the way predators picked which animal to hunt after. He tightened his fist as all three locked eyes on him. Figures, with no armor or weapons, I am the ideal target. He grit his teeth as Veledar realized what they were going to do with a roar. The three bound towards the paladin.

“Enough!" shouted Shandalar.

The three warriors stopped almost instantly. They stood still for a moment, before squaring their shoulders, standing up straight, and lowering their hands to their sides. Their faces took on an emotionless state, and Arcturus was reminded of the statues around the emerald ladies lair. It was a tad unnerving if you asked him.

“You couldn't have shown up earlier?" Veledar snarled, turning to face the wizard, who was carefully walking over towards them. Her robes flowing with each step onto the grass. “Like before your warriors here slashed into me?!"

“Well perhaps if you had taken my offer the other day I would have told them about you." She turned her gaze to the stationary warriors. “They were told to subdue intruders. They are the perfect little soldiers." She sighed, “I wish they could think more for themselves, but the elementals that are bound to them do not think the same way we do."

“So you have brainless minions that you control to do your bidding?" Veledar chuckled, walking over to Arcturus with a strut. “It sounds to me like your a villain of something." He brushed his scales against Arcturus. “Would you mind touching me?" he whispered, his tail curling around him.

“I hope you mean lay on hands." Arcturus chuckled, placing his hand on the dragon's flank. Letting the soft glow of light flow into him once again.

“Oh course I do, although I would not turn down the other thing." Veledar gave him a half smile.

“I am not a villain." Shandalar snapped back, and striding over to them. She crossed her arms against her chest.

“I don't know." Arcturus laughed, “Crimson Sky here might be right. You have a secret lair, magical powers, and minions. I think you might be a villain."

“I think you two read too many stories. And this is not forced onto people. They sign up to be elemental warriors, and their families are greatly compensated."

“Actually I wanted to ask you how we got down here, Miss Villain" Veledar curled his neck to look at her with a grin. “Did you link a teleport spell to that stone?"

“You can't teleport in Entis." Shandalar replied.

“Is that true?" Veledar whispered.

“Yea that is true." Arcturus nodded, “They have a field around the city to prevent such a thing. It was installed awhile ago, one of our kings was worried about people teleporting in to assassinate him.

“So how did we get to this garden then? Because last I checked illusions could not move us anywhere, and we were in an alleyway to start.

“Are you sure you walked into an alley?" the elf raised an eyebrow. “And that the alley was not itself an illusion for the entrance to this place?"

Veledar just stared at her for a moment in silence. His tail twitched slightly as he stretched the frill there. With a narrowing of his eyes and wrinkling of his snout Veledar hissed, “Ok you have a good point."

“So what brings you to my base of operations?" Shandalar motioned for them to follow as she started walking towards one of the far walls. “I did not expect to see you for at least another day. This visit of yours is.......surprising."

“Well I didn't want....." Veledar started, but Arcturus silenced him by placing his hand over his snout. The dragons' eyes glared at him in irritation.

“Well we had our plans fall through, and one of our friends was captured, and spirited away beyond our reach."

“Well surely you would be able to find your friend with the ranger and gryphon of yours?"

“Wait how do you know about Merlia?"

“I have been doing my research you know." The elf stated. “I heard it mentioned from Garroth about dear Merlia, something about how the blasted dwarf had shot him in the knee. The man was worried that he could still remain an adventurer of course." she waved her hand.

“Well they are using magic to hide our friend. We believe it was the pass without trace spell, which would stop us from tracking them by non magical means." Veledar rose his snout away from Arcturus' hand. “So.....' he groaned, “We need your magical powers to find her, before it's too late."

“Indeed." Arcturus thought he heard smugness in her voice as she led them through the garden. They were finally brought before a gryphon sized wooden door, that creaked when she opened it. She gestured to the long corridor before them made of stone that looked like it had been scorched black, the walls were lined with torches every few feet, that cast the floor in a soft light. It seemed to stretch on for quite a distance, Arcturus guessed it could probably hold Veledar three times over from snout to tail. He could see that at the end of the hallway was yet another door, that seemed to glitter in the torchlight.

“If I agree to help you find this friend of yours, I naturally request you help me on my mission to fine the uniter." She took a careful step into the hallway.

“Yes I figured that was going to happen." Arcturus passed through the doorway, shivering as the temperature suddenly dropped. “But we need the help." he shot Veledar a glance as he saw the dragon wrinkle his snout. “What was with the elemental warriors? I think that would be a tad more obvious about your allegiance?"

“You two have forced my hand." She reached the other door, that was covered it seemed in glitter. The lights danced off it it, making it twinkle like the night sky. “I was going to use your group, but when you said no I had to get something together." She gestured back the way they came. “So I was going to use them to force my way into the castle in lieu of you and your friends."

“Is that all the help you have?" Veledar replied with a grin. “Because I don't imagine you getting far with cudgels like that."

“I have other tools at my disposal." Shandalar shot a glare at the dragon. “Many people who want to see Lumara fall."

“Did you just call me a tool?" Veledar asked, showing off his many teeth to her.

“I did not say you were a tool dragon." She grabbed the doors large metal doorknob with one of her hands. “Although if you were, you would probably be the finest one I had access to."

Veledar snorted and narrowed his eyes, but Arcturus saw his chest swell with pride. He chuckled at the dragons conflicted emotions. “So who are these other agents of yours?" he asked, as she shoved open the door.

“You actually know two of them Arcturus." Shandalar smiled, as light streamed into the hallway from the next room's windows.

“Arcturus!" came the familiar scream of Elizabeth. Followed by a happy squawk from the golden gryphon Swiftwing. He did not have time to react before he was wrapped in a bear hug from the woman, who was in her brown and gold guard uniform.

“Elizabeth!" He gasped out as she squeezed him tightly. He tried to pull her off but moments later Swiftwing came and tackled them both to the ground. They landed all in a soft pile of fur and feathers, as laughter coursed through them. “Swiftwing!" he cried out, swinging his arm around the soft warm feathers of the gryphon.

“We thought you were dead!" both of them cried in unison. Elizabeth's green eyes started to fill with tears for a moment, as she continued with her hug. “How are you not dead?" she and the gryphon slowly got off of him, backed away. Arcturus pushed himself back to his feet.

“That's a dragon!" Swiftwing suddenly gasped as his sea-foam eyes found Veledar. He flared his golden feathers. “That's a dragon!" he repeated.

“Thanks Swifty. I can see that with my own eyes." Elizabeth replied, putting a hand to her mouth.

“I am glad both of you are graced with the power of sight." Veledar said flatly.

“This is Crimson Sky, he is the reason I am alive today." Arcturus patted the dragon's scales three times. “Don't mind his snarkiness. He tends to grow on people."

“Well I certainly grew on you." Veledar chuckled, as the dragon nosed him.

“Ok you tell us right this second what happened." Elizabeth crossed her arms, and shot him a glare. “Also tell us about how you like this dragon."

How did she....?

“Don't give me that look Arcturus, I am quite good at calling these things." she gestured to the dragon. “He's been giving you eyes the entire time, and not to mention the little nose nudge thing he just did." She turned her head slightly to Swiftwing. “You owe me five gold."

“I should have never bet." the gryphon grumbled, and squinted his eyes.

Arcturus sighed, and began telling the story once again to his two friends. He held up his hands as he spoke about their journey. They watched intently, gasped in all the right places, and even displayed sympathy when he got to the part about Veledar's lair. “That's were are now." he clasped his hands together as he finished.

“And what about the dragon and your affection? You forgot to mention that little detail."

“Look I am taking it slow Elizabeth, we have just kissed." He tried to push Veledar away, who had his snout resting on his shoulder. However the dragon's snout would not budge.

“Well you two look adorable." She smiled, “And red is a most attractive color of course."

“See I knew I would like her!" Veledar grinned.

Elizabeth than tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder, it settled onto her uniform. “So your trying to get your book back?" She looked to Veledar, and asked in a demanding tone. 'Why would you risk everything over such a little book?"

“I asked him that very same question." Shandalar rolled her eyes, and gestured towards a table in the room that had several large chairs made of blackened wood with brown cushions. There was even two chairs that seemed to be made for gryphons. They were roughly three times the size of the other chairs, and looked like they were made for the kitty-birds to be able to lay themselves down on their paws. The table itself was almost dead center in this room, that's walls were covered from floor to ceiling with books.

“So the bigger question is how do you know Shandalar here?" Arcturus gestured to the elf as he took a seat in one of the comfy looking chairs. He placed himself down on the brown cushioned seat. He sighed in relief, as these were nothing like Matilda's chairs.

“We have always known her." Elizabeth replied, taking a seat beside him. She looked up towards the wizard, who had procured a steaming tea pot virtually out of thin air.

“Wait but how long have you worked for her?" he raised an eyebrow, as Veledar laid down next to him, he placed his snout right on the table with a thump.

“Get your snout off the table." Shandalar wagged her finger at the dragon.

“Than get proper chairs for me to lay down upon."

“You have that chair right there!"She gestured to the other one made for gryphons.

“That one is still too small, it was made for your kitty birds, not for dragons." Veledar placed a paw to his chest, and swelled it with pride.

“Well you could always shrink down and sit in it." The elf pulled out several teacups from her sleeve. She placed them down on the table with a soft clink.

“Well I don't wish to be smaller presently." Veledar snorted as he ruffled his wings. “I have had it with being human all morning. I will stay my true form and size thank you very much."

“Very well, it is certainly your not logical choice to make." She tipped the teapot and slowly poured the liquid into each cup. Arcturus got a sniff of the herbs she had placed into their cups. It was a sharp smell, but not bad. It lingered for a moment or two in his nostrils, before finally fading with his next breath.

“We worked for her for ages." Elizabeth replied sheepishly.

“We did mean to tell you!" Swiftwing blurted out in a high voice.

“When were you going to tell me?" He narrowed his eyes.

“Well were going to right after you nabbed Vargus." Swiftwing ruffled his feathers. “But then with Selina we figured it was inappropriate.

“Than we were going to tell you again after you go back from retrieving the dragon." Elizabeth sighed, “But than you went missing, and we thought you dead." Her face fell for a moment, before returning it to look at him. “You have to believe me Arcturus, we never liked keeping it from you."

_ This entire time my friends were working for Rothdell?_ He placed two fingers to the bridge of his nose , closed his eyes, and slightly shook his head. “Was Gus involved with this as well?"

“No it was just Swifty here and I." Elizabeth rubbed her hands along the gryphons neck. Arcturus was swore he heard a purr resound from the back of his throat.

Okay well that is a relief. “Thank you for telling me about all.." He gestured to the room around them. “This.....also I want to know why."

“My town was one of the first absorbed into Lumara." Elizabeth muttered. “My people were brought into this country and forced into work here. It was hard on us, and the people here did not take too keenly that we were from the west. So when we saw Shandalar here looking for recruits to help strike back at the place that had wronged our people so, we gladly leaped at the opportunity. I think she seemed happy at the idea of having a guard in her pocket. Especially with Swiftwing here, since together we can pretty much see the entire city.

“So you were friends with me because......." He held out a hand. “I was only one the best knights of the place you hated."

“Well when we warmed up to you." Swiftwing twitched his tail, “We realized you were a good person, it but on the wrong side." He pointed a talon to Elizabeth. “It was our hope you would realize our argument against your people and their actions. Than we could bring you into the fold, and help bring down the monster that is Lumara."

“Trust me, I am on the page now. I know what we have done to other places in the sake of spreading our light now......we found a fort.....one of many.....that I think Lumara was doing worse things to than simple torture. You should have seen the rooms painted in blood." Arcturus shivered as he pictured it in his mind, the evidence of human suffering looking like mere paint.

They were silent for a moment, but they did not act totally surprised. “We suspected they were always up to worse things." Elizabeth nodded, as she grabbed her teacup.

“So." Shandalar coughed into her hand. “About your missing friend, do you happen to know who took her?"

“That would be the many eyed." He remembered Asterion twiddling his fingers as he had said the groups name. When asked why, he simple snorted that is what Lyndis had done. He just figured that was part of their name.

“Oh them." the elf rolled her eyes. “There can only be three places that your friends could be then. That group thinks they are so clever in staying under the radar, unless they need something." She shook her head. “They will be near the airship docks if I had to guess."

“How can you be sure?"

“Trust me." She chuckled, “ I have kept up to tabs on most things happening in this city, including that faction." She placed a hand to her chin, “In fact I almost considered using them to help me with my operations."

“Why did you choose not to?"

“Besides the fact they were using power to injure people? I found out that their leader was an observer. Not too clever when you think about what they named themselves. Anyway they generally don't work well with others. They always see hidden plots at every-turn. Not to mention the random mana beams they shoot off." Shandalar grabbed a leather pack that was on the floor and shouldered it. “So are we going to get this hunt out of the way?" She stood up, he chair scraping on the stone. “I would very much like to go get those plans as soon as possible."

_ I think I am going to like her._ Arcturus nodded as he finished his cup of tea. “Well we should go gather the others while you work your magic." He turned to Veledar, who still had his head on the table. “What do you think?"

“I think that the plan is hastily put together." Veledar thumped his tail weakly on the floor. “But I suppose I could come along to make sure you stay fine. He nudged Arcturus with his snout, causing the human to wrap his hands around it.

He ran the palm of his hand down the top of Veledar's head. Don't worry we are so close to finding you Lyndis. I hope you realize we have not given up on you.