FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Scales and Honor: Darkened Skies

Chapter 12: Looming Shadow

Lyndis hugged the railing as they descended the oversized stairway. It was rather odd to be inside a Lumarian ship again. It made her feel small as she took each tentative step, her nerves on edge. The scents of gryphons, humans, and minotaurs caught her nose. It lingered in the air like a thick cloud, each breath filling her senses with the ship's crew. She crouched low as the dull humming of the ship radiated through the wood, a sound that let all know the mana crystal that was powering the mighty engine was still functional. It made her ears twitch as they finally set foot onto the lower deck.

It was fairly organized with boxes and crates bound in the corners by coarse ropes. Hatches lined the hull of solid wood that could be propped open with dull metallic cranks. Mana lanterns hung from every beam, some of them lit to cast the area in an orange glow. There were only five crew members scattered around the area, some checking supplies or tying down crates while whistling a merry tune. One half-orc with a chipped tusk was leaning against the far wall, turning the crank until the hatch shuttered and cracked open. Lyndis winced as a smile came to the man's worn face, waving his co-workers over with an excited cheer. He thrust a finger out into the night, no doubt pointing to the brawl outside.

“Look at dis! Rogar going to kill another one!" The half-orc yelled, voice brimming with excitement.

Only two came over to peer out the slot, two humans with clipboards held tight within their hands. They bunched together, trying to each get a good look out the hatch.

Lyndis fought the hairs raising on the back of her neck, guilt wrapping her in a haze. “Cut off the limb to save the body." Whispered into her mind as Shandalar silently tugged her hand to follow. It was when they passed several of the crates filled with apples and oranges did she realize that they had no idea where this manifest was. They climbed over several of the wooden boxes, slipping under a space big enough for two people to rest. Shandalar's spell faded almost instantly the moment they ducked out of sight.

Must thank Veledar for the cloak again. Was another thing she need not worry about. The spell fading after a minute of use.

“Got a plan to find the bleedin manifest?" She whispered, pulling herself over a crate to peer to the rest of the deck. She watched the excited men pump their fists and let out joyous cheers over the fight unseen to her eyes. It reminded her of crowds at jousts, and the way they were cheering for the elder minotaur, another needle to prod at her side. She silently prayed to Korde that Asterion would be alright, and when they emerged from the ship he'd be smiling, another victory to add to his list.

“You'll like this part of the plan I imagine. I had the idea of going up to them and simply asking for the information." Shandalar replied quickly in a hushed voice. It almost made Lyndis do a double take. “One of them has to know where they at least keep the journal."

“Ask them?" She spun around with a raised brow, throwing the elf a heavy scowl. When she didn't react the rogue nearly smacked her head. She was invisible after all. “Have you turned into bloody crimson when I wasn't looking? Like that lots just going to tell us. Perhaps we should ask nicely then?" She snorted, rolling her eyes back to the crew. “You'd have to torture them for that, or bribe them something. I could even use one of my own charms. Would have ta nick all of them. That would be the tricky bit.-“

“I was going to use one of mine actually. You've seen that I'm quite good at them." The wizard crossed her arms, a faint smirk coming to her lips. One that Lyndis was not sure was even there.

Was she trying to be funny? She chuckled silently as hey eyes followed the crew members movements like a dragon on the prowl. “You could have gone easy on Arc you know. He was bloody trying to resist you."

“Talk for another time perhaps." Shandalar held up her hands as if she were about to conduct an orchestra. “Can you scout the area for me? I'd rather like to snare them all without worrying about reinforcements arriving to observe the spell and alerting our friends above and below deck."

“Can do miss wizard." She nodded, once more kicking herself as the elf could not see her movements. She shrugged it off and stealth fully crept around the area. She did find twin doors opposite the elf's hiding spot that were closed tight and locked with metal knobs. She could always pick them if given the chance, but she had a job to do. She checked every nook and cranny of the open deck, even finding a hatch to the level below. With a shout from the half-orc at their minotaur she followed a corridor breaking away from the main area lined with scratches and scrapes along the floor.

She of course followed the path, mindful not to stray too far from the rest of the ship, no mater how much curiosity tugged at her shoulder, whispering sweet words for her to follow. With a deep breath she resisted the urge, remembering just who was outside buying them time.

Would he even be alright?

She swallowed down the lump in her throat, trying to not picture his bruised and bloody muzzle. Another soul that had suffered because of her.

He's going to be alright…He's going to be alright

Each repetition of the thought convinced her he was going to be, and with a shake of her head she carried on. She peaked into a vast open room, wall to wall bedding that looked to be strewn about. Gryphon sized indentations littered the place, not to mention scratches through the soft fabric, were no doubt claws met soft sheets. Two other gryphons with deep red feathers sat nestled up against one another on the far wall, fast asleep with their wings wrapped around each other. Lyndis sighed, so far, she had seen no other soul. It seemed to her relief that they were either up top, in the main hold, or below deck unseen. Another cheer for the elder bull twisted a knife into her gut.

Got to hurry.

Without another sound she moved fast as she could back to the hold and scampered up the boxes to their hiding spot. The two that had been working were now laid back, chomping away at some fruit and talking about something of little interest to her. “Shandalar." She whispered, creeping low against the boxes. For some reason the elf was nowhere to be seen.

Had she been captured?

The thought made her hair stand on end as bugs crawled under her skin. No. She breathed in deep to calm the storm of unease. There would have been an alarm sounded out for intruder. She blinked away the confusion and stared into the empty spot, eventually making out the shape of twin pointed ears that blended in almost perfectly against the wood. Her eyes widened, understanding what had transpired. She drank the potion. “Coasts clear." She said, voice even lower as a human grabbed a nearby broom and began to sweep away at the floor.

“Good." Shandalar replied, voice calm and collected. The camouflage faded away in an instant as she leaped into the open. She pranced to the floor in a graceful motion, pulling out her arms and twisting her fingers into hoops. Purple magic radiated from her boots as thin strands of flowing ether flowed to her finger tips. She guided and shaped them into tendrils as her feet touch the floor. She twisted her body and loosed them towards the surprised crew. The first to be caught was the sweeper, casually looking up as strands wrapped around his head and sank into his eyes. His body slacked, and the broom fell from his grasp with echoing clatter.

The one who had been talking to him was next. Color draining from the man's face as he reached for his sword with a trembling hand. He opened his mouth to shout an alarm though it never left his mouth. A tendril of magic wrapped around him like a slithering serpent, quickly flowing into his open maw. His muscles soon slacked, and arms went to his side, pink rings glowing around his eyes.

“What was that?" The half-orc exclaimed, whirling around as he and his fellows heard the elf take her next few steps. Before they could even speak more it was too late, Shandalar had turned her body as if in a dance, waving to them with an arm. One of the purple tendrils wrapped around her arm, flying out in a great wave to wash over the men in a pink purplish hue. Faces that had been wrinkled or frozen in shock were now dulled and complacent as the elf ended her dance, standing straight before them and dusting off her robes.

“That is how you do it." She rose her hands, waving to her now thralls. “Come to me." She spoke matter of factly, softly cupping her hands as her minions shuffled over without any resistance lingering in their eyes.

“Remind me to not piss you off." Lyndis grumbled, eyes going to each of the men in turn as she joined them. She waved in front of one the men's blank faces with a hand, getting no reaction as the man glared at Shanadalar. Like she was the most important thing in his world. “Looks more powerful than a simple charm. Mine doesn't make them do this."

“Dominate mind is very different to a simple charm princess. If you had spent years training more in the arcane arts rather than the tools of a rogue, you might have picked up a thing or two by now." The wizard turned to the enthralled, placing her hands behind her back. “Besides, doesn't work so well with elves I'm afraid. We are resistant to charm spells as it were. Part of the fey blood running through our veins. That would even extend to you."

“Wonderful." Lyndis laughed softly, lowering her hand and circling the enchanted crew.

“Now can you wonderful men tell us where we can find the ships manifest? My friend and I are rather pressed for time, and it would save us a great deal of trouble if we could find it quickly."

“Commander keeps it in his quarters." The half orc droned, his voice missing any inflection of emotion.

“That's right." One of the others nodded, sounding almost the same.

“See now wasn't that rather easy?" Shandalar strode around them, their eyes following her every movement. “Now are there any traps guarding it? Any individuals that we need to be worried about?"

“Gryphons asleep in their hold." One human muttered, “Others outside or down below."

“Excellent." The elf stopped, rose a hand and tapped the air. “And would you be so kind to tell us where this commander's quarters are? My friend and I seem to have gotten lost." She cast Lyndis a nod, one that the rogue returned and eyed the exits.

“Easy." The half-orc snorted, jutting a finger down the hall. “Just head down that hall. Door has his name on it. Not that hard to miss. He doesn't like to sleep down below with the rest of the crew."

“He's shy." Whispered one of the humans, nearly giggling at the words.

“Quite." Shandalar snapped to Lyndis, returning her hand behind her back. “I think we have everything we're looking for. Got any questions before I put them to sleep?"

“As in sleeping peacefully right? Not dead on the ground?"

“I'd like to not be killing them Lyndis. I mean, if I did that they wouldn't get far from your town would they? They would turn around and figure out what had happened to their people. No. I think putting them to sleep will be the correct course of action. Besides, we won't be too long anyway." She gestured to the hall with her neck. “Thank you, gentlemen, your hospitality and information has proven most valuable to me and my friend. Can you do me one last favor before we depart?"

“What would that be maem?" The thralls replied in unison.

“Would you and your rag-tag group of acquaintances go to sleep on the floor? You look rather tired, and men such as yourself need all the sleep they can get. It restores energy to the limbs, fights fatigue, and sometimes makes you look more attractive."

The men nodded, slowly yawning and blinking their eyes before giving gentle nods. One by one they lowered themselves to the floor, curling up into fetal positions before closing their eyes with gentle sighs of content. Shouts from outside made Lyndis snap her head to the hatch, begging to see what had them so riled up.

“Come on." Shandalar softly grabbed her hand and pulling her away before she could get a look. “We can help him after we get this done. He knew what he was doing when he voiced himself."

“Yea…" She shook her head, recovering her bearings and taking the lead instead. Hold in there Asterion. She waved Shandalar down the corridor, tip toing around the room with the gryphons and slinking to the end of the hallway. Before them was a singular door with a brass name-plate hanging on the frame. It had the name Yarnick engraved in dark black lettering, making her let out a sigh. “I only had to go a little further to find it?' She shook her head, holding the bridge of her nose. “Focken course."

“No time for that." The wizard strode passed her, holding a hand on the air. “Now I'd like to believe that the men were being truthful, but they just might not have known." She waved her hand in a swishing motion, her other hand balling into a fist. She thrust out her palm, “korayvat Luen" flying from her lips like an arrow. The wizard's eyes started to glow, as if a candle was suddenly lit behind her pools. “Aha!" She pointed towards the center of the wood, “They do have a trap there. A magical glyph that by the looks of it would paralyze the intruder. Think you can disarm it?"

“My specialty of course." Lyndis held out her hands, small circlets of magic wrapping around her fingers as she crouched low. She closed her eyes as she focused on finding the trap, the small tremor that would guide her hands. It took only a moment, but she found it the moment her skin turned to ice. She clenched her fingers, eyes fluttering as she felt the sensation wrap around her wrist and tease at her skin. Taking a breath, she focused harder, as if trying to push a head-ache away with sheer force of will. She made headway as the feeling receded, and she felt the ice focus onto her fingertips. From there she moved her hands in several movements, guiding the magic along with every pass. She could feel it weakening with each second, every twirl of her finger it started to wane. With a final flick she smirked, a bolt of magical energy flying out to strike against the wall with a faint pop in the air. “Done!" She whispered in excitement, turning to the wizard with a smirk. “I think I might be getting faster at it."

“Always room for improvement they say." Shandalar's hand shot out to turn the knob, pushing forward with a lingering smirk. “But you did a good job. Better than most I've seen in the field."

“Making me nervous with these compliments and smirks. Are you sure you're not a shapeshifter replacing our resident elf?" She followed, hand going to her rapier as the door cracked open and the mana lantern lit room came into focus. The first thing to hit her was the smell. The faint scent of damp earth and old books pulling at her mind. Next came the spicy scent of candles, long dormant and sitting on a desk strewn about with papers. It was a rather well-kept room besides that, large enough to fit four people and adorned with paintings, chests, and a small table that had plates and utensils set for a meal. “Course where to start." She slunk in, instantly going to the desk as Shandalar's eyes scanned the place. She figured if she detected another spell she would let her know. The rogue ran her fingers over the journals that covered the desk, the hard covers worn and old. She plucked one from the desk, folding it open before her eyes and taking a whiff of the old scent.

“I'd say the desk there. But that would seem rather easy would it not?"

“Why wouldn't it be?" She eyed the writing practically scribbled onto the page. “It's not like they knew we were coming. Unless this manifest is truly a secret to even their own.

“Could be." Shandalar crouched before a small cabinet, opening the doors and peering inside. “We've seen Lumara already keep secrets from its people and soldiers."

“True." She sighed, thinking back to the mana crystals and their creation. Lyndis pulled open a wooden drawer, revealing more paperwork and charts with scribbles. What did draw her eye was a small bag filled with coins, to which she stowed in her pack without a word.

“You have to do that each time we're looking for items?" The wizard gave her a withering glance as she stood up straight, holding two red liquid filled potions.

“I certainly do, looks like you're doing the same. I dare say you're becoming one of us with each passing day."

“They won't be needing them, and we certainly could. In the end we are strengthened, and they are weakened." Shandalar nodded, stowing the potions into her pouches with a small clink.

“Hmmmm." Lyndis strode over to a small book-case, eyeing the spines of old books that covered every shelf. Some of them were from Rothdell, others from Drenedar, she even spied various others from Lumara themselves. Though one drew her attention from the others. It lacked any identifying features, and while the others had a small amount of dust lingering on their surfaces, this one was near pristine. “No way." She giggled, reaching out to touch the hard cover. “No way he has a secret compartment activated by a,-“ She pulled the book, and a small clink echoed from the wood. Before her eyes the wooden floor opened into a small chasm, exposing a hiding spot for a small sized chest, bound in a leather strap and gleaming metal studs. “How cliché." Lyndis sighed, crouching low to admire the container. “You'd think he was some bleedin story book villain."

“I'd just be thankful that you deduced that hiding spot." Shandalar strode over, hands crossed. “Doesn't seemed to have trapped the box either. Suppose he didn't think people would get this far." The elf suddenly snapped her neck towards the door as it slammed shut behind them with a bang.

Lyndis shot up, muscles tensing as she drew her rapier. “Shandalar…see anything?" She whispered, holding her rapier out from her as she adopted a combat stance. “Far as I know, doors just don't open on their own accord. I did get the trap focken disabled."

“I can see you. No sense in staying hidden." Shandalar's voice was like ice, chilling the air as Lyndis gripped her rapier tight.

She gripped her hand tighter, flames curling around her arm as she readied the spell. She shrugged off the spine tingling cold. “Ya, what me friend just said. Let's see that face of yours before I start usin my flames." She smirked. “Though I'd rather talk first if ya don't mind. Rather rude to just start with crossing swords."

“Surprising." Came a voice as slippery as an eel and ended with a lingering hiss. From thin air emerged a bone white scaled Siigonis, as if someone had smudged away the paint. She was thinner than previous ones they had encountered, with pink eyes narrowed into slits. “I thought there would be only Lumarians here." She flicked her tongue, locking eyes with Lyndis. She bore no weapons on her hide armor, crudely stitched together with thick twine. Feathers lined her shoulders with a skull painted in white on the chocolate brown covered surface. “But instead I find more intruders." Her words sounded sweet, almost like honeyed wine.

Lyndis sighed as a slight tingling sensation began in her finger tips as the lizard spoke. She recognized those symbols from somewhere, at a time in her youth as she gleamed through tome after tome her parents had made her study. The Siigonis before them was a member of the death clan. A sect of Siigonis shamans that revealed in the balance of death and sought ways to keep it ever present. When the shaman cocked her head Lyndis felt fuzzy, her breaths coming faster as her heart teased against her chest like the fluttering of a moth's wings.

“This one knows me." The words came like candy, making a smile spring to the rogue's face out of instinct. Her grip on her weapon slacked as she dropped it. They were allies after all, why would she hold a weapon to her? “I can see it in her eyes." The Siigonis' tail swayed back and forth as she sauntered over towards Lyndis, the room feeling as though the sun was shining just overhead. She rose a claw and caressed the bottom of the rogue's chin, inspecting her flesh with inquisitive eyes.

She didn't fight the touch, sighing as scales brushed against her soft skin. It made her tremble as a sense of ease wrapped around her mind. This Siigonis was wonderful, how could she think otherwise? They were destined to meet here on this airship, love at first sight as they said. She knew in the back of her mind it was rather silly, something you read in books. But looking at this attractive white scaled beauty she could see the appeal and feel the strength of her heart as her cheeks flushed. Not even Cordenth had made her feel this way. When the Siigonis stroked her cheek she visibly shivered, not even minding the slight sense of cold lingering from the woman's claws. She let out a small meep of surprise when the lizard wrapped her arms around her neck possessively, and pressing her groin against her and stared ever more deeply into her eyes. It was like looking into the void as she locked into those slits. The world around her fading away as her mistress gazed fondly into her own. Like a marionette she rose her hands, caressing that scaled snout as though they had always been lovers. The smooth surface brought untold joy to her heart, one that made her want to run away with this mysterious lizard and never look back. Forget her quest, forget her friends. She could always be happy with this scaled woman no matter what form that took. She knew she loved her the moment that Siigonis' tongue grazed her cheek.

“Oh, you will be perfect my little flower." The Shaman coo'd, running a claw behind Lyndis' head and ruffling her hair. “Such energy, so young. I bet you make the cutest sounds." She lowered her snout, tongue crazing Lyndis' exposed neck and ripping a pleased groan from her throat. How could she resist? The mere flick of her tongue brought such strong emotions of joy that her heart felt ready to explode.

With trembling hands, she pulled the Siigonis closer, locking lips to the scaled snout, a purr coming from her mistress at the action.

“Ah…Yessss." The lizard hissed, pulling back with a groan as her claw groped at Lyndis' butt and grabbed firmly. “So willing and eager." There was a horrible moment of hesitation as her pink eyed mistress sighed, looking past her to her friend. “Though your friend is less then loving of this situation aren't you dear?"

“Doesn't work so well on full blooded elves does it?" Shandalar hissed, her words cutting apart the pleasing air like a knife.

“Don't mind her words dear." The Siigonis coo'd pulling Lyndis in closer for another whiff of her lustful scent. The rogue felt her mind spinning as her nose brushed against scales and she sighed in content. It only left her asking to herself why Shandalar was taking such a cross tone. This Siigonis was being so nice afterall.

“Why are you being so mean Shandy? She doesn't want to hurt us, just make us feel really good." Her words sprung from her mouth like a leak, somehow not sounding right to even her own ears. Almost as if they were not her own. The question of doubt was forgotten with another breath as the wonderful Siigonis stroked her head like a dear pet.

“She has you enthralled Lyndis. Fight her. I know you can do it."

“Shhhhh." The Lizard hushed, poking Lyndis carefully on the nose. “Will you help your mistress get her treasure? You're friend is guarding it and we really need it. She can even help us by staying here and taking the blame. Does that not sound wonderful my pet?"

Lyndis nodded without another thought. Mistress was right of course, she was the smartest. So, when she spun around with her weapon drawn she only smiled at the narrow eyed wizard before her. “Well you heard the lady Elf." She boasted, puffing out her chest. “We need that gift she was talking about. Uh..which was it Mistress?"

“The one in the chest by her feet."

“Ah yes." She waved the rapier in the air as Shandalar eyed the blade with raised hands. “We need that chest, so be a good bloody girl and bend over to pick it up. I'm sure mistress will love that."

“Then you force my hand." Shandalar went to step back, motions already going to cast a spell. Though Lyndis had seen her fight before, she knew it was one of those fire ball spells. One that would hurt her mistress and leave her most likely unscathed. That wasn't very nice of her.

Lyndis sprung like a cobra, closing the distance in the fraction of a second. The elf swerved out of the way, rapier striking a desk and splintering flakes of wood. “Come on Shandy, we only want the bleedin chest." She moaned, spinning around to kick Shandalar's hand with the tip of her boot. Whatever spell the woman had been casting was lost as she pulled it back and retreated from the agile rogue.

“You have to fight it Lyndis!" Shandalar shouted, raising a hand to block a rapier slash with a magical energy shield. The spell having been summoned with hardly a grunt.

“Now you're just playing unfair." Lyndis sprung back, twisted her wrist and summoning a green spectral hand that flickered to life just before the wizard's eyes. With her distracted Lyndis side stepped her and let her fist collide with the woman's chest like a battering ram. It left her hand stinging in pain, but it was worth the effort. Shandalar's spell faded as she stumbled back onto the floor, gasping for breath. “See? Just let us, shouldn't have to be gasping there Shandy." She leaped forward, flicking aside the elf's blade as she pulled it, the metal weapon clanging to the ground. “Now it's over." She held her own rapier's tip at the wizard's throat, pride radiating from her like a sun. “How was that mistress?" She leaned back, smiling as the Siigonis gave her a small clap of praise.

“Most wonderful my pet." She crouched low before the chest, tail flicking aside the discarded rapier. She opened the small chest, pulling out a brown covered tome with golden lines stitched into the shape of a gryphon on the cover. “There is one more thing though that we need to do." She stood up, eyes hungrily looking to Shandalar as an iciness suddenly filled them. “She needs to be left here."

“That is most wise mistress. Cover your tracks they always say as a rogue. Can't have them following you. Sorry about this Shandy." She sighed, shrugging her shoulders. “But if one of us Is going to take the fall it's going to be you. I'd never want anything bad to happen to mistress here."

“Fight it…" Shandalar gasped, her hand starting to tap the wood, but Lyndis stopped her. One press of the sharp tip seemed to do the trick.

“nuh-uh. No spells out of you." She waved to her mistress. “You gonna do it?"

The lizard suddenly closed the distance as a puff of black smoke, appearing with her claw firmly around the elf's throat. “I wish I could have taken you as well….I do love breaking elves." The Siigonis smiled, punching Shandalar in the forehead with a dull smack. The wizard's defiant eyes closed, and her head slumped against the floor as her body went limp. “Now that that's taken care of." Her mistress stood up, tossing books and parchment to the ground. Her tail caught anything loose and dragged it around, making a mess of the entire room in a matter of seconds.

“Come pet." Her mistress waved, dragging her out the door with her tail. “We have much to do, much to see. We can always enjoy each other's company on the road ahead." She closed the door, tapping the wood with a grin. 'Won't my master be ever so jealous to see what I have caught." She rose a claw, stroking Lyndis' chin in the most delightful of ways. It felt like a warm summer breeze had caressed her cheek and her soul couldn't be happier. The half-elf closed her eyes and nearly purred from the touch. “Oh, ever so perfect." The Siigonis kissed her on the cheek and began to pull her down the hall, an eagerness in her steps.

“Who is your master?" She giggled, pressing against the Siionis as they passed the sleeping crew. The idea seemed rather silly for mistress to have her own master, but perhaps that was how things just were. Just an ever ending layer of pet's and mistress. She wondered when she would get her own pet one day. She glanced back towards the hall, a slight guilt eating away at her. How she would have loved to bring her friend along, but that's not what mistress wanted.

“You will love her darling. She calls herself the Queen of Eternal flame." She stopped before the stairs, her pink eyes flickering with a tenderness that Lyndis had ever seen once before. “Can you turn invisible love? I need to know before we toss ourselves out into the night. Once free of the gryphon's sight I can carry us away before anyone is the wiser.

“I…"Lyndis' words froze in her throat, and for a moment those pink eyes flickered yellow. The white scales of the shaman's face turned green. She shook her head, taking a step back and hands going to her head The wizard's words returned to her mind, only a whisper but it brought a pang of pain. When she stumbled against the wall the words shifted, this time to Arcturus' voice and they were louder.

“What's the matter dear?" The Siigonos woman coo'd the words sounding just as sweet as they did before, but Lyndis could sense the vileness they were laced with.

“I…Ah.." The words screamed through her mind, this time spoken by the tongue of her dragon. His mighty wings flaring out as he roared into the night his fury. When she blinked her eyes the fuzziness had faded, and the warmth that had been permeating her spirit vanished in the blink of an eye. Instead there was a hollow cold, one that left her shivering as she glared at the Siigonis with a cold fury. Though when the lizard tried to cock her head and look into her eyes she glanced away.

That was how she did it.

Lyndis sighed, wrapping her arm around the scaled woman and trying not to wince from the sheer cold she felt. It was like touching the snow, her scales all dried and hard. “Nothing mistress." She said, trying to contain the sweetness she had been exuding.

“Wonderful darling, for a moment I thought-“ The Siigonis gasped in surprise as Lyndis pulled a dagger and plunged it into her heart.

“Yea, sorry bout that. But you can't go twisting a girl's mind like that." Lyndis pulled back, snatching the book with a smile. She regretted having to that, but she couldn't risk it. Not when she had been dominated so easily by a pair of eyes. “Next time, ask a girl first before mind raping her." She shivered, “Have to forget that with a drink I think."

The Siigonis just stood dumbfounded, staring at the dagger like it was a minor inconvenience. “Was that supposed to kill me dear?" The lizard snarled, body turning to a black cloud and gliding towards her, the dagger clattering to the deck. The Siigonis' claws formed around the rogue's throat and sword arm, cold like steel and strong as adamantium. Lyndis was easily lifted off the floor like a toy and pushed against the wall with a thud. She thrashed against this female's brute strength trying to avoid her gaze. “Strong willed it seems. It is always fun breaking in the stronger ones. Just relax darling." The Siigonis snaked her head lower, trying to look into Lyndis' eyes with a swaying tail. “I can be a most wonderful mistress, you just have to let me in. I take good care of my pets" She chuckled, tightening her grip. “You only delay the inevitable." Her snout grazed her nose, eyes seeking out hers.

“That..is where..you're wrong." Lyndis struggled to speak, “Yolen" barely making it from her mouth. From the headband she wore came five bands of flaming magical energy, each one impacting the lizard's snout with a sizzling hiss that burned away flesh. Who knew such a sound could be so sweet.

The female let go,stumbling backwards as parts of her snout burned like paper. She let out a raspy shriek as her throat burned away with a deep crimson glow. Her eyes clenched shut in agony, claws raking at the wall as her body quaked. Whatever she truly was she was rather resilient. Where a normal being would be reduced to a withering pile this lizard still stood.

Lyndis took in the smell of burning flesh, raising her rapier with a trembling hand. She eyed the siigonis' throat, not sure if separating it from the body would work. The woman had already survived a stab to the heart and flames to the face and throat. What else would she be able to take before being felled? When the Lizard rose her eyes and they were filled with boiling anger she knew. This would be the only chance she got.

Here goes focken nothing.

She lashed forward like her life depended on it, the lizard slid back out of her reach and thumped against the wall. Claws slashed at the air, but Lyndis avoided the clumsy strike with a side step. She brought the blade around, fine enchanted metal glided through scaled flesh like a hunter cleaning his catch. She retreated, savoring her little victory with a relieved gasp. It lasted for a moment before relief turned to more questions. The lizard didn't flop to the ground dead like she thought. Instead the albino shaman's head struck the ground and exploded into tendrils of billowing black smoke that wavered in the air like little snakes. Her body collapsed next, fading away in the same manner before her eyes. The rogue was left gasping, rubbing her raw throat, staring at the empty floor. What was that? It sort of reminded her of those shadow beasts from before. But when could they talk and speak?

She trembled as she gripped her rapier tight, heart racing like horses, her hands unable to stop trembling. It was like she had run for miles, and atop of that her mind pounded against her skull. She sheathed her rapier with a groan and folded herself, hands running through her hair. Whatever that woman had done, it made her hollow. Like she had been tossed into a cold sea and stranded alone. Her next few steps brought a lingering pain to her feet.

Some..sort of mind control. She winced, stumbling back towards the captain's quarters The only comfort that brought a brief reprieve from that was she had gotten the journal. Despite the setback she had won. Though was Shandalar even okay? She was certain that she had nearly knocked her out, but would she be cross? Her stomach lurched at the idea. How helpless that Siignois had made her feel. How violated to have all control ripped away from her. Master? Mistress? Run away with her? She shook her head as she gagged.

Never in a thousand years you white tailed bitch.

She nearly collapsed at the door, pushing them open and sliding to the unconscious wizard. She pulled out the two potions of healing from the elve's belt, uncorking the red liquid and force-feeding her a bottle. Shandalar coughed after swallowing a mouthful of the less than appetizing concoction, gulping down the rest without complaint.

“You need to work on resisting those spells." The wizened wizard gasped the moment the bottle left her lips. She picked herself up to a sitting position, eyes brimming with annoyance. “Our entire plan could have failed because a vampire like that got lucky."

Vampire? “A what?" Lyndis gasped, skin tingling on the back of her neck. “That albino lizard was a bloody fanger?"

“Yes, from the smoke transporting and the memorizing eyes. She was rather strong if she was able to do that with a mere passing glance. How fortuitous that you managed to wrest yourself free from her grip." Shandalar grabbed the second potion, uncorking it and letting out a sigh. “Did you manage to get the manifest from her? Or did she just leave you behind when she got what she wanted?"

Lyndis pulled out the manifest, thrusting it level with the wizard's eyes. “Nah. Broke free of that bleedin spell o course and stabbed her right through the chest. When dat trick didn work chopped her head clean off. Burst into smoke when she touched the ground. Rather odd, never heard of fangers doing that. Think that's normal?"

“That would not be the last we see of her then. She probably went back to her coffin. You know the tales propagated around. Blessed stakes and such shoved through their chests." She stood up with a groan. “Potion helps the body but does little to stop the lingering sensations."

Guilt struck at her like a sword. “Sorry about that. Hope I wasn't too rough on ya." She lowered her head, drinking down the other potion without a word. The lingering ache of her limbs dulled with each swallow, thin cuts resealing themselves in an instant. She tried to not focus on the wretched taste. Like licking a sweaty runner.

“No need to worry bout it now. Let's focus on getting out of here while we remain undetected yes?" She brushed off her robes, casually walking towards the door as if nothing had happened. “Don't need any of their friends coming and finding us red handed with the manifest. We can discuss the implications of this and the undead involvement when our friend is NOT buying us time in a fist fight."

Asterion. “Shit!" She stashed the manifest into her pack in a blur. How she had forgotten about him she'd never know. Hopefully he was holding his own, doing them proud. Not laid out on the ground and getting his ass beat. She shook her head and tried to will away his broken body from her mind. Please be okay. She bolted from the cabin like a loosed arrow, rounding the corner with her next breath.

Through the hold they went, steps feeling as though they took an eternity. Her hands were pringling as they rested on the stair's railing, guiding her as she bound up the steps. Half way up she slowed down to a crawl, urgency giving way to rational thought. It would do them no good if they got caught. Then the cleric's fight would have really been for nothing. She peeked her head at an agonizing pace, motioning for Shandalar to stay. She clasped the leaf brooch, whispering the activation word and vanished from sight.

The gryphons who had been captivated by the fight below still stood with their beaks half open. She could hear the shouts, gasps, and other sounds of combat as two warriors had at each other. It would make things easier for them to leave, and with a brief thought to Asterion she hated that.

“Come on" She pulled the elf by the arm until she could get a good look of the ground. With a quick muttering of the spell Lyndis felt the weightlessness of the misty step spell again, getting transported into the bushes in gaseous form. She clutched at her sides as the feeling wore off, and little twigs stuck into her side.

“Damn." She gasped, nearly falling forward onto all fours, lungs feeling as though a winter breeze had flowed inside them. “Such a weird sensation." She groaned, settling her eyes onto the crowd that had at least parted enough for her to see what was going on.

Asterion was standing at a hunch, his arms held up barley and shaking. His muzzle was covered in smears of crimson splashed with splotches of dirt. He stared down the other bull, one eye swollen as strands of blood flowed down his face. He was breathing heavy, large pants that made Lyndis' hair stand on edge. His tail flicked against his back as his opponent circled him, the elderly minotaur covered in dirt but lacking any of the injuries.

The minotaur moved in, quick as a stampeding rhino as Asterion tried to block. Her friends arm came up, but it was useless, the warrior had already lashed out with a balled fist. It came crashing into Asterion with a pained smack, sending the cleric careening into the ground with a pained grunt.

“Aster-“ She went to shout as the bull leaped to him, but Shandalar shot forward to silence her cry with her hands. So, she was forced to watch in terror as his fist colliding with Asterion's jaw as the cleric tried to push himself up with trembling arms. The bull was tossed to the dirt, spitting out a wad of crimson goo. Even this was not enough to grant Asterion any reprieve as his opponent followed him each time, kicking or punching the warrior as he struggled to defend himself.

“You lose calf." The bull sneered, catching an axe that was tossed to him by a fellow minotaur. He spun the wooden hilt in his hands as Asterion once more struggled to raise from the scuffled ground. “Time I think to bring vengeance for those people…My son, and those that you dishonored in Korde's name. To think he honored me with your departure from this plane." He advanced with malicious intent, the ax head gleaming in the night as he twisted it within his grasp.

With an elbow to the wizard's chest Lyndis freed herself. There would be no way that she could watch as her friend died. Not again, not after so much. It didn't even occur to her that she might be giving up on the mission. Failing it in the name of saving a friend.

But that's why you took it anyway…For his diamonds.

She rose her hands, focusing on a spell. She had to be quick, would not even have more than a few seconds before that axe would come crashing down to seperate Asterion from his body. Unlike the vampire, she doubted the minotaur was as resilient. She rose her hand in a cupped shape and froze in place. Her body almost stumbled as she realized, someone had beat her to it. For holding the weapon of the minotaur was non-other than the Lumarian commander Yarnick.

The human was staring into the minotaur's eyes, his hand like chains as he held onto the ax. “I think that's enough for the evening." The man's voice was calm and stern, imposing a sense of order. “You have taught this man a lesson that he will not readily forget.

“But sir." The minotaur grumbled, his venomous stare focused on Asterion's broken form. “What about honor? You know what this calf did! We have talked about this in length even before this night! Let me end him from this earth! He deserves to die!"

“Perhaps in time that might be true." The commander ignored his soldiers arms trembling with cold fury. “But look around you Rogar" He waved out to the gathered townsfolk, their faces frozen in fear and disgust. “ I don't want our new allies to witness an execution tonight. That would be…Messy…In both action and diplomacy."

“Is this an order?" The bull's voice tightened just like the white knuckles on his weapon.

“That it is." Like a great wall they the commander stared back, his gaze just as fierce as the minotaur towering over him. “Consider your actions carefully soldier. Or this calf won't be the only example of your people's instability."

“Grrrrrrraaaah….Fine!" The bull thrust the ax away with a snort, but the commander's hand found his shoulder.

“Think about it this way. Let him live. Show this calf that he isn't even worth killing. He is nothing in your eyes. For why grant him an honor filled death in a duel of such? He is the lowest of the low. I think that would eat away at him even beyond this day. What do you say to that?" The commander rose an eye, patiently waiting for the bull's response.

The elder warrior thought it over. His eyes training to all the minotaur around him, the scared people, and finally resting on the bloodied cleric. He kicked the dirt with a harsh snort. “It shall be as you say Yarnick. You speak with the tongue of a warrior. Are you certain that you are not one of Korde's flock?"

The commander smiled, one that made Lyndis want to punch his teeth in with how joyous it looked. “Sometimes I think so." The man's cheer faded when he stared to her broken friend, his grin turning into a frown. “Someone clean this man up and heal his more grievous injuries! He has had enough for the evening! And…" Yarnick rose his gaze to the crowd, crossing his arms as he met each scared face in turn. “To show that we can be forgiving and generous I will be extending our mercy further. That woman that tried to free the prisoners. She will be spared our wrath and escape our jails. She will instead be held in your jail for a few days. I will of course oversee her rehabilitation to make sure that the order is followed. Then Rogar here can return with the weapons that were promised after dropping off the prisoners that you gladly handed over."

“You didn't bring them here?" The mayor stuttered a bead of sweat dripping down his brow. “I thought the deal was to hand over the sapphire guardians and you provide the means for our protection!"

“Oh dearest mayor. Put your mind to task as it were. What if you were to ambush us upon our arrival. That this was some ploy by the sapphire guardians to acquire one of our mighty vessels?" He chuckled as if it were a simple thought. “So we had to make sure that you would be honor bound to uphold your end of the bargain! Don't think that we will leave you empty handed however. I have brought symbols of your new allegiance to drape around your town! Grand banners that shall billow in the wind and show those undead who provides you protection!"

The commander called forth several gryphons who began to drag down crates marked to contain banners. “Those undead will think twice before attacking you. They shall quake in their rotten boots as they admire the destruction that can be brought with our mighty arsenal. Trust me dearest mayor. You will not fall in the between time. It has not happened before."

“How….is that possible?" Lyndis whispered as the mayor asked just as such. Confusion was ever present in his eyes. She watched as the gryphons cracked open the crates and showed off the fine banners as bulls worked to heal some of Asterion's cuts with shimmering hands.

“It most certainly is possible." The commander smiled as he spun around to give the mayor a flash of his teeth. “Every town that has seen the light has not fallen to the undead that ravage this countryside. I will not see that reputation tarnished." The man clasped a hand on the wooden crate, letting out a long sigh. “Does that satisfy your questions?"

It seemed to as the mayor nodded his agreement. The commander giving a soft bow as minotaur started grabbing at prisoner's arms and practically throwing them up the ramp with little care. Rogar retreated up the ramp with the order, giving off a snort before shouting out for the ship to depart. With a roar of the engines the wooden ship left the token guard and Yarnick behind, clasping irons onto Navarra as the wind whipped at their clothes. Lyndis waited till the gathering of mortals left, ignoring that Asterion was still gasping and sprawled out on the ground.

She broke into a run the moment they vanished from sight, throwing caution to the wind as she moved faster than she had thought possible. “Asterion!" She shouted out, slipping to her knees and instantly tossing off her pack to rifle through it to find a healing potion. It took a moment, but she found it. The last one hidden with some medical supplies.

“Lyndis." The bull groaned, pushing himself to sit with hardened eyes. He winced and grabbed at his side, tail twitching behind him.

“Thank the gods you're okay." She thrust the potion into his hands. “Why didn't you use bloody magic to level the fight you sodding idiot?"

“Honor." He grunted, pushing away the healing elixir with a wince. “I agreed to use only our fists. So that is what I did." He ran his rough fingers over his hide, glimmering light sealing the worse of the cuts that lined him.

“Well that's focken stupid you furred blighter. What if you got yourself killed? She returned the potion to his hands, shoving it harder against him. “Take the bloody potion before I smack you upside your head."

“No." He glared at her through his good eye. “I don't need such things. I shall heal the worst of it, but I'll manage the rest." He snorted once, eyes going to her pack. “Did you succeed on your quest?"

“Yes." She rolled her eyes, relenting and returning the potion to her pack. If the idiot wanted to keep bruises and aching limbs let him. “Thanks for the distraction. Even if it got ya lookin like hell."

“Good." He traced his wounds across his face, the swollen eye slowly receding as his shimmering fingers touched the flesh. He winced as he stood, pushing away Lyndis' helping hands. “Then Rogar should be ashamed. He may have won the battle but in the end, he lost the war." The bull's eyes went to where the caravan had disappeared, then back to the leaving airship lazily floating away in the sea of stars. He held the stare for a moment, a glimmer of turmoil in his eyes. “Have you seen Feku? I lost track of her when the fighting started."

Lyndis' heart skipped a beat as a jolt coursed through her body. She wasn't with him? She snapped her head around looking for the little singing kobold. Of course, leave it up to her to get lost during the commotion. “No…she was supposed to stay with you. “She blurted out as her eyes found no trace of the little lizard.

“No." His words came with gritted teeth and clench of his bloodied hands. They shook and trembled as his breaths came slow. “And so it is that Korde punishes me further." His muzzle lowered, eyes locking onto his hooves.

“I'm…. sure she's alright." She placed a hand to his furred shoulder. She could feel his muscles tense, the unease leaking off him. “She's a tough one. Got all us to bleedin look up to. Sure she learned a thing or two in the past few months. Bet you a frost wine that she's alright." She glanced to Shandalar, of course standing like a stone. Not a shred of emotion on her face. “That right?"

“Well if you take into account…" The wizard froze, her eyes staring into Lyndis own. She watched as there was a moment of hesitation between her next words. “Ah…of course…The little lizard has shown resourcefulness in situations we have thought bleak before. Need I remind you of our time in the castle of Entis?" She crossed her arms, strolling away from the weight shifting cleric with her head raised high. “Besides. I have seen you two practicing. I'm sure she is fine."

“See?" Lyndis gave Asterion a large smile. One that stretched nearly ear to ear. “Though let's pray she doesn't have your stubbornness. I'd rather not see her covered in blood and bruises cause her own bloody pride got the better of her!" She gave the cleric a worried laugh, punching him in the shoulder. “isn't that right you bleedin bastard?"

“Worry not lady Lyndis! I is okays!" Feku's voice sprang from behind like a comforting summer breeze. Lyndis felt the ice on her skin start to fade away, snapping to the jostling of bushes.

“Feku?" She nearly stumbled in shock as her voice mixed with the cleric's own. She could barely believe their luck. Sure enough, the kobold was standing before them. Smile on her face, twinkle in her eyes, and scales like emeralds.

“Feku!" Asterion burst out, his stern demeanor gone. He pushed past Lyndis with a strength she didn't think he had left to pick the little kobold up and give her a great big bear hug that left Lyndis stunned.

“Crushing me!" Feku squeaked as the bull held her firmly against his chest. When she wiggled and growled he dropped her almost immediately. His face almost surprised he hugged her as Lyndis was. The warrior gave a quick snort, brushed off the bard and composed himself with a cough.

“Good to see you unharmed."

Lyndis rolled her eyes, smirking to herself like an idiot. “Where did ya even get to? Ya had Asterion here worried sick about ya."

Feku turned to her, thumbing a talon against her leather armored chest. “Doing pirate stuffs while people distracted." She held up her snout, gesturing to the bushes. “I gets that ladies son. The one she tried to gets."

“Navarra?" Lyndis rose a brow, crossing her arms in. She couldn't help but feel a small glimmer of pride, if such a thing were to be true.

“That the one!" Feku beamed, placing her claws to her hips, closing her eyes and giving a tooth filled smile that glimmered in the moonlight.

There was a moment of silence between the pair as not a sound more was heard. Lyndis chuckled for a second as it dragged on for a tad too long. “Uh….is he hiding somewhere?" She feigned looking around, placing a hand to her head.

“Come out!" Feku shouted, spinning around with a whip of her striped tail.

From the bushes came forth a worn faced boy, hardly over the year of eighteen. He wore a look in his eyes that betrayed the joy she might have thought one in his position would be showing. His dark blue uniform was ragged and torn in several places, looking more like they belonged to a working farmer than a soldier.

“Uh….Hi." He said in a hollow sounding voice, his eyes shifting to the ground as he hung his head.

“What matter?' Feku poked the shifting human with a claw. “I done saved youse from nasty bad men! You can be seeing your egg layer now!" She tapped him again, looking to Lyndis when he did not look. “What the matter?" Her snout wrinkled as Lyndis crouched beside her with a sigh. “I put up illusion! They not know he gone until long time!" She looked back to the head drooped human, a whine escaping her lips as her once green scales started to gain little splotches of dull grey. “Why no one happier?" Her pleading eyes fell to Asterion as her tail twitched behind her, begging for an answer. “I winning!"

“Because they will be back." Snorted Asterion, his voice like a wall. “They'll think that Roselake was holding out on them. Might even keep weapons from them."

“Not true!" Feku's eyes widened, her purple slits shifting to Lyndis as she shifted her weight. “They saw illusion! They think they forgets! No one else get hurt!" Her voice cracked as Lyndis eyed her, lowering to be but a whimper. “Right?"

She didn't know. Nothing was certain about this whole situation and looking into those hurt eyes only made it worse. Lyndis could only sigh, lower her own head and place a hand on the kobold's now trembling shoulder. “Wish I could tell ya what they would do…Either way though. We can't stick around here to find out." She glanced back to Shandalar, remembering her words from many nights ago. “We have our own path ahead of us. Plenty of others counting on us to succeed." Lyndis looked away, already regretting the words. The cold logic of it all making her stomach squirm.

“B-but." Feku stomped her feet, looking up the rescued teen, who had now slumped over with his head somehow even lower. “Jacob is saved…" She plopped onto the ground, eyes staring out into infinity. “I saved him.." Like a receding wind her words ceased, until only the confusion remained within her purple spheres. Lyndis felt her heart tug tight as the kobold's scales began to burst with a dark, dull azure.

“I know you were trying to help." Lyndis sighed, sitting next to the lizard and wrapping her arm around her shoulder. She wasn't even shocked when Feku suddenly leaped into her, throwing her little scaled limbs round the half-elf's neck. “I know.." She said softly, patting the quivering lizard in her grip. When she looked up to the cleric beside her, she saw his gaze was softer, and totally focused on the trembling bard.

“Jacob." Asterion spoke harshly, the fondness evaporating like ice. “You can't stay in Roselake. You will put everyone at risk. You either flee or turn yourself in if you want to protect those people."

The boy trembled at the warrior's words, his own failing as he stared at his boots. Lyndis watched with empathy. This what was left of her people's resistance against the encroaching tide of undeath and Lumarians. People that were trying to stand up for what was right, even if they lacked the hardness of the minotaur cleric beside her. “What about the others?" Lyndis sighed, letting Feku fall from her grasp. “What will bleedin happen to his mother?"

“You heard the commander." Asterion waved off her concern as his eyes focused back to the town's walls. “He will want to keep town placated for now. I believe what that human said." His hand clenched into a fist as a harsh snort escaped his nostrils. “He seemed to be a man of his word."

“Ya think?" Images of mana crystals danced around her head.

“Certain as my purpose." Asterion groaned, clutching at his side. “Despite her actions the woman picked her own path. Just like Jacob here picked his own." His brow furrowed, glancing down to his open palms. “We all have to live with the consequences of our actions."

Silence lingered, only ceasing when a wolf howled in the distance. When Jacob had stopped his shivering and Feku her wiggling that's when Shandalar strode back over, an aura of calm about her.

“We should get back to Roselake while we have the chance. Before any of those shadows descend upon us." She shot a stare to Jacob, one that lingered for an extended time. “Get a disguise for him. Need to be safe. Especially after the foe we faced. I'm sure that creature's master won't be pleased you got the better of such a minion."

Lyndis nodded, standing up and releasing a heavy sigh. So many more questions brimmed in her mind. Especially about this so-called Queen of the Eternal Flame. It sounded elegant, extravagant. Hell, It reminded her somewhat of the emerald lady. Her gaze caught Asterion's eyes, his brow raised at the prospect of what they had faced. “We can talk about it later ugly" She gave him a wink, punching him in the shoulder. “Though you would have loved it. Fought us a focken fanger in there."

“Fanger?"

“Vampire." She rolled her eyes, pressing her hands to Jacob's shoulder and muttering a quick disguise spell to hide his face behind that of a much older man. With the boy's wrinkly mask finished they turned and headed back towards the town.

*****

Their entry back into Roselake went smoother than she would have thought. Not even needing to convince or bribe the guards to let them in. No one seemed to care, question, or notice that they had an extra body with them upon their return. So, when they passed through the gate they quickly made their way back towards the makeshift camp near the church.

Despite the cooling relief of the air, and the satisfaction of a job well done she could not fight off the worried itch that was lurking beneath her skin. Even when they had settled down and been thanked by Vishta it did little to ease her thoughts. She still thought to those piercing eyes of the vampire, and how lost she had felt. She shuttered to think what other minions this Queen would have, if you could discount the scores of undead. If they were truly were hers.

Lyndis had handed over the manifest that of course had been encoded to prevent wandering eyes such as they. Vistha though was not concerned at this predicament. Instead smiling and relishing the challenge with a wiggling tail while she thrust the bag of precious gems into Asterion's bloodied hands. The warrior had accepted them with an acknowledging snort and a brief nod before stashing them in his red wooden box he kept stashed in his pack.

When Vishta's asked about the job, her eyes had fallen to Jacob and his tattered and worn clothes. While Lyndis had gone into length about the vampire and what a foe she had been the kobold had only eyed the human from scuffed boot to messy hair, nodding in time with the story. To the rogue's astonishment she seemed unphased that an undead minion was on that ship. It was almost as if she had expected as much by the air of cool she had about her. It reminded her of Shandalar in a way. Vishta had offered to see Jacob to safety, heading northeast towards a fort that she claimed belonged to the sapphire guardians. That way he didn't have to flee into the wilderness looking for them.

The human had accepted such an offer, grumbling away about being a survivor and how he was guilty for having his fighting companions shipped off into the Lumarain's prison. Before the little lizard and boy had left, Shandalar had given the lad a pep talk. Letting him know he still could do good, fight harder, to not be defeated. If not for his sake, then for his friends now imprisoned. Lyndis noted that the wizard had declined to mention the mana crystals, which was probably for the best. Jacob's eyes had lingered on the elves' brow, seemingly troubled as he nodded. He left with a wave soon after, ensuring them he would be alright.

Lyndis sighed, leaning up against one of the many carts as she held a bottle of spirits in one hand. One that she had nicked from one of the many crates still lingering in the carts. Sure, the boy would be alright, everyone had to start somewhere. But the town? The thought worried her. Like little bugs under her skin it wormed around inside her. She opened the bottle and nursed at its limb warming liquid, eyeing a crackling fire when Asterion lit one. Even with his company and Feku it did little to ease her. She only stared into the dancing red flames as she spoke about the vampire and her near surrender to her charms. The bull and kobold listened intently, assuring her that she had done well enough for being taken by surprise. Despite their words she still felt terrible and was thankful when sleep eventually took them from this world.

To her disappointment the pairs of her friends did not return until the next day and the sun was shining just over the mountains. It had left her with ample time to sneak over to the town's new office for Lumarian leadership. It wasn't hard to find with all the gigantic brown banners billowing down the guard's barracks in town. The golden rampart gryphon seemed to mock her as she slipped inside the front door, shielded from sight by her magical garment.

It did not take long searching the place. The humans and wolven guards that were normally very observant did not notice an invisible half-elf sneaking through their midst. Not even the minotaurs that now stood outside the captains office paid her any mind. She found Navarra nice and well kept within a cell located near the structure's center. She was just finishing her morning meal as the guard that had fed her strolled away. Lyndis made sure to slip close to the bars, and with a whisper explain what had happened with her son.

Navarra had almost yelped in surprise but wisely bit her tongue. The woman seemingly not wanting the rogue to get caught for her actions. The woman had nodded at Lyndis' words, in near tears when mentioned that her son would not grace the prison walls of the Lumarians. She had made sure to beg the rogue to pass on her gratitude to the kobold bard. Make sure that she would speak fondly of her and her friends' actions for years to come. Course about the town's new leadership she was less happy but accepting of the situation with a frown.

“Better to be safe here then with the undead." She had groaned, slumping in her cell and lowering her head in defeat. “Though I'll promise to work it out with my people. No-one will be dragged off into the night without reason. Not if I have anything to bleeding say about it." With those words Navarra clenched her fist as fire suddenly sprung into her eyes. The defeated woman she had thought she saw melted away before her eyes. As Lyndis stared into those spheres she was certain that even with she and her friend's departure, the others were in good hands. So, what if Lumara had secured this town to make it safe? She would use them until this war with the undead was over. Then they would take this place back, drive the Lumarians away from their lands with flights of pegasai. With exchanges of farewell they parted ways, Navarra letting her know that she would make a fine leader one day.

When Lyndis had returned to the camp Veledar and Arcturus had swooped in, just as Merlia and Krotos came crawling back into camp with ruffled hair and feathers. Despite the tiredness about their eyes she could see the mischievous satisfaction lingering within them. She filled them in about the nights events. Especially about Lumara and the actions of the undead Siigonis they had encountered. She silenced any protests they had with her hands when she mentioned departing for Struport in the east. She had even stared at Veledar when he and Arcturus cast her glares when she mentioned. “Moving on to do bigger bleedin things."

The red dragon had closed his snout. Swishing his tail as he grumbled and voiced his disapproval with snorts and kneading claws. With one long hard stare from those cerulean slits Veledar spun around, dragging Arcturus with him as he hissed in his language. No doubt curses and other various things.

He'll come around.

She had sighed, helping Shandalar unfold her magic carpet as the others readied and gathered their gear. She next set her eyes to the floating clouds, her chest swelling with a brief sense of pride as her hands folded around her waist. The white fluffy things whispered to her, calling out her name to take flight within their domain.

Don't worry. She cast a worried glance back to her friends as they gathered around the carpet with crumbs still on some of their mouths. Despite her words they seemed ready, determined to continue with the course before them. Even Veledar was standing proudly with Arcturus firmly on his back. She sighed, glancing back to the town still recovering from the previous days festivities. All the people yawning and dragging themselves along passed the buildings. We won't forget you. “Let's go!" She shouted out, thrusting a finger towards the heavens. They still had a way ahead of them, and now more reason then ever to see it through.

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

Thanks for reading along for this story! If you ended up reading it don't forget to vote or click the fav button. If you want to be super special awesome, then leave a comment! It makes my day!

If you feel like supporting me, you can buy the first book here! https://www.amazon.com/Scales-Honor-Dragons-Justin-Lee/dp/0692154825/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532175350&sr=1-1&keywords=9780692154823

It not only contains a better edited version of chapters 1-18. it also contains a bonus epilogue and prologue that involves the white gryphon Skywing! If that was not enough I also added in a map of Sethera, and a bonus 36k word story. One that involves a twelve year old Arcturus, and his encounter with a dragoness during a dragon hunter festival...