FSE

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Chapter 14

“It had to be just a dream.” Cordenth shrugged off her story almost the moment it’d spilled from her maw. He tilted his head, letting the morning light flare of his scales. “Have you not been getting glimpses of this Hadariel? How is this any different?”

“I know…but…” She padded the soft earth through her digits. I’d felt so real. Like every step, breath, and bounce on her paws had been real. Course the Hadariel dreams were the same way. She sighed, ears twitching. “Shouldn’t that make us more suspicious of them?” Her heart fluttered as she recalled the breeze, her father’s rumbles as he nuzzled her smaller form.

“Then let’s say they were real…” Cordenth’s tail flickered across Lyyreth’s snout, stirring the still sleeping brother. “Maybe it’s just your memories returning?”

“Could be.” She slunk around the brothers, lost in her memory of the events. “But how was that child’s name also Axton.”

“Then maybe it’s your brain stitching things together and making things up.” Cordenth yawned, scratching his head with a head talon. When his brother failed to stir, down went his snout, nudging at the sleeping green’s cheek. “Come on you lazy excuse of a dragon. We got places to be. Are you really going to embarrass us Infront of the female?”

He smiled up at her with amusement glinting in his eyes. Instead of growling and poking his snout she strolled around him, eyes traveling from nose to frilled tail tip. “Funny enough it never seems to stop the two of you any other day.” She smirked as his frills started to turn hunter green.

“See? Come on.” This time his paw was used to rock the sleeping dragon’s head. “You’re just giving her ample time to think of more jokes.”

“Carry me.” Lyyreth groaned, flopping onto his back with a lazy yawn. “I don’t want to walk. Its too early, the air is too cold. Take your pick of the excuse.”

“No!” Infinity and Cordenth were quick to push Lyyreth back over, batting at his snout until he awoke.

“Fine!” He thrashed sluggishly at them with a paw, missing and digging four points into the earth with his talons. Blood shot eyes glared at them with a fiery radiance and an angry thump of his tail. “But I’m going to loath it entirely!”

“Suppose you’d rather not make it to this mystical healer?” She rumbled in the back of her throat, playfully smacking her tail against his shoulder. “Suits us I suppose. Saves us the trip. Good news Cordenth, we can save the energy flying this lazy thing there.”

While the brothers broke into an argument over the procedure of waking one up, she trotted away to breathe in the crisp morning air. She shivered as her breath misted on the air. She did it a few times, giggling to herself working herself into a canter and racing across the golden fields. Up the hills she stretched every muscle, sighing as the sun caressed each of her scales. She took long deep breaths, swelling her lungs until they tingled like little butterflies fluttering around. It was easy to drift back to her dreams. Despite the sadness she found there she couldn’t resist the siren’s song. She closed her eyes and remembered his crimson scales, less scared and full of life, his voice she’d never remembered.

Did her mind really concoct this elaborate plot? Was her mind so fractured that this was all it could cobble together? With a pin of her wings she galloped, setting her sights for a low hanging cloud. One that looked like an all too familiar snout. Watching her, judging her, concerned with what she’d done.

Her pace stopped until she was deathly still, tail slowly swaying as mist grew in her emerald eyes. The sounds of both their rumbles came with the wind, and she simply relished in that moment.

It had been real. It had to be.

For an unknown time, she simply stood, letting the breeze ruffle about her silver speckled membranes. In the distance she watched a giant eagle spread its brown feathery wings, unburdened by such complexities as she. In away she envied it, captivated as it flew among the clouds.

Lyyreth broke her out of her silence, slinking over and pretending to cough to get her attention. When she turned, he’d already padded to her side, sheepishly wishing her good morning. He quickly got to the point as she knew he would be, the curiosity of her dream would prove too interesting to hold back his flood of questions. She cut him off before it had already begun, telling him she was in no mood for it.

He sneezed, frills darkening. Why did he have to look so sympathetic? She sighed, settling to her haunches and sharing her dream. He listened as well as he always did, perking up at the mention of the fields of green. He stayed silent as she described the tree, the cat, and how the human was named Axton. As she spoke the name she felt her heart quiver, drawing her attention back to the green’s sunflower like eyes. Just like his brother the green was skeptical. His brow raised faster than she’d seen him do it before. His head tilted and she almost smacked him across the nose with an open paw.

“That sounds like our day of being cats…Did you think-“

“I’ve been trying to piece it together.” She snapped her maw inches from his, silencing him with a surprised meep. “It wasn’t our day together…And if you were listening…In the dream…I didn’t turn into a cat.” She swished her tail hesitantly. “This had to be a memory from my youth.”

“Listen…”Lyyreth rubbed his scales to hers as her head and spines drooped. “I believe you.”

“It’s just…” She sunk lower. “First Hadariel…Your spirit possession…Then this.” As she said all of them aloud it felt like boulders had been placed upon her back, wishing her to collapse beneath their bulk. She wiped her eyes when the mist became too much., her voice was shaky. “Am I just unraveling?”

Quick to her, Lyyreth nudged her snout higher. His eyes met hers, and within them was a warmth to rival the sun. “I’m not sure. But you don’t seem crazy if that’s what you’re worried about…” He nuzzled her, chipping away at the cold that’d gripped her. “And mother had her visions. Saw the future…Whose to say that this isn’t some magical like effect? I can only say to sit back and wait. Who knows what else can come to light?” His frills started to flutter excitedly in and out as he pulled away, eyes lighting up. “And if you experience anything else…Please share…I’d like to document and test to see if there is a magical residu-“

She silenced him with a quick nuzzle from his cheek to neck. “I think you’ve used half a dozen words more than you needed.” Her ears splayed as she pressed against him. “But thanks…I needed that.”

Cordenth called them over, insisting they needed to leave. They trotted over and pounced into the air, powerful wings carrying them to the domain owned by their kind.

For the better amount of the day they drifted along the headwinds, guided by the watchful eye of Cordenth behind them. Together they glided over the sprawling forests, watching as the golden valley transformed back to the normal autumn colors they’d been used to. They’d drift silently, pointing out various landmarks, like a far mountain that looked like a gryphon’s wing, or rivers that reminded them of an octopus’ arms. Eventually though impatience had a way of sneaking up through her, giving voice to its concern.

“Hey! How long do we have o fairest dragon?” She curled her head round, fixing Cordenth with an over exaggerated groan. “Feels like we’ve been flying for days.”

“It…has been days.” Lyyreth chuckled, that was until she snapped to him and explained that was the joke. “Oh!” He blushed, trying to divert the subject by pointing out one of the splintered rivers below them and talking about the species of fish that might live there.

“Shouldn’t be much longer!” Cordenth called out to them, doing a quick scan of the horizon. He’d linger on any collection of trees that didn’t shed their leaves, or the gathering of human houses they’d spot among any fields. The green dragon pointed out a sword shaped lake, with willowed trees hanging off it’s shore. “That’s one of the markers on the map! The weeping lake! And there!” She could here the excitement bursting about him as gestured to the edge of a grassy plain, where a statue of a giant three headed steer covered in thick layers of magenta moss greeted them.

Just as she was trying to figure out what would make the moss turn that shade, Cordenth was already descending towards it and calling them along. Though the green brother swooped around the three headed statue, she wisely kept her distance. Not every dragon was immune to poison like they were. She instead inspected it’s horns, chunks missing as if someone had taken a hammer to it.

“Who’d make a statue like this out here?” She asked aloud, following upwards as Cordenth brought them over the forest. Lyyreth hastily mentioned something about elves liking to create large and bizarre art such as this. When asked, he simply admitted possibly it was because they could.

“We’re here!” Cordenth warbled, heading straight for a clearing in the forest that rose in time with the earth, right at the base of the mountains. Within was a towering waterfall, crystal clear waters crashing down to the bottom to form a rainbow speckled mist. Rocks surrounded the bottom, stitched together to form a ring. Large imposing things that might have been more suited for giants or gryphons.

Around this natural beauty was a scene of affixed with several oddities around the grassy forest floor. Animals of all sorts were mingling about, frolicking admits batches of thin petaled flowers, or chasing after one another. Rabbits hopped along wolves, otters swam within the river flowing from the waterfall, while even a cow stood, munching away on a section of earth. Birds fluttered up from this place of serene tranquility, even a few turtle ducks flew among their number.

As the dragon’s circled this mass of feathery birds quacked at the new arrivals, almost as if sounding out an alarm. The animals scatted beneath the dragon’s shadow with a choir of moos and barking marfs.

“Sure, this is the place?” She hollered out as they continued to circle. The green brother had said nothing of this. They swooped in low, flared out their wings and landed one by one with a bumpy trot. They were left with pinned wings, watching the animals slink away from them into the tree line.

“Should be…” Cordenth trailed off, tilting his head at the surrounding creatures. They watched with wide eyes, unsure of what to make up of their new intruders. The green brother undid his pack, unrolling the map.“Right past the cow statue and by a waterfall…”He peered up with a swish of his tail. “Certainly, looks like the place.”

“I think it looks peaceful. Seems perfect spot for a healer.” Lyyreth plopped onto his haunches, slowly stretching his wings wide. “Surprised you’re not gushing about the little ducks with turtle shells we passed.”

“What about them?” Infinity slid over, planting herself beside him. She giggled when Cordenth swung around, a withering glance square on his brother.

“He finds them absolutely adorable. Practically squealed when we had a flock in our forest.”

Instantly Cordenth’s frills darkened. “That was one time!” He puffed up his chest, strolling away with a raised snout. “And it was hardly the other day.”

“It was two months back.” Lyyreth leaned in close, whispering in Infinity’s ear. Both burst out laughing as Cordenth watched on with fluttering frills.

“Are we done?”

Up went Infinity’s claw. “One moment.” She chuckled.

“Well. While you two were cackling about.” He gestured to the form of a small wooden house at the base of a thick tree. Golden thatch covered it’s roof, various flowers and logs stacked neatly outside its solitary door. “I appear to have found this healer.”

“Must be a hermit if they’re living out this far.” Lyyreth rose, padding after his brother with Infinity in tow. “Especially with all the things they can fall prey to.”

“Well…” She slipped closer. “They never did say it was a human…Maybe it was an Elf? Dwarf? Gryphon?” She chuckled at the last one. “No, they’d live in mountains…Right right.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Hissed Cordenth, his legs moving at a snail’s pace. “Long as she heals Lyyreth, she can be anything…All I care about is what she does with her hands.”

She snorted and rolled her eyes, “Ignoring that kind of treatment of course.”

“I didn’t mean like that!” He whispered back to her, “I mis-spoke!”

“Yea, okay green scales.” She waved a paw at him. “Now go introduce yourself to this hermit. We have a dragon to heal you know.” But all the dragons came to a stop as a solitary creature stood in their way.

Standing in the clearing was the black and white cow from before, staring squarely at all three of the dragons. Unlike the other animals that’d appeared to have been frightened, this one had a determined glint in its dull eyes. Almost like it thought it was bigger or something, sizing her up. The dragoness stopped, chuckling as her tail flicked. Did this thing think it could scare three grown dragons off? She groaned, taking a quick peak to her claws when her stomach rumbled.

Perhaps we can eat it? She glanced to the house, groaning. With my luck it belongs to this healer. Doubt she’d be willing to heal him if we upset her. Although it would be their fault for leaving such appetizing offerings to dragon guests. She shook her head, realizing she’d been drooling.

“Problem?” Cordenth chuckled as Lyyreth scrunched up his snout. “I’d hold off on eating it. In our experience you get an angry farmer that wants to stick a pitchfork up your tail.”

“Well that’s not happening.” Infinity grumbled, gently pushing the cow away as it meandered on over. Defiant moos were made each time nudged it away from them, but again and again it returned. “Come on you stupid thing.” Her ears pinned as the brothers watched on in amusement. “I don’t want to hurt you…And you’re making this very hard.” Suddenly her shove shove felt as though it’d struck a stone wall, like the bovine weighed several more tons. Before she could even contemplate what happened the cow had begun to grow.

An echoing moo shook through the forest as the mammal grew bit by bit before them. What was once a normal size, was then the size of a tall human, then past that and still growing. When they backed away the cow nearly stood taller than all three of them. Its hoof stomped the ground, practically thundering across the grass. Any laughter that’d been had ceased with Lyyreth’s sneeze. Replaced with surprised gasps and flared wings.

“Giant cow? Really?” She leaped away as the creature tried to but at her with its hoof. Thankfully it didn’t follow, content to simply guard the healer’s house.

They stood in silent awe, their tails swishing with interest. Giant dragons trying to kill them, undead monsters, of all the magical oddities, a large cow wasn’t even dreamed of. Lyyreth was the first to break the silence.

“Someone really hates us when it comes to this…Although…” The green, rumbled his head tilting, “I wonder what kind of spell is at work. Might be quite fascinating.” He stepped over an iinvisible line, getting an angry cow charging at his direction with horns lowered. The dragon quickly dashed away, using his wings to gain a little distance.”

“So…” She watched it return to its protective stance. “Can we eat it now? Cause that would solve both our problems.” She pounced away as it was her turn apparently to be charged by a distressed bovine. One by one it took turns at each of them, but the dragons were far too quick and agile. In hardly any time at all the cow was wheezing, panting, sluggishly dragging it’s legs. With a weakened snort the larger creature returned to normal, settling down to rest beside the house. It gave a long solitary moo, mourning it’s defeat.

Together they padded, noses sniffing at the ground. It certainly smelled like a normal cow. Though she didn’t have experience, Lyyreth said as much. The idea was brought up that it could transform again, but Lyyreth also shot that idea down. Infinity was going to suggest eating it again when the door slammed open, flaring wings in surprise.

“Whose there?” A wrinkly faced human shouted, waving a gnarled cane carved from some large animal’s femur. She dragged herself out into the light, hunched over and clad from head to toe in rough hides with furred edges to beat back the cold. “I told you rascals to stop coming by and bothering the cow!” She licked her dry lips, freezing as she spied the three dragons before her. She waved her canes to them instead, “Are you the ones riling ole charlette into a right stressful mood?” Her hands sought out the cow’s nose, rubbing it softly.

“Rascals?” Infinity pulled back her head as the woman eyed them up and down. If she was scared there were dragons Infront of her she didn’t show it. What was with the elderly and not being afraid of dragons? First the farmer and now this woman. “Your cow pet was blocking the path. We needed to find a grand healer. Our friend is sick.”

“hah! Grand healer you say?” The woman waved to her, a twinkle in her chocolate eye. “What you need dragon is to pull your wings together and accept who you is. Everything else is just what you want.”

Pull myself together? Infinity looked to the woman, opening her maw and closing it several times.. She sat perplexed as the woman just smiled at her.

“Anyway.” The woman planted her cane like a sword, a tan scaled snake slithered up along it and settled around her neck like a scarf. “I’m going to be needing some gradashian mushrooms from you youngins if you want to be doin business.” She waved to the broken logs and overgrown grass to the rippling waters. “All of which can be found here. Come back when you done.”

“A scavenging hunt?” Blurted Lyyreth before anyone else. “Youngins? You’re aware we’re dragons right?”

“Yep.” The lady chuckled. “But you be needin help right?” She pointed to Lyyreth’s chest. “With that thing wigglin in about you like a worm. If not for those fair folks you’d be too fargone by now.”

The dragon drooped his neck, “Yes.”

“Good.” She clasped her hands. “Then no time to waste. Stuffs easy to find, but don’t you worry!” She shooed them all away like a grandmother who had no time for their antics.

“And what if we have no time for your games?” Cordenth growled, his tail lashing menacingly as he took a forceful step. “My brother is in dire need.”

As the dragon’s snort washed over her hair, the woman looked unphased. Instead she smacked the green dragon right in the snout with her cane. “I won’t help you otherwise. So, you best be getting those mushrooms! Need them for the spell you need anyway. Look at me.” She gestured to her chest, poking next the creases in her face. “Do I look like I’m young and healthy to be pickin these mushrooms? Why don’t you be like a polite dragon and do it for me.”

While Infinity was one to snicker and take joy in Cordenth’s furious glare to this woman, he was right. This was no time for games. Though as she pondered what the woman said, the idea she wasn’t so helpless was clear to her. So, what if they had to gather a few mushrooms? Especially if it was going to gain her help? She slipped over before Cordenth could continue to make an arse of himself. “Apologies for my friend.” She led him away with a wing, shutting his snout with a talon. “We will get right on finding those mushrooms.” She gave the green brother a deadly stare. “Right dear Cordenth?”

He gulped, nodding in agreement. “Though…What do these mushrooms look like?”

“How should I know?” The woman laughed, damned near went blind before I moved here! Just know the name of them in me book!”

Ears pinning, Infinity almost yelled at this oddity. Though what she’d just said to Cordenth rested upon her mind. Instead she sighed, flicking her tail to vent her lingering frustration. “Then how do you expect us to find them then?”

Lyyreth cleared his throat, fluffing up his rune covered wings. “I actually might be able to help with that. Spent years digging through books on multiple different topics. This one in the application of magical herbs in a variety of spells.” He beamed, teeth on full display. “Memorized them.”

While a great boon to them, she gave the brother a heavy dose of skepticism. “And none of those books went into length about not eating a human’s cow?”

“By happenstance no.” He laughed, frills darkening as Infinity wrapped a wing around his neck and stated to drag him away from this woman’s hut.

“Good. Now you can tell us what we’re looking for. Spill.”

He described the mushrooms as a lavender shade, with purple stripes around it’s base. The head would balloon outward, covered in yellow bulbs. “They like to grow around moist places.” He gestured to the river’s edge, fighting off a cough that wound up his throat. Scales trembled as he hacked and wheezed, drawing even Cordenth’s concerned gaze . She padded over as the green dragon’s tail thrashed wildly about, her heart skipping a beat. Eyes of concern wove their way around his scales, focusing on his black scaled chest. She stared daggers at the spirit’s mark, almost swearing she saw the thing twitch as if it had a life of its own.

“What.What are you doing?” He laid on his back, lifting a scaled paw as she sniffed about him.

He smelled alright; pine mixed with male dragon. Not to mention the spirit mark didn’t look to have extended, her runes doing their job correctly. “Sniffing you, you dolt. What does it look like I’m doing?” She eyed over his scaly face. Even that seemed to be in place, though the goofy smile was gone. “You smell fine.” She caught herself back peddling as he instantly blushed and tried to play it off with a chuckle. “You know what I meant.”

“Of course!”

Infinity surged past him, tail dragging along his flank as she went about pretending like she was searching for the mushrooms. Like fire had been lit beneath her cheeks it spread to the rest of her, making her glad she didn’t have frills to give it away. Thankfully Cordenth was the one to give out a triumphant warble, lifting two claw full of the bulbous mushrooms.

“Here you are woman.” Cordenth tossed the reagents unceremoniously at the woman’s bare feet. “Glad to have saved you the trouble of bending over.” He rolled his eyes with a wrinkling of his snout. “And don’t start. You know what I meant.”

“Oh, I do. Flattering though.” The lady laughed, scooping up the mushrooms into her arms. “Thank you so kindly young dragons.” She waddled over to the side of her house, where a pot sat between two moss covered logs, and above a crackling fire. “Was just the last thing I needed.”

“What kind of spell is it going to be?” Lyyreth was soon after her, practically following the lady like a shadow. “Divination? Protection? Divine?” His tail wagged happily as he plopped down onto his haunches.

Cordenth merely rolled his eyes. “Even on his last legs he’s more concerned with magic. Yet how am I not surprised?”

“It’s interesting!” The green dragon stuck out his tongue with frills flaring. “Sorry if that your dullard of a mind doesn’t want to appreciate art of spell casting.”

“And you need reagents?” Infinity curled around the pot and woman, memorized as she stirred a large spoon around like a witches’ brew. She’d never seen that in her magic before. Maybe it was something that humans needed with this spell.

“I’m making soup!” The woman cheered, plopping the gathered fungi into the bubbling pot.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Infinity scowled, ears pinning behind her. They’d gone through all that for just soup_?_ “You wasted out time with this?” She plopped down beside Lyyreth, eyes brimming with emerald flames.

Cordenth was of the same mind, as he’d already taken a step forward. His claws dug through the grass as a threatening growl filled the air. “My brother is dy-“

The woman reached out, not even looking at the dragon and placed her palm to his nose. Instantly the green dragon flopped to the ground with his wings spread wide.

Instinct pulsed through Ifinity’s veins, flaring out her wings. She growled as her fire glands swelled to life. Evidently the time for talk was done.

“I didn’t hurt him.” The woman continued to stir her pot, not even glancing up from the whispery steam curling across her face. “Just put him to sleep is all. Mighty jumpy you dragons are. Especially around an old frail woman like me.”

“I doubt you’re frail.” Her wings returned to her side, but the spines along her body hadn’t retreated. “Looks can always be deceiving.”

“He’s alive!” Lyyreth proclaimed, sniffing at his brother’s snout. “Her words speak truth.”

“See?” The woman laughed, taking a sip of her brew. With a warm smile she raised the dripping spoon up to them. “Care for a taste dragons? If I say so, I make the finest forest stew around. Wonderful, mystical things can be achieved with a little stew.” She twirled a hand around the steam, forming little thin shapes of wolves or dragons. “You just have to believe.”

Still her muscles didn’t untense. “I won’t get closer.” She hissed, glaring daggers at the appearingly sweet old woman. “I’ll not let you poison me.”

“Poison you?” The woman laughed, smacking at her knee after slurping another taste. “Why go through all the trouble of that? And you don’t have to worry bout being put to sleep. You’re not as rude as he is. Though as rude as he was…He was right…You’re out of time…Out of options.” She gestured to Lyyreth with a disarming smile. “And what a mess. Only going to get worse longer you wait. You two need to focus, pull in what you are. Only then will you get what you need.”

“Right…What I need.” Infinity’s muscles laxed, though she didn’t let the woman’s hands out of her sight. Was this woman rambling or just flat insane? At this point she would have believed either outcomes. But what did she mean…Pull herself together? Was it her memories that were returning? Or was it the flashes of Hadriel’s? She shook her head and reminded herself of the more important one. How did this human even know of them to begin with? She grumbled as she remembered another old woman that came strolling into Nigel’s tower. Someone who’d been able to peer into her mind. “You’re not Emerald Lady are you?”

“Oh her?” The old woman cackled; eyes lightning up. “Not that crazy old hag. Though…” She tapped her chin, thinking for a moment before winking at her guests. “I am old and crazy. Also, a hag.” She burst out laughing as she settled onto one of the moss-covered logs. The bark seemed to shift and shape perfectly for her bottom. She pulled out a bowl from her pockets, filling it and precuring a smaller spoon to go with it. She sighed in utter content, letting the steam coil across her wrinkles. “Perfect. Good thing you swooped on by. Would have had to gather those things myself.”

“Guess you should consider yourself lucky.” Infinity crept closer, planting herself next to Lyyreth. She made sure to still watch, unsure if this little woman would still turn on them. “So, you didn’t see us coming?”

“Course I did.” The woman chuckled into her bowl. “Hard to miss three dragons flying across the sky. Not even trying to hide in the big blue! The ducks quacked of your arrival. Poor things almost got a heart attack.”

Lyyreth’s coughs returned, drawing a blade across Infinity’s heart. Without thinking she nuzzled at him, ears drooping. “Can you help us with him?” She lifted Lyyreth’s paw, showing off his grievous wound.

The woman took a sip, peering over her bowl. The air took on a silence, save the crackling of her fire. “Yup.” She placed the bowl on the log, hobbling over with her cane. When he gave her a questioning look she reassured him with wave. “Such a skittish dragon. Let me see.” The green dragon obeyed with a sheepish whine. The woman leaned in, resting her ear to the wound. In and out his chest went, guiding the woman’s head along. “Sounds funny it does.”

“Does it sound like a dragon’s heart?” Infinity rolled her eye, thumping her tail. That’s all they needed was more of her nonsense.

“That it does, but something more.” The woman chewed on her lip, “Though like an echo follows in its wake.” She tapped his chest with her staff. “We’re going to need some more regents if you want that gone. No reason to panic…No sir. Old Matilda can solve that no problem.”

“Panic?” Her spines twitched, already nudging Lyyreth with concern. “Why would we do that?”

“No reason. Just need to gather more reagents for me.” She licked her dry lips, waddling over to Cordenth and smacking him across the snout. “Hey sleepy!” She snapped her bony finger, rising Cordenth’s eyelids. “Your friends need to help me find some more reagents. Pretty enough already!”

“Reagents? Help? Who?” Cordenth blinked, yawning and rising to his full height. As faculties returned to him, he suddenly froze, eyes narrowing to fill the air with his vitriol.

Infinity stepped infront of him, extending a wing to block him off before once again he blew it. She made sure to lower her snout and adopt a nonthreatening posture. “What do we need?”

Matilda leaned in towards her ear, whispering, “I already told you what you need.”

“But.” Her ears pinned back.

“But if you want to see the path…You’ll need to find some bear hairs a rabbits foot, and the horns of a stag. That should get you on it sure enough.”

“My path?” Her head tilted as the lady’s questions jumbled about her mind. This woman made her brain ache. “Can you just give me a straight answer?”

“Nope. Beauty of being an old hermit.” She winked, “And yup. Your path. Find the things.” She waved to the dragons like a bunch of pesky cats. “You be getting those reagents, and I’ll prepare the path.”

“She’s nuts.” Cordenth grumbled when they were out of earshot. “Nuts and full of crazy to boot. What does she even mean by path?”

“What choice do we have?” Infinity curled back her head, watching as the cackling old woman drew symbols in the dirt with her cane. “Lyyreth’s wound spread…”

“It did?” Cordenth’s wings flared as he reared up, frills twitching in and out. “When did this happen?”

“We’re solving it!” She rolled her eyes, instructing the boys to follow. “So, stop that rearing and panicking. She may be crazy, but if this is the place…Then she’s going to do right by us.”

He stuck his tongue out at her, gesturing to the woman with a wing. “Now you’re starting to sound like her.”

“She is indeed strange…” Her brow rose as the lady’s movements reminded her of a rather expressive monkey. Course, essentially being human is what she was. She rattled off what they needed once more, glancing at all the animals still watching them from the treeline. Why did it have to be their fur? She suspected it was just another joke. One that she wouldn’t find amusing in the slightest.

“And I imagine half these things seem magical.” Lyyreth trailed off, watching a pair of wolves as they started to play with one another, running around the grass until without warning they started to rise from the ground.

“Well I got mine found.” Cordenth grinned, pointing to the frill near his head. Upon it sat a snow white bunny, nose twitching as it scratched it’s ear with his frill. “Seems easy. That just leaves you two to find the others.”

“How’d he even get up there?” Lyyreth inquired as Cordenth practically bounced on his paws.

“Skill and a smart brain dear brother. Oh, look he’s adorable!” The dragon happily swished his tail along the grass. “Matilda!” He hollered out, eyes frantically traveling from the rabbit to her. “Do we really need to cut off its foot?”

“Hell no! A foot still works attached!” She hollered back.

“Good.” He nodded, giving a throaty purr. “Wouldn’t want to hurt this guy anyway.”

Infinity just stared, starting to snicker as the green dragon cooed over the little mammal like it was his child. Though she had to admit as the pink nose twitched, it was rather cure. Almost to the point that she could feel the envy start to burn within her gut. Before it could grow, she padded past the gushing dragon with a growl. “While the new mother over there loses his mind, lets look for this stag and the bear.”

“Its not my fault he’s so adorable!”

Lyyreth slide alongside her, green scales gently caressing black. He nuzzled along her neck, thanking her for helping.

“And you need to stop being cute.” She sighed back, shoving him regretfully off. “What’s a bear look like again?” She scanned the gathered assortment of furred mammals. Her snout wrinkled until she found the stag, it’s antlers standing as if in mockery of a dragon’s. She’d focus on that one, at least she knew what it looked like.

“How are you feeling?” She casually eyed Lyyreth’s wound as they slowly parted the field of animals like a blade. It seemed with their non-threatening presence the creatures had simply returned to their frolicking nature, not paying the dragons any mind.

“Good.” He shook his body, stopping only to poke and sniff at his wound. She saw him wince, pain rippling across his face.

“Are you lying to me? Telling me what I want to hear?”

“No!” He flared his frills, trying to give her an innocent look. “I’d complain about it if I was.”

“Never could take pain!” Cordenth shouted back, “Tell her about the time we were swimming and you thought a shark was trying to eat your hinds!”

Lyyreth blushed most profusely as Infinity gave him a queer look.

“Long story?”

“Short one actually. Very pointy rocks, I’d been reading about them for awhile.” His neck drooped. “Brother laughed at it for days.”

“Years evidently.” She snickered, picturing the little green dragon sprinting for land in a series of panicked shrieks.

“It wasn’t funny!” His head ascended.

“Clearly it was. Cause I’m snickering.”

“Hmmph.” She got a green frilled tail swaying back and forth as Lyyreth stormed off with a fluff of his wings. Locking eyes to the stag that was still watching them.

She hadn’t meant to provoke him. Who knew he was that prideful? His snort distracted her at least, long enough so she could observe how he was talking to the beast. Talking? She crept closer, curiosity about her paws. Deer weren’t supposed to talk the last time she checked. Course with this strangeness, she wouldn’t be surprised if it sprouted six heads.

“And you want me over there?” The brown stag stamped a delicate hoof.

“Yes.” Lyyreth said cautiously, hardly making a sudden movement.

The stag glanced between them both, giving a heavy snort. “And who are you two dragons that would make that demand of me? This was a peaceful place before your kind came here.”

She rolled her eyes, great. Not only could he talk but he could be combative. But that would make things easier she supposed. Less reasons to be delicate.

“That’s rather rude.” Lyyreth growled. “I’ve been most polite to you.”

“What’s in it for me long face?” The deer gave a belting laugh. “Some feed?”

Lyyreth sighed, taking a quick peek to Infinity before snapping back. “Yes.”

“Done.” The stag nodded, trotting off towards the woman without another fuss. “Don’t forget that feed though!”

“Well.” Infinity stood chuckling, almost tapping a turtle duck that waddled over her paw. “That was rather interesting. You don’t see things like that wrapping up so easily.”

“That’s one word for it.” Lyyreth spun around, already seeking out the illusive bear.

“Look…” She chased after him, apologizing for what she said. He cut her off with a paw, telling her to just drop it. Instead he went on about what a bear looked like so she could help. Larger than a human, brown fur or black, claws and short tail.

“Any more thoughts with your dreams?” He finally asked as they traced the forest edge like a fine-toothed comb. No sign of the creature in question could be found. They found plenty of other creatures, but none of this illusive mammal.

“This is the time you ask me about this?” She nodded towards what looked like the creature, watching them stroll from the safety of the water’s edge.

“Seemed like the right time.”

“Now? While we’re looking for a bear? That was the perfect time for you?” She didn’t even disguise the laughter bubbling about her tone.

“So, are you okay with them?” He tilted his head back, concern flickering within his yellow pools.

She blushed, glancing away before he could notice. “Course I’m fine with them. Why wouldn’t I be?”

She drifted away from him as her heart ached. Why would she block out good memories? Ones that weren’t filled with her torture. “Sorry.” She tried to pull away from his incoming nuzzle, but his neck caught her’s first.

“It’s alright. We don’t have to talk about it.”

If not for aching heart she’d have leaned into him. “What if they’re all true though? What would that even mean?” She stared into his eyes, searching those yellow things for an answer he wouldn’t give.

“I don’t know.” He replied softly. Before she could pull away, he stopped her. “Maybe you could remember everything in your past. Maybe it was the escape that was need. Something to jog the memory.

Of course he’d try to be optimistic about it. Curse that cute face of his. “Sounds troublesome.” She snorted, shifting from paw to paw. Silencing his snout at such a notion. Troubling was the least of it. Ice licked at her heart at such thoughts. Not only cause of Axton’s name, but the appearance of him. He was the apprentice Nigel had. The first one she’d met. The one before she slew the second one. Her snout wrinkled as she stared at her paws. What of her mother? Had she also been forced to kill her like her father? How much blood was on her claws? Dread touched upon her, like the whisper of the wind on her scales. A sense of questioning hung upon her mind, and coiled around her heart.

“Hey I found it!” Lyyreth’s joy filled announcement pulled her free from the darker thoughts stewing in her skull. Now was not the time to linger on such things. While she was trying to cobble her mind together, his sweet attitude was hiding the fact he was close to dying.

Keep it together. Once we get what it is out of him, then we can solve what’s going on in my brain.

Together they stared down the calm bear before them. It sat casually on its haunches, resting beside a fallen tree. How odd that it stood its ground, tilting its head as they approached. Yet again, not a single hint of fear within its feral eyes. Maybe it was stunned? Or like all the other creatures here was it just mental?

“And this was incredibly easy.” She strolled confidently towards it, snapping at it’s hinds to startle it to move. “Knew this was all some elaborate prank.”

But it didn’t move. Not even when she pulled back her head and snapped again.

“Well come on.” She snorted, flicking her tail. “Do you want us to knock you out and carry you over? Cause, you know we can do that.” Her head tilted when it didn’t answer. Was it just a normal bear?

“Doesn’t appear to be so easy does it.” Lyyreth paced around the log, carefully avoiding the black fungus clinging to its bark.

“No, it doesn’t.” She tilted her head, poking the bear with a talon. But when she did the talon easily passed through, almost like it was never there. In the blink of an eye the bear was gone, leaving nothing but empty air.

An illusion?

“A bear that can do illusions?” Lyyreth chuckled, snout to the ground with an all too amused smile. “That’s fantastic!”

“About as fantastic as tail rot.” She hissed, scanning the trees for any sign of their prey. Her muscles brimmed with a warmth over having been fooled by a stupid animal. “Let’s stop applauding it and get back onto the scent.”

“Awww.” The green swished his tail, sighing as he started to sniff along the grass.

Together they traveled around rocks and bushes, following the rather long trail of this illusive mammal. Evidently it was too elusive as they circled back and bumped right into one another.

How was this even possible?

They unwound themselves with a round of chuckling from him, and hisses from her. On all fours she was burning, when she found this bear, she wasn’t going to take it easy. “Can’t believe it got us again. How can it even disguise scents! That’s just breaking all the rules.”

“Well…Yea…But I think it was rather-“

She silenced him with a heavy stare, making his frills green and his snout twitch.

“Um….nevermind. Maybe another time?”

She nodded. “Once we have it. Then you can make all the jokes and observations you want. Once…-“She caught herself from saying he was out of danger. He noticed and pressed her on what she was going to say but she simply shook him off and told him to ignore it. “You’re going to be fine.” Was she telling that for him or more for herself?

Through thick branches and thickets, they followed a secondary scent. Thankfully this one smelled nothing like the illusionary one so there was no problematic meeting of noses. It led them to a series of rocks higher up among the trees, tight enough so they couldn’t fly on up. The bear sat among these rocks, rubbing it’s back upon them with a look of utter content on it’s face. Up and down the mammal went with pleased grunts. Well it was moving, that was a good sign it was real.

She said as such, but in the quietest voice she could muster. No sense in spooking it off. “You see the bear?” She dragged him behind some thick branches and trees to hide.

“I do.” He tapped his paws excitedly, “And this time it doesn’t look like an illusion!”

“Guess we can count our blessings huh?”

Just as the words left her snout the mammal turned to them, a moment passed, and it bolted behind a rock in the shape of a crescent moon.

“After it!” Infinity pounced with a wiggle of her tail, the moment her paws reached the rock face, beneath her slid away with a crack. Apparently, there had been illusion covering the dozen or so smaller rocks below it. The rocks fell free and she slipped to meet the ground with her jaw. She rose with a snarl, talons scraping the rocks as Lyyreth surged past her.

Together like wolves they bounded after the bear. Up across the rising forest floor, over winding roots and loosened rocks. She thought she’d be clever and cut it off, give the creature less places to hide. She thought herself so clever, that was until she came colliding into a familiar set of green scales. Together they shouted in surprise, entangling in one another as they tumbled down a leaf covered hill. Smaller trees cracked beneath their bulk, or left forepaws stinging with pain

“How could it even hide you from sight?” She hissed as a sharp rock wedged itself beneath a scale.

Green rubbed against black as the earth guided them down Her body shook and rattled until they came to a stop, landing with a loud plop into a pool of viscous mud. Not deep enough to sink , but enough to coat her entire backside.

“Wonderful.” She groaned, feeling as though each of her scales were scraped raw. Lyyreth moaning his own discomfort beside her…No, Infront of her. She opened her eyes, finding their snouts were pressed together. Her heart fluttered in her chest.

“Infinity is that?” His eyes opened. He instantly snapped up, issuing his apologies as he wiped his snout free of any mud. “I didn’t mean to…The bear…it must have…You okay? You look frozen.”

“Fine.” She said softly, trying to hide the rapid beating of her heart. She shook a mud-covered paw at him, flinging some onto his scales. “Just have some mud on me. I’m not into that sort of thing like you forest dragons.”

“For your information.” He trotted to more dry ground, shaking himself free of any mud clinging to his scales. “We don’t all like mud.”

“Could have fooled me. With how well you wear it I mean.” She plopped a good distance away, rubbing off the grime on a poor tree. She sighed and continued this, until she’d almost gotten all of it free of her. Though despite her efforts there was some still refusing to vacate her. As she strutted towards her more green companion she found him staring at her with this dumb look upon his face.

“What are you looking at princess? Should I be concerned you like rolling in the mud?”

He shook his head. “Wasn’t that…Just was…Well..Looking at you.”

“Me?” She rolled a paw, placing it to her chest. Her tail swayed delightfully behind her. “And why is that?”

“Well..” He glanced away, “Thought you looked rather stunning.”

“Covered in mud?” Her heart skipped a beat. She nearly tumbled right there to the ground, but she maintained her cool. “Is that so?” She buried the rising warble in her throat

He nodded and it almost broke through her shield. She wanted to reply how he handsome he was, but instead shoved him away with a laugh.

“Hey!” He sputtered. “Are you allergic to compliments or something?”

She padded beside him, rubbing her neck along his with a purr. “It’s…complicated.”

“Hey you two!” Cordenth called out from above in a brassy voice. “Don’t know what foolishness you two were up to, but I got the bear back to Matilda. Easiest one of them yet.” He chuckled and wheeled around, “Simply followed me over!”

“Annnd he gets the last animal? But he didn’t even have to work for it!” She glared daggers at the empty air.

“Well.” Lyyreth curled around her, frills twitching. “Silver lining. We have all the animals now. Plus, I got to spend some more time with you. And you make any time pass pleasantly. My scales go all tingly…like I got…”

She paused as silence hung between them both, the only sound of their quickened breaths. “Thank you.” She said softly, nudging her snout against his to simulate a mortal’s kiss. When their scales met her heart nearly Their rumbles slowly grew with one another as they basked in the warmth provided. “Now…Lets rid ourselves of this mud.” She whispered, “Before we he worries like a mother hen.”

*

“So what made you say stunning?” Infinity nudged the green softly along the trail back.

“Huh? Well…You look pretty, attractive, nice wings..” Lyyreth continued listening off all the things that would melt any dragonesses’ heart. And despite her eye rolls and the cheesiness of it all, Infinity was loving every second. She was timing her steps with his, eye always on him, and egging him on with a smile. But then the dragon suddenly stopped, his head snapping up in alarm.

“Did you hear that?” His face twisted with fear, as he spun around, almost smacking Infinity across her snout.

“What are you going on about?” Her head tilted, ears pinning as icy slither traveled down her spine.

“An echo…Sounded like an echo.” He stared fearfully out to the trees, clutching at his chest.

“An echo? If you havn’t noticed we’re not in a cave.”

“I know that. Look around.” He grumbled past her, shaking his head. He was so distracted that he didn’t catch her staring at his mark. It had grown from when last she’d noticed, the growth had slowly crawled until it was at the base of his neck, pulsating with un-natural life. “Each time I talk it sounds like there’s an echo. Like someone is saying exactly what I am.”

“Weird.” Was all she could say as her scales turned to ice. She didn’t want to make him more worried. But she extended a wing and slung it around him, trying to quicken his pace. “Then we best get back to Matilda and solve this whole problem. Don’t need you hearing echoes all the time! Can’t imagine having to listen to that!” She guided him along like a seeing dog, nuzzling him as he complained about his new problem. “Then don’t talk and hold on.” She hushed him, each step’s warmth being robbed by the growing concern for him. What if something happened? Where they too late?

Cordenth was waiting when they arrived, and Matilda looked all too pleased. “What took so long? He wiggled his tail, a sly look upon his snout.

“Yea. Thought it was the perfect time. All that freezing and spirits.” She sat on her haunches, glaring at the bear, snoozing away with the other gathered mammals. “Had to get all the mud off from that one’s antics.”

“Lyyreth joined her with a cough, his raspy wheezes making her wince. Hopefully this lady’s spell would put an end to all this.

“Well Matilda.” She rolled her eyes, “We got all your animals. Is this for another cup of soup? Or maybe a tea we could share? Cause if It is, I swear there won’t be a dragon that can save you from me.”

“No.” The old woman clasped her hands tight, eyeing Infinity with a smile. “Its for the spell. The one you wanted.” She strolled up, planting her cane on Infinity’s chest. “The one for the demon wrapped tight around your friend’s soul.”

What good cheer that was left suddenly drained from the air. Infinity’s heart stopped; the air went cold. She must have imagined what the woman said. But the longer she stared it was apparent she didn’t, even the brothers looked stunned.

“WHAT?”

********

Another good word to people following along. Please leave a comment, favorite and like. Lets other people know to keep on reading! Have a nice whenever you read this!