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Scales and Honor: Darkened Skies

Chapter 13: The Storm's Eye

You will know in time what it means to sacrifice for your people.

The words her father had spoken to Nivra all too long ago slowly drifted through her mind like a rolling fog. The princess stared out to the vast cerulean sky, eyes getting lost within the darkened wispy clouds that hung in the air over the rolling fields of viridian below that rose and fell with the earth as if it were breathing. She wished she could say that it calmed her, but it did nothing.

Nivra clutched the fur of Voidwing tightly in her fingers, the thick fur soothing to the heart as a storm of emotions raged inside her. It had been many nights since that harrowing encounter with the fey monster but thinking back to it still brought chills to her spine and hairs to stand on end. They had been so helpless that night, closer to death than she would have ever thought possible. Clearly it had been on display how unready she was to assume anything, least of all the throne of her people. They deserved someone better.

One who isn't fooled by simple words and smiles.

She shook her head as the powerful gryphon below her banked his onyx wings to stay with the current, gently entering a glide with his wings spread. Voidwing would beat ever so often against the air to keep them aloft, bringing moments of warmth and clarity to her mind. At least he had been there to mend the heart. The loyal guard ever present when the lingering dread had slipped passed her mental defenses and ate away at her soul. With a kind wing and affectionate nuzzle her gryphon's sounds had fought back the encroaching darkness with his warm and encompassing light.

Slipping from her gryphon's neck, her hand dug into her pouches and rummaged around until she pulled Krotos' feather free. She held the feather tightly as it fought against the battering air, reciting the spell and watching it spin until it was pointing ahead.

Good. We haven't strayed off course.

Though what would await them when they arrived? The part of her that longed for the dragon to be this benevolent creature was slowly crumbling away like an aging wall. Day by day a small bit of stone would tumble away until nothing would remain. What if her father had been right after all? That she should have heeded the words of the courts and accepted dragons were all silver tongued demons bent on their own agendas? That killing this red one would bring about the peace that she wanted?

What it he's like that hag? Offering kind words to help, but it's really poisons and death?

She grit her teeth as a cold wind whipped passed her cloak and stabbed at her with icy daggers, making her silently hug her gryphon for tightly warmth. It was enough to fight the chill as she tenderly stroked his onyx fur, drawing out pleased chirps from his rapidly parting beak.

“What is on your mind princess?" He called back, his voice filled with a pleased inflection that radiated warmth to her ever-reddening ears.

“Oh, nothing." She lied, pulling closer against him as they started to drift towards a forest that stretched for miles before them. It had not been that long since they had passed an undead over-ridded town. The gruesome sights they had seen still made her fingers tremble, even as they grabbed hold of the bird's fur. Never had she thought she would see corpses skewered on spike in such a way to resemble kabobs. The pile of organs and discarded limbs that the dark mage had been using to stitch together to create shambling abominations of rotten flesh. She had wisely told the bird to carry them swiftly away, clutching at her stomach as it had threatened to loose it's contents.

“Nivra." Voidwing's voice turned stern, like a parent speaking to an unruly child. It drew her from the harrowing memory, guiding her softly back into the realm of the sky. Where no undead where, and only her gryphon to keep her safe and warm.

She blushed and looked away from his apricot eye that peaked back to her, his gaze piercing right through her lie like it typically did. What was the point when he always knew when she was upset? Did he have a sixth sense for this sort of thing?

“You're lying again. I don't know how many times I need to remind you." He cast his sight back to the countryside with an irritated chirp. “You need not hide things from me Nivra. It only leaves me in the dark and feeling rather useless to you."

Damn

She glanced to anything but his fluttering feathers dancing in the wind. Instead she looked to a series of rocks that overlooked a flowing river down below. “You're one to talk Voidy. I've caught you gazing at me these past nights." She shot back, recalling his eyes ever watchful as she stirred awake. Truthfully, they had made her feel safe, combined with his foreclaws clutching her close and wing draped over her. There was no other place she would rather be.

“You saw that?" The gryphon's ears splayed as his voice spiked in surprise. If she didn't know any better, she'd say he was blushing.

“That I did Sweetpaws. I even caught you tossing and turning in your sleep when you do get some." She poked his back several times with a slight sigh. “It could lead one to deduce that their loyal gryphon is not being exactly truthful as well. That something eats at his mind."

He stayed silent for a moment before clacking his beak several times, beating his wings to stay aloft.. “Apologies princess. I…Didn't want to share that with you."

“Why not?" His words slipped under her skin, tugging at her heart like a taught line. “You have something to hide from me?" She crossed her arms, letting out a heavy exhale. She could feel the embarrassment through the air as he thought about what to say. Instead of looking to her he was gazing out to the fields of red and yellow below, and when he did peak back her it was only for a fleeting moment before snapping away with splayed ears. “You can be truthful with me Voidy. There is no reason to fly around the pressing issue…It's just us remember?" She rolled her eyes at having to keep reminding him of that fact. When was he going to learn? “If you have something poking into your sides like those cacti did to your balls, you should let me know. It will bring less confusion and worry for the flight ahead."

“Seems as though we're both at fault." He chuckled weakly, adjusting his wings to stay with the current, his tail flicking behind him with the wind. “We both share with each other then…Agreed? He peaked back to her with a faint smile, his cute eyes eating away at her stern demeanor."

“I can agree to that." She nodded, waving for him to continue. “Though I must insist that you start first."

“Fine….If you must know…I was that way because I failed you back in that town The gryphon's head hung for a moment, his eyes closing in a brief shame. “I should have seen the poison darts. Should never have landed. It was because of that lack of judgement we were placed in mortal danger."

Nivra rubbed his neck, something to ease the guilt that was entering her heart. How could he think it was solely his fault? “You're fault?" She scoffed, letting out a snort as she unfolded her arms and tenderly rubbed a hand through his fur. “I don't seem to recall you putting your trust in that Hilda woman. It wasn't the cute gryphon I fly with that followed her back to the cottage and nearly got us both killed." Her words came to a grueling halt as torn flesh came to mind. The stomach curdling smells, and the ever sense of dread as that thing calling itself Hilda had looked to her like a piece of fresh meat to be cut and diced. She gulped, looking away in shame. “I almost got you killed." It was now her turn to hang her head, collapsing against Voidwing's back and wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. “If not for me…you'd have been okay."

“And if not for me getting poisoned you wouldn't have been put in that position." Voidwing countered, “So hold your chin up Nivra. The blame is with me not with you."

She groaned into his neck, the cold of that night being fought back for the moment. Course he wanted to cheer her up. She might have smirked if she didn't feel so terrible about it. “Yes, but if I didn't tell you to get closer, you would have never been shot down." She buried her nose into his fur, taking a lungful of an earthy scent that swirled inside of her and brought a brief pause to her trembling hands. They said nothing as Voidwing carried them over a fluffy cloud. The gryphon had made sure to glide close enough that she'd be tempted to reach out and touch the hovering mass of white. She eyed him, trying to fight off the smile that was forcing it's way to her face. He always knew she liked that.

“Wrong again princess. For ultimately the blame lies with my failure. You're blameless in this endeavor."

“How do you figure that?" She rose her brow as Voidwing dipped his beak, snapping at the cloud like a fish. “I just put forward a very straightforward case. So I demand that you tell your princess what you're hiding gryphon. For you stated that there shall be no more secrets between us."

“But must I Nivra? Even if admitting such a thing wounds me to my core?" He peaked back to her, his crowns extended and fluttering on the wind ever so cutely as she spied him trying to fight off a growing gryphon smirk.

She smiled back at him as her cheeks flushed, and how handsome he looked with the sun gleaming in his eyes like a treasured gem. One that she would like to treasure for all time. “Yes." She said firmly but giving the cute gryphon a wink so he would know to not take it to heart.

“Very well." Voidwing sighed, “For it is me that has wings dearest princess. It would be my fault that I flew us there upon these steady limbs. So thus the blame and more is shifted back to me." He looked away with a pleased chirp, looking ever so proud of himself that he looked like a dragon for a moment.

Nivra chuckled as they passed over a dark cerulean lake, darker than the sky itself. She silently peered over his silver tipped wings, seeing their reflections in the near pristine surface that glimmered like a sapphire in the afternoon sun. They looked so tiny from this distance, like a toy that children would play with while dreaming of the sky. Voidwing crossed from shore to shore in a manner of wingbeats before she spoke again with a confident laugh. “You would be wrong again my loyal body guard. Or do you forget it was I that instructed you to fly us there." She set her hands on his back, giving him a smile of victory. “So, you'll have to concede the point to me. If you want to point the blame back to yourself gryphon, you'll have to try harder than that." She loved how the worry seemed to melt from his beak when he glanced to her, his eyes rolling before setting their sights back onto the vast forest of varying shades of green.

“I suppose it is your fault." He finally spoke after a lingering moment of silence, a hint of amusement lacing his words. He carried them along the pine and fur trees that moved with the ground below. Like green waves of leaves and bark. They eventually stopped for the night when the sun began to sink below the horizon and bring about the darkness of night. Voidwing had brought them down into a little clearly in the canopy of leaves and twisted branches. They had found an area littered with rocks that could be used to funnel anyone trying to sneak up on them into a thin easily defendable line. With quick kisses and nuzzles they set about resting, always one of them awake to keep watch for trouble that might find them.

When it was her turn she flipped through her books in candlelight, mind drifting to the many miles ahead of them and the dragon they were chasing. During this time her father had tried to snake his way into her mind, whispering words of sacrifice and doing whatever was required to keep her people safe. She ignored such words and focused on the stars above the thousands of glittering lights that peaked out from the drifting low hanging clouds.

She was woken the next morning by Voidwing patting her on the side gently and whispering for her to rise. With a loud yawn she stretched out within the gryphon's clutches, nuzzling his chest with her face and not wanting to leave his pleasing touch. With a quick opening of her pack she realized the food was all gone, they must have eaten it all without realizing it. So with a grumbling stomach she prepared her spells, making sure to pick carefully what they might need for the day ahead. Voidwing had decided against hunting in the oddly quiet forest. Something about not even spying a speck of wildlife during their flight of the day. Once the morning ritual was completed they were returned into the air by the gryphon's eager wing-beats as they spiraled higher and higher until they left the forest far below. With a loud chip Voidwing spun them eastwards and brought them into the soothing currents with spread wings. Eventually the forest broke into flatter fields of faded green with a small speck of a town on the distance. It seemed to resemble a grey colored stump on the tapestry of colors that was the ground.

They had chuckled briefly as the gryphon carried her over the last remnants of the forest. She practically stitched herself to his neck as the wind bit and nibbled at her skin with icy thorns. Despite the cold she lovingly gazed down the awe-inspiring beauty underneath them. If they were not pressed for time she may have asked for her black lover to swirl around the multicolored trees as she held tightly onto his fur. Instead she was forced to imagine such things, and tenderly caress his neck with a disappointed sigh.

Pleased laughs and chirps soon filled the air as the prospect of such a long journey was almost behind them. It made her clutch at the gryphon in glee, letting all know how much joy a gryphon and human could share together. She wondered briefly during such time if it was the same for dragons No reason that it would be less so with the great beasts of legend. She made a mental note to ask Arcturus when they met, how it was flying with the dragon. How close they were, and what coursed through the human's blood each time they did.

It must be excitement…For nothing could be this splendid…. Course that's if they end up being rational people…

“Nivra?" Voidwing's soft voice brought her out of wonderous stupor, grabbing hold of her ear and begging her to hear more come pouring from his silver striped beak.

“Yes, oh gryphon?" She smiled, closing her eyes as the wind gently brushed against her cheek and ruffled her raven like hair. Even the bite of the cold was lost on her. “Whatever it is that ails you…Please release your burdens so that your princess can tell them they are unfounded. You are simply one of the best gryphons in all the realms." She sighed in delight as a pleased rumble radiated from her gryphon's neck, tingling her fingers before a brief chirp voiced his approval.

“It is good to hear that from you…Truly." He peaked back, his gaze one of such tender care, she could feel her heart melting in her chest. “Especially since you could have had better gryphons to protect you over the years."

“Now what is this preposterous suggestion? Best?" She laughed to herself. Like her gryphon wasn't already the best. “There you go lying again Voidy." She scoffed, “There can't have been a better gryphon suited to be my bodyguard. You already turned out to be the best! Infact, if I recall you proved yourself when you were selected to try! Do I need to throw you in dungeons for madness? For what else could have you uttering such nonsense to your future queen?"

“You flatter me princess." Voidwing laughed, his ears splaying cutely before her. “But we both know that the illustrious Skywing would have made a much better guard to you than I. It was due to his absence that I even stood a chance against the others of my kin."

“Pffff." She smacked Voidwing against his throat with a hearty shoulder bouncing laugh. “Now that's a good one!" she cackled, spraying the wind with spittle. “Too bad that Mr. Stripes was busy in war then. Chasing the feathers of his flock, or even engaging in those bonding rituals of your kind. “She smacked Voidwing again with a lingering snicker. “Now shush that lying beak Voidy. You're the best that I deserved. Call it fate, destiny, dramatic convenience. No matter how you look at it. It was you that was destined to protect me my gryphon. Now until the end of days will I be grateful for your dutiful and excellent protection." She tapped the back his neck in time with her words, hoping the feelings behind them sunk into the thick skull of his. Any reluctance that he might have had was lost within the telling silence. There was a pleased rumble that came after as they neared the forest's edge.

“Once more…I thank you for your kind words…You're most kind. What else could I expect from our future queen? Although…You never did share with me what else has been eating at you. What makes you look to be beaten and lost as you were the other day?"

Of course, he would remember to ask. Her mood darkened as she thought back to the days before with the hag. “Truthfully…It did start with the hag." She sighed, gaze drifting to a lazily floating cloud in the shape of a gryphon with his wing's spread wide. “It makes me think to the red dragon we're after." She pulled Voidwing close as doubt suddenly returned in full force. She told him her worry, lack of trust, and dread that her father's actions while poor had contained a glimmer of truth. When she had finished it had been like the full weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

“I don't pretend to know your father's motives…But what I could see he was trying to help his people in twisted sort of way. In the end though, when we both looked to him. He valued his own safety over anyone else. Even his daughter or his kingdom. I can say less about the dragon. All we have are the reports of his crimes and mis-deeds to our people. Then we had the incident with the castle, and all the dead mercenaries that went up against him. Who knows how he will react after such actions were taken against him. Did he even get what he came for from the castle?"

He brow narrowed as the gryphon's facts brought a slight unease to her bones. It had all seemed so simple as they had first set off. Find the dragon and win him over. Though now as they thought about it she wasn't so sure. “I just hope he will listen to reason." She replied meekly, looking out to the horizon. “For not only our sakes, but for that of our people. Once we get this matter settled with the dragon we can work on setting things right with Rothdell and Drenedar. End the war that has brought so much bloodshed over these years." She knew it sounded like a daunting task even as the words leaked from her mouth, but somewhere in the deepest recesses of her mind she knew they were obtainable. It just required effort.

“And what about this place? What about Drenedar? What will become of them my future queen?"

The question gave Nivra pause as her fingers ran through the gryphon's fur. It wasn't something she had thought of often, most of her mind focusing on the two tasks of Rothdell and the dragon. She glanced to the rolling earth, the beauty that lay before them bursting through the clouds. “Father wronged this place in trying to unite them under the moniker of giving them the light. I will return any land that has been taken from them in these many years. It won't exactly be an easy task, but maybe afterwords we can set this bloodshed behind us and truly work for a better tomorrow. Lumara can then be the shining light that it loves telling people it is."

“Sounds like you got a good head on your shoulders. Glad to see that not all of your father rubbed off on you." Voidwing happily chirped, spreading his wings out to a glide as they neared the exit of the dark forest below. They soon passed the edge in pleased silence, the lingering doubt and worry but tiny whispers and lost within the wind fluttering passed. The pleased rumbles and smiles soon soured with the figures gathering out on the green before them.

Skeletal warriors with dark, ragged chainmail gathered like a dark swarm out on the fields below. They stood at attention with weapons and shields at the ready, the sun enveloping them in its bright glow. Like a dark cloud they covered the ground, great banners of black with the symbol of a red flame flapping away in the breeze. It looked like an invading army, sitting casually across from a bridge that went over the winding river that cut the land in two.

“What are they doing here?" Nivra said softly, her skin starting to feel touched by an unearthly cold. Has this town fallen too? How many more are suffering because of them? She clenched at Voidwing's fur tightly as she could as he dipped a wing, carefully taking the long path around the encamped army of shambling bones.

“Voidwing carried his princess to safety from the undead hordes. Instead taking the path of safety and protection over the path fraught with perils. He set his course to give them a wide berth, the hope of his princess warming the fear that had begun to lick at his heart like the ocean's tides."

She rubbed his fur tenderly as the nervousness set in around her. Wrapping her in a sheet of worry and doubt as her eyes traced the rows and rows of undeath below. Words caught in her throat at first as she felt like she was drowning. It was one thing to see a horde of them close and gnawing at you, but something else to see them covering the earth like some sort of dark crop. There were so many, and this was just one single area. It was easy to look at such things and wonder how you would ever defeat such a force.

This is what your father was trying to unite against. To fight off threats such as these. Those that shake a man to their core. “And his princess egged him on, her own heart threatening to leave her chest." She said softly, twirling a finger through her hair. She gave Voidwing a brief nod to continue. “He was after all the best for the task, his mighty wings would see them safely through the day."

The narrowd eyes of the gryphon did not ease as they typically did when she tried to comfort him. Instead she felt him shake, his muscles tensing as he mentally prepared himself for any battle that might find them. “Nelvees" She whispered, tracing circles around his lion like ears, a small image of a cat's eye springing forth into the air of sparkling viridian light. It flowed into the gryphon below her, circling and spiraling around his limbs like an orbiting serpent before covering him in a thin green sheen.

Voidwing chirped his reply, his wing beats coming faster yet no strain worse than usual apparent on his face.

“Use the spell well Voidy." Her voice came softly, staring down to the chattering skeletal warriors below. She almost expected them to suddenly to take to the sky like insects, speed towards them with clacking teeth and raised weapons. But they didn't come. Thanks to either the luck of the gods or her gryphon's warry distance, the undead forces below didn't even twitch in their direction. Instead with careful glides and occasional beats of his silver tipped wings, Voidwing carried them safely along the river, soon crossing it and setting forth towards the fortified town with a satisfied chirp. To her relief it lingered in the air, eventually turning into a beautiful cacophony of pleased gryphon noises.

They celebrated their brief victory with nervous laughter, the ice that had been licking at her skin fading away with each foot placed between them and the undead. She patted Voidwing tenderly on the cheek, calming herself with steady breaths that quelled the ever pounding of her heart as they raced towards the sprawled-out town walls in the distance. She never thought how comforting civilization would look. Voidwing brought them higher into the sky, leaving the undead far behind as they lost themselves amidst the scattered clouds above.

When they neared the town Voidwing tilted his wings, and entered a descending spiral towards the ground. With a keening cry of arrival he slowed them down with steady poundings of his wings, until the pair were hovering just before the town's gates. To their relief it looked like the undead had yet to reach this town. Men were pointing to them, shouting words with raised hands as they lowered towards the ground. While she couldn't hear them, she could figure what they wanted. Voidwing had the same idea, as she felt him gently make his way to the ground with out any fuss. His steady flaps that had kept them aloft slowly giving way until he was settled down with a gently bump of his hinds as they touched the soft earth. She pounced off him practically moments after he lowered himself. She stumbled for a moment, her legs forgetting to walk after having spent so long in the air. With a deep breath she straightened her back, ran her hand through her hair and put on a confidence filled face as She eyed the curious looking people that had glanced over the walls. Worry brimmed in their eyes or that's what Voidwing had told her. He did have the better eyes between the two.

“Worry brims at the surface of their being." He whispered, his tail smacking his rear softly. “I'd wager that the undead are responsible. I'd be shaking in my fur if I were them. Might think we're some undead scout."

“We lack the undeadness my gryphon." She whispered back, eyeing the rifles held in shaking hands. She had heard reports of their weaponry, sort of lesser versions of the energy crossbows they wielded. Still, she didn't want to end up with holes in her. She smiled warmly, giving them a wave. Might as well start off on good terms after all.

“Who goes there?" One of the guards shouted, a fair faced human that didn't look to be a year over eighteen dressed in chainmail with a fluttering blue cloak.

“We are just travelers my good sentry . Myself and my stalwart gryphon here were on an adventure!" She rubbed Voidwing's side for show, eyes nearly rolling with a laugh as the usual uptight gryphon leaned into the touch with closed eyes and pleased chirps. She almost expected him to roll onto the ground like a pleasure lost dog. “We traveled far across your lands to get here! All we ask is a chance to rest out weary limbs and purchase some traveling supplies!" She nudged the black furred bird with a sly smirk. “My big bird here has apparently been eating all our rations to my utter amazement. You'd be surprised how much a gryphon could eat!"

“Hey!" He hissed, whipping his tail behind him. “You're just as guilty as it comes to-“ He shut his beak when she touched his side.

The young guard returned her smile, briefly glancing back to a more experience looking guard with narrowed lupine eyes. The leather clad black furred wolf watched them with a steady gaze and crossed arms. Words were exchanged between the pair, something that made the human blush and snap back to them. “Will you submit to a quick inspection for magical disguises and such? Want to make sure nothing gets into town…Err..On account of the undead you understand."

“Oh but of course my fair sentry ." She gave him a smirk as her words bounced happily along. “We will comply to whatever it is that you require." She scratched behind Voidwing's ear with a smile and a warm feeling in her heart. Like it was summer, and the sun was kissing at her cheeks.

“Very well!" The wolven guard shouted, circling his hands to several others that remained unseen. He snapped a hand to her when the gate parted with a solid, resounding clunk. “But don't go making any trouble for me or my guards, or you'll find yourself ina cell faster than a jackrabbit ends up in one of our stews!"

Nivra nodded to the confident looking wolven. She had nothing to hide after all, and it would be a quick stop before they were back on the trail of the red dragon anyway. She stayed close to Voidwing as the gryphon lightly extended a wing, pulling it around her protectively as they started to pass their way through the chain and leather armor clad guards.

They looked tired. All their faced save the young man from before had lines upon their brow or yawns escaping their muzzles. She pushed the silver tipped wing away from her with a sigh. She was grateful for the concern, but it wasn't needed in the moment. She gave all the guards a brief smile, eventually settling her eyes to the grizzled looking wolf.

“So explorers eh? You'd be surprised how many people give us that as an excuse." The wolf scoffed, gesturing to a handful of others to step forward, instructing them to hand over any weapons for inspection.

“Yes,well..It's true my good man." She set her staff into a guard's hands, nudging Voidwing to relax as they approached. She could see the concern flickering in his eyes as his head snapped to each of them in turn. “Sorry for the gryphon's nervousness. Large crowds make him ever so nervous with my safety!"

“Is that so?" The guard sneered, eyes locked right onto her. It was almost like they could pierce her mind, trying to probe around for the truth. “Where did you come from?" The wolf snapped a claw, two of the guards pressing hands to their temples. Their eyes took on a red glow, the clear sign of a detect magic spell.

She eyed the wolven's raised brow, his confident smirk on his muzzle. Did he expect her to lie? “We hail from the north my good wolf. Started our little venture in Lumara as it were. Thought it would be interesting to explore Drenedar didn't we Voidwing?"

“Quite so.." The gryphon replied meekly, nearly leaping back as a man touched his fur. “Hey! Do you need to touch?" The gryphon's beak snapped, causing the guard to recoil with a yelp.

“Gryphon tried to bite me!" The panicking guard exclaimed, holding out his arm for all to see. His eyes locked on the gryphon's beak.

“No I didn't! You touched me!"

When the guard captain wolf looked to Nivra, she just shrugged casually. Like this wasn't that big of a deal to her. “He's rather skittish. Thought I explained that as it were. I'd instruct your men to ask first before touching if they value the ability to have five fingers one each hand. His reaction was one of instinct not of mind. You don't blame the horse if you spook it and end up getting kicked do you?"

The wolf snorted his reply, mulling over her words with gritted teeth. His piercing gaze went to Voidwing, lingering on the bird's ruffled feathers and swaying tail. “No…You don't." The wolves voice was taught like a wire as he paced before them, hand going to caress his snout. “Course I would tell your gryphon to be mindful when the ones doing the inspection have weapons. Things can get out of hand fairly quick if they panic."

The young guard from before stepped up asking to inspect her robes. She obliged, giving the wolven a warm smile.

“Are you nobles?" The wolf snapped. “Long way from Lumara, Entis, or even White-dale! Quite the slog for say nobles to suddenly get struck with the adventuring spirit."

“Really?" She sighed, twirling one of her raven strands. “Is it really that hard to fathom in that head of yours that people such as I get struck with the adventuring spirit? That it whispers into our ears like a siren's call and begs us to go out and see the world? It's only a thousand times easier for me to do so with the wings of a gryphon. You should try it sometime."

The wolf stopped, chuckles turning into laughter. “It's not that hard to believe actually. We had a bleedin dragon come round thee parts. Should have seen the fuss he gave us during the inspections. Up your tail this, snots of displeasure…Scared half of the men to death he did!"

So he was here. “A dragon? You look all in one piece for going up against one of them. You often hear of them holding towns like these for ransom or something preposterous as that."

“Can definitely tell ya from Lumara lass." The wolf scoffed, dismissing her comment with a wave. “Regardless, the dragon in question did complain. Other than that, he didn't do any of that destroying or dragon like things you Lumarians are so keen on laying on dragon's paws.

“Apologies." She gave a quick bow. No sense in muddying the waters of this place before they departed. “You know how the stories of my people go. Can't go blaming me for thinking the worst of the red scaled beast."

The guard who had taken her staff placed it back into her hands, nodding and telling her that all was well with the wooden stick.

She replied with a quick thank you and telling him that he was a great guard. The compliment made him blush and made her giggle under her breath as she composed herself. “What was the red dragon doing here anyway?" She looked back to the wolven guard, “Why submit one self to such investigation procedures? Surely he had more dragon like things to get to?" The words slipped from her, still not entirely sure of the red dragons' motives. She glanced to the buildings, admiring the simplicity of the structures. “Doesn't look all that interesting of a place to me, especially for a dragon to arrive."

The wolf stared at her for a moment, letting out a loud laugh. “Me and lads won't take that as an insult, but the big ole red dragon was protecting a caravan of all things. Just like the bleeding stories of the Swirling Storm. He and his adventuring companions helped them from their own god forsaken town." The wolf dipped his head, offering a short prayer. “Lots of folks didn't make it cause of the undead, but he protected them with his wings and fire."

“Sounds like a big hero." She petted Voidwing's head as they reunited, scratching around his ear with a smile. She worked her fingers down until she was scratching at the bird's neck. “Is the dragon still here by chance? I'd love the opportunity to meet this heroic dragon of yours. Tis not everyday you hear of such things after all."

“You'd be out of luck I'm afraid to tell ya. The big red set out earlier today with his companions eastward towards the Wallowdale mountains. Sad to see them go honestly." The wolf sighed, looking into the distance with a sorrow filled look upon his snout. “They stirred up quite the excitement while they were here. Talk of the town as it were.

“Did they say where they were going?"

“Not that we were told. But that's the beauty of being an adventurer Is it not? To not have a plan as you adventure around the globe, seeing things you hadn't before?"

“That does sound correct." She smiled, thanking the man with a quick bow and warm smile before padding off with Voidwing in harsh whispers. When they had gotten out of earshot she finally gave into the excitement that was building in her chest and threatening to spill. “He was here!" She exclaimed as they passed a series of tired looking kobolds nursing bags full of drink. “And still the town stands!" She pumped her firsts at the air, that nagging feeling of doubt getting brought down several pegs. “and saving that town to boot! I knew father was wrong about him!" She tossed Voidwing a smile, happiness swirling around in her chest, making practically every step she took a bouncing one.

“Yes, yes." Voidwing replied, eyeing the shops with his vigilant gaze. “Let's not be getting ahead of ourselves. Get some supplies and we can head back out, should catch up to them in no time. Probably want to think about what you want to say to them. Imagine getting all the way there and having nothing to say?"

She hadn't thought about that. She'd been more worried about actually finding them then how'd he react. “Yes, but everything is coming together my find gryphon. Once we talk with this dragon we can set our sights homeward. I bet no one that agreed with my father even thought about getting to know him…. Course." She looked to all the people passing them with tired faces, others sweeping discarded streamers or banners with brooms. “Might still want to as around to see if anyone knows anything. Try to figure out what exactly our red scaled friend is up to."

“Why not ask him? We know he saved a town. The chances that the dragon will simply attack us are starting to look very slim."

“I suppose, but I'd like to know as much as I can able about his motions. I mean we are still his enemy in his mind. Why come here to Drenedar? Why not return home to his lair? I'd like an hour or two to try and figure that out."

“Whatever you wish princess. Hopefully they don't leave us in the dust because of your decision." Voidwing snorted, ruffling his feathers with an irritated chirp.

“That makes two of us." She spoke softly, guiding the gryphon through the gathered people. They seemed polite enough, merry waves being tossed her way, no anger filled glances or comments to how bad Lumara was. If anything, the two blended in with the myriads of races well. She stopped once when she heard a crier shout as they passed, announcing the news for the present day. Something along the lines of continued resistance against the undead and how the mayor was keeping them all together.

They entered the markets, enjoying the haggling and shouting of people trying to sell their wares and goods to the other patrons around them. They shelled out some coin for some various dried foods and stowed them into their packs. She made sure to get a variety of things, especially when Voidwing had ruffled his feathers at the idea of only having trail rations to grace his belly. So with a chuckle she had purchased some dried meat for the picky gryph. With that task completed they got to business at asking for information about the red dragon. How he had come, why he was here, and where he ended up going. She made sure to ask each question with the upmost care, trying to hide her accent or tone each time but failing to do so. Every human, wolven, elf, or kobold had answered to the best of their ability, but always with a raised brow.

She got questions in return for her trouble of why one such as she was walking the streets instead of getting a servant to do the task for her. The information that they did find about the red only reinforced the idea he was a benevolent soul, kind to the others and playful. Only one man seemed irritated with the dragon, a cabbage salesman that proclaimed the beast was out to get him and went to lengths about how maliciously the dragon destroyed his near priceless cart. She had rolled her eyes at the red-faced man, instead warmly thinking to the dragon they'd soon catch up to. With every person's tale her expectations grew and grew. She was left feeling satisfied, thanking the last kobold for the info. Everything seemed in order and made sense.

The dragon had landed in from the town of Bromwhich, escorting the survivors across the land and keeping them safe from undead and orcs. Once in Roselake they had stayed for the festivities and left with good byes and smiles being exchanged to those that gave them. “See? Everything is going to be alright. They are heading to Struport for some reason, but nothing sinister! You can cease that little grumble you've been doing!" She nudged Voidwing softly on his side as they padded down the cobblestone street.

“If I recall, it's you that has the ability to see the worst in people." The gryphon held a claw to his chest, holding his head with closed eyes. “it was I that was your voice of reason in this sea of troubles."

“Oh, that there is no doubt." She cooed, rubbing underneath the gryphon's neck and getting a pleased croon. “

With the supplies bought and stowed, and their questioning completed, the pair decided to get something to eat. She had at first tried to resist the gryphon's whine, but after a look from his cute eyes and splayed ears she was but clay for him to mold to his liking. They had found a place called the dutiful dog, a smallish place that was lost within the bustling of other places. It lacked the crowds that other restaurants had, which left the princess and gryphon to merrily eat their food in peace as they sat right outside the wooden structure. She was picking away at the remnants of her meal roasted boar sliced into cubes with cheddar cheese and a chunk of warm bread. It hadn't been the best meal she'd had before, but it was cooked food and hit the spot something wonderful.

Nivra reclined in her wooden chair, sighing in content as her eyes followed the strolling people through the town. “Ready to head out fluffy head? My skin ripples with excitement at meeting this heroic red dragon. Perhaps we should bring him a gift? You know, to make a good first impression."

“I suppose, but what gift says. “Sorry for chasing you out of our lands and taking your things. Will you help us now?" Voidwing replied with a roll of his eyes, “Fighting an uphill battle here."

She sighed at the gryphon's words. When you put it into words what they'd done to him, this truly was going to be harder than she thought. No simply bauble would win the dragon over. Something would have to get under his scales and win his heart. Words, actions, other sincere things might do the trick. Regardless, none of that could be accomplished here eating away. She went to stand, groaning as her body rebelled against her, wishing to stay and relax for a few more minutes more.

While she stretched out her arms towards the sky, three children came strolling by, eyes lighting up, and good cheer on their faces. “Are you a mage?" A brown eyed human child asked no more then the age of nine. He stood casually in a plain looking brown shirt and breeches, pointing to her staff as his two green scaled kobold friends gathered close around him. “We just wanted to know." He added before she could answer, the little lizards quickly nodding in unison.

“Pretty staff!" One of the lizards practically squeaked, clacking their claws together in glee.

“Pretty robes!" Blurted out the other, getting playfully smacked by the other with a quick hiss.

She gave them all a smile, remembering when she was just around his age. How wonderous magical feats were, and how she longed for the future ahead. “That I am lad." She continued with her stretching as Voidwing did his own very much like a cat. “Why would you like to know? Knack for the arcane perhaps? Looking to know of some good schools to broaden one's own knowledge of the subject?"

“We just thought magic was neat." He replied sheepishly, looking down to his leather boots as the kobolds just nodded with swaying tails.

“Magic very neat!" The lizards said in unison, eyes tracing ever inch of her wooden staff like moths captivated by a lanterns flame.

She looked to them with suspicion, something didn't seem right. She was certain she'd heard or read about something like this. Something that involved children that…her thoughts suddenly ended abruptly as a loud explosion rung from her feet, making her ears sting in pain as black smoke suddenly rose from the ground like the tide, blocking out her vision and making her cough. Her eyes clenched as she wobbled, arms flailing out to latch onto anything for reference. She felt herself bump into something furry, quick touches revealed it was Voidwing, hacking right alongside her.

“I got it! Run!" The human boy yelled, sounding ever so confident now.

Damned kids. She groaned, making swirling lines in the air with her fingers as “Surans do ventas." sprung from her mouth. From her hands suddenly came a powerful gust of wind, easily casting away the smoke with hardly any effort. Soon enough she was left blinking, staring at the street at various people that had stopped to stare at the ruffled gryphon and coughing human. Her eyes darted to the table. Everything seemed to be in order, despite Voidwing's narrowed eyes and tense demeanor it looked as though the boys hadn't taken anything. She quickly padded herself over, feeling something was missing.

“My coin purse!" She exclaimed, trying to fight off the glimmer of pride she felt for the boys at having been skilled enough to pull this off at their age. The loss of coins was fair enough, but it also contained the gryphon's feather. Without it they wouldn't be able to find the dragon!

She bound up, mind already going to a binding spell to lock the boy's legs together to stop their rapid departure. To her dismay the little hellions quickly darted out of sight before she could finish uttering the spell. “Come on!" She shouted, racing over towards the cart, Voidwing leaping after them with a flash of wings and keening cry.

With her blood pumping faster than before she chased after the gryphon as he passed her with ease, she pulled up her staff as her boots struck the cobblestone heavily beneath her. She scolded herself as they followed the three brats through the narrow alleys and cobblestone streets. They always seeming to be one step ahead of them. Darting behind trees carts, or even discarded boxes out behind shops. The children knew this place, every little hole that they could exploit with their size. The damn young-lings even knew to keep breaking sight, never getting a good look at them or close enough to cast any spells that would ensnare them.

Despite their success and speed, the tikes could not out run the swiftness of a trained gryphon. Especially not one as fast as Voidwing. The black furred gryphon soon had snatched up one of the kobolds by the scruff of their neck, the little lizard tossing the coin purse to his others with desperation on his little snout.

“Go!" He shouted, squirming in Voidwing's grasp.

The human child caught the purse with wide eyes as his friend was dropped and angry mage and gryphon were coming barrowing towards him. This child was not as quick as the others, soon hanging by the scruff of his shirt by Voidwing's beak, the gryphon's tail twitching in victory behind him.

Nivra leaned down, making sure to look the red-faced human right in his eyes. There was fear hanging within them as he struggled. “Thought you'd get away with that little trick eh?" She snatched back her purse from the child, quickly peeking inside to count at the coins. She only sighed in relief as she found the blue feather resting with the coins. “Lucky I don't have you and your friends shipped away in chains."

“Sorry miss!" The boy's voice cracked. “We won't do anything like that again! Honest!" The kid began balling, thick crystalline tears running down his red cheeks as he begged her and Voidwing for mercy. She was about to give him a thorough tongue lashing and end it with pride at how they had managed to pull of a small part of the caper, when loud whinnies drew her attention from him.

“Get out of the way girl!" Came the gruff shout of a Lumarian accent. She looked to see that it belonged to a stern-faced bull with almond colored fur. He was holding tight to the reins of two large bay horses, trying to sooth the startled stallions. She peaked to see that they were pulling a rather extravagant looking carriage with gold trimmings to cover the dark colored oak. “Don't you have any sense to not run into the street?" His eyes went from her face to her feet then back again with a snort. “Going to get yourself killed girl."

Nivra looked around, they were indeed in the middle of the worn street. She mentally kicked herself for not realizing. They were lucky they'd not been run down by the horses. “Sorry about this my good man. Was just dealing with this little pick pocket as it were. Little thief tried to make off with my coin!" She tapped the child's shirt, watching the bull glance to him instead with narrowed eyes. If he cared about her words he gave no other facial expression.

“What's the holdup out there Krom?" Came a shout from the carriage. “Our guest is very impatient!" The door of the carriage suddenly bolted open, a man dressed in the uniform of the dark brown of the Lumarian navy stepping out into the sun with a scowl on his face. His eyes cast a glare as sharp as arrow's head to the stern looking bull.

“Was just yelling at this girl. She ran into the street, spooked the horses!" The bull snorted, gesturing to her. She in turn gestured to the squirming child.

“Well isn't that…" The man's face from the cart suddenly brightened. He shut the carriage quickly, striding over with a quickened pace, his eyes inspecting her up and down. His cheeks suddenly reddened as his eyes widened in shock. “Apologies for the rude guard your highness! I had not expected to run into the princess this day!" The man bowed low, “Name is Yarnick. I beg of thee to forgive the harsh words of my guard. He had no idea that you would be gracing us."

“P-princess?" The bull stammered, quickly miming the commander, his stern demeanor crumbling away like an old wall.

“You must have me confused with someone else!" She laughed, nudging Voidwing. “You have no idea how many people think…"

“Nonsense! You even have the gryphon bodyguard that is said to follow you like a shadow!" Yarnick rose, gesturing to Voidwing with a wave. “You are the princess. It is wonderful to finally make your acquaintance. You have no idea how honored I am to be in your presence!"

Great. She bit her lip as the crowd that had been gathering around them gasped and started to fill the air with fractured whisperings. What is he even doing here? She straightened her shoulders, twirling one of the strands of her hair. “Okay you caught me commander." She dropped the smile, letting out a sigh. “It is I, Nivra, the princess of Lumara and heir to the throne. It is good to see one of your rank in this town. Although honestly, I am a bit taken back at you being here. I had no idea this was our land."

“We have much to discuss then my princess! Things that you need to be informed on." His face suddenly darkened. It was like a shadow had wrapped around him, that made the brightness of his eyes suddenly fade. He lowered his head. “I also have news to share with you princess. I would not like to be the one, but alas fate has an odd sense of humor."

“What does it pertain to?" She rose a brow, already having a hunch what it was about. Since she had left Entis she and Voidwing hadn't spoken to a single soul from Lumara. Far as anyone else was concerned, she knew nothing of her father's death.

“It's about your father." He said grimly, “And such news I bear should really be reserved for a more intimate setting. Not to be blabbered about in front of the huddled masses. I think you deserve that bit of dignity."

Damn. She nodded softly, giving a fast frown as if she contemplated the commander's words. “Where shall it be then? I really need to get back to our little venture." She gestured to Voidwing with her neck. Things that would affect the very kingdom that we both serve."

“So, do I." The man bowed his head. “But regardless my princess, you must take heed. For you see it what I share sets your future in place as well.

Hear the news…Leave..Easy. “Fine. Yarnick. I'll hear you out. But then Voidwing and I need to press on. We have already wasted enough time shopping and eating. It is imperative that we resume our course of action." She said the last few words with narrowed eyes, hoping the urgency was apparent for the increasingly nervous looking commandeer.

“Then let me give you a lift back to the townhall. I'll have coffee prepared while we discuss the unpleasantness."

Nivra sighed. It looked like she wasn't going to get completely out of this after all. She stowed her coin purse into her pack, taking no risks that it would be nicked by sticky fingers in the remaining time they were here. “Course now what to do with." She turned to see that the child was missing. In all the talk he had managed to slip out of his shirt and scurry away into the gathered crowd. She scowled before slinking over to the carriage. She could feel the gryphon's gaze on her back. One that was reminding her they needed to go, but they needed to play this part. At least to put up the appearance of caring about the news. “What of my guard?" She thought about changing him with a spell but figured she would save the energy. She might need the spells for later.

The commander's pale face glanced around, realizing the problem of the gryphon's size. “Ah well…He can walk along the side of the carriage. I would have offered a seat, but this isn't Entis my princess. Things are not made here with gryphons in mind. Besides…He will not be that far away from you."

“I would not let you take her that far from me." Voidwing snapped, all sign of his nervousness gone.

“You heard the man Voidwing. No need to be excessively cross. Let's enjoy their company for a short time that we're here. Then we can continue our search for that friend of ours. I'm sure that his wings pale in comparison to your when infused with my magic.

“Very well." Voidwing groaned, taking a spot near the sides of the horses. “I suppose I'll walk with these then." He poked a claw at the snorting horse, cooing sweet words how cute they were.

Yarnick bowed, giving them thanks before grasping the carriage door and opening it with a smile. “After you princess."

She stepped in, instantly getting hit with the thick scent of flowers. It hung on the air like a thick cloud, wrapping around her and filling her being. She nearly coughed in reply as her eyes watered, gasping for air before settling onto what was sitting on the forest green cushions of the carriage.

Two individuals were sitting side by side and looking rather cross. One was an albino Siigonis with pink slitted eyes adorned in stitched leather armor that was lined with feathers. She wore a look of utter contentment as she glanced at Yarnick. Her tail tapped irritatingly beside her as she followed Nivra with her snout.The other was a female elf, eyes of mahogany and sharp as a blade. Her hands were folded in her lap, her skin a pale color as if she had never seen the sun. An aura of cold radiated from her as the woman-maintained a near perfect straightness, appearing to be more a statue. She was adorned in gold trimmed black dress lined with frills and seemed more ornate then practical. Nivra wondered how she would get anywhere other than a slow walk. Her hair was black and braided, being wrapped around her head like a wreath. “Princess?" The woman spoke in a commanding tone, one that had the authority of a king lingering within. “I had no idea that I would be meeting royalty."

“Who might you be?" Nivra asked politely, taking a seat opposite of the woman as Yarnick gasped but otherwise bit his tongue. She noticed that the man's color drained from his face as he shouted for the driver to continue before shutting the door with the upmost care. She could feel the fear radiating off him, making the hair stand on edge as she eyed the two who seemed to be staring at her with almost predatory stares.

“I." The woman smiled softly, showing off two very large sharpened canine teeth. The telltale sign of a vampire. Nivra almost bounded back, trying to leap away in shock, but she maintained herself if but something kept her glued to her seat. “Am the Queen of Eternal Flame."

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Thank you for reading along with the tale! Don't forget to add a fav and vote for other people to see. If you feel like leaving a comment about the stories or characters please do so below. Even if you're not reading at the current chapter I still like reading them, and will try to answer any questions or thoughts you have!

Till next time!