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Twisted Night: Chapter 16

Hadariel winced as he carried himself back to Arctic Wind's lair, accompanied by two gnoll guards. They were being rather silent today, a great improvement from the sneers and barks which had become the norm. He counted the stones upon the floor as he usually did, ignoring how his body felt scraped all over. Theren had been running him ragged for the next half-month. Hexes, enchantments, studies of other realms, all part of a mysterious inquiry that never seemed to end. Each was a grueling thing meant to sap his spirit, drain his resolve, and leave him a hallowed husk. Not to mention the aching in his bones. Who would have known spellcraft could be so physical?

Just when he thought he had a spell mastered, Theren would subjected him to burning heats, gale-force Winds, mind numbing buzzing. All meant to distract or throw him off balance. To make matters worse, each time he stumbled or recited the wrong phrase he'd be met with pain. In the form of electrical shots from his collar, or ear-splitting sirens that threatened to split his head asunder. Or in the worst of cases, on the receiving end of a cat-o-nine-tails, held by an all too jovial guard. But even during these punishments, he didn't break. His thoughts on his mother, and what she must be enduring.

But he'd seen not a hair of her within these confined halls. Each time he'd ask he'd been met with a punishment, and command they'd let him see her when it was safe. But that never seemed to come, nor did they ever explain what it exactly meant. He was expected to obey, without question and never falter. Each day he'd be brought back through the empty halls, a shell of when he'd began the day.

Where anyone else was a mystery, nothing walked these halls but his captors. No janitors, maids, cooks. Always the robed men and their burly gnolls. Were they crafting the area just for him? Or simply keeping everyone away so he couldn't learn anything about them? He wasn't even sure he saw the same two gnolls in all this time.

Thankfully for him they kept him well fed and bathed, giving him ample time each night to do so. Not out of the sweetness of their hearts however, but because it was something Arctic Wind demanded of them. Her threatening growl being all the convincing any mage needed to comply with her wishes.

“No filthy monkey will inhabit my home." She's barked, lashing her tail. “My horde shall be one pristine, well-kept, and the envy of those that look upon it."

Unfortunately, her attention to him was no better than a trinket or fancy bauble to obtain. But in a way he was somewhat grateful. At least she wanted him. Even if it was for some prideful, ego driven reason. But even in his flickering moments of gratitude he acknowledged she kept her distance. Either out of draconic pride, or wanting to be seen as his better.

She'd rummaged through her things to cobble together a makeshift bed of various blankets of wool, cotton, and linen. Course none of them matched. All were different colors from lands far away, or even across the sea. He wasn't all too sure of their names, but he was certain he saw a gryphon for Lumara. The bed had been plopped in her sleeping chamber, nestled between two stalagmites. In perfect view of her bed, placed on high overlooking him, it even had a perch for her to hover over.

She'd of course watch him during this time, thumbing through oversized books she'd obtained over the years. Evidently the mages didn't restrict her from gaining what knowledge she could. Guess they thought it was better the dragoness keep herself entertained when not tending to their prisoners. She'd pretend to read at times, cerulean eyes curiously drifting to him, watching his every move. Truthfully it was unsettling the first few days to be under constant observation. It was like she was waiting for her moment to pounce, and every flick of her tail he found himself flinching. He'd calm himself down, whispering that she wouldn't hurt him. He was hers after all. But sometimes she'd enter this heavy stare, and he wasn't so certain as he'd hoped.

He'd of course ask her of what books she was looking through as her tail swayed playfully. He never got to go up and see for himself. There was no ladder to her bed, and she never let them linger around. She'd give him this smug look on her snout, insisting that it was for her own research.

“Can I not read? If you recall young monkey, this is my home. And don't question why I look upon you, you're mine." She'd waved a wing nonchalantly in his direction, barking that he should get back to his studies and stop wasting their time prattling on. Though her words stung, he'd still catch her looking. Maybe she was fascinated with him and wouldn't say? Either way, she was important to him. Whether she was saying it openly or not.

When Arctic Wind wasn't watching or reading, she'd pounce down to the ground and begin to stretch her body. Wings to tail, snout to claws, nothing would be spared. Once complete she'd trot along to other sections of the caves, snapping at him if he tried to follow. It made her point clear with a threatening growl. Stay in your place or meet your end. But today was different.

When he was shoved into the door to her lair, she wasn't to be found on her usual perch. He'd almost paid it little mind. She was probably strolling about the other captives within this place, doing the job of warden that she insisted on having. But as he cracked open a book about the nine hells his neck started to tickle, like something was missing. He glanced back to her perch. The room felt for lack of better words, empty.

Do I miss her?

He shook his head, slamming shut the tome.

That would be crazy.

He plopped down onto his makeshift bed, scattering aside any thick tomes foolish enough to be acting as his bedsheet. They fell to the wayside in a series of thumps, leaving the young mage to lean back and crack open his current book of interest once more. Any word past the third paragraph became a jumbled mess of letters as the sensation of emptiness returned.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Hadariel groaned, tossing that tome to the ground. “Stupid…Stupid…You're stupid." He grumbled to himself as he rose and stomped his way to one of her forbidden caverns. If she wasn't going to be here, he was going to go looking for her. No matter how ill-conceived this idea was at the time. Thankfully he didn't have to go too far down one of the Winding paths, until the moments of silence became interrupted by the dragging of her talons on stone.

He ducked behind a frosted stalagmite, finding Arctic Wind among a frozen collection of roughly carved, wooden dragons. They were hardly the size of a small dog, barely up to the human's legs. She was holding them up to her eyes, sighing as the ice seemed to wink in the dim light. She shifted on her haunches, a mournful whine radiating from her snout. Maybe he should leave?

Why am I even here again? Would she even care if I missed her? Good case of Stockholm syndrome I picked up. Better just creep out of here before she is any the wiser. He peered out, holding his breath as she placed the wooden dragon down then lifting another that was better crafted. His lungs were burning by the time she set that one down, gazing out further to a vast, darkened cavern of frozen treasures. Though the cavern glittered and winked over the buried treasures, she never quite gave it the lungful look of the dragons. If Hadariel had to guess, they were worth far more than the rest. His heart stopped when her body froze, and her tail thumped heavily on the floor. Around came her snout, cerulean eyes fixated on his hiding spot,

“Its rather rude to follow a dragoness." She growled deep in her throat, “Even ruder to spy upon moments of weakness." She spun around so fast that Hadariel fumbled backwards, slamming his head onto the stone.

“I was wondering where you were!" He groaned, stars bursting across his vision. “You weren't in your perch."

“About. I do like to wander around." She thundered over, thrashing her tail against a wall. “You should be busy learning spells. Why would you trouble yourself with my wereab… Oh.." She pulled her head back into an S, one scaly brow raising. “Do they escape your understanding so soon? Poor little human, can't keep up with their tasks." There was no pity in her eyes as she searched him up and down. “A mere drop in the pail of what they're capable of."

He stood up, brushing off the collected frost about his robes. “Thought you'd be at least happy I cared about you enough to look. That's what I get for caring right?" Without thinking he fixed her with a heated glare, quickly glancing away as she set him with one of her own.

“I don't need pity from the likes of you." She fluffed up, then pinned her feathery wings, nosing him along back where he came from.

“You're strange you know that?" He tried to resist, but his resistance was as comical as a mouse trying to topple an elephant.

“In ways you wouldn't imagine. Now back to your room."

“Stop you're nosing! I can walk!"

“Yea? Then drag your puny legs faster." She growled.

Seeing no alternative, he wound his arms across his chest, marching back where they came. Each time he showed signs of stopping she simple issued a growl, staring daggers right thru him.

“What was back there anyway?"

“Things that don't concern you." She snarled. “Nor do I wish them to."

“But what is it?" He pictured her holding those wooden dragons, how she looked so mournful. Almost like he was looking at a different dragoness. One that wasn't currently prodding him along like disobedient cattle. “Sedimental toys?. What were they for? Art? I didn't know dragons had those things."

“They might not." She shook, filling the cavern with a series of soft clinks. “But I do. I see what you're trying to do. Keep walking. Or do you wish to be carried by the neck?"

“But you can't hide it forever. I'm eventually going to figure it out. Might as well save us both the trouble!" When he turned back to her she was growling, getting ready for a heavy shove. But he didn't flinch and held his gaze. He was her treasure; she wasn't going to hurt him. He gulped as she drew ever nearer with an angry swish of her tail.

“I can stay an enigma for however long I like." She shoved him back onto his rear. “I could just get some rope and drag you back. Think you're so chummy then? Or perhaps you like the idea of a dragon taking advantage of you? I've heard of far kinkier things."

“No…" He got back to walking, not even casting a glance back. To hell with her. If she was so against it, he wasn't going to care. As his bedding came back into view, he wondered why he even missed her. Was it only because she actually talked to him? Didn't wish to inflict pain upon him all the time? As he was deep in thought he nearly tripped on a loose rock.

“Might want to watch where you're going." She chuckled, watching with a swaying tail as he rose.

“Is my misery funny to you?"

“This part is at least." She shrugged with her wings.

“How?"

“I enjoy watching humans in pain…It's comforting."

See Hadariel? She's a lost cause. Stop caring about her. He tossed up his hands and dragged himself back his bed. What a waste of time. He'd only found her and gotten a scraped-up knee for his trouble, not to mentioned shoved and bullied back home.

But at least it's better than the mages.

“Good." She rumbled, padding her way towards her towering perch. She leaped up with a flap of her wings. “Now get back to your studying. If you want to free yourself of me." Her forceful tone was like a hammer as she sat upon high. Her eyes went square to him, gesturing him to his discarded books. “Well…I'm waiting."

He grabbed his tome, diving onto his bed and cracked it open. “Happy?"

“Yes." She smiled, “Believe it or not. People other than your mother are counting on you." She laid upon her belly, flopping her forepaws over the ledge.

“And who would that be?"

She didn't answer, instead opening a book of her own and lighting a few candles around her with wave of her paw. She didn't need them to see, but he knew she enjoyed showing off for him. Especially by the way she rumbled and made a big show of it. “Others." She snorted, flicking her tail and pointing with a wing to his book. “Study…Book..Now. You're no use to them the way you are. Sometimes you must adapt before you're ready."

Well wasn't that a peculiar thing to say. He froze mid reading a paragraph about a spell for warding against demon kind using circles of salt. “Learn that from experience?"

She regarded him with a narrowed look before snorting and turning around till all that remained was her scaled tail over the edge.

“Return to your studies. I tire of your face."

*

The next weeks passed almost in the same fashion. Each time he'd catch her by a different set of objects as she tried to get away. First it was a group of crudely drawn carvings, then collections of tiny, dried out scales. Eventually it was a music box with a human dancing to some pleasing tune he'd never heard before. He'd get closer and closer during his excursions before he was swept away by a forceful snout or wings. But he noted that he could stay increasingly longer until she was snapping at his heels to return and cursing his name. If he didn't know any better, he was growing on her.

“This is why I detest humans." She'd retorted the last time, dragging him to his bed by the scruff of his robes. “You poke your snouts where they're not wanted. Why you insist to follow is escaping me. Will you only be satisfied when everything is yours?"

“I wasn't trying to take anything…I am trying to learn more about you!" Up went his hands.

“Sure." She snorted, padding away with a skeptical swish of her tail. “Learn more so you can take more. Humans are all the same."

“No…" He stood, thrusting a finger at her scaled nose. “I was actually caring about you! Why is that so hard to understand? You're the only one that talks to me in this place!" He was panting without knowing, watching those ever blue pools soak him in. Any second now he expected the threatening growl, or a forceful paw to smack him. But nothing happened.

There was a silence about her as she grew still. Where there was once coldness and bitterness there was now something warmer. This time when he asked about the trinkets she'd been holding, she responded.

“They were sentimental trinkets of my family." She sighed, “A time before those wizards and their ilk. When my home was filled with families of dragons." She laid upon her belly, tail curling around them both. “Generations of us all collected under one clan. And then…" She snapped towards one Winding cavern. “That's when your kind came to take it from me. The clan scattered to the Winds…But I remained."

“You didn't yield?" He was taken back, he'd never heard of dragons so numerous they'd gather into an entire clan before. You'd just hear stories of lone families and the like.

“How could I?" She snorted, 'It was our home. Not your wizards, not the men they brought. It was a home for dragons."

But this didn't make sense. “You told me you surrendered."

“I did eventually." Her eyes narrowed with a growl.

“But if you cared for your land so much? Why not die over it?"

She threw back her head and let out a bellowing laugh. “That's rich human. But dragons and your kind share a common quality. We both don't wish to die." She returned, drumming her talons on the stone. “And then this game I play would be over. I'd not be alive and left to plot."

He cocked his head as she smirked down at him. “What game?" Her smile returned smile would chill any man to the bone.

“Survival of the fittest of course. Something we are quite good at. Years pass and you lot still haven't swept us away."

Like a torch had been lit, the dragoness' fondness appeared to grow. She would be more talkative each night from his studies, the cavern soon filled with lit candles and questions.

She managed to precure a desk for him, pristine and supplied with an unending supply of inks and parchment. He had a seat of well-crafted mahogany, fixed with a white lacey cushion no doubt in a wink to her ego. It was the most comfortable thing he'd had for weeks. He'd nearly collapsed in bliss as he sank into the cushion.

“Need something?" She growled off handedly with a tail swish. Though he knew it was just her way. She'd leap back to her perch, read and study away. When he began practicing his movements she'd bark down and correct his stance. Sometimes even pounce down and inspect up and close.

“How do you even know wizard stances?" He'd scrunch up, wondering if she could simply do it better.

“I read human…How else would I know? I did get a chance to see wizards cast spells at me as well. Not to mention the spells they try to cast upon you when you jail them." She rose her claws, inspecting them. “You'd never believe the colors they turned, plus the smells that linger about them. Regents like bat guano and such leave quite the aroma."

“And me?"

Down went her snout, “Brimstone?" She pulled back with a raised brow. “How utterly peculiar. Have you been tossing around with any volcanic rocks when I wasn't looking?"

“What? No?" He shook his head, racking his brain for exactly why.

She shrugged with her wings, striding away with a flick of her tail. “I don't question how things smell. Long as you don't smell like an otyuga, you'll be fine. Which speaking of." She swiveled back to him, searching him from foot to head. “Have you bathed today?"

There was no way that he smelled that bad. Right? He held up his hands, letting the dragoness get her fill. He tried to keep the giggle down in his chest. “Satisfied?"

“Hmmph." She held her head higher as if trying to keep herself above him in both stature and purpose. Her snout wrinkled at his smile. “I suppose it's adequate. I expect more of the perfume I've laid out for you."

“I have perfume now?" He rolled his eyes as she reminded him of the coconut scented oil. She waved gingerly at him to remember, summoning his arms to his chest and a laughter to fill the air. He swore to her he'd keep trying, and that he'd never be what she described as a mess. That brought a hidden smirk to her snout, he made a note to mark it down. They didn't happen too often. But then his mother flashed before his eyes, the laughter died. What warmth he had was drained from the air and replaced with a silence and lingering stare.

How could I possibly be enjoying this when she's still captured? What kind of son am I?

He stared at his shaking hands, recalling her desperate cries. He slipped to his desk with a cold sinking feeling and plopped onto the cushion.

I'm still at their mercy. No closer to freedom than when I arrived. But what can I do? They hold all the cards. If only I had an advantage, something they couldn't predict.

He stared at the thick pages of his tome, but the words were as clear as a swamp's viscous mud. He groaned and stared trying to will his focus into being, but the more he did the more clouded it became. His thoughts skittered around like a mouse, never staying put for long. It left him on an endless chase to regain his thoughts. It wasn't until Arctic Wind padded over, snout low and eyes like specters broke his stillness.

“Did you finally freeze from my scales?" She mockingly sighed, fluffing her wings. “I knew it was an inevitability. You know, I'm torn. Hard feeling this, proud that I was right, yet there's this annoying disappointment in my paws." She stared dagger at her paws with a snort. “Stupid things. They don't know anything. When he didn't respond she snapped to him, thrashing her tail with an aggravated growl. “Well speak. This was a joke, but clearly, you're in no mood. Are you feeling ill?"

“Not pArcticularly." He fidgeted his fingers together, “Just…" He took a deep breath, trying not to picture his mother's trembling eyes. “Just was my mother. I can't…" His heart ached, eyes misted. It was getting harder and harder to breath. How alone and scared she must be, under the mage's constant observation. He doubted they gave her the company of a dragon to keep her occupied. Was she in a lone cell like all the others? What blasted punishment could they be doing to her? He didn't dare think of what that could be, too terrified to know the truth. “I have to keep trying…For her sake."

“Hmmmm." The dragoness paced around the cave with a glint in her eye. He knew that look. She was pretending to be inspecting the cavern while she pondered with every swish of her long tail. “I believe I have an answer. “ She returned with a confident stride in her steps. “ Call be crazy, but it sounds as if you need to see her again." She rolled her paw with a chuckle. “For motivational reasons of course."

“Right now?" He nearly sat in awe. What game was she playing? Getting his hopes up so she could dash them? This was hardly like her. He was even more concerned with the sly smirk spreading across her snout. “I wasn't even…"

“Of course right now. Do you have something better you should be failing at?" The dragoness chuckled, settling only her haunches and pretending to inspect her talons. “You need the encouragement. I am your warden. This would be for the best of your…studies." She looked left then right, motioning him to follow with a wing. “Now quickly as you can, keep your clumsy feet quiet. Unless you wish to be beaten or punished by those hyenas."

He raced after her paws. “I thought you said it was for motivation! Why do we need to be quiet now?"

“Simple. I wish to not be caught." She grumbled, fluffing her wings as they slipped between the frozen stalagmites. “I'm not certain of the fondness of your master for this visit. I'd not like my good favor to be met with violence and pain."

“This a good favor?" He smiled from ear to ear.

“Shove it human." She snorted, quickening her pace.

*

“Mom" Hadariel burst out as Arctic Wind undid the final locking mechanism on his mother's cell with a flick of her tail. The hissed had barely left the dragoness' maw when he'd pushed his way through the door, practically slamming it on the other side.

“Shhhh. What did I say?" Arctic Wind hissed after him, but her warning fell upon deaf ears.

His mother knelt upon a crimson carpet, wrists chained to the hardened stone floor. Her head was dipped, exposed skin covered in darkened bruises and dried cuts. Her clothes were essentially rags, tattered and frayed to no end. She weakly rose her head, staring back at him with sunken eyes. Her split lips gasped.

“Hadariel?" She asked with a shaky voice, lowering her head with a defeated sigh. “I tire of your tricks. Haven't you taken enough from me?"

He couldn't keep himself quiet if he tried. He scampered over the candle lit floor of stone, wrapping his mother tightly around the chest. He shook, hating how she winced in his embrace. “It's no trick. It's me!"

“Hadariel?" She gasped, tugging against her chains. “What are you doing her? How'd you escape your cell?"

“My cell?" He pilled back. Her face was covered in scars and dried blood. He hardly recognized her through it all. He'd done this. By choosing not to run. He brushed them, nearly crying as stood transfixed. Each one cut a sliver down his heart. “What did they do to you?

“Nothing we didn't know would happen." She sighed, “But your cell. How did you get free? They told me you were in the tightest of chains!" Her gaze somehow hardened. “How.."

He sighed, explaining his predicament with he and the dragoness.

“The who?" She coughed, eyes bubbling with concern. “You mean that cold bitch without a fucking heart?"

“Mom!" He'd never heard her swear in years.

“What?" She groaned, tugging at her chains. “She and her goons dragged me here. Drugged me…Beat me…questioned me to no end. Listen to me. She's no better than the rest of them."

“You know." Arctic Wind coughed, sliding her head through the doorway. “I can still hear you know." She growled, fixing the mother with a predatory eye. “I didn't have to bring your son here."

“You brought the white bitch?" His mother would have jumped if not for her chains. Questions abounded in her worn face, “What have they mixed you in with? Are they feeding you? Torturing you?"

He cut of her many questions with a palm. “Just testing me…Hard work, yes…" He paused, “No."

“Are you washing?"

“What? We may be held captive but I'm still your mother. You best be keeping clean when you can."

“Don't worry. I have been keeping an eye on him." The dragoness coughed. “He is mine after all."

His mother looked mortified. “What's that mean?"

“Mom." He shook his head, “It's not the time for this. It's a long story."

“Well if they have you with her…" His mother paused, trying to gather her thoughts. “Then it must be for something. But what is it?"

“They haven't told me. I keep asking." He grumbled, “Just told I'll know when they need me to know."

“That's rather annoying." His mother sighed, her hardened demeanor shifting to warmth. “But you're good at what you try. This will be no different. Keep at what you're good at."

Why was she of all people saying this? “But mother…We need to leave! Surely with Arctic Wind's help…"

“No." His mother's voice hardened. “Don't trust the dragon."

“I'm still here you know. Right Infront of you in fact." Arctic Wind growled.

“And my advice still stands!" His mother motioned for him to move closer so she could whisper in his ear. “Don't trust the dragon. Please…She's no good."

“You said that." He hissed back. “She's been helpful. You of all people should want to escape…She could be our escape…Just give me some time…I think I'm getting through to her."

“She's playing you. Just like the hunter to be patient. You're useful to her. Dragons are not to be trusted. Beings that live that long and wield that kind of magic? Something's up her scales. The moment you're not useful, she'll get rid of you."

But she's been nice to me lately. Hadariel looked back to those cerulean eyes. How they stared at him deeply, almost as if peering into his mind. She was giving him a look that certainly implied she'd want to know what he was being told. The question was, would he be able or willing to lie?

“Just bide your time. Do what they ask. Be the best at what they want. Then either look for an opening or hope they let us go."

“How can those be my only options?"

“Well.." She snapped. “I wanted you to run…But no…You had to stay behind and try to be the big hero." She sighed, looking like she didn't truly believe her own sarcasm.

“But how could I leave you?" His eyes misted as he pulled his mother close. “I'd have never lived it down."

“I know." She whispered back, hugging him with her neck. “Just parts of your dad in you is all. It's in your nature…No shame in in. Stupid father was the same way." Her hands trembled as she began to sob, cursing how her arms were bound. “Stupid chains…Guess we have to live with the consequences for now."

“He was?" He perked up, chest aching. Mother never spoke of father often. When she could it was always filled with frustration and almost curses. She must have been really lost to speak kindly.

She nodded, casting a look from the small cell to the door. “Always doing his best to help. Hated the way the circle looked down on others. Short story. He tried to stand up…Failed to change anything."

“Are you finished?" Arctic Wind coughed. “Someone will be back in a minute or so."

“You said I could see her!" Anger flashed as he snapped to the dragon.

“And you've done that." She bobbed her head. “Much more than just see her. You've had a whole conversation!" The growl in her voice growing deeper with every syllable. “Now crawl back over here. I'd rather not have to explain to these mages before I must."

Damn her. He cursed under his breath.

“I can still hear you boy."

Double damn. He bit his lip, tears rippling in his eyes. He kissed his mother on the cheek as his heart stretched. How long until he saw her again? Would she be more hurt than now? He stayed for a few moments longer, not wanting to be torn away.

“Go." His mother sighed, “Spring when you mean to. Do us proud. I'll be fine. Haven't broken me yet."

“But its all my fault…" He sniffed voice cracking.

“Then stay fit!" She tapped his head.

“Hadariel!" Arctic Wind growled. “Before I leave you here with her!"

He wished his mother farewell, giving her one last hug before scampering off after the annoyed dragon. He shut the door, quietly as he could before chasing after the dragoness. He had to nearly sprint to keep up with her tail. But when he did, she was not any the slightest happier.

“Finally." She swiveled her head back with a growl. “For a moment I thought you wished us to be found."

Before he could answer her, he was silenced by her tail yanking him aside towards the hallway to her lair. Though she was impatient and growly she'd done him a good deed. Or at least he thought she did. His mother's words weighed heavily on his mind. If Arctic Wind was truly using him for her own ends, then what were they? The death of these mages and her escape? If so, they shared the same goal. At least for now. Though what would happen to them if they escaped? Would she simply depart? Or would their be a more deadly encounter like his mother warned?

But I can't think like that. It will only sabotage what I have. He shook his head, nearly at her front paws as she padded down the halls. He decided to thank her the moment they passed into her chilled lair and the door thumped closed behind them.

“You're most welcome." She rumbled in approval, fluffing up her wings. She curled her head around, fixing him with a steady stare. “I understand what it's like to separate from one's family."

“I thought you didn't care." He shifted, crossing his arms.

“I don't." She pushed away, curling her tail around her hinds. “I used it to help you. You're going to Wind up dead if they can't use you." The dragoness gestured to him to follow, but not before shifting on her paws.

He followed but wasn't going to let that go. He knew his mother was wrong. Arctic Wind did care. “I don't believe you. You cared about me."

“Feel free to believe what you wish." She licking her nose. “Unless you plan to make yourself escape, I suggest returning to your desk. Your dinner must be here by now. I remembered you liked those bland potatoes things so much." She snapped her jaws in happiness before striding off, a pleased sway in her haunches.

Once more he was left perplexed. Kind gesture or calculated move? He'd have to find her reminiscing again and ask. Maybe more could be learned about his icy master.

He got his chance come the next morning. He'd awoken far earlier than he'd intended, not even a stray light had spilled into the icy confines of his new home. He blinked, noting Arctic Wind slinking off to another section of the cave. He followed without another thought, trying his best to not make a sound.

He rose and followed the dragoness until she'd brushed up against a stalagmite, popping off the top to reveal several more pieces of her treasure. These ones were stuffed animals of various creatures. Gryphons, dragons, manticores, even a lion too small for her would have been the perfect size for a human or wyrmling. The snow dragoness stared at the tiny things, nosing each one for the briefest of moments with a mournful whine. A sound he was sure that a dragon couldn't make. It sounded so unlike them, so vulnerable.

“What happened to them?" He coughed, stepping out clearly for her to see. This time she turned to regard him, not even a snarl passing her teeth. Instead she had a solitary question, almost surprised.

“What are you doing up?"

“Couldn't sleep." He lied, playing it off with a casual wave. “Sleep well yourself?"

She turned back to the stuffed animals, caressing each one of the little things. She didn't do it for long, for even with her briefest of touches the fur began to harden and freeze. She said nothing. Why was she acting this way? She'd never been this reserved before? Should he be more concerned?

Hadariel padded over, standing but a hair's breadth away from her. He reached out and brushed her forepaw, rubbing along the chilly scales.

She softly curled to him, shutting the stalagmite with a claw. “You must get ready for your studies." She nosed at him in the chest. “Before you miss something and screw everything up."

He was nosed back to his bed, but not before he asked his question again. He turned to make his demand, fingers clutching at her scaly snout. He knew she could toss him off or recoil away, but she didn't.

“To whom?"

“Your family."

“How clever." Her snout wrinkled before she pulled back, waving him along with a paw. Forcefully but not enough to hurt him. “Men have been killed for such a nose. I'd suggest reining it in." With a flick of her tail the cold dragoness was back, complete with a harsh snort. “Before something happens."

He jumped she snapped her jaws. She chuckled in amusement as she strode past him.

“So easy you are to startle. Fear keeps you alive human. I'd remember that." She stepped over him with a rumble, giving him a chance to touch her under scales if he so chose. The morning light hit them at the exact moment to rush in, sparkling off like diamonds.

He stood in awe as she chuckled, amusement bounce in her stride.

“And now you stand in awe. Rightfully so, but you should stick to the other reaction." She padded at the ground, her demeanor softening. “But to answer your question." Her eyes drifted behind him, gazing upon someone he couldn't see. “Humans…The mages…Plentiful in their numbers. Always the problem with your kind."

“My kind? Mages or humans?"

“Both." Arctic Wind hissed, nearly smacking him as she spun around. It was all he could muster to just keep up as she paced away.

“What happened?"

“The same thing that always happens." She eventually came to a halt before a cavern wall frozen in layers of ice. One where claw marks had been dragged in savage lines across, marring the surface. Paintings could be found faded and worn, of dragons in flight around a valley of faded greens and blues.

“Camru's refuge. West to the ruby's mountain." She whispered, placing a trembling claw to the stone. “We were happy then. A vast clan of dragons, all colors found among our kind. We were hidden and safe from mortal eyes. There our young grew free and without care, never fearing to be hunted or slain." She sighed heavily.

Hadariel crept closer, picturing the dozens of differently colored wings. It sounded amazing, or frightening depending on your view. That many dragons in one place?

“We kept an eye on your ever encroaching boarders. Year after year humans and their ilk pushed further towards our lands. Never tiring, never being swayed away what they viewed as their right. The time of dragons was over they spouted. The land belonged to mortal kind now.

“I suppose they were like dragons of old. Never satisfied with what they had. We tried to keep the peace, but it always ended with conflict. Hatreds bubbled and brewed, crimes were laid upon our claws and calls for our eradication was heralded through the land." Arctic Wind crept along the painting, pointing out various murals with her claws. “Even our hiding spot was not to remain hidden. Eventually we were found, and the jealous ire of your kings fell to us. Of our treasures or the threat we posed, who knew. In the end it didn't even matter. Their armies still came for our blood."

She extended a wing and guided him along the cavern wall, pictures of armies gathered around a vast series of towering mountains. Men battled bathed in blood, battled dragon kind with spears and magic. “With them they brought mages, their masters of the weave. They could level the playing kind between us, bring destruction to our protected home." Arctic Wind's head drooped as her tail weakly curled, the words seemingly stalling in her throat.

“Our wrymlings now knew fear at mortal hands. They spoke of death and terrible deeds. The mortals even sent assassins to harry us in our sleep! How could they justify killing children? We asked, but the answer was simple. Those in power didn't view us as people. Only beasts or animals to be rid of." Arctic Wind's voice grew taught as she snapped around, stopping mere inches from his chest. “So I killed whenever they stepped out of line. I slew when they grew too close. I slaughtered when they eyed us wrong." She advanced on him with a growl, “But still they came. I slew hundreds, possibly thousands of your kind in my years. Some of us left to try and assassinate your leaders, but never returned. Either captured, slain, or they abandoned their mission."

“I was never told that." He said finally, after an all too long moment of her staring. “No one is told this."

“Nor would they." She snorted, fluffing up her wings. “No one likes to think of themselves as the murderers of children."

Hadariel stood silently as the Arctic Wind recited each dragon's name that left, watching how pretended to not care. But she'd taken the effort to memorize each one. Not just a handful of names either, at least several dozen passed through her lips. He suspected she did care. Very much so.

“Then there was just me and my mate." She glared at a final painting, of a dragoness standing on a mountain top with her feathery wings spread wide. Around the mountain was scores of dead humans, thrust upon bloody spears. “Your rulers and mage's interest waned as the years passed. What is one last dragon after all?" She ripped a piece of stone from the wall, hurling it down the cavern. “But then something happened."

But what exactly it was she couldn't bear herself to repeat. The dragoness simply held her ground, letting the silence speak volumes. She swallowed hard with a swish of her tail. “Enough to scare my mate away. He insisted we needed to leave after, it was no longer safe. He was right in what he said, how he begged..." She lowered her head with a sigh, her voice growing weaker as she seemed to shrink. “But I in my pride couldn't. This was our home. It was not a place to be sullied by their undeserving footsteps. “She stared off into the cavern's depths, seemingly miles away. “And then they were gone. Your mages came, and I had no more fight left in me."

He touched her scales again, rubbing at them tenderly. Trying to convey he was there for her. She didn't turn to him, but he took it she appreciated them. After all, she wasn't telling him to stop or push him away, and she was certainly capable of doing so. “But if you were so stubborn, why not simply die upon that hill? Go down fighting for dragon kind?"

She laughed deep in her throat. “I already told you that little human. Even great dragons don't wish to die." She gestured to her halls with a flare of her wings. “Dragon in the dungeon of her choosing. Unable to evolve." She curled her nose down, resting it mere inches from his face. “That is why you must…._You understand?"_

He stared back into her icy blues. They were a sea of worry and concern. Far more than he thought she was capable. How could he deny her? Especially after his hear throbbed for her. In away they were two of a kind, stripped from their homes by their captors. Both unable to let go of something they loved. “I will."

She smiled. “How brave of you." She started to nudge him back along the cavern. It wasn't long until she was back to grumbling, “Dragon waiting for a human to help save her? Can't believe that's what it's come to…Think I'm going to be sick." She nosed him again when he tried to turn around. “Don't look at me, I already feel dirty. Now get ready before I die from all this good cheer you've decided to assault me with. And stop that smiling."

He cast her a well-earned grin, she did care.

“And certainly, stop that. Go back to fearing me. It fits you better."

He wanted to. He really did, but when she pushed him again, even with a growl he couldn't help but smile and laugh. Very much to her grumbling and near growls. But no matter what threat she implied or how hard she nudged; he couldn't stop. Like it not, both his mother and Arctic Wind were counting on him. He had no intention of letting them down.