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Chapter 14

Arcturus awoke hours later, his body aching and dazed. He groaned and held his head as senses returned to him, it was as if a swarm of bees were busy fluttering about within his skull. He found himself in a darkened hold, lit by only a few scattered lanterns, shadows stretched long from the steel bars opposite him, little claws begging to rend at his sides. The floor beneath him was cold and weathered beyond reason, the scars of many a year apparent across it’s surface. There was only a solitary bed of straw in which he would find any comfort at all, but within was already an ilbir of ample size.

It was Tenzin, that was made clear by which he decided to pass the time. The snow leopard of a man was singing, filling the hall with his tone deaf song. If the guards could hear it they were not saying a thing. With his legs propped up, eyes closed, the warrior seemed to have no care in the world. The same could not be said for Arcturus’ ears, that threatened to bleed.

“Oh, you’re up. Least you’re not dead.” Tenzin grunted as he noticed Arcturus wince and shift, “Hey Asterion! The human isn’t dead!”

Beyond Arcturus’ sight came the voice of the bull, no doubt in a cell right beside them. “Good.” Snorted the stoic cleric, “The dragon won’t be out for blood.”

Out for blood? Where was he? Why were his two companions here? The knight went to stand, the last thing he could remember was the street and the onyx guardian. That’s right, the energy crossbow. Arcturus’ groaned as daggers seemed to stab at his sides, the world around him seeming to shift. It was clear that how many times they pelted him with the stun setting, the effects had not fully worn off. He fumbled and went to fall, finding himself caught in the protective, fluffy arms of Tenzin.

“There we are, can’t have you splitting your head open.” Smiled the sabretooth man from above, as Arcturus clearly blushed within his grasp.

“Rightfully rubbish of me.” He groaned as Tenzin assisted in bringing him onto the bed, thankfully without another spill. “Sorry for that, course the effects haven’t run their course.”

“No problem, rescuing a handsome man has been the highlight of the day actually.”

“Is now the time?” Asterion grunted.

“We’re trapped in a cell, that’s all we have.” Replied Tenzin with a growl, “Let me take whatever flickers of joy with it.”

“Bah, followers of Parunga. You’re all a bunch of horny teenagers.”

“I’d rather enjoy life than scowl at it. Curse me if I take pleasure in more things rather than how many heads I can collect.” At notice of Arcturus’ eye the ilbir adjusted himself, chest swelling. “Oh which I do have many, I am a most strong and virile mate.”

“I bet you are, though compared to Crimson Sky, you might come up lacking.” Arcturus shifted himself up, shaking his head.

“Hah, a challenge then. Are you volunteering to test the two of us? I assure you I’m quite capable, and tender when the need arises.” The warrior turned, hands on his hips, oblivious to how close he was standing. He was deprived of any of his clothing, his sheath smacking Arcturus right in the nose.

“Tenzin.” Arcturus snapped, glaring up at the smiling cat man, “Could I gather my wits about me before you go thrusting your groin in my face?”

His ears pinned, realizing the mistake. “Ah, yes.” The warrior sat upon the bed, his weight nearly having it flip and send Arcturus back to the floor. “But what you’re saying is that you’d rather have your wits about you before finding my sheath ground against your face?”

The knight’s cheeks burned as the ibir’s brow rose, a lewd rumble escaping his throat. He forced himself to avert his gaze from the warrior’s plump furry sheath, and the orbs that rested below it in grey fur, each weighty things that no doubt fit within the paladin’s hands. “Must you act in such a matter?”

Hands on his hips, Tenzin shifted, “I am confused. Is it not human custom for us in our position to be on one another like a pair of lustful lovers? If it’s a question of my strength, Arcturus I assure you, I would pound you into the bed and knot you till you were singing to Parunga himself.”

“Gods give me strength.” Arcturus groaned in frustration as the ilbir continued boasting about his sexual prowess, “Tenzin.” The knight’s voice tightened, pinning the ilbir’s ears. “We are in a cell, what happened to you? Why are you here? Now is not the time to talk about your sexual conquest of myself.”

The warrior shifted, clear disappointment in his grunt. “This culture confuses me. But, if you must know, Asterion over there found himself in a quarrel. One with another minotaur, which as I should mention, was quite the show of strength. You should have seen it Arcturus, blood flung about, muscles rippling, it would have been most arousing.”

“Tenzin.”

“Are all humans so prude?” Groaned the ilbir, “He pinned the other bull and nearly killed him.”

“Nearly killed?” Arcturus held the bridge of his nose. How were they supposed to improve their image with matters such as this? “You were supposed to give them supplies, not try to kill them!”

“You were not there. He insulted my honor.” Replied the bull bluntly, “What would you have done in my place?”

His brow furrowed, “Certainly not try to kill the man, besmirching ones name surely doesn’t need that sort of response.”

“Perhaps to humans. To minotaur, this was the appropriate response.”

If they’d not picked up Asterion because of his connection to him, what then? Was this something else entirely? Arcturus’ brow furrowed as the previous day flickered across his mind. This time they’d arrested him rather than see him dead, was this another plot to see him done in? “Then Tenzin, why are you here? Did get into a fight as well?”

The ilbir took a deep breath, hands pressed together before he pointed them to Arcturus, “Not exactly.”

“What do you mean, not exactly.” Already he feared the worst. “Oh, gods above, Feku was stealing again wasn’t she?”

“Matter of fact, yes.” Tenzin grunted, his eyes going stern, “Would you believe that sweet little lizard lied to me? Who could have thought she had a dishonest bone in her entire body.”

“Everyone, she’s like a toddler.” Arcturus could already picture it now, her smiling innocently as she did it. “What was it this time?”

“Supplies for the Lumarians, belonged to a terrible excuse of a halfling. Which, doesn’t excuse her actions, but makes them a bit more palpable. Still, to lie to me?” He growled and crossed his arms, “I didn’t think she’d stoop so low.”

“And what, they brought you in with association?”

“Oh no, I punched out a dozen guards before they stunned me.”

He couldn’t believe his ears as the ilbir swelled his chest, proud of that statement. “You attacked the guards?”

“What else could be done? They tried to apprehend the little lizard at the time, in which, I believed her declaration of innocence over their accusation.” He clicked his tongue, brow narrowed, “I see my error now, but one cannot change the past. Why were you brought in?”

“Certainly not to be stunned and fall into your arms.”

“Of which I don’t mind.” The ilbir placed a hand on Arcturus’ shoulder, meeting his gaze with a tender look. A rumble passed through his furry neck, sensual to say the least of it.

“That isn’t a custom Tenzin.” He said bluntly, removing the man’s hand.

“Are you certain?”

“Positive. Tenzin, I have much more pressing matters to think of instead of having you pound my arse alright?”

His brow rose, “Then if it’s not a custom, why do your cheeks blush?”

“Gods, followers of Parunga frustrate me to no end.” He stood, this time finding his strength had returned to him. He warded away the paws that reached out to catch him should he fall. “I’m fine Tenzin, fine.”

He stood, following Arcturus as he stumbled about the cell, “If you can push me away, I won’t follow you like a pup.”

Arcturus scowled, knowing he had not the energy. The ilbir chuckled, knowing he was the victor in this exchange. An onyx guardian cell, no word of what fate would meet them? A few minutes of shuffling about the cell calling for the guards proved of little help. Whomever had secured them in here had no apparent interest in communicating. He returned to their cot in defeat. Whomever now was out to get them had the upper hand, there was nothing more they could do than wait.

“Crimson Sky is going to be distraught to no end.” He growled as Tenzin sat beside him, the bed creaking. Against his better judgement he leaned against the warrior, weariness winning in the end. The ilbir’s body was warm and comforting.

“Now you lean on me?” Grumbled the warrior. “I thought this wasn’t a custom.”

“Shut your trap, you’re better than the bed in which we find ourselves.”

“I appreciate the compliment.” He huffed, “Now what will your dragon do?”

“He’ll come looking for us, that’s for sure.” Groaned Arcturus, already seeing the outcome. There would be fire, snarling, there would be injuries should he come for him. Was this part of their plan as well? Use him as bait? His heart darkened over the prospect, “Perhaps they’ll use that as excuse to capture him as well.”

“He won’t go quietly, that’s for sure.” Asterion muttered from his cell. “He is a most vocal dragon.”

“What could these people want?” Tenzin huffed, “Our deaths?”

“Unlikely, otherwise we’d all be dead right now. Their plans must go deeper than that, more important than us.”

“Whatever it is, the scheme is ill conceived.” Growled Arcturus, recalling the looks of the ruby guardians the previous knight. “Fear has already clouded them, far before Dreadflame has revealed himself to them.”

“Politics too gripped my people before the Corvanians.” Tenzin muttered, his voice stern. He was looking past the bars, eyes steeled.

“Back in Azmeth?”

The warrior nodded. “I tend to remember the better times, before those leonen came to claim our home. Our people were scattered, infighting, arguments over tradition. We were weak, easy prey to their manipulation.”

“Yes, I believe I read such things. We helped free you from their grasp, lent weapons and aid.”

“And combined with our willingness to come together. Our people laid low their squabbles, their differences, arms united to defeat the jaws of our enemy. We tore every bit of them from the land, sent them running. I pray that these Drenedarians don’t make the same mistake that we did.”

“Hopefully you are right.” Arcturus replied, focusing upon the cell door. “For if it’s more than a minor sliver seeking to be rid of us, this entire endeavor could be undone.”

“If it is then what?” The warrior’s voice was somber, “What shall we do?”

His teeth grit at the thought of it, but how could they stay after this? They’d have to depart, leave these people to their fates. Dreadflame would be victorious, laughing away at him, just another one of Arcturus’ failures. The paladin clenched his hands to fists, he couldn’t have that, not again. “The orb.” He hissed.

“What about it?” Whispered Tenzin.

“We’ll take it and leave. It’s the least we can do to deprive that monster of his prize.”

** *** **

Veledar, with his tour of Fremra’s hoard complete, and acquiring a rather exquisite gift for Arcturus to boot, had spent his day filled with drahkras and meditations. He believed that Fremra was holding a grudge, despite her insisting that she’d planned his little venture. She was more annoying than usual, never giving the red dragon a moment’s rest. She’d hum, lick her paws, or even roll about singing as he tried to go through the methods she’d insisted upon him doing! When he’d had enough and snapped at her she’d merely roll to all paws and give him a story about how he was being far too serious. That he needed to drift away and let the moment take him.

Ridiculous, though was that not what he was doing now? The red dragon currently flared his nostrils as he meandered through the dining hall. Sure, it was large enough to house a family of dragons and their mortal friends, but the walls seemed to press in at the dragon’s sides. He snaked his way through the numerous chairs of the mortal section, their wooden frames gently brushing against his scales. There were a few guests among them currently eating their meal, casually flicking their gaze to wonder why the red sauntered passed them, grumbling to himself with a swishing tail.

Night had fallen, yet there was no sign from his knightly mate. The man was supposed to be back hours ago, that is what he’d said when he’d galivanted off to engage in these little tests with the Lumarian princess. Veledar hissed as he passed by an oil painting of storm, standing tall atop a mountaintop. What could that problematic princess have gotten Arcturus into that the man would forget to return to him?

His eyes flicked to the lanterns that adorned the walls, their metal shaped to resemble dragon claws. They taunted him with their comforting lights painting across every surface. Did Nivra have no respect for Arcturus’ time? Or was it something more nefarious? He’d mentioned the assassins of the previous evening, perhaps they’d made another attempt? It was hard to beat down the cascade of worry that was raging beneath his scales, all oblivious to the teal dragon reclining by one of the long tables.

“Wow, you look rather worried.” Achaaz followed him with her snout, a claw buried within the breast of a cooked turkey. “Why don’t you trot that cute red butt of yours over here and eat your food before it’s cold. Gaston slaved over it for hours.” She patted an empty spot beside her, where plates of various meats, vegetables and rice lay waiting. Steam curled like seductive snakes above it, trying to entice the dragon forward. When Veledar huffed and continued his pacing the teal merely shrugged, “Suit yourself, who am I to argue with a dragon who wants their food wrong.”

“I was waiting for Arcturus.” He replied with a lash of his tail, “He is late for dinner.”

“Oh, do you have a romantic date do you?” She cooed. “Or is it that you’re concerned someone managed to jump him?”

“Both?” He growled, “Your city is not the safest of places for him right now.”

“And yet you let him wander off on his own.”

“I did not let him wander off. I am not his master Achaaz.”

“Are you sure?” She snorted, “With the sounds from your room, I often wonder.”

“You eves drop upon us?” He growled, trotting to her side.

“Hardly, the volume of which you mate is quite high.” She grinned, “But why are you here right now, pacing about?”

“Did you not just hear me?”

“Oh, I heard you. But there is nothing you can do if you’re just going to pace here grumbling about it.” She flicked a paw to a full turkey breast before her, sticking the browned flesh with a claw, “I caught this, this morning. I don’t know if you’ve had it before, but its vastly better than fish.” She popped a bit of the meat into her maw, eyes closing as she moaned and flicked her tail, exaggerating how much she enjoyed the taste. When Veledar glared at her with icy venom, she only got louder.

“It can’t be that good.”

“And yet, you wouldn’t know.”

“I can see where you take after your mother.” He flared his frills as the female gobbled up a pair of apples. She was just as infuriating.

“People say I take after my father actually.” Her frills pinned; no doubt reminded of the blue dragon’s absence. “But look at you, a ball of wibbly wobbly frothing storm of upset.” She rubbed her neck against his flank as he passed her, “How dreadfully terrible for the great and powerful Crimson Sky. Shall we inform the callers?”

“Careful Achaaz, the day tests me.” He hissed as she sauntered around him, a playful flick of her tail.

“Because your Arcturus is missing?” She mused, batting her eyes at him “Yet here you are, like a lady in waiting. Are you not a dragon? Go looking for him, show your teeth, roar at him to comply.” She shrugged with her wings, “Least that is what I would do.”

Was she implying something? The red dragon closed his eyes, letting out a composing sigh, remembering Fremra’s words from the island of draconis. “Patience is a skill Achaaz, I can’t just leap into the fray all a storm of rage. Do you expect me to barge over and there and pluck him away from the queen’s clutches?”

“Yes.” She grinned, rising up to scamper to his side. “Perhaps a dragon might have done as much, but no, you’re too tamed and trained. Content to sit here on your paws.”

“I am not trained! Or tamed!” He snapped at her with his jaws, getting a hiss and batting of her paw.

“How touchy of a subject.”

His frills flared, blood warmed, “What antics are you hoping to employ? Are you trying to light the flames within me?”

“No.” She replied coolly, wheeling around to return to her cushion. “But I do tire of your constant pacing and hissing. Stay here and enjoy your meal or go find your precious Arcturus.”

He whipped around with a huff, nearly taking the head off a man enjoying his meal. His protests fell upon deaf ears as Veledar stomped his way off to the corridors. Of course, Achaaz was right, what was he doing sitting around here for? He’d shown enough patience had he not? His scales itched over the thought of Arcturus, worry festering within over his whereabouts. Had these ruby guardians made another move? He had to be certain. He made his way to the surface.

“Heading out Crimson Sky?” One of the sapphire guardians asked him as the winter night kissed his scales. The dragon didn’t respond but with a growl, pouncing to the air with a flutter of wings. The poor guard blinked, getting dusted in snow.

Spiraling through the sky, Veledar drifted above the forest of buildings below. Lights flickered occasionally across the darkened mass of stone and metal, as if trying to beat back the night itself. The clouds above were thick as pea soup, churning and twisting, as if creatures stirred within, waiting to pounce upon the dragon’s back. He followed the currents in a glide, seeking out the port and whisking by it as though he were a shadow. No one pointed up, no one stared, the dragon had only one purpose.

He circled what had been told to him was the wizard tower, landing upon the stone with a clacking of claws. Down he climbed with much haste, growling as be bombarded the door with his paw. Again and again, he struck it, until Florimel answered it, a pair of half-moon glasses upon his nose. He almost seemed surprised by the dragon’s presence.

“Oh, did Arcturus leave something here?” Florimel asked innocently, “I always told the boy, he’d forget his head if it wasn’t attached.”

The dragon’s heart skipped a beat, Arcturus had already left? He nosed at the wizard with a growl, eyes narrowed, no time for whatever game was within that ancient head. “He hasn’t returned to me wizard. You’re saying that he left?”

“Hours ago actually.” Chuckled the wizard, plopping a finger onto Veledar’s nose, “Seemed off to the merchant district, think he was off to get you a gift?”

A gift? If not for the concern, he might have swished his tail at such a kind gesture. “Where.” He said firmly.

“Just look for the banners, can’t miss it.”

He pounced back to the air without even a response from the wizard again. Course it was going to be a place filled with banners, he only hoped this time they didn’t get stuck in his horns. He was in no mood, he’d probably burn them all to cinders if they tried such an affront again. It wasn’t hard to find what the wizard had said, a place crisscrossed with banners of all different colors and sizes. The dragon circled and plotted a path, changing his shape to meet the size required as to avoid the nasty things.

Landing in the middle of the street drew a few wandering eyes, after all, it was of note to have a dragon in their midst. With a lash of his tail, he reformed himself to proper size, careful to not snag a horn on the dreadful bits of clothing. He flared his nostrils and closed his eyes, tuning out the questions on why a dragon was roaming about the streets, only Arcturus mattered in this moment, not even the biting cold could distract him. With a few breaths he’d caught the knight’s scent, a faint one accompanied with earthy scents of ash, sweat and fear.

Around the cobblestone he flared his nostrils, finding the thickest source of all these scents. Several people came to ask the dragon questions, but he warded them away with a hiss and flaring of his frills. The end of his search found a small box, one easily fit in the palm of a human. Wrapped in a tiny red bow, it clearly was a gift, one that smelled of Arcturus.

He was here! The dragon’s heart fluttered, a brief flash of success before the concern came back to hound at him. Why would his mate leave such a thing here? Clearly something more nefarious was afoot. “The ruby guardians.” He growled as plucked the gift from the ground, opening it revealed a small cookie with red icing, clearly shaped in the image of himself. His heart throbbed. There was no doubt now this was Arcturus’.

Oh, how dare they. The dragon took a deep breath, a storm starting to crackle within him. He should have listened to the man last eve, instead of playing off his concerns. Clearly these humans within this city were more concerned with petty things than he’d have wagered. His claws kneaded the stone, drawing thick lines as he focused upon his drahkras. There was nothing else that mattered, not the cold, not the people, only Arcturus. Bit by bit he let his senses stretch, reaching out to the winds to gather a flicker of the man he loved.

Success, emotions bubbled through the ether to the dragon. Pain, betrayal, anger, hatred, all twisting together into a crackling fire that sunk it’s claws into Veledar’s soul. Eyes opened narrowed and ready, threatening to ignite the very air itself. They’d taken him, that much was certain. But where? With a snarl and shouts of people around him, the dragon clambered up to the roofs above. He hurled himself into the sky, pounding to spiral up in the frigid air. Once there he focused on the bond, revealing a tether for which he could pull, a beacon in the night to Arcturus.

Like an arrow he shot himself across the city, a flash of dark crimson in the night. He’d never flown faster than he’d done so before, every second filled with desperation. The senses brought him a fort of Onyx guardians built within the city wall, their black flag with a white, rampart pegasus flapping in the wind.

Around the courtyard was a thick wall, braziers casting a warm glow over the old stone. Human and wolven patrolled around it in pairs, diligently searching out across the shadow-stricken city. Within the courtyard were a smatter of others, a silence fallen upon it, the usual activities of training retired for the eve. None of them were ready for the whirlwind that was to be unleashed upon them.

Veledar ripped the flag from it’s pole, letting it be lost to the wind as a tattered thing. The guards on patrol found themselves struck with crackling bolts of lightning, not strong enough to kill but certainly enough to knock them out in a brilliant flash. There were shouts after his first pass, but he silenced them with his second, and his third. By the time he’d landed in the courtyard, he was met with a dozen guardians all equipped with a various amount of ranged and melee weapons.

“Did you not think I wouldn’t find out what you’d done?” He snarled, extinguishing the lights around them with a lash of his tail.

He roared as the darkness wrapped around him, unleashing magic woven deep within his blood. It permeated the air, invisible to human perception, but something all dragons could call upon. It raised the air hair of all around him, latched onto their blood as if a ravenous wolf. It shook legs and tightened jaws, the dragonfear taking it’s hold upon them. It was the first time he’d ever used such a thing, but that’s how far they’d pushed him. When he attacked, they were trembling, colors drained from snout and faces, they were barely able to put up a defense as he knocked them out one after the other.

Silence soon found the courtyard as the dragon pinned the final guardian below his scaled paw. Veledar growled, deep and wicked, letting the human below him whimper in absolute dread over what would befall him. Claws dug into the man’s chainmail shirt, the tips piercing what soft clothing underneath and drawing traces of blood. “Where is Arcturus?” He asked with a booming voice, letting the man bear witness to his sharpened teeth.

“Arcturus? Are you sure that he’s-“

“Do not take me for a fool!” He pressed down, causing the man to wince. “For I am in no mood to suffer such fools.” The sight of the unconscious human and wolven around him made the dragon snort with satisfaction, “You and your ilk have struck a blow against me. Taken my mate right under my snout, outside these walls, dragons would reward such an act in one way.”

Color drained from the poor man’s face as Veledar’s snout shifted ever closer, drool pooling upon his teeth and dribbling upon his chest. “Alright, he is here!”

“Do you think that was in doubt? Of course, I knew he was here!” Thundered the dragon with a mighty lash of his tail.

“Then what do you want?”

“I want him returned to me! What the hell else do you think I want?”

The man whimpered only to be frozen as Veledar cast his icy stare upon them. “I don’t think we can do that Crimson Sky.”

“I wasn’t asking if you were allowed to do so.” He leaned upon the man with deadly intent, “I was demanding that you do so. If you favor your pathetic life, you shall lead me to Arcturus immediately so that he can be released, otherwise I’m going to start painting this courtyard a rather nasty color.”

“You’re human was captured for conspiracy to destabilize and destroy our way of life.” Came the clear voice of Alonso as the ruby guardian emerged from the keep’s gate. His weapons were still at his side, rifle slung over his back he searched Veledar from snout to tail. He frowned as he saw the others, “Have you killed them?”

“Unconscious.” Veledar growled, lashing is tail. “Though push me further and we might see if such restraint is maintained.”

“Is this what Arcturus would want of you?”

“You think you have the right to speak to me about what he would want? After your people tried to murder him last night?”

“What?”

“Yes.” He growled, “Your ruby knights tried to do away with him. I thought I was being generous giving your people the better of the doubt, but clearly that was mistaken.” He snarled to all around him, sending some to step back several paces, “All of you are distrustful dogs, only fit to stab others in the back.”

Alonso stuttered, whatever path of thought he had was tossed aside. “Crimson Sky, you accuse my people of such an act?”

“Arcturus spoke of it, and thus I believe him.”

“And you don’t think that he could-“ He winced as Veledar growled, deep and full of meaning, “Have diverted your thoughts?”

“I trust that man with my life, care for him more than anything else in this world. Here’s my kindness human, you will still yet live while tarnishing his good name.”

“And you instead tarnish the good name of my order, and expect for me to not demand an apology?”

“What good name is there to have? I have only seen distrust and backstabbing while we’ve been here.” His frills flicked outward as he followed the good knight’s gentle pacing around him.

“I could have ordered the others within to come out with weapons ready to slay.” Alonso replied sternly, “But instead, because of your mate, chose another path. What you say of my order is a harrowing statement.”

“And yet it is truth. If not all your people, there are some within that wish to see Arcturus dead.”

The ruby guardian folded his arms behind him, the air weighing heavy between them. He sighed, shaking his head. “I understand what you’re going through Crimson Sky. If it were my husband apprehended without just cause, there would be nothing that could be done for me to get him released.”

“So now you understand me.” He growled, “Go get Arcturus.”

“That is not how things work here dragon. There are proper channels, proper structure-“

“I care not for your silly bits of paper and order-“

“You will while within these walls. What you do now doesn’t help Arcturus. All it does is keep him further from your paws.”

“Oh yea?” He pressed firmer into the man below him, drawing out a weakened whine, “Do you wish to stand before a dragon and deny him his love Alonso?”

“Your love was taken prisoner on just cause dragon. Conspiracy to undermine the rulership of Struport, to bring in agents and bring down our defenses. Lumara was verified to be working with the dead.”

“Do you hear yourself spouting such madness?” Scoffed Veledar, lashing his tail, “That the human that saved your husband and all those Drenedar soldiers would seek ruin upon you? You would have to be the thickest human I’d ever met to believe he was trying to deceive you.”

“And what about his queen?” Alonso’s eye brow rose. “What of her? Are her intentions just as pure?”

Paws kneaded the stone as words caught in his throat. Nivra had done what she’d done in the past for the betterment of the group. She’d redeemed herself in his eyes, to think she had one more trick up her sleeve was unbelievable, or at least he prayed it was. Upon Alonso he stared right through, his nostrils flaring, “How can I sit out here while you have my mate inside those walls? The ones who tried to kill him could have the means right now.”

“If they wanted him dead, they’d have killed him right there and then.”

“What?” It was the dragon’s turn to pull back his head.

“They stunned him with the Lumarian crossbows, if these were the assassins that tried to kill him, would they not have done him in then.”

“Perhaps?” His snout wrinkled, realizing that perhaps he was right. “But even still, he’s in quite the vulnerable position. I must retrieve him.”

“I can’t let you do that Crimson Sky.” Alonso sighed, “I do empathize with your plight.”

“Then let me in.” He huffed, “See to it that no one gets hurt this day.”

“The only one hurt by this would be Arcturus. Do you think those holding him now will leave him there? Even now dragon he is being moved, all because of your presence.”

“You lie.”

“Try me.” His arms crossed, “Lady Frema says that you two have a bond, try it and tell me that I’m wrong.”

Was this a trick? If so, what did he have to lose? This Alonso had an air of respect about him, truthfulness that reminded him of Arcturus. The dragon grumbled and closed his eyes, doing as the knight had asked, focusing on Arcturus. To his irritation the knight was no longer here as Alonso said, but moving steadily away from here to the east and down. No doubt in a hidden tunnel no less. He growled.

“See?” Alonso took a tentative step, “You have to let this thing sort itself out.”

Silence took the dragon, cast away his words. Blood demanded that he follow this through, snatch Arcturus back from their captive claws. Yet Alonso spoke truth, that much was certain. “What if they slay him within your care? Think Alonso, could you be in my paws as your love is held against their will?”

“I will protect after him myself.” He placed a hand to his chest, “You have my word.”

“You hardly are in a position to-“ He met the eyes of the human, seeing a fierceness within that he could respect. The ones of a human repaying a debt. “Fine.” Veledar huffed, rolling his eyes, “Swear to me on your people, swear to me on your husband’s life. Only then will I be swayed.”

Alonso bowed his head, taking one knee before the hissing dragon. “You have my word.”

His snout raised as the words flickered between his horns. His nostrils flared, bidding the human a knowing nod. He would go along with this for now. “If he is harmed within your care.” He warned with a threatening growl, “I will tear each and everyone of you apart. Do I make myself clear?”

“I’d expect nothing less.”