"I think it's a cave."

"It's definitely a cave, master."

After an hour of flight, me and my dragon companion decided to hide somewhere until the rest of our group regain consciousness. Also, in the middle of our escape I came to understand that I have a severe issue with heights as well as dragon flight motion sickness. In short, I don't think I would ever want to be on top of a dragon ever again.

"What do you think Tatsu? Judging by the smell, I would bet it's already occupied."

"Someones definitely there master. I can smell it."

"Eh... If it's already occupied then it would be best to leave it alone. I wouldn't want to wake up an hungry bear."

"It's definitely a bear, master, but don't worry, I can deal with it. With my dark powers sealed in my left eye I will definitely protect you. If it's evil, I'll purge it."

"You don't say? Alright, let's give it a try. We do have to sleep somewhere, even if it smells."

When we were escaping the town, we flew in a more undetermined direction, so our current position could be summarized as a big question mark. Thankfully, Tatsu found a large cave. And since it is in a middle of a large forest and away from roads, I thought it would be a good place to hide for a bit. I don't know how she managed to spot it in the middle of the night, but I guess it's because Tatsu is... well, a tatsu. So, we hid in thick bushes under couple of burly trees and faced the entrance to check it out, but before we could even start, the smell already alerted us to the occupants of the cave.

You might think that with a flying dragon we would have already arrived at wherever our final destination would be, but in truth we didn't fly all that far. First of all, we still do not know where Catnips brother is. For a second reason as to why we are looking for shelter, is that only me and Tatsu are up and in any condition to travel. Both beast girls are exhausted and still unconscious. As to the guy we kidnapped, at the moment he is... little burned out and not at all responsive.

"Master, look! Someone is coming out of the cave and is holding a torch!"

"So it is not a bear, let's talk with this person. I just hope their not bandits."

"It's definitely not a bear, master. Just in case, I'll prepare to unseal my seals of power. Please be cautious, they might be bandits."

After taking a better look, It was obvious that they were not bandits. The person that walked out of the cave was strange and surely not human. He was short and would barely reach my belt if stood beside me. His hunched posture made him look even smaller. Thanks to the torch his face was fully visible, it looked very old and wrinkled. Me and Tatsu watched perplexed as the creature moved with unsteady steps leaning on his tall walking stick. I should call it a staff since it was twice the height of its owner. He, or should I say It, wore leather scraps covering most of its green body. The creature walked few more steps and placed the staff in a prepared tiny hole in the ground. Steadied, It was casting a little fire from its tip that we previously mistook for a torch. After placing the staff, the little guy bend down on to its knees facing us and pressed its forehead to the ground. He made several, less than articulate grunts and again looked in our direction, while at the same time raising its hands in a strange prayer.

"I think I know what that creature is. I remember I once saw a movie with something similar, there were also those green childlike creatures that were chasing some other children around on some mountains. Although those in the movie looked hideous, this one here just looks... old. If I remember correctly, those were called, goblons?"

"It's definitely a goblon, master. It's just like in the moovies."

"What do you mean, just like in the movies. You couldn't possibly know that. I doubt you've ever been to Earth."

"But master, I can still remember how we watched the moovie together as you were holding me dearly to your chest. When a big spider crawled out and shoot its web, your heart was beating so, so wildly! It was scary to the point that you even wet your pants. I've been with you everywhere in your youth, including toilets in that moovie hall. And at our house, you even wept in my fur and scales every time you wet the bed and..."

"Alright stop, I get it." I put my hands on her shoulders and faced her with all of intensity a grown up person could muster. "Tatsu, this is very, very important. Etch it onto your heart, you are completely, absolutely, forbidden from telling this part to anyone. If you go around telling people that I wet my pants watching spiders, I would die. Alright? Not a word of it to anyone."

Lets forget that this conversation ever happened. I hope this goblon would be ok with us sleeping in his cave for a night.

It is obvious he knows we are here. I stopped hiding and walked out from behind the bushes. The poor creature was still sprawled on the ground kissing it with his forehead. Let's hope he wont faint.

"Hello, good sir..." And... he fainted.

***

  I missed this scenery so much. I am again back at my home. High on one of the branches of the great tree. My room must have been uncared for for all those seventy years. It smells with mold and animals, but I don't care, I am finally here.

"It's so beautiful."

My admiration for the morning sun basking my forest in its warmth couldn't be topped by anything. Rivers, hills, trees and all the creatures calling this place home are under my protection. In the distance, there is a field of green grass moving with the wind and forming waves of serene comfort. It calms me, calls to me. It wants me to be embraced by its grassy fresh scent and delicate breeze.

I closed and opened my eyes after a minute of listening to the songs of nearby birds, I could here nymphs near the lake and bustle of people. Thanks to my windows grand size I can receive gusts with wings and monitor the state of the city below. It's a great metropolis of trees. The stronghold of the people of the races.

Those tiny dots that I can see are beast kin, humans, elves, all of people, that are dear to me. They are residents of the Forest of Spirits and it gives me joy, watching them mingle and care for each other. They are my dream and my responsibility. At last I feel that I can relax, because I am home.

One of the tiny dots grew larger and was on its way here. In a gust of wind a handsome elf flew up and bowed in front of me. His rakish smile pierced my heart yet again. My loneliness and longing vanished with just a single touch of his hand.

"Imbess my love, I missed you so much."

"Gurglbh!"

Imbess Ile, the one I pledged my heart to, was a bit smelly today, but I do not care. After so long I am at last able to see him again. His face, so handsome, turned a bit green. Maybe he is not feeling well today. My kiss will surely cure him of any illness.

"My dear, let me return the memory, you once given me on that night on a lake."

I smiled at him, extended my hands and touched his face. I draw him closer and closer to my lips. I was ready for a passionate union when Imbess unceremoniously grabbed my shoulders and started shaking me back and forth. He stopped after a moment and I looked at him surprised. In just few seconds he shrank. He was now reaching my bust. Originally Imbess was a tall man. But, I do not care. I have him in front of me and I won't let him disappear again.

"I love you, I won't ever let you run away."

I puckered my lips and closed on my fated one again, then I heard it.

"Hahaha, I can't anymore, did you see that Chief Goblon? I'm going to die laughing if this spectacle carries on."

"Most intriguing."

I don't know the second voice, but I already know the owner of that hateful, irritating laugh.

"Ian?"

"Oh? Nice work Goblon C. You managed to wake up our sleeping princess. Good job."

"Goblon?"

I looked again at Imbess, but he was no longer there, I was holding a goblin mere breath away from my lips.

"Gurgoblh!"

"You should release him. I don't think he is very keen to be on the receiving end of your feelings. Princess."

"Lord god, is right, forest lady."

I was still shocked. I don't know what is going on and why I was holding a goblin, but Ians racket and his unbearable laugh instantly brought me back to reality. To my horror, in my sleep I must have mistaken a goblin for my loved one and professed my deeply kept secret feelings. Of all the people it had to be Ian to see me like this.

"Ugh... I hate you."

"Haha, don't worry shorty. I wont tell anyone about your preferences. You've been sleeping for almost two whole days. Come with us outside, Goblon A and D should be back with food in few minutes. I'll tell you all that happened when you were sleeping, once you ate. Should I carry you? You must be severely weakened."

I stood up and gestured him to lead the way. I was humiliated enough, carrying me is out of the question. They led me through a series of caves. I was already prepared for it, but the number of goblins here should not be underestimated. They could even reach a hundred.

"Chief Goblon, how was the soup I proposed yesterday, have the goblons tried it yet?"

"Yes, lord god. We liked it very much. Boiling meat with mushrooms is tasty."

"Hold up, Ian, did you taught goblins how to cook?"

This was an incredulous thought. Goblins are feral except for extreme cases. Evolved goblins are intelligent enough to grasp basic concepts and instinctual magic, but cooking and language is way beyond them. Even an evolved goblin wouldn't be able to say a coherent line, unless...

"Well, at start, we had some troubles communicating, but after talking with Chief Goblon for few hours, at one point he glowed up for about thirty seconds and then started to talk like he never had any problems with it before. I guess it's one of those language magic that allows you to understand the other person that is prevalent in novels."

"Language magic my FOOT! You named him didn't you! You named an evolved goblin!"

"Huh? What are you talking about shorty."

"Lord God, is not forest lady right? Is not my name Goblon?"

"Well, yes, you are Chief Goblon. I had to address you somehow."

"Thank you lord god. I am forever your servant."

I dropped to my knees. This is a terrible outcome. It's completely incomprehensible. This fool named an evolved goblin and act like nothing bad has happened. My voice trembled as I was trying to force some sense to this numbskulls head.

"Ian, you should never ever name an evolved member of a feral specie. By naming him you created a calamity that could roll over kingdoms killing hundreds of thousands of people!"

"Aren't you exaggerating? Like a lot? Look, Chief Goblon here is perfectly civilized person. He wouldn't do that, you wouldn't right?"

"I would never do anything against your will, lord god."

"Then, how about you stop calling me lord god."

"I am sorry lord god, that one request is beyond my abilities."

"Well, anyway, if humans could create.. erm... calamities? By just naming, then the world would be full of calamities, wouldn't it? Your not making much sens my dear Furry Ears."

"But you are not a human you cretin! You in particular should never give a name to anything!"

"Ah, yes, yes, I forgot. You are a demigod, right? There, there, let me pet you a bit, this should calm you down. I hope that in the future my head pats will cure you of your megalomania."

I was taken by surprise again by this imbecile and he started petting my head once more. I only just woke up and I am already dead tired. He doesn't even understand what it means to put a hand on a beast kins head. It's so unprecedented and shameless that neither me nor March suspected we would ever be violated like that and he did it like its nothing to him. My love for Imbess will never bare fruit because of his one thoughtless action and my failure at avoidance. I hate this man. Ian. A walking nightmare. And he is now my responsibility too. I want it so much, but I can't abandon him. If I do, If I won't monitor and restrain him, then this world would end up with goblins ending up as countless goblon chiefs and beast kin who are bound to him, because of head pats. All of that due to simple reason of him not understanding our customs. If it was not because of vows and how ether works, patting beast kins heads wouldn't be a taboo. If one do that for certain amount of time, they would leave a magic imprint, linking their ether. Its unbreakable companionship contract. If both sides love each other, they would initiate it on their own.

With all of Ians ether, swirling around him, it didn't even taken him a second to leave his imprint on me and March, and even little Doe, although her case is special.

"Now, now, it's ok, it's ok. Don't worry, being a megalomaniac is curable."

He put on a wide beaming smile and kept on stroking my head. His hand was warm, but I felt humiliated, he does not understand what I feel right now. How far I have fallen.

"In all seriousness. I own you one, Mal. Don't worry I'll make sure to take you home. You were talking in your sleep about your forest and your lover. I'll do what I can to help you meet your family. You have my word on that."

I couldn't bare it any longer. Tears filled my eyes and I started to cry. I couldn't stop them even if I wanted to. My sorrow was stronger than my self control. This man was cruel beyond words. He didn't mean anything bad. I knew that, but Ian didn't understand that Imbess was forever beyond my reach and that he was the very reason for it. He didn't know I have not been able to see my mother for seventy years. He was not aware how much I missed my home and my people. He tried to be kind, but his kindness was a poison that made me sob even louder. Such a hateful man. I was bawling my eyes out and couldn't stop.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Lord god, I presume a hug is needed here."

"You're probably right, simple head pats wouldn't work here. Where is Catnip when she's needed."

"I believe she is with Goblon F taking care of the soup."

"Ah hell, I'm not good with this."

Large drops were falling on my rags and cloak. We were in such a hurry that Doe didn't spare us anything but the cloaks. I couldn't see anyone or cared for anything past my tears. I just wanted to cry everything out and Ian in his stupidity tried to embrace me at that moment. I clenched my fists and started to hit him on the plated chest as hard as I could, but he didn't move away. He kept caressing my head telling me that everything will be alright. That it is ok to cry and that he won't allow anyone to harm me. That fool. He is a walking contradiction to his words, but there was warmth in his voice and my hands gave up. I surrendered to the tight hug and kept on crying, remembering the years I was locked up and all the times I dreamed of death. I had a glimpse of freedom and even a slim chance for love, but Ian unknowingly took it away. He saved me, but did it in a cruel way, only to bound me and force me to take the mantle I am not ready to take.

I could only judge him as a kind enough man, whose good deeds would only end up with a catastrophe.

***

"Lady Malay, are you ok? How are you feeling?"

"Our little six tails demon, had a short bawling episode, but after that, she returned to normal."

It took me good fifteen minutes to pacify her crying break down. But she is surprisingly tough, I have to admit that. She went through a lot and held herself standing even after being in her cell for god knows how long. She only let her feelings out the moment she felt relatively safe. It must have been hard for her to keep her cool during our escape. She might not be a kid anymore, but she sure looks like one and I am quite certain that her prison didn't help her grow to her actual age. Taking that into account, it's surprising that her strength of will is surpassing mine by leaps and bounds. I can't blame her for going a little bit nuts here and there. If I were in her position I would probably escape to thinking of myself as a demigod too, that is, if it would help me even a little bit to cope with the stress.

"Thank you March I am a bit tired but apart from that I'm fine. Ian, I am not from a demon but from a dire wolf tribe." She jumped down from my princess carry and turned around stretching her tails in a wide arc. "Unless you were never taught to count, I have seven tails. Give me your hand, I'll teach you."

She took my hand and started to count her tails one after the other with it. What a bother.

"Better try the soup. Catnip and Goblon F are in charge of it. She somehow managed to conjure salt from somewhere and after adding those blue mushrooms and some mystery meat it turned out great."

"Meat? You should know that goblins hunt for adventurers. They do not distinguish between a dear and a human. They don't see the difference."

"Those would be feral goblins. When I evolved I made sure to keep my brothers close to the caves and to not attack humans. I tried not to draw attention to us and managed to survive for many years this way. When lord god bestowed me a name two days ago, my control and strength greatly expanded. There is now not a single goblin in the whole forest that is feral. With me being blessed, many goblins under my influence evolved. Almost all of them are now smarter and no longer act on instinct."

"You see Ian? That is precisely why I said to never name an evolved member of a feral specie."

I don't know what is all the fuss about. Chief Goblon only made sure to protect his tribe and did it in a smart way. I do not see him being aggressive.

I looked at Catnip and gestured for her to give some of the soup to the troublemaker wolf.

"Lady Malay, I checked the meat before boiling, it's from a boar. We stewed it with some mara mushrooms. Lord Ian said its tasty and goblin chief provided us with a magic kettle left after some adventurers."

"Aren't mara mushrooms poisonous? And how many goblins have you named Goblon F?"

"Huh? Aren't they all goblons? There are several of them that have some distinct features so I named all of those I could distinguish. From Goblon A to Goblon J. Your little kissing run was with Goblon C. He has a scar on his neck and is very good at throwing rocks."

"I hate you Ian. From now on, you are not to name anything. Promise me."

"Huh? Why should I do that? I am the grown up here, not you."

"Just you wait. When I'll regain my full strength you won't ever call me a kid."

I smiled a bit. This girl finally returned to her normal self. I took the crude bowl Goblon E made from Catnips grip and forced it into furrys hands.

"Eat up, or should I spoon it up for you too? Princess?"

She glared up, but took the spoon from me and went to sit by the large bonfire. Catnip joined her and they both started chatting. I already told her how we escaped, so I guess that story will be forwarded to furry now. The question is, what now? Big belly guy we picked up while escaping is conscious and being treated by the cat girl, but his information wasn't very coherent. We need time, but by now probably the whole of the empire is searching for us high and low. I doubt that the higher echelons know what we are after, but that will change fast.

We have two main goals. First one is to rescue Catnips brother and second is to bring Long Tails to her home. We have fast means of travel, but it's easily spotable, so we can only truly fly at night. Besides I will never voluntarily fly on Tatsus back again. Not if I can help it. There is one more thing. When I questioned Catnip, she said she traveled by woods and rarely ever put a foot in a city. Her capture was just bad luck. She and her brother decided to enter the town because they were extremely low on food. Making long story short, she knows nothing about the capital or human cities in general. Shorty was imprisoned for many years, not to mention that she is from forest settlements. I can't say I know a single thing about this world and I don't even want to know what is in Tatsus head.

In summary, there is currently only one person who could guide us around, especially around the capital. Unfortunately, I made him to be a well fried chicken nugget.

***

  I picked up one of the bowls with nuts gathered by Goblon J and took a longer walk behind the cave to clear my mind. I walked for fifteen minutes and sat on my favorite stump, pondering on how and what to do. I took out a knife and started to carve for a bit. I happen to find a nice piece of wood yesterday and decided to take my mind off things. The woden gun I started to make was almost completed. Of course it's just a piece of wood and having my experience with Mjollet I decided to keep my mind blank about it and only focus on what to do next. Thankfully I have a general idea what triggers the strange happenings and summonings. The surefire way is not to want anything. Whether it's out of desperation or simple daydreaming.

I was carving and eating nuts when I spotted a hamster in the bushes few meters away. Or maybe it was a squirrel? I must have summoned it with the nuts. It wasn't running away. Instead it was making round eyes at the bowl. Isn't it that hamsters eat seeds and not nuts? Or maybe it is the other way around and it is squirrels that eat seeds.

Realizing that I do not know squat about proper hamsters diet, I came to understand that I need some proper stress release or the next squirrel I see will be able to plunge me in the nuts category. I stood up, looked up at the sun that was high in the sky and decided on a little play to take my mind off of my current problems. Since I already have a revolver in my hand, albeit only a wooden one, I might as well be a little bit dirty with it. While putting the bowl with the nuts on a tree stump I looked at the rodent and made a sour look, with slanted side to the corners of my lips.

"You want some of my nuts? Punk?"

"Squeak!"

The squimster, a combination between a squirrel and a hamster walked out of the bushes and stopped several meters in front of me. I lowered my voice to sound more badass and moved my cloak on my shoulders so it wouldn't interrupt me. At the same time I lowered my belt and placed my planed role-played gun in its improvised holster. I do not really have a true holster, so the belt would have to do. I furrowed my brows and raised my chin addressing the critter.

"You think you're tough? Punk?"

"Squeak!"

I took the posture of a seasoned shooter and stared in the eyes of the squirrel-o-hamster, with intensity and killing intent. Of course it was a fake one.

"You think you are faster than my bullets? Punk?"

Squimster rose to his two little hind legs, and focused on me. His two paws hanging in the air, waiting for signal.

"You think you can challenge ME? Punk?"

"Squeak!!!"

I looked left and right, making sure that nobody is around. Normally I would leave it at that, but I am very stressed and nobody can see me now. I decided to changed my persona from the dirty to the bad, because, why the hell not? I'll become a lord of darkness. I will shoot this ugly hero squirrel with my darkness bullets. Lets just not focus on it to much in case my illness would transform them to real bullets. Harming this critter would just be my stupidity. I decided to combine dark fantasy with some of the eighties or western. Lowering my voice would make it sound even more evil so I gladly went with the idea.

"Ekhem... I am the Great Unknown, a god of evil darkness and malevolent pain, seeker of pleasures and master of all that is unholy." I am sure that there is no such thing as malevolent pain, but it sounds cool and very evil. My inner child smiled at this ridiculous monolog. But I couldn't stop now. "Descended from deserts of void and wastelands of chaos. Stars above were my home, but no longer will they sustain me. Hear me, mighty rodent. No man is my equal. Humans are mere ants below my feet and gods are my stepping stones. I came to conquer and devour this world. No power can stop me, no man can defeat me and no woman can defy me." Now it is time for the dramatic laugh of a true third rate villain. I gathered air in my lungs and started the evil laugh in full force. "Kukukukukuku."

I think it went well, especially that evil laugh at the end. It sure sounded nice. Acting is something I always wanted to do, but I know I do not really have any talent for it. Lets give it a finishing touch.

"However evil they may call me, I'm not without mercy, I'll give you a chance young warrior of squimster race. I deem you worthy to stand before me. If you manage to steal the nuts from the bowl behind me, before I pull out my weapon, you are free to go. I'll even lower my dark, evil powers to give you a winning chance. I expect your very best." I accentuated the end so it would sound more dramatic.

"Squeak!!"

My performance would not win an Oscar, but it sure relieved a load of my stress. I know how I sounded, but just because I knew how I sounded, it would automatically put me on a sane level, not like with poor Tatsu who is genuinely sick and believes in what she is saying. In my case, it's just a little stage play, with no one around and no risk of embarrassing myself.

Now, lets finish the duel with this hamster. Mano a mano. We looked at each others eyes, testing and probing. I moved mine to the rodents little paws and at that moment it screamed, it's eyes turned red. Surprised I quickly reached for my gun.

"SQUEEEAAAAK!!!"

It was a battle cry of an enraged berserker. Scared of the laud squeak, I tensed and suddenly time slowed to a crawl, just like when I decided to throw Mjollet two days ago. And just in time for me to see how that little fella took out a giant two meter axe from out of thin air and thrown it at my face with incredible force and speed.

"Eek!" My eyes turned round at this incomprehensible sight. I quickly abandoned any form of role play. Due to the shock of having a huge, sharp edged, steel axe speeding my way, unfortunately some sounds escaped my mouth. The axe was rotating and It was polished enough for me to almost be able to see my reflection as I was moving my head and the rest of my body, with turtle movements, out of its way. I was close to wetting my pants trying to avoid that lamp of metal. I survived by sheer luck! My neck and hands instantly covered with cold sweat. Shaking uncontrollably.

"SQUEAK!!"

A red mist surrounded the rodent and its tiny form bulged. It instantly swelled with tiny muscles and grew twice its original size.

Shit, just take the bawl man, take it, I don't want them nuts anymore! I tried to scream that, but the time was still slowed for me and the squimster already thrown another set of weapons. I focused all grey matter I had just to avoid them. First was the war hammer that looked like it was wielded by some fiery giant. I barely managed to turn a second time and it missed my chest by mere centimeters. I would end up as just another blood splatter if it touched me even a little. My remains would be completely unrecognizable.

Next was the spear that was aimed at my leg. It was a long spear or more like a pike, since it was good four meters in length. It wasn't a problem however, for the damned squirrel to throw it like it's nothing. I was in a position I could hardly move because I just avoided the hammer. It left me little space and time to move and third weapon was already on its way. I decided to risk it and did a little jump making scissors in the air. It was unsightly, but it did the job and the pike flew by between my legs.

The third weapon was a giant broad sword. It was taller and wider than me. It was also slower than the previous weapons, but it rotated horizontally like a scythe, threatening to cut me in half. Thankfully I managed in time to lower my torso, hoping there would be enough space for it to fly above me. I was so happy I'll survive this onslaught that a relieved, creepy smile crawled up my face. Just as I lowered myself I saw a speeding squimster right before my eyes. He chose the moment of the third weapon to sneak past me. I could probably catch him, but judging from his berserking form, that move would be absolutely suicidal. If you didn't catch my drift, that damn rodent just conjured hundreds of kilograms of steel out of thin air and thrown them like they were toys. To add on to that feat, that outrageous chipmunk did it in absolutely ridiculous succession.

I just kept smiling at him as he was passing me in slow motion. Our eyes linked as he was speeding for the bowl leaving red mist behind him. He passed me the moment his thrown sword flew above me, making me listen to the sound of cutting air. I took a deep breath. Time returned back to its normal flow. It must be adrenaline kicking in in life threatening situations. I have no other explanation to what was happening.

"Good job. You've earned your bowl." I don't know why I kept with the act. Maybe its because I was still in shock or that I retained all of my body parts. This damn hamster. After my words, the rodent vanished with the nuts. This wild fight left a large portion of the trees behind me, cut down. It looked like a hurricane wrecked this place. I glanced at the sword half buried in the earth. If I was only a tad bit slower I would be in two parts now. Instead of releasing my stress, it only doubled.

"I'm really bad at acting."

***

"Are you ok Ian? You look shaken."

"It's ok Mal. I just learned to never challenge rodents when it comes to nuts."

"Did you just call me by my name? And what do you mean by rodents and nuts?"

"Nevermind that. Chief Goblon, send some stronger goblons to the back of the cave. Some fifteen minutes of walk, they will find a large clearing. Have them bring the weapons from there. I have a feeling Tatsu will want one."

Returning straight to the cave made me find Long Tails and Catnip treating poor shihkebabed man. He is looking a lot better than the last time I saw him. He is definitely being healed by girls magic. The moment I gave Chief Goblon instructions, Tatsu returned accompanied by Goblon D.

"Master! Master, you won't believe what I found in caverns below!"

She was dragging some kind of large snake on her shoulder. Goblon D was holding its end some few meters further away.

"Tatsu, whats that?"

"Food?"

"Eh... so what did you find?"

"There is a large pond with bubbling water. It's warm and you can bath there! My inner eye tells me it's safe."

"Ekhem, Ian, whose this?"

Furry barged in into our conversation. I don't know if she reacted to the word bath or the new guest. However, I can understand her. She really do need a bath and honestly, so do I. Especially after that rodent incident.

"Right, Tatsu, this is Furry Ears, she has more than three tails and is de facto the leader of this group. Please be kind to her. Oh and..." I winked twice in Tatsus direction hoping she will catch up on to my meaning. "You might want to know that she is a demigod." I winked at her again, this time more than twice.

"Seven tails, Ian. How many times do I need to repeat myself?" She banged her fist into my flank making me squirm. How my armor didn't protect me from such a puny attack is beyond me.

"I'm Tatsu, masters loyal servant and lover. I am a rainbow dragon. There is also a deep dark power sealed in my left hand and a demonic chaos in my right eye. I was called from the void by masters voice and forces of abyss strong enough to destroy the world dwell in my bo.."

"Hey Tatsu, wasn't it right hand and left eye last time?"

"...It changed, master. Now it dwells in the left hand and right eye."

"Right. Well that's how it is. If I were you shorty, I wouldn't take seriously everything she says. You see, in some circles, some professional medics believe that this is a serious illness, so just ignore it ok? The lover thing is a lie too."

"How could you master! We slept together in the same bed so many times."

"Drop it. You were just a plushy at the time." I looked at shorty and continued. "This overgrown dragon also has some super hero obsessions so you could sometimes hear her spew delusions about justice and righteousness. Just think thrice before taking her seriously. Apart from that, she is a good person. You can trust her."

Furry looked at me for a long while and then turned to Tatsu.

"Normally I would doubt you are a dragon, since dragons would never in their right mind take humanoid forms. Knowing Ian however, everything is possible."

Shorty was, short and Tatsu was a head taller than me. Their conversation looked very strange. They both went away to talk, leaving me alone with my musings. Now that I think about it, I never really taken a good look at my dragon plushy for those last two days. In the story I read so many times, she was the saddest thing in the world. She traveled the globe in search and when she finally found her long lost lover, he died in her arms. In her travels she helped many people, but she couldn't help the one she cared for the most. The author was really an a-hole. As a kid, I couldn't accept how the story ended, so I colored the plushy with all the colors of rainbow, calling her my rainbow dragon. I wanted her forever to be happy.

I don't know how much of the original story she knows or remember or if it even happened. In her case there might not have been any story at all. She looks happy, but I can't shake the feeling that her delusions might be a mechanism to cope with her loss. She calls me master and jokes me with the lover thing, but under the surface she might be hurting.

I looked at her again. Tall and beautiful. Her two horns follow the line of her head accentuating long purple hair. They are changing colors depending where you look. Her skin is mostly fair, but sometimes it is blue and sometimes it is red. There is no consistency as it probably depends on her mood. However, she is mostly keeping her face at normal human tone, probably not to freak me out. She can cover her skin with scales at will and she made sure to hide her intimate parts behind them. Thanks to that she doesn't need any clothing. The scales have a metalic shade whenever they switch colors. She also has a long, strong tail.

"L-lord Ian, umm... thanks to Lady Malay healing up the human, he regained full consciousness. Umm... W-will you ask him about my brother?"

During those two days, Catnip opened up to me a bit, but she is still keeping a strong guard against me. I smiled at her and nodded. It's about time we learn where her little brother is being kept.

I head patted her head few times and then moved my focus back to Tatsu. She is a beautiful woman. Full of curves and grace. I am a man so lusting after such a gorgeous sight wouldn't make me guilty. But there is one thing that deny such feelings. Her lips might be full and luscious, always smiling. Her whole body might be in joy and be the rainbow of emotions, sparkling in myriad different colors along with the rays of the sun, but the most important part, can't lie. Eyes, can never lie. And the only color Tatsus eyes ever show, is grey. Constantly, unchangingly, grey.