< Rylar >

After my unsettling encounter with the dragon-like one, I decided staying in the same spot was not an option, and instead opted to remain on the outermost edge of the forest for the time being. Eventually, Cryhn and Fyrlia would show up, and when they did we could decide our next course of action.

At least, I hope they show up. I hope the attacking dragons didn't hurt them.

I was ridden with guilt nearly every moment since we had parted. I knew I'd feel even worse if I discovered something had happened to them, so I tried to keep my mind from straying to scenarios that may never come to pass. Still, every time I closed my eyes I'd see a gaping hole in Fyrlia's chest, her unseeing eyes glazed over with terror, or Cryhn, flightless and bloody, dragging himself forward with chipped talons moments before he was engulfed in the dark Ryzinthin's shadow.

The more and more time I spent alone, the more and more anxious I felt to learn of the outcome of the fight. However, there was still hope that they'd show, as only a day had passed since I first arrived here. During that time I hadn't seen any other life. It was eerie, walking through a silent, lifeless forest, an oppressive blanket of fog hindering my range of sight to no more than a few tail-lengths.

For that reason, I knew the dark elves couldn't have been in the forest recently. If they had, there surely would have been some signs of life. After all, no civilization can support itself for long without sustenance.

Unless there are more of the dragon-like creatures and they're the ones who ate everything around. Maybe that's why the dark elves aren't here anymore.

As I theorized over the lack of life, a faint beat of wings reached my ears through the still air. Craning my head upward, I searched the sky, my eye easily able to pierce the thinner tendrils of fog.

A dragon-like was hurtling across the sky and away from the forest. Curious, I rose into the air, following it far enough away to where I could barely see the tip of its tail, lest it spot me.

Once the dragon-like had cleared the forest it quickly lost altitude until it was scarcely above the ground, its wings hitting the vegetation and weeds below it with each beat. Suddenly, it vanished, disappearing from my sight without a trace. Baffled, I slowed, my eye scanning my surroundings carefully.

A soft breeze rippled over the tall grass, sending the delicate fronds violently whipping to and fro. The distant singing of a bird reached me on the wind, the first sign of other life since I had arrived at the wood. The sun was at its peak, the faint warmth chasing away any discomforting chill I had felt in the forest and clouding my mind with thoughts of sleep and peace. Before I could get distracted by their urges, I shook my head, continuing forward slowly. Now refocused, I reached the area where the dragon-like had vanished, my whole body tense.

And rightfully so. Not even a moment later I was under attack by at least five dragon-like, though it was hard to discern them from each other amidst the chaos of flapping wings and snapping jaws.

I roared in outrage, the deafeningly loud noise causing a few of the dragon-like to shrink in on themselves. Seizing the opportunity, I shot forward, grabbing one of the smaller dragon-like around the neck with my jaws and plunging to the ground.

I landed abruptly, causing my frozen prey to swing forward, its tail drawing a slash across the dirt and grass. I narrowed my eye.

I forgot about their tails, I need to be more careful. Who knows what else they have in their arsenal that I'm not aware of?

The dragon-like seemed to come to the same realization as I, swinging its tail up and around toward my side. Before it could make contact I dropped it and intercepted its tail with my talon in one swift move. Using my other limbs to pin it down, I positioned myself over it, hunkering down as the other dragon-like closed in.

My talon around its throat was a clear message: attack and your friend dies. The dragon-like seemed to understand this, pausing their onslaught to land and communicate to each other via guttural growls and hisses, occasionally an odd clicking noise as well.

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Once I grew weary of their seemingly never-ending exchange I snarled, beating my wings to appear even larger and foreboding. It seemed to do the trick, as all their heads swung to face me. Two of them even took an instinctive step back while the one beneath me trembled in fear.

They certainly don't seem like warriors, they're much too scrawny and indecisive. They had to of known they couldn't defeat me, but then why fight? Where's their leader?

While thoughts raced through my mind the dragon-like beneath me let out a whistle, like the sound humans could make by pursing their lips together and blowing, something I had heard a few times during the short visit to Estryai. I cut it off by putting more pressure on its throat, but the damage had already been done. One of the dragon-likes quickly swiveled around and launched into the sky, traveling swiftly back toward the forest, likely for reinforcements.

I bared my teeth and growled. I was trapped. If I tried to intercept it I would lose my only advantage, a hostage, but if I were to stay more enforcements would arrive and likely overpower me. A third choice remained, to try and flee, but I suspected if I did the remaining four dragon-like would follow me and guide the reinforcements to my new location.

I examined the one who had gotten me into this mess closely. It was a bit less scrawny than the others but it was also smaller than them. I suspected it would be less than half my height if I were to let it stand. I frowned, It looks like the dragon-like I saw in the forest yesterday. Then again, they all look very similar.

Before I could continue my musings, a shadow passed overhead, casting me in shade for a moment before the warmth of the sun met my scales once more. I tensed instinctively, struggling to maintain my relaxed facade. Lifting my head slowly, my red eye locked on to the orange eyes of my opponent.

The four dragon-like in his entourage were larger than the ones who had attacked me, looking to be just over half my height. They also looked to have more battle experience, hosting an array of scars where the other dragon-like ones were clear of any noticeable injuries. The dragon-like they were escorting could only be their leader. He towered above them all, close to three-quarters of my height. As he landed the three dragon-like that had been watching me were forced to scramble out of the way to make room for him, all of them with heads bowed in reverence as they did so.

Our eyes remained locked, and a moment later he let out a series of clicks and growls directed at me. I frowned, not understanding, which served only to make him more vocal and aggressive, his tail beginning to lash wildly back and forth as he stepped forward.

I snarled before he could come any closer, and shouted, "I don't understand you!"

His eyes widened slightly. "You seak dragon?"

What?

"I am a dragon," I responded slowly, my mind addled with confusion.

"No," the leader hissed, "You lie. Dragon no hab thour legs. Dragon hab two. Big yes, thour legs no."

"So you are a dragon?"

The dragon-like made a chuffing noise, his whole body shaking as he did so. A few other dragon-like joined in, unable to contain themselves.

Are they...laughing at me?

"What's so funny?" I asked, my eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"We no dragon. We wyburn," he finally responded once he'd finished laughing.

"Y-burn?"

"No, it wyburn."

"Yeah, Y-burn."

"No!" He roared, "Stuid...thing! It Wy...v...ern."

Clearly unable to make the "v" noise, the 'wyvern' was forced to slowly pronounce the word.

"A wyvern? I've never heard of that before."

He chuffed again. "I no hear of thour legs dragon. Three her an we continue seak."

During our exchange, I had completely forgotten about the wyvern trapped beneath me and I relaxed my grip around her neck slightly.

"You won't attack?" I asked suspiciously.

"No. I swear it."

I nodded and slowly began to step off her, releasing her tail last just in case this was a trap. The tremors in her body failed to cease, seeming only to grow stronger the closer she got to the wyvern leader.

Not for the first time, I frowned. Is he some kind of tyrant? He must be if he's causing that sort of reaction, she wasn't even shaking that bad when I had her pinned.

He didn't seem to notice her reaction, or if he did he didn't acknowledge it, instead clicking softly to her as she bowed her head in front of him. She froze and stiffly moved to stand beside him, obviously uncomfortable with the whole situation.

The orange-eyed wyvern returned his gaze to me, saying, "We go cabe. You thollow."

"Why?" I asked hesitantly, hoping the simple question wouldn't set him off like earlier.

Thankfully it didn't, and he replied, "We seak there. It sathe."

My trepidation must have been evident because he added, "It no trab. Trust. They thollow I and I say no attack. I swear it. They will no attack you."

Though I was still hesitant, I was curious too. He had kept his previous promise and didn't seem to harbor any ill will, so maybe it was worth a shot.

I suppose I'll need to come back once Nemyra and I begin taking over Etrythia. If I anger them now, I'll likely get a poor reception later. And maybe I can secure an alliance now to ensure peace later.

Reigning in my curiosity, I quickly reminded myself that just because I was a part of a prophecy didn’t make me invincible. I could still die, at least if Cryhn’s interpretation of the prophecy was correct, and I trusted him enough to believe it was.

I’ll just need to be extremely cautious. If things don’t seem right I’ll leave immediately, no matter what, I promised myself.

With my mind made up, whether for good or bad, I gave the wyvern leader a nod.

"I'll come."

The orange-eyed wyvern and his entourage soared into the sky, turning to face the forest as they did so. Sighing, I followed suit, praying I wasn't making a terrible mistake.