"Gods, my feet hurt!" Rogue John grumbled loudly as they trekked for the fourth day in a row.

Slade nodded. "It's been a while since we've had to journey this far. I'm a bit out of condition, myself."

John jerked his thumb in Ryujin's direction. "If we didn't have this big lug with us, we could've taken horses."

"A pony, in your case," Ryujin said with a sly grin on his face, "and there isn't a horse out there that can support me."

Jasper and Artie glanced at one another and grinned. The dragonborn and the halfling had been throwing verbal jabs at one another ceaselessly over the past four days, and it had kept them entertained and in high spirits. They had covered much ground, but it had been uneventful. The days of walking had been long, and though they had traveled far, it was hard to feel like much progress had been made. They - especially the two young wizard students - were itching to get through the Holy Valley to the Tiger Spires Monastery.

"If you had wings, you could carry us to the monastery," Rogue John said. "What kind of dragon are you?"

It was Ryujin's turn to grumble. "I'm not a dragon at all."

"Look like one to me." The halfling reached out and poked the scales on Ryujin's arm. "Yep - dragon."

Even Slade was chuckling at the two of them bickering.

"You know I'm not a dragon."

"Actually, I don't know that at all. You've been a dragonborn ever since I've known you."

Ryujin glared down at him. "I told you I was a human."

Rogue John shrugged. "Sometimes dragons lie. Lots of legends about it - they're not all noble, ya' know?"

The dragonborn put a hand on the halfling's shoulder, bringing him to a stop. "I will crush you," he said.

John scowled up at him and adjusted the shortbow that was slung over his shoulder. "While I don't fully believe you, I'm not even close to drunk enough to challenge you on it. Another time."

Slade sidled up next to Jasper and Artie, matching their strides and letting the other two take the lead. "Some things never change."

"They've always been like this, eh?" Artie asked.

The one-eyed mercenary nodded. "Oh, yes." He loosened his sword in it's scabbard as he recalled memories of previous adventures. "There was a severe lack of trust between the two of them when they first met, however the strongest friendships are forged through adversity. They would kill for one another without a moment's hesitation. In fact, they have."

"Was Ryujin really a human?" Jasper asked.

"I've only ever known him as a dragonborn, but he claims he was a human and he's nothing if not honest."

"What's the story there?"

"Why don't you ask him? He's an open book. He doesn't keep too many secrets."

Unlike some, Jasper thought. He had come to understand Slade's reasoning for keeping his secrets, however. He thought Ryujin was right - the man had only kept hidden information to protect his friends, and he couldn't fault him for that. He had done the same with Cerana. He just had to make sure he returned alive and he would tell her everything.

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Artie said, "Slade, what do you think our chances of finding the mask are?"

"Not as high as I'd like, but stranger things have happened," Slade replied. "You can't go through life waiting for the opportunities that are a sure thing. It won't happen."

"I'm hopeful. It's the only lead we've got, so it's the one we have to follow."

"That's the spirit," Slade said, smiling.

"I'm just surprised that Ryujin and Rogue John have gone along with us. They don't know us, and they don't know Cerana. Don't get me wrong - I'm grateful for their help. It's just strange to me."

"They respect why you're doing it. We've all done things for ourselves, sought riches and glory, but they're compelled by your desire to help her."

"I'm grateful to them and to you," Artie said.

"I've got to get Cerana back in the tavern. She classes the place up a bit, even when you two louts are there." Slade grinned.

----------------------------------------

That night, the five of them found an inn to stay at on the edge of the Holy Valley. Their plan was to get up before the sun so they could cross it. They would arrive at the Tiger Spires Monastery mid-afternoon. For the evening, they were resting their feet and filling their bellies, all the while Slade and Rogue John were playing cards. Sleep would be upon them soon, but not before a little leisure.

"Ryujin, you said you're from the east?" Artie asked. "Is your home close to here?"

"I was born even farther east than we are going," the dragonborn said, "but these people are known to me. I've spent my fair share here."

"They have the same armor and swords as you."

He nodded and absent-mindedly touched his red and black armor. "There is a large territory that is home to many samurai clans. This place and my homeland are both in that territory."

Jasper asked, "Do all samurai hunt dragons?"

"No. I was part of the Silent Wave - a group of samurai from different clans whose purpose was to hunt and kill dragons."

"Why?" Artie asked.

"For glory. Only the most elite warriors were invited to join, and it was an honor to be among their ranks."

"That's it?"

"For a young, arrogant, naive samurai, you don't need another reason." Ryujin crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes in deep thought.

Jasper and Artie glanced at one another, thinking the conversation was over. They burned with questions, but they wouldn't press further than Ryujin would allow. Luckily, the dragonborn decided to divulge more information.

"I killed four dragons by myself, and fought alongside my fellow Silent Waves to kill three more. I was the best at what I did."

"You sound regretful," Jasper said.

"I made sure everyone knew that I was unmatched. Oddly enough, even when you've made a name for yourself killing some of the deadliest creatures in the world there will be people who want to challenge you, and I never turned a challenge down. In some of the fights, I clearly outmatched them, but I let them fight." Ryujin took another deep breath. "My only condition was that it be a duel to the death. I was violent and egotistical, and I killed many that I could have let live, but it made me feel powerful... I am not proud."

Jasper was amazed. He had known Ryujin only a few days, but he never once would've guessed that the man had a past such as that He had been nothing but friendly, and if not for the swords he carried, he would have taken Ryujin for a pacifist. Jasper looked to Artie again, who had a solemn, contemplative look on his face. Slade and Rogue John were still playing cards, though he could tell that they were paying attention to their friend but chose to stay silent out of respect.

"How did you become a dragonborn?" Artie asked.

"It's somewhat of a mystery, but I have my suspicions... I met a beautiful sorceress that I fell in love with. She was an expert in many types of magic - pyromancy, conjuration, oneiromancy, hypnotism - she was brilliant."

Artie smiled as the dragonborn spoke of the woman.

Ryujin continued: "I was infatuated with her. She kept me grounded and began to teach me humility." He chuckled, but the light quickly left his eyes. "One morning I awoke in our bed. I had turned into this, and she had disappeared without a trace. For a long time, I lost my memory of my life as a human, but they slowly came back to me. I spent years searching for her, but I've never found out who took her."

"You think someone cursed you and kidnapped her?" Jasper asked.

Ryujin nodded. "I do. Unfortunately, because of my actions, I made many enemies in my day, so the suspects were innumerable. I killed samurai, warlords, nobles... A lot of powerful people with powerful connections. They knew I couldn't be bested in battle, but they figured out a way to deal a great blow."

"You still don't know what happened?" Artie asked.

Ryujin shook his head. "It remains a mystery, and one that I ultimately had to make peace with. I doubt I will ever have answers."

"That's terrible... I'm sorry that happened to you."

"It taught me humility, and in a way gave me a chance to start over. I'm a better person, with better friends." He glanced over at Slade and Rogue John. Slade nodded and smiled in return, while the halfling flipped him off without even looking up from the cards in his hand.

Ryujin chuckled, a bit of the light returning to his eyes.