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CHAPTER 2:

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Ardwynn was looking through the kitchen cupboards for snacks. There wasn’t much but a box of stale lingonberry cookies. The elf, half-elf, and human were sitting around the kitchen table. Lothinar had left in a hurry. He hadn’t even taken the time to say goodbye.

Her cousins, Argent’s daughters, had tried to take over the town of Delora Natine. Her husband had left to deal with it. That was certainly regrettable. It wouldn’t make her re-integrating or being forgiven for past crimes any easier.

Vanquish had been explaining to Ronniflass about the changes she had made to correct Ardwynn’s genetic flaws. That conversation had been completely derailed when Ronni had suddenly begun asking about her ability to conceive. She had seemed almost frantic about it.

It certainly was strange to observe the previous dairyman’s wife, who was at least triple Michelle’s age, act with such deference and respect toward the young human girl. Of course, that girl was also a, very ancient blue dragon. She might know what she was talking about.

“What I remember about half-elf physiology is a little sketchy. Let me take another look at you.” Michelle was saying. “Perhaps I can assuage your concerns.”

Ardwynn bit into a stale cookie. It hurt her tooth.

“Do you have any tea here?” She asked. “Perhaps I can dunk these.”

“You're not trying to eat those!” Exclaimed Ronni. “My father probably bought those before he fled to Silvantra.”

“I’m nursing!” Said Ardwynn. “I’m eating for two.”

“We have to be able to do better than that.” Said Ronni sliding her chair out and standing. She bent over to look in a lower cabinet. Suddenly she straightened.

“I don’t believe it!” She exclaimed.

“Did you find something?” Asked Ardwynn eagerly.

“No! Not that. Cinnabar has been trying to talk to me.” Said Ronni.

“Don’t you usually listen to your dragon?” Asked Michelle with concern.

“Sure, but you were talking to me about my ability to have children. I was distracted.”

“What does he want?” Asked Ardwynn. “Do you think they know where we can find some food in this place?”

“He’s telling me to answer the door!”

Suddenly the the three heard a steady knocking. It was coming from the front door. They exchanged worried looks.

“Did Cinnabar say who was at the door?” Asked Ardwynn.It hadn’t been that long since Mo-Rung had been trying to kill her in the bedroom. Of course, he hadn’t bothered to politely knock.

“He said it was a surprise.” Said Ronniflass. “It’s strange because he doesn’t usually keep things from me.”

“Perhaps he’s upset because you have been ignoring him.” Smirked Michelle. “I would be.”

She walked into the living room and crossed it quickly. She threw open the door.

“Surprise!” Came a chorus of youthful voices. “We figured out how to transfigure into elves!”

Ardwynn peeked around the corner of the kitchen doorway. Michelle was standing there with a strange look on her face. Her eyes were blue. They also looked completely shocked. She was blinking furiously.

“Zinariya! Is that you?” She suddenly asked.

“Yes!” The young elven girl with the golden eyes squealed. “Constance and Vigilant too!” We did it. Aren’t you proud of us?”

Michelle looked past them, out the door, and into the yard. Cinnabar and Salt were outside. They were still young dragons.

“Perhaps,” she thought, it’s only Candasar’s children. Lothinar’s involvement changes things a lot!”Suddenly Salt sort of sagged, then popped. She disappeared. Standing in her place was another young elf. She was beautiful, with striking white hair. She was also wearing a white dress. She giggled happily and ran onto the porch with the others.

“Oh no!” Said Michelle. “This is quite unexpected.”

“What about me!?” Yelled Cinnabar. “Why can’t I do it?”

Zinariya disappeared off the porch and appeared next to him with a pop.

“Now you are just showing off!” Complained Cinnabar morosely.

“I think you are trying too hard.” Said Zinariya smiling. “Relax and just let it happen. I think it’s supposed to be more natural.”

Cinnabar shook his head and looked down at the golden-eyed elf. He sighed and rolled his eyes.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able…..” POP!

Another elven juvenile appeared. He had shockingly red hair. He was, however naked. He looked down and laughed. It didn’t seem to bother him.

“I did it!” He exclaimed.“I didn’t manage the clothes though.” He said

By now both Ronni and Ardwynn had joined Michelle. They pushed through the doorway and onto the porch. The elven children stepped back a few steps and onto the stairs to make room for them.

“Cinnabar?” Ronni was practically shrieking.

“Hey! I’m sorry,” the red-haired youth exclaimed.“I don’t know why the others managed clothes and I didn’t!”

“You change back right away!” Ronni yelled. “You can’t be an elf!”

“I’m afraid he actually can” mumbled Michelle. “I’ve seen it a few times before.”

“I’m blaming Zinariya for this!” Ronni sputtered. “She put this idea into their heads!”

“You did.” Said Zinariya, pointing at Michelle. “You said something about changing into an elf earlier. You said I wasn’t the first Gold dragon that you had met that liked being an elf.”

Michelle sighed. “I suppose I did.”

“Did they bring anything to eat?” Asked Ardwynn. “I’m not sharing these cookies.”She rattled the box.

Ronni turned and ran back into the house.

“Hey Zinariya!” Said Ardwynn. “How about you teleport me to my place over at the other end of the lake? I'm sure I left some food in the house.”

“I’m sorry Ardwynn. My mother and father told me to stay here until they got back.”

“How do you feel about eating a weasel?” Asked Vigilant. “I could shift back and probably catch you one. There are usually a few down by the dried-up creek.”

“How do they taste?” Asked Ardwynn. “Did I already say that I’m eating for two?”

Michelle nodded. “Yes, you did.”

“Wait!” Shouted Ronniflass from back inside the house. “I found some Mung beans!”

“Weasel it is!” Said Ronni. “Mung beans give me terrible gas.”

———————————-

“Thank you again for your help, Marg,” Lothinar said as he stared at the pile of Argent’s elite troops that he had stacked up like logs on a flat spot near the hilltop. He pushed one of the bodies that had slid down a bit back into place. “Now I just have to figure out what to do with them.”

“Shouldn’t that be largely up to the town’s survivors?” Marg asked.

“It should be,” Lothinar agreed. “But I’m afraid that there aren’t many left. These bastards killed most of the town’s humans.”

“When did all this start?” Asked Marg with a speculative tone in her voice. “I can probably do something.”

Lothinar looked at her with skepticism. “If you’re thinking you can bring some of them back…?”

“You sound like you already might know what ‘I’m talking about. Good!” Said Marg.“That will save time.”She looked at Candasar.“I will need the assistance of your blue. What’s your name child?”

“Is she being serious right now?” Candasar snorted. “There are hundreds of dead humans here, and they are scattered all around. Vanquish and I barely managed to bring Queen Pricilla back. It also almost killed you!”

“Candy” Lothinar said quietly. “I think you have to admit that we are all a bit stronger than we were the last time. Marg says something can be done. We have to try. These people deserve that. They fought the elves for us. We owe them that much.”

Lothinar’s father and mother walked up. His mother was eyeing the sword. He absentmindedly unbuckled it from his waist and held it out to her. Lothinar turned to Siophra, who had not left his side. She had seemed a bit uneasy when Marg started dropping elves at Lothinar’s feet but she had stayed with him. He appreciated that. Tundor had beenLothinar’s first dragon friend. That fact had not been lost on his beautiful aunt. He smiled at her. She winked.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“This is probably going to be interesting” she suddenly whispered, as if reading his mind. “I wouldn’t want to miss it.”

“Could you and Tundor fly up and start searching for bodies?” He asked.

“It’s still pretty dark, Lothinar. It might be easier from the ground. We should try the residential sections first. Maybe after the sunrise…” she tapered off.

Marg chuckled. “There is no need to search. I will take you to them. You are still thinking in old ways.”

“But if we need Candasar, won’t we need to bring the bodies out here into a larger space?” He asked. His face showed his obvious confusion.

“Candasar eh?” Marg grinned looking at the blue dragon. “I must commend you on your extremely good choice of a bond.”

“He’s a work in progress” Chuckled the blue dragon. “But I’m doing my best.”

“What about me?” huffed Firestorm, obviously irritated. “I’m his bond too!” She had returned to the hilltop shortly after Marg had stopped delivering elves to Lothinar.

Marg’s eyes widened slightly. “Multiple bonds…hmmm. Now that is rare. Only two then?”

“Can there be more than two” Siophra asked with obvious curiosity, suddenly leaning forward.

“Well, two is rare, but once the single bond limit is broken, it quite possible and even likely that he could form a dozen or more.”

“Nope! Said Firestorm.“Not happening. Lothinar! We discussed this.

“Do not be jealous young Firestorm. I can sense that Lothinar’s heart is big enough to….”

“I am not sliding down any farther in the pecking order!” She yelled. “I don’t care if you are an ancient gold! Lothinar is mine! She looked at Candasar. “I mean ours!”

“I am not bonding with you.” Lothinar said to Marg.

The golden eyed elf looked at him.Her eyes crinkled up.Then she began to laugh.

“Oh my! No, ha!” She began to shake and twitch.Suddenly she turned around and ran directly away from the group.She fell to the ground and started pounding the dirt with her hand.The hand grew claws.The arm lengthened dramatically.A golden flash pierced the night and an immense golden dragon lay on the hillside.It was still laughing.

“You thought that I…. Oh that’s too much. Suddenly she stopped. She grew quiet. “I’m sorry, that was quite rude of me” she rumbled. There was another smaller flash and her elf body appeared. It trudged back up the short hill. She stopped in front of Firestorm.

“I like you little red dragon. You stand up for yourself, and though he may not always see it, for him.” She gestured at Lothinar. “Therefore you will go first!”

“Go first for wha…” POP!Firestorm disappeared and where she stood was a beautiful elf. Her hair was the rich red of garnets. Her eyes were darker. They were the color of mahogany. She was wearing a slinky red dress. Lothinar couldn’t help notice that it was pretty short. Is this what Firestorm would look like as an elf? He wondered. She looked towards him and their eyes met. She swayed and started to fall. Her eyes grew wide with panic. Lothinar leapt forward to catch her.

“What did you do!?” Lothinar yelled at Marg. “Change her back!”

“Wait! It’s ok Lothinar, I’m fine. It was just a shock. Let me figure this out. How do you even walk on just two legs anyway?”

“Don’t think about it too much”, replied Marg. “Your new body knows what to do.”

Firestorm managed to step forward, but she was still clutching tightly to Lothinar’s arm. Siophra moved to the other side of her for extra support. Firestorm grew more steady. Then she let go, turned and did a pirouette.

“Wow!” This is amazing. It’s pretty scary actually.” She said. “How do I look?”

“You are actually quite beautiful.” Said Siophra. She looked at Lothinar and cleared her throat.

“Oh Yes. I’m speechless.Your gorgeous, in fact.” He said.

Firestorm smiled appreciatively. “Thank you Lothinar.” She said. “And thank you Marg, for this opportunity. I can change back, right?”

“Now that I have awakened this power in you, or course you can. Anytime you want.” Grinned Marg.

Firestrorm suddenly looked quite serious. This changes things doesn't it?”

“Yes, you will have to decide many things, young Firestorm. It does change things.”

“You are NOT doing that to me!” Exclaimed Candasar.

“Really?” Asked Marg skeptically. “I can tell you are curious. I need you to be small at the moment. It’s for the task at hand. The murdered humans are mostly inside human sized rooms.”

“Why do you need me?” Asked Candasar. “If you are so powerful!”

“How can you be so ignorant?” Snorted Marg in a very dragon like fashion. Lothinar almost couldn’t believe the sound had come out of her elven body. “You are a blue. You need at least one blue to raise the dead. Everyone know that!”

“Apparently not everyone” mumbled Siophra.

“I will not force her.” Said Lothinar suddenly. “She should not be unduly pressured into this. It’s o.k. Candy. We never even considered something like this to be possible anyway.”

Candasar looked at Firestorm. “Does it hurt?” She suddenly asked.

“Not now, no. But when I changed, yes. Quite a bit in fact.”

“One gets used to these things I suppose “ nodded Marg, surprisingly agreeing with her. “It’s a little bit like putting on a shoe that’s too tight.”

Candasar just looked at her. Marg blinked. “Of course…that’s a terrible example at this point. Especially for you.”

“Why is Firestorm clothed at all, by the way?” Asked Siophra. “That seems a little strange.”

Firestorm blushed.

“It is because I wished it to be so." Marg said. There are any number of clothing choices that I might magically cause to appear upon her body.I thought these were quite nice. They compliment her natural hair and skin tones, don’t you think?

Siophra nodded, intrigued. Dragons get magical clothes! Now I’m getting jealous.”

“The next time she transitions,” Marg continued, “she will be able to choose what she wears for herself. It does come easier for some than others.”

Firestorm smirked at Candasar. “This might change the pecking order!”

Candasar had a strange look on her face. Suddenly she growled. “Do it!” She said, “I consent. Time is slipping away. We have miracles to accomplish.”

Before she could change her mind, Marg acted.She reached with her magic inside Candasar and removed the impediment of doubt. She then immediately flipped her biological elf switch. Magic was so fun! These young dragons had no idea of what they were truly capable of! She made sure she selected clothes. It wouldn’t do to make an enemy of this blue. She was Lothinar’s first bond. The way he was delivering magic to everyone on this hilltop, both of his bonds would soon be serious forces to deal with. Yes, even as a gold, it was best to remain on good terms.

The dusky elf with dark blue hair and eyes that appeared did not really surprise anyone. She didn’t even wobble.She was a natural at shifting.Candasar didn’t seem to revel in the new experience, but wanted to get started right away.

Lothinar and Candasar worked their way through the human city of Delora Natine.Marg quickly and efficiently teleported them to each location where Argent’s soldiers had worked their murderous mayhem. They looked in every home and closet. Not everyone could be saved. Even with the Gold dragon’s help, some of the wounds had been too severe. The town guard had faired the worst. This was, of course because they had been fighting back.

When all that could be saved, had been,Lothinar called a gathering. Several hundred people showed up. Many of them were still wearing the bloody clothes that they had been killed in. He put the matter to a vote.

“What shall we do with these? Your murderers.” Lothinar asked, pointing to the shimmering blue pile of elves.

“Can we not leave them as they are?” One woman asked loudly.

“Unfortunately that has not been a satisfactory solution to this problem before.” He countered. Lothinar glared slightly at his mother who visibly winced.

“Let the dragons decide.” We put our trust in them.” Called out several people. “Yes let the dragons provide justice!”The crowd grew quiet awaiting their deliberations.

Lothinar looked at Marg. “What is your range?” He asked her.

She looked surprised at his question and was a little slow answering.

“I don’t actually know” she replied “standing here with your power flowing so freely, my range is more or less unlimited I suppose.”

Lothinar squinted at the morning sun, still rising in the sky. “Can you hit that? He asked.

“What?! The sun?” She had a surprised look on her face. “You think of the strangest things! Actually I really doubt it.” She said at last, “But the fall from how high I CAN send them would be long and spectacular.”

Lothinar considered his night spent picking up the bodies of women and children and putting them back together. He would never forget what he had seen, even if miraculously, most of their attempts ended up with a life restored. He knew Candasar would never forget either. Her elven hands had been shaking uncontrollably just before Marg turned her back. She and Tundor had flown back up to the cabin. She had been eager to check on her kids. Siophra and Firestorm had stayed. Firestorm still wore her elven form. She looked at him and tried to smile, but it was a thin attempt. She felt what he felt. She was his bond. His smile was broken too.

“Only if we wake them first.” He told Marg, grimly. “I think that would feel more like justice to me.”

“It won’t be a problem if you and I time it correctly.” Marg asserted.

Lothinar nodded and started counting down from ten. At three he woke them all up. The pile of elves started thrashing. At zero there was a loud pop and they disappeared. Lothinar looked at the sun.It was probably his imagination but he thought he saw a small shadow. Then the glare made him look away. The crowd burst into cheers! Someone must have told the towns people what they were going to do. It must have been Firestorm. She had access to his thoughts after all. She gave him a little wave and nodded. She was really pretty. It was unfortunate that she was going to immediately turn back into a dragon. After all, she was going to be his ride home.

Marg looked at him. “Your journey is just begun Lothinar. But even you have your limits. You need time to sort your feelings and heal your mind. I will find you soon.”

“How will you know how to find me?” He asked.

“The same way that I found you the first time.Your leaking tasty magic like a sieve!” She chuckled.“Don’t be surprised if other dragons come to see you.” She added.

“Really?” He asked. “There are others like you?”

“Like me?” No. I’m pretty elf friendly. I’m sure you probably noticed. I just woke up so I need to do some checking around. Some other old solitary monsters no doubt survived Argent’s purge. Your lucky I found you first.”

“Thank you, I guess.” He said. “Oh wait! I wanted you to meet Vanquish! She’s in a bit of a predicament!”

“Is she at the place that Candasar went?” Marg asked.

“The last time that I saw her, yes.” He replied.

“I will jump ahead and try to speak with her there. I will not dally much. I will most likely be gone by the time you arrive.”

“It’s not really that far.” Lothinar protested. “Firestorm can probably get me there pretty fast,”

“I suspect that you two will have additional things to discuss before you make that journey.” Said Marg mysteriously. Look now. She is patiently waiting for you. I am leaving. Don’t worry, I will speak to Vanquish. It should prove to be interesting.”

“You seem to be speaking in riddles!” Said Lothinar, suddenly confused.

“That is because there are some things you need to figure out for yourself.” Answered Marg. “Look to your dragon. She may provide unexpected insight.”

There was the usual pop of teleportation but instead of Marg completely disappearing,she exploded into full dragon size about three hundred feet in the air.She started to fall but unfurled her great wings and caught the air. Flapping them only a few times she quickly flew off in the direction of Ronni’s mountain cabin.

Firestorm walked towards him. She looked somehow worried and apprehensive. She reached down and took his hand. She stood in front of him, continuing to hold it.

“These hands are so soft” she said. “It seems strange doesn’t it. It’s like some sort of dream.”

“It’s been a long night, and more of a nightmare really.” He said.

She winced.

“Not everything that has happened tonight has been terrible.” She finally said, looking up at him. Her hand was actually a little sweaty. “I learned a new ability. It actually may help me solve a problem that I’ve been struggling with for a long time.”

“Well it will certainly make it more convenient to fit inside elf sized buildings. Especially now that you are starting to grow so large.”

“I have always wanted to be useful to you. Since the day you healed my flaws, and bestowed me with part of your soul, I have always felt such a deep connection.”

Lothinar nodded, listening to her words and feeling their passion and sincerity through his bond with her.

“I left everything I knew and chased you up the mountain. You do remember that, don’t you?“

He chuckled, remembering her little face looking at him through Ronni’s kitchen window.

“I know you probably consider me to be still a child, but you need to understand something Lothinar!”

Her feelings came crashing into him. She must have somehow been holding them back. He really should have been paying more attention. The signs were all there. She was in love with him. He knew deep in his heart that they loved each other, but this was a different kind of thing. It was the ache of desire. It was passion. She had discovered a path forward and she intended to try and use it!

His brain clenched up. He calmed his thoughts. She was already in his mind through their well established bond. He couldn’t lie or misdirect, nor would he want to. He really hated that he could be so clueless about such things. It always left him off kilter and scrambling emotionally. He very much needed to respond with something. He sent back waves of affection and acceptance. He would never reject her, but it was a surprise.

She let go of his hand.

“So, obviously not immediately then.” She said sighing disappointedly. “I suppose that after a night like this, that would be a lot to ask.”

“I do love you my little dragon.” He said tenderly.He realized that he sincerely meant it. In ways that he never thought possible.

She stepped a few paces away from him and scrunched up her face.There was a loud whoosh. Her more familiar form appeared. The clothes that she had been wearing fluttered to the ground. She looked at them in surprise. Lothinar went over and picked them up. The fabric was pretty nice.

“I’ll just tuck these away for now. You might want them later.” He said.

“And I might not.” She grinned.

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

Marg switched to her elf form high in the air and immediately teleported to the porch of the small house.It was a pretty place.It had been a long time since she had been down this way, but somehow it looked familiar.She found herself wondering if any of her old elven friends from before the war might have lived here. Her arrival on the porch had not gone un-noticed however.The door had been left open. She had landed softly but a squeaky plank gave her away. A young male elf with startling blue eyes was intently staring at her.

Are you Marg? He asked. “My mother said you might be coming by.”

“I believe it is still good manners when asking for someone’s name, that you give your own first.” She said, not unkindly.

“Oh!” He said. “My name is Vigilant. Candasar is my mother.”

That floored her for a moment. Candasar had almost refused to shift into elven form, yet here was someone claiming to be her son, and obviously an elf. A young good looking one at that! She looked deeper, using her inner sight. Yes. There it was, He was indeed a dragon as well. How could this have happened without her assistance?

“Have you been an elf boy long?” She asked curiously.

“Just a few hours.” He said awkwardly. “I haven’t even tried to shift back yet.”

“Does your mother actually know that you have done this?” She asked slowly. “She didn’t seem to be eager to do this herself, earlier.”

“Mother shifted?!” He said in disbelief. “She’s out in the barn right now yelling at Zinariya for leading the rest of us astray!”

Marg hadn’t expected to wander into a family argument. A slender blue eyed elven girl walked into the front room. She was yelling back over her shoulder into the room she had just come from.

“I found him! He’s in the living room….” Her voice trailed off.“We’ve got company again!” She shouted.

“Who is it now!?” Yelled a voice.

“It’s an elf lady, but it’s nobody I’ve seen before!” She shouted back “It might be the old crone you were telling us about.”

There was the thump of footsteps. The floorboards rattled as a young, wild eyed, human girl rounded the corner and threw her hand over the mouth of the girl.”

“That’s my sister Constance.” Said Vigilant.

The pretty elf maiden looked a lot like her brother. Just the female version. She managed a little wave, in spite of the older human having her hand across her mouth.

“Now Constance! We shouldn’t speak of the elderly in such a disrespectful way!” The newcomer scolded.

“But that’s what you called her earlier aunt Vanquish!” The boy said, rolling his eyes.

“Vanquish, is that you?” Asked Marg. She was confused. The Vanquish she new had never shifted, and Marg had never heard of a dragon actually being able to change into a human.

‘I’m going by Michelle these days, actually.” Said the girl with a grimace. “Vanquish, the dragon, actually died. This is the real me. If it was ever possible for me to shape shift like you do, that ability died with my real body. Anyway, Candasar told me that you might be coming. What do you want?”

“I’m here because Lothinar asked me to speak with you.” Marg answered. “You realize what he has become don’t you?”

“Of course I do. His mother used your daughter’s powers to shape him in the womb. She didn’t really know what she was doing but she gave me a good start. I moved a few things around anatomically and eventually he made the transition. It’s been a very difficult time for him. For all of us, actually.”

Marg tried to hold back a laugh but Michelle noticed.

“Do you think this is funny?” She practically exploded.

“No Vanquish, no. I don’t think it’s funny. I think it’s amazing. No one’s ever been able to do this before. You should be proud that you got him this far.”

“But, now you’re going to swoop in and take over, is that it, Marg? After Esmarilla and I did all the work?”

“Neither of you have the knowledge or experience to help him complete this journey,” Marg replied.

“I won’t let you.” Said Michelle. Her blue eyes were glowing.

“You seem a lot braver, wearing that human body than your dragon one,” Marg replied icily. “You would never have dared to stand in my way before!”

“Perhaps it's that I feel that I don’t have that much more to lose!” Exclaimed Michelle. My real body is already dead. I hardly think. You’d stoop so low as to attack this puny human girl…”

“Enough!” Growled Marg. She grew in height. Her mouth grew fangs and ridges appeared on her forehead.

“What is going on out here!” Came another voice from behind Michelle. Ardwynn slipped past and stepped between Marg and Michelle.

“Look, I don’t know who you are and what you want, but you can’t just come in here and try to intimidate my friend. You are also scaring the children!”

Marg looked down. Constance and Vigilant’s eyes were wide.

“Ardwynn! Be Careful! You don’t know who she is!” Whispered Michelle.

“I don’t care! She’s being rude. It’s a good thing Ronni’s not here. She’d be throwing a fit. Her claws are scratching up the floorboards!”

Marg blinked. Her feet had shifted back into claws. The elf was correct about that. She tried to rein in her anger. This elf seemed fearless. She took a second look. No, not just an elf. She had dragon parts as well. She must somehow be involved with Lothinar.

“Shall we start again?” The pretty elf asked. “She smiled. “If you shrink down a bit and retract those claws, I’ll offer you my hand. I’m Ardwynn, Lothinar’s wife. By the way, you’re not taking my husband anywhere!’

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