Chapter 9: Town of Trost

Arcturus had never been as grateful as he was in that blissful moment when the dragon placed him softly on the grass hill overlooking the village of Trost.

“Thanks…for the ghloooaaaaahk, “ he immediately fell to his knees and vomited all over the ground over the dragon’s throaty chuckle.

“I really hope you can avoid doing that while I am carrying you.”

“Didn’t it strike you that this happens exactly because your inability to ask before swooping me up? Stop picking me up without warning!” Arcturus coughed, spat a few more times, then ripped a fistful of grass to wipe himself off the disgusting sludge. He stood up with a groan and joined the dragon, looking down to the village. It looked just like it had when he was just a boy. In a way, it seemed the passage of time hardly had an effect on the place. There were about three dozen wooden cottages huddled together on the rolling hills, bathed in the light of the afternoon sun. Arcturus could make out the tiny specks of people from the distance, hurrying to deliver all sorts of goods back to their homes.

“Are you sure these people will be more accepting of a dragon? This village looks pretty much like every human settlement I’ve seen.”

“And how far does that number reach, wise, centered Crimson Sky?”

“One?” Veledar tilted his head, scrunching up his snout. “Or is it…two?”

“Yeah,” the human chuckled. “Two out of hundreds. You see, Trost is amiable to dragons beca-”

Arcturus was interrupted by a loud screech and a sudden blur of feathers. Three gold and white gryphons landed in a triangle pattern around them. They wore specially crafted, brown leather armor to cover their vulnerable joints, and each had a small tabard hanging around their necks by golden chains. Crimson Sky immediately bared his teeth and flared his wings. Arcturus only rolled his eyes at that. The dragon moved closer to no doubt protect him, even if he would most likely not admit such a thing.

Arcturus calmly stood his ground as the gryphons stared at them with un-moving brown eyes.

“A scaly? I’ve never had the pleasure to gaze upon a dragon around these parts.” said the gryphon closest to Arcturus. Arcturus could see the gryphon’s chest getting bigger, obviously in an attempt to appear more threatening.

Arcturus sighed, closed his eyes, then spoke calmly. “Because they have the most gryphons compared to any other village in Lumara,” Arcturus finished saying to Crimson Sky.

The gryphons gave a collection of confused looks to this. “That wasn't an answer to my...” one of the other gryphons started to say.

“Sorry ‘bout that.” Arcturus intervened. “Please, allow me to explain myself. I was just telling Crimson Sky here that Trost is defended by more gryphons than any other town in Lumara.” Arcturus gestured to Crimson Sky, who still was showing his teeth.

“Oh, of course you were,” the gryphon said. Arcturus noticed he started to strut. Crimson Sky closed his maw and rolled his eyes.

“I speak the truth. This dragon happens to be my official escort, erm, sorry. That doesn’t sound right.” Arcturus calmly rephrased. “He’s both a guard and a method of transportation. You see, we are conducting official business in the name of the king. Information I sadly cannot disclose to a patrol. I’m sure you understand the nature of these tasks.” Arcturus said calmly to the gryphon that was now strutting around him. It appeared none of them noticed how Crimson Sky rolled his eyes in irritation.

“Official business?” the strutting gryphon asked. “Never heard of official business with a dragon involved. Your story smells worse than that one’s wings.” The gryphon pointed a claw at Veledar’s scrunched snout.

“Oh please, you should take a whiff from that broom you call fur before-“

Arcturus slapped the dragon’s neck and placed himself between the gryphon and the dragon. “This is starting to get bothersome. I am Arcturus Lund, dragon slayer and paladin of Lumara. If you haven’t heard my name, then you probably hatched from rocks.” Arcturus said, trying to not sound a little smug.

The gryphon ruffled his feathers as he clacked his beak a few times. “Perhaps we did. What value does a name bring to our town?” The gryphon's eyes looked away, just like Crimson Sky did when he was trying to hide his curiosity.

“I have orders to bring him to the king.” Arcturus slapped Veledar’s foreleg a few more times. “Got some big plans involving this big scale bum here.”

“If you call me that again, I swear you won’t have a hand to-“

The air rang with the screech of gryphons, who flared their wings in an instant.

“Stand down!” Arcturus barked. “Dragon’s of no value to me or the king if you three start a fight over bad jokes. My scaly friend here…he’s special, you know.” Arcturus smiled, patting Crimson Sky on his scales again. He felt the dragon’s hide tense for a moment before it relaxed. He was a tad taken back as the strutting gryphon suddenly moved in close and put his beak very close to his face. Although, after he found himself face to face with a dragon not very long ago, moments like these had very little effect on Arcturus. The gryphon breathed in deep as he stared at him square in the eyes, as if searching for the slightest flinch.

“Will you let us proceed?” Arcturus asked.

The gryphon whirled with a satisfied squawk and let his lion tail smack Arcturus on his leg armor.

“Checks out. The name’s Mek, and my companions are DuskTalon and Miraka.” Mek gestured to the other gryphons one at a time. “As much as I would like to continue our conversation, we have a patrol to finish. I advise you both to stay out of trouble while you are in our village. Paladin, dragon, or whatever you are matters little to us as long as you behave properly.”

“Of course we will, you pampered bird.” Crimson Sky said, putting a paw to his chest. “I will be an example of harmony. Who knows, your town might love me so much that next time we come around we’ll see dragons flying around instead of gryphons.”

“Dream on, scale-wings.” Mek said curtly before spreading his golden wings wide. With a puff of dirt from their wings, all three gryphons launched themselves high into the skies.

“Well that was certainly a delightful experience.” Crimson Sky said sarcastically as the human led him down the hill. “Walking feels good. The earth’s soft under my paws and the grass tickles my feet in lovely ways. However, I cannot help but observe we are making the wrong choice here. Why burden our legs when we can fly?”

“You want to fly after that delightful talk we just had?” Arcturus narrowed his eyes. “You insulted Mek in front of his squad. Do you realize how deep this sting goes?”

Veledar snorted dismissively. “My scales suffered worse.”

“Good for you. Now keep on walking. We’ll be there in just a bit.”

“Graaarrr! I so wish I could fly. Imagine how fast we’d get there. Ten wing beats and we are done.”

“No.” Arcturus said.

“Choice is an illusion. You know I can pick you up any time I want.”

“And I thought I might ride on your back for a change!” The human shot back, much to the dragon’s surprise. “Yeah. I’m not afraid of heights or flying. It’s your…method of transportation that brought out the banshee in me.”

Arcturus cringed at the growly laughter that came out of the dragon’s throat. He waited for him to calm down, then continued. “I can handle straight flying. It’s only diving that gets me. Same goes for the ascension, so if you can smoothen those for me, we can be flying partners.”

“Really?” The dragon cocked his head, blinking a couple of times. “You’re serious?”

“Why not? Flying can be quite refreshing, and certainly feels much better than being caged in the wailing bowels of a flying machine.”

“I think I might just feel insulted by your request.” Crimson Sky replied, Arcturus was not sure if the dragon was being serious or not. “You wish to ride upon my back like I’m some common animal. Method of transportation, am I? Or one of those horse things you rest your arses on whenever you feel too lazy to move on your own legs?”

“Ah, but you’d be a noble and dignified steed. A dragon worthy of a paladin!” Arcturus laughed.

“A fancy title to obscure the nasty weight of your armored ass.” The dragon snorted, then paused for a bit before speaking. “Let me think about it, Arcturus. It might be easier to swallow my pride than to watch you retch every time we land.”

“Ah, so you dragons are able to choose reason over pride. I’m thrilled. This way, everybody wins!”

“You’re an awful paladin, know that?” Crimson Sky replied, squinting his eyes. “There would be one more thing to say though. I never got the chance to say your idea of escaping the fairy realm had a spark of draconic brilliance in it. Sounds almost like something I’d think of!”

Arcturus smiled at the dragon’s words. “My dear dragon, I do believe you’re trying to leech my merits, because I haven’t heard you come up with this exact plan before me.”

Crimson Sky scrunched up his snout in slight disgust. “I was trying to pay you a compliment, you thick armored buffoon! You could do better than poke at my shortcomings. If I didn’t erect that magic shield, there would be no brave paladin to save us from those shadows, so I win!”

“Oh, come now, Crimson Sky, I said that in jest. I had no idea a strong dragon like you could be so easily wounded.” Arcturus said, playfully shoving the dragon in the shoulder even if Crimson Sky showed no signs of feeling the nudge. Moments later, while they were walking towards the village, Crimson Sky returned the favor and shoved Arcturus onto the grass with one scaly paw.

“Down your armored ass goes! Now you can consider us even.” Crimson sky growled with glee.

Arcturus spit out some grass that had gotten into his mouth and dusted himself off. The dragon was nothing but amused, even pleased with his juvenile way of thinking.

“My fault! It’s my fault?” The paladin pointed a finger at the silly dragon. “I severely overestimated your intellect. Beneath these fancy scales and big, pompous words, you’re nothing but a child!”

“Hatchling.” The dragon swished his tail playfully. “Go on. I am intrigued by what comes next.”

Arcturus chuckled. “Hah. I take it we are starting to be friends now?”

The dragon settled onto his haunches to look at the human with what could be described as an amused look. “You are indeed growing on me, paladin Arcturus.” He then looked away with the same silly smile, “Like damp, stinky cave mold that clings onto everything it touches.”

“Ugh. Where did you get that from?”

“I can always make another joke about my backside.”

“No, Gods no! We can be friends without sharing these types of jokes, can’t we?”

“I don’t know, human. Dragons don't have friends besides other dragons.”

“Really? What about Trixie? She certainly thought of you as a friend,” he said, but felt instantly guilty as he saw a look of remorse grow on Crimson Sky's snout.

“I knew a female dragon once, so full of life, always up to mischief, but her light had dimmed. She’s...gone.”

Well, that was certainly something he did not plan on doing to the dragon. “Apologies. It was not my intention to remind you of your loss.”

“I did not say she was dead, Arcturus. She went east to explore a continent far away. Unfortunately for the both of us, I decided to stay here, and a precious bond we forged over the years crumbled to dust. Do not pity me. It is the way of the dragon, to live a life of solitude.”

“Yeah, but…I can’t help but feel bad about it.”

The dragon said nothing. Instead, he allowed the human to touch him, and Arcturus walked with a hand on Crimson Sky's side in silence until they reached the village at the base of the hill.

Arcturus made his way onto the bustling streets, avoiding the gawking faces made by the various people. The red dragon seemed to bask in the attention he received. Paper cutouts of gryphons hung between each wooden building that dotted the small village. Despite the stares, gryphons were passing over frequently to get a good look at the dragon. Arcturus noted that things were going well so far. No one was rushing over to instigate a conflict on purpose. If anything, they were curious about this unlikely pair. Arcturus had to send the insistent birds away despite Crimson Sky's protests, whose only desire was to stop and tell anyone that would listen about his magnificence. After the third such instance, Arcturus had no option but to grab the dragon by his pompous snout.

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“Listen here, you pampered mink! We are supposed to avoid drawing too much attention to ourselves. A dragon is already big news without you stopping to make idle chit chat with every passing person!”

Crimson sky just smirked with his teeth and growled quietly. “Mrawr, awwr, Arcturus. I was simply making these townsfolk feel more confident about my benevolence. I imagined would be proud of what I am trying to achieve here; cooperation between our two very different races.”

Arcturus bit his lip. The dragon did have a point. The last time Crimson Sky landed in a human village, he not only angered the people, but messed up their village, albeit in much minor ways than another dragon would.

“Alright, alright!” Arcturus said. “You’re doing much better than last time, but that doesn't change the fact that you are going against the very thing we try to achieve here.” He sighed, “I thought you’d be satisfied with a full stomach and a soft place to rest.”

Crimson Sky quickly nodded. “Honestly, I would have made more of a fuss if not for the curiosity of these people. Why can't the rest of your race act like normal people, instead of petty little things with corn up their arses?”

“I won’t even try to debate that.” The paladin said. Crimson Sky started following Arcturus, who had started leading him to a rather large wooden building that seemed to be built with purpose in mind. Everything about the inn was twice the size of anything else in the village, from its clear glass windows to its great wooden door. The sign outside was pristine and hardly looked a day old. In gold lettering, it read The Gallant Gryphon, and beneath the letters was a mural of a golden gryphon standing proudly in front of pair of rolling hills.

“So why this place and not the inn we passed five minutes ago?” Crimson Sky asked. His snout sneaked inches from Arcturus’ head, making him jump in surprise. Arcturus caught his breath and narrowed his eyes at the chuckling dragon.

“Do I startle you so easily, Arcturus?”

Arcturus ignored him, “This place is more suited for a creature of your stature.” He gestured with his arms to Crimson Sky's body. “You might have felt a tad cramped in the other places I had in mind.”

He watched Crimson Sky turn back towards the previous inns they passed, and Arcturus thought he saw a hint of disappointment on his snout when his words were proven true.

“You’re right. They’re smaller than my…you know, what I have between my legs.”

“That’s your tail.” Arcturus said quickly. “Come now, before somebody else hears you.”

Crimson Sky turned back towards The Gallant Gryphon, quickly barging through the front door with a smirk. Arcturus quickly heard a crash and the cracking of wood from inside.

“Don't worry, good people! My human friend will pay for all the damages I cause.” he heard Crimson Sky say loudly.

Arcturus opened the door to find Crimson Sky sitting in the middle of a cracked table with a group of laughing gryphons and humans.

“There he is. The finest in all the land. Quite a looker too, am I right?” Crimson Sky said, pointing at Arcturus.

Arcturus made his way past the patrons. On his way to the bar, he heard Crimson Sky already ordering what sounded like a banquet of food. Behind the bar stood a bald man cleaning an iron mug with a frown plastered over his hard, pockmarked face.

“Damages for the table will be fifty silver pieces,” he said in a gruff voice.

“My word is my bond,” Arcturus sighed, reaching into his pouch to find the coins for the man. ”Need two rooms as well.”

“Only got one. Tis’ a busy day to be wantin’ a room, friend,” the barkeep stated.

“Fine, we will take the one room you have. Hope it’s big enough to house a dragon.” Arcturus sighed. He turned back to the sound of a waitress in a blue uniform holding what looked like a stack of food rather than an order.

“That dragon ordered everything on the menu!” she exclaimed in surprise. “Not even the gryphons ever order this much! I hope you’re all hungry!”

The barkeep just eyed Arcturus with a grin as he forked over more coin to the man. “Very well,” Arcturus placed a small bag of twenty gold pieces. “That should cover everything my scaly friend has ordered.”

After he paid, Arcturus took a seat next to the dragon, who was sitting at an over-sized table, talking with a group of three gryphons. They seemed to be one upping each other in tales of courage and skill.

“Then I pounced on the shadow creatures, claws ripping at their throat, flames coating everything! I could have flown away, of course. Incinerate them all from above, but that would have meant abandoning a helpless human to a most gruesome fate, and I, Crimson Sky, defender of the realm, vowed to protect those who cannot defend themselves.” Crimson Sky said, swelling his chest in pride.

“How did you save him?” a gryphon asked.

“Well, it started like this.” Veledar narrated the incident, only this time he made himself the hero who came up with the brilliant idea to leave the fairy’s realm.

The gryphons gave a collected gasp at the story, with one turning towards Arcturus, “Is this true, human? Did Crimson Sky here really save you from thirty shadow creatures?”

The others looked to him with eagerness while Crimson Sky's snout seemed to say, “tell them”.

He smirked. This wasn’t a bad place to craft a little telltale in Crimson Sky’s name.

“Ah, but my scaly friend here is too humble to recount the true danger of our predicament. I reckon it must’ve been at least fifty shades, one more wicked looking than the other.” Arcturus said. “Those dreadful creatures had us surrounded. Our weary bodies were covered in wounds, our magic, fading. I had no hope of victory. And if not for my brave dragon savior, I would surely not be here telling you this tale.”

He folded his arms while the gryphons turned back to Crimson Sky and bombarded the dragon with questions and praises. Arcturus was glad for the steaming food as several of the cook’s assistants brought it over in the middle of another tale of unmatched bravery from Crimson Sky. Arcturus dug into a roasted goose. Its taste was sweeter than anything he ate recently. He washed it down with a mug of bitter, but not bad tasting ale.

It was when a song started up from the others that Arcturus joined in the revelry. He looked to Crimson Sky, who had a large smile and was singing along with the rest, looking utterly ridiculous.

“What’s the matter, Arcturus?” Crimson Sky slurred, his tongue hanging from his mouth, eyes cloudy from the amount of ale he ingested.

“Crimson Sky, you’re…Gods, this is better than any tale I’ve heard today. You…you’re drunker than guard on his free day!” Arcturus exclaimed in surprised.

“Nonsense!” The dragon growled, almost losing his balance as he wobbled around the inn much to the fright of the staff that scampered out of his way. “I am a m-mighty dragon, and it takes a lot…a lot more than that to get me properly drunk!” Crimson Sky shouted, his voice filling the inn.

Arcturus gestured to the two empty kegs at the dragon’s side. “Like those?”

Crimson Sky stuck his nose into them. “They’re empty!” he snarled angrily. “Servants! More drink!”

“No no no,” Arcturus ran over to the unsteady dragon. “You’ve had more than enough, my friend. Let’s get you out of here before you wreck the whole inn.”

Arcturus helped the dragon to a door labeled room seven. It matched the key the barkeep had given him while he had enjoyed his meal. Inside, the room was lit by a single mana crystal that bathed the walls in a pleasant shade of orange that could be mistaken for candle light. There was a simple dresser for their clothes, as well as a bed large enough for a gryphon in the shape of a nest. Crimson Sky collapsed onto the bed as Arcturus removed his suit of armor piece by piece, sighing in relief.

“Are you going to bed me?” Crimson Sky hiccupped from behind.

“W-what?” the paladin’s eyes constricted with panic.

“Are you going to come to bed with me?” the dragon repeated in an eerily calm voice.

“No! I have my own bed, right…here.” Arcturus whirled on his feet. “Alright, nowhere.” The human sighed after he checked the room twice. “A single bed for two people? Who does that?”

“It is not uncommon for friends to share.” The dragon spread his wings invitingly. “Come now. Don’t pretend there’s a choice involved.”

“You’re bloody annoying even when you’re drunk.” Arcturus grumbled as he walked over to the dragon.

“You afraid someone might get some ideas between the two of us?” the dragon continued with a sly grin. “I’ve seen the way you look at me.”

“You stay on your bloody side, and try to keep that babbling maw shut.” The human replied, pushing the bulk of the dragon to the other side of the nest bed. He was soon drifting to sleep, even with the dragon poking about his naked body, chuckling in that growly, drunky way of his.

* * * *

Arcturus found himself in the sky. More accurately, on top of Crimson Sky’s back, with his arse rested upon a saddle. Arcturus was holding tight onto the makeshift thing as the dragon’s wings carried them both through the blue expanse. Every wing beat from the dragon filled him with excitement as he looked to the horizon, finding he liked the feeling of wind flowing through his hair. Strangely enough, the paladin felt a smile come to his face as he realized he was much calmer than usual. Somehow, he knew there was no danger involved. More than that.

He knew this was a dream. Surely in the waking world the dragon would detest this to the end of time, but within his mind, Arcturus enjoyed the dive, the turns, and somewhat scary barrel rolls. Despite being this high up in the sky, Arcturus felt warm, the heat radiating from the dragon ensuring he suffered no grievance from the biting gusts of the shifting winds.

In a few moments the sky warped around them, changing until Arcturus found himself free-falling without the dragon. He screamed out as fear found its way into him. He held his eyes shut, telling himself it was just a dream, until he fell hard not onto a grassy field, but a cold, stone floor.

He opened his eyes to find himself in his father's old study. The chamber was adorned with dragon bones of all sizes hanging ominously by thin wires. Books lined the walls, filled with techniques studying these beasts, various ways to subdue and kill them. Arcturus stood up, finding his joints all ached with a dull pain that made him wince. He turned towards a fireplace, already lit and bathing the room with a flickering light. In front of the fire place rested a couple of pale, green chairs. One of them turned to face him, revealing no one else than his father, a stern look upon his aged, bearded face. His short hair was lined with gray hairs, and his piercing blue eyes stared at Arcturus as if they could pierce the man’s very flesh.

“My son…” the man said with a voice full of disappointment.

Arcturus soon heard whispers around him. Words such as tricked, traitor, dishonor, each one of these words making Arcturus slowly fall to his knees. Part of him wanted nothing more than to drop to his hands and beg forgiveness before he heard a faint roar that made him pull his attention away from his father to find Crimson Sky towering over him, looking ferocious. His teeth were bared, and his eyes focused solely on him, with his tail twitching from side to side.

Arcturus reacted by trying to reach for his sword. Instead, his hands found cold, empty air. Somewhere in the darkness, he heard his father’s ominous laughter.

“This is what you get for bargaining with monsters instead of killing them.”

Arcturus ducked as Crimson Sky tried to snap his jaws on him, so close that he could feel a spray of saliva coat his neck. He fell backwards as Crimson Sky shoved and pinned him underneath a sharp claw. Arcturus grasped the paw that was holding him down, trying to force it off him. He gasped in pain as Crimson Sky let his claws dig into his chest, drawing blood.

He sensed pity from his father as Crimson Sky bared down at him, and he opened his maw wide. Arcturus watched a glow start in the back of the dragon’s pink throat before the flame exploded outwards. Although, instead of intense heat, he felt a warming sensation. He felt the dragon's weight lift off him, and he sprang to his feet. Arcturus darted towards the door of his home. He had to get out of here and end this nightmare. He grasped the handle of the large door that was covered in dragons of every color. Their little gem eyes stared at him as he pressed down on the metal handle. The eyes seemed to follow him as he sprinted down an endless hallway. He could hear his father's voice calling for him, urging him back to his home, but Arcturus pushed it from his mind.

He gasped when a silver dragon sprung from one of the walls, wrapping itself around him as he struggled in its tight scaled grip. Arcturus cried out as he fell onto the floor with the dragon. His heartbeat quickened as his struggles continued against the thing. When his foot sank into the floor, he went to cry out, but found he was unable to voice anything.

Wrapped in complete silence, Arcturus sank entirely into the floor, his eyes filling up with nothing but darkness. He could still, however, feel the tight grip of the dragon holding him in this abyss. He tried to speak, but like before, he found his words lost to the air, making no noise.

From within, he felt sorrow on a level he could not have imagined before. It filled him quickly, and he felt tears well up in his eyes. Like hundreds of pieces of him had been scattered all around, and he was holding onto this world by a thread. The feeling passed as quickly as it had entered, and Arcturus once again felt warmness return to his body. He felt his chest grow tight, almost too hard to breath. He could feel what felt like breathing on his neck and sighed in relief rather than fear. That was the sound of the Crimson Sky he knew. His friend.

His eyes bolted awake instantly.

He was being held by Crimson Sky, who was clearly still asleep. The dragon must have snatched him in his sleep and held him close against his frame like a child might do to a stuffed animal. Arcturus was angry at first, but sighed as he relaxed in the dragon's warm embrace. He admitted that, with a source of warmth draped over him, it was much nicer to sleep than in the embrace of the usual cold air that was common in Trost. He felt the dragon kick his left leg, causing Arcturus to wonder what the dragon could possibly be dreaming about. Could it be drinking? Flying? Female dragons? A conquest? Or simply winning an argument? Arcturus squirmed his way slowly out of the dragon's grip. He came free several minutes later, and instantly regretted his choice as he felt the chill of the air wrap its tendrils around him. As he looked back to the slumbering Crimson Sky, he fought the urge to crawl back into the dragon's embrace and fall asleep once more.

Maybe later, Arcturus shook his head and dismissed the idea. His stomach rumbled a most enticing counter offer.

He made his way to the bathing room and washed himself thoroughly in a comfortable iron tub. He found the warmth of the crystal-heated water appetizing, just like the smell of eggs and bacon that filled the room. He chuckled at the thought of gryphons eating eggs, but his thoughts changed when he rounded the corner and found a whole party of gryphons digging into a heaping pile of scrambled eggs. Arcturus sat down and asked for a cup of coffee from one of the elven waitresses, who looked to him with amusement in her green eyes.

“I know you. Paladin, right? You have that red dragon following you around, am I right?” she asked, while scrambling some more eggs.

“That’s me,” Arcturus gave her a quick nod as he took a sip from the coffee mug placed in front of him. He sighed as the liquid warmed and did its intended effect of waking him up.

“Quite an odd pair you two make. That says a lot when we get a bunch of feathers like them.” She gestured to the gryphons. Two of the birds squawked at her, she waved them back, then shifted her eyes back to Arcturus. “Didn't know dragons still fly around these parts. I only ever heard stories ‘bout them, including the one in Entis,” she said before sighing, “do you two ever go on grand adventurers, or is your position keeping you tied behind the walls of your city?”

Arcturus chuckled as she looked to him with those curious eyes. She must have been at least one hundred years old, although she was looking at him as if she were a kid.

“I’m on a journey right now, as fate would have it, filled with a tad too much excitement for me to stomach,” he said, taking another sip from his mug. “Though your coffee surely helps. Listen. Do you have anything to help with the nausea when he takes me up there?”

The waitress smiled. “We’ve got plenty of herbs for airsick lowlanders. Want me to bring you some?”

Airsick? Lowlander? Somehow, feeling nauseous suddenly became the smallest concern when pitted against an eternity of teasing.

“Nah. Only way to stay sharp is to fight that which you fear.”

“Or fly.” The woman pointed out.

“Yes. Exactly that.” Arcturus took another sip from his mug.

The waitress excused herself back to the kitchen. Arcturus sat in a few moments of silence before he found another person sitting beside him, a familiar looking half elf wearing a grin.

“So, if it isn't the stubborn, metal-clad jester who wasted his time prosecuting an innocent dragon,” she said, picking up a mug of coffee handed to by a kind, smiling waitress. “Didn't think I'd see you again, your highness.”

“Same. And you don’t have to call me that. Arcturus will do fine.”

She grabbed a fork and knife as a plate of food was placed in front of her. “I don’t really care about it, although now it's more intriguing why an officer of your prestige ran away from his duties.” She watched him closely with her eyes full of questions. “What ever did happen with that dragon anyway? Last I heard he swept you off your feet and carried you away. Could be to eat you, could be he took a fancy to you. Or possibly…mayhap it’s you who took a fancy to him!”

Arcturus clenched his jaws at the annoying waterfall of prattling sounds that poured from her mouth. “Maybe it’s not your business to know why I’m here.”

Suddenly, revelation ran through his mind. What wind brought the half-elf here? Trost was very far from the village of Deet. “Actually, do entertain me for a moment. Say my memory’s a bit fuzzy. How many days passed since our last encounter, and how did you find me here? You must’ve moved on quick feet to-”

“Quick?” she asked in surprise. “You really must’ve hit your head or something. I took nearly a month to get here. Been side tracking as I made my way back home.”

“A month?!” Arcturus shot up from his chair, making several patrons gasp. “But I saw you merely four days ago!”

His mind raced with the possibilities of the Fairy's magic. Was it possible he had been walking with Crimson Sky for thirty days they had not noticed because of the realm’s weirdness?

“You might want to lower the tone of your voice a little. The gryphs are starting to get queasy.”

Arcturus sat down, holding his head. He thought to all of his friends, who probably believed him to be a pile of bones abandoned somewhere. “A whole month?” he scratched through his beard again. “Oh, blasted….”

“What happened that you lost a month of time, my friend?” She laughed. “Partnered up with your cup a bit too long last night, haven’t you? I heard that dragon has a lovely singing voice.”

Arcturus put his hands down and told her everything that had happened up until that point. Not sure why felt the need, to be honest, but as he went along with the story, somehow the words started to pour naturally from his lips, while the half-elf seemed to grow more curious with every passing moment.

“That's all I have to say.” Arcturus finished up his recounting of the events. “We're now trying to find our way to Entis so that my drunk, singing dragon can get his special book back from whoever had the brilliant idea to snatch it from his lair.”

Lyndis just held a sly grin as she finished sipping the last remainders of her coffee. “I’m in.”

“In where?”

“In this adventure, madness, nonsensical quest or whatever you two are up to!”

Arcturus frowned. “Listen, lady. We’re not exactly a team, you and I. We barely know each other’s names!”

She held a hand up to cut him off. “Perhaps you should listen to me, metal-clad. Your lack of subtlety is legendary, and you will need someone who can get you into Entis without drawing much attention to yourselves.” She gestured to the broken table. “Does that look like the work of a master of shadows to you?”

At that point Arcturus had to admit the truth. The woman was right. He could not think of a way to get Crimson Sky into the city, least of all the castle without being incarcerated by the city guard.

“Alright. Say I am considering this mad proposal. How exactly will you be able to help, miss Lyndis?”

“Well....” She pulled out a knife to stab it into the table. “I'm not only good with illusion magic, but I also have skills in stealth and adventuring. I know this land almost as well as I know my own clothes.” she smiled.

“Fine. You can come with us, although we will need to get horses. Crimson Sky is not exactly the type of dragon who would eagerly offer you a ride out of the kindness of his heart” he laughed, imagining the dragon ranting at the two adventurers that demanded a place upon his back.

“No problem. I'll go pick two of the best mounts while you tell the big guy the news.” Lyndis dropped a small bag of coins for the inn, thanked the innkeeper for her meal, and left quickly. Arcturus finished his own scrambled eggs in much needed silence. He needed to think of the proper way to approach his proud partner.

“You mean we have another person with us?” Crimson Sky shouted, “And why haven’t I been made aware of this before you took this ridiculous, stupid, careless decision?”

“She practically ambushed me.” Arcturus defended himself.

“That may be, but you could’ve stalled her until I woke up. I’m the leader here! Me. Crimson Sky the Brave, savior of humans, beloved of the gryphons, singer of tales and proud owner of Lumara’s finest paladin.”

Arcturus scratched his head. “Yeah, that…that’s not going to do so early in the morning. I heard the word paladin, but the rest is gone.”

“Gone?” the dragon growled. “Oh, human, you insult me so.”

That made Arcturus raise an eyebrow. “Maybe I wouldn’t, if we were proper partners for one! What made you think you were the leader?”

“Why, I am a dragon, of course! How can I be anything less than the leader? This is my quest, my rules.” Crimson sky paused and did the thing where he looked away but still had his eyes on him. “Who did you find anyway that could possibly be of help to me?”

So, the dragon did not entirely hate the idea after all. “A half-elf that is good with illusions. Goes by the name of Lyndis. You should know her from the-”

Crimson Sky seemed to perk up at the name. “Lyndis!” He shouted. “Lyndis, as in the half elf I saved from certain death?!”

“Well, her version of the story is a little different.”

Veledar beamed at that. “Kind, selfless Lyndis. She must’ve increased the number of bandits tenfold.”

“Actually, she claimed you just helped.”

“Mrrrrrffff,” Crimson Sky snorted, “We both know that’s not how it happened, metal ass! But still,” he grinned, “It will be nice to talk to someone who can actually use magic.”

“Magic? Even peasants know what that is.” Arcturus laughed.

“Yes, but I’m not speaking about theoretical magic. You know what it is, but as far as I know, you cannot even create a spark without rubbing two stones together like a primitive.” Crimson Sky wagged a talon at him with a coy grin.

Arcturus missed his energy crossbow. If he had it right now, he would’ve stunned this joker’s prattling tongue.

“Now that you have been once again made aware of the superior nature of my species, I must leave to attend more pressing matters.” Crimson Sky shoved him aside and worked his way to the dining room.

Yeah. Go and feast, you loud, rude beast. Arcturus thought as he went over to his armor, reciting his oath with each piece he strapped upon himself. When he stowed his sword and slung his shield around his back, the human grinned at the image presented in the mirror; that of a young man ready to take on the whole world.

“Today is going to be a good day.” He looked around the room with nostalgic fondness before he left the room, and the memories he formed in this place, forever behind.