Veledar slipped on a moss-covered rock, a small one, out of all the possible things that could trip the paws of a mighty dragon that was what decided to do it. With a snort to mask the unfortunate accident, the red dragon fluttered his wings and quickly recovered on his leather padded paws.
“Everything alright?” a familiar male voice asked from behind, one that brought with it a moment of comfort amidst the sea of worry brimming beneath his scales.
Veledar straightened up and peeked over his shoulders towards such a comforting thing. Past the sea of crimson red scales that adorned his body and tawny colored wing membranes that shuddered ever so gently under the gusts of wind, his party of adventurers were following in his wake. Ever so closely one might think them his clutch and he their protective parent. Leading the pack of mortals was Arcturus Lund, the human paladin who had been sent to capture him not too long ago. But, in an odd twist of fate, the man freed him and became more than just a grunt who took orders from a dragon. He became a trusted friend that Veledar could no longer see himself without. His bright emeralds scanned the canopy above. His sword stashed firmly in his almond colored scabbard adorned with numerous wear, while his mirror like shield was slung around his back by a leather belt. The human was adorned in silver full plate armor that would occasionally catch a ray of light streaming through the thick canopy and make the proud dragon squint his eyes. Ignoring this little annoyance Veledar did like the armor, especially when he could see his own cerulean eyes reflected in it, as well as the tan scales beneath his eyes that ran all the way to the front of his snout.
“Keep your guard up.” Arcturus said softly, taking a tentative step along the ground covered in roots, like little serpents made of bark twisting every which way. “You never know what danger lurks in the shadows.”
“Really? Why, I believe it’s a paladin’s duty to keep the moral of his party high. I expected Lyndis to be the worry-wart of the group, although, upon a brief reflection, I realized that role is better filled by-” Veledar raised an eyebrow at the armored human that brushed against his scales, a finger placed on top of his pursed lips.
“Wait. Don’t tell me.” The dragon looked this way and that. “The trees are listening.”
“Always pays off to be extra careful.“ The knight ran a hand through his short brown hair, rubbing the back of his neck as his eyes darted from tree to tree.
“That’s exactly what Merlia would say!” Veledar rolled his eyes and slowed his pace, if only to appease the worry apparent on his companion’s face.
From Arcturus, his gaze went to that of his half-elven friend Lyndis Kuxion, a magic slinging rogue he had saved from a group of thugs one fine day. Then, when he had set out on his recent quest to retrieve his stolen book, she had practically barged into his adventuring party without a second thought. Although thankful for her contribution he couldn’t wait to give her the list of items that he would be charging her for. Let that be a lesson to her. He snorted as his valiant rogue moved her almond like hair from her amber eyes gleaming with anticipation. Her other hand traced along the magically enhanced rapier he had lent her. One small investment he had made to ensure the success of his quest. She mimicked the paladin, taking a hesitant step of her own. Her muscles all tensed, eyes wide. It appeared she expected to be attacked at the drop of a scale. He admired how her brown leathers hardly made a sound when compared to the soft clanks of Arcturus’ armor. Her gloved fingers rose from the hilt of the rapier, tracing over the golden leaf clasp of her greyed cloak. The cloak of invisibility that the dragon had lent to her as well. He grinned, mentally adding the rental fees to his eventual bill.
"Dis place gives me da creeps," His last companion complained. It was none other than Merlia Gallagonar, the dwarven ranger. She had been in the right place at the right time to assist them. She was loud at times, and in a few occasions, even obnoxious. But she had been there for Veledar when he needed company most, and right now, was more than glad for her company. Although he would probably not tell her that. She had a wrinkled brow, her green spheres looking to the dragon, and then to the rest of the oaks and pines that seemed to be pressing in around them. Sturdy axes were held within each hand, her knuckles peaking from her leather gloves an almost snow white. She tossed her head, her red braided hair flopping on her back. "If I see any more of dose vines, I'm going ta ax dem some questions I will." She chuckled, keeping up her bravado. Veledar admired her dark studded leathers, lined with golden dwarvish runes all the way down to her fur lined pants. He had to take a mental note that, if she ever died, he would take her armor to hang in his lair, for it was a fine piece of crafting.
Veledar kept pace with the watchful paladin, whose eyes stuck on the ever thickening trees that reached out for them with bark clad limbs adorned with numerous menacing claws. Veledar knew they were just trees, but he could not shake the feeling that these wooden sentries would be able to reach down and snatch them up like some trembling rabbit. He even remembered a story about walking trees that could march for an entire night. They were called Ents, if he was correct. A worrying prospect to be sure, yet, if the forest was going to throw walking trees at them, let it, for he had two able wings to fly and plenty of fire to share. His chest swelled as Veledar pictured the trees encroaching on all sides, their menacing limb-branches reaching down for them. He would shield the others beneath his flared wings as he let out a mighty roar, followed by an inferno of fire and death upon them. They would flee from his might like ants before the boot of a giant, with fiery cracks searing through their bark and licking away until the browns that covered them were brown and grey with ash.
Veledar smiled at such a thought and continued to imagine further heroic deeds, it helped fight the coiling, gnawing worry growing in his belly. With each paw upon the forest floor, he grew more suspicious of the forest they were walking into. The path they took seemed the perfect size for them to walk along. If he did not know any better, he would have sworn the forest itself was adapting to their needs in order to show them the way. Besides the occasional rock, they certainly ran into no obstacles, no thickened roots to trip their feet, nor plant even remotely in the way for them to wander off. The other thing suspicious was the silence that filled the air around them. Never had a forest been quieter than this one. There wasn’t a sign of any living creature, no birds flying overhead, no insects, nothing of any kind. It was as if nothing even lived within this forest or was simply giving them a wide berth. Now, Veledar was used to be feared by animals, being the apex predator that he was, but this situation was getting ridiculous. There was no way such green, healthy forest supported no life of its own. He suspected that whatever was showing them the way was also keeping wildlife out of their path.
He watched the others as they went out of his field of vision. Formidable they might have been, but Veledar worried about what they were going to find once they reached their destination. If this creature…this being of magic or whatever it was could change the forest, summon those vines, and literally control the movement of animals, the whole party might have been put at risk. He noticed though, his eyes always seemed to wander to Arcturus most of all. The human had grown on him, to the point he almost considered not charging him the extravagant bill he had listed on about their journey. Veledar shook his head at that thought. Nonsense. Why let such bounty slip away from his paws? He caught himself as he almost tripped again, looking at somewhat captivating knight. Damn that human and his distracting way of being. Unfortunately for Veledar, the paladin had noticed the little leap he made over the rock.
The human gave him a slight smirk, then put his hand to his lips and made a gesture of sealing it. Veledar felt all warm inside. That's why he liked the human. Arcturus understood what was important to him. The paladin's eyes switched back to scanning the trees, his sword at the ready. If he had any fear, he was not showing it on his face. Veledar had to admit, he admired that about the human he called his friend. There were moments when he could swear Arcturus was actually a polymorphed dragon by the way he carried himself. Something was just…different about him. Pleasantly so. Something that tugged at his heart and made it fill with a warmth. Like sunbathing on an open field, letting the golden rays touch and kiss every scale that lined his form with its encompassing heat. His scales shivered as he imagined it, grumbling as now he yearned to do just that. But no. He had to be drawn into this forest. He rolled his eyes and swished his tail that trailed behind him like some great red serpent. He unfolded and refolded the frills that tipped it, letting out a tongue curling yawn.
Veledar turned his attention back to the forest as he realized he had been staring at Arcturus for far too long. He did not want to give the impression he fancied him too much, after all. That would start a whole slew of jokes from the females trailing behind him, something he’d rather not deal with at the present time. He lowered his head slowly as he took his next few strides, the frills on either side of his head fluttering back and forth. The path ahead seemed to curve towards a clearing of grass with no trees overhead to block the sunlight that was streaming down the heavens and brightening it up with a golden glow. He groaned at such annoying sight. They had tried fly out a little earlier, only to be blocked by vines every time. This was just a cruel tease to him, just like before.
“Don't worry, my scaly friend,” Arcturus’ words brought a comforting warmth that fought back the clearing’s sting. It was as if he could sense the dragon's thoughts, “We will get out of here and be back in the sky in no time. You can trust my word on that.”
“Well aren't you the little optimist?” Veledar hissed with a roll of his eyes and a harsh snort.. Though he found the spark of hope that never seemed to die very refreshing, he would probably never ever tell the paladin.
“Well it be better den yer constant complainin’,” Merlia chuckled, stopping to unsling her waterskin and take large swigs from the dull brown leather bag.
Veledar froze and held out a paw and placed it on Arcturus’ armored chest. Everyone stopped around him, questions suddenly being traded between his friends. He breathed in deep, somehow, the air smelled different than before. He recognized the musky scent of a dragon anywhere. The smell of dragon mixed with the poignant odor of pine.
“What’s the matter, Veledar?” Came the paladin's inquiry. Lyndis voiced her own concern as well, but the dragon was not listening as he slunk forward on his own. His strong heart coursing blood through his veins, making sure he felt ever pound beneath his mighty hide.
“Dragon.” He growled, lifting his lips to expose sharpened teeth. He slunk across the ground out into the clearing, stopping when he saw a humongous, horizontal stone of darkened grey. It was dead center of the clearing and had apparently been hidden by the winding path. Atop the dull grey formation was the scaly bulk of a green dragon. The dull green dragon was on his back, long lime green wings flared out to bask in the sun with yellow wavy lines that traced along the base. Onyx colored ventral scales flowed from his snout to the back of his frilled tail, matching the scales right below his eyes and atop his lazily resting head. He looked to be slightly smaller than the red, although that could always have been a guess. Atop the dragon's head sprouted two blackened horns, and a frill of spines that most likely went down to his tail. They were folded against his scales, most likely so the green didn’t injure them in his current position. The dragon had his eyes closed in contentment, the frills near the back of his snout twitching in time with his breaths. Jealously wound it’s way into the red’s heart for he often found himself like this when he sunbathed atop his mountain. He snorted in irritation as the green dragon's chest was slowly rising and falling slowly at a constant pace, low rumbles radiating through his serpentine neck. Enjoying what comfort the red was denied. Veledar couldn’t believe it as his tail coiled around him. After all this worrying and nerves tingling, the dragon he had smelled was sleeping.
“Hmmpf,” He murmured as he began to circle the sleeping dragon. He spotted his friends out of the corner of his eye, Arcturus at the front with wary eyes and hands already hovering close to their weapons.
“For someone who wants us here, you look rather harmless. And lazy,” He said softly with an amused snort.
“Mraawh?” The green dragon opened one of his eyes, bright yellow, a nuance that sent Veledar’s mind to the vast fields of sunflowers cultivated by humans. The green dragon just stared at him for a moment. His left claw twitched in and out, followed by the coiling of his tail. Then the dragon slightly opened his maw, and before Veledar could even react, the dragon let out a sharp word.
“Now!”
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Veledar heard his friends shout out a warning to him, but it was too late. He was smashed into by some imposing force that collided into him with the strength of an avalanche. He slammed to the ground hard as he felt blackened claws rake at his scales. Luckily, they only managed to draw a thin crimson line along his scales. Something that might have been dangerous to mortals, but to dragons? Was a mere scratch as best. He slashed out with his claws in return and shoved the green mass. To his surprise it was another green dragon. With that done Veledar pushed himself to all fours, his tail curling around his back with his heart pounding in his ears like a drum. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he stared down the green dragon that had rolled several yards away.
The green stood proudly with barred teeth, roughly the same size as the one he had seen before splayed on the rock. The dragon spread his wings wide to clearly look bigger as he roared his fury and blackened talons kneaded the grass beneath his paws.
In turn, Veledar quickly snuck a peak at the rock from before. The dragon in front of him perfectly matched the one who had been there save for a the other having a chipped horn and this one have a straightened yellow line instead of wavy ones along his wings. The red turned back to his opponent, flared out his mighty wings, thrashed his tail against the ground till it hurt and let out a thunderous roar that shook the very trees around him with his fury.
“That was neither smart nor fair, to ambush me like a rogue.” Veledar hissed, striding a few paces with a slow moving tail as he circled the green like he was on the prowl.
“Really?” The green dragon rose a scaly ridge, “Because you seemed to fall for that quite easily. Like you are rather new at this. This might be easier than I possibly imagined.”
“Yes. Precisely,” Veledar growled drily, chastising his own foolishness. “I should have recognized the illusion for what it was, but being the friendly sort that I am, I figured I should introduce myself first. I won't be fooled like that again, you uncivilized whelp,” Veledar spat, barring his teeth at the smaller dragon before him.
“Illusion?” The dragon smirked with his white teeth that gleamed in the afternoon rays. “You must’ve taken quite a hit to the head to blame magic for your lack of perception. What could I expect from one that was ambushed so easily?”
An echoing roar came from behind as icy claws dragged at the dragon’s heart. Thankfully what followed was Arcturus shouting military orders to the others, unphased by the sudden change of plans. Veledar groaned as he realized there were two dragons at work here, not an illusion like he previously thought. If that was the case then he needed to act swiftly, if only to come to the aid of his companions. With a snarl and push with his mighty hinds he leaped at the green dragon in front of him, his claws outstretched to strike.
The green dragon tried to evade his attack, but Veledar proved too quick. He managed to get a hold of the whelp. The red’s talons raked against the scales that protected the creature’s vulnerable hide. Within a moment the green dragon's pristine hide was marred by crimson droplets unearthed by the sharp tips of Veledar’s talons. Not be undone the green tried to bite Veledar with his teeth, but a sudden back-handed smack to the dragon's neck from Veledar took care of that even if the whelp now focused on mauling him back in return.
Veledar winced. The sting of claws was not too painful to endure. Lacerations like the pitiful scratches inflicted by the whelp’s untrained talons were not even a bad wound by dragon standards. He had to end this quickly though if he wanted to help his friends, who by the sound of the other dragon’s roar were doing a good job at fending for themselves.
“Get off, you pesky whelp!” Veledar shoved his opponent with all fours, swinging his tail up to whip him across the snout with his tail. The green dragon’s eyes crossed briefly, a pained growl escaped out his parting jaws before he crashed into the ground with a yowl.
“Hurts, doesn’t it?” Veledar smirked proudly.
“You bastard!” The green male snapped. Despite the hit, the dragon recovered quickly and stood back up before Veledar could finish him off. The dragon reared his head up, and Veledar saw him take a deep breath. There was no doubt in his mind that the dragon was going to use his breath on him. If he remembered correctly, green dragons had a poison breath that would either paralyze, choke, or kill the victim within minutes. Veledar patted himself mentally on the back at remembering such vital knowledge about his foe. And if this dragon wanted to use his breath, it was only fair if Veledar did the same thing in return. He opened his fire glands, took a deep breath, then hesitated as he remembered Arcturus’ words. Snow replaced the earth beneath his feet, and instead of the green dragon now stood a helpless gryphon.
“There is no justice in murdering an innocent creature who’s just following orders,” The paladin’s eyes looked up to him. Seeing something more than just a collection of glorious scales and flickering rage. “You are better than this, Veledar. Show me the way to honor.”
Curses! I must do this the hard way, don’t I? Veledar screamed inside his own mind as he snapped his maw shut. He couldn’t. No. Didn’t want to risk harming this dragon more than necessary. Arcturus was right. There were always many more paths towards an outcome, and even if he had his pride, Veledar was not beyond granting mercy. His fire would do real harm to a green dragon, and he wasn’t about to burn this dragon’s sensitive wing membranes over a simple scuffle even, if he was an enemy.
So, he let the green dragon unleash his poison cloud, for as soon as the mist rolled out of his mouth, Veledar spread his wings and leaped over the whelp. With a thump, Veledar landed behind his opponent, the green’s surprised eyes barely protecting his body from the heavy tail that earned him another meeting with the ground.
“Mraaarhhh…” The green dragon let out a pained groan. “You…take this…far too seriously…”
“Says the one who lured us into a trap,” Veledar advanced upon his fallen opponent. “How can I be sure you haven’t lured us to our deaths?”
“Deaths?” The green male coughed as he rubbed his wounded side with the leaf-shaped tip of his tail. “That’s a gross overestimation of the situation.”
“And what is the situation, green scales? You used vines to bind me to the ground, then led us here only so you can ambush us! I have the right to be suspicious of your motives.”
The dragon looked to Veledar, opened his maw as if to say something, then glanced to the clearing's opening in the trees.
“Don’t try it.” The red dragon hissed, but he’d already been played. The whelp’s tail hit his head, forcing him to close his eyes just enough to give his opponent a way out.
When he next blinked, the green dragon was back on his fours, wings spread, clearly aiming for the skies above.
“No you don't!” Veledar growled.
There was no way this dragon was going to get away before he answered a few of Veledar's questions. He was on the dragon in a second as he bounded forward. He grabbed hold of the dragon around his midsection, his weight pulling the green dragon to the earth. Veledar then rolled with him, cutting several more lines into his emerald hide in the process. Their grapple ended with Veledar on top of the green, his claws pinning him to the ground. He held one claw on his opponent’s serpentine neck, pressing down hard enough to inflict a modicum amount of pain.
"Yield." He hissed to the gasping dragon in his grip. He could feel the dragon’s limbs grab and scratch along his scales, trying to jerk his whole body away. However, Veledar simply held firm and tightened his grip on the dragon's neck, drawing blood from each of his claws.
"I am being deadly serious, you little green gnat. Yield. Now!"
"I yield!" The dragon gasped in pain as his body went limp.
"Wise decision.” Veledar sighed in relief. He turned his head to see how his friends were doing in their fight against the second dragon. Surely, they would be begging for his help.... Veledar's jaw slightly dropped as he saw Arcturus was holding his sword to the dragon's throat as the human stood triumphantly on its chest. Lyndis and Merlia were currently binding the dragon's limbs together with ropes.
"So, what took you so long, Veledar?" The human said with a smug tone. “It appears as though we have defeated ours first!” Veledar squinted his eyes at the human, then dragged the green dragon beneath him over to his companions. When he plopped the defeated dragon next to the tied up one, it became slightly hard to distinguish between the two. They practically looked the same, as they looked to the group.
"What are you going to do with us?" Said the tied up one, his voice full of worry. Veledar noticed that one also had his right horn slightly chipped. “The paladin said you’d be merciful.”
"I want your names," Veledar hissed, "Your real ones, since we defeated you so thoroughly. Honestly, both of you should be ashamed of yourselves."
Arcturus crossed his arms, turning to Veledar and giving him a searching look, a chuckle passing his lips. "How come I didn’t get your name when it was I that bested you?"
Veledar rolled his eyes, swaying his head with a chuckling snort. "Because my metal knight you brought an entire army into my cave, are not a dragon, and in reality, you haven’t really beaten me at anything."
"I'm Cordenth," the green dragon in Veledar's grasp gasped, "Can you let me go now? Your claws chafe something awful."
"No," Veledar snarled, pressing a tad harder on Cordenth’s neck. He then turned his snout to the one that was looking to the three of his companions with a look of worry. The dragon then suddenly sneezed, then did so again several more times.
“I sneeze when I get nervous..." That dragon mumbled, as Veledar’s narrowed and he shot daggers at him with his eyes.
"Hasn’t it occurred to you that forcing us into a fight might not have been the smartest thing to do? You were bested by only three mortals!" Veledar grumbled, "I honestly don't know how you will live it down. If it were me, I would be simply appalled."
"Aye, but we’re not just any band of mortals now, are we?" Lyndis added as she finished tying the ropes binding the dragon's limbs and wiping her palms together. "Besides, I think you’re just a tad jealous that we were able to defeat this bloke faster than you did Cordenth over there."
"Well you do have the iron-skirted military genius with you." Veledar snorted, "I guess that does give you a tactical advantage over an outnumbered opponent.” After he spoke his piece, Veledar turned back to the tied-up dragon, who gulped as Veledar snaked his snout in close. "Back to the matter at claw, what is your name, green scales?"
"L-Lyyreth" The green dragon stuttered, then sneezed four more times in unison.
"There. See how easy that was? We could’ve avoided all the unpleasantness if you two just treated me with the same gallantry I showed you." Veledar turned his snout to Cordenth, "Now Cordenth, I will let you go if you promise to not run. If you do, then I will be forced to catch you, and that might result in injuries even I don’t want to think of. Do you understand?”
"Yes, I understand," Cordenth groaned, “Now how about you return the favor and grace us with your name?"
"Veledar. Remember it when you reflect upon this moment.” He swelled his chest as pride ran the length of his form. His wings unfolded like a vast tapestry before them as if on their own. He lifted his lips to show off his sharpened teeth, making sure the pinned green saw every gleaming speck. Veledar released the dragon beneath him, giving him a grin and refolding his wings. Cordenth rubbed the spot he was pinned with a claw several times, grumbling unintelligible words to himself. The with a groan he stood back to all fours and made no movement to run. That surprised Veledar, but he still he watched on with wary eyes.
"So, let us get our questions out of the way." Veledar started to pace in front of the dragons, but not letting his eyes off them for a second. He could feel the flickers of anger when they had been first pulled from the sky start to stir within him and give life to it anew. "Why did you bring us to this forest? And why exactly did you pull us from the sky and trap us here!?"
“Us?” Cordenth pulled his head back into the shape of an s, cocking it to the side with fluttering frills. "We didn’t lead you here. We were just relaxing in this clearing when you and your companions stumbled upon us.
"Don't forget we were sent here to wait." Lyyreth grumbled, "The Emerald Lady must have known they were going to succeed.
"Who is this Emerald Lady?" Lyndis strode over, brow raised and arms crossed against her leather clad chest.
"Oh, but of course.” Cordenth rolled his eyes. “For she is the mighty ruler over this forest. She shapes and controls everything that breathes, moves, or lives here according to her desires."
“So why would she want us here?" He asked to both of the dragons. To which Cordenth gave a chuckle, and Lyyreth started sneezing again.
"You ask as if she tells us her plans." Lyyreth said, wiggling his tail, but not enough for an escape attempt.
"So what good to us are you then?" Veledar snorted.
"Veledar," Arcturus snapped, as if he were warning him at a thought he did not have.
"Don't worry, Arcturus, I’ve had too much excitement today to lift another claw at these two…with a few exceptions, of course." He rolled his eyes and tapped a claw against Lyyreth's hide several times.
"We can lead you to her so that you may have your audience with her. That’s apparently what she wanted the entire time." Cordenth growled, tossing his neck towards the trees before stretching his wings wide. "Although, you would have to untie my brother over there. I will not let him lie down on the job."
"You try getting your limbs tugged to the ground by a wiggling vine, followed by a shield to the face!" Lyyreth complained before sneezing one more time. “Then we can have words about who is laying around!”
Arcturus went to start untying the bindings but stopped and looked Lyyreth in the eyes. "No tricks this time, Lyyreth, or Veledar over there will have his merry way with you."
"I-I’m sorry, sir handsome warrior, but I believe you’re more his type than I." Lyyreth snorted, his frills turning a darker shade of green before looking away with a scale shuttering sneeze. Snickers of laughter sounded from the girls behind them, drawing a smirk to the green dragon’s snout.
"That’s not what I- you know what I mean, you sneaky lizard." Arcturus’ face shifted to a growing crimson. One that in time might resemble the scales that adored Veledar’s back.
"As much fun as watching Arcturus turn into a red pepper is, he speaks the truth." Veledar showed the dragon's one of his paws and displayed his claws. They both gulped at the implied meaning, with Veledar smiling to himself. He would never inflict damage upon them for a silly reason like that, but they did not need to know the lay of his thoughts.
"We would not try anything anyway. Not if the emerald lady expects you." Gulped Lyyreth.
"Well that is good enough for me." Lyndis replied as her skilled hands untied the rear bindings. Arcturus joined her but untied the front ones instead. Soon, Lyyreth was quickly on his paws again, licking the scales where the ropes had held him tight.
"Thanks."
Veledar surged over before another word could be exchanged. He snapped an extended talon to the dragons now cowering slightly before him. “By all means.” Veledar grinned, his tail coiling around him. “Show us the way to this mysterious lady of the woods. Myself and my companions would love to have some words with her.”