Scales and Honor: Emerald Secrets

Chapter 7: Unexpected

"So what exactly did you have in mind?" Lyndis asked her green scaled companion. Curiosity lingered in her mind as she crossed her arms and leaned up against the wooden railing of the village catwalk. Cordenth, the green dragon, stood on the opposite side of her, on all fours, with his neck in the shape of an S. He seemed to be looking at his fine scaled forepaws. He would hold out each digit in turn as he pretended to inspect them for any little imperfection.

"I figured we could go for a walk. Start to know each other better.” The dragon set his paw on the wooden beams without a sound as he shifted his bright yellow eyes in her direction. Where once they had been filled with disgust or annoyance, all Cordenth held now was an honest interest towards the intriguing half-elf female. He had the same look on his snout that Veledar did when he was curious about something, which, in this particular case, was none other than her.

"May I ask what prompts this sudden burst of interest in a meager tomb-delving thief?" Lyndis gave the dragon a sly grin, figuring it had something to do with his near fatal incident earlier that day in the temple.

"Come on. You are much more than that.” His eyes shown despite the darkness beyond him.

“Don’t you start with the princess bit.”

“Not unless you insist.”

“My. Where are these good manners coming from?” Lyndis smiled back at the dragon’s toothy grin. “Either I made quite the impression back in that temple, or-“

“It would probably be best if I get to know my mother's guests better. It might as well be you that I start with." Cordenth rose his head slightly to look away. Yet another thing Veledar did when he was faking disinterest.

"Of course, of course. What else?" She replied, with a voice dripping with skepticism. "So in what direction shall we head, o’, mighty Cordenth? Why even walk, when you have your great wings to carry you there?” She pointed to his lime green wings that he just settled against his sides.

"Follow me and you shall find out." Cordenth gestured with his serpentine neck and made his way across the ever-quiet walkways of the village.

Lyndis' eyes fell to several guards as they stood at attention for the dragon while the two, dragon and half-elf, made their way past them. She was amazed that they remained so vigilant despite the late hour not even an aura of ale on their breaths, something that could not be said by many of guard on the towns or villages that she had prowled in the past. She smirked when each guard they came across would offer a crisp salute, bow, or offer a quick thanks to the gods for having the green dragon grace them with his presence.

"They must really love you here." She gestured to the latest guard that had bowed so low that his pointed elven nose had practically touched the boardwalk.

"I...yes...they do." Cordenth wrinkled his muzzle as he dragged a single onyx talon across the dark wood, taking a solid chunk out of it. "Although none of the praise they offer is my praise. None of it is earned." He rose his snout and bared his teeth, looking out to the tree line. "And I hate it."

"So you'd still want them to praise the ground you walk on? Kissing your little talons with their puffed-up lips?" Lyndis’ brow rose, causing him to just snort in reply.

"What dragon doesn't want those things?"

"You are starting to sound like that other dragon that I spend my time with." Lyndis rolled her eyes. “Full of himself, with an ego ever larger by the day.”

"He is a dragon after all, Lyndis. What you could have as a princess...Most dragons would be very envious of such an elevated position."

“Would you?" she quickened her pace so that she was walking in tandem with him.

"Would I what?" he looked down to her, tilting his head to the side, his frills fluttered slightly.

"Would you really undertake a dangerous quest to have that attention...or the praise....as in literally."

"I know what you meant." he snorted, snapping his head away. Cordenth walked in silence as if he was mulling it over. After a few minutes of this slow, silent walking, Cordenth hung his head and let out a deep sigh.

"Honestly?"

"Yes." Lyndis nodded, "Honestly I want to know what kind of dragon I am dealing with right now."

"I don't think I could literally kill my way to achieve power. It seems such a waste of life."

Lyndis stopped for a moment in surprise. She would have never thought those words would have come from this dragon, who the other day had acted so differently around them. She offered him a sweet smile as she closed her eyes. "That is very good of you. Course, now you must tell me. How did you get so good at dancing?"

Cordenth gave her an amused look as he swished his tail behind him. "I practiced, obviously. How else does one get better at anything?"

"So... you came down to the village." Lyndis held out her palm, and walked two of her fingers across. "And practiced dancing with your mother's subjects?" When he offered no rebuttal, she let a small chuckle escape her lips. "They must have been thrilled to have a prince among them. How bad were you the first time?"

The dragons swiftly looked away from her, smacking his tail gently on the wood. "You can imagine well enough. Although I certainly did better than that red dragon that you call a friend." He held his head in silence for a moment, before slowly turning his snout back. "Now since you have asked me quite a bit of questions already." Cordenth curled his neck towards her with a grin. "Would you do me the pleasure of answering some of mine?”

"That certainly sounds fair. What do you have in mind?” Lyndis crossed her arms as he continued to lead them further away from the banquet hall where they had eaten and danced at. She shivered in the cool air as she remembered forgetting her cloak of invisibility. Her teeth chattered as a cool breeze swept into her like a knife. "Where are we going?" She shivered, clutching her sides.

"Are you cold?"

"Does that count as your question?" She chuckled.

"No... No it does not." he rolled his eyes.

"Y-yes I am bloody cold!" She stuttered as another breeze rolled over them. Part of her longed to return to her room, gather a cloak with a furred edge and cover her head.

"Mind if I?" Cordenth extended one of his wings and gestured to it with his snout.

"I was so waiting for that." she replied as the wing membrane wrapped around her, its warmth quickly casting away the chill of the night air.

"Better?"

"Much better, thank you." She caressed the soft membrane with her hands. It seemed so delicate, so vulnerable, to the point where it was hard to imagine dragons had such weak spots. Lyndis’ fingers continued to trace along the smooth surface. She looked back up to his black armored chest, and the green scales that surrounded it. It looked like the sturdiest thing she had set eyes on, besides the scales of her crimson friend, of course. It was no surprise that they would deflect blades and protect them from stray arrows. Like an onyx suit of armor segmented down his underside.

"Now back to the questions." He chuckled. "You won't get away from me so easily by complaining about the cold. Your country… this.. Drenedar." Cordenth swayed as his head slightly to the right as if he were looking for something. "How was it like for you, princess that ran away from home?" He turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "Did you have subjects?" he lowered his head further so that his eyes were level with hers. "Did you have people that were thrilled to see every move you made? Praise the ground you walked upon like I do?"

"What do you think, Cordy?" She shot back, remembering all the parades that infested the streets back home with cheer and good will. "Of course my family had subjects. It comes with the territory!" She wrinkled her brow as she thought back to the crowded streets of people crying out to her. They would wave and smile to the great princess of their nation, heir to throne, thankful for even a moment of her time. "The people would salute, cheer, and praise me...just like they do with you."

Lyndis was not particularly fond of this topic. She recalled every choice that she could have had was made for her. Her role, her responsibilities, what to learn, even who to befriend. She narrowed her eyes as it all had felt so given, like she had not earned any of it. She was simply going to be queen based on birth.

"I think you and I are more alike than you know, Cordenth." She turned her head to see that he had tilted his own to the side and raised a scaly eyebrow.

"How do you figure that, my dear half-elven thief?"

"Oh, I am so glad you bloody asked!" she clapped her hands together. "You see, despite being in a field that relies on my stealth, invisibility, and ability to not be detected..." She let out a sigh as she prepared to deliver the killing blow. "I strive to make sure everyone knows it was me." She thrust her thumb into her chest. "That it was I, Lyndis Kuxion, who did this. Not my mother, not my father, but me."

She saw his eyes soften. "Like you’re trying to constantly escape the shadow of your parents."

"Exactly!" She poked his nose when it got a tad too close, causing him to look at her cross-eyed. "You’re just me several years ago, yearning for a taste of the outside world… thirsting for adventure that lies far away from your nest!"

"Really now?" She heard him snort and shake his body, causing all his fine scales to clink together.

"Okay, then answer me this, Cordenth." She thought back to earlier in the day when they had traveled within that stone temple, back to the granite statues that had assaulted them with their stone weapons. "When we were in that temple today, what did you feel deep beneath those fine scales of yours?"

"I... don't want to discuss it." The green dragon shot back with a low grumble. "I was not in a strong state of mind then."

"Come on, Cordy." She snapped her head to him again, stopping the green dragon as he looked to her. His tail swished behind him once. "I saved your life today from that orb of dragon kind. The least you can do is open yourself up for me." She crossed her arms as she gave the dragon a smile. "I want to get to know you too, alright?"

"Fine. Fine." Cordenth rolled his eyes with a sigh. "I was feeling fear like I have never known before... does this please you?" He held his head up, but kept one yellow eye on her as he did so.

"And what else?" she rolled her hands in the air. She was going to get this dragon to admit his feelings even if it was the last thing she was going to do.

"Excitement." he sighed again, tracing a talon once again along the wood. "and how great it felt to break out of the routine of my daily life.”

"Precisely! I get the same feeling every day!" Lyndis said excitedly, "Now, was that so hard to admit? Yeah, there’s always a bit of fear here and there, but what matters is how you deal with it. You can turn tail and run, or push through and earn your rightful rewards for your courage. Yesterday it was an orb. Tomorrow, what knows what sort of treasure awaits us?"

"Hmpppf." the dragon strolled forward as she shot him a grin and kept pace with him.

"Trust me, that excitement you felt today… You'd love it.”

"You make it sound like it's my choice to remain here in this forest."

"I was going to ask about that. How comes you and your brother have not left? Just say screw it and head out into the world like I did."

"Because..." The green dragon stopped suddenly as his voice lowered. "My mother keeps us here. She says it's for this purpose that she won’t explain to us. She simply tells us that she cannot reveal the future sometimes...no matter how much it hurts."

"Why not go anyway?" she carefully placed a hand onto his green scales, finding them to be rather warm and smooth to the touch. They were not as warm as Veledar's, but they were still pleasing. She remembered feeling like Cordenth when she was younger, trapped within a cage built by her parents’ expectations. "I know you can do it. I mean, look at me. Twice smaller, no wings, no scales of any kind to protect me against arrows and swords. Perhaps you think yourself too inexperienced, but I believe in you," she added softly, starting to rub his scales reassuringly.

"Yes, but…be that as it may, your parents were not my mother." he held up his head and gestured to all around them with a forepaw. "The mighty Emerald Lady, ruler of the forest of despair, queen of dragons. Do you honestly think she would just accept my decision?"

"Queen of dragons?" Lyndis raised her eyebrow at that. "Surely she does not think tha-"

Cordenth snapped his snout to her and gave her a look that seemed to convey just that.

"Well... do it anyway!" she stumbled at first, but rose her voice and bunched her other hand into a fist. "It's not like she would harm you, right? Her own son… she wouldn't kill you. I can’t imagine a mother could, even one like her.”

Cordenth hung his head with a sigh he must have done all too many times. "Sometimes, I’m not so sure. I’ve seen that glint in her eyes far too many times. Things left unspoken, mysteries that even she doesn’t tell us. Hardly does she speak of her past, nor that of our father.” The green’s eyes drifted skyward, watching the flickering stars above. “Sometimes, I feel as though there are two dragons inside my mother. A kind and protective dragon that loves us to no end." Then he bared his teeth a growl slipping through them. "And the queen that rules over this place with iron claws, keeping her children here to complete her schemes.”

"Schemes?” Lyndis frowned. “You make her sound as though she is some sort of villain from the stories of old. Or lords fighting over a throne."

"She plots, meddles, and plans. How is she not like those villains?" Cordenth cocked his head, a knowing look in his eye. “She even does the imposing voice.”

"Okay...you got me there." The half-elf let her arms fall to her side as they finally came to a stop that looked like a dead end. She gazed out past the wooden catwalk to the darkened canopy, listening to the faint sounds of the forest as she twitched her ears. "Is this what you wanted to show me? A dead end?"

"No.” He said with a flat voice. “That would be utterly ridiculous.” With a swish of his tail he coughed, frills turning a darker green. "But I need to ask your permission for the next part.”

"Permission for what?" Lyndis almost choked on her words as a vague idea formed in her head.

"I.... would like to carry you to the forest floor...and mother told me a long time ago how rude it is to suddenly pick up a lady without her permission."

Lyndis smiled as she felt blood run into her cheeks at his politeness. "Why thank you, know a certain other dragon that could learn a thing or two from you." She laughed, "You may carry me...but…" she waved a threatening finger before his snout. "Be gentile... Or I will be extracting my revenge on that poor, sensitive tail tip you like to swing around when you walk.

"Why would I be anything but?" he cocked his head, confusion in his voice as he wrinkled his nose. "You are a princess, and you will be safe within my paws."

Lyndis looked down to the forest below, then back to the dragon that was waiting for her response ever so patiently.

"Okay. Let’s do this,” she took a step towards him as he shifted his weight to his hinds, and carefully wrapped his forelimb around her waist. His grip was firm but gentle, and his chest warm when she was pulled tight against the black armor that protected it. Her heart fluttered for a moment, taking in his pine like scent.

"Are you ready?" Cordenth tilted his head down, his sunflower like eyes drawing her in, whispering sweet promises of safety.

She nodded once, patting his scaly limbs and running her hands along the fine scales. She held tightly to the dragon as he spread his wings, and then leap from the balcony. She let out a little cheer as he carried them in a careful glide, beating his wings several times to slow their descent.

Cordenth landed softly with a thump, scattering any loose earth every which way as his weight once more settled onto his hinds. "Here we are." he released her in the same gentle manner. “Safe. As was promised.”

"Thanks for the ride,” she ran a hand through her soft hair, feeling her heart beat a tad faster as she worked the brown strands out of her eyes. Already she could feel the urge to return, even after such a short trip. “Wow. I’ve seen Arcturus fly in Veledar’s talons, but I never imagined a dragon can have such a soft touch.”

“Told you.” Cordenth smiled at her, striding past with a bounce in his paws and happy swish of his tail. “We can be quite unexpected.”

Even though it had only been a quick drop, she could still feel the after-tingling sensation of flight. She sighed as she fondly remembered being carried by Veledar in the air, the wind whipping against her face, the excitement in her chest.

"You looked rather flustered, princess," he lowered his head towards her with a grin as they started to pad into the forest. With each of his steps, the trees seemed to shift around him, making enough room for them both. "You appear to be shifting to the same color as Veledar's scales."

Was I? She touched her cheek to find it indeed hotter than usual. "So what?" she shrugged, "I like to fly, even if it's just a meager drop like you just did." she waved to him dismissively.

"Imagine if we went on a longer flight then. You might even be just as crimson as that whelp!" Cordenth chuckled, throwing his head back as it grew into laughter, causing his frills to flutter.

"So....Lyndis...half-elven rogue that saved my life, I have another question for you." The dragon returned his attention to the path that was still shaping before him. He seemed unphased that trees were uprooting themselves just for them.

Lyndis watched them as a shiver went down her spine. She could not shake the feeling that they creeped her out. How their movements were so awkward and stiff, a cheap imitation of life.

"What would that be?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Your blood."

"Excuse me?"

"I...er..your parentage." he gestured to her ears with an onyx talon. "Who was the elf, and who

was the human?"

"That’s quite an ask. I can assure you that I am a princess." she pointed to them as well. “No bastards here.”

"That's not why I'm asking… I was just..." Cordenth flicked his tail to the side. "Curious."

"Well..." Lyndis intertwined her hands and placed them on the back of her head. "My father was the elf, my mother the human as it were." she smiled, showing off her teeth. "And despite what rumors you hear about elves being emotionless wastelands, my dad was one of the most caring souls I have ever met." She thought to his strong rust-colored brow as he had looked to her with pride when she had shown promise with spells. How it had made her fill with a warm glow.

"The thought never occurred to me. I can presume then that the power shifts from the males if your father is the longer lived one?"

"No." she chuckled. "Power in Drenedar is passed through the woman's bloodline, it's been that way for a long time. Mother and father were wed to strengthen the bond with the elven people."

"So, a matriarchy then?” Cordenth turned to her with a grin as a larger tree uprooted itself and shambled away from them, causing several yellow pieces of fruit in the shape of stars to fall from its branches and plop onto the forest floor without a sound. "Your people share that quality with dragons."

"Really?" Lyndis raised an eyebrow. She had never considered dragons having a system of government before. They were so scattered, and so limited in Sethera. "I figured, if your mother had indeed proclaimed herself the queen of dragons."

"No, no, no." Cordenth held up a forepaw and shook his head. "My mother proclaims that, but she has no real dragons to rule over. She is more a queen to her subjects if anything else. What I speak of happened long ago, when dragons ruled the earth we stand on. It was then that dragons had queens. They had entire nations."

"A whole world ruled by dragons?" sighed Lyndis, crossing her arms. She looked up to the star filled black sky above. The thought seemed ridiculous at first, but the proof was before her. Not just in the temple they had explored, but the ruins that scattered the globe. She glanced at the vast amounts of stars, and for a moment believed Veleder when he said each was the soul of a dragon. That's a lot of dragons that died then.

"So, what happened? If dragons ruled the world, I would’ve guessed there would be more of you. Why are you so scattered? Hiding in caves, forests, or anywhere you can get away?

"Mother won't go into detail...It's just the way she is." Cordenth glanced to a dimly lit flower that was the size of Lyndis' head. Its pedals were a soft lavender that slightly glowed in the night air.

Beautiful.

Lyndis followed the dragon along this new path that was forming. It would occasionally contain yet more of those flowers. She took a deep breath to fill her nose with the appealing scent of pine, dragon, and something that reminded her of daisies. She imagined it was the luminescent flowers that seemed to draw Cordenth's attention every time they passed one.

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"What she does say is that dragons messed it all up. Almost destroyed the world too. We died in such numbers that our grip on the world slipped, and our people faded from dominance, which in turn allowed mortals to snatch the world from our claws."

"Are you resentful of that fact?" She asked, moments after Cordenth released a long growly sigh.

"I…don’t know." he turned back to her with large eyes. "If it got as bad as mother said, then something had to be done. Something needed to change." The dragon stopped in his tracks, and looked to the dark, star filled sky. "We needed to change, but I also believe the price we paid for our mistakes has been higher than we deserved."

"I don't know if that’s the case. All the dragons I know want to rule over us in some fashion, you included."

"Only because I'd also want to help the lot of you!"

"Oh really? Because just the other day you were calling us minions, claiming you oh so much better than us inferior bipeds." She pointed a finger to his chest, causing him to refold his wings against his back as he fidgeted in place. "Tell me I’m wrong.”

"I…you are. Look at us. Armored scales, wings to conquer the sky with, potent magic that far surpasses human limitations, claws stronger than swords. We have been blessed with many gifts, almost as if the gods intended us to rule over the lesser races."

"Strong gifts you have, Cordy, but tools alone do not turn a peasant into a warrior. That simply makes you stronger." She crossed her arms and gave him a frown. "and more easily convinced that you should rule over us lesser creatures. I can see why everything fell apart with thoughts like that."

"True. You are objectively lesser in many ways, but I never wanted to rule over you." the dragon said softly, turning his head away. "I have known many mortals in my mother's village. They helped raise us, they taught us, they played with us when we were little. Your lives are so much shorter than ours, prone to danger we don’t even think about. I am sorry if I gave off that impression, but…all I ever wanted was to…"Cordenth wrinkled his snout.

"So you were trying to act like a dragon? For who, Veledar?"

Cordenth offered no reply as he snorted and resumed his walk.

"You don't have to impress that red scaled bastard!" she laughed, punching him gently on his scales. "Just be yourself, Cordenth. To hell with what other dragons think of you."

"We’re here." The green dragon stopped, ignoring her question and sweeping around to gesture to the large clearing he had brought her to.

Lyndis blinked her eyes in surprise. She felt her cheeks turn a soft pink as her attention had been too focused on the magnificent green dragon in front of her. Her gaze went to his claws, then to what he truly wanted her to behold. It was a vast clearing dotted with more of those luminescent flowers that lit up the tree line and the faded green grass with their faint radiance. She felt a small tingle of excitement build its way to her chest as she was swept away in a sense of awe. She had always loved flowers and magic to boot. "Are....Are they magic?" she turned to him, her voice sounding a tad hopeful as he chuckled.

"In a roundabout way. Mother likes to grind them up to make potions of all kinds." he suddenly deepened his voice with a cough. "They are like dragon's blood, Cordenth. Add a dash and it will make any potion stronger."

"Dragon's blood makes potions stronger?” Lyndis asked once the dragon settled down his coughing fit. “I've never heard that before, and I learned all about potions from the focken royal alchemist.”

"Perhaps it's just something mother says then." he snorted, slowly padding his way to a group of the lavender flowers.

Lyndis twirled around, letting the flower's light turn into a blur for a moment as the smells from earlier bombarded her senses and wrapped themselves around her. She felt her heart flutter as she stopped and looked to the green dragon that was smiling at her. Cordenth had done such a nice thing for her. It felt almost undeserved, in a strange sort of way. Sure. She had saved his life, but just like she had told him, she would’ve done that for anyone else.

Lyndis felt her cheeks grow warm once more as her beautiful dragon gestured to the flowers with a single onyx talon. Was this owed to the beauty of the luminescent garden she found herself in, or the green dragon that sought to impress her? She had to admit, this was a strange place for a dragon to take her. After several steps through the glowing field, it dawned on her. Cordenth was trying to show her a good time, testing the waters...as if this was a date!

Did he take that sort of fancy to me? She giggled internally as she came to a stop before the smirking dragon. I have to find out more!

"You know, Cordenth, this is a rather interesting place for you to bring me." She ran one of her fingers along the soft petals of a flower. "It might even be romantic...you know...from a book...on what mortals like."

She turned back to him with a smile, and laughed internally when he looked away and snorted, quickly followed by a smack of his tail on the ground.

"I... it’s not like that. I like the flowers just as much as I... never mind," he grumbled.

"And what about the other part?" she raised her voice and nudged him teasingly. "The part about it being from a book?"

"What about it? You mentioned you adore flowers while we danced this evening."

Did I?...Drat...I forgot...and he remembered. She sighed, then shrugged her shoulders at the missed opportunity. That was actually pretty sweet.

"Another question for you then." Cordenth lowered his snout towards her. "How do you call upon your magic? I am most curious."

"I just do," she laughed as the green dragon smiled at her. "Why do you ask?"

"It's just something that stirred my interest given how proficient you seem with everything else," his frills twitched as he continued to gaze into her eyes. For a moment she was caught in his brilliant yellow spheres, like in a trance.

"I..er...well." She coughed. "Excuse me. It’s this pollen that’s floating around. My method is quite simple. I use a scroll and prepare the spells beforehand." She twiddled her fingers in the air. "So I do the prerequisites of the spell during this preparation, and save the final trigger movement and phrase for combat.”

"That's odd." he pulled his head back, "So you have all those spells stored within your head for the entire day..." Cordenth wrinkled his snout. "That must be painful."

"Not really. You should see what our scholars carry in their heads," she laughed. "For me it’s just a thing in the back of my mind is all. So how do you cast your spells, fair, curious dragon? I noticed that Veledar skips through the aforementioned preparation.”

"That is because we are magic." The dragon grinned, showing off rows of his pearly white teeth. "We just reach down inside of us and summon the magic."

"So, like a sorcerer, warlock, or bard." Lyndis rattled off each one with a finger, causing the dragon to shift his weight and snort in reply.

"Yes...I suppose it's like those...But I have never seen them, only heard about them."

Lyndis sighed, turning to the flowers as she cupped her chin. "Now that would be interesting... to actually be connected to the magic, instead of wielding it like another weapon.”

"You’re part elf. You should have some magic lurking within your blood somewhere. Would you want to experience it?" Cordenth brought his head to rest near her own.

"What do you have in mind?" she asked softly, turning to look at his green snout.

"I could guide you. Help you experience it."

Lyndis crossed her arms as the confident dragon smiled at her. The idea intrigued her, but she was still skeptical it could work. "You think so?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Lyndis gave him a meek smile. "Never had Veledar offer to do something like that for me. What do we need to do?"

"Hold out yours arms. Stretch them as if they were your wings. Then close your eyes."

Lyndis did as the dragon suggested, taking a deep breath as she did so. "This better not be a simple way of getting a quick laugh. I feel rather silly."

"Patience...trust me..."

"Cord-"

"Trust me, like I trusted you."

She sighed again and took another deep breath as she focused. She felt Cordenth move closer towards her as his scent grew stronger. It was not unpleasant, and reminded her of pine wood. She then felt his claws carefully caress her hands. "Cordenth… what are you…" she mumbled softly.

"Focus...” the dragon rumbled softly. “Reach down in yourself. Picture it." he replied in a near whisper as he moved her hands together and then back out.

She was surprised by the amount of care he was showing. How gentile his claws were as they moved along her limbs, tender like those of a mother caressing her hatchlings. She continued to picture a hand reaching down into her chest to grab hold of the small tingle of magic that the dragon said was there. She could almost feel it nestled deep inside until she was interrupted by his snort. A puff of hot, humid air rustled her hair, and Lyndis’ concentration completely broke as she unleashed a giggle.

"Hrrrr, no giggling. You’re almost there.”

"Then focken don't blow my hair with your snorts." she snapped back, laughing internally as she heard him open and close his snout several times as if looking for the right words.

"Fair enough." the dragon chuckled continuing to guide her hands in a triangular pattern. "Now take that feeling, and picture it swirling around you like a storm, twisting around each limb, climbing along your torso, then flowing around your arms."

Lyndis nodded and once again did as the careful dragon instructed. She found a cold sensation that was doing exactly what Cordenth told her. Almost like her thoughts were giving birth to it. It made her hair stand on edge as she shivered and let out a pleased sigh.

"This feels...incredible," she gasped when the sensation slowly climbed along her neck. It continued creeping its way to her head.

"Now picture some flowers in front of you, like the ones you have seen." Cordenth guided her hands to be spread wide again, as the grass rustled by his excited tail.

With each movement the dragon was guiding her through, Lyndis felt her blood quicken, and her breaths grow short. She imagined the flowers with her next breath. However, instead of the soft lavender color that she knew they were giving off, she could not help but picture the color green. The same shade of the dragon that was holding her so carefully within his scaly embrace.

"Good job!" Cordenth his excitement laced voice practically wrenched open her eyes.

Standing before her were twelve of the flowers that had captured both her and Cordenth's attention. They stood proudly in the night air as if they belonged there, but something was off. Instead of the faint lavender color that they were glowing before, these ones seemed to be glowing the same color as the dragon beside her.

"T-T-They just sprouted from the focken ground!" she smiled from one ear to the other as she turned to Cordenth. "I did it!"

"Yes. You did a masterfully for your first attempt. Although you chose green instead of purple it looks like." he snickered, gesturing to the flowers with a flick of his tail.

"Well, yes." she laughed, "What else would I choose but my favorite color?"

"Oh." Cordenth's eyes widened after he spoke the words, frills turning a darker shade of green. "Oooooh that explains things.”

Obviously flustered, the green dragon quickly turned around. He stared at the flowers for a few seconds, then pretended to scratch his unusually warm frills on the back of a scaly forepaw when Lyndis walked over to look him in the eyes. She found his reaction most amusing, and she could’ve teased him to heaven and beyond…if she wanted to. As amusing as it might’ve been, it also seemed a bit unfair to ruin such a tranquil, perfect moment.

"Hey, now that we’ve unearthed these hidden magic powers within me, how about we switch things around?”

“You want to…teach me something?”

“I could think of a few things,” Lyndis chuckled. “But I was thinking about something even more exciting. Why don’t you show me something more dragon-like? I mean this field looks like one of my dreams made reality, yet it also carries a selfish tint.”

"How so?" Cordenth tilted his snout to the side.

"You’re showing me what mortals like, not what dragons prefer."

"But I also happen to like the flowers. Why, you think I’m a green dragon just to blend in with the leaves? Every part of this forest is beautiful…even more so if it glows," The dragon snorted, rolling his eyes.

"Well, regardless." The half-elf elf ran her hand along his warm, scaly paw. "Why not show me things that would interest a dragoness?"

"But you’re not…"

"Just humor me this time, Cordy."

"Alright. I will do as you ask, your highness," he chuckled in the back of his throat as the half-elf scrunched her face at him. "I’m sorry! I just thought a princess’ eyes wouldn’t be taken by the mundane.”

“Cordenth, don’t.”

“So…you really like the flower magic?"

"I loved it. How many times do I need to say that? And next time you call me a princess, I’ll offer you a stern reminder of who you’re really dealing with," she replied without a thought and smacked him playfully on the snout.

The dragon, of course, didn’t budge an inch. "Well then, I am going to take your desires into account. All of them. I just… need to ask your permission to pick you up again."

"Alright. But only this once.” Lyndis lifted a finger in front of his snout. “I’m not a pompous damsel that stumbles around in her ridiculous dress. If you want to play dragon with me and swoop me off the ground, I’ll trust you not to drop me too early,” she laughed, holding her arms out wide. She sighed when he rose up to wrap his limbs around her again. She found them just as warm, soft, and gentile as they had been moments before.

"Excuse me for saying this, but most princesses might be a tad worried when a dragon wraps their forelimbs around them."

"You’re lucky I can’t reach your snout from this position…otherwise you know what’s coming," she shot back as Cordenth pulled her tighter against his scaled chest.

"Save it for when we land,” he gave a low pleased rumble from the depths of his throat as he spread his wings wide and gave them a quick test flap. "Ready?"

"As soon as you are”

"What’s your opinion on waterfalls?"

"Even more glorious than your scales. Now onward to the sky!" she pointed out towards the stars.

"I’ll pretend I haven’t heard that!" Cordenth smiled, and with a great pounce and pounding of his wings. they shot past the canopy. With another flap of the dragon’s mighty wings, the two of them soon found themselves above the tops of the trees below them that stretched on for miles in every direction.

Lyndis found herself once again holding the dragon's limbs as he angled his wings and carried them through the night sky. "Done anything rebellious over the years?" She asked, looking out to the darkened green forest, bathed in the bright light of the moon above. It almost made the forest look peaceful, and for a few moments, she forgot who ruled over said forest.

"Well, I did sneak out of the forest with Lyyreth to watch a play every now and again at a nearby village."

"Oh really? How long ago was this?"

"When we were just hatchlings."

Lyndis chuckled at the thought of a little green dragon sitting on its haunches, eyes wide with excitement as his tail swished behind him playfully. She almost let out a loud "aww." As she imagined his cute frills fluttering. "A dragon who likes plays…that’s certainly an unusual thing to imagine."

"I do enjoy them from time to time, when my mother's servants put them on."

"How often is that?"

"They do it about once a week. My favorite is one about a party of dwarves set about for a dragon’s home. Only to bring gifts and words of praise of his greatness!"

“Oh course.” She traced the scaly limb clutching her tight as the wind blew against her face. Lyndis pressed her head back to the dragon’s black armored chest and listened to the steady thumping of his heart. It was soothing, warm, and made her want to just close her eyes in contentment. "Oh, Cordy…you’re really not what I expected."

"You may have said that before, but if you did not, I will certainly take it as a compliment." Cordenth dipped his wing membranes and turned them towards a long river that wound its way through the forest like a watery snake.

Lyndis' eyes followed the darkened waters taking in just how large the forest of despair was. It made her eyes widen, and her mouth fall slightly agape as she just continued to stare. It practically went on for miles, a small speck was all that remained of Entis on the horizon. "This forest looks endless from above. How comes I haven’t realized that earlier?" she gasped.

"Did you not get a good look when you first arrived? When mother plucked you from the sky with her vines?"

"Not really." she narrowed her eyes and thought back to those slithering green appendages as they shot up from the forest canopy. She shivered at the memory. "Don't remind me please. Those things make my skin crawl. For a millennia old dragoness, the least she could have done is to find a better way to gain an audience.”

"Mother is…she is not so good at dealing with mortals, as you have pointed out."

"Yes, I bloody have! Honestly, her actions make me question your statement of her being a caring mother. Especially after the way she snarled and fought with you today."

"It’s... complicated...but trust me, please. You know I wouldn’t lie to you after the incident inside that temple," Cordenth trailed off getting so quiet she could hear the wind buffeting his wings. Then he deeply sighed, "When she is acting like a mother, she is one of the most caring souls I have ever seen."

Lyndis raised an eyebrow as he hovered above the canopy, tilting his head to look at her. She could hear the truthfulness in his words and see into his eyes. This truly was a dragon that did not mean to deceive her. The dragon believed that his mother was caring, and thoughtful towards him. It almost made her think differently about the dragoness for a moment. Then she remembered the curse that she had placed on Arcturus and her eyes narrowed, casting all the benevolence like leaves before a gust. "All the goodness she showed you over the years doesn’t excuse that horrible curse she placed on my friend,"

"No…it doesn’t,"

Cordenth began to descend towards a large roaring waterfall, surrounded by multicolored plants and flowers. He back-winged moments from the water's edge, throwing dirt every which way as green hinds landed softly with a bump. He placed Lyndis carefully onto the ground, giving her a pleased trilling noise while he shook his body. “Yet another delightful flight.”

"Oh, was that…Did you just make that cute noise?" Lyndis said. She stretched, fighting back a laugh as she did so. She nearly burst out when Cordenth suddenly froze up and turned his snout towards her, his eyes widening into yellow slits.

"You...heard that?"

"Hard to, when you’re sitting right next to me!" she burst out laughing, "And it was adorable!"

"Oh. Well, that’s…" he turned his snout quickly away in embarrassment kicking up some sand with his tail. Pinning his wings against his body he composed himself with a snort. "Follow me then.You wanted to see things a dragoness might find interesting, and that’s where I’m going to take you."

Lyndis did as she was bid. She walked at a quick pace to compensate for the dragon’s innate agility. Cordenth thrust a wing talon out towards the vast forest the waterfall over looked. "See that clearing in the distance? That has the best sun-bathing spot in the entire forest, where you can sprawl out with your wings wide, and just bask in the warmth of the sun’s radiance."

“Sounds lovely.”

The green dragon turned to her with a smile and closed eyes. "Oh, but of course. You can even find that it is warm, even if the outside world is cold and uninviting. Sometimes, I have even caught my mother taking advantage of that particular spot."

"Really?" Lyndis felt a smile tug at her face as she pictured the intimidating dragoness with her wings spread wide, wiggling in the sun like some sort of happy hatchling. "Good sleeping spot, huh?"

"You’d have to be a dragon to experience the full effect though.”

“Oh, don’t you worry your scaly head with that. You’ll find I’m full of surprises.”

Cordenth gestured to another part of the trees that appeared to be a darker green than the rest of the vibrant forest. "Over there are the best hunting grounds, with the best wildlife one could want. Deer, moose, elk, and other various animals flock to that position. Which is fantastic when one does not wish for their meal to be brought to them by servants."

"So how often do you hunt then when given the other choice? I figure it must be so hard to break away from all the servants at your beck and call."

"More often than you think," he grumbled. "Just because we have the servants, that doesn't mean I am reduced to a lazy pile of scales."

"Just one who likes to roll around in the grass and sleep the day away.” Lyndis pointed out with a pleased smirk. “Perhaps on a large rock in the middle of another clearing?" She offered him a deeper coy smile as she playfully smacked his green shoulder.

"That happened to be a great spot for sunbathing!" he protested, snapping his snout back to her.

"You would have had us join you then? For a sun bath?"

"Well... this time will certainly be different," the dragon shifted his weight from his left forelimb to his right. "No test from mother to worry about.”." She saw his tail flick behind him as he looked away, a shadow cast before his eyes. “She knew where it was going to go.”

Well that was mildly off putting. Better to get his mind off his mother."So, anything else you would have shown a dragoness?"

"Oh yes!" His smile returned, "This waterfall for one is one of the best spots in the forest, I picked a cave here for that very reason."

"What makes it so special?" She looked around at the running water, to the flowers dotting the green plants. She tried to figure out the reason as her gaze shifted from that to the wide forest before her.

"Just look around you, Lyndis." Cordenth gestured out to the forest with a wave of his forepaw. "From this vantage point I can see mostly everything of this forest. For a dragon, that is a fantastic choice for their home. It would allow them to keep an eye on all their possessions."

"This is your cave?" She chuckled, “where?"

"Would you want to see it? It is getting rather late."

"And stay the night?" she looked to him, almost thinking he was up to something mischievous.

"Only if you wanted to, of course. I’d warm you up and protect you while you sleep. Nothing strange about it." Cordenth stretched out his serpentine neck, as if he were trying to work out a kink.

"Hmmmm, this is intriguing," she rubbed her chin as she eyed the dragon who was busy stretching out all of his limbs, and letting out a long yawn. It was getting rather late indeed. "Do you have a bed that I could sleep in? You know, a guest bed of some sort given how close you are to some of the villagers."

"Uh…no. I’ve had no need for that. Just the bed of blankets and pillows I sleep in." the dragon sighed. "So, we would most likely have to sleep on opposite sides. Or, if you were comfortable with it, we could cuddle together."

"You’re asking me to bed, Cordy?" Lyndis threw him another mischievous look as she placed her hands on her waist, raising one of her eyebrows. "That’s a bit fast even for a dragon, wouldn’t you agree?"

"N-no. I mean yes?” Cordenth shook his head, clearly embarrassed. “I was thinking of sleeping. Nothing else." the dragon's frills twitched as he did not look to her. "So, what will it be? Should I fly you back to the inn or take you to my cave?"

Lyndis sighed. There was the comfort of sleeping in her inn bed close to her friends, although decisively less interesting than the chance to see a dragon's cave. She stared out to the twinkling stars, mulling the decision over. He was rather sweet today. The dancing, the opening up, the flowers, and now this. She smiled at the beautiful view before her. "Sure. I’ll spend this night with you. Just don’t get any ideas when you wrap your paws around me again." She turned to him in a flash, thrusting her finger towards him. "I am not some treasure to be conquered after all."

"I-I never thought that!" he held up one of his claws defensively to his chest.

"Pleased to hear that,” she padded over. "Now where is your lair, dragon? I don't see anything up here but more rocks and plenty of water."

"Oh… just you wait." he grinned, strutting over to a section of rock. He gestured with his neck as he started to walk along a rough stone path that hugged the waterfall’s edge. The dragon passed right below the rushing water. When he finally stopped, they had come to large cavern entrance about the size of three dragon wingspans. "Well...there it is!" he gestured to the cave as he strolled inside. "Illuminate." he spoke clearly, causing the walls to erupt with flaming radiance, bathing the stone cavern in their soft orange light.

Lyndis' eyes went to the collection of treasures that were scattered along the stone floor, which was decorated with rather large rugs. They were all different colors, vibrant and matching. From the rugs seemed to sprout mirrors, vases, books, and other treasures. She thought she even spied a few mounds of gold coins and ivory combs. It was honestly more treasure then she thought the dragon would have had, considering the overly stern attitude of his mother.

“Wow…this is quite the pile you’ve amassed for someone who never set wing or foot outside the forest.”

“You expected me to-“

“No. I mean…it’s just lot more than-“

“Mother understands any grown dragon needs their own." The dragon growled softly. “Sorry for interrupting you.”

“Nah, I’ve started it,” Lyndis brushed him off with a chuckle. “So, what’s the history of these items? Care to play the role of the wizened guide for your half-elven maiden?”

“Mrrhmmm…yes. Why not?”

Lyndis paid close attention to the items Cordenth pointed at. It was fascinating to hear so many different stories, yet after the fifth time she yawned, the dragon insisted to continue tomorrow. He slowly guided her with his wing towards a large section of the cavern dedicated to his sleeping area. It was a giant area made different rugs, sheets, and blankets. It all formed together to make one nest of cloth.

“To conclude, my mother would reward us with treasure over the years of practice, tasks, or challenges that we’ve successfully completed for her.” He let go of her with a wing, and strolled into his nest.

"There is a chest full of sleeping wear for woman if you want to change into something more cozy." The dragon mumbled sleepily as he circled the blankets like a dog before settling down onto his belly with a soft rumble. "I won't look. I promise.”

"Don’t really mind if you do, considering you’re a dragon and all. But why do you have a chest full of women clothing? Like to do a little cross-dressing now and again?" She laughed, searching her way through the treasure to indeed find a deep crimson chest, open with stacks of night gowns.

"No…I do not indulge in that sort of curiosity. I've simply had female guests spend the night before..." He trailed off, shutting his eyes. "I have lived here for one hundred twenty-five years. It would be weirder if I didn’t offer any sort of accommodations."

"And you had said females charm you with an enthralling bed time story or other things of that nature, isn’t it?" she picked up a deep green night gown, with slight gold trimming. It looked rather enticing to her. Fitting too. Lyndis shrugged off the comparison that could’ve been made about their similar colors and quickly took off her clothes. She peeked back at Cordenth with the corner of an eye, curious to see if the dragon’s curiosity got the better of him.

“I can never say no to a good story.” The dragon licked one of his forepaws, most likely a distraction technique to keep his attention focused on something else.

"Did...you know... do something more than that?" Lyndis’ ears warmed up as she slipped herself into the nightgown in a moment.

“We’ve done plenty of other things.”

“Like…you know…the thing?"

"Oh, you mean mate." the tired dragon wrinkled his snout and replied flatly. "Once or twice."

"Really now?" Lyndis chuckled as she strode over. “Exactly how quickly did you get from stories to mating?”

“That’s between me and them…unless you want me to ask about your own partners.”

“That story would put us both to sleep faster than you can say out your own name.”

“Alright. I believe you,” the dragon grumbled, opening his wings in an inviting fashion. "You can choose to sleep on the other side if you feel like it, but if you'd rather take advantage of my warmth, you are welcome to snuggle."

She felt her face grow red again as she thought to his warmth, his beating heart, and being held tightly in his grasp.

“I see no reason not to.” With a sigh, Lyndis nestled in close to his chest, very much like Arcturus had done with Veledar. When the dragon curled his forelimb around her, she understood why the paladin liked it so much. She felt so safe, so warm to be held within the dragon’s warm grip. In less than a minute, Lyndis closed her eyes and settled her cheek onto his black armored chest. "So warm..." She mumbled as she felt his wings cover them like a blanket.

"Consider yourself conquered." he mumbled with a grin.

"You’re missing quite a few steps, lover-boy, buuuuut I’m too tired to argue that point,” Lyndis yawned sleepily, finding herself slowly drifting away into his embrace. She even found his little cute statement appealing for a moment. "Good night, Cordenth."

“Good night to you too, Lyndis." the dragon replied softly with a content sigh, pulling her closer against his chest.