Veledar padded after the twin brothers with a swaying tail and narrowed eyes. To his growing irritation the dragons had decided to walk the way there. There were words about the Emerald Lady not wanting them to fly but he had the sneaking suspicion they were doing it to get right under his scales. Course if what they said was true, it only added to his disdain for her. He shook his head as each step reminded him of his inability to soar on the winds of freedom. He snorted, his eyes locking onto Lyyreth’s tail as it swayed back and forth. He’d rather be leading them somewhere, not being led like a wyrmling through the forest. Though it did make him wonder. Was this what it was like for his friends when they trailed behind his own frilled tail? Nonsense. He shook it off as just a silly thought. He was much more resplendent. The red turned his head as Lyndis broke the silence.
"So answer me this.” The rogue gestured to the green brothers, hands going to her hips.” What exactly are you lot doing here? You don't hear many a tale of dragons still living within Lumara's borders.”
"We were hatched here, elf. Or is that too a fantastical explanation to you?" Lyyreth hissed, glancing over his shoulder. "We don't leave the forest much for fear of being noticed. Mother has specifically warned us about the danger posed by the dragon hunters of Lumara, quick to anger, and even quicker with the blade."
"Your mother, eh? Would that happen to be the Emerald Lady?" Lyndis’ brow rose as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"Figure out that, did you?" Cordenth suddenly added, curling his head to glance behind him. "You must be quite the tracker to put the pieces together like that."
"Oh, please. You must try ever harder to insult me, Cordenth. Veledar here has been nothing but a workshop of creative compliments. Besides, no matter what, you cannot possibly be more annoying than he.”
"Hey!" Veledar exclaimed in protest. He turned to look at her as she started laughing. She pat him on his left flank. "Don't worry, Veledar, you’re OUR annoying dragon."
"You let the elf speak like that to you?" Cordenth intervened, snout wrinkling as if offended. "If I were you, I would remind her that I am a dragon, and she, my minion."
Veledar was about to remind the green dragon about his loss, but Lyndis beat him to it as she placed the flashy tip of her dagger against one of Cordenth’s emerald scales.
"Well, your pompousness, I gotta remind you this minion defeated your brother over there.” She flicked her weapon quickly in Lyyreth’s direction. “So, I suggest you take a better tone with me, or this dagger here shall find its way in places you really, reaaally don’t wanna think of!"
Veledar amusingly watched as Cordenth gave a grumble then a gulp at the way she drew out her words. The green snapped his mouth shut, lowered his snout, and shifted his eyes to the path. Then without further prompting, shied away from the dagger wielding female.
"Nice form there." Veledar rumbled, flashing Lyndis a grin. "Didn't even need my help."
"Yea we don't need you for bloody everything. As formidable as you are," She replied, stowing her dagger with a smile.
Veledar glanced up at a towering tree that sprung from the earth. It’s thick branches like human arms, reaching towards the sky with little bark covered fingers. His head snapped round as the sound of jostling metal caught his ear. Arcturus was on all fours, pushing himself off forest floor. The dragon swiftly approached, offering a helping claw to pull up the red faced paladin.. Arcturus quickly explained how a root seemed to have caught his foot, though when they looked none were present. This only made the human’s cheeks burn brighter red as he insisted that it indeed had been there. With a sigh and a quick word of thanks they started walking again. Though they had to spur themselves on a tad faster, the greens had kept on going without a word. When they did catch up to the pair the greens only a mischievous grin, a glance between the two, and snickering that only increased the red dragon’s suspicion further. They had something to do with it. After that he followed the brothers like a shadow with narrowed eyes. There would be no more surprise spell craft at work while he was there.
"Ya kno, most folks only see one dragon in dere lifetimes. Us doe? We get ta see four in a month!" Merlia threw her hands up in the air.” Quite da story already!”.
"Well, it will make a fine tale to write." Veledar said smugly, "To have been so lucky to meet four dragons is a rare delight indeed. Just remember to put the red one at the front, and a bunch of flowering words to capture my great qualities."
"Ya ya, Course what do ya think da chances are this she dragon o deres be friendly? Wouldn’t that be a swift kick to da arse?"
"Probably unlikely.” Arcturus’ replied with a stern voice. “ She forced us down here and I bet a month’s salary if the roles were reversed, those two ahead wouldn’t have been so kind." Arcturus suddenly spoke louder, clearly for the green dragons to hear, "Unless of course they want to prove me wrong!"
The two brothers didn’t reply, instead offering flicks of their tails in response. The group continued on in silence as the words of the paladin hung heavily on their minds. Even Veledar felt the unease start to tickle ever so slightly at his scales as they traversed the thick forest around them. This continued until they came to a fork in the path. Cordenth peered down the right path flaring his nostrils and taking a deep breath with closed eyes. He snorted, frills fluttering before snaking his head and doing the same to the other path.
"We're going around," The dragon mumbled as he reared up and started moving his front limbs in a circular motion. Small tendrils of green light followed in their wake, dripping off his digits like water.
"Around what exactly? Veledar cocked his head, watching as the dragon’s paws swished through the air. The red’s muscles tensed with each second, ready for any sort of deception brought their way.
"A village of mother's servants." Cordenth replied coolly. He waved his left paw, and the foliage parted for him. Plants bended, twisted, and even uprooted themselves. The flora lifted itself and deposited into new areas of the forest, making a path large enough for two dragons to walk side by side.
"Servants?" Veledar’s neck pulled back into the shape of an S, "How did you mother end up getting servants?"
Cordenth snorted with a throaty chuckle, "What self-respecting dragon doesn't have servants?” The amused green gave Veledar a condescending smirk, "She acquired them over time, from debts, promises, trespasses, lost souls. You could say she had her claws all over the continent in some fashion."
"That sounds familiar, actually, I had a few briefings on people spouting about the Emerald Lady.” Arcturus hand cupped his chin, rubbing at the stubbly beard. “ They never spoke as if she were a dragon, and they all walked around with an emerald pin. I guess this makes sense in some way. Green dragons have been known to be more prone of keeping people as treasure. More so than other dragons at least."
"You seem to know a few things about us." Cordenth snapping his snout towards the human and shooting him a dirty look. "You certainly don't look like a scholar, so I bet you’re one of those dragon hunters." The dragon growled in the back of his throat, "Which certainly begs the question on why you’re traveling with your red companion.”
If the display upset the paladin, he didn’t show it. The human merely met the green dragon with a stern gaze and a voice as calm as a storm’s center. “The story is long and unfit for such a place. Suffice to say, we had shared words and came to common reason. I’d also be careful of changing his name around or calling him mocking titles. Only his friends can do that.”
"A dragon hunter that listen to reason instead of sticking things willy nilly with your pointy metal?” Cordenth’s neck curled into an S as the dragon let out a mocking gasp.” I think I might actually die of shock.”
"Best not to keep your horns too close to the canopy. After all, you were not that mighty of a dragon." Veledar growled at the pompous green. "Besides, you will find that humans, dragon hunters or not, are full of surprises."
"No doubt. That is probably why mother wants to get a good look at you."
In front of them, a huge tree covered in moss suddenly uprooted itself. The roots acting as legs as the thing walked away to reveal a castle made out of twisting vines, thick roots, and darkened trees. The red dragon tilted his head upwards towards the top that curved inward as if to resemble a large closed flower. It had to be at least five times Veledar’s height.
"You dragons don't do anything half way, huh?" Lyndis mumbled, being the first one to resume walking towards the vine castle and its towering bark gate. They did not get far before the rogue froze again. “What are those?” Her voice trembled as she pointed out towards a field of frozen humanoids of grey stone. Like weeds they sprouted from the ground, spaced every few feet and frozen in silent terror at some unknown foe.
"Trespassers. Or enemies to our mother’s dominion.” Lyyreth muttered as his snout traced over the frozen figures. “She keeps them as a warning to others about the dangers that can befall you should you enter her forest uninvited. She also keeps them for.” Lyyreth’s snout wrinkled, tongue sticking out like a pink worm. “Consumption.”
"Well, that must certainly prove quite unpleasant for her fangs." Veledar muttered, imagining the dragoness' white teeth chipping on one of the stone figures.
"She doesn’t do that red scales. Mother turns them back to flesh moments before eating them." Lyyreth hacked. "But most of the stones are used for intimidating others."
"Well.” Merlia scurried closer towards Veledar’s flank. The dwarf’s eyes usually defiant were flickering with a lingering cautiousness. “It’s certainly workin! She’s got me shivering worse than a blue balled gryphon being teased during matin season!”
“Quite the imagery.” Veledar chuckled softly, curling his tail protectively around his smaller ally. "I’m certain that if we keep together, we will be fine.” He paused, eyes befalling every frozen figure. "Come to think of it. She seems to have most of mortal kind frozen before us. But one has to ask the question.” He snapped his snout to the green scaled brothers. “Where are the dragons? Can’t see any around here."
"They’re all soldiers of Lumara." Arcturus muttered grimly, pointing out a human statue that was being consumed by dull green moss spreading up its legs. The stone man appeared to still be in his armor at time of being turn to stone. His front cape bore the same gryphon that Arcturus’ now tattered one did. The stone figure’s mouth was hanging open the rest of his features twisted into one of pure terror. “Least they’re not awake for such fates.” The paladin’s face darkened, as if a shroud had wrapped itself around him. “Quite the harsh sentence that would be.”
Veledar shook his head and continued towards the large gate. He tried to keep his eyes off the rows upon rows of frozen mortals and gryphons alike. He understood killing his foes, or those trying to steal from his hoard. But this? At least he would have ended such foes quickly. He would never have displayed trophies such as this within his lair. The mere thought of that was nothing but horrid. He tried to not think about the fate that awaited them in their final moments. One moment of fear before a pair of green jaws snatched them up, sinking sharpened teeth into them. No better than if they were mere prey. His tail twitched as he looked to his companions, who looked just as horrified as he was. Even Arcturus had his hand brushing against the hilt of his sword, his eyes vigilantly glaring at the green dragons leading them onward.
The brothers came to a halt before the towering bark gate covered in thick low hanging vines. Lyyreth started a sneezing fit as he dragged a claw along one of the green serpents, whispering "Open" in draconic. Like snakes given life the vines curled away from the gate as a section of the surface broke free into a door like shape, large enough for even Veledar to pass without dipping his head. From the castle’s interior burst forth small clouds of pollen that lingered on the air like a dense yellow fog. If this Emerald Lady was trying to build the tension, Veledar had to admit she was doing a fine job. Even his heart was starting to beat faster than normal. He hid it with a rumble down his throat and flicking of his tail over the grass. No reason for his companions to know. He had a reputation to uphold after all.
“My mother’s cavern was much more appealing.” He scoffed, cursing his dismissal as ice ran cold claws around his heart.
"That may be, but our mother will see you now." Lyyreth stuttered, then sneezing so loudly that his tail spasmed and smacked the ground with a loud thwack,
" Wait, you’re you two not coming in?" Lyndis leaned back, crossing her arms across her chest. She regarded the brothers with some amusement, a sly smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh, don’t tell me. You’re afraid of how she will react to your swift and unceremonious defeat.”
Cordenth narrowed, his words coming taught. "She only wishes to see you now. Although I can imagine she will certainly have words with us when she’s through with you.”
"Well, I suppose there is no time like the present.” Arcturus sighed, raising his head and starting to stride confidently into the darkened structure. “Best not keep the dear lady waiting.”
Veledar found Arcturus’ voice a refreshing drop of optimism, even bringing comfort to his heart. With a snort and shake of his frilled tail he slunk after the human keeping his eyes on the vines as he passed below them. The moment that all of them had fully entered, the door slammed shut with a thunderous thud. Even a gale of wind came forth to ruffle his wings, followed by the gasps or worried voices of his companions.
"I knew it!" Veledar hissed, flaring out his wings and puffing up his chest as he waited for his dark vision to kick in. They stood in silence, tension filling the air so thick that he could cut it with a claw. When nothing happened, he grumbled, refolding his wings tightly against his back and starting his search of this odd plant structure.
He looked up within this place to find that the ceiling was too far up for his sight to penetrate. That was odd, considering that this place didn’t look that big on the outside. He glanced down to see vines covering the floor like a sea of thick snakes that wound and curled every which way. From those rose plants in the various shapes that formed together to create pedestals that held things like vases, old pieces of armor, and even some glass jars with old moldy books resting inside them. Covering all of this was a thin mist that seemed to be curling and rising from the sprawling floor. His dark vision was interrupted as Arcturus held up his hand, bringing light to his mana crystal. The dragon’s snout wrinkled as he instantly shielded his eyes with a claw, hissing at the annoyance. “Must you do that? I was searching the area.”
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“I know lad, warn us next time!” Merlia rubbed two fingers across her nose, clenching her eyes shut. “Blasted paladin blinded me!”
The man apologized rather quickly with sincerity, then resting his hand on Veledar’s scaled shoulder with a sigh. "You know, I have to admit, tis rather annoying being the only one of us that cannot see in the dark."
"Don't worry.” Veledar chuckled, flashing the man a grin. “We got over your handicap a while ago." The girls soon joined in with amused snickering, bringing some good cheer as the dragon cautiously padded his way into the mist. His eyes soon found themselves slowly drifting back and forth. He hated the silence that was consuming all around them, thankful for the sounds of his friends footfalls sounding behind him. Despite his trust of them he found himself peaking back every moment or so, just to be sure they were okay.
He snorted, swallowing down the thick tension that lingered in the air and pressed on. Warry murmurs passed between his friends as he swelled out his chest. Perhaps that would stoke the fire of their bravery. Though they whispered about seeing shapes he dismissed it as nonsense. If it was that small in the mists, then it couldn’t possibly be a threat to them. Right? Despite his proclamation he found himself every so often doing a double take as though swearing to Bahamut herself that some twisting shape was sliding around the floor. He pictured it watching with careful eyes, ready to pounce when he last suspected. To his embarrassment each time he saw this he lashed out with his claw, just in case he caught their stalker unaware. On the third such attempt he had enough of these games, "Show yourself!" He snarled, flaring out his wings. He letting his taught voice carry through the halls like a storm. “I tire of these games!”
''As you wish," Came a booming feminine reply. From the mist rose a large emerald dragoness that dwarfed even Veledar in size. She flared out her vast lime green membraned wings as her talon tipped paws crashed into the floor with a concussive thud. She opened her maw to reveal sharpened, gleaming teeth and let loose a thunderous roar that shook the very ground with its ferocity.
Veledar instinctively curled his tail around the others, spread his own wings, roaring right back at the larger female. Her eyes looked to each one of them in turn, glowing an eerie purple in the low light. Now that she was looking down on them Veledar estimated she was three times his size. He gulped as he realized that she bore scars all over her of her body, clearly she had seen battle before. He heard his friends draw their weapons, then brandish them in the corner of his eye.
"You think in your arrogance that you can fight me?" She chuckled, starting to strut around them like Veledar sometimes did. She did it slower however, letting each black talon of hers rap against the floor. "You’re in my forest, little ones. I could have killed you at any time I desired, and you wouldn’t have even known why. Put your toys away before I am forced to injure you." She settled down onto her haunches, tail curling around her hinds. “By all means, take your time." She gave a toothy grin, the frills on either side of her head fluttering like a moth’s wings. "You’ll be here as long as I see fit."
Veledar heard the others grumble in irritation as they stowed their weapons. The red dragon however did not uncurl his tail, nor tuck his wings back to his sides. He just kept his eyes locked on the female, who bore similar scale patterns to her children, save for her wing membranes that had a yellow pattern in the shape of rolling waves, with black arcane runes tattooed on them. Still, everything was made creepier when her eyes found him. A grin spread across her snout, and for a second, Veledar thought he was going to end up fighting again.
"What did ya do wit Ulga, ya scaly bitch?" Merlia shouted, pointing a gloved hand at the massive green dragon.
"Well, that certainly was not the conversation starter I would have gone with. But there it is."
"I suggest you speak to me in a way that fits my stature, dwarf. Or things might get a bit messy." The green she-dragon growled deep in her throat, curling her serpentine neck into the shape of an S.
"First ya tell me what ya did wit Ulga, then we can work on how I address ya!" Merlia snapped back, her eyes not showing even a glint of fear.
The Emerald Lady sighed as she moved a talon to Merlia. Suddenly, the dwarf started to flail, and Veledar noticed her lips had been sealed together. The ranger’s fingers grabbed desperately at her lips, trying to rip them open.
"Perhaps I will let you speak again when you learn some respect." The dragoness said casually, dismissing Merlia with a wave.
"Undo what you have done to her!" Arcturus shouted, pulling out his sword with a hiss and pointing it at the Emerald Lady. The silver metal erupted into a bright blue glow that illuminated the mist around them.
"I second that motion!" Lyndis curled her hand into a ball, summoning forth a ball of crackling fire.
"Such a typical reaction from the lesser races. Veledar, I suggest you tell your human and elf to back down before I end up killing them outright," The Emerald Lady growled, eyeing the two mortals like a predator eyeing up their next meal.
"You will have to go through me first before you even get to touch them!" Veledar shouted , snorting out a plume of black smoke from his flared nostrils as he took a powerful step forward. “Not a single talon!”
The Emerald Lady just gave a slight laugh at their display, regarding their outburst like a mother might a child lost in a tantrum. “How amusing.” She rumbled, moving one of her claws so that it pointed to the still groaning Merlia. "Bear this in mind, dwarf. Next time, your friends may not be able to sway me. I will kill you, if you address me in such a crude manner ever again. Do you understand?"
"Aye," Merlia hissed through clenched teeth, her hands clenching into fists.
"Perfect. You mortals are always good at obeying your betters, but even so, there are certain times when you simply need a good reminder on who towers above you." The Emerald Lady smirked as she rose up to pace around the group once more, staring at them all with the same intimidating pair of glowing eyes.
"Now, about the thing you shouted at me, I presume by Ulga you mean your spirit?" She lifted a claw. The form of Ulga -a small ball of radiant light- rotated around it. "I needed to persuade you to land." The dragoness flicked her claw, and the orb of light flew over to Merlia, where it quickly hid beneath her clothes.
Veledar saw Merlia scowl at the Emerald Lady. However, despite her stare, she managed to keep silent.
I never thought anyone would manage to keep Merlia biting her tongue. However, I guess an intimidating dragoness like the Emerald Lady was good as any.
"So why did you bring us here?" asked Arcturus loudly. Perhaps a bit too loud, for someone standing before such an intimidating dragon. His voice showed no fear, it did not crack, and his eyes did not blink at all. "I take it has to be more than to add us to your impressive collection outside?"
"Why have I brought you here?" She chuckled deep in her throat, "I brought you here because you were with Veledar at the time."
"Me? What have I got to do with this?" Veledar snarled as he twitched his tail.
"Oh, young Veledar, I have somethings you need for this little quest of yours." She replied. Her purple eyes seemed to look past them, as if she were looking far away. She stayed like that for a moment longer, sending a shiver right down the scales of Veledar's spine.
"What could I possibly need from a dragon that rips us from the sky and threatens my friends?' Veledar tapped the ground firmly with his claw. “Tell me,” He hissed, growing impatient with the Lady’s silence. He could not think of anything she could provide that he did not already have. He had friends, magic, and a plan behind him. He waited a moment for the Emerald Lady to respond, but she still said nothing as she glanced around. Her snout seemed to be focusing on things they could not see or were not even there.
"It seems as though someone is watching us." She said suddenly, a smirk on her muzzle.
"Who is watching us? Veledar asked, titling his head to the side.
"This matter does not concern you, and I’m afraid inquiring about it would only confuse you further. Now, back to the matter at claw…"
“Not yet. I want to know more. How do you know what we need? Have you been watching us?" Veledar peaked back to the others. They were standing still, alert and tense at the same time. He could see their hands were clenched, perhaps waiting for the Emerald Lady to make an attack.
"In a matter of speaking, yes, I have been watching all of you." She held up her claws and spread them wide. In between them appeared brilliant dots that emulated the stars on a pitch-black sky. "The past, the present, and the future that awaits you all." The dragoness turned to Merlia, a grin on her snout. "Take for example Merlia, the dwarf ranger, an exile from her people. She is on an adventure that will never end, doomed to never return home." From the stars sprung forth little figures that were pointing to another one, secluded, alone. It hung its head and walked away from the rest in silence.
"Veledar, the young dragon who calls himself Crimson Sky, whom has suffered a trespass and befriended his worst enemy." From her paws, more figures seemed to spring forth. One changed into the shape of a dragon flying round and round. The other was meant to be Arcturus, as it joined the dragon in flight.
"Arcturus, a knight of Lumara no longer, his status and title replaced under Bahamut’s gaze. Your history is marred with sadness like the dragon you call your friend." The figures in her paws seemed to be acting out the final act between the human and dread flame. The dragon figure held on to the figure Arcturus as a shape of a house burned before them.
"Lastly, we have Lyndis, the rightful born princess of Drenedar. You run so far from your responsibilities, trying desperately to find your own way in the world."
“Royal birth!?" Veledar gasped, snapping his snout round to the horror stricken rogue. "When were you going to tell us that?"
"Oh, you had not told them. That was certainly something I did not foresee." The Emerald Lady cooed putting a claw to the tip of her snout. “How interesting.”
"When were you going to tell us about this?" Arcturus intervened, seeming to ignore the dragoness that was watching the display as if it was nothing more than an elaborate play on a stage.
"I was working up the courage to bloody tell you!" Lyndis shot back, "I mean, you wouldn’t have trusted me at all if I went out and told you that me, a rugged rogue, is actually the princess of Drenedar! Besides, that is not who I am anymore." She crossed her arms defensively, "I am the arcane trickster you have known. This is the real me."
"Then I take it you were not trying to manipulate us in order to get into the city so you can assassinate my king?"
"No! I have been honest about everything except that one detail. I can tell you the whole story later."
Arcturus mulled it over, squeezing he bridge of his nose with a sigh. "I believe you, Lyndis. Of course, we can talk about this later. We will definitely need a campfire to ponder on this piece of information." He then turned back towards the Emerald Lady and clasped his hands together. "Now I can officially say I have met two members of a royal family."
"All I have to say, Lyndis, is that you will have no problem paying back the fees you owe me. Of course, this trove of wealth will be nothing but substantial now that I know I have a member of your royal family under my wing." Veledar quipped, giving her a reassuring smile. When she returned it he snapped his attention to the tail twitching dragoness looming over them.
“So you can see things about us. Illuminate me as to the reason of my presence here, once again. What exactly do I from you? Where I am standing, I have everything I need to get my book back."
"Then you are aware of how those friends of Arcturus tracked you down so easily?" The dragoness’ snout curled into a sly grin.
"That…is a conundrum I’m still working on.” Veledar mumbled, thumping his tail at his ignorance.
“Or perhaps how you would go about disguising yourself in a city filled with arcanists? I assure you, the trick you pulled in Drakenburg will not work in the capital city of Lumara."
"No…I didn’t get that far," Veledar replied yet again, starting to show his teeth. This dragoness was treating him like he was just a child.
"Or perhaps you outright ignored the literal army stationed within the city’s walls. With airships, gryphons, and numerous other defenses, your quest is doomed to fail."
"I was going to wing it at that part!" Veledar snarled. He quickly composed himself as the dragoness just gave him an amused look. Like one would if say a puppy gave a little growl at them.
"If you’re done pointing all the flaws in my plan, maybe you can tell me how I’ve been tracked down so easily. I figured it was my morning hunts that led the gryphon riders to me. It’s the only thing that makes sense…is it not?" His scaly ridge raised as he met the Emerald Lady’s eye. The idea that it was not his fault was a great relief off his mind. Of course, if he were not the one to blame, he wondered who it was. He wondered if they were using a detect spell to find him, possibly on the book they had stolen from him. However, Veledar found himself unaware of such spell, especially one that could give them accurate information from minute to minute. Perhaps that was why they had used the gryphons. He imagined they would get a general area of his whereabouts, then send in the gryphons to find his exact position.
"The hounds that chase after your tail bear have an ancient relic from times past. Back from when dragons ruled over all of mortal kind, and waged a great war. It allows them to track dragons quite effectively and do a deal many more things. The one they have is able to work only on red dragons such as yourself." The Emerald Lady started to pace in front of them before placing a claw to point accusingly at Arcturus, "It was provided to them from this one here, from when he fought Dread Flame."
"I did not know that a simple red orb could do something like that!" Arcturus exclaimed, his jaw dropping.
Well that was certainly not something Veledar had thought of. He would have to tease the human about this later. He imagined the human going red, very much like his scales. He would then smile, and Arcturus would follow his example, laughing all over.
"Don't worry about it, Arcturus. We can discuss your actions later." Veledar smiled at the thought he had and thumped his tail. Perhaps he could convince the human to have another wrestle to ease his mind about this complication. Or perhaps caress his scales or massage his wings. Oh yes. All those options sounded delightful.
"Fine. You have me convinced about this item or whatever it is you’re offering." Veledar said, turning to the Emerald Lady. He hated to admit it, but she was right, and he figured that, were he Arcturus, he would take every advantage he could get. "I assume you will not simply part with your possessions?"
"What kind of dragon would I be, if I simply parted with my gifts? You have been around mortals for far too long, young Veledar." She then held up a claw grasping and ungrasp it. "I will not relinquish my gifts for simple coin."
Veledar groaned. That meant she wanted favors from them at best. At worst, she wanted them as part of her treasure. "Speak plainly then. What is it you want?"
"For you to stay the evening. Your minions can spend their time with my subjects in my forest. My son Lyyreth will teach you how to shape shift into other forms than your own. This will aid you in your infiltration of the city of Entis." She held up a claw and shifted it towards Lyndis, "You will have the elf and dwarf retrieve an item from a temple within this forest. I will send Cordenth to supervise this operation." She then turned her snout to focus on Arcturus. She got in real close, close enough that Veledar thought he would have to move in and push her away.
"Which leaves your human to his own devices as he practices magic from that book."
The Emerald Lady then sat down before them and moved her claw in a circle. She started to draw shapes in jagged lines. "We can discuss what will be done about the tracking business later. Luckily, the humans following you will not enter MY forest." She chuckled, "well at least not yet."
"How do you know they will not enter the forest?" asked Veledar.
"Because, little one. I HAVE SEEN IT!" She held up her paws, as radiant purple light burst through the circle on the ground.
Veledar had to hold up his paws up to shield his eyes from the intense light coming from her circle. He squinted his eyes, barred his teeth, thumped his tail, and moved his wings to shield his friends from the brilliant light. It only lasted for a minute, as the light started to die down shortly after, leaving them all bathed in darkness. The only source of light coming from the room was from a well that had seemed to grow out of the ground. From it’s stone sides radiated a pulsating purple light that bathed the dragoness in an eerie radiance from her horns to her talons. Thick white smoke started to spring from the well, flowing across the ground like a tidal wave. The dragoness hovered her snout over the well, flicking her snout up and staring deeply at all of them.
"So, you can see the future." scoffed Lyndis, "I have heard some people make that claim before."
"You would be wise to believe her." came the voice of Cordenth from behind them.
Veledar turned to the green dragon, his teeth already beginning to show. How did that little runt sneak up on me? Veledar wondered to himself, He must have used a spell to hide his steps.
"Mother requested that I take you to the village so that you may relax and slumber."
"I did not hear her say anything." said Veledar, "and I have particularly good ears."
He saw the green dragon roll his eyes at his boast. How dare he roll his eyes after I had beaten him so easily before? he thought as he snarled.
"She cast a telepathy spell." Cordenth rolled his eyes, pointing a black talon to the top of his head.
Veledar turned around, snorting as the Emerald Lady had closed her eyes. It was as though she had entered a trance, and they were no more important than a light breeze licking across a dragon’s wings.
"So I guess this audience is..." Arcturus began.
"Correct." She finished his thought before waving them away with a paw.
A wave of anger washed over Veledar for being dismissed so casually, but he quickly swallowed it down as he remembered how threatening the Emerald Lady was. Instead of arguing with the nagging voice in his head, he turned to her son and decided to instead give him a hard time later.
“Okay, you green scaled leaf licker. Show us the way to this village of yours." He said clearly making sure that the dragon took in every word, and when he noticed that Cordenth looked positively irritated, Veledar grinned.