Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm

Chapter 20

The return flight to the village of Holbeck was not one of most miserable times for such a once joyous thing. Ramakox was reminded of his time with Infinity, and the crushing despair he had felt at being so helpless. Which each pounding of his wings he felt the cold grasp wrap around him and made his body shiver. Nothing could free him from this sensation, not Fremra's scales,and certainly not the prospect of telling the mortal about everything that had happened, and what Ramakox had done all those years ago. The blue dragon would shutter each night, gazing up to the stars above and regretting his selfish decision more and more. Some nights he was left a quivering, sobbing mess that no dragon should ever be seen doing as he tried to find the words he would describe his misdeed.

While he was doing this he would picture that mortals now blue scaled snout, all full of anger, disgust, and hatred for the dragon that cursed his life. The mortal then would yell, and shout such things that would darken the blue dragon's heart, for he knew he would deserve each snarl, each insult, everything that would come out of that man's mouth.

When they finally saw the village in the distance, Ramakox felt worse than before, his heart falling to new depths that he knew not as he beat his wings at the seemingly icy air that reached down inside him and made his limbs quiver. They passed over the fields around Holbeck, the colors all a greenish, reddish blur to the dragon as he extended his limbs and aimed for the house of his mortal. His eyes found the towering thing from all the other buildings, a symbol to him of the coming heartache that would plague him so. People below him stopped to point at his scales, shouting out various praises and exclamations about his magnificence. Each one of these was a small thorn into the dragon's hide as he remembered the price for such fame, and how in this moment he felt so undeserving of such words and kindness.

So he tossed his head to ignore the awe struck collections of mortals as he angled his wings and circled Jandar's house. He gave a snort followed by a long drawn out sigh, hoping to sooth his racing heart, but as he back winged to cushion his landing, he found it did nothing for him. His wings kicked up anything loose nearby, causing some mortals to cover their faces and let out more praise about his mighty wings. He too paid them no mind as his paw pads touched down onto the worn dirt of the street. The house looked fairly the same, not having changed much in the month that they had gone, except today there seemed to be a white carriage adorned with small traces of gold to line the edges in front of the place. It was connected by fine black leather leashes to two sturdy and large looking dire wolves with fur of amber. Ramakox took a breath and found the smell of lilacs wafting through the air, coming from the twin canines. He snorted at the thought that someone had covered the large wolves in some sort of perfume.

Mortals. He flicked his tail, returning his mind to how to tell his mortal the news he learned about in the forest, and about how he had lied to the boy all those years ago. The lie that had cost him his daughter. He stood silently in shame staring at that fine wooden door, that only one month ago had filled with excitement over his coming grand child. He tried to bring himself to the door, but found that he could not. It was like his body was stopping him in it's tracks, dreading to take the first step towards that conversation he knew would happen.

“Frightened?” Fremra asked softly, landing to his side without a sound. She gave a small warble that rung out as mortals complimented her own scales and wings. He believe he heard them compare them to a beautiful reflection of the sea.

“Yes.” Ramakox said quickly, lowering his voice, hoping none but the dragoness he cared for heard it. He took a small step, his claws trembling like a frightened hatchling instead of the strong dragon he knew he was. Come on...Be brave..

Fremra suddenly brushed up against him gently, her affectionate display making the next step easier than the last, and the same with the next few that followed in her pleasing wake. With another snort the blue dragon found himself led passed the horse sized canines, who briefly observed him with their mahogany eyes, and twitching black noses.

“Thank you Imzel!” came a strong, confident, male voice as the fine wooden door sprung open to reveal a well dressed elven man. The elves piercing green eyes fell to the blue dragon, a slight frown coming to his clean face, before vanishing with his next breath. “Ah yes, the Swirling Storm.” the man continued, brushing his hand on his pristine crimson vest with off white sleeves. “Nice to meet you I suppose.” the elf strolled towards him, clutching a small clinking brown sack, followed by several other various mortals dressed in different armors and wielding various weapons of steel.

“And you are?” the blue dragon asked, slightly annoyed the man seemed to not care about his presence.

“Me? The man held a hand to his chest, as he spoke with a slight chuckle. “I am Lord Aster the elf held up his nose. “Been away for almost a year now, probably why we have not met before this moment. I came here to procure some potions from the delightful Imzel over there.” he gestured back towards Imzel's house, with a stretch of his neck.

The blue dragon looked passed the man as Imzel, strode into the door frame of he house. She was adorned in dark brown clothes, that ended with green little stripes. She appeared to be healthy for the most part, her face was bright with not a frown or tear to be found on her fine features. While she was not smiling currently, it was nice to see her this way instead of the absolute wreck she had been a month prior.

“Now if you excuse me you two.” The elf gazed to Fremra without a look of concern. “I have pressing matters to attend to...People to meet....business to conduct..Much too busy then to stand around and hold idle conversation with two great beasts all day.”

“Than be on your way elf, no one is holding you here against your will.” Ramakox snorted, pushing passed the man without another thought. Anxiety found it's way to his chest once more as he took a seat on his hinds before the door.

“Welcome back you two.” Imzel smiled, striding out into the afternoon sun with a gentle stride. She waved warmly to Fremra as the teal dragon took position right beside him, her tail curling around him affectionately. “Was wondering when you would be back.” she patted both dragons on their forelimbs with a heavy sigh gracing her breath. Her cheery disposition suddenly melted away like a wax set to flame. “Considering what...happened.” she said flatly, causing Ramakox to tap his tail and fidget slightly in discomfort.

Thankfully Fremra was much better than he was at this, and quickly nuzzled the clearly disturbed mortal with a soft purr. The human smiled at this, placing her hands gently onto the teal dragon's snout with a soft smiling coming to the edge of her lips.

“Thank you Fremra.” Imzel sighed, running her hands along the underside of the teals jaw, and earning a pleased trilling noise for her efforts. “So what did you learn?” the mortal raised an inquisitive brow as she looked to Ramakox with eyes wide with curiosity.

“Nothing that would help us.” he lied quickly, eyes looking passed the woman for the mortal he had to pour his guilt and sins to. “Have you seen Jandar? I have much to discuss with that man.”

“Concerning the trip?”

“Yes. Very much so, have you seen him?” he asked again, returning his view to the woman tenderly caressing his forelimb.

“He went out to gather reagents for the potions we sell.” she replied with a sigh. “I know we don't need any more but he insists on doing it everyday since...The event.”

Ramakox let out a heavy sigh, flicking his tail behind him as he pictured Jandar venting his frustration and sadness out into a vast field of tall grass, or blasting apart a rock or tree. The dragon hung his head, the guilt swirling around inside his head, rippling outward and making him feel all tingly.

“How long does he stay out there?” asked Fremra, voice filled with concern.

“Hours...All day some times.” Imzel closed her eyes briefly, crossing her arms as she did so. “Do you want tea or something?” she asked, her view going towards the path that led around her house. “Perhaps a few buckets of water? I know flying must be ever so trying to the body...Especially if it's been such long distances as you lot flew.”

“I can drink from a normal cup dear.” Fremra cooed, pressing a paw to her forehead and slowly shrinking before their eyes.

Imzel let out a gasp of surprise as the dragoness shrunk steadily, until with a little yawn, Fremra was the size of a large dog, coming up to the woman's waist.

“See? Just takes a little concentration and there you go.” the little teal dragon gestured to herself with a wave of her forelimb and a rumbling purr.

“Can you do that too Ramakox? Would certainly make things easier.” Imzel turned her attention to the blue dragon, making his cheeks grow warm in embarrassment.

“I...can't do that..” he looked away with a snort, tapping his talons across the ground. “Not that I never tried of course...Just that blue dragon's such as myself lack the magical ability to alter our shape such as that.”

“That's too bad.” Imzel patted the blue dragon on his chest, stopping to rub the scales with her soft hands. “I'll go get you something to drink...Water? Tea? Some spirits?”

“Spirits?” he asked, rumbling his approval at the prospect of something warm find it's way down his gullet. It would certainly help him with the arduous task of telling Jandar about the truth. NO. He shook his head slightly at the thought. I need to be at full faculties when I tell him...It's only right. “No...but the gesture is much appreciated.” he nodded to the human with a grin. “I would like to find Jandar for the moment, could you point me in the direction of the area he searches for these reagents?”

“Ah...well.” Imzel looked to Fremra, who was busy licking one of her cute little paws. “He is out to the west in the forest there...He likes to hunt along the river inside...He says it has the best plants, fungai, and other things that we need for our concoctions.” She crouched down to look at Fremra in her eyes. “And I take it you're going to say here and keep me company?”

“And sample your tea...and possibly spirits.” Fremra chuckled, flicking her tail softly as her frills fluttered. The teal dragon turned towards him with a grin, nuzzling Ramakox's snout with a gently purr as he returned the gesture with a pleased rumble. “Take care....and be strong.” She stepped back, grinning towards the human woman with a playful swish of her tail and bounding through the door. “Now show me these drinks of yours so that I may sample them!” she proclaimed loudly in that sing song voice that made Ramakox consider staying to enjoy the good company and cheer.

The feeling only lasted for a moment before he was turning around, and wishing Imzel farewell. He bounded into the sky with a few mighty flaps of his wings. He swallowed the lump in his throat, and started to search the countryside below for the forest that contained his son. Don't worry...It will be over soon.

*

Ramakox followed Imzel's words, heading directly west the moment he had gained enough altitude. He briefly caught the carriage of lord Aster, heading out of the village towards a large stone structure in the distance. It stood proudly atop a hill, looking down at all the other houses of wood and thatch. The blue dragon felt a pang of jealous course through his body as he glared at it with narrowed eyes. He made a mental note to provide Jandar with the best treasure and goods he could find. It may not make up completely for what he had done to the mortal, but it would certainly help. The dragon grinned to himself as he pictured that elven lord gasping at how nice of a nest that his mortal had.

The blue dragon passed over the viridian fields that stretched for miles beneath his wings, the rolling hills raising up and down as if they were frozen waves of the sea. He breathed in the scent of growing pine, and shivered with realization he was nearing the forest. Sure enough one such hill gave way to a large body of multicolored leaves. He smiled at all the bright crimsons, golds, and oranges that painted every branch. Not like the forest of despair at all...That is green all the time. He tilted his wings and stared his descent towards the treetops. His eyes scanned looking for the flowing river that could possibly contain his son. He circled the blanket of trees, looking past every gnarled wooden branch, every worn trunk. His eyes would briefly stare at lone trees, an odd shaped rock, or even some deer standing tall and still. Each time he had so the dragon had grumbled to himself, letting out a snort of irritation. For each time that he had done so, his heart would race a bit faster as his breaths had grown short. He had felt his veins grow warm with worry about seeing that little blue snouted mortal.

Ramakox circled the forest several times looking for that winding thing, until on his third pass he spied out of the corner of his eye the running water, a ray of light glimmering off the surface. He turned to head towards the river, a blue thread lost within a vast sheet of green. He silently kicked himself as he descended towards the rushing water that had eluded him so. It was just another thing that he would never tell a soul about. The last thing he needed was people going on and on about the Swirling Storm who could miss the most obvious things right in front of his scaled snout. He just destroys his son's life is all. His mind reminded him with a snarl, casting a shadow once more over his mind as he neared the forest below.

He passed through the canopy, his great armor breaking branches and pieces of growth not strong enough to stand up to the dragon's scales. He shrugged off the minor annoyance as he settled down onto the soft surface with his paw pads. He resettled his wings against his back as his eyes went to the babbling body of water. He took a deep breath, finding the smell of damp earth, fallen leaves, and old stone. The earthy smell calming his racing heart somewhat as he worked out a kink from his serpentine neck. He flicked his tail as he swung his head around, his keen eyes looking out for any sign of movement. He saw several multicolored birds dart out around his head, seemingly unconcerned what the large dragon was going in their midst. He snorted once, a loud thing that send the flock of feathery things scattering in all directions as he tried to lock onto his mortal's scent.

He closed his eyes, lowering his snout and flaring his nostrils as he did so. The idea he might look like one of those hounds briefly entered his mind before he cast it out with a grumble. That image of course was not fitting of a dragon. With his next breath his scales clinked and he grumbled as he tried to pull apart the plethora of strong smells that lingered in this part of the forest, they bombarded his senses and caused the dragon to wrinkle his snout at the overload. However with all those smells there was only one that caught his interest. The smell was ever so faint, just a small pebble in a vast quarry of rock. It smelled like the air before a rainstorm, making the blue dragon shiver, and anxiety rise in his chest once more.

Jandar.

The blue's eyes opened wide as he took another sniff , pinpointing that smell above all others. Good...He wasn't here that long ago. Ramakox thought to himself, bringing relief to the idea that he might miss the mortal. That his entire trip to this forest had been for nothing. It may not have been the wort thing, but it would have been certainly a few hours the dragon would never be able to get back. With a deep refreshing breath that made his scales tingle, Ramakox bounded in the direction of the smell, passing through shrubs, bushes, and other various greens with little effort. With the scent increasing he picked up the pace a little, avoiding several trunks lying down in his way. He gave a snort as the sound of crunching twigs filled his ears, reminding him of Fremra always teasing him about how the Swirling Storm had to always be loud. She had laughed at the time with a raised brow to his irritation, but nuzzling him soon after to set his troubled mind at ease.

He passed by a den of foxes, the red and white vixen scurrying away with her small kits. The blue dragon's next breath confirmed that he was almost atop his mortal now, his mind grasping at at what he would say. His heart thumped in his chest like a drum, his blood starting to grow warm with each anxiety filled step. It was when he came to a section near the river that was covered in assorted multcolored stones, that he stopped. They were all worn with age, and Jandar was among them resting on one such stone as if it were a couch to sit upon.

The mortal was wearing his traveling robes with one of his sleeves pulled all the way up to his shoulder. He snout was transfixed on the blue scaled arm that he was currently hovering his other claw over, and wiggling his digits. With a little flash of light, the blue scales that coated his arm seemed to be wiped away as easily as cleaning a left over plate. They vanished into thin air, to leave only the olive colored skin of the human underneath. The half-dragon smiled in glee at the effect, his tail thumping behind him as little stones circled his horned head in mid air at a lazy pace.

“Hello there Jandar.” Ramakox spoke, struggling to bring the words as his throat started to feel tight and his cheeks warmer, almost like a raging fire were mere inches from his face.

The mortal looked up suddenly in surprise, his eyes going wide as the blue scale suddenly came back in force, almost like flowers blooming in the spring. They quickly recovered his arm in a flash. Jandar grabbed the sleeve of his robe and rapidly pulled it down to cover the exposed limb. “Hey there Ramakox.” the mortal stuttered, his cheeks turning a darker shade of blue. “H-How much of that did you see.”

“Nothing of interest of course.” he lied, sparing the mortal some embarrassment. After all, he was here to pour out his soul anyway. “How have you been?” he asked softly, his mind starting to throb as he padded over to the mortal he was fond of. He took a seat beside him on his hinds, curling his scaled tail around the hard stone, and gazing down to the mortal that hung his snout and let out a long sigh.

“Truthfully?” Jandar sighed again, raising and dropping his shoulders as he did so. “Things have been hard on both of us....How could they not be? To have ones child snatched away by the jaws of fate...It's left everything....Colorless.” the half-dragon looked up to him with misted eyes and shallow breaths. “E-Enough about me.” the man wiped his eyes with one of his sleeves. “How did your time with the Emerald lady go? Don't be shy now, leave in all the details.” the mortal gave a weak smile, trying to obviously feign happiness for the blue's sake.

The blue dragon saw through that little charade and lowered his snout to nuzzle at the once human. He pressed his scaled head into the man's chest with a soft rumble. “It was...eventful.” he said flatly as he felt Jandar start to caress the underside of his jaw. “We...discussed a great deal.” he wrinkled his snout at the pained memory, of the bruises, cuts, and defeat suffered at her onyx talons. “I'm...not allowed to set another claw in her forest.”

“That bad huh?” the mortal grinned, picking up a smaller rock with his claw. Jandar rolled the small thing in his palm before hurling it against a larger stone with a loud crack that made Ramakox twitch at the sound. “Always figured you and her had a good thing going on..Especially since you two fucked every time we went there.”

“You knew about that?” he snapped his snout to the mortal who had crossed his arms.

“Hard to not know with how many times we visited her over the years. Young dragons are not known for their ability to hide what they smell or hear.”

“Oh.” Ramakox snorted, flicking his tail and scattering some loose stones. He looked away from the mortal to the cool water running by as if somehow the soothing liquid could make the next few minutes easier. However before he could speak, get the burden from his chest that made it feel weak, Jandar spoke up.

“Been going through my head.” the mortal sighed, picking up another rock with his claw. “All my years training...Adventuring...” Jandar tossed the stone violently with another crack when it struck the hard surface. “All my mastery of magic...and I could do nothing while I watched my child suddenly go lifeless...The spark in her eyes fade away into nothing..” Jandar clutched his claws into a fist, punching the stone with a pain filled snarl. “If only....I had been better....Stronger...Thought about it more...Tried anything...Maybe she wouldn't...Wouldn't..”

Ramakox silenced the once human by nuzzling at his chest once more, letting out a soft rumble to the man that was practically on the verge of sobbing. The blue dragon felt tears splatter against the top of his snout as Jandar clutched him tightly in a hug with both of his arms. The blue dragon snorted a plume of air onto the man's chest, just like he had done to him when he was but a child crying after losing his parents in the caravan.

“It was not your fault.” Ramakox found the words, as he wrapped his limbs around the quivering mortal. “That lies with me....and me alone....So don't dare you belittle yourself in front of me...So point your despair and hurt feelings towards my scales and my deeds.” The dragon gulped down the knot in his throat as he let out a grumble, trying to pull out the words. “For...For it was the ritual that I had preformed all these years ago that led to this outcome...That is why you have suffered.” The dragon felt his heart start to stretch as his eyes misted over the thoughts of the playful hatchling that had brought him such warmth.

“That is why your daughter is dead...So blame me..” Ramakox sniffed, tears starting to bubble up then cascade down his pebbly cheeks.

“I..have known.” replied Jandar softly, running a claw over the blue's nose.

“What?” Ramakox gasped, raising a brow. “For how long?”

“I figured it out the day after you left.” the man patted to his blue head three times with a single digit at his temple. “I'm not stupid Ramakox...I know when you're worried, or lying...and well..it's not that hard to figure out.” the man sighed, hanging his head. “Everything always goes back to the single day.”

Ramakox found himself without words for this moment as he kneaded the ground with his claws. Of course Jandar was no idiot, or some simpleton without a brain for critical thought. It had just never occurred to the blue scaled dragon that this man would place everything together. “T-than you know how sorry I am for that day.” Ramakox looked away, his heart racing as he felt his cheeks grow warm. “And how I wish I could take it back...I never thought...that it would have caused what transpired to happen....From the bottom of my heart Jandar...I'm sorry...Even if it takes the rest of my life to make it up to you....I shall find a way.” Ramakox traced a talon in the earth, forming a shallow line as he unwound his soul. He could feel the guilt come pouring out of him like a burst damn.

“I will spend everyday searching for a spell, a ritual, some ancient ruin....I will even go on a god's damned adventure If I have to.” his eyes misted as he turned back to the mortal with a low grumble in the back of his throat. His emotions froze as the mortal he cared for did not say a word, and simple raised a scaled arm to gently caress the blue dragon's snout. The man traced the scales back and forth with a smile coming his face.

“Ramakox..That.....I never doubted your affection for me...Never for a moment.” The half-dragon journeyed his claws underneath the blue dragon's head. “But you should not have all the guilt placed on you for that day.” Jandar said softly, his own eyes starting to grow red as tears once more started to well up in those silver spheres. “I would be easy to blame you for that lie, to hate you with a passion, or place all the misfortunes on my life upon you...But I can't.” the mortal patted Ramakox's scales gently and pulled the dragon's snout against his chest firmly.

“But I know the truth about that day. I would have accepted it even if you had told me there was great risk involved...Storm..You have given me so much...so much good has happened from selfish decision you claim to have made.” Tears ran down Janda'rs cheek to drop onto the blue dragon's scales as Ramakox nuzzled the man with a soft rumble. “We....We can work on solving the problem in the future...But I don't blame you horned head...I care too much about you to hate you...Even if something happened like that.”

Ramakox said nothing, utterly shocked. He could not believe the words that were flowing from the mortal's mouth like a river. He could feel all the guilt, the ice, and every terrible thought that had been lurking within his head be cast away with simple words and claw movements. Never in his dreams did he think Jandar would have forgiven him so easily. “Jandar...” the dragon said with a quivering voice that lacked the strength it usually did. “You..ever surprise me..Even now..” The first crystalline tear tolled down the dragon's cheek, soon followed by many others as he picked up his mortal, stood onto his hinds and pulled him tightly against his chest in an affectionate hug. “Thank you for being so kind...understandable...and truly unbelievable. You are just like the story of Cryphel the kind.”

“You taught me right I suppose.” Jandar laughed, pressing himself against the navy scales with a soft chuckle. “I love you Ramakox.”

“As do I Jandar.” the blue replied, his heart beating ever so fast as it felt like it was going to melt in his chest. His next breath brought tingling sensations through the rest of his body, and he was almost certain that the beating organ in his chest was going to burst. “So..about that arm I clearly saw you working on..Make any progress?” he let go of the half-dragon, sitting back down onto his haunches as he refolded his wings against his back with his next pleased breath.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Oh....that.” Jandar looked away, his cheeks turning a darker shade of blue. “I was of course trying to change back to a human...And no...The most I can manage is an arm or a leg.” The mortals shoulders rose and fell as he let loose a heavy sigh. “But even that takes a lot of effort. I can only make it last for several minutes, and it takes almost all my focus to do even that.”

“Oh.” replied Ramakox with his own quick sigh. For a moment he thought that Jandar was on the verge of doing something he could not. “I know we can do something about it.” the blue dragon finally said, fidgeting in place as he flicked his tail behind him. “As I said I-”

“Hey stop with that already.” Jandar smacked him on the snout playfully with his claw, causing Ramakox to pull his head away with a surprised snort.

“Well fine then...I was only trying to stress my deepest apologi-”

“Ramakox.” the man crossed his arms, smirking up at the anxious dragon. “We already covered that bit. We are most fine when it comes to that topic of conversation.”

“I know.” the blue dragon grumbled, wrinkling his nose as he looked away with a snort. “Just wanted to stress it is all.” he looked to the sky, admiring the setting sun in the distance, the orange rays spreading out to light the clouds with it's beautiful glory, and streaming through the trees.

“Beautiful isn't it?” Jandar asked softly, leaning up against the blue dragon's scales.

Ramakox wrapped a forelimb around the man's chest and dragged the human closer against his armored scales with a rumble of approval. “Yes...It is always a sight to behold...I was told once that it meant good things on the horizon...and should be trusted to be a sign.”

“I am well aware.” Jandar chuckled, you've told me all your stories a hundred times. I think I heard them all by now.”

Ramakox just grumbled, and gave the once human a quick snort from his lungs. “Well...You never used to complain about hearing them.”

Jandar just drifted his head back and let out a loud laugh as Ramakox held him tighter against his scales. “I don't mean that Storm...But you should hear this one about our time in Rothdell.” Jandar ceased his laughter to look up at the blue with a smile on his snout. The half-dragon held up his limbs and started to tell a story Ramakox had not heard before. He settled his head down beside the once human and listened with an eager tapping tail. Eventually a smile worked it's way to his snout as Jandar broke into laughter over some silly antic his dwarven friend got into.

“You should have seen him Ramakox...All spouting ale and wobbling around.” Jandar clutched his sides as he let out another loud laugh. “Had to fight off the woman he pissed off too..They were going to beat him half to death with frying pans!”

Ramakox chuckled, tapping his tail as his mind wandered back to that elven man back in the village. “So...tell me about this lord Aster.” he asked, after the mortal's laughter had ceased but to small little chuckles. Ramakox thought to that proud looking man's lack of concern at suddenly seeing two large dragons before him. “I'd like you of course to have a better nest then that pointed eared man...When we get back we will get the best painters..the best carpenters!” Ramakox held up his head and announced loudly. “We will make sure you have the best nest.”

“We are probably going to leave and head back to adventuring.” Jandar laughed weakly, cutting the announcements short. “Without the child on the way...We talked about it..Besides..I don't think I could stand it happening again.”

“Oh.” stated Ramakox flatly, all his sudden plans for the greatest human house ever, going up in smoke with that simple sentence. “You don't have to spread my name you know. You don't have to...You could come live near me...If you..want of course.” The blue dragon looked away from his mortal once more, his wings starting to feel warm.

“I know storm.” Jandar patted his forelimb gently. “I still want to do it though...And I have always loved adventuring in my heart..It's what we want to do...But...thanks...Maybe when I am older and cannot adventure I will live by you. Build a house that is carved right into your cave!”

Ramakox's snout wrinkled at the thought. He had never thought about Jandar growing older. Silly to be sure, but it had never truthfully occurred to the blue dragon. He always figured he would be running around and greeting him with stories and smiles. The realization that this would not be the case sent a bolt of ice through his heart. He shook his head from the dreadful thought and pulled his son closer against his scales. “But that day is far off..You have many...many years to travel and grace this earth before that fateful day approaches.”

“Of course.” the once human smiled, casting the dragon's dark thought away in an instant. “Never dreamed of doing it early mind you...Always something new to see, something to learn. Mark my words, Jandar the traveling mage still has lots to learn and do in his life time.”

“Indeed.” rumbled Ramakox in the back of his thought, sounding like tumbling stones as Jandar pressed against his scales and nuzzled him affectionately. “Now do go on about this Aster, if only to take our minds off of such miserable thoughts of your eventual death. Lets not be like Goyzat the depressed or Ietu the mournful.”

“Oh yes, how could I forget the hatchling stories about the dragon's whose depression and despair were so great it literally killed them in their sleep.” the half-dragon laughed. “Well that bastard came back not too long after you left with Fremra. Came in all loudly, making proclamations and such. He said he was off with this border skirmish with Lumara for the last year of so. Get this thought Storm.” Jandar poked the blue's forelimb with a talon. “The first thing he does when he meets me is give this death glare, like I had just taken a shat in his lap or something. Always seemed to question me after that when I was around. He went on and on about my adventures...” Jandar poked his blue scales, “My scales, and the blue dragon that I got them from. Besides those things though? He has not been a cruel man in the slightest.” Jandar let out a little sigh from his snout.

“He seems nice enough, he even got more guards for the village, single handedly dealt with some orc raiders that hit a caravan of ours as well. I'd have done it of course, but the bastard went out and took care of it on his bloody own. Shoulda seen his smug face like it was the most biggest thing he had ever done in his lifetime. Despite that however he always is around the shop, continuing his questioning...It is rather....annoying at times.”

“Well worry not, for you will not have to put up with him much longer!” the blue dragon smiled cheerfully and tossing his head up with his next soothing breath. “You will be out there again, exploring, adventuring, and with all the good cheer of your friends to keep you company....Plus...he sounds like an arse.”

“Aye.” Jandar laughed, pulling the dragon's forelimb from himself. “Best we get back to the village eh?” The mortal patted a series of pouches that were attached to his belt with a smirk. The things looked close to bursting with little leaves of green sticking out of the top edges.

“How did you get out here?” The dragon stood to all fours, shaking his body with soft clinks. “Do you need a lift back to the village?” Ramakox raised a brow as he gestured to one partially outstretched wing. Part of him wanted to bring his son back into the air, let them fly together again and experience the joy of flight. “I would be delighted to carry you into the sky...be your wings.”

“Sounds like truly a breathtaking offer Storm.” the mortal gestured behind him with a thumb. “Got myself a horse tied up not too far from here naturally. Probably should not leave ole starlight out here on her lonesome.”

“Probably not.” Ramakox snorted in disappointment.

“Don't worry.” the mortal smiled, placing a claw on his shoulder. “We can do that later...Or tomorrow when the sun rises....I rather miss flying on the back of a dragon.”

“Really?” the blue dragon asked, his spirits lifting higher as the excitement rose in his chest like the tide. 'That can certainly be arranged, no son of mine shall forget the joys of flight!” Ramakox nuzzled the laughing once human with a snort of warm air.

“Then I look forward to that!” the man swelled his chest out proudly. “I can't wait!”

Ramakox tore his sight from the beaming half-dragon to look towards the sky, the urge to bound up into it's embrace and wish his mortal farewell a strong one. He would most likely promise to meet the man back at his village before carrying himself up to the heavens above. Ramakox drummed his talons in the dirt, fighting that urge and instead turning back towards the mortal. “I think flying can wait for now.” He trotted over to Jandar with a bounce in his step as the mortal led them towards a tied up bay horse. “I think I shall walk back with you to Holbeck.

“I'm fine...really.” the man smiled, hopping onto the horse's back after untying the beast from the sturdy trunk of an oak tree.

“Oh that I am certain of.” replied the dragon with a proud, chest filling breath. “I wish to catch up with you further of course, and keep you company...And..” Ramakox lowered his head and nuzzled the mortal's chest once more. “Be there for you like I should have been on that night.”

“Then I shall have you dragon.” Jandar caressing under the dragon's chin gently, his words just as such. “But if you fall behind..I will leave you to pout.”

“You wouldn't dare.” Ramakox gasped, playing along with this little performance that made his heart tingle and warm.

“Ah but of course I would dragon!” Jandar pointed a claw towards his snout with a quick wink. “So don't go on testing me now. Or you shall find yourself left.”

The blue dragon let out a soft chuckle, “I won't be letting you get too far ahead human.” he narrowed his eyes and gave Jandar a quick lick across his snout before returning his head to it's lofty position over the half-dragon.

“Well that is certainly good news!” Now follow me...We have much to discuss after all!” the half-dragon willed his horse to quickly gallop out of the forest, over the worn path, over twisting roots jutting up from the earth, and making the trees pass around them in a blur.

Ramakox kept with them, each step of his claws on the ground brought rippling waves of excitement. It was not long before the trees of the forest eventually gave way to the long grass of the rolling hills, thankfully Jandar had the horse slow down, and let the blue catch his breath. Ramakox grumbled as he finally took his place beside them, as he was not quite able to catch them during the gallop. He grumbled slightly at that fact, for he was made for flying and not sprinting like the horses were. With a snort he knew if it were his wings carrying him against that horse, he would have caught them no problem.

They trotted across the fields, sharing a story about crazy people and events that had graced the pair over the years. Ramakox told the one about a traveling circus of wolven, who had adorned themselves in all white makeup and multiple colors. Jandar had rebuttled with one involving about a bunch of elves with spiky hair that seemed to be reaching for the heavens. The blue dragon had not known why Jandar was chuckling in laughter at the story, but he humored the man and laughed right along side of him. They were just striding over the crest of another ridge when the sing song voice of Fremra drew his attention.

“There you two are.” The teal dragon circled them with a glide, before back-winging and kicking up a gust. “I was wondering where you two had gone.”

“Whats the matter?” Jandar tilted his head to the side, controlling his horse to a stop.

“Figured you would be back by now is all.” the teal's snout wrinkled as she slunk over to nuzzle the blue dragon, running her head just below his chin with a pleased rumble. It caused Ramakox to close his eyes and return her affectionate display with a quick nuzzle of his own.

“Decided to walk is all.” he sighed in content, another rumble building up in his chest as the delightful dragoness continued to rub her scales against his own. “See, Jandar brought one of those horse creatures...I was simply escorting them back to his house safely.”

“So things went well then?” the teal swirled her head to look at the half-dragon with a casual flick of her tail over the grass. “Or did Ramakox not tell you all of the information that he had meant to?”

“Oh he told me alright.” Jandar patted the worn leather saddle of his horse with a slight smile. “Everything is fine between us, no need to worry your teal snout about it.....What brings you out here anyway? Can't have just been to find us..You can't have been that worried.” the half-dragon crossed his arms with a smug grin, looking up to the dragoness with pride. “For you know that I, Jandar the traveling mage...and Ramakox the Swirling Storm, can probably handle any trouble that happens to knock upon our door step.”

Ramakox nodded with a snort in agreement of such a true statement. He looked to Fremra with a grin as she rolled her eyes with fluttering head frills.

“Of course not. It was the dear Imzel that did not have the food that I was interested in.” the dragoness sat down onto her haunches to start licking at her claws tenderly, tracing the fine scales with firm licks of her pink tongue.

“So you wanted a deer, or elk, or maybe a moose-bear?” The blue dragon chuckled as Fremra briefly looked up from her ministrations to raise a brow at him.

The teal dragoness looked away, tapping her tail on the ground as a breeze washed over them and made the grass come alive for the moment. “So what if I did?” she raised the other claw of hers, and got right back to her diligent work with her slippery eel, causing Jandar to let out a hearty laugh.

“Ah it is good to see you again Fremra...I had almost forgotten how funny and odd you could be at times.” Jandar brought starlight right up to the dragoness with a flick of the horses tail. The mortal swiftly reached out with his limbs and trapped the teal's snout in his embrace,. “I missed you Fremra.” He smiled, leading his claw onto the dragoness' snout, causing her to release a pleased trill. One that was so infectious that Ramakox himself found himself smiling as she nuzzled the once human.

“I missed you too little Jandar! It is always a treat to catch up with my favorite mortal.”

“Favorite mortal my tail. I heard you refer to him as your son in the forest. You shouted it right to the Emerald Lady.” Ramakox smirked, offering the mortal a grin.

“That's so sweet!”the half-dragon seemed to squeeze against the teal's snout harder, but she did not seem to mind as she gently closed her eyes and snorted into his chest.

“Did you not already know this? My little gift from bahamut.” the dragoness let out a throaty purr as she continued to rub her head against him with the affection a mother might for her own hatchlings. She let out a soft trill as the half-dragon started to caress her soft membranes with his claws.

“So did you end up satisfying your hunger?” Ramakox asked, rubbing his scales up against hers with a pleased sigh. He closed his eyes briefly, shivering at her delightful touch as she purred and pushed back against him.

“Do you think I could not catch a mere prey animal?” Fremra pulled her head away from the diligent mortal to flash the blue dragon a tooth filled grin with a raised brow. She smirked as she snapped her jaw together with a dull clack, and rumbling in her throat.

Ramamox was reminded of her time catching the stag with the very earth that she could bend. How the grass had quickly snagged the creature and brought it down with hardly any effort from the playfull ness. “I don't doubt your hunting ability my Sea Lilly.” he said proudly, giving her another pleasing nuzzle as he sighed. “Was just wondering if you had a good hunt is all.”

“Wonderful as always.” she glanced back to the mortal, her frills twitching as smile came to her snout. “I will spare the mortal here the gruesome details, but the beast tasted delightful. I will honestly consider picking them if I was ever given the choice again.

“The moose bears?” The blue dragon asked, the odd twisted animal coming to mind as he glanced out to the rolling hills.

“If that is what you call the weird creature that looks like someone stiched them together...Then yes....That beast was..” Fremra threw her head back with an exaggerated groan. “DELICIOUS.”

Jandar just sat there with his arms crossed, laughing to himself at the teal's display. “By the gods Fremra...I thought you were going to have an orgasm there talking about eating the damn thing.”

Fremra threw her wings wide and lashed her tail as she cackled into the air to join the human in his laughter. She settled down soon after, refolding her wings and her cackling turning into the occasional chuckle from the side of her snout. “I guess we should be getting back now.” the dragoness sighed, glancing over her shoulder towards the direction of the village. “That human mate of yours will be wanting to see us all back of course.”

“And she will have food!” Ramakox replied, grabbing hold of his stomach. In all the commotion of finding Jandar he had not eaten at all. The dragon narrowed his eyes at the scaled portion of his chest as it gurgled into the air.

“And there is that.” Fremra laughed, spreading her wings wide before them. “She seemed rather eager to have us around.” She turned round till she was facing the village with a heavy sigh.

“Well what are we waiting for?” Jandar shouted, spurring his horse to start galloping as he yelled out a “Hiyah!”. The big bay beast shot from the pair of dragons like a loosed arrow from a bow. “I bet we can get there first!” The mortal called over his shoulder with a grin.

“Oh, like you're going to beat me!” Fremra bounded into the sky with a great flap of her wings and a loud cackle from her maw. “Come on grumpy!” she arched her head round to shout to the blue dragon in glee. “We can't let that little blue arse of yours beat us...Especially you!”

Ramakox wrinkled his snout, drumming his claws for a moment on the earth before spreading his wings wide. He felt a rumble in his chest as he readied to pounce into the air, his breaths filling with excitement as he pictured catching that mortal he cared for. “Very well!” he shouted back to the teal, carrying himself into the air with his next breath. He let loose a roar into the air as he felt like a dragon of years younger. He glanced out to the teal and the horse that was steadily traveling through the tall grass, parting it like a knife through flesh. Ramakox angled his wings and shot towards the pair that already had a large gain on him, letting out another roar of delight as Fremra let out her own joyous one into the heavens.

To any other viewer it might be terrifying to see that two huge dragons were pursing a lone man on horseback. They would probably think that this half-dragon was going to end up in one of his pursuers stomachs at the chases end. The one on the horse might even be nearly pissing themselves in fright at the prospect, however Jandar was not one of those mortals. The half-dragon turned round to stick his tongue out at the pursuing dragons, and quickly smacked his ass several times in a taunting gesture.

“Oh that's it!” Ramakox roared with a smile as the competitive spirit sunk into his bones and wormed it's way to his muscles and made him beat his wings ever faster against the air. How could he let his mortal get away with a display like that? The answer was obvious to the dragon as he soared after that man and his horse. He was not going to let him. The wind battered against his snout as Ramakox pounded his wings against the sky in pursuit of that teasing mortal. His breaths came quick as his limbs tingled with excitement with each forceful flap and beat of his heart. He heard Fremra let out her own challenge when he passed her, pushing the blue to go faster than before lest she try to outdo him.

Jandar passed over the hill, a look of pure joy on his snout as Ramakox passed that same spot moments later, each beating of his wings earning him some ground towards that quick galloping horse. It was hard to believe that mere hours ago the blue dragon's heart had been filled with nothing but guilt and dread at what was going to come from his conversation with the mortal, but here he was now playfully chasing that horse with excited breaths and a warm chest. It made him let out another joyous roar, dwarfing the others in it's volume and length, as the village came into view as they drifted over another hill. The small collection of brown squares seemingly springing forth from the sea of darkened green.

“You're so slow today!” Jandar called back with a smug grin that made Ramakox snort at the display. “Have you forgotten how to fly Ramakox?” the man whipped his reins, causing the already fast horse to somehow pick it's speed up again.

“You wish that was the case Jandar!” The blue dragon shouted in return, he pounded harder and harder against the sky, his determination carrying him towards the mortal and despite the horse's new speed, the blue dragon found himself gaining on them with each breath that filled his lungs. “I shall have you in my claws in no time human!” Ramakox angled his wings and started his descent towards the teasing mortal, outstretching his claws as he closed the distance ever quickly. The thought amused him that he might look like the beasts of old described in the mortal's stories. Like he was hunting after some farmers sheep, and he was going to pluck this one from the very earth and carry it to his lair to devour. He was almost on top of the mortal now, it would not be long until he was the victor, and that thought made him warm and brought a grin to his snout.

“Too slow!” Fremra cackles, sailing past him with a grin, her tail sliding right below his chin.

“No!” Ramakox growled playfully in his throat as he tried to deny the teal her advantage, but it was no use. He tried to flap his wings harder, but no more speed came. It appeared as though he had reached his limit. So it was that he was forced to watch with a wrinkled snout and burning lungs as Fremra brushed the back of Jandar's head with a soft lick of her tongue.

“Got you, you slippery mortal!” she exclaimed with a pleased trill,causing Jandar to let up on the reins and bring the horse down to a casual trot. He let out a loud laugh as the blue dragon spread his wings and circled him with gasping breaths.

“Well it looks as though I cannot catch a galloping horse.” Ramakox grumbled with another gasp, the air bringing minor comfort to his now aching lungs.

“Don't feel bad Storm!” The man called up to him with a laugh, petting starlight's neck. “Made sure she was one of the fasted horses out there...Would take an awfully quick dragon to catch this little spitfire.” The man gestured to Fremra, who had landed beside the pair with a flicking of her tail. “Quite the speed flier you have become.”

Fremra refolded her wings against her back, throwing her head into the air as she let out a pleased warble, thumping her tail onto the ground. “Why thank you...You say the most pleasing things.” She purred, lowering her snout towards the mortal with a smile. “You might even turn my wings a bright shade of orange if you keep it up.”

“Yes..yes.yes..You can cease your bragging.” The blue dragon landed, resettled his wings with a snort and strolled over towards the pair. The interaction between the mortal and teal dragoness had once more devolved into affectionate licks across his snout. “Keep that up Fremra and other's might think you have developed an affection for the man.”

“Oh shush your snout.” Fremra laughed, perking her head up and swiping her lips with a single motion of her tongue. “You're just jealous.” She turned back to the mortal, closing her eyes and pressing her snout into his chest. “Isn't that right Jandar? He's just being all grumpy like he typically is.”

Ramakox tore his view from the pair and towards the village they were heading towards. His eyes scanned the collection of differently sized buildings of wood and thatch, catching several glows of torches in the distance, bringing their warm glow to an almost now dark countryside. He looked up into the sky, the stars slowly beginning to blossom in the black tapestry, and spread their light out from the void. He sighed as he settled down onto his hinds, glad that he had told Jandar everything. He knew as he kneaded the soft ground with his claws, that the souls of dead dragons might look better on him.

“You okay my radiant sapphire?” Fremra asked as she and Jandar took positions beside him. Fremra offering him an affectionate nuzzle, while Jandar rubbed and patted his scales on the other side.

“I'm most fine you two.” he rumbled slightly, gesturing to the stars above with a wing talon. “Just thinking of long lost dragons, and what they would think of me right now. It...has been on my mind these last few weeks as certain things came to light.”

“They would look kindly I imagine.” Jandar replied without pausing for a moment, the words practically shooting from his mouth the instant Ramakox had stopped. The statement made Ramakox grow warm, almost made him let loose a trill, but the blue dragon managed to resist and instead tap his tail with a smile.

“That...is most kind of you.”

“He is right you know.” Fremra coo'd, leaning up against him softly. “You're not bad all the time. It is why I love you my radiant Sapphire. You are not above admitting your failings and trying to make up for them...There are plenty of stories were dragons do not do this.”

Ramakox could not resist nuzzling his ness back , his claws kneading the ground once more as his tail tapped in delight, as her touch brought his heart such warmth that it made him wiggle his tail in happiness.

“Come on you two love dragons” Jandar laughed, willing the horse to pass by them. He gestured towards the village with a wave, clearly for the two dragons to follow behind him as his horse trotted off towards the collection of buildings.

The blue dragon gave Fremra one last nudge, then bounded into the air, a grin on his snout as he chased after the mortal once more with an excited breath filling his lungs.

*

They reached the village rather quickly after that, the fields eventually turning into the houses that had looked so small against the rest of the vast countryside. Ramakox briefly mused how it was that mortals had taken dominance in this world when they seemed so small at times...So insignificant in the grand scheme of things, Jandar himself would only last a brief flash in his own life. Ramakox shook his head as he started to descend towards the houses, reminding himself to not think about such things and enjoy the time he had with the man. When his paw pads touched the soft ground his mind was only on the earth beneath his paws, Fremra when she landed beside him without a sound, and Jandar when he pulled his horse up and dismounted with a hearty laugh.

“Mmmmm. I cannot wait to try her spirits now that my radiant sapphire has opened up his heart. I can now drink with a clear conscious.” Fremra coo'd, her sing song voice practically bouncing in the air.

“You didn't drink?” he asked, licking her snout with a pleased rumble. When she just shot him a smile he offered her another affectionate lick, causing her to close her eyes slowly and release a soft sigh.

“Of course not.” she smiled, pressing against his scales with her own. “I did think about it though.” she snorted, swishing her tail as Jandar brought Starlight into the barn and no doubt placed the horse within her pen.

“I am proud of you...Truthfully.” Fremra pulled her snout away to wrap a warm wing around his scales, and pull him firmly against her.

Ramakox gazed into her eyes, finding her purple spheres to be filled with the bright light from the stars above. The sight sending a tingling wave through his scales, and made him release a pleased rumble from his throat. “I love you my Sea Lilly.” he smiled, parting her maw with his own as he leaned down and kissed her deeply. The blue dragon gave a pleased snort as she kissed him back passionately, letting loose a muffled moan as she intertwined her tongue with his. He shivered as she grabbed hold of him with her claws,and tried to force his tongue back into his own maw. Ramakox thumped his tail as he struggled to hold off her tongue assault with each passing second.

“Okay, enough you two. Or do I perchance have to get a bucket of cold water and toss it upon you?” Jandar returned with a grin, his claws resting on his waist, his tail wagged back and forth.

The blue dragon broke his lust increasing kiss with a gentle groan, ignoring his mortals stares as he locked eyes with the dragoness he loved, and everything else faded away save her. “I suppose we can't be here all night with our maws locked.” he chuckled deep in his throat at the idea. It made his scales tremble as the delightful image sprung to his mind.

“I suppose not.” Fremra smiled, gesturing to him with a quick nose to his chest, and giving the scales a warm snort. It made Ramakox raise his head, look away, and pretend to not enjoy the pleasing sensation. “Besides...I don't think Jandar wants a lesson on dragon mating rituals...And I am not really fond of them listening in when I really get into it.” She flashed him a tooth grin with a lustful growl.

“How could I forget?” he chuckled deeply, nuzzling her as the lustful images of the numerous times that had mated filled his mind. With a quick snort it took everything he had to not rise from his sheath as Fremra's pleased moans filled his thoughts with their lewdness.

“Don't test me.” Jandar thrust a claw towards Ramakox's chest, and adjusted it to point at Fremra with a grin. “I will get that bucket of cold water...I can even douse you both with a rainstorm if you are feeling really in the mood.”

“Oh yes.” Fremra chuckled, placing a paw to her chest as he frills fluttered on either side of her head. “Getting me all wet will really teach me a lesson wont it? I dare say it will solve the problem very quickly.” she winked to the blue dragon with a flick of her tail as Jandar let out a loud groan and placed his snout into his claws.

“You know what I meant.” the once human moaned as the dragoness just chuckled away at his display.

Ramakox passed them both as they started on about teasing and what not. The blue dragon would have paid attention if it were not for his growing hunger that rippled through him, and causing him to wince. His mouth began to salivate as he pictured Imzel's cooking gracing his tongue like it had done so many times in these past few months. He licked his lips as he placed one claw in front of the other, the taste of turkey and roasted red boar already on the tip of his tongue. His stomach gave another wanting rumble that made the blue let loose a groan, already smelling the sharp scent of the red peppers that could be found within the sauces. He looked up towards the soft lights of the candles that were lighting the house with a warm glow.

The blue dragon felt a single strand of spit slip free from the side of his snout, forcing the dragon to slurp it up in a rather undignified way. He cleaned his snout with the upper side of his foreclaw. “Ooooo...I cannot wait.” he mumbled quietly to himself as he wiggled his tail and rounded the building with his next deep breath. The cooling sensation pulled his mind from his rumbling hunger long enough to stop himself from trotting to the mortals sturdy door, grasping the handle and ripping the the thing from it's hinges. Once that was done he would have roared out his ever increasing need for Imzel's mouth watering dishes that made him close his eyes and shiver as he pictured the food melting in his mouth. The delightful image almost made him release a pleased trill into the air, although he managed to stop that thought with a well placed snort and drumming of claws.

“You look positively lost in delight.” Fremra laughed, sliding next to him with a grin on her snout. “Are you certain that you're Ramakox and not some duplicate sent to replace him whilst I was not looking?”

Ramakox rolled his eyes with an annoyed snort, as he wrinkled his snout. “I get a little happy at the prospect of a delightfully cooked meal and it makes you question if I am a duplicate? You remind me of-”

“Bindrin the untrusting?” Jandar suddenly intterupted, slapping the blue dragon on the shoulder and making him narrow his eyes playfully at the mortal.

The blue dragon gave him a quick snort that ruffled the half-dragon's robes. “Thank you Jandar.” he growled with a smile as the mortal shrugged it off and laughed.

“It's your fault if I know all your stories.” the man proudly strode to the door with a swollen chest and a swaying tail. “If you didn't want me to finish your statements you should have not have spent all those nights and days telling me them.”

“Oh, a very grave mistake that I have made.” the blue dragon chuckled, nosing the smug human with a grin. “One that I won't be making again I assure you mortal. Just feel lucky that I am in an understanding mood this evening.” Ramakox rose his head high to glare down towards the mortal with a smug look. “Else I'd be awfully cross with you, and you don't want to see this dragon cross.” He ended the statement with another snort that ruffled Jandar's robes.

“I guess I will have to tell Imzel then, that the mean ought to be extra good this evening. After all it is not everyday that we have the famous and mighty Swirling Storm for supper.

“And Fremra the wondrous Sea Lilly.” the blue dragon purred, brushing up against the dragoness as Jandar grabbed hold of the door knob.

“Hey! I meant what I said earlier about the bucket!” the man laughed, “I don't want to catch you two mating out here.”

“Then we shall endevour to be ever so quiet.” Fremra laughed. “So much so that we can mate and you will never know.”:

“And you?” Jandar snapped his attention to Ramakox with a raised scaly brow, causing the blue dragon to raise a claw to his puffed out scaled chest.

“Me?” he exclaimed with a feigned gasp. “I am shocked Jandar, I am nothing but an innocent dragon....I don't mate with..Beautiful...Attractive...And alluring females willy nilly like some sort of ravenous beast!”

Fremra just giggled as she intertwined her tail with his, giving off a soft trill that made his cheeks grow warm.

He nuzzled her with a lust filled growl. It looked like when things had settled down the crafty dragoness did want to mate. Ramakox grinned to himself, once more trying to not spring from his sheath as Jandar just shook his head with a sigh.

“I swear, both of you act like horny teenagers at times.” The half-dragon chuckled, turning the knob and spinning around on a heel as he threw open the door. “Greetings dearest, I am back! And look what I found on my little foraging trip! I found dragons!” the half-dragon took a step into the silent house, no warm greeting or reply to grace their ears. “Imzel?” Jandar asked after a moment of silence. He strode into the first section of the house, a small hallway with a painting of a tawny gryphon in flight that hung on the wall.

The dragon took a sniff, disappointed it lacked any of the alluring mouth watering scents from his imagination. Instead he got the poignant smell of burning vellum, and wax from the candles still lit within the house.

“Imzel you can come out now!” the once human chuckled. “I brought Ramakox and Fremra back for supper! I hope you don't mind! Ramakox in particular seems mighty eager for whatever you've cooked!” The mortal rounded the corner towards the rest of the house, making Ramakox scowl at his inability to change his size.

The blue dragon drummed his talons as he grumbled about it, knowing how useful it would be in times such as these. He could just change to about the size of a large dog and bound inside to inspect, sniff, and listen away. “Fremra can you?” he turned to say, only to have the now smaller dragoness bound inside with a flash. The blue dragon barely got a glimpse of her frilled tail as she slipped right by after the half-dragon, whose voice was starting to crack as it got even louder.

“Imzel!” Jandar called out from inside the house, making Ramakox shift uncomfortably from side to side in concerned silence.

His snout bolted up when he heard a loud ear piercing screech sound from inside the house. Fremra's noise made his scales tremble as he bounded around the building, dread building in his chest with each step. He shoved his head through one of the windows, shattering the wood with little effort. He blinked his eyes as he took in the room softly lit by a lone lantern. The long shadows being cast around the room not hiding the worn books, scrolls, and quills that were strewn across the floor in a disorganized mess. Ramakox looked to the twin desks in the room, and the knocked over book case. Either Jandar was really disorganized, or something had happened in here.

Jandar looked terrified as he stood in the doorway to the smaller room, his own eyes scanning the mess before crouching down to spread the books around. It was like the man was looking for something among the mess. While he worked, Fremra stood behind him almost like a statue, only the flicking of her tail revealed she was still moving. He face was frozen in fear as she took her next breath, staring at where Jandar was working.

“What's the matter?” the blue dragon asked as Jandar tossed a book away from where he was working. Ramakox could feel the knot in his stomach growing, as the sense of dread started to once more close in on his senses. He watched Fremra swallow, and struggle to find the words as she shifted from paw to paw.

“The smell...” the teal dragoness spoke, her voice lingering as her scales visibly shook. “The burning vellum? I have smelled it before...It's the calling card of the Red Hand.”