Scales and Honor: Swirling Storm
Chapter 27
Storm opened his eyes, blinking away the grogginess as he stretched out on his pile of soft furs made from the fur of various creatures. He opened his maw wide as a yawn sprung up from his throat, echoing off his lair's walls before snapping his jaws several times. The years had passed sickeningly fast for the blue dragon, the old cave he knew being discarded and abandoned. He glanced out to the inner stone walls that had been constructed by the queen's servants to be a safe haven for he, his teal mate, and the daughter that he held dear. Where piles of treasure had once littered every surface, nothing remained of the glittery gold, jewels, art, statues. The only things that remained were little trinkets that were dear to the dragon's weary heart. Storm narrowed his eyes as a feeling of disgust spread through his tired bones, for he had given all of his treasure away the moment after his son's death. He burned everything else save the things that the mortal had collected for him personally over the years. He felt as though he did not deserve any of the other treasure...Not if it had cost him the son that he loved. He let out a long snort, pushing himself to all fours and taking a whiff of the morning air that was filled with the salty pleasing smell of the ocean. He knew it was from a hole that had been dug in his new lair to be used as an exit to the ocean. It was a way for he and his family to leave their new home without being seen by the mortals of the port city of Struport.
The dragon padded his way towards the large entrance on the far side in hardly any time, passing the rows of multicolored books lining several book cases and exquisite harp that lay silent. He dragged his talons against the floor until he was before the gaping entrance, the sun shining down in bright rays as if to mock the dragon's foul mood. His thoughts drifted to Jandar, like they usually did this time of year, the time of the man's birth. Storm held his head high as he stepped out into the light and felt the warmth of the sun come to his cerulean scales. From the entrance came a large courtyard with high walls made of blackened, sturdy stone. High enough so that if the blue dragon stood on his hinds he could not even see the other side. They were currently being patrolled by several mortals in blue tabards wielding pristine looking halberds. They were an organization that the queen had drafted up called the sapphire guardians. It was their job to protect the secrecy of this place, and defend Storm and his families lives from any danger.
Storm slunk over the soft grass, ignoring the warm breeze that licked at his scaled and begged him to relax like a soothing voice of an escort of the night. He paid it no mind however and strode over to a large tree in the center of the place to find the form of his daughter curled around the trunk of the large thing. The ness of twenty picked up her teal scaled head, her silver eyes quickly focusing on him as a smile came to her snout.
“Father!” She cried out in glee, quickly leaping to all fours before scampering over to him with an excited trill.
He lowered his snout, nuzzling the little bundle of scales that had brought warmth and happiness over the years following Jandar's death. He licked at her light blue frills that lined her body, very much the spitting image of her mother. He closed his eyes softly as she began to purr and press a tad harder into him. The display from the dragoness that hardly came up to a man's torso made him chuckle softly.
“I thought you were going to sleep the whole day away!” Her tail flicked as she let out a pleasured sigh.
“I can't spend the whole day sleeping away Achaaz, I have to have my day of silence and mourning...No time for relaxing.” He said softly, his voice hardly but a whisper as he rose his head and pushed passed her. He heard her bound after him, a bounce practically in her stride.
“So are you going to the place?” She asked softly, once more nudging him and no doubt trying to distract his sorrow filled mind from his dead son. “You know....the grave?”
“Most likely. It is certainly on the list of things to do.” He grumbled, casting his eyes to a series of mortals striding towards him atop pegasi. He spied Stonebeard among them holding the reins of a sturdy brown looking one with dwarven runes on it's blue barding. He already knew what they were hear to tell him. It had been the same every year since their arrival into the city. They were here to tell him there was no one around so he could fly out of the walls. For Storm never appeared before the populace of Struport, always turning invisible before heading out to do a myriad of dragon things like hunting or flight. This way he could not be spotted, and no one would know where he lived.
“Hail Swirling Storm!” One of the eager and fresh human recruits smiled, blushing atop a white pegasus with flowing blonde hair.
“I said to never call me that.” The blue dragon snorted. For he had given that name up twenty years ago. In fact he had given up his name as Ramakox as well, even having a grave near Eastcliff. It had been the idea that he should have perished after the attack in Eastcliff, felled by a dragon slaying arrow. That is the story that the queen and her people had weaved in order to protect the blue dragon and his family. Hidden away from the red hand that might have escaped the her investigators and adventures that were sent to hunt them out. He remembered fondly smile at the fact that even the Lund hunter had slain several of her employers over the attack. Apparently what they had done did not align well with her moral code. “You can simply call me Storm...It's my name now.”
“Sorry about that.” The crimson faced mortal rubbed the back his neck, as the collection other guards chuckled and playfully teased the man with smirks and smiles.
“All is forgiven, you are new little human.” He passed the collected group, nuzzling Achaaz softly as she insisted to push against him. “I take it the way is clear of mortals?” He arched his long neck back to look at their concerned and sad looking faces.
“Aye..That it be Storm” Stonebeard nodded, his usual happy demeanor looking just as concerned and sorrow filled as the others.
“You know I can simply turn invisible and head out right? You do not need to clear this section of the city for my departure.”
Stonebeard nodded slowly. “We know ya can dragon. Jus figure if ya don't want ta do that, the option be available.” Stonebeard shifted in his saddle, the man's eyes glancing behind the blue before returning to him. “Wheres the sweet lass of yers? You know da one, the wee one's mother.”
“I'm not a wee one!” Achaaz protested loudly, settling down onto her haunches and sticking out her tongue. “I am a growing dragon!” She smacked her paw against the ground and swelled out her chest to no doubt appear bigger then she was. “And if I am a small one, that clearly you are as well! I am almost as tall as you!”
“Aye...Course ya are.” Stonebeard chuckled, eyes filling with warmth as he watched the cute display by the teal ness. “But I was talkin bout yer age o course. I got ten times of dat on ya.”
“....Oh.” The young dragoness looked away, her cheeks turning a darker shade of teal. “Of course you were.”
Where was Fremra? She usually was here to go to the grave with me. She just as much as I liked to pay her respects to the gift of life that Jandar had given to us.
“Achaaz.” He curled his neck around to the young dragoness who had started tapping her tail softly on the ground. “Did your catch where your mother got off to this morning?” He rose his head looking around to several wooden buildings within the large courtyard. They were made of oak and covered in great flowing banners of the royal colors blue and gold.
“She was with the egg.” The dragoness hung her head, frills drooping very much like her mother. “I tried to get her to come out..But she seemed particularly obsessed with it today.”
The egg.
Storm flicked his tail, the image of the dark blue object wrapped up carefully by his teal mate came to his mind. That usual pleasing image brought more trouble to his mind as he lingered on it. It was something that had been with them for twenty years now. For Achaaz was not alone when she had been lain, there was a second egg that had been lain right along side of her. Storm remembered fondly the little cracks across the ness' egg, each little push of her snout against the leathery surface bringing jolts of joy to his heart. Just as the thought of Achaaz hatching brought him untold joy and happiness, sorrow and despair filled him at the reminder that the other one had not hatched all those years ago. He recalled being depressed for weeks on end over the thing. Being reminded of Jandar the entire time. Fremra had taken it in stride with hardly any fuss. She still tended to the little thing to this very day like it was ready to hatch. Storm would have called her crazy except for one little oddity that perked his interest over the years. The egg had not yet rotted away or perished like he expected a dud egg to do. Instead the little thing remained healthy and alive, just not hatching. So it stayed tucked away and safe within Fremra's limbs, only ever being left while being watched by the ones she trusted.
With each passing day though Storm doubted that the egg would hatch despite the little miracle of it not rotting. It was just another thing in his life that did not go right for him. Thankfully he had Fremra and Achaaz to fight off the cold despair that threatened to wrap itself around him and drown him in sorrow. “Then that is where she should stay then.” He finally said as he stretched out his limbs, letting a pleased rumble work it's way from him with a final twitch of his tail. “We both know what happens when she is disturbed too early.”
“Uh-huh.” Achaaz rolled her eyes and flicking her small tail. “She is all grump scales and teeth. You don't have to remind me father.”
“But of course little one. Was simply stating that fact.” Storm turned back to the mortal's who had stayed quiet the entire time. “Thank you for the support Stonebeard, but I think the usual fly into the sky will work this time...No doubt to your abilities.” He looked up, voice growing soft as an image of those he lost came to the forefront of his mind. “I don't wish to put anyone else at risk lest the red hand is still lurking about.”
“Storm..We haven't heard a lick of dose bastards since da queen hunted dem all out of dere houses. What a fine day o course to see all dose lords cast down and dere land stripped away. Almost brought a tear ta me eye.” Stonebeard glanced at him, his eyes shifting to Achaaz who had began to fidget. The ness showing off her impatience.
“I do not wish to place my family at risk dwarf.” He replied with a coarse voice, turning back around and spreading his vast wings wide. “Coming Achaaz?” he asked, arching his neck when he did not hear her loud movements follow him.
“Yes!” She scampered over, spreading her own light blue wings and flashing him a tooth filled grin. “I always love to fly and cast magic!”
Storm looked away from her, fighting off the smirk as her eagerness only brought light to his darkened heart. He flapped his wings, bounding into the sky with eager breath and leaving behind the mortals who did not follow him into his lofty domain. They must have known that he wished to be alone with just his daughter for company. Just like every other time he had visited the mark of Jandar's grave. He climbed through the bright blue sky, passing through clouds as Achaaz struggled to follow in his wake. He burst through the fluffy white things, looking around to the white sea and not seeing a single speck of land beneath his paws. He closed his eyes from such beauty, the sun's warmth flowing into his bones as he spread his membranes into a glide.
“Mother never takes me this high!”
“And why don't you go on your own?” He murmured, lazily opening his eyes to see the dragoness had sped passed him and was currently doing a loop.
“Dunno.” she admitted, taking a place beside him with rippling frills. “I think I'm....Just scared is all.”
“Don't worry little one, you are going to be one of the bravest and strongest dragons one day.” he snorted, already imagining the proud ness venturing out to the world. He remembered Infinity's words to him and let out a sigh. “You will be destined to do great thing.” His voice trailed off as he remembered saying such things to a little human oh so long ago. His eyes lingered on the sea of white below him, and wishing in his bones that his human was here right now to soak in the pure freedom and majesty that spread out below them.
“Thinking of him again?” Achaaz asked, angling a wing and flipping over him with almost the same grace of her mother. She struggled at the end with a surprised yelp and she caught herself with a sigh of relief. “Perfect!”
“Oh yes, absolutely perfect.” He chuckled warmly as he saw her, cheeks turning a deeper shade of teal. “Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about the last part.”
“Good...No one needs to know that.”
He sailed through the sky, savoring the breeze licking at his scales for several more minutes before angling a wing to start his descent. “Come little one, I think we have had out fill of flight for now. We can come back later after we have visited.” He passed through one of the clouds, sighing as water droplets hugged his scales and brought a relaxing cooling sensation throughout his body. He broke free from the clouds with a soft trill, as his daughter glided along side of him. He looked to the vast rolling fields around the busy port city of Struport, hardly a mountain in sight except on the far horizon. He searched through the quilt of greens and yellows that dotted every hilltop, glad to see that no mortals were wandering around.
They passed over one such hill, the air rustling all the grass in their wake, scattering flowers and pedals in all directions as he spied a lone tree sitting out of place. He back-winged quickly, scattering any loose dirt before he and Achaaz's paws touched down onto the soft warm grass, and causing a flock of crimson feathered birds to squawk loudly and take flight into the air with a great rustling of little wing beats. Storm stretched and eyed the darkened brown trunk, working a kink from his spine with a rumbling groan. The wind flowed over them, rippling his membranes before he refolded his wings against his back. Storm's eyes did not leave the tree as he took a slow tentative step. He felt a creeping cold seeping through the ground and into his paws as the sounds of the wind shifted slightly and he thought for a heart stopping moment he heard young Jandar's voice laughing away.
“You can't catch me storm!” He saw a ghostly image run by of the human in his youth. The mortal laughed again as an image of Storm chased after him with a trill.
Training you called it. His mind whispered as he watched the two practically play with each other and cast little sparks of spells back and forth. Storm sighed, taking another step as the coldness only intensified with his next anxious breath. The scent of lilacs wafted into his nostrils, swirling around and sending a slight shiver through his scales.
“Jandar the greatest adventure of all time!” Shouted an older image of the human wearing his adventuring garb with a quarter staff held within his hands.
Storm arched his neck with misting eyes as the mortal gave him a quick salute, warm smile, and finally a wave before walking off behind the tree. Storm trembled as his paw touched the ground as it always did. The memories came faster and caused tears to run down his cheeks. Through blurry eyes he focused on the tree as different images of the mortal raced by. All various moments in his life that struck the dragon's heart, right through his toughened armor. By the time he made it to the tree he was crying rivers, and letting out soft sobs before settling down onto his haunches. He glanced down to the base of the tree, a small little stone all there was. A marker for those to know who was buried here.
“What does it say?” Achaaz asked, taking a seat beside him, and pressing herself close to him with a soft whine.
The little dragoness had never spoken much whenever they came to this place, the heavy weight and sorrow must have always had her mind her tongue. Storm gazed down to his daughter and finding the same eyes that Jandar used to look at him with whenever he told the mortal his stories. “It says....Here lies Jandar son of the dragon Ramakox...May he soar in the afterlife on the wings of dragons he adored in life.” Storm hung his head, nuzzling Achaaz as his thoughts drifted to his own grave back at Eastcliff. “He was so wonderful....I wish you could have met him.” He pulled away, a moment of silence being interrupted by another gust of wind rustling past them and masking the icy grip at his nerves.
“I do to.” she nuzzled back, “Are you okay father?”
“Fine little one.” he laughed weakly, thumping his tail. “Just wallowing in all the good memories we shared.” He slowly looked up, seeing more and more scenes play out before him of the mortals life.
“Do you still wish you were dead instead of him?” She pressed a paw against one of his forelimbs when he wrinkled his snout.
“Some days.” He sighed, wiping his tears away with his talons. “But I can't do that...” He took another trembling step, “I have to live on and do the best that I can manage. To do otherwise I would be squandering the gift that Jandar gave to me and you.” He looked back down, and licked the dragoness on the back of her neck, producing a small purr from her throat.
“Thank you Jandar.” The teal dragoness said softly, her eyes drifting to the small stone with a slight swish of her tail over the grass. “You were the best brother that I never knew.”
Storm raised a wing and pulled his daughter close when the ache in his heart suddenly became too much. He was left trembling as he held the ness who began to nuzzle him with little wines. With another series of licks, nuzzles and warm embraces the blue dragon looked back to the stone as if the mortal were standing right there before him with arms crossed like he usually did. Storm sat in silence, fighting the tears that threatened to summon forth again as the tree's leaves rustled in the wind.
“What was he like? You never tell much stories about him father....Other then his adventures.” Her eyes opened up with curiosity, looking ready to devour any information he was willing to part with.
“He was funny, kind....Thoughtful.” Storm sat, smiling as he pictured the blue scales of the mortal mage. “Always polite to dragons when he needed to be. He even had the respect of the Emerald Lady, if you can believe that!” Ramakox laughed, nuzzling his daughter with a quick closing of his eyes. “And I'm certain the two of you would have been the best of friends.”
Achaaz said not a word after that, slumping to the ground and letting her head fall to the grass with a quick snort and mumbling of unintelligible words. “Now I know I'm sad I never met him.” she said in but a whisper.
Storm settled down beside her, wrapping his scaled body around the much smaller ness, and he told her about Jandar. He spoke with such warmth as all the normal stories came flowing out of him, sharing each tale about the mortal that had come into his life and filled it with such warmth and affection. He described all the young days when the boy had laughed and played without care in the world. He shifted the stories to the times of training and the spell casting that they preformed years later together, and how the teen had been so eager and determined. With a flick of his tail and voice that got warm he described the mortal venturing out into the world to be the best adventurer that he could could be, while also telling the world about the wonderful dragon that had trained him. He continued on like this, glossing over the pain that had come after the man's marriage, opting to instead just share the good stories with the curious ness.
She tapped her tail and listened intently, even fighting off her usual bolts of energy with a wagging of her tail as she held her head high.
It was when Storm's voice grew tired and the sun had passed overhead, casting a warm orange glow to the horizon, and making the sky look like it had been set aflame that he knew they must go. He pulled himself from the pleasing memories that continued to flow like water. “I think.” Storm pushed himself to all fours with a soft groan, arching his neck towards the stone as he stretched his wings and flexed his tail. “We best get back to the nest, they will no doubt have food prepared.
They always do...Especially on this day. “Besides, we best check in on your mother anyway. See if she needs help with that egg of hers.”
“She let me cuddle it you know.” Achaaz beamed, bounding after him with a slight snap of her jaw and flick of her tail. “It was soooo warm. I can't wait till it hatches!” The little ness spread her wings, wiggling her haunches at her father as he strode out to her. With a quick flap she bounded into the sky with a brief little trill that made a smile work it's way to the older dragon's snout. Storm followed soon after her, pounding his wings against the sky to carry him higher and higher back to his place where he could see everything of the countryside below.
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When Achaaz playfully glanced his scales mid flap he chased after her with a rumble of approval, nipping at her little tail. She darted away from him with eager breaths, making the blue dragon have to take her a little more seriously if he did not want to lose the teal little thing. So it was they danced in the air together, round and round they spun through the vast sky. It was as if there was some music playing in the distance, filling Storm with pride as the happiness from the little ness flew around him with an infectious smile that of course spread to his own. He did not even resist the urge to trill when it came knocking, opening his maw and letting out a loud pleased sound for all to hear. It only made his heart grow warmer when he heard his daughter join his own with hers. They continued on for several more minutes before Storm dipped a wing as he glanced down to the spiraling city below, the multiple collection of grey and brown houses that the mortals called their own. All wrapped up nice and protected by several large walls made of the finest stone. From this height, and the sea of grey and light blue did he see the large section of green that was his home. With a quick muttering of the command phrase, and flick of his tail the blue dragon felt the cooling sensation of invisibility wrap itself like a cloak around him once more.
With the fear of being discovered behind him the dragon swooped just over the rooftops. His wake scattered banners of his colors dotted with little images of Fremra and Achaaz. The pair being like mascots for the city and a sense of pride and joy. He sighed, letting all the mouth watering flavors of the market fill his senses and practically beg him to land and sample their delectable morsels. His next flap scattered a flock of birds, angrily squawking and leaving a chorus of barking dogs in his wake. The mortals below just carried on about their business, unaware that the older dragon of legend was just about their heads and getting a good look at their little forms as they passed on by. He spied a group of multicolored mortals of all races siting down within one of the courtyards and enjoying what seemed to be a puppet show being put on by a troupe of bards that recently arrived, if their unpacked cart was any indication. He noticed as the crowd cheered that one of the performers had a little swirling storm puppet and was using it to wrestle a gryphon puppet being played by another of his troupe.
The tale lives on Jandar. He sighed, eyes not even leaving that little act for a second as he angled a wing and circled the crowd below. I did not die...And we won't ever be forgotten. With a heavy sigh and quick direction change, Storm rustled all the mortals with a gust of wind, startling them as they held onto their clothes and hats lest they be swept away.
“It's so weird having you be invisible.” Achaaz wrinkled her snout just like he always did, keeping pace with him the entire time. “I don't like navigating by scent alone...It's so...weird.”
“But it is a thing you must master little one...One of many things before you are ready to leave the nest and start your own story.”
“You think I will have my own story? Achaaz the great?” The wrinkled face suddenly gave way to smiles and good cheer in a matter of moments. “I can see it now.”
“I would not start with a title like that...” Storm chuckled, “I'd start with something simple....Inviting...Let mortals know that you are a kind soul. Achaaz the curious?...The observant?”
“Those are dumb names father. I'd want something grand! Regal! Like all the dragons in your stories!”
Storm smirked, of course she did. It was dragon nature after all that she would be fighting against. He was like that when he was her age after all. With his next breath he descended towards the courtyard of his new home and passing over some poor guard's head and scattering his toupee of black hair to the ground.
“Come on!” the man groaned as Storm back winged, sending rippling waves across the grass before he settled down with a low rumble. With a soft snap of his talons he felt the cooling sensation leave him, and he knew he was visible once more.
“Finally.” Achaaz landed next to him with a soft thump before bounding over with another smile. “I can't wait to tell mother about my flying. Perhaps she will be so jealous she will take us to the bottom of the ocean to compete! I ever so love looking at all the beautiful fishes down there.” The dragoness snapped her maw softly before licking her snout from side to side. “So many tasty things down there as well...What's your favorite thing to eat down their father?”
Storm nuzzled her, chuckling softly at her displayed energy. He set his eyes on the building that he knew the egg resided inside, and where Fremra was bound to be. “It...Was dolphin I think.” he grinned, showing off his sharp teeth before gesturing with a casual arch of his serpentine neck He padded over the grass with the excited ness quickly following him, practically turning into his shadow as he strode across the peaceful courtyard. He passed the tree and ignored the waving mortals from the walls, and focused entirely on the building.
The structure was made of the same blackened stone as the rest of the wall. Sturdy, built by the dwarves and made to last. He remembered how Achaaz had spent many afternoon trying to scratch the surface with her little claws in an attempt to claim her own territory. Each time left no mark on the hardened material, and the little teal dragoness wining about it. Storm set a claw to the cool surface of the stone, pausing and straining to listen to any inkling of sound from the entrance that was designed to look like a cave. He almost expected to hear sobbing from inside, which would match the hunch he had over the years. Although he would not have been surprised, for the egg had not hatched after twenty years after all. Achaaz leapt onto his tail, and easily climbed all the way to the top of his back like she was a dragon riding mortal of old.
“Why hello there.” he turned his head slightly to see that she had laid down quickly and was wiggling her haunches at him.
“Why hello there yourself.” She grinned, “I figured I would ride you. It looked so comfy up here.”
“Hmmph. Well when I shake you off of there don't be surprised.” He chuckled, letting out a sigh soon after filled with relief. At least he would not have to add the egg being destroyed on his list of bad news for the day. It still brought the question why the dragoness had not come with him like she usually did. She could have left the egg in Stonebeard or Milalee's tender care. They would have just had to watch the unmoving egg while it was being kept warm with thick blankets of the finest furs.
“What are you waiting for father?” Achaaz smacked his back softly with a paw, and giving him a quick snort of irritation that sounded oh so much like his own.
“Just...Nothing....Thinking is all..You should be patient little one. Good things always come to those that take the time.”
“That doesn't sound right father. You have to take things to get them.” The little dragoness clenched her claws, a smirk forming on her snout. One that Storm had in his youth when he was her age. When the world seemed new, things were ripe for the taking, and to him it seemed that dragons could do anything.
How you were wrong. Storm snorted, the emotions of guilt worming up his scales like a brief flash of cold. He shivered for a moment before letting out a hiss and pulling himself into the makeshift cave, ducking as he always did so. The dwarves not quite getting the exact height correct for the larger dragons. Storm lowered his head inside as to not have his horns drag across the smooth ceiling. He passed torches that lined the place, ever burning thanks to a spell that Stonebeard had cast on them years ago. Something the dwarf had laughed about while sprinkling powdered ruby onto the torches with a look of glee before pulling his hand away to reveal a vibrant fire springing from the cloth. Achaaz had been memorized at the time, delighted to know she could touch the magical flames without fear of burning or pain.
Shaking his head from the memory the blue dragon's steps became harder, as if he was being dragged down by heavy stones as he drew nearer to the soft hums that he could hear even from the entrance. When he rounded the corner he lowered his head to the point of almost touching the ground, taking a deep breath and being rewarded with the smells of pleasing daises, damp earth, smoldering fire, and little smokey wisps of candles filling the air. Fremra was curled up like he thought around the egg. Her scales glowing every so softly from the magical torch light as she stared intently at the dark navy egg that was nestled within her grasp. She was stroking the little leathery sphere with careful motions that one might not think dragons were capable of. All the while she was whispering things in a growly way with a smile tugging at the corners of her snout.
“Mother!” Achaaz cried out, bounding off of the blue dragon and sprinting for the teal dragoness before Storm could even open his mouth. The little bundle of teal scales nearly slipped on the stone in her excitement, the scraping of claws and a quick catch saving her from ending up sprawled up on the stone.
“Well aren't you excited to see me.” The older ness laughed, frills twitching slightly as she licked one of her paws with a soft coo. When Achaaz got close enough the teal dragoness dipped her head and nuzzled her most affectionately, causing the little one to purr and arch her back in pleasure. “Nice to see you both actually.” Fremra pulled back her snout, flashing him a tooth filled grin. He could feel her warmth for him travel through the very air and cast away the slight cold that lingered in his smooth scales.
“Have you been here the entire time?” He slunk over, nuzzling the ness with a soft rumble escaping his scaled throat. “Why did you not come with us to the grave?” he finally asked after several moments of affectionate scales pressed against his own.
“Oh my...Was it that time already?” The ness looked down to the egg, her cheeks turning a darker shade of teal. “I lost track of time on the egg....It needed me...If it wants to hatch.”
“Fremra...” He said softly. He did not know what to say that might convince the ness he loved that the egg might never hatch. It had been far too long, and despite it not rotting. The thing might just end up being some fluke. But how could he say that without breaking her heart and sending her into despair? The thought made his scales twitch slightly as he nuzzled her again. “My dearest Sea Lilly, it has been twenty years....Surely you can go to the grave now...I can watch the egg...Or the mortals.”
“No.” she said flatly. “The egg needed my...and twenty...” She trailed off, looking passed the blue dragon like she was seeing something far off in the distance that he could not. Fremra then looked down with a soft wine to Achaaz, then quickly back to Storm. “That's been all my fault...Twenty years.” Tears suddenly swelled up in the ness' eyes, causing her to let out a pained sob. “I'm so sorry Ramakox...I didn't mean..I...” Fremra collapsed her head onto his scales with a shivering cry and clenched eyes, filling the cave with her sounds of despair and anguish. Each one felt like a stab right through the blue dragon's toughened scales and straight to his heart.
“Achaaz.” Storm nudged the little ness who had taken a step towards he and her mother. “Run along for awhile..Go play with some magic or entertain the guards with your antics. I need to speak to your mother alone.”
“But..” The little dragoness looked to her mother with concern as Storm wrapped his wing around her and pulled her tight against his chest. The blue dragon curled his neck around hers, sighing as she nuzzled him back harder amongst her sobs.
“Please little one...We need a moment...You can return when we are finished..I promise.”
“Do as he says.” Fremra pulled back, taking several deep breaths with a flick of her tail over the stone. From the sadness filled eyes he suddenly saw determination, a kindling fire springing forth. He saw something else within those purple spheres he might now have expected. He saw a feeling of hope lurking inside. “We will not be much longer..I need to complete something...and be forgiven for my ignorance.”
Storm turned to his daughter, who seemed at a loss of what to do or say as she shifted from paw to paw, and snout from mother to father. He offered her a little lick, nuzzling the worried young dragon to assure her that everything was going to be fine. “We shall collect you shortly...We promise.”
“Okay.” Achaaz sighed, arching her back and pressing into his affectionate nuzzling. Her membranes started to glow faintly, casting a soft blue light to the stone below her little claws.
Storm returned his attention to his slightly shaking ness as Achaaz scampered out of the cavern without another word. He almost anticipated her to make a witty response about not catching them mating or something with a clever grin. With a soft shrug he licked Fremra's neck scales tenderly, making sure to take his time with the careful licks across her warm scales. “Now why do you think you failed me?” he asked, closing his eyes when she pressed against him and gave a weakened purr. It was warming his heart to know that with each stroke of his tongue he could feel her trembles and quakes start to fade away into nothing.
“But I did.” She broke away from his affections to offer a quick wet lick across his snout. She hung her head with drooping frills that made Storm tilt his head to the side and raise a scaly brow.
“So tell me then dearest. How is it that you failed me? I have seen you do nothing but wonderful things over the years. Make a home here, raise our daughter with me. It may not be what we once had in Eastcliff....But it's nice...Not really fitting of you to say you failed.”
“That is not it.” She let out a sigh, once more looking passed him. Like she were looking to a scene from long ago. “It was the night that Jandar died...I failed to cast a spell that I had been trying...I..” She hung her head lower, a weak tap of her tail sounding off the floor with a smack. “Panicked...Wasn't even sure if it would work with what I had in mind...But I tried it anyway.”
“So..what did you fail?” Curiosity worked its way inside of him, swirling around as he rose a claw to raise Fremra's snout to look at his own. He offered her a quick kiss before pulling back so they were mere inches part. “It's okay.”
“It's...” She looked away, pulling out of his claw. “Easier to show you then to tell you. I figured out what I was missing all those years ago. I...” The dragoness pulled out of his embrace to coil around on herself. “Just a bit of sacrifice.”
“A what?” Storm gasped, pulling his head back in surprise. Images flocked to his mind of gruesome things that might be considered a sacrifice to a myriad of other beings in the world. Each one was less pleasing then the last, consisting of copious amount of blood being spilled. “What...spell requires you to do such sacrifices?” He wrinkled his snout, tapping a talon on the stone with a soft clack. “Is this some sort of dark magic that I joked about all those years ago?” He laughed weakly, gazing into her purple eyes and begging that was not the answer.
“No my love.” She smiled warmly, this time she was the one to caress his face. “Not that kind of sacrifice..But something fondly remembered..Something that means the world to the caster...Like an object..Not a person.” She laughed weakly, mood seeming to darken when she finished the sentence. She adjusted some more, her scales making hardly any noise as she stretched her neck and pulled out the worn leather book from her family. The one that Jandar had rescued from the red hand one fateful day.
“What do you mean?” He licked her softly, dragging his tongue across her cheek when he saw a frown come to her snout.
“I thought about it for years...What I had been missing...And I came to the conclusion I needed something to finish the spell...I needed this.” Fremra fidgeted slightly, letting out a long sigh. “I needed love for the spell.”
“Love?” Storm chuckled, “That sounds like some sort of tale for children.” He flicked his tail slightly at the prospect. It sounded ridiculous, love for the spell?
“Excuse me..Are you the expert in spiritual magic? For that matter nature magic?”
“No.”
“Then you listen here my scaled mate. Yes...Love can fuel spells such as these, just like the logs to a flame. Besides even you have seen what it can for you. Fill you with strength you knew you didn't have, push you to keep going.” Fremra rose her head slowly and curled her tail softly around him.
“So..” He rumbled at her affectionate display. “How do you go about putting more love in your spell then?”
“Memories, warm feelings, something that has all these qualities.” He eyes fell to the book, admiring it's worn surface covered in little scratches from over the years. Her words drifted away as it looked like doubt had crossed her mind. It only lasted for a moment before she shook her scaled head and held the book out. “So this book contains all the good memories of my offspring...” Fremra rose a claw, and to Storm's surprise she summoned ghostly images of little teal dragons rolling around the floor and nipping at each other. Their attention solely on one another, not even registering that there were two other dragons in the room. “My mate.” She flicked her claw in the other direction, and from the floor sprung forth a similar ghostly image of a much larger dragon. One that was just the same size of Storm with shining bronze scales. The proud looking male simply stared at them with a casual curled tail that thumped on the floor several times without a sound. “It means the world to me.” Fremra gazed to the images, her eyes starting to mist as Storm saw her tremble softly. “But what I do is even more important than this. Then holding onto that piece of my memories. The teal dragoness closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. One that one might do before a great plunge into a cold ocean. She held up her claws and swirled them around in a circular motion.
The images were then yanked towards her motions, stretching long for a moment before turning into teal and bronze lights that she held with each claw while She began to hum softly to herself, tears starting to drip down her cheeks. Fremra began to utter something, her words sounding more harsh as she wiggled her tail and cast her gaze to the book. With a sudden explosion of white lights the book vanished into sparks of brilliant light, flowing from the air and into her swirling claws. “It had to be done.” he first tear splattered against the ground as Storm moved in. The blue dragon spread a wing around her as he saw her tremble again, his motion quite welcome if her purr was any indication.
“Later.” She hissed, raising one of her claws. “For now I return a favor that was done to me this day.” The lights that had been swirling around her claws spread out around her, circling the two dragons like a vortex of brilliant lights. The dragoness looked to the lights unafraid, a smile coming to her snout despite the tears and her trembling scales.
“Fremra...What spell are you casting?” Storm asked the moment his mind shouted it to him, watching the lights circle round and round. He would have called the whole scene beautiful, something to have been painted and remembered fondly, if he were not in the middle of it and having a feeling of ice grip at him. For what spell could she be casting that required all this dramatics?
“It's easier...If I show you.” The teal ness almost whispered, raising a claw to gently touch the egg resting before them. It was the moment her digit touched the egg that it suddenly cracked, the lines spreading out from a single point near the top.
“What did you do?” Storm shouted, cold licking at his senses as he stared in disbelief at what he had just seen. His eyes locked to the thing that had remained undamaged for twenty years. The little egg that had remained a miracle. He was not sure it was going to hatch, but to see it damaged and broken just seemed like an utter waste in the dragon's mind. “Fremra!” He snapped his head down, nose inches from the thin little lines that spread out from the point her claw had touched. From the egg he looked back to her, tears now streaming down her face like a river and onto the egg with little drops splattering against it's navy surface. There was the sound of a small crack that drew his stunned attention back to the egg. For that little section that she had touched suddenly pushed slightly outward, the lines intensifying. It was then that it occurred to the blue dragon, the egg wasn't damaged. The egg was hatching.
The egg is hatching. His mind tried to grasp at the situation as he felt like everything but that little thing was fading away. He watched with bated breath as another push cracked more of the egg. After all this time? It decides to hatch now? He was too distracted by the little thing to ask Fremra what she had done, instead he simply let out a loud. “It's hatching!”
“I know.” Fremra chuckled, still sobbing as she pressed her face against his, and wrapped around him. “Lets welcome the little one into the world together shall we?”
“Seems only fitting my Sea Lilly.” He smiled back at her, intertwining his tail around hers while warmth spread through him and made him want to trill, laugh away and sing like a mad man. He almost wanted to take to the skies and proudly announce that he had another child. One that they had never given up hope on. Well at least Fremra had never given up hope. He nuzzled the sea foam ness again as the egg wobbled in place, and the cracks only intensified. For a brief moment he thought he saw them push outward some more, finally the little hatchling gaining some ground in his battle against the egg.
“It's hatching!” Achaaz shouted, scampering in and flopping onto the wound dragons with a pleased trill.
“I thought we told you to play somewhere?” Storm licked her softly, eyes not leaving the egg as the teal dragoness placed her little snout close to her parents.
“That is the thing father. I never listen when you tell me to do that. I always listen in, it's just a matter of masking my scent.” The little ness swelled her chest proudly as the egg rocked once more with the fury of the little one inside.
“Come on little one.” Storm muttered, the words passing through his maw softly as he imagined the little hatchling fighting with all it's might to free itself from it's twenty year prison. With a final crack the egg gave way, and out popped a wedge shaped blue head with silver membranes lining the top of it's little head. The silver eyed hatchling shook his black horned head, casting off the slimy goo of it's home and looking up to the stunned family of dragons that waited with anxious breath.
“Father! Momma!” The hatchling cried out in glee.
Storm felt his world suddenly freeze up once more as the good cheer faded away in an instant, only to be replaced with genuine shock. For the little one had used a voice that he knew from the past. It was the voice of Jandar when the lad was just seven years old. His mind suddenly felt like it had been pushed into the sky and he was free falling. Thoughts were just outside the grasp of his claws as he stared with jaw open at the little dragon, eyes widening. “H-How.” he stumbled in words, eyes starting to mist as the little hatchling looked to him with curious eyes. It took all the blue dragon's effort to cast his gaze to Fremra, his head feeling like it was made of lead. “What is this?” he asked trembling, he could already feel the tears starting to well up in his eyes and make his vision blurry. He twitched his tail as he fought the sobs that were slowly building up in his scaled chest and threatening to spill from him.
“The spell.” Fremra cried, a smile forming on her snout as she looked to the little hatchling with such warmth. “It was a spell I was practicing with him...To move souls to another. Body... It was never intended to be used with dragons...But I tried anyway..The night we mated...How could I have let the little mortal simply die without trying?” She gestured to the little hatchling that Achaaz was currently sniffing with her nose inches from the little one's snout.
“Who are you?” The little dragon asked, playfully smacking the older ness' snout away.
“Achaaz, your sister!” She loudly proclaimed, chest swelling as she spread her wings wide.
“So it may not be his original body.” Fremra nuzzled Storm softly, “But within that little dragon is Jandar's mind and soul.”
“So that's...that's..” Storm felt the vortex of emotions suddenly come flooding into him as he snatched up the little blue dragon with sobs, tears streaming down his pebbly cheeks. He pulled the little one tightly against him, tail trembling softly.
“Hey!” Jandar protested, squirming violently against the older dragon's grasp. “Help! Father is trying to squeeze me to death!”
Storm knew not what he had done to deserve such a miracle such as this but he did not care. He sobbed tears of happiness as the little one continued to wiggle. He nuzzled Fremra when she nosed him, wrapping a wing around her trembling form and lowering her head to nuzzle the little hatchling.
“Momma! Father is squeezing me tight!”
“I know.” She gasped softly, licking his little head. “We just missed you is all our little Jandar.”
“Who's that?”
Storm opened his eyes for a moment, that question slicing through the torrent of tears to find his mind. Does he not remember? “Do you not remember anything Jandar?”
“I just hatched!” The little one snorted, smacking the larger dragon's paw with his own. “What am I supposta to know?” The little dragon shifted his gaze to his mother, tapping his claws again. “Momma, Momma! What am I supposed to know?”
Storm was speechless, as the little dragon still had not ceased his struggles. The blue dragon looked to his silver frills, his cerulean scales. The little dragon looked like a perfect mix of Fremra and Storm. And he is your son now. So what if the little dragon did not remember anything right now? Storm was just thankful to have something of the mortal back, nuzzling the little dragon with a rumbling purr.
He cried for the next hour, his sounds only filled with such overwhelming joy that it would have been hard to conceal it anyway. He had his son back.His wonderful son after all this time. Even if he didn't remember anything. Jandar was alive and that's all that mattered to the older dragon. He kissed the wonderful ness who had preformed such a miracle. Her lips a warm treat. They passed the time soon after by watching from their bed of soft things Achaaz play with her new draconic brother.
Storm pulled Fremra up closer against him with a wing as the Achaaz scampered away from Jandar with a smirk. “Do you think that he will ever remember his memories that he had when he was a mortal?” He asked, the question burning in his mind as he watched Jandar slip, fall to the ground and quickly push himself up to all fours.
“I'm going to get you!” the little one bound after Achaaz, who scampered away with a flap of her wings.
“You have to catch me slow poke!” She cried back, once more nearly slipping on the stone and ending up face first on the ground.
“I do not know.” Fremra replied softly, nuzzling Storm gently with her warm cheeks. “The spell was not intended to be used on a dragon. It may very well be that he will never remember anything about his old life.” She whined softly, intertwining her tail with his. “But he's alive...And that is all that matters to me in this moment. I will love him just like any other hatchling, and I bless Bahamut for the luck that it worked.”
“Thank Bahamut? I thank you my Sea Lilly.” Storm said softly, feeling all fuzzy and warm as he nuzzled the dragoness' neck. “You have truly brought a wonderful miracle this day...You just like all the other times you have filled my life with light....Have my heart.” He bowed his head, “Until the day that I am snatched away from this earth.”
“You're doing the formal thing again Storm.” She chuckled softly, humming a sweet sound to herself as she licked the top of his snout. “Although you can give it to me later...I think we deserve to enjoy ourselves. What do you think?” She curled her lips into a lewd smile, and ran a claw over his scaled chest. Her implication very obvious and arousing to the mind.
He rumbled playfully back to her at the offer. It did sound appealing, so he nipped at her gently, tapping his tail. “I think that can be arranged...But first!” He raised his voice, turning to the playing little ones with a smile. “I think its time for a story.”
“What kind of story?” Jandar asked, stopping his playful activities as he rolled to his stomach. “I love stories!”
“How do you know what you love silly?” Achaaz nosed her brother and knocked him to his side with a playful trill. “You just were hatched today!”
“I just do! I like stories!” The blue hatching's tail wagged all the while, apparently unable to hide his emotions as his sister just sighed and curled around him. Jandar righted himself and nestled himself in between her careful forelimbs, wiggling his body cutely as he gazed up to Storm.
“It's story time...So relax” she chuckled, nuzzling the hatchling softly, causing the cute thing to close his eyes and begin to purr in time with her tender ministrations.
“What..kind...of story?” Jandar managed to say through his involuntary purring.
The display made the blue dragon tilt his head and smile warmly down to the pair. He could not imagine a luckier dragon in this moment as he slowly dipped his spade head and brought it close to the two little dragons with a smirk. “ I was thinking of one with adventure....With magic...And it may have a dragon or four in it.” He laughed.
“Sounds like the story of Jandar the traveling mage!” Jandar squeaked as Achaaz held him tightly against her chest.
The comment made Storm gasp and fight to not have his jaw drop at the words. He tapped his tail, while drumming his claws against the ground with soft clacks. He felt a sensation of warmness spread out to his limbs as the back of his head felt fuzzy. He fought off a trill that was working it's way to his mouth. “How did you know the story little one?”
“I dunno...It just came to me.” The little wrymling licked his own nose. “I think I heard the story while in the egg.
“Well...It is in a way.” Storm smiled warmly, looking up to Fremra who had started another round of joyful tears. It looked like Jandar would be able to remember his memories one day. “It is also the story of the bravest human that I ever met.”
“And what is the name of this story that has the bravest human evers?” Jandar laughed, tilting his little head to the side as Achaaz continued to nuzzle and lick at the hatchling's scales.
Storm nuzzled the pair with a soft rumble, pulling Fremra close with a wing and thumping his tail against the ground. He thought for moment as he licked and tended to his two children that he could feel his heart beating ever the faster with their closeness. “I think I will call it...” He dug through the confines of his mind, trying to pluck forth the best sounding title. He laughed to himself as he realized he almost had called the story “Stupid human.” But that would not have been fitting. Not for the human that had given him so much, and filled his life with love and wonderful memories that he would never forget. “I will call it. The Dragon's Mage.” Storm then told them the story of Jandar's life. He thought to the stars above and the family that he had gathered around him with the softest of smiles and eager of eyes. He pictured them flying together high in the vast cloud filled sky. One happy flight, trilling and roaring their joy so that all may hear it across the countryside below.
So it was when they settled down for the evening. When the little ones energy was finally spent, and Storm was tired from such emotional displays, he curled around the two dragon's and his larger mate. He snuggled his head between his offspring and closed his eyes with a relieved sigh. He found himself looking forward to the future that he would have with his family. He did not even mind that his lair lacked any of the gold, treasure, or anything else that all dragons wanted. His family, and having Jandar, were the only treasures that he truly needed. With a final sigh he let sleep take him away into it's warm and ethereal embrace.