67

Judgement

The Hall is quiet; the once loud and overbearing High Elf is now as pale as the dead. Aldowin can’t help but smirk as he looks over the others. –Its about time the two showed themselves. This may make things easier… or very complicated.-

Great Hunter jumps up. “Impossible! The dragons are dead and even if they lived they are very prideful and would not take on a normal child-“

Aldowin shakes his head. “Oh, share with us exactly how Slyfer is normal?”

Great Hunter falls quiet his eyes searching all around the room as if looking for something to grab onto. In the end he can only slump down. As if remembering something he perks up and looks at the two who had answered. “Fira how long have you known this?”

Fira is in a daze her hands shaking. Trisha is in a worse state, she does not know what to think or do, her mind racing with the implications of what is going on. –What would his parents think about me, we have even already made love! Will they accept me? What are the standards for dragons, do they even care?-

Fira recovers when Aldowin gives her a bump. “We have known for a while now.”

Great Hunter purses his lips. “You knew and deemed not to tell us!”

Aldowin steps in front of the girls who are receiving hostile stares from everyone. “It was not their secret to tell, nor do any of you deserve to know. Just what have you ever done for Slyfer?” His gaze flows over everyone seated at the table. “He has fought and killed for you while owing you nothing. Sky Mother knows the dragons owe us even less. All of us should be tried and killed for betrayal.”

The Queen standing next to him shrinks at hearing Aldowin’s words. Lookin’s father starts to sneer at Aldowin. “Just what makes you qualified to condemn us?”

Aldowin nearly draws his sword his face filled with disgust at the thing he is looking at. He feels ashamed that they had once been from the same clan. “Slyfer is my student. I taught him to eat, talk and walk properly. When I met him he was nothing more than a savage running around and hunting like a wild beast. I gave him his first clothes. Bandaged his wounds.” He leaves out the fact that he was responsible for most of the wounds mentioned.  “I lived with the dragons and the boy for most of his life.”

Great Hunter speaks up again. “Just what made you worthy of such a thing? Why were you chosen of all people?”

Aldowin turns solemn. “Because when you were all holed up in your houses and looking after yourselves I chose to leave my people and fight. I was cast out, shunned for doing what I did. At the end of it all I had nothing to go back to, no clan that could influence my actions and in so doing make me manipulate Slyfer to fall under the control of the High Elves. Slyfer has been warning you that a war is coming. Many do or did not believe, but it is very true. He does not have to fight for us. If the dragons wanted they could leave us to be destroyed like we most certainly deserve.”

An elder High Elf to the right snorts at Aldowin’s words. “Why should we believe you, for all we know this is all lies.”

Aldowin shrugs. “I do not care what your feeble pea sized brain believes. When the dragons come your stupidity will be made all too obvious.  I wonder if you will still say you don’t believe when Alric turns you into a toothpick.” Thinking on how the dragon threatened him not so long ago Aldowin shudders, he can only hope the dragon has forgotten about it.

All the high elves and dark elves start to shake. “Alric, Alric the destroyer?”

Aldowin smiles. “Alric is Slyfer’s father… of a sort.”

Who among them have never heard of Alric. Keeper of the South. A dragon that killed anything that came near its territory. It is said that he is even responsible for one of the volcanoes in the Dark Elf lands. Most dark elves, even today do not go anywhere near where it is said he lived.

“Alric would never choose to care for a child especially a human one.”

Aldowin shakes his head. “Who said he chose it? The two dragons were charged with the duty of caring for him.”

They once again go silent. The Queen who has not heard of this says what is on everyone’s minds. “The only creature who could ever order another dragon to do anything… Is an Elder. Who-“

They questioningly turn to Aldowin who swallows before saying. “Bagandur.”

The people around the table swallow. Bagandur, a terror in and of itself. A dragon far older than the white dragon ever was. Before Slyfer became the leader of the dragons Bagandur was his greatest opposition. A dragon known for its hate towards two-legs. He had warned Slyfer that he would be betrayed, a warning that came true and now that very dragon is in control of those that are left. Eventually the two had a fight. Slyfer being the challenger since he did not want a civil war in his race.

It is said that Slyfer won at great cost, but still spared Bagandur. His pride broken, death not even able to put the pieces back together Slyfer gave him a ultimatum. “Follow and serve me, regain your pride as one of my generals or die like a dog. Only to be remembered as an obstacle in the path towards my greatness.”

What dragon does not have pride? Bagandur could do nothing but follow, not even die for Slyfer’s words stripped even that option from him.

After a long stretch of silence, Great Hunter breaks it. “If it is Bagandur then why does he help us, why does he care for and send Slyfer to us?”

Trisha and Fira also turn to Aldowin, they to curious to know. Aldowin can offer them nothing more than a shrug. “I do not know. Perhaps it is out of loyalty to Slyfer. Perhaps he has other plans and only wishes to pave the way towards his ascension. I do not care, all I know is we need them. Without them we are doomed to slavery and death!”

“Dwarf he is not here!” Alric’s claw squeezes causing the golem the dwarf he is in to start cracking.

“Lord Dragon he was here. He must have run when he saw you arrive.”

Alric folds in his wings crashing towards the ground. The large tent standing near the edge of where the lava stopped finally lets go of its last legs and collapses in on itself. The dragon starts to squeeze harder, but stops. Near the center of the tent he can see a small bump moving. Letting out a low growl a large claw extents and rips the tent open. Revealing a High Elf.

Alric growls even harder at the pitiful site. “How far you have fallen, High Elf. Covered in your own shit and piss… have you no shame! Your very existence is a sore to my eyes. You must die…”

“Wait!”

Alric looks at the dwarf in his claw with annoyance. “Why should I wait? Is this rodent something to you?”

“No, No he is not great dragon…. He was here with the human. I believe the two were working together and he may have information.”

Alric falls silent… “Then he must die!”

“No wait! We need the information he has.”

“Why do we need information from him, look at him he even less than a rodent.”

The dwarf tries to think fast. “This rodent can lead us to the other rodents and then you can kill them all!”

Alric stops when hears this and the Dwarf King can’t be sure, but can almost swear the dragon is smiling. “Fine, he lives… for now.”

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Bending lower towards the shaking Lookin Alric snorts trying but failing to avoid the stench. “Now, where is the human? Talk or I will cook you in your own fat.”

Serena sighs when she hears the loud crash of Alric’s landing. –He always was a brute, can’t really expect anything else.-

She can hear Luna muttering things to herself about eggs. Her eyes never leaving Slyfer who is basically naked. The dragon can’t help but notice the scent he is giving off. –To think he is already at this stage of his life.- She turns to Luna. “When last did the hatch- I mean Slyfer mate?”

Luna looks at her confused before it dawns on her and she takes a deep breath. “Luna is not sure, it may have been before we left and in that case it must be close to or past five days.”

Serena grumbles for a bit and then point her attention at the healers. “How long before he is healed?”

One manages to get up and walk towards her. “We are not sure. He is safe and won’t die but his limbs…”

Serena snorts. “Do not worry about his limbs as long as he is safe it is fine.”

They Snow Elf lets out a breath. They had feared she would kill them or worse, so they had tried to regrow the limbs, but that level of healing is simply beyond their reach. Serena abruptly stands up and reaches out, Gently taking Slyfer in her claw. Vinx quickly flies up to make sure he is safe. Luna is left on the ground with worry in her eyes.

The Snow Elves not sure what to do quickly get together and discuss. The King then steps forward. “Lady Dragon, where are you going I am sure the council would like to meet and discuss what is to be done if you can just stay until we can get them together-“

Serena growls at the Elf shutting him up. “Who do you think I am two leg? You dare try and command me! I will not stay here.” She looks at Luna and hesitates for a moment before picking her up in her other claw as her wings extend.

The Snow Elf King starts to panick. “Lady Dragon where will you go!”

Serena looks over her shoulder. “I will take him to a safe place.”

“But my Lady there can’t be a safer place than here!”

Serena looks around pointedly at the destruction around her before her gaze rests on Slyfer and the Elf can see a shudder run through her.  When she talks again her voice is laced with anger “Yes it looks very safe does it not. Once again you two legs prove your worth.” Her tale swipes at blinding speed and crushes a boulder. “It’s about as much as the smallest speck of dust. I will take him to the new tower. If you want to talk, YOU WILL COME TO US.”

He wants to object again, but he hears her mutter about what a failures they all are. Not even able to detect a snake in their midst. The last thing she says especially strikes home. “What could the white dragon have seen in worthless things such as this.”

Without a further word her wings flow down gracefully. Unlike Alric that destroyed most of the ground he was on when he took off, to the Elves it seems like she simply glides into the air effortlessly, barely causing a rustle or breeze.

“Alric I am leaving first.” When you have the culprits come to the tower.

“Probably off to go be lazy again, leaving me with this task.” Alric complains but inside he is happy. Without her here he can kill something! As an afterthought he talks again. "Tell Aldowin I am in dire need of a toothpick these days." Serena wants to say somthing but decides its not worth it.

The Dwarf King sensing something amiss looks at the fading Serena, his face turning paler with every beat of her wings. He looks down at Lookin. “Talk damn you, talk!”

Not far from the camp a panicked Alexo is running for his life. His plan had failed miserably. Who would have thought that dragons of all things would strike just as he was about to have victory!

Even now he can hear the powerful beat of wings. Each one sounding louder than the previous one. He swears at himself knowing it is only the fear causing his imagination to run wild. One of his “gifted” looks over his shoulder. “We are nearly there my Lor-“

He is abruptly cut of as a blade pierces through his mouth. Alexo starts to sweat at seeing who the sword belongs to. The so called “Prince” wipes it on the man’s clothes while shaking his head. “I told you Alexo, warned you that it wouldn’t work. Now you have drawn all this attention, nearly lost our entire army and now you intend to flee leaving me with the troubles you cause.”

Alexo draws his own sword causing the youth to laugh. “You cannot fight me and you know it, except your death it is over for you, you failed.”

Alexo clenches his teeth. “No, it can’t be over now. It can’t end like this!” He aims and swings at the youth who simply steps to the side.

The youth starts to laugh. “Do you think that  we did not know about your plans, that we are as blind and stupid as these abominations!” Saying this the Prince’s face screwes up in disgust. He rushes forward past Alexo’s guard in the blink of an eye. His hand reaches up grabbing Alexo’s neck. “We knew, we knew you wanted to make this your stronghold. We new you were planning on deserting and turning against Lord Chronos and for what? Because your wife died, so what she was a necessary sacrifice for Lord Chronos to continue living. You should have been honoured that the wench would become a part of his life force.”

Alexo chokes turning blue. The youth’s steel like grip only squeezing harder the more he struggles. The sword falls from his hand as memories of his love race through his mind. They met at a young age. He was just a young officer in the army. Filled with loyalty and the drive that served him well to reach the position he is now. When he saw her it was love at first sight. He remembers thinking that such a beauty could only have been from legends. She was kind, filled with love towards all things. Pure to the point of Alexo feeling unworthy. He saw her on a beautiful day, she was sitting on a fountain in the square playing with her little sister.

As if driven by fate he found himself standing in front of her the sun causing his shadow to fall over the two laughing maidens. If only he had known the shadow would taint and ultimately lead to her death. Perhaps he would simply have walked by. Perhaps he would have left her in peace, or maybe he would have done everything the same because the few years they had together was pure bliss.

He had then given a stammering introduction of himself. It came out far more formal and stiff than he intended. He nearly panicked and ran away, but then she laughed and what a laugh it was. It washed away all his worries. She then gave him a look and jokingly asked. “How may I help you good sir.” In the most formal way she could.

It caused him to smile and her to smile back in return. It was then and there he decided he wanted spend the rest of his life being the cause of that smile. Her station was higher that his so he worked even harder, took more dangerous missions and joined the research corps that had many bad rumors surrounding it.

He soon realized the rumours were nothing compared to what was truly going on, but for his love… for her he would do anything. Then it came, the day they were to be wed and with it came even bigger news. Chronos wanted to bless the wedding himself.

The two of them were ecstatic. Their parents proud… If only they knew.

He looks at the youth reminding him so much of how he once was. Looking into the young man’s eyes he smiles and starts a choking laugh. “You think you are special to that monster? He will use and then destroy you just like he does everything else. I wanted power to fight him, power to kill the thing that took everything away from me. Why could we all not have been born equal. What gods decided our fate created us so weak!”

The Prince sneers and drives his sword into Alexo’s chest. The man makes a gurgling noise and blood spills from his mouth turning his smile into a grotesque and bloody one. “You will rot with him, you will rot with…”

The light leaves Alexo’s eyes, leaving the young man staring at him. The smile is still on his face…

Pathfinder can’t help swearing as he sucks on his now calloused thumb. He can taste the iron of blood and sits back while sighing. How things have changed! –Slyfer a child of dragons, and me a blacksmith mounting ballista on walls.- He chuckles at the way fate has messed with him, but looking over the ballista he can’t help but revel in the sense of pride it gives him. –I am better off now, the only thing I regret is hurting her.-

His smile fades when he remembers how he treated Fira. They were close, very close inseparable even. Yet now she feels like a stranger. In the old days he could read her thoughts and talk to the wolves. He misses being so connected to someone, but what he does not miss are the voices commanding him around in his head. He feels free now, or rather he felt free. The resposibiliets forced on Fira by his father is now slowly being cast towards him. –If it were my choice I would live the simple life of a blacksmith. Somehow watching the steel take shape and form under my hammer has helped me change form as well.-

Pathfinder has gotten to the point where he rarely uses the magic. Not because he can’t, but rather because it takes away some of the joy and art of the forge. Making something with your hands and watching it take shape is a joy he can’t truly explain in words. He takes a look at his hands. They were once smooth unblemished. Now they are rough with cuts on different stages of healing. All marks of the trade. All marks to prove his experience and short time working at the forge. All marks he feels a certain sense of pride in. he once trained for hours with the sword, but made sure to take care of his hands to avoid the normal callouses that comes with it. Now he rarely picks up a sword unless it is one he is making or repairing. He once again sighs and looks up to the sky from his hands. –I once trained to destroy things, yearning for glory and battle blood and war. Now I yearn only to be better at creating things rather than destroy it.- He smiles and talks to himself. “Fate truly is a mysterious mistress.”

Pathfinder suddenly freezes. In the distance what had just been a spot is slowly growing in size. He swears and runs over to the nearest alarm. A big bell thay built and placed nearby. In his heart he cant help but feel excited. Perhaps this will be his chance to test out the new ballista. He pulls on a thick woven rope sending a resounding dong all over the tower. Other bells quickly follow suite causing Dark and High Elves to run to their stations, bows in hand. He only gave one ring signifying an aerial attack.

“Mount the ballista, quickly you fools. Let us show these griffins that we are not afraid!” A cheer rings as Pathfinder’s father makes his way up onto the wall carrying his own bow.

Below the wall the red and black are already getting into formation.  He can see them scurrying like ants and then forming neat lines wolves and tigers at the ready. Some of the tiger’s already in their armor. If the request for ballista was not enough his sister and Trisha’s requests were even more demanding, but whenever something was made for or on behalf of Slyfer. Payment was never a problem.

His heart leaps when he sees the two in the center of the black and red. His sister in her armor is enough to give him gooseflesh. Even now he can see the air around her distort. As she is walking her eyes never leaves the army, the Blood Pack. A soldier is out of place and she quickly forces him back in line. She then turns towards the threat and with the help of Trisha’s magic he hears her voice boom over. “Notch arrows! Prepare magic let us send these sacks of shit to the underworld!”

Pathfinder’s jaw nearly drops when he hears the string of curses his once lady like sister shouts at the Blood Pack. He has no time to wonder at it though. A loud roar causes his ears to ring and eyes to vibrate in his skull. A second later he can hear those around him start to mutter. His father suddenly turns white, not pale but white. “Stay your hands fools. That is no griffin. DO NOT FIRE or we all die!”

Pathfinder looks back towards the sky only to find the small dot is now a large green behemoth of… of beauty! Green scales polished to a shine reflects green light everywhere far brighter than the most beautiful jewels! The dragon’s wings are a light green flapping with strength and power, yet it looks gentler then a landing butterfly. The dragon’s body is sleek, graceful and above all else beautiful! Emerald green eyes look at them and then a narrow as pearl white teeth are revealed       

–This is a dragon!-

A female voice fills his mind and by the look of those around him the same voice is entering their minds. “Fools, not a bad reaction, but keep pointing things at me and I will flay the flesh from your bones!”

A head of white hair pops out of one claw. –Luna, that is Luna!-

Luna waves at Trisha and Fira standing under the wall. “Don’t fire, mother has brought Slyfer back!”

The dragon seems to freeze…. No everyone stands frozen at hearing her words. Pathfinder looks down below. His sister has fainted and Trisha is standing with tears in her eyes.

-Wait did she just say mother?-

Great Hunter quickly gets over the shock and is soon joined by the High Elf Queen and Aldowin. The He looks at the Queen, but she simply ignores him. To his surprise the Queen kneels her knee firmly hitting the ground. Her head bends over. “Kneel before the keeper of the great forest. Kneel before Lady Dragon Serena!”

A lot of High Elves mutter, but some take a knee. Great Hunter looking to the side finds that Aldowin is already kneeling. Trisha’s voice quickly follows, copying the Queen’s sentence. As one the Blood pack kneels.

To Trisha’s utter dismay she hears Luna’s voice. “See lady green. That is Trisha, the one Luna was telling you about!” Serena’s gaze settles on Trisha. Making her feel like a bug pinned to a wall with a fly swatter hanging above her head.

This feeling increases when the dragon aims to land near them.

She can hear the ground crack as Serena’s weight comes to rest on it. He hair rustles and she realizes the dragon must be right above and breathing on her. “Rise child, let me take a look at you.”

Serena places Luna on the ground and she quickly runs over to the passed out Fira. Serena watches as Luna sits on her haunches and pokes at Fira’s cheek.  The girl then smiles brightly and looks at the dragon. “Luna does not think Fira is dead. Maybe Mother just scared her half to death.”

The dragon snorts. “I told you not to call me that, not even Slyfer does.”

Luna tilts her head to the side. “Why? Mother promised to teach Luna and whoever is Alpha’s mother is my mother!”

The dragon looks at Trisha already sensing it’s a lost cause. She can’t wait to hear Luna call Alric father though…. -On second thought that would be a bad idea the red brute may just eat the girl!-

Trisha stands with her chin held high,trying very hard not to shake. The green dragon looks at her suspiciously. “Your scent is familiar, have we met before.”

Trisha nods and swallows before she manages to answer. “Yes, you saved me once when I was very small.”

To Trisha’s surprise the dragon actually remembered her.... or her smell. Serena continues to stare at her for a few more seconds. “You are too meek. If you are to be Slyfer’s mate you must act with more confidence.” She then turns to her head to look at Fira.  “That one I don’t know what to make of.” She then finally turns to Luna who is pulling on Fira’s nose. “…..”