I can't believe i am realising chapter 25... it seems like it was a couple of months ago when i first started writing this. so as a treat it is longer than normal and released earlier in the week. i also want to thank mejinzs and rouge for their proofreading support. mejinzs gets a double thanks for his awesome cover art.
Without further ado; Chapter 25 - chaos
------------------------------Fafnir-------------------
“I am not sure I understand why you need some of these things…” Atheros stated looking over the freshly penned list.
“They are all important.” I assured him.
He skeptically scanned over the list one more time, “Why do you need ‘a metric crap-ton,’ as you put it, of iron ingots; Also how much is a ‘crap-ton’?”
“Ok then get me at least 1000 kg,” I sarcastically replied, “the iron is for reinforcing the lair walls and a few other projects that I plan on undertaking.”
“My question still stands, how much is 1000kg?”
“You ask me as if I know your system of measurements…” I replied slightly irritated, “which was the reason I didn’t put a real number to begin with, I just need a lot of iron.”
“OK. Good point.” He replied a bit surprised, “Well then, what is cy…an…ide?”
“Forget it,” I huffed. “Get what you can from the list; I can try to produce the other stuff.”
“Ok, Fafnir”, Atheros sighed.
“Also we need some way to transport this to my new lair”, I remarked.
“I figured as much, I was planning to get a cart and something to pull it”, Atheros replied.
“Thank you”, I said. “Well, I will leave in the morning.”
“How long will you be gone?” he asked, somewhat concerned.
“I will give myself about a week. I figure I give myself a day or two to get there, a few days to look around, and a day or two to head back.” I said looking over the map that Atheros brought out.
“You know you will be regarded as a… oh what did you call it. Ah, a wyvern, wherever you go, right?” he asked.
“I know. I will try to not kill all who insult me.” I replied.
“That is not the issue.” He replied, “If anyone sees you they will report it and a subjugation party will be formed.”
“Yes and they will try to hunt the wrong thing. Like trying to hunt a wolf as if it was a rabbit. It won’t end well for them…” I replied imaging the chaos.
“I will see about getting everything ready.” He said before writing a few more things down.
“I really need to learn to read,” I thought to myself as I stood up from my perch on top of the chair. I hopped off and glided to the door.
“By the way, Fafnir, if you see the demon lord are you going to take care of it?” he asked.
“I don’t think there will be an opportunity.” I replied as I headed towards my lair, disturbed by the uncharacteristic remark.
I entered my lair and released the spell changing my size; I stretched as I expanded back to my normal size. “Why can’t they make a house more dragons accessible?” I thought as I looked at the door. I gathered a few things to take with me, and placed them in a small sack. I placed the sack in the corner of the room and curl up on the pile of copper coins and fall asleep.
I woke up to the smell of cooking meat, the slightly greasy smell of pork-ish meat, drifting through the air. I stood up and stretched my serpentine form, before shrinking myself. I deftly affixed the sack around my neck, and made my way toward the kitchen.
“Ah, look who decided to wake up.” Therin said as he threw another log into stoves’ the firebox.
“I get up exactly when I intend to,” I huffed.
“Let me guess; you intend to get up when there is food ready?” the elf surmised, looking at me with one eyebrow raised.
“Something like that,” I replied, “I am just a baby dragon… I need my rest, right?”
“Right…” he replied drawing out the word. “Are you heading out after eating, O great dragon?”
“Yes, and Its master O great dragon.” I countered while heading through the kitchen towards the dining room.
“Ha! You said not to call you master or anything like it.” He remarked, bringing a plate of bacon-like meat.
“Yes, but that was before I had to break you out of prison.” I said to Therin as I devoured the meal in front of me.
“That only happened once.” He shot back, “And I was only captured because Atheros lacks enough of a spine to kill the guards.”
“Excuses, Excuses.” I jabbed.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
After I finished eating I hopped off the chair and glided to the floor.
“You heading out?” Therin asked.
“Yes” I answered.
“I can’t believe I am saying this but be careful,” Therin said, “the demons are good with magic, and they are stronger than they appear.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I sarcastically replied, opening the door with my fore claw.
“I am more of a crazy uncle figure,” Therin joked, “it’s Atheros who has the dad spot.”
“Good to know.” I replied before shaking off the shrinking spell. I tensed my mighty legs and leap into the sky, pumping my blue wings to gain altitude. I quickly burst through the trees, scaring several woodland creatures in the process.
I flew in a lazy circle as I orientated myself over the green sea, and with a flick of my tail, I turned towards the south-west and soared across the sky.
“Finally,” I said to myself as a large lake came into view, breaking the monotony of green which I have been staring at for the past seven hours. As I veered towards the water and started to descend, I could make out a few boats floating on the calm blue surface. I flared out my wings as I dropped to the ground, landing on the sandy shore. I dug a small hole and let it fill with water. I blocked the stream, then I released my draconic breath hopefully sterilizing the water. I take a few large mouthfuls slaking my thirst. I gazed over the lake admiring its beauty. As I laid down resting my wings for a bit, I heard a rustling sound, followed by a spear bouncing off my scales.
I quickly stood up trying to catch a glimpse of the foolish being that attempted to attack me. out of the corner of my eye I saw something move, I inhaled deeply before releasing my draconic breath, partially melting everything within a wide swath. Trees started to topple as the trunks turned into mush. I heard a loud scream pierced the air accompanied with the boom of a felled tree. I made my way towards the screaming, where a lone humanoid lay, trapped under a log. A set of small horns protruded from his skull curving back towards his ear, and a splotched green and brown pattern adorning his skin.
“Why did you attack me?” I growled, keeping my anger in check.
“I-I saw a dr-dragon, and I had to k-kill it before it it harmed anyone.” He quivered, “It’s, it’s just my job.”
“Well in your job, does it tell you what to do when you bite off more than you can chew?” I interrogated, staring at him with my draconic eyes.
“Try to get away and gather a party to deal with the threat.” He quickly replied.
“Well then, it’s better for me to let you die, right? No warning, no problem.” I said out loud, before I flicked out my tongue. I could smell that there was more than one person stalking around.
“Where are your friends?” I ask menacingly, “I can smell more than one of you around.”
“I always travel alone” he replied in a louder voice.
I quickly start scanning around me when I hear a faint rustling noise in the distance. I quickly dashed towards the sound and I catch a glimpse of color moving away from me. I caught up and barely avoided hitting a smaller version of the man trapped under the trees. The kid, seeing my draconic visage, promptly passed out.
“Well crap,” I said looking at the sleeping kid. I gently grabbed him but the shirt collar and carried him to where the other guy is still trapped. I then returned to the devastated area, and dropped the boy on the man whom I assumed is his father.
“You can kill me,” he pleads, as he realized what just fell on him, “but please don’t harm my son!”
“You have put me in a difficult position.” I said, looking over the two demons, “I don’t really want to kill you, but if you raise the alarm it will make my life harder.”
“We won’t tell anyone.” He quickly offered, “We swear.”
“What? Do I look like, a fool!?” I snapped, “People ask questions, and there is no guarantee that you will keep your word.”
I watched the color fade from the face of the demon as the meaning of my words sunk in.
“What do I need to do to make sure my son survives?” He asked with a determined look in his eye.
It was at that time I had an idea.
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as always me, rouge and mejinzs are mostly human so tell us if we missed anything and tell me what you think of not only the chapter but the cool now front cover in the comments below.