Princess Daughter Ereneya Vaesern Greyson Ruinheart

I stroked the side of Tiran’s cheek as I left his room. I still wasn't entirely sure what had happened but he had been unresponsive when I had found him in the courtyard. The servants had tried to approach him but the flames had kept them away. I'd found one of the maids standing on their edge with a blanket trying to beat them back so she could reach him. Good Lass. Tiran hadn't been able to even respond to my Telepathy, he'd nearly burned himself up. It was concerning but he was stable now and I was resolved to leave him to rest.

Irand was gone, probably to spend the evening with Ruhn and Raya after I had delivered the final pieces of his scheme. I had had my suspicions about how close they were and I had confirmed them only a week prior when he had returned home with marks across his neck. I had been worried they had been manipulating him with their bodies but a bit of prying had shown that was false. Thank you Irand for keeping a journal.

I knew not where Naravie was, a common occurrence these days but with how the people treated her following her show of power at the Basin Fortress I couldn't blame her. She had shown them just how powerful she was and it had been awe inspiring. I remembered almost none of my rampage when I had been her age and I knew it was the same for her but to see someone command natural forces such as those was truly… amazing. I imagined she was with Odessa as the young, well… relatively young, Weaver was her favorite for company since the battle. I wasn't sure the extent of that relationship but I was sure it was at the very least a deep friendship. She hadn't spoke of the Battle with me overmuch and I had worried she was simply repressing the memory but some of the few long conversations I had been able to have with her in the past few months had shown me it wasn't a concern. She was of course a trained warrior and I should expect that she would be able to handle it on her own… like Callax always did…

I shook my head as memories washed through my mind like an unwanted tide. No. Callax was dead. We had killed him. Along with everyone else. Our fault. Our. Fault. We had done it an-

“Mother?” Naravie’s voice cut through my thoughts and silenced the storm.

I opened my eyes to see her standing before me as I leaned against the wall, my forearm pressed to my forehead.

“Ah, you're here.” I said simply.

“Yes, is Tiran…?”

“He will be fine. An overexertion of magic. He should be fine by morning with some food and rest.”

He was the only one. Naravie had been skipping meals to run out to see Odessa and work on her hot spring and Irand had the worst dining schedule I had ever seen, especially now that he was visiting the royals in his freetime. He was like Masai-

I shut out the thought before it could finish.

The closer we got to our departure the more my mind drifted to the past to the thoughts of… them. I had been thankful for the nights Naravie had spent away, hearing a parent cry was something no child should experience. The thought of returning to my homeland after so long… when I had left it a smoldering wasteland… It was terrifying. But I wanted to help Tiran. He was my son. I had promised Artur. And I wouldn’t betray another friend. I wouldn’t fai- I blinked as Naravie shook my shoulder.

“... Mother?!”

Alarm in her voice. I had lost myself in thought. With great effort I pulled myself back to the present.

“I’m here. Just a lot of thoughts in my mind.”

“Are you worried?”

“I’m… just worried about the Journey there. It will take us a long while and much can happen on the journey. If anything threatens you or your brothers, we could be stranded far from home with no aid. And there are many dangers that could threaten you all in the wild. Other Dragons, Curseborn like the Weavers or Monsters. We head West where the Church’s Paladin’s do not hold sway and many of the old creatures still dwell there.”

“But we can handle the-”

“I can. I have defended our home from others before and I have fought Monsters in the past when I was still young. You know how to fight humans, not monsters. They can wield magic or strange abilities, and there is no guarantee you wil be a match for them.”

It hurt to say it to her but it was the truth. Since she had hatched I had been concerned with her physical growth. Yes it was to be expected that she would regress in age, yes it was to be expected that she would lose muscle in her human body but not to the extent she had done so far. She was incredibly lean and Tiran was nearly as strong as her with just his enhancements. He shouldn’t be even close to her level of strength. I looked her over and I could see how loose the dress she had had made only a few months ago was already loose around her figure. She was still losing weight and it concerned me. Her scales were still soft and she only seemed to excel in wielding her magic now. Getting to my Uncle was about the only thing I could think of.

The few Dragons I had met since him had been hostile. Three had come to claim the valley I called home before Calanai’s founding. The first two had been Parents and their Hatchlings looking for places to settle. The Last had been a Male, an arrogant beast of a Dragon who demanded I submit to him and be his mate. I had refused and our clash had scarred the land here, forming the lake that the capital now stood beside. In the end I had proven victorious against him, despite him being well beyond me in years. I had clawed out one of his eyes and broken an arm to force him to flee. The Memory still instilled a sense of Pride in me.

But the point being, I could not think of anyone else to ask for aid on Naravie’s Condition aside from my Uncle. And that meant returning home. To the Desolation. It could not be avoided but I had had to delay our departure long enough to unearth the items I had given Irand. Pure Magic, raw and untamed. I did not trust mortals as a general rule but the Royals had earned my faith that they were genuine in their desire to protect their people. I entrusted to them power that could destroy any approaching threat save a Dragon who wielded the same Magics I commanded. And that was unlikely.

Naravie was looking at me, pain in her eyes, but understanding that I was saying it for her benefit.

“Odessa wishes to accompany us.” She said quietly.

That was enough to pull me from my thoughts.

“She does understand that even I cannot carry her that far in a reasonable time? She is too much of a burden on either of us to make the jou-”

“She spoke with Cavari and the Matriarch told her of a potion that could seal her in her human form for an extended period. More than long enough for us to make the journey.” She muttered.

I watched her as she refused to meet my gaze. She was angry but thankfully she had learned to control her magic a bit more since the battle. I wasn't in any immediate danger of being crushed by a tidal wave but there was something else there too. Despite her anger her posture was still relaxed. Not the kind of relaxed that came with training but the kind that came after a release that-

“Did you two… I thought you were waiting for Sophia to be freed?”

She actually staggered at that comment.

“I… um… that was the plan yes but you see… We talked and um… She said… that she… wouldn’t mind… sharing… me.” Her voice grew quieter and quieter as she spoke and it was only a faint whisper at the end.

“Oh? And how does Sophia feel about that?” I growled.

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Enjoyment was fine. She was young and in need of companionship, I knew that enough from my own younger years. But if she was going to betray the trust of someone who had given it to her fully… The three of them had informed me of Sophia’s actions and her situation and while I was still angry with her for her actions in Riverstone, no Lover deserved to believe they were in a relationship only to find out their other half hadn’t been faithful. It was possible to make such relationships work of course, The Reigning Royals were evidence of that and I had been close with both Callax and Masa- I shook my head to clear the thoughts.

“She knows! We spoke via telepathy. She agreed and then we…”

She trailed off as her face turned a shade of pink. I gave her a smile and tugged on the tip of her horn playfully.

“Oh? You what?”

“W-we had a very lovely afternoon. Or at least as much as can be had via Telepathy.” She stammered, not meeting my gaze.

I was stunned. I had known she was gifted in Telepathy, obviously far more than I, but this was different. That she could maintain a connection like that for more than moments and beyond that she could physically interact with anyone in her mental space was, well frankly it was impressive. And she had done all of that casually.

“So she is in agreement with this? The three of you are willing to put in the work to make this happen?” I asked, changing back to the main topic at hand.

“Well, I think it's more that they are willing to share my company. They haven't met yet and I don't know if I could keep both of them in my head long enough for them to get to know each other.”

Oh she definitely could, that would be easy for her based on what she had done so far. But I didn't push it.

“Well as long as you all are aware of your situation. I suppose if you can carry Odessa she can accompany us. It may slow us down but not over much. But this is with the understanding that if we are attacked, you are to flee with Odessa at the first opportunity. Even if it means leaving the three of us behind.”

She stared up at me for a long moment. I saw her mouth open at least three times to speak before she simply nodded. I wrapped my arms around her and pressed a kiss to her forehead before she stepped back.

“I… I should probably go let her know then. She needs to get ready. Will you be alright with Tiran?” She asked, grabbing one of my hands in hers.

“I'll be fine. I'll sit with him until he wakes. Nire should be along soon, I sent one of the servants to inform her of his condition. And I intend to discuss what exactly happened, one of the Servants said that he was out there for hours, fortunate that I reinforced those Sparring Dummies otherwise he might have attacked anyone who approached him before he exhausted himself. Now off you go, you have a lover to go see.” I said as I shooed her down the hallway towards the exit.

“But how long until we leave?”

“Provided your Brother is fit to travel, Five Days. I have a few things I need time to seal before we leave and Irand has some projects to complete as well. We will be leaving at dawn so I suggest you get packing soon. I have the provisions handled, all you need to pack is clothes and any gear you think you might need.” I explained as we reached the top of the stairs in the main entry.

She took a single step down the steps before she looked back at me over her shoulder.

“Are you sure you’re alright? Its not like you to be lost in thought.”

“Just preparing for the Journey. Making sure I have everything squared away. If we keep to my schedule we should reach my h- My Friend in four months of Travel. If I know him it will take several months for him to turn Tiran, assuming of course he is willing, and four months back… A lot of things can happen in a year away from home.”

I didn’t like lying to her and I could tell she knew it wasn't the truth, at least not the whole truth. But if I stopped and spoke to her about it, about what I had done in depth… Speaking of it with Artur had been torture enough and I only skimmed the surface of what I knew had happened. There was so much more beneath that I had buried. And if it managed to stay down there for the entire trip, it would be a miracle. But at least if something happened after we arrived, Xaranta would be able to watch over them. He was a Grumbly Old Wyrm and all mentions of him in the centuries since we had last stood face to face had reinforced that, but he cared. He cared for people. He would look after them if anything happened to me, I knew that.

My eyes met Naravie’s and I could only hope the pleading in them didn’t come across as too pitiful. She stared for a moment before she turned and descended down the stairs. Gods Above and Below bless that girl for her sense of tact. I watched her leave before I returned to Tiran’s Room.

Nire did indeed arrive shortly after Naravie left and she found me resting in a chair next to his bedside when she walked into the room. The Girl was hardened, she had fought in the Battle of the Basin Fortress and I had seen her ensuring that the injured died quickly, for all of her playfulness she was as brutal as the boys when she had to be. I liked her. She entered and gave me a quick nod before she made her way to the bed and sat with Tiran, clasping his hand and running her thumb along the back of his.

The effect was immediate, his breathing relaxed and his expression went from one of rage to one of exhaustion. I smiled and placed a hand on his forehead and slowly let my own energy filter into him, relieving some of the exhaustion. Thankfully he was nowhere near Naravie’s capacity and it only took an hour or so for his eyes to flutter open just as the first bead of sweat appeared on my forehead. He glanced over at Nire and I and he didn’t bother with a smile, simply rolling his neck and shoulders.

“Tiran.” My voice was a low and soft growl.

“Mother.”

“Would you mind telling me what caused that outburst?”

He was silent for a moment before he let out a long breath, flames sputtering as the left his lips.

“Lord Nalthair spoke with me.” He said, his teeth gritting as he spoke.

Ah, The Birth Father. I had debated having a chat with Tiran’s progenitors myself.

“He wanted to make amends, he wanted to say he had changed.” Tiran’s voice went deep as his voice became a growl as fierce as any Dragon’s.

Nire and I were silent, she was the picture of Concern while I was livid. I knew of the pain of betrayal and I would never forgive my Father had I been through what Tiran had.

“And then he showed me that he was learning Magic. That he had Flames, like me.” The rage gave way to tears and Tiran tried to brush them away as Emotion crashed over him.

I could say nothing. I knew how happy Tiran has been to learn Magic. To be able to say he had something that was his. His Father was a knight and Tiran had always lived in his Shadow, even if no one else saw it. To have something that was his own had made him so happy. And now that was tainted as well.

“Tiran I-”

His eyes were squeezed shut and I felt the pulse of heat before it broke. I summoned my wing and wrapped it around Nire as Flames erupted off of Tiran. We could see him illuminated through the Membrane as the Flames filled the room.

“Why?! Why Couldn’t he just stay gone!? Ruining my life twice over wasn't enough? Years of hearing them call me their ‘Lovely little girl’ weren’t enough?!” Tiran’s rage was tremendous, I willed my own magic to keep the flames from setting the room alight.

I pulled back my Wing as I pushed Nire behind me and called out to him.

“Tiran! He isn’t here! Please!” I did not want to have to resort to physically restraining him but I would do it if I had to.

He turned to look at Nire and I and his face was contorted in a mix of rage and sorrow. Runaway magic. Wonderful. He wasn’t a Dragon but he got some pieces of it from Naravie’s enhancements and this was one of them. I braced myself as he lunged forward.

His fist connected with my forearm and I took the blow without flinching. I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and lifted him off of the ground. I turned to the window and mumbled an apology to the staff as I threw him through it. The glass shattered and he sailed helplessly through the air. Nire called out something behind me but I couldn’t listen, I was running against the clock.

Runaway Magic, like when Naravie had moved a River. His Rage was fueling its course and if it kept going he would eventually burn up. He needed an outlet. And I was the only one who could survive his onslaught here. I dredged up my own magic, not the simple fuel I used for runes but the heavy Draconic Well within me. Tiran was scrambling to his feet as he glared at me descending to the Courtyard.

“Let it out, before you burn yourself up. I can handle it.” I growled.

He obliged, rushing forward with an uppercut to my chin. That one hurt. I had to fight back the urge to retaliate, he might be strong but if I attacked him he wouldn’t last long. He was yelling, cursing his Birth Parents and raving like a mad man. I let him, blow after blow after blow. I poured as much magic into him as I could from my own well of power. It was a much faster transfer and it brought pain. Whenever he made contact I felt the skin heat to a painful degree and I felt the skin boil in places. But eventually the blows ended and he collapsed to the ground before me.

His shirt was gone, burned away into Cinders and it was only by luck that enough of his pants remained to cover him. I could see the scars on his chest from where his breasts had once been, smooth and light against his darker skin. He looked up at me with tears streaming down his face.

“I’m sorry.”

I knelt down next to him and pulled him into a soft embrace.

“Don’t be. I might not know your pain, but I am the closest you have. I know what that feels like.”

Nire walked over with a blanket to cover him from the Evening chill and I looked around. We had kept it to the Stone Paths at least but many of them were scorched black. Irand stood leaning against a doorway nearby and I wandered over to him as Nire walked Tiran back towards his room.

“Quite the display. Are you alright?” He asked, nodding down to my arms.

I looked at them to see several spots where blisters had formed, a sign of the rapid mana transfer I had been doing. I hated Blisters, I hadn’t had to deal with them since I was human thanks to my immunity to heat. I rolled my eyes as Irand snickered at my annoyed expression.

“They have your gifts, and I can assure you that they have no intention of using them unless absolutely necessary.” He said quietly.

“Of course they don’t. I wouldn’t have given them to them otherwise. I need to rest.” I growled as I pushed past him.

Normally I would love to converse with him but right now I was sore, tired and tapped out on my magic. Any Discussion could wait until morning.