An Idea spurred from a book.


Seoras Family: Sullivan, Damara, Devin, Kiora, Renny
Dragons: Bade-deep blue Ea- Copper Yaxha-green/blue
Nitesh - brown/gold Pillan-Black
Villagers-Ailis-Devins wife Meara-Woman who volunteers Kiora to go to the dragon. Meg-Kiora's best friend, also voluntered. Owen-village leader Jockie- the nice blind guide
Raisie-goes to dragon, daughter of Owen and Meara
Haylen-elderly woman. Patrick-Meg's father.

Kiora looked very little like the others in her village. most had light hair, light complections, and where tall. Kiora was small for her age, as where her two brothers, and she had dark hair, tanned easily and well, and her pale blue eyes looked dark despite themselves. She had, on more than one occasion, been treated like the illigitamate in the village, and this had made her strong willed, caring very little what they thought of her anymore. often times she could be seen working in her fathers fields alongside her father and brothers, a place woman seldom went in her village. She walked the streets at night accompanied only by her dog Madden, and had only one friend, the shy, innocent Meg Mcloud, whos father had recently been widowed. Ever since she was young, wispers had erupted, gossip about her strange actions, but none ever dared speak it allowed other than Meara, the bitter wife of the villages leader, Owen. Meara's hate was exactly what had Kiora in the situation she was in now. A notice had mysteriously appeared in town a week ago, causing much uproar in the town. A local dragon, many nodded their heads and began on "i was in the forest one day when..." storys, had demanded the choice between six of the village youth. the notice was vague, only wanting three girls and three boys, chosen for their value to be presented at a soon to be announced place. at first the men of the village were outraged, incited by the wives who didn't want to lose their smart or hardwoking, or plain virtuos children, but then more notices, with darker and darker meanings for the village if they did not respond, finally assuring that only one child would be chosen and the rest let go. as the time drew nearer three boys, one being Kiora's younger brother Renny, and the girls had been chosen. Raisie, the sweet daughter of Owen, the leader had bravely stood up and volunteered the second day, much to her mothers dismay. Meara decided to punish other parents who had not been on her good side to begin with and Kiora was chosen. Finally, the village chose the truly best child they knew, Meg, Kiora's best friend. They day approached, and early at dawn, the six were assembled. Renny yawned and rubbed his eyes next to Kiora and she suppresed one herself as she and the others waited in the early mist. Meg came near her and kept her company in her quiet way and Kiora smiled. Although Meg seldom spoke, she knew what was going on in her head well enough by now not to need the words to go along. all Kiora had to do to tell Meg something was direct her eyes a certain way, mabey sing a tune, and Meg knew. As Rasie came into view, her pack overloading, and a scowl on her face because her mother was still there giving her pathetic wives tale advice, Rasie refusing to take any of it in. Other than meg, Rasie was one of the few people Kiora had ever had a real conversation with, and sometimes she wondered if they could have been friends if Rasie's mother didn't dislike the oddball so much. Rasie pretended not to see her, and Kiora understood. a slap would be well delt, along with a mother insisting she come with her daughter on this journey. Renny spotted somthing and ran after it, tripping and cutting his knee. He didn't cry, but Kiora still rushed to help him. cleaning it off Kiora stood only to be tugged on the sleeve by Meg. The guide was here, and Kiora suppressed a laugh, mostly at herself, because she had expected him to be someone a little more impressive. He motioned to the children and the began trotting after him, the sound of parents tearful goodbyes, soon being silenced by the thick forest. Renny ran ahead to the older boys and Rasie took up a place next to Kiora, being out of her mother's view would give her the chance to talk to whomever she wanted to. "Kiora, have you been well?" she asked in a mock polite tone, smiling over at her. Kiora pretended to think it over and then sighed dramatically. "well you know, with all the marriage offers and all, i'm afraid i've just been so busy, i'm begining to become worn!" They laughed and Meg smiled. It was a game they played, knowing well that they would be some of the last girls in the village to be married, mostly because they where all different in some way. Boys were hesistant with Rasie, owing to the fact that no one wanted her mother for a mother-in-law, also expecting Rasie to be just like her. Every boy in towns mother had deemed Kiora illigitamat for marriage, saying she was to small to bare children, she also creeped them out enough that they didn't want to anyways. Meg's family was too poor for most, and Meg a little plain compared to other girls who went to upsurd measures to appear more beutifull. No, they knew that husbands would be last pick and come late, and they chose joking over sulking. Kicking up dust Kiora looked ahead. "so when do you think your mom is gonna stop hating me and let us talk more often Rasie?" It was borderline small talk, but Kiora was curious, and since most people didn't except her anyways, she didn't usually keep her thoughts to herself if they applied.
it was Rasie's turn to laugh though "when she gets so old she can't remember her own name, let alone the time you caught her coming home from another mans house, don't you remember? you threw mudballs at her so everyone would know you caught her in the night." Meg's smile broadened and she spoke for the first time that day. " My pa was seven houses down from the place, getting medicine from the doctor and he said he could hear the shouting coming from your house Kiora." They laughed, continuing on in their conversations, not really caring about the danger they were about to walk into. Their lives had enough trouble that if, by some small chance they got eaten by a dragon today, it would have been welcomed. The walk was plesent, and everyone was enjoying themselves, untill Madden began barking and ran home. fear began creeping in as the girls remember the things worse than death. Enslavement, dismemberment, generall pain. the boys began gripping their weapons tighter, Meg wringing her hands in worry. Rasie, began laughing nervously. Kiora took a deep breath and didn't worry about it anymore, only thought about hoping Madden could find his way home. The group came to a clearing and the old man sat down, whistling a strange tune noone had ever heard before, causing Rasie to shiver. one by one, everyone sat down near the edge, and a buzz of conversation. it got comfortable enough that a steady beat that began rising over the forest was not heard untill what was causing it could be seen. gasps from the group, even a small scream erupted upon sight of the massive dragon. Its blue scales shimmered in the sunlight and its wings created a huge wind. all fell to their knees except the old man who just continued to smile. the dragon landed, shaking the ground around it, and began taking in it's prospects. The boys and the girls, trembled, not daring to look it in its eyes. impatiently, it began using it's tale to look the children over, moving a head side to side, lifting a child here and there. when it came to Meg though, Kiora forgot her fear and began to watch. first it looked meg over a bit more than it had the others, It's eyes met Kioras who was watching it intently and with what looked like a decisive expression on it's face it wrapped it's tail around Meg, her screams becoming peircing. Kiora lept to the defense of her friend, a small knife from a back scabbered coming down, striking the dragon opposite the way its scales ran. it embeded and blood was drawn, Meg being dropped and a large roar to be issued Kiora's way. Rasie wrapped her arms around Meg and the boys cleared the way, knowing that no one would be able to go home if they all tried taking on the dragon like Kiora had. its reptillian face hovered near hers a while, heavy breathing coming now. "Mortal, you think it smart to try and take on a dragon with a toothpick like this?" It asked in a deep voice, moving it's tail untill the blade was within reach. Her gaze wavered towards the ground and the dragon reacted angrily. Striking her with enough force to throw her against a tree, the knife flying out, landing in the dirt near where she landed, catching her wind. Renny stood to defend her, but one of the older boys grabbed him and covered his mouth. Standing back up, Kiora put the knife back and stood resolutly against it. The dragon walked gracefully towards her and struck her again, this time harder, farther, and onto a rock where she struck her arm, cutting it. Meg began crying and she tried calling out for the dragon to stop. whiping it's head around the snorted, blowing a small flame her way, quieting her. "Leave! All of you!" it thundered, and the still smiling guide stood and led them away, Rasie and the older boys carring Meg and Ranny away from a bleeding Kiora. She stood, and ran towards the dragon, knife drawn, not caring if she lived or died any more. The beast caught her with it's tail, pinning her. looking down apon her it growled "Will you stop fighting? your precious friend is safe!" She laughed, assuming that it was asking her to stop hurting it and she soon found herself lying on the ground, bleeding from her arm. she struggled to get up, but the dragon once again pinned her. "if you do not stop your friend and your family will not be safe." she stopped moving, knowing the threat would be carried out. The dragon had one, so it began flying away, her body going limp in his claw.

Kiora woke, clothing off, and her cuts bound tightly. The bed she slept in was comfortable beyond belief and Kiora could hardly believe how warm it was in there, but a roaring fire in the hearth was the obvious heat sorce, taking a few minutes to register in Kiora's foggy mind. A stranger pushed off the wall, startling her, and reminding her of her modesty. "Morning Sunshine" he said sarcatically. He was sipping on something, Kiora wondering just what it was, who he was, and hoping she'd get clothes on. He seemed to sense what she was thinking. "No, I'm afraid that clothes are going be reserved untill we know your not going to run away" he said cruelly. She blushed violently, something she didn't do often. brushing hair away from his face, the man studied her for a moment, and then walked over, and set his glass down on the table. He reached out and touched one of the cuts on her face and sighed. "The dragon really did a number on you didn't he." It wasn't a question, just a statement, no awe, no shock, no anger, just....thats how it is. He grabbed his glass from beside her and dipped his fingers in it, he brought them out and wipped the liquid across the cut. It burn, and Kiora couldn't help the sharp intake of air, but it went away fairly quickly and she figured the cut was cleaned now. Looking at the man, she saw that he had dark black hair that shone almost blue in the light, much darker than her own, something she thought impossible for others. His eyes where lighter than hers to, lacking all color, looking like a cold winter sky, about to snow. In all her travels with her father, she had never seen anyone with that extreme of features. He paid no attention to her observations, just continued what he was doing, cleaning her cuts one by one. "Sir, whats you name?" she asked. It would do well to at least know who the man was with her, as she was naked and all. He smiled and looked at her "What is yours m'lady?" She laughed, saying "Me? a lady? my village volunteered me because they beleived me to much of a man!" He laughed with her and finished the cuts, re wrapping them in silence. he must have forgotten my question she thought. "My names Kiora Seoras from Hathenly" She figured that he would answer now, out of simple politness, but instead he handed her two long strips of white cloth. "He does not wish you to be completely naked, but neither does he want you being able to run away with proper covering." He laughed standing up, he beckoned to an elderly lady at the door. Kiora hadn't noticed her come in, but at least it was another human face to see besides the dragons. The elderly woman had an infant in a sling around her chest and shoulders. She helped Kiora out of bed and with nimble fingers began fastening the strips of cloth the man had given her. Taking a sip from his cup he walked to the door, preparing to leave calling behind him "This is Haylen, you will obey what she tells you, and you might do well here." The door slammed, and Haylen finished fastening the lower portion of the bundle. Smiling she patted Kiora's shoulder and said "M'dear, i Hope the two of you didn't fight to hard yesterday, being sore won't do you any good out in the fields!" Groaning Kiora followed Haylen, knowing that she was sore, and that today was gonna suck.

The feilds where like none Kiora had seen before, a shocking shade of yellow topped with something purple. Haylen smiled and motioned for Kiora to follow her to a little shed, a large wagon surrounded by an even larger manure pile, that strangely was oderless. Haylen handed Kiora a shovel, and Kiora became very greatful for the strange lack of smell as she shoveled manure again and again into the wagon. After what seemed like forever Haylen smiled toothely, her teeth still white and intact surprisingly for a woman so old. A strange creature with two heads was attached to the wagon and They set out. The wagon was pretty neat actually, it had a little trough for water, covered of course and the back had a little turning screw that dished out manure to both sides. Once and a while Kiora would have to reach up and scoop some of the brown stuff to the bottom, but other than that she didn't know what was supposed to be making her so sore. Her timing for a thought like that couldn't be worse, The Beast suddenly stopped and Haylen untied it and let it go roaming off. She motioned for Kiora to take its place saying " Usually the stupid beast holds out for longer, but I'm afraid it's former keeper was pretty leiniant on it, so It's lazy in its old age. Oh now dear, don't look so surprised, its only hard the first couple times!"

Kiora doubted that this could ever get easier. Massaging her sore back, she met up with the very clean man from the morning. His gaze caught sight of her rubbing her back and he smiled. She noticed his eyes stayed on her face, not wondering her very near naked body. Well, thank god he wasn't a pervert. "Sore m'lady?" She nodded. "I'll get something in your room to remedy that once Haylen is done with you." She smiled "So how much more work will she have for me?"
"As much as I want Kiora dear." Haylens voice came from behind, walking calmly, untouched by the heat of the day. "Haylen" The man aknowledged.
"Master." They nodded and he left, Kiora confused. "If he's the master, what does that make the dragon?" Haylen smiled. "M'dear, he is the dragon."
Kiora stopped dead.

---




Kiora stood still as the dragon examined her for what was left of the bruises and cuts. she kept her eyes closed so that every time he touched her they wouldn't blink. She didn't want him to have an effect on her, but every time he got this close to her she had to fight the wave of heat pulse through her body. she didn't understand exactly what it was, so she fought it as hard as she could, but now, the feeling was so tramendous that her body shook. He finished up and smiled at her. "are you cold?" he asked inocently enough, so she answered with something half formed that seemed to her the truth. "freezing, my lord."
he cocked his head to the side her swiftly unbuttoned his own shirt, wrapping it around her naked body, bringing instant heat to her. she pressed it to herself getting every ounce of heat it possesed, the Dragons reptilian eyes never leaving her face. a faint thunder came from outside the rooms window, and he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and sitting down on the bed. distant rain came a little closer bringing it's smell was a little intoxicating to Kiora, urging her to sit down and enjoy it as well. the bed gave way to her, allowing her to lay down next to the dragon without disturbing her. the rain began beating harder, coming closer and closer, finally it thundered again so close that it started Kiora badly. she jumped and the Dragon clutched her arm, thinking something bad had actually happened. relizing she'd only been startled, he smiled at her and released her arm, actually feeling a little sorry for the bruise his grip had left, pleased that she hadn't cried out. "Are you afraid of the thunder?" he asked. A fire shown in his eyes that Kiora had only seen when he was in his dragon form, angry with her. It made her nervous untill she relized it wasn't anger causing it, more like a good mood, she decided. "I-It's just I've never heard one like that before." Thunder she thought. it was a good name for the tremendesness of the sound the storm made. He read her expression better than she would have liked saying. "You've never actually heard it before have you." She felt like ducking her eyes in shame, but refusing to do something servantile like that, she look out the window, watching the flashes of light dance outside the castle. he smiled, his sharp teeth poking through. "Kiora, would you like to go outside and see it?" She turned towards him in shock and nodded. if anything, with a shirt and a free ticket outside, plus a dangerous storm for flying, it could be the perfect time to get away. Taking his outstretched hand she followed eagerly through the winding passage ways and long stairs untill at last they were in the medow, the flashes of light, which the dragon identified as lightning, were multiple colors now, creating a beutifull nightmare landscape. Her smile broadened and she looked at the dragon. Her heart nearly fell to see the smile on his lips, the inocent look of a child in the rain. This storm was more terrifying than anything at home could have been, but here with him, it was exhilirating. Could she really leave him? of course i can she thought the bastard beats me so often i faint from blood loss her eyes narrowed, but her grip on his hand grew tighter. looking into the storm she thought mabey i do deserve what i get, mabey i hate him so much because i'm no better than a cottage brat thats never been reprimanded for being lazy and throwing tantrums Tears streamed down her face as a conflict grew in her. they were hidden from the dragon because of the rain, and she was grateful. He looked at her and began walking backwards into his field, his arms outstreatched, the wind wiping his hair back, illuminating the silver fire in his eyes. Hello Angel from my Nightmares she thought wryly. she knew she couldn't leave him, not until she understood him better. not until he at least had a name.

Dragon laughed into the storm, enjoying the raw energy it created. Kiora could feel it. mabey not as well as any of the dragons or wizards he knew, but somewhere inside, she sensed the deeper power of it. He knew she didn't think he could see her tears, and gave her the benifit of keeping them private. he wasn't quite sure what he was doing, playing scarecrow for his field, but it made her smile. in fact, it made her run towards him laughing. He had brought her out here, mostly to let her see the beutifull world he had, but also, to see if she would run away from him. she came close, stood next to him and he wondered how she would try and escape. Hit him? Kick him? or flat out run? he wouldn't have been suprised if she had done all three just then, but she chose instead something much more disarming. she threw her arms around his chest and knocked him over, rolling to the grass next to him, holding his hand. why would she do something as strange as this? he didn't know, didn't care really. A single storm cloud moved away, revealing a full moon. Dragon sat up in alarm and whispered "Bade!" in a rushed voice. turning to Kiora he yelled "Run!" he backed away feeling himself change into a dragon and she looked bewildered, finally choosing the Castle as her best bet. she slammed the door to it only to see him roaring akwardly as he went through what looked to Kiora like a forced transition. she stood at the door, her ear to it listening to the storm suddenly abate and the whoosh of multiple wings. multiple dragons! She doubted any of them would be kinder than hers, but still, curiosity drew her in. opening the door a crack, she heard them talking, her dragon seemingly being the one talked to. "...A human in one of our storms Bade! you know thats not allowed, humans in general for companionship is looked down apon.." She was afraid to hear more, but she had heard enough to know that she might have just been told the answer to one of the questions she had before leaving this place. it had to be Bade. but what does that mean? she wondered. rushing up to her room, she tidied up the room before a knock came to her door. opening it, she expected her dragon- or bade as she thought his name might be - but it turned out to be a woman with flaming red hair, and sharp reptillian eyes like Bade. one of those dragons that just came she thought. The dragon woman smiled and touched the colar of the soiled shirt Kiora was wearing. "He denies you clothing, yet gives you the shirt off his back." The woman studied Kiora and saw the swollen look of most of her skin. "and this is why we forbid having human companions, for their sake not ours." Kiora looked up at the woman and saw that she was not talking to her, but to Bade who was standing behind her, looking ashamed of himself. "Ea, she....I was harsh to her...yes....I was." he said in a broken up voice. can this really be happening? a bunch of dragons just like Bade reprimanding him for his treatment of me? Her hope was dashed. Ea's look toward Kiora was disgusted. I'm the lower breed she relized their just here cause he beats his dog! she felt insulted, but at least he looked sorry enough as if they'd disciplined him for a human being. Ea turned and walked quickly down the hall calling "I expect i decent bed tonight Bade!" he just sighed and walked away, leaving Kiora feeling lonely. she knew where she could wait until morning, if it took that long, to find him again. Climbing stair case after stair case Kiora eventually found her way to the large chamber she knew was Bade's. it was lined with all the bedding, sheets, and treasures that Haylen had ever made, sewn or cleaned. off of that was a smaller chamber, with a large four post bed, fire place, desk, chair, and large chest resided. The fire in either room had not yet been started so Kiora figured that she hadn't arrived after him yet. sitting down in the larger room Kiora wandered around inspecting his treasures curiously, wondering where he had collected all this from. a sound from the doorway told Kiora that someone was undoing the latches from the door and she quickly ran into the smaller chamber, hiding in case it wasn't him. As it turned out, she had found where Bade was having Ea stay, not his own room. she cursed at herself for not having the patience to stay in her own room. tucking herself away behind a pile of treasures near the door, she overheard conversation. "Bade, why are you so appologetic about the girl? she is only human." she laughed shrilly, but he found nothing humerous about it. She tilted her head "fine, don't even attempt to laugh at my jokes, just make sure all this is hung up, i'm going to take a bath, you have no idea how hard Pillan drives us when he thinks it's important." they walked into the other room and Kiora started sneaking out, only to be caught by the ever swift Bade. he put a finger to his lips and he helped her leave without a sound. he went back in and returned five minutes later, having fulfilled is requests for the night. she didn't speak, he wouldn't have let her. Finally, they reached his room, much more finely furnished-she should have remembered that- and then he let her talk, hardly answering her questions. "Who are they! why didn't you ever tell me your name was Bade? Whats going on?" she had more, but he covered her mouth. "your tired, i'm twice as. Could you not save you questions for the morning?" it was gentle. she wanted to refuse, but she yawned instead. walking towards his bed she pulled of the soiled shirt and watched him climb into bed next to her. He noticed her uncomfortable posture and sat up, pointing to a chest near his far wall. "There should be some clothing in there about your size if you want it." she raised her eyebrows, wondering where he had gotten female clothing, about her size, but was glad to have clothes to wear. as it turned out, it wasn't female clothing at all. It was a trunk of some of his old things, clean, but most of them worn. she chose dark colored cloth pants and a pale blue shirt that would have been sufficient by its self to cover her. she climbed under the covers and scooted as far away as she could. He didn't mind and just slept with his back to her. this is so strange for him to be so quite she almost laughed thinking and i used to think it strange that he was a dragon She smiled, relaxed, and looked over towards him, wondering if dragons dreamt, almost smaking herself for having such a silly thought. then she wondered what he was thinking, and actually did slap her own forhead for it. He heard it and rolled over, giving her an absurd look, and then he asked "when i told you to run, why didn't you run away?" looking at the ceiling she said "Master, I did." she answered, sighing. "You ran back, not away. The forest was a ten minute journey from where we were. You could have gotten free." He said sitting up completly. She watched his face, whatched the flames create more of an expression on it than he did. "Master..."
"Don't say it if you don't like to." He said closing his eyes. she found her voice with that. "Bade, Is that what you wish i would have done?" He eyes remained shut, and he did not answer. "Bade...."
"Don't call me that either" he said finally lying back down. She smiled, hoping she wouldn't get hit again, but.. "Oh so what should I call you then dragon?" he had her pinned to the bed momentarily and she didn't even try to move. "I'm begining to think you like pain Kiora." He growled viciously. She braced herself for it, but it never came. She opened her eyes again and he was smiling smugly. "My, my Kiora. bracing for the wrong sort of pain." He laughed and gently lowered himself, kissing her on the lips. The fear in Kiora exploaded and left her, and she wish she hadn't because it drove her to kiss him back. It was over in an instant, but her mind focused on that moment for a good hour after Bade fell asleep next to her.