A rejuvinating sensation seemed to be permeating the very air around the radiant Zane. Erindor and Draygun hooted and laughed, slapping their thighs and hands alternatively to the beat, prancing back and forth before the pair got the same idea at a nearly the same time. With twinkling eyes and aquiescing winks, the great drakes rose their arms high and focused their expression upon their core. Hips sashayed dangerously, tails whipped hypnotically, and their abdomens displayed some of the best best belly dancing skills in the lands. They reveled in Zane's light, incorporating it in their coordinated display for maximum effect.

Shinya kept herself moving forward, not worried in the slightest for her safety or Golothian's. Her body tucked into itself gracefully as she gained faster speeds. As she neared him quick sparks of purple energy jumped from her body forming a cone of light around her.

Zane opened his eyes and smiled as he watched those he cared about and loved dance around him. His body laced with flames of his own hearts creation moved as if it were air. His heart lept with joy as he moved around Draygun and Erindor. They were his life at the moment. Everything revolved around them, his entire life, his existence.

Erindor caught Draygun's gaze with his own, and time seemed to slow to a crawl. Dust sparkled through the air, rotating and glinting lathargically against Zane's golden flames, which too burned and shifted in gentle ripples and waves. In this moment, it was their element, their own universe together as they gazed into one another through their handsome eyes. Their bodies turned away, and time resumed as if nothing amiss had ever happened inbetween. The pair smiled and threw their heads back, linking hands and danced in a spell-binding dervish, allowing themselves to be completely lost in the rapture.

But as always, the more, the better. Almost at once, warm, strong hands clasped over Zane's as they brought him into their own orbital system, moving him about with dizzying speed. Their masses were perfect, skill and grace balancing the three of them as butterflies fluttered through their bellies and tingled their spines. The music was reaching another epic climax, with draconians hammering their drums with divine force and accuracy.

The dance below was reflected above as Golothian and Shenya crossed the last few meters between one another. With a crackle, Golothian threw out his wings and called upon the light, bending the fabric of space-time between them to make a nearly infinite singularity of distance, causing both to stop dead. Golothian grinned, flashing a handsome smile before gravity became the dominant force, slowly tugging them down again.

Zane had never before felt as he did now. Hiw body alight with his heart. His body moving in unusion with two he loved. He swayed, and bucked, letting his heart create a new rythm inside of him. His body formed within the bounds of the two around him, letting it all become one with his heart.

Shenya felt a smile tugging at her face as she slowly fluttered to the ground. She was a little surprised but she wasn't all together shocked. Golothian was an amazing male, she didn't mind the flirtations at all. He had proven himself and she was happy to aplige it. She landed gracefully on the ground and watched the mighty male slide through the air.

The intrigue between Golothian and Shenya did not end so abruptly. Nay, they would chase one another across the night skies, the lands below illuminated by the bright companion moons as they spun about one another through the cosmos. Golothian smiled at the symbolism. Hours passed as the Draconians used dance, music, and companions to heal the open sores upon their hearts and souls, rejuvinating themselves through expression and pure joy for their victory and the union of their mighty nation's leaders. 

A final dance was performed, one that exploded into oblivion upon the resounding end of the final beats. Victorious roars shattered the night as the Narans howled to the sky, bearing friends in hand, and smiles upon their maws. Although plenty of spirits and other festive beverages and food was consumed, the army would be fit for travel at first light, despite their giddy and well-innebriated state.

Erindor held Draygun in a timeless kiss throughout the cacophonous uproar of voices after the celebration drew to a close. With arms about one another, and tails slowly curling on their own accord, they enjoyed these new moments of utter bliss. Not wanting to be overly-rude, they each deftly found Zane with a hand and drew him into a hug, holding him close to their searing hot bodies. At last their maws parted, leaving them dizzy and tired. Draygun threw his head back in a laugh and picked up Zane, spinning the man around in a circle and yelped as Erindor caught and played with his tail. Erin pulled Dray close to him with an arm around his fiance's belly, and the trio sauntered and laughed their way to the Sultan's tent with Malestrom in tow.

Once they were inside, their laughter could be heard. Many gifts had been brought to Sultan's pavilion. Draygun set Zane upon his feet again and tied the entrance shut with tawny rope. "I could most certainly use another dip in the river," he said, nonchalantly lounging on a sturdy tent pole with his arms crossed. The demigod's current posture made a drama of his beautifully sculpted male body, showing the curves and swells of muscles and tendon from the hem of his shimmering kethend ofiln pantaloons all the way up. His raspberry flesh wasn't glistening in sweat, but it was a bit sheeny; draconians didn't sweat nearly as much as some of their bipedal ancestors.

A low cat-call came from just slightly deeper within the tent as Erindor's eyes came to rest appreciatively upon the body of his mate, loving the sight of his tousseled hair. He bit his lip, remembering many times the reason for why his love's hair might be so unkept. "Zane, please join us," he purred, bending low and stooping further to kiss Zane upon the cheek. "We're going for a dip."

Golothian watched Shenya with his shimmering golden eyes, a light purr developing in his throat as his keen perception soaked in her feminine power and grace, both in body and spirit. He had landed and had been grounded for a fair amount of time now, ever since the music stopped that is. "Fair Shenya, if I may be so bold to say that you are very beautiful and talented. But I fear I may have neglected to properly introduce myself."

Zane had been basking in the aftermath of such a wondrous dance with his loved ones. He hadn't had that much fun in a long time. He had been content in lying upon the ground stairing up at Draygun and then glancing at Erindor's catcalling. It was purely amazing to sit there and watch the two. He had never felt so safe, and wanted before. It was a new feeling for him. He smiled slightly as the others asked him to join them for a dip. He smiled and nodded, he was already partly nakkid. His leather vest lay somehere and he was starting to wish he had something else other than his leather pants. "Of course!" He said with a smile as he jumped off the ground.

Shenya watched Golothian with half lidded Lavender eyes. Her tail was idly twitching from side to side. With much grace she replied, "Thank you dear Golothian, I take those words straight to my heart. And though we may know each others names we have not been properly introduced at all now have we?" She smiled cat-like and rose from her position on the ground. "I am Shenya Dawn Bringer, granddaughter of Shinya Light Bringer, one of ten dragons and riders of the Northern Wastes."

"Well met," Golothian replied, raising his head slightly to expose his throat in a sign of trust and good-intention. At her mention of the fact that she was a joined dargon with a Rider somewhere thickened Golothian's interest. The larger male dragon shifted and sat upon his haunches with his tail curled about his legs, watching the lithe and powerful dragoness as she spoke, "I am Golothian, son of Erador," he replied simply. Being a quarter divine was worth something, right? Golothian chuckled mentally at his own thought, "Your grace and skill in the skies must have left you with an appetite, perhaps you would like to join me in a short hunt?"

"We shall also have to locate your jacket as well, my delicious mage," Draygun purred, moving up behind Zane and rested his great hands upon the man's shoulders. "Not that we're complaining that you're suddenly without it, of course," he mused, giggling as he felt Erindor's arms encircle his belly. A droning purr drowned the soft ambient noises of the night within the pavilion as the drakes soothed one another with their warmth and touch. Zane would have been subjected to a very similar treatment of vibrations and warmth. "Well, let us not tarry too long," Dray purred, his legs going a bit weak as Erindor preened the side of his lover's neck.

"I just wanted to point out that it wouldn't make too much sense to go cool off and cleanse our flesh when...well," Erindor chuckled deeply, nibbling on Draygun's ear. 

Malestrom groaned outside. "Oh good lord, I'll dump all three of you in the cold water just to clear your addled brains!"

Erindor and Draygun roared with laughter. "Sorry, my dear Malestrom, we will do as you say, o-wise-one," Erindor purred.

There was a scoff of draconic proportions outside after the Sultan's reply.

"Such a killjoy," Draygun pouted in a faux tone, clearly still very giddy. "Last one there gets tossed in!" he mused, picking up Zane in a quick motion that may or may not have allowed his tail to brush by the Sultan in such a way to distract the pair and allow them a sufficient head start. 

"Oh no you don't!" Erindor roared, laughing wildly as the two draconians tore out over the landscape at dizzying speeds. 

Zane giggled madly as he was swept off his feet by Draygun and carried off towards the water. He managed a peep over the massive shoulder and saw Erindor closing in. He squealed like a small girl and then clapped a hand over his mouth in shock, That was not me...oh gods I hope I drown in that water.., he managed to wiggle free of Draygun's arms and landed on his own feet. With a sly grin he ran with his arms hanging behind him and a blaze of fire propelling him ahead of the two magificent lords.

Shenya smiled at Golothian and bowed her head, "I am indeed hungry, I could use a good hunt, though will it be safe at night?" Her question was serious as her eyes looked around the darkened sky for signs of danger or trouble.

"At the risk of sounding like a egotistical, cocky male, I'll protect you," Golothian replied with a charming smile. "Between the both of us, I think anyone will have their hands more than full as we deliver punishing justice upon them," he said, shifting to stand, his resplendent golden hide throwing a glittering mass of moonlight about him. Golothian's muscles rippled and corded as he moved, and his body seemed to exude power and command awe as any dragon would. "I'm sure we can find a herd of grazing deer in these fields."

The next few moments before the trio reached the river's banks were most interesting to say the least. Zane would make it there first, but would ultimately find his demise in the form of Draygun barreling for him and readying him for a flying tackle. The same fate was true for Draygun from Erindor...and within a few instants, the collision happened. Draygun pounced and swept up Zane, only to be pounced upon by Erindor, and the three went careening off the cut bank and into the cool waters of the Angora in a tangle of limbs and tails.

Shinya smirked and kept her eyes trained to the sky, "Do you not have beasts that roam your skies that could harm you? Or is it different hear than in the North?" She stretched herself, the moonlight seeming to be absorbed by her white fur, making her seem like a second moon. Her lavender eyes turned on Golothian and she nodded with a cat-like smile, "Let us go then."

Zane let out a loud yelp and it quickly formed into laughter as he tumbled into the water. As he went under the slightly cold water, his lungs protested at the coldness. His mind started to panic for a moment, before he realized where and who he was with. He calmed himself and let himself be tangled in with the two goofy lords.

Roaring and growling giddily, Erindor and Draygun were mindful of the mage between their bodies, and went so far as to extend a general shield of magic to protect him from their monumental forces of strength. Draygun broke free with Zane in tow, pulling him through the water with a vast grin on his face and laughter spilling from his maw. Erindor spun in the water and moved towards them, moving slightly easier when his paws gained traction on the river bed. Draygun squawked and tossed Zane playfully before he was subjected to a mass of pouncing Erindor. Tails flew up in the air, and legs inverted themselves as they pair cut the water in a fantastic, moonlit spray of water.

"Aye, after you," Golothian replied out of chivalry, sidestepping to allow her take-off distance. His eyes did not miss a single detail of her resplendent coat, however, watching her body flex and change through the stretch. "We used to have many a great creature to challenge us in the skies, but now, we are the dominant race."

Zane rose to the surface of the water quickly as Draygun tossed him. He broje the surface and wipped his head back and forth searching for the two lords. He scanned the surface of the water and then dunked his head underneath. Quickly he pulled back up and looked around with a slight pout, "Where did they go now?"

Shinya nodded before turning her eyes on Golothian. "In my land, we are not the most dangerous thing in the sky. We are hunted still by other beasts of the sky. Some kill us for sport, or food, there are few who kill us for us being Dragons alone.." She stretched herself on all fours letting her body relax and tense again working her muscles. She opened her wings and they caught the moonlight in each feather, each glittering like a diamond.

"Sounds to me its time to retake your foodchain," Golothian replied, watching her unfurl her rare, feathered wings. "I expect it may be a matter of habitat and population. Though, if you were looking for a little excitement, we could try to find one of our remaining adversaries in these parts. It'll be a decidedly one sided battle, but the outcome will be most delicious," he purred. He ruffled his wings, letting them lay half-cocked at his sides as he waited for the dragoness to take flight.

A surge of water answered Zane's question as Erindor bolted from the depths and swam over to Zane, "I don't know where he is!" he exclaimed, eyes wide with adrenaline and joy. "Get on my back," Erin commanded, positioning his large shoulders so that Zane could easily maneuver and hold on. "I suspect he gave himself gills to use."

Shinya took a running leap and with a flex of her wings she lifted into the air. Her body twisted sideways, and curled under as she flipped in the air. She showed off her flexibility and strength as she pushed herself higher into the air. Her Lavender eyes landed on Golothian, and she smiled. "Really, now what kind of creatures do you have here in these skies?"

Zane laughed softly and looked around. He couldn't feel Draygun and it was making him slightly nervous. He slid on Erindor's back and let his hands feel the muscles beneath his skin. He felt eyes on him and it was making his breath quicken, "He's watching us.." A smile crept on his lips.

Erin bugled a giddy laugh, sending his mind out over and under the water. He could feel Dray's gaze as well, and Dray was quite possibly the only person who could make him feel as though he weren't the predator anymore. His lover's stealth and power made a shiver run down his muscular spine, right past Zane. "Oh, yes he is," Erindor chuckled, jumping aside briskly as the water beside them erupted for a brief moment. An instant later, the beast was back underwater. "Oh, by the gods, Dray!" Erindor cursed, laughing as he edged towards the shore.

"I will show you," Golothian replied, coiling his body into a muscled and knotted mass before he released the pent up power, throwing his body into the air in a skillful leap. His wings effortlessly batted at the atmosphere to raise him higher, allowing him to glide abeam of the beautiful dragoness. "Just depends really on how much excitement you're looking for," he purred, moonlight glinting off of his golden hide.

Shinya flapped her wings, taking after Golothian, "Excitement? As much as a dragoness can handle." She gave the male dragon a wink before curling her wings close to her and dropping towards the ground. Before her body came to close she opened her wings and she lifted higher and higher into the air.

"Then excitement you shall receive. Follow me," Golothian replied, banking to the left slightly for a north eastern direction. He beat his wings furiously, throwing his sinuous body through the air as his course suggested some good hunting in rocky hills on the horizon.

Slipping into mindspeech for the duration of the short trip, Shinya would find the brawny and powerful Golothian to be quite talkative, keen and intelligent. A new scent in the air stopped his words short as his flight became a silent glide. "They're here. Reptilian beasts, six-legged, heavy armor, and very powerful jaws. We call them the Geilst, or Carvers. They like caves, and often worked in packs to evict dragons from their own dens. We're going to bait them, with me. You will attack from the air, but I need to be bleeding lightly. Offer a bite to my wing membrane?"

"Of course, just don't try to return the favor." she mused her thoughts aloud and flew closer to him. When an expanse of membrane was close enough to her, she craned her neck forward and snapped down with her sharp teeth. The membrane gace way easily from her daggerlike teeth and she quickly spit the membrane out. "I will not repeat that...wing membrane is horrendously disgusting.."

Resisting powerfully to roar in discomfort, Golothian shuddered as a light rain of crimson drops came away from the fresh wound. "That's your only reason not to do that again?!" he mused right back. Golothian had more of a few dozen small punctures, not actually loosing body mass. Shrugging away the pain, the Golden drake refocused his mind and made his descent into the rocky crags of the forest below. 

"I'm in position. I'll signal you when to attack. Stay on the thermals from the hills," Golothian said, situating himself about a hundred meters away from the mouth of a prospective cave that may be harboring their dinner. "Take these memories, learn from my experience," he offered, sending Shinya his knowledge of their prey in a series of mental images. "They can be easily paralyzed with a both to the neck or a good tug on their short tails. Careful of their venom. Underbellies are rather soft."

Feigning terrible injury, Golothian let his own blood scent the air as he pulled his limbs into a compact form. Rustling in the forest ahead caught his attention. Golothian's nose and eyes detected a half-dozen Carvers snaking their way towards him, drawn by the smell of blood. He stood perfectly still, knowing that their weak eyes had trouble discerning him from the rest of the forest unless he moved. 

A pair of them moved into the clearing, "Now, Shinya!"

Shinya slide silently through the night, her feathered wongs making barely a sound as she dived towards their prey. At the last second she opened her maw, and instead of a roaring wall of fire, a blast of freezing air surrounded the two. In mere seconds it stole the breath from their lungs, and shut down motor funtions, within fourty seconds their bodies were stiff and unable to move, their hearts slowed to a stop, and they died without knowing what hit them. "Anymore?" Her voice was laced with slight humor and wariness as she didn't know if there were more or not.

Dull pain lanced up Golothian's tail as one of the Carvers attempted to chomp through his tough hide. "Yes, there's a few more," Golothian replied, trying to keep his voice calm. They weren't small beasts, going shoulder to shoulder with large draft horses. Fortunately, they weren't very intelligent. Despite this, Golothian moved in a spirited manner, jumping right and unleashed a blast of fire that scarred rocks. "I'm going to need you on the ground!" he said, swatting away one of the Carvers with his tail. It'd be back.

Shinya nodded and let herself float to the ground, her eyes immediatly catching several large yet small shapes in the dark. "I take it to take on Dragons they have sharp teeth? If so, I have to be careful, since my..underbelly is my only scaled part." She lashed her tail out and knocked aside another that had tried to sneak up on her.

Trepidation was suddenly replaced with the confidence of instinct and experience as Golothian defended himself, and on occasion, Shinya with skill and power. After minutes of tusseling, Golothian tossed the final agressor at the remaining pack with devastating force, knocking them all back. He roared victoriously, holding his kill under his forepaw as flames crackled within his maw and nostrils. The Geilst scattered and retreated back to their earthen abodes. "I think now would be a good time to return. Are you alright?"

Shinya nodded licking some blood off her white fur, "I am unharmed, but I think I'll need a bath to rinse my fur clean." She gave him a toothy smile before revealing her own kill under her tail. "That was enjoyable. Though I wonder how long you would manage against a Rathca..." Her eyes twinkled showing her amusement.

"Probably quite admirably," Golothian replied cockily, giving the dragoness a suave wink. Readying his prey for flight, Golothian added, "I am most skilled in combat and thirst for the hunt. It courses through me as naturally as my sacred blood. Many Narans here would say very smiliar things, for we are the superior race, us dragons," he purred before launching bodily into the air, the moonlight glancing off his scales dramatically.

Shinya had been captivated for a moment, but that moment was ruined as soon as Golothian finished speaking. She Grabbed her prey and took off after him saying nothing as she chewed her tongue. It is not my place to berate him, this is as it is in Naran...their ideals are different from my own homes, I cannot fault him for that. She flapped her wings and let herself fall a bit behind of Golothian, she played it off as if she were watching the clouds around her.

Soaring happily, Golothian enjoyed his earned kingship over the skies. It had taken them long to drive their pestilient agressors off, but in the end, they had emerged a being so great, it would be a folly to simply write off their adversaries as nuisances. "Come, soar with me," Golothian purred happily, droping back slightly to fly wing to wing with the beautiful dragoness. "One thing those carvers weren't expecting was your truly stunning breath. Stopped their hearts, it did," he complimented. "They're quite adapted to warmth here."

Shinya nodded flying to catch up with Golothian, her wings flapping in the wind, driving her forward. "It's not everyday they meet with a Dragon of the Northern Wastes." She smiled letting herself fly ahead of him, her tail twitching causing it to pat him on the head.

"That's certainly true," Golothian replied, giving a series of hoarse growls; he was laughing. His maw opened and unleashed his tongue, giving her tail a good lick for her head patting. The male drake surged his wings and gained altitude, flying above Shinya now. "Tell me more of this northern land. We have much to share with each other..."

Shinya swatted her tail again missing him by a few inches. SHe looked above her before turning her gaze towards the North. "The Northern Wastes are as beautiful as they are dangerous. Snow and ice are most prominant, only the toughest trees and plants survive year round. All the animals there, they have adapted themselves over the generations to brave the conditions. And if they couldn't were removed to somewhere they would."

"And of all creatures to survive its deadly beauty, there is the dragon," Golothian pointed out, purring deeply in his throat. "I should like to visit there, hardships aside. To see a new world unlike anything I've seen before. Well, I have seen the ice lands, just from far above," he added. "When you return, you wouldn't mind an attache? I'm sure the Sovereign is already interested in extending a diplomatic hand to your sovereignty." Catching a thermal, Golothian spun on axis smoothly and expelled a joyous roar, clutching his weighty Carver with his rear talons.

Shinya thought it over, her mind working quickly to examine everything. "I would not mind at all. It would be an honor to have you escort me home." She laughed softly letting herself rise into the air abover him. HEr kill was tucked firmly in the talons of her fore-claws, red staining her white claws. She was silent for a time before speaking, "If you are to accompany me I must..speak a truth to you.."

"I expect there will be more than just me, initally. But if it is you choose to come back with you, my ears will no more unhindered to hear your words now," Golothian replied, gently sliding out from underneath Shinya to glide abeam of her starboard side. 

"I would only be allowed to take maybe one or two. We are not use to company in the North." She let herself lag a bit behind before surging forward beside Golothian. "It isn't like we isolate ourselves or anything, we just don't normally get along with others. We use to be a very warring nation, it's only in the last two-hundred years that we have had peace of any kind."

The information that Shinya shared with Golothian captured his interest, "Fascinating," he began, thinking about their historical parallels. "The Empire of Nara is and always has been a very powerful war machine with almost thirty-eight million warriors. Nevertheless, we too have also been under the calm of peace for the past two centuries as well. The Sultan, Erin, proposed a nuetrality act that was eagerly accepted by our government. Since then we've stopped picking fights; but this recent tussle has been the first use of it; protecting a fellow ally." He smiled, and shook his head, "Sorry, I just found the similarities striking. Such a seemingly small world we live in. As far as guests, if it is only one or two, then I don't believe I would be chosen to go. Our leaders, Sovereign Erindor and King Erador enjoy extending the hand of frienship personally. Would you be willing to allow a third or fourth individual?"

Shinya glanced at Golothian with her lavender eyes and gave him a once over. Her mind was working faster than it should have been regarding the situation. As she listened to him speak of their two nations and similarities she couldn't help but smile a little. Their nations were indeed similar, but where one and the other had decided to go was completely different. "I don't see a problem allowing an extra emmisary or two through into the borders of our land. In fact, it would most likely be best. Recent attacks have been worse than they have been, so a slightly larger group would be better."

"That is quite unfortunate. I do suppose the ripples of things unseen extend well beyond the range physical senses limit us to. Tell me more of the rising hostility," Golothian queried, expressing his concern for these 'attacks'. "Are these attacks from rival tribes?"

As they spoke, Golothian banked lightly, his wingtips cutting light vapor trails through the air as he aimed his course earthbound towards their army's camp.

Shinya watched Golothian as he banked, her eyes taking in his powerful yet graceful form. She did the same, tilting slightly and moving with him, taking the outside as he stayed on the inside. Her feathered wings ripples in the light of the moon, seeming to trap the bright waves of lights within her feathers. Her mind went back to his question, taking a moment to fully think through her answer. "Rival Tribes? I don't...there isn't a word we could use for them within the exception of Shyr Sarys. In common tongue that translates to 'Blood Traitor', for the ones attacking us have betrayed their own blood to do so and for no better reason than to incite terror and hardship. They think the Council is a sham, and that everyone should fend for themselves, or more importantly each race should stay and befriend only their own race. And that cross race friendships and relationships will only destroy the purity of their race. Oddly enough, they work together, but in different groups, all of the same species, which most of us on the council find humorous. But still, if they are not the ones attacking us, then more empty shells with things hidden in them like the one that was caught and killed when I first arrived in Nara."

"And may the Shade's drown from their own blood," Golothian seethed with a deceivingly calm tone. His landing was preceded by his prey smacking into the earth, thus freeing his rear paws for landing. The event was smooth and without incident, and he circled back to his kill and gored it with a brash motion. "Is the Council in danger of loosing control of the situation in your homeland?" he asked with concern, watching her with his emerald eyes as she circled in for her landing.

Shinya came down, her prey clasped in her claws as she flapped her wings, landing gracefully on her rear legs before resting cat-like on her front legs. She gazed at Golothian almost expectantly before she gently nudged her kill to the side. Her eyes were downcast for a moment, as she surveyed the ground at her feet and let her mind try and answer his question before she voiced it aloud. Almost hesitantly she nudged her kill, "At the moment...no, before I left months ago, the situation was still fine. The joint council of races were still handling things peacefully and in full cooperation with each other. It was the only reason I was allowed to leave, I am seen, by many, as a voice of reason within the Kingdom of the North. I am usually the one to make the hard choices when things are split down the middle. It is the duty of my family to do so, as my mother did before me, as hers before her, and so on since the Kingdom was founded. But, I have not been home since I left, I would not know the current situation even if it were staring at me in the face. Which is why, I think a larger party if by two or three extra would be beneficial to the envoy."

"A larger envoy would be most prudent, I would agree," Golothian replied, stripping out the tender meat from his kill from the inside out, avoiding the tough hide and scales completely. "Work from the inside out, the scales will cut into your gums," he advised, occasionally flashing a blast of flame to char a particular bite to his liking. "
So you spoke earlier of being a joined dragoness, with a Rider. Tell me of them," Golothian said conversationally. He was also very interested to know why her rider was not with her right now.

Taking heed of his words Shinya did as he said, starting from the inside out, using her mind to fond soft points to tears at with her sharp claws. Finding a section of tender meat she lifted her head down and softly tore a chunk of the meat away chewing it thoughtfully. She found the flavor of the meat to be quite unusual but in no way horrible. She grinned as she took another hunk out of her prey. At Golothian's question she hesitated, wondering if she would be thought of less for her answer. But knowing that it didn't sit well to just lie she forged ahead. "I met my Rider for the first time, when I returned to a base at the outskirts of my land before I came here. It isn't a large one, smaller than a castle, but protected by just as much magic as its guardian can give. You see, for my family, our riders are not chosen by us. You could have had every person in the world hold my egg, and I could easily tell you that I wouldn't hatch for any of them. For some reason, the females of my family don't hatch for riders. My 'Rider' is selected by the Council of Races. It is one of the highest honors that can be given to someone of the Northern Wastes. My Rider, the one I met before I came here, is a Draconian by the name of Octavian De’Alessandro Benivito, he is a truly remarkable being. From what I was informed of he learned of a plan to have the entire Council of Races assassinated. He alone followed the clues and put an end to the assassination attempt. He is a very talented swordsmen, but he is far more better at magic. After meeting him, he said he would remain in the Northern Wastes to train more. He said he would be able to find me if needed." She said this with endearment, but at the same time it could be told that she wasn't very comfortable with something but chose not to speak on it.

"You speak highly of him," Golothian noted fondly, punctuating his statement by tearing a limb from the hexapedal reptile that was his dinner. "The Bond between the both of you must be very different from those Riders and dragons are together from hatchlings. I would be most curious to know more about this as well, but perhaps that may be a topic of study for another time," he rumbled, extending sharp barbs on his tongue to peal away flesh from bones and skin alike, leaving a perfectly cleaned carcass. "I think it would be prudent we try and find Master Octavian, for you are in the middle of a war here in this part of the world; a fact I'm sure you're already keenly aware of. It bothers me when I have to be separated from my Rider for hiatuses here and there, simply because I feel as though large fraction of my mind and spirit are missing."

Golothian finished his meal by cracking his prey's skull apart with his mighty jaws and fished out the delicious flesh within with his barbed tongue. With his meal finished, the golden dragon clawed the ground and excavated a hole for the carrion, to which to dropped in and buried. A jet of golden flame cleansed his mouth of his meal as he stretched. "I am going to retire. Today has been very trying, and there won't be time to waste on excess rest in the near future. Are you planning on staying here with the army or looking for your Rider?" he asked, a gentle stir of emotions welling up momentarily within his great heart.

Just as he buried the remains of his finished prey, Shinya was finishing hers licking a rib clean of the tender muscle before she too scooped out a large hole of dirt and buried the remains of her meal. She spent a few moments, thoroughly licking her maw as she cleaned her meal from it. She didn't have the ability to breathe fire, and ice wouldn't help her. When she finally was able to talk she shook her head to Golothian. "The truth is, I am not used to having a rider. Our relationship has yet to form, or a bond is not present as of yet. I only speak highly of him because we joined our minds before I left the keep he was at. He is a being of pure intent, he was open and honest with me and I respect him for it. I may not like the fact that he is a little flippant about sexual relations but I can't say much since I am still not mated. With all I do it is a wonder I still even think on it, but I digress. I do not need to look for him, I know this must sound unusual, but I do not...need him? No that isn't right, he doesn't need to be with me all the time. It has been the same with all the females of my family, and so it shall be with my daughters. Which I might add if it isn't too much information, that we only have daughters, my family I mean. There hasn't been a male born to us..well...since as long as the history of us goes back." She stretched like a cat, her great maw opening before she looked back up at Golothian, "I will remain, I still have need of speaking with Erindor, Draygun, and Zane. I still have idea's to share, and of course picking the delegation that will accompany me back. So I will remain, if Octavion deems it amiable to come find me, then he shall. He said so himself before I left. I will know once he gets close enough. As for sleep, I think, I shall retire as well, I need to rest. May I inquire to a place where I can sleep?"

Golothian listened intently to everything that Shinya had to say, not casting thought or judgement for her words in any instance, despite the various bits that caught and teased his interest. He smiled lightly, inwardly with but his mind that is, for she fascinated him. "Flippant sexual relations?" Golothian repeated, a twinkle in his golden eyes despite the moonlit twilight. "Sorry, I find your use of language to be colourful and engaging...as if it were a harp's song; I could listen to it forever" the male dragon replied, feeling a bit of cheeky warmth come to his scales but he did not have shame for his words, for they were honest.

The Mighty Golden drake stood lithely and began to stride back towards where the army was camped. "I would roost with the other dragons this evening. Come with me there so we may rest, and I'll make certain you are able to have council with the Sultan, Lord Draygun, and Zane in the morning," he purred, his long strapping tail undulating casually as he sauntered off.

---

Zane looked back towards shore and then at the surrounding water. "I can feel his eyes on us..." His voice was soft and husky not wanting to give their position away to that whom hunted them. A large smile washed over his face as he slid off Erins back and into the water, he floated a few feet away from Erin, "He can't get us both!"

"I wouldn't bet on th-!"

Erindor's words were cut short as the water around the pair began to flow in a figure eight, ensnaring them both. Acting quickly, Erin made to leap, but the water followed his torso in a flowing snake of crystalline liquid. "Augh!" the Sultan exclaimed, attempting to wriggle from his incarceration. His persistance became futile as the water drake became a physical tail of flesh and blood, wrapping itself many times around both Erin and Zane.

Standing out of the water, or forming from it, was Draygun, smiling at them both with his arms crossed high over his chest. "Gotcha'," he mused. Dray waded through the water towards them, smiling broadly. "Have we had enough fun in the river yet?" he purred, giving them a squeeze with his very elongated tail.

Zane giggled and tried to wriggle his way free, but Draygun's tail held him fast. He looked up and nodded, "I guess if the both of you are, we could retire to the tent or somehting. I'm not exactly tired. I've still got too much energy in me." He shook his blond head, sending water droplets splashing onto the two drakes.

"Too much energy? After a day like today?" Draygun giggled, giving Zane another squeeze. "Well well, lets get you tuckered out, wash up, and hit the sack," he purred, letting his tail go lax to release his attractive captives. 

As soon as the tail was away, Erindor had Draygun under water again. A tackle would soon get Zane thrown into the mix, turning the water into a frothy boil with the three of them, laughing and giggling with mirth. 

Zane laughed loudly and was pulled into the mass of arms and legs. He held his breath before blowing out fusing it with his magic, letting it heat the water around them to a warmer temperature.

"Mmmm...warmth," Erindor thought to himself before another thought crossed his mind. He immediately ejected himself from the other two and caught some air with a deep gasp, "Hey! Did someone just pee?!"

Draygun stopped and laughed heartily, falling back into the water.

Zane too stopped warming the water and immediatly started to laugh. He waded to the shore and fell on the beach, laughter still falling from his wet lips. "Did.....hehe...no one....gods..." He couldn't form a sentence between the laughter and just gave up into a nother fit of laughing.

"Oh my God, Zane!" Erindor laughed, doubling over. "Are you seriously wearing leather pants? How are you ever going to get out of those now?!" The Sultan, like Zane, dissolved into an unstoppable fit of giggles and collapsed upon the cool sweet grasses at the edge of the riverbank. 

Draygun shook his elegant head and chuckled lightly. The Demigod rose from the water, pushing his sopping mane back nonchalantly with a hand, the moonlight dancing off of his glistening form. "Erin, you bad boy, you were the one who relieved themselves, weren't you?!" he mused, knowing perfectly well it was him, or any of them. 

"What?! Me?" Erindor retored with large, innocent eyes. He propped himself upon his elbows as Draygun advanced. 

Taking Erin's hand and pulling him to his feet, Dray dragged his fiance over to the side of Zane and laid him out again to Zane's left, as he took to Zane's right. The chill of the night had little effect on the mighty drakes as they stared up into the heavens, gazing at the milky band of light that crossed the sky from horizon to horizon, its glory almost completely washed out by the strong light from the two moons. One could almost make out the seas and clouds upon them. The air was warm and sweet, a perfect summer's night.

Zane smiled at the two Drakes beside him, he had taken his time answering Erindors question till the right moment, "Well my pants lace up the sides..they come off quite easily Erin." He smirked to himself and let his fire magic seep into his body so that his body wasn't affected by the cool night air.

"Good to keep in mind," Erindor replied nonchalantly. "Much easier than having to cut shrunk leather, although it would still be an exciting venture." Erin squawked as Draygun reached over to tickle his ribs with precison aim. 

After they settled for a few moments, Draygun raised an arm and pointed his index finger towards one of the moons. "Ever wondered what a typhoon looks like?" he asked them. "Tethinae has a mighty looking one in its southern hemisphere."

Erindor observed the tiny speck of phenomena with silent reverence, "Amazing. How can you tell the two apart, anyways?"

Draygun smirked, "Tethinae has more landmass in the southern hemisphere than its companion."

Zane listened to the two talk and tried to follow them, "What are you talking about? What is Tethinae?"

"Ack! I meant Sethus!" Draygun corrected himself quickly, fuming over his error. "Quartaku and Sethus are the Naran names for the two 'moons' of the sky. They are named after two of our mythological demigods." Draygun smiled to mimself, wondering if he would have an important celestial object named after him in a couple ten-thousand years. "Tethinae is this world's companion. We call our home Aldastra, us Narans," Draygun explained. "Unfortunately you can't see the beautiful Tethinae from where we are; wrong side of the world. If you were to put both hands in front of you at arm's length, side by side, the distance from your two smallest fingers is the total apparent diameter of Tethinae in the sky, which is approximately three times as great as we see Sethus or Quartaku here."

"I'm sure you're already aquainted with various astronomical objects and phenomena, and as such the world is round, its called a planet, Tethinae is a planet, Sethus and Quartaku are planets, not moons. We go around, or orbit our star, and the axial tilt of our orbtit with Tethinae gives us our seasons through unequal heating of the hemispheres throughout the year. As best as we can tell, there are six worlds in our solar system beyond our little dancing cluster. Anyways, getting off track, that's Sethus, and that's a typhoon in its southern hemisphere."

"Sorry you asked yet?" Erindor asked Zane with a smirk.

A dull smack of tail on Erindor's calf made him giggle mischeviously. Draygun glared at his fiance for a moment before relaxing again as he gazed up upon the heavens. "We all spin about three invisible axles in space, all controled by the forces of attraction from great mass. Fascinating how it all works."

"Even more fascinating to ponder is the remarkable chances that such a dance created four equally massed planets with all the right movements to create water and life upon each. Four worlds, rich and diverse. For all we know, someone could be looking back upon us right now, from one of those two worlds. Strange thought, eh?" Erindor chimed in.

Zane smiled gazing above him, letting the words fill his mind, he knew what they spoke of now. Though there were other terms for the planets to the common folk, or the highly religious. But to him, he had give them names of their own a long time ago. He watched and pointed up curving his hand, "There are. In a boat...seven or eight leagues from the typhoon, a small fishing boat...staring up to the heavens, praying for their families to be safe." His eyes had a small purple glaze to them but his voice remained his own, showing him to be in total control of himself. A wistful smile danced onto his face, "To wonder what their world is like..."

Draygun felt chills run up and down his spine, and he took Zane's nearest hand within his own. "Such wonder leaves the imagination free to run unhindered, only to be curbed by the basic notion of beings so different from us, there would be no way to conceptually understand something so fundamentally different. Do they have eyes? Two legs? Two arms? Are they of anything we have here on our own diverse world?" He sighed, "What else can you tell me about the people on that world? Are they advanced? Do they have great cities?"

Erindor listened to them both, smiling lightly to himself; his thoughts and muses his own.

Zane smiled and breathed deeply, his hand tightened around Dray's as his other found Erindor's. "I don't have to tell you. In that last few weeks, I've been practicing, I can show you what we cannot see from here." He closed his eyes and let himself fall into the darkness of his mind, warmth surrounded him as his magic sprouted into existence, covering himself, and the two drakes. After a moment his lips formed silent words and then, "Open your eyes, and see for yourself, what this world before can show us."

Gently unwraveling himself from Zane's magic, Draygun opened his eyes to the brightly lit night sky. "Call be backwards, ignorant, or the like, but I would wish to discover our friends in the heavens in the natural turn of events. Its not like I'm getting appreciably older," he chuckled, releasing his hand from Zane's. "We're going to be off early tomorrow; I'll ready the tent. You two enjoy yourselves," he said, standing lithely and sauntered off with the sweet grasses laying cool kisses across his calves.

As Draygun left, Erindor hesitated. His moment of thought pondered more than just one chain of logic as his mind explored an array of complete thoughts. "I still wish to see their world," Erindor replied. His decision was more than just to sate his burning curiosity; to know at last they were not alone amoungst millions of burning points of light across the night's sky. The muscles around his handsome eyes began to relax as others tautened, ready to open his vision and mind to their not-so-distant neighbors.

Zane nodded, letting his mind join with Erindor's the magic inside him, welling between their connection. It lifted them far into the sky, their bodies far behind them. They shared the experience of the other world together. Sights and emotions alien yet the same to them. The sites they witnessed would forever be apart of them, always in their mind of this moment together. It seemed like an eternity, before they slowly fell back to their bodies, their minds still linked, by thought and magic, and then only by tought. Then by nothing but their hands clasping. Zane opened his eyes and stared into the night sky, a slight smile on his face.

"And that," Erindor began to say softly after a time, "will be the shape of things to come." The sweet breeze, scented by the aromatic grasses and rich earth teased the Sultan's nose pleasantly as his eyes took in the infinitely deep realm strectched out before him; the night sky. His large hand tightened around Zane's for a moment as a smile spread across his face, "Thank you. We may never be able to reach our brothers and sisters in the sky, but at least I had a chance to meet them," he purred, looking at Zane now with his gently luminescing eyes. The Sultan sat up and kissed Zane upon his cheek, smiling upon the mage and rider-to-be before laying back into the grasses, staring up at the stars.

Zane nodded slowly letting himself relish in the cool night breeze. His mind had already stored the information he had seen, it wasn't as if it wasn't importent, it wasn't the time to him at least to wonder over it. He traced his hand through the air, connecting stars with lines of flame, forming the constellations. When one was formed he would move to another yet the outline would remain burning in the air above him, till the two were glowing in the cast off light.

Grinning to himself, Erindor rested his left hand behind his head and lifted his right, pointing at a constellation known as Draconius. With his own magic, the Sultan traced the lines between the stars and then allowed the incantation to float up into the sky. Its shimmering blue lines matched themselves with the stars behind them, making it appear as though a mighty dragon was etched across the sky. A bit more creativity had the beast come alive, prancing proudly through the heavens. Draconius twirled and danced, coming upon Zane's constellations, and blew his blue celestial fire over them, crowning them with sapphire flames.

Zane smiled watching the Dragon wreath his copnstelations in blue flame. He drew one more constellation of a horse with wings and let it come alive as well, flying to land beside the Dragon. With a small smile Zane let the horse burn a bright silver. He rested his hand afterward, letting his horse run around the dragon in circles.

With a flick of the wrist, Erindor let Draconius loose. The Dragon immediately turned his business end towards the prancing stallion, and with a few deft movements, was hot on the stallion's tail, chasing him through the heavens. Erindor laughed, "You had to invite dinner to the party?" he chuckled, reaching over to tickle Zane's chest brieftly.

Zane laughed as he scooted from the tickling hand of Erindor. In the sky the flaming horse ubruptly turned around and reared up breathing fire at the Dragon, it lit the night with silver fire. "He's not dinner. He's a friend." He said this with a smile, watching the two constellations.

Draconius put a wing out and blocked the celestial blaze. The dragon lowered his wing and seemed to have a very bemused expression upon his face, and seemed to open his maw and laugh. "A horse breathing fire?" Erin giggled, mirroring Draconius. Nevertheless, Draco pranced next to his companion and put a wing over the horse.

Zane smiled, "It's from a legend in my village, for the constellation known as Aansol. Name for the Fire-breathing Pegasus that protected the valley where my home was." The Pegasus folded its wings to its body snuggling closer to its friend before breathing silver fire on its feet and dancing away seeming to laugh.

Silently roaring, Draconius lit the heavens on fire from horizon to horizon across the plane of the galaxy with blazing cerulean flames. The division left the horse below the line line of fire, with Draconius above. The dragon stamped a paw and blew baby blue smoke from his nostrils, eyeing the horse with an unwavering gaze. "A test of companionship," Erindor replied, smiling gently. "Was your birth-place far from here?"

Zane watched as Aansol galloped the length of the fire before soaring over it, landing beside Draconius. It reared back before landing its hooves down. It breathed silver fire into the air, lighting the night sky with it. "It is in a secluded valley...its far south of here, right next to the border of the Shadow Kingdom. It's why I travel there the most, a healer isneeded where others don't wish to go."

"How often have you had to visit the Shadow realm?" Erindor asked, his voice indifferent of the issue as he watched Draconius' heavenly fire blaze alongside Aansol's through the sky. Their fire wrapped and undulated as an aurora would, lightning the sky and land below.

Zane was silent a moment, then slowly with difficulty he answered, "I enter the Shadow Kingdom, almost monthly, there are small villages along the border that rely on my visits. If I didn't go there, those villages would have died off a long time ago. I even protect them from the Shadow Kingdom itself. I leave torches there, ringing the village, lit with my fire magic. When those that would cause harm to the village get close, the fire forms a wall around the village, and even in some cases attacks them." He rested his hands behind his head, watching the lights dance before his eyes.

"I take it then your name is well known to those who wield the dark arts in that kingdom?" Erindor queried, immediately thinking of Niros, who seemed quite intently interested in Zane at one point in time during his visit to the Citadel in Ivory. Choosing to ignore a chance for an answer to the previous rhetorical question, Erindor parted his lips and spoke again, "Zane. I want you to listen carefully. When I choose a new Rider to be, I don't do it lightly," he said, sitting up to look at Zane's eyes. "You are a defender of the people, a true Knight of old with a pure heart and strong mind. Also, the companionship between that of a Rider and his Dragon is so profound, not many will every experience a rivaling relationship. Love, support, courage, skill, knowledge; these are the things that raise the weak and undo the wicked. Are you committed to this?"
　
Zane remained laying on the ground as he pondered Erindor's first and second question. His thoughts a rivulet through the times he has spent being 'normal' and doing everything he could to help the peoples of his nations and others. He sat up and rested his chin on his knees, "To your first question, yes. There are many in the Shadow Kingdom who know me. They know of my work, and whom I help, and do all in their power to stop me." He grew silent before going over carefully in his head exactly what he wanted to say. "I understand what you are asking and inquiring of me Erindor. But...you must realize, I cannot take this descision lightly. I cannot answer you as perfectly as you wish." He turned and looked up to the stars as he formed the correct words in his mind before letting them travel to his mouth, "As I am now, the only thing holding me from leaving Nara, and traveling to those who need my help, are you and Draygun. You both keep me rooted here. To me this is not a bad thing, but you both also stretch dreams for me that once I thought beyond my grasp. I had accepted my fate as a healer, and that is why I traveled as I did. But if I were to become a Rider, I would be subject to binds, rules, mentors, all time consuming things. Death is a fickle being Erindor. I can be there to stop it, to save someone with my healing. Or I can be elsewhere and they die. In my absence for becoming a Rider, how many could die? How many could I have saved?" He turned his eyes on Erindor, I have been thinking of this since it was first mentioned. And Yes, I would be committed to what you want, but...I am torn, my friend. I am needed elsewhere, how could I live with myself, and call myself a hero of the people, if the people I am to protect are dying while I could have done something?"

There wasn't a particuarly long pause for Erindor to begin sharing his thoughts on Zane's words, in fact, it was almost abrupt. "Zane," Erindor began gently with a soothing tone, "you commit to what you want, not what I want. Of course I'd want to see you become all that you can be so that you can be there between life and death and save those who need your gift of healing. I don't want you to be a politcal piece, a tactical advantage, a man bound by law and fealty. I want you to be free, Zane, unrestricted. You want to help more people? This is how you do it. You become your companion, and they become you. Together, you will be more than you ever were apart. This relationship will do more than just open new horizons to help more people faster; it will open new worlds. If you are chosen, and I believe your blood and spirit are right for this, it will be a monumental gift. Yes, you will have to sacrifice some time so you may learn what you must, but it will be a fractional price to pay. In fact, your companion will mature very quickly, and you will be able to resume your benevolent travels sooner than you may think." This idea excited Erindor quite a bit, and his sparkling eyes showed it.

"You should continue to be who you are, and I don't ask of anything beyond your loyalty and companionship should you choose to give it. I do not expect you to make this decision quickly, nor do I expect you to say yes for any other reason than your own. I'm simply illustrating what opportunities will be there for you, and in a very basic sense." Pausing to cast his eyes to the stars, Erindor made to move, shifting to kiss Zane on the brow before he stood. "Come, I'm sure Draygun is eager to see us," Erindor purred, maneuvering his tail's tip towards Zane's hand, "can I offer you a tail?" he mused.
 
Zane listened to all Erindor said, letting everything settle into his brain. He knew what Erindor said was true, and was thankful for it. He wanted nothing more than to help the people he could. He knew the benifits of being a Rider, but he also knew what he was already capable of. He smiled as he stopped his thoughts and took a hold of Erindor's tail. "Thank you. I will think heavily upon this."

The muscles of Erindor's tail stiffened into cords of steel as Zane braced against it to stand. Once the Fire Mage was upon his feet again, Erin's tail relaxed and coiled itself once about Zane's abdomen, its tip lightly curling against his belly from time to time. "We'll see how this campaign unfolds. Ideally, I'd like to only conquer our foes on the battlefield, but if forced, we may have to focus our efforts upon cleansing the lands themselves." Given Erindor's moonlit expression, the second option left a bad taste in his mouth. "In an ideal world, I'd like to see you train in times of peace. I shall give additional thought to this as well; for we shall need a timely and well-appointed plan."

Upon returning to the tent, Erindor knelt and rested his back against Malestrom's cheek as the dragon snoozed. "Go on, I'll be along in a while," Erin encouraged of Zane, wishing to spend time with his draconian companion. He could sense a feeling of lonesomeness in Malestrom, and extended the warmth of his heart as a balm to his companion's aching bosom.

On the back of the elegant horse Swiftlin, Connor Zeller sat limp and motionless. As the steed returned to the camp, red stained its pure fur. The animal itself felt uneasy and shuffled its feet reluctantly around the outside perimeter. Connor was strapped down into his own saddle with hands bound to the horn. Blood was crusted on the side of his visage and soaked his clothes down to his boots. His weak lips muttered words too soft to hear by the human ear. The severe pain in his body could give anyone the belief that every bone in his body was demolished. His flesh was torn apart, showing sections of his skeletal structure and muscle. There were tears of crimson, eyes pried out from his skull. It was just a matter of time before he was taken by the Angel of Death. His mind was just about gone. Rain crashed down from the sky as if it had a vengeance to fulfill. The drops of the clear liquid bounced off of Swiftlin's silky spine.

Pain. Incredulously intense waves of pain brushed by the senses of Erindor's consciousness. The Emperor jumped back from Malestrom and drew Valourne in a practiced flourish, the world slowing to an impossible crawl in his perception as his stalwart heart leapt to a sprint. Malestrom's reaction was similar as he too sensed the suffering of Connor, the scent of blood and potential danger clung to the cool air.

It was Malestrom however who probed the man's consciousness to simply identify him and his location. The great dragon relayed the information to Erindor, who was already tearing up the terra with his fearsome paws, throwing clods of sod into the air upon every bound. Malestrom followed similarly, taking care around the numerous tents between them and Connor.

Other cautious warriors were also running to the place where Connor rode upon his fine steed, forming a semi-circle of a few dozen Naran warriors by the time Erindor burst from their ranks and ran to Swiftlin and his rider. A few words from the ancient tongue soothed the stallion as the immense Sultan stopped on a dime before the blood soaked steed's shoulder. "Connor!" Erindor exclaimed, his next words being of orders to the warriors gathered around. Malestrom joined them next, requiring more soothing words to calm the shaken steed. 

The Sultan didn't bother asking Connor what happened as he worked complex healing spells and drew energy from Malestrom to help complete the daunting task of saving this man's life from his horrendous wounds. With a gentle touch, the Sultan drove the magic into Connor's bosom and spine with both hands, allowing waves of golden energy to saturate the man's body to stem the pain, disinfect his wounds, and begin mending the tissue that had been so horribly rent. "Stay with us," Erindor said with a determined growl, his face screwed in concentration as he uttered even more verses for his spells.

Walking through the tents, tending to the wounded he hadn't earlier, Zane hadn't immediately felt the immense amount of pain that was now washing over his senses. Jumping up from the bedside of a soldier whose ankle was broken he begged his leave before dashing out of the tent and running towards the pain that was threatening to overcome him. Running past tent after tent he could feel healing magic being worked by Erindor, he could feel his spells and power wafting through the air. Not slowing his speed he shoved his way through a wall of soldiers before coming upon the gruesome scene of Erin healing a horribly deformed and tortured Connor. Even by healing standards, only the most accomplished healers would be able to do anything for him, he could already see his eyes were missing, and he could see bone on several parts of his body. He walked around to the other side of Connor and knelt to the ground his mouth already forming words of healing as he let his own magic hover over the body. He immediately had to partition his mind, the amount of pain Connor was in was almost unbearable, and his mind was shrieking in pain and confusion. Soft golden light wafted from his hands as he held them over the mangled body of his friend, he had to know the extent of all his wounds, then he could help Erindor.

A cold sensation rippled through Erindor's bosom before the core of his body began to flare with intense heat as the uttering of the last phrase in his complicated series of spells began to draw energy from his body. But something was deathly wrong; far too much power was surging into Connor's body. Malestrom detected the drain and severed the power transfer to Erindor.

"Erindor!" he shouted, "break the spell, now!"

The Sultan acknowledged grimly and breathed a single word that ceased his flow of magic. Instantly, the healthy golden glow of his palms sizzled into oblivion as he took a staggering step back, clutching at his chest. "Zane, STOP!" Erindor roared, "Connor is cursed; any attempt to heal him will bring his attempted saviors into the afterworld," he warned. The realization gripped him as he let out a sower and mournful howl, instead casting a single spell that would save Connor from his agony. The incantation didn't suffer the same draining effects as his other attempts, and by the noticeable relaxation in Connor's muscles; it was working. A sad smile crept to Erindor's maw as he scooped Connor off of Swiftlin and laid him out on a stretcher that his warriors had brought at his command moments earlier. "Warn the leaders of Zellorah; Connor is to take his last breath soon. They should meet us here. Make haste!" Erindor barked, looking to Zane with a pained expression.

---

Return to Zellorah Kingdom