73

Relationships

Vanya looks down at the tent from her room’s balcony. Even from so far away she can hear angered voices. On her shoulder sits a familiar figure mostly consisting of eyes and ears. She sighs; ever since Slyfer was captured Aldowin has been scarce. No longer did the sword master dote on her the way he had before…. This makes her feel angry and frustrated. She worked hard to gain his trust. Now she can see shame in his eyes whenever he looks at her.

He was her way in, even though Slyfer treats her with indifference she wanted to get close, become friends. On top of that is the crazy silver haired woman that acts strangely every time Vanya is in Slyfer’s vicinity.

On top of all this, Vanya is worried. Worried for her father who was left behind the mountain in that wretched place and of course her fiancé who must have been captured along with the other humans. She does not love him or care, but since she needs him, it would be rather troublesome were he captured or killed…

******

Alric’s eyes grow large and his heart starts to race when Slyfer starts to move. His wounds are already healed, but the boy is naked, covered in soot with the stench of burnt flesh clinging to him.

Slyfer’s eyes flutter open and he nearly shits himself when seeing Alric so close. “Damn it!” He shouts and starts back peddling at a speed no one has ever back peddled before!

“Calm down little one, I… I won’t hurt you, yet.” Alric says while feeling regret at the fear Slyfer is showing towards him.

A low menacing growl behind him is a keen reminder that Serena is watching his every move.

Slyfer stops and gives Alric a wary glance, seeing the dragon has no intention to eat or cook him alive at this moment, Slyfer manages to calm his heart. Despite knowing the reasons behind the large dragon’s actions, he can’t help but remember the feeling of being barbequed with dragon flames.

Alric who had been constantly assessing Slyfer’s feelings picks up on his thoughts and as he does Slyfer can feel shock run through the dragon. Without saying a word Slyfer stands up and swears; for the first time realizing he is naked.

“How do you know what happened?” Alric manages to ask. His claws digging deep into the ground in order to keep him from throttling the boy until he spills out everything.

Before Slyfer can answer Serena interrupts, “Was it the voices?”

Alric and Slyfer both snap to her. The dragons inside him start to argue. Slyfer smiles. –If Serena knows it is no longer a secret and I can tell them everything!-

The dragons, aware of his thought pattern immediately round on him causing Slyfer to physically wince.

“You will not tell them anything! You made an oath, a promise to keep the secret.”

Slyfer smirks. –If she already knows, how is it a secret and why should it be kept from them anyway? They deserve to know about you just as much as I do.-

Their voices intensify and Slyfer nearly topples over. “Are you crazy! Can you imagine what it would be like to be told you can hear the voices of dead dragons. What would Alric do if he knew you could talk to his family?”

A familiar female dragon’s voice enters Slyfer’s mind. “Slyfer please, do not tell him. I cannot face him right now.”

It quickly dawns on him. -You, you are Alric’s mate!-

“Yes.”

Slyfer nearly topples over and Alric grabs him, causing Serena to jump forward. Alric pushes her away. “Get off me woman, I won’t hurt him.”

The boy is oblivious to what’s happening as he is running circles in his mind with the voices. –If you are his mate, why don’t you want to talk to him?-

The female voice replies with a deep sadness and to Slyfer’s surprise fear. “Our hatchlings died under my watch. I am not worthy of being his mate or the mother of the three hatchlings we had. Besides this existence is unnatural and we may disappear any second since we only exist to…“

“Shut up! You may speak no further.” Interrupts a far older voice and Slyfer can sense the huge presence rip the female away from him. He tries to reach out again but it’s like searching through blinding fog to catch a wisp of smoke. The ancient voice then follows up. “It is forbidden for you to speak of us, just like it is forbidden for the other chosen to speak of their…ancestors unless they were given permission. Do not test us young one, on this we will not back down.”

Before Slyfer can reply he is pushed out of the swirling fog clouding his mind and despite trying he can’t find his way back. –They have blocked me off?- Despite this fact, he can still sense them watching and listening. He knows he can do the same; cut them off. However, he does not know if they can still watch and hear him while this is so.

Sighing he returns to himself only to find himself in Alric’s claw. For a moment, the two just look at each other, until Alric simply puts Slyfer down. Before Alric can ask Slyfer stops him by starting to speak. “I can’t explain what just happened, but I will tell you this. I had no hand in the death of your family. I don’t know how to tell you this…” Slyfer thinks back to the white one. He wants to tell Alric the truth, but if he did would Alric not set off to directly go and confront Chronos? Doing so meant that he would simply go to his death.

Slyfer having thought things through starts to talk again. “What happened earlier was me taking advantage of the darkness inside me. Do you remember that soon after we left… Home, the High Elves were attacked and I had to fight the humans and a few Uruk?”

The dragons don’t say anything, they simply choose to listen. Seeing they have no intention of talking Slyfer decides to continue. “That day a voice filled my head, it urged me on to kill and later with other battles it only got worse. It nearly took over once, but I was saved by the light and ever since then I have been able to control it to a degree.” Slyfer leaves out the fact that he can sometimes access the powers and sometimes it’s gone like it had never existed in the first place.

Serena snorts, “it is never a good thing for any creature to hear voices in its head, especially our kind.” She watches as Slyfer’s face falls. Putting herself in his position she can’t help but feel for the young one. Thrust into dangerous situations after being sheltered for most of his life was bad enough, but then he had to contend with this thing. Plus, if what the dark elf had told her…. there could be more than one voice.

Alric breaks her train of thought, “So what are you saying little one? Whoever killed my family had this thing inside them as well?”

Slyfer shakes his head and then nods, thoroughly confusing the dragon. Seeing and feeling Alric getting annoyed he quickly starts to explain. “Everyone has it inside them. It is darkness, people that use death magic harness it. The more of the darkness you have inside you the stronger it gets until it develops a consciousness of its own. Do you know the story of how the world came to be?”

Alric sits down and scratches at his massive jaw pensively. The mannerism is so human-like Slyfer nearly starts to chuckle. Alric eyes him for a few moments before saying. “You are talking about the war of the gods?”

Slyfer nods. “Even if you do not believe in it, just hear me out for a second. If the gods existed and what we call magic is simply parts of them, then dark magic must have been part of the dark god right?”

Alric snorts, causing a puff of smoke to escape from his nostrils. Serena scratches, sits up and moves about a bit uncomfortably. They don’t answer… Sighing Slyfer continues with what they must think is crazy. “So, if that is true, then gathering a large amount of magic somehow puts a big part of the god together and the magic then gains a consciousness. If that is true, would that part of the god not want to collect the rest of itself? Especially if it did not break itself apart willingly.”

Alric and Serena look at each other and then at Slyfer. “So, what you are saying is you have a remnant of this god inside you?”

Slyfer nods, “Not only me, but Chronos as well. In fact, I have reason to believe the consciousness has taken over his body and he is no longer a dragon but something else.”

“That is preposterous; do you think I am a fool hatchling? The war of the gods is nothing but a fairy tale told by old dragons.” Alric’s tail whips at the ground sending dust flying everywhere in his agitation.

Serena seems to be easier to convince since her face is set in a worried scowl. After all Pathfinder told her how Slyfer ripped the darkness out of him when they fought. She then thinks about what they had seen beyond the mountain and cursing herself for being a fool…. she admits Slyfer may have a point.

-If only I could let the others talk to them…- Such thoughts are quickly squashed as a rumble of a growl rattles Slyfer’s mind. Slyfer shuffles from side to side. “I don’t know what else to tell you Alric, except…. you burnt my favorite clothes given to me by Old Sun! Now I am naked out here in the wilderness and I have to go back to a place where Kings are discussing MY alliance. Could you not have waited till we were done!”

Alric regards Slyfer for a moment…. “No.”

Slyfer feels like breaking off one of Alric’s large spikes and sticking it up his ass. Too late Slyfer realizes Alric must have seen that since the thought was basically screamed inside his head.

Alric bends low. “I will let that go, only this one time.” The dragon starts to growl. “I am not yet convinced of your innocence.”

Before Slyfer can say anything, Serena interjects. “Alric let it go for now, I too want answers, -but first there are things I must tell you. There is more to this than you believe.-

Alric’s eyes flit to her before resting on the naked Slyfer once more. “Fine we can settle this later.”

It is at this moment that Alric senses the anger Slyfer has towards him once again. –Alric, what happened to your family is truly sad, but I had nothing to do with it. If you attack me again I will not forgive you and you had better make sure I die or I will make you my stepping stone on the way to Chronos.-

In truth Slyfer would have forgiven the dragon a lot easier if not for the clothes that were burnt. Without waiting for a reply, Slyfer turns around and with a mighty leap rockets into the air before turning into a dragon. With one quick glance behind him he leaves the two and snorts.

Serena hangs her head while thinking. –I hope he does not lump me in with this bastard.-

Alric watches the little dragon go and for the first time ever his face cracks into a smile. -They grow up so fast. He does not feel anger for being threatened.- If Slyfer did not threaten him he would have been very disappointed. -Still the boy is hiding something from me…- The red dragon turns to the green one and seeing her face, he gets the urge to bury his head in the sand so that he can avoid the scolding he is about to get.

******

Slyfer is fuming and hurt. His pride more damaged than anything else. It was so easy for Alric to defeat him he can’t help but wonder if the day he claimed his name was made so easy on purpose. He roars at a poor animal below to vent some frustration and the thing instead of running off, simply topples over. A quick scan with his mind reveals it just had a heart attack. Grunting with some amusement he dives to eat the snack before returning to the squabbling sheep at the tower. Landing he gets reminded of something and he sighs while turning back to his humanoid form. He is going to cook instead of just gobbling it whole since he will have some time to waste anyway.

He closes his eyes and follows a link. Trisha is now sitting next to Jade as the latter answers questions. She suddenly sits up, her ears and tail standing on end. Before she can ask anything the presence in her mind talks to her.

Slyfer stops himself from asking “for help”, instead he manages to word it differently, but Trisha can still sense the bout of shame he has for asking something. “Trisha, I need clothes.”

It’s the first time for Slyfer to truly use their link and it gives her goose bumps. Not only can she sense all his emotions more clearly, but she can feel his desires as well. His desire for her….and some clothes of course. Trisha wants to ask why he needs clothes, but the desire he is giving off is rather infectious. Curious to know what happened and if Slyfer is okay, a sense of urgency grows I her heart.

Fira watches Trisha stand up and make her way toward the exit causing everyone to stop and look at her. It is obvious that she is having a strange experience. Slyfer luckily closes the link and she takes a deep breath. Jade wants to ask what is going on, but before she can Trisha changes into her tiger self, causing many of the people there to gasp.

Cresha nearly topples over when seeing how large Trisha is compared to her little transformation. “How can she be so big?” Cresha’ mother turns to her at hearing the thought spoken aloud. She is just about to say, that she has no idea. However, she quickly remembers what Jade said.

“…You should eat meat?” The mere thought disgusts the tribe leader.

******

A shadowy figure makes his way over a rooftop, making sure to stay low. The roof tiles softly crack under his weight. In his ears the cracking is deafening, but he knows it’s only his mind playing tricks on him. He curses the fool that was known as Alexo once more. If the man did not have his own ambitions and plans things would not have been like this. The cursing stops and for a moment a smile creeps over the shadowed face. It reason being Alexo’s hope and lifeless eyes as his body hit the ground.

It must have been one of the most satisfying kills the shadowy figure had ever had. Still, he would have preferred the idiot listen and not cause the predicament the humans are now in. –I don’t give a shit about the nobles and peasants, they can rot for all I care!- He peeps over the side of a rooftop and the object of his vexation comes into view; A roadblock on the main road leading to the council hall. It is by far not the only one. The humans have been corralled into one of the slums, forced to live like rabid dogs while the other races decide what to do with them.

The man finds himself smiling again. It was not long before the humans turned into what he just described them as. The lofty nobles quickly turning to thievery and murder just to eat more than those around them. Despite their lazy and corrupted selves most nobles are far better trained than the average peasant.

He backs away from the ledge and creeps ever onward. If he wants to complete his task before the council returns he will have to be quick about it. Failure is not an option. His head is still throbbing from experiencing the “displeasure” of the dark one. He shudders. If he fails, he fears for his sanity. Being directly connected to the black dragon is no blessing like he was told. It is a curse but one he has lived with ever since he can remember.

-Alexo spoiled everything, I warned him. I told him!- He clenches his fist, but the anger quickly leaves only to be replaced by concentration. He needs to accomplish his task. They need the scroll…. He needs the scroll.

It takes hours to make his way to the council hall set upon one of the only mountains in the area. Even from his perch on what can be classified as a sky scraper he can barely see the top. Legends say the mountain was not formed naturally but by magic. He finds himself in agreement with this statement since even though people say the council hall was built on top of it. It would be more accurate to say the mountain is the council hall. He had been in there a few times and compared to what they have on the other side of the mountain the place is pure, majestic. White marble halls leading to every which way. It would take a single person years to map everything out.

If not for the old caretaker most would get lost just trying to get to the hall itself. The man licks his lips. The caretaker, his target. The only man that would be able to lead him to the vault. A thing only spoken of in legends, yet he knows it to be true because Chronos said it was. Inside the vault is his freedom, bliss a thing he has longed for since childhood, an escape from the madness in his mind that is Chronos. Steeling himself he prepares for the arduous task of climbing to reach the top. He had sought other ways but there are none without being discovered.

Before Alexo went and spoiled everything he would have been able to simply change into his true form and fly up. But now…. He curses Alexo again, the man has spoiled everything.

******

Slyfer can sense her getting closer with every breath he takes. –Trisha is quick but it is no equivalent to having wings.- He had long since finished his meal and was slowly making his way towards her. Time is of the essence and he does not want to leave Jade alone for too long. She is a great with negotiations, but like all great negotiators she may have to compromise. His eyes narrow and he says aloud. “There will be no more compromise.”

An hour later a distinct white shape comes into view. It quickly grows as Trisha gets closer. Seeing her in this form is no surprise to him, but her beauty like always is. In this form or the other he finds her attractive and knowing what they have shared before only helps to enhance this view of her. There is also the fluffiness…

She reaches him soon and comes to a halt. Her breathing is rushed and Slyfer can’t blame her he had to land quite far away for fear of being discovered, though he does not care what the people may think. He does care to cause Chronos to attack in full force prematurely. Even if he were to go at it alone, keeping his secret would be the best protection he has. The worst enemy is the one you do not know even exists after all.

For a moment, the two lock eyes and just stare at each other. Trisha’s eyes wonder down his body in appreciation and confusion. She can smell the stench of burnt flesh on him as well as roasted meat?

Guessing at her thought Slyfer rubs his head. “I had a bit of a…. disagreement with Alric.”

She sits down and starts to change back. Slyfer waits for the transformation to finish and when it is he steps forward taking her in his arms. Surprise flashes through Trisha if only for a moment before she leans into him. Since he came back they had never been truly alone and she knows this moment won’t last either. He lightly bites her ear causing the other to twitch along with her tail.

“Don’t do this now when we don’t have time.” She begs. If he were to continue her self-control would not last. She hears him swallow hard and he steps back.

“You are right, however, after the negotiations…”

She places her finger on his lips, interrupting him mid-sentence. She smiles mischievously and her tail wraps around his hand. “I know after all is said and done, I am yours.”

She quickly hands over a bundle that was strapped to her back. “Here, get dressed or you won’t be able to get away without beating me off with a stick.”

He smiles back and starts to rummage through the pack. “My dear Lady, A stick is the last thing I would use to “beat” you.”

She laughs and watches in rapt attention as he puts the clothes on. They are dark elf in design, with the blood pack insignia on. She can feel the turmoil inside him as he looks at it. She can’t help but feel the sense of loss he has.

No longer naked Slyfer feels more at ease and without further ado he starts to jog. It’s not long before Trisha stops him. Without ceremony, she lays down on the grown and Slyfer reluctantly climbs on her back. The softness of her fur quickly expelling any misgivings he had.

Trisha can’t help but chuckle as she feels him snuggling deeper into her fur. The last time she carried him like this he was half dead and he barely had the faculties to appreciate he fluffiness… He is taking full advantage of that now.

Slyfer chooses to ignore all he things plaguing his mins and soon can’t help but start to enjoy the ride. The dragons inside him can only snort in disapproval. Who has ever heard of a dragon riding on a tiger?

Trisha’s concentration on trying not to jostle the snuggling Slyfer too much is broken when he starts to speak to her. “Trisha, have I ever thanked you?”

Confused she replies while barely dodging a grass covered ditch. If one looked at the horizon the ground would seem flat, but after the months of travel she knew better. She slows down a bit and replies shortly. “What do you mean?”

Slyfer sits up and rubs down her neck. “Well… have I ever thanked you for just being you?”

She snorts. “No, I don’t believe you have nor do I expect you to given how things started with us and what happened later.”

Slyfer waves it away, but soon realizes she can’t see him. “That does not matter. Things now are… are pretty good and I would not have it any other way. You have stood by me and helped a lot even if you don’t know it.”

Not knowing what to say Trisha stays quiet and the silence continues until Slyfer breaks it again. “This thing with Fira…”

“Mmmn?”

Slyfer signs at the non-committal reply before saying. “I am not sure how I feel about it. Are you sure you are okay with it?”

Trisha does not reply, but just as Slyfer was about to ska again she interrupts. “Slyfer do you remember the night I gave myself to you.”

Slyfer smiles at the memory. “Yes, I do.”

“Do you remember what I said?” His worry dissipates a little but he can’t help the fact that he still has a few misgivings.

Trisha grunts in irritation when she feels uncertainty ooze from him. “When facing the leaders of races, you have no qualms in killing any of them decisively, but when it comes to women you are clueless, I do not understand that part of you. I find it both endearing and vexing.”

Slyfer can only stay quiet. There is no arguing the truth even if you get slapped right in the face with it.

Trisha slows down even more as she starts to think of the right words. “You forget I grew up in a culture that does not solely believe in monogamy. You forget that I already knew Fira was tied to you when I went to you that night and even though I did not say it back then I already accepted it. Just remember that you had better care for the both of us equally and treat us well!”

Slyfer feeling a weight lift from his shoulders sits up and asks playfully. “Treat you equally?”

Trisha chuckles and replies. “Well perhaps you can give me a bit more favor. Though I am afraid it won’t always be the four of us.”

Slyfer ignores the fact that Trisha had already include Luna into the occasion and asks. “What do you mean?”

“What I mean is that women flock to you and your cluelessness won,t help at all. Not to mention another one of us…. Chosen has shown up and her tail is very fluffy.”

Slyfer frowns. “There is more to this than fluffiness, besides it did not really show my best side today!”

Trisha thinks back to Cresha calling Slyfer a demon. Did she not do the same when they first met, even worse she attacked him! A part of her feels ashamed and regret for not being able to get to know Slyfer as a boy before he was force to become a man. Back then all they had to worry about was how to keep the dust out of their eyes. She sighs, -I called Cresha a hypocrite but I am the biggest one of them all.-

As Trisha is thinking about this Slyfer is lost in his own world. His main focus being the memory of the girl’s fluffy pink tale. He snaps out of it when Trisha suddenly jumps causing him to nearly fall off. “I can sort off pick up on what you are thinking, you know?”

Slyfer scratches his head and smiles innocently. “I know.”