Hi y'all here is another chapter. Merry Christmas to all. As a reminder I will be away until after the new year. If I can post chapter I will try and I will resume when I return.

Voting for the bonus chapter is still open for a few more days. I know I explained previously but the poll is for a one off chapter as a what if, fafnir will remain a dragon in this series.

With out further ado chapter 12

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I took another deep breath as I tried to calm my anger. “It is getting harder and harder to keep calm.” I thought to myself atop of my hoard. I watched the sun start to raise, the sky going from black to a deep red to shades of orange. I could hear the commotion outside of my lair, as the humans prepared for my departure. It was shortly after sunrise when Atheros appeared. He had a large pack on his back and when he walked I could hear the soft clink of coins. “Why would I notice the coins?” I thought to myself.”

“Fafnir, I am ready to depart.” Atheros said standing before my hoard.

“Well I am not ready to depart.” I replied, “There is something I am trying to figure out and will take me a few hours to understand.” I chuckled slightly as I imaged Atheros scrambling to be packed for first light.

“Well, how are you going to get out of the city unnoticed?” Atheros asked with a look of confusion. “If a dragon were to appear in the city, there would be panic.”

“I know,” I replied, “everyone needs a little bit of chaos, right?” I start to chuckle as Atheros turns white.

“I might be able to avoid panic, if you bring Thantos. There are some things I need to ask him, that the elf could not answer.”

“I will see what I can do.” Atheros replied, as he leaned his pack on the wall of my lair, before he walked into the courtyard.

“Hay elf,” I yelled at the prone figure.

“What,” he responded in a groan.

“I need your help; I wish to teach a lesson to you dear ex-master.” I said. I watched the elf’s ears rise a bit at the suggestion.

“What do you have in mind?” Therin asked interest clear in his voice.

“I has come to my attention that Thantos believes that I eat magi.” I started to explain, “I want Thantos to walk in looking like I am about eat you. I believe he will wet his pants.”

“How will you make him think I am about to be eaten?” Therin asked a bit nervous.

“I can smell magi from a distance,” I explained, “as he is about to open the door you just have to be pinned to the floor with my mouth hanging over you.”

“I don’t know about this.” Therin replied, as he started to back away. “As much as I would like to get back at the old wind bag, you hang over me with your mouth wide open…”

“You have nothing to fear,” I replied, with my face in as much of a smile as I could manage with a snout, “as you are mine until you have finished your term of service.”

The elf walked over mumbling something about a mother but I ignore his remarks. “well what are you waiting for?” he asked.

“He is not here yet, we have time. I will let you know when he is coming” I replied, I caught more of Therin’s mumbling; It was colorful to say the least.

It was a few minutes before I caught the sweet smell of Thantos’ mana. “He’s coming,” I said to the not so happy elf. Therin stood up and walked over to me. He laid down and I stood over him with my gaping jaws.

The door opened and I could see Thantos’ face bleached white and a small puddle formed around him. He ran out the door screaming about a mage eating dragon. I pulled my head back and started laughing. Therin, getting up, also started to laugh.

“I was a bit nervous at first, but it was worth it to see that.” The elf coughed out gasping for breath between laughs.

“Now we just need to get him to answer my questions.” I said calming myself. “Go retrieve him, if it is anyone else I don’t know if he would listen.”

Therin, still laughing, left my lair to go catch Thantos.

After about ten minutes both Therin and Thantos stood before my hoard, though it seems that Thantos changed his robe.

“do you know any size modification magic?” I asked the old mage.

“I know some, but what would you need that for?” He asked before realization dawned on his face. “You cannot cast it on living things or you will kill them.”

“what do you mean by kill them?” I asked

“They become over saturated with mana before the spell could activate.” He replied.

I started to laugh, “Well then I should have no problem.” I said to Thantos, “I want you to cast it on me.”

“you will die if I do that!” he shouted.

“cast it on me mage,” I said menacingly, “or I will eat you.”

I could smell the sweet scent of mana in the air as he started to cast the spell. After a few seconds I could feel the magic start to flow over and envelope me. It started to tighten and I could feel pressure on my scales. I shook a bit and the feeling dissipated. Thantos was panting heavily from casting magic.

“Did you cast it?” I asked

yes, he replied catching his breath, “but it did not effect you.”

I though about the Magic Thantos used, and I felt for the spot in my chest. Shaping the magic as I have been practicing the past few days I could feel the magic constricting my scales. After a few seconds the pressure stopped and I opened my draconic eyes and before me was a giant elf.

“Ha, it worked.” I said with excitement.

“Yes, great job you went from a great menace to a tiny lizard.” Therin said.

“Who do you think you are calling me a tiny lizard,” I responded, while breaking the spell. Returning to my original size. “Snack!”

“I am just a servant, if you have any grievances, talk to my master.” Therin said.

“Ha, you have a quick toung elf.” I replied chuckling.

“You may punish him,” Thantos said, while looking at the elf, “he needs to learn his place.”

If you were the master,” I replied to Thantos, “I would consider your words, but you are not his master, I am little Mage.”

“What do you mean, I am his master.” Thantos said before removing Therin’s scarf. I could see Thantos’ surprised face as he noticed the slave tattoo was missing.

I started to chuckle, “everything is not as it seems mage. We will be leaving in an hour, tell Atheros to meet us before then or he will have to find us.”

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Grammar check as usual tell me what you think