here is another chapter this one is also longer than expected. i am heading back to town today and i should have another chapter finished and depending on what time i get home i will post it.

without further ado chapter 15

---------------------------------Atheros---POV------

“Where is that elf?” I asked myself while I waited by the northern gate.

“Atheros, we need to leave.” Therin said as he ran up to me.

“What happened?” I asked the elf annoyed at his disappearance, “where have you been I have been waiting here for a few hours.”

“I got arrested for mouthing off a guy who turned out to be a lord, and Fafnir intervened. Now Fafnir is about to destroy the garrison for insulting him.” He said as he started to push me towards the gate.

“Slow down!” I yelled, “What is this about Fafnir about to destroy the garrison?” I asked hoping that I misheard the elf.

“The Dragon is going to kill everyone in the garrison building for not only attempting to punish me for mouthing off to some noble, but insulting him as well.” The elf said slowly.

“By the goddess!” I replied, as Therin’s words sunk in. “we have to stop him.”

“I would guess too late for that I was told to go meet at a house north at the edge of the woods.” The elf replied.

“it is my job as a knight of the country to defend its people.” I said as I handed the sack of supplies to Therin. “I just need to calm him down.”

“How do you plan on calming a raging dragon?” therin asked me.

“I will figure something out” I replied as I ran towards the city barracks.

---------------Fafnirs----POV-------

Rage guided my actions as my breath liquefied another group of guards. I have been encountering less and less guards as I made my way through the building. There was a small part of my mind saying that this is a bad idea, but it was ignored in my anger.

Turning a corner a voice shouted out, “Fafnir calm down.” Looking back I saw Atheros with his arms splayed wide.

“Why should I?” I asked, rage still clouding my thoughts. “They insulted me, equating me with the lesser wyvern. Not only that they tried to punish my servant.”

“It was a misunderstanding,” Atheros said, “they didn’t know.”

“Ignorance is no excuse.” I replied, “ can the king not tell his subjects that their HERO is in the area and that he is a true dragon, or is he too ashamed to admit that the kingdoms fate is in a non-humans’ hand?”

“We did not expect you to head north,” Atheros replied, “they must not have been informed yet. So how about we calm down and talk this out like civilized folk.”

I took a deep breath to calm myself; my blood was still boiling due to the slight against me. I took another breath and replied, “well then, Atheros, you may get the local Lord to meet me at a house to the north of here at the edge of the woods. It is about a twenty minute walk outside the north city gate.” I said still trying to calm down. “I will wait three hours before I move on without you, I expect an apology and some way to prevent this from happening in the future or I will be no longer dealing with humans.”

I walked to the closest stone wall and with a though, the wall to turn to dust sunlight streaming in. I jumped from hole and snapped out my wings. Catching an up draft, I rose into the sky, and made my way towards Therin.

After a few minutes of flying I spied Therin; He was making his way north as I instructed. I swooped down and landed beside him.

“Hello, Fafnir” the elf said his voice cracking a bit.

“So, Servant…” I said moving my snout close to his face. “Do you mind explaining why I just had to wipe out a garrison to free you?”

“Well,” the elf said, sweat beading on his forehead, “I was walking down one of the main streets and a man knocked me aside. I said to him, ‘Be more careful’ at which point he started to yell at me saying that I was luck he did not throw me in jail for blocking his way.” The elf explained, “So I might have said some rather crass words about his parentage and his mother. It was then he had me arrested for my insolence and you came to retrieve me.”

“Let me get this straight.” I said, “You caused me to stop my nap and have to kill a lot of, less than bright, guards because you could not hold your tongue?”

“yes.” He replied hesitatingly.

“Well then,” I replied with a grin on my snout, “as your master, I must correct your behavior so that it does not happen again. I will inform you of you punishment later when I decide a fitting one. Now we must head to the meeting place and wait for our guests.”

We traveled north and we arrived at the same form house, where I had left the boy. I looked around and I could the boy playing beside the house.

“Hello, again,” I called out to the boy.

“Mr. Dragon!” the boy called out as he started to run towards me. “You came back.”

“yes,” I said, “do you mind bringing your dad to see me, I wish to ask him something.”

“yes,” he said and ran back into the house.

“Who is the nice kid?” the elf asked, confusion plain on his face, I could still smell the sweat on him, “accursed acute draconic nose.” I thought to myself

A few minutes later the boy came out of the house dragging along a tall man. The man was fair skinned like the boy, with the same brown hair. I could hear the man curse as he saw me, but after a brief exchange between the boy and his father they made their way towards me.

“Mr. Dragon,” he said while pulling on the arm of the man, “here is my dad.”

“Hello, my name is Fafnir.” I said to the man.

“Hello, Fafnir, My name Hadrith and this is my son Stykur” The man said surprised.

“Nice to meet you Hadrith, and Stykur” I said, “I was wondering if I might use this outside area for a bit. I am expecting the city lord to meet me in the next few hours.”

“The local Lord?” Hadrith asked surprised.

“Yes, the city lord,” I replied, “in exchange I can have my servant here help with some chores?”

“Well sure,” Hadrith said after thinking for a bit, “I could always use some help, Lord Fafnir.”

“Therin,” I said looking at the elf, “help this man with ANY task he gives you. I will be enjoying what sun is left.” I laid down in a sunny spot and enjoyed the late day sun.

“Mr. Dragon,” I heard a small voice say, “Can I touch your scales?”

I lifted my head and looked at the boy, he still reminded me of my brother I thought to myself before I replied. “Sure”

He let out a shrill screak of joy as he started to touch the scales along my ribs.

An hour passed before the sound of horses broke the quiet of the farm. Coming over the ridge I could see thirty armed knights on horseback. Looking closely I could see Atheros still in his leather armor.

“Hay Stykur,” I said to the boy sleeping on my flank. “Go see your dad and send my servant over to meet me.”

“Ok,” he said. he stood up and ran off towards the house.

A few minutes later the horsemen arrived. Several dismounted and walked over to me.

“Fafnir,” Atheros said, “this is Marquis Stad.”

“Hello, Marquis Stad.” I said to the man, “How are you today?”

“I am doing well, though there was an incident in the city today.” he replied. I could he was keeping his temper under control.

“what would that be?” I asked feigning ignorance.

“It seems there was a misunderstanding concerning the treatment of a Dark Elf.” He replied through his clenched teeth.

“Ah. One second,” I said to the Marquis, “Therin could you make a stone chair for my guest.”

I hear Therin mutter a few words and an ornate stone chair rose from the ground. “anything else Fafnir?”

“No, thank you though, continues helping as before.” I said as I dismissed him.

“Here, sit.” I said to the marquis, beckoning with my claws.

“Thank you” he replied.

“What do you wish to speak about?” I asked

“I was told that the hero of our race was in the area and I would be remiss if I did not greet him.” The Marquis said.

“I have been called that before, and I am pleased to meet you.” I said.

“I also wish to apologies,” the marquis said, “I heard that you were caught up in the misunderstanding this evening.”

“I was” I replied

"I have informed that all soldiers that our hero is a dragon and that he should be shown the utmost respect.” The man said squirming in his seat as he tried to pull out a box. “I wish to give this seal so that all may recognize that you to be respected.”

“Thank you for the seal; this will hopefully prevent future misunderstandings.” I replied as I picked it up using my long tail. I brought it towards my eye and I could see engraved on a large onyx stone the symbol of a griffin holding a scroll. With a bit of magic I resized the ring to fit on my fourth claw on my front right leg.

“Is there any other business?” I asked the marquis.

“No it is getting late and I have many things I need to attend to. I look forward to your many exploits.” He rose from the chair and mounted his horse and rode off back the way he came, Leaving Atheros and another horse behind.

“Atheros.” I called out.

“Yes Fafnir?” he replied I could tell he was nervous.

“I am pleased to see that some nobles will swallow their pride and apologize.” I said, “I will not break relations with the humans but not for the apology.”

“Then what caused you to reconsider?” he asked.

“I was reminded by that child over there,” I said pointing with one claw to the boy, “that child reminded me of something important.”

“I am glad.” Atheros replied, obviously relieved “now what needs to be done to defeat the demons.”

“you can also offer your services to the Hadrith. He allowed us to use this area for the meeting.”

About half an hour after Atheros left I could hear someone heading in my direction. Opening my eye I saw Hadrith coming towards me.

“Thank you for letting me use your land to talk with the Marques.”

“No problem you have more than repaid me with the help of your servant.” He replied, “I wish to extend the offer to stay the night as it is getting late.”

“If you have room for my servant and companion then I welcome the offer.” I replied.

Hadrith nodded and walked back to the house. After the sun had set I heard the shuffling of small feet.

The boy came up to me and asked, “do you mind if I sleep next to you Mr. dragon?”

“Sure” I replied and I spread my wing to make a rough tent. After an hour I could hear the even breathing of sleep coming from Stykur. I then closed my eyes and embraced sweet sleep.

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