Another chapter ready. i wish to thank rouge once again for providing proofreading support. a side note i realised some time yesterday that i used the wrong name... so in a stealthy manner i fixed the problem... (i put the name for elven capital instead of the dark elf city...)

without further ado chapter 18

----------Fafnir’s POV --------------------------

We spent the rest of the night around the fire while Therin and the rest of the elven patrol reminisced about the past. I listened in and learned a lot about my servant. Like how his mouth has always gotten him into trouble. I also learned that his family disowned him when he joined the city garrison as a soldier. The hours passed as I watched the moons journey across the sky, as the elves reminisced till the wee hours of the morning. As the dawn broke the group said their goodbyes, and left two to escort us to the city. As we got deeper into the forest the leaves started to blot out the sun leaving us in twilight.

“How much further?” I asked while gliding through the trees.

“We’re close, I guess about an hour at our current pace.” Therin replied.

As we approached the city I felt like I was being watched, every once and awhile I would catch the sight of an elf watching us. We kept going deeper into the forest till we arrived at a wall of trees, their bark was black as night. The branches were weaved together creating an impassable barrier.

“This way to the main gate !” Therin called out. We walked through the twilight of the forest till we arrived at the main gate. The opening was flanked by two massive trees whose twisted branches formed an arch. On either side of the arch stood guards equipped in heavy armor wielding halberds.

“Who is it that wishes to enter the dark elven city?” one of the guards called out.

“It is I, Therin, past captain of the city guards, with companions, that wishes to enter through the dark gates.” Therin replied solemnly.

“Have you tamed that beast?” one of the guards asked,

I watched as Therin and Atheros paled, hearing their words.

“I am not some beast to be tamed.” I replied keeping my anger in check, “I am here on business, correct your way of speaking or lose your ability to do so.”

“Fafnir is my companion and is as intelligent as any of the races.” Therin quickly interjected, “He should be shown the respect due to any who wishes to enter the city, or have you forgotten in my absence, Dalhar?”

“I did not forget, captain, I did not realize one of the dragon kin would be intelligent.” he replied before turning to me, “I apologize for the insult Fafnir, I did not realize your status.”

“I accept your apology,” I replied, “I suggest, in the future, you count the limbs of a dragon before making assumptions.” I heard Therin and Atheros breathe a sigh of relief at my reply.

“Therin, Fafnir, and other companions, I welcome you to the city of Dúath, please keep the peace.” The guard said moving aside. We walked under the thick branches of the gate, making our way into the city. As we made our way along the forest paths we passed stone houses. Eventually we made our way to a large stone build. I could see the guards flanking either side of the entrance.

We stopped before the build as Therin turned toward us, “ I have to go report in. It might be an hour or two before I return, down the street there is a market with some of the best food in town. When I finish reporting in I will find you.”

“Ok, just make sure that Fafnir doesn’t have to rescue you this time.” Atheros said with a grin on his face.

“This isn’t a human town, I should be fine” Therin quipped.

We left Therin behind and made our way down the winding path towards the market.

“Do you need anything?” I asked Atheros.

“I was hoping to get some elven armor while I was here.” Atheros said, “ It’s too costly back home.”

“The king does not pay to equip you?” I asked skeptically.

“We do receive a stipend for equipment,” Atheros replied, “but you could equip an entire platoon for the same amount as a set of elvish armor.”

“I see…” I replied, “Well to promote our ability to move through the city, I will be perched on your shoulder.” In the blink of an eye, I was small enough to be held in someone's hands. I flew up and I perched myself on Atheros’ right shoulder and I curled my tail around his neck as I settled in.

“How does this help us get through the city?” Atheros asked.

“It will help me not get irritated with all the walking around.” I replied closing my eyes.

With a heavy sigh he replied, “Well then you can sleep while I look around, I will wake you up when Therin finds us.”

“You know what they say about waking a sleeping dragon. Right?” I replied squeezing my tail a bit.

“Now I remember… Don’t,” Atheros replied coughing a bit as we walked down the street. Making myself comfortable, I fell asleep.

------------------------Therins’ POV------------------------------

“What is taking so long?” I thought to myself while waiting outside the commander’s office. “This was supposed to be a quick meeting; I have been waiting here for over an hour.” Another half hour passed when the door to his office creeped open.

“Therin, it has been well over a year since your last report, what have you been doing?” he said beckoning me into his office.

“Were you not informed of me being taken prisoner?” I replied dumbfounded.

“You, being taken prisoner?” he replied laughing. “Whatever nation managed that feat should be applauded, though it seems that they came to their senses and kicked you out.”

“Haha, very funny.” I replied glaring at the old elf. “Maybe you should retire, like you have been planning for the past four hundred years.”

“I will retire when I can be assured that you, young ones, will not screw it up.” he replied with a grin on his face. “So who are your friends, and what is the story with the dragon ?”

I spent the next hour explaining what happened after I got captured. How I was enslaved and how I was bought by the king’s mage to teach their hero magic, to my current standing as servant to the dragon.

“Well seems like you had an interesting time.” he replied stroking his chin. “Can we convince him to join us?”

“I don’t know, he has been hinting that there is something that he needs to do for a week now but he won’t tell any of us what it is.” I explained.

“If you are correct about his power then we need you to convince him to join us.” the commander said.

“I will try but I don’t know if it will work.” I replied, “Well then I am going to go meet them before he destroys the city for some insult.”

“One thing before you go,” the commander called out, “you should see you parents, they have been asking about you.”

“It has been 20 years and not a word. Why should I talk to them?” I replied.

“Because they are family.” He replied.

“I will see if I have time.” I replied before walked out the door and I headed toward the market.

--------------------------------------

even though i have proofreading support let me know if there are mistakes we are both mostly human... also let me know what you think...