another chapter all ready. i would like to thank rouge for his proof reading support. also i have hit the 30000 word mark

woot... now it is time to get back to work.

without further ado chapter 20

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

“Who was at the door?” I asked, as the elf returned.

“Someone who I would rather not deal with at the moment,” The elf replied sitting back in his seat.

“An ex-wife?” I asked. I heard Atheros choke a bit while he was eating.

“No.” the elf quickly replied, “My sister.”

“Ah, family matters.” I replied, thinking how this might impact my servant’s work. “Anything I should be aware of?”

“Possibly,” he replied. “If she came to see me then something big must have happened. She is currently in my den, waiting.“

“This is something I have been meaning to ask. I knew you were captain of the guards, but you never told me about your family.” Atheros asked, with his mouth full.

“He is of common birth.” I replied

“Well that is half true,” the elf replied, “while my father is of common birth, my mother is the daughter of an elven lord.”

“Then you are not a commoner?” I asked a bit surprised.

“I am considered of common birth due to my father.” He replied, “It is an elf thing.”

“Pure Breed or go home?” I asked, finishing the stew.

“What is a pure breed and what does that have to do with going home?” Therin asked confused.

“If you are not of a purely noble birth then you aren't one at all” I replied. “It is a draconic expression.”

“Something like that…” he replied, a confused look still plastered on his face.

“Well, I would guess it would be rude to keep your sister waiting.” I said standing up.

“It’s fine,” Therin replied, pouring himself another bowl of stew. “She came unannounced, so she can wait.”

I just rolled my eyes as I glided off the table. I walked towards the den to see what this sister of his was like. I poked my head in the door and saw her sitting in a chair reading a book. Her eyes were the same blood red as Therin’s, though her hair was white as snow. Her skin was black as tar and she had on a slim black dress. I flicked my tongue tasting the air, it had a strange sour smell like something had gone rotten. I walked through the doorway and perched myself on one of the chairs, closing my eyes and hoping to nap a bit while I waited for Therin.

“Ah, I didn’t know Therin got a pet.” She said as I heard her put her book down. She then got up from her chair.

“A dragon no less.” She said as she walked towards me.

I opened one of my draconic eyes and met her gaze.

“Are you a good little dragon?” she said squatting down to my eye level.

“If you continue to talk to me like a dumb animal, I will remove your tongue.” I said calmly.

“Huh, a variant dragon?” She said looking at me more closely.

“Wrong, Snack.” I replied lifting my head up.

“Well, you're not a very nice dragon.” She replied, as she stood back up.

Irritated at the elf, I used a bit of magic as she walked back to her seat and caused her shoes to stick to the floor, making her fall flat on her face.

I heard laughter coming from the hallway; I looked to see Therin bent over.

“I knew something would happen if you came in here !” He choked out between laughs.

“What is the meaning of this brother?” She spat out while she stood back up.

“An object lesson in prudence,” he replied finally containing himself, “though you got off lightly compared to others.”

“What do you mean, and what is this thing ?” She accused, pointing at me

“I will not be referred to as a thing !” I interjected, “My name is Fafnir. Use it.”

The elf jumped back a bit at my words. I watched her take a deep breath before she said, “I’m sorry Fafnir, and I meant no disrespect.”

“You are forgiven; just don’t make the same mistake twice.” I said as laid my head back down.

“So, now that you have had your laugh, can I have my shoes back?” She asked.

“You will be able to retrieve them after the conversation.” I replied enjoying the soft chair.

“Ok, now could we please get down to business?” She asked coldly, as she sat back down in her seat, her shoes left attached to the floor.

“I guess I cannot be avoided, though there are some things we will need to talk about.” Therin replied taking one of the remaining chairs. “First I need to introduce you to Fafnir, the dragon that I am indentured to for the next several years. Fafnir this is Netticë.”

“What do you mean you’re indentured to?” Netticë asked I could hear the edge in her voice.

“In exchange for breaking the slave ritual that I was forced into after I was captured; I will serve Fafnir for a total of five years.” Therin stated bluntly.

“The dragon can break a slave ritual?” She asked surprised.

“Yes he can.” Therin replied.

“Well this complicates things.” She said staring at me, “Our elder brother lost his arm while raiding a human village.”

“Well, that is unfortunate.” Therin replied.

“So what if he lost his arm.” I said, “What does that mean for Therin ?”

“It means, my draconic friend, that I will inherit the family business and the estate.” Therin stated.

“Why?” I asked, “It is not like he’s dead.”

“He’s now a cripple, which makes him worthless in the eyes of other elves.” Netticë replied.

“Well that’s harsh,” I said a bit surprised, thinking a bit, “if being crippled makes one weak, what does being capture do to your reputation ?”

I heard Therin sigh, “It only really matters if you are rescued.” He responded, “Though as far as the elves are concerned, I tricked you into letting me escape.”

“Right…” I replied skeptically. “I am guessing now that you are indentured to me you are also disqualified?”

“It is only an issue if my father dies while I am indentured.” Therin said dismissing the issue, “After the five years are up there is no problem.”

“Ok.” I replied, “I feel like there is more to it than that, do you care to explain?”

“Therin and our parents did not leave on the best of terms.” Netticë relied.

“Ha,” Therin laughed, “he disowned me in all but name.”

“And there lies the problem.” She said giving Therin a look.

“Can’t they just have more children and pass Therin in the inheritance?” I asked, not seeing the issue.

“It would be rather… difficult for father to do that.” Netticë replied.

“Why…?” I asked

“Our father is not as virile as he once was.” Netticë answered.

I watched Therin roll his eyes as he said, “His SWORD was damaged in an accident almost a decade ago. He can’t sire anymore now.”

“Well then instead of being coy about it you should have just said so.” I replied irritated, “Hold on a second, why can’t you just heal your brother with magic ?”

“There is no healing magic strong enough to replace a missing limb.” Therin replied.

“So what are you going to do, Therin ?” I asked looking at the elf.

“Nothing,” he replied. “I have no reason to reconcile with my parents.”

“Don’t be like that brother.” Netticë replied, “At least stop by the estate.”

“Fine,” Therin replied leaning back in his chair. “I will stop by and see them before I head back out of the city.”

“I will let mother know that you will be dropping by in the next few day.” She said standing up. She walked to her shoe before looking at me. “May I have my shoes now, Fafnir?”

“Sure,” I replied sending a bit of magic to free the shoes. She retrieved her shoes and left.

“Fafnir how long are we staying in the area?” Therin asked after several minutes.

“Well it depends,” I replied, “now that I have found what I am looking for I need to make some plans.”

“Ok. Now that I have proven that I am alive could you tell me what you are planning?” he asked.

“I guess,” I replied after thinking for a bit, “I am planning to create a lair where I can sleep for a while.”

“I have seen you sleep just about anywhere, why do you need a lair?”

I sighed a bit, “I am still a baby dragon, I need time to grow up a bit more and the only place I can do that is in a lair that I create.”

“I could turn my training room into a lair for you.” he replied.

“No, it is not the same. I just need to make a lair and I found the perfect spot a bit to the south.”

“The Iarwaeth Mountain; why would you want to make a lair there ?” he asked.

“It is a perfect spot, a high peak where you have to fly to reach and it is on the border of two countries, which means that neither country can attack me without provoking the other !”

“What are you going to do with the other… wyverns was it ?” He asked intrigued.

“Well I did not see any when I flew by…” I replied, thinking a bit I said, “no matter though, they will either leave me alone or die.”

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remember people all living things have 3 basic needs, food water and shelter... humans are the odd ones we have that whole clothing need as well

as always always if we missed on the proofreading as mostly human people are want to do, let us know in the comments. also tell me what you think.