FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The morning rays shined off the pond's surface, as I was sitting on my haunches in front of it with my long blue tail curled around my scaled form. I stared at my reflection, having a moment of solitude to myself...Since I was feeling like I haven't had any sort of solitude for myself in my whole lifetime. I glanced behind me, seeing Ly and the two humans accompanying us still sound asleep from a good distance. Ly in particular was still laying around at the same spot where I left her. Right where my wing covered her up, where it protected her from the 'evils' of the shadowy darkness of the night. I let out a sigh, an impatient and annoyed one. I can say this for a fact...Volunteering to look after one little creature was gonna be a chore, but to say that looking after TWO MORE little creatures after having them tag along with me was beginning to feel like a monumental task. I was already getting tired of having TRAVEL COMPANIONS and wanted to be back to being alone where I don't have anything to bother me, or worry me. THREE travel companions instead of ONE was tiring enough. Sure ever since Dart and Alex started treading along with me and Ly, when it came to hunting, I didn't have to have the hatchling standing beside me and waiting around to watch me get us something to eat and those two can look after her while I'm out hunting, and I can have some semblance of quiet...But those moments were short, more than I wish to be, and felt like there were few and far between. Not to mention I haven't had a decent, quaint flight in the night sky ever since I had them beside me. It is because I didn't wanna get spotted by Messina's dragons while flying, but staying on the ground for so long without flying towards the heavenly stars gets rather old. And that adds to the frustration of things. Not only those things, but Dart's attitude towards my kind...Towards ME basically, was really making me regret my decisions. I'm still mad at him about yesterday, how he argued that I should fly just to find out where we are even when it was risky. I was tired of his attitude mostly, and I haven't stuck around with him for that long. I can tell it hasn't improved much ever since I rescued his butt, and helped heal his wound, and that's been extra frustratingly irritating putting up with that. I never got a thank you from him, even when I don't want one. It was still making me wonder what was the point of looking after him if he won't ever trust me. I know for a fact that Alex apparently trusted me and Ly from the very beginning and wants to make things work with all of us just like Ly, which still surprises me that she did that, trusting a dragon so easily. I guess a part of me likes her for it, although I haven't said it to her face. But Dart's fiery words from yesterday clouded over that. They're making it hard for me to stay with them. What definitely made me feel like I can't have any peace and quiet was this specific moment from last night. I thought back to last night. I was in utter shock that I let a hatchling sleep by me! Like I was her MOTHER! I never thought I would have a hatchling sleep close to me underneath my wing. Heck, I never wanted to have on in all my life! Because hatchlings can be annoying and get on my nerves! And she definitely has! I told Ly before that I never want her sleeping very closely to me, that I wanted my personal space in my own slumber, and I was planning to hold up that front. I would've kept refusing her begging words and told her to grow up and not be afraid of something that isn't there...But at the end of it all...I gave in. I guess I couldn't totally refuse her with that face she gave me that I felt bad enough for her again to let her near me. In fact, like the last time, that flash that had my younger, smaller self standing in her paws staring back at me appeared in my head again. How scary things were at the beginning of my time out in the real world... I did that just to make myself feel better, but it also made me regret my decision, among everything else. That little one kept shifting around beneath my wing, trying to get as comfy as possible, pushing against my scales, rolling around...She must've been perfectly happy to be near warm scales and under a wing, but that was getting on my nerves too, and it was the worst of all that I had to deal with with all of them. Waking up this morning I was glad that was over, besides feeling that she finally stopped moving in the middle of the night. But I also think that I can't stay mad at her either. She was a hatchling...Like I was once. Although I don't recall tossing and turning in bed like that. It was practically normal for someone like her to be that way. But I do hope that I can find her parents SOON and leave her with them because of what she's gone through, especially last night, and several nights prior... If I can find their home... My eyes looked beyond the pond, across the open landscape. ...If they are alive that is... She keeps thinking they are alive, I know she does...But are they? That question ran in my head more than once since I met her. I never did meet her parents, and she keeps saying that they must be at where she lives, in that cave on a low ground that isn't inside a mountain. I keep trying to think up an answer for what happened to them...But I had a deep, gut feeling that I knew it already... A nervous beat came within my chest, having me grip it tightly with this little amount of hope. I hope for her sake they're- "Good morning, Celine." My scales and wings jumped a bit. I was going through my thoughts so much that I didn't pay attention if somebody was coming up close to me. I turned my neck to see Ly has gotten up and is now standing right beside me. She let out a cute yawn, then smiling at me. She asked a innocent question with a swish of her tail, "Whatcha doing?" Thinking about flying off so I can be alone and live my life alone...And wondering about your family. I put my gaze back towards the front, my attention across the pond. I simply answered, "Staring." "Ahhh...I see." She followed my direction with a quick dart of her eyes. She pressed again, "What are you staring AT?" Then her voice grew exictable, "Oh, is there a fishy that we didn't know about in the pond and you're trying to catch it? Oh goody, if you caught it, can I have it? I am getting quite hungry already. I'm not being rude, I just think a small one wouldn't fill your stomach cause you're big, and maybe I should have it since I'm smaller. I think it's a fair deal, that way you wouldn't have to feed me for a while. Right?" Then she was shutting her eyes and wrinkling her brow in concentration, "Maybe I'll see if you'll catch it. I hate not knowing!" I said after letting out a breath, "No, little one, forget about it." I reported as she opened them wide and gaped at me, "There are no fishies in the pond. I haven't seen a single splash. I don't see how any could show up right here when there is no river flowing here. They don't show up out of nowhere." Ly said thoughtfully, "Maybe the fishies use a tunnel. You know, below the pond? Maybe that's how the water and the fishies would show up here." I denied it, "A underwater tunnel? Not likely. That's not how it works. Rain falls and it fills up a massive hole and we get a pond. THIS pond. Only a mere gift from the skies." I added with a shrug, "Simple really." "Aww." She planted her rear end on the ground, dipping her snout in disappointment, "I was hoping the skies would rain some fishies. I was hoping for one..." Then she perked it back up with a quizzical expression on her face, "Wait a minute...Does the sky actually rain fishies? I mean it would make sense given the fact that rain is made of water, and the sky mostly has the same color as water, but with puffy white clouds. Mmmm...Makes me wanna sleep on one of them if I'm being totally honest. Anyways, if that's the case, is the sky a great big pond? Is it made entirely of water and it gives us some whenever it wants just to share it with everyone? I know there are scary storms with thunder and lightning, so does that mean the sky is also angry like you and Dart can be and rains at us in anger? And what about the fishies? Do they fly or do they swim up there before they fall down? That doesn't make sense at all. What do you think?" Nothing with you makes sense. I assured her, "Fish don't have wings. And I doubt the skies ever rain fish. Also, I don't think the sky has emotions. It does however it wants. It can bring us gifts, or it can bring us unecessary trouble." Ly reformed her smile, "I see. Well, would it be cool if the sky did rain fishies? Oh boy I'd be eating for weeks!" I said, rolling my eyes to her, "That'll be the day. You can have all the fish you want." "Yeah! That way I'll NEVER go hungry and I can never want to hunt. Makes things much simpler with me." Then she motioned her wing at me, "Oh, and you and the guys can have a few. I can't eat them all by myself." I mumbled, "Thanks." I eyed towards ahead again and let out another dreary sigh. The yellow hatchling tilted her head, concerned, "Something wrong? Look, uh...If it's about last night, I'm sorry that I bothered you. I do appreciate it, even though you prefer sleeping alone. I-" "Shake it off, little one...It's not that." It sorta is but I'm not letting it get to me too much now. I shortly told her, "...I think this is the worst idea in all of dragonkind. I honestly don't know how you talked me in to things." She asked, "What are you going on about?" I replied, my wings fluttering on my back, "Alex and Dart...Mostly Dart." Ly grinned, "I am happy you took us back to them. Makes me happy to see them again. Mostly Dart. Heck, if we hadn't come back, Dart would've gotten SERIOUSLY hurt." I reminded her, "He DID seriously get hurt." She nodded, "You get my point. He didn't die like any animal you get for us. You did a very good thing. Much more than what Messina would've done." "Yes, but I'm starting to regret it already and am already tired of it." Ly frowned, "Why?" I looked down at her beside me, "Why do you think? Can't you see that Dart still doesn't like us all that much? He's still been giving us the cold shoulder like he did back at our dungeon." Ly's smile finally melted off her face. Her eyes drifted downward. She said, "Yeah...He does feel better, but he is still kinda grumpy." Then her eyes rose when she put in another thing, "You are also rather grumpy yourself." I sharply remarked, "I am, but only because I am already tired of this. Traveling along with so many...ACQUAINTANCES is getting on my nerves." She passed out a curious question, "What's an acquaintance?" I ignored it and went on, "The point is, other than that, he won't listen to me for any reason. He really is stubborn. I'm trying to look out for all of you, but to him it's like I'm talking to a wall that won't crumble." Ly stated solemnly, "I know what you mean. Garo is like a wall too that I talk to sometimes. It gets INCREDIBLY annoying." Then she put on a hopeful smile, "But Alex is not like that. You gotta give her that. She's kinda quite happy that we're around her. I like her a lot, as much as Dart." I said in agreement, "She isn't bad, and that still catches me by surprise. But that doesn't change the facts about that boy. It's like I keep telling you...He won't change his mind about dragons no matter what we do. That's what...MOST humans do. Honestly, if we find a village tonight, I was thinking about ditching him and Alex there and then we'll be on our way. Let them deal with their own issues while we deal with ours." But Ly shook her skull at the idea, "But I wanna help them save all the humans that are with Messina. I wanted to help them escape before." I quirked a brow, "I thought you wanted to go home?" Ly replied, "Sure I do, but I still want to TRY to help. It's the least I could do to all those poor humans stuck there." Then she was waving her paws at me and shaking her head furiously, "But I'm not going back there and fight Messina and Garo by the way! No, no, no...I HATE violence and killing, and Garo will EAT me alive. Did you SEE how BIG he was when you met him?" "Hmph." I said with a roll of my eyes, "He doesn't look tough to me. I bet with his gargantuan size he's about as slow as a snail." Ly smirked, "Try saying THAT to his face. I wish I could see his when you say it to him." "Nah, don't need to. I imagine he KNOWS he moves like a snail." She giggled to that. I went on, "It's good you're not going back, cause that is a stupid idea. I still have a promise to take you back home and I'm not going to break it." Ly nodded slowly, a serious look on her face, "Sure, right. But, Celine, about helping humans...Don't you think that maybe you're being a little too harsh with Dart too? Maybe judging him TOO soon?" I said with a narrow of my eyes, "Can't help but snap back when you're constantly accused of something that you aren't. Hell, you can see him thinking it." Ly said cautiously, "Well, maybe talking to him in a meanful way is not the kind of way you should talk to someone. Maybe that...Convinces him that you're up to no good." "Try telling that to him." She smiled proudly at me, "And besides...Other than that fight you guys had yesterday, and a couple arguments, you're doing a great job with this so far. I am proud of you for everything." I admitted, "I guess, surprisingly...But I am close to my breaking point. Like...Almost at the edge." Ly made a playful frown, "Ah, you don't mean that. It hasn't been what...Five days and you're already giving up? You're a sore loser." I'm not a sore loser, you brat. I complained, "I'm SORE about this idea of yours, and it's THAT easy to have me lose patience." She said in surprise, "Wow...Not even a goodnight's sleep does the trick of making you feel better." I said, "It would, but only when I'm sleeping alone." Ly rolled her eyes at that, "Come on, I wasn't THAT bad sleeping with you last night. Was I?" Yeah you were. I hope I don't have to sleep by you again. But I didn't say that to her face. Instead I added, "And because I wake up and know problems won't just go away in a blink of an eye. There is no point in making a human like you if they are stuck in their ways. It's a waste of our time." Ly shook her head in adamance, "Well I still think you are wrong. Dart can change. I don't think he has given me any dirty looks lately. Maybe he is starting to see things that he hadn't seen before and seeing how wrong he is...Like you'd be. And that fight before we ended up out here...Well, he was just wondering where we all were and got worked up about feeling lost. I don't blame him, I wondered where we were too. You shouldn't take what he said seriously. I think he's over it...MAYBE? And he'll get over what he sees in us soon too." I warned her, finally turning my snout away from her, "I still wouldn't get my hopes up...You'll be less disappointed that way." I know that feeling VERY WELL. "Don't worry, cause I won't." Ly advised with a smile, "Don't give up on him yet. I still think he's confused about us. If Alex can like us, so can he. He just hasn't seen enough of us to see it. He'll come around to liking us and you'll be laughing with him one day, and you'll probably give him a ride on your back like I foretold, and you'll also see that my visions are real. You'll see, I know it. Just try not to be so grumpy to him, and also not ditching him before then, ok?" I grunted, "Hmph...Not that I can leave him anyway...Unless you say so." She held up her head with a toothy smirk, "Hee!" Then my ear flicked about. It picked up...Wingbeats, coming from a far distance. I sharply whirled around and shot my head up towards the sky. I can see a few dragons flying from afar. They were heading right towards us. My eyes went wide. Oh shit! Messina's forces! Ly already noticed them too, and she was starting to panic, "Oh no! Other dragons! What do we do?!" I decided right then to follow through with this plan I formed yesterday after we started walking on the barren landscape. I dashed to where Dart and Alex are, instructing Ly behind me, "Ly, follow me!" I heard her little paws rushing along behind me while I was still keeping track of the dragons above. Did they see us? I don't think so. Gotta make this fast! I screamed quietly at Dart and Alex, "Guys! Wake up!" Right when I skidded a bit and got beside Dart, he had already shot up his body in alarm. He shot me a question, "What's going on?" I told him, gesturing my snout up to the direction in the sky, "Dragons. Heading this way!" Alex, who had moved upright also, glanced upward along with Dart. Then she gasped, "Oh my god, there's four of them!" Dart cursed as Ly caught up to me, "Shit, I don't think we can take all of them. We gotta make a run for it." Ly surely agreed with that, "Yes. I think we better run. Like right now! My visions say we may not make it, but it's worth a shot!" Dart tried to stand up and run away, but I held him back with one of my wings as I lowered onto my stomach. He tried brushing me wing membrane off, but I held it firm. I said, "No! Wait!" I hollered quietly at everybody, "Get close to me! Get all your stuff and get under my wings and get close to me as much as possible, and do not move! Hurry!" Ly cocked her head. Alex spat out a quizzical word, "What?" Dart began arguing with me with panic in his voice, "Are you crazy?! You want us to be sitting ducks? They'll see us!" I glared at everyone, especially him, "Just do as I say and don't argue with me! Right now!" "...Sure, all right. Why not?" Ly didn't hesitate. She dove under my right wing, declaring, "This is my fortress! Protect me from EVERYTHING!" Alex did too, after grabbing the bag of apples and crawling underneath the same wing to be with Ly. Dart groaned, probably seeing he didn't have a lot of options, grabbed his sword and went under my left wing. I felt their little forms pressing against my sides, particularily hearing Dart breathing heavily in fear and anticipation. I closed my eyes, trying to think about the small, pelting raindrops in the sky, and nothing about annoying hatchlings and humans and dragons coming to kill us. It was a little difficult to think calmly due to pressing manners, but I did quickly make it work. Pressing my wings firmly close to the ground, my sky blue scales started to shift. The feeling went up from my tail, to my haunches, to my back, to my sides, to my neck, all the way up to my snout. I heard Dart gasp below my wing, "What in the world?" Ly went all 'Oooooo' at my scales too, along with a 'Wow' from Alex. I smirked a bit at their reactions, seeing Dart peaking from below the invisible wing, trying to stare at my face. Got yourselves another shocker, guys. This was my plan. Call it a backup plan in case things go sour. Yesterday I was afraid we'd get caught by passing, flying dragons if we walked out in the open. But then that was before we ended up wandering out in this type of landscape that I came up with this brilliant idea. I thought about becoming invisible, and let the others hide beneath me so that way no one would spot us. I never tried hiding others with me though, so this was different than just being me, but I figured that if anybody stood behind me, they'd be as well hidden as I am...Just as long as they don't leave their hiding spot. Course I never told anyone this idea. Thought I make that a surprise to everyone. What a morning to show it. I glanced up towards the sky once again, seeing to my horror that two dragons were flying down to where we are while the other two just kept on beating their wings and flying off to parts unknown. Dart gasped and hid back deeper within my wing. My eyes went wide. Crap! Did they actually see us?! Damn it, I should've done this faster! But it didn't make sense. Why would the other two dragons fly off while the rest of the troop are coming down? They didn't act like they were coming in for an attack. But it does seem like they were...Checking out something. I instructed quietly to my allies hiding near me, "Don't move a muscle, guys. Don't make any sounds. Keep a low profile and do not do anything stupid." The two dragons, one green and the other yellow, landed roughly on the ground several feet in front of me. I made a deep breath and held it. I was a frozen, invisible statue waiting for the danger to pass. I heard Ly squeak in fright but Alex shushed her. Thank the ancestors the dragons haven't heard them. But the yellow dragon did say this, his eyes trailing around the area, "I could've swore I saw something down here." The green drake snorted as he joined his buddy, tucking in his wings, "Bah, it was just your imagination. We've been flying around for days and we haven't seen a sign of the prisoners." I mentally prayed to the ancestors, trying so desperately not to let out a single breath. Don't catch our scent....Don't catch our scent! The yellow dragon replied, "The queen really owes us one for this. This never happened to us before, and they're more trouble than they're worth. But still...I KNOW I saw something funny around here." The green partner said, "Ah, well, there's nothing here. Let's leave and catch up with the others." But before the green one could wander off and take to the skies, the yellow dragon locked his eyes onto something. His wing tip touched his shoulder and pointed at whatever he saw, "Wait. Over there." I knew what he saw. It was the remains of the cow me and the others ate before we went to sleep last night. I mentally cursed at myself. Shoot! I should've buried it last night! I was in a rush to sleep that I didn't wanna think about it. Hope they don't suspect something else. The green scaled drake observed the bones, "...Must be a cow." His yellow comrade added, flicking his tail with a snort, "Something must have made a snack out of it. Pretty recent. Wish that was mine. I haven't had a decent cow in months!" Then he looked towards his green friend, "Think the prisoners were here?" I narrowed my eyes, tensing my limbs in preparation. Can I take those two? I have to if I'm going to protect Ly and the others. But what if I can't? Will I fail, die, and everyone gets captured again? Just...Don't panic, Celine. Don't panic. Please don't suspect we are here. Don't sniff and catch that we're RIGHT HERE!!! The green dragon replied as he continued inspecting it, "Well, it looks a little charred. A dragon must've ate it. It could be any dragon, not the ones we're after. Who knows, someone else that we know probably has been through here." The yellow drake lowered his head in thought, "Maybe...I still think I saw something." The green dragon flicked his tail against the other's flank, "Come on, let's go. If they were here, they must be not too far now. The sooner we find them, the faster we can get back and have some r and r." With that, he flapped his wings and took to the skies. The yellow one looked around some more, a highly suspicious look plastered on his face. I dug in my claws in anticipation. Just fly away from here...If you know what's good for you... After a second, his green pal roared as he waited halfway by hovering in the air. Then the yellow dragon shrugged his shoulders and beated his wings after him. They were both high in the sky now, flying after their other pals. I followed their route with my gaze. They soared shortly across the pond to what's way beyond there. I slowly pushed myself off the earth, pulling in both my wings and curling them in my back, continuing to watch them. That was a close call. Good thing my plan worked. Good thing they haven't caught our scent either. Dart, Alex and Ly all stood up from where they crouched and paced a bit past my form. At first they were staring out at the direction in the sky where the dragons left since they probably heard their wings beating above. We watched till they were becoming dots. Then they eyed curiously towards my invisible form. Alex, in awe like everyone else, uttered, "Celine...Did you just-" I replied smugly, "Have myself disappear in front of others? You bet I did." My head slowly began to appear, making Ly jerk back in surprise, accidentally bumping her haunches into Alex. My snout showed them a giggle. Dart exclaimed, "No way...I didn't know dragons can do that." Ly said as my entire blue scaled form began to take shape, "That's pretty odd..." Then she beamed, "But cool! My parents never did that! I never seen MESSINA do that!" I looked down at her with a grin, "Well maybe it's because not many dragons CAN do that. It's kind of a rare thing among our kind." She reared back her head, "Really? I didn't know that." Dart remarked, "I'm surprised you didn't SEE that one coming." I snickered a bit. Of course she didn't. I'm good at keeping secrets. Even from a hatchling that CLAIMS she can see visions. Ly tilted her head to the side in curiosity, "What's it called? I don't know the word for it." Before I'd reply, Dart answered without taking his eyes off me, "Camouflage." Ly bawked at the word, "Camouflage?" She rolled up her eyes, "Pfft! That's a DUMB name." I concurred, "I actually agree with her. I usually prefer 'invisible scales' myself." Ly looked at me for a moment, before nodding in agreement, "Yeah...I like that better." Alex commented in amusement, "That's incredible. You can hide yourself...Like a chameleon." I rolled my eyes with a swish of my tail, "And I do prefer not implying that I'm related to a lizard if you please, human." Alex made an apologetic look and waved that off in acknowledgement. But Dart formed a suspicious glare, speakng in a accusing tone, "And WHEN were you going to tell us you can do that?" My eyes gave him daggers. Oh great. It's THAT look again. Alex scoffed, "Dart...That's a bit rude." Dart argued, turning to her, "What, I'm just wondering why she didn't tell us about it sooner." She fought back, "It doesn't matter why, she still used it and helped us out." "Yes, I know." He then said by looking at me again, "I'm just saying that MAYBE she could've used THAT if she wanted to fly up through the trees to get the lookout of the entire area...Before I volunteered to climb up a tree to do it myself. That way no one would've saw her flying." I responded, "I don't have to explain myself, I told you the reasons. But for the record, it takes a lot of relaxation and concentration to stay invisible." He corrected me sharply, "CAMOUFLAGED." Who cares what it's called? I moaned, "TECHNICALLY it's hard to do that when you guys hardly give me any of the sort...And it's VERY hard to do that when I get too stressed when it comes to...Verbal spats." Dart still didn't appear to care. He called me out, "Whatever, it's not my fault you kept this from us. Now I'm really wondering...What other tricks you have up your scales? First your blood, now this stunt. There anything else I should know about?" I shot back, lashing out my tail in anger, "No offense, human, but I can show my TRICKS whenever and however I want. I felt like I didn't have the need to show you guys anything yet...Until now. Hey, I could've NOT done this and then we'd all be in HUGE trouble. But nope, here we are now. Unless you preferred we weren't standing here right now, see how long you last against one of them. Probably not long, I mean, look at you. And for the record, I have no other tricks. That was basically it. Nothing for you to worry your ungrateful mind I promise you that." The human boy just stood there glaring at me, not speaking a word. But I can also see he was balling up his fists, like he wanted to punch me so badly. I blinked with anger too. SO THERE. Happy with your answer? Prick. Ly gave me a pleading look, telling me to not fight with him again. I let out a calming breath, twisting my neck back towards the sky once where those dragons took off again, "Anyways, you guys know about it now, and we're out of danger again. Least my scales came in handy. They have more than once. Better than theirs by their wingspan." I looked down at the others again, "We better get going now and follow that road before more show up. You guys ready?" Dart held in a breath and let it out, then slowly began to nod. The two girls of different species nodded too. Then the human male started scratching himself, a sign that he developed another grass rash episode. I hissed impatiently, my tail pointing at the pond behind me, "Go wash up." And he did, jogging quickly towards the pond while me and the others stood around and waited for him. I watched him with utter annoyance. I swear, humans are so sensitive to sleeping on grass it's nuts. I don't see other creatures acting that way, and they mostly don't have scales like dragons. But at least he's not complaining about it again since we are in a rush. I can't stand it when he does that. ***** Me and everyone else were standing on the road we followed for hours, now in between rows of trees when the wide open space has now been left behind us. We gaped at the wooden sign we came across, a sign that finding potential help for the slaves under Messina's iron rule is close. It said 'Stonewater' and it was pointing down the road. I smiled a bit. Finally...A village on the horizon. I eyed down the road, then up towards the canopy, wondering how long the day will last before we reach our destination. Heh...Well, dad, I guess looking towards Horizon Peak does help me out...Even when it sounds ridiculous. Alex said with a small smile on her face, "Well...At least we were heading in the right direction after all." I trailed my eyes to see her. I wasn't sure if it was me, but something about the way she said sounded odd. It seems like she wasn't too happy about something. Oh of course she's happy about this. Maybe she's getting tired. We have been walking all day without resting too much. Celine said with impatience, her wings curling with a swing of her tail, "About time. I thought we'd never find a village. Walking on this road was making things pretty boring." Ly squealed excitably, getting all giddy on her feet, "Eeee, but it's SOOO worth it cause that means we'll be meeting MORE nice humans! Which means I get to have MORE friends! Yippeeeee!" "Yep." The older dragon then brought up a warning stance in her words, "That is IF they'll be nice to us." The hatchling said in a hopeful tone, gazing up at her tall form, "Oh, but they will once they know what we did for them. We did do a lot for them. They might." I thought back to what Alex said to me on the morning after Celine and Ly reunited with us. She was certainly acting like Alex, believing that once we tell everyone what they've done with us, and for us, that other people will probably listen to us. But even I have doubts. I had them ever since that conversation. I'm wondering if bringing them to a village is a good idea...Or to anybody without living in a village. Dragons helping humans is a bit much of an exaggerated story. I hate bursting Alex and Ly's confidence...But it does make me think this idea won't work as they expected. Even Celine didn't believe that with a shake of her head. She said, "I still think it is a bit futile. Humans can be stubborn. Heck we're walking with one with the most stubbornest head on his shoulders right now." I shot her a glare upon hearing that. I have REASONS to have one....Bitch. And what does that make YOU when you didn't tell me that you can choose to pretend to be like a chameleon and blend in with your surroundings? I still can't believe a dragon can do that. Dad didn't mention that before. Well the trait is a rare thing among her kind, according to her...So that must explain it. But that doesn't excuse her! It might have been a secret weapon for all me and Alex know. If it was a secret, then she probably showed it just to gain our trust...Maybe. Why else would she not show everyone that she can do that sooner? But Alex doesn't think so per usual. Give me a break! This still seems highly suspicious. Then Celine continued, "But who knows, maybe they might actually not have the guts to help you guys out with this little war you're planning to rise. Why would they want to risk their necks for something so stupid?" I determinedly said, "Well, we're still doing it. Never know till we try." Even though I think this is a crazy idea... Ly stamped her paw with pride, "That's right! I'm not turning around till we meet more humans!" Yikes, she really wants to meet em. I added, "Besides, not everyone is like you that they'd rather stay out of a fight." Celine snorted in response. I went on, "And that is if we manage to reach it by nightfall. Only I'm wondering if anyone will be awake for us to talk to by the time we arrive when night comes." Celine shrugged with a swish of her tail, "We'll just have to find out." She started padding off the beaten path. I narrowed my eyes as she entered the woods, "Where do you think you are going?" She twisted her neck to look over her shoulder, "Hunting break. Ain't the first one." But I shot that idea down, "We can't take a break now. We're getting close to a village and you wanna take a break? I think we should keep moving until we find it. We could still reach the village before dusk." But she replied, "Well, I haven't ate a single thing because we were worried and worked up thanks to this morning. But now since I think we are far enough away from that open space and we're in the neck of the woods again and won't have to worry about getting spotted so easily, I'm going hunting." I offered, motioning at the green bag on Alex's shoulders, "We can share some apples." Celine declined, "Thanks but no thanks. I ain't in the mood for them. I'm in the mood for some good ole fresh meat." "But, dragon-" "Listen..." She took a deep breath and let it out, "When it does get dark and nobody is up and going, we'll spend a night and wait till morning so we can talk to somebody. That might be the better strategy." I raised my tone, "I don't wanna wait around! We wasted enough time searching for help and I don't wanna waste another second!" Celine scowled, "And I don't wanna waste more time not eating and losing my strength. It's getting to me. What's worse is that I had been watching all three of you guys stuffing yourselves with these little balls of fruit while I was worried about getting us all a move on." I argued with that, "Hey, that's because it was convenient for us cause we can eat and walk at the same time. We didn't have to wait to kill something and sit around eating it." Only I wish we came across another apple tree cause we're almost running out of them. Probably only a few left. Then I added, "And we offered a few and you refused then like you did now so don't take it out on us." Ly piped in, "He's not wrong there, Celine. You did say no." She smirked. Celine rolled her eyes, slightly groaning, "Like I said...NOT IN THE MOOD FOR THEM. Look, that can wait a little bit. I promise I won't take long. Just wait here and don't move." I crossed my arms, "No promises." I have the SUDDEN urge to go on without you. "Hey wait..." Alex offered before Celine can walk off, taking a step forward, "Mind I come with you?" Celine wrinkled her brow, "What can you do?" Alex answered proudly, "Plenty. I know how to hunt as much as any girl." Ly whined, drooping her head, "I can't do it..." I shook my head at that. Sheesh, thinking about it, she can't breathe fire, can't fly, and can't hunt...What kind of dragon is she anyway? A less threatening one I guess. Celine called Alex out, "Oh I see. So you knew how to hunt too but I was hunting all by myself while you get to sit around and do nothing. I see where it went." She added with a shrug, "Not that it mattered. I like hunting alone anyway." Alex caught up to Celine, "Well I feel bad letting you do all the work by yourself. You helped out so much already. I want to try to return the favor." Celine stared at her till she finally replied, "I appreciate it, but I can handle it. I'm more used to it than having company." Alex promised with a wave of her hand, "I won't get in the way. Besides, it might help you out of finding something quicker. I can spot it and you can go get it. Two hunters are better than one. Right?" Celine had a look of annoyance on her face, "Last time I had a hunting partner...They scared off our lunch by pointing and screaming 'there it is!'. Not exactly a fond experience." "Hee hee!" Ly giggled cutely, sitting on her butt and raising a paw, "Guilty!" The big blue dragoness rolled her eyes at that. I smirked a bit as I somewhat pictured it. I can kinda see that happening...Maybe. Alex swore, "I won't do that, I swear. If you want, I'll only tag along and keep an eye out for danger and let you do all the hunting. You are a dragon and I am a...Well, human after all. Good enough for you?" Celine moaned in defeat, "Ugh, fine, fine. You can come." Her voice lowered to a meer mutter, "Can never catch a break from you guys." Then she handed out instructions at me, "Dart, stay here with Ly and keep an eye on her. And if any people come through here, and they look mean...Don't do anything stupid." I made a sarcastic joke, "Don't worry. I'm sure Ly will scare them off." Ly formed a quizzical expression, "Can I do that? I know I'm a dragon, but I'm also very short. Wouldn't they think I'm more cute than scary? I never thought myself as scary. I can't be as scary as the monsters in the dark. They look MUCH MORE SCARIER. Also, I have two eyes. I'm not trying to state the obvious but I'm saying that because Queen Messina has one eye. That face of hers is ALWAYS intimidating! Take one look at it and you'll start shaking...Other than imagining how she lost her other eye! I know that for a fact! Even when I got to know her and when she's nice to me, it sometimes STILL gets to me! What I'm trying to say is maybe if I had only one eye maybe I can scare someone off, but I don't wanna take my own eye out. That looks painful. Maybe I should-" Celine groaned making her shut up, "JUST...Don't do anything stupid." The adult dragon grumbled afterward, roughly disappearing in the woods in several strides. Alex smiled at us to say, "Be back in a little bit." With that, she ran after her blue companion, leaving me and Ly alone on the road. I walked a few paces ahead of Ly and stood there, crossing my arms, keeping a sharp eye out for any human that'll come through here. I didn't take my eyes off the path. I tapped my foot on the dirt patiently. A paranoid thought crossed my mind, having my eyes trail off the road to the trees, trying to see if anything strange was moving among them. Ever since Celine showed off her unique trick this morning, my eyes wandered around all day long trying to take a much closer at our surroundings before we came here. It made me wonder if there were other dragons that are camouflaged and have been following us almost the whole time and I didn't know it, so they can spring their inevitable trap. If there were any I wouldn't know about it cause I would not be able to see them. Course I do imagine Alex telling me that I was being paranoid and Celine is probably the only one that can pull that off, given how rare it must be. But I still wondered if that was the case. How many dragons in the world can do that? Did any dragon escape death from a dragonslayer, including my father, when they were searching for them? Oh heck, what I am saying, a dragon can kill somebody pretty easily when they're not invisible. They gotta be a massive coward to do that. Good thing my dad never came across a dragon like that. I hoped I was wrong into thinking that there are invisible dragons following us. Cause if there were, nobody at the village we'll find will see it coming. I eyed down the beaten path once more. Another thought filled with paranoia popped up in my head. I have noticed that not a single carriage has been on this road ever since we've taken it. I hope it doesn't mean anything. Like the village ahead was destroyed by dragons and word has gotten around and that's why nobody's travelled towards it...Or even LEFT it because it was destroyed. No survivors, some taken away, homes burned to ruin- I mentally brushed that off. Calm down, Dart...You don't know that for sure. Soon Celine will have her fill and we'll all get a move on. And you'll see that no one will be attacked by camouflaged dragons. And you'll stock up on apples and whatever else is in the village for your treacherous journey. And you'll get some new clothes for you and Alex. And you'll find some help to stop Messina. It'll be all right. I sighed. I hope so... I hope there won't be any fireballs flying. I don't want another village being destroyed being my fault. I don't want to see that in front of my eyes ever again. Then out of nowhere, I felt something foreign touch my back. I jumped in surprise, whirling around, grabbing the hilt of my sword and ready to attack. I saw it was Ly that was RIGHT behind me. She backed up a bit too with a flare of her wings and her tail tucking beside her. I scowled at her without uttering a word. See...It's things like that that make me think dragons are dangerous. Ly apologetically said after ducking her head, "Oops...I'm so sorry, Dart! I'm not trying to eat you. I swear! I, uh...I was wondering what you were doing. I mean you were supposed to be keeping an eye on me, but it...Looked like you were...Just staring at the road. You've been doing that for a long time. It made me wonder if you thought I was invisible like Celine. Heh heh...Get it? Invisible scales? Still pretty cool, eh? Anyways, uh...Well, since we're hardly alone, I thought...MAYBE we should have a conversation? You know? Like we're actually friends? We are friends...Right?" I softened up my eyes a bit, relaxing my stance, slowing down my beating heart. She continued with her statement, "I haven't really had one with you since back in the dungeon. Not to say we should go back to the dungeon where you can forcefully talk to me cause we were trapped together in there, even though I still enjoyed having cellmates don't get me wrong, but I was already missing it. It feels like it's been AGES since our last one, you know. So...I thought...Why not? Maybe you won't mind it? You do like my company, right?" I kinda figured there was a reason why Alex left with Celine, so I can be alone with Ly and get to know her a bit more. Part of me believes I should decline. Part of me should say to her that I would like to have some space and I have no need to talk to a dragon whelp. Part of me thinks I shouldn't talk to her, believing that she'll probably turn on me later. But then the other part of me says that I'm wrong. The other part shows me all the things she did so far, including what she did with Celine last night. The other part also tells me that she really likes me and wants to be my friend...Not hurt me. It even asked, why would she want to now? And to LOOK at her. And pressed again, does she look like she wants to hurt me? And my mind, probably thanks to that other part, suddenly recalled what she did last night...Seeing the image of her being afraid of the dark and begging Celine to sleep by her. Ly's whine welled in her throat when I didn't respond for a long time. She said, having a hurt look in her eyes, "Ok...I guess I'll leave you alone." She slowly began turning around, "I wanted to kill some time till Alex and Celine got back..." That was making me feel guilty. Oh, what the hell? I guess I can play along with this again...For Alex...For HER. I stopped her, my hand held out, "Hey, Ly, wait." Ly froze, looking back at me. As I'm trying to take my tense emotion down a notch, I made a small smile. I said after lowering my limb down to my side, "Ahhhh...I'm sorry. I...I suppose I can talk to you till they get back." Ly gasped happily. Then her snout came and rubbed against my chest over and over again, making me stiff as a board, "Oh, Dart, I'm glad you came around! I thought you wouldn't! Almost hurt my feelings!" "Ly!" I cried, "I didn't say you can do that!" "Whoops!" She back up a few steps, holding a sheepish grin. She apologized again, "Heh heh...Sorry again." I sucked in a breath and waved her off with a grin, "Ah, it's all right." I scratched behind my head, "I, errr...I'm not too used to having dragons rubbing me and hugging me you know. Kinda freaks me out still." Ly hummed playfully, "I know. It's funny seeing you react to that. That means you're not ignoring me. I know how to make someone not ignore me." I stated with a brow raised, "You're certainly good at it." She giggled deeply before asking, "You really haven't been around dragons a lot, have you?" Shortly, I answered her question with a question, "What kind of question is that? Why would I, even when I know what they are like?" Ly said, "Well, I don't blame you for thinking that, but you REALLY got to hang out with dragons more often. You've been missing out. Some of us are more different than you think. I mean gee, look at me." She shot up her head as she showed herself off a bit, "You don't see me burning down homes...Cause I can't breathe fire, remember? But I'm not bullying and hurting good people and good dragons either. Well, I don't like violence either so you won't see me hurting bad ones either. And I do not FORESEE that ever happening. That's gotta count for something...Right?" I smirked a little bit. Then I shortly said, "I guess it does...Don't think I can blame you for anything." She went on, seemingly speaking truthfully, "You're right, you can't, cause I do know better than any meanie dragon that likes to bully and intimidate...And murder. Oh, murder is always the worst. I definitely know better than Messina. I mean really...What's the point in doing something bad to humans?" That's a good, age-old question. I replied to that, shooting my head to the right, "You got me." Ly stated, "I can't even see it. Maybe I'm blind as Queen Messina would put it, but I for one think SHE'S the one that can't see very well...Because she's got one eye. I imagine that'd be hard for anyone to see with a single eye. Can you imagine having only one? I LOVE having two eyes." I giggled deeply. I agree with you. I like where my eyes are too. I quipped, "You seem like you see everything with them." She declared, her wings flaring, tail wagging behind her, "I certainly do! I know better AND see better than her! I'm not crazy and creepy like she is and I do not foresee ever becoming like her and Imma staying that way, so there!" I just stood there and smirked. You are kinda crazy, but you aren't exactly looking creepy and murderous...I can give you that much...So far. Her gaze wandered up to the canopy beside her when she brought up, "I gotta be honest with you...I haven't known dragons do that sort of thing before I was taken away from home." I pressed, "Really? You never heard a single thing about it?" Her body turned a bit away from me as she folded in her wings. Some disappointment was shone in her eyes when she continued, "I have heard from my family that there are bad dragons away from home, but they never got specific. But I didn't really believe that either...Not at first. But gosh I was wrong when Messina happened, and I never thought things that bad dragons were doing were THAT horrible. Even my visions never showed me something like that. I always figured that's not what dragonkind does. I thought all we do is hunt critters, fly, play with each other, live in a cave, stay out of trouble, be in a tribe, but my family is basically THE tribe but I did wish there were more dragons around for me to talk to, and be happy...Not do the bad things. Nothing bad at all. It's very sad when you find out something horrible has been happening to others that are kind and it's thanks to a lot of dragons. Not what I imagined at all." I told her, "Well, sometimes things are not what you imagined. It happens." I sorta know what it's like. My plans for adventure, at first, didn't go smoothly. And everything I knew was destroyed in a blink of an eye. "Sure, but still..." I was kinda feeling for her for a second. Then a moment later, she shot her eyes towards me, her snout showing a smirk. She said in a low tone, "Between you and me, I don't think Messina doing bad things is because she can't see very well." Oh boy. Wonder what that is. I dared with a grin, "Why do you think she does bad things?" Ly joked, "I think all mean dragons, including MISS CREEPY, has never gotten a present in their life and that's why they're such meanies to everyone." I laughed a bit, "Maybe you're on to something." Who the heck knows? "Right?! What other reason might there be?" Ly proclaimed, "Good riddance, they never deserved one! I think we should each get one for all the stupid stuff Messina especially put us through! Maybe one of those sparkly gems that she always gets. No, not just one, we better get about...TEN of them. No wait, uhhh...Twenty! I mean...What's after twenty? Thirteen? Augh, whatever, it doesn't matter! What's after that is more than enough. What do you think?" I replied with a playful brow, "I think we deserve WAY more than that. We need much more than that measly number. We oughta get three MOUNDS of jewels for our troubles." I'd be a freakin rich fellow! Her eyes lit up, "Oooooo." She made a determined face, "I like your idea better. We should demand the BIGGEST presents anyone's ever gotten! That'll be AMAZING!" I chuckled a bit. Then shortly, I pointed out and gestured to her, "You know, I never figured dragons do presents." Ly stated, shooting up her chin as her tail flicked and her wings fluttered, "Of course we do presents." I clarified, "I mean, like...Do you guys not just TAKE but also GIVE?" She surely said, "That's what a present is to me, silly. I'm not a uncaring dragon...Unlike some of us, those jerks. I always do give, I can be thoughtful. Whenever I find something that's EXTREMELY special, I'd give it to my mommy and daddy...Cause there wasn't anyone else for me to give. I do it because I always think it's a nice thing to do. Simple enough. Isn't it?" So a dragon can give something special to someone else? Well that's better than how a certain one eyed bitch does things. Then again she wasn't the only dragon. My father did say that he has came across one somewhat like that in his journeys, when one demanded so called...'Tributes' from a poor, defenseless village. The only difference between that dragon and Messina, was that dragon didn't have slaves to do his dirty work. It's more or less payment to stay alive than anything. They're both the worst. Then the thought of her family crossed my mind like it did more than once. She keeps bringing up her family. She really doesn't act like her parents are on Messina's side...She's not bringing up any facts that her family is full of spies...She's acting like she is just one happy daughter in a...I suppose, a 'loving' family. She's still thinking that they must be at her home, somewhere out there, waiting for her to come back, like she was a kidnapped child lost in the world. What happened to them? Did they actually die and that's why they weren't held prisoner like their daughter? I don't want to assume the worse, but...If they weren't held prisoner, if they weren't living without a dungeon in the fortress....If Messina and her forces could really do something to another dragon cause they would defy her... It's possible...Considering what could've possibly happened to mine. But the hatchling doesn't appear to be worried about it. She hasn't been worried about that at all even before we escaped the dungeon and fortress. She still thinks they are fine and waiting for her to come back. God, Ly...If you were wrong... Ly's voice broke through my thoughts, "Dart? You ok?" I noticed she was waiting for me to reply with a frown, and mentally brushed that aside. I'll worry about that later...Best I not bring that up to her...Not yet. I nodded a bit in agreement, putting on another smile, pretending nothing was on my mind, "Yeah...It's simple enough." Ly smirked, holding up her head in pride, "That's what I thought. I am thoughtful after all." Then she curiously asked, "Anyways, what about you? Do you do presents? I mean, I guess I do wonder if something besides dragons can give someone a present. Other creatures never seem to act smart like my kind." She frowned curiously, "Unless you count squirrels handing over acorns to each other...Or fighting over them? I'm not sure. Sometimes when I see two squirrels doing twirls and scrambling around and chasing each other I kinda think they are playing together. It's a little hard to tell the difference." Then she had her eyes go wide and began waving away her paw like she thought I was going to retort to that logic, "By the way no offense, I can tell the difference between you and a squirrel and know you are not LESS smart like a smaller creature and do not think you are stupid and are smart enough to do ANYTHING. I was only saying-" I laughed a bit before finally answering her question, "Yes, Ly...I do do presents. And no, no acorns involved." Ly's face relaxed, then nodded immediately with a new smirk, "Ah...Got it." Then I added with a chuckle and a shrug, "Well...I admit, I KINDA do presents. Not all the time like you'd want to I bet. But I'm not the only one. Lots of humans give each other presents." Ly stated happily, "That is wonderful." Then she had some curiosity on her face as she eagerly started, "Now you got me wondering...Are human presents anything like what dragons give? Are they kinda alike? Or totally different?" I hummed in thought, "...Perhaps..." Then I shrugged, "But, maybe when we reach the village we're heading, a person there might give you a present for being absolutely nice to them, and maybe that can answer your question." She held some excitement in her eyes, "Really? Someone might?" She teeteered to the side and looked past me towards the direction of the village, "You think I might get something I never seen or never heard of before there?" I shrugged with a grin, "Maybe. Villages big or small do have things dragons and your caves do not. And I mean lots of things. Nice things you can never imagine till you see em." Ly gushed, "Oh sweet! I get to meet more humans AND see new interesting things! This keeps getting better and better!" She giddied on her paws a bit, spreading out her wings in excitement, "Ohhh, I hope we get there soon, I can't wait!" I chuckled and assured, "We will. Just have to wait for Celine and Alex to get back and then we'll go." And hopefully the village will listen to what me and Alex will say about you and Celine and won't attack you guys. God, this is still a crazy idea. I glanced at the path in the woods those two have took. Are they about done? I thought Celine said this wouldn't take too long. I looked up to the sky, showing it was still blue. They better hurry up...I wanna make it there before nightfall. Ly, after stopping herself a bit ago, said with pitiness in her eyes, "You know, Dart...I wish I gave you a present now." I pressed, a smile melting off my lips, "Why?" Her eyes seem to hold true sincerity when she replied, folding her wings onto her back, "What else? For what you went through. Getting kidnapped, losing your home, being treated horribly. It makes me feel very bad for you, especially the losing the home part. I still remember how angry you were when you first told me. What's going on with me can't be worse than what happened to you. Right? I think losing a home has to be horrible. A home is supposed to make you feel complete. Mine is still around but I'm not showing off about it. That's what a meanie would do. I hate what the mean dragons have done to you and everyone else. I really am sorry about that." She lowered her head in sadness, "It's not fair...Not fair at all." I stared at her for a bit. Then I responded, "It wasn't your fault it looks like. I never seen you at my home. You clearly did nothing wrong." Her snout made a hopeful smile, "So you're not mad at me about it anymore?" Shortly, after thinking about it a moment, I answered, "I guess I'm not now. I do admit, you're not what I'm expecting, all nice and friendly." While she stood there smiling with her tail wagging, I admitted with my chin dipped and some bitterness shown in my tone, "But it sorta also makes me think that you're the only dragon in the world that's like that and every other is not. I am still bitter about what your kind has done to mine. Frankly though...I am still wondering if I should fully trust you." Ly stated, "I can't blame you, but it is a nice start that you are talking to me without being cranky. It's showing that you see that not all dragons are bad." I sighed, "Still...It is still hard to see that. I can kinda see you not being a bad dragon, but..." I trailed off. Ly insisted, "It's ok. I understand. It is still a start. Can I tell you something? I never met a human before I was taken from home. I've heard from mom and dad they exist, but they've not got too specific about them so I didn't know much about them. I've been curious about them since. And then when I met Messina and saw some from a distance, and excited to see em, that's when she told me that you guys were our kind's mortal enemies, and that they should never be trusted as they can never trust us and are always spiteful towards us, and that I'd be a naive fool into believing that we can be friends with them." The little yellow dragon shook her head a little, "But I always thought that she was wrong too. You guys didn't appear to be a bunch of hateful meanies...You guys were like me. After seeing them, I wanted to try my best to be friends with each and every one of you...Course I always got stuck being inside my dungeon and stuck with either Garo or Messina, but still, I can never get that idea out of my head. I always had the urge to be friends with something like you, just to help them out through their sadness." I looked directly at her. She...Really does seem to care about humans. She continued, "You and Alex are a couple of starts, and I'm liking what I started so far, and it makes me feel less bad what your kind is going through. Honestly you are doing a great job at accepting me and Celine to be around you so far. I do want you to understand that you are wrong to think that I'm the only dragon that is nice and friendly. I know I haven't met so many dragons in my life, but besides mommy and daddy, Celine's not so bad. Of course she can be cranky a bit too like you, but she's still not bad. She's better than how Messina and Garo and any other mean dragon act around me. And I bet along the way home, we may find another dragon that isn't on Messina's side that is almost as caring as me. I can feel it." I still didn't feel entirely convinced of that. That...I do wonder... Ly advised, "Just...Just try to keep seeing that not all dragons are bad, cause me and Celine and my parents are not the only ones. If I see it, then you'll see what I'm trying to tell you too. One day you will. And who knows...Maybe you'll let me give you huggies and rubbies from then on. Ok, Dart?" I halfheartedly agreed, "Alright...I'll try." No guarantees... Ly smiled at that, and shortly afterward, I returned it with a tiny smile of my own. Can I do that? Can I totally be friends with a dragon? Can I really have another conversation with her without thinking she'd kill me one day? I can barely imagine. Dad would never believe that. She really doesn't seem to act like an innocent, little spy working for Messina, trying to trick me that she is a good dragon and then harm me. She must sincerely think highly of me and humanity and putting in a whole lot of faith between me and my relationship with dragons. Part of me was REALLY believing that I was wrong about her before. I guess this conversation wasn't so bad. I didn't feel too apprehensive talking to her, I felt less tense than our last conversation alone together. Like she said...This was a start. But can I keep this up? I guess time will tell... Her ear flicked like she heard something. She eyed at the sound and I followed her gaze. I can see a big blue figure wandering through the woods heading to where we are. Celine and Alex must be done with the hunt. About time. My chest tightened in anticipation when I glanced down the road. Well, Stonewater, here we come. Hope you guys are still standing. Some worry emitted in my chest. And hope there won't be any trouble when we arrive... ***** Out in the open lands, the afternoon sun glared harshly on the scales of the dragon assassin. He came across a road, something that humans most likely use for their own transport. He hummed in amusement, swishing his tail. As if dragons need transport. Most people probably wish they had wings like his. How fast could these horses get them to where they want to go? Can't be any faster than a dragon, that's for sure. Heh...Imagine if horses had wings. Now THAT would definitely COMPETE with dragons. Horses with wings...He oughta whack himself in the head with his tail for making up the idea! He snaked his nose right on the road for a sniff. A moment later, he shot his eyes down to the right. The prisoners must've headed this way. He raised his head up high as curiosity ran through his head. The question was...Where does the road go? A big village holding tons of people? He wonders if Messina's forces had attacked the place and took most, and killed some, humans. He can never keep track of how many places his tribe destroyed. Never can possibly keep track of how many prisoners she has either. Too many for him to count. All he can count was that one... If the place they were heading for was still standing...What would be the point in going there? For the humans, perhaps it would be to find help from their fellow kind. Villages do have food and water, and shelter. And maybe word about Messina would get around to more humans and then several would finally be on to her. Not much they can do about it anyway. If anyone attacked her home, Messina would make damn sure that any opposing forces be wiped away in a blink of an eye. And on the topic of wiping off, for the adult dragoness and the hatchling with the odd visions, they'd be crazy to go there. Well, they were crazy enough to escape from Messina, but still! Humans wouldn't welcome them with open arms. They'd kill them on sight. Which would mean it'd make his assignment...Less complicated, but also a failure cause Messina wanted him to bring back that hatchling alive. She would not be happy if she'd found out that whelp is dead. Be a whirlwind of problems for the queen if that happened. The drake raised a brow. Unless the two humans convinced all the humans living in the upcoming village not to bring harm to the dragons cause no harm will come to anybody cause they've been helping them. But the idea probably wouldn't work too well. Maybe they'd accuse them of being brainwashed by the dragons into thinking that and all hell will break loose on them. He can see that coming. What actual human being would trust a dragon so easily? Well two of them do, obviously...Including... When he thought of it, he sniffed again, checking and taking in that familiar scent still in the air among others. Yep...It's THAT prisoner. His face was frowning intently down that same path. It's still that same smell. No doubt it's gotta be that person...Even though he already realized he cannot deny it any longer. His nose is not messed up, not like he buried it deeply into a patch of flowers. It isn't some imaginary scent either. He thinks about that certain prisoner all the time, but can't imagine smelling them precisely out of nowhere. That'd be weird. This trail he's been following for a long time has not changed. It is still the same....And it is bringing him closer and closer. The scent does get a bit stronger bit by bit the further he catches up. What are the odds of one of his targets Messina told him to kill being...HIS prisoner, the one person he kept checking on in their dungeon? He hadn't thought that would happen. He kinda LAUGHED out loud upon realizing that last night when he found that bandage. Boy, does his majesty not know what sort of target they are to him. The lone dragon held in a breath and let it out slowly, as a few scenarios flowed through his mind. Could they have made it to a village? Or someplace that isn't a village to take shelter? Or did another dragon besides himself find them and the other prisoners and put an end to this chase they started? It would seem very likely considering he was now walking across open ground with not a lot of cover. If dragons were flying around here searching for them like he is, they'd probably find them halfway down this path, or maybe less. And maybe if they did reach a village, the rest of the tribe would probably find it and destroy it just to get to them, well if it were just the two human prisoners...And acquire a bunch more human prisoners for Messina's plot of her domination against their kind. The prisoners probably came across this landscape and this road yesterday...Their lucky streak could be broken by now. The scaly assassin decided to jump for the skies, having his wings carry him up till he was at a good height. He began following the road from above, his wings beating as his eyes not strayed off the path rolling below him. The drake guessed judging by the scent trail that the prisoners were just following it and did not deviate away from it, he probably didn't need to keep sniffing the trail to know that. Besides, lucky for him, he needed to stretch his wings a bit anyway. He'll fly for a while and then go back to walking just to be safe. He doesn't want to get spotted from below by the prisoners either. He's supposed to be good that way. Other than that, it might keep him up at a good distance for a little while too, in case different humans that he wasn't after were using the same road he was following would not catch him wandering on it. He does want a smooth operation. He IS good that way. Don't think they would take the answer that he was searching for two humans that have escaped from his tribe very lightly. Then again...Why would they talk to a dragon like him? They probably wouldn't hesitate to swing their swords or shoot their crossbows at him. The lone assassin let out a sigh when he flapped his wings again. He'd better find them, and soon. It is HIS job after all. It is HIS problem that Messina had lay out for him to deal with. After all...His majesty is counting on him. She's always counted on him. Oh sure, all the other dragons at Messina's tribe were already searching for them by the time he'd gotten back from a previous job. But honestly...He isn't planning to share the GLORY with everyone else. Never does anyway, since it's always been him and him alone. Better get moving. He's got prisoners to catch.