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"I've told you before, I'm not interested." Malakye declared, as he continued to tend to the animals he reared on his land, filling their troughs with food and water, to the well-dressed badger that stood a distance away as the smell of the animals seemed to offend him.

"Why?" Grum asked. He was fast becoming frustrated at the constant refusal of the dragon to his offers. "I've offered much more coin than this land is worth!"

"Coin doesn't interest me." Malakye said, not even looking at Grum, tending to the vegetable patch.

The dragon's statement confused Grum. This dragon, and a half breed at that, had no interest in coin, yet his clothes were heavily soiled from days of work from tending the land. Everyone was interested in coin. From the lowest beggar to the most powerful of officials. Money was comfort. Money was power. Everyone wanted money. Even his master, the richest noble in the city, only beat by the emperor, was always seeking more coin.

"The coin my Master is offering..."

"Doesn't interest me in the slightest." Malakye cut Grum off. "How many times do I need to repeat myself?" He asked, finally turning to regard Grum and his two body guards. His emerald green eyes portrayed his annoyance, even though his tone was calm.

He brushed his fringe out of his eyes, his red head-fur having gotten long over the past few months. He no longer maintained his appearance to appease the crowds that at on more than one occasion held his life in their paws. The Crimson Shadow they had called him, due to his striking red fur against his black scales.

"You're really beginning to piss me off!" Grum growled.

"Then leave!" Malakye growled back. "Get off my land!"

Grum's body guards grasped their swords, threatening to draw them, and stepped in front of the badger. Their matching armour dyed red like blood. Their employer spared little expense to ensure those in his employ were appropriately equipped. No doubt they were well trained as well, but even knowing this Malakye barely acknowledged their existence and kept his attention on the badger. They waited for an order. This wasn't the first time that they would have had to kill a stubborn land owner or beggar, but they didn't care so long as the coin kept coming their way.

Grum growled as Malakye kept his eyes locked with his, acting as if the two burly bulls that acted as his body guards weren't even there. Malakye could see the internal struggle as the badger fought with what to do. He was well aware of Grum's reputation, the rumours of what had happened to several farmers and their families had made many more eager to sell the moment Grum appeared on their doorsteps. Sell your land or you wind up dead. It had happened a couple of times to the surrounding land owners and the rest had sold up with little resistance. But he didn't care, unlike the others he could handle himself in a fight.

Grum wanted to order his men to attack, but he knew who Malakye was. The Crimson Shadow, a Colosseum survivor. A warrior who overcame countless fights to win his freedom. He was unarmed, but that meant nothing, he couldn't underestimate Malakye. If his men failed to kill him then Malakye would surely kill him in return.

"S-stand down!" Grum grunted, his instincts for self-preservation overcoming his anger and frustration. "I will be back!" He snorted and walked away, his guards quickly followed suit.

"I'll be waiting..."

************

Grum nervously knocked on the door to his master's study. The double doors opened shortly after as the masters butler opened the door. The black furred wolf stood aside and allowed him to enter. Across the room Grum could see his Master sitting in a high backed chair in front of blazing fire. His arm the only thing visible from Grum's position, but the striking white fur that covered the arm was all it took for Grum to know that it was his Master. The black furred wolf walked over and informed their master of his arrival.

"Ah Grum, good news I hope?" The master asked.

"Sorry master... but he refuses to sell, even after your generous offer."

"Did you not resort to the usual methods?"

"I... No... I'm sorry master. I will return tomorrow with more men." Grum said pleadingly, his eyes cast down to the floor, afraid of his masters ire.

"Worry not Grum, I doubt you'd have lived if you had tried to kill him." His master said as he stood up. The white furred wolf was clad in a red and gold toga, the current fashion of the city's rich and powerful. His Master smiled sinisterly, sending a cold shiver up Grum's spine. "After all, this isn't a simple peasant. He is the Crimson Shadow, you'd need at least a dozen men in order to take him down. How unfortunate that an individual such as he is the one in our way."

"Yes Master, most unfortunate." Grum agreed, just glad the wolf was not mad at him.

"Which is why I have hired a professional for this."

"A professional?"

"Viper!"

"You called?" Viper asked stepping from behind Grum, giving the badger a fright.

Grum looked around, he hadn't been there when he had walked in. There had only been the three of them in the room but the door hadn't opened and all of the windows were shut. He looked Viper, the blue scaled wyvern was clad in black leather armour which covered his entire body other than his winged arms. Grum stepped back, a primal fear erupting in the back of his mind being this close to him. Viper was a killer, his eyes cold and hard.

"I have someone for you to kill."

"They will be dead by nights end." The corners of Vipers muzzle curled with a wicked smile.

"Excellent." The white wolf grinned.

************

Viper stood at the edge of the tree line as he had done for the last couple of hours, waiting for the sun to set and darkness to fall. He had watched as his prey went about his routine and settled down for the night. The dragolf was well built and carried himself with confidence. While he stood there he imagined all the ways he could kill him. Bludgeon his head in his sleep, a small dose of poison... oh the possibilities. Viper enjoyed the hunt, to inflict as much pain upon his prey before landing the killing blow. He enjoyed watching the life drain from the eyes of his victims, it was the only thing that brought pleasure to him.

A lifetime of pain and torture since he was hatchling had moulded him into the perfect killer. His very presence struck fear into the hearts of those around him, his gaze made females weep and males piss themselves in fear. The ultimate weapon, one devoid of all emotion. His existence and worth measured by the lives he took.

With the sun now set Viper approached the hut. Dim candlelight shone through a small window, Viper could see the shadow of his victim cast on the wall. That was all Viper needed, a crossbow bolt dipped in a paralysing poison would incapacitate his target and leave him vulnerable for Viper to have his way with him.

He gripped the crossbow tightly, the growing anticipation of killing his prey causing his entire body to tense in anticipation. His prey was strong, possibly one of the strongest he had had the chance to hunt, from what the white wolf had told him. That made this so much more tantalising. The light moved and Viper froze. He watched as the candle moved and darkness engulfed the room.

The hut was small, and at this time of night Viper could only conclude that his prey had retired to bed. That just made it so much easier for him. Viper crouched and waited. Giving his prey time to settle and fall into the land of slumber. Then he would slip in and then the fun would begin.

Time enough had passed and Viper was beginning to get restless. With practised silence he moved to the heavy wooden door of the hut, pulled out a few tools from a pouch on his belt and in mere moments the definitive 'clunk' of the lock echoed through the night. The sound was like a crack of thunder in the deafening silence.

Viper paused and waited for any signs of movement in the hut before he pushed the door open just enough for him to slip through. The scent of stewed vegetables assaulted him, over whelmed the scent of everything else. That made it difficult to catch the scent of his prey. It was there, but hidden deep under the scent of his prey's dinner.

There was only one other door and in a few strides he crossed the room and pressed his head against the door, listening for any sounds of movement. He began to push the door open, a stream of moon light poured in the small window on the wall opposite, creating a pool of light in the middle of the room and cast the edges of the room into darkness. In the far corner there was simple bed, and the figure of his prey covered in a blanket. Viper felt his heart pound faster in his chest, no matter how many times he did this the thrill of the kill gave him a rush.

He pulled his sword from its sheath, the cold metal blade glinting in the moon light. He would maim his prey, make him defenceless against him and then he would take his time destroying him. It didn't matter how strong his prey is, a strike from the shadows left everyone at Viper's mercy.

He raised his blade and stepped forward to strike, his muscled tensed as he readied to bring the blade down. Viper froze, his blade still raised, something was wrong here. The scent wasn't right, this room was also filled with the scent of that vegetable stew... just as strong as the other room, over powering the scent of his prey.

"So you finally noticed?" Came a voice from the corner of the room.

Viper spun round to see two emerald green eyes staring at him from the shadows. The figure stepped forward from behind the open door, the blade of a sword glinting as it caught the light. Viper was angry, he had been out witted and had gone from hunter to hunted. He growled angrily and pointed his blade at Malakye.

"I sensed your blood lust and set my little trap for you. But I must admit, I wasn't expecting an assassin from the order of Tau'ruc. I guess I've really pissed of Grum's Master for him to go to these lengths."

Viper remained silent, a little unnerved by how relaxed his opponent was. If he was underestimating him, Viper would make him pay. He growled again and prepared to defend himself, he was on Malakye's home turf.

"So I'm guessing you didn't come round for a drink... so why don't we just get this over with?"

Malakye spun the sword in his paw and stepped forward to attack. Their swords clashed, shimmering in the moon light, sparks flew as the two blades clashed. Both of them moving as if dancing with one another, spinning and pacing round the room, their swords catching the pale light of the moon as they swung through the air.

Their swords clashed again and again, the sound of steel on steel echoed in the small room. The tight confines prevented either combatant creating any distance from the other. Their only choice was to attack.

Viper ducked under a blow that would have sliced his throat and charged Malakye, knocking him back against the stone wall. Malakye grunted and raised his sword in time to block the blade aimed at his head. He pushed Viper back and steadied himself.

They were roughly the same size. Malakye had the advantage of greater strength, but Viper had proven himself to be the faster of the two. Malakye knew that in a small space like this, Viper had the advantage. He felt no fear of dying, but he would not let someone end his freedom or his life without fighting to his last breath. He had seen too many warriors fall because they lost the will to keep fighting, it was that will that had allowed Malakye to overcome so many impossible obstacles to win his freedom.

Viper stepped back, reaching for the crossbow slung across his back and aimed it at Malakye, at this range he could hardly miss and the narrow room prevented Malakye from dodging. Malakye stepped forward to attack as Viper pulled the trigger, Malakye's sword swinging upwards, the tip of the sword knocked the crossbow up; the bolt embedding itself in the wooden beam a couple of feet above their heads.

Viper let out a growl as he dropped the crossbow, bringing his sword up to block Malakye's attack. Their swords clashed in another flurry of sparks, but Malakye's relentless assault was slowly driving Viper back against the wall. Realising this Viper lashed out with a kick catching Malakye's knee and then a swift kick to his muzzle, knocking the dragolf to the ground. Viper was on him in a second, bringing his sword down to skewer him but Malakye rolled away and was back onto his foot-paws in a flash.

Both warriors paused a moment to regard the other, neither one could remember a fight so evenly matched. But neither one was willing to lose. Malakye fought for his freedom while Viper fought for the very meaning of his life.

Viper was surprised at how strong Malakye was. He was no soldier, no ordinary fighter could match a fully-fledged assassin of his order in any form of combat. Malakye was a warrior forged in the heat of battle, his technique as flawless as it was unique.

Viper went on the attack, lunging with his blade only to be knocked away, he ducked under a punch and threw himself into Malakye, knocking him back into the wall once more. Malakye's sword clattered against the ground as he lost his grip of it. Viper raised his sword and thrust the blade at Malakye's chest.

Out of instinct Malakye grabbed Viper's wrist stopping the blade mere inches from piercing his chest. Pinned against the wall with the wyvern bearing down on him Malakye had no leverage. Viper hissed, a hiss of excited frustration as he pushed harder and harder, pushing the blade closer and closer towards Malakye's flesh.

They locked eyes and Viper could see that there was still no fear in them, those emerald jewels of courage. Viper had never seen anyone so fearless. Even in the face of imminent death Malakye showed no sign of fear or desperation. What horrors had this warrior fought through to gain such courage?

The lack of fear distracted Viper momentarily, but that moment was all it took for Malakye to use his superior strength to shove Viper away. He tumbled to the ground, the sword sliding across the stone floor into the shadows in the far corner of the room. Viper snarled and rolled back up onto his foot-paws and turned to face Malakye.

Once again they stared into each other's eyes, an understanding passing between them in a way that only two warriors could understand, learning more about the other after their exchange than they could have learned through words. Both warriors felt a mutual respect for the other, even while locked in a bitter fight for their lives.

They both attacked simultaneously, their fists connecting with each other's muzzle, both staggering back before attacking again. Their exchange was as fast as it was brutal, both ignoring the burning pain left by each blow. Viper dodged a punch by stepping back, but lunged forward with his fangs bared and bit down, his fangs sunk into Malakye's shoulder. The hot metallic taste of blood flooded Vipers maw, the taste fuelling his lust for victory.

Malakye roared in pain, striking Viper in the gut three times before clubbing him on his head. Viper growled in pain and lashed out with his legs, kicking Malakye's leg out from under him. Now with the advantage Viper moved for the killing blow, using his paw to push Malakye's head to the side to expose his neck, Viper released his vice like bite and reared his head back and lunged for the soft flesh of Malakye's neck.

The taste of the blood exploded once more on his tongue as he sunk his fangs into Malakye's flesh. Only it wasn't Malakye's neck, Malakye had managed to block Vipers bite with his forearm. With Vipers fangs in his arm and not his neck Malakye finally had regained some control over the fight, the wyvern no longer had the leverage to hold him down. But now he could barely defend himself against the punches and kicks from the assassin; since he was no longer able to use the arm Viper held with his maw to defend himself.

With Vipers powerful jaws and razor sharp fangs biting down on his arm, Malakye had no chance of shaking his arm loose. Malakye knew that it was only a matter of time before Viper over powered him. The assassin was vicious and unrelenting, and without a weapon there was no way he could beat his opponent. He had been confident that he could take anyone, but that arrogance was about to lead to his death. He should have attacked the assassin while he had had the element of surprise.

Malakye searched desperately for anything he could use as a weapon, but his sword was out of reach and his sparsely furnished bedroom offered little in the way of items he could use to bludgeon or even hurt his attacker.

A particularly well placed kick between Malakye's legs made him cry out in pain, his eyes shooting upwards for a moment. That's when he saw it, the cross bow bolt lodged in the wooden beam a few feet above. The wooden beam was low enough he would be able to grab it if he could just get a second to stand up straight.

Summoning every ounce of strength he could muster Malakye braced his footing and yanked the arm that Viper had in his maw around to the side, pulling him off balance and stopped the wyverns assault long enough to reach up and grab the bolt. Even while stumbling Viper didn't miss the fact that Malakye looked away from him, looking upwards and exposing his throat.

As Malakye yanked the crossbow bolt from the wooden beam, Viper regained his footing, released his hold on Malakye's forearm and lunged once more at his neck. As Viper's jaws were closing around his throat Malakye stabbed the crossbow bolt into the wyverns shoulder.

Viper fell back in pain, the bolt buried firmly in his shoulder, through the leather armour he wore. As Viper reeled in pain, his winged arms flailed as he fell into the wall. Malakye fell back as well, catching his balance in the doorway, and clutched his wounded forearm, blood poured from his wounds.

A few seconds passed as both of them recovered their wits. Locking eyes once again. Malakye for the first time in as long as he could remember fought with the decision to run or fight. Viper mean while slowly began to get up. Viper attempted to grab the bed post to aid him until he realised he couldn't. His arm wouldn't move! Viper suddenly remembered the poison, the paralytic the crossbow bolt was dipped it. In a matter of moments he would not only lose use of his arm but his whole body!

He couldn't believe it! Viper snarled at Malakye, and charged at the dragon and sink his jaws into his throat before he was completely paralysed, but his attempt ended with him muzzle first onto the hard floor. Viper growled angrily to himself and looked up at the confused dragon, who had no idea that the crossbow bolt was poisoned.

Their eyes locked once more, Viper smiled to himself although the attempt to smile appeared as more of a snarl, he had lost and one way or another his life was over. If Malakye didn't finish him off then he would surely be executed by the city guard or his own cult. The price for failure was steep. This is what made the assassins of the Tau'ruc so feared in battle. Every time they accepted a contract, someone would have to die. If their target didn't then they themselves would.

Viper hoped that the dragon would at least make it a quick death, that's all he could hope for. Viper shut his eyes and resigned himself to his fate. Soon the fatigue from their fight as well as the poison took hold and he passed out, fully expecting to never wake again.

************

Viper opened his eyes, his mind fuzzy and not sure where he was. The faint taste of blood in his maw brought back the memories of the fight. He looked around, his neck and body still stiff from the effects of the poison but he could feel his body, which meant the poison was wearing off. That meant he had been passed out for at least twelve hours.

It took him a moment to realise where he was, expecting to be in some jail cell or other, the room looked different during the day but it was no cell. It was the room where he had fought and lost to the dragon.

Why was he here? Why was he alive? He could hear raised voices but couldn't make out what they were saying. Moments later he heard the door to the hut open and slam shut violently. The guardsmen were here for him!

He began to panic and tried to move but the poison was still affecting him and the attempt to move quickly was not only futile but painful as well. He fell out of bed and onto the floor, crying out in pain, unable to pick himself up.

The door to the room opened and Viper looked to see Malakye standing there with a bowl with a rag hanging from it. Malakye put the bowl down and quickly moved to the help the wyvern back into bed. Once there Viper stared at him incredulously. He could not comprehend why the dragon was helping him.

"Hey now, relax. I'm not going to hurt you... well unless you try to kill me again a least." Malakye assured him.

Viper stared at him, Malakye's shoulder and forearm heavily bandaged where Viper had bitten him. He had caused Malakye harm and nearly killed him and yet he was showing him mercy? Such a thing was an alien concept to the wyvern who had been taught that mercy was weakness. That mercy meant death.

No one had ever shown Viper mercy before. Malakye retrieved the bowl of water and began to wipe away at the blood around his maw, Viper lay there dumb struck at the kindness, he was being shown. But it was a foolish error on the dragon's part. Once he had his strength back there was nothing to stop him from killing him and completing his assignment.

"Why are you doing this?" Viper asked, his voice rough, his throat hurt from the effort.

"Oh so you can speak." Malakye smiled. "All that growling you did last night made me wonder if you could."

"Why?" Viper rasped.

"Because I know a prisoner when I see one. I have been one long enough to recognise the signs." Malakye admitted, putting the bowl and bloody rag aside. "Even when your prison is not a physical one."

Viper stared into Malakye's eyes. Those emerald pools full of sympathy.

"I assume whoever Grum works for sent you?"

Viper thought back. Grum was that cowardly badger who works for the white wolf. Viper didn't admit anything, he was still an assassin and was sworn to secrecy to protect their identities.

"You don't need to answer, I worked it out when Grum was surprised to see me when he popped by just now. I just put the pieces together." Malakye smirked.

Viper felt his heart chill. If that was true then that badger would report back that he had failed, and the white wolf would report it back to this regions contact for the guild. As soon as word reached them that he failed he will be as good as dead, their specialist hunters will scour the world looking for him. Even if he was to return with the dragons head they would still view him as weak, unfit for this line of work and to protect their secrets they would kill him regardless.

"Don't worry, you're free now." Malakye assured him.

"They will kill me!" Viper rasped.

"Not if they think you're dead." He smiled.

"What?!"

"I told Grum that I killed his assassin. That if he wanted my land he was going to have to do better than that." Malakye grinned proudly. "If they think your dead you're free to live your life how you see fit. You have your freedom now."

Viper thought on Malakye's words. If they thought he was dead then... if he was careful, then there was a good chance the secret would never be found out. But... what would he do? Being an assassin was all he had ever known. He had been born and raised as an assassin, any thoughts that did not pertained to his training were swiftly extinguished through one of several means the assassin cult had at their disposal. Even if he was to become a freelance assassin it was inevitable that he would encounter someone who would not only recognise him, but report back that he was in fact alive.

"Scary prospect isn't it?" Malakye grinned. "You have you're freedom but what will you do with it? I'll tell you... anything you want."

"Any... thing...?"

"Anything!" Malakye nodded. "Start small, what have you always wanted to do but never done?"

Viper thought hard, what was it he wanted? Drink? He had always wondered why so many would inebriate themselves with alcohol. It made them weak yet eager to fight. No, he didn't want to do that. Eat? He was hungry, but eating was nothing new to him. He supposed he could try some of the finer food the rich ate, but he doubted that he would get that here, that could wait for later.

Another thought crossed his mind. He had seen so many others do it but he himself had never experienced it. It seemed quite pleasurable from what he had observed. How did it start? A kiss, they always kissed!

Viper leaned up and pressed his muzzle to Malakye's in a clumsy kiss. He was caught by surprise, but managed to not pull away from the wyvern. Despite the initial confusion Malakye quickly returned the gesture, not only deepening the kiss but leant down so Viper didn't have to stretch up to reach him.

The kiss was sloppy, it was clumsy, but it was nice. Viper let out an involuntary murr and just went with the flow, letting the much more experienced dragolf take the lead. The wyvern felt an excitement grip his body that he had never felt before, it was as scary as it was exciting. He felt so vulnerable and yet he didn't want it to stop, especially when he felt Malakye's paw begin to rub his chest.

The dragons touch sent jolts of excitement through his body, and soon his crotch was uncomfortable and yet surging with pleasure as his erection strained against his pants. Viper had never even masturbated before, those thoughts were beaten or in the worst cases literally cut from the trainee's, so when Malakye slipped his paw into Viper's pants the moment his paw touched that sensitive flesh he set off the hair trigger that Viper had been on.

Viper cried out in pleasure, his throat clenched and his body tensed as he squirted into his pants. He fell back against the bed, panting and exhausted, while Malakye took his paw back and stared at the thick, gooey cum that his paw was slathered in.

"Enjoy that?" Malakye asked already knowing the answer. Viper looked him in the eye and nodded. "Well there is still a lot more to come, I hope you're ready." He smiled, standing up and shrugging off his pants. Standing naked before the wyvern, his erection throbbing, Malakye looked down at the awe struck wyvern.

Viper couldn't believe how big Malakye was, he felt his face flush and could only imagine what was to come. He felt his own cock being to throb in need again. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he smiled, an honest smile. A smile that Malakye recognised and made him smile with pride. He had given another their freedom, and now he was going to show the assassin just how good freedom could be.