Ch 16: Grounded
Imported from SF2 with no description.
I swooped downward to find the broken tree line left by Calamitys fall, following the broken canopy and gliding swiftly down the same path I soon join my mates beneath the trees. The air was a little muggy and the smell of petrichor was strong. The black clouds must have broken ahead and begun to rain down following the beast that had attacked, at least they hadn't done so while overhead. The cool shade was a pleasant change from the blazing red sun. As I landed Inferno looked up to me with worry, I could feel her heart ache along with Calamity's stinging pain. The price of being bonded with one another and sharing an empathetic link now.
“Let me see your back" I demanded, knowing from the stinging in my own wing joint that he'd been struck there. Clamping my forearms over Calamity to hold him still in order to examine the wound, there was a fine but luckily shallow gash over Calamity's shoulder blade at the join of his wing to his back. Although Calamity was of the Salve Bloodline that study in the arts of healing and herbalism to help injured dragonkin, the green dragon only ever learnt the basics. His studies were neglected as he dedicated his time worshipping me. It's lucky I was able to learn the basics via my tome readings and when I first tried to help Calamity learn his area of expertise. “It's not deep, a shallow cut. Regrettably, the wound is directly over your wing joint, a sensitive nerve and it will likely heal slowly with natural movement, you won't be flying any time soon."
“Not that we could anyway my Tyrant, not with that monstrosity flying around out there. I didn't think anything was as big as your sire" Inferno growled out with some frustration, she seemed annoyed that we'd been caught off guard, though I found her choice of words funny, considering my own immediate thoughts.
Nearby, the cow that Calamity had picked up for us earlier was crumpled besides a tree, luckily momentum had brought it most of the way with Calamity as he'd fallen. Collecting it the three of us rested while we ate our fill, after which Inferno went hunting while I stayed curled up with Calamity to allow him some longer rest. The green dragon continuously apologising for his lacking awareness at the time, leading to me muffling him with my paw before I went stir crazy with hearing the same explanation. Although as I clamped my talons around his muzzle, the look he gave me and the building heat I felt from him gave me the impression he somewhat enjoyed the muzzling.
After a short while Inferno returned with a couple of apes, enough to last us for two meals I'd reckon, she also mentioned a stream a little ways away that we could head over to, in order to hydrate but also clean Calamitys wound.
I decided to share what knowledge I knew on the current situation, “I fear that serpent may indeed be Quetzalcoatl. The very one the Serpent of the swamp warned us about. From the tomes I have read, he is an Aztec God who owned the skies and the storms, worshipped by the Aztec Aventari long gone. He is a creator of culture and knowledge, a propagator of such teachings." They both look at me with dubious eyes.
“I recall you telling me the tome also states Quetzalcoatl was slain by an ancestry of your blood line my Dominion" Calamity retorted as I am reminded of the countless late nights where I would discuss my finding from the Archives with Calamity, although I imagined he was never really listing and tried to find ways to engage breeding intent.
“I did not take you one for reading my Tyrant" Inferno teased.
“Oh well, my Dominion led a sheltered life, due to his sire, with nothing better to do than read ancient tomes or practice his survival training. Of course I did try to fill his time by getting him to play with me" Calamity answered. I bap his snout with a defiant stare to which despite the stinging pain in his wing, he smirked and chortled a little at.
“Anyway, I am still uncertain, it could be a relation of that giant serpent we met in the bog" Despite the decent look at the beast I'd gotten, I was in some denial still that it could truly be the mythical creature. It was unlikely but, you never know. “Either that or the tomes are incorrect and Quetzalcoatl escaped, which doesn't sound right to me. Surely he would have sought vengeance by now" I say pondering on the matter.
“My Dominion, perhaps resurrection?" Calamity chimes in with concern. I stare at him, he is thinking the same thing as me. He is smarter than I give credit for most times. Perhaps I should stop underestimating his intellect.
“The Life Relic, it's the only possible explanation" I say sadly, accepting the likely truth in the matter despite my previous denial. They both seem daunted by the information. “Quetzalcoatl is clearly a threat to our extraction. I remind you that our duty is to retrieve the Life Relic. Therefore we shall avoid the Aztec God if possible, if not, we will deal with the situation as it arises provided we have a strategy. Am I clear on the matter?"
“Yes my Dominion"
“Certainly my Tyrant"
They both answered in unison, following their responses with a kiss on my snout from either side. I blush, realising this is going to be a recurring gesture but I smile, deciding to enjoy the affection and return their kisses. Both welcome the affection with joy as we turn to walk into the depths of the jungle.