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Fire and Ice

By Xan Steel

In the early beginnings of this world, the Creator made a race of beings to help in its creation known as the Drakonfell. These good natured beings help in creating the many races of this world while the Creator formed the world and it’s inner workings.

Things started out well and good, however, one race, a race of dragons became obsessed with hoarding power and wealth. Believing that they were this world’s Masters. Even the Drakonfell tried to step in to reverse this course, but many fell in battle, as others started going in a different direction to fix this. Even if it took centuries to do it, and went into hiding.

One such Drakonfell by the name of Aeronoth, the creator of the Kobold race, had asked for more power from the Creator to bestow upon them. Protection, self defense, and offensive magic. The Creator granted her this right as she began to sprinkle this power over her chosen created race. Giving them the ability to Shape-shift, Elemental magical abilities, and Healing abilities.

Over the centuries of hiding from dragons they had managed to create many cities in which to live in. One such place was called Portsmouth. It sat on a peninsula near a vast ocean, with a large river entrance to the inner continental regions. It was a great little trading hub with about five hundred Kobolds living there in secret shape shifted as humans. There was also an Island not to far off shore were Aeronoth lived to watch over her creation and to continue to work on removing the dragons that had turned on creation itself.

As time passed Portsmouth had many Kings and Queens over the centuries, ruling the town with care and kindness. The current Queen gave birth to a female, whom she named Elebreth. Her soft scale skin had an unusual tone of color, that at the core of her body was glacial blue, that slowly faded to pure white out to the tips of her body. Her eyes when they did finally open, were a bright violet that they almost glowed under any light.

Their court Wizard came over to see what magic she had been gifted naturally, and after studying her for a moment he stepped back in shock and spoke. “My King and Queen, it’s as if the oldest Glacier has bestowed upon her it’s mighty force, and strength.” It would seem to them that her natural magical gift would be to control Ice in all its forms.

Thus she would be raised with love and care for many years, before the town was attacked by one of these dragons, nearly leveling the town itself, killing many of the Kobolds and their families while leaving the town severally damaged.

It was later discovered that Elebreth was missing. Everyone began searching for her, both in the waters, in the town, and the nearby shore. Sadly she was never found.

When Aeronoth learned of what happened to both the town, its people, and Elebreth. She jumped into helping as much as she could, before setting out to find Elebreth. However, before she left she talked with the High Guardian, the towns law keeper, that she would be traveling to find Elebreth and that her island was off limits to all except to her caretaker. They agreed that was set it down as a temporary law prohibiting anyone from visiting it until she returned to the town to stay. After which she left to follow that dragon.

***

By the time this dragon landed at its hoard in the Corwin Mountains, a distance that would take 8 months on foot to reach from Elebreth’s home. He had wiped Elebreth’s mind. Out of the other kobolds he had enslaved, only one came out to greet him.

“Welcome home Master.”

He looked around while sniffing the air, and noticed that things were a mess, as well as, the scent of a human had been in his domain. When he spoke there was a darkness in his voice. “Explain.”

“A warrior came in the night after you left, and tired to claim your hoard. We managed to defeat him,” he said pointing to the now dead and stripped warrior in the corner. “But not before he manage to kill two of us.” He finished pointing to the two dead Kobolds that had carefully laid out in respect.

The Dragon roared loudly, making the other Kobolds, hiding in the corners, and quiver in fear. While the one standing before him did his best not to shudder visibly. When he spoke they could easily hear his anger. “I GAVE YOU THE BEST EQUIPMENT, THE BEST TRAINING, AND YOU!” He stared directly at the one to welcome him, “LET TWO OF MY KOBOLDS DIE?!?” He flicked him with his huge finger, which sent the kobold into a nearby pillar. The kobold fell to the floor as the others cried out in fear.

Searing pain ran across his body as he tired to get up. He began to cough uncontrollably as blood come out, causing him to lose his composure as tears began to stream down his face. He stayed on his knees, bowing to his Master. His voice broke as he spoke. “Please forgive your servant, Master!” He begged.

The Dragon then scooped up both the warrior, and the two dead kobold, and began to eat them whole. Each sickening crunch carried around the hoard room letting every kobold know what their fate would be for failing the Master. He then leaned down to his bowing servant and spoke. “Be thankful that my stomach is small, and that those three were enough to fill me this night. Now see to the healer, and begin training this new Kobold, as she appears to be innately gifted with magic.” He laid the passed out body of Elebreth next to him as another kobold rushed over to him, and began casting a healing spell over his body. The Dragon turned from him as he flexed his great wings ready to take off and spoke one last time. “Do not fail me again, Tellason, as there won’t be any more chances to redeem yourself.” He then took off.

Tellason laid there as a deep unbridle fear over took him. He was give a name after many faithful years of service. This was a mark of death with his Master. He broke down with a heavy weep as the others came over to him to comfort as they all knew what being giving a name meant.

***

As the years passed Tellason had done well with Elebreth in her training and getting her to understand her place, and to not question things from the Master.The only aspect was her ability to learn magic was slow, and this is didn’t please the Master one bit. Many of the kobolds were doing their best with her, but for some reason nothing was taking hold of her in magical strength. This displeased the Master greatly, and one night while she was helping with cleaning up around the hoard, he heard her humming a happy tune softly to herself which he did not like, or approve of.

He roared angrily and struck her in the back with his tail tip. It sent her flying, but as she landed she let lose with a blood curdling scream. He had ripped open her back and she was bleeding profusely. The others came over to start healing her, but the Master came stumping over and was about to eat her, when there sounded the voices of one hundred men booming against the dome of the hoard room. The dragon looked around for the source but could find none. Suddenly the gash on Elebreth’s back sealed over with ice. As her body began to levitate up off the ground, while slowly turning to face the dragon. As her mouth opened there was a loud booming voice that was not hers that came out. “YOU HAVE HARMED OUR CREATION AND SHALL FACE OUR WRATH!”

The dragon snorted and spoke back. “I HAVE DEFILED CREATION SINCE MY BIRTH, YOU SHALL NOT WIN NOW!” He lost loose with a breath attack of heated flames that could easily melt steel, but it had no effect on Elebreth’s body.

She mouth opened again. “WE ARE THE ETERNAL GLACIER YOU CAN NOT DEFEAT US!” With in an instant a glacial spike shot up from under the dragon and lifted him off the ground. His scream was short lived as it jetted out in branches that torn him limb for limb. This great glacial tree of deep blues and purples that signified some of the oldest and coldest ice, froze his red blood that was running down each of the branches.

The room began to seal up, starting at the walls as the other Kobolds began to run for their lives as they did not want to be sealed in with there, with their now dead Master. Elebreth’s body lowered to the ground as Tellason came over to her, her mouth opened again and spoke softly. “Take her to safety little one she will be out for a few days with the amount of blood that she lost, but she will recover in time. We plan to seal this room, so that none shall ever be able to enter it.” He nodded and picked her up to carry her out of the cave system.

***

Tellason knew of a town that was about a days travel south of the cave. He was the more worldly educated of the other seven Kobolds that had followed him while having weapons and armor to act as guards in their travels. He carried Elebreth the entire time unless he was resting, and their healer kept watch over her, and the now healed wound.

When they finally arrived, is when their hearts sank. The town had been destroyed. They looked around to see if there had been any survivors, but sadly didn’t find any. They did locate one small building that hadn’t been complete destroyed, and decided to hunker down for a few days. Only because Tellason was not able to keep carrying Elebreth on his own.

Over the next couple of days, they manage to secure plenty of rations, a few pouches of gold coins, a local area map of other towns, and repaired a wagon that they could take turns pulling as they traveled. Elebreth sadly was still out of it for the most part. When Tellason was able to wake her and get her to eat, it was very little, while the others did their best to help out.

On their way south, they passed a traveling merchant. Tellason asked if the map they had was up to date, and the merchant looked it over and said it was close, but it might be a few months off. He then asked where they were heading, and Tellason replied. “Portsmouth in the far south.”

The Merchant looked over the group for a moment. “If you continue to travel as you do, it’ll take you nearly two years to reach it. I can help you out a bit, by selling you my older horse. She’s quite sturdy, and still has quite a bit of life in her. Sadly I carry to much for her to carry alone any more.” He finished pointing to the three younger horses pulling his larger wagon.

The group talked it over a for a bit and agreed to buy her for half her value, as the Merchant really just wanted her to go to a good home. The Cleric then asked if he had any medicinal herbs she could purchase, and he did. Over the course of their trading they had managed to get a few barrels of fresh water, one barrel of booze that the healer would use for cleaning and disinfecting. More herbs the healer could use on Elebreth and others. An old mare to pull the cart, as well as feed for her, and more rations. They had a meal with the trader and listened to the news about the region that he remembered, before turning in for the night.

By morning they had parted ways, and just before noon hit, Elebreth woke up with the worst headache she had ever felt as she moaned painfully loud. The Cleric came over to here, and lifted her to rest against her. “It’s your head isn’t it?” She asked as Elebreth nodded slowly. The Cleric brought over an herb mixture for her to drink. “Drink this sweetie it’s make the pain go away.” Elebreth drank it slowly, and started to feel the world spinning before passing out again.

Tellason turned to her, “What was it that you gave her?”

The Cleric spoke in a soft tone, “A simple sleeping draft, with a mild pain reducer. It should relax her body enough to let it heal faster. She should wake up later today with less pain that will be easier to manage with other herbs.”

Tellason nodded and then spoke. “We have some citrus fruit for her, just incase her body needs it to boost her natural immunity.”

“That’ll be a good plan, and hopefully she wakes up enough to tell us what happened back there.” The Cleric replied.

***

It took another few days for her to come around again, and be more reactive to everyone else. After eating a noon meal with everyone, she asked if the Master had sent them on a journey of some sort. This is when everyone turned to look at her in mild disbelief. Tellason spoke quietly, “You don’t remember what happened back at the horde?”

She slowly shook her head and spoke. “All I remember was getting hit in the back and screaming in pain, everything else is after that is a blank. Why? What happened?”

The groups wizard spoke up in some mild excitement. “Then it is true. I only speculated, but…” He trailed off.

Tellason turned to him. “But what?”

The wizard spoke again. “She is the avatar for the Eternal Glacier. This would explain why we had a hard time training her in other magic that didn’t revolve around Ice.”

Elebreth spoke again with a slight tinge of worry, “What happened to the Master?”

Tellason turned back to her and spoke, his tone sincere. “You killed him after he attacked you. Or rather the Eternal Glacier through you killed him. Something about you being their creation.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head, then opened them again. “I have no idea what you are talking about. I don’t remember anything before waking up in the horde.”

The wizard spoke again. “I would be more surprised if you did. The Dragons erase our memory before they reach their horde. I know I have been through a few apparently, only because they brag about killing one another, and stealing their horde for themselves.”

Tellason spoke again, “I’m hoping that there is someone in Portsmouth that can help us recover our memories. Even if its only a small amount like a name, so we can find our families again.”

***

The next day they came across a small lake that was teeming with fish, as evident of them jumping out of the water. Elebreth immediately jumped out of the wagon and jumped into the lake and began to swim around, and after a hour she had pulled out about fifteen large fish for everyone to eat, and to store for later.

Since it was a fresh water lake, and it tasted clean, they decided to refill their water barrels, and used a third for more fresh fish in the lake water. After which they set up camp for the night, and figured out watch duties throughout the night.

***

The merchant that they had traded with continued to travel northward. He had planned to cross the Corwin mountains to travel to the snow covered cities in the north. However, he also knew that he was being followed. It didn’t take long to discover who was following him as he looked up from his wide brimmed hat to see an Elder Dragon fly over head, before landing a couple hundred yards away from him. Turned to face him and roared. “Humph.” He stopped his wagon and horses, and sent them over to some nearby trees for cover.

The Elder Dragon spoke in a harsh raspy voice that echoed in the area. “You have the scent of Kobolds about you. Where are they?” He demanded with a slight booming to his voice.

The Merchant looked thoughtful while scratching his chin. “Ah, you must be smelling that Kobold slut I fucked a few days ago. I knew I should have bathed afterwards.”

The Elder Dragon roared and spoke again. “This scent is fresh. NOT a few days old. Now WHERE IS IT!” He said angrily.

The Merchant smiled. “Like I said, you won’t find any Kobolds here.” He replied in a matter of fact tone.

The Elder Dragon whipped his tail around and struck at the Merchant. However, the Merchant just stopped his attack cold with his hand. The Elder Dragon noticed his hand was bright yellow with his fingers fading to white with claws at the tips. The Elder Dragon spoke with rage. “YOU! YOU ARE THE KOBOLD!” As he tried to attack again only to have the Merchant block each attack in session, until the Elder Dragon breathed a red hot flame at him, bathing him in flames.

Once the flames cleared, what stood before the Elder Dragon was the tallest Kobold he had seen at almost 5 feet tall. His colors from the center of his body then outward started white, then red, moving on to orange, and then fading to yellow with white fingers, toes, and tail tip. He spoke with mild anger in his voice. “That cloak and hat were expensive and likely irreplaceable. You Dragons think you can do whatever you want in this world, and it pisses me off.” He noticed the Dragon chanting. “Oh no you don’t!”

He moved at a speed no mortal could normally move, and jumped up to the Elder Dragons jaw with a heated fist, and with a loud crack, broke his jaw. Rendering him unable to speak. The Dragon backed up, as fear now passed his vision as he watched the Fire Kobold. The Merchant spoke again. “I have killed a few of your kind, and will continue the kill your kind. For I am,” His voice grew loud enough to make the ground shudder. “THE AVATAR OF THE ETERNAL FLAME!” He launched forward at great speed, and slammed his fist into the Elder Dragon, as the dragon burst into a single large flame that was nearly as hot as the sun, causing nearby trees and bushes to combust instantly.

Once the attack finished, he controlled the fires around him and snuffed them out as he surveyed the area again. All that was left of the dragon with ash and charred bones. He turned to look for his wagon and horses and notice they didn’t move and were unharmed. He called them over to him as they began to trot over to him with a bit of scared excitement. He noticed them shuddering in fear, while managing to calm them down enough to feed them. While they ate, he collected a number of these bones, and added them to his wagon cart. “These should fetch a few platinum pieces.” He thought with a smile on his face. He than went to the back to get a new cloak and hat to wear, and once his horses finished eating, he took off for the mountains.

***

As night began to stretch across the sky. Tellason found a rock outcropping that had a decent overhang that they could rest under for the night and made camp. Two of their group began making food for everyone, the Cleric began her daily checkups, while Tellason began to make out the night watch rotations.

Tellason and the Wizard had first watch, as they talked for a bit. The Wizard spoke in a soft yet excited tone. “I’ve found that we can have our memories returned to us by someone called a Drakonfell.”

Tellason replied in a confused tone. “What is a Drakonfell? Please tell me it’s not another dragon race.” He finished in pleading tone.

“No it’s not, they are much older, and are the creators of all the races, or so it is believed. Sadly no one have ever seen one alive, and it’s likely that if they did exist, that is no longer the case.” He finished in a sad tone.

Tellason replied in an upbeat tone. “If we can find one then great, if not, then anyone that knows Psychological magic would be our best bet for returning our memories.”

“I know, but the more I read about things, the more I hope to see these things, or people.” The Wizard said before continuing. “I’ve also found a book in that last town that talks about the four eternal elements.” Tellason’s looks at him suddenly. “It appears that they choose who to offer up their powers to, and usually when a great calamity befalls the land.”

Tellason just shook his head. “What could be worse than Dragons destroying everything?”

The Wizard shook his head. “I don’t know, but if it is true, then finding someone to return our memories should be our top priority.” He said in a worrying tone as Tellason nodded in return.

***

As the third shift started both the Cleric and Elebreth sat together. The Cleric began to remove Elebreth’s shirt to look at her scar as she gently traced it. Elebreth shivered a bit in the cool air. “How does it look?” She asked.

The Cleric sighed softly, and helped her put her shirt back on. “I’m honestly surprised you lived through our old masters attack like that. The wound was exceptionally deep, and a lot of blood that came out of you. No matter what spell I used to try and heal you, it wasn’t working until ice formed over it and sealed it in.”

Elebreth spoke softly. “I remember you mentioning that, but where did the ice come from?”

The Cleric sat next to her and looked up to the night sky. “Apparently you are the Avatar of the Eternal Glacier. I know the Wizard knows more about that sort of thing. But it seems like a powerful guardian is watching over you. Which according to our Wizard. Gives you natural magical powers of Ice.” She finished.

Elebreth sat there thinking for a bit before lifting her hand and pointing off into the distance at a tree, and watched as Ice began to cover it. She immediately dropped her hand, but the ice continued to cover the tree completely.

“What spell was that?” The Cleric asked in surprise.

Elebreth spoke in a nervous tone. “I didn’t think of a spell, I just pointed and thought about it being covered in ice.”

The Cleric spoke in awe, “Wow to have such a natural talent like that. I wish I had that for healing.” Her tone finished with a hint of jealousy, but not at Elebreth, just at the realization.

***

As morning came, everyone that wasn’t already up, got up and ate breakfast, after which they cleaned up their camp, and then continued their journey south to Portsmouth.

Their travel by day seemed to be moving along quite will, as the old mare seemed to be in better spirits. Tellason and the Wizard kept track of their direction with simple scrying magic that allowed them to use the over head birds to be able to plot their course on the map through the landmarks.

By nightfall they came to another abandoned village that wasn’t marked on the map. When they stopped to have a look around, the Cleric became increasingly nervous. “Hey, I don’t like the feel of this place.” Her tone denoted her worry.

The Wizard spoke up in response to her. “This place is very old, and reeks of old fowl magic. I think we should continue on through the night.” It was at this moment the mare neighed nervously as well.

Tellason spoke up, “Alright everyone, back on the wagon, we are moving on right now.” His tone while nervous, was calm. Everyone began to put what they had taken off, back on the wagon.

Once they finished is when a number of terrifying moans started coming from the abandoned huts, as shuffling is heard heading in their direction. The Wizard cast a spell to detect magic, and squealed in terror. “Necromatic magic, get us out of here!” He nearly screamed, as dozens of undead came into their lantern light. Tellason hopped into the drivers seat and with as much urgency as he could manage without hurting the old mare, got her moving quickly, but just so.

The undead were hot on their heels. Thankfully they weren’t gaining any ground on them. The Cleric tried to turn them, but it wasn’t working. A voice boomed behind them. “My magic is far stronger then yours little Cleric. It’s been a long time since I’ve had fresh bodies to join my ranks.” The voice finished in a calm cold tone.

Elebreth made her way to the back of the wagon to see the undead. Once she saw it and how the Cleric was in tears doing anything she could with her magic to slow there advance down, and the Wizard curled up in ball whispering that he didn’t have any offensive spells to fight back against a Lich, with how strong the magic of the Lich was. She looked around to see what their situation was and tried something. She lifted her hand and imagined the ground covered in a layer of ice behind them, and within an instant the advancing horde of undead, slipped and fell on the ground while trying to regain their footing, but failing to do so.

The voice boomed again as the Lich floated into view. “Cleaver girl, turning the ground to ice, but that won’t stop me.” He raised his bony hand, as Elebreth’s eyes narrowed at him as she raised her hand again and imagined the Lich encased in solid ice.

Shards of ice began to form on the bones of the Lich as he he spoke again. “Ice won’t do anything to me.” He screeched and then stopped as he couldn’t move. He groaned loudly as a a loud snap was heard as his outstretched left arm fell off. He roared loudly as he picked up speed as the ice continued to grow over him.

Elebreth spoke in a cold tone. “Be covered in the oldest Ice.” Within an instant he became a large solid chunk of deep blue ice, and fell slamming into a rock outcropping that shattered him in to an untold number of tiny chunks of ice, while Tellason continued to make their way away from this place.

***

After a couple of hours of traveling at night without scrying for a direction. Tellason pulled the wagon over near a small lake, and let the mare rest for now. Two of the Guards Kobolds took spare lanterns and began to scout the area, as Elebreth and Tellason calmed down the Wizard and Cleric.

A few hours later, the guards returned with some wood. They stated they the area was clear, and that they should rest for a few hours before morning was upon them.

Elebreth carefully took both the Wizard and Cleric into her tent to give them some comfort and rest. Once they were both asleep she rejoined Tellason. When she spoke he could hear how tired she was. “Managed to finally get them to sleep for a bit.”

Tellason spoke with some mild concern. “I have to admit that was rather terrifying. I’ve never seen a Lich before. Are they going to be okay?”

Elebreth spoke in a gentle tone. “I think so, it’ll likely take a bit longer for them to feel useful again, being that they both were outclassed by this Lich thing.” She mumbled off in her speech before turning thoughtful. “You know, I can’t remember if I’ve ever seen a Lich or those things it was commanding.”

“Undead, Zombies, Walking Corpses. Basically reanimated dead bodies of once living people.” Tellason replied in a soft but somewhat educational tone. He then turned to her. “And how are you feeling? You displayed quite the level of power back there.”

She looked up at the night sky as the stars twinkled across her field of view, then spoke softly. “Mostly drained, Like I could sleep for a few days, plus the second action I did, didn’t feel wholly my own.”

Tellason looked at her in slight surprise with a tone to match. “What do you mean.”

She looked at him, “It felt like I was being guided in my actions. Almost like a voice was helping with what would work against that Lich thing.”

Tellason smiled softly. “I wonder if the spirits of the Eternal Glacier, are helping you learn about what you can do, instead of taking direct control of you like the first time.”

Elebreth smiled in return. “I hope so, having a lapse in memory like that is… honestly it scares me.”

Tellason spoke in a concerned tone. “I think it’s for the best. I imagine the pain you felt was hell, with the blood curdling scream you let loose with.” He shuddered visible in front of her.

She watched him close his eyes and shudder again, then leaned over and wrapped her arms around him and spoke in a soft tone. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I caused you all so much worry.”

He turned his head to look at her, and spoke in a relaxed tone. “Don’t apologize for something you had no control over. Was it traumatic? Yes, but you didn’t cause it. I’m just bothered by it, because I’ve never heard another Kobold make such a sound before.” He then wrapped his arms around her, as they both drifted in and out of sleep.

***

Once morning came, they set themselves up for some breakfast before cleaning the area up and started heading south again. Between Tellason and the Wizard, it took half the day to find their path south again through scrying.

Just before evening hit they came to a wide river, that crossing over would need a bridge. Tellason looked at the map again, and asked the Wizard to see if he could see a bridge in the distance. After an hour he did state there was one that appeared to be about half a days travel west of the location, in what looked like a small town. When Tellason checked the map again, he notice a town called Barrington, and that it appeared to be a Human settlement. He spoke. “Alright, lets make camp here tonight, and then we can head to the town to cross over tomorrow, maybe restock our supplies.” As everyone agreed with him.

They managed to position the cart under a series of trees near the river. The Cleric tested the water to see if it was clean, and discovered that, not only was it clean, but also teeming with fish. So while there was still daylight to be had, the guard Kobolds began fishing to restock their barrels, and dumped out the old water and replaced it with fresh water from the river.

Once camp was set up with Tellason and the Wizard cooking dinner for everyone. Both the Cleric and Elebreth decided to take a bath on the other side of some bushes. Once there they both disrobe and waded into the flowing water.

The Cleric spoke in a joy filled tone. “Oh it feels good to take a bath. As well as, just getting away from the boys for a bit and relaxing.” She stretched out in front of Elebreth, allowing every part of her to be visible, while Elebreth just smiled and shook her head seeing the Cleric’s full body, and noticing that she was a bit thick in the body type, but not unpleasant to look at with her dull red coloring. The Cleric spoke again in a relaxed tone. “I’m a bit jealous of you getting the attention of the boy’s eyes, even if they haven’t approached you about how you look.” She finished while looking over Elebreth slender form and beautiful blue and white coloring.

Elebreth’s looks turned to being ashamed of this fact, and hung her head slightly. “I’m sorry, I never even thought about it. Everyone has been such a good friend to me that I don’t know how to respond other than be friendly in return.”

The Cleric suddenly realized what she had said, and went over to Elebreth and pulled her into a hug. “No I’m sorry, I made you feel bad due to my jealousy. That’s not fair to you.” She leaned back to look at Elebreth, and for the first time truly saw her. Within an instant she became nervous, only because she realized just how attractive Elebreth actually was. She started to pull back from her, until Elebreth pulled her back in and spoke softly to the Cleric while guiding her muzzle upward to look at her.

“You are just as beautiful.” Elebreth started out. “Your kindness, compassion for us, willingness to help out. I’ve found it, You, attractive in that regard.” And then she did something unexpected, and kissed the Cleric.

The Cleric, shocked as she was, didn’t pull back, but grabbed Elebreth’s waist to hold on to her as she recovered and kissed her back. Things at this point became deep and heavy between them. The intimate touching, licking and kissing, as Elebreth moved her licking down between the Cleric legs. Tonguing her cloaca, while the Cleric tried to remain as quiet as possible, until Elebreth stuffed her tongue deep inside her and bringing her to a powerful release a few minutes later. After which Elebreth came back up and laid next to her, gently rubbing her body. Once the Cleric recovered she returned the favor and give Elebreth a powerful release of her own, after which they cuddled together near the shore still half in the water.

The Cleric curled up closer to her and spoke softly, “Thank you. It wasn’t something you needed to do, but thank you. Though now I think we should come up with some names for ourselves.” It was at this point the water become a number of degrees colder as the Cleric saw Elebreth eyes glow slightly.

After a few seconds the water warmed up and Elebreth spoke in a surprised whisper. “My name is Elebreth, apparently.”

The Cleric spoke again in a questioning tone. “Did the Eternal Glacier tell you that?” As Elebreth nodded while turning to look at her.

Tellason’s Voice came from the bushes, “Hey, just letting you know dinner is ready.”

As the Cleric spoke up. “Okay we’ll be there shortly.” As she turned back to Elebreth with a smile as Elebreth stuck her tongue out at her, and darted for the shore. “Hey no fair racing me when I’m not ready.” The Cleric finished with a happy tone.

***

After dinner, Elebreth told everyone else what she had discovered during her bath about her name. Everyone thought that was great to hear, and then each one worked on a name for themselves, as Tellason stated he wouldn’t change his for now, until he was able to learn his true name. The four guards decided for now to call themselves the Iron Brothers each one first being Hammer, Thong, Pincher, and Anvil, only because blacksmithing was their main skill. The Cleric decided on Whisper, and the Wizard decided to use Magnus, as it was a name for one of the old wizards he was reading about. After which they eat their meal and set up watch shifts for the night.

The night was pretty uneventful for them, with a few catching more fish for their barrel, and others planning out what they needed to buy once they got to town. By morning they clean up and packed everything away and moved on.

Their travel to the town, was surprisingly quick, as they made it there before noon high. They were stopped at the gate by the local guards. “Please state your reason for visiting today, as the town is under a high level of caution at the moment.” The guard on the left said in a stout tone.

Tellason spoke up in a pleasant tone. “We are just passing through on our way to Portsmouth, and hoping to pick up some supplies to aid us a long the way.”

They heard the other guard mumbling. “Day of all days why did it have to be Kobolds.” As the other guard turned to give him a killer stare.

Tellason spoke up nervously, “Did we come at a bad time?”

The first guard shook his head and spoke again. “Yes and no, this town is protected by a powerful Dragoness, and she is set to return today. We just don’t know when.”

Everyone shuttered hearing this, except Tellason, and he spoke again. “Dragoness? A Female Dragon? Is her name Vivinally?

The guard looked at him in astonishment and spoke in a matching tone. “You’ve heard of her?”

Tellason spoke again. “Heard of her, but never met her. Our last dragon master, didn’t let us out of his hoard. I didn’t know she had a human slave town under her control.”

The other guard burst out in anger. “We are not her slaves!” He yelled at Tellason, as the other guard stood in front go him.

“Stand down, Retoric, they don’t know anything, other than being slaves themselves, or rather…” He turned back to Tellason, “Were slaves, I’m guessing.” As everyone nodded in response. He continued, “We are not owned by her. In fact we are protected by her from other dragons. She has a fondness for us, but, I do not know what she thinks of Kobolds, and I would…” He was interrupted by a female voice.

“Think of what guardman.” Vivinally said behind him as he stood at attention, while hearing foot steps behind him. His look stated his near terror of hearing her voice.

“Uh nothing important my lady.” He said in a nervous tone while mouthing to Tellason and his group to shape change. Sad they didn’t know how to do that yet.

As Vivinally came into view of the group. She was a beautiful purple dragoness in half human form, something that Tellason had never heard of a dragon doing before, and found her intriguing in this regard. She turned to look at them once she saw them, and after a moment smiled softly and spoke. “Welcome to my town, Barrington. Please stay as long as you need. You will find that no one here will harm you. I am Vivinally the protector of this human settlement. I know you might feel uneasy here with me, so I’ll let you know now. I will not harm you or your friends. Plus as long as you don’t break any laws here, the guards will leave you alone.” She finished in a pleasant tone, before walking away and swatting the guard on his back side, and speaking again in a slightly harsher tone. “My house tonight after dinner. Don’t be late.” While the guard acknowledged her with an embarrassing look on his face and allowed Tellason and his group to pass.

Retoric spoke in a hushed tone, “Damn man, you are so lucky Tor.”

Tor spoke, “I wish you would believe me that what she does to me, is anything but luck, or fun. This is why I don’t return to duty for seven days. It takes that long to recover.”

Retoric looked at him and quizzically asked, “You mean to tell me, you two are not banging every day in that house of hers. Hard to believe when she comes out with a new egg once a month.” He scuffed.

Tor spoke again as his voice trembled. “It’s not everyday, but none stop every minute. She gives me a potion to drink that smells and likely tastes of dirty ass, that gives me unending energy, and blots out any free will. I just remember everything, but can’t stop. She enjoys every minute of it, but I can’t. Once the potion wears off is when I collapse in a heap, and she takes me back to me home to rest.”

Retoric looked at him in a new light, now realizing that in a way, she was torturing him. “I’m sorry man, I didn’t know it was that bad.”

Tor replied, “It’s fine, I don’t let out my personal life all that often, unless it’s to help someone else avoid my mistakes in life. I think I need to understand her more, and why she doesn’t choose others.”

“Why not say no to her?” Rhetoric asked.

“She is the protector of our town, and while she maybe a dragoness, she is also a woman. I would hate to hurt her so much that she would turn on us because of that.” Tor said in response.

Retoric shook his head and spoke in a apologetic tone, “That’s a tough spot to be in friend, and now I no longer envy you for it.”

***

As Evening approached, Tor reached the door of Vivinally’s home. He stopped before knocking on the door. Took a deep breath and started to remember the first time he had laid eyes on her. In her near human form she was beautiful. Her personality was always kind and caring towards everyone, regardless of her form, and she always did take care of everyone. There was a point when he did fall in love with her, but her constant use of the potion, really started to turn him. He didn’t want to be here, and instead wanted to be with Lilyian. She was a bright flower in his days, but they had gotten serious, only got together once in a while. Maybe he could convince Vivinally to let him go, so he could be with her. He sighed as he knocked on her door, and heard her welcoming him in as he entered her home.

Things however, where not as they seemed. She was dressed in a nightgown, instead of her undergarments, and standing at her scrying pool. She looked up at him, but she seemed to have a worried look about her. “Tor, thank you for coming tonight. I know I usually have you drink a potion and lustfully take your seed for days at a time. However, I have two issues I’d like to talk with you about.” She said while having him come over to the scrying pool.

“Are you familiar with a woman named Lilyian?” she asked softly.

“Yes, I had wanted to ask if I could spend more time with her.” Tor replied.

Vivinally looked at him for a moment before a sadness took her for only a moment. “Does she make you happy?” She waved her hand over the scrying pool as an image of Lilyian appeared.

Tor looked into the pool and noticed it showing her with various other men in the town, causing his heart to sink. He had not realized she had such uncontrollable lustful desires.

Vivinally noticed a sudden depression overcome him. She watched him turn to look at her. “I’m sorry if seeing this causes you pain. However, she is the other reason I wanted to see you tonight” she said in a soft caring voice.

“What is the other reason” he asked her in a sheepish voice.

“In a moment, right now Lilyian is disrupting four marriages with her ‘Freedom’. I didn’t want to believe the wives who came to me about it, but after watching her, something must be done about her.” Vivinally sat at her dinner table and drank from a glass of wine. She downed it in one swallow, before refilling her glass again and repeating herself.

“Shall I have her put in the stockade, or the holding cells” he asked her.

“For now, keep her in the holding cells, I’ll have the Magistrate begin an inquiry into her dealings.” She finished and was about to pour another glass, when Tor stopped her. She looked up at him and saw a new look she hadn’t seen in him in a long time, curiosity.

He spoke softly, “Tell me something. You haven’t given me the potion you normally give me, as well as acting lustful towards me. Why?”

She stared at him for a good long while, before she finally answered, in a similar tone. “I chose you because I fell for you. Your feelings for me were always honest and true. I’m sorry for using that potion on you so much, but I really wanted to have a child, and I wanted you to have that honor with me. Sadly, it’s all been for naught. Every egg was barren.” She looked away from him as she felt as though she was about to cry in front of him.

He gently lifted her face to look at him, and spoke in a caring tone. “When we first met, I fell in love with you. However, that faded over time as you kept using that potion on me. In a lot of ways it was torture for me, and caused me a lot of pain.” He noticed a tear run down her cheek as he gently wiped it away. Then leaned down and kissed her.

She returned the kiss, but felt something new she hadn’t before from him. Passion. Then like a drug, it amplified as he picked her up and took her over the to bed, and laid her out. She gave deep heated breaths there in her nightgown, as she watched him strip down to nothing, and truly looked him over, admiring him for the first time. He leaned down and kissed her again, before speaking into her left ear. “I want you to show me your true form tonight.”

She gasped softly and spoke with some caution. “I… I can’t give you my full size. It’ll destroy the house.”

He nodded to her, and slide her nightgown off her as she started to change before him. He watched in amazement as she become three times larger than him. Her wings stretch out a bit, as her tail uncoiled behind her. Once she finished he was staring at the most beautiful Amethyst Dragoness. She laid on her side in a deeply shy pose for him, and noticed that his face was slowly turning red. Was he mad at her?

He came over and gently ran his hand down her left flank, causing her to shudder under his touch. She noticed his erection was throbbing, but was caught by surprise when he spread your legs apart. He looked at her slit and noticed it was as big as his leg and wondered if she would even feel him inside her. Sensing his worry she spoke softly. “Let me adjust my size again, as I want to feel you, when you do take me tonight.”

He watched her shrink down again to just a bit large than him. “There, that should allow us both to enjoy tonight” she said softly. He reached up and pulled her snoot in close and kissed the tip, as she leaned down after and nuzzled him softly. He laid her back as he got on top of her, and slowly rubbed over her body, while gently kissing her in various places. Her body shuddered again and thought to herself “Why is this so different than all the other times?” She held onto him as he caressed her body, feeling his body heat on her, and how he felt like fire to her. “Gods I’m so wet just from, oh what do you humans call it, Snuggling? Yes, yes that’s it, just snuggling” she thought to herself.

It didn’t take long for him to notice how wet she was, but he never said a word to her, and just let his erection gently tease her slit. It didn’t feel any different from before, as the amethyst skin was soft around it, but he did notice it was cold. Well, he would definitely fix that, as he began to gently push into her.

She let out a heated breath as she felt him start to enter her. She kept thinking how different, how genuine this act was feeling to her. Her loins deep in her began to burn with a fierceness she had never felt before. She needed him, she desired him. Through her heated breaths she spoke of lustful desires to him that seemed to drive him more as she felt him push completely inside her and hold himself there. He felt like fire inside her, as her insides rippled around his member. Through his own excited panting, he spoke. “I had feelings for you when we first met. When you started using that potion on me, that took my freewill away, I started hating being here.” He looked up at her, “Please let me love you like I did before, let me come here of my own freewill” he pleaded.

She saw something new in him that tugged at her heart stings. She leaned down and nuzzled him again and spoke. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was doing that to you. I never wanted to hurt you” she said with sincerity.

He kissed her again, and began to thrust in and out of her slowly at first to let her feel his passion for her. Her body ached with desire that he was fulfilling while she cooed softly and held him close to her. A sense of belonging filled her as he continued to mate with her, and while this wasn’t her first time. It was her first time feeling this way towards someone.

Through their heated moans and panting, her feelings spiked for him spiked strongly. She leaned over to his ear again and spoke. “I love you Tor.” It was at this moment he pushed himself as deep as he could and flooded her insides, more so than he had ever done with the potion. Once he finished, he just cuddled into her and stayed there. Something about it, just felt right to her, and she couldn’t understand as to why. She made herself smaller and cuddled into him. She laid there thinking to herself, how a human mates when they do it on their own. It was slow, tender, sensual. He took his time letting her feel everything from him. No dragon in the past ever did that with her.

Tonight she would choose him. Yes she had wanted him all this time, but tonight showed her what she was missing from him. He didn’t need a potion, as evidence of him starting again with her. For the first time, she felt desired, and loved and she didn’t want to lose that.

***

As morning came, Tellason got everyone together to get a breakfast before finishing their shopping and headed out by the afternoon.

As the day progressed, everything was going smoothly as everyone was friendly and helped out as much as they could to get the group what they needed. Things however turned dark before high noon, as a incredibly large Dragon flew over head. Tellason quietly gathered everyone but Elebreth, as he wanted to make a quiet escape before getting noticed. However, this Dragon landed on the outskirts of town, and Vivinally went out to greet him, with a number of the towns guard.

Elebreth was watching from behind a wall, she didn’t like what she was feeling. The voice of the Eternal Glacier told her that Vivnally was one of the few good dragons in the world.

This Dragon spoke after sniffing the air. “Vivinally, you have defiled yourself with a creature below our status in this world.”

She told her guards to give her some room, after which she transformed to her full form. She was almost as large as he was with the sun glinting off her amethyst scales. “I choose who I want, be it dragon or any other species. I will not have you or any other dragon tell me what to do” she spoke in a commanding voice.

He took a swipe at her as she blocked it. “You are a female, and your roll is to bear young for our kind, nothing more” he said with increased rage.

She snarled at him, “I don’t listen to you, or others. I do as I wish, and no one, not even you can change that.” She took a swipe at him with her tail, and landed the blow. However, while it did make him back up, she screeched out in pain as her tail erupted in blood and broken scales.

Elebreth squeaked out for her as Tellason came up behind her and spoke. “Elebreth we need to leave before this other dragon catches wind of us.”

Elebreth turned to him and spoke in a scared tone, “I can’t leave. He’s going to kill her and take everything here. I have to stop this.”

Hammer came up to them just as this other dragon grew in size towering over Vivinally. “Be careful Elebreth, he’s an Ironscale dragon, extremely old and powerful.” This is when they heard her screech in pain again as the watch her fly back, as blood poured out of a chest wound.

Elebreth spoke in earnest. “Have Whisper gather the healers, and Magnus gather the mages to make a barrier for the town.” After which she ran out into the field.

Before she would get close, she watched the Ironscale step on one of Vivnally’s wings with a resounding crack, as she screamed out again. He took a step back to look her over and spoke in discuss to her. “Shame I have to end you. You where incredibly beautiful.” He went to stomp on her again, only to be met with a large formation of ice. He tried to stomp on it to crush it, but it remain unbreakable. “What magic is this” he questioned aloud.

Elebreth came over to Vivinally, and began to seal off her wounds. “It’s s…so cold. Child you need to run.” Vivinally pleaded with her.

“I’m here to protect you, as you have us. So just relax for now. Once this is over the clerics will be here to take care of your wounds.” Elebreth stated in a calm voice, just as the Ice gave a resounding crack and broke apart. She turned to look at this massive dragon behind her.

He spoke in rage, “A KOBOLD! YOU ARE HIDING KOBOLDS FROM ME!” Seeing how he had wounded Vivinally, knowing she was no longer a threat to him he brought his size back down. He spoke again in calm anger. “And now I take this one as”

He was cut off with his mouth encased in a solid ice. He took a step back and proceeded to try and crunch on it to break free as Elebreth spoke in a booming voice. “You, and those like you don’t deserve to live in this world. You cause nothing but pain and suffering everywhere you go. Vivinally choose a different path. Something you all could learn from.”

The Ironscale tried to tail whip her as his tail met with a sudden wall of ice blocking his attack. He tried again and again, and watch as she seemed to be the one making the ice. He did final break the ice encasing his mouth and spoke. “Who are you?”

Elebreth gave a sinister smile as she start to lift off the ground to meet him at head height. The ground started to shudder under him as she spoke with the same booming voice. “I, and the avatar, of the Eternal Glacier.” With in and instant large spear like ice spikes broke through the ground around him and formed a cage like structure. He tired to thrash and break free, but this deep purple ice froze his scales and caused them to shatter off of his body, exposing his bare skin underneath. He began to dig under him for a way out, only to be met with a solid large chunk of ice sealing him in.

As much as he thrashed, it was getting him nowhere. He finally stopped to look at Elebreth, and spoke again. “You must be pretty proud of yourself for trapping one as old as I. So now that you have, what do you plan to do” he questioned her, trying to buy himself some time to over heat his body to melt the ice, and kill her.

Elebreth watched in amusement as he kept increasing his heat, and spoke in that amusing tone. “I wonder how much heat you can make, before you spontaneously combust.”

The Ironscale watched as the ice did not melt, even a little. He increased it again and again, as his scales started to glow, causing nearby plants and tree to combust, and yet the ice still did not melt. He tried to smack again at one spike, only to have a few of those glowing scales freeze solid and break off. At this point he raged and pushed his heat as hot as he could.

Elebreth covered Vivinally in a solid chunk of ice to protect her, and the heat wave pushed outward, hitting the barrier Magnus and the other mages had set up.

The Ironscale was red hot, but he noticed the ice still did not melt. Elebreth had waited long enough for him to learn his lesson, but he still felt like he was in control. She then formed an ice spike that went through his backside, and out his mouth. Killing him instantly. She lowered back down to the ground again and removed the ice over Vivinally, as Whisper and the Clerics came over to work on her, while Magnus and the mages cooled the area down for everyone there.

Tellason came over to Elebreth and caught her just as she collapsed, having completely used up all of her energy. Hammer came over with the wagon and helped Tellason lay her out and started to take her back as Vivinally spoke up. “Wait, let me see her, please.”

Hammer drove the wagon over to her, as she leaned up and looked over her. She then gently touched her tail tip to her, giving her a small amount of her own energy, which let Elebreth wake up. She spoke in worry, “Did I do it, is she and the town saved?”

Vivinally spoke softly to her. “Yes child, you did exceedingly well.” She then looked at Tellason. “Stay another night as my guests, as I’m sure the town is going to put on a huge feast tonight. Plus I can teach you all transformation magic, so you can hide from other dragons. Until then rest, please.” As they nodded to her.

Whisper came over to them and spoke. “Well, it’s gonna take time, but with our help Vivinally will make a full recovery. I might have to stay behind to help out here, should you decided to leave tomorrow.”

Tellason shook his head, “No, with Elebreth needing rest after her display, we can stay for a few days until you are comfortable with leaving.” Whisper thanked him and went back to working on Vivinally.

***

As night came, the town had set up a feast to celebrate, while Vivinally did arrive in her semi-human form. It was easy to see just how much damage the Ironscale had done to her. The Cleric and Whisper stayed nearby to help her, as she took the rulers seat that had been brought out, as Tor stood by her side.

Elebreth was still a little shaky as Tellason helped her to a table. Hammer, Thong, Pincher, and Anvil arrived shortly there after with plates of food piled high, and began to dig in to them. Tellason came back over with food for them as he sat down next to her.

As the celebration continued, with singing and dancing. Vivinally thanked everyone for their help in protecting the town, and helping in taking care of her injuries.

One of the townsfolk came up to her, and kneeled before her. Vivinally spoke in a calm soft tone, “Aomadish, you don’t need to kneel before me, so please stand.”

He did stand and spoke, but his tone denoted his nervousness. “My lady, please forgive my question, but will we be attacked again, now that another dragon is dead on our border? Will that not attract other dragons to this area?”

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked over at them. Vivinally looked thought during this quietness as she knew the townsfolk would be worried about such things. She looked out across her people seeing how many were worried, until she laid eyes on Elebreth, and then smiled. “Only in part, as most dragons can sense when another dies out. They have a tendency to avoid those areas. Being that this dragon was old and rare. His death will be felt around the world. Outside of a few curious to see how he died, I do not feel that we are in any danger, now, or in the future. Plus.” She paused there to look at Elebreth. “I feel the world and it guardians have finally awoken to help bring a greater peace from the evils currently affecting us.” Elebreth’s cheeks gave a soft purple hue as a blush.

When Vivinally finished speaking the townsfolk relaxed quite a bit as the festivities continued into the night.

***

At the end of the week, Tellason managed to get all the things they would need for a number of weeks of travel, and Hammer, Thong, Pincher, and Anvil, helped working the town forge to show to how to smelt the Ironscales scales down and make them useable, for which they were paid handsomely in return. Vivinally had managed to train Tellason, and Magus on how to shape change so they could teach the rest of them during their travels to Portsmouth. Elebreth, and Magnus paid Vivinally a visit on the last night before they left. She gave Elebreth a neckless made of gold, with a Star Sapphire pendent.

“Oh this is really pretty. Thank you.” Elebreth said pleasantly.

Vivinally spoke up in a pleased tone. “This pendent will revitalize you should you every use you abilities. This way you are not left defenseless. With what I know, you will get better with that the more you use them. So you might want to practice doing smaller things to build up to bigger things.” Elebreth thanked her, as she stepped back and let Magnus step forward. Vivinally spoke in a pleasing tone, “To my knowledge there is still one Drakonfell still among us here. Her name is Aeronoth, and last I heard she was on a journey herself to find the Avatars.” Magnus got overly excited in asking a number of questions in rapid session. Vivinally held up a hand to quiet him down as he apologized to her for his outburst. “It’s quite all right. I know you are excited to meet them for a number of reasons. Just know she resides in Portsmouth. I’m not sure where she lives exactly, but she will know when you will arrive. Also, I want you to have this book of spells. It’s a copy of our book that our mages and wizards use here.” She finished as she handed it to him, while he thanked her and bowed with respect.

***

A few days later after they left Barrington, Vivinally got a visit from a cloaked figure. Once they entered her home, they bowed to her, as she came over to lift them up and embrace them. She spoke in a pleasing tone, “Aeronoth it’s so good to see you again.”

Aeronoth took off her hood revealing her, what looked like a cross between kobold, and dragon features. “I’m happy to see that you are safe, but it looks like your been hurt badly.” She said while looking over Vivinally’s, still wrapped in bandages injuries.

Vivinally smiled brightly and spoke, “I had a visit from a group of kobolds fleeing a now dead master, as well as helping me and my town out. One in this group was quite the surprise though.” Aeronoth asked what she meant by that as Vivinally explained. “You did see the now dead Ironscale near my front lawn?” Aeronoth nodded. “Elebreth did that.”

Aeronoth’s eyes went wide in surprise hearing that name and spoke in a worried and louder voice. “Where is she, I’ve been trying to find her for the last few years!”

Vivinally wiggled out of her grasp and held up a hand to quiet her down as much as one could. “Listen, the Eternal Glacier has chosen her as their Avatar.” Aeronoth kept her surprised face through her talk. “This small group of eight is headed to Portsmouth as we speak. So far she is the only one to remember her true name, but nothing else. I have a feeling the Eternal Glacier helped in that regard.”

Aeronoth started to pace back and forth in front of Vivinally before speaking again in a somewhat worried tone. “I need to find them, I have to get her home to her family while restoring her mind.”

Vivinally stopped her. “No, right now let her learn more about what she is capable of through her travels, as I have another Avatar for you to get to first.”

Aeronoth stood there aghast hearing that Vivinally had come across two, where she hadn’t even seen one in her travels, floored her. “How? How have you just run across two Avatars and I have never met any in my travels” she questioned.

She smiled softly and spoke in that same pleasing tone. “My town sits in the middle of a number of trade routes, so it was only a matter of time really. That however, is why I need you to go north toward the Corwin Mountains. The Avatar of the Eternal Flame, while he is a traveling merchant, he is headed into a trap. Eight frost dragons are waiting to kill him, and while he is extremely powerful, he won’t be able to handle all of them at once.” She paused there to gather her thoughts as Aeronoth spoke up.

“Do you know where the Avatars of the Eternal Land, and Air are at this moment?”

A sad but dark look overcame Vivinally before she spoke, “They are sadly dead, and I do not know if they have chosen new Avatars yet as I can not commune with them.” Her tone changed to a pleading one. “Please go and save Flaspar, before we lose him. My race is starting to target them directly now. If we are to remove the bad ones of my kind, we need both of them together.”

Aeronoth spoke again in a worried tone. “I need to make sure that Elebreth is going to make it, unless you can see to that for me.”

Vivinally smiled brightly, “ I have my shadow guard following their group, while ensuring their safety, as I knew you would be worried about the Princess of Portsmouth.”

They continued talking for a bit longer so that Aeronoth knew what to expect in the coming days, after which Aeronoth headed out before night fall towards the Corwin Mountains. Hopefully she could make it before Flaspar got to the Cragged Pass. Once she was out of sight of the town, she picked up her pace. Her speed while faster than any mortal, wasn’t nearly as fast as Flaspar.