Aramis and the Snow Prince - Chapter Five, Part Two

Story by jackdog on SoFurry

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#6 of Aramis and the Snow Prince

Our hero and his mate continue their journey to the Azure City. Our paladin, badly injured is being tended to by his dragon paramour. All seems calm until continued attacks keep our group of hero's on alert.

This story contains scenes of sex and violence. It is not meant for anyone under the age of 18


Our saga continues. From a RP I did with 'Nate the Great'.

Asema Attacks!

A young boy sat under the shade of an Acacia tree eating his lunch of bread and cheese. Looking out from his perch, eyeing the flock of sheep while they placidly chew on the green verdant grass. Off to his right laid the Orion road.

Suddenly he felt the ground slightly move. Looking towards the east a cloud is forming. "Is that a storm coming?" he says to himself. As it grows closer he stands with his staff in hand. By now the sheep have started to move away from the road, frightened by the growing sound. The boy moved toward the edge of the road. Not so worried as he is curious of the coming commotion.

Putting his hand over his eyes so as to get a better look he finally sees figures moving. Followed by larger ones that appeared to be wagons and men on horseback. Three horses with riders approach, followed by a large canvas covered wagon. On one horse rode a human on a black stallion. On the next a stag anthro astride a what appeared to be a white Unicorn and the last an immense black bull perched on what could be described the biggest horse he had ever seen. The boy stood there in awe as they passed, never giving him a single look. As the wagon drew near, two more anthros sat upon a bench. The driver was a large brown bear anthro and his companion a large wolf. As the wagon passed he could spy a blue dragon sitting inside. Minute after minute, hundreds of more figures drew past him. Humans, and anthros of every kind, not to mention many ferals. The boy was by this time awed by the sheer magnitude of the cadre. Finally, if that wasn't enough to make him swoon from shock a massive green feral dragon brought up the rear. The boy looked up into its eyes. "A very good day to you young sir." The human felt his legs grow weak as he fell to the ground in a heap. He lay there as the last member of the army disappeared from view.

Inside the wagon, the young blue dragon looked down upon a tall, handsome anthros stallion who was bare chested, except for several bandages wrapping his midsection and his right arm in a sling. Beside the dragon was a Screecat named Two Fang. The feral feline rested his head on the dragon's lap hoping to comfort the dragon who raised him from when he was a cub.

The young mage sat next to the equine. He held a large red stone pendant in his hand. It glowed and pulsed as he quietly chanted a healing spell. He spoke, "Master Nathan, do not worry. He will recover. Already his coat and coloring has returned to normal. It will take time for the poison to be flushed from his body."

"Well, I'm glad he'll be healed soon," said Nathan, "But, I just wish he was here." He tenderly cupped the stallion's face as a small tear escaped his eye. "He's really done so much for me... for us," he said as he petted the feral feline's head.

Aramis moved his body slightly, his head pushing back against the pillow in response to the dragon's touch. In response the mage became animated. He turned and moved to the front of the wagon. "Sir Torick, let my master know that Sir Aramis is awake." In response the bull handed the reins to the wolf. "Eris, take over." The bull jumped from the wagon, landing on the ground with a heavy 'thump'. He strode quickly towards the rear of the procession. "Master Garrod, Aramis is waking." The elderly man swung off his mount and followed the bull back to the wagon. "Hold" a loud voice uttered. The caravan came to a stop.

Nathan's head perked up from the movement and he felt his heart lift and he couldn't stop his tears. "Aramis? It's me, Nathan," he said softly as he leaned closer while tenderly caressing the stallion's face.

The knight's breathing increased, his pulsed quickened. His color was returning to a healthy sheen. His body movements became a bit more animated. You could see his eye movements behind his closed lids. Finally, unintelligible words passed his lips. The Elder mage appeared at the entrance to the wagon. He slowly climbed in. Moving delicately around Aramis until he sat, his body hunched over the knight as he began to examine the equine.

"He's going to be alright, isn't he? I mean, he's awake," said Nathan as he held Aramis' hand, "He... He has to be." Two Fang meowed but then he perked his head up and sniffed the air. He could smell something both familiar and unknown to him.

Master Garrod pushed and prodded the male. Muttering to himself as if he was having a conversation with another. Abruptly he placed his right hand against the knight's forehead. Starting slowly, a dim blue light began to emanate from his hand. Slowly the light creeped slowly down his neck, then his torso, finally enveloping his whole being. Without warning it flared to a blinding level, filling the wagon with a sea of blue.

Nathan had to cover his eyes as the light was too bright for his eyes and even Two Fang put a paw over his own eyes as he whimpered at how bright it was. "What did you just do?" he asked Garrod.

Before Nathan could finish his query the confines of the canvas clad space went pitch black. Moments passed until the lantern hanging from a hook on the ceiling began to splutter. Light slowly returning to normal. Complete silence filled the air until, "What the hell is going on and where the hell am I?

"Aramis? Is that you?" asked Nathan as the lantern was lit and he was hoping to be reunited with his lover.

"Hey kid, what's with the gloomy face?" The horse reached up and with his hand, placing it behind the dragon's neck. Pulling his face to his, planting a deep sensual kiss on his lover's lips.

"Aramis," sobbed Nathan happily as he kissed the stallion lovingly and Two Fang nosed his way in and began licking Aramis to show how much he missed the equine.

"Ack" the horse sputtered out as the cat lathered his chin with his tongue. Get off me you overgrown fur ball. He looked up at the black bull staring back at him from the front of the wagon. "Torick! Bring my brother and the other generals to me. We need to regroup and make a proper plan on how we proceed to the Capital.

Back at the pasture, the shepherd had woken up from his faint at seeing the caravan. It had grown dark and he had to recount his sheep. It was then that he found one of them was missing and he thought he saw a feline form. "Screecats," he growled as he picked up his crook. He ran after the creature until he saw the familiar form of his missing sheep. But when he got to it, he found that it was unusually still and cold. When he got a better look at it, he let out a scream of horror as he realized it was turned to stone!

The knight sat up, leaning against the side of the canvas wall of the wagon. The smoke from the bowl of soup swirling into the air. The equine felt like someone had taken a hammer to the back of his head. When he closed his eyes he could see shimmers of light floating in a background of black. "Finn" he croaked out. "How far from the capital are we?"

"About two days away," said Finn as he looked through the flap and could see a faint blue glow in the distance, "You can almost see it from here." Nathan looked out and smiled. "It's beautiful," he said.

Aramis turned to Nathan. With a weak smile he spoke, "Nathan, go with Finn and the others. I want everyone ready to move out in one hour. We mustn't delay our progress any longer.

"No, I'm staying with you," said Nathan. "Don't worry," said Finn, "I'll take care of everything." Two Fang purred as he lay at the foot of the bed but then he raised his head and sniffed the air. Something was not quite right.

Suddenly, yelling and cries coming from voices throughout the caravan rose into the air. TF stood up, his hackles rising from his rough. Without warning he leaped out the back of the wagon disappearing from view. "Finn, take Nathan and Torick with you and find what the hell is going on." The horse leaned in and gave a quick and deep kiss to his dragon lover. "Go and find out what made TF act like that, but be careful." He grasped Nathan's hand and with a nod, gave him a knowing smile. "No go, and assist my brother and the others. I'll be fine.

"I love you," said Nathan before kissing the stallion once more. But before he went out, he saw a great big tail slither out of sight and he cried out in horror as he saw Finn turned to stone! " Torick! ARAMIS! SOMEBODY!" he cried and then gasped, "Oh no! Two Fang!" He hurried off to try and find him. In the dark, Two Fang was sniffing along the canvas walls and he growled as he smelled a reptile, though not Exortos. It was an ancient creature that had no effect on screecats, but it was a fierce opponent.

Torick yelled out. "Everyone, be on guard. A Basilisk is among us. Be sure not to look directly into its eyes." He took one more look at his friend. He had solidified into grey granite. The look on his face was of pure surprise. Letting out a great lowing sound, he turned to run into the direction of the snake. "Don't worry Finn, I'll slay the bastard and break the spell." Torick yelled out to everyone he passed telling them to be extremely careful. He looked up in time to see Harrod and his fellow winged men. They too were flying towards where the massive snake was heading.

But then the serpent looked up and hissed as he made eye contact with one of the winged men and they too started to turn to stone. Harrod dashed through the air just in time to catch his fellow winged man. Two Fang, however, had been on its trail and he spotted it. Unfortunately, the Basilisk saw Two Fang as well, but as it flashed its eyes at him, the screecat stayed the same as he raised his hackles and snarled.

The Basilisk was massive. It eclipsed the size of several wagons. As it reared up, its height had to be over twenty feet tall. From somewhere beyond where the snake was perched came a familiar cry. Something was stalking this creature and it didn't sound happy.

The snake turned around and saw something running up his 100' long body and then a white Screecat lunged at it scratching one of its eyes. It screeched in pain as he tail lashed the feline to get it off its face. It snarled and lunged at the screecats. Even though the basilisk only had one eye pierced, the other eye was the only one he had the means to see with.

Torick and Drake arrived. Massive oak spears grasps within their fists. Both were wearing cloth strips that covered their eyes. From above a deep voice boomed. "Torick, move four paces to your left. Drake, move eight paces to your right." The two anthros responded by moving to their respective places. The feral dragon flapping his wings as he hovered just above the meadow. "Now! he shouted." The air was filled with the whooshing sound of death. One penetrated deep into the segmented front of the reptile while the other found its perch, going deep into the side of the Basilisk's coils.

The basilisk heard the orders and yowled in pain and then he looked up at the dragon above and flashed its eye turning the dragon to stone. Without their aerial supervisor, Torick and his companion were done for. Drake was just lifting up his blind fold when he came face to face with the basilisk eye and he turned to stone instantly. Two Fang, grabbed the bull's hand in his mouth and dragged Torick to safety.

A flash of white moved through the air as the other cat pounced on the neck of the great snake. Huge tusks puncturing the tough skin of the mighty beast. The snake reeled in pain as it reared back even farther. The Screecat's back paws dangling in the air. The Basilisk shook its fanged head back and forth trying to dislodge this intruder.

But the white screecat managed to scratch out the other eye and every single person or thing had been restored. However, the basilisk sniffed out the screecat and snapped its jaws at it Two Fang roared making the basilisk turn its head towards him flicking its tongue out like any other snake when searching for its prey.

A thunderous cry filled the air. Rushing past, a large figure ran towards the creature, massive arms and hands holding a sword within its grasp. With one fluid movement jumping up. With immense power and precision brought down the sword against the side of the massive head of the beast, cleaving the head with one stroke. A heavy 'thud' shook the ground as the knight returned to solid earth. Everyone present stood there in silent disbelief. For several moments the snake seemed not to be affected by the attack. Slowly a rift began to appear on the snake's neck. Blood oozed from the wound. Within mere moments the head slowly slid from its body, falling to the lush grass below.

The equine sunk to his knees. Sweat beading on his coat. His massive chest heaving from exhaustion with his head bowed deep, his mane hiding his face. The mighty sword still within his massive hands, the tip sunk deep into the soft earth. Aramis raised his head and looked up into the clouded sky. A cry of triumph echoed across the meadow followed by the din of his fellow compatriots who had gathered to watch the fight.

Two Fang came up with a smile but it faded as he saw the other feline was on its side. He soon found out it was a she and she had one of the serpent's fangs lodged into her paw. Basilisk venom was known to kill its victim in a matter of 3 weeks if it wasn't treated. Two Fang roared hoping the others would come and help as he nosed the female gently.

As everyone cheered and moved to see how Aramis was, TC moved to where the other cat was lying. Finally a shadow fell across to two beasts. "Not to worry my friend. I can bring her back to health." Warrick bent down next to the injured animal. He reached over to scratch the top of the male's head. Reaching into his wool bag he pulled out a glass flask. It contained a thick purplish liquid. "Sorry little one, this is going to hurt a bit." Reaching out with his hand he grabbed the fang and without merit pulled it from the paw.

The female growled but Two Fang draped his head over her to soothe her as she was being healed and the basilisk fang was removed. The screecat beneath him looked scared but he tenderly licked her cheek to show everything was alright.

Pulling the stopper from the vial, the young mage pour is slowly over the wound. The liquid seeped into the wound, filling it until it began to solidify. Slowly, the color changed. Slowly it began to darken, to match the color of the cat's skin. Within minutes anyone observing the paw would swear it had never been injured. "Very good, my young ward," a deep voice said from behind. Standing with his staff, the elder mage looked down with an approving smile.

The white screecat leaned up to Warrick and licked his face and then nuzzled Two Fang, the two felines feeling love at first cuddle. Nathan came up and he smiled as he saw that Two Fang had someone special in his life. He knelt down on his knees as Two Fang brought his new mate up to meet him.

The scene of mutual love abruptly ended when another manly voice called out. "Oh for Terrin's sake, not another one." The large equine stood there as a human and a bull stood on either side of him giving him physical as well as moral support. Dressed only in some woolen wraps that barely hid his stallionhood Aramis stood there giving the dragon a smirk.

"Now, Aramis, to be perfectly fair, she did all she could to help us," said Nathan as the two cats came up and the female purred and nuzzled the dragon, "And it seems this one is a real sweetie." He knelt down to stroke her head as she purred some more.

"And for that we are grateful. But I refuse to ride in a wagon with two of these furballs. The cat hair with one is already out of control. For now they ride in the support wagon behind mine. Erin, Finn, you two will be in charge of them and the wagon." The knight turned and with his ward ambled off to another part of the train. Finn and Erin looked at each other with a surprised look on their faces, which turned into looks of defeat. "I get turned to stone and this is the thanks I get? The huge stag responded with a shrug. "Here I thought I was going to get to fight for the freedom of my forest and now I get to cat sit."

Two Fang lowered his ears sadly. What did Aramis have against me and my love? he thought solemnly, but he smiled when he felt his mate rubbing against him and he nuzzled her back. Nathan hugged them both. "You know, I never knew screecats were immune to the eyes of a basilisk," he said, turning to Aramis while petting both felines.

"Nathan, go on and be with Aramis. We'll take care of these two." said Finn. Erin spoke up, "I'll go over to the provision lorry and see if there is any meat for these two. As he walked away Finn turned to his new charges. "Ok Two Fang. It's your job to make sure your new friend here follows the rules and behaves herself. Let's get the wagon ready and be prepared to move out." The human headed to the front of the train, the two cats following behind.

Nathan followed Aramis, the knight back to his wagon. "Honestly, Aramis, was that anyway to show gratitude to two cats that saved the lives of everyone in this caravan? I'm surprised that screecats are immune to the eyes of that monster," said Nathan in a light scolding manner.

Since meeting the dragon the knight had given his new love a wide berth when it came to matters of the heart and how he did things. But when it came to certain aspects of his life and how he conducted himself he was still in charge of his life. "Nathan, I'm not in the mood. My decision is final and that's that"! The horse was not feeling his best and he didn't feel like arguing, especially with his love. He needed more rest if he was to be at his best when they arrived at the Azure city the next day.

"So if I did a good job, you'd just send me to another wagon, is that it?" asked Nathan, "You know, since I first met you've been treating me like some sort of kid. Well, as prince, I demand you listen to me now!" The air was getting colder and Aramis knew that it was unwise to upset the dragon if it meant going to bed on a sheet of ice.

They reached their wagon. Torick helped him into the back and onto the cushions and blankets. Aramis literally collapsed onto the makeshift bed. Sweat appeared all over his body as a result of all his physical activity he incurred during the battle. In a thin voice he said, "Nathan, I'm not trying to control your life. But you also must understand that you are my responsibility. If anything was to happen to you I couldn't face myself. His voice trailed off and the next thing he had fallen into a peaceful sleep. Torick quietly pulled the curtains closed as he stepped down onto the ground. Turning to the dragon and saying, "I know you are frustrated but now is not the time to be fighting with him. He's weak and tired but most of all he is carrying a huge burden on his shoulders. The lives of so many are dependent on his choices and actions. He has lived a life of solitude, where he has not had to be beholden to another in a very long time. Give him time Nathan. You need to be patient with him. The fact that he has allowed you into his life is a huge step for him." The Bull put his hand on the dragon's shoulder and gave it a firm yet gentle squeeze. He then walked to the front of the wagon and prepared to get underway.

"Patient my tail!" snapped Nathan smacking the bull's hand away, "Sure, I can understand the stress of being leader after being alone, but that doesn't mean he can treat Two Fang like that! He was the one who killed his mother in the first place! And how could he stand by him while he treats an injured screecat so poorly after it tried to save us all? I've had enough!" He stormed out of the tent feeling more angrier than ever as ice was forming a trail behind him but as he turned a corner, he was grabbed by a bull's hand. "Torick, I told you before to leave me-'' But as he turned around, he gasped as the bull behind him had fangs! "You're not Torick!" gasped Nathan but then a woman came up to the dragon and her eyes glowed as he felt his body go limp and then the deer and rabbit came up alongside.

Torick busied himself with getting the wagons and the horses ready for the final journey to the City. He felt bad the way Nathan was feeling and acting towards Aramis. If the dragon could just see the bigger picture of how much good his friend has done in the world. So many have benefitted from the knight's kindness and deeds. He needed to seek him out and tell him how Aramis had saved his family and rescued him from a life of crime and misery. He turned and walked in the direction Nathan had gone.

But something big and dark punched the bull far off his hooves. "Hello, brother dear," said a deep voice as the vampiric bull from before stepped out of the shadows. Nathan was being held by the rabbit and stag as their Queen Asema was proceeding on sucking the life force out of the dragon through mouth to mouth. Between their lips, Torick could see a light leaving Nathan and the poor dragon was literally turning gray.

The big bull hit the ground with a resounding 'Ummph'. Looking up at the visage of a black bull with blood red eyes. "Toro." Meanwhile Aramis was resting in his wagon. He was just on the edge of sleep. So many memories and images of the past week moved through his sub-conscience. He thought he could even hear the cries of screecats. He awoke with a start. Standing on their rear paws Two Fang and his mate stood there mewing and crying. With their paws they batted at Aramis incessantly trying to get the knight's attention. The equine first felt the irritation of being woken up. He looked around. "Where's Nathan and Torick?" He looked back at the two cats. Eyes growing wide, an inner voice screamed out to him.

"How long has it been, Torick?" asked Toro as he came over, "Feels like forever... ever since I was taken by Asema and you did nothing to save me!" He punched the other bull hard again in lightning speed and Nathan was growing weaker and weaker. "No one to save you this time, Snow Prince," sneered the stag as Asema was nearly finished draining every ounce of life out of the poor dragon.

"It would be wise to release the young prince Asema. Unless you want to end up like the last time we fought."Before her, stood a large muscled human, his long dark blonde hair covering most of his face. His hand grasping a gleaming sword. Behind him, weapons at the ready, were Finn, his bow at the ready, Erin the Stag, each of his hands grasping a pair of short swords. Lastly a massive Pegasus, wings spread wide, pawing the ground in agitation due to the impending battle.

"Aramis," said the lady as Nathan was still too weak to do anything and it looked as if he had white hair, "Long time no see." She brushed some hair out of her face with a gloved hand. "I'm afraid you caught me in the middle of dinner time... or the revenge for destroying one of my grooms," she said.

"Still the bitch you've always been." Slightly turning to his companions, "Keep her thralls at bay but do not hurt them." I'll take care of their master." Giving no warning Aramis moved forward to attack. The vampire released the dragon moving away to keep her distance from the knight. Needing no prodding, Boris quickly scooped up the prince and moved off a ways while the others engaged the others.

Asema growled as she jumped and landed in an open area snarling at Aramis. "I'll also make you pay for cutting off my hand," she growled angrily. Nathan groaned as he felt his youth become restored. "Wha- What happened?" he stammered.

"You're safe, my prince" Boris spoke. Reaching down to stroke his dragonhood until a dollop of cum oozed from its tip. Catching it in his talon he reached out to Nathan. "Here my brother, this will restore your vitality and good health.

Nathan sipped on it and then he fell back in Boris' arms still feeling worn out from the experience. Asema pulled out a sword and lunged at Aramis hoping to kill him in order to seek revenge and to destroy Nathan. "Die!" she roared.

"You're no match for me in your human form knight" she sneered as their swords clashed and sparks flew from the impact. Aramis continued to move and weave, not really engaging the queen but rather keeping her occupied. He spied Boris, his forepaws wrapped around Nathan, keeping him safe. With his momentary lapse in concentration the vampire was able to incur a slight wound on his left shoulder. "It seems you don't have the same strength and speed you have as an equine sir knight. But killing you in your human form will be just as sweet."

But just as she raised her sword, who should come to his rescue but Two Fang, knocking her off her feet and her sword out of her hand. The female nudged her head under Aramis as Two Fang bit into the queen's neck, ending her life.

No sooner as Asema's life energy drained from her body an amazing site unfolded. All three of her thralls stopped, their bodies stood rigid. Heads back, mouths open, eyes staring into the full moon night. Slowly the red from their eyes faded, replaced by blues, greens and browns. After a few minutes their eyes fluttered as their true selves returned.

Toro was on the ground when Torick helped him sit up and the two bulls cried as they held each other in a tight hug. Both screecats helped Aramis over to Nathan, who was still recovering from the ordeal.

Both equine and dragon eyed each other. Aramis looked down at the screecats and with both his hands began to scratch and pet both of them. "Looking at his mate. "Seems like I was wrong about these two after all. They were the ones who came to me, informing me of the danger you were in. Looks like our plan worked out perfectly."

Nathan smiled as he grabbed Aramis' hand, yanked him forward and kissed him deeply. "I told you," he said softly as he kissed Aramis lovingly.

"I guess you can teach an old stallion new tricks" As he pulled the dragon up into his arms and continued to give him passionate kisses.