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**The Dragon's Boytoy Knight

Chapter 7

By: VeronicaFoxx

For: Engy**

Wielding magic, properly wielding magic, was a new experience. Cera could understand why mages sought it out so assiduously. It was addictive, like smoking the buds of poppy flowers. Magic, real magic rather than the minor abilities he had discovered through his own fumblings, gave an incredible rush when a spell was completed successfully. It was very nearly as good as an orgasm while having sex with another dragon, the rush of power escaping to invade the world and warp it to one's will, as if the reality of existence was a mere plaything. Not that the seafoam knight would ever treat it as such; his discipline was too great for such traps to ensnare him. While he felt free to exercise his abilities in practice, when it came to real-world application, he knew that he would rely more on his physical capabilities. Zephyr, on the other hand, was uniquely misfortuned in his shape. The tiny claw-hands on the wrists of his wing-arms were ill-suited to wielding weaponry, but the Dragon's Knight had been able to adapt some unarmed techniques to suit the avian dragon. He would not be entirely useless in a close-combat encounter, though his specialization in magic was most assuredly his forte.

Engy had been able to provide some pointers, but the lemon-hued dragon lord was still unable to perform any magic beyond what Cera himself had contrived, barely worthy of being called spells at all. Thankfully, Zephyr did indeed learn quickly, as their master had predicted. While the method of grasping magical power was different between humans and dragons, it seemed that many of the principles in its harnessing were similar enough to be applicable. The mage had attempted to explain the differences and the whys and wherefores and hows of it, but Cera had not been able to grasp it. He had educated himself in several subjects, but magical theory had never been an area of interest. Still, he had been as apt a student as possible, and he had learned much in the short time that they'd had available.

While he did not have a very large arsenal of spells, Zephyr had determined that specific affinities were easier for him to learn once Engy had suggested such in their attempts to craft draconic spells. The seafoam dragon, as a creature of the ocean, had an affinity for water manipulation that should have been obvious from the start. What spawned from that source was an additional ability to manipulate temperature, to a certain degree. It was far easier for him to chill things than to heat them, but he could very easily create ice and manipulate it. With much concentration and drawing deeply upon his personal well of power, he could cause scaldingly hot water to appear and douse a target, or much more easily heat a small container to a boil, but that was the limit on that end of the spectrum. It took little more than a thought and a gesture, with a slight impulse of magic added, to form spikes of ice that would shoot off towards an enemy or a wall to block them off or a slick to make footing treacherous. He also found that he could also meld his hands and feet with an iced surface to allow him either sure steps or to climb, even well over vertical faces. That was something he practiced as a wholly practical ability, scuttling along the ceilings of the excavated caverns to get himself used to the mode of locomotion.

The last useful ability that they discovered was the creation of seawater. The kobolds were able to dig out a large pool attached to his personal room within the warren and fill it via the underground springs. From there, he was able to draw minerals from the rocks, though that was quite exhausting, and mix it in with the pool to create something close enough to natural seawater that he was able to stock it with fish from the nearby cove. A few packs full of sand from the seafloor, several plants, and some small fish carefully transported there turned it into a rather cozy aquatic nest for him. It lacked the motion of the tide to sway him to sleep, but it was vastly more refreshing than either freshwater or a bed. It was an adjustment he was quite happy to make after his trip to retrieve Zephyr. He was hoping that they might eventually be able to dig a tunnel down to the cove so that he could have swift and easy access to the sea, but that was a luxury to be considered for the future.

In the meanwhile when he wasn't studying with Zephyr, that being mostly when the mage was instead studying with their master, he brought the kobolds into the dragon's lair to create defensive structures there that mimicked those for the kobold nest itself. As the lair's main entrance was not nearly as frequented or heavily used, far more was devised in the way of traps to accompany the murderholes, guardrooms, and twisting labyrinthine corridors. They disguised the original entrance so that it was still accessible to those who knew its position, but the trapped entrance was more obvious for those who did not. The various tunnels that had been dug through the rock surrounding the lair allowed the warriors access to the attack points without needing to use the main tunnels, and the first clutch of hatchlings were used to man it for the time being with only a trio of adults to supervise them. That surprised Cera, but he was informed that kobolds grew quickly, reaching maturity within less than a decade, so they were considered to be capable of simple chores after only a year or so.

The avian mage also made progress with his attempts to master draconic magic, and far more swiftly than Cera. He, it seemed, had two affinities. The first was fire, which Engy said was likely due to his coloration, and the second was air, probably due to the shape his transformation gave him. The golden dragon himself had affinities for fire and lightning which he used in the creation of his artefacts and to concoct potions. Zephyr swiftly learned to channel his affinities into a powerful flamethrower that blasted from his jaws, and he could fan the flames to spread them or stoke them to inferno heat. The knight was just beginning to attempt such a feat when word came from the village that their emissaries had returned from the trip west through the mountains to petition The Furies.

It had been slightly more than a fortnight, passed quietly and uneventfully for which the seafoam dragon was quite grateful, but not so much longer that worry had begun to set in. One of the young kobolds, three of which had been assigned as runners to Domo (the new name that Ballsy had taken), fetched Cera from his rooms to meet with the villagers. Engy had left off the magical observation since freeing him from the dragon's commands, and used the little ones instead to pass messages and gather progress reports when not given in person. The Dragon's Knight desired to look his most presentable and donned his armor and weapons for the meeting, taking the disguised front entrance. The villagers, having dwelt nearby for at least as long as the dragon's lair had existed, knew of the proper entrance and had been warned of the newly-created trapped one so as to prevent any accidental injuries.

"Hail, good sirs," he greeted the men, a trio that had been paid well to make the journey and report back, adept hunters who could handle the depredations of bandit and beast along the way. "What news, good friends? My master is most eager to know!"

One of them pulled the felt cap from his head and wrung it between his hands, glancing at his companions for help before speaking. He had obviously been nominated as their spokesperson and was uncomfortable with the dubious honor. "Sir dragon, there was... a slight complication. We made the offer as we were told: come to serve our lord and get great rewards, heaped gold and magical power in addition. But we were turned away. They said that any lord who could afford gold in heaps and magical arms and armors were able to afford sending more than mere peasants to treat with them. One said she would join with us, as she was tiring of the mercenary life, but that our lord would need send a suitable emissary first. We told her there was a knight and a mage in service already, but she said she'd only believe that upon seeing it, sir. We did the best we could to convince her, but even the purse of gold sent along with us wasn't enough without a suitable representative to match it, she said."

"You have done well enough then, good sirs." Cera accepted back the pouch filled with coin that they had taken as enticement and offered them a few each as thanks. "I shall inform my master, and we shall adjust our plans to suit. We thank you for your assistance in this matter. We will send word if we have any further requests."

Domo had not advised on this possibility, possibly simply not remembering but it might also be a requirement that had been added due to their non-standard request. The Furies were a mercenary guild, but Engy desired individuals to be in his permanent employ. The lizardman was still piecing back together memories from his previous life as a huntress, so it was understandable that pieces might be missing, which was confirmed when Cera brough the information to their master. The reptiloid recalled that long-term contracts had been made with lords and ladies in the past, but not that anyone had completely transferred their service and loyalty to any one specific liege. He had an inkling that there might be some kind of article within the guild contracts to prevent such but could not recall for certain. Thus it was that Cera was sent to be sent on another mission to recruit another member for their lords growing entourage. Zephyr opted to remain with Engy so as to continue revising the transformational spells, so Adamos was elected to join the knight instead.

The large drake was predictably grumpy about it; he had grown to quite enjoy the pampering and adulation provided by the kobolds and the laxity of his schedule for the last few weeks, which was little more than the occasional patrol or hunting trip. At Cera's prodding, however, he was saddled and readied quickly enough. During the year's worth of training the warriors, the builder kobolds had been busy as well. Mushroom farms had been built and breeding pens for several small animal species, so they were well supplied with food for the journey. The knight opted not to carry water with them, intent on using the time to practice his skill with magic by drawing it out of the environment instead. And so they were prepared before the end of late afternoon on the same day, setting out with the intent of making camp past dusk.

With their greater speed and endurance, the voyage to the city took them only four days, including the first partial day of travel, and they camped outside its walls since the gates were closed for the night. The next day, they entered, and the Dragon's Knight was far more aware of the disparity in treatment than his previous visit to a human habitation. When he had retrieved Adamos, he had taken it as due for being a monstrous creature, but he knew himself to be no monster. Adamos might well have been one if he were a mere beast, but the drake was intelligent and cognizant of socially acceptable behavior. Despite assurances that they were there on legitimate business, Cera was still forced to provide a sum of gold for insurance against damages and surrender his armaments. He was also forced to register himself as a visitor and advised to ensure that he caused no trouble, or that if trouble were to find him instead to ensure that he had witnesses about willing to profess his innocence. While he was being lectured and filling out the various documents that they required, he saw several human and elven individuals pass through with none of the harassment that he received, though a gnoll hunter arrived and was treated likewise despite being an individual well-known to the gate guards, enough so that they bantered with him as he completed the requisite forms.

The gnoll had been out hunting wolves and other beasts, bringing a cart laden with carcasses and skins for sale, and the men joked distastefully as to whether he had taken his pleasure with the beasts before killing them, or perhaps after. The hunter gave half-hearted chuckles and responded with self-deprecating jokes of his own, obviously resigned to the humiliations that they heaped upon him. And even then he was not allowed through until he had given the men a "toll fee" that was easily half of what he might garner by selling his catch. It was... offensive to the knight. There was no reason for such treatment save that the gnoll was of a "beast" race, considered a monster by many. Cera himself had once considered them barely capable of existing in civilization, barbarians even more savage than the orc tribes. Yet this hunter was deferential by necessity, civil far beyond the tolerances that any man should need endure, simply trying to survive in a land hostile to his kind.

Once the seafoam dragon had finally been allowed to enter the city, he waited for the gnoll and hailed him as he left the guard post. "A word, my good man. I have a proposition for you, if you would give me but a few moments to make it."

"Don't fight, only hunt, not a mercenary," the gnoll replied wearily, not even turning to face the knight.

Cera tried again as the hunter hitched leather straps over his shoulders in preparation for dragging his cart along to whatever destination he hoped to sell them. "Nay, sir, I ask not for you to fight, but my lord is building up a... a court. We could most certainly use a huntsmaster, and you are obviously quite an able one. Would a salaried position interest you, my good man?"

Now the canid turned with an expression of long-suffering disgust, but his demeanor changed instantly to one of confusion when he laid eyes on the seafoam knight. "You... not... not lizardfolk... not... You dragon?"

The last was said in a subdued and furtive tone as he glanced around for eavesdroppers, and Cera responded with a simple nod. "As is my lord, good hunter. There are some few others with us, and I am certain that you would be made welcome. I should be leaving on the morrow at latest. If you have any interest for an interview, meet me outside the gates by dusk. It is only a few days' travel south and east to reach my master. If nothing else, I can promise you a much warmer reception at the village we oversee."

He glanced at Adamos, and his nose wrinkled as he sniffed towards the drake before he inquired, "You ride on him? From... lord's home?" At Cera's affirmation, he nodded to himself. "Then I leave after I sell. Meet you there. I find trail, follow."

"We shall most likely meet you along the road, in that case, but in case it is otherwise, be warned that there are little ones as guardians on this side of... his home. Make sure to announce yourself as a friend of Cera Seafoam come to petition our lord, and they should let you pass unaccosted. I shall look forward to seeing you again soon."

"Gnaw Marroweater."

With that final introduction, the gnoll put his shoulders to the straps and began hauling his cart along. Cera was quite proud of himself, particularly due to the far more hopeful expression that the hunter carried with him. It had been a spur of the moment offer, but an obviously welcome one, and he decided that it might not hurt to put out further feelers. With just a simple glance around the area just inside the gates, he easily spotted at least three other disenfranchised individuals: a kobold whose scales had been rubbed raw by slave collar and shackles, limping and bruised, obviously mistreated; a ratfolk beggar who gathered more spit in his upheld cup than any coinage, missing a hand and an eye, both ankles hobbled; and a harpy who had been sat in the wide bay window of the nearby inn, a hood covering her head to no doubt prevent her from seeing possible escape and freedom, a chain binding one leg to her perch, her human midsection bared to mimic the sign proclaiming the establishment as "The Harpy's Roost." The first he could do nothing for at the moment without most certainly breaking laws. As for the second, he made certain to wend his way towards the one-eyed beastkin and reached down to fill his lap with a handful of copper, making sure that they were swiftly hidden. Cera noticed that he gathered several looks of distaste and disapproval for doing so, and he might have garnered more without Adamos by his side, but the big beast proved dissuasion enough to spare him. The harpy, he vowed, he would return for before he left the city, and if she were willing to join with his cause then he would free her no matter the cost.

It was... appalling how much he had... not so much failed to see as refused to when he was human. That was not to say that there were not human and elven citizens who needed to toil and found themselves in less than comfortable circumstances, but he saw a public soup kitchen as he made his way towards his destination, and none of the "beast" races were present in the line. They dwelt instead in the alleys, digging through refuse, gathering rags and pins and attempting to eke out what life was possible for them, probably until they were thrown in prison and forced into labor sentences for vagrancy. He had seen it time and again, and he had once thought it only just and proper that those who refused to work for their bread should be forced to do so. Now he saw that it was a far different world from what he had previously thought. It was obviously impossible for them to make an honest living when living honestly was denied them. It was impossible for them to live decently when basic decency was denied them. It was impossible to advance themselves when they were crushed beneath a bootheel.

Cera had always considered himself an honest and true knight. He began to question if he had ever truly had the honor that he had clung to for so long. Upon attaining his knighthood, he had vowed to upraise the downtrodden, protect the defenseless, free the oppressed, and uphold all that was good. It had naturally followed that what was lawful should also be good, and those who disobeyed or broke the law must be therefore bad, that those who were seen as bad by most should be so, and those who suffered legal oppression must be deserving of it. It was a startling realization to know that he had failed quite spectacularly in his vows. But in the knowing, there came the possibility for redemption. Now that he recognized his failures, he could work to correct past oversights and restore his sullied honor to its proper pristinity.

The guild of The Furies, he had been told, was in the northeastern quadrant of the city, where dwelt the less desired businesses and residences. The "proper" mercenary and fighter guilds felt that it was both offensive and encroaching to have a guild composed solely of females who sought to do what was considered to be men's work on the main. A few coppers liberally sprinkled into the hands of the street urchins garnered a parade procession to lead him towards his desired goal and Adamos an adornment of small beings that clambered over him with abandon. While Cera was certain to keep a wary eye on his packed gear, he was happy enough to pass around the rations that they had brought along, and he completely emptied the saddlebags of foodstuffs once they reached the guildhall as thanks, hoping that the little beastfolk children would share with their families.

They left him to enter the guild of The Furies alone, and he found himself facing a trio of obviously capable and hardened warriors that lounged about the entrance chamber of the guildhall. They scowled at his appearance, though their gazes turned appraising once it moved to his arms and armor, curiosity coming over one but another only deepened her expression of suspicion and dislike.

"This isn't a brothel, beastman, nor would we cater to such as you if it were," the tall, bronzed sword-wielder informed him. "You want the Rat's Tail, two streets south."

"I was not in search of a brothel," he rebutted, "but of a guild of warriors known as The Furies. My lord has heard of their prowess and renown, and he wishes to make offer to anyone who would be willing to enter his employ. Emissaries were sent with the offer but were rebuffed as being inadequate representatives for my lord, and I was sent in turn to make the offer once more. Rest assured that it shall not be made a third time."

They glanced at one another, and the curious one said, "Wasn't Tish interested? She did talk with those peasants that came." Then Cera was cast a glance and a knowing smirk. "At the least, I think she'd enjoy... spending a little time with our 'knight' here. If Klis doesn't monopolize him for herself, anyhow."

The one who had shown only moderate interest nodded and gestured for him to follow as she rose. "Come along. Tish is probably in her room."

As he followed, they passed through the main mess and gathering area then out into the central courtyard where many were practicing at arms or sparring. He saw not a man among them; even what servants he spotted were female, and there were few enough of those, and not everyone he saw was either human or elven though most were. He spotted a foxkin vixen and one woman who looked to be at least half catfolk. It was good to know that The Furies were at least a little more inclusive despite the insinuations that had thus far been leveled at him. The living quarters were at the back of the guild, and he was led to a room on the far end past several empty rooms. There was conversation as they grew near, though low and muffled, but it ceased when his guide knocked upon the door. It was opened a crack to allow a suspicious face to peer outward, another felinoid, and Cera received a swift appraisal before the door was pulled wide.

"Apparently that lord sent us a beast knight instead of peasants, if that's good enough for Tish," the guide explained, then gestured him in. "Make your case, then leave. We don't let men stay more than an hour at most. And don't wander. You're to be accompanied by a guild member at all times."

Then she left him with what he recognized as a tabaxi, and peering into the room he could also see a ratkin and gnoll. "I am Cera Seafoam, the Dragon's Knight, and I have come from my lord to make offer of service and elevation. Would any of you be interested in a guaranteed salary, possible improvement of power, and definite improvement of living conditions, my ladies?"

"Come ta us wi'cher balls 'angin' out, 'n askin' us if we'd like ta get service, ey?" the ratfolk sneered. "Like as much, we'd end up servin' 'im in tha same ways as we joined up to avoid, bite me tail."

Her guttertripe accent required a bit of translation, but Cera deciphered it quickly enough. He began to close the door, then cast them a questioning glance. The gnoll cracked her knuckles but nodded, obviously prepared to handle him should be prove to have less than honorable intentions. He took an available chair and self-consciously settled his hands over his lap. The seafoam dragon had entirely forgotten that his armor was quite so revealing, having become accustomed to the feel of what was left bare.

"I apologize for my appearance. This armor pleased my master to gift me, and I have not requested that it be altered. It augments my strength and stamina as well as keeping me hydrated. I am a dragon of the sea and require constant moisture to remain comfortable. He... has a fondness for the look of my body, but I am certain that you would be allowed to choose the shape of your own armor, should he provide you with enchanted materials as well. I intended no offense, I assure you."

That seemed to mollify them, and Tish gestured for him to get on with it, so he continued. "I am told that you dismissed those whom my master sent before me. May I ask why?"

"It was... a misunderstanding," the tabaxi female cut in before the ratfolk could speak. "We have been approached by lords before who wished to have... tamed pets," she spat the last, "trophies to demonstrate their progressive attitudes. Who could find fault with a lord who had a trio of women warriors, and beastfolk no less, on retainer as guards. If you are truly a knight, and you have the look and bearing of one despite your rather revealing armor, then it is we who must offer apologies."

Tish scoffed and batted her hand dismissively. "Don' mean nuffin' 'avin' a fancy lizard dressed up in shiny armor. Tis like ta be the same as ever."

"I assure you, lady, my offer is not the same. It is genuine, though... there are some caveats that I believe must be explained to ensure that any agreement is entered into with complete understanding. My master is a dragon as well, far more powerful than myself, and quite possibly the last of his kind on the surface of the world save for those he has changed, such as myself. Yes, I was once human. I was given this form in an effort by my master to help prevent the extinction of his kind. There is one other, a mage, who has been altered, but transforming others can only go so far, and it will be difficult to find those who are both willing and suitable to be given such a gift. We need... breeding stock, if you will. At least one of you would need to be changed or otherwise altered so as to bear draconic offspring. All of you would, however, be quite welcome in his service, and you would most assuredly be provided for. We will have need of capable warriors, for my master fears assault once his intentions become more widely known."

"Wha's ta keep us from sellin' ya out ta tha guard fer a bounty or snuffin' yer lord fer 'is treasure, ey? What if none of us fancies bein' a broodmare, ey?"

"I would advise against hostilities. I am a knight, trained by and anointed to the Order of the Shield before my transformation." He pulled the kite shield from his back to display its crest, and set it to lean against his knees.

"Coulda stole that..."

Cera pressed onwards, not allowing the rodentine female to derail him. "If you choose not to bear draconic offspring, then I will give my word of honor to ensure that your wishes are respected. But I assure you that this offer is genuine and made in good faith."

"What if we got demands? I'd wanna bring me pa 'n me sibs. No point in findin' me a safe hidey hole if me family gets left in tha rain 'n cold, ey?"

"They would be welcome as well. We have a cloister of kobolds who would happily offer them shelter, particularly if any of them have fresh skills to share."

"Aye, got y'selves some slave breedin' stock already, eh? Wha'cha need us fer?"

The Dragon's knight gritted his teeth, then shook off his frustration with a heavy sigh. "They are not slaves. They are friends and subjects of my lord, and they would most assuredly bear us fresh dragons if it were possible. Thus far, though, none have bred true, only making more kobolds, hence the need for female dragons to replenish the breed." He stood and set his shield on his back once more. "I am through with arguing innocence against a mind that is already set on guilt. I shall wait for you outside the eastern walls until evening on the morrow, then I shall be gone. I cannot guarantee that you will be greeted happily should you change your mind after having missed your chance."

As he turned to leave, though, he heard a skittering and felt small hands grasp at his whip-like tail. "Wait, please. Sorry. I know ya give me pa coin. He sits at tha gate, used ta be a footman in the guard, but 'e got sent ta scout a bandit camp. They captured 'im, broke 'is ankles so 'e couldn' run, put out 'is eye when 'e wouldn' tell 'em 'ow ta raid tha city best, tortured 'im but 'e din' talk. The guard ne'er tried ta rescue 'im 'n took 'im prisoner wi' tha rest when they captured tha camp, despite 'im bein' 'eld captive. Cut off 'is 'and as a thief 'fore they realised who 'e was, 'n ne'er so much as an apology. Left 'im a beggar wif me ma 'n sibs ta support. It ain't a kind world for such as us."

Cera nodded his understanding, feeling far more sympathetic for her suspicion and hesitance. "I understand. You have until tomorrow evening to make your decision. I should be easily enough found. You are free to bring any whom you think would benefit from the protection of a lord who knows the depredations of persecution and would defend you against it. That is all the more that I can offer, and if it is not enough then there is little else I can do to allay your fears and dreads."

She released him, and the gnoll followed him out to guide him back to the entrance where Adamos waited. He heard the two remaining femmes begin discussion once more the second that the door closed. He was not hopeful that they would decide in his favor. He was surprised when the canid female spoke.

"Know why they put us all the way at the end?" she asked, then pressed on before he could wager a guess. "They don't like the smell of us. Animals. I'll be with you when you leave, even if those two don't come. Better odds of you treating me well than here."

He nodded his thanks, and they remained the rest of the way out of the guildhall. The urchins had remained to play on and around the large drake, but Cera shooed them away after passing a few handfuls of coins among them. He was disgusted and depressed as he made his way out of the city to find a suitable campsite. If even those who had become somewhat successful had been beaten down so far that they were reticent towards the mere possibility of improving their situation, then he had little hope of gaining further followers for his master. Still, he had given his word and sought out a suitable place to wait out the time remaining. With that done, he left Adamos to guard the place while he headed back for the inn, the Harpy's Roost. There was at least one bit of good that he could do, and he was determined to do it. He was certain that the avian humanoid would at least be grateful to be freed.

The End