FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

**Note from the Author

Not much to say this time except I'm not sure I like the human

character's name. I might change it to something else.

This chapter is pretty clean, mainly because I didn't want to

put in a flashback. Maybe it will fit better in the next chapter

**

Dragons communicate mostly with audible language a lot like humans do. Because of the shape of their mouths "t", "v" and other hard consonant sounds are difficult for them and are largely absent from their language. There is also a great deal of body language. Much of it is subtle: posture, position of the wings and tail, etc.

They have crests on their head made of two rows of wide, thin cartilaginous spines covered in large scales usually the same color as their body scales. Their movement is largely involuntary and the meaning of their position varies a bit from dragon to dragon. Up generally means excitement or surprise. Flat against the head could mean aggravation, anger or fear. Friends can usually learn what crest position means over time. In the more formal dragon social circles, many fix their crests in one particular position using specially designed clips hidden in hats or ornaments. These clips are not perfect so slips to occur, to the embarrassment of those involved. This has led to the phrase "popping your clip" which means inappropriately letting your true thoughts or intentions show (Freudian Slip).

Chapter 4 - Sleight of Hand

One year later, back to the day of the Festival...

It was a day true to the time of year. The sky was clear of clouds and sun shone brightly from high in the sky. The air was pleasantly warm and there was just a hint of a cool breeze. All in all, it was a glorious late-spring day. Perfect for the humans' outdoor festival. Terrible for two dragons try to approach unnoticed.

Naali was still sore from their hasty love making. Gliding this close to the treetops was tricky enough without the added distraction. Their silver scales caught the noon sun like mirrors so flying low was the only was to get close enough quickly enough. There was also little wind so she had to maintain her own magical tailwind. Wuph was in his usual high spirits, darting between trees and nudging her playfully with his wingtips. She did her best to ignore his antics.

Like the edge of a great carpet the forest ended abruptly. They quickly and quietly landed on a rocky outcropping far enough away from the town to hopefully avoid notice. Nearly a mile away was the town Wuphym would be "raiding." If you could even call it a town.

"I read all those tomes on humans and it still can't believe any of them live in those squalid, reed-roofed huts," she muttered.

She pulled a small gemscope from her pocket and peered through the lens. They were gathering just outside the main town in a flat, cleared area. It was hardly a her idea of a festival. Just a few long tables, couple small bonfires and a flag or two. She felt a bit sorry for the silly little creatures. It was hard to believe that these were the same type of creature as Guil Muntrus and the Blood Legions. None of them were looking in their direction.

"Wuphym, I hope you learned some good tricks from Master Yuuduu. If we came all this way for nothing I am going to be very upset."

He snickered. "Dear Hynaalis, if Yuuduu had his way we would be trying impress the humans with card tricks. I would say old age had dulled his wits and abilities, but I honestly think he's always been a hack. 'Master of the Illusion' my little claw. He must have bought the title off of a discount shelf."

His pouting caused Naali to raise a brow ridge. "You must have learned something?"

"Yes, but not from him. Other more skillful illusionists had to pick up Yuuduu's slack." He twisted and stretched his wings which made several muffled popping sounds.

"Who?"

"Can't you think of anyone?"

There was only one group other than the Guild of Illusionists in the Greyridge Mountains. She chuckled at the thought, "What, you just walked up to them?"

Wuph shrugged, "You would be surprised. Make a friend, do couple of favors..."

She backed away from the edge of the rocks and turned to face him.

"Hold, you actually got lessons from one of the Twisted Mirrors?"

"THE Twisted Mirror actually," Wuph stated.

She crossed her arms and stared at him skeptically. "You expect me to believe that you got illusion training from Hmuumh? This is not one of your better jokes."

"You want proof. Fair enough. But after we take care of this alright?"

Without another word he dashed into the tall grasses and reeds between the outcropping and the town. Lessons from Hmuumh, the idea was beyond silly. He was notoriously sadistic, even the Council of Guilds avoided confronting him or his followers about anything. She shook her head as she followed the ripples in the grass with the gemscope as Wuph closed in on the town. Somehow he managed to stay down out of sight all the way to the edge of the town.

Not more than a second after she though "this isn't going to work" there was a lightning strike at the edge of town. Something very big had appeared at the edge of the festival.

Screaming and shouting erupted.

**in town

The people of Hillslope were a simple, hard working people. At least, that's what they told themselves. In truth they were coarse, simple-minded and superstitious even by peasant standards. They clung tenaciously to traditional ways including, but in no way limited to, festivals dedicated to elemental spirits. Yet even though this festival was dedicated to the spirits no one expected one to show up.

An impossibly large serpent wreathed in mist and an eerie glow towered over the the cowering rabble that were the townsfolk of Hillslope. Most of them were too shocked to run away from the awesome spectacle. They hid under tables and behind benches that had been place for the festival. None of them would have believed it but not only were they not in any danger, the snake was not even really there. Invisible to mundane senses Wuphym stood before the townsfolk, waving his clawed fingertips to direct the fickle energies that controlled the image that all but he saw. Its mouth did not move but clear speech boomed like thunder.

"I speak for the spirits of mountain, river and sky to which this festival is dedicated. I will speak to your leaders." The Human language sounded like slurred

chattering to Wuph. It took real effort to keep from chuckling.

The serpent's lidless eyes swept across the trembling townspeople. Its coils hovered above the ground as if it weighed no more than the air itself. Hesitantly two male humans slowly moved forward. They were a bit older, a bit cleaner and significantly fatter than any of the others.

"You lead these people?"

They nodded mutely.

Hidden from vision inside the illusion Wuphym shuddered in disgust. Gooey mud was squishing between his toes and into his sandals. Everything reeked of old grain and livestock. He forced himself to breath through his mouth.

"Then know this. The spirits are dissatisfied. They demand a sacrifice," boomed the serpent.

The word "sacrifice" was a bad choice. He only realized it after he said it. The people became restless, talking in small groups and glancing nervously around.

The elder male took a shaky step forward. "Please, messenger of the Spirits, we beg of you. Do not ask that we sacrifice one of our own!"

Wuphym made a mental note to smack himself in the head later. Think fast, idiot.

"Perhaps 'sacrifice' is too strong a word. The spirits wish for a young servant. You will provide one. No blood need be spilled."

Again mumbling and whispering swept through the crowd. The broader male stepped forward this time.

"Messenger of the Spirits, in what way will this person be serving the Spirits?"

Inside the illusion, Wuph had the feeling that he might be loosing control of the situation. If they felt they could question him, they might try to refuse the sacrifice. He directed more of his energy and deepened the illusion further. The air became sluggish and stagnant. The glow around the serpent intensified and took on a deep red color. The people cowered anew.

"I am under no obligation to answer your little questions," without a breeze to muffle it the serpent's voice rattled the cups and plates on the tables, "The spirits made a decree, I delivered the message and you obey."

He knew from what the Seers told him that the female he was looking for had brown color on her head. That didn't help much because every one of them looked brown. Or was that just dirt? It was very difficult to tell, this was all new and they all looked the same to him. A more important detail was that she was a servant and not particularly valued. Someone the others would probably give up to save themselves.

"I will know the proper choice if she stands before me."

There was some scattered mumbling then the people became very quiet. No one stepped forward. They hardly even moved. Nearly a minute passed in silence. The considerable strain of the powerful illusion was beginning to fatigue Wuph. He was starting to regret expending so much energy that morning with his mate.

"Regretting mating," he muttered to himself, "that is a first."

"Enough already!" The sudden break in the silence startled Wuph. He hoped it didn't show in the illusion. A human female pushed out of the mob. No one tried to stop her. "We all know you are going to sacrifice me."

It was a female, he could tell. It was something about the voice. It didn't seem possible but she was even more dirty and ragged looking than the others. He was certain this was her.

"Willful and strong, they will be pleased."

There was a blinding crash of lightning and blast of wind. He moved quickly in the cloud of dust kicked up by the wind. Wuphym used a quick stun spell on the female, tossed her limp form over his shoulder and disappeared back into the tall grasses. When anyone dared to look again the serpent and the girl were both gone.

Those who would tell the story years later would say the creature loomed over the people for hours. In fact, Wuphym had managed to get into the town, get the female and get out in about seven minutes.

**back up on the hill

The dragoness watching from the hill was still slack-jawed from what she had seen. She had heard of Grand Illusions, but today was the first time Naali realized what they were. Normal illusion fooled the eyes, like picking a coin from behind a pups ear. This seemed absolutely real. The lightning left an afterimage in her eyes and she felt the thunder. She had a feeling that if she had been closer she would have felt the mist around the serpent.

"Good. Not fantastic, but good."

Naali spun around to face the source of the voice. A male dragon, silver with blue markings...Wuph had somehow gotten behind her? Something was wrong. No, it was all wrong. His shirt wasn't even the right color.

"Wuph" puckered his lips then said, "Kisses, sweety."

Whoever it was they weren't trying very hard to act like Wuph.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" she demanded.

With all the explosive spectacle of flipping over a playing card the impostor was replaced by a light and dark blue striped dragon. A dragon who was head and shoulders shorter than Naali.

"Surprise!" she chirped in a young-sounding female voice. She eyed Naali like a playful cat. "I'm here because someone needed to make sure you two stayed uncoupled long enough to finish the mission."

Naali felt a mixture of outrage and guilt. They had been watched the whole time?

"The Elders sent a spy after us?"

"Nope, they aren't even that smart. I came by myself. As to who I am...hmmm...maybe I should just save time and show you."

This time the short, blue dragoness was replaced by a towering, fearsome looking sliver-spotted black dragon. Every scale of his form seemed to radiate fearsome energies. She had only ever seen him from a distance but there was no mistaking who this was. He raised he hands to the sides of his head and stuck out his tongue.

"Boo!" jeered Hmuumh, Master of the Twisted Mirrors.

Then he was she again. Naali found herself speechless and simply sat quietly. The strange blue dragon adjusted the buttons on her gray vest.

"Honestly, I don't even like looking like a male," she gave an exaggerated shrug, "But no one takes a runt seriously. Vuunaar Ko-Daal. Call me Una."

The little blue dragon extended an empty hand in friendship as if nothing had happened. Naali eyed the outstretched hand like she was being offered was a burning coal. The smaller dragoness sighed.

"Alright, I'm sorry about the illusions. I do it without thinking these days."

Hesitantly she touched palms with this strange little dragon. She had met a few truly powerful magicians, but if Una could use Grand Illusions this easily she could be the most powerful she had ever met.

"To be perfectly honest, I didn't think he would be able to do this. It really does show how little the Elders think when they sent him to do this."

"I was thinking that myself." Naali started to relax. This wierd runt acted nothing like the other Masters. "They could have just as easily sent someone else to grab this female. All they really needed Wuph to do was breed...it. I'm not happy about that either."

"Yes, it's a real waste. At first he didn't want my help. At least, he wasn't going to pay for my help. But once I showed him what I could teach him he came around. Our Wuphym is a little dense but if he applies himself he can be very good."

Her expression changed, Una got a far-off look in her eyes. The shock of meeting the Master of the Twisted Mirrors was wearing off fast. There were several things Una had said that bothered Naali. She was speaking about Wuph in a tone that was too familiar.

"'Our Wuphym'?"

"It was so cute how he tried to act all honorable: 'I couldn't possibly do that. Hynaalis would kill me.' But a little while later he was doing what he does best. His reputation doesn't do him justice, but you knew that already."

So that was how he managed to become "friends" with the Mirrors so quickly. He had traded sex for a few magic lessons? How could he? Wasn't it bad enough she was being pushed aside for some smelly human, he had to go out of his way to lay this creepy little runt as well? Hynaalis's crests folded flat.

Ignorant of Naali's building anger Una continued on, "He was worth every secret I taught him. Gentle at the right times, rough at the right times. Did you teach him that thing with his tongue. Or...?"

Una turned to face Naali who was hissing between clenched teeth. She quickly realized that this female had none of her brother's sense of humor.

"This is the first time you've heard about this," the smaller dragon groaned, "isn't it?"

The real Wuph marched out of the reeds and place the female human on the ground. He was totally oblivious to the trouble he was in but he would not stay ignorant long.

"Una? When did you get here?"

"Grryf's Tails. Wuphym, you idiot! Why didn't you tell her?"

"Tell her about...?" It finally registered that Naali was intensely angry at him. And what Una had just said could only mean one thing. Before he could say another word both females began shouting at him. Miraculously their voices didn't carry into the town. The human slept on the ground, all but forgotten.

**

"Hey there, you awake?"

Just as she was waking, Margarette imagined that the last three years she spent at Rowell's manor were nothing more than a long nightmare. She was waking up in her old house. None of the horrid, filthy work ever happened.

She was startled fully awake by loud barking and snarling. Terrified that she was being attacked by dogs she shuffled backward against a rock. There were no dogs in sight but there was someone else next to her. A little girl with a mass of tangled black hair and torn ragged clothes.

"Calm down. Believe it or not, you're safe here."

"Where are the dogs?" Margarette glanced around.

"Dogs? Oh, no no, those are...um. Maybe I shouldn't tell you."

She let out a panicked squeak at the memory of the giant snake.

"Easy now. I know these, er, people. You can believe me when I say they won't hurt you."

The strange girl's voice was calm and reassuring. She wanted to believe her. Whoever she was she seemed nice. But the snarling seemed to be getting louder. She couldn't believe the girl was so cool about these horrible noises.

"You can't understand them can you?"

"Understand what?"

The strange girl smiled slightly. "They're arguing. It's pretty silly, actually. He's such a dummy."

"What? Who's talking?"

"Close your eyes for a second. This will make you really dizzy for a couple of seconds but then you'll understand."

She wouldn't be able to tell you why she did it but Margarette did what she was told. Something pointed touched her forehead. Suddenly she felt she was spinning in place. She couldn't move at all. Then it was over.

"What, was," she hiccuped, "that?"

The strange girl just smiled. Something was different, something important. At first she couldn't tell what had changed. Then, little by little, the barking and snarling started to make sense to her.

"Wwrrr gaarr ddd mrraaj to do that? What is wrong hhuuee rrr ggjjaa dammit!"

"It's not like that faahhn hiiss listen to me?"

"You know I really thought you were different."

"Dearest, are you actually going to let me explain or are you just going yell at me and then leave?"

The more she listened the more it sounded like a lovers quarrel. But what language was that and why could she understand it now? She looked pleadingly at the strange girl.

"I told you it was a dumb argument."

"Are they, married? Can spirits marry?"

"Married, sort of. Spirits, no. Dragons."

"Dragons?"

"Dragons."

Things were not as bad as she had thought, they were worse! She remembered horror stories about monstrous lizards burning towns, fighting knights and,

"...eating people."

"Blech, ew, yuck, no. Why would a dragon eat a human? I would rather eat...um," the little girl trailed of. She fidgeted and looked embarrassed, like a whelp caught sneaking candies.

"You...you're a dragon too?!!" she felt her panic returning.

"I said no one would hurt you here, and that is the truth. Call me Una. They're Wuph and Naali, you will meet them later."

Margarette hugged her knees tightly to herself. It felt like the whole world had gone insane. It didn't make sense. She wanted to cry. It felt like she had forgotten how. Then there was a hand on her shoulder.

"Look, if you really want to go back you can. You are very important to us. More important than I can explain right now. But if you don't come with us willingly you might as well not come at all."

The nearly traumatized human looked up. Her lip was quivering.

"This is too much."

"I would call you crazy if you weren't scared and confused right now."

"Giant snakes, dragons that look like little girls and learning a language in a few seconds?"

Una patted her shoulder gently.

The young woman's mind kept telling her to run away, far away from dragons, spirits and witchcraft. Witchcraft? Margarette was surprised at herself for even thinking the word. She had lived most of her life in a city. As a little girl she had seen wizards and sorcerers, real ones. She had played lines and circles with a elf girl. Witchcraft, black magic, the evil eye...that was all superstitious nonsense she had heard in Hillslope. The stories about dragons that were told in the town, why shouldn't they be any less false? She felt silly for believing them.

"Show me what you really look like."

"Are you sure?" this human surprised Una, "You haven't had enough for one day?"

The voices became louder again. "I really did think I was wrong about you. But this? Pell never did anything like this and he was real slime!"

"Give me ten minutes to explain what happened. If you are still upset with me after that, fine. Just don't condemn me without hearing my side! I never pretended to be good little pup, or have you forgotten how we found each other?"

The voices became too faint to be understood. Margarette had relaxed a little bit. She could swear she had heard this very same argument before between a human couple. It had been no less stupid then. She looked at the strange little girl again.

"I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

Almost before she finished the sentence the girl vanished and was instantly replaced. She blinked confusedly at the creature in front of her. It was a bit bigger than her yet compared to the giant, spiny, horrible lizards she had seen in weavings and heard about in stories this blue striped creature seemed strangely human. And almost...delicate.

Just out of earshot Wuph and Naali were still hissing at each other.

"You aren't going to deny it?"

"It happened, so why deny it? But it wasn't a business transaction."

"That's not what she said. That was how you paid for your lessons."

"Did she really say that?"

"Well," she realized that was not actually what was said, "not in so many words."

"Vuunaar likes to exaggerate and tell half-truths. It's a game to her."

She took a deep breath, "Fine, then explain."

"The first week of my so-called lessons consisted of her trying to break my spirit using various illusions. She wanted me to go away. If she had it in her she would have killed me just for figuring out who she really was."

Naali grumbled but did not interrupt.

"You wouldn't believe that behind her public image, behind all the power and politics, was just a female completely terrified that she was going to spend her entire life alone and unloved. No one ever took her seriously as a runt. As Hmuumh, no one ever approached her without wanting something from her. She had no friends, her family couldn't care less about her, even most of the Twisted Mirrors don't know who she really is. She had been denied it for so long she didn't believe love of any sort was real anymore."

She wanted to say something, contradict him. As always Wuph was infuriatingly honest. She was also beginning to see some parallels with herself in this story.

"To make a long story short: Eventually she stopped fighting me. She taught me what I needed to know. Now we're friends."

"And?"

"It happened only once about two weeks ago. She is seven years older than me, did you know that? And it was her first time."

Naali turned away from him, mostly to hide her smirk. Anyone else would have at least tried to avoid mentioning the actual mating. "A virgin runt, Wuphym you really are something."

"It was pretty bad. And unbelievably awkward. Somehow no one got hurt. And afterward she spent a good amount of time crying on my shoulder."

She just shook her head. The story fit. If this wasn't typical Wuph behavior then she didn't know what was. She held him by the shoulders.

"Alright, I forgive you. You just need to understand one thing."

"What is it?"

She pulled him close and looked deeply into his eyes. Then she leaned in and whispered in his ear.

"If you ever leave me out again I will rip off your crests and cram them up your backside."