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Danath's Story of the Month #1

The Dragon's Familiar, Part 1

At least once a month I'll have a poll in which people can vote for the next story I'll write. The options will include ideas new and old, continuations and one-shots. If you want to see more of this particular arc or a new story, make sure you vote!

To vote on next month's story, visit danath.com

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Bad luck seems to follow me around. My ass still hurt from landing on it after I got thrown out of my last job - a piss-poor excuse for a tavern in a small town needed kitchen help. I was passing through and could use a few coins. Unfortunately, I knocked over a pot of boiling stew on the landlord's fat feet. I was out of there faster than any job I'd had before.

I've been traveling for years now. Left home early after scrubbing out of the only apprenticeship my poor parents could get for me. I was the youngest of five and they knew I would be the least successful. I don't blame them - they were always kind and supportive, though I knew they were relieved when I finally decided to leave.

So now here I am, trekking through another damn forest with nothing to my name but a few scraps of jerky and the clothes on my ragged orange fur. Well, it used to be orange, but I could certainly use a bath or two.

I let my tail lash behind me, the only expression of emotion on my face as I tromped down the narrow trail. I learned long ago to avoid the main roads. Bandits who couldn't steal from you didn't mind knocking out your teeth and I wasn't in the mood for trouble. All I wanted was to find some nice hollow tree trunk to curl up in and sleep away the day. I'd go to Avencord tomorrow - I heard there were lots of jobs there. Big industrial town.

It was late evening and my stomach rumbled. I pulled out some jerky and gnawed on the flavorless dried meats as I walked, unsure what they'd even come from and not really caring. I could hear a small stream nearby, so at least I didn't need to worry about water. Tomorrow morning I'd do my best to wash up before going into town. Maybe scrounge berries for breakfast.

I saw the trees open up ahead of me into a small clearing. I paused and sniffed the air. Something sharp and acrid tingled my nostrils and I realized a pale light was flashing through the trees. Crouching, I moved forward slowly and silently. Probably a campfire, but if it was a bunch of bandits I definitely didn't want to be noticed.

I was stunned by what I saw. There were no bandits, but there was a sorceress. I knew what she was the moment I saw her. I'd never seen one before, but I'd heard the stories from those who had, and she fit the bill. A long, royal purple cloak hung down from her shoulders, twisting and twirling as she moved. A cherry brown corset hugged her front, covering some of the pale blue scales on her chest and bare belly. The rest of her was covered in deep blue plate, overlapping as it wrapped around her arms, back, and legs, melding seamlessly into the smoother, fleshier scale knit tight together on her stomach, insides of her legs and arms, and her neck.

She wore a wide, floppy hat over her head, but her flat-ended snout could still be seen, as well as her flashing eyes and long white hair.

She had a heavy brow overshadowing her flashing purple eyes. Electric bolts flashed from the rims of her pupils, scorching the air. She held both hands up, claws curled in front of her, holding onto balls of pure magic. I stared, unbelieving.

She wasn't just moving, or showing off, or even dancing as I first supposed. Something flickered in front of her, something black and ugly, full of viscous black tentacles, like the resin left from the blacksmith's forges. It oozed into existence in bits and pieces. Oily tendrils reached from midair, seeking to coalesce around the nimble, tall dragon.

The balls of magic changed shape several times as I watched, awestruck, from behind a rock, eyes only visible, ears flat to my skull. I hardly breathed as I saw the magic change to shield, which she used to deflect a sudden lashing tentacle. She whirled, cloak spinning, and I caught glimpses of a silver belt around her hips. Round vials and pouches hung on the belt.

She thrust her arm out, throwing the magical energy from her fingers like a toy ball. It shot forward and landed in the faceless, formless creature, sinking into its oozy black skin. There was a hiss and a high-pitched squeal like a tea pot sounding. The sorceress deflected another tentacle with the other energy ball in her other hand and reached for her belt.

Something flickered behind her. Appearing from a flat, circular void, thick black tentacles reached out, tips dripping with ichor. The dragoness, engrossed in the creature in front, didn't realize it was sneaking up behind as she fumbled with her belt.

I leapt from behind the rock impulsively. Even later, I wouldn't know what possessed me.

"Watch out!" I shouted, charging forward. "Behind you!"

Leaping with all my strength, I launched myself towards the second monster, claws outstretched. My talons sunk through it like butter and the end of the tentacle flopped to the ground, staining the trampled grasses with oil.

A burning pain spread through my fingers immediately and the stink of rot filled my nose. I fell to the ground, clutching my wrist, unable to stop the yowling in my throat. The dragoness lurched to the side, avoiding two tentacles that met and wrapped around each other, absorbing themselves into one thicker tendril. She threw the other ball of energy into the spreading mass and it squealed again, shrinking down in size.

As I watched through tears of blinding pain, the sorceress opened a pouch on her belt and tossed a handful of powder at the mass of black. She shouted something, something old, powerful, strong enough to shatter stone and freeze the air. The mass went still, rigid, and then cracked. Blinding blue light shone through the myriad cracks, more and more, filling my vision with more than the red pain creeping up my arm, now to my elbow. I didn't dare look at my hand for fear of what I would see - instead, I stared at the monster as it shattered in a brilliant explosion of gray dust and blue light.

It was over in a moment and the small clearing was once again calm. A slight breeze ruffled my fur as I rolled onto my back, eyes wide, still clutching my hand in my other.

The dragoness turned towards me and threw her cloak around her backside. She was like an angel, a vision of heaven, as the fading evening sun flared behind her. She lifted her hat from her head and knelt beside me, eyes staring into mine.

"You could see the c'zelkelon?" she asked. Her voice was warm and pleasant.

I smiled up at her as the pain grew more intense. I was sure I would die here, but it was nice to know I would meet my end by doing something useful for a change. As the words she spoke sunk in, I realized she was waiting for an answer.

"Nngggg... yes," I gasped through my tortured grin. "Couldn't... let... it touch..."

"Shhhh," she whispered. She leaned in closer, until I could see nothing but the black of her pupils. And then... nothing.

So this is death, I thought. It's not so bad. A little warm, but cozy. And wooly.

"I wondered how long you would sleep."

My eyes snapped open. I wasn't dead, after all. The dragon's heavy purple cloak lay around me, swaddling me. My arm felt good, surprisingly, and when I pulled it free of the warm blanket, I examined myself, surprised to see no hint of rot or contamination as I'd feared.

I turned my gaze to my right. The sorceress stood there, smiling. Without her cloak, I could see more of her. Powerful digitrade legs supported a very tall, physically impressive body. She was no ancient, withered old male of children's stories, but a powerful mage in her prime. Her scales were healthy and thick as armor, allowing her to wear little in the way of clothing and remain protected. That little clothing consisted of the leather bra I'd seen before, large enough to easily support her ample breasts. Her bare belly looked smooth.

My gaze dropped lower as I shameless examined her. I'd never met a sorceress before, so my natural feline curiosity was kicking in. My mouth must have dropped open when I saw her midsection because she laughed.

Matching the cherry leather bra was a matching bottom, only it wasn't smooth in the front as I would expect of a female, but packed full of thick male meat.

"My name is Sul'ava," she said. "And if you can see the c'zelkelon, then I wonder if fate hasn't brought us together."

"Wazzat?" I asked. My tongue felt thick, though whether it was sleep or the shock of knowing her gender, I wasn't sure.

"A c'zelkelon is an interdimensional being that consumes life," the dragon said, reaching down to unwrap the cloak and help me to my feet. I shivered at the touch of her smooth, sharp claws on my wrists. "They like to try to break into our world because we have so much here. They're usually not so dangerous, but that one... well, sometimes they can get big."

I nodded, not really understanding what she meant by all she said. "So why is it fate that I could see them?"

"Because not many can. Only the few with the Gift are able, or at least those talented enough to act as channelers of the Gift."

I blinked again and looked up at her. "So does that mean I can do magic?"

She laughed and set her hand on my shoulder. She was so tall! A full foot and a half bigger than me, at least, and up close, I could smell her surprisingly feminine scent.

"Maybe, but it's too soon to say. What's your name, tiger?"

"Takajit."

"And what do you do, Takajit?"

"Besides screwing up, nothing."

She laughed again, voice clear and strong. Her claws squeezed my shoulder once before she let go.

"I like you, Takajit. You don't hesitate in the face of danger, even danger you don't understand or comprehend, and risk your life for someone you don't know. You are quick with words, and words are the most powerful force in the world. You have some inkling of the Gift - how much I do not know, but enough to see the c'zelkeron."

She paused and regarded me in a way that was very familiar. It was the look I'd seen on the face of every person who'd ever hired me to a position.

"Very well. I'll take you on as my familiar. I've been in need of someone and you have the right qualities of character and-" Here she paused and leaned forward, nostrils flaring, eyes dropping over my body. "-spirit."

I coughed and coughed, unable to help it as my breath caught in my throat. The idea was ridiculous! I leaned over, trying to get my breathing under control as my body jerked with each exhalation.

I came up laughing and Sul'ava frowned.

"Do I amuse you?" she asked, her voice deepening for a moment. The fading light felt heavier, darker, and I quickly shut my jowls.

"No, no!" I said, taking a step back from the glowering dragoness. "No, I mean... I'm just a screw up. I haven't kept a job longer than a few months. I can't do anything right and bad luck is my only friend. How can I expect to take your offer seriously when I know in a few days you'll see the error of your generosity?"

The dragoness frowned. "I did not make you an offer," she said. The warmth and friendliness she'd exhibited earlier rapidly vanished and the air around us grew heavier. "I am unused to being rejected. And even less of being told I am wrong in my judgments."

I paused. What was I thinking? This was an opportunity many would kill for. A powerful magician offering you a position - even as a familiar, whatever that would entail - was not something you laughed off.

And you certainly didn't piss off a dragon. Ever.

"I apologize, Sul'ava," I said quickly. "I meant no offense, but your abruptness startled me and, seeing as I'm used to less generous offers than yours, I was taken aback. I will gladly become your familiar, though I have doubts I will be able to help you as you believe I am able."

The light returned to the clearing as though someone lifted the lid off a pot. Was I out of the pan and into the fire? I couldn't know, not yet. The dragoness smiled, cheerful once more, and I resolved never to strive to get on this dragon's bad side.

Everyone knew about dragons, of course. Solitary, aloof, and known for their abilities magical and not, they were highly prized as mercenaries, guards, and magicians. They were loyal to a fault and stubborn, but when not contracted, as independent as the wind. The greatest wizards, warlocks, and sorceresses of the ages were all dragons.

Dragons were, of course, temperamental, with fierce senses of dignity. They brooked no slights and even the mildest of insults could rapidly escalate into confrontations, especially with a dragon drunk on mead. The story about the drunk dragon who destroyed four taverns in a single evening was almost as popular as the one about the lusty dragon princess and the slippery sea captain otter. Neither of which, I had the feeling, had ever been told in front of this particular example of the species.

Sul'ava nodded, content. "Very well. Do you have any magical training at all?" she asked.

I thought back to when I was younger. "No... I once assisted a wizard, but after I accidentally blew up his laboratory, I was dismissed," I said. "He also made all my fur fall out."

Sul'ava laughed, probably imagining me furless, tiny and pink. I grinned as well - it was so long ago I could look back on it and think it funny. At the time, however...

"We will camp here for the night," Sul'ava said. "Gather some wood for a fire; I'll prepare a meal. While we eat, I'll explain your duties."

Sul'ava was, I thought to myself as I gathered sticks and branches from the nearby woods, a strange creature. Her temper was obvious and, though she'd shown me kindness by healing my arm, I wasn't too sure whether she actually liked me or not, despite saying so. Was it just an act? Did she have ulterior motives?

I considered dropping my bundle of sticks and running into the forest. I doubted she would look for me, or even much care. Was it worth the risk to be her familiar? And wait a second - familiar? Not apprentice? That was strange. As I walked slowly back towards the clearing, I decided I would stay - for now - and see what she expected of me.

I set the sticks down on the ground next to a roaring yet surprisingly contained fire. The dragoness had been busy while I was gone. In addition to the fire, a metal cook pot simmered on the stove and the smells of hot meat and roasting vegetables filled the air. I was suddenly very glad, as my belly grumbled, that I had not left.

The last of the light faded, leaving us sitting on opposite sides of the fire as we ate.

"Why do you want a familiar and not an apprentice?" I asked between bites.

The dragoness dipped a chunk of oat-filled bread into the stew and swallowed before answering.

"Apprentices are for blacksmiths," she said, "and wizards who don't understand the true nature of magic and power. Besides that, you're a feline. Felines have a natural affinity for magic regardless."

She chewed another piece of bread before continuing, eyes boring into me.

"I also am not interested in teaching. You will learn by being magic."

"What does that mean - being magic?"

A hint of a smile ghosted at her lips. I watched her carefully, noticing how the firelight illuminated her body, all supple scales and plate, strong and feminine, yet masculine and proud all at once. The yellow light licked up her legs to her leather thong and silver belt. She had additional jewelry, I now noticed - gold, silver, and platinum bracelets around her wrists and ankles, necklaces of onyx and diamond around her neck, and a small circlet around her forehead. It held her long, waist-length white hair away from her face. Her hair, I saw, was bound up in a ponytail and much longer than before. She hadn't worn all those accoutrements earlier; was she dressing to impress me? Or, more likely, she simply took them off before trying to fight inter... inter the men soupal monsters, or whatever she'd called it. No doubt long hair was a disadvantage when fighting such creatures as well. It was a subtle, powerful demonstration of her abilities. I was impressed already, but she made it so simple, I was in awe.

"It's time for sleep," Sul'ava said, stretching her arms over her head. "My energy is very low."

I nodded. I was surprisingly tired as well.

Sul'ava waved her claws at the pit between us. The fire flamed up once before subsiding into low, red coals. The dragoness smiled as I stared in amazement at the simple trick.

"Goodnight, Takajit."

I stretched out in the cool night air, not really caring whether I had a blanket or covering. I'd spent many nights in the forest just like this, though tonight I could sleep soundly knowing there was little to fear with such a powerful sorceress so near. My tail tip danced as I pondered my future. What did the dragoness mean by saying I would learn not by her teaching me, but by my becoming magic? I twitched my whiskers and turned onto my side, arms spread in front of me. I could hear the wind blowing, the insects chirping, and my new master's slow breathing. The night was so peaceful, the moon so bright and calm, I fell asleep quickly.