Five Dragons: TLoP: Chapter 5: The Agony of Choice

Story by Lorddaventry on SoFurry

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Five Dragons: TLoP:

Chapter 5: The Agony of Choice

   Five years

have passed since the night of his arrival in Parem. The day dawned with

a cloudless blue sky. The warm rays of the morning

sun cast its glow on the roof of the

house. The golden light fell

through the wide window into the room and woke the

tired man on the mattress.

Roland lay sleepily

in his bed and

rolled extensively under the

blanket. Drowsy he swung his head back and

forth and tried to hold the Daydreamed. The

cheerful chirping of the birds

came through the open window into the room and helped with the wake-up call of the

sun. In his mind he made an attempt to hide the bird singing what

seemed to him even to succeed. But a strong jolt turned

him aside, and he fell off the bed knew

to the ground. A muffled "Peng" filled the air in the room. Roland was lying, face on

the big carpet and felt the red fibers on

his cheek. With a

grimace he lazily opened his

eyes. Something he

laboriously straightened up and looked slightly annoyed at the mattress. Two deep blue eyes

sparkled at him, accompanied by a

slight turquoise glitter. An orange red female

dragon lying on the bed and looked at the young

man with a wet look. A soft cooing was heard

from the dragoness. "Is that the polite

way to wake me up?" he asked

plaintively easily. Kyndle nodded once with

closed eyes and answered

his question with an affirmative

"Churr". He smiled at her, shaking his head. Roland stood up and

walked closer to the open window.

A cool gust of wind came to meet him as

he inhaled the fresh

air deeply. With

relish, he stretched out on a long yawn. His gaze remained in

the large mirror

cabinet are to

his left. He walked a little

closer and looked at his

reflection in it. "All

grown nice." he said to the mirror image

and set its affirmative

thumbs up. Grinning, he looked in the mirrored glass.

Easy thoughtful attention

fell to his right lower leg. The leg slightly turned

to the side, he looked at the scar

on it. He once

breathed out heavily. "Five years now."

he murmured softly.He noticed how Kyndle

moved in the mirror. She climbed down from the mattress and also

began to stretch properly.

Roland turned to her.

"Unbelievable how quickly she's

grown up." he thought with arms folded in

front of him as he looked at her.The growth is also not passed idly at her. Her body size was now comparable to that

of a pony. The black horns had gained something at

length, as well as her dark wings.

The color scales

shimmered strong for

some time, particularly in the

transition to the gray areas on the chest and belly.

At the tail end

a bony tip had

been formed in recent

years. A sharp, pointed mandrel,

can also share

as a pair of scissors and a comb weakly pronounced retired

from her head down on her back, to the tail head. The female had turned

her back to Roland and continued

her morning stretching. Wings apart and head

forward. The tail as far up as she was able. Roland's gaze fell inevitably to the area between her hind legs, which she showed all too well in her

morning exercise on display. He grabbed a quick breath and lowered his face to

the side slightly embarrassed. Kyndle

then again took

a more relaxed attitude,

turned sideways to

him and looked at him with an awakened view. With a soft purr,

she sent a short turquoise sparkle to him. Shy

smiling, he looked at her. An odd smell rose to

his nose, but only weakly.The golden rays of the sun left the orange

red shed light

shimmer, like a warm aura that hovered around

her. Easy tense he looked at the elegant body of the female dragon. "Very

attractive." he thought to himself

spontaneously and felt his pulse was increased

slightly, followed by a brief shock.

"Why have I right

now such a thought!?" it

went through his skull. Unsure he shook his head again and touched

his forehead. Roland walked a

little confused back to the bed and

sat down thoughtfully at the edge. The young man

listened his thoughts. "Does she make that on purpose?"

he asked himself. Remembering the past talk with

Clara came back to him also in mind. He had asked for

advice as Kyndle daze something

strange toward him for the first time.

This was first noticed

him two years ago when she came into her first heat. But something in

her behavior was

different now, in spite of this

fact. Kyndle had seated herself on the ground before him. Held

her head slightly inclined watched him silently.His mind drifted back

to the conversation....... "I do not know what is

going on with her lately." he was complaining

of and pointed to Kyndle which had lain

down beside him on the ground.

The female looked at him a bit puzzled, which was accompanied by

a soft cooing. Clara

looked at the dragoness exactly, she breathed it

a few times through her nose and then turned back to him. "Oh Roland. Tell

merely you do not know that?" she asked with a wide grin on her face. Roland looked at Clara with a rather confused look. "Can`t you feel it?" she began obliquely down

the head. "It is

spring. The nature shows its beauty and

for many animals begins the mating season."

She giggled softly. "This

also applies to dragons." she added

with a smile. "With them we then speak of the

heat." she explained. "Mating season?" he hacked at something thoughtfully

and looked at her a little overwhelmed.

"Do not worry because of that, it`s

totally normal." she reassured him. "That`s

just a part of the rhythm of life."

She held out a hand

on his shoulder and looked

at him with her green eyes. "Think about it. Is with us humans as well." She winked at him once. "The

little desire for a partner, for warmth and affection." Roland dodged Clara's

gaze and looked to

Kyndle. The dragoness

looked at him from below with moist eyes and cooed softly. A small spark of turquoise could be seen. Barnabas assistant walked beside Roland and

crossed her arms, while also looking at the dragoness.

"But still, you should have a

little attention for

her." Thoughtfully, she lowered

her head slightly forward. "During

the heat phase many dragons create a more aggressive

behavior on the day." She raised

a hand-explanatory. "Mostly the male counterparts."

She winked at Roland

once. "But there are also spirited females." she added smiling.Roland saw Clara something

ignorant. "Do I have some expect now that an

entire herd of male recruiters are standing

outside the front door?" he

asked with a raised eyebrow and a very weak smile. She looked at him

for a moment in silence and

holding her head slightly inclined.

"In that fact I can reassure you." she began calmly. "When it comes to choosing a partner they are extremely picky." She took a quick breath. "Let's say: Every female

has as their own claims." Clara laughed

to herself at her

last words. Roland looked at her slightly puzzled.

"Do not panic. You'll certainly

never a find whole pack of male dragons at home." she said amused and

patted him once on

the shoulder." Dragons are a

faithful species. Should read:.

Once they have found a suitable partner, they remain usually together."

She smiled at him as she finished her sentence. "But interpret now not too much into it."

she began again, looking gravely at him. "Dragons

want sometimes just

a bit fun. So do not think

she had found

her partner for

life when you successfully catch

her with a male." "Aha." Roland was

nodding his head in response, an eyebrow skeptically pulled

up. "When she has

found her life

partner you will realize it."

Clara held her head

dreaming with closed eyes tilted

to the side. "The way she looks

at her chosen one, approaching him, looking

for his company." she added softly. "Picky, then?" chopped Roland grin after

and ended her brief

daydream. "Now do not be ridiculous." said Clara determinative

and hit him once with

her fist lightly in the shoulder. "You

understand me all right." she added with a serious look. She turned determining to Kyndle. "You'll see

it soon enough if she will reject the

first recruiter, or

approaching to another dragon."

Another laugh escaped

her mouth. "Approaching herself to another dragon?"

he repeated questioningly in thought as he watched

the dragoness. ...... Roland came from the reminders to

himself as he was

touched by Kyndles tongue on the hand. A

gentle cooing of her was in the air. He

looked into the widened blue eyes of the dragoness,

who had directed her

captivating look at him. "What is?" he

asked softly as he looked back

to the slight hint

of turquoise. Again invaded this weak

weird smell in

his nose. The female was getting a bit closer

to him. She snorted softly

in his face and

a soft purr escaped

her body. Roland looked

smiling at the blue sapphires, the touch of

turquoise is reflected

in his eyes. He felt her warm breath on his skin and approached her also.

He put a hand on

her shoulder and stroked her slowly

over the scales the

neck up. Kyndle

put in his

pleasant touch her head slightly to the side and began enjoy sending to

close her eyes, while she continued toward

him. Few millimeters parted her

lips still apart.Just at that moment there was a knock several times. Roland pulled his hand back slightly startled

when he turned to the source of the noise. Kyndle swung her head frantically

to the door.

She moved away a little of her companion, her face slightly downcast lowered

avoided her gaze to the floor. She huffed out strong

and a silent, rather plaintive "Chirp" accompanied her gesture. Head down, she left a

paw in a circular

motion glide over the carpet,

without paying Roland`s attention.This gave all his

attention to the knock on the

door. Surprised, he

went to the entrance and unlocked the lock. He

pulled the door open and a tired face looking up

at him. "Good morning Sasha." greeted him Roland. The older man

made a gesture stooped. "Likewise, my lord." he said. He looked

at the young man checking, with raised eyebrows, he looked at him. "Your presence is necessary in the study of Lady Catherine."

added the butler. Roland looked at him with wide eyes. "Why?" he asked curiously. "This morning a letter

from the king arrived, addressed

to you." Roland went up in surprise both

eyebrows. "But first I would advise you to adjust the

wardrobe a bit." added Sasha sober, pointing to the simple clothing of

Roland. He looked puzzled down at himself and noticed with a smile, that he

was only in

underwear in front of the Butler.

"All right. I'm done shortly." Roland said, and closed the door again. He

walked quickly approached the mirror cabinet and

opened one of the doors. "A letter from the king for me?" he asked himself in thought as he pulled

on a fresh shirt.Kyndle turned her head

to him and gave him a questioning "Meep" in front of the feet. Roland

looked slightly smirking.

"It's nothing. I can do that

alone." he told her as he slipped into a pair of pants. Then he walked up to

her. He put a hand on her forehead and placed a small kiss on her nose.

The dragoness closed

both eyes and purred

softly. "You can quietly nap a bit longer." he added me a wink.Kyndle let herself not to be asked twice and

was lying on the mattress before he arrived at

the door. Roland

looked back at her. Light a smile he

watched her as she curled up

and purred softly

to herself. Then he walked through the door. Sasha was still waiting in the hallway for him. He looked at the young man and took the outstretched hand making a gesture to the stairs. "This way,

please." he spoke calmly and proceeded

with held on his

back arms. Roland knew where the room was,

but does not wanted decrease Sasha his job and

followed him silently, inclined his head slowly forward. "What the

king probably wants from me?"

he asked himself. Arrived at the office the door, Sasha opened it for Roland. After he had entered the room, he closed it again without having to follow him. Roland looked around the

room. Daniel stood beside Catherine, who had sat

down on one of the large armchairs.

On the table before her lay a rolled-up letter,

the seal of the King on it. The woman did not say a word. Still, she took the

role in her hand and handed it to Roland. Somewhat

hesitantly, he reached for the paper. He looked at the

message briefly, but his gaze fall again asking

to Catherine. She

looked at him with a warm smile. "Go

ahead." she said calmly. Roland broke the

wax seal and unrolled the message. Curious, he began to read it. ...... Be greeted Roland.You will hereby officially

invited to a hearing in the castle.The king has granted your questions by his popularity

and looks to be

authorized to communicate it to you

personally. Your appearance will

therefore be required at court.Presented this writing to the guards at the gate and they will let you

pass freely. This invitation is especially for your dragon.......

Roland left reluctantly

lowered the letter from his field of vision. His eyes were wide with surprise behind

the paper to light. He took a deep breath. Catherine

and Daniel looked

at him tense. "I am invited

to the castle, and I should take Kyndle with me." he said slowly. Daniel widened

his eyes. "Is descripted why?" he asked determinative. Roland looked

again on the

document. "No." he

added. "Good." said

Catherine left and

clapped her hands together once. "Then

we will not have to wait the king."

she added, as she stood up and walked to the door. "You will go to Drakensang

same today. Daniel

will take you there." she added and walked

through the door. Daniel made a nodding movement

of the head and followed his mistress.

"Of course." he said. In passing he knocked Roland

once on the shoulder. "Pick together what

you need, I'll take care of the

transportation." he added. The

young man remained silent.

It remained for him to answer any opportunity, because everyone was already

gone before he could catch his breath. "Ok." he thought something unsafe

to himself and looked slightly perplexed in

the now empty office,

then he made

his way back to his room....... "What do you mean with that? She is no longer here!?" asked vigorously a well-armed woman the barman.

She wore a finely

tailored leather armor.

This was designed

not to hind her in

any movement or disturbing.

The hardened leather pieces were also seen

on the legs and

forearms. Her gloves were equipped with gray plates in the melee

certainly could feel

painful itself. Strapped

to her back she carried a massive war hammer with

her, who already had many battle scars. Her rather

petite stature effectively

hid the enormous strength, which would be necessary for carrying out such weapons.The gaze of her

red eyes pierced the bartender literally. The

also red tattoo

on her left cheek reinforced this

effect even further. She placed

both hands noisily

on the counter and even shook off her

shoulder-length red hair. The bartender looked

at the stranger

left. "As I said." he began. "Lizbeth

is no longer here.

She arrived in Parem

a few days ago.""Nice that I found out that so early." she

bleated with angry

voice. The bartender looked at the woman quizzically.

"Should I get a message to her?" The lady held

up a hand repellent. "No need." she started, looking at him while demanding.

"I'll tell her myself."

She turned away from the counter and walked to

the entrance. At the door she

stopped and turned back to the bartender to.

"And Johan?" she began, pointing with one hand on the keeper. This

looked at her with

raised eyebrows. "Yes Patricia?" he asked

calmly. "No word on that

I was here."

she added determinative. Johan nodded silently,

before she went out of the inn. ...... Before the entrance to the property

Ironwing, Roland and

his companion got ready to leave.Roland stood before his dragoness and pulled

her way around the selected

cloth. "And pull

here and ready." he said as he looked at

her with a smile. Kyndle looked at him with half-closed eyes and cooed softly. She nudged

her companion with the muzzle to the

nose, adding a cheerful short "Meep". Then she moved slightly to

his cape and tried

him to pull the hood

over the head, what she did not succeed so right. Roland smiled at the

dragoness and held it to her nose, looking into

her eyes. The light turquoise shimmer of

her pupils lights at him. The quiet purr of

her he could feel

in his hand. "We

are again playful

today?" he asked with a wink. Kyndle

something came closer to him and stroked Roland purring

lightly with her tongue down his cheek, then she

rubbed her head against his.

He felt her scales on his skin and heard

sympathetically the slight vibrations of her purr. He brushed a hand

over her head and placed it

on her cheek. She took eye contact and threw him against a bright

turquoise glitter. Roland looked up with a

warm smile in the blue gems. The dragoness approached her face, her head held

slightly inclined, she began to

purr with half-closed eyes.

Roland held the eye

contact maintained. This low odor, which he had in the nose in the morning

was now again

available. Kyndle now closed her eyes completely and snorted her

companion once gentle face. Roland felt

her warm breath on his skin. As if on cue returned his body her gesture. A

brief moment both still separated from

each other. Kyndles heart began

to pound nervously. But before it came

to the by her hoped for kiss,

drove a car around

the corner. The noisy sound of the two

horses pulled Roland

back from his little

dream. With a slight shake of his

head he came to himself and looked at an

orange-red female dragon, which gave

him a slightly sad look. He took a quick

breath to speak to her."Are

you two ready?" interrupted Daniel's question, which had

stopped the car

in front of them. Roland exhaled once strong and had to swallow his

words. Kyndle looked at him questioningly, but he kept his eyes closed. He moved again to

Kyndles scarf and

then turned to the driver. "Yes, we're ready." he said, and climbed into

the passenger seat. The dragoness took on the

rear seat area.

Lowered her head thoughtfully

and gave, over the fact that already have something came between them, a

sad, barely audible "Chirp"

of herself. Roland briefly turned

his head back. He looked at

his companion in her

dejected attitude. This sight let him

go through the body a slight discomfort. He

could never bear well to see

her in such an

attitude. He was not entirely clear why she

behaved so at the moment. Thoughtfully, he turned his face to the front again. "How long will my visit

to the castle takes about?"

he asked Daniel. The

driver looked at him briefly

a little skeptical. "I do not

know. An hour or two maybe." he replied as he

raised an eyebrow. "Why do

you ask?" he hacked at. "Can we yet go before

to Barnabas farm?" Roland asked. Daniel

took a one left.

"Yes, we can." he uttered. The driver

saw Roland slightly

suspicious. "Something I should know?" he said soberly. Roland kept

his gaze thoughtfully directed

forward. "No." he

replied hesitantly. "Nothing important at the moment."

he added as he

looked back to the

female.Daniel saw his passenger

briefly silent, then

he nodded once.

"All right." he began. "Let's visit before the meeting at court nor the farm of Barnabas."

he added, relied on

a slight smile. Roland nodded wordlessly as he

continued to regard Kyndle. The female noticed his gaze and turned her

moist eyes on him.

The blue color of the iris covered the otherwise clearly

identifiable turquoise shimmer.

She snorted once in

his direction and

then lowered, with

a soft cooing her head. With her eyes closed she pulled her face under one

of her dark wings. Roland felt that something was wrong with her, but still could not determine what that might be. Knowing that she would not react in the

moment to his words, he turned back to the street

in front of the car. "What

is going on with her?" he asked himself, tilted his head slowly forward."Don`t break your head because of her." Daniel started and looked at

him encouragingly. "All dragons behave

a little strange in heat." A slight

smile accompanied his last words.

Roland saw at the

driver with a skeptical face.

"A little strange? Yes." he said as his eyes wandered to the female.

"But this time

it's different." He added, turning back to Daniel. "Oh,

because of that you want to go first to Barnabas!" came easily amazed

by the driver. The passenger nodded once silent.

"Why don`t you say that straight away." lamented Daniel smile.

"I'll remember that for next time."

said Roland, and had

himself also a smile.......

A man in a gray robe

knelt in front of five big dragon statues. The

hands held together in prayer,

he meditated with sloping forehead before the stone dragon.

A second figure approached

him, also dressed in the same clothes. "The times are darkened increasingly, since the first companion

had revealed." said the first

into space. "Disturbing events occur." he

said. "The dead rise from their graves. An outbreak on Shared Mountain.

Parts of the floating city are plunged

into the crater." The second person walked

past the glowing emblems. "It was

not only the

first one." He began,

waving his hand to the other glowing symbols. "Not

only Kyleth, Arkas, Sorathis and also

Galvatros have chosen

a companion." In front of the last

stone figure he stopped. "Only Wyverex remains

pending." Silently looked the man in

the empty stone eyes

of the shown dragon. The meditating

priest turned his tired look on his

colleagues. "Trust in the

Five, brother. He

will reach when the time is right.""The prophecy will be fulfilled

before the impending

darkness engulfs this

world." ...... Daniel drove the car through

the stone gate and turned shortly thereafter on a

dirt road, which led to Barnabas farm. "Wait.

Stop Daniel! "Roland

said aloud. With a strong jolt the car stopped

and the driver threw his fellow passengers a

questioning look. The female on the rear pulled easily

frightened out her head under her

wing. "What's going

on?" Daniel asked, slightly nervous and raised both eyebrows. Roland shook

his head slowly. "Nothing serious." he began calmly.

"You can wait for us here. The rest we go

on foot." Daniel scratched his head. "Well,

if you mean so." he said, and nodded

at him once. Roland rose from

the front passenger seat and

waved once at the

driver. "See you later,

he said, and

turned to the female dragon on

the back place. Kyndle looked

at her companion a

little skeptical and looked at

him with her deep blue eyes. With a soft cooing

she moved her head in his direction.

Roland saw the

female with a warm smile. "Come on little one. The rest we go alone." he said to her and made with the hand a waving to him

gesture. In Kyndles

eyes briefly flashed

a light turquoise shimmer by his last

words. With a quick movement, the dragoness sat up and

jumped from the

car elegantly down. Joyfully she strutted a

few steps ahead and threw her companion then an

encouragingly "Meep" counter. Roland smiled

at her and went after

her. "So I know my Kyndle." he thought to himself. To see her happy

again took him a big load of the soul. Roland walked with

a leisurely pace on the dirt road, while he

let his gaze thoughtfully glide over the wide enclosure.

But he turned his attention a little surprised to Kyndle.

She was walking right

beside him and leaned her head softly purring

on his shoulder.

He drove with his arm under her jaw through

and kept his hand on her cheek. With slight pressure

he pressed her to him. The female closed her

eyes and purred happily excited on. Again

this strange smell

rose to his nostrils. He thought no more about

it. Together they crossed a long bridge that led

across a brown pen. After the transfer, the landscape changed to an open green area. Individual trees and shrubs found

its way into the wide enclosure. They walked along

the fence when suddenly a strange

dragon appeared behind

and stuck his head over the edge of the boundary.

Curious about, the animal sniffed the air and turned his attention to the orange-red female.Roland stand remained

with Kyndle and let her go easily

frightened when he saw the

brown scaly face.

Tense he looked into the emerald green eyes of

the head. The dragon had dark brown scales,

even to the nostrils

the color changed more of a matte black. Two single gray horns crowned the

forehead of the animal. The lighter breast shed

he turned to

acting skillfully as he stood in a proud attitude. Raised

his head, he spread his lowered

wings and gave a loud "Chirp" of himself. A subsequent deep

cooing was yet

to hear from him. At that moment, another dragon hissed between.

Roland turned frightened

to the new one. There

were hardly detect

differences between the two. He

therefore assumed that they belong to the same species. The second dragon had the

same appearance, he was only slightly larger than

his colleague and from his head lit

small rubies. The second dragon hissed at the first

again and demonstrated with a threatening growl his razor-sharp teeth.

The first is

the left not just

like and also

moved into an aggressive stance against the counterparty. Both dragon fought

bare an embittered

look duel, accompanied

by alternating growl and bared teeth. Roland

watched this tense

drama. After no one left

intimidated by both, they changed their strategy.

Both raised their heads and stood upright

in front of the fence down.

The wings slightly raised they unfolded

their bright brown

wing membranes, stretched the tail straight back.

A deep and booming

cooing was heard by

the two dragons, which looked encouragingly at Kyndle. The young man realized now

that both campaigned fiercely for the favor of his companion. He nudged

his dragoness slightly.

"Hey. I think they talk to you." he said

to her. But Kyndle gave no heed to their

efforts. She held her head with closed eyes curled on Roland and

purred softly to

herself. After some time, both males slowly lowered

their heads because

they got no attention

from the female. Roland saw the two skeptical

after as they

retreated, their faces downcast inclined.

"She has

granted them not even a quick look." he thought to himself as he looked at Kyndle. "What is

merely wrong with her?" he said to himself, as

he sat down again on the move.

The dragoness leaned

further against his

shoulder as they walked to the farm. Once on the large forecourt in front of the central building Kyndle

sparked something of her companion and

walked a little way ahead. "Hello Roland," cried Clara aloud from the entrance

of the main house, when she noticed

the two on the far

place. A broad smile adorn

her face. Kyndle lifted

her head and sent a welcoming treatment "Meep" back. Roland smiled

and waved to her. The female ran toward Clara

and stopped directly in front of her. Barnabas assistant

held an open hand against the dragoness for

greeting, accompanied by a warm smile. Kyndle leaned

her muzzle with a joyful snort short against the

offered hand and

added a cheerful "Chirp"

to. "Well if that is not my little friend?" Clara said to the female

and smiled at her. "How big you have almost grown?" she added in amusement. The dragoness saw

Clara with open eyes and gave a playful "Churr"

by herself, there she stuck the tip of her tongue out of the mouth.Roland had now caught up and stood next

to the two in front of the entrance.

Clara turned to him. "Master Barnabas is

not in the house." she began.

"If you want to talk to him,

you have to come back in three days."

she explained with obliquely down the head

and held out three

fingers outstretched. The young man held up a hand repellent. "It's

ok. I actually wanted to talk with you." he

said, tossing the assistant a questioning

look. Clara smiled at him,

holding her green eyes fixed on him.

"With me?" she asked, slightly hesitant. Roland nodded again,

smiling. ...... In a lonely and

dark cave, not far from the border to Parem, two figures

had gathered. Which sat around a small flickering

fire. One of them poked with a stick wildly in

the embers. "Only an order!" cursed the man to his

cronies. "ONE SHITTY ORDER! This were his

words!" he added with anger

and threw angry

the short wooden

stick into the fire. The flames

startled easily and

gave the dark cave a short

bright shimmer. The

shadow of darkness withdrew

briefly from the

faces of the men. "Calm

down, Torben." soothed him his colleague, directed

his weary pale eyes on him. Torben twitched angrily back

and forth. "Larzarus has

said. Only an order and we are finished!"

vigorously he held a finger over the flames, held out to his colleagues. "And where has that brought us?" he

added sarcastically, as he stood

up with outstretched arms slightly away of

the fire. "We're sitting here at the ass of the world!" Frantically

he turned and went

with his upscale fist to his cronies. "On

the run after nearly five years in captivity

by a sadistic fat

man!" With a menacing look he

saw him breathing

heavily deep into the pale eyes.

"AND I SHOULD CALM DOWN!?" he

asked with anger after. His colleague slowly raised

his head and looked at him

seriously. "Yes." he said calmly. Torben sat down again

by the fire, his head resting on his hand, breathing heavily. "He has not

made a single attempt." He lifted his face and

looked over the flames to his colleagues. "Not

one! Aaros."

he added, raising thereby a

forefinger.Aaros turned his gaze to

Torben. "That is because he is no

longer the Larzarus that he once was." With raised eyebrows he

looked at his colleague skeptically.

"What do you mean?" Aaros saw his cronies thoughtfully.

"Have you not noticed it?"

he asked. "What

noticed?" hacked Torben by. "Something about him was different than we

last saw him, somehow

strange." Tense he held his clenched

hand to his mouth. "I could not see it clearly, but it seemed like he was not himself. This Kargesh certainly

has something to do with it.""And what do

you think we should do now?" Torben asked

determinative. Aaros saw to his colleague with

a smile. "Well, my friend, it`s very simple. We will add us to the

course of destiny and ask for a king's forgiveness." he said calmly. Torben

left slightly shocked

noticed open his mouth. ...... "I

don`t get the point." Roland began a little

perplexed. "She had not even

considered this dragons

with her tail

end." He stopped and turned to Kyndle. "I

would have expected that she somehow

agreed with them, even if she rejects

them." Thoughtfully, he looked at the orange-red

female. Kyndle looked

at her companion with

an awakened glance and sent him a happy cooing,

accompanied by a slight turquoise

glitter. Clara closed thoughtful her eyes. After a short deliberation,

she turned to Roland. "The way you describe it, it could be that she still

has no interest in a partner." she began. "Or she have

already chosen one." she added thoughtfully and

kept thereby a finger to her chin. "The only

question is for whom?" she

added. "That would interest me

too." said Roland and turned to Clara. "Because

until now she has

not allow another dragon to herself."The young man walked up to his female dragon, holding a hand to her cheek, gazing deeply into her blue eyes

directed. A thin ring

of turquoise retired to the dilated pupils.

Kyndle began to

purr softly as she felt his hand on her head.

"And what do

you say?" Roland asked with

a broad smile. Kyndle looked at him with a wet look, her heart was

beating fast. But how paralyzed she could give him no answer. The nervousness

was just too big at

the moment. The female dragon

crouched on the floor, her head tilted to one side slightly embarrassed, but always keeping eye

contact with her companion.

Only their light purr

came from her throat. After a short time Roland pulled his hand back and

turned his gaze to Clara. "She probably

has no interest now."

he said, slightly disappointed at her. "Whatever."

he said as he turned and walked toward a

little on Clara. "We

should now slowly back to Daniel. An

appointment in the castle is

still on the list." he

added. "Thank you for your time.

We certainly see

you again soon." he said to

Barnabas assistant and shown a goodbye with a wave at her. "Come

Kyndle." He said to the female and began to go

ahead. Clara waved smiling

back at Roland, but then turned

to Kyndle. She had the dragoness closely

watched and began to smile

with closed eyes.Kyndle rose slightly

hesitant, lowered her head a little sad as she went behind Roland.

She paused a bit shocked when she suddenly noticed Clara's hand on her

shoulder. Interrogative she

looked into the green eyes of the blond person.

This smiled warmly

at the dragoness and stroked her

gently on the

head. "A good choice you made there." she

spoke softly to the female.

Kyndle briefly closed her eyes and cooed

softly, followed by a weak "Chirp". "Do not be discouraged now." she began confidently. "Your

time will come. Just have a little patience." she added with a wink and smiled

at the female. With a cheery "Meep" the dragoness turned

and stalked behind her companion. Clara looked

after her with crossed

arms and held her head while a slight angle. "Good

luck Kyndle." she spoke softly and waved

after them. After a short walk they arrived back at

Daniel. This easy

waited impatiently beside the car and had

his foot nervously rattle on the ground. He

sat up quickly when he noticed

the two. "There you are again." He climbed into the driver's seat and

gave the young man

a questioning look. "Did

you get your questions answered?"

he asked with a

slight smile on his face. Roland

nodded once in

agreement. "Yes, all right so

far." he replied and sat down beside him. Kyndle made it herself comfortable on the back. "Now then, on to the castle." Daniel said, and put the car in motion. ......Torben walked nervously

in the cave up and

down. "Of course! Just like

that through the gates to the throne!" he groused

to himself and waved

it with his hands. "Then a cheerful obeisance

before the crown.

And at the same time we say: Sorry for your dad!" he

added sarcastically and knelt with outstretched hands to the front, slightly

grimaced. He straightened

up again walked with a pointing

finger at his comrade. "And just so

on the edge." he began angrily. "We're

broken out of his prison, only just a few days

ago." he grumbled on. Aaros looked at him

puzzled, shaking his head with his hand held to his forehead. Torben turned his back

on him again and held one forefinger

stretched upward. "Oh, but we can apologize us for

that, too. He will cut us heads only once and

not twice." he

said angrily and stretched his colleagues against

two fingers. The man at the fire remained still shaking

his head, held his hand to his forehead.

"Come sit down and get some air.

In your current state of your mind

you make me just nervous." he said calmly and

looked into the flickering flames.

Somewhat hesitantly Torben took next to the

fire place again and exhaled heavily. Slowly

his breathing calmed and it came back

a little silence in

the cave. Some

moments both sat

silently at the fire. "Was actually a good train of you." Torben began.

"What?" replied Aaros surprised and looked

at him questioningly. "Well,

that with the cell

door and the guard. I did not expect that

you can do something like that, and then even without your

rod." he added praise

and grinned at

him through the flames. His

colleague shook his head with closed eyes. "That

was not my work." he explained.

"What do you mean?" hooked Torben curiously

after. "Did you forgotten it? The arkansulfate had

blocked my access. Inside the prison I

couldn`t act magic, even if I had had my staff."

he replied. "Who, or what was it then?" Torben asked again."Before our escape, I had a spiritual appearance in

my dreams." began Aaros. "The figure was wearing an orange-red robe and walked out of

a ring of flames to

me. He spoke of a companion

and that we should go to the king." Thoughtfully

he gazed into the flickering glow of the fire. "Companion?"

Torben interrupted him with a grin. "Do you

speak merely of this stupid prophecy?"

Aaros looked at him seriously. "This is not a silly fairy tale." he hissed over the

flames. "This stranger has

opened my eyes, and he was the one who allowed

us to escape." he added,

glancing at his comrades demanding. Torben held both hands

opened upward. "Ok let's go on the assumption that everything is true." he started skeptical. "If this

guy was talking about both of us,

why is he only appeared to you in

a dream?" he asked his

cronies. Aaros grinned

at him. "In your bulb is

probably going to

be little." he said, amused and laughed

softly to himself. Torben contorted his face sullenly

and silently looked into the flames. Aaros looked at his colleague confident. "Trust

me, my friend." he said. Torben hesitantly lifted

his gaze from the fire. "I trust you, but

of this prophecy box

I'm not convinced." he said uncertainly, looking Aaros here in the dull eyes. This

gave him a smile. "Will go right." he added encouragingly. "Oh! One more thing." came questioning by Torben. "How do

you intend to bring us actually

after Drakensang?" he hacked at. Aaros

raised his arm over the flames and showed his colleague a white chessman.

He saw the little tower in his hand and

looked at his companion. "Just like last time." he said with a wink, and

turned the figure on the fire. ...... Blue flags moving

in the wind playfully, which easily took

over the tower

spiers. A guard walked on the battlements along and noticed a lonely

car on the road. The

sighting of the bridge watch was quickly reported that

pulled a big lever

immediately. The metallic rattle of large gears

could be heard, while slowly lowered the heavy

drawbridge. With a thud the moat was now passable."We will already expected." Daniel said

to his co-driver, pointing forward to the up -rising portcullis.

Roland looked tense

up on the walls. Between

the battlements are curious faces showed. The

soldiers behind the entrance took

a close skeptical look on the

group. Daniel pulled the car over the small

courtyard to the main building.

He brought the vehicle

next to the fountain in the center of the square to stop. Roland rose

hesitant from the car and looked around in surprise. Kyndle did the same and

stood behind her companion. Both

were clearly uncomfortable, quite in the center of attention. "The entrance to the throne room

is over there." Daniel began, pointing with his outstretched index finger a lower stairs

up to a larger input. Roland looked up at the

gate, two guards were

posted before. He glanced at Daniel and

nodded silently. "I'll

wait here for you." added this

and smiled at him confidently. With small steps, the young man and his dragoness

went up the short

flight of stairs. He looked up at

the entrance and swallowed

hard again. The

two guards before talking allowed. Roland walked

up to them. One of the guards

had directed his

gaze to his colleagues. "And then I said

to her, baby! If

you want even

have it right ..."

He broke off as his buddy pointed with his head

to the young man. Both stood up straight

and looked at him in silence. They were armed with magnificent halberds. The dark matte armor

were provided with numerous battle scars. Blue coats

were hanging down from the shoulders. The closed visors of the horned

helmets let them look like statues.Once inhaled deeply,

he made a bold step approach to the open gate. Quick

as a flash, the sharp edges of

the halberds crossed in front of his face and

blocked his passage. Startled, he stepped back, Kyndle then took an

aggressive stance against the

guards and gave a menacing

growl. Without a

reaction to show the

soldiers kept their

weapons rod further

crossed. "What do you think where you going?" asked a guard determinative. Roland

looked nervous in

the shaded slits

of the helmet. Reluctantly, he took out the letter

of the king from his coat pocket and held it out to him.The unblinking eyes of the guard scrutinized the document carefully. He nodded his colleagues on it once

and at the same time they withdrew their weapons.

"You will already expected Roland." he

said then. The young man turned to his companion, this looked

the guards still very suspiciously. He held her

nose and looked deeply into her eyes. "Calm

down." he spoke as he had eye contact. The black slots

of the pupil resumed a rounded shape and

a small turquoise shimmer appeared. "Everything's

fine. They let us pass now." he whispered

to her and stroking her gently over the head.

The dragoness closed

cooing her eyes and let out a

small "Churr" of

herself. He turned to the entrance and walked

slowly round. His companion

followed him slightly hesitant. She looked both

guards still short

and snorted at

them before she went through the

door. One of the guards looked the dragoness after

a moment and then turned to his colleagues. "I used to have a dragon as a companion like him. Then one of these

beasts had bite me in the knee..."The sumptuous furnishings

of the entrance area left Roland breathe amazed.

A small marble fountain

decorated centers. On the walls of the room

hung round the

painted faces of the former kings. It seemed almost as followed

the gaze of painting the young man and his companion. Surprised, he swung

his head back and forth, his eyes always sliding

from one image to the next. Before

a work of art, he remained standing

thoughtfully. Kyndle also responded and

sniffed curiously at the portrait. Then an

elderly man was seen. He wore a crown on his

head drawn with

gray hair and looked proud with his yellow-green eyes out of

the wooden frame on the wall. Behind him was a white

dragon to see, the green eyes stood out literally

from the image. On the golden shield including curved letters were

engraved. "Hector the

Fourth and partner

Katara." was written. "Partner?" Roland repeated the words easily

confused in his mind. He glanced at Kyndle,

this also looked

at him and sent him purring softly a light turquoise

shimmer contrary. He raised his hand and

so approached her

head. The female slowly began to close her eyes

and purred softly

on. When he touched

her velvet shed she leaned slightly against his hand. She opened her

eyes dreamily and took with her

companion eye contact. Roland

saw the small turquoise

rings around her pupils flashed and slowly

approached her head. Kyndles

heart was pounding like crazy. The eyes happily closed

and face tilted slightly to the side, she also came up to him. A brief moment

stood still between

her lips. A loud hawking let

both wince slightly.

Startled Roland shook

his head again and looked again at the

painting in front of him, before

he turned to the new voice. Kyndle exhaled

hard and let her

throat while a

low, rather plaintive "Meep" escape. "Do the gentlemen have an appointment?" asked the person upright. His clothes quickly

revealed that he

belonged to the service personnel. The arms held

behind his back and

lifted his nose, he stood quietly, waiting for

a response. Roland took a moment

to organize his

thoughts back to. "Um, yes." he

began hesitantly, pulling the King's letter from his coat pocket.

"That should explain everything."

he said, holding out the paper roll. The butler nodded

once. "Good. This way please." he spoke and turned his arm

forward pointing to, without looking at the letter. Kyndle and Roland

followed his hasty steps and looked through

against each other once questioningly. The butler led both to a large door. With a

slight effort he braced himself

against the gate halves and pressed it on the

inside. A faint creaking could be heard as they

pushed to the side and freely

gave way to the

throne room. Before long carpet that led to the

base of the large marble chair stood a man in armor

flaked and a blue

cloak. With a faint smile he greeted the

young man and his female dragon with a long head nod.It was Mardon. He held

an open hand and glancing

at the butler. "It's

alright. I'll take it from here." he spoke calmly

to him and then

turned back to Roland and Kyndle. The staff

made a stooped gesture

with the upper body and withdrew

quietly. "Is long ago? What?" he greeted the

young man and smiled at him.

"Mardon? Is that you?" Roland

asked a little uncertain. The demand nodded

once in agreement. "Have just shot up

properly." added Mardon amusement. "What you

can claim your dragon

too." he said. Kyndle looked at him

with a sprightly look and gave a welcoming

treatment "Chirp" by herself,

followed by a contented cooing. Mardon kept inviting

one arm stretched

out and turned it around to the throne. "Come,

it is time." he said, and made

the first steps

forward. Roland went

down beside him. Kyndle closely followed him to

the side. Slightly nervous she

looked around in the

large and long

hall. "Why should I come?" asked the young man. "In the letter

I read some of my concerns,

but such I have not." he said confused. "Listen to me good now Roland." Mardon began

seriously as they continue approached the throne. "The letter

is from me. You should come here so that we determine

how to proceed." He paused,

holding out a hand on his shoulder. "King

Harkin knows about

you." he said calmly.

Roland's eyes widened slightly scared. "Three

other companions have been rise, so I informed him of it." he explained. "I hope you're not angry,

therefore to me." he added

and walked on again. Roland stopped shortly.

"Other companions?" he thought to himself. Kyndle

nudged him on the shoulder and turned her blue

eyes on him. He smiled warmly at the

dragoness. "It's all

right." he said softly to her and also went on

to the throne. The

female nodded with closed eyes

and followed him with

a satisfied coo. On the magnificent marble chair sat an elderly

man. The golden crown concealed most of his hair,

but individual already streaked with

gray crept out from under.

He wore a blue drapery,

with numerous ornaments.

The small embellishments

were incorporated with golden fibers into

clothing. Many of the patterns exhibited

draconic features. Around his neck he wore

a visibly thicker

silver chain on which there was a white dragon

claw.The king was talking with a

person in a gray frock. This stood with his back to them. As they grew walked closer to the base,

the two turned to the guests. The stranger pulled the hood back and looked at

Roland tired. A

faint smile graced the wrinkled face of the man. Roland looked at him slightly confused. "Take

it easy." said Mardon and patted him once

encouragingly on the shoulder, then he walked beside

the throne. The young man had to swallow once empty.

A little nervousness began to rise in

him. Kyndle stood

beside him and nudged him with her nose briefly to

the source. Slightly

surprised he looked at her.

With a soft cooing met him her eyes and

pulled his little panic back down. A warm

smile graced his face as he looked gratefully in the brilliant touch of turquoise in her eyes

and held a hand to

her cheek. "May I introduce." Mardon

began, his eyes fixed on the king. "Roland from

the house of Daventry and his

draconic companion Kyndle." He

gestured with his hand to the two

guests and threw a

quick smile to Roland. The young

man bowed saluting in front of the ruler. His

dragoness did the same and lowered her head also.

The king nodded affirmatively

to both. "Companion?" was given surprised by the person in the gray cowl. "Then a

imprinting took place?" he asked. "According to the

information from Barnabas? Yes." said Mardon. "And

where will this dwarf

know what it has

on an imprint?" continued the older

man in between. "In

my opinion, he is just a better doctor

than a magician." he added, looking at the female. The dragoness read

her slightly askance between the new people swing

back and forth. Kyndle briefly looked slightly nervous to Roland.

Encouragingly, he nods to the female

and smiled slightly. With a barely audible cooing

she sent him a short

turquoise shimmer before she turned back

to the strangers.The king was sitting quietly

in his marble

chair and watched

the dragoness exactly. Thoughtfully, he held the white dragon claw

around his neck between

forefinger and thumb

and turned it slowly in his hand. The man in the

gray cowl raised

his voice again. "Only the Sorati and the priests of the Five known the imprint

ritual." he spoke

loudly in the hall. He raised his hand towards Roland and Kyndle.

"Where do you want to know therefore whether

there is a relation between these two really?" he asked in the room."Without a doubt." said the

king, rising from his throne.

The plaintive words

of the cowl support silent on it. "Do

you believe them?" asked

the older man the ruler. Harkin accused

the priest to a tired look. "Can`t

you see it Janosh?" he asked, slightly

skeptical. "What should I see you highness?"

added Janosh somewhat at a loss. "Great Priest of the Five! This guy

knows just as much from imprinting as I from planting flowers!" Mardon thought to

himself as he once shook his head and

rolled his eyes. The king now turned

his attention to the female. "There

is this certain

spark." he began.

"Usually very difficult to detect.

Just when their

eyes meet."Roland was speechless at the moment. It was never

even occurred to him that this glitter in Kyndles eyes was

visible in his as well. But

at the moment he wondered more, where the king

had this knowledge. "What gives you the assurance that

it has to do with the imprint?" asked the priest again between.

"As we have already learned, is Roland

also susceptible to magic. The origin of

this glitter could also arise therefrom." Harkin

sat back down, closed his hand tightly around the white claw. "I

do not see this for the first time

Janosh." said the king. "This spark was

also shared by Hector and Katara." He opened

his hand and looked at the

claw as he

spoke the name of the dragoness. Mardon breathed

heavily.Roland and Kyndle

looked at each other confused. When he heard both names he saw again the image

from the hall in thought. The man in the

gray cowl was

curt, but then took

a step toward the king. "Your

father has done

with his binding on this dragon no favors, Harkin."

he spoke aloud and

pointed a finger outstretched toward him. A slight anger could be

heard in his voice. "We

have advised him against it, but he could not be

moved to senses." Abruptly

he turned his back to the ruler and

walked away a few paces from him. "After we

did not want to implement the

ritual he went to the Sorati, which granted

him his wish." The head thoughtfully lowered

he turned back to the throne. "And what

has become of it? When the hunters

killed Katara, also your father died. After

which this house has been called to battle against the Order.

Which in turn Daracoss plunged into a bloody war, which is why ... "."ENOUGHT! NOW!" Harkin cried loudly

as he abruptly rose from the marble chair.

The eyebrows contracted angry he looked at the man with clenched fists. Roland and

Kyndle jumped startled,

while the echo of

the King echoed in the main hall."A really bad time to poke around in

old wounds! Janosh!" Harkin said, with

a determining wording. Directed the gaze

to the priest, he breathed cumbersome out

and held his hand tightly around the white claw. Roland saw the ruler

of tense. Janosh fell silent in shock and saw his

king a moment in

silence. Shortly after, he

lowered submissively his forehead.

"Forgive me Harkin." he began calmly.

"It was not my intention ...". "All right." interrupted the king. Held

up a hand, he sat on the throne. "I thought it would be a good idea

today to have a

priest of the five there." Easy thoughtful

he saw the man in

the gray cowl

on. "This has

probably turned out more than a bad idea." "You can now remove Janosh." said the ruler and waved a

hand to the side. The priest made with

folded arms a forward-leaning

movement. "As you

wish." he said a little

disappointed at his gesture and turned

around then. On the way to the entrance he looked

at Roland quite

decisive. "We'll meet

again." he whispered and disappeared without

further words behind the gate.

The young man looked confused by Janosh, whose words

he repeated in his mind. "What he probably

wanted to suggest?" he asked himself."What do she mean to you?" echoed the voice of the

king again through the hall.

Roland turned his attention back to the front surprised. Harkin was sitting in

his marble chair,

lowered his head, he looked at the claw in

his hand. Slightly nervous he looked at his companion. This looked at him also

and closed half the

eyes, which was accompanied

by a short turquoise shimmer.

"What she means

to me?" he asked himself mentally

as he looked at the female. He put a hand on

her neck and immediately

felt a gentle vibration, which came from her

quiet purr. The king lifted his

gaze from the white claw high on the young man. "What

justifies your imprint?"

hacked by Harkin,

as he stood up and walked toward both. Roland

looked at the ruler slightly confused. Kyndle

waved her head to

her companion and gave with

closed eyes, a faint cooing from herself.Mardon out a hand to the king held. "Wait sir,

ye have misunderstood something." he began.

Harkin saw his fighter

suspiciously. "And what would that be?" he asked. "Roland

has not chosen an

imprint like your father did. This

connection exists since he

has found the

female." said Mardon.The ruler remained thoughtful a hand over

his mouth as he walked back to his throne. "Now."

he began quietly,

as he sat down again. "The fate has probably

something with you two before, as may be deemed an imprint as necessary."

he looked at the young man and his dragoness apologetically.

"Forgive me my little direct question earlier,

I thought you decided

so easily." "There is nothing to forgive

my lord." Roland began slowly and

saw the king while smiling at. "It was surprising for me too, when I heard about these imprint the first

time. As I realized, it was until now a

very unusual experience." he explained. "It brings such a binding with

it." drove Harkin at.

Thoughtfully, he turned his white claw between the

fingers. "It affects mainly to

share wanted things, but also just as often uncomfortable

with each other." Lost in deep thoughts, he closed his hand around the claw and looked slightly sad

at the ceiling. "However,

the effects are dependent on the

intensity of this binding.""Changing the subject." came from Mardon

between. "Now for the reason for your being here." he said to Roland and

looked at him while confident of. "Right."

the king said, nodding to his fighter once. "As

you may have already heard of Mardon, have with you already appeared four companions. And my

gut tells me that the last one not wait

long in coming." Harkin said, pointing briefly to Roland. "I therefore consider it appropriate to you a little prepare for the upcoming." Roland looked at

the king a little confused and

had his eyes briefly sliding to Mardon.

This nodded once

to mute. "Preparing?

On what?" he

asked. Harkin smiled

with closed eyes in front of him.

"For your trip.

What, so the

prophecy it will does not want be

quite safe." he explained. At this moment a servant entered the room and strode hastily approached the

king. He handed him a slip of paper, which was

viewed seriously by Harkin. The Emperor

closed his eyes thoughtfully.

"Good." He began seriously. "I'm

needed to go somewhere else."

he continued, looking at Roland. "Mardon will regulate everything else." he turned to the

messenger. "Let's go." he spoke, and together they left the

room. "Then we bring

you once in shape."

Mardon said aloud in front of him as he walked toward the entrance. Roland

saw his companion quizzically. This returned

her gaze with a faint cooing

and nudged him here

with closed eyes with the nose on. He smiled

at her and gestured with his head the fighters

afterwards, whereupon both followed suit. ......

On a wide street

was a lonely traveler

and looked seriously

at the city lying before her. "Finally!"

she cleared her throat loudly while

her gaze fell on the white

walls of the numerous build roofs .

"It's time to take some things

clear." she muttered to herself and walked toward the city. ...... With a powerful jolt Mardon

came across the door into the courtyard. "We do

not know much about the other companions."

He began. "My

research has promoted not really usable

information to days. Only that Arkas has apparently chosen

a dwarf." Roland drew his eyebrows questioningly together. "A dwarf?" he asked. "Yes.

He is hear on the

name Kumasch Gor and came from the Shared

Mountain. Number Three is an elven woman

that should be available on some wanted list near the top. A right name or a location we have not been able to

find out. And the fourth is only known that this is a

magician." "What a trip that will be

actually?" Roland asked impatiently. "The trip to Sorlacom, the

great cathedral of the Five."

said Mardon. "According

to the legend, the companions will meet

there after all have

received their consecration." In the yard, he stopped and turned around to

Roland and Kyndle.

"So now, to you." With

a sly grin, he looked

at both of them. The young man and his dragoness also stopped

and looked at each other briefly confused. ...... "Such

a damn shit!"

grumbled Torben panting in front of him, as he

completely exhausted leaning against a tree. "Do not stop!" called Aaros to him. "How the heck

did they find us?" Torben gasped as he caught up

to his comrade. "It

was just a matter of time." he

replied. Both ran on

through the dense forest. The

sounds of their pursuers far behind them.

In a clearing Aaros suddenly stopped. His colleague took a few steps past him and fell on his knees,

breathing deeply. He braced his hands on the ground and looked back. "Why

do you stop?" he asked. "Shhh!" hissed Aaros and

held out a hand. Held

his head slightly inclined, he listened to the trees.

A hiss here,

a crack there and

next steps behind them. "What is?" Torben asked impatiently. His companion looked at him with his dull eyes

seriously. "We're

surrounded." he spoke softly.

Dejected left of

the kneeling man lowered his face to the

front. "Then that's it

probably with our escape." came softly from Torben. Aaros

moved towards his colleagues and put a hand on his

shoulder. "Not quite my

friend." he said encouragingly

to him and glancing

at the little figure in his hand. "Then Go!" Torben spoke loudly and

closed both eyes and clenched his hands into

fists. Aaros nodded once. He pushed the figure

into his hand until it broke together. The

fragments then he threw on the ground. The

splitter turned into black smoke that completely

enveloped the two men. "Oh I hate that." muttered Torben angrily

to himself. His colleague smiled slightly. "Get

ready for a curtsy." he said, amused. The dark cloud began

to rotate around

both. This movement has been steadily faster until a bright light broke

through the mist and shot up into the sky."Here they are," cried a deep voice

from the thicket. Shortly thereafter

were six armored

men around the black

cloud. The blades pulled they waited for battle that

the veil lay down. The dark shadow broke up and remained but a few

footprints. "By the Five! Not again such a ruse!"

grumbled one of the soldiers. "Go

swarm out! No one goes home until these

bastards are found!" ordered

the leader. The group

Split up and disappeared

into the forest. ...... Mardon clapped his hands

and rubbed then

both palms together, accompanied by a weak grin.

"Then the King has offered his full support." he began with a smile.

"I have made some thoughts by myself on how we can implement this best."

Roland and his

dragoness looked at each other confused. "The legends are talking about a

threat." Mardon began and looked

at both with a

slight grin. "And I thought to myself, some

preparation for dangerous matters

could not hurt." He smirked slightly

and crossed his arms. "It is not supposed to be another similar scene as five years ago

in this alley. Or?"Roland lowered his forehead and those days

immediately called to mind. As a reflex, he grabbed his hand

to the left shoulder. "No." he murmured

softly, slightly turned his head to the side. The

next moment he looked at Kyndle. His eyes fell on her left foreleg. Her

wound was completely healed, only the lighter color

of the scales in the affected area

still remembered it.

The female saw her

companion questioningly, she

added with a soft cooing. Roland remembered reluctantly at this

moment she was gone. These thoughts also brought

back this empty and desolate feeling

which he felt at the time.

This oppressive fear

of losing her and never see her again. Scary he came to

himself. Slightly confused, he looked

around. He felt the nose of a

female dragon on

his hand, which was clutching

his left shoulder. Relieved, he let out a breath as he looked back into

the luminous flash of her blue eyes. He loosened

the grip on his shoulder and put his hand on her

cheek. A soft purr of her was the response

to his touch."Or?" Mardon ask

again. Slowly Roland

took his hand from her head and turned to the fighters. "Yes." he was

sober by himself

and took a strong

breath before looking at his

dragoness again. "Never

again." he muttered softly to himself. Mardon held both hands

apart opened. "Then it is my pleasure

to inform you that you will be taught here

in Drakensang immediately

by the best

armorer in Parem."

Roland looked at

him skeptically. Kyndle gave

also a questioning "Chirp" of herself.Mardon looked at the two confused. "Not a good proposal?" he asked as he scratched the back

of his head. "Do not be so skeptical.

He really knows

his way around, and has given me much..." He trailed off as

he thoughtfully looked

up in the sky. A quick black cloud withdrew swiftly

over the tiles and

fell in the

courtyard. In the center it

circled briefly before

build up itself. "Stay

where you are!" Mardon said determining and

cautiously approached the cloud. Shortly after joining a short flash of light in

the dark veil. Roland

followed the curious

gleam in his gaze.

The cloud began to

rotate again until

it expanded and eventually

disbanded. Leaving only two men in ragged clothes. This

looked just a

little dazed back and forth.Roland and Kyndle

crossed her eyes briefly.

"Who are these two fellows?" he asked himself in thought. The female once

snorted strong and gave finally a quick

"Chirp" of herself. Roland

could not resist his smile as he looked at

it himself. For

him it was still a little strange,

since they much paying

attention due to the imprint

out of his thoughts and memories. The fact that it worked in the opposite direction, he knew, but he could retrieve it never

aware of until now.Kyndle returned his questioning

gaze and gave an affirmative

"Meep" by herself, accompanied by a short turquoise shimmer of her deep blue eyes. Roland

came back from his thoughts and even shook it upside down. As two

men are finally

emerged from the black cloud. Mardon saw the figures

appeared suspiciously. All eyes on the stranger

he took a few steps toward her. One of them sank exhausted on his knees and coughed

clumsy to himself. He turned his face to

his colleague. "I

guess I'll never get used to it." he said with

a smile and began to sit up. With eyes

closed, he exhaled in relief. "Well at least we have

this guys finally.. Oh ..." He broke off as

he opened his eyes and looked at

Mardon. He had placed

his hand on the grip of his weapon and looked

ready, made to

take these also. "Who are you?" Mardon asked quite decisive, kept

his fingers tightly around the handle of his blade. The

first of the men looked a little perplexed his colleague,

who immediately lifted both hands. "You will not need your weapon." started this. He turned

his dim eyes on the fighter. "For this

time we do not count to your enemies." he

said with a faint smile on his

lips. Mardon looked at him

slightly skeptical and let his eyes

between the two back and forth restlessly. "Who are you? And what do you mean with this time?" he asked.Some more soldiers

joined the Confederation. Mardon signified with his arm sophisticated, to be ready at some

distance. The first of the stranger

looked frantically at the guards. "Great.

From the eaves in

the shit." he bleated silently. The

elder shook his head again

at the remark

of his companion and walked a few steps to

Mardon. He stopped

when he took a young man with an orange red

dragon on its side in inspection.Mardon withdrew his blade

slightly from the scabbard. "I only ask one more time! Who are you and what are you doing

here?" was determinative

of him, accompanied

by a penetrating look into the

clouded pupil of

the man. The stranger let out a

breath and looked calmly back into the

rigid green eyes of

the fighter. "My name is

Aaros." he began.

With one hand he pointed to his colleague, who still looked around wildly. "And my little nervous friend

here is Torben." he continued. Mardon looked

at the second man searchingly. He seemed distracted,

but mainly exhausted.

He widened his

eyes in astonishment as he looked

at his face more closely. A reddish scar pulled

across his right eye and the nose. At the base of the neck he noticed darker patches,

like a tattoo. Mardon drew his eyebrows

together seriously. "You are the two hunters that I have collected in

Stronos." he said aloud. "Then Korban

was right, and they

are actually fled

from his kingdom." he muttered to himself. Roland tore astonished

his eyes and glancing thoughtfully at the two men. Aaros noticed the look

of the young man and waved with his eyes

to him. "And this must be the companion?" Mardon quickly came back from

his thoughts when he heard him.

"How do you think to know that?"

he asked him determinative.

"I do not need to know."

he began easily

grin. "You have just confirmed my assumption." he pointed with a gesture on Roland's right hand back.

"And this charming emblem was also a little help." Roland held his

left hand in front of his rights and made a small step backwards.

Kyndle turned slightly

side to him and threw

Aaros a menacing look,

accompanied by a slightly audible growl. Somewhat

surprised Roland lifted his gaze to the older

man. This seemed unimpressed by the gesture of the dragoness and looked

behind him. "What

do you want from me?" the young man

asked hesitantly. Aaros took a breath

with closed eyes. "It's not about what I want, or Torben."

he began quietly.

He smiled at him weakly.

"Still what you

want." he pointed to the companion

and strode back to his colleague. Roland breathed

out confused and looked inquiringly at his

companion, who replied, surprised his view

also. Mardon took his hand from his weapon and glanced to Roland

and his dragoness

before turning on them again, the two men appeared.

"How do you mean that?"

he prompted demanding. "Just as I said."

answered Aaros quiet.

"We are here as we were told by.

The rest is up to the companion." He spoke and looked

at Roland."How can that be up to me?" Roland said.

He knew these two men not once, and they should be here because

of him. "That makes no sense."

he went on thinking. Kyndle gave a clearly

audible "Chirp" of

herself as she noticed the uncertainty of her companion. She went up to him and rested

her forehead on his. Roland felt the gentle

vibrations that emanated from her quiet purr and closed his eyes gratefully.His mind voice retreated

slowly until he could

only hear her heartbeat. ...... A calming silence settled

over the area. He heard only his breathing and this from his dragoness. Roland opened the eyes, and to his surprise, around him and Kyndle it was dark. The female

looked at him slightly confused and added a

faint "Meep" to it. He held out a hand to her forehead and

looked at her smiling. "Calm

down." He spoke softly and looked into her eyes

slightly anxious. A rather unpleasant, but him familiar

feeling rose in him. Which

was reinforced by a deep and slow breathing in

the dark distance.

A not it strange rumbling sound made

itself felt. Slowly this noise intensified.

Roland could feel

it in his body. The

air around him seemed to pulsate. The symbol on Roland's hand back

began to glow slightly. Kyndle gave a

surprised "Meep" of

herself as she noticed the bright blue glow of

her companion. This remained thoughtful his hand in front of his face. With eyes closed, he

lowered his forehead. "It's that time again." he thought

to himself. Then he jumped when suddenly a mighty

flame appeared in

the void and ordered in the shape of a

circle. The female snarled

scared of the

fire ring. Roland

held her confident

a hand on the back. "Take it easy Kyndle." he reassured her. "Your destiny! Your decision!" the

deep voice echoed through the shadows,

before a figure stepped

through the flames in an orange-red robe.

Again decorated with

the symbols as he had also Roland on the

back of the hand. The young man looked at the phenomenon skeptically. Something felt odd. He

had his final decisions always have to take alone. And now was his dragoness

with him here. The figure stepped

forward and Roland aimed his faceless shadow

on him, both hands retracted into

the other sleeve. "You

know what my appearance means?" said the apparition. Roland looked at him soberly.

"Because I have again to come for a decision?" he said slightly sarcastically. "No." replied the figure. "Because

YOU TWO have come to a decision."

"We?" hooked Roland after confused, while

his eyes wandered thoughtfully

to his companion."That's

why she is here too." he

thought to himself. Kyndle looked at him with an awakened

view, accompanied by a slight turquoise sparkle in

her eyes. A confident "Chirp"

she added with a nod. He held his hand on her

nose and crossed

her intense gaze. A warm smile graced his

face as he felt her breath slipped

through his fingers. "What is it

this time to decide?" he asked, turning to

the person in the orange-red robe on.The apparition looked at him silently. Then lifted

one arm to the side high, where at some

distance opened a crack in the void. In it, he recognized

the faces of Mardon and King Harkin,

who stood in the center of the courtyard. The figure

threw his gaze to

the other side and raised his arm

again. A second crack

was created in the dark and revealed two more faces.

Here Aaros and

Torben had been seen,

the two escaped hunters, which were suddenly

appeared in the yard. "One way to go. Which, however?" began the stranger, looking at Roland. "Is up to

you." said the shape and

lowered his gaze with his arms. Motionless he

stood between the cracks. Thoughtful wandered Roland`s look back and

forth. He was offered support,

but which way he should choose. Kyndle

stood there next to him and sat down on

the floor. At the same time she nestled her head closer

to her companion. Roland put an arm around her and looked into the sparkling blue of her sapphire eyes.

Her gentle purr was

the answer to his warm smile. "How

are we merely decide? And then what will await

us?" he asked her. A long-drawn "Chirp"

was her expression to it. Roland stroked

his dragoness by

hand between her black horns

through, while he

looked confident. The female

briefly closed her eyes, the little caress of

her companion alone enjoying she

purred softly. "A king promised his support." brought the deep voice

of the phenomenon both from her eye contact. "A

familiar face with influence and numerous

possibilities. But a person in endangered position with

many enemies."

The shadow in the hood gave way

to the second column. "Two refugees with

the certainty of death are not

always the target of all, but their support is even

more limited." Roland looked skeptically

at the portrait of

Aaros and Torben.

"The certainty of death?"

He began, turning to the stranger. "What

does that mean?" "A prisoner who is taken

in his escape gets rarely a pardon." The

faceless shadow in

robe turned his gaze on the young man. "Death is what he will get." With a dejected look he sat down next to Kyndle

on the ground. Roland's

eyes were open, as after a shock. "Can I?" he asked himself. "So easy to decide whether someone lives or not?"

Thoughtfully, he buried his face in his hands. He didn`t

knew the two men and now he is to judge over their death.

Kyndle came softly cooing to him. She

placed herself beside him and laid her head on his

approach. At the same time she put one of her

wings protectively around him.

Roland grabbed her head and held it with

light pressure. The female exhaled softly and

cooed slightly on.

He lifted his head and looked deeply into

her eyes. A bright turquoise shimmer moved

out of his wet look

in her, accompanied by a soft

"Thank you." The

dragoness closed purring

the eyes and tightened her embrace. A

single tear crept out of her closed eyelids."Now, companion!" said the apparition again.

"Choose!" Roland look stubborn on

the shape between

the cracks. "What if I do

not want to decide?" he

threw the stranger determining's feet as he stood up and walked towards him.