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Aneira stood silent atop her tower and watched the approaching mass of land lumber through the sky. The air was heavy with the violet glow of aether, the coiling plumes of mist spreading ahead of the approaching Shard. Twin orbs of light beat down relentlessly from above, casting an oppressive heat that set sweat running in rivulets down her light brown skin. An expectant silence had fallen over their own Shard, the same that always came just before a Shard War. There would be no bustling streets today, no schooling for children or shaping of crafts. No, the denizens of Shard Rhubel would sit in their homes and wait, their hearts and minds on the shardguard's upcoming struggle.

Down along the flattened edge of the floating island that was Shard Rhubel stood fortresses and walls, crisscrossing up towards the center where the walled city and its towering palace cowered. Within the fortifications stood the shardguard, the clan banner of Rhubel held high and draped over every wall. The soldiers formed tight formations and stood motionless as the enemy island drew ever slowly near.

"Shard Denali," Narune said from beside her. "Not going to be an easy battle."

She looked over at the dragon and smiled. "Never is, though."

Narune grunted and partially unfurled his wings.

Aneira returned her gaze to Shard Denali. The naming scheme decided upon so long ago for these bastions had always left her wondering. A shard. A piece of something greater, of something once whole. In such a simple word lay so many questions, questions that perhaps shrouded the answers behind the dying world. A world of naught but swirling purple aether below, endless sky above, and the few littered pieces of land left drifting in between. Aneira had been told the stories, of course. The only uniting power left was the Circle of Lanterns and it was they who continued to speak the prophecies of old. A new home that would someday awaken, verdant and fresh. Ripe for a new beginning. Aneira had never believed it, but knew it was a necessary sentiment. Intelligent life could not exist without a reason to live if not thrive.

Of course, simply waiting for dream to become reality would not do. Not when it became evident that not every clan would survive to see this rebirth, if it indeed happened. So each race had drawn its like-bodied kindred to their Shards and had leashed smaller islands to them, forming soaring jumbles of soil and city. Whenever the islands drew near, guided by some unseen wind of fate, the clans would battle, each seeking to plunder the other's inadequate farms, rob from their stock of supplies, and take from them minor islands. A gruesome way to live, but it was a gruesome world to live in.

Narune twisted his neck to look behind them. "Claws ready, Ann. Looks like they finally remembered us."

She turned and glanced down from the tower. A trio of lupine figures walked towards them, two clothed in embroidered robes while the one leading them wore a sword at his hip and donned leather armor dyed black. Aneira waited for Narune to agilely climb over the edge, his midnight blue scales shimmering in the sunlight, then followed. She fell a short distance before grabbing hold of his body, then adjusted herself with practiced ease as he clambered down the side of the tower in seconds. Near the bottom he swung his long, muscular tail, allowing her to grab hold and swing down towards the ground as if it were rope. Narune soon followed, landing lightly beside her. They waited.

The black furred trio reached them not long after and regarded them with arrogant patience, ears partially lowered and tails curving upward. Aneira recognized the leader as Roraz Steelfang, a high hunter of Rhubel and--unfortunately--their main point of contact with the clan's leaders. Sighing alongside Narune's own irritated hiss, she knelt and lowered her head while Narune flattened out along the ground.

"For one without bloodline or clan," Roraz said with a short laugh. "You seem quick to forget your place, human."

Knowing it was pointless, Aneira said nothing.

"Of course, that could all change with but a word," the wolf-like warrior continued, kneeling beside her. He cupped her chin and lifted her head to stare into his golden eyes. "One night, and I will make you mine. As part of my harem you will never know hunger nor will you ever fear another alpha, be it male or female." He glanced at Narune, whom Aneira knew was struggling to restrain himself. "Your pet can come too. He's proved himself a true hunter."

Sorry, Roraz. Being your exotic little toy is not as tempting an offer as you think it is. Aneira smiled up at him. "A most gracious offer, my lord, but I'm afraid I'm but a humble warrior at heart."

"A waste of your years of beauty, but as you wish. Just remember the Rhubel always catch their prey, one way or another." Roraz stood and let out an exaggerated sigh. "Speaking of which, Shard Rhubel would again make use use of your admirable abilities. As ever, your reward is the tolerance of your presence upon our Shard and our agreed upon rations of food and water. Do you accept?"

"Yes, I accept the contract," Aneira muttered. "You can go now."

The hunter eyed her, but said nothing as he turned around. His two attendants bowed their heads and turned to follow. Before long the trio were once again walking across the aetherite bridge leading down from Aneira and Narune's tiny island and were soon gone from sight.

"I could have his heart sliding down my throat before he even realized it," Narune said as he rose and sat back on his haunches.

"Narune!" she cried as she also rose, arms crossing. "I'd much rather you bite his prick off and leave him to live with the shame of it."

The dragon chuckled. "Well, I'd probably end up choking to death if his relentless posturing has any truth to it."

Aneira burst into laughter as Narune grinned at her, tears welling in the corner of her eyes.

"Oh, you." She passed a hand across her eyes. "I really needed that. Come on, let's get ready."

They both walked back to their tower and peered over the edge of the island. The gap between the two Shards was quickly diminishing and aether was engulfing both of them within swirling clouds in response. Shard Denali was close enough now that the massive, bear-like soldiers crowding the boarding could be made out. They wore thick, heavy pieces of metal as armor and brandished oversized weapons. Their boarding was a flat field free of obstructions save for rams and the occasional slender pillar. These curved towards the edge of the Shard and held up panels made out of aetherite and wood in hexagon patterns, providing protection from opposing archers. It looked almost sparse to Aneira, but she knew Clan Denali was not known for being defensive or cunning and relied primarily on their ridiculous strength.

"My claws are still attached to me, so I'm good to go," Narune said as he turned to eye her. "Go ahead ahead and check your things."

Still watching the opposing Shard, Aneira shrugged. "I already did."

Narune's tail whipped out and swatted her on the head. She winced, then rubbed at the smarting pang of pain while glaring at him.

"Don't give me that look," the dragon said. "Check again."

Sighing, she went through a quick rundown of her equipment. Leather splints over tight fitting, practical clothing that wouldn't restrict her movements or get caught on anything, and her deep black hair was tied down in a single braid because of the same mentality. She wore several thin bandoleers of throwing knives, including two kukri strapped to harnesses at her back. Thick vambraces sat on her forearms, well worn and well gouged, matching the fingerless gloves she also wore. Satisfied all was in working order, she waved Narune over.

The dragon rose on all fours and spread his wings and Aneira couldn't help but stare and admire that muscular, killer's physique that rippled with power. She had always wondered how different things might have been if she had been born anything other than a weak, flawed human, but of all the races she fantasized of being kin to it was the dragons that she dreamed of the most. They were graceful and beautiful, did not fear the wild aether, and were among a handful of races who were not constrained to the Shards.

"Ann..." Narune said softly, nudging her cheek with his snout. "You know it makes me uncomfortable when you stare at me like that."

She smiled warmly and drew close, pulling his head down so that she could touch her forehead to his. A finger idly teased the rim of one of his earholes, something she knew him to like. "I am just admiring you." And dreaming of things that will never be.

"I'm an old scarred beast of war," he grumbled. "And with as much as you've wheedled out of me about my past you know I'm not worth admiring in the slightest."

"I disagree," she said, holding his head in both hands and shaking it roughly. "You depressing lizard."

Narune rolled his eyes, but said nothing as she moved alongside his body, her hands sliding across his gemstone-smooth scales. He was especially warm, radiating a heat that had always given her comfort. So many scars marred what was once a flawless layering of midnight blue scales, and in some places they had prevented new scales from growing, but to Aneira they made Narune seem real, which to her was a step towards perfection in its own way.

Like all dragons, he was perhaps twice the size of a mundane riding horse, but his build was lithe and narrow. His head was made of sharp angles, black spines curving back away from his head. His eyes tended to give him a constant fierce expression, and above them curved two horns that curved back along his long neck. Taut muscles bulged from beneath scales and gathered along where his wings and legs protruded. Tipping each limb were paws with obsidian-like claws, each sharp and hard enough to tear metal. Narune's massive wingspan was the product of unique bones he could unfold and lock into place when he wished to fly, though allowing him far superior control to most other sky faring creatures. A tail nearly thrice the size of his body sinuously curved behind him, muscular and extremely dexterous, seemingly wired by the same light, flexible stuff that apparently made up the rest of Narune's frame.

Narune nipped her bare midriff. With a sigh she took her eyes off of him and focused on the pieces of gear strapped to his body. Her crossbow and longsword, extra bolts and throwing knives, her healer's kit, some other random equipment, and spare rations just in case. All of it carefully packed so that it would remain in place but not interfere with Narune's considerable range of motion.

"All good," she muttered, turning away from him.

His tail curved around her shoulder, the tip caressing her chin. Aneira looked back at him, an eyebrow raising as Narune grinned at her. "I'm just being careful," he said. "Coming come back with our arses intact has always been something of an interest for me."

"Hmph," she replied. "Just imagine the fit Roraz would throw if I scarred mine."

Narune snorted. "I'd rather your arse remain in his imagination."

Grinning, she nodded. "Let's go."

The islands had finally closed enough that both sides had begun to employ long and wide aetherite bridges. Crafted of concentrated aether, the resulting material could be processed and made to mimic a variety of substances and was thus widely used as a building material. More importantly, aetherite could be designed to generate particular effects within its parent mists, as the floating aetherite bridges now connecting the two Shards showed.

The Denali let out a unified roar and charged across the bridges, heedless of the heavy archer fire from the walls of Shard Rhubel's boarding. It was not long before the two forces met together in an explosive clash, and the battle would rage on until the whatever mysterious force that controlled the Shards parted them once more. Until that time each faction would try to breach the other's Shard in an attempt to indulge in its resources, though from where she stood it didn't look good for the Rhubel. Hopefully she and Narune could help tip the scales.

With a running start Aneira leaped from their island, soaring down through the thin wisps of violet mist. She crossed her arms above her, vambraces overlapping. A loud snapping of wings sounded from above, then a familiar blue form rushed over her head. Seconds later his rear legs snapped down to clutch her arms at the vambraces, though he was careful to wrap around them and not pierce them with his claws. Her heart's drumming increased to a fervent pace as the thrill of flight overcame her. Oh, what I'd give for wings! They streaked across the gap between both Shards and quickly approached one of the outlaying islands tethered by aetherite cords and bridges. A lone watchguard standing at the ledge shouted in surprise, eyes tearing away from the battle across the Shards' boardings.

Narune dropped Aneira onto the ledge. She fell into a roll as she landed and came up with both kukri in her hands, ending the life of the scout with a quick thrust into his throat then into his side, slipping just beneath the ribs. The young bear stumbled backward before crumpling to the ground. Aneira dashed across the grassy island until she reached the aetherite bridge. Within moments she undid the seals on the cords and bridge attaching it to the Shard, then retreated. Narune hopped down from atop a squat watching post and landed lightly, turning so she could reach for a spike. Sliding it free, she slammed it into the ground and jumped back as Narune's tail hammered it down. When she took the cover off its top, the crystal-like orb glowed with a dark violet light and the island began moving slowly towards Shard Rhubel. Satisfied that it would cling to their Shard--at least until the aether receded once more--she turn and again dove off the ledge.

Narune darted down by her then spread his wings and rose once more, catching her arms in his claws. They glided down towards the main Shard, Aneira's eyes scanning the cluster of buildings before her. To their left the battle raged on just as before, but something about it caught her eye. She turned to watch it directly, a frown creeping onto her face.

"Something is wrong," she suddenly shouted.

"What?" Narune shouted back. "Who cares? Let's focus on getting these other bridges up so the Rhubel reserves can cross over."

"No, Narune," she said, shaking her head as she realized the black-clad lupines were gaining ground. "There's hardly any Denali at the boarding now. The Rhubel are pushing them back! Why would they just leave at the start of a battle? And where are they?"

"Ann, why do you--"

His complaint was cut off short by a massive surge of something. It was a sort of sense, a wave of anguish and sorrow that radiated from the center of Shard Denali and cut through her like a scythe. Dread and horror chilled her heart as it passed, her mind reeling with pain as her senses shattered, leaving her disoriented. The moment passed in a rush, though nausea lingered unpleasantly. It was quickly overcome by fear though as a paved city road loomed up far too quickly. Narune cried out and flapped his wings frantically, slowing their descent and dropping her just as they neared.

Aneira rolled expertly and came up in a crouch, watching Narune zip by overhead. All around them bear-like figures burst from homes and ran through the streets, all of them in panic. They ignored her for the most part, but Aneira noticed the majority of them were children, females, and the elderly. Corpses lined the streets around them nonetheless, though she couldn't imagine where they might have come from. Shouted orders and other sounds of battle rose above the panic, and in the distance Aneira saw smoke. What the hell is going on?

A group of armed bears paused as they ran by, skidding to a stop and growling as they noticed her.

"And this is?" one of them yelled. "Neither of the Rhubel or the Denali."

It's going to be gone, don't you worry, she thought to herself. Turning, she ran through an alleyway. Behind them she heard the bears give chase and muttered a curse. As if her lucky weren't already rotten however, another paused at the exit, frowning as he turned to regard her, gigantic axe hefted in one hand. She leaped him, but was battered away by his free arm. She tumbled and skidded across the street, one of her kukri clattering out of sight.

"You lost, little one?" the bear asked, grinning, then looked up at his two companions neared.

She drew a throwing knife and sent it flying at him, but the bear moved with surprising speed for his size and stepped aside, then deflected her second with a heavy gauntlet. Aneira brandished a third, but this time sent it at the white furred form rushing out of the alleyway. It caught the bear across an eye, eliciting a deafening cry of pain from him as he stumbled to a stop and clutched at his eye. The second Denali soldier stumbled into him and set them both wavering about unsteadily.

Aneira scrambled onto her feet, ignoring the scrapes and thin rivers of blood coursing across her body, and dashed up the steps of some large building. It was empty save for a few crates and discarded bits of rope and parchment, so she couldn't fathom its intended use. A performance hall? A once-tavern? The remains of a church? Did it matter? She ran across the length of it, careful with her footing in the dancing shadows. The three bears lumbered into the building, their breaths heavy with rage. "You're finally trapped, mouse," one of them said in a thick, gritty voice. "Whatever you and yours have done here, you will pay for it. I swear it."

Aneira grinned sheepishly. "Um, whatever that was I promise it had nothing to do with me, so since this is all one huge misunderstanding--"

The bears roared and charged.

Oh, yes, it's about a good time for you to show up now, Narune. Aneira let out a long breath, sliding into a stance, and waited for the first bear's swing. It came quick and hard, crashing down to crush her as much as to cleave her in two. She moved into it, sliding just by the massive axe and rolling nimbly between the bear's legs which were spread to properly ground him for the swing. Just keep moving. You're smaller and faster, and they have to be careful least they kill each other. The second bear was watching her, but she didn't bother trying to run around him and instead jumped onto him, clutching some of his white fur as it poked out between the slabs of his armor. Her armed raised and plunged her kukri into soft flash. The bear acted as if he didn't even feel it. He reached for her, but she let go and fell into a controlled tumble. The third bear approached from behind, giant cleaver knives in both hands and a malicious grin on his muzzle.

A sword soared through the window with surprising speed and impaled itself through the third bear's throat. It must have hit the bear's spine, because he twitched and teetered over, gasping noises escaping from his muzzle. She snapped her gaze toward the window and saw Narune's head poke through.

"Stop losing your weapons, will you?" he said, sniffing.

"Shut up and help!" Aneira screamed, brandishing the sword just as the first bear stomped closer and hefted his axe once more. Aneira danced into his posture and spun, cutting a ragged mark across the bear's heel which was only guarded by bands of leather. Her Rhubel-forged sword bite into it and cut flesh, forcing the bear to lose his balance.

"I can't fit inside," Narune complained, looking ridiculous as he pressed against the rectangular window. "Besides, you're fighting well. Very seemingly."

"It's called desperation, you damned idiot!" she shouted, backing away from the other two. Her breathing was quick and shallow, salty sweat dripping into her eyes and across the corners of her lips. "Find a way in here or I swear I'll cut off your prick!"

Narune grunted, then vanished from view. Damn him. She couldn't really blame the dragon though. Hunting and battle were the same to his kind, and they apparently treated it with the same amount of calm, revered respect. Personally it drove her nuts because as a result Narune respected her too damn much. To him she wasn't just some silly, weak, squishy human, and for him to not acknowledge her as a capable warrior was apparently a great disrespect. Sure, she was a damn good fighter, but in a world filled by dragons and giant armored bears her skill could only close the gap so much. Besides, she didn't even know what she had done to impress a dragon of all things, and though she appreciated it, right now she just really wished he would bloody come help her.

A loud crash sounded as the ceiling literally exploded and a dark blue form fell through. Aneira quick-stepped backward as Narune fell onto one bear, the white furred ursine warrior's eyes widening. Narune's claws left deep red gouges as they struggled, his body and tail entwining the bear and keeping him from moving. As they struggled, Narune positioned his maw just before the bear's head and opened it. Nothing helped for a heartbeat, then a bright spark of violet thunder flashed from Narune's maw. The bear cried out in pain, jerked wildly, then fell over and stilled. Narune glanced behind him as he uncoiled himself.

Distracted by Narune's sudden appearance, the two remaining bears growled as their comrade fell and seemed to forget she was even there. Aneira took the opportunity to rush forward and ram her sword upward into one of the bears' unarmored rump. The bear cried out and let a backhand swing behind him, but she had already let go of the sword and dashed off. The bear--the same one whose eye she had struck earlier--stumbled towards her, growing obviously weaker as his insides bled. His rage kept him moving somehow however, eyes wild and locked on Aneira.

Over the bear's head arced her crossbow, thrown to her by Narune. She caught it easily, her arms already moving the moment it fell into her embrace. Within seconds she had taken a bolt from the attached mini-quiver, set it, and locked back the crossbow, being well practiced with the weapon. It was up and aimed a half second later and fired not one more fraction of a second after.

The bear scarcely had a chance to react as the bolt pierced his good eye. His muscles tensed for a moment, then all the tension left him and the bear fell over. Breathing hard, she looked over to where Narune was licking his bloody snout with his long, sinuous tongue. The last ursine warrior lay at his feet, a huge portion of his shoulder missing.

"Thank you," Aneira breathed as all the tension left her in a rush.

"Oh, think nothing of it," Narune said cheerfully. "My presence probably wasn't even necessary."

Oh, sure. Shaking her head and muttering to herself, she limped toward Narune. He wound the tip of his tail around her sword, then withdrew it from the bear it was impaling and slid it smoothly back into the sheathe strapped to him. Going to have to clean that one later... He stood still while she replaced her crossbow and went to retrieve her kukri. There wouldn't be time to look for the other one, unfortunately. She wanted to get out of here.

Narune, of course, had noticed. "Going to take us forever to afford another claw for you," he pointed out.

Aneira shrugged. "Right now I just want to head back." She let out a weary sigh. "None of this happened like it should have, damn it. There's people panicking in the streets and most of the Denali are out inside their own city fighting something I don't want to meet."

A load groaning sounded from around them, followed by a shuddering of the building. Aneira looked up and frowned, but Narune rushed forward and shoved her to the ground, then covered her protectively with his body. Not a heartbeat later the entire building come crashing down, sending up waves of dust that had Aneira's eyes watering and her lungs in a coughing fit. After everything settled, Narune rose and spread his wings wide, casting away most of the debris that had fallen on them. Aneira twisted around and was relieved to see that aside from some fresh marks where scales were missing he was unharmed.

"Really should avoid fighting in places where I can't fit," he said, sneezing as a cloud of debris drifted by his nostrils. "For future reference."

"Noted," she said, standing beside him.

Around them the Denali ran, screaming and yelling at each other. The few other warriors they did see were wounded, many maimed. All of them ignored the dragon and human standing amidst them. That alone was probably a bad sign, but she also noticed that there were no Rhubel within the city. If the wolves had won their Shard War so soundly they would have certainly made their way into the city.

One warrior limped by, his armor gold and engraved with ornate black markings. He wore a flowing blue cape with the Denali crest. He held an axe in one arm, his other a stub that dripped blood. He paused as he neared Aneira and Narune and glanced at them warily.

"Are you with the Rhubel?" he asked in a pained, gritty voice.

Aneira and Narune exchanged glances, then she shrugged and said, "Uh, mercenaries I guess."

The bear nodded slowly. "Hand them a warning: turn eyes to the heart of your Shard, for it is apparently beating." The bear growled and turned his head. "If only we'd known. Unfortunately ours beats no more, and so now the Denali will soon be but memories."

Taken aback, Aneira had no idea what to say. A thousand questions came to mind, but she had no will to voice them.

"There is more. Someone has slain the heart of the Denali. This means they know what lies in the center of all Shards and thus I can only assume they mean ill. " He let out a labored breath. "Forgive me for not being more direct, but it should be enough to the right people. I think... I think it is best if only those who need to know are involved." With that the bear continued on as if they no longer existed.

"Let's go," Aneira said to Narune, hugging herself. He nodded and took to the skies, then turned and rushed by to lift her from the streets.

As they soared high into the swirls of aether, her skin pleasantly tingling from the high concentration of the purple mists, she turned to look back at Shard Denali and gasped. The entire Shard was lopsided and slowly sinking into the frothing, raging swirls of aether beneath it. No wonder none of the Rhubel had boarded it, the damn thing's sinking!

"Well," Narune shouted from above her. "That can't be a good omen."

Shaking her head, she watched as Shard Rhubel drew close. Narune released her atop a grassy knoll on their island, then swung and around and drifted to a landing beside her. They stood side by side and watched Shard Denali sink. Below the Rhubel gave out a loud war cry and victory bells rang through the city until the cheering was taken up by the entire city and palace. There would be a great feast, she knew, and lots of celebrating in the streets tonight. But as the swirls of aether dispersed and the churning sea of it beneath them settled, its dark, forbidding coils of violet mist swallowing Shard Denali whole, she couldn't help but feel it an improper time for celebration. That's the world, though.

She and Narune rested for the next few hours, watching Shard Rhubel break into full celebration even while Shard Denali continued to sink beneath the waves of aether. The twin suns had jumped across the sky, now dipping beneath the violet horizon. Eventually Roraz reappeared with his attendants in tow, late by anyone's account, but she knew he did it just to frustrate her.

Sighing, she flipped over from her seated position and knelt. Narune growled, but also lowered himself. Roraz smiled down at them and nodded his satisfaction. He snapped his fingers.

"Your rations, as promised," he said. His two attendants set down a meager supply of food.

Aneira frowned at seeing it, but it was Narune who responded. "You insult us with this payment," the dragon said, growling. Roraz shrugged. "Shard Denali sunk for some reason, so the battle was cut short. While we obtained a king's ransom in weapons from the fleeing soldiers we cut down, you two had no part in that." The wolf scratched muzzle idly. "Also, while you did manage to get us a pathetic little island you failed to get the Denali bridges extended so we could let our reserves bypass the landing."

"But that won't stop the feast, of course," Aneira muttered. "Even do most of your hunters did just as little, or less, than we did."

Roraz just smiled. "You can join in, if you wish." He offered his arm. "It'll be at my side, of course, but that itself has its own pleasures attached to it. You can eat your fill, and sleep atop silk pillows tonight."

"Pass," she said with a sigh.

Growling, Roraz reached down and snatched the front of her tunic, dragging her up to her feet with his incredible strength. Narune growled, his body coiling as if to pounce, but Roraz ignored him. "You will be my bitch one way or another, Aneira. I suggest you enjoy my kindness while it lasts, least you find yourself pleading for its return while my company of hunters makes use your body every single day."

Aneira's eyes narrowed and her nails dug into Roraz's hand for a tense moment, but before she could spit out an angry retort Narune pounced and seperated the two, knocking Roraz to the ground and opening his maw inches from Roraz's own muzzle. His attendants drew long-knives in a flash and expertly rushed forward, but paused when their leader held up a paw.

"I do not fear you, dragon," the lupine hunter said. "Even if you kill me I will die knowing that your little toy will find herself at the whim of Rhubel's justice, as will yourself." He barked a short laugh. "Of course, you might care less than she. After all, your entire race has breathed an oath to see you ended."

Aneira blinked at hearing that and Narune recoiled. Roraz looked between the two, his eyes widening, then he let out a loud laugh.

"The bitch doesn't know!" he yelled. A sarcastic giggle rose form Roraz's muzzle. "The last human in the world and the dragon shunned by his people. Both alone, in so very different ways, but I think you suit each other well." He pushed a suddenly quiet Narune off him and stood, then brushed off his leathers. "The world is becoming increasingly barren, bitch. The Denali are gone, and perhaps others will fall soon."

"It could be the Rhubel that's next," Aneira said with a snort.

Roraz was quiet for some time, then nodded slowly. "It could be. Regardless, I do not believe in the gibberish spat forth by the Circle of Lanterns. Everything has its time; perhaps that day for our world is dawning. Even so, I live without regrets and will die without them as well." He eyed Aneira and grinned. He gestured at a barrel beside their sack of food and water bladders. "Some of my finest wine, Aneira. A gift, and a taste of what I can offer you." He turned and walked away, his two attendants close behind.

Aneira frowned, then started as she remembered the warning. "Wait!" Roraz paused and looked over his shoulder, golden eyes sparkling with curiosity. "While we were on Shard Denali an ursine warrior garbed in golden armor told us to give the Rhubel a warning." She passed the message on, exactly as the bear has phrased it. When she was finished Roraz looked at her thoughtfully for what seemed an eternity.

"I will pass on the warning," was all he said when he finally spoke, then turned and was soon gone.

I bet you will, you bastard. And you'll also take all the credit for earning it. Aneira sighed. In the distance bright lights danced in the night and music drifted towards them, the sounds of the Shard Rhubel's celebration. Though the Shard's haul had been small, she supposed survival itself was worth celebrating, especially in the face of Shard Denali's frightening demise. There was a listen there, no doubt.

"Ann--" Narune began from beside her, a nervous edge to his voice.

She turned to face him, a smile on her lips. Stepping close, she thumbed across an old, massive scar that streaked across his right eye. "Drink with me."

He hesitated, cocking his head. "It would be a waste. You know it has no effect on me."

"I said drink with me, not get drunk with me. The 'drink,' 'with', and 'me' were the key components of my request, in case that passed over you too."

Narune snorted. "Stop trying to change the subject--"

"I'm not," Aneira insisted tiredly. "I just don't care, Narune. Roraz was right. Laugh all you want, but you're pretty much the sole person I have in all this rotten world."

Narune rose to all fours, tail wavering high above him as anger flashed in his eyes. "That's certainly nothing to laugh at!"

She let out a long sigh and moved to remove the lid off the casket. "And I have known you for a long time. Long enough to find it hard to think of a good reason why your kin might shun you, but then I don't know a lot of things. Like, I don't know why if all the humans are gone I'm somehow conveniently the last one alive." She pried the top off, threw the lid aside, and looked back at Narune over her shoulder. "You could say I'm really good at not knowing things, unfortunately. Besides--" Aneira looked Narune straight in the eye. "It's obvious you'd rather not tell me."

He held her gaze for a fraction of a second longer then looked away. "No, though I will if you ask."

"I won't," Aneira said with a shrug. "You are allowed your secrets, my dear Narune. If you ever want to talk though, I am willing to listen."

He grunted as she took the deep ladle and dipped into the wine, then took a long pull. It tasted sweet and exotic, tickling her tongue and leaving a pleasant aftertaste. Damn, it even tastes expensive. She scooped the ladle down again, then beckoned Narune over. He rolled his eyes and came close, opening his maw, and allowed her to pour wine down his throat. He perked up as it splashed across his tongue and drunk down the rest eagerly.

"It's good," he said, eyes widening.

Aneira giggled. "Don't sound so surprised. Come on, let's have our own celebration."

"We don't have much food saved up..." he said hesitantly. "We'll have to go hunting again, and soon."

"I know," she said, smiling. "It'll be all right."

Narune's reluctance melted before that smile, and it set her heart fluttering to know she had such an effect on him. Sitting down together, they spent the better part of an hour enjoying the view of the Shard's city and the faint music the drifted above it. They shared the wine, with Narune drinking the dragon's share of it, and treated themselves to more food than they'd normally eat. Aneira knew she needed the distraction--that they needed it.

Satisfied with a pleasant meal and Roraz's excellent wine, Aneira felt the worries of the day lighten. There will time enough for them when the sun rises, but the night belongs to us. She stood and stretched, conscious of Narune's eyes on her as he lounged across the grass. She moved so that she was standing in front of him, then slowly lowered her bottoms. His eyes followed them down, then rose to stare at her slit as he stepped out of them. She stepped close to the dragon, cradling his head in her hands and lifting it to press her lips against his snout.

"Aneira--" he breathed, hesitation in his voice.

"Lick," she commanded, pushing his head downward.

"I'm not your personal joy toy," he muttered as she shoved his snout into her hairless crotch, which she shaved regularly. One of the few womanly luxuries she allowed herself, but--like most women she supposed--she did it to please a particular male.

Aneira rolled her eyes as she rubbed her palm along one of his horns. "Lick," she repeated.

Letting out an indignant snort, he did as she asked and brushed a muscular, wet tongue across her slit. A moan escaped Aneira's lips, and she repositioned herself to give him easier access. Narune had a devilish memory, and he remembered well her delights. He traced along the edges of her slit, then would randomly and without warning attack her clit before again backing away, his thick tongue returning to teasing her thighs or the outer edges of her folds. She grew wet quickly beneath his attention, though a good deal of it was his warm saliva. Aneira petted him as he continued to lick long and slow, her fingers sliding across his beautiful blue scales and gently tracing the ridges on his head.

Licking her lips, she reached down with a hand and spread herself open, sticky strands stringing across the entrance. Narune only paused for a moment before angling his head upwards and sliding his tongue inside. She let out a gasp as a pleasant shock rippled through her body, arching her back as she leaned into him, her breath growing heavy. Slowly, Aneira ground herself into his snout, streams of her wetness coursing down across his scales. While Narune tongued her, forcing himself wetly deeper and deeper, she passed s hand across her firm, round buttocks, then reached up to pinch her nipples underneath her tunic.

"Faster," she breathed. Rhythmically she rose and fell on her heels, grinding and pressing herself into Narune's diligent tongue, a warm, jolting pleasure radiating from her sex.

Narune obliged, pressing up into her and using his neck to create a piston-like motion, all the while writhing and twisting his tongue inside her. Aneira squeezed and massaged her full, pert breasts, then pinched her nipples hard and pressed down into Narune as she came. She let out a soft cry, her hips gyrating as ripples of hot white pleasure rushed through her and her pussy gushed warmth down across Narune scales. He continued to eat her out while she came, his partially closed golden eyes watching her.

When she was finished and all that was left were pleasant echos of her orgasm, she pushed him gently away. Narune pulled back, licking his maw with a smug expression. She laughed at him and scratched at the spots were he was missing scales along his neck.

"Your turn," she whispered playfully, moving to lay down beside him and pushing against his flank so that he would roll onto his side. Narune did so, falling on his side lazily and lifting his leg. Aneira saw that his cock was already stiffening.

"You really seem to enjoy my taste..." she teased as she drew closer along his warm body.

"Yes," he said softly. "And your delightful scent..."

Aneira took the little bit of his fleshy pink member that poked from his slit and began stroking it gently, smiling as Narune let out a little growl. The rest of his impressive cock slowly eased itself outside into the cool night air, awakened by her touch. Without hesitation Aneira leaned forward and spread her lips wide, taking his tapered tip into her warm, wet mouth. He let out a throaty rumble as she sucked on his tip, her tongue teasing the wide opening at the tip that oozed salty precum. Her hands caressed the rest of it, one finger slipping inside the sheathe-slit of Narune's sex and playing with the moist cock still working on rising outside.

Eventually his girth became too big to handle, so she coughed out his cock and licked the sticky precum off her lips, pumping him with her hands. His impressive member stood hard and smooth, a series of ridges lining the underside. She ran her tongue along the throbbing dragon cock, her hands playing with the tip while she thumbed the opening up top. Narune twitched in response to her care of his member.

"Does it feel good?" Aneira asked him as he let out a pleased purr.

"Mmm, it feels all right, I suppose," he murmured.

"Only 'all right'?" Aneira said with mock anger. "Perhaps not something you want to tell a female when your cock is her hands."

"Well, then maybe you should--ah!" She felt him jerk and giggled. "Whatever you're doing it feels... different. Good different."

Aneira grinned as she sandwiched his cock between her breasts, using his own precum as lubrication. She pressed her entire body against him, her breasts and body forming a soft, warm surface to sandwich his cock between his own slick scales. She moved slowly, jerking him off with her breasts, her breath hot against his tip, her tongue occasionally teasing just inside the opening.

"Close, Ann," Narune breathed.

She stopped upon hearing that and rolled away. Narune lifted his head, then craned his neck around to give her a puzzled look.

"That's not funny, Ann," he said, his breathing heavy and filled with need.

She shrugged and grinned teasingly up at him. "Let's mate, Narune."

There was a moment of unease that flashed across his eyes. Slowly though, as those big eyes stared at her own, he seemed to relax, his hesitation melting away. He moved towards her, his snout brushing along her cheek. Aneira passed a hand along his head, then slowly lowered herself down on the cool grass while Narune loomed over her.

His body fit hers like a glove, his sinuous form flowing to fill every nook and cranny it seemed. The unnatural heat of his body radiated around her delightfully, and she felt his breath quicken as she caressed his neck. Even a male dragon was a male in the end, and he was both aroused and excited at the prospect of rutting her. Smiling, she spread her legs, offering herself to him.

There was an intense moment of anticipation, then Narune pressed down on top of her and she felt his large tip slip inside, forcing apart the sticky lips of her sex. He cried out in pleasure, readjusting himself while she closed her eyes, then forced the rest of his meaty girth slowly inside. Aneira let out her own girlish cry as she took him inside her, his delicious ridges torturing her with pleasure as her slit wetly opened to accommodate him. Soon he was snug inside her, throbbing and twitching, his cock hotter than even his body.

"Ann," he breathed, his neck high and curving down so he could look at her. "You're so deliciously tight..."

"Not much of a compliment," Aneira said, grinning up at him. "Considering the difference in size."

With a snort, he continued, "And beautiful, strong, smart--"

Giggling, she slapped his chest, though couldn't help but blush. "Stop that."

He lowered his head until it was inches from from her ace. Aneira leaned up and kissed his snout, then moaned as he thrust into her. Hugging his head, she shivered in delight while his tapered cock thrust itself into her, making naughty wet noises as her sex struggled to swallow him. She felt herself oozing wetness, her own arousal setting her heart thudding at a quickened pace.

"Harder, Narune," she begged. "Mate me harder." She lifted her bottom into him, angling herself so her thighs came up and he was thrusting down into her loins while they were midair.

Narune grunted in response, breathing hotly into her ear. In the distance the sounds of joyful music were overwritten by the beating of flesh against flesh and the sticky fluids that facilitated that joining, her own moans of pleasure and his growling further breaking the soft night.

"Raise yourself a little..." she gasped, and waited until he rose so that only their groins were pressing together, his body arched over hers while he watched her with amusement and lust.

She pulled up her top, freeing her breasts from their restraints, and eagerly thumbed her hardened nipples. She shut her eyes, biting her lip. A jolt of pleasure that ran through her as she rolled them between her fingers, then squeezed her own breasts. Something wet pressed against a nipple and her eyes snapped open, a little shriek of pleasure escaping her lips. Narune chuckled at her as he licked across her breast once more, pushing against against the rigid nipple with his warm, wet tongue.

"Narune..." she mouthed, looking up at him.

"I've seen you do it to yourself often," he murmured. "It's strange to me, but if you enjoy it then I want to try doing it for you."

"Well, I never asked because I thought it'd be hard for you, but you seem to be managing just fine..."

He gave her a toothy grin. "You underestimate me, Ann. Sit back and enjoy."

With a heated sigh, she did as he asked, her legs spread wide as he continued to pierce her slit with his cock, the ripples of pleasure radiating from between her thighs pleasantly building into a hot, blazing flare. He continued teasing her with his tongue, roughly toying with her nipple, then caught her off guard when his tail reached around and cruelly wrapped around a breast. She jumped at the warm grab, her eyes closing. He was relentless though, moving the remainder of the tip not tightened around her breast to pinch her nipple. The scaly softness combined with warmth of his body sent a unique and thrilling pleasure storming through her. She squealed.

"I take it that means you like it?" he whispered, his own breath deepening as his thrusts quickened and intensified with need.

A nod was all she could manage as he tightened his touch on one nipple, his tongue flicking hotly against the other. After a moment he released her breasts, then when she opened her eyes in confusion he attacked again, swapping his tongue and tail. She cried out, involuntarily squeeze her vaginal muscles. He growled in response and shuddered with pleasure.

"I'm close, Ann," Narune whispered.

"Me too," she replied, trembling.

Narune reared back, wings spreading wide, and huddled close to her, her breasts forgotten. His thrusts where short and quick now, filled with a desperate need to release his seed. He pressed hotly against her body, his warmth embracing her as he prepared to climax. She kept her thighs tightly pressed against his sides, her body jerking with each luscious, wonderful thrust of his, her sex thoroughly soaked and oozing Narune's generous amount of precum.

Growling from deep in his throat, Narune brushed his tongue across her ear, then dragged it wetly across her cheek. When it touched the corner of her mouth, Aneira parted her lips and let out a soft moan as he pushed it in, taking up very inch of free space in her mouth, his own tongue coiling tightly around hers and bundling up inside. His tail, moistened from toying with her saliva slicked breasts pressed against her anus, stroking against it, then without warning slid hotly inside. Her eyes widened for a moment as she felt his tail wiggling up inside her butt, then closed as hard pleasure raged through her. Damn, I love it when he does that.

All of the different warring sensations was too much for her. It brought her to and beyond the edge without pause, forcing a ragged, harsh orgasm through her flesh that had all of her muscles tightening and her vision dimming. She tightened around his cock as she came, her own slit now flowing with her sticky fluids.

"Mmph!" she cried, her mouth pleasantly filled with his tongue.

A throaty rumble escaped Narune and she felt him grow warmer. Not long after he thrust hard into her, shoving himself completely inside. She winced a little as her body accommodated him, then cried out as a hot rush of cum exploded inside. He broke their tonguing, wet strands streaming between their mouths, and lifted his head to let out a deafening roar. Aneira closed her eyes and licked her lips, relishing the twitching dragon cock within her as it relieved itself of the burden of cum. Her belly swelled slightly beneath the gracious load she received, the cum shooting deep inside and have little room to gush out.

Eventually Narune's orgasm receded, his cock sputtering its last bits of cum inside her. He pulled out almost immediately, the ridges on his cock bringing her to another, lighter orgasm as they teased her clenching sex. Huffing loudly, he stepped forward, his limp cock dripping a thin stream of cum. A river of it flowed out from between her legs, staining the grass. Licking her lips as his dangling cock came to rest just before her face, dripping splotches of cum all over her belly and breasts, she raised the sticky, messy meat and put the tip into her mouth, sucking out the remainder.

Though she would have preferred he stayed inside her, Narune had a thing for using her mouth after he came and she loved to hear him whimper in pleasure as she licked his apparently hyper sensitive cock and teased the opening at the tip with her tongue. He did so know, his body quivering as she mercilessly brushed her tongue along his cock, pausing at the tip to take it nosily and wetly into her mouth, sucking with aroused hunger as her tongue teased the rim of his opening. A shiver ran through Narune as he let out another long whimper. A girly orgasm she'd always called it, since he didn't cum like he normally did. He resented her calling it that--which of course only made her keep the name--but he seemed to enjoy it far too much to turn her away from giving it to him.

Seeing that he was now thoroughly satisfied, she fell back back against the grass, her heart thudding. Narune fell to the grass beside her with a loud thump, then rolled over himself. His tail coiled around her delicately, lifting her into the air and then depositing her on top of his warm belly. She giggled, propping herself on her arms, and looked down at him, enjoying the warmth radiating from his body against her bare flesh.

"That was, as usual, a delight," he said, letting out a satisfied puff of air. "Dragonesses just aren't the same. I need to find myself a brood of female humans, I think."

Aneira frowned down at him, but he laughed, setting her bouncing.

"It better be a joke, you heartless lizard," she said, grinning. Her grin fell away, leaving her with a somber expression "Thank you by the way, Narune. I don't say it enough, but there it is."

"For?"

"Being an amazing, wonderful dragon for a silly human girl."

Narune narrowed his eyes, then looked away. I see guilt in those eyes, Narune. Guilt and something else, and they struggle against each other. You care for me, that much is obvious, but for some damn reason you don't think you deserve me. Me, some stupid human.

"Stop that," she said, resting her head against his scales. "I may not be some sexy dragoness with shiny scales, but I am yours."

Narune snorted. "It's definitely... different. But with you it's... it's wonderful... like..." He growled and turned away once more. "I don't know what I'm saying."

I do. It's the same whenever you laugh at my jokes, or when your face brightens at seeing my smile. You just won't allow yourself to admit it. That didn't bother her in the slightest. I will wait as long as it takes you, Narune. Putting what we have into words is not so important to me.

"Maybe it's time we leave again," he said after a moment of silence. "Go elsewhere."

"If you want," was her only reply. If only I was a dragon instead of a burden we could simply take to the skies and leave these people and their wars behind forever.

He shuffled uneasily. "The Rhubel do not think well of us. No one really knows how... close we are, but a lot of them have the imagination to close to gap. I have heard you called many unflattering things..."

"Like beast whore?" she said, laughing. "A bit ironic coming from beastmen. You're sweet to worry about me, but stupid to think I care."

"Mmm..." Narune said, obviously displeased with her response.

"Go to sleep before you hurt yourself from thinking," she said, raising an eyebrow. "You should stick to fighting and sweeping me off my feet."

"Maybe you're right," he said drowsily. He let out a long yawn. "We'll spend most of tomorrow hunting, so get some sleep too."

"I will," she said, sliding off his belly. He rolled and curled around her, tail looping around past his snout. She sat down, resting her back against his warm body, and looked up at the sparkling stars.

Tugging at the leather cord at her throat, she brought a tiny gemstone into her palm. Around the stone was a band of tarnished silver engraved with script that read 'Bound by chains forged of feathers.' It was a phrase that had once perplexed her as much as the fact that she had owned the necklace for longer than she could remember, but she had long since uncovered its meaning. Narune had told her, actually, though he supposedly couldn't recall where he had heard of it.

A beautiful chain of feathers, something we allow to bind us as securely as iron no matter how fragile it is in truth. The challenge was not in breaking free, but in keeping it intact. There were many feathers, many links that could join the chain, and they were draped lightly across the shoulders of those bound by loyalty, by honor, and even by love.

In this broken world full of broken people, Aneira believed with all of her heart that it was the few things remaining whole that mattered most.