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"We can't delay any longer! The enemy is on the move! If we don't do something now, the Luridus will win this war!" Lucius stood among the council, his fist planted firmly on the round table standing in the center of the circle of chairs. Atop that grand table rest a parchment map with several red and blue marks spread across it, each one moving to illustrate the likely outcome of future battles should no action be taken, "If we wait any longer, we will not have a land left to defend."

"And what would you have us do? Launch an all out assault against the Luridus? We have tried such attacks before. They all were met with slaughter." A youthful looking woman of feline descent eyed the elf lord, "No one is disagreeing with you. We all are aware of what is at stake."

"We would not be here if we believed it would be so easy to defeat them." A slender wolf chimed in, adding his own sentiment to the debate, "That is why this council was convened, so that we might ally ourselves and produce a means of salvation."

"And we have met countless times, organized countless military strikes against the Luridus, and yet nothing has come of it. Our meetings have proven completely fruitless. My people live in constant fear of being overrun. We hold the border against the Luridus with minimal assistance from the rest of you." The passionate man frowned deeply at the rest of the council. His eyes betrayed the frustration his voice could not accurately convey.

"Mind your words carefully, young Lucius." The aging voice of a great, emerald dragon carried with it the wisdom of centuries of conflict, "Your father established that frontier as a safe haven for all life, not just elf kind. We all have suffered heavy losses from the Luridus and are trying to stave off their assaults where we each can. You are not alone in this fight. Your people are made to suffer because the enemy seeks to garner a weakness by sowing dissent among us, starting with you. They seek to destroy the shaky alliance we have formed in order to destroy us one by one. Do not allow the hatred they seed in you to blossom."

Lucius, his fists clenched to the point of turning his knuckles white, slowly began to calm, closing his eyes and slipping into his seat. It had been only two months since his father's death and his ascension to take the empty seat on the council. It was not something he enjoyed. Politics had always held no fascination for him.

"I'm sorry... I'm not as skilled at diplomacy as my father was."

"You will learn. He was much like you are when he was your age." The elderly dragon then turned his attention to the rest of the council, ready to share with them a measure quite desperate, one he had been hesitant to call upon, "I would assume we are all in agreement that the knowledge we currently have of our enemy is poor at best, correct?" He gazed over the lot of them. The group of eighteen, a representative of each of the various tribes and races that had banded together, all nodded as the great dragon lord spoke, his voice quiet and steady, "Then the only reasonable course of action is to learn more about them."

An avian of crimson and gold stood, an aura of ethereal flame surrounding her, shimmering as she spoke as if it were more clothing than fire.

"Any scout we send will be immediately located and killed, and my people wear thin. So many have been reborn that only a handful is of sufficient age... and so many have already been corrupted by the Luridus..."

"I agree Lady Sterre, many of my people have been claimed by their foul touch. There is not a captain, lord, or matriarch here who has not lost even one of their own to the Luridus. With every new assimilation they learn more about us, about how to fight us. They grow stronger while we grow weaker." The great scaled beast spoke deliberately, the notion that their own people were being turned against them somehow weighed heavily on his mind. Such was the burden of leadership. Lucius looked up again, his mind swirling with responsibility, concern, and the remaining dying rays of hope.

"What do you suggest my lord?"

The dragon leaned back in his chair, the wood underneath creaking under the weight of the immense beast.

"We need an agent that can hide out among them... as one of them. Something they would not expect to be capable of spying on them."

"We have tried such methods and the result was horrible. I have lost many of my dearest friends in such attempts." A woman of green, her long hair filled with flowers of all kinds, recounted past attempts at espionage. She reached into the air casually with fingers long and slender, as if they were made of the stalks of green plant life, "My forests have suffered so much. I cannot in good conscience ask any more of them than I already do."

"I understand m'lady, we would not ask such. They do a great deal to conceal us as best they can." Lord Pyre leaned forward slightly, shifting weight onto his cane to speak to the entire group, "We know the Luridus use many creatures they consider to be inferior for mounts and beasts of burden. It is likely if we send one they would see as nothing more than a dumb animal that they will treat it as such. Many of my own people have been used as such simply because they lack the ability to speak as we do."

Sterre furrowed her brow softly at mention of such a plan.

"But how would the spy be free to move about and gather the information we need?"

Pyre turned from the others, affixing his gaze on the young elf whose fevered mind had left him questioning his ability to lead.

"We would send two, one concealing the other."

Lucius looked up again, his eyes locked with the dragon's golden orbs.

"You don't mean..."

The dragon nodded.

"I do. I believe it is time we call upon the unique abilities of two of our mutual friends."

The group began to chatter amongst one another, questions raised in concern of who these two mystery individuals were.

---

A loud, throaty growl rumbled away, echoing throughout the cave as a dragon of dark green thrust firmly into the girl pinned under him. She cried out as if in pain, squirming fiercely against the stone of the floor under her, struggling to pull herself free of the beast's rutting. Again and again the dragon thrust, his hips mashing firmly against the elf maiden's slender form, sending his ample genital majesty deeper with every powerful ramming. The girl underneath him clawed weakly at the ground, trying to garner some sort of traction to pull herself free, unable to do so. Every penetration deep into her already sore folds brought with it a cry of agony and ecstasy. Her body quivered in exhaustion as the beast continued digging his length even deeper, seeking its way to her inner-most chamber, growling fervently as climax raced closer.

As the two fought against one another, the noises produced echoed throughout the cave and beyond, reaching the forest nearby where a young elf's sharp ears caught the faint whimpers and grunts. He froze in place in the middle of the path he had been following. His mood suddenly changed from that of disdain, regretting having to resort to such a desperate measure, to that of shock and terror. Someone was in danger, from the sound of it they were being violated against their will. He growled quietly and drew his sword, charging forward blindly into the cave. A terrible battle cry split the relative quiet of the forest as he dove in, freezing upon seeing two sets of eyes staring back at him, a great beast perched atop a nude elf maiden, both laying motionless as the woman frowned deeply.

"Do you mind!? Can't a girl get a little privacy around here!?"

Lucius blinked and lowered his sword, not sure what to think of the current situation. It sounded as if the beast had been raping her, that she had not wanted him atop her like this.

"But I thought..."

"What? You thought what? That he was hurting me? You know damn well he wouldn't."

Confusion claimed the poor elf's mind as he tried to solve the puzzle before him.

"Then what was all the noise about? It sounded like he was taking you against your will!"

"It's called role-playing. It spices things up. If you had a girlfriend, you might understand! Now, either sit down and watch, or get out and let us finish. Nothing's worse than being right on the edge and not getting the chance to go all the way."

Lucius sheathed his sword and turned, hanging his head as he walked out, his cheeks horribly flushed. Once he was back outside, the noises resumed, sounding as if the woman was quite unwilling all over again. Finally, an ear-splitting roar rumbled out of the cave mixed with a glass-shattering shriek, more of pleasure than pain, as the dragon pinning the maiden to the floor unleashed a heavy wave of thick, musky essence deep into her warmth, flooding her womb with the viscous ooze. The two gasped to catch their breath, the woman more so than the dragon, before she slipped out from under him. She stood to meet his eye level as he sat on his haunches, his tail wagging happily, quite sated. An affectionate kiss on the end of his nose was his reward, at least this time.

"That was great, sorry we can't go all the way with it right now, maybe later tonight."

The beast nodded softly and nosed his friend gently, his tail lifting the woman's robe from the ground and handing it to her. She shivered softly in the cool air before wrapping up in it, turning to head outside followed closely by her draconic lover.

"I don't care how many times I walk in on you two, that still disturbs me. I don't know if it's the fact that it's a dragon doing it to you or if it's the fact that I'm seeing my own sister having sex right in front of me."

The maiden chuckled and play-punched her brother's shoulder lightly.

"You really are quite the prude. You know damn well that the kind of relationship I've got with Jerith is a common thing."

"Yes, for dragons but not elves, Erica! I'm tired of being the brother of the girl who sleeps with dragons!"

The dark-haired woman frowned, staring her twin brother dead in the eyes, resisting the urge to slap him.

"For one thing, I'm loyal to him, I don't sleep around with other dragons. For another thing, it's deeper than just lust... we share a bond unlike anything you could understand! His father gets it! Ours understood it! Why can't you!?"

"I don't know..." It was so simple a reply, and yet it cut so deeply. Erica turned to look away, rather put out with her brother as she stared off into the forest. Jerith moved to her side, nosing softly at her hand until she draped her arm across the back of his long, slender neck.

"Did you come here just to harass me about this like you always do when we see each other? Or were you just charging to my 'rescue' hoping he was hurting me so you could fight him off?"

"No, I came because the council sent me."

Erica turned around to look at Lucius. It was her turn to appear confused.

"Why would they be interested in me?"

"That's for them to disclose to you. We can't talk about it here. Don't worry, you're not in trouble. They have need of you."

The look of indignation returned to her face, crossing her arms as Jerith sat quietly beside her, his eyes shifting back and forth between the two elves.

"They need me, but you do not..."

Lucius sighed quietly and stood up, looking into his sister's eyes, an earnest sense of desperation visible behind those blue pools, desperation to find a way to finally rekindle the fractured relationship with her brother. He only took it as a sign of aloofness, from years of being disconnected from her own kind.

"Is that what you want me to say? That I need you? You want me to beg? You want me to crawl on my hands and knees to make you feel better? Yes, I need you... we all need you! This is bigger than you or me or our stupid little fights! Please! Come now or the council will be annoyed!"

"Fine, I'll be along in a few minutes. I'm just going to walk Jerith back in."

Lucius reached out, gently gripping his sister's arm to stop her as she turned.

"There's no need, he's been summoned as well. It's the relationship you two have that's brought you to their attention. Now hurry up and get dressed."

---

The moon had risen above the trees, spilling an unearthly pale glow across the smooth marble floor of the council chamber, open to the breeze that swept through the area with a gentle rustle of the trees. The members had once again gathered for the meeting they requested and the two newcomers stood quietly to one side as they officially began.

"This council meets to discuss the only option presented in our previous session. Lady Erica, Jerith of the dragon clan, please, step forward."

The two did as they were told, both feeling somewhat exposed and nervous being before so many important, powerful individuals. Erica, hiding how small she felt before them all, spoke with a clear, steady voice.

"Yes? How can we help you?"

Pyre's seat creaked under him as he shifted his weight slowly.

"We have summoned you here because the two of you have a unique bond that we hope to utilize." Before he could continue, Florelle, the nymph, interrupted with a question while offering an apology for the disruption.

"Begging your pardon my lord, but what is this bond you speak of? It may be common knowledge for many but I and several others of this council have yet to be educated on this matter."

The great dragon nodded softly, raising a hand for the younger beast and his companion to take a seat before he continued addressing them.

"For every dragon born, there exists the potential of a bond between them and another. It is common for this to be another dragon, and not unheard of for it to be of another race, but a bond between a dragon and an elf is quite rare. The last time this occurred was several hundred years ago and it was Erica's great, great, great grandfather. This bond is seen on the outside as friendship or a greater affection, but it runs far deeper than this. It is a spiritual link that can never be broken. Once the bond has been formed, the two are inseparable. The linked can understand one another through a shared thought or idea rather than speak aloud. Erica and Jerith have such a bond, and they have enjoyed it for several years now, exploring what interesting pastimes they can busy themselves with. Many frown upon their shared interests but it is simply the natural course the bond provides so I ask that you hear my plan and hold an open mind. Do not judge too hastily on this matter." The dragon lord's explanation satisfied the nymph and she bowed her head, allowing him to continue, "Erica, Jerith, the rest of this council may be unaware of what you spend your time doing, but I am familiar with your activities and we have need of the skills you have cultivated through them."

The elf maiden blinked, blushing deeply as she was addressed, assuming he spoke of their coupling.

"You have need of our knowledge of the... carnal world?"

A few whispers and chuckles arose from the rest of the council, the old dragon joining them with an amused look on his muzzle.

"No my child, what we request of you is your companion's ability to house you within himself."

Erica's blush deepened further while Jerith's jade hue became tainted with a similar coloration in his cheeks.

"M-may I ask why?"

"As you are already aware, we have been fighting against the Luridus for quite some time. The war has cost us a great many souls."

The maiden nodded, recalling the reports given to the public to prevent moral from falling too low.

"I do, your efforts have provided us with the safety we now enjoy and I've no doubt that one day we will be able to defeat them under the guidance of this council."

"I fear, my child, that unless we call upon your skills, we may not. The war has been going more poorly than we dare admit. To disclose the true amount of loss we have suffered would bring only terror and chaos. If we do not act quickly, we will lose this fight within half a year."

Both Jerith and Erica turned to look one another in the eyes, having feared something like this but never fully believing it could be true. They both returned their gaze to the elder dragon and listened intently.

"Our efforts to understand the Luridus and how they are able to defend against our assaults have been for naught. Every attempt to unravel their powers has failed, offering nothing of any value for us to utilize. For this reason, we ask that you act as our spies in their midst. Jerith, you would pose as a simple beast of burden or mount for one of their encampments while concealing your beloved Erica by day. After nightfall, Erica, you would move undetected about the encampment, learning anything and everything you could, returning to Jerith's protection and cover by sunrise. If you learn anything of great value, return immediately and share the information you have gained. If you cannot discover anything of tremendous value within a month, return here and we will reassess the situation and perhaps send you where we believe you may be able to be of more value."

The two companions looked at one another again, staring quietly for a moment as if to have a silent conversation before looking back at Lord Pyre.

"Are we ordered to do so?"

The wolf immediately to the ancient beast's left shook his head, answering for the elder creature.

"No. We ask that you do so voluntarily. If you so choose against our request, we will not press the issue any further and you will be free to go."

"And if we agree?"

Pyre spoke up, holding out a hand to politely silence the lupine.

"Then you would have our eternal gratitude. And I would do all within my power to cultivate understanding among all our peoples of the relationship you two share." His eyes slowly passed over the whole of the council, stopping sternly on Lucius. He knew the two siblings had not always seen eye to eye on the matter of Erica's bond with Jerith and it pained him, seeing his own son treated so harshly by the son of a dear friend of his. Lucius was young yet and would no doubt further mature in the years to come, but Pyre would see to it that he would at the very least accept his sister's relationship. The maiden and dragon looked to one another again, coming to a decision on the matter.

"What would you have us do my lord?"

---

Hours after the council adjourned for the night and the plans had been laid out in greater detail, the two lovers found themselves going through a small satchel of trinkets the elf had been given for use on their mission. Jerith, having taken a smaller, more upright form, sat with the woman in his lap, nuzzling her cheek from behind as they looked over the various objects.

"A small crystal of light; five small flash bombs; a vial of Esuda root, finely ground to put enemies to sleep; an amulet of memory; and a charm of the goddess Selua for good fortune. I suppose it makes sense that I wouldn't be able to carry much with me, especially if you're going to be hiding me most of the time."

Jerith nodded and wrapped his wings about the girl, licking her cheek softly.

~I only hope that no harm comes to you. I don't know what I would do without you.~

His voice resonated softly in Erica's mind, taking the form of no actual sound but merely thought, as was the way they spoke to one another. The elf grinned softly and chuckled, leaning back against her beloved beast affectionately.

"I'm sure you'd find another girl to play around with." She giggled, tilting her head back to kiss the underside of Jerith's chin. It was often they played the damsel in distress and the ravenous dragon randomly selecting a 'new' target each time they played, providing the standing joke.

~I wouldn't want to. I only want you.~

His concern for her was always touching, enough to move her to silence. She turned around and wrapped her arms about the dragon's chest, mashing her cheek against his smooth hide.

"I won't have to worry. You'll protect me. You always have and you always will."

Elsewhere, Pyre had requested an audience with the young Lucius to discuss his sister's arrangements. It was not a topic he enjoyed discussing with anyone but never turned the dragon lord down when he sought a meeting.

"I am concerned that you and your sister are not as close as you could be."

"How can we be? She spends all her time roaming the woods and being intimate with your son. I'm sorry but it disturbs me walking in on the two of them like that."

The older beast chuckled and nodded.

"Understandably so, but please don't let that prevent you from having a relationship with your sister. She is the only family you have now. Your mother died giving you both life and your father tried the best he could to raise you both. He sought my guidance when he felt he needed it. I offer that same guidance for you not as a father but as a brother."

The elf ran his fingers through his raven locks, offering a quiet sigh.

"Thank you my lord but I don't know if I can force myself to see past the kind of person she is."

"And what kind is that?"

"She would rather spend more time away from home than learning what father would have wanted her to become. She was born first between the two of us and she shrugged it off, ran away to live with your son in a cave when she should be leading her people. Gods above know I'm not cut out for this." It was clear the young man was not only struggling with his sister, but with himself, doubting his own abilities as he had since he took up his father's mantle. The dragon sighed and took a seat to rest his aching leg, injured some time ago from a battle, healed long since but still stiff from time to time.

"I believe you are mistaken my boy. She didn't run away. Your father gave her a choice. He recognized the bond she shared with my son from an early age and hoped to cultivate it, not just to bring our two peoples closer together, but so that she might be happy. He knew if he forced her into the role he had hoped for her that she would be miserable without Jerith. He let her chose between a life of responsibility, duty, and obligation and a life of love. She loves that boy more than you could possibly understand. They are soul mates."

"But what about father's wish for her to take his place... and not me?"

Pyre tilted his muzzle forward as if to peer over some imaginary pair of spectacles at the lad.

"Have you asked her if she would be willing to?"

Lucius opened his mouth as if to answer but quickly stifled himself, looking away, out into the night as the memory of the only time they had discussed her future washed over his mind.

"Asked her if she would want to? No... I haven't. I just assumed she didn't want to. We had a rather nasty fight about it and I suppose it was my fault. I told her she was letting our father down, that he would be ashamed to know that she didn't want to take over for him."

"And how did she react?" The dragon's question rather sharply brought back the last image he held in his mind of the two of them meeting for any considerable length of time, of her tearing up and striking a younger Lucius across the cheek with an open palm stingingly. Her words echoed through his memories like ripples on a still pond, 'Liar! He's happy for me! He's glad that I'm happy! You just hate me because I'm the one he would have chosen!' As he cupped a hand over his cheek, remembering how badly it hurt both physically and emotionally, the memory of her turning and running away faded once more. It was a rather unpleasant trip to the past for Lucius. After that, there was only one time they spent any time in one another's company without trading insults or harsh words.

"The last time I had a civil conversation with her was at father's funeral. We didn't reconcile then but at least we didn't fight."

"My boy, she is about to undertake a mission that could be the end of her. You may never have another chance to speak to her ever again. Perhaps it would be a good time to try to tell her how you feel." The old beast's words resonated with Lucius. He nodded and sighed once more as the green dragon extended a clawed hand, holding out a small gem, "Give this to her. It will protect her so long as she is close to Jerith."

The elf nodded once more and took it, shaking the beast's hand.

"I will."

Both turned to part company for the evening. Before either could move past earshot, Lucius stopped, turning back.

"And Pyre?"

The jade fellow paused and turned to gaze back at the young lad. The elf's eyes were clear and strong, as if the elder's words had given him a renewed sense of self and purpose.

"Thank you..."

---

Morning came and the couple found themselves strolling casually through a less traveled region of the woods, keeping a weather eye open for anything that could be construed as a threat. Erica rode atop her lover's back as he trotted quietly through the grass, a simple, spherical crystal dangling next to the charm of Selua around her neck. Her heart felt much lighter and hearing her brother give her and Jerith his blessing, albeit somewhat forced, left her with a smile on her face.

"So how much further honey?"

~The frontier is only a mile away. I think now would be a good time to stop and hide you before we go on.~

"Yes, probably. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy it right?"

~Not in the slightest. Now, climb on down.~

The maiden giggled and slipped off the dragon's back, her feet sinking into the soft grass below as she traversed the short distance between her lover's shoulders and the ground. Quickly, she slipped out of her simple tunic and leggings, tucked them neatly into the satchel she had slung about her neck, set it to the side, and lay down on her back. Her legs were spread invitingly to allow the beast free access to the petals of the flower he had grown so fond of. His nose dropped to her groin quickly, inhaling the fragrant scent of her nethers before tracing his tongue softly about her tender region ever so daintily.

"Mmm, we can finish up properly since we didn't get to last night. Feel free to take your time or go as fast as you like, love."

The dragon's quiet purr grew into a hungry, lustful growl as he grinned, shoving his muzzle between his mate's thighs, lapping away eagerly. She gasped noisily before gripping the two dark horns on the back of his head, holding them tight to provide whatever leverage she could. Moisture oozed freely as he explored her passage like he had so many times before. He brought her close to climax before pulling back just long enough to give the woman a deep, passionate kiss. The taste of her own sweet drippings still lingered on his lips.

Within moments he was back between her legs, drinking deeply of her flower as she gasped for air. His long, expert tongue slipped its way around against her tender flesh until she cried out, offering him the prize he sought, slurping it down greedily before replacing one organ with another smooth, lengthy protrusion. His hips bucked away fast and firmly as his talons massaged the hefty bust quivering before him. Erica moaned and pushed with all her strength back against the raging monster invading so far into her, helping in the removal and re-insertion whenever possible. It would not last long with her already tiring frame.

Within moments, the same cry and roar that had escaped the cave the night before shattered the silence of the forest as Erica's trim form was suddenly distorted ever so slightly. The creamy explosion flooding her womb added a slight paunch to her frame as her beloved dragon filled her as he always had. She sprawled under him as he stood proudly atop her, growling lustfully once more, licking his lips. Erica looked up to Jerith as he pulled himself free, her exhausted form now ripe for the taking. His jaws parted and slipped over her head without any regard for intimacy, wanting her inside him too much to go slow and sensually. As her smooth form passed, he dragged his tongue this way and that about her naked body, savoring the pure taste he had grown to love so much in all the times they had been together like this.

Her ample bust glided into the warm, slick tube of his throat, gripped firmly by the powerful muscle constricting about her, molding to her curvaceous body, leaving a distinct shape in his neck as she slipped deeper. Her legs began to kick lightly as he lifted her off the ground, griping her with nothing more than his lips, not daring to let her perfect form drag across his razor sharp teeth. To bring harm to her would cause him only agony in his heart. Her moist crotch reached his jaws and he sealed his lips about her thighs, slurping wetly about her nether-lips, determined to bring her once more to climax before finishing her off. Moans of passion came in muffled gurgles in his gullet as she squirmed, pressing out in futile effort to guide his probing appendage until she cried out once more, going completely limp in his jaws.

The dragon grinned around her legs and lifted his chin, letting her slide off of his tongue and down his throat. Her feet vanished into his jaws with a greedy snap, sure not to impale any part of her. A mighty gulp pushed the girl down through the beast's chest where his heartbeat soothed her rattled nerves, still swimming in the afterglow of three unbelievable orgasms back to back to back. Soon, she was curled up deep in her lover's stomach, giving his belly a large, visible bulge that hung under him. He licked her taste from his lips as he sat down on his haunches, giving the swell a firm rubbing feeling her shift about to get comfortable safe and sound in his innards. A soft belch rose up as she grew still, panting for breath under his scales.

~Delicious as always, my love. I look forward to going more slowly with you next chance I get.~

With her locked away in his mighty stomach, her voice would no doubt be muffled though still coherent, though speaking did tend to waste a good deal of energy, energy she had already spent on pleasing her beloved beast, so she responded through the same conduit, speaking without talking.

~And you're just as comfortable inside as always, dear. I can't wait to get that chance. I'm going to enjoy this mission... spending all day, every day bouncing around in your belly.~

He chuckled quietly and grinned, standing once again as he began to trot away towards the frontier, collecting the satchel she had set aside and popping it into his mouth as if it were a snack. No better place to keep her toys than with her in his swaying belly. Neither she nor the items she had been given were in any danger of melting away, not while he had any desire to see her again. To kill her in that manner, while romantic in theory to both of them, would bring only sorrow. He would not dare digest her, not when they were so very much in love.

---

The trip through the forest passed with relative serenity. The frontier guards allowed Jerith's passage as per their orders from Lord Pyre. They didn't even bother to question him about the load in his middle. Erica simply lay still within her lover, sleeping soundly. Their earlier antics had worn her out nicely and the dragon was more than content to let her rest. Once clear of the border, the green beast took to the sky, hindered little by the gravid bulge sagging below him. He had grown accustomed to carrying the elf maiden, on foot or wing, making travel that much more casual. The winds high aloft carried the two for miles, over trees and rivers, across plains and farms, through a mighty mountain range, and into the dark land that had been slowly spreading. Here the trees were not green but a deep, sinister violet, almost black. Shadows dominated this region, making it seem as if it were night, even at midday during the summer. A shiver ran up the dragon's spine as he looked down at the corrupted land, pulling his hind legs closer to the gravid swell of his lover.

~We've reached the dark lands of the Luridus. It's unbelievable.~

Erica stirred gently in the dragon's stomach, stretching against the soft, elastic flesh surrounding her.

~May I see it?~

Reluctantly, the dragon consented and closed his eyes for a brief moment, strengthening the link between them both, sharing his vision with her. Within moments, the sight of the almost demonic forest below brought with it goose bumps along the back of her neck. A shiver passed over her, felt by the beast carrying her.

~I had heard rumors about the forests but I had never imagined it to be anything like this. It's... it's unreal.~

The green dragon rumbled in agreement, drifting lower in the sky upon spotting their destination some distance ahead. Carefully, he navigated the branches of the dark trees and settled carefully on the ground, uneasy with his surroundings. From there he would need to travel on foot. A dragon flying over the keep they sought would likely be brought down by arrow and spear. That would not do. He needed to be taken alive and unharmed. Hopefully, the soldiers stationed there would be slow to act with sword and club.

An hour passed, leaving the pair wondering if there was any sort of presence in the woods at all beyond the foreboding air that saturated everything. Not a sound could be heard save the dragon's own soft footfalls in the crinkled leaves that lay strewn about the ruined ground. The ominous sensation grew more oppressive with each passing second. The feeling that eyes were watching the traveling companions began to claw at the back of their minds. The dragon's ears began to play tricks on him, freezing in place and whipping his head back and forth at the slightest noise. Erica's heart pounded in her chest, still linked with Jerith's senses, his emotional state spilling over into hers. The two continued to unintentionally feed the other's fear, the tension growing ever stronger as it looped about between them. The utter lack of sound drove them mad. Just as both dragon and elf were on the verge of turning and running from this inexplicable, invisible malevolent force, a terrible cry filled the woods and a net fell atop the green beast, pinning him to the ground. Several small, imp-like creatures emerged from hiding, brandishing daggers, short swords, and the like, all dancing and cheering, prodding their quarry harmlessly as they bound Jerith tightly.

"This one looks well fed. He must have been hunting earlier today." Their voices were small and scratchy, sounding more of a pain than a pleasure to the ears.

"Let's take him back to the stables. If he can be broken, he'll make a fine mount." One of the disgusting little hunters bounded over to the dragon's head, lifted an arm with a lump of wood outstretched and swung. Instantly everything went black for both dragon and elf, Erica trying to keep herself as still and quiet as possible, terrified that they might discover her and attempt to slash her lover open to remove her. What they might do to her afterwards never once entered her mind.

---

A shockingly cold bucket of water landed on the green beast with a great splash, jerking him awake. His eyes opened and he stood quickly, dazed and disoriented. As his vision attempted to focus the blur into a more coherent image, he backed away from the moving shapes in front of him, the noises they made instilling no comfort whatsoever.

"He's feisty one alright. You say you found him just wandering in the woods?" This voice was different from the others, more civilized than the disturbing goblins that had captured Jerith.

"That's right m'lord. Just wandering around. Look how fat he is. He's healthier than the usual wild dragon."

Slowly, the beast's eyes cleared so he could identify his captors. From the looks of it, he was in some sort of wooden stall filled with straw. A window in the back wall provided light through the heavy iron bars while a hefty gate before him prevented his escape, in theory. The short monsters that had overtaken him continued bobbing and skittering about while a tall, dark figure in a captain's uniform stood before him, sizing the green beast up.

"That he is. He must have migrated from across the border. What is Varithan's loss is our gain. See to it he's acclimated to his new home and have him fitted for a bridle and saddle. We'll need to see if he can be tamed," The new man offer a wicked smile, actually delighting in the latest captor's displeasure. Jerith snorted and dug his claws through the straw defiantly, lunging forward and roaring, not to bash the gate but to frighten his onlookers. The little orcs all shrieked in terror and backed away but the captain remained steady, chuckling to himself, "Oh you are quite the specimen. If you're lucky, I may just choose you as my mount." He turned and with a flip of his cape, he was gone, strolling confidently out of the stables as the goblins sealed up the doors behind him, leaving all the animals within to themselves, and a rather wide variety there was. Dragons, horses, great cats and wolves, even a gryphon or two. It was a nightmarish zoo. Once certain the coast was clear, Jerith moved back towards one of the corners of his pen, nosing his belly softly in concern.

~Erica, are you alright? Can you hear me?~

The lump in his middle stirred ever so gently, the movement invisible from outside.

~I'm alright, but what about you? I saw what happened earlier... you're not bleeding are you?~

A soft, deep chuckle rumbled about the elf maiden as the beast allowed himself to relax knowing she was well.

~It takes a good deal more than that to truly hurt me. I'll survive. At any rate, we've successfully been taken. We're in some kind of stable and the keepers are gone for the night I presume. I think it's time I let you out.~

The woman nodded softly and stretched against the fleshy walls around her, letting the dragon go about releasing her from the pink dungeon of his belly. With a bit of effort, Jerith managed to relax his throat enough to allow for Erica' emergence, pushing softly on the swell to help guide her back up and out. The lump shifted and eased its way back up through his chest into the dragon's long, graceful neck until his jaws opened and out popped the girl's head. From there, it was easy enough to help his lover out the rest of the way. Once free, he cradled her against him, licking her nude form clean. The young lady shivered softly in the cold air, all too used to her lover's warm internal embrace. It took some doing to acclimate to the chilly environment but she had come to expect such a shock when climbing out of Jerith's belly.

"Well, it's not exactly the commander's quarters but I suppose it's comfortable enough. Guess it's time for me to get to work huh?" The elf stood, letting herself air dry before slipping back into the tunic that had been carefully stored in the small satchel she carried with her. Jerith looked to her with concern, nosing the small of her back gently.

~Be careful out there. I don't want to have to come out there after you.~

She chuckled softly, turning and caressing the bruise the clubbing left on the side of his head.

"Don't worry honey, I'll be fine. You know me. I can sneak around with the best of them," the elf sounded quite confident as she gave the great green beast a soft kiss on the end of his nose. He nodded and stood, padding over to the gate. Had the keepers thought that even one of their beasts might be intelligent, they would have used a more sophisticated barring system. Fortunately, their arrogance provided a simple though sturdy locking mechanism, a heavy sliding bar which Jerith operated quiet easily. The gate swung open only far enough for Erica to slip out and was closed back but left unlocked, "I'll stay in constant contact. If I can, I'll let you look through my eyes. Just keep the door ready for me just in case I need to make a dash back inside."

The dragon nodded and offered her a tender lick on the cheek before she turned and crept away silently.

The camp was quite the intimidating place, sending chills up Erica's spine just as they had upon her first glance of this land from high above. A few quiet breaths and a moment to compose herself were taken and she continued, lending an ear to the various conversations buzzing about. For the most part, it all seemed rather innocuous, nothing more than idle chatter amongst the lower ranks, but as soon as she drew closer to those she could only assume were officers, the topics took on a somewhat more serious tone. Unfortunately, nothing terribly useful came of it, only a few minor details about deployment of this particular encampment's forces. Somehow, the entire nation of Luridia had managed to prevent any significant leak of information, even to their own troops. The elf saw her job suddenly grow more difficult.

The night continued on and nothing groundbreaking was learned, but neither Erica nor Jerith expected such success on the first excursion. The maiden returned to the stables, avoiding detection carefully, and curled up against her lover's smooth, warm hide, concealing herself in the straw for a portion of the wee hours of the morning. Well before the animal attendants returned, Erica slipped back into her favorite hiding place and allowed herself to drift into a deep slumber. Both were in agreement that this assignment might take a great deal of time, and a concern began to grow in the back of the dragon's mind. Surely they would feed him, but what would she have for nourishment? He pushed the thought away for the moment, allowing sleep to take him as well, finding only little comfort amidst their current predicament. As darkness took him, Erica's affection for him brushed against his mind and he cooed quietly.

---

Two days passed like this; Erica sleeping through the day in Jerith's stomach, hidden from the world while the nights were spent scouring for any information that could be of any use. Unfortunately, none was to be found. To make matters worse, Erica's hunger was making her weak. What rations she had brought were meant only for a few days and there wasn't anything palatable to be foraged for in the surrounding area. The situation was growing dire. Something had to be done or the young woman would starve.

The moon rose, shining brilliantly in the sky with its eerie glow. Erica, hidden in the stables and her lover, woke from her day-long rest. She yawned and stretched weakly, alerting Jerith to her consciousness. He stirred and shifted onto his side, looking down at the swell she made.

~Good evening my love. Did you sleep well?~

Her movements died down as she curled back up, hearing movement outside due to a presence other than her dragon's. Instantly, she grew still and reached out to her lover's mind.

~As well as can be expected with an empty stomach of my own to deal with. What's going on out there?~

The green dragon paused, seeming hesitant to inform Erica of the new addition to the stall, unsure of how she would react.

~Well, it seems they are interested in breeding me.~

Puzzled, the young elf remained motionless, not allowing so much as a hint that she might be concealed there as she tried to make sense of his mildly cryptic answer.

~I beg your pardon?~

A blush passed over Jerith's cheeks, hidden by his scales as he kneaded the bulge with one of his hind legs. An unfamiliar purr suddenly made itself known to the young lady as an alien touch made contact with the lump her body made in the dragon's belly.

~This is Nora. They put her in here with me in the hopes that we would mate and sire young together. At the moment, she is unaware of our reason for being here. It will be difficult to release you without explaining.~

The gentle, feminine rumbling continued to penetrate the soft flesh surrounding the girl, frowning as she heard the news. Part of her was jealous, but then who was she to tell Jerith who he could and could not mate with. He was the stronger of the two of them, and she was at his mercy. The woman shook her head and pushed those thoughts out of her mind. She knew him well enough to sense that he was uncomfortable with the proposal, holding the relationship he shared with Erica in such high esteem that he dared not do anything that could possibly compromise that.

~So have you mated with her yet?~

At this point, the question was more to fluster the poor dragon than anything else, and fluster him it did. He blushed deeper, suddenly taking up the defensive.

~No! Of course not! I wouldn't dream of doing anything like that so long as I have you!~

A soft chuckle rose up from his belly, perplexing the smaller of the two dragons. Nora tilted her head and chirped curiously at her companion, her soft green eyes telling him the question she held without her needing to vocalize it. Erica pressed out softly hearing the chirp, her hands making visible distensions along her mate's bloated stomach, bringing a renewed confusion to the female staring at Jerith's moving belly.

~Relax, I'm just picking on you. Is she loyal to the Luridus or is she just another mount they want to break?~

Jerith rolled onto his side, sighing quietly, still blushing furiously from the prior comment.

~She holds no allegiance to the Luridus. When they brought her in, she was scared and angry. They had tracked her to her nest and ambushed her while she was asleep, then all but dragged her back here. Apparently, it was done purely for the reason of starting some sort of breeding line so they wouldn't have to constantly hunt down new "recruits" Every time they needed a replacement mount.~

Nora marveled at the movement in her new friend's middle, nosing at it gently, wondering how a male could be with child... or if he had just eaten recently.

"Then I guess we had better try and get her out of here when we make our escape. May as well let me out so we can explain the situation to her, there's no sense in trying to hide it when she's bound to find out when I leave tonight."

The sudden voice caught the poor dragon off guard. She backed away from the green beast in a start, only to return to his side and nudge at the round swell once more, fascinated by it now.

~Very well, she's already wondering why I'm so fat. One moment please.~

He shifted again, standing on all fours and shaking off the straw from his sinuous form. Nora wasted no time in standing as well, dipping her head under his belly to nose up at it from underneath. He blinked watching her remain so close to Erica before relaying the whole tale to the younger creature. She took the news quite well, if ever so slightly dejected. The thought of siring a clutch with Jerith had been rolling over again and again in her mind and the more she pondered the idea, the more she began to think that she could be much worse off. Once more, the green beast commanded his body to relax and lowered his head, jaws agape, as the elf in his stomach shifted and pushed, wriggling to climb out of her 'bedroom' much to the disbelief of their new friend. Soon, Jerith was once more bathing his lover the only way available to him, licking her clean as she sat against his powerful form. Nora took the opportunity to examine the pink thing, sniffing and nosing gently at the nude elf, eliciting a giggle here and there from the odd creature.

"Friendly isn't she?" Erica stroked the new dragon's muzzle softly as her companion chuckled, "She's beautiful but still pretty young, just barely old enough to mother any children. I'll say this, they do have an impressive knowledge of your kind."

The older beast nodded and offered the still somewhat timid dragon a tender lick on the cheek.

~Would you like to hear her voice?~

Erica turned and looked up at her lover with a look of awe in her eyes.

"You can let me hear her speak?"

He nodded and draped a wing about the nude woman, sharing his senses with her as he had done so many times before. A new voice came to her mind, slowly, as if someone were speaking as they walked into the same room. It seemed young Nora had a great many questions to ask both about Erica and the fact that Jerith had swallowed her, then coughed her back up.

~... didn't think anything like that was possible. Does it hurt? Does it feel good? How long can you hold her? How can you keep from digesting her?~

Erica lifted her hands and held them against her temples. The speed and strength of the questioning was too much to take in so suddenly.

"Easy girl, slow it down. I'm not as practiced at telepathy as Jerith here. You're going to end up giving me a headache!"

Nora blushed and pointed her muzzle towards the floor, realizing just how rude it was to bombard someone with so many questions so quickly.

~I'm sorry. I've just never seen or heard of anything like this. I guess I'm just over-eager to learn about it.~

"Well there's nothing wrong with that. We just need to take it a bit slower. As Jerith told you, I'm Erica. It's a pleasure to meet you. Now, if you will excuse me, I've got work to go do. You two chat up a storm, just keep an open ear for me should I need to get back quickly."

Both dragons nodded and the woman dressed, slipping out as she had nights before, disappearing into the dark as if she were nothing more than shadow. Nora resumed her questioning but at a much more manageable pace, giving her older, wiser companion a chance to deal with the interrogation in a timelier, more organized fashion.

Outside, things were just as they had been before, but something was different. The troops were preparing for the night's rest earlier than usual and a buzz passed through and between them. Talk of exercises, preparations for battle, and the like circulated among the ranks. Finally, something she could report back with. She grinned quietly and clutched the jewel hanging about her neck, squeezing it for whatever luck it might bring. Minor facts here and there drifted to her elegant ears, her mind piecing the events to come together until she had a coherent timeline for the days ahead. It seemed no one knew of anything past the end of the week, three days from now. Likely, that was the time whatever sort of engagement was to be staged. Erica needed more information, but this was a good start. Before she could continue her investigation, an idle conversation caught her attention, angry shouts between hunters. From what she could discern, the aggression wasn't toward any of the agitated imp's peers.

"That demon cost me my favorite dagger! I spent good money on it! I'll be damned if I'm not gonna take it out of her hide!" The irritable little goblin attempted to pass those trying to hold him back and pacify him, not making much progress.

"Calm down! If you hurt the animal, the captain will have your head! You know he wanted her unspoiled for breeding!"

The cranky one started up again, slamming a small fist into his 'friend's noggin, sending him reeling for a moment, just long enough for him to make his move.

"A scar on the back won't change what kinds of kids that bitch rears!"

With the onset of violence, a rather contained brawl broke out amidst the ranks, three against the one who lashed out first, working their best to hold him back, no longer to protect him but to pay him back for the cheap shot. The young elf saw this as reason enough to return to the stables, certain that he had been referring to Nora.

~Jerith, I'm coming back. There's trouble.~

The dragon sounded displeased with the report, wanting to know more.

~What's wrong? Have you been spotted?~

Erica stealthily put as much distance as she safely could between herself and the fight as it began to escalate, wanting to be as far from the scene as possible. No doubt an errant blow could send someone flying in her direction and result in her discovery.

~Seems Nora's got someone wanting to pay her back for the loss of a favored weapon. I don't want to be out here when the little monster gets to the stables.~

The younger dragon whimpered softly having heard the news through Jerith's relay. She curled up in one of the back corners of the stall, now fearing for her life. The larger of the two frowned and moved to put himself between her and the gate, resolving to protect her as best he could.

~Agreed. They've gotten used to seeing me with a belly. It might be a bad idea for them to see me without one so suddenly. We're waiting for you.~

Communication between the two ended as Erica continued her silent movement, finally reaching the stables and closing the door behind her as the fight's chaos allowed the imp in question to slip out unseen, taking only minor bruises from the fray. The elf darted back to Jerith's enclosure and slipped in, restoring the barring mechanism before disappearing back down her lover's throat, quickly undressing once inside.

"Don't let that little thing touch her." She voiced what the both of them were thinking, if only to put Nora at ease. Jerith rumbled in agreement, his ears zeroing in on the sound of someone working the latch on the outside door. With a burst of energy, the large entry swung open as if it had been kicked in, surprising for an imp of such small stature. The unpleasant little thing glowered as he scanned the stalls, looking for his quarry before finally finding her, and Jerith standing in front of her, hissing back at the goblin.

"Don't you get fresh with me, lizard! I've business with that one! Now out of the way!" He swung the gate open just as the band that had tried to stop him earlier ran in, freezing only a short distance from the angry drunkard, not in fear of the hunter but the creatures he had unwittingly freed. Jerith stood his ground, clawing at the straw covered floor angrily as the offending intruder drew a blade with the intent to cause harm, "I said out of the way you filthy animal! Move or you'll taste my knife too!"

"Don't be a fool! He could rip you to shreds!" It was something of a half-hearted shout of a warning. Silently, the others waited and watched, already toning down their enthusiasm and beginning to place bets on how long he would survive and how he would be slain. The goblin hissed at his compatriots, glaring at them for having tried to stop him.

"I'm not afraid of a stupid dragon! It's just an animal! I'm smarter than it!"

Erica shook her head silently, rolling her eyes as she assessed his chances of survival; they were quite low. Jerith maintained his posture, not backing down in the slightest. His stubbornness only further angered the goblin, assaulting him with a shrill battle cry and a bold but thoughtless lunge. A clean swipe with a single paw sent him flying into the wall, slumping to the ground, stunned but otherwise unharmed save for his pride. He cried out again, enraged, and was sent into the opposite wall while the onlookers tried to convince him to back down and close the gate before the great green beast took advantage of the situation. Again and again he was thrown, leaving the dragon unscathed as the bruising grew worse until finally it gave way to thick, red ooze that trickled down his temple in a thin stream. The imp touched his fingers to the open wound lightly, looking at his palm to see the fresh blood he was now showing. His reaction could only have been described as sheer madness. A blood curdling scream filled the stables as he launched himself one last time at the green male, determined now to kill the monster for drawing his blood. Jerith had lost his patience by now, devising a more permanent solution to their problem.

~I'm tired of this... it's time to end it.~

Erica watched through his eyes as he carefully tiled his head just out of the way of the goblin's dagger, only to clamp his jaws about the unfortunate hunter's head and shoulders. His furious roar turned to a shriek of terror as the sight of a dragon's maw filled his vision. The others could only stand and watch, afraid to go any closer lest they draw the monster's wrath upon them as well. The now captured imp struggled and fought in his captor's mouth, slinging his blade arm wildly before losing the weapon in his mindless flailing. In one quick fluid motion, Jerith slashed off the majority of the little fool's clothes, leaving not but his trousers before tilting his head back and taking a mighty swallow. His considerably smaller frame was much easier to manage than Erica's, and the incentive to take care not to harm his meal had vanished due to the little cretin's desire to harm Nora, who watched on in awe. Already half of the little troublemaker was gone, nothing but a lump in the larger dragon's throat, squirming and pushing as he disappeared further.

~Are you still hungry my dear? I know it's not exactly gourmet but it's better than nothing.~

Erica blinked hearing Jerith's comment. Did he really intend for her to eat this odious little monster? Surely not! But then if he landed in the dragon's stomach with her, he would alert the others to her presence and that would not do.

~I... I don't think I can... ~

The dragon rumbled angrily around his struggling morsel, the fighting making it surprisingly difficult to finish him off.

~I'm sorry but we don't really have a choice. Remember what I taught you and you'll do fine. I know you can do this.~

His vote of confidence and the precarious situation the imp's foolish rage had put them in forced Erica's begrudging agreement. Carefully, she moved into position and readied herself, pushing softly from inside as her signal. Jerith shook his head violently to dizzy the already disoriented goblin, taking no pleasure in his taste, wanting him down as soon as possible. His vicious slinging about gave him the opportunity he desired, the imp losing what hold he had. Immediately, the dragon swallowed hard, snapping his jaws shut once the little twit was inside, screaming and fighting all the way down the green beast's neck towards his doom with all due haste. Below, Erica took a breath and closed her eyes, trusting in Jerith's teachings. Within moments, the goblin's head reached her and before he could actually enter the dragon's belly, the elf opened her mouth as wide as possible and let the push from above shove the imp down her throat for her. All she would have to do was keep pressure against her lover's flesh and so she did with all her might as the screeching, wriggling hunter slid from one throat to another, passing more gradually than before. Within moments, the job was done and Erica lay there in the darkness, curled up around a great, squirming belly. She panted and groaned softly, never having taken a meal so large before.

~Is it done? Were you successful?~

Silence came for a moment before the elf mustered the coherent thought to respond.

~Yeah, he's in... He tasted awful but he's in... and fighting like crazy... I can't say it feels as good as you always seem to say it does.~

The dragon chuckled quietly, snapping at the others in the crowd before offering up a monstrous belch purely for intimidation. He then turned about, nosed Nora softly along her neck and lay down beside her, keeping the swollen gut, now even larger with a second passenger, turned towards the crowd. Seeing his calmer state, the onlookers quickly slammed the gate shut again, assuming such a meal left the beast drowsy and unwilling to do more than growl and blow smoke. Still, they didn't want to take their chances.

"That idiot... I knew he'd get killed by a dragon... Never took'em seriously he didn't!" More conversation spread as the events that had unfolded before them sank in.

"Get the captain! This monster's dangerous! We can't have it around! Kill it! We need to kill it!" As a consensus began to form, others cheering the words as well, an angry, booming voice echoed through the stables.

"You will not lay a hand on that beast!" The man in question had already arrived having heard the brawl from his quarters and followed it to the stables, "The first one to lay a hand on him will be his breakfast in the morning!" Protests rose from the group, weak and terror-stricken.

"But... but sir! He just ate Tlog! If we slice him open right now we could get him out!"

"Tlog was a fool, arrogant and stupid. He deserves his fate."

"What if he comes after the rest of us!? He knows our blood now! He won't be stopped without casualties!"

The man looked at the smaller creature arguing his side of the issue, seeming quite matter-of-fact about his response.

"Then he'll stuff himself silly and the survivors will haul him back to his enclosure," He turned to gaze at the green creature curiously, fascinated with him, morbidly so, "I want him ready to ride in the morning. I'm going to try and tame this great wild beast," His orders seemed utterly incredulous. Balks of disbelief spread throughout the crowd at the captain's words as he flipped his cape in a sharp turn to stroll out, "Besides, I don't think he liked how Tlog tasted. I doubt any of you are any better." The man disappeared out the door as the spectators filtered out behind him, many of them glancing frightfully at the stuffed dragon. To expedite their departure, Jerith snapped his jaws loudly and growled, making as if to lunge at the cage bars. Many of the others jumped back in fear and pushed to get away from the terrible beast. When all was quiet and peaceful, save for the rocking in the dragon's gut, he turned his attention to his moaning lover.

~They've gone. The three of us are alone again. Are you alright?~

Erica had since caught her breath but was still struggling to overcome the movement in her own belly, squeezing the irritable little twerp in the hopes that it might shut him up.

~I'll live... he won't. He's getting weaker, fighting less. The discomfort is beginning to subside.~

Jerith sighed in relief, kneading his swollen gut with his hind legs, massaging the girl from outside as Nora moved to join in.

~Thank you both for protecting me. For a moment there, I was afraid he might actually try to take my life.~

The elf pressed out softly from within, her hand's outline visible through the green beast's hide.

~It was nothing... now... if you two don't mind, I think I'm going to just stay in here for the night. I got some information while I was out but I probably won't be able to do any better until tomorrow night... and I can't exactly sneak very well while hauling this little creep around.~

Both dragons agreed and curled up about the great bulge she made in the male's stomach. The added warmth of a another pressing in against her added to the soothing environment, whisking her away to sleep rather quickly as the imp in her stomach died down, growing still and quiet at long last. It would take quite a while for her to finish him off completely, and she was more than happy to sleep through it.

---

Night passed somewhat quickly, bringing the day and with it the captain's presence. Jerith was promptly fitted with a saddle as well as a bridle specially designed for a dragon. Unlike those made for a horse, there was no bar to slip through his mouth, only an adjustable harness that slipped over his neck and horns. After all, the best thing about riding a dragon was the ability to make use of their powerful breath. The saddle's strapping wrapped about his still rounded belly, squeezing rather tightly around his passenger inside. It was rather uncomfortable for him, but what troubled him more was Erica. Surely being compressed so tightly was not at all enjoyable for her. He resolved to do something to make up for the inconvenience when he could, taking an immediate dislike to the man climbing on his back. He shook his head lightly, not caring for the harness and reins in the slightest.

"What if he can't be broken?" The harsh, raspy, small voice could do little to redeem its owner. In fact, it made the nameless grunt all the less appealing to have around. The captain grinned at his subordinate, having already prepared for that contingency.

"He'll be tamed, if not by the traditional method then by this," He removed something from one of his pockets, a dark stone that seemed to radiate with a malevolent energy. Jerith caught sight of the deep purple, rough cut gem, sending a chill down his spine. That was what they had been hearing rumors about. It had to be. From how it gave off such an unpleasant air and how the captain had insinuated that it could tame his new mount, it could only be how they brainwashed anyone into doing their bidding. He made a mental note to pass this information on to Erica as soon as she was willing to make another venture out into the camp. His thoughts were suddenly yanked from the stone to a sharp pain searing in his flanks as the man atop him kicked the nasty, jagged spurs into his flesh, "C'mon then... let's see what you've got."

The beast growled and lunged forward, dashing through the stables out into the corral where several of the captain's men stood watching from outside, brandishing all manner of sharp items to keep the beast within the confines of the pin. Thanks to their ingenuity, when the imps saddled him, they took care to keep his wings restrained, preventing him from flying. He was at their mercy but he wasn't going to make it easy on the man. He bucked and whipped about, turning sharply in hopes of throwing his rider off but the captain held fast. From what he could tell simply listening to the noises he made, it seemed the man was enjoying the rough ride, amused by Jerith's irrepressible spirit. Again and again he tried to throw the man but to no avail, only getting angrier with his inability to rid himself of this insufferable character.

As he fought, the stone returned to his mind, bringing with it the thought of being under the captain's control and what he might be forced to do against his will. He would no doubt either betray his beloved Erica or worse, simply let her die in his belly. He couldn't bear the thought and so he began to slow, finally coming to a halt, panting for breath, his sides heaving.

"There, you see? That wasn't so hard. I'm sure it'll take a few more sessions like this but I'll have him tame yet," The man slipped off his mount, dusting off his clothing before turning to leave, "Return him to the stable. He needs to rest. He worked rather hard today." His subordinates obeyed and Jerith was sent back to his stall where Nora laid waiting for him. Once the gate was closed, the green dragon, no longer clad in saddle and harness, flopped onto his side, still quite tired from the riding.

"Finally! I was wondering when they were gonna take that crap off!" Erica's voice, though passionate, remained low to keep from alerting the stable hands. The dragon lifted his head to look at the swell as Nora moved to lie against it, nosing her companion softly.

~I'm sorry love... I had no choice. It was either cooperate or be forced to cooperate.~

The elf paused for a moment, letting the gravity of his words sink in.

"You mean..."

He nodded, squeezing her gently with his flanks.

~Yes, I think I've found out how they are able to control others. The captain has a dark purple stone. He made it sound as though it possessed some power to control others. He threatened to use it to tame me if I didn't break. I'm not certain if he keeps it on him at all times or if he simply carries it when he has need of it. Either way, it's a start for tonight... that is... if you're feeling up to it.~

The young woman stretched lightly, no longer feeling as if she were about to burst, poking softly at the remnant swell in her middle, giving her the appearance of the early stages of pregnancy. Now that the fool was gone, she felt a great deal better, not only free of the discomfort but free of her hunger, for the time being at least.

"I feel fine. And even if I wasn't, I'd try anyway. We don't have much time. They're planning something for the end of the week. I'm sure it's some kind of attack. We have to get back to the frontier and warn them as soon as possible... but not without that stone. Is Nora strong enough to make the journey?"

The smaller dragon bumped her nose against Erica's form under the other beast's scales in response.

~I am. Just let me know when we are to leave~

The three concluded that pending the result of tonight's espionage, they would attempt to make their escape upon her return and so they waited as the sun passed overhead, continuing its unstoppable march to the horizon. Erica gained a few more hours of sleep as the day wore on, waking once more shortly after nightfall. The camp was calm compared to the night before. No one dared incur the wrath of their captain or his mount. To do so would no doubt result in becoming the dragon's next meal. With the new fear keeping the troops in line, Erica found it easy enough to move through the camp undetected, making her way to the captain's quarters. The keep was lightly populated at this time of night, boasting only a few guards to protect the more sensitive areas, one being the captain's chambers. With two rather burly men standing just outside a large wooden door, Erica sought other options. The floor above proved to be the most help, offering somewhat precarious yet passable access to the commander's balcony. Silently, the young elf climbed down, careful to not lose her grip. Her arrival went unnoticed as she pressed her back against the wall, standing just inches from the doorway into the room.

"We've been hearing repots of you massing troops and preparing for an assault of some kind. I certainly hope for your sake the allegations are false." The voice was unfamiliar, old, raspy, and slightly distorted. A quick peek around the corner gave Erica the answer to her question; the captain was speaking to someone through a mystical stone. An image of an old, decrepit man's face hovered in the air, transparent like a ghost as the younger man before him spoke.

"I assure you my lord you've no need to worry about such accusations. I've no need to prepare for an assault. I've heard them myself."

"Then you understand my cause for concern. You wouldn't be planning anything foolish now would you?"

"Of course not, my lord. I only act upon your command."

The old man's face crinkled in disapproval before being gently pushed aside by a woman, appearing youthful though older than Erica, and darkly beautiful.

"Then you would not mind an inspection?"

The change in speaker appeared to have no effect on the man, remaining confident despite his lies.

"Certainly not. When would be convenient for you to arrive?"

"We are already on our way. We will reach the border of your province before sunrise. I expect you to have our quarters ready for us by tomorrow evening."

The news seemed to shock him, his carefully laid plans shattering instantly as he attempted to scrape together a few fragments.

"You left yester-noon?" There was but only a hint of unsteadiness in his voice, the captain managing to compose himself well.

"Yes, we did. The other elders are in agreement that you are in need of supervision so Colvain and I are coming to investigate the allegations. Should everything prove acceptable, Colvain will return to the capital and I will remain behind until such time as I deem you fit to resume your command without our watchful eye bearing down on you."

"I need no supervision I assure you. This trip is completely unnecessary!"

The woman's violet eyes flickered softly, a deep power residing within them.

"That is your opinion. Our decision is final. I suggest you have your men prepare to receive us. And Phinehas, if I do find anything amiss, I'll see to it you are brought before the rest of the council and beheaded... personally." With that, the image faded and the captain stood, roaring in anger, hurling a half filled goblet of wine across the room, breaking his mirror. It was clear his original plan had been foiled but as his anger slowly seeped from him out into the room, his form relaxed and a crooked smile crossed his lips.

"Oh, I'll have them prepare alright. It will be the last time you or any other elder bosses me around!" He raised a hand, his fingers curled as if holding a ball. Energy, dark and oppressive, began to crackle from his palm. The man began to cackle madly as the energy concentrated then suddenly vanished as he closed his fist in a snap, "And soon, your power will be mine, Colvain. As well as your wife... I'll add her to my collection and see to it that she never questions my authority ever again. She'll be a good little concubine... and when I grow tired of her, I will take her power as well!" With that, he flung his arm away, palm open towards the wall Erica was hiding behind, hurling the collected mass of light from his fingertips. A mighty explosion shook the room as a section of the wall was blown out into the courtyard below.

Luckily, Erica had ducked just in time, missed by the blast but only by inches, covered in dust and light rubble. There would be a few bruises in the morning but nothing serious. She lay there, motionless as footsteps drew closer. It was the captain! He was coming her way! Had he seen her? Surly not, the blast threw out too much debris for him to have seen anything but dust and rock. When his footsteps finally stopped, Erica ever so slowly tilted her eyes up to see him standing over her, not looking down at her but out over the rail of the balcony, his hands resting on the iron bar, spread wide as he surveyed all he commanded. It wasn't enough for him. He wanted more. His dark ambition was clear now. He wouldn't stop with the elders. Once they were out of his way, he would turn on the alliance. Erica lowered her gaze once more, remaining motionless in the hopes that he would think her to be nothing but rubble.

"This world will be mine. No one will st-" He cut himself of as he turned, spotting the elf amidst the debris. His eyes narrowed as he knelt to examine Erica more closely, "Now what do we have here... a woman fallen from the stars above or a spy?" His words spilled over Erica's ears, making her blood run cold in her veins just as he yanked to her feet by a lock of hair, "Answer me! What are you doing here!?"

The young elf thought quickly, trying to come up with a believable story but the words would not come. He shook her violently and dragged her into his room, throwing her on the bed as he roared with anger again.

"Speak or you will die, elf!"

Erica complained nosily as she was drug about, finding herself hurled onto the captain's mattress. She decided it was time for a desperate measure, breaking down into tears.

"I don't know! I don't know where I am! I was in the woods on my way home and suddenly I was on the ground where you found me! Please! Don't kill me!" It was a weak attempt but it bought her a few minutes longer as the man reached into his pocket, keeping his hand concealed there for the moment.

"Just what sort of fool do you take me for? You honestly believe that such a farce would be enough to trick me?! You had best drop whatever game it is you think you're playing and tell me what I want to know! If you lie to me again, it will get very bad for you, very quickly! Now speak!" He shook her violently before pinning her to the bed with a hand about her throat. This was her only shot at convincing him. If she couldn't, then she was certain he would have his way with her, mind and body. All she could thing to do was to cry all the harder and repeat the flimsy lie she had managed to wrap herself in.

"I swear to you! On the blood of my mother and my father I'm telling the truth! I don't know where I am or how I got here! Please! You're hurting me! Why are you doing this!?" It was a weak card to play, but somehow, it seemed to work. Perhaps it was because he had begun to imagine what all he could do with her for his own amusement. The notion chilled her to the bone. The captain loosened his grip on the girl and a disturbingly wicked smile spread across his lips. Quite suddenly, Erica began to question the wisdom of coming here and lying to her captor. Her stomach turned as she began to let her mind conjure up thoughts of what nasty, horrid ideas were floating around in his head.

"Is that so? It isn't often that a woman falls into my lap like this. I will give you a chance to save yourself. Do my bidding, swear your loyalty to me." He leaned in close to her, obviously quite taken with her beauty, breathing softly on her neck. Erica winced in disgust, trying to mask it as best she could, pushing lightly against the man atop her.

"I just want to go home! Please! Just let me go!"

As Phinehas continued his advances, the woman slipped a hand unseen into her pouch, still slung about her shoulder, fumbling about with the contents hoping she could find what she sought in time.

"Oh come now... you'd much rather stay here with me than try to walk all the way back to the frontier... who knows what nasty things you could run into out there in the wild." His voice dripped with the insinuation that he would hunt her down if she tried to run, not noticing Erica's hand digging about frantically. Finally, she found what she was looking for, gripping it tightly as she removed her hand from the bag.

"I'd rather take my chances out there than spend one more minute with you!" With a firm bash, the elf slammed the glass vial of powdered Esuda root into the side of the maddened captain's head, shattering it and spilling the dust across his face. He howled angrily in pain, both from the broken glass and from the burning sensation in his eyes the powder has caused. The searing pain from the powder was a fortunate side effect. Either it would knock him out, or he would have to spend time fumbling about for an antidote. Immediately, his hands moved to cover his sensitive eyes as he backed away, giving the woman chance enough to run, and run she did. Out to the balcony she raced, climbing back up to the floor above hoping he wouldn't discover how she got in or out.

Phinehas continued to bellow in agony and rage, grabbing a nearby vial of putrid smelling yellow liquid and pouring the contents into his hands and smearing it over his face, countering the root's tranquilizing effect but only making the stinging even worse. Water came next, dunking his head in the nearby hand washing basin to get some much needed relief from the chemical warfare that had just been waged. Slowly, he lifted his head, face reddened by the harsh powder and antidote, positively fuming. Thankfully, his hapless fumbling about to cure himself had provided Erica the time she needed to run, slipping through the keep quickly and quietly but not for long. The door to the captain's chamber was thrown off its hinges, slamming into the opposite wall as his rage boiled over.

"We have an intruder! Find her this instant! I want her alive!" The guards outside of his room nodded and quickly ran off to search, fearful of their commander's anger. A bell, heavy and old, rang out through the camp, waking everyone in short order as the news of the unwelcome guest spread like wildfire. Erica suddenly found her job a great deal more difficult, trying her best to remain hidden.

~Jerith! I've been discovered! I don't think they know I'm a spy but they know I'm here! I can't get back to the stables without risking someone spotting me and giving chase! What do I do!?~

She was frantic, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew this could happen but nothing could have prepared her for it. The dragon's voice echoed soothingly in her mind, trying to calm the girl.

~Relax. Stay calm. Are you hidden right now?~

A quick glance about the area, her vision shared with Jerith, told the tale.

~For now, I don't think I'll be able to stay here for long.~

Troops began patrolling the area, the first wave searching only what was within sight of the path they walked while a second wave behind them scrutinized the nooks and crannies more thoroughly. The green beast processed the information and frowned.

~Watch them closely, as soon as you see them all looking in a different direction, run as quickly and as quietly as you can to the south. From there, take cover again should you need to, otherwise, try to make it back to the stable and I'll hide you.~

It was a good plan but it was risky, she would need some kind of distraction to make them all look in the same direction. The elf looked around in the small space she found herself concealed in, finding a small rock and little else she could get her hands on. As the search party drew closer, she watched carefully, hoping to time her throw just right. The instant there was an opening, Erica threw it as hard as she could into an adjoining alley between buildings, striking something metal, causing a number of tools to collapse, making an awful racket.

Success!

The guards all turned and headed towards the source of the sound, giving her just the chance she needed. Without hesitation, the elf darted from her hiding place with hardly a sound and aimed south, desperate to get to Jerith. A quick pause at the corner in question to check for any more soldiers in her path and she was running once more. The stable doors came quickly and she slipped in, checking to see if anyone had followed her. As best she could tell, she was alone. With a less panicked mind, Erica jogged down towards the stall her lover waited in. Just before she reached it, the doors she had closed were thrown open with a mighty kick and the elf turned, frozen in place.

"You'll pay for this. My face is going to be scarred now. I think it should only be fair that I return the favor... before I kill you!" The captain had seen her emerge from hiding when she escaped the patrols! He had followed her to the stables! "It was rather foolish of you to come here... no place to hide unless you want to get trampled or gored by our little menagerie here. Why even my new riding dragon there probably wouldn't mind gobbling you up as a snack."

Erica's eyes turned to Jerith as he lay there, concern showing on his face for the elf, but only for a brief second before taking his 'owner's idea and running with it. With a powerful strike, the dragon slammed his shoulder against the bars of his cage, roaring angrily to get out. The elf had not yet realized what her companion had in mind.

~What are you doing!? If you try to help me, he'll figure us out and kill all three of us!~

The brute continued his ramming of the gate, the bars already beginning to bend under the force while Phinehas simply laughed at the sight.

"You see? He's quite hungry and I think he likes the looks of you. Come on boy! Take her down!" With the captain's encouragement, Jerith breached his stall, the bars snapping like twigs after so much punishment. Within seconds, the dragon was upon Erica, growling loudly as he pinned her, lowering his head so they were face to face, playing the role of the monster quite well.

~I can help you without him realizing. I should warn you... this time... it might hurt some.~

Looking quite shocked by his actions, the elf lay under him, pinned as she had been in the past, understanding his plan before putting on her usual act.

"No! Don't let him eat me! I don't want to die! Please! Help me!"

The caped man cackled and leaned down to look the woman in the eyes as she lay there under his new beast of burden.

"Oh I don't think so. You had your chance in my quarters and you spat it back in my face. For that, I think I'll let my pet make a meal of you. Go on... do as you please to her. Rip her apart! Swallow her whole! It doesn't matter, just kill her!"

The green beast hissed at the man, posturing as if to say 'this is my meal, you can't have any' to which Phinehas simply grinned darkly, taking a step back. With that, the dragon's jaws parted wide and he began to consume the girl. This time, he didn't have the luxury of making sure she wasn't harmed in the process, his teeth leaving thin red marks along her skin where the ivory spires dragged along her flesh. Thankfully, it was only superficial and would heal easily enough, but every time he injured Erica, he begged her forgiveness. The elf didn't bother to respond, knowing full well there wasn't much he could do to prevent the wounds if he was to convince Phinehas that he was indeed a ravenous, blood-thirsty dragon. It was part of the act as far as she was concerned.

The beast shook and jerked his head to gulp at the woman's form more savagely, the bulge traveling down his throat shifting and pushing along the way as Erica screamed and fought madly, harder than she ever had. It had to look real after all. Soon, her feet vanished from sight and the dragon's belly was distended once more. Jerith licked his lips and cocked his jaw back into place before his gaze fell upon the man who had stood there watching the whole thing, the man who obviously took great pleasure in watching him devour the wench. He could still hear her cries and screams deep in the dragon's stomach. Fortunately, Erica was quite the actress.

"Let me out! Please! Someone help me! I don't want to die in here! Not like this!"

Phinehas laughed and shouted at the bloated swell to gloat.

"Enjoy your last moments alive my fair lady. It's not often dragons dine on those like us. Consider it an honor that you will give my mount strength," He spoke as he attempted to walk forward, wanting to press an ear to the beast's gut and listen to her melt away, but he was stopped as the green dragon slashed at the ground in front of him, aggressive and agitated. The captain backed away, chuckling, "Fine, have it your way my friend. Go, digest your dinner in peace. I'll watch from out here."

Jerith turned around and walked back into his enclosure, lying down between the dark man and Nora as if to keep him from going near her. Phinehas moved to stand in front of the now damaged gate, his men trickling in to see what the matter was, discovering the dragon once again fat from the feast.

"Who did he eat this time captain?"

He crinkled his lips into a wicked smile.

"The woman you had been searching for. He snatched her up like a treat... and I'm going to sit here and watch his stomach shrink back to nothing... if only to hear her last screams before she dies in the belly of my beast. Repair the gate and bring me a chair. I'll stay here all night if I have to. And bring me all the squad leaders, I have news to pass on to them."

The soldier nodded, bowing slightly before running off to do as he was commanded. Jerith looked back at the man. Had his eyes been able to fire arrows, he would have filled the monstrous captain with a dozen quivers worth. Phinehas enjoyed the hatred, it meant his dragon would be all the more passionate on the battlefield. All he needed was a means to keep the beast from attacking him, and him alone, something he planned on pondering as he savored Erica's terrified cries for help as she pushed out from inside her fleshy prison.

~I have bad news my dear. It seems your new friend here wants to make sure I finish you off. I don't know exactly what will happen if he doesn't see results.~

For a moment, Erica's flailing slowed, returning to full strength after the gravity of the situation sank in, not in earnest but still keeping to the rouse.

~Then do it... but not until I tell you everything I've learned so that you can escape and pass the word on to your father.~

Jerith balked; the very idea leaving a bad taste in his mouth along with the blood he had accidentally drawn.

~No! I will not kill you! I can't!~

Erica, touched by his heartfelt desire to protect her, punched him firmly from within, finding a sensitive place to do so to get his attention. The resulting flinch made the captain grin all the more.

"Oh my, she's quite the fighter... It's amazing how she's managed to stay conscious for so long. She must be quite the strong little lady..."

The dragon turned in disgust, detesting the man. Erica argued on, cold hard logic leading them both to an unpleasant conclusion.

~We don't have any other choice. If he has even the slightest reason to think that you and I are in league, he'll kill us both... probably Nora too thinking you may have already mated with her.~

The beast craned his head to look at the large, wobbling mound of flesh his belly had become, grunting and pushing in on the girl to make her stop fighting.

~How do you know that? You've only just met the man... how do you know he won't just think I take my time with my food?~

Taking the cue from the dragon, hearing Phinehas' comment about her longevity, Erica began to slow and her noises began to quiet, working to gradually fake passing out.

~Trust me, I know. He's been planning something, for months probably. He means to overthrow the elders... he's planning a coup! Two of them are on their way here! If he succeeds, he'll throw the whole nation of Luridia into chaos! You have to get this information to the alliance... without me.~

As his stomach began to settle, the dragon rolled onto his side, his back towards the man who seemed to have a morbid fascination with his mount's ability to devour his enemies. Nora curled up against Jerith's middle, nosing the girl in his stomach softly, whimpering quietly, having heard the entire conversation.

~I... I just can't... I love you... I can't live without you.~

Erica pressed out softly against the smaller dragon's muzzle, closing her eyes and becoming as still as possible, hoping to trick any outsider into thinking she was gone.

~I love you too... but you have to tell your father... and my brother. He may not understand why we did this but he'll understand I died getting this information to you.~

All there was in response was silence. Jerith could not muster the strength to argue, torn between his duty to his people and his love for the elf he shielded in his belly. Erica pressed softly against him again one last time, reaching out to him affectionately.

~I can think of no better way to end my life than to become a part of you. Do it... please.~

The beast shut his eyes tight, hiding his tears from the captain who stared intently at the beast and his no longer moving gut. Begrudgingly, Jerith agreed, relaxing his posture and letting his body begin the process it was designed to do once he was certain she was asleep. He could not bear the thought of her being awake for such a horrid death. Thankfully, she would not feel a thing.

~I will never forget you... I will carry you with me... always.~

---

The darkness of dreamless sleep maintained its hold on the two dragons until finally, the sunlight broke in upon their scaled forms through the barred window. The green beast's eyes tightened as a beam of weak light shown down on one of them, disturbing the slumber that was gained after a very troubling night. The scene of the stall and outlying stables came into focus as the beast's eyes fluttered open. Nora woke as well, sighing quietly as she nosed her companion's now trim middle, mourning the loss of one of her friends. By now, Phinehas had left to go prepare for the elders' arrival, providing the two dragons with some privacy at last.

"Finally, the bastard's gone."

Nora paused, looking up at the green creature curiously, furrowing her brow.

~I thought you said you couldn't speak.~

The larger of the two was just as shocked but only for a moment as thoughts mingled this way and that and the truth of the matter revealed itself. The dragon chuckled quietly and smiled, curling up with the smaller winged beast softly.

"It's difficult to explain... well... I take that back, it's easy to explain... just difficult to believe." An image came to the green dragon's mind, a memory from the night before. Erica was curled up in Jerith's stomach, clutching the gem her brother had given her before they left just as she slipped off to sleep. She expected not to wake again as the crystal in her hand began to glow softly, lighting up the chamber in which she was trapped. The memory explained everything. Nora tilted her head again, still quite confused by her friend's answer.

~I don't understand... You ate Erica and had to digest her... Shouldn't you be sad that she's dead?~

The beast laughed quietly and offered the smaller one a tender lick on the cheek.

"I'm not dead... We sort of... well... merged. My brother gave me something before we left... said it was from Jerith's father. He understands the bond he and I have better than anyone. I bet he knew this might happen and made sure if it came to it, we could do this." The voice was indeed the pitch and timbre Nora had come to expect from Erica, her musical voice somehow coming from what had been a masculine beast only hours ago.

~I told you, I would carry you with me always. And I meant it. My father told me about this little ability shortly after the council meeting... said it might come in handy and it did. Unfortunately, it's quite permanent. We won't ever be able to separate again, physically at least.~

The tone of the new 'voice' was in fact that of Jerith. Somehow, both dragon and elf had managed to inhabit one body. Erica giggled quietly, pulling Nora closer against the new form she was enjoying experimenting with, laying almost on top of the smaller dragon at this point, nuzzling her affectionately.

"Unfortunate my ass... I'm loving this! We should have done this sooner!"

~But then we would not have been selected for this mission... and we wouldn't have met Nora here.~

"True... anyway, I think I better keep to the silent treatment for now... Can't have Phinehas' prized mount suddenly start talking."

Jerith grinned mentally behind their shared eyes as he conjured an idea.

~You know... sharing a single body between the two of us has other benefits besides the three of us getting to cuddle like this... ~

"Oh? Do tell!"

---

The sun continued its climb as noon drew closer. The camp was buzzing with activity in preparation for the two elders to arrive. Everyone was so busy in fact that when a youthful, scantily clad dragoness quietly walked through the area, hardly anyone took note of her. She stood on two legs like many of her kind did, wearing just enough to cover her chest and hips but little else. Her scales were a brilliant emerald hue and her eyes were a soft blue. Two smooth, black horns rose through long, shimmering locks of ebony hair, styled in the shape of an elegant mane. Her gait was smooth and graceful, making her long, thin tail swish softly just above the footprints her clawed toes left in the soft earth. Her wide hips, offset by a surprisingly thin waist, shifted with every step, providing an alluring sway as she walked. Her bust, only partially covered by her somewhat ragged clothes, was quite impressive, standing out noticeably from her smooth form, hiding powerful sinew under her glistening scales. She had a proud look to her, and yet there was some underlying submission to the girl, as if she were looking for the appropriate man to be her master. Finally, after a good wandering about the camp, she arrived at the master's keep, standing before the guards, her hands held down in front of her.

"Who are you and what business have you here?" The gruff looking sentry extended his spear, holding it dangerously close to the scaled woman, gauging her reaction. She merely looked back into the guard's eyes without regard to the weapon pointed at her.

"I am Tara. I came to see your master. Phinehas is his name I believe. Tell him I come from Varithan with information he might find quite useful."

Within ten minutes, the dragoness had been escorted to Phinehas' chambers as he attempted to deal with the new scars on his cheek and temple, looking the features over in his new mirror. The green scaled woman stood quietly in the middle of the room watching him, waiting obediently to be addressed.

"My men tell me you have information about my enemies for me. Is this true?"

Tara nodded and stepped forward slightly, her posture remaining perfect.

"I do. You have a spy among your ranks. I came to help you be rid of the pest."

The man laughed and turned to his guest, eyeing her up and down, pleased with her curves... and lack of appropriate clothing.

"Is that so? And what does this spy look like?"

"She is a woman, an elf. Slender, dark hair, quite skilled at stealth, and she answers to the name Erica."

Phinehas paused hearing the name.

"Erica? Daughter of Treydon?" He had a hint of surprise to his voice, sounding as though he had not expected the intruder from last night to be of such stature. The dragoness nodded slowly as he slowly came out of his mild stupor, "Well it's of little consequence. You came a few hours too late I'm afraid. She was discovered last night and killed. Unless you have any useful information, you'd best leave now before I change my mind about letting you go."

Tara raised an eyebrow as the man turned back to his mirror, re-examining his face. She strolled over casually, wrapping her arms about him from behind in a sensual fashion as one hand found its way to his marred cheek, caressing it softly.

"She did this to you didn't she?"

The captain, enjoying the close contact with the lovely creature, turned to view his scars better in the mirror.

"Yes she did. And she paid for it with her life."

"Might I ask how she died?"

Phinehas turned about to look his guest in the eye.

"My mount, a dragon we discovered wandering about the wilds, devoured her last night. I stayed and watched to make sure she was digested."

Tara caressed his injured cheek again, the stinging pain from the still mending wounds beginning to fade for some reason.

"Are you so certain the dragon killed her?"

"Quite. I stayed and listened to her last screams and watched his belly shrink." He watched her quizzically as she chuckled and grinned.

"And where is your dragon now?"

"In the stables with the beast we paired him with. Hopefully, they'll mate and produce offspring and I can have a whole line of dragons to train and ride."

Tara shook her head softly, her hand glowing with a feint light as the wounds in his cheek began to close and disappear.

"The dragon was her accomplice. If he was forced to digest her as you say he was, surely he has left by now to spread whatever news she managed to pass on to him to the alliance."

The commander turned to look in the mirror again, amazed that she was able to heal him so expertly. Even the best healers in his camp left scars. This creature could mend flesh without any remaining evidence of injury.

"How do you know this?"

"The council convened several days ago and called both elf and dragon to the meeting, requesting they go on this mission. They agreed. Why do you think such a healthy dragon was found roaming the wilds... and allowed himself to be captured so easily? And maintained such a fat belly most of the time he was here?" As the pieces began to fall into place, the man growled and turned to head out the door, Tara following closely behind him. Upon reaching the building, he shoved the stable doors open and stomped down to Jerith's enclosure. All he found was the female he had ordered paired with his mount, curled up alone in a corner, looking quite fearful of the two.

"I'll hunt him down and slay him myself... or better yet." He removed the dark gem from his pocket, eyeing it with a mad, wide-eyed grin, "I'll force him to become my servant. Thank you, lovely Tara. You've been most helpful. Guard, take the female in the stall. If we can't find my mount, kill her."

The green dragoness stopped him gently, wrapping her arms around his waist to keep him interested in her.

"Why don't you let me handle the female? I'm quite good with others of my kind."

True to his nature, he was initially suspicious of her, but at the same time, the same nature brought with it a deep lustful desire to claim this strange, exotic woman as his. He could not resist a good conquest.

"And why would I do that? I know nothing about you. You simply appeared out of no where and started sharing details with me. Why? What are you after?"

She smiled coyly, running her tongue across his jaw line with a sensual flick.

"I want you. The dragon and the elf share a relationship unlike anything you know. They have a bond that lets them communicate by thought alone. All dragons have the potential for such a bond... and as it turns out... mine just happens to be with you."

Phinehas raised an eyebrow, grinning as he wrapped his arms about the dragon's waist in return. His libido was quite strong, as were his ambitions, and together, they painted a rather tawdry image that seemed to focus squarely on this new beauty that had seemed to be in search of him. He allowed himself to believe her, always ready to turn violent as needed. With the power he possessed and what strength he would soon acquire, there was nothing in his mind to fear about this woman.

"Is that so? And how do you intend to prove this?"

"Look into my eyes and do not blink." She stood perfectly still as he obeyed. While the two gazed at one another, something touched the edge of his mind and suddenly, his vision was overlaid atop another image. It was an image of himself and the stables behind him. When Tara blinked, the image mixed with his own vision blinked as well.

~Do I pass your little test my dear?~

A new crooked grin spread across his lips as the potential of such a link worked its way into his mind, his arms tightening about the dragoness.

"How very interesting. You came all this way just to find me."

She nodded, squeezing her arms about his form in return. The more he made it obvious he wanted her, the more she seemed to push herself into his arms, as though she could feel his lust for her.

"I wasn't happy in Varithan. They are weak. They're losing this war and anyone who stands in the way of the Luridus will surely parish. Since my desire to find my bonded one brought me here, I thought a change of sides was in order... and what good would I be if I didn't bring news of my former allies with me?"

The captain was growing to like the situation more and more, chuckling quietly as his fingers squeezed around Tara's shapely rump, hoisting her off the ground slightly.

"Well then, in that case, I shall have the news of your presence be spread through the camp. I've much work to do here. Two of the elders arrive tonight and I have plans for them. I trust you will bring my mount back to me?"

Tara nodded softly, already beginning to submit to his commanding presence.

"With the help of the one you selected to have him breed with as bait. I can hear her calling out for him. She has grown fond of him, and without a doubt, him of her as well."

Phinehas nodded and looked at the beast, curled up in the stall.

"Keep me informed with this link of yours... I don't want to miss a second of it."

"Oh that will be quite impossible my dear... We have only just begun to form the link. Until we can strengthen it through a number of exercises I would be more than happy to teach you, we won't be able to do more than speak to one another over a distance... and if it is too great a distance, we won't be able to sense each other at all. Give it time my dear."

The man nodded, looking to the guard to have the creature in the stall harnessed and saddled for Tara.

"Very well then. When should I expect you back?"

"This afternoon I should expect. Jerith couldn't have gotten far... especially if his beloved is dead... but that's only if he truly digested her. Two that have bonded together can do some rather incredible things after all."

A perverted cackle rose from the man as his mind wandered into the realm of carnal delights, pondering the possibilities with his new mistress.

"I should like to hear about these incredible things. Hurry back my dear... or I shall have to send my men after you and keep you chained up for trying to run away."

She snickered a little, lifting her arms to around his neck, bumping her nose softly against his.

"I might let you chain me up anyway from time to time."

"So you will be mine to do with as I please?"

Tara nodded, licking his jaw line again.

"I pledge my loyalty to you and only you. No others shall come before you, my bonded one," With that, her lips pressed against his firmly, kissing the darkly handsome man before slowly pulling away, "Now, my love, I must go and find your dragon so you can have your satisfaction."

Phinehas was left slightly dizzy by the sudden kiss, enjoying it to a great extent. His arms released the dragoness as the guard brought the smallish, fearful mount from her stall, looking up at the two with terror in her eyes. Tara climbed atop the submissive beast, driving Nora along slowly until they had trotted out of sight from the camp, leaving the captain and his men to continue their work.

---

The day progressed with Phinehas' men scrambling about, working quickly and efficiently. Finally, it seemed things were going his way. Once the sun passed its zenith, he turned to keep a weather eye on the edge of the encampment, watching for his dragon to return. Slowly, the sun began to fall towards the horizon until finally a lone figure emerged from the foreboding woods. Tara walked back into camp, her clothes torn here and there, blood smeared on her face, hands, and torso, looking tired from a rather nasty fight. Amazingly, she had not suffered any injuries herself, the blood covering her was that of the other dragon. The captain frowned upon seeing her return empty handed, as well as without her mount.

"What happened?"

She panted softly, looking somewhat perturbed.

"He ambushed me. I did some damage but I couldn't bring him down. He's still out there, probably licking his wounds right now. He won't be going anywhere for a while, I saw to that. It would have been easier to bring him back if I had that stone of yours."

Phinehas nodded softly, wrapping an arm about Tara's shoulders.

"How long do you think he'll nest to let his wounds mend?"

"I would say about three days rest and he will try to move on." She wiped her mouth with the back of one of her hands unceremoniously. She was clearly fatigued and cared not about her appearance at that particular moment.

"And why didn't you bring his mate back with you?" She leaned against the man heavily, eager to find a place to rest.

"He was protecting her, and there's nothing more dangerous than a wounded dragon. With your little stone, we can have them under control before he heals."

The captain agreed, walking Tara towards the keep. He was showing the exhausted woman a level of compassion that was not in his character, at least from what his men usually saw. Perhaps this bonding she spoke of was having a pacifying effect on him.

"Very well, first chance we get, either tomorrow or the day after, we both will head out there and tame both of those beasts. I should have used the stone on him from the start. It was foolish of me not to. For now, you should go bathe and rest. My guards will take you to where the other ladies are waiting for your arrival."

That seemed to catch her attention. The emerald dragoness tilted her head curiously at the man.

"Other ladies?"

"Yes, my other wives. You didn't think you would be the first of my women did you?"

Tara simply laughed and flapped her wings lightly, resting her head on Phinehas' shoulder.

"I should have known... what you want, you take. Tell me, am I the head concubine?"

He grinned and turned her head to face him, kissing her deeply, running a hand over her exposed breast. He was so very tempted to rip what little clothing she had left off of her and take her right then and there. Eventually, they broke contact and he grinned.

"They are your subordinates if you will. You are at the top of their hierarchy. After all, you're the only one who can see through my eyes, and I through yours. Go clean yourself up. The elders will be here soon and I would like to have my first wife looking presentable."

Tara grinned and bowed before him softly.

"As you wish my lord. Do you have a preference as to how I am to be dressed?"

He pondered for a moment.

"Something provocative. I want you to catch their attention."

"Very well. I will see what is available and do my best." The two parted company, Phinehas returning to his insidious preparations while Tara was taken to the harem. There, at least a dozen women lounged, waiting for their husband, their master essentially, to call for them. Upon seeing the newcomer, they all realized the balance of power among them shifted drastically but they dared not complain. Tara was a dragon after all. She kept things quite diplomatic with the other ladies, requesting they come and bathe with her which they agreed to without much thought.

Steam filled the bath as all of the harem-dwellers arrived, each one undressing and slipping into the water, many of them moving to Tara to bathe her. After all, she was Phinehas' new favorite and she had to be presentable. It was a lovely arrangement, every inch of her body being scrubbed gently by delicate hands.

"Oh you all are too kind... treating me so nicely after having just met me."

One of the younger women, running a sponge across Tara's shoulder, responded, speaking quietly so as to not offend.

"You are husband's favorite. And you are a dragon. You are the strongest of us. We cannot challenge you, even if you turned against us. You could easily kill any of us. And if you didn't, husband surely would."

The dragoness frowned and reached up, tracing the back of her fingers softly across the woman's cheek.

"How could I turn against any of you? I would do anything to protect you. You are my sisters," She was sincere. Her genuine concern for the other wives sent waves of whispers through the group. All the other wives were touched by her kindness. From there, it was easy to see they had taken a liking to the new wife. Tara pulled the young girl who had spoken up before all the others into her lap and cradled the human to her bosom, "We are family now... and nothing runs deeper than family. Now what was this about husband killing you?"

The young lady shuddered softly against the dragoness, enjoying the contact more than she would have expected.

"He has a fierce temper. He has killed five wives already for speaking out of turn, being unable to give him a child, and things of that sort."

Tara frowned deeply. It wasn't out of the realm of what she had expected, but she still was not pleased.

"So your impression of him isn't very high. You all fear him don't you?" She scanned the group as they nodded, every woman surrounding the dragoness agreeing that they were terrified of the man, "Well, that ends here and now. From now on, I'm the one who manages the wives and if he has a problem with any one of you, he takes it up with me. I won't have him harming my sisters."

The women all stared in stunned silence at Tara before wrapping their arms about her in a firm, passionate hug, some even beginning to cry tears of joy.

"Thank you! Thank you so very much! It has been a nightmare being his property!" More cries of repressed mixtures of sorrow and relief flowed freely around the jade woman, wanting to give them all peace of mind.

"I'm sure husband has been rather... firm... in his intimacy with all of you, yes?" Again she frowned as they all nodded. Her look of disapproval quickly melted away as a naughty idea came to her and tugged her lips into a broad grin, "Well, then it's time you all received some tenderness. One at a time, starting with you." She lightly tapped the nose of the girl in her lap.

"Me?"

Tara nodded.

"Yes you. What's your name? How old are you? How did you get here?"

The young lady looked down softly, recounting the traumatic events leading to her present state.

"I am Crysta. I am only nineteen. Phinehas took me as his wife three years ago. I lived on the wrong side of the frontier. I didn't think anything would happen so close to the border. My village was attacked and I was taken prisoner. I caught his eye and have survived as his wife ever since. He's grown more irritated that I haven't given him a child yet. He's failed to have a child with any of us. We think he might be impotent."

Tara frowned hearing the girl's story, kissing her cheek softly only to end up giggling at the comment at the end.

"Well, don't worry, if he does have a problem, then that just means you won't have to worry about having any kids that grow up being like him. Now, watch closely ladies because you'll each get a turn to try it." With that, she closed her eyes and leaned forward, kissing Crysta. It was a soft, tender, passionate kiss that left the girl speechless. In just as surprising an event, her breath was taken away by a smooth, peculiar intruder pushing up between her legs. She blinked and looked to Tara who was purring happily, stroking along the girl's back.

"Wh-what is that?"

The dragon grinned coyly.

"Oh I think you know what it is, sister, or at least you should know." The invading object pushed deeper, slowly and gently, leaving Crysta weak as a lamb in Tara's arms, melting into her embrace. The other women watched on curiously, unsure of what was happening until the two began to move, pushing back and forth against one another, chests mashing together, hips grinding in passionate ecstasy. Slow, gentle movements elicited quiet gasps from the girl as she rode the foreign object again and again until finally she shuddered powerfully, inhaling a sharp breath as she went rigid in Tara's embrace. She sat there, ramrod straight for several moments, gasping quietly until she melted against the dragon again. A smile spread across her lips and she closed her eyes, resting her cheek against Tara's shoulder.

"Thank you sister..."

"You are more than welcome, and who knows? Maybe you'll be able to tell Phinehas it's his baby."

She looked up with a start, blinking rapidly.

"Wh-what!?"

Tara laughed and offered Crysta a loving kiss on the nose.

"I'm kidding. You aren't going to be with child," Her jest caught the attention of the other ladies and they all began asking various questions, "Girls, girls... settle down. You'll get your answer. Crysta honey, you rest over on one of the lounges and I'll come see you again in a moment. I need to let the others have a turn."

She nodded lightly and pulled herself off the lovely object that had embedded itself in her, the emptiness making her wish she could have enjoyed it a bit longer as she moved out of the water to lay down on one of the plush lounges nearby. The other ladies meanwhile waited quietly for Tara to explain. Instead of attempting to do so verbally, she simply stood, water pouring off of her smooth hide, revealing her slender form from the bath until her hips came into view. The sight that awaited them made them all gasp loudly, unsure of what to think seeing Phinehas' new wife sporting an endowment more impressive than their husband's.

"You are male!?"

Tara shook hir head, reaching down to lift hir newly exposed length and scrotum out of the way to reveal hir feminine region, hir vulva looking just as natural as any of theirs.

"I am both, a hermaphrodite. I just am able to conceal my masculine portion." And so shi demonstrated. Upon closer inspection, a second slit could be seen surrounding hir length and the pendulous testicles hanging below it. With a little effort, the dragoness managed to tuck hir member and attached region back inside the vent, closing it easily enough. With hir 'gear' now stowed nice and neat, the seam blended in with the surrounding scales to make it almost invisible, providing hir with a purely feminine appearance, "I intend on telling our husband of this. He seems to be quite the... experimental fellow but I'm uncertain if he will accept it as quickly as you all seemed to. In any case, you are all welcome to spend time with me just as Crysta has. I should think you all deserve a pleasurable time now and again the way only a woman can know how to do it." From there, it was only a problem of deciding who was next.

---

Some hours later, after much deliberation, the encampment gathered to greet the elders as they approached, only minutes away. Phinehas stood at the great doors of the lord's keep, fidgeting somewhat, wondering where Tara was and why she was taking so long. Soon, his question was answered as the emerald scaled beauty descended the grand staircase, dressed in a stunning, and rather revealing, ensemble. It was little more than a semi-transparent top and sink-tight panties with sheer legging over them, the transparent fabric hanging loose between the waistband and ankle cuffs. A simple veil hung about her short muzzle and an ostentatious headdress crowned the whole outfit. In a word, she was startling. Her visible bosom would no doubt catch anyone's attention, especially the captain's. He stared blankly at her for several moments, struggling to compose himself. When he finally managed to speak, he stuttered before clearing his throat and forming a coherent statement.

"You're going to wear that?" Articulate to the last. Tara frowned sadly, playing on his guilt.

"You don't like it? Should I put on something... more conservative?" She turned to walk back upstairs but the captain gripped her arm gently, pulling her from the stairs.

"No, it's fine, it's more than fine. It's perfect. In fact, I wouldn't mind you wearing something like this all the time."

Tara grinned, lifting veil to kiss his cheek.

"I thought as much. Where are they?"

"They should be reaching the tree line in a moment or two." Within the space of time he had mentioned, a curious looking carriage pulled by a pair of ethereal, ghostly horses emerged from the dark woods. It was moving faster than an ordinary train of horses should be able to run, coming to a halt in front of the great doors of the keep. The horses vanished into nothingness as the door opened, revealing a youth no more than eighteen years or so, dressed in servant's garb. He climbed down quickly and extended the short staircase hanging from underneath. With his work done, the boy moved to the side, letting the other passengers disembark.

First was an old man, looking somewhat frail and tired. He never really enjoyed such trips, too much jostling for his taste. He climbed down slowly, leaning heavily on his cane as his distant gaze moved across the whole of the greeting precession. Behind him came the woman Phinehas had spoken to previously, whispering quietly to the dragoness next to him.

"That is Colvain, one of the most influential elders on the council, mainly because of the power he once commanded. He still has it but his strength has waned over the years and wields it sparingly for fear of overwhelming himself. Behind him is his wife, Anastasia. She is almost as powerful as he was in his prime and almost twice his age. She has ties to elfin kind in her lineage, hence her longevity and affinity with magic."

Tara nodded quietly, remaining just one or two steps behind the man as the guests approached. They both took note of the green creature in scant clothing.

"And who is this rather boldly dressed young lady you have here?" It was Anastasia, approaching the captain confidently.

"This is my consort, Tara. Tara, may I introduce the Lady Anastasia and her husband Lord Colvain. I am honored by your unexpected visit." He bowed in respect, as did the dragoness behind him. The woman rolled her eyes and walked past him quickly into the keep to examine the surroundings.

"Spare us your lip service graces. We both know you don't want us here so let's just get on with this shall we?"

The captain grumbled as quietly as he could, the old man shuffling past him slowly as he gave Phinehas a sour look. Tara moved to stand before the lady, bowing softly in her presence.

"Is there anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable?"

The woman nodded, sizing the dragon up as she spoke.

"Yes actually, there is. If you could please tell me where my quarters are, I would like to get settled in. I will be staying for quite a while I'm sure."

The emerald scaled female turned to look to her husband who nodded.

"This way my lady." With that, the dragoness turned to the stairs, ascending them with a grace expected in a woman of impeccable breeding. A short walk found both ladies standing before a great door. A push saw it open into a rather lightly furnished chamber. Anastasia sighed and raised an eyebrow, unimpressed with her lodgings.

"Not much for decor is he?"

Tara shook her head softly, letting the woman explore her room.

"If there is anything you require to make the room more livable, please do not hesitate to seek me or Phinehas' other wives out."

The woman waved a hand dismissively to the comment, clapping her hands twice. Instantly, the room came alive with movement, furnishings seeming to melt up out of the stone floor or out of the walls. Within seconds, the chamber had been completely redecorated to her specification. It was an impressive display of power, no doubt meant to inform the dragoness of what it was she was dealing with should she be foolish enough to confront her.

"There won't be any need. I'm quite capable of getting my hands on what I require personally. Thank you for the offer though. At least one of the two of you has some manners and respect for us elders. When you get a chance, I should like to speak to you and the other wives about your husband. There is much I would like to find out about him."

Tara nodded, turning to look back at the door, closing it quietly before turning back to the woman of incredible power.

"If I may, I would like to speak to you about him now. It is rather important."

Anastasia turned about, looking the dragoness in the eye, arms crossed.

"Oh? And what about specifically?"

"I would caution you and your husband to take great care in what you do and say during your stay here. The captain has been acting... unusual lately. I cannot be certain, but I have reason to believe he may have something planned during your visit. Keep a vigilant eye is all I ask."

The lady nodded, bowing her head softly in thanks.

"I appreciate the words of warning but I knew he was up to something the minute I climbed out of my coach. He has a different air about him, what it is that has changed I cannot say but I'm certain it bodes ill for us all if he's scheming as always. I will not forget this kindness. Now, I suppose we should return to the foyer and have a look at his men, make sure he isn't trying to blow up the world as per usual."

Tara nodded and opened the door again, holding it for the intimidating yet lovely lady. The trip back down was just as swift as the trip up. The sight they were greeted with was Phinehas standing face to face to Colvain with hardly any space between them, the two of them looking quite stern. A scent wafted over to the dragon's nose, recognizing the scent of a metallic aroma. The captain stepped back, yanking one arm aft as he did so, withdrawing a long, finely honed blade from the old man's torso. Anastasia froze, her eyes widening in shock seeing the man she married collapse in a heap.

"Colvain! No!" With that, she rushed forward down the stairs, stopped by the guards and detained just long enough for Phinehas to wave the deep violet stone over her forehead.

"Relax my lady... you seem so tense and upset." An eerie, twisted beam of white light connected gem to flesh, causing the woman to crumple, sedated lightly.

"How... did you get... one of those? Give it back to me at once... It is too dangerous for one such as you to have it." Her voice sounded spent and exhausted, as if she had been awake for days and was struggling to remain conscious.

"That really isn't any of your concern at the moment m'lady. You see, you are no longer in control of the situation. I am. You had to come and see things for yourself and that arrogance shall be your undoing," He turned and walked to the old man lying in a pool of blood, coughing weakly as the life faded from him, "And you, old man... I will take your power for myself." Phinehas lifted a hand over the man's face, fingers curled and spread wide as energy began to arc off his digits. Colvain's eyes widened as he recognized what was happening, struggling weakly to avoid the forbidden magic. As he shifted, a light began to seep from around his head, traveling up from the man's face to Phinehas' palm, collecting there as he fought in futility. His mouth opened as if to scream but no sound would come, his life fading before he could do anything more and he fell motionless. The last of the light left him, held in a sphere in the captain's hand. Phinehas laughed as he stood, letting the power he had stolen sink into his flesh, filling him with a raw, awesome strength unlike anything he had ever felt before. Anastasia knew exactly what she had just seen and began to despair. Tara approached the man basking in his newfound power, wrapping her arms about him from behind, licking his cheek.

"Sneaky lil thing aren't you? Would you like me to take care of the woman for you?"

The captain grinned, turning around to face his dragoness, caressing her back lightly.

"I think that would be appropriate. Take her to the harem and have her locked up. We can't have her trying to escape while I'm getting used to my new strength."

The emerald woman nodded, ordering the guards to follow her. Upon arriving back in the wives' chamber, the men had Anastasia shackled and a curious gem placed around her neck, held there by some sort of harness she couldn't remove. As soon as the guards had left, Tara bade the other women into another room so she could have some privacy with the newcomer. Anastasia, having regained a bit of strength sat up defiantly in front of the dragon, glaring at her.

"You and Phinehas will pay dearly for this. I will avenge my husband!"

Tara lifted a hand and gently covered her mouth, moving a finger to her own lips to shush her quietly.

"Keep your voice down, I don't plan on letting that bastard get away with this. I need you to trust me."

The woman narrowed her eyes as the dragon began working on the harness, not removing it but ensuring that Anastasia could at a moment's notice, just in case her plan failed to go the direction she hoped to take it.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"I can't go into detail right now because I'm expected in the captain's quarters shortly. What I need most is information on that stone he used on you. I need to know what it is, what it can do... and how to use it. Can you tell me anything about it?"

Uncertain of whether or not this harlot could be trusted, Anastasia nodded and began, finding no real benefit to concealing the information. Either she was in league with the captain and would find out from him, or she was telling the truth and should be warned of its danger.

"It's a magic that has long since been branded as forbidden, as well as the magic he used on my husband. It steals away one's willpower and leaves them very susceptible to the power of suggestion. We originally created the stones as a means of interrogation but when it was clear they were being abused to turn our own people against one another in the last great war, we banned their use. Only three stones like that one were ever made and have been kept under close watch by three guardians. I have no idea how he managed to get his hands on it."

Tara nodded quietly, still working on the harness until it was arranged the way she wanted.

"How do you use it? Can it be combated? I need to know this."

"There is no way to combat it other than to be out of range. It can only be used in very close proximity. To use it, it has to be in your hand... that is crucial. You have to have some sort of physical contact with it in order to work its magic. If it touches anyone else at the time of use, it draws its power from them as well, making them immune to its effects for the duration. All you have to do is channel your strength through the stone to activate it. It may take practice if you've not used magic before. Once you have someone under its power, speak whatever you wish and they will have no choice but to do as you say. It is incredibly dangerous to use. It could kill someone if used improperly." She fidgeted a little, examining how she might remove the harness when the time came, leaving it on to maintain the illusion. Tara continued her interrogation, growing more insistent that she be told everything.

"Do you have to wave it over the victim's eyes? Do they have to be looking at the stone? Do they have to be awake? Please, tell me everything!"

Anastasia turned back to the dragoness, not sure if she had an ally in this creature or not but she was certainly going to take advantage of the moment. The timber of her voice suggested that the dragoness was indeed in earnest when she vowed that Phinehas would answer for the betrayal he had committed.

"Yes, you have to wave it over their eyes but it works even if they are unconscious. The problem with working the spell while they are asleep is if they are dreaming, you risk them succumbing to whatever imagery they are visualizing. To exercise control, they have to be influenced by you and you alone. No outside force can interfere if you are to gain power over them. If I had time, I could instruct you how to use it but it may take too long."

The dragoness nodded softly, lifting a hand to the woman's cheek.

"I understand, and I have a way around that, but it requires total trust between both of us. If you trust me, I will trust you. Agreed?"

Confused slightly, Anastasia nodded, unsure what was planned but it certainly couldn't be any worse than what had already happened.

"If you swear not to abuse the power of the stone I will trust you."

"I swear... I have only one person I plan on using it on, after that, I'll destroy it if I have to. Now look into my eyes and concentrate."

The woman nodded again and the two stared into one another's eyes intensely, a warmth passing from the dragon's hand into Anastasia's cheek as their vision suddenly merged, both seeing an image of one another as well as themselves through the other's eyes. The link shocked the woman, blinking in disbelief.

"How is this possible? I thought Phinehas was your bonded one..."

"Suffice to say I can control who I am bound to. I never formed a permanent bond with him, just a brief connection to gain his trust. I never expected my presence here to go this far but I have no choice now. You've gotten involved and your husband has died because I refused to act sooner. I won't let another soul be taken by him. Keep your focus on me, close your eyes so your own vision doesn't distort what you see through me. I'll need you to guide me through using the stone."

Anastasia's eyes drifted shut as she locked her mind on the image of herself through Tara's gaze, finding the dragon's acute vision much sharper than her own. She put her trust in this strange woman, hoping that she was doing the right thing. She could only shoo the woman off to tend to her husband lest he grow suspicious.

"Go, quickly, before we're discovered." With that, the two parted company, maintaining their connection as Tara returned to the captain's quarters, sitting on the edge of his bed obediently. After a good while, the door opened and in walked Phinehas, bristling with a dark energy, having been testing his new abilities. As he walked in, the dragoness crossed her legs and grinned, enticing him over to the bed. He strolled over and pulled her to her feet, pressing her tightly against his hips.

"I think it's time you taught me about some of those 'amazing things' a bonded pair like us can do..."

Tara's arms found their way about his neck, sensing Anastasia's nausea through their link. Clearly she detested the man, and not because he had murdered her husband.

"In a moment... watching you downstairs made me curious... what was that stone you used? I saw you pull it out earlier today."

"It's a mystic crystal that lets the user control another's mind, it was quite difficult to get my hands on I assure you," Only one thing was really on his mind but he wasn't about to stifle his dragon's curiosity, "Would you like to see how it works?"

Tara nodded vigorously, clapping her hands together.

"I'd love to! Teach me!"

Phinehas laughed softly and shouted for one of the guards to come in. He pulled the stone from his pocket and held it in his hand, walking towards the guard as he spoke to Tara.

"I know you're familiar with magic so I'll keep it rather short. Hold the stone in your hand and wave it in front of your target's eyes. While doing this, concentrate on focusing energy into the hand holding the stone to activate it. It will draw its power directly from you so be careful. When you feel the stone activate, simply say whatever it is you want the person to do and they will do it," To demonstrate, he held the stone in front of the guard's face as it began to light up, "You will do exactly as I tell you until I order you to leave the room," With that said, he pocketed the stone once more, looking back at his consort, "Now, stab yourself in the hand with your own knife," He watched with a disgustingly engrossed grin as the guard did exactly as he was told, without question or hesitation. His weapon was pulled then sunk into his other palm. A shout of pain filled the room as blood began to ooze from the guard's hand, much to the captain's amusement, "That will be all, now go and have your hand tended to."

Tara was amazed at how readily the man injured himself, moving to the captain's side as he stood there.

"Can I try it? I promise I won't do anything too crazy."

"Who do you intend to try it on?"

She grinned and giggled, offering him a peck on the cheek.

"Well, since some of the things I planned on showing you require a great deal of trust, I thought it might come in handy to help you remain calm and open-minded about it."

The man raised an eyebrow, unsure if he understood her properly.

"So you plan on doing something that might be rather dangerous?"

"That's one way of looking at it. People have a certain way of reacting to certain things. I just want to make sure you don't react badly and end up hurting yourself or me in the process. It's purely a safety measure for both of us."

Again, Phinehas was unsure of her intent but he was not about to dismiss her ideas.

"Well if you would elaborate on some of these ideas, I might consider the request."

Tara nodded, stepping back a short distance.

"Understandable. If you're to trust me, I have to show that I trust you. And to that end, I have something I was hoping to show you this evening but I worry you may respond unfavorably to it... just... please, try to keep an open mind," Once she finished speaking, she began undressing, removing what little clothing she had on. At first, it seemed harmless enough, a nude female dragon standing before the captain, but then she reached down and parted the seam to a vent hidden in her scales, revealing that which Phinehas' other wives had already become familiar with. Tara blushed and looked down, almost ashamed, "I'm not entirely what you believed me to be... I am not purely female but something a little bit more."

The man blinked seeing hir extension hanging from between hir legs, not sure if he should be offended or aroused. The very thought of being attracted to any person possessing male organs turned him off but despite this unique 'flaw' in hir design, shi was ravishing and there was the bond to consider.

"Were you born this way naturally?"

Tara shook hir head softly, still seeming ashamed of hir true gender.

"No, I became like this after a rather... unusual encounter with a male of my kind. I'm not entirely certain of how it occurred but I am told I am still capable of bearing a child; something that I hear is important after speaking with your other wives. Does it disgust you? Should I find a way to have it removed?"

Instantly, Phinehas winced, considering the pain involved in such an undertaking. It was not so much empathy for one to have their masculinity removed it was the thought of how he might feel were he the one to go through with it. The idea that his new wife might be damages in the process was rather unappetizing as well.

"No... No I wouldn't ask you to do that. You have been able to conceal it until you showed it to me just now, so I suppose that would be fine. Perhaps with time I might learn to... appreciate... such an appendage on one of my wives."

"It was one reason I was interested in the stone... to help you adjust to it. But if you would rather not, I understand." Shi sounded quite dejected, almost hurt by his unwillingness to adapt to this new finding. The man sighed and dipped his hand into his pocket, producing the stone for hir.

"Very well, if it will make you happy. But I want no one to know about it, this is just between you and me."

"May I tell the other wives of my... additional features?"

The question raised an interesting point in his mind. He always took pleasure in watching his other wives please one another. This particular discovery could add a whole new dimension to that pastime.

"Are you capable of producing a child with it?"

Tara nodded, blushing again as shi moved hir hands to cover hir masculine region.

"I can. Should I take the proper precautions to keep from impregnating the other wives should you allow such contact?"

He had been desperate to produce an heir, wanting a son badly. His inability to produce one left him frustrated, thinking his troops might get wind of his failed attempts and consider him less of a man.

"No child you father with the others would ever truly be mine. I cannot say I would be pleased with the conception of a child without my involvement."

"What if that could be remedied? I am versed in several forms of magic after all."

Phinehas raised an eyebrow again, pondering the thought. So long as he could impregnate hir, any child shi gave to the other wives would an afterthought to him. It seemed an equitable situation.

"Very well, if you bare me a child of my own, I will be lenient in your own desires to procreate with the other wives. But only so long as my heir comes before any of the others."

Tara nodded again, offering the man a soft kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you my dear. Now, shall I attempt to remove your inhibitions?" Shi fluttered hir eyes as he nodded and handed over the stone, seeing nothing wrong in exploring possible nighttime activities with his new mate. Shi took the gem and concentrated as Anastasia guided hir through the process carefully. Soon, the stone began to glow and the dragoness waved it gently over the captain's eyes, "From this day forward, you will feel no discomfort in the act or thought of the act of engaging in any intimate contact with me in any way, shape, or form. Be it a traditional method, or something more exotic. May it involve only my feminine features or my masculine ones. You will find nothing disconcerting with taking or giving pleasure to or from me in any fashion." Until now, Tara had not been close enough to examine the effects of the stone on its victim. Now that shi was standing directly in front of one, shi had a clear view of the symptoms; pupils dilated, offering a soulless, mindless stare into the gem's core. Mere seconds ticked by before he blinked and responded, looking back into Tara's eyes.

"Is it done? Am I how you want me to experiment with?"

The dragoness giggled, moving the stone behind hir back before he could take it away.

"I don't know... let's see. How do you feel about getting to know the 'real me' down there?"

He looked down at the dragon's length, finding he lacked the revulsion he held earlier completely vanished.

"I suppose demonstrating what I'd like you to do for me wouldn't be a bad idea." With that, he reached forward and gripped Tara's smooth shaft, running his thumb up and down the soft, flaccid member, working it over to help it reach its state of readiness. The dragoness moaned softly, spreading hir legs just so before gradually sitting down on the bed, keeping the stone out of his reach.

"That... mmm... would be a good idea. No better way to learn than to experience I say."

The captain nodded and continued caressing hir shaft slowly, leaning forward and kissing his lovely beast as he began removing his clothes. It took little time before he had hir in the nude, oblivious to the game of keep-away shi had begun to play with him and the stone. Anastasia's displeasure with the scene was quite strong, wanting nothing to do with the man.

~Must I watch this? I truly do despise this insect.~

Tara blinked in surprise hearing the voice in hir mind, responding without letting hir passion with Phinehas diminish.

~Sorry, I forgot you were still watching. Shall I disconnect us?~

The woman bound in the wives' chambers rolled her eyes and withheld a gag, able to feel the man's lips... but finding the sensation between her legs, obviously the attention to Tara's length, quite stimulating.

~I would rather be able to maintain the link so I can be sure he is dealt a satisfying punishment... but if you could at least prevent me from at least seeing, I would appreciate it.~

The dragoness suppressed a giggle as shi rocked hir hips against the hand wrapped about hir steadily firming shaft.

~You like what you're feeling I take it. Very well, I'll let you imagine that it is your beloved Colvain. I know how it feels to be separated from the touch of the one you truly love.~

Anastasia thanked hir and the conversation ended for the moment as Tara continued hir teaching in the carnal arts, helping the man break his distaste for the organ of another. It seemed he was quite skilled, more than likely due to a great deal of self practice. At any rate, the dragoness found hirself brought to full attention quickly. With the preliminary work done, Phinehas reached to take the stone back but was stopped by the dragoness' tail, wrapping about his wrist gently.

"Nope, you can't have it back yet. I might need it to convince you to try something."

The captain grumbled softly. He had begun to grow annoyed by the woman's unwillingness to return to him what he had rightfully stolen.

"The best way to use it when you want to cover a broad range of commands is to be as unspecific as possible. I don't know what you said the first time but go ahead and try it again, but be careful... the more control you want to exercise over someone, the more energy it will drain from you."

"You aren't aware of what is being said while you're under the stone's influence?"

Phinehas shook his head.

"No, you're not, now if you please, I'd like to get this out of the way so we can continue our fun."

Shi nodded and lifted the stone back to his eyes, not triggering it just yet.

"That explains why you had Anastasia chained up instead of just taking over her mind immediately... it would have taken too much strength. After you test your new limits, you'll be able to go as far as you need to in order to control her."

Phinehas nodded and nudged hir to start, which shi did quickly, taking advantage of his coma-like state, embedding a new directive to never harm hir under any circumstances unless shi were to permit it. Such a limit would prove most useful. The stone was then put aside and the two continued their exploration of one another, each one taking their turn at being on top. Their experimentation even went as far as Phinehas allowing his new wife's fleshy spire into a very uncomfortable place. It would be rare for him to allow it ever again but he wasn't about to dismiss it permanently. After some time, the two had worn one another out.

Anastasia, having felt the entire experience, imagined it was her late husband in his prime providing her with the attention she had long since been denied. It had been ages since he or anyone had touched her in that way. Thanks to her new friend, she once again knew the pleasure a woman should never be without for so long. The new sensation was quite welcome as well, bringing a grin to her lips as she pictured bending Phinehas over and doing the deed herself if only to find enjoyment in his humiliation.

The two lay in bed, panting as they embraced one another. Tara's tail had coiled itself about the captain's waist, keeping them pressed against one another quite firmly. Part of hir had actually enjoyed their little session, but the rest of hir almost felt sick to hir stomach that shi actually went through with it. It had been necessary and shi told hirself that again and again. It was time now to move on to the next phase.

"Phinehas my love... you recall the elf and the dragon that devoured her don't you?"

He nodded, squeezing the woman softly.

"I do, he even ate one of my peons. I must admit... I rather enjoyed seeing the elf get eaten. There was something... almost alluring to it."

Tara grinned and rolled over atop the man, sitting up to straddle his hips, mashing hir still erect shaft against his.

"You know how they managed to sneak her in and keep her concealed while they were here?"

"How?"

The dragoness leaned down, whispering the answer into his ear as if it were a string of sweet nothings.

"He swallowed her before crossing the frontier and carried her the whole way here. Every night he would let her out to sneak around and spy on you and your men before heading back to the stall to allow herself to get gobbled up again to stay hidden throughout the following day. She essentially lived in his stomach."

Phinehas shuddered softly under the dragoness, making hir grin widen further. Something about her voice tickled the nape of his neck in a way that he hoped would never go away.

"What about when he ate Tlog? He didn't survive the night. I saw how fat he was after the fact and noticed he had shrunk back to the previous girth by morning."

"Erica was already in his stomach. Odds are, she probably swallowed your foolish little peon before he realized what was happening. I know for a fact he had been teaching her the method... and with his own swallowing to help push him down her throat, all she had to do was sit there with her mouth open. Your man was eaten and digested by an elf while her dragon lover kept her alive. Interesting isn't it?"

The captain nodded with a bit of a chuckle. Tara could feel the tensing underneath hir length, sensing the further arousal the very idea had brought with it.

"Since I taught you how to use the stone, I don't suppose you could teach me how to swallow others near my size?"

"I could... it's a tricky skill to master but it's possible... perhaps after you've learned all of your new abilities you could learn how to turn yourself into a dragon for a limited time... that might prove to be quite entertaining for the both of us... not to mention make teaching the process all the easier. It might make disciplining the men a bit more entertaining too."

He nodded in agreement, deciding such an endeavor would require patience and time, but he wanted to experience one side of it that night.

"Then I guess for now, perhaps I could give the other side of it a try... so long as you let me out by morning. I don't want to end up melting away in there. I've come too far to meet my end as my lover's snack."

Tara nodded, licking hir lips coyly, running hir tongue along his jaw line once more.

"I believe we can arrange that. But should the guards require their leader, what am I to do?"

"They'll take orders from you in my absence. Once I'm inside, I would prefer not to be disturbed until tomorrow morning."

The dragon squeezed his waist softly with hir tail, agreeing to his conditions before parting hir jaws and slipping his head past hir teeth. Surprisingly, Phinehas did not struggle even in the slightest. Thanks to the mental programming Tara instilled in him with the stone, he would have no choice but to let the current events take their course. Gradually, he slipped down hir throat, the dragon's gullet massaging his form as he was pushed deeper and deeper. The bulge in Tara's neck grew as his torso moved towards his destination, pausing to lap at his crotch for a few moments.

Anastasia, still linked, relished the moment, reveling in the knowledge that the fool was being devoured, only wishing that she had gotten the chance to do it herself. It was a form of execution the council was familiar with but rarely used since so much magic power was required to take the form of a suitable beast. Before long, Tara found hirself leaning against the headboard, pushing the last of hir husband into hir maw, giving his feet a tickle before finally gulping them down. Once he was sealed away, Phinehas shifted about, turning around so that his head was pointed up, pushing the swell he made in his lover's middle to mash against hir lovely bosom. Tara licked hir lips and gave the tight, distended belly shi now sported a firm pat, grinning broadly.

"Not bad... not bad at all. You could have used a bath first but that's okay. The first time I ate someone, I felt like I was about to burst, but now it feels absolutely wonderful. Comfy in there darling?"

The captain squirmed lightly, trying to adjust to the tight conditions but finding them quite enjoyable.

"More so than I anticipated. I'm not sure how restful I'll sleep but I don't foresee any problems."

Tara smirked, sitting up and rubbing hir massive belly.

"Nor I my dear... now then, to pay someone a visit." With a bit of adjustment, the added weight making the prospect of walking more interesting, the dragoness took hir leave. Phinehas furrowed his brow deep in the dragon's gut but didn't bother asking. He assumed shi was simply going to see the other wives. The guards stopped hir initially at the door, but an angry bark from hir stomach put them back in line save for a few curious stares. Tara found no reason to dress, not with the position shi now held. Shi did receive a few lengthy leers as shi strolled about the keep, ignoring those who took a little too long to long hir over. The gentle swaying slowly lulled the hapless captain right off to a blissful nap. Eventually, shi reached the wives' chambers and eased over to Anastasia's side, unshackling her.

"Well, it was easier than I thought. He's out like a light and doesn't suspect a thing. As far as he knows, he's going to wake up tomorrow with the intention of being set free."

The woman grinned and removed the harness holding the gem to her neck, limiting her power and preventing her from acting.

"Keep him alive until he wakes up. I want to hear him scream as he dies."

"My thoughts exactly. He heard mine, I want to hear his."

Anastasia narrowed her eyes as she heard the comment, beginning to piece Tara's true identity together.

"So, you're the elf you mentioned to him earlier, the one that was in league with the dragon?"

The green creature nodded, squeezing hir stuffed gut.

"That's right. I didn't die, Jerith and I became one. When he explained what we could do while joined like this, I decided we should take advantage of the situation and pay the bastard back for what he was trying to do. I figured if I helped you and your husband out in the process, I might make a couple of friends on this side of the fight. My only regret is that I couldn't save your husband. I never knew exactly what he was planning, just that he was planning something. I am truly sorry I could not save him."

"Actually, in a way, you may have saved him. It takes a great deal of time for the power Phinehas here took to fully integrate. Since he will be gone before he can take full advantage of Colvain's power, it will pass to you. In a way, you will be fulfilling your father's wishes."

Erica froze, not having expected the topic to be brought up... or even known.

"How do you know what my father wanted for me?"

"He and I were friends. I know this may sound unbelievable coming from a member of the Luridus high council but it's true. In recent years, many of my people have grown tired of the never-ending war between our nations, myself included. After the battle of Tirowei, the casualties we suffered were unimaginable. Many believed it was an acceptable loss. Others were not convinced of that. The debate of acceptable losses has been a fiery one for quite some time. The concept of summoning demonic forces was discussed to alleviate our casualties but once you go down that path, there is no going back. It was clear there were a great many of those on our side of the fight who were willing to go as far as it took to win, even at the cost of our souls. Colvain and I were not about to do something that dire. So, without the permission of the other council members, we arranged a secret meeting with someone from the Varithan. As it turned out, it was your father and a dragon by the name of Lord Pyre."

A new voice spoke up, sounding different from the young lady's.

~My father?~

The woman blinked hearing the new voice, looking past Erica's eyes, sensing the presence of another.

"Jerith? Is that you?"

The dragon in question responded, seemingly from nowhere.

~Yes, I'm here. Erica and I bonded when we were very young. We have been inseparable figuratively ever since. Now, it is much more literal.~

"And what are you two doing here?"

Erica shifted under the added weight softly, blushing as shi felt the still firm length shi had yet to grow accustomed to. With a jostle, the dragoness managed to scoot hir spine up against the headrest of the lounge chair, finding comfort in the support.

"We were sent by our own council... basically to spy on what was going on here. It looked like Phinehas was planning something rather large, some kind of attack."

Anastasia nodded quietly, frowning as she peered out the window at the dying sun, looking so eerie as it was consumed by the wicked trees of the land.

"Yes, he was. He was a very ambitious man. Too ambitious in my opinion. He wanted to be given the power to crush the enemy by any means necessary. When we refused his proposal to summon an army of undead for him command, he grew angry, blinded by his hatred for anyone who would dare to stand in his way. I had no idea he had learned the ancient magic of taking another's soul... but at least Colvain won't be trapped in him too much longer. Someone far better will be his vessel now."

Erica blinked rapidly, thinking shi had heard in error.

"Wait... Colvain's soul?!"

Anastasia nodded as though it was of little consequence to her. Perhaps the old man wasn't long the world and she had already prepared for such an eventuality.

"Yes, his soul. Through Phinehas' cold-blooded ruthlessness and your cunning, you have put yourself in a position to receive a great deal of power. Colvain's spirit would be able to continue to live through you. You would still be in control of your own actions but you will have his strength and his wisdom at your disposal. I don't think your mission here could have a more fitting conclusion. With his abilities, we could put a stop to this conflict. And what's more, your dealing with Phinehas has prevented him from carrying out whatever sinister plans he might have had."

The dragoness considered the possibility. Hir thoughts swirled over and over again across all that had happened to his during the last day or so, but hir mind continued to return to mention of hir father's wishes, unable to hold back hir curiosity.

"Yes, that's all fine and good, but what did you mean by what my father would have wanted for me? All I recall him asking was if I wanted to take his place as leader of our people."

Jerith broke in as politely as he could, having been listening to their conversation and putting the pieces together himself.

~I think she meant you taking his place in the effort to end the war. From the sound of things, even if they win, the Luridus would be torn apart by civil unrest; who would be in charge of what, how it would be run, how the surviving members of the other side would be dealt with. It would be a bloody, chaotic attempt to fill the void our people would leave behind. I'm sure our side would have a similar fiasco on our hands if we were to somehow won.~

Anastasia nodded, agreeing with the beast unseen.

"Exactly. No matter who wins, we all will eventually lose. Greed for land, lust for power, desire for vengeance... it will tear either side apart. With you here now, I think we can slow things down to a point where a negotiation could be worked... but it will be tricky. I would need you to remain here in Phinehas' place, taking over his command."

Erica's stomach tightened, providing an uncomfortable sensation, not due to the oversized swell shi contended with but from the thought of suddenly changing sides.

"I don't know if I can do that. It would feel too much like betraying my people."

"I can understand your concern but at least listen to my request. I would have you stationed near the frontier so that you could monitor both sides, mainly the Luridus should any of Phinehas' supporters try to mount an assault in his stead." Things suddenly grew more complicated hearing mention of supporters.

"He had friends?" Erica spoke through a gentle moan, having hoped that digesting the horrid little man currently stuck in hir belly would have been enough to stop things in their tracks. At mention of the existence of supporters, it became clear that the crafty captain had left contingencies in place just in case something were to happen to him; like being eaten.

"He was part of a faction among our ranks that believes your people should be wiped out completely and that any Luridus that disagrees with them is a traitor to their own kind. They are responsible for this entire renewed conflict, and Phinehas himself is the man responsible for the death of your father and Lord Pyre's injured leg."

Erica sat completely stunned, never having known who killed hir father. The fact that shi had managed to devour his murderer brought with it a new, strange satisfaction. Shi was glad shi had gone through the trouble, glad that shi had been able to avenge hir father. The instant shi realized that fact, shi realized another.

"So that's why the council sent us to this specific camp. Pyre knew we would run into Phinehas. Either we'd find out on our own that he had killed my father or he would send a force to do the job instead. Why didn't he tell us?"

~He knew how much you loved your father and to what extent you'd go to avenge his death if you ever knew who had killed him.~

Erica frowned and looked off into space, speaking to hir counterpart, looking as if shi were talking to an imaginary friend.

"You knew and you didn't tell me!?"

Jerith whimpered softly in hir mind, having always been afraid of incurring hir wrath, more for fear of hir leaving him than anything else. Now, that would prove quite impossible.

~I'm sorry. Father swore me to secrecy when he returned from the meeting. He told me what I should say instead so that you wouldn't become blinded by your desire to avenge him and risk getting yourself killed in the process. We withheld his name to protect you, not him. I couldn't stand the thought of losing you. I am truly sorry I could not tell you before.~

The dragoness huffed, resulting in a small cloud of smoke puffing from hir nose. The odd occurrence caught hir attention and distracted hir for a brief moment before shi recalled the matter at hand. The more shi thought about it, the more shi realized Jerith was right and hir anger subsided.

"Well, at any rate, I've got the bastard right where I want him. But if you have any other secrets like that, you had better tell me. I'm not the same girl I was back then. I've grown up a lot."

~I promise, I won't withhold anything like that ever again, after all, how can I now that you and I are joined?~

Jerith's presence in hir mind welled up around hir consciousness, providing hir with a warm, secure sensation similar to what shi had grown to love about being encased in his flesh.

"Good point. Now, about this whole stationing situation. If I do this, I will want a different sort of people under my command. The sort I've seen here turns my stomach."

Anastasia nodded in agreement. There was a look on her face that betrayed the level of disgust and contempt she held for the grimy little goblins Phinehas used for grunts, among the other somewhat nightmarish creatures and men at his disposal.

"They do me as well but then Phinehas was of the mind that anyone willing to obey his orders and capable of actually doing so was worth having in his command. You can have whoever you want, Luridus or Varithan. In fact, I would encourage a mixture of the two. There are groups on both sides willing to set aside their differences and work towards a common goal, though they are small in number on my end. You would have to speak to Lord Pyre about those you could trust to not let history get in the way of the mission."

The emerald dragon agreed on the matter, wincing as hir sleeping passenger kicked lightly in his slumber, though lightly for him was enough to snap the leg of a desk. Luckily, hir new draconian form provided hir with the durability shi would need in order to withstand such movement.

"Alright, then I suppose Jerith and I have no qualms with the proposal. I would like to take Phinehas' former wives with me. They seem to have grown attached to me, either because I promised to protect them from him or because I showed them the sort of kindness he never provided. I told them we were family, that we were sisters."

The woman chuckled quietly, giving the dragon's firm belly a stroke here and there.

"Well, I should tell you, it isn't uncommon for an old law of ours to still be followed today. If you have proper reason to kill someone, you are given all they possessed. And since he killed your father, I would be willing to uphold your gaining all that was Phinehas' including his post, his title, his land, and his wives, though since you are from Varithan, you may not care for the state in which his land is kept. It's similar to the forests here."

Erica furrowed hir brow, pausing a quiet purr as the woman's hand continued to trace circles about the swollen dome.

"Wait, not all of Luridus is like this?"

"My gracious no. Most of it isn't too dissimilar to the lands of Varithan, though it does have a darker feel to it, as if you were wandering about your own woods on a night with a brilliant full moon to light the grounds. Why do you think we call ourselves 'night elves'?"

Jerith was just as surprised by the news as Erica, already summoning images of the two of them hunting every day in the woods, running free and wild through the trees as he loved to do at night. The dragon's vision was wonderful in the absence of the sun, bathing the world in a soft glow where heat was more concentrated.

~I could definitely get used to something like that. I love the night.~

"Then perhaps you two will be happy living on this side of the frontier after we remove the blight Phinehas and the others have put on this land. For now though, I think we should relax and enjoy ourselves. We've achieved a great victory today, even if it was at the cost of my husband's life. Still, I take great comfort in knowing that you will be his successor and not the monster you managed to make a snack of." She grinned, moving her other hand to join the fist, massaging the dragoness' great, round belly.

"Mmm, it certainly does feel good, and not just because of vengeance, just being this full feels marvelous."

The woman smirked, moving to straddle Erica's hips, still rubbing hir middle firmly.

"You know, there is another way to fill that belly of yours. I used to do it all the time with Colvain. In fact, we were due for a session like that to take some years of his appearance, extend his life a bit longer like I normally did now and again."

Such an ability caught the jade woman's interest. Were it as easy to perform as shi thought, it very well could mean Lady Anastasia had discovered the gateway to immortality. Such secrets need be closely guarded, especially in the company Phinehas kept.

"Oh? How so?" Shi was careful not to sound too enthused to learn about this mysticism the noble woman spoke of, for fear that it might attract too much attention from others who might be listening in.

Anastasia grinned broadly, squeezing the gravid dome in front of her.

"Well I am quite the powerful sorceress. Every couple of decades, he and I would sneak off for a week or two and we would make him younger. Usually, it required a form a bit larger than this, not too much larger than the white dragoness I saw slinking around in the woods on our way in."

Erica blinked, hir train of though complete derailed.

"Nora came back? Damn, I told her to wait in the cave we found. The plan was if we didn't come back in three days to make for the frontier and tell Lord Pyre what had happened to us."

"It would seem she has grown too attached to you two to simply leave you behind. Perhaps you should call her in so she isn't harmed by the soldiers outside," The elfin woman maintained a cool, relaxed, almost aloof quality as she spoke and calculated, thankfully in a manner that generally benefited them both. The dragoness nodded softly and shifted forward, working hirself to hir feet as Anastasia stood with hir, "I'll pass on the news of your victory over Phinehas and your new role as their commander. Coming from me, they won't have any choice but to accept it."

Erica nodded with her.

"We can even find out who was in on his plans and punish them accordingly."

Anastasia laughed and wrapped an arm about the girl's shoulders as they walked to the door.

"What? You're going to eat them all?"

The emerald dragoness smirked.

"Perhaps I will, I am a dragon after all. What better way to get used to the idea than to act like one?" The two laughed, the mood having elevated to a point where they felt they could let their guard down and amuse one another. Without bothering to dress, Erica walked towards the doors with Anastasia nearby as the dragon's new sisters remained concealed for the moment, watching with curious eyes as the two left.

Word spread quickly of 'Tara's assumption of command in Phinehas' place and no one dared question a dragon after the events that had taken place over the last few days, especially when their former commander was sitting in hir stomach waiting to be finished off. Casually, the two strolled out past the edge of the tree line, Erica still bothered by the altered landscape. It took only moments to locate Nora who bounded over, practically bowling the green dragoness over.

~I was so worried! I saw the man kill one of the visitors and then you took the lady away with you! I thought he had used that stone on you!~

Erica managed to keep hirself from falling over as the other dragoness plowed into hir, overcome with concern.

"And I thought I told you to stay in the cave. Why'd you come back? You could have been caught and lord knows what they would have done to you this time!"

Nora lowered her head and whimpered, nosing at Erica's belly apologetically.

~I'm sorry, I just couldn't stay behind. I had to see if you were alright. I'm glad you didn't get hurt. Um... is that the man who sat outside the cage waiting for Jerith to digest you?~

Shi nodded, sitting down carefully to let the white creature examine hir bloated middle.

"Indeed he is! He even went in willingly, the idiot. Jerith and I are both in agreement that he was rather nasty tasting. Of course, we didn't tell him that." Shi giggled quietly and grinned up at Anastasia. After a few moments and some reassuring words from Jerith, Nora agreed to return to the keep with them, at least for the duration of Phinehas' remaining life. With the two ladies on either side of the white beast, no one risked questioning their decision to let her into the small castle with them, though a few did ask if they had found her companion, a question they all neglected to answer. Upon returning to the wives' chambers, which seemed to be best suited out of all the available quarters for a visiting dragon, the twelve girls all emerged from the other attached rooms. They all moved in to listen to the events that had transpired over the last few hours. Many of them giggled hearing how eagerly their former husband was to be devoured while others simply kept their attention on Erica's swollen middle. The night aged by and the group decided rest would be a wonderful idea considering how rapidly things changed during the evening and the lot ended up curled up about both Erica and Anastasia, with Nora pressed quite firmly against her draconian companion.

---

Morning came swiftly for the group and with it a wake up call Erica had not quite expected. Phinehas has roused before hir, pushing firmly against the walls around him. His approach was not terribly gentle, threatening to result in a nasty case of indigestion. His jostling and shouting trying to raise his supposed mate woke the others around them and soon, he could feel several pairs of hands pressing around him.

"I see you've told our secret to the other girls. I trust they took it well?"

Erica grinned, hiccupping softly as he continued to shift. In spite of hir jovial mood, shi recalled the discussion that had been held in private the night before. The decision both Jerith and Erica had agreed upon last night had been to be rid of him as soon as possible. The longer he survived, the longer he had to engineer some terrible plan to escape or somehow take revenge on his so-called lover. "Oh yes, better than I had hoped."

"Excellent, then you wouldn't mind letting me out right in front of them." He turned himself about, expecting his 'wife' to obey his request and release him quite promptly. The dragoness smirked and leaned back, moving hir hands behind hir head, deciding the direct approach would be best. After all, shi needn't worry about his lashing out, hir insurance the night before would prevent that, at least until he could think of a loophole.

"No, I don't think I will. You see, 'Tara' doesn't really exist. I told you, a bonded pair can do some rather incredible things, such as inhabit one body together, and let their once separate shapes intermingle."

Phinehas paused, the smile melting away from his face as he began piecing things together, growling and struggling more but finding it impossible to bring himself to exert the necessary force to escape.

"You're that bitch of an elf that got eaten by the green dragon my men caught! Erica! That's what your name was! You little traitor! I trusted you! Let me out this instant or so help me I'll tear you open myself!" His threat frightened the other girls, their hands moving away to take cover, but Erica hirself simply lay there, looking quite pleased with the situation despite the mild discomfort in hir belly.

"You wouldn't hurt your wife now would you?"

"I've killed other wives for far less than this!" His growls were bordering on insane rage, punching but somehow failing to put enough strength into the blows to do more than make an odd shape in the dragon's domed gut.

"It was your choice to let me use the stone. I decided that if I was going to have my way with you, I'd make sure you wouldn't dare harm your 'beloved.' After all, what kind of husband tries to kill his own wife just to save his own skin?" Shi laughed, pressing his fists back in as if to tell him he would find no exit that way.

"I'll kill you for this! I swear I will! Where's my stone!? What did you do with it!?"

Erica retrieved it from one of the piles of clothing, placing it softly on hir tummy over his head.

"I don't know where it possibly could be 'dear.' I think I might have lost it." Hir antics brought a mixed reaction. Some of the ladies gigged, others cringed in fear. Anastasia sighed quietly, not terribly pleased with the less than reverent attitude the emerald woman held toasted the stone. Still, at least shi wasn't using it to brainwash others. Again Phinehas roared in anger, struggling to think of a way out of his fleshy prison, hoping perhaps something would present itself.

"When I get out of here, I'll find out what you did with the stone, and I'll see to it you have no mind of your own left to change!"

"I thought you swore you'd kill me! Now you plan on keeping me alive as a sex slave?" Shi shrugged, plucked the stone from hir belly and eyed it for a moment, "If you want it so bad, here, take it." And with that, shi tossed it into the air, snapping it up in hir jaws, and swallowing it down to join the defeated man, still in denial of his lost battle. Anastasia blinked, trying to stop hir before it was too late but her hand was too slow, missing the rock by mere inches.

"Erica, I don't know what that will do to you."

The dragoness shrugged and leaned against the woman softly, taking one of her hands and moving it to hir belly.

"I'm sure it'll just pass on through after he's gone. Dragons can't digest rock... can they?"

~Some can. It's been said that was how the first of our kind gained our affinity with magic, by devouring gems and crystals and ores infused with the very magic of the land. I don't think anything harmful will come of it, but it was unwise to swallow such a powerful stone. We don't know how it will affect both of us in this state.~

Erica frowned and looked down at hir stomach, the man cackling as he gripped the rock, pressing it out against hir flesh in a feeble attempt to regain his hold on the situation.

"Let me out, cough me up this instant, I command it!"

The green dragoness' embarrassment and guilt faded to a grin as shi altered hir voice to suit that of one affected by the stone.

"Yes master... at once..."

A rumble surrounded the man as suddenly, a splash of something wet and cold landed on him followed by a quiet belch from above.

"I said let me out not take a drink!"

Erica grinned again and giggled.

"Oh I'm sorry, I thought you said you wanted a bath. Don't worry, you'll be let out soon enough, just not in the manner you're asking for."

With his efforts thwarted, he wriggled about angrily once more, attempting to blast his way out. The dragon's belly began to glow from the inside as he channeled his energy into a great sphere of light. Unfortunately for Phinehas, the programming Erica instilled resulted in a strange lack of willpower. He suddenly found he could not bring himself to gather sufficient power to cause hir any harm, no matter how healthy his hatred for hir was. The sphere ricocheted about the chamber wildly, providing a curious tickle sensation that made the dragoness giggle even more. His last ditch effort proving to be a failure, the former captain grumbled, his madness fizzling out into a deranged laughter as he realized his inevitable fate.

"At least I get to join the two of you already locked up in that head of yours!" He cackled through his insanity, now quite clearly mad as a hatter. Erica poked him softly from outside, shattering that thought as well.

"I'm afraid not 'honey.' Sure I could but there wouldn't really be any benefit to it. I really don't want a psychopath running around in my head with me. Jerith isn't too keen on the idea either."

~Indeed. It would be quite distracting during our new mission given to us by Lady Anastasia. Your absence would make our job a great deal easier, not to mention enjoyable. Now I would suggest that if you have any remaining hope of escape that you will hold still and try to slow your breathing. Erica has just cut off your air supply and begun to do what you were so eager to watch the other night.~

Phinehas' eyes widened hearing mention of the elder's name, his rage resurfacing. All of the audience in the room found it curious how quickly he could switch between emotions and how unstable he truly was. The more they saw of him, the more thankful they were that there existed a layer of flesh and scale holding him back for his final moments.

"You set that wench free!? No! After so many months of planning, after finally getting my hands on Colvain's power, you can't deny me the pleasure of knowing she's dead! Devour her! Send her in here with me! I want to watch her die along with me!"

"No, I don't think I will. I don't see any point in it." Erica crossed hir arms, sounding almost like a defiant, pouting child in hir retorts to the mentally questionable fellow. Phinehas fought harder, trying to entice the dragon into a larger breakfast so that he could have at least some satisfaction in his failed plans.

"You can take her power! Her strength is immense! You would not believe what she is capable of! She is deceitful and greedy! She is a traitor and cannot be trusted!"

"Traitor to you, but valuable aid to me and my kind, as well as my father."

He grinned, thinking he could still take the upper hand. He still had a card he could play and he knew it was one the woman holding him would not be able to dismiss so easily. It was guaranteed to draw out a reaction.

"You never did find out what really happened in the attack that killed him, did you. She was there, and she was the one who called our forces in to assault the dignitaries from your land. She murdered your father!" Anastasia rolled her eyes and elbowed the captain's wriggling form deep in Erica's stomach, silencing him.

"Quit spreading lies. Try to die with a little dignity. Shi won't believe you."

But the damage had already been done. Erica turned to gaze at the woman, unsure of what exactly to believe.

"Is there any truth to his story?"

Anastasia sighed and nodded, regretting having not told the whole story earlier.

"There is some, but not as he would have you believe it. I did call for him to join us, in the hopes that he would become a part of our secret effort, but he betrayed me. He brought with him half a dozen of his best warriors and took the opportunity to assassinate your father. Indirectly, I am responsible for his death, and I have regretted ever trusting this monster in the first place. One would think for all my years, I wouldn't be so naïve. I should have seen through his insincerity and it cost both of us dearly." Her tone had turned quite somber now, expecting Erica to want retribution for the act, "If you so desire me to join him so that your vengeance would be complete, I would ask that you only spare me a lengthy death."

The dragoness' eyes hardened hearing the woman speak, hir fists balling up tightly as hir own anger began to bleed through into hir muscles. An arm lifted suddenly and fell with intense force, not on Anastasia who did not even so much as cower before the dragon's wrath, but on hir own stomach, striking the heartless man inside.

"You coward! You tricked my father into thinking you were there to join the cause only to kill him!? You have no honor whatsoever! At least Anastasia here had the decency to admit what she had done!"

It wasn't the reaction the former captain had hoped for. His game now completely failed, he screamed and fought wildly, seeing that he would have no mercy, thus speeding his own demise in his fit of blind rage. Within moments, he fell silent amidst the gurgles and grumbles of the dragon's powerful stomach. By the time his movement stopped, it was already well on the way to make short work of him. The woman at Erica's side looked up, only to bow her head in gratitude for sparing her life.

"Thank you, I feel I'm not worthy of your compassion. I swear I will do all I can to help you protect your people and your land. You have my word."

Erica's blue eyes lit up as shi jerked hir gaze to the woman's, the look silencing her quickly.

"If you think you're getting out of this without a trip in there, you're sadly mistaken. After all, he enjoyed it for the time I kept him alive. I think it's only fair that you serve at least a little time." Shi smirked, unable to maintain the serious face through the entire speech. Anastasia blinked in incredulity as she slow came to the same conclusion Erica had. Within moments, the woman was laughing as though she had been quite tickled by something. If only she had met Erica and Jerith sooner, things might have turned out quite different for the entire group.

"I'm sure it would be quite fitting, but if I may, I think I know a more appropriate, or at least more pleasing place for you to put me. It would of course require you to take on a larger shape, perhaps the form Jerith usually took when he swallowed you?"

Erica tilted hir head slightly.

"You knew we did that before we met today?"

Anastasia nodded with a chuckle.

"Lord Pyre kept me well informed of his son's exploits as I him of my own children. It allowed us a common ground on which to stand. Now if you please, may I see what his son looks like?"

Erica blushed gently and nodded, closing hir eyes to focus on the image of hir lover's form as shi began to change. Within moments, the proud, strong dragon Jerith once was stood before the entire group, inspiring awe from the other girls as they continued to caress the beast's gurgling belly. Anastasia stood, stroking the dragon's head affectionately as she began to slip out of her own clothing, planting a soft kiss on the end of the beast's muzzle. The show of affection made the sizable beast blush.

"I take it you like him?"

The lady nodded with a grin, the last of her clothing dropping away to reveal her nude form, not too dissimilar from Erica's though with a pale blue mixed into her smooth skin.

"I do indeed. A fine beast to be protected by. You two must have enjoyed one another's company a great deal."

~That we did m'lady, and we still do. I was concerned Erica would be displeased with no longer being able to curl up in my belly every night but shi seems quite content with the new state of things. We have even managed to learn how to, at times, act together when controlling our shared body. It is far more intimate a union than we could have ever hoped for and I am pleased beyond words that shi has embraced it so.~

The now nude woman nodded, sitting down in front of the dragon as shi sat on hir haunches as well, built in the appearance of a male more than a female in this shape. It was of little consequence how shi looked. Gender was difficult to tell with such a dragon. Anastasia ran her fingers along the emerald scales of Erica and Jerith's chest and neck softly, having always enjoyed the company of such a creature.

"Perhaps one day, I may have the good fortune of finding my own dragon to bond with, at which point, we both could enjoy some unusual pastimes don't you think?"

Nora nosed her muzzle up under Anastasia's free hand, purring quietly as she was soon given the same attention her companion was.

~I like her, she's friendly. She has a kind aura, not like the man you ate. He had a terrible darkness about him.~

Both dragon and woman alike turned to the white creature in mild surprise. The lady Anastasia was the first of the two to voice what was on their minds.

"You could see his aura? Usually only those well studied in the arts of magic can see a person's inner light."

Erica blinked at Anastasia's response to the comment, looking between them curiously.

"You could hear her?"

The woman nodded softly, thinking nothing of it.

"Of course, aren't you providing me a conduit like Jerith could for you before the two of you joined?"

The dragoness shook hir head and looked at hir white counterpart, Nora's tail beginning to swish behind her hopefully.

"No, I severed the link just as Phinehas woke me up so you wouldn't have to feel him trying to get out. If you heard her, it was because she's linked directly with you."

Anastasia batted her eyes for a moment before her lips pulled into a broad smile, turning quickly into a laugh.

"Oh my, that seems just far too convenient to be true!"

Nora looked between the two, wondering if there was still some doubt to the question.

~So, are we truly linked? I've found my bonded one!?~

Her excitement was difficult to contain and grew even more as Anastasia wrapped her arms about the smaller beast's neck, kissing her cheek with glee.

"I do believe so. Perhaps you'd like to join me for my 'prison time' in our friend's belly?"

Erica's jaw dropped slightly, hanging open for a moment before shi finally managed to speak up.

"B-both of you!? At once!? I can't hold that much!"

Jerith chuckled softly in hir mind as well as the minds of the others in the room.

~Of course you can my love. I didn't mention this earlier but before I met you, I once got in a fight with another dragon, a Luridus dragon. He was considerably larger than me, not too far from twice my size. We scrapped for a good while before I managed to get his head in my mouth and just went from there. It took me three whole days to get back down to a point where my legs reached the ground again, and the rest of that week to shrink the rest of the way back down, but I managed to fit him in me. Lord he was mad! These two, I don't think you would have any trouble with, especially if they're planning an entrance the way I think they are.~

"Planning an entrance? You mean they don't want me to swallow them?"

~No my dear, you didn't hear her mention 'a more appropriate place'? And besides, we're rather busy finishing off that horrid little man. They wouldn't last too long in there with him if you gobbled them up. No, what Lady Anastasia has in mind is different.~

The woman waved a hand dismissively, never having enjoyed going by an official title around those she considered friends.

"Please, just Anna will do. There's no need to be formal when we are naked, especially when we are about to engage in something quite intimate," She smiled to the two-in-one beast before her. Erica blushed and Jerith consented to the more casual reference, giving his lover a bit of a hitch under hir rump, resulting in a slight jump into a standing position. Shi yelped quietly as hir hind end started upwards, surprised by Jerith's eagerness to begin. Anna laughed and led Nora around behind the green dragon while the other ladies watched curiously, "Now girls, once Nora and I come back out, I'm sure Erica and Jerith would be more than happy to give you each a ride in where we'll be curled up. I'm quite certain they'll adore this little adventure." With that, the woman lifted the green beast's tail, finding hir genitals easily enough. A few rubs along hir already quite firm shaft brought with it a deep rumbling of a purr from the dragon, then a sharp inhale as she caressed the smooth nethers just behind hir masculine region. A tease here and there came before a sudden plunge of Anna's arm into the warm, tight depths that awaited her. Erica moaned loudly, lowered hir chest to the ground, arched hir back, and lifted hir tail to the sky as many of the women watching began to whisper and giggle amongst themselves.

"Oh my gods above, it feels marvelous!"

Anna grinned and pushed her other arm in, spreading the tender folds just far enough to shove her head in, wriggling her shoulders to wedge them past the opening. The dragon's scent overpowered everything else in the slick, wet passage leading to the beast's other chamber, soaking the darker elf's luscious form in sweet moisture. Erica's tongue lolled from hir jaws as shi panted. Shi dug hir claws into the floor lightly as the undulating passage consuming hir new friend tugged firmly, somehow 'gulping' the woman in up to her hips. Hir already bulging middle began to stretch outward even further as hir ravenous cunny devoured Anna bit by bit, 'swallowing' her in a similar fashion as shi might when sliding someone past hir jaws. Deeper and deeper she sank as her legs vanished slowly until her feet, toes wriggling away, disappeared into the dragon's snatch, leaving Erica quivering in pleasure. Suddenly, movement filled hir belly as the woman turned around in the dragon's womb, pushing back out the way she had just entered. Needless to say, Erica was more than just a little exasperated from the whole experience.

"Wha? Does she w-want out al-already!?" Out of breath and agonizingly close to climax, hir hind legs remained quiet tense as shi tried to crane hir head back to see. Suddenly, a mass of fingers bloomed from the tight depths of hir vulva, Anna's head poking free.

"Come on Nora, room for one more. I promise, Erica won't feel any pain."

The white dragoness, having watched the whole process, and relished the idea, grinned and moved in close, running her tongue up over the green beast's groin, making sure to sample some of hir male portion in the process. Soon she was pushing Anna back in with her nose, the woman's hands and arms reaching out to help tug Nora's head in. A new gasp followed by a great moan came from Erica as hir nethers were assaulted again, this time spread even wider than before. Hir counterpart was left speechless by the intense sensations, still very much unfamiliar with a woman's pleasure. Part of him hoped he would never grow accustomed to it.

Nora's long, smooth, graceful neck provided the most glorious sensation shi had ever felt, reminding hir of hir coupling with Jerith before they had fused, only larger. By now, the other ladies were busy pleasuring one another as they watched the smaller dragoness disappear into the larger one, working her way into their new mistress's womb as Anna had only moments before. The woman already tucked away inside began to curl back up as her new partner joined in, pushing her front legs in with great ease, surprised how far Erica could stretch.

"It-it's too much! I can't hold it back!" The elf turned dragon cried out above all the other noises of pleasure in the room as hir mate's voice surrounded and comforted hir, sounding as though he was quite overwhelmed by the sensations as well. He would have only a few brief moments of lucidity to try and offer his support until he fell back into his own, non-corporeal writhing.

~Just relax... and let it... happen... it feels wonderful doesn't it?~

"Yes! It does! It's incredible!" As shi tried to describe it again, Nora's chest disappeared into hir canal completely, causing a sudden, intense contraction about both hir passengers. It brought with it a mighty 'swallow' of hir vagina as well, as the most breath-taking, mind-altering climax swept over both Erica and Jerith. They cried out together, mixing hir new draconian roar with Jerith's unheard voice throughout the room and beyond. A steady, rapid slurping came from behind the green dragon as hir nethers continued to consume Nora's smooth form. Erica worked down the smaller dragon's flanks easily enough as shi thrashed hir forelegs about, scraping hir claws across the marble floor, digging shallow ruts into the stone.

Finally, it all subsided and the last of hir companion's tail disappeared into the dragon's labia. Erica's belly was now bloated out massively, so large it would drag on the floor as shi walked. The emerald beast panted to catch hir breath, flopping onto hir side as the ladies all rushed forward to give the even larger swell as much affection as they could shower hir with. Deep inside, both Anna and Nora squirmed until they reached a comfortable position, the elf pressed lovingly against her new partner's chest and the dragon's tail stuffed quite nicely between her legs. Words would be sparse in this new environment, but Anna managed to let slip one last thought before she dared to let Erica's womb and heartbeat lull her to sleep.

"Mmm, perhaps you and I could try this sometime, me inside you."

Nora giggled happily, nuzzling her new mate's cheek with glee.

~I would love to, but for now, I'd like to just stay like this. Erica and Jerith will keep us safe and warm.~

Anna nodded in agreement as they slowly drifted off while the beast containing them fought to regain hir composure, looking down at hir ridiculously stretched belly, unable to keep from laughing.

"I look like I'm about to have a clutch of a hundred eggs!"

Jerith chuckled and joined hir in the sentiment.

~Yes we do, and I must admit, you wear the look well. I can't wait to see what you look like when you are actually with child.~

Up until that very moment, the thought had never hit hir. Children? Could shi really have them like this? True shi had discussed it earlier but it was more to maintain appearances while Phinehas was still a threat. Now that he was gone, the notion came to the forefront of hit mind. Could shi really? Was it possible? Jerith assured hir that whether shi chose a dragon or an elf to mate with, either could help hir conceive. He mentioned it was even possible for hir to return to hir elfin shape, with the added feature below, of course. That little addition to hir anatomy wasn't going to be leaving anytime soon. It was only fair that if they could use Jerith's guise, that hir old form be available for use as well, though they both admitted the hybrid form would no doubt be their body of choice. The day continued to pass as the group lounged about, Erica reveling in the new delights shi had been shown as hir stomach quietly finished its work. Within just an hour of the gurgles going quiet, shi found hirself hungry again and decided it was time to find out who had plotted to overthrow the council with Phinehas.

"Guards!" Hir voice was quite powerful now that shi had a much larger set of lungs behind it, summoning the men standing outside. They were quite intimidated by the sight of a heavily swollen dragoness staring back at them, "I'm curious to find out what all my late husband was planning. Bring me his papers and scrolls... as well as those who were his closest advisors... and be quick. I don't want this matter to remain unknown for very long!" Taking full advantage of hir size and fear-instilling shape, shi barked hir orders as the men scrambled to carry them out. Within moments, all of the former captain's paperwork was laid out before hir and three men were brought in to speak with hir.

"Yes m'lady, how can we be of service?"

"It has come to my attention that my dearly departed husband had in his mind plans to make more of himself than he was currently. This I realized from his theft of Colvain's power and the attempted subjugation of Lady Anastasia who is indisposed at the moment and will not be disturbed," Hir eyes shifted between the three men, locking with their gaze sharply as a light purple shine flickered behind the two azure pools sizing the advisors up, "I want to know who and what all was involved, down to the last detail." As hir eyes began to glow purple, the three men found themselves with a softer stare, as if looking off into space, and sporting a blank look before the dragon thumped hir tail on the floor loudly to get their attention, "Gentlemen! The details! Now!"

Immediately, they all scrambled forward to organize the papers and maps in front of their new commander, quick to obey. Roughly half an hour passed after the initial meeting with the three advisors and in that time every last sordid detail of Phinehas' plan to conquer not just Varithan but the whole of Luridia as well was laid bare; from an assault on the frontier, meeting with the heads of state to negotiate their surrender, robbing them of their power as he had Colvain, then turning his sights on the rest of the Luridus council. It was a terrifyingly lucrative plan, one that would have succeeded had Erica and Jerith not intervened.

"As you can see m'lady, it was a grand scale operation and with the support of the other houses in our faction, he would have achieved victory in less than two years. Would you care to take over in his stead and unite both lands under your rule?"

The dragoness snorted smoke at the men gruffly.

"Such a plan is unbecoming of a lady! Barbarism is what it is! Going about killing and stealing souls. I'll have nothing to do with it! If I were to take both lands as my own, I would be far more diplomatic about it, none of this spilling blood needlessly when it could easily backfire should a spy carry word of it to either side. It is ridiculous! I'm outraged my husband could even think of going through with such a dastardly plan! I want a list made up of all those involved in this conspiracy at once! Down to the last man and his mount!" Hir eyes took on the same violet hue as before as shi spoke, bringing with it the same vacant expression among the men as before but lasting much shorter this time. Immediately, they began discussing names among one another, scribbling them down on pieces of parchment. Their efforts were completed within just two hours as the lists were handed over to the green beast.

"That is the entire list m'lady. Every last member of Phinehas' organization. What are your orders?" Unwittingly, the three fools had put their own names at the tops of their individual lists, catching Erica's eyes quickly. Jerith grinned behind hir gaze and urged hir onward, assuring hir shi would be fine save immobility for a day or so.

"My orders are for you all to strip down and approach one by one. You three are guilty of conspiracy to overthrow two major national powers with the intent of place the land they both governed under the rule of a dictator! Come and receive your punishment!"

They all nodded, once more entranced by the dragon's violet stare. A line was formed and dealt with in short order. One by one, Erica snacked on the three advisors, slurping them down more casually than shi had Phinehas, finding them more appealing to hir pallet than the odious man shi had the displeasure of calling husband for a brief time. Soon, hir bloated stomach had grown so massive, shi found it difficult to move, opting to drag hir weighted gut towards the bath with the aid of the women, all of them pleased that the three men shi had devoured were now gone. It wasn't just Phinehas they worried about coming and taking what he wanted when he wanted it. If he was in such a mood, he might have one of them sent to his officers' chambers as a reward for a job well done. Again, they found themselves growing more attached to the dragoness who had come to protect them.

Erica sloshed hir heavy belly into the water, laying on hir side with hir head resting on the edge of the pool, looking up at hir sisters and smiling tiredly at them.

"I'll bet you didn't expect any of this when I came strolling in yesterday now did you?"

They all chuckled and moved closer, caressing and bathing hir lovely, smooth hide down to the last inch, seeming to linger about hir more tender regions delightfully. Both dragon and elf alike agreed they had enjoyed their assignment here despite the dangers they had faced.

~Perhaps we should experiment with other combinations of form we might have taken, it might prove rather illuminating for other couples who end up joined like us.~

"Good idea, but... tomorrow. I'm tired... too much to eat makes me sleepy."

Jerith chuckled, agreeing with hir. Erica simply purred hirself into a comfortable nap while hir sisters continued to massage hir swollen belly.

---

Lucius paced across the floor of the council chamber. The meeting had adjourned just moments earlier but the young elf remained behind as did Lord Pyre, watching him patrol the smallish are.

"If you're not careful, you'll wear a path into the floor."

Lucius turned quickly to face the old dragon.

"I've good reason to be this agitated! It's been over a month since Erica and Jerith left and we haven't heard anything from them!" In spite of his discomfort with her lifestyle, he was genuinely worried about his sister. He had not been sleeping well because of it. The old beast groaned a little as he forced himself up onto his aching leg, leaning heavily on his cane.

"I am as worried as you my boy, but you can't let others see your concern. You are a leader among your people and have a responsibility to keep their hopes up. If they see you despair, they will as well."

The young man growled and kicked the chair he had been sitting in, knocking it back a good distance, raising his voice angrily.

"I can't just become some heartless, emotionless monster! She is my sister!"

Pyre gripped Lucius' shoulder tightly, his one hand restraining him easily enough to sequester his actions.

"No, not heartless. But you have to control yourself. Being a leader isn't easy and sometimes it can be more than one can bear. I understand how you feel, I truly do, but they agreed to the dangers of the mission. You and I both knew this could happen."

The elf struggled against the dragon's grip, wearing himself out before slumping to the ground in front of him, his rage giving way to sorrow.

"I sent her off to her death. It's my fault. I killed her."

Pyre growled, dropping his cane and lifting the elf from the ground by the collar of his shirt. His voice came through mixed with a deep, throaty rumble that added gravitas to his words.

"No you didn't! They willingly agreed to the mission and you know it! Stop taking the blame when we are all guilty of making the request!" He snorted at Lucius who by now had a look of terror on his face, his legs kicking fruitlessly in the air before being dropped roughly on the smooth stone floor. He winced and rubbed his sore backside, looking up at the irate beast before him.

"You didn't have to drop me so hard."

"You're young. You'll heal. And hopefully it knocked some sense into you!" His tail coiled about the dropped cane, returning it to his hand as he composed himself, "I know this doesn't sound like it makes any sense... but sometimes, you have to keep yourself from taking on the weight of the world," Pyre lowered his tone back to the calm state he was more comfortable with while Lucius furrowed his brow, opening his mouth to voice his confusion. He was quickly cut off, "I know, I know, you're a leader, that's your job. There are times when you will have to take responsibility for a bad decision that may have actually been made by someone else... but then there are times where you have to tell yourself it isn't your fault so you can move on and keep doing your job. A good leader can take bad news with the appropriate level of emotion or detachment. It's a difficult skill to master."

"And just how will I know what level to use?" The young man's voice carried with it a hint of disdain, still cranky over being dropped like he was one of Pyre's pups; he had seen such measures used on his children when they misbehaved. It was rather embarrassing being disciplined in such a manner, even for his children.

"Experience will teach you. It takes time to learn how to deal with being a leader. Had your father lived longer, he would have been able to teach you in greater detail. I've tried to in his absence but, I fear my approach to teaching it would not have been quite what your father would have wanted for you. Now on your feet, it's time I let you in on something not known to the entire council. Come with me." He turned and walked out, leaving Lucius to scramble to catch up with him. Even while depending on a cane, Pyre still had a rather swift gait, keeping him ahead of the young elf, which was his intention. Lucius resorted to jogging just to keep up with the dragon.

"Where are we going? What are you talking about?"

"You'll see. I hope you like traveling on foot because we'll be doing a great deal of it. Now step to, lad! You're the young one here, you should be outpacing me!" He smirked, listening to Lucius grumble away behind him.

"I probably would if I was your son. Can you please slow down a little?"

The dragon snorted indignantly, a harmless gesture in his current mood.

"I may be old but I've still just as much strength as I had two hundred years ago! I intend on using it! Now look lively and hurry up! We've somewhere to be!" He was quite spirited today. Whether it was due to whatever his plans were or just to distract Lucius from sulking was difficult to discern.

After three hours travel on foot, Pyre finally slowed to a stop, leaning against a tree so that his company could rest. The elf stumbled to a halt as well, leaning forward with his hands on his knees breathing heavily. The dragon chuckled quietly as he slipped to the ground with a light groan, extending the sore leg that had been complaining for the last mile.

"You did well keeping up. Your father would be throwing pine cones at me to slow down by now."

Lucius looked up at the beast, slumping into his own seated position nearby.

"You used to make my father chase you?"

"Oh I wouldn't put it that way. I would call it more a mutual leg exercise. We would come out this way to take care of some private business and on the way we would make sure we weren't getting so old we couldn't make the trip on foot."

Slowly, Lucius' chest began to slow, catching his breath.

"Private business?"

Pyre nodded as me massaged the ache out of his thigh.

"The same business I've brought you out here to help me attend to. About two years before his death, your father and I were requested to meet two members of the Luridus council just outside the frontier. Now before you start jumping to conclusions, we were not traitors. The meetings were to foster relations between both sides."

The elf, now shocked by the news stared up at the dragon, not wanting to believe his father was betraying his people.

"Foster relations!? By what!? Giving the enemy information on the location of our forces? Assessments of our strengths? What!?"

Pyre frowned and thumped the elf's head lightly with the end of his tail.

"Mind who and what you're accusing. We have not given any such information to the other side. They contacted us first. Even though they are winning the war, there are those who think the victory may come at too high a cost and seek peaceful resolution. A secret alliance was forged between your father and I and the two representatives with the sole purpose of ending this war with as little bloodshed as possible and with no redistribution of land or power. Since your father's death, I have been coming to these meetings alone, hoping I could one day bring you. My gradual attempt to win you over was a little too slow it seems. They have requested your presence specifically. Why, I don't know. What I do know is we must be cautious. Though these two may be friends, we all have discovered that we may not be able to trust others we bring into our circle."

Lucius rubbed his head, still not enjoying Pyre's method of punishment. The mention of others being untrustworthy sparked a thought, connecting with circumstances he thought he knew.

"That's how my father actually died, isn't it?"

Lord Pyre nodded solemnly, still regretting the incident.

"Yes, it is. We felt we both had earned enough trust in each other to bring our most trusted officers along to join the small conference. Your father and I brought ours, and the Luridus council brought one of their own, a young captain by the name of Phinehas. The meeting was held as planned but Phinehas decided he wanted no part of it, even from the moment he had been requested to come. He had men follow him, and when he felt the time was right, he ordered an attack. Your father was their first target. When I tried to pull him out of the way, my leg was pierced and it hasn't been the same since." He gave his thigh a light pat, not relishing the memory of that day. A look of rage began passing through Lucius' face, clenching his fists and grinding his teeth.

"My father's murderer has gone free all this time and you didn't bother to tell me until now?" Another thump of the tail saw his fury quelled for the moment.

"I kept it secret so you wouldn't go barreling off seeking vengeance! Phinehas is powerful. Not even I would try fighting him on my own, and his station is too deep in Luridus territory to assault, which is why I suggested we send your sister, to assess the situation and see if he could be drawn out."

"But instead, he found out who she was and killed them both." A third slap of the tail brought with it a complaint this time.

"We don't know that for certain so keep quiet about it. When the time is right, I will mention the operation and what its intended outcome was. We may be on good terms with them but tact and discretion is still required. They may be able to help us learn of Erica and Jerith's situation."

Lucius rubbed his head, now developing a light bruise hidden by his dark hair. The small thumps, though unpleasant, served more as a reminder of the dragon's size and strength rather than to simply train the young man to mind his tone. Pyre could have ripped him apart with his bare claws, or even hurl him against a tree with a stronger swipe of the tail that had been antagonizing him. The fact he had done nothing more than the emasculating thwaps was enough to prove he had no intention of harming Lucius physically, but to make him think before speaking.

"So why do they want me specifically?"

"I don't know. Perhaps they have been in contact with Erica and Jerith. I had informed my son of the alliance before they departed, hoping they would not have to resort to contacting them. Maybe they are interested in turning Phinehas over to you as a token of their trust. Maybe they're just interested in meeting the son of Treydon. I don't know. There is but one way to find out."

Lucius slouched a little, already not liking the situation.

"And that's to go and ask them to their face."

Pyre nodded, noting that Lucius was fully rested, standing up and tapping the elf's leg with his can.

"That's right, and it's rude to be late so, on you feet. We've still a great deal more ground to cover."

"How much ground?"

The dragon turned, having already taken a couple of steps as Lucius was standing up.

"The distance isn't as important as the idea of covering it, now let's go."

The elf grumbled, realizing it was another one of Pyre's verbal lessons to teach him the point of asking intelligent questioning.

"And how much ground do you have an idea of covering?"

The dragon stopped and turned around.

"Ahh, now that is the question. The location we traditionally meet at is roughly two miles from the frontier defense line which we have already crossed. We still have just over a mile left and we've only another hour before the meeting so try to keep up."

Lucius groaned quietly, quickening his pace to keep up with the dragon.

"You couldn't have told me we were going out this far? I do have a horse you know. He's put out with me that I haven't been giving him enough exercise."

Pyre smirked a little.

"Told you did he?"

"No, the stable hand did. Said he would take Phillip out for a run tomorrow if I didn't get back from the meeting in time to take him out myself. I'm going to have to get him some carrots for breaking my promise."

The dragon frowned a little, not realizing the elf had made a prior engagement.

"I'm sorry, had I known I would have let you saddle up. But this is really for the best, two pairs of foot prints as light as ours are easier for rain to erase than a set of hoof prints. I'll apologize to him when we get back." The conversation died down to idle chatter as the pair continued their journey.

Both dragon and elf continued their trek before coming across a clearing that had quite obviously been outfitted with simple but effective facilities, a table of stone with chairs made of rock numbering four, the tree limbs above encouraged to grow tightly knit to provide a sort of canopy should the weather turn ill, and a well worn ring in the grass encircling the table, obviously from countless paces about the table. It was not terribly regal looking, but it certainly got the job done. The only thing that appeared to be missing was the other party.

"It would appear we are early. I apologize for working you so hard to get here."

Lucius grumbled, taking a seat on one of the rocks, rubbing his calves as they burned away.

"It's fine, tells me I need to build up my endurance anyway. How long do you think we'll have to wait?"

"Oh, not long I should expect. The delegates are usually quite punctual." Just as he spoke, a rustling came from the trees across the table from them, joined by the sounds of footsteps. The noise grew more noticeable until finally, a woman emerged from the tree line, brushing her hair out of her face and moving into the small, secluded clearing.

"Ahh, Lord Pyre, so good of you to come. And I see you've brought young Lucius with you. Excellent. I apologize for making the meeting on such short notice but it could not be helped. Much has happened in the last few weeks and I intend to share it all with you."

The dragon bowed his head, extending a hand to take Anastasia's gently, kissing the back of her palm as any gentleman would.

"It's quite alright m'lady. We only just arrived ourselves. Tell me, where is your husband?"

The darker elf lowered her gaze solemnly, still adjusting to her new life.

"He was taken from us not one month ago. He who betrayed all of us betrayed him to his death."

Pyre growled and took his own seat.

"That scum, Phinehas. Just give me two minutes alone with him. I'll teach him what true fear is."

"Oh I'm afraid that will not be possible. My companion will explain." She turned her gaze back to the trees as a voice could be heard drawing closer.

"No, I will not hide you again. We're here to meet the other diplomats- No, you can't stay here. I want you to meet them now scoot!" The voice brought hope to Lucius' eyes, recognizing the timbre. The source of the new footfalls came into view, a dragoness of white, looking quite shy and embarrassed. Behind her entered a green beast of similar decent though walking upright, dressed in the scant clothing shi had come to enjoy wearing. Hir gaze lifted from the timid Nora to the pair sitting across from Anastasia. Instantly, shi squealed with delight, darting around towards the young elf.

"Lucius! You came! I've missed you so much! I wanted to come home when we agreed but well... I've been busy!"

The man struggled to comprehend what was happening. This creature sounded exactly like his sister, acted like his sister, and even knew information only Erica would know. But this was no elf. Within seconds of embracing Lucius, the green dragoness turned and looked up at Pyre, smiling brightly and moving to give him a similar squeeze.

"It's good to see you too! I've missed both of you so much! How have things been since we left? Is everything okay?"

The dragon lord chuckled, already aware of what happened, returning the hug with gusto.

"We've faired well my dear. How have you been taking care of my son?"

"Oh he's great! We had a few bumps at the beginning of the mission but we managed to do alright for ourselves. Would you like to talk to him?"

Pyre nodded and Erica sat on the edge of the table, letting hir other half speak for himself.

~It's good to see you again, Father. I've truly missed you. And Lucius, I'm glad we could finally meet without you walking in on us.~

The elf's cheeks turned bright red as his mind finally began to accept what he was seeing and hearing.

"Erica? Jerith? Is that you!?"

Shi nodded with a giggle, kissing his cheek.

"That's right! We're sharing a body now, and it's all thanks to the little crystal amulet you gave me before we took off."

Lucius narrowed his eyes and looked up at the older dragon, suspecting he knew this would happen. Pyre chuckled through a sheepish grin.

"It was a precaution I wanted to ensure they would be able to take. It is a spell we discovered some generations ago. It's essentially how we managed to earn our upright state. They are both fully present and conscious, but in one body instead of two."

Erica nodded, squeezing hir brother again, unable to contain hirself. Lady Anastasia cleared her throat, having let reintroductions take quite long enough.

"If the shock has passed, I do believe we should get down to business, I did call us here for a reason." The woman slipped into he own seat with Nora on her haunches presently to her left. Erica nodded and moved back to the other side, beginning the discussion, starting with a debriefing of hir mission and all its details. When news of Phinehas' fate was mentioned, Pyre almost fell off the rock he was sitting on, laughing loud enough to frighten off the nearby birds. Lucius stared in disbelief, not sure if he should be thankful the monster was dead or upset that he could not avenge his father. Some solace was taken in the fact that it was his sister, albeit shi was a great deal different from what he remembered, who brought the man down.

"You... ate him!?"

Erica chuckled softly and nodded.

"Like a midnight snack. I'm a little surprised I didn't gain any weight because of it. I guess it has to do with being a dragon."

Pyre nodded lightly.

"That it does. With Phinehas no longer an issue, I trust you have selected someone to replace him? Someone you trust a great deal more?"

Anastasia's lips curled into a smile, obviously pleased with how well the meeting was going.

"I have indeed, and I've changed the nature of that position as well. Erica and Jerith here will replace him under the name Tara. Shi will take up station closer to the frontier and with your blessing, shi will oversee an encampment comprised of both Luridus and Varithan forces, a blending of the two sides in an effort to ease tensions and perhaps act as peacekeepers, handpicked to ensure that animosity between the two factions does not escalate any further than necessary."

Both dragon and elf alike remained quiet for a moment, each one considering the possible ramifications of such an endeavor. The two shared a look before discussing the matter in low voice, finally returning with their mutual answer.

"We agree to participate but only so long as we are allowed to aid in the selection of both sides. Naturally, you would be welcome to aid us in choosing our own men as well."

Lucius interjected before Pyre could continue, earning a look of mild irritation from the dragon.

"And we must be allowed to inspect the encampment whenever we choose. It's a risky venture and I'll not take any unnecessary chances."

Pyre elbowed the young elf lightly in the ribs, a motion unseen by those on the other side of the table.

"I was getting to that. It isn't that we don't trust who you've chosen nor do we doubt hir ability. It is merely that we feel we should tread carefully. This is unfamiliar territory for all of us. And to the point of selecting those to man the new post, I believe the more commanding officers are introduced to them, the less likely it is that anyone will second guess this Tara character my son and his love intend on portraying."

Anastasia nodded, stroking Nora's head affectionately, the white dragon purring ever so quietly between both dragoness and elf.

"Of course, we assumed you would want the right to inspect. I would still answer to this council. We are open to any other suggestions you two might have." The meeting continued on from there, the details of the new encampment elaborated upon until both sides were satisfied with the arrangement. Once business was completed, the talks turned to a more casual, personal nature, informing one another of the goings-on of each member. More laughter arose as Erica recounted how Anastasia, Jerith, and she opted to deal with those loyal to Phinehas. It had only been a few weeks since their blending but it seemed both elf and dragon were quite happy with their union. They neglected to mention the former captain's harem and what had become of the girls. It was deemed too private a matter to go into, especially in front of Erica's brother who no doubt would still feel uncomfortable with details of a sensual nature.

"So you two have enjoyed sharing one body I see." Pyre leaned back slightly, chewing quietly on a medicinal herb.

~More so than we could ever have imagined. We share thoughts, ideas, even our dreams. It is truly wonderful, even if we still don't fully understand how it happened.~

Pyre chuckled quietly, reaching into his pocket producing a small gem identical to the one Lucius gave Erica before they departed for their mission.

"You recall this do you not?"

The dragoness nodded, furrowing hir brow.

"Yes, I do. I knew that was part of the mystery, but how does it work?"

The elderly beast placed the small crystal on the table and leaned back, letting both Anastasia and Erica examine it more closely.

"All dragons have an inherent magic within them. If properly manipulated, it can mingle with the magic energy within others. With the proper level of discipline, a dragon can actually integrate another's energy into himself, fusing the two into one as you two have. Normally, this results in two minds residing within the dragon's original form, but since Jerith had learned the skill of altering his form, able to stand on two legs instead of all four, that ability welcomed Erica's form into the mixture, not just her mind. I must say, I am impressed with the results."

~But, I never studied this, how could I have absorbed her without knowing how to do so?~

"The crystal is a sort of catalyst. It provides the necessary focus and manipulation required though its range is quite limited, a limitation that worked out quite well for the two of you."

Erica recalled the words Lucius passed on to her when he gave her the necklace, smiling softly.

"Yes, yes it did. May we keep this?"

Pyre smirked a little, having taken note of the interaction between Anastasia and the white dragon next to her.

"Of course you may, though I would hold off using it until Jerith can teach Miss Nora how to shift between four and two legs. I'd hate to see you stuck the rest of your life wandering about on all fours." He winked coyly at dark complexioned elf. She blushed deeply and scooted closer to the white dragon.

"How did you know?"

"M'lady, she is of my kind, and I can tell when one of my kind has found their bond partner. It is as obvious to me as the table before us."

Again, Anastasia blushed and took the gem, concealing it in a safe place.

"Thank you Lord Pyre. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this."

"It is no trouble m'lady. I had a feeling it might be something either of you would be interested in."

"You could say that." She turned to look at Erica with a curious smile, "Thanks to you m'lord, I do believe relations between our two peoples will become a great deal closer."