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Book II – Medioterrae

Chapter XIII – When a Dragon Comes

The makeshift operation on Paul's hock took a lot out of the collie. The wound turned red and swollen on the first night and a fever set in. It was touch-and-go for a few days, so Chris felt it was better to keep the dog under so his body could concentrate on fighting the infection without the stress of decision making and the responsibilities of leadership weighing down on him. Fortunately, Chris still has good supply of stupefying drugs and Nahal had others should his supply run out.

The others needed a rest too after the battle and all the emotional tension leading up to it.

Darryl had approached Nahal the night of the battle to clear the air between them.

“I just want to know where I stand." He said when he got her away from the rest. “How much of what we did was because you wanted me to bring you close to James and how much, if any, was because you liked being with me?"

The slim human looked him directly in the eyes. “At first it was all to make you accept me and bring me along. But even the first time we were together I felt something … something more than when such acts were my profession. Maybe it was because you were so different. You did not remind me of any of the men who had paid to do those things to me, not physically, and not emotionally either. Or maybe …" She continued with newfound frankness when it came to discussing such things, “… it was just because your cock is so different that it reached places where inadequate humans never did. The forked tongue tricks didn't hurt either."

“Does that mean that you would consider taking up where we left off?"

“You do not feel too betrayed by my actions?"

Darryl thought about it. “In truth, I was more concerned with my own pleasure than the safety of our mission. I should have been wary of your sudden affections, especially when it shifted to James so suddenly, but I was too wrapped up in lust and jealousy to care. My mother used to say that 'you can only play someone for a fool if they already are one', so I guess I learned a lesson the hard way. I'm just thankful that it all worked out okay."

“Speaking of female dragons, I would have expected you to take up with the great Aldreda." She pointed her chin to where Ladread, back in dragon form, was sorting through her treasure pile, looking for things that could be used for splints and crutches.

“Normally a young adult like myself would not be interested in a fully mature female, nor would an immature male stand a chance with one." Darryl told her, then he continued with an embarrassed grin. “I did ask her if she would be willing to add to my education in her blonde elf form, but she told me to 'go piss up a rope'. I have no idea what that means; probably something she picked up from the humans she has been hanging out with in Lyonesse."

“No doubt." Nahal said with a grin of her own before looking to where James and Junafir were sitting together. “I am willing, Darryl, but not tonight. First I have some bridges to mend."

“I'm in no rush."

“Good, because I want to take the time to start enjoying life for a change."

Over the next few days several fences were mended.

Nahal and Ladread made numerous and profuse apologies to everyone. Junafir and James spent the time getting reacquainted, as did Annie and Gael although in their case 'getting reacquainted' involved disappearing down the narrow passages to the depths of the cave system and engaging in strenuous sex acts that could not be concealed by a simple towelling off.

James and Junafir did not reach that stage during the period spent in Aldreda's cave. They took their time, holding hands and leaning against each other, mostly in silence, but with the occasional outburst of apology from both sides. That progressed to long talks and hugs, and eventually they were sharing a sleeping roll, but only for spooning. James was determined to wait until Junafir was ready and the only way he would know when that time came was to let her make the first move. Junafir appreciated his patience and loved him more than before for it.

The rest were happy to see James and Junafir and Annie and Gael back together, especially Chris and Coyotka, who had been holding off being intimate while the other couples were fighting. Now they felt they could go back to being physical, perhaps even more openly than before, given what Ladread had said about them after the battle. The platform at the cave entrance seemed the perfect place. James wanted no fires there least nearby dragons be attracted by the light, and because of that it was too cold there for the furless Humans to sit with their Terran partners for any length of time.

It was not so cold when there were two furry bodies rubbing against each other, and under the blankets from their bedrolls they were more than warm enough when they went there the second night. It was a tender moment, if somewhat rushed after a couple of weeks of abstinence. When they were spent Chris had rolled off Coyotka and moved in behind her to cuddle for a while before the cold night stole the last of the warmth from under the blankets.

“Coyotka." He said tentatively.

“Yes Chris?"

“Things between us used to be pretty wild, but I think that we've entered a new level in our relationship, a more comfortable level."

She hugged his arm against her chest. “I concur. We are no longer just together for frivolous sexual fulfillment. You mean more to me than that now, and I hope that I mean more to you too."

“Oh yes! Very much so. It's just ..."

She stiffened. She had read about the phycology of romance and the hanging sentence had on the alert. She waited a few moments, but Chris did not continue. She would have to elicit the issue from him.

“Just ... what?"

“Well, just because we're ... I don't know ... in love ... does that mean ..."

He paused again. Her heart had gone into overdrive when he said, 'in love' and she was somewhat ashamed of herself for acting like a cub on hearing the words. But she had to focus. He was equally inexperienced in the art of relationships and maybe his interpretation of 'in love' was more like an infatuation.

“What do you think it means, Chris?"

He hugged her tighter, digging his muzzle into the soft spot between her shoulder and neck. “I don't know ... does it mean ... like ..." He drew a deal breath and she could feel the instant he decided to reveal what he was feeling. “Does it mean that we can't use the harness and paddle anymore?" He said in a rush.

Coyotka stifled relieved giggles. “For you, darling, I'll use my special knots and whips."

“You will?"

“Of course. Nothing is too good for my little grey fox." Then she pinched his arm, hard. “Providing he is an obedient little grey fox!"

“Oh yes ... Mistress."

“Save that for tomorrow, when we make a trip to the woods to 'collect firewood'."

“Yes ... dear." He heaved a sigh of content. “I wonder how they rest are doing?"

The rest were doing just fine. In Paul's absence James stepped up and filled the vacant leadership roll. He outlined what he saw needed to be done while Paul recovered and after listening to the other's input he assigned tasks.

Aldreda and Darryl flew own to the valley and hunted enough mountain sheep and rabbits to fill up the carnivores and omnivores in the group. Gael and Magnus foraged for vegetation that would satisfy them and augment the meat the others ate. There was nothing big enough to require the use of the blunderbuss so Yup busied himself with invoicing Aldreda's hoard in case there were other magical jewels or weapons there that would be useful.

Coyotka and Chris foraged for wood, as they requested, although they took an extraordinarily long time to bring back enough for a single night.

“I guess we'll have to go again tomorrow." Coyotka said with a smirk. Chris, who refrained from sitting for some reason, winced and nodded in agreement.

Nahal and Annie nursed Paul, as they had done for Junafir before. During the long quiet days they got to know each other quite well, and despite their different backgrounds they found that they had a lot in common as far as hopes and dreams of the future were concerned.

“I want to go to school too." Nahal said after Annie explained about the elite art college she had been accepted to. “Basic school first, like the boys go to in my country, but then I want to go to one of these 'colleges' you speak of to learn other things."

“Like what?" Annie asked.

Nahal shrugged. “I don't know yet. There are too many subjects that I'm ignorant of; how can I know what would interest me?"

“Maybe you should try medicine. You have done very well taking care of Paul and Junafir before him.'

“The knowledge of drugs and the body's functions I've learned was taught by an assassin, and I used it to kill him."

Annie put her muscular arm around the slim girl's shoulders. “The past is the past. What matters is how you move forward from here."

James sent his days worrying about Paul and conferring with Ladread about the defences of Lyonesse castle and the temperament of Morholt. He discussed tactics and how soldiers react to various situations with Gael and the history of warfare with Coyotka. Yup proved to be an expert on the building of fortifications and knew their weaknesses. Chris knew a thing or two about sneaking into castles and even Magnus knew a few songs about the fall of great kings and the destruction of their keeps that held helpful information.

“What worries me," he said one night as they strategized around the fire, “is that my Uncle Rory will grow tired of waiting for his assassins to return and send a larger force after us. I wish I knew what he was thinking."

Nahal suddenly remembered the miniature portal that she had found near the first portal on Medioterrae. She pulled it out and held it up for James to see.

“Maybe we can find out."

James took the case in his hands. He remembered how Rory had seduced him into complacency and then used the information he gleaned trough the portal to track them. He passed the case back to the girl.

“You keep it for now. We can use it to mislead him into thinking that you have been successful and are on your way back with my head. That should buy us enough time to deal with Morholt and get away through his portal.

“Then speed is of the essence." Gael commented.

“Yes." James agreed. “It will take a month or more to get back by foot, especially since we will have to carry Paul until his leg heals up."

“I could fly you there."

Everyone turned to look at Ladread, who had spoken.

“Don't look so shocked. Dragons used to carry humanoid warriors aeons ago, in full armour too. I have a secluded house just outside of the capitol where I change back and forth from Aldreda and Ladread to keep an eye on Morholt. I can carry two or three of you at a time and make a couple of trips a night. In two or three days I can have all of you there."

James gave it some thought while some of the others either babbled excitedly about riding a dragon or murmured concerns about whether they could really trust her.

“You'll be in saddles on my back with your weapons ready."

“You have saddles?" Darryl asked, shocked.

“Oh sure. I inherited them though my mother's line. They are old but in good shape." She stood up and walked over to her pile of treasure. “Now, where did I last see them?" She dug though the pile, transforming back to Aldreda so she could dig through the gold and jewels faster.

Darryl began to salivate at the sight of all the precious metal objects and bright gems.

“Ahem," he cleared his throat, “Aldreda, do you think you could spare a trinket or two you're your horde … to make up for the trouble you put us through?"

The black dragoness turned her head to him. “Piss off, you newt. I didn't leave you for dead, did I? Still," she said, tilting her head in thought, “I guess I do owe most of the rest of you. Feel free to take something from the pile." She said looking at the ones she had left for the spiders. “I'll be raiding Morholt's treasury once we kill him anyway, so it's no great loss."

“Do you think it will come to that?" Coyotka asked.

Aldreda chucked. “Morholt will never give up without a fight, and his type doesn't believe in surrender. We might get lucky and wound him, but as long as he is alive he will be a threat. Oh, look what I found!"

She held up a spear whose shaft was decorated with inlaid gold and jewels. The head was shaped like a cross with the long stem pointing up and the arms forming a sort of guard. Each had a pointed tip, and all the edges were sharpened. A crown of thorns was embossed at their juncture.

“I took this from an incompetent wizard that tried to conjure a dragon. He thought it was the Spear of Destiny, but it's just an ordinary spear." She went to toss it back but James stood up and grabbed it before she could.

“This gives me an idea."

Yup scratched his beard. “What are you thinking, lad?"

“What if we go back to Morholt with this spear while we hide the real one in her safe-house."

“Shouldn't we bring it with us? It's a very powerful weapon."

“Too risky, besides, we have magic weapons now. Morholt has nothing that can stand up to them, right?" He cast his question to Aldreda.

“No," she replied, “otherwise he would have used them against me long ago."

“Good. Ladread can carry the fake spear and some of us - Darryl, Junafir, Annie, Gael and myself - can go with her as 'survivors' of the fight with Aldreda."

“What about the rest of us?" Magnus asked.

“You and Yup can enter the town as troubadours. Morholt's men will never have seen a gun and with a little work that blunderbuss could look like some kind of instrument. You can gain entrance to the castle to entertain Morholt. That should see you in the audience chamber when we show up with the bogus spear. Meanwhile," he whirled to point to Chris and Nahal, “you two can infiltrate the castle and take out any guards in the upper gallery, then provide cover fire from above with your crossbows. Obviously, we have a lot of the details to work out still, but I think it could work."

“Don't underestimate Morholt." Aldreda warned. “He didn't get where he is by being weak or stupid."

“I've considered the possibility that we may fail. Paul won't be much use in this fight with his bad leg so I plan to have him and Coyotka stay back at the house to guard the spear. If we don't come back her knowledge of the portals will be essential to getting it away from here and someplace safe, maybe to Arthur in Camelot. Paul can take the head off and use the shaft as a walking stick. It's holy enough to fend off the sharpest steel and crack a few heads in the process. But they should be able to pass unnoted. No one will suspect a lame canine and his female companion of transporting such a valuable prize."

They all agreed that, in general, the plan was sound. Once Paul regained conscious they would go over it with him and he could alter or refine it if necessary.

“Meanwhile," James said, looking at Nahal, “we can spin a little yarn for Uncle Rory. Do we still have the guts left over from the sheep we ate tonight?"

* * * * * * * *

Rory Douglas was not surprised to feel the miniature portal vibrate inside his tunic. He had been expecting the assassin Nahal to report in soon. He closed the door to his office to ensure privacy and opened the case, using the mirror in case the girl had failed and his nephew had regained the matching portal.

He saw the familiar face of the girl. She was sitting in some sort of cave, her face lit by flickering firelight. She wore a satisfied smile.

“Do you have some good news for me, darling?"

“Yes, Mister Douglas. The contract is fulfilled. Your nephew is dead."

“How did you do it?"

“When we entered the cave to fight the dragon I held back. As the cave widened I snuck up behind him and struck amid the confusion of battle. There was fire and flashing swords everywhere, so I removed his head on the spot and fled with it."

“And the others did not chase you?"

“The rest are dead, or so I assume. I hid in the forest down slope from the cave entrance and saw the dragon fly off south, probably to exact her revenge on the people of Lyonesse for sending another group against her. She has been gone several days."

“Interesting." Rory paused long enough to see the discomfort cross her face. “And where are you now?"

Nahal tilted the portal to show the extent of the cave around her. “Inside the dragon's lair."

“Isn't that a bit risky?"

“There is a way out that is too narrow for her, and she makes a lot of noise moving around so I'll have ample warning of her return. Besides, I like the décor."

Nahal turned the portal to face the pile of treasure. It glowed and glinted by the light of the flames. There was something dark and red on the top of the pile, and Nahal moved closer to focus on it. It was the head of James Douglas.

Rory was certain that it was his nephew because his face resembled his father's at that age and there was no faking that blazing red hair. The eyes were open and staring at the ceiling, their sky-blue pupils that matched his own obscured by blood that was splattered across the face. Strands of skin, veins and muscle hung down from where the stub of a neck rested on a pile of gold coins.

“It looks like you will be amply rewarded for your efforts." Rory commented. “But don't think you can carry off enough to escape my grasp. Take what you can fit in your cloak and bring me back the head, and quickly, before it rots too much to be identifiable."

Nahal focused the portal back on her. “Do not worry. I have enough salt to preserve it until I can get back to Lyonesse. That should take two to three weeks, depending on who I have to avoid on the road."

“Make it two and I'll let you have your first three nights back here to yourself."

“I will do my best, sire."

“Good. Report back in a week." Rory flipped his case closed.

“Mister Ross." He called, without raising his voice.

“Yes sir." Ross was beside him in less than a moment. A habit that used to startle Rory but one he had grown used to now.

“Something about the girl's story does not sit well with me. I want you to go to Lyonesse and intercept her there."

“You suspect that she will try to kill you with your nephew's head somehow?"

Rory bit his lip in a rare show of doubt. “Perhaps. She might try something stupid like packing it with explosives, but that's not what concerns me."

“You think she may be working with the others? That she will lead them back here though the portals and attack?"

“Yes."

Mister Ross chortled. “They have no idea who they are up against."

“No, they don't. But that boy has been lucky before and I don't want the battle fought anywhere near me. Go to Morholt. If the girl shows up alone with his head check it out and bring her to me to answer for her impertinence. If she is with the others, kill them all and bring me both her head and that of my nephew."

“I will leave immediately."

“Good, and oh … take this." Rory slid a drawer open and tossed a silver bracelet to his servant. It was very old, tarnished, and set with many small gems that surrounded a single black pearl.

“You know what to do if anything goes wrong."

Mister ross did not speak. He slipped the bracelet around his wrist and pulled the cuff of his white shirt over it. Then he made a small bow and left as quickly as he had come.

* * * * * * * *

Back in Aldreda's cave James stirred as soon as he heard the case of the mini-portal click shut. He stood up from the pile of gold coins that had concealed his body and peeled the sheep guts away from around his neck.

“Ye-uck! That was the most disgusting thing I have ever done."

“Wait until someone lays a couple of hundred eggs in you and see how it compares." Junafir snarled, but she did it with just a trace of a grin, and James knew then that she was truly healing. She tossed him a rag to wipe the sheep blood from his face.

James walked over to Nahal. “Think that he bought it?"

She shrugged. “I think so, but he is very suspicious fox, and not one to be caught unawares."

“With Yup and Magnus on the inside and Chris and you up in the tower we should have adequate warning of an ambush. We'll have to decide on a set of signals before we go."

“I can manifest my lute outside the castle and play “The Miller's Daughter" if Morholt is alone and the “Dirge of Drumheller" if Rory Douglas has sent reinforcements."

“We don't know those tunes." Gael pointed out. “Don't you have something simpler?"

“How about this?" With a twist of his ring Magnus brought forth his lute and it played a rising four-note melody. “That is if the way is clear." The lute played a descending tone. “That if for danger." Finally the lute played a single dull note for several seconds. “And that is if the situation is uncertain."

“Good." Gael nodded. “What about your team Chris?"

“I'll throw a note tied to a rock. If the matter is urgent I'll aim it at your head … and use a smaller rock."

“I'll wear that horse armour we found, the helmet with the long piece to protect my nose."

“What if Rory himself is there?" Annie asked.

They continued to refine the plan until they felt that they had covered all the likely contingencies.

“Good work." A familiar, but raspy voice said from the shadows. “From what little I've heard I think it is an excellent plan."

“Paul!" James called, jumping up to rush over to the canine's side. “You're awake!"

“Yes, and have been for a while. I came too in the middle of your little charade and almost screamed when I saw your head sticking out of that treasure pile. But then I saw the others hiding behind the pile and realized what was going on. Good," he nodded, “good deception. But I agree with Nahal, Rory never leaves things to chance. You must be prepared for anything."

“I think we are." James proceeded to outline the plan they had such as it was while Junafir prepared something easy to digest for the ailing canine.

“So, that's what we've come up with so far. Do you have any suggestions or outright changes? Like, I was thinking that maybe you would want to be at the castle since you're the leader and all. Then Chris could stay behind with Coyotka and …"

Paul held up a hand to shush him. “No. You were right the first time when you assumed that I would be no good in a fight, and your plan for Coyotka and I to take the spear away should the rest of you perish is brilliant. No, I would not change a thing, except …"

“Except what?"

“Except to say that you are the leader now James."

James began to protest but Paul hushed him again. “No, you are the heir to your father's business, all his business, including this feud with your uncle Rory. It's you he wants dead and only you can defeat him where it counts, in front of your family's clan. You have to be the leader now and inspire those who wish to follow you to help with your quest."

“But … Paul … Mister Colliman … I can't lead. I can barely follow."

Paul raised himself up on his elbows an took on a stern expression.

“You can and you will, James. You already have. Look at the plan you have come up with while I was unconscious. No one I know could have done better."

“But I didn't come up with that by myself! Gael and Ladread and Coyotka and … and everyone contributed. I just relied on their expertise and advice."

Paul lay back. “Exactly. Generals don't fight every enemy single-handed, and you didn't try to do it all by yourself; you guided them and produced something better than any one person could have come up with. That's what leadership is, son."

James took both of the dog's hands in his as a tear escaped from his eye at being called 'son' by the person that had come to replace his father. “I won't let you down."

“I know that, James. Now, let Junafir spoon some of that crap down my throat and then I'll need to rest again. If things go well Aldreda can start ferrying us to Lyonesse tomorrow."

James nodded and helped Paul sit up as Junafir approached with a bowl of hot stew.

“Crap is it? Well, you won't have to worry about what it tastes like if I feed you through an enema tube."

Paul laughed for the first time in a long time. “You wouldn't hurt a cripple, would you?"

* * * * * * * *

The flights to Lyonesse took two nights and were uneventful. Nahal insisted on riding up front so that she could pretend to be a holy warrior from the age of dragons. Coyotka demanded to share a saddle and sit behind Chris so that she could cling to him and bury her head in his back during the trip.

“But it is a beautiful night!" he exclaimed once they were at altitude. “Look, you can see every star there is!"

“I can see the stars from the ground." Came the muffled reply.

Junafir was a little leery, but with James on the same flight she was able to force herself aboard. Paull took up two saddles because they had to strap his bad leg to the good one, so Darryl made the trip holding on to Aldreda's tail, using his wings to glide along behind.

“You haven't eaten anything gassy today, have you?" He asked as they set off.

“You'll see." Aldreda smirked.

“No, I'll smell it." He corrected. “And probably gag to death." He added under his breath.

Once they were all assembled at Ladread's safe house they went over the plan again, rehearsing the signals and actions to be taken on each. The morning of the next day, the fourth after Paul regained conscious, Magnus and Yup headed out to check out the town and see what gossip they could pick up at the taverns.

They returned late that night, with Yup slightly worse for the occasional drink he had to quaff to keep up appearances, or so he claimed. In the morning they gave James their full report.

“The troops are relaxed and there are no extra soldiers in town or the castle." Magnus told the others. “Everything is normal, from all appearances. They are not 'on their guard' you might say."

“They are not complacent or undisciplined either though." Yup added. “Morholt has a guest of some import, and the soldiers are afraid to be seen slacking off in front of him least they be punished."

“They whisper that even Morholt is afraid of this one." Magnus finished.

“It isn't Rory, is it?" James asked.

“No. He's not a fox, although they don't have much of a description of him since he dresses like a pilgrim, in a long black robe with a hood."

“Sounds like Emperor Palpatine." Annie muttered.

Coyotka's ears perked up. “I've never heard of him. What land does he rule on Earth?"

“Forget it. He's a fictional character."

“There are a lot of fictional characters that dress in that manner. It is a trope, I think it is called on your world. Sometimes they are good men in disguise, so they move around un-noticed, other times they are bad men that have eschewed the trappings of power for power itself. But good or bad they are always powerful."

James scratched his chin through his beard. “If he scares Morholt then he's someone we have to watch out for. We'll have to assume that he's hostile until proven otherwise."

“But if he doesn't join in the fight against us we should leave him alone least we create an unnecessary enemy." Gael added.

“Yes. Chris, Nahal." James called the two assassins forward. “Keep that guy in your cross-hairs and let loose the instant he makes an aggressive move."

“Right" “Got it." They replied and stepped back, where Chris whispered to Nahal, “Cross-hairs? I don't have crossed hairs. Do humans have them?"

“He means keep the one in the robe in your sights. I'll explain about the cross-hairs later, Magnus is speaking again."

“The good news," the stag said, “is that we've been invited to play at the castle tonight. We're to report to the Audience room before supper to set up."

James turned to the dwarf. “How's your music coming Yup?"

Yup lifted his blunderbuss, which had been fitted with a reed and some twisted tubing that went into the touch hole. He put the reed between his lips and blew.

“Bllattt"

“Don't worry." Magnus assured the rest. “I've added an enchantment to his gun to make it accompany my lute. Yup just has to fake it and sway with the music while I do the rest."

“Alright. Then we're on for tonight."

They spent the remainder of the day resting, sharpening weapons and practicing with them.

When the time came Chris and Nahal went first, as it would take some time to scale the walls and climb the keep unseen. Magnus and Yup left next, and headed straight for the castle where they were expected. James and the rest left last, with Ladread in her elf-warrior form. They all made their goodbyes to Paul, aware that some of them may never meet again.

Ladread was the last to say goodbye, taking Paul's hand in her large ones and touching her head to his briefly.

“I really am sorry for betraying you, Paul. I was hoping that your group would simply give up, like may others, but you were all to persistent, to determined, and too good. I feared that your quest might be successful, and I would be killed."

He patted her hands. “I understand Ladread. You did what you had to do to discourage us and when that failed you acted to defend yourself."

“Not all of it was a sham, not what we did at the trolls' bridge, or later. That was unplanned, an impulse. I really have not met a worthy lover in many years and your command of the group was … stimulating."

“And now I'm just a broken dog, only good for a backup plan."

“Ah, don't talk like that. I saw what you did for James, building him up and letting him fly on his own. I'll bet that there is a lot of life left in you yet." She accented her last statement with a wink and a squeeze of Paul's good thigh.

Paul cleared his throat of a lump that had suddenly formed there. There was nothing he could do about the one in his trousers. “Uhm, well, in that case … you make sure to come back. We have a few things to discuss."

Ladread winked again, stood up and turned to follow the others.

“What was that all about?" Coyotka asked as she secured the door.

“Possibilities." Paul answered. “Just possibilities."

While those that had been chosen to confront Morholt made their way into town Chris and Nahal entered the castle though widows designed for firing arrows out of them.

“I'd heard that foxes could squeeze through very narrow gaps." Nahal commented once they found a safe spot to clean the grease off her skin.

“Our rib cages are the same diameter as our skulls. Speaking of which, I thought yours was going to get stuck for sure."

Nahal just shrugged. It had been a tight squeeze and she also thought for a second that her skull would crack, but she was not going to quit on the assignment that would redeem her in the eyes of those she had wronged.

“Let's find a place we can watch the Audience chamber from." She suggested.

They worked their way though the shadows, glad to find that Morholt had not positioned a platoon of archers overlooking the hall. Counting the guards in the chamber they determined that there were no more or less than there had been on previous occasions. Most of the guards that were there were paying more attention to Yup and Magnus, who were warming up in anticipation of Morholt's arrival.

“No need to send a rock at James' head, I guess." Chris commented, inviting Nahal's opinion.

“No, I suppose not.'

An Officer entered the chamber and signaled the guards. The soldiers straightened up and Magnus' magic lute disappeared just before Morholt entered from the back of the chamber.

The big Irish prince was wiping his mouth with his sleeve, having just finished eating. He was followed by a tall man in a black wooden robe with a hood that obscured his face. The stranger's hands were likewise hidden inside the sleeves of the robe. But the way he moved stirred something in Nahal.

“I think we may have a problem here." She whispered as low as she could into Chris' sensitive ear.

“How so?"

“The man that has come in with Morholt ... he reminds me of someone dangerous."

Before she could elaborate a messenger arrived and whispered into Morholt's ear. Morholt dismissed him with a smile, then he turned to the stranger.

“It would appear that our erstwhile questors have been successful. Word from the town wall is that the survivors are on their way here with a present for me."

The head under the hood nodded twice in silence.

Morholt looked a bit taken back, but even though he was the equivalent to a king in this land he cowed and sputtered in front of the silent menace.

“Let's, ah, have some music while we wait for them." he said, waving a hand at Magnus to begin.

The stag must have picked up on the danger emanating off the stranger too, because the tune he played was the one meant to signal an undetermined threat. Chris debated tossing a rock down but with no additional information and very little time he decided to stay where he was. He did string his crossbow and indicate to Nahal that the figure in black was their primary target for now.

They did not have long to wait before a herald appeared to announce the arrival of James and his companions. Morholt glanced at the man in black, who remained motionless, then told the herald to have them brought in.

James and Junafir entered beside Ladread, with the elf-warrior carrying a burlap bundle taller than she was. Annie and Gael followed, moving to the other side of the elf as they entered the big room. Darryl brought up the rear and remained behind the elf and slightly to one side.

It was not lost on Morholt that the eyes of most of the party darted about the room, counting guards and marking every weapon, except for Ladread's. The elf held his gaze steadily, with a slight smirk, but she always had a smirk or a sneer on her face, he reflected, and the absence of one would have been more suspicious.

Since the group consisted of six armed creatures six additional guards accompanied them into the room, deploying in a line behind the visitors. Yup and Magnus moved quietly back behind them. Hidden in the back, Yup began to remove the extra bits from the blunderbuss, readying it for action.

“Lord Morholt." James announced when they were stopped far out of reach by the herald and the guards that flanked him. “We have returned with the prize you demanded and ask that you fulfil your promise in exchange."

Morholt glanced again at the hooded figure for guidance but received none. He turned to face the visitors again.

“You have the holy lance?"

Ladread lifted the burlap bundle. “On my word, Sire, we have found the holy spear and brought it back to Lyonesse. Would you like to see it now?"

“In a moment." He focused on James. “It looks like you lost a few of your companions in the effort."

“Three fell before the great dragon." James replied. “But we managed to subdue the beast, thanks to Ladread."

“She was a big help, I take it?"

“She was instrumental in bringing Aldreda to heel." James said.

The man under the hood chuckled, and Chris felt Nahal stiffen beside him.

“What's wrong?" He whispered.

“I know that laugh. James is in great danger. He must be very careful."

Her tone was very serious but tinged with a trace of real fear.

“As soon as anyone makes an aggressive move we both fire our bolts into his heart." Chris instructed. “Then we reload and concentrate on the rear guards."

Down below them Morholt looked momentarily confused but he covered it with a blustery show of command.

“Show me the prize, Elf, and do not forget your place. Great warrior you may be, but you are surrounded by a dozen of my best. One false move and you are dead."

Now it was Junafir's guffaw that broke the silence. “Yeah, right."

Ladread ignored her. She stepped forward and unwrapped the bundle, revealing a glistening, bejeweled spear in the shape of the holy cross. She put the burlap aside and held the spear up at chest level towards the table Morholt and his guest sat behind.

“It's amazing." Morholt said as his eyes roared greedily over the weapon.

“It's a fake." The man n the black robe said.

Ladread rolled her eyes and cast a sideways glance at the stranger. “How would you know?"

Mister Ross pulled back the hood to reveal his bald head. “Because I was there when the real one pierced the body of Christ."

Ladread's eyes narrowed in uncertainty. “He's lying." She declared.

“No, he's not." Morholt replied. “I'm a bit of an expert on the holy lance, having sought it for so many years. The holy lance, or Spear of Destiny, as some refer to it, was the spear used by a Roman soldier to stab Christ in the side to see if he was really dead on the third day of his crucifixion. Dead he was, and the water he had been given along with the blood from internal wounds had accumulated in his abdominal cavity. The blood and water poured out of the wound and soaked the spear, giving it holy powers."

“He sounds like Coyotka." Junafir muttered as she reached back to grasp the handle of her cleaver where it was hidden under her tunic.

Morholt continued. “The spear wouldn't be in the shape of the Christian Cross because there were no Christians yet, and the first Christians used a drawing of a fish to identify themselves. They didn't start using the cross as a symbol for a couple of hundred years. Typical Roman lances of the time had a simple leaf-shaped blade. Anything else is unlikely to be the real thing."

“I've led dozens of quests for the spear and financed twice as many others." Morholt said, his voice rising. “I've come across several fakes, some more obvious than others. My friend Rory Douglas tells me that in your time, on your world, there are three candidates. One is an obvious fake, a rough chunk of cast iron from the sixteenth century with a Greek cross cut into it. The second is the wrong style, from the wrong era, and altogether too fancy for a common soldier to be carrying. The last, being held by the Pope in Rome, is the closest in appearance. But even the church doesn't claim that it is authentic, and they would bless any old piece of wood as part of the true cross for the right price back in my time."

“So," Morholt declared, standing up and drawing his sword, “you are either an idiot or a lying bitch. Which is it?"

In response Ladread twirled the spear in her hands and launched it at Morholt, but the man in black anticipated the move and shoved the lord of the castle out of the spear's trajectory. The shaft passed by harmlessly and the head shattered when it struck the wall behind them.

Up above, Chris and Nahal released their bolts as soon as Ladread initiated the attack. Chris was shocked to see them both bounce off the man's chest.

“He must be wearing armour." The grey fox said as he hastened to reload.

“No." Nahal exclaimed. “That is Ross, Rory's minion. He is a demon." She pulled her daggers out and headed for the stairs down to the Audience chamber level. “I need to be up close to kill him."

“Nahal, wait!" But the girl was gone. Chris turned and fired at a guard that was sneaking up on Junafir. He would concentrate on covering the rear for now, but if a clear headshot on the tall bald man presented itself he would take it.

Morholt's soldiers had no chance against the flashing blades of the off-worlders, the deadly grip of the elf warrior and the rending claws of the young dragon but Morholt and the man in black were another matter.

Morholt had earned a well-deserved reputation as a warrior long before coming to Lyonesse. He was able to fend off the attacks of those bearing ordinary blades, and he was not too proud to hide behind Ross when the others used their magical abilities against them.

Despite being unarmed Ross managed to turn every blade and bolt sent against him. When a guard fell beside him he snatched up the soldier's sword and counter attacked. When the inferior blade was shattered by the weapons Gael had forged he just grabbed another. Meanwhile, he seemed impervious to the slashes and jabs that clearly made it past his guard. Lightning bolts and jets of flame followed, but nothing seemed to phase him at all.

When none but the tall man and Morholt were left to oppose them James heard the voice of Yup call from behind them. “Stand clear lads!" They all hit the floor as a burst of purple light passed over them and engulfed the man in black.

When the smoke cleared the man was still standing there. His robe had been destroyed by whatever magic Yup and Magnus had sent against him, but the clothes he wore underneath, a plain black suit with a white shirt and black tie, was mostly intact. He grinned in a manner that sent chills up the spines of his opponents.

“What the hell are you?" James asked as he panted from exertion.

“Not what ... who. I am the soldier that was tasked with stabbing the Christ to see if he was dead yet."

“You are Longinus?" Annie asked, having heard the story in Sunday School as well as Coyotka's recent rendition.

“Phah! That is not a name, it is a corruption of the Greek word that means 'Lancer', a soldier who is armed with a lance. The old scrolls were saying that a lancer was the one that stabbed Christ. They never know my real name."

“I was taught that Christ was stabbed by a blind Centurion and that the holy blood of Christ splashed on his eyes and healed them. He came the first person outside of Christ's circle to acknowledge him as the son of God, the first Christian. He was sainted by several Christian churches, including the Catholics."

Ross chuckled. “Myths and legends made up by a weak church trying to bolster its reputation in their early days. No Centurion would take a shit duty like guarding a crucifixion on a hot hilltop, or risk dirtying their nice armour with the guts of a criminal. As to the blindness, what good would a blind soldier be? How would he be able to aim his strike? The crap they come up with, and you believed it."

“It's a little easier to believe than your claim to be the actual soldier that did it."

“You've seen what the real spear of destiny can do, haven't you?" Her expression was answer enough. “I thought so. The spear got its power from the blood and the water that flowed down it from the wound, but it wasn't the only thing affected. I was sprayed by those holy fluids also, and they made me invulnerable. I cannot be harmed, cannot be sick or grow old. Like Lazarus before me, I am condemned to walk the Earth, or whatever worlds I find myself on, until the end of time."

Junafir interjected. “You would think that one so blessed would use their time on Earth for good."

“Blessed?" Ross looked incredulous. “I'm stuck in exactly the same state I was in when that idiot's guts spilled over me. I don't get hungry or thirsty. I have no desire to eat and get no pleasure from it." He rubbed his bald head. “I can't grow hair." He said with regret. “I can't get drunk. I can't get an erection, let alone have an orgasm. I can't take pleasure in any physical thing or feel pleasure from anything except for the kind of pleasure I was feeling when my Centurion ordered me to speed the false prophet's demise."

“But he was not, a false prophet that is." James protested. “You're proof of that."

“Proof that his god had a cruel sense of humour."

While they were talking Ladread had circled around behind the tall man. She would have leapt for him but for Morholt, who was keeping the immortal Ross between him and the powerful magic weapons. Seeing her closing in unarmed the betrayed lord launched himself at her, swinging his heavy broadsword at her head as he did.

She ducked and grabbed his wrist with one hand, spun him around to make him drop the sword then grabbed his other arm too before he could draw his dagger. Grappling together, chest to chest, they were an even match in size, strength and skill. James went to help her but Ross fended him off with a castoff spear. He may be impervious to their magical weapons, but they were not immune to his cold steel, and two thousand years of practice had made him very, very good. Ladread was on her own.

It looked like the stalemate was going to end in Morholt's favour as he forced her arms down and apart in an attempt to reach his dagger. Ladread countered by suddenly going slack, which made his arms snap to his sides, then she forced them back behind him so they almost looked like they were hugging.

Morholt slammed his forehead against hers, dazing her momentarily. It was enough for him to break her grip and get her in a bear hug. He lifted her feet off the stone floor as he linked his big hands and began to squeeze with all the strength in his thick arms and massive chest.

“Now I have you." He growled.

“No." She laughed. “Now I have you"

Morholt felt a change in the elf he was crushing. She was growing thicker and taller, and her skin was turning black and hard. Her arms, which were still wrapped around his back, grew even more muscle as shiny black scales erupted from them. He felt something like spikes digging into his back where her hands were, and he screamed when they pierced his armour and flesh in eight different places.

The rest stopped fighting in wonder as Ladread turned into Aldreda fore their eyes. They saw Morholt release his grip when her torso grew to wide for him to encircle it. They saw him try to free himself as her claws dug into his back, and they saw the whip-like motion of her neck as she lunged own and bit his head off.

Even Ross was stunned for a moment, but he had lived in the age of miracles and had seen similar things before, so he was able to recover quickly. The great dragon might not be able to harm him ... probably ... but she could capture him, and he did not relish the prospect of rotting in a jail for however long it took them to figure out how to kill him.

He heard a noise behind him and felt a slight rush of air. He dropped to the floor on one knee and reached blindly behind him for the hidden attacker. His arm went around the surprisingly small body as he twisted and came up with the attacker clutched to his chest, her arms trapped against her chest. He smiled. It was the assassin bitch Mister Douglas was suspicious of. Evidently, he told himself, she had changed sides.

A rough shake was enough to make her drop the curved daggers with the poison tips he had last seen in possession of the red fox with the scars. Ross kicked them aside and used the smaller human as a shield while he worked his way back towards the door he had entered the chamber through.

Angry at his attempt to escape, Aldreda jumped toward him, but he lifted the human girl easily and she could find no safe angle of attack. Her impulsive move also served to block the rest of the group, who could not get around her bulk as the chamber narrowed close to the exit. They also had to avoid her lashing tail.

“Aldreda, move aside or turn back into Ladread." James called, thumping on her rump with the hilt of his sword to get her attention. “That door is too small for you to get through. You have to let us by before he escapes."

Aldreda hissed and moved as far to one side as she could. She began to transform but James was already past her and though the door that Ross had escaped though. The rest were not so quick, and a small traffic jam occurred at the door as they all fought to get though at once.

James found himself alone, running down a corridor that twisted and turned at sudden angles. He held his sword up defensively. Ladread had mentioned this corridor as the one that lead to the portal, and Coyotka had confirmed that the sharp turns were there to ambush pursuers. Ross may have been running almost silently, but Nahal continued to struggle in his arms and she managed to make enough noise to let James know that his prey was still far ahead, allowing him to take the turns at speed and keep from losing any more ground.

The corridor ended in a heavy oak door hat would normally have taken a battering ram to breach, but Ross simply ducked his head behind Nahal and ran into it at full speed. The impact was enough to shift it, and he turned his back to it and tossed the limp form of Nahal at James as he forced it the rest of the way open.

The flying body delayed James as he pulled his sword aside and caught her with his free arm. He lay her down on the stones, certain from her appearance and lack of movement that she was dead. Then he leapt over her body, determined not to let her death go unavenged.

The portal was larger than the one that had been destroyed on Dougs-ur-Mark and the room built around it was large too. Ross was already at the portal at the far end when James came though the door, but instead of jumping through he stopped short, pulled something off his wrist and held it up. James could see that it was some kind of jewel encrusted bracelet.

“Not as easy to come by as a truck full of AN-FO, but just as dramatic." The tall bald man shouted as he threw the bracelet down hard on the stone floor. He was gone through the portal before it even struck the ground.

James wanted to rush forward and dive through the portal, taking his chances that he could deal with whatever was on the other side, but something tugging at the edge of his mind made him freeze in the doorway. It was what Ross had said about AF-NO.

James' mind when into overdrive as everything around him seemed to come to a standstill.

James knew that AF-NO stood for Ammonium Nitrate - Fuel Oil and that it was an industrial strength explosive. His father's company traded it to mining companies in exchange for the ore he now knew was being shipped to metal-lacking worlds like Terra. A truckload of the stuff could blow a considerably large hole in the side of a mountain, and perhaps it could cause an explosion powerful enough to blow up a portal also. Something had destroyed the one between his world and Terra and the fireball that came through at that instant certainly looked like it was caused by a chemical explosion. Hadn't the ruins of the hilltop smelled like diesel afterward?

The bracelet struck the stone and a dark jewel at it's centre shattered. A thick black smoke began to gather around the circle of silver and the gems that were still firmly attached to it.

James new that something bad was about to happen. He jumped back through the doorway hauling the heavy oak door shut as he went. The door opened inwards and was set in a heavy frame that would hopefully hold it when what James expected to happen happened. He broke into a run, scooping up Nahal's body as he went, and rushed back around the last turn in the corridor.

He made it just in time. A soft 'whumph' came from the room, followed by the sound of stone breaking and iron twisting free. Large chunks of the door smashed against the wall where the corridor turned back on itself, and several sizeable splinters flew around James. He felt a few embed themselves in his back and legs but he kept going.

Coming around the next turn he almost ran head on into the rest of the group, who had sorted themselves out and were running in single file to James' aid.

“No good." James gasped as they fell over each other trying to stop all at once. “Ross is gone, and the portal too, I think."

He lay Nahal down on the stones and the others gasped at her appearance. Darryl pushed forward. “Did she get caught in the explosion?"

James shook his head. “No. Ross did this."

Annie joined Darryl beside the body and tenderly began to arrange it in a more natural position. She encountered some resistance and thought that it was strange because rigour mortis should not have set in so soon. Then she realized that it was Nahal clutching her hand to her chest.

“James, she's alive!"

“Clear back! Give her room."

The rest moved back but Darryl stayed with Annie and James knelt on the opposite side of the shattered girl. Chris stepped forward with his medicine bag but stopped when he could see the extent of her injuries. He caught James' eye and shook his head before stepping back.

Her breathing was shallow, but now that it was quiet James could hear her ragged attempts to draw air into lungs that were probably collapsed. She saw him leaning above her and reached for him with her other hand.

“We ... we ..."

“Shush, don't try to speak."

She would no be deterred. She forced her words out. “We ... have a contract." She paused to suck in air. “Remember ... we have ... a contract."

“I remember." James said, taking her hand. “I will fulfill it."

Something akin to a smile played on her lips. “Good ... otherwise I would be obliged ... obliged to come back and haunt you."

“Don't talk like that." Annie said softly. “You are going to be okay."

Nahal turned her head painfully to look at Darryl and Annie. “Never try to ... to lie to a liar." She coughed, and blood foamed around her lips. Then see looked scared. “Was I ... was I a good person ... at the end?"

“You were always a good person." Annie said as she stroked her cheek. “Just one driven into making bad choices by bad people."

Nahal nodded. “Hey ... I got to ... to ride a dragon." She lifted her eyes to Darryl and smiled again, a smile full of regret. “Two of them."

She was overcome with a couching fit. Darryl kneeled and took her head in his hands to steady it. When the last cough added away her chest had stopped moving; her raspy breathing had ceased. Her eyes grew heavy and began to close as the last of the blood drained from her brain.

A large tear rolled down from Darryl's eye and off his cheek. It landed on her forehead and her smile returned, but now it was a smile of content. It stayed, even after she was gone.

Darry and Annie wrapped Nahal in her cloak. James helped them rise her off the floor, and the three of them carried her back to the Audience chamber, where guards from outside the castle were peering cautiously through the main door.

“Your Lord is dead." James informed them, pointing to the bloody headless corpse in Morholt's armour. The dozen other corpses in guard uniforms did not go unnoticed either.

“Yield or suffer their fate." Gael added.

Wisely, the commander of the outer guards yielded to those that had dispatched the elite inner guard. He knelt to James. “What are your orders, my Lord?"

“Clear the castle of all but the servants. We can guard ourselves." Gael leaned over and whispered in his ear. James listened and them added, “And assemble the minor lords and guild leaders. We will talk with them tomorrow afternoon after we have a chance to clean up and ..." he indicated the body wrapped in the assassin's cloak “... to take care of our friend."

The guard commander hurried to comply as Ladread took a turn at James' ear.

“One more thing." James called to the man. “Don't worry about the dragon. She's just going to pick up a couple of our friends and bring them back here. Don't, ah, shoot arrows or anything at her. It will just piss her off."

Confused, the commander touched his forehead and hurried away.

Annie had some knowledge of Islamic funeral traditions from a project she had done at school. On her advice they buried Nahal the next morning at dawn. Annie, Junafir and Coyotka washed her body and wrapped it in a white linen sheet. James had the servants dig a grave in a place of honour in the castle courtyard. With his newly developed welding techniques Gael was able to engrave a marker made from an old iron shield with 'Nahal of Earth, She rode a Dragon and helped to Defeat the Tyrant Morholt'. They buried her without a coffin, laying on her right side so that she was facing south-east, toward where Mecca would have been if she was on earth. No one knew the proper prayers so Magnus improvised one, accompanied by soft music from his lute. Before they filled in the grave Darryl took a golden trinket from his recently re-acquired treasure pouch and placed it in the grave with her. He stayed by the grave long after the others left.

The next few days were full of councils and planning sessions. James and the rest of their company concentrated on their mission, combing the archives and consulting maps. Not being mobile, Paul threw himself into the minutia of running Lyonesse in the vacuum left by Morholt's death. He met with the old lords and guild leaders and heard their grievances, with Ladread at his side as they were familiar with her. Her fearsome reputation, enhanced since the revelation that she was also the dragoness Aldreda, helped keep them cooperative.

Paul heard their grievances from the reign of Morholt and acted to settle their disputes. The local leaders were impressed by the collie's ability to organize and coordinate the business of the nation and soon they were cooperating willingly. Paul appointed the best of them to a provisional government that would manage the nation until the rightful heirs returned. With the portal destroyed that seemed unlikely to happen soon. By the time the group was ready to move on the council approached Paul with a proposition.

“They want me to stay." Paul reported to the group at the evening meal that day.

“The new Council?" James asked.

“Yes. It seems that the merchants do not want any of the minor lords to be in charge and even the minor lords do not want any one of their group to have a superior position over the rest, so they have offered me the position of Chief Councillor until such time as the heir of the last king returns."

“Who would that be?" Coyotka asked between bites.

“A prince named Tristan."

“Oh-oh!"

“What's the problem?"

“According to the legends, Tristan was supposed to kill the man who killed his father, and that would be Morholt, the Irish Queen's brother."

Annie frowned. “So, we may have changed history?"

Coyotka shrugged. “Probably not. The Wanderers say that it is impossible to alter the flow of time or the events that occurred in the past. The story of Tristan is just a legend, similar to that of Sir Lancelot. He also fell in love with a King's wife and in the end they ran off together and died. In any event, he never returned to Lyonesse to claim his inheritance."

“So, you could end up being in charge here for life." Ladread said with a grin.

Paul scratched his chin in thought. “That could be a problem. It's one thing to stick around while my leg heels and help them get back on their feet, but it's another to take it on long term. For one thing, would the citizens accept a canine as their leader?"

“They had a rat for the last ten years." Ladread replied. “A dog is a step up. Besides, I'll be here to help you."

“You will?"

“Of course. Medioterrae is my home. And as much as I would like to help James and Annie I am certainly not going to Earth. Dragon slayers were common in the era they are travelling through and I'm sure they have a few more holy weapons stashed somewhere."

Darryl spoke up. “I won't be going either."

“Oh no?"

“No. partially for the same reason as Ladread, but mostly because of Tenille." He indicated the bright yellow insect on his shoulder. “Her health could be affected by the food there. I've heard that when some parasprites escaped to another land populated by equine life forms the food there affected their reproductive cycle and almost caused a famine. It's best for her to stay here, and I could not bear to part with her again. I want to apologise though for not getting you home as I promised."

“The destruction of the portal was not your fault. We appreciate your help in getting us this far, Darryl." James told him, then he turned to the others. “But he and Ladread do have a point, where we're going some of you will be very unusual sights, and that could be dangerous."

“Maybe we could pass as animal sprits." Coyotka suggested. “They are worshiped in many cultures."

“And hunted down as demons in others." Annie said, clutching Gaels thick arm. “We can't risk finding out which after introductions have been made."

“Couldn't we just cover up?" Junafir asked. “That get-up Ross had on plus some gloves would cover pretty much anything that would give me or Gael away."

“Don't forget about us." Coyotka injected. “Chris and I are going also. You need me to guide you to the portals and advise on the cultures we encounter. Chris' skills will also likely be needed."

Magnus spoke up. “I'd like to go too. Ladread said that my father left this land searching for a safe place for the holy lance, and I would like to see if I can find any trace of him."

James frowned. “Won't it look suspicious? Five of our party traveling in concealing robes, one of which will have antlers sticking out?"

“Not in the tenth century." Coyotka said. “People on earth were very religious then and parties of pilgrims travelling with armed escorts between holy sites were common. We can make Magnus look like a Druid priest wearing a headdress over his cowl." Then she turned to look Yup over. “Little people were not uncommon sights. You could be a travelling jester."

“Uh, no thank you." Yup responded. “After our success with the blunderbuss and the defeat of Morholt my reputation is restored. I have had some very interesting proposals from local merchants seeking to re-establish trade with the dwarves. I intend to go back to my people and rub that into a few noses before moving my workshop here to Lyonesse."

“We'll miss you Yup. What do intend to do with your blunderbuss? It won't work properly without Magnus' magic to guide it."

“It will do for a chicken dinner or two while I get back on my feet."

“I thought you were on your feet." Ladread snickered. “Maybe if we got you a taller chair?"

Yup rolled his eyes and looked imploringly at the rest. “You see why dwarves and elves, or dragons, don't get along?"

James made some calculations in his head. “Seven of us to go. A lucky number."

Coyotka arched her eyebrow. “You don't believe in superstitions like that do you?"

A few months ago I didn't believe in portals, talking animals, dragons or magic. Nowadays I'm open to anything. But without Paul's sword and Yup's blunderbuss you and Magnus will need some weapons, to defend yourselves if nothing else."

“Chris suggested that I take Nahal's weapons, the ones that used to belong to the other assassin. He will teach me how to use them."

“And Magnus can have my sword." Paul said, placing the katana Gael had forged for him on the table. “You and Gael can teach him the basics as well as I can."

“But it has the sapphire I gave to you mounted on it." James protested.

“It was your father's gift to you." Paul reminded him. “Part of your inheritance. And I have a feeling that you're going to need it more than I will. I've decided to accept the Council's offer, and with Ladread by my side I won't be needing it."

James reluctantly pulled the sword across the table and passed it to Magnus.

“Alright then. Let's talk about our next steps."

Coyotka dove in immediately. “I know of another portal that will get us close to where we want to be. If Ladread can fly us there and help negotiate our passage we can get to Kent during the reign of Arthur. It will take us about a week to get to Camelot from there, but we should be able to deliver that spear to King Arthur. Then we can head for the portal in Norway that will take us back to your time."

James pulled on his recently trimmed beard. “Recent developments have made me reconsider taking the spear to Arthur right away."

Ladread frowned. “You aren't thinking of keeping it for yourself, are you?"

“Not forever, but I think we need to keep it until certain people are dealt with."

“You mean Ross?"

“Yes. How do you kill someone made invulnerable by a holy curse?"

“With a holier weapon."

“Exactly."

Ladread sighed and handed over the spear. “You make sure that you get it somewhere safe after you are done with it, and don't let that bastard get his hands on it. I don't know how he lost it the first time but an invulnerable man with an invincible spear would be a formidable foe; one that even I would hesitate to challenge."

The group broke up, with the couples heading to their rooms and Yup inviting Magnus and Darryl to join him at a nearby Inn, leaving Paul and Ladread alone in the room.

Paul twisted around in his seat. His bad leg had been bound to his good one to keep it steady while the potions Chris had applied helped it heal. It would still be at least a week before he could try walking on it though.

Ladread came up behind him, leaned down and gave him a big hug.

“I'm glad you decided to stay, Paul. It's rare to find a creature with your attributes and I enjoy your company. Speaking of which," she lowered her hand to his groin, “it has been a while for both of us. I know you are still indisposed, but maybe if I change into my blond maiden form and get on top … ?

Paul considered the proposition for a moment.

“Actually, there is something else that I'd like to try … with Aldreda."

“My dragon form? What could we possibly do together as dragon and dog?"

“I believe that it is called 'unbirthing'."

* * * * * * * *

That night the castle staff were spooked by strange sounds coming from the north tower, the tower with the largest bedchamber, where Morholt once held his orgies.

Aldreda lay on the large carpet in the centre of the room. All the furniture had been pushed back out of the way. “Are you sure that you want to try this?"

“Yes." Paul replied as she smeared butter over his body. “I've been practicing holding my breath ever since I got a good look at your backside."

“You are a kinky little hound, you know that?"

“I learned from the best."

“How are we going to do this? With your bad leg and all?"

I've wrapped them together really tight, so there should be no worries about reinjuring the bad one. I've also woven a length of rope into the wrapping in case of emergencies." He held up the rope to demonstrate how long it was. “If I stop moving for too long just haul me out; like a tampon."

“What's a tampon?"

“Never mind. Ready?"

Aldreda looked skeptical. “I suppose."

“Don't worry, I won't just climb in like some cad. I intend to make this as enjoyable for you as it will be for me."

She looked at where his cock was already standing up out of the sheath. It was impressive enough on a mid-sized collie but to a forty-foot dragon it seemed somewhat … inadequate.

Aldreda rolled on her back and spread her legs, exposing her cloacal slit. “Go ahead then."

Paul hopped over until he could lay down along her slit. He began to rub against it, using his buttery body to massage the opening while sliding his hands inside the edges to tease it open. As he did so his erection grew, and he pleasured himself by rubbing along the slowly widening slit.

“Not bad, for a start." Aldreda said as she craned her neck to watch what he was doing. “I'll admit that's a step most male dragons skip, although they do have clever tongues. What's your next move?"

“A little tongue work of my own."

“Hrumph."

Paul kept gyrating along her slit until it was wide enough for him to get both hands inside. He sought out the fold of skin over her clit, and rubbed it vigorously; sometimes up and down, sometimes side to side, and occasionally in little circles. When he felt it harden and push out of the hood he rubbed his hands on his buttery fur to lubricate them some more before going back to work on it. When it was fully exposed he leaned in and began to lick it with his long tongue.

“Oh, that is good." Aldreda commented as she lay her head back and closed her eyes. “Yes, A little to the left … more … right there! That's the spot.

Paul licked and rubbed with one hand. The other he forced into her slit until his whole arm was in. Then he started rubbing her inside where he could feel the bulge of her clit as his tongue pressed down on it.

He could have kept that up long enough to make her cum, he thought, but that meant no fun for him, and getting squirted in the face, so he moved on to the next step in his plan.

“I'm going in." He told her. “If I stop moving or don't come out in two hundred heartbeats, pull on the rope."

Without waiting for an answer he stuck his head inside her twat then twisted his shoulders around to fit in.

“Wait! Two hundred of your heartbeats or mine? Damn, he's already too far in. I'll spit the difference." She started counting to herself as Paul wiggled deeper. It was a very pleasant sensation and she found that it was hard to concentrate.

Inside Paul was also counting; he did not want to pass out. He was also searching for something.

While making love to Ladread in both her warrior and maiden form he had found that she had a particularly sensitive spot a couple of inches up inside her vaginal canal. He assumed that it would be present in her dragon form, although a little farther up, considering the scale of things.

He found it when he was waist deep. A slightly rougher patch of flesh about two hand widths across. He ran his hands over it and felt the response ripple through the rest of her twat. He continued to rub it until he felt a little giddy, then he hooked his legs around her clit and pulled himself out.

“That was only ninety of my heartbeats." Aldreda told him as he lay across her clit, continuing to rub it as he drew in lungsful of air. “Although they were speeding up at the end."

“I should have brought a breathing tube." Paul gasped.

“Nest time. Meanwhile, what's next?"

“Back to work." He said and plunged back inside her.

It was easier to move now because she had grown more responsive and was producing her own lubricating fluids. He went directly back to the rough patch and started rubbing and rolling around against it with as much vigor as he could. On the outside, his cock was more erect than he could ever remember it being, and the perky little pup was rubbing against her clit as he rolled around inside her, bringing pleasure to both of them at the same time.

Paul came up for air twice more, and each time he went back in he felt that she was getting closer to orgasm, but he was losing ground each time he had to pause to breathe.

“I don't know what to do." He admitted the next time he was out.

“I have an idea." Aldreda said, now fully invested in Paul's little experiment. She wrapped her big reptilian hand around his lower legs. “Not too tight?" She asked.

“No, that's fine." He replied, beginning to get an inkling of her plan. “Let me get in position." He stiffened his body and put his arms by his sides. All that was sticking out was his snout and his cock. “Okay, let's do this."

Aldreda turned him around and plunged him head fists into her twat. She wiggled him about for a bit while he twisted and flailed about inside her. Before he could get stressed for breath she pulled him back out, just long enough for him to fill his lungs, then she stuck him back in.

With no interruptions to the stimulation her response accelerated. The tissues inside her canal became swollen and the rough patch rose up as if to greet Paul. It was a tighter fit, but a very slick and comfortable one inside her. And each time she drove him in his cock came up against her clit and slid along it before popping inside, where the soft tissues of her twat massaged it for a few moments before the process repeated itself.

After a while the intervals inside were getting shorter, just as her breathing was. Paul hardly had time to breath between plunges but was picking up the rhythm and matching his position to it so that he slid in and out easily and got right to work at the sweet spot inside when he was inserted. He had his own pending orgasm to contend with though, and no time to explain that if she did not slow down he would cum before she did.

She may not have listened even if he did. Aldreda was so lost in this new sensation that she could not have stopped if she wanted to. It only made her more eager when she heard Paul gasp and felt his hot semen spray across her clit. Well, at least he won't go soft like the male dragons tended to do immediately after cumming, she thought as she adjusted her grip and drove him even deeper.

Paul hardly had time to do more than gulp down a mouthful of air between insertions and she was moving him so fast inside that he had to keep his arms at his sides least they get caught at the entrance and break against her scales. But it was thrilling, and even though he had already cum with enough force to make his balls ache he was still hard and slick as ever. There was only one thing missing, he thought, as he felt his head bump against the entrance to her womb, and he doubted that he would have the opportunity to experience it.

He was wrong though. After a few dozen more thrusts Aldreda crossed the threshold and came with a vengeance. All at once the fluids that had been building up in her tissues released and Paul was bathed in a rush of hot liquid that shot out around his legs. At the same time her cervix began to pulsate and suck at his head, seeking absent semen, opening a little more each time she pressed him against it. Then, while she howled in a manner that struck fear into the hearts of every servant and guard within earshot, she released his legs and pushed him by the feet all the way inside her.

Paul's head and shoulders popped through her cervix. It pulled him farther inside in its orgasmic dance, right up into her womb. He brought his arms up and used them to pull himself the rest of the way inside.

It was warm and cozy there, and large enough for him to curl up in a fetal position. It was dark, of course, and quiet, although the comforting sound of her heartbeat came through. He could stay here for months before coming out, he thought.

Without realizing it, he had stopped breathing, having run out of air several moments before, but he was content to drown in these warm waters. He would have too, except for the tug of the rope he felt pulling his legs back out of her womb.

As his conscious slipped away all he could think was, “No mama, I'm supposed to come out head first."

* * * * * * * *

Down it the pub Magnus paused. His sensitive ears had picked out the sound of Aldreda's pleasure above the din of the bar.

“What was that?" He asked.

“Dragon sex." Yup replied after a burp. “Back when we traded with them you could hear that sound echoing along the mountain valleys come mating season." Seeing Magnus's skeptical look, he turned to Darryl. “You tell him. That's dragon sex, right?"

Darryl who had only heard that sound as he and his clutch mates hugged each other in fear as they hid behind his mother's treasure pile the mating season before she kicked them out shuddered at the repressed memory and petted Tenille for comfort.

“I've no idea what you are talking about, Yup." He said as he raised his beer. “No idea at all."

Paul Collieman © Collifan

Gael Tholkes © MarcusXLight

Junafir Pawstone © Frostlupus

Chris Cinereo © Kyroo Echos

Yup Thatchwatyahurd © Kyroo Echos

Sevade © Frostlupus

Constance “Coyotka" Jotkowska © Coyotek

Darryl D. Dragon © Major Matt Mason

Ladread © White Tiger Hunting

Aldreda © White Tiger Hunting

Magnus © Thwaitesy