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Chapter 5: Tensions

Dragons were made for a great many things, flying high in their domain, weaving magic through their bodies, and looking positively beautiful yet deadly to all that beheld them. Through these acts their deeds would become legend, rumors, stories, or songs that must be repeated till the end of time. Currently, Veledar could do none of those things.

The red dragon savagely lashed at a bank of snow, absolutely devastating the snowman that lay behind it. He stomped around the trampled snow, huffing as the bitter cold stung at his paw. How was he supposed to get any relaxing or meditation done in this frigid hellhole? He scowled at the snowy clad landscape, spotting tracers of civilization sprouting from the wintery blanket. Even the separation from any living sole was doing little. Each time he stopped to think inward, all that lurked between his horns as how utterly dreadful the air was. Whose idea was it again to try these preposterous motions? Suggest that meditation would bring back his beautiful wings, restore his magic and correct his broken horn?

Fremra.

The red's blood simmered as he whipped the snow with his tail. Weeks he'd underwent trials, tests on multiple levels of magical potions, herbs, runes, all meant to help solve his predicament. Though each one had proven useless, doing all but chip away his faith that she knew best for him. One month and some change later and he was still maimed. How is mate or anyone still thought he'd be handsome after something like that beyond him. He stared at his paws, fighting the urge to stare at his stumps that'd been his wings.

Luckily the teal mentor of his had insisted on doing some sort of errand. Something that coincided with loud explosions coming from the city. By his experience it reminded him of cannons. But that was ridiculous. They were not under attack, and who'd be firing cannons anyway? Either way he was left here to wander about the snow landscape, brush against trees and uselessly meditate. All that he seemed good for now adays. Perhaps that's why Arcturus wasn't here with him right now, probably wasting his time by swinging that stick around. He snorted, trying to not let his blood start to heat ever more. Wasn't the man supposed to be here right now? Helping him heal so that he could go back to being the best dragon that ever lived? The legend that all mortal or dragons would collapse in awe over?

“Why are you still not healed? What are we doing wrong?" The prideful dragon's resistance crumbled as he shot a firey glare to the stumps that'd been his wings. Memories of the sky came to him, uselessly whispering for him to fly up into it, take his rightful place. Yet all he could think about was his adventures up to this point. How was it fair that he be injured in such a way? He'd saved Arcturus from his certain doom, assaulted Entis to retrieve his book, rescued hundreds of humans from certain doom, even defeated the strongest construct that Lumara could produce. How could he be so easily defeated and maimed by a wizard so lacking in the ability to achieve immortality that he turned his body into a raggedy sack of flesh and decayed bone?

He shivered as that night returned to him. How the metal beast of a dragon leaped at him, eyes bright and glowing with arcane energies. The one that'd contained the soul of his mother. He paused mid thought, rubbing at his chest as her pained final words stabbed through him like a blade. He'd had her right within his paw, the mana crystal that contained her soul waiting to be fixed. Yet all of it had come crashing down thanks to that same wretched ghoul.

Slinking across the landscape the urge to roast everything around became an irresistible call to his ears. It massaged his vengeance, coaxed his glands to flare with need. Yet as his thoughts lingered to the boney face of his attacker, it chilled him to the marrow of his bones. Blackened sockets appeared upon the darkened trees in the distance, judging, waiting for him to make a mistake.

The lich.

Strong as his scales were, how mighty his spirit. It withered and died the longer he was held within that unearthly stare. He slunk and shivered, a cold sweeping down his spine. He whimpered as the phantom pain of his wings burning to the ether returned. That singular burning that forked out like rivers of viridian fire, crashing his wonderful form to the ground. It'd almost killed him as he witnessed them collapsing before his very eyes.

Dragons were not supposed to be felled so easily. Not by a singular spell spoken by an undead wretch. It was meant to be an arduous battle that songs could be sung of. Not over in the blink of an eye, or a flick of the wrist. If that was to be done, terror would surely wind it's way around any dragon's scales.

Even as Arcturus cheated with his magical crossbow he'd never been truly afraid. He was simply to plan his escape and win the day with his silvery tongue. Yet as the lich advanced, he could see his death reflected at him. There was no mercy left within those blackened chasms, that surely died the moment that thing had become a lich. How helpless he'd been in that singular moment, unable to resist as his attacker reached out with a boney claw.

Cold slithered across Veledar's paws as a long dead voice whispered to his ears. It was his brother's voice, calling his name and driving yet another stake through the dragon's ever weakening heart.

“Please don't go." The silver wyrmling gurgled, weakly flopping his blood covered forepaw.

No, no, no, no. The red slammed shut his eyes, thrashing his neck, and whipping his tail through various other snow sculptures people had made. Anything but that memory, the weakest he'd ever been. He couldn't fail to heal from his wounds, everyone was counting on him, even if they didn't know it. Even if it was impossible, it needed to be done. He couldn't be the legendary Crimson Sky otherwise, and that was unacceptable.

I will not die a nobody.

He growled, glaring at the murky clouds above and the sunlight that just started to filter through them. He caught one such ray, painting his scales in it's golden light. How ironic that he couldn't see it's beauty, merely flaring his frills as his blood simmered about him. His mother and brother would not have died for nothing. They'd at least have died for a legend.

He was just about to get back to demolishing a whole family of snow people when his friends all arrived in a mismatched group. It was like they'd formed a new adventuring party with the green as the resident dragon. It was all he could do to not stomp his way over, lash his tail about and demand that the green dragon give him back his mortals.

“Is that a look of deep thought? It gets ever so hard to read red dragons from time to time." The green dragon announced, swishing his tail through the snow. He turned to Arcturus with an amused smirk, “Is that what it is? Should we come back another time?"

Lyndis caught sight of the scattered remains of his snowmen victims, chucking softly as she shook her head in clear disbelief. “Or should we round up some more victims for you to decimate?"

“The second one sounds more appealing." His head was held high as he tried to maintain that regal aura for a moment longer. “Find some mages to animate them and we'll have a rightful challenge on paw. I'd love to turn them to nothing more than pools of bubbling water." He held his head high, ending the prideful boast with a snort.

To his contempt they ignored him, instead Arcturus led with a soft shake of his head.

“To think you were hiding out here all along. You know we were looking for you all morning."

Veledar shrugged off Cordenth's coming growl, slowly striding away, and flicking his tail back at them. “I wasn't exactly hiding you know. Was just doing as Fremra said." He gave Cordenth a mocking laugh in the back of his throat. “Is this what accounts for dragon tracking as of late? I perish to think what'd you do without me."

Cordenth was in his heavy face faster than he could blink. “Go ahead and laugh. We can test against another any time you wish. Just name the time and place."

Veledar pulled back, snapping his teeth to this ridiculous challenge. “I'll do circles around you green scales. Its about time you got knocked down a peg or two by a proper dragon."

Both males' coming growls hung on the air, followed by their sharpened teeth making an appearance. Twin tails lashed outward as sparks practically before their eyes. Muscled tensed, paws kneaded the snow, waiting for the coming brawl. Yet with palms to their chests, their mortals had slid between them.

“Really?" Lyndis' brow stitched together. “This is how you focken meet one another after spending all morning looking for him? Threaten to rip out each other's throats?"

“We didn't imply that." Cordenth shied away, nearly making this whole affair humorous. The half elf somehow made him seem to shrink, dark green flourishing in his frills. “But you saw what happened. He instigated it." His heavy snort brought narrowed, challenging eyes to the red. “How could I let a slight like that go unanswered? Its very undragon like."

Up went the rogue's hands as she scoffed in disbelief. “Bloody children! The lot of you! All those years, just so you can snarl and hiss!"

Veledar was just smiling at this verbal tongue lashing. Least his human was…Arcturus was glaring at him just as intensely as the half-elf. He sighed, plopping to his haunches onto the cold snow as the human blathered on about manners and decency. Did they expect for them as dragons to behave as they did?

“You can save what little breath you have Arcturus. Both of you can cease this mewing about what dragons should be doing. You don't see us correcting your posture and manners." That really put an end to the paladin's bluster, or at least blunted it to the point of keeping the man at arm's length. Ether way it got what the red wanted, the silencing of his jaw.

At least the consistency of their little spats was something he could rely on. For days they'd been fuming with anger, like a boiling pot to spill over. With grim amusement he wondered if this was the moment to be it? It would certainly fit with the luck he was having. “Now do explain why you have interrupted my tiresome training." He gestured to the field with a paw.

“Destroying snowmen?" Lyndis rolled her eyes, “There is no focken way that's your training."

“Yes." He held up his head, puffing out his chest to maintain the lie. “I thought it preposterous too, but that's Fremra for you. One moment she's wise and makes sense…"

“And the other you're more confused than a turtle duck." The rogue sighed, “Checks out I'm afraid."

“Why were we here?" Cordenth snapped his head back to the city, checking as if they were clear to be speaking. “I had a vision of the future. One that concerns all of us."

Visions? Like his mother? A cold shiver crawled down Veledar's spine. Last time he dealt with these he visions it led a kingdom to call for his death. Something of him leading an army against their walls. He'd never even seen the city before that moment, less cared about leading an army of anybody to take it. He pawed the ground, trying to dismiss this fear doing summersaults in his gut. “Sure these were not simple dreams? Too much sugar and wine before slumber?" He mockingly chuckled, trotting around them with a smile, “Wouldn't this be embarrassing. All the excitement over a simple nightmare."

“Yes, I'm sure." The green silenced him with a low growl. With fluffing wings he recounted his journey to his mother's palace and how she confirmed his visions as true.

Veledar sat, perplexed. Taking in every terrible sentence as the green recounted his journey. “And what of the others of our group?" He rolled a paw. “You failed to describe what befell our kobold and minotaur."

“What of them?" Cordenth rolled his eyes. “They're not my friends…Feku is only a kobold-“

Lyndis punched the dragon square between the nose.

“What was that for?"

“She's not just a kobold you twat!"

“Fine! I misspoke! But she isn't one of my friends! I hardly know of her!"

“She took care of you while you were sick!"

“That doesn't make her my friend! The bull despises me and did that as well!"

“And somehow you dig that hole focken deeper! I can't believe you! They're our friends damnt!"

While the half-elf barked at the green dragon who recoiled half-heartily, Arcturus remained silent and in deep thought. The man's brow stitched together as he paced, caressing his regrown beard.

“While I love the two of you squabbling, where was I in these visions?" Veledar offhandedly coughed, pretending to be inspecting his paw as if the news was no big deal.

“Dead." Cordenth thumped his tail. “Without your wings and crushed before Arcturus' maimed body."

Instant cold set into his scales. That couldn't be right. He didn't have his wings? Arcturus was dead? That would mean they'd failed to do fix him. Their wonderful story couldn't end here, not after all the hardship and tribulations. The green dragon had to be wrong. “So much for your visions." He snorted, glancing away with a flick of his tail. “Perhaps you should get better at these things before laying them upon our paws."

But the green was persistent. “I'd not discount them so hastily. Mother seemed adamant of their truth. She tried to entrap and keep me within her home, if not for Fremra I would have been so."

The red hated to admit it, but that green scaled thorn in his side was always one step ahead of them. While rebelling to throw her plans into disarray aligned with his thoughts, he couldn't help but feel they were still playing into her paws. Up went his brow as the green told of his escape. “And she just let you go." He rolled a paw, “Your future obsessed mother just let you go. The one that she's been manipulating for gods knows how long?"

Yet Cordenth continued, not clearly understanding the implications, “I saw her try to stop us with my own eyes! Shattered the wall of force spells risen to stop her, luckily for us Fremra was unpredictable."

“Speaking of which." He rolled his eyes to the sky, expecting a mass of teal to be shooting towards them. “Why isn't she here?"

“Because she already knows." Lyndis sighed, “They went there without me."

“Well you were busy with Arcturus!" Cordenth rose his neck, placing a paw to his chest. “How was I supposed to know she'd try to keep me?"

“I don't know, cause its your bloody mother? The craziest of dragons we've ever met?"

The green was speechless as his maw opened and closed several times. “Fair point."

“Riveting." Veledar glanced away with an annoyed flick of his tail. “And I take it you seek to undo this future you've seen. I for one don't relish the thought of being dead. Nor you being the victorious hero in the end."

“Hero?" Cordenth's wings flared, setting Veledar with an icy stare. “The city was in ruins! Everyone was dead! I'd hardly call that a victory! But yes, I discussed it with her this morning. The best idea we had was to gather some allies we didn't have before."

A good plan all things considered. “So where did you want to start?"

“Hold on." Arcturus interjected, a concerned look in his eye. “In this vision we do have a victory. Not a good one mind you I'll grant you that, but terrible things were stopped. If we go messing around, it could get even worse."

“Barely." Veledar scoffed, “Did you not hear what he said? You're dead, I'm dead. The entire city is in dead. Everyone ends up dead except those two."

“But this shard remains intact." Arcturus countered with crossed arms and a furrowed brow, “The long game is achieved. The undead eventually lose."

“Gods." He dramatically groaned, unable to look his human in the eye. “It sounds like you're agreeing with her of all things."

The man didn't budge, searching all their faces. “What if we go messing around with things and defeat is the future we've ensured?"

It was Lyndis' turn to sigh. “We already thought of that. But the future is already changed. When Cordenth left his mother's place, it undid everything."

“So, it's already uncertain."

Good. Now there would be less fighting about the changing of it. Veledar cast away his concern over Arcturus' mental being and fixed Cordenth with an inquisitive stare. Surely if the male had the ability to see the future he could look again, search for the changes that they'd already put into motion? He asked his thoughts, getting the answer he predicted would come slithering from Cordenth's wagging tongue. He went through many different reasons, but the one that stood out was that he was unable to keep on checking. Something about a hidden force out there hunting him.

Was it those things from the deep fae?

Veledar's thoughts drifted to the golden wraiths that chased after them through that strange place. Could those be somehow connected to whatever entity sought him now? And why him? Why the son of a green witch of all things and not the glorious crimson sky? It was downright unfair what it was.

“So as you can understand. I'd like to keep it to a minimum. Only this untrained power when necessary." Cordenth had strolled around, flicking his tail to and fro. “And about where we are to start for allies, we were thinking of asking the queen for help. These used to be her lands after all. You know, before this undeath about us."

“And Lumarians." Lyndis scowled, although rapidly changed her tune as her eyes fell upon Arcturus. “Not you though Arc." She playfully punched him on the shoulder. “Okay in my book. Diamond in the bleedin rough."

Veledar paced with thoughts swirling between his horns as the trio discussed their plans and plots. Suggestions of Fremra with her portals to help came to mind, the lizard folk in the swamps, the dwarfs to the southeast, even a suggestion of asking someone from Rothdell for help. But none of them were asking the important question. These allies would be good and all, but how were they to prevent his and Arcturus' death? He could feel each of his breaths becoming harder as he pictured, he and the human's mangled forms, their blood dripping from their broken bodies. Paws placed softly on the snow brought a sense of chaos he didn't usually enjoy.

“What of me though?" He snarled, snapping to them with a lashed tail. “You seem to have forgotten me in all your planning. What am I to do while you gather these allies?"

Silence fell, broken only by a solitary cough. Lyndis was the first to break it with a heavy sigh, “With your condition. I think its best if you remain here, until you get back your wings."

“And your magic." Cordenth added, not able to look him in the eye.

“If we're to speak with the queen, it requires delicate speech." Arcturus coughed. “Thus far, a talent you've yet to master."

“And yet you seem just as poor as I." He growled, ignoring how thin his scales felt. “You speak of my weaknesses, my shortcomings. Am I useless to you? I am a dragon, not a thing to be tossed away like a weed from a garden." He advanced on them, eyes starting to glow with fire. “Remember who bested the abomination forged from my mother? The one everyone failed to kill above Entis?" He puffed up his chest, hating the words he spoke, “Guess it was just me." He spun around, blood boiling as he stomped off towards the sapphire guardians almost forgotten in the distance. He wasn't to stand for these insults against him. Not bring him along in this grand quest? How could a legend in the making be thrown to the wayside? What kind of story would that be? It be one lost and forgotten to time itself. In fact, that's probably how he was to die. Buried in a ditch with no one even giving a damn.

His friends tried to call to him, but their cries washed like rain across his scales. “Take me back to the keep." He growled, fixing the gathering of blue tabard wearing guards.

“B-but Fremra insisted that you were to remain here. The young human protested, but instantly changed his mind as Veledar's eyes narrowed like a blade. “I mean, right away."

Good. He snorted with bitter satisfaction, at least someone is listening to me.

The city streets were all but a blur to him, the blank faces of so many people, ignoring the dragon in their midst. Course how would they know he was a dragon? They probably thought him some wingless drake creature. He could feel their stares when he wasn't looking, hear their whispers about how wretched a thing he was. Several times he lashed back with a snarl, roaring his frustration to a bewildered and terrified crowd. He was only led away with pointed spears, and apologies flowing from his chaperons.

By the time he'd returned to his makeshift home, the dragon had all but dove into the mass of furs and sheets he called his own. The collection of wool and silk might not have been as comfortable as his back home, but it did the job of letting his frustrations pitter out with every long flare of his nostrils.

How far was he away from his home now? Further than he or most dragons ever did embark on. He had a home to return to, a treasure that many would die of envy. Why was he not their defending the glittering coin? Scaring away would be looters instead of terrifying crowds of humans? He slumped and batted at a dark blue pillow stitched with gold tassels. It flew across the room, scattering Arcturus' silver plated armor across the floor.

Why was he even here? To embark in some quest that he'd never achieve? To be maimed and without power? To protect his paladin from harm? With each passing moment of silence the answer became more muddied. Sure he spoke of his deeds with the reverence their deserved, but how many knew of him outside his friends? Struport had only remembered the dragon that'd been maimed saving them, hardly the legend he talked himself up to be. He took a weakened peek back to his stumps, growling as those blackened sockets came back to him.

Curse that wretched sack of bones that'd done this to him. Pox on the Lumara queen that allowed it to happen. How ready she'd been ready to toss his life away to this wretched creature unnerved him to no end. Even after the brief travel they'd shared together, where he'd enjoyed her interest in matters of the arcane. She had to sour everything! Yet as he tried to focus on her, he couldn't help but think to the lich once more. Had she only done it for fear of her life? He hadn't asked her since that night.

He shivered, not really wanting the answer. He coiled in on himself, trembling like a soaked dog. Dragons were not supposed to be this weak of a creature. This was reserved for the likes of mortals like humans or gryphons. Never the beasts of legend such as he, especially the great crimson sky. His paws felt so cold against his crimson armor, trying to massage the bitter pit building within his stomach.

Maybe you're not cut out to be a legend. You're just a normal dragon. Bound to be erased from history sooner than later.

“Stupid thoughts." He grumbled, flinging what sheets clung to his head across the room. They knocked over books stacked upon dressers, falling into a heap before the full length mirror beside it. Why he had such a thing still was beyond him. Unable to resist the temptation he gazed deeply into it, meeting his reflection with a burning scowl. He looked utterly exposed and dreary without his wings. Like a permanent aura of tiredness hung about him. He tilted and inspected every inch with a growl, focusing on his chipped horn most of all.

He snorted and dashed his head away. With but a few buckets of paint and he'd look like Lyyreth. Give it a few months and he'd be shivering and nervous like him too. Yet even that dragon was off having an adventure. Getting to rescue whole towns and dragonesses from vile hunters.

He slumped with a defeated grumble, smacking Arcturus' chest plate across the floor with the tip of his tail. “Have I fallen so low that the likes of Lyyreth bests me so easily?"

He got an answer from an unlikely source, a silver wyrmling pressed it's paws to the glass. “Is that why you're so glum? The fact you're so plain?"

It was his brother Covrias, merely a concoction of his mind. He disregarded it with a hiss, ignoring how his blood chilled. “Have I gone mad now?"

The silver rolled his eyes and scampered off further into the mirror, tackling an image of his younger self. His smooth jaw clutched onto red forelimbs, drawing a cackling laugh out of the crimson youth.

"I'm not plain! I'm going to be the best dragon there ever was! Just like Storm!" Young Veledar tumbled with his brother, over and over rolling along the grassy forest floor.

“How can you be the best if I'm also around?" The silver pulled back, grey membranes hesitantly fluttering. “There can't be two bests."

“Oh yea? Guess they'll just have to make room." The tiny red's wings flared, “Two best dragons for all time. Praised across the lands, sung by so many we won't be able to count."

“Promise?" The silver came to a stop, playfully booping his younger self with a wing.

“Of course. You'll always be able to count on me."

Veledar averted his gaze as the two shadows of his past played and scampered around. He stared at his paws, growling as the cold swelled within them, he could feel himself trembling. Down went his snout as he tried to drown out the guilt building with ever happy laugh he and his brother did make.

It can't be for nothing, it can't be for nothing. I am a legend in the making. Everything that's happened has had a purpose. It was all the part of my grand legend.

Veledar sat with his eyes tightly squeezed, repeating the mantra to himself until the haunting sounds began to dull, leaving him in an eerie silence with only his thoughts to keep him company.

*

Some point during his attempt at meditation he must have fallen asleep, thankfully it had been dreamless. Whatever his mind could concoct, he wanted no part of it. It was hard enough without his mind being out to get him as well.

The gentle rustle of armor broke the relief of his slumber, joined by the clattering of a sword upon the floor. Arcturus cursed below his breath, drawing the dragon's eyes open.

The human had placed his armor to one side, stashing sections into his sizable traveling backpack. Clothing was folded and skillfully placed, resting besides parchment, a waterskin, and several lengths of hempen rope. In a flash his hands had retrieved his sword, placing it beside the rest of his things.

“Going somewhere?" Veledar pulled up, giving the human's wide eyes a fake yawn to gaze upon. “Departing on a sudden trip?" He glared at the satchel, his tail angrily swishing behind him. He'd almost forgotten completely about the previous encounter today.

The man sighed, “To Tregaron, the capital of Drenedar if you must know. I'd hoped you'd still be asleep." He folded up a faded red vest and slipped it into his pack. “If we are to best this undead invasion and find Dreadflame, this will be out best bet."

Oh how his blood boiled as the man he loved disregarded his feelings on the manner. “And the best idea you could conjure up between your ears is to place yourself right and center before their queen?" Veledar's head pulled back, trying to hide the hurt in his voice. “Need I remind you that you're a knight of the land they despise? Your word will mean next to nothing!"

“What good am I to do here?" The man didn't look up. “I've been training and helping for weeks. This is where the true battle lies."

He rose to all fours, curling around Arcturus so that he could look this traitorous knight square in his beautiful emerald eyes. At the same time, build the kernels of guilt within him. “You're abandoning me to my lonesome? How could you be so selfish that you merely think of yourself?" He strolled around the human, his tail almost knocking over a bookcase. “No surprise really, with how you forget me even if you were here."

Arcturus slumped, averting his gaze as he packed. “I'm not abandoning you. When it's done we'll return, hardly take more than a day or two. Besides, are you not supposed to be healing? What difference would if make with my presence or not? I'd be just as useless as you'd be at-“ Arcturus stopped himself as Veledar's gaze grew poisonous.

“Going to finish that sentence?" He snapped, fire coursing through his paws. He growled and advanced upon the human, letting his weight hit the floor with all his strength.

“I mis-spoke."

“No, you meant that." His frills flared, “I am not useless. I am struck with a problem that needs to be solved. You're the one abandoning me. You know how that makes me feel?" How his scales trembled so weakly as he breathed. It was infuriating.

“Let me rephrase this." Arcturus' hands went to close around his cheeks, but the dragon pulled away as if bitten. He sighed, turning back to hastily gather up some armor pieces and try to force them within the pack.

“Are you trying to keep me here?" He growled, smacking his tail till it hurt against the cavern wall. The man he loved didn't answer. He curled his snout around. “And why have you changed your mind about the future hmmm? Didn't you say that what we might do could be even worse? Why even leave with them if that's the case?"

“I thought it would be obvious to your snout. I don't want us to die."

“And neither do I!" He lashed around, catching the shimmer of his brother's scales in the mirror. He slunk so he didn't have to see, letting cold crawl up his paw pads. “And neither do I want you dead." He spoke softer, resting upon Arcturus' features. “So why not forget all this. Forget this future where you and I are dead. Forget trying to throw ourselves into it. Listen…" He padded to but an arm lengths away, soul pleading for Arcturus to listen. “Lets head out upon a boat, or to the north. We figure this out and leave the undead behind. Not one of us will have to die."

Did I just say that?

Arcturus hardened like a blade, questioning what he'd just said. “What has come over you? You'd abandon these people?"

“That's not what I said!" He rolled his eyes with a huff, “I just don't feel like giving my immortal life for these people."

“What happened to being heroic? A legend? A dragon worth of song and praise?"

“I do want those things!" He snapped his jaw mere inches from the human's face. Part of him loathed how he didn't flinch. Why couldn't he recoil like a good little human, just to humor him. “But I'd like to very much do those things when I'm alive!"

Coward.

“How is it so wrong to enjoy the fruits of my labor?" He eyed Arcturus' satchel like a vengeful soul, waiting for his moment to rip it asunder. “The fact I have to describe that to a human of all things is the most perplexing of all. Is not your kind not obsessed with prolonging your lives? You live what? A century at most?"

Forgotten was Arcturus things as the knight followed him around the room like a pet. What fire in his eyes had begun to swell, practically flowing and sparking in the air. “How is it confusing? You know what I believe in, my code I follow! I cannot fathom that the beast I believe in would speak such cowardice. What has gripped you that makes you utter poison?"

“Beast? He revealed his sharpened fangs, “Cowardice? Is that the word for intelligence now? I would like you to think hard with that monkey brain of yours Arcturus. Your oaths are about helping those in need, uplifting the weak. How can you continue to do this if you throw your life away at every opportunity? Tell me, If you can, I'll gladly take back my words."

The human shot back, a finger thrust to the dragon's nose. “Are you sure you know my oaths? The ones that saved your life? The ones that made me trust in you?"

Veledar rolled his eyes with a dramatic groan. “I don't recall all the words. Though refresh my mind. Do they instruct you to be dense and sightless when they wish you to be heroic? Do they teach you to abandon your allies like some unwanted egg?"

How thick the tension in the air hung, curling, and reaching out to demand silence of them both. His knight shut his jaw, gave him a steeled look, and went back to packing his things. “I'm going to that city. You can accept that or not. Maybe if you were trying harder to heal instead of moping around and being jealous you might be ready by now."

“Jealous? Now you say that?" He bolt to Arcturus like lightning, ripping the satchel from the man's hands with his teeth and flinging it into their mirror. “Jealous of what? That green buffoon you call a dragon and his loving harpy?" Every word he mockingly laughed he knew he'd regret, but in this moment he hardly cared. It felt good to watch Arcturus scowl. “And you think I haven't been trying? That I haven't been trying to do whatever scheme Fremra has been insisting upon?" He snaked down his head, meeting the emerald gaze of his lover. “I'd like to see you so maimed as I. Your magic taken, your legs mangled, then have your friends abandoning you when you feel miserable and alone. Then come talk to me."

“There we go again with this poor me attitude." Arcturus started to retrieve his things; clearly what patient he had wearing thin.

And still your love ignores you. His brother's voice whispered between his skull. He knows you're just an ordinary dragon. Paladins like him need a dragon worth of story. Not some normal wretch like you. No wonder you let me die.

His paws were trembling in pure rage as the knight gathered each single piece of his armor. Was he being irrational? Emotional? He shook his head. No, he couldn't be. If anything, he was being far calmer than anyone else in his position would be. He didn't even demolish that mirror when he had the chance.

How his heart squeezed as Arcturus finished stashing his things, sliding on his pack and stowing his scabbard sword. The red tabard around him did little to ease his throbbing heart. He didn't have much time, he was going to leave him alone. Alone with his thoughts and his brother's image to haunt him.

“You're not going." He slid to the exit, puffing up his chest.

“Move." Arcturus' voice was like stone.

“No." He shoved the human back with a paw as he tried to slip on by. “You're staying."

Down went the pack. “I needed to train, you know that. Dreadflame is still out there. Waiting for me to slip up again. I must go."

“No you don't." He growled. “They will do fine minus one knight. You'll be by myside as you should have been the entire time."

“How is it my fault you're not healed?" Arcturus glared at him. “This isn't like the cave if you recall. We already tried using my lay on hands."

“That's not all you're good for you know." He growled, pushing his point home. “What have you been doing while I needed you? Helping a sea of your own kind and swinging that toothpick around!" His paw smashed down harder than he'd have liked. “To top it off, you're glad to die for nothing! Protect people you don't even know!" He narrowed his stare, blood close to boiling over. “How proud your family would be to see you throwing your life away." The second the words passed his lips he knew the line had been crossed. The patience Arcturus had, shattered like a pane of glass.

“Is that so?" The knight's face wrinkled. “They would know I was sticking to my beliefs. The ones they knew me to be. You've known me for hardly a few months, what can be expected you to know of them?" He crossed his arms, met the dragon's glare with it's equal. “Your family on the other hand? How would they react to your words? How you scowl and snarl when you don't get his way, and run when he has the chance of helping those in need. They'd know you're just as arrogant, egotistical, selfish, and possibly the worst traits of dragon kind boiled into one."

He was snarling, curling around Arcturus as red painted across his vision. “How dare you speak to me in such a manner. They'd not only be proud that I've lived, they'd be praising me for not tossing my life away like some pitiful fool." Down went his paw, seeming to shake the cavern. He didn't dare look away as his heart fluttered like mad.

Arcturus just opened his mouth with an ireful look when Fremra emerged from the hallway, face painted in annoyance.

“When I said to wait, I did not mean to wander around and head back home. I know you doubt the healing but you must still try. It's okay to be afraid."

“I'm not afraid." He hissed, Arcturus forgotten as the teal female flowed into and filled every inch of the room. “I've not been that for many years. True dragons aren't afraid." He puffed out his chest, meeting her lavender stare.

She regarded him with a solitary snort. “I thought you were serious about your wings…Magic…Do you not wish for these things to return?" She held a paw and pressed Arcturus back as the man tried to slink away. “You're not out of this yet either. I have words to be shared to you as well."

“Is it that you agree with me?" He gestured to Veledar with a furrowed brow. “That he isn't trying hard enough?"

Fremra shot to him, any sign of joy in her voice gone. She snorted, ruffling the man's hair. “You're not helping matters. I know your blood flickers with fire, but you still must remain calm. Veledar is not wrong you know. I've heard your shouting along the halls."

It was as he thought! Veledar could bounce upon his paws if not for the raging inferno within his heart. This was the happiest he'd been in days. Though why did this victory taste so bittersweet?

“So, I'm responsible for his failures now? I've been trying to be patient."

“There is no trying. Do or do not." Her tail swayed softly as she traveled her eyes between the pair. “You're one now. You're connected. You both fail and succeed together." She held up her paw as Arcturus tried to leave, pushing him back again. “I can do that all day you know."

“But…" He stepped back defeated, “Cordenth and Lyndis need me!"

“And so does your dragon." She returned her head, letting the silence sit between them. “I've already told them you won't be going. Both of you will be coming with me. I tire of your bickering, your anger is misplaced, your words terrible, you're lucky I arrived before anything could not be taken back. Your fears are getting the better of you."

“But we don't hav-“ Both said in unison, but Fremra cut them off with a stomped paw.

“Save me the excuse. Look who you're talking to." She gestured to Arcturus with a wave of her wing talon before turning to depart. “Good thing you're packed. We depart for the isle of draconis this very instant." She casually started humming, her tail dragging along the wall until she disappeared down the hall.

The pair were left in a stunned silence, exchanging looks of confusion and shock. There was no more fighting for now, though they could feel the unease lingering between them. Either out of pride or shame, neither uttered a single hint of an apology. Instead they followed Fremra in silence.

“Ever heard of this island?" Arcturus finally asked with a sigh, rubbing his neck.

Veledar nodded, thinking back to his younger days when the days seemed so free. “In a story once told to me. An island between dragons and mortals." His frills tilted as he recalled his brother and him digging through their mother's tomes. She'd been so surprised as they batted at the thick pages under their paws. His words came almost like his mother's that day. Soft and close to trembling.

“Once a place where dragons and mortals could be one."

He wished he could sense the emotions brimming through his human's heart, but sine the fight with the lich the bond had been ever quiet. He was lucky to get even a flicker of Arcturus spirit. He could see the same feeling on the human's face that he got when looking upon his scales and chipped horn.

“Lyndis is going to be pissed." He snorted, silently cheering for his mortal's return. In a twisted sort of way he got what he wanted, the man's attention and company. Though with every sideways glance and pad of his paws, he wondered if it was worth the argument that still flickered around his soul.