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Chapter 14: The Hotspring

Around the island Veledar strolled, never lingering for longer than he needed to. Fire brimmed in his gut as he tossed rocks out from under his paws. Bark met the vengeance of his claws, ripped piece by piece from their woody homes. Still his scales tingled with the misery of his defeat, that shuttering pain that left him unconscious upon the grass. In ways it had been even worse than his defeat at the hand of that horrid Lich. This, unlike the unfortunate event that transpired in Struport, was entirely his fault.

He peered back at the place where his wings would be, a cruel pit coiling in his gut. Frills came to life as he recalled each promise uttered to restore his once glorious body. Each one as broken as he was. How they all seemed like poison now, sweet words and nothing more. Yet worst of all, his own fears, doubts, and unwillingness to let go was his undoing.

It had been a week since his attempt with the drahkras. It'd left him passed out without a hint of awareness about him. He'd simply came to, surprised to learn of his absence. Fremra had scolded him about his decisions, but how was he supposed to sever that away? She spoke as though it was easy, a task that anyone could do. His tail lashed as he stared at one of many rivers he found, hiding himself away from any interactions. The last thing he needed was anyone else to be judging him, know that he was a failure in more ways than one.

His tail lashed with a mighty splash as the soft breeze rippling through the cheery blossoms was like a mocking laugh to his thoughts. He stopped to glare at them, wishing those uncaring things burst into flames of the greatest intensity. When his thoughts cooled they instead turned to the lich, no doubt smiling at how much upheaval he'd brought into this dragon's life.

“Wretched monster." Veledar snarled, sweeping aside a reflection of the undead creature in the water with his paw. He hoped the lich was still laughing as they seared each and every bit of him away. Laughter was no doubt going to flow from his throat, relishing the abomination's final moments as fear swept into those darkened pits.

“And then I'll be whole again." He stared up the cloud dotted sky, mournfully tracing their gentle movements. Even now, he could almost feel his wing teasingly wiggling to pounce up into the sky's embrace. Everything stilled within his heart, from his scattered thoughts to his breaths. For a solitary moment his eyes drifted closed, imagining himself weaving and sailing, warbling at the chilly tickles about his wing membranes. He just needed to let everything go, complete an impossible task. Somewhere in the distance he could just make out his brother's voice, whispering his promise to become a legend.

“What will I have died for?"

Eyes shot open, his heart began to race. All the peaceful quiet was swept away by the happy songs of a group of passing orange feathered birds. They raced and twirled just out of reach, making the red dragon slump and glare as they darted right above his horns.

“Get away you rats!" He growled, swatting at them with his paws. When they darted and screeched in alarm, what cold he had dimmed. He was left snorting at his accomplish, appreciating the silence. If he could not let things go, could the Emerald Lady assist with him getting back his wings? The idea he knew was crazy, but she did have an uncanny way of getting things done. If she could not find an answer, then there wasn't one. Though the idea of finding out was even more terrifying than knowing. The dragon stared at a dragon shaped cloud, shifting from paw to paw in the shallow water.

“I won't go crawling back to her." He growled, cantering out of the river and back to the worn paths. Despite the unease battering against his soul, the surroundings were frustratingly calm. Why couldn't nature simply match his emotions? Match his frustration and anger with a powerful storm, drench the islands in sheets of rain. Instead he was forced to growl and grumble, beat aside branches and ravage the dirt with every passing moment.

For the rest of the day he did very little else. The red dragon traveled from location to location, taking in the peaceful vistas. Certain moments he could spy the tiny bronze glimmers of their dragon hosts, though none of them searching across the isles. Either they cared not for him, or they were instructed not to. He preferred the later. Somehow Arcturus being worried sick over him calmed him for but a moment, masking the sound of beating wings.

Fremra landed with what grace she had, her voice as calm as a crashing waves below. She approached with a sense of levity, her wings pinned and eyes a concerned storm. She didn't need to ask what troubled him, with but a look the wise dragoness already knew.

“Such anger, fire. All at the simplest of failures." She chuckled in the back of her throat, “You think you're the first dragon to fail in such a way?"

He wasn't? Veledar masked his surprise with a snort, not daring to look the female in the eye. He continued staring off to the rest of the island. “Its just another one to be added to the list. Do you know how much has laid bare at my paws? Life never seemed to hold back it's ire for me."

“Life does not seem to be particularly cruel or nice to any within it's audience." She approached, but wisely kept a wing's distance between them. “I think your anger is more with a whom, than a what."

Of course she knew. His tail lashed as a breeze caressed his scales. He didn't divulge the answer of course until she asked again, adding an innocent cock of the head. Yet her eyes knew.

“Myself." He snorted, averting his gaze. He stared at the earth, afraid to catch the gentle sparkle of dwindling sunlight on the image of silver scales. He'd let both down, and not just in life. “I've gathered allies to embark on a quest. Leaped at every opportunity to achieve my goals, I have even abandoned by hoard in search of it! Yet here I stand without my wings, without my magic, no closer than when I started. I thought by this age I'd have achieved more in my time. Made up for the sins I'd done."

“Your brother." Fremra replied calmly, “And your mother. I don't think either one are your fault."

He scoffed at the idea. “You wouldn't think that if you'd been there."

The older ness sighed, plopping down beside him. Her tail curled around them both as she stared out to the dwindling sunlight on the horizon. Purple tendrils had already reached outwards, tearing apart what orange-red light remained. Stars were starting to reveal their existence, filling what voids remained. The moon was rising opposite them, Startren waving goodbye to her wife, taking one fleeting glimpse before dawn reunited them again.

“I think the young put much blame upon things outside their control. Often I'd wish for my own mother to be around to explain such things. It was she that was much better than I." She turned inward, frills gently twitching. Pain was painted across her snout. “For years after the death of my mate and wrymlings, I blamed myself. Alone I dwelled, consumed by that single day. Existence was pain, my heart ached for death." She drooped, eyes closed. “I even tried to end it. Choosing to fall without flying."

She'd tried to kill herself? Veledar was speechless as the dragoness took in a deep breath.

“Not something I'm proud of, but it was the lowest moment. I'll tell you that letting go is not easy. Its one of the hardest things to do." She stared at her paw pads. “Years were passed that I couldn't dare giving them up, nor the last book I had of their memories. It was only when I was willing to sacrifice them did I save Jandar."

Silence floated in as the dragons stared to the horizon, each lost in memories of those forgotten. For Fremra it was playing with her little ones, cuddling up with her teal mate from all those years ago. Even now she could picture them lounged out on the shore, soaking in the dwindling rays. Veledar instead was flicking back to his brother and he, recounting the tales of dragons of so many years ago.

The red flicked left, imagining the perfect illusion of his youthful self. Spread wide on his snout was a smile, eagerly listening as Covrias stuck his nose in a draconic book, paws quivering with every excited sentence they red.

“Well this one's weird." Covrias' snout wrinkled as he pulled up from the page. “This ones about a weird purple dragon that likes collecting seashells and flowers. Used some sort of stasis spell to preserve them. She'd then try to spread their beauty throughout the lands, consuming whole human towns in the process." He chuckled with a swishing tail. “Can you picture? All those pedals in their hovel. They'd be so mad!"

“But I got a better one than that." His adopted sister proclaimed from his right, the sunset twinkling like rubies off her scales. “One about a dragoness who decided to live her life as anything but a dragon. Can you imagine how crazy she was? Animal, humanoid, anything to experience something new. She tried to bring joy in whatever setting she found herself. Clearly a nutter."

The younger Veledar scoffed at the idea, laughing along with his siblings. “Clearly crazy."

“Not as crazy as you though." Covrias tackled him, practically summoning his sister. All three collapsed into a pile of wrestling scales and tails.

The older dragon was speechless as he remembered in detail that night. How even a whisper now, he couldn't understand why a dragon would give up everything they read was how they were supposed to be. She was an oddity, a laugh to be had around the campfire, what dragon who did such things could be serious? Yet as he lingered the thought bubbled to the forefront of his mind, asking the question what would be so wrong if he didn't become a legend?

His scales chilled as a pit of despair coiled in his gut, and a pained gurgle pinned his frills.

“Its in the past." An teal snout gently tapped at his side. “It can't hurt you. It's not who you are."

He shook his head, the gurgle all but a whisper. It seemed as if he was returning from a dream, he blinked away the grogginess. She was mere inches from his nose. His brow rose. “What are you doing?"

“Don't see care when offered?" She teasingly covered her snout with her tail. “What on earth will we do with you?"

He growled at the change in tone. “Concern or mockery, make up your mind! I'm not some wrymling that needs to be watched or guided like a confused wrymling."

Her paw tapped the edge of her snout as she glanced him up and down. “So if you're not a confused wrymling, do you know the answer yet?"

“What answer." He rolled his eyes with a snort.

“Of whom you are of course." She chuckled deep in her throat."

There was this question again. Could she not know whom he was simply by looking at him? He batted away her snout, rising to stomp away. “I have no time for these games."

“It's certainly no game." She followed, effortlessly matching his pace. “Just a question you're not answering."

He turned to snap at her. “And still you follow me with that asinine question. I am Veledar, son of Seoghieth. Destined to be a legendary dragon remembered for all time. One that beat back whatever the world threw at him to hinder his rise to glory!"

“That certainly sounds like a charming story. Almost concocted by the legendary bards of old! How does it end?"

“As a legend." He snorted, descending with the path. “Listen."

“Oh I certainly am. I just wonder if that really was your destiny. Is that the choice you made? Or was it thrust upon you by someone else?"

He paused, remembering when he made that vow. Standing over the bloodied form of his brother, arrows protruding from his chest. What life had once had him was gone, ripped from hunters and fall to the earth. “I chose it." His eyes narrowed, shaking free the heart aching image.

“And you're sure?" She sighed, her eyes filling with concern. “Not out of guilt for something else? Some herculean task to quell the heartache of a little dragon?"

Everything froze, including his heart. Pain coursed through his forepaw, coiling around his chest. With blurry eyes he stared down, shying away when Fremra offered her snout.

“Vele-“

“No." He growled, composing himself with a heavy snort. “I chose it myself. You don't know what you're talking about."

She sighed, desperately wanting to pull him in and nuzzle him until he was cured. Yet she knew, he must conclude it himself. “I suppose I don't." She rolled her eyes, playing it off like no big deal.

Not one to be oblivious he stalled, giving her a questioning look. From snout to tail he searched her. “Why are you trying to convince me what I want isn't what I want?"

She led him forward with a gesture of the wings. “Cause your misguided. Someone has to try and force deep thought into that stubborn head of yours." She regarded him with a softer look, “And no one is around to tell you now. Might as well be someone like me. I'm older and wiser, can certainly fit the parchment." She chuckled at the idea, smiling to show off her teeth. “I think Arcturus even thinks you and I are silly enough to be related."

He rolled his eyes at the idea. “Let's not talk about horror stories."

“It's not that terrible." She scoffed, pulling him close into a wing hug. Strong enough that even he couldn't break free. As scales rubbed against one another in protest, she assaulted him with comforting nuzzles.

“What are you…Doing?" He wiggled in her grip, fighting the urge to nuzzle back as her purrs radiated through him. In moments he was just a wrymling, being comforted by his caring mother. “I'm not a wrymling!"

“And yet you can't escape." She laughed, “Just like a wrymling."

“Kidnapping! Assault! You're a terrible teacher!" His paws pressed hard as he could against her scales, yet she still held him tight. “Unfair, I call foul. You think I'll listen to you after this terrible slight against my pride?"

“There's that pride again." She rolled her eyes, “What's it look like? Can I poke it?"

“You very well know what I mean!"

With a final rumble, his scaly prison yielded him his freedom. To which she rumbled and chuckled as he brushed himself off to try and retain some semblance of regalness.

“I hope you had your fun." He flicked his tail nonchalantly. “I let you do that."

“Sure you did." She gave him a parting nuzzle, trotting a few paces away for good measure. “Oh Veledar. We will be trying the drahkras at a future time."

He groaned dramatically.

“Don't give me that." She said more sternly. “You will be able to achieve them entirely. You're skilled and have much potential. Call this…a favor." She smirked towards the blip of sunlight still clinging onto life. “Down by the sands, passed the trunk that's shaped like a human's boobs."

“Why human boobs? Could if be elf boo-“

“Doesn't matter." She closed shut his maw. “There is a secret place where we retreated from the wrymlings. Press your paw against the bark and simply say you're a dragon friend in our tongue. The bark will shift and reform, forming a path down into the depths of the earth. There you'll find a hot spring that will force you to relax." She chuckled and slunk away, a swish in her haunches. Mischief lingered in her words as she turned back with a grin, “Moving forward, things will only get harder. I refuse to have us fail this time. So, take the offer. I guarantee you'll enjoy yourself. If I've thought everything through of course."

“Certain of it?" His interest was certainly piqued, a soothing bath would do wonders for his scales.

She shrugged with her wings. “Use it or not. But you'll regret it if you miss out." She lowered herself, unfurling her vast wings. Snapping back to the sky she tensed, powerful muscles coming to life. With a gust of wind Fremra was leaping into the sky, drifting lazily upwards to the heavens.

He followed her enviously, a fire simmering in his heart. Yet her words stuck to him. Should he listen to her? The promise of seductive waters sneaked their way between his horns. There they pulled, yanked, and dragged the dragon back around.

“Fine you freaky female." He grumbled, shooting up and scampering across the field. “I'll try your method. Just don't be surprised when it doesn't work."

*

Around the island his path was set, following all the well worn paths by dragon paws. Though tempting to stop and investigate the multitude of smells and sounds that slithered from the forest, he would not be deterred. He found the stump she was speaking of, a simple thing covered in layers of moss. Moonlight wrapped around it, shimmering what moisture remained over it's weathered bark. Paw prints were left too and fro, clearly sign of much use.

Down went his snout as curiosity flared his nostrils. Fremra, Howling Storm just a name a few, plus at least three other dragons he didn't know. He did what she asked of him, placing gently his paw to the stump.

“Dragon friend." He uttered in draconic, rolling his eyes at the phrase.

There was a chime upon the air, an innocent thing. Like a robin's song on the warm summer's day. From the stump the ground shook and tremored. The stump's roots pulsed with life as it uprooted itself and slithered on it's wooden snakes far enough to reveal the ancient stairway hidden beneath it's resting spot.

Tentatively he went forth into the darkness, sniffing the earthy hall before him. On either side it was large enough to fit a dragon of Fremra's size, and shaped as if by magic in the earth. Lights sprang along the walls the moment his paw touched the first dry step, flaring wooden sticks set into the stone. They were like torches, but had no heat, painting everything around them in an orange glow.

Downward it spiraled as the air grew humid and hot, enticing the dragon ever further. His spine slithered as he pictured himself, slinking past the surface to enjoy his promised bounty. It quickened his pace, practically pulled his snout. The urge was an overpowering need the moment he came to what appeared his destination.

The room before him was smooth and wide, laced by the sinful steam rising above his head. Fake torches lined the walls, painting the weathered stone expanse in an alluring aura. Half the room was consumed by a pool of steaming water. Carvings of dragons rested upon every surface, numerous scaly shapes in various states of relaxation. He chuckled at some that had a more lewd atmosphere to them.

If it had been used recently there was no sign, the crafted stone was perfectly dry. Veledar approached tentatively at first, fighting the ever growing urge to leap into the water before him. He stopped before the edge, catching sight of the magical runes glowing red at the bottom of the pool. They were no doubt maintaining the temperature of this hidden retreat.

He should have had something like this crafted into his own lair. Never did he stop to think about it. Frills thrummed with anticipation as he held a wavering paw over the surface. With a breath he dipped it in, letting the delightful warmth wrap around his scales. His tongue lolled out on it's own accord as his eyes hooded.

“That's the spot." He cooed, slinking the rest of him in.

The sauna was deep enough for him to touch the ground, the water up to his stomach. He sighed and gasped, breathing in the humid air as he walked in utter bliss around the perimeter of the pool. There was nothing that could compete with this, he could sing if given the chance. Infact, no one was around, why should he hold himself in? With a flick of his tail he warbled his delight, and smirking when his no doubt marvelous tunes were reverberated off the walls back at him.

Down he laid upon the bottom, relishing as every anxiety was massaged from his aching limbs. Physical and mental ailments were all forgotten memories with every long drag of the air. Nigel's malevolence? That was for another day. Concern about the drahkras? He would get it eventually. His coming death? That was most certainly going to be avoided, there was no other acceptable outcome.

“Who'd want to read about my death." He snickered, smacking his tail across the surface.

No wonder Fremra and the others adored such a place, whoever had constructed it clearly knew what a dragon adored. Except for the ice dragons of course, what did they know about anything? For countless minutes as the pleasure inundated his every being, thoughts were a luxury he could not have. The only thing that could even remotely make this moment even more relaxing, is if he had someone special to share it with.

“Interrupting anything am I?" Came Arcturus' from the base of the stairs, smiling and eyes locked upon his still purring mate. “Not anything private I assume?"

He nearly trilled, but held this in check. It however didn't stop the excited twitching of his frills. “When have you ever minded that before?" The dragon mused. “Unless you're some doppelganger and not Arcturus."

The man slunk over, letting his pack fall to the floor with a thud. He merely sighed, “Guess that means you'll have to exist in a terrifying state of not knowing."

Veledar chuckled and rolled his eyes. “You think you're being cute. How understandable."

“Oh come now." Arcturus' tunic was the next to fall, revealing off every muscle along his chest and abs. “You think I'm adorable."

“That's besides the point." Veledar watched on in baited silence as Arcturus unclothed himself down to the nude. The rest of him was just as delightful as the rest. He had hair in the right number of places, trimmed and well maintained. Firm muscles spoke of athletic strength, and his unwoken maleness whispered of plans that could be enacted upon later.

Either someone was playing an elaborate prank on him, or this was an illusion. “Nice try Fremra." He sighed, slinking to the water's edge to give this fake the sternest gaze he could muster. “Arcturus would not be so bold with hi-“

Tender hands grabbed his snout, massaging the scales on either side. Purrs were summoned up from the dragon's chest as his powerful eyes hooded in delight. “Are these fake to you?"

“Not that I'm aware." He purred, nuzzling up close in the heated air. He was gentle and kind, not even attempting to knock the man over. “Though amazed actually."

“You? Amazed?" Arcturus grinned, “Now It is I that must think you're the illusion."

“Illusion this." He swept his tail right round, flicking the man with a sheet of water.

“See theres the dragon I know." Arcturus swept the liquid from his eyes, doing his best to not laugh. Just in case it prompted another water attack. “A little brat that-“

It was the dragon's turn to silence the man with something. This time it took the form of a tender kiss, complete with closed eyes and flickering frills. The coming tongue was an added bonus, yet something he was more than capable of winning. It only made him chuckle sweetly as Arcturus pitifully attempted to tongue joust with him. “This isn't a battle you can win fair knight. I have the larger weapon."

“And yet. I appear to be holding my own."

They parted for a fraction of a moment, returning together with a held head close to the man's chest. “Now how on the earth did you find me?"

“Paladin secret to be sure." The man gently tapped his nose. “One guided by Bahamut's"

There could only be one way. Veledar narrowed his eyes, “Fremra told you."

“I was getting to that!" Arcturus laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You spoiled all the joy in the story!"

“And what story was that? How you came to tease your dragon to no end? Make his lust spill head over paws?" He pulled away, dramatically placing the back of his paw to his snout. “How cruel of you. What would the others think?"

Crossed arms and a smirk through that bearded face was all the response he got. “Lust overflowing?"

Cerulean eyes widened into slits. He had said that. The dragon rumbled and returned, placing his snout to his love's cheek as a tremor flickered between his powerful legs. “Indeed. If your aim was do this, not a wise game to play with a dragon. Often do we take such offers."

“Tease you?" Arcturus scratched his chin, slinking to the water's edge to plunk down his legs. “Why on earth would I do that?"

Again with that mischievous smile. If not for the man he spoke with, he might have thought Lyndis' had taught him some tricks. “Enough of this game." Veledar's paw was the man's reward, tossing him into the heated pool. “Time for a dip."

Floundering, Arcturus splashed and surfaced, laughing as again he was forced to rub water from his eyes. “I was heading in you know!"

“Lies." The dragon mused, slinking around the man. He licked across his warming cheek and retreated, letting the tip of his tail slide seductively passed Arcturus' leg. “And we both know it."

“Do we?" Their eyes were drawn to one another. “Because, I was certain I was forbidden of doing such a thing. One of the vows if you couldn't remember."

Curse those vows. They ruined his teasing. “Yes, yes. Fremra told you of this place, brought you here and recited the password to be my little treat for the evening. You can't fool me."

“In this scenario, I'm the treat?" Arcturus chuckled as Veledar swam closer.

“You're always a treat Umraadi." He tenderly licked across that moistened face, earning himself a heartwarming giggle. He rumbled and continued, making little resistance but a half-hearted attempt to thwart him.

“Yet something is wrong with your scenario. Fremra didn't lead me here. Nor did she give me a password to enter."

“She didn't?" The dragon pulled back, glancing back to the stairs. Half-expecting a pair of lavender eyes glossed over in amusement. Yet he was left with only questions as he snapped back to his love. “How did you know the password?"

“I read it?" Arcturus laughed, “Speak friend and enter. Not exactly the most secret of codes. Guess it was only for dragons."

“You can still read draconic." The red's eyes widened. “You can speak it…That means…"

Arcturus cocked his head, eyes widening in understanding. “The bond is still there. But we haven't felt much since…"

Darkened clouds fell upon them. Veledar shuttered at the thought of Nigel, even the hot spring wasn't enough to shield him from those icy tendrils slithering down his spine.

“The lich." They grumbled in unison.

“But let us not mind the creature that finds himself locked in the dungeons. Instead, why did she send you here? I was only told of your unease about the drahkras, and this place might help you feel at ease.

Concern bubbled about the paladin's eyes to a charming degree. It warmed the dragon's heart, but cursed it just the same. Figured that Fremra wouldn't tell him the entire truth. With a flick of his tail across the water he told him the reason she told him to go. “As she proclaims were going to keep trying. That this will be a final night of bliss until we return to yet another avenue she wishes us to explore."

Arcturus slipped to him, resting a hand to his scaled chest. “And you're worried that you're going to fail again?"

“No." He lied, not retreating, but trying to hide it with a lash of his tail. Arcturus saw through this, pulling the dragon's snout to look him in the eye.

“Unwind your tongue. It does you ill to keep everything bottled away."

Curse the man, curse his caring eyes. Curse the way his hands held his snout! With a powerful sigh his scale shook. “You've deducted correctly. Do you feel any better?"

“Wasn't trying to." The dragon's snout was tenderly massaged, all to the soothing dripping of water. “Is there anything else?"

No use hiding it now. He nodded gently, letting each of his concerns come rolling off the tongue. “My heart quivers at the thought of my death. I can't slip this earth without fulfilling my promise."

“Promise to whom?" His voice was soothing, not to mention he'd started slowly massaging his jaw. “You're brother?"

He nodded, gulping down the sorrow building in his throat. “Precisely. To die anything other than a legend is a waste of a life."

Arcturus tilted his head, confused. “Waste of a life? Forgive me, but were you not slumbering in a cavern when we first met? Eyes closed and clutching fast a stuffed gryphon?"

The dragon groaned at his well-made point. That long stretch of time could only tarnish his pride, many times he'd been asked to leave and not just by his gryphon friends. He went to try and hide it, flick his tail and deny the dark cloud between his horns, but Arcturus eye's caught his. A flicker of warmth weakened his armor, delving deeper where no mortal should tread. The pain of the drahkras loosened his tongue.

“I was terrified…" The words felt like bitter poison, slithering from his regal maw. “Don't make utter it again, I think I almost wretched."

But Arcturus didn't tease him, tender hands found his snout. “Why?"

“I already said." He snorted, drifting back to his brother's final moments. “My end."

“Yet you seemed ready to defend me, others, people who've never met you. Hells were you not the one who dove for me with no guarantee of your safety. Could you not have died then? At the time for a man you just met?

Both drifted back to the harrowing night in their chase across the dragon neck mountains. The one where gryphons pressed in at either one of their sides, talons poised to rip Arcturus from him. He hadn't hesitated to dive after the flailing mortal, destined to end up a red stain across the mountainscape.

“But that's not what you really where." He trailed off, almost tasting that wintery chill. “It seemed a grand story. Former dragon hunter shown the error of his ways, befriend and companion the beasts he once despised. The dragon gives it his all to protect him, a new future would be made regardless of the outcome." Veledar chortled weakly, “I couldn't let a small, fragile thing like you perish after even just that small of time."

“I wasn't that fragile." Arcturus scoffed.

“Fragile enough." He licked the human's face with a rumble. “But truth be told, even then I was not convinced of my demise. It wasn't until…" His thoughts shot to the lich as he swallowed the pit building in his throat. “You know the night."

“You don't have to say it if you don't want to."

“The lich. It was that vile monster's mechanizations that ruined everything." He hissed, batting the water with a paw, even if to hide the aching of his heart. “My bravery should know no bounds. My strength, legendary, my determination the thing of songs. Yet here I am, shivering at the mere thought of ever facing him again." He snorted towards the stairs, laughing at the mere sound of this story. “What kind of legend is terrified and shivering at the hurdles he must face?"

Arcturus swam back to the shore, pulling himself up until rivers cascaded down his muscles. Veledar followed without a word, plunking his snout into the man's arms. “Fear isn't weakness. It's what you do with it that matters. You can let it stop you, crush you, consume everything you are. You mustn't let it. Dark deeds have always been done by those with fear. Just look at Cornellius, persecuting dragons out of his own fear. Even my father did his cruelty out of fear for my safety." He stared up, almost as if looking for the stars themselves as his hand's seemed to dull the pain lingering in the dragon's bones.

“But acting despite the fear is what we call bravery. You don't let it hinder or corrupt your actions. Veledar I look to you and see a living creature like all the others." His smile was like the sun. “. Not the immortal bragger who can't imagine his failure, but the one who has failures like the rest of us. Struggles through them like the rest of us. He may not be perfect, but not any of us are. He's clumsy, strong, stubborn…"

“Hey." He nosed at the man's chest with a wrinkled muzzle, these romantic compliments had gone sour.

Closer Arcturus held him, “He's one that someone can look up to. He's the one I love and wish to be there for. You know, let him lean on me in his darkest hours. Just like he did for me."

Veledar smiled through moist eyes, chuckling at the promise. “I'd crush you if I did that you know."

“Stop being fresh." Arcturus chuckled, tapping the dragon's nose. “You know very well what I meant."

With warmth in those words the dragon's paw rose, tenderly stroking the soft skin below his pads. Such care he took with his claws that he didn't even scratch the surface. “Such words you speak. Silver tongue of a poet, sent from the gods to charm a dragon."

Arcturus blushed, dreamily gazing into Veledar's eyes, “And yet months ago…"

“You'd thought madness had gripped you." He chuckled with softly frills twitching. “Trust me, the feeling is shared." They pressed close for a tender kiss, draped in the steam. The dragon's heart melted in the time. When they pulled away, Cordenth's vision was haunting him. Arcturus' blood covered face. He shivered, pulled back by Arcturus' fingers.

“What troubles you? I've seen that look before."

“Cordenth." He sighed, not meeting the man in the eye. “I can't stand to lose you. Everyone else has been stolen from me. My brother, my mother. I cant bear to have you stolen away. I curse your courage at times. For I fear that one day it will carry you away from me."

“I can't deny who I am. As you know yourself. But I know that if I have you by myside, nothing will stand in our way." Arcturus laid a kiss upon his nose, one most tender and made Veledar's frills warm to the point of catching flame. His hand met his chest, tracing around the finer scales, unleashing waves of delight. “As long as I draw breath, you will never be alone. You will have my sword, shield, and heart whenever you call upon them.

He snorted, chuckling at how cheesy this sounded. Yet he smiled all the same. “Again with the poetry. You keep this up and even my scales are going to melt. But I don't think you'd live long without your heart…" He chuckled and winced as Arcturus playfully batted him across his snout. “And better weapons you must choose." He huffed, pressing closer to the man. “Your fists prove ill chosen against my scales. I can hardly feel them."

“Then let me try another tactic."

Lips met snout as if pushed together, setting off fireworks across the hall. Within their chests burned the sun, united together by a blazing thread. In every breath they could feel the flickers of their emotions, a faint shadow but more than enough to make this ever more enjoyable. When they pulled back, their hearts were racing, their breaths shallow with need. When their eyes met, both could see the months' worth of need dwelling within. One unbridled storm of rider and dragon romance that needed to be unleashed.

“You can feel it ache and burn." Veledar pressed in, basking in Arcturus' touch, savoring his breath.

The man nodded, “So can you."

He couldn't help but chuckle as even dwindled he could practically taste the lust brewing in the depths of his knight's mind. He licked along Arcturus' ever reddening cheek as his loins stirred. “Bahamut bless the bond." With a lustful snicker he forced another kiss, but sneaking a gentle paw to grope at the man's rear.

“Hey." Arcturus laughed through his passionate kiss, “I don't think the bond is that kind of grip!"

“What?" He pretended to be shocked, never once stopping his kneading. “Your haunches are most gropable. Shame that they are not. How could I even resist if they beg for it?" He kneaded again, rumbling how his human leaned in and groaned at the touch. “Besides." He grinned, “I think the paladin likes it."

Without waiting his tongue lashed outward, teasing the human from waist to throat. Devilishly slow he left a saliva soaked trail, every inch marked by Arcturus' gentle moan. Eyes hooded when trembling hand's tried to return the pleasure, brushing against the dragon's sensitive frills. It only made the dragon move slower, twirling his sinful tongue. His scales shivered as he slipped free upon the air.

He pulled back, lust pounding through his veins as his turgid spire bounced upon the air. It was practically two feet in length, covered in ridges, and the knot was begging to be formed. A single bead of pre dribbled down, connecting to the water below. “Arcturus." He spoke softly, tenderly brushing the man's back.

“Yes?" Arcturus replied, tenderly stroking along the dragon's snout. He smirked when he leaned out, catching what he'd grown between the dragon's legs. “Whatever is it?"

“I think I need you." He rumbled, swishing his tail gently through the water, groaning as he imagined those soft hands probing about his shaft. He throbbed at the very idea.

“What need. I can practically feel it burning. How fair would it be to leave you with such a impressive burden?" He ran his hands along the length of the dragon's snout. “How is it you need of me?"

He hardened like steel. The sly man knowing exactly how to tease him. “I think you have the tongue of a poet." He growled lustfully, “And the magical hands of saints. I think it's time you applied both into this problem."

“Is that so?" Arcturus chuckled as Veledar licked him across the face once more.

He nodded, whispering in the knight's ear. “But when my magic returns. I'll be conquering that rear of yours. To long has it remained absent of me."

“Can you conquer what's freely given?" Arcturus remarked, one dastardly hand drifting to a pleasurable frill.

“But I like conquering things." He rolled his eyes, “How could you deny me?"

“I suppose it is pointless to resist dragon." The man sighed with a warm smile, clearly playing up the act. You may conquer me to your hearts content."

The dragon's cock pulsed powerfully, as he rose his head, chest filling with heat. Even his tail lashed to give his proclamation the strength it deserved. “Then I will batter your gates with what strength I can muster. When you yield to my lance, you shall be captured, bound, and knotted to my hearts content." He couldn't help but grin at the lewd imagery. “Only then will you be given my white gold as payment."

“And you spoke of teasing."

“Whose teasing?" He swished his tail. “That was a vow." He pushed Arcturus against the wall, bathing him in warmth and a slimy tongue. “One I very much intend to keep."

The warrior drifted back against the spring's wall, groaning in delight as Veledar's tongue slurped his hardened uncut mast. It throbbed with need under the moist assault, only begging the dragon to continue battering it with his tongue. Steady hands found the dragon's horns, gently helping the great beast rise and fall along his shaft.

“Don't stop." The knight panted, his eyes hooded and face wrapped in bliss.

Veledar wasn't going to, not after seeing that look upon the man's face. It only had him try ever harder, bring what pleasure had been given to him. So he rumbled and continued on with his diligent work, slathering the tip whenever he could, purring ever the while.

The air filled with wet slurps and pleasurable groans, the pair's rhythm established. Up and down the dragon's head would go, uniting them in the most carnal of ways. For countless minutes they were trapped in squirming bliss, but this could not last forever. It was not long until composure broke, breath became quicker and Arcturus' legs were twitching uncontrollably at the water's edge.

“I'm going to-“ Arcturus' grip tightened, his teeth grit, his whole body coiling on the dragon's snout as his balls clenched fast to his body. With a groan his body trembled and shook, spurting his gooey hot cum all along the dragon's waiting tongue.

He purred gulped the salty concoction, holding the trembling Arcturus still. His groans of bliss were like candy to the ear, only sweetened with promises of what was to come. There wasn't much to clear from the man's shaft, but it was the emotion that mattered. Satisfied with alleviating his mate, Veledar pulled away, clearing his lips with his tongue. “I think its about time you got to work." He grinned, coiling his body to reveal his dribbling mess of a spire. He was going to be lucky if he didn't burst the moment the human's lips touched his tapered head. “What have you to say to that?"

Arcturus just smirked, laid a kiss upon his cheek before slinking along the dragon's flank. He dragged a palm, gently massaging the scales in a sultry walk. Next came the lips, kissing along the crimson scales, mimicking the dragon's slow lick from before. It was terrible and tail curling, and Veledar was hissing in delight the entire time.

“Curse your teasing."

“Whose teasing?" Arcturus smirked through a kiss upon the scale, painfully starting his way underneath the dragon. “It's a promise. You're just…" His hand caressed along the underscales, making Veledar's body shiver.

His cock bounced, a gooey glob of pre spurting forth. “You know you're doing it." He growled, “I'd have you mounted if I could."

“Doubt it." Arcturus chuckled, “You'd let me continue."

Curses, he was right again. Yet he wasn't going to let him win. “Course I will." He wiggled his tail, gently thrusting his hips. “I would love to see my dragon hunter worship my lance."

Anticipation hung in the dragon's mind; and he was practically begging as Arcturus slowed his outward stretch into a crawl. Thankfully, he didn't have to give the command, as eager lips met his tip. “Yessssss." He hissed in utter delight.

“As I figured." Arcturus chuckled into the hardened tip, brushing eagerly along the heated flesh. His hands rose to squeeze and stroke along the moistened shaft, trace every ridge until the dragon was gasping under every ministration. He pulled back with hooded eyes, lapping once at the head. Salty and spicy pre egged him on, drawing one lap one after the other. He was soon suckling and moaning, his eyes closed.

Every pleasurable pump that send shivers down the dragon's spine, was rewarded with yet another glob of hot dragon pre. The man was creaking his jaw to fit the swollen head inside, but by the sound of his muffled moans and stroking hands, it was clearly worth the effort.

The dragon groaned, fighting the urge to buck his hips as Arcturus' expertly nursed upon his throbbing spire. Every pulse he could feel be gulped down, swallowed dutifully by his loyal mate. His underside shivered at such a lewd display, but it didn't stop the dirty talk.

“I knew it." He rumbled with a sigh, “Knew the moment I saw you that you loved swallowing dragon cock." His tail twitched as the human moaned into his pulsating shaft, squeezing particularly harder at his throbbing ridges. He groaned in satisfaction as he felt the man push gently forward and begin to paint his own throat with the dragon's pre. “I could get used to this."

For bliss filled moments he was left, watching as the flushed knight nursed and gulped down every spurt of fresh dragon pre. Sinful fingers massaged and stroked, ever begging more to arrive. The man was utterly lost in servicing the dragon, moments filled with peaks of the eye and deserved smirks around his cock.

“Such a good human." He whispered lewdly as he caught sight of his love's cock harder than before, “Made to pleasure dragons." His voice dragged to a long pleasure filled hiss, caressed, and squeezed as if to new heights. It wasn't long under such skilled work that Veledar was squirming, his climax ever rushing forward with the strength only a dragon could provide.

His paws trembled under the water as he hissed his lover's name, the only warning he was going to give of his hefty load that was to come. The human didn't pull back, merely moaning into his dragon's head and waiting for his reward. Oh he was utterly the best. “Good…Human…" He panted as it reached it's final peak. “Don't waste a drop."

Heat diffused down the dragon's throbbing cock, pumping a fresh load straight down Arcturus' beautiful throat. Pulse after pulse of thick, gooey dragon cum being swallowed eagerly without any trouble. When Arcturus pulled off, he showed off his final reward, a sizable blob of dragon seed. He chuckled and swallowed that down too.

“Such a wonderful Umraadi." Veledar rumbled, spinning around to kiss and slurp his dutiful knight clean. They laughed together as Arcturus burped, and remarked he could taste only what the dragon had provided. “I could give you another dose." He chuckled lewdly, nuzzling lovingly at his mate.

The night passed in a pleasure filled blur. Numerous grunts echoed across the hall, finally punctuated with groans of shattering bliss. Pools of their white gold were left strewn about the hall, coating dragon and human alike. They eventually needed to slip back into the waters, to clean themselves of their thick leavings. It may not have been the perfect night, but it was well enough for both of them as they crawled from the waters and rested satisfied against once another.

“Thank you." Veledar whispered, his eyelids slowly drooping closed.

“Always there for you." Arcturus chuckled weakly, kissing the crimson scales of a forepaw. “Always will."

“Yet another vow." The dragon chuckled, pulling the man tighter against his underside. “I'll cherish it like the others."

* * * * * * * * *

I hope you guys are ready for the next part. I have some art that I can't wait to show you all that portains to it. Anyway, thanks for reading and following along during the hardened times were all going through. Just happy these two got to share a moment from all the trouble they've been having as of late.

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