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Well into winter, a mercenary sniper sets up for overwatch for a squad moving on a cave. Inside the cave are the targets. Two drakes in the slumber of hibernation for the winter. Equipped with anti-drake rounds, the sniper readies his weapon. The squad being watched over move two launchers to the mouth of the cave. Arming them heavily weighted nets graded for a goliath.

On the signal given by the sniper the launchers are set off, covering the drakes in a net too heavy to move under. Instantly woken up by the sudden crushing force, the dragons attempt to burn their nets off but to no avail. The sieging squad then throws in sedative gas canisters to put the dragons to sleep. After a minute all fire and movement ceases.

The ground team then moves in to secure eggs, all but one have already hatched. They secure the single egg remaining and radio to the overwatch that the cargo is obtained. Moments later two bangs are heard. Nets are then retrieved from the bodies. This was an assassination meant to leave no witnesses.

Irvathan woke up to a cool autumn breeze upon his scales. Noting how the leaves had begun to fall, winter must be close. After sorting himself out, he returned to his post. Greeting him there was his best friend; a human named Franklin Jug. Franklin had brought Irvathan up ever since he was a hatchling.

Franklin was an older man, far into his fifties. Average stature, height. The only thing that wasnt average about him was who he chose to spend every possible moment with, his dragon; Irvathan. For the last 30 years Franklin had put his previous life aside in order to raise Irvathan to maturity.

Irvathan was a western-dragon with hard, thick black scales covering all but his underbelly and undertail of which being a beige colour of soft scales. He had a welly toned, muscular build. Two large black wings. His tail ended in what could be compared to a spiked mace. A rounded blunt edge with protruding spikes. His long, slender neck ending in a spade shaped head with thick horns made of hard, black rock that grew straight back from his head. Standing at a story and a half tall, Irvathan was taller than anything in his village.

They lived in the small village of Mon'yuur. Far from any major highway and further from any larger cities. The locals here had much respect for dragon-kind and often offered solitude to any needing it. The village was deep in the forests of Venntic, a province of Astoruda.

"How was your sleep?" Franklin questions with his gravelly voice.

"Not too good. I think the Elk I had hunted the night prior was infected with something. My stomach was quite upset at me," Irvathan replied in a deep drake voice, "I quite miss being inside and being fed fish from the villagers." He continued.

"Well, yer a bit too big for common stream trout feller!" Franklin chuckled, having a coughing fit after his laugh.

"By the lords, if you dont head into the city and find a doctor to help you out I will fly you there myself!" Irvathan states nearly roaring.

"You wouldnt get 5 feet before I had cardiac arrest!" The old human prodded.

Irvathan laughed at the elderly mans joke, nudging him in the process making him fall on his back end. Both had a hearty laugh as he got up and opened the gate for their daily waltz around the town. The main road from Franklin's house leading to the downtown marketplace. The village only had one or two cars amongst all its 400 population. Most walked everywhere as it was a tiny place. Mostly independent without any outside importing for sustainability was needed.

Franklin and Irvathan say their goodbyes for the day. After Irvathan goes back to patrolling the streets and looking for any misbehaviours. The village didnt have their own sworn police, instead if they needed emergency services, they had them come over from a neighbouring town, around a 30 minute drive away. So Irvathan figured he would fill the role of policing as much as he could until they had sworn officers on duty. People are more scared of a dragon than they are of a human with a gun, and it shows.

He also played a role of chief negotiator with any other nearby settlements if disputes happened. One particularly nasty city; Gretchad otherwise known as the city._ _He had to speak with them today as they have threatened to start expanding into their territory regardless of wishes. Gretchad didnt have the same beliefs of dragons as Mon'yuur did. They infact have trained personnel for the sole reason of dispatching of potently aggressive drakes. If the village was to be rolled over by industrious horrors of the large city, their beliefs would need to be abandoned to not become exiles.

Irvathan figured they would be more open to negotiations during their waking hours than if they were all sorted. With this he took off for the city negotiation centre. After a few minutes into his flight he spotted a massive large red wyvern. Irvathan estimated it was about three times larger than he. It would be what the humans classify as a goliath wyvern. Usually ancient and largely wise they strayed commonly far away from any human settlement. Why this one was within a three minute flight of the village he had no idea. He had not once seen another drake such as himself. Only in film.

The wyvern looked up at him, acknowledging his prescence and revealing its massive crest to Irvathan. He figured it would end better for them both if he didnt stray too close as he didnt wish to have his existence deleted.

A good hour had passed since he spotted the wyvern and was closing in on the city. The large towers made of grey stone and steel came into view almost immediately. The lights followed. A few more minutes and he landed on the drake pad of the negotiation centre. There he stated his business and was told to wait for a representative to speak with.

A human in a suit with a briefcase waltzed out of the staircase door with a smile on his face.

"Ah, Irvathan. Always a pleasure." The man bowed.

"Likewise, you know why I'm here," Irvathan said matter-of-factly.

"Yes I do, and what we stated last time hasnt changed. Gretchad will continue to expand territory. You can either accept payment for your land, or we will take it and you will get nothing. You have a choice to make. This isnt negotiable, we made this clear last time we spoke." The man sternly stated.

"Wh-" Irvathan started

"No, come back next week with your answer. If it isnt recieving payment, then dont come at all. Goodbye, and best of luck from the city. Don't make me call for a rogue squad." He said as he turned around and walked back through the door.

Irvathan was greatly upset by the cities decision on non-negotiable terms at a negotiation centre. It was ironic, and disturbed him. But he had to relay the info back to the village for them to make the decision for him to either take back to Gretchad or stay.

While nearing his home village he could hear the roaring before he could see it. As he came over the ridge he saw it. The massive red wyvern had launched an assault on Mon'yuur. Seeing the wyvern breathing fire over the wooden houses and crushing the ones he didnt set ablaze. With a deep and loud roar Irvathan dove at the beast.

He collided with the massive wyvern centre mass. The force of the falling drake knocked the red giant off balance. After landing, Irvathan swung his tail around to hit it in the head. The goliath of a reptile moved with alarming speed and ducked the tail attack and breathed fire on the ground between both of them, forcing Irvathan to back up. The ensuing smoke from the fire was enough to conceal the wyvern, allowing it to get away.

Not wanting it to get away he readied to jump through for chase. As he was about to run through he heard heavy footsteps followed by a crested red head rush through the flames. Quickly trying to fly out of the way, Irvathan launches himself into the air. The wyvern misses his intended target of which was Irvathan's neck. Instead grabbing a good hold on his front right leg. Wasting no time, the wyvern threw the drake by his leg at a burning building.

The wooden house was crushed under the thrown drake's weight. Sharp, searing pain engulfed Irvathan's front right leg. Trying to put weight on it resulted in unbearable pain. With the threat still very much real he had to protect the remainder of Mon'yuur. Getting back up he realized the wyvern was already on top of him. It put a claw around his neck and started squeezing. Immediately Orvathan began to panic. Again the wyvern threw him again as though he were weightless.

Irvathan felt the wind get knocked out of his lungs as he landed on the ground. At the same time feeling hot air cover his entire body but not feeling a single burn. Then feeling a sharp pain as a claw dug into his abdomen, and the other as it wrapped around his neck and started squeezing for a second time. This time the wyvern seemed keen on finishing what Irvathan had started. Gasping for air, he kept trying to move but the massive lizard above kept him pinned to the ground.

"Sleep," the Wyvern told him.

The black drake felt the control of his limbs leaving as his vision went black.

The starry night sky greeted him as he opened his eyes. Taking a deep breath his lungs burned with each fresh breath he took. Getting up, the drake notes how his abdomen ached with immense pain. Looking down and seeing dried blood from where the wyvern had stabbed him with its claw. Standing up Irvathan couldnt put any weight on his front right leg. It was broken and mangled.

Irvathan looked around. Mon'yuur was flattened, not a single piece of wood was left standing. Everything was either in a pile or reduced to ash. The heavy smell of smoke still plagued his nostrils with each breath. Limping and hopping his way over to the logpiles, the drake started overturning wood and scattering the ash desperately searching for any survivors. As he began to give up hope he decided to head into Gretchad in hopes of getting anybody remaining in Mon'yuur assistance. In an attempt to outstretch his wings to start flight his left wing wouldnt open. Looking over he noticed just above where it connected to his torso it was partially twisted away. His wing must have broken when he got tossed around.

With flight out the window, the young dragon decided to start walking through the woods to his destination. Muscles screaming in defiance he pushed through. Getting into the cover of the trees, his stomach decided to show its carelessness for the drakes situation as it demanded to be filled. He had to hunt and find water. Knowing where a close lake was he turned and hobbled in a beeline toward it. A couple of hours later and many failed prey chases later he arrived. The clearing surrounding the lake. His muscles on fire and in the weakness of onsetting exhaustion he dipped his head down and took a drink of fresh water. His dry throat feeling much more relieved with the new hydration. Now in the dead of night, Irvathan had no energy left. He would continue in the morning. Falling over he let himself fall to unconciousness.

Irvathan felt something nudge his neck. Thinking it to be a muscle twitch he paid it no mind. Again the nudge, this time a bit harder. Opening his eyes he looked up and saw another drake. This one had white fur and a blue underside, it was around his size, maybe a bit smaller. Ears adorned the top its head as well as nearly indistinguishable frills a little down its neck.

"Oh, thank Drevahn! You aren't gone!" He heard a feminine voice say.

Unable to form words, just making garbled sounds, Irvathan figured his voice must have been temporarily taken by the wyvern. Continuing to push his ability to speak it resulted in a violent coughing fit.

"My, my. You really must have stepped into the wrong drakes territory, hmm?" She questioned.

Irvathan coughed a bit more before seeming to find his voice, a few words at first.

"Red giant..." he said as he was trying to get up, his muscles screaming more than the night before. He was in worse condition than he wished to admit.

"Red giant..? Was it a drake?" She began to seem concerned.

"Wyvern, red, attack." Irvathan detailed.

The white dragon appeared deep in thought for a couple seconds before happening upon a revelation in her head. She looked down at him with a worried look.

"The only wyvern around these parts anymore is Brelqoni, but he's long presumed deceased by many. He'd have to be three and a half centuries old by now. I sure hope you didnt piss him off." She trembled.

Irvathan felt his body already becoming welcomed back into the bless of sleep. His entire body beginning to feel weightless. A cold taking over, in the middle of a blaring sun.

"I'm...getting cold- and tired." Irvathan cautioned.

"Dont fall asleep, I'll be right back!" The female drake urged.

Irvathan laid his head back down on ththe ground. Closing his eyes again and focusing on his senses. His body felt cold, likely from blood loss the stab wound on his abdomen caused. He could feel the air's humidity each time he took in a strained breath. He heard the furred dragon take off into flight, leaving him to his own doing. His leg and wing throbbed on and off with pain.

He was angry at the wyvern. Mon'yuur respected their kind. Why would it attack them like that? Why didnt it just kill him? So many questions with no answers. He would kill the wyvern. Even if it cost him his own life. Thinking about whether he could even make it out of his current state sprung a twang of doubt in his mind. He decided to take another drink hopefully calming his nerves.

Slowly he stood up, feeling stinging everywhere in his body he pushed through it forcing himself to stand. As he took a step he heard his stiff, cold bones cracking. Giving the dragon a satisfying feeling. He lowered his head to the water and started to drink, mouthful after mouthful making his mind clearer and clearer.

The traitorous stomach of his still reminding him he needed more food. Walking back to the treeline he took a moment to look for any animal he could catch in his injured state. He spotted a deer paying to attention to its surroundings and decided to give it a try. The large lizard started sneaking as quietly as he could with three operable legs. But it took only a couple steps until the deer heard him limping towards it and ran with currently unmatchable speed. Maybe if he had been taught how to use his fire he wouldnt have this issue. But he could not blame Franklin for being unable to teach him. As he was unable to figure it out himself.

Another hour passed before Irvathan gave up on hunting. His stomach would just need to be content with another day without food. Sighing he laid back down around the same place the furred drake had left him at. Hopefully she would be back soon. He had woken up more since their last interaction and he wanted to know what happened to his village.

A couple minutes later and Irvathan spotted the female dragon over the trees. She appeared to have a human riding her back. Landing with a big gust of wind and throwing around loose dirt, the human wasted no time hopping off of her reptilian companion and began searching through their bag.

"I never caught your name," the furred drake began, "I was too concerned with your injuries."

"Irvathan of Mon'yuur," he replied.

"The wyvern that attacked you, his name is Brelqoni. He has been off any form of anything for the last century. Everybody figured he had passed due to his age. But apparently you were first to reignite his wrath. Wrong place, wrong time," she shared, "I was told by my parents that he was very violent. With that out of the way, where are you from?" She then asked.

"Mon'yuur, a human settlement. I was raised by the locals. Mostly by a man named Franklin." Irvathan answered.

"Ah, I had been told there was a drake with scales of obsidian that had been enslaved by humans in this area. But for the last ten years I had yet to see even a single other dragon. I gave up hope, assuming it to be just a fallacy to make humans out to be nothing but drake killers." She explained.

After she finished explaining, the human she brought with her had finished going through their bag. They must have been talking much longer than Irvathan thought as the human had already set up what the smooth bodied monkeys call a tent. Afterward the human dragged out a deer carcass out to him. Politely he began to eat as famished as he was, even a human he didnt know was trustworthy enough, if he rode on a drake himself.

"I'm going to help you and fix you. But first I need you to drink this," the human said, pulling out a blue liquid and pouring it into a large bowl, "If I work on you now, it'll hurt too much. You need to be asleep for this."

Irvathan thought it through, it's not like he could defend himself if the human wanted him dead anyways. He took his chances and started lapping up the liquid. After it was all gone he was complimented on his cooperation. Soon he felt a welcoming drowsiness slowly taking over his body.

A thin, cold, white sheet covered the land. A buck was his target as he slowly stalked it through the woods. It was grazing through the snow, finding berry bushes and grass to munch on, entirely missing the large lizard slithering around behind it. Irvathan pounced upon the lone buck. Locking his jaws around its neck and twisting before the deer could make a sound. Falling limp he felt satisfaction of finally being able to hunt again and not rely on others.

With the deer in his mouth he turns around finding the furred drake tailing him.

"I'm not a hatchling you know. You dont need to follow me everywhere. I'm fine." Irvathan irritatedly states.

"I wanted to see how the big bad dragon that thought he could take Brelqoni on in combat hunts." She giggled.

Her laugh was a nice sound. Something he wouldnt mind hearing more.

"After all the care you've given me, I'm surprised you still feel the need to follow me around like a hatchling to its mother," Irvathan starts, "I dont even know your name."

"Ezys, my name is Ezys." She grinned.

"Well thank you, Ezys for helping me. I dont know how well I could walk if you didn't bring the human to my aid," the black dragon inquired, "Why are you out here so close to humans if you're raised upon the belief that they're dragon slayers?"

"Well..." Ezys started, "From a young age I had never been one for living amongst many. I much preferred being either alone or with a few friends." She continued.

"Well, why not stick around friends and share a cave or something then?" Irvathan questioned.

Ezys sighed, "When I came of age my father arranged for me to become the mate of a well renowned drake of royalty. He was very arrogant and believed himself to be an unstoppable force that none could oppose. He also thought of me as a key to his own fathers throne as one needs to be mated in order to become king or queen."

"Being the mate of royalty sounds like your father was just trying to setup your future to be the best for both you and your hatchlings." He prodded.

"Perhaps so, but even being in his prescence made me largely unhappy. I would much rather be happy than have my hatchling pedigree be heir to a meaningless throne," Ezys said with obvious conviction, "When he went to mate me, I ended up clawing his face, leaving marks across his maw." She disclosed.

Irvathan could see tears welling up in her eyes, whether it was of regret or anger he did not know, but in respect for her feelings he dared not question more about her old life, seeing it pained her. The black drake moved over to her and rubbed his head along her neck trying to comfort the furred drake. She put her own head between his shoulder and chest.

"I'm sorry, I hope I may help in any way." Irvathan faltered.

Ezys brought her head out from his shoulder and feet from his own giving him a lovely smile.

"I've been looking ten years for just another dragon ever since my outcasting. I'm sorry you've not space to yourself but you did almost die..." Ezys trailed off.

Rolling his eyes Irvathan gestures at the deer on the ground and then in the direction of the lake.

"Come on, let's go back and split this buck. We can figure out what to do after. But let's worry about food and water right now." Irvathan chimed with a smile.

Both drakes opted to find shelter from the winter whether about to blow through the country like a train with no brakes. Travelling north both came across a large cave that they could easily both fit in with space to spare. Not a deep cave, but enough to protect from blizzards and heavily sub-zero temperatures.

Ezys had left to hunt for the day as they agreed to change hunting shifts each week. Irvathan had never been taught to harness his flame, perhaps for the safety of those he was around. He understood their fears and didnt blame the humans for not teaching him. But while alone he figured not much else he had to do but try to teach himself. The most he had managed was a little warmth deep in his chest. Not even smoke.

An uneasy feeling took over Irvathan as the birds beyond the cave mouth stopped chirping. With the newly found silence he could hear light squeaking and snow crunching below boots. Right then he saw a metal contraption cover the cave mouth. Not wanting to be trapped he rushed the large chunk of metal, crashing into it head first it flew backwards down the mountain side.

"Code nine-one-seven, repeat! Nine-one-seven!"

He heard the words screamed to his right as he burst out of the cave. Irvathan didnt wish to fight humans and decided to take off into the air. He got a few feet up until he felt his right wing wrapped in something heavy. Unable to stay in the air he came crashing down to the ground in a large white smoke cloud. By the time he got his bearings he had felt his lungs burning with each breath he took, getting harder to breathe. At the same time feeling what was around his wing detach and spread over the rest of his body, pinning him hard to the ground. His lungs burned hotter and hotter.

Irvathan roared with all the air remaining in his lungs, hearing another human saying to watch for his flame of which he didnt have. He then felt a sharp pain on his back right leg forcing his body stiff, kicking the attacker in the process. It wasnt long before the fight left his body and his lungs quit working as he felt the burning pain leave as he drifted off to peaceful sleep.

Waking up with a metallic taste in his mouth, Irvathan started looking around his new setting. He was in a room made of metal and concrete. He was chained down to a table with glass being suspended at the top of the room. Was he in an observation room? He had a steel muzzle around his maw. Littered around the room were guards- no, not guards. They were holding rifles, wearing masks and hooded full body armour made of drake scales. They were professional dragon slayers, rogue squad.

His lungs still stung a little, but the pain had mostly gone. He heard the crackle of a radio and undecipherable sounds of what he assumed talking, but he wasnt entirely focused yet.

"Irvathan of Mon'yuur, you are being held accountable of the elimination and conspiracy of terminating a human settlement." A voice beamed over the intercom.

"Mon'yuur was found charred and crushed. Neither you nor Franklin Jug found anywhere on site, thus the authorities claimed it an act of termination. This is a crime against humanity and you will be punished as an out-hand dragon." It angrily stated.

Continuing it told him what was to be. "Found guilty, you are to be publicly put to rest as an example of how all dragons attacking humans will be treated."

Anger building up in him, the black drake tried against his restraints but to no avail, they were very solid and not moving an inch. Trying to open his maw he also found out the muzzle was just as sturdy as the chains. Irvathan felt the futility of his situation and tears began to well up in his eyes, clouding his vision and dripping down his face and onto the floor.

The lights turned off but it only threw Irvathan into a rage. Pushing against his chains with all his might feeling a bit of their rust give way. He heard words being yelled but cared not to listen. The lights flipped back on as gas started flooding the room. He now knew what it did. Before it reached him he took a deep breath filling his lungs with clear air. As a last resort he tried once more to harness his flame. Feeling the air leave his lungs as he closed his eyes and exhaled and get stuck just as it got to the base and started to become superheated. He felt some flame licks working their way through the gaps of his teeth. Nearly unbearable heat as he felt the steel muzzle having holes burned through it.

Feeling the muzzle weakening he decided to try to break free. Opening his mouth with as much power he could, the muzzle cracked and snapped in two pieces freeing his mouth. As soon as he opened it he pushed the air out as hard as possible. A superheated stream of liquid shot out of his throat and burrowed itself deep in the concrete wall in front of him. It continued to burn deeper for a few seconds before exploding and throwing chunks of man-made stone and molten liquid everywhere. Some of which landed on the front chain holding him down instantly snapping it and allowing him free to slip through the new hole in the wall.

Not wasting a single second Irvathan burst out of the wall and took off in the direction of the cave. Feeling a deep hatred take over his body. Not for the humans. But for Brelqoni as he managed to frame Irvathan. Making him a marked drake. He would pay for everything he's done.

Landing right outside of the cave, he looked around perhaps to see if any humans had stayed back to scout. Not able to see any he wormed his way through the small mouth. Inside he found Ezys curled up in a corner. The large lizard opened his wings and gave them a bat to get the soreness out of them. Such a long flight always left his wings sore. Perhaps Irvathan whined over this for no reason.

"Irvathan?" She sounded uncertain.

"Ezys!" Irvathan choked, throat dry from the flight, he swallowed, "I thought they would have stayed and waited..." he started.

Ezys interjected, "What happened? I came back with food and you were gone. I saw human bootprints and thought you were-" the furred dragon started tearing up toward the end of her sentence.

She put her head between his shoulder and chest again. Irvathan held his head under her neck and lifted it up, bringing her head to his, putting their heads together he looked into her eyes. Irvathan saw her eyes sparkle a little as he observed the beautiful blue orbs.

"I'm fine, Ezys. You don't need to worry." He consoled.

Ezys didn't say anything, instead choosing to show her feelings through actions instead. She moved a step forward and put her maw to his own, locking him in a deep kiss. Her tongue invading his mouth. Irvathan was surprised at first but ended up meeting her kiss with his own.

She pulled away and looked down, seemingly ashamed. "I'm sorry..I just haven't seen another dragon in-" she stopped herself, looking around before finishing her thought, "I've been looking for years. Nobody came looking for me, so I decided to go looking for others." She was visibly holding back further tears.

Irvathan sat back on his haunches, he brought up a forepaw and wiped a tear from under her left eye. Feeling a pang of guilt for causing her this stress, "I'm here now, Ezys. You've looked and found. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." He said, carressing her chin and warmly smiling.

The furred dragoness laughed a little, "I suppose I am just afraid of being alone."

"Nobody wishes themselves to solitude. To be forced into it is akin to torture."

Irvathan followed Ezys to the centre of the cave where she laid down. The two dragons rubbed heads together for a bit before Ezys pulled Irvathan into another kiss. The obsidian drake felt butterflies in his chest as their tongues clashed. Putting a forepaw behind his head, Ezys pulled him into a deeper and more passionate kiss. The two dragons pulling from one another and stared into the others eyes, both enjoying the moment. Ezys was the first to lay her head down and embrace the sleepiness taking her over. Irvathan followed in her actions, curling around behind her and expanding his wing to cover them both in a warm blanket.

The birds sang as more snow fell on the land. Irvathan woke up to a chilly morning, still cuddling and sharing body warmth with Ezys. Curling his neck and head to the cave mouth, he watched it intently. After a few minutes of listening to the bird songs he felt himself starting to drift off to sleep yet again. Right as he started to fall asleep, a single human figure appeared in the enterance. The male dragon quickly rose to his feet, growling loudly at the approaching figure.

"N-n-n-n-no! I'm here to talk. Not fight." It urgently declared.

"Speak." Irvathan ordered.

"Gretchad authorities lied about Mon'yuur to the courts. They forged fake images and imprints in order to stop any possible human-dragon relations in the immediate city vicinity. In short Irvathan, the city officials just dont like you." The human explained.

Ezys moved around, groaning in her sleep. Irvathan glanced down giving her a gentle smile, looking back up to the human.

"What do my affairs have to do with you?" Irvathan snorted, "Last time your kind appeared where you stand I was attacked and taken to the city against my will."

"Well," they began, "I was part of the rogue squad that brought you in. While I know it paints me in a bad light, I highly believe in fair treatment of all things sentient." It continued, "I was one of those tasked with scouring Mon'yuur for any survivors and to document any evidence we could find. Each imprint I took was nearly the length of your own body, thus excluding you as a suspect," the human announced.

"Then why did they attempt to put me in a position where I would be publicly executed if I wasnt a suspect?" Irvathan doubted.

Sighing, the man continued. "Legally, you were documented as a flameless drake to the government. So when my colleagues and I found the charred and ashen homes, there was no doubt that the city just wanted you dead. Regardless of their actual claims."

Irvathan was outraged at the thought that they didnt like him to the point where they would attempt to kill him. His mind started racing with thoughtful motivation to eliminate this seeming messenger. Tell the city he wasnt to be trifled with. But he was wiser than that. He knew they would crack down fifty times harder if he chose that option. So he decided to question the mans intentions, seeming as a scout to perhaps a larger capture force on the horizon.

"But why are you here?" The male dragon questioned with an aggressive tone.

"I came looking for you, I went absent without leave. The fact that they tried to kill you when the evidence pointed everywhere but you was enough to make me rethink my entire career as a drakeslayer. For five years I've just mindlessly defended the city from dragons of all walks without a second thought, just carrying out orders given. After they put me on investigation and I noticed the grimy...shit...that happens, I didnt feel it logical to stay any longer. I'm better than that. I'd rather be on the run than kill any more innocent dragons going about their lives." After finishing his mental essay, he sat down and heavily exhaled.

"What is your name?" Her voice startled Irvathan from his focus.

"Dolan," the man replied, "I wanted to come back and redeem myself." He excused.

Ezys growled, seemingly irritated. Getting up from under Irvathan she moved to the human in the enterance. Looming over Dolan with an intimidating presence. The furred drake looked the human over, seeing if he would visualize his reasonings further.

"Why shouldn't I have distrust for you and stop you from possibly giving info to those who capture Irvathan?" She hissed at him.

"I wont tell you that you have no reason to not end me. I've killed countless of your kind. It sounds like I'm proud of it, and I was. I was ignorant to the struggles I caused dragons. I was ignorant to the fact while different, they also have families. They also mourn." Dolan wiped his eyes with a sniffle before continuing, "The one time that I missed a killshot was the time it was shown to me the impact I had on dragons as a contract slayer. As I went to finish what was at the time just another job, it told me to just make it quick so it could stop living through hell each day ever since its mate was taken from it. By me."

At this point his voice had started to crack, noticably starting to sob. "The same night I thought back to what it told me. Thinking to all the drakes fallen because of me. The countless others, mates or hatchlings, that had to deal with the grief of knowing they'll never be see again. The guilt I started to feel wore down on my mental until I decided. After seeing the frame of Irvathan I broke. I could no longer function. I came here to find redemption. Whether through newfound loyalty to dragons, or if you decide to kill me I dont blame you at all. I dont wish this grief upon any others after feeling it for myself." Dolan fell to his knees and wept into his hands.

Ezys leaned down to the human and nudged him. He got up wiping his face, trying to compose himself. Irvathan worked his way to the entrance and slithered through the cave mouth outside. He was met by deep and soft snow, blinding from the sun shining down in an open sky. Noticibly cold wind gracing itself over his scaled body. Through the baring trees, Irvathan could not see any possible trace of other humans following this man. Stretching his wings, the obsidian colored dragon turned back around, facing the two.

"You can stay, human. But stay on the far side of the cave. If you need fire you can get it yourself. You will also be required and expected to hunt for all three of us when you head out." Irvathan laid out the terms.

Dolan held his hand over his mouth, perhaps in thought, before responding, "That's more than fair. I'm glad to have been taken under your wings. Thank you for uh, not laying out the same fate I gave other dragons." He thanked.

Irvathan scoffed. He was a rational creature or so he liked to think as much of himself. Perhaps the human was being honest and truly felt grief over the dragons he has felled. But until he proved himself trustworthy, Irvathan believed he would be getting little sleep any time soon. Nonetheless he did think the human capable of hunting. Thus it allowed him extra time during the day to attend to his thoughts.

The man walked his way over to the farthest crevasse from the dragons he could comfortably fit inside of. Taking his rather large hiking pack off and began unpacking its contents. The first thing the human did was set himself a sack of which Irvathan recalled as a sleeping bag. Next he took off the long black case that had been tied to the back of it, placing it aside.

Sighing, the black dragon worked his way outside to greet the new day, no longer concerned with the human's belongings. The sun was just coming over the horizon, appearing larger than normal. The birds continued their songs as the wind swept through the lands. To the north he spotted a flatlands, amazingly unoccupied by humans. He thought their kind had populated every inch of the world. Foolish was such a thought. Stepping out fully from the cave, the obsidian lizard stretched out his limbs and wings to the maximum.

Witnessing birds chasing each other in graceful flight made Irvathan felt the urge himself. Ezys worked herself up beside him and rubbed her neck to his purring, her soft fur pulling him from his bird watching trance. Her blue eyes looked into his as she gave him a smile and a lick across his muzzle. He smiled back and began to purr. Looking over the land with the dragoness on his side, Irvathan felt a sense of pride overcoming him.

"Yeah, yeah. That's nice and all, but I'd like to get through please."

Irvathan felt the human's hand on his back paw. Rolling his eyes he seperated himself from Ezys allowing the human through. He had changed what he wore. He was now wearing predominantly white clothing with odd lining and shading. There was an oddly small black box on his right shoulder. Dolan also had a rifle slung over his shoulder. Seeing this, the black dragon gave Dolan a look of irritation.

"Oh, stop it." Dolan told Irvathan, throwing his arms up in the air. He had a joking tone in his voice, "I'll be back with food later today. Hopefully." The human laughed at his own joke. Shifting his gaze at between the dragons. "You guys are hardasses." He dipped his head in defeat, Irvathan felt a smirk growing on his face.

The human walked off, the snow audibly crunching below his boots. A few minutes passed before the serpents could no longer see him. The white landscape seemingly swallowing him whole. Perhaps that was the point of his funny outfit, make him invisible amongst his backdrop. It worked well. He craned his neck and gave Ezys another lick across her muzzle.

"I'm going to look around. I'll be back in a bit." He told her.

Giving her a warm smile, Irvathan pushed himself off of the ground and beat his wings, flinging the snow below him in every direction. He heard Ezys yell something from below him but didnt hear the words over his own laughter. Rising above the barren trees he felt the wind blow over his scales and made sure he was fully awake and aware. Now far over the land below, Irvathan could start on his task; finding where Brelqoni rested.

The ground passed quickly below him as he dipped between hills and trees. Giving himself a higher altitude he kept his gaze scanning the ground for any potential hiding spot. The only thing Irvathan had found this far was forests and hills. Nothing he could see on the horizon either. His wings started to lightly burn, telling him they wished for a break. Irvathan wished not to harm his all important means of transportation so he found the nearest clearing and set down. It had begun to snow.

Finding a large spruce Irvathan decided to curl up under it and take a quick nap to let his wings rest, perhaps he would return to the cave and try another direction in the morning. With the decision made in his head, Irvathan coiled his head down under his wing to protect it from the snow. When he woke up he would return in the direction he came from.

Each breath he drew in was painful, the cool winter air chilled his lungs. Each step he took was with effort as he pulled today's hunt behind him. Four hundred pounds of deer, tied with rope and draped over his shoulders as he dragged the corpses through the snow back towards the cave.

The snow had been falling for about an hour, it was very likely the dragons were grumpy and awaiting food. The day had worn thin and the dusk had set as the sun was on the horizon. The stench of blood thick in the air thanks to the deer carcasses he dragged behind him. Likely serving to drag the night crawlers out of their hiding earlier.

The human swore to himself as he begun to pick up his pace. The cold air continuing to numb his exposed face. The ground below him seemingly echoing the bellows from below. But, they're extinct? Worry sprung up inside his chest, he grabbed the handle of his rifle and readied himself to use it if the situation arose. The crunch of well packed snow below his boots, brisk early winter air cutting through the gap between his thermal balaclava.

His muscles aching and lungs begging, he managed to get back to the cave before nightfall, not wanting to risk being out alone at night. Feeling exhausted, he called to the dragons, telling them he had gotten them food. One scoffed.

"You were taking too long. I decided to get us something." The black dragon replied.

Opening his mouth, Dolan went to reply but no words retorted. Exhaling defeatedly the human started dragging the carcasses back out into the snow so that they wouldnt rot as quickly.

"I'm sorry, what he meant to say was thank you for the sentiment. No matter how late it may be." The furred dragoness told him.

"Mhm."

Pulling off his pack, Dolan pulled the bedroll from the ropes tying it to the bottom and laid it out. Thoughts rapidly flying around in his head. The Fraudulent Operatives Coalition would likely be looking for him tomorrow. Likely checking his last known job site first. He would let the two lizards know in the morning.

The sound of pen on pad silently echoing through the halls as the attorney made his way to the office. Scribbling down the names and positions proclaimed by his secretary on his newest client. As an ethics attorney he wasn't used to being given high profile cases.

Opening the door, the tall, suited man tightened his tie and gave the woman sitting at the table a warm and inviting smile. She seemed to give him a nervous glance before returning his smile and pushing stray blonde hairs behind her ear. He sat down across from her and adjusted the pile of papers to his left.

The attorney cleared his throat, "Hello, I am Michael Grusak. Senior Ethics Attorney." Presenting his hand.

She took his large and rough hand in a handshake.

"Tell me about what happened."

Sitting back and looking up in thought, she started, "As I told your secretary and by extension, I assume you, I am an operative from Rogue Squad Alpha-3 from Gretchad. My name doesn't matter. I'm here on behalf of a dragon,"

Michael sat back in his chair, hand coming up to his chin in thought. Rogue Squads were contract dragon killers, why would a member of a team be here to defend what they've trained their entire lives to fight? He did not let the obvious irony of the situation appear on his face.

"Around a week ago my team was briefed on a task to capture a dragon that was 'responsible' for the burning of Mon'yuur." She put heavy emphasis on the word responsible.

"Why are you here then? The dragon was responsible for an entire village dying." The attorney questioned.

"After we captured the drake in question, the team and I returned to Mon'yuur to take a report of the damage. Attorney are you familiar with Irvathan?" She flipped the questioning, answering for him before he could open his mouth, "He was the only egg secured from the hit placed on the last regal dragons. The mercenaries ended up selling the egg to a Franklin. He took up residence in Mon'yuur and registered the hatchling as a flameless drake." She continued, finally taking a breath and heavily exhaling.

Grusak stared into her face before pulling together his own conclusion, "...meaning he cannot possibly be the one behind the matter as he isn't able to spit flame?" He shot a guess.

"Bingo," she chimed, "The GRS Director has it out for that dragon. It sounds weird coming from me, but I'm not going to kill an innocent drake. Especially one raised by humans. He's probably traumatized from the capture."

Michael interlocked his fingers and began twiddling his fingers. "I think we can work out a case against the GRS Director. Thank you for coming. I'll be updating you on the matter shortly." With this they both stood up and bowed, exchanging mutual thanks.

The morning was very welcoming for Irvathan. Waking to the warmth of a fire, smell of cooked meat, his favourite. Ezys was already sat down, hunching over a large piece of venison loudly munching away. The audible crack of the bones as her molars crushed and ground them to an acceptable level. The squishy sound of the juicy meat. The entire picture made the male dragon realize how hungry he really was as his stomach groaned audibly at the lack of calories being digested.

"Damn, and just like that mister coma himself awakens." The voice sounded more akin to a croak. Irvathan rolling his eyes in annoyance. "Calm down amigo, it was just a joke. Jesus." The human went on.

"Keep it to yourself next time." The drake replied in a groggy voice.

"Anyways- here's your food. I had the mind to bring a spice kit. Figured you two would get tired of the entire raw taste. Hopefully my cooking is up to par." He smiled.

Taking a bite of the meat Dolan slipped over to his paws, Irvathan tasted a variety of flavors on his palate. Most of which he identified as many different peppers. One of which his snout didnt agree with, causing him to give a heavy sneeze. Across the cave he heard the furred dragoness give a hearty giggle, the sound bringing a slight smirk to his face.

Dolan spoke up, "Today I'll be going to meet with a contact of mine. He maybe be willing to make you some armor for when you are to confront Brelqoni. Don't put me through the talk. I've seen your eyes, let me do this for you." With this out of the way, the human began his walk and didnt turn back.

Ezys strolled up beside Irvathan and leaned against him as the dragons watched him walk until he had passed their horizon. Irvathan enjoying her soft furry on his rugged scales. He felt her neck go over his shoulders and looked back to see her eyes watching his.

She turned her head away before asking, "Are you really going to chase after the red giant?" A tinge of sadness in her voice.

"I will bring him to justice. I am certain this wasnt his first altercation with the humans," he steadfastly replied, "If I do not do this now, it will harm us in the future. You have fought through enough turmoil in your life alone and I do not wish to see you put through anymore." He looked down at her face to see her eyes watery and wide open.

"Us?" Her voice barely a croak.

"Yes, Ezys. Us. I won't let anything hurt you. You deserve for somebody to fight for you and that's what I'm here for. You. I'll be here until I die." Irvathan stated, declaring his loyalty.

Dolan all but knocked the doors off the hinges as he bolted in the double wooden doors trying to quickly get attention. Finding a young man at the front desk. "Get Holmes. I need to talk to him, alone." The man nodded before walking into the back room, hearing a little mumbling before a man with wrinkles detailing nearly every part of his bald head.

"I need armor for an adolescent drake." Dolan told the man.

"Why would a someone of your position need drake armor?" He replied in a gravely voice.

Without missing a beat, Dolan quickly spoke, "I'm going after Brelqoni." This was said with the most serious tone the man had ever heard.

"Do you remember the Grady Valley siege? The worlds best agents went in trying to seal him away. Nobody came out alive. That was hundreds of men not making a dent. What makes you think you can do it?" He spoke calmly, coughing part way through his question.

"They didn't have a regal." Dolan said emotionlessly.

"How do you expect to pay for the gear and manpower?"

Rolling his eyes in annoyance, Dolan couldnt understand how such an old man couldnt put two and two together. "The call of such a large bounty is unavoidable. Everybody will get an even split."

"Come back in a week. I'll have something for you." He resolved, walking back into the back room.

Feeling satisfied Dolan began to work his way toward the towns tavern. The night was cool with a light drizzle, hazing him with a thin layer of rain. A full moon fully illuminated the poorly lit main streets. Poorly maintained side walks forcing him to soak his feet or to walk on the side of the street.

Pushing aside the heavy steel door, he stepped into the well established bounty hunter hub. Hearing a few people yell his name at first, turning into the entire tavern welcoming him in a frenzy of cheers. A large set of heavily caliced hands found their way to his shoulders.

"What bring y'round 'ese parts, partner? Thought a big shot like you wouldn't wanna come back." A heavy southern accent questioned him, finding almost every set of eyes in the tavern on them, noticeably silent now awaiting his answer.

"I need a few teams. Performance reviews will be gone over heavily. I'm going after Brelqoni. I heard bounties were slow around these parts lately and figured you all could use some work," Dolan declared, "I need a group for scouting, one for artillery and three for siege work."

"That's an extremely small movement for the red giant. What makes you think it'll work with so few?" Another voice loudly stated their doubts, small murmurs confirmed many others also had the same doubts.

"Number one; you're speaking to the number one drake combat strategist on the continent," Dolan began, "Number two; I have a regal willing to rip him out of hiding and straight into our arms."

Cheers arupted amongst the building seemingly in agreement with the ideal of capturing Brelqoni looking most realistic in the current situation.

Irvathan had began to wonder if the human had perished on his journey. It had been two weeks since the dragons had seen him. Him and Ezys had spent most of the time curling up next to eachother if they weren't hunting or eating. Hunger reminded him that today was his turn to hunt for the two. Getting up softly as to not awaken his furred companion, the black drake got up and began his hunt.

During his time away from the cave, Irvathan flew over a small human encampment. Not wanting to anger them, he quickly went away, deer in mouth. Following the winding valley and rolling hills, he finally got back. Finding Ezys up and around, strolling happily about the area playing in the snow. Irvathan landed and dropped the deer before speaking, noticing an aroma he had yet to smell once before.

"If I did not know any better I would've sworn I'd seen an avalanche coming." The male playfully teased.

She gave a hearty laugh before rolling over from her back. Taking the time to flick some snow at him with her tail. He turn his head away to avoid his face turning as white as her fur. Feeling the cold powder cover his neck as well as the back of his head, he turned his head back around to give her a smile and ended up snout to snout with her. She quickly gave him a kiss and slinked her way back into the cave. Bringing the dead deer with her, wrapping her tail around it and dragging it inside. Both dragons enjoyed their meal in the comfort in eachother. The rest of the carcass was done away with quickly, both dragons licking their lips in satisfaction.

"Get lucky enough tonight and you might end up feeling how being inside this avalanche feels, big guy." Ezys said, purring.

Irvathan cooed back, rubbing his head against hers, enjoying the feel of her soft fur. He will never get tired of that. Enjoying the tender moment, he gave her maw a lick, prompting her to purr even more audibly. Irvathan heard his voice called but it was muffled as though far away. He heard it again, this time pulling him from the self-induced distraction. He stopped his brigade on her face after noticing the human in the cave's mouth.

"We know you know where the camp is. We also know where Brelqoni is. Once you're ready, meet me at the camp. We'll be going in a couple hours whether you're there or not." The stubborn hairless monkey stated with clear faith before walking back in whichever direction he came.

Ezys looked at him knowing the answer he'd give if the human stayed. She circled around him, rubbing on him the entire way before working her head under his and purring loudly.

"Shame. I was hoping it could wait until tonight." She snickered provocatively.

"Hmm?"

Her tail made it's way around his before she ducked her head below his body, finding a red tip showing between his hind legs. She quickly began to work at it with her tongue, making more of it work it's way out of hiding. It took only a few further seconds before she had him fully erect.

Irvathan gasped at the assault on his loins. She wrapped her tongue around his shaft and began to relentlessly taste him, swirling her tongue around his member while swallowing to give him a tight to give him a tight feeling in the back of her throat. His shaft began to grow more firm as she continued swirling her long, slim tongue around it. Just as suddenly as it started, it stopped. She wished for him to unload himself elsewhere. pulled her head away from his groin and strolled in front of him, raising her haunches and lowering her chest to the ground, moving aside her tail to give him a clear view of her sex.

It was at this point where Irvathan's instincts took him over. He quickly mounted the female before him and thrust inside her. His shaft becoming quickly engulfed in a tight, warm and wet embrace squeezing each inch he forced into her until he was inside her to his base. He stayed inside with his full length swallowed by her needy hole, it squeezing tighter around him.

Irvathan began to softly saw away at her insides, the warmth tightly squeezing his penis making him feel pleasure like none other in his life. He could hear her lightly moaning his name before returning to her frenzied panting serving to push him to fuck her harder. The male dragon felt his abdomen tighten as he started to slow his thrusts with more power than before.

Irvathan felt the pleasure rapidly rising along with the wetness of the hole he was relentlessly pounding. Ezys' purrs and moans became increasingly higher pitch as their rutting had progressed. Her vagina began to rhythmically contract around him, reaching her climax. Her contractions pushing Irvathan over the edge. With a last powerful thrust, he pushed as deep inside her as possible before unloading all of his seed into her womb with a heavy roar.

Both dragons coming down from their bliss of the passing moment. Irvathan pulled himself from her snatch with a wet plop. He walked over to in front of her and gave her a passionate kiss. Looking her in the eyes he saw belonging. She had found where she belonged.

"Come back to me." She said sternly, he nodded, moving to the cave mouth and taking off into the direction of the camp he saw.

Dolan arrived back at the camp, seeing bodies move in every which direction

"Are the mortars ready?" He yelled the question.

"Yessir!" Came a quick reply

"How about the net launchers?"

"As beauty as they'll ever be brother!" Came another response with haste.

"Alright, perfect. Ground teams get to position and wait for the smokes. On my call we push, subdue and secure." Dolan laid the units orders.

As if on queue, Irvathan landed in the middle of the camp to cheers and applause. Raising his head in self-confidence he gave the camp a smile, feeling something heavy and hard get thrown on the top of his body, he heard Dolan utter something and he had multiple humans all securing different straps and tightening them down.

"Alright big dog, I need you to divebomb his cave and yank his tired, old red ass out of there. As soon as you have him in the open, move away. The ground team and I will do the rest. Capiche?" Dolan told Irvathan the plan to get him out.

"Just show me where." The dragon eagerly replied.

The humans and dragon all worked their way toward the cave, rather more of a hole in the ground than anything. In a clear plain. Seemed too easy of a target until the scouts confirmed Brelqoni's residence within the dirt. A few moments later and everybody was in position, confirmed by radio chatter. Dolan gave Irvathan the signal and the dragon flew into the cave as quickly and silent as possible.

For Dolan, the next few seconds felt like an eternity. His heart beat the loudest thing in his ears, seeming to drown out every other sound the world ever made. Everything came back into focus once Irvathan came back out of the cave tail first. Emerging with large scrapes on the armor of his neck and a decent sized slash on the left side of his throat, not bleeding heavily enough to be fatal. In his jaws is the top of Brelqoni's throat, the massive wyvern trying to twist and bite back. It was now that Dolan gave the orders, clicking his radio, he told the mortar operators to drop the smoke screens. Hearing distant bangs as they were fired off, moments later the immediate area around the cave mouth shrouded in thick fog.

The ground teams moved up readying their net launchers had their target aquired and fired once Irvathan was out of the way. Thick, weighted ropes made their way over the red giant, digging deep into the ground on the opposite side before the handlers kicked their launchers into the ground, causing the ropes to explode into fullblown nets that quickly covered and forced the wyvern to become pinned under massive weight. After he had been visually confirmed to be ensnared, the ground team threw sedative gas at Brelqoni, covering any breathing room he had left.

Many minutes later the transport team managed to airlift the unconcious lizard away. Presumably to face trial and have his bounty turned in. Irvathan however, made his way back to Ezys who greeted him with concern over his injuries but never inquired once about them. Choosing to lay down and sleep with him next to her.

A few days later, Dolan returned, bearing a great smile on his face. "Irvathan, there's no longer a bounty out on you. The case was taken to a supreme court and it ruled in your favor, especially since the true devastator was caught and sentenced to the remainder of his life in a dungeon."

Irvathan grinned at this news. Perking up and telling Dolan if any dragon were to be a miscreant to refer him. Irvathan would get it solved as peacefully as possible.

"Fancy yourself as a Peacekeeper eh?" Dolan requited, "You know, I think the people will feel safer knowing a regal is out here protecting them."

Peacekeeper Irvathan, he quite liked that. The dragon put his head back down feeling his neck still sore from the fresh wound. Closing his eyes he drifted off into sleep with his mate tightly wound up next to him, listening to the birds chirp before slipping away into unconsciousness.