Dagur and Mala found the dragon looking lethargic. The queen bent down and rubbed the Eruptodon's skin, resulting in a small noise. "He almost sounds sad." Dagur thought, aloud. Mala rose, "I can see nothing wrong with the Great Protector. Perhaps he is only fatigued." Throk nodded, reluctantly, and the three exited the volcano.
Defenders crowded around the royal pair, "Is the Great Protector all right?" they questioned. "We shall wait to see if the Great Protector needs rest and if after two day after tomorrow he does not regain his vigor, measures to ensure all of our healths will be taken." Mala assured them. They agreed to the plan and dispersed, gradually. Once they were gone, Mala turned to her husband, "It should only be fatigue, yes?" Dagur looked at her, "I don't know. He didn't look wounded or like anything was wrong. Could there be something in the lava that might cause whatever the issue is?" "No, this volcano has served as nutrition for the Eruptodon for centuries. Nothing new could be there."
Less than enthusiastically, they continued their walk throughout the kingdom. "You cannot put your dragon over here." a defender complained. They turned to see a Berserker lad and his dragon. Heather was trying to mediate between the people. "Mjir, this is his property. Please, just go somewhere else to play." Mjir continued, "But, this isn't his property. His starts over there." he pointed to a fenced in area, "I was going to train and he came out to stop me."
Dagur went over to the scene. "I think it might be better training if you go to the stables. We already have everything set up too. You can throw swords at the targets while you do loops." the chief offered, excitedly. Mjir brightened, "Really?" Dagur nodded and the lad hopped onto his dragon and flew off as the defender went inside. Heather smiled, gratefully, "And that's why you're chief." she laughed and waved to her sister-in-law. "Hey, Mala." The queen grinned, "Hello, Heather. Thank you for trying to stop this." Heather shrugged, "I don't really get what the problem was. Mjir actually was right. Bur's property isn't over here. I'm not sure why he was upset."
The couple frowned and told her that they had to keep looking around. Nothing else seemed to be off and they went to the stables, themselves. The pair greeted Sleuther and Dagur put his head on the dragon's, affectionately. "Ready?" he asked his wife, with a deranged smile. He gave an exaggerated bow and offered his hand. Mala laughed at the expression and took his hand as they got on the Triple Stryke's back. They did some loops and practiced gaining speed sooner in flight.
They did this a while longer and then sparred. They loved sparring, it was the thing that had started their respect and attraction for each other. "Watch it, Malapoo. You're slipping." Dagur said, teasingly, as Mala, barely, dodged a tackle. "It is so sweet that you worry about my well being even when you, yourself, are doomed." she taunted back. He laughed and they kept going.
Exhaustion was settling in and they both breathed, heavily. "Perhaps...we can.. continue our quarrel...tomorrow?" Mala suggested, panting. Dagur nodded and literally swept her off her feet. She laughed, "Dagur, what are you doing?" He grinned, "You are tired, aren't you?" Mala wrapped her arms around his neck, dramatically, "My love, this is, truly, the best way to travel."
The next day came and Mala woke to see that she was the only one in the bed. She readied heeself for the day and went to the living area. Dagur had made some breakfast for her that she, happily, ate. She went back to see the Great Protector. He was the same. Dagur was already there and they greeted each other. He sighed, "Come on, big boy, get better." The pair left the area again and were greeted by Throk, "Is there any improvement?" They shook their heads and Throk fought to not slouch in depression. "I will guard the Great Protector in his time of need, my queen and king." he bowed. "Such an act is unnecessary, but appreciated, Throk.We must endure longer." Mala told him.
Dagur and Mala could not help, but think that the temperature was a bit warmer than usual. They heard a shout. "Stop sneaking around here like that." a Berserker yelled at two defenders. "We are just walking. Maybe if you were to be more aware of your surroundings, we would not have frightened you." one said, calmly. The Berserker shook with rage and reached for his weapon. Dagur came from behind him and touched his arm, stopping him.
"Chief and Chieftess, good you can settle this. Do I need to be more aware of my surroundings or should they stop sneaking?" he asked. The couple looked at one another. Dagur smirked, "Did you know I was right here?" The Berserker soldier shook his head. Dagur laughed, "More awareness never hurts anyone. It's helped me more times than I can count!" This calmed the viking down and as the defenders began to sneak away, Mala stopped them, "Also, you two were sneaking. It was evident and you must learn to be not so clandestine. There is no way to view an enemy from here, so it leaves one to assume that your goal was evoking a fright."
The defenders sulked off and the Berserker returned to his business. The chief and queen shook their heads and went to continue looking. Another day came and, again, Mala found herself alone in the bed. A new breakfast had been prepared and in it she partook. She found her husband checking on things. "Morning, Mala. Sleep well?" She nodded, "Thank you for the breakfast." "No problem." He wiped his brow, "I hope that our Eruptodon eats more of that lava. We'll melt by next week if he doesn't." Another confrontation occurred that day and the two had to correct everything.
The day before the last had come and the morning ritual was the same. A group of Defenders and Berserkers argued about a piece of land in between where the islands met. The couple sighed, "Can this land not belong to everyone? There is no border to where one group ends and another begins. We are all one kingdom now. Please act like it." Mala said. She and Dagur went to their home and he leaned against a wall. "What do we do if the Great Protector isn't better by tomorrow? Everyone's so tense." he noted. Mala looked unsure, "I have not an idea."
The final day came and the royal pair went to see the Eruptodon and were discouraged to see its state. Still, it was lethargic. It did eat lava, but slower than what would be preferred. "There is still nothing, visibly, wrong with him. We must tell the others our news." Mala stated.
Defenders and Berserkers crowded around them, "The Great Protector's not any better." Dagur told them. The groups were silent and then bursted into shouts, targeted at the other side.
