I get the feeling I may be getting a little maudlin if you agree pm me or leave a review about it.
O0o0o0o
"Another round over here!"
Was the first thing I heard as I entered the tavern. I looked around to see Khelgar of course sitting at the bar demanding more ale from Sal.
"Oh no you don't!" Sal shouted "You've had enough. Now off with you or I'll be calling Bevil to haul you off again."
Khelgar opened his mouth to reply and I cut him off saying "Keeping out of trouble?"
He looked to me and said "Of course. I'm just trying to get Sal here to get me some more ale. This place isn't exactly up to dwarven standards."
"Dwarven standards my ass! Captain, he drinks about half stock himself, expects more and then doesn't even expect to pay. Just says to put it on his tab!" Fumed Sal.
I looked to Khelgar and said "How about we go and see about recruiting your clan to help against the King of Shadows.
Khelgar lifted up his tankard as if to drain it then remembered it was empty and said
"Bah! I don't need it anyway."
He then threw his flagon behind the bar hopped down and said
"Well what are we waiting for let's go!"
I laughed and smiled at Sal who gave me a grateful look for getting the dwarf out of his tavern.
0o0o0o0
"You alright Khelgar?" I asked as we approached the caves of the Ironfist clan.
The dwarf wiped his forehead and replied "Aye, lass just a bit nervous. It's been sometime since I was last home."
"Tis understandable." I said looking around. "But don't worry I'm sure everything will be fine after all you already made up with back when we were at Old Owl Well."
"That be true…" He trailed off.
"Am I going to have to drag you in?" I asked with a smirk.
He glared at me and stormed in. I shook my head, laughing and followed him in.
It was a lot bigger on the inside then I had expected. I had only been in one dwarven hold before and it had been long since abandoned so it didn't really give a good representation but still it was a lot grander than I had thought it would be. It looked like they had just about hollowed out the whole mountain and while it wasn't what I would call pretty. The precision at which everything had been carved, stairs, walls, statues, was impressive. I bent forward to look closer at a nearby statue of a dwarven warrior. It was incredibly lifelike. The sculptor had even gone to the length of chiseling in lines on the dwarf's face. I jumped up as I felt someone pat my bottom. I glared over my shoulder only to see Bishop smirking.
"Come now." He said "You can't expect me to resist such an easy target."
I rolled my eyes smiling and said "No, I don't suppose I can."
He snickered and pulled me close.
"Khelgar is that you?"
I looked up to see a blond dwarf making his way towards us.
"Khayar!" Khelgar exclaimed "It's good to see you and it is good to see this place restored."
"And you my friend. Look at this place Khelgar our own clan built this place, our own clan."
"Glorious, everything about it says Ironfist it does." Khelgar said swelling with pride.
I smiled at Khelgar, happy for him.
"Anyway, we'd love to see the old halls, Khayar but we're here on business. The King of Shadows is out there and the clan needs to march."
"Only Keros can make that decision, you know that." Khayar responded slowly and I began to wonder not for the first time. The conditions of Khelgar's leaving.
"So Keros finally made it here did he? Where is he?"
"Down the hall and to the right, good luck."
"Aye, I might be needing it."
As we walked off I asked Khelgar "Why would you need luck?"
"Keros and me didn't exactly part on the best terms." He replied slowly and carefully.
A slight smile tugged at my lips.
"Why does that not surprise me?"
O0o0o0o
I exhaled deeply, leaning over as I got to the top of the hill. That was way too much work.
"Well someone's been slacking off. No more carrying around for you."
I looked around to see Bishop smirking and I unsuccessfully tried to stifle a smile.
"Such a terribly cruel man you are." I snickered.
He crossed his arms, eyes glinting and putting his hand under my chin leaned in. My lips parted slightly anticipating his kiss when he just grinned saying
"So I've been told."
He then pulled away and walked past me. I stood there for a moment confused and then glared over my shoulder at him. I then heard a familiar sharp laugh and looked back around to see Sand snickering at me. I turned my glare on him and he merely stated
"What I'm only allowed to laugh when you get the upper hand?"
I crossed my arms and looked away, grumbling. He just laughed again and I turned about following Bishop up the mountain side.
As we got closer Khelgar puffed out; so much so that I could barely hold back a laugh.
"Look at this place!" he exclaimed. "This will surely be a glorious battle for the sake of the Ironfist name."
I smiled and clapped the dwarf on the shoulder. "That it will be, my friend. We'll kick some giant asses and be back in time for supper."
"Aye!" He shouted getting fired up. He then ran down the path keen on kicking the teeth out of the first giant he saw. Which was quite the feat in itself.
I chuckled again and Sand looked at me disapprovingly, as Casavir and Elanee ran past.
"You shouldn't encourage him you know." The wizard drawled.
"He's right." Bishop agreed "It just makes him more annoying."
I gave a big smile and said "You two are absolutely no fun!" Before running off after the others.
Bishop and Sand looked at each other bewildered.
"What's gotten into her?" Sand questioned.
"I have absolutely no idea." Bishop replied smiling after her.
O0o0o0o
"That was a glorious battle! Let's see if we can find another!" Khelgar exclaimed thrusting his axe into the air.
"I think you are using the word 'glorious' far too often dwarf." Sand said snidely.
"Up urs elf." Khelgar replied.
I couldn't help but laugh. I was still in a particularly good mood, despite the constant threat of danger. Bishop then pulled me aside looking worried. My smile faded.
"Bishop, what is it?"
"I've been noticing of a few signs as we've been moving along." He looked around nervously. I had never seen him so before.
"Are you alright, my love?"
His eyes flashed at these words and he pulled me closer.
"Selene, there is something else here besides fire giants, something far more dangerous."
I placed a hand on his cheek, trying to soothe him.
"What?"
He placed his hand over mine gripping it tightly and said
"A dragon. The signs all point to there being an ancient red dragon around here somewhere."
My eyes widened considerably in surprise.
"Are… are you sure?"
"Quite." He replied.
"Well that's not good…" I mumbled biting my lip.
Bishop laughed and it wasn't his normal derisive bark or even the warm hearted chuckle I had heard so rarely; but the kind of laugh one does when they are scared out of their mind. An immensely loud insane laugh that sent shivers down my spine. I looked at him eyes full of terror for just a moment, taking a step backward and then I charged him. I wrapped my arms around him as tightly as I could and whispered
"Stop, please, just stop."
He did but he did not return my embrace; not at first. He ran a hand through my hair and pressed his lips to the top of my head and wrapped his arms around me. I could feel him still breathing heavily as if he had just run here from the Keep. I buried my face deeper into his chest trying to hide the tears I told myself weren't there.
"I'm sorry." He said softly. "It's just were as before it was just me and I could leave whenever I like and If I die, I die. I now have you." His grip tightened "And… and I don't want to lose you. I can't. I'm scared Selene." He gulped and I felt his already increased heart rate speed up. "For the first time in a long time I'm scared out of my mind."
I couldn't help but cry even more at this and he just held me keeping an eye out on our surroundings while he waited for me to calm down. When I did I looked up to him and kissed him, lightly. I looked down and away and in barely more than a whisper I told him
"Forgive me; I don't know what came over me."
He turned my face back to him and with hint of that wicked grin back on his face said
"I'll give you a pass this once."
I wiped my eyes on the back of my hand and gave him a watery smile.
"Thank you and so you know I'm… I'm scared too."
Without a word he held out a hand and I took it. We then continued up the mountain with a strengthened sense of resolve.
O0o0o0o
"He said what?!" Exclaimed Khelgar.
"Shh!" I said slapping my hand across his mouth. He mumbled for a moment then I slowly removed my hand. "Bishop says there is a dragon nearby by in addition to the giants."
"Wonderful. This trip just keeps getting better and better. All this trouble to recruit some smelly dwarves. That is if we can trust the ranger's word." Grumbled Sand.
"Say that again, elf. I dare ya." Khelgar growled.
"If you want to walk into a dragon's lair go on ahead. I don't know why Selene keeps you around. You dress wearing knife ear." Bishop added glaring at Sand.
"Now, now there's no need to fight." Elanee said nervously.
I sighed as the bickering started. Couldn't they go ten minutes without fighting? I shook my head and smiled, knowing the answer. I loved them all regardless they kept life exciting that was for sure.
"Like I need any more excitement." I mumbled.
"My lady?"
"Hmm?" I replied turning to see Casavir.
"It's about Bishop. I am concerned, my lady. The man seems to becoming more unstable than he already was to begin with. I would suggest distancing yourself from him for your own safety and am willing to provide you with protection if you should need."
I couldn't help but smile, an evil smile that is. He just wouldn't let up would he? I gave a slight cough and then said
"Listen carefully because I'm only going to say this once. I love Bishop and will do whatever I can to help him conquer his inner demons regardless of what you or anyone else thinks. I've tried to be nice to you and let you down easy but I will not stand for this any longer. Leave Bishop alone he is not your concern, I am not your concern, you may think so but I am not. I not your lover and honestly from day one I've been as I said trying to be nice to you for you seem like an honorable man with good intentions who is just a little dense but your making me not even want to be around you at all. You irk me to no end." I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Now if you would kindly stow your chivalry we have giants to kill and possibly a dragon as well, unless we can avoid it."
I then stormed off pushing through the others and telling them all to shut up and come on.
"What's gotten into her?" Khelgar asked.
"I don't know but I hope it's nothing serious." Elanee said concernedly.
"It's your fault isn't paladin?" Bishop said giving him a look of utmost loathing. "What did you say to her?"
"It is none of your concern." Casavir replied.
"Like hell it isn't. Leave her alone, paladin. Before I make you leave her alone."
O0o0o0o
"I swear one of these days I'm going to…"
I stopped that particularly violent line of thought as I came to a chasm that was pouring out smoke and if I was not mistaken I could also hear something growling, like a rumble of thunder. I took a step back surely this was where the dragon Bishop had mentioned nested. The growling got louder and the ground began to shake. I took another step back only to run into someone. That someone was Bishop. I opened my mouth to say something and he put his hand over it and shook his head pressing me close to him as we backed away. There was then a loud crash behind us and I could hear the others shouting. I felt Bishop tense up. He then slowly turned about pulling me behind him. There standing in front of us was an enormous red dragon. I gulped it was the biggest most terrifyingly magnificent thing I had ever seen. I had always been fascinated by dragons and had hoped to meet one, one day but not a red one, save for perhaps black dragons they were the most vicious and cruel of all dragons. I had been hoping for a silver one, they at least tolerated the mortal races or so I had heard. All this went through my head at a blindingly fast speed. I bit my lip and could feel myself shaking despite my best efforts to control it. Bishop gripped my hand tightly but kept his eyes fixed on the dragon. The dragon leaned forward and sniffed us.
"Who are you and why are you here?" the dragon asked in a distinctly female voice.
I couldn't help but gulp again at least she was asking questions and not just going straight to eating us that was a good sign. I stepped forward and clearing my throat replied
"I am Selene. My companions and I are here to get rid of the fire giants."
The great dragon lowered her head so as to look me in the eye; her breath felt like it was giving me a sunburn.
"Get rid of the fire giants you say. That would be a great benefit to me. Go now and do that."
She then jumped up into the sky and flew away. I let out a great shuddering breath and looked to Bishop with a weak smile which he did not return he just led me away.
O0o0o0o
I kept a tight grip on my bow as we entered the fire giant camp. They didn't seem hostile witch was odd. All the others we had encountered so far had attacked on sight. These giants however merely stood and watched as we approached their king. Once we got to the center of the encampment the fire giant king got up off his throne of stone and bones and approached us.
"So you are the ones who have been causing so much trouble on my mountain."
"I'll be a kobold's behind if this be your mountain. This is Ironfist territory!" Khelgar shouted waving his axe about.
The giant king laughed heartily and the other giants joined in. in that stupid way lackeys do when they have no idea what they're laughing at but want to agree with their boss. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"Look…"
The fire giant king then interrupted me saying "The Ironfist? The Ironfist are weak. We still tell stories to our children about how we took this mountain from them. The part where they go tumbling down the sides like little pebbles always gets big laughs."
Khelgar looked like he was about to explode with rage. I cut him off however saying
"Look we came here for the belt not to listen to you talk. Are you going to give it to us or are we going to have to take it."
Khelgar grinned looking more ready for a fight than I had ever seen.
The giant king's eyes flashed with anger for only an instant.
"I do have a proposition for you. If you kill the dragon that is infesting these crags and killing off my people then I will give you the belt."
"Deal." I agreed. After all I had already agreed to do the same for the dragon. If I could bring them together they might kill each other and I would get two birds with one stone as it were.
O0o0o0o
"Why are you back?" the dragon asked somewhat annoyed.
I gave a quick bow. Dragons were fond of courtesy or so I had read.
"I felt you should know that the giants are plotting against you. You should crush them before they are able to mobilize."
The dragon gave an evil smile and replied "In other words you want me to do the work for you."
"Not… not at all, milady. I simply wish to help you."
She chuckled, a deep rumbling sound and said "Very well, I shall do this. For you amuse me and I am getting a bit restless. Meet me at the fire giants' camp for your reward."
"Of course." I replied with a bow.
After she flew off I looked to the others.
"What is going on here, girl?!" Khelgar exclaimed.
I held up a finger and then pulling out my flute played a few quick sharp notes. A magical pulse was felt by all as it went through the air.
"There." I said after putting my flute away. "Now we should be able to talk without being overheard."
"Interesting enchantment." Murmured Sand. "An illusion?" he questioned.
I nodded "It makes it seem as if we are just standing here talking about something inconsequential. It's wonderful because making us unable to be heard is suspicious is regardless, as is invisibility and telepathy makes me uneasy. This way no one would suspect a thing. Anyway why I did this was to tell you all, the plan. First off we team up with the giants to take down the dragon."
"The giants?!" Khelgar shouted.
I took a step away from him and rubbed my ear.
"I wish you would stop doing that and yes the giants. With their help I'm sure we can take her down. After this I'm sure the giants will turn on us. That king of theirs gave me a bad feeling; he'll turn on us the first chance he gets. Anyway we will then have to take them down, so don't expend yourself more than necessary with the dragon, try and let the giants handle most of the fighting but make it look like you're giving it your all. We don't want them to catch on to our plan."
"Sounds like you've really thought this out." Sand said actually looking impressed.
"My mind works faster if not better under stress." I replied my eyes flicking to Bishop for about a quarter of a second.
"It sounds like an excellent plan." Elanee said with a smile.
"A sound strategy." Casavir said solemnly.
"We'll what are we waiting for? Let's go get um!" Khelgar cried excitedly.
I sighed and dispelled the illusion saying "I really wish you would stop doing that."
Khelgar didn't hear as he ran off.
O0o0o0o
The dragon watched the humans as they talked before departing her lair. There was something off about their conversation but she could not place it. Why were they talking about mangoes at a time like this? The great dragon gave a snort thinking.
"Mortals."
She then turned and flew off toward the fire giant encampment.
O0o0o0o
"There you are; have you taken care of the dragon?" The fire giant king asked, this time not bothering to get off his throne.
"Actually, your highness, I have lured the dragon here. I figured along with your great strength taking care of the dragon would be no problem."
The giant king smirked at the compliment.
"You are right. I had hired you to do it in the first place for I did not think it worth my time, but if the dragon is on its way here I have no choice but to take care of it."
He then stood up grabbing his axe which was as long as I was tall and stepped forward as a scout shouted "My lord, it is here!"
The giants charged forward as the dragon landed with a ferocious roar. I looked to my companions and nodded as we too went into action. I sang imbuing my weapon as well as the others with magic to pierce the dragon's armor like hide. The dragon roared in pain and outrage as its scales now began to crack under the barrage of attacks. With one great sweep of her tail she threw most of the giants back and with her great claws and teeth ripped the fire giant king in half. The surviving fire giants rallied at this striking harder and faster than ever before. After being overtaken for a moment the dragon burst forth, knocking them all back and turned its eyes on me. Fangs dripping flames she roared with such force the ground began to tremble
"You will pay for this betrayal, human!"
She drew in a huge breath and I knew what was coming and frozen with fear my bow fell to the ground while I just stood there. The last thing I remember before blacking out was someone calling my name and knocking me to the ground.
O0o0o0o
When I came to I was lying on something soft and had a terrible headache. I brought a hand to my head mumbling
"What hit me?"
I looked around and noticed I was in a low lit bedroom with no windows and the walls were made out of stone? Did someone carry me all the way back to the Ironfist compound? I sat up and tried to get my bearings. That's what it looked like. I nodded to myself, definitely dwarven architecture. I stood up and quickly sat back down as I felt dizzy. The door then opened and Elanee walked in along with Sand, they seemed to be arguing about something. The two then noticed me and Elanee gave a smile saying
"Good to see up again."
I scratched my chin and asked "How long was I out?"
"A couple days, no more." She replied.
"Three days technically isn't a couple." Sand put in.
"Three days!" I exclaimed. I fell back on the bed and put a hand over my face. That was just… ridiculous.
"Yes and Bishop has been to check on you each day." Elanee said with a knowing smile.
I looked away slightly blushing.
"Not that he ever actually comes in the door; he just accosts one of us and demands to know your condition." Sand said with a roll of his eyes.
I laughed softly. "That sounds like him."
"Yes, so how are you feeling?" Sand asked as he came over to inspect me.
"Alright, except I have a headache and feel a bit woozy upon standing."
"That's not surprising with that hit you took." He said as he began going through his bag potions and reagents.
Elanee nodded standing off to the side.
"What did happen to me? All I remember is the dragon about ready to roast me alive and then someone tackling me to the ground."
The two elves looked at each other somewhat nervously.
"What? It can't have been that bad. I mean I'm alive and in one piece. Aren't I?"
"Barely." The wizard murmured.
"What Sand means is that you took a serious blow to the head. When Bishop knocked you to the ground you hit your head on a rather large and sharp rock."
"I see…" I said slowly as I reached up to feel my head.
"Don't bother; it's already gone as are the burns." Sand said as he found what he was looking for.
"Burns?" I questioned.
"Yes burns, despite the fire shielding spell I managed to get up you managed to get quite a few serious burns. Bishop was worse however."
"Where is Bishop?" I asked trying to get up again.
"Around." Sand replied "Drink this." He handed the bottle he had fished out of his satchel.
I glared at him but did so.
"What do you mean around and how did I get here?"
Sand sighed "He hasn't been staying in one place for long but he keeps showing up periodically to check on you. As for getting you here he carried you, despite my suggestion that someone else do so, due to his condition."
I couldn't help but smile warmly at this. Coming back to myself I asked "What about the dragon?"
Before Sand could reply Elanee interrupted. "Casavir and Khelgar killed it. You should have seen it! Never before have I seen such a feat. It was like a tale of old springing to life."
"Yes." Sand said incredibly slowly. "As she said they finished it off while Elanee tried to keep you two alive and I took over the role of support magister."
"Oh well, good to know. I think I'm going to go and explore a bit. Stretch my legs and all that."
Elanee smiled and said "Alright don't strain yourself though." while Sand just looked after me suspiciously.
After I shut the door behind me I felt like running to the nearest exit to get some fresh air but I knew that would be both foolish and fall under the category of 'straining myself.' So I walked as quickly as I thought it was wise to do. When I got outside I smiled at the feeling of warm sunshine on my face and the feel of the warm breeze. I was just standing there drinking it all in when I someone call my name. I turned to see Bishop standing there, a rather surprised Bishop. He dropped what he was carrying and ran to me quickly pulling me into his arms. I jumped slightly; I had almost forgotten how quick he could be. When he pulled away he ran a hand through my hair, which I just noticed was out of its usual braid and sprawled out across my back. I played with a lock of it and said
"I both like and dislike having it like this. It really gets in the way but it feels so much freer. I don't know. What do you think?"
He just looked at me disbelievingly and kissed me roughly, hungrily. When he pulled away he leant his forehead against my own and said
"I don't give a damn one way or the other you fool of a woman. I just want you to be here to be able to make such stupid choices."
I gaped at him unsure what to say to that when he took my hand saying "Come, you should probably get inside to rest."
At this I regained control of myself and pulling away I shook my head saying "No, I just got out here. I've been asleep for three days; so I am not going back in without enjoying the outdoors to their fullest.
He smiled at this, one of his rare true smiles and picking my hand up again said "Alright, how about we camp out here tonight."
He gestured over his shoulder to what he had dropped earlier. It was a small doe.
"I'm tired of the dwarves' slop. Thought I'd make something that didn't taste like it was fished out of a gutter."
I chuckled and kissed his cheek. "That sounds nice."
He then led me away to a small clearing where he had everything already set up.
"Convenient." I said with a smile.
He smirked and tossed his pack to me.
"How about you go and get cleaned up. There's a river over there."
He indicated behind a copse of trees with a nod of his head.
"What you're not going to come with me?" I asked with a mock gasp.
He smirked and tossed the doe to the ground. "If I did, who would make your dinner, ladyship?"
I leant up against him and batting my eyelashes becomingly said "I can wait. I'll even help you."
"You wash my back? I'll wash yours?"
"If you're lucky." I replied with a smirk, leading him towards the river.
O0o0o0o
"So everything's settled? We have their support?" I asked as Bishop and I ate our meal of roasted venison, which I had to say was very good.
"Yea, he's their king or god or whatever since he can lift that blasted hammer now."
"Well that's one less thing for us to worry about then. I guess the lizardmen are next. When do you think we should head out? Tomorrow?"
His eyes flicked to me and I could see the sadness in them. I moved over and snuggled myself in his lap. He wrapped his arms around me lazily, like he wasn't really there but doing it reflexively. I pulled his face down so he was looking at me and stared at him until he was really looking at me.
"Listen, we will get through this. I promise and when we do you and I will take the trip you want to, alright?"
He nodded listlessly. I shook his head a little.
"That's not good enough!" I narrowed my eyes "Tell me you're not giving up, that it will be alright."
0o0o0o0
Bishop looked up surprised at how meek that last sentence sounded. After all Selene, Selene was not the type to give up or give in. She never ran away and always seemed to have boundless amounts of confidence. Yet when he looked into her deep blue eyes he saw fear and a plea for reassurance and he couldn't help but give it to her; even if he didn't believe it himself. He kissed her lightly and tightened his grip on her.
"It will be. It will be alright."