"Sooo… are we really going to double-cross an actual dragon?" Edér asked as the party climbed up the endless stairs of Od Nua after having finally reached the very bottom of the place and met with the "Master Below". That had been a terrifying experience, if Jarudiel was being honest, but he was satisfied with the results so far and expecting even better soon.
Jarudiel slowed down his pace to give Edér a questioning look, which made the man continue his thought: "Cos that's kinda what I'm thinking you're doing, unless you're really planning on unleashing a dragon in kith form and erasing a famous dragonslayer in one fell swoop. Though I suppose I'm glad not to be fighting a dragon right now. Or possibly already be dead."
Jarudiel tilted his head in genuine confusion. "Why would we double-cross her? If I didn't want to help her, I wouldn't have offered."
Kana inserted himself between the two of them. "While I agree that promising a dragon something and then backing out would be suicidal, stuck down here as she is, I must admit I also thought that was your plan. So you'll kill Falanroed in order to free a dragon? That… doesn't sound any less suicidal."
"Not to mention that Falanroed's death will likely mean the end of successful dragon hunting, unless you plan on taking her mantle yourself", Edér added.
"You two keep implying dead dragons is a good thing?" Jarudiel asked with a mild look of betrayal, "Excuse me, but I beg to differ. I would personally rather be a dragonslayer hunter than see a single actual grown dragon be killed. I get killing off the wurms and even drakes, because those things are pests that attack people at random if they're left near any roads or villages, but grown dragons are generally smarter than that and keep to themselves. They have to in order to survive long enough to grow up. So yeah, we're one hundred percent helping my basement dragon and also killing off one of the dragon murderers in the process. Win-win."
There was a silence for a moment before Hiravias popped up from behind Kana. It was getting really crowded in the stairs. "For the record, I'm with Jaru on this one. Dragons are magnificent and certainly more deserving of life than arrogant estramors that think killing them is a good idea. Dragons are important to the ecosystem and the balance of the nature. If there are none, something meaner will show up to fill the power vacuum. Usually humans. I prefer the dragons."
"Thank you!" Jarudiel said and leaned over to pat Hiravias' shoulder amicably. "Anyone else? Durance? Yes or no to keeping my dragon alive?"
Durance huffed. "Your dragon now, is it? I don't care one way or another, although I admit having one's soul replaced with a dragon's would be an ironic end to a dragonslayer."
Jarudiel decided to take that as a vote for "yes", then turned to Aloth. The wizard looked like he expected this but wanted nothing to do with it. "Aloth? Yes or no to helping my dragon?"
"Well… I would much rather not have to deal with dragons at all, but since that is no longer an option…" Aloth sighed, looking resigned. "I would much rather be on one's good side than bad."
Jarudiel gave a triumphant whoop and looked at Edér and Kana with a wide grin. "See? My side wins, and we're helping the dragon. Ha!"
ooooo
"I should like to... run, I think", the dragon said, after she was done getting used to her new body. She clearly didn't want to dawdle for a moment longer if she could help it. "Farewell, Watcher."
"Wait!" Jarudiel cried before the dragon could take a step forward. She turned to look at him in mild irritation, so he wasted no time in getting to his point. "What is your name? I wouldn't want to keep referring to you as the dragon now that we're… friends?"
The dragon blinked in surprise, then gave Jarudiel a dangerous grin that looked unnatural on Falanroed's face. "Friends, are we? I suppose you can use that word. My name is Sefyra. I may start using Falanroed's name from now on, so perhaps it is nice that at least one person cares to know my true name. If that is all, I will now take my leave."
"Sefyra", Jarudiel said with a smile, feeling giddy about being on a first name basis with a dragon. "You're always welcome to visit the keep, if you ever feel like. Make it your home again if you wish. But until then, have pleasant travels and enjoy your freedom."
Sefyra huffed, whether in disbelief or in amusement was unclear, and took off running.
Maybe one day she would return. Or write to him. Or they would meet during their travels. Who knew.