A couple of weeks had passed since Magnus had moved in with Alec. Moving in with his lover was quick with the use of his magic and portals. The dragon had created an apothecary room for all of Magnus' magical things. Alec had built a garden for the herbs in the grassy area protected by the cave system for his warlock. Magnus made appearances in the village to sell potions and to ensure the leadership that he had done his job as High Warlock, convincing them there were no dragons. And his wards would keep the mythical beings away.
In that time Clary was charmed by Jace and learned more about being a dragon through his tutelage. They clearly were enamored with each other. Clary learning more about her dragon self and spending time with Jace, they fell in love easily. She was discovering her other dragon abilities which were formidable even if Jace didn't want to admit his she-dragon was bad ass and could be bested by her. She could do unexpected things, her heritage was unknown. Jace loved finding out more about her and she was finally embracing her total being—she-dragon and all.
Izzy wanted Simon the moment she set eyes on him. She knew he was different, he was a daylighter vampire. They were rare, but he was so sweet, caring and naive. What she loved about him was his love of music. He played so well and his voice was magic to her ears. She was comfortable with him and wanted him in her life. She would have this being, a she-dragon always gets what she wants but she hoped that Simon wanted her as well. Simon didn't disappoint, he not only wanted the she-dragon, he wanted to mate for life with her.
Alec was relieved that he found a large cave system long ago, giving them all enough space and privacy. They would gather for meals, it was a good way to keep up with the village news and any sightings of soldiers from Asmodeus army. Clary and Simon still worked in the shop, it was the best way to hear any gossip or any other thing they should know for safety reasons. While they practically moved into the Lightwood cave as well. They kept the apartment above the shop for appearances.
The dragons changed their hunting pattern to reinforce that there were no dragons near the village. Due to their mostly human guests, the Lightwoods ended up shopping more in the village then hunting for food. The dragons needed to spread the wings and fly from time to time, they chose night time flying for safety. Clary and Jace did most of the hunting for them so that she could learn more about being a dragon.
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Asmodeus was furious. He had not heard from Magnus and it was pissing him off. In addition, the village sent word that there wasn't a dragon, that his son did what they hoped for and rewarded him for the service. If his son did his job why wasn't he home like he expected? The vision told him of a different story. No, he knew something was not quite right and he was certain his son was part of the problem. He was determined that when he got a hold of Magnus, he would teach him a lesson.
He went to the seer in hopes of getting another vision and he was curious if the other vision was still the same. Asmodeus had sent a message to the seer and she agreed to see him but reminded him to keep his own demeanor calm, so that she would be able to have a more clear and precise vision.
He entered the temple of the seer only known as 'Lady of the Wood'. The temple featured rooms dedicated to mediation, the stained glass with images of plants and wildlife. The linen drapery with leaves and avian adoration giving a serene feeling throughout the temple. Candles and incense burning throughout adding a calm feel to the building. Her main office served as the place where visions were told for a price. She was always wearing a green or blue robe and kept her face hidden behind a cowled hood, while she sounded youthful her hands told a different story of age. She made it clear that serenity was important for visions, hence the chosen color of her robes and the many calming elements in her office which included plants, candles and earth tone furniture to be closer to the planets energy.
Asmodeus entered the office as quietly as possible and took a chair near a round table in the middle of the room. It was the area the seer would use to channel her visions. He waited for her to acknowledge him before asking what it was he wanted to know. The seer finished grabbing what herbs she would need and ingredients to help her with her vision, once she had placed what she needed on the table she made herself comfortable in her own chair.
When it felt like the silence was too long she spoke, "Lord Asmodeus, you are looking well."
"Thank you, Lady of the Wood," he eyed her with reverence.
"Did you bring something of yours and your son's?"
"Of course," he slid two locks of hair, one belonging to Magnus, the other his own. He had saved his son's hair long ago for this situation. He never told his son that he took his hair when he slept.
"Very well. One more thing, my Lord." The Lady raised her head slightly to make it clear that this part was important, "My payment."
Asmodeus tossed a tied pouch filled with gold coins across the table. She picked it up and placed it in a wooden container on the floor near her chair. While the mineral itself was of the earth, she didn't need it on the table and with so many touching the gold it would taint what she saw. Once she settled herself once more, "What is it you need to know?"
"I need to know if you still see my son soothing a dragon, and that Magnus will kill me with a dragon at his side." Asmodeus never told his son the whole vision. He was too worried about his death and wanted to change the vision. He made up parts of the vision when talking with Magnus. If he could convince his son, that soothing a dragon meant controlling one, and he could actually enslave the dragon, he would live. Asmodeus was confident that Magnus wouldn't be able to kill him on his own, it had to be the dragon with him that gave Magnus enough power to slay him.
There was also the business side of being able to command a dragon, he could make more gold. He could extort the neighboring villages for protection. Or Asmodeus could kill the dragon for its scales, horns and talons, and make money by providing the much sought after rare items for spells. He quieted his mind, he needed to know first before making plans.
The Lady of the Wood nodded, took the hair and put it in a mortar bowl, she added a few herbs and ground it up with the grinder tool. Once she was satisfied, she added an earthy oil and something to mask the smell of burnt hair. Before she lit the bowl with a flame from a candle, Asmodeus gently grabbed her wrist.
"Wait," he wanted to know everything she saw, not just her original vision. "Please tell me everything you see, I want to know it all. I know you usually just answer a question but if you see more, tell me."
She looked at the hand holding her wrist, she felt his nervous energy and was suspicious of the added request. Once she calmed herself from his energy she gave him a sideways glance, "it will cost more."
Asmodeus shook his head in understanding as he went to give her another pouch she stopped him. "No, I don't know what I'll see, if I see more, then you'll pay more." Asmodeus nodded in agreement.
The Lady of the Wood lit the bowl and chanted an incantation to call forth the vision. The smoke poured up from the bowl and surrounded her, she inhaled and waited. She leaned her head back as the scent, herbs and the uniqueness of Asmodeus and Magnus own auras enveloped her. When her head fell back, Asmodeus could see her face, her eyes were white including the pupil, as was the wisps of hair peeking out of the hood; she had a scar running from her right temple across her nose and to the end of her left cheek. None of it took away from her stunning beauty. Asmodeus didn't know why she would hide her looks, not understanding that her appearance was to draw him in and put him in a state of ease allowing her to see what she needed to see easily. It was more than herbs and incantations, a seer used everything to gain insight, everything had a vibration or energy.
The Lady of the Wood leaned back in her chair and allowed the vision to take over, she spoke as the images became more clear to her, "Magnus has soothed the dragon." She felt that they were happy, "there seems to be a connection between them." She struggled for a moment, "the dragon is evading me, I can't see him as clearly now, he's protective of your son and is near Magnus all the time." The seer paused, she felt the emotional connection between Magnus and the black dragon, "they're in love." Asmodeus looked shocked but didn't say anything. "Their combined magic is protecting them, I can't see them clearly anymore." The seer knew when she was feeling obstructed, these two beings were powerful together.
Another vision hit her, this time is was the same as before when Asmodeus would ask his specific question, "Your son and the black dragon will meet you in battle in a village far from here, she tilted her head, something changed, "they're not alone. You will die on the battlefield, your army will flee and your son will be free." She snapped her head back, and then held it down to calm her mind. The vision was over, there was nothing more to see. She gained her composure, then glanced at Asmodeus. He looked surprised then schooled his emotions, he slid another pouch her way.
"Is there no vision you've had where I don't die?" Seemed like a logical question, perhaps there was a way.
"Your fate is sealed, whether you go to your son or your son comes home to you." Over the years, she had done several visions for Asmodeus, all of her visions ended the same with his death.
Asmodeus got up to leave then paused. "You said they're in love. How is that possible?" He was aware of beings who could shift, he never heard of a dragon shifter despite all his research on dragons.
The Lady smiled, "Lord Asmodeus, you and I know that shifters are not unique to wolves or large cats. It would appear that this dragon you fear can shift into human form."
He ignored the fear comment, Asmodeus took in the information, this would complicate things, "In any of the visions you've had, did you see what the dragon looked like in human form?"
"No. The vision has not changed. It was a black dragon with greenish brown wings very much like a hazel eye color. I never saw his human form." She shrugged in sympathy, knowing he wanted to find another way to get to the dragon, to change fate.
"Do you think you could find him in another vision?"
The Lady of the Wood considered the question, "It would be difficult to see him; he has magic of his own and combined with your son's is protected from my view. I can't even see your son clearly any longer." She waited a few minutes for more questions, she began cleaning up her table, then offered, "He's a dragon shifter, there will be certain traits that carry through to the human form, he's a black dragon, he'll have black hair. He will be tall because he is dragon, and he will probably have hazel eyes because of the wing color." She had met dragon shifters before and noticed how their coloring would adapt to their human forms.
At least a description of the dragon's human form was better than not having any information on him. Clearly the beast was keeping himself well hidden. It didn't matter to Asmodeus, he would find him but first he would need to find more soldiers to fight for him.
"One more thing Lord Asmodeus, no matter which form you find the dragon in, he will be dangerous."
Asmodeus scoffed, dangerous or not. He would kill it and he would imprison his son or better yet, kill him too, his defiance would no longer be tolerated. He was a powerful man; he wouldn't be disrespected in any way. He would change his fate, he needed to be smart about it. They stared at each other for a few more minutes, then he thanked her and left.
