Harry Potter: Vel'ilstaer: Stormraven

Eve groaned as the early morning light of Syngorn began lighting up the room. She realised she wasn't dressed, quite underdressed, but she'd found that she was using Vel as a pillow, she was quite content. "Morning."

Vel merely groaned in response and twist his head causing the cartilage to crack. "Morning, you." His hand reached out to play with her hair.

"The same to you as well…I'm pretty sure that this is the third time, I've woken up next you." Eve responded glibly.

"First was accidental, second was a prank and this one…I'm hoping this was deliberate, and, I hope that this will be more common." Vel retorted, slowly rousing himself.

Eve could only smile at him "A dragon wants, a dragon gets. I know it's awfully primal and not the best way to start a relationship, but meeting you in that tavern and being brought along on a trip to see the world…For me that has been the best thing that's happened to me."

"How so? I mean you were and notoriously closed off about your family. Granted that's lessened slightly but I've not wanted to pry, I only want to know if you're willing to tell me?"

"And…I…love you for that. Let's see, my mother…I can barely remember her name, I think it was Margret; anyway she was a gifted and powerful Witch, I believe you would call her. However, she had no real spine and as a result appeared rather weak; then she met my father. I don't know his name, I do not wish to know it but all I know is that he was an extremely powerful Warlock."

"What's the difference?"

"Wizards and Witches Study; Warlocks make Bargains; Clerics well the pray for their gifts; Druids are powered by Nature; Paladins their own zeal. Now, my father he was a Warlock and somewhere he'd been informed or found a prophecy depicting the return of his Master in Human Form born of a Wizard of Draconic Heritage. He met my mother and wooed her to him; she grew a spine when she heard his plan to use me as the Vessel. She ran, gave me to Grandad and then I never saw her again. Although I did overhear when I was ten, a young man…a brutal one, clad in plate armour of blue, green and black, wielded what I can only describe as a kaleidoscopic Warhammer. I'd never forget his eyes, slate grey eyes, and I could see very little warmth in them; it was faint but behind walls of hurt, pain and self-loathing. He'd come in, brought something to my Grandfather, who paid him and he left."

Vel wrapped his arms around her "Did you find out?"

"Not until I was sixteen. It was her body and his head. It turned out he would use her to sire a vessel anyway…Only the Stranger arrived with his party, my father's Coven clashed with the Stranger's Party and only the Stranger walked away, less walked more like crawled according to my Grandfather. A few months later I arrived in Westrunn."

Vel could only whistle lowly before he rolled out of bed and cleaned up. It turned out, that they weren't the last ones to descend for breakfast. The only ones up at that moment were Syldor and Dean with Vex and a slowly waking Percy. "Morning, nephew." Vex called chirpily.

"Morning…I thought we were going to be the last ones up. What mischief and mayhem have we got concocted for today?" Vel asked with trepidation.

Dean chuckled "I've managed to organise a trade of grain, furs and other items with the Kryn Dynasty; there's no talk of military involvement but I want to ask you for a favour."

"Go on…Considering it's you, whose asking, Dean…"

Dean paused "The Empress of the Kryn Dynasty, has expressed an interest in meeting the one who taught me. Vel, you're something of a Hero, at least in terms of magical studies."

"I'm pretty sure that I am not."

Dean snorted "You've found a new way for people to connect to the Weave, the source of power for all

Practitioners aside from Warlocks. All that is needed is wood and a magical animal core."

Vel nodded "Dragons are very much extinct here…and getting them to give us their Heartstrings is likely to court death…and upon this getting out all the creatures that we use for our wands are going to become extinct. Yeah, I've found a new way to study magic without the boundaries of the standardised schools."

"Will you come with me to the Kryn Dynasty and assist me for a while…?" Dean snapped, deciding to be open and honest.

Vel and Eve looked at one another "Mom wouldn't be happy, but then again, I can't see why we can't make an arrangement that would be beneficial."

"Beneficial to whom?" Vax asked as he sidled down the stairs.

"Dean's asked me to pay a visit to the Kryn Dynasty over in Wildemount. Something about me introducing a brand new way of magic; even though it's him that did it."

Vax paused "I…don't see why not. When were you planning to go?"

"Not until the Conclave has been dispatched; Her Highness was most specific on that matter. Her orders were to 'Do what you must in order to gain trust and favour from your friends and his allies.' Plus I've stood by your son before in combat and will not abandon him now." Dean retorted quickly "I'm planning on taking the entire gang on a Kryn Dynasty Bender…Vel, I want to see your liver take on that."

"You're on Warlock."

Keyleth had overheard the conversation "Vel'ilstaer, I want you to meet your Grandfather as well…my father."

Vel paused "Yeah…why not. Speaking of what is the plan for today?"

Vex smiled "We're going to be researching the last known location of a Vestige, Fenthras, darling. That means we're going to be going into the city."

The youngest half-elf adventurer nodded "Awesome, I need Umbrasyls head. I need some of the teeth."

Keyleth could only face palm "And just what are you planning?"

"Getting some blades made out of Black Dragon Teeth…"

"Darling, that is an extremely bad idea…Black Dragons, in fact, all dragons have inherently magical properties that last long after they're dead. There is a very faint possibility that should you try to craft Black Dragon Tooth Blades they'll be toxic to us all." Vex explained carefully.

"But there is a possibility that they won't be…And if…"

Vex's eyes did harden, Syngorn hadn't been fun for her in the slightest, "The Syngorn locals would be the best bet, but they'll charge a hefty price considering…"

"Then they'll have an intimate discussion with a crossbow bolt…They even think about screwing with me…"

It was then Syldor coughed "Then they'll find their businesses on shaky ground, I might, I didn't treat my eldest children, as well as I, should have; but regardless of that they'll treat you with the respect that you are deserving, Grandson."

Vel turned "If you say so. I would like to…"

"You have no need to apologise…your words, whilst lacking in tact, were not lacking in anything less than the truth. I know of a Crafter, who could do what you have requested and for a very cheap fee; far cheaper than nearly any other Weaponsmith and Crafter in Syngorn would attempt to charge."

Vel nodded "Thanks."

Soon enough breakfast was made and everyone ate heartily "Velora…I trust, you'll behave today?" Vel murmured.

"Behave? Me! Vel, I distinctively remember you throwing around the terms of 'Lightning Bolt' and 'Arrows right up where…the sun doesn't shine.' Besides what do I get out of it?"

"None of the gifts I'm planning on getting forged, no accounts of my OWN adventures; i.e. the adventures I had before I met Vox Machina. What they do is extremely impressive, now, try imagining what they've done…solo and with no backup."

Velora looked at her nephew and nodded "Alright, but I want sneaking lessons."

Vax grinned "I'll be happy to teach you." Vex who was idly listening also grinned at her half-sister "And I'll ensure you do it right."

"Stubby…I'm the…"

"Ghostlike and most Hotblooded Half-Elf, I've ever met. You made a pact with a being you didn't fully understand before reuniting with your son…So, yes, Vax'ildan, Vex will be ensuring that your ghost techniques are the only thing to rub off on her." Keyleth stated. She quickly turned on Vel and Eve "As for the pair of you, no teaching her spells of mass destruction and the impish look of innocence…There are others in the party that do it better."

The teens chuckled as the duo turned a brilliant shade of red "Yes, mother…I'll listen." Vel replied dutifully, although everyone but Grog believed that Vel was going to behave.

Soon enough everyone was heading into the vast city of Syngorn. Vex had been given a note and directions by Syldor before grabbing Vel firmly by the shoulder and guided him through the city. "Tune out the stares and whispers darling, we have someone to meet."

They found themselves on the equivalent of a street of Blacksmiths, the entire street resembled a shop of endless, beautiful weapons. Vel'ilstaer couldn't help but let his jaw drop, the daggers were beautiful the way they shone and reflected the purple and orange of the consistent sky, they might not look remotely useful in combat but something told Vel'ilstaer that each blade was as dangerous as it was beautiful. "Elves are at heart, artisans, everything from poetry to armour and weapons just because they are designed for war and death does not mean that they cannot look beautiful."

As they moved along through the streets, normally crowded with only elves, there was now a rather sizeable population of Humans, Dwarves and various other races. Towards the end of the Street, there was a simple sign that had the word 'Blacksmith' at the end. This one felt different.

Inside was an ancient elf "Ah, Lady Vex'halia and Lord Vel'ilstaer, welcome."

"Our thanks Master Smith…" Vel'ilstaer began.

"Vageiros Sparkriver, Lord Vel'ilstaer."

"Sparkriver, thank you for meeting us."

Sparkriver smiled, it wasn't a proper smile if Vel was really concerned but it definitely felt a lot more genuine than that of most of the elven populace of Syngorn. "Now, I understand the Ambassador sent you to me…He phrased as 'I have a request for you'. I am quite intrigued."

Vel reached into the bag of holding and pulled Umbrasyl's sack-covered head. He managed to deposit it on the counter "I apologise for the mess."

Sparkriver chuckled, before lifting the sack and his eyes widened "Incredible! Simply incredible! Normally the Heads of Dragons are never in this good condition…May I examine it? I think I know what you would like me to do."

The duo nodded and the Smith went to work, his hands alight with a viridian hue as it examined the skull "You have enough teeth, in fact the entire set of teeth, for me to make ten blades of any kind for your party and still have enough left over."

Vel's eyes widened "I would like five daggers, I'm sorry I have no idea what I'm asking for apart from the weaponry, an axe, a rapier, some arrows potentially ones that keep coming back…A mace and something undetermined."

"All of them are doable, easily doable, although the arrows…young Lord might not be possible the returning aspect. The reason is for lack of knowledge; Dragons here as opposed to other worlds are notoriously magical and have potent after-effects long after their dead and the older they are the more potent. It would be easier to create a dragon bow than arrows. Perhaps I can recommend a staff as well."

Vex nodded "I appreciate it darling but I'd rather much have a bow. Now Master Sparkriver, you mentioned a price?"

Sparkriver nodded "I shall do all of the commissioned pieces of work for free, well perhaps not free, but to satisfy an extremely ancient elf's curiosity."

Vel'ilstaer was intrigued "What is it?"

Sparkriver smiled his cryptic smile "I come from an old line of Elves, Elves that helped forge great weapons and objects of power; back during what younger races have dubbed 'The Age of Arcanum' and later 'The Divergence', one of which was adorned by an old friend of my Grandfather; Purvan Suul an enchanted piece of armour now known as the Deathstalker Ward. There is also a Crossbow, call the Condemnor…"

Vel nodded and reached for the Crossbow, that he'd concealed beneath his travelling cloak. The elf tenderly took the Crossbow and held it reverently in his hands "It was broken, but remade, which feels and looks like something out of a story."

"I'll get to work." With ease, he began to prize the teeth of the Hope Devourer out of the cavernous maw, attracting a crowd of onlookers. "Oi, Half-Elves, how much." Shouted a young elf.

"For what?" Vel growled, nonchalantly dropping a crossbow bolt into place.

"The Dragon Head, evidently…" The elf trailed off as Vel raised his crossbow at him.

"I have had enough, of being treated like something that you've scraped off your shoe. We, Vox Machina, killed it…I've still got the scars to prove it, and if you're so insistent on wanting it; I'll challenge you to fight for it."

"How so? First blood? That is if you're not scared."

"I don't fight for blood, two enter and only one leaves."

"That's illegal! Everyone knows that…"

"Well that's my gauntlet. How badly do you want it? I take it you're not that eager for it."

Vex grabbed Vel by the arm "We're going to find Percival and the rest and we're going to need to talk. This, attitude of yours Vel'ilstaer, is going to get you in trouble that I doubt we'll be able to get you out of."