Author's notes: I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SORRY! I am SO SORRY that I vanished off of the face of the planet for so long. I'm just ASHAMED of myself really! slaps herself a few times I swear on my sweet Scruffy dog's grave (God grant him peace, he was such a sweet dog!) that I had the third chapter of this all typed up! But as you might've read in the author's notes I left the computer for the night and went to school. When I came home I found out that my mother accidentally fried the motherboard of the cpu so CAPUT it went like friggin Jinga pieces. I was PISSED because I spent three days working on that thing till it was an ass kicking 18 pages. WHY couldn't my mom wreck the damned thing like a few hours later! Anyways once I found out that I lost it I was like 'OH hell with this, no one likes it anyhoo…' How wrong I was…lol. So here I am redoing the chapter and hoping that people will like it. tosses DK chibi dolls to all of her reviewers THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE KICK IN THE ASS! Enjoy!
By the way…if anyone ever feels I'm slacking, feel free to go to MyOtaku dot com and check out my journal. I'm called Xx Bonny Fyfa xX there and leave a comment that reminds me that I still have fans waiting for the next chapter. Lol, it may sound silly but at least I'll actually go to there instead of leaving my old email address (where my alerts go) to rot. I opened the box the other day and was like HOLY SHIT! 0 I better get writing.
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Here it is! Thank you so much for waiting so long and retaining your hope!
The Ragnarok, Draqueen
The Ragnarok could have been described as Draqueen's most popular bar. It wasn't hoity-toity but it wasn't a whorehouse either, being conveniently located in a decent section of the city where the most exciting thing that had happened was the occasional drunks breaking into song. The building was a charming, two story one with clean, whitewashed walls and dark oak wood foundation, this lining the windows, and the shingles of the ceiling. The door was a pair of matching oak doors with a Celtic arch to boot, which had been stopped open by a block of wood wedged under the narrow slit at the bottom. The wooden sign that hung above the door from a wrought iron hook was shaped like a shield with the image of a flying dragon burned onto it with the letters fancily carved to read 'The Ragnarok'. The large, glass paneled window that stood on either side of the door gave anyone outside a glimpse of the activities that were happening inside. The bar-counter was located on the right hand side, where some loners sat drinking from large, wooden tankards and the bar tender, a little old man with a long beard and a balding head was standing behind the 3 foot wide wooden stand that stretched over half of the front room around 10 feet long. Set up in a restaurant like fashion were large, round wooden tables where groups of men sat, some common, some richer, and some solider, talking and drinking, some laughing some mourning, some grumbling, and some gambling, while others just watched the activities quietly. Waitresses dressed in very similar fashions as they did (only much more scantier and revealing) carried trays of pitches and tankards around, serving drinks to the customers while a fire burned brightly in the back of the room. Torches lined the walls and served to illuminate the place, while on the wall hung decorations of weapons, stuffed animal heads, water gourds, and an occasional weapon of some sort.
"Aye me, what a perfect day." The owner, Mr. Sleeks remarked to himself as he observed the expanse of his tavern behind the bar counter as he dried off the latest of clean glass tankards to go back on the shelves. It was around six in the evening, just as the sun was beginning to sink and signal to all of Draqueen's working class that the long day was coming to a close. Although it meant that the nightly crowds would be arriving in a few hours, the old bartender felt content with the mild business that had occurred since he had opened around noon. If he had kept his count correctly, only two men had drunk themselves senseless and none of his tankards had been broken in the process. As he passed one of his waitresses a spare tray Sleeks noticed the poor soul sitting in the corner table by himself, half unconscious on the table while the bottle of black whisky he had ordered sat nearly empty by his head. The old man recognized him, since he had been coming there for years and had been one of the two that had gotten himself plastered before three that afternoon.
Sleeks saw that the poor wretch desperately needed to talk to someone filled a glass with ice water and walked around the bar counter, heading towards the young man with experienced sympathy in mind. Having run the place since he was twenty seven (which was about sixty nine years ago), the old bar tender knew exactly how to deal with the depressed drunks that passed through his doors. Taking the seat opposite of the young man, Sleeks gently removed the near-empty bottle of black whisky from his hand and replaced it with the ice water.
The old man knew exactly who this poor soul was. It was Sir Thatz of the Dragon Clan and this wasn't the first time he had ended up in this particular state but Sleeks couldn't remember a time when he looked so horrible. Normally, Thatz was a handsome young man with short, naturally tousled earth brown hair with bangs that framed a pair of ruby red eyes and a long scar running diagonally between his eyes while two other marks marred his left cheek. His clothing (which he had obviously slept in) consisted of a pair of loose black slacks that originally were tucked into a pair of knee high lacing black boots but were now hanging out of place. His shirt was a skintight black mesh shirt which he wore under a loose turquoise green trench-styled jacket that was elaborately embroidered with threads in gold, red, and green to form the Dragon Royal's crest on the back while a line of Celtic knots lined the hems.
Sensing that someone had just sat down at his table through the haze of his drunken headache, Thatz somehow managed to lift his head from the table's smooth surface and look up to see that old coot Sleeks grinning at him pleasantly, propping his head up by his elbows. The day must have gone well, since the old man's thinning white hair was still neatly smoothed to the sides of his head leaving a vast expanse of bare wrinkled skin at the top of his head and his friendly violet eyes hadn't an ounce of frusturation written in them. If there was one thing that Thatz had learned from the old man (aside from many of the rumors about treasures and gossip flying around Dusis) it was the fact that he didn't like too many drunks in his tavern. He had always figured that it was an insurance issue.
Now what did the old man want? He had already paid for the whisky… I think… Thatz thought as he blinked through the fog in his eyes.
"Hey there lad. What's the problem with ye? You've been here since noon nursin' that whisky. Women troubles?"
"Like you wouldn't believe…" The Dragon Knight of Earth groaned, somehow managing to sit up. 'Trouble' didn't come close to describing what his woman issue was. Catastrophe, Disaster, and Ground Zero were better words.
"Try me." Sleeks said with a good-natured smile, "I've heard a lot of stories in my day and experienced love myself. Maybe I can help ya."
Thatz offered a weak grin. He didn't think that the bar-tender had any advice for the predicament that he found himself in currently. Well he might not have been sure about what to do about his problems with Kitchel but what he did know was that he was going to throttle Rath Illuser the next time that he saw him since it was his fault that his position as Kitchel's lover was currently questionable!
"Well…here's what happened…"
Flashback
Thatz tried to swallow the gigantic lump that had formed in his throat as he crouched in the large bushes beneath Kitchel's bedroom balcony, finding that he had just lost his desperately needed voice. Beside him was Vierrez, Gil, and Rath who had –as a testimony of friendship- shared the chore of dragging themselves out of bed at four in the morning in order to help Thatz carry out his plan. Actually, it wasn't his plan…it was Kitchel's romantic fantasy. They knew this was because when Thatz had first come to Rath with the question of 'How do I propose?' the former Fire Knight's first step was to 'find out what she wants'. Thatz just hadn't known that it meant peeking through the journal that they had found when they pillaged through her bedroom for some sort of hint. The Dragon Knight of Earth hadn't been too thrilled with the contents…most of them consisted of his girlfriend telling the pages that he was an inconsiderate, insensitive ass. But they had found what they had been looking for…low and behold it turned out that Kitchel the ex-thief wanted to be proposed to in a fairy tale like fashion; at dawn her beau would scale the wall beneath her balcony and sweep her clear off of her feet.
Why she wanted something like this, Thatz would never have a clue. But even Gil (who in Thatz's opinion seemed to be the most womanly-challenged man in the world since he had never seen him flirt or be particularly friendly with one) had a little more insight then he did!
"Take a deep breath, Thatz. Women are romantics like that…it goes hand in hand with the chocolate thing."
"Why do I have to do this!" He growled, "I never knew that this hour even EXISTED!"
"Stop your whining and get a hold of yourself." Vierrez hissed, his eyes narrowing as he seized the lapels of Thatz's shirt. "None of us did but we're doing this to make sure you don't screw it up. It's almost time, the sun's coming up."
Rath grinned. This was simply too rich! Here was Thatz, the guy that everyone thought would never get married about to make a complete fool of himself in order to get hitched. The plan was simple; Thatz would scale the wall and balcony just as Kitchel described in her journal with the large, dazzling white rose he would use to get her attention. Then he would recite her a beautiful poem (shockingly enough, Rath had written a few for Cesia and had lent him the one he used to propose) which would include 'the question'. She would say yes, swoon, and the entire castle would be subjected to listening to Thatz get blissfully laid for the rest of the day. What could possibly go wrong!
It was a good thing that Kitchel had gone to such great lengths in her description of her ideal proposal. Although it had taken some convincing, Thatz had eventually agreed to wear the clothes that his lover had described and there was no denying the fact that he looked downright good in them. His earth-red hair was neatly trimmed and combed (for once), giving him a look that could have nearly been called 'distinguished'. He was dressed in a pair of neatly pressed, loose black silk pants that had a foreign bagginess to them and were tucked neatly into his favorite knee high black boots. His shirt was a matching black mesh tank top which highlighted the contours of his muscled chest underneath an elegant turquoise blue jacket which was cut in a knee-long trench coat style. Its hems were embroidered with elaborate Celtic knots in gold threat and one the back was the Dragon Clan's crest in matching gold, reds and greens. Kitchel would swoon for sure, the plan was foolproof!
Thatz groaned, "Guys I don't think this is going to work out…"
"Shut up!" Gil, Rath, and Vierrez said simultaneously as the former Knight of Fire seized his friend's arm and rammed a folded piece of paper into the sleeve of his left hand with a grin.
"Now when you're holding her, just pull this out and read it to her over her shoulder. I use this trick on Cesia every time because there's no way I can spout poetry by myself, I'd never remember." He said grabbing Gil in a demonstrating hug, showing Thatz how to pull the cheat sheet out of his sleeve with the same hand. This had earned Rath a hard elbow in the gut but at least it had gotten the point to his jittery friend.
Just then, Homo came wriggling through the thick bushes, his fire-red body a dazzling contrast to the emerald green of the leaves and bluish white flowers growing there as he tumbled into Gil's lap.
"Sun up yet?" Rath asked as the little dragon nodded eagerly. "Well it's show time! Just think on it this way; you'll only have to do it once."
Thatz let out a heavy sigh as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small black velvet box that contained the beautiful gold band that he had chosen as the ring. Having actually saved his wages for it, the Dragon Knight of Earth took in a deep breath as he looked at it. He knew she would love it…the band was an attractive ring of gold studded with diamonds…Kitchel's favorite stone. Although they weren't particularly large, the jewels glittered brightly and when put together in a ring of that quality they made a very worthwhile piece.
He hoped that what he was about to do would make her happy…she had (according to the journal) waited decades for him to choke up the nerve to ask for her hand. However, the young man's time in the bushes was abruptly put to a stop when Rath seized the back of his shirt and literally kicked him out of their hiding places.
"Showtime, Thatz! Good luck!"
Oh what good friends he had…not! As Thatz climbed up the ivory vines that conveniently grew along the wall beneath Kitchel's balcony his imagination began to conjure up various images. He imagined their wedding day…well the cake at any rate. Then he pictured Kitchel sending him tumbling the three story fall off her balcony while screaming at him to go burn in hell for being such an insensitive prick after screwing up his proposal-plan. Shaking his head firmly, the earth-haired young man knew that it was far too late to chicken out now. The Dragon Knight of Earth firmly gripped the white marble stone railing and dangled there for a few seconds, tuning his ears in to see if his girlfriend of decades had come out for her traditional sunrise-watching. At first he heard nothing but after a few minutes he heard the sliding glass doors open and Kitchel's faint yawn and her slippers shuffling across the chilly floor.
Urgh! Thatz thought, I just hope Ringleys isn't with her…if he is then I'm totally sunk.
Sucking in a deep breath as he lifted himself high enough to peek over the railing at Kitchel the young knight nearly lost his grip upon seeing her. She was a vision in the morning, why was he never awake to see it! She was wearing a pair of gold satin pajamas that clung alluringly to her curves and consisted of a pair of very baggy pants and a sexy little spaghetti strap shirt. Her pale strawberry red hair was a mess around her chin and her dark brown eyes were still cloudy with sleep. Oh this was going to be a hell of a lot harder then he had originally thought.
Waiting until she turned her head in his direction, Thatz hoisted himself onto his arms and swung his legs over the railing, landing one foot softly on the floor and the other on the white marble paling as if it was the most casual thing in the world. The sudden appearance had startled Kitchel, winning him the desired element of surprise. He tossed his head in a subtly flirting way, grinning at her as she rubbed her eyes.
"'Morning Kitchel."
"Oh my God, Thatz the Dragon Knight of Earth is awake and dressed before noon I have to be dreaming." She said.
"No dream, love! I set my alarm." He replied with a wink, gesturing her to come over. Kitchel tipped her head and folded her arms, trying to figure out if this was simply a dream or not. She couldn't lie to herself…she had always wanted Thatz to wake up and watch a sunrise with her but the oaf could hardly drag himself out of sleep before noon! Well if this was a cruel dream, she would follow it until the bitter end, after she would say yes to his proposal and wake up just as he was about to kiss her.
Thatz had to resist the urge to grin down at his friends as his lover coyly began to approach him, swinging her hips and keeping her arms folded beneath her full breasts as if to keep herself warm (although she really meant to tease him since they were lifted in such a kinky way). He extended his arm out and pulled her close to him when she had come close enough, his nose and cheek instantly nuzzling her silky light red hair. The scent of vanilla intoxicated him instantaneously and the feel of her soft, slender body pressed against his chest sent a pleasant shiver down his spine. Kitchel's arms slinked up his back as she settled into his lap with her head tucked under his chin and the fingers of her left hand laced with his on her chest. She could smell the scent of dark pine on him and nearly wanted to swoon. Oh when he wanted to be Thatz could be the romantic Knight of ever woman's dream!
"Kitchel, you know I love you…" He began, hoping that his voice didn't waver as his heartbeat started to pick up again. He couldn't screw it up now there was no possible way! She nodded and murmured her reply, the brilliant gold, yellow, red, and orange of the sky behind the castle towers no longer holding much interest to her. "And there was something that I wanted to…to…"
"Ask me?" She offered, taking her head away from his chest and looking at him with large, expecting eyes. Could this possibly mean he was…were all those years of waiting and wondering finally going to end?
"Yeah, ask you something." He said grinning sheepishly, pulling her back against his firmly muscled chest. Sliding his left hand up to her shoulder, the young man could have sworn he could hear his friends snickering at him inside his head as they were surely watching from a distance somewhere. Carefully taking the paper Rath had slipped him, Thatz tipped it open and kissed Kitchel's forehead softly, trailing his lips along her eyebrow gently as he began to read in a low, affectionate whisper.
"My world stops spinning
but silence remains
You saved me from sinning
And my heart no longer pains
Into tiny dancing stars
Your breath mixes with mine
You sit up,
Pull me onto the bed,
Whispering endearments "Come on baby!" You hear me say,
"Fuck me hard, I like it that...what the HELL is this!"
What happened after that Thatz hadn't a clue…the only thing he heard was Kitchel shouting a storm of profanities at him before the feeling of her elbow slamming hard into his groin set in. Gasping in pain and trying to grasp just what had just happened, the Dragon Knight of Earth knew he was falling backwards but there wasn't a damned thing he could do about it. Seeing that their friend had just made a serious mistake as he tumbled through the bushes they had previously been hiding in, Rath, Vierrez, and Gil darted out from their hiding places in the nearby trees and rushed over to their comrade. He had landed awkwardly in the bush, curled in a fetal position and wailing out in pain. The sight was enough to make any man flinch as they looked up at the balcony to find a very, very angry Kitchel looking down at him.
"I suppose you three put him up to that, huh! I hope you four burn in hell!" She screamed, pushing the nearest flower pot clear off the side at them. Having regained a little of his composure before the pottery smashed open his head, Gil somehow managed to catch the painted terracotta so only the plant crashed onto the garden marble tiles in a spray of leaves and soil. Just what in the seven hells had happened!
Rath knelt down beside his friend. "Thatz? Are you alright?"
Thatz glared up at his friend, somehow managing to lift his head off the pavement and growled out between gasps. "DO…I…LOOK…ALRIGHT…TO YOU!"
"Eh…no." The former Dragon Knight replied with a grin as Vierrez spotted a familiar piece of paper lying nearby. Picking it up and scanning it, something between a smirk and a look of pure pity crossed his features as he regarded Thatz.
"No wonder…Rath I think you slipped him the wrong poem." He said, passing the note to Gil, who read it and gave the black haired young man a semi-disgusted look. Rath muttered a 'what the hell' to himself and snatched the note, wondering just what was wrong with that particular poem. He remembered reading it to Cesia the day HE proposed to her and she certainly hadn't elbowed him in a delicate area!
The expression on the youkai-hunter's face was one of pure mortification as he realized what he had done. "Oh shit…"
"Well who would have thought that Rath was such a poet?" Gil remarked sarcastically as Vierrez snickered.
"I didn't mean for him to get this one! This was the one I wrote for our wedding night! I must have gotten them mixed up because I keep them folded in this little box in my room."
"Son…of…a…bitch…" Thatz moaned, cringing as the Red Dragon Officer and Knight helped him to his feet, "When I'm healed I'm gonna kill you!"
End Flashback
Sleeks had to bite the inside of his cheek in order to restrain himself from laughing as Thatz finished his story. Never in his years of listening to men pine over failed engagement missions had he heard of such a blunder.
"So did this Rath fellow ever explain the poem about? I doubt his idea of a romantic poem could be one with such an…erotic touch?"
Thatz snorted. "Yeah…never knew the bastard wrote poetry. He showed me the box he keeps them in once I could walk again and it turned out he grabbed the wrong paper by mistake because he keeps them all folded."
"How long have you been with this Lady Kitchel?" The old man asked curiously.
"I can't remember…over thirty years. I never asked her before for a few reasons…didn't want to give up being a spinster, was afraid she'd refuse, felt like I wasn't ready to commit. Stupid shit like that."
Sleeks shook his head, "No Sir Thatz, it's not 'stupid shit like that'. Getting the jitters o'er poppin' the question is a typical symptom and it isn't something that's new. Ask any married man, he'll tell you the exact same thing and I'm sure that your next attempt will be a little more successful."
"If there'll be a next time…" The earth-haired young man groaned as he hid his face in his folded arms as the double wooden doors of the tavern swung open and another lone individual walked in. The old man mused as he observed the young man while he glanced around the bar. He was tall and almost sickeningly thin with a body that would make any female gawk as his muscles were toned and lean. His hair was a deep jet black color short and neatly trimmed at the nape of his neck while his bangs framed a darkly handsome face set with red garnet eyes. He was dressed in black from head to foot, his long sleeved shirt being of a skin-tight mesh material with a masculine V-neck. His pants were deep black leather over a pair of sleek matching riding boots and around his narrow hips were two brown buckskin belts with a thin chain of silver links that supported a slender sword of white gold at his waist.
Sleeks tilted his head in greeting and stood up to serve him but the knight shook his head and approached the table with a blank expression on his face. Pausing in front of Thatz (who wasn't aware of his presence yet) the black haired young man folded his arms and turned to the tavern's owner.
"When did he come in?"
"At noon this morning Sir. You be a friend of his?"
"Aye…His Majesty sent me to fetch him after his misadventure at dawn this morning." Tetheus replied as he nudged his plastered comrade on the shoulder with his hand to wake him up.
"Huh?" Thatz groaned as he looked up at his visitor, recognizing the Black Dragon Officer instantly from the tall, lean figure dressed in black. "Oh…what's up, Tetheus?"
"His Majesty sent me to fetch you as we received Doves earlier today signaling Rune's arrival later this evening. 'Tis nearly five thirty and you're not exactly in the best state to greet Rune and Tintlette's children at the moment." Thetheus replied, reaching into the back left pocket of his pants and retrieving his wallet. "How much do I owe you, Sleeks?"
"Absolutely nothing." He said with a single-toothed smile, "The lad paid for the shots before he even touched the bottle."
Tetheus nodded as he slung Thatz's arm over and helped him to his feet. Just before he made it out the door with his drunk friend in tote,the Black Dragon Officerheard Sleeks call out a goodbye.
"And try not to let that lad make such a fool of himself the next time!"
Oh this entire charade was going to mar the Clan's reputation once it got around…bartenders knew just about every rumor ever circulated.
The Dragon Palace, Training Chambers
Rath Illuser snickered quietly to himself as his young son rammed the hilt of his sword into his opponent's stomach, causing Vierrez to double over in a winded agony as he hadn't been expecting the nine year old to come at him so quickly after receiving a blow in the face. The former Knight of Fire was leaning up against one of the eight white stone marble pillars that circled the chamber, supporting the high stone lined glass dome roof overseeing his son's training lesson with the Red Dragon Officer. Normally Rath would be the one teaching his son the uses of a sword but he knew that Ran needed a new opponent every other session in order to improve his techniques and hence he, Thatz, Lykouleon, Vierrez, Tetheus, and Gil would rotate the job of trying to keep on his feet as the young Illuser cleverly dodged attacks and retaliated in the blink of an eye.
Ever since Cesia had given birth to him and at every turn and jump, Ran had been the mirroring image of Rath when he was young in both personality and appearance. He had his father's naturally short, jet black hair and red garnet eyes with a highlight on his left side of bangs although this was a bright, rich melon pink instead of snow white. This had doubtlessly come from his mother, which seemed miraculous since the boy had hardly anything else from her in his appearance aside from Cesia's angled cheekbones. As watched Vierrez get to his feet, Ran leaned on the hilt of the practice weapon and grinned but obviously bored…he had that same pouty expression on his face that Rath always wore whenever action grew short. Dressed in a pair of loose black cotton shorts and a white tank shirt, the black haired lad had hardly even broken a sweat and smirked as his godfather knelt winded in front of him with a hand over his bruising ribcage.
Damn the kid's powerful! I don't know how Lykouleon and Gil do it!
Vierrez thought as he regarded the offspring of his friend's son who as always was enjoying the fighting lessons as he patiently waited for him to stand up. The Red Dragon Officer could hardly believe what Ran was becoming. He was barely taller then the sword he was using and he could already bring a man to his knees with the damned toy! Well…he is Rath and Cesia's son. The young man observed as he stood up and held his weapon vertical, signaling his surrender and the end of the session. Ran looked disappointed but mimicked the courteous gesture, ignorant of the fact that he and Vierrez had been sparring for over two hours. Running over up to his father, Ran looked up at him with large, cherubic garnet eyes searching for a sign of approval.
Rath said nothing and simply stared down at his son with a stern expression on his face. Wondering what he had done wrong, Ran tilted his head to the side as his father grinned and seized his son in a headlock and began to tangle his fingers in his hair, causing the young boy to squirm erratically. As the father and son began to wrestle, Vierrez took the water bottle that one of the maids had brought in on a tray and began downing its contents in long, heavy gulps just as the doors were flung open and a familiar voice was heard.
"RATH! VIERREZ! WHERE ARE YOU!"
Upon hearing the angry shouts of his wife, Rath froze in his tracks and groaned as his friend began to choke and cough when he inhaled the water he had been drinking as fast as he could. Cesia came storming through the doors in a sea of black and violet, the expression on her face one of murder as she seized a handful of Vierrez's shirt. Rath nearly had a little sympathy for his ex-nemesis as he watched his wife shake answers out of the Red Dragon Officer who had been trying to put on a guiltless grin. But Vierrez was powerless against the youkai Lady and could only smile sheepishly as he answered her questions vaguely.
Traitor… Rath thought as Ran jumped off his father and onto his feet. Over the years since Nadil's defeat and his accepting of the Red Dragon Ball, Vierrez hadn't changed much in either appearance or personality. His brilliantly orange-blonde hair still grew in a tossed, unnatural hairstyle over the nape of his neck and his eyes while his side-locks hung down to his ribs today being decorated with several fire red beads. His eyes remained sunshine gold set in a handsome face that made him attractive many of the lady servants throughout the castle. His figure was toned and tall, standing just an inch or two taller then Thatz and his pointed ears were pierced several times and were decorated with various cuffs and dangling gold earrings. He wasn't dressed in much on account of his most recent activities, being a simple pair of old pale blue denims that were ripped in various places on the legs and a cerulean blue turtleneck made of cotton.
Rath didn't care how fierce an enemy Nadil had been…when Cesia was angry no man stood a chance. His wife was a siren in his eyes (and had been in Vierrez's too, once upon a time many years before) and when she was angry the former Knight of Fire found himself fighting off a grin. Cesia's rippling black hair had grown long as her recent pregnancy progressed, draping down to her knees in a shimmering cascade of ink while her bangs remained a beautiful ruby rose color. Fire gleamed in her clear blue eyes as she gripped Vierrez's shirt, her nails nearly tearing the fabric in half. She was dressed in a simple knee long dress under a robe like gown made of black satin with an elegant bright violet lining and pattern crossing over the sleeves and hems. A thick matching sash kept the garment secure under her breasts and over the heavy swell of her middle while jewelry of gold dangled from her neck, wrists, and ears.
"Just WHAT did you think you two were doing!" She cried, her hands on her hips as her husband got to his feet and grinned sheepishly at her. "Will you explain to me just WHAT happened this morning on Kitchel's balcony?"
Oh Lordy…Cesia must have noticed that Kitchel hadn't come down for breakfast and went for a little girl chat.
"Well…" Rath began but Ran had been too eager to tell his mother about his training session and was bouncing around her excitedly.
"Mama! Mama you should have seen me! I nailed Vierrez in the gut today! Usually I can't even touch him but that only means I'm getting stronger!" He exclaimed. Cesia smiled down at her son, feeling a motherly pride override her anger at her husband and their friend as she stroked her son's hair affectionately. True, Ran was becoming more of a skilled warrior each time he picked up the practice weapons but she still couldn't help but wish that Rath had held off his training until he was twelve at least.
"Yes, I'm very proud of you Ran. I'll have to watch you practice next time but right now you need to go take a bath. Daston and Arian will be here soon and you need to get dressed for dinner tonight." She said gently, glancing up at Vierrez and making her silent request. Taking his cue, the orange-yellow haired officer lifted Ran clear off his feet and placed him on his shoulders.
"Come on, kid. Lets go get you changed."
"Vierrez, you're even sweatier then I am! And I'm a warrior not a kid!" Ran retorted as a nearby servant opened the door for the pair, bowing politely. Taking their cue from Vierrez, the servants followed soon after, figuring they would occupy themselves with the task of wrestling the young Illuser into the bathtub. When the small crowd's chatter had faded completely, Cesia put her hands on her hips and frowned at her husband.
"Now will you please tell me what happened this morning?" She asked, walking over to one of the cushioned marble benches lining the chamber walls and carefully lowering herself into it. It would only be another month or two until her second child was born and the familiar but gladly-carried discomforts and warning signs had begun to set in. Rath followed his wife and sat beside her, collecting her in his arms and pulling her to his side. Affectionately, he placed his other hand on her enlarged stomach sensing his child move inside her briefly causing his heart to stop.
"Cesia…" He murmured, inhaling the perfumed oils she hand combed through her hair that morning.
"Rath!" She said sternly, "Don't change the subject."
He sighed. "It was an accident really. Thatz was going to read the poem I wrote for you the night I popped the question. But this morning I took the wrong paper out of my stash and slipped it to him at the last minute. I didn't know it was the one I read to you on our wedding night." He said with a grimace. His wife gave him a harsh glare as she blushed. Why was her husband such a fool at times! Now their closest friends knew a portion of the 'events' that had occurred once Rath had swept her into their new chambers. The thought of Vierrez and Thatz knowing made her shudder…the entire castle would know within a week!
"You know you're going to have to apologize to them right!" She said stiffly.
(AN: HEAD'S UP EVERYONE! Lemon-ish stuff up ahead! SKIP IF YOU DONT WHAT TO SEE I will NOT be held responsible for offending anyone because I've given you all warning! Whenever you see that symbol it marks the start/end of an adult themed scene. Ok get it? Got it? GOOD!)
"Must I?" He asked, curling locks of her lengthy black hair in his fingers feeling their silky texture as he nuzzled his cheek against the top of her head. Cesia nearly rolled her clear blue eyes as she noted the change in his voice. The man simply never tiered…not even the fact that she was heavily pregnant put a pause in that ever-present demonic lust that he had sired since he had first taken her. Looking up at him, the young woman saw that her husband's red-garnet eyes had darkened slightly. She grinned…her being pregnant hadn't paused her own wants either as she slid her hand up his chest, digging her nails into his shirt as she did so.
"Banshee…" He murmured through his teeth before he seized his wife's arms and crushed his mouth to hers, his tongue parting her lips and teeth instantly in his dominating kiss. Cesia responded beautifully, draping her arms around Rath's shoulders and leaning into him, curving her back into an arch so her breasts would press against his ribcage as she did so. She could scarcely breath through the assaults his tongue and the occasional gentle prick his pointed canine teeth made against her lips but she didn't care much. The feeling was far too enjoyable.
Rath, unable to resist the siren effects his mate was having on him, took his mouth away from hers and began to kiss her jaw line, his left hand creeping up to her neck and gently tilting it back until her slender, white throat was exposed to his liking. She let out a breathy moan when he made a trail down her neck, licking at her quickening pulse and nipping her collar bones as his experienced hands tugged at the annoying sash that supported his mate's breasts. Loosening it caused her robe to fall open and bear more of her ivory skin to him which he gave the same attentions to as he had her neck, leaving a few darkening spots in wake of his lips.
Cesia leaned her head back against the wall, closing her eyes and sighing happily. This was the only attention that she had been able to receive from her mate since she had come to the later stages of her pregnancy as the doctor had strictly forbidden any intimate contact once her sixth month arrived. She knew that it was for her baby's well being but when Rath had to be told to keep away from his wife again he looked as if he might have slit the poor medic's throat. She could remember when the first doctor had brought the same bit of news to them…the expression on her husband's face had been one of a child who had just had his favorite toy taken away.
Rath smirked against his wife's cleavage as he felt her breast swell beneath his hand. The scent rising off of her skin was enough to nearly drive him mad with desire and it became heady as he listened to her sigh happily. However their intimacy was interrupted by the sound of the loud trumpets that the guards posted around the castle look-outs blew as a summon to the palace-dwellers that a notable person was approaching the gates. Startled, Cesia jumped to her feet (which promptly bumped her husband to his rear on the floor) and adjusted her robe as her ears picked up on the sound.
"Rune must be arriving!" She exclaimed, looking down at Rath who had an irked expression on his face.
"Bastard always did spoil my fun…" He muttered. Cesia laughed.
The Northern Castle Tower
The Dragon Knight of Fire sighed aimlessly as he leaned against the cold stone windowsill, propping his clenched fist beneath his chin as he let his thoughts wander. Gil found himself doing that more and more frequently as the years rolled by coming to the forlorn high tower of the Dragon Palace to brood. Although it had been years since Nadil's defeat and the restoration of peace throughout Dusis the young man still felt the scars the ordeals had left him. He remembered the guilt of having his niece and sister-in-law's blood on his hands. He remembered the humiliation that Shydyman, Fedelta, and his men had inflicted on him along with the beatings and taunting. He remembered sinking his teeth into Raamgarnus' neck and his claws in his chest, unable to control himself as the artificial demon Kharl the Alchemist had installed in him took control.
That was by far his worst memory and his greatest guilt. He had murdered the man he loved simply because he had been too weak to resist Shyrendora's influence. Gil knew as he sat on Raamgarnus' battered corpse that his handsome savior's soul would haunt his existence for the rest of his immortal life.
Feeling a familiar of a pointed nose and soft whiskers brushing at his wrist, Gil looked down to his lap to find that Homo had joined him, holding up one of his famous notes that read 'Why are you sad, Master?' on it in black marker. The Dragon Knight of Fire gave his companion a saddened smile as he pet the little red dragon's head.
"I'm alright, Homo. I just...I miss an old friend." He said, just as another one of his closer companions appeared in the arch hole in the wall that passed as the chamber's door.
Vierrez let a bitter smile pass over his face as he leaned in the doorway of the small circular chamber. He knew that he would be able to find Gil there, sitting in the hard slit in the wall that was the window seat staring into the expanse of the skies thinking. It was almost a guarantee, if he wasn't training in the arenas or lounging in one of the garden trees.
Since their first meeting in the underworlds, Vierrez knew that any fool could see that Gil was someone that was not easily overlooked. Although his body was trim, leanly muscled, his legs long and hips narrow to boot his golden bronze skin had various scars that served as brutal reminders of his past. His irises were golden set in a handsome face but a sleek black bandanna hid the disturbing mark that sealed his left eye closed. His hair was a silky pale lavender color and grew in a naturally tossed style with his bangs hanging low around his face while the rest hung down to his waist in stark straight locks. That day he had dressed in a pair of white denim jeans and a black poet's blouse of linen with jewelry of silver hanging from his ears, neck, wrists, and two rings on each of his middle fingers. Vierrez didn't have to wonder why the maids nearly had a cat fight every morning to see just who would make his bed and who would sweep his bedchamber floors.
The Red Dragon Officer blew a strand of his brilliant orange bangs from his eyes. "'T'wouldn't be me whom you're brooding over now, Gil?"
Gil startled at the first sound of his companion's voice, seeing Vierrez smile at his humor as he came into the chamber, ducking under the lantern that kept the dank chamber lighted in the dimming evening. He wasn't sure how to reply to the joke as his mind had gone blank and he hadn't told Vierrez about Raamgarnus in years.
"Come now Gil you need to learn to take a joke."
"I'm sorry." The violet haired man replied quietly, looking back out the window over the palace grounds.
Vierrez folded his arms as he leaned against the other side of the window frame. "What's wrong, Gil? I know you enough to know that you've shut yourself up here from dawn to dinner and back to dawn for the last week and a half."
Gil sighed, "...sorry...last few days have been...rough."
"Why?" The Red Dragon Officer asked, casualty dominating his tone but Gil could also detect the demand to an answer beneath it.
"...Fifty five years ago today I met Raamgarnus. Fifty four years ago today was the day I killed him."
Vierrez understood then. Sympathetically he reached to his companion and put a hand on his shoulder offering him a compassionate smile. No wonder Gil had sentenced himself to endless hours of staring off into the sky...he had been mourning the loss of a lover.
However before the brilliant orange haired man could say anything there was a fourth intruder to Gil's small sanctuary and one that wasn't a welcome one either. It was the palace's Mapmaker, a tradesman by the name of Zartler Horvath. Vierrez had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep himself from uttering what was on his mind. Gil nearly had to tilt his head so his bangs would hide his narrowed eye. Homo did nothing to keep himself from scribbling 'LOSER' on another note and hopping up and down with it on display.
Neither the Dragon or two Officers were fond of the mapmaker that had arrived at the Castle some two years before. In fact, no one really was a fan of Zartler and his appearance contributed to the opinions. He was a willowy aging man with shoulder long graying wax-blonde hair that fell in loose ringlets around his shoulders that shadowed a once-youthful face that was beginning to show lines around his eyes and mouth. His eyes were narrow and a sickly gray color and a thin goatee of graying blonde hair grew on his jaw. His build had a nearly-unhealthy lankiness that swam beneath the elaborate forest green robes that he wore over khaki tan slacks and a sanguine red silk shirt. His personality wasn't the most attractive thing either, since he had a 'taste' for younger bedmates, a habit of being nosy, and an uncanny ability to switch from being a low-life spy to a loyal resident of the castle.
What irked all of the Dragon Knights and Officers was that they had no proof that Zartler was up to no good to present to Lykouleon. Horvath could act like a cherub and nullify their opinions while making idiots of them whenever they protested to Lykouleon. Although the Dragon Lord wasn't blind to Horvath, no one besides the Knights and Officers came forth with any accusations or proof of Zartler being a lecher or a traitor.
Vierrez scowled. "What are you doing up here?"
Zartler's lip curled, "Now, now, Sir Vierrez there's no need to be aggressive. I simply happened to be passing by the tower door and wondered what was up here since I am working on mapping the northern part of the castle."
"That doesn't give you the right to be here." Gil said through clenched teeth as he clenched and unclenched his fists. What he wouldn't give to sink his claws into the bastard's neck...
"I'm sorry Sir Gil but I'm afraid that it does. After all, I'm only trying to fulfill my duties as the palace's humble mapmaker…noting the structure and passages of the palace grounds is simply one of the basics." He replied silkily, glancing around the room. "Although I don't think I'll be spending much time up here…I cant understand why such a respectable Dragon Knight like yourself would be doing shut up in here for days at a time."
Gil glared as Homo's fiery mane began to stand up straighter, his feathers becoming like quills while he growled. "Get out…you can map this room out some other time."
Zartler bristled, not liking being ordered around but Gil and Vierrez's status compared to his own couldn't be denied. They were free to tell him to do whatever they liked although he didn't have to enjoy it.
"Very well, m'lords, I shall leave. But do bear in mind that it's almost time for the banquets tonight…I'm sure you'd like to get dressed in something more suitable." The aging mapmaker replied, bowing before heading back down the narrow, spiraling stairs.
Yes, Gil and Vierrez…look down on me all you want now, once Theisinger seizes this wretched land you'll be begging me for mercy…
Ran's Chambers
"Hold still child!" Cernozura scolded as she seized the young boy's shoulders in order to finish draping Ran's midnight blue epaulets onto his shoulders. The boy simply refused to stay still, obviously wanting to run out of the room regardless of not being fully dressed in order to rush downstairs to greet Lord Rune and Lady Tintlette. Cernozura knew that the lad had been anxiously waiting for the day he would once again meet the legendary Dragon Knight of Water that shared his father's adventures (Rath had found they made excellent bedtime stories). She also knew that Ran wanted to see his friends, Daston and Arian who could easily match the young Illuser in mischievous wit.
The Castle Administer pulled the nine-year-old back in front of the mirror on the wall and held him by his shoulders in order to admire her handy-work. She had put Ran in a pair of knee high lacing boots, tan khaki pants, and a dressy poet's blouse made of white linen (as Ran was most likely to put a hole in it, Cernozura knew better then to put him in satin). On his shoulders was a midnight blue vest embroidered with a gold pattern across the chest and around his neck was a matching steinkirk of midnight blue silk while around his waist was a black leather belt. She had managed to comb through the knots in his short black hair and wrestle him into the bathtub long enough to bathe him. If she didn't say so herself, Cernozura thought she had done a job well done with the lad.
Ran looked at himself and immediately wanted the steinkirk off. The thing was tight and a little itchy and why he had to wear it he had no idea. It wasn't as if they were greeting The Star Queen was it? But the black haired child-youkai knew that he didn't stand a chance against the woman he considered his nanny. His father would tell him stories about when he was young and how Cernozura had dressed him when something fancy had come up. She had short blonde hair that was beginning to gray that fell to her chin with bangs sweeping over kind brown eyes set in a loving face and mouth capable of a soothing smile and crisp, firm words. Although she wasn't as tall as his mother, Ran didn't consider his second caretaker to be short. She was thin and almost always dressed in a gown of light green with skirts so big and swishing that the boy could detect her a corridor away with sleeves that bunched at her shoulders. The neckline was squared and on the left side was a brooch that bore the Dragon Lord's crest while tied around her waist was a small white apron.
Cernozura smiled. "There you're done, Ran." She said, glancing towards the door in the mirror as their ears picked up on the blaring trumpet's calling in the distance, "You can go now."
"Thanks Cernozura! C'mon Homo!" The black haired boy exclaimed, bolting out of the room toting a startled Homo by his tail. The little red Dueling Dragon had been sleeping soundly on the bed with his tummy in the air and a sleep-bubble floating from is nose until the child he practically baby-sat had seized his tail while running by.
Aye me, that boy is every bit his Father when he was young… She thought idly.
The Entrance Courtyard
Rath smiled widely as Rune reined his horse to a stop, glad that there was enough daylight left so that everyone was still distinguishable. He was nearly as giddy with excitement as his son was, only barely managing to contain his happiness upon seeing his old elfish friends. Once long ago he would have denied having any caring feelings for the Dragon Knight of Water but now there was no longer a need to hide all of his thoughts and opinions.
Everyone had gathered in the magnificent Palace Entry courtyard in order to greet the Elfish royals, each glad to see that the journey was a successful one. As Lykouleon stood with Raseleane on the front platform of steps, Ruwalk, Cernozura, and Tetheus stood on either side of them. Sitting on the stairs were Gil and Vierrez, both looking passively amused while Cesia and Rath stood in the center of a distantly spaced Kitchel and Thatz. From the looks of it, Kitchel hadn't forgiven Thatz even a bit but at least the Dragon Knight of Earth had sobered up to a tipsy predicament. Years and years of nightly rounds and Rath's bachelor party had built up his alcoholic resistance and recuperation, something that the earth-haired young man was very thankful for at that moment.
Rune beamed, as he looked his friends over, scanning over them as he carefully let himself down from his mount without tipping his daughter off the saddle. He had missed the Dragon Palace deeply but the separation only made him appreciate the Clan he served even more. The blonde-haired king took a few steps towards Rath, briefly admiring him, the little one at his side, and Cesia. His old friend had put on his dressy Dragon Armor, the showy black steel plates gleaming in the setting sun while a deep red cloak embroidered with the Dragon Clan's crest on the back draped around his shoulders. Ran had grown tall over the past five years, now standing a little above his mother's waist and was the spitting image of his father when he was young. The only difference between them was the locks of colored hair in his bangs, which were Cesia's melon rose color. Cesia was still the dark-haired beauty Rune remembered her to be, dressed in head to toe in black and violet elegance. He nearly laughed out-loud, as he noticed her obvious pregnancy.
The Elf King then looked over at Thatz, who was looking a little short of a sick tipsiness. His askew short earth-red hair was just as naturally unruly as ever but his ruby-red eyes were tiered and glazed over. He too was dressed in his show-armor, draped with a turquoise green cloak with the Dragon Crest embroidered on its back in green but it was obvious that the Knight of Earth wanted to take the weighty thin steel off. What Rune found strange was the fact that Kitchel was standing so far away from Thatz and with her body tilted so if he looked at her he'd see her shoulder and back rather then her face. Her light strawberry red hair was tied in an elegant twist behind her head while some of her bangs framed her pretty face and delicate gold jewelry hung from her ears, neck, and wrists. She was dressed in an evening gown of pastel-violet satin that shimmered with sequins and hugged her curving figure beautifully while a shawl of sheer violet nylon embedded with silver-threaded patterns draped around her shoulders. To Thatz the dress would be his undoing since the fabric accented her hips and rear and the neckline was low, leaving her cleavage just short of immodesty.
Rune held out his arms to Rath, "Been busy, Rath?" He asked, glancing to Cesia and Ran.
Rath laughed aloud and threw his arms around his old friend, embracing him tightly and pounding him on the back in a brotherly way. "So you finally remembered us? Airhead elf…"
The blonde haired Knight smiled at his old nickname that Rath had given him eons ago but had stopped using it sometime during his fifteenth year. However, his thoughts were distracted as Thatz came up to him and embraced him as Rath did although he certainly wasn't as energetic as the former Knight of Fire.
"Sorry man it's not that I'm happy to see you but I'm a little drunk." He muttered to his blonde haired comrade, who burst out laughing upon hearing the quiet news.
"Why is that, Thatz? Woman troubles?" He said, intending the remark to be a joke.
"I'll tell you later…" The earth-haired young man replied miserably as he stepped back, glancing bitterly at Kitchel who refused to look at him. Rune grimaced, his eyebrows arching apologetically to his comrade and made a mental note to find out what happened between the two ex-thieves later.
Having greeted his friends, Rune turned to his wife's horse where Fae was reaching her arms out to him, stretching her little fingers to tell him that she wanted to get down. Smiling at his youngest child, Rune proudly took her down from the saddle and placed her gently on her feet. The blonde- haired five year old looked shyly at Rath and Thatz as her father carefully lowered his wife down from her mount, pressing an affectionate kiss to her forehead as he did so. Almost immediately, Fae shrunk against her mother's full skirts, seeking comfort to calm her shyness.
Tintlette and Cesia exchanged a brilliant smile as they regarded each other, beaming as they noted the swell on each other's stomach. A subtle air of knowing passed in between them, as they had both experienced pregnancy and knew what it was like and how it felt.
Rath, trying to lighten the mood a little, slapped Rune on the back with a wide grin.
"Alright, let's see the kids!"
Rune smiled and shook his head as Karren came up beside her father and slid her little hand into his, looking up at Rath and Thatz with wide, blue eyes.
"Karren, you remember Rath and Thatz don't you?" Rune asked, petting her head affectionately. She nodded up at him and smiled, curtsying girlishly to the other two Dragon Knights.
"Hello Sir Rath and Sir Thatz." She said. Rune had to suppress a smug grin as his friends practically melted in their boots at her adorable smile. Karren and Fae both had a way of twisting anyone around their delicate little fingers…although this was something Rune figured he'd be troubling over once they were a little older.
"Hey there, Karren-chan." Rath said, kneeling down so he was more on eye-level with her. "Been a good girl?"
"Of course!" She said beaming, "Just like I promised."
"DASTON! ARIAN!"
Rath had to fight the urge to laugh. Karren had lost all interest in him and Thatz upon hearing his son yell out her brother's names. Although his wife considered him to be a complete dunce when it came to young girls (which was probably true) he could clearly see what kind of thoughts were passing through her head. It was a combination of complete irritation and dislike…the classic formula of the prequel to childhood-sweethearts. Or so he had thought from the women's chattering of Rune's previous visit. Karren and Ran had fought like a cat and dog, constantly yelling, chasing, and pulling each other's hair along with various other childish pranks. However Rath would never tell Ran that Karren had him licked when it came to prank-battles,
Daston and Arian jumped off their horse and raced up to their demi-youkai friend. The boys were quick to jump all over each other, laughing, hugging, and punching each other the way that lads their age did after a long period of separation. Thatz, Rune, and Rath could easily relate because they had just done the exact same thing.
"C'mon I'll race you to the gardens!" Ran shouted, jumping up from the boyish tangle and taking off at a run up the gentle-sloping stairs. Daston and Arian were quick to get to their feet and began chasing their friend. Switching mild insults and taunts at each other, the trio was gone in half a minute, no doubt running as fast as they could to the palace Gardens, where they could indulge in various games, tree climbing, and robbing a few treats from the kitchens.
Karren frowned slightly, obviously wanting to be included but a little too shy to speak up about it. She was also disappointed that Ran had not even noticed her, let alone said hello. The blonde haired elf princess did want to be included but she knew If she went after them they would probably just make fun of her and say "no girls allowed!". Hmphf! She didn't care even if he was cute, Ran was just as rude as he was the first time she had met him!
"It's good to see you again, Rune." Lykouleon said, coming up to the Dragon Knight of Water and embracing him in greeting. Shaking hands when they parted, Rune turned to Raseleane and bowed deeply, kissing the back of her palm in respect.
"Lady Raseleane, you're looking well."
"And so are you, Rune. It's good to see you again." She said, smiling brightly before turning to Tintlette, who was busily chatting with Cesia and Kitchel. The Elf Queen exchanged embraces and hellos with the two other women but was distracted when she no longer felt Fae holding onto her hand or her skirts.
Karren folded her arms and looked away, pouting lightly in the direction her brothers had run off to. Feeling irritated at her brothers for taking off without much other word, the young elf princess felt her younger sister tug on her sleeve.
"Karren, can I hold your hand? Mommy and Daddy keep moving around." Fae said, large cherubic blue eyes gazing up at her sister. Karren sighed and took her little sister's hand, regarding the excitement that was buzzing around. Now that the initial tension of arrival had died down, all of the grown-ups were talking like mad about things young girls wouldn't be much interested in.
Cernozura spotted the children and smiled, seeing that they weren't sure what to do since they hadn't been swept away to a secret fort by company. Coming up behind them, the castle's Administrator placed a gentle hand on their shoulders and knelt down to their level.
"My name is Cernozura. What are your names?"
"I'm Karren and this is my little sister, Fae."
"Well since your parents are talking right now, why don't you two come with me to the kitchens? You must be hungry after that long ride and dinner will not be served for another hour or so. I think there are some sweet-buns in the pantry." The blonde haired woman said, smiling. As she had expected, the two princess' eyes glazed over instantly at the promise of food although Karren was trying to hide it a little more then Fae was.
Seeing that Cernozura had taken charge of her daughters, Tintlette eased back into the conversation. After feeling Fae leave the sanctuary of her skirts, the blonde haired elf queen had stopped listening to what Lykouleon was saying and concentrated on her daughters. The castle's head Administrator had been quick to distract them, and swept them away inside the palace's main entrance. They were probably heading for the kitchen, since it had been several hours since they had last eaten and a snack before dinner would be beneficial to them.
Rune draped an arm affectionately around his wife's waist, leaning his head down to whisper, "Cernozura will take care of them. They won't get into any trouble as long as they're with her. Although I can't say the same for Daston and Arian."
"Why are we doing all of the catching up outside here, lets go in." Thatz said, ushering Rune and Tintlette towards the door. With a murmur of agreement, the small crowd gathered on the front steps of the castle began to move towards the door. The Dragon Knight of Earth attempted to grab Kitchel's hand but she was too quick for him, expertly moving her arm to toss her hair as if she hadn't seen him.
Just like I thought, she's still too pissed at me to talk… Thatz thought as Rath slung a brotherly arm around his shoulder.
"Don't try it buddy, trust me. Give her 'till tomorrow in order to try to apologize."
"Why the hell should I take your advice! The last time I listened to you I nearly lost my ability to reproduce!" Thatz hissed darkly, firmly resisting the urge to kick Rath in the gut.
"Because I need tonight to corner Kitchel and tell her that this whole mess was my fault, not yours." The former Dragon Knight of Fire said, winking reassured before hurrying on ahead and joining in whatever conversation Lykouleon, Ruwalk, Tetheus, and Rune were having.
Thatz heaved a sigh and ran to catch up with his companions, keeping a safe distance away from Kitchel and not noticing the looming figure standing in the shadow of a nearby decorative dragon statue that had been watching everything that had just happened at Rune and Tintlette's arrival.
Author's Notes
WHOA! Finally done! takes a deep healing breath DAMN this one was LONG but hopefully everyone liked it and it made up for the….very very very long absence. I didn't get to put in everything that I wanted to in this chapter but it was getting WAY WAY WAY too long so I'll have to save all that stuff for chapter four, which is already in progress so I PROMISE I'll have it out soon. I'm just glad I got to ram in everyone getting together again. I know I'm wordy and I promise the next chapters wont be bloody novels. Lol! And just to set things clear, I didn't write Rath's little love poem…I have no talent for poetry at all.
Poem courtesy of Blushed Twilight by Em and Finally Together by Kaitlin Kristina at BestLovePoetry dot net!