The White Dragon Chronicles

by Blackshadow999

An ancient legend that fell into oblivion comes to the light once more. The dragon realm has had a fragile peace for two years after the fall of Malefor. Then A human, Saber mysteriously appears in the dragon realm. When things of history thought lost begin to be seen once more; fear grips many, none can choose how events will turn out in the end.

30. For My Friends

A/n

Here is another chapter for the White Dragon Chronicles. Sorry it has taken so long, life is making it hard to do this consistently. Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 30: For My Friends

-Neutral pov-

The truest measure of an individual is not what they are willing to do for themselves, but what they are willing to do for a friend. Such is held true in most if not all place even in the Dragon Realm and out the main character is judged by this standard as well. Unfortunately, most judge by the outside appearance that they see yet miss the rest.

Saber as you have seen dear reader is not what most would call the easiest to get along with or a people person. Grant, he has contributed to his situation as it is before the Dragon Realm, but that wasn't the only factor. But he will go above and beyond for those he considers friends as he proves though few ever know about it. I have had to go to sizable lengths to get even the examples that you have read about thus far. And yet, one of the greatest showing of this collection of qualities is the one you are about to hear…

-Saber's pov-

So, where did I leave off before the narrator cut me off and then did that spiel on the measure of someone that bored some of you? Oh yes, I had been struck by my bad luck which had built up an amount and it had been a long release. It had ended with me splashing into the fountain Carona has in its main plaza and the water was not warm. Nope, I got the sensation of the instant headache that you get when being immersed in water that's above freezing but is still FREAKING cold. And that said fountain was deep enough for me to get a full dunk underwater before my rear end tapped the bottom.

It took a few more dunks in the fountain before I was able to get out of the fountain. So, when I got out I was soaked and still rather confused from what my brain was dealing with after the spill I went through. I spat out a stream of water out of my mouth to get the water I had nearly swallowed out. However, before I was able to fully regain my bearings another wave of nausea hit me and I stumbled forward a couple of steps. All the internal gears began to turn in reverse making the sick feeling become worse. Vertigo inhibited my movements, which caused me to fall against the fountain. I pointed my head away from the fountain and hurled what was in my guts which weren't a great deal since I have not had breakfast yet. Me thinks that someone was using my luck to have quite a few good laughs at my expense, curse reverse divine intervention!

Minutes seemed to go by after the hurling started before I was able to gain control of my digestive system. I rose to my paws and shook myself to get the excess water free of my body and took a moment to assess my situation. My luck has struck me hard, someone is likely rolling around laughing at my situation and when I do find out whom, I'll make them miserable! I mean, I've heard of taking a cold shower is a good way to cure drowsiness, but I don't think this is the way that was implied. Well at least my luck buildup has been released so, it is back to the normal levels of power and I take the positive how I'm able to get it. That's one of the few things going in my favor for the moment, and I have so few things going my way lately, even less most recently.

It took work for me to regain a semblance of order over myself though I was still leaning against the fountain. As I doing this, I heard a crash from somewhere behind me which worked as a signal for my brain to get things into order. I twisted my head around slowly as not to trigger nausea again, only to see Tarra sliding up right next to me. I stared at Tarra as she lifted her head up to gaze at me, with the only thought that was running through my mind, was 'Oh Boy, what an unlucky pair we are!' I cracked a slight smile, "So, how is your morning going? I hope not as bad as mine is."

Tarra giggled at my comment, "You sound like you have done this before," she replied.

I rolled my eyes, which is much harder to do as a dragon I have to say or at least different. If only she knew just how much like clockwork my bad luck is in how it strikes me, then this wouldn't surprise her. "That is one way to put it though it would be better for me to say, this is my life twenty-four hours, seven days a week, and three-sixty-five days a year," I shot back. Tarra looked at me confused, which was a form of the 'explanation look' meaning she hadn't understood what I had been saying. "That is a long and fancy way of saying that my bad luck does not leave me alone and it is with me every single day," I iterated.

"Oh, I see," Tarra returned.

Inference… I miss you so much, you helped me convey so many things that plain words don't get across for me. It shows just how much I have come to use and depend on the idea and I would challenge others to try to deal with this as well as I have! Anyways, I took a deep breath and was about to continue with a bit better explanation when I a faint, but familiar scent hit my nose like an eighteen-wheeler. The fragrance kind of made it a tad hard to focus in fact, I paused and sniffed again trying to properly identify the scent. It was one I had smelled, and I think recently but I couldn't particularly place it where and to what or whom it belonged to. The smell was certainly… pleasant to sniff, yet I can't say precisely what it was about the scent that was nice.

The improved sense of smell was something else, I'll be the first to admit the point, but the things that scents can tell you is like a language I knew once, but that it had been a while since I had practiced using it. Tarra's voice brought me out of my sniffing haze, but I didn't hear what she actually said, so I turned towards her, "Hmm what was that you just said Tarra?"

"I said what are you smelling," she repeated.

Before answering, I took another whiff, still unable to identify the scent, but I was sure I had smelled it before now. The answer was on the tip of my… well, the tongue wouldn't apply here… maybe just inside my nose? I don't know, but I'm sure that I've come across this scent before now, "Well Tarra," I answered, " I do not know what I am smelling, yet it is something I smelled recently."

I took a moment to sort out what I was smelling for there were different elements that made up the scent. The first most noticeable part was vanilla, kind of what you would smell from vanilla extract type of thing. Then, there was a hint of a flower, roses if I'm guessing correctly, but I certainly hadn't seen any around here. After sorting, I continued my answer, "There is vanilla I believe and a hint of roses if I'm not mistaken though I cannot say that I have seen any of those flowers around here."

As I focused back on Tarra, I noted her eyes had gone wide at what I'd said, and she quickly took a couple of steps away from me. Hmm, that's not the reaction I would expect with what I said, for me being myself sure, but not for just saying some things. The question now is why would Tarra make some distance from me? I am getting a terrible feeling I really am not going to like the answer to the question I'm about to ask or what follows. "Um Tarra, why did you back up from me when I describe the scent and why did you seem to show signs of recognition when I mentioned roses?"

"Oh well, I think you will understand in a minute or two," Tarra answered.

I'll know in a minute or two, what does she mean by that?! Please don't tell me my bad luck isn't done wreaking havoc on me yet after the whole trip out here and dunking in the fountain! What more could it still… actually, it would be better not to finish that question though I imagine I will find out soon anyway. I heard Tarra then mumble something to herself, which I caught a few words of, "Forgot… roses… her soap… sorry for him."

That jumble was hard to understand… didn't make much sense to me as I thought about it. It wasn't until one word began echoing in my skull that such changed for me and that word was her. If her reference to the one who has been making my life complicated as of late with her vexing and chasing me then there will be serious problems! As if my thought was a prompt, my ears caught a voice I knew all too well and didn't want to hear right now. "Where are you," sang a female voice, which honestly was quite beautiful and musical.

Yeah, once again about to be thrust into a situation I don't want nor would have any choice in, fiddlesticks. I had managed to avoid Lara last night, and I've had enough things go badly and wrong for the morning without adding her to the mix. Need I really say how things proceeded? The moment Lara saw me she gained a joyful expression while thoughts of how screwed I was about to be flashed through my mind. Not the best choice of things to think about although possibly about to become true, I couldn't help myself.

The happy expression Lara had was followed by her squealing in delight as she began racing towards me. My face quickly shifted to panic as Lara got closer to me, "NO! WAIT LARA," I yelled. I turned and had gotten one step to my right trying to get out of the way of the dragoness that was rushing at me. But I failed utterly for less than a second later, Lara pounced on me and though I am bigger than her, it didn't make a difference in the end. I would assume Lara had been aiming for my back, but my turning had made her miss slightly. The force of the impact caused me to collapse to the ground with her added weight. I hit the ground on my back as Lara hit me from the side had caused me to roll and Lara ended out on top of my underbelly. My problem was when I made contact with the ground I felt a very odd pressure and strain along my whole back. The pressure seemed to center along my spine and I really don't think I am supposed to feel this kind of thing along my back… this can't mean anything good for me!

*CRACK*

MY SPLEEN! The pain burned all along my spine like wildfire, so much so that I swear that someone had placed red hot metal along my spine and shoved it in. If what I feel is accurate, then the disks and vertebra slid out of their proper position they're supposed to be in. In short, I think I just threw my spine out of line and that would not help me. Such would very likely limit my movement if not prevent me from moving at all along with the horrible pain that I'm feeling currently. My body contorted in ways that just ain't natural, yet with my spine no longer keeping my body as it's meant to be, that is a tad understandable. The second wave of pain crashed into me and it was far worse than the first, and let me tell you, the pain was horrendous! Good golly the pain, I couldn't help the involuntarily cry of pain that escaped me, "ARG, MY SPINE!"

"Um Lara, maybe you should get off him, it looks and sounds like Saber is hurting," Tarra said loudly for her at least.

Lara looked at my contorted form and instantly removed herself from me, "Azreyel I am sorry!"

At least she apparently has the self-control to remove herself when I am hurt even if how she addressed me irritated me. I don't want to be compared to the punk that is as I used to be, I couldn't care less if he claims we were the same at one time. I gave my reply though it was difficult with the pain induced fog I was in, "Look," I gasped as the pain surged for a moment, "right now I really prefer for the moment that you call me Saber, but with how things are currently," I had to stop again as the pain spiked again, "ow ow ow! I am not going to be insistent."

"Saber is there anything we can do to help you," asked Tarra.

Tarra is really a nice dragoness, and I would hope Lara is normally when she isn't in heat. She did give the impression that she is nice, helpful and friendly on a normal basis and I would like to believe that. Still, how do you explain that I just got my spine thrown out of line and am now unable to move much? I don't know if dragons would understand what this painful problem actually entails. Plus, with a longer spine is as it is currently, that makes it all the more painful… more nerves to burn with pain and all. Add to this that Lara played a part in causing this… I don't think she would take that well. "Um well," I started but then pain shot up in magnitude, "OW! My spine kind of got knocked out of alignment," I stated.

There was silence to my remark, I could almost picture the looks of confusion on their faces even if I couldn't see them. I can't blame either dragoness, I only knew about things like this due to having to fix myself up as much as I have over the years. "What I mean is that I needed to realign or straighten out my spine ramrod straight." I paused and was about to keep going when my voice ripped out of me reflecting the pain, "Orrr-OW, force it back to where it is normally, unfortunately, I cannot do that myself in my current condition."

Lara's voice was the next thing I heard. I'm worried about this situation that feeling was growing fast! "Just tell m-us what you need to have done and we will do it," she said.

Do my ears deceive me, or was Lara about to say 'me' instead of 'us' referring to herself and not Tarra and her?! You know, I am getting a really, REALLY worrisome feeling about this situation as it's development. Like I'm seriously going to regret asking Lara's help in getting my spine back to working order! I don't know if Tarra would help me in this or not. My dilemma is that I need to explain what needs to be done without it sounding like I'm asking for something more um, sensual in nature! I wouldn't doubt Lara would instantly jump at the chance of getting an opportunity to do something like that with me! Be that as it may, though I need assistance in fix my issue, so here we go.

"Well, I need someone to pretty much need to um, use their own body by press themselves… against my back to help by providing a surface to be straightened upon and physically work my spine back into its rightful place," I explained, hoping that came out in the way I intended.

"I WILL DO THAT," exclaimed Lara close to a second after I had finished.

I couldn't help the shutter that I was capable right now at that declaration from Lara. It clearly showed that Lara didn't hear what I said as I had wanted her to! Okay, I sincerely hope that I wasn't the only one to notice that Lara is way too excited about helping me and so, shouldn't be allowed to do so. I hope she isn't getting any strange ideas of doing this means I am giving her permission to do anything further, I'm betting that she is!

"Lara, m-maybe it might be better if we um, go find a healer for this," Tarra suggested.

A healer?! That might be a better idea for this predicament, especially with Lara being in heat! I was about to proclaim my agreement with Tarra, but I was beaten to the by Lara, "No, I can do this just fine."

I'm worried about Lara's tone, no, I am scared about what Lara is thinking at this moment! I'm absolutely sure that she has ulterior motives in 'helping me' so, I'm wholeheartedly in the camp with Tarra on getting a healer! Yet, before I could make my thoughts vocal, Lara moved herself to be behind me and hooked her forelegs around my own raising me up. Pain flared up as she positioned herself and I found myself locked into a very dangerous spot! Nevertheless, I had still a priority in this, I need my spine back to functional status. Yet, I feel the extreme urge to make sure Lara understand what was needed to help me. If the said procedure is done wrong… let's just say correction of that would be much harder and more painful than if it's done right the first time! That's an idea I would rather avoid given the option, "Now Lara, are you absolutely sure you understand what I am asking you to do here," I asked gritting through the pain.

"Yes," Lara simply replied.

I feel no confident here with her ANSWER! "Because if you do not, then I can wait for someone to bring a healer to help me. It is preferred that this is done right the first time, cause it would be worse if it would need to be done a second time or more!"

"There is no need for you to worry, it will be fine," Lara said.

Her second reply helped about the same amount as her first if not less… no, scratch that, the answer did more to discourage Lara helping me with my spine issue, especially since she pretty much caused it in the first place! I desperately tried moving I tried doing, all I got was weak thrashing around and with Lara holding me didn't do much. It turns out that the spine is quite necessary to do a full-body movement, I know it sounds obvious, but well… it takes on new meaning when you have actual experience with the idea. So, since I can't move effectively, I literally have no means to resist Lara, I am in deep s**t right now and I didn't see this coming in any way! I heard Lara shuffling behind me now, shifting me to a sitting position as I couldn't do so myself. I felt Lara press herself against my back which set her to have complete contact with me and keep me in place. She started to use her hind legs to work my spine back to how it is supposed to be position, painful grant you but at least it should fix the issue.

Okay, maybe I'm being a bit too paranoid of Lara, but with yesterday's events can anyone really blame me for suspecting her of trying to get me in a situation that could lead to me and her being in the "sack". She's technically still in the heat of her mating cycle as far as I can tell, then again, she just could want to help me. I would like to think that we are friends and this is the kind of time that friends are nice to have plus, I want to give her the benefit of the doubt even if that bites me more often than not. Even Lara, I would think has enough self-control to not take advantage of this situation where I can't fight back, I hope. Hey, you upstairs and you down below, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT, I'LL MAKE YOU REGRET IT!

I realized just how problematic this event had become when I felt her underbelly scales rubbing me in a more than helpful kind of way. The answer to my unasked question is prompt, thank you and curse you bad luck and reverse divine intervention. It would seem that Lara would indeed take advantage of the opportunity this misfortune provided by myself. I was under the impression that I had already put on an entertainment show for the day! I don't do encores and yet I get no choice in this, IT SUCKS! Then the sensations that Lara's action were producing were… No no no, I say NAY! I can't entertain such thoughts of her right now, I would resist in every way I can. I mean, I admit Lara is rather attractive and very beautiful and I can't explain why my brain sees Lara like that. She smells very nice too. … No, bad thoughts, I need a distraction now!

Lara kept rubbing her underbelly against my back as she worked and such shouldn't affect me but they were. I may not be able to move at the moment, still, that didn't mean I couldn't feel what Lara was doing, don't know why I'm so "lucky" that is the case. It took my self-restraint to keep my mind out of the gutter! It's not like I could do anything about the situation anyways at the moment with my spine the way it is. I felt the first crack of my lower spine around the base of my tail realigning. The burning sensation from the pain surge then began to fade afterward in that area. The rubbing motion that Lara was doing now became more circular, which made things harder for me to ignore. There was a kind of fog coming over my mind, it was like something or someone was trying to override my intelligence which didn't help things!

I had never realized just how smooth a dragoness's scales on their underbelly could beeee… AAHHHH! That is dangerous territory, I must stay away from it, nay, I need to avoid it like the plague cause it could be as dangerous as a plague if given time and opportunity. Honestly, this shouldn't be happening, I know I have better control over myself than this, SO WHY AM I THINKING LIKE THIS! My mind was going blank with every passing second as Lara kept massaging me in the way she was. So, I was having difficulty concentrating due to my mind going the way it is currently.

The exact way Lara was rubbing herself against me was giving me feelings of pleasure, the likes of which, I have never experienced before in my life at any time previous. These sensations and emotions they inspired, were attempting to override my self-control and they were coming close to winning! Then as if to make this situation more difficult, not that it needed to be, Lara began to whisper into my ear, "By the way, if this gets too painful, just say so and I will ease up."

What does she mean if it starts? The pleasure spiked in strength and magnitude after she whispered that to me clashing with the ongoing pain I was in. I may not admit it to anyone including myself, but part of me was on cloud nine right now which was causing my mental control was slipping! This feeling on my upper back… it's rounder than the rest of her underbelly and the scales in this area are softer than the rest of her underbelly and yet somehow… BOUNCY! Hold it… is this Lara's chest, then that would mean that… what is equivalent to breasts for dragonesses is now rubbing against me. This situation is going from bad to worse fast!

Yet, that does bring up the thought that if I can switch between my draconic form and human form, then can others of the dragon race? If that is the case, then what would Lara look… No! No! NO, NO I CAN'T ENTERTAIN SUCH FANTASIES LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW! I was having growing difficulty with focusing on what was happening anymore, one moment I was feeling pain and the next pleasure. I was becoming so confusing to me, my brain was getting strung out and left to dry!

'Hmm torture and ecstasy, no wonder you are so confused,' remarked Azreyel bemusedly.

I felt the familiar surge of frustration and anger at hearing the punk's voice and I certainly didn't need his opinion at this moment. 'Azreyel you aren't HELPING,' I thought sharply in response.

'Who said that was the intent,' he returned.

The feeling of anger rose in me at that reply, which quickly turned into rage showing the punk was getting under my thick skin. However, there was a surge of pleasure running in jolts through me which threw my attention for a loop! That was followed by a crack as another section of my spine settled back into place that was followed with waves of pain. The feeling of pain quickly returned to pleasure after the section of pain went back to its rightful position. I gritted my teeth to prevent a goofy smile most likely with a goofy laugh to come to my face at this new feeling. I would NOT let myself be seen acting like an idiot at this series of events! Unfortunately, Azreyel kept going in his teasing, 'Tell me, why you are so against the idea of mating with Lara?'

That's a question I would rather not answer the question, 'Is this really the time to get into this kind of conversation right now,' I shot back.

'You have something better to do then? If not, now is as good of a time as any,' Azreyel continued.

Does he HAVE TO be so good at making a point for it irritated me a great deal! It was taking most of my well-developed self-control to keep still and my voice silent at the things Lara was doing to me. I didn't want to talk to Azreyel at the moment, but he may help distract me either that or make things worse. 'First of all, I am too young to be seriously considering "that" kind of activity with a female, so shut up Stupid-Head,' I challenged to keep my attention off the sensations that Lara was giving me.

'Well actually, dragons as a race tend to begin to search for mates at the age equivalent to late teens for humans. So then, you are of the age as it happens,' Azreyel reasoned.

Damn it, I can't argue with that as I don't know if what he says is true. Yet, if Lara is anything to judge by, what Azreyel is saying is fact. And why does he have to sound so freaking calm in a situation like this, it's infuriating as hell! 'You have got to be kidding me,' I growled exasperatedly. I really hate Azreyel right now, he just has to make sense in a way I can't disagree with and not be lying!

Azreyel continued much to my displeasure, 'Why are you," he paused momentarily, "Ah, I understand why you are so against this idea now. This is all due to you learning of human tradition and acceptable social behavior. Because of that, such an activity is seen as "wrong" until you, oh what is the term for being joined with another of the opposite gender?'

To join with… what does he mean? Oh, I think I get what he is referring to now, 'You mean marriage Azreyel,' I finished.

'Yes, that idea, humans do have such odd traditions and customs and a portion of them do not even follow them. Humans are such hypocritical creatures are they not,' he said.

I couldn't deny what he said completely since I would partly agree with him. I mean, there are those who are as Azreyel said are hypocritical yet, most people aren't but there some that are as well. Humans are complicated, but I was still raised among them and, so I was raised to be like them. I felt another crack as more of my spine got back into place, that made around half of my spine now is the way it was originally meant to be. My mind kept descending further into the blank numbness state I was fighting. All of this was from the actions that Lara was still continuing to do to me, what next?!

My answer came right after I had the thought for I felt something brushing against my lower underbelly scales. I have begun to notice that there are some areas of my body where the scales are more sensitive than others. Unfortunately, my underbelly is one of those said areas where my scales are more sensitive and are a bit ticklish. Back to the matter at hand though, it took me a few seconds to figure out that the something was Lara's tail and she was brushing her tail against my underbelly, and her tail was moving south of the BORDER! It was giving me a very tickling tingle and it wasn't one that was welcomed by my self-control!

This was getting to be very risky for me, Lara's tail was making its way to my South Pole! My steel-clad will was slipping down a slippery slope, and if this continues then I might fall for Lara's temptations! I'm not interested nor ready for such commitments and I avoid them in every way that I can. And it's not that I dislike the female gender, it's I have enough things to deal with without adding to the pile currently.

A fourth crack came, and another part of my spine went back in line showing that my spine getting back into working order was progressing along. Meanwhile, Lara's scent filled the air around me and it was intoxicating, I could smell little else right now. Lara then proceeded to rub her head against my neck and left shoulder in an "affectionate" manner. The smooth scales on her face felt amazing grinding against my neck and shoulder, it certainly took my attention off of the pain. Then after half a minute, I began to hear some type of clicking sound, I tried to identify what the clicking was and discovered that it was… her purring?!

There came the fifth crack, which had everything but my neck back in working order now. It is perfectly clear that Lara is using this situation to her advantage and thoroughly enjoying herself. At least she hasn't completely forgotten the purpose of this activity is to get my spine back in place. That still doesn't excuse what she is doing but, 'What she's doing surprises you? She is a female and one in the heat of her mating cycle I might add. You gave her invitation and opportunity, you brought this on yourself,' piped up Azreyel.

'Why you', yet I took a moment think and realized that he was right, 'DAMN IT!" I screeched mentally. He may have a point, but I won't admit it to him, even if I couldn't deny the logic he was using. "WOULD YOU SHUT YOU TRAP, I NEED NONE OF YOUR CHEEKY COMMENTS RIGHT NOW!'

'Give me three good reasons why mating with Lara is so bad,' the punk posed.

I racked my brain for a moment, trying desperately to think of something, ANYTHING that would justify not mating with Lara right here and now. I wouldn't lose to Azreyel! 'We are in the middle of the freaking street in broad daylight, others could and would likely be watching! This is not the kind of thing two do in this setting!'

Azreyel grunted, 'That is ridiculous reasoning as well as hypocritical, due to the fact that it is still early. So, few if anyone is out and for the one dragoness that is, it can be a good learning experience for her. As for the outside aspect, it is my understanding that some humans like doing such activities in the outdoors. So then, let us hear you next pointless reason you would like to use as an excuse.'

Why the dang rotten punk, it's like he's trying to justify a reason for me to shut him up or something and that makes me dislike him more! Arguing with him is… good golly, I want to say it is like arguing with myself, but that is what it is, I'm literally, one hundred percent arguing with a part of myself! This paradox royally SUCKS the more I understand it. 'She is a dragoness, I was raised as a human,' I tried.

The reply was prompt and unwelcome, 'A mere technicality and one that has already changed, you are a dragon now and you can unlearn those human customs given time and persuasion. That's two failed reasons,' Azreyel countered. Fricken fracking, that makes as Azreyel said at two compared to my zero! This isn't going well for me, his logic was beating my desperation and I do not like losing. 'As humans put it, "that makes two out of three, care to go three out of five?"'

Does he enjoy winding me up, or does it just come naturally to him? This was one of the types of individuals that I thoroughly detest, those that just seem to go out of there way to be right most of the time and flaunt it! Still, I need to focus on the task at hand, thinking up reasons why mating with Lara is a bad idea. 'Timing,' I blurted out.

There was a moment of silence, 'You mind elaborating on that,' Azreyel inquired.

That worked? I didn't think it would, I was got to the point that I was just spouting out random reasons of why shouldn't. My mind raced to come up with a plausible way to make this work, then my recent past gave me an idea. 'Perhaps you may have missed out on the time I spent in the ape city. Nonetheless the force gathering there was huge and I have little doubt that it will be heading to Warfang. That fact puts MY friends at risk, so I don't have the time to mate when my friends are in danger!'

How now Brown Cow, take that and shove it and admit that I have one-uped you ya punk! There was another moment of silence, 'Very well I concede that is a valid point for the moment. I dare you to convince Lara of that though,' Azreyel returned.

The sixth crack came and the final section of my spine was back in line and in place and mental clarity came to me. By this time, Lara had begun to lick my chin affectionately with her forked tongue continuing to shower me with her affections. Still, my besting Azreyel for the time being in our argument had given my mind mental clarity! I immediately got to my paws in hopes that would show that I was good and get Lara to let go of me. I had no such luck in that as she still clung to me and still purring and rubbing herself against me.

I tried to shake Lara off but do so without hurting her or anything, yet she held tightly to me or rather hugged me more. Obviously, Lara had no intention whatsoever of releasing her grip on me in the near future and that didn't help me. If I were human this would be marginally easier, I even started to picture just how I would execute such a feat when to my surprise a light began to shine around me. In moments I find myself still on all fours, but on secondary inspection my front legs were… hands and arms again. That realization got me to scuffle away from where I had been before Lara managed to get her paws around me again.

Once out from Lara's hold, I gave myself a quick glance over and confirmed I was indeed a human again. I faced off against Lara and she figured out I was not in her embrace and quickly locked onto me as a human. She was now taller than me, but that didn't change my resolve to resist her attempts to mate with me. My mind had become clearer now that I was a human again, the smell of roses was faint but much less prevalent than before. Thank you human's weak sense of smell it was saving me lots of issues right now!

As I was standing my ground, I saw out of the corner of my eye that for some reason Tarra was blushing. I couldn't begin to guess as to why she was blushing at the moment, yet I suppose that what Lara had been doing to me might have been something she had never seen before. I hope that what she had seen didn't scar her for life or anything, "Uh, Tarra why are you blushing," I asked.

"Well, er, you look different now, you do not have any of those wrappings that you always made sure you had on. With no fur it is… I don't know how to say it," she replied.

Wrappings, what does she mean? I look down and my eyes widened in understanding and embarrassment, as I saw that I had one and only one article of clothing, all I was wearing was shorts around my waist. I didn't think that dragons had a sense of decency or at least they have never shown any until now. It also explained the cold I was starting to feel, no clothes mean the loss of body heat through the skin. I heard laughter from my mind from an extremely unwelcome source, 'Oh this is amusing, you're almost stark naked and did not realize it until someone pointed it out! Hysterical,' Azreyel mused.

'DER, you mind keeping comments like that to yourself punk! You care to explain how I am human with one piece of clothing now when the last time I was human I was completely clothed,' I demanded angrily.

Azreyel stopped laughing before he answered,'Well my best guess is whatever you did to change back to this form, it missed the clothes. Why not try imagining clothes?'

That's what he says in a situation like this?! 'This is not the time for jokes,' I growled sternly.

'That wasn't a joke, what do you have to lose from trying the method,' he returned simply.

Again, he makes a valid point and I don't like that, still, I sighed and decided to try as Asreyel suggested. Surprisingly, there was a glow surrounding me for a second and after it disappeared I found I had my clothes from before. Surprised as I was at this result, with me being fully clothed now help as I hadn't appreciated the breeze around the nether regions!

Lara just stared at me in confusion, "What the," she exclaimed, "Azreyel, how did you change back to that form, and more importantly why?"

I felt my left eyelid begin to twitch and being referred to the punk like me, I took a moment to calm down and take deep breaths before I answered Lara. She wouldn't know or likely comprehend the relationship between Azreyel and myself. So she shouldn't be blamed for it as there is the possibility that he and I could've been one stupid idiot at one time. "Okay, first of all Lara, why I do anything I do is my concern and those I choose to let know and care what they think about me and there aren't that many of those. Second, I have no idea how I changed back to my human form though I am definitely not having a problem with it at the moment. Lastly and most importantly, I ask you to call me Saber, not Azreyel," I said gritting my teeth at saying the punk's name.

I may admit grudgingly that Azreyel and I are two sides of the same being, but that doesn't mean I like him! I don't at all, I hate him, He's to me a horrible reminder of my past that I really wanted and wished to forget. So he and I agree to disagree upon many things and that won't change anytime soon if I have my way.

Tarra nodded slightly in understanding to what I had said. Lara, on the other hand, didn't. "Azreyel what happened, you just disappeared? Where have you been and what about Koren," asked Lara.

Her questions acted as a trigger for me as it brought back the memory I had remembered from last night, of Koren's sacrifice and following death. And because of that memory being refreshed, it was one of the rare times that I completely lost the finite self-control that I had. I was taking shuttering breaths trying to ignore the pain in my heart at the mention of Koren which took a turn for the worse. I knew the signs as I'd felt them before a couple of times, a meltdown was imminent due to the involuntarily venting of my problems had come to the point of no return. The crisis here was this meltdown was going to be big and there was going to be an audience who don't understand how this works for me!

Tarra seemed to feel the change in the atmosphere even as I attempted to hold back the storm and she tried to calm it down, "Um Lara maybe this is not the best time to ask questions like that right now."

My body quickly started shaking with anger and regret at the thoughts that swirled and raged through my mind. I don't doubt Lara would hate to hear this, but I couldn't hold it in anymore, it had to be said and I couldn't hold it back. If she somehow knew me from before as I'm starting to get the impression of, then this will be ugly. "What happens to me, you ask," I posed in a flat voice, "I have been living in a continuous, living, HELL!" My voice had started controlled, but that only lasted a few words for by the end of the sentence I was nearly shouting. "For the last fourteen years, I have been confined in the miserable pits of hell! Only getting views of the good things of life to tantalize and torture me."

The horrible feelings that had been buried in me for a long time began to pour out like a flood. I ranted to the dragonesses about how the earliest memories I had were me being alone and having no one. From there, I continued by telling them about being shunned by others around me and even many times scorned by them. I went on to not having any real friends and about not being able to be close to anyone.

Yes, I had Master Kai and he had been the only reason I hadn't gone insane and committed suicide a number of times for several reasons! Years of pain and misery and loneliness poured out of me that I had kept it bottled up inside. I didn't tell of all of what I had gone through, but some of the highlights of the hell I've gotten to know. I vented my anger and frustration in this tirade, the dark emotions in me would no longer be denied!

I summed up the venting as follows, "Then, whenever I hear the name Azreyel, I am reminded of how much I hate him for I am NOT Azreyel! He and I may have been the same at one time, but now he and I are different individuals entirely now!" I paused and gritted my teeth, "He is an arrogant punk, and his superiority complex annoys the heck out of me even if he does not acknowledge such. He seemed to think he always needs to be right and dominate an argument irritates me to no end! He reminds me of how I used to be at the beginning before I met another that helped me become a better person!"

I was breathing hard after my ranting tirade for I hadn't blown up like that for nearly a decade! Thankfully the incident had been around Master Kai and, so he had listened and consoled me. I looked at both of the dragonesses and found their expressions rather… interesting to say the least. Tarra had her mouth open in shock along with showing sadness and pity for me. Lara's jaw had also dropped hearing my story had hit her hard. I had not told them the recent events of my adventures in the dragon realm and nothing about Koren. I managed to hold back enough of the venting before I reached that part as I think they would need time to digest what I had told them plus. I needed separation now, "I need time to myself," I said simply.

After saying that, I spun around and walked away from the two dragonesses with no particular destination in mind. Normally, I keep my issues to myself, but that comes with an occasional venting. So, when I don't vent from time to time, it happens without a choice from me, it's how I deal with the crap that comes my way and stay as sane as I do. And things have been getting more crazy and ludicrous than usual and that's saying a great deal coming for me.

Within minutes I was lost in my own thoughts taking stock of the current state of things as they had become now. First, I had to admit, it was nice to be able to be human again as I'm used to it and know the perks that dragons don't have. I still didn't understand how the change between human and dragon really is done, but it works and that is what counts. It was still rough changing between dragon to human so I would bet going the other way would be rough as well though I think I will get the hang of it eventually.

Yet for the record, it felt wonderful to go on two legs again instead of all fours essentially as a dragon. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against going on four legs, it's just… well, I have been human for around fourteen years so it is normal to walk on two legs. Then there is having hands, and I will never ever take having hands for granted ever again! Dragon paws can do some of the things that hands can, but the dexterity and fine manipulative ability that hands had were still unmatched. And I freaking depend on some of the skills hands and legs give me through martial arts to stay alive, more so here in the Dragon Realm than back on Earth!

However, as I got to thinking, my thoughts returned to the reason I had used to win the argument with Azreyel. I may have said timing on the spur of the moment along with what followed after that, but there was validity to what I had said. I firmly believed that the army of apes I had seen would be sent to Warfang if it wasn't already on its way. And I hadn't forgotten that the number of apes hadn't been small in any way, shape or form, they had tried to kill me by mobbing me after all.

So simply put, the apes attacking Warfang is to me a real problem and I doubt I would be in the few that think so for all that long. My first issue among the number is that were I to give a guess, Spyro, Cynder, Seth and Cyra were there by this time. They were some of the few that have accepted me and ALL my quirks and not run the opposite way and avoid me going forward. There aren't many of those that I've met, so I kind of don't want to lose those I met if I don't have to. The second point was the siege that would be put to Warfang itself for I don't see the apes giving up for a long while. The city of Warfang as well-built as it no doubts it is has limits just like anything else does, it would be a matter of time before reaching its breaking point.

The subject of tactics is fairly straightforward on the overview of it, use your brains to make sure you last the longest to win. A battle whatever kind it is, in the end, is about enduring beyond your opponent which can be obtained by several means both dirty and non-dirty, but that isn't the point in this. From what I've observed and gathered thus far, the apes themselves overall may be dumb, but the ones that lead them most certainly are not. And I do think that dragons have been underestimating them for a time and the apes have no doubt been taking advantage of that.

The final point in this problem is honestly the one that worries me the mode and that is the Silent Killers will likely be working during the siege. If or rather when they participated as I don't doubt they will, that fact changes the whole broad of this event. They would murder targets that would help things in favor of the apes and that would not end well for dragons, cheetahs or mole. I seemed the only one that could take them on and actually match them enough to push them back. So, I needed to get back to Warfang pronto and damn how as if demons… no, scratch that as if I was running said demons out of hell after dethroning the devil and taking over management of the place should they not agree with me!

So, the plan is for me to haul myself to Warfang as soon as I get directions from Arkanis on how to get there. In fact, I had spun around and had taken a few steps towards the temple before I stopped mid-stride. What stopped me was the thought that even if I go, I alone would not make enough of a difference. If I'm honest with myself, I can't take on more than one of those monkeys at the same time, sure, I could take them one on one, but not as a group. It is more a question of whether they kill me or drag me back to their city to suffer, it could go either way.

There was too much for just me to handle even with how good I am in a pinch, I have my limits that I can't go beyond as much as I want to. So as things stand, I'm in a serious jam and by myself, there is little other than a freaking miracle of miracles that would get me through let alone others as well. That brings about a need for a rethink and assessment to the plan going forward if I want a future for myself and others. And though I'm not the best with admitting my shortcomings, more so than some, I'll do it when I have to.

There are three possibilities that I can pursue to improve the horrendous odds faced with the siege of Warfang. The first two things have to do with me improving myself and that was the easier points. The first of those is figuring out how this transition between human and dragon works and get better at it. Two would be after getting the previous action, learn how to harness the elements as a dragon. Of course, I could do both of those, but the problem is time, the longer I stay here the worse things possibly get for my friends at Warfang. The third point that could improve the odds and by far the best way to increase odds of winning the most, get the help of the dragons here. The more of them I was able to convince the high the odds would become. However, convincing the said dragons would be the most difficult part of this as I see it.

The easiest method to get the three jobs done is to first go and ask Arkanis as the elder dragon seem to be the one all the others look to for leadership. Yet, what if he outright says no to my plight? Obviously, I would be going to Warfang no matter the response I got but, if I can avoid giving in to suicidal tendency in this venture, all the better I say. I do my utmost to not go with suicidal ventures, jaunts or activities as I wish to be alive. Plus, I know better than to give my bad luck golden circumstances to get me killed for it gets close enough without those. However, if that was all I had to work with, then I'll use that to help my friends for they are worth it to me.

I suppose that the best way to find out what kind of answer I would get to ask for assistance is to just get down and do it. It is pointless to fret and worry while straining my brain over what-ifs that may or may not happen. So, I resumed my course even if and likely will be rejected in my request which wasn't for me but for others. The closer to the temple I got, the less I wanted to do what I was considering doing and that doesn't happen often with me.

Yet, before I could change my mind, I found Arkanis and told him I had something important to talk about. Arkanis once again showed his wisdom and experience by saying that he would listen to what I had to say. The Guardians never really do that kind of thing for me and I doubt that would change any time soon. So, I then explained the situation with the apes and Warfang ending my spiel with the request for help from anyone I could get. Again, I would go regardless, but if I can get others helping, I'm not about to refuse as my chances of living would go up as a result.

Arkanis's reply to me was that I would need to ask the dragons and dragonesses directly, but he would arrange an opportunity for me to do so. That wasn't the best answer that I sort of wanted, but at least it wasn't a flat out no as I feared I might get. What asking the other dragons and dragonesses entails, I'm not quite sure, but I'll do what I have to for Spyro and the others. And though that is easy to claim, it is a different thing to follow through on it as I was soon to find out. For shortly after the conversation, I found myself in the central chamber in the temple of Carona which had "stadium-like seating". Said seating was packed with pretty much all that dragons that lived here in Carona hard as it may be to believe. It was a large crowd I'll tell you and I had to take a few deep breaths before starting the attempt to convince these dragons to help me. But I got ahold of myself and began, "I know that many of you probably do not know who or what I am," I began, "but my name is Saber and I am here to ask for help."

The room was filled with the quiet mumbles of dragons and dragonesses talking to each other and I kind of expected that sort of response. Yet, I was here on a mission, so I didn't stop, "I have been here for a few days now and I can see you all have a good peaceful life here. However, I am here to ask you to help others who either are or are going to be in serious trouble."

There came comments like 'who does he think he is' and 'just stirring up trouble' came to my ears. But I wasn't finished in this plea by a long shot, not with my friends in need, so you better believe I'll do whatever is necessary to deliver to them the help they need! "There is an army of apes on their way to attack Warfang if they are not there already. Their numbers are vast from what I saw in their city before coming here and they outnumber the dragons and other defending Warfang," I stated. "I am aware that it sounds crazy, yet I am asking that any dragon that can come with me to Warfang and help fight the apes and as many as are willing."

With my plea made, I stood there watching and listening as they talked among themselves on what I had asked and hoped to get help from them with. The atmosphere in the council chamber was one of apprehension and that didn't bode well to me. Now, I figured my chances of getting help would be slim and I didn't kid myself about that. But as the phrase goes, 'you never know unless you ask' so here I am asking and trying to get help.

And in my defense, I'm not what you would call a prideful person in the point of having an ego, Uncle Douchebag had made sure of that even if unintentionally. So, I'd never developed anything like an ego yet, I do have a streak of pride that has helped me many a time before, but it was paired with my sense of honor. Yet, said pride has also screwed me over a number of times and I'd been forced to take my medicine. So it can go either way in any given situation, and it can be hard sometimes to predict which it will be.

Nevertheless, right now I had to ask myself is my pride and honor helping me in this? I'm a person that doesn't like to admit or ask for help even when I clearly need it if I can get around doing so. Normally, I would just grit my teeth and do the job myself and figure out a way to get business done. But in this situation, that wouldn't be a realistic possibility, I know it and can't deny the truth. So, it all comes down to two simple questions, what is more important, my pride or my friends and then, how far am I willing to go for what I choose?

The answer to both of those questions is related and obvious to me for I'd long ago made such a decision to this. My friends are more important by far than my pride period, no argument or debate. There is nothing, absolutely nothing I wouldn't do for my friends when the chips are down on the table and they need an ace in the freak hole!

Should that mean I need to humiliate myself in some way, shape or form, then… then give me a pink froo froo dress and get as many video cameras you can find and then start recording me singing "I'm a Little Teapot" while I dance or whatever it is I have to do and post it for all to see and laugh at! I would stand proudly knowing that my friends could count on me when they needed it regardless of what others thought of me. I actually sort of wish that would be what I need to do for this situation, however, in this, I believe I would need to do something I've never ever in my life done and it wasn't because the opportunity hadn't come up.

To what am I referring you may ask, I would bow down, get on my hands and knees to beg for help. Why is that something I've never done? Because with the years I've lived with my uncle, I never allowed him to make me bow down to him or anyone else! My pride wouldn't permit me to do that as it would have me admitting defeat and I won't do that. With the things he's done to me, you would have thought he would have been the first to get me to beg. Uncle Douchebag has tried many times when he was extremely drunk yet, I was never willing to give others the satisfaction of forcing me to bow down.

But for my friends, I would do the one thing I swear that I would do for anyone only over my own dead body and maybe not even that! I would bow down and beg if that's what you help them, that's how far I will go for those that are my friends. With that decision firmly in mind, I slowly worked my body to bend and move towards my hands and knees touching the ground. My muscles and much of my body resisted the orders I was giving them and screamed defiance towards the motion. My current action was going against many closely held values that I haven't violated in any way before now. And so, it took over a minute to reach my hands and knees contacting the ground. Yet, as I lowered my head towards the floor, it became even harder for me to get my body to do what I was telling it.

This was by far the most humiliating thing I've done and many may scoff at me saying that I have never bowed to anyone and never planned or intended to. Yet, here I was doing just that and tossing aside my image and an amount of self-respect all for Spyro and the others. It is harder than most would think to do something you swore multiple times, during every beating you went through that you would never ever do. To say that this was the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life thus far wasn't wrong, yet I kept going. The room went silent as my forehead finally touched the floor, and the shame washing over me as I took in that there was no sound.

I had closed my eyes by the time my head was touching the floor, and after taking a shuttering breath, I made my heartfelt petition. "I understand that most if not all of you, do not know about Warfang or what it is like there nor about its inhabitance," I started. "But please, I turn to you all for help now for I have nowhere else to turn to. Those I know there are in danger, I cannot help and save them by myself as much as I want to," I said, my voice breaking somewhat by the end as I forced myself to continue, "I simply do not have the ability to do that."

I took another breath, "I am even willing to get down and press my head to the floor and beg while casting away my pride and self-respect," I got out. "And I have never done this before now, nor did I ever believe I would as I am usually more willing to suffer than do this." Tears had begun coming from the corners of my eyes though I tried hard to prevent them from coming. "Now, I am not just asking," I took a deep steadying breath and forced the words I vowed I would never say, "I am for the first time ever in my life begging for help!"

For Spyro, Seth, Cynder, and Cyra, I would beg on my hands and knees for the first time in my life even if it humiliated me in a way little else does. That's how much they meant to me and I didn't think that I would feel that way about anyone so quickly. They have been the first real friends I have had for a very long time even though I couldn't remember much of my past until recently. And anyone who has truly humiliated themselves can understand what I was putting myself through at this moment. The only thing that prevents me from going and getting myself killed right now is imagining Master Kai's face nodding in pleased satisfaction at what I am doing for others.

There was silence in the chamber to the point you could have heard a pin drop with ease along with its echoes. As the quiet continued, I took that as an answer to mean that I would get no help from these dragons. I don't really blame them, I was asking something rather hard and everything so, why help the weirdo and all. Still, that makes things going forward much more difficult for me as I would then be going to help at Warfang alone and I do not look forward to it. I mean, I always knew that I would go out of life fighting, it was a given for me a long while ago, so I'd been prepared myself for the eventuality. Nevertheless, going solo against a massive army of those who had lots of reasons to kill me wasn't the way I imagined I would go exactly.

As my fate was becoming pretty clear, I suppose I'd better start physicking myself up for the suicidal situation I'm about to go into very soon. What would come afterward… well, I'm thinking that either the punk below or the man upstairs or both will be having me to deal with. I'll make them understand what that entail, whether that means I take over heaven or hell, that will all depend on them! But I will say this, there will be upheaval the likes of which haven't been felt before, I personally guarantee that and so help me I'll deliver! I began lifting my forehead from the floor intending to slip out of this place to begin the preparations I could make. But before I could get up from my knees, I was in for a shock, "I will come and help," said a female voice.

My head snapped up and I looked to where the declaration had come to see one I hadn't expected for Lara had been the one who had spoken. Yes, I may like Lara and consider her a 'friend' of sorts, but be that as it may, I'm asking for others to come with me and fight. So, either she doesn't understand what I'm asking for or I have misjudged her greatly! "Me t-too," called Tarra, "I mean I-I will go t-too."

I twisted around to look at Tarra in shock and amazement for she was one I expected even less than Lara. I mean, Lara was one thing, but for Tarra as well was not what I had thought I would get coming into this. There then began to be a chorus of voices saying that they would go, and it grew in volume. Within many minutes most if not all the dragons and dragonesses had volunteered to come to Warfang with me.

I wasn't just baffled at this response, hell, I was gaping in dumbfounded shock with no doubt a stupid look on my face to go with it! This was much… no a huge amount better turnout than I had hoped for, let alone dared to expect. I'd figured maybe a few dragons might help, yet I had been rather skeptical in that. Honestly, I was planning ahead with just me going and pretty much getting myself killed if I were to tell the truth with how things stood. However, my expectations had been completely blown out of the water and more, so I wasn't going to say anything about it!

It was a little later that day I was on my way to where Lara's room in the temple was as she had asked to talk to me. I'm not sure if I should go and talk to Lara when she has asked, but as I am a gentleman, I would hear her out. She had approached me as I and most others were leaving the gathering that morning and had asked to talk. She had said she would like to discuss some matters that involved her and me in private. I'd agreed to the request thinking that it would be somewhere that I could exit if things went bad. Oh, how wrong I was, I should've known better than to agree to a meeting before knowing all the facts. Yet again a remedial lesson in making sure you know the facts before you agree to anything as it just invites trouble to come in the door when you don't.

And so, as I'd already consented to her request, it would have been very rude to back out and show me as a lier. I just hope she isn't using this as a way to trap me and do the "deed" with me, though I doubt she is. I'd spent close to a full day avoiding be forced to do that with her and I don't want to have all that work go to waste. Lara is nice and everything, but I want to keep my virtue as it is right now as I have a battle looming ahead to worry about. Still, I don't know what to expect with this meeting with Lara in private, it could go anyway as far as I can guess.

Yes, I'm a virgin but I'm nineteen, I think by now so, in my view I'm still young so I'm not ready for doing anything with a female. I've heard some adults say that the activity of sex is very enjoyable, but I wouldn't know. I mean, one of my uncle's 'drinking friends' said that he knew a girl that could… how did he put it? The girl could break a guy's pelvis and send him to the moon in two minutes flat, I believe that's how he put it. Honestly, I steer clear of Uncle Douchebag and his friends when they drink for good reason and it isn't just because of the foul smell. Actually, it's mostly due to them I really don't have much of an interest in the activity of sex.

Anyways, by this time I had reached the room that Lara had indicated was hers, I stopped. I paused and took a deep calming breath and set my self-control firmly in place before tapping on the door. Lara opened the door sooner than I expected, swear that she was sitting at the door and her face brightened slightly at seeing me. It was good to see as when I had left the large central chamber in the temple she had looked down-casted for some reason. Why she had, I haven't the faintest idea nor could I predict what could cause her to have the expression.

Anyways, Lara stepped aside and let me in closing the door behind me and that set off the first set of alarms in my brain. And I got the worrisome hunch that it'll be a while before I leave this room, and when and if it happens is likely not going to be with the same friendly feelings in mind or the same way I came in, but I can't say for sure. I had to exert self-control to keep calm and not rip open that door and escape this place. After I calmed down, I glanced around the room and was brought to a halt as I took in the room. And as I took in the room, I realized that this was the first time I had ever been in a girl's room and for those guys listening to my tale, it ain't like you think it would be! And this isn't something that happens to a guy every day, I think, but I'm the outcast, so what do I know?

The quick glance around the room taking in the décor, I found that Lara's room was the same as the one I was given in size, but the appearance was… different to say the least. Now, I know that guys and gals are different in many ways, it's how it is and I'm not dumb enough to deny that fact. Still in the concept of Lara's room that I was seeing, different is an apt word to use if you ask me. How so one may ask? Well, this room is a thing of nightmares for a person with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder I assure you. And no, I do not have said condition, but I know a few who do and so I am well aware of the symptoms and a few of the triggers there are.

I can say without reservations, those with OCD would go into a panic and/or faint with horror just with a glimpse and not for all the reasons you might think. I'm not saying that Lara is a slob as by what I saw for she isn't and is cleaner than I tend to be myself, but she is just… unique I guess is the nice way of putting it. I had always thought that the majority of girls were much cleaner and organized than your average guy and overall that assumption hadn't been proven false. I'm a bit of an exception as I tend to be organized though not the neatest by any means or stretch of the imagination. Nonetheless, with Lara I'd been right on the cleanliness part in my assumption yet when it came to organization she was on the other end of the spectrum from me. If it was there a system, I certainly can't tell you how it works or what it employed.

So, where do I start in this room by explaining what it's like? Of course, she had a bed as I did yet instead with my bed there were simple white covers, hers were pink and the top cover was purple, but then she's a girl, so the colors make sense I suppose. There was a bookshelf in the opposite right corner from the door however, there was a clear lack of books lined neatly on the shelves. Instead there appeared to be trinkets and bobbles of all sorts spread over them in the space. The books there were sat off the shelves in piles in the right corner farthest from the door. I could see a window in the back wall of the room, which is good information to know should the need for a quick escape come up. There was some kind of curtain over the window, though it looked more something for decoration. On the right wall there was placed a mirror and a short table or desk under the mirror, so sort of vanity perhaps? Set on top of the desk were several bottles and other… things, which I assumed to be for… make-up?

I didn't know dragoness did such things, but as females, it was likely they would do things to make themselves look more attractive to us males. Overall the room was simple, yet elegant in a fashion is the best assessment I can come up with. A table sat in the left corner by the door and this is where Lara had moved to and was sitting. So, I followed suit and settled down on the opposite side of the table with a slight smile, "So Lara, what are the 'matters' you wanted to talk about," I asked.

"Well um," Lara began, but she didn't say anything else right then. It was obvious that she wanted to say something to me yet was having a hard time putting it into words. I waited for her to speak her mind, "About what you said this morning, I… I do not exactly know how to take that."

Ah, so this is about what I said earlier, methinks this will be a long discussion. I sighed before I replied, "Take it huh? Well, it is the truth, no matter how much I would love to deny it, the past is what it is."

I was hoping that she would leave things in this as they were for there was nothing I could really say that would contradict what I had stated and not be a lie. Lara was quiet for a moment, "Well Azrey-I mean Saber, did you not have any friends, others who cared about you?"

A friend she asks, Lara is getting into a subject that is awkward and not nice for me, not with the life I've had. What I see as the definition and qualifications that make one a friend are usually different than what most others have. So, maybe it would be better to make sure she knows that first before laying out one of the reasons I am seen as an outcast. "Lara," I started, "are you really sure you want an answer to that? I can guarantee the answer will not be a pleasant one, I will tell you if you want to know, just warning you it will not be nice. I have gotten used to it and accept how my life has been."

That is usually enough to get the vast majority do not ask more upon this subject with me, but I can't say with Lara. The response I got was she nodded to me in I assume understanding, "I still want to know."

Very well, should she be willing to open that particular can of nasty rotting worms, then who am I to deny her. The part on my end I never look forward to when this subject comes up as is the very harsh trip down an extremely bumpy memory lane. And if there are some of you listening to my tale, disregard some of what the narrator has told you, my life has been a mix of views of hell and times it was okay. So you've been warned, "Okay then, do not say that I did not try to be nice and warn you. So, to answer your question it would be yes but also no as well and there are reasons for that," I began to which Lara gave me a confused look, so I continued, "Yes, I did have someone that acknowledged I existed and cared that I was around and alive. Yet no, as I had little else other than that one or two that can be called 'friends' in what you would consider such to be in the fact that they did not wrongfully judge me."

I hesitated for a moment before going further, wondering if I could trust Lara like I had Spyro and Seth? The last few days activities blatantly said no, but I knew that because she was in heat, Lara was not acting completely herself. Plus, with the memories that had been coming back to me recently, I really needed someone to talk to for they were weighing me down. And when I say memories, I mean both those that are mine and those that are clearly not. Memories that weren't mine brought their own sets of issues to deal with and those I would rather not get into right now.

Still, I had the feeling call it intuition if you will that Lara would listen to me and not criticize me for what I said. I've no idea where this feeling or inkling came from but, I'll go with it for the moment and go forward from here. So, I start at the beginning and told Lara my story by beginning where I had raised by 'Uncle Douchebag', if you can call what he did raising me that is. Although, the man's defense as little as he has, at the start he wasn't such a bad guy hard as it is to believe. It wasn't too long after his wife left which he took really hard, then he took up drinking alcohol. Once the alcohol drinking began the descended into becoming the drunken douche bag he is now began.

After talking about when my 'aunt' left, Lara asked me her first question, "What is a wife? Does the word hold some type of special meaning."

I paused for a moment at the unexpected question for it implied a few things I hadn't considered before. First, the term wife either doesn't exist or if it does, means something entirely different than what humans use it for. It is possible that the term wife could be used to refer to something I don't know of, it wouldn't surprise me exactly. Second, which is kind of related to the first, a spouse is referred to by a term I'm not aware of yet. Heck, the whole married relationship is different as far as I have been able to tell so far while being in the Dragon Realm. So, I refocused on Lara and answered the best I could, "Oh uh, well, I guess the term is a human idea of simply saying the female mate. However, the idea of a wife means more than just a mate, but humans do not really agree on as a whole upon what being a wife means. It is a complicated explanation really," I iterated.

Lara nodded slowly at my attempt to explain, so I continued my tale from where I left off. I skimmed over the years that passed after my aunt left giving a few details of the change that happened to my uncle and the results that followed. My expression as I recounted the time when I was six until a little after I turned seven fell into slight anger as that when the real abuse from my uncle started. Like most, I didn't like to recall bad times and what I'd had to take from my uncle was a prime example. Granted, it didn't start at the level it was at nowadays, it had gotten there by degrees, but that was how things had been.

Nevertheless, my whole life had shifted the direction it had been heading in the day I had met Master Kai. I still get views of Hell, but it is now tolerable when before it was not so much and that was the key difference. It had been a momentous day that so much had started changing though I hadn't known it at the time.

That day, I had been walking down the sidewalk keeping my head down to ward off attention which had already been becoming practiced habit for me, unfortunately. On that particular day, I'd been dealing with frustrations that my uncle had stirred up in me for things I had little influence in, but that's how it is still most times. Granted, back then I hadn't fully understood what he was going through, but I did get the point that his wife leaving him was affecting him. But how that translated to me be abused, that's where I had a disconnect, but regardless, it's what I'd been dealing with back then.

I was then starting to learn the established pattern my bad luck has, so didn't fully know why many of the seemingly random things would happen to me. I had asked my uncle if I could enroll in a self-defense class to help with my issues with other kids. What I got for that request had been a smack to my head that produced a gash on the right side of my head. It was my saving grace that I'd become very good at bandaging myself up over the months that had gone by with the abuse began coming my way.

The street I had been on was one I often frequented as it was in the quiet part of town and so I was less bothered. To say I'd been seething about my uncle and how unfair it had been what he had been doing to me would be an understatement. I mean, the man was supposed to be and was responsible for me up to the day I turned eighteen technically. I still was under his rule while I had been under his roof and I had been seriously looking into finding a place for myself. Anyways, I'd not had the best opinion of adults back then and it hasn't improved much as most adults seem to have something against me. But my thoughts had been interrupted when someone had spoken to me that day, "Good morning young one."

I had looked around to identify the speaker only to see an older man with a long gray mustache watching me. I'd jerked back in surprise since few if any had even spared me so much as a glance most of the time. So, the question of why that old man was giving any attention had baffled me a bit. My reply back at that time had been, "Wh-what do you want old man, I have nothing to give you so leave me alone,"

I admit that my manners back then were lacking or rather I lacked them pretty much, the cruel world had been shaping me to be so. Looking back, I'm not proud of the brat I once was, and yes, I was similar to how Azreyel is, hence why I'm irked so by the punk. So when I snapped at Master Kai or lashed out at him, I had then turned around and started to walk the opposite direction.

Thank goodness, Master Kai had seen my reactions as a desperate cry for help, I would have been lost otherwise. I have even thanked him on bended knee, and Master Kai is the only one that I have done anything like that for. Master Kai's response to my lashing out was as follows, "I would say you have more than nothing, young one," he had said suddenly appearing in front of me.

Of course, I hadn't expected him to be able to just appear, let alone react how he had so, I had fallen backward to land on my behind clutching my chest. Honestly, I swear I thought I'd been having some kind of heart attack or something at that time! At first, I had been confused as someone just appearing out of seemingly nowhere isn't normal. I had glanced over my shoulder seeing no one there around where Master Kai had been a moment before. My eyes had widened as I looked back to Master Kai who had been smiling. I'd gaped at him, "What the," I had uttered, "how did you do that?!"

Master Kai's answer was what I've become accustomed to getting from him on occasion, "Practice and patients my dear boy."

With how I had been back at the time, the answer had only served to anger me, "Just because you are an adult, you think you don't need to answer me?! I don't care that you are a weird old fart, you are not better than me!"

Now I am embarrassed and ashamed by how I had acted back then, but I'm older and wiser now, so there within lies the difference. Master Kai had put on an expression that was a serious one, "It would seem you have not been taught manners young man," he had chided me.

With the mentality I had developed back then, the lack of harsh reaction had been different to me for that was what I was used to. And silly me, I had been going for that and I had wanted that sort of response from him, "Manners, yeah right! My uncle has tried teaching them to me, but I didn't listen to him as he tends to talk with his fists," I'd chuckled a bit at my own declaration after saying it.

What I had said had apparently surprised Master Kai who I had been unaware actually knew Uncle Douchebag. That came in the form of, "I see, still has yet to get over Joelle leaving then." I had looked back at Master Kai only to see he wasn't there disappearing much in the same way he appeared before. I'd been confused, Master Kai had definitely been there before and disappearing isn't something that is easily done. The next thing I had known, Master Kai had spoken again but from a different direction, "Your lack of manners will only work to your detriment."

I had literally jumped more than a foot in the air before I spun around to see Master Kai behind me. So, I stumbled back a few steps before I replied, "What… would you know old man," I'd challenged.

"A great deal, knowledge is a valuable thing," he had told me, "I could teach you many things."

I'd snorted at that comment, "Teach me?! More like order me around," I'd shot back.

After having in my view back then put the guy in his place, I had begun walking away from Master Kai. But before I got far Master Kai spoke again, "I see, well that is a great pity," he'd said.

That had stopped me in my track, I'd thought he had been baiting me for a moment in fact, "What is a pity," was what I'd asked.

That one question had gotten Master Kai to smile, "A pity that such an offer that you are refusing. You have amazing potential my boy which you have yet to see yourself. My offer of teaching you stands."

Master Kai had headed back into the dojo leaving me to make one of the most important decisions of my life even if I hadn't known it. I'd wanted self-defense lessons, and it had been up to me to find that for myself as many things ended out being for me. Little could I have known that the choice to take Master Kai up on his offer would change my life. I had ended out whispering, "This might be the one chance I get to learn to fight back, but why do I have to learn from a senile old man?!"

I'd caught the sound of the old man's voice then, "I may be old, but I am not senile."

From that day on, things were never the same for me and thank freaking goodness they hadn't stayed the same! Master Kai had been in pushing me for that had been the best choice of my life and I'm forever grateful he and I had crossed paths that day. I still don't know how he can hear what people say when he shouldn't be able to for it was a normal thing for him I found. It's one of the quirks that Master Kai has that I couldn't explain and stopped trying some time ago.

Anyway, I kept going with my story by giving some details of the years of training I received and some of the changes that had come. Now, I'm not saying that things became the opposite of what I had been going through for that wasn't what happened. I still got views of hell and time with cursing the devil. It was more I learned ways to cope and keep moving forward and that makes a world of difference let me tell you! I would and do sometimes preach the idea for it is the truth and I have personal experience. Because the other part of what I told Lara was how I was avoided and shunned by others quite often, forced into being a loner. I don't know if she really understood what I was describing, I got the impression that she didn't exactly.

"What about the others that were learning at this… do-joe," she inquired, "were not some of them friends?"

I was silent for a moment, thinking about how to answer Lara's question for it was still dependent on what one's definition of a friend is. My definition is different than your average view of friendship, that I'm pretty sure of. "A few yes, but most not really," I answered

"What do you mean," Lara asked curiously.

"It depends on your definition of a friend for not everyone's is the same and mine is not what most have. Some of the other students there were nice in the fact I spent time with them and we had fun together. Nevertheless, I had no one that I could talk to and confide in which was what some see as friends. There were few that I could be completely honest with and not fear that they would think I was losing my mind. Master Kai was one such person I could be so open with, there may be one other, but no one else like that."

I then picked up where I had left off in my tale and Lara seemed to pay further attention when I got to the point of entering the Dragon Realm. She giggled as I regale about the thing I would say about Sparx and the issues we had with each other. Lara burst out laughing at things I told about, like the belching contest I had with Sparx and the breakfast incident when I got the attention of my friends by my creative means. And I was finding that Lara's laughter was quite pretty and even musical, I can't say why I would see it so. In fact, I was starting to see a number of quirks that were coming out with Lara that were… cute I guess you could say.

Yet, when I got to the point that I began finding out I could harness and use the elements, the laughter faded a bit. Lara was very surprised at learning the point of elemental usage while I was in my human form and she did voice that. "You can use the elements as a human," she questioned.

"Yes indeedly," I replied. And I was wondering if she had she really forgotten about the things I did yesterday in order to keep her from catching me?! If so, then holy freaking cow, mating cycles can really mess with things for dragonesses! I was grateful that the elements could help me, they helped in the defense of my virtue and I like it intact.

Lara nodded seeming to not have anything against the idea, yet she then gained an expression of realization and looked back up at me with annoyance. "That is how you got away from me when I was chasing you and the ice on the ground," she exclaimed.

Looks like the estimation of mating season messing with things is fairly accurate, who knew? I nodded with a slightly apologetic smile, "Oh well, guilty as charged on that claim, but in my defense, you were giving me little other choice at the time."

Going back into the story and got to the point of when I had escaped her and transition into the events that followed. I told Lara an abridged version of the event I turned into a dragon, all the while I was vividly recalling what had actually happened. I skimmed over the unspeakable pain I underwent as there really is no reason to go into detail about it. I have enough strikes against me, I don't need to add more to the list, especially those that infer I'm losing my mind. The meeting with the group Lara was with that were searching the forest for essentially me was brief as it was pretty self-explanatory.

As I finished up my journeyings up to what happened last night before the time in the older part of Carona, I caught a glimpse of Lara's face and I came to a halt. Her face had a look of shock, which I could understand, but it was mixed with awe and that I hadn't predicted, "Lara," I said, "are you doing okay? I know I have been telling you some rather unusual things, but I do not think that I have said anything that fantastic or unbelievable."

Lara shook her head a bit and her expression morphed into a broad smile, "I am great for you are a dragon again," she exclaimed. "I really do not understand how you changed and I really do not care," she cried with happy tones.

That didn't make sense, so I looked down at myself and saw that Lara is absolutely correct, I was indeed a white dragon again. Still be that as it may, how did it happen? When I turned human, that hadn't made any more sense than this for the process was missing to me. I mean, I'd been telling her about the time I'd been… turning into a dragon, EUREKA! That must be it, while I had been telling Lara about the event I had in the process of picturing it vividly. Picturing the form in my mind seems to somehow activate the changing shift to the pictured form. How that works if that is indeed the process, I haven't the faintest idea, but I won't complain about it. I will have to test later, but if that is true, then yet another dilemma solved and I'll take ones being solved as I am able for that would mean two out of three of my major hurdles is on its way to being behind me.

With my story told up to the current point, or at least what I was willing to tell, I was quiet waiting for her response on what she thought. If I had gone further that would lead to a question I really didn't want to get into right now. Lara just sat where she was I assume thinking about what had been telling her, it was a lot to take in admittedly. Honestly, I hope that she believes me for I've told her the truth as I know it. With my returning memories, I think she will but I can't be exactly sure, so I'm left hoping.

I'd learned last night while I had been trying to sleep, keyword trying as the dreams weren't letting me get quality sleep, that I'd known Lara when I was a very young child or dragonet. Yes, my childhood memories proved that we had met long before now in fact, we would play together a lot along with Koren. So, I guess I can kind of understand why she had cried and hugged me, to a degree at least. Does that mean I can trust Lara with what turn my life took after leaving the Dragon Realm? I have no idea at this point for I could either way with her, so I'm forced to wait and see.

-Lara's pov-

When I had found out that Saber was my long lost dragonethood friend Azreyel, I had felt joy swell within me. I had missed both him and Koren so much after they vanished as they were some of the few that could understand standing out for reasons that you cannot change. But there were still so many unanswered questions, so when I had asked to talk to Azreyel, he had agreed thankfully. It was rare for me to let another into my room other than Tarra really, but it would give privacy for us so it would be fine. I was staying in control as I was still in heat, yet it was difficult to not pounce on Azreyel and show how much I care even if he is human right now.

Wait, he asked to be called Saber, not Azreyel though I don't see a difference… oh, ancestors, this is really confusing. The way he acts may be a little different, but for the most part, he is still the same as he was before. Actually, I am happy that the snapping he used to do to others is gone, he is much nicer than he used to be. I am not saying he was mean to other dragons or dragonesses, yet he did not really react with them nicely much either. When he arrived at my room, Saber appeared to be looking around the room but said nothing about it. We then sat at the table I had in my room, "So Lara, what are the 'matters' you wanted to talk about," Saber asked.

"Well um," I started but trailed off. Where do I begin in this, there is so much that I do not know that is probably not the same as it was. I mean, I want to know what happened to him and Koren as their disappearance had never really been explained. Then there were the things that Saber had said this morning and I still do not know what to think about that stuff. "About what you said this morning, I," I hesitated for a moment, "I do not exactly know how to take that."

Saber sighed before he replied, "Take it huh? Well, it is the truth, no matter how much I would love to deny it, the past is what it is."

Saber then began telling me what he had experienced growing up and as I listened as Saber told about a horrible experience when he was younger I was left to wonder. Are humans truly the way Saber paints them? If so, then how or why did they become the way Saber is describing? And it only seemed to get worse the more about humans Saber tells me about them. As he continued his voice was oddly steady, yet his face and the way his body was shuttering ever so slightly said he had been in pain and a great deal of it. It came to a point that I couldn't help but ask the question on my mind, "You mean humans are horrible to each other just to make themselves feel better," I asked.

I was having difficulty imagine anyone doing such things for in the end doing such nasty things only hurts all those involved. "Yes, some humans do those kinds of things to others and for several reasons, which most do not make sense really. And most of the time it happens to those who are seen as different than the 'norm'," Saber replied.

'Norm'? What does that term mean, humans use such strange terms and use words that have different meanings than they normally do, it is confusing. "What does 'norm' mean," I questioned.

Saber blinked at my question and stopped saying what he was and was silent for a moment. And even though right now he is a human, I cannot help but notice just how handsome he is even if he is just talking. I admit that his scent has changed somewhat though it is still very irresistible. I realized that my thought processes were wandering and I needed to get back on task and not give in to the urges that my mating cycle brings. Saber does not react well at all when I am like that and I really want to talk like we use to when we were dragonets. Those are some of the best days of my life, I really want days like those again.

"Well, the term 'norm' refers to those who in the majority or can adapt to be in it," Saber answered.

Uh-huh, the term still does not really make complete sense to me, yet humans are different so I just leave it as it is for the time being. I just nodded at Saber's answer while thinking 'I have no clue what your explanation means'.

Saber picked up his story where he left off before he had tried to answer my question and I felt pity for Saber as I listened. He had not just been alone which was just painful by itself, there had been more than that. No, he had also been hurt by the one who was supposed to be looking after him on a regular basis. I still do not understand why anyone would do that, it does not make sense. Maybe it is due to the partaking of the stuff Saber mentioned, what was it called… Al-key-hall? If this Al-key-hall can change someone enough to have them beat the one they are taking care of, it is something to be avoided! But honestly, I have no idea what this Al-key-hall even is, "What is this stuff called Al-key-hall," I inquired.

Saber shuttered in disgust at the mention of this which was strange and did not bode well, "First it is pronounced 'Al-co-hol'. As to what it is and its effects, that is a matter of perspective. From my view, it is a vile liquid that causes nothing by trouble and should be avoided as one would a plague," Saber explained.

This Al-co-hol is a liquid one drinks, if so then with what it causes then why would anyone drink it?! "If it caused only trouble then why would anyone drink it," I asked a tad incredulously.

Saber laughed though it was not of mirth, but sounded cruel, which I do not think I will like the answer he is about to give. "I have wondered the same thing many times. The thing is the effects of alcohol come in two basic categories; the good that is actually bad and bad that is worse than the previous. The so-called good is outweighed by the bad," he said. This still is not making sense, humans just are such strange beings, still, Saber continued. "People tend to drink alcohol to forget their problems and it also gives them the illusion of being empowered. That is the simple and only 'good' points there are, yet both are falsities."

Hearing that caught me by surprise, so humans partake of alcohol to forget things and feel empowered, but it is an illusion?! Then what sense is there in drinking this liquid at all if that is the case? Saber just kept going, "Alcohol blinds a person's reasoning and removes restraint that would say something sounds like a bad idea and in essence makes them for a period of time really dumb. Dumb human beings are bad but take their judgment away and it is ten to a hundred times worse."

This ale-co-hall liquid just sounds more terrible the more Saber talks about it. So, again, why would any consider using it at all if it does nothing but what Saber says? "Then, when that period of time is done, which usually is the next morning, most tend to wake up with a ridiculously painful headache. What's more the things they were trying to forget or the problems they were attempting to avoid are still there just worse now than before. In other words, they have gone through all that for nothing but to get themselves pain," Saber finished.

You have got to be pulling the Chronicler's tail while the ancestors are screaming for you not to. Humans drink this ale-co-hall and just end up feeling worse and being in more trouble than before afterward, then what is the point? "Then why consume this liquid at all if it does nothing, but bring pain," I asked incredulously.

Saber put a… I think he calls them hands not paws to his jaw seeming to think about his answer. I waited, and after a moment he spoke, "Honestly, I have no real clue, it is completely stupid if you ask me. However, my best guess is that even for the short time that it occurs, people love the feeling of being empowered, but I cannot say really," he said.

I have said it before now, yet I will say it again, humans are strange creatures in their habits and practices. Saber resumed his story and the only good thing that appeared to happen to him was this Master Kai came into his life. When he began to talk about this Master Kai, his face lit up with happiness. This master also seems to be the one responsible for Saber's change in attitude. The individual saber was talking about and referring to sounded similar to Arkanis as he kept going.

Then when Saber got to the point that he arrived in the Dragon Realm I wanted to cry aloud with joy! Saber, one of my two best dragonet friends had returned home after so many years of being gone. I listen more intently for I was eager to hear what kind of things had happened to him while he had back in the Dragon Realm. Saber talked about a dragonfly that he had met named Sparx. I have never met any dragonflies myself, but I have heard they can come in some beautiful colors. Saber and Sparx apparently did not get along actually, by the sound of it Saber did not like Sparx at all and taunted him a great deal. As Saber mentioned some of the things he would do, I began to laugh. It was funny, Saber would call Sparx the most hysterical names and the two would try to outdo each other.

At the point that the name Spyro came up, I took mental notes on this dragon that Saber was describing. I was attempting not to be jealous, but this Spyro who was the other purple dragon was the one who defeated Malefor saving the world, and still before getting through physical maturity. That was supposed to be my task or that was what I had been led to believe for my whole life. Spyro sounded rather naïve by what I was hearing, but according to Saber, Spyro said that he had been raised by dragonflies. Saber by the sound of it got along very well with Spyro and became quick friends.

Saber continued on about the trek to the dragon city of Warfang as the journey was not an uneventful one. The more of his story I heard the more amazing it became for it was similar to legends told to dragonets. If I was honest I was not very happy that he had been around other dragonesses. Cynder was one I was not worried about, she appeared to already be taking the position of Spyro's mate, so was no competition to me. The ice dragoness Cyra, I do not know enough about right now, yet she did not seem to have that kind of an interest in Saber. Sarana the wind dragoness however, I did not like what I was hearing about her. Apparently, she was very clingy and forceful, and that was worrisome. Hold it, I cannot think like that right now… yet, I will not let any other dragoness have him, HE IS MINE! I need to focus back on the story.

I felt horror and anger at the description of the treatment that Saber got with the apes, it was a miracle that he had been able to live through it. Then at last, at very long last we met again and how wonderful that is. True, I did not know that it had been my dragonethood friend, but I do now and that is what counts. He paused in his story at that point and I asked a burning question I had, "What about how you became a dragon and what led up to it?"

Saber nodded and gave me a short explanation starting the morning I had started chasing him. I found myself thinking back to how the night previous to that he had been so nice to me. First, he had found me, I remember it pretty vividly and it turned out to be a wonderful experience by the end. I had been feeling so miserable, but Saber had amazed me by cheering me up proving himself different than others. Learning about Spyro was okay, I had been focused on Saber so I hadn't done much consideration back at the time.

It is such a fond memory it was to me, and now I knew more as to why I was drawn to him. I was still listening to Saber as he started to talk about how I had started to chase him. But what can I say, I wanted him and I was willing to go to great lengths to get him. Saber paused in hesitation in his tale which caught my notice, he then talked about how he had slipped away from me. Apparently, he was able to use multiple elements and had used some to get away from me, "You can use the elements as a human," I asked.

"Yes indeedly," he answered.

Oh, that explains a great number of mysterious circumstances! "That is how you got away from me when I was chasing you and the ice on the ground as well," I stated a little frustrated.

Saber nodded with an apologetic smile, "Oh well, guilty as charged on that charge. In my defense, you were giving me little other choice."

I was further frustrated at his reply, if I had known that he could use the elements, then I would have approached the chase differently. Now that I think about it, he did say something about it after I found him when he had done… whatever he had to stop me from moving. Oh well, that is already passed so there is really nothing that can be done about it now. Saber continued and got to where he had escaped me and had walked into the forest.

As he explained the event that had turned him into a dragon, a soft glow of light surrounded Saber, but he did not seem to notice. I was going to say something about it, but the glow kept going for a time and I did not know what to say. When the glow had dissipated, I saw to my extreme delight that he had become a dragon again, and I thought my heart had stopped for a second at the sight of him. Saber was handsome as a human in a mysterious sort of way, however, as a dragon… there are not words that would describe how good looking he is.

Such amazing looks and that was an understatement, and skills that are unheard of to go with that, what a wonderful package Saber is! The scent that comes off him is similar to the one he has as a human, only much stronger and I could not get enough of the scent. Saber had finished explaining about turning into a dragon by that time and was asking me something. "Lara… are you doing okay? I know I have been telling you some rather unusual things, but I do not think that I have said anything that fantastic."

I nodded as a smile of joy had spread on my face, I am great, for you are a dragon again! I really do not understand how you changed, and I really do not care," I cried happily.

Saber looked himself over while I was coming around the table and when I was two feet away from him, I crouched down which Saber did not notice me. Then I pounced and tackled Saber to the floor and finally embraced him. Oh, ancestors, this is wonderful, I have him in my embrace at last and I will NOT let him go! This smell is wonderful, this feeling of his scales against mine gives me such pleasure. I want him as my mate… No, I need him as a mate!

-Saber's pov-

The time it took me to get away from Lara was longer than I had anticipated, it had been a really near thing for me this time around. I knew going to her room would be dangerous, but… that was downright near lethal. I had been getting to the conclusion that I was doomed to be raped in that room by Lara for a period. But again, it isn't like Lara isn't attractive, she is too much so if you ask me, and I can't explain why I find her as good looking as I do. So, having a girl like that throw herself at you, not the nicest thing to happen even if others would disagree with me.

In the end, to my surprise and relief, I had once again been saved by the shadow element, it was proving its value to me. The weird thing is I have no idea how I used the element, yet I didn't care at that moment, it had gotten me away from Lara and that was enough to start my escape. Of course, Lara had chased me around her room as I was trying to find or make a way out of the place. Her heat was to blame again, but that's something I can't change, only add to apparently without meaning to. It was the door that provided the means for my exit from the room and I took it.

Once I'd gotten to my room and closed the door behind me, I let out a sigh of relief for I was safe at last for the night. I know Lara is attracted to me and being in heat amplifies the idea somehow, yet that doesn't explain why Lara is so set on mating with me! I jumped onto the bed and lay down, I would deal with the problem in the morning. How I haven't the faintest idea but I would find a way to manage, I always do.

Chapter end

A/n

I'm leaving off there for this chapter. So, admittedly not a great deal changed in this chapter, but I like it as it is. I hope you readers are liking the "Narrator" popping in every now and then. As always, I would ask that some take some time to write a review and tell me what you think of this. Thanks for reading!