Chapter 17: Red-pawed
The temple halls whistled with silence through their cobble and stone foundations. Exactly as expected for Terrador walking down one such manoeuvring to one of the sleeping chamber wards scattered throughout the giant structure. Only his trampling footsteps sounded within the hallway, followed by a Scarlet red dragon half his size.
"So… you understand your task?" asked a gruff-toned Terrador. Showing no emotion when glancing at the younger dragon "Once awake and fed dragons selected within the guard will assemble within the eastern training arena."
Terrador halted his movement reaching a cross-way separating into two directions opposite. The guardian turned to face the red fire dragon answering him with a bow "Yes sir, I will see to it within the hour."
"Very well, my young friend, you may carry on." Concluded the guardian, the red dragon made another bow of respect before promptly turning away and heading off to the guardians left heading down the hall.
Terrador turned to the right hall and walked on, traversing the halls into the sleeping ward, passing by door after door most inhabiting sleeping chambers. A favourite among the dragons of Warfang to live. The results of last night's discussions continued to drill into the guardian's mind.
It was unfortunate, but he knew deep down this was the only conclusion to come from the actions of the remnant. His reservations heightened at the prospect the remnant was more organised than it led them to believe. They had yet to reach clarity on the matter at hand on the next step forward, but he knew they can't afford idleness in this time of uncertainty.
For the guardian was merely a question of the remnant dark forces, having exposed themselves causing the turmoil to the city. What was their next move?
It was the only thing Terrador considered last night wracked with concern for his fellow dragons and what this could mean; another bloody conflict. For his concern, the dark wars was more than enough for dragon kind to face. Although retirement still loomed in his mind on every odd occasion, he knew he was still useful to his people now, even with age catching up to him fast.
Terrador arrived at his destination standing before a large wooden door. He knocked on it three times to await an answer. His posture dropped, eyelid deep down the guardian couldn't stomach the thought of having to put the younger dragons through another conflict. The dark wars were bloody enough over many centuries. Millions paid the price for the actions of one dragon and now just when the world was on the mend it threatens to spill over again so soon.
He waited and waited, but the guardian received no response from the door. Wrapping his paw into a fist, he knocked on the door again, this time with a tad more force. He waited again, ticking down the seconds with the same answer; Nothing.
The earth guardian curled his lips eager to proceed and looked down both ways of the hall and back to the door and knocked on it again, heavier this time, calling out "Cynder?"
Again, no answer for the guardian, leaving him to huff curiously. He stared at the door and waited in case the black dragoness was just starting to rouse from her sleep but no answer came "Cynder? Are you awake?" Terrador called to the door, hoping his loud voice would give the solution.
But the silence purring through the hallway was all the guardian received. Curiosity set in and he looked both ways in the hallway again and then towards the door crystal. It was odd for Cynder not to answer, setting a worry into the guardians mind; he had to be sure.
He pressed the crystal, electrifying in green radiance. The door clicked and nudged open, Terrador grasped and tilted it open further, "Cynder?"
He called one last time hoping for a response and he wouldn't have to intrude but once more silence met him leading him to push the door open. Peering into the chamber, it astonished him to discover it was empty. His eyes widened frantically with concern. Looked all over the chamber, but no sign of the young dragoness.
Terrador contemplated for seconds, and with a paw raised up to the level of his chest trotted into the chamber his first observation towards the hay bed in the centre big enough to fit a grown dragon, a favourite choice for dragons finding the hay comfortable against their scales.
Looking over the bed, he noticed it was smooth with no lumps or flattened edges. He narrowed his eyes, his head tensed with wrinkled lines over his forehead. Something wasn't adding up. He peered his head left, looking over to the fireplace, noticing it was cold with fresh-chopped wood.
Terrador's throat vibrated as his voice deepened, observing the fireplace "hmm."
He descended into thoughts with the mystery at hand; it looked almost as if she hadn't slept here last night. Terrador raised himself back into its natural position, contemplating this throughout with one simple question; Where is she?
He battled his thoughts through as the seconds passed until his mind stopped as an idea took shape in his mind his eyes opening back up. His gruff stance turned to one of amusement as his scaled lips curled into a smile, suspecting he knew exactly where the dragoness was and there was only one way to find out.
#
Spyro walked down the last hallway leading to his chamber couple of doors away, cradling the bowl of water against his chest, gentle with his handling to ensure he wouldn't spill a drop. Limping on three legs was occasionally difficult for a dragon but the purple dragon full of energy after his before dawn chat with Councillor Seyrus sprung energy into him.
He arrived outside his chamber, hoping the dragoness he was returning to would still be asleep. The idea comforting that she got an enjoyable sleep even with his absence before realising she would anyway considering they sleep separately most nights only being able to get away with this on the odd occasion.
His mind pondered back to the last words the council dragon said to him about his secret courting. It played him debating to himself how the council dragon made the comment. Did he know? Or was Seyrus merely teasing him? The questions often frustrated the purple dragon, being unable to read the true meaning or intentions in their words.
He huffed a groan from his mouth, praying it was something he would get better at in time. He clicked the door crystal electrifying for a second as the door clicked open for him and edged it open enough for him to enter. He looked towards the bed in the centre and his eyes widened from surprise seeing it was empty.
No sign of the dragoness sent his mind into a frenzy "WHA… Cynder?"
Before he could investigate he felt a smooth rubbing at his cheeks prompting a gasp before his sight turned pitch black as his eyes became covered suddenly with a sweet-seducing voice following "And where have you been, mister?"
Instantly recognising the voice Spyro puffed out a deep sigh of relief, his body relaxing instantly "You gave me a fright there for a second."
"Serves you right for leaving me alone." teased Cynder as Spyro gently lifted her paws off his eyes and turned to face the dragoness, noticing the sly smile on her face as he placed the bowl of water on the floor just in case.
"I'm sorry Cyn, I had a strange dream I couldn't make any sense of and needed to unwind, so I went to have a drink at the fountain." Spyro explained, apologising to the dragoness of his mysterious disappearance. Cynder's smile disappeared in an instant, becoming concerned for the purple dragon.
"A dream? What kind of dream?" she curiously asked the drake.
"I don't know…" Spyro stopped in his train of thought looking to the ground their paws stood upon "I couldn't make anything of it except for…."
Cynder waited patiently for the purple dragon, collecting his thoughts, pursing her lips at the edge of her snout before cracking open, her concern growing as she watched Spyro. He hummed his throat in a groan before lifting his head, "I don't know where I was but… there were fires around me. They were so big I couldn't see, but everything was so blurry I couldn't make anything out. And then I saw this creature standing opposite me, it's eyes bright red and covered in black, and it looked like it was standing over a dragon."
Spyro looked into Cynder's emerald eyes to see the heightened curiosity emanating from her "A dragon… do you know wh…"
"No! I couldn't make anything out, it was all a blur." answered Spyro interrupting the dragoness mid-speech "It was probably nothing but I couldn't get it out of my head when I woke up so I thought getting some water would help."
Cynder groaned, raising the end of her lips at her right cheek and gently draped her paw against his cheek, "But you feel fine?"
Spyro nodded sharply replacing his frown with a smile seeking to lighten the mood "Yes! Yes, I'm fine, Cynder. After that drink and time to myself, I feel ready for today."
Spyro finished up feeling pumped, making a buff display to the dragoness with a confident smile. Cynder was helpless not to feel the same and slipped her paw down to his shoulder peering lovingly into his eyes "That's a relief to hear."
Spyro took charge and pressed his snout against hers, their lips perking together. Cynder reflected no hesitation instantly melting into the embrace. The conversation they had forcibly washed away into memory for the dragoness, relishing the moment.
Once they pulled away with smiles painting on both of them Spyro moved to ask "So, how are you feeling this morning?"
"Very… good… especially after that." Cynder answered very seductive breaking between her words at the same time pacing two claws up his chest towards the base of his neck with a loving stare.
Spyro chuckled nervously before looking towards the bowl he brought up and reached for it, "I brought you some water, unfair to only have some for myself."
She watched as Spyro dragged the bowl over, setting it beside her. The gesture touched the dragoness adoring him, "Oh… thank you Spyro… but"
She ignored the bowl and instead wrapped her paws around Spyro's back pushing herself close to him peering a seductive gaze into him "I'm more hungry than thirsty to be honest."
She said those last words in hunger but very lustful as she tightened her grip around the purple dragon's neck, licking her lips suggestively. A hint of red lit up on Spyro's cheeks replying with an unnerving chuckle, "Ha… ha, I'm sorry I didn't bring any food back."
Cynder giggled at the drake's innocent facade, flashing her eyes at him, staring deep into his gaze confidently and lovingly licked the end of his snout, "That's okay, Spyro. I'll settle for you."
Cynder's eyes widened stopping in her tracks, her face lit up blushing mad realising how bold she must have sounded she made followed by Spyro's red face lighting up with a shy smile before Cynder apologised "I'm sorry… I think I overdid it."
"It's okay Cyn." Spyro stuttered in reply, his face going even redder but it was fortunate Cynder was in the same predicament judging the situation that they both have to still work on their confidence. But his red smile widened as he whispered back, "To be honest… I kinda liked it."
"Oh… well," Cynder spilled the words from her mouth still somewhat embarrassed but gradually filled with happiness at the purple dragons admission, her gritted teeth smile turning towards a tightened loving smile "That's good then."
Not allowing herself to hesitate anymore, Cynder leaned in locking their snouts into a more forceful kiss and wrapped her upper-limbs around the purple dragon's neck, letting her paws drop limp in the embrace. Spyro's eyes rolled into the back of his mind as an insane rush of pleasure overwhelmed his body. His heart rate sped up and heat rising to his head.
He wrapped his paws over her shoulders, pulling her closer to him and closed his eyes, losing himself into the abyss of his mind. They held each other tight as their scale lips assaulted each other's like they were fighting for control.
Cynder purred as her throat vibrated enjoying the fresh smooth, wet taste of the purple dragon's lips after his recent consumption of water enticing her into taking more of it holding him tighter. They sat on their hinds, balancing themselves against each other.
With a gentle smack their lips separated before gazing into each other's eyes, emerald or purple eyes smiling deeply. Spyro loved being so close to her but he realized suddenly a single truth. He puffed out a heavy sigh, "I wish we had these moments more often."
"Me too…" Cynder cooed, brushing the edge of her snout against his and closed her eyes. The gentle touch was sensational as the purple dragon joined, nuzzling into her snout with affection. They held each other in their fore's enjoying the feeling of each other's scales before she opened her eyes staring deep into his "But I think I like the sneaking around… makes it more exciting!"
The dragoness brought her paws against Spyro's upper chest and pushed against him with considerable force, catching the purple dragon off-guard and slowly forcing him back on his hind legs, stretching outward until they finally gave way. Spyro knew what she was doing and a cunning smile took shape and he wrapped his fore-limbs around her sending them both plummeting with a screech erupting from the dragoness.
He landed on his back, his ridges scratched against the smooth stone floor beneath him. Coming to a rest Spyro cradled his courting laying across laying on top of him. She lifted her head up to look down at him once she recovered with a glaring grin, "That was a very bold move… purple boy."
Spyro replied making the biggest grin he could, teasing the dragoness laid atop him "If I'm going down… You're coming with me".
Cynder's eyes widened in excitement stretching her fore legs either side of Spyro's head lowering herself down with their snouts brushing against each other and their underbellies touching "I like the sound of that."
She didn't give the purple dragon a chance to react and pushed her lips touching his and enveloped him into another deep kiss. Their tails went limp along with their hinds, stretching out as Spyro wrapped his front legs around her back, holding her tightly as they gradually lost themselves into this moment of passion enveloping them.
Their lips smacked apart before kissing again and again, unleashing into an endless barrage of kisses. Cynder moaned lovingly at the advances yearning for more and separated for a split second to let her tongue free from her gaping jaw allowing it to slither into Spyro's wrapping around his and letting the wet taste overwhelm her.
The purple dragon's iris's in his closed eyes rolled from the shivers of infatuation running through his spine and penetrating every part of his body sending his mind into a lustful frenzy, the wet tongue flickering in his mouth had a pungent taste to it playing havoc with his senses. But he would not allow Cynder to dominate him like this as instinct begun kicking in and his tongue wrapped around her and pushed it out of his mouth, joining in the centre between their maws with their lips pushed to the end.
Cynder's shot open from the sudden strike of authority to the purple dragon as he tightened his grip around her but just as quickly shut, letting her body loosen in the purple dragon's loving embrace with hints of blushing coursing over their cheeks. The heat between them trapped in their embrace played away at them, and soon the loving acts caught up as slowly they breathed heavier.
They felt their hot breaths breeze against each other's snouts as their tongues danced over each other in the inches between their jaws. They went back and forth between tongue dancing and ravenous kissing instinct awakening some kind of feral feeling almost as if they couldn't help themselves.
Soon after Spyro gripped his hind legs out and pushed them to the right flipping himself and Cynder over forcing the dragoness onto her back yelping from the sudden impact and separating their maws. Their tails wrapped together as Cynder stared at the purple dragon now atop her gently placing his limbs to the side to balance himself and not make it uncomfortable for her.
She felt a sudden lust for his and perked her eyes seductively blinking them as she wrapped her hind legs lifting them up to let them rest over his hinds with her hind paws sitting on his hind joints and wrapped her front paws over Spyro's neck embracing him and leaving herself at the mercy of the drake.
Spyro breathed feeling an intense heat build-up inside him pushing him towards his instincts looking down at his lover. His face lit in red realising how close they were but this time he was the one in control having her below him before Cynder took a paw and yanked the purple dragons head down pulling him into another lustful kiss he groaned in surprise but let it go out into a pleasurable moan as their bodies went limp against the floor as they descended into another sessions ravaging each other's faces with kisses and licks or dancing tongues.
They had experienced nothing like this instinctual behaviour before; it was mysterious yet so overpowering at the same time they were helpless to fight it but let it overtake their bodies as they held each other tight and made out like crazy.
It finally ended when they physically couldn't hold their breathes anymore and separated their faces for the last time, breathing in some much-needed air. Spyro once he collected himself felt the heat calm down slowly within him. It was strange that just their loving make-out session brought all these strange feelings upon him.
"Well, that was… amazing!" Cynder breathed, relishing the moment they spent together and nuzzled his snout one last time.
"Yeah… but it was strange too… it never felt… so… intense before." Spyro puzzled as he struggled between his words, pondering it all. He peered his head over to his right looking towards the balcony door and seeing a shine breaking in between the edges of the wooden door telling the story to him "Looks like it's sunrise, we better make a start to the day."
"Oh… do we have to?" Cynder moaned in disappointment quickly turning her eyes gazing suggestively up at him "I'd rather get back into bed and spend a few more hours cuddled up with you."
Spyro chuckled under his breath, a smile growing over his snout, and he gently nuzzled hers, "I'd like that too…"
He held the nuzzling for a moment until he grudgingly forced himself up onto his paws standing above the black dragoness "But if we don't make a start, they will search for us assuming were still asleep… in our separate chambers only to discover you're not in yours!"
"True," agreed Cynder realising the consequences of being discovered if someone who doesn't know their secret looks for them "I guess we have no choice then. I am enjoying this sneaking around too much for it to end."
"Honestly, I wanted to tell everyone at first but I must admit I enjoy it too." admitted Spyro blushing away from the dragoness looking towards the door as Cynder rubbed past him brushing her tail blade over the purple scales on his flanks seductively "I'm glad you see it my way".
Spyro clocked the bowl of water he brought up for the dragoness pointing it out, "Are you going to drink that before we head out?"
"Oh, yes… I almost forget, thank you." Cynder answered redirecting herself towards the bowl of water to enjoy a morning drink.
#
Spyro unlocked his door peering out into the hallway checking the coast was clear in both directions and nudged his head towards Cynder to walk out of the room and turned to face him as Spyro sat on his hinds letting the door rest against his flank.
Cynder knelt down and feeling an incredible urge to stretch her front paws and their toes out, scraping her claws against the stone floor. Spyro took the time to observe her curvy flanks across her body as she stretched something the dragoness noticed and teased, "Enjoying the view a bit?"
"More than a bit, he-he." Spyro admitted, grinning innocently as the dragoness stood back up to face him and Spyro gently touched her paw with his, "I'm glad… you stayed last night."
"So am I! I'd never miss it for the world Spyro. I love you." She declared pulling Spyro into a slow, tender kiss allowing the purple dragon's wings to drop from his flanks caressing the floor.
"I love you." Spyro expressed gazing into the emerald iris with a joyous smile.
"Well, well, well… What do we have here?" A deep voice hummed out, jumping the two young dragons through the scales. They heard heavy footsteps coming from their left and looked to witness Terrador trotting towards them, "Good to see my suspicion was correct."
Their eyes widened in a realisation and whiffed themselves internally and gather their composure together face the earth guardian and began one after the other.
"Terrador! good morning."
"Good morning."
Terrador nodded in response coming to a stop before to stare down at the two young dragons "Good morning to you both, I trust you are both well… especially you Spyro. Fully recovered?"
"Yes sir! I feel good as new." Spyro answered confidently, tensing his body and stretching the muscles in his limbs to showcase his form.
"That's good to hear young dragon. It's reassuring you took the healer's advice to heart." Terrador beamed to the purple dragon before turning his attention towards Cynder "I trust you enjoyed keeping him company last night young Cynder?"
Both Spyro and Cynder's eyes widened gaping in that shock of surprise from the earth guardian and both scrambled to compose themselves unsuccessfully with Spyro starting first "Cynder wasn't here last night."
"Yeah, I just came by to visit him this morning, make sure he was all right." Cynder pleaded, doing little to convince the guardian of their supposed truth.
"A small lovers' tiff at the door looking cosy although I'm surprised to find you out here and not in your chamber Spyro if it was truly a visit… not trying to rush out are you?" Terrador huffed, gazing intently at the suspecting couple struggling to keep their composure.
"Well… I… I thought I would be better to see her out here… you know, get a stretch in before I leave the chamber." Spyro spluttered, troubling himself to make up an answer from the truth.
Terrador closed his eyes and groaned a disappointed huff before he lower his snout chuckling at the expense of the young couple confusing them "Oh you two know how to amuse an old dragon. There's no need to hide the truth, I found Cynder's chamber empty and put two and two together. I guessed she would be here."
Spyro gritted his teeth tensing downwards knowing the jig was up hearing that confession from the guardian while Cynder looked away blushing at the ease the guardian deduced them "I guess the appropriate phrase is; Busted?"
"Busted… why?" questioned the guardian, raising a curious eye.
"Well, you caught us Terrador." admitted Spyro looking away expecting a scolding from the guardian.
"Ho-ho-ho. I see now… There is nothing wrong, what you two do is your business. Very capable adolescents courting with their lives ahead of them fast approaching the age of adulthood. And while keeping it secret I continue to find curious that is your choice to pursue," Terrador explained, chuckling at the start of his statement at the innocent naivety of the young dragons.
A wave of relief blew over the courting couple knowing they have the green guardians approval of their situation. Spyro stepped away from the door letting it close behind him standing before the guardian "Thank you Terrador."
The guardian nodded his reply at the gratitude sporting an unusual beaming smile across his maw. It felt refreshing to the guardian after what the last couple of days have lashed out at them and the reality of what was to come next he found two young dragons especially he was fond of were sneaking around discovering their feelings.
Cynder reassured by the positivity offloaded to them questioned, "Well shall we get something to eat?"
Spyro nodded and was about to reply before Terrador spoke over him, "Actually would you mind if I have a private word with Spyro first, Cynder? I wanted to speak to you first but now that I have have observed young Spyro has fully recovered and is well, I'm content to come find you later."
Cynder looked unsure of how to react at the guardian's request. She peeked back towards the purple dragon while curious to what the guardian has to say he nudged over and nuzzled her cheek affectionately "It's okay Cyn, you carry on and get something to eat."
"Okay. If you're sure," She returned the gesture planting a lick on his cheek prompting a tad mist of red to erupt onto the scales across his face amusing the earth guardian "I'll see you both later."
They both bid their goodbyes to the dragoness before she begrudgingly took her leave walking past Terrador heading down the hallway leaving the two drakes alone, curiosity took hold over what the two would discuss but she knew not to worry and if it was that important, Terrador would tell her.
Spyro now missing the support of Cynder felt a nervous strain creep over him bringing in his wings to fold over his back and focus his attention onto the guardian "So, how are you feeling young dragon?"
"I feel fine in myself but… to be honest Terrador I am a little worried," Spyro worried, letting his posture drop now to how he was feeling "After what happened yesterday I've been going over what would happen today."
"I see… well while I intend to discuss with the entire guard today I can tell you the discussions didn't go as we hoped last night," Terrador admitted, groaning under his breath "The council and I begrudgingly agreed we cannot ignore the extent of a threat the dark remnant represent to peace. The council wants to start with organising the guard to bolster our forces in the Tranquil Forest."
Spyro closed his eyes, his snout dropping a few inches, processing what the guardian had said. His suspicion made a reality, disappointed it had come to potentially ending the peace he and Cynder achieved two years ago to disappear into thin air. But he saw this coming. It was foolish to think just because Malefor is gone, there would be no need to fight ever again.
"So another war?" Spyro concluded, bringing himself back up to look at the guardian, "Do we know anything of what to expect?"
"Not completely!" Terrador began composing the purple dragon "The only information established as fact you know most of already is they have been sporadic in their appearances around the lower continent. The cheetah tribe in Avalar informed us of at least two sightings, but no confrontations occurred and the Dormado settlement had one encounter with the remnant. But outside of that there have been no sightings until yesterday. But the one location, a hotspot for remnant activity, is the Tranquil forest. Our traders can never pass through without an escort… But now with the recent attack I wonder… Were they preparing themselves?"
Spyro listened to the guardian, taking in every word of information there was to know. The questions beaming into his mind no doubt also went through the guardians mind. What are the dark remnant after? Are they doing all of this for a reason? Are they following someone else now? Or did Malefor's loss reduce them to a state of mindlessly attacking any they considered an enemy?
"I'm not sure, Terrador. But if they intend to hurt our people, then I will do anything in my power to help," confidently offered the purple dragon standing to a firm look with an eye of determination glittering across his posture. The offer pleased the earth guardian, smiling graciously to the young dragon.
"You always are young Spyro. But the details can wait till after we assemble everyone in the central courtyard." Terrador instructed, prompting the young dragon to settle himself, "For now I just want you to make sure you're fine. Those were some nasty injuries you had received yesterday…"
"I'm fine Terrador… honestly," Spyro smiled, shaking his paw's as proof of full fitness "The only thing I want to focus on though this morning is seeing Sparx… maybe he is awake now."
"I'm sure young Sparx would appreciate such a visit. For a dragonfly, he's surprisingly stubborn. I'm certain he will make a full recovery once he awakens," Terrador concluded, tilting his head in a plain amusement.
A silence dripped between the two dragons going on for seconds not making any discussion and Spyro found it a tad awkward and wanted to move it along. He stood on his four's and nodded "Thanks Terrador, if it's okay I'm going to see Sparx now."
"Just a moment!" Terrador attested. The purple dragon halted his movement and turned his attention back to the older dragon as he leaned his head towards him, "How are things with you and Cynder?"
Spyro's head tilted to the side taken by surprise at the sudden question "Yeah… um… fine, we're fine just taking things as they are."
"That's good," Terrador encouraged, nodding his approval "I still find it curious why you two have undertaken your commitment in secrecy. Everyone would be pleased for you both."
Spyro felt unsure, his sight lowering down from the guardian's face to his upper chest dimming away into his thoughts "We just prefer this way for now. At first we didn't want the attention and just enjoy it between the two of us, but now… I think we like the secrecy around."
"Interesting…" Terrador replied, pondering such a decision "I can't claim to understand it but it's your decision how you both go about it."
Spyro nodded quickly in a gesture claiming to thank the guardian for his understanding, still looking indifferently towards the guardian, unsure how to perceive the conversation being one of the few creatures aware to the young dragon's relationship. Taking his right fore-leg he rubbed his claws awkwardly scratching at the back of his right leg.
"Well, I'm sure you and Cynder are looking into this with your eyes open. You both have very sensible heads on you," Terrador affirmed, reassuring the young dragon "Although have you and Cynder kept your emotions under control in the moments."
Spyro corked his head in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"For us dragons especially to couples, well… I'm sure you have experienced it already, but most dragons feel an incredible rush of emotion and instinct at first and they can't hold themselves back… especially towards their love for their partners." Terrador explained, confidently looking upon the purple dragon.
"An incredible rush?" Spyro halted and brought his wings together above his back and sat on his hinds tapping a claw against his chin, "I'm not sure what you mean Terrador. I don't think I've experienced anything like that yet."
"You haven't?" questioned Terrador, looking upon the young dragon with surprise, "I'm impressed Spyro. Most dragons would let their senses run wild. You have impressive control."
"Well… I mean nothing difficult… I didn't think dragon's would experience anything so overly intense from courting." Spyro admitted his curiosity towards this rush of instinct, continuing to capture his attention.
Terrador's eyes narrowed in curiosity "Just from courting… No you'd have felt this from the first time."
Spyro switched his vision back to the towering green dragon, even more confused than he was before "The first time?"
"Yes Spyro, from your… Oh!" Terrador halted himself mid-sentence as the penny just dropped on him towards the young dragon's confusion as he murmured to himself chuckling "Ah Terrador… you old fool"
Spyro watched tilting his head sideways perplexed by the guardians rambling unsure of what to make it all and questioned "What do you mean by first…"
The purple dragon stopped and narrowed his eyes as they peered left and right, contemplating what the guardian was insinuating. Thinking the words 'first time' over and over until there was a click in his mind. His eye's opened wide enough for his eyes to pop out as his voice turned frantic, "Wait… did you mean? Becoming mates?"
"Yes, forgive this old dragon Spyro. I didn't mean to presume." Those words sent Spyros mind into a frenzy with his face lighting up into a blushing crazy and his cheeks puffed out, becoming embarrassed.
"NO! no, no we have not… We haven't even thought about that… NO!" Spyro wanted to hide his face just at the thought of such actions. Looking anywhere else other than the guardian feeling shy and tightened his body up around him, "What gave you that impression?"
"Well… you two seemed very… close together when I found you both at the gardens…" Terrador stated, feeling a tad awkward for the position he had put Spyro in but also amusing.
"That's it!" Spyro fretted, feeling uncomfortable in the knowledge creatures can presume from only a small intimate moment between a courting couple.
"It's very natural for dragon's your age. In the developing stage of an adolescent; most, if they are courting or have the opportunity, well… they would explore their feelings." explained the Earth guardian, doing his best to describe the nature of a typical adolescent in the most sensible way possible which only added more discomfort to the purple dragon as he folded his wings against his flanks and looked away blushing furiously.
Terrador saw the state of the purple dragon, an odd sight never seeing a dragon so nervous "I'm surprised considering how long you two have been courting. Most don't get past a few months before they are mates, I'm impressed at your self-control."
Spyro couldn't take much more closing his eyes tightly "We haven't… I… I… We haven't thought about it yet… can we finish this conversation now please?"
The earth guardian felt amused by Spyro's display of innocence but for the young dragon's sake granted his request lifting a paw to scratch the back of his neck at the sudden awkwardness between them "Very well young dragon… I understand… Why don't you get around to seeing Sparx and I'll see you at the courtyard… for the briefing."
Spyro looked up to the guardian, nodding a wink at him before turning to leave the purple dragon in peace promptly with the heavy footsteps. Even the guardian felt awkward, not a feeling he would usually associate with himself.
Watching the guardian disappear allowed the purple dragon to breathe a muzzled sigh. It would be awhile before he shook off the embarrassment of that conversation. He loosened his body up to relax his nerves to little success as the red shined relentlessly across his face.
This situation felt familiar to the purple dragon, relenting into his thoughts as vivid flashes of a memory he longed forgotten swept into his mind. He closed his eyes tightly again, discomfort racked over his body as the situation he escaped now reminded him.
#
Flashback: five months: Warfang
#
The purple dragon sat on his hinds in front of a short table. Tall racks of books surrounded him and the many other creatures roaming across the library. It was quiet with a nice calm atmosphere for creatures wishing to read and be alone.
He looked upon the title of the book called: The courtship of dragons. Curiosity overwhelmed the mind of the young dragon, placing his paws between the book leaning against the table. He and Cynder were into their fourth month of courting, and he felt there was a lot he didn't know. Spyro licked his lips and glanced up to check that no one was around him. Content he didn't see anyone he recognised, he focused on the book laid before him.
Opening the book, he flicked through the first pages before he started on reading the text describing a dragon's feelings when they first court. He felt like he was committing an act of wrongdoing, but ultimately his curious mind couldn't contain itself and he flickered on through the pages. Getting to gripes of how a courting couple would act and what they would do for each other.
It surprised him of how relatively simple it was courting, the expression of feelings and spending time together which they already and discover how they feel about it each other. He flicked on and saw a section of rivalry between males or females competing to court and in cases of how the couple would feel the opposite interactions with another, especially at the adolescent age. This peeked more to Spyro's interest while he doesn't believe he's experienced such acts.
He stopped and looked upward, running his mind through the prospect of someone fighting for a potential mate. Was that common before the dark wars? The question stalked his thoughts before he turned back to the book to read on.
He turned to the next page, describing the events and actions gradually leading up to a courting couple to become mates. The change from courting to becomes mates very common around the early adult years for young couples. Contemplating, that was the age he was on the precipice of.
Reading on, he came along to a section involving negligible amounts of text regarding the first ritual itself to complete the transition. He turned over to come upon well-drawn sketches and instantly his face lit up in red, realising these sketches represent positions. He looked on, letting his curiosity get the better of him, and swallowed a lump building in the back of his throat. For a split second his thoughts shifted towards Cynder and he blushed brightly enough to change shade and snapped the book shut, dropping his paws across the desk and heaved a heavy breath.
"Spyro! A surprise to find you here." A voice radiated making the purple dragon jump out of his scales and scrambled to hide the book under his paws and heard the trotting steps from his right to find Cyril walking towards him.
"CYRIL!" spluttered Spyro his eye's widened and struggled to bury his blush.
The blue ice dragon beamed a proud smile to the purple dragon walking up to him "I say young chap, it is most refreshing to see young dragon's such as yourself reading and seeking to expand your knowledge in this place of wonders… very refreshing indeed."
Spyro remained silent, rustling up a smile in an attempt to look settled and composed to the guardian. He brushed his right fore-leg along the desk and brought it off, turning himself to face Cyril and remained silent.
"I do say, the last book I read was about the unity of the northern tribes. The mighty ice dragon tribe and earth tribe united to battle against the barbaric ape tribes threatening their territory… such a tale it was. Oh, to have been there myself would have been simply marvellous," Cyril rambled and Spyro was more than happy to allow him to continue in his current state slowly edging the book over towards the rack.
The ice guardian turned his attention on perplexed at what he saw, "Oh! What is that book you have there, Spyro?"
"Nothing!" Spyro gasped and shoved the book back into its spot and levelled himself onto his fours "I was just browsing around the different books, I wondered if there was any interesting ones to have a look at.
"Oh, marvellous. Well, in that case I could recommend…" Cyril began joyfully to share his knowledge before getting silenced by the purple dragon.
"No, it's fine, Cyril. Truth be told, I should really get going, I'm going to be late for training." Spyro shrieked, gritting his teeth and breathing heavily, jumping to his paws and promptly speed-walking around Cyril heading towards the exit.
The guardian caught his breath in his mouth, flipping himself around, watching the purple dragon walk away at such speed "Erm… Spyro?"
It was too late, and Spyro sped around the corner leaving the ice dragon in total confusion at the strange behaviour and hummed curiously, "Young dragons these days, always in a rush."
Spyro stood down the hallway and set about catching his breath arching his neck and held a paw against his check feeling an intense heat build-up through his body. Shaking his head in disbelief as he murmured to himself, "Did that just happen?"
#
Flashback end
#
The purple dragon shook his head, ridding himself of the nerves he just experienced, and stood in the hallway dumbstruck. It has been the eventful morning, barely gotten out of his chamber and already feels like it's been a long day. He sighed slouching his shoulders stretching his legs forward.
Mentally he felt exhausted watching the earth guardian disappear down the corridor leaving him in peace struggling to remove the last tints of red from his cheeks. He would go back to bed and hide away from the world if he could.
He shook his entire body whipping his tail and wings out and collected himself together slouching in his spot reminding himself to go visit Sparx. He mumbled under his breath, "Cynder will not be finding out about this conversation… ever."
#
Hidden within an unknown location, the room was gloomy, bare of any light glooming at the centre of a stony floor with a large molten surface for a table in the centre of it littered with a laid out map. A single hulking hero orc walked around it, staring down at the map with significant interest.
On the opposite side stood a bowman orc lit with black and glowing red across its bones and armour. They both peered, checking over the map of the surrounding lands, sketched in their specific features and landmasses. The two conversed in their natural tongue with the large hero orc clenching its hands into fists and leaning over the table.
"What of the village to the north here?" The hero orc pointed to a land to the north-east of a sketching of a forest.
"Our focus has been on the Tranquil forest this whole time. It's the only territory we have kept hold of," rebuked the bowman, flinging his hand in the hero orc's direction.
The bulky orc snarled, looking upon the map lit by the surrounding flames embedded on the end of wood riveted into the walls of the gloomy cave, "Why not attack the village and slaughter? Our enemies would be seen as weak."
"NO!"
The two orcs stunned silent and looked to the source of the voice shrouded in darkness on a large seat resembling a throne sat a creature sitting in the shadows with nothing but tints of red as the creature resembling the shape of an orc appeared comfortable on the throne "We have been patient. Our goal remains the same, but now is not the right time to enhance our attacks."
"Yes, my lord," defied the bowman orc leading to the creature "Our collection has been effective so far after building but we need to speed this up. We cannot wait much longer, my lord."
"Soon my brethren… soon," said the creature addressing his soldier expressing an elegant calmness in his voice, "Soon we will trample on foot but now is not the opportune moment to reveal ourselves"
The creature sat forward leaning towards the table the two orcs stood around analysing until a faint growl emanated through the cavern chamber. The creature peered its head right looking into the corner of the chamber into the shadows making out a large creature, sharp edges across its head and tail. The darkness left most of its features a mystery, except the creature seemed as big as an Adult dragon curled up across the stone floor.
"Patience… I know you have waited so…" started the creature before being halted.
"My lord!"
The word vibrated across the stone walls of the dark cavern and all eyes on the room shifted towards the entryway, spotting an injured orc grasping its arm with a crack across its boned right leg limping into the chamber.
"Vergos? Your supposed to be in the dragon city. Why have you returned here?" questioned the creature, not bothering to look at the injured orc.
"Forgive me, my lord… but I have news from our infiltration of the city!" proposed the bowman named Vergos cradling the wound along its arm.
The two-legged creature loathing across his throne waved his armoured hand granting the bowman's request to speak. "We have detonated multiple mana crystals within the city, injuring many dragons and inhabitants. The city is drowning in fear, my lord."
"That is pleasing to hear. However!" stopped the creature with the throne's back to the creature peering his head around, "That is not the reason for your return, is it?"
Vergos hesitated cradling the wound on his arm and peered away from the leader in an act of shame "No… my lord… it's…"
"Spit it out then!" The leader slammed his armoured hand into the arm of the throne, vocalising his demand to his soldier as he grasped a small crystal in his hand.
"My lord… the dragon's discovered one of the eviser crystals before it finished planting." admitted the orc a hint of fear vibrated from his voice.
"WHAT!" The orc exclaimed leaning forward and his eyes opened to show a complete red colouring the iris's covered in the red power with his back still to the orc named Vergos "I thought… I made it clear they were not to be discovered!"
Vergos remained silent hanging his head down bowing in apology "Yes my lord, a few young dragons found it before the implanting was complete."
The leader orc laid himself back and rubbed a hand across its forehead huffing in disappointment "Is that all?"
"No!" Vergos stuttered, "No… one dragon was injured by one of the other explosions and… it was the purple dragon."
The leader Orc's eyes widened at what he just heard and snapped his hand shut, crushing the gem into tiny pieces glittering over the throne's arm. Vergos winced at the sight as the leader peered his overpowering red eyes towards him.
"And what became of the crystal?"
"Uh… we tried to recover it my lord… but the dragon's killed the rest of my group and have the crystal," Vergos admitted, watching the leader orc clench his hands and rose from his throne and casually walked towards him. Peering from the shadows was well armoured and appeared to have bulkier limbs like flesh and bone and sported a half-torn cape down his back.
"So… your telling me, not only did you fail in keeping the crystal out of our enemy's hands, but you purposefully revealed yourselves to the inhabitants of that cursed city…" The leader orc stood tall in front of Vergos struggling to make eye contact with him "And you also revealed yourself to the one creature I told you to stay away from!"
"It… It wasn't my fault, the others went in and I told…" Vergos tried to defend until the caped Orc grasped him by the neck gagging him. The creature in the shadows took an interest and the other orcs winced as they watch Vergos get lifted by the neck, forcing him onto his toes and struggled.
"Do you understand what you have done?" The leader asked, his voice crackling from calm into anger, "My plans could now be in jeopardy before they have even started. I told you not to reveal yourselves… and now that city is onto us."
"I… I… please… forgive me… my lord," Vergos begged, gasping between his words, cradling the arm of his leader, choking him. The leader growled furiously as licks of black energy spiked around his body, it crawled along his arm's riveting outwards as the licks became larger exercising the leader's anger.
He snarled before releasing the bowman, dropping him onto his knees and gargled for breath as the sinister energy enveloped into an aura peaking off the leader orc and his ripped cape blew up. The energy gradually became louder, pinging the chamber walls, drowning the orcs and grublins in the room in a sudden plight of terror.
The leader orc towered over Vergos, expressing disgust. He stopped himself, closing his eyes and turning away, and the power coursing around him slowly subsided, disappearing into the air, and he breathed casually. Vergos looked up still craving scared but bowed gratefully picking himself up onto his feet "Thank you my lord. I swear I will not fail you again."
"No… you won't!" His eyes brightened opening them and two molten blades emerged from his wrist in a slash and threw his arm out impaling the blades into the orc's neck crunching into the bone and slight traces of flesh. The orc yelped in horror and gurgled from the sharp pain. He grasped the hand of his leader as red liquid erupted out of the stab wounds dripping down the blades and his neck.
The leader stared him in the eye emotionless "I'm sorry my brethren. Every life of our people is important. But in our darkest days, I cannot afford incompetence."
He drove the blades deeper ripping into the bowman's neck yelling in agony as the other orcs winced from the loud crunching noises. The orc gurgled as blood leaked out of his jaw as his throat crushed from the sharp blades piercing through.
Slowly his body went senseless and weak as another sharp pain twisted in his neck snuffing the life in his body steadily followed by his limbs dropping to his sides as the muscles twitched in the arms, his breathing stalled and the colours in his eyes faded. The leader took his free hand and steadily and pressed it against the orcs chest and pushed him slipping out of the blades and dropped to the floor limp. The body smacked across the floor before coming to a rest, lifeless.
The leader orc raised his wrist to his eye level observing the blood soaked across and casually shook his arm as drips of blood splattered across the stone. He peered at the corpse of the bowman one last time. He glared his eyes before turning away to the maps in front of him, "Get rid of it!"
Two Hero grublins approached out of the shaded entrance and knelt around the lifeless body and grabbed it around the limbs, lifting it to be carried away leaking blood in a line across the stoned floor. The leader orc heaved a heavy breath, expressing a hint of regret before turning to face the table before him.
The surrounding remnant scuttled in silence, watching their leader observe the map and study it. An eerie sense of awkwardness filled the air, having just watched their comrade get executed effortlessly by the caped orc waiting for him to speak. The leader orc huffed in annoyance, "It's too early… the dragons will retaliate after what happened in the city… those imbeciles!"
He turned to face the violet hero orc towering over the maps "What of our forces in the forest?
The molten creature muffled with its armour clinking against his boned arms bringing himself to attention "We... have encountered another three groups of the dragons and moles. We routed one, and another heavily injured but they are taking cover in a cave making any attack difficult and the third group is keeping us from attacking any of the trading caravans passing through."
The leader orc narrowed his eyes towards the Tranquil forest sketch across the right of the map. He peered between it and the sketch of warfang to the south-west and back. "We need to up the pressure!"
He turned his attention to the huge scaled creature peering in the shadows of the casually scratching its tail across the floor and he nodded ordering the creature "We won't have long… take care of it!"
"Finally! I've been waiting for this!" The creature spoke in the natural creature tongue in a lusting feminine voice before scraping its claws across the stone pulsing loud screeches across the chamber and lifted itself onto its fours. Two menacing red eyes glowed as the creature snarled in a bloodlust anguish. It snapped its tail around its body before turning away with thudding steps towards a tunnel leaving the chamber.
The leader observed the map one last time with his arms crossed expressing contempt looking at the warfang sketch "It is too soon… For two years I have worked to bring our people together. To finally finish our master's work of destroying his enemies… But now…"
He paused unhinging his arms and staring into his right palm as tints of black energy radiated "Malefor gave me everything… and he was taken from us and his plans ruined but now we will finish what he started… our way… in his glory."
The hero grublin to his right stepped forward bowing his head, "What do you seek of us, my lord?"
The leader clenched his fist and stared deep at the Tranquil forest sketch and growled with his eyes narrowing into slits and slammed his fist onto the sketch. The black dark energy radiated and burnt into the map peeling away at the edges around his fist and spoke out in hatred, "It is time to go on the offensive!"
Hey all another long wait but well I hope this chapter will have been worth it. It's insane I find in these times of hardship I plan these chapters to be small but they end up so big. I have few words today to offer other than the poll I put up has been taken down now. So hopefully you have casted your vote. If not well…maybe next time.
So onto reactions:
AzOtAc: Yeah I do enjoy writing up the slice of life genre in these stories. Enjoy what the natural part of life is in these worlds.
Kraft58: Wow a 10/10 that is a massive statement and appreciate mentor that you have come across an actually perfect chapter before. That is a statement and I greatly appreciate it.
Void Reader: Wow, I'm honestly shocked you feel that way about my chapters in my past. I feel the opposite they lacked emotion and real story progression especially in my old Spyro stories but that's your opinion.
RioloverBardenBellaforlife: As always you run rampage with your enjoyment to my story and that only fills me with pleasure you enjoy. Well everything you have found adorable of the last chapter I'm sure you will go wild with this chapter. Hehe
IllusionMaster17: Hey you haven't failed, I appreciate people are available when they are and a lot of peoples support helps push me. Yeah I wanted to give the council more of a voice and presence even if they are very minor in the story at this present moment in time.
DiabloPProcento: Thanks as always for your support and enjoyment for the story as always I greatly appreciate it. Well Seyrus is clever and knows that the couple are courting as they are haha.
