Chapter 32: Guur
The soft crunch of leaves, and the snap of a twig awoke the dragoness, her eyes cracking open and her heart thundering in her chest at the intrusion of her slumber. Her reptilian eyes taking in the surrounding forest, the bright golden light of the sun filtering through the canopy of leaves above, golden rays reflecting off the darkened leaves of autumn creating rich hues of red and orange. She slowly swept her head around the camp and frowned when she saw Garrett, rummaging around with an armload of wood, his footing causing the destruction of twigs and leaves that interrupted her sleep.
"Why are you so loud" she hissed narrowing her eyes at the ranger.
Garrett dropped off his burden of logs beside the fire and gave her an impish grin shrugging "Its mornin miss Shyvana no need to be quiet, sides you and cap overslept musta had a long night"
The dragoness opened and closed her mouth a deep red hue decorating her pale cheeks, steam billowing off her as she overheated. Garrett laughed a hearty sound in the previously quiet morning, leaning on his knees his good eye twinkling with an unshed tear.
The sound of his laughter caused Jarvan to groan and peel open his eyes, his vision blurred as he blinked several times the blushing face of Shyvana above him. He smiled to himself at her crimson cheeks before looking over her lap to the equally red face of his ranger. He snorted and sat up running a hand through his long dark locks.
"What's so damn funny?" he yawned eyes narrowed on Garrett as he calmed himself and stood up straight, shrugging his massive shoulders.
Garrett wiped a stray tear from his blue eye and coughed to stop the sputtering laughter "Oh nothing Cap, just talking to the dragoness here about your busy night"
Jarvan's heartrate picked up and he snapped his attention towards the dragoness, a look of confusion and shock on his face. The Dragoness shook her head back and forth and gave him a quick wink, her cheeks still tinged with pink before she shot a sneering glare at the young man "Please Garrett, no pestering this morning"
Garrett raised his hand in his defence and gave her a toothy grin, bending down to add a log into the fire before sinking down and crossing his legs with and audible thud. He poked the log stirring the coals and peered across the fire at his lieutenant, who was preparing a pot of coffee before they set off again. Dagonett was rolling his eyes at his friend's childish behavior trying to ignore the stare at the side of his face. He could only imagine what was running through his small mind.
"Don't mind me bothering ya Miss Shyvana just thought it kinda funny that the two of ya just disappeared last night" he said smugly at the look on the dragonesses face, before she rolled her eyes at him and his triumphant smile fell.
"Dragons need to fly every once and awhile, I brought Jarvan to help me scout out the area" she said snorting, smoke rising from her nostrils, curling around her horns as it passed overhead.
Garrett thumped the ground dramatically with a hand the other rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly "Well damn, I thought maybe you'd gone and gotten busy or something"
Dagonett sighed and slapped the ranger on the back of the head chastising him like a child "Yer an idiot boy"
Garrett pouted and rubbed the back of his head "Hey, speak fer yerself, thought out of all o us the cap could…"
"Okay that's enough" Jarvan hissed through gritted teeth shutting up his companion before he could further insult the dragoness, his fist clenched tightly at his side.
Garrett twitched his nose and inhaled heavily looking across the fire at the dragoness who was staring at him in disbelief, her bright violet eyes wide and her mouth agape.
Shyvana just stared at her idiot companion contemplating what he was insinuating, anger prickling at her skin as waves of heat surrounded her. She closed her eyes tightly and reminded herself that he was just foolish and likely trying to get a rise out of her before she opened her eyes and starred him down, draconian power flowing though her veins her eyes completely blown out, small pearly fangs peeking out from her full dark lips as she smiled a cat like grin "Well I suppose you are not wrong ranger"
Garrett cocked his head to the side in confusion before, he realized what the dragoness was trying to say, his eyes going wide as it dawned on him. He smiled and leaned forward his long bangs shadowing his eyes as he smiled and began to open his mouth, before his captain cleared his throat and shot him a glare telling him to be silent.
Dagonett just shook his head and chuckled pouring a cup of steaming hot coffee and passing it around the campfire until all his companions were sitting in happy silence sipping, the rich dark liquid.
Shyvana inhaled heavily, savouring the aroma of the coffee, thumbing the handle of the hot mug. The warmth spreading through her fingers in a familiar tickle as it spread up her palms, reminding her of her flames, smiling at the sensation. She drank it quickly licking her lips, sighing as steam poured from her mouth. Decidedly this would be one of her regrets about leaving her human companions, this beverage was her favourite she had ever tasted, and she knew she would likely never have another cup again. She frowned at the bottom of the cup tipping it back for the last drop before bringing it down to rest in her lap.
"You must really like coffee eh lass?" Dagonett said gesturing to the cup to refill it for her.
Shyvana nodded happily and handed him the cup, smiling brightly as he passed her another, hot and streaming the dark amber liquid swirling around asking to be tasted.
"Its definitely one of the things ill miss" she said closing her eyes inhaling the heavenly scent.
"Well lucky for you, there's lots of coffee back home" Garrett said winking at the dragoness.
The smile quickly faded on her face, as she cast a quick glance at Jarvan his eyes catching hers as she gave a small nod.
Jarvan cleared his throat "There's something we need to discuss"
Everyone turned to look at him and Shyvana gave him a small smile, her eyes shining brightly in the morning sun, he could see many emotions swirling in the depths of her eyes and he felt his gut clench. He took a deep breath and turned to face the men "Connors isn't going to make it out in the wilds, and I refuse to loose another man because of my foolish endeavours, I spoke with Shyvana last night and we both agree we are to stop this mission and return home" he said his voice laced with authority and a sense of finality.
Cheers and the clinking of coffee mugs broke the silence and the men beamed with happiness at the prospect of returning to their homeland. Dagonett slapped Jarvan on the back, a smile broad on his face and merriment twinkling in his green eyes "That's the best thing I've heard in a long while. What are we waitin for lets get a move on"
"Oii dragoness yer going to love Demacia its, huge and beautiful and there's more coffee there than ya could ever drink in a lifetime" Dagonett said happily turning his head to look at the dragoness, who's face remained impassive, her eyes downcast as she stared at the tin mug in her hand.
Garrett looked at her confused "Whats o matter, yer coming with us right?"
Shyvana smiled sadly and slowly shook her head "No, I won't be joining you, I have my own path I need to follow"
"So that's it then, your leavin?" Dagonett asked standing up and brushing himself off before offering a hand to the dragoness.
Shyvana took his outstretched hand, and gave it a light squeeze, looking into his green eyes and gave him a genuine smile "I must, I still have a dragon to kill"
Dagonett grabbed the dragoness and pulled her into a bear hug whispering into her ear "You come back now ya hear, after you killed that piece o shit, the prince he needs ya lass"
Shyvana nodded into his shoulder and returned the embrace hugging him back tightly, moments like this reminded her of her father and the kind of love he used to show her. She felt tears start to form in her eyes and sniffed nuzzling into his tunic and pinching her eyes shut tightly whispering "I will"
Dagonett pulled away with both his large hands on her pauldrons a smile on his face, showcasing the fine wrinkles around his twinkling eyes "Ill surely miss ya lass"
Garrett grabbing the dragoness and spun her around giving her a brotherly hug, wrapping one of his forearms around the top of her head around her horns "I'll miss ya, dragon lady" he said ruffling the dragoness vibrant purple hair.
Shyvana felt tears pool from her eyes and cut a trail down her china skin, a sad hiccupping laugh escaping her mouth as she ignored the rangers teasing and grabbed him hugging him back with all her strength. Garrett wheezed and let the dragoness go a goofy smile on his face as he wiped a stray tear off her face.
Shyvana turned to Hart who had silently been watching the exchange between his companions and the dragon and he nodded to her when her bright eyes caught his. She gave him a small smile and nodded back happy that he least acknowledged her before she left.
The rest of the morning was spent cleaning up their campsite and packing up the horses for the journey home. Shyvana tried to enjoy her last bittersweet moments with the mortals that she cared for very deeply laughing and teasing each other as she gathered her mothers' armor and her fathers' book. She gazed at the worn dragon skin cover, long ago faded and torn and flipped through it savoring the feeling of the worn paper beneath her fingertips. She clutched it to her chest and sighed at the feeling of dread that settled in the pit of her stomach as she closed it and walked towards the lieutenant packing his mares' saddlebags.
"Here I want you to have this" she said holding out the book towards him for him to take.
Dagonett rose a brow and cocked his head to the side a coy smile on his face "Now lass, you know I cant read dragon speech and I doubt you'll want me to us it fer Firestarter"
Shyvana gave him a pointed look and rolled her eyes "No Firestarters, but please take it keep it safe for me"
Dagonett sighed and grabbed it from the dragoness tucking it safely inside his saddlebag "Alright lass, ill keep and eye on it for ya"
Shyvana turned and watched as Connors slowly approached his grey mount and with great effort managed to haul himself into the saddle wincing at the effort, his face ruddy and his eyes hollow. He gave the dragoness a weak wave and a toothy grin and she felt herself smiling back at him. She approached him to stand beside his horse and ran her fingers gingerly across its thick neck, feeling the muscles quiver beneath her fingers, hearing the harsh breath escape the great beast. She turned and investigated Connors face committing it to memory and placed a hand on his knee "Take care of yourself, Connors ill miss you"
"I'll miss you too miss Shyvana" he said weakly a grimace on his face as he tried to get comfortable.
Shyvana frowned and squeezed his knee gently before gesturing to his side asking permission to look, he nodded weakly and she slowly pulled up the side of his tunic to inspect the wound. It was still infected and looked angry and red, but the stitching helped slow the ooze of blood and kept it relatively clean. She took a deep breath and summoned her power, scales slowly creeping up her hands and forearms, her palms heating up as the power of a dragon flowed through her veins "Forveyk faaz" she whispered her palm glowing softy before she gently pressed it to his wounded side. He tensed for a moment at the strange sensation as warmth spread through his core and settled deep in his side, numbing the pain of his injury and allowing him to take a breath of relief. His hazel eyes glistening in thanks as he reached down and cupped the side of the dragonesses face, small black scales decorating her temples and bright reptilian eyes looking back at him.
"Thank you" he said and Shyvana reached up to cup the hand resting on her cheek, nodding.
"What kind of magic is that" Garrett said curious gesturing towards Connors who looked visibly relaxed, his breathing evening out as he adjusted his seating in the saddle.
Shyvana turned around and blinked her eyes returning to the normal orbs "Its draconian, not everything we do its destructive" she frowned.
"What did you do" Jarvan asked moving towards them to stand beside the dragoness.
Shyvana shrugged "I was reading my fathers book, and came across some restoration magic, its to sooth the pain, I hope it lasts until you are properly healed" she said smiling at Connors.
Jarvan pulled Shyvana into a tight embrace his face, in the crook of her neck as he squeezed her. She could feel the relief and gratitude pouring off him in waves and she smiled as she wrapped her slender arms around his bulky torso. She would miss this, the warmth he provided and the comfort she had never known until she met him. She was the first to pull away and she saw raw emotions in his blue eyes and it broke her heart
"You should go while the sun is still bright" she whispered
He nodded and inhaled clearing his throat "Alright men, mount up, lets go home"
Shyvana smiled at him and wrapped her arms around her torso as he walked away towards his black stallion, watching him secure the saddle and mount up, turning the great beast towards her. She sighed and picked up her small pack and slung it over her shoulder and watched as her only friends slowly started to leave her, offering waves and warm smiles while she sat back and watched, a lump forming in her throat and her heart painfully twisting.
She raised one hand the other white knuckling the pack across her shoulder and waved a pained and forced smile on her face as tears slowly started pooling in her eyes and sliding down her cheeks.
Jarvan rode quickly to her side and leaned down in his saddle towards her grabbing the back of her neck and kissing her passionately despite the gawking from his companions behind him, he would miss his fiery dragoness, in all her power and grace she was a beautiful soul and he was afraid he would never get the chance to show her how he felt again.
"Goodbye my lady" he whispered as he pulled away and kicked the horse into a canter, smiling at the stunned look on her face.
Shyvana watched them disappear, between the trees, the outline of their bodies fading away and the sound of horses trotting carrying across the wind too disappeared. She touched her lips and felt the warmth that was just their moments ago, a sensation flooding into her heart and she felt a renewed sense of purpose fill her, she would see them again she would find them once she finished her revenge she would see her prince.
"Goodbye my prince"