Its been a few weeks. Freud has somehow worked his magic once again as now in Leafre, halflingers, humans and dragon are living in harmony. Freud somehow managed this after a short time while teaching Evan at the same time, a feat really. Afrien however was puzzled by the methods of this rather weak looking mage (Though the dragon knows that's far from the facts) and interested at the same time. "Freud how do you manage this?" Afrien asked as he gestured with his claws.
The mage didn't say anything until they reached his home in the outskirts of Leafre. "Well with a bit of useful information and the way to tactfully utilize it is one." Afrien wanted to question this 'useful information' which got the head of Leafre to make the place more open and sociable to all, many places were biased and would case other races out of their 'territory. Freud spoke again bringing the reptile out of his musings.
"It is a start of something I want to accomplish. To make other towns like the current Leafre or maybe like Ereve. I want this place to be a peaceful world and I'm not someone who dreams or is attempting a far fetched dream because I know this is possible." Afrien couldn't find words to respond to that. Such a pure untainted dream this resolute mage was devoted to yet it seems so far away. Evan came in dashing as he held up Mir "Look look Master Freud! Mir somehow grew bigger!"
Freud smiled at his apprentice antics, though it is true that Mir had an odd and astounding growth rate, though inwardly the dragon was still a child. The auburn haired mage clapped his hands twice, drawing attention to him. "Evan, I'm thinking of leaving Leafre in three days time. We have already gathered the materials required and various information as well." Evan nodded enthusiastically as he explained to Mir the great adventures they were going to go to.
Afrien however was shocked. Three days? That was a rather short time, plus he knew Mir would have to go with them as he already made a spirit pact but it would be rather lonely not being able to see the trios amusing and interesting acts when they leave. Should he follow? These thoughts ran through continuously in the reptile's mind.
"Afrien is something the matter?" The dragon started in surprise before hastily replying "N-No, not at all. I just have something I need to take into consideration." The black scaled dragon then took off into the sky. "What's wrong with Afrien?" Evan asked curiously "I'm sure its something he can sort on his own. Come now child we have a few more topics to cover about contracts." Evan hopped into the house eagerly with Mir tagging behind.
On the night of the second day, Freud finished up in the various topics of contracts "Now then to summarize there are only a few types of contract, the temporary ones, the permanent ones and there is of course the spirit pact to name a few. A final question before we go to bed, are we allowed to form contracts/ pacts with every demons or beast?"
Evan tiredly replies "Yeah…except for those who already has contracts." Freud nods in satisfaction as he shuts the tome. "Very good. You can go and take a rest now." Mir had already fallen asleep on Evan's lap, apparently stuff like this bores the dragon. "…..M'kay night Master Freud…." Evan drags himself to bed as Freud walks out to get some fresh midnight air.
The auburn mage felt comforting and gentle breezes with the smell of the forest on top of it all. Until he felt a presence nearby, it was one without malice so he let it pass. Freud felt a pair of wings surrounding him from both sides as he turned around to meet a very serious dragon. "May I help you Afrien?" The dragon said nothing as a magic circle appeared underneath them. To say that Freud was shocked was an understatement, the mage scanned the circle to find out it was one for a spirit pact. "Afrien-?"
"It took me time to get this ready. Since its not like the case with Mir I had to set this up manually." Afrien said as he kneeled down. "I pledge my soul to thee, I swear fealty to thee, under the bound of this sacred contract will our bond last through eternity." Freud's mouth moved on his own after hearing what Afrien had said, his eyes half lidded as if in a trance "Thy loyalty is accepted, we are now one. Neither serves the other but as an equal would our bond last forever." The circle shrank into a marking as the two felt their souls merge into one, it was an odd feeling but never an unpleasant one.
"Afrien, do you know what you have done?" Freud asks seriously to which the dragon met with an equally determined face "Yes I have. I've considered everything, you have extended your help to me as well as treating me as a friend, a truthful one. There is nothing that I doubt nor regret. I know I am safe and that I can trust you." Freud stared a bit more before giving a genuine smile. "Very well then, I'll count on you from now on partner." "Wherever and whenever you need it master."
Freud groaned "You too?" Afrien gives a joking smile "Oh why-ever not sire?" "You're making it worse." "You must be mistaken my liege." Freud sent a glare before collapsing with fatigue "That…took a lot out of me then I expected." Afrien gave a warm smile before wrapping Freud up with his tail, making the mage lie back against the dragon's large body. "Sleep then, I will ensure nothing happens to them or you." Freud didn't need anymore invitation as he fell into a deep slumber.
Evan woke up the following morning feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Mir awoke not too long after, they went into the living room to find that breakfast hasn't been made yet. So he decided to make a simple one (Freud thought him how for survival sake) and went looking for his mentor only to find him resting snuggly between Afrien's body and scales.
Afrien snapped to attention when he sensed another presence but relaxed when he saw that it was only Evan and Mir. The apprentice went up to the dragon while placing a finger over his mouth "Shh. Don't wake Master Freud up! I never saw how he sleeps because I always sleep first and he's awake first in the morning!" Evan hissed as Afrien chuckled while nodding to show that he understood.
Evan sneaked his way through avoiding Afrien's appendages as he glanced at his mentor's sleeping form not too far away. 'He usually never lets his guard down like this.' Evan told Mir mentally. 'Really?' Evan nods 'yeah he somehow manages to tell when I want to come to his room, he looks really peaceful now-' "You know, I could tell from a mile away." Evan started in surprise and fell as Freud looks at the boy with amused eyes. "M-Morning!" The boy stammers, Freud chuckles as he sat up. "I suppose you made breakfast?" Evan nods as he leads Freud back in, Afrien took Mir out hunting as a dragon 'should learn to catch his meal' an indefinite must, the dragon insisted.
So after breaking the news to Evan who could only stand there in shock and joy as he packed as essentials, Mir came crashing through the window with the same elation "Yippe! Papa's coming with us!" and the two went back chatting in their own world about more adventures and something about in the end 'slaying a foul king' which Freud assumed would be the demon king. After all, how would you obtain peace with the main problem still there, he would settle for a more peaceful method but…(Can you imagine the 'black mage' and the word 'peace' together? Nope!)
"Freud? Can you hear me?" Freud blinked before answering "Yes loud and clear what' s seems to be the problem?" Afrien replied hastily "Little Mir is gone! One moment I was telling him about our pact and the next 'poof'! gone!" Freud blink before chuckling out loud, successfully drawing attention from the duo in front of him "He's back here with me completely elated about the news." For reasons unknown, Afrien managed to hear him and came back in record time. "Mir! I was so damned worried!" Steam came from the dragon's nostrils making Mir flinch, after a round of apologises, they departed for the next area.
Hmm, i actually wanted to write another chapter...Well we'll see.
Kukuku...Anyone wants to take a guess in what that 'useful information' is?
Anyway please review~