Starcrossed 2: Lineage
Chapter 3: Visitor from the stark white unknown.
Morning met the mountain side in the usual manner, unheard over the winds and covered in the pure white hue of sky produced by the perpetual snow cloud that seemed to always hang around. The sun rose as best it could and animals all over the mountain took the instinctual signal to wake from their slumber. A pair of snow-leopards rose from their sheltered perch, a ram shook and smacked his head off a rock to get the stiffness out, and a squirrel with fur white as the snow, peeked his frosty head out of a snow-bank that covered his home. These select few weren't the only ones to awake.
Dragonbane had learned along time ago to set his mental clock to wake him with the son, even as the seasons changed. He winced, then slowly opened his eyes and saw the slightest shine of light peeking around the corner of his and Narissa's bed chamber entrance. Our hero let out a yawn, then tried to get up, but found himself being pulled back. You see, Narissa,who was still out like a light, clung to him like a child would cling to a stuffed animal. Dragonbane did love being close to her, the rhythm of her heart beat leaving a calmness about him, but he couldn't let this interfere with his morning routine.
She gave him a little squeese, smiled and purred. Dragonbane couldn't help but think about it. "Aww, she's so beautiful. I'd hate to wake her, so I better make this swift and silent." And so he did. Dragonbane planned out every step as he went along. He slowly reached a hand behind Narissa's head, then found that one sweet spot that gets her every time. A gentle little press and she went limp, her smile grew and she let her tongue hang out as she rolled over. Our hero was now free from the clutches of his true love.
Dragonbane didn't have much to keep him busy, except take care of arranging the furnishings. He placed them around the cave where he thought they fit best. A book shelf filled with Dragonbane's favorite works and all his log books that he wrote on his adventures. A few statues that were crafted into dark shapes, like trolls, Goblins, and werewolves. A few shelves on the wall that held several knic-knacks of various value. Dragonbane also found a bearskin rug that looked perfect in front of the fireplace.
When his decoratiing was done, he thought it best to go looking for food.(not so easy to find when surrounded by 4 feet of snow.) He geared up in his armor, using the insulated inner padding as a way to keep warm in the frigid temperatures. He marched outside, ready to go out and just start a fight with something. Now most people would have trouble with the wind blowing in their eyes, but Dragonbane's helmet prevented such inconveniances. Much to his liking, he spotted something even the most skilled predators would have missed. Rabbits, all white and puffy in their winter fur. Dragonbane was as swift as he was perceptive. He nabbed four of the little buggers and tossed them in his bag. Next stop on his route was the frozen lake, where he could grab some hibernating trout, hidden under the ice. But before he could get start his descent, he heard some sort of struggle off in the distance.
It was a nightfury, in a fight with a zippleback, most likely over some sort of territory issue, but one can never really be sure where these things start. It was quite the show. The two lunged and dodged around each other in some sort of terrifying dance of death. The zipple back finaly landed a strike, biting down on the mid of the nightfury's back. The black dragon roared out in pain as it struggled to get free of the hold, but it was reaching it's elder years and wasn't as strong as it once was, while the zipple back was in it's prime. The head that wasn't pinning it's opponent, was right in the nightfury's face. It belched out the noxious green gas, which signaled that it would soon end the fury.
However, it's victory was denied, when something fast, strong, and as hard as iron came flying out of the white unknown. Dragonbane gave the zipple back a good kick to the right jaw and a good double fisted slam to the left forehead. He finished his dynamic entry with a smooth spin as his feet touched ground. He glared at the twin headed beast and bellowed a warning in a menacing tone. "Okay, you've got fifteen seconds to get your disgusting faces out of my sight and off my mountain, before I tear them off!"
Needless to say, this only enraged the zippleback further. "Your sssscent!" It hissed in a venomous, feminine voice. "You killed my mate! You killed my Sssssidonisssss!"
Our hero shrugged his shoulders, like he hadn't called that a minute ago or anything. "Oh, boo-hoo. I'm playing a sad song on the worlds smallest violin for ya. Just clear out now! You're making me angry!"
The twin headed monster gave him a look that would have killed him in an instant if it could. She charged at him, then swung her tail with all her hate. Dragonbane caught the blow and went on a little ride. He dug in the talons of his gauntlets and when he set up his trajectory, he lunged at the zippleback's heads. He grappled with one, while the other tried to bite him in the the ribs, but she didn't forsee breaking her teeth on the indestructible armor. Dragonbane took note of this and grabbed hold of a horn on the second head. With both of the zipple back's heads held in grasp, he then tied their necks in a knot. After that, the ran down her back, ripped off one of her wings, grabbed her by the tail, then swung her around with all his might. When he let go, she went flying out into the cold beyond, out of sight, roaring in fright all the way.
After listening to the multiple thuds, which signaled that his opponent had fallen off some sort of cliff, Dragonbane saw it best to check on the nightfury. Upon inspection, it was a female, poor thing having trouble standing with the pain in her back. When our hero approached, she got defensive, growling with intent to drive him off (But we know better than to think that'll work, don't we.) Dragonbane spoke to her in a calm voice. "It's all right, I'm not going to hurt you."
She wasn't exactly believing his story. She pounced on him and pinned him down. Although she couldn't hide the intense pain it caused her, let alone she didn't know he let her take the upper hand. She gave out another, more menacing growl. Dragonbane was a bit annoyed. "Look, I'm trying to be helpfull. I just saved your life for crying out loud." More growling, but it was softer and she even removed her front arm from his chest so he could get up. "You know, I'm wise to the fact that dragons can speak. Will you at least talk to me?"
She was shocked. She couldn't think of how he knew such a well kept secret, but the sound of his voice, like he was truly concerned. "Why? Why did you help me, human?" Her voice was soft, a bit worn by age, but still sweet.
Dragonbane smiled. "There now, was that so hard? As to why, I suppose it was the right thing to do and I'm glad I did, miss...I'm sorry, I don't believe I've caught your name."
She was hesitant. "My name...is Demona, I'm the high matron of the great clan of the eastern shadow."
Our hero was impressed. "My, my, such a reagal introduction. If I may play along, I am Dragonbane, eldest of the 13th generation of the Haddock clan, Son of Firetop and Ilsa, Chief of the island of dusk and youngest to ever hold the title. I am also the greatest dragon slayer to ever live." Demona stepped back at this. "Oh Don't worry, my dear lady. I'm humbly retired at the fine age of twenty-two. I only resort to the old habits in times of extreme desperation, such as rescuing someone in need, like yourself."
Demona took a bow. "Well I must say, for a human you certainly are a gentleman. I wonder though, if your words are true and that you won't attack me when my back is turned?"
Dragonbane laughed a little. "Oh, miss Demona. I'm afraid that darling Narissa, would have my head for sure if I ever went back to my cold brutal ways again."
She was a bit curious. "Did you say Narissa?"
He nodded. "Aye."
Demona continued. "Is she perchance, a nightfury, like myself?"
Dragonbane smiled behind his helmet. "Heh, not quite like you. You see...Ah, you'll see when we get back to the cave."
She was puzzled. "The cave?"
He gave a little bow. "Of coarse. Can't have you alone out here in the cold with that injury." He said indicating the gash on the nightfury's back. "We'll get you patched up, then fix you a nice hot meal and a spot to rest and warm up."
Demona was becoming more and more surprised by this man with every word. "A human showing a dragon such hospitality. It's un-heard of, impossible."
He joked. "My dear miss, I redefine impossible."
Narissa was still zonked out. She had recovered from the limp state her beloved had left her in and was a bit restless over something. She whimpered and kicked about, unaware of her actions. She was smiling, dreaming about a time past, before her father chased her away. A summer day, when the flowers bloomed in the neighboring field and she and her friends played together.
Dragonbane stepped into the cozy warm confines of the cave and shook the snow off his new cape (Made from imported panther fur he got from a trade, Narissa likes it because the smooth fuzziness of it feels good against her underbelly, when she and Dragonbane...I think I'm getting off topic). After he cleaned and hung up the cape to dry, he removed his helmet and helped Demona in from the cold.
"Watch your step miss, there's an icy patch there" He cautioned warmly.
Demona rolled her eyes. "Alright, you don't need to make such a fuss, I'm not that old."
Our hero laughed a little. "hmhmhmhm, no I suppose not. So can I get you anything? Turkey, sheep, fish? Whatever you'd like."
She seemed more interested in what came up earlier. "I'm fine, really, but I'd like to meet your friend, the fury you mentioned before."
He nodded. "She doesn't like to go outside when the weather's this bad. If she's not wandering about, then she's sleeping in."
The two went deeper into the cave looking for Narissa. When the got to the sleeping chambers, there she was, sound asleep and fidgeting like crazy. Dragonbane had to comment. "Awww, she's dreaming. I'd really hate to wake her when she's like this." He noticed that Demona was crying, but with a smile spread across her face. "Hey are you okay?"
She ignored the question. "She's dreaming about when she was three and she and her friends were in the fields playing in the flowers. She's always been ticklish and when the other children found out they went nuts making her laugh. She had the cutest laugh."
Dragonbane was shocked at the fine detail and emotion of what the stranger was telling him. "Uhhh, okay, just who are you exactly and how do you know her?"
Demona looked at him with a smile. "Silly human, I'm her mother."