TLOS X GW II

Chapter 3

Prisoner

Terrence's lab was a complete mess. If one took a moment to step inside they'd suspect a hurricane passed through followed by a group of Asura. Lab equipment were scattered haphazardly throughout the room while bubbling beakers of who knows what sat boiling till they were perfected. Currently the owner of the Lab was out fetching more supplies leaving Lance and the dragon as the only occupants in the vicinity. While Lance would've enjoyed the company of his pets he needed to get them to rest in his room down the hall.

Lance sat in front of the cage of his quarry for the second hour since he had arrived. Not out of fear nor hatred for what dragon kind has done to the world of Tyria, but rather out of curiosity. In all his years of being a ranger he hadn't engaged in the hunter's game with prey so intelligent. The mere fact that the creature was smart enough to use the trees to avoid being detected intrigued Lance slightly. However the dragon before him using false tracks to lead him astray was what truly baffled Lance.

"What are you hiding? Maybe the better question is who are you?" Lance leaned in for a closer inspection, there was definitely something different about this dragon

The dragon in itself wasn't in great condition. Aside from the bandaged wounds on each of its limbs, there were minor tears in its wings that grounded the dragon till it healed. Lance was not a medic by practice, he knew first aid and dabbled in minor healing magic, but he was an expert with animals since a ranger was often involved with them. With just one look at the dragon Lance could tell it was far, far, from being healthy. From the looks of it the dragon's last meal was a week ago at best.

"EVERGREEN!" the deep masculine voice echoing through the lab called Lance's attention to the door "Give me one good reason why that thing isn't a scaled rug right now!" It was Rytlock the Charr commander of the Blood legion

Years of military training from birth kicked in as Lance stood and saluted before answering "Sir, I believe that this dragon might be useful to us if we just-"

"Maybe you forgot but the dragons are our enemy. Bringing one here is just begging for trouble. For all we know it could all be a ploy just to get into Black Citadel!" Rytlock said in a rage using his larger size to intimidate Lance

While Lance was from the Ash legion and is now the commander of the pact army he was till outranked by Rytlock. The charr was fully equipped in his dull gray armor that had more spikes than anyone bothered to count. His signature pistol sidearm and flaming sword hung by his belt ready to take lives as the owner pleased. Lance was this close to joining the blood legion since he always looked up to Rytlock since he was still a cub.

"Sir," Lance continued maintaining his emotionless face "while I was out at Lamia Mire the risen seemed to be looking for this dragon. I tracked it down and on the path I found risen corpses lacerated by this thing's claws. This could be implied that this dragon could be a turncoat or was never allied with Zhaitan in the first place. We could be able to harvest useful information once the dragon wakes up."

Rytlock, upon hearing what Lance had to say rested his claws on the hilt of his blade to make a point "Its all about information with you and the Ash legion." Lance's breath halted but he still refused to show emotion "Fine but if something goes wrong it'll be on your head got it?"

Lance immediately set himself at ease. He understood why Rytlock was uneasy about harboring a dragon. Dragons were responsible for hundreds of years of war in the world of Tyria having one here just felt odd. While he may have fought with Rytlock on the battlefield multiple times and gotten drunk together once or twice Lance was still face to face with someone who held authority over him. Rytlock had the ability to suspend Lance's status as commander of the pact if he saw fit, needless to say Lance was risking a lot just to get information. He had no idea if this was a good idea or not Lance only had his gut instincts telling him that this dragon was worth saving.

"Oh my head," the stirring form of the dragon caught the two charr's attention, causing Lance to draw his bow and Rytlock to unsheathe his flaming sword "Where am I?"

'It can talk?' Lance was at a complete loss, of all the dragons he's faced none had talked to him directly

From his position behind the cage bars Lance saw the dragon's pupils contract and dilate. This meant that the sedatives were wearing off, soon the dragon would have a head clear enough to communicate properly, and eventually have the strength to stand. Lance would be in complete panic had he not realized that this dragon was in poor health conditions.

Hesitantly Lance reached into his pack and withdrew the slab of meat from the drake he hunted yesterday and threw it towards the dragon "I assume you're hungry. Cooperate and there will be plenty more to feed you."

Lance's actions earned him a strange look from Rytlock which he ignored blatantly. Back in the Ash legion and the Order of Whispers Lance had learned that the way to interrogate an intelligent being was to earn their trust and give them no reason to think that you'd be the one to hurt them. This was not the first time he was interrogating someone and he needed all the experience he had if he was going to keep his position as pact commander of the Charr race.

"Thank you." the dragon gave it a sniff before consuming it "Why are you being so kind to me? When we first met you attacked me."

At first Lance was taken aback by the dragon's civilized but tired tone nonetheless he reserved himself before replying "It wasn't me who was attacking you but the risen, the undead who serve under Zhaitan. Have you heard of him?"

"Zhaitan?" The dragon repeated in confusion "I've never heard of him. Besides why would this Zhaitan character attack me? There isn't a cause for conflict anywhere in the realms. Why ruin this time of peace?"

"I don't know what kind of fantasy you've been living in but Tyria has been at war for more than a hundred years now. Thanks to your kind there hasn't been a year of peace since the founding of the five races!" Rytlock pounded his fist against the bars of the dragon's cage

Lance placed a claw on Rytlock's shoulder to calm him down, then turned to the dragon. His eyes said it all confusion, worry, and fear were dominant in his mind. Obviously there was something special about this dragon and if Lance was going to find out what it was he needed understand the dragon.

"Will you tell us everything?" Lance looked the creature straight into the eyes hoping to convey his intentions

The dragon took a pause and looked at the ground contemplating before returning Lance's look in equal parts concern and benevolence "My name is Spyro...

END OF CHAPTER 3