"And… then Big Jo confirmed that this is actually a, uh… a scale of a dragon, and… yeah. Looks like I'm from Scaleton… originally I mean… maybe?"
Elfo, Luci, and Bean stared down at Pendergast, who was laying on Bean's bed. Silence filled the bedroom and the only noise to be heard was the crackling of the fire. They had been in the midst of their merrymaking when the trio had suddenly been taken by surprise when the bedroom door was flung open, only to reveal a few guards carrying in an unconscious Pendergast. Bean was the first to jump to her feet to ask what happened, which only earned her the confused explanations from the men that the Leader of the Dreamland Knights had just… fainted in the main hall. Just like that, with no further explanation available. Bean instructed that Pendergast be placed on her bed and just as the guards left did the knight begin to waken.
After some initial teasing from Elfo that Pendergast had fainted like a silly woman, which earned him a well-earned smack from Bean, did Pendergast begin to explain himself. He revealed how after the Council meeting, he had gone down to the dungeons and spoke with Big Jo. After Bean asked why, Pendergast hesitated before he slowly revealed his personal journey of finding out more about his past and the true nature of his mysterious pendant. The one-eyed man told them everything… well, almost everything. He decided to omit the very last bit that Big Jo had told him and, consequently, the true reason why he had fainted in the hall. Pendergast silently reasoned to himself that he didn't have enough evidence to share. Like, seriously? Sure, he had a strange name, but that didn't mean that he might possibly be a member of the seemingly eradicated Scaletonian Royal Family. That… that was outrageous!
Such a notion was too bizarre and too far-fetched to share even with his beloved queen. It also seemed too… convenient? Him? Pendergast?! A possible prince or something? Yeah… no. That was stupid. That was so stupid. The mere thought was so stupid that it had literally fried his mind and caused him, a living angel, to faint.
Which brings us back to an elf, a former demon, and magical queen staring down at the bedridden living angel knight as they individually processed his preposterous findings.
"Oh, and, umm… I promised Big Jo that he and his assistant, Porky, would be released since I proved that what he told me was… more or less true. So, if that could be arranged, Bean, then I would greatly appreciate that."
Bean blinked and sat down at his bedside.
"Oh, ah, yeah. Sure. I honestly didn't even know they were still down there."
Pendergast sat up and ran his fingers through his hair, his expression unsure and he avoided everyone's stares. In all honesty, he felt pretty silly for fainting. It had never happened to him before, and the fact that it happened with his new body made even less sense. His head actually hurt and it was hard to think, but he wasn't about to tell that to the group.
Clicking his tongue, Luci tapped his chin and said, "So? When are we leaving?"
Everyone looked over at Luci and Bean asked, "What are you talking about?"
Luci rolled his eyes.
"Bean. Don't play dumb and innocent with us, okay? You're better than that. We all know you and how you're already making plans to make this some big, blown-out-of-proportions adventure to go and find this Scaley place, or whatever the fuck it's called. So I ask again: when are we leaving?"
Eyes turned to Bean and she just blinked and glanced between Luci and Elfo before looking over at Pendergast.
"Bean-" Pendergast managed, before he was unsurprisingly cut off.
"I mean, if we leave today, then we have about…" -she paused to count on her fingers quickly- "sixteen days before we have to be back for my birthday. To be safe, let's say we have fourteen days to go out, find this place, and get back."
"Oooo, yay… an adventure…" Elfo mumbled dryly, rolling his eyes and crossing his arms. "It's not like I just got back here or anything, but yeah, sure… let's go out to this dragonland of all places…"
Pendergast sighed and slightly shook his head, but he was in agreement with Elfo's sarcasm.
Luci, ever the grounded and snarky one, looked at his nails and said, "And… what if we're travelling for eight days and haven't found this place? What then?"
Bean shrugged.
"I guess then we'll just turn around and try again after my birthday. If anything, it'll be nice to get out one more road trip with all of us together again before, you know… more "queen stuff" gets in the way."
"And if we can't come back because, oh I don't know, we've all been eaten by dragons? Yeah! Then we're screwed. Some road trip."
Luci's dry words mirrored Elfo's lack of enthusiasm and it didn't seem like he was too thrilled either about the prospect of a death by dragon digestion.
Pendergast finally put up his hands and smiled at Bean.
"Bean, you know that I adore your sense of adventure and bravery, but we can't be rash. After all, you are the queen and I can't imagine that it'd be wise for you to just… run off towards unknown territory and dangers based on some creepy exorcist's hearsay. Especially on the eve of a major event like the queen's birthday."
Bean crossed her own arms and pouted, looking away.
"You guys are no fun…" she muttered, but didn't seem like she was going to press the issue.
That is… until Elfo looked around and blinked when an idea popped into his candy corn brain. Meeting Pendergast's eye, Elfo took a moment to savour how deviously he could smirk up at the human knight. Pendergast looked slightly taken aback and confused and could only watch as Elfo nonchalantly looked at his nails and revealed his thoughts.
"You know, Bean… I suppose that we could go on this adventure and get the Council's blessing if you were able to spin it that it was some sort of diplomatic mission. You know, for the good of the kingdom, and all that jazz."
Skeptical looks were directed at the green elf and Bean narrowed her eyes suspiciously at her friend.
"What are you talking about?"
Luci also chimed in.
"Yeah, dude. This unusual look of confidence that you're putting on is both concerning and… vaguely intriguing. Do enlighten us."
Elfo looked over at Luci with a rather smug expression, before glancing up at Bean, and then he sent Pendergast a cocky wink; the knight frowned at the wink, clearly confused as to what was happening.
"Friends… what if I told you that I personally know the Crown Prince of Ogreland, and eldest son of Queen Grogda?"
Elfo looked so smug and proud that Bean couldn't help but smile through her confusion.
"Awe, Elfo… did you make a friend during your imprisonment? That's nice, and I'm happy for you, buddy, but I don't see how your friend can help us out."
Elfo groaned and rolled his eyes before exclaiming, "No! Me! It's me!"
"What about you, man?" Luci asked.
Elfo then growled in exasperation and crossed his arms to pout at his friends.
"Me! I'm the Prince of Ogreland! Queen Grogda is my mom!"
Bean and Luci both rolled their eyes, with the black cat-thing uttering a "Pfft" in disbelief.
"Yeah, sure, Elfo," Luci stated bluntly, shaking his head in judgemental boredom.
Elfo seemed to deflate a bit, before setting his fists on his hips and pouting even more.
"No, guys! It's true! I found my mom, or… rather she found me. That's why the ogres kidnapped me, you see? It's a… long and frankly sad story, and I shall tell you all about it starting-"
"Never," Luci interjected: so rude.
Bean, at least, but a bit less of a sassy bitch.
"Wait? For real, Elfo? You found your mom?! That's amazing! But, like… you're an elf?… But, if your mom is an ogre…"
"Well, now we know where Elfo gets his big-girls kink from," Luci pointed out.
Elfo rolled his eyes.
"It's not a kink! It's a type!"
Watching Elfo stomp his little foot in indignation, Luci smirked and commented, "Ah… There's that prince-like attitude. Maybe you are telling the truth. Sonofabitch… Elfo? A prince? That sounds so stupid and fake that it fits you perfectly, now that I think about it."
Bean chuckled lightly before blinking down at Elfo and then she said, "Wait… you're serious? You're actually a prince of umm… ogres? I guess?"
Elfo shrugged.
"Well… yeah… I mean, my mom is the queen and she was the queen when I was born, and I also have a younger brother named Junior. He's pretty cool, even though I did accidentally stab him in the eyes the same day I left Elfwood, but then again he, I-I mean Junior, accidentally killed his dad when I was in Ogreland, the King I mean, which is fine because he was a total douche anyways, but that also means that my mom and Pops are back together now, so when-"
"Woah, woah, woah there, buddy…" Luci interjected, holding up his hands and shaking his head. "Dude… we don't know what you're talking about and, frankly, I think I speak for everyone here, especially myself, when I say that… yeah we don't care. Just tell us whatever plan you're cooking up in that peanut brain of yours and get on with it."
Flipping back his non-existent hair, Elfo scoffed and arched a brow up to Pendergast, "Clearly someone's got prince-envy…"
Pendergast only blinked and felt a cold chill go down his spine. He didn't say anything but simply looked over at Bean.
The Queen of Dreamland sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Elfo, not to sound like a dick, but Luci's right. If you have an idea then spit it out."
The small green man looked between his friends and Pendergast (who, to be fair, Elfo barely knew and now the half-elf was incredibly jealous of the man since the knight had apparently stolen away Bean's affections), Elfo grinned and puffed out his chest a bit. He was soaking up all of the attention he was getting, and didn't seem to be phased at all about Luci having just insulted him. Several times, in fact.
Luci stared at his smug friend with an expression of dry boredom and was already trying to remember just why he and Bean had wanted Elfo back so badly.
"Well, you see, Bean…" Elfo began, smirking up at her and even flashing her a wink, much to Bean's amusement, "seeing as I'm a Prince of Ogreland, and single by the way, don't forget about that, my sudden disappearance from my princely quarters will certainly cause a stir. I mean… the Trøgs basically kidnapped me and now my mom and Pops are probably getting pretty worried as to where I am. So, you, like, totally have an excuse to escort me back to Ogreland for, y'know… diplomacy and stuff, and… I don't know, maybe we go out on an adventure while we're doing all that… queen and prince diplomacy stuff. Could even have an ogre escort to be extra safe, yeah? How does that sound, baby girl?"
Bean's amusement managed to survive through most of Elfo's attempt at sounding cool, until her expression fell at his "baby girl" comment.
"Don't push it," she warned, before crossing her arms to consider what he was offering. "It could work… Though, I think it'll be hard to convince anyone that you're actually a prince, Elfo. Let alone a prince of… ogres… The Council won't buy it for a minute. Sorry, bud."
Luci clicked his tongue and gestured at… well, all of Elfo.
"Yeah, I see your point, Bean… he's kind of lacking some inches to pass as an ogre. Even half-ogre, and he's never really acted princely… aside from being a total bitch baby."
Elfo huffed and turned away.
"If people can believe that Merkimer is a prince, then those idiots can certainly believe that I am one too! Which I am!"
"Yeah, but we know that Merkimer is… was a prince of Bentwood…" Bean chimed in with a small smile. "I was engaged to him and everything. Technically, I guess. Wow…. that was like, a long time ago now, huh?"
"Mm…" Luci mused idly, clearly already thinking of something else. "Hey, this is a bit random, but is it only me, or does Big Jo remind anyone of Odval?"
Bean shrugged.
"Yeah? I mean, I guess so? They're both creepy, so... maybe that's it? Why do you ask?"
Pendergast, who had been quiet for quite some time now, raised a finger and opened his mouth to ask, "Wait. What about Big Jo?"
Elfo sighed a bit at already being ignored, prince or not.
Luci looked up at Pendergast.
"Big Jo. He and Odval look alike, yeah? Or is it just me?"
"Umm, clearly… they're brothers…" Elfo pointed out, still sulking from not being taken seriously.
Luci scoffed and waved him off, rolling his eyes as he spoke with as much sarcasm as he could.
"Yeah… and Bean has an evil twin and the Devil is my dad…"
"Please don't mention him…" Bean mumbled, and Pendergast took this as his opportunity to speak up again.
"No, I mean… Big Jo. What if he's how we leave the castle without rousing too much attention or suspicion?"
"And… what do you suggest?" Bean prompted, a smile beginning to play upon her lips.
Elfo pouted more and looked away with a jealous harumph.
"Well…" Pendergast began, before he paused. Of course, he didn't exactly want Bean to leave the safety of the castle for a possibly non-existent land ruled by dragons, but he also knew that she'd find a way to try and go there one way or another. "Umm…"
The problem was that Pendergast was drawing a blank. He had no actual idea.
"If you ask me, I'm still waiting on the "World's Shortest Ogre" over here to tell us his brilliant plan," Luci piped up, subtly saving Pendergast from being the centre of attention. "Or was some bullshit diplomacy mission all you got?"
Elfo waved him off before smirking back up at Bean, "World's Shortest Prince Ogre", maybe, eh?"
Bean only scoffed and sat against her bed's headboard, her arm touching Pendergast's.
"I appreciate the efforts, guys, but let's face it. Even if you are telling the truth, Elfo, there just isn't enough time to realistically find Scaleton and be back in time for my birthday."
Pendergast's face sympathetically fell and he offered a hand for Bean. That seemed to be enough to coax a smile from the woman. However, before she could set her hand within his, Elfo cleared his throat to draw attention back onto himself.
"Bean… My plan is simple! As your fellow royal, I shouldn't have to remind you that you can just do what you want! Have your birthday earlier, or later. Why does it matter?"
"Because, Elfo…" Bean replied, frowning at Elfo's newfound sense of snobbery. "I'm turning twenty, and my birthday is supposed to be this big deal because, you know, I'm the queen and all. There's been… like, official invitations and shit that's already been sent out. I can't just change the date. That'd be, like, such a jerk move, and I don't want to be a jerk queen. Not within my first year, anyway."
"And I think that it's safe to assume that Bean clearly would like this level of adventure to be completed before her dedicated festivities," Luci pointed out casually.
Elfo blinked.
"Why is that?"
The group was quiet for a moment, allowing for Elfo to look around at everyone as he waited for someone to answer. Once again, it was Luci who spoke up first.
"Think about it, Prince Elfo… Ugh, actually, no. I'm never going to say that again. I almost threw up in my mouth a bit. But, anyways, a queen's birthday is basically a fancy excuse to show Bean off to anyone who could, or might, want to marry her. Duh! After her birthday might be her wedding and then after that would be the corresponding pregnancy, and then another… or death in childbirth, or the mysterious murder of her husband. Whatever happens, we'll be too busy for a dragon-seeking adventure. Get it now?"
Pendergast's stomach twisted and he looked aside, taking the hand he had offered to Bean back to run it through his hair awkwardly. Likewise, Bean frowned at Luci as a faint blush appeared in her cheeks.
"Jeez, Luce… way to spell it out like that. I can hardly wait for my birthday now…"
Luci only smirked and winked at her.
"You're not gettin' any younger there, missy!" he exclaimed with a terrible accent, before cackling and dodging Bean's attempted swat.
Crestfallen, Elfo sat back on the bed and sighed. Thinking for a moment, he arched his brow up at Bean and opened his mouth, but before he could say anything more Bean cut him off (she had a habit of doing that to her friends).
"No, Elfo. I'm not going to marry you."
Elfo shut his mouth again and pouted, clearing his throat and looking away.
"I mean… All I was gonna say is that it's an option…"
Luci sighed loudly and dramatically as he settled down to lounge on his side.
"Honestly? It's too bad we couldn't just fly there. I miss my wings… though, if I had to choose between my demon wings and my angel wings? Demon wings all the way, baby. Angel wings, with all those feathers, are just too much hassle and maintenance. Nevermind molting. Ugh, gross."
"Fly there?" Bean repeated, perking her brow at the thought.
Luci shrugged and glanced up at Pendergast.
"Hey, Dragon Boy! Know any dragons that can give us a lift?"
The knight looked visibly uncomfortable with such a title, but luckily Bean saved him when she suddenly spoke up and looked up at him.
"Hey! Actually… that reminds me of something. Do you remember those two fairies? By the, ah… waterfall… Do you remember what they said?"
Pendergast, meeting Bean's eye, blinked and blushed deeply at the mere mention of the waterfall and its… magical waters… and all that happened within them and… stuff…
"Ahh… not in the slightest…" he admitted honestly.
Luci snickered deviously.
"They said…" Bean continued, ignoring the both of them, "that supposedly it was blood from a dragon that fell into the water that caused the waterfall and the pool to get magical powers! Maybe, just maybe… there really was a dragon and that's how you ended up in the Enchanted Forest as a kid!"
Not wanting to damper her excitement too much, Pendergast offered a half-smile as he said, "I mean… maybe…? But I doubt it, Bean… I mean… What are the odds, really? And, from what I do remember, I don't think those fairies said that this supposed dragon flew over the area twenty years ago."
"Besides, Bean," Luci offered, always happy to reveal his thoughts. "Even if all that is true, and the same waterfall-dragon did deliver Sir Sexy over here to the forest? If it was bleeding then it probably died shortly after. Or has died since then. Or is long gone and enjoying its retirement on some beach somewhere."
Once again, for whatever reason, thinking of a possibly deceased dragon made Pendergast's chest tighten slightly. He brushed it off as general discomfort and awkwardness that this entire conversation was creating, in addition to the lasting effects of his fainting. Actually, it was much more likely due to the "Sir Sexy" comment that was making him feel weird. Yeah… that had to be it.
"Well, we could always go into the Enchanted Forest and look?" Elfo suggested, wanting to contribute to the conversation. "It may not be this Scaleton place, but it's something! It'll be like the good old days! The three of us going off on a wild adventure! Except, of course, this time… Pendergast will be with us…. Greatttt…"
Frowning slightly, Pendergast hesitantly replied, "Well, without me, Bean wouldn't be able to go. Not just because she's the queen, but also because of her-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah! I know all about your dream-blocker schtick!" Elfo said dismissively, waving him off.
Once again, Pendergast frowned awkwardly at the surprisingly aggressive and haughty elf: he didn't remember the little guy having this much spine before the knight lost his head. Luci, on the other hand, was also getting annoyed with Elfo's newfound arrogance. Unceremoniously, Luci stepped forward and pushed Elfo aside with a flick of his tail in the half-elf's face so that he could return to being the centre of attention.
"Okay, so we have… some sort of plan. I think we can work in Pendergast's Big Jo suggestion: at least with that creep we have a half-assed excuse to get out of the door. So, are we doing this? You know, travelling into a notoriously dangerous forest under the guise of escorting a very creepy exorcist, whom I personally don't have the highest feelings for mind you, and therefore not informing anyone who is loyal to you, Bean, of our true intentions and whereabouts so that we may potentially find… a dragon, of all things, or, even less potentially, an entire land of dragons, all because Pendergast found a necklace in the grass? Did I get all of that? Is that what we're doing?"
Bean looked at Pendergast, before looking at Elfo, before looking back at Luci and shrugged.
"Yeah? Sounds about right."
Luci shrugged back.
"Well alright, then. No time like the present and Bean ain't gettin' any younger. Let's get this show on the road, bitches!"
/
"Just so I am quite certain that I understand, but is it absolutely necessary that you join in on this… escort mission, Queen?"
"For the tenth time, yes, Odval, it is."
Bean rolled her eyes at the triclops as she mounted her horse. Pendergast stood nearby with his stallion and was eyeing Big Jo and Porky, who had been given a shanty but operational cart with an old nag hitched up to it. Elfo sat on Bean's gelding's rump and Luci stood upon Pendergast's shoulder. Bean could clearly see that Odval and other members of her court probably didn't like that she insisted on joining in such an odd and seemingly inconsequential request of showing off a creepy former-prisoner and his lackey. But, at the same time, this was Bean so it wasn't quite so far-fetched that she'd find any excuse to leave the safety of the castle. Thus, she was begrudgingly given the go-ahead to leave… not that she needed permission.
She was the queen, after all.
"And… remind me again, if you could. How long do you expect to be gone this time?" Odval queried, eyeing the group of usual suspects. It was always Bean and her gang that stirred up trouble.
"Oh, don't you worry your, ah… pretty third eye!" Bean scoffed with a smile, waving Odval off. "I'll be back before my birthday celebrations. This I promise! I wouldn't dare miss my own party. Besides!" Bean added with a shrug and a scoff, "you and I both know that if I hung around the castle, I'd just get bored and cause some sort of trouble or get in your… well, I'd say hair, but you don't got any so… under your hat? Sure! This way, I'll be out of the way, you can plan, and then I'll be guaranteed to be surprised. And, if everything goes well, I'll consider it against your, umm… record."
"Indeed…" Odval muttered, not entirely convinced. "I need not remind you of the… sensitive nature of this party. It's not just drunken revelry to be expected, but-"
"Yes, yes, Odval! I get it!" Bean interrupted with a groan. "We'll be back before you know it. Like I said, we're going to see Big Jo off and I want to stop in at Gwen and her sister's to make sure that they received their invitation. Plus, Elfo wanted to swing by Elfwood and grab a few things for the elves, and-"
"Just… be sure to be back before the festivities begin… You should be present when your guests begin to arrive."
With that, Odval glanced over at Big Jo, before he turned to head back inside the keep. Sorcerio followed behind him after offering Bean a small smile and bow.
Usually it would've annoyed Bean that Odval had the last word, but the quicker they left the better. Pendergast managed to use his sway to ensure that since this was a simple escort mission, that a full envoy of men wouldn't be necessary. Even though Big Jo and Porky had been imprisoned, technically they hadn't really committed anything... except force Dreamland to beef up their infantry. In hindsight, it was a blessing in a disguise of green smoke.
Once Bean and Pendergast nudged their horses forward, with Big Jo and his cart, the group made their way down through town was easy enough. Bean waved to townsfolk and ignored those who called her out for owing them money. It wasn't until they left the town behind and neared the borders of the Enchanted Forest that any of them spoke.
Of course it was Elfo and his big mouth.
"So, ah, Bean? When do you plan on ditching old Creep Face and his fellow?"
"I can hear you, if you must know."
Bean frowned at Elfo before arching a brow over at Big Jo.
"Ignore Prince Shorty over here, but he has a point. Really, once we're out of sight of the castle, you two are free to go as you please. We're not actually going to escort you anywhere. We got places to go to."
"So I heard…" replied Big Jo, meeting Bean's eye before he glanced over at Pendergast, who was riding next to his queen, and smiled a thin-lipped smile. "Though, it is no concern of mine where your intentions lie. However, I must extend my gratitude to you, Dreamland Queen, and your knight there for keeping your promise. I am pleased to see that the information that I passed along proved to be useful."
Pendergast gave the old exorcist a small frown before looking over to see Bean looking at him. The knight cleared his throat and looked ahead, burying his guilt of, yet again, not disclosing all the information to Bean. Still, he saw good reason not to mention that whole thing about his name.
"Well, to be honest with you, I didn't even know you were still down in the dungeons, so… I guess I'm sorry about that?" Bean said with a smile.
Big Jo waved her off, still smiling his creepy smile.
"It was more pleasurable than our time spent in Cremorrah, this I can assure you. Besides, I too learned a great deal during my time as a prisoner. If there are any other questions that you might have for me before we go our separate ways, now would be the best time."
"Yeah, ah, I have one," Luci piped up, holding up his little arm. "What's the deal with you and Odval? You too, like, look pretty darn similar. Aside from, you know, Odval's third eye."
"It has a name! It's Soul Stealer!" Elfo exclaimed.
Big Jo only blinked and answered honestly.
"Odval is my brother. Same fathers, different mothers."
"Ha! I called it!" Elfo cried out smugly.
Luci only rolled his eyes and crossed his arms at Elfo having been right... for once.
"I… have a question," Bean began, urging her horse to be nearer to Big Jo's cart. "You… know things, Big Jo, or at least have heard stuff, right?"
"Yes… I am guilty of both those things," the man answered evenly.
Pendergast, from his position a few feet away, gazed around the area anxiously, but his hearing was tuned in on what Bean was doing.
"Well… I was wondering if you had heard any… stories, I guess, about such a silly thing like a… a…"
Big Jo watched the queen fumble and he raised a brow curiously, though he was patient enough to wait for her to spit it out. Pendergast also glanced in their direction, but could feel his stomach twist with unease as an inkling of what Bean was going to say dawned on him.
"So… I heard a crazy story this one time, long ago mind you, about there being… a dragon, of all things, that might've flown over the Enchanted Forest, say… twenty years ago or so? The dragon, I mean, not when i heard this story. Have you, um… have you heard about this silly story?"
"Hmmm…" was all Big Jo said, at first, as he regarded the white-haired woman curiously, before not-so-subtly glancing over at Pendergast.
The knight frowned upon meeting the old man's unwavering stare. Pendergast knew why Bean was asking the exorcist, but it still made him feel… odd. All this dragon nonsense was because of him, because of his strange pendent and its unknown origins. Yet here was his queen, inquiring about a great and terrible beast, hoping to reach a distant land ruled by such… creatures. Turning away from Big Jo, Pendergast hid how his brow narrowed and his chest tightened at the thought of referring to dragons as… "monsters". He couldn't, or didn't want to, anyways, which made no sense to him. He recalled when that flying machine appeared, aflame and dragonesque, Pendergast was one of those who tried to shoot the beast down. None of his arrows met their target and even if they had, they would've struck metal not dragonscales. He had been afraid, all the men had. Dragons were beasts of legend and terror, of fire and death, or so the stories told.
Yet here they were… actively trying to find one, if at all possible.
Finally, after a long moment, Big Jo had an answer for the young Dreamland Queen.
"I have heard a story that has been passed down by folks who live around the forest, of a great shadow that passed above them one dark and dreary day. I first heard of this admittedly peculiar tale a few years after it happened, some fifteen years ago, and I simply dismissed it as curious farmer's talk: minds muddled from wheat rot. However, over the years there have been other people who have spoken of the same event, though varying in dramatics. Some spoke of nothing more than a large shadow passing overhead, while others swore to have seen fire erupting from the low clouds. From all that I've heard, most did not actually see any beast or foe, and for this I took it as silly hearsay. However… considering what I know now…" Big Jo continued, glancing once more at the side of Pendergast's head, "I am beginning to believe that there might be merit to those rumours. A great shadow, flying overhead, that supposedly spewed fire? Anyone with an ounce of logic would think a-"
"Dragon?"
Bean's face brightened and she looked over at Pendergast, who held a hardened expression that was difficult to read.
Big Jo simply shrugged.
"I would say that it's possible, except a dragon has not been sighted in Dreamland… well, in centuries. They're supposedly extinct, at the ones that could fly I mean, so it is curious as to why one was supposedly flying over the Enchanted Forest a couple decades ago, as you pointed out. Humour me… would this inquiry of yours, fair Queen, have anything to do with this young knight's most… fascinating pendant, now would it?"
Pendergast scowled and opened his mouth to protest, but Bean held up her hand and spoke on his behalf.
"Call it a spark of inspiration. As you may have heard, my birthday is coming up - it's a pretty big deal - though there'll be a dull party to go along with it, so having a little fun and chasing down a would-be dragon is as much as I'm allowed."
"Riveting…" Big Jo commented dryly, clearly not convinced but who was he to say otherwise? "Well, if that's the case, then there is one other small tidbit of information that I heard during my travels that might interest you. Could be related, but very well could be nothing."
"Yes? And what would that be?" Bean pressed.
Big Jo gazed out at the forest and continued.
"All of the stories that tell of what has been claimed to be a dragon come from the western edge of the Enchanted Forest, near the Boonies. I've been told that there is a magical waterfall of some sort, which has long been cursed and people who even dare to enter the woods give those waters a wide berth out of fear of it."
Bean glanced at Pendergast who pointedly avoided her eyes and simply cleared his throat; Luci must've seen this exchange because the little scamp snickered.
"However, near this cursed waterfall there is apparently a cave from which the water flows from. This is a place of great evil and none dare to venture near it, let alone within it."
"And… so what? What does this have anything to do with a dragon?"
Big Jo met Bean's gaze and smiled his creepy smile.
"Perhaps you might be able to tell me. I am telling you of this cave because there was always one story that stuck out as odd to me that I always dismissed as simple superstition. However, now I am not so sure."
"Get to the point already, old man," Luci quipped.
"I have heard from one particular crazed gentleman who claims to have seen, and I quote, "a giant monster that crawled into that cave and the water turned red with blood and boiled with the Devil's wrath". I admit that I smelt alcohol on his breath at the time and frankly I would have forgotten his ridiculous account if I could. However, one of my talents remains with being able to remember all that I've been told. It is a gift and a curse, at times."
"So… what you're saying is that… possibly a dragon, that was seen flying over the Enchanted Forest, might have holed up in a cave above a magical waterfall?"
Once again Big Jo shrugged.
"This all occurred decades ago. If there was ever a beast, surely it has either died or moved on by now, I would think. As I said, I would be most grateful if you could inform me of your findings one day. Until then, I bid you farewell, Your Majesty. Say goodbye, Porky."
Porky waved to the group as Big Jo flicked the old nag's reins. Bean, Pendergast, Elfo, and Luci watched them head off down one of the roads splitting off the path, heading south. Once the cart disappeared from sight was when Luci chose to speak up.
"So, yeah… this "cursed waterfall" that he's talking about. Let me guess, that's where you two lovebirds went swimming, am I right? Is that where you bang- Ow!"
Bean was quick to swipe at Luci and smack him clear off of Pendergast's shoulder. The former-demon tumbled off of the knight, but was saved from falling straight to the ground when Pendergast's instincts kicked in and the man caught his small, black friend with ease. Grumbling, Luci hopped from the knight's hand onto his horse's saddle, but didn't say anything more… for now.
Elfo, who was still out of the loop, looked around Bean and blinked.
"What… was that about?"
"Nothing, Elfo," Bean reassured while clearing her throat. "Just that Pendergast and I know exactly where this magical waterfall happens to be, so it won't take very long to get there. If there is a cave nearby, we'll find it."
"Any if there's a grumpy dragon in said cave?" Luci asked, crossing his little arms and squinting up at Bean.
Bean just shrugged.
"I highly doubt that there's a dragon there, but it'll be a nice little adventure regardless."
"Oo! Oo! Can we stop by Ogre Valley? I really want you guys to meet my mom and to prove that I really am a prince!" Elfo piped up.
"Yeah, sure, why not?" Bean replied with a shrug, turning to look down at Elfo to smile at him.
True to Bean's word, knowing where they were going this time made traversing through the Enchanted Forest a breeze. Last time when Bean and Pendergast had searched for the great stone hand and the dragonscale pendant, it had taken them a full day and half to reach the clearing with the waterfall. They had lost time meandering and following longer paths. This time around, however, Pendergast led them down a more direct path. Their travel was spent with Elfo telling stories of his time spent in Ogre Valley and how his mother and father met. That story in particular earned a few good responses and snickers from Luci. Bean seemed mildly interested in what Elfo had to say, and it seemed that the more he spoke the more she believed that he was actually telling the truth. The trio continued like this until night fell and for the majority of the day, Pendergast had remained quiet. Sure he'd speak up if prompted by Bean, but he preferred to keep a watchful eye on their surroundings in case of an attack. He also had a lot on his mind with many thoughts to sort through, so the less he spoke the better in his opinion.
Besides, it made Pendergast smile to hear how happy Bean sounded amongst her best friends. He felt honoured to be there amongst them, but he knew that he'd never truly be one of them. To think differently would be wishful thinking, right? One day, possibly sooner than he'd like to imagine, Bean would marry some lord or dignitary from an allied land and he'd become a sworn knight to them both. The image made him grimace, which Pendergast kept to himself. He told himself that he'd get used to it. That… or he'd ask Bean to send him on an impossible quest one day and never return.
By the end of their first day, Pendergast guessed that they'd reach the waterfall and pool by mid-morning.
The knight had packed tents for Bean and himself, mainly to avoid suspicion from anyone, like their last outing. However, he suddenly found himself facing a bit of a conundrum when he began to set one up. He had a desire to be with Bean, to hold her all night to ensure that she had a full and restful sleep, but Elfo and Luci were there and…
"Dude, hurry up and set that thing up," Bean spoke up, breaking through his thoughts. "The sooner we get to sleep the sooner we'll wake up."
"Wow, Bean… you really want to be eaten by a dragon, huh?"
Bean frowned at Luci and rolled her eyes.
Elfo watched Pendergast start to set up the tent from his spot beside the campfire.
"Are we all going to sleep in that? Seems a bit snug, if you ask me… but hey! I'm down for a slumber party!"
"I doubt slumbering is what's on their minds…" Luci mumbled, roasting a sausage on a stick.
Whether or not Bean heard Luci isn't clear, but she did choose that moment to reach over and steal his stick to take a bite out of his sausage.
"Hey!" Luci cried out, standing to his feet and looking ready to fight.
"Got something to add?" Bean mumbled as she chewed, meeting his eye with a bored expression of her own.
Luci only grumbled and sat back down next to the fire.
Swallowing her mouthful, Bean wiped her mouth with the back of her hand before leaning against a tree. Before anything else could be said - or thrown possibly - Pendergast spoke up as he finished setting up the tent.
"Just so everyone is comfortable: you three can sleep in the tent and I'll stay out here. I personally prefer it that way, so that I can keep watch, and to ensure that Bean has a good rest, I shall simply rest my hand on her… ankle, I suppose."
Luci clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes.
"You're no fun, man… but fine. I'm going to bed."
With that, Luci sauntered into the tent to curl up. Elfo just blinked and shrugged before getting up and stretching.
"Yeah, I guess I should hit the hay too… Best get our sleep if we're going to be finding a dragon tomorrow…"
Elfo muttered under his breath and shook his head before disappearing into the tent. Bean watched him go before meeting Pendergast's eye. The knight shrugged and turned his gaze away, earning a frown from Bean.
"What?"
Pendergast shook his head, but Bean wasn't going to let him go that easy.
"Pendergast…" she began, a warning in her voice.
"Okay! It's just…" the knight began, sighing and meeting Bean's eye and keeping his voice low. "You have such an adventurous spirit and it's one of the many things that I… admire about you. However… dragons, Bean? Why must we seek danger so vigorously?"
His words were enough to tug Bean's lips upwards into a smile.
"What? Don't think you can handle it, angelic knight?"
Pendergast flashed her a quick smile back.
"I think… I have a better chance of handling a dragon than your adventurous ambition." Shaking his head slightly, he cleared his throat and gave her a true smile. "You should get some sleep, Bean. Tomorrow might just be a rather exciting day, after all."
Pendergast tried to keep his tone light and hide the regret from his words, which he was sure he accomplished with the smile he gave her. She nodded and bid him good-night before crawling into the tent to shift Elfo over so that she could lie down.
But, enough of this sappy talking-based junk. How about we skip ahead to the good stuff, yeah?
The night went by uneventfully and Pendergast didn't really sleep at all. True to his word, he kept a gentle hand upon Bean's ankle to keep her nightmares at bay and he remained thoughtfully vigilant throughout the night. Again, being a living angel meant that he didn't feel as tired as he used to and also he had fainted so… he figured that he'd had enough sleep for one day. The morning came with a layer of crisp dew and a light mist under an overcast day: perfect dragon hunting weather. Pendergast couldn't help but roll his eyes at the thought and he simply tried to focus on the fact that he was spending some intimate time with Bean… and also with her friends. Still, it was better than routine castle duties.
Upon waking up Bean, which only took a few tries as well as calling her name, soon enough everyone was roused and ate a light breakfast. Once she wiped the sleep from her eyes, Bean was full of energy as her excitement inspired her to rouse faster than her normal grogginess. Soon enough they were all packed up and back on their horses, making good time through the forest. The knight counted his blessings that they had encountered no beast nor brigand on their journey, and he silently hoped that this trip would prove to be rather uneventful. A bear or a rabid raccoon Pendergast could handle, but a dragon? The man frowned and absentmindedly reached up to thumb the faint lump beneath his tunic that was his dragonscale pendant. He felt its warmth, and for whatever reason that gave him comfort.
Just as he guessed, a little before mid-morning Pendergast and Bean directed their horses around a large bush and there before them was the large oak tree. It remained an imposing figure as last time and signified that they were very close to their destination. Just beyond it would be the great stone hand, and just beyond that would be the magical pool and waterfall. What had happened the last time Pendergast had been to said magical pool was both fresh in his mind and foggy. The magical azure waters felt like a fever dream and all that occurred within them still made the knight blush crimson and his heart race a bit. If Bean felt the same, she was perhaps better at hiding it, as the pair of riders emerged in the pool's clearing.
Dismounting from their horses a distance away from the pool, Pendergast busied himself with tying up their mounts while Bean strode forward a few steps to admire the waterfall with her hands on her hips.
"This place really is pretty during the day," she commented, before noticeably clearing her throat.
Elfo began to walk towards the pool's edge and Bean raised her hand to stop him.
"H-hey! Elfo! I, ah… wouldn't do that!"
"What's the matter?" Elfo asked, turning back to her. "I want to wash my face."
"Well... don't you remember what Big Jo said? This pool and waterfall are cursed, so how about we all avoid coming into contact with the water, 'kay?"
Elfo looked confused but shrugged, while Luci cackled and puffed on a cigar (how he had it… why do you even wonder anymore?).
Pendergast remained silent as he came to stand next to Bean and pointedly directed his focus to the waterfall.
"If the cave is our destination, we'll leave the horses here and continue on foot. It's not that far up, and hopefully the cavern isn't too far beyond."
"And if it is?" Bean asked, looking over at him, smiling.
"Ugh! Then we keep walking!"
Both humans looked down at Elfo, who had crossed his arms and was tapping his foot.
"Enough with the lovey-dovey banter and let's get a move on already!"
"Jeez, man… what crawled up your ass?" Luci asked, clambering up Pendergast to sit on the knight's shoulder.
Elfo kicked at the dirt and started to walk towards the waterfall.
"If we're here to find a stupid dragon then let's get moving! I just want to get this over with so we have time to head over to Ogre Valley!"
Luci clicked his tongue and shook his head dismissively, before patting Pendergast's shoulder.
"You heard, Prince Shorty: giddyup there, lover boy!"
Bean met the knight's eye and she shrugged. She walked after Elfo and Pendergast followed her and quickly they scaled up the rock. For such a small lad, Elfo was impressively deft when it came to rock climbing and was the first to reach the top. Luci hopped off of Pendergast's shoulder to scramble up after him, leaving the humans to bring up the rear. Once at the top, there was nothing special. The Dreamlanders saw how a small stream fed the waterfall and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Nothing left now but to follow the magical waters as it meandered into the heart of the forest and towards where the trees meant the western mountains.
An hour passed. Then another, and with each step they took did the mountains before them grow closer.
After the first half-hour Luci whined that they should've brought the horses, even though the sassy scamp was sitting on Pendergast's shoulder the entire time. As they walked along the water's banks, the stream steadily shrank into a small, quaint babbling brook. It was around noon that they finally emerged from some thick trees to a shadowed clearing next to a large rocky outcrop. That's where they saw it. Like some giant, stone frog with its mouth stretched open wide, there at the other end of the clearing was revealed to be a cave that quietly spewed out its lazy stream. Moss and vines hung from its maw, draping the entrance of the cavern with dense foliage and almost entirely hiding the entrance from view.
Luci whistled.
"Wow… it looks like… a cave. Now what?"
"Now…" Bean replied with an excited smile, "we head inside and see what we can find."
Pendergast caught her arm when she took a step forward, forcing her to look at him.
"Not to put a damper on the situation, but we should tread carefully. More likely than not that a bear-selkie or some other beast has taken up residence in there. Caves are rarely unoccupied."
Elfo rolled his eyes and drew his wee dagger.
"Well I'm not afraid. This will make for a good story to tell my mom. Ogres love stories of bravery and courage, you know?"
"Those are synonyms, Elfo," Bean stated and walked by him with Pendergast beside her.
The knight kept his crossbow on his back and drew his sword also as they approached the cave. Birds sang up in the trees, frogs croaked in the underbrush, and the cave's brook trinkled pleasantly: hardly the lair of a fire-breathing dragon.
"Looks like a walk in the park… albeit this park is dark, wet, and probably stinks of bear or something," Luci muttered and scoffed, twitching his nose at the dripping vines.
"Yeah… let's do this," Bean declared, drawing her own sword.
Pendergast couldn't hide the small smirk from his lips. Her sense of adventure, courage, and spirit were just a few aspects about her that he loved so much. Okay, he loved all of her, but give him the time and he'd name every single detail if allowed.
Pushing back the long vines, the small group of adventurers entered the foretold cave. The ceiling of the cavern wasn't that high up, maybe fifteen feet, but the interior was definitely wider than it was high. The brook cut through the centre, hewing through the cavern's stone floor. Somewhere deep within the cave was the water's source, probably a spring. If they could find that, at the very least, then that would be something… maybe? Hopefully they wouldn't come face to face with a forest selkie. That'd be a real bummer considering that Bean, Elfo, and Luci somewhat knew one in the form of Ursula.
"How long do you think it goes?"
Elfo's question echoed slightly and Pendergast glanced down at the elf-ogre hybrid.
"It may be wise to keep out voices down-"
"Hey! Do you know what this reminds me of?" asked Bean, either ignoring Pendergast or… yeah probably ignoring him.
The knight, who was probably used to this, simply retrieved his torch and lit it now that they were venturing deeper into the cavern's darkness and away from the greenish light of the entrance.
Luci shrugged.
"Beats me, though if I had to guess then… some other random dangerous situation that we found ourselves in for some strange reason or another?"
"Basically, yeah," Bean confirmed with a shrug. "I was thinking of when we went to the Devil's Snowcone. Remember that?"
"Hey, I was there!" Pendergast exclaimed with an honest-to-goodness boyish smile, his face illuminated by his torch.
Bean gave him a sympathetic smile because, well, his reaction was cute.
Elfo rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"Whoopiee… So you've almost died while out on a classic Bean adventure. So what! We all have. Heck! Luci and I have actually died already."
"Well, so has Pendergast," Luci pointed out.
Elfo scoffed again.
"I don't think that counts. He was killed by some freaky religious broad. I was killed by… hey! That reminds me," Elfo paused to look up at Pendergast with a frown, "who did kill me? I don't think that was ever answered."
Pendergast opened his mouth to say something but, once again, Bean beat him to it.
"Elfo, this really isn't the time to be dredging up "how you died" history."
"Yeah! Because with us being here, we might just be able to add to the list… oh you know, eaten by a bear… crushed by a rockside… incinerated by a dragon…"
"Didn't you hear Big Jo?" Elfo asked smugly. "Apparently fire-breathing dragons are extinct, so what we're after is probably some kind of flying lizard… thing."
"No, idiot!" Luci retorted, smacking Elfo with his tail on the back of his head. "The guy said that flying dragons are extinct… We can still be roasted where we stand-"
"Luci! Shush! Look! I think it's the end of the cave already."
They'd only been walking for... ten minutes at the most, though probably less.
"Huh, it's not that big after all," Elfo commented.
Before them indeed looked to be the end of the cave, with the walls closing in on each other to form a great dome-like dead end. The brook continued to flow across the floor, yet looked to flow out from under a great, craggy boulder that took up the majority of the space. The great irregular rock was covered with moss and had a few stalagmite-looking rocks protruding from it.
Bean and Pendergast gazed around and Luci remained on his knightly perch. Elfo, however, walked closer to the giant boulder and rubbed his chin as he inspected it.
"Hey, Bean…?"
"Hm, I guess that's it then? Talk about anticlimactic, huh? I guess… we'll head back and… well, Elfo wanted to go to Ogre Valley, so…" Bean said to Pendergast, looking at him.
"Bean?"
Both humans looked down at Elfo and Bean addressed the little guy.
"Yes, Elfo, we're going to Ogre Valley. You win, alright?"
"No, it's not that," Elfo retorted with an eye roll, "though, I like it when you say that I win. But no, I was talking about this rock," he said, gesturing to the large boulder.
"Yeah? So what?" Bean asked with a shrug, giving him a weird look.
"Well… I was just going to point out that it's different from the rest of the rock from the cave, is all," Elfo stated with a shrug.
Luci hopped down from Pendergast's shoulder and came to stand by Elfo. The former-demon reached up to feel the boulder before knocking on it, before he too shrugged.
"I don't know what to tell you, man. It's just another rock in a cave made of rock." Luci then crossed his arms and regarded his green-skinned friend with a smirk, "So was it the ogres who taught you geology?"
While Elfo busied himself with mocking and arguing with Luci, Bean and Pendergast approached the large boulder and the knight held his torch aloft to better fill the space with its light. Even up close, the boulder looked nothing out of the ordinary. There wasn't anything of significance that Bean could see either. With a dismissive shrug, the woman turned to head back the way they came with Luci and Elfo following after her as they continued to argue.
Pendergast, however, remained by the boulder for a moment longer. His expression was scrutinous and he felt a reluctance to leave. It was like a hot force was tugging at his heart, rooting him in place, and he couldn't tear his eyes away from the seemingly inconsequential boulder.
Actually, his chest really did feel like it was getting warmer.
Blinking frantically to break his studious gaze, the knight looked down to see the faint glow of his dragonscale pendant bleeding through his tunic. Daring to sheathe his sword, the man tugged on the string to free the pendant from his shirt. Pendergast's lips parted in curiosity upon seeing that the dragonscale was indeed softly glowing a warm orange, stronger than its usual faint glow that only he could apparently see.
"Yo! Pendergast! What's the deal?"
"Yeah! You have the light, man! What-? What are you looking at?"
Luci and Bean were promptly ignored by the knight, which was unusual, and they looked at each other. Bean began to approach Pendergast and he moved his arm bearing the torch towards her to keep her at bay.
"Wait! W-... wait just a…"
Pendergast's words faded as his fixation on the dragonscale for its glowing intensified. The pendant was radiating heat, so much that even though he held it before him by its string he could feel its warmth on his face. The orange glow illuminated the side of the large boulder in the shadow cast by Pendergast and his torch, highlighting the fine lines and cracks in the rockface.
"Pendergast…?" Bean began, taking some defiant steps forward before reaching out her hand to touch the man's shoulder.
She stopped when the sound of cracking and rocks shifting suddenly filled the air.
"Oh shit!" Luci exclaimed.
"Earthquake!" Elfo screamed.
"No!" refuted Pendergast, stepping back only to bump into Bean, causing him to snap his head towards her; his eye was wide with alarm. "Dragon... Dragon! Run!"
The giant boulder… well, as it might've been guessed already, wasn't actually a rock. Not really anyways. Pendergast's dragonscale pendant continued to glow as he dropped its string so that it fell upon his chest and he grabbed Bean's hand. They took off running back the way they came. Elfo and Luci managed to keep up until they simultaneously jumped to grab onto Bean and Pendergast's tunics to hitch a ride on the faster runners. The boulder rumbled and trembled, sending dust and fragments of rock into the air and onto the floor. Even though the light of the torch was quickly disappearing down the tunnel with the escapees, cracks formed on the boulder's surface that began to glow with an inner orange light.
Louder and louder the crackle of breaking rock filled the air of the cave, echoing down its length to reach the ears of the Dreamlanders over the rampant footfalls of their sprinting feet. The boulder began to move and tremble even more, with more fissures spreading like spider webs across its surface, which allowed for more orange light to escape from within. More and more fragments of rock broke off of the boulder's surface and the mass continued to shake and radiate with its strange fiery radiance. Slowly the rock seemed to grow in size, or at least that's what it would've looked like if there was an audience in the room to watch.
Since we are watching… so let's continue the show.
A rumbling began to grow from within the shifting mass of rock and light, which sounded like an axe head being dragged across a stone floor. The truth wasn't too far from that, for a massive, reptilian-esque limb emerged from the crumbling mound of shattering rock and crashed onto the stone floor with enough force to shake a layer of water droplets loose from the ceiling. More light was shining from the mass as more shattered rock fell from its form. The light was not unbroken, however, for it was segmented into a repetitive pattern that was oddly familiar. With only varying chunks of the rocky shell remaining on the emerging beast, a great and thick neck rose from where it'd been tucked away. With it came the shadow of a large draconian head through the now-thick dust in the air that was illuminated only by the creature's internal… fire?
A low, thundering growl consumed the cave and quickly overcame the fleeing humans.
"Holy shit! Holy shit! HOLY SHIT!"
"We get it, Elfo!" Bean snapped though her frantic breaths.
"Must go faster! Must go FASTER!"
"I'm-! Going as fast… as I can!" Pendergast replied to Luci.
The white-haired queen carried her half-elf companion, while Luci had managed to clamber up Pendergast to cling to his shoulder. The knight held a firm hand on Bean's and held his torch before them both as they ran towards the growing light of the entrance. Somehow they had both managed to not slip on the slippery cavern floor; the last thing they'd want to do now wa sto fall into the lustful waters with a dragon on their heels. As they ran, Bean began to smile and then began to laugh like a fiend, causing her friends to look at her with concern.
"It's finally happened, she's lost it," commented Luci.
"Bean? Are you-?" Pendergast began but she cut him off.
"I was right! There really was a dragon! And we FOUND it!"
"And now we're running for our lives! Great…" Elfo replied with a not-so-subtle tone of sarcasm, though he looked content enough from being held by Bean.
Just as they crossed the threshold of the cave, slapping aside the hanging vines, did a roar echo from behind them. The sound was so deafening that it caused the knight and his queen to stumble in their escape. Bean was forced to drop Elfo so as to cover her ears, her sword still in hand, and Pendergast's torch fell from his grip only to roll into the brook, extinguishing the flame. Staggering forward, the monstrous sound seemed to resonate for longer than a normal sound should and it took all of Pendergast's might to take another step forward. For him, at least, it wasn't pain that he felt… more like gravity had increased tenfold and the beast's roar made it difficult for him to retreat further. Peering his eye over a Bean, it looked like she was simply wincing from the intense sound and was covering her ears. Was the roar having the same effect on her? He wasn't sure.
Once the cacophony of roaring echos finally faded, then came the rampant drumbeat of cavernous thunder.
Pendergast saw Bean's expression fall as she lowered her hands. She turned to look back, but the one-eyed knight wouldn't allow her. He grabbed her hand again to make her face him before he took Luci and handed him to her.
"Hey! What the-?!"
"What are you-?"
"Bean! You take Elfo and Luci and run into the forest. Get back to the horses. I'll distract the beast and allow you time to escape."
Bean frowned and tugged her hand out his, only to the grab his hand to hold it tight.
"There is no way in Hell that I'm just leaving you here alone."
Pendergast frowned and he knew that it was fruitless to argue with her, but the beast's approach was getting louder and was now accompanied by the sound of claws or scales or something or the sort scraping across rock.
"Guys! This is not the place to talk!" Elfo screamed, squirming from Bean's arm to jump to the ground to head into a nearby bush.
"For once I agree with him! Run, lovebirds!" Luci concurred, also jumping down and running after Elfo.
"Bean!" Pendergast pleaded, glancing at the cave and knowing that they only had seconds.
In response, Bean brandished her sword and gave him her classic smile as she tightened her hold on his hand.
"You think I'm going to miss a chance to see a real dragon? I'm with you, Pendergast! What's the worst that can-?
She just had to say it, didn't she? Did she know that it was pointless to run or did she actually have that much faith in him to keep her safe? Or... maybe this is how she wanted it all to end? By dragonfire with him? That would surely be one way to avoid her birthday and inevitable marriage... but such a thought was too absurd to consider, right? Before either of them could say anything more, or react for that matter, the giant beast erupted from the cave. Pendergast drew his sword and protectively stepped in front of Bean.
Their time was up… it really hadn't been a long cave.
Out in the dim light of the overcast day, the dragon could be clearly seen. Holy shit, it really was a dragon. A real and alive dragon! Freed from the confines of the cave, the dragon seemed to slowly rise to its full height, as if stretching. The creature's head looked to be the size of a shield, or possibly bigger, with spikes or small horns jutting out from its skull to crown its face and its glinting eyes were a deep shape of orange with dark serpentine pupils. Orange-hued light continued to faintly shine from within the dragon's body, highlighting the rows of teardrop-shaped scales of varying sizes covering the entirety of the beast. While some dragons have been depicted on tapestries as having their forelimbs as part of their wings, like bats, this beast, however, had forelegs and hind legs like that of a lizard, albeit much larger and with claws easily the length of daggers. Speaking of wings, this dragon didn't… look to have any? Then again, bits of rock and dust covered the beast's scaly hide. The dim light of the day made it hard to discern the shade of the dragon's scales: perhaps a shade of red? The dragon would need a bath to truly reveal the colours of its scales, though Bean or Pendergast probably weren't concerned about draconian aesthetics at that moment.
Seemingly standing to its full height, the top of the dragon's head was a fair bit above the top of the mouth of the cave, and its body appeared to nearly cover the entirty of the cave's entrance. A row of spines, sharp and long, stretched from the back of the dragon's skull, down its long neck and back, and ended midway down its tail. The spines looked to differ in size, being longer on the neck and over the hind legs, but shorter and duller around the dragon's shoulders and on its tail. The tip of the dragon's tail was barbed with a spade-like horn that was probably meant as a defensive weapon, or for easily smashing stupid humans who didn't run.
The dragon's arrowhead-shaped head remained pointed down at the pair of humans, who were backing away but held their weapons at the ready. The legendary lizard's great nostrils flared as it inhaled slowly, taking in their scent while its orange eyes never wavered in their deadly stare down of the knight and queen. It exhaled quickly with a snort, causing Pendergast to raise his sword further. This roused a low and rumbling growl from the beast, but not one of a threatening nature… maybe? It sounded more… curious? Could a dragon be curious?
Whatever the answer, Pendergast was kicking himself for not forcefully throwing Bean over his shoulder and taking her into the woods. He really couldn't tell her no, could he?
And now they both were probably going to end up being dragonfood.
Except… wait. The two humans and the great dragon were just… standing there, staring at one another, with the dragon breathing calmly and only made the occasional low rumble every so often. Where was the dragonflame? The claws? The teeth? Just… nothing. The dragon was just staring at Pendergast, or… was it? Its narrowed orange eyes were fixated on him and both he and Bean remained frozen, not daring to move. Perhaps the dragon was triggered by movement? Pendergast didn't really want to test this theory, but he also didn't wish to stand there for the rest of their increasingly short lives in the shadow of a recently awakened dragon.
The knight nearly jumped when Bean leaned forward to quietly whisper in his ear.
"Hey… I think… it's staring at your pendant…"
The man blinked and slowly tilted his head down to quickly glance at the front of his chest. He didn't want to tear his gaze away from the dragon too long, but he had briefly forgotten about his dragonscale pendant. Understandable, given the recent series of events. From his brief glimpse, Pendergast saw that indeed his pendant still faintly glowed a similar orange to that of the dragon's inner light from beneath its scaled skin. With his right hand holding his sword and his left protectively holding onto Bean's hand, the knight didn't have an extra hand to take hold of the dragonscale.
Pendergast really didn't want to drop or sheathe his sword, and he definitely didn't want to let go of Bean's hand, so what was he supposed to do?
Bean must've guessed his plight because she gently pulled back her hand and, reluctantly, Pendergast let go. With his hand freed, the man slowly, very slowly, lifted his fingers up to his hip. He paused when he saw that the dragon began to lower its head towards him, mirroring the journey of his hand, and when Pendergast paused so did the dragon. Swallowing loud, the man hardened his expression and moved his hand an inch, and the dragon moved its head closer to him.
Now the knight was faced with a new problem: did he want the dragon to move its large head, with its evidently sharp teeth and probably fire-breathing abilities, even closer to Bean? Well, of fucking course not! However, Bean was still right there behind him, and she set her left hand onto his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze to encourage him to continue.
Again, Pendergast just can't say no to Bean, even if no word was spoken.
Shifting his hand again up to his stomach and then up to his chest, his fingers felt the opal-like underside of his dragonscale pendant… which also meant that he was now nearly face-face with the impressively large dragon's head; it's snout was probably less than five feet away from Pendergast's face. The knight saw how the dragon's eyes slightly widened when the knight's fingers touched the dragonscale and it was at that moment that Pendergast knew that the dragon was in fact staring at his pendant. The dragonscale was warmer than usual, probably due to the fact that it was still glowing brightly.
Pendergast wasn't exactly sure what to do next, or what the dragon would do, yet all the same he took hold of the dragonscale and held tightly onto it.
Now... let's switch to Elfo and Luci's perspective from their hiding spot in a nearby bush to see what happens next.
Well… The moment Pendergast gripped his pendant, the dragon suddenly reared up back onto its hind legs, like a dog would to beg for food. At the sudden motion, Pendergast shouted for Bean to get back and they hastily backpedaled. Then, in a spectacular flurry of dust and rock bits, a pair of motherfucking wings peeled off of the dragon's back: large and fearsome. The monster had wings this entire time! They were just hidden under all the dust and rocky shell that had initially covered the dragon during its slumber. Pendergast and Bean then began to run and Elfo motioned to run out after them but was held back by Luci. There was literally nothing they could do except watch… watch the dragon flap its wings, take to the air, and swoop over to easily scoop over the pair of humans before taking to the sky with one more powerful beat of its wings.
"BEAN!"
Elfo and Luci stepped out from the bush to watch the dragon grow smaller as it flew higher and away. After a few moments of observation, the dragon disappeared from sight, and Luci turned to Elfo.
"So… Ogre Valley? You... wanna go get the horses and head on over there?"
Elfo turned to Luci with a concerned expression and shrugged.
"Yeah… I guess so."
The pair began to walk back along the brook and Luci lit a cigar.
"They'll be fine."
Elfo sighed.
"You think?"
Luci shrugged.
"I mean, probably? Besides! Pendergast is with Bean, so she'll be fine, and let's face it? Those two have been in a lot more dangerous situations than being kidnapped by a dragon."
"Mm," Elfo grunted with another shrug, "I guess you're right. Where do you think they're going?"
Luci exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Probably that Scaleton place? Maybe? I don't know. Anyways, these ogres of yours better have some decent alcohol... I need to get drunk. Near-death experiences make me thirsty."
A/N:
Hello everyone!
Here it is! The next chapter... it only took a few months.
I'm... satisfied with this chapter, I guess. I don't know. It took a while to write, I admit. It was sitting at like 3,500 words for a long time, and I struggled how to continue.
But! It is done, so I hope it's at least enjoyable.
As always, I welcome all comments and critiques, just remember to be kind: this is a fan's labour of love.
Stay tuned and stay classy, folks!
Cheers!
~Sheik