Chapter 2: Kyvren-Curiosity killed the cat
Standing in the corner, watching the men around the table bicker and complain about every little thing, was tiring. They had been saying the same arguments for the last hour. Where should they go? What's the best move? Where should they focus the warriors? Where will the next attack be?
If I didn't have to be here…flying above the trees would be nice.
"Kyvren, you look like you need a drink," a half-filled cup of watered-down wine waved in my face and filled my senses with its sweet tardiness. "Don't worry, the bickering won't last forever."
Taking the cup with a slight bow, the one standing next to me so stoically, waved it off. He was much larger than anyone in the tent and that said something as only the strongest were called here. No one but Xumros could best him, and that was why he was now standing next to me.
"Beldrym, you could use one yourself. What brings you over here to my lonely corner? Shouldn't you be by…his Torridness?" finishing the last two words in my cup only Beldrym heard me. With a raised eyebrow in my direction, he hid a smile and looked over to Xumros.
"You know we don't get along, and you need to be more careful. If any- "
"What's all this whispering in corners about!"
Both of us turned and bowed in Xumros's direction. He had gained weight recently, focusing more on pleasures than warcraft. He disgusted me. If only Beldrym would take over…
"Nothing Torrid, we were merely discussing any new developments." Beldrym was quick on the draw and Xumros's sweaty face pulled down in a scowl.
"Of course it's you Beldrym, and is that Kyvren hiding behind you again? New developments! -ha! If you are not going to pay attention to the discussion, you may leave."
"As you wish, then, Torrid." Quickly making our escape, it was obvious he meant this dismissal as a slight to us. No one saw it that way. If anything, envious eyes followed us out the heavy tent flaps. I almost welcomed the questionable scent of cooking, animal crap, and to many dragon men in one area.
"Where are you off too?" I hadn't even noticed I was not following Beldrym until he called out to me.
"I have free time now, who knows?" with a knowing smirk, I was waved off.
"Stay out of trouble!" my back was already turned and so I too just gave a wave over my head. Beldrym was born to be the Torrid. That name was meant for the best, and the strongest among us. He even had Crimson black scales. It was a pity. Shoving those thoughts once again in a tight box. The sounds of many voices, some laughing, some arguing, relieved me of any more troubling thoughts.
The tents began to thin along with the stench as I headed out of camp. I almost had enough space to transform and fly. Norrideen lake would be in our hands soon, maybe I should go and see how things are over there… those Merfolk had been particularly troublesome.
They had been the first true resistance we had faced, and Xumros wanted to make an example out of them. He was good when it came to combat. Too bad he couldn't be that good with anything ells.
"Kyvren? Kyvren! I thought that was you. What brings you out here?" Just hearing her voice, I knew exactly who had called out to me. Forcing a smile and taking a deep breath I hesitantly turned to face the dragon-women sauntering up to me. I really didn't have time for this.
"Lyldryth."
"Oh the way you say my name always makes me so sad, it's almost as if you don't like me." A fake pout transformed her sharp mature features into a childish mess.
"Lyldryth, go play with someone else, I need to be somewhere."
"Fine, fine but-"catching ahold of my shoulder stopping me from continuing on my way, her other hand caressed my chest and ornamental buttons showing my high position in my flight. Her fingers lingered there making me feel dirty for some reason. "My mating rights are coming up in a few weeks…I hope I'll see you then." Looking down at her slight blushing face I wanted to shove her off me, but…
"Lyldryth, you know I can't. Our flights are at odds… and your mate now is infatuated with you. Go back to him." Pulling away I breathed a sigh of relief as she didn't follow. She was a fine-looking gray dragon but those dull syrupy-yellow eyes…an involuntary shiver ran down my back. The way she focused on my position also irritated me.
Finding a suitable space for me to transform I quickly undressed and shoved the ball into a bag. Releasing the restraining magic it took to force my large body into it's smaller more manageable self, felt wonderful and refreshing. Flinging the bag over my head to catch on one of my spine spikes, I wasted no more time and jumped into the air.
The heat generated from so many of use being in one area made and easy ascent into the air. There was nothing like feeling a warm updraft pushing me up into the sky. The smell could be better but that was already changing. A few more flaps of my wings and only the fresh clean air filled my lungs.
The sun would hit mid-day. If I hurry, I can catch lunch with the subjugation forces. Sure enough, forty minutes of hard flying and I could smell cooked meat. It made me think of the unique climbing goats in the area. It was worth pushing myself to get here.
Finding the clearing with the small changing tents ringing it, they even had a little washing area, that was nice. Refreshed and fully dressed the place was oddly deserted. Maybe they were still fighting?
Seeing some soldiers grouping up I headed for them. pleading voices and weak screams became more audible the closer I came.
"What's going on?" the closest Dragon-man to me was about to ignore me than seeing my Black Tooth insignia on my left breast with its subtle eight onyx dots and the three silver buttons trailing up to my shoulder he came to attention with a snap.
"Sir, we are interrogating the captured Merfolk from Norrideen lake." Another weak scream pierced the air.
"And who is in charge of the interrogation?" this was no more than a boy in front of me and from a small much weaker flight according to his Green Tail insignia.
"Xethes flight leader of Grey Wing." he looked worried for some reason, Grey Wing was an upper-level flight…and he had a temper. This was going to be interesting. Nodding to the boy I pushed my way into the front and the large open tent.
There were about three Mermen on the ground with their hands bound as Dragon-men stood behind them. Xethes had a rather old and worn out Merman strapped to a table. An assortment of tools lay on a table next to him and his interrogator.
"Tell me." He brandished a red-hot iron rod in his hands and looked bored with it all now. The thing on the table was bleeding from several cuts and one of his hands had been mangled beyond recognition.
"I have nothing to say. You started this! Only the waves know why." Xethes dragged the rode down his arm to his elbow. The old Merman just whimpered almost fainting.
"Tell me what I want to know old fish. Or ill kill those three as slowly and as painfully as I can." Tears began to fall from the Merman's eyes.
"Xethes, he is half-dead already. I hardly doubt he heard you just now." Xethes head wiped around to see who had dared interrupt him.
"What business does Black Tooth's second have here?" his eyes cut dangerously at me. True I was inferior to his rank of flight leader, but my Dragon-man standing was higher than his. He wasn't even in the top fifty, he was no match for me as I held the eighth ranking for more than a year. He was an interesting little brown dragon, too big for its own wings at the moment.
"Would you believe me if I said for fun?" smirking at him, his scowl became deeper. A groan from the old Merman on the table brought our attention back to him.
"Ha…ha-ha. We will survive. Your uncalled-for attack on us will not be successful. My people will live on. They will come…"
Uncalled-for? Why would he say that? The Merfolk of Norrideen lake had been the first to attack us. But he said it with such emotion and conviction.
"Who? Who will come? Where are the others? What lakes and rivers do your people infest?" the old Merman just continued his odd dying laughter and repeating how we started this. I knew Xethes wouldn't let him live much longer and this was my best chance to leave while he was still distracted.
Making my way to the kitchens I barely got there before they closed, and I ate my meal relatively in peace. It just didn't sit right, none of this did. Finishing my meal without really tasting it, I soon found myself in the middle of Norrideen lake.
Dead fish and plants covered the ground. They had done a fine job of heating the water and evaporating it in such a short time. Even the feeder river had been stopped and dried up. What was odd, the deepest part of the lake had a remaining puddle. It was devoid of death and rot. It was still filthy with other things, but it would be relatively safe to be in. how had this remained clean?
Studying the water, an impression on the side looked as if someone had slid into or out of the water there…walking to the spot, odd footprints left in a westerly direction from the water. The footprints were light and small like a child would leave. They became more regular and surer the farther I followed.
I needed to get back to the main camp…but this was too interesting. I had to see where this lead me and who had made them. but I couldn't just leave without any word to my flight leader…going to another camp for lunch was one thing. Venturing out into the land was another. Eimur was tolerant but not that tolerant of me.
Heading back to camp I found that same Green Tale from before and sent my word through him. I knew Eimur would not be happy, but I had to know what was at the end of that trail. Who knows, I might find a piece of important information.
Flying low it was obvious the footprints lead in a straight line for the west from the lake. Due to terrain becoming rockier and other obstacles, I lost the trail a few times. They were so light it was easy to miss them.
Low on patience after losing the tail once again I gave up trying to find the trail in the failing light. Instead, I just headed in a westerly direction. My shock at seeing a pale figure laying on the ground almost made me drop out of the air. I almost missed them. The sun was setting, and they blended well with the terrain.
Landing and dressing I slowly approached them with the sun at my back to give me the maximum advantage. It was a girl. She was mumbling something about water. Bending down I could see how pale and exhausted she was. Moving the hair from her face, her eyes cracked open and the sun seemed to make her silver-white eyes explode with life before they close again. Delicate fishbone jewelry adorned her ears and neck. A fine mess fish scale halter top covered her bosom leaving her belly exposed, the same kind of material was wrapped around her waist and fell in strips around her legs.
She was so small and fragile. She had to be a Mermaid…I should walk away and let her die. But those eyes and her delicate features so different from the sharp women of my own race. Full round lips and graceful neck. No, I can't leave her here.
Changing right there and then I didn't care how my clothes exploded around me. I gently scooped her up and headed to the only body of water I knew around here. It was small and already cleared of having Merfolk. She would be safe there.
The moon was hard to see by but thankfully I had found the lake before it was too late. Hovering above the water I knew I should just drop her in the water but…that felt wrong for some reason. I knew she could breathe water but still…landing on the shore I walked into the water and slowly released her. Her body seemed to not have any issues as she sunk farther down. That was good.
She was extremely exhausted and my not wake up till tomorrow or the next day…I should have time tomorrow to check on her. Scratching my tail, I went to a nearby tree and curled up on the ground. I'll check in early tomorrow and get some more clothes.
Waking before the sun rose, I made it to the camp and stole some ill-fitting uniform and flew back out to the small lake. She was still safe laying near the bottom. The way she floated there was almost angelic.
My dragon form was doing to much damage to the grass and trees, so I changed back into my man-form and put on some shorts and rested under a tree. It was a bright day and a mid-day nap sounded wonderful.
Feeling the shadow of someone fall on me, I freeze. I'm not sure how long I've been laying here but someone was sitting next to me. Feeling a coolness next to my face, and my hair suddenly being played shocked me. My eyes flew open, it was the girl painfully gripping my hair now.
Raising my hand slowly to restrain her hand it somewhat lessened her grip but didn't let go completely. Her eyes blazed and sparkled like nothing I had seen. Her hair, dull and wiry, now wet and fell in decorative ropes around her. Her skin was not cold but cooler than any Dragon-mans or woman for that matter. It felt like a cold refreshing drink after a hard workout.
She was beautiful. With soft round features. If I were to reach out to touch that face, I wonder what she would do? Why had she even approached me? I should bring her back to camp.
The sound of breaking twigs and heavy footsteps that sounded all too familiar filled me with dread. She heard it too and a wild panic crossed her face. It was almost cute the way her face flushed a bit. Suddenly releasing me and bolting for the water my hand never left her arm.
"Wait. Your name?" What was I doing?! She seemed just as surprised as I was.
"Arista." The melodic sound of her voice was a surprise and then she smiled at me, it took my breath away.
"Kyvren." My hand lost strange and she slipped into the water without much of a slash and was gone. Had that really happened?
"KYVREN!" Eimurs voice reached me well before he did as he made his way to my tree…there would be hell to pay for this, but oddly I didn't really care.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone