Private Tales Dragons Bound in Ice and Blood

[Ashieron]

Ash was laid down on a log next to a lumber mile, its pine scent embracing him as he looking at at the setting sun. The northern part of the world was almost in the full throws of winter as they were really close to the isolated tundra of Eretejva.

Ash wore his warm cloak, made of the furs of foxes and rabbits. It was definitely a welcome item this far north where snow littered the ground and trees like the plague. It definitely did assist in making his red hair and amber diamonds that were imbedded into his flesh on his face visible.

Ash was waiting for the people which he had recruited for the daunting task of finding a few abandoned dragon eggs. A rumor in which he has heard from a few travelers stopping by a small tavern within the village not too far from where he is now. He kept the amount of people knowing to as low as he could, even having them swear to secrecy before informing them of what he had known. Now was the day for them to go and see if the rumor was real.

“Hopefully they get here soon.” He’d mumble playing with a bit of fire as it floated in the air making little shapes of creatures and beings, playing in the air. This was going to be a longer journey but he was more worried for the eggs than themselves.

 

[Freya Thrakin]

The wind whipped across Freya's skin, striking with an unyielding cold that emanated from the raging shore. It was to be expected; after all, they were close to her home. From atop the cliff she stood on, a small forest could be seen bordering the large expanse of the Blightlands, and the sea that separated them from the Eretejva Tundra. The sound of snow being pushed through came loudly from behind her, as a large weight shifted from its prior position. Her eyes remained focused on the landscape before her as a wordless question entered her mind: 'Are you sure about this?' A long scaled snout entered the corner of her vision, as iridescent eyes shifted from the horizon to the Nord.

"How many more times are you going to ask that question? As I said the last time, I am. I know you're not a fan of strangers, but this one seems earnest - and if what he's saying is true, that's an opportunity we can't pass up." Freya turned her head to Oris, a hand going up to caress the large dragon. Oris was quiet for a moment, uncertainty slowly being replaced with a begrudging acceptance. "Then let's not keep this stranger waiting."

She nodded, setting her gaze on the horizon once more as she stepped off. Immediately, the freezing wind rushed past her face as she plummeted down, the ground becoming increasingly closer. At the same time, Oris leapt off, falling beside Freya as large grey wings soon unfurled. On instinct, she grasped one of the dragon's spines, pulling herself onto the back of Oris. The dragon suddenly turned upward, readjusting his flight so that they were now soaring above the snow-covered forest.

An image flooded her mind, one through the eyes of Oris. The elf she had met with before, Ashieron, sitting upon a log. It was at a tavern by the Spine where they had met. Oris was hiding amongst the clouds at the time, considering the price the head of a dragon would go for. The dragon had grumbled at being told to go away, but understood regardless and agreed. Within the tavern, he had come to her with an offer: help him find the abandoned eggs, supposedly left behind by some slain broodmother. Of course, she had agreed to the task.

Oris began to circle the elf, his wings causing a dark shadow to encompass part of the clearing as he came closer. When he landed, the snow gave an audible crunch underneath his talons, the leaves shaking as his wings moved to slow his descent. Freya dismounted the dragon as she walked over to the elf. "We're here," she said. The dragon watched Ashieron intently, a curiosity in his gaze. "That's Oris, by the way. He wanted to meet you."

 

[Iliris]

Rumors. Rumors were all that one like her had to live of. Gathering pieces of information that were more often blatantly false than bearing even the smallest resemblance of truth. She tried to find out more about dragons, she really did. But more often than not all Iliris did was guide others, those who sought blood like she once had, in directions that she knew to be false.
And she waited. And listened.

And one day, she heard something very different. She had met an elf, in a small tavern in one of the villages Iliris knew well and visited often. She didn't know this stranger, but there was something about him that made her listen to his words, made her swear the secrecy he asked, and, finally, made her believe his words enough to set out to find him now.
Dragon eggs. Left without a mother, without care, doomed to die or fall into the hands of poachers if nobody did anything. She couldn't pass this even if it was only a small possibility, only a brief chance of the elf's words being true. Iliris had, after all, debts to pay.
It was hard to say, when exactly she had begun to think of herself as being in debt to the dragon she had met. Nevertheless, right now she knew with rigid certainty, recalling the dying light in those old, wise eyes, that she owed the creature everything she had right now: clarity of mind, her beliefs and way of life.
And if there was a chance that she could give anything back, even if not to the dragon she had met, and, this thought stabbed her with guilt, helped to kill, but at least his fellow creatures. No, she couldn't pass that up.

So she went to the discussed meeting place, as it was usual for her, on foot. She walked faster on foot than most people mounted in the mountains and forests below them anyways, even if this time Iliris had had to cross bigger distance than was usual for her.
When she had almost reached the spot, close enough to see the flames dancing around the elf between the trees, she came to abrupt stop, because suddenly there was a shadow gliding over the forest, moving on to the clearing. Even with her exceptional senses she couldn't quite tell what it was. That is, until the creature landed.
It was a dragon.
A real dragon in flesh and blood, one she could see clearly now. Hear clearly. Almost smell, that's how close the dragon was.
Iliris found herself frozen in place, this time in shock more than wariness.

And since nobody could accused her of cowardice, she set off again, only after a few fast and exited heartbeats. Was this safe? She didn't know. But there was a whole dragon in front of her, and she just had to walk up to the beast. Well, and the elf.
Iliris stepped into the clearing, snow crunching under her feet softly, as she spoke up. "Greetings," for all the emotions she felt, her voice was loud and steady, matching her look. She gave a nod to the elf, before turning her gaze to the dragon at last. Her eyes were filled with awe. "I had no idea there would be such company," she spoke, her voice matching to the look she gave the dragon. Iliris' eyes jumped between the dragon and the woman next to the elf, as she approached them, a bit slower than she usually would. The woman had ridden the dragon. Iliris had never heard of anything like that. Whomever this woman was, she already seemed impressive to her. And potentially dangerous.
But they were here on peaceful terms, right?

 

[Ashieron]

Ashieron watches the newcomers approach him, he’d sit up recognizing them. He’d look them over some to make sure that they weren’t too cold, listening to Frey’a introduction to Oris, he’d give the dragon a curtious nod, “Nice to meet you Oris,” as he had no worry of dragons. He would smile and nod at Ilris, “Glad to see you all could come.”

“Unfortunately I have not seen nor heard from the others, but sunlight is shirt lived up here.” Ash would look up at the sun, “We need to leave before the sun sets in a few hours time.” Being this far north gave them a slight disadvantage, the sun did not stay up as long in the winter. As compared to the South.

He would walk towards the water and hold out his hand his voice becoming multiple, “Ignis frigore aqua.” Flames licked at the surface of the calm water, then it froze within the fire. Ash smiles and hops onto it, “Come, should not be a long walk.” He’d motion to the others. This was the first steps of their journey, their journey to a dragon’s lost nest and her orphaned eggs. The diamonds under his eyes glowed as he kept up the spell. He has no worry about being able to keep it up, as he was well versed within magic. His whole body was a center for magic and had it coursing through his veins.

 

[Cra'ull]

solids were odd, i watched in the form of an ice spike hanging from a tree, id been many different things as to be something is to truly understand its existence but solids still confused me they walk around wearing textiles from other animals rather than useing there own skin as they were meant to. they always come in different shapes but all of them seem to have the same minds of greed

the larger flight bearing creature caught my eye id only ever seen one before and barely escaped with my life, had to spend days regenerating as i had to turn to a pile of ash and leave half of myself behind to confince him of my dimise. i did not look forward to interacting with these folk. the only reason i know about this trek is i ate a member that was on his way, his memories filled me and i saw visions of him and his quest.

my ice sickle body slowly morphs and stretches to the ground im now a snake and begin following the group not far behind, if i follow them perhaps ill get a look at that egg or if it comes to it a taste.....

 

[Freya Thrakin]

The sound of crunching snow could be heard then, earning both Oris and Freya's attention, their heads turning in an unnatural unison to the source of the noise. A human woman stood there, frozen in place as her gaze locked onto the beast before her. A low growl began to emanate from the maw of the dragon, his wings beating once more in the presence of this stranger. Pale orbs looked at her as she stepped closer, uncertainty and suspicion rising with the movement, flickering to the elf before returning to her.

Freya raised a hand, gliding it along the dragon's scales. The growl quieted immediately with the touch, pale eyes flashing to an iridescent green. Oris shifted his gaze between the two strangers, relaxing ever so slightly in their presence. Freya looked to the newcomer, saying, "Forgive Oris, he's still unused to people. I'm Freya." Dragons were known for their isolation, rarely, if ever, coming down from their lairs to interact with the likes of mortals. Coupled with the few and far between cities of the Eretejva Tundra, it came as no surprise that Oris was as averse to strangers as he was.

The nord nodded to Ash's statement, watching his magic with curious eyes. Oris did the same, his pale eyes gazing at the mystical fire as it froze the water before it with a quickly piqued interest. "Walking may take too long, especially if the eggs are as out in the open as we think. Too long without a mother means any other likes of creatures could come and eat them," she advised. "Oris can take us." The dragon, at the sound of the offer, gave a reluctant grumble, lowering his wings to reveal his back.

 

[Iliris]

"Iliris," she called out her own name belated as it was, only now managing to shake off her surprise enough to remember anything about simple human decency. "It's an honor to meet both of you," she bowed her head to both Freya and Oris, even though the dragon didn't seem to pleased with her presence. That could be understood. And what she could understand didn't make Iliris as wary as the things that evaded her mind. They were here on peaceful terms indeed, and that was more than enough for her.
Even if being on the receiving end of a dragon's growl did test her composure a bit. A thing to get used to, she cut the though off.

Magic was something Iliris was more than used to, with all its twists and complicated nature, but the one that Ashieron used was... different. Obviously, magic had no need to follow simple law of nature, but, as far as woman had known before, those who used it, and did it more then she herself, usually stuck to something that at least mimicked the way things worked without any magical interventions. That is to say, seeing fire that froze water was new. Her face stayed calm, but there was a spark of curiosity kindling in Iliris' eyes.
Were they really to walk over water? Ice was a unreliable matter, but, if she had decided to trust the elf, she should trust his magic as well. And Iliris didn't mind walking.

Although she did agree with Freyas worries, nodding her head. What Iliris could not have seen coming, was the other woman's next proposal.
Oris could take them. A dragon could take them. They would fly on a dragon? Iliris' heart skipped a beat, before she brought herself back to her collected state at once. "That would seem like a faster option," she agreed, as a bit of her uncertainty did slip into her voice after all. She wasn't a coward, in any way, no. But this was something she didn't feel bad about being worried by.
But she couldn't step back now. Iliris approached the dragon slow enough to be called wary. In any way, all her worries aside, not taking the offer would be foolish. They had to rescue the eggs.

 

[Ashieron]

Ash smiles as he let the ice break and melt back into the surf. He would let Iliris get onto Oris’s back first before he’d climb onto the back of the dragon. After which he would spread his huge wings and takes off over the channel towards the tundra island.

The flight took only alittle bit over thirty minutes to him, but time flew different for him. In truth he had no idea how much time had passed, but he was enjoying the flight. The nice feeling of wind on his cheeks, he did have to tie up his hair into a ponytail because the wind was making it whip into his face some.

Once the island was in sight they would go around for a minute, finding the entrance to the ice cavern. Its large grand scale was something to marvel at. It almost looked as if the entrace had teeth that shown pearly white, reflecting what little sun there was left. That amount of light would not suffice them, well the humans of their group. “Leohtbora.” The elf would hold out his hand and a ball of paled blue flames appeared in his palm, illuminating the area. Ash would look at the others before walking into the ice cavern. A bit of snow crunching under his boots.

 

[Freya Thrakin]

Oris ascended into the clouds and glided through the air, soaring over the wide sea. Freya seemed entirely comfortable on the back of the dragon, doing little to physically guide his flight. It was rather simple, the ocean beneath Oris' wings providing enough wind to push him forward to the tundra without much in the way of effort.

Eventually, their flight led them to the Eretejva Tundra, where a massive cavern was swiftly found in the side of a mountain range. The dragon landed on the ground, snow crunching beneath his talons. Freya slid off of her mounted position, landing beside Oris as she moved her gaze to the open cave ahead. She took a moment to wait for the others, before venturing inside.

Quickly, the cavern was illuminated by Ash, whose flames cast the area in a magical blue light. With the aid of light, it could now be seen that the cavern was large, incredibly so. "The dragon that carved this was ancient. A broodmother," said Oris, his eyes searching the frozen cavern. The surface of the rock was coated in ice, frosted icicles dangling from the warren's great ceiling. Oris took off, beginning to fly throughout the cavern, searching for eggs as Freya did the same on foot.

As they searched, Freya felt something through her bond with Oris. 'The eggs are here. Tell the others to come.' The nord stopped her search and looked to the others, saying, "Follow me, it sounds like Oris has a lead on the eggs." Beckoning them to come, she followed her connection to the dragon, finding him looking over a large indent in the cave. Oris let out a plume of fire, aiding Ash in providing light, the combined illumination revealing a field of reflective orbs, some as white as snow while others bore an icy visage.

Eggs. Dozens of them, all together in one congregation. Freya let out a breath, awe clear on her expression as she looked over the waiting brood. "I think we found the eggs. Hopefully, before any predators did."

 

[Iliris]

If somebody would have told Iliris that this night she would ride on a dragon, she would have deemed that person mad. Now, doing her best to seem as calm as she could while also tensing up for the whole ride, marveling the ocean below them with same parts of awe and wariness, she could barely believe it herself. The wind hit her with all its freezing might, and that was probably the only thing that kept Iliris grounded enough to endure the whole flight.
By the end of it she even started to enjoy it. A bit. She still preferred being on her foot, so she didn't hesitate to slide off the dragon as soon as they landed again.

She walked in the cavern with the rest of them, allowing her eyes to adjust to the light made by Ash, before Iliris begun to look around for the eggs as well. Although she didn't have the slightest clue what should she be on the lookout for. The only dragon's cave she had only ever been in wasn't one of a female dragon, that much she was sure of. And back then she hadn't been there to aid. Now, looking around the giant expanse of the cavern, that though made the walls seem ever so closer to her, as if they could feel Iliris' twisted past coming back to her.

It came as no surprise when she wasn't the one to find the eggs. It was truly appropriate for Oris to do it, being the only dragon between them. She followed Freya's call swiftly, her heart beating faster in her chest. This was it. The thing she had come here for.

She reached the eggs some moments after Freya, and the sight of them made Iliris let out a ragged breath. First of all, because of how many there were here. Second of all, because of how simply beautiful they were. Sparks from which great beasts would grow, magnificent in their powerful glory.
Yet, it also arose some worries. There were indeed many eggs here. And they were quite big. "What is our plan for getting them out of here? Or anything else?" And what would they do afterwards with such a grand number in their hands? Obviously, if all of the eggs were unharmed, they couldn't leave any of them here. But there was only four of them, Oris included. The dragon probably counted for more than all of them anyways.

 

[Ashieron]

Ash enters the cavern, follow the other three and looks at the eggs, “By the gods.” He’d whisper approaching the eggs, “Oris how many do you think you can carry?” He would ask the dragon approaching the eggs and tapping on the ice on a few of them, before he starts to use a warm flame to thaw the eggs that were frozen from the ground.

There were so many of them, there was no way that they could carry all of them, he’d sigh, they would need to destroy the entrance to the den once they leave to secure their future. A few seemed to have been smashed by natural occurrences, falling icicles mainly. There was no saving them now, which stung Ash a little bit. He’d pick up on egg and start carrying it over to a better spot. He’d use flames to make the snow melt. Revealing rock underneath all the snow and ice. In which he would place the egg before going back to get another one.

“We’ll need to atleast seal or hide the entrance to this place, there is no way we will be able to carry all these eggs in one go.” He’d tell the others looking at all the eggs, “The fewer we have the less attention we will bring to ourselves.” There was no way that Oris will carry all of them and the eggs to The Spine, so Ash was more than likely going to go on foot, much as the way he would prefer going. Even given the danger of the trip, he did it once snd he could do it again.

 

[Cra'ull]

i realized the solids issue there were to many to carry. if i help perhaps they will not kill me.

this seems simple ive done it many times if you help solids they will trust you but to be on the save side i will appear menacing at first if i have to i can just turn into a swarm of bees or a pile of snakes if i have to make a quick get away.

i slither up to the fiery one as it begins to thaw frozen eggs and get others to safety it speaks of sealing the cave. that will not do, i can save a good half more than they ever will carry. i grow in size and length in seconds so that i am seen my color changes from clear ice to vibrant colors that glow. im thick enough to swallow half the solids here, this is a form of a viper i encountered a time ago. i stand my neck up high enough that i can see them all

" i might be of some assistance" i his in a low deep voice that booms off the cave walls

 

[Freya Thrakin]

Oris shifted his weight, careful not to disturb any of the eggs. "Not enough. Eight, perhaps." Pale eyes looked over the frosted field of eggs, silently in awe at the massive array. As a hatchling, he was one of the few eggs remaining, many of his brethren having either long since left or been killed. To be in the presence of so many like him - his kind -, it was something he rarely, if ever, experienced.

The nord beside him could feel the sudden shift in emotions, bringing a hand up to caress the side of the dragon. "Indeed. Dragon eggs are tough, they should be safe from predators if the mouth of the cavern was sealed, and the cold might even delay their hatching. We can come back when we have a couple more hands... or claws, I suppose." Oris nodded, moving down with Ash as he helped to move eggs, taking multiple at a time.

Freya moved to aid them, but her step was quickly interrupted by... something. In truth, she didn't know what it was. A beast, a demon, a monster. A hallucination wasn't out of the question either. Whatever it was, it grew. Ice moved and contorted, twisting its form until it hardly resembled itself anymore. Frost turned to scales, as a large viper took its place. A voice emanated outward, deep and rumbling, offering assistance.

The nord slipped into a defensive posture, her hand pulling the spear from her back and pointing it towards the creature. Oris quickly returned to her side, letting out a menacing growl. The dragon, shifting his gaze briefly to Ash and Iliris, faintly gestured with his wings to move closer. "And who might you be?"

 

[Cra'ull]

the solids reacted in much the way a solid would. blades out as if they could fight me and not come out bloodied and beaten. dragons do frighten me but they seem to have theirs on a leash so to speak if i play my cards right i can get exactly what i want

"it matters not who i am" i hiss. "it only matters what i offer, salvation for all these eggs" i wrap my tail gently around an egg, rubbing it softly with the tip of it.

"i have it within me to save every last one of them if you agree to give me whatever i ask for in return" i hiss,

i do not smile for this body cannot but my eyes smile for those who can perceive it

 

[Iliris]

Their options didn't seem that bright. Iliris wasn't a scholar, but even she could say, that carrying only eight of all these eggs would mean leaving most of them behind. But even so, it was far better than doing nothing, and the idea of sealing the entrance to the cave did sound reasonable. "Not that we have that many options," Iliris nodded.
Another question would be how exactly would they manage to care for so many eggs being so few, but that was a puzzle for the future. Right now the needed to deal with matters right on hand.

Iliris had moved to help as well, when the creature appeared. Of course, she couldn't miss the transformations going on right in front of her sharp eyes, that gave the odd beast a form of a serpent. A viper. Sitting in the same place where, moments ago, there was just clear ice. Her sword was drawn even before Iliris could gather her thoughts enough to start questioning what this creature was, her instincts, tuned to battle, kicking in.
Then there came a voice, a hiss, and it only made her grip on the sabre's handle tighter. Whatever it was, she didn't like it, even if its first words were of assistance.

Oris asked the first question, while Iliris herself, moving closer to him, was trying to reacall if she had ever heard of such a beast. She was raised and trained to kill monsters like this, yet her memory stayed silent when faced with creature quite like this. It made her uneasy. Even more so because there was a part of her that said, that, as she had learned well, not every foul-seeming living thing was actually evil. Maybe this grotesque thing really did come here with good intentions?

Its words didn't assure her.

"You do not speak your name, make such promises and demand a great gratitude. But what proof can you give of your words?" she inquired, her voice steady and harsh. She knew the twisted way of though many tricksters had. Offer it all, ask for an unspecified price, then break each and every promise.
She did not trust this creature.

 

[Ashieron]

Ash looked at the strange creature, he did not trust it. And his eyes shown it, “We do not make idle deals with creatures who do not explain themselves more, nor offer only words.” He’d nod to Iliris showing his agreement with her, “Besides just as Freya mentioned, if we seal this place itll not only protect these eggs but we can come back for them when we have more help.” He would place the egg he was carrying down and moves over closer to Oris, having a spell ready in the case the creature attacked or moved to harm the egg it was holding with it’s tail. “If you harm the eggs I will personally roast you snake.” He’d warn the viper. It was huge but he could take it, after a few good frozty blasts followed by hot fiery ones should do the trick. He did mot trust it, nor has he met it. Did someone inform it of their mission? Or was it just by chance? Ash thought to himself looking at the others.

 

[Cra'ull]

i began to laugh a low grumble laugh. i throw my head back and laughph some more.

“If you harm the eggs I will personally roast you snake.”

"you sure can try" i say dismissively




" tell me what makes you think the eggs would be here after you return? im offering assured protection of the eggs in turn for my protection. a great many creatures would jump at the chance to slay a shape shifter such as myself"

i wrap my tail all the way around the egg i was caressing. i absorb the egg safely into my form without giving away that it was inside me now, it was safe because i wasn't in my real form but i knew they would not see it like that so as i take the egg i slowly thicken the layer of scales on my body.

i chuckle as i unwrap my tail to reveal the egg to be now missing.

"the egg is now within me safe and sound i could transport a great many more in this fashion."

 

[Freya Thrakin]

Oris let out a growl, one that seemed to have even greater volume as a result of the echoing cavern. His tail lashed behind him, sweeping the ice as he glared at the thing that supposedly offers help. "Whatever you may want is not something we will give. Especially to creatures that show no sign of keeping their word," Freya retorted, her spear still pointed at the creature. The laugh that ensued did nothing to assuage their doubts, only furthering the pair's suspicion. As the creature made its doubt of the eggs' safety clear, Oris quickly spoke. "Are you threatening us?" Whips of flame spiralled out of the dragon's maw as he spoke, only just contained.

They watched as the creature wrapped their tail around the egg, Freya's grip on the spear tightening in response. When the tail unraveled to reveal the egg missing, Oris shifted, his claws tensing at the sight. Supposedly, it was safe. However, to trust a shapeshifter seemed foolish. Within the tales told to her at night as a child, shapeshifters were notorious tricksters and deceivers. "Prove it, shapeshifter. Show us the egg once more."

 

[Iliris]

If Iliris had not seen a lot of sly creatures in her life, she would have already lunged forward. But the thing with tricksters like these was that they really had their fair share of, well, tricks, and while there were dragon eggs in such vicinity, she didn't want to take unnecessary ricks. For now, at least. While they could be avoided.

A shapeshifter then. Now when the name was spoken Iliris could recall hearing of such creatures, not during her training, but later on, while she took on wandering around the Spine by her own. She didn't know great many of them, only that all her previous doubts were almost certainly true.
As the creature made one of the eggs disappear there had appeared quite a murderous glare in her eyes. Iliris was not amused. And Iliris did not trust this fake serpent.

Freya took the words out of her mouth, so Iliris only nodded, agreeing with her. She was almost certain that they would never see the egg again, and her blood boiled with that, her heart ached with the loss of a dragon life. If it really turned out to be like she assumed, she would skin the damn thing herself, no matter the cost. "Do. It," she almost growled, her sword glistening in the light of Ashieron's magical flame. Her sabre was made to slay great beasts. It could pierce the skin of a dragon, although Iliris would never let it to happen again. Surely it would slice right through this thing.
And, oh, would she enjoy it.

 

[Cra'ull]

i sigh these solids were not understanding my issue. even if i consumed this egg i would have to revert to such venerable state i'd be easily defeated i need them in order to feed peacefully even if it is just a few trees i need to feed in piece this land is so filled with solids even i cant hide from them for long, perhaps if i tell this to them? no it couldn't be that easy? they would surly betray me the instant they found me feeding but the risk still seems worth it they seemed to be in the business of helping defenseless beings when i feed i am defenseless seems logical that i would fall under there protection. pity is solids are not always logical.

my form shifts and shimmers i shrink and shirking until the egg is beside me. in this form i am a young elf girl her hair white and her eyes a cold blue her dress was cute and bright pink. she barley was bigger than the egg and seemed as though it could topple her if it rolled onto her

i place my small hand on the egg.

"there is life in this egg, there is life in all that i become and all that i wish to be." my soft small voice bounces off the cave walls echoing what ive said.

"i am not evil course solid stories would say otherwise the truth is everyone and everything wants something most shapeshifters are solids like you never remembering there true form and always scheming with the next and the next its greed, greed because they have never felt weak they have never needed to be. they are the shapeshifters you fear. i am another a different kind i am weak in my true form but in order to live i must feed on the life force of living entity's this is not an evil it is an unfortunate fact one that i have no choice but to live with." i pause and close my eyes.

"even if i were to try to consume this egg you would see me in my true form and you would be able to kill me instantly." i open my eyes and look at the firery one

" in the end though solids have been my worst enemy few have been my closest ally i see this as a mutual opportunity i will transport all these eggs help you to protect them and raise them or whatever is your purpose for them is in return you will protect me when i feed, i will only feed on lesser beings during this time such as the animals you call live stock and the animals you often hunt yourselves. the bitter truth is im tired. i need rest the only way i can do that peacefully is if someone watches my back and the only way solids care to deal with me is if theirs a mutual trade i dont suppose you would willingly protect me and not allow me to contribute"

i said the last peace without remembering to take in air since i have no need for it the more solid like i am the more i forget to use solid inflections. its easy to be foreboding and scary. small and cute is harder. at least i was content in the fact if they decided not to believe my plite turning into a large bird swallowing an egg and flying away is always an option to compensate this situation ive gotten into

 

[Freya Thrakin]

The shapeshifter's new form brought no difference to Freya's suspicion, the only visible change being her spear shifting downward to match its new height. Regardless of its newfound appearance, the Nord refused to let down her guard. Shifters relied on deception to lure people into their traps, and she doubted turning into a more human form was for any other purpose than convincing them it was harmless. Her gaze shifted to Iliris beside her, noting her similar immediate defensive stance, a sword at the ready. It was good to see her companions were also as cautious as her in regard to this thing before them.

Despite her better instincts, she allowed it to continue speaking, her and Oris' eyes keenly watching the shapeshifter's movements. As the creature mentioned their vulnerability during feeding, a part of her yearned to say 'Then try,' in response, but it was quickly quelled before she said it aloud.

Once it was finished with its speech, nary a single breath taken during its unnatural course, Freya considered the options that laid before them. She immediately felt an aversion to working with the shapeshifter, the tales and stories of their trickery and ambitious lies repeating in her mind. However, as much as she disliked the notion, aid in transporting the eggs would be beneficial. "If you truly wish for us to trust you," she began, "then show us you are a thing to be trusted. Show us your true form. If you do that, then perhaps you are more truthful than the rest of your kind."

 

[Ashieron]

Ash watched at the shapeshifter absorbed an egg and he squinted his eyes, not trusting it as much ss the snake probably hoped he would with that action. “We do need as many eggs as we can get.” He’d say looking at all the eggs within the cavern. “They should be our top priority, if he is true to his word then he will help us take them to their new home safely. And if not, I am sure a few of us will gladly incinerate his scaley hide until their is nothing but ash left of it.” Ash hated to admit it but the snake could he of use to them, “We would not know if he is trustworthy until we allow him to assist us as much as he can.”

Asherion looks at the viper, “Danger noodle, you are only looking for a safe place to feed on prey are you not?” He’d ask the snake, “Speak normally, a simple yes or no will suffice.” He’d tell the snake looking into it’s eyes. He had to put some faith into it, otherwise they will only be able to get fewer eggs out by themselves than if they had the shifter on their side. That was a risk he was willing to make, after all he trusted the others when he had no idea who they truly were. Why treat this creature any differently?

 

[Iliris]

Iliris watched closely as the shifter performed all of its actions, changing its shape once more, making the egg appear again. Or seemingly do so. It the creature could imitate any appearance, who said that it couldn't make an illusion of an egg? Nobody. So, similar to Freya, Iliris did not lower her weapon, nor did she soften the harsh lines that had drawn into her face.
Maybe the creature had really returned the egg and wasn't lying. But Iliris wouldn't bet anybody's life on it.

Being cautious was essential for them right now, and Iliris agreed with Freya's proposal, as the creature had told its story. She nodded silently. Yes, if it could show its true shape, then, maybe, it wasn't worth killing on the spot.
Although she herself didn't know what a shifter's true shape looked like. Iliris hoped that the other woman did, since she had demanded that from the creature in the first place.

And Ashieron... Well, he was led by a reason of his own. "There is a point to your words," she allowed herself to say through gritted teeth, "But if we allow it help and then find out that all the eggs have been consumed, no turning in ash will revert that." If Ash wanted to put trust onto this thing, it was his choice, but Iliris wouldn't let her own guard down so quickly.

 

[Cra'ull]

i took in the solids words, i did not fear them i need them but they dont know they need me.

"i can be killed in my true form and yet i can only gain nourishment in my true form so sure if i were to begin consumption of this egg"

i rub the shell softly and cutely giggle.

"then killing me would potentially harm the egg and not killing me would doom the egg to be devoured"

i pause and look to the corners of the cave i spot what i was looking for even in the cold life always grows somehow. there was a mossy rock were water gently trickled into the cave.

"i can consume all life anything with a life force, anything that breaths thinks eats grows, i can gain its power to live another day i must do this. as ive said its not by choice. i can only take the form of something ive devoured it must have a life force i can mimic objects but at a cost of loseing what you might call a limb i rather keep what i have left of myself."

i walk slowly over to the mossy stones.

"i will turn to my true form, i cannot promise that this is the form of other shifters but it is the form of me, i expect most to see the opportunity to retaliate and i am weakened in a feeding state so now would be the time to kill me. because of what i am you doubt so i will sow the first seeds of trust.''

i stare down at moss.

"kill me if you must"

i look back up at them and smile.

"but i hope you dont"

with that my form begins to mush almost as if i was melting. i globed onto the ground thick goop slithering and squaring unnaturally on the mossy rocks. what i didnt tell them is in this form i have minimal senses i can taste the moss and the air but i cannot hear or speak, i am truly at the mercy of the world much like those eggs. if i had waited for them to leave i could be eating like a king but something is driving me to these courses of action.

i begin to lul away an almost sleep state. after the moss is gone and if i am not attacked i will return to a solid form and hear there verdict until then if felt good to feed even if it may be my last meager meal

 

[Ashieron]

Ash shrugs, watching the shifter go to a sleep of sorts. “True.” He responds to Iliris sounding a bit frustrated. He hated stalemates like this. There was a possibility that the creature could remain true to its word, but also a possibility it might turn against its word. They could seal up the cavern anyways and return later on for the remaining eggs. “We could let him take the one egg and see if it is true to its word. Or we can just have it come along with us, not with any of the eggs within it so we can gauge better if we can trust it.” He offers kicking into the ice with the heal of his boot. “Since either way there are too many eggs for it to possibly be able to carry in one go, and with our numbers it will be safer for us to go light and then return eventually with some assistance from the dragons that come from these eggs, or just ourselves again after we seal the entrance.”

Ash looks at Iliris and Freya for their answers, he would go either way with them. Because he did not inform this creature of their adventure, “I still womder how this thing heard of our quest, so either way Ill be with you guys on what you decide.” Ash runs his hand through his hair, “Im gonna be doing my digging after this to see how it found out about our mission. Since I never told anyone other than you two about this.”