Quest The Blue Wolf and The Child.

[Ferelith Scathach]

Ferelith had seen better days......

In fact before this recent job she had been scavenging corpses on battlefield. To say she was desperate for a decent job was an understatement.

Since leaving her sister’s manor.....jobs had been hard.

Over coming no longer having her big sister watch her back and make decisions had taught Ferelith a few lessons.

Mostly that she was horrible at watching her own back and making her own decisions... This flashed through her mind as the blade of one of the guards she was fighting came rushing down to stab her in the stomach with a downward thrust.

She rolled as the rain fell in buckets. Lightening cracked the sky illuminating the cart she had attacked.

Two dead guards lay on either side. Arrows jutted from their necks, the only weak point in their armor. Another two had piled out.

The first had caught a dagger with his left eye, and the other had had the common sense to dive forward tackling the small merc to the ground heavily.

Now they battled.

His sword sinking into the mud of the road he struggled to pull it free as he heard a small click. The click belonged to the bow string of his attackers drawn bow.

It had intricate wheels on either side but was half the size of a normal long bow. He looked back down at his sword unfazed by it.

“Missy. It’ll take a lot more than a normal bow that small to pierce plate armor.” He said with a chuckle finally managing to pull his sword free. Giving it a practice swing he grinned confidently behind his helmet.

“This is steel forged in my fathers forge. With dragon fire. Now lay down that weapon and I’ll give you a warriors de-“ A soft “Thwap.” And the sound of rushing wind and the buzz of an angry hornet reached his ears right as the arrow punched through the steel of his helmet and through his head before the back of the helmet halted it leaving a small dent.

His body dropped like a large man had hit him with a right cross. He fell like a stone hitting the ground with a wet splotch of mud.

“Not a normal bow..” Ferelith muttered catching her breath stumbling over to the man.

He was a lot bigger than her.

Armored too, and from how hard it was to breath she wouldn’t doubt if his tackle hadn’t broken a few ribs. She was lucky the ambush had gone as smoothly as it had.

A few broken bones was a small price to pay for how much this score was going to gain her. 700 gold..It was enough to make a young famous bandit from the spine nearly drool.

Ambush the carriage.
Kill the guards.
Bring the package back as quickly as possible.
Trust no one.
Ask no questions.

Don’t look in the package.

As far as jobs go...It didn’t get much simpler, and as far as gold they were NEVER this profitable. She had been given the task but as she had closed in on the carriage it seemed she hadn’t been the only one.

More than a few bandits lay dead in the area where she stood even now.

There was no honor among thieves and losing a score to another group of mutts on the way up to the top wasn’t something she could tolerate. Taking the last mans great sword she made short work of the carriage door.

A metal box sat in the middle of the fairly comfortable carriage compartment. Letters on the table. Transpondence from their destination.

Ferelith glanced over it as she examined the box as well. Not that she cared where they had been going, but honestly she was just happy to take a moment out of the pouring rain. Dragon keepers..they had been a day away from heading to where ever those crazies holed up.

Her eyebrows raised as she was pulled from her thoughts by whispers. “Guess someone’s already gotten to it!”

“Well look around. The bodies are still fresh couldn’t have gotten far. And I’m sure there’s enough loot and coin in a posh carriage like that to be a nice bonus now hop to it!” Another more commanding voice sounded over the rumbles of thunder and sheets of rain.

Ferelith’s eye’s widened as she strapped on the great sword she had used to open the door and began glancing about for another weapon to use. Her bow would be of little use so close.

That was when she saw it. And a grin spread across her features. Grabbing the box she readied herself.
............

The first bandit had made it to the door.

The others crowded around him ready to cram into the carriage in a bid for the first pick of loot and shelter from the rain.

His had had literally been urning the knob when he stopped. Holding a hand for the others to be silent he listened. “You ‘ear that?” He asked. Everyone paused straining their ears.

They did.

“Is that laughter?” One asked as the door swung open. Ferelith was crouched behind the now over turned table of the carriage compartment.

A string running from the door to a crossbows trigger.

The bolt it carried was bright red.

Dragon fire bolt.

“Fuck m-“ was all that the man was able to say as the group tried to dive away only to be consumed by the massive plume of the fiery explosion that followed. Ferelith was launched cackling like a demon, from the other side of the carriage through the window as the table took most of the blast and fire. She clutched the large box to her chest as she landed roughly.

Patting out the small fire that had began to crackle on her shoulder she whistled for her horse as she surveyed the damage. Most of the bodies had simply vanished to ash and even the oringinal guards were now smoking husks of half melted steel.

“Well shit..” She muttered feeling something in the box move she dropped it with a start of surprise. Her horse came galloping up clearly spooked by all the commotion and ready to leave. Slightly wheezing she calmed the beast. “One second..” She said soothingly as she approached the box once more. Picking up a long stick in the pouring rain she tapped on the lid and waited for a moment.

 

[Izerth]

The hay and an old rag provided some comfort for her. Enough to create a nest of sorts. She cuddled in it while her new home shook as the cart moved. There were noises, too many noises outside. She didn’t quite like that because noise meant enemies, the more noise, the more of them. They always ran after her, tried to stab her with pointy shiny things sometimes. Until today she had managed to get away from all those things, but the smoking piece of meat had attracted the hungry dragon enough to fall into a trap. No matter how much fire she had spit, the bars hadn’t melted, and so after being spent, she had fallen asleep on the forest floor just to awake in a new environment. Here there was even less space to move, and seeing was a problem because the holes weren’t really big. So she kept quiet, hoping that whenever the box would open she would manage to get away from her two-legged captors.

Keeping her ears close to her head and her snout hidden beneath her paws, Izerth awaited until the shaking of the cart would stop. As long as the movement continued she knew they wouldn’t open the iron house, or move it. That was a pattern she had noticed after being in the box long enough to get hungry again.

With her tail curled and eyes closed, she snoozed until noise erupted all around her. The shaking and talking had her wide awake. Rough voices of male species argued, sounds of fabric tearing and steal cracking was suddenly finished off with a nice warmth coming from the side. She wasn’t sure what had happened or where the warmth had come from, but she liked it, until her home got a weird angle and she felt herself slide in an awkward position.

Uncomfortably pressed against the wall, she turned. Wings flapping against the sides while she backed off in hopes of finding a comfortable sit again, but then found herself falling. The home came down onto something quite harsh. The top of her head met the lid and rubbing the sore spot with her paw Izerth bared some tiny fangs in annoyance.

However, the opening that was formed during the fall soon caused her annoyance to vanish. This was her moment to escape. Cautiously, but bravely, Izerth started to come out of the box just to find cold droplets of water so hit her paw. They weren’t pleasant, but she was thirsty. So, with little hesitation, she licked it off before poking out of the box. More rain fell, and the little dragon happily drank from a small pool that had formed itself in one of the muddy tracks. Then, from the corner of her eye, she noticed another two-legged one. No fur, no scales. That was the dangerous type.

No, no, no - not again.

Hurrying to get away she quickly ran toward the cart, hiding beneath it while trying not to sink into the mud. Luckily she was light enough not to get stuck, but the enemy with its long stick was drawing nearer. Rudy red eyes lurked from behind the cart wheel. She wanted to spit fire, but wasn’t sure if this was the right moment. Should she miscalculate and waste too much energy, then surely her chance at escape would go up in smoke.

“Rrrrrrrrrrooorrrwwrrr.” The white dragon threatened, eyes narrowing and teeth showing.

* * *​

 

[Ferelith Scathach]

“Are you joking..” Ferelith was at a loss. Living in the spine she had seen enough dragons to at least not be shocked by the fact her cargo was one, but it was mostly shock at how small and young it was.

Humans rarely got such a privilege to see dragon young without a mother ready to turn them to ash being close by.

“Hey! Oh no you don’t you little furnace gut! Come here!” She said tossing her stick aside and diving after the dragon as a t crawled under the wagon. She tried to grab for her tail and mouth to pull her out.

Keeping her hand on the dragons mouth moving her hand from her tail and wrapping its body in her arms.

“Watch it! Stop struggling!” Ferelith said between spouts of grunting and swears. “Look you things are smart right!?” She said through gritted teeth as she struggled to maintain her hold on the creature.

“If you stop you won’t go back in the box ok!?” She said finally.

“I promise.”

 

[Izerth]

Squeaking in surprise when the two-legged creature grabbed her by the tail she hissed while sliding backwards through the mud. Angered by the way she was treated the little dragon was about to spit fire at her offender when the latter grabbed her by the snout. Unable to open her maw to defend herself, Izerth struggled in fear. She jerked from side to side in hopes of escaping the hands gripping her, but the fight was in vain. Her enemy was too large, too strong. The predicament had her let out a low roaring sound that actually sounded quite sad.

The hands didn't let go, but when she calmed down a little, and stopped slapping her wings as if there was a swarm of flies settling down on her back, the attacker spoke.

Box? Promise?

She wasn't sure if the box was the iron home she had been in before, but the context made her believe it to be so. A promise, she vaguely knew, was something not to be broken. Unsure if the two-legged one would let her go if she would stop her attempt to bite and scratch her, Izerth stopped moving. She really didn't like those slender, odd fingers being wrapped around her maw. Aside from that she was hungry and felt like biting off one of them. They were meat afterall. Her belly rumbled angrily.

"Meat?" She wanted to know, eyes turning to face the human.

The silence around them was odd compared to the soft question transmitted toward the captor that held her. With her maw still closed, Izerth eyed the enemy closely.

"Fish too." She let her know, figuring it was best to describe her entire diet if they were to be together without the box.

***​

 

[Ferelith Scathach]

Ferelith sighed with a wheeze. Her ribs were already beginning to re knit themselves when the little dragons wriggling and flapping wings had undone all the progress. She felt like she had just been tackled again.

Yet once the movement stopped her grip loosened slightly. The young beast was pretty now that her thrashing had halted and Ferelith was able to examine her “cargo” up close.

White gleaming scales set with deep red eyes.

“Meat?” She said suddenly. No sound had come from the creature as she stopped approaching the box and began walking back to the horse.

“Um sure. There’s some dried fish I caught yesterday. Just no biting or I’ll tie your legs to your wings ok?..” Ferelith said roughly as she arrived at her horse and opened a saddle bag to produce the three pieces of dried fish. She blinked. “How did you..” She began her brow creasing in confusion before raising is shock. She dropped the dragon along with the fish falling on her butt she scooted away from the creature.

“You spoke..in my head..” She said slowly. She didn’t know dragons could do that. They were ferocious beasts..just animals...right? “That is creepy as shit..” She said finally as after a shocked pause.

 

[Izerth]

Happily hanging in the stranger’s arms now that food was promised, Izerth felt the rumbling of her stomach intensify. Between the smell of human, horse, and mud, there was something delicious hidden in the bag. Fish. An odd type of it, she concluded when the dried pieces came out. The horse didn’t smell bad either, but it was incredibly large and very much alive. She didn’t plan on biting that one any time soon. Or the one about to give her fish. Her mouth watered, but before she managed to set her teeth in a piece she was falling again.

Flapping with her wings a bit to soften the landing she didn’t wait for her confusion to settle but was onto the fish already. The raining was a bit less now. It still bothered her slightly as she tore at the fish while her tail slid across the mud. Chewing with great enthusiasm she tore out another piece, and then another. The food was good, it caused her to make a rumbling sound akin to a very soft thunder. She wiggled her head, biting again, before switching her attention to the human.

“Tasty food.” was all she got from the young dragon who wasn’t even quite aware that her communication skills were that much different. Sure, she didn’t really make as much noise as others did, but neither did the tasty looking horse. Many creatures were silent and didn’t reply when talked to. The two-legged, bald ones were the exception. The dangerous exception.

“Can I have all?” was a way more important question for Izerth. She sneakily started to nibble on the second fish just to make sure that she’s had enough to fill her belly. Of course she wouldn’t manage to eat it all. The amount of fish presented was pretty much half of her entire body size.

Carefully pawing the bitten fish, she claimed it. The other one this human could have back. “Share?” Two third for her troubles of being dropped twice. To Izerth it seemed fair. She felt satisfied with her achievements so far. No iron box home, no hunger. Just the rain was a bit of a bother. A solution quickly presented itself, but she wasn’t able to properly execute it.

Grabbing the bitten fish, she tried to fly toward the horse, but couldn’t get the weight up. Aside from that, the horse didn’t quite like the little dragon’s approach and backed off. Leaving Izerth sitting in the grass next to it, fish still between her claws.

“Soft nest in there,” she pointed out, eyeing the bag the fish had come from. “no water, warm. Me and the fish there?”

Having had very little experience in “talking” to humans she tried to make herself clear regardless. Every day was a learning experience for Izerth who wasn’t all that old.

* * *​

 

[Ferelith Scathach]

“Fourtunas saggy left breast. I’ve lost it..” Ferelith said pulling her knees close to her chest and resting her face in her hands.

“Your a wild beast how are YOU talking to ME wihout actually speaking a word. That’s mental.” She said still reeling as the dragons soft voice continued to sound in her mind.

“Um. Yes..sure..I’m not hungry” She said standing and approaching her cargo as it..well “she” from the sound of her voice in Fereliths mind.

She flew at the horse after seeming to deem it fair to leave her the last piece of dried fish. Scooping up the piece she placed it in her pocket. The package would like that later besides she was used to not eating.

“Don’t spook the horse now you dumb lizard..” She said with another sigh.

“You can’t just fly at them yah little hellion. Gotta approach calm and confident.” She said scooping up the dragon in her arms and bringing her to the horse calmly.

“Here there you are. Soft nest. See? Promise kept. No box..” She said gently as she lowered the young dragon into a larger pocket of her saddle bags. “Now stay in there alright?” Ferelith said as she tied the bag shut.

“And keep quiet.” She said snappin the reigns and galloping into the night as the rain began to clear. What the hell had she gotten herself into.

Her mind drifted back to the massive chest of gold the buyer had shown her and her resolve hardened. It didn’t MATTER what she had gotten herself into. She could handle it. Just don’t think about it. There was a village close by. She could get a room and rest there.

Only two hour ride. Nothing crazy.

 

[Freya Thrakin]

The wind brushed against pale skin, cold and rough in its fleeting touch as Freya overlooked the mountainous path leading up to the Dragon Keeper's sanctuary. Behind her, she could hear the rustling of grass and rock as a larger creature rested upon it. She idly sent a hand back, caressing the dark grey scales that approached her.

A voice echoed into the, save for the howling wind, silent peaks of the Spine. "They should have come by now. Something's wrong." Freya glanced back, meeting the gaze of Oris, her draconic companion. What the dragon said was true; The dragon should have arrived with the escort a few hours ago. Something must have happened.

"They should be a half day's travel away, not too far. We'll see what's holding them up," the Nord woman said, standing up alongside Oris. Gesturing for a nearby hatchling to come closer, she explained, "Tell Ashieron and Jormodo that I'll be checking in on the new dragon. They're welcome to come if they wish." The hatchling nodded eagerly, flapping its wings excitedly as it glided its way across the valley to inform them.

Freya mounted Oris, the dragon stretching its impressive wingspan before leaping off of the cliff into the cloudy skies of the Spine. The duo soared over the landscapes, the ground before them transitioning slowly from barren rock to faintly forested land. From below, they appeared as a black shape drifting across the cloudy sky.

~

Sometime after they had first taken flight, they came across a grim sight. An abandoned carriage, blood smeared across lightly treaded pathways as corpses littered the ground, their weapons carelessly strewn about the grass. This was the escort. Rather, what was left of it.

Oris looked over the horrible scene and let out a violent roar, raging and primal as it erupted out of his draconic maw. The sound could be heard a large distance away, no doubt by the culprit as well, unmistakable as that of a dragon. If this was the scene laid out for the men, then to think of what happened to the youngling. Her mind immediately considered the potential culprits of such an act. Was it The Wolves? She knew the gang operated within the Spine, though if they still did, she wasn't sure.

Oris circled closer and closer to the ground, landing softly as Freya slipped off of his back to inspect the box the dragon was to be placed in. As she lifted the lid, however, she did not see a similar sight of blood and gore. Instead, it was merely empty, as though its contents were carefully taken out rather than killed.

"The dragon is stolen, not killed," Freya stated, relief and frustration alike present in her tone. She turned her gaze down the road, her eyes following the trail of hoofprints into the distance, still fresh despite the wind. "Luckily, they're close."

At the statement, Freya immediately returned to Oris's back, the dragon's wings pounding beneath her as they were lifted into the air. Their eyes remained locked on the road beneath them, keenly aware of the trail left by the thief, as they began their chase. The sound of beating winds and rushing wind grew louder and louder as they neared the mercenary responsible, intent on winning this game of cat and mouse before they got too far.

 

[Izerth]

“Not dumb, smart. You’ve said it, you dumb two-legged.” the dragon rambled on somewhat offended but didn’t struggle when being put into the bag. It was comfortable. One side was warmed by the horse, she nestled against it with the fish pressed against her softer scaled belly. Peeking out of the bag when it was strapped down, she somehow didn’t feel bad. This was different from being in the iron box, so she relaxed with sleepy eyes and a small yawn.

Her hind leg jerked a little while she slept, the future meal still pressed against her belly as if it was a precious prize. What it was, in some regard.

Dreaming of bathing in sun rays on top of a tree during a warmer day in the Spine Izerth’s body was a curled ball inside of the bag. She seemed to purr very lightly. A sound that might have been a gentle snore as well. That was until a distant roar tore her from her peaceful sleep. At first the sound had penetrated her dream turning it into a nightmare. Some ominous beast was crawling over the ground, shaking her tree, trying to devour her when she fell toward the ground.

“Iiiieeeeeeppp.”

Izerth jerked and turned in the bag after having squeaked herself awake with the ‘iieeep’, confused about her whereabouts and panicking because of the sound that still echoed through her mind. Soon enough fire poured from between her little jaws and set the bag on fire.

She felt warm, but that wasn’t the point. The panic was real. The shaking became harder when the horse realized that something was burning on its side. Twisting more and more she sank her claws further into the bag and ended up piercing it. Unfortunately the horse had to deal with the cuts as well. Blood seeped through and Izerth licked it without thinking. She tried to bite, but couldn’t get through the cuts, the shaking didn’t stop and she dug her claws into the bag again. This time the other side. Together with the fire eating away at the bag, she was soon almost falling out of her previous shelter.

* * *​

 

[Ferelith Scathach]

The roar had unsettled her. It was a dragons roar, and not a young one. This prompted her to ride even harder forcing her horse to quicken its already blistering gallop.

Soon she reached the village in half the time she expected. The gate was in sight when it happened.

The bag was suddenly set ablaze leaving her and her horse panicking as her horse let out a distressed whinny before she bucked Ferelith and the saddle bag free before rushing the gate. Ferelith yelled in shock as she landed face first in the mud of the road.

The bag landed in a puddle to her left the fire fizzing out and leaving behind a blackened rag.

The dragon had fallen and landed nearby. “Smart my ass. Dumb fire snake.” She said pulling herself from the mud and wiping it from her mouth and eyes.
Gross.
Now she saw why her cargo had been in a metal box. “Ok calm down.” She said quickly wrapping the new thorn in her side up in a her old forge apron. An old gift from her sister before they parted ways.

It was flame proof and sturdy. After wrapping her up snugly she then slid her into a larger pocket of her rucksack clasping the flap shut. “Now be quiet until I let you out. I have another piece of fish for you if you do.”

She said with a grimace as she noticed the dragons prize was absent after her tumble.

Her horse was a sweating, panting wreck As she found it in the front of the inn. She approached taking stock of the bleeding cuts before she tied the horse to the front post as it practically threw its muzzle into the water trough, drinking deeply, only taking pauses to catch its breath.

“Good girl.” Ferelith said gently stroking her haggard stead. “Let’s get you a warm place to sleep tonight and someone to fix you up yeah?” She said with a smile as she turned to enter the inn.

Ferelith knew she looked a wreck. Covered in mud, blood, and bristling with weapons she felt all eyes fall on her as she entered. This was a small village of farmers and the occasional shopkeeper or merchant.

A bandit/merc like herself stuck out as plainly as an sword in a bucket of daggers.

She walked to the front counter paying the stares no mind as she got the inn keepers attention.

“I need a place for my horse and a place for me as well please. She’s got a little scalding and some cuts on her side. Have someone take a look at that and I’ll need a bath as well.” She said pulling out the appropriate compensation.

“And if anyone comes asking send word to my room and tell them I’m not here.” She said glancing around her thoughts returning to that roar she heard.

Who ever was on her trail was close.

Very close.

Close enough to be checking around here within the next 2 hours. She would need to keep her head down and be extra careful until she was sure of course.

She waited for the barkeep to nod shortly before laying a gold piece on top of the silver and copper she had already put down.

“And a round for all my friends yeah!” She asked looking around the room. This brought out a cheer as she laid down another gold piece taking a mug of ale before heading to room number 3 after the inn keeper gave her the key.

“Baths in the room. I’ll have someone come up with hot water from the kitchen stove in a couple of hours.” He sated roughly scooping her payment off the counter and into his purse. “Someone will fetch your horse and put them in the stable shortly as well. Feed and watering’s on the house.” He continued.

“Thank you.” Ferelith said with a nod before heading for the stairs. The room was small, bt more than large enough to fit Fereliths needs.

“Ok you scaly hell spitter.” She said opening he rucksack and dumping the dragon out and onto the bed with a shake. Afterwards she began to pull off the claymore she always wore along with her bow and quiver as well as her hunting knives and finally her satchel before sitting in the chair with a heaving sigh.

“Once my bath is done your getting one too. Then this chair is going to be your new nest while we’re here ok?” Ferelith said sitting forward placing her elbows on her thighs as she looked at the creature.

“And if your a good girl and don’t set it on fire I got a treat for you later before you go to bed alright?” She said with a slight smirk. “Here’s some pay up front for your trouble.” She said with a chuckle withdrawing the piece of dried fish she had saved and chucking it gently over to her passenger.

“What’s um..Your name?” She asked after a moment “Don’t you have one?” She didn’t really care one way or another.

This was a living, breathing thing but it was also her pay day. Whether it had a name or not meant little to her at least that’s what she told herself.

 

[Freya Thrakin]

Like a predator on the scent of fresh blood, the pair continued to soar forth. With every pounding of the wings, the dragon seemed to almost grip the air and pull itself forward, as though it were propelled by sheer force of will rather than the gusts. Freya leaned close, gripping one of Oris' long spines for support with a single hand and her spear in the other. Her eyes remained focused on the trail laid out before them, soon shifting to the village gates that revealed themselves.

Oris circled downward, dropping in front of the gates with a heavy thud. The guards standing at the sides of the village entrance immediately tensed in the beast's presence, their knuckles whitening around their weapons. Paying no mind to their sudden fear, Freya slipped off the dragon's back onto her feet, moving to inspect the burned bag that rested on the road. "Looks like our little thief is in the village," she muttered to Oris.

"Then we can burn them out of it," Oris immediately began, the guards once more shuddering with a newfound fear at the notion. The dragon, though he was often more peaceful, was prone to acting on impulse when one of his kind fell victim to such dark activities.

"Or," offered Freya, "I can find them. Circle the village to ensure they don't escape while I try to search for them from within." Oris nodded, visibly calming down before taking flight once more.

Freya turned her gaze to the gates, briskly walking through them, her spear in hand. The guards held bated breath as the woman passed, their eyes tracking the dark shape that slowly passed through the clouds around the village. As both left their sight, they breathed a sigh of relief.

Walking through the village, her eyes were drawn to a horse tied to a post just beyond one of the inns. Burns and small cuts littered the beast's skin, recent from the looks of it. It seems like she's found their hideout, then.

The Nordic woman pushed the inn door open, letting in a stream of sunlight that shone upon the wooden floor. Taking a few steps into the establishment, the only audible sound was the creaking of floorboards underneath her feet, the inn's patrons all watching her with a mixture of curiosity and disgruntlement at the interruption. Nobody seemed too fearful at her presence, however. If the thief was here, they were smart enough to lay low.

She leaned on the counter, ensuring her spear was visible as she eyed the innkeeper. "I'm looking for a criminal, one that's currently inside this establishment. Somebody with a package I'm very interested in seeing retrieved. Ring a bell?"

The innkeeper shook his head, briefly glancing at the sum of money given to him and the promise he had made in return. "Sorry, miss, I'm afraid it doesn't."

A deep sigh left Freya, frustration evident within its tone. She dug a hand into her satchel, producing a sizeable pouch. As she dropped it onto the wooden counter, it gave off the sound of clinking metal, as though it were filled with many coins. "Twenty gold for the man to tell me of this thief!"

At the declaration, the room fell silent, each person within the room eyeing the bag of gold. Finally, a man spoke up. "Aye, I saw her. A blonde-haired lass, tattoos going up her arm. Bought a room and a round for all o' us. Had this folded up apron that moved a hell of a lot too. Reminded me o' my..." Freya cleared her throat. "Right, besides the point. She's in room three."

Freya gave a wide smirk, grabbing the coin purse before tossing it to the man. Turning her attention to the stairs that led to the room in question, she began to climb them. Her spear was gripped tightly, ready to be used should the need arise.

 

[Izerth]

Oddly thankful for the new nest inside of the human’s rucksack Izerth kept quiet. Especially when they entered the enemy’s nest. There were so many voices there, so many two-legged who could potentially hurt her. Izerth curled deeper into the safety that was currently provided. She was still somewhat disturbed by the echo in her dream. The roar left an odd feeling in her belly. Even food wouldn’t help her getting rid of it. Not that she had any right now - the fish was lost. It saddened the little dragon.

Soon enough she was sitting on a bed, slightly disoriented. She had liked the rucksack and tried to climb into it again but it was put away. “Bath?” Izerth wondered, and found out not too much later when water was brought up. Apparently they thought it would be easier to have them clean up right away instead of dragging mud all over the inn. It made sense, even for Izerth who happily made her way into the tub without any regard to what the two-legged had planned. She would have no secondhand water of the cold type. No, she wanted warm water too. So her snout and wing were already in the tub when the door fell into place behind one of the innkeepers.

“I’m Izerth,” she answered the question posed to her some time ago, as if remembering that she was supposed to do that. Then, with excitement growing she turned back to the water.

As if diving for a little fish she gracefully slid into the water. Her wings caused it to splatter a bit onto the floor, but the tub was large enough to hold her multiple times, so it turned into a little pool she saw in before reappearing. Climbing on its edge, she held firmly onto the wood with her claws, then shook her body including her tail in hopes of drying a little.

“If I get the bag, I’ll sleep in the chair. Otherwise, I want the bed too.”

The proud, white, slightly shimmering from the water, dragon made itself clear.

Sitting where she was put, in order not to anger the human any further, or whatever feelings the blonde held toward her, Izerth curled up with her tail beneath her chin. Her eyes soon closed, but she let her ears listen to the noises coming through the wooden floors and walls. Someone seemed to be coming for their room, so without thinking much, the dragon slid beneath the chair and took Rebecca’s dirty coat with her, just to covered herself in case of danger.

* * *​

 

[Ferelith Scathach]

Her bath had done her well. Having no qualms about sharing a bath she shortly stripped before she dropped herself down into the waer along with the dragon. She no longer looked the seasoned merc fresh from a battle and now bore a better resemblance to a haggard traveler.

Her bath had wiped away the muck and blood to reveal her purple and swollen ribs along with the discovery of her nose being well bent to the right from the face plant her horse had deemed fit to let her take when her package spooked the poor beast.

“Shit. That’ll take a moment to heal..” Ferelith said as she rose from the bath and dressed in a fresh set of clothes from her ruck sack.

“You can have the bed with me then.” She said plopping down on it now that she was clean. Thinking it best to keep her cargo close she figured sharing the bed wouldnt be too much trouble.

“Nice name. I’ll call you Izzy for short if that’s alright with you.” She said stretching out on the bed as her ribs slowly lost their purple hue and with a few clicks she lurched in the bed grunting in pain as the ribs clicked back together. After a few moments of intense pain she was good as new.

Her nose still slowly lining back up into its original position as well. That was when she heard it. The clunk of heavy boots on the stairs.

Izzy has already hid under her dirty jacket. Strapping in her chest plate with a quick snap she shushed the dragon and slid to the right side of the door frame. Her right hand on her claymore and her left clutched on of her hunting knives.

“Right on time. I’d nearly forgotten we had a tail..” Ferelith cursed at her self.

 

[Freya Thrakin]

Her steps were deliberate and cautious as she neared the door; she heard the faintest sounds of movement, but none that sounded as though she had made a run for it. Good, then perhaps Oris won't be needed. Her grip tightened around the spear as her breathing slowed to a calm, almost peaceful rhythm.

A moment of tense silence passed, as both parties awaited the chaos that was sure to come. And come it did. The door suddenly burst open, sending it through the air as it hit the neighboring wall beside it with a hard thud. The source of the abrupt interruption revealed itself soon after as the Dragonkeeper stepped through the doorway clad in armor made of cloth and metal alike.

Catching a glimpse of the thief awaiting her at the side of the door frame, the glint of blades visible on her form, Freya sharply turned around to face her. The spear that was once at her side was now fully held up, the iron tip now deliberately pointed at the criminal. "The dragon. Now," the Nord commanded, the voice harsh and brusque. Her eyes quickly scanned the room; the woman was smart enough to hide the dragon, judging from the creature's apparent absence. No matter, the truth could be found out in more ways than just with words.

 

[Ashieron]

Ash was running a bit behind schedule due to a run-in with a few rather crafty orcs. Their magic had definitely gotten a hold of his speed as he rushed to catch up to his family. He was so close, seeing the many footsteps of Freya and her quarry, Ash knew he was close.

His cheek had a scratch on it because a bit of pine had scratched it with how fast the elf was sprinting. His lungs filling themselves with air before emptying themselves again. It was only a matter of seconds before he heard the bursting of a door, prompting Ash to run faster.

Ash takes a deep breath as he walked into the building and looked around. First giving an apologetic glance towards Freya for taking so long. "Or... instead of going straight to the punches and hostile words." Ash takes a sniff of the air, "We can just talk this over like civilized people. What say all of you?" He glances around the room giving the woman on the opposing side a slight bow of the head in greeting. "My name is Ashieron, if only we would have a better occasion in a meeting." The elf gives a warm smile, "No harm will come to anyone as long as we are around." He warns them all with a tap on his shoulder.

"Where are you little hatchling, we are not your foes." He calls out to the little dragon in hiding in both elvish and draconic.

 

[Ferelith Scathach]

Ferelith was shoved back when the thick oak door was torn off its hinges with the force of the blow her newly arriving foe had delivered to it. She stood drawing her claymore and hunting knife with a quick flourish she aimed to knock the spear tip aside.

“Didn’t say please love.” Ferelith said with a smirk sinking into a ready stance. “And us mercenary cut throats are quite particular about manners. Ironically so.” She said with a confident chuckle.

Then the elf arrived. “Inviting guests with out asking. See? Your manners are truly lacking..” Ferelith joked as her confidence slipped slightly before she regained her composure.

Elves were quick as a rule.

Having a skilled spear fighter and an elf that was fast enough to catch them and given she hadn’t heard another horse coming into the quiet town at full gallop and no sound of other beast meant he got here on foot.

On foot.

Her grip tightened on her respective blades. Her eyes bouncing between the elf and the woman's spear point. Even with her “gifts.” Getting out of here was going to be hard. Then he spoke in something else.

In a gentle way.

Like he was calling to something...Her something. She needed to act quick.

“Well Ash. I can guarantee no harm will come to YOU or any one else here if you turn around and walk away now knife ears.”
She spat her eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. “And take the snow eater back to the tundra where yah found her.” She growled in response nodding at Freya.

Her eyes glancing from the woman's own to the dirty jacket slightly to the left of the room before going back to the elf.
Her tattoo clearly visible along with a series of numbers down her bare forearm.

 

[Izerth]

The outburst of violence almost had Izerth running, but she managed to reign in her instincts and stay quiet. Lay low, for now. The conversation among the various two-legged went on. Apparently the others wanted her, too. She wasn’t sure if she agreed to that. This one had been kind. No cage, plenty of food. It’s why she kept quiet, even when a familiar tongue tickled her ears. He could talk to her all he wanted, actions always proved to be worth more than words.

Unsure how to get out of this situation, she realized that the blonde she’s been with so far had felt quite confused about her speech. Figuring it might work to their advantage she silently formed a sentence that might provoke some panic amongst the newcomers.

“They’re being attacked! Help them!” she screamed at the three of them, knowing it won’t be long before the confusion would settle Izerth dashed from beneath the jacket toward the window.

Once the others would realize that nobody was coming, because there obviously were no footsteps anywhere near, surely they would link the soft voice that’s echoed through their heads with the tiny dragon that’s just dashed out of the window.

Floating toward the ground with the use of her wings Izerth quickly tried to find a spot to hide. There were too many people here. Not right now, but she knew them to be around. They were inside of theirs wooden houses and once they would notice her, then surely some would try to hunt her like the ones before had.

Disappearing between two building she followed the cobblestone path until her eyes met an open basement window. For now, she could stay there. Or try to get through the house upstairs if there would be any open doors. Luckily there were. She crawled up one of the stairs. The building was silent. Nobody was home. She knew that staying there too long would be dangerous. Finding a way up and onto a nearby roof would be better. Perhaps she would manage to escape this village step by step. The plan was to go back into the forest, but for now she sat silently beneath a thick beam and looked for a hole in the roof. One large enough to climb through.

* * *​

 

[Freya Thrakin]

It was at that moment that a familiar voice broached her hearing, first earning surprise and then, once she heard what he was saying, a tired sigh. "Ash..." The Nord began, the voice leaving her lips disgruntled and reluctant. Ashieron was a great Dragonkeeper, that was certain, but he was too peaceful for his own good. Especially when dealing with those that showed no attempts at peace in the first place and a dragon was caught in the middle. "A civilized person doesn't kill innocent civilians and kidnap a dragon," Freya remarked at Ash's attempts for peace, her spear still pointed at the criminal in question.

Her eyes narrowed as the phrase snow eater was mentioned. "And here I was thinking you mercenary cutthroats had manners. Not quite living up to your own standards, are you?" She retorted, no hint at friendliness present within her voice.

A voice suddenly pierced the tense air, one calling for aid. Her figure quickly turned, the spear still pointed at the criminal while maintaining the doorway within her gaze. However, no footsteps could be heard ascending the stairs. In fact, the more she thought about the voice, the more she realized the truth behind it. The truth being that it was a misdirection. Swiftly turning her head, she realized what had happened. The dragon was gone.

"Ash, you get the dragon with Oris' help. I'll deal with this one." The command came out swiftly and without hesitation. A moment after she had uttered it, the spear was brought forward with a relentless strength as she made an attempt to sweep the outlaw's legs.

 

[Ashieron]

There was a flash of red anger in the elf’s eyes at being called knife ear. But it soon faded and he shrugged. “Yes, but you would never know that it would work.” Ash says with a glare, “Some people are more sensible than others after all.” His ears with twitch when someone yells anout someone being attacked. It soon dawned on him as well the little dragon was indeed more clever than given credit.

Touché little one. Ash smiles at the little one’s improvising. He took a look at his friend and now the person he might pity later on. Before promptly following the order and turning around to go after the little scared dragon. Quickly disappearing back into the storm raging outside.

Once he was outside Ash takes a few deep breaths, sniffing the air. Running his hands over his eyes he opens them, seeing many different waves of colors. Dragons always had a particularly magical scent about them now for him, and he rather preferred that scent than some of the other people he known in his life. However the rain masked some of it quickly.

Following it as best he could he makes his way to a building, slowly he’d open the door. “Little one, where are you! Show yourself please, for I have no way or mean to harm you!” He’d take a seat in the middle of the room, setting down a nice warm fluffy blanket at the other end of the room, and he left his hands visible. “I’ve set down somewhere you can dry off. Just let us talk together, and I will explain that that two-legger is not whom you think she is.” He calls out to the little dragon in her tongue. “I know you are scared, I am too sometimes. But please let me help you.” He was being sincere to the young dragon. Maybe times they came from hard situations, so he knew that it might take time for the young one to trust him. He was willing to wait, like a father is for teaching his children reading and writing.

 

[Ferelith Scathach]

“Well we don’t hold ourselves to the same standards snow eater.” She said with a chuckle. “It’s not fair I know but then again fairness really isn’t something I concern myself with. You know being a cut throat and all.”

“Besides. You broke down my door so..I figure we might be just even in the manners department.” She continued as she heard her cargo shout in her mind before making a run for it. It must have been something they all heard as the elf and woman both looked towards the door as Izzy made her escape.

“They’re hunters Izzy! Don’t trust them! Get to the forest! I’ll meet you!” She called after the tiny dragon as she glides to ground.

She looked back to her spear totting friend as she told the elf to go after the dragon and that she Ferelith would be dealt with.

“Aw like me that much do yah?” She said with a smirk.
“Your not so bad looking yourself, and I like the stalwart, strong, moral types. Fancy a pint after this affair? I’ll buy.” She continued with a flirty wink before blocking the attack with a smooth swing of her claymore trying to leave Freya off balance before following through with a shoulder charge attempting to knock her back and away from the door.

Though Freya towered over her by a few inches it seemed the girls strength well surpassed what her size would have one guess she possessed.

If her shoulder charge landed Freya would get a first hand lesson in this fact as it would launch her much farther back than what most Would think logically possible.

 

[Izerth]

Inspecting the rafters she finally found a hole large enough to climb through. Happy with her accomplishment the exhilarating feeling didn’t last long when she noticed a shadow above her. It moved, too fast for a thundercloud. Its shape was of an unnatural form, or rather too much like something living. Of course it only took Izerth a couple of moments to spot the dragon in the sky. A beast hundreds of times bigger than her was circling the village. She wasn’t entirely sure if it was a friend or a foe, but its size scared her enough to climb back through the hole into the safe confines of the attic.

That’s when she heard a voice. Softly it called out to her. She knew that it was meant for her because it was the same tone from before. The one that’s spoken some foreign tongue together with Draconic. Immediately the dragon tensed. Whether he was lying was a mystery to her. For the female had helped her. Perhaps not in the most conventional way, but still, she was free and fed, safe, not inside of an iron cafe going god-knew-where. It’s why she stayed in the attic, listening carefully to his voice before projecting her own thoughts onto the man.

“Why have you come with such violence? Me and the two-legged were resting.” she wanted to know, a gentle sing-songy voice penetrated his mind. It was like silk, but a bit high because of her age. Obviously it was feminine of nature.

“Help me? By putting me in a box?” one would think that she was mocking him, but Izerth was slightly too young for that. She was simply cautious here. Wary of the things that might go awry should she trust a stranger who’s been a part of a company that’s disturbed what was about to be a peaceful nap.

“Are there only three of you?” she wanted to know next. Slowly climbing down the stairs she was already looking for a window to make a run for it should this man try to catch her. The third “person” in his party was, she assumed, the dragon circling them high above.

* * *​

 

[Freya Thrakin]

"Tempting offer, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline," Freya retorted, sarcasm dripping from her words like a viscous oil. "I don't even know your name." The Nord scowled as the spear was swiftly deflected by the swing of the claymore, serving as an abrupt halt to the attack. The outlaw was definitely going to put up a fight.

Her gaze moved up from the clang of metal against metal to the now charging thief and, before any effort to evert her fate could be made, the two forms plowed into one another. Freya was sent back a staggering amount of feet, the force behind the charge deceptive considering the appearance of the one who carried it.

The Nord grappled the aggressor, pulling her around by the shoulder before pushing the outlaw forward, hopefully into a prone position. She spun the spear in her hands, leveling and thrusting its pointed edge towards the outlaw, aiming for the stomach. "We both know the end to this tale, so why don't you just surrender and save us both the hassle?"

 

[Ferelith Scathach]

“The name is Ferelith love.” She said as she was taken down. The air driven out of her lungs from the forceful grapple. “Nice view down here.” She gasped flirtatiously where she lay prone between Freya’s legs still not having fully recovered her air.

“If yah wanted to skip the pint and get right to it you only had to ask... I do like the rough stuff.” She said with another flirty wink as she tried to roll to the side to avoid the spear. However being trapped between Freyas legs stalled her from rolling fully away. Earning her a nasty cut on the side of her stomach. Her tattoo began to glow slightly as the wound already was beginning heal.

It was slow, and still very much bleeding and painful, but as the college had kept their experiments a secret few knew of the abilities she, her oldest sister and any one else that survived the program wether by luck or escape had obtained.

“But to my friends and enemies..ah!” She gasped in pain as the wound was inflicted. “I’m known as The Blue Wolf.” She finished with a growl. The pain of the grapple and the spear wound driving all flirty merriment from her eyes.

Blood had been spilt.

As she spoke she attempted to drive her hunting knife into Freyas left foot and abandoning the knife were it sank (whether in foot or floor) She would attempt to deliver a massive blow between Freya’s legs.

As this took place her other arm would throw her claymore towards the door and attempt to roll between Freyas legs and make for the door.

Should this succeed she would stumble slightly looking paler by the moment as blood was being lost.

A lot of blood.

The cut had been deeper than she first thought. Hand clutching her stomach wound still happily gushing blood, and the other grabbing her claymore on the way out she barely made it past the door frame before collapsing onto the every growing pool of crimson branching out and sleeping through the floor boards.

Still trying to crawl down the hall towards the steps that lead to her prize and her escape she wheezed fighting for breath.

“Not much one for tales.” She choked out.

“All we ever heard growing up was how to fight..The spine was our forge and we the..”

Another labored breath.

“..blades..The old father used to say..tell me how it ends..” Her voice was the voice of someone not long for this world, but clawing at every second it could.

 

[Ashieron]

“That woman was the one who was going to end up having you put into a box, the one you were traveling with. If anything she would’ve led you to people who would cage you, behead you and then use your body for something like medicine or some trophy.” Ash says calmly, he hated it but he was speaking the truth.

“There are three of us. Two of us are two-leggers, the other is another dragon like you.” He informs the young hatchling, “His name is Oris, and he is an adult dragon and he is kind and good. If you want to you can meet him, he will definitely be happy to meet another of his kin.” Ash proposes to the young Izzy, keeping still. Either way they would still try to save the little dragon and bring her back, but Oris was definitely probably the more preferred one of the three of them to the baby dragon at the moment. After all the poor thing was lied to and probably somewhat manipulated by her “friend”. “We are not going to harm you. If we did mean to, then why would we have another dragon traveling with us? And not have him on a wall over a fire pit? It’s because we do not harm you and your kin. I plead to you think about it.”

 

[Izerth]

“I was not, I was in bed. She fed me, too.” Izerth argued stubbornly from her safe spot. The terrible thing he spoke of surely were the things he planned to do to her. How else, the young dragon wondered, would he know of all those plans? If nothing else they were merily assumptions made by someone who was nobody to her at all.

The dragon’s nose twisted a little, she carefully crawled closer to see if he had any sort of bag or cage. Of course there were always ropes, but those were easy to burn, and after having gotten some sleep and enough of food, Izerth was confident that she would be able to make a small fire if necessary.

“Won’t he eat me?” she wanted to know, worry clear in her thoughts. Throughout her rather short life she’s never seen anyone like her. Especially not as large as the beast circling the village. Her parents had been different. Like her, but also like Ferelith.

“Perhaps you work together with him, so he can have no equals.” Was her reply to his train of thoughts. Working together with a dragon might be beneficial for both. Where he could burn down the village with everyone in it, masses might arise against him should he kept doing that in order to kill potential threats. Where .. if human did the small work, then he only had to look down upon them from the sky.

Having given things some thoughts she was slowly crawling out of her hiding spot when a sharp scent hit her nose. Blood, familiar blood. Ferelith was in danger. A friend, one could say in time such as these, was bleeding. She didn’t like that one bit. “Your partner hurt my friend,” she let the young man know before taking advantage of him sitting and her already knowing where the exit was. A moment later she was on the street again, passing between shadows and sniffing like crazy while following the bloody scent. Her heart was beating really fast now. She was truly worried for the blonde. Not that she knew what she would be able to do should she find her. There was no skill she had but spitting fire, flying, or biting. None of it would help closing the wound. Perhaps only warming the steel to seal it.

Hopefully it wouldn’t be necessary. Izerth held her breath.

* * *​