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Sir Halin Kanas

I gasped for breath as my armor steamed against my skin. The rest of my party was lying behind me, unconscious after that last attack. I glanced back to see Okath’s robes smoldering and Insen’s staff broken. Zivan was slumped against the pillar he had attempted to hide behind. A thunderous step brought my attention back to the fore.

A Massive Dragoness stood before us. A handful of her Silver scales were cut, courtesy of Zivan and I, and blood ran from them, dripping into pools upon the floor. She was injured, but she was far from beaten. One of her eyes was cloudy from a previous fight and I could see the scars across her hide. We were not her first foes, and we would not be the last. She paced in front of us, like a predator wary of its prey. I could barely stand but I still rose to my feet, using my sword to keep myself upright.

“Impressive Knight. Few can survive my breath, and fewer still remain conscious after it.” Her voice was rough and deep and it boomed in the cavern.

“I swore an Oath. I serve my King.” I said, the effort burning my throat.

“So you do. And you will die because of it, along with your friends. Unless…” She growled and her lips curled into a twisted smile.

I watched her expression shift and I grimaced as my armor grazed my skin and I felt it sear itself to the soft flesh.

“Serve me, and I shall mend your friend’s wounds and allow them to leave with their lives.” She growled, dipping her head down to meet my gaze.

“I could not bet-”

“Think carefully now. Which do you value more? These men who travel with you, or your Oath to a man who sent you here to die.” She hissed, almost laughing.

I was quiet for a moment. I looked back to where my party, my friends, lay on the ground. Perhaps it was a moment of weakness. Perhaps the dragon was tricking me. I didn’t care.

“If you do as you say. Then I shall.” I said, falling to one knee.

She let out a hissing laugh and I watched her speak a spell. A soft green light filled the chamber and I felt my wounds ease. Her own wounds closed, leaving only trails of blood as the memory of our battle upon her.

“They are healed. Now you shall swear an Oath to I, Invali of the Silver Skies, and I shall allow them to leave with their lives.” She said with a wicked smile.

“I shall serve you, Invali of the Silver Skies, as a proper Knight. From now until I am released from my service or disgrace myself, I am yours to command.” I said, feeling the Oathstone upon my necklace grow heavy.

She hummed and lowered her head to meet my gaze.

“And I accept your Service, Sir Kanas.” She said, a softness to her voice I had not yet heard.

She blinked at me, her Ruby Eyes seeming to stare through me for a moment before she rose up to her full height and approached my still unconscious party. I followed her as she, gently, pried each of them from the floor and carried them the way we had come into her lair.

It was a short trek back to the entrance and she laid each of them down upon the ground outside the carved doorways of her home. When she had placed each upon the ground she spoke another incantation and they stirred from their slumber.

They each scrambled to their feet and turned to face the Dragon. She stood behind me and I could feel the pride radiating off of her as they each noticed I was facing them.

“Halin, what the hells are you doing?” Insen asked, frantically looking for his staff.

“I swore an Oath to her. In exchange for my service. The three of you will be allowed to leave here with your lives.” I said, my voice hollow as I spoke.

“We aren’t leaving you in the claws of a Monster like that!” Okath growled, magic flinging to his fingertips.

I took a step forward and pointed my blade at him.

“I swore an Oath. You will not harm my Mistress.” I said.

He took a step back at that, gawking at me. We had been friends since we were wards of the Castle as boys. He was like my Brother. The others stared but said nothing and I turned back towards the Dragon as the doors began to close. No more words were spoken until the doors had fully shut with a thunderous boom. The Dragon looked down at me.

“You are crestfallen to have pointed a blade at your friends.” She said, a hint of sympathy in her voice.

I did not respond as I began to walk down the hall. 

“You will be glad to know that the Princess you were sent to retrieve is unharmed. We may go visit her now if you wish.” She offered.

I glanced up at that. The last I had seen of Princess Neryia she had been in the Dragon’s claws as she flew from the Castle. I had expected to find her corpse in the Dragon’s Hoard. To hear she was unharmed did indeed lift my spirits. I nodded and the Dragon led the way. Twisting Halls down decorated passages. She had made her lair in an Ancient Stronghold that had been abandoned by the Dwarves of old. It still retained the beauty its original makers had created and now was painstakingly decorated with jewels and gold from the Dragon’s Hoard.

“You take great care to maintain this place.” I observed.

“It is my home, Of course I take care of it. And Dwarven Architecture is pleasing to my eyes.” She hummed as we walked. 

I glanced at a handful of murals as we walked past them, each depicting the Ancient Dragons that the dwarves had called allies. The Silver Dragoness I now walked alongside was depicted in several, amidst a hoard of tomes.

“You knew the Builders.” 

“I did. They hatched me, here in this very stronghold. When they were driven from it, I was still but a hatchling. I watched my friends fall through the years until only I remained. I returned to make my claim when I felt I could defend it on my own.” She explained, looking wistfully at the murals.

“And the other dragons?”

“Cowards and traitors.” She spat and that answer was final.

We walked on in silence and eventually we came to a large set of doors that opened at the Dragon’s touch. Inside was a domed room filled with shelves of books. And lying upon a pile of cushions in the center of it all was the Princess, indeed unspoiled and leisurely reading a tome as she held a pastry in another hand. She looked up as the door opened.

“Invi!” She cried.

“Neryia!” The Dragoness cooed as I watched her shrink down to a human sized woman with scaled arms and a pair of large horns upon her head.

The Princess ran up to the Dragoness and embraced her, fully ignoring me as she did so. The Dragon laughed and spun the Princess around before placing her back on the ground and smiling like a fool. And then I watched as The Princess placed her lips against the Dragons and kissed her, deeply and passionately. When they broke the kiss, Neryia finally seemed to notice me.

“Oh… Sir Kanas.” She mumbled.

That hurt worse than any wound I had suffered during our battle. To hear my betrothed be so… dismissive of me. And to see her caress a Dragon so…. Tenderly. I felt the world rock beneath my feet. 

“You did mention him. I was able to recognize him when he entered the main hall.” The Dragon said softly.

“Why is he here? I thought you planned on sending him away!” Neryia asked, almost pouting as she spoke.

“I saw something within him… and I wished to have someone to handle intruders.” The Dragon responded.

“But…” She gave me a look of disgust.

The Dragon whispered something and Neryia let out a sigh and a nod.

“Neryia…” I whispered, reaching out towards her before I pulled my hand back. 

She sighed and turned to me.

“Before we speak any further… No I was not kidnapped. I asked Invali to take me away from the Castle. And I have no interest in being with you, Halin Kanas.” She said, firmly.

My mind reeled as she spoke it. First that she had asked the dragon to take her away but also that she had no interest in me. We had been betrothed for two years and never had she seemed opposed to it.

“I… are you bewitched? I… don’t understand.” I asked, lost for words.

“No, I am not bewitched. I simply no longer have to play the part my Father wished for me. I can act as myself here. With my Lover.” She said, gripping Invali’s hand in her own.

The Dragon gave me an awkward smile.

“It was my understanding that you were at least aware of her inclination towards women. It would seem someone neglected to mention that she had not informed you of that.” The Dragon said, only a hint of annoyance in her voice as Neryia kissed her cheek.

“I was not aware, no. I…” My mind was blank for a moment before I turned and walked away from the library.

I heard words exchanged before the doors groaned and they shut once more. And then the soft tapping of bare feet against stone. When they reached me I saw the Dragon glancing up at me with concern.

“You have had enough surprises for one day.” She observed.

“I have found out my Betrothed of five years conspired with a Dragon to steal her away. I have found that she has apparently no interest in me at all. And I have betrayed the Oath that I have served for nearly twelve years… I have had enough of words and surprises for quite awhile.” I said, doing my best to keep from screaming the words out.

“I see. Allow me to show you to your chambers. You may take as much time as you need to calm yourself. I will only call upon you if the doors are breached once more.” She said, her voice growing hard like the Elder Knights during drills.

I followed her silently through the halls. The twists and turns left me lost as she opened a Door for me. It opened into a suite of rooms fit for a king. Larger than most of the peasant homes back in the kingdom. She showed me the basic uses of the room before she left. I gave her a curt bow before I removed my armor and collapsed onto the bed. Sleep only came after I had let out enough tears to wet the pillow.

I spent the next two weeks simply focusing on my wounds and keeping my body in shape. The Suite of rooms contained a lavatory and a small kitchen through which food could be cooked or summoned. I thought often about my situation and it took some time to come to terms with it. I found my room had a balcony that overlooked the eastern valley and I often spent time looking out upon it. 

Eventually I could take the solitude no longer and I ventured out into the Fortress. It took me little time to become hopelessly lost and I was only saved from my wanderings by the sound of voices. I followed them and found the Dragoness snarling at a group of hoodlums who had entered the entry hall where we had fought her. They had so far not even managed to scratch her scales and I could tell she was toying with them. Twenty men could do naught but sit and sputter against her. 

She gave them multiple chances to run but they were stubborn and when she unleashed her breath upon them they were reduced to ashes. Once the ‘Battle’ was concluded I entered and she looked surprised to see me. 

“Ah, Sir Kanas. What brings you out of your solitude.”

“I could not bear the weight of my own company any longer.” I admitted.

“Ah, I am familiar. I was actually about to head into town to purchase some supplies. Care to join me, my noble Knight?” She teased.

I blinked in confusion.

“You go into town? You purchase supplies? It was my understanding that Dragons hated to part from anything in their hoard.” I asked.

“True, I do not like items being removed but… Well purchases are plunder for riches if you view it a certain way.” She said as she shrunk down into her humanoid form.

I stared for a moment before a darker thought entered my mind.

“Would you not prefer to go with Neryia? You two seem quite happy with each others company.” I grumbled.

She sighed.

“She… she did not handle that situation well. And while I love her company, I find variety is better than naught.”

It took some time for her to be ready but I did accompany her. She took off from a platform near the top of the Fortress with me riding upon her head. As she flew I heard her voice within my mind.

“I should probably disguise you. From my understanding, you are quite the recognizable face among the humans here.” She said.

“You can do that?” I asked.

“Indeed. Though my magic is limited. Your disguise will appear similar to mine and you will need to stay close to me or it will fade.”

“Very well.” I said.

She landed a fair ways from the city and shrunk down to her human body. It was clear she had used this clearing many times before based on the grooves in the dirt.

“I’m quite good at disguising my tracks. Now let's get you disguised.” She said with a mischief filled smile.

I braced myself as her magic washed over me and when I opened my eyes I looked down to see a rather convincing glamour woven over my body. Most striking was that I appeared to be a young woman. And standing before me was a woman who could not have been more than twenty years of age.

“So how does it feel? Nothing pinching? Everything feel right? I don’t usually glamour over others.” She asked.

“I…” I stopped as a different voice emerged from my mouth.

I covered my mouth with my hands.

“Oh come now, it wouldn’t be very convincing if you sounded like yourself. Now out with it.” She said with a smile.

“I feel… this is no mere illusion.” I said, still concerned with my voice.

“It is, just a very convincing one. But if it can trick you, it can trick anyone. But how does it feel? I’ve been known to miss a few pieces here and there.” She asked.

I flexed all of my body and nodded approval. When I looked back she was running her eyes over me and I swear I saw her blush when she caught herself.

“Admiring my work. I don’t often get to view it from the outside.” She said.

“Oh? Is the Great Invali shy?” I pestered.

“Not as shy as you are, I saw you looking yourself over.” She said with a smile.

“I wasn’t expecting this! Of course I’m curious what I look like!” I cried.

“Calm down. I just thought… Nevermind. Lets go. The best vendors are here around this time in the morning.” She said as she pulled me towards the road.

We made our way into town and she did indeed buy several items, each of which was vanished as soon as we got them out of sight. She informed me that she was sending each piece she bought back to the Fortress. We continued on and eventually she dragged me to a traveling merchant’s wagon that was run by an elderly woman. She was sewing dresses and other women’s clothing.

“Alright come on. I made you my size so you get to try on some dresses.” Invali said as she dragged me towards the wagon.

I tried to protest but it was already too late. Within moments I had been dragged into the wagon and the elderly woman was pulling some of her work off of hangars and handing it to me to try on. She did have a mirror and I managed to get a look at my face while under the illusion. Invali had made me similar to my true body but with more womanly features. As I was glancing at my reflection I brought up a hand to touch my cheek, only to be reminded it was an illusion. I blinked and remembered why we were here. I spent some time pulling on various outfits and eventually Invali seemed satisfied with a handful. She paid the elder and we left, with me holding several well made dresses in my arms.

“Alright, I think that should do it. Time to head home.” 

I glanced back at the city as I followed her lead. That had been home for years, and now I could not return. I scrambled onto the Dragon’s back and she took off once more.

When we returned Invali ran off to go show Neryia her spoils before I could ask her about the illusion. I wandered the halls on my own and found my way back to my room. I collapsed into a chair before glancing over towards the bathroom. I pried myself up from my comfort and entered the chamber, looking myself over in the mirror that was present.

The Illusion was indeed beginning to fade but I looked myself over and I had to admit that the Dragon had good taste. She hadn’t made me overly feminine. I looked as if I could have been a field worker. But she had made me rather shapely. I did enjoy seeing curves on women. I had never been lecherous like some of the knights but I could appreciate a well honed body. 

But when I returned my attention to my face I found the illusion fading and I brought a hand up to feel my cheek but the spell had already gone. I felt a pang in my chest that I didn’t recognize and chalked it up to the magic. 

The next morning I found myself fighting with a group of bandits in the entry hall, Aiding Invali as she swatted them aside. I had ventured out to find her before breakfast and found her dealing with squatters. They were easy enough to deal with and when she was finished she shrank back down to her human body and smiled at me. 

“Well good morning! Sorry about running off yesterday. I forgot to break the illusion before I went to find Neryia.”

“It was fine. It went away on its own.” I replied.

“I see that.” She said, giving me a look as she did.

“Yes Mistress?” I asked.

“Nothing. Nery’s still asleep so I was going to go wash up before breakfast, care to join me?” She asked.

“I… would you not be uncomfortable?” I asked.

“Why?” She asked.

“To bathe with a man?” I asked.

“Well do you have any ill intent in mind?” She asked.

“Never.” 

“Then I see no reason to have a problem.” She said simply as she began strolling down the hallway.

I followed after her as she led the way to what must have been designed as a bathhouse. There were flowing water falls and the entire room was filled with a warm steam. It was heavenly and I almost didn’t notice when she began pulling off her clothes and tossing them aside. I averted my eyes as I saw her trousers and small clothes end up in the pile and a splash followed. I glanced down to see her floating in the pool with a smile upon her face.

I removed my armor and clothes and slipped into the water as well. It was divine with how much the heat soaked into my skin and I let out a content sigh as I leaned against the edge of the pool. She swam over and gave me another smile. Her body looked different now than the one she had initially greeted Neryia with. That body had been a middle aged woman with blonde hair , this was a younger woman with red curls in her hair. 

“You look different.” I observed.

“Yes. I change my form semi-regularly. Do you like it?” She asked, rising up slightly to show off more of her form.

I felt my face grow red but I could not bring myself to look away. She was perfect. 

“I do.” I said, my voice coming out only slightly choked.

“Oh? Would you care to show me?”

“I would not. You are with Neryia. It is none of my business.”

“She told me you had a stick up your ass.” Invali pouted.

“I have also been told that my performance was… lack luster.” I said quietly.

“Oh?” The Dragon asked, no shame but concern in her eyes.

“I overheard some of the knights saying how they had performed and my own was greatly overshadowed by theirs. I… have trouble with intimacy.” I explained.

I didn’t know why I was telling her this but the words just came tumbling out. She swam over next to me and leaned against my shoulder.

“Do you feel like your body is not your own? Like you are… wrong? In a way you can’t quite describe?” She asked, her voice quiet and distant.

I glanced over at her before I responded.

“Yes.” I said softly.

“Can I try something? If it makes you uncomfortable then I can undo it immediately."

“Yes.”

She placed a hand on me and I felt a slight pressure around me for a moment before I looked down to see my body had taken on the illusion from the previous day.  But this time it felt more… real. My breath caught in my chest as she placed a gentle hand on one breast and I felt a tightness in my chest that I had never felt before. A soft moan escaped my lips before I caught myself.

“It’s okay. Let it out. It's just us here.” She whispered as she squeezed gently.

I let out another moan and she let out a giggle. Just a simple squeeze brought me pleasure like I had never felt before, and then she flicked the tip with her finger and my mind melted. I struggled to stay upright and she guided me over a few feet where there was an underwater seat. She sat me down and straddled my legs. I had only a brief moment to wonder what she was doing before I felt her tongue circle the edge of my breast and I saw stars, I gripped her legs as a way to control my hands and I let out a cry of pleasure.

“Would you like me to stop?” She asked.

“N-No! Please.” I begged.

I heard her giggle again before she went back to work on my chest. One hand played with one breast, The other she played with her tongue against it and then she slid a hand down below. I gripped her legs like my life depended on it as she used simple short strokes with her finger to render me to a babbling mess. Eventually I felt something give way and I bucked my hips and jerked forward onto her shoulder as a wave of ecstasy washed over me. 

When I regained my senses I was leaning with my chin over shoulder as she whined and I felt her sliding back and against one of my thighs. It took only a moment before I heard her let out a cry as she bucked her hips against me. We both panted from the heat and the ecstasy before she leaned in and pressed her lips to mine. I didn’t fight the kiss as she caressed my body and I only broke it when I needed to breathe once more. She smiled at me.

“So, was that the best you’ve ever felt?” She asked.

“Yes.” I gasped.

“Does this feel so much more right than how you used to feel?” She asked.

“Yes.” I whispered.

“Then I don’t think we should be addressing you as Sir anymore.” She whispered in my ear.

“B-But this is just an illusion.” I stammered.

“Only as long as you want it to be. I saw how excited you were to try on those dresses yesterday. You know that you aren’t one of them. A man. Admit it.” She said, nipping at my neck.

I felt a surge of panic flow through me and I pushed against her. She released her grip on me and floated back into the water as I scrambled out.

“N-No… I… I am Halin. I’m… Sir Kanas. I… What are you doing to me? What have you done to me?!” I demanded, as anger, grief and fear shot through me in equal measure. 

“I didn’t do anything! I just wove the illusory-”

I didn’t stay to hear the rest of it. I grabbed my clothes and ran. Back to my room. To the safety there. I huddled in my bedroom, watching as the illusion faded and weeping at the sight of my own body once more. 

I didn’t remember falling asleep, but I woke up on the floor, wrapped in blankets. Hiding as much of my form as I could. I felt a surge of regret wash over me as I awoke. I had interrupted the Dragon. I had run out on her. She was likely furious with me. And viewed me as a freak. I had left these delusions in the past years ago! I was a Knight of the Realm, Sir Halin! I wasn’t some… some… 

I shook my head to try and remove the thoughts. I had quashed these feeling in the past and I would do so again. These Delusions had no hold on me, the priests had helped me. The Knight Captain had helped me. There were simply a test from the Gods. I simply had to push them from my mind and I would remain strong, unbreakable. 

I was Sir Halin Kanas. 

And those words tasted like Ash in my mouth.

It was the next morning when I heard a knock at my door. I didn’t answer and eventually it opened. Neryia walked in, seeing me on the bed, wrapped in the blankets. She said nothing as I sat up and turned away from her. She sat down behind me, facing away from me.

“She told me that you probably wouldn’t want to speak with her. So she asked me to come see if you were alright.” She said softly.

I remained silent.

“She told me what she did.”

I bit my tongue.

“You once told me how you felt. Do you remember?” She asked.

“No.” I lied.

“We were still children. You told me you were jealous of how beautiful women were. How you wished you could be that beautiful too. And that was the first time I kissed you. And then father caught us and had you taken away to be trained by the Priests. And when you returned you were… different. When Father proposed my hand to you, I was glad. I thought maybe… maybe I could help you find that spot again. But as the years went by and by, I realized I couldn’t help you. That maybe they had managed to make you think it was wrong. And I was heartbroken. You were the only one I had ever felt those feelings for. The next day I left the city walls and I found myself on the shores of the Lake. I had thought maybe… maybe if I simply tossed myself into the waters… things would have been better. I couldn’t save the one I loved. I was doomed to be wed to someone I no longer knew because the Priests had convinced them that they were wrong. And I did throw myself in the waters. Only to be saved by Invali.”

I remained silent.

“She dragged me onto the shores and demanded to know why I had thrown myself into the waves. And when I told her my tale, she agreed to take me away, once it was safe for me to join her in her lair. And she kept her word. She carried me away. Brought me here where I could study magic and history and live amongst all these wonderful books. But it was still missing something. Invali is beautiful and kind and powerful and amazing. But she isn’t you. She cannot fill the hole left by you.”

I felt tears well up in my eyes.

“So please, whatever the priests told you was wrong. Whatever they convinced you to believe. Just know that they aren’t here, and their words and soaked in posion. And when you are ready to face yourself, Invali and I will be waiting for you. And I will always love you, the true you. The one you buried under all that dogma and self hatred.” She said quietly before she stood up and walked over to the door. 

When the door closed, I buried my face in my arms and wept.

I don’t know how long it took me to argue with myself and to work up the nerve to face this. But I eventually dragged myself from my room, loosely dressed and haggard. I wandered through the halls, retracing my steps from that first day, back to the library. When I reached the doors they gently glided open and I found the two of them lounging on the small mountain of pillows. 

They both looked up as the doors opened and Neryia set her book aside as I stumbled up to the two of them, exhausted and feeling faint. I slid into a chair near them and stared at the floor. It took only a moment for them to be there in front of me. I couldn’t bring myself to meet their gaze. They were silent and I buried my face in my hands as the only words I could muster came tumbling out.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so-” I rambled before a hand gently pulled my chin up to meet Invali’s gaze.

“No. I am sorry. I pushed too hard. You were not ready. I thought that maybe I could help you with that push but… I was wrong.” The Dragon said, her ruby eyes wet with unfallen tears.

“But I… I pushed you away. I ran away. I left you there.” I turned my gaze to Neryia. “And I made you miserable for years. And I never noticed. They told me if I just pushed those feelings down, forced them in the shadows… then everyone would be happier. But I hurt you.”

“You did hurt me. But it wasn’t your fault. You were told things that made it worse for you. And I still love you. You just have to be honest with yourself.” Neryia said, gently running a hand through my hair and down the side of my face.

I felt the tears flow as she said it and I broke, with both of them cradling me as I wept. I wept until I could shed tears no longer. When I was done I looked up at the both of them.

“Will you still help me?” I asked.

They both nodded and they helped me to my feet.

“You said… You said you could make the change real?” I asked with a deep shuddering breath as I spoke those words that had been forbidden so many years ago.

“I can, if you want me to.” Ilvani said softly.

“I do.” I croaked.

“Then hold your image of yourself in your mind. And breathe.” Ilvani replied, placing a hand against the side of my head.

I focused on the image in my mind but it always seemed to slip away. It was never perfect. I started to grow angry and Invali cooed.

“No no, calm. Breathe. Hold it as best you can and I’ll fill in the rest.”

I followed her instructions and I held as much as I could in place. After a few moments I felt my body shift. Not painfully but it felt… strange. My bones shifted, my skin crawled and I felt flesh move in ways it never should. And when I opened my eyes again I had to crane my neck slightly to see their faces. I was only slightly shorter than Ilvani and I was almost even with Neryia.

I looked down to see a body that was not the one I had grown up with, but one that was unmistakably mine. Pleasant curves, and I still retained much of the muscle I had before. Regardless of my body, I wished to keep that. I let out a laugh and cried in equal measure as my knees grew weak and I sank to the ground. The two of them sank with me and when I had composed myself I saw them smiling.

“And how do you feel?” Neryia asked.

“Like me.” Was all I could say.

The pulled me close and pressed our foreheads together as the three of us laughed together.

Several months later…

I rolled out of bed despite Ilvani doing her best to keep me there. I wasn’t sure if it was because she was a dragon or if she was just clingy but she always had to be holding one of us while she slept. And as I was the smaller of the two of us, it was usually me. But right now I had matters to handle. Someone had broken through the ward on the Fortress Doors and was in our lair. 

Yes OUR lair. Turns out that once you were mated with a Dragon, you developed some traits of theirs too. Like the ability to sense when someone entered your lair. Alongside inhuman strength, magic and whole host of other benefits. Nery and I were something called Demi-Dragons now and we were loving it. Especially since it meant we could cuddle up with Invi and not be crushed.

But anyway, back to defending our home. I pulled on my now altered armor and grabbed my sword and shield. We had reforged my armor and it felt great that it actually fit now. I yawned as I made my way through the halls of the Fortress, now as easy to navigate as the back of my hand. They were still in the entry hall, apparently confused on where to go next. I smirked as I approached them, practically skipping into the entry hall where they turned to face me. Oh. Old friends.

Insen, Okath and Zivan. They had returned. Fun.

“Hello?” I called as the three of them debated which hallway to take.

The three of them jumped and leveled their weapons at me. And then stopped when they saw me,

“Whats a little girl doing here?” Okath asked, his priestly robes now shining with magic imbued in the cloth as his scepter glowed with spellcraft as well.

“Probably another one the Dragon abducted.” Insen growled.

“Or maybe the Dragon left?” Zivan asked aloud.

“No, she still lives here. Why did you three come back?” I asked.

“To rescue our Brother!” The three of them cried.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Sir Halin Kanas.” Insen said with much flair.

“Ah… Yes well there is no Sir Kanas here anymore. Just me, Dame Dirana Nulen.” I said, bored.

“Well Miss, I suggest you get out of our way. We have a Dragon to slay if she has harmed our brother.”

“Oh no, she hasn’t harmed m- Well okay the bites aren’t really harm if I ask for them are they? Regardless that is one of my wives you are speaking of and if you want to harm her, you have to go through me.” I explained.

Insen and Okath drew their weapons but Zivan relaxed his stance.

“Wait… are you…?” He asked.

“Hi!” I called with a little wave.

“There is no way that thats you.” Zivan asked.

“Fortunatley, it is. Had some encouragement to pursue some personal happiness and found that it is in fact better than being miserable.” I said with a smile.

“The Hells are you talking about?” Insen asked.

“Thats… or well she used to be Halin. Now shes… her.” Zivan said, smiling.

“You cannot be serious. I thought we fixed that problem!” Okath roared.

“No, you made it a problem. And now you are going to leave. Or I am going to make you.” I growled.

I watched Zivan look hesitant as he watched our stare down.

“Z, you can stay if you aren’t going to cause trouble. But they aren’t. Since I have the distinct impression they are going to be difficult.” I said as I drew my sword.

Zivan looked between me and the others before he ran off to the side of the room. Okath pointed his scepter at the rogue but I was faster. I shot forward and knocked the scepter out of his hand and delivered a bone crunching punch to his jaw. Insen went down just as quick with a blow to the gut. When they were both out cold, I dragged them outside and resealed the doors. Zivan followed and watched me the whole time and when the doors had shut he pranced up behind me. 

“Okay so how did this happen?” He asked, gesturing to me.

“Magic.” I laughed.

“Okay okay… do you think you could show me how?” He asked.

I glanced up at him and I could swear I could see his face growing red behind his cowl.

“I think we could arrange that. Invali would love to add another cute girl to her hoard, I’m sure.” I laughed as we headed into the Fortress together.