Wisps of a pleasant dream lay with me in bed. I found myself curled in fear, as I had often been in recent days, but I dreamt all night of flowers. My spell had still bought me the mental peace I'd sought. A sigh fell across the bed as I relaxed my body, the visions of Karthos Valley remarkably fresh in my mind. There was a calm to the morning that I simply wanted to bask in, but I knew I had work to do. I needed to make an ink run after breakfast. With this decision came another flow of memories: the archer's terrified face. Blood and rain, fire and loss; today's spell would be one of utility, not violence. The loss of more consequential lives than injured creatures in the earth, opportunistic tree-snakes and sick ocean-dwellers had resolved into will during my sleep. I was tired of a war that hadn't yet begun, but we would be on our way tomorrow morning. I opened my eyes to see Betiara watching me from the floor. The others’ mental states concerned me as much as my own.
"Good morning, love," I offered as she shifted into her usual shape. "It worked! The hurt's still there but it didn't affect my dream."
"Thank the moon," she sighed. Her arms closed around me. "What did you dream about?"
"The valley, intact and undeveloped. Just endless fields of Spring grass and flowers between the mountains..." I sighed into her neck and held myself there.
"I miss it, too."
"It's where you ran, where you made change."
"It's where I met you and the others."
"We'll always have a piece of it with us, at least." I gestured to the painting I'd purchased from the halfling artisan in Karthos Bend. "Do you think the town will be rebuilt?"
"If the loggers have any say, maybe. People have been calling it untouchable, though. I'm not sure."
"I think I get it. Part of me wants it to exist again, but it couldn't be what it was. It might be best to leave things be, huh?"
"That depends on who you ask. So, are you ready for Ygsild?"
"No," I admitted while shrugging my shoulders, "but if it gets us away from this bullshit, it's our best option."
"Let's have breakfast, then. We're already getting a late start." Lilika, Keff and Sekvi rose shortly after we did. I chose my spells for the day and readied a pre-emptive casting of Mage Armor, just in case. Our day was planned over breakfast. The others sought to tie up loose ends after I was done composing Telekinesis, though they insisted that I take this time to finish my work. I could work inside my protective bubbles while the others tended to their errands together. Without further delay, we made for the Conclave to retrieve a healthy store of ink. I slipped my Bag of Holding from my Vault of Amber and carefully placed several vials within. Five vials would see me through the day’s task, but supplies would become scarce on the road. Wartime, distance, and the uncertainty of travel would test my access. I wondered if I could learn to make my own. It couldn't be a difficult process; I knew that I'd need a pigment, an acid, and a thickening agent to create the base product. Discerning the enchantment would only entail studying what was already layered over this liquid. I retrieved an extra vial for personal study.
"You're gonna clean us out if you keep that up," said a familiar voice. Gwyl stood behind me with her arms playfully crossed. "So, these are your friends?"
"Everyone, this is Gwyl, head of the Transmutation Department at the Arcanist Conclave Headquarters." Yesterday's hurry hadn't allowed us much time to chat. Unfortunately, my current time table was similarly stressed. "You may not have to worry about my workload for a while; we're..." I couldn't tell her that we were leaving the city. The Sun King likely wouldn't enjoy hearing that news, and his crosshairs would become firmly fixed on my back.
"Taking a break?"
"One much needed," Sekvi offered. “We've come into some money, and after so much work, we wish to relax and live outside of our respective hustles." They were so unbelievably smooth; few could escape Gwyl's gift of insight. Not even I was capable of that feat.
"Oh," Gwyl exclaimed with a smile. "That's great! Know that the library's always open to friends of our members. You all seem responsible enough to handle our material with respect."
"I might drop by if you have books on history," Keff ventured.
"We have many in the general library. You'd normally have to be a member, but Madison can help you get around that limitation."
"I like this one," Lilika chuckled. "We'll be sure she stops by."
"I feel like I could learn as much as I could teach to the newer members," I offered in further interest of small talk.
"You know, that's not a bad idea!" Gwyl ridges rose at the thought. "Senior members often give talks in the auditorium; why don't we slot you in for next week?"
"Oh, wow. Sure, that sounds good." My lack of intent to meet this engagement filled me with guilt. Gwyl's eye glinted for a moment; she had seen something in my own.
"Look, you'll do fine! I'll help you come up with a lesson plan. Anyway, I won't take up more of your time; you have work to do!"
"Thank you, Gwyl. Don't worry, I'll be back." We parted amicably and quickly made for home.
"She seems nice," Betiara noted as we left the Conclave. Fithi was thankfully nowhere to be seen. Regardless of the aid the others would provide me, I feared how I might react to her manipulative prodding. Restful sleep hadn’t blunted the edge sharpened by murder.
"I feel so bad that I haven't been able to give her the due she deserves," I lamented. "And now I’ve lied to her face about coming back. It sucks."
"This is what war does." Lilika never failed to provide a salient point. "It severs everything from lives to the connections between them."
"Most certainly. This is why I met the departure of my prior duties so well! The war hasn't yet begun and I'm already fatigued of it."
"Same here," I sighed. Once Tiny Hut had been situated in its proper defensive place, the others departed with the promise that they'd be in contact via Sekvi's Sending song. I wished them luck and quickly buried myself in my work. It wouldn’t do well to ruminate over the risk newly involved in separation. Telekinesis... I had taken Gwyl's advice to heart. The Force was a compelling presence within Star Wars, regardless of how little sense it made after its recent revisions. I expected its composition to be a simple derivation of Mage Hand. As ink met paper, I discovered ways to extend the effect and make its mechanisms invisible. My growing skill and newfound resumption of restful sleep allowed me to focus my mind to new depths. More than a simple spell, Telekinesis was a direct extension of the mind's intent over my surroundings. It would comprise my will and my imagination in equal measure. I had to steady my excitement as the spell's many outcomes were distilled into one cohesive package. My work was nearly complete when I was suddenly interrupted.
A terrifically loud sound, something akin to a bellowing monster, trembled the windows. I stayed cautiously within my Tiny Hut as I looked peeked past the door frame. My face alighted in amazement as an enormous shadow drifted before the sun. It was a dragon! I felt a surge of meaning in my chest and hurried to the balcony to inspect the distant dragon as clearly as I could. They cut a magnificent figure, glinting emerald green reflecting the edge of their silhouette. I felt an urge to call to them, to ask so many questions, but they were far beyond the range of my gentle voice. Instead, I merely observed their flight path as they surveyed the plains and landed within the southwestern forest. Tears formed in my startled, blinking eyes. I wanted to meet them... who were they? Were they kind, or consumed with enmity? Given the descriptions I've heard of dragons in this world, they likely resided in gulfing gray. There was nothing for it; I had to return to my work until the others returned.
I heard Sekvi's voice in my head with startling clarity. "We saw the dragon, as well! We'll be home shortly; I will hear a short response after my message concludes. Try to stay your excitement," they joked in good nature.
"Thank you, see you soon. I'm almost done with my spell. Be careful on the way back." The others would inform me if my response indeed reached them. I had to contain my conflicting emotional reaction for the sake of my art. The finishing touches were placed upon Telekinesis only to realize that the king had used this spell on Betiara when we first met. I endeavored to use it for more constructive purposes. My spell tome closed, perhaps for the last time in Nereved, and I was now free to lose my emotional cool over the appearance of a dragon. The others mercifully arrived minutes into this state of amazement. "Why do you think a dragon just showed up?"
"I've not a clue," Sekvi said as they set their symphonia on the counter, "but we should assume their presence is of some consequence. A dragon appearing during wartime is quite unusual."
"Does anyone know who they are?" Lilika was eager to contribute the information she had.
"The birds have told me she keeps to herself. She's a green dragon that spends a lot of time in the Ygsildan wilderness; I wonder what she's doing so far from there."
"I hope she’s not here to fight," Keff said. Betiara was quick to add to this thought.
"Whatever her involvement, it can't be a good sign."
"I know it's a bad idea, but I... ugh."
"We know," Lilika said as she and Betiara affirmed me with their touches. "I'd take us there if dragons weren't so dangerous. She could melt us in a second if she wanted to." I didn't enjoy the sound of that. Approaching a strange dragon with questions about draconic nature or asking for her help would likely lead to immediate dismissal, which could also risk upset. Silence settled only to be interrupted by a firm knock at the door. I immediately recognized the knock as belonging to a guard of some kind. Cop knocks always put me on edge. Betiara noticed my tension and volunteered to handle the situation.
"The king sends for you, come with us."
"Is this about the dragon?"
"He specifically declined to specify."
"All of us?"
"Yes." Knowing that I wasn't being singled out eased my concern. As well, if something went badly, I'd have backup. We quickly gathered our things and made for the castle with a detachment of royal guards escorted us. I didn't enjoy being paraded through the city this way, but my hood provided some shelter from curious glances. The call of the skies was stronger than ever as we passed my perch. I yearned to join the clouds on their way to destinations unknown. The familiar whipping of the wind nearly convinced me to abandon the current objective. I told myself that today was just another day, and that we’d live to see the deciduous glades of Ygsild by the time Summer ended. The Starlit Knight stood at my usual place, their black and silver armor gleaming in the sunlight as they surveyed the distant forest. Their presence tantalized so many questions, but today wasn't the day to ask them. The guards strangely allowed us to keep our effects after crossing the bridge.
"Aarutyr's presence is concerning," the Sun King explained in a tone that suggested equal boredom and annoyance. "She is tolerated, but we are no longer on speaking terms. Given that Madison is of her ilk, you are to discover the nature of her visit. Report your findings to me by tomorrow evening."
"We are elated to be of help," Sekvi began. "I possess a spell that would allow me to communicate our findings instantly over distance; would you permit this method of contact?"
"I would not. If you do not return, you will be assumed treasonous or dead and scoured to that effect." I did not like the sound of that. He wanted to keep us here... nothing that glittered in this palace was gold. "After all, should you be truthful and successful, there is a gift to impart unto Madison."
"Does that mean...?"
"Yes, it does. You will not have your reward without acting in the interest of your king." My breath froze in my chest. The risks I had taken were coming home to roost; the king wasn't going to let us leave the city if he could help it, and he most certainly could. Our escape would need to be swift and surprising, likely on the cusp of war itself. Even if I declined his gift, he could easily force the issue. This was bad. I could feel my pulse in the base of my horns. "Go, for the sun cares not for timely work." We offered a courteous bow and left for the forest without hesitation. No words or even glances were shared within our group as we were escorted from the palace. I knew the others shared my thoughts on our situation, but we masked our worries for the time being. The guards would likely notice if something was amiss. I saw The Starlit Knight staring at me. Their hidden eyes tracked me until we passed down the ramp to the Eighth Ring.
"This is bad," I breathed once we were safely out of earshot. "He's gonna keep us here and he'll either force me to cooperate or take his offer. I don't want to see Earth again."
"You won't have to," Betiara assured me. "We'll make sure of that, but we can worry about that tomorrow. Today, we need to survive meeting a dragon."
"Fuck," I whispered, "I'll really need you all, more than ever."
"We're here, sweetie."
"Even trained assassins couldn't weather us. Should Aarutyr pose difficulty, we shall merely overcome."
"I could probably crack a few bones with this thing," said Keff as he hefted his hammer for effect. Even Rags was eager to assure me with a bark. Rags was a very good boy. The others were right, of course; if we were focused on the king's machinations, we wouldn't be ready for Aarutyr. "So, she's green. What can we expect if this doesn't go well?"
"Acid," Lilika said without further explanation. Acid breath would indeed melt us in seconds. Aarutyr’s level of power and her age were entirely unknown to us. I'd read that dragons' power often positively correlated with their experience. The older they were, the more dangerous they were in terms of power and cunning. These thoughts carried us through the walls of the city after a brief stop at the market. I feared that we were walking to our deaths. My only external solace inspired by the king needing me to breathe while my friends, my family, constituted all the internal inspiration I needed. The plains welcomed us with warm sunlight and a stiff breeze. I lowered my hood with a sigh. Come horror or hale, we walked toward a fateful encounter. Sekvi and Keff took positions behind me, with Lilika and Betiara leading our company. I stayed in the middle. They had even strategized their movements for the sake of my calm... these were people that I was truly safe to love.
A band of gnollish nomads provided us a general stretch of the forest to search. Simply locating Aarutyr would be a feat in itself. I hoped that her roaring announcement meant that she was inviting herself to be known to the city. Lilika traded some medicinal materials for a healing potion, explaining that we could never be too careful. Its sparkling red liquid led me to imagine its taste, though I hoped I never had to confirm it. Shade and birdsong fell upon us as we crossed the tree line. Our senses were on alert for any signs of danger, given that Aarutyr could likely take any form and reside anywhere in these woods. Betiara frequently knelt to scent the ground with Rags while Lilika's eyes flicked about with precision. Keff’s stalwart presence confirmed our calm, and Sekvi's symphonia yearned to crank at first receipt of assailment or aid. Hours passed as we searched for the dragon. There were no footprints or broken treetops to guide us, but Betiara eventually picked up a scent.
"I've got her. It’s an earthy spice, like Madison's, and it carries further than a kobold or a dragonborn would. That can only be a large reptile."
"Which way?"
"There." Betiara pointed further into the trees. I cast a quick look at the sky.
"Directly South. What's the plan?"
"There's no need to send you alone if we don’t pose a threat," Lilika evaluated after taking a sip from her waterskin.
"Hiding might put her on edge, anyway," Keff confirmed.
"I daresay she expects contact," Sekvi added. "She announced herself in plain sight, knowing she would attract the king's attention."
"I hope to hell you're right..." I felt my throat closing with worry once again.
"Let's move while the scent's fresh. Sekvi's probably right, love." I acquiesced to the others without argument. We eventually discovered a large clearing in the trees. A small pond flowed into a creek, rimmed by reeds. In the center of the clearing lay a collection of boulders, not out of place as we neared Alanuwa's bordering plains. The others were shared my tension. We scanned our surroundings in all directions.
"She’s here,” I whispered. The telltale weight of a dragon’s presence saturated the area.
"Where?"
"Maybe she’s behind the rocks."
"Perhaps she's taken the shape of a small animal to remain unremarkable." Lilika declined to share her opinion, favoring silent observation instead. She cautiously stepped out of the trees and waited to see if there was any reaction to her presence. None came. The rest of our group emerged behind her. Eerie quiet filled the space. I recalled Lilika explaining to me that the silence of birds and bugs meant that a large predator was present. All signs pointed to Aarutyr.
"Hello," I called with mild volume. "Are you here, Aarutyr?" I could only enjoy my accidental rhyme for a moment.
"I expected my call to be answered by a dragon," a voice called from the rocks, elegant yet rough, "but you are not him. Why do you seek me?" All eyes fell on me. I wished they hadn't.
"We were asked to find out why you're here, nothing more." My words appeared to stir the boulders. They shifted upward, facade dissolving into shimmering green as Aarutyr emerged from the illusion. A single step of her paw shook the ground. The sensation threatened to stop my pulse. An amused look of evaluation was passed over our group as she raised her head. She was, for lack of a better word, majestic. Her slender form and smooth scales spoke to me of relative youth. Blunted spines grew diagonally from her jaw, tucked below thick horns that rose to gently cross above her head. Unlike the king's effectual pomp and circumstance, Aarutyr's horns reminded me of a crown. Her face was broad and vaguely triangular, like that of a venomous snake with thinned features. Great wings remained folded as she rose to sit alike a great feline. A shining verdant tail tapped upon the ground in curiosity. She waited several moments before she spoke further, watching my friends move closer to me with her orange eyes.
"And you are beholden to the Charlatan Kings?" A testing gaze leveled over us. Lying was always an option, given the potential ramifications of the truth, but I felt any potential gains wouldn't be worth the risk. Without knowing which answer would save our skins, I chanced the truth.
"We're here at his behest," I said, choosing my words very carefully, "but he's no friend of ours." Aarutyr motions ceased as she stared into my eyes. Seconds passed as if eternities. She smiled.
"Why do you pass among the bipeds, dragon?"
"I'm... stuck."
"Stuck?"
"Stuck in this shape."
"Mm. I am here to observe potential threats to my den beyond the Karths. Pass this message as you please; I have no concern of Nereved." Relief audibly swept over the group. "Am I to assume Ogheonal neglected to explain his displaced worry?"
"We imagine he doesn't want you joining Alanuwa in the war," Betiara explained.
"A werewolf, as well... a poet, a warrior, and a wildling descendant; a curious gathering. Ruling, let alone by fear and manipulation, inevitably leads to paranoia. This perfectly fits the legacy of Charlatan Kings." Aarutyr offered a surprisingly pleasant, coarse laugh. "You are free to experience my company, interesting little bipeds."
"You're not gonna melt us," asked Keff with a surprising lack of tact.
"Do you wish me to?"
"Definitely not."
"Unless this changes, then, remain unmelted!" The dragon laughed once more. We approached with caution. Lilika happily took a seat and invited us to do the same. Enraptured by Aarutyr's presence, I entirely neglected to sit down. "You have questions?"
"So many," I breathed.
"Begin."
"Well... what's a descendant?" Aarutyr's eye ridge cocked in interest.
"Descendant, would you rather explain, or should I?"
"She'll find out either way," Lilika said without slant. "We're hoping you can help her with her situation."
"I sensed this in her eyes."
"You'll get used to that. My daughter's face is real expressive."
"Wonderful. Dragon, a descendant is one that shares blood with those you call 'Nere.'" Surprise erupted as I beheld Lilika’s sly smile. It was no wonder she wanted to believe what were no longer legends.
"Is that... special?"
"It is happenstance, only commented by those of long sight, like you and I. Ah, I've never heard of you before. Do you hail from the Furrows?"
"I'm, um, a child of the stars." It was now Aarutyr's turn to be surprised.
"I would like a closer look at you."
"G-go ahead." The dragon's massive head lowered to level with my own. I was given a thorough examination, Aarutyr's eye flicking over me and squinting with curiosity. Her slit irises, each the size of my head, began to glow; she was Identifying me.
"You are inundated with magic, child of the stars. What is your name?"
"Madison Cantrell."
"What an odd name for a dragon. Tell me your name, dragon. If you are missing your name, let it flow from your Breath; it will know itself." I blinked, unsure of what she meant by my name. So much was happening so quickly. Without any better ideas in mind, I inhaled and closed my eyes. Calming my breath allowed me to feel wild magic urging itself from my throat. I exhaled this magic, surrendering to instinct in hope of producing the effect asked of me.
"Apheon." I startled slightly, amazed at hearing a name crystallize entirely on its own. Affirmation beyond imagination solidified my very being. I felt so much more tangible, present, and real. The others offered silent encouragement as they watched on.
"Yes, Apheon. This is the name of your magic, the name of your draconic spirit. Know your name, and be your name. Perhaps that will unstick you!" I couldn't help but laugh in spite of myself. "I've not met a stuck dragon. Starry magic flows in you and your companions; your origins must be the reason you are stuck."
"Maybe. I have no idea... I was a dragonborn when I woke up here."
"Fascinating. In any case, you are a dragon, and you will know yourself as one. Go on, try again. Let us see your truest shape." I didn't hesitate to call upon my wild magic breath this time. A deep, calm inhale precipitated into a repetition of my name. Apheon... but nothing emerged beyond curling strings of wild magic.
"Fucking god dammit," I sighed as I brought my hands to my face. “Ugh!”
"It should not be so difficult to restore yourself," Aarutyr expressed with gentleness in her voice. "Dragons must change shape where you come from."
"There aren't any dragons where I come from. I was a human before."
"You very clearly were not."
"What? But I was."
"A dragon is not made by scale. No matter your shape, you are a dragon." Aarutyr's words switched from Common to Draconic. "What you may call a soul has always been within you... your pain must be great." She was right, of course, though it was only growing more painful by the moment.
"Would that have changed when I, crossed over?"
"The souls of dragons are singular and resilient. No part of your apparent essence strikes me as mutable."
"Then... why was I born like this?" I felt my eyes well up, which my fellow dragon met with patience. "Are you sure I wasn't stained by being possessed by a dragon for a second?"
"The answer is beyond us all; your question is wrong, though I see no stains in you."
"Well... I have a backup plan," I began. "There's a spell I want to learn: Polymorph. If that doesn't shake whatever magic is keeping me in this form, nothing will."
"You are above the hubris of magecraft, Apheon. Search deeper." Our theories came to naught. I nodded my head and steadied myself as best I could, sealing the sentiment with a shrug.
"Thank you for your help, Aarutyr."
"We are merely Breathing." I took a seat with the others to lick my metaphorical wounds. We were going to see tomorrow; that fact kept my emotions on a functionally steady track. Lilika welcomed me to lean against her, which led to being sandwiched between her and my love. Betiara's paw traced my cheek, spineless and smooth as the others engaged Aarutyr in conversation. She and Sekvi apparently shared a love of music. They began to sing a Ygsildan song from Sekvi's childhood. It sounded almost mournful in its tranquility; it was a beautiful lullaby I had heard them play during times of emotional hardship. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to feel its story. Ygsild was beginning to seem like a calm place where I could exist without taking lives or fearing the warlike machinations of Charlatan Kings. I felt apart from the rest of the world here, with my family and my fellow dragon of conscience.
"Being a dragon is difficult," I said to Betiara. She nodded her head and took my hand into her paw. "Apparently I've always been one to some degree, though. That's probably why I've always wanted to be one."
"It makes sense. Some part of you knew that something was wrong."
"Yeah. I watched movies with dragons in them, felt better when I imagined myself as one... it felt so amazing to see my scales for the first time."
"Does Star Wars have dragons?"
"I don't think so. It's just nostalgic for me."
"What do you think being a dragon means? I mean, if you always were one, it has to symbolize something for you. This happens to people here, too, but it's usually... it happens with more common creatures." It was nice to know that I wasn't entirely alone in this experience. I considered what I'd learned of dragons as well as what I had observed of Aarutyr. Ogheonal ruled a city-state, Aarutyr didn't seem to care for much beyond the safety of her home... Lilika had described dragons as being largely distanced from the events of the world. When one possessed such agency, it seemed only natural to freely live one's own life. I considered my life and what I found agreeable and disagreeable within. The wonder, the magic and the connections fueled love far greater than I could contain. Violence, disharmony and the suffering of others fueled my pain. I wanted to flee the latter so that I could experience more of the former, and control that engagement with life as much as I could. Agency over that process slowly arrived with time.
"I guess it means I only have to impact the world as much as I want to." A pensive sigh floated into the afternoon light, but the day was getting brighter. Strings of wild magic burst from my form, prompting exclamations from my company. My body was shimmering with rose gold light, and an upward motion began to surge through my body. "What's going on?!"
"Haha, it's happening," Keff shouted in celebration.
"By the stars themselves, never have I seen such magic!"
"Oh, sweetie... it's finally time!" Rags barked with excitement, rising from his comfortable place in Lilika's lap.
"Make some room!"
"Behold, starlings, the Breath of a dragon." A strange pressure that held my body, my mind, and my soul shattered into a wave that rustled the grass around me. I saw the sky above me and felt as if I should chase it. My body felt lighter than air as I leapt to my feet without any resistance from air or gravity, and I began. Blinding, bright wings unfolded from my back to propel me upward. My limbs shifted, growing more substantial as my sense of touch provided me more fidelity than ever before. I felt my neck extend, only hastening my ascension as my tail lengthened behind me. The tops of trees became small to me. Wind made itself known against my entire body. My clothes folded mercifully into this new form. My truest self, after awful decades of waiting and wanting, had finally been realized. I was, in all ways, what I was always meant to be. A roar of celebration erupted from me as I felt wind against the membranes on either side of my back. The defiant sound of a creature echoed over the forest and distant plains. I flew upward as if my life depended on it.
It was over. My struggle to understand myself and my situation, to contextualize my life, crystallized into the meaning of draconity. I had lived this meaning without knowing it, and now I would live it more fully. All of the fear I felt upon arriving in the Cradle had hatched me from my metaphorical shell. I was a dragon! Laughter poured from my mouth alongside endlessly vibrant strings; I had made my wildest magic. Flying came to me as instinctually as the Draconic language had. Another roar announced my ascension to the clouds. I had never flown on a plane before, which let me cap this incredible experience with another first: the sight of endless white. Cold air was tempered by the direct warmth of the sun. I heard wind rushing past me, but nothing else. A flock of birds diverted to let me pass them, which I met with utmost care. Occasional gaps in the clouds allowed me glimpses of the ocean, the plains and the distant desert of Alanuwa. I spent some minutes in the air before I returned to my friends. Thankfully, my instincts informed me of how to land safely.
I was beside myself with joy when I landed in the clearing. "It's me," I said, no other words arriving when called. All I could do was laugh, cry, and breathe in between. Betiara approached me and gently placed a paw against my fore leg. I was as tall as three of her now! My tail flapped about with delight as I gave my rump a shake of excitement.
"It's you," she said, wearing a tearful smile of her own. "I've never seen you so happy."
"I've never... well, a few times. You all made this possible, all six of you. Thank you. Thank you! I can exist without walls now. I can't believe it!"
"This will make a most wonderful song. I will see to it whilst we travel!"
"I agree," Aarutyr said. "This memory will light the darkness of seasons." The sentiment accurately described what I felt in this moment. My harsh upbringing, the cold fist of capitalism, arriving in a new world, and even the scars of Therimurk had fallen away. I was free from it all! Magical, accompanied and finally inhabiting a seamless form, I was finally free to live. Hope grown within and reciprocated by my newfound family had led me to this moment. The simple kindness of strangers had entirely changed my life. They looked up with pride, eyes losing no emotion while they squinted in the sunlight. I didn't know what to do with myself. While achieving my transition and connecting with Betiara had made me equally happy, this was a joy I hadn't yet known. I felt as if my existence had been put right in the most permanent, consequential way possible. Every dark day of my life had become conclusively worthwhile. I was so singularly happy to live and witness myself. Now I could share myself with others in the fullest capacity.
"I wish I could put it into words! It's-, you're-, I'm-... oh, I never thought I'd be here. Aarutyr helped me discover my name, by the way. Apheon! Isn't that cool?"
"How does that work," Keff asked. His eyes were nearly as wet as mine. Aarutyr thankfully fielded the question.
"A dragon and their magic have an intrinsic name," she explained. "This name can be changed. This name can be obscured, but it remains a critical part of existence regardless. Apheon's name was obscured from her through circumstance; discovering this name loosened magical bindings."
"What should we call you, love?" I was amazed by the question. No one had ever asked me how I wanted to be addressed; they either called me by my chosen name or ignored it entirely.
"Whichever you want in private, but in public, probably just Madison. I don't want everyone to know that I'm a dragon... things could get weird and demandy. Thank you for asking."
"Of course."
"I wonder why she was stuck to begin with..." Keff ran a hand through his beard as he pondered this question. I saw Lilika's brow furrow with similar thought.
"Mom?"
"I have an idea."
"What is it?"
"We'd have to ask the stars. I can't rightly imagine anyone else having an answer for us."
"You can do that?"
"There's a ritual. We'll have to wait until the stars are out," she explained as she fished her hand into her shawl. A strange stone was held out for examination. It was dark gray, strangely gnarled and speckled with silver. There was a slight glow to the stone that I couldn’t explain. "This came from a meteorite; I can use it to talk with the stars, but only once." The wonders of Primal magic never ceased. I nodded my head. Lilika's judgment was wisdom that I could trust.
"Fortuitous, Lilika! I regret to insist our speedy return, however. Our flight from Nereved requires preparation," Sekvi asserted. They surveyed our reactions. I didn't want to go back yet; I wanted to spend more time as a dragon! Still, I would have plenty of time to enjoy myself once we were safe. Our agreement was unanimous. "I'm relieved that we're of like mind. Apheon, I regret cutting this time short."
"No, I understand. There'll be plenty of time to explore myself once we're safe." My gaze found a mercifully understanding Aarutyr standing adjacent. I now noticed her size; she was even larger than I was.
"I watch the sky for your wings." This phrase carried the gentle weight of goodbye with hopeful words. I rather liked it.
"I'll watch for yours, too. Thank you, Aarutyr." I took a breath and focused my mind on my dragonborn body. A magical sensation came over me. Within mere moments, I had returned to my previous shape, clothes and all. The others offered me an encouraging smile while I gathered myself for the walk back to Nereved. Lilika, however, was stopped by a large tree at the edge of the clearing.
"I think I can save us the trip," she explained as her staff's emerald caught the light. It began to glow, and a strange sound of creaking wood erupted from the tree. A fissure formed in the trunk and widened, showing the royal garden on the other side. We didn't have time to gawk in wonder; Lilika began pushing us through the strange arboreal portal. "It'll only hold for a few seconds, y'all, hurry through!" A strange pulling, pulsing sensation shivered my body as I emerged atop the wind-swept city. I immediately felt nausea creeping up my throat.
"Oh, that doesn't feel good," I complained.
"Teleporting long distances will cause this sensation," said Sekvi as they raised their hand. I heard an uncharacteristic burp erupt. "Hence my preference of more private destinations, but when in need, it is handier than walking. Well done, Lilika!"
"Thanks, sweetie. I have a few tricks up my sleeve!" Her excitement was masking how pale her face was growing. “It’ll pass before you know it.”
"I don't know what you're talking about," Keff said with a shrug. "I feel fine."
"So do I."
"Must be a magic user thing." A quick breather saw our stomachs settle, and we made for the palace to deliver our findings. The Sun King, Ogheonal, seemed far less bored upon our arrival. His eyes were glued to me as he smiled.
"That very much sounds like Aarutyr," he confirmed. "Well done. I notice, Madison, that you've shaken your magical aura. Was this her doing?"
"It was Betiara's. She asked me a question that led me to make a discovery, and it kind of... shook off of me."
"Splendid, just splendid. Savor that memory; there is no greater experience than draconic confirmation." The king reclined his head as if recalling his moment in the sun. "Ah, your reward... I shall send for you tomorrow, Madison. For now, you are all dismissed." Fear crept into me as we left the palace once more. We spotted military formations moving through the city around us, surrounded by the hubbub of everyday transit. Some citizens appeared to be nervous or even afraid of their presence. War was imminent; we would be leaving just in time. I considered leaving the city early, but we noticed entire phalanxes posted at the gates. The only present trees were quite visible, and there were enough guards present to spot us if we attempted to leave by teleporting. This would pose an obstacle to our escape. I managed to keep my panic contained until we arrived at the apartment.
"How are we getting out? He's got this place locked down and he might... try to Banish me tomorrow." I held my head in my hands as I looked out the window. Guards were stationed at the entrance to the Interior. The king wasn't going to let us go.
"We'll think of something," Keff insisted as he waxed his mustache. "He's too self-satisfied to pay attention to everything."
"There's a guard at the end of the hallway," Betiara whispered from the front door. Her nose was pressed against the gap between the door and its frame. "They're definitely watching us."
"Fuck. Fuck." My love embraced me. She knew that easing my panic before it snowballed was the best way to prevent a meltdown. I was so grateful for her attention.
"You know," she began, "the moon will be full tonight. If we have to fight our way out, I could take on fifty guards." Betiara's tail was wagging, and her eyes were brighter than usual. We endured a night of this state on the ride to Nereved. A hyperactive wolf scampered around the ship for hours, only for her to leap to shore and disappear for hours more. She returned with dirt and twigs stuck in her fur. It was an entire ordeal.
"I'm having all kinds of ideas today," Lilika chuckled. "Remember how I got us out of my basement in Karthos Bend?" This question called the fire, my broken rib, and the emotional harrow of that night to mind. Betiara sensed my upset and hugged me so hard that she lifted me into the air.
"Babe, st-, I can't, breathe!" Betiara set me down and bashfully averted her eyes. "Yeah."
"If we can find some loose earth, I can get us out. I bet Toddrick would know where to look. If we could get to a tree, I could get us out that way, too."
"Good. I guess that's our plan."
"I've no better ideas."
"I'll discourage anyone following us."
"Night will fall soon; I need to run or I'm going to shed all my fur from stress." I looked Betiara over. She certainly appeared to be anxious; her ears were back, her tail was held outward, and she was nervously twiddling her digits. An idea came to mind as I recalled a goal from days passed.
"Let's run together, love."
"Are... are you sure? Can you do that?"
"I think I can do that now. Dragons can change their shapes, right?"
"Usually," Lilika confirmed. "Given your talent for Transmutation, I'm sure you could find a way."
"That is so fucking cool. I could be all kinds of cool things!"
"But how will we get out?" We scrambled to find a solution to this problem. The sun was beginning to set. In a few short hours, Betiara would reach peak energy levels and become a flurry of unstoppable activity.
"I suppose if we remain here, it may provide contingency enough for the king... does he still believe you're to depart for Earth tomorrow?" Sekvi made a strong point.
"It seems like it."
"I would simply negotiate with the guards, then. Should that fail, you could easily fly away from them."
"If y'all have to do that, I'll get the rest of us out tonight," Lilika added. "I can shape into a great big old bird now." She had tricks up her sleeve, indeed.
"Are you all okay with that?"
"Sure am. You two have fun."
"Y'all be safe, alright? I'll watch you leave so I can see your signal."
"I have faith in our ability to weather any consequences."
"Come on, love, let's run. You'll love it." It was decided, then. Betiara and I left the apartment and walked past the guards on our way to the lower Rings. They didn’t try to halt us, but I saw them reporting our movements with their Sending Stones. We reached the West gate in time to watch the sun set over distant woodland. It was romantic in spite of the circumstances. The military personnel finally stopped us as we attempted to pass the gate.
"What is your business outside the walls?"
"There's a full moon tonight and we have a hyperactive werewolf on our hands. She needs to run for a few hours, and I'm coming to assure her safety." The division leader narrowed her eyes at us.
"Where is the rest of your group?"
“At our apartment, why?”
“Stand by.” She clearly saw the merit in keeping Betiara outside of the city tonight. I heard the leader pass the news of our exit. We waited anxiously for confirmation or denial. If only we could leave tonight without being labeled as treasonous and hunted down... these soldiers were armed to the teeth. "Return by sunrise or you'll all be detained, orders from the Sun King. Do you understand?"
"I understand. We won't be gone that long; she'll be too energized to let me sleep."
"Let them pass." The soldiers parted in marching formation. I took a nervous breath. Getting on their bad side wasn't a good idea; they were trained in arts entirely beyond my understanding. I drew my hand over Betiara's back as we passed the city gates, stopping within sight to await the moon. Hours were spent in conversation. We spoke of the day's events and the possibilities present in Ygsild, but the topic eventually drifted to the nature of our outing. I was nervous about what I would experience as a wolf. Sekvi had confirmed that polymorphing myself would incur a temporary change in mental state, and somewhat hamper my mental capacity. My love and I would experience the night in a similar fashion. She returned to normal after each moon, so I held this expectation close in order to reassure myself. Stars began to twinkle in the sky as night fell. It felt like the calm before the arrival of a storm. The moon's arrival was sudden, announced by Nereved's shadow draping over us.
"It's time," Betiara said with a grin. "Are you ready, love?"
"I look forward to understanding your experience better. Let's do this." A laugh erupted from the werewolf as her form shifted to that of a quadrupedal wolf, and she said no more with words. She showed her encouragement by running circles around me. I watched her, honing on her form as I spun with her. An animal happiness in her eyes reminded me of the day's earlier joy. "Alright, okay, let me focus, love." The bounding wolf came to a stop and stood as a majestic example of my endeavor. Wolves were creatures I didn't understand, and I understood werewolves less. She was an endless curiosity to me, exemplar of inner harmony that was achieved long before my own. Could I truly approximate anything close to her experience? Would I have the capacity to learn this experience properly? I feared feeling wrong in such a shape. Was it possible to be a wolf incorrectly? There was only one way to find out. Without further ado, I concentrated my breath and shifted my form to match hers.
I found myself in a strange mental space. My mind was peaceful and quiet, unburdened by higher thoughts now distant. To be a wild animal was simply to be. I felt and understood my evaluations, but they were held at a distance. My capacity was not gone, merely unimportant. It was not a consideration that was necessary. My vision swam with cold blue and highlights of yellow, and was far less defined at a distance. So much information rushed into my other senses, however. I heard the speech of the soldiers at the gate, smelled small animals hiding within the grass, and felt each strand of fur bend with the breeze. Scenting the air, however, unleashed a library of immediate understanding. I could tell what Betiara's diet was like, assess her general health, as well as detect the very emotion she felt toward me. All of this information came to me with utmost understanding and precision. I was in awe. She experienced this all day, every day.
I stepped up to Betiara and sniffed at her face, a gesture that she returned with a wag of her tail. She felt so very happy that I was here. Her head came to rest over my own, a signal of dominant reassurance. I felt entirely fine with this development; it meant that she trusted me to protect her throat from an attack. My tongue lapped at her chin, but she shook me off and began trotting down the path. I eagerly followed beside her. The experience was more enjoyable than I had expected! Once our pace picked up, however, it became fun. My love's eyes were focused instruments of precision. I panted without a care as she started to leave me in the dust, but she slowed her pace so that I wouldn't be left entirely behind. We were pack, after all. We ran for hours, only resting once the moon was high in the night sky. There was so much beauty in this experience. Another world had opened itself to be, one that most could only dream of. I relished the silence of my mind, the unhindered fluidity of my emotions, and my intrinsic understanding of Betiara's movements.
A nagging feeling reached from my distant sapience. I needed to sleep, and my body was reflecting that need with alarm. Lactic acid coalesced within my muscles. Betiara nudged me awake after my eyes drifted closed, resting below me as we cuddled among the cool night air. A grumpy growl huffed forth; I was tired, and it was time to sleep. This growl was reciprocated as my love pushed me off of her back. She pointed me toward the city with her nose. I could only discern a blurry group of faint lights in the distance, but agreement rose within. She signaled for me to walk first this time, as she was poised to follow my path and disguise our numbers. I understood her so readily, so deeply, so wonderfully. This was an experience I would never forget. Some of my pains could be pushed from my mind with a simple alteration of my shape. Moonlight provided an unflinching path forward, and we followed it without question. I began to smell food as we neared the walls.
We returned to our usual forms after arriving at the gate. Betiara swept me into a spinning, joyous hug, laughing without concern over who witnessed us. "Wasn't that amazing? Did you feel how your body calls to you?"
"I'll never forget it," I said with a smile. "It's so calm, so... I understood you without having to think or even pay much attention to you. Usually I have to like, parse people's body language out and end up with the wrong answer, but I understood you! It's amazing, love. I'm so glad I could finally do this with you."
"You learned quickly! I'm so glad you liked it."
"We should do this every moon," I exclaimed. Betiara hopped in place to vent her excitement.
"Please! I'd love that. I was so worried it would unnerve you, but now I feel silly." I understood why she felt that way. The past two weeks had been difficult for us all.
"I'm sorry for that. I've been through a lot of scary things, but this is great, it really is." Our eyes met in mutual appreciation. "Everything feels so much better after today, and I knew you'd take care of me if something happened."
"I will. Always." I'd grown accustomed to seeing Betiara's lupine face smiling down at me. After my brief time inhabiting a similar shape, I noticed details in her face that had eluded me before. The distinct colors of her fur, the curve of her whiskers, the way her dark lips tapered with her expressions... she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. She was free and confident in ways I’d only wished for myself in my lowest moments.
"I love you, Betiara."
"I love you too, Apheon." Our foreheads met in a gentle, respectful acknowledgement of each other. "You make me so happy." I had no adequate words to meet hers in kind. An embrace and a kiss on her shoulder sealed my sentiment more effectively than speech ever could. We returned to the apartment together, and I renewed our protective spells before turning in for the night. Lilika had stayed up to watch for my signal. She had cast her ritual spell in the meantime, conferring the result in a single word: preparation. We were unsure of what this answer meant, but I was too tired and too happy to dwell on the matter. Returning to Betiara, I climbed into bed and extinguished the enchanted candle I usually left burning through the night. None of Therimurk's darkness lingered within me. I didn't feel afraid of the dark anymore, and I replaced my ruminations with memories of my lupine excursion with Betiara. She told me that she was proud of me and kissed my hand before she drifted off to sleep. I followed after casting Dream, just in case. My entire life had been a long search for happiness and healing, and I had finally found it.