A Draconic Study [MadEmperor]

[DragonSong]

@MadEmperor

Continued from here


River raised a hand to hail the approaching dragons as she and Kahroan came in for a landing. As they got closer, she realized that two of the smaller beasts--though "smaller" was truly a relative term--bore riders, while the third did not. Both dragonriders wore the typical half-plate of the Adelan military.

Raising her voice, she called, "We're setting down! We don't want any trouble!" Lowering her voice a bit, she added for Kahroan, "You getting anything from those other dragons?"

[MadEmperor]

"Not through beastspeak anyway. They don't smell agitated, at least--and did I really just say that? I guess that's a thing I do now."

Kahroan landed in an empty field, making no sudden moves that would make him appear as a threat. 

The riders landed just out of breath range. "Hail and well met, travelers." The voice of the senior rider was polite, but suspicious, ready to take action if need be. "May I ask the purpose of your visit?"

[DragonSong]

"Hail and we'll met," River replied quickly as she scrambled down from Kahroan's back. "We're...well, it's something of a long story, but ah... Basically, my mate and I are hoping to do some research into dragon magic."

She paused, started to realize how that might sound, then introduced them quickly: "My name is River Longfang, and this is Kahroan of the Longfang pack. He's—well—it's complicated."

[MadEmperor]

Kahroan cut in. "The gist is--well... I was born human, you see, and know little about what comes instinctually to natural dragons."

The rider climbed down and approached River. "Ah. And, of course, you thought of Adela. For who else understands dragons as we do, correct?"

[DragonSong]

"Yes, exactly," River responded, relieved that they seemed to have been met amiably.

The rider who had approached them nodded, clearly considering. "We can give you an escort over the city walls," he decided after a few moments. "You'll likely need to stay near the barracks--we don't have many other places in the city proper that cater to dragons."

"That should do fine, thank you." River dipped into a quick half bow, not entirely sure of the protocol but simply relieved that they didn't seemed to have caused too much of a stir.

[MadEmperor]

Kahroan bobbed his head in a psuedo-bow, sighing with relief. "You have my thanks as well." 

He looked to the riderless dragon circling above them. "Is that one with you?"

[DragonSong]

"Aye, she is. New recruit, of sorts. Come. We'll show you passed the walls."

"Right, yes. Thank you." River dipped her head again, then hurried climbed back up to settle herself on Kahroan's shoulders as the two Adelan dragonriders mounted up as well.

They took to the air, circling with the riderless dragon for a moment before soaring back out toward the city proper.

[MadEmperor]

Not long after, Kahroan touched down in an open area inside the barracks. He looked around at all the dragons with wonder, having never seen so many in one place. Seeing their size gave him a new appreciation for how large he had become. And smelling so many stirred an unfamiliar prideful instinct to dominate that he had to fight to keep in check. 

After River dismounted, he looked at her anxiously. "Gods... I really am a dragon in all but spirit..."

[DragonSong]

River gave him a sympathetic look, moving to his head so she could reach up and cup the very tip of his muzzle in her hands. "We'll find someone to help you here," she promised softly.

The riderless dragon who had accompanied them into the city touched down not far away and cocked her head at them curiously--at least, River was assuming the dragon was a "her"--she'd heard one of their escorts call her "Azalea", which seemed like an...oddly soft name for a dragon.

"You're a half-dragon?" The slender, icy white creature asked curiously, and despite the echoing thrum that accompanied most dragon's voices, she still seemed...soft-spoken. She was barely half Kahroan's size, if that, and she looked even smaller when she sat back on her haunches and wrapped her whip-like tail gracefully around herself.

[MadEmperor]

"All dragon, but I was one for a while." Kahroan grew sheepish, which looked rather comical on a creature his size. "I... sort of got myself transformed into this by a magic object. I used to be human."

"I'm hoping I can learn to change forms like other dragons. I just don't know yet how to be a dragon, let alone perform magic."

[DragonSong]

The smaller dragon snorted, surprised, and cocked her head the other way. "Huh. Well, that's..."

She seemed to be about to say something, then shook her head, glancing away. "I don't know many dragon-shifters. Usually that's an ability reserved to dragons and half-dragons. But..."

She hesitated, then offered, "There was a woman here yesterday, a scholar. She might be able to help you."

[MadEmperor]

"I mean, technically I am a dragon now, so that would be great." Kahroan looked to her with gratitude. "Any help at all is appreciated."

"Where might we find this scholar?" he asked hopefully. 

[DragonSong]

"I think she's staying at an inn nearby; she said something about planning to come visit again--"

"Cadet! You're needed in the front yard!"

Azalea winced and shot them a sympathetic look. "Sorry, I have to go. Ask for...Ally-something. Alya, maybe. No! Alleaya. Ask for Alleaya."

She dipped her head to them, then turned and trotted away toward the officer that was summoning her.

[MadEmperor]

Kahroan nudged River gently with his nose. "Go. Find her. I'll be fine here. Who knows, maybe I'll even make a dragon friend."

Obviously he'd miss his mate, but they couldn't realistically be together every hour of every day even if it was tempting. Besides, he couldn't go with her into the city as he was now. That was exactly why they were in Ketra

[DragonSong]

"Are you sure?" She frowned, though she knew he made a good point. "I don't like the idea of leaving you alone..."

Of course, he wasn't really alone. The barracks were teeming with dragons and riders alike. And they had been offered an escort in, so they were clearly guests; chances were he would be perfectly fine.

[MadEmperor]

The dragon smiled softly with his eyes. "I'll miss you too, Riv. But I'm sure. I'm probably safer here than anywhere. I'm even protected by Adelan law."

He nuzzled her. "I'm more worried about you in the city alone, but we can both take care of ourselves... yes?"

[DragonSong]

"Of course." She kissed the side of his muzzle quickly, then stepped back. "I'll see if I can find this scholar that other dragon was talking about. I'll be back soon."

She gave him a last quick pat, then turned to make her way out of the barracks, pausing briefly to speak with an officer about directions before making her way into the city proper.

[MadEmperor]

By the time she had returned, with or without the scholar, Kahroan had become enamored with the flight exercises of the military dragons. Part of him longed to fly with such precision and skill. He wasn't sure if it was the human part or the dragon part.

Looking away from the sky, he was struck by the idea that both parts were happy to see his rid--his mate.

Well that's something to unpack later, he thought to himself.

[DragonSong]

It took her a few hours, but River managed to track down this scholar who had been visiting the Adelan dragonriders. After another hours of explanations—or at least attempted explanations—she convinced Alleaya to return to the barracks with her.

"I'm not sure how much help I'll actually be, but I'm happy to try," the young alchemist was saying as River led her back onto the training grounds. "Honestly, you have no idea how fascinating this is in my field—people who do what I do have been trying to unlock human-to-dragon shapeshifting for generations, but..."

She trailed off as Kahroan came into view. "Oh! Um, hello!"

[MadEmperor]

Kahroan bobbed his head in a bow of greeting. "Hello to you. Allaeya, yes? I don't know how River explained it to you, but I hope we can help each other. Even though I didn't shift into this form entirely by choice or by my own means."