@Heretic KingThe slave markets were never her favorite place. They brought back bad memories, even though she'd gotten off better than most people born into such a life could ever hope for.
Still, it was the quickest way home from the east library, and the sun was setting. Lapis didn't relish the idea of being caught out in the city after dark, so she just ducked her head and did her best to hurry through the markets and ignore the misery surrounding her.
Loud shouting from what appeared to be an auction block caught her attention despite herself and she paused, almost against her will, to glance up. Her eyes widened slightly at the..."goods" for sale.
Several slaves stood next to Steel. All glanced down at the floor. But not him, no, Steel stood, head held high, defiant amongst the others. And the slavers knew the cracking of a whip had no effect to make him look respectful and humble.
A soft snort resounded as he heard his name. Various costumers had their attention captivated by him. And so started his slaver with his sales pitch. Among the lines of boasting his prestige in the arena, his physical strength, the fact he was half dragon. And his handsooe, rugged looks. Some of the wopen present took exception to that, giggling as they exhanged looks.
The slaver gave a toothy grin and stepped forward to said ladies. "Yes, ladies. He is as big as you imagine." Some of them got a thick shade of crimson on their cheeks, others giggled.
And Steel merely rolled his eyes.
Lapis was mostly tuning out the slaver as he made his pitch, but she couldn't help rolling her eyes at that. How desperate did a person have to be to buy a lay?
Well. She supposed the sheer number of brothels in the city should attest to that.
Still, something about the slave certainly caught her attention, something that wasn't his size, as seemed to be drawing everyone else. He looked- defiant. Strong. Unbroken. It was rare to see in a slave.
Her hand slid toward the purse at her belt and she bit her lip. Don't do it. You can't buy them all to save them, if you start now-
Almost against her will, she found herself opening her mouth to call, "How much?"
The slaver gave her a toothy grin and turned around, pulling Steel along by his shoulder. However, the slave didn't budge. He merely looked down at Lapis.
"How much can ye offer?" Was what the slaver said, leaving Steel alone for the time being.
Her fingers slipped into the small purse, brushing against the coins. "Twenty gold," she replied. Her eyes flicked to the slave, then back to the man selling him. She resisted the urge to bite her lip, straightening her shoulders and trying to appear taller than she was.
The man arched an eyebrow. "Ya can't do any better than that?"
Steel rolled his eyes, with a loud clunk, his chains were broken, he stepped down the stage. "Sold." He merely stated.
Lapis didn't say anything to the alaver, just nodded and passed over the money.
Her eyes flicked to Steel, then away quickly. Guilt rose up in her chest and she bit her lip. "Come with me," she whispered. "Just...follow close. We can talk when we're out of the markets."
Steel arched an eyebrow. That was the point. He stepped down and trailed behind her, glancing around and causing people to take several steps back from him due to his sheer intimidating look.
Once they were out of the markets, Lapis slipped down a small side alley and leaned against a wall, closing her eyes and letting her head rest back for a moment.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, looking to her new companion. Slave. "I'm sorry about this. Really I am, I don't know what came over me-"
She huffed out a breath, then offered a smile. "What's your name then? I'm called Lapis."
Steel folded his arms as she apologised. "You're sorry for buying me?" He leaned against the wall. "Steel." He answered gruffly.
She sighed, realizing how that must sound to him. She never would have bought it. "Yes, I am." She rubbed the bridge of her nose, where her glasses normally sat.
Peering up at him, Lapis noted, "You...weren't like the others. I didn't even intend to stop in the first place but you were...different. Still unbroken."
A sharp exhale and she pushed away from the wall. "Come on. My house isn't too far from here, we can decide what to do there."
"Unbroken?" Steel huffed. "Not at all, I'm shattered. I just refuse to bow to anyone."
He rolled his eyes. "You don't really know how this slave thing works, huh?"
"I know very well how it works," Lapis replied as she led him through the streets. "I just don't hold with the institution. Here."
She stopped at her door, fishing a key from between her breasts and unlocking it, then gesturing for Steel to enter. "Come in. It's not much, but it's home."
It was three rooms, though only the first could be seen upon entering, a simple room with an open ceiling and a small fire pit in the center, a table and three chairs scattered about rather haphazardly.
"That's a convienient place to hise your keys," Steel said with a soft snort, before walking in after her. He didn't really care whether she knew how slavery worked or not. She was just an exception, most likely nothing different from others.
He shrugged softly. "Home used to be a rotting cell in the fighting pits, anything is better."
"You were a gladiator?" She slipped inside and shut the door, then gestured to a chair. "Please, sit. Are you hungry? Of course you are, they never feed you properly. I'll make something."
She bustled about the small room, lighting a fire quickly and rummaging through a few cupboards for food.
"Are you going to kill me if I leave you unbound?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder at Steel.
"I was," Steel answered, sitting down, one arm resting on the table.
He met her eyes and shook his head. "I have no reason to. Imagine if I did. There were a dozen.of people who saw you buying me, I would be hunted down and killed."
"Fair point." she poured two cups of water from a pitcher and handed one to him. "Here. I imagine you must be pretty dehydrated."
Taking a seat herself, Lapis took a sip from her own cup. "So. Now we have a bit of a problem. I don't own slaves, but you're right- people saw me buy you, and you're a marked slave. If I just let you go, you'll be chained again in less than a day."
"It's really simple," Steel answered after completely emptying he cup in one go. "I am your property now. And if you don't like it, you just sell me. Like anyone else would do."
"See, I don't think it's that simple." Lapis lowered her cup. "You're not property, you're a person. You have as much right to decide your fate as anyone."
She tilted her head at him. "If you could decide anything, what would you want to do from here?"
"I don't think about it since it ain't an option," Steel snarled in response.
She sighed. She couldn't blame him for the response. "Very well. Maybe one day you will think about it," she murmured.
With a soft breath, she sat up a little straighter and said briskly, "In the mean time, I suppose I should explain what I do. I travel for my work, sometimes into dangerous territory. I wouldn't say no to having someone like you along on such trips. Or, the next time I leave- which should be in a day or two, I'm heading for the jungles- you're welcome to come along and try to find a place for yourself somewhere else."
Her head tilted to one side. "I...don't have much money, but I could pay you a little." She'd never been able to afford a guard before, and she was trying to make calculations on her head as she spoke.
"Lapis," Steel grunted her name out in annoyance. "I am your property. If you tell me to go somewhere, I do that. If you tell me to jump, I ask how high I have to jump." He folded his arms. "So stop the shitty acting of you caring about me."
Well. It wasn't as though she hadn't expected something like that.
Lapis let out a quiet breath and got to her feet. She crossed to the small collection of cabinets and plucked a few pieces of fruit from a small bowl, slicing them thinly and putting them on a plate that she handed to Steel.
"If you don't want me to talk to you much, that's fine. I understand. But I won't treat you like a slave, not in this house."
"Fine," Steel replied, snorting softly. He didn't even know why he argued the fact. But the thought of an owner trying to get all friendly with him infuriated him.
He would've slapped the food away if it wasn't for him completely starving, he started to shovel the pieces in his mouth, as much as he could chew. Like a predator who's prey was threatened to be stolen.
Lapis blinked at him, then glanced away, clearing her throat. "Um- was it true, what they said at the market? You're half dragon?"
He'd probably need some sort of meat, in that case. Which she didn't really keep around- it was expensive, and she rarely ate it herself.
With a loud clunk, the leather mixed with steel braces glove smacked on the ground. Steel raised the claw that was his hand, dark grey scales visible. "Yeah."
"Oh." Her eyes widened and she started forward for a closer look. "Where else do you have scales? And your strength- would you categorize it as inhuman? Are your feet also clawed? And how-"
Lapis suddenly stopped talking, snapping her mouth shut and blushing furiously. "Er- forgive me. I, um, a lot of my research is about dragons, I find them fascinating. Sometimes I get a little...overexcited."
She coughed and glanced away. "You don't have to answer any of that if you don't want to."
Steel arched an eyebrow at her as she started forward. He stood upstraight with a soft sigh and took the other glove off, followed by his boots. His feet were indeed clawed, scales running up to his knees in a fading pattern.
"Inhuman," he answered as he pulled his top off, revealing not only his scarred and muscular body, the scales on his lower back were also clearly visible.
Lapis blinked at him and breathed, "Oh my." Inhuman indeed- he wasn't just tall he was broad. She'd never seen anyone quite like him, even without the scales.
Suddenly what the slaver had said- something else about his size that had made the ladies blush- popped into her head and she flushed, then shook her head. No. Bad girl, stop that.
"Um- put your clothes back on, please. I didn't mean for you to-" She cleared her throat, then turned in an attempt to hide her blush. "I take it fruit won't be quite enough for you? I need to do some shopping tomorrow, if you tell me what you like I can make sure to get it."
Steel pulled his top back on. "It won't be. And any kind of meat. It won't taste worse than human meat," he snorted softly. "Yes, I was forced to eat other slaves. Regular meat was too expensive."
Lapis felt her stomach roil and she swallowed a gag. "I- I'm sorry," she whispered.
Not sure what else she could do for him just then, she murmured, "I can set up a bed in here if you like. Through there is the library-" she pointed to a door in the far wall. "And that's my room." Pointing to the door int he left-hand wall.
Steel shrugged. "I'll sleep where you tell me to sleep."
She huffed a sigh and glanced at the open ceiling. She didn't love the idea of sharing her room with a stranger, but...
"I'll set up a cot in my room," she murmured, slipping into her bedroom and leaving the door open.
Not really in a position to argue, nor care, Steel sat down again.
"Cot" was being generous. All Lapis really had was the bedroll she used when traveling and a few extra blankets, but it was better than nothing.
"Alright." She made her way back into the main room, glancing up again to judge the time. Not enough time to really get anything done before sunset.
She looked to Steel. "I'm going to be doing some reading, taking notes. You're welcome to join me in the library if you like."
And like that, the half dragon stood up without a word, following her closely.
Lapis bit her lip as she moved into the library- really just a small room with wall to wall shelves, filled with books and scrolls. With a small sigh, she plucked her glasses off the small desk and put them on, then settled herself into the chair and drew the heavy book already lying open toward herself.
"There's plenty to read here, it's not all research material," she told Steel. "Feel free to entertain yourself."
Steel leaned against the wall next to her desk. "I can't read human scriptures," he replied.
"Ah." Not surprising, but she hadn't wanted to assume.
Still, she frowned and tilted her head at him. "Human scriptures?"
"Ancient runes and dragon's writings," he snorted softly. "My father taught me before casting me out."
Her interest was piqued, but she didn't want to be rude. Pushing out the other chair with her foot, she waved to it in invitation.
"Could you show me what you mean?" She pushed a spare bit of parchment and a quill to his end of the desk. "Could you write something for me?"
Steel frowned. "Scribing tools," he pulled off his gauntlet and put the paper aside, pressing the claw that substituted an index finger in the desk, carving several odd signs. "Bureel," he said, looking at Lapis. "Desk."
"I see." She leaned over to examine his work, eyes wide behind her spectacles. "Fascinating. It's actually quite similar to some ancient elven scripts, though the vocalized sounds and meaning are quite different. I wonder..."
Her voice trailed off into a mumbled and she twisted to grab a notebook and a small stick of charcoal, scribbling down the symbols to the best of her ability and then writing furiously beneath them.
After a few moments, she glanced up at Steel while she worked. "If you wouldn't mind... I'd be happy to teach you human script in exchange for more of this." She gestured to the marks carved into the desk.
"I don't care to be able to read human, but if you want to learn this," he tapped the symbol on her desk, "I can teach."
"I see. Well, thank you then." She offered a small smile, then gestured to the other chair again. "Please, take a seat. I know this can't be terribly interesting for you, but I really do have to get a few more notes written down before tomorrow."
Steel nodded and sat down on the indicated chair, waiting in silence.
Lapis cast him a few glances, but decided not to attempt more conversation just then. He didn't exactly seem receptive to it.
And she really did need to get this work done. She only stopped when the sun had sunk low enough that she lost the light. With a sigh, she stood and stretched.
"I'm going to turn in," she told Steel. "There's a...bed of sorts made up for you in my room, when you get tired."
Steel stood up aswell, without a word, following her to the room, glancing around. "Judging from your earlier reaction," he started, glancing at Lapis. "Am I allowed to undress?"
Her cheeks heated and she cleared her throat awkwardly, not looking at him. "If- if you'd like," she managed to squeak out. Taking me a breath, she added a bit more calmly, "I'll give you some privacy, of course. And I'd appreciate it if you returned the favor."
Steel glanced at her, before turning around, putting his back to her. He pulled his top off, followed by the loose trousers, only his undergarment remaining. Two large, symmetrical scars were on each of his shoulderblades.
He lied down on the cot, back still facing Lapis. "I won't look. And if it helps, I am not in the least bit interested in intercourse.
Well. That was something, at least.
Lapis glanced over her shoulder just to make sure he wasn't looking, then quickly changed into a thin nightdress. "I know it's terribly personal," she said as she set about climbing into bed, "so don't feel like you have to answer- but is that directed at me, or about intercourse in general?"
It was sort of easier to talk about it if she got clinical.
Then her eyes lit on the scars on his back and her breath hitched. She'd seen marks like that before, on Yoreiqi slaves whose masters didn't want them flying away and thought clipping was too much of a hassle. Gods...
"General," Steel replied dryly, still blankly staring at the wall opposed to Lapis.
These scars were worse, claw or teeth mark were littered across them, indicating a far more brutal happening than she might think.
That led to all sorts of questions about a half-dragon's ability to breed, but she didn't want to be rude so she kept her mouth shut.
"Well. I suppose I don't have to worry about you running off to chase pretty tail then," Lapis muttered, trying to joke. She curled up on her side and closed her eyes. "Good night, Steel. Sleep well."
The half dragon only replied with a soft snarl.
Another sigh and Lapis turned into her other side, putting her back to him. It was rather difficult for her to sleep with a stranger in the room, but eventually she managed to drift off.
Steel woke as the sun rose, silently.
He sat up from his sleeping place and rubbed the back of his head.
Lapis was still asleep, having tossed and turned quite a bit in the night so she was almost horizontal on the bed, hair a frizzy mess around her head and one arm tossed over the side of the bed, snoring gently.
Steel stood up and sighed. "You're going to fall like that," he stated, walking over to Lapis. He softly gripped her arm znd ever so gently put her back straight in bed.
"Mmrrph." Lapis batted at him, still half asleep. "C'mon, master, five more minutes," she grumbled, burying her face in her pillow.
As soon as she wasn't in danger of falling anymore, Steel sat back down on his own cot, waiting in silence. Not really caring for her earlier reaction.
Though she didn't rise with the sun, Lapis tended to get up early. Maybe a little less than an hour later she rolled onto her back and stretched with a yawn, then sat up and rubbed at her eyes.
"Oh." She blinked when she saw Steel, having forgotten about him for a moment. "Um, morning. Sleep well?"
"More or less," he replied, standing up again.
"Well. Ah, good." She yawned again, brushing her fingers through her frizzy hair.
Clambering out of bed, she moved toward the door and said sleepily, "I'm afraid I really only have fruit and bread lying around, but I'll get something more to your taste today. For now we'll just have to make do."
"That's fine," Steel replied, following her, either forgetting or not bothering to get dressed.
Still rather half asleep, Lapis didn't seem to notice his lack of clothing and bumbled about the main room, placing a few slices of fruit and half a loaf of bread on each plate before handing one to Steel.
Which was when she finally noticed that he wasn't really wearing anything. And, for that matter, she was still in a flimsy nightdress. "Oh, uh...here. I- I'll go get dressed, you can use the room to change when I'm done."
She thrust the plate into his hands and attempted to scurry back into her bedroom.
Steel put the plate down on the table and glanced at her as she scurried off to the bedroom. "Or you can just throw me my clothes and I dress here," he suggested.
"Oh. Yes that would make more sense, huh?" She laughed, sort of nervous, and gathered up his clothes to pass them through the door before closing it and setting about getting herself dressed.
"Just lemme know when I can come back out."
Steel took his clothes. "I don't really care," he admitted, sitting down at the chair and starting to dress properly.
"Oh. Well then." Lapis peered around the door, then crept into the room, dressed in a simply wrapped sarong that covered anything important but was still comfortable in the Essyrni heat.
"You should eat," she said briskly, grabbing her own plate and tucking in. "Once you have, I need to go out and buy a few supplies. Would you like to come with me, or do you prefer to stay here?"
He pulled his glove on as Lapis walked in, glancing up at her, once again, finishing his portion in less than ten seconds. "I come with. Essryn is dangerous."
Well, she couldn't exactly say he was wrong. "So you'll act as my bodyguard then?" Her lips twitched up on one side. "Thank you."
Steel snorted. "I imagine that's why you bought me, so yes."
Well, it had been more of an impulse than a thought-out decision, but... "Yes, I suppose so," she murmured.
Finished with her breakfast, she put the plate away and dusted off the front of her clothes. "Alright. If you're ready, we can go."
Steel stood behind her, nodding slowly.
"Right then." Lapis gathered her purse, quickly checked her coins, then slipped easily out the door.
She led them through a few winding back streets to the markets that she preferred, stopping to chat and smile with a few of the vendors that recognized her. Most cast curious glances at Steel- probably both surprised by him and the fact that she had a slave with her at all- but no one said anything.
"Alright, what do you like?" Lapis asked as they came to a butcher shop and she pushed the door open.
"Just buy the cheapest thing," Steel answered. "As I said, it can't be worse than human." He glanced up at the butcher, who seemed to pale slightly at his notion.
Lapis winced and gave the butcher a quick smile at that. "Some antelope, then," she murmured, passing a few coins over. The animals were plentiful in the oasis outside of Essyrn, but she'd never really had a taste for the meat herself.
The man at the counter nodded and set about wrapping up her order, then passed it over.
"Come on." She turned back to the door. "I need to get this cold quick so it doesn't go bad."
Steel nodded and followed her out again, stepping outside first, looking around, before glancing at Lapis.
She tilted her head at him as she started back toward her home. "You're taking this bodyguard thing very seriously," she murmured with a tiny smile.
Steel glanced down at her, shrugging softly, he saw it as once again, another stupid comment of hers.
Well, it wasn't as though she'd really expected conversation from him. She kept quiet the rest of the walk back, only offering a quiet, "If you wouldn't mind getting a fire started, I'd appreciate it," once they reached the house. "There's flint in one of the cupboards."
Steel nodded softly, walking in behind her with a snort. He walked over to the fireplace and took a deep breath, begore what seemed like spitting at the wood.
Yet it wasnt saliva, but a potent and bright ember that came from his mouth, lighting the fire immediatly.
Lapis jumped and gave a small squeak, startled. Wide eyed, she looked from Steel to the fire, then cleared her throat.
"Well... That will certainly come in handy," she muttered, setting about unpacking the supplies she'd bought.
"You asked to light the fire, so I lit a fire," Steel replied with a soft shrug, before sitting down at the table.
"Yes, I see." Lapis placed a small pot of water over the fire and began cutting pieces of meat to toss into the slowly forming stew, adding some of the more flavorful herbs common to Essyrn.
"Give that about an hour," she murmured, standing and crossing the small room to begin packing her traveling supplies.
Steel nodded, resting back in his chair and closing his eyes briefly.
LApis had done most of her packing by the time the stew was ready and she ladled two portions out into bowls and handed one to him.
Stell nodded in gratitude, holding the bowls in his hands. It had been a long time since he ate anything remotely warm. He put the bowl on the table, unsure how to eat it.
Her head tilted to the side when he didn't begin to eat and she sipped at her own bowl, jerking her he was back with a quiet hiss when the stew proved to be too hot.
So like that, huh? Steel thought to himself as he grabbed the bowl, downing it in one go, chewing the bits, before swallowing it all down.
"Wow." Lapis blinked at him. "You really were hungry, huh."
She glanced to the pot. "Want some more?"
Steel looked at her. "Am I allowed to?"
She stared at him for a moment. "Of course you are, there's plenty left. Here." She ladled out another portion into his bowl.
And the second portion was gone as quickly as the first one.
"Here." Lapis handed him the ladle. "Have as much as you like, I still have some packing to do."
Steel sighed softly. "Let's be real here, both you and I know that kettle will be empty by the time you're done," he answered as he stood up to scoot closer to the fire.
"I know." She smiled at him and gestured to the kettle. "I don't need anymore, help yourself."
"Good," Steel nodded, putting the ladle and bowl down, instead, lifting the kettle without any effort.
Lapis blinked at him for a moment, then shook her head and set about doing the last of her packing.
It didn't take long, but she was doing her best to give Steel some time to himself, to adjust. She had a feeling he didn't get the chance to just be often.
As soon as she returned, the kettle was completely empty, Steel sitting besides it with his hands resting on his stomach, leaning against the side of the fireplace with closed eyes.
He seemed quite content.
Lapis found herself smiling slightly when she caught sight of Steel. Not wanting to disturb him, she crept forward and attempted to pull the kettle away so she could wash it.
Steel's left eye cracked open as she approached however and he sat up. "Need help?"
"Hm? Oh, no, don't worry about it." She smiled and straightened up. "It's fine. We're leaving in the morning, get some rest while you can."
Steel nodded slowly, resting back against the fireplace, closing his eyes again.
Taking a quick glance up to judge the time, Lapis let out a sharp breath and rubbed the back of her neck.
"I'm going to turn in soon," she told Steel. "Feel free to come to bed when you're tired."
"You.. You ain't like the others," Steel said as he opened his eyes again, sitting up. "Thanks," he said, obviously not used to thanking anyone.
As she left the room to head to bed, Steel rose to his feet and also made his way to the bedroom, pushing the door open.
Glancing over her shoulder at him as she slipped into the bedroom, Lapis asked slowly, "Is that a good thing? Oh, and turn around a moment please."
Steel did as she asked, putting his back to him as he started to undress aswell. "Since my previous owners had me either up as a pit fighter or treated me like trash, yes. That is a good thing."
She nodded slowly as she changed into her nightdress. "Well, I promise you neither of those things will ever happen again, not as long as you're under my care."
She slipped into the bed and grabbed a book out from under her pillow, pulling her hair over her shoulder. "You can turn around now."
Steel glanced over his shoulder as he tood her he was allowed to turn around. "And I thank you for that," he waid as.he went for his own cot and laid down on it.
Lapis blinked at him, genuinely surprised he'd offered thanks. "You're welcome," she murmured, curling up on her side around her book. "Get some sleep. We're leaving around dawn."
The half dragon nodded, closing his eyes.
"Good night, Steel." She twisted around a bit more, nose buried in her book even as her eyes started to droop with tiredness.
Steel snarled softly, the sound however sounded more friendly than it used to do.
Lapis couldn't stave off sleep forever and eventually she succumbed to unconsciousness. Once again she tossed and turned in her sleep until she was practically upside down on the bed, one leg tossed over the side and her hand still clenched tightly around her book.
And Steel silently rose at sunrise. In the past, it was either standing up straight or waking up to a whip, so his body refused to sleep any longer.
He looked over at Lapis and sighed softly. "Normally sleeping is out of the question, huh?" He inquired as he walked over, putting her up straight n the bed again, frowning at the book. "Why would you sleep with that?" He murmured.
She protested with a sleepy murmur as he moved her, batting at him lightly with her free hand as she started to wake up.
"Mm? Steel?" She blinked as he came into focus and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Problem? Did-" a massive yawn- "Did I oversleep?"
"You didn't," Steel answered, stepping back. "I was just making sure you didn't fall out of bed."
"Oh." She blushed, realizing what must have happened. "Thanks. Sorry, I'm a bit of a restless sleeper," she chuckled, moving to get out of bed.
"Well, if you're up, we might as well get moving. Any last minute requests before we leave the city?"
Steel shrugged. "You can't help the way you sleep," Steel murmured, before turning his back to her as he got dressed. "No requests," he stated.
She kept her eyes downcast and turned her back as he dressed so she could do the same. "Very well then. I'll just gather up the supplies and we can be on our way."
She moved out into the main room, slinging one traveling pack over each shoulder and tucking another parcel under her arm. "I have a horse I board at a stable near the east wall- we'll have to find someone for you to ride there."
Steel nodded, following her out. Once in the street, he wordlessly offered to carry some of the weight she hauled.
"Oh. Thanks." Lapis smiled and let him take one of the packs as she led him through the streets to the stables where she boarded her mount.
She nodded hello to the hostler when she saw him and slipped into the stables, to the fourth stall in the left.
"Hello, sweetheart," she cooed to the gray gelding who perked his head up at the sound of her voice. "Sorry I haven't been visiting, there's been a lot of...business." She smiled over her shoulder and beckoned Steel forward. "This is Cole. Come say hello."
Steel took the pack, following her closely, looking rather passive. Only ocassionally snarling threateningly at people who passed by in a proximity that was too close to his tastes.
When Lapis beckoned for him to come closer and say hello, he nodded, peering into the stall. "Good day." He stated, completely serious.
The gelding bobbed his head and eyed the newcomer curiously, craning his neck forward to sniff at him in case he was carrying any horse-type treats.
Lapis chuckled at them and beckoned to the hostler, moving to meet him. "Suppose you're not sure how long you'll be away?" the man said, with the tone of one long used to such an answer.
She nodded, then added, "And I was wondering if you have another mount for sale? My companion needs a horse."
The hostler eyed Steel a little warily. "Ah- what sort of beast you lookin' for?" he called, moving toward him as Lapis set about retrieving Cole from his stall and tacking him up.
Steel mimmicked Cole's gesture, snorting loudly and starting to sniff at Cole's face, before leaning back, arms folded. As if he was content about something.
He glanced up at the hostler, shrugging. "Something that can carry me," Steel replied. "Because I weigh thrice a regular man."
The hostler's eyes widened slightly and he cleared his throat. "Well. I suppose you are a big fellow." A considering sort of light came into his eyes and he told Lapis, "Wait a moment, I actually have a horse that may work."
As he bustled off, the scholar looked to Steel curiously. "Thrice? Really? I mean, I know you're...solid, but that seems like a lot." She took her pack from him, slinging the two together so she could drape them over Cole's withers as saddlebags.
"Dragon bones," Steel settled for an easy explanation.
"Ah." Her mouth opened, eyes bright and curious, but before she could ask anything else the hostler returned from what must have been a paddock, leading a massive draft horse who had clearly seen better days.
"Here we are." He hand the lead to Lapis so she could acquaint herself with the animal. "He's not much, but he's cheap. And I've put 'im and Cole out together, so you know they'll get on alright."
"Hmm." Lapis stroked the animal's neck, frowning when she saw the marks of old scars. "How much?"
"Dozen coppers."
Her eyebrows arched. She'd bough food more expensive. Basic provisions. She glanced over her shoulder at Steel. "What do you think?"
"I think it'll carry me," Steel replied, snorting softly. "And if it can't, I'll carry it and we'll return here," he glanced at the hostler. "Though I hope I don't have to do that."
"Well then." Lapis beamed as though he's given the animal a glowing endorsement and payed he hostler. "Thank you."
"Err, right." The man glanced at Steel again, then shook his head and ambled off.
"Here." Lapis handed the reins over to the half-dragon. "Get to know him a bit while I finish tacking Cole. Oh, and you should probably name him."
Steel nodded at Lapis, before glancing at the horse. "I'm not good with names."
"Well, you can take some time," Lapis replied easily. She finished cinching Cole's girth and gently took his reins, leading the gelding out of the stables and beckoning for Steel to follow.
Steel followed her as she beckoned, nodding slowly.
The city streets were too crowded to travel horseback, so Lapis led Cole on foot as she wound her way toward one of the smaller side gates.
"Ready to face the desert?" she asked over her shoulder as they came to the edge of the city.
Steel followed her slowly with his own horse in tow.
He glanced at Lapis, before shrugging. "Wouldn't be the first time."
She nodded and swung up onto her mount's back. "I take it you can ride?" Maybe a little late to ask the question- but better late than never, she supposed.
"No," Steel answered with a soft snort, glancing at the horse.
Right. "Well, you'll learn on the job." She forced a bit of a smile. "Mount from the left- just put your foot in the stirrup and swing up onto his back. Once your there, hold the reins like this." She lifted her hands to show him. "Then just give him a little tap with your heels and follow me."
"Alright," Steel answered as he hooked his foot in the stirrup, pulling himself up in the saddle. He frowned softly. "This is very odd."
Lapis chuckled. "I've always thought riding must not be very comfortable for men," she said without thinking, "I mean, I suppose you must have to/"
Realizing how her musing could be construed as inappropriate, she snapped her mouth shut and blushed. "Well, um...you'll get used to it, I suppose." She looked him over. "Ah- try to keep you back straight, hips in line with your shoulders. And your heels down, the ball of you foot should be pressed against your irons. Er, the stirrups."
"It is uncomfortable," Steel assured. "Uncomfortable and odd." He glanced at Lapis. "Lead the way," he murmured with a grunt.
She nodded, giving Cole a soft tap and a few clicks to get him moving. "I don't remember- have I don't you where we're going?"
Steel pushed his heels into the horse's side. The beast gave a lasy snort and followed Lapis. Steel's face was signed by discomfort. "You haven't."
"The jungle, to the south," Lapis relayed. "Have you ever been outside of Essyrn before?"
"Only blindfolded," Steel replied with a soft grunt, looking around warily.
"Then this should be a good learning experience for you," she said with a soft smile, trying o make him feel a little more at ease.
"Perhaps," Steel answered, holding the reigns rather tightly. Still nervous.
"Try to relax." Lapis looked from him to his mount. "If you're tense, the horse can feel it, and he'll get tense too."
She looked forward again and steered Cole around a patch of palm fronds. "You still need to name him," she mused aloud.
Steel's shoulders slumped slightly. "Easier said than done," he glanced down at the horse. "I.. Don't know any kind of name," he admitted truthfully, aiming to follow Cole and Lapis.
"Well, how does he feel?" Lapis asked without looking back, bringing Cole to a halt so she could make a quick sketch of a flowering plant she hadn't seen in the oasis before. "Sturdy, gentle, kind, patient? Use that."
She glanced at the horse's painted coat and added with a smile, "Or you could just call him Patch or something."
"I don't know how a horse is supposed to feel," Steel grumbled in response, before looking down at the horse. "Patches could work. Though it feels disrespectful."
She laughed. "Well, give it a try for a while. If he doesn't seem to like it, try something else."
She clucked to the horse and his ears flicked toward her. "Patches? Good boy." She shrugged and looked to Steel. "Long as you're kind to him, he won't care what you call him."
"I see," Steel answered as he glanced down at the horse. "I still cannot fathom," he murmured to himself.
Lapis stopped Cole again, dismounting this time to approach a small stream and crouch down for a closer look. The horse took advantage to drop his head and begin grazing.
"He'll serve you well, if you treat him right," she told Steel absently. "Drafts are a loyal breed, but he's had some abusive owners. If you look around his ears and eyes you can see the scars, and a few along his flank. Just be gentle with him." She frowned and picked up a small, black stone. "Here, come look at this."
"So, we have things in common," Steel answered as he dismounted from Patches, glancing at the horse, before walking over to Lapis. "What is it?"
"Obsidian glass." She held the "stone" up for him to see. "Very rare, created from an intense heat on a very specific kind of sand. I have theories, but you may be able to actually clear some things up for me- could dragonfire do this?"
Steel snorted. "I dunno. Step back," he advised.
And when she did as told, Steel took a deep breath, before putting his index finger and thumb infront of his mouth as a sort of muzzle. He breathed out with a majestic and roaring flame of pure dragonfire.
Lapis squeaked quietly and skittered back, then watched with apparent fascination.
After a short roar of fire, Steel snorted and stepped back. "Did any of this obsidian glass appear? Since that's the answer to your question."
Blinking as her eyes adjusted from the flash of light, Lapis muttered, "Well, it requires a very specific type of sand to create obsidian glass, and I don't think..."
She shook her head and pocketed the specimen. "No. But I appreciate you're...enthusiasm. Perhaps you wouldn't mind conducting a similar experiment in the future?"
"Then you have to be more specific at what type of heat. I'd think a short burst doesn't suffice. Perhaps a constant heat. And possibly it needs pressure to form aswell," Steel shrugged, before looking at Lapis, snorting softly. "I wouldn't."
"Well. Um. Thank you anyway." She cleared her throat and moved back to the horses, mounting up. "Come on, we have a few more miles to cover before we can camp."
"I meant that I wouldn't mind doing it again," Steel replied as he walked over to Patches again, pulling himself in the saddle again.
"Oh." She blushed and beamed. "Sorry, I suppose I just assumed you wouldn't- anyway." She cleared her throat and started Cole forward again.
"Have you always been able to do that?" she asked curiously. "The fire, I mean."
Steel replied with a soft shrug and a snarl to her reply in case of wanting to or not wanting to.
He glanced at Lapis. "My father taught me when I was young."
"So it's not an innate trait? You had to learn it?" Her eyes were sparkling with interest- then she realized perhaps those weren't memories he wanted to revisit and she flushed. "Um, sorry. You don't have to answer that."
"It's both. You need to learn how to control it, but you can only learn when you posess dragonfire." A soft sigh left him. "I'd prefer not to talk about my past, however."
"Of course." She nodded, smiling softly. "I'll respect your privacy, I promise." Blushing again, Lapis added, "Ah- though I do tend to get over excited when I get curious. Sorry in advance. If I ever overstep my bounds, just let me know."
Steel arched an eyebrow, unsure how to react. It was the second time in his life anyone showed him kindness. "Thanks, I will," he sighed out, not being able to find a better answer. Her attitude reminded of times he'd rather forget altogether.
His general stoic and careless expression left him. A somber silence fell and Steel started to look very glum.
Lapis had never been one for long silences.
After a while, she cleared her throat and glanced back at her companion. "Um, Steel? You alright?"
The half dragon looked up, his face straightening back in the same stoic expression. "Just got lost in thought."
She nodded slowly and turned to face forward again, asking casually, "Care to share?"
"Rather not," Steel replied with a soft snort. "It are things I'd rather forget."
"As you like." Lapis shrugged. She was quiet for a while, then made a turn to bring them into a grove of palm trees. "We can stop here for a quick break."
Steel nodded softly. "Alright."
Lapis dismounted and ground-tied Cole, trusting him to stay nearby. "Hungry?" she asked Steel, moving to rummage though her pack.
Steel also dismounted with a painful grunt. "My legs ache," he kindly informed with a soft snarl, before tugging Patches along to drink some.
Lapis struggled a light behind her hand, taking my Patches' lead from him and saying, "Sit."
She gave both horses a quick going over, checking for stones and such. "Your body will get used to it, don't worry. Here."
She knelt and, without thinking, started rubbing circles over his calves. "Little strokes, it'll relieve the tension a bit."
He nodded slowly and sat down, closing his eyes slowly.
His left eye cracked open as he felt the touch on his calves. He glanced down at Lapis, eyebrow arched.
Glancing up at his face, she suddenly realized her faux pas and say back with a blush and an awkward cough. "Well, um...you get the idea."
A soft huff came from Steel, almost sounding like a bemused chuckle. "I- You can continue if you wish."
"Well, I mean-" Lapis coughed again and rubbed at the back of her neck. "It's- it's sort of inappropriate. I'm sorry, I've never been in a situation like this before, I didn't think-"
With a sigh, she cut herself off and looked up at his face. "You understand I don't consider you a slave, right? I mean, legally, according to Essyrn, I do own you. But I don't feel that way. I don't want you to think I'm...taking advantage or something."
"I understand that," Steel answered bluntly. "However. I still am yours." He snorted softly. "And whether it was inappropriate or not, I didn't mind it. And even if you were trying to take advantage of me, this would be laughable compared to what I've been through." He sighed softly. "Thus. I wouldn't mind at all if you continued."
Her brow furrowed and she bit her lip, but she started working at his legs again, keeping her eyes downcast.
"You have your freedom with me," she said softly. "If I do something you don't like, you can tell me."
"I will tell you when you do," Steel answered with a soft snort, before settling back slightly.
"Here." Lapis took his hand and tried to guide his fingers to work in the slow circles she was using to relax his muscles. "If you learn to do this for yourself, you'll thank me later."
Steel however, grabbed her hands, the scales brushing against her hands. "I have claws. I would tear my own skin open."
"Oh." She blinked at his hand on hers. "Um, right. Well." She moved his hands back, sort of curling his fingers in absently. "Some, ah, some stretches would probably work just as well..."
Steel nodded. "How?" He inquired as he sat up again.
Lapis smiled ans scooted back so she could spread her legs out in front of her. "Some basic stuff. Sit like this and try to touch your toes without bending your knees too much." She did so, then got to her feet.
"Or you can do it standing." Again she showed him what she meant- though Lapis was rather flexible and managed to bend in half, looking at him between her legs with a crooked little grin. "You don't have to go quite this far though."
Steel arched a perplexed eyebrow at her. "I didn't realise you humans were so flexible. Call all of them do this?" He asked, with genuine curiousity.
He got to his feet, standing next to her. He took a deep breath and tried to follow her exemple. And he only got the tips of his fingers past his knees.
Lapis giggled as she straightened up. "I'm not sure if all of them can. It's something you have to work at."
She watched him try to stretch and covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. "Here." She smoothed her hands along his back to his hips. "Relax. All your muscles and joints are locked up."
Steel grunted softly at her hands and words. "I can't go any further. It is painful."
"No no, don't try to go past what starts to hurt," Lapis said quickly. "But if you keep working at it, eventually your body will loosen up."
She frowned, feeling the rather tense muscles of his lower back. "A massage or two probably wouldn't hurt you either," she muttered with a wry chuckle.
Steel snorted as he stood up straight, rolling his shoulders and glancing down at Lapis. "What's a massage?"
"Um- you know." She waved her hands airily. "Someone uses their hands to work tension out of your body- like what I was doing to your legs, only everywhere."
Steel arched an eyebrow, nodding softly. He pulled his top off easily, having misunderstood the message completely. "I shall disrobe then," he answered.
"Wha- wait wait wait!" Lapis went scarlet, waving her hands back and forth. "I didn't mean- I'm not going to- I'm not trained or anything- oh for the love of gods, please put you're shirt back on!"
She covered her eyes, feeling as though her whole body was blushing.
Steel arched an eyebrow at her flailing and shreeking, not sure what to make from it. He held the top his hands, arms still half through the sleeves. He snorted softly, before nodding. "Alright," he replied, doing as told.
She breathed out a sharp sigh of relief. "Thank you." At least he hadn't started with his pants- she was fairly convinced her heart would have stopped.
"Just...let's take a few minutes rest then get moving again, okay?"
Steel nodded with a soft snarl. "It is obvious you humans are ashamed by nudity. I apologise," he snorted softly. He, as a half dragon, had no shame when it came to nudity. It seemed that for most humans, that wasn't the case.
Born and raised in Essyrn, Lapis found herself taking offense to that. "I'm not ashamed," she protested with an expression approaching a pout. "I just felt awkward! I've seen plenty of naked men, thank you very much, I just didn't want you to strip if we're going to be stuck wth each other so every time I look at you all I'll think about is-"
She cut herself off, flushing, and turned to walk back to Cole.
Steel arched an eyebrow at her outburst, before frowning when she decided not to cut off her sentence. "All you'll think about is what?" He inquired, following her to his own horse.
She huffed and shook her head. "Doesn't matter. Just- try to keep your pants on, alright?" she muttered, grabbing her water flask out of Cole's saddlebag before tossing it to him.
"As you wish," Steel replied, catching the flask in mid-air, before he realised, unable to surpress a smug grin. He might be a half dragon, but this was just amusing. "The words of that slaver, huh?" He inquired, before taking a sip from the flask.
Munching on a bit of preserved fruit she'd brought along, Lapis choked. Glowering balefully at him, she admitted with a fierce blush, "Yes, if you must know. Can you blame me? Apparently it was a major selling point with you."
"I don't blame you," Steel answered with a shrug. "And apparently it was," he snorted. "Annoyingly shallow point, if you ask me."
"I agree." Lapis smiled a bit as Cole nuzzled into Patches' side, the much smaller horse evidently trying to be friendly. "And odd too, at least to me. When I was a girl I very rarely saw men sold for such a purpose, at least not explicitly. Usually it was the women."
She shrugged and dug around in her pack some more, emerging with a few strips of dried meat. "Hungry?"
"Always," Steel replied with a soft shrug. "Though I had my fill yesterday, I can go on for some weeks without food now."
Lapis frowned. "Even if you can, you shouldn't have to. He have to ration a bit to get to the jungle, but you can still eat every day."
"I'm part dragon," Steel replied. "Yesterday was enough to keep me going without troubles for several weeks now."
"Well." She waved a hand to the pack. "It's there if you want it. I don't eat meat much, so feel free."
Steel shrugged, shaking his head. "Thanks for the offer," he replied.
Lapis just gave another shrug in response and settled herself onto the ground, legs crossed as she munched her fruit. Cole nuzzled at her shoulder and she patted his neck absently.
"So. While I very much appreciate having you along on this trip, I know you don't exactly have a choice." She tilted her head at Steel. "There are some villages I know where we're headed in the Kishahn. If you'd like, you could stay there when I return to Essyrn."
"And what purpose would that serve?" Steel asked, shaking his head. "None. I am here now, so I'm in for it."
She blinked at him. "But- you'd be free there," she protested. "Really free. Believe me, your master just saying that you have your freedom isn't the same thing, not matter how good his- her intentions might be."
"I don't care," Steel replied curtly. Before letting out a soft snort. He didn't want to explain his reasoning for it, but being free was the last thing he wanted to be.
Lapis opened her mouth to argue, then shut it again. She sighed and dropped her eyes, nodding. "Very well."
What was right for her wasn't necessarily right for someone else.
"I'm sorry," Steel replied gruffly. He hated apologising.
She blinked and looked up at him. "Sorry? For what?"
"You are saddened," he replied. "I am sorry for making you feel so."
"Oh- no, no!" Lapis waved her hands. "I'm not...sad. I'd say more confused." She gave him a very small smile. "When I was offered my freedom, I couldn't imagine wanting anything more. It's just...difficult for me to understand how someone could feel differently."
"I see," Steel nodded. "Even if I was freed, what would you think that'd happen? I've done things I can't live with, would I be content with a normal life?"
"I don't know," she murmured, looking at her hands in her lap. "As I said, that was my experience. I can't compare my life to yours, or expect you to want the same things."
He nodded softly. "Indeed."
Lapis sighed, then suddenly looked up at him. "Can we...start over? I mean- I know I bought you, and that's rather hard to forget, but I don't want you to feel like..."
She huffed a sigh, then stood and moved toward him, offering her hand. "Hi. I'm Lapis. I'm a scholar and explorer, and I'm heading out on an expedition to the Kishahn. I'd really appreciate if you'd come with me."
Steel arched an eyebrow, nodding softly. "Ofcourse," he answered.
He looked down at her, the gesture of her hand, not being able to surpress a soft, huffing chuckle. "Steel. Half dragon and body guard. I will join you in your travels."
Lapis beamed, pleased he'd played along. "A pleasure."
She glanced to the horses. "Come on then. If you're sure you don't want to eat, we can get moving."
Steel nodded softly, before walking over to Patches. "Lead the way."
Once on her horse's back, Lapis gave a soft click and a tap with her heels to get him moving. "Enjoy the scenery while you can," she noted. "We'll be out of the oasis by tomorrow."
"It's just sand," Steel replied with a soft snort. "Nothing scenery about."
"Really?" She smiled softly. "I've always been rather fond of the flora here, rare though it may be."
"Eh," Steel snorted again. "Just sand."
She huffed and rolled her eyes. "Is there anything you do like?"
Steel snorted softly. "I'll tell you when I think of something," he said with a faint smirk.
"Well aren't you cheerful." Lapis slowed Cole's pace somewhat so she could take notes while we rode, controlling the horse entirely with her legs.
"This is me in one of my good moods," Steel answered with a soft snort, mimmicked shortly after by Patches.
She chuckled quietly. "Remind me not to get on your bad side then."
"I don't see how you could," Steel replied with a soft snort.
"Really?" She gave him an odd look. "What if I have some sort of annoying habit you don't like? Or I accidentally offend you somehow?"
"Then I'd be surprised just how you would achieve that. Too surprised to be actually annoyed," Steel replied with a sort of chuckling snort. "Honeslty, trivialities can't hope to annoy me."
"Well. At least that should make traveling together easier," Lapis said with a small smile.
"I imagine so," was what the half dragon answered, sitting back in the saddke slightly. "So. What do you hope to learn in the Kishahn jungle?"
"I'm studying a set of old ruins," she replied easily. "Actually, much of my research pertains to dragons, funnily enough. I'm attempting to decipher some hieroglyphs that may have something to do with an ancient civilizations interaction with wild dragons."
"I see," Steel replied with a soft snort. "Which era? I might know some things."
Lapis glanced back at him, intrigued. "Pre-Essyrn. I'm still dating some of the ruins, so I can't be more precise than that. So...very old."
"Pre-Essryn? I have nothing conclusive," Steel snorted softly. "I'm going to need more details, sorry."
"Well, then I guess it's a good thing you're coming to the ruins with me," she chuckled, throwing him a wink over her shoulder.
Steel shrugged. "Didn't have anything better to do," he replied with a soft, teasing grin.
"Well look at that, you do have a sense of humor," Lapis gasped dramatically.
"Did I ever say otherwise, then?" The half dragon grinned broadly now.
She chuckled a bit, quite pleased that she seemed to have an entertaining companion after all. "You just don't seem like the type to crack jokes," she teased playfully.
Steel shook his head. "No one's ever asked me to crack jokes," he answered with a soft snort.
"I suppose I can imagine that." Lapis stroked Cole's neck absently as she turned him into a small grove of palm trees.
Steel wanted to add the remark of the only thing he was asked to crack were skull, but left it at that. It was obvious his female counterpart wanted to start anew. It was refreshing, to say the very least.
Steel followed her with Patches, slowly getting the hang of travelling on horseback.
"Here." Lapis dismounted and tied Cole loosely to the trunk of a tree. "Midday is the worst time to travel, we should rest here until the sun starts to set."
Steel followed Lapis' exemple, tying Patches to a trunk after he dismounted, stretching his back and grunting in pain. "Alright."
She gave him a concerned look. "Still sore, huh?"
"Yeah," steel affirmed, heading to find a comfortable spot in the shades under the palm trees.
"Try to keep moving a bit," Lapis suggested. "If you don't you'll tense up more."
"Eh," Steel made a dismissive gesture. "I'm not getting up 'till we're on the move again," he answered, shrugging softly. "Pain is just pain."
She frowned, but muttered, "As you like." She took a seat on the ground herself after doling out food for the horses.
"Here." She tossed a water flask to Steel.
Steel snortedsoftly, running his hand underneath his nose, before spitting out some sand and catching the flask. "Thanks," he murmured as he took a sip, swishing it around in hismouth and swallowing, beforz tossing it back to her.
"I have two," Lapis chuckled, tossing it right back. "Keep that one on you, it'll make things easier."
This time, however, he didn't expect her to toss it back immediatly, so instead of reaching out to catch it, the leatherskin just slapped him in the face and dropped in his lap. A brief silence. "Thanks," he said, not even a hint of anger to his voice. And being a hundred percent sincere at the same time.
"Oh! Sorry, I didn't-" Lapis had to clap a hand over her mouth to hold back a giggle. She cleared her throat and tried to ask, "Um...you alright?"
Steel glanced at her. "Yeah, I'm fine," ge replied, hanging the flask to his belt.
"Well, hydrate and rest while you can," Lapis chirped. She got to her feet and started following a thin stream- runoff from the river- that wound through the little palm grove.
"Will do," Steel replied as he leaned back against the tree.
She gave a soft hum of acknowledgement and continued on her way, stopping every once in a while to jot down a few notes.
Steel cracked his left eye open to look at her. "What're you writing down?" He inquired as she trailed off.
"Silt," Lapis replied absently. "Other sediments, what flows downstream from the Niafi in this direction. Ah!"
She smiled and leaned forward to suddenly pluck something out of the water, holding it up for him to see. "Broken arrowhead. Maybe from one of the wondering tribes, see?"
Steel arched an eyebrow, pushing himself to his feet and walking over to her, glancing at the arrowhead. "It's just a broken piece," he murmured with a frown.
"Yeeees." Her eyes glinted as she glanced up at him. "But what does the piece tell you? How did it break? Look at the base- how was it attached to the shaft? What does that tell you about the people who used it?"
"It tells me they have bows, arrows, live further up stream and probably don't take kindly to strangers in their territory," Steel replied with a soft snort. "We shouldn't stick around for too long."
She rolled her eyes. "A soldier's answer. Though I suppose it's just as valid as a scholar's. I see that these people trade for their weapons- this kind of quartz isn't found in the desert, and the binding at the base is more indicative of Adelan weapon makers."
She stood. "But you're right, the probably won't take trespassers lightly. Come on, let's get back to the horses."
"I see," Steel answered as he folded his arms. "It makes sense," he decided as he took several steps towards the trees and horses again, before stopping and glancing over his shoulder, waiting for Lapis.
"I'm right behind you." She hurried to catch up, then said with a grin, "My legs just aren't as long."
Steel rested his hands on his belt with a soft nod, before proceeding to walk towards the horses, making sure Lapis could keep up.
She untied Cole and mounted with the easy grace of long practice, waiting for Steel to mount Patches before she clicked to urge the horse forward.
Steel was considerably less graceful in his movements, pulling himself on the horse hesitantly, before glancing at Lapis and nodding curtly.
They traveled without interruption for a while as the sun started to move toward the horizon. Eventually, Lapis slowed Cole and said, "We should take advantage of being in the oasis while we can, sleep at night."
Steel nodded slowly. "Good idea," he answered as Patches slowed accordingly to Cole. "Though, we shouod be careful. Those places are also a hotspot for slavers. And we're not in Essryn anymore," he snorted spftly, before glancing at her, taking a deep breath. "But. That's why I'm here."
"Yes," Lapis said slowly. "I suppose it is." She dismounted and set about making camp.
Steel followed her as she did so. "Need help with anything?" He inquired. "And did I say something wrong?"
"Oh, no. No, you didn't." Lapis smiled at him. "And if you wouldn't mind starting a fire?"
Steel nodded, to his own surprise, he felt glad he didn't. Yet, ignoring the though, the half-dragon went about to get some firewood from their travelling supplies and arrange them. He sat down and snorted softly, before spitting an ember on the logs, which immediatly set aflame.
"Thanks." She dug in her pack to find the feed bags for the horses and slipped them on, then settled herself by the fire with a sigh and closed her eyes.
"Don't mention it," Steel murmured in reply. He sat back and closed his eyes briefly, before glancing up at Lapis. "How're you going to sleep, by the way?" He inquired. "I regulate my own bodyheat, but the dessert gets icecold at night."
"Oh, I'll be fine." She waved him off with a smile. "Not my first time camping out here. Keep close to the fire, double blankets, all that."
Steel nodded slowly. "Good," he answered ashe stretched his back, before yawning slowly and going to scratch his ass as he did. Majestic.
"Get some sleep," Lapis told him with a chuckle and a roll of her eyes. "We should leave before sunrise tomorrow, get some traveling in before it's too hot to move."
Steel nodded slowly. "Yeah, I will," he murmured as he laid back on the sand, folding his hands behind his head and closing his eyes.
Content with that, Lapis curled up to get her own rest before they needed to start moving again.
Steel kept sleeping until he either heard trouble approach or until Lapis decided to wake him.
Lapis had made this journey often enough that her internal clock woke her before sunrise. She rose quietly and started packing up camp, moving to feed and water the horses as she did.
She didn't specifically wake him, so he kept sleeping, one hand in his robe on his chest, snoring quite loudly, with open mouth.
Lapis glanced at him, then smirked slightly and untethered Patches. "Go wake your master," she urged, and the draft horse plodded over to snuffle at Steel's face.
Steel snorted and stirrzd with a soft grumble as he felt Patches' nose sniffling against his face. He brought his hand up to push the snout away, before turning on his side.
Patches snorted and started chewing contentedly at Steel's hair while Lapis rolled her eyes. "Oi. Steel. Get up."
Steel murmured qoftly as his eyes cracked open, he tried to sit up, but lzt out a soft grunt of pain as he felt his hair pulled, glancing towards the horse. "Oi. Patches."
Lapis giggled and Patches ambled a few feet away to sniff the ground for an easier snack. "Come on, pack up and let's get moving," she said brightly.
Steel snorted as he pulled himself up, rubbing his sore scalp. "Damn horse," he murmured with a soft grunt, before pushing himself to his feet, setting out to pack up camp.
"He likes you," Lapis said with a soft chuckle as she swung up onto Cole's back.
"So he likes me, thus aims to snack on my hair," he replied with a soft snort, he walked over to Patches, pulling himself in his saddle. "How'd you enjoy if I tried to munch on yout hair?"
"He probably wouldn't mind," she said with a laugh as she gave her own mount a light tap to get him moving. "You ever seen two horses sort of nibbling on each other's manes, just at their withers?" She patted the base of Cole's neck to show what she meant. "They're grooming each other. It's a sign of trust, companionship."
She suddenly blushed a bit and ducked her head. "I, um... A lot of my research pertains to animal behavior, so..."
"I see," Steel snorted before looking down at the horse, slicking his raven hair back. "Thanks Patches, but don't do it. I haven't washed in," he fell silent again. "Can't even remember when I last did."
He snorted again, glancing at Lapis, shrugging. "I don't see just what's so emberassing about that," he brought his gloved hand up to examine it. Before grinning. "Blueberry."
She blinked, befuddled. "Um...blueberry?"
"Yup. Blueberry," Steel confirmed. "That's how I'm callin' you from now on. Get used to it," he snorted softly, then chuckled.
"But- but why?" she asked, eyes wide- not offended so much as confused, apparently.
"Your hair," Steel replied with a snort. "Isn't that a thing humans often do? Giving nicknames to eachother?"
"Oh!" One hand went up to her hair and she chuckled, tugging a braid around so she could consider the rather vibrant color. "I suppose if you must," she said with a shrug.
"Isn't it a thing you humans do?" Steel inquired again, frowning at her. "Since they usually did it to me, besides dear, sweety and other assorted fruits."
"Some humans do," Lapis chuckled. "I've just never really had much call for a nickname."
Steel nodded slowly. "I see," before he snorted softly. "Well. You got one now. But since I am original and lazy, I'm gonna stick with Blue."
He leaned back in the saddle, sighing softly. "When you bought me- a day or so after. You didn't understand why I didn't want to be free." He closed his eyes and snorted softly. "It's a sob story, I'm not keen on sharing it, but I'd rather do. Might give you perspective." And other reasons he felt compelled to. A majority of those was something he didn't even comprehend.
"Alright," Lapis said slowly. "Only if you want though. I don't want to push you past where you're comfortable."
"Thanks," he breathed softly, before slicking his raven hairs back. "Well. It started when I was roughly sixteen years old. A stupid kid. I had wings back then," Steel snorted softly. "I was stupid and cocky enough to get my own mother, a human, killed. My father tore my wings out-" he took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "I was picked up by a merchant, who sold me to slavers, I got switched owners and here I am."
He took a deep breath. "I don't want to be free. I hate myself, roam without direction and might get people hurt. Like this, I have a purpose," he glanced at Lapis. "Remember what I said when you just bought me? I'm shattered. I just refuse to bow to others."
"Steel..." She bit her lip, not really sure how to react to that. "I'm sorry" didn't seem like enough.
She settled with a soft, "Thank you for telling me."
Steel sighed softly. "Don't make me regret it, Blue," he murmured with a soft sigh, before clearing his throat. "But.. Thanks for listening."
"Of course." Lapis kept her head down, eyes fixed on Cole's mane for a few moments as she just processed in silence.
Steel did the same, glancing at Patches' neck for a moment, then he sat back, rubbing the back of his neck and coughing. "Regardless," he piped up, smirking at her. "It'd be a nice change of pace to see some actual green, rather than cactusses."
"Cacti," Lapis corrected automatically, absently. "Have you...not been out of the desert then? Where are you...from?"
"Thunderblacks," Steel replied. "I have been, but there's a difference between proper growth, rocks and sand," he replied. "And my Basic isn't too sharp, my apologies, grand scholar Blue," he snorted.
"No, native speakers make that mistake, don't worry," she replied, completely missing any sarcasm. "Well, the jungles will certainly be a change of pace."
Steel snorted. "Not like I cared, honestly. Don't get me into dragonspeak," he answered, before nodding in agreement. "More water. Less heat?"
Lapis laughed. "Not exactly. I mean, yes, it's less hot, but it's humid. There's no feeling like drinking your air, trust me."
"Sounds fun," Steel replied, the sarcasm dripping from his words. "An experience, I guess."
"You'll be fine," she chuckled.
[Dinner. Be back in a jiffy ^^]
"Of course I will," Steel replied with a soft huff. "Doesn't mean it's nice," he answered with a grin.
"You'll get used to it. And there's definitely a certain beauty to the jungle, if you pay attention."
"Oh, I will pay attention, Blue," he replied, whincing slightly at the pain in his legs. "Mostly to you and whatever living thing is around us there."
"Everything in the jungle is living," Lapis chuckled. "It's one massive, living organism, if you look at it from a certain angle."
"Oh, so the entire thing we're walking into can kill us," Steel snorted haughtily, before chuckling slowly. "That's reassuring news."
She rolled her eyes. "Well, it can, but so can the desert. So can Essyrn, for that matter. You just have to know what you're doing."
"Indeed," Steel wholeheartedly agreed with that sentiment. Essryn was a dangerous place. So was the desert. "But the difference is, I'm experienced with both. Not so much with the jungle," he explained, glancing at his female counterpart. "Which is slightly unnerving. But also exciting at the same time."
Lapis have him a rather rakish, lopsided grin and said in a voice suddenly heavily accented, a slave's tone, "Stick with me, kid, I'll watch your back."
Steel frowned, before arching an eyebrow. "Are you tryin' to imitate me?"
She shook her head, still smiling a bit. "You didn't really think I was always a scholar, did'ya?" she murmured with a soft chuckle.
Switching back to the slightly "higher classed" accent she normally spoke with, she said with a shrug, "My master wanted me to sound educated. Taught me how to speak "properly" before he died."
"I see," he answered, before nodding. "I'm sorry."
He couldn't help but chuckle slightly however. "Well, you do sound awfully educated. Add those cute little glasses of yours to that and you're fit to work at some kind of court."
"Don't apologize," Lapis chuckled. She screwed up her face at him. "My glasses are not cute. They are necessary. And...sophisticated," she huffed.
"Sophisticated and cute," Steel insisted with a soft snort, padding Patches' neck. "Ain't that right, boy?"
The horse bobbed his head- probably because he liked the attention, but it certainly looked like he was agreeing.
Lapis rolled her eyes. "Traitor," she told the draft. He snorted at her and flicked his tail.
Steel couldn't help but laugh softly. "Nothing traitor. He only agrees." He smirked softly. "Didn't know horses were this opinionated."
"Apparently yours is," Lapis snipped back with a grin.
"I've seen Cole look at me," Steel replied with another soft chuckle. "He's judging me. I know."
She laughed and shook her head. "Probably because he's protective of me. I'll tell ya, there's no big brother like a surly horse, truly."
"Then I'm glad I'm not the only one looking out for you," Steel replied easily, giving her a soft smirk.
For some reason that made her cheeks heat a bit and she nodded silently, fixing her eyes ahead again with a quick clearing of her throat.
Steel frowned softly, wanting to get Patches to get closer so he could look at her and ask her what was wrong. But him being a bad horseman, he leaned forward and pointed. "Forward." He said, before the draft horse bucked.
"Oh shit," were the only words Steel could murmur as the draft horse started galloping, Steel desperately clinging to the reigns.
And the pair shot past Lapis and Cole.
"Oh great." Lapis urged Cole into a gallop and called, "Sit back and pull on the reins, tell him whoa."
Steel barely heard her advice, rather than actually listening, he pulled himself from the saddle and landed on the floor, in the blink of an eye, he picked up Patches with one arm, skidding through the sand.
When he came to a halt, he was buried up to his knees in the sand. "Well. Shit," he glanced up at the horse. "Patches?" He inquired as he set the horse down again, who was seemingly unharmed. "So. I wanted you to go forward. But not that fast," he explained.
Lapis was bent over Cole's neck, laughing as she slowed her horse, cantering around the other two before she managed to get him to a walk.
"M-maybe we should take a minute- to really teach you how to ride," she laughed, covering her mouth with a hand.
Patches gave him a droll and confused look. The horse had done exactly what Steel desired from him.
The half-dragon pulled himself from the sand, snorting softly, before glancing up at Lapis. "I think that'd be best," he answered, not minding her laughter.
"Alright."
She swung down from Cole's back and ground tied the horse, trusting him not to wander. "So, lesson one..."
Tiny and bookish she may have been, but Lapis proved to be a merciless, if efficient, teacher. She drilled Steel in the basics first, how to properly mount and dismount, correcting every minute mistake in his seat.
Then she had him switch endlessly from a walk to a trot, teaching him to post until she was satisfied he could move with the horse in his sleep.
Steel followed the lessons as a surprisingly eager student. It was a rarity someone actually tried to teach him something in his life.
As the lessons were over, Steel still ran the basics through his head, properly drilled inside by the little blue-haired teacher. He snorted softly. "If we're done, we should move on."
The sun was moving toward the horizon and Lapis nodded. "If we can at least cover a few more miles, I know a place we can camp for the night."
"Lead the way," Steel answered with a soft snort, before spitting out some sand.
They didn't have long until sundown was truly upon them and they had to stop to make camp.
Lapis had led them to a small outcropping of rock that would protect them from the heat of the sunrise for a few hours at least come morning.
As Steel dismounted Patches, more easily now after Lapis' professional tutoring, he held the leads and walked over to the rock, tapping it with his finger. "Where do we put the horses, Blue?"
"They're well trained. Just ground tie him with Cole, they won't wander." She spread out her bedroll and pulled a notebook and stick or charcoal from her pack.
Steel nodded and did the same to Patches Lapis did to Cole.
He sat down next to her. "What of major importance now?" He inquired as he rested his back against the rock.
"Oh, this?" She glanced up and shrugged. "It's just my journal. Recording the events of the day, that sort of thing. I find it to be useful when on long trips."
"So, what's in it today?" Steel snorted softly. "Half-dragon made an ass out of himself?" He inquired with a soft smirk.
"Maybe." She crinkled her nose and stuck her tongue out at him teasingly.
Steel leaned back against the rock, closing his eyes. "Eh," he only answered.
Lapis chuckled. "Sleep. If we push tomorrow, we'll be halfway there."
She didn't need to tell him twice. Steel closed his eyes with a soft snort. "Night," he murmured softly.
Lapis murmured in reply, her attention solely focused on writing. After a while though, she sighed and laid down to sleep herself.
Steel however, this time, found himself rising at sunset, snorting softly and spitting out some sand, before he sat up with a whince. Despite her lessons, holy hell, his legs hurt.
His stirring woke her and Lapis say up with a yawn. "Alright." Another yawn. "Let's get moving then."
Steel nodded curtly as he pushed himself to his feet again, offering a hand to Lapis.
She took his hand with a smile and said, "Eat while we ride, okay? It'll be easier."
Steel effortlessly pulled her off of the ground. "Easier for you, you mean," he answered, then shrugged. "You know I don't need food yet."
"Oh come on, you can ride one handed by now," she teased. "And at least have something."
"True," Steel replied, before shrugging. "'Cos you insist," he answered with an indifferent snort.
"Good." She mounted up and clicked for Cole to move out.
Steel mimmicked her movements easily and made Patches fall into step next to Cole.
Lapis seemed content to ride in quiet for the time being.
And Steel wasn't the type of persone able to incite any proper kind ofbconversation, so he also held his mouth shut.
Traveling in the desert was long, hot, uncomfortable work.
Luckily, Lapis had made this trip enough times that she knew when and where to stop, frequently calling to rest and water the horses, as well as her companion.
Steel didn't change too much from his uncaring and casual demeanor throughout the trip, though he cracked a joke once in a while, even if they were just horrible desert related puns.
Used to traveling alone, Lapis found she actually enjoyed having a companion along. It took them several days to reach the edge of the desert, and at that point she was pretty sure she'd heard every play on the words "sand", "cactus", and "dry" humanly possible.
Still, he made her chuckle, even if it was usually accompanied by a dramatically pained groan.
As they reached the end of the desert, Steel stopped Patches for a second, glancing back over his shoulder, before back at Lapis. "So, this is it, huh, Blue."
"Mhm."
It was thin foliage, as far as the jungle went, but still probably more than he'd ever seen. She coaxed Cole towards the scraggly trees that managed to creep out into the desert, sighing once they were in the shade.
Patches followed Cole closely, snorting softly. "It's.. Different," Steel stated gruffly.
"You'll get used to it." She smiled over her shoulder. "You might even like it, someday."
"Everything's better than sand," Steel replied with a soft huff.
She chuckled. "True enough. C'mon, let's break for a bit here. I might even be able to scrounge up some fruit or something!"
Steel nodded as he pulled himself from Patches' saddle, landing on the ground with a soft huff. "So, how far in the jungle are we headed?"
"That is an excellent question." She chuckled. "It really depends on how much I can get out of the ruins I've already uncovered."
Steel nodded slowly. "And, where are these ruins, then?"
"Yes. But we should camp for the night first, we'll need all our strength." She coughed, then admitted, "Lots of...old traps."
Steel nodded slowly. "That sounds like a plan," Steel answered.
"We should actually tie the horses tonight. Lots of plant life- they might wander, and I don't want them eating something poisonous."
Steel nodded softly and helt out his hands for Cole's reigns. "I'll tend to them," he offered. "You head to making camp and getting a fire prepared."
"Yessir!" She gave him a jaunty mock salute and paused a moment to adjust his grip so he could lead both horses comfortably. "There's a spring not far that way-" she pointed- "And I know a good place to camp just in that circle of trees." Another point. "Try not to take too long, or I'll worry and come after you."
Steel snorted soflty as she made a mock salute. "Yer too small to be a soldier, Blue," he remarked with a toothy grin.
He nodded as she gave him pointers, before turning to walk off with both horses, tying them to a tree near the water so they could drink if they had to. He frowned as he missed something and padded Patches' neck as he turned around to head to the camping spot. "You got the feeding bags?"
"Here."
Lapis was nothing if not efficient, and the small camp was already mostly set up. She tossed the feed bags to Steel. "You remember how those work, right? Straps behind the ears, and not too tight."
"Yeah, yeah, Blue," he answered with a snort, turning around again to attach them to the horses, indeed making sure they weren't too, nor too loose for that matter.
He returned back to the camp and snorted, before spitting an ember in the fireplace she had prepared.
Lapis started, then chuckled. "Thanks."
"No problem," the half dragon replied as he sat down next to the fire, settling back with a sigh.
Lapis took a swig from her water skin, tossing the other one toward him as she settled in.
Steel caught the waterskin this time, taking a swig from it and putting it in his lap. He leaned back against a tree and closed his eyes briefly, having nothing nothing to start any proper conversation.
"Get some sleep." She curled up on her bedroll. "We'll move again at sunrise."
Steel nodded with a soft snort. "Got'cha," Steel answered as he closed his eyes.
Normally she operated on a strict internal schedule, but Lapis seemed dead asleep by the time she sun rose the next morning, not so much as shifting.
The half dragon woke several minutes after dawn, yawning and rubbing his back as he sat up again, noticing his female counterpart wasn't awake yet.
Steel frowned, slightly concerned. He knew Lapis as a very messy sleeper, trashing and flailing as she slept to end up in what seemed rather uncomfortable poses.
He pushed himself on his feet and kneeled down next to her. "Oi, Blue?" He asked as he shook her shoulder gently.
"Mmmmnnm..." She batted at his hand and rolled onto her back. "Fi' more minutes..."
Steel frowned as she batted his hand away, frowning. "Oi. Wake up, Blue. We're out in the open here."
Lapis grumbled some more and reluctantly opened her eyes. "Wha-? Oh. I'm up, I'm up."
"Well, you obviously ain't just yet, Blue," Steel chuckled as she sat back. "This ain't like you," he smirked slowly. "Something wrong?"
She shook her head and rubbed the heels of her palms over her eyes. "M'fine. Headache," she muttered as she got to her feet.
"Stay out of the sun," Steel advised with a soft nod, folding his arms.
Lapis waved him off and moved to Cole's head, stroking his neck as she swung her pack up onto her shoulder.
Steel didn't say much else beyond that, he had voiced his concern. Not much else he could do then.
He walked over to Patches, pulling himself up on the horse after loosening the reigns.
Progress through the jungle was more comfortable but significantly slower than traveling through the desert. The horses had to pick their way through thick foliage, and Lapis was constantly pausing to document flora and fauna.
"Oi," Steel remarked as they once more paused for Lapis trying to sate her need for knowledge. "Blue. If we keep goin' like that, we'll never reach those ruins of yours."
She twisted in the saddle to quirk an eyebrow at him. "It's not as though we have a deadline. You need a greater thirst for discovery, my friend."
Steel grumbled softly. "Flowers and creatures," he snorted haughtily. "Those don't interest me, Blue."
"Well, then what does?"
"Keepin' you safe, for starters," Steel answered. "Ancient draconic runes you were about to show me 'n on 'n."
"Alright, alright." She laughed and spurred Cole onward. "We're not too far now."
Steel only snorted in response, before slapping his own cheek to kill a mosquito before it stung here. "Damn insects," the half-dragon muttered.
"Here." She tossed a small vial back to him. "Put that on your wrists and around your neck. Bugs don't like the smell."
"I appreciate the gesture," he answered as he pulled the cork out with his teeth and started to wrub his wrists and neck. "Bu' you cou've tol' me f'at f'ooner," he answered with the cork still in his mouth.
She gave him a sheepish smile. "Honestly, I forgot. I'm Essyrni bred, I'm ised to the hugs. My old master was a northerner though, he's the one who would make that stuff."
Steel spat the cork back out in his hand when he was done, before pushing it back on the vial and snorting softly. "Holy shit that stinks," he murmured with a sofft snort, before flicking over the vial again. "Heads up, Blue."
She caught it one handed and slipped it back into her pack. "Well, yes. It's supposed to stink," she chuckled, crinkling her nose at him.
Steel only snorted, before sneezing. "Then it fulfills it's purpose," He answered after rubbing his nose.
Lapis chuckled a bit, then brought Cole to a halt. "Alright, we're here." She dismounted.
They didn't really look to be anywhere interesting, but she started picking her way through the foliage after tying Cole to a low branch.
Steel nodded and followed her example by tying Patches to a branch aswell after he pulled himself from the saddle.
Steel frowned at her and shook his head. "Allow me," he answered as he stepped forward, pulling his gloves off.
"No no, I've got it." She tried to wave him off. "It's just really overgrown here, that's all."
Steel didn't really listen and went to tear his own path through the flora, shredding plaçts and vines as he did.
"Hey- alright, take it easy," Lapis said quickly, putting a hand on his arm. "You've got it, see? Careful you don't scratch the stone."
She indicated the crumbling stone blocks he'd uncovered, set around what must once have been a doorway but was now essentially a large hole.
Steel stepped back from the ruins as he pulled his gloves on again, nodding. "Sorry," he answered. Luckily he didn't actually tear through the stone.
she waves h off and peered into the ruins. "Hmm. We're going to need torches. And j think another of the columns has collapsed since I've been here..."
"I can light torches easily, if you have some," he answered as he glanced around. "And need that column lifted?"
She was still peering into the gloom. "No, it looks like the whole thing just crumbled... There should be a torch in my pack."
Steel walked over to her. "Hold still," he said as he started to rummage through the pack on her back, pulling out a torch out, holding it up to spit an ember at it, before holding it out to her. "Want me to clean the rubble, then?"
"Maybe. Let's get a look in there first, it might be holding up sections of the walls and ceilings." She crept into the darkness, torch raised high.
The half-dragon nodded slowly. "Lead the way," he answered, following her into the ruins.
Lapis's progress into the ruins was slow as she constantly paused to examine the walls, holding the torch close to the stone and running her fingers over carvings and cracks, most of which had been made nearly indistinguishable by time.
Steel trailed behind her closely, snorting and looking around each time she stopped, he, instead of examining walls, was looking for traps and tripwires. Mechanisms that would mean their end.
"Alright." They'd reached the first collapsed column and Lapis frowned. "Er- I can probably fit through that gap there, but I'm not sure..." She eyed Steel's bulk dubiously.
"Nope," Steel immediately cleared any doubt to be had. "I can't clear that gap. Not even remotely close. Don't even think of havin' me try that."
Lapis sighed and planted her hands on her hips. "Well, if I squeeze through... I'm pretty sure there's a connecting tunnel a few feet ahead, maybe I can find a way to circle back..."
She bit her lip. "I just really don't want to smash through."
Steel frowned, before sighing slowly and rolling his eyes. "If you must. But if I get stuck, I'm tearin' my way through and it's your responsibility, Blue."
"Just...wait here for a minute, okay?" She held her hand out to him, then slipped forward in an attempt to clamber through the small gap in the rubble.
Once through, she straightened up and called back, "Could you roll the torch over to this side?"
Steel nodded and took the torch, taking her hand to help her get through the rubble.
"Incoming," he called as he rolled the torch inside, snorting softly.
"Thanks." She caught the torch, singeing her fingers a bit in the process and hissing. "Alright, I'm gonna see if there's a way I can make the hole bigger from this side, alright? Try not to...break anything."
"I ain't touching nothing until you tell me otherwise," Steel answered as he raised his hands as an innocent gesture, though he realized she couldn't see it and lowered his hands again.
"Okay." Lapis frowned at the rubble. "Okay..." She started prying rocks away, small ones at first before she graduated to larger chunks.
"Um... If you can squeeze through the opening on that side, you might be able to fit now," she called.
Steel took a deep breath. "Alright. Trying," he statated as he lowered himself in the hole, starting to push himself through.
With some trial and error, Steel grunted and tried to wriggle himself through. "I.. I think I'm stuck, Blue," he called after a short while.
"Well...fuck." She sighed and crouched down. "Um...maybe if I sort of...pull your shoulders?"
"Well," Steel made a helpless gesture, hanging through the tunnel. "Try, I guess."
Grumbling to herself, Lapis gripped his shoulder and planted her feet, leaning back as she did her best to pull him through the rubble without hurting him.
Steel exhaled as much as he could when she started pulling, one hand finding grip on a rock as he started to try and push himself through aswell.
And after a short struggle, Steel was pushed through, his clothes slightly torn and shredded. He gave Lapis a meaningful look before snorting. "Let's go, Blue."
She winced slightly and bit her lip guiltily. "Sorry about that. Are you alright?" She walked a small circle around him, tsking at the cuts and bruises.
"Nothing I can't handle," Steel answered with a shrug. "It's just some gashes and bruises. I'll slap some dirt on it," he said with a soft snort. "Come, lead the way, Blue," he concluded, more to have her stop fussing about the minor trivialities these bruises and scrapes were.
Lapis huffed at him and planted her fists on her hips. "You most certainly will not, not on my watch. Hold this."
She thrust the torch into his hand and started hunting through her pack, emerging with a few scraps of bandaging and a vial of something that smelled sharp and acrid.
Steel frowned as she pushed the torch in his hands. He held the torch up and snorted softly, though he didn't say a word to interrupt her.
He crinkled his nose at the sudden stench and glanced at her. "That smells rancid.. What's it with you and those things?" He asked as he snorted softly.
"That's the disinfectant." She glanced up at him as she dabbed some on a few scrapes. "Unless you want to contract an infection."
"Oh, I'm not complaining," he raised the back of his hand against his nose, pretty obvious by now his scent was more advanced than a human's. "Well, I am. But I also don't want infected wounds," he admitted with a huff.
And he couldn't help but frown. She used to be shy taken aback whenever his body was the matter of conversation. But now, she was going to have to work around his waist area, so she was missing her shy and embarrassed attitude, which was surprising to the half dragon.
Lapis was a very goal-oriented individual, and her current goal was bandaging up her companion. She told herself not to think of him as a person so much as a complex machine that needed patching up, which made it easier to work.
She still flushed a bit when she had to kneel and press a bandage over his hip, but she cleared her throat and stood quickly once she was done. "There, all fixed."
Steel couldn't help but let out an amused huff at her flushing, but regardless, he nodded. "Thanks," he answered, before raising the torch and walking to the flight of stairs that led downwards, deeper into the bowls of the ruins.
"Let's go?" He asked.
"Indeed." He seemed to have no problem holding the torch, so she let him keep a hold of it as she started edging her way down the stairs.
"This is where I first started coming across the carvings- see here, along the left wall? This is old, but not ancient. I've been able to decipher a few lines."
Steel followed her closely, before stopping and frowning, leaning forward to examine the wall. "What does it say?" He inquired as he inspected the glyphs with narrowed eyes.
"It's magic, I think. Or maybe just superstition." She shrugged and let her fingers glide over the carved marks. "Warding spells, or at least early versions of them. Meant to be a defense against evil presences."
Steel nodded slowly. "We got leads on the history of these ruins?" He inquired with a soft frown, tapping the wall.
Lapis shrugged again. "A few theories, nothing concrete. That's actually one of the things I'm hoping to learn on this expedition."
Steel nodded, pulling his hand away again and standing up. "Any other information you got for me?" He asked with a soft grunt of pain.
"About the ruins? Not really. This'll be a learning experience for us both." She smiled and set off.
"I can't wait," Steel answered. Yet the enthusiasm was severely lacking, to comical extents. He followed the small, blue-haired scholar down with the torch.
Lapis chuckled. "Oh, come on, where's your sense of adventure?" She paused and peered around a corner before carefully creeping on.
"Dulled by my instinct to survive," he said as he followed Lapis closely. "I'll take lead," he offered. "No braggin', but I think it'd be best I trigger traps, rather than you."
She frowned as folded her arms. "Or I could disarm them. I have quite a bit of experience. That way no one gets hurt."
[Lol, the tank and the rogue.]
[Now we just need a healer and Steel can pull aggro from this dungeon's boss. xD]
"If you see 'em in time, that is," he answered. "Tell me when we get to the part you haven't explored yet. Then I'll really have to start paying attention."
She rolled her eyes and gave him a sarcastic salute. "Sir, yes, sir." She continued creeping down the nearly pitch black hall further into the ruins.
Steel trailed behind her, before the soft scraping of rock resounded. He felt his foot lowering into the ground snorted. "Shit."
A deep rumbling resounded and the ground underneath them started to shake lightly. A large boulder came rolling down the stairs and Steel stepped forward to pull Lapis against heim, hugging her against his chest as he stopped the boulder with his back. A loud smack and cracking resounded, the shock pulling through his body. But he kept standing and holding the small scholar.
"What the-" A trigger. Her weight hadn't been enough to set it off, but apparently Steel's was. Lapis's eyes widened as he suddenly pulled her against his chest, she couldn't see what was happening but she could hear the sound of stone against stone.
"St-Steel?" The shock of whatever had hit him rippled through her and she shrank back against him with a squeak. "Oh my gods, are you alright? What just happened?!"
The impact on Steel was colossal, but he was, thank god for dragonbones, strong enough to withstand the impact. Some blood trickled down from the back of his head, across his jawline, more blood running down his arms.
"I-" he grunted deeply. "I'm alright-" he answered, before putting his foot a step higher and pushing the rock back, he loosened his arms around Lapis, before they slumped down.
"Oh fhu-" Lapis tried to catch at his shoulders, but then she was wriggling out of his arms and peering around at his back.
She hissed in a breath. "Oh, that's gonna bruise really bad. Holy hell, how did you even...?"
Steel smirked wryly, bringing his arms up to hold the boulder steadier. "Dragon.. Bones.." He answered, his boots shredded, claws sticking through the stone steps, more blood trickling down his face. "You alright, Blue?"
"I'm fine, it's you we need to worry about." She huffed and knelt it front of him. "Let it go- you stopped the momentum, it won't hurt us. C'mere, I need to look at you."
Steel nodded and took a step forward, a rumbling crack resounding due to the small debris he broke from the boulder. As he stepped out, the outline in the rock was clear. Two dents and a lot cracks in the boulder. It seemed like Steel left a dent, rather than the opposite.
The half dragon slumped to his knees, grunting. "I'll admit. That hurt.."
Lapis swore and moved to look properly at his back. "We need to get you somewhere I can actually treat you." Well, as much as she could anyway.
The back of his head, his back itself were almost shredded open, bruised heavily at the edges of the shredded skin. "I'm.. Fine.."
"Like hell you are!" Her eyes were wide and she had to raise a hand to cover her mouth. "My gods, just- just hold still, hand me the torch so I can see what I'm doing..."
Her voice shook slightly and she swallowed.
Steel leaned forward with a pained groan to grab the torch from the floor, holding it up for her to take with another whince of pain.
When she used the torch to inspect him further, there was blood everywhere. And if she looked closely, she could see a piece of his bare spine, several ribs unscathed on his back, the skin completely shredded away by the boulder.
Perhaps his bones were as durable as a dragon's, but his human skin wasn't in the least. As the gorey mess of shredded flesh and muscle on his back indicated.
Lapis thought she might be sick.
"I- I can't-" She took a shivery breath. "I can't heal this, Steel, not completely. C'mon, we need to get back to the surface, find somewhere to wash this..."
Steel nodded weakly and pushed himself up, gritting his teeth. "I'm alright.. Blue.. Just gotta walk it off.. Let's.. Head up.." He turned around, to be met with the builder. And while it was completely brought to a halt, it still blocked their way.
Steel took a deep breath, pulled his fist back to rest it next to his hip. He took a deep breath, his pose slumped due to the sheer pain and bloodloss.
But regardless, the colossal half dragon jammed his fist forward again the builder. The steel plates on his gloves cracking, but the scales on his hands easily coping with the blow. And the boulder could not withstand the tremendous force, crumbling just enough for Lapis to be able to squeeze through.
She jumped at the blow, eyes wide, and stared at Steel. "B-but...you can't fit through there, can you?"
Steel let out a faint whimper. "I.. Don't think I can manage.. Another one of those any time soon," he murmured weakly as he slumped to the ground again, knees now drenched by the puddle of blood that had formed. "Go.. Get.. Something to patch me up.. I'll hold out here," he hissed in pain again.
"O-okay." Heart racing, she squeezed her way through the gap and scampered back up out of the ruins- thank the gods she'd explored this part thoroughly enough that she knew almost automatically where she was going.
It still took her what felt like too long to get back down to Steel with the healing supplies tucked into her back. "Here," she panted as she scrambled back toward him. "Water. Drink, you're losing a lot of blood."
Steel sat on his knees as Lapis came in again, his breath wheezing and hitching painfully. He didn't look up to Lapis as she spoke or offered him the water, he seemed to weak to even answer to her.
"Steel." She held the water to his lips, manually wrapping his hands around the flask. "Drink."
She gulped as she looked at his back. She wasn't a healer, she didn't really know how to do this.
The half dragon gripped the flask weakly and took several faint sips from it, some of the water spilling from the corners of his mouth, down his chin.
"Blue-" he asked faintly as the flask slumped down again. "I'll-live," he gave the small scholar a ghost of a smirk. "Dragon's.. Blood.."
Lapis couldn't speak, just got to work attempting to bandage him up as best she could.
Steel's head slumped back down, hands slumping back down against the ground. Eyes sliding closed.
"Hey. Heyheyheyhey." She frowned as she continued trying to patch him up. "C'mon, Steel, keep your eyes open, alright?"
Steel grunted softly in response. "I'll.. Be fine.."
"Just...keep talking to me, alright?" she muttered as she continued working.
"I.. Can't," Steel answered with a painful cough. "I don't.. Have any play on words.. Regarding jungles or ruins.."
"Okay, well... Just tell me something simple. How old are you? What- what color is my hair? C'mon, something."
"Goddamnit Blue," Steel grit his teeth in pain again, finding a sort of second breath due to her keeping him busy. "Why.. Do you even bother? I'm expendable.."
She resisted the urge to smack the back of his head. "No one is expendable, Steel. No come on, answer. How old are you? What's your last name?"
He huffed, before spitting out some blood. "Twenty.. Four. Can't remember."
"Okay. Okay, good. Favorite food?"
"I.. Don't care," Steel muttered in reply, hissing between his teeth. "Everything.. Beats human.. Flesh."
She swallowed. "Alright..." She was almost done. "Um...um...first kiss?" she tried desperately.
"None," Steel answered, before letting out a soft, pained whimper. "Been.. used before.. But never kissed."
"Steel..." Her hands fluttered anxiously, then settled on his shoulders. "I- I'm almost done. I just need something to bandage you with."
The half dragon wheezed out another breath before he tore off what remainedbof is top. "Here," he said with shallow breath.
Lapis did her best to finish up as quickly an painlessly as possible, wincing sympathetically all the while.
As the cloth was wrapped around his torso, Steel had already used most of his energy. As soon as she was done, the pain from the debilitating wound demanded too much from him to stay conscious and his pose slumped forward, eyes sliding shut.
"Steel? Steel!" Lapis just barely managed to keep him from cracking his head on the ground by darting forward and using her body to sort of cushion his. She wound up with his head in her lap, completely at a loss.
After an hour, the half dragon's eyes would crack open, he'd immediately shoot up with a gasp, followed by a whince of pain. But it seemed like the bleeding had stopped, some of the wounds even sealed, if she'd check underneath the makeshift bandaging.
"Hey, hey, take it easy!" Lapis had to start forward to try to steady him. "It's okay, Steel, you're okay. Can you move? What hurts?"
"Everything," he replied with a soft snort. "Everything hurts," he answered, before he pushed himself to his feet again, taking a moment to regain his balance.
"Whoa, hey!" She shot to her few and tucked herself against his side to act as a crutch. "Just slow down, would you? It's not like we can go anywhere anyway, the path back is blocked."
No way she was gonna force him to crawl through that tiny space again.
"I'm fine," he protested, putting a hand on her shoulder, patting her head before walking away from her. "Then we go forward," he answered with a soft shrug.
"Okay, but- hold on a second!" She hurried to catch up. "I haven't been this far in before, we have no idea what's down here!"
"Well," Steel let out a soft huff. "We also didn't know about the boulder," he answered, before glancing at her. "Not that.." He whinced softly still. "Not that I mean offense with it."
Lapis's lips twitched up on one side. "I know. I'm sorry about that, I didn't expect a trap so early on."
He shrugged softly, before whincing again. He subconciously grabbed his shoulder and rolled it slowly. "That's alright, Blue. We got out of it alive and now we know this place isn't screwin' around," he said with a soft snort. "Just gotta watch our step now."
Lapis nodded in silent agreement as she pressed a little closer to his side and continued walking cautiously through the gloom.
Steel was also visibly on gaurd, even going as far as to put a hand, or rather claw, on her shoulder to hold her close. To keep track of her location while constantly looking for traps and dangers. Because those could be lurking under every step they took, or every corner they turned.
Lapis started a bit at the touch and glanced up at Steel in surprise, then relaxed slightly- still wary, but starting to rely on his senses a bit more.
Steel's eyes constantly trimmed their surroundings cautiously, he didn't want to be taken by surprise like that again. Ocasionally, his grip loosened or tightened, subconciously pulling her closer once in a while. But he kept walking, waiting for Lapis to speak up where they were supposed to stop.
If there was one thing she hated, it was not knowing where she was going, what she should be doing.
But that was exactly the situation she was in. Lapis eventually ground to a halt, huffing out a breath and covering her face with her hands.
Steel stopped when his counterpart did, glancing down at her woth a soft frown. "What's wrong?"
"I don't like this." She shook her head. "I don't know what to do, and I don't like it. We can't even see down here!"
"Hold this," Steel answered as he pulled his glove off, before handing it to her. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, flames following from his mouth, lighting the room up ever so slightly.
"Oh." Lapis blinked. Well, that was certainly one way of solving the problem.
While impressive, Steel's breath wasn't infinite, and after a short while, the area darkened again. Yet he took another deep breath and repeated lighting up the room.
"Hold on." Lapis touched his arm. "Don't wear yourself out. Let me jus find something flammable and we can make a torch."
Steel glanced qt her in the middle of his breath, eyes widening suddenly as he lost focus. He breathed in again before coughing and wheezing, panting out embers and small gusts of fire.
After a short while, having recuperated, Steel glared at her. "Never do thar again," he said with a wheeze, before spitting out another few embers.
She yelled and jumped back. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't know..."
The dragon took a deep breath to recover again, panting softly. "Just don't.. Distract me.. Go find a torch.. Thing."
"O-okay." Lapis scurried off, searching the rubble for something that might work. She wound up with what may have once been part of a support system, a rather short rod, and wrapped some torn strips of fabric from what was left of her shirt and breeches.
Steel took the makeshift torch from her. "Thanks," he murmured as he lit the torch with a soft gust of breath, handing it back to her, before pulling off the makeshift bandages from his back. "It's going to scar," he murmured,most of the wounds already shut.
She glanced at the wounds. "If we can get out of here and get back to the horses, I may have something that'll help with that."
Steel nodded slowly. "I think I got enough now to destroy the rest of that damned rock," he answered with a soft shrug, before whincing in pain.
"Hey, hey." Lapis frowned at him in concern. "Just...don't push yourself alright?"
"I won't, Blue," he answered, swallowing the words that she had to get off his back. When was the last time someone fussed about him? It was, now that he thought about it, a nice change of pace.
Steel turned around again, notioning for the scolar to follow him. "Let's get out."
She nodded quietly, handing him the torch as he seemed determined to be the one to lead
Steel took the torch and made his way back again. After a short while of walking, they reached the rock again. Steel held the torch out for her again, taking a deep breath.
Lapis took the torch and stepped back hastily to give him room.
Steel took a deep snort, before attaining a low pose. With a deep breath in and out, he suddenly exploded into motion, slamming his fist against the boulder. A hollow crack of knuckles and bones resounded, but soon deafened by the crumbling of the boulder, which shattered to pieces.
Steel took a step back, shaking his hand. "Now just to clear some of that rubble."
"Wait." She darted forward and took his hand. "Did you break anything? Do I need to set it?"
Steel glanced down at her, closing his hand around hers. "Dragon's bones," he only answered.
He did something rather odd, the half dragon leaned forward to peck a kiss on her lips, before standing up straight, stepping back from her while pulling hus hand back. If and when she remained awestruck, the half dragon gripped his own hand. "That was my first," he said, popping his knuckles back in place with a loud crunch.
In all honesty, it was to keep her from worrying about his hand, he could handle it. "Let's get out of here," he snorted, as if nothing happened. Steel just went to work on removing the rubble.
"Dragon bones my-" Lapis's eyes widened and she just stared for a moment, dumbstruck. When she finally managed to get words out all she could do was stutter, "I-I-I- u-um..."
Okay, they didn't have time for her to freak out. "R-right. Let's go..."
By the time Lapis had recovered enough, Steel already had made considerable progress in clearing the debris. He was as good as done, tossing aside and crushing several other smaller rocks, he managed to make a crawlspace that could fit even him.
So Lapis, naturally, would have no trouble getting through.
Feeling guilty she'd been too stunned to help, Lapis slipped through the small space and tilted her head back at Steel.
"Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
Steel forced himself hrough the hole with relative ease, though a sharp rock grazed his cheek, a thin line of blood traveling down his face to his neck now.
"I'm fine," Steel answered. Save for some scrapes and bruises in his squishy human flesh, it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. "Are you?"
Still rather stunned, but- "Yeah, fine."
She shook her head and held her hand out to him. "C'mon, let's get above ground so I can clean you up."
Steel nodded in response, taking her hand and stepping up. He let go of her and made his way to the second narrow cavity he had to squeeze through, starting to do so, getting quite sick of the ruins by now.
Lapis lead them back out into daylight as quickly as she could. The horses were fidgety, anxious that their riders had been gone so long.
Steel made his way towards Patches, padding his neck softly and sushing him, before looking over at Lapis. "What now?"
"Now you turn around so I can actually take a look at you." She patted her horse's neck and fished through the saddle bags to find her medicine kit.
"Fine," Steel grumbled, settling down in the sand, back facing her. The tattered clothes slumped down and revealing the remnants of the enormous and debilitating wound. "Just talk me through it," he requested with a soft snort.
"Er..."
She wasn't a healer, she had no idea what she was doing. "I can try," she offered lamely as she set about attempting to treat him.
Steel shrugged softly. "They're healing on their own, honestly," he answered. "It'll just leave some nasty scars," like all the ones that already littered his body. At this point, he had enough scars for two lifetimes, that much was obvious when he sat there with his back exposed once more, the same scars of his torn wings. The other scars he had recieved from his time as a slave and his time in the arena.
He sighed softly. "Where to next? We headed back into that pit?"
Lapis sighed as she dabbed an ointment that was meant to prevent infection on his back. "I don't know," she murmured finally.
She needed to know what was down there- now that her curiosity was piqued she knew she couldn't just leave it alone. But she didn't want to put her new companion in danger again.
"Ah-ouch," he hissed between his teeth. "That stings, holy shit."
He also kept silent for a brief moment, before shaking his head with a sigh. "Well, firstly, I think I'm going to need new clothes, my shirt is ruined."
"Yes." She sighed again and sat back. "I could...attempt to make something...perhaps a set of my robes..."
Steel shrugged slowly. "Whatever's easiest," he responded easily, shifting on the floor and folding his legs.
Lapis sighed and hunted through her things. She had one extra set of clothes with her, and there was no way her shirt would fit the massive half-dragon. Her scholar's robes could perhaps serve as an open vest of sorts, so she handed them over.
"Thanks," he murmured, pulling the coat loosely over his shoulders. Rather than trying to fit his arms through the sleeves which were without a doubt too small, he wore the robes like a cloak, using said sleeves to properly tie the robes to him. "I'll make sure not to damage these," he promised with a soft smirk and a thumbs up.
She huffed and rolled her eyes. "Don't worry about it, I can always buy another pair."
Well. She ran some mental calculations. Yes, she should have enough coin left over after this particular expedition.
Steel shrugged softly. "Doesn't mean you have to," he retorted in his rather casual and desinterested tone. If he was careful, there'd be no other wardrobe malfunctions, so everything should turn out fine.
"We're planning on going back in there?" He asked, folding his arms and leaning against a tree that happened to be next to him.
Lapis sighed. "I don't know..." she muttered, biting at her lip.
Steel rolled his eyes and sighed softly, plonking down on the ground, before resting down on his side. He propped one elbow on the floor and rested his head on his hand. "Tell me when you do know," he said as he glanced up at her.
She shook her head. "I could go in on my own. I don't want you getting hurt again."
"Nope," he cut her off even before she stated she didn't want him to get hurt again. "That would've killed you. It only severely hurt me," he explained with a soft sigh. "I'm here now. Best to use me, Blue."
Lapis pouted. "But you're too big!" she protested, grasping at straws a bit. "It just doesn't make sense to squeeze you down there."
"Choice of words, Blue, mind them," he answered with a soft snort. "Regardless. Let's say you go in alone and get hurt. How will you get back? How will I know where to find you?"
Genuinely confused by that comment, Lapis blinked, then shook her head. "Well- I could leave a trail. Marks on the wall, that sort of thing."
It seemed like she didn't take note of her own unintentional innuendo. The half dragon shrugged, no sense in persuing this.
Steel shook his head with determination. "No," he deadpanned, before glancing at her. "You get hurt. I try to follow you in, I get hurt."
"Well, then what do you suggest?" she demanded, exasperated.
"Geheheh," Steel gave her a soft grin with the rather grunted chuckle. "I don't know, you gotta figure it out, Blue." He sat up, rolling his shoulders. "I'm just here to make yer life safer and more difficult."
"Gah!" She threw her hands up. "Fine. Fine. We'll talk about in the morning, just- get some sleep," she grumbled.
Smirking, the half dragon settled down on the sand again, raising his hands behind his head. His eyes slid, close and he snorted softly as a fly tried to occupy his nose, before waving it off with a soft growl. "You too, Blue," he grunted soflty. "You're the brains here."
"Yes, yes." Lapis checked on the horses one last time before laying out on her bedroll with a sigh. The sunlight was nearly gone now and she allowed herself to begin to drift off.
Steel snorted in acknowledgement before he humself started to drift off, ears still peeled for any conspicuous sound. He may be sleeping, but he was always on guard.
Lapis stretched and rolled in her sleep, at one point coming dangerously close to the fire. She was much more restless than normal it seemed.
Having gotten used to the sound of her tossing and toiling in her sleep, it initally didn't wake him. Though, at a certain point, it seemed like Steel's subconcious deemed the amount of her movements conspicuous and one eye cracked open, looking around.
Steel sat up with a soft sigh and pushed himself up as he noticed how close Lapis had gotten to the embers.of the campfire. He grabbed her bedroll, one hand on her shoulder, and pulled her slightly away, before yawning and glancing around. It was still dark.
With a soft, indifferent shrug, he took several steps away from Lapis, sitting down next to the fire.
The stirring woke her and she sat up, blinking and yawning.
"Wh'time issit?"
Steel, not having a chance to reposition, instead settled besides her on his knees. "Several hours past midnight," he answered. "It's still dark."
"Mmph." Lapis flopped back into her bedroll. "Then we can still sleep. Go back to bed..."
"Eh," Steel snorted softly, glancing at the fire. "I'll stay awake for a bit, you sleep," he answered, leaning back to flop on his butt, leaning on his elbows. "I'm a tad too restless here."
Lapis frowned. "You need rest," she murmured, but she seemed a little too tired to really argue the point.
Steel shrugged slowly. "So do you," he answered with a soft smirk. "Go to sleep," he added, rolling his shoulder with a soft yawn. "I'll sleep when I need to."
"That's not...fair." She yawned and tried to blink her eyes open, but couldn't quite manage it.
"Good," he answered with a soft smirk. "First time something's unfair in my favour." Steel let an amused snort, grinning at her now.
Lapis seemed to try to argue again, but she was already drifting off. Her muticolored braids tossed about her face in a haphazard heap and she curled in on herself, snoring gently.
Steel couldn't help but suppress a soft, snorting chuckle at the sight of her drifting off like that.
He took a deep breath and glanced up towards the moon. At least it was dry, saved the hassle of pitching a tent. Did they even pack one?
Lapis continued to sleep, utterly dead to the world as she huddled in on herself, brow furrowed as she gave the occasional mumble.
Steel kept both an eye on her and on their surroundings.
Even as she woke up, he'd still be on his knees next to her. Right at the same place as he was during the night.
She woke slowly, blinking, and stared at him.
"Did you sleep at all?"
"Before I woke you, yes," Steel answered as he glanced down at her. "Slept well?"
"Mhm." She rubbed at her eyes and yawned a bit. "Food. We should eat."
Steel nodded slowly. "How long do our rations have to last?"
Lapis sighed. "I was thinking this trip would be several weeks, but at this point..." She shrugged, shaking her head.
Steel nodded slowly and pushed himself up with a soft grunt. "Understood. Any new plans?"
She shrugged. "Most temples like this have back entrances, meant to be used in emergencies. I suppose we could look for one, but I'm not sure we have much chance of finding it."
Steel grunted in acknowledgement, rolling his shoulder and cracking his neck. "Do we even have any idea where to start looking?"
Another shrug. "The entrance would have been hidden even when all this wasn't ruins."
"Great," Steel answered with a soft sigh, holding out his hand for her. "I reckon it's buried, seeing the entrance was half collapsed."
She took his hand. "Probably. I suppose we could hunt around the edge of the ruins for it."
Steel pulled her up effortlessly. "Got it," he answered with a soft grunt. "Split up and meet back here?"
Lapis frowned again. "I'm not sure about that," she muttered, eyeing him. "You're still recovering."
"I'm fine," Steel waved his hand dismissively, snorting softly. "Don't worry about me."
She almost growled at him. "At least lemme take another look at your back before you say that."
Steel nodded slowly, taking the robes off and holding them, putting his scarred back to Lapis. "Happy now?" It seemed he had healed quite properly without too much scars. Yet, given the state of his back before, the new scars wouldn't be too obvious.
"Hmph." She knelt and ran her hands over his back. "How do you feel?" She wasn't convinced he was fully healed.
The half dragon seemed rather desinterested by the ordeal. "I feel fi-" a jolt went down his spine as one of her fingers accidentally brushed past one of his shoulderblades. He immediately turned around and grabbed her wrist, staring at her with a slightly bewildered look. It was quite the firm, harsh grip.
It took several seconds before he could recollect himself, letting her hand go again with a muttered "sorry."
Lapis squeaked and blinked wide eyes at him. "I- I'm sorry? What did I do- what hurts?"
He shook his head and shifted to look properly at Lapis. "Just.. Force of habit," he said with a soft sigh.
Her lips tightened. "Oh. I'm...sorry." She drew her hands back. "Do I have your permission to touch you?"
"Yes," Steel breathed softly. "It's just.. That place was where my wings used to be.. Instinct," he said with a wry grin.
"Oh." Lapis hesitantly laid her hand on his shoulder. "I- I'm sorry."
"It's alright," Steel answered, shaking his head with a gruff, mirthless chuckle. "Just some scars," he rested his hand on hers, squeezing it softly.
She let her fingers wrap around his and stayed quiet, not quite sure what she could say.
He kept quiet for a while, before snorting softly. Gently brushing her hand off, he got to his feet, grabbing the robes and putting it on like an open cloak again. "You've become used to me," he stated with a wistful smirk. "Normally, you'd be all red."
Slowly, Lapis got to her feet. She didn't respond, brow furrowed in thought as she moved to check on the horses.
Steel glanced at her when she did. He sighed softly and looked arpund, unsure what to do. "Any plans?" He asked after a brief moment of silence.
He turned around, taking several steps away from her and leaning down to a print in the ground, frowning slowly. "What creatures live here?"
"Creatures? Like predators?" She glanced over at him. "Big cats, mostly. Some reptiles you should watch out for."
"Hmm. Looks like a paw print," he let out a soft sigh. "I'd say we had a visitor at night, but they left again," he glanced back at her. "I'd sniff it out, but I can't. The smell here is too distracting."
She shrugged. "Probably just a leopard. They can be curious, but they won't attack us if they know they won't win."
"Possibly. It might get some friends as well," Steel murmured his reply. "Whatever happens, we shouldn't stay around for too long."
Lapis sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Damnit," she grumbled, glancing back toward the ruins with a frown.
"Your choice," Steel started up. "I know I'm just not in the mood to combat a set of hungry, oversized cats," he admitted with a soft sigh.
She shook her head. "They won't fight us. Predators are smart- well, the non-human ones, anyway. Most animals won't enter a conflict they know they won't win, it goes against their instinct for self-preservation."
Steel nodded slowly. "Fair enough," he answered as he rolled his neck, several pops resounding. "I trust you. But that brings us right back to our first problem. Do we look around for that backdoor?"
Lapis folded her arms. "If we attempt to find it, I could mark the entrance and return later."
Steel snickered softly and rose with a groaning stretch. "I'm the bodyguard here, Blue. I'm just here to keep you safe."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Come on, let's saddle the horses and make a circle of the area- better than sitting here."
Steel nodded slowly and made his way over to Patches, strapping the saddle on the horse, before pulling himself on top with a soft grunt.
"At your lead," the half dragon stated.
Lapis mounted her own horse with a pat and murmured praise, then steered him in the direction of the ruins.
Steel urged Patches to follow behind Lapis, taking a deep breath as he looked around.
Lapis kept her mount moving in a wide arc around the ruins, eyes sharp as she searched for any sign of what might have once been an entrance.
Steel followed closely, holding the reins of Patches in his hand. "Wait," he stated after a short while, arching a soft eyebrow. "Those rocks over there," he nodded his head towards. "Behind it, some kind of.. Decoration."
"A decoration?" She twisted in the saddle. "What does it look like?"
"Etchings," he answered. "Runic marks."
He turned the reins, making Patches pad over to the rocks. "Want me to clear these?"
"Do you mind? I'm not sure I could..."
"Child's play," Steel answered as he pushed himself from Patches' saddle, taking the reins and stepping away from the rocks, towards Lapis. "Keep on a safe distance," he adviced, before turning back to the rocks, cracking his knuckles as he walked over.
And without further ado, he gripped the first one, claws digging in and flung it several meters backwards. Soon followed by a second that slammed into the first with a loud crack. And so, he went about clearing the debris.
The horses spooked, skittering to the side, and Lapis had to try to keep a hold of both of them.
Steel stepped back, having formed a pile of rocks behind him, rather than in front of them. "Here we are," he stated, rolling his shoulder and glancing at Lapis again. "Come 'n have a look," he stated, shaking his hand.
"Alright..." Lapis shrugged and dismounted, coming closer warily.
Steel stepped aside to let her pass, kneeling down and squinting at the runic marks. "I'm not sure what it is.."
"Old," Lapis murmured. "Very old. Hold on, I'll copy this down and maybe I can translate it with a book later..."
She grabbed a notebook and stick of charcoal out of her bag and started writing.
Steel nodded slowly, pushing himself away from the wall and taking several steps forward.
Before a soft whistle resounded. Followed by the snap of wood.
He looked down at the cracked arrow that protruded from his shoulder. And all he could do was let out an annoyed sigh. "Take cover, Blue. Natives."
He broke the shaft completely and threw it to the side, letting the arrowhead sit in his flesh. He wouldn't try to yank it out. It'd only cause an irritating amount of bloodloss.
Lapis's eyes widened. "Hold on- wait!"
She jumped forward to stand in front of him, arms outstretched, and shouted in a language that was neither Common nor Essyrni, but sounded closest to the words of the desert. She knew a few phrases in several different Kishahn tribal languages, but the one she practiced most should have been understood by all.
"Stand down, we mean no harm."
Two scantily clad, male hunters surfaced from the brush, bows at a ready. They seemed to be suchin scantily clad with ana assortment of furs and bones. Both from the local wildlife and more humanoid looking ones. Yet they seemed to grasp most of Lapis' words.
"You trespass on ground of sacred ancestors," one stated, more than displeased. A thick and rugged accent was to his voice. One of the many dialects of the many tribes that were around. "You atre causing harm."
Steel stood there and just glowered at the two. Extremely displeased with the, fact he couldn't return the favour. Lapis could almost feel him trembling in anger.
Lapis reached back to place a hand on Steel's chest, urging calm- of course, he was so much taller than her that her hand wound up in the middle of his stomach.
Oh well.
"Forgive us, please." She showed open, weaponless hands to the hunters. "We didn't know. I thought this place was no-life...ah, abandoned?" She was struggling with the language, but she hoped she was getting her point across.
The hand on his abdomen seemed to calm him slightly. He was still angered, but Lapis told him off, so he decided toto let her take lead and trusted her better judgement. He had no idea what they were talking about, being a complete stranger to the language.
Whoever they were, they didn't seemeven pleased. The other hunter moved up to the more talkative one. "We'll take 'em to the chieftan," he suggested in a hushed voice. "You speak our tongue," he remarked loudly, before sighing. "But our chieftan will punish this crime. Else the spirits of our ancestors won't lay at peace."
The two tensed their bows again. "Come," one of them commanded.
LPis let out a long breath, shoulders slumping. Good. Chieftain was good. Better than being killed on the spot.
"Lead on, then."
Switching back to Common, she murmured to Steel, "They're going to take us to their village, okay?"
The hunter nodded, taking a step sidewards. The other gestured his bow at the path. "Infront," he commanded.
"So, they're taking us to a place where's more of them than two?" Steel snapped, glancing at Lapis. "Now, I only need to rip apart two. A whole village will be more difficult." He grit his teeth as he glanced down at Lapis, before at the two.
The hunters immediately noticed Steel's hesitance and tensed their bows, aiming for him. "Now."
"Relax." Lapis glared at him. "We're trying to solve this peacefully, alright?"
Steel, liking the alternative of only one arrow in his chest, rather than three, growled and jerked into motion. "You're far too trusting," he hissed to her, before glancing at the hunters, raising his hands with a soft sigh. Blood trickled down from the broken arrow shaft, but it looked like the half dragon wasn't even aware of it.
The hunters led them to the small, tribal village, women and children started to surround them with curious looks, reaching out to grab at Lapis' hair, which was an oddity, or to touch the piercings and accessories that decorated Steel's face. They were led to the biggest hut of them all. They would attempt to push both inside, hard enough to make them stumble to the ground. But Steel didn't budge. He just walked in as his assailant pushed himself back. And if Lapis would lose balance, he'd reach out for her arm to keep her up straight.
Lapis had to grab for Steel's arm as she stumbled into the hut, muttering about poor hospitality under her breath.
When she grabbed his arm, the half dragon made anher effort to pull her against his protectively, without saying a word. He only looked up at what could be the native's chief, defiant as ever.
The chieftan was a large man. A physique between muscled and fat, which in itself, made for an intimidating pose. He leaned forward from the throne that seemed to be made from the ribcage and skull of a -massive- animal, looking down at the two. One of the hunters drew up next to him and started whispering in his ear. Before the man thundered out a laugh.
"Strangers think it is wise to trespass at our Krem's temple? Be ashamed and bow for the god of war!" He barked loudly, his voice heavy, commanding and overbearing. Yet, ofcourse, Steel didn't understand it.
Still slightly off balance, Lapis held her hands out before her, fingers spread, in a common gesture of peace and supplication.
"We meant no harm," she said slowly, heavily accented. "We though the ruins were abandoned- we did not know they still held importance to your people."
"Bow!" The chieftan commanded as he stood up straight from his throne.when he got up straight, the intimidating physique was even more obvious.
Steel glanced at Lapis, before at the man. "What's this idiot yelling about?"
Lapis lowered her head and hissed, "Shh. Bow your head and shoulders."
Steel frowned, glancing at her. "Why?" He questioned, still keeping his eyes on the chieftan. Defiant as ever.
And said chieftan seemed only more and more displeased at this. "If you cannot pay respect to our gods, my warriors will make you respect them."
"Because if you don't they'll kill us. Well, you. I might be sold off as a bride to some warrior or another as a sort of souvenir," she muttered.
"Kill me?" He snorted softly. "I'd love to see them try," he answered. "Tell him I want to challenge him, or his champion, whatever, to a fight. The winner gets what they want."
The chieftan leaned over, surprised by how much Steel now spoke, in stark contrast to his defiant silence earlier. "What is he saying?!" He called out angrily.
"I'm not telling him that! You're insane!" Lapis glared. "Just play nice, please."
"Play nice how?!" He turned to Lapis again. "They shot me. Shot me!" He called out, wildly gesturing to thethe broken shaft that was still lodged inside. The warchief stood up. "This man is a-" Steel glanced at him. "Oh you shut the fuck up!" He roared loudly. Seemingly loud enough for the chieftan tot be intimidated enough to sit back down again, in silence. He looked back to Lapis.
"It was a stupid idea to follow these guys in the first place! I could've knocked them out!"
Lapis slapped him. It was really to get his attention, not enough to actually hurt.
Every inch of her tiny self practically vibrated with tension as she scowled at him. "Shut up and control yourself, or you're going to get us killed," she hissed.
Steel's eye seemed to twitch. That massive anger slowly surfacing again. He turned to the chieftan as a long, soft breath made his nostriks flare.
And like that, he dropped to one knee, slamming his fist in the dirt. "You owe me," he growled under his breath.
"Punish him," the chieftan ordered. Though he seemed a tad more pleased now. A sort of wooden construction was shoved underneath Steel's armpits. And one of the warriors moved up to him with a long and thin stick, beset wit stone knobs. The warrior pulled up Steel's robes to reveal his back. "How much, chief?" He asked. "Until the stick breaks," he stated, now glancing at Lapis again. The loud and rythmic thwacking starting in the background. But not as much as a grunt coming from the half dragon as his back was whipped open.
"Now that your servant here is put in place. Tell me again. Why were you trespassing?" His voice was cold. And now borderline merciless.
"What- stop!" Lapis lurched forward, but a hand clamped on her shoulder.
She twisted to glare at the chief. "You have no right," she hissed. Forcing herself to take a breath and think, she added, "He is my property. You have no right to mistreat him."
She felt sick saying it, but it was the only thing she could think of.
"Your property?" The chieftan inquired, raising his hand. The warrior that had grabbed Lapis released her. And the man beating Steel also stopped, looking at his chieftan.
A soft grin passed over his face. "Then you teach him respect," he gestured at the man with the stick, who nodded, approaching Lapis and holding out the hilt to her, gripping the bloodsoaked stone knobs without as much as flinching.
Lapis was frozen a moment.
Then, slowly, she took the stick, though she didn't move to use it. She looked back to the chief. If she played this right, hopefully they wouldn't question her.
"I use...other methods of punishment," she said in his language, slowly. The words she used implied and intimate relationship, and one that wasn't gentle.
It wasn't uncommon among the indentured servants of the jungle tribes to receive punishment privately rather than publicly.
"Then I am sure you'll make an exception for us," he snarled softly, glancing down at her.
Steel glanced sidewards at her, blood trickling down his back, giving her a vile look, before shaking his head. He didn't need to know the language to understand. "Just get it over with," he grunted.
"No."
She stared the older man down, not even looking at Steel. "You break too many bonds of hospitality with this. The gods would not be pleased, according to your own laws."
"Hospitality?!" The man rose to his feet with a loud cackle, descending his throne. Now it was visible just how marge he was. "You're nothing but heathen criminals! You have no rights here. Our gods do not favour you." His voice changed. From the strong authority, it turned to a booming and insulted one. "Laws are for those who not break them first." He gestured at Steel. "You will be forgiven if you see fit to punishing him. Then we can properly speak of your crimes and your reasoning."
She didn't even flinch, tilting her head back to look up at him. "The only crime we committed was one of ignorance. "
"Mayhaps so. That is the reason why you did it. You did offend," he snarled as he drew up to Lapis. "Our gods will not be pleased with us if we do not punish accordingly."
He stared her down. "So. Beat. The. Slave."
She didn't move. "No."
"Then share his punishment," the chieftan stated, taking up position infront of Steel, holding his hand out for a sipilarily fashioned weapon Lapis was now holding. Two guards moved in besides them and forced her down on her knees, putting a wooden log infront of her, pushing her down on it. They also took the weapon from her.
Both the chieftan and one of the guards, with a soft whizzing of the thin sticks, prepared for giving the punishment. It was than that Steel shot in action, grabbing the wrist of Lapis' assailant, at the same time, going to grasp at the chieftan's throat and raising him from the ground. "Fuck if they're hurting you," he snarled.
Lapis didn't struggle. She may have been luckier than Steel, ultimately, but she'd been born a slave. This treatment wasn't foreign to her.
She hissed sharply when he burst into movement, eyes going wide. "Steel, no! It'll only make it worse!" she tried to reason with him, jumping up to grab his arm.
Steel glanced at Lapis as he felt her hands on his arm. Still holding the chieftan. "Give me one reason not to snap his fucking neck," he snarled. Pushing him up further against the wall. The hand he was gripping, the one of Lapis' would be agressor, cracked under the pressure.
"I'll kill them all," he growled. "All of them." The other people, be it hunters or civillians, cowered at the display of strength.
"I said stop it!" Lapis cried, digging her nails into his arms. "Just stop. It'll just make things worse."