Homecomings [MadEmperor] [M]

DragonSong · February 21, 2023, 10:08:21 AM

Shyla glowered in his general direction, but the expression softened a bit as more of the situation was explained.

Lake shook his head, a little wide-eyed. "So it's true, then. The Ulfar clan--your pack. You really are...cursed?"

River, Ash, and Shadow looked at their father, then back to Aeris. "Wait...Aeris Ulfar?" Shadow stammered out. "That--I mean, you're--holy hells."

"You were our bedtime stories, mate," Ash noted, sounding a little awestruck. "How...how did you even find...?"

Snow was looking to Aeris was a painful hope in his eyes. "They did reach you, then? Do you know...how many made it?"

MadEmperor · February 21, 2023, 10:43:34 AM

Aeris gave a sad nod. "I'm sorry. We only found two survivors, and one may not make it through the night. This wasn't some random mob; these monsters were well armed, organized, and knew exactly what they were doing."

No longer under imminent threat, Snow finally allowed the grief to wash over him. He returned to wolf form to release a mournful howl. The poor old wolf had lost nearly everything.

Aeris addressed the others with a grave, determined look in his eyes. "We took a few prisoner. We'll find who organized this, and find a way to make them pay. This, I promise you."

DragonSong · February 21, 2023, 12:28:42 PM

Lake gave him a stern, silent nod. What else could they say? Their pack had been lucky, compared to the Blackpaws.

River pressed a little closer to Kahroan's side, turning her face into his scaled flank. Ash knelt beside snow and hesitantly laid a hand on the older wolf's shoulders.

Shadow nodded in gratitude to Aeris, and murmured, "Thank you again. We can never repay you for this. But I--my mate and pups are down the mountain. I need to find them."

Lake nodded slowly. "We should meet up with the others as soon as we can." He looked back to Aeris. "If there is ever anything we can do for you, you can call on us."

MadEmperor · February 21, 2023, 12:45:11 PM

River's closeness triggered a happy rumble totally at odds with the mood of the moment. Kahroan winced, embarrassed but not sorry. He could never apologize for feeling so loved.

"I could fly you straight to them if I wasn't so cut up. As it is, I couldn't even try until morning at the earliest."

Aeris nodded to Lake. "I can send a couple of Howlers with you, if you'd like. Not that I expect you to need them.

DragonSong · February 21, 2023, 01:30:04 PM

Lake dipped his head again. "If you can spare the wolves, we would be grateful. I'm sure it will make my mate and children feel more secure to see an escort."

"And you aren't flying for a few days," Shyla added sternly in the direction of Kahroan's voice. "You may not be dying, but you should definitely give it at least two days before you try to use those wings. You probably could fly before then, but you'll just set your healing back."

River nodded in acknowledgement. "I'll make sure he stays on the ground. Thank you."

MadEmperor · February 21, 2023, 02:39:18 PM

"Fine, fine, no flying." The dragon grumbled unhappily.

Aeris didn't know about flying, but he too knew the pain of being forced to stay still when all you wanted to do was get moving. To Lake, he said, "Consider it done."

After everyone that was going to leave had gone, Kahroan looked to River. "You scared me, you know. More than I've ever been. I--" His voice trembled with emotion. "I thought I was going to lose you."

DragonSong · February 21, 2023, 04:58:06 PM

"I'm sorry." River stroked her hand along his cheek, letting her brow rest against the edge of his jaw for a moment. "I just--I saw the gun come up and I just...I couldn't even think about it, my body just moved."

She smiled at him and kissed his cheek lightly. "But I'm alright. Ribs will be sore for a few days, but I'm fine."

MadEmperor · February 21, 2023, 05:20:54 PM

For a moment, he just closed his eyes and enjoyed the contact. He rumbled contentedly, but with a sad edge. "Just as I didn't hesitate to become this to protect you. But.... now I wish for nothing more than the ability to hold you again."

"It's the furthest thing from fair."

DragonSong · February 21, 2023, 06:09:49 PM

She sighed quietly and hugged his muzzle. "I know," she murmured, "I know, I'm sorry." She stroked a hand over his cheek again, eyes searching his face. He was so blatantly different from the man she knew, but...she could still see him, felt she could see Kahroan's expressions on the dragon.

"How do you...feel?" She frowned in concern. "I mean, before, when you first started changing, you seemed to be in pain. And--oh my gods." Her eyes widened and she suddenly looked around, as though that would actually do any good. "The amulet--what happened?"

MadEmperor · February 21, 2023, 06:33:35 PM

"Its in the cabin, in my pack." Kah nuzzled against her lightly. "I think... I was wrong. Maybe it had malicious intent to start with, but something changed. Perhaps it saw something in me and decided to help in the only way it could, and accepting what it wanted to give me made it let go of me."

"Or maybe the curse simply ran its course. Either way, I feel--different, like myself but... like something more. Maybe even more myself, if that makes any sense."

DragonSong · February 21, 2023, 06:45:45 PM

"I'm just glad you're not in pain," River sighed, relieved, as she leaned against his side.

A thought occurred to her, and she paused in stroking her hand over his scales. "Kah, do you think...if you're not cursed anymore, maybe you can...control this." She waved her hand at him to indicate this, elaborating, "I mean, maybe you could...do what we do. Shift when you want to."

MadEmperor · February 22, 2023, 05:57:34 AM

"Oh, I'm in pain, just not from that," he said jokingly.

The dragon pondered the question with a thoughtful rumble. "You mean dragon magic? I mean, I suppose its possible. I do think I can feel the magic coursing through me. You have no idea how powerful I feel."

"But, not being a natural dragon, I don't have the first idea how to use it. Its not like the breath; that's more a physical ability than it is magic. I'd need another dragon to teach me."

DragonSong · February 22, 2023, 08:04:03 AM

She gave him a sour look for the reminder of just how much he'd sacrificed to protect the pack, but it melted quickly into consideration.

"Well..." she said slowly. "I don't actually know any other dragons--but I know where we could find some." She cocked her head at him. "Ever been to Adela?"

MadEmperor · February 22, 2023, 11:01:01 AM

"Oh yes. Quite a bit. Though just the coastal cities. I saw a few dragon riders, but only flying over." Kah remembered those days as they'd happened to someone else. He had been so unhappy then. "So, yes, I was thinking the same thing."

He smirked just a little. "It's far, but we should get there much faster once I master flying with this giant body."

DragonSong · February 22, 2023, 11:46:56 AM

River returned his smirk--it was a little difficult to read the expression on a dragon's face, but she knew him well enough by now that it came easier than she would have thought. "Well, guess that's one for the bucket list. Fly to Adela on dragonback."

She glanced around them, some of the playfulness leaving her with a sigh. "We should...try to get down to Fendale. We'll need to say goodbye, make sure everyone is alright..."

MadEmperor · February 22, 2023, 12:28:32 PM

"We should. Though they might be back before I'm good to travel."

"Whatever we decide about leaving, it will have to wait until morning. We both need rest. And you need to head inside; it's still too cold for you to sleep outside with me." Kahroan sighed heavily, wanting so badly not to be forced to sleep alone.

DragonSong · February 22, 2023, 12:45:31 PM

"No." She pressed closer to his side. "I'm not leaving you out here by yourself."

She leaned back just enough to give herself space to shift, gritting her teeth through the wrenching of injured bones and muscles. While her change from wolf to human or back was typically smooth and easy, when she was injured it was more difficult. She was panting a bit by the time it was over.

Giving herself a careful shake, she padded back up to him and curled herself into the curve of the dragon's body. I'll be plenty warm like this.

MadEmperor · February 22, 2023, 01:43:28 PM

Kahroan knew better than to argue the point. Besides, he didn't actually want her to go. So, he just curled around her as far as he could without reopening his wounds.

He rumbled contentedly. "Fine, but if you get cold you're heading inside."

Kahroan had been right. The pack returned well before the pair had recovered enough to travel. They were able to spend a little more time with family before it finally became time to depart.

"I'm going to miss you all deeply." The dragon gave a bittersweet sound and a sincere attempt at a smile. "I consider you my family."

DragonSong · February 22, 2023, 02:33:15 PM

"That's because we are your family, eejit," Ash told him with a crooked grin and a pat on the shoulder. "You fell in love with a wolf, and now you're stuck with us. Afraid that's just how it works."

A few of the others chuckled, but there was sorrow in all their faces. They knew why River and her mate needed to travel, but they were all sorry to see them go, especially after what had happened to the Blackpaw pack.

Elwyn hadn't spoke much in the last few days; even now he was quiet, Lila in his arms as he stood with his mate and their children.

River looked around at them and tried for a smile. "We'll be back before you know it. And we'll write, I promise."

The pack embraced them--which was easier said than done with Kahroan, but they managed--then stood back to give them space, allowing River to climb onto his back.

MadEmperor · February 22, 2023, 03:17:30 PM

"Don't worry. I'll bring her back safe." After everything that's happened, he thought it best to correct himself. "Both of us."

As everyone waved goodbye. Kahroan flapped his great wings and took to the air.

The trip was much faster indeed; they reached the Adelan border in less time than it took the caravan to cross Connloath. They had camped each night in the wilderness, Kahroan taking the opportunity to learn to hunt as a dragon. And by the time they had reached Ketra, he had gotten over his aversion to fresh meat.

On the approach, he contacted her with beastspeech. Where should we land?