|
Post by Raventheravenous on Mar 26, 2019 21:10:52 GMT -6
"Are you sure?" Taria asked, surprised how quickly Rakham changed his mind. "I don't want to come in between you and your loved ones." she continued, as Rakham's tail formed a horseshoe loop on her head and stroked back her ebony hair.
|
|
drow
Full Member
Posts: 218
|
Post by drow on Mar 26, 2019 21:22:12 GMT -6
"Well I'm sure they will know in short time what is happening. Though there might be one between here and there I might speak to, and it wouldn't be too far. That will be a better idea. It will be a compromise for the both of us. She and I used to be very close, but we still keep in touch to this day. Alright, hold on tight, young Taria, and we can get back before you know it." His wings unfurled, giving a gentle leap into the air, giving her enough time to survey the surrounding area if she ever got the nerve to do so.
|
|
|
Post by Raventheravenous on Mar 26, 2019 21:34:24 GMT -6
Taria braided her hair to a ponytail before they took off. "Who is 'she'?...Wait a minute...you were in love?" Taria asked excitedly, smiling and climbing on top of Rakham's head. The very thought of love between dragons was fascinating to her, it reminded her of the stories she read. "Is she preeeeeeetty?" Taria asked, giggling.
|
|
drow
Full Member
Posts: 218
|
Post by drow on Mar 26, 2019 22:10:54 GMT -6
"Oh, I'm never gonna live this one down.." Rakham sighed, chuckling at the way she asked him. "One might say I still am, and she is, beyond compare."
|
|
|
Post by Raventheravenous on Mar 26, 2019 22:21:27 GMT -6
"But if you love each other, then why don't you live together?" Taria asked, curious.
|
|
drow
Full Member
Posts: 218
|
Post by drow on Mar 26, 2019 22:32:44 GMT -6
Rakham was silent. "Let's just say one of us wasn't appropriately ready," he said after an uncomfortable pause. "And, she is on a whole different level."
|
|
|
Post by Raventheravenous on Mar 26, 2019 22:50:08 GMT -6
"Oh...I'm sorry." Taria said in a regretful tone. After receiving her reply, the two remained silent for a while. Taria sat quietly on Rakham's head and he kept on flying until they reached a hillside in a vast jungle, the domain of Eldrahna.
"Hey, I thought dragons only lived in caves." Taria said, lifting an eyebrow.
|
|
drow
Full Member
Posts: 218
|
Post by drow on Mar 26, 2019 23:44:03 GMT -6
"Then you have quite a lot to learn. Like humans we can live just about anywhere, and even in some places you would have a hard time living." He landed softly in the mire, sighing as he took a look around. "So far so good. They haven't come here yet. Eldrahna, you there?" he called out, stepping further into the jungles.
|
|
|
Post by Raventheravenous on Mar 27, 2019 13:16:06 GMT -6
"Well, well, well. Look who is here...the troublemaker." an emotive voice said. "Only this time the trouble smells like...a human?" the voice continued. Suddenly, a beautiful snake-like blue dragon with green eyes emerged from the trees and slithered towards Rakham. She wrapped herself around Rakham's neck and nudged her snout against his. "It's been a long time." Eldrahna said as she extended four legs from her body.
"And you've brought a friend?" she continued, observing Taria who was noticeably uneasy.
|
|
drow
Full Member
Posts: 218
|
Post by drow on Mar 27, 2019 19:06:08 GMT -6
Rakham cleared his throat several times. "Well I, erm... wish it was under better circumstances. Forgive me, aherm. Eldrahna, this is Taria. You might say I adopted her really recently. Taria, this is Eldrahna.
|
|
|
Post by Raventheravenous on Mar 27, 2019 19:36:26 GMT -6
Taria and Eldrahna looked at each other before Eldrahna broke the silence. "It's nothing personal, dear. I just want a private conversation with Rakham. Sleep well, sweetheart." she said, just as she gently licked Taria's face with her toxic, but non-lethal, tongue. The toxin immediately absorbed through Taria's skin and she collapsed down to Rakham's palm and fell into a peaceful sleep.
"Remember when I used that on hatchlings back on Druk Island?" Eldrahna chuckled. "It works even better on humans...don't worry, you know it's completely harmless. She will wake up an about an hour after sleeping like a stone and enjoying the most beautiful dreams." She continued, as Rakham formed a pile of coils with his tail and put Taria in it, making her look like a little bird sleeping in its nest.
"But in the meantime..." Eldrahna said, just as she slapped Rakham's face. "You LEFT ME, you...you...jerk! You chose me as your mate and then you abandon me and go look after a human village?! Is that why you adopted this girl? Because you prefer the company of the people that are trying to wipe us out over your own kind?"
|
|
drow
Full Member
Posts: 218
|
Post by drow on Mar 27, 2019 20:46:55 GMT -6
"You don't need to remind me," Rakham sighed, wincing at the blow, but not reaching up to mask the pain. "Eldrahna, you've always had a plan, always had stability in your life. You.... knew what you wanted. I.. on the other hand, don't compare. My family has watched over humans, and I was overwhelmed by trying to balance both that I let you down. To make matters worse..." he paused, his gaze fixed on the girl sleeping in his tail. "I've even failed to keep that reputation in high standards. Or any standard, for that matter. You, my dear, are looking at the last remaining citizen of that village." "Now, while I would want nothing more than to patch things up, I realize that I am nowhere near worthy. Worthy of you, or of her. The High Lord's armies are framing dragons, Eldrahna. I might not be able to save a people, but I know the council holds you in high regard. They hit her village and made it look like I would have been the one to do the job, which you could say I did. A coward, weak beyond compare."
|
|
|
Post by Raventheravenous on Mar 27, 2019 21:16:43 GMT -6
Eldrahna looked at him, puzzled and shocked. "So you only came to deliver a message...and you want me to deliver it to the council." she sighed. "Don't understand what you have done to me? I thought we were going to have a life together! Away from all this madness, away from the humans who have become a lost cause...we could have had such a beautiful life together."
Eldrahna calmed down, nudged Rakham's cheek with hers as they both lied their heads down next to Taria, looking silently at her.
"She is rather beautiful...so peaceful and innocent." Eldrahna said, smiling. "And you say you rescued the poor thing?"
|
|
drow
Full Member
Posts: 218
|
Post by drow on Mar 27, 2019 21:30:10 GMT -6
"No, I didn't come just to deliver a message. I have worried about you ever since I left. Not a day goes by without it passing my thoughts. To have our life together, but to also keep my tradition, I lost my way," Rakham said. "I have much to suffer for now, but if you think they are a lost cause, then you might want to spend more time with this one. And, again, you think highly of me, but this one escaped of her own accord. If not for her I don't know how much time would have passed until those very flames crept into my own cave." He averted his gaze as tears welled in his golden eyes. "I'm afraid, Eldrahna. For you, for her. I deserve a painful punishment for what I've done, and I can't take any of it back."
Silence overcame him, brushing the tears from his own eyes, stroking Taria's hair. "She reminds me of you, in what little time I've known her."
|
|
|
Post by Raventheravenous on Mar 27, 2019 22:07:19 GMT -6
Eldrahna continued nudging Rakham, comforting him. "But if you truly saved this girl, you are making up for your mistakes. Have you forgotten why I accepted you? I never cared about bravery, it's wisdom and kindness...something which the world is losing." Eldrahna said, lifting Rakham's chin facing her eyes. "You don't deserve punishment. But you need guidance." she continued, looking at Taria.
"You know...raising a child can be a very enlightening experience. And that kind of responsibility may be what you need. Maybe humans have become a lost cause, maybe they haven't...I guess I don't truly know. But maybe they are worthy of redemption." she said. "I don't know if the council will approve of you adopting a human given the times we are going through, but I will tell them of your discovery about what the High Lords' armies are doing...take the girl back home. Raise her. Keep her safe until she is 16. Then she will be ready for judgement."
After receiving her reply, the two cuddled together for an hour.
"Huh?...Wh-what..." Taria stirred, waking up in the coils, with Rakham smiling at her. "What happened?"
|
|