I lied upon a hill in my second form, gazing at the stars. I said a small spell, to contact Nijar. Black smoke swirled in front of me and soon I saw his face, mostly as a human but with sharp teeth, golden scales, and pointed ears.60Please respect copyright.PENANATg6UslHSDn
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"Why are you getting a hold of me so late?"
"Why are you up so late?" He shrugged, "A lot on my mind. Is everything alright at home?"
"No. We were attacked and lost severely, Thynorth escaped. But the rest of us were brought to Cyleq. I got out with his help... And..."
"And?"
"Franerra. She's not who she should be. She's angry and hateful. She probably thinks highly of Xulred," tears spilled from my eyes. I sobbed, "I had to get her unconscious to get her out. She's with Thynorth now. But I- I don't know what to do. How am I supposed to make her see the truth?"
"Amanice-"
"Don't you dare say that name," I snapped. His eyes grew dark, his scales had a grey shimmer to them. He let out a heavy sigh, "So it seems I'm not speaking to the Fire bringer..."
"Not entirely."
"You'll figure it out with Franerra," He paused, "We all felt it here you know... Your chains being unlocked. It shook our own. What were you thinking?! What happened?"
"It was the only way to escape."
"It wasn't and you know it." I glared, "You weren't there. You didn't deal with my brother first hand. Pushing myself down just makes me weaker." He was silent. 60Please respect copyright.PENANAt8OYYFYgAp
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I laughed at the memory of death flooding back in, "Oh, I wish you saw their faces. The fear! The death. The blood. It was beautiful."
His scales turned black now with only a faint gold shimmer. He was furious. "Asikoitae!"
"Hm?"
"Snap out of it! We are rebels for a reason. Keep control. You're not one or the other. Find your balance. Something at least! I know it's more difficult for you than the rest of us. After all, you're the strongest and the best. Power, is everything you stand for. Everything you want. You know I'll follow you no matter what you are. But don't let the chaos consume you like it did back then. You'll regret it." Back then... When I was just a butcher.
I sighed. "I'm sorry."
"Meditate, Asi. Get yourself under control. And keep in contact with us alright? We may not be stable enough yet to continue fighting this war with Xulred... But if you need your people, you know we'll be there."
"You do the same, get your anger on a leash. And I will. Thank you Nijar."
"Yeah yeah, will do. Anytime. Goodnight."
"Night."
His face then vanished with the smoke. He was right... And I hated it. But for the betterment of my people, of myself, I have to keep myself under control. I'll do anything for them.60Please respect copyright.PENANAMFPce1KC1d
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I began my meditation with a few deep breaths. Shutting my eyes, finding the center of my being.
Then I saw myself. Grinning in the near pitch black, standing in front of a campfire. Shackles broken, dangling from the wrists. Hair black as night. "You're weak."
"I know." I grabbed the right hand, the shackle now brand new.
"Only one this time?" I shrugged. "Yeah... Only one."
"You do realize it won't be much longer till you'll have to cut the crap and be what you are in full... Right?" I dropped Asi's hand. My hand. "Shut it."
***
I made my way through the forest, greeted by elves with kindness. Many would give me a bright smile. I'd do the same, however it was all partially forced. I felt a slight disdain for them. But why? They've done nothing to cross me. Emarenthae hasn't either. She fears me to much to do so. What I've buried deep, has risen right below the surface... That's the only thing I can blame my disdain on for now.
I soon met up with Thynorth. Stress riddled his face.
"How is she?" He embraced me, his body only relaxing a tad. "She's fine. She's been given food, but refuses to eat or speak to me. I don't know what else to do. In her eyes she's our prisoner."
"Would you like me to give it a shot?"60Please respect copyright.PENANAPjiongHRYg
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He backed away, he looked relieved but exhausted. "Please? Maybe she'll be more willing to listen to you."
I shrugged, "I'll give it a shot. Lead the way, love."
We went through the palace, up the stairs and down a few corridors to one of the large guest bedrooms, warded for protection.
"She's in here." I nodded with a soft smile, and carefully opened the door. "Give us time, I'll return to you when we're done." Thynorth gave a quick kiss on the cheek and left.
I shut the door behind me, noting the decent sized purple circular bed in the center of the room. A tray of raw meats on a table next to the right wall. The room was well lit from a large window, intricate gold designs within it.
Franerra laid on her back on her bed, studying her nails.
"You should eat, Franerra."
She didn't budge, "it's probably poisoned." I sighed, walking to a chair next to the table, and sat down. "Did you even attempt to sense any poison?"
"Waste of time," she said with melancholy. "Why do you even care?"
"I'm your mother. I love you and want what's best for you. You need to eat at least a little to help your body recover from that spell I used on you."
She laughed, "I wouldn't need to recover if you hadn't casted it in the first place!"
I shrugged, "would you have rather been taken by me beating you down?" A scoff is all that came from her. A long silence passed without a word spoken. The air was heavy. To heavy.
There was a rustle of fabric, I didn't turn, only waited. She took a few steps, sighed, then took a seat opposite of me. She took a whif of the meat, satisfied with the severe lack of poison, and began to chow down. I couldn't help but smirk.
"Stop with the act. Be what you really are," she said after finishing the plate. My smirk quickly faded. But I put on a questioning look.60Please respect copyright.PENANAvhqp0Ui6cD
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"I am what I am, Franerra. I'm your mom who just wants to see you understand the truth. Nothing more."
"You're an evil conniving bitch who didn't care about her daughter. That's what you are!"
I drew in a breath through my teeth. "Wrong again." Partially. "If I didn't care about you id have left you with Xulred. If I didn't care I wouldn't have used a spell that only knocks you unconscious..." I took a breath, calming the roiling temper, "I would've raised you if it wasn't for my brother."
"You abandoned me! He rescued me! He gave me a home!"
I clenched my jaw, "how do you know that's the truth?"
"Well-" I stopped her, holding up a hand, "Xulred doesn't stay among other dragons, for a reason. He's a traitor to any of our kind. Helped Wyverns attack us. He wiped out a few small dragon clans for not joining his cause. Made those who defied him and his god, live a life of hell. Many still live in hiding from him. Franerra, I know that it will take time for you to trust me or even believe me. But he's not the dragon you think he is."
She was silent, looking down away from my gaze. "Please leave."
I stood, and pushed in the chair. "If you need anything at all, I'm just a moments notice away. I'm sure your father is as well. I love you." I waited for a moment, hoping she'd say it back, but there was nothing else that came from her. So I took my leave, gently shutting the door.
For now it seems, she doesn't know that I'm of Chaos. I can still earn her trust. She can still be saved from Xulred's hold. She's safe for now. She's actually safe. I have my daughter back, maybe not entirely but she's here.
There's hope.60Please respect copyright.PENANABUYxO1FLCP