Rhynlan's Dragon[]
Quietly he stood on the hill watching the majestic creature slowly moving across the grove, gracefully stretching it's vast wings. One of the guardians of the Emerald Dream, the portal glimmering green and gold behind it.
The dark robe he wore fluttered in the evening breeze and his hair blew about his face. His heart sank as the sounds of troops arriving shattered his peace.
"Now would be a good time to leave old friend" He said softly. The dragon paid him no heed.
All races of the alliance had come. Led by the gnome. The great diplomat. He respected Chingo, he had proved to be honest in his attempts to build relations between their two factions. He must have his reasons for doing this. Just as Kelu had his reason to hate him for doing it.
Smiled to himself and looked down from the hill to the even ground at the bottom. They had set their campfire there and watched the dragon together. Rhynlan in awe of it. Kelu told him what little he knew of the guardians, what he had learned whilst researching the mysterious book Sagaris had given him. How they had not always been corupt. The moment seemed so long ago, Rhynlan had yet to enter the priesthood, they still had all the time in the world together.
The gnome's shouts broke through his reverie. Rallying the fighters in preparation for battle. Scanning the mob he picked out faces he recognised. Amongst them were a handful of Sin'dorei. Most of them he knew. One unknown but familiar, a young fair haired boy standing with Strifeheart. There was something about him he couldn't quite put his finger on.
A call to arms and the mob surged forward. The great dragon swatted at it's tiny attackers with it's tail and valiantly roared it's fury. Heaving it's lungs it's noxious breath filled the grove. Kelu fell to his knees as poisons reached him. He ignored them, when the dragon had stamped out the mob it would most likely turn on anything left living in the grove to vent it's fury. Kelu would wait his turn.
Shouts and jeers rose up from the mob as they swarmed about the dragon. The evening had grown dark and the night sky was filled with flashes of light and shadows as spells were hurled at the beast. Fighters at it's feet and belly, hacking and stabbing at it. It was weakening. It's roars of fury now cries of distress. Kelu clasped the lock of golden hair and whispered his farewells to Rhylnan's dragon.
And then it was over. No last push, no leap in to the skies to fly to safety, no curse to doom all who had come here. Just a great dead dragon, and a bloodthirsty mob. They rushed forward swarming over the corpse, picking at it taking their trophies, claiming their prizes. The gnome surrounded by his followers, shouts of a great victory, a brave show of force, happy cheers of a job well done. Truthfully the beast had never stood a chance against such a force.
Moving forward he descended the hill and followed the path deeper in to the grove to where the crowd were celebrating. Silently he stood watching, unable to gather his thoughts. Strifeheart approached him, placing his hand upon his shoulder.
"It had to be done Kelu" he said calmly. He was one of the few people who knew him. One of the few people who knew that this was no mere dragon to be slain. To Kelu the place was sacred. He nodded and Strifeheart turned back to his duty. Drawing his men away from the corpse.
Slowly he circled the mob and stood on a small mound near where the dragon's head lay. Anger filled him as he watched as the the scavengers desecrated remains of this once wondrous creature. Northwall approached slowly. Kelu didn't look up at him. He had fought alongside the human more than once, defeating common foes of Azeroth. Northwall looked over the rogue as he stood there unmasked and robed with his face streaked with tears. Kelu didn't respond as Mrtin spoke. Stepping forward he knelt down before the dragon and quietly whispered a prayer.
Scanning over the crowd as they cheered with their trophies he eyed the gnome. Their central hero, the leader of this rabble. Feeling his temper flare he quietly left the grove and called for his wolf to carry him home.
At speed they entered Stranglethorn Vale, his blood still boiling in his veins. He drew Moro to a halt and jumped off her back. The jeering and shouting flashing through his mind, thoughts of what Rhynlan would have thought, how this would have distressed him. He paced up and down gripping his daggers tightly in his hands. The quiet voice in his mind that usually steadied him stayed silent.
"To hell with it" He growled. Reaching for his pack on Moro's saddle he took out his armour and dressed. He unfolded the purple robe and cowl and put them on over the top. he did not want to be recognised as he went back in to the grove. Lowering his head he summoned the skeletal horse from the shadows. Moro whimpered and circled sensing things were not right. Lashing the reins hard he drove the horse to it's limits riding in fury back to the Twilight Grove.
People were still leaving the grove as he arrived back. Happily carrying their prizes and chattering as the strolled down the hill. He blazed past them, racing on it to the grove itself. Horrified at the sight and pulled the horse to an abrupt halt. There was nothing left. Nothing that could recognised as the majestic creature that ones protected this place. Nothing but fragments of a corpse in a field of blood. Lashing the horse again he left, bearing down on the leaving mob not caring if they got under foot.
By the time he reached the borders of Duskwood and Redridge Mountains he temper had settled in to a cool hatred. The gnome, the diplomat the leader of the disrespectful riffraff that had picked the corpse like carrion. The instigator of it all. Bringing the horse to a slow trot he crossed through Redridge to Elwyn Forest unchallenged. Steadily he made his way down the long road to Goldshire. Dead centre of the road in full view his horse steaming with shadowy vapours, the scent of death swirling around them. A couple of young guards approach the warily backed away as the caught the dim glowing eyes behind the veil glaring at them.
His comms came to life. Nari. Asking how he was. He dismissed her with some general answer. But she kept at him.
"Sir, where exactly are you" She demanded. Without thinking he told her. She kept talking but he lost her voice in the haze as his eyes fell on the small town. There were other sin'dorei here. Raiding and pillaging the town. This was not his business. Taking a wide arch around the town he rejoined the road further up and slowly rode the horse to the gates of Stormwind.
He sat there watching the people going in and out of the gate. They stared at the purple hooded figure sitting astride his skeletal horse wreathed in shadows and mists paying no head to the guards at arms. The people gave him a wide berth.
Patiently he sat waiting for a clearing in the throng. The moment came, a clear run through the gates and over the bridge to the city. Then a step in to the shadows and he would disappear in to the city.
Rearing the horse up on to it's hind legs it screamed and lashed out with it's front hooves. Riding the reins hard he urged it forward tearing through the gates. The guards were on him, hacking at the horse. At full speed he dismissed it, sending it back to the shadows. Cloaking himself as his feet hit the ground he rolled forward and pressed himself in to a corner of the main entranceway to the city.
Steadying himself he peered out unseen from where he sat. A movement in the shadows, a familiar presence. Her voice, at his side. He told Nari to leave. She reasoned with him, pleaded him not to go. He ignored her. He knew the consequences of what he was doing. One does not walk in to Ironforge and slay the Alliance diplomat without paying a price.
Blinded by his anger and distress he pushed on at speed not waiting for her. Through the town to the tram. The journey under the ground sharpening his anger the clanging of metal, rushing of the gears, the brakes squealing bringing it to a halt. Off and out in to the city. Stopping by a mailbox he dropped in a note to Chingo, the headed to the house where they had previously met.
Impatiently he waited pacing the room. Eventually his patience broke and he stormed to the door and bellowed the gnome's name.
Northwall's voice finally responded. Demanding to know where he was hiding. Yelling back at him he told him Chingo would know where to find him. He stalked back in to the house and slipped in to the shadows.
Voices filled the the room, several people filed in. The gnome in front. Kelu launched himself at the gnome in blind rage aiming at his throat. The gnome deftly dodged aside and Kelu over stepped his mark, backing up to make a second move he eyed the ready defenders around the room.
Bracing himself he waited for the onslaught, waiting for his fight to be over. To his disapointment Northwall spoke over them. Reasoning, calm. The gnome was talking, insisting someone else was there. They looked to the corner of the room Kelu could not see, he leaned forward to see. Nari. She had followed him.
Northwall was still talking, saying poor Kelu was not himself. Holding back the those that would slay him. In a fit of fury he hurled his dagger in Northwall's direction so it embedded itself in to the wall near him. He threw down his other daggers. He had to give her a chance to escape.
The gnome started on his tirade ranting and lecturing. Demanding to know why he was being attacked by the Daggers. Kelu corrected him. This was personal, this was vengeance for the desecrated dragon. Northwall moved from Nari's side and spoke quietly to Chingo. The gnome's tirade continued and now included a platitude of acknowledgment for Kelu's dead wife. Wife? Kelu laughed cruelly and bitterly, his wife?
Ironforge's guards called from outside the alarms of attack. The gnome eyed him suspiciously.
"They're not mine." Kelu stated flatly. Perhaps they weren't but their target was the same. Bursting in to the room the other sin'dorei rogue attacked wildly. Drawing his fight to the corner where Nari stood. Instinctively on his feet ready to defend he watched as the Alliance fighters dropped him to the floor. Throwing his daggers back on the table he slumped down in to the chair. Northwall thrust a bottle of port in to his hand. He took it and held on to it. Not thinking to take a drink.
More rambling from the gnome. more reasoning words from Northwall. They were free to leave. Nari slipped in to the shadows and quietly left. Kelu stood uncaring and walked from the house.
He respected Northwall's decision to save his life. He just wasn't grateful for it.
Strifeheart's Claw[]
He had summoned the girl to the Undercity to question her. She had tried to help when Shayla had attacked them. They had been out numbered and she had pitched in. He wanted to know why. Disguised in his cowl and robes he questioned her, but they had not been alone. It was as well he was disguised. Strifeheart had been on their tails. Throwing up a cloud of mild poisonous powders he slipped in to the shadows and left the tunnels where they had been talking. Swiftly he ditched the robes behind a loose rock on the upper level. Then back tracked towards the courtyard. As he turned the corner another blood knight challenged him to show himself.
Sitting relaxed against the wall, with a bunch of letter in his hand he revealed himself and nodded to her. At the sound of voices Strifeheart came up out of the tunnels bringing the girl with him. Questions asked, nothing seen. He called for his wolf and made to depart. But Strifeheart stopped him.
"What now?" He asked impatiently. A request for aid, more hands needed to defend the pass. As he agreed to speak to his Quel'Serrar Strifeheart grasped his side in pain. Jumping down from Moro, he approached him filled with concern. If Strifeheart was showing his pain it must have been bad.
It had been the dragon. Rhynlan's dragon. Part of it's claw had embedded itself in to his side. The healers could do nothing, save tell him to spend a year in Moonglade, but Strifeheart was a busy man. He didn't have time for it.
"I would not have had that happen to you" When he spoke his voice was filled with regret. He might not like many of Strifeheart's motives, but he had always been honest and direct. He respected him for that.
As he made his way back to the portal. His mind drew him back to the claw. He had to have it.
Welcome to the Crew[]
The boy always came back to Silvermoon. No matter how far he ran. The last time Kelu had laid eyes on him he'd been in an almost feral state. It was his own fault. Instead of being understanding that the boy had found his mother he'd railed against it listing her faults and crimes. Between the pair of them they'd driven him out of his mind.
He'd spent the entire day searching for him, up through the Hinterlands, back through the Plaguelands crossing over the pass to come back to the city again. No trace. Till now. He recognised him instantly. His armour gleaming with it's flashes of blue. Quickening his pace to reach him, his mind slowly registered the woman sitting beside him. Stepping up to the fountain he ignored the Admiral's wife and addressed the boy he considered to be his son.
"Oh. Hello, K." He replied casually. He behaved as if they'd just seen each an hour before, no problems no worries, nothing. The woman sat between them quietly, minding her own business. Awkwardly he apologised to the boy, only to receive some dismissive response. Zeron'thar was up to something and Kelu had clearly intruded. Slowly he turned to leave as the woman took up her needle craft in some homely relaxed manner.
"Wait, " Zero stood to face him. "Lyssah's offered me a place, should I be interested. I wonder what you'd think?"
Panic gripped him. His mind filled with a million reasons why this was bad and that was before he started on the list of what this meant for the Archrions.
"Kelu... ...Breath"
Slowly he turned back, folding his arms. They stood facing each other on the stone edge of the fountain, Lyssah Lyon sat between them humbly sewing a damaged dress.
"Do you really need me to answer that question?" He asked in a low tone " I think it's a terrible idea. It will make things difficult.. it will put you in an awkward position. I'm sure you're aware of that, as Lyssah here is."
And then it started. The outpouring irritation and anger from him. How he was weary of the nagging and trying to do good. Tired of the useless advice, how it had earned him no respect or acclaim.
"You've made your mind up. You'll just have to find out the hard way. Don't expect Achaia to be pleased with you either" Kelu quietly responded "and that's before we get on about Alaister."
"Alaister...He's the biggest fool of them all. Self righteous bastard. I'll smack his face off should he cross me." Zero closed his eyes as a small smirk passed over his face "Achaia is just fodder for people to piss Archiron off"
From experience he knew that once Zero has his mind set on something there was no changing it, not by reason or arguing. The boy had to learn his own way. He had to let him figure it out himself. All Kelu could do now was to be there to pick up the pieces when it was over. Lowering his head he turned to walk away.
"One more thing" Kelu stopped in his tracks, slowly nodding but not looking back. "Face me." Zero commanded. Wearily he turned back, took look in to Zero's face. Bracing himself for the barrage of insults. His face seemed explode in pain as the unexpected blow caught him off guard, knocking him backwards off the edge of the fountain.
"Zero? Don't I'm not hitting you." He mumbled as he held his hands to his bloody face. Zero quickly jumped down from the fountain, smirking all over his face as he grabbed hold of Kelu and thrust him back against a tree.
"That's Lord Zeron'thar to you, of the glorious house of Skyhammer. Don't you forget it." Then he released Kelu from his grip and turned away. "Get out of my sight."
Stunned by the disbelief that this was happening Kelu slowly dropped his hands from his face and reached out to put his hand on the boy's shoulder. Desperately he tried to reason with him, almost begging him to return home, telling him these people were no good for him. Reminding him of what Quincy had done to Geis. Zero had been there and seen the contraption that had almost killed Geis, he'd helped care for their children when they had been under threat. Then she spoke up.
"If you think the Admiral and I can help you become what you want, then that would be your choice. If you think we don't and Mister Kelu can provide you with what you want.. then you should follow him." Very clever. The voice of reason and neutrality.
"I'll take my chances." Zero agreed. Refusing to accept it Kelu turned to grab his arm. "No, Zero. This isn't right." A quiet challenge from her, whose life was it they were discussing? Again the neutral stance.
"Would you not stop your son from making a decision you felt was a grave mistake?" For a brief moment he thought he had something. Sorienna Archrion had complained to him about her lost friendship with Lyssah's son, something Zero was aware of. Her response was one of reason, seeming wisdom of allowing her son to make his own way. And his father? No, that she wasn't sure about. She could not speak for him.
"Ah..a father protects his son. So we have an understanding." Kelu answered her, his hand still on Zero's shoulder. Slowly Zero turned and grabbed at Kelu's arm and smashing down with his plated elbow at the joint shattering it.
"But I am not your son, and this is not your decision. Get away from me, before I -" His ranting cut off by Kelu's shouts of surprise and pain. ."... send you to wherever Rhynlan is." He finished.
Quietly he sat on his knees. Stunned in to silence at Zero's cruel words and actions. Lyssah was rambling about Quincy shredding his son, quietly she asked him for his decision, Zero accepted her offer. Taking a contract out of her bag, as well as a small bottle of ink and a quill, she offered them over to Zero. Kelu was not paying attention. "Kelu... ...Breath"
One final throw away insult to Kelu, threatening his daughter then a formal bow to his mistress. Slowly standing Kelu drew his blade using his uninjured arm and warned him away from Nirenya. Both of them knew the girl wouldn't believe him. She would have to see Zero with her own eyes to see what he had become. A wave of nausea washed over him. Resheathing his blade he leaned wearily against the tree, warning him Zero not to sign the contract.
": ....Alright, K. We'll go home and talk it over. " Calm and reasonable. To Kelu it didn't matter, it was a chance to get him away from her, chance to make him see sense. Breathing a sigh of relief he turned, not looking back to Lyssah or Zero just quietly walking away. Then Zero was on him. The weight of his armour adding to the blow and smashing his head in to the edge of the fountain. With nothing more than a surprised grunt Kelu collapsed to the ground and lay unconscious.
Pooling the blood in his hand Zero slowly walked back to Lyssah. Taking the quill and dabbing it in Kelu's blood he signed the Bloodsail Elite contract.
"I pledge my blade to you and the Admiral. My life too, if necessary"
Captain of the Bloodsails[]
Zeron'thar lay semi-conscious on the cold stone floor of the Undercity. If the others had left Kelu hadn't noticed. Slowly he paced to the prone body on the ground and stood over him.
"Use your comms and call for aid" He said coldly. The boy murmured something, Kelu wasn't listening. He turned his back. Nari was standing watching him bruised and burned. Zero had been the cause of it. Ainu hovered quietly by stone table. He'd taken the brunt of both Kelu's and Sagaris' tempers. He'd asked too many questions at the wrong time. He had wanted to go somewhere, to help someone Kelu had refused him, needing him here. Now his dismissed him casually.
"Now you can go." He said hoarsely.
Kelu didn't see the mage approach. He was just there, opening a portal and shoving Zero through. Then they stood there staring at each other through shimmering light.
Kelu watched him. Counting the seconds. Kelu knew he was in no fit state to take on this experienced mage. His injuries still nagged at him, made worse by sleeping in under the bridge in the cold. Kelu held himself steady until the portal shimmered it's last and closed. Seraphiel stared back at him. He had not gone through.
His mind raced. Had Ainu left? Nari was badly hurt could she survive another fight? The mage was speaking to him, something about what he was wearing. What was that, a taunt?
"Oh.. please." He muttered. Turning his back again to face Nari and Ainu watching. Get rid of them, he thought. Give them time to leave before more of Quincy's mob show up. Buy himself time so that he didn't have to suffer the humiliation of them watching the mage blast him in to oblivion.
Again he dismissed Ainu. The young agent exploded at him with some accusation indicating at the mage behind him then leaving the quarter. Kelu stared blankly. He and Seraphiel knew each others names and faces, but they had never actually met each other up close. They had never spoken to each other. Quietly he told Nari to go find a healer for her injuries, his voice growing hoarser with each word. Thankfully she left.
Seraphiel had moved to his side and was talking at him. Offering to help him with something. Kelu was barely listening. His comms were alive with chatter and complaints, Nari's voice though softer than them all seemed break through the din.
"I don't want to lose you," She said quietly.
"Too late." he replied calmly. Clearly it was the wrong thing to say. It brought another round of questions. Tearing the comms bracelet from his wrist he flung it towards the green river and stalked back to the stone table where Ainu had been standing. Sitting on the cold stone he sighed, Seraphiel sat beside him offering him some water. Kelu pushed it away. Then she was stood before him again.
"What do you mean, too late?" She asked.
"I'm not the elf I was" He croaked. Slowly Seraphiel raised his hands and put them around Kelu's throat. Kelu turned his head slightly and looked at him.
"He's going to wring my neck?" he thought. Then the coldness hit him freezing his throat briefly. He coughed and continued talking. The pain had gone. His voice was clear. He refused to acknowledge or thank the mage. Pride and suspicion prevented him. She still nagged him with her questions. Wearily he got up and walked away.
"I just want some bloody peace." He complained. As he reached the bridge he called out for Moro, his wolf. Grudgingly she came to meet him, hating the atmosphere of the Undercity and sensing Kelu's ill temper. He climbed in to her saddle and coaxed her up through the passage ways that lead to Tirisfal Glades.
As he reached the higher levels he passed Seraphiel. Swearing loudly at him, he spurred Moro on towards Brill. Stopping outside the inn a goblin messenger breathlessly flagged him down giving him a parcel. It was Ainu's clothing. The dark clothing he'd been given with his bracelet. Stuffing the items under his saddle he turned his head slightly and looked at him. Seraphiel waited. He gave in. The damn mage wanted to talk, so let him. Kelu didn't have to listen.
The room had twin beds. They each sat on one each, facing each other. Seraphiel talked, questioning him on personal matters. Probing in to why he was so unhappy. Kelu painstakingly batted each question away. Still wondering what the mage was up to.
He scanned his eyes over him. Seraphiel was a lot younger than he had first thought. Now it was just the two of them, he no longer seemed to hold himself with the imposing superiority he seemed to have when had stood over Zero. He did not seem like the same powerful mage of The Essence.
Kelu shook his head as he responded to the questions. He knew he was at his lowest, his most vulnerable. He knew he was an easy target. He'd tolerate this a little longer to find out what the mage wanted. The Bloodsails must have targeted him either for his closeness to the Archrions or for information on the Daggers. Kelu would have the last laugh. His secrets were not worth the trouble.
A light knock at the door drew his attention to The Blood Knight Kamrin complaining at the noise. He was ill and trying to rest in the next room. He caught Kamrin's eye and smiled. It was his attempt at providing an escape for Kelu, in his weakened state it was the best he could do.
Kelu apologised to him almost instinctively, but he still needed to know what the mage wanted. Seraphiel spoke up and offered to take the two of the elsewhere, where they wouldn't disturb anyone, then opened a portal. Kelu hesitated then stepped in to the shimmering light.
They sat in the lounge of the Scryer's inn, and their discussion started up again. Slowly Kelu began to talk of his past, of his loss but his guard was still up.
"Give me your wrist," Seraphiel asked him. Kelu eyed him suspiciously. This was it, whatever spell or enchantment he had in mind Kelu knew he would not be able to fend off.
"I just want to give you something" he said. Kelu relented and removed his glove, holding out his arm. He was too tired to argue any more. He felt the cold around his arm as he watched the mage carefully concentrating. Eventually the cold faded and he stopped and smiled at Kelu.
"It won't melt and it won't break" Seraphiel indicated to Kelu's wrist. Kelu glanced down and stared in awe.
It was a dragon. Carved out of ice. It's tail trailing around his wrist encircling it. Seraphiel chanted a spell softly and the dragon came to life in an exotic dance around his arm.
Kelu leapt back in horror, stumbling over the chairs. Images of the dragon from Twilight Grove flashing through his mind. He held his arm away from his body and stared accusingly at the mage.
"What is this?.. Who told you? .. Why...?" He rambled in panic.
Seraphiel watched him, his face full of compassion. "I just wanted to make you happy." he said softly. He spoke another spell and the dragon stopped moving.
Kelu glanced at it cautiously. It was nothing more than a carved piece of ice, set around his wrist. Only then did he notice the beauty in the carving. He looked back up at Seraphiel who was watching him with concern, he smiled as he caught Kelu's eye. There was nothing sinister about him, he smiled at him as if they had been friends all their lives. He looked at Seraphiel with new eyes.
His own words echoed through his head. "I trust no one" and that had been his downfall. He hadn't been listening to Seraphiel at all, he was alone too and lost just as much.
Perhaps it was time to let someone past his defences, perhaps it was time he let someone help him pick the pieces up and rebuild his life. Together they left the inn and headed up to the highest balcony to look over the fountain. As they passed by the traders it struck him how closely they walked side by side. The thought occurred to him that people may think they were together. He glanced at Seraphiel and smiled to himself.
The Ice Dragon[]
The room had twin beds. They each sat on one each, facing each other. Seraphiel talked, questioning him on personal matters. Probing in to why he was so unhappy. Kelu painstakingly batted each question away. Still wondering what the mage was up to.
He scanned his eyes over him. Seraphiel was a lot younger than he had first thought. Now it was just the two of them, he no longer seemed to hold himself with the imposing superiority he seemed to have when had stood over Zero. He did not seem like the same powerful mage of The Essence.
Kelu shook his head as he responded to the questions. He knew he was at his lowest, his most vulnerable. He knew he was an easy target. He'd tolerate this a little longer to find out what the mage wanted. The Bloodsails must have targeted him either for his closeness to the Archrions or for information on the Daggers. Kelu would have the last laugh. His secrets were not worth the trouble.
A light knock at the door drew his attention to The Blood Knight Kamrin Firrath complaining at the noise. He was ill and trying to rest in the next room. He caught Kamrin's eye and smiled. It was his attempt at providing an escape for Kelu, in his weakened state it was the best he could do.
Kelu apologised to him almost instinctively, but he still needed to know what the mage wanted. Seraphiel spoke up and offered to take the two of the elsewhere, where they wouldn't disturb anyone, then opened a portal. Kelu hesitated then stepped in to the shimmering light.
They sat in the lounge of the Scryer's inn, and their discussion started up again. Slowly Kelu began to talk of his past, of his loss but his guard was still up.
"Give me your wrist," Seraphiel asked him. Kelu eyed him suspiciously. This was it, whatever spell or enchantment he had in mind Kelu knew he would not be able to fend off.
"I just want to give you something" he said. Kelu relented and removed his glove, holding out his arm. He was too tired to argue any more. He felt the cold around his arm as he watched the mage carefully concentrating. Eventually the cold faded and he stopped and smiled at Kelu.
"It won't melt and it won't break" Seraphiel indicated to Kelu's wrist. Kelu glanced down and stared in awe.
It was a dragon. Carved out of ice. It's tail trailing around his wrist encircling it. Seraphiel chanted a spell softly and the dragon came to life in an exotic dance around his arm.
Kelu leapt back in horror, stumbling over the chairs. Images of the dragon from Twilight Grove flashing through his mind. He held his arm away from his body and stared accusingly at the mage.
"What is this?.. Who told you? .. Why...?" He rambled in panic.
Seraphiel watched him, his face full of compassion. "I just wanted to make you happy." he said softly. He spoke another spell and the dragon stopped moving.
Kelu glanced at it cautiously. It was nothing more than a carved piece of ice, set around his wrist. Only then did he notice the beauty in the carving. He looked back up at Seraphiel who was watching him with concern, he smiled as he caught Kelu's eye. There was nothing sinister about him, he smiled at him as if they had been friends all their lives. He looked at Seraphiel with new eyes.
His own words echoed through his head. "I trust no one" and that had been his downfall. He hadn't been listening to Seraphiel at all, he was alone too and lost just as much.
Perhaps it was time to let someone past his defences, perhaps it was time he let someone help him pick the pieces up and rebuild his life. Together they left the inn and headed up to the highest balcony to look over the fountain. As they passed by the traders it struck him how closely they walked side by side. The thought occurred to him that people may think they were together. He glanced at Seraphiel and smiled to himself.