The beast's eyes took up the entirety of the cave in front of him his body wound endlessly in the background. Green and silver scales shimmered even in the dark. Scales led to claws and the beast roared with teeth that were each eight feet tall. It was a dragon that stood in front of him.
He swung back around the stairwell. Crouching with a hand on his chest as it burned like fire.
He realized it was the poison burning him. It was using his fear like kindling. He took a steady breath and calm returned to him. His vision was a little fuzzy as he turned the corner again and began walking right up to the great beast. He would slay it with his bare hands if he had to.
He was slow to realize that the dragon had shrunk. It slithered around the floor and up his body until it curled itself in his palm.
'I have been waiting for somone strong enough to vanquish their fear upon seeing me. Strong enough to bind to my very soul, and here you are.'
The dragon met his gaze with a twinkle in it's purple gaze.
He was shocked.
He spoke to the beast.
"How'd you get so small?"
He had no idea what else to say to such a creature. The tiny head tilted cutely one way and then another.
'Speak with your heart rather than your tongue. Then and only then will I hear you."
He tried to ask it about its ability to shrink but his thoughts were on the stone.
The dragon slithered across the room and wound around a silver winged goblet.
'You should drink this before worrying about a rock. The dead can wait.'
Scar took a step and nearly fainted. He took a few more slow unsteady steps and rose the goblet to his lips with a shaky hand. Ice cold spread over him and his wavering vision began to clear. The dragon began to dissapear until he was nothing but a clear shimmering and a tiny shadow.
He wondered if the beast still intended to eat him.
'I am purely from the spirit world. I do not need to eat. Nor do I wish to taste anything other than pure emotion.'
He wondered of the stone and projected it.
'Where is the stone?' Straight to the point with what he wanted the beast heard him.
'The antidote to the poison is within you. Come with me, and I will take you to the stone.'
The shimmering shadow glided across the floor and down a hall that Scar was not sure had been there just a moment before.
Down the hall there was a beautiful tree. It grew around a floating stone of pure white light.
He squinted at the brightness of it and approached the tree.
'Wait.'
The hiss halted him and he turned to the shimmering shadow which had grown ominously behind him.
'Before I let you take my treasure. Tell me if you would still kill me.'
"I will kill you if I have to." Scar said coldly.
'You have spoken with your tongue again.'
Scar rolled his eyes and thought the words. The dragon purred, 'I thought not. You may take the stone, but know that it will not work for the child of a elf.'
Scar's face whipped away from where it was trained on the memorizing glow of the stone.
'Ahhh yes. The night elf did not lie to you. Your mother was a water elf. She died young,"
The dragon's tone was sad, "only 215 years old."
His body shimmered as he came closer.
'You do not believe me, but let me show you. I am bound to you so you only need touch me to see the truth.'
Scar backed away. His hand behind his back plucked the stone from the tree and the world began to shimmer and rain. He blinked against the water as it became too heavy, and suddenly everything was dry.
He looked up and he was standing in a field again. He held the glowing stone in front of him in awe. The only proof that he'd ever been in the spirit world.
A crunch behind him had him spinning, he pocketed the stone and drew a blade in one smooth motion.
The night elf looked at him amused. "So the beast did not kill you?"
***
Teal was the city of Reavador's colors. Teal was the customary color for a wedding gown. Nadine wore dark blue satin and lace. She looked like a queen with a crown of teal roses. Her head held high. Boren took her arm and they walked into his estate. In Reavador a wedding of wealth had four parts. The first was an introduction to the couple. They sat on a throne of sorts and everyone brought them gifts and advice.
The second step was dancing together at the hall. A beautiful ceremonial dance that would unite them as one.
Boren had told her they would be adding the binding processes into the third step of marriage. The public ravaging. Which was just how it sounded. The couple would remove the outer layer of clothing and share a tender moment with little clothes, hinting at their impending constummation. The male would then pick up the bride and carry her to a room where they would join together as one. It was usually a beautiful and tender moment.
She doubted that would be the case for her and her soon to be husband.
Afterward a carriage would take them them to the fourth and final step of the marriage process. The reintroduction of the couple as a single joined force.
They took their seats on the throne like, high chairs in his main hall. Many a kind old lady grasped her hand and gave her advice on a happy union.
Many pushed little flowers into her hair or little viles of stimulants for later. One woman gave her a pill that would 'keep her awake all night' for enjoyment. She cringed internally and pocketed it along with everything else she was handed, she smiled graciously.
A heavy weight began to fall on her shoulders like a heavy winter cloak in summer. A small sweat broke across her back.
She could not excuse herself this time. She had to bear the smiles and mirth as somthing in her drowned in an inky darkness.
A hunched back woman offered her a hug and slipped something into her pocket.
"Use this during the blood ceremony my dear."
She released her and smiled kindly, her whispered voice just between them. Her eyes had a sad glint in them that was unlike the rest.
Nadine felt in her pocket. There now lay a sheathed dagger.
Her eyes followed the old woman out of the room, 'What an unusual gift.' she thought.
Smiling for the next person she smoothed her hand delicately over the daggers cold metal.
***
Scar stood in front of Barnabas with a stone in his pocket.
"I have retrieved the beast's treasure."
Barnabas was in fighting gear in the training yard. His lean body gleaming in sweat. They walked into his meeting room as they spoke.
"I have to say Scarface. I had my doubts. It seems you and I now have a partnership."
He smiled in a feline grin.
Scar pushed back his hood and Barnabas's eyes turned cold.
"You seem a little worse for wear my friend. You must harbor a great deal of trust for me, to show up in such a weakened state."
Scar smiled, his eyes had deep hollows beneath them, and his skin looked stretched tight. He didnt hardly look recognizable. Even the Scar that had always identified him was gone from the black flames that had seared his spiritual soul clean. He indeed looked like a dead man.
"You have the dagger of deception. I would like to borrow it."
"Very well."
Scar reached in his pocket and drew forth the stone. Barnabas eyes widened and he walked forward as if in a trance.
"I have waited so long for this." His voice was barely a whisper as he outstretched his arm. Scar dropped the stone into his hand and watched as the stone glowed blue and shot sparks of light into the room. Two figures appeared and Barnabas's strong face softened as he looked upon a beautiful woman, and a small child. They seemed to be sitting near a hearth. Playing a little game of pebbles.
Barnabas crumpled to the floor and reached out. The woman turned to him, but was looking past him. A man younger than Barnabas entered the picture. A spitting image of the man in front of him now.
The man cupped the womans cheek and placed a kiss on the lttle girl's head.
It was said the stone played out the dead's past in front of you. They could not communicate but he could watch every moment of their lives up into their death.
Scar turned and left the field. He would collect the dagger tomorrow. Tonight Barnabas had heavy thoughts on his mind.
***
Scar had just reached the third floor when Radir came to him.
"The old woman is paid. Do you have the dagger."
Scar looked at him. "I will give it to the woman tomorrow morning. Make sure you have the other arrangements in order."
Radir dipped his head in acknowledgement and left the room. Another pair of steps approached to stand quietly in the doorway.
"Ghost. It has been a long time."
She gasped as he turned to her.
"Scar, you look like shit." She muttered coming up to touch his face.
He chuckled, "Thanks old friend. No need to worry about your eyes it's only temporary."
Her eyes glimmered mischievous.
"What have you gotten yourself into this time?"
You went to the door, and grabbed the frame, leaning around her he peeked out the short hallway.
No one was there.
He swung into his room.
"I've made a decision. I'm going to challenge my father. When I'm in charge things will be different. So I went and made an alliance with Barnabas Silva."
Her eyes shot open and she sat on a stool by his clothes.
"That's quite a lot to take in."
"It's only the start." He smirked and she looked at him suddenly.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
He shrugged, "You were healing at the time, and I didn't want to bother you. Besides, Carver knew, and I have a feeling that he would do anything to keep you safe if things went sideways."
She quirked a brow at him. A small chuckle left her lips.
"Why is it that you always see everything before I do? What about you Scar? Who's going to protect you when things go sideways?"
He smirked. "Don't you worry about that."
He left the other her there, alone, sitting among his things. She had a sad smile on her face but she knew there is nothing that she could say to change his course. That was always the way it was between the two of them. She did however have one more question. It halted him in the doorway momentarily.
"Why now?"
He froze, silent by the door.
"Someone made me realize I want more out of my life."
"Who?"
He smirked and left the room.