"Why did you kidnap me?" Kiro asked climbing the ladder. He looked around the wide cave in wonder. He'd never seen a cave this big before.
"I told you. Can never be too cautious. There are two types of people who wield the forest blade, murderers and protectors. I had to make sure I knew which you were. With my abilities, I can easily spot a lie so I knew if I asked straight out, I'd have my answer." Severesti smiled as she handed him the sword and bag.
"I guess I understand protecting yourself, but my question was more about why you wanted to take me." Kiro tied the blade back onto his belt and put his bag around his shoulder.
"Oh! Silly me, I didn't think to explain myself. Have a seat." She walked into a different section of the cave that looked more like a home with table and chairs included.
"You live here?" Kiro sat in one of the chairs and watch the voluptuous woman walk aroud tidying things before sitting herself.
"Sometimes. I come and go as I like. To answer your earlier question, Kiro, I need you to be open minded." She seemed suddenly shy or embarrassed. "My sister has been married to a human for a while now and I warned her, humans aren't like us. They don't mate for life and often the male needs more than one woman to satisfy his cravings. She didn't listen, of course. Last year, he was found with another woman and my sister felt so betrayed."
Severesti stopped and looled like she was listening intently. "Your friends are outside the cave. They can't find the entrance, though. I'll take you to them when we're done. Back to my plight, then. My sister seeked outside help from a witch and learned how to cast a very nasty spell. Turning humans into goblins. You, however will be immune. Not your friends, though. I will help you get to my sister, but you must promise not to kill her."
"What do you want me to do? I'm not sure I can be that helpful." Kiro asked honestly.
"You can startle her enough for me to talk to her. She won't be able to harm you like she has others and maybe I can get her to listen to reason." Severesti walked around the table and knelt down next to Kiro's chair. "Please help me. I'll owe you everything."
"I'll help you, but you don't owe me. I was looking into this matter anyway." Kiro didn't want to tell her how nervous she was making him. She seemed a little too close and her hand was inches from his leg as she gripped the arm of his chair.
"It's settled then. I'll let you explain to your friends." She stood up and walked back into the cave with Kiro following. "Wait there a moment."
Kiro stopped at the edge of the home portion of the cave and watched as severesti walked to the middle of it. It wasn't long before flames erupted around her and she began to grow in size slowly morphing. Kiro watched in awe as she turned into a beautiful red dragon with huge wings and glistening scales.
"Keep standing there with your mouth open and a fly will make it his home." Her voice was slightly deeper now and made him gulp. "What are you waiting for? Get on."
Kiro nodded dumbly as he walked forward and was met with a challenge. How to get on without looking like an idiot. He eventually climbed her leg and settled near her wings.
"Hold on!" Severesti flapped her long elegant wings and they were in the air. As they ascended, he realised why the opening wouldn't be easy to be found and wondered how Toma had left.