Within a mansion that overlooked the town of Domville. Polished furnishings of the highest quality laid about in display.
"Unforgivable!" Shouted a grey haired man wearing a blue dress suit, slamming his fist on the table of a surprisingly relaxed dapper chubby man.
Regardless of ire directed at him, he sustained his easygoing composure which appeared to be at jolly and or rather politely ignorant. "Now, now, must you really behave in such a ugly manner?"
He relaxed back in his lavish leather chair, looking up at the disgruntled man in the dark blue suit before him.
The man fumed. "Gah! Don't play innocent, you money grubbing shyster! Is it true that you allowed a dragon to take residence in this town!?"
Mayor Dom Yorkspring, mayor of Domville. A heavy set man in a pompous suit with childlike innocent mannerisms. A simple man with simple needs.
The chubby man sighed with a smile. "Oh, is that what you're going on about? You're overreacting, they're both harmless! You should really try Vassirth's cooking! She's phenomenal!"
"Cooking!?" The furious man in blue, Kaine, sneered in shack and disgust. "Are you telling me you were bribed with food!?"
"Well, not JUST food! She is polite and an exceedingly persuasive haggler!"
"You're kidding.." Kaine loudly noised his resentment towards the bumbling man.
"No, I am serious! You should join us next time!"
*SLAM!*
Kaine rushed out of the room, slamming the door behind him as he left. Finding his way outside in a mansion courtyard, he turned his attention to lady Raltz who sat near a fountain in wait.
It was like seeing a flower of the purest of whites take refuge under the golden sun.
"You made quite the racket." Lady Raltz said as she ran her hand through the cool water.
Kaine approached her with his head lowered. "Forgive me, lady Raltz. You didn't need to hear that side of me.."
"I'm still surprised that you tried to attack that drakling from earlier. We should go apologize to him in a proper manner."
Kaine kneeled in defeat before her soft words. "Malady.. I'm sorry, but I do not have the strength to confront such beasts with my heart full of spite.."
Lady Raltz thought aloud. "I understand why you carry such enmity for their kind.. However.. that child seems different.."
"What do you mean, malady?"
"It was strange.. when I was near with that child, he gave off the aura of a human."
Kaine was somewhat astonished to hear that, Lady Raltz had an astute gift for somehow sensing something she describes as 'aura'.
Whether it was real or not, she indeed was quite aware of who or what she was interacting with, regardless of her disabled eyesight.
Lady Raltz stood up and rested her hand on Kaine's shoulder. "Now." She said softly. "Let us go pay a visit to our new neighborhood acquaintances."
"!!" Kaine raised his head with visible distress on his face.
Lady Raltz could sense his apprehension as she lightly chuckled. "You needn't be so upset. I'll go with you. I find myself curious of this drakling."
"B-but!.." Kaine urgently raised his head as the maiden spun playfully with an innocent giggle.
"Fear not!" She declared with glee. "I'm certain that both of them are good natured, I'm sure of it!"
She seemed extremely confident, her instincts have never led her astray before. This was yet another gift she seemed to possess.
An affinity for sensing a person's character through aura.
Kaine understands this, thus finds himself stunningly surprised.
He sighed to himself and straightened his back. "V-very well, malady.."
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Meanwhile..
Within a plateau of small steps which had ten foot drop-offs. Auron overlooked this with Vassirth by his side. She led him here with the intent to teach him flight.
Although, Auron had cold feet.
He finds himself hesitant because of his fear of falling -- or so he calls it. He looked down the ten foot drop with anxiety overcoming him. Retreating from the ledge and bumping into Vassirth, Auron looked directly up at her with a nervous smile. It was like looking at a lizard with dog-like mannerisms come forth for a fleeting moment, complete with a sharp grin and a tail wag.
Vassirth shook her head with a smile at the silly child. "Why so tence? You should be excited to be rid of that pesky fear."
Auron backed away from her, shuffling to his side. "Uh.. well.. I'm not sure I feel the same way as you, Vassirth.."
Vassirth let out a sharp grin as she exchanged a amethyst gaze with Auron. "Sometimes, we must do things we don't want to do in order to survive."
Auron raised his haed in confusion at the big blue reptile. "What are you?-"
*PAT*
At that very moment, Vassirth gave Auron a shove off a small ledge.
"A-ahhhh!" Auron cried as he plummeted roughly ten feet to the ground.
*THUD*
His body hit the grassy floor below as he returned his eyes back up at Vassirth who looked down with a teasing grin. Auron however, wasn't amused with her mischievous actions. "Vassirth! That wasn't funny! You could've killed me!"
"Unlikely." She voiced downward to him. "A fall like that wouldn't even bruise a dragon of your size."
Vassirth elaborated on her actions as Auron pouted up at her. "See? Falling isn't so bad, huh? You think you might be willing to learn flight now?"
Auron grumbled to himself. "Do I even have a choice?"
Vassirth could sense Auron's disgruntlement as she proceeded to gracefully glide down to him.
"I still don't understand your reluctance." Vassirth said upon landing before Auron who struggled back to his feet. "After all, you said you wished to explore the world, right? wouldn't this be something that intrigues you?"
The small quadruped drakling raised his eyes with concerns bubbling forth. "It's just that.. I'm worried about my friends.. It just wouldn't feel right to leave here without saying goodbye.. or at least knowing that they're okay.."
Vassirth calmly listened to his pained words as he lowered his head in anguish. She understood that everything was still so overwhelming to Auron after his drastic change. She did her best to apologize properly.
"Ohhh, so that's why.. I apologize for my insensitivity." Vassirth said with both sincerity and elegance. "But, that doesn't mean you'll be leaving the moment you take flight. In fact, it would make accomplishing those goals all the more easier."
"I know, but it just doesn't sit well leaving them in the dark like this.." Auron continued in a crestfallen manner as his head remained hung. "Also.. You know I just can't say goodbye to them in my situation."
Vassirth rested her talon on Auron's back in an attempt to console him. She hunted for the right thing to say, but lacked experience at comforting an upset child. She removed her talon-like hand from Auron's back and tried to lighten the mood.
"Enough of this. Let us continue where we left off." As Vassirth calmly said this, she picked him up over her head as he twisted and wiggled like an eel. "W-wha!? What are you doing!?" Auron cried aloud in a panic as she placed him on her back.
"Hold on tight. Or you might fall."
"F-fall? You don't mean?" As his words fell, Vassirth began to flex her body and flap her ridged wings. Auron found himself gripping for dear life with his eyes closed tightly.
He could feel a strong gust of wind constantly ripping past his body as his stomach sank. Eventually the wind steadied into a gentle breeze and the warmth of the sun touched his face.
Opening his eyes, his breath was taken away by the sight of the vast lands below. He soared above the patches of clouds, looking down at the distant lands over the mountains and the gentle curve of the world itself. The seemingly endless lands stirred his heart with limitless wonder.
He was speechless, he couldn't even muster a sentence, let alone a word.
"Quite something, isn't it." Vassirth's voice carried from underneath Auron's body, the vessel of his flight.
His eyes glistened with overwhelming glee as he gave his response. "It's more amazing that I could ever have imagined.."
"To think, this can all be yours, Auron."
After several minutes of soaring in the sky, Vassirth began to descend back down to earth.
Landing just outside of their home, Auron jumped off with a slight stumble upon hitting the ground. With a newfound desire filling his heart, Auron became more eager than ever to learn flight for himself.
Auron turned to Vassirth as she could easily anticipate what he was about to say. "Let me guess, you're willing to learn now?"
"More than ever!" Auron quickly responded with exuberance.
Vassirth composedly began to explain. "Glad to hear it, but first, you'll need to strengthen your wing strength by simply exercising with them. When your body changed, you lost a significant amount of muscle mass. Therefore you need to physically bolster yourself until you can maintain flying without encountering fatigue during mid-flight."
Auron nodded with impatience. "Okay! When do we start!?"
Vassirth chimed in. "Before that, let's go inside and discuss your training regiment."
"Training regiment? Sounds extreme.." Auron thought to himself. But he's almost certain that Vassirth is probably over exaggerating what she's saying.
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Later in the day, Lady Raltz and her old guardian, Kaine, approached the property of Vassirth.
"Seems like a lovely plot of land." Delightfully said lady Raltz as she almost danced along the rough path leading up to the house.
Kaine interjected while sweeping his gaze over the disheveled land. "I don't mean to contradict your statement, lady Raltz. However I must say that this land is unkempt and disorganized. Surely no landscaper has tended to this property for at least ten years."
"Oh hush now, Kaine. Can you not hear the birds singing in harmony? They truly appreciate this land for what it is, so why can't you?"
Kaine hesitated. "T-that's not what I meant."
The young woman giggled at his troubled response. "Hehe! You're always quick to judge, sir Kaine! Now, let's properly introduce ourselves to the landlord."
Kaine then followed up with urgency in his breath as he rushed to her side. "Can I not convince you to reconsider doing this, lady Raltz? These are dragons we're talking about! Have you not forgotten how you lost your sight!?-"
"-That's enough, sir Kaine." Raltz firmly demanded as Kaine immediately kneeled to the ground before her in forgiveness. "Forgive me for my rudeness, lady Raltz. I'm just concerned for your safety.."
Lady Raltz turned her empty gaze at the horizon. "Unlike you, I don't wish to live in hatred for the rest of my life. I wish to instead, embrace forgiveness and build bridges of understanding."
These words stuck Kaine like a lightning bolt. He knew lady Raltz must've had these thoughts for awhile now but never openly voiced them.
But why now? Did it somehow have something to do with that drakling? Or was it his actions directed towards that it?
Either way, Kaine felt regret as he lowered his head in shame. "Such wisdom.. unlike this old fool before your greatness.."
Lady Raltz softly shook her head. "Enough of that.. Do not be so hard on yourself, sir Kaine. We all have our own ways of battling our demons. I do not harbor any disdain for your methods, but I do hope you will one day abandon this cycle of hatred."
As lady Raltz continued up the path towards the house, Kaine stood back to his feet and followed lady Raltz.
Upon reaching the doorstep of the large fancy home, Lady Raltz quickly and dainty knocked at the door.
Kaine folded his arms behind his back, assuming a gentleman's posture. Although he was also secretly gripping a small dagger, hidden in his belt strap.
Lady Raltz could sense his actions and quickly voiced her concerns. "That won't be necessary, sir Kaine."
"Just taking extra precautions, malady." Kaine calmly responded with a rather stern expression.
Moments passed until the door slowly swung open, revealing a somewhat large winged reptile. Lady Raltz immediately bowed with a polite greeting.
"Greetings, miss Vassirth. I wish to properly apologize for my associates actions earlier." She continued as Vassirth gave a puzzled look in return. "Let me introduce myself, I am lady Raltz of Cassidonia and this is my assistant and guardian, Kaine Riddle."
Vassirth leaned into a sitting position with a cocked head. "Vassirth of the Silverwing clan." Vassirth responded as she aimed a sideways glance at Kaine. "Do you really think you can harm me?" Vassirth openly voiced a challenge at Kaine.
Kaine then gave a dejected sigh, removing his hands from behind his back. He knew that Vassirth was far more capable than him in terms of combat, thus felt no need in engaging in such brutish behavior once again.
Vassirth let out a slight smirk. "Anyway, is that the only reason you came here?" She questioned with sarcasm in her voice.
Lady Raltz gave an innocent giggle, lifting her hand to her mouth. "Hehe! Indeed no!" She chuckled. "I actually wish to know more about you and your son, miss Vassirth!"
Vassirth backed up with a nod, allowing the pair to enter from the doorstep into the home. Kaine quickly analyzed the surroundings which were comprised of furnishings that were lowered to hip height. "A tad bit bit shoddy, no? I would expect nothing less from such vile creatures." Kaine said without an ounce of restraint in his voice.
Lady Raltz quickly nudged her elbow against Kaine's chest. "Sir Kaine, please try to be respectful! Especially when in someone else's home!"
As this interaction was taking place, Auron sneakily peered from the top of the stairs. He was quite surprised to see the blind girl from earlier in his house.
But he was actually nervous, he doesn't feel capable of deceiving such an innocent looking girl about his situation. So he felt the need to avoid interacting with her in his unprepared state.
Not long after Lady Raltz greeted herself before Vassirth, she then aimed her glance at the staircase. "Why are you hiding, little one?"
She was clearly aware of Auron's presence with her astute senses as he pulled away from the top of the stairs.
Auron frantically thought to himself. "Crap! I forgot she's blind! Hiding from sight is pointless around her!"
"Doesn't matter!" He thought. "I must pretend I didn't hear her and avoid her at all costs! With her hearing, she might somehow figure me out and jeopardize everything Vassirth did to save me!"
Auron silently shuffled away as lady Raltz turned her attention back to Vassirth with a giggle. "Hehehe! He must be shy! A common trait for one so young!"
Vassirth smirked. "Perhaps he's intimidated by your associate."
Lady Raltz gasped with realization. "Oh, ofcourse! I can't believe I forgot! Sir Kaine, let me make amends in your stead!"
Kaine calmly responded. "Is this truly necessary, malady? Aren't we overstepping our boundaries enough as it is?"
"You may have a point." Lady Raltz exclaimed. She then politely asked Vassirth for permission to do so. "Miss Vassirth, may I please apologize to your son for past events?"
Vassirth held an amused expression to the presumptuous daisy of a woman. Raltz gave off an alluring aura of polite innocence, enough for Vassirth to accept her request. "Very well, just keep in mind he's a bit nervous when talking to humans."
Lady Raltz spun around with a courtesy. "Hehe, don't worry! I'll be careful not to make him feel uncomfortable!"
Raltz then quickly made her way up the with little effort.
"Interesting girl.." Vassirth thought to herself as Kaine quietly remained in the room with her.
As Raltz made her way down the hallway, Auron hid outside on the balcony. Clinging on the outside of the railing, he peered over at the teenager in the pure white dress.
She wandered about with her hands behind her back, stopping and lowering her head as if in deep thought. She then, quickly raised her head in Auron's direction.
"D-did? Did she sense me? How!? Her hearing can't be that good!" He thought as she rapidly approached his position.
Swinging open the French doors leading to the balcony, she quickly said with playfulness in her voice as she looked over the railing. "What are you doing out here? Is this a dragon thing?"
"Uhh.." Auron quickly pulled himself up and clumsily stood on concrete the railing with a look of nervousness. "Well I.. uh.. I um.."
"Hehehe!" The 17 year old woman chuckled with amusement from the tongue-tied lizard. "How peculiar! With behavior like that, you don't seem like a dragon to me!"
"I-I don't!?" Auron responded with a curious expression.
"Nope!" Raltz answered as she leaned against the railing next to Auron. "Something about you feels.. special! You seem to have a human aura."
*STUMBLE!*
Right as she said that, Auron slipped off the railing and fell face first on the balcony floor.
"Are you alright!?" Raltz said with upmost concern in her voice as she thrusted her wrists to her chest.
Auron quickly jumped to his feet with a quick delirious response. "I'm fine! I'm just a bit.. tired after the day I've had.."
Raltz nodded with a breath of understanding. "I completely understand.. on that note, I wish to properly apologize for my associates actions earlier. Sir Kaine is just a bit.. overprotective of me."
A brief moment passed as Auron broke the silence.
"So.. Who is that guy anyway? Why did he attack me on sight?"
Raltz let out a somewhat troubled sigh and readied a response. "Sir Kaine has a hatred for your kind after everything they've done to him."
"What do you mean?"
"For one, When I was very young, a dragon was the perpetrator who took my sight." Raltz said with resolute expression.
"Oh.." Auron became troubled upon hearing her answer as she switched back to a more carefree mood. "Fear not, I bare no resentment after what's happened! Sir Kaine however, he has never forgiven your kind for what they've done.."
As Raltz explained, she began to saunter back into the room with her empty gaze looking about. "He also has a personal vendetta with them.. His hometown was razed to the ground by their kind and I believe he's had a grudge ever since."
Auron followed her shortly after she finished her explanation.
"I see.." Auron said with remorse in his voice. "After hearing that, I can understand why he's the way he is now.."
Raltz giggled innocently. "Hehe! Your mother raised you to be quite well-mannered! Dragons don't usually have consideration for human plight."
She then followed up with interest in her voice. "You are quite amusing, young Auron. Perhaps you wouldn't mind if we can be friends!" She said a she began to twirl as if in a dance.
Uncertainty entered Auron's voice as he responded.
"Uhh.. sure."
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As this conversation was happening, Vassirth and Kaine quietly sat across from eachother at the low down table.
It was as if they were playing an intense game of high stakes poker with everything on the line.
Vassirth could easily tell that Kaine had absolutely zero interest in conversation with her ilk. So they simply exchanged cold gazes.
"Disgusting.." Kaine's words finally broke the five minutes of silence as Vassirth tilted her azure head.
"Is there a problem?" Vassirth calmly asked.
Kaine crossed his arms and closed his eyes. "Being in your presence after the amount of time that has elapsed is making me sick. I couldn't resist the urge to blurt out my thoughts openly."
Vassirth gave a witty snicker. "I've encountered many of your kind before. Nothing I say will ever reach past the veil of hatred that clouds your mind. Nevertheless, it's your life, if you truly wish to live it this way."
Veins bulged on Kaine's forehead after hearing such resolute words from the blue reptile.
"The nerve of this monster!" He thought with intense rage. "To act in such an innocent manner after what her kind has done to humans for countless eons! She acts like I'M the one whose wrong! Unforgivable!"
As his blood pumped with ire, he tightly gripped the knife on his belt and was slowly leaning up from his sitting position.
Vassirth sighed with annoyance, sensing his violent intentions. "If that's how you wish to settle things, fine, but let's take it outside. You don't want to upset your lady, do you?"
"Damn.." Realizing his actions, he loosened grip on his knife and rested his hands on the table. He tried to dismiss his apprehension with breathing exercises.
Silence befell once more as Vassirth carefully questioned him. "Your style appears to be of the Ydran tribe. They tend to utilize rapier's and throwing knives in combat like you do. Are you Ydran?"
Kaine grumbled. "No.. but the man who taught me was. I was but a child back then."
Vassirth could hear the sound of both disdain and anguish in his voice. This was something that touched him deeply. Remembering his master gave him a rush of mixed feelings that he hadn't felt in a long time.
"So who is this Raltz? She talks and acts like royalty." Vassirth asked as Kaine sneered back. "You will not flaunt her name in my presence! Lady Raltz of Cassidonia is the daughter of king Ryanair!"
Vassirth rested her hand on her chin in ponder. "Curious.. what's the daughter of king doing in a small town like this away from her kingdom. Domville doesn't have a monarchy system in place. So why is she here?"
"That's none of your business!" Kaine roared, slamming his hands on the table.
Kaine's reaction was enough for Vassirth to draw a conclusion with an expression of empathy. "She was banished, wasn't she?"
Her words were like a cold knife striking his spine. Kaine became paralyzed with his eyes widened in disbelief.
Vassirth's voice cut through his madness. "Judging from your reaction, I'm right. But I bet what you're wondering is; how did I know?"
Kaine lifted his head a Vassirth explained. "Human monarchs tend to have litters of offspring, and then proceed to distribute the privileges and powers given to them. Although, monarchs can be both benevolent as they can also be merciless. I assume the monarchy saw Lady Raltz's condition as a hindrance to the family. Therefore-"
"-ENOUGH!" Kaine roared with scathing anger in his voice, halting Vassirth's assessment. "I will NOT stand idly by as you bad mouth lady Raltz!"
"No, sir Kaine. She's right." A polite voice resonated from the top of the staircase as Raltz descended down with Auron watching from above. "Her observations may have sounded crass, but she is more or less correct, isn't she?"
Kaine held back his tongue in surprise as she continued with firmness in her voice. "I'm not a child, sir Kaine! I'm well aware of what father thinks of my condition.."
"Lady Raltz.." Kaine responded, falling silent shortly thereafter.
Raltz approached Vassirth with a quiet smile. "Your assessment is half correct, miss Vassirth. But my disposition also has to do with the blood in my veins."
"Oh.. I see.." Vassirth quickly understood as Raltz nodded. "Indeed, I'm what one would call a bastard child, with the bonus of being blind."
As her words fell, Kaine interjected. "Lady Raltz, please.. Enough of this.."
Vassirth found herself fascinated as she opened with intrigue in her breath. "You needn't sell yourself short on the blindness part."
"Hmm?" Raltz raised her head as Vassirth elaborated. "I noticed you move with ease regardless of your sight, and if it's true from what your guardian tells me, you have a rare gift to see within someone's heart."
Raltz chuckled pleasantly. "Hehe! Such praise isn't necessary, miss Vassirth! However such a trait is meaningless in the eyes of the monarchy. They see me as the unwanted illegitimate child first before anything else."
"Raltz.." Auron uttered to himself under his breath at the top of the stairs. He could feel for her situation and simultaneously admired her resolute behavior. She seemed indifferent to her unfortunate circumstances as she held a smile on her face.
Raltz cleared her throat, dismissing the tension from the atmosphere. "Ahem! Anyways! You have a lovely home, miss Vassirth! And your son is a delight to be around with! Also!-"
*nudge!*
Lady Raltz quickly nudged Kaine with her elbow as he quickly straightened in a panicked response. "P-please forgive me for my actions directed at your son, Drag-"
*nudge!*
"-Ah! I mean- miss Vassirth!"
Raltz snickered deviously as she stepped away with a graceful spin.
"Much better!" Raltz cheerfully exclaimed words of encouragement to Kaine.
Raltz made her way to the front entryway as she bid a rushed farewell with her bodyguard following shortly after.
After they left. Auron descended down the stairs with his eyes on the door. "She may be odd, but Raltz is a nice lady."
"Indeed." Vassirth concurred. "Her reckless personality isn't befitting of royalty though. Most monarchs don't pay casual visits to commoners -- let alone dragons."
Vassirth gave a huff, turning her attention back at Auron. "But enough about that, let us discuss your training regiment."
Auron turned to Vassirth with a look of unease on his face, rubbing his foreleg. "You sound a bit extreme when you call it that.."
Vassirth smirked a sharp grin and spoke in an almost sinister manner. "But ofcourse. I have no intention of going easy on you."
Auron backed up slightly, sensing an odd pressure coming from Vassirth. "Wha?- what DO you have planned, Vassirth?"
Vassirth narrowed her violet eyes with a sinister smile and spoke in a clandestine tone. "Never you mind, child. For now, let us focus on the basics before we jump into the intermediate course."
Vassirth continued while crawling towards the door leading out the back of the house. "We'll first worry about you mastering flight. Then the torture- erm!- training regiment will begin."
Auron glanced at the horizon that became filled with crimson light as the sun began to settle behind the mountains.
"Take it in, Auron. The vast world is just beyond those mountains. In due time, you'll find your dream will be not only be fulfilled, but will also become endless as the sky above."
Vassirth turns to Auron with a soft smile. "No matter how difficult the skies ahead are, never falter from your dream."
Auron gave a resolute nod to the sunset before him. He asked with a respectful tone. "When can we begin?"
Vassirth responded with a heartwarming smile. "First thing tomorrow morning. Then I'll whip you into shape!"
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As night fell upon the peaceful town. The houses flickered like a thousand fire flies in the distance.
Borris overlooked the town with his heart filled with hope. He pictured the face of his son -- not long after visualizing his late wife. "Did I make a mistake, Zahra? Would you hate me for what I let happen to our son? Or perhaps.. Did this action save him from your cursed bloodline? Either way.. I'm happy that he atleast has a future ahead of him."
The night was dark with the rolling clouds masking the moonlight. Auron looked out from his room's balcony to take in the night air.
He pondered similar aspects of his life up until now. Wondering if he has what it takes to do what Vassirth expected him to do.
Is what she said true? Is the world truly as dangerous as she claims? He figured the circumstances that befell him were an uncommon experience that most people would never have in a lifetime.
His world became exceedingly uncanny in such a short duration he found himself struck with disbelief.
The moon suddenly peered from behind the clouds and began to bask in the silver light.
Even though he had a cadence of self-doubt about him accomplishing what Vassirth wants of him.
He cracked a fragile smile gazing up at the moonlit clouds nesting in the night sky.
"yOu aRe wEaK.."
A sudden twisted voice manifested from seemingly all directions around Auron as he looked about in a panicked fashion.
"Who's there!?" Auron cried out at the unknown voice that surrounded him.
"uNwOrtHy wELP."
Auron glanced over his shoulder to see a vague figure shrouded in an ink-like substance. It was as if it was a manifestation from darkness itself.
"W-what are.." as these words struggled from Auron's lips, the featureless being's voice became more muddled.
"Don'shhh undershhh mE?"
As these last few words fell from the entity, it faded and dissipated like a puff of grayish black smoke right before Auron's very eyes.
He was left stunned, unable to comprehend what happened just now. Although it was unclear, he felt like he recognized that voice..
He retreated back into his room with a feeling of unease. He laid on his bed until he eventually fell asleep with a lingering sense of dread filling his mind.