Skye pushed Ahri behind his back, and assumed a defensive position as soon as the other dragon landed. His build was smaller than Skye's, but barely. What really caught Ahri's eyes were his wings. While Skye had thick ones, covered with black scales, the red dragon's looked like a bat wing. They allowed the light to pass through and revealed an intricate design of bones and blood vessels.
His presence was unsettling, and he carried a faint smoke smell that brought an image of war to Ahri's mind. But then, the dragon retracted his wings and began to change back to his human form. Ahri had watched the process only a couple of times, but she couldn't help but be amazed.
The man that came out of the shift was tall and slim. Red, curly hair framed his knowing expression, and his grey eyes seemed almost familiar despite the intimidating air they carried.
"Skye," he greeted in an amicable tone, rendering Ahri even more confused.
"Gael," Skye replied with a menacing voice, and Ahri could swear the rocks around her trembled at the sound. The other man seemed unphased by the threat, and took a few steps closer to look at her now.
"And you, beautiful, must be Ahri." This time the greeting was accompanied by a dashing smile and the offer of a handshake.
Ahri took a step to the side to get past Skye's back and held out her hand. The man looked straight into her eyes and brought her hands to his lips instead of shaking it. She quickly pulled her hand away to express her discomfort. Who the hell did he think he was?
"What do you want, Gael?" Skye intervened, and Ahri stepped back to assess the situation.
The two men clearly had history, and Ahri wasn't fooled by the carefree stance of the red dragon. His eyes weren't nearly was innocent as his body language. But despite the shady arrival, Ahri was curious to know more.
"Relax, Skye, I'm not here to wipe the floor with you today." The rocks vibrated again, and this time Ahri was sure of it. "I came to meet her," he said with a spark in his eyes.
"She doesn't want to meet you," Skye replied on her behalf, and Ahri looked at him in utter disbelief.
"I believe that is up to the lady."
"Ahri," whispered Skye. "He's trouble."
"Oh, is he?" She took a step closer to Gael, almost expecting the growl that came from Skye. Well, it was his own fault for undermining her with that protective non-sense. She might be slightly more inclined to trust him over the red dragon, but that didn't mean he could whisper words of advice to her as if they were friends.
"Gael, is it? It's nice to meet you."
"It is my utmost pleasure to meet the girl who rescued my niece."
At last, Ahri placed the grey eyes and red hair.
"You are Lana's brother."
Gael smiled, tilting his head. Then, he turned to Skye.
"Smart girl. No wonder you claimed her so fast."
"I didn't claim her," Skye roared.
"You didn't? Interesting. Ahri, beautiful, you caused quite a ruckus with your stunt. Now it's time to reap the benefits of it."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you want to go somewhere more private so we can talk?" Gael suggested. Ahri heard a rumble forming on Skye's throat again, but he made the right call and didn't voice his displeasure. That allowed her to stand her ground, take charge.
"Here seems as good place as any to talk. You came to Skye's lair, so his presence shouldn't keep you from saying your piece."
Despite her almost inexistent – and overall unpleasant – relationship with Skye, she couldn't help but feel he was a safer bet than this new dragon. He brought that constant sensation of familiarity she had felt ever since the first time she saw his dragon form. If she were to deal with an unknown dragon, even one inclined to charming introductions, she was not leaving Skye's side.
Encouraged by her phrase, Skye took a step in her direction, closing the distance she had opened to greet Gael. The other dragon arched a brow, but eventually nodded and smiled again.
"If that pleases you. Is there a place we can sit comfortably? I've flown a long way to get here." He winked at her, as if they had an inside joke she was supposed to laugh at.
Skye led them back to the room they were eating just moments before, and Ahri felt the relief washing over her, at least momentarily. Gael's arrival, however unpleasant for her host, had accomplished what she couldn't. Skye did not seem inclined to leave now that another had reached his domain.
Gael sat first, in the center chair of the ten-seat table. Ahri walked around to sit across from him, and Skye followed her to sit by her side. Ahri rolled her eyes, wondering why he became so protective of her. Especially considering how rude he had been since they met.
"Talk," Skye roared, and Ahri suppressed a chuckle. It was not a light environment, since she was in a closed room with two dragons that didn't fancy each other. But she was always prone to nervous laughter, and had to cough to hide it.
"Ahri, I'm dying to know from your own lips this time. How did you steal the Faith's most prized possession from right under their noses?"
"I didn't do much. Leah was the main reason we were able to get out."
"Oh, I know how smart my niece is," Gael gloated, and this time she could see real pride and care in his eyes. "But her story had several gaps only you can fill."
"I could," she replied squinting her eyes. "But I won't. I don't know you."
"So skeptical, are you not? Just like someone else I knew," he smiled sarcastically at Skye, and the man by her side clenched his jaw. Ahri wanted to ask what this was all about, but she didn't want to sound clueless. Instead, she opted to turn the questions back at him
"You didn't come here just to know my side of the story. So why don't we start with that, then I can decide if I want to share?"
"Interesting. Fair enough, let me start by telling you a story. What do you know about the Holy War?"
"War?"
"Come on, you must have learnt something. Elrod loves to brag about the historical clash between good and evil."
Ahri frowned at the familiarity with which Gael called Bishop Elrod. And now that he mentioned it, many lessons taught by her tutor – and then untaught by Eleanor – depicted the grand purge of the winged beasts.
"All I know came from the church, so I know nothing."
"Smart, smart girl," Gael praised, and Ahri shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the way he talked about her. "I'll tell you the real story, if you want to know it."
She didn't reply, but he told her anyway.