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Lord Falqon sat in the chair made of gold and iron, it seemed, a shiny red-and-amber glow the metal reflected as Akio moved around it. She was directed to crouch at his left whenever he was sitting, and crouch she would. The room was large, but it was important for it to be so, as the dragon�s army was an impressive one. Dragons that stood fourteen feet walked in amongst the others, causing Akio�s eyes to widen at the sight. They were all golden or emerald dragons, though; she hadn�t seen another white dragon yet.
The great dragon at her side rose, his ruby eyes narrowed, scanning the room. All dragons fell silent, and a wide array of colors turned to Falqon, awaiting his voice. Akio�s ears flattened uncontrollably when the golden dragon spoke. �Dragons of Geart Tribe!� he bellowed, raising his arms slightly. The dragons in the audience each released their own plume of flame in silent appeal. �In anticipation to our visitors later this evening, I have prepared for some� entertainment,� he announced, gesturing towards a closed door. �Minstrels and fools, among others, from the greatest training schools in all of Nexus, here for your pleasure, and that of our friends from Kito Peak.�
As Falqon took his seat, the door burst open, a montage of colors sewn into merry clothing walked in, adorned by felines and canines of species Akio had never beheld. Each creature was doing something different�juggling, dancing, walking about on their forepaws�and the dragons watched each one, some laughing, some smiling, merely enjoying the show. Akio wasn�t particularly interested in their acts, but kept her gaze forward, as not to displease her Lord.
Hours passed while anthro storytellers, minstrels and fools in abundance performed before Akio and Lord Falqon. Some, who were particularly good, bartered with Falqon on the subject of wages. The others were rather shortly dismissed.
After a while, the furred ones were ushered out, save Akio. The door opened again, and four nude red wolves carried in a large metal cage, the tricolored feline inside peering at the dragons as she was set down on the red stone floor. She was dressed in motley, like the creatures before her, only hers was black and white, the hat not stuffed, one of the three long, bell-tipped arms hanging over an eye. She brushed it aside, and Akio noticed that she had two different colored eyes; one, surrounded in black fur, was yellow, while the other was blue. Her fur, from what was visible, was mostly cream-colored, offset by random splotches of black and reddish-brown. On the tips of her ears, around her paws and ankles, and on the tip of her tail, were bells, constantly jingling. Around her neck was a thin ribbon, a silver tag adorned.
One of the wolves stepped forward, bowing before Falqon. �We, the wolves of Sunsin Pack, present to the mighty dragons of Geart Tribe,� he gestured to the feline with an open paw, raising his gaze to the dragon Lord. �Trick, the Fool.�
�What are her specifications, canine?� Akio�s Lord asked, causing her ears to prick.
�She is a minstrel, my kind Lord,� replied the male, straightening and clasping his paws behind his back. �Trained in the arts of music and love. Do not think her rude if she does not speak, my Lord, as she is mute.�
Falqon nodded. �Agape, take her to my quarters and see if her traits are well enough to suit our friends,� he said. Akio started at being addressed�her Lord had not looked at her, but he had given her an order. She rose carefully, walking slowly forward. One of the wolves offered her his paw as she reached the last few steps, but she merely looked at it, unsure.
�She needs not such kind gestures,� Falqon said softly. �She is but a slave, canine.�
The wolf withdrew his paw without another glance to Akio. Another opened the cage, and the feline stepped out, bowing to the dragon Lord before Akio drew her out of the room. She noticed that the minstrel jester was strangely without instrument; perhaps she had to find her one, as well. �What do you play?� Akio inquired, shortly before remembering that the calico had no voice.
Trick smiled knowingly, bells tinkling as her ears pivoted forward. Akio suddenly noticed the charm at the feline�s neck, that it didn�t say her name; instead, it was inscribed, �Those who know naught, speak not.� The wolf sniffed, head canting to the side in curiosity to its meaning, when Trick began walking down the hallway silently, the tip of her mottled tail twitching with each graceful step. Akio belatedly started after her, glancing curiously in her direction when she was at even pawsteps with her. She could hear the next group of entertainers in the main hall, and longed to be watching at her Lord�s side.
Quite suddenly, Akio�s reveries were halted by the abrupt jangling of bells as Trick stopped; they had come to a choice of corridor. Left, and they would come to the chambers where the dragon Lords slept, and right would take them into the other areas; the kitchen, servant�s quarters, the main hall, and all the other rooms that made a castle a castle. The servants were bound to know where she could find an instrument.
�Come this way,� Akio said softly, reaching for the feline�s paw. Trick pulled back so quickly, Akio almost fell from the sudden adjustment she had to make in her balance. The wolf gave her a perplexed glance, the question in her throat cut short as the feline strolled off again.
The first open door they came to, Akio peeked in as she passed. Luckily, she recognized the dragoness within as Nigh. �Trick,� she called to the feline. A jingling signaled her pause, ears twitching beneath the motley hat as her head turned to peer over her shoulder. Akio gestured with her head towards the room, and she looked in. Nigh had noticed her. Of course, with the bells, the dragoness was bound to hear them passing.
�Who�s your friend, Agape?� the sapphire creature asked softly, already gazing curiously towards Trick. �Is she a were, too?�
Akio shook her head. �Nay, this is Trick, a fool minstrel from Sunsin Pack. I am to test her worth for Lord Falqon.� Her ears twitched as she remembered the second question. �A werecat?�
Nigh only smiled to the wolf�s inquiry, her icy blue gaze settling on Akio with an interest the wolf could swear she�d seen before. �Test her worth, Agape? Do you know what that means? You�re going the wrong way, dear one.� Maybe Nigh knew where the instruments were.
�Come on, Trick,� Akio called softly. She couldn�t turn her head to see the feline follow, but she could hear her. So could the rest of the east wing, Akio suspected.
It was when they started into the Lords� wing that Akio realized Nigh�s mistake. �Nigh,� she began. The dragoness continued towards Falqon�s bedchamber without glancing to Akio, but the wolf knew she was listening. �I don�t think that�s what Lord Falqon meant, when he asked for me to test her. Trick is a minstrel, not a sla��
But Nigh knew what she was doing. �I know what my Lord is looking for, dear one. The gryphons will be expecting entertainment during the night as well as the day.� She smiled to Akio. �You didn�t truly think to have the fool play you a tune, did you, Agape?�
Akio could only blush, glancing down. They had reached their destination, and the blue dragoness ushered them inside. The door closed soundly behind them. When Akio looked up, she realized they were not alone in the chambers.
A great white dragon was sleeping curled up by a violet flame dancing in the fireplace.
�He�s been awaiting your return since morning, Agape,� Nigh whispered to her. �I sent M�lord a note earlier today, asking if he might find you some excuse to come back. I had no idea it would take so long.� She smiled. placing a talon lightly on Akio�s headfur, ruffling slightly. �Trick�s a jester, but that�s not all she is. Not tonight, at least. You rest up, little wolf. The fool and I have some work to do.�
A hundred questions rose to Akio�s mind, but the thought of snuggling up to Anjel�s warm body far outweighed any of them. She smiled and nodded to Nigh, noting to herself to thank the dragoness as soon as possible. She simply stood, watching the dragon sleep, until she heard the two leave the room again.
Anjel was unclothed, his pearly scales shimmering with the flickering fire. He was lying almost as a feral dragon would, curled up as if he was cold, as if the flame in his belly did not keep him eternally warm. His tail snaked sinuously about his form, curling over and under talons and ending in a neat point that twitched occasionally as he breathed deep breaths. His great horns seemed to be masses of carved ivory and gold settled neatly into the living sculpture, appearing too rough and callous for a creature so beautiful, but not upsetting the design that makes all dragons worthy of awe, so perfect and powerful. His wings were closed tightly against his form, the almost delicate leathery sheet of scales that stretched between the tapered fingers folded neatly into itself, making them seem much smaller than they actually were.
Finally, Akio could no longer simply look. Her paws ached to touch the scale, the horn, the wing. She needed to feel the warmth of his body near hers, to smell the incense that was Anjel, to hear his every breath.
She padded silently to his side, seating herself near his head and neck. He rested with his muzzle upon his arms, head turned towards his body. His jaws were slightly open, ivory teeth and black tongue visible after close examination. Her paw raised to run along the delicately scaled neck before she could stop herself. Against her pawpads, the scales felt smooth and finished, and ultimately warm. A soft churring brought to her the realization that Anjel was awake.
�I have waited long for this,� the dragon rumbled, bringing his foreparts a bit higher to gaze at Akio gently. The scent of Anjel�s musky arousal greeted Akio�s nose, though his body hid all from sight. Her tail wagged lightly, a smile on her muzzle.
�It has been long, my Master,� she murred. �I thought� that perhaps you had thought better of coming to see me.�
Anjel rubbed his muzzle almost roughly against hers, a talon raising to slip through her hackles. �There is nothing better to think of, my rose,� he said softly.
Basking in the dragon�s affections, Akio murred softly, eyes closing. She opened them again when she remembered a question that had been bothering her for quite some time. �My Master? Might I ask a question?� she inquired, ears pivoting forward. The dragon pulled his head back, amber eyes meeting Akio�s steady gaze. He gave a curt nod, smiling reassuringly. �I was wondering� why the other dragons call you a Ghost?�
Anjel�s smile faded, gaze faltering a moment as he formulated his answer. �Akio�� he said, and the wolf feared that he would avoid her question. But he continued, �My rose� as you should know by now, white dragons are not a common sight in Nexus.� He glanced back to her, and she nodded, awaiting the rest of his response. He took a deep breath. �White dragons are considered demons�evil, bad luck�all the things that make common folk hate the unusual. White dragons are called �Ghosts� because� well, it is said that when you see a white dragon, you are seeing the spirit of a dragon that once lived.�
The dragon�s gaze had fallen again as he spoke, words rushing together in some parts, as if he was in a hurry to get the facts out in the open. Akio lowered herself to look into those molten amber orbs that were his eyes, head canting to the side. �I know that�s not true. You are very good luck to me, my Master,� she said.
Anjel closed his eyes, head lowering again to his arms, gazing into the dying fire. �Good luck, that I came to your pack and took you from them? That you might never see your family again, never know a free life, never be mated to another wolf and have cubs? Tell me, Akio, what luck is in that?�
All warmth was gone from the dragon�s voice as he spoke, his words striking an icy pain in her heart. She wanted to say that she was happy here with the dragons, but was it the truth? She could not say. She only looked down to Anjel, her paws resting on her thighs as she was taught to do when awaiting an order�the fact that no Lord was present to give an order didn�t even matter at this point.
When it was evident that the dragon was not going to be the one to break the silence, Akio said the only thing that came to mind.
�Do you want me to hate you, my Master?�
The look that Anjel gave her was filled with so much emotion, it was difficult to tell if he was going to cry or roar. Akio was grateful that he did neither.
�My rose�� he began, pulling his foreparts up again. �Akio, when I took you from your Pack that night, I was only following orders. I thought that if I took a female rather than a male, the dragons wouldn�t be given another warrior to fight this war with. Wolves shouldn�t be forced into fights they didn�t start� just as Ghosts shouldn�t be, either.�
Again, Akio didn�t understand what the dragon was talking about. It did make sense, though; the gryphons coming to the Geart Range for a meeting, while the dragons were allied with them. Of course they must be going to war. And, again, of course the male slaves would be forced to fight.
�I don�t hate you,� Akio said gently. �I�m glad you took me, rather than one of my packmates. You are lucky, you see?� She tried to smile, but the dragon�s solemn gaze held her mood as low as his.
�Perhaps I just need to rest, my rose,� he said finally, looking back to the glowing violet embers. �Thoughts have been keeping me awake when I should have been abed� Come, lie next to me, my Akio.� He shifted his weight to lie on his side, the pillows and blankets beneath him offering more than enough room for Akio. The wolf climbed forward, snuggling against Anjel�s pliant scales, murring against his neck as she felt an arm come over her, holding her close. She closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep, hoping that things would return to normal when she woke again.
It wasn�t long before Akio�s eyes opened once more, the fireplace alive again with pink and violet dragon breath. She looked up to Anjel and met his gaze, startled to see that he was awake. A gentle talon raised to pet back her ears, a soft churr and smile offered with the motion. The wolf smiled, nuzzling her nose into the base of his scaly neck. In a few breaths, she was pleased to catch the scent of Anjel�s arousal again�it meant that the awkwardness of a few hours ago was over with, and they could return to their previous relationship unhindered.
�Resting with you in my arms, my little rose, has made all the troubles of the world fade at the non. There is only you and I, for now.� She felt his muzzle pressed against the top of her head in a kiss, his arms holding her closely. �We have just a while before you will be needed at your Lord�s side, for the feast with the gryphons� Falqon has arranged for you to be cleaned and dressed for the occasion. I will not be there, I fear� as I�ve said before, I am not welcome in public affairs with the other dragons.�
Akio only nodded, a paw snaking down between their forms as he spoke, lightly touching the finely scaled roll at his hips. His organ stirred within and Anjel pulled his hips back slightly, holding her closer still.
�Please don�t, my Akio,� he whispered into her ear, a churr rumbling deep in his throat. �It�s not right� that I should feel for you as I do, and I wouldn�t wish to��
His words broke off as the door to Falqon�s room opened, a magnificent dragon standing in the archway, watching the two white forms on the ground. Anjel�s churr stopped instantly, his amber gaze settled warily on the intruder.
�Ghost,� the dragon hissed in a low voice, his eyes shimmering oddly; it seemed they held no true color, but reflected all the colors around him. �The bitch is wanted.� He moved into the room as he spoke, so tall that he had to duck his head a bit to enter. His scales shimmered iridescently in greens, violets and blues as he moved, the colors shifting with every breath.
Wordlessly, Anjel pulled himself up, standing. He bent down to pick up his black cloak, tossing Akio a sympathetic glance. The white dragon left the room without a sound, never meeting the newcomer�s eyes.
Once alone, the blue-scaled dragon moved forward, leering down to Akio. She realized she was still lying down, and scrambled to her feet, holding her head down in an effort to elude his unsettling stare. The dragon snatched her by the arm violently, pulling her after him as he stalked out of the room. Akio scarcely held the whimper in her throat.
They entered a room that was filled with other slaves being cleaned and dressed for the evening�s pleasures. She realized, with a start, that all of the other anthros here were female; not a male in sight. Perhaps this was for safety reasons, as she was sure it wouldn�t be looked kindly upon if the grooms allowed slaves to mate while not under their Lord or Lady�s supervision.
�Normally, I�m not the one to do this underling work,� the dragon growled, turning Akio to face him. �It�s my place at the closet, but because all the slaves will be needed for tonight, I was placed with the grooms.� Akio didn�t know what to say, or if she should say something at all, so she remained silent, avoiding the dragon�s eyes. A strong talon reverted her gaze to his. �You�ll look to me when I�m talking to you, bitch.� The wolf flinched. �What do they call you?�
�Agape,� she whimpered.
�A fine name,� the dragon churred. �Could use one like you in the closet.�
�Glyph,� called a dragon from across the room. �Hurry up with that one, she�ll be needed soon!�
Her dragon snorted. �Underlings,� he complained, but picked up the marble bowl of steaming water, dipping a cloth into it. He talked to her as he washed her fur roughly. �They think they�re just as important as us. The only dragons these brown lizards are above are the ghosts.� He snorted again, a plume of black flame just barely missing Akio�s cheek. �That ghost specifically, little Agape, will be punished if the Lord hears what he�s been doing with you.�
Akio stiffened, but didn�t make a sound. She was afraid to ask any questions. The dragon was still talking.
�Ghosts aren�t worth a thing, since all the common folk are afraid of �em. Lord Tyrran would kill that northerner without two flaps of the wing.� As if giving an example, Glyph�s wings opened slightly and pushed at the air, bumping into a nearby groom. The brown dragon challenged him, but he didn�t seem to notice, putting the bowl back on the floor and taking Akio�s arm again.
�We have some special plans for you, little missy,� he said, pulling her off into another room. This one was devoid of other slaves, the only occupant being a light brown-scaled dragoness dressed in a white blouse and brown trousers. She took Akio from Glyph silently, but gently. The blue dragon left the room without another word.
Akio had learned not to speak to others unless she was first spoken to. This was an instance where her training became less and less important; as the minutes grew, so did the silence. Akio wanted so badly to ask the dragoness what awaited her this evening, but she kept quiet, knowing that the punishment would be worse for breaking the rules here, than when she was with Anjel.
The dragoness outfitted Akio in an outfit like no other. A collar made of fine white leather, garnets and small golden spikes inset into the material, was tightened about her neck. The back of it widened, and had a ring of gold that connected to four strips of white leather, ending in metal clasps. Two of these straps came up from beneath her breasts, connecting to the front of the collar. About her upper arms were two strips of leather tightened like a belt, which connected to the remaining two leather straps from her collar. She was outfitted with two white leather bracers, each adorned with garnets, matching the collar. In lieu of breeches, the dragoness pulled out a white leather thing that Akio wasn�t even sure would fit her. It came up around her hips, the back thinning out until it seemed to disappear into her rear. The front just barely covered her, coming snugly against her sex. It seemed impossible to get used to. The dragoness pulled what could have been legs of trousers up to her thighs; very tight white leather and each separate, leaving her bare from the thighs up, save for the strange trapping over her hips. They fit snugly against her form, ending at her ankles. Her feet were left bare. To keep the legs in place, the dragoness attached strips of leather at her hips and thighs, connecting the leather pieces together.
And Akio was to go before the entire court dressed in such a way.
The dragoness took Akio�s arm and led her out of the room. It had cleared significantly since she left. Glyph was waiting for her, dressed admirably in black from head to footclaw. Fine leather boots tailored to fit his dragon feet shined with the torchlight, disappearing into baggy leather trousers, held to his waist by a green woolen belt. As a shirt, he wore only an open black leather vest, studded with silver and lapis lazuli. He wore a small necklace around his neck, made of what seemed to be thick chain link.
Akio went to him, and his gaze was drawn to her like a light. �The grooms have outfitted you nicely,� rumbled the dragon, lifting Akio�s jaw roughly. �We�ve only one more place to go, before you will be at your Lord�s side again.� And with that, he dragged the wolf out of the room.
The dimly-lit room they stepped into next was filled with a million scents. There was a censer burning oil at every corner, a pile of incense smoking on charcoal on several tables. There were no others in the room, Akio noted, watching Glyph sift through a woven basket of precious stones.
�Come over here,� he ordered gruffly, picking up a small bottle. She did so, and he dropped a bit of the clear liquid from the bottle on a talontip. �This may burn,� he warned, and pressed the liquid into her bellybutton. It didn�t. He then took a deep red stone, probably garnet, and placed it in the small orifice on her stomach. It glittered like fire in the torchlight. He nodded appreciatively, then walked deeper into the room. Akio followed him. He picked up a small glass jar, tinted darkly. He removed the cork, held it to his nose, then nodded to himself. �Get on the table,� he said, moving things to the side so she might set there better. She climbed up and, after a few rough orders, kneeled on the wooden surface, knees apart, paws clasped behind her back. Her ears pivoted forward curiously.
Glyph tipped the little bottle over, his claw covering the opening. A bit of what seemed to be oil glistened on the tip when removed it. This, he rubbed into her fur at the base of her neck. A heavy, sweet scent wafted to Akio�s nose. Scented oils. More was placed on her nipples, around the gem in her navel, and some even in the fur hidden by the strange leather bit at her waist. The dragon turned, placing the bottle back on a shelf attached to the wall. When he turned around, he held a long needle.
Akio started visibly. Glyph, fortunately, did not notice. He was looking through a nearby basket for something else. Her eyes were glued to that needle. When he turned back to her, he was holding a small golden ring with a ruby attached. The dragon smiled when he sensed Akio�s fear, and chuckled to her, �This will hurt.� And the needle slid through the tip of her right ear. It was all she could do not to yelp and squirm. Anjel would be proud to see how well she handled the torture.
But as quickly as it had started, the pain ebbed away. The ring was in her ear, and the needle was away. Glyph helped her down from the table and led her to the feast.
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