It is not often I dream - yet last night it was all clear, vivid - and when I awoke a small sparrow appeared by my window - he told me to write it down before it faded, he told me it belonged among the mortals of this world... the small sparrow told me to only put some of it in the new library of Whitestorm. Then the sparrow flew off. I am a godess in this world, yet I am compelled to listen to the sparrow. The sparrow came to me again, and now the entire story is told... and so it began, in a world called...

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--==** DragonDreams_I **==--
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The woman rode alone across the frozen tundra slowing her steed gently to a halt. She was almost there. She slid off her mount and removed the heavy furs that warmed her, but weighed her down. Modest armor was all she wore beneath the heavy furs. She looked upon the icicles that had formed upon her long braid. It was cold. The frozen grassland crunched as her steed shuffled nervously. She was finally here, the place of her nightmares that had plagued her for almost a year.

She unsheathed her blade, running her fingers along the cold iron. It was unusually thin, longer then most, and had a double razor sharp edge. Light weight, it was forged especially for her. No jewels or gems or special spells or engravings upon it, it was as simple as the woman that weilded it. The woman quickly made a small hot fire upon the plain, heating water for a cup of tea. She mixed some warm oats in a bowl for her horse, then sat down feeling the cold bite her exposed skin and ate a small travel cake, to regain her strength.

Sipping her tea she smiled slyly as she thought of her traveling companions, riding after her towards the south. Her self appointed guards, her protectors. Weeks of planning, she knew she would have no choice but to allow them to accompany her. The last of the true crusaders. Little words are spoken these days between them, the common bond they shared held a deeper meaning. The old stable master in Xenora, could be trusted. She had saved his life once. He had housed her old warhorse, a gift from her long forgotten husband. She and her guard traveled to Xenora, only Mish-Rak and Tijir knew it was only a quick stop, upon the way to a longer journey, some destiny.

In the middle of the night, she stole away. The old stable master made sure her jeweled stallion was mounted by a rider of simalar size and sent in a hurry towards the dragon dens of Lanerell. There the horse was to be slayed and the rider to travel on by boat to Atheria... that should keep them busy for a while. She snickered.

She knew she was to see the ancient white alone. Night after night, the same dream haunted her and although she couldnt quite remember it all, she knew the Ancient White had returned home and her destiny was one with his. The deep dread that overwhelmed her upon waking, left her uneasy and sad.

She thought about the Ancient White... he had disappeard long before the second dragon wars and thought dead. He was one of the last great dragons of old, who could speak in tongues, and charm his victems. His horde was vast, and his magic strong. What had bought him back home? She looked upon her aging body... her simple form, the grey hairs that dominated her long braid... she led the crusades, but that was long ago in her youth, she had no idea why she was here, she trembled from fear and cold... feeling perhaps this day was her last... but knowing she must obey the vision.

Nervously she mounted the horse, and slowly rode toward the darken gap within the mountains face in the distance.
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--==** DragonDreams_II **==--
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She is here.
The Ancient White smiled lazily and drifted back into his light sleep.

The ice cave was home, almost forgotten till the dreams came... He had left this place long ago, when the dragon herds were manipulated by the gods.
Foolish morons!

The dragon smirked in his sleep.

He thought about all the lands he had occupied, yet had never felt more at home then in this icey den. The large continents he roamed, almost playfully toying with the occupants there. Yet on this tiny continent of Cardania, were he was almost a forgotten legend, a myth, a fairytale told to small children at bedtime - to frighten them and keep them enslaven to their chosen deities, he *was* home.

The dreams came everynight now... they left him uneasy. All the spells and magical chants he knew couldnt restore the vision completely. He awoke with a sense of desire and dread. Who was this young woman, he would soon find out. She is seeking something, yet it was unclear. Valor rang to mind... yes.. to slay an ancient one... she seeks fame and fortune... the gods drive me home so some small crusading wench could slay him. Yet, he was sure he would know, if this day was his last... he had seen his own death many times before, it did not involve this cave, this child, this time. Something was to happen here. Her death? He didnt know, he would just wait and see.

Wait and see, he was home.
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--==** DragonDreams_III **==--
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The dragon emerged from the cave cautionsly. He looked over the bloody mess once more.

"This is all wrong" Mish-rak commented. "What did your buddies have to say for themselves?".

"They are not my buddies" grumbled Tijir.

He did not like this place, the maze of Dragon caves outside Lanrell.

The two had traveled hard and fast for the past two days. Niether one was in a very good mood. Mish-rak looked over at his trusted steed, obviously aggitated by the mess on the ground. "They fed upon the stallion, but saw no rider." Tijir continued. He looked over at his companions mount, roasted stallions were a treat indeed. He was suddenly aware of his own hunger.

Mish-Rak studied the area for several more minutes. It was all wrong. He started to laugh. Tijir turned to him almost annoyed, but knew they could not continue till her tracks were found and verified. "It's not her, not at all. I should have known that two days ago." Mish-rak smirked shaking his head.

Tijir suddenly growled in comprehension. "The Ancient One!, they said he has returned.... ". Without another exchange of words the two quickly started traveling north.

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--==** DragonDreams_IV **==--
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She felt the warmth of the beasts presence.

The woman creeped along the wall deeper into the belly of the dragons lair. She hoped that she had tethered the warhorse far enough away from the cavern. She moved silently against the walls of the passage sword in hand.

A sudden grumble and she froze in a panic. Holding her breath trying to be silent, her heartbeat pounded inside her head. Why was she here. Her thoughts screamed - WHY ARE YOU HERE?

Breath.

Frozen she closed her eyes and started to meditate. She remembered her first lesson as a child with the paladin master. Focus. Allow the fear to come, allow it to heighten your senses, it was good, it was control.

Breath.

She continued on into the lair.
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He smelt her.

He knew her bloodline long before he heard her.

It amused him and puzzled him. Dragons love puzzles. This was going to be an interesting day after all.

He opened up one eye and watched the tiny creature creep silently closer. The mighty beast rolled over and yawned stretching his body outward like a cat. He watched her suddenly freeze against the cavern wall. He repositioned himself and sat quietly looking directly at her. Not saying a word.

Time passed. He could wait. Time was something that just happened. There was plenty of time. Plenty.
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Alot of time HAD passed. He was just staring at her. Was he trying to charm her? She hadn't moved. He hadn't moved. Was she already charmed and didnt know it? She quickly dismissed such thoughts. She would have been a quick snack by now. The woman quickly searched her thoughts, what next? Why had she come to this place? She had entered the creatures home, she was the tresspasser. She suddenly understood that the next move was her own.

Holding on to her sword, but in a non-offensive stance, she bravely walked out of the shadows towards the large dragon.

"I am Solitaire of the Jeweled Knights." She announced.

The dragon laughed sitting back a bit, almost happy the creature didnt just turn and run into the night. "I know your bloodline. It runs deep within the land of Cardania.".

He just stared at her again. Again waiting. It kind of annoyed her. Its much easier to fight a dragon then it is to talk to one. She politely stared back.

Only a few moments passed this time, the woman rearranged her posture and dropped her sword totally to her side. "I wish to know why the Ancient White has returned to this land.".

"You know why." he answered smugly.

He studied the small young woman. Her armour was plain. Her weapon pathetic. She had the grime of travel all over her. He thought of a maiden he once came upon, bathing in a waterfall, how the sunshined that day, how it formed a rainbow around her. Her whiteskin... he so adored the human form, all clean. Then the maiden pounded the root of a plant with a rock till soft foamy lather was worked up. He had watched from the cool cave inside the waterfall as she spread the soap all over her body. He remembered the pounding of his heart that day. The excitement pulling at his soul... he remembered the moment she turned toward him, letting the water shower over her bare breasts...

He suddenly remember the awful taste he had in his mouth for weeks after he devoured her whole. A shudder repulsively ran through him.

Solitaire puzzled.
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--==** DragonDreams_V **==--
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It was cold and she thought of her warm fur cloaks outside by her warhorse. She was prepared for a fight, but knew it would not come. Seems the Ancient One knew why she was here. At least he pretended to, he was waiting for her to do something.

She drunk in the site of the old dragon, something few people could still lay claim to having done. He was easily ten times the size of the more domesticated dragons of late. His scales were grand. Grey, with white and icey blue streaks that caught the light and reflected it prizmatically. His muzzle was long and and his nostrils huge, beneath his mouth his scaley skin hung down like a old gnomes beard. His long claws were sharp and curled inward. His massive tail looked like a burden. The fatty soft underbelly of the old master glistened with the moisture of ... sweat? Did dragons sweat? She quickly jogged her memory of all the dragons she knew.... maybe they did.

A massive flame of heat was thrown from the dragon in a sudden burst.
The woman quickly held her sword high up over head in defense. The fire burned between them. HEAT singed her skin. The dragon seeing her sword roared in anger - red - his eyes narrowed upon her and he crouched ready to pounce upon the ignorant child in his midst.

"I have not come here to kill you!" She said defensively. "I did not come here to die either! I have come because everything within my very being has tormented me to come here. Why does the Ancient White return to my homeland? Why does he call me into his lair? If its the *grandness* of killing the ruler of Jewel," she mocked "The then Ancient White is an old fool!".

Then she snickered softly, scarcastically, lightly, defiantly.

There was silence and then it was broken by a mighting roaring laugh.

"You are cold, I made a fire. I am old. My bones ache from the cold, it is night." It is dark in here and I wish to see you better." The dragon said slyly. "I did not call you here, I was called home by my dreams."

Solitaire held her grip on her sword. She saw the fire die down into a warming glow. The firelight danced in the old ones eyes.

The dragon realized he was the elder here. Something important was to be accomplished this night. All his insight told him one of them would die soon, he saw no need to share that right now. "Your thoughts wander on and off to your horse outside and although he would make a tasty dinner you and I have a long night ahead of us. I am hungry, but not for horse or humankind.". The large dragon circled behind the fire and looked at the woman before him. "Bring your horse and packs inside... I will be back shortly.". The dragon strode towards the back entrance to the cavern. He hesitated and turned. "Do NOT leave my lair while I am gone, I have no tolerance for humankind that waste my time." he demanded, "I *will* hunt you down and torment your kind if you do."

With that he left.

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Her belly was full of freshly roasted rabbit. She sat upon her furs, no longer nervous in the presense of the Ancient White. Her horse would not enter the liar. She couldn't very much blame him. The dragon has returned promptly his nuzzle full of blood and his smile foretelling his content with his quick meal. She wondered how the two fat rabbits must have felt when the great beast plucked them from their den. Dragons eating rabbits!

The Ancient White made an effort to share the meal with her. Almost comically nibbling away at one like a squirrel eating a nut. She realized her host was painstakenly trying to make her comfortable. Over the meal he made references to a land far away, where rabbits grew to great heights and lizards were men and other oddities that made her smile.

The old one suddenly winced. Ahhh, he has a toothache. "Open your mouth." she said getting up and moving closer to the dragon. Annoyed and in pain he said "Just give me a minute, it will pass.".

"OPEN your mouth" the woman insisted. "I am not a proper healer, but I do know some of the healing arts, open your mouth and let me see.". The dragon opened his mouth and let the young woman stick her head inside.

She walked over to the fire and selected a long thin branch. Still hot she took out a hunting knife and whittled the charred bark away. The dragon sat watching her. She reached into her packs and removed some tiny packets of herb. She took out two shiny stones from another of her packs and placed them within the embers of the fire. A wooden bowl was filled with water from a bladder.

The woman worked quickly, stirring the mixture of herbs and water. Then she stuck the whittled branch into the fire slowly turning it in the heart of the flames till it was a glowing red. She looked at the dragon hesitantly at first, but then smiled. "If I die fixing some old dragons absessed tooth, then *I* will be famed as the stupid old fool.".

"This will hurt, but it will feel much better quickly and not bother you again." she told the dragon. He opened up hoping she was right. She took the hot poker and stuck it into the tooth peircing the infectious boil and cauterizing the wound. She almost lost her balance with the dragons flinch but she saw the release of pressure and quickly soaked the gums in the tingling numbing potion she had made. She said a quick paladin prayer over the tooth, not sure if the gods would approve or disapprove and returned to her place by the fire.

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The woman slept.

The old dragon feeling much better was now in the mood to continue their talk. She was obviously exhausted and perhaps found the resolve to sleep. Afterall no dragon kills its prey without a decent fight. What fun would that be? She obviously knew the ways of dragons. The dragon drew closer to her, careful not to alarm her. After a few moments of careful thought he reached over and gently snipped a small hair from the end of her long braid. He settled backdown on his side of the fire.

Beneath the fith secondary scale on his right side, he kept a small red stone. He took the stone and held it over the hot fire. He placed the hair from the woman upon the top of the stone and gently breathed upon it, fusing it to the stone. The he waited. Patiently.

The scary stone turned a bright orange as it started to sizzle. The old dragon watched as the stone revealed the childs short life. Much of what he had already deduced, was confirmed. She was a leader that never wanted to lead, a slayer that never wanted to slay. She was a crusader for a people she felt an obligation to. She longed to be close to a sister but the paths led in different directions. The only man she chose to love, was not a man at all. He was a teacher, a scholar, with no heart, no lifeforce of his own. He was cruel, yet he could not see this mans face. She had recently chosen her sucsessor and without explaination turned over all of her monarchy to another woman. Why had she chosen another woman? He could not see all the answers. Inspite of the scalding sting pentrating his clawed hand he moved the hot stone closer to the fire, wanting to find more answers. Too hot the stone shattered sending fragments of the gem flying in all directions. The woman tossed in her sleeep but did not wake.

The dragon considered using another of the precious stones, but felt he had probably learned all he could that way. He decided to see if the dream would come again this night and fell asleep.

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--==** DragonDreams_VI **==--
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"I can't do it.. I wont..." the woman said. A tear ran down her cheek.

The old dragon paced back and forth. Why was this child so upset about an animal such as the old warhorse tethered outside? She seemed almost bonded with the horse. Another thing he would not understand at all. "Then I will do it!" he grumbled.

"NOOOO!". He watched as the woman picked up her sword and went to the mouth of the cavern. He listened to the blizzard outside, waiting for the scream. The storm was a bad one, it would last for days.

Early that morning he had showed her the secret red stone. They had both spit upon it and what they saw together put a sense of dread into both of them. It couldn't be true. After carefull consideration, the made the descision to journey together and confirm the stones prophocy. They must move quick, he must fly, with her mounted upon his back.

Now the only thing that hindered them was the old warhorse she was obviously so fond of. To set it free in the likes of the raging blizzard outside was a cruel death, to wander till starved or frozen. The horse still would not enter the saftey of the cavern, but they had no idea how long they would be gone. One of them should slay the horse. She could easily get another, they ran plentiful in the lands south of here.

He heard the scream... not a death scream, a scream of a horse just kicked. In a cloud of rage and anger the woman charged in upon the back of the horse and directly towards the old dragon... he was caught off guard! The Ancient White roared in definance and swiped the horse once with his massive claw, then let out his hot stream of rage instantly killing the horse.

She cried. Slightly bruised and a bit heart broken, the woman picked herself up and brushed off the dirt of the cavern. "To die in battle is an honourable death for a warhorse such as he." She knelt over the charred fallen beast and cut out his heart, she buried it with a short silent prayer, She then slit open the belly and took out the liver. She ate it raw, warm blood spilling down her chin, savoring the courage and stregth, the life, of the old warhorse. He would live on within her. It was all she had to say before they took to flight in the raging blizzard.

And as they flew south, high in the raging blizzard, her two companions trudged on through the ice and snow, heading north.

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--==** DragonDreams_VII **==--
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"GEEZE-LOIZE! - you dragons just love that bbq-horse dont you!" exclaimed Mish-Rak.

Tijir blew a flaming booger towards Mish-Rak in response.

The two had traveled hard and fast to the place where the Ancient White called home. The blizzard raged upon the tundra outside. They were almost thankful to break through the deep snow and enter the cavern. Being wise, they entered cautiously, not knowing what to expect. Mish-Rak's horse pranced in place torn between the smell of the presence of dragon, and the remants of the decaying horse before them.

It was immediately obvious that she had been here a few days. She had left the contents of some of her packs scattered on a horse blanket. Her cooking stones that she often placed in a hot fire and tranfered to bowls of water or food, to heat the contents were still in the fireplace. There were signs of a scuffle, but from the evidence on the ground and other hints they concluded that she had left with the dragon. The horse was slayed, spared the harsh weather outside, spared abandoment. He was given a honourable death by his owner. The two companions needed not to exhange these fact beyond a few words. They were well traveled, the story came together easily.

"What now?" Tijir asked after a long pause.

"Well the way I see it, you can fly after them.... but its hard to track a dragon in the sky. and you would miss my company" Mish-Rak teased. "Or we can wait here till your grandpa returns." he said with a snicker.

"He *aint* my grumpa, I resent that remark.". With that Tijir bent over and started feeding on the charred remains of the warhorse.

Without another word, they both sat and ate a quick meal, Mish-Rak nibbled upon a small travel cake, and Tijir gorged himself upon the slain horse. They would rest, and continue in the morning. Neither sure of the direction, both knowing they would follow instinct alone at sunrise.

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--==** DragonDreams_VIII **==--
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The journey took several days. They flew out of the blizzard upon the second day. As they flew southward they stuck to the unoccupied areas of the world. Humankind was rare, the world wide open, dangerous, exciting. They stopped and rested regularly, both too full of anxiety to exchange many words. The Ancient White had an idea of where they were headed. He had traveled to such a place once, long ago, when he was young but never saw anything of interest.

Solitaires eye grew wide as they approached the large continent. She had thought Cardania was endless as a child. She was impressed with the size of Atheria, still not fully explored... but this place was an endless ocean of land!

Then she saw it. The largest man she had ever seen, standing high up into the sky. Her breath caught in her throat, cold washed over her. The dragon saw it too and was startled, he quickly altered course and veered awy from the massive humankind. He landed safley far away. Solitiare dismounted the great old dragon and fell to her knees.

The dragon steadied himself. "Stay here. I am going to go back and look again." he said in a low grumbling growl.

Solitaire wanted to tell him no, wanted to tell him to take her home, wanted to tell him she didn't want to be alone in the place, she wanted to beg the dragon who she once feared not to leave her.. but not able to find the voice to speak, she simply nodded.

The Ancient White took to the air, leaving the tiny spec of a woman far below; alone, in a strange place.

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--==** DragonDreams_IX **==--
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The first night she sat curled up in a ball, listening to the lull of the waves crashing ashore, trying desperately to hear the flap of his dragon wings through the noise of the sea. Her clothing soaked from the constant spray of the ocean, her mouth dry from the salt, the woman sat alone upon the rocky beach. Shaking from the cold, she hung on to his last words, 'stay here'. He is coming back.. he will be back. She sat wide eye, unable to sleep, overwhelmed with fear.

The sun scorched her wet salty skin the second day. Her ears rung with the never ending squawks of the seabirds. Every moment added to her dread. She did not know where she was. The rocky beaches at the base of the land went on as far as she could see. The massive cliffs towered high beside her. She remembered her glimpse of the endless grasslands above. Was he hurt? Was he dead? Did he try to fight the giant of giants and loose? Her stomach turned. By days end she gathered up what driftwood she could find, along with dried seaweed. Everything she had, was wet from the constant spray of the sea.

She didn't light a fire till the third night. No longer caring if some unfriendly was to see, perhaps the dragon had forgotten where she was. No he would not just forget. She was cold and in need of warm food. She thanked the gods as she blew upon the spark that flew from the strike of her flint and iron pyrite. She ate a fish caught in the shallows and then baked on a hot rock. The fire was extremely smoky from the damp wood and the dried seaweed, its plume reaching high up to the cliffs peak just to the south. In the morning she would go north, back towards the giant. She was in a strange land and the dragon was not going to return.

The rocky beach made traveling hard. She had slipped many times and had torn her clothing. Her lips were cracked from the sun and salt. She was out of fresh water. By noon she had made a desicision. She repacked her one pack, taking only her sword, her fire stones, what was left of her travel cakes and her empty water bladder. She needed to climb the cliff before she became any weaker. Her spirit was already in a down spiral, her body not far behind. She looked high up, head tilted back she had never climbed anything so high before. The cliffs where she grew up, she had climbed often as a child, to steal the eggs of the birds that nested there, savoring the warm raw treasures held within the gray shells. This cliff held no treats. She studied the face of the cliff carefully. She would need to map in her mind what she could see, ledges, pitfalls, impossible paths. She tried not to think of the rocky beach, or the impossible height, instead she look for points to reach. Her paladin heart told her not to look at the top, but to focus on what she can do. Her first goal.

A little ledge about a fifth of the way up, yes, she could do that. No longer thinking about the giant, no longer thinking about the dragon, no longer thinking about home, she began to climb. Yes, I can do that.

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--==** DragonDreams_X **==--
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Breathing hard, the woman took a deep breath, and with her last boost of energy she lifted herself up onto the ledge. She laid there, face in the dirt, thirsty, exhausted. She took off her pack and rolled onto her back. Looking up she smiled. The top of the cliff was not far. Yeah, I can do that, she thought. When she felt rested enough, she sat up, again looking out over the ocean, squinting, looking for a vessel or ship upon the darken horizon. She closed her eyes and sat back against the cliff upon the little ledge resting. Her ankles hurt the worst. Her gloves no longer protected her bleeding fingers. The last toe cramp had paralyzed her upon this leg of the climb. The sun was passing down far to the west, somewhere above across the grassy plain. The cliffs shadow and the strong breeze off the ocean blew against her sweat drenched skin. She shivered.

It was getting darker, if she continued now, she would not reach the top until well into the dark black of night. She giggled madly as she thought to herself, how safe she actually felt on this little ledge. Fear had left her for a while. She stuffed the backpack under her head and laid down, trying to decide if she should wait till morning she drifted off to sleep, curled up in a ball, no dreams came to her, just the empty sleep of exhaustion.

She woke up with a jolt then watched her pack drop silently, falling, falling, falling and then listened to the faint thud as it hit the rocks far below. The woman just stared over the edge of the ledge. No thinking. Just looking. Her clothing was torn and dirty, her hair a mess and in disarray, her lips hurt from the cracking of sun, salt, and her unquenched thirst. Her fingers raw from the days before climb. She just looked at her pack so tiny. If she hadn't seen it fall, she probably wouldn't be able to see it at all.

Her tummy rumbled in the anger of hunger.

Then she laughed out loud till her eyes teared.

The sunrise was spectacular and she marveled in all the colors that jumped to life in the sky. The ocean was like a bed of diamonds reflecting, no, no - waving, good morning back at the sun. She looked up with a smile to the top of the cliff, she thanked the gods for good weather and reached for the first hand hold above her head. Yeah, I can do that.

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She started to laugh as her hand felt the tuft of grass that hung over the top of the cliff. Grasping for a firm hold, she boosted herself up enough to get the other hand upon the grass.. one last lift.. almost there. She let out a single grunt right when she saw the large hand grab her own and pull her onto the plain.

Before she knew what was happening, the hand grabbed her by the hair and lifted her face up to his. The snarling face and large dark eyes of the beastly man grinned evilly at her with his large canine teeth.. he then tossed her back to the ground and kicked her hard in the stomach.

Shocked and in pain she curled up upon the ground. There were many voices speaking a language she did not know Another of the beast-men rolled her over by kicking her with his large boot. He knelt down and looked at her teeth then felt the thickness of her arm getting back up he kicked dirt upon her.

With the last burst of energy she had, she scrambled to her feet and made a short dash away, only to be tackled and punched hard by half a dozen of the men. They laughed and pushed her around, spitting and cackling, yelling to each other, yelling at her.. she didn't know what they were saying, but they were certainly enjoying themselves she was "sport". The big man that had lifted her up over the Cliffside sat watching the others, sneering, grinning. He then yelled out an order, and two of them were dragging her off to the side of the make shift camp bounding her wrists and feet.

She yelled at them, demanding to be set free, but the two men slapped her with the back of their hand and yelled back something in their harsh gurbly language. Wriggling desperately, screaming in protest, she heard a sound, like the thump of a cantelope dropped to the ground, and as the purple haze filled her eyes, she realized the big one was over her, yelling, his large boot, it was his boot, oh my head hurtzzz.

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--==** DragonDreams_XI **==--
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Water.. water was being poured over her face the coolness felt good upon her soar face, but it was her thirst that woke her up, drinking what she could get her in her mouth, her head was being held up by one of the men he was laughing and talking at her, splashing the water all over her face. Her hands still bound behind her back, her feet beneath her. He took a soft piece of hide and wiped away the grim and blood. Then he held the bladder of water in front of her, speaking softly, teasing her. She looked at him innocently, not knowing what he wanted her to do or say then he put the bladder up to her lips and allowed her to drink some more. When he pulled it away again he shouted something over to the men in the center of the camp and they busted out in a roar of laughter. He then took a finger and ran it down her nose lightly, then across her lips. She started to speak, and he shook his head.. and put a finger to his lips and made a shushing sound. He bent her head forward and pushed her long hair aside. Touching the back of her head with a damp cloth she jumped from the stinging pain that surged through her head. He then said a few things, looking at her with a grin, stood up and walked back to the others.

There were perhaps twenty of the large men. Their hair was thick upon their heads, and they wore armour made from something she had never seen before. As many horses were grazing not far off to the south. A roast was spitted over a fire in the center of camp and as the smell drifted over towards her, she was suddenly aware of how hungry she was. She tried to wriggle out of the thong that bound her hands tightly behind her but the knots only grew tighter. If she could make it to a horse The horses were thick and sturdy.. well fed. The men laughed in the camp again over some comment made. She tried to find a rock or something to help her weaken her bindings, a shock of pain went through her head with the slightest movement.

All the men stood up and stared to the north. She managed to turn her had only to see a cloud of dust moving in the distance over the tall grasses. A rider was coming.

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He rode into the camp and jumped down from the horse and started yelling at all the men around the fire. They quickly jumped up and started looking busy. He was larger then all the other men. Even his horse looked larger then the others out grazing. He walked over to the leader of the group, the one that had plucked her from the cliff, and started yelling. The other yelled back, but it was soon evident the larger man held a higher rank. He was offered food and drink. While he was eating he looked over at her for the first time. He threw down his food and strided over to her. The other man following closely behind.

What is this? he asked looking down upon her.

The other man answered something.

Its a female and its small, it would not fetch much of a price. Where did you get it?

The other man garbled on and on for a long while. The large man went back to his food, listening to the the other man babble on, following submissively behind.

As the afternoon passed, she was more and more aware of everyplace on her body that had been kicked, punched and smacked. The dull throbbing of her head was the back beat to all the other flaming aches that screamed with every movement. It hurt to think. It hurt to say a pray of healing. It just hurt.

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She didnt remember falling asleep. The extra large man was standing over her.. looking at her.. his eyes were an ice blue. His huge horse was being prepped for his departure. He stood there studying her.

"You and your men, have your orders! I will take this with me.", He stated.

The other man grew angry but held his demeanor, arguing back.

The large man growled at the other man. Then he picked her up with one hand and laid her across the back of his mount. She was filled with pain and she shouted out in protest.. a dirty piece of hide was shoved into her mouth. The large man mounted his steed and started to gallop hard back north, she felt like a fresh kill, not quite dead, being taken home for slaughter.

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--==** DragonDreams_XII **==--
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He rode fast and non stop through the tall grasses. The land was monotonous. Solitaire drifted in and out of consciousness. He came to a full stop by a small trickling stream running through the grasses. He lifted her off the horse and gently put her down. He then took the horses blanket and laid it next to the stream. Unbinding her, he placed her upon the blanket, looking at her with concern. A small pool of water was formed here.

The pool is formed from the small stream meeting a small spring in the earth. The water is fresh and clear. Do you see it bubbling? he asked. Not waiting for an answer he continued to talk to her in his deep soothing voice Your hurt badly but nothing is broken. You should heal and regain your strength in a couple of days. He sat cleaning her up a bit, then he undressed her, taking off her grimy clothes and inspecting each wound. He covered her in a thick fur cloak and told her to rest. She tried to talk and found she couldnt the sloshing of her brain and thickened her voice and all she wanted was sleep.

When she awoke a little while later, her clothes were spread out drying up on a thicket of bushes she didnt notice before. A warm smokeless fire crackled nearby, and a cup of hot steaming tea was awaiting her thirst.

The tea is made from some herbs that will make you feel a little better. He said. He was busy skewering a freshly skinned rabbit. Drink first, its bitter, I know, then we can eat. He sat back upon his feet in a squatting position across from her. Looking at her. He watched as she sat herself up holding the covers over her bare skin, and sipped the hot tea. Marigold and a little clover, yes both would help her feel better. She managed a slight smile of thanks through her badly swollen and bruised face.

She nibbled at the roasted rabbit, it was hard to open her mouth. She had not eaten much when she started vomiting violently. The man held her hair behind her and out of her way, as she cried and convulsed as her stomach went through its barrage of spasms. He spoke softly to her, assuring her everything would be okay, and when she laid down shivering and shaking, he curled up beside her, wrapping his arms around her, keeping her safe and warm.

Her fevers came and went for couple of days. Her thoughts were mixed in with her dreams and nightmares. Many men riding fast on horses screaming in a language she tried desperately to recognize, throwing rocks and blade at her she tried to run, but found her feet stuck in an invisible quagmire of mud Her heart racing she opened her eyes from sleep. The sun was just coming up and the man lay snoring besides her. Snoring loudly. Hideously. Solitaire chided herself as she realized she was making comments to herself about a man that had just saved her life. She quietly got up and reached for her clothing. They were cleaner, and newly repaired. Her body was still full of so much grit and grime.

She waded into the small pool of water, it was just large enough for perhaps four people. She washed off the grime upon her skin using the piece of hide he had used upon her when they first set up camp. She washed the dirt out of her hair as best she could. Using one of the furs, she dried off and dressed, all the while staying quiet, so not to disturb the sleeping man. She started hot water for tea, throwing more dried dung upon the fire. She broke off a twig from the scrub bush and gnawed at the end, brushing her teeth. Feeling refreshed she sat down and started the long task of pulling the tangles out of her hair.

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--==** DragonDreams_XIII **==--
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Your looking much better! He said with a grin.

Solitaire lifted her hair back off her face, she had it all turned over and was working the last of the knots when he awoke. I am feeling much better. It only hurts a little now. She responded with a smile.

He looked at her for a while and then said Good. Now I need you..

She looked at him again with that confused -drenched in thought- look he had grown so accustomed to. He stood up before her and lifted his shirt. She gasped as he lifted a leather pad. This man had five broken off arrows stuck in the side of his chest. Solitaire quickly ran through her thoughts, how can he still be alive, when did this happen.

You are paladin. I need the arrows taken out, and the wounds cleaned sealed, the heads are poisonous. I need my blood purified, as best you can. My magic is strong, but I am loosing this battle slowly.

Not needing anymore motivation, she found herself in prayer and quickly looking over the camp for the items she knew she would need. He watched, he smiled, he was fond of this woman, she would take care of him now.

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He screamed louder then she had ever heard a human scream as she smashed the arrows one by one, pushing them out his back. There was no other way. They were in too deep and had been in him to long. His skin around the wound was an angry purple and white. With each smash of her stone pounding down upon the broken butt of the arrows he screamed. One by one she pulled them, out his backside, careful not to touch the poisoned tip. She flushed the wounds, and covered them in the pulp she had mixed from boiled wildflowers she had made earlier. She did not have the power to purify his blood, but she was able to clean out the wounds and help him heal.

He slept. She curled up beside him. She slept.

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--==** DragonDreams_XIV **==--
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The Ancient White woke from his deep slumber. He was feeling better. He leaned over and licked his companion awake.

She woke and screamed, scuttling away from him.. he laughed a hearty laugh and picked her up and sat her back down beside him. For the first time in days, he felt good. He was back to his old form.. being stuck in a shape-shifted unknown humankind beast drained him. He was actually worried he would be stuck like that forever.

Solitaire felt like a doll, picked up by the dragons clawed hand and plopped back down beside him. He licked her again, laughing and playing with her like a toy. Everything became so clear to her in that instance. It was him. He had taken the form of the man, and rode into that camp and saved her. She had been able to understand what he had said thats right! The old dragon could speak in tongues! She reached over and hugged the old beast as tears filled her eyes. So many questions came to her mind, so much to ask him, yet she was just so happy to see him right now all she wanted to do was hug him. He had not forgotten her.

So I flew back to that place and discovered what we had saw was one of the stone guardians of this land. Over breakfast the dragon told Solitaire of his adventures since they had departed. There are many such guardians upon the coastal cliffs. All are huge! Ten times as big as me.

Solitaire looked at him like a child listening to a fable.

I came across many troops of men like those that had gotten a hold of you. He continued. There are many of them camped out along the coast. A few had seen me flying north, so I decided to double back well inland. That was my mistake. I flew low over the grasslands, trying not to draw attention, and in the dark of night I flew right into a docked, uhmmm.. The dragon searched for the right words Airship?. I flew into it, flew right into a field of them, dozens of them, hundreds of those men. They attacked me, I flamed them many times.. The dragon shook his head. The firebreath has no effect on them. I have never encountered creatures such as these, one that are not effected by the firebreath of a dragon. The Old White paused for a moment. I did kill many with my claws, but I was out numbered, as I took to flight again seeking escape, I was shot my many an arrow. Most just bounced off my armour, but so many flew through the air after me, I was hit several times in the soft spot beneath my right wing. I was unable to fly very far. Search parties were of course sent out to look for me, they knew they had wounded me.

Solitaire drank in all what the dragon was saying, her fear was back she shook her head, wanting to hear the rest.

I managed to avoid capture for the first day but a dragon that cannot fly Thats when I saw the field general, he was shouting orders at the other men scouring the plains. I was lucky, a flock of prairie birds were started north of where we were and the man sent all of his command to that spot. Then the old dragon grinned evilly. He was alone. Watching his men. His horse didnt even stir as I stealthily snuck in behind them. Then I ate him.

Oh no! Solitaire exclaimed as she started to giggle uncontrollably.

It was then I took the form of this man. I used the last ounce of my magic to accomplish this. I feigned that the horse, who by the way tasted better then the mankind-beast, had thrown me and ordered another. I ordered the company to spread out in search parties due north, and I snuck away south. I started riding the coast, looking for signs of you. The large old dragon caressed the womans cheek tenderly. I was starting to loose hope. He added softly.

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I had talked to many as I traveled, they prepare for war..

Solitaire thought for a long while. Is that why they were driven here? A warning of things to come? War with men that didnt fear even the ancient dragons? She didnt want to even think about what this meant.

For years they have raided foreign lands, and have taken slaves. They are a race without conscious, they feel superior and more advanced. They claim their shaman have the power to fall other lands. With that the Ancient White also sunk quietly into thought.

We must return home. She whispered.
The Ancient White nodded in agreement.

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--==** DragonDreams_XV **==--
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They had retired early laying across the fire from one another. In her sleep he came to her again, the one that had held her heart for so long. She looked into the icy blue pools of his eyes, lost in her love for him. He laid beside her stroking her softly, whispering all the right things to her, making her happy he was here.

The Ancient White stirred in his sleep, they were not alone, he sensed the presence of another. Opening his one eye, he spied the dark figure next to the woman. Then he was the man laying with her. He gently nibbled upon her ear, running his tongue down her neck very slowly. She turned to him and kissed him passionately. He moved over her, wanting to know more of her, her hands upon his back he sank deliciously into her. A wave of excitement ran through him from head to toe as their bodies became one. Soft moans in the darkness peaked to the edge of screams and as he looked to see where he ended and she began, he was overtaken by the shared passions, the pleasure of love.

And they slept.

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--==** DragonDreams_XVI **==--
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They woke up that morning, curled up together, the dragon around the woman. The dream forgotten. They took off in flight, heading north, heading home. The dragon flew high over the grassy plain, giving Solitaire a glimpse of the airfield he talked about. There was no need to confirm his story, she believed his every word. She slept upon his back, as he refused to stop upon the small islands for rest. The poison was still in his body and he worried about it. He felt no need to worry her, so he didn't mention it.


Several days later he landed upon a small icy island, exhausted. "We are not far from home..." he was confused. He needed rest. As he laid down in his exhaustion Solitaire inspected his wounds and confirmed her worst fears. He had flown all this way, pumping the poison throughout his body... suddenly he looked very old to her, older then she could possibly imagine any living creature being.

A sadness overcame her as she watched him sleep. His breathing had become labored during the night, she couldn't sleep. She tried her best to make him comfortable. She searched her memory for every prayer of healing she could remember. Early in the morning she dozed off listening to his dragon's heart beat rhythmatically in his chest, knowing that it was moving the poison... killing him.

He was dying. All things were suddenly clear to him, the confusion gone. He looked at the woman affectionately, knowing what he had to do. She awoke at his slightest stir, looking upon him, she stifled her tears.

In a hoarse whisper he said, "I am leaving soon.".

"No, no, your not." She looked into his icy eyes again, "You can't leave me now.".

"I have not thought of you in a long time, I have forgotten you..." He said in a coughing fit. Solitaire thought the poison must be confusing him and comforted the old dragon as best she could. "I want to look upon you, as I always have". The dragon said, then he spun a magical storm around her, and as she was lifted off her feet, the magic enveloped her body in a fast swirling vortex. He smiled happily when it disappated.

Solitaire looked over herself, she was in her royal gown of blue, her hair down, gently falling over her shoulders and cascading down her back. Upon her head was the crown of Jewel. Upon her feet were the slippers that the cobblers of Jewel made especially to match her royal blue dress. She had forgotten how wonderful the formal garb made her feel.

The dragon smiled, stood up, took her hand and whispered to her, "It is time for us to leave.".

"But the army! The comming war, we must.." she pleaded.

"No, it is time. It will all be okay.. It is time for us to leave the pain and pleasure of our mortal bodies behind, it is time for the mortals to follow a destiny set long before you and I, it is time for us to go home.".

She started to nod in complete understanding as the Great Ancient White circled her, wrapping his body around hers... and she remembered looking down upon herself, as the dragons body formed a magical Jewel to surround her own.

Her spirit mixed with his, the world left behind, all was good, all would be fine.

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--==** DragonDreams_XVII **==--
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Mish-Rak looked over the icecubed Queen.
"Bet it was that bastid Sleet! He could freeze a Queen!" he exclaimed angerly. Tijir thought carefully. "My votes for that slimeball troll, Krook. Assuring his wives position, I say.".

The two men just stared at the icecube somemore.

They had traveled fast to the little island as soon as word came about the woman frozen in ice. Now they stood puzzled.

"Why is she dressed in all that fancy stuff? She always hated all that." Mish-Rak commented.
Tijir just shook his head in disbeif. "She is dead. This is bad news indeed. We should tell Queen Simoriah as soon as possible.".

Mish-Rak stood amazed. "Could have been King Lockheart - never trusted that Bastid! Or maybe it was a Cardania wide consipiracy, I see dragon tracks all around, maybe all the Dragons got together and killed her!".

Tijir slapped his old pal on the back. "Every dragons a bastid eh?".
Mish-Rak blushed looking at his dragon friend.
Tijir then pounced upon Mish-Raks horse and ate it whole.
"DANG! You are a Bastid!" Mish-Rak yelled.

Tijir smiling, offered Mish-Rak a ride on his back, they would fly home.
And as they took off, leaving Solitaire to rest in peace in her bed of ice, Tijir turned to his companion and said, "Sheesh bud, packing in the pasta these days?". Then they both laughed.

It all felt okay.
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