[The Editor]

Repopulation (Woman to Dragoness)
As a new member to the Process forum I would like to take this opportunity to say hello. I've been a writer for some time now, and a fan of tf for almost as long. My favorite medium has always been writing, although that is not to say I don't appreciate a good bit of tf art when its dangled in front of me. It has only been in the last year that I've actually started writing some of my own tf stories, and this is the first I will be posting onto the Process forum. In regards to this particular story, it is broken into two chapters, and I am considering writing some more if anyone is interested, though to be perfectly honest I may write more even if no one is interested just for my own sake. I appreciate any feedback and thank you all for taking the time to read it.
Karen

Chapter 1: Arak's Gift

Kara rose and stretched, her spine cracked loudly in the early morning dawn. The sun was only just beginning to crest the horizon. She breathed in, her lanky frame gaining a few inches as she stood on her tiptoes. She exhaled and knew it would be a good day.

While she dressed, putting on her work jeans and thick flannel shirt, she sang a little diddy. Her voice wasn?t beautiful, but her pitch was perfect and she sang loudly and with no shame. The smell of hay and farm swirled around her as she slipped her boots on and began to sing louder, coming to a whirlwind of a crescendo as she stepped into the slowly brightening morning. Yes, it would be a wonderful day indeed.

The sun was at its height when Kara finally took a break. Sweat ran down her forehead, beading up and little streams dripping down. Her shirt was soaked with the fruits of her labor. Already she?d milked the cows and started plowing the field. Her mule was off chewing some grass in a corner of her property. Running the farm alone was tough, but it wasn?t a huge farm. When her family had been executed by the state, she?d taken up their duties, sold off portions of the land to help pay off debts, and used the work to take her mind off of her sorrow. Alone in this world, she had only the beasts under her care to keep her company.

It was not as though she was an ugly woman. Far from it. She was thin, a good height, dotted in freckles, her auburn hair hung down in clingy tangles from beneath her wide-brimmed hat. Gleaming green eyes surveyed her day?s work as she sat down and lifted up her hat to pour some water from the pump over her burning forehead. A loud, contented sigh escaped her lips and she nodded happily with her work. The sky was naked save for a couple light, airy clouds dotting the otherwise perfect blue sky. Nothing felt better than a good day?s work.

Even on days like this, no amount of work could fulfill her. She missed her family an awful lot. Working on the farm could be torturous; memories flooded in whenever they felt like and overwhelmed her. Some days she would cry, other days she would brood about and throw half-hearted kicks at the animals. Most days she just held it back and focused on work. On very rare days she would get roaring drunk and scream hateful spew about the evils of the Royal Forces in the nearby pub, much to the embarrassment and fear of the other patrons. The few men she had brought into her life all seemed to disappear once they found out her family?s past. The reason for their execution sent them running scared. Who wanted to be seen with the daughter of traitors?

Her family had been executed just over two years ago for conspiring against the state. The royal guards had burst into their house, yelling and grabbing everyone. Both her parents and her older brother were beaten severely while she had been groped a bit as they tied her and her family?s hands and legs up. Then there had been a terrible pain and she blacked out. When she came to, she was in a small cell. Five days later she was released, and no one had said a word to her. A mousey little man came in and told her she could go and led her to freedom. He coldly informed her that if she hurried she could still see her family. Running, she didn?t realize she?d been given directions to the gallows until she got there.

They were already swinging by the time she made it to the gallows, feet dangling beneath still bodies. However, her father was still struggling, any noises he was making drowned out by the roar of the bloodthirsty crowd. It was hard to remember much after that. She threw up, was jostled, and then collapsed. Little flickers of that day came back to her slowly, but she never got the whole thing. Not that she wanted to, she knew what had happened and what the crowds had been like and that was more than enough for her. But one thing always drew her mind, something she couldn?t fully comprehend. Her father, dangling and choking on his last breath, managed to speak, with his mind. To her, he sent one last thought before he finally succumbed to the inevitable. Cave?north?Flaus Arak. With that, he died. His feet twitched and then were still. The crowd grew silent as a soft breeze twisted the three bodies and then dispersed when they realized the show was over. Someone kicked out at Kara, but missed and went on their way. To this day she never knew why they had been executed, branded traitors by a usually benevolent state. Though their were rumors ranging from assassination to conspiracy to start a war to turning the king into a spider. But that?s all they were, rumors. The truth was so far out of anyone?s comprehension that only a handful of terrified individuals had even the slightest clue, and Kara was not among them.

Never once had she looked for any cave, though she had an idea where it might be. About ten miles north of her property, what was left of it anyways, was a large mountain. Her room faced it and the sight of the sun lighting up the snowy peaks struck awe and wonder in her that she carried with her the rest of the day. In the two years she had never once even attempted to find this cave, but today, as she sat wiping away the sweat of good, honest work, it was at the forefront of her mind. The thought almost seemed to be growing stronger, calling to her, as if the cave wanted to be found. Kara, just go, see what daddy thought was so important. What harm could it do? Well, it was easily a day?s trip there and back, and she had no intention of getting stranded out there. Besides, it?s not like she knew where the cave was.

Oh yes you do, her mind whispered. On cue, a memory flashed, her father tugging aside a book and showing her a map. A map that would save so much, ?Save lives?, he?d told her. ?It?s what we?ve always done Kara, my darling. It?s what we always must do.? When she?d pressed him, he?d simply shook his head and told her another time. It was always ?another time?, until eventually she just gave up and thought he was pulling on over on her. Curiosity got the best of her and she went and grabbed his book that contained the map. Gary Liosk had taken great pains to hide this map from the prying eyes of the Royal Forces. A small, but long vertical cut ran along the inside seem of the cover, barely visible unless you knew what to look for, which Kara did. With a sense of reverence she slid a short nail into the crack and slid the map out.

The map showed the mountain in stunning detail. Every ridge and jutting bolder, the trees that had been there at the time now were growing lower as the winters had moved in and grown colder over the years, and many caves marked the face of the mountain like pox scars on a young soldier. An extremely breathtaking compass adorned the top right corner of the paper. Her finger probed the rough paper, searching through its intricate details that might give her an idea where to search. She held it at arms length, squinting to see if there were any fine details, small secreted print or something. Frustration began to seethe through her and she slammed the map onto the table. ?Fuck you then,? she whispered.

The sun was just beginning to set when she came back inside. After giving up on the map, she?d gone out and continued to work. However, her mind stayed within the room, studying the map mentally, going over every inch of that masterpiece. She?d grunted and ground away at her chores, dropping some eggs and neglecting to keep the plow straight. The ruts were erratic and swerved across the field as though run by a drunken operator. The mule had seemingly laughed to itself when she had to make a major correction and she blushed angrily and pressed harder. Every inch of her was sore, the extra effort to correct her mistakes taking their toll on her body.

Without thought she plopped down at the table and began to stay at the map blankly. Her eyes drifted out of focus as exhaustion settled over her. Suddenly something clicked. The small compass in the corner overlapped with the drawing of the mountain, obscuring part of it. Surely such a thing couldn?t be an accident? Especially considering the care and detail administered to the gorgeous artwork. With a careful eye, she picked over the compass and realized the very tip of the North point settled at the mouth of a small, unassuming cave. There, she realized, was where whatever her father wanted her to find lay. Feeling proud, she folded up the map and gathered up a few supplies before heading to bed and quickly passing out.

Her dreams were ragged and hectic. A red mist seemed to cover the moon, casting the whole landscape in an eerie red glow flickering through dark clouds. She stood naked in the middle of a massive field, surrounded by trees. Formless shadows flitted about her. Whispers rumbled through the air, teasing her ears and leaving traces behind in the dark mist. The noises seemed to take on a kind of form, passing by her and leaving little wisps of disturbed fog in their wake. ?Kara,? one screamed quietly as it slashed through the air. ?Save us,? another, deeper one whispered. ?Come,? one said and the rest were silenced.

Kara spun toward the sound of the voice, now conscious of her nudity and covering her supple breasts with both arms. Two large, glowing eyes hovered several feet above her head. Craning her neck, she looked up into the glowing yellow embers and gulped down a massive wave of fear. The eyes lowered to her height, each one the size of her head. Heat radiated off of them and she raised her hand to cover her face. ?You. Come. Now.?

With a gasp Kara sat up and looked out the window. Fire lit up the sky as the sun began to rise, a small crescent on the horizon, the first hints of it just barely popping over the hills. Come. The voice compelled her and she grabbed the few supplies before sprinting out the door.

It took her all morning just to reach the base of the mountain. She dismounted Rusty, her horse, and set out to hike up the route she planned out on the way there. Even though it was the fastest way up, it still took until just a couple hours before nightfall to get up into the small clearing near the cave. She had cut a path threw the forest, stumbling about, orienting herself when necessary to stay on track, and suddenly stumbled out into a large swath of barren earth. The whole clearing was about five hundred feet wide and just as long, a large semi-circle of scorched dirt. Kara froze when she reached it, but knew in her heart and mind that this was where she was supposed to be. However, this knowledge did not propel her forward and she rested for a couple hours under the last remaining trees before the clearing.

Finally she could take it no more and got up, brushing a few crumbs off her lap and straightening her jeans. It took her a minute to realize she was holding her breath and then let out a long sigh and started forward. After the first few steps it became apparent she wouldn?t die instantly and she quickened her pace. Compelled now, hardly able to stop even if she wanted to, she began to accelerate from a slow tip-toe, up to a fast walk, and finally into a sprint. Every step she made toward the massive entrance felt more and more right. She looked up and smiled into the darkening sky, the sun slipping beneath the trees and casting long intertwined shadows and shafts of light.

Despite the desperate need burning within her, she stopped suddenly at the entrance. The air in front of her buzzed and crackled with an unseen energy. When she stretched out a hand in awe, she felt an unpleasant jolt course through her arm and she stepped back with a cry. Nursing her now aching hand, she nibbled at her lip, trying to make sense of this obstacle that prevented her from doing as her father asked upon his death. Thinking back on him and his senseless execution, she plopped down and let tears well up under her eyes and roll down dirtied cheeks, exposing soft, beautiful skin. The whole day flashed back to her, but to her credit she did not cry, just did nothing to stop small streams from flowing down her face.

That face suddenly lit up with understanding. She got to her feet, shaking, but strong in mind and spirit. Taking in a deep breath, she uttered the last words of her father. ?Flaus Arak!? she screamed and waited. For a few moments nothing happened, then the tingling whine of energy dimmed and then ceased. A big grin swept over her face and she stepped smoothly past the previous barrier that had kept her from her one true goal. Stopping just short of the entrance, she gulped, looking into the blackness residing a few feet past the cave?s gaping maw. The sun was giving just a few narrow shaft of light between the trees and Kara looked over her shoulder and noted the disappearing sun. With a sigh she stepped past the destroyed ground and onto the smooth rock of the cave.

Power crackled about her as soon as her foot hit the dark rock of the cave floor. The compelling force that had called to her first in her dreams, and intermittently on the way, now multiplied in force and overwhelmed her mind with the singular thought. Step forward. Her body complied before her mind had time to catch up and she was soon standing in the darkness. The light behind her dimmed as sun was replaced with a narrow crescent moon. She saw nothing, but her feet took her forward, swerving around jutting rocks. There was a crunch underfoot and a glimmer of white when she looked down and felt sick, knowing full well what that sickly pale substance that had been crushed likely was.

Stepping further, no longer in any real control, she merely focused on meditating, a thing that she had done regularly since the town doctor and shaman had prescribed it twice a day earlier that year. The fear began to slip away and she absorbed the powerful energy swirling in raging gusts about her. Her spirits lifting, she nearly toppled over as her feet quit moving and whirled her arms about trying to stay upright. There was a pop as she took a step back trying to steady herself, more crunching of bone, and she was still. Waiting for more of the forced marching, she was a little surprised and quite a bit relieved to find herself having total control once more. Although this allowed a bit more of the fear to find its way and grip her heart with black tendrils.

?You,? a voice rumbled out of the blackness, surrounding her as it echoed off the walls. Fear clutched at her heart and she put a hand up to it and began to shake quietly. Despite having no vision, she stood tall, hoping to look at least somewhat intimidating and getting the feeling that even if she were a knight in sun-blasted armor she wouldn?t stand the smallest chance in six hells to get away from this. ?Step forward.? No longer being driven by the voice in her head, finding it instead manifesting itself inside the cave, she took a couple tenuous steps forward.

?Good enough,? the voice said lazily. It was stronger now, more focused. She could get a sense of what it felt like. The voice itself was rough and gravely, like rocks scrapping against each other. There was a sense of potential volume, a hint that the voice was practically whispering, holding back an enormous noise. It swirled about her as a force of its own, mixing with the magic flitting about the cave. A sound like escaping steam brushed past her and disappeared into the clear night well behind her.

?What do you want?? she asked bravely, having an idea of what would come next. A bout of nausea swept through her and she tried desperately not to throw up. With a loud gulp she managed to push back the queasy contents of her stomach and drew herself to full height.

?I assumed you had an idea miss,? the voice said slowly, grumbling at the end. It suddenly dropped to her height and become concentrated directly in front of her. She could feel the air heat up as the words hit her softly. ?Sorry for the mix up. You are an Orina, correct??

?Wha?? That?s my grandmother?s name, but I don?t-?

The voice interrupted her. ?Then you are Orina child, I care not for your human traditions and as such find them silly. Don?t you?? There was a trace of dry humor in the voice now and Kara began to ease slightly. If this thing had wanted her dead, she would have died a while ago. It seemed to sense her relax. ?Your vision is not so good in here is it? I know my cave all too well, haven?t considered strangers. I should get you some light, give you a better sense of what sort of shit you?ve been dropped into.? That last bit cooled Kara?s blood with fright, but that fear was nothing compared to what happened next.

Two massive eyes opened up just feet from her, glowing a dark yellow and split by a narrow slit. The eyes tilted upward and she had to cover her eyes as flames darted from in front of them, igniting the very air above them and giving her a good look at the dragon curled up before her. Only the front half was in view, but that was more than enough for the terrified Kara. The two glowing embers of eyes considered her thoughtfully as her tiny human ones darted about the dragon?s form. Large nostrils topped the front of a narrow snout that extended back to a bullet shaped head. Two short horns adorned the top of its head, jutting back slightly and ending in worn tips suggesting some use. Barely a foot away were a pair of folded claws where the dragon had rested its head, tipped with black claws that gleamed dully in the fiery light. Extending up from the claws were two muscled arms covered in bright orange scales. The scales were so close together that at first they appeared to simply be a shimmering skin, but upon further inspection later Kara could see the white lines that indicated where one scale ended and another began. These scales all glistened beautifully, almost an identical color to the burst of flame that had been issues from the narrow slit of a mouth attached to the considerable snout now turned into a grin. ?Yes,? the dragon said, no more mysterious echo, but a real flesh and blood creature. ?A dragon. Oh my, but have no fear, I?m not much in the mood for fair maidens tonight.? Its smiled broadened. ?Twas a joke, though I admit, for a flesher, you are rather fair.?

?Thanks?? Kara said in a small voice. The head lowered to just above her and she saw the long, elegant neck attaching the head to the heavily muscled body. The scales rippled when the dragon moved, emanating a sense of power under the currently slow form.

?But of course, the Orinas have always been a fair bunch. I?m sorry about your father. I would have given my condolences in the flesh, but I doubt your people would take to the last dragon being at your gorgeous farm. Sad that I get to stretch my wings only when it is sufficiently cloudy, I used to enjoy the aerial views of your people.? The dragon sighed and a wave of warm air swept past Kara, causing her flesh to tingle. It was a pleasant feeling, like sitting in front of a nice fire on a cold day, and that pleasantness worked its way into her bones. ?I?m Arak, though you already knew that if you got in.?

?I didn?t know,? Kara said cautiously. ?But my father, he told, well, not me, but he said it before he died.?

?A sad day indeed,? the dragon said with a genuine tone. It paused and looked up at the flames and sighed again, causing the fire above to flicker.

?Um, I don?t wish to be rude, but why am I here?? In truth, she had no problem being rude, but thought that being on her best behavior around such a tremendously powerful beast would be a safe bet.

Arak blinked quickly and lowered its head to her level, its snout just inches away from her face, but she didn?t back off. Most of this was the sheer terror of having the creature so close, but a little bit was raw courage, something the Orinas had bred into them. Its tongue snaked out, a thin, blood red serpent-like thing split in two, each tip wiggling independently as it slithered over the beast?s thin lips. ?I see, I see. So he told you nothing?? The dragon opened its considerable maw and revealed rows and sharp serrated teeth and its tongue slid back in. ?How interesting.?

Kara?s blood began to boil, this thing seemed amused at her blind ignorance and she wanted some damn light shed on the matter. Without thinking, she stepped forward and placed a hand on the tip of the dragon?s smooth snout. An aroma of cooked meat, not unpleasant, seeped through the beast?s closed mouth. Arak pulled away, startled by her brazen move, then snorted several times, grinning even wider. ?My, but aren?t you the brave one? Orina child you are miss.?

?Answers,? she said flatly, trying to keep her hand and voice from trembling.

Arak nodded. ?Certainly miss. Certainly. Feel free to sit.? One of the dragon?s claws flicked and the room glowed bright blue, little flecks of light danced about and then streamed behind her and formed a small couch. Once it took shape and solidified, the room went back to the shadow dancing flame lit cave it had been not moments before. At first she was cautious, prodding the soft couch with her foot, then, satisfied it would not eat her, she sat down in it and let out a long sigh. She hadn?t realized how sore she was from the long hike and every muscle screamed once they realized they were done working. Pushing the pain to the back of her head, she leaned back and closed her eyes, sinking into the plush couch.

?Many thanks sir, oh, um, you are in fact???

?Male? Yes miss,? the dragon chortled. ?That I am. Is it to your satisfaction then? I do pride myself on making sure my guests, especially those of your kind, are comfortable before I gobble them up.? Arak huffed a little laugh and spotted the pale mask of terror on Kara?s face. ?Sorry, tasteless joke. We stopped eaten humans quite a while ago. Keeps us off your maps. Your father used to buy cattle from others with the wealth I?ve accumulated and bring them here for me to eat. Though, I guess I can?t say we anymore can I?? He sighed and lowered his head onto his large claws, looking at her sadly as she warily grew more comfortable. Of course she had heard tales of dragons, but they were just myth. Her father had told her fantastic tales of beautiful, majestic creatures, and she had fallen in love with their kind. However, almost everyone else, when the subject was addressed, seemed to think of them as nothing but pure evil out to kill everything and everyone. She liked her father?s stories better.

?It is very comfortable,? she said slowly and leaned forward a bit. ?What did you mean by that last part sir??

?Please miss, it?s Arak.?

?Well then it?s Kara to you,? she smiled kindly.

The dragon?s eyes lit up and he smiled. ?Kara,? he said, tasting the words as they escaped his mouth, ?Yes, tis a pretty name. Pretty name to match a pretty flesher. Er, human, sorry. When one doesn?t get company for long, well, old habits die hard.? His considerable bulk, still hidden in the darkness, shifted. ?Have you time for a story, or would you rather rest first? I?ve been watching you climb and it?s been quite a long day for you, has it not? Don?t worry,? he said, seeing the momentary concern flicker over her eyes, ?I swear on my father?s bones I won?t harm a single hair on your head or anywhere else. Does that make you feel any better?? Kara nodded despite herself. This beast?s words were smooth, even if his voice was not. There was a sense of patriarchal kindness behind his eyes, and that hint of a smile made her feel much safer than she would have thought. ?Good, I can get you a bed if you like, stay the night, we?ll talk more once you?ve rested. Sunrise seem fair little one??

By the time the sun began to rise the next day Kara was still fast asleep. Her dreams were vivid and wild. The whole world lay stretched below her, every detail easily perceived as she glided quickly above the tiny specks. Wind rushed by her head, caressed her body as she soared higher and higher, breaking through the clouds and into the bright blue sky. Greeting the sun as an old friend, she shot upward and spiraled several times before plummeting back down. There, the mountain peaked just above the clouds and she dove toward it, relishing every second of this exhilarating ride. A small pop beside her caused her to look to her left and she gasped as her father floated beside her, sitting in his favorite chair. ?Now you understand? They may have killed me, but there is still hope my beautiful baby.? He turned and smiled at the soft clouds pierced by the tip of the frosty mountain. ?I always loved this view, Arak, his kindness knows few limits. He has shown it to me both in dream and reality. You think this is nice?? he chuckled, ?Wait until he takes you up, and he will. And then he will proposition you. Fulfill your purpose, we, Orinas, guardian of the dragons, beg of you, last of our line. Fulfill your destiny.?

Kara?s eyes opened slowly as the sun shone into the cave and over her face, basking her in warmth. The fire of the night was gone now and the cave was now flooded with brilliant sunlight. It seemed amplified by the small specks floating in the air, humming quietly to themselves. Tiny beams of light crisscrossed between them as they absorbed and then spat out the beautiful morning shine. For a moment she lay in the comfortable bed, blinking slowly and wiping the gunk from her eyes. Then she turned and stepped out, looking about for Arak and not seeing him anywhere.

A rustling noise echoed from deeper in the cave, around a corner she hadn?t seen earlier. Walking slowly, noticing the floor was meticulously swept, she turned the corner and saw Arak on his hind legs, fiddling about with golden trinkets placed on shelves and singing quietly to himself, a low rumble permeating the ground and vibrating up Kara?s spine. She sighed at the pleasant sensation and coughed quietly. The dragon seemed to take no notice and she got a better look at him. A long, thick tail that tapered off into a small rounded end flicked behind him lazily, his haunches rippled as he moved from one side to the other, the white skin under his hardened scales now apparent to her. His legs were thick as tree trunks and he stood nearly twenty feet tall. Two massive wings were folded on his back, tucked neatly behind him as he continued his song. Occasionally one would flutter slightly and go back into place.

She marveled at his beauty, for he truly was a magnificent creature, just as her father had said of the dragons of old. Now she realized that they weren?t of old, they were of now. Carefully, she took another step forward and coughed a bit louder, but Arak still made no indication of realizing her presence. On the next step she actually spoke out loud, ?Arak?? she said politely. His song immediately ceased, along with the pleasant vibrations that had rolled through her body. She frowned briefly, but smiled when he turned around with a smile of his own.

?I didn?t wish to wake you, you looked?peaceful. And good rest is hard to come by, is it not? Especially working on that farm all on your own.? She opened her mouth to speak and he held up a claw to silence her, ?I have a good view of your entire village. Some nights, I climb out of my humble cave and fly up to the top and simply rest there, basking in the warm sun and watching you fle?humans, go about your lives. Though I can?t really hear anything,? he chortled and twisted his head to show her a small hole and tapped it. ?Hearing isn?t what it used to be. One of the perks of getting old.? He sighed and gestured for her to come closer. She did as he bade and he grabbed something off of one of the shelves and held it out to her. ?A necklace, gold chains, blue sapphire. A trinket from days when we used to get paid to leave your kind alone, all those centuries ago.? Arak coughed and twisted his head. ?Sorry, another perk of old age,? he sighed. ?Take it.?

She slowly reached her hand out for the glittering necklace hanging off one of his claws. When he hand brushed it, there was a slightly tingle that made her hair stand on end. The claw was smooth as ice and hard as rock. She couldn?t help but run her hand over it and Arak stood patiently as she did in wonder. ?It?s beautiful,? she said, speaking of both the necklace and his claw.

He nodded and smiled. ?It?s yours now, I?ve no need for it. Go ahead try it on, it?s not enchanted or anything.? She slowly put it around her neck and held it out to admire the piece. The gold chains sparkled in the fleck lit chamber, the blue sapphire blazed brilliant, the neat little cuts refracting the light and causing it to glitter. Lights began to swim in front of her eyes and she realized she was holding her breath and let it out, taking in a big gulp of air with a flush of embarrassment. ?Gods, it?s beautiful. Thank you Arak, you are too kind.? She walked closer to him and touched his arm, feeling the tight muscles under the hard, smooth scales. Like the claw, she rubbed it slowly, taking in the delightful feel of the cool, silky yet hard, texture of his skin. As she closed her eyes, she heard his mouth open and the smell of cooked meat washed over her as his tongue snaked out and licked his lips. Her short nails dragged along the scales and the sound and minute vibration up her hand made her shiver excitedly. ?Feels so?? She opened her eyes and smiled dreamily. ?Familiar.?

Arak smiled and cupped her body with his palm. ?Such is the way of magic Miss Kara. Tis a lovely thing.? He released her and walked away from his treasures, past Kara and into the main cave. She followed, eyes focused on his back and tail, watching it drag along the ground and hearing the whispers of his scales against the hard rock, the sound causing her to sigh. In and of itself it was a beautiful music to her ears, a sound she longed for, similar to the one that had come from her dragging her nails over his scales.

She went to her comfy couch, the aches of yesterday done away by the even more comfortable bed. Arak lay down on the floor and lowered his head onto his folded claws, letting his tail swoosh lazily behind him, every now and again creating the beautiful noise that sent shivers down her spine. ?I suppose we should get to the matter of me summoning you here then.?

?Hm?? she said, breaking away from the trance and looking into his anxious eyes. Her hand was still fondling the necklace around her neck, the cool touch of metal pleasant against her warm skin. ?Right, of course.? His head lay a couple feet away, and the constant aroma issuing from her mouth caused her belly to rumble. ?Um, I suppose you wouldn?t have anything to eat, would you??

The creature huffed a little laugh and gestured with a black claw. Some of the flecks darted off and a gold plate with a leg of lamb, still steaming, hovered before her, brought to her from some unknown recesses of the cave. Gratefully, she took and it let it cool off a bit. ?Many thanks Arak.?

?Of course Kara,? he smiled. ?I brought you here,? he paused and his head sunk a little lower, neck stretched out a bit closer to her, just outside her arm reach. ?I need a favor. I?ve been getting by with food and water, I have no worries for that. But, as far as I know, I?m the last of my kind. And I?m dying. My old age has caught up to me, and I don?t know if I have years or days left.? He sighed and twisted his head to cough, a small, weak jet of flame bursting from his mouth. ?So I?ve decided to make you a proposition. If you would hear it.?

?Of course,? she said sadly. The thought of such a beautiful creature dying overwhelmed her with sadness and she felt a tear beginning to form. She quickly wiped it away and sniffed silently.

?I wish to preserve my race, and, I have no female which to have children with,? he said with a hint of embarrassment. ?Not that I?d ask you to mate with me, your form wouldn?t do anyways,? he huffed. ?However, there is something else, a way to keep my race from simply disappearing into legend. If you would hear it.?

The food now forgotten, Kara leaned forward and brushed her hand over his muzzle, feeling his body shiver at her touch, and hers at his. She rubbed his snout and he sighed, his tongue snaking out to caress her arm. ?You might not ask, but?? she trailed off and smiled. Had anyone asked her if she would make love to a dragon any day before today, she would have probably been sick, but now, in this moment, nothing felt more right in the world. Arak closed his eyes and moved his head a bit closer to her. ?What?s to say?I wouldn?t want to??

Arak growled softly. ?It wouldn?t do any good, your form isn?t compatible with mine, and I don?t think my seed is any good even if it was,? he whispered, ashamed.

?But, you said there was another way?? Her hand drew up his snout, rising higher along his jutting face, leaning toward him.

?Yes,? he whispered, his voice barely audible. To her surprise, he began to rumble quietly, a deep gravely purr.

?But that doesn?t mean we still couldn?t,? she said with a smile and his head craned toward her a little more. Slowly, she reached down and pressed her lips against his cool scales, moaning as they made contact with his hard exterior. A hand reached under his snout and rubbed along his jaw line, feeling the silky scales under the pads of her fingers. When she rubbed him the other way, her fingers caught on the edges of those same scales, pulling at her skin gently and exciting Arak, his whole body shivering. The hum of the magic grew around them and suddenly he was up and nudged her back into the seat.

Her eyes sought his eagerly, but she was disappointed. ?It would hurt you,? he said gently and nuzzled her head softly with the tip of his snout. ?And I couldn?t do such a thing. Your kindness is?overwhelming child of Orina, and this old creature does appreciate it. Gods know I miss such things.? He saw the hurt look in her eyes and sighed. ?I could indulge you a little perhaps. Though maybe not to the extent you so desire, I can smell how much you want it.? He snorted a couple times and grinned as she flushed bright red. ?Your clothing, remove it.?

She did as he asked, carefully setting aside the gift he had given her on top of the pile of clothes. Her soft pink skin glowed in the unnatural light, nipples erect and standing proud in the warm air. A bit of unruly bush topped her crotch, and a little trail of glistening juice slowly ran down her leg. Arak inhaled deeply and craned his neck down toward her as she stood in front of him, bearing everything. His tongue slithered out and as she spread her legs, the two tips ran upwards along her thighs, eliciting a low moan as they ran torturously slow toward her aching womanhood. The two tips closed together and darted into her, foreplay long gone as she was penetrated by the wet, powerful muscle. Once inside her it tenderly stroked her walls, the two tips tickling independent surfaces within her. The sheer pleasure nearly caused her to black out, and her legs buckled as she collapsed. A quick move by Arak caught her and his tongue retreated from her folds.

?Oh Arak,? she moaned and felt more juices dribbling down her thighs. ?Please,? she begged. His tail raised up and the rounded tip pushed past her eager lips and thrust slowly into her, stopping where the tail grew fatter and wriggled it about inside her. She rocked her hips this movement, moaning and crying out his name, until finally she came, her back arching and walls clamping around his scaly tail. As he pulled out of her, the friction of the scales pulling against her walls nearly caused her to orgasm a second time.

The dragon raised his tail up and licked her sweet nectar, relishing the taste before lowering back down. Kara caught a glimpse of something glistening beneath him, but didn?t get a good look before it disappeared under him. ?Was that to your satisfaction then, Kara of Orina??

?Gods yes,? she said breathlessly.

?I am pleased, you have given me a wonderful gift to hold onto, this memory. Something I shall cherish always. Thank you human.? He lay his head back on his claws and regarded her naked form. ?Your scent is intoxicating, could I fit inside you?but no point in dwelling on things that could have been. There is only now, and my matter cannot wait. I spoke of another way to preserve my race. Polinaru.? The glowing beads lighting the cavern changed color, glowing a brilliant blue and all coming together in a great rush. They formed a small sphere hovering above the two of them, both looking up in wonder at it. ?Become.?

She looked at him, mouth slightly open. ?What??

?Become. My people, the dragons, will be no more soon enough. Thus, another must be entrusted with the legacy. A younger one who can continue the bloodlines of old. You are the only human I would dare entrust this too. I had considered your father, but as that is no longer an option, that leaves you. His stories of my kind have endeared us to you, the others, they fear us?me. Would you?I understand it is a lot to give up and think about.? Arak gestured toward the sphere and it lowered to him and his outstretched claw opened and a small bag dropped into it. The lights returned to their normal color and dispersed about the cave once again. ?This powder, mix it with water and consume it. You should become like me. Although I suppose not exactly like me,? he laughed. ?Rather you?d be female, a beautiful one. Not to say you aren?t already, but your form lacks the sturdiness and robustness one desires to see in a creature such as a dragon. I do not expect you to make your choice now, only, to think about it. The decision is yours.?

Suddenly Arak stood, rising high above her and looking down at her. ?I must rest, I grow weak. The other?humans, see? an old dragon can still learn. The others will miss you and might come looking. My barrier is unpleasant, but hardly foolproof. Much as I would like you to stay, my time grow near. Tis not a death I would prefer you see. Keep me in your mind in a picture of some health at least. Twould be how I prefer you remember.? He reached a claw down and she took hold of one of the black tips and allowed herself to be pulled up. His other claw came beneath her and gave her a foothold. ?First though, I would show you one thing.? Cradling the fragile human, Arak walked to the entrance of the cave and held her up to his shoulder. ?Get on.? She swung a leg around his neck, pressing her naked form against his cool scales and wrapping her arms tight about him.

Once outside, he lowered his legs and sprung upward, rising into the sky and swooping upward toward the peak. D?j? vu overcame her as she realized it was just like her dream. They flew up and over the village, then shot upward through the clouds. The sun was high and the warmth from it radiated over her excited face as she looked around, seeing a flock of large birds gliding on updrafts nearby. The peak loomed behind them and Arak swung about, heading toward it slowly. When the reached it he perched atop it and helped her down. ?All yours, my second gift to you. From this you shall spread my kind, our kind,? he said gently and ran the tip of his claw down her back. ?Should you decide you want to at least. But this would be your land now, I give up any right to it. I have no need for it where I?m going.?

?Arak, this is beautiful. Wonderful. I don?t know what to say,? Kara said. She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. ?Thank you for everything.? They stood in silence for a couple hours, his wings sheltering her from the cold winds whipping about them. Together they looked out as the clouds broke up and the landscape came into view, stretching for miles and miles before them. Finally she looked up at him again. ?Take me back, please.?

He did as she asked and she got dressed in the cave. Arak followed her into the clearing, handing her a small bag filled with valuables. ?To start your own collection, some of my favorite pieces. A parting gift. My third gift, though not my last. Even should you decide to stay how you are, at least you will not be wanting for anything.?

She smiled sadly and took the heavy sack, dropping it onto the scorched ground. ?What?s the final gift??

?Draki jalus, dragon?s love. That powder, I studied hard to make it. Pulled a few teeth to make it work,? he grinned and pointed to a few gaps in his smile. ?And a few drops of my blood as well, in essence, me.? He opened his claw and sitting neatly in the middle of his palm was the small bag he had shown her earlier. ?Yours, my final gift. I know not if I should live to see your beauteous draconic form, but visit if you decide to go down that path. Perhaps I might be able to satisfy you or you could merely give an old dragon a pleasant sight before his health whittles away to naught.? The slit that was his mouth tipped up into a sad smile. ?I should be so lucky.?

?Arak, lower your head,? Kara commanded. He did as she desired and she wrapped her arms as best she could around his muzzle and kissed him for what felt like an eternity, that perfect moment everyone has and never forgets. One she would never forget. ?Your gifts are kind and I hardly feel worthy.? He opened his mouth but she placed her hand over it and shook her head. ?Let me finish. But you have given them and I shall take them with a warm heart and heavy mind. For you?ve given me much to think on good sir. Kind, generous sir. I?ll not forget you, not ever. Not in this life or any other.?

?Have you decided?? Arak asked after a pause.

?No, it is a difficult choice, and I need to consider the options. Though it would likely please you if I told you my heart says at this very moment to simply take your lovely gift here and have you take me.? Her words elicited a huff of excitement from the massive beast. ?Though I am not sure how I will be able to help make more of your kind, I am just one, and if you said you can?t help me conceive then-?

The creature raised a claw and motioned her to be silent. ?Hush, one step at a time. You have not even made your decision yet, I am sure we can figure out something once, rather if, you decide to go this path,? Arak smiled wearily.

Kara nodded slowly and thought for a moment. ?There is one final gift you?ve given me, that you may not be aware of."

?And what is that, child of Orina??

?Memories,? she said dreamily. ?Such fond ones. And a tenderness I thought I would never again feel after my father?? she choked and wiped away the growing tears. ?Thank you for everything. Gods watch over you.? She kissed him again and he put a claw on her back and held her gently.

When she broke off, she saw him smiling and the tears flowed freely. ?Flaus, Kara Orina, flaus.?

?What does that mean?? she asked through her tears.

?All my love.?

?Flaus,? she whispered and smiled, streams dripping down her face. ?Flaus Arak.?

It was hard work carrying down the goods the old dragon had given her. However, it was nowhere near as difficult as walking away from him. She had walked backward for almost a hundred feet before tripping and having the dragon grumble that she should walk in the right direction, and why were all fleshers so silly. They had laughed, and he retreated into his cave, pausing to give her one last look and shooting a brilliant blue-tipped flame into the air, a small boom filling the clearing as the air rushed back in to fill the void left behind. On the wings of that boom came one word: flaus.


Chapter 2: Revival

She made it to the bottom a couple hours after dark, winding through the main trails carefully, stumbling a few times, but never falling. Rusty was nibbling at some grass near where she left her and whinnied when he smelled her. It was a smell he was programmed to avoid, but it was mixed with the smell of his caregiver, and in his confusion, she easily mounted him. After realizing he was in no danger, Rusty shrugged off his discomfort and galloped home, anxious to meet his mate Lissa and see if they could manage to get a foal this time. The weight of Arak?s gifts hardly registered to the powerful stallion, and they made it home as the sun began to rise.

Exhausted, both mentally and physically, Kara didn?t bother to undress, she merely dropped the bag of treasures inside the front door, locked it, set the powder bag on the table next to her bed, and passed out.

Arak watched her ride off from his perch up near the peak. He sighed moodily and licked his tail, trying to see if he could pry any more of those feminine juices from between his scales and finding none left. A shame. She had been quite the flesher, and the unexpected romance had greatly pleased him. It saddened him to see her go, he would have much liked to have her as his mate, but the estimates he had given her were a sham. He knew he had only hours left, yet he spent much of them watching her ride off and get home safely. Knowing she was safe, he slowly worked his way back to his home, pain wracking his body. He snorted angrily and gathered up all his treasures. Setting them down in a pile pained him, he prided himself on his neatness, but the time had come. He would not know in this life if his kind would survive, but if any life after this existed, perhaps he would find out there. Arak took well to this idea and with a final burst of flame, set his precious collection ablaze, watching it melt in a hot puddle of molten metal.

He scooped it up and slowly began to apply it to his body, wincing as it burned past his scales, filling the cracks between them. He roared in agony and continued the death ritual. No one would see it, at least no one who could appreciate just how much dedication such a ritual took. Meant for other dragons and none left to appreciate it. Arak sighed and continued to apply the liquid metal, listening to it cool as it hit his cold scales. His sight flickered and his breathing became shallow.

Gathering up the last of his melted possessions, he began to dribble it over his head and finally applied the last of the coating. As it began to harden, he curled up best he could, resting his graceful head on his golden claws. No longer able to see, he instead pictured the naked human, who had given him so much in his final hours, smiled, and hissed one word. Flaus.

In the middle of her sleep, Kara rolled over, crying out in agony, writhing on the bed, and suddenly stilled and smiled. Her mouth opened, and the voice that came out was not her own, and in her dream, she heard him say it. Flaus.

When she awoke she immediately knew he was gone. She cried for a few hours, throwing a few things in the beginning and then settling down and going outside to look up at his cave. She would visit and pay her respects regardless of her decision, but for now she would look up at the creature that had given her just as much as her father ever had. That beautiful, wonderful creature named Arak.

She had gathered up the bag of powder and had gone outside to draw some water. Now she looked at it miserably. Sitting in the warm sun, she looked over at the mule in the nearby stable and glared at him. ?What Albert? Don?t look at me like that. It?s a hard choice, okay?? She stopped and looked at Albert, who seemed to be grinning. ?And now I?m talking to a dumbass mule, great.?

Unsure of what to do, she set down the small bag and paced around it, closing her eyes and summoning a picture of Arak in her head. Then her father. She spoke at length with both, knowing neither was there but feeling their presence as a physical force. The moon was high in the night sky when she came to her decision. By now tears were streaming down her face again as she saw the images of her few friends, her dead family, and her one time scaly lover.

Returning inside, she decided to wait until the next day, to make sure. She would go and try to talk to the few people she had quarreled with and left relationships unresolved. All her humanly ends would be severed, no regrets. She would be a beautiful dragoness and keep Arak, and her, species alive.

As she twisted and turned in bed, attempting to sleep but finding it eluding her. After almost an hour of fruitless efforts she got up and stripped from her rough cotton clothes. There was no hesitation as she grabbed her cup of water and poured the powder into the cup, watching it fizz and send a couple sparks flickering out before settling back down. This gave her pause, but she took a deep breath and put her trembling lips to the cup, tilted it and let it slide down her throat as it worked to swallow the slightly viscous liquid. She gagged, but continued to down it, making sure there was nothing left at the bottom.

With a little burp, she slammed it down and went over to her bed and awaited her fate. For almost an hour nothing happened, no tingling, no changes, nothing. She grew frustrated and began to pace nervously, wondering more and more if perhaps she had made her decision rashly and maybe she could simply go outside and stick a couple fingers down her throat and be done with this whole business. If given perhaps a few more minutes she might have gone this course, and dragons would fall into legend forever, never to return. As it was, she was not given any more time to think of turning back.

She managed no more than two steps toward the front door when her body began to tingle, as a foot that has fallen asleep does. Numbness permeated every cell in her body, an act of kindness from Arak, a bit of numbing magic to protect her from the pain. Sluggishly she made her way to the bed again and flopped down onto it, working her jaw and rubbing her arms to try and get some feeling back in. For a moment she considered that the dragon had been toying with her, just another victim and he hadn?t really died, he would be outside, smirking and waiting until she couldn?t move so he could devour her whole and alive. But her mind knew this was not so, Arak was no more, the dragons were no more for this brief interlude, and she would be the one to usher them back in.

A salty, coppery taste leaked into her mouth, and she furrowed her brows in confusion. There was a brief prick and something came loose. She opened her mouth and one of her teeth tumbled out, a bit of blood oozed down her lip. She gave a startled cry and felt another come lose, the taste of blood now filling her mouth as more and more teeth simply fell out and rattled to the floor. Her tongue probed the inside of her mouth, feeling the numbed cheeks register a bit of pressure. Suddenly some of the numbness was gone and was replaced instead by small pricks of pain. Kara was no stranger to pain, but each felt like a pinprick on her gum. Hesitantly, she reached inside her mouth and felt the tip of sharp teeth coming in and growing through her gums.

On the verge of panic, she took in a deep breath, pausing to spit out another flat tooth, and pushed it back out, freeing her mind and feeling the panic settle down. As the small fangs began to push through, her skin began to itch. The itching was worse than the pinpricks by far, so she scratched at it and stared dumbly as a large, thin sheet of skin came off in her hand. But damn it felt so good, like scratching an itch at that small spot on your back you can never quite reach. Now with deep satisfaction she began to scratch all over her body, watching with fascination as her frail sheet-like skin began to peel away from her. With it went the exterior numbness, beneath that skin she could feel a smoother layer of scales.

As she continued this strange rite, the tingling intensified along her arms, shooting into her hands. Her nails grew thick and downward over her fingertips, melding into the fleshy tips, which she tore away to reveal beautiful, glistening scales. They grew longer and thicker, tapering into a sharp point, nearly three inches long. No longer afraid, she now reveled in her transformation, accepting that this form was more beautiful than any human one. ?Flaus Arak, flaus father,? she whispered, and it came out as a hiss. She spat out the last of her teeth and ran her new claws over her scales, listening to the soft whisper that sent chills down her spine. As those chills swept down her spine, the tingling followed immediately behind them, pushing her tailbone out through her still human rear, tearing away a bit of the skin as her new tail grew and extended, gaining muscle and scales following soon after. Bits of her old body?s skin lay dangling on her still growing tail.

Unlike Arak, her tail ended it in decisive point rather than a rounded knob. It whipped behind her of its own accord, knocking over a lamp, which, luckily enough, was not lit. Kara lumbered carefully to the door, trying to grip the handle and finding her new muscles to not be fully under her control. Instead she took a few steps back, aware now of the tingling spreading down her legs, and charged the door, tumbling through the flimsy food and onto the ground below her face first. She laughed, which instead came out as a huff as her vocal chords changed. Her insides churned and she felt ill and doubled over, placing her claws over her still flesh laden thighs, tearing small holes in the skin with her claws, and retched. A small burst of brilliant flame leapt from her mouth, startling her and Albert alike, who had been woken by the loud crash of the twisting shape of Kara through the door.

Her feet now stretched. Once dainty toes grew longer, and the nails grew out, stretching nearly five inches from her more slender toes. As her feet grew longer, the skin tore easily, shredding it to pieces and leaving the tattered remains on top. There was a prick similar to the one in her mouth at the back of her foot. She twisted her head and saw a large spur growing out the back. Muscle was added on beneath her already muscular legs and this caused the skin to split and slide down as her thighs thickened with rippling muscle. Using her whole body, she shook vigorously to get the remains of the already torn skin off of her. She felt as though the moon was spotlighting only her, giving its blessing to her rebirth.

In the light she could see the scales now. Over most of her body were soft blue scales, running down the length of her arms and legs. She brushed her stomach and revealed creamy white scales running down from the bottoms of her breasts to the inside of her crotch, an oval along her belly. She then brushed over her breasts, shivering at the touch of her smooth scales over perky nipples. The flesh ballooned out slightly, giving her profile a nice firm, round bump just above those glistening white scales. Her hands dwelled on her nipples for a moment before there was a slight tickling on her shoulders. Cautiously, she reached up, trying not to scratch her face, still covered in the skin of another life, and found a clump of hair sitting on her shoulder. She ran her hands over her head, shedding the remaining hair and feeling the gently wind atop her naked scalp.

The only remaining skin now was over her head and her back, the rest shed in her metamorphosis. Her face tingled wildly as it began to push out. The flat human expression bulging and narrowing as it did. Her lips retreated and her mouth pushed together to form a narrow reptilian grin. She licked her tips and noticed her tongue had grown a little narrower while gaining some girth, as well as bifurcated into two tips. It slithered out almost four times longer than before. Suddenly the world began to focus in, small details on the side of the mountain she now stared at coming into view even from this distance. The color from her irises began to leak out, infecting the whites and turning them a glowing, emerald green. Her pupils narrowed and became narrow slits. She gaped at the marvel of this vibrant new world and wanted sorely to climb to the top and gaze down at everything and everyone. Her ears melded into the side of her head, leaving small holes that were coated with a thin membrane. In the distance she could hear her neighbors making love and she chuckled. Smells washed over her as her nose melted into the forming snout, leaving two large nostrils at its tip, sampling the air quickly as her chest heaved with growing excitement, her breath becoming rapid. The dirt, the animals, their food, her food, the remnants of her old human life, all no longer hers. She ran a clawed hand over the top of her head and felt two nubs growing. Expecting to feel two sharp tips, she was surprised as they spread backward in thin lines and grew out, forming twin fins. They extended beyond the base, growing back and free for the last few inches, growing little spines on their undersides that tickled the top of her head when they bobbed down to meet her scaled scalp.

As her face finally finished pushing out, rounding out her sleek muzzle, her neck twinged as if she were having a muscle spasm. The world began to slowly drop away from her as it grew longer, pushing her view up another two feet as her neck narrowed into a slender, graceful tube, widening as it reached both her head and her torso. Rusty and Lissa were awake now too, whinnying quietly in fear even as Rusty?s cock was shoved deep within his mate. The smell of their arousal made Kara laugh in a deep rumbling voice tinged with a higher pitched undertone. Her voice had a deep lusty quality to it, the kind that makes men?s knees weak at just the sound. Her voice contained a passionate, less gravely noise as she spoke. ?Well,? she said to herself, running gleaming black claws over her skin, ?This is?? She was cut off by the strongest tingling so far. It caused her to double over as it assaulted her nether region. She had dared not touch this yet and saw the dark pubic hair was now gone, fallen out, and she slowly scraped the skin away from her entrance. The skin of her lips remained a pinkish color, but she saw it starting to turn a lighter red color as the scales crept over it, leaving a tiny slit in their wake.

With a shaking hand, she curiously spread it open slightly, dipping a claw into herself and gasping as the pleasure burst through her like a bomb. Nothing had ever felt more pleasant and she moaned lowly, feeling herself getting wet, as her finger slid past the white scales and into her lusting self. Despite being out where anyone could see, she couldn?t help herself and thrust the claw in deeper, moaning louder as it pushed deeper into her very being. The tip of the claw brushed against her walls, feeling them to be tougher, while still remaining flexible and retaining their ability to cause her a great deal of satisfaction. No longer caring who saw, she slid in a second long finger and discovered her clit, rubbing it with the back of her claw slowly, gasping as juices trickled over her finger and down her leg. Her breathing became shallow and quick as she toyed with her rediscovered sex.

Close to an orgasm, her whole body suddenly seized and she cried out, a larger burst of blue fire leaping from her mouth. She could feel, as well as hear, the remainder of her human skin split and slid off her back as her back twitched and small protrusions began to jut out. First one wing burst forth, stretching to full length behind her and then folding up just as the other one burst through and stretched out. Her body shook and the pleasure within her erupted like a supernova, her claws curled into the ground, leaving large holes as they punched through the soil. Her wings shot back out and began to flap wildly as ever nerve in her body lit up in ecstasy. For miles around people could hear her cries and a few lucky souls saw the tower of flame shoot up into the sky as Kara craned her neck and shot a blinding white inferno straight up. Juices flowed freely down her leg, cascading over her hand and coating her scales with a glittered sheen as the moonlight doused her with its glow.

For a few seconds, or maybe hours, or maybe years, she stood panting and grinning, revealing her sharp teeth and forked tongue as it snaked out and licked her lips. Her eyes closed and she slowly removed her hand, moving to the pump and carefully washing herself off, but not before she got a taste, curious as to what she might discover. It was pleasantly sweet while also seemingly spicy, it burned inside her mouth and she realized steam was rising off her as she covered herself with water. If she hadn?t realized how hot she was before, she did now. Kara made a mental note of that and went back inside, ducking to keep from hitting her head on the frame of the busted door and grabbed the few treasures Arak had gifted to her before she left.

She made to leave and then stopped. She turned and looked sadly back at the house of her family. The house of Orina lay in a state of near perfection, minus the broken lamp on the floor. There was one last treasure she needed to take. Walking carefully over to the bookshelf, willing her tail to be still for just a few moments, she grabbed the book that had once hidden a map that changed Kara?s world. Inside were drawings, pictures of magnificent dragons and stories not of knights defending the realm, but of a time of peaceful coexistence between the two races. It was then that Kara vowed she would attempt to mend that broken peace, for the sake of her father, and for the sake of her one time lover Arak. She reached up and grabbed a picture of her family that had been drawn when she was just a child. Husband and wife sat casually on a couch, while two children smiled restlessly and played with their toys. A big grin was splashed over the man?s face, and his wife?s head was rested on his shoulder. The kids sat at their feet, so easily satisfied by the few toys that lay near their feet. A reminder of her old life, one she would never forget, but one she now would leave behind as she began a life anew as the last dragon, a beautiful, graceful dragoness, hybrid of two fathers, one of flesh, the other of scale. These two things she added to the sack, which she carefully tied around her neck as she stepped back outside.

Kara considered the animals. Albert seemed frightened but resigned. Rusty, now dismounted from his trusty mate, backed up with Lissa and made frantic noises. She had loved these animals for years, and even though their smell elicited a primal hunger in her, she instead broke their pens and stepped back, whispering words of affection in her low tone and turned toward the mountain. She owed this mountain a visit. Arak, no matter what state, deserved to see his daughter in magic. Bunching up her legs and haunches, she pushed off the ground, flapped her wings, and soared off into the night sky, streaking upward like a rocket and into a new life.

Editor's Note: Again, thank you for taking the time to read this, I've rather enjoyed writing it and hope that you have gotten at least some of the satisfaction that I have in your reading. The ending is mild ambiguous so that I may continue writing this story once I've decided if I will continue or not. Once more, I would love to hear your feedback if you have any, and feel free to message me if you feel like it.