The southern regions

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First it was anger that drove her, then as miles below passed under her it grew hard into hurt and pain. Running wasn't the best idea, but she had tried it their way. She had tried it and it wasn't working.

Pain and fear now drove her south. She didn' t know how long she'd been flying for, but night was beginning to fall and she grew tired. There were no villages but there was a port or dock of some sort. That was odd, she would go and look, but not in this form. She lands in a secluded area before shifting to her human form.

Then she moved towards the shore and the oddly placed dock. There were buildings, but they seemed deserted.

One by one she searched them, entering one bulding she called out softly

"Hello?"

She waited but there was no response so she entered and looked around. It was a home, fully stocked, but it appeared no one had lived there for years. She wondered at that. The pictures and tapestries that hung spoke of a time long before she was hatched, likely long before Nraith as well, but she didn't know how long back. They seemed perfectly preserved like they had just been placed there.

she left that dwelling place and moved from building to building. It grew darker and she would continue across the waters in the morning. She needed rest tonight and would find it in one of the dwellings. she couldn't risk sleeping in the open as a dragon, there was no cave or sufficient dwelling for that form to hide her and protect her.

before laying down she spoke words she'd learned. they would provide protection and raise alarm if anyone came.

for now she lay down, the bed had not been slept in for a very long time, but it was warm enough and sleep took her soon after her head hit the pillow, she didn't dream, but her sleep was a restless one

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she woke as sun touched her face and sat up. her eyes adjusted instantly as she looked around. She could hear someone outside and she was.. singing? her eyes went to the window and it was strange. It wasn't the window she looked out before she slept. She rose and moved to the door when the floor beneath her moved. She took a breath and inhaled

"Woahh"

"Ah. you are awake young one!"

Young one? she held back a chuckle and only smiled. If only she knew.

"Yes, where am I? How did I get here?

"We came to see if anyone was waiting to cross. We were going to wait until you woke, but a storm is coming and it was better we be in open sea to sail past the storm rather than end up sailing through it."

how did they get past..?

"They weren't enough" before she could finish that thought, she blinked

"How could you have known?"

the woman laughed softly as she stepped out of the room. The woman's long blonde hair flowed down her back. She wore the most beautiful of clothes and ..her eyes widened a bit. But it can't be..

the woman smiled, "Come, it's time to eat" she moved past men who.. oh this was.. she didn't know what it meant

"You live in the southern regions?" the woman nodded in reply as she lead Khaera to another door, they entered and moved down into the belly of the boat, then through another door. As they entered she saw 4 men and 3 other women wearing similarly exquisite clothing. They all stood as Khaera came near

"Greetings Young One!" "Greetings" "Greetings".. they spoke, only two called her young one, did they know? she smiled in reply, "Greetings to each of you" oh if only she had read more, she might have a better understanding of them

she sat, and ate with them, she did not speak and they did not ask any questions, they simply spoke among themselves. When she finished the Elder of them looked to her, "So, what brings you to our lands?"

she smiled, shrugged softly, what does she say? I'm a dragon and I am running from what everyone calls my destiny? she doesn't "I am journeying. I have heard there are lands past this sea, but I know no one who has traveled there. I was curious"

the boat pitched back and forth. it was very different than what she knew in the air, yet somehow the same, but it was making her sick? how could that be? she opened the link she now shared with her mate, letting him taste and feel what she was feeling. She did it long enough to get a giggle and close the link again. She still wasn't ready to talk, but maybe.. soon? He would know where she was at that moment, would he come?

she wondered what happened to them, if the humans attacked or not? she didn't know, her face grew serious and she grew quiet, she didn't realize at that moment they were all looking at her. When she did she smiled nervously and blushed a but embarrassed, but they went back to talking.

"I see. What caused you to take on such a journey? It is not known for your kind to travel to our lands."

he looked right into her eyes and smiled, oh.. she remembered they do not change fully human, she blushed a little more, was he the only one that saw?

"Well It difficult to explain"

she looked to each one of them, then back to him, smiled softly, he nods, "We will talk of it later then, when you are ready" He looked to the others and they all rose and started on deck, she followed, stepping slowly up the stairs

"How long will it take to cross?"

He smiled, "We brought you on board about an hour after you fell asleep. We should be arriving at our port in a few hours. Enjoy the time while you are on board"

she nods softly. Wow.. she just realized how ineffective her wards were. She didn't hear them coming, she didn't feel them lift her up.. that concerned her. Was she that tired? Or that angry and hurt that she felt very little? Even now her senses seemed muted from what she was used to.

she leaned against the side and looked out over the water. in wonderment and concern.

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The hours seemed to pass slowly today. The sun was bright as they had missed the storm. Oh, she would have loved to fly through that storm, but she was content to stay on the boat.

Did they know? She didn't even know who they were yet. she laughed softly to herself. What had she gotten into? Why did she even come?

she let out a sigh and continued to watch the waves and water and sky

::Zyreil...:: she opened herself up to him, regret in her thoughts ::I'm sorry for leaving like that, for leaving you like that. Please forgive me. This is.. ::

Zyreil's eyes popped open and he sat up, :: You are ok Aer'alyn? Where are you?:: his concern for her flooded through the link they shared and he could feel a surge of emotion through her being. ::I do forgive my Aer'alyn. But I am the one who must ask. We were wrong to talk of this as though you were not here, as though you didn't matter. I will come to you, we will work through it together.::

she stood at the side of the boat, her eyes closed suddenly and she her knees began to buckle, but she stopped herself, taking a few breaths and letting them out slowly as tears moved down her cheeks.. 'my Aer'alyn'.. oh how that flooded her with warmth. she didn't answer right away, but looked around for a moment, hoping none of those on the boat with her saw. There was no indication so she wiped the tears

::I am on a boat:: she laughed inwardly through the link, he chuckled as well ::I am passing over the south sea. The people of the southern regions took me onto their boat and now take me to their lands:: she paused and then added ::They are those of legend::

Zyreil continued reaching out to her. He could taste the salt in the air and calm that surrounded her inspite of the rolling waves. This was good for her. She needed to do this, but he would join her soon enough.

::I will come to you soon. I will find you. Please, do not keep closed to me?::

she smiled and a few more tears fell, she quickly wiped them away as one of the crew came over to inquire, she didn't close her mind at that moment, but he heard her words spoken to this one and felt the affection in them, it made him smile.

"Are you ok.. ?" it just occured to her that they didn't know her name, she smiles softly, nodding "Yes I'm fine, just.. remembering someone" the man smiled and nods before he turns to continue what he was doing. she watched him leave and then continued to reach out to Zyreil

::I can't promise that right now, please.. please don't make me:: He understood and she felt the affection he had for her just before she closed the link and closing her eyes a moment. Turning she started towards the lower deck, but fog and darkness began to flood over her and she collapsed to the deck floor.

They ran to her, 4 of them "Get her down below!" another touched her forehead, "She's running a high temperature. She needs healing!".. she was lifted with ease by the one who had just spoke with her and carried below. she was laid on a bed and they began to tend to her.

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Two of the males stood at the end of the bed while a female tended to her, pressing cool wet towel to her forehead

"She will live" the female said, looking to the others "She is still healing from something, some kind of a fight, but I cannot.. " she paused and checked her eyes, then she nods, rising and leaving the room. Khaera lay there covered in sweat, she moans softly and shifts, whispering and tears moving down her cheeks "No.. no I can't... " her words trailed off but her lips continued to move. then a moment later "but no, please.. " she whimpered a little, then the words faded and she fell silent as she slept

"Does she have a mate?" one asked, "Probably, but I don't know who that would be." they remained still hoping her mumblings would offer a clue, so they waited, eventually she was placed under the covers to see if the fever would break. they had plenty of magic to shed her of the fever, but they wanted to find out what brought it on.

---

He knew something was wrong as he stayed where they had landed by the waterfall. His glance to Galventh and Arlianth told them as well. He would go soon, but for now he remained there. He sought them out, but could not find them.. people of legend.. how did she know about them? They disappeared and Dragonkind would not speak of them.. that was interesting.

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she was still unconscious as they reached mainland. The two men sat at a small table in the room talking when a woman entered

"Erdhin, Majel, we have reached Vallasea"

they nodded to her, "Thank you Arlelen"

"we must continue to tend to her. I felt her communicate with another. I will guess her mate. He will come" Majel nodded to Erdhin's words, "They will both know of us, then what do we do?" Erdhin looked to Majel as he rose and smiled, replying matter of factly "Then we are known. We will emerge upon this world once more."

Majel didn't like the sound of that. They had been hidden from view, from the minds of the Dragons. They were no longer spoke of, not even in legend, until now.

Erdhin moved to Khaera and lifted her up easily in his arms as the boat stopped and the ramp was lowered onto the boat. He must hurry to get her the attention she needed. He hurried from the depths of the boat and they let him pass as the sun touched her skin. Was she the one? Was her mate who he thought him to be? He felt one reach out in search of them. To search as he did and know what to look for, it could only be one. He pushed that thought aside and took the girl in his arms to his residence. women and men hurrying about as he entered, taking her to a room where he laid her on the bed.

He spoke to the women who came to tend to her, a language Dragonkind had not heard in a more than few centuries.

"Her fever must break or she will die." the urgency in his voice told them that she could not die and they would not let her.

Another female came in, not hurrying, but calm and moving to the foot of the bed where he sat working "Erdhin, she will live?" he nodded, working his eyes closing as he spoke words that should have been forgotten, his hands moving over her head and stomach, then sliding down her arms. He concentrated on her stomach area and head.

Anenfel continued to watch in silence. Time passed slower it seemed and when Erdhin finished he stood. "Our time of hiding is done, Beloved" she nods softly, "It has been spoken of often of late by our people." she looked to the girl "Is she...?" she let the word trail off, and he smiled, moving along side her, nodding, "Yes, she is. She was exactly where you said she would be."

They stepped out of the room as Majel took up his spot keeping watch with the two women who would monitor her. He sat, drawing as he kept watch over Khaera. He would wait for her to wake, and that could be as the sun sets or at its highest tomorrow. He would wait and Erdhin would join him later.

Our time of hiding is done... the words repeated in his mind as he waited.

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Having heard that Nraith, Rikki and Ktal were leaving, then watching and seeing them leave safely he looked to Galventh

::I will go and find her::

he was worried and Galventh nods to him

::Go, our reasons for staying here just flew away, we will be going as well::

At that Zyreil stretched out his wings and rose with a leap into the air and a powerful flap of his wings, then catching the thermals he rises into the air and heads south

He reaches out to her, trying to touch her mind

::Aer'alyn!::

he got no response, she was unconscious. It didn't matter if they were of Legend, he would destroy the lot of them for hurting her if they did. He rose higher and started going faster as urgency drove him. He ached for his Mate.. 'how did this happen?' was a question he asked himself. 'she hated me, she didn't trust me and with good reason, I didn't feel anything for her, but felt compelled..' he growled lightly in frustration. As he flew south he looked up ward.. 'what are you doing to us? with us? Why us?'.. there was no answer, not that expected anything.. still anything would be..

his thoughts were interrupted by a soft inward groan of Aer'alyn, but that was all. Well it meant she was alive. He sped up, going as fast as he could.

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she felt his touch, but fever and sickness stole her ability to respond, she could only groan - a noise heard both inwardly and outwardly. She was sweating

Majel watched, he heard the groan and sent one of the women to get Erdhin and Anenfel. He moved to her and felt her. The fever was still there, but it was not as great. He wondered what brought this on and why now.

Erdhin and Anenfel came in, Majel got out of the way as they went to her, one on each side. He smiled. They were going to work together. This was usually a sight to behold. The stories of them were correct.

Erdhin took Anenfel's hand, then each one took one of Khaera's hand, then they would begin as another woman continued to apply a cool cloth to her forehead, but staying out of their way.

Erdhin began first, words he spoke were older than the oldest of their kind. The words went back to the time of their people's arrival on this planet. words he would never learn to speak, not because of lack of desire, but because of chosen skill. Soon after Erdhin finished Anenfel continued, the words flowing with ease from her lips as well. They would continue in this way until they were finished.

she could almost hear their words and groaned again, she felt a warmth envelop her and the trembling that held her deep inside soon subsided. Their words she felt them deep, like she had heard them before, but she didn't search for it she just let them. After a while she licked her lips and whimpered out his name

"Zyre...."

His name faded off, both Erdhin and Anenfell looked at each other, then rose. her fever had broken, she would sleep now peacfully.

Erdhin, spoke to Majel "He comes, we must be ready" they would be ready if he attacked, but they would speak first and try to defuse the situation.

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He heard the groan within and growled. If they hurt her.. He couldn't know she was sick with fever, but he knew something was wrong. He flew hard south finding the sea side village that she stayed in over night.

Landing he shifted forms, inspecting the place. It was well stocked, and it was evident that they used it occasion. Then he smelled it. Another, but this one was human.

"Come out young one."

he could hear the girl, she trembled, "but.. y.. you are.. dragon" he chuckled, "Yes I am. I will not hurt you if you tell me where she is"

the girl came out, "They took her early in the morning. She was still asleep, but it was like they were expecting her" she nods "They went that way" pointing south, then running back into the bushes and to wherever she came from. She was an odd lil creature. He thought she was human, but she didn't smell like any human he knew of.

"Thank you"

He turned and shifts again, rising easily into the air he rose on the thermals and headed south. He didn't know what awaited him, but he would seek her out and he would protect her if need be. He would try not to act rashly.

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Majel had left in a hurry to gather the archers. They knew they were going up against a Dragon, but which one and what would he do? They had his mate and she was unable to respond to him because of the fever.

"do not provoke the Dragon. No matter what we do he can kill many if not all of us before we injure him sufficiently to stop him. We do not want to kill him. Do not raise your bows unless you are being attacked. Do not act any differently when he arrives, but be aware and alert for any thing he may do to attack."

As he gave command Erdhin watched him, Anenfel moved in beside her beloved. "He is growing stronger" Erdhin nodded, "yes he is, but I fear he does not trust prophecy. He does not see that it is time for us to re-emerge and live as we once did before the humans first came, before the first war. And that could be a problem" she nods soft, "Yes Beloved, but perhaps time can change that. He cannot harm her as long as there are others in the room. And they have orders not to leave him alone with her. He knows she is the one, just as we all do."

Erdhin nods and turns back to Khaera, watching her sleep. "The fever remains beloved." she moves to Khaera and sits beside her, without a word to Erdhin she speaks, her eyes close. His eyes go wide, "Beloved.. ".. she doesn't stop.. she went back farther in what she knew, things she had learned recently. He watched, unable to stop her as a soft glow formed around the two women. He closed his eyes and waited.

When Anenfel finished the glow vanished flowing into Khaera which caused her to breathe in deeply. Anenfel stood and nearly fell, but Erdhin caught her. "Come beloved. Rest" he took her to a nearby bed and she laid down and fell asleep as exhaustion overtook her.

Erdhin moved to a window and looked out into the beauty of their home. Thinking on what had just happened and how it would affect his mate and the rest of their people. He was roused from his thoughts when a scout came running

"He's near! He's near!"

Erdhin grabbed his cloak, looking to one of the ladies, "You are not to leave them alone or allow anyone to move either of them" the tone of his voice said the penalty would be severe if either of them happened, she nods and as soon as he leaves she closes the door and locks it, not allowing anyone entry until he returns.

Erdhin and Majel moved together as one, though Majel was a few steps behind his elder, both carrying a sword, but the sword remained sheathed as the went out to meet the Dragon.

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He arrived on the other side of the southern sea and landed on the shore, sniffing about as he did. He caught her scent. she was in human form but something about her scent made him growl. She was sick, that was why she was not responding.

He tried again to reach out to her, but she was out cold and he growled again. It was at that moment that he saw a figure watching in the bush. It appeared to be a child and he craned his neck forward and got close to where the child was hiding

"It's not nice to spy on a Dragon" he growled out his words

"Especially if he's grumpy" came the quick reply followed by a giggle

He pulled his head back. He was about to gruffly ask where they were, but this little quip made him think

"I am not grumpy" he growled back, the voice giggled again, "Yes you are" and the giggles continued, it only made him chuckle

"Do you know where they took her?" he asked calmly, the young one stepped out and his eyes widened. She was right, they are the race of Legend, the Dalhria, he blinked at the child and stepped back as she spoke, "Yes they took her to the city. I can show you, but you can't come in like that or you'll make a mess of everything" she giggled again and he nodded.

A moment later he shifts to his human form. "I will try not to make a mess of everything then" he winked at the child, then she ran off. "Hey wait!" he ran after her, following the young one through the trees.

Moments passed and he saw she was stopped. Then he could see two taller figures with her. He approached with caution and bowed to them both

"I am honored with your presence" they smiled, "No, it is we who are honored by yours. Come, we will take you to her."

Zyreil followed them and the girl as they moved with swift steps through the trees to where the path joined with the city path. He stopped and looked around, in awe and wonder. it was even better than the cities of old that they ventured in and explored. "Come" he heard and he followed, "I am Erdhin, Leader of the Dalhria" he bowed to Zyreil, "This is Majel, one of my commanders" Majel bowed as well, "Greetings to You" Zyreil bowed as well once more, "I am Zyreil" they both nod softly to his introduction, then they continued through the city.

Word of him coming had spread quickly and many had stopped to watch him walk by. He was polite and smiled to them as he passed. He wondered why the celebrity, but did not wonder too much. His thoughts turned to his mate.

They arrived at the building she was in and Erdhin turned to him, "She has a fever. My Beloved, Anenfel, has done what she can to ease the fever and she should be waking soon. You can stay here as long as you need to. She will need her rest to get better." Zyreil nods to his words as the door opens and he sees her laying there. It takes all his strength to not run over to her. "Thank you Erdhin"

At that moment Anenfel stirs and starts to wake which Erdhin turns his attention to her, moving immediately to her side and holding her steady. "This is Anenfel, my Beloved" Zyreil bows "It is an honor to meet you Lady Anenfel" she smiles and reaches over to touch his cheek, "it is wonderful to have you return to us" she smiles, then looks to Erdhin and he helps her out to take her to their chambers.

Zyreil is about to ask, but decides it can wait to another day as he moves in to Aer'alyn's side. A chair is brought to him, but he waves it away, smiling in thanks. Instead he lays on the bed beside her and holds her close to him

::I am here my Beloved::

He then settles in beside her, he can feel her relax in his arms as he drifts to sleep. It had been a long flight.

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He wasn't sure how long he had slept, but when he woke it was dark. He glanced to Aer'alyn who still slept in his arms, giving her a kiss on the back of her head, then easing himself from the bed.

Stretching he moved to a window and looked out, seeing the stars he smiled, and took quiet steps to the door and outside, gently closing the door behind him.

"It is wonderful you have returned to us" those words came rushing back like a tidal wave and he paused, wondering what she meant by that. Was his kin one of the lines that merged with the Dalhria? No, it couldn't be that. He pushed it from his mind for the time being as he monitored Aer'alyn from outside, in haling deeply the fresh air. It seemed different than the air around the city. It was old, but untouched by human hands. They hadn't gotten this far, he remembered that. Something seemed to keep them away from the southern regions. They had even gone so far as to call it the forbidden zone.

He took a walk along the stone paths that lead alongside the river to the where the waterfall was. He found a large branch and stopped there, sitting then laying down on it, looking up. It appeared that no dragon had flown these skies in thousands of years. How was that? How was that that none of their kind dared to venture this far? They had to have known about it? You couldn't travel south without seeing the land in the distance to some degree. Of course it could have looked like a mirage on the horizon.

It didn't matter, either way, they were known and they welcomed him and his mate. He was grateful for that. She had been in danger from the moment she left him at the waterfall, he just didn't know how much.

But none of that mattered now. They were together, and this adventure was only beginning. he wondered what awaited them in this strange unknown land.

He felt her stirring ::Zyre... :: the softness of her voice in his mind, he knew she still slept ::I am near beloved. Rest, sleep. We will talk in the morning.:: she didn't reply but he felt her settle again.

He stayed there a while longer until his eyes felt heavy again. Rising he went back to their room, curled around her once more and fell back to sleep. Unaware that he was being watched by a wary eye.

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He woke as morning came and kissed her cheek as he lifted himself carefully from her side. He stepped out and looked around for a place to bathe. He found an area and stepped in, it was empty so he stripped his clothes off and into the water. using the soaps he found there cleaning himself. As he was a woman of the Dalhria came in with fresh clothing for him, taking his old clothes. He did not argue. They likely need washing and badly. When he finished he rose out of the water, dried himself and put on the fresh robes and shoes, then stepped into the sun.

When he moved down the path back towards their room he saw Erdhin and smiled. The man stopped to talk with him.

"She still sleeps, but she is feeling better. The fever is gone." He bowed slightly, "thank you for helping her. You have my gratitude and I am in your debt" Erdhin smiled, shaking his head, "No, you owe us nothing Zyreil. It is an honor to help you both.

They started walking slowly, "Erdhin, I have to ask. What did Anenfel mean when she said it was wonderful that I had returned to you?" Erdhin turned to face him and smile, "You must discover that young Zyreil, I cannot show you." he was started by his response, "You can't show me? Why not?" he was more than a little confused, Erdhin began walking again, Zyreil followed, "It is a journey you must take. Many of your kind have forgotten who they are, you have forgotten who you are. I cannot tell you that. You must take that journey, just as Aer'alyn must take her journey. Together you discover who you are as individuals and as mates. I will guide you when I can." He smiles to Zyreil who nods to his words, already thinking and wondering what this will mean.

They reached the room he went in and Erdhin when his own way. This gave him much to think on as he ate breakfast and watched Aer'alyn sleep, thinking about this new journey and hoping she would wake soon.

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She had slept for another full day and Zyreil had not left her side. Erdhin and Anenfel had come to check on her a few times that day and before night fell. As day came Zyreil was in a chair beside her, his hand in hers and sound asleep until she moved. He lifts his head and their eyes met. He rose and moved to pull her close, and she hung on with all the strength she had ::I thought I had lost you:: were her words to him. He pulls back and lifts her chin to see tears in her eyes, ::You do not have the power to keep me away from you:: he smiled and kissed her lips lightly, holding that kiss for what felt like minutes when it was only seconds.

He released her and sat next to her as Erdhin and Majel entered the room. she smiles to them, "How long have been asleep?" Zyreil spoke softly, "Well atleast 2 days, maybe more. He looks to Erdhin, who nods, "Yes, though actually 4 days. It is good to see you are well Aer'alyn" she blushed as he said her proper name, he knew as she though "Thank you"

As they talked Erdhin was interrupted by a messanger, Zyreil heard the words that were spoken, "Word has come, he as the child and mother" Erdhin nods , then turns to Zyreil and Aer'alyn, "If you'll excuse me, I have things to attend to" Majel was left with them, and he spoke, "You may call this home as long as you wish to stay. You are welcomed" he smiles, but Aer'alyn does not trust his eyes, though she smiles "Thank you" trying to be polite. He realizes he is intruding and excuses himself.

"Do you see? They are of Legend" she looked to Zyreil, who nods softly, "yes, they are the Dalhria. A name that has not been spoken since the end of the last war."

"Come let us walk. You have been out for too long. You need your strength." he helps her up and they leave the room, heading to a table that has food laid out for them, they sit and eat, sharing a meal in relative silence, but any who came into the room would know the silence spoke volumes about them and their growing affection for each other