° Medarta and Tebriniath: Ryslen °

stories of the Taratus Clan by Neishai

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Who's there, and what the hell do you want?

Quxia gasped as he saw movement in the ghostly shape of a dragon. As his eyes adjusted, he thought that perhaps he -- for the dragon had a distinctly masculine voice -- might be yellowish, or maybe light brown, with darker spots. It was impossible to tell. Nearby was a smaller dragon, laying curled up in a corner. It was darker, perhaps blue or some other ghostlike color.

He faltered, firstly unsure of what he should say, and secondly not knowing the truth himself. "I...I don't... Well, what's it to you anyway?"

The dragon made a distinct "Hmph!" and turned to glare at the insubordinate human. It was bad enough that they should take over the entire castle, shove them into the back Nidulii furthest from the sun, but then they had to horn their way into the privacy of this designated area. It just so happens that we live here. I would think it should be our business, you little bastard!

Aqu glared into the darkness half-blind, vaguely aware that one should address a large aggressive dragon with respect and tact. Also that if anything should happen to him, no one would ever know, except perhaps his Yatenth, whom he felt now but only dimly in his mind, as if someone had grabbed hold of a section of it and was stretching it thin over the distance that separated them. "Well, why would you want to live down here anyway?"

This first dragon whipped his tail back and forth angrily, still irritated with this little pest's mere presence. It would not have mattered what he said, the dragon would still be incensed with him. Whatever his intentions, he was stopped short as the other dragon unfolded herself from her place in the corner.

When she spoke, it was with a soft, velvety voice. Please, Adaleth. I'm sure he's just lost, or he would know about us. She stretched like a cat, flexing cramped muscles in her long, scrawny limbs.

The larger male grunted. Probably. He dismissed Aqu offhandedly then, laying back down with a puff of dust.

His companion moved closer to regard their visitor. We are abandoned dragons, live in the back halls of Ryslen because it matches our mood, she said with a melancholy sigh. She seemed wistful, hopeless yet oddly optimistic.

You're not thinking of him again, are you, Tebri? Adaleth seemed to be calling over his shoulder with a derisive snort. Gods, get over him already, will ya? He's just a selfish, petty little bastard like the rest of them.... like him! he added, referring to Aqu.

Aquxianal shook his head, unsure of whether they could see the gesture or not. He balled his fists. "I've abandoned no one. In fact," he added softly, "I was the one abandoned..."

Not....your dragon? she asked in disbelief.

Of course he wasn't, you stupid--

Shut up, Adaleth! she yelled, near tears.

"No," Aqu said softly. "She's not here with me though. She's not allowed...because she's a hydra."

Tebri recoiled in revulsion, and Adaleth perked up with repulsed fascination. A hydra huh? Hmm ... you sure you didn't abandon her?

"NO! I would never!"

The pair of abandonlings were taken aback. While hydras were regarded with fear and hate, often associated with ruthlessness and dishonor, here was a man who felt obvious affection and loyalty to one. It made them wonder.

It made them envious.

After a time, Tebri moved forward, closer to Aqu. Well, it seems that you are in good company after all. You are welcome here with us, of course.

Of course he's not! He's still human! Let him hang out with his own kind. Leave us alone, human.

Aquxianal sighed, turning to leave. "Yeah..."

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Much later, Aqu sat cross-legged between the pair of dragons. There was another with them, a young shapeshifter who called herself Medarta. She had befriended Tebriniath and spent much time with them over the months despite Adaleth's misgivings.

"No one should ever be abandoned," she said. "That was one of the first things I learned when Shainon adopted me into his House: no one gets left behind. Ever."

Adaleth snorted. Yeah, in an ideal world, no one would ever be left behind. But in the real world, people always let you down.

"Things are always black and white with you, aren't they, Adaleth?" Aqu asked wryly.

Funny you should say that... he began with a smirk no one saw. He was white and red, stark contrasts. It might has well have been the same thing. In the end, he said finally, people always let you down. I inherited my bond's dislike for women...

"They're not to my taste either," Aqu muttered, eyes half-lidded.

Adaleth snorted. And I learned from his example to hate men as well!

Aqu grunted, growling softly, "I'm starting to think along those lines myself."

His voice had almost gone unheard, and Tebriniath began to wonder just whom he had been abandoned by. She spoke softly. Well I do not believe in stark black and white. There must be a reason for everything that happens.

Well of course you and I lost our bonds for a reason they were selfish in the end, and when it came down to the choice, they chose number one! Even your precious --

Stop! Please, Adaleth. We agreed, no names.

Adaleth let out a growling sigh. Fine!

No, I can't believe it. She was almost in tears once again, as she spoke. Medarta, in her half-human, half-ermine form, stroked her arm gently, offering silent but strong support. I know he had a reason for leaving me behind. It must have been important...he would never leave me for selfish reasons. I have to believe that. When we first met, I showed him the truth about himself. He was so kind and gentle, I just can't believe...

"Maybe he didn't want to see the truth, Tebri," Medarta said softly. Aqu nodded, a gesture barely visible to the others, some wondering if they had seen it at all.

Adaleth bowed his head. He knew his rider had left him for selfish reasons. He had never had the patience, nor the loyalty to have stayed. He longed to be able to believe the best about his bond...his former bond, but he simply hadn't the optimism his companion did. He was far too jaded...

He envied this Quxia's bond with the hydra. He envied Tebri's openness, her ability to not only see the best in people, but to actually hope for something. He had no hope. There was no point, no use for it in his bleak, future-less life.

"It doesn't matter," Aqu said, surprising them all. "Your former bonds are not the only people in the world, and not everyone's the same. Not everyone's selfish."

Adaleth snorted, but said nothing.

Aqu continued, "I'm not saying I'm not selfish, but there are people who are loyal to the people they love. Those are the people who count."

"Tebri, why don't you join us? House Nhonn I mean. You're not a shapeshifter, but you don't have to be. We could adopt you in ... like I was adopted. I would never leave you, you have to believe that. It's not as good as a dragon-rider bond, but everyone needs friends. And maybe ... if you wanted to, I mean ... they would let you try to bond a dragon from the Flurry."

I don't know...

"You can think about it before you decide. You've been down here for so long, Tebri, you need to feel the sun on your wings, the warmth of people who love you..."

How ... sappy, Adaleth gagged.

"You know, the same offer stands with me. You and I have things in common ... and the Guild is recruiting. Even if it didn't work out, you will still have a friend in me."

Adaleth bristled. Well, it's not as if I wouldn't do just fine down here! If I did it for a year, I could do it for twenty!

Aqu snorted. "It's not like we'd need you."

Fine!

"Fine, then."

I'll see you on the Sands then.

"And I'll sign up your sorry hide ... which will, by then, be clean."

No shi-it. You're going to scrub my sorry butt and you're going to like it!

"Squeaky," Aqu flipped back, arms by then folded snugly across his chest.

Not much more was said, and he had soon vacated the spacious, dragon-only Nidulus, left to navigate the labyrinthian halls of the Nidus. Tebriniath and Medarta stared at one another and rolled their eyes. They did not need to see the gesture to share in it. Men.

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