This didn't turn out quite the way I had intended, but I hope its entertaining all the same. I kind of took a lead from Lulu on FFQ, or Whitey here for those that don't know that.
This short story takes place about 12 or 13 Years after the last post, or after the demise of Dekentor and the KoD.
Enjoy.
Kirin circled high and let out a loud roar as she approached the cave entrance. As she did this, eleven other ice drakes quickly appeared from the opening and stood on the ledge heeding her cry for help and waiting for her to land.
And she did so, but nowhere near as gracefully as she normally would...and the moment her feet touched the ground, she fell over in a heap thus revealing the cargo she was carrying…a human boy who seemed no more then 9 or 10, wrapped only in a small blanket.
The largest of the drakes ran to her quickly and enquired as to how she was, “Kirin, are you ok? What has happened?”
“I am well My Lord, I am just exhausted, but the boy needs your attention immediately.” She said between breaths, “I have been in flight for two days non-stop to get him to you…please, help him My Lord…” she paused to catch her breath again, “…My Lord…Kori…he’s Aidan’s son.”
Kori’s heart skipped a beat when he heard this and now turned his attention to the boy. In his mind, he had immediately forgiven Kirin for bringing an outsider to their new dwelling…a dwelling that has been hidden for some 7 to 8 years now from all but their closest friends.
In the years that followed Dekentor’s defeat, Kori and Kirin scoured the land looking for other drakes. And as time passed, Commander Arthas, Commander Jacob Cùthalion, even Nyx and Daemon would send word of a lone ice drake someplace or another, or in some cases, actually sent the drake to Kori and Kirin. There were a dozen of them now, and they remained hidden from all…until now that is.
Kori quickly shape shifted into his human form and knelt down beside the boy. Kori could see that his arms and chest seemed somewhat blue, but at the moment, he assumed the boy was just very cold and picked him up and ran into the cave entrance.
Kori spoke a few commanders in draconian, and 3 of the drakes including Kirin, shape shifted into human form. One brought him a robe to put on, one was starting a fire, and Kirin ran to his side.
Kori passed the boy to Kirin as he put on his robe, and in doing so, the blanket fell down slightly, and revealed the boy’s head and face. Kori was awe struck and frozen in both place and mind as memories of a time about ten years ago flashed through his head. The boy was part drake, or at the vary least, was turning into a drake…
“Kirin…” he started as he starred at the boy’s obvious draconian features and lowered his head a bit, “…are you sure you don’t mean Kegan’s son?”
“Snow…” she began sombrely and still winded, “…no. He is Aidan’s son. I’ll explain later, but first you have to help him.” She added as she placed her hand his shoulder, “But my friend, you know that he is your son now, and you must help him Snow.”
“Clearly…”
Kori then placed the boy on the ground next to the fire. Having cleared his head of the emotional rush it was now feeling, he concentrated on the task at hand. In doing so, two things also became very clear to him. One was that this boy was trapped between a shape shifting state. Unlike Kori who was born a drake, it would appear this boy was born human, and was now beginning to take drake form. And two, was that this boy had obvious Ice-Mage physiological qualities. A simple fact that told him yes…He was in fact Aidan Dellcaine’s child, and not Kegan’s as he first thought…
Kori continued to cast spell after spell, and speak chant after chant trying to help the boy. About an hour later, he was at a critical juncture. Did he allow the boy to fully change into a drake, or did he prevent this, and allow him to stay as a boy? Either choice would save his life, but he had to choose, and he had to choose now.
“Kirin?” he began as he looked up at her, “What is…”
“His name is Kaze Tatsou Keitaro. She calls him Kei.” She replied interrupting him.
“I was going to ask what her wish was?” he then stated with a glare, “I have to make a decision here…and fast.”
“Oh,” Kirin replied somewhat embarrassed, “She didn’t. She just knew he had to be brought to you.”
Kori furrowed a brow and turned his attention back to Kei and pondered. A few moments later, he placed his hands upon his chest, spoke a few chants and channelled some energy into Kei.
Kirin was standing behind Kori with an extremely worried look upon her face, as the other drakes began chanting an old and ancient verse. It would be what a human would call a prayer, but since drakes don’t pray, it was more like a song then anything else.
At that moment, Kirin turned her head with a snap, and looked at the cave opening. “Fire eaters.” She said in a low whisper, and then began walking that way in haste. When she arrived, she then saw Commander Kristen Arthas and Crystal, Nyx and another mount she was unfamiliar with, and Jacob Cùthalion.
“Kirin we heard the news.” Kristen began, “Is it true? Is he ok?”
Kirin had just opened her mouth to reply, when a dimension door formed and out walked Mira Cùthalion and Kegan Dellcaine thus indicating to her, how they in fact had “heard”
“Yes…its true.” She began, “Kori is with him now, and know this as well,” she paused as she turned her head towards Mira and Kegan, “…he is going to be wanting answers when he is finished that is for certain.”
“I assumed” Kegan replied as she glanced at everyone at least once, “That’s why I’m here actually.”
“Yeah, I figured.” Kirin replied as she lowered her head a bit.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Mira then said as if no one else was talking, “I have to get in there now.” She added as she disappeared into the cave opening.
“How’s Kei doing?” Kegan then asked Kirin hesitantly.
“I’m not really sure to be honest.” She replied as everyone then donned a sombre look.
“Kori is a very gifted and very skilled drake.” Jacob said trying to lift everyone’s spirits a bit, “…and my Mother is a very skilled healer as well. The boy will be fine I’m sure of it.” He added with a genuine smile.
“Yes, that’s very true.” Nyx added optimistically, “We should just sit and wait patiently right?” She added outwardly, as secretly, inwardly…she knew Kori was going to be very angry to find out he was in fact the only one who didn’t know who Kei was.
***
About an hour later, a rather exhausted looking Mira Cùthalion walked out from the cave opening. Jacob was quick to run to her and walk her towards a place to sit next to everyone else.
“Mira?” Kegan and Kirin asked in unison.
“Kei is fine now. He and Kori are rather tired, but they are both well.” She said as she looked at Kegan, “Kori knows you are here, and wants to see you.”
Kegan gulped, stood up, took a deep breath, and slowly walked into the cave.
“Do we need to escort her Mira?” Kristen asked in a somewhat worried fashion.
“No my friend.” Mira replied as she leaned on Jacob for support, “he just wants to talk to her that’s all.”
Kegan slowly walked over to Kori and Kei. “You wanted to see me Snow?”
Kori raised his head and spoke in draconian dismissing the other drakes, as Kei looked up at Kegan and smiled “Aunty Keegs!”
“Hey you, how ya feeling?” she asked as she leaned down and touched his forehead.
“I’m very sleepy and want my bed Aunty Keegs, but Kori says I am not allowed to move right now.”
“He is probably very correct Kei.” She replied with a smile, “He did after all just make you better you know.”
“Yeah, he’s magic isn’t he?” Kei asked with a wide-eyed expression.
“Yes, something like that Kei.” She replied as she looked at Kori and placed her hand on his shoulder.
Kori slowly turned his head, and stared at her deeply. “It was you I rescued ten years ago and not Aidan wasn’t it?” he said as he furrowed a brow full of sadness, “And she that came to me for help, and not you.”
Kori’s mind drifted as he looked at Kegan and then Kei. If Kegan answered his question, he never heard it; he just drifted farther and farther into the memory.
For the first few months that followed the fall of the KoD, martial law remained intact in Port Lovis. All the major players remained behind, including King Lance and even Daemon.
Nyx and Kirin would take the shadow warriors out every night searching for either Steven, Tear, or just any remnant of the KoD. If they located any, the rest of the forces in Lovis were alerted, and they were either captured or killed...which ever happened to happen…at the time.
Kristen, Crystal and the other dragoons took up this job during the day, and everyone else just either helped to rebuild the port city, or helped the dwellers in what ever way was needed.
Kaze Tatsou Kori and Jacob Cùthalion on the other hand had a two-fold job. Assisting the King in whatever capacity he requested or required, and assuring the wards around the shrine in Tristania were holding. Mira was often consulted during these times, and more often then not, she and that ever elusive Crono mage would disappear for days on end, and she would return with nothing but reassuring news.
Despite the fact Tear and Stephen were never found, about a year later, martial law was lifted, a local magistrate appointed, and everyone returned home.
Nyx and the shadow warriors returned to Tristania with May. She figured this was her way of making sure all was safe. King Lance and Daemon returned to Kiris, Jacob to the Elf kingdom, Quinn and Ravi remained in Port Lovis. Ravi took it upon his self to school Quinn, and Quinn became a very good student. Kori…Kori did as he pleased and went wherever he wanted much to everyone else’s chagrin. Always on the lookout for either the KoD, or any other ice drake that he might happen upon.
During this time, Kori and Kirin located a suitable cave high upon the mountains half way to New Miranda. Soon after, the first new drake arrived. He had been sent by Daemon. How this occurred is a mystery, and we all know Daemon wouldn’t say how even if asked, but the drake was welcomed and soon made his home with Kori and Kirin.
Early the next spring, Kristen and Crystal arrived with a message for Kori. Nyx had told her, that a person of great importance would be arriving in Lovis with very dire information. Information…for Kaze Tatsou Kori alone. Upon questioning, all Kristen knew, was that it was not a trap set for Kori, and that Nyx swore on her life…that what she conveyed was legit.
Kori had come to trust his friends without question. And when he and Kristen finished talking, he wasted no time in leaving for Port Lovis right away.
A short time later he arrived just outside Lovis in his favourite changing area among the trees. He had no sooner finished dressing, when he heard a familiar voice calling to him.
“Snow…Snow!!!” you have to help me.
Kori turned his head with a snap “Aidan?”
“No…No, its me Kegan” she replied running towards him and throwing her arms around him.
“Kegan?” Kori asked caught between his surprise at the embrace, and his doubts that this was actually Kegan.
“Yes.” She answered severally out of breath; “Its Aidan, she’s been…” she began to add but bent down to catch her breath.
“She’s been what?” Kori stated in a very concerned voice now, “Kegan, what’s happened to her.”
Kegan looked up at Kori and inhaled deeply, “She’s been captured by Steven and Tear.”
“WHAT!!!” He exclaimed both shocked at their reappearance, and in his worry for Aidan. “Where have they taken her?”
“I don’t know, we were in Relgoth, and they showed up.” She paused to catch her breath, “When they saw us they started blasting people with fire balls, and dark magic to get to us. Steven kept yelling that we were to blame for the fall of their Dark Lord. Aidan and I just kept running…” she again paused to catch her breath, “…and at one point Aid fell, and she told me to keep running.”
Kegan dropped to the ground at this point, “I couldn’t get to her Snow.” She began weeping, “…there were soldiers and the spells, and then they grabbed her and dark portalled away. Snow…you have to help her…please.”
Kori choked back a tear and knelt down beside Kegan, “We’ll find her I promise.” He said as he pulled her head into his shoulder, “We’ll get some help and we’ll find her.”
Kegan winced when he did that. “I I I’m sorry, I just, well…”
“No its ok my shy friend.” She replied as she pulled the collar of her shirt down a bit to reveal a very nasty burn, “It just hurts a lot that’s all.”
Kori then picked her up and started heading for Lovis. “I’ll take you to Quinn and Ravi. They’ll fix you up in no time.”
When he arrived at the infirmary, he wasted no time in making his presence known. “Quinn, Ravi…I need help here please.”
Seconds later they arrived, and Quinn immediately ran to Kegan, “Aidan, my God what’s happened to you?”
“Its Kegan actually.” Kori replied for her, “She was hit by dark magic from Tear and Steven.”
Quinn and Ravi went expressionless. As Kori laid her down, they started to examine her quickly. “Can I leave her here with you for a bit?” Kori then asked, “I need to go to Tristania right away, and then to Kiris. I’ll be back before night fall I promise.”
“Yes…go…don’t worry.” Quinn replied not once taking her eyes off Kegan.
“Ok.” Kori then stated, “I’ll be back as soon as possible.” And with that, he summoned a D-Door, said Tristania, and then vanished.
Arriving in Tristania moments later, he ran to the shrine and informed Nyx of what had happened. This did not sit well with her, and she said she would muster the Shadow Warriors and be ready when he returned from Kiris. Kori bowed, and then D-Doored away to Kiris, and repeated his story to King Lance.
“After all this time…” Lance said wearing a heavy brow, “And what possible gain could taking Aidan get them.” He added as he began pacing.
“A simple one my King,” Kori said matter of factly, “To draw us out in the open again.”
“Yes…indeed.” Lance then stated in a slight angered tone, “…he shall have his wish then my friend.”
“Thank you Sire.” Kori replied with a bow. “I’ll head back to Lovis and see how Kegan is, and I’ll leave word with Ravi and Quinn if we should happen to leave before you get there.”
“Of course…” Lance replied expecting no less from him, “Safe journey my friend.”
Kori did not reply, he simply opened another D-Door and vanished.
Again arriving in Port Lovis, he wasted no time in returning to the infirmary all but busting through the door.
He ran in and began looking for Quinn, Ravi and Kegan, calling to them as he did. “Will you please keep your voice down!” Ravi said appearing from behind a curtain, “I have several other patients here that are sleeping and trying to rest as well my friend.”
“Yes, of course, I’m sorry.” Kori said apologetically, “How is she.”
“She is fine of course.” Ravi replied, “Quinn is with her now. Follow me.”
A few moments later, they arrived to see Kegan was lying down, and Quinn was sitting on the end of the bed. The two were giggling and chatting a bit, but stopped the moment Kori began to speak.
“You are well?” Kori asked concerned.
“Yes I am, thank you Snow.”
“My pleasure.” He replied with a slight bow of his head, “we need to talk now though. If you are up for it?”
“Yeah…I’m ok now thanks to Quinn and Ravi.” She replied as she smiled at Quinn and winked.
“That’s good to hear.” Kori then stated as he told her what he had done with respect to King Lance and Nyx. He also told her what was going to be happening next, and that Lance was sending as much help as possible and that they should be arriving in the days to come.
“Days?” Kegan said slightly saddened, “We cant wait that long.” She added as she started to add worry to her voice, “They might do something that…”
“We are leaving as soon as you are ready.” Kori interrupted her pointedly, “And Ravi and Quinn will tell everyone where we have gone when they arrive.”
“Now that’s the Icy one I’ve come to know.” Kegan then said with a wide-eyed smile.
“Hmm…” Kori pondered as he stared at her very deeply, “…and how would you know this?”
“What?” Kegan said quickly, “Despite everything Kori, Aidan talks about you all the time.
“I see…that would…”
“Ok, lets go.” She said as she hopped out of the bed, interrupting him in the process.
Kori told Ravi and Quinn that he would be starting his search in Relgoth. If the KoD had a new Fortress or home, the mountains in that area could be where they were.
After getting some supplies together, and a cloak for Kegan of course, they set off on the first leg of their search for Steven, Tear, and ultimately, Aidan. A D-Door opened, and they walked through leaving Quinn and Ravi with worried looks upon their faces as they did.
It was now nightfall when they reappeared in Relgoth. The whole place had almost looked as though it had been levelled by a firestorm. There were a few people huddling in areas eating and trying to keep warm, and Kori immediately sensed a fire drake somewhere near by. He whispered this to Kegan as she lowered her cloak. That’s when it happened. A few people recognised her, and started shouting and blaming her for the destruction of their town. With Kori in defensive mode now and shielding Kegan, several of the towns people began to approach them. Still yelling, still pointing the finger at Kegan, and looking very very angry.
Just then a few long spears flew from the tree line, and stuck in the ground between Kori and Kegan, and the now stopped towns people. Seconds later, a few Dragoons made their presence known and demanded they stand down.
“By Order of King Lance, I demand you stand down and return to your business.” The Captain commanded, “These people are not your enemy, nor are we. Now STAND down or we will arrest you here and now.”
This only served to anger the people even more, and they began shouting and throwing sticks and rocks in the direction the Dragoons and Kori and Kegan were standing.
“Captain, move aside.” Kori ordered as he quickly put up an ice wall to shield them from the projectiles. He had no sooner done that, when a fire ball came flying out of the sky shattering it, and a rider on a fire drake flew past them hastily.
As the towns people pulled back in fear, the drake circled around and landed right between Kori and company, and the towns people.
“I am Commander Kristen Arthas of the Kings Dragoons.” She yelled towards the towns people, “Stand down now, before someone gets hurt…and I mean you, not them.”
With several snide remarks, and severe yelling, the towns people finally did as commander.
Kristen then turned to face Kori quickly. “Time to fly drake, we’ve spotted a camp site not four leagues from here. There are undead with them. We’re heading there now.”
“Aidan?” Kegan asked excitedly.
“That’s what were going to find out, as soon as our friend decides to sprout wings that is.”
Kori wasted no time in shape shifting. Then he passed his bag to Kegan and motioned her to jump on. “It’s going to be a rough ride Kegan, so hold on tight.”
“Oh don’t worry, I remember Snow.” She said as she put his bag over her shoulder and raised the hood to her cloak.
“What did you mean by that?” he asked somewhat taken back by her comment.
“Nothing.” He retorted quickly, “Aid has told me all about the wild ride you took her on once.”
“Oh…” Kori replied not quite believing her, but shook the passing thought from his head, as he now had to concentrate on the task at hand.
About thirty minutes later they were flying high above the camp Kristen had told him about. Kori could indeed tell that there were undead with them. They didn’t have the same body heat signature as a normal person, or animal for that matter, but he couldn’t tell if Tear or Steven were there…or Aidan for that mater.
“Kristen, we need a closer look.” He then said.
“Well, I suggest we land away from the site, and let you and Crystal take human form.”
“Lead on Crystal.” Kristen then said as the four of them began a slow and quiet decent.
About ten minutes, and two shape shifting spells later, the four of them were now about 300 or so meters from the camp site. Quickly yet quietly, they got closer and closer to the their goal.
“Can you see anyone specific yet Kori?” Kristen asked straining her eyes to see in the dark.
“No…not really.” He replied, “There are a lot of undead, and there are a few humans, but I cant tell from here, we aren’t close enough yet.”
“Will you two keep it down.” Someone said from somewhere.
“What the hell.” Kristen asked as she then head Crystal in a slight giggle.
“Up there.” Crystal said pointing.
“Oh thanks Crystal, way to blow my cover.” An Owl replied as it flew off a branch and landed beside then. Seconds later, it began to change, and reveal the true nature of its being.
“Daemon!”
“Yes Commander, who else did you think it was?”
“…”
“Heh, nice face. Kinda reminds me of Jacob.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Recon for you four it would appear. Tear and Steven are there, as is…” he paused as he glanced at Kegan, “…your friend.”
Kegan was so excited at this point she almost began shouting. If not for Daemons quick hand covering her mouth, she might have actually.
“Ok, so…how do you want to handle this?” Kristen asked both slightly amused, and slightly concerned as well.
“Well, if it were up to me,” Daemon began, “I’d say the two drakes rush them from the flanks, and we go right up the middle there.” He added as he pointed.
“You’re joking right?” Kristen asked sarcastically.
“No, not really.” Daemon replied not looking at her, “they don’t have the foggiest idea we are here. And if we take out Tear and Steven first, Kegan can get to your friend, and then we can get the hell out of here and back to a warmer place.”
“He may be right Kristen.” Kori finally spoke up, “It’ll take them at least a few seconds to realise what’s happening, and there aren’t a lot of them, so by then we’ll be close enough to get Aidan, and I can cover you while you get Aidan and …”
“Yeah yeah, I get it.” Kristen interjected, “lets just do this then…”
After a few more minutes of talking and formulating, Kori and Crystal ran off, shape shifted, and took flight. The moment they started their sortie, that was everyone else’s cue to start heading for Aidan.
Kristen gripped her spear tightly, as she saw the first of the fireballs striking the ground between Aidan and the hoard. From the other side, a very large bolt of ice struck Tear square in the chest, sending him flying into Steven. Kristen, Kegan and Daemon then began running straight for Aidan up the middle.
At one point Steven turned his head and saw Kristen, and Kristen he. As he began raising his arms towards her, she let loose her spear and caught him in the shoulder both breaking his concentration, and balance.
With Kori and Crystal taking care of the undead, Kegan and Daemon ran straight to Aidan. She was unconscious, but alive. Kristen was approaching Steven, when Tear came too and fired off a bolt of dark magic in her direction…completely missing her and striking the tree behind her. Seeing this, Steven put his hand on Tears leg, opening a dark portal, and the two of them vanished.
“Dammit, not again.” Kristen cursed out loud.
“Commander, a little help here please.” Daemon shouted as the remaining undead attacked him and Kegan while Crystal and Kori circled around for another pass.
“Dammit.” She cursed again as she picked up the closest weapon, and ran to them quickly.
A few minutes, and another pass by Crystal and Kori later…it was all over.
Kori quickly changed back, and ran to Aidan.
“I have to get her to Ravi and Quinn immediately.” He then said as he picked her up and looked at Kegan sadly, “sivol trop” he added, as his dimension door opened, and everyone walked through.
Everyone wasted no time in going to the infirmary. Once inside, Ravi and Quinn dismissed everyone, including Kori and Kegan who objected heavily, but left when Kristen and Daemon finally talked some sense into them.
“Lets just all go get some rest.” Kristen spoke up, “I’ll leave word with Quinn that we are going to the Inn, and that she can come get us if anything should happen.”
“I’m actually heading out again.” Daemon said, “but please send word to the King of her state. I’ll find out from him.”
“Thank you Daemon.” Kori said lowering his head sadly, “Give my regards to Lance please.”
“No problem, now go rest drake…you are of no use to anyone the way you are now.”
“…”
***
Rooms were taken for the night, but Kori was not in a sleeping mood at all. He would lay on his bed, then get up and stare out the window, then lay back down, and then sit up. Restless did not begin to express his state of mind.
A few minutes later, a light tap came on his door.
“Come in?” he said.
“Hi, I really can’t sleep, and I really don’t want to be alone right now.” Kegan said sombrely, “Mind if I stay in here with you for a while?”
“No, not at all…” Kori replied, “I cant sleep either it seems.” He added as he motioned her to enter.
“I’m worried too Snow…” she said as she plopped down on the end of his bed.
“Yeah…I know.” He added as he sat at the head of it and looked at her. “But if anyone can help her as you know, its Quinn and Ravi.”
“Yeah…I know” she replied as she raised her head and stared straight into his eyes.
***
Early the next morning, Quinn came running up the stairs of the Inn calling to Kegan, Kori and Kristen. Kristen opened her door in haste asking how Aidan was.
“Oh she’s fine,” Quinn replied smiling, “She’s asking to see her sister though.”
Then through Kori’s door, Kegan appeared all smiles. “Can I go see her now?”
“Yes, come on lets go.” Quinn replied as she took her hand and began running down the stairs. Kristen just looked at Kori as he appeared in his doorway and turned her head away, “Shall I meet you down there Kori?”
“Yeah…umm…that would be fine.”
Kori packed up his belongings and grabbed the cloak that was Kegan’s and began heading for the infirmary. He knocked on Kristen’s door, but she did not answer, so he assumed she left already, and continued on his way.
Once he arrived there though, he was completely taken back to learn, that Mira Cùthalion had arrived shortly after Kristen had, and that she, Aidan and Kegan had D-doored away a few minutes ago.
“She said thank you, and sorry that they had to leave so suddenly.”
“Of course.” Kori replied as he looked down at the cloak in his hands, and said his farewells.
