Chapter 1-1

Chapter 1: Of Birth and Lost Beginnings

“It is a strange thing, not knowing one's family, one's place of birth, or even one's name... sometimes I long for these things, for I feel keenly the lack of... foundation, the sense that somehow my very self is hidden from me. And yet, at other times, I appreciate the opportunity I have. Most men are born with expectations, opportunities open and closed to them, as if the tapestry of their life had already been part-woven before they even started it. I, however, have no such thing... my life is finally and entirely my own.”

Every half-dragon inherits differently from his draconic forebear, and the one known as Garkhen ze'Darkhen'Sem'dor did not inherit the ability to recall his earliest moments of life. So it is that he depends on the accounts of others for his past.

Garkhen was born to a dwarven mother somewhere in the Southern Continent of Draezoln. His father, a blue dragon, had revealed himself to the dwarves and flown off shortly before Garkhen's birth, and so his mother had already been ostracized and cast out to the edges of the hold. Despite this, she somehow managed to care for her son for several months before receiving an unusual visitor.

He appeared to be a strange dwarf, but soon told her he was a gold dragon. He had learned of her plight, and offered to take her half-dragon child as his own. What may have passed through her mind, and what discussion they had, may never be known, but in time she agreed to the offer.

And so it was that Garkhen's first memories are of an isolated lair in the mountains, and of a caring but distant mentor and adoptive father, sometimes in the form of a human, more often in his true form as a huge, gold-scaled dragon. In the way of gold dragons, his name was far too long to be comfortably repeated, and so Garkhen knew him mostly as Solkh'Tolkharkha—Sun-Toucher, in the Common Tongue.

Solkh'Tolkharkha was a good father to his adopted son, as dragons go, but dragon hatchlings are different than the children of the Races of Men, and so Garkhen, caught halfway between the two, sometimes felt a lack he could not quite define. He enjoyed his time with Solkh'Tolkharkha, and as he grew older he appreciated the time left to himself, as well, but it seemed to him sometimes that there was too much of the later and not enough of the former.

From an early age, he found consolation in books. Dragons are notorious hoarders, but it is less well-known that not all hoard gold and precious gems. Some hoard knowledge, others magic power, but Solkh'Tolkharkha hoarded books. Nor did he heap them up untidily—one large room of his lair consisted of a massive library, shelves upon shelves of books and rare tomes, sufficient almost to rival the great Midport Mage's Guild Library. 

*****

So now we truly get into Garkhen's book. The first chapter or two will probably be more summary-like, as with this bit, interspersed with bits of dialogue.

You'll hopefully notice a bit of change in style, here. Garkhen speaks much differently than Almonihah, and some of that comes across in the details he shared with Elque.

Book II Prologue

Prologue

Garkhen's soft chuckle contrasted sharply with Almonihah's gruff narration. “Ah, yes. I do recall that being rather... an unpleasant meeting.”

Almonihah shrugged. “Meant it t' be.”

Zakhin'Dakh screeched something. “Was my fault, Zakhin'Dakh,” Almonihah replied to him.

Garkhen grinned slightly, then turned to me. “I suspect you wish my story now, Mage-Archivist?”

I nodded. “Indeed I do.”

The blue-scaled half-dragon was quiet for a moment, lost in thought, before he began.

“As you have no doubt by now observed, half-dragons vary widely. I, unlike Almonihah, have no recollection of my earliest years, and must instead rely on the words of others...”

(Author's note: As Garkhen is noticeably more verbal than his friend, I have much more material from him for his story. I've taken the liberty of including small quotes from him at the beginning of each chapter, as I found some things best said in his own words.)

*****

A short bit from the frame story, here. I debated putting this before the last post, but decided it flows better this way.

Book II

Book II: Garkhen

“What is good? That is a question which much wiser and more intelligent beings than me have debated since before the Creation, and none of them has created a definition which has not been called into question on some point or another. For me to claim to have the wisdom to propose a definitive definition when all of these have ultimately failed would be folly in addition to an act of incredible hubris. 

“But that is not truly what you wish to ask me, is it? Your question is truly, what is good to me, is it not? This I can attempt to answer.

“Good... is an acknowledgement that one's own self is of neither greater nor less importance than those about oneself. It is recognizing the potential of all intelligent beings to be greater, and striving to help them realize that potential. It is to bring hope and comfort to the hopeless and needy, to protect the defenseless. It is to do justice to the unrepentant and show mercy to those who will change.

“Good is light. It brings sight, it makes our view of the world clearer. It warms all about it. Its touch brings healing and hope when we are in despair and pain. It nurtures growth, just as sunlight brings growth to great forests.

“Evil, on the other hand, is darkness. It is... a lack. It does not have hope, nor comfort, nor healing, nor growth, save the parasitic growth of some foul fungus on a decaying corpse. And not only does it lack these things, it seeks to take them from others, not to fill its own emptiness, but so that all about it is in despair like itself. 

“Evil seeks to tear apart, to say that each being is an island, and one which can only be larger by making all others smaller—such that oneself never truly grows, only the comparison between oneself and those about it makes it seem so. It is ultimately self-destructive, for when one injures those around oneself, one also harms oneself. It is parasitic, and like all parasites, if not kept in check, it would in time destroy its host and so destroy itself.

“But life is rarely as simple as this. Few beings, few choices are purely good or solely evil. The distinction between light and dark is usually blurred, just as it is in a dimly lit cavern. If one cannot see the sources of light, it is often unclear where it is brighter and where it is darker.

“So it often is in life. Light and darkness, good and evil, are often mixed, and it is the work of a lifetime to determine how to seek the brighter and shun the darker. But it is not enough merely to do this. We must not only seek the light, we must light the darkness. This is the work for which I often long, but so often cannot do. For so often, I must oppose those who would snuff the candles of this world... by snuffing the flames of their life.

“On my travels, it has always amazed me how some intelligent beings are such blazing beacons of good, while others have souls so black that their mere presence drains hope and will from those about them. It is, to me, the true wonder of life that we all have such incredible potential to tend towards such disparate destinies. And it is the work of my life to guide the world a little closer to the destiny of light.

“My only hope is that, when I reach the end of my life, however that may be, I may look back on my time here from the next world... and see a few more candles burning a bit brighter because of my brief sojourn here.”

******

Here's the beginning of Book II! In case you don't recall, Elque is including a quote from the book's subject at the beginning of each book, so that's what this is.

Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Blue

They left the port city as soon as they could. Zakhin'Dakh was quite hungry for fresh meat after their long ocean voyage, and Almonihah thought it sounded good as well. Even though Ferdunan was more heavily settled than much of the Northern Continent, it didn't take them too long at griffon speeds to fly over the cultivated fields into areas of wild woods and plains only interspersed with tamed farmlands. They had a dinner of deer before the sun reached the horizon, and had time to talk before they settled down for the night. 

Where we going? Zakhin'Dakh screeched inquisitively as Almonihah was cleaning some of his gear.

Almonihah shrugged. Wherever seems good. The truth was... he wasn't quite sure why he'd even come. Part of it was just to spite Jivenesh, to pull some kind of victory out of the retreat from the Madlands by getting to the Southern Continent anyway. The truth was, though... it just felt right. Just like east felt like the way to go. Not having any better ideas, he figured he might as well follow the feeling.

Okay! Zakhin'Dakh replied, not at all bother by the vague response. As long as he was with his friend seeing new things, he was happy.

He had no shortage of new things to see as they flew east. There were lots more people here than most of the places they'd been, and the funny things they lived in looked a bit different than the ones up north.

When he asked Almonihah about this, he just shrugged and said, “People build different in different places.”

Okay... Zakhin'Dakh screeched, not really satisfied by the answer, but not sure if there should be anything more to it. 

They took their time, but even so they could soon see mountains to their east. There mountains lots of places! The griffon observed.

There are mountains in lots of places, Almonihah corrected. 

Zakhin'Dakh screeched in agreement. His friend just grinned a bit at his misunderstanding.

They were just reaching the foothills when Almonihah saw something down below them. A short, broad figure in silvery armor, but whose head resembled a dragon. He had a broad tail, with blue scales...

Zakhin'Dakh, land on him, Almonihah said, his voice as much of a growl as the Great Eagle tongue could manage.

Why? The big griffon asked, confused.

Just do it, Almonihah growled, irrational anger leading him to pull out his bow and nock an arrow.

Still uncertain, Zakhin'Dakh obeyed, diving towards the being below. He looked up just before the big griffon landed, pinning him under one talon.

Almonihah's nocked arrow was aimed at the creature's snout right after they landed. A growl still in his voice, he said, “Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you.”

*****

This is the end of Book I. I get to leave this little cliffhanger here for months and months... >:D

In seriousness, I'm looking forward to Garkhen's book next. I'll hopefully be able to apply some of the things I've learned from Book I and make Book II better than it was. It has more of a definite plot, after the first few chapters, so that should help. There will be fairly significant stylistic changes, too.

Chapter 21-3

In the end, it took almost a week for Almonihah to finish his purchases, collect his new arrows, and find a ship willing to take a giant griffon. He'd managed to spend almost all of the treasure he'd taken from the dragon's lair, though he still had enough that he wasn't worried. Why he felt the need to go south... perhaps it was just to do it, after his failure to cross through the Madlands. Perhaps not. Sometimes he felt like there was something more driving him, though what it was he couldn't say. 

After a couple days of warily watching the pair from a distance, one of the Midport Griffon-Rider captains approached Almonihah. They had, apparently, gathered that something was different about Zakhin'Dakh beyond his size, and he invited the pair to spend a bit of time with them. Almonihah rather reluctantly agreed, but Zakhin'Dakh was much more enthusiastic. Hanging out at the edges of town while his friend did things with shiny round things was rather boring.

The griffon-riders lead them up to their eyrie, in one of the mountains to the north of Midport. There they spoke with Almonihah and, to their surprise, Zakhin'Dakh (indirectly, until one of their number who actually knew Great Eagle was called in). At their request and with Zakhin'Dakh's energetic approval, the big griffon remained behind while Almonihah continued his business. He returned frequently, however, both out of concern for his rather naïve friend and out of his own curiosity about these griffon-riders.

One other thing he noted while in the city was a man who would sometimes shout from street-corners about how the gods were deceiving the world, that none were worthy of worship, or some such nonsense. Almonihah paid him little heed, but he seemed to gather an audience some evenings. Once Almonihah thought he saw something around his neck, mostly hidden under the robe he wore. He only got a glance of an odd chain around his neck, but for some reason the sight of it chilled the Ranger. Even days later, he found himself tensing up whenever he saw the man, though he never again caught sight of whatever he wore around his neck.

Eventually the day of departure came. Zakhin'Dakh wasn't hard to get on the ship, though it was, as Almonihah had guessed, difficult to keep him from causing trouble. Food would still be an issue, as well—they'd packed quite a bit, but he and the griffon would have to supplement it extensively when they could. The only benefit Almonihah could convince the captain of (besides the payment) was that any pirate foolish enough to attack them would find himself quite outmatched, so they were paying for their own supplies separately. 

The journey was... surprisingly uneventful. Pleasantly so, even. Zakhin'Dakh did complain a bit about the food, when they couldn't manage to get something fresh from an island or even a couple times by catching something from the ocean, but they both managed to stay fed. Friction with the captain and crew was... irritating, but not serious. Zakhin'Dakh eventually found a couple ways to help that they actually appreciated.
And so they reached port in Ferdunan quietly, slightly ahead of schedule. Convincing the guards at the port that neither of them meant any harm was a bit more difficult, but eventually, they were allowed to disembark and start making their way inland.

It wasn't how Almonihah had originally planned to go south, but now... here he was, in spite of Jivenesh.

*****

This is actually the end of chapter 21. It's a rather short chapter. Chapter 22 will be fairly short as well, and then... we finally get to Garkhen's story!

Speaking of Garkhen, he randomly decided to talk to me from over a thousand years in the future from present-day Draezoln. You can read it here, if you want the spoilers: http://figmentregistry.wikidot.com/stories:garkhen-s-last-words

Chapter 21-2

This was one of the few cities where a giant griffon flying overhead with a half-dragon on his back only drew a few curious glances. Finding a place for them to land was a bit trickier, but eventually they found a square that was empty enough for Zakhin'Dakh to land in. Once they were settled, the griffon-rider leader gave them one final warning about making trouble and left them to their business.

Almonihah found it difficult to keep his big friend going forward. There were so many interesting things for him to look at everywhere that he kept stopping to watch them. That, combined with the irritation many people expressed at having a giant griffon blocking half of the street, was enough to put the half-dragon in a rather sour mood.

Eventually, they reached the first shop Almonihah wanted to visit. It was still here from when he and Zrathanzon had visited it many years ago, but it was run by elves, so that wasn't much of a surprise. Zrathanzon had called them the 'finest fletchers in the Northern Continent', which was enough for Almonihah. He vaguely recalled them being rather pricey, too, but he still had a lot of dragon treasure with him, and he wanted the best for what he wanted done. 

It was when Zakhin'Dakh stuck his beak in the shop after he walked in that Almonihah realized he'd probably need to make different arrangements for his friend for the day. He was probably going to be spending quite a while indoors, and the big griffon simply wouldn't fit in most places. That, combined with his curiosity and how easily he got bored, seemed like a recipe for certain disaster. He wished he'd thought of this earlier—he might have been able to talk the griffon-riding guards into doing something. As it was... 

Finding something safe for Zakhin'Dakh to do took far longer than Almonihah would have liked. He'd have to keep this in mind for the future. Eventually, though, he was able to return to what he was doing with only some worry of what his big friend was up to. In addition to ordering some special arrows, he purchased some more potions and even an little enchanted bag, that was much larger on the inside than on the out. Dragon treasure could buy quite a bit.

The trickiest part, however, would be finding passage to the Southern Continent for them. While ships made the perilous passage from Midport to Ferdunan regularly, they didn't often carry giant griffons. Just figuring out how to keep Zakhin'Dakh fed on the way was going to be difficult, and convincing a captain that he wouldn't eat the crew (not to mention convincing the crew of that) would likely be even harder. Not to mention Almonihah would have to watch his friend carefully to make sure his curiosity didn't interfere with the smooth running of the ship.

For the time being, Almonihah just looked around the docks, refreshing his memory of what Zrathanzon had said about them, and seeing what had changed. His arrows would take some time to make, especially the enchanted ones, so he had time to look around before trying anything. He had a few gems in hidden on his person that could probably convince the right captain to go along with him, but he wanted to make sure said captain wouldn't try to rob him on the way. There wasn't any hurry, so he'd rather take the time to do things right.

****

Yeah, and I haven't been in a hurry to do this, either. I was hoping to be done with this book by the end of the month... maybe by the end of the year I'll be done.

Chapter 21-1

Chapter 21: Sea

Almonihah and Zakhin'Dakh did find a valley through the rift they had seen. They found another beyond it, and in this way they meandered their way west, sometimes through valleys and canyons, other times just paralleling the Dragon's Teeth range on one side or the other. Gradually they made their way southwest, until they reached the Stormpeaks. These proved more of an obstacle, both because of their greater height and because of the frequent storms for which they were named. The pair were determined, however, and slowly, carefully made their way, often having to turn back and try another way.

Eventually, though, they found what Almonihah was looking for—a large stream running through a narrow valley. If he was right, this was part of the Stormwash, the river that flowed through Midport. That was where he wanted to go. 

Before long, the stream and valley widened, and in the distance the keen-eyed pair could see hints of smoke. Then Zakhin'Dakh screeched in surprise.

Griffons! He said.

Zakhin'Dakh had the advantage of Almonihah in distance vision, as he could only make out small dots approaching them. Before long, though, he could make out enough of their silhouettes to see that they were, indeed, griffons. And if he remembered correctly, that meant griffon-riders.

Slow down and fly lower, Almonihah murmured to his friend. We don't want to seem any more dangerous than we have to.

Okay, Zakhin'Dakh screeched in acknowledgment. 

The griffon-riders—both of them could see the riders now—approached quickly. Midport's griffon-riders were its main military force, other than its navy. Almonihah had seen them before the couple of times he and Zrathanzon had visited the city, but he hadn't been riding a giant griffon then. While they were generally more open-minded than the guards of a lot of the smaller settlements he'd visited, he wasn't sure how they'd react to Zakhin'Dakh and him together.

They slowed as they neared the pair, as well. There were five of them—a sizable patrol. One of them flew closer than the others and spoke.

“What is your business here?”

“Spending gold. Maybe finding a ship,” Almonihah yelled back. 

After a moment of silence, the griffon-rider replied, “We'll escort you into town.”

They flew into formation around Almonihah and Zakhin'Dakh—two on each side, and the leader in front. They flew slowly in silence, which was fine with Almonihah. Zakhin'Dakh, after his cheerful greeting screech went unanswered by the other griffons, was quiet as well, though he looked around curiously. 

It wasn't long before they could see signs of cultivation below them. While Midport depended on imports to support itself, there were fairly extensive farms up here in the valley of the Stormwash. Getting the food down to Midport itself was a fairly difficult business, but not really any more difficult than bringing it in by ship, and it gave the city some semblance of independence. 

The main method for getting the supplies up and down soon came into view. The Great Crane, a marvel of modern engineering, sat at falls of the Stormwash, lowering food and other goods from the valleys above down to the city, and bringing up supplies from the city. Particularly brave souls (or those who did not wish to climb the Great Stair) would even get a lift for themselves. 

The group of griffon-riders flying into the city needed to use neither. As they neared the falls, the leader of the riders asked Almonihah, “Going to the Merchants' Quarter first?”

“Yeah,” he replied. 

The griffon-rider nodded, but said nothing more. They flew out over the falls, and got a view of Midport itself. Midport was generally cited as the most populous city on all of Draezoln, despite being crammed into the small delta of the Stormwash, surrounded by mountains on two sides and the ocean on the other two.
Zakhin'Dakh found the sight quite impressive, and screeched long and low in appreciation.

******

So, back to Elque narrating. Remember that this picks up right after chapter 20, not chapter 20.5, since Almonihah didn't tell Elque about the Phoenix.

Also, there's apparently something about riding a griffon that makes you not talk much. Maybe it's the habit of not trying to yell into the wind or something.

Chapter 20.5-5

I stuck arrows in flying Javni'Tolkhrah until I started to worry I'd run out. Zakhin'Dakh was busy with more of them on the ground (he says some of them were bigger, but none as big as him). Once I'd cleared the sky, I could finally look down again. Zakhin'Dakh was growling at a big tiger-bear thing with a couple scorpion tails. He'd backed up the slope, and looked rather beat up. I growled myself and sent an arrow into the thing's head. It wasn't expecting that. 

I only had a couple arrows left, so I drew my swords and went to stand with Zakhin'Dakh. He glanced back at me and gave me a tired screech. I nodded back to him, then turned to face whatever came next.

For a little while, everything was quiet, but I could just barely pick something up. Don't know if they were nervous after how many of them we'd killed or what. Maybe they just thought a big wave would be more effective, because that's what happened next—big wave of Javni'Tolkhrah charged up-slope toward us. 

We charged back.

More like Zakhin'Dakh took off and dived at the biggest one. He hit it hard, but it was still struggling when I started fighting. The first thing that jumped at me... I think it used to be a rabbit. It died with Zithrandrak through its head. The next few were larger and more dangerous. I had to use everything I knew to stay alive, and even so took some hits. Good thing my scales are harder than the boiled leather I was wearing. Still got scratched up pretty badly, though. 

I managed to take down several of the Javni'Tolkhrah I was fighting, and I could see every now and then that Zakhin'Dakh was flying around slashing and biting more of them, but it seemed like some of them must be getting to where the Phoenix's ashes were. 

Then... there was a flash. And then a dull roar, like a wizard had thrown a fireball. The surviving Javni'Tolkhrah turned as one and started to run, but a giant flaming bird flew past and caught up to them. Looked like we'd held out long enough. Zakhin'Dakh landed next to me and we watched him together.

It wasn't long before he flew back over to us. Well done, brave ones, he said. I am reborn, and these creatures of Chaos have seen my renewed strength. Let any that survive take word of it to the others—I fight them again!

I snorted. “Not that most of them can talk to each other.”

He looked at me. Do not dismiss their intelligence so casually. Not all touched by the Mad God lose their thinking in their insanity. Indeed, some even become more cunning.

I didn't have anything to say to that.

The Phoenix kept speaking. Now it is time for you to depart. But first, it is right that I should reward you for your aid. 

He took off again, then flew over us. He flapped once right above us, and a few feathers started floating down from him. 

Catch them. And good hunting, young friends. Naishia watch over you. And with that, he was gone.

I caught about half a dozen of the feathers, and Zakhin'Dakh carefully caught one with his beak. The others burst into flames and burned up when they touched the ground. I carefully stored the ones I'd caught, then did the same for Zakhin'Dakh's, keeping his separate. 

That was fun! Zakhin'Dakh screeched. 

I snorted. Almost dying to a bunch of Javni'Tolkhrah wasn't my idea of fun, but we'd lived, and done something that needed doing. 

Let's go, I said back.

****

Well, that's the end of AZ narrating. It was kind of fun, but I think I'll be glad to get back to Elque. He's a bit easier of a narrator to write.

Chapter 20.5-4

A wave of Javni'Tolkhrah charged up the slope toward us. There were a lot of different kinds, like there always are when you're dealing with them—a three-headed wolf, something that looked like a cross between a tiger and a crab, things like that. My first arrow hit one in the eye, killing it, while Zakhin'Dakh dived on the wolf creature with a war shriek. Whirling, he slashed at another creature that was trying to run past him, while another of my arrows arrow killed a tiger-like creature that had been crouching to spring at him.

I dodged to one side, reacting before I knew what I was doing. You do that sometimes if you've had as many things try to kill you as I have. A lightning bolt blasted past me. The lightning wouldn't have hurt me, but it's not like I knew what was coming when I dodged, then fired back. I got just enough of a glimpse of something humanoid to stick an arrow in it. I didn't think I got a solid hit , but but another Javni'Tolkhrah was charging me, so I didn't exactly have time to check.

Zakhin'Dakh had his talons full, too. He was taking two or three of the things at a time, slashing their faces, biting them with his beak, even picking up and throwing some of the smaller ones. I'd shoot an arrow at one of them when I had the time, but I was too busy with my side usually. He was getting bitten and scratched, and though he hadn't got hit too bad yet, I knew it was just a matter of time.

When I had a second to shoot a couple of the monsters around him, I yelled, Take off! Fight from the air!

He screeched in understanding and took off with a leap, slashing another Javni'Tolkhrah as he passed over. I had to turn back to my side, since three different messed-up kinds of cat-things were charging at me. The first one got an arrow in the head, but I had to drop Naishia's Messenger and draw Zithrandrak and Eldereth for the other two. They crouched, ready, waiting for the pounce. Just like I thought, they jumped. I stepped aside, stabbing one with Zithrandrak. I hit it too hard, though, and had to let go of Zithrandrak to keep from getting pulled off-balance as the thing died. 

The other one slashed at me with its claws, but I managed to get Eldereth in the way, shocking it a bit. I backstepped, slashing at it, but only managed to scratch it. It tried to charge me, and this time I got a good hit, taking a couple of its toes off, then finishing it off as it stumbled. I whirled to meet whatever was coming next, and was a bit surprised to see nothing else coming up the slope at us. Zakhin'Dakh was just throwing this fishy-dog-thing down a particularly steep spot as I turned. 

I saw movement in the trees below, and rolled aside just as a ball of fire exploded where I had been. It singed me a bit, and Zakhin'Dakh's shriek didn't sound good. I ran back over to Naishia's Messenger, glad to see it was in good shape (good thing it's enchanted so well), picking it up and nocking an arrow. I saw another movement and fired an arrow. Something fell with a thud, so I figured this time I'd hit something important. I saw Zakhin'Dakh land and charge into the woods, and then heard a strangled yelp. Maybe there'd been two mages?

There was another explosion, a shriek, and then the sound of Zakhin'Dakh tearing into something. Three mages. Then I saw some Javni'Tolkhrah bird-things coming, and had to quit paying attention to what Zakhin'Dakh was doing. (He says he found another mage-guy and a few smaller Javni'Tolkhrah.)

****

Almonihah's not mentioning it here, but it's bad that Javni'Tolkhrah are working with mages.
In other news, it's kind of hard to write as AZ for a fight scene. He's not big on describing battles usually.

Chapter 20.5-3

Zakhin'Dakh screeched, Okay! I didn't say anything. Not until he explained more.

Don't know if he knew somehow that I was waiting for more explanation or if he was just going to explain more anyway, but he continued, I am ancient beyond your knowledge, but every so often I must be reborn. It is in these moments that I am vulnerable, and the minions of Jivenesh seek this time to attack me. Even now I can sense them here... He paused. He gazed directly at me. As I can sense that you have not been untouched by the Mad One.

I froze at that. How... and if... 

Do not fear, he continued, That you are here shows that you are stronger than the Chaos which would take you.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, only half-sarcastically. Somehow the Phoenix trusted me in spite of what had happened to me made me feel a bit better.

But I fear we have little time for talk. I must give myself to the flame now, and I will need you to defend me until I am fully reborn. Assuming you are willing, of course. I could tell from the tone that he knew we'd accept.

Zakhin'Dakh reared a shrieked a challenge, almost throwing me off doing it. (He apologized later) I could feel the Phoenix's amusement, but he just said, You will not have long to wait to show your ferocity, my young friend. Look.

I looked, too. I don't have eagle eyes, but dragon eyes are at least as good. Neither of us could make out anything clearly, but we could make out a lot of movement in the valley below. Some of it seemed rather large.

I would fight at your sides, brave young ones, but I must be reborn. He hopped up into the nest he'd build. The blessings of Naishia be upon you in your battle, he said, and burst into flames.

Zakhin'Dakh shrieked in disbelief. I stayed quiet, thinking about some of the stories I'd heard... then I heard the first growls. I dismounted, pulling out my bow, as Zakhin'Dakh turned to face downhill with a deep growl. 

*****

Ooooooo, cliffhanger!

Okay, not really.

Chapter 20.5-2

Zakhin'Dakh's surprised screech told me he'd heard it, too. It was the last thing I needed to figure it out, though. This was the Phoenix.

Now, you probably don't know, but the Phoenix is a legend among Rangers. During my time with the Order, I'd heard stories of Rangers saved from certain death by a giant bird of fire. Some of them had just heard it from others, but a few had seen him themselves. And here he was waiting for us. 

You are surprised, young one? I knew he was directing the question at Zakhin'Dakh somehow.

He nodded in response, then screeched, How talk like that?

He was getting better at Great Eagle, but still had a way to go.

I could feel the Phoenix laughing as he answered. I am afraid it is not something I can teach you, young one. It is

[Translator's Note: A large splotch of ink covered most of the rest of this page.]

Zakhin'Dakh just knocked my inkwell over. Usually he's better about this, but he got excited when I told him what I was writing about.

And he says hello. He's happy I wrote that for him. He also says he liked talking with the Phoenix. And I'm not writing anything more for him right now, though I might later if he'll let me get on with it.

So, the Phoenix said, It is a gift I am given to speak like this, as throats and beaks like ours are not suited to the tongues of men. 

Zakhin'Dakh screeched sadly. I patted his head. “You can talk with me,” I said. 

His screech in response was happier.

We landed near the Phoenix. He was huge—even bigger than Zakhin'Dakh. He says that made him kind of jealous. Up close, his feathers looked even more like a fire, and I noticed he'd built a large nest. He'd built it on a wide ledge a ways up from the valley.

“Why were you waiting for us?” I asked, once Zakhin'Dakh was settled.

The Phoenix seemed to find something about that a bit funny, too. It is nearly time for my rebirth, and I need brave hearts to aid me.
 
*******

Poor Almonihah. He can't appreciate the humor of things that happen to him. Actually, Zakhin'Dakh can get him to grin sometimes in spite of himself.

Chapter 20.5-1

Chapter 20 ½: Phoenix

Translator's Note: I found this chapter scrawled on several sheets of parchment stuck in the copy of the book I acquired at this point, with this small note written on the back of the last page: “Since this isn't staying on Draezoln, I can actually tell you about this.” While translating the Draconic and Great Eagle contained therein was even more difficult than the Common Tongue contained in the book itself, I was curious to discover what it contained. This is what I found.

So. Haven't written a lot like this. But someone should know about this, and since whoever's getting this isn't Draezolnian, I can tell you. 

As the Mage-Archivist was saying, Zakhin'Dakh and I were flying around the Northern Dragon's Teeth, thinking we were just enjoying ourselves on our way to the west. Then we found that odd pass. Could swear I'd passed there before and not seen it, which made me curious. Besides, it... felt right. Can't explain how or why. But it did.

The little canyon was almost too narrow for Zakhin'Dakh in spots. It didn't seem like a natural canyon—the walls were too sheer, it was too straight. Seemed more like something magic had made it.
Eventually we came out into a small valley. Seemed like a pretty nice place, the kind of thing you might want to keep hidden for yourself. 

Like where met! Zakhin'Dakh screeched happily. 

A bit, I agreed. It did remind me of that valley I'd found him in, though smaller and better hidden. 

It didn't have giant deer in it either, to my big friend's disappointment. We explored around for a bit, didn't find much interesting. Then Zakhin'Dakh saw a funny red dot on a mountainside down on the other end of the valley. We didn't have anything else to do, so we flew over to take a look. As we flew, I had a feeling like something was watching. Looked down, thought I might have seen something, but just figured it was a manticore or something else smart enough not to bother us. 

The red thing on the mountain was much more interesting. As we got closer, we could both tell it was something bird-like. At first I thought it might be a Great Eagle, or maybe just a dire eagle, but I'd never heard of a red one. The closer we got, the more we both realized it was big—bigger than Zakhin'Dakh, even. He screeched a bit unhappily at that part. The other thing was, it wasn't just red—it was more... flame-colored. Oranges and yellows mixed in with the red. 

Then we heard a voice. Not out loud, but in our heads. It was weird... it felt like a warm campfire on a cold night, but with words. Can't really explain it.

I do know it said this, though. There you are. I have been waiting.


********

You have no idea how hard it is to translate Great Eagle! Much harder than the Common Tongue. Even harder than Draconic. I didn't even know it had a written form... it was a huge headache finding some reference materials for it...

Anyway, this is chapter 20 1/2. I'm rather excited to be able to share this bit--I wasn't sure until recently if Almonihah was going to let me say anything about this episode, and now we get to hear about it from his own writing!

Chapter 20-5

A thunderstorm rolled across the plains as they traveled. Almonihah leaned into it, a hint of a grin playing on his face as he reveled in the wild power of the wind, the rain, and the thunder. He glanced back at Zakhin'Dakh. The big griffon was clearly not enjoying the storm as much. Water dripped off of his feathers and fur, and his head and wings drooped as he slogged through the mud.

Zakhin'Dakh noticed his friend looking back. Not good flying, he screeched, sadly.

Almonihah laughed. Not really good weather for flying, he agreed. 

He slowed his pace a bit to allow the griffon to catch back up to him, then kept walking. After a moment, Zakhin'Dakh asked, Why you like?

Almonihah had to think a moment before answering. The wind across my scales... the thunder... maybe it's just in my blood. I can breathe lightning, so I like thunderstorms. He shrugged. I can't really say for sure. It's like... why do you like flying?

It's fun! Zakhin'Dakh answered, immediately.

The half-dragon grinned a bit. And why is it fun?

Zakhin'Dakh got a funny look on his face, like he'd been about to say something and then realized he didn't know what it was. After a few moments he closed his beak, and then softly screeched a wordless sound that, from a human, probably would have been “Oh.” 

Almonihah just grinned a bit more.

For Zakhin'Dakh's sake, Almonihah struck out more to the south, heading for the mountains, where there might be more shelter if another storm struck. As they got close, Zakhin'Dakh screeched softly.

That where meet?

Almonihah nodded. Where we met isn't too far from here.

 

The big griffon thought for a big, then added, enthusiastically, Can fly over!

Almonihah laughed. Let's see.

They searched around for a while for a good place to make the attempt, but the high, snowy passes didn't look particularly inviting to either of them. Then one day, Almonihah noticed a small rift in a mountainside. He had a funny feeling, like he should have seen it before. Shaking it off, he directed Zakhin'Dakh toward it.

******

Another shortish post, but this is the end of chapter 20. Next is a special chapter that I wasn't sure if I was going to write! So be excited!

Chapter 20-4

Almonihah had to make Zakhin'Dakh land before he exhausted himself too badly. He seemed rather disappointed at the distance they had covered, but Almonihah assured him that it was a lot. Zakhin'Dakh just felt like he should have been able to get further, even though Almonihah said that his weight and the weight of the saddle was tiring the griffon out faster. He felt a little better when Almonihah reassured him that he'd get better at it with practice. 

 

Practice lots! Zakhin'Dakh screeched.

Almonihah laughed a bit. We'll both get plenty of practice, he said, walking just a bit stiffly. It'd been a long time since he'd ridden griffon-back for long...

They made their way west across the plains, keeping the Dragon's Teeth range visible on the horizon to their left. Despite Zakhin'Dakh trying to outdo himself every day, they traveled slowly. Almonihah would often spot a herd of animals off to one side, or something else would catch Zakhin'Dakh's attention, and so they meandered back and forth almost as much as they headed west. 

****

Short update. Sleep now. 

Chapter 20-3

They headed southwest, roughly following the uncertain boundary between the human kingdom they were in—Teket, wasn't it?—and the Orc Hills. Almonihah guided his friend away from other settlements, instead staying mostly to the wilderness, only crossing cleared areas when they had to. Though he was headed for a larger town, Almonihah didn't particularly feel like dealing with more people than he had to before then. Zakhin'Dakh thought this was kind of strange, but he was usually too caught up in the newness of everything to think about it much.

After a few days of easy travel, they reached the town Almonihah was heading for. It was a larger town, positioned at the southern pass through the Orc Hills. Zrathanzon had mentioned, once, when they had passed through, that there was a particularly good saddle-maker here. He should have enough dragon hide for the job...

They stopped outside town, at the edge of a patch of woods, and Almonihah explained what he was thinking of to Zakhin'Dakh. At first the big griffon was a bit confused by the concept, but then some riders galloped out of the gate and down the road, and Almonihah could point out the saddles they were using. (Fortunately, the riders had neither dragon nor eagle eyes, and so could not see their observers) Once he saw them, and thought about how uncomfortable it had gotten the few times Almonihah had been on his back, he agreed it was a good idea.

Almonihah left his friend in the woods and went into town. The guards, who had at least heard of half-dragons, simply gave him a dark look and a stern warning about not causing trouble. It took him a while to find the saddle-maker, and even longer to convince him to come outside town to see what kind of job he was facing, but the sight of some dragon gold finally convinced him to come take a look.

After a moment of carefully controlled shock at the sight of the giant griffon, he got to work taking measurements of both Zakhin'Dakh and the pieces of dragon hide. A few moment's deliberation later, he said there was enough, and promised to help get the griffon inside town 

The guards were understandably... reluctant to let a giant griffon through the gate, but eventually, the arguments of a well-known townsman convinced them to let him through. That done, the saddle-maker got to work.

It took several days to complete, but eventually, Zakhin'Dakh's saddle was ready. Almonihah inspected it carefully, but finally admitted that it was a good piece of work, and well worth the gold he was paying. It sat right behind the base of the griffon's neck, letting his rider straddle his neck—which was a bit thinner than the rest of him. A complex system of straps and structural pieces kept it in place without obstructing the motion of Zakhin'Dakh's wings. 

Once out of town a little ways, Almonihah looked up at his big friend with a bit of a grin. Time for a test flight?

Yes! Zakhin'Dakh screeched in happy reply. 

Almonihah backed up, then leaped, using a couple flaps of his own wings to get him up to the right height. He got rather clumsily into the saddle, then spent a few moments settling himself in. Once he was fairly certain of his seat, he said, Let's go!

Zakhin'Dakh happily jumped into the air, his powerful leap and wingbeats rattling his rider until he figured out how to compensate properly. After a few minutes, Almonihah started to relax. No voices in the wind troubled him, no thoughts of darkness to the south came.

How far do you think we can go in one flight?

 

Really far! Zakhin'Dakh replied excitedly, flapping harder as he sped west.

******

Zakhin'Dakh is glad to not have to wait for slow Almonihah to walk any more. :D And he likes to show off his flying, too.

Sorry for not updating last night, the internets were being weird.

Chapter 20-2

The big griffon cheeped a quiet acknowledgment as he settled back down. Almonihah slowly looked him over. 

“Looks like th' priest did a good job,” he grudgingly admitted. 

Zakhin'Dakh nodded his head slightly in agreement. The huge wounds the dragon's claws had torn in his wings and forequarters were nearly completely healed, and there was no sign of the broken bones that had troubled him. 

Just tired, the griffon softly screeched. 

“Yeah,” Almonihah agreed. “Guess this much healing's tiring even with magic.”

Zakhin'Dakh inclined his head in agreement. Almonihah walked over and gently laid a hand on his shoulder. They stood in silence for a while.

Sorry... for almost getting you killed, the half-dragon whispered to his big friend.

Zakhin'Dakh shook his head in wordless disagreement.

They spent most of the day together recuperating. The priest of Mashano and his acolytes checked on them occasionally, and the innkeeper prepared some hearty meals for Almonihah (the town elders brought a cow for Zakhin'Dakh, and had a small ceremony of gratitude for the pair), but most of the time, they rested and talked. Almonihah noted that the griffon's Great Eagle was getting more coherent quite quickly—as quick as his had, if not quicker. 

By the next day, both of them were restless. Almonihah, with Zakhin'Dakh following, decided to go out to where they had killed the dragon, and managed to convince the guard captain to send a couple guards with him by mentioning that he would look for the dragon's lair... and hoard. He stopped on the way to cut some large pieces out of the dragon's hide, spoke with Zakhin'Dakh, and then tied them to his back. He had some ideas for how it could be used...

The dragon's lair was in a cave in the hill it had emerged from, and it did, indeed, have a sizable hoard. Almonihah took a fair-sized cut for himself and Zakhin'Dakh, and then the pair of guards loaded the rest up, and they returned to town. 

They returned that evening to find that the townspeople had put together a feast in honor of the dragon-slayer and his griffon. Almonihah was already getting rather sick of everything, so when the town elder at the head of the table asked him to speak, he knew just what to say.

“Thanks for th' last couple days,” he started, “But Zakhin'Dakh 'nd I have t' leave tonight.”

A wave of startled murmurs rippled across the crowd. Almonihah paused for only a moment.

“Make sure t' share that hoard with anyone else that's been hit by that dragon. Don't think it's just attacked you.”

And with that, he walked over to Zakhin'Dakh. After a moment of stunned disbelief, several people started urging the pair to stay for at least one night, but Almonihah was done with being in town. They went far enough that night to put the town's stockade out of sight before setting up camp in the moonlight.

*****

You notice how Almonihah doesn't remember most of the people's names? I'm kind of surprised he remembered the kid's name, to be frank. And yes, he doesn't like to hang around for parties.

Chapter 20-1

Chapter 20: West

Almonihah woke with a start. It took a moment for his mind to catch up with his body, during which time he frantically tried to figure out why he was in a bed in a somewhat dark room. Then the aches caught up with his consciousness, and he remembered.

He gritted his teeth against a groan as he sat up. As he did so, he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He forced his eyes to focus, and he could see a young human boy in a simple robe sitting up from where he was slouching in his chair. 

“You're awake!” the boy said, a bit sleepily. 

Almonihah grunted in response. Then he remembered something else.

“Zakhin'Dakh!” Almonihah barked. “The griffon. How's he?”

The boy—a young priest-in-training, Almonihah guessed—had to think for a second, blinking sleepily. Then his eyes got big as he said, “Oooooo... the big one?”

Almonihah nodded impatiently.

“The Judge-priest went to look after him last night. He looked really tired when he came back, but he said he'd be okay...”

He stopped speaking as Almonihah started sitting up all the way up.

“He said you're not to get out of bed yet!”

The half-dragon grunted, but turned to put his feet on the ground. The acolyte stood and stepped over as if to do something to keep Almonihah from standing, but the half-dragon held up a hand to him.

“'m fine, kid. My friend was worse 'n me.” And it's my fault, he added silently.

The acolyte hesitated just long enough for Almonihah to get his feet on the ground and slowly stand up. He took an unsteady step toward the door. The young human finally came to a decision, and came over to stand nervously next to the half-dragon. 

“I... can show you the way?” he said, nervously.

Almonihah grunted in response and waved him forward.

He could see, when they left the temple, that it was still early in the morning. No one else was in the temple, and only a couple people were out on the street. One of them peered at Almonihah, then yelled in surprise, “You're the dragon-slayer!”

Almonihah just grunted in reply and kept walking, keeping focused on staying upright. It was getting a bit better, but he could still tell he was weak.

“Thank you! That dragon... I don't know what would have happened if it'd stayed around...”the person—a human woman—looked again at Almonihah. “Are you...”

“I'll be fine,” Almonihah growled.

The woman seemed a bit taken aback, and just watched the pair pass in silence. 

It wasn't long before they reached the inn. Almonihah could hear someone speaking as they approached.

“...you should be in fine shape in a couple of days.”

The tired screech that seemed to be a reply was definitely Zakhin'Dakh's. Almonihah quickened his pace a bit to reach the entrance to the innyard. The gate opened just as he reached it to reveal the head priest on his way out.

He laughed. “I suppose I should have known you wouldn't stay laying down. You adventuring types never listen to those kinds of instructions, do you?” He shook his head and waved behind him. “Well, I'm sure your friend... Zakhin'Dakh, you called him, yes? He will be glad to see you. And I'm sure you'll be glad to know that both he and you should be fine shortly, assuming,” he gave the half-dragon a stern look, “You don't hurt yourself again.”

“Thanks,” Almonihah mumbled, a bit surprised. He noted briefly that, despite the priest's cheerful demeanor, he looked very tired. A quick glance over at the acolyte revealed that he seemed rather surprised at the priest's appearance... or perhaps just that he was here.

“Now, I'm guessing you'd like to be alone with him.” It was more a statement than a question. The priest waved at his acolyte. “Come along, Mekel.”

The young acolyte, Mekel, seemed rather bewildered as he followed the head priest back toward their temple. Almonihah made his way into the innyard. Zakhin'Dakh was sprawled in a pile of hay in front of the stables—which for some reason were presently empty. He perked up when he saw his friend walking in, and started to struggle to his feet. 

Almonihah quickly waved him back down. “t's okay, Zakhin'Dakh. Don't need t' get up.” 

****

So, the whole posting every Monday thing didn't last long... but I'm going to do better this time! Hopefully the break gave me a bit more time to think this section over, because it's been a bit harder to make this part flow.

Chapter 19-7

It took them most of the day to get back to the town. They had to stop often to rest, and for Almonihah to readjust the bandages he'd improvised for both of them. Eventually, however, they reached the stockade. The guards' reaction at their appearance was... interesting.

“Quit staring and take us to a healer!” Almonihah growled at the nearest one.

The young guard, who had indeed been staring with his mouth open just a bit at the sight of these two ravaged warriors, shut his mouth, gulped, and waved for them to follow him.

As he followed, Almonihah suddenly remembered something. He stopped and pulled the dragon claw out of a small sack hanging from his belt.

“Fixed th' dragon problem,” he mumbled. The other guard, who had been staying at his post, got a little wide-eyed looking at the sword-length claw. 

Almonihah dimly noted through the fog descending on his brain that there were a number of people watching them pass through the streets. He pondered tiredly on how quickly news of them had apparently spread through the small town. A few of them yelled things that he thought were encouraging, but he didn't pay much notice. Zakhin'Dakh gave them a tired, but appreciative, cheep. 

Both of them only vaguely noted when they stopped in front of a small temple to Mashano, the god of Humanity. The head priest hurried out, with a guard who had apparently gotten there before them (Had there been another one that had run ahead? That seemed to explain some things to Almonihah. Maybe. When he wasn't so tired, maybe it would.). He asked some questions, to which Almonihah could only mutter half-audible replies. After a few moments, he stopped and waved to a couple other people nearby. 

He wasn't quite sure how he got inside or how they managed to arrange him halfway comfortably in a bed, with his broken wing hanging awkwardly behind him like it was. After a moment, he managed to rouse himself enough to look at the priest standing nearby and ask, “Zakhin'Dakh?”

“Some of my acolytes led him to the innyard. It was, ah,” the priest seemed a bit embarrased, “the only semi-private place with enough room.” Seeming to sense the half-dragon's continued concern, he added, “I will see to him as soon as I have finished here.”

“Should take caref 'm first,” Almonihah mumbled, with what urgency he could muster. “Got worse 'an me...”

The priest's only response was to begin a spell-prayer, and soon after, Almonihah was asleep again.

****

Apparently Almonihah was hurt worse than he thought. That, or I'm tired. Good night.

Chapter 19-6

Despite some... culinary mishaps, both Almonihah and Zakhin'Dakh ate heartily when they awoke. The half-dragon was glad to see his big friend more active, though he greatly favored one foreleg that had a particularly deep gash in it, and one of his wings was clearly broken. Despite this, he seemed fairly cheerful, and didn't seem to blame Almonihah at all.

Almonihah, however, did blame himself. He knew better than to do something stupid like attack a dragon head-on with no preparation. For that matter, he hadn't even checked to see if the townspeople had done something to antagonize a dragon that would have otherwise been willing to just leave them alone. 

 

Zakhin'Dakh fell asleep again soon after eating, but despite his weariness, Almonihah couldn't seem to stay still. Perhaps it was his frustration and anger at himself that kept him pacing about, or perhaps it was just a delayed reaction from the morning's... excitement. Whatever the reason, he slowly moved about, trying to make the best of their makeshift campsite. He tried binding the worst of the griffon's wounds, adding in the few healing herbs he carried with him. After a little while, he tried using the one weak healing spell-prayer he'd learned from Llinos on Zakhin'Dakh's injured leg. It did some good, but Almonihah almost fainted from the unfamiliar exertion channeling the power took. After puttering around for a little while longer, he finally drifted off to sleep again.

Zakhin'Dakh woke him this time, nudging him with his beak and cheeping softly in concern.

“'m better off than you,” Almonihah grumbled as he woke. 

 

Zakhin'Dakh screeched softly in a noncommittal response. Almonihah started to laugh, but stopped with a wince as he felt where he'd hit the tree.

“So we're both pretty bad off,” he said to his big friend, who nodded slowly in agreement.  

“Bit more food 'and some more rest is about th' best we can do now.” Again Zakhin'Dakh just nodded in agreement. He had been hurting a lot, but it didn't feel as bad now, and the dragon meat was tasty when Almonihah cooked it, so he wasn't feeling too bad. 

 

They ate, Almonihah did what more he could for their wounds, and then they both settled down to rest again. Neither slept this time, however, so after a little while, the half-dragon spoke.

“Sorry t' get you into this, Zakhin'Dakh,” he started, softly.

Why... how say that? Zakhin'Dakh screeched in response

After a few minutes of teaching him how to say sorry in Great Eagle, the griffon asked again, so Almonihah responded, “For being 'n idiot 'nd getting both 'f us beat up like this.”

Not fault, Zakhin'Dakh screeched back at him sharply.

Almonihah snorted. “Should've known better than t' just charge in like this, 'f we even needed t' in th' first place.”

The big griffon settled down a little bit, though his quiet screech still sounded like he disagreed. The pair were quiet for a few moments, before Zakhin'Dakh asked, Fight dragon before?

No, Almonihah replied, switching over to Great Eagle. But Zrathanzon told me about fighting dragons. He'd done it some.

Talk him lots, Zakhin'Dakh commented. What like?

Almonihah thought for a bit. Well, he was a half-dragon, too, but his parents were a gold dragon and an elf...

Zakhin'Dakh fell asleep at some point while Almonihah told of his time with Zrathanzon. He felt... better thinking about those times. Zakhin'Dakh had enjoyed hearing about Varack'Nara, and some of the different places Almonihah had gone. The big griffon seemed to like hearing about different places. Almonihah himself fell asleep soon after.

They woke in the morning, both feeling a bit stronger. After having some breakfast, Almonihah hacked off one of the dragon's claws as proof of their deed, then asked Zakhin'Dakh, “Think you can walk?”

He nodded and screeched a bit hesitantly. He thought he could, but it didn't seem like it would be pleasant.

“Hopefully there's a priest back in town,” Almonihah said as he started to get ready to go. “Don't think we're going t' be in good shape until we get some magical healing, really.”

****

Short post. I'm tired. Good night.

Chapter 19-5

Gritting his teeth against the pain, he picked his way over to his big friend, his broken and torn wings jostling painfully with every step. The griffon, however, was in far worse shape. Blood stained his feathers, and even some of his fur, much of it his own. More blood flowed freely from several large wounds in his chest, wings, and head. While Almonihah could see his chest moving from his breath, it was too rapid and shallow. 

Almonihah swore a bit at some pain in his side... probably just a bruise... as he desperately searched through his pack, hoping that they hadn't broken... There! He pulled a small pouch out and tore it open with his claws, not bothering to untie the top. He'd have to remember to have this more accessible... 

He breathed a short sigh of relief when he saw the three little potion sacks were intact. They were like tiny waterskins, but filled with healing liquids made by the druids that worked with the Rangers. 

“Zakhin'Dakh!” Almonihah shouted... well, said loudly. He'd have to shorten the name for situations like this... Zakh might work, even though he didn't really like the sound of it.

The big griffon opened one eye and chirped weakly.

“Eat this!” Almonihah commanded, holding one of the little potion-skin near his big beak.

Slowly, Zakhin'Dakh opened his beak a bit. Almonihah placed the potion-skin mostly in his beak, with just the stoppered end hanging out. Zakhin'Dakh closed his beak with just enough force to cut through the potion-skin, then swallowed. Almonihah watched anxiously as the flow of blood slowed from his wounds.

“One more,” he whispered, repeating the process. This time the blood was fully stopped, and Zakhin'Dakh's breathing seemed more even. He breathed out a quiet thanks to whoever had come up with these things... and to Naishia, who he was pretty sure must have been keeping an eye out to keep him from getting his friend killed. And himself. 

For the past several years. So why had he been being such an idiot... especially this time? He didn't really want to think about what might have led to this latest incident. Or... well, he didn't want to think about a lot of things just now.

He did, however, need to think about why he was now leaning on Zakhin'Dakh's beak. The big griffon chirped in soft concern.

“Guess I need th' last one...” Almonihah muttered, working the stopper out and drinking the last of the healing potions. He could feel the effects mostly in his wings, and he felt a little less light-headed. Slowly turning around, he saw that he'd trailed blood the whole way from that tree... which was a mess. Yes, apparently there was blood in his wings. Of course. 

He really had been an idiot for the last... quite a while.

Almonihah sat down to rest. Zakhin'Dakh, seeing his friend looking a bit better, screeched sleepily and drifted off. The half-dragon watched carefully, but his breathing stayed steady, and no new blood flowed, so he figured it was best for the big griffon to rest. 

Once he felt up to it, he started setting up something resembling a camp. Sure, there was a big dead dragon in it, and a badly injured griffon sleeping in it, but Zrathanzon had definitely taught him how to make due. He'd also mentioned that you could eat green dragon meat if you cooked it well enough. So Almonihah started a fire, hacked a piece of flesh off the dragon, and started cooking it. He thought back on how stupid he'd been and how he was going to do better as he waited for it to cook.

Fortunately, it didn't get too burnt while he slept.

********

Gasp! Almonihah realizing that he needs to change his life! All it took was almost getting his best friend in a long time killed... yeah, nice job, there.