A Medieval's Tale: Of Knights and Dragons

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Rickard had jogged at speed back to the stoney courtyard of his own. His excellent hearing could tell Edmund's exact location and how long he had to set up his stage. First he quickly decked out the area to look like a tremendous scuffle had taken place there. He strew rocks and dashed gravel everywhere and then set a trail of his own blood around the arena in erratic and jagged lines to simulate a fight before finally leading the blood trail up the mountain. Then he removed one of his gauntlets, using a gout of fire to melt the steel and then rending it apart as though it had been torn off his arm. He through that in the general direction of the blood trail as well. Finally, he took dragon shape, his illusioned reality of human form collapsing away to reveal his enormous, shining, majestic Draconic bulk that towered into the sky. Quickly he placed a giant boulder above the entrance to his home and spent a little more time silently scorching and scuffing the area with his dragon claws before turning to himself. Taking his sword in his massive paws, he sighed unhappily and with the dread of pain before hacking at himself with the blade, causing great gashes in his arms and mouth and one stab wound to his chest. He bite his tongue in the process of this but in truth he was so used to pain nowadays that it really held no fear for him.

Deciding that he was suitably battered looking and that the scene was set, he used Morduur's hilt to clang against the Cave walls, creating a ringing sound of intense distress before quickly hiding the Sword behind the Boulder above. He arched his neck finally and released a gutwrenching, cataclysmic roar that shook the very foundations of the mountain and echoed down the passages of his home. He made some quite convincing battle noises, crashing into the walls and rocks and growling and roaring angrily, blood from his wounds covering the area around him but not mixing with his specially created blood trail due to his flailing that sent it splashing in an arch about him. As he heard the pair approaching he made a bugling sound of victory and when they finally reached a space where he was visible, his giant ears twitched in a convincingly predatorial manner and his head snapped to look at the two newcomers, mustering up his most dragonishly bloodthirsty expression.​
 
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Oh bloody hell was all the knight could think of. While the princess was leading him to the exit, it was nearly impossible to keep track because he couldn't help thinking that they were going to the wrong direction. "I've seen this before..." He murmured, studying the caved walls with calculating stares. "What?" The princess was about to bring her attention onto his when suddenly, the Earth shook violently. Right on cue, an annoying whine echoed throughout the tunnel-like cave. On instincts, he covered the princess's ear, "Don't listen!"

Her eyes squeezed shut, "What's happening!"

Edmund himself had no idea, either. But all he knew was that this noise must be the works from the dragon. His eardrums that was going to burst any second was given mercy, the sound calming itself. "..This.." He took a quick examination of the area they were at, before Edmund took the princess by her hands, "This is madness. Follow me--" Rude or not, Edmund did what he had to do anyway and ran, his fingers laced with Anabelle's.

He found trails of blood later when they came further, and Edmund knew that they were close. This must be Rickard's. Edmund felt a pang of guilt and assumed he injured with a heavy wound, but it's not as if the man could do anything about it. A screeching roar was heard through the passage of the cave, and Edmund knew that was when the beast was here. Here to murder then devour the knight and the royal princess herself. Perhaps it already killed...the other soldier too.

He clicked his tongue, annoyed. He warned him! He warned him to not come along and bring the others to assist or at least, escort them back home! It may have been a long journey but by his horse on her fastest speed, Rickard could have save time!

Damn it all!

"Sir Edmund, what are we going to do?" Anabelle asked. Her reaction to all of this drama practically screamed fear.

He didn't stop running when the princess asked but answered her anyway, "We'll escape from here," Edmund explained, "But if we encounter the beast, then I'll defend us both. Don't fret, my lady."

Just around the corner, the monster they were talking about was just waiting for them, blocking the entrance. "Speaking of the devil," Edmund grumbled, locking eyes with the dragon. "Stay back." Without a second thought, Edmund drew his sword. He didn't bother running towards the dragon, but instead, walked in cautious movement. What Edmund noticed about it, was that it was wounded. Rickard was truly a Dragon Slayer. Not many people could inflict harm on it. He pointed his steel-weapon at the dragon, who looked ready to kill. "You foul beast," He growled, his tone venomous and cruel, "I'll rip out your beating heart and skin you whole--"

Threatening the dragon is probably not a good idea but he can't take back his words anyway. And besides...

I won't let a big giant lizard scare me.

 
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"Stay back."
Edmund's voice rang with determination and bravery in the face of almost certain death by incineration. Internally Methuzarar cooed at his impressive fortitude. Yes this Knight was worthy of great respect, he stood against his enemy with the bravery of a man ready to sacrifice his life for what was important and yet eager to remain alive to serve a while longer. The steel of his sword rang as it was draw from its sheathe in a wide flourishing arch, the technique of his swordhand beautiful to behold. His cautious and determine footwork kept him moving closer to Methuzarar's bulk while also remaining in a strong position, his whole attitude exuding intimidation and defence.

"You foul beast," His gutteral growl of rebellion was round through his teeth like the snarl of a lion against a vile foe. The Dragon took a moment to appreciate the sound but the fact that it was he who was so vile in the Knight's eyes gave him a slight pang of forlorn feeling. The more he respected the Knight the more he wanted to rid himself of this awful stigma of his race. "I'll rip out your beating heart and skin you whole--" Now that was downright hurtful. Methuzarar's reply was to give a deep, throaty chuckle that vibrated to the very depths of his chest and shook the ground around beneath him.

"Well, let us hope you have better luck than your predecessor, Thief. Just dare to try and steal your Lady back to the gilded cage you kept her in, perhaps you should have taken better care of her!"

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Methuzarar's voice was much different from Rickard's, he did not sound gentle or light-hearted. Methuzarar's voice boomed and thrummed and hissed with an eloquence alike to the highest born nobility and it rumbled like the avalanche down a mountainside. He arched his neck and sucked in a air before a vicious orange glow spread up his chest from between his thick scales and finally he struck forward, his jaws opening wide to release a gout of white hot flame exploding towards the pair. Methuzarar of course had calculated the distance and the heat of the flames merely licked Edmund's armour. It was a show more than anything, he was waiting for Edmund to come out into the open, a dragon would not wish to hurt its Princess prize by accidentally turning her to a crisp.

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"Come now~ Don't be shy! Prove your metal against my scales, Knight. Let us see how your little toothpick fares against ME!"
 
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"Well, let us hope you have better luck than your predecessor, Thief. Just dare to try and steal your Lady back to the gilded cage you kept her in, perhaps you should have taken better care of her!"

Edmund was almost taken back to hear the beast speak his tongue. So its intelligent. Never had the knight encountered a dragon that could talk like a human moreover, understand what they're actually saying. He assumed all they could do was hiss and growl like any other animals but after encountering it. "Thief?" He growled, offended on what the beast said, "You make me laugh, you hypocritical thing! She lives in no cage but a fine kingdom; unlike you--" The dragon screeched, Edmund squinting his eyes in full judgement. While they were having a stare down, the cave shook as the rocks crumbled, rolling to the ground. At this rate..

Edmund knew what was coming, but he wasn't quick enough on his feet or mentality. The beast stretched his jaw, sucking the humid air. Then, flames struck out like a snake attacking its prey, the vicious flames closing the distance between the knight and itself. Fear not, Edmund was not a coward. He forced his legs to move out of the way, his shoulder grazing against the fire. Because he was wearing an armor, it was only a mere scratch but god was it hot.

"Come now; don't be shy! Prove your metal against my scales, Knight. Let us see how your little toothpick fares against ME!"

He managed to dodge the attack and held his sword with a tight grip. He ran towards the gigantic monster, aiming for the snout, "We'll see about that!" He screamed.

 
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Again with elegant and skillful mastery of his sword, Edmund swung and charged at full pelt. He was so determinedly charging into a battle that truly anyone could see was certain death and yet the Knight held inside him a passionate fire to do the honourable and courageous thing and live up to his great title of knight. Blood was still pouring from the wounds on his arms and chest and Methuzarar slowed his movements in quite a convincing display of bloodloss fatigue. He felt like he wanted to keep Edmund's hopes up, he didn't want to put the Knight in a morose and self-sacrificing position, that was just depressing. Instead as he pulled his head away from Edmund's strike he was sluggish and the tip sliced into the soft parts of his snout. The Dragon gave an angry roar of pain, yanking his head back fast and building up for another gout of flame that crashed into the stone ground just as Edmund managed to roll out of the way.

"What a slippery Weasel you are, do not test me ant."

With a constant low growl rumbling from his chest he spun about in a huge sweeping motion and used his tail to try and catch Edmund in the chest and send him sprawling. Again Edmund was fast and tactically minded and the whole action had taken more than enough time for him to figure out a countermeasure, mostly dodging out of the way but also bringing his sword up to slash viciously into the tail tip. One of Methuzarar's spines did manage to catch his chestplate and cause a large dent in the metal while also bruising Edmund's side as the Dragon rounded again for another attack. This time he snapped out at Edmund with his immense jaws, huge teeth crunching down on the stone behind the Knight as Methuzarar's quarry spun out of his way, managing to drag his sword down the Dragon's lips on his way.

The fight continued thus, Methuzarar fast getting more and more sluggish from bloodloss but Edmund getting battered every which way and earning quite a few scrapes and large whealling bruises across his body in the process. Methuzarar imagined he was getting tired too. At that moment he put his plan into action. Raising his enormous wings he beat the air around them into a thrumming tornado that caught every speck of dust and gravel and billowed into the air, blocking off proper sight and creating a sandstorm type effect. Under the cover of this, Methuzarar pretended to attempt a final killing bite towards Edmund however in the process his tail surreptitiously and invisibly swung up high and knocked the carefully placed boulder from its tenuous perch. The huge hunk of rock came crashing down and landed with immense force on Methuzarar's head and then foreleg.

He roared in some genuine agony and silently cursed himself for such a painful plan but it worked, his head had a huge blunt gash in it while the blow to his foreleg had all but crushed the bone. He released a high pitched cry of fury and anger and frustration, shaking his head at the pain.

"Haarrgghh, this is not the end KNIGHT, I will have your HEAD."

And with that, still under the cover of some billowing gravel and sand, he clumsily beat his wings and heavily propelled himself into the sky. It would seem to anyone on the ground that he flew over the mountain and disappeared behind its shadow but in actual fact as soon as he was out of view Methuzarar shifted form, mid air, and came down onto the ledge above his lair with a soft thud. He lay there, panting silently for a moment and closing his eyes against the glaring sun that was making his headache considerable worse. Blood was running into his eyes from his head wound and his broken hand shivered in agony as he cradled it to his chest. Add in all the other numerous cuts, bruises and scrapes he'd had to inflict upon himself to convince the Knight he was fighting for his life and all in all Rickard was feeling pretty shit.

So he took a bit of time to lie down, catch his breath and let his headache subside. In truth the head wound was the least of the damage, his skull being tougher than most stone. Eventually he dragged himself to his feet, grabbed Morduur from where he had stashed it, and limped his way down the mountain and back to the courtyard of stone. He was holding his broken arm up against his chest and his sword in the other hand but he still wore an endearing and jolly smile, using the sword to wave to Edmund and their Lady Princess when they came into sight.

"Well that was quite a trial. Sir Edmund! Are you alright? I hope I intervened in time, I must confess I was slightly unconcscious for a while after I dragged myself up the mountain. I didn't think it would stop pursuing me and come after you. Obviously even a Veteran can be wrong!"

He turned, battered and bleeding and looking the most sorry of sights, to Anabelle, a beautiful and polite smile gracing his features as he managed the most respectful of bows even while clutching his broken arm to his chest and having to blink blood away from his eyes.

"My Lady Anabelle, I apologise for how long it took us to come for you. I hope you are unharmed?"

The amount of times he asked them if they were alright was very disproportionate given that he was obviously the worst injured out of the lot of them. But he was genuinely worried that his whole wretched scheme had harmed them badly and he was feeling quite a bit of guilt for dragging them both into such a mess. The road to hell was always paved by good intentions as the Philosophers would say.


 
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The battle lasted for awhile. An hour or two must have passed by to what Edmund thinks, but now that it was over...it didn't seem too very long. Otherwise, the knight would have been dead. He knows that he can't go up against a size twice bigger than his. Well, he can but we're talking about a dragon here, not a burly mercenary who looked like he ate some bad mushroom. He slid his sword back in its cover, panting from the dangerous encounter. It was already hot in the cave but now that he's sweating, it's like as if he was on fire. The dragon earlier stormed out to the cave, leading for the princess to run for the knight's assistance.

"Oh my knight, my poor poor knight," Carefully, Anabelle touched the man's swollen cheek with her little fingers, "Are you hurt?" Edmund flinched from the sudden contact, a hiss escaping from his lips. She drew back her hands, shocked from his reaction.

Edmund sensed fear from the younger woman. He heaved a sigh, licking the cut near the corner of his lip. "I'm fine, My Lady. I should ask you the same thing," He was about to lean close but remembered that he was dirty. Shit. Edmund has almost forgotten that he hadn't took a proper bath for three days straight, and he was about to make physical contact with the princess! How ignorant could he get?

"Oh..I'm--" Her rosy cheeks darkened, and it looked as if she was about to speak until...

"Well that was quite a trial. Sir Edmund! Are you alright? I hope I intervened in time, I must confess I was slightly unconcscious for a while after I dragged myself up the mountain. I didn't think it would stop pursuing me and come after you. Obviously even a Veteran can be wrong!"

Ah.
A wild Rickard appeared.

Edmund turned to face Rickard and was about to give him a piece of his mind. He tread to the older man who was approaching, "You..!" Rickard didn't seem to notice or ignored. He went up to the princess, a smile gracing over his features, "My Lady Anabelle, I apologise for how long it took us to come for you. I hope you are unharmed?"

Anabelle looked confused, but decided to go along with the flow. "Ah..it is fine. I have only been gone for few hours, so," She managed a pursed smile, "Rise. There is no need to bow. Thank you both for saving my life."

Edmund joined along with the two, "My Lady. It is getting dark--" He interrupted himself, trailing off from a sudden halt. The knight studied the other guy, and he had much wounds than Edmund, except a lot more. At first, Edmund was about to say 'I-told-you-so' but he realized that what Rickard did was...courage. And brave. His gaze lingered. Not many knights would face a dragon without an armor. Hell, even Edmund himself if he has to admit--not that he's ashamed, of course. He was just not careless.

"...This man."

Anabelle lifted a brow.

"This man standing before you is Sir Rickard Pendragon," Edmund made sure he emphasized on the knight's last name and Anabelle seemed to get the message, because her eyes brightened. "Also known as, The Dragon Slayer."

"The Pendragon?" She repeated, now focusing onto Rickard. Edmund gave a curt nod, "Yes, My Lady."

Anabelle was dumbstruck for a moment, obviously not prepared to meet the legendary knight. And any normal princess would be mortified to encounter an important man in drags. Anabelle was no exception.

"Oh! Why I..." Lost for words, she flicked her glances at a confused Edmund, then Rickard who didn't look like he had a reaction to her realization. "..Come with us to the palace," Anabelle finally said, "I'm in debt. I'm sure my father would be pleased to have a guest for the night!" She gave a curtsy, holding both of the dirt-stained fabric with her hands, "It is an honor to meet you, Sir Rickard.."

Edmund only watched, feeling there was no place for him to speak yet. But that was fine, because Edmund needed to be alone with his thoughts.

Because something told him that meeting Rickard would leave a great impact on his life.




 
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At the lady's behest Rickard arose from his bow, flinching slightly as the motion tugged on his cuts and bruises. At least she seemed no worse for wear and definately still strong and bright as ever. He had met her once before, though she had been very young at the time. Her father, the King, was a man Rickard trusted and respected. He was cut out of his reflection by Edmund's pointed stare at his person. He felt the look on the back of his neck and it was strange the feeling it gave him to see how intense Edmund's gaze was on him. He saw the light of respect in Edmund's eyes and it pained him that the respect was not for something earned but something faked. When oh when could he meet people as himself again. He missed those times.

"...This man."

His pensieve voice broke the silence.

"This man standing before you is Sir Rickard Pendragon," Rickard gave a wan half smile, this was a little mean on the Lady. She could not shuffle her tattered skirts into any kind of comely position at this point. "Also known as, The Dragon Slayer."

"The Pendragon?" Rickard endeavoured to give the most reassuring smile with a little nod of his head. "Yes, My Lady."

Rickard shot Edmund a little raised eyebrow as the Princess had a momentary lapse in conscious thought as her head tried to fathom meeting such a person in such an impolite manner. Really he could have just remained anonymous and been on his way.

"Oh! Why I..." Rickard tried to remain passive and at ease but it wasn't going to work on a highly proper princess such as herself. "..Come with us to the palace," Anabelle finally said, "I'm in debt. I'm sure my father would be pleased to have a guest for the night!" Rickard mimicked her curtsey with a second bow of his own. "It is an honor to meet you, Sir Rickard.."

"You are very kind Milady, I admit I would appreciate some warmth and time to heal up. I will graciously accept your offer. Now before we all freeze on this mountain top, what say you to starting back down!"

He turned to take another glance at Edmund, who seemed to be in deep and introspective thought over Rickard's existence in general. Rickard blinked a bit and then briefly clapped Edmund on the shoulder with his good hand, a jovial and normal knight to knight interaction. However somehow the first touch was very charged. He had to blink again before remembering what he was saying. "Sir Edmund, come, it appears we will both be walking, given that we only have one horse which must of course got to her Ladyship. On the way you can remind me of the Tournaments you have taken part in for I am very sure I have seen such an impressive style before now." With that Rickard started limping down the rocky mountain.



 
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"You are very kind Milady, I admit I would appreciate some warmth and time to heal up. I will graciously accept your offer. Now before we all freeze on this mountain top, what say you to starting back down!" He chirped, his smile barely fazed. Edmund imagines how much his cheek would hurt currently. Judging from Rickard's character though, it was most likely nothing to him; since he's always so happy and cheery all the time. He got used to it, perhaps. But for Edmund? The brunette shivered.

Definitely not. Not only would it give him nightmares, it would be so out of character.

Admittedly, Edmund almost forgot about the royal princess. "A wise choice Sir Rickard," She said with a small smile. From what Edmund was reading, Anabelle could somewhat go along with Rickard's hyper speaking. Edmund couldn't, it would be more exhausting than fighting the dragon he encountered earlier. Before Anabelle could say anymore, Rickard sucked in a deep breath shortly, "Sir Edmund, come, it appears we will both be walking, given that we only have one horse which must of course got to her Ladyship. On the way you can remind me of the Tournaments you have taken part in for I am very sure I have seen such an impressive style before now."

For once, Edmund could agree with Rickard without hesitating. It would be outrageous, not to mention rude, to have the princess walk. A horse she will have for the journey it is, as a knight should always grant his mistress's wish if possible. While Rickard went ahead, Edmund escorted Anabelle, her arms linking to one of his. "It was tiring," Edmund started off, his boots clicking against the pavement around, "And--" His eyes flashed, "I met a bloody talking dragon. I'd be damned, never have I met a giant lizard who had intelligence like men.."

He watched his steps, making sure that his footwork and the princess's didn't step on the wrong flooring. One mistake and they would roll to the ground, possibly dying a gruesome death.

"And how in fu--" He remembered about Anabelle's presence. Edmund cleared his throat as the princess gave him a genuine puzzled look, "..Um. When it did come to you?" Edmund asked, sounding choppy. "And how was it? The battle, I mean."
 
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Rickard was walking while tearing off the hem of his tunic to fashion some kind of sling for his poor broken arm. In all honesty he would heal very quickly but for now it hurt and he didn't want to worry about it as he picked his way down the rocky and uneven slope. While he was doing this he tried to listen to what Edmund was saying, only really getting the latter half of it.

"And--" There was a pause as Edmund seemed to try and comprehend what he was about to say. "I met a bloody talking dragon. I'd be damned, never have I met a giant lizard who had intelligence like men.."

Rickard gave a brief bark of laughter, it was amazing how many knights stabbed first and asked questions later. Although he supposed that most Dragons didnt take the time to learn how to manipulate their throats in the right way to form the sounds necessary to human speech. That was just something Rickard had tried to do and the older dragons often learned to just pass the time. "Actually all Dragons have human-like intelligence, its just only a few use it to learn human language, usually the oldest ones. Its what makes them most dangerous."

"And how in fu--" Rickard smirked back at Edmund as the Knight cut himself off from swearing in front of a dainty lady like the princess. "..Um. When it did come to you? And how was it? The battle, I mean." Rickard shrugged nonchalantly.

"A little while after you left, I tried to warn you but he was here pretty damn lightning fast. In any case I danced around a while, sacrificed a gauntlet to get a few good strikes on his legs and then ran up the mountain to try and get the jump on him. As luck would have it his tail caught me hard across the head on the way up." He realised he was completely bullshitting his way through this whole description and he wasn't even sure how realistic it sounded, he faultered in his description and shot a brief apologetic smile behind him.

"I ah... I suppose you arrived about then but to be honest its a bit of a blur after the head wound and I'm pretty sure I passed out for a while.."
 
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During Rickard's explanation, Edmund listened carefully with calculating stares when suddenly, the princes tugged the hems of his sleeves for attention. "..Sir Edmund," Anabelle shyly called, "May I ask, how is my people faring?" Edmund bit his tongue to prevent groaning or worse, spitting out snarky comments. How your people is fairing, you say? The whole city is in panic while you're gone!

"If I have to be honest, I have no clue," Edmund answered, grunting a bit. He casually kicked the pebbles aside for the princess to walk without trouble while he held her hands as support. "Perhaps we'll find out ourselves when we arrive home." Right when he finished, Rickard was nearing the climax. "I ah... I suppose you arrived about then but to be honest its a bit of a blur after the head wound and I'm pretty sure I passed out for a while.."

Edmund may be a cold man, but he wasn't terrible enough to think Rickard was a weakling. He put up a brave battle, Edmund assumed. And it's rare for him to do that since there's no 'I guess' in his dictionary. It's either 'yes' or 'no'. There's never an in between...until now. Maybe it was because Edmund decided to trust the man's word because he was The Pendragon, but something also was itching in his head. That he was no liar. The man is honest, and will always be. Of course, Edmund shook the thoughts away immediately. You can never trust anyone but yourself.

"...Move along," Edmund murmured, his words directing to Rickard. He held tight but not too hard on the princess's hand, as the three finally arrived at their horse. It was going to be a long journey.

And without Edmund's acknowledgement, a wild roller coaster.



 


W E L C O M E
H O M E

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C H A P T E R 2

. . . . : Ysmoir : . . . .



O Fortune,
like the moon
you are changeable,
ever waxing
and waning;
hateful life
first oppresses
and then soothes
as the sharp mind takes it;
poverty
and power
it melts them like ice.

Fate – monstrous
and empty,
you whirling wheel,
you are malevolent,
well-being is vain
and always fades to nothing,
shadowed
and veiled
you plague me too;
now through the game
I bring my bare back
to your villainy.

Fate is against me
in health
and virtue,
driven on
and weighted down,
always enslaved.
So at this hour
without delay
pluck the vibrating strings;
since Fate
strikes down the strong man,
everyone weep with me.

- O Fortuna, Carl Orff
ART CREDIT GOES TO: _hans64 from Deviantart
Note: O Fortuna is also known as Carmina Burana
New Chapter from Chapter 1
ooc thread: LINK
 
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The ride there had taken three days of trudging through woodland and villages. Early on in the trip Rickard had decided it really was about time he purchased another horse. He had been oh so attached to the last one and the feeling of guilt that had fallen over him each time he endeavoured to replace his faithful steed stuck him in the ground and forced him to ignore the problem. However now, after nearly a decade, he really decided it was time to move on and buy his own horse once again. He always had money on him so that was no issue and, as was his tradition, he approached the first village they came to and bought the first horse that looked at him. It was kind of a challenge to fate, a little thing to keep his life interesting. What new creature would bare him through the world this time? Apparently a monster. The first look at his new steed made him think the creature was a mountain of horse, its withers surpassing his shoulder completely. The huge Clydesdale Mare swung her head towards him with a decidedly bored expression but as soon as she caught his scent on the air her ears perked up considerably and her eyes went wide.

All horses took an immediate dislike to him but Rickard always chose to work past that and try his best to endear himself to them. He took it as practice for the human race. If he could get a horse to ignore its inbuilt and instinctual fear towards his species then surely he could reason with a human being. In any case this horse was certainly built of sterner stuff and rather than trying to flee, she reared and bucked and bit when he tried to approach her after having paid the broker. This gentleman had been discouraging, saying the horse was only on sale because it was such a handful and that a Knight really needed something of a more gentile nature but Rickard was having none of it. While he was at it he bought the Princess a dainty and comfortable saddle horse so that Edmund could get back his charger and while Rickard was dodging blows and trying to endear himself to the beast, the princess was getting acquainted with her own gelding, this creature having a much gentler temper.

Eventually and after many bites and a bruised chest, the monster horse seemed to settle down and accept that Rickard was not going to eat it. He had practice at this so it only took a few hours and the first time he managed to touch her without losing a finger the biggest and warmest smile spread across his face. After that it only took a few minutes to get to riding her and a while after that they finally managed to set off again, rehorsed and at a good pace. To get onto her back Rickard had had to vault her but he still managed the action with some grace, giving Edmund a satisfied smile before continuing on their journey.

------------------

They returned to the capitol city on the third evening, all of them eager for warm beds and the comfort of good food and company. Rickard had been amiable and gentlemanly the whole way, paying great attention to his new steed no matter how many times she pulled his hair or stamped on his toe. He'd named her Winifred, after a Lady he had known long ago with the daintiest of tempers. He appreciated the irony greatly. In any case they trotted merrily through the city gates to the great delight of the city guard who immediately alerted the palace to their daughter's safe return.

The city dwellers came out to cheer and welcome them home even at that late hour and knights came to escort the company to the gates of the castle. A few older Knights of their entourage recognised Rickard even through all the mud and blood and immediately descended into animated discussion with him, delighted at his return. They plagued them for a description of their journey but Rickard insisted they wait until the Princess was safely back home, to which they all agreed and continued on in a more composed manner. Reaching the Castle, the King and Queen were waiting anxiously for their daughter, both parents rushing to grasp up their daughter and hold her close. The queen was the first to detach herself from her family and thank Edmund and Rickard, insisting they both have rooms in the Palace and dine with them later. The King them interjected and proposed a tournament there and then in their honour.

In the end they were both rushed to rooms adjacent to eachother and showed to warm baths with soft clothes to change into when done and servants to grant their every need. In the bathroom, a communal one for one gender, Rickard sighed in great pleasure as he sunk his battered and bloody frame into the soothing water, garbling out pleasurable sounds, his head and arms hanging over the marble steps.

"We probably should have refused this hospitality on principle but... I admit I am weak-willed at this moment."
 
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It's been few hours since they arrived home and Edmund must say, it was actually pretty overwhelming. The whole city was in tears, ecstatic to see the princess in one piece. Most people might say it was because they thought of the princess of Kalielah as their own child just like the Queen but Edmund had something else in mind. They all know how terrifying the King could get if he's in a bad mood. The taxes...the hardship..it wouldn't be the Golden City no more but Satan's special hell environment. Edmund has experienced that and it was terrible. Terrible.

Taking off his ratty gloves, he shoved it in his pockets while he and Sir Rickard follow behind the hurried servants, not wanting to waste time. After all, these two knights did save the princess and one of them was important--they were in the same room as The Dragon Slayer. The man who has barely been seen by any other people. If this reach to other regions, Kalielah might have a large amount of guests.

As Rickard stripped his clothing, Edmund did the same without hesitation. He was tired and his body was sore all over the place; he thinks he deserve a good treatment. When he tipped his toes in the alluring bath, he found himself drowning his body beside his head in the enchanting water. He sighed in pleasure and closed his eyes in total bliss. It was quiet but peaceful and Edmund rather kept it that way until Rickard decided to start a conversation, "We probably should have refused this hospitality on principle but... I admit I am weak-willed at this moment."

He could only muster a mere scoff. "We? Do not include me in your little team.." Edmund went further in the scented liquid. His arms was tucked inside the bath unlike Rickard, who spread his arms on the tiled-marble floor. "Only fools would reject these kind of hospitality," He said in almost a grumble. He wasn't sure if Rickard understood him or not but at this point, Edmund doesn't care.


 
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"We? Do not include me in your little team.." Rickard opened an eye to look with interest at Edmund's relaxed form sunk almost completely in the bath water. "Only fools would reject these kind of hospitality," He was grumbling again, which Rickard still found impossibly cute so he wasnt complaining much and he gave a deep rumbling chuckle at Edmund's words. In the warm water this shaking motion managed to make his wounds start bleeding again but he found he couldn't quite bring himself to care as the bath soothed his broken bones and battered muscles.

"Nngh.. But doesnt courtesy dictate that one must refuse an invitation until a host insists? Or is that a custom specific to the Almarac Kingdom... Ack I can never remember the specifics, I've been knighted in too many countries." He gave a half smile before wincing as a motion pulled at a scab. He sat up to check how damaged he really was, tracing his fingers over scars on his shoulders and toned rounded chest and gently pressing his bound and splinted wrist to make sure the bone was still in place.

After his inspection his eyes found Edmund's form. Theres was no missing the incredible tone and strength held in his body with the trail of red downy hair following down his sturnum, even hidden under the distorting water, and Rickard realised he was staring just a little too much, blinking and distracting himself by reaching for soap. Any longer and everything might have gotten highly awkward, especially considering his body's reaction. He spent some time gently tried to scrub the dirt and crusted blood from his skin but as soon as he reached his shoulders and back he grunted in pain and flinched. That had definately pulled something. Honestly human bodies were so fragile, even the strongest amongst them. He was certainly very vulnerable in human form, but it was a risk he took gladly. Life was too easy in scales and fire.
 
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Edmund, who was completely unaware of what was happening to the other party's head, paid no attention to what he was saying. He wasn't being rude, Edmund was just lost in pure tranquility. Sometimes here and there, he would rub his arms and splash water on it, taking the soap bar near him and scrubbing it. It was the finest bar of all of the seven kingdoms (yes he's exaggerating), the ingredients contained different variety of oils. Of course, all of them healthy and good for your skin. But this type of bar soap was for manly knights like him, so he wasn't gonna go out and smell like a pansy. It smelt of spice and cinnamon, the type of scent just for Edmund specifically.

He opened his eyes that was still half-lidded, noticing Rickard's grunts. Was he beating off his man meat or something? His face twisted in disgust. For fuck sake, really now? But the more he listened, it sounded like he was in pain.

"What the hell are you doing?" Edmund turned a little to face Rickard. He found scars scattered all over his back that reached to his shoulders, a certain scab fresh and picked. He narrowed his eyes. "For the Love of God.." He came close to Rickard as their thighs touched, "Give me that bloody soap." Without waiting for an answer, Edmund snatched the bar from Rickard's hand. Carefully, he made sure to not crush the fragile soft bar and rubbed it on Rickard's shoulder, then made his way to the blade. Edmund was silent, the sound of movement from the water he made echoing the spacious room; just made specially for a large bath pool.

Of course, accidents like this might happen. Like this for instance. The bar from his hands slipped but Edmund caught it, groping the man's breast in process. "Shit," Edmund cursed.

He now felt awkward, but it's not as if he could stop now. Edmund cleared his throat, proceeding on what he was doing, "..So how was it?" He started off, "You and the dragon, I mean."
 
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"What the hell are you doing?"
Edmund's voice sounded a little more suspicious and accusing that Rickard felt was appropriate but a little thought into the matter made him think about what the groans and grunts could have been interpreted as... He endeavoured not to blush before swallowing and half-grinning over at Edmund as the Knight realised the truth of the situation. "For the Love of God.." Rickard was smiling and preparing to call a bath-hand before all of a sudden Edmund was approaching and Rickard's smile was gone to be replaced with a half-bemused expression, suppressing a shiver as their thighs made contact and Edmund's warm body radiated against Rickard's own. "Give me that bloody soap," Rickard wasn't all that up to answering as he held the soap loosely out in front of him, eyes wide and confused by the situation. Was this really happening? Edmund appeared sure that it was, snatching the bar from Rickard's loose fingers and proceeding to clean his back without delay. The first touch made him shiver, an action that could be percieved as a flinch but really really wasn't. "Ah... th-thankyou!" Oh heavens above this is bad. Edmund's slightly course hands made languid circles over the tight and scarred muscles on Rickard's back, rolling over his collar bone and down rippling tanned skin. The dragon took a deep breath but it came out in a shudder as his body responded to touch. Really this was the worst timing, he was already pretty riled. The silence stretched on, the tension in Rickard's body increasing and his breathing elevating and echoing through the marble room.

Suddenly he felt a slip, heard a grunt of annoyance and suddenly Edmund's arm was wrapped around his chest with one hand groping a pecktoral muscle, the little hardened nipple pinched between his fingers. Rickard made a very surprised and sexual gasp which he really hoped was easily interpreted as pain or just general shock as his back arched involuntarily. He sighed in the ensuing awkward pause and rolled his eyes up at the ceiling. This whole moment was going to end awkwardly he could sense it, but by now he'd adjusted to that idea and even began to relax while his nether regions completely betrayed his feelings at the time. Luckily the water wrapped around his midrift so it wasn't all that obvious at that particular moment, something he thanked alot of gods for. Really human bodies were very inconvenient. Edmund had cursed so he at least also somewhat understood that the moment was awkward and Rickard managed a chuckle at the whole damn issue. Galantly, the Knight tried to draw attention away from the pregnant silence and started conversation.

"..So how was it? You and the dragon, I mean." Even if it was a conversation they had had before, Rickard was still grateful. Honestly he was pretty grateful for the whole thing. no matter how uncomfortable it was making him he also found the sentiment very endearing and gentle, a rare quality in a knight.

"Me and the Dragon? Well, it was rough night and he wasn't the cuddling type!" Sometimes he couldn't help himself and purile jokes were certainly a habit of his. But he cleared his throat as his voice shuddered a little before continuing in a more confident, mature way. "Firedrakes and juveniles are quite simple to dispatch but a fully grown adult takes some careful thinking... this one was one of the oldest I've encountered. And largest. Speech is a good sign that the Dragon has some occult abilities as well. All in all I'm quite happy to still have a full complement of limbs!"
 
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"Me and the Dragon? Well, it was rough night and he wasn't the cuddling type!" Rickard laughed. It only earned hard stares from the knight. He splashed water on the other man's elbow as Rickard went on, "Firedrakes and juveniles are quite simple to dispatch but a fully grown adult takes some careful thinking... this one was one of the oldest I've encountered. And largest. Speech is a good sign that the Dragon has some occult abilities as well. All in all I'm quite happy to still have a full complement of limbs!" Edmund absorbed his explanation, noting it for future references.


"Lift your arms," Edmund said. He started to scrub around the under arm area on both side. "..Why do you fight?" He asked. It was a sudden question. Harmless to others, but to Edmund; it was true genuine. Most knights fight for wealth. Others fight for glory and fame. But Edmund? He has to yet to know himself. "Especially dragons?" His arms went lower, Edmund now rubbing the soap on his stomach, then around his hips. "..You might have an early death." Edmund warned, "There's a difference between throwing your life away and being brave." He drew a breath and exhaled, his breath tickling Rickard's ear. "Even I know better."

And that was true. Even if Edmund looks like a reckless man, he wanted to live. He needed to live. He has a purpose here in the kingdom of Kalielah, to protect the Ysmoir family line. To protect Princess Anabelle. That was his mission for eternal. His loyalty is deep--if he was told to kill a man, Edmund might possibly do it without questioning. Heartless or not, the Ysmoir has grown in the knight.
 
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"Lift your arms,"
Rickard hesitantly obeyed, carefully due to his injuries and other awkward reasons. Instead of focusing on the Knight's movements, Rickard tried to focus on his voice. Unfortunately the slightly gravelly and melodious voice of the Knight was somewhat similarly seductive and Rickard truly cursed his bad luck. Still he stuck with the tactic. "..Why do you fight?" It was a rather surprising question. Most knights followed orders religiously and never questioned their loyalty but Edmund sounded very serious about this and honestly it wasnt a light topic for Rickard either. He was trying to prove the good in his heart and flee from the cruelty that seemed to haunt his race. He wasn't exactly sure how to put that into context, but he wanted to do the question justice. "Especially dragons?" Rickard tried to think about his answer but just as he was getting somewhere his breath caught in his throat as he felt fingers brush dangerously close to his already erect and twitching nether regions. Rickard bit back a lustful moan that would have earned him a punch and instead forced his mind to consider the question properly, biting his lip to keep from whining wantonly. "..You might have an early death, There's a difference between throwing your life away and being brave." Rickard was on the edge of sanity, his whole body tense and twitching with anticipation for something he knew was never coming and the brief sultry tickle of air across his ear was almost the last straw. How did the man even manage to do this while remaining clueless as a babe. "Even I know better." Now Rickard couldn't be certain but he was 90% sure that sentence would sound sexual in any context and he was quite close to turning around and having his way with Edmund against the bath rim.

But no, he wasnt an animal and Edmund WAS asking him a question he obviously found VERY IMPORTANT. He needed to calm down and think about it. Thankfully the torture appeared to have abated and Rickard managed to take advantage of the silence. "I... have always been powerful.." He thought for a moment about how to phrase this properly. "When I was young I had good friends, all my equals in ability but... as we grew they became cruel people and suddenly their abilities and strengths were a blight on the world. I eventually had to kill them in order to uphold my own vows to protect others. I never imagined I would be slaughtering those I cared about for those I barely knew but there was no one else who could do it. So as an explanation, I suppose I fight to prove I do not have the same darkness as those friends of mine. As for the dragons, its a similar reason. If I am one of few who can do it, then surely it is my responsibility. Dragons are powerful creatures." He went silent, allowing himself a moment in melancholy but not wallowing in it long. "And you?"
 
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It was a little strange, hearing Rickard talk in a...different voice. It was like as if he wasn't the same man Edmund knew yesterday. But he didn't mind, Edmund has not expected the knight to sound cheery and all with his past. No knights has a happy ending. Because in the end, Death awaits; whether you're old or not. Edmund wasn't afraid of Death--or he thinks. Deep down, he fears the Repear, Death his greatest Enemy. He wants to live. Not just as a knight, but also as himself.

"If I am one of few who can do it, then surely it is my responsibility. Dragons are powerful creatures.." He mused. At first, Edmund thought he was talking to himself. But he caught on. Edmund placed the bar soap behind him on the marbled tiles, sighing. Yet after he was done, Edmund was still close, Rickard back towards his whole body. "And you?" Rickard asked.

Edmund wasn't sure how to answer his question. "...I fight for the Kingdom," Edmund murmured. "What else? There's no purpose of anything besides that." He lied. Well, maybe it wasn't. He wasn't sure what other reasons he had for being a knight. Perhaps Edmund might find out himself. He rose stretched his arms and heaved his chest, his muscles tightening. "'Been here for awhile," He said turning to get up. Edmund pushed himself up to the higher ground without trouble and rose, not really caring if he was naked for Rickard to see. Besides, he was proud of his body--his abs especially. If you got it, flaunt it. Edmund then took the towel set near him and wrapped it around his waist. "I shall be turning in for the night," He lifted a brow, "You plan to sleep while bathing?"
 
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There was a brief pause on Edmund's side before he answered Rickard's question which made Rickard take extra interest when he did start speaking. "...I fight for the Kingdom," It was a very quiet tone and it did not seem to have much decisive energy behind it, as though he was not particularly sure if it was true for him. "What else? There's no purpose of anything besides that." Well that was a lie, Rickard both knew it to be false himself and suspected Edmund didn't agree with it either, which was interesting. "... if that is what you believe..." A conflicted, considerate and thoughtful knight... what a wonder Edmund was. That thought continued in a different vein as Edmund stretched and Rickard caught a glimpse over his shoulder of rippling musculature and lean limbs before realising the moment was over and sinking back into the water. "'Been here for awhile," This was said as Edmund lifted his toned and impressive frame from the bath and proceeded to waltz around without modesty, his whole body visable from Rickard's position. It was very good luck that the water was murky now, human male bodies were really very very inconvenient.

"I shall be turning in for the night, you plan to sleep while bathing?" Rickard flashed a strained smile at him from his submerged position. "I um..." You know what? Why was he so uncomfortable? This was really not like him. Why should he spare Edmund any discomfort or awkwardness? He was a dragon and dragons certainly were not ashamed of such things. With a shrug, he lifted his own well muscled, tall and wide frame from the water and followed Edmund up the steps, his engorged and straining.. problem.. obvious for anyone to see. He didn't even bother with a towel as he passed Edmund, grinned and waved goodbye. "Goodnight then Sir Edmund Orion." Getting dressed in the next room, he left before Edmund could even catch him.
 
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