grounded 11

Adria stirred from her sleep and she heard a thundering roar pierce the skies. Her eyes startled awake and she looked to the sky, half lifting from the ground. A white dot shined, large regal wings sparkled as the sunlight reflected from the white scales of a dragon.
“Thir!” Adria shouted excitedly. Ruth and Fiel got up and noticed the incoming dragon; the camp had already burst into action, orders were being shouted and some lizardmen clumsily began dressing the dragon fire armor.
Thir’s speed was almost blinding. He already had approached close enough that a ball of fire flew from his mouth, crashing onto a wagon and exploding it into flames. He let out another roar, and landed heavily over another wagon, destroying it along with the arms and armor stored within.
“Fire!” Ordered Ja-shafut, archers at the ready let their arrows fly at Thir who with a single command froze the arrows where they stood, each broke as it met his scales. He charged into the camp and slaughtered any who stood in his way.
Adria watched in awe as the sheer speed of Thir seemed to distort the very air around him. And she gladly watched as Thir broke Ja-shafut in half with a single bite. The only lizardman alive was the mage Raethirnus who sat in a fetal position next to a large crate, his mouth dripped blood, and he seemed to whisper something to himself. Thir ended his life with a single swipe of his large hand.
“Adria!” Thir said turning towards them. “Adria my god are you alright?” He began to undo the shackles, freezing them and breaking them with ease.
“I am now that you are here!” She said with tears streaking down her cheeks. “Oh Thir I was so scared!” She jumped at his neck and hugged him, his arm patted her back gently, and he murred in comfort.
“You are fine now little one” He said softly.
“Adria!” Fiel called out, but she ignored him
“Adria!” He called again.
“Adria!”
“What!?” She growled.
“Adria!”

Sunlight suddenly hit through her eyelids and she woke slowly, her mind feeling heavy and stupid. She lifted her head to see Fiel standing next to her; he smiled as she rubbed her eyes.
“Sorry to wake you, but we are leaving soon you might want to drink some water before we do.” He said pointing to the large bowl that lay next to Ruth.
“Oh…” She said still groggily “T-thank you”
“Hurry up about it I think they are already collecting everything.” Fiel tapped her shoulder gently.
Adria lifted up heavily and lumbered towards the water bowl, and drained the whole thing down. She sat back down and yawned.
“It was just a dream…” She whispered to herself, tears already forming in her eyes. She rubbed them off before they ran down her cheeks.
Ruth took the emptied bowl and threw it into the wagon. The company had begun the travel, and they started soon afterwards following behind the wagon in their steady pace.
Towering rock formations surrounded them as they paced through the rough desert ground; Fiel had begun to whimper softly as his feet began to bleed from being bare. Adria pulled him over her back, letting him rest his sensitive feet. Her legs were tired, she felt weak and thirsty, and the dryness had been hurting her eyes and mouth for a while now. She hadn’t eaten proper food for a while now and what she had eaten was barely enough to feed her, she had begun to think the goop they had to eat was not meat. She was scared to tell anyone that she needs meat; perhaps they knew, so she didn’t bother. She noticed Ruth seemed to have picked up on something, but her eyes fixed to the ground and she tuned out of her surroundings.
Ruth perked her head up as she heard voices behind the wagons. She approached the wagon beside them to try and listen better.
“The money would be doubled!” The voice said “And Ben’lashir is strong enough too”
“What about the word bender? We would be out-skilled by him in a flick”
“We out-number what out-skills us.”
“And if we protect Ben’lashir long enough to reach him he can take him down for sure” he laughed “I’m beginning to like your plan brother.”
“Good! Let’s start it tonight!”
Ruth smiled; perhaps this was good fortune. Her mind already raced through opportunities and made plans for what may come. She closed up on Adria and stood next to her.
“I think soon we will be able to escape.” She whispered “Keep strong Adria, if we can survive but a few days we will prevail.”
Adria sighed, blinking slowly as her head hung low. Ruth placed a hand on Adria’s head, petting her softly.

Camp had been set in an oasis already away from the canyons. Crystalline water calmly rested in a large hole in the center, palm trees hung over the watering hole and small bushes and herbs dotted the grassy area. Some fruit trees were visible, but no fruits seemed to be out late this season.
Adria had settled down next to the wagon, her head leaning against it and pushing the wagon into an awkward angle as it took her weight. Ruth had tried to help Fiel’s feet, but they refused to give them any healing supplies. She tore off her shirt, wrapping his feet as best she could, his toes still hanging out. Crimson blood tainted his grey fur, the large scrapes that had formed underneath his feet were at least now padded enough but Fiel still grimaced as he put his feet down.
“Don’t worry I can still carry you” Adria said with difficulty.
“You’ve been over exerting yourself already Adria, I can’t let you do that” Fiel said shaking his head.
“It doesn’t matter anyway, it’s not like I’ll survive…”
“Don’t say that!” Ruth said exasperatedly.
A sudden silence hung gloomily above them. Adria laid her head tiredly and closed her eyes, falling into a half sleep. Ruth sighed and hugged her knees, burying her head under her arms.
The silence was suddenly broken as heavy footsteps approached with a steady pacing; Fiel who had been trying to sleep through the whole thing opened his eyes and looked around. He bumped Ruth’s shoulder who woke up slowly.
“Ah my guest of honor… Ruth I believe?” Ja-shafut said approaching them, three guards behind him with spears at the ready watched them wearily.
“What do you want?” She said coldly.
“No need to be so bitter, I just want your company.” He approached her but was cut off by a sudden roar, and a shadowy emerald body that stood between them.
“You can hurt me and Fiel, but you will not hurt Ruth” Adria said snarling at him.
“Well look at that, you still have some fire in you… Looks like I haven’t punished you enough have I?”
“Adria step aside you’ll get yourself killed” Ruth cried out pushing her.
“May I remind you I can kill you or your friends at any time?”
“You won’t kill them, they are valuable to you, otherwise you wouldn’t have let Fiel live the other day, and I don’t care for my life anymore.” Adria frowned. Courage slowly seeping into her mind, but her legs still trembled.
Ja-shafut’s smile slowly twisted into an angry snarl; he stared deeply into Adria’s deep blue eyes, he cursed to himself.
“Persistent bitch” He muttered in lizard-tongue. “Right you are, I will not kill them smart little dragoness, so what will you do?” he spoke again in common
Adria growled, she felt a cold rush run through her belly, and she felt her backside throb as pain reminded her of the punishments she went through.
“I could kill you right here” Adria said snorting and lowering her head. She let her pain and humiliation fuel her anger and hatred for Ja-shafut, and barely held herself back. Their eyes still locked together. The three guards behind him pointed their spears at her, but Ja-shafut raised an arm and they stepped back. They reluctantly complied, giving each other confused looks.
“Come then.”

Adria roared and charged forward, her jaws snapping towards Ja-shafut who stepped sideways almost too easily. He wrapped his large arms around her head and wrestled her down, she struggled and fought but her head was locked tightly. Her claws were locked down by the shackles, and the pressure on her head made her fire glands close and tighten.
“You are weak and pathetic, not to mention you are afraid. I doubt you could fight me even with full strength.” Ja-shafut chuckled between clenched teeth. He pushed her head down and pinned her to the ground. “Your efforts are in vain little dragoness, you shouldn’t have defied me.”
Adria roared and pushed against him, whimpering as her efforts lead to nothing but twitching lightly. She slowly lost her strength and stopped, tears streaming down her cheeks as she cried quietly.
“You… Get the clamps.” Ja-shafut ordered one of the guards. “And you two take Rathirtis to my tent and don’t hurt her.”
The two quickly obeyed, Ruth tried to push them away with her bound hands, and the guards simply laughed and took her kicking and screaming through the camp. Fiel could only stand back, his mind racing through plans, helplessness overwhelmed him and made him grit his teeth as he watched Ruth be taken away, and Adria be pinned by the large lizard.
Soon a few more bandits came, they held Adria’s shackles with a rope, and carried her to the center of the camp again. Fiel watched from a distance standing behind the wagon.

The camp was lit dimly with torches hanging from the tents that surrounded the central fire. Adria was tied with enough ropes to keep her limbs from moving at all. She squirmed best as she could, and tried to escape her captors, but to no avail.
She cried as they tied her left arm forward, and she looked around, the vision reminded of her last experience, the same set up of her punishment not too long ago, her hands trembled and she swallowed a lump.
“W-what are you going to do with me?” her voice trembled as she looked for Ja-shafut.
He appeared behind the shadows of a tent, in his hands a large iron clamp, its mouth was toothed, and some dried blood could be seen on its semi rusted body.
“What I should have done the first time around.” Ja-shafut said opening and closing the clamp menacingly.
Adria watched with horror, her mind panicked as she could only imagine the pain.
“I can smell your fear little Adria.” Ja-shafut laughed. “Probably one of the most horrible pain one can inflict in a dragon I’m sure.”
“P-please! Please don’t do it! I beg you anything but that!” Adria said crying.
“Forgiveness? Yes I am forgiving you; this is my way of forgiving you. DO WE FORGIVE HER?” He turned to the camp; a loud cheer sounded.
“See even they forgive you little Adria” Ja-shafut grinned, the pointy teeth glistening softly in the dim light.
He slowly placed the clamp on her claw, and she squirmed again, her eyes streaming tears.
“Please don’t! I cannot take it!” She cried.
The clamp tightened around her claw gripping the smooth surface with its tiny metal teeth.
“No, please!” She continued.
Ja-shafut growled and braced himself, finally pulling onto the clamps; the claws began to give in as the roped groaned.
An ear piercing scream left Adria, drowned by a roar. She wailed loudly as her claw began to crackle under the strength of the pull. Fire danced out of her mouth as she screamed, the fire missed Ja-shafut as Raethirnus’ magic filled the air. The pulling continued and silence overcame the camp, the screams were deafening, piercing the air like needles, the gasps and wails suffocating her. Blood began to pour from the claw, they had begun to rip off, and nothing could be seen under the crimson that oozed from the wound.
Ja-shafut shouted as he put his final strength into it, and the claw came clean off. Adria tried to squirm again, but all it did was break a few ropes, and give her a soft rash. She let herself go, and dropped on the ground heavily. Her wails continued and she screamed with every throb that came from her now clawless hand. Ja-shafut raised his new trophy, blood still fresh on the claws, and cheers sounding from the bandits.
“Hopefully you have finally learned your lesson” Ja-shafut said into Adria’s side and walked away, issuing new orders to some of the guards. Adria’s vision blurred, she tried to keep herself awake but weakness overcame her and she fell into darkness.

Her eyes opened slowly as pain throbbed through her left hand. She grimaced and whimpered softly, looking at her now wrapped up hand, the bandages were crudely wrapped around it, and crimson red blood stained the entire circle around her claw.
“I didn’t think you still had it in you” Fiel said rubbing her side. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“I… didn’t think he would torture me more… I wanted him to kill me…” She said between her sniffs.
“You…” Fiel sighed “Adria, stop this, we can get out of this together… I know we can Ruth told me she overheard some goons plot something against the leader… We don’t know what it is, but we might be able to find an opening and…”
“We won’t… it’s impossible.” She muttered.
“I thought it would be impossible to escape my slavery too, and yet I managed it. You can’t just give up.”
Adria shook her head, and sniffled again, trying to suck her tears in. “I already have.”

The day’s travels began quickly and mercilessly. Adria limped the entire way, and tried to keep her left hand lifted most of the way the awkward feeling of walking on three legs soon made her give up. Blood trailed the dusty ground, and dirtied the bandages. Adria licked at it a few times.
Fiel was wary of his surroundings at all times; he eventually noticed in the distance Ben-lashir. Around his neck was Fiel’s tail, it seemed to have been stitched to the collar of a vest that he now used and seemed to enjoy quite fondly. He snarled and noticed some of the bandits speak to him; he seemed to nod and agree with something, but Fiel couldn’t make out what it was. The slightly guttural and tongue-ish lizard language was hard to read from the lips alone.
Ruth was nowhere to be seen, Fiel tried not to worry, he knew she was safe.
“They wouldn’t harm her, I imagine her mother would want her alive and in one piece, and definitely made that very clear.” He told Adria who had briefly showed her concern. “You should be more worried about your hand.” He pointed at the sandy crimson bandages.

Dusk had begun when they settled on the outskirts of a city; the walls were just barely visible across a large empty plain. Cacti had begun to appear every now and then, some even towered three times Adria’s size. They stopped close to a lonely well, the sandstone structure was neatly carved, and a wooden canopy held a small bucket with rope underneath. The well had an iron lid over it which was easily slid off.
Adria dipped her hand into a large bowl that was allowed to be given to her, letting the cool fresh water wash her wound. It stung her a bit but she felt better as the sand and grime that had gathered slowly disappeared. She walked back trying to keep her hand away from the ground, limping awkwardly and lying next to the wagon. She managed to doze off quietly, curling up on herself and covering her head.
Fiel crouched next to the nearby wagon; fortunately the ropes were long enough. He saw shadows moving quietly behind the wooden wheels, voices whispering.
“He sits inside with her.” A deep and powerful familiar voice sounded at first.
“We should take this opportunity, we already talked with the others and they are ready.” Another voice
Said sounding raspy and high pitched.
“Then sound it off, I will take on Raethirnus.”
Fiel quickly made his way to Adria who still slept peacefully, he sighed and placed a hand on her side; Leaving her to sleep a while longer.

Adria’s nose picked up a fleshy scent, her eyes opened slowly the camp had barely changed, Fiel seemed to watch the camp attentively, ears twitching as sounds echoed out of the camp.
Adria’s eyes locked onto a small shadow approaching, she frowned and noticed it was a lizardman, on his shoulder was a dead goat.
“Adria… Wake up, I have something for you!” The lizardman said approaching hesitantly.
Fiel looked but did not move.
“Meat, freshly killed, we offer you this if you will show your rage for Ja-shafut and kill him”
Adria frowned; she felt a cold rush through her belly, excitement suddenly rising in her mind.
“If you can get me before him, I will kill him with pleasure” Adria said with a wry smile.
The lizardman laid the meat before her, and took the bindings off from her arms.
“When you hear the sound of a horn two times, it is your time to act.” The lizardman said and swiftly vanished in the night.
“You don’t plan to actually do that do you?” Fiel asked.
Adria had gorged herself already into the goat, eating ferociously and moaning as the taste of fresh meat filled her mouth.
“I will have enough energy to kill him, and I’m not going to have to take on the entire camp… This is the perfect chance for revenge… Ja-shafut will pay for what he’s done to us.”
“These bandits have no more desire than to do the same Ja-shafut did, for all you know they might capture you again and sell you like they would.”
“It’s a danger I’m willing to take” Adria said licking her chops from the gore.
Fiel groaned and sat back on the wagon’s wheel, watching the camp again.

A horn sounded and shouting commenced. The sound of metal clashing and voices grunting and shouting for dominance took over the entire camp.
Fiel and Adria hid themselves behind a wagon. Adria limped and stood awkwardly as she tried to keep the stress off of her still hurting hand.
Ben-lashir stomped his way across the camp, two lizardmen tried to take on him face on, spears pointing toward him, Ben-lashir slapped the spears out of the way and trampled the smaller lizard comrades with his brute strength. Raethirnus stepped out of his tent watching as the large berserk made his way quickly towards him. Quick in thought, Raethirnus thought up a spell hissed the words quickly and ice formed around Ben-lashir’s feet; the brute however destroyed the ice with a jerk of his leg, and started his mad dash again.
Raethirnus lifted both hands again, summoning his magic and holding down Ben-lashir, the magic quickly overtook him, making the titan kneel, two icy spikes raised; one penetrated the left arm, the other on the right of the stomach. The force however seemed to begin to overwhelm Raethirnus; Three other lizardmen appeared from behind, spears pointing at him. Raethirnus turned quickly, the cold air formed under the three as Raethirnus lifted his hands three icy spikes ascended and stabbed the three from below, blood running through the formed spikes.

Ben-lashir shouted as he broke the ice spikes and approached from behind, he jumped at Raethirnus who turned, only to be overtaken by the giant. They fell onto the floor, and Ben-lashir looked down at the terrorized Magic weaver, cold air formed around them, but Ben-lashir took Raethirnus by the head, and with one swift movement crushed the lizard’s head against a large boulder.
Ben-lashir got up, panting heavily and shouted a roar of victory; a cheer went through the camp.
Ja-shafut shouted as he charged towards Ben-lashir. Sword drawn and raised, he approached from where the battle was still raging, tents gone up in flames, and numbers of lizardmen fighting off each other.
Ben-lashir’s eyes widened as Ja-shafut’s speed surprised him. He leapt in the air, kicking against Ben-lashir’s knee and with a quick swipe of his sword, Ben-lashir’s neck gurgled as hot blood poured out. He fell forward, head hanging loose as it rolled out hitting the floor with a soft thud.
“You will listen to me!” Ja-shafut shouted, picking the head of Ben-lashir “After all I have done for you! After all the things we have gone through together! You would dare betray me!?” He approached the now silenced battle; the traitors had driven back most of Ja-shafut’s men. The sudden death of Ben-lashir had taken the fighting spirit out of them.
“Who is responsible for this?” Ja-shafut shouted, throwing Ben-lashir’s head forward.
The men looked at each other; they took a step away from Ja-shafut.
“WHO WAS IT!?” he shouted again.
Ruth peeked from the tent far from the battle; she silently snuck away from Ja-shafut’s tent and hid there. She watched as Ja-shafut angrily scowled at his band of mercenaries.
A horn sounded… And once again it sounded. Ja-shafut looked at the source anger boiling within him as he spotted one of the men, the one who had played the horn, smile at him.
Ja-shafut charged after this lizard man who simply stood calmly before him. A roar sounded and Ja-shafut was thrown to the side, lizardmen stepped aside as Adria crashed her away into the fray. A large circle was formed as the multitude watched Adria throw Ja-shafut down. He rolled on the ground, as Adria lost her balance and stumbled next to him. Ja-shafut recovered quickly, and looked at Adria with a scowl.
“I should have known you were involved in this! You foolish dragoness, I’ve already proven I can take you down!” He dashed at her, his pacing was quick, but Adria’s reflexes acted and she spun around quickly, lashing her tail out and striking Ja-shafut across the face. He was thrown aside again, and growled angrily as he touched his cheek and felt the blood flowing.
One of the men drew a bow, but the traitors shouted and charged into an attack again, the fray continued and a confused battle restarted.
Adria’s eyes locked onto Ja-shafut’s, she bared her teeth and growled.
“Now it’s just you and me, let’s see how well you can manage against a dragon”
Ja-shafut charged again, shouting as he did, sword waving on his hand.
Adria pulled back and roared a jet of flames which quickly crossed between her and the charging lizard Ja-shafut jumped out of the way just barely enough to escape the flames; his arm was caught and fire began eating at his scales. Adria tried to quickly limp towards him. Ja-Shafut grunted as he felt the burning harm his hide. Adria was upon him, she opened her jaws teeth glistening in the torchlight, Ja-shafut tried to grab the teeth before it overwhelmed him, but as his burned arm caught the teeth it gave under the pressure, his damaged hide screamed under Adria’s strength.
“What makes you think you will survive after this?” Ja-shafut shouted between clenched teeth.
Adria growled, and swiped her clawless hands over his arms, pinning him down and ignoring the stinging pain jolting through her body.
“It doesn’t matter… All that matters now is killing you!” Adria bit against Ja-shafut’s neck, her teeth sinking into his flesh, and warm blood pouring into her mouth. She took in the taste, and jerked her head, ripping the lizard in half.

A roar of victory sounded and the band of mercenaries began to flee at the sight of their fallen leader, some surrendered on the spot. The traitors cheered as their victory was savored. Adria had indulged in eating the rests of Ja-shafut, she spat out bones and ate everything before her, enjoying the rough but tasteless meat, once done all that was left was a pile of half gored bones. Adria sat back and began cleaning her hand and face from the blood.
“Well done Adria, well done indeed. I knew you would be able to get back on him.” The lizardman from earlier approached. “I never introduced myself, I am Madriff. I was one of Ja-shafut’s strategists.”
Adria glared at him sharply, her eyes still filled with bloodlust.
“I’ve helped you with what you needed. Now you give me what I want, my freedom along with my friends.” She said coldly.
“I’m sorry but… I don’t believe we made a formal agreement; your freedom is as far as it is worth your price. Your friends are quite invaluable especially the noble lizardwoman.”
Adria growled “I will not leave without them!”
“Will you fight us?” He pointed to the traitors surrounding them. “I’m afraid this is all I can give you, and we leave here today. You are free to go” Madriff waved her off.
Adria hunched over and attacked growling at Madriff who quickly stepped aside barely escaping her attack. He raised a hand, stopping the incoming guards.
“If you must be so uncivilized then I suppose we can come to an agreement.” He said wiping the dirt from himself. The darkness made it hard to see him, but Adria saw he did not threaten her or take up any arms, he approached her slowly, and she watched.
“I will let you and the wolf boy go, but the lizardwoman stays.”
“Ruth comes with me, I will not agree to anything but having all of them with me.”
Ruth quickly made her way to them; she wore a surprisingly good looking open dress, most likely what Ja-shafut gave to her.
“Adria! Thank goodness” Ruth leapt onto Adria who lowered her head, and allowed Ruth to embrace her nuzzle. “Listen, Adria, You need to listen to him, I can go back home and you two can escape! Don’t let this chance escape you”
“I cannot leave you behind.” Adria said calmly now. “We will all come out of this.”
“This is safer!”
“You should listen to her” Madriff said slightly impatient.
“I don’t think so.” Adria lifted her head again. “Either I leave here with them all or I kill you and whoever dares to come forward!” She lowered her stance.
Madriff rolled his eyes. “Very well you give me no choice.” He gestured to the mercenaries behind him.
Adria’s eyes widened, as one with a bow aimed at her.
“No!” Ruth jumped in front of Adria. But it was too late, the arrow whizzed across the camp; Adria roared as the arrow stuck out of her chest.
“No!” Fiel rushed from behind his hiding place, he ran towards Adria who clenched at her chest, the softer scales of her underbelly could not protect her. Fiel was stopped as two lizardmen grabbed him. He tried to struggle but was held tightly and was pinned.
There was a silence as she dropped down, Madriff unsheathed a sword, and slowly made his way to Adria. He lifted the sword, but was stopped as Ruth threw herself between them. Madriff scowled and hit her with the blunt end of the sword, pushing her aside.
The flesh parted as the sword penetrated Adria’s side. Blood gushing from the wound, and a painful roar sounded.
“Adria!” Ruth cried, and watched in horror as Madriff retreated the blade, and swung the blood out, walking away from the now bloodied Adria.
“No Adria please no!” Ruth quickly went to her side, and placed a hand on Adria’s head.
Fiel struggled to get loose and was pushed out of the grip of the mercenaries who laughed and let him go. He ran towards them, and sat next to Adria, tears forming in his eyes.
“You idiot!” He said “Why did you do that? Why?” He laid his head over Adria’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry… I tried; I just… thought I was strong enough.” Adria coughed and wheezed as blood entered her lung.
“No you can’t die here Adria! You still have so much you need to do and…”
Adria placed a claw over Ruth’s mouth
“It’s alright Ruth… I never really thought…I would… make a difference.”
Ruth rubbed Adria’s head, her tears flowing down as she sobbed.
“Do you think I will get… my wings in the… afterlife? That would be nice… Adria smiled and coughed, tears formed in her eyes as well. “I’m sad… If you ever get a chance Ruth… Can you tell my parents about me? About what happened?”
Ruth nodded, still under her crying.
“And Fiel… Why don’t you live up to your name will you?” Adria bumped Fiel’s head lightly with her hand. He sniffled and nodded.
“I’ll try…” He said stifling a cry.
Three of the mercenaries came from behind, taking Ruth and Fiel, they tried to get away from them, but they were quickly overwhelmed.
“Thank you…” Adria said as she laid her head on the ground, closing her eyes and sighing.

The heavy wing-beats lifted the dust off the desert, strong footsteps followed and a heavy breathing suddenly brushed up against Adria’s cheeks. Her eyes opened slowly, a white blur was all she could see, when suddenly Thir’s image became formed, his eyes looking at her with wide worry.
“Adria! You’re alive, thank the gods… What happened? No it’s not important. We need to get you out of here.”
“Thir… I thought… you wouldn’t be able to… find us.” Adria said with a weak voice.
“I followed your tracks I got caught up with the council it was a little more serious than I thought… Come we can talk about this at a better place.” Thir placed a hand underneath Adria, awkwardly attempting to move her.
“No…” She said weakly pushing his hand off. Thir looked confused.
“Adria?”
She slowly moved to her side, revealing her pierced chest, blood had been slowly oozing out of it, but already there was a dried small puddle of it below her.
“We must hurry then!” Thir said with sudden shock.
“It’s… too late…” Adria grimaced; she felt a stab of pain in her chest
“No, Adria, don’t say such things! Look I can fly you to the nearest town they will have supplies and I can help you there.”
“I wish you could…” Adria coughed, and grimaced again. “I’m… sorry.”
“Adria! Adria stay with me!” Thir held her head and slapped her cheeks softly. She sighed and her head suddenly dropped, her eyes closing peacefully as her last breath left her.
Thir watched for a moment, disbelief filled him. His mind raced, the guilt was his. She was so young… He should have hurried; he shook his head, tears forming in his eyes… And a loud roar, shaking the rocks from where they stood.

A wooden pyre stood tall surrounded by what seemed hundreds of dragons. The eerie darkness of approaching dusk barely lit the ceremony. An elder from the council of the high dragons, stood before the multitude, his words echoing in the large courtyard in the dragon-city. The four towers stood tall in the distance; peering over the ceremony like shadows.
The words faded, and five dragons stepped forward, one seemed to pierce the night with his bright colors, they lifted together and opened their wings, a jet of flame coming from each one and lighting the pyre. The fire engulfed a small one winged green dragoness, who lay peacefully on the straw and wooden bed of the tall pyre.
The five dragons lit by the fire stood back. Thir, Gildia, and Peridor and two other elderly dragons stood before the fire. Gildia eyed Thir and sighed; fresh tears still trickling down her cheeks. A wing enveloped her back, and a soft murr came from Peridor who nuzzled her gently.
They stepped back and the other dragons joined in, gentle flames flickering as they raised the fire of the pyre; soon enveloping the body and rising to a column of yellow and red.
A stifled sniffle sounded from within the front line of dragons watching. Kul buried his face under the warm embrace of his mother, hiccupping and gasping as tears flowed down his face. The tall green dragoness looked down at him with empathy and nuzzled his neck, murring deeply and placing a wing over him.
“She’s gone forever mom… forever” He said between sobs.
“I’m sorry my dear.” She whispered wistfully
Kul’s cries continued as he stood next to his mother. The darkness seemed to enclose upon him as the thoughts of what could be teased him. But he knew it was over and he knew he would never again have the opportunity to be with her. His being seemed to rip apart with the thoughts. He looked at the flaming tower that was the pyre.
I’m sorry -- Adria