Zhaiothe’s Tale Act 4 - Canto 34	
By Bartan Tirix
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Notes:
-The Following is mostly the past story about Zhaiothe. It's written after Act 2: Rest Calm, and is taken place a day after.
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-The Following is written in two sets of views: One first person (Zhaiothe's POV) being the past. The other being Third person, signifying the Present. If the scene changes back into the Present, it will be divided by several Dashes (Much like this Note is)
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-Tong himself is in the present, and in the present only. At times he will speak in the Past, but he's speaking as an observer, and is talking to the Present Zhaiothe: The storyteller.

-There's one more thing I want to explain before I go on: The Psychology of a Photographic Memory. A Photo Memory means that you remember (very sharply) things that happened to you in the past. In extreme cases; subjects often remember nearly every minute of their life. They can recall how many times they've had an accident, fallen down, sometimes even coughed in a year. Now, when most people think of a PM, they think it's mostly just visual, when reality: it's with every sense. They can often recall how things smelled, tasted, sounded like, and even felt like. As well as the one that most people often forget: How they felt about a certain situation. Because of that last one, they often have a very hard time to "Forgive & Forget", whereas: As soon as they see someone, often enough the thing that they remember most (which is usually the most painful), they revert to how they felt at that time.

	Now, Dragons are often thought of as mystical/magical creatures. They have ridiculously long lifespans (these ones specifically live to be nearly 1200 YoA), and are highly intelligent. They are often known to recall alot of events happening over their lives, often enough with alot of detail at that. Much like the Photo Memory I just mentioned, they often remember how they felt about certain chapters in their lives. It's also been said that they also "Mate For Life" because of this. If something/someone has been taken away from them, odds are they will live throughout those emotions over and over again, until it is resolved. Say: if they've lost their mate too early (Example: they were murdered), the live one would most likely go through a down-spiral of emotions. Leading to the desire for revenge until their life is taken as well. This is what's known as "Blood for Blood" in a Dragon's culture.
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Chapter 1

	Zhaiothe stared out the window for a while, admiring the morning's light and how it slowly seemed to illuminate the streets of Fiore. His mind wandered to where he should begin his tale, what he should mention, and what he shouldn't. Although, Zhai knew that his story had alot of tragedy in it, he was sure that Tong was kind enough not think any less of the small-looking dragon. He'd come to trust Tong, and nearly calling him his savior. (But I have to stop taking advantage of the kindness others show me.) Zhaiothe thought to himself. (Even if what I tell him will push him away. I need him, but... I can't keep doing this if he doesn't know what I've done.)
	"So, when does it start?" Tong interrupted Zhai's thoughts.
	The small, Red dragon took a deep breath. (Here goes nothing...) "...It was my land." Tong raised an eyebrow, as he got up and started getting dressed. "It was before any species started to settle there. The land was massive. Green, natural, and filled with patches of forest and meadows. Various mountains and large hills were scattered throughout it, and I lived at the tallest mountain in the center. Everything I could see from there was mine. From the coast to the southwest, to the border line of mountains that seemed to wall my country like a painting's frame."
	"Wall of Mountains? That sounds alot like the deserts to the southwest-" Tong stopped himself a little too late. He usually doesn't put his foot in his mouth, but it just slipped. Zhaiothe gave a defeated sigh, and his gaze dropped to the floor. "...Sorry, Little Red. Go on."
	Zhaiothe was quiet for a bit, then swallowed. "But it was my lan-"
	A knock came from the door. "I'm sorry, but I heard talking. Are you two awake? I have breakfast ready downstairs if you're hungry." The wife of the house they stayed in said, in a bit of a shy voice.
	"Alright Ma'am. Thank you." Tong replied. And he took a long look at Zhai, who looked uncomfortable. Tong understood though. Zhai was about to tell him a very personal story, and as Personal a dragon as Zhai was, he didn't feel comfortable telling his tale in a large city like Fiore where people could eavesdrop. Tong got up, and put a heavy hand on Zhai's left shoulder. When he did, it seemed to jerk as if it got a jolt of pain through it, and Tong pulled back a bit, and did it a bit softer. "We can talk in a more private place, if you like to."
	The youngling looked at him, with a bit of pain in his eyes. More like the sting of guilt than what caused the jerk in his shoulder. Zhaiothe gave a nod, with a very silent "Alright" that was a little less than a whisper. Zhai realized that he himself, regardless of how long ago it happened, may not be strong enough to tell this tale. But if he couldn't hold himself together, then he would rather break down in the middle of the woods, than in the middle of a city.
	As the two had breakfast, Zhai was still rather quiet. Although Tong was talking to the family they stayed with to not make the room even more uncomfortable for the dragon, he couldn't help but often glance at Zhai to see if he could tell what he was thinking. He knew that this was rather hard for him, for what stories he heard about the 'King who set his own Country ablaze' were already grim enough. If the little one was already having a hard time to get his story together, Tong was going to have to really pay attention to him. More to insure that he doesn't get too caught up in his own grief once again. Zhai was desperate the first time Tong met him, and even then, it was hard for Zhai to even trust Tong. And what Tong did yesterday, leaving him behind to infiltrate the enemy lines, probably drained alot of that trust.
	After breakfast, the two got a message from Asa, the one they rescued from the Orcs that kidnapped her. It was for their reward, and even though they were not going to allow Asa to be out in public for a bit, she did ask for them to pick up their rewards at the Palace. After a bit of convincing from the guards, the two were let inside and were allowed to choose a few things from the palace's armory.
	With the guard still closely watching them, the two looked throughout the large room. A scholar was also there to give them any information about the magical properties of any items. "Ah, yes. And over here, we have a Flametongue! Nothing strikes fear in the hearts of enemies than a terrifying flaming longsword!" The Scholar was a bit of a showman.
	"It's... not really in my expertise." Tong stated, hoping the Scholar wasn't planning to actually ignite the sword in the room. "Besides, if I ever really need a light, I have a portable Torch following me." He gave Zhai a bit of a smirk.
	"Get mounted." Zhai replied, not even looking at them. He was caught in the Armor side of the room, looking for something specific. But going through all the weapons, the two found a hard time finding something that a dragon could wield. And by mentioning it earlier, Zhai seemed a little insulted by the idea.
	Tong wandered into a large crate, with dozens of well-organized quivers inside. "Why are all these divided?"
	The Scholar put down the large sword, and rushed over. "Ah, these are all Bane arrows! They are for hunting specific types of monsters. Goblins, Elementals, Undead, Dragons-!" Tong motioned him to stop.
    Zhai hissed at him loudly. "Dragons are not Monsters!" Tong motioned him to stop as well.
	"If you don't want to get a 3rd degree burn, apologize." Tong said sternly.
	"I-...Erm. I'm sorry... Present company Exclud-" Tong covered the scholar's mouth to stop him.
	Zhai's ears went back, and his spines raised a bit. He gave a loud, low growl, but continued browsing. After a bit, he snorted "A Monster is a being that enjoys bringing pain to others. It's a creature that thrives on the destruction of the world around them. It's one who thinks of themselves higher than others, and uses that power to torment and torture-"
	"Red! Stop-!"
	"You Children always associate what you Fear with Monsters, because you don't understand them enough. Tell me, what did we ever do to deserve such a title!? When have we ever harmed you? When have we ever destroyed your villages, towns, cities? What gives you the right to call us an Enemy!?" Zhai waited for a reply, staring right into the Scholar's eyes.
	The guard, with his hand on his Hilt, spoke up. "...Aren't you the one who says you're the dragon from legends? The one who set your country on fire?"
	Zhai glared at him, but couldn't help but agree with what he said. After a few moments, Zhai quickly looked around at the nearest thing, and threw it over his shoulder. "I'll take this." And stormed out of the room.
	Tong listened for any other movement outside the room. Anything being set on fire, anything being thrown. When he heard nothing, he turned to the quivers. Unable to read, he looked at the Scholar and asked for a set of Goblin and Kobold quivers. The roads to the east were often ambushed with the two. Tong then ran out of the room to catch up with Zhai.
	Zhai sat to the far side of the steps, looking at the city. With his spines still a bit flared, Tong knew that it meant he was irritated, and still a bit angry. Angry with the scholar? Perhaps. The Guard? Maybe. But...
	"Stop." Tong said, causing the dragon to look at him. "I know what you're thinking." Once again, it was replaced by Khol's voice in Zhai's head. "And you're not what you think you are."
	Zhai remained quiet, as Tong approached and sat with him. The red one gave a sigh that said 'I just can't believe that.' As he felt Tong's hand once again on his left shoulder, that pain jumped through it. Zhai took a look at Tong, again with that smile covering his face. It was contagious, and made Zhai smile as well.
	"Now come on. What did you pick up?"
	Zhai looked at the pile of rings beneath his paws. He held it up and it formed into a Chainshirt. Tong kinda gave it a small frown, seeing as it was magical, but it was designed for a humanoid. "Well... I guess you could always sell it. Might be worth quite a bit."
	"Hmm..." Zhai looked at it, glad to have his mind on anything else at the moment. He studied it a bit, and began to fold it up into a long string of rings. Tong looked at the wyrmling puzzled at what he was doing, and after Zhai found the thickest part of it, he began to put it in his mouth.
	"Red?" Tong said, about to interfere. But Zhai gave him a signal to stop and relax. As he began to eat more and more of the chainshirt, his throat began to thicken. After realizing that the dragon was actually able to 'eat' the armor, Tong lifted the remaining end of it, and began to help Zhai swallow it, rubbing his throat a bit. After a good few minutes, the red dragon was able to swallow the entire shirt whole. He took a few breaths and snapped his jaw a few times. "I know you didn't have much to eat at breakfast, but if you wanted something, all you had to do was ask." Tong said, jokingly. "Why did...?"
	"There's a few things I learned to do with magical items. One of them is consume them and use that power to enhance my body. It's a bit of a painful process, especially when it comes to doing it with weapons, but if you can... well... 'Stomach' It." Zhai shook his head a bit "It can really help. I used to do it alot when I was... well... Older."
	"So, by eating that, you're going to be gaining...?"
	"Eating it, and doing a bit of..." He leaned in close and whispered "Blood rituals. It should enhance my armored scales. Maybe do something else, depending on what it had."
	"You think it might've been a better idea to find out what it did before you ate it?"
	The dragon shrugged his wings and got up, holding his stomach a bit. "Probably, but if it was in an armory like that, I can't imagine it being cursed." As Zhai fluttered his wings a bit and stretched he began heading east. "All set to leave?"
	Tong gave a smile and a confirming nod. Strapping on the extra quivers that he obtained as a reward, he got out his walking staff, and the pair started to head east. There were rumors that the Orb of Light they encountered while rescuing Asa flew in that direction, and Tong felt they should finish what the two already started.
	After a few hours of travel, and the two making needless conversation to avoid the serious subject that came up that morning, Zhaiothe felt alot more comfortable in the forestry atmosphere. Even though it was still early afternoon, they started to set up camp. After Zhai got the fire going, Tong went out hunting for their lunch while Zhai guarded the camp from any bandits.
	The dragon laid in the shade, trying to relax and get his thoughts together. It was much harder than he expected, considering he didn't want to push away the only person willing to help him. He sighed heavily, flomped his head on Tong's bedroll, and grumbled aloud "Are all life stories this hard to tell?"
	"Only yours." A familiar voice startled Zhai, giving him a large yelp and jumping several feet in the air. Beside him was Khol once again, laughing at Zhai's surprised expression.
	"Didn't I tell you not to-...Khol?" The larger dragon smiled at him, unable to help himself. "I'm not dreaming again, am I?" Zhai asked, creeping up to his lost mate.
	"Not this time." Khol stretched out and gave the red wyrmling a lick. It felt so real, it was hard to tell the difference. Warm, but slightly damp. Zhai couldn't hold back his smile, as he dived into the arms of his loved one.
	"Thank the Gods! Did it work? The Anchor?"
	"I believe so. Although I'm not sure what really did it between your body, love, or anything else. But If you can see me, it must've worked." Khol gave a brighter smile, and held Zhai tightly.
	"You even feel so warm. It's more than I could ever imagine." After Khol began to release, Zhai pulled away and studied him a bit. "You even look the same. Exactly like the dream. Can you feel me too?"
	"Yes. But I can't seem to interact with too much on this plane. I believe the only reason why I can with you so well is because you allow it."
	"More than allow." Zhai gave the larger dragon's muzzle a lick. "You even taste the same... Oh how I've missed it."
	"Zhai, we need to talk about what's bothering you." Zhai gave a heavy sigh. He figured that was what Khol's visit was about. "Come on. Talk to me." Khol's smile didn't fade.
	The wyrmling looked deep into Khol's sapphire eyes. They were so kind and understanding, just like he always remembered. "I'm... Worried." And he laid against Khol's arm. "Children often enough find the silliest excuses to leave others. I'm worried that what I tell him, he'll leave me for good."
	"Are you afraid of losing him? Or are you afraid of being alone again?" Khol asked, concerningly.
	It was a good question actually. One that Zhai had to really think about. He'd grown to like Tong's kindness, but he really didn't know the half-orc that well. He trusted Tong enough to fight behind him. He trusted Tong's aim when it came to firing that bow of his, even if it was toward Zhai in the frontlines. But that question surfaced more and more questions.
	"Zhai? You're overthinking it." Khol gave the little red one a nudge with his muzzle.
	Zhai shook his head a bit. "I'm not sure. I want to say that I'm worried about losing him as a friend, because..."
	"It's the 'Right' thing to say? I know what you're thinking, Zhai." Khol smiled at him again. It made the little dragon smirk.
	"You two are so alike, it's kinda scary..." He gave the larger dragon a lick. "It's... both actually. I know it sounds selfish, but-"
	"There's nothing selfish about not wanting to be alone." Khol said calmly. "Remember what I used to tell you? It takes others to find your strengths."
	"And it takes you to find your weaknesses." Zhai finished his sentence.
	"What's that about weaknesses, now?" Tong asked, coming back from hunting their dinner. Zhai looked at him, startled. He studied Tong for a bit, but he didn't seem to notice that Khol was there.
	"He probably can't see or hear me." Khol whispered in Zhai's ear. "Don't be afraid to tell him anything, he deserves to hear it. From you, no less." Zhai gave a smile, while looking down at the ground, toward the muzzle of this mate. "I'll leave you two alone for now. It'll be easier for you to tell him that way. I love you, Zhai." And he gave his ear a lick.
	Zhai flicked his ear a bit, and replied in a whisper "I love you too."
	"I'll be back soon."
	Like that, Khol's body seemed to vanish from Zhai's sight. He no longer felt the large silver one, and there seemed to be no trace of where he laid. "Zhai? Everything okay?" Tong asked, as he placed the Deer he hunted by the fire.
	"Yes. I was, uh... Just remembering something Silverthorn... I mean, Khol told me."
	"Silverthorn?" Tong asked, as he began to prepare their dinner.
	"That's the name the Children called him by. I was known as the Crimson King."
	"Because of that Name thing being Private and whatnot, right?"
	"Yes." Zhai felt a little more comfortable talking about Khol than he expected. He suddenly felt like he was ready, knowing that Khol was actually with him once again. Knowing that he would never be alone, as long as Khol was watching over him. Zhai gave a loud, thought-clearing sigh. "But it was my land..."

Chapter 2

	But it was my land. Everything within it was my claim. I was about nearly 50  Years of Age, if you go by your calendar. Just barely getting out on my own after leaving home. If I remember what Khol told me about humans and the way they age, I think I was about 11 years old. Maybe 13 years in maturity.
	Tong: "Wait. You left home before you were even a Teenager?"
	Not really sure what that means, but I want to say: Yes.
	"Why did you leave home? Where your folks... gone?"
	No. They were still alive and well. I just... Didn't want to be around them. They're irrelevant anyway. I flew away at a young age, to find my own lands. It took me nearly a month of flying, but I found it. My home: Heikriik'k Valhjoso {Hay-Kreek-K  Val-Hoe-So}. It translates to 'Lands of the Red Sky'
	But my story starts when I was near 200 YoA. I remember that morning well. The sun woke me up, as it usually did. It was warm, and it seemed to nearly ignite the many animal hides and blankets I used for a bed in this cave.
	Tong: "Wait, 'This Cave'? You had multiple?"
	I had I think 6 caves total in my lands. But I only really used 2 of them. These two were both in mountains, high above the ground. They generated gorgeous views, regardless of the weather. And the caves were deep enough that they were not affected by the rain.
	This cave specifically though, it wasn't my main 'Throne', so to speak. It was smaller, but at certain times of the year, the sun would line in just right to wake me up too early in my Throne. This cave was my retreat from that. It was small, but it lacked the rude awakening early in the morning. Although, much later in the afternoon, the light would get to me. I could only assume that if I ever found a place without the sunlight to wake me up, I would sleep for eternity.
	Tong: "The light bothered you that much, huh?"
	Like you wouldn't believe. Anyway, it woke me up. But at least I was able to sleep off my hangover. As I got up, stretched, and made my way toward the annoying light in the sky. As soon as I stepped out, my lands illuminated. It was getting into late spring, and the greens were gorgeous this year. The trees began to bare their fruits, the animals were frolicking and playing with each other. My Kingdom was the incarnation of Beauty, if there ever was one. I loved these lands, but I always felt there was something missing.
	I spotted a moving Caravan traveling along a long road between the villages that were in my Kingdom. A familiar one at that-
	Tong: "Wait. I thought there was nothing else living in your land besides animals."
	When I first claimed it, there was nothing. At times, I stopped some from coming in to inhabit my lands. I've seen how the Children tend to barbarically destroy the lands around them for their own benefit, and I wasn't about to let that happen... At first.
	Tong: "So, what happened?"
	Honestly? About 5 years of warning them off, I was, well...
	Tong: "Lonely?"
	More like Bored. The last one that came to my lands had an older looking fellow. An Elf actually. He spoke in Draconic, and at the time, was the only language that I knew how to speak. He convinced me that those people had nowhere else to turn to, and would make it worth my while to have them accompany my lands. They would often bring me the Blankets that they've made, meals that they've prepared. They would help take care of the forests, and not let its fruit go to waste.
	Tong: "...You were lonely."
	Shut up. Maybe a bit. But regardless, I let them in. One village at first, then they wanted to expand. At this time, there were talks of making a 4th village, and perhaps a harbor to the south. As long as they didn't bother me, and destroy my lands, I left them alone for the most part.
	Where was I? Ah, yes. This one Caravan. Was actually the descendent of the Old fellow I mentioned. His father taught him Draconic as well, and like his parent, he tended to be a merchant of sorts. He also knew where to get the best wines, and my collection was getting a bit... Dry. So I took flight toward it.
	I still remember how amazing my land looked from the skies. Luxurious greens painted for miles, with the occasional patch of blue lakes and ponds. Regardless of how often I detested the sun and it's light, I couldn't help but love it for how it made that water sparkle. The rays of light seemed to only be complimented with the disturbance in the waters. Be it from a mere fish or animal breaking the water, or even the wind dancing on top of it. There was only one thing I could say was more beautiful than that land. And I was to meet them that day.
	The warmth of the skies added to the oasis below. The air was usually a bit damp, but not humid. That perfect balance between dry and damp. It relaxed my wing muscles so, and the air seemed to tickle the membranes of my wings. At that time, Flight Herself was my love. She gave me freedom. Her view was gorgeous and never boring. She always gave me this dangerous warmth whenever I took to the skies. Even in the rain, she welcomed me. It was her that saved me from the life I once was confined in. And I owed her for that.
	When I got closer to the caravan, I started to raise up a bit higher. I positioned myself so that I would come from behind the caravan, and dove for speed. When I came close to the ground, I switched to a glide, catching up to the caravan. Without the beating of my wings, he wouldn't be able to hear me as I darted toward him. With one fluid motion, and with excellent precision, I beat my wings when I was directly on top of the caravan, as well as grabbed this funny looking thing he used to wear on his head. The massive force that was created by the strength of my wings sent the two horses into a panic, and I could hear him shouting out in his tongue something. All I could do was laugh as I circled around and landed to a trot, with the headwear held at my teeth.
	"By the Gods, Sire. You nearly gave us a heart attack!" The elf shouted at me. He was always a good natured male, even if his Draconic was a bit off. Rather tall for his species. His hair was more of a dark brown, but it only seemed to be on his head. Nothing on his face, but these soft green eyes and an friendly smile. He had great charisma, as did his father.
	"That was the point." I my trot slowed down to a relaxing walk. "For you see, if anything here dies of natural causes, I'm free to take what I like out of this old wagon of yours for myself." My proud smirk was all he needed to see to know I was only joking with him.
	"Well, I'll have to just grow eyes on the back of my head from now on, to ensure a tactic such as that one will never work again." He said with a smile. "I see you've found my hat."
	I stopped to take the thing out of my jaws. It was enormous, and ridiculous looking. Not sure why he would wear the foolish thing. "Actually, I've claimed it. Or would, if it didn't look so hideous." He gave a chuckle. "Why would you wear such a thing, Duravan?"
	"It keeps me from tanning too much. The Gnomes to the far east are rather frightful of Drow, and even some Desert Elves. If I want to keep my trades with them, it's best if I appeal to them as much as I can."
	"I suppose I should return the thing then. The darker a dragon is, the more mature they look." I said with my head held up. I gave him back the hat, and he accepted it with gratitude. "What have you brought to my lands today?"
	"Clothing, mostly. Blankets, some herbs and medical supplies."
	"Any wines? My stash is getting a bit low."
	"Sorry, Sire. I haven't been over to the Northeast much lately. There's been alot of conflicts over there." I gave him a puzzled look. "Orcs mostly. They've been pillaging the villages there. Most of them make the wines I bring to sell."
	"Ah. Shame." A bit of movement came from the back of the wagon that caught my eye. I tried to sniff it out, but I couldn't with all the herbs buried in it.
	"She's just a passenger that was heading to the next village." I gave him a bit of a concerned look. "Okay, she's really my girlfriend. She was sleeping, until I think you woke her up." A soft whimper came from the wagon, and Duravan gave a bit of a chuckle. "Think you scared her."
	"She should be scared." I said, half joking. Honestly, I really didn't want any more in my land than I already had. What turned into maybe 12 humans, rapidly grew and grew. You won't believe me, but you children multiply like rabbits. "And I'm assuming that she doesn't speak our tongue."
	"You mean your tongue. She speaks mine just fine." He gave a charming smile. And shouted something back at her. After a bit, she uncovered herself from the blanket she was hiding under. Another elf, this one had a dirty blonde hair to her. Quite a bit shorter than Duravan was, possibly younger. She gave a gasp when her gaze met me. I couldn't help but look my biggest, and most proudful.
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	Zhai looked at Tong, who was actually studying the dragon's anatomy. Then the red one's ears went back, and his spines flared up a bit, while Tong was trying to hold back a chuckle. "I Was Bigger Back Then!" Zhai hissed. And Tong burst out laughing.
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	As the two had a bit of a private conversation, while I took a look around. We were at one of the many large meadows, and the flowers were just starting to bloom quite a bit. A massive collage of colors: Red, Purple, Blue, and Orange. "Sire?" Duravan's voice got my attention. "I may have not brought you wine, but I have brought you a gift for you, as well as your new mate."
	"Oh? A gift you say?" ...Stop laughing Tong. It clicked in later. The Merchant's girlfriend opened up a box that held some fruit. She grabbed one, and nervously held it up to me. Instead of taking it with my jaws, which I think what worried her, I simply unsheathed a claw, and gave it a quick stab. Then studied it a bit.
	"It's called a Sadifruit. It's known in other places as a Sweetpear. They are delicious." That they were, I couldn't help but let out a small purr when I bit into it. For how small it was, it held an intense flavor.
	After I swallowed it, I gave my muzzle a lick. As well as noticed that they both seemed to have mixed signals. I guess my purr sounded like a growl to them. "That was delightful." I stated, and Duravan gave a sigh of relief. And his passenger soon after. "I'll gladly take a crate of-Wait a moment. 'New Mate'?" I quoted him.
	He seemed a bit puzzled. "Yes, the silver one in the sky this morning. It was quite far away, but she was flying around to the north of here. Perhaps northeast a bit now. After a bit, I didn't see her around."
	I gave out a snarl. I'm not sure who had the stones to sneak into my land, but I'm glad Duravan said something about it. "Thank you, Duravan. I must chase out this intruder. Please leave your gift with the village for now, I'll pick it up after I'm done here." And I began to take off.
	"Wait, Sire! Errm... Be careful." He seemed a bit more concerned with something else, other than my health. I think he wanted me to maybe attempt to win the affection of this female, that way the land could have a queen as well. At this time of my life, companionship wasn't really on my mind. Dragons are often Solitary creatures. They enjoy being alone for long periods of time. So I took off to scrape with the scoundrel. And chase it out of my land for good.

Chapter 3

	From the skies, I scouted for anything grey or silver. I checked to the north first, but after a bit of nothing but rocks, I began to head to the east. I kept wondering if this dragon was spying on me. Somehow hiding within the rocks and trees, waiting to ambush me and take me down by surprise. How long was it in my lands? How long has it known about me? And where did it come from? Back at my father's home, I don't remember ever seeing a Silver dragon. Sure, we had plenty of diversity when it came to the colors of dragons. But never heard of a silver one. I wondered if it was somehow special.
	After letting my thoughts carry me away, I was worked up when I spotted something silver laying beneath a tree. I immediately dove for it, even if the angle wasn't the best for it. I slammed hard into the other dragon, causing her to yelp out loudly, just missing her with my horns. Because of that, I ended up hitting her with my shoulder and chest instead, and flung us both down the hill she was perched on. It all happened really fast, but I remember grabbing a hold of her and preparing a pin for our stop. As soon as we started to slow down, I slammed her back into the ground hard, and raised the several unsheathed claws of my right paw up. I went for her snout.
	"I surrender." She said suddenly, and I froze my right paw in mid-swing. I think it was the sudden white flag that shocked me more than the fact we spoke the same language. I studied her a bit, as she laid her paws, palm up, on the ground. It was strange to me, when I fought with the others where I grew up, we never surrendered. Unless we were completely outnumbered, horribly pinned, and outright beaten. And even then, it usually took a beating to the sack to indicate a surrender. To give up so quickly, well... It was surprising.
	I really didn't know what to think, so I just said what I felt: "...Well, you're no fun." I snorted at her, looking deep into her Blue eyes. "What are you doing in my land?"
	I actually expected some kind of panic'd excuse, but she kept her calm quite well. "I didn't know it was taken. I was just tired of flying around, and got hungry." Her eyes showed no fear. I think that's the first thing that attracted me. They weren't vain, prideful, envious, or vicious... They were just calm. Unlike any other dragon I've ever seen.
	"Well, you're on my land. And I don't like other Dragons on my land." I snorted at her, baring a few fangs, but still no fear. I liked that. She was strong, and it took alot of my will not to smirk a little at her.
	"Errm, where exactly is your land's boarders?" Again: nothing. Just 'A common question that needed to be answered.' is all I could read in her eyes.
	With my free hand, I pointed to a large mountain to the west, in the middle of the horizon. It was the largest one around. "Everything that I can see from there. If you want to exit my lands, then you want to head past the mountains to the east."
	"I... Can't see." The trees must've been in the way. The closest thing she had to a struggle was trying to see where I was pointing. After she stopped and locked eyes with me once again, I studied her a bit longer. No signs of a struggle or a fight. Not even the will to defend herself against me, and yet, she stood strong willed. Not intimidated by me. Could she really just be an innocent visitor? Just passing through and not trying to claim my land? If not, I could always best her in a fight later. I got off of her, and allowed her to get up to her feet. When she did, she looked directly at the mountain I pointed to in the west, then to the east. "Wow, you own all of this?" I was rather surprised it wasn't sarcasm. It made my heart flutter a bit, like I somehow really impressed her.
	"Yes. They're my lands. And You're trespassing." I kept myself stern for the moment.
	"I'm sorry, I didn't know." (Did she just apologize?) My neck curled into an S when I heard that. Once again, she surprised me. Come to think of it, she almost looked male in a way, but not at the same time. When I seen her tail lightly lift up, I took a quick peak beneath it. Nothing for stones, and for a dragon that size, they must've dropped by now. "That seems to be nearly a day's flight from here..." My head shot back up. She sounded almost disappointed.
	"Pretty much, best to start now while there's still daylight."
	"Hmm." She had her back turned to me, and sat for a moment. I used the moment to study her again. Spines were rather thin, and didn't have any tarps like a male would. Rather slender looking body, and very feminine haunches. Tail lacked the spines of a male as well. She was definitely a female. It made me wonder why I was so worried about it in the first place. "Could I... Make you a deal?"
	And there it was. I couldn't help but let out a small growl. "What kind of a deal?" The random possibilities ran through my head.
	"Just one night's stay in your territory. In return, I could..." She looked at me nervously. "Perhaps... Pleasure you?"
-----
	Tong sat there with some of the leftover deer meat in his mouth, glaring at the young red dragon for a bit. "...I wasn't expecting it either, but I swear! Word for word!" Zhai said, almost sounding like a child that was in trouble.
	"But you didn't... Did you?"
-----
	Well, I gave it some thought. Again; no signs of hostility. She just seemed lost, and well... I took the risk. "Fine, you have a deal. But the pleasure first, and no funny stuff. If you attempt to castrate me, I'll do more than just burn you alive." And I waited for her expression. A mix of thankfulness, and innocence, along with a small nervous smile. Best decision I ever made.
	Tong: "Wait, you're not actually going to..."
	Was planning on it. Why?
	Tong: "You don't think it's a bit... personal?"
	Personal? Kinda, but... Oh, yes. I remember now. You children find it very awkward to talk about relations. It's not the same for dragons.
	Tong: "No need for restraint, huh?"
	We just never found it embarrassing. Nor detestful. Although, if it's about our siblings, it can be a bit awkward for us, but otherwise we're very opened about it.
	Tong: "Would've guessed, considering how you don't really feel the need to hide your... Stones."
	It's that awkward for you, hmm? Well. It's important to the story. So I'll give you the choice: I can either fast forward and only state the most important details. Or I can give you the full details.
	Tong: "...It's your story. Proceed."
	Very well. She made her way slowly toward me, still with that same innocent smile, and I leaned back a bit. I hid my claws a bit from her, and unsheathed them a little, waiting to see if she would make a daring move.
	She seemed to study my sheath a little bit, and gave it a few licks. A slight tingle of warm pleasure sent my scales into a clicking shiver when her tongue first touched me, and I let out a sharp sigh. A few more licks was all it took for my sheath to start swelling up a bit. She played her tongue up and down my sheath, and leaned in a bit more to get it covering my stones. The silver one lapped her lavender tongue around my orbs, one by one, circling them in figure eights for a bit, then returned to my sheath. My tool's head was slightly peeking out of its glossy scarlet protection.
	My breaths began to get a bit heavier, as she slowly worked around my purple, rapidly growing tool. Occasionally going back to my balls, and giving the large red orbs... Stop laughing. They were bigger back then! The silver one worked on them for a bit longer, until my erection was fully exposed. She then took a step closer, and I took a sharp breath, waiting for anything to start hurting. Honestly, it was exciting to have your package at the mercy of a stranger, especially if it was another dragon. But after feeling nothing but pleasure for a bit, I began to relax and my breaths got heavier. She licked the large, purple shaft up and down several times. From the tip, around the flare and between it's small, soft spines that sprouted out from the end of the flare. Around another series of spines on my tool beneath the first ones, a bit larger, but still very soft. And finally the several ridges around the base of the tool. She also didn't neglect the sheath, even though alot of its sensitivity was overwhelmed by the rest. Her tongue then slowly made its way back up, and again my scales clicked from the shivers, and the slight pulse sent a bit of pre out from the tip of my tool.
	When she once again reached the top, the sliver one slightly licked my tip a bit, then began kissing it. Eventually parting her jaws, and slowly putting my erect penis into it. Again, I was still prepared for anything, but all I felt was wave after wave of pleasure. She really knew how to use her tongue well, I swear I wasn't her first. I couldn't be. She started slow, but with every up and down motion, she got a bit faster. It didn't take long for me to start thrusting in her mouth slightly. Lap after lap with that tongue, and playing softly with her teeth, teasing those sensitive, thick spines sent more and more preseed out of my shaft. It got too much to bare, and I nearly lost my balance. Instead of falling backward, I fell onto her back, yet she didn't stop. Lapping over and over, my breaths turned into purrs, then into low growls and moans. She went faster and faster, sucking all the pre out of my tool, lapping it with her tongue, and using it to lubricate my already wet shaft. I began to thrust a bit harder, out of instinct. Panting harder and harder as she worked around my ridges. In the middle of a thrust though, a large wave of pleasure shocked me, and once again I lost my balance, fell off her back, and just barely missing her right wing. Still, she didn't stop. She must've been into it as much as I was.
	With my right arm still on her back, and my head now under her wing, I tried to focus my eyes between the waves of bliss. I wanted to see if she was already wet, perhaps I could mount her before she made me reach my climax, because I knew I wasn't far off. Orgasms can have some funny effects on dragons, and blurry vision tends to be something of mine. I tried, just for a moment, focus on her, and under her tail. Even though it was a bit blurry, I could make out something purple. Almost like a Thorn... (A thorn!? On a Female? Wait...) "Wait..." I said between pants. "You're... you're... A... Mal-UGGGHHH!" It was probably the best timing, overall. My spines flared up higher than usual, my tail slammed the ground a few times then curled upward, and my balls tightened against my body. My shaft seemed to explode in his mouth. I think he swallowed the first torrent in surprise, but I could feel my seed filling his muzzle. So much so, I felt it leak out of his lips, and it fell to the grass. But he worked me through my entire climax, until it became oversensitive.
	I got off of him, and he took a step back as a laid on the grass, catching my breath to the point where I could see clearly again. I looked at him, a little disgusted. "You're a Male?"
	"Yes." He said, a bit surprised. Still licking his muzzle, and swallowing whatever was left in his mouth. Then gave me a concerned look. "That isn't a problem, is it? You're not going to back out on our deal, are you?"
	I snorted at him. He did make good on his promise, and did nothing hostile. "I suppose not. But..."
	"You were expecting... A Female?" He seemed a little disappointed.
	"Yes. It's the only reason why I agreed." I took a look under his tail again, he was still quite erect, but lacked any stones a male would normally have. "You don't have any testicles."
	"Yes, I know. I guess it was a bit misleading. I'm sorry." Again, he apologized. Dragons never apologize to anything so minor. Unless it was a massive mistake.
	After I caught my breath, I sat up. "I will admit, you did very well. And for that, I'll keep our deal. Follow me, you can stay in a spare cave I have nearby." And on his nod for agreement, we took to the skies.
	Our flight there was a short one, a few minutes at most. But I couldn't help but look back at him, to ensure he was following me. Every time I did, he was gazing at my land. Simply amazed by it. "You have a beautiful home!" The silver one called to me. I almost wondered if he felt bad about the misdirection earlier.
	"Yes, and I plan to keep it that way. The rest of the world tends to be corrupted and damaged by all the other species that torment it. It's why I don't like visitors." It was the honest truth really.
	"I would never do anything to harm such creation. I can see why the Gods adored this place." He was very strange.
	"You're a very strange one." ...What? I like to speak my mind. "And unusually passive for a Dragon. Where did you come from?"
	"The, uh... North."
	"North?" North of here wasn't alot of land. Mostly a large ocean that seemed to divide it. "There's nothing north but water." At the time, I really didn't know any better.
	"The Far North."
	"No wonder I haven't seen your color then. Back in my hatchplace, I've never seen, nor heard of a Silver dragon."
	"No? I guess... We're just rare."
	Something was a bit wrong with it, and I could sense it. But it wasn't a dragon's place to pry on one's past. Especially if I wasn't going to see them the day after tomorrow. "Here we are." And I descended down toward the cave I woke up from that afternoon. After I landed heavily, I waited for him to. After a bit, I looked up to see what was stalling him, only to find him fluttering down softly. When he landed, he looked at me to ask what was wrong. "Afraid you'll break a claw?"
	"Didn't want to disturb your land, that's all." He said rather calmly again.
	"The rock won't move if you land on it hard." I lead him inside.
	"You'd be surprised actually. Maybe hitting it on its armored surface, yes. But striking it where it's most vulnerable can cause even the most stable mountain to crumble." He gave a shy smile.
	"I suppose so." I only half knew what he meant. But to hit a mountain and cause it to crumble? Nah. "Here you are. The bedding is still soft. The sun won't wake you up too early either. Gives me time to come back and escort you out." He gave a shy nod, as well as lowering his head, as if he did something wrong. "But, be warned: If you're gone by the time I get here, I'll assume you left yourself. If I see you on my lands again, I'll give you a beating you won't forget. No matter how good your muzzlejob is." I wasn't kidding.
	"Alright. I'll wait for you in the morning then." Again, innocent, and almost like a hatchling. He circled around the bedding a bit, and laid upon it. "Mmm, it's comfortable."
	"Fit for a King, I'd say." I smirked at him, and headed back out.

Chapter 4

	After I left the silver one in the cave, I went out to do my daily patrols around my land. Just my occasional checkups at certain exits through the mountains, then went back to the meadows for some hunting. The Yaks and Ram there were magnificent. Much larger than any others I've seen. Although, I ensured that.
	Tong: "How exactly?"
	Well, I don't like to talk about him much, but my father was quite clever. I remember him telling me on my first hunt that you never take the biggest prey you can find. Settle with one of the medium ones. That way, the bigger ones can breed, and continue making the species larger. If you keep culling the larger ones, the species isn't going to progress very well in the future. I did this for nearly 150 years at that time. And it did work.
	After I ate, got refreshed, I continued my patrols. Although, I did forget to stop by in the village to pick up my crate of Sadifruit. I remember passing by the village, but something was still bothering me. Something I really didn't want Duravan talking to me about.
	Tong: "About... The silver one?"
	Yes. Knowing him, he would've tried to pressure me into the relationship. At that time, I was still irked about being deceived. And I really didn't want that to be the next big gossip around the Children... Stop looking at me like that. You know very well, alot of your species tends to be very talkative! So I decided to bail on the visit for the time being, and went to do what I always did when I was stressed.
	Tong: "I can only guess it's either masturbation, or setting things on fire. And since you were recently active..."
	It's neither of those... Stop Looking At Me Like That! I was living in an Oasis. If I masturbated whenever something was bothering me, my sack would be so full I wouldn't be able to fly. But anyway, I went to exercise... Stop it!
	I had a few training areas. One in the mountains, one in a large lake, and one in a clearing of the southern forest. The mountain one had alot of smooth, odd shaped looking rocks that I basically used as weights. I would lift the smaller ones with a single arm or tail. The large ones with my full body, working the legs, arms, and shoulders. And the much larger ones, I would often try to fly with. Hover in place mostly. It was rather straining at times, but it was well worth keeping in shape. Not to mention, it was good balance. Most dragons don't attempt to try to balance on their hind legs.
	Tong: "That actually explains alot. Especially after seeing you fight."
	Yes. At times it's better to keep balance on all fours. But I learned that you can do alot more with your paws when you learn that balance. Our forelegs are alot like yours, really. It wasn't until much later, I got a visitor in my land from the far, far east. He knew something he called 'Martial Arts', basically making yourself armed without actually being armed. It intrigued me, even though I couldn't do everything he could. It still was good exercise.
	Right! Went off topic. Anyway, after that, I went to the forest after a bit of a rest. The forest wasn't really as straining. Mostly the grass there was very soft, and it was a good place to practice tumbles and grapples. Although I never really had anything as big as me to spar with, I often used... Errm... It was a fallen tree. Stop Laughing. It was technically my third one. I outgrew my first one quite early. My second one didn't last too long, mostly due to after it being too easy, I tried attaching large rocks to it, and well... It didn't hold. But this one was a large, heavy tree that was blown down by a storm my land had several years ago. I remember trying to lift the thing when I found it, and I couldn't do it. I ended up dragging it for a bit, then got myself so I could lift it. After years of playing around with it, I was able to throw it and actually wrestle with it.
	Tong: "Did you ever lose?"
	I'm not answering that... Stop Laughing!
	Lastly, I went for a swim. That lake was very refreshing, and usually deep. I remember trying to reach the bottom from the surface before, and it was too far. I ended up having to dive from the sky. Which was good, fun practice. We would often use the same membranes over our eyes for swimming as we did for flying. Made it much easier to see.
	Tong: "...Sounds like you really had it made back then."
	I really did. But even after all of that, I still didn't feel completely relaxed. Something was still bothering me, but I couldn't quite place it. I ended up going back to my Throne, trying to sleep it off. As expected, I couldn't.
	My mind kept going back to the silver one, and who he was. Somehow so passive and calm. Those brave, blue eyes that never seemed to shake or tremble, regardless of my attempts. And his... well, 'Service'. Granted, it wasn't my first time. I've mounted a female before I left my father’s home, even though I was still quite young. But I never fornicated with the males. I never had the desire or urge to. Though, it wasn't shunned in dragon society. If you liked females, it was okay. If you liked males, that was okay too. If you liked both, and were comfortable with both, it was a bonus. But the main thing was; if you didn't think about the other gender that way, you were to never be pressured by it. As long as all dragons respected that principal, it was fine.
	Granted, we still had our jokes about it. But it wasn't the fact of being homosexual that was funny, it was the reaction to the heterosexuals that were funny. As well as vice versa to the homosexuals being accused of being seduced by a female. There was not discrimination between the genders. Only respect.
	But I never felt anything for another male. I never thought about it, until I met this Silver one, and his Thorn. And-
-----
	"Wait, wait wait..." Tong interrupted the dragon. "Silver... Thorn? The name he was called by. By the people?"
	"Yes." The dragon confirmed, a bit puzzled.  "It was the name I thought of for him. Why?"
	"Silverthorn... You gave your mate a name, describing his..." Tong trailed off, not wanting to finish.
	"...His penis, yes." Tong seemed to cringe at the sound of the word, it made Zhai chuckle a bit.
	"You're a terrible person." Tong said jokingly, unable to hold his smile. Zhai couldn't help but laugh a bit harder.
-----
	Anyway, I tossed and turned in the night. Wrestling with my mixed feelings. Thinking (I couldn't possibly feel for another male that way, or could I?) And that's when it hit me. I defined him by his gender, instead of who he actually was. For the hour I spent with him, he did nothing to try to upset me. He did nothing to try to dominate me. He only offered what he could, all he could just to please me. And that thing I couldn't place before, what attracted me about him. What was in those eyes that made him stand so strong against my intimidation...
	Tong: "And that was...?"
	Kindness.
	The realization gave me a flutter in my heart. Something that seemed so rare in the world I grew up in, something that was missing in this perfect oasis of mine. It was him. And he could bring it here. Allow it to spread throughout my kingdom, if I just let him stay... Stay. I told him I was going to force him to leave. But I didn't want him to leave. I wanted to see him again, talk to him more, see if he really was the person I met today, and not just some Facade that was created for my appeal.
	As I got up, I suddenly felt a little dizzy. Almost exhausted. I think I exercised too hard, trying to get those thoughts out of my head. Instead, I took a breath, and laid back down on the pile of furs. Slowly I drifted to sleep, in hopes that he didn't leave before I got there.
	The sun woke me up too early again. And my body felt sore, but warm from the bright rays. I detested that thing sometimes, but just this once I was thankful for it. I remembered my thoughts, though a bit unclear and scrambled. I remembered I wanted to see Silverthorn again. I wanted to catch him before he left.
	I walked out of the cave entrance, and leaned against the large rocked wall that discontinued the road up to my Throne. It was a path that the Children could take, if they wished an audience with me. However, the path was treacherous and wasn't easily reachable without wings.
	After stretching, I took off to the skies, and bolted for my second cave. Even though the awakening was quite unpleasant, my land still looked gorgeous in its early morning light. A slight mist still covered the forests and lakes. Along with a large patch of fog that drifted from the northern mountains. Although, it was beautiful, I didn't want to waste too much time admiring the scenery. I felt I needed to get there as soon as possible.
	It didn't take me long to reach my second cave. Though, it felt much longer. I landed outside hard, and almost let out a small whimper from sudden pain that shot through my sore muscles. I stood there a bit to shrug it off, and walked slowly down the large stony steps. A sigh of relief washed over me when I seen the silver body still laying on the pile of furs. As I took a few more steps, he seemed to move a bit. I probably woke him up a bit on my landing. I drew closer to him, and he faced me, those blue eyes still a bit Groggy. "Mm'Lord?" He spoke, almost in a dream. 'My Lord' I liked the sound of that. Guess he took the 'Fit for a King' statement quite seriously. After a few blinks, his eyes began to focus, then he shot up with a bit of a yelp. "I'm sorry! I-I..." He seemed almost embarrassed.
	"Thought I was someone else?"
	"N-no, I... I wasn't planning to stay too long. But I thought... It was still kind of early." He said, again a bit shy. I couldn't help but smile a bit, almost knowing that it was still too dark in the cave to see much. "I'll leave when you're ready." The silver one lowered his head a bit.
	"Actually..." I sat on my haunches, rubbing the back of my neck. "I've been doing some thinking..." The silver one looked at me a bit puzzled. "And, well..."
	"You want to... extend our deal?"
	"Kinda. Actually... I would like... Erm." I was never any good at being nice, like he was.
	"...A morning muzzle as well?" He said, a bit shyly. I don't think I've ever swallowed so loudly and awkwardly in my life.
	"No. What I'm trying to say is... You can stay a few more nights. If you want to, that is." He smiled brightly at me. With his head still lowered.
	"I would love to. Thank you."
	"For what?"
	"Errm... The hospitality. You've been a gracious host." (Me? Gracious? Yesterday I left him with 'I'm going to kick you out of my land. And if I catch you in it again, I was going to beat those silver balls blue... If you had any.' And He calls me... Gracious?) It left me so stunned. "Is everything okay?"
	I slightly shook my head out of my stun. "Yes. I was just, thinking."
	"About what?" He almost seemed worried.
	"You, mostly." His head retreated slightly. "You're much different than any other dragon I've met. It's just..." Again with the puzzled look. "You're much kinder than I expected. And well..." (Say it! For the love of the Gods and their creations, Say it!) "I would like to get to know you better." My paw never left the back of my neck. Honestly, if he could see me clearly, he would notice my ears and nose turning purple with embarrassment.
	But all he did was smile. He raised his head, but still keeping it below the height of my own. "I would like that." Those eyes...
	"I guess I should get you a name, though."
	"Kholryik." He stated, almost immediately.
	"Kholryik... That sounds Draconic." Damn me and my big mouth sometimes... "You would give me your real name?"
	He looked at me as if he realized it was a mistake, and again, lowered his head trying to hide his eyes. Until he saw me smile. "Y-yes. You've been so kind, it's the least I could do. You don't have to giv-"
	I placed my paw under his chin, and lightly lifted it "Zhaiothe." I said with a smile, and it was contagious. I felt no need any longer for him to be below me. Not even a total of two hours of being around him, and he gives me his real name. My parents kept it from each other for nearly 177 years, and that was average for a dragon, really. "Would you... like a tour of my lands?"
	His smile grew, and he raised his head to mine. "I would love one. But..."
	"Hmm?" My head went back a bit. "Is something wrong?"
	"I've been thinking alot, about yesterday." He actually didn't seemed too embarrassed, I could only assume it was about our deal. "And I'm a bit puzzled. I would..." I tilted my head a bit, and my ears perked up. "It's better if I just showed you. Do... You trust me?"
	The question kinda left me in awe. I mean, he's given me no reason not to. "For the most part, yes. But...?"
	"It's just something that I've wanted to... Experiment with. Something I noticed yesterday, during our... Session." He slowly got up and went behind me. When I tried to turn around, he politely told me not to with a soft gesture. When he was completely behind me, nearly sitting on my tail with his haunches, he reached around my waist with both paws, and rested his head on my shoulders. His paws started playing around with my sheath, and I got that shiver again.
-----
	Tong's throat cleared in an awkward way. "...If these bother you that much already, it's going to get much much worse."
	"I just didn't expect so much of it. How often did you two...?" Tong took a drink out of his waterskin.
	"Quite often. Sometimes, 3 or 4 times a week. Sometimes 3 or 4 times a day." And Tong choked on his waterskin. "No, not every one of them I will describe. Just the important ones. The first I found out he was a male, and how I got his nickname. This one, well... I really showed my trust with him. The first time, yes, Khol wanted a place to stay. This time though, he already got what he needed from me. And well... you can do alot of harm to a dragon, if it's underside is exposed. Especially the damage one can deal with Claws, verses Fangs. I never let any other dragon that close to me. Not even a female."
	Tong was quiet for a bit. "Here I was thinking, you were just showing off your lays."
	"Trust me, if I were to count my totals, it would be under 5 people."
	"...People?"
	"There... were a few times where I was... Well, Milked."
	Tong covered his face, trying to hide the red that seemed to invade it.
-----

	Where was I? He began tickling my sensitive area by lightly touching it with his paw pads. While his other paw seemed to semi-circle around my sheath. It didn't take long for it to start to swell and for my breaths to get heavier. "Khol..." I wanted to kick myself for almost asking him to stop. But he just let out a small 'Shhh' and licked the back of my neck a bit.
	His offhand moved down to my sack, again with that light touch. Outlining where the testicles rested, and massaging them between his fingers. His main hand around my sheath, brushing the very top, patiently waiting for my tool to peep out. My sheath got thicker and thicker, and its peak began to show. When Khol felt it, he went back to playing around the sheath, other than on top of it. Allowing my tool to expose itself at its own pace. The constant, soft licks helped. Lightly combing between the creases of my scales. They turned to kisses from his lips every once in a while, and the occasional breath. It was cold, and I wasn't sure why at first, but I couldn't ask at the time. He hypnotized me with his paws. Patiently stroking my sensitive areas until I was ready.
	Occasionally, his main hand went up to check on my erection's progress, and when he was satisfied with it, Khol began to speak between his licks. "Yesterday. When I had your tool in my muzzle, I noticed something." My breaths caused my chest to swell up and down again. These large sighs that matched the pleasure he gifted me... Gifted. His very touch was a gift in itself. "Whenever I played around with your tip, you gave sharp breaths. I know these felt good, but they were not what was causing your climax." His main paw tickled the soft, thick spines that covered the top half of my erection. He played around with them, ever so slightly, between speaking. Lightly taking his fingers in-between each spine. "But it was when I started playing with this area..." His paw made his way to the base, around the ridges. When he gave them a soft touch, I nearly fell forward from the massive wave of pleasure. I couldn't hold the moan I made well inside my muzzle. "You started to reach your peak much faster. Is it that sensitive?" I gave another loud moan, in confirmation. It made him chuckle lightly a bit. And he resumed playing with the top a bit, while his offhand worked my orbs. After a few licks here and there, I could feel his offhand going lower, toward the back half of my sack, and just around my tailhole. He couldn't reach too far, but it was enough for him to start tickling it. "But last night, I began to think a bit. Now, what if I just started stroking that area?" Khol's paws returned to the erection, now with a bit of pre coming out of it. He balanced himself with his offhand at first, and with his right paw, he reached for the ridges. Grabbing them a bit too forcefully at first. It caused me to lean forward again, and growl a bit.
	"Too... Too hard." Khol gave a gasp, and almost completely released his grip. He softly repositioned his paw, and went alot softer. "Murrr... That's... Better." My breaths began to relax a bit more, while he stroked the ridges softly. With every half a stroke, he sent a wave of bliss throughout my body. Over and over, a bit faster and faster with every few strokes. My breaths parallel with his paw. It occurred to me that he was not just trying something, he was going to make me release. Really soon at that. "Wait... Wait."
	"Is something wrong?" He seemed to nearly mesmerized by my breathing.
	"The bedding. Point me away from it, if you're going to-" A forceful moan interrupted me. One I just couldn't hold back.
	"Oh. Don't worry, I've got it covered. Just warn me when you're almost ready." He said, and resumed his paw's speed. With every few strokes I felt my legs giving further and further. Khol went back to licking the back of my neck again. Stroking faster and faster, a bit harder after every few. I started to thrust a bit in his paw, and I could feel that climax rushing through me.
	"N... Nooo... Nowww." I could barely make out the word between all the waves. Khol's left paw rose from the ground, touched the tip of my penis, and slowly moved it away. He was putting it in the line of fire. As he rapidly stroked with his right paw, he could feel it tense up. Almost thicken when the torrents of preseed started jolting through it. My spines flared up a bit. My Wings stretched out a bit, and began to irrationally beat in sync. My muzzle scrunched up, and didn't bother containing the roar that I let out. The pressurized torrents of seed fired out of my tool, and into Khol's left paw. Stream after stream, as he worked through my orgasm. There was probably a total of 6 torrents with that quickie. And after it became oversensitive, he pulled his paws away, and took a step back from me. Allowing me to side step and lay down, and see the large puddle of white on the stone floor. A few feet away from the bedding. I gave a sigh of relief. "The bedding is a pain to wash, especially if it's stained with... that." I stated looking at the puddle. Then looked at Khol, who was licking my seed off his left paw. "Why are you...?"
	"It tastes very sweet actually. I've been told its suppose to taste salty, but yours has a nice sweet flavor to it. Almost like Cherries and sugar." Khol gave a smile when he was done. "Hope that wasn't too hard on you. I wanted to see how fast I could get you to release, after I discovered that... sensitive area."
	"You're no fun." I said with a smile. It did make me wonder though. I never tried tasting it before. Just released and left it alone. But for now, all I wanted to do was rest a bit.
	"Are you alright?" Khol asked, concerningly. Gods, how my body suddenly ached when he asked me that. I tried not to let it show, I took a deep breath, and got up.
	"Yes. I'll be fine." He gave me a strange look. As if to say... 'I know what you're thinking.' "Come. Let's begin the tour." My body hated me for saying that. It screamed at me to flap on the bedding and just sleep.
	Khol gave me a bit of a smile. "Is... it still early?" He looked at the entrance of the cave, and seen the dawn's light slowly consuming the sky. "Let’s sleep in for a bit. The tour can wait." I swear, he could read my mind at times. I gave a confirming nod, as Khol headed to the bedding, he laid down, and stared at me for a bit. As if he was inviting me in. I was falling more in love with him with every minute spent.
	I accepted his invitation. And circled around him, covering him with my wing as I laid down as softly as I could. This was the first time in a very very long time I slept with another dragon. He offered me his neck to use as a pillow, and before long, we both slept away the morning.

Chapter 5

	The Sun woke me up again. There was no escape from it, whereas it seemed to reflect off of Khol's scales as well. I got up, stretched out a bit, and heard Khol moan a bit. "Good morning." He managed to get out.
	"It's the afternoon." I said with a smile. I'm not sure what it was, but I felt alot better. Restful even. The soreness that seemed to linger in my muscles that morning dissipated, and I felt refreshed. The puddle I made from Khol's little experiment seemed to be dried up, but left a white stain on the stone floor. I couldn't help but let out a small, hidden laugh. To think that I actually took part in such a thing. It was quite surreal at the time.
	Khol got up, and gave my neck a lick. "What's so funny?" He asked.
	"Nothing." I said, still not taking my eyes off of the stain. I seen him gaze at it for a moment through the corner of my eye, and return to my neck for a bit of a nuzzle. "How often did you...?"
	"Actually..." He seemed slightly embarrassed. "You were..."
	"Hmm?" He got my attention.
	"You were my first." He said kinda shyly.
	"Really?" I was actually surprised.
	"Yes. I spent years studying the art of pleasure from other species, but I never actually was able to try it myself."
	"You've got to be kidding me." I honestly didn't believe it. But it was such an odd thing to say... Then again he was an odd one. I couldn't help but picture him hiding poorly behind some bushes while he watched intently at a couple of horses mating, and then taking notes. The image made me burst out laughing.
	"Wha-What?" He asked.
	"So, what you're saying is; you spent years spying on animals and how they mated? You are definitely an odd one Khol."
	"Well, when you put it like that, it just sounds creepy." He replied. But it made him smile, and sound less like a freak. I let it pass, even though I was going to try at some point later to see if I could understand what he really meant by that statement. It turns out, I never did. It hardly mattered where and how he learned such information. As long as he put it to good use, I was fine with it.
	"Shall we?" And I lead the way out. The afternoon was once again beautiful, even if there was a bit of an overcast to the south. The sun still hovered over it, and greeted us with warmth. I couldn't help but gaze at Khol, and watch how the light seemed to dance slightly off his scales. He admired the landscape with awe. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
	"In a way which words cannot describe." Khol gazed around at the land. When the back of his head seemed to face me, I couldn't help but study it a bit. To my surprise, he actually lacked horns. I never noticed it before. His spines were long, but much thinner than mine. And his ears seemed to point out farther. He really did look like a cross between a male and a female, and could pass as either one. I still wonder where such a gift in my life came from. "I would be comforted living here for the rest of my life." (So would I...) I wanted to say.
	"Come. You must be hungry, I'll hunt us a meal." And I took off. I lead us both to a nearby meadow, with some Rams scattered throughout. I picked a target and swooped down at it. With a quick snatch, the thing panic'd a bit, but submissive when I bit hard into its neck. With a large snap, it's life ended. Quick and near painless. The way it should always be.
	As I landed with it in the middle of the meadow, I watched the other rams retreat into the forests. Khol landed beside me, almost sympathetic. "Poor thing." He stated. It wasn't quite sarcasm, and I could feel how sorry he was for the animal.
	"If it helps, it didn't suffer." He gave a confirming nod, and just stared at it. "You look like you've never seen a dead animal before."
	"I have, it's just..."
	"You haven't hunted them?"
	"No. I haven't."
	"Really? How did you survive?"
	The question seemed to startle him a bit. "I usually ate fruits and such from the trees. It's always been enough."
	The answer seemed quite legit. Not all dragons could've been taught how to hunt. It was then he made me realize how much I was quite thankful for my father and what he taught me. Even if he was an ass about it. More on that later.
	I offered him his choice of the parts, and he really didn't seem to know what to try. So, I cut most of them up, gave him a few pieces to sample. He tended to like the liver the best, but didn't disagree with the others.
	The meal itself wasn't much for us, but it was enough. But something tugged on the back of my mind when he mentioned the fruits earlier. For a bit I couldn't place it, but it came to me when we were about to leave. The Sadifruit in the village. Hopefully the people there haven't devoured it yet. And well... I was more comfortable now with introducing Khol to Duravan.
	"So, he left them at the village?" Khol asked.
	"That's what I told him to do. It should only be a quick stop, and then I can show you my Throne."
	He quoted me. "Throne?"
	"Yes. My main home. I'm called the Crimson King by the other species here."
	"Ah. Now it makes sense. And they all call you that?"
	"Mostly that, or Sire." I gave a little smirk. "I'm guessing that might sound a bit egotistical."
	"I wouldn't expect any less really." Khol teased a bit. And before long, we took off to the village.
	When we arrived, it was getting late into the afternoon. We landed outside of the village, and started to walk. It was much easier on the people to see a dragon patiently walking to a village, then suddenly landing in it.
	The village seemed much bigger than I remembered. But it was a few decades since my last visit to it. I usually didn't like to talk to the people, mostly because I could never understand their gibberish. "Welcome to Fi'settlage."
	"Fi-what?"
	"Fi'settlage. First Settlers Village." Khol couldn't help but laugh. "What's so funny? Their name for the village was stupid, so I decided to give it a new one."
	"What was the original name to it?" Khol asked between breaths.
	"They simply called it: The Village. It was foolish." I snorted. "Okay, Duravan calls it the Village. It honestly might have another name, but I hardly paid attention. Even if I knew it, I would probably state it was stupid anyways." I gave him a smile, as he kept laughing.
	"Just as well. I always thought it was up to the King to name the villages anyway."
	"Precisely! You agree with me then!" I held my head up higher. "I should start to name their children as well, but my vocabulary is rather limited when it comes to things that they can pronounce."
	"I'm sure it is." Khol just smiled. Then he noticed a few humans coming to greet them. "Do they always...?"
	"Hmm?" It made me take notice to them as well. They seemed rather hyped up and panic'd at first, all speaking at once. It was bad enough I couldn't really understand one of them speaking. Several of them in a panic was madness. But then one from the back brought something forward. Duravan's awful looking hat. And I held my breath.
	Once again, one of them began to speak directly to me, but I still couldn't understand them. Khol suddenly spoke up, in their tongue as well. Again, I was surprised by him. "You can speak their language?" I asked, rather concerned.
	"Yes." And he turned to the main human speaking again. Their conversation felt like it took a year, and every once in a while, I could pick up Duravan's name. "He was robbed, just outside of the village. Bandits apparently. When they tried to take his mate, he attempted to fight back."
	"Where is he now? Is he alright?" I demanded, mostly from the human.
	After another small conversation "He was taken with her. Along with their much needed supplies."
	I snarled loudly. "Do you know where they went? Their hideout?"
	Again, another conversation, with a pointed direction. I didn't wait for Khol's translation, I took off as I turned about in one fluid motion. After a bit, Khol caught up with me. "They're in the forest somewhere. They've been scouting a bit, but never got any word back from the ones they sent."
	"Odds are they would be caught. But bandits are not very smart. Nor good at hiding." I gave a loud growl. "I'll torch this entire forest if I have to."
	"That won't do anyone any good, especially Duravan." Khol stated. He was right though. At least he was there to keep my head clear.
	I gave out a small sigh. "You're right." And a sinister smile was painted over my face. "But I could scare the living hell out of them." I took a deep breath, and let out a very loud roar. Many birds took shelter in that forest, and they all flew from the trees all at once. All the trees, except for one large area. "Over there!" I pointed to a slight clearing, and swooped in for one of my infamous heavy landings.
	It didn't help that the bandits were already disorganized. But they were shouting orders from shelter to shelter. Many of their buildings were built by the stability of the trees. The area was quite narrow, and a little damp. It wouldn't be wise to use any flame tactics here, not without doing alot of damage to the forest. So brute force was the way to go.
	A few of them came at me from the left side, their weapons seemed crude, as well as a bit rusty. I gave them a swipe with my left paw, no claws. It was a feint attack of mine, they would be looking for the first weapon to be used. No, this was to provide balance for the upcoming attack; a slam from my right set of claws. I managed to get one of them, with a loud snap. I must've hit the middle one, because the other two went in opposite directions.
	It was a flanking tactic. I took a shot at the one to my left, but managed to scrape the tree instead. The bandit behind me, took a stab at my paw, I could feel it, but it wasn't threatening. An arrow got caught in my haunch as well. Again, not threatening, but it made me realize that A: there was a/were archer(s), and B: My stones were exposed. I tried my best to cover them with my tail. Once again, I took a shot at the one on my left, and again scraped the tree he hid behind, while he took another stab at the surface of my paw. The one to my right came out again, but this time I was ready for him. Nailed him hard into the tree, then threw him behind me into one of the shelters.
	In the corner of my eye, I could see the archer behind some cover nocking another arrow. His second or third shot must've missed. But my attention remained with the left bandit. I took another scrape at him, this time locking my claws into the tree. This bugger had alot of luck, and it was beginning to irk me. So I went with a second plan: I took a step toward the tree my claw was already gripped into, and I began to deroot it from the ground. It took a moment, and a loud growl, but the tree came out. After I lifted it, the bandit tried to scamper away on all fours. I slammed him with the tree, knocking a nearby shelter with it to the ground.
	An arrow hit my muzzle, and stun like hell. I let out a loud yelp, and covered my head from the archer's direction. The only thing I could think of at the time was to snap the arrow, and leave the head in there for now. Pain echoed through my face, as I did it, but I grunted through it. When I went to face the archer again, I seen him nock another arrow.
	A large stream of white fog came from the sky above the archer, and it began to cover everything it touched with frost. The archer lost the shot and retreated behind cover. I could hear him yell out in pain. But at the time, I was pissed. I bolted toward his cover, and rammed it with my horns. It caused the place to collapse, but I didn't hear that satisfying crush of his body. I slammed in the wreckage a few times, and found it. After that, I turned about, and gave a loud roar. Nothing else seemed to be left. Khol landed inside shortly. (Khol... That stream was his breath weapon?) It was unheard of. All dragons had fire glands. It was strange to see such a thing. But believable, I suppose. Considering he came from the far north.
	"Are you alright, Sire?" Khol asked. Remembering to use my nickname. I gave a nod, and started searching the shelters. I found the wagon with the supplies first, but the horses were missing. Khol ended up finding Duravan and his mate. They seemed like they were hurt badly, but they were conscious. That was a good sign.
	Honestly, I wasn't sure what to do at first. I'm sure they could help them back at the village. "Put them on my back, I'll fly them to the village." It was the first thing that came to mind.
	"No, that's a bad idea." My neck curled to an S when I heard Khol's reply. Even after he double taked at the Arrowhead in my snout. "They're harmed, but it's not fatal. They won't be able to hold onto you if you tried to fly them, and I assume you've never taken them flying before, correct?"
	I let out a disappointed sigh, and shook my head. "No..." I looked at Duravan. "But we have to get them to the village. I'm sure they can help them."
	"They can, but they have time. I'll place them on your back, but we'll have to end up walking there." (Walking?) It almost sounded insulting. But I had to admit, he was right. I laid down on my belly nearby them. And Khol very carefully helped them on my back. "Be careful with them. I'll see if I can get some supplies, and perhaps the wagon."
	"Can I trust that breath of yours to handle any returning bandits?" Khol gave a sudden stop for a moment, as if he never considered that. He gave me a look, and nodded, as if to say 'If I must.' I could tell, he wasn't a fan of violence. He didn't like to participate in it, and part of me almost wanted to protect him from it all. I wouldn't mind taking every arrow, every ballista in his place, if it means he would no longer be exposed to it. I didn't want to corrupt what I loved about him.
	Khol found a few supplies, and the conscious two did their best to cover their wounds. One had a broken leg, while the other overall seemed fractured. They were given blankets to keep warm for now, and were hydrated well. When I got done helping Khol attach a long rope to the wagon for him to drag, we set off.
	The inside of the forest was the worst. It reminded me of the days I used to play in forests as a hatchling. Even with the slightly worn path the bandits used, this forest was far more unlevel. But it didn't take too long to get out of the clearing. "How long were you two held captive?" I asked, as we exited the forest.
	"Since yesterday. About a few hours when you went to take care of the other dragon." He gave Khol a smile. "I'm glad you reconsidered chasing her out." (So am I.) "It'll do you some good to have a female in your life."
	"Actually-" I said, slightly embarrassed
	"Yes." Khol cut me off. "It will do him some good." And he smiled at me, then gave me a wink. I'm still not really sure why he did it. Maybe he secretly wanted to be a female. Maybe he wanted to protect my reputation from the Children. They were rather discriminate when it came to same sex mating. But he was doing it to protect me. That was the important thing. And once again, another gift.
	"So, what is your name?"
	Khol seemed to be caught off guard for a moment, and he looked at me. I thought he would use whatever name the Children called him at his hatchplace, but maybe they never used them where he was. "Silverthorn." I stated, giving him a smirk. I don't think he got it at first, but the smile he gave me there said that he loved it. "I think it fits."
	"It really does seem to fit a lady. A Queen, if I may." We couldn't help but chuckle at it. When Duravan's mate asked what we were laughing at, He and Khol filled her in. I can't be completely sure, but I think they were both impressed how Khol spoke their tongue as well.
	After a bit of talking in their own tongue, I had to look at Khol for some type of translation. He smiled at me and said "They're just exhausted. They're going to try to sleep for a bit, but they are very grateful for what you've done."
	"What we've done." I corrected him. It just made him a little shy, but he gave a nod. "This has been some tour..." I joked.
	"Could've been worse. I wasn't planning on being here yesterday."
	"I'm glad you decided to stay." I gave him a smile, and leaned in close to give him a lick on the neck. He returned the gesture.
	"I'm glad you gave me an extension."
	"You're welcome to stay here as long as you like, Silverthorn." His soft blue eyes gave me all the thanks I could possibly ask for. All he could do was smile, and that was enough.

Chapter 6
	It was quite a long walk to the village, but as soon as they seen us on the horizon, they came rushing to help. With Khol translating, we were able to get them safely off my back, and onto a flatbed pulled by horses. They were treated immediately, while me and Khol were told to wait outside the village a bit. It was fine by me, there was crowds of people in the village waiting for our safe return and medical supplies. I asked Khol to get one of the humans to retrieve the crate of Sadifruit for us while we waited to hear from Duravan's recovery.
	"Oh, by the Gods, these are amazing..." Khol had nearly the same reaction I did when I first had one.
	"They are indeed Orgasm worthy." I said, eating another one. My comment almost made Khol spit out his laughing.
	"That's a terrible expression." He said, still laughing. "But accurate."
	That made me chuckle a bit. One of the humans came around with some medical supplies. She said something to Khol, and he gave a nod. "She's going to tend to your wounds."
	"Pffft." I rolled my snout "What wounds?"
	"Sire, you have an arrow in your snout." he chuckled.
	"Besides that." I hissed. "And It's fine where it is."
	"Stop being a wyrmling. Here, I'll do it." And he said something to the human female. I looked at her, and what she was doing. Khol then grabbed my head to hold it still. I gave a bit of a yelp when his muzzle came over the arrowhead, and grabbed a piece of it with his teeth. He then pulled it out like a loose fang, and I gave out a small whimper. I tried to cover the wound with my paw, but Khol stopped me. Again holding my head down closer to the ground.
	"What are you doing?" I hissed.
	"We have to clean it with spirits first."
	"What the hell are spirits?" I really should've asked that. The woman came over with a bottle and a soaked cloth. She placed it on my wound and good Gods did it ever burn! I can only imagine that's what my victims felt like when I seared them. I gave a contained roar, which startled the woman. Khol said something, from what I could guess was "Don't worry, I've got him." Because she returned back to the wound. After a bit, the burning stopped. She placed something inside the wound to make it feel a bit numb, then began to stitch it. When she was done, Khol let me go, and gave me a smile. I gave him a low growl. "Next time warn me that it's going to hurt that bad."
	"Alright." He gave me a nuzzle and a lick on the neck. "She's gotta do 3 more." And I immediately hissed at her. Spines up. Ears back. Tail slamming into the ground. The whole package. It knocked her off her feet in fright, until Khol laughed. "Relax. The rest are not that bad, they'll heal fine if you just patch them. As for the arrow to the haunch, it seemed to just get caught in the scales. It must've fell out a while ago."
	I gave a sigh in relief. "So, basically the worst is over." Khol gave a nod. I looked at the woman, still a bit frightened, and placed my paw before her. Looking away, but with my ears still back. Khol gave her the phrase to carry on, and she did while he comforted me.
	After my wounds were attended to, we got word that Duravan and his mate were to be fine. His leg wouldn't heal for at least a few months, and he probably won't be traveling because of that. Which meant no more wines for me for a lot longer. But I had the feeling that with Khol around, I wasn't going to need them. I could always share what I had with him anyways.
	I ended up taking Khol to his cave after sunset. The overcast closed in, and he wouldn't be able to know his way around. When I got in, I lit the two floor torches that warmed up the room for him. Even if he was from the far north, there was no need for him to spend a night cold. In there, we finished the crate of Sadifruit, and began to recall the small adventure we had together.
	I smiled at him, the glow of the fire reflecting off of his magnificent scales. After finishing recalling that story, it occurred to me that... "Khol?"
	"Yes, Zhaiothe?"
	"...Thank you." He looked at me a little puzzled. "It was because of you, I was able to find where they taken him. It was because of you, I didn't do several foolish mistakes that would've ended him. And it's because of you he lived." I leaned into him. "He's the only Child I can really tolerate that lives. He's also... My only friend. Thank you for saving him." He rested his head over mine, and gave it a lick.
	"You're very welcome." He said softly. And for several minutes, I just laid there, listening to his heart. The snapping of the fire broke the mood. And I began to raise up.
	"I should get going." I said, even though I really didn't want to. After thinking about how I almost lost my only friend today, I really didn't want to be alone. (Curse this pride of mine...) Then I faced Khol, who gave me a familiar look.
	"I know what you're thinking, Zhai." He gave a bit of a smile. It made me hold my breath a bit. He rose up and came a little closer. "Will you stay here with me tonight? Please?" He said it, so I wouldn't have to. Gods, how I loved this dragon.
	All I could do was smile and head back to our bedding. Where we both laid in the warmth of the two fires. We cuddled a bit, and eventually he nuzzled me onto my back. He began licking my neck again, slowly stroking my underside, while I worked on the back of his neck. His paw was slowly circling to my sheath once again. "You're teasing me..." I moaned between licks.
	"I know I am..." He said. Still slowly pawing in circles. As if he was washing me with the warmth of the room. I couldn't help but sigh a hot breath when his paw reached the tip of my sheath, already beginning to swell slightly. He didn't pay too much attention to it at the time, but he worked on searching for other tender areas of my body. He was exploring, using my breaths as a detector. He played with the areas of my side, just under my wings. It was around the joint where it seemed to tickle the most. Then he moved to the muscles in my forearm. I noticed his breathing start to get heavier when he studied my bicep. Massaging it, and really feeling beneath the scales that seemed to hide it's true shape. I flexed them, causing them to become more visible, only to hear Khol give out a soft whimper as he stared intently at them. I couldn't help but chuckle a bit at it.
	After a bit, he moved onto my chest. The plates that covered it were really thick, to guard from frontal attacks. They were not very sensitive and a bit rough. Even when he tried to get a feel for them in the creases. When he got no reaction, he moved lower to my belly. Although, still armored, this area was a bit softer. It gave a little bit of pleasure, but he had to really work his paws and kneed it in the correct motion in order to just much reaction out of me. Far too much work for what little the rewards.
	He moved down to my most sensitive areas. By this time, my erection was already peeking through my swollen sheath. As he repositioned himself, he went from licking and kissing my neck, to my bicep, under my wings, to my belly, gave my tool a few licks, then moved down a bit lower. Almost resting on my tail a bit. Khol already played around with my sack and sheath, he was exploring the rest of the areas around them. They were still sensitive until it got to the outside of my hind legs and haunches. But inside them, they never felt so vulnerable. His warm tongue slid up and down my inner thighs, and I let out a small whimper. He slowly went up and down, rearing toward the back of my legs. When he got to the far back, I couldn't help but moan loudly at the chink he found. He gave me a bit of a smile, as he started to work the area in both legs with his paws. His tongue went back to my sheath a bit, and then to my balls. By this time I was completely erect, even more so than normal. The large purple shaft seemed to pulse with every slow motion of his paws, Softly caressing my hamstrings. Khol's tongue worked on my sack for a bit, which was only slightly covering my tailhole.
-----
	Zhaiothe took a pause for some water. Hard to believe it was already halfway through the evening. After a breath, he looked toward Tong, only to find his lap covered in a blanket, and still half covering his face, while he leaned on a nearby log. "How are you making out over there?" Zhai teased.
	"Managing." Tong said, slightly embarrassed. "Continue." That made Zhai chuckle a bit.
-----

	Lap after lap with his tongue made my sack jiggle a little bit. It almost hurt, but that pain was completely overwhelmed by the actions of his paws. When Khol's tongue went a bit too far below my sack, I let out a loud groan, and I think I shot out some preseed. It made him stop, and study what he just did for a moment. He slid down a bit farther, and nudged my sack up a bit, completely revealing my tailhole. He gave it a circle around with his tongue, and I purred loudly in Ecstasy. Even though I couldn't see it, he was smiling. He found the very few spots to make my mountain of a body crumble. He slowly circled it, over and over with his tongue, while still working the hamstrings. I was caught under the Tsunami of Bliss, and I couldn't warn him of my climax. He knew the signs though. My claws scraped the bedding, my tail thrashed under Khol, My spines couldn't really move much, but I let out a strange mix of a Whimper and a Roar. And as soon as my wet tool shot out its first torrent all over my neck, Khol bolted for it, trying to contain it in his mouth. I don't think I've ever came so hard before. The second torrent in Khol's mouth came out with so much pressure, he nearly choked on it. The third and fourth he managed to take well, but after it reached about 6, he had to start swallowing a bit. I think there was about 8 or 9 in total. I honestly had a hard time to concentrate during it.
	After my climax was finished, I laid there catching my breath. Half wondering how much damage I did to the furs with my claws during that. Khol slowly made his way to my head, licking the few spots of white that covered my body and neck. When our mouths met, he stuck his tongue in my mouth. It tasted sweet. Just like he described. A few laps of his tongue, and pressed his lips to mine. That sweetness grew and grew, until I felt a large glob of it being forced into my mouth. I gave out a muffled yelp in surprise, as he poured torrents worth in my mouth. He started to rub my throat a bit when my mouth got a little full, and motioned for me to swallow. I was in no mood to argue, and obeyed to his every request at the time. After he was done, he licked my muzzle, as if there was some that missed. Then started to lick his own. All I could do is smile and lick his neck, over and over. With that sweet taste of cherries and sugar dancing in my mouth and throat.
	We laid there, in the glow of the fire a bit. Until he got up, and got back into his position before my climax. "Wait, what are you...?" I started to ask, and he just gave me a smile. And continued where he was. It was overstimulating at first, almost a bit sickening, but it was overwhelmed once again with that river of pleasure.
	He kept a paw on my once retreating erection this time, stroking it tenderly until it was once again erect. While his left paw worked that spot in my hamstring. I gave a bit of a whimper, I've always been too tried after a load to continue trying it again, and Khol was going to try for another. Probably another one of his experiments. His tongue played with my balls slightly, noticing a lack of volume in them. He moved down to my tailhole again, and once again I was drowning in those waves. Over and over, the waves seemed to crash against me from 3 sides. The ridges of my penis. The chink of my hamstring. And the tickles around my tailhole. The three working together raced me to another climax. But this one erupted with loud whimper. I felt my shaft tighten and jerk a few times, but I didn't feel anything come out, after a bit, a few streams shot out onto my belly. Khol did his best to work through the forced orgasm, but very quickly, the shaft began to retreat.
	I felt sick all at once. My head was groggy and hurt like a hangover, my body felt sore and completely spent. I panted, but it felt like it took twice the effort to get what air I needed. Khol looked at me almost worried. "Zhaiothe? Are... You alright?" He traveled to my side and tried to hold my head up. I felt this enormous pressure in my lower area all of a sudden.
	"P..." I tried to get out between breaths. But something caught in my throat. I gave a loud cough and tried once again. "Piss!" And I tried to get up a bit, but my legs felt like gel. I knew I wouldn't be able to make it out of the cave, so I choose the next best thing. I pointed to an empty Keg barrel. "Grab that for me." And Khol rushed to it. I tore off the lid when it came to arms reach, and I tried again to stand up over it. Khol helped support me, and I relieved myself in the barrel. After I was done, my legs gave out, and tumbled us both back onto the bedding. After my large sigh of relief, he gave a bit of a nervous laugh. I gave a lick to one of his paws, mostly because it was the closest thing at the time to my snout. After a few minutes of rest, I got the strength back in my legs, and headed to another Keg that held water.
	As I was lapping down the much needed hydration, Khol came beside me with his head lowered. "S-sorry about that." He apologized again. "I really didn't think that would happen. I just-"
	"You've got to stop saying that. You'll wear out the meaning of the word." I said, with a smile over my face. He still looked a little guilty. "It was just one of your experiments. And a life lesson for both of us; One climax is enough. Two is just overkill." And I gave him a lick. "Come." And I lead him back to the bed. We rested for a bit, but something itched at the back of my mind. Khol has already given me 4 wonderful experiences, and I've yet to give him one. Granted, he started all 4. But still... I think alot of it was: I was inexperienced at it. And as much as I loathed to admit it, I was shy about it. At the same time though, I'm sure he was just as shy about it when I first met him. I guess the main question was: 'Did I love him?' (Yes.) 'Then show him you love him.'
	I gave him a glace. He seemed so relaxed at the time, but he wasn't asleep. After staring at him for so long, his Blue eyes met mine. Khol gave me a smile, and I gave him a lick on his snout, and between his beautiful eyes. He returned the lick under my jaw while I made my way to his ear. "Lay on your back." I said softly, and he seemed to gasp. Khol slowly pulled away from me almost embarrassed.
	"N-no. Zhai, you don't need to-"
	"Shhh. I want to." I said with a smile, and give him a little nudge. When he half resisted, I ended up grappling him softly onto his back. His breath started to heavy. And our lips locked for a bit. As I slowly parted from his lips, I began to move down to his neck. At least I paid attention to what areas worked on me. I just hoped the same would work on Khol.
	"No-wait. Zhai, Wait." He said trying to push my head away with his paws. There was conflict in the motion though. It's like he wanted me to stop, but at the same time, they were almost screaming to grab my head and shove it in his crotch. Granted, that could've just been me. "Zhai..." He seemed really nervous.
	"What's wrong Khol? You've given me pleasure several times, I wish to give you bliss as well."
	"It's just... I've never been..." Khol stumbled a bit. It didn't help I was pawing under his wings a bit. He was really smooth and soft. Even on his chest. Almost as if he was never designed for combat or protection. "Zhai, I've never reached..."
	I was puzzled at first, but I understood. He had no stones. (Was he unable to have an orgasm?) I gave him a brave smile. "That changes tonight." I stated. And the look on his face, I could never forget it. A mix of slight fear, but hope that shone in his eyes. Even if I was to fail that night, just that act of trying, that act of giving him hope was worth it.
	"Zhai...?"
	"Khol. Look at my bicep." And I placed my left arm out. He was a bit puzzled at first. Then I flexed it as hard as I could, giving me the reaction I was hoping for. Khol let out a loud whimper and his ears turned a bit purple. "Don't be afraid. I won't stop until I've made you see the stars." I gave a sinister smile when I seen his eyes still on my muscle. That was his chink, apparently. But he didn't argue. And when there was nothing but silence from him, I resumed.
	I started with his lower belly, while my left paw worked the area below his wing joint. I was a bit rough at first, but eased up when I heard him whimper. When they changed into a moan, I kept up that pace for a bit. My tongue worked in circles around his lower belly, every other circle touching the tip of his erection. As for my right paw, I was working the outside of his left haunch. It was much much softer than mine was. The scales were still a bit hard, but they seemed to bend in and stretch like skin would. That paw slowly went under, and made its way to his hamstring.
	It had the same effect as mine did. He gasped loudly, and moaned blissfully. I began to work my way down a bit more, leaving the area under his wing, and working on the soft area around his tool and sheath. It was designed much like mine, but I noticed his was smaller. About 75% of the size of mine, but still plenty to work with. I tried to mimic what he usually did; giving the tip a few licks, and working around the flare and it's spines. It seemed to pulse once in a while, as if it was trying to get something out. Pre probably. It only made me more eager to go for that climax. I gave the tip a few kisses, and played with the tool a bit using my lips. My left paw made its way to the other hamstring, and Khol's moans grew louder. He began to move his haunches with the speed of my paws. Grinding them as best he could.
	The noises he made gave me a smile, and it made it much less uncomfortable for me to do his. As I took a deep, warm breath over his shaft, I slowly parted my jaws, and began to slip it through my muzzle. My tongue served as a guide for it, feeling and searching for the shape of his penis. I felt for the spines on the bottom, and then searched for the top. I found the flare and how it opened, felt for the spines behind it, and stopped around there for a bit. I played around that area with my tongue, lips, and my teeth after a while. Not biting down hard, but lightly feeling the shape of his tool with them. It tasted... like him. A bit on the sweeter side than his neck and tongue. As I kept going, I began to feel a bit fatigue. (Maybe I wasn't quite ready for this as I hoped...) I thought to myself. But in the middle of my first muzzlejob, Khol let out another loud moan, and he thrusted a bit. I remember tasting something a bit sweeter, and it concerned me that maybe I cut him with my fangs. But then a soft, glazy feel rested on my tongue. My smile returned.
	It was his Pre. He could release some pre-seed, and that gave me a second wind. I began to slide his shaft harder into my muzzle, being careful with my teeth and fangs. I took it a bit faster, and deeper with every other full motion. When I got to his ridges, he let out another gasp. I remember what he did to me this morning, and how sensitive these were. I lightened up a bit, turning the whimpers into moans and low growls. All at once, I tried to see how much I could really fit into my muzzle. It felt much deeper than it looked, but I kept at it. Further than further. And when his sheath reached my lips, another thrust came from Khol. Along with another stream of glazy sweetness.
	I worked the pre over his tool with my tongue, and went back for the ridges again. My paws still working on those hamstrings. Until one of them slipped a bit inward, and teased the outside of his tailhole. A sharp, quick roar mellowed down into a blissful purr. A new area that my paws began to play around with. And the thrusting became a constant part of his grind. His breaths became deeper. His purrs were getting much louder. It was like music to my ears. And his sweet taste was painting the inside of my mouth.
	I thought I was imagining it at first, but it felt like his shaft was starting to thicken. After a few moments, and a few more pulses, It was clear that it actually was! Before my jaws did any harm to it, I parted them and took a look at his shaft. It was getting larger, as if it was having a second erection. It's juices were leaking out of its tip, and were a murky sliver. Not wanting to take any chances to do any harm to it, the rest of it was going to have to be a pawjob. I kept one paw around his anus, while my right paw got a dose of the glaze that it leaked more and more with every few motions. I lubed up my right paw, and spread it over his thickened shaft. It was slightly bigger than mine now, if not close to the same size. I worked on its top a bit at first, then gently moved down to the ridges. I could feel Khol's tail swaying from side to side irrationally. He was really enjoying himself, and his purr was getting louder and louder.
	I worked on him a bit harder, even using my tongue from time to time to keep the lubrication up. We seemed to be stuck in this stalemate, and unable to push toward his full climax, no matter how hard I worked on it. I had only one more trick I could think of, only because this worked on the female I tried with back at the hatchery. I stopped the tailhole teasing with my left paw, and moved up to his neck. I tried my best to keep my right paw on the ridges, but It was just too far. I could still play around with the tip though. (That'll have to do.) I thought to myself, knowing this won't take too long. I licked the back of his neck a few times, feeling the vibration of his purr trembling his entire body. After a few licks, and a bit of nudging, I spotted the opportunity to get my muzzle behind it. I rushed in, and bit softly on the back of his neck, getting just slight dribbles of blood out of the bite, and nothing more. Khol stopped purring and roared a bit in blissful pain, while my right paw worked the top half of his shaft harder. His breaths began to get faster and faster all once, and he roared again. I knew what that meant. I let go of his neck, and returned to his tool with both paws. One focusing on the top, the other on the bottom. The bottom I made sure to keep it softer grip, but I tried to do it as fast as I could.
	Khol's ears went back, his spines flared up. His tail thumped hard on the bedding, while his claws strained. With one long, tense roar, he bent backward a bit, puffing his chest out. And the first torrent exploded out of his shaft. It flew past him, and hit the wall a few feet past his head. The second did the same. And the third. I stroked him in amazement as I counted the large streams of seed and what power they had. 5...6...7... With every deep breath Khol took, he shot out another one at full pressure. 9...10...11... I couldn't believe this. The white, glazy torrents just didn't stop coming. 14...15...16... Khol began to slow down a bit, and finally the pressure began to fade. 17...18... And it stopped. He collapsed breathless as I stood there staring at the wall.
	I didn't let go of his tool until it completely retreated out of my grasp. Then I crawled up to Khol, and held him, like he did with me after I came. It took him a long time to stop breathing so heavily, and when he did, he was asleep. His breathing returned to normal, and made me relax. I couldn't imagine losing him from such a thing. Gods, what would I tell Duravan? (I sexed her until she died.) The thought made me laugh slightly. As I sighed in exhaustion, I laid my head on Khol's chest, and fell asleep to his heartbeat.
-----
	Tong looked at Zhai in disbelief. "18..."
	"I didn't miscount. And I had the wall to prove it."
	"That's just medically impossible. Especially from something that doesn't have..."
	"I know. And to this day, I still don't know where it came from. But I've released him several times. Although, I never got him up to 18 again. His average was around 14-16. Quickie: probably about 12. But I counted them... Khol was so strange, yet amazing. I swear he was created by one of the Gods and just lost his way."
	"Still, that's just... Unreal."
	"Yeah, mine was about 9, tops. Never made it to the double digits. Why, what's yours?"
	"I'm not answering that." Tong laughed a little, not able to look Zhai in the eye.
	"So under 5, okay." Zhai teased him. "It's getting a bit late. Want to call it a night?"
	"I'm okay with that." Tong said getting up. "But you're not doing anything funny to me when we're sleeping."
	"Says the one with the banana in his pants."
	"Says the one that's laying down to hide his."
	"Joke's on you, I'm too young to get one by talking about it." Zhai snickered as he followed Tong into the tent. Zhai slept leaning against Tong, outside the blankets. Tong's body warmth was enough to keep the dragon from getting cold during the night. And they were left undisturbed until the morning sun's demands were made.