The Oathsworn

by Liandra Jake

  "Speaking of years, I've heard you've been throwing money around and buying gifts for New Years." Kronth edged closer to him. "I'm not telling~!" Arend sang, bumping against her. "You'll just have to wait till tonight." Kronth threw up a pouty face. Arend laughed. "It won't be that easy!" A man came through the doors carrying a box. Kronth pointed to the corner. "I've got to go work now!" Arend said, checking his phone. Kronth gave him a kiss. "I'll see you at the party then."

  [X]

  Dragon's Den had a party no one could forget. Unlike the Dragon Barbecue, it was by Guild invitation only. The new dining hall was more than large enough for Dragon's Den and their guests. Erasur showed up by himself, his kids and wife off on their own parties. With no one to watch the kids, Mar, 'Ro, and Mysh brought a lot of attention to Iode and Rose. Since Arend has lest seen them, 'Ro's ears were well past his waist, with Mysh and Mar close to the same height 'Ro was previously. Corenden was now smaller than all three.

  Shortly after their arrival, Arend hurried off to retrieve his gifts for his friends. Flake and Hunter passed them on their way into the hall. Arend had smiled to himself when he saw that their hands were tightly clasped together. Flake and Hunter were dressed in sharp suits of white and black respectively. Flake raised his free hand as Arend hurried past. "Where's he off to In such a hurry?" Flake asked Hunter. "Corenden told me he spent a few thousand Ere on presents for his friends." Hunter replied. "And that includes us."

  "He won't give us a gag gift right? I'm not for him giving you a lint roller or me a chew toy." Flake said. Hunter laughed. "He might do that later, but I don't think he'll do something like that now. Unless he did it for everyone, and Kronth would kill him for trying." The two smiled in wonder as they walked into the crowded dining hall. "This place is huge!" Flake exclaimed. Hunter laughed again."I've seen that Fortress of yours. This is little compared to it." "To be fair Hunter, this place is on the ground. There's not as much space here." Flake replied.

  When they saw Iode and his family, the couple hurried over with gleeful smiles. Rose and Flake exchanged greetings as Hunter picked up a sleepy Mysh. Mysh tilted his head lazily at Hunter. Hunter smiled back. "You're a strange one." 'Ro said, poking Hunter's leg. Mar stood off to the side, crossing his harm with a grumpy look as the crowd of young women around him tried to get him to talk. Secretly, he enjoyed the attention. "So how goes it with Flake?" Iode asked, trying to make small talk with Hunter.

  Hunter tickled Mysh's chin. "Fine." Hunter replied as Mysh squirmed. "We got our own place a while ago and just really got settled in last week." Hunter placed the unhappy Mysh on his head as he looked to Iode. "T-that's good to hear." Iode said as he tried to hold in his chuckle. Mysh took the vantage point as a chance to look around.

  'Ro was intrigued by Hunter. "You're living with flake?" She asked. Hunter smiled, unable to nod. "Yes. He and I-" Hunter stopped and glanced over at Iode. He nodded. "He and I are in a relationship." Hunter finished. 'Ro stopped and thought for a moment. "…So who's on top?" "'RO!" Iode and Rose exclaimed at the same time.

  Across the room, Nate glanced over at a sudden shout. Hunter couldn't blush any brighter as Iode apologized and Rose scolded her daughter. Even though Flake as covered in fur, Nate could swear he could see his face lighting up in a shade of scarlet. Janese found him before he could investigate. She surprised him with a hug from behind.

  Nate turned his head, a faint smile on his face. "Boo." She said softly as he turned to face her, still in her embrace. "You certainly scared me." Nate replied. She pulled him closer until her forehead touched his. "Oh my! Please allow this well-trained doctor to treat you!"

  Around them, anyone who heard their exchange couldn't help roll their eyes. "Boo!" One of them called, making Nate and Janese glance over. "Can't you do better than that?" "Tblt!" Janese replied, strutting off with Nate. Janese glanced at Nate when she sensed something was off. "What?" "It's just…" Nate's face had a mix of a grimace and a frown. "Don't you think that was a bit childish?" "What?" Janese asked again, fully turning to Nate.

  Nate sighed. "You're seven years older than me. I've seen you maintain a sense of, well… maturity, in almost any given situation. And it's one of the things about you I find attractive." "Well I just…" Janese paused , stepping closer to Nate. "When we finally started to do this, I can't help but feel like I did with my first boyfriend. To put it in perspective, I haven't felt this way in over ten years. I can 'mature' up a bit when we're out and about like this, but I can't guarantee that when we're alone."

  Nate chuckled, a smile spreading over his face. "I didn't know that… but I guess a swooning teen with a body like yours wouldn't be all that bad." Janese pulled him in close. "That's what I like to hear." They kissed just as Arend came into the hall with a cart stacked high with wrapped boxes.

  Kyrel approached Arend, letting out a whistle. "Did you steal this from your shop?" He kicked one of the large tires on the cart. "Yep." Arend replied. He grabbed a small box from the top. He tossed it to Kyrel. "Happy New year eh?" Kyrel turned the box in his hands. "Wait until midnight to open it." Arend said as he waved Hunter and lake over. Kyrel looked at the r stack on the cart. He snagged one labeled 'Panzer.' "I'll go deliver this to her." He called to Arend as he ran off. Flake and Hunter managed to wiggle their way through the gathering crowd.

  "I don't think there's enough for everyone here." Hunter said as he eyed the crowd. "There isn't." Arend replied. "They're for friends and loved ones. I can't give personal gifts to everyone." Flake pulled a large one from the cart. "You got the two of us a single gift?" Flake asked, tapping the box with a raised eyebrow." "Couples share a box; I didn't have enough. The wrapping paper was easy to get though." Arend replied. He waved them off. "Wait until midnight."

  "Hey wait," Hunter stopped Arend. Hunter tossed him a small box. "That goes for you as well." Arend glanced at the tag. "You two got me a single gift?" Flake grinned. "I picked it out, he paid for it." Hey Arend, when's your birthday?" Hunter asked. "Hmm. April 3rd. Why?" Arend asked. Hunter shrugged. "It's just something I thought I should know. Mine's February 12th." "July 16th." Flaked piqued in. "What about Kronth?" Arend asked. "Late May I think. She doesn't really celebrate it." Hunter replied as he left with Flake. Arend paused briefly before flagging Iode and Rose down to come collect their gift.

  Kyrel found Panzer next to a buffet table, picking at a plate of crab cakes. "Yo Hellsworth!" She glanced up immediately. She was caught between running and abandoning her food, and her food won. "Arend is handing out presents over there." He held up hers, wiggling the contents. "I thought I could bring yours to you."

  Panzer looked away. "I can get my own presents… but thanks anyway." Are those any good?" Kyrel asked, pointing at her plate. She held it out. "Hold the plate." Kyrel put his present under his arm as he swapped the plate for Panzer's gift. Panzer snagged one of the remaining crab cakes before walking away.

  "Hey!" Kyrel exclaimed as he hurried after her. "I need to talk to you!" Panzer ignored him, pushing through the crowd as she tried to avoid Kyrel. He managed to catch her behind one of the support pillars after passing off the plate. "I'm not in the mood for your jokes Kyrel." Panzer growled as she jerked her shoulder out of Kyrel's grip. He grabbed her a second time, both hands on her shoulders, letting his gift fall to the floor. Her eyebrows shot up.

  "I admit I've been childish and playful in trying to get your attention, but you've done nothing but ignore my advances. I'm as tired of chasing you. I need your answer." "Kyrel…" The hall began to count down. "Not now Kyrel, we're going to miss-" Kyrel held her tight as she tried to pull away. She did very little to resist when she met his gaze. Two burning orbs of orange and blue stared back at her. Just as the hall burst into cheers, Kyrel pulled Panzer forward and kissed her. Immediately afterward, he spun on his heel, bent low to snag his gift, and stalked off into the cheering crowd.

  Panzer watched him go. She glanced down at her gift once he disappeared; ripping open the wrapping paper covered
in tanks and army men. She didn't laugh at his irony. Inside the box was a translated book on Sereph fighting techniques with an appendix with a few Eastern techniques listed as well. She looked back up with a distant look, trying to spot Kyrel's bright hair.

  [X]

  Waves crashed melodically, silver ribbons on a dark beach. Gliese was relaxed and confident as she walked down the pink sands of a hidden beach. Ros however, was apprehensive as he fidgeted on her back. Gliese was on good terms with Aquine, the guardian of the Water Terma. She stopped when she saw him far out from the shore, sitting on a large rock just under the surface of the water. His deep blue fur shimmered and swayed in the ocean breeze. He stood out only because of a single curled streak of silver on his back. His ears perked up when Gliese called out his name.

  He turned his head to look back. "Ahoy ye salty dog!" Gliese called. He stood up. Ros noticed his belly and torso were also streaked with silver. There was a short hum before Aquine came skipping on the waves with a jet of blue in his wake. "Hold on Ros." Gliese warned. His fingers held tight on her banana fur. In a moment of delicate acrobatics, Gliese did a short hop off the ground, jumping higher with Swift and a kick off Aquine. Gliese touched down just as the wave Aquine had brought with him settled down.

  "Limber as ever." Aquine's voice was much coarser and deeper than King's, but Ros found it oddly comforting. He also noticed light flecks of gold in his silver fur. "You're a little lat for New Year's." Aquine tilted his head when he noticed Ros. "We need the Terma." Gliese said immediately. Aquine backed away, his friendliness now gone. His low growl made Ros duck closer to Gliese. "Why?"

  Gliese flipped Ross off her back. He landed with splayed legs in the sand. Aquine paused. "Who is this?" "A man who survived Death's Ring." Gliese replied. Aquine was dumbfounded. "…What." "He has no Orenth or memory of who he was, save for his initials. For now, we call him Ros." Aquine sniffed him. "He's certainly been Possessed, but what's that strange smell?" "Dragon." Gliese replied. Aquine sat, his legs giving out. "It wouldn't help to mention Axis has gotten all the other Legendary Weapons out and about, or the Myshcell with a True Safeguard." Gliese said with a smirk.

  Aquine shook his head. Gliese and Ros glanced up as a shadow passed overhead. "The slowpoke's finally caught up." Aquine squinted at the dark sky. The flash of silver on red and yellow was all the evidence he needed. He scurried to his feet. "Relax. He's the peaceful, medic type as long as you don't attack." Gliese said. "Well, you've certainly sold me. Although I have to mention you'd be dangerous if I attacked." Aquine said. "Now it's a matter of Soul and Lune."

  Gliese tilted her head. "What do they have to do with it?" Aquine's ears perked up. "You haven't heard? They've moved up there." He tilted his head towards the mountains past the cove. "Really?" Gliese asked with her ears twitching with curiosity. Aquine nodded. "They're ready to have a litter this spring. They came to this area because they like it here, and I live right next door." Ros looked up to Gliese. She nodded immediately. "Yeah, I know." She looked up to Aquine. "Sorry, but these events as of late have prompted a great deal of haste. I'd like to chat longer, but we should get going."

  Ros climbed onto Gliese's back. "I'll have the Terma ready when you come back. I'm not sure if Soul and Lune have theirs on them." Aquine said as Gliese padded away. She slowly built up speed before hopping up the scattered rocks with bursts of Swift. Ros was fairly surprised she was still only using three legs to traverse the rocky terrain. The ride was smoother once Gliese reached the soft hills at the base of the mountains.

  She stopped suddenly at the crest of a hill. A sparkling silver Pendragon was watching with the body of a deer held I nits jaws. They shared a nod. Gliese followed the silver Pendragon to a large den cut into tone of the larger hills. The solid on the walls and ceiling was rough and the occasional sprinkle of dirt fell onto Ros' head. The floor was well worn and flattened by many footsteps from the silver Pendragon. There was a brief incline before they were in a large room that was significantly cooler than the humid air outside. Shredded bits of dried bark and moss made a comfortable bed for a large golden Pendragon resting on her side. Ros gaped at the size of her stomach.

  "Taken in another stray huh?" The golden Pendragon laughed as her mate dropped the majority of the deer next to her. Ros covered his mouth as the female Pendragon swiftly devoured her meal. Gliese laughed. "He seems to be jumping around. I'm not the first to take care of him." The golden Pendragon sat up to look at Ros directly. "Could you come here for a moment?" With Gliese's reassurance in the form of crouching, Ros slid off of Gliese. Ros approached slowly, as he might be used to powerful monsters by this point, but caution was important when the silver Pendragon was watching, ready to pounce. Gliese tried to get a word from him, but he wouldn't budge.

  "Yes?" Ros asked politely, stopping a yard from her nose. "Well first of all, what's your name?" She asked cheerfully. "That's complicated as I can't remember. As I've quickly discovered, everyone seems to use Ros." "Well Ros, my name's Lune! And I'd appreciate if you could help me out. I have more than a few inches I can't scratch since I've been bedridden, and humans can easily reach them; something Soul can't do."

  Ros nodded. "I don't mind. Based solely on King, I take it's the armpit and just under the chin?" Lune's ears popped up in surprise, as she couldn't move as freely as Soul; his head snapped to Gliese at the mention of King.

  Lune chuckled. "You're still bothering that little runt?" She asked as Ros produced a brush he acquired from Kronth, and began to groom Lune's problem areas. Gliese giggled, something that made Ros pause briefly. Soul arched a playful eyebrow. "Is he not a runt anymore?" Gliese shoo her head. "He's not bothered anymore." Lune smiled. "So we should expect a litter from you as well?" "I don't think we're quite at that point yet. He just told me he's ready to start something a month ago; right before I started this journey." Gliese replied.

  "Oh." Lune was a little disappointed. "So why'd you come out here? You're not one for wandering." Soul asked. "It has to do with Ros' lack of Orenth." Gliese replied. "Axis had engaged the Legendary Weapons, including Death's Ring." Soul let out a low growl. "And you let him come inside?" "You know damn well Death's Ring holds tight control." Gliese snapped.

  "…But how did he free himself?" Lune asked as Ros continued to groom her despite the conversation. "A particular Myshcell had a hand in it, but his uncle's chemically fired bullets were what had a truly significant effect. From what I heard though, the Myshcell paralyzed him briefly with nothing but Orenth." Gliese replied. "So you want us to give you the Termas?" Soul grumbled. "Remarkable as all that is, I can't give you the Moon."

  Gliese looked back to towards the entrance. "Then allow me to introduce you to someone else." Gliese disappeared with a reluctant Soul. Soul came back almost immediately, managing to backpedal so fast he got stuck in the tunnel. Gliese made a point to mock him before freeing him. "You're ridiculous you know." "I'm not the one who's friends with a dragon." Soul replied as he went to gather the Termas from under Lune. "A dragon? Really!?" Lune asked excitedly, trying to stand.

  Soul gently pushed her back down with a paw. "Enough of that. You already know what a struggle it is for you to go to the bathroom." "Digging a latrine doesn't count dear." Lune replied. "Considering how it took an hour to get you to the latrine, I'd say it does." Soul retorted, swiping at two pieces of paper in the bedding with a paw. Ros simply picked them up, replacing the displaced bedding. "…Thank you." Soul said quietly.

  Lune laid down with a sigh. "So you're going to run around and collect all of them?" Gliese nodded. "There are serious suspicions that Axis may be with planning something. There's a confidential rumor regarding Teneo's involvement, particularly with the dragon." "Isn't he dead?" Soul asked as Gliese kneeled for Ros. "He's supposed to be dead." Gliese replied. "But based on a fusion of a high-power Matrix with a man, I have to say he's probably alive and well. For now at least."

  When Gliese stepped outside, she found Aquine talking with Pith. The
y stopped when they saw her. "You two gossiping?" Gliese asked. From Aquine's back, Kathy popped up with the Water Terma. "They were speculating on when you and your boyfriend will have puppies!" Gliese sighed. "Of course they were." Aquine smiled nervously. "I didn't know you and King finally hooked up."

  Kathy slid of Aquine's back and ran to Pith. "I didn't expect that myself." Gliese replied as she walked away. "I'm dropping in on Voc and Tale. They're the closest by far."

  [X]

  The sun was low and the air crisp as Panzer ran laps around her trainees. Few of them could match her pace, and fewer still showed up for her morning practice. Of those who did, none wert the ones who would be kicked out if they didn't do anything to prove their worth by the end of the week. She almost stopped entirely when Kyrel tapped her shoulder, running alongside her.

  "I really need to talk to you." "Not now." Panzer replied, pulling a head. He forced her to a stop as he pulled her aside. She ripped her arm back immediately, on the verge of hitting him. "What the hell do you want from me!?" She demanded. "An answer!" He barked back. "All you've done since the first day I tried to flirt with you is ignore me. You brush off every kind word, dirty innuendo, and attempt at making you happy. It's been almost three years of this Panzer. Three years of acting like I don't exist; that I don't care." The gaze Kyrel held with Panzer was almost enough for him to choke on the lump growing in his throat. It left Panzer with a knot in her stomach. Kyrel turned away slightly. "Today is your last chance. It's over at midnight."