Rage

Runë squeezed his hand, nodding with a smile. Scooping her back into his arms, holding her close to keep her warm Ashlard took a few steps and leapt into the air, flying just above the water as he crossed the lake, before lifting up and over the trees, turning towards home. Ashlard promised himself, he would build a new home on that lake, one where they could live out their days, and raise a family, with Runë by his side.

Touching down lightly on the balcony, Ashlard placed Runë on her feet. Walking into their room, there was Ciray sitting on the rug staring into the fire.

"What brings you here?" said Ashlard.

Jumping with fright, Ciray quickly stood up, straightening her dress, "Sorry, I was lost in thought," she said, "Blain asked me to collect you."

"Just me?" asked Ashlard.

"Yes," she said, smiling apologetically at Runë.

Taking Runë in his arms, he lifted her up, kissing her deeply. "Have something to eat, don't wait up," he said, placing her gently on her feet.

Ciray was frowning slightly when Ashlard looked up, but she stopped immediately as he made for the door. Opening it, Ciray walked out first and Ashlard followed, closing the door behind him.

Sitting in Blains office, Ashlard couldn't help but notice the spring in Cirays step, every time Blain asked her to pass him something.

After several moments, Blain finally asked, "So, are you interested at all about my new charge?"

Ashlard lit up, "Yes, of course, how is she?"

"Better, the healers have been with her all week, I was hoping you could meet her."

Ashlard thought for a moment, "Yes, I'd like that."

Together they stood, turning, Ashlard noticed Blain quickly pat Ciray on the hand as he walked past. Ashlard event thought he spotted a slight smile. They made their way just a few doors down from Blain's office, where he knocked firmly and opened the door. The room was furnished comfortably, with a bed, some comfortable chairs and a small fireplace. In the centre of the room was the woman, sitting on a stool, softly playing a large harp.

She looked up as Blain entered, spotting Ashlard, she quickly stood and bowed. He could see that her arms were heavily bandaged, and the swelling around her eyes had gone down, but dark bruises remained. How this poor woman must have suffered at the hands of Prince Greht. She took a few steps towards Ashlard, bowing again.

"Thunk... You..." she said, before straightening up.

"I'm glad you're feeling better," said Ashlard.

The woman smiled, looking confused.

"She barely knows the tongue," said Blain, "I've hired a tutor who comes a few hours each day."

Ashlard nodded, understanding, as the woman, looked between them. A bandage on her neck slipped, revealing that collar-like necklace she was wearing.

"Why does she still wear that?" he asked.

"It's made of strong leather, lined with steel wire, it's not designed to come off," said Blain simply. "She tried everything, even going as far as to cut herself, which is why there's a bandage."

Ashlard thought for a moment, thinking back to the stone ring he gave Runë. Stepping forward, the woman suddenly stiffened. Ashlard raised his hands, trying to show he wasn't going to hurt her, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She tensed, closing her eyes, not knowing what was about to happen. Ashlard felt the familiar surge of energy as he extended his claws, feeling her flinch violently as he slipped a couple fingers under her collar to protect her skin. He slid a claw under, and with a little effort, the collar fell to the floor. Ashlard quickly removed his hands. The woman opened her eyes, grasping her neck. She chocked back a sob, before collapsing to the floor and bawling like a child. Suddenly grabbing the collar, she stormed to the fire, throwing it into the flames, shaking while she watched it burn.

"Thunk you," she said again.

Ashlard just smiled and turned away.

Back in Blains office, Ashlard found himself sitting in one of Blain's chairs. Facing the older man with a serious expression.

"There's something else we need to discuss," he said. "You need to learn how to read."

"Why? I've gotten by so far without," said Ashlard.

"You're a member of the royal guard now boy, besides, wouldn't it be nice to talk to Runë?" Blain said.

"We have our ways," Ashlard said quietly, "but you may be right."

"I'm always right," he said with a chuckle, "we also need to do something about your sword technique."

"I wasn't very good, was I?" Ashlard sighed, "Runë was pretty upset afterwards."

"With your speed and strength, you should be the best," growled Blain, "but your winning edge was getting stabbed. I don't know about you, but I don't like being stabbed."

Ashlard couldn't help but laugh, "when do we start?" He asked, smiling. "Ciray will come up in the mornings to teach you to read, afterwards, you come to the training ground near the docks, you can't miss it."

Ashlard thought for a moment, before nodding. "It's for the best then," said Ashlard. "By the way, what's going on with you and Ciray?"

SMASH

Ashlard looked at the broken tray Ciray had dropped, she quickly bent down to pick up the pieces, clearly red in the face.

"That's none of your business," Blain said.

Ashlard quickly stood, "I'll see you tomorrow then Ciray," he said, barely hiding a smile.

Ciray didn't look up, just nodded quickly, and Ashlard decided he should leave before he said something he may later regret.

The following morning, Ashlard was already awake and waiting when Ciray knocked on the door, letting her in, she carried a small bag containing parchment, quills and bottles of ink.

"Sorry about last night," Ashlard said.

"No, I just didn't think it was that obvious," she said, going red again.

"Whatever makes you happy," Ashlard said, watching her faint smile.

Runë sat quietly eating breakfast while reading a book. Ciray said it was about old legends and mythical creatures. Ashlard couldn't help but think she was trying to find information about him. Turning back to Ciray, she wrote some runes on some parchment.

"This is how you spell Runë," she said with a grin.

Ashlard copied it down as neatly as he could, admiring the curves of the first rune, making him think it matched her perfectly. But after several hours of copying and writing, his head and wrist hurt. He wrote a note saying 'I love you' and gave it to Runë. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

He felt that he was looking forward to the sparring with Blain. As Ciray packed her stuff up, saying she'd be back the next day. Ashlard gave Runë a cuddle, kissing her all over until she gasped for air in silent laughter. He stood, walking quickly to the balcony, and leapt into the air. Turning towards the docks, Ashlard quickly spotted training dummies in a large walled complex. Picking a spot, Ashlard quickly dropped down, landing in the field, feeling the eyes of all the soldiers on him. He quickly straightened up, pulling in his wings and spotting Blain, made his way over.

"Come on, it's time we got you a proper weapon," said Blain.

Walking through a set of doors, Ashlard was greeted by the sight of a large room. It was filled with hundreds of weapons, axes, clubs, swords of all shapes and sizes. Blain led him to the back, where there were a selection of large two handed battle axes, and beside them, some extremely long swords.

"This is a claymore," said Blain, pulling a long blade down from it's rack. "In the proper hands, it is a brutal weapon of war, used to cave in armour and shatter shields, but in your hands, it could be far deadlier."

Ashlard took the sword in one hand, admiring the blade, he realised it was as long as he was tall, but he knew this would change when he grew to his full size.

Blain continued, "anywhere that brute can't be swung, I'd still use this," he said, offering the short sword Ashlard had been using. Blain had cleaned it after his duel with the Prince.

Blain decided a shoulder strap would be best for Ashlard, they could be made quite loose, giving him room to grow without breaking. It would also provide enough room to carry both swords side by side. Walking back into the training yard, Ashlard couldn't help but notice the chuckles from the other men, mocking his appearance carrying two swords, let alone a claymore. They made their way to a large clearing, away from the others.

"Draw a sword," said Blain.

Ashlard reached behind him, grasping the hilt. He tried to pull the blade free, but quickly found his arm wasn't long enough to draw the blade free of its sheath. Now he could hear laughter, the soldiers clearly mocking him.

"Just this once, show them," Blain whispered.

With a grin, Ashlard surged with energy, rising to his full height of over three meters, pulling his sword free in a single motion, holding it easily in one hand. Ashlard made a few experimental swings, liking how it felt. Surging energy again, Ashlard returned to normal size.

"We'll have to get you a new sheath," said Blain, "Can't have you falling on the battlefield if you can't draw your sword in a hurry."

Drawing his own sword, Blain quickly stepped forward, sweeping his blade in an arc, Ashlard barely had time to swing his claymore to intercept.

"Good," barked Blain, "again!"

They continued sparring, only making one or two techniques at a time, adjusting to the weight of his sword. Ashlard found that it required a slightly different technique to wield effectively. He relied less on the tip of the blade, and more on the base. The added length and weight however, made his attacks brutal. Carving wide arcs through the air, listening to it scream, Ashlard appreciated this weapon.

After a few hours, and a few sword switches, Ashlard was now getting the hang of using both. holding the claymore in one hand, and his short sword upside-down like a dagger. He found that he could parry, block and even catch and hold Blains sword with little effort.

"Keep this up boy," said Blain, "we'll make a master of you yet."

Finding he could open his wings without disturbing the blades, Ashlard quickly flew home to Runë. Flying over the balcony, snapping his wings closed and hurtling through the doors, he landed beside Runë with a thump. Quickly taking her up in his arms, her initial shock, changing to her adoring smiles and she kicked her legs around and kissed him.

"Want to take a swim?" he asked softly.

Runë smiled, nodding, and Ashlard didn't need more convincing. Taking a running leap, straight out of the tower, and back to find their lake. Approaching low over the trees, this time Ashlard didn't hesitate. Holding Runë tight against his chest, he flipped around, holding his wings straight out in front. Diving backwards into the lake with a mighty splash, they found themselves bobbing to the surface and kissing in between Runë's breaths of silent laughter. Oh how he loved to see her smile.

After their swim, Ashlard re-lit the fire, draping their wet clothes over the branch, and the two of them walked hand in hand into the forest. After only a few minutes of walking they came across something that made Ashlard light up. It looked like a large hunting lodge, the door hung on old leather hinges that snapped clean as he pushed open the door. It was immediately obvious that the building hadn't been used in a very long time. Dust and cobwebs everywhere, furniture falling apart from age, but he was surprised to see a large stone fireplace and large rugs strewn about to soften the hard stone floor. Giving Runë a squeeze, they made into the kitchen. With several pots and pans hanging from hooks, a larder dug into the ground and a staircase leading to a second floor. It was apparent that it would be very easy to live here comfortably.

Upstairs was several rooms, a main bed, with an old wardrobe and an impressive mirror, the other rooms looked like storage rooms, but Ashlard thought they could make for bedrooms in the years to come.

"This place looks abandoned," he said.

Runë placed her fingers in his mouth, piercing the tip of her finger on his fang

FLASH

Humming, such beautiful humming, surging of energy... Joy... Determination... Images flashing through their minds... Images of flowers... A small farm... Children...

FLASH

Ashlard was gasping for air, the energy it took to view her thoughts was immense. He sat on the floor, taking deep breaths, Runë quickly sitting on his lap, wrapping her arms around him.

"This can be our new home," he said. "Our safe place, where nobody else can find us."

Runë beamed, pulling him into another kiss. Ashlard jumped a little feeling her hand gently grasp his member. She looked so sweet and innocent as she ran her hand along it's length. Continuing until he was fully hard. Runë shifted around, sliding her legs either side of him. She leaned back, grasping his erection and with a rocking motion, slowly worked it into herself.

Ashlard just held her, living in this moment was heaven. He didn't bite her this time, he just allowed her to rock gently, pleasuring herself on his body. His heart quickened as he listened to her breathing deepen. Her even breaths turned into sharp gasps, before a gush of warm fluid soaked Ashlard's balls. The accompanying contractions drove him over the edge. He gripped her tightly, pulling her hard against his crotch, bouncing her quickly through their mutual orgasms. Only stopping as her entire body twitched and her head rolled back. He grinned, seeing the blissful expression on her face.

Back at the tower, Runë walked around with a skip in her step, Ashlard didn't realise quite how much she felt cooped up in here. It made him happy knowing they had found their own piece of paradise. But Ashlard had a small doubt, grabbing some parchment and a quill, he wrote something down.

NEED SEE BLAIN

Quickly showing it to Runë, she nodded with a small shrug. Good enough, thought Ashlard. Opening the door to the lift, quickly removing their meal and replacing the note, giving the chain a quick tug, he made sure it started descending, before bringing the food to Runë so they could eat by the fire. Before long, quick knocking on the door signalled the arrival of Ciray.

"Hello," she said with a smile.

"Come join us a moment," said Ashlard, offering a plate of flatbread.

"No thank you, I have a..." she pause a moment, "I have plans this evening."

"I better make this quick then," said Ashlard, giving Runë a quick kiss, Ashlard climbed to his feet.

Several minutes later, Ashlard was sitting in Blains office, mildly amused by Blains formal attire.

"So what did you want, I have plans this evening," said Blain.

"Is there any reason Runë and I have to stay in the tower?" asked Ashlard with a smile.

Blain thought for a moment, "not in particular... Why?"

"Good," said Ashlard, "Runë doesn't like being cooped up, I have found somewhere nearby the city to stay."

"What about your lessons and training?" he said with a scowl.

"I have no intentions to stop them, I just want Runë to be comfortable."

"Where is this place?" Blain asked.

Ashlard paused, "I wish for this place to be our secret, I've already made enemies."

Blain nodded, "good to see you're learning." Standing up, he lead Ashlard to the door, "Just let me know when you leave, I don't want to send Ciray up those stairs if you won't be there."

Ashlard practically ran back to Runë. He couldn't wait to tell her the good news. Bursting into the room, Ashlard stopped to take in the room. Runë was deep in a book, quickly jumping up and coming towards him. But... there was something wrong... He couldn't place it... A hooded figure stepped out from their hiding place beside the open door to the balcony. Their wrist, flicking up, and down, a silver flash hurtled into the room... Straight towards Runë. Ashlard didn't have time to think, he just acted. Tearing through the enclosed space with the sound of a lightning strike. He threw his arms around Runë, pulling her out of the way. The force of the wind, knocked books flying off the shelves, and extinguished the lamps. The only source of light coming from the balcony behind him. Runë had collapsed, terrified at Ashlard's sudden outburst. She was shaking and crying. Ashlard bent, gently stroking her hair, unable to speak through his elongated maw. Now she looked up, her tear streaked face masked with confusion. With a gasp, she spotted the tip of the blade, protruding from Ashlard's chest. It was stopped dead by his scales... Extending too late to stop the blade before impact. Ashlard coughed up a small wad of blood, standing to his full height, he turned to face the hooded figure, only to spot the flash of movement as they dived off the balcony.

Screeching in rage, Ashlard tore out of the room. Spotting the figure sliding down to the ground with the help of a long rope. It was wedged to the stone balcony with a large three-pronged hook. Ashlard took a single step over the edge, falling straight down. The ground cracked with a mighty crunch as he landed. Standing upright, he saw the figure pushing through a crowd of people staring in shock. Ashlard started running, he had to catch him, find out who he works for, make him pay!

Leaping clean over a huddle of people Ashlard spotted the figure dart down an alley. Turning to follow, he had to quickly recoil as another blade flew past embedding in the wall of a nearby building. With a shriek, Ashlard tore down the alleyway, determined to catch his prize.

Runë, realising what happened, ran down the stairs. She had to find Blain, he could help, and as if her wish had been answered, Blain was already at the bottom of the stairs when she arrived.

"What happened," Blain said, handing her some parchment and a quill.

Quickly writing down the events she saw and handing Blain the note, he scanned it a moment,

"Come with me," he said, "You might be the only one to calm him if this goes wrong."

.....................................................

FOOL!... Raged Arctur, why didn't he listen? Climbing over the city walls, ducking between two distracted guards and leaping into a clearing below. There was strict orders not to touch the girl, hopefully he could be stopped in time. He didn't understand what severing a bond would to to Ashlard, if that happened, nothing would stop him.

The sound of tearing metal ripped through the air, looking up at the tower, there he was, swinging down on a great rope,

"NOOOOO!" Arctur screamed, sprinting through the streets.

He must be found, he may not have succeeded, but Ashlard may be sated temporarily if he finds his prey.

.....................................................

Ashlard was getting tired, this hooded figure was quick. He kept ducking down narrow alleys and doubling back, making it difficult for Ashlard to keep up. But something else was wrong, he felt sluggish, his eyes burning fiercely... Poison... He must end this now... Turning down a main street, there was the figure, darting into an alley, sprinting to catch up, HA!... It was a dead end, no exit, no windows. The figure turned to face him, hurling one of it's blades, Ashlard ducked, catching it as it flew overhead. It was short, almost like a dart, with the tip closer to a dagger. There was a groove down the spine, in it was a slick green fluid. Ashlard dropped the blade, turning to face the figure, who was busy using two more blades to climb the wall. Ashlard took a running leap, trying to grab the figure and pull them down. With a pang of anger, he missed, the poison clearly taking a toll on his physical abilities.

Pulling himself hand over hand, the wound in his chest causing him to wince as he clawed his way up. He made it to the roof as the figure jumped back down the other side. Ashlard dropped to the ground behind it, lurching, his legs couldn't handle the impact and Ashlard collapsed. Struggling to his feet, the figure was standing before him, holding two of it's blades. They clashed, the figure whirling around slashing Ashlard across the middle. It was to Ashlard's relief his opponent was not able to damage his scales. Ashlard swept his claws across the figures face, feeling nothing but wind.