Knights and Dragons AU ==== There were loud festivities. A banquet with the finest game. A kingdom over joyed at the return of their royal heir. But that was becoming rather normal for the knight just outside the castle grounds. He gently tugged his horse along by the reigns taking the time out to stretch his legs. Besides him a small pack of dogs swirled obediently around their masters legs as the huntsman caught up with his old friend. "So how many is that then?" He laughed stroking his facial hair "Second this week, it's quite ridiculous" the Knight sighed lifting up his helmet from under his arm and looking at it thoughtfully. As part of his 'look' the helm had been adorned with two large horns gilded with flame proof materials. "Ah dragons" His friend sighed "I'm glad I'm just a huntsman, I mean I'd hunt many mythical creatures if needed. Just not fond of those scaly bastards" "I wonder why they decide to kidnap the offspring of royal families, it can't be anything to do with that whole 'virgin' deal as everyone seems to think" He groaned tucking the horned helm back under his arm "The last princess I rescued, well, she embraced the castle's gardener for quite some time when she thought no one was looking if you get my meaning" The huntsman roared with laughter, his dogs jumping excitedly. "Yeah, nobles, bastards just like the dragons, guess that's why they like 'em. With all the nobles you rescue I'm surprised you're not betrothed to one already" "Oh lord no" the Knight batted the remark away quickly "Too much hassle" he laughed "Besides I spend too much time rescuing people to settle" "Yeah no kingdom seems to have adequate dragon protection, it's not like they don't know the threat they pose but they still don't do anything." "Then again if they did that I'd probably be out of a job! Then again I could sell pelts from the dragons I have slain" The two joked together as they continued down the muddy path out of the village. Thundering hooves and a exasperated voice calling out reached the duo as they prepared to part ways. The Knights shoulders slumped a little as he cast his friend a knowing look. "Knight Cyrus! Knight Cyrus!" The thin out-of-breath message bearer wheezed as his horse slowed down next to his. "Yes, yes, speak" Cyrus waved a hand preparing to don his helmet. "Not royalty this time but a high ranking nobleman of the Tyger Pax estate!" The man gasped "Taken, taken to the forbidden land of Chaar!" "I'll get him" Cyrus said automatically, the messenger nodded and promised payment upon the nobleman's safe return to his estate before riding away again. "Havn't you been to that place before?" "Yes Scully" Cyrus sighed to the Huntsman "In fact that was where I went in the mission prior to this" "Why havn't you just killed the beast there yet?!" Scully's voice seemed to go higher as the question went on. "I try but the beast there is sly and powerful" "And bloody stupid from what I've heard. Chaar only got that name as people say that the beast who lives there was the very one who burnt the whole land up in a fit of spontaneous rage!" "Most likely, it possesses a quite potent flame" Cyrus put his helmet on and mounted his horse. Scully's dogs began leaning up after him curiously "I will do my best to catch up with you again once I return from Chaar. Again." "See you then friend" Scully waved, and with that Cyrus geed his horse onwards the stallion sped off as fast as it's hooves would carry it. The land of Chaar was quite befitting of the name. Dark, bleak, dusty, the skies churned with so much ash that the sun was barely visible and a majority of the light in this land came from pools of lava dotted around the place. Cyrus knew exactly where to go here. He'd come here so many times there was practically a path trodden down by himself and his horse leading straight to the one remaining structure of this place. The one castle to have survived the original destruction of this land. The drawbridge was down as always and easy to navigate. The traps at the front door were still the same. Step right, move left, none activate. Enter the throne room, that's usually where the prisoner was being kept, the repetitive nature of these rescues always made you wonder if this particular dragon was playing with your or if it had memory loss. Was that even a thing dragons could get? The throne room was the right guess. "I've been expecting you" grumbled out across the room rattling the wall fixtures. Somewhat ignoring the line, it was said every time you came here, you looked to the throne where the nobleman was being 'held against his will' although this time he just looked bored and played with his fingers uninterested in his rescue. "Sir!" Cyrus called out to the high ranking official drawing his blades ready for the dragon to descend upon him. "Oh" the man replied "Does this mean I can go now?" What. The air swirled as powerful wings slowed down the dragons descent and the large purple beast stood before you. Eyeing you gleefully. This had never happened before. "Fine fine, whatever" the dragon responded flicking it's tail irritably at the man who just got up and walked right past the creature! Cyrus stood with his mouth agape. "Do you mind if I borrow your horse?" the nobleman stopped by him "Return to my kingdom when you are done and you shall get him back at the very least" Cyrus barely managed to say anything but managed something akin to a nod and the other man left. In front of him, purple scales flickered in the candlelight as two bright red eyes watched him carefully. The trio of horns adorned the dragon's head like a natural crown and large leathery wings came to rest at it's side relaxed. "What do you want?" Cyrus growled at the beast, hoping an answer would clarify this confusion. Or at least a fight. Maybe this was it? A end to the years of repeated visits here, rescuing countless from this elusive creature that had avoided his blade time and time again? "Every time you come here it's to rescue someone" it rumbled oh so innocently "Because you keep taking them!" Cyrus snapped back, further confused. "I just wanted you to actually be here without them, I mean what would happen if you just came here without trouble?" What? "You mean you just wanted me to come over?" "Yes" "But why?" The dragon shrugged. "You actually survive encountering me" It grinned flashing several dagger-like teeth "That takes a good deal of skill! I want to meet the amazing human that can live through the might of Galvais!" it spread it's wings for dramatic effect. What exactly was this dragon doing. "Really now?" Cyrus put his sword away and folded his arms at Galvais. "Uh well" It seemed nervous as it's claws clicked together and it managed a small smile "I wanted to see my knight again" it smiled broader and Cyrus managed to realise what the dragon was aiming at. "So everyone you kidnapped?" he asked and the dragon shuffled a bit knowing that the human had realised. "Yes" it admitted. Cyrus smiled a bit, this was unusual. But nice.