Writing/Ceylon - \r\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Canowicakte - [iconname]Westernfront[/iconname]
Chapter 1 - https://inkbunny.net/s/3390711
Chapter 2 - https://inkbunny.net/s/3517606
Been meaning to get around to this one for months! Cano is a tonne of fun, the art is amazing, and it's nice to use this as a lovely excuse to make up some fun lore about the world while also having an excuse to go wild with sizeplay fun!
This will be the story that I do in between other stories this month since there are 8 versions of the art and therefore 8 chapters. However, since there are 8 chapters, that means I will be making them shorter, aiming for about 5,000 words per chapter instead of the usual 10,000+.
...I Say as I post a 9,000 word chapter. Don't worry, most of them will be shorter, this is just the establishing chapter. Anyway.
In this story, Ceylon hears of a new adventurer's lodge known as the Great Lakes Guild being built west of Ilorek's Ranch. She knows that this could potentially be a bad thing given the living magics that possess the Vast Emerald Wood. She seeks an audience with Canowicakte, the dragon in charge, in hopes of fostering a positive relationship between the guild and the forest spirits that they may contest with.
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A Tour of the Region
\t00 - A Relaxing Summer Dip at The Ranch
\tCeylon rolled over onto her back so that both rear paws and front talons were folded up on her chest and belly. Her eyes were closed, allowing her to rest and fall nearly asleep in the heat. She used her wings for balance as the midday sun warmed her mostly white feathers and fur, the black stripes and spots all taking all the heat they could. Next to her on a rather large rock was her serpent partner, Leera. The snake was curled up and basking in that same sun, absorbing the warmth through her golden brown scales to store within her.
\tThe pair of them were on a seasonal break from their respective jobs and were living the simple life on Ilorek's Ranch. Leera worked as a predator and administrator at the Vore House while Ceylon was a product lead and CEO of NoThEn Labs. Both could be year round gigs but Leera's natural digestive cycle meant she couldn't work for a few weeks as a predator and Ceylon wanted to capitalize on the mid-summer weather to share with her. In order to get as far away from their day jobs as possible they both were relaxing on a ranch outside of Klyneth.
\tIlorek's ranch in particular was a unique establishment for a few reasons. The entire property was in the raised crater of a dormant volcano, meaning it was surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs that blocked the view from the outside. This created an insular, self-contained region that felt separate from the world around it. It also was theorized to be one of the ademane volcanoes that went dormant prior to the first age, which would explain why magic felt more potent there. Ilorek's family had established a homestead within the crater of the volcano eras before and it had remained ever since.
\tSo he and his wife, Valencia, used the magical properties of the volcano's crater to open up a ranch that hosted guests in a very unique manner. The amplified magic meant that Valencia's natural psychic abilities extended flawlessly to the feral livestock that called The Ranch Home. This opened all manner of options between their guests and the beasts themselves, resulting in The Ranch having a strong online presence in certain circles.
\tIt wasn't just the four of them relaxing, either. The Ranch – which was not just a descriptor of the locale but the name of the business – housed workers, guests, clients, and visitors at all times. On the property there were a series of barns that were all multiple floors, ensuring that not only did the animals have stalls and stables on the ground floor but there was a simple motel setup for the guests and clients. There, visitors could rent out rooms for the night while allowing them to come and go from the various pastures, cave systems, aeries, and woodland paddocks for their recreational activities.
\tSome even rented a room in the barns on The Ranch permanently. They lived there instead of having a home in town or nearby. It was a very popular establishment. The workers were given rooms but not all of them accepted that. Some came and went before and after their shifts while others stayed at The Ranch overnight. Like Rex, the tall tiger that worked as The Ranch's groundskeeper.
\tLeera and Ceylon were both laying next to the lake in the center of the property. It was both an irrigation pond and a place to relax. Ceylon was on the grass next to the rock Leera was basking upon. Nearby, Valencia the bat-wolf hybrid was dangling upside down from the lowest branches of a tree, wrapped in her wings. Ilorek was on an inflatable floatie on the middle of the lake with a drink in one hand and a half melon in the other. Dozens of others were on the shores of the lake, swimming and indulging one another. The casual fun around them was so relaxing.
\tAt least until Valencia's phone lit up, indicating she had a message waiting for her. While upside down she read the message and rolled her eyes, putting the phone back in her wing folds.
\t“What was that all about?” Ilorek asked from his place floating idly on the lake. He was a hippogryph, equal parts equine and avian He had very keen eyes.
\t“I just got a message from a friend telling me about an adventurer's guild opening up nearby.” Valencia explained while nestling back up into the folds of her own bat-like wings.
\tThis got Ceylon to raise an ear and crack an eye to glance over at her. “Where, exactly?”
\t“West of here. Along the Tourelle path. Apparently a global guild has decided to set up shop here. Kinda like The Ranch. Right along the southern border of the Vast Emerald Wood.”
\tThis wasn't a problem in and of itself but it raised a few red flags. There hadn't been any guilds of this manner in the area for a reason, so she was concerned that whoever it was that was extending to the nation of Saff'Rald either didn't have the permits or didn't understand the region. “Ah. I see. I see. So there's an adventurer's guild opening up west of here?” Ceylon tried to clarify.
\tValencia got her phone back out and thumbed at it to scroll a bit. “Yeah. Fidget loves that sort of stuff so she's really excited about one opening up here. She'd wanted to join a guild for a while. Suits her.” She scrolled some more. “I can ask her for more info, if you want. I just got a message that said, and I quote: Oh my skies above, they finally did it! The Great Lakes Guild is opening up a treasure hunting hub over by Tourelle! Gonna go check it out this weekend once it's built!”
\t“Nothing else?” Ceylon asked. She rolled over so she was on her belly, staring at Valencia.
\t“You have her contact info. You ask. Or look it up. Can't be too hard to use a search engine.” She begrudgingly wrapped herself back up into her wings and let her phone drop to the grass beneath her next to a prepared picnic basket. “I'm enjoying a nap. You should, too.”
\tIlorek hovered his hand over the water opposite the shore and used some magic to propel him closer to the others. “What's the big deal?” He asked Ceylon, lowering his sunglasses to look at her then taking a drink from his coconut mug by lapping at it with his long tongue.
\tCeylon rolled her eyes. “It might be nothing. You know how the Vast Emerald Wood is. Very protective of its secrets.”
\t“Right.” Ilorek agreed, then halted the use of his magic to stop floating toward the shore. “I mean, the spiritual magic there will do its thing regardless. And aren't treasure hunters trained to deal with that sort of conflict? Who knows, might be good.” He gave Ceylon a sly wink and then hid behind his sunglasses again, sipping more from his coconut mug.
\t“Rrf. Well I should really go see what's going on. Just in case.” Ceylon was mildly reluctant.
\tFor the first time, Leera spoke to Ceylon. She nuzzled the rock and smiled at her gryphon partner while flicking her tongue. “Admit it, you just wanna meet all the big strong adventurers.”
\tA sly grin pulled at the crook of Ceylon's beak before she eventually dismissed the claim with a roll of her eyes. “Sure. I gotta go.” Ceylon waved to the others and leapt into the air, spreading her wings and flapping hard to get some leverage over the lake. With no thermals to buoy her up it was a lot of work but she found the altitude needed to crest the ridges of the volcano before reaching the cliffs. With that, she was off to investigate the Great Lakes Guild.
\t01 - Establishing A Conduit for Communication
\tIn truth, Ceylon's interest was complicated. Sure, she was curious for the sake of her own desires – she had a history of having fun with the more adventurous types – but it was more than that. She was also a conservationist. She cared about the planet and the living magic that resided within. She'd lived in Klyneth for what felt like many lives and two of the most defining features of the region were the Vast Emerald Wood and Great Sapphire Lake. The namesake landmarks of Saff'Rald.
\tBoth of which, the lake and the surrounding greatwood, were unique in that they had an innate magic that gave life to the land itself. This enchantment transformed everything within the region to act as one, as though the planet itself was resisting the presence of the agens that lived there. This meant that despite Saff'Rald itself being the most well-populated nation in all of Dalon, the Vast Emerald Wood and Great Sapphire Lake were virtually untouched by the hands of anthro culture.
\tThe region as a whole was known as the Cradle of Dalon. The purest, untouched source of all life. Dead in the center was a mountain range so tall and so steep that none had ever scaled it; even the most steadfast and foolhardy of explorers were unable to reach the summit. The peak was so tall that even the strongest flyers were unable to ascend that high and even with modern technology, the magic field that blanketed the region ensured no satellite imagery could fully map out the area.
\tDespite its enigmatic reputation it wasn't as sealed off from the rest of the world as one might think. On the contrary, it was inhabited by a tribe of petite mammalians that had long since lived in harmony with the magical essence of the enchanted region. One might call it the spirit of the forest. That spirit had no tolerance for people disrespecting the land and was violent towards those hostile to the fauna and flora native to the region. The only way anyone was able to survive within the Vast Emerald Wood was to obey the rules. Rules only the native tribes were able to interpret and share.
\tSo for centuries the Vast Emerald Wood and Great Sapphire Lake were virtually untouched by anthro paws. Pure and natural to their core. Only relatively recently had the people of Klyneth grown trustworthy enough for the native tribes of the Vast Emerald Wood to share and invite them in. Now, the enchanted forest and lake were hosting outsiders and the spirit magic even accommodated those outsiders. Barely. There were strict rules and breaking them meant that the magically enchanted flora and fauna would ensure your life was forfeit.
\tCeylon had seen far too many social media posts of people trying to be nasty for clicks only to be swallowed up by the ground or mauled by an enchanted snekken that drowned them in the mud. People learned pretty quickly not to mess with the local life. Not just wildlife but plant life, too.
\tThat was why Ceylon was concerned. Adventurers guilds were known to have specifically trained to get around these sort of enchanted traps and spiritual defenses. These sorts of hot spots – magic-rich areas with an abundance of ademane – were found all over the world but none were as strong as the Cradle of Dalon and that could just be a bloodbath for the Great Lakes Guild.
\tShe was flying as quickly as she could to the place she expected to be met with a guild lodge. What she saw as she flew west along the treeline of the Vast Emerald Wood was not as developed as she expected. The lodge was still being built. So far it was little more than a skeleton frame work in the general shape of a guild's lodge. So far.
\tThere were dozens of people helping with the construction ranging from bulky canines to bulky equines to bulky dragons to bulky bovines. Almost all of the people working on the lodge were massive so Ceylon had no way of knowing if those were the adventurers or if they were a crew hired for construction. Most adventuring parties had at least one or two thinner and more nimble members that served as recon or for infiltration. It looked like every member here was as thick as they were wide.
\tCeylon did a few more circles around to survey the lay of the land. The lodge was being built at a very interesting location given the region. There was a small river that came south through the treeline of the Vast Emerald Wood, sourced from Great Sapphire Lake. It flowed into a lake with little surface area but a lot of depth, one less than five hundred meters wide but kilometers deep. From there, the lake dispersed into three smaller creeks that meandered across the plains. The Lodge itself was being built upon the shore of the lake, nestled in between one of the creeks and the feeding river.
\tGreat Lakes Guild. Of course they were building their lodge right on a lake shore.
\tA few more circles later and Ceylon settled on who she assumed to be the leader. The one leading the operation. It was a rather massive dragon with fur the colour of milk chocolate. Quadruped, with long whiskers that trailed his flank and a pair of regal antlers upon his head. Not a lot of furred dragons in this region; he looked like he came from Farragouth or Veneisse, east across the InTamos Strait. In fact, there weren't many dragons with antlers, either; they usually had horns. There was something special about this drake and Ceylon could tell even while still flying high above.
\tShe dipped her wing and dove down, careful to not aim to land too close to the lodge. It was considered rude to land too close to where people were working or having fun. It was seen as an act of aggression, like she was attacking them. She was not. Her goal was reconnaissance, to find out more about their operations and goals before deciding what direction to go.
\tWith a dip and a flip, she landed daintily on all fours beyond the edges of the work site, drawing the attention of a handful of the workers to stop and give her a glare before getting back to construction on the lodge. The large dragon glanced back at her but mostly ignored her. He was buy guiding the workers and giving instructions.
\t“We'll be focusing on the trusses first. The frame and roof. Only once the structure is solid will we be decorating for the guild.” He kept his head held high as he kept a keen eye on the workers.
\tCeylon trotted up to him and made sure he was looking at her while she waved a wing at him. “Hey there!” She said in a chipper tone, one more friendly and bubbly than usual.
\t“Hello.” Was all the dragon said in response. His voice was deep. Gruff. Curt. No nonsense.
\tShe wasn't entirely sure how to continue without sounding too awkward. She wasn't here to speak with any authority over the region, she just wanted to know more. She got closer but kept her distance enough that she was out of reach of a tail swipe or a wing sweep. She had no idea what sort of Guild this was. Some adventuring guilds were aggressive and nasty while others were in it for the sense of adventure and fun. “Is this the Great Lakes Guild?”
\tHe nodded without looking away from the crew. “It is.”
\t“Okay, perfect. I'm in the right place.” Ceylon felt comfortable moving closer so that she was in his field of vision. “Mind telling me more about ya?”
\t“What do you want to know?” He angled his face down to look at her. She was much smaller than he was; her shoulder may have come up to his chest if they were both standing tall.
\tShe was worried that, given his gruff tone and focused demeanour he might not want to field a series of questions about his group. Luckily he wasn't dismissing her and didn't seem annoyed so she wasted no time laying it out. “Well, I know you're an adventuring guild and I know you're known as the Great Lakes guild. That's all I know. I'm curious about who you are. What you do. And what you're doing here in particular. There's been no adventurer's guilds here as long as I've been here, is all.” She felt the need to explain her curiosity before he had the chance to get the wrong idea.
\tAs she asked, though, his expression softened and he cracked the subtlest of smiles. His long whiskers twitched a bit at the ends and he even showed a fang. “I am Canowicakte, and we do whatever is needed.”
\t“Do you mind if I call you Cano? It's a bit easier to say. Cane Ow Ick Ack Te? That's-”
\t“If you insist.” He said with a slight nod and a slightly clearer grin.
\t“Oh good. That was going to get complicated. I take it you're not from around here, then?” She hopped to the side to glance up and down his flank, sizing him up. “Not a lot of furred dragons in the region. And we're a hotbed for international travel and intersectional culture.”
\tCano lightly extended a wing to better show off his flank. His wing was webbed like a bat and a dragon equally. “I've been across the globe from one end to the other. Anywhere that there's treasure or work to be done me and my crew have been there and will be there. And who might you be?”
\tShe clicked her beak and shook her head off, ears perking up and angling backwards in shame. “Oh, sorry. I'm Ceylon.” She hopped forward and extended a front talon, which Cano tapped respectfully. “I'm a local and I keep an eye out on the region. Try to keep myself informed about who's here, what's going on, and how to make sure we all live here in harmony.”
\t“Sounds important.” Cano observed. “So are you auditing us?”
\t“Skies above, no, I don't have that authority. I work for – well, I own and have invested in – a few businesses in the area. I make it my business to know things as needed and I don't trust most. I like to get my information straight from the source. I could have read up on you guys and done it that way but I'd rather hear from you. So tell me, Cano, what brings you here?”
\tThis was where things could go one of two ways. Either he would be difficult by refusing to answer, feeling he was under investigation or he'd open up and share in the passion, eager to educate. There was a less likely third option that he'd simply answer and move on without any passion but that wasn't very likely. Ceylon was not getting those vibes from Cano. He was either a stoic dragon who kept things close to the heart or someone eager to let it all out. There was no middle ground.
\tHe paused for a moment while raising an eyebrow. He flicked his ear over the curl of his antler that cradled the back of it as he grinned, exposing his teeth. “Why, you looking to join?”
\t“Maybe? I am pretty busy as it is but I am always eager to find new hobbies in between. I've always considered myself the adventurous type and if I'm the right fit maybe I'll get comfortable.”
\t“You have to have conviction to be a member of the guild, you know. Without the strength and courage needed to take on the challenges ahead of you, you're likely to end up little more than a victim. A casualty of the call. Tell me, Ceylon, do you have that dedication?” He sat down on his haunches, sure to keep his snout up tall like he was inducting a new member while his people kept working.
\tThis was another instance where Ceylon could approach from a few different angles. Did she feign innocence in order to get him to try and build her up or should she show confidence and see if he tested her? She wanted answers and wasn't immediately sure how to best get them out of him without trying to assert authority. She could already tell if she tried to strong-arm him into getting those answers it wouldn't work. He was strong, both physically and mentally. She'd only been speaking to him for minutes but the latent magics inside her that allowed her a deeper level of empathy told her that he was powerful in many ways. She needed to be smart, not aggressive with him.
\tShe didn't need to make an enemy so she nodded with understanding. “Well, I need to know more before I commit to anything, really. You see, if you are not from around here I fear you might be getting in over your head. I know the realm perhaps better than any other and I am here to see if you need me. Not if I need you.” She wanted to be upfront.
\t“Bold.” He said in his gruff tone. “I appreciate that.”
\t“Not just bold. I'm hoping to help. Like I said, none know the region better than I do. That's why I was so eager to come and see you in person.” She stopped to take in a deep breath, composing herself. “I just think it'd be in everyone's best interest. The living magic that resides here is powerful, and I've seen too many lost to it. I don't want you and your crew to be, as you put it, a casualty to the call of adventure. So with that in mind I'm just curious about the Great Lakes guild. What do you do? What's your goal? What brings you here?”
\tCano sat tall, looking down over his snout at Ceylon. His whiskers flicked and his tail swayed behind him as his people continued to work on the lodge. “Interesting.” Was all he said for a moment. “By most accounts I would assume you to be a fool chasing clout but I don't get that impression and I'd be the fool to not at least hear you out. Tell me, Ceylon Gryphon, what advice do you have?”
\tThis was a relief. Ceylon knew this was the breach she needed to get through to him. “Well, first I just want to know a bit more about you and your people. I've met many in my travels as well and most adventurers have only treasure hunting on the mind. Coin and conflict. Do you seek coin?”
\t“Heh. Yes.” Cano scoffed light-heartedly. “Indeed we do. Follow me, please.” He got to all fours and walked past Ceylon to make his way between two piles of lumber towards the frame work of the lodge. Some of his people stopped to acknowledge him but immediately got back to work.
\tCeylon kept pace and kept next to him, shoulder to shoulder. He was bigger than her but she was more nimble. There was already noticeable improvements done to the building, a testament to the efficiency of his crew. It was impressive. She waited for him to continue with the tour.
\t“My guild is a worldwide entity. We have chapters set up in every continent from Yelfrit to Itanobel. Everywhere but here. We take on many tasks, many jobs. Everything from security to escort missions to courier jobs. It really depends on what's needed. Our services are widespread and versatile. As you can see, our members are all quite capable.” He motioned towards the frame of the lodge, which was almost complete and the size of a city block.
\tBy mere observation from what she saw while flying overhead and what she was looking at now, there had to be dozens of rooms stacked high across multiple stories of the building, all of which were appropriately sized to fit Cano. Impressive. “I assumed that much, yes. Most guilds have those services. I'm just wondering what drew you here. To this location in particular.”
\t“It was the only area that we saw no guild activity.” Cano said simply as they made their way around the building to look over the lake, sunlight glistening off the shallow waves to reflect at them. “We guilds tend to respect the boundaries of one another. The Great Lakes guild has our territory while the Stone Mountain guild and the Vast Plains guild and the Lush Woods guild all have their own. However, none have set up a chapter here in Saff'Rald.”
\t“Exactly.” Ceylon said with an air of caution. “Perhaps there was a reason for that? Between your worldwide guilds and the local ones all with various levels of control and influence throughout the ages, don't you think there would be a great reason why no chapters had been brought here?”
\t“Of course.” Cano answered. “Of course there were good reasons. I'm no fool.”
\tCeylon gave him a side eye. “And what reason do you think that is? What kept all other guilds away that didn't scare you and yours away?”
\tHe rumbled contentedly as he slowly turned his head to look at Ceylon, his expression softening. “Those guilds don't have me. They don't have my people.”
\t“And what's so special about you?”
\t“Most mercenaries, treasure hunters, and adventurers are foolhardy. Arrogant. Confident beyond their skills. I'm no fool. I know my strength, I know my weakness, I know diplomacy. And I train my guild mates to do the same. No peril is beyond our ability and no danger is stronger than our conviction to whatever the cause may be. And, above all else, I know when to defer to the experts. And as I expected when I began construction, someone like you was sure to come around with a word of warning and a desire to help. So tell me, Ceylon, what is it you really want to say? What are you trying to tell me without telling me? I'm strong but that doesn't make me a fool.”
\tCeylon cracked a beaky smirk. “Clever drake.” She complimented him. “Well, if you're here for what I think you're here for I think you should probably focus your efforts elsewhere.”
\tHe raised an eyebrow. “And why is that? What do you think I'm here for?”
\t“We both know what that is. So why don't you dump a bit of exposition on me. Tell me your story. If I'm wrong, I'll bow to you and let you be on your way. If I'm right, then I'll have to stick around and make sure you don't mess it up.”
\tIt took him a while to answer. The silence between them was broken by the sound of hammers on the lodge's frame. Once he did, he couldn't hide his smirk. “I like you.” He huffed, then walked the shoreline towards the river that fed the lake, ensuring both of them were facing north to get a perfect view of the faint emerald glow of the Vast Emerald Wood. “That.”
\t“Yeah. I thought so.” Ceylon sighed. “Trust me, you don't want to do adventures there.”
\t“I think I do.” Cano countered. “But why do you think otherwise?”
\tShe stepped ahead of him, making him keep pace with her. “Like I said before, there's a reason no other adventurer guilds have set up in the area. The living magics of the Cradle of Dalon, the Vast Emerald Wood, and Great Sapphire Lake are not to be trifled with. Many have come with the same views as you and your crew only to be eradicated by the planet protecting itself. If there's any lost, ancient treasure to be found there, you will not find it. And if you do, you will not survive to share it or bask in the glory of it. I've lived here a very long time and I've seen dozens of groups try.” She actively swayed her hips as she sauntered, sure to tease him a bit. She could tell he was likely to be distracted.
\t“And that's where we differ.” Cano explained, deliberately keeping pace and doing his best to not fall behind or get distracted by the fact that he could actually see Ceylon's glistening pussy lips peeking out from under her tail. “Adventuring and treasure hunting aren't as common as they used to be and that's a shame. There's a good reason for that, as the gradual encroachment of our collective civilization has made Dalon herself resist us. The last remaining bastions of natural beauty and living magic are stronger than ever before. I've done my research, though. I'm not some greedy capitalist here to scour the land and siphon the life from the region itself.”
\t“That's good, because it wouldn't work.” Ceylon cautioned, still swaying her hips as they trotted upriver towards the treeline of the Vast Emerald Wood. “The Cradle of Dalon is a geologically significant area. One that is not to be harvested.”
\tCano's whiskers extended forward, slithering in midair towards Ceylon's haunches as she kept pace ahead of him. He was not shy one bit. It was clear what she was doing and he wasn't planning on disappointing her. “Yes, I know. The thing is, our guild isn't like others. We're the only one to have a chapter set up near the StoneMetal Mountains to the south, you know. If you looked us up and read about us, you'd know that I've done my research before extending our reach here.”
\tShe felt his whiskers caressing her rump cheeks so she pulled away and turned around. “So you're saying that you're aware of the dangers that the living magic may pose and yet you still want to risk the lives of yourself and the rest of your guild?”
\t“I'm saying I'm aware of the dangers and don't feel that it will be a problem. I told you, I was responsible for the chapter in Itanobel. I've dealt with these forest and lake spirits before. And one thing I can assure you is that violence is not the answer with them. Like you I've seen far too many fall to the sheer power of the forest. No, you seek communion with them. Befriend them. No one person and no culture will ever ascend above the land itself. Most adventurers don't understand this, they think the riches of Dalon and the Relics of the land are theirs to take. We don't do that.”
\tCeylon was getting strange signals from Cano. She knew he was being sincere but didn't know what to make of the situation. It felt to her like he was walking into a trap but it did appear that Cano and his guild were at least aware of the danger and were at least attempting to do it the right way. There were right ways and wrong ways to hunt for treasure and she was at the very least willing to give him a chance. Against her better judgment she sighed and lowered her gaze to avoid eye contact. “Alright.”
\t“Speak up, gryphon.” He insisted.
\t“Alright, I'll help you.” They were both right at the edge of the Vast Emerald wood, where a few trees were on their own and in little bunches rather than tightly packed. On one side of them to the south, a vast meadow of long grasses and flowers spread out to the horizon; behind them to the north was the dense, glowing foliage of the Vast Emerald Wood. “I'll help you, but you have to promise me.”
\tCano stepped up to her so that he was standing tall over her, looking down over his snout. “Promise you what and how are you going to help?”
\tShe didn't appreciate how he was trying to assert dominance over her so she got up on her hind legs to meet him at face height. She grabbed his antler with her talon and pulled him in close so she was staring him in the eye. “I'm gonna help you not get killed if you can promise to not do anything stupid. There are rules to how one can and cannot interact with the Vast Emerald Wood. All it takes is one bad move and you'll be torn apart by vines or smothered in mud that sucks you down. And the first thing you have to do is respect me. As your guide I may be the only thing keeping you from your end.” She then let go of his antler and stepped back, waiting for him to sit nicely in front of her.
\tHe grinned and nodded as his whiskers returned to trace the sides of his neck and rest near the base of his wing shoulders. “Understood.” He actually seemed impressed by her confidence. “So would you like to be inducted into the Saff'Rald wing of the Great Lakes Guild? I could do it myself.”
\t“You're certainly cute but I don't think that's necessary. You should probably treat me more like a consultant than anything else. A tour guide, maybe.” She turned back around and kept walking up the shore of the river beyond the first set of trees. The bark and crystals growing from the trunks of the trees glowed stronger in her presence. “Though, if you wanted to make an offering to the Emerald Wood I would be happy to facilitate that.”
\tCano made a few steps towards her but stopped when he noticed the change in magical flow around her when she got near the trees, ferns, and natural ademane crystals. “You're not just some local, are you?” He probed, unsure if he should catch up to her. There was clearly something special about Ceylon, something that made the foliage surge with living magic. He didn't need to know more; it was clear she wasn't just seeking attention.
\tShe shook her head but didn't respond to his question directly. “All I can say is that you'd do well to at least hear what I have to say and keep it in mind for your time here. I wouldn't just approach you without good reason and The Vast Emerald Wood is special. Great Sapphire Lake is special. The Cradle of Dalon and the rest of the region is special.” She kept walking through the underbrush which was getting thicker and thicker as they went deeper beyond the treeline. Every fern's root system and leafy vein glowed as she graced it, every ridge of bark throbbed with emerald green light. Every crystal that grew from the tree roots and off every rock hummed in her presence.
\tCeylon didn't like asserting authority but she wasn't hiding the fact that she had a connection with the region any longer. She wasn't just a conservationist, she had a connection with the forest spirits that protected the region. She didn't just know about the rules that had been established, she helped to negotiate them. She couldn't just outright tell him, though. She needed to act as a conduit between the living magic of the Vast Emerald Wood and any who would visit her.
\tIt was clear Cano was quite perceptive of this. He knew that she was more than some silly gryphon but knew better than to probe. “So, if you're going to guide me, where do we start?”
\tShe stopped and met him near one of the trees that hung over the flowing water of the river. As she got near, a single vine the thickness of a strand of fur started growing and extending towards her, slithering in midair as other strands braided and wrapped around it for extra support. When she stepped away from the branch that it was growing out of, the vine retracted and the extended plant matter that comprised it was reabsorbed into the tree. “We can start right here. I find the best way to make a peace offering is to offer part of yourself to fertilize the land. There's no purer of a sacrifice.”
\tIt wasn't enough to speak cryptically, she turned and lifted her tail so that it exposed her loins.
\tCano narrowed his gaze. “You think I should plant a seed to show my admiration?”
\t“It wouldn't hurt. Give the living spirit of the woods a taste of your essence. That way it will better recognize you.” She glanced back over her shoulder and spread her wings so that each of her feathered tips were dragging over some of the ferns and flowers near the river. As she did that, a series of small vines emerged from the ground to weave into the fur of her hind paws, wrapping around her ankles. “And no harm in having a little fun while we're at it.”
\t“I see. It would be a shame to waste such an opportunity to make communion with the living magic of the Vast Emerald Wood, wouldn't it?” He was playing along. It was clear this was not actually part of a ritual but Ceylon was acting like it was so he was happy to enjoy the process.
\tShe chirped at him. “Good to know we're in agreement.” She sniffed the air, taking in the emerging scent of musk as his aroma wafted between them in the clearing between the trees. It didn't stick around very long, as the flowing of the river nearby seemed to sweep it away. Knowing this, she felt the need to lean in closer to him, nuzzling his shoulder to get closer to his loins. “I hope you don't mind me acting as a conduit for your offering.”
\tHe laid a hand on her haunches and curled his claws into her fur, digging into both of her rump cheeks from above. “So it's really that easy, is it? Offer seed to the spirits of the Vast Emerald Wood and receive the blessings of the living magic of the region?” He pushed down with more weight, forcing her to squat down with belly on the grass. He was clearly loving her cheeky display.
\tCeylon resisted him and got back to all fours. “Of course it's not that simple. But it doesn't hurt, to get acquainted with any and all who seek to make a life for themselves here.” It was her subtle way of admitting she was just having fun by interpreting the rituals in a very physical way. There was some truth to the idea that Cano needed to make an offering of peace to appease the living magic that protected the Vast Emerald Wood and surrounding area, but she was enjoying a rather liberal interpretation of that concept, taking advantage of the situation.
\tCano was a rather large drake and Ceylon was not exactly shy about lifting her tail to the right partner. She could also tell from the moment they met that he was somewhat pent up, likely from the stresses of taking the first steps towards building the lodge. Relieving tension was a great way to get people to open up and being casual about it gave people a sense of companionship that was easy to use to strengthen bonds. Ceylon was typically not interested in romance with others but she was so casual with physicality that she made friends quite easily and fostered casual relationships with ease.
\tShe could already tell that Cano was going to be fun. In her experience, adventurous types were the most fun to be around and her connection to the living magic of the Vast Emerald Wood ensured that there would always be an excuse to cross paths with him. It was also nice that he was serious enough that she could keep it serious when she needed to but he was also friendly enough that she could have fun with it. If nothing else she had a strong ability to read people. That magic that gave her an uncanny empathy helped.
\tWhich was all why she had no qualms or hesitations about slipping her beak up under him to sniff his loins, rubbing the crest of it against his sheath opening. She was sure to tease him a bit earlier and see how he reacted; not every adventurer was this exploratory. Some were monogamous. Some were only interested in being physical if they were mated. She respected that, even if neither was a lifestyle she chose to live. So her plan played out as she hoped, by lightly teasing and leading him away from the others to see how he reacted before giving him a clearer and more direct invite.
\tPerhaps it was too forthright for some. She'd met those who didn't care much for the shameless display of a needy gryphon offering herself to them; Cano was no such drake. She had a lot to learn about him but one of the first things she was able to decipher about this guild master was that he was not shy about casual fun in the woods.
\tThis lesson was learned the very moment his member unfurled from within its confines to rest heavily on her beak and smear his fluids all over her face. He gave her a sly grin as he growled playfully at her, still digging his claws into her haunches to push her into his undercarriage. Curious, he lowered his head and flipped it upside down to get a better look under her tail, slipping one finger around the base of her tail and beyond her tail hole to tug at the corner of her pussy lips to expose the bright red inside. His curiosity sated, he slipped his tongue into her to get a taste.
\tTo his shock, she emulated him by cradling his emerging cock tip, which resembled that of an equine, in one palm and probed his opening with her own tongue! This made his eyes go wide for a moment as he contemplated his reaction beyond that point.
\t“I take it you've not had someone slip a tongue into you, before?” She said with a rumbling chirp, the vibrations coursing through her chest and into his member. “I suppose it's not too common but if you're going to explore me, I might do the same. Besides, you taste quite nice.” She finished by slipping her tongue into his hole again, probing it for more of his sweet and salty precum.
\tAdmittedly, he didn't know how to respond to this. He was a very large, very strong, serious drake. He was not used to having others take control like that. So, with that effort in mind he countered it by stepping over Ceylon so that she was completely underneath him with her rump out between his front legs, where he was able to press his haunches down on her and bury his snout under her tail.
\tThis was fine for a moment but Ceylon made it clear that it would not be staying that way for long. She gave his shaft a cheek nuzzle to ensure that his natural fluids and lubricants soaked her down her neck, barely clinging to her fluid-resistant plumage, before burrowing up between his hind legs and forcing him onto all fours again. Despite her being much smaller than him, she had the strength to get him into the position she wanted, surprising him.
\t“Oof!” He growled at her. Not angrily, but in surprise. “Impressive!” He was barely able to pull his snout out from between her rump cheeks, his tongue barely lashing at her lips on the way out.
\t“I know it doesn't come across much but I don't do much in terms of oral.” Ceylon confessed. “I just wanted to sample your scents a bit before taking control.” Before he could protest or prepare for her next move, she wrapped her tail around one of his front legs and grabbed the ankle of the same side's hind leg. She arched her back, extended a wing, and pulled both legs out from under him to force him to roll over onto his back with one fluid motion.
\tHe ended up bracing himself with his wings while on his back before she crawled up onto his belly, straddling his hips. He just blinked, shocked at her display of strength. Impressed, his cock swelled to its full girth and length almost instantly. “Perhaps I underestimated you.” He confessed.
\t“Most do. I wouldn't hold it against you.” Ceylon assured him as she got to all fours on his chest. She hoisted up so that her front talons were pressed to his front feet, using them for leverage and balance. With her hind paws on his belly, she leaned back against his shaft, bending her knees to have it rub between her rump cheeks and poke the underside of her tail. It was nearly as big around as her thigh. That was not going to stop her, though. She was not averse to putting in the work.
\tEven though his cock head was blunt and wide like a horse, she was slick with arousal and the blend of her own fluids and the saliva his tongue had left there. She used her tail to wrap around the base of his cock, angling it just right as she arched her back and sat down on his member with all her weight like it was a stool. It was much too wide to slip into her despite all of her weight being pressed down onto his flare and her two front talons on his front paws. His cock was so long her hind legs weren't even touching his belly anymore. Not only that, her tail was coiled around his shaft, pulling.
\tCano could tell he was probably too big for her so he brought his hind paws up to cradle either of her rump cheeks, ensuring that her weight didn't bend his cock. That would have been an unpleasant day if his shaft got twisted in the wrong way.
\t“No, no. It's fine.” She assured him. Her blue eyes were glowing and the misty emerald shine of the forest around them started to hum and throb as the plant matter all leaned in toward them. He didn't notice at first but a series of about a dozen small vines had emerged from the grass around his rump to slither and extend around his hindquarters, wrapping around his leg and gently squeezing his balls before extending their way up his shaft.
\tHe didn't notice this because he was so focused on Ceylon's pussy grinding against the blunt tip of his cock, smearing his fluids all over her lips and oozing combined mess down his shaft to cascade over his median ring and splash along his sheath. As he laid on his back with his wings spread out for balance, he growled gently as he wanted Ceylon do her best to wiggle and gyrate her hips on his length.
\tYet as she kept grinding and pulling herself down with her tail, the tiny little vines kept slithering up his body, growing thicker the longer they extended up his shaft. Eventually, they found his median ring and did a series of loops before extending farther towards his flare, which was squeezed between Ceylon's rump cheeks.
\tIt was only when he actually saw the green of the thin, tendril-like vines wrapping around his member to extend towards Ceylon that Cano figured out what was going on. However, given that Ceylon was acting as the conduit between himself and the living magic of the Vast Emerald Wood he allowed it. He didn't panic, he didn't question it, he just went with it, eager to see what was in store.
\tShe saw that he was aware so she offered him a sly wink as she used her tail to push herself off his cock, hoisting her rump off his spongy flared tip to put some distance between them as the vines finally started to weave between the nubs that lined his glans and grow up to her.
\tWhile her dripping, tender pussy winked and spewed some of her natural fluids into the divot around his urethra where it pooled, the vines converged between her lips and extended up into her, plunging as deep as they could go. Inside, they twisted then unfurled along her walls finding an anchor point at the entrance to her womb while forcing each of the half dozen of them apart, gaping her like a speculum, forcing her flesh to dilate and open nearly wide enough to let him in.
\tThat was when the vines all pulled her down onto him, forcing her lips to spread wide and swallow his cock from the flare to the median ring. The air that got trapped inside from the gape all sputtered out as her fluids bubbled and seeped out from between them, soaking the bottom half of his cock. The moment her flesh wrapped around his girth, the vines started to retract from between them, the friction of them caressing his shaft and her walls tickling both of them. It was a subtle pleasure, one that made his paws and claws curl in delight, accidentally digging into Ceylon's haunches.
\tHe noticed this but she didn't seem to mind so he didn't retract them, instead using them to help pull her down onto his length as her supple, taut walls slid down his member.
\tMuch to his surprise and her delight, she was not shocked or struggling. Her expression was one of sultry lust and dominance, not shock or strain. She loved this, even as the thickness of his member formed a visible bulge in her lower belly. The velvet pink flesh of his veiny member throbbed against her walls, twitching with carnal lust every time she shifted to create even the faintest hint of friction.
\tOf course, it didn't take too long to do the job. The tightness of her depths and the fact that he was pent up from the settling of the Lodge meant that he had a lot to offer and little resistance to her wiles. He growled and grabbed her with all four paws, holding her close to his chest as he bucked into her from his position on his back, his girth plowing into her and stretching her deep. HE could feel the bulge of his own cock pressing out against his belly through her abdominal wall, a bulge that grew as he felt his flare explode inside her to full size followed by the warm flow of his seed deposited deep.
\tWhile he was thrusting into her, practically using her as a toy for his own pleasure, her eyes continued to glow the emerald green of the living magic that surrounded them. She grinned and rumbled a churr at him with a gaped beak, her loins twitching and clenching around him to massage him. She could only fit half of it, from the median ring to the flare, but that was enough to milk him. She relaxed as best she could as she slammed down, then clenched as she pulled away, tugging his flesh with her own to stroke him with expert precision.
\tOnce the flow began to course through her, she stopped bouncing and focused on clenching as hard as she could, ensuring no drop of him escaped her. Not yet. While she rested all her weight down on his shaft, her tail remained coiled around the lower half of it, teasing near the sheath to draw more out of him.
\tShot after shot of his seed burst into her, the pressure building until it erupted into her womb. Her belly swelled and inflated as the thick dragon essence sloshed and swirled inside her, none of it escaping given how tight her flesh was wrapped around his. Each and every pulsation of his shaft spewed a bit more into her, each subsequent one offering just a bit less than the one before. Eventually, only a few drops got spurted out and his shaft was beginning to soften so she knew it was time.
\tCeylon pushed his gripping paws off of her and leaned forward, deliberately clenching her loins with all her might so that she kept it all inside her. The girth of his shaft tugged on her flesh as it was slowly extracted from her depths, eventually bursting with a pop as his flare was tugged out. Some of his creamy essence managed to escape with his flare and soak into his belly fur before she clenched her passage shut to keep the rest inside.
\tInstantly she leapt off him, the sloshing womb full of dragon seed swaying and churning inside her. She then raised her tail to the nearest fern and arched her back as another, thicker vine grew into the gryphon's depths, sucking out the dragon's seed from her womb until she was back to normal size. The moment the vine retracted out of her, she stepped up to him and stood over him with a grin. He was still on his back, paws folded on his chest in post-orgasmic bliss.
\t“Come, Cano.” She instructed. “We have much to discuss.”
\tHis whiskers flicked and twitched as he growled in delight. He rolled to all fours and checked over his body to make sure no vines were invading him as his cock folded back up inside his sheath. Hr didn't feel the need to verbally confirm her command. He knew when to accept commands and when to give them. With his guild mates he almost always was the one in control. He knew instantly that Ceylon was one to heed. One to respect.
\tAnd if things went well he'd even be hoping for more physical lessons about the region. He naturally had questions about what all of that meant but knew that for now he needed to listen. Not speak. That was the mark of a great leader.
\tCeylon and Cano stoically made their way back to the Lodge, where more visible progress had been made on the construction. The team was already putting the roof on the whole thing.
\tCano glanced over at Ceylon with a look of reverence and respect. “Tell me, Ceylon, what's your first lesson? What is the most important thing to know about hunting treasure here?”
\tShe gape-grinned back at him. “I think the first thing you must do is become intimately acquainted with my friends. If you can foster positive relationships with them, then you and your crew will be far more likely to find good fortune among the living magic of the Vast Emerald Wood. But for now, tell me a bit about The Great Lakes Guild.”