Devon’s eyes grew wide as a zipper rang out clearly, and he made a choking sound when Sorodomi spoke. Quickly, he flipped around, bright red. It was a few moments before he was able to speak. “Y-you really don’t need to do any of that, Miss. And maybe not move, but surely there is an area somewhere around that you could hunt in, and bring back food and the like. Without humans…”

His voice faded off, and he turned, puzzled, before scrambling backwards. Eventually, the wall stopped him from moving further, and he slid down it, sitting with his legs splayed out. Knowledge of any kind of language seemed to have left Devon, and he stared openly. He’d never seen a living dragon. It was a beautiful thing, clearly majestic, and instead of his heart seizing at her ferocity, he found it seizing in sorrow, and pain. Sorrow, because just from talking with Sorodomi, he could see she didn’t intend to harm any person, and pain because he knew he couldn’t just walk away now, without helping her in any way. “I…uhm, yes…Ma’am. W-what do you propose we do about this matter, then?”

"Oh I don't know...It's been so long since I did anything besides hide in these caves," she reached up to one of the topmost shelves and pulled from it a large tome. She carefully set it on the table, "If you don't mind, it's easier for me to read when I'm closer to the book's size," she began the transformation once again, this time in reverse. When she had finished she redressed herself in the dress she had folded and set on the chair. There was a hint of amusement in her voice as she said, "I'm decent," and sat down in her chair once again.

She picked up the dusty tome and opened it carefully. It hadn't been read in over three hundred years and it's edges were beginning to yellow with age. She easily found her way to the most well-read chapter, "Tell me Devon, what do you know about the Dimede Revolution?"

"Gah!" Came a quick reply, as Devon spun around, attempting to give the woman privacy, and almost falling over in the process. As soon as Sorodomi spoke, he turned back around, avoiding her gaze. "Why won't you consider moving? That is a part of life, and would be the easiest process..."

He frowned at her question, and shook his head. "Not much at all. History wasn't one of the lessons I'd gotten with my Monks. Why is it important?"

((Sorry I'm taking so long. It's spring break and I don't have internet at my parent's house. I should be somewhere soon where I can do an actual post. Just wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten about you! =^_^=;; ))

(It's okay. I haven't had internet for a while either.)

She gestured to him, indicating he should come and look, "Centuries ago, the Marache family ruled these lands. Mikel Dimede was the head of the king's brigade. They were charged to keep the peace of the kingdom and its inhabitants. My family served in the court as well, as advisors and magic-users. My father was Stephon Marache's chief advisor as he had been to Stephon's father, and his father's father, and his father's father's father, and so on for two hundred years," she paused and turned the page to show a picture of a gray-haired man sitting on a throne with a tall copper-haired man at his side clothed in robes and holding a wooden staff. Nearby stood a handsome knight with shiny black hair and arrogant features. She continued, "My father told him not to trust Mikel, but the king insisted that Mikel was loyal and would never betray them," she laughed, a humorless sound, "I don't have to tell you that he was wrong.
The king had three children, a son and two daughters. The youngest girl was the first to go. She was only six. Mikel took her out flower picking, as he sometimes did, but after an hour he came rushing back to the castle with the little girl in his arms. He called for the doctor, but it was too late. She had eaten a foxglove and succumbed to the poison. Not two weeks later, the second girl, eight years old, drowned in the bath while her nanny wasn't looking," she spat, "Lies. The woman held the poor child's head under until the bubbles stopped. Finally, the king's thirteen-year-old son, and only heir, was training when Mikel came for him. Brave soul, he fought back. He declared he would have vengeance for his sisters, but the seasoned knight was too strong for him. The boy died on his blood-stained blade. The facade was revealed to the king as Mikel brought in the young prince's body and threw it at his feet. The king, now in his sixties, took up his ancient sword and fought the traitor, but Mikel had turned the whole castle against the aging monarch. Stephon fell and Mikel took up the crown.
He feared my family's power, and their loyalty to the old family. We were the only ones who would not betray our king," there was a pride in her voice as she said this, "But the wicked Dimede set the rest of the kingdom on us, revealing our Draconic nature; a secret once known only amongst the king's most trusted attendants. We were slaughtered. Even a family of dragons cannot take on an entire kingdom," a deep sadness filled her eyes, "I was the only survivor. I was just a wyrmling when the revolution began and my mother brought me here," she gestured around the room, "It was only a cave when I arrived; deep and dark and full of nasty critters. She said I would be safe here, and she was right. I've been here for three hundred years, steadily carving out an existence. All of this was made by my two hands...and tail...and wings...and acid, I suppose," she laughed, really laughed, for the first time in years. It was a soft, musical sound that made any who heard it want to smile. She shut the book and rested it in her lap, "So, my silly little intruder, do you see why I don't want to leave?"

Devon eagerly obeyed the dragon, standing and rushing to her side, pausing only to pick up the book and empty cup he dropped while trying to move to her.

As she spoke, he stared intently at the pictures, and listened quietly. How horrible. Such young ages to die. And all for what? A crown? Power? He bit his thumb, thinking, though he paused to grin as Sorodomi laughed. "I...can understand. But...you've been here your whole life? Don't you wish to fly and see the world? You could even find a mate and settle in a better land and raise...wyrmlings on your own..." He paused, eyeing her, "It wouldn't be hard. Even as a dragon you're stunning. Perhaps there could be a way to undo all this. The whole royal family was killed? Not one survivor?"

Devon hesitated, before adding, "I don't think you understand...You really can't hide forever. Sooner or later, someone will come for you. And if someone like me, whose never fought a dragon, could make it, someone else could. Sorodomi, if you stay you die. Wouldn't you rather fix the wrongs against you and your family?"

"Where could a Dragon go? As far as I know, I'm one of the last. Or...are there others?" there was a tingle of hope in her voice, she really had no idea. She didn't know anything past this kingdom. You could see the thoughts racing across her face; it would be nice to meet some of her own kind. She sighed when he told her she would die. She knew he was probably right, but she didn't want to admit it. She had dealt with other hunters before, but there had been some close calls. She was getting soft, "My need for vengeance has cooled over the years, but yes I would like to right the wrongs," she frowned, not sure if she should tell what she knew, "There were rumors...but never confirmed...that King Stephon had a mistress and she was with child. But it's impossible, the child would have been old and dead centuries ago. He may have descendants..." she paused, but shook her head, "Impossible. I wouldn't even know how to identify them if I found them. Besides, those are the things that only happen in fairystories anyway," she smiled sadly.

"Actually, if we can think of a way to get some blood, hair, or bone, their are gypsies that can locate someone else with that blood in their veins." He knew because of another quest, one where he'd tried to locate his parents. "And, I'm not sure if there are. I've heard of a place called India, where they are worshipped, and a giant land to the north of that where close cousins are accepted, but I've never been and they could just be rumors. And, in India they have huge mountains! I'm sure you could live peacefully there."

Devon paused, thoughtful. "I don't see why any of this could hurt. If anything, perhaps you could see the world, and if you don't find anymore dragons, or fix what was wrong, you could always come back. Maybe when you get ready to settle, the humans here would have forgotten about you, and you could start with a clean slate from them." He watched her with rapt intrest. The longing in her eyes was apparent. "You know, in every fairystory, the happy ending took a little work. You just have to help yours along."

She smiled, nodding thoughtfully, "Maybe you're right. Maybe I have been here too long...I've grown tired of fighting and hiding," she gave a firm shake of her head, decided "Okay, I'll go! I'll see the world and restore the royal family to their rightful place on the throne!" she was excited now, talking mostly to herself, "I can meet other Dragons! I can see the forests! I can go to the sea!!!" suddenly she stopped and looked at Devon. A strange look crossed her face, a combination of uncertainty and hope. She cleared her throat and bit her lip before speaking again, "Um, Devon...would you maybe...like to go with me?" she smiled sheepishly, a very strange look on her, "I mean...I've been in here so long, I don't know anything about the world outside! I'm...I'm afraid," she admitted, looking away.

Devon was grinning broadly, watching the dragon woman babble, her excitement growing. It took him by suprise as he was invited, however. He paused, his smile fading. Well...dragons were supposed to be good at finding treasure. Perhaps he could get that fortune to send back while with her.

The male's smile returned and he nodded eagerly. "I'd like that. It'll be interesting to find a horse that will tolerate your presence though. Where would you like to go first?" He blushed slightly, and glanced away, sheepish now. "Uhm...perhaps I should take a trip down the the towns and get a current map, though?"

"You're probably right. All the maps I own are outdated by at least three hundred years," she bustled over to a smaller bookshelf on the wall as she spoke. Reaching up she pulled a green book out a few inches and then slammed it back against the wood. The bookshelf silently slid forward and to the side as Sorodomi stepped back. The wall behind the shelf sported a tiny wooden door with symbols painted on it's front. Sorodomi leaned forward and said something to it in Draconic, presumably a password, and the symbols began to glow. After a second, the door swung open and she reached inside. She pulled out a small satchel, no larger than a lady's handbag. Hanging it over her shoulder, she reached in again and drew out a substantial handful of assorted gemstones. She sighed sadly, "Well, I'm sorry to part with them, but they will get us whatever we need," she dropped the jewels into the bag and said another phrase in Draconic. The door snapped shut and the bookshelf slid back into place over it. Her first task finished, she began moving around her study, packing her bag with clothing, books, a couple hand weapons that looked like curved daggers, assorted cloth, and some strange instruments and gadgets whose purpose were lost to most of time. After a few moments of packing it was clear that all Sorodomi's supplies should not be fitting comfortably into her bag. And yet, the satchel showed no bulge and didn't seem to grow any heavier as she packed it to the brim.

Devon watched quietly, tilting his head in confusion. He opened his mouth to question her on the bag, though he shut it quickly. It was clearly some kind of magic, and since those artifacts weren't around, and magic in people was scarce, it wasn't as if he could get or make one.

Once she was done, he brushed his hands off. "Alright. So...you still seem rather...unhuman." He eyed her for a moment. "Your eyes, for one. And...the way you move, how you're dressed. All of this is gonna make you stand out in the towns, especially with me. No one would ever think someone of your station would be travelling with me. Plus, no one arrived in the towns with me. Sooo, should I meet you somewhere after I get a new map? And food?" Devon babbled, flushing as he pointed out the downsides to her travelling with him.

"That would probably be best," she said, frowning slightly as she looked down at herself and pondered the best option. She finally nodded and set to work. Reaching into one of the bag's outer pockets she pulled out a small handful of gold, "Here, this should be enough to buy a map and any other little things you need," She held the coins out to him and smiled, "Thank you for doing all this for me," she blushed and spoke softly, "It's been many years since I've had a friend."

The male shuffled his feet, and shook his head, matching her blush. "N-no! I can't take your money. I have enough coin to get what we need...and please...don't thank me..."He He looked towards the ceiling, shifting his feet. "Southeast of this groups of towns, about an hours walk, there is an inn, called 'The Nightingale Lodge'. If we meet there in about four hours, it should give me time to get down the mountain, do the shopping and get there...'" He frowned and peeked behind her. If her tiny wings were visable, it could create problems. It was far too warm for any cloaks right now.