Nemek grimaced, his life ebbing away with each slow, painful step. He panted, his parched throat roaring for water. Delirious, he reached for the canteen hanging from his belt, finding it gone. He nodded to himself, remembering having dropped it the day before when he had emptied it.

He lifted his weary eyes to the sky, looking at the large clouds visible through the treetops. They were dark, ladden with water. He smelled the moisture in the air, only to have the clouds mocked him again as they released their load far away, in the mountains, where it would do him no good. He begged the Mother Goddess for help, to take pity of him.

He crested a hill, painfully and slowly. Once at the top, he glanced down, and noticed a dirt road below. He made his way down even more slowly, holding onto each rock and blade of grass that his clawed hands could reach. He was about twice his height from the ground when the hill dropped sharply down, with nothing for him to hold onto. He let go of a root and jumped down, landing on his feet. He groaned with pain before his legs gave up and buckled. Nemek fell face down onto the hard ground, his armor rattling loudly.

He scrambled to get back on his feet quickly, ready to defend himself. He looked around, panting heavily, holding his sword to ward himself from some unseen enemy. He held his position until, satisfied there were no Kamogron nearby, he reclined against the hill.

The dragoken drove his sword on the ground. He let go of it reluctantly, uneasy that his clawed hands were not closing around the golden, hard steel. Yet he needed both hands to help prop his exhausted body as he crouched on the ground. He remained in that position for little over a minute, unwilling to stop his desperate escape even as waves of nausea shook his entire winged, scaly frame. His stomach won the brief battle, and he vomited a mass of half digested leaves and blood.

His wings opened in reflex as a faint breeze blew lazily around him; it barely worked to dispel the heat and cool his feverish body. Nemek closed his eyes for a brief instant, shunting the flaming pain on his left flank, while catching his breath. He gasped several times, drawing air into his overworked lungs. He winced and growled at the pain as he got back to his feet, pressing his right claw firmly against his wound to slow the flow of blood.

He looked back for a brief instant, as he had done constantly before, trying to catch a glimpse of any attackers that may had followed him. He saw none, and heard nothing but the furious beat of his own heart. Still, he had kept going as fast as he could, reluctant to trust his senses. He already had lost blood, and before that, his comrades...

S'thkra knew where the younger warrior was going with his tale, but she did not interrupt, still amused by it.

"We watched as they passed underneath our perch. And then," Nemek said, making a descent motion with his arms, "*Whoomp!* We jumped down, screeching like banshees! They let out an even louder scream of terror and ran! They didn't even look back; they just dropped everything and ran screaming back down the hill, tumbling almost all the way down, falling again almost as soon as they got back on their feet!"

Nemek smiled as every one of the eight soldiers in the squad erupted in loud laughter. He turned to look to his right, to the green-skinned female marching to his right. S'thkra had closed her eyes, shaking her head slightly as she laughed. Her laugh filled Nemek with pride.

Becoming her brother in arms had been his greatest accomplishment, following his indenture into the 23rd. Regiment, more commonly known as "Lancers". Shortly after being assigned to serve at a fortress known as Drukel Point, Nemek began to look for a "brother in arms", a more experience Lancer that could be his mentor. Other dragoken had laughed when he said he had his sights on S'thkra. The female, taller than any female of their race and even taller than many males, had been the goal of many Lancer tyros and even some seasoned soldiers. All had been scared shitless after she had responded to their "sword challenges" -- a test of skill.

Nemek had only a vague memory of having braved her rowdy temper and the steel of her sword nicking his red scales as she responded to his challenge. She herself had been surprised, and was more than eager to take him. Word had spread quickly, and Nemek found himself admired by the other soldiers in the camp.

An even more pleasant, and unplanned, reward came later that day. S'thkra revealed to Nemek she had kept herself from having sex with the other soldiers unless someone could prove he could be her brother in arms. That night was one of little sleep as Nemek continuously buried his hard member into her. He had barely finished humping when they were at it again, as Nemek emptied load after load of his seed inside her slit, tailhole and mouth, while the female dragoken roared each time with intense ecxtasy. It was something they would keep doing almost every time they found themselves with time to spend.

S'thkra rested her left claw on his shoulder pad as she pointed to an older dragoken marching around them. "I guess it's needless to say that commander Kreenok wasn't happy."

"You bet I wasn't," said an older dragoken who marched at the front of the group. His lips were drawn in a faint smile. "It had been a quiet day, until the darned canines barged furiously into my station. They weren't even daunted by the armed guards at the entrance. All I hear is this furious ranting, screaming because they had been duped by two dragoken soldiers. Took me the better part of an hour to reassure them the Empire would discipline the culprits, and they still would not believe me." He pointed an accussing finger at Nemek. "Had to leave everything I was doing and organize a search for this truant and his accomplice."

Nemek grinned. "And he found us not long after. Only because Phrekk and I had eaten almost half of the pastries and could barely walk from such full stomachs." He smacked his lips as he flashed a toothy grin to the larger, green female. "Those canids sure can bake some good pies."

The commander snorted, turning back to look at S'thkra, smiling. "Can you believe the gall of this guy? I had him and Phrekk hanging by their tails and feet for an entire day and night. They didn't even utter a word of pain." He pointed at Nemek. "I ask this hatchling while he's hanging if he learned his lesson, and he just asks if he can patrol the same road after his punishment is over!"

S'thkra chuckled. She grabbed her brother in arms' snout horn, tugging at it playfully. "Nemek, you're incorrigible. Whom did you bribe to become a Lancer?"

Nemek thumped his right fist proudly on his armor's breastplate. "A lizard like me, he gets what he sets his mind on. Although my father couldn't believe it when I told him the news."

"I heard he offered a prayer to the Mother Goddess," the commander said, smiling faintly. "As thanks for having gotten rid of you at last. May I should pray to Her and ask what I did to deserve having you at Drukel Point."

Nemek stopped his march, shoulders slouched as he twisted his face in a mock gesture of sadness. "Come on, sir, am I really that bad?"

Kreenok turned. He walked back towards Nemek, and tapped the soldier's breastplate with a finger as the rest of the squad laughed. "Let me put it this way. They don't pay me enough as a commander with you around. And I would certainly could use less noise at night. How you and S'thkra get the stamina to screw so often and for so long is a mystery I guess not even the Goddess can unravel."

Nemek chuckled. "Hey, twice per night would be enough for me, but my girl won't be satisfied until she milks every drop out of me." Nemek lifted his shield to hide behind it, waiting for his sister in arms to bang her sword against it.

Nothing happened. Nemek turned to look at S'thkra. "S'thkra?"

The female was motionless; only her wingtips twitched as she sniffed the air. Her muscles tensed, and the spines at the back of her neck prickled. The other soldiers could not detect anything, yet their hands closed almost instantly around the hilt of their swords. They had come to rely on her much keener senses sounding the alert.

She spoke softly. "Commander..."

The old dragoken wrinkled his snout slightly as the smell finally wafted up his nostrils. Reptilians, like the dragoken were, but mixed with the stench of rotten meat. "Yes... I smell it too. Kamogrons. We must be close to their camp."

S'thkra growled softly. "Closer than we may have estimated. They have surrounded us."

No order was given as the soldiers unsheathed their swords and moved to stand next to each other in a tight circle, guarding their backs. Nemek looked around; his eyes wandered briefly to his comrades. Most were ready, though the two newest recruits were slightly nervous. Nemek felt his heart beat faster, and he used the rush to prime his mind. He had fought before, mainly road brigands and smugglers. Today would be his first time against the Kamogron.

"Stand together," Kreenok said in a calm voice. "And keep an eye on their weapons. Try not to get even a scratch from their blades-- "

The female dragoken hissed, then shouted to one of the new recruits. "Dryptek! Behind you!"

Nemek only saw a blur before he heard the dull sound of the spear hitting its target. Dryptek let out a muffled roar, then fell down lifeless in a pool of his own blood, the spear impaled in his neck.

It was then that the squad realized how badly they were outnumbered. Easily over a hundred, the Kamogron horde left their cover and ran screeching towards the dragoken, blades high in the air. Already down by one, the Lancers faced impossible odds, even for a squad of their skill. Still, they readied themselves without faltering, ready to take several of their enemies with them.

"Fall back!" Kreenok shouted. "Get to those rocks behind us!"

"What?!" a bluish dragoken, the other new recruit, roared as he banged his sword on his shield, ready for the attack despite his apparent hesitation. "Sir, we need to fly out of here! They will overwhelm us in no time!"

"Stay on the ground, Fratarg!" Kreenok commanded. "Who knows how many of this horde may be lying hidden!"

Nemek growled. "Kreenok's right! Just because us Lancers can fly it doesn't make us dragons! We would be easy target for their spears while in flight! If we try to fly out of this mess, we will be too spent from flying, so even if we landed in a safe spot, this horde would catch up to us in no time! And then we would be really screwed!"

"So what do we do?!" Fratarg shouted. "We just die here??"

S'thkra looked into Fratarg's eyes. She saw the emotion he didn't dare reveal to the squad -- raw fear. She didn't blame the tyro, even if he would had soiled himself. It was not uncommon for battle to change the outlook of a few soldiers as to have them forget their training.

She turned to face the incoming horde, her body tense, sword in hand. "We do what we signed up for as Lancers, soldier. We fight. And be proud, because today we surely will hatch again, this time next to the Mother Goddess. There is no better destiny."

Nemek pressed his back against S'thkra's while wrapping his tail around hers, covering her back and his as well. "Not if I can't enjoy a good fuck with you, S'thkra."

The female smiled, the horde so close she could almost smell their breath. "Same here, little brother."

A loud roar marked the first clash of blades. The dragoken drew first blood, killing the first few Kamogron that got close. Their enemy was less organized, and less skilled in combat, seeking to overwhelm the dragoken by sheer numbers. Still, the dragoken held their position, only taking a few steps to get a better advantage spot in which to continue the fight.

Even among the screaming madness and trying to kill the enemy in front of her, S'thkra scrutinized the the terrain around them. It was little more than rocky hills, the highest probably little over two hundred meters high. Still, it presented their best chance. If the dragoken were to reach it, perhaps they could jump into the air, and glide far enough from the horde's reach without having to exhaust themselves beating their wings.

"Commander!" she shouted above the cacophony of dragoken and Kamogron screams. "The hilltop!"

The older soldier nodded just as he lopped the head of another Kamogron. "Understood!"

Nemek felt S'thkra's tail scraping against his rapidly, and he rubbed his against her in return. It was a code they had developed that allowed them to communicate quickly wherever the loud roar of a battle could render their words intelligible. S'thkra asked for the double sawing blade maneuver. Nemek acknowledged the order, and let out a loud battle cry.

He pressed his back further against S'thkra's, and both held together as if they were a four-legged, four-armed beast. Together they began carving a path through the barricade of Kamogron flesh, like two saw blades cutting through a log. The rest of the squadron followed immediately behind, covering the rear, their backs against each other, fending the attacks of the savage horde.

They made their way through the horde slowly, advancing continuously. They redoubled their efforts as soon as the edge of the Kamogron barrier was in sight. Fratarg, however, failed to notice the sudden move. He had been keeping part of his weight against the other soldiers; suddenly he felt nothing was keeping him in position. He tried desperately to get back in place, leaving his left side exposed. One Kamogron made his move, hitting Fratarg's leg. The soldier screamed as his leg gave way, and fell face first on the ground.

"Fuck!" S'thkra cursed. "They got Fratarg!"

Everyone knew he was lost. Fratarg was surrounded immediately by the closest Kamogron, who drove their swords through his neck, severing his head. The dragoken continued their move, but Nemek could not help think of the fallen warrior for an instant. This current patrol would have been Fratarg's last before he would had been granted a leave to visit his parents.

Fratarg's fall left an opening in the dragoken ranks. Before they could move to close it, the horde rushed into it, pushing the dragoken in the rear against Nemek and S'thkra. Their formation broken, they found themselves surrounded by the enemy.

Soon they began to fall. First one was Veeron, the young male recruit who had recently been inducted into the Lancer regiment. Then Kreenok, the commander, who stroke down at least 20 enemies before he was hopelessly surrounded and killed.

Kredoran. Mirgan. Until only Nemek and S'thkra were all that was left.

He felt her tail scraping once again. Nemek replied in agreement... then both broke their formation and ran through the remaining Kamogron, killing those in the way. The rest of the horde was soon after them.

S'thkra turned to run backwards, covering Nemek's rear, who tried to clear a path among the few Kamogron ahead of them. "Clear!" he shouted, and continued racing up the hill.

"Acknowledged!" S'thkra turned around to follow Nemek. She had advanced just a couple meters when she felt her right thigh explode with fire. S'thkra screamed, but kept going forward. She glanced quickly at her leg, and saw an arrow deep inside it, blood flowing from the wound. Neither too deep nor seemingly critical, but she knew she was done for. She turned to look at Nemek, who had halted his run to look at her.

"Keep going!! I'm right behind you!! I'll hold them for a moment!"

Nemek hesitated, then took two steps towards her. "There's no need! We're almost at the top!"

"You stupid lizard!" the female roared. "Turn around and go! Move! Now!!!"

Nemek halted, looking at her eyes; for an instant he only saw the same S'thkra that had hated his guts when he first had the gall to ask her to become his sister in arms. Then he noticed the wound. Nemek felt his heart skip several hearbeats. He still hesitated, unwilling to leave her alone. Knowing full well she was going to die even if both managed to escape.

"S'thkra -- we still can make it!"

"Get going, soldier! We'll need you to alert the others at Drukel Point!" She turned to look briefly at him, a faint smile on her lips. "And for you to find some other female to screw."

Nemek paused for a second. He thumped his fist on his armor in a salute to one of higher rank, then turned and continued running up the hill. He didn't turn around to look as he heard her battle cries as she rushed towards the horde. They were still clearly distinguished for some instants after that, until they were finally drowned in a sea of Kamogron barbarians.

She, however, had accomplished her goal. The horde concentrated their attack on the berserk female, all but forgetting about the lone dragoken rushing up the hill. Some noticed him and roared, but the distance between them was too wide for them to reach him before he reached the top of the hill and jumped to freedom.

The screams were not of rage, but shouted orders, as Nemek found out soon after. Four Kamogrons appeared at the top of the hill, a scant ten meters ahead of him. Obviously the lookouts the horde had posted, and had alerted the horde of the presence of the dragoken squad.

Screaming in rage, Nemek threw his sword straight ahead, impaling one of the barbarians in the neck, who fell to the ground with a loud gurgle, drowning in his own blood. Opening his wings, Nemek jumped over the other rushing Kamogron, landing next to the fallen enemy. In one swift motion he pulled his bloodied sword from the corpse and turned to face the enemy. He roared as he charged the remaining barbarians, and managed to lop the head of one and impale the sword through the chest of another.

That's when he got careless.

As the dying enemy fell, he failed to notice in time the remaining Kamogron lunging at him. Nemek whirled to avoid what would have been a fatal strike, but left his left flank open. His armor managed to deflect most of the blow, but the Kamogron's sword managed to hit home.

Nemek screamed as the pain shot through him in a searing explosion. He staggered, almost falling to the ground. His enemy lunged again, sword pointed at the weakened Dragoken.

Just as Nemek had done an instant before, the Kamogron underestimated his enemy. Nemek thrust his sword forward. For a brief instant, the Kamogron saw the metal pointed at him, but it was too late to halt his momentum. He let out a dull cry as the sword went through his chest, and then his heart.

Nemek winced at the force of the impact. Still he held the sword, watching the eyes of the Kamogron turn glassy before they closed. Unable to hold the weight, Nemek's legs faltered, and he slumped, the dead yet bleeding enemy falling on top of him.

Gasping, Nemek pushed the dead Kamogron away, then got hurriedly to his feet. He groaned as he looked at his wound. His heart sank as he recalled all the briefings about getting bitten by Kamogron or wounded by their blades. He was still alive, however. S'thkra had fallen trying to give him a chance. And by the Mother Goddess, he was not going to let her effort be in vain. He looked around for something to staunch the flow of blood. He grimaced and cursed as he realized only the loincloths the dead Kamogron had been clad with would help.

In the distance, he could hear the cries of the horde. Their language was intelligible to him, but Nemek did not need a translation to know those were cries of exultation. He turned to look down the hill, expecting to see more Kamogron rushing towards him. They had apparently forgotten about him, as they gathered around the fallen bodies of his comrades, removing all armor from them.

Nemek gritted his teeth. He abhorred the thought of the savages dragging the dead bodies of his comrades for some tribal feast. There was nothing he could do but get back as fast as he could back to any Imperial outpost -- Drukel Point was too far, and he had no idea if any other dragoken lived anywhere near. There was no time for him to figure his position with the Kamogron close, however.

Nemek walked to stand at the top of the hill. He scanned the ground below until he was sure there were no Kamogron waiting. He extended his wings completely and jumped into the air.

That had been two days in the past. He was at the end of the third, and surely his last.

Nemek pulled his makeshift bandage slightly to look at his burning wound. He quickly averted his eyes. The wound was festering extremely fast. No doubt from the Kamogron's weapon. He recalled the scholar texts he had read while in training. The barbarians' mouths were a haven for bacteria, often coating their weapons with their saliva shortly before an attack. Many soldiers had walked away from seemingly minor combat wounds, only to die a day or two later from a paralyzing fever.

He started walking, stopping motionless after just two steps. Looking around him desperately, he realized he had no idea where he was. No way to know which direction would lead him to his camp, if it led there at all.

A sudden, heavy feeling scared him deep into his soul. He impaled his sword into the ground, resting against it, his breath short and shallow. His heart raced faster at the thought. He had always been aware that warriors would not die of old age. Their mantra was to save themselves at all times, yet to chant that death would embrace them while in full command of their bodies, and cast their souls into the welcoming wings of the Goddess. A lonely, crippling death was dishonorable; he cursed under his breath, wishing he had turned around and drive his sword against the horde until his own flesh lay pierced under their weapons.

Nemek rose his head, trying to get back on his feet. His body refused to obey. He wailed in agony, then slumped to the ground, unable to go any further.

"Mother Egg..." Nemek said to himself in between gasps. He closed his eyes in a supplicant prayer. "Please... not here. Not like... this. Grant me... the path... to... life."

His body spasmed twice, then the light was gone from his eyes. The last thing he heard were a beast's trotting footsteps. The chariot of Unuluuk, to take him to the Underworld...

Leynak sighed as the horse trotted at a steady pace down the dirt road. She could not have asked for a better day. She hated going back to the farm, wishing she could spend more time at the village of Calm Brook.

It had been a rather productive day at the village. Preparations for the Harvest Festival meant she had sold all of the produce she had brought from her small farm. There was the certainty to do at least as well the next day, when she would carry even more to sell.

The village was not even the shadow of a busy metropolis like the Imperial capital. Still, it was much better than the lonely life she and her mother shared at the farm. It had been crawling with visitors from nearby towns. Some she recognized from previous years. Many others were attending for the first time. She never ceased to be amazed at the diversity of it all. Their skin color. The shapes of their heads and muzzles. Their clothes.

Several were from regions definitely far away. Some three or so years back a farmer on a stand next to hers had pointed to a few, saying they were from the Imperial capital, easily recognizable by their clothes and behavior. Leynak had asked him for stories about the capital. The farmer was quick to oblige, saying the city stretched far longer than he had managed to envision. While there were many luxurious establishments and stores for the higher classes, most of the emporiums were geared towards the more common people. There were even some that catered to the alien species, both living within or visitors of the Empire. And a few slums that attracted the rather unsavory elements, both dragoken and alien.

Leynak had said it still sounded like a dignified place to live in, but the farmer was quick to rebutt her, saying it was something better left where it was. Too noisy and convoluted, and so was the disposition of its inhabitatants. It was much better to stick in the country.

Leynak could not see what the farmer had hated from the capital. Those who had stepped at her kiosk were no different from those in the village, down to the few grumpy customers that complained about prices and quality. And some young males had greeted her quite warmly. She knew better than to do more than smile back. Some were surely honest, seeking a young bride. The rest were just eager for some female flesh in which to bury their own.

But she was even more wary of the Imperial soldiers. Or so her mother had instilled in her.

They always arrived in numbers. It was impossible to walk the streets of the village without bumping into one every few steps, or finding up to three stationed in almost every corner, keeping a very watchful eye for unruly merrymakers. They all looked very stern, their bright armor reflecting both the warm sun and the images of those around them. Their presence heightened the spirit of the upcoming festival, as almost everyone welcomed the presence of the armored protectors.

She had greeted a pair when they approached her stand, smacking their lips as they eyed the sweet decana fruit she was selling. They had been very corteous during the short time they stopped at her stand. They picked up several fruits, all the time smiling and holding a courteous conversation with her as if they were speaking to someone of high rank. She tried to look into their eyes, to decipher their minds, to see beyond the veil of deception that Leynak's mother would constantly remind her about.

One of the soldiers took a bite, and his eyes glazed at the taste. They promptly grabbed several more for their comrades, and handed Leynak five shiny new coins.

Leynak stammered upon staring at the money. She had never seen Imperial money so lustrous, much less made of gold. She turned to face them, saying she would never make enough during the day to give their change back. The soldiers smiled, saying they felt they were not paying her enough for the fruit. They bowed to her and started to walk down the street, chatting amicably as the crowd parted to make way for them.

The soldiers commanded nothing but respect and a great desire to uphold the laws of the Empire. They seemed as eager as anyone to join the festivities, but that didn't seem to explain why her mother insisted they were not to be trusted.

Probably because of the soldier on the road just ahead. The warrior laid face down on the dirt road. Probably a drunken soldier who finally got the best of him taken by imbibing too many spirits. He surely had some gall to sleep it off in the middle of the road. Leynak growled, and pulled the reins to stop the horse. She jumped out and walked towards the soldier to move him out of the way, cursing that one day the carriage got stuck in mud when she tried to go around a fallen log.

Leynak noticed this soldier's armor was different from the ones she had seen before. Its luster had faded from dirt, but enough remained for it to give a bright golden shine, like the coins she had been handed earlier. And unlike most other dragoken, his skin was a bright red.

Like the color of the blood underneath him. Leynak gasped, and quickly covered the remaining distance. She knelt beside him, and gently touched his left shoulder when she saw he was still breathing, albeit somewhat laboriously.

"Sir! Are you all right?"

She received no response. She reeled at the strong smell from someone who has not taken a bath in days. The smell of alcohol, strong on those too plastered to even be conscious, was completely absent.

Leynak turned the soldier over. His eyes were half-open, although he did not react in the slightest at her touch. She noticed his irregular, labored breathing. Her eyes moved to his bloodied bandage, soiled with dirt and the humus from a badly infected wound.

It would not take much time for this soldier to die. She struggled internally for a second, desperate to help, unable to decide what she should do.

The mature female dragoken paced around the small house's living room. She stared at the orange light pouring through the windows as the sun sank steadily behind a gap in the mountainous horizon.

Neesken growled. Leynak was about half an hour late. By the mother Egg, she would undoubtedly have some harsh words for her daughter whenever she arrived.

She never liked whenever Leynak left for the village, whether to buy feed for the chickens, or to sell the farm's produce. Neesken would do so herself, if she weren't already starting to feel the effects of her old age. Rather prematurely, however. It had been hard to run the farm just by herself and raise a young child as well. She had been more than glad to see Leynak take over most of the chores when she had grown old enough to do so.

Still, she hated the village. Especially during Harvest festival. It granted some leeway for youngsters to act even more irresponsible. And there were the cursed --

Neesken halted her pacing as she heard the horse's galloping coming from the road around the hill. Neesken's anger grew. She would scold Leynak even more for abusing the poor beast to make up for her irresponsibility.

Neesken was almost at the door when she heard the horse and carriage come to a sudden halt, followed by the frantic cries of her daughter.

"Mother! Mother, help me!!"

Neesken raced outside. Her heart sank as she saw Leynak jump out of the carriage, her dress covered in blood. She ran as fast as she could, unable to figure out why Leynak had gone to the rear of the carriage rather than inside the house.

"Leynak!! By the Mother Egg!! What is it? What happened to you?"

"Please!" Leynak screamed as she apparently tried to get something out of the rear of the carriage. "Help me bring him inside!"

"Help? Help who?" Neesken gasped as she saw the bleeding soldier. She stood motionless for a second, then her body spasmed as her shock turned into rage. "What in the Goddess name do you think you are doing?!"

Leynak knelt next to the injured soldier. She saw his eyes open, then stare directly at her. She felt a sense of relief to see he was still alive. She started dragging him out of the carriage. "I found him on the road just near the farm! He's been badly injured!"

Grabbing Leynak by her wrists, Neesken pushed her away from Nemek. "You are not bringing that beast into the house! You go dump him right where you found him! Do you hear me!?"

Leynak tensed her tail in disbelief, her wings partially open. "What?!? Mother, what the hell are you talking about!! Can't you see he's dying!"

"Good!" Neesken said, her mouth twisted in a toothy, unnatural smile. "Very good! One less piece of filth in the world!"

"Filth?! Mother, he's a soldier of the Empire!"

"Precisely! That's why I order you to get rid of him! Remember all the things I have told you about soldiers!"

Leynak stood still, her body and mind racing with several thoughts. She could not understand why her mother was acting like that. "Why is that? Why you keep talking as if they were no better than the outlaws they fight?"

Neesken narrowed her eyes as she faced her daughter. "Believe me, there will be nothing but shame in this house if you keep him!" The old female grabbed the horse reins. "I'll make sure to dump this shit far away so its stench doesn't ruin our lives."

Leynak growled. Grabbing her mother, she pushed her away from the horse. Her snout pointing almost completely downward in a display of challenge and anger, she faced Neesken. "You are doing nothing! He needs assistance, and if you won't help me, I will do it alone!"

Neesken cringed for an instant, then turned to meet her daughter's challenging stare. "You..." Neesken stammered. For an instant she felt a slight feeling of terror. Dragoken instincts were a force too strong to be denied, too ingrained to be taught. Never had Leynak made such a threat, and knew she was too old and weak to best her daughter if Leynak's mind succumbed to the full force of a territorial challenge. She cursed at their dragon ancestors, if they ever really existed, and turned her gaze to look away from Leynak's, an unspoken gesture of defeat.

"I yield, daughter," Neesken said, unable to control her own draconian reactions. "You win this time. But you are not bringing that beast inside the house, and that's definite!"

Leynak roared. "But I need to treat him!"

"Then do it at the barn, with the other beasts like him! Whatever attacked him could still be roaming around. If it was strong enough to almost kill a Lancer, it will have no trouble getting rid of us! If the hounds come to eat him, they better eat the chickens and the horse instead of us."

Leynak growled, then turned her gaze away as she yielded that time. She tried to make sense of her reactions. For the first time ever she felt extreme anger towards her mother. She heard the soldier moan, and realized any further discussion only wasted whatever time she had to save the soldier's life, if she even was in time to do anything.

Grabbing the horse's rein, she led him hurriedly towards the barn. Once inside, she led the horse to a water trough to let him drink; no sense in having the horse die as well. She ran towards a corner, next to a big mound of hay. She piled it until it was strong enough to hold a heavy weight, then raced back towards the carriage. She grabbed a blanket, and halted for a brief instant. It was her favorite, a gift from an old lady who had lived in a farm not far away from hers. She growled at herself, slashing her selfish thoughts away, and extended the blanket over the pile of straw.

She hurried back to the carriage to get Nemek out. It was then when she realized he was quite a bit taller than her. His arms and legs were at least twice as thick as hers, and his wings and tail larger. For an instant she wondered how she managed to haul all that weight into the carriage. She growled; death wastes no time asking stupid questions. Holding the wounded soldier by the armpits, she dragged him out of the carriage. Nemek moaned loudly in pain as his legs hit the ground.

"Goddess! I'm so sorry!" Leynak said, unsure if the soldier could hear her. She dragged him on top of the blanket, and gently put him down. He still breathed shallow, and the female dragoken could see in his eyes that he was fighting hard against his wounds, although he was loosing fast. He looked at her, as if her mere presence was his only reason hold onto this world. Still, he was probably only a few breaths away from the living, his courage as Imperial soldier ready to give up.

"Please..." she said, holding tightly onto his hand. "Fight, young soldier. I will be right back!"

He nodded weakly, trying desperately to breathe through his nostrils, plugged with dried blood. He bared his fangs as his lips twisted from the intense pain, and he coughed up blood. For a brief instant Leynak felt her soul washed over by his own, his pride and sense of duty coming strong despite his pain. Letting go of his hand, she raced towards the house. She didn't even glance in the direction of her mother, who sat on her favorite chair by the fireplace, patently showing her unwillingness to help Leynak in the slightest bit.

"Great," Neesken said, not hiding her disgust looking at Leynak's dress. "You will wash that yourself, young lady!"

Not like the old gargoyle does any laundry, Leynak felt like answering, but again thought better about it. She hurried towards the small cabinet where they kept potions and other medicine. She tried to search for those she specifically needed, her troubled mind unable to make sense of her own writing. She growled, then dragged the entire contents of the cabinet out and into a basket, then hurried back outside.

She started racing towards the barn, then turned in the opposite direction and towards the farm's well. She let out a loud roar of satisfaction as he found the bucket lying next to it, almost completely full. She untied the rope, and ran back towards the barn, careful to spill as little as possible.

She returned to the barn to see the soldier had moved slightly. Lying on his left side, his right wing was fully open, almost rigid. Leynak had seen that before, in the deathbed of a few of her mother's friends just as they were about to die.

"Nooo!" Leynak knelt next to the soldier, her face twisted in anger. She banged on his armor, then slapped his snout twice. "I'll be damned if I'm going to let the Goddess pass judgement on you today! Fight, you weakling! Fight!"

Nemek's eyes opened half way, and turned to gaze at hers. Leynak breathed somewhat easier as his wing relaxed and he seemed to calm down for an instant. She rummaged inside the basket with the potions, uncorking one. She pressed the bottle against Nemek's lips, forcing him to open his snout, and then slowly poured the entire contents inside.

The warrior coughed, spitting some of the potion, but swallowing most. He gasped, his mouth opening wide to catch air.

Leynak turned to look at his body. She looked at his armor; ignoring the sign of the Dragoken Empire on his breastplate, she tried to make sense of it. She growled in frustration as she could not find a way to unlatch whatever it was that held it in place. There didn't seem to be any blood coming from underneath it, but that didn't make her any less worried. Grabbing his snout, she gently forced him to look at her.

"I need to treat you!" she said, firmly and steady. "How do you take your armor off?"

The soldier coughed twice, breathing deep as he mustered what little strength he had. "Armor... protected me... only wound... bandaged..."

Leynak nodded, then turned to remove the dirty bandage. She tried not to be repelled at the sight and stench of it. The skin around the wound was black from the infection, dark blood and humus oozing in an obscene mixture. Around the opening, the flesh seemed not far from falling off in pieces, as if decomposed.

Whatever weapon that had caused it had not gone very deep. It had been something worse what was killing the warrior. She breathed deep, fearful of asking, and even more afraid of hearing his answer.

"What caused this?"

"... fight... ambush..."

She sighed, somewhat desperate. "Who did this? Who ambushed you?"

"Ka... kamogron..."

Leynak felt her skin crawl, her legs almost buckling from the overwhelming sense of despair. She had seen the results of several Kamogron that had attacked a neighboring farm. The animals had died from what was obviously a painful death. Those who were still alive were disposed of mercifully, poisoned as to die in their sleep.

She had been grateful to see a squadron of Imperial soldiers around the area soon after. She was told later on that a roaming band of Kamogron had been spotted in the area, and the soldiers had taken matters into account. They had kept regular patrols ever since, sometimes walking by her farm as they did so. She had never figured out why her mother always locked the house whenever she saw the soldiers, even if they were far.

Leynak looked into the soldier's eyes. He surely was beyond help by now. Slowly, her hand reached for a green bottle. She stared at it for an instant, then opened it. She raised the soldier's head, and he opened his mouth, looking at the bottle, waiting desperately for the liquid to pour into his mouth. Leynak moved the bottle an inch from the soldier's mouth. She trembled for an instant... then hurled it away with all her strength against the ground, where it smashed, spilling its contents.

"No..." she muttered. "You're not an animal."

The soldier looked at her, unable to comprehend. She picked up another jar and opened it, pressing it against Nemek's lips. "This will help cleanse your blood," she said softly, as if speaking to a child. She pulled the jar away as the warrior tried to drink greedily its contents. "Easy, easy... don't choke on it." He nodded, then continued drinking as calmly as he could.

Leynak stepped away from the soldier. She knew she had little chance, if any at all, to save him. She looked around for some wood, until she found a large stick she had used to whip the horse to run faster. Grabbing an axe, she chopped the top part, until it was short as she needed. She then removed the horse's reins, tying the leather around both ends of the stick.

She walked back to the soldier and pried his jaws. She wrapped the leather reins around Nemek's head, holding the stick firmly in his mouth like a gag.

Leynak held onto the soldier's snout, gently pushing his jaws to bite on the stick. "Bite this, as hard as you can."

"Guurghh?" Nemek mumbled, weakly.

"I'm sorry. This will hurt a lot."

Grabbing a jar of poultice, she emptied the entire contents on the wound. The entire wound started foaming, hissing not unlike the searing of meat. The effect on the soldier, however, was almost the same. He opened his eyes wide as his whole body shook and trashed as a wave of excruciating pain burst from his wound and down every nerve and muscle of his dying body. His last remaining strength concentrated around his throat as he let out a scream that pierced the air, sending the chickens scurrying for covers. The horse neighed and brayed loudly, standing briefly on his rear legs before he too ran out of the barn and into the pasture outside.

Nemek screamed for all of five seconds before he mercifully lost consciousness.

Leynak shivered, her body beginning to feel cold. The sun had set hours back by the time Leynak realized it was night. A couple oil lamps were on next to her and the unconscious warrior, though she didn't remember having lighted them. Perhaps she was more tired than she though.

She looked again at the unconscious warrior, softly cleaning his snout of dried blood around his nostrils and mouth. She watched his chest move as he breathed easier, deep and slow. He barely made a whisper as she removed the bandages covering his wound and applied clean ones. His wound still looked nauseating, but she could tell it had begun to heal.

Leynak wished she didn't have to leave him, but her mother would certainly make a big deal if she didn't go back inside the house to sleep. She covered the sleeping warrior with a thick blanket to guard him against the cold, then doused all the lamps but one. She grabbed it and walked away. She stopped momentarily at the entrance, turning to look back at him. She smiled, pleased to know she had managed to pull a life away from the certain claws of death.

Leynak walked inside the house, locking the door just as her mother walked inside her bedroom. Neesken turned to look at Leynak, her face still stern.

"I was going to bed. If you want dinner you can prepare it yourself."

"I'm not hungry," Leynak said, her voice hoarse. She coughed.

"Then get some sleep. And I hope you don't come with a cold. If you do, you have nothing to blame but your stubbornness, and that warrior."

Leynak paused, looking at her mother with half-closed eyes, still mad at the older dragoken, yet too tired to even denote so with her voice. "Mother... what is it with warriors? Why didn't you let me bring him here?"

Neesken snorted. "Because he's an animal. Animals belong in the barn."

"But why --"

"I do not wish to discuss this further," Neesken said, curtly. "Goodnight."

The door to Neesken's bedroom closed loudly. Leynak mumbled under her breath, her words unintelligible even to herself. She trudged to her own room and put the lamp on the dresser. She disrobed, holding her bloodstained dress under the light. Strangely, the sight of the warrior's blood brought a feeling of strength and companionship. She had no idea who he was, but somehow welcomed his presence, even if he would be one more task in her already long list of daily chores.

Leynak let the dress fall to the floor. Her claws clacked softly on the wooden floor as she walked slowly towards the only window. She looked outside; the soft glow of the two waning moons lighted her nude, scaly body as she rubbed her aching neck and shoulders.

She turned to sit on her bed, feeling the sheets. She laid on her back, letting the moonlight bathe her body. Closing her eyes, she softly rubbed her chest, her hands making slow progress downwards, towards her genital slit. She rubbed it gently, the way that made her hiss with delight.

Leynak rubbed the area, slowly increasing the strokes, until she gasped as her body spasmed with delight. Draping herself with the bed sheets, she quickly fell asleep just as she drew a slow, deep breath.

But not before the image of the warrior flashed strongly in her mind.

"S'thkra!! Watch out!!"

Nemek watched impotently as a Kamogron impaled the female warrior from behind with his spear. The female fell to the ground, lifeless, as the Kamogron turned to look at Nemek. The foul beast gurgled something in his language as he pulled the spear from S'thkra's lifeless body, then hurled it directly into Nemek's eyes.

The warrior screamed in terror.

His eyes opened. He remained completely motionless except for his fast, shallow breathing. He heard the calm clucking of several chickens as they pecked the ground looking for food. He stared directly ahead of him; the only thing he could see was a vaulted ceiling and two rafters. For a long time he kept still, trying to make sense of his surroundings.

"By the Mother Egg," he said to himself. "Either I'm hallucinating, or I am dead and went to the Abyss. This cannot be a warrior's heaven."

"Actually," a voice said gently, "you are in a barn."

Nemek roared, scared to hear the voice. He moved his head in the direction of the sound, then growled as pain shot through his neck from the sudden movement. He saw a female dragoken walking towards him, holding a blanket close to her chest with her right claw while carrying a small basket with the same hand, and a wooden bucket with the left.

"Unuluuk?" he asked, somewhat fearful. "No. Who... what... kind of spirit are you?"

Leynak smiled, and laid a hand on his forehead, her claws facing up in a gesture of non-aggression. "Relax. I'm flesh and blood, just like you. Though you almost weren't when I found you."

Nemek tried to raise his body, but gave up immediately as more pain racked his body deep down to his bones. He stared into the female's face as she knelt next to him.

The female dipped a metal cup in the bucket, then brought it next to his snout, moistening his lips. "Drink," she said.

Nemek closed his eyes as water flowed down his tongue and into his parched throat. Never had the liquid tasted so glorious. "More," he pleaded as he drained the cup of its last drop. He was halfway through the third before he motioned her that he had enough for the moment.

Nemek breathed deep for a minute, saying nothing. He finally turned to look at the female again. He slowly lifted his right hand, fighting the pain as he touched the tip of her snout, feeling her soft scales. "I... remember your face... You were... saving..." He quickly corrected himself. "You saved my life."

Leynak nodded, then held his hand, slowly bringing it down and to his side. "Hush. Save your strength. I did bring you back from certain death, but you are not completely out of it yet. You still have much to heal."

Leynak rose to her feet, and pushed the bucket with water so it was within easy reach for Nemek. She removed the blanket that covered him, and promptly extended the clean one over the injured warrior.

"My armor... I'm still wearing --"

Leynak knelt next to his head, and brought the fingers in both hands in the shape of a tent, the dragoken gesture for apologies. "I apologize for that. I tried to take it off, but I could not find a way to do so. You didn't seem to have any other wounds, and you even said so while you were delirious. I did not want to lose time trying to figure it out while you were near death."

"That's... fine," he said, strangely relieved to feel the cold metal pressing against his skin, despite it feeling uncomfortable at the moment. "It... comforts me somewhat."

Leynak bowed slightly to acknowledge his forgiveness. She pulled at the bandages to look at Nemek's wound. The warrior moved his head to look at it too; he saw the opening had been sewn closed, the flesh already beginning to mend despite the blackened area around it.

Nodding with satisfaction, the female grabbed a small jar from the basket she had been carrying and applied its slimy contents to the wound. The warrior growled, tightening his eyes shut at the burning sensation.

"Grrraaaahhhh!! Goddess -- that... hurts!!"

"Certainly not as much as the night I found you," Leynak said, teasingly. "You howled like a molok before you passed out. I thought you warriors were built to endure pain."

"Pain, yes," Nemek growled, baring his teeth. "Not some deranged healer."

Leynak smiled; she sensed the warrior did not exactly mean to be caustic. The wounds in his body she could heal, but the biggest one, in his pride, was beyond her healing touch. "For being attacked by Kamogrons, you are healing surprisingly well. You keep your spirit strong for a few more days, and you will be cured. It might leave a noticeable scar, but I guess that's nothing for you soldiers."

Nemek sighed with relief as he felt the burning subside. He looked around the barn, still trying to make sense of everything. "Where... am I? How did I end up here?"

"You are in a farm, about 18 kilometers south of the village of Calm Brook." Leynak refilled the cup, and continued talking as the warrior drank from it. "I found you laying by the side of the road leading to our farm. Mother Goddess surely must have shown mercy of you. A few more minutes and I would had found a corpse."

Leynak tucked the folds of her dress between her legs as she sat down next to Nemek's chest. "My turn to ask questions now," she continued. "How did you end up all alone and injured over here? There haven't been any Kamogrons in here for a couple years already."

Nemek laid his head back, closing his eyes, breathing deep. "I was at..." He paused, trying to remember. "Highlands Pass."

"That's a long way northeast of here."

"I was exploring the area, along with a party of other Lancers --"

"Lancers," Leynak said before she realized she had interrupted him again. "My mother said you were... a Lancer?"

Nemek nodded. "The name for the 23rd Regiment of the Imperial Army. A small group of us was patrolling the area around the Pass, looking for any Kamogron parties that had been reported in the vicinity. Except that they found us instead. A whole camp of them. We were surrounded and killed, until only my sister in arms and I were left. She... gave her life so I had a chance to flee."

"Must have been a terrible battle, seeing how I found you. The rest of your regiment is probably looking for you."

Nemek stared directly at the ceiling. "We were the only Lancers in the area. And the Kamogron killed every single one of us."

Leynak lowered her snout in shame. "I'm sorry." She felt Nemek's hand close around her left wrist.

"Don't be. All soldiers fight death, knowing too well that it will eventually find us in the end."

"Still, it's probably hard to lose good friends, though."

"Yes. But we don't dwell on it." He lifted his right claw and extended it slightly forward, fingers close together, then moved them down towards his cupped left claw, as if he were closing the lid on a chest. "What was done, shall remain done. What was known, shall be unknown. What is there in between, shall be gone." He spread the fingers in both claws open, as if performing some magic and the chest and everything had disappeared.

Leynak looked at him, surprised and somewhat distraught at the thought of someone's existence disappearing. "You don't remember the fallen?"

"We do. We just don't let emotions interfere with our mission. Grudges and fear don't make us good warriors. My friends are not lost, however. By now they must have hatched again in the Mother Goddess' grounds. Stronger and more pure than ever."

"That's a beautiful concept." Leynak bowed, and rose to stand on her feet. "I hope the noble warrior will excuse me, but I need to leave you alone again until tomorrow. There are chores to be done around this farm, and unfortunately they will not wait. I wish I could delegate them, but... that's not possible." She pulled two leaves from a pocket in her dress, and motioned for him to open his mouth. "Chew these. They will put you to sleep. You still could use more rest; it will help your body heal faster." After bowing again, she turned to walk away.

Nemek smiled, slowly working the leaves around his mouth. He turned to watch her, slightly fascinated by her gait, the way her dress waved with her movements, and the gentle swishing of her tail. He remained deep in thought for several minutes, offering a silent prayer to the Goddess for the souls of his dead comrades, and giving Her thanks and begging for Her forgiveness at having been spared from joining them.

He lapsed into another deep sleep not long after. His dreams were much placid this time.

It was almost one full day before Nemek woke up again, and only because of the sounds of someone walking around quietly. He remained still for an instant, cursing himself mentally for not keeping his readiness.

He relaxed upon hearing Leynak's voice. "Good day," she said, calmly setting up a few jars close to him, then sat down. "I figure you must be starving."

Nemek nodded. "You can say that again."

The soldier watched Leynak open a small container, stirring a yellow pudding-like mixture that was inside. She dipped a spoon, and taking a heaving portion, she slowly pressed it against his lips.

Nemek growled slightly. "I was hoping for something meaty."

Leynak continued pushing the spoon against his lips. "Your stomach is surely weaker than your body is. I made some paste out of decana fruit; it should help strengthen your stomach until you can stand more solid food."

Sighing, Nemek opened his jaws. He let the pudding flow slowly down his throat, feeling its creamy texture and sweet flavor.

"I hope it's to your liking," Leynak said almost apologetically. "I was not sure if I had put enough milk in it." She waited for his reaction; Nemek licked his lips clean, smacking them. "I gather you like it."

"Mother Egg, yes..." He opened his jaws eagerly as she scooped more of the pudding. "I really must have died. You can't get heavenly treats like this in this world."

Leynak smiled, blushing somewhat. "It's from small crop of decana trees in my farm. People from miles around say they produce the sweetest decanas in the region."

Nemek sighed, somewhat contented. "My stomach and I thank you." He stopped, then looked straight into her eyes as he realized he had not asked the name of his savior.

"Leynak," she said, answering his unspoken question. "Just a name without lineage."

"Mine's Nemek," he said. Groaning slightly, he thumped his right arm on his breastplate in salute from one of lower rank to higher.

She scooped another portion of the pudding, placing it inside Nemek's waiting jaws. "An honorable name, I'm sure."

"Only if I live to sire a son," Nemek said. "And as you know very well, odds are I'll be dead long before that." He eased himself on his straw bed, and continued talking in between spoonfuls of the pudding. "I was born from a humble family. Farmers as well. That didn't prevent me from seeking to become something else, so I joined the Imperial Army because of the respect that soldiers commanded. It was there that I knew about Lancers, and I promised myself I would become one."

"Despite the dangers?"

"Everyone will die someday. Better it be while I'm still able to wield a sword, and not as some forgotten elder."

"It... sounds so unnatural. Not the survival instinct we all seem to share."

"Not as strange as it seems. We soldiers may die, but it keeps the rest of the Empire living. That is a greater good."

Leynak smiled as she scraped the bottom of the jar. "You sound so unselfish."

"Not all the time," Nemek said, grinning. "You better not want any of this pudding you've been feeding me."

Leynak giggled, tugging at his nose horn. "You've downed it all by now, you silly."

After feeding Nemek the last spoonful, she moved the cover from a bucket, and steam started drifting upwards. Nemek could see it was full of warm, soapy water. He noticed her looking at his body, somewhat unsure, her face speaking words her mouth didn't dare. Nemek noticed she was trying to be polite, enduring the pungent smell.

"I believe there's also a bath coming my way?"

"Well, your wound won't heal properly if there's still dirt and scale mites hiding underneath your skin. Actually, the way you smell, all your body could use a cleaning."

"Well... not like I have a problem with further torture," he said as he snorted softly, showing his displeasure at the thought of a bath. He looked at the somewhat hesitant farmer. "So what's holding you --? Ohhhh..." He chuckled. "Embarrassed to see a naked male?"

"Well, no... I mean, yes... I mean..."

"It's all right. I bet the thought of another male inside your home is too much for your mate to bear. Specially when said male was bleeding all over the floor."

"I am not mated," Leynak said, lowering her snout in slight shame. "Not at the moment, at least. Not because I don't want to, but... I have someone to take care of. I have watched over a few hatchlings, though. I watched over while their parents were out for a few days."

"Well, I understand," Nemek said. "It's all right, there's nothing wrong with what you chose to be. A few times at camp I've seen males happy together, and even enjoy each other's tailholes in -- "

Leynak growled, and slapped Nemek hard on his snout with a wet towel. "How dare you!"

The soldier growled, surprised and embarrassed. "Graahhhk, I'm sorry. But I'm running out of options here."

Leynak frowned. "I live with my mother, and in any case it is none of your business. Now, you want to get cleansed, or shall I let the wound finish what your enemies didn't?"

Nemek snorted. "Go ahead. I don't think it will kill me."

Leynak tapped the warrior's breastplate, tugging at the straps that held the armor in place. "How do you take this thing off?"

"Press the two latches above the breast plate, and the others on each side strap."

Leynak nodded as she did as told, then slowly removed the breastplate. She curled her lips, baring her teeth slightly as a much stronger smell wafted into her nostrils, overpowering her. She coughed as she threw the breastplate away and onto another pile of straw. "By the Mother Egg! It's even dirtier there! And you smell worse!"

Nemek shrugged. "I learned not to be bothered with it. I have to smell my comrades all the time. In fact, I would get worried if I didn't."

"No wonder the Kamogron found you first; they probably sensed the smell from the other side of the Pass. The soldiers at the village don't have such lousy hygiene."

Nemek bared his teeth, somewhat offended. "I resent that! Their stations and skills are nothing compared to a Lancer!" He turned his face to look away from Leynak's. "Besides, it's not like we have the luxury of a bath when we patrol for days in the wild."

Any explanation made no difference in the retching Leynak fought hard to control. She dipped a sponge in the bucket, then gently rubbed the offending part, immediately exposing lustrous, reddish scales as she washed the grime and odor away.

For a few, short instants, Leynak lost herself in the enchantment of feeling the male's rough skin. She marveled at the sight of his massive chest, still taut and strong even after the blood loss, the infection, and the days Nemek had spent unconscious. Far stronger than his smell, he seemed to exude a strong, reagal aura.

She rubbed his scales, scrubbing the dirt with her bare hands, feeling the muscles underneath, the mere touch had her own body react in unusual ways. She shook her head, hoping Nemek had not noticed her reaction.

He probably felt some pleasure as well, for he hissed long and softly, eyes half closed. Leynak let go immediately, somewhat worried. "Am I hurting you?"

"No. But you probably have no idea how good it feels getting washed by such a pretty female."

Leynak blurted a short squeal of surprise, then blushed as she recognized the flattering remark. Dipping the sponge back in the bucket, she proceeded to cleanse his face, still covered in grime and dried blood.

Nemek's nostrils distended a few times at the scent of the soap. "By the primal Egg, girl. What soap is that? It smells great."

"You like it? My mother and I make it ourselves. It sells pretty well, like the decana fruit."

Nemek rumbled contently as she washed the loose skin underneath his lower jaw and around his neck. "A healer, maker of sweet desserts, and also of nice soap. We surely could use you at camp, Leynak."

Leynak smiled as she continued washing him. "Amazing that you warriors don't know these simple pleasures. Why are you still a soldier, then? You make it sound as if your camp were a nightmare."

"We get our perks. Except when we are on patrol, or stationed. Campaigns leave no time for amenities."

"Really. And what do you soldiers use?"

He sighed. "Probably the same soap they use to scrub the floors with, from the stench of it."

Leynak removed the gauntlets around Nemek's forearms. She continued cleansing the soldier, feeling the muscles of his thick arms as she wiped them. "So what do you warriors do? When you are at camp."

"We get into a warm pool, at least. We relax in it, scrub somewhat. Every one of us, males and females together. No place for modesty there."

"Brutes, you lot."

"It works for us."

Leynak moved to work on Nemek's abdomen. She stopped, looking at his crotch plate. "How do you take that off?"

"Press the small clamps on each side of the plate."

Nemek rose his right hand slowly until he grabbed her left. The female jerked slightly, but then allowed him to guide her. She slowly removed the belt from around and underneath him, then lifted the plate. She could not help gasp a little and blushed as she stared directly onto his genital slit.

He flashed a toothy grin. "No underwear. It's more of a burden when we have to answer the call of nature while on patrol. We get lots of air to cool down, too."

Leynak took a brief look at Nemek's body. His slit was just where hers was, and didn't look much different from hers. A rather prominent and thick bulge right underneath it, however, clearly advertised the warrior was male. Not that she had any doubts; his voice and smell had been more than eloquent. A short distance from his bulge and at the base of his tail was his anus. Wetting the sponge, she started cleansing it.

Nemek sighed with delight, his eyes rolling upwards as he arched his back slightly. "Ooohhhh..."

"You enjoy this? Ummm... you don't happen to be --?"

"No. It's just that, leaves aren't the best option to use while on patrol."

"Good," she whispered almost inaudibly. Smiling, she began to clean around his bulge. He was quite the mature male, from the looks of it -- she could make out his two rather large, spherical testes pressing against his skin. He certainly would be an excellent candidate for siring many hatchlings. She continued cleaning, taking care not to exert any pressure on them.

Nemek saw her hesitate again. "If you want to work that too, it's right inside."

"I know, you oaf," she said, giggling in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. Sticking her two fingers inside his slit, she gently pried Nemek's limp cock out. It was the first time she had seen an adult male's member. Unlike the hatchlings she had bathed, Nemek's was a bright red, slightly darker than the color of his skin. To her surprise, his massive muscles did not stop with his cock, for his was of considerable length. She felt its ridged texture, sensing its weighty thickness for the best part of a second, her sense of wonder slowly giving way to embarrassment at some bawdy joke that dashed through her mind, that perhaps there was a reason why these warriors were called "Lancers".

Biting her tongue, she pushed her lustful thoughts aside, and started cleansing Nemek's cock.

Nemek gasped at the sensation of her soft scales and the warm, wet sponge around his member. Not unlike the times he and S'thkra had bathed together with no other soldier present. The female soldier always commented she had the right tool to clean his cock, before putting it in her mouth. Nemek's breathing quickened as he felt his member starting to pulse, becoming aroused. Fuck, he thought. It would be extremely humiliating if it went stiff right in her hands.

The warrior tried desperately to banish the thoughts that raced through his mind. Me moved his left claw until it was next to his wound, and poked it slightly. A small explosion of pain raced through his right flank. He pushed the pain to the forefront of his mind as he tried to kill his lust.

He growled at his thoughts. It had been some time since he last screwed. Sadly, his last time had been with S'thkra, two weeks before the ambush. Like several other Lancers that night, both had been assigned the nightly watch at their station in Drukel Point. As they patrolled the area, they came face to face. They had chatted for a short while, when they realized they were alone, and everything had gone downhill from there. They climbed to the top of an empty watchtower. They laid on the floor of the tower, where Nemek took her hard.

The sounds of their passion, however, alerted other warriors, and before long they were facing a rather incensed commander. Both were severely punished. Still, they both would reminisce the incident every day, and laugh at it. Like with all his other escapades, Nemek had thought that, despite the punishment, the experience had been worth it.

He growled as his mind raced back to reality. Leynak had finished cleansing his member, but was still looking at it. Probably wondering how to get it back inside his slit. Growling, Nemek forced his muscles to drag his screaming flesh back inside him. He then turned around to lie on his stomach, groaning from the pain and sore muscles, and exposed his back and wings to Leynak. He knew his body would scream for a while from the effort, but he was glad that his privates were now hidden.

He lifted a claw to point at his wings. "My wings and back could use some washing as well."

"Well," Leynak said in mock anger. "I'll have you know that this isn't exactly a high class city inn."

Nemek smiled. "How about showing some respect to a warrior of the Empire?"

Leynak chuckled as she moved to a more comfortable position. "Some warrior. Found him bleeding to death."

Nemek snorted, his smile changing into a slight frown. "Done while fighting to keep you civilians safe, and I would not hesitate to do it again, once I heal back to full health."

Leynak gasped, extremely ashamed. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean anything. "

Nemek closed his eyes, and pointed to the armor plates still covering his back. "You should be able to pull that off easily."

Leynak nodded. Taking the remaining armor off, she gasped upon seeing the warrior's back. It looked as if something had burned his skin deep, then scrubbed hard as it healed. The skin was hard, but more noticeable, all the dorsal spikes between his neck and the base of his tail were missing.

"Goddess... what happened--?"

He interrupted, answering the question before she had a chance to finish it. "They do that to us so our armor fits better."

"I've seen other soldiers before. They all had their spikes."

"Not us Lancers," he said proudly. "We get burned, and our skins otherwise screwed several times over. We learn to take it without complaint."

Leynak sighed, wondering why Nemek's regiment felt the need to mutilate themselves to prove their worth. She decided not to think of it anymore as she worked slowly on his wings, trying not to tear the delicate membrane any more than it was. She shivered slightly. The skin had been torn intentionally once in each wing, where the membrane attached to his back. It had healed, leaving a hole for the warrior to wear his belt and straps through.

As she worked on his strong legs, Leynak glanced at the rest of the warrior's naked body, admiring it, and the muscles that defined it despite his somewhat emaciated and weakened state. He was obviously still in pain, yet he was still very strong, and proud, to show it. She tried to imagine him as a farmer. Perhaps he wouldn't have grown so strong and sturdy. He probably would already be mated and raising several hatchlings, working some farm on some other region of the Empire, and she would never have laid eyes on him. Leynak frowned slightly, hating herself for coveting a male that would had belonged to some other female.

She realized the stupidity of her thoughts as she worked on his thick, muscular tail. This was obviously no farmer, but a soldier whom the Goddess saw fit to allow him to live for the next battle. And She probably thought well about Leynak if She had placed him for her to find. Leynak sighed and shook her head at the futility of it all. This was no future husband; only a warrior she was more than willing to help recover. And he evidently was glad she had found him, despite his almost complete lack of gratitude. She watched his tail tip twitch slightly in seemingly random directions, betraying the contentedness that his mouth did not dare speak.

After a few minutes she dropped the sponge back into the bucket. "There. All done. Probably took a kilogram or two of dirt out of your skin. And you sure smell much nicer now."

Nemek smiled, but did not turn to look at her as he spoke. "My thanks."

"You're most welcome." She extended another clean blanket next to him, and motioned for him to get on top of it. Nemek crawled slowly onto it, and she covered him with another blanket. She grabbed the one he had been laying on, now wet and dirty. "If the warrior will excuse me, I have to go back to the house. My mother will scream if I let my chores lapse."

"Sounds like one tough lady. Must raise hell for her husband as well."

"She... doesn't have any. My father died before I hatched."

Nemek paused. "My apologies."

"There's nothing to apologize," she said, smiling subtly. "Seems like there's a lot we could get to know about each other."

Nemek nodded. He shifted his weight around, trying to get himself in a more comfortable position.

Leynak began to walk away, but hesitated. She looked at Nemek's face, then lowered her snout to kiss his. "Sleep well, warrior."

Nemek grunted, more of surprise than annoyance. "Good night."

He closed his eyes as he was surrounded by the darkness. He wished he weren't so spent to move even one muscle. He wanted to masturbate quite desperately.

Leynak paused at the entrance of the barn, listening at the loud, rhytmic grunting inside, not unlike that of some beasts she had seen mating. Somewhat embarrassed, she cautiously peeked inside.

Nemek lied completely naked, face down on the floor. Grunting, he pushed his torso upwards with his arms at the same time he opened his wings in rhythm. He held his position for a second, then lowered himself to the ground, folding his wings as he did. He repeated the exercise several times, keeping a steady rhtyhm.

Leynak knew soldiers were strong men. Even then, she never expected to see Nemek back on his feet ten days after she found him near death, much less exercising. She imagined the shock and rage if her mother saw him naked, but she figured that the old dragoken had not even come close to the barn since Leynak brought Nemek in.

She walked in with a slow, confident gait so as not to startle him. "Good morning, Nemek."

The soldier stopped, turning his head to look at her. He smiled, and promptly rose to his feet, still flexing his arms somewhat. "Morning."

"You surprise me. You're back on your feet. And quite strong, from the looks of it."

Nemek smiled, then blushed somewhat as he realized he was standing naked in front of her. He would had no compunctions to stand naked in front of other soldiers. He probably shouldn't even mind, since Leynak didn't seem fazed at his nakedness, and she had given him a bath not long ago. Still, he felt the need to have at least a fragment of decency. He grabbed the crotch plate from his armor and held it firmly in place with his belt.

"Sorry about that."

"Don't be. It's nice to see all of you is doing well."

Nemek paused, somewhat surprised at the inflection of her words. He quickly pointed at his wound. "It has healed almost completely. Whatever it is that you did, I'm sure the Empire would like to know about it. It would help us immensely in saving soldiers when battling the Kamogrons."

Leynak bowed. "I would be pleased. Although either I may have been lucky, or the Goddess was watching both of us."

"Probably." He squatted, flexing his left leg as he stretched the right one, then the opposite. "But, as you've said, I would had died if you hadn't shown up in time." He continued flexing his legs, his tail swaying from side to side. His wings opened partially, then completely. Nemek crouched, then jumped up. His wings beat thrice, helping him get higher until he reached one of the rafters. He held onto it, and started pulling himself up. "This is even better than I thought. One more week, and I'll surely get to fly again."

Leynak opened her eyes wide, surprised to see Nemek take to the air. "Fly? You mean, by your own power, and not just glide a short distance like us?"

"Indeed. But not for very long, though; just a few hundred meters; maybe a kilometer if we jump from a high place. We use it to swoop down on unsuspecting enemies. Or to get us out of harm's way, although it would not had helped me at my last battle."

Nemek let go of the rafter, falling on his feet with a loud thud. He let out a faint groan, but managed to stay on his feet. Leynak slowly walked to stand behind Nemek, stroking the wing's frame as she felt his muscles. The soldier hissed softly with some pleasure, and extended his wings completely for her to examine.

"I never knew soldiers could fly."

Leynak could not help but be amazed at his size and build. She knew he was taller than she was when she dragged him into the wagon after finding him bleeding. But with the warrior standing up next to her, she had to look up into his green eyes. A slight sense of awe and fear gripped her soul. Even in his weakened state, Nemek could overpower her if he so desired. Leynak started hearing again in her mind her mother's warnings about soldiers...

"That's something only Lancers can do," Nemek said, his voice coming firm, indicative of the warrior's strength. Yet it also sounded reassuring, fitting to his duty to protect the Empire's citizens. "Other than the Emperor, that is. Though rumor has it he can fly without any impediment or getting tired, nobody has seen him fly."

Leynak lifted slowly a small basket she had been carrying, offering him a better view of its contents. Two freshly baked muffins, along with some cooked ham and bits of chicken. "Your healing body must be starved for something to help it rebuilt itself. I brought you breakfast."

"Thanks, but it is not necessary. I already had one of your cows. And a chicken for dessert." Nemek flexed his arms, puffing his chest. "But since you went through the effort of bringing this to me, I'll gladly take it from your hands." He took the basket; for an instant his hand brushed hers very gently. She pulled away, surprised. He cocked his head to one side, and smiled before he sat down on the floor to eat, close to his makeshift bed.

Leynak smiled, pleased at his sense of humor, and his seemingly respect for her. She wondered what other qualities that male had yet to reveal. "How natural it is for you to fly?"

"It is still very hard," he continued in between bites. "It can wear us quickly if we are fully armored. But it's the best way to handle a lance, our weapon of choice in combat."

"Have you ever been in combat? A major war for the Empire, I mean."

"No, we've been at peace with the neighboring kingdoms since long before I joined the Army. The way politics go, though, the Emperor could declare war any day. Tomorrow, next cycle... a hundred winters from now?" He shrugged, then tossed some of the chicken into his mouth.

Leynak sat down to his left, close to the warrior, watching him eat. Her eyes slowly drifted to gaze at his muscled chest and wide shoulders. She felt a strong impulse to touch them, but stayed her hand. "Do you wish for it?"

"Not at all. But if it ever comes to that, all regiments will be there to wage battle." His wings opened partially, in the way dragokens showed extreme pride. "And the Lancers will be there, on the greatest campaigns."

"Really? What's so special about your group?"

Nemek snorted, somewhat insulted she didn't seem at all impressed with his Lancer station. Quite unlike some of the girls in the capital, who would quickly offer their genital slits for the warriors' pleasure, just for the "privilege" of saying they had sex with a Lancer. He felt angry with himself as he remembered that knowledge of the Imperial armies doesn't put food on the table for dragoken like Leynak. Every day they had to toil hard in order to make a living; he himself had to help his father with farm chores since Nemek was barely more than a hatchling.

"We are called Lancers because of one weapon only our Regiment can wield dexterously." He rose his claw, pointing towards the ceiling. "Even taller than I am, and heavier than all the sins of a drug smuggler put together. We wield it no harder than the average soldier would handle a two handed sword."

Nemek continued, lost in the excitement of talking about his combat skills. "One of our tactics is to get to a high position, where we spot your enemy, and then..." He made a whooshing sound, and flashed a toothy grin at Leynak. "Skewered enemy."

Leynak grimaced. "Ugh! Just when I thought you couldn't get any more savage."

"Oh, we're not such mindless brutes. The lances are also handy to roast the enemy over the campfire."

Leynak laughed, knowing he was teasing her. "A tough guy, eh?" She held a finger close to his wound, threatening to poke it.

Nemek twitched and scurried away from her. "Watch it! You'll undo your work, and then and you'll have to take care of me for a few more weeks."

"Oh, really?" She picked up a pillow he had been using, and threw it at him. "I might as well do that, if you don't clean up after yourself?"

Nemek covered his head with his arms, peeking underneath them to look at her, smiling. "Be careful with them pillows. They can be quite deadly weapons."

Leynak shook his head, laughing. "Goddess, some though officer you are."

It was Nemek's turn to laugh. "An officer? I wish! Private Nemek."

"By the Egg! A private?!" Leynak made a face of mock disappointment. "And here I thought I would get credit for saving some high-ranked officer."

Nemek smiled. Grabbing one of the muffins, he split it in half, offering one of the pieces to Leynak. She took it, smiling.

"Well, you're not that far off," he said, his wings once again showing his pride. "Depending on some places I may visit, I get more prestige than the Emperor himself."

"Yeah, and I'm the fang fairy that brings candies to the hatchlings."

"I'm not joking. It's been decreed since the reign of the late Empress Selayna. All Imperial soldiers get more respect than the bureaucrats do. And us Lancers are above them all."

"How can that be? You soldiers don't rule the Empire."

Nemek stood on his feet, puffing his chest. As he talked, he began acting the parts of some "actors" in some sort of historic play. "It works like this. The Emperor has 'neighbors', the rulers of the lands next to the Empire. Sometimes the neighbor feels like he needs a little part of the Empire for himself. So our Emperor sends the Armies. We get there, whip the neighbor's ass real hard, and we come home. All the time, us soldiers either lost our lives or put them in great risk, while the Emperor and his court didn't move their tails out of their cushy seats."

"Doesn't sound fair," Leynak said.

"Precisely!" Nemek said, his wings fully extended. "That's why Selayna-- the Mother Goddess bless her soul-- recognized it was the Armies what kept her in place. So one glorious day, she decreed that all Imperial soldiers were to be held in higher esteem than the bureaucrats, even herself! It all boils down to that, if someday the Emperor and I happened to want the most luxurious room and pleasure girls at the Imperial inn, you can guess who gets to have the most enjoyable night." Nemek grinned, somewhat mischievously.

"Surely the bureaucrats hate that."

"Oh, you can bet your beautiful wings they do!"

Leynak gasped softly, and blushed at his sudden flirtation. Strangely, she was overcome by an undescriptable feeling of pleasure. "Don't you worry such decree may be nullified someday?"

Nemek continued, seemingly unaware of her reaction. "They are powerless to do so. It would not do them any good to have the Armies pissed at them."

Leynak stood on her feet, and bowed slightly to him. "Well... It's good to see you in good health and with a good spirit."

Nemek's smile faded somewhat. "That's only on the outside. My soul still mourns the loss of my comrades, specially my sister in arms. But it knows it doesn't have time to dwell on it. I'm sworn to my duties, and I hope to resume them soon."

Leynak paused. Deep inside, she felt somewhat let down. Her soul screamed to keep the warrior with her, but knowing nothing could break the oath he had made to the Empire. "Speaking of duties, I have chores to attend. Life in the farm almost never takes a day off."

Nemek bowed to her. "You two are some busy ladies. Which reminds me, when I am going to meet your mother? I want to thank her for letting you nurse me back to health." He looked down at his body. "Though I certainly can't do so naked like this. Sorry to bother you more, but I could use anything to polish my armor."

Leynak froze for an instant. She thought about lying to Nemek, but decided against it. It would not be correct to answer his honor with deceit. "Goddess... I had forgotten to tell you. My mother... she doesn't take kindly to soldiers, for some reason. She almost had you thrown out when I brought you here. I had to impose my will over hers so I could heal you. Even then, she forbid me from bringing you into the home. That's why I had to treat you here in the barn."

Nemek stood silent for a considerable time. She could notice he was visibly affected by the news. When he finally spoke again, his voice was somewhat solemn. "I hope my presence has not brought any distraught to your house. I... I shall retire myself back to my post as soon as possible, if that's what is best for your mother."

Leynak shook her head vigorously, frowning. Nemek was taken aback for a short while; he had only seen a gentle side to the female, and was surprised to see her annoyed.

"No," Leynak said, emphatically. "I will take possession of the land eventually, so I should start making my will stand."

"If the lady says so. But I have to be honest; I'm starting to get a little impatient about being cooped up here with the chickens. You might not have any left soon if that continues."

Leynak paused for an instant before she laughed, amused at Nemek's ability to defuse the situation. "Well, the village is hosting a Harvest Festival until tomorrow night, when the two moons shine in full. The greatest festivities are to be held that night. I know it's probably nothing like the celebrations you may be used to seeing at the capital, but surely it will be something to distract your mind." She blushed slightly. "I certainly could have one strong male accompany me, and keep the few riff-raff away."

"I would be much pleased. Maybe I still could use that polish."

Leynak shook her head. "Why don't you forget being a soldier for one night, and just enjoy yourself?

"Well... unless you have some male clothes in your home that may fit me, my only other option is to show there naked."

Leynak smiled, holding onto one of his forearms. "Tell you what. I have a few coins saved. They are mine, my mother doesn't even know I have them. Since I need to go to the village later today, I could buy you some clothes. They won't be luxurious, but more than appropriate."

Nemek stammered. "Well... I would be honored. But you really don't have to. You have done enough already."

"And I certainly can do a little more for you. Think of it as my thanks for bringing some much needed change to a rather boring existence."

Nemek nodded. He brought himself to attention, then bowed to her. "You have my thanks, lady Leynak."

Leynak smiled, then sighed softly. "Don't thank me yet. Even if I want to go out with you, I don't want to deceive my mother. I'm sure she is gonna have a fit when I tell her."

Neesken opened her mouth wide, baring her slightly worn out teeth. "No, no, NO!!! Absolutely not! You are not going tonight to the festival with that soldier, and that's final!"

Leynak growled back at her, her eyes narrowed. "Really, mother! I'm fucking tired of you denying almost anything I wish to do!"

Neesken pointed a wrinkled finger accusingly at her daughter. "You watch that language! Don't you ever talk to me like that again, you... dragoness! I told you that warrior would bring nothing but shame to this house! And here you are, rebelling against your own mother!"

"I'm not rebelling against you, but against your damned stubbornness and insensitivity!! You never allow me to have time to myself! All I do is work this farm from dawn to dusk!!"

"Don't be an ungrateful child, Leynak. You're far better in here than someplace else like the Imperial capital. And you will stay that way if you keep away from that soldier!"

Leynak sighed, still irritated. She felt her heart beat furiously, blood rushing to her ear holes. She recognized it as part of her dragon heritage. For an instant she was grateful her race was only a very distant descendant of dragons. She would had breathed fire on her mother's face by now.

"Nemek certainly hasn't been anything like you say all warriors are!"

Neesken growled. "So... you're on a name basis with the scum now?"

"For all that the Goddess has made holy, mother! What is it that you have against them? Nemek almost lost his life fighting Kamogrons. And you treat him no better than a bum!"

"Those could be lies, and he's making up a story to cover his desertion."

Leynak roared, then turned to face away from her mother. She opened her wings unconsciously, in a defensive posture, as if shielding from the words Neesken fired off at her. "I can't believe this! Are you saying that I'm better off chancing some creep assaulting me at night rather than being out with one of the protectors of our land!?"

"They are no better than that kind of criminals! I tell you, they all are scum. All of them! Specially --" Neesken hesitated. Leynak turned to look at her mother; Neesken trembled, her eyes tightly closed as if fighting to banish some unseen demon. "You are better off going out alone than with him!" Neesken stammered, visibly affected.

There was utter silence. Only the wind blowing outside and the ticking of a clock were heard for a considerable time as Leynak struggled internally, fighting to hold back the dragon that clamored to express itself. She felt torn between the respect she felt she owed her mother, and her desire to get away from a farm that somehow threatened to drain her very lifeforce.

Folding her wings against her back, she turned to look at her mother, who had turned to look at the wall. Leynak walked slowly towards her, then gently laid a hand on the older dragoken's shoulder. Neesken didn't even twitch, but Leynak could see she was crying. Leynak turned her mother around so she could gaze into her eyes.

"Mother... It is not that I do not accept your wisdom. But I've grown. I'm feeling that my life as it is now is a waste. I haven't even raised a child of my own. There will be a time when we may need a strong male to help us. I want to be married."

Neesken stuttered, almost gasping in between tears. "To... that filth... in the barn?"

Leynak shook her head slightly. "He's dying to get back to his comrades and another of their stupid campaigns. He could get killed on his next outing. Hardly the male I could have as a husband."

"I don't understand then why you want to go out with him."

"Because he is the only male I have had the opportunity to hold a conversation and at least get to know somewhat. At the very least, he could be a bodyguard. Better than going to the festival alone."

Neesken sighed, hugging her daughter. "I want you to be safe, Leynak. I have nothing else in the world. I do not want you to hurt."

"I know, mother. I promise you. I will be safe."

They held together for a while, Leynak rocking her mother softly, remembering the times the roles were reversed when Leynak was a small child.

The village roared with boisterous activity, clearly audible from almost a kilometer away. The cheerful sounds only worked to emphasize Leynak's anxiety and some unfounded feelings of not being in control of her life, as the horse pulled the wagon down the road. She turned to look at Nemek, sitting to her left; he had handled the reins all the way from the farm. The horse surely had noticed his firm hand, because it had trotted quieter than on any of the countless times Leynak had made the same trip.

She glanced at the strong male, who appeared even more attractive in the clothes he was wearing. He had a white, long sleeved shirt, its sides open so his wings could go through. His larger frame meant that part of his chest was exposed as well. He wore a belt made of cloth, wide enough to hide his bandages, and to hold his pants in place. These were black, and open around the back to let his tail go through, and in the front. A black cloth went in between his legs, covering his crotch, and split in two in the back to accommodate his tail. On his right wrist, he wore one of his golden Lancer vambraces, worn over the shirt. Leynak had complained that he didn't need any piece of his armor, but later on changed her mind when she conceded it looked good over his clothes.

Leynak had gotten her best dress, one she had hardly ever worn. It covered her body completely, from shoulders down to her feet, with an opening in the back for her wings. She wore an ornate collar filled with jewels and other pieces of metal; none were precious enough for someone to steal it, but nevertheless it looked splendid on her, or so Nemek had said. She wore a colored belt around her waist, tied at the front so that one end hung in front of her dress almost all the way down to her knees.

"You will like the festival," Leynak said, trying to banish her nervousness as she held her hands tightly around Nemek's right arm.

The warrior smiled. He slowly worked his arm free of her grasp, and rested it on her shoulders, holding her head against his body. "With your company, I can't see how I would not like it."

Leynak blushed for a second, her feelings replaced with warmth as she felt the weight of his heavy arm on her, holding her protectively. She smiled, and said nothing more until they entered the village.

Leynak could feel several eyes on her and Nemek as the horse pulled the wagon into the designated area. Nemek jumped out, leading the horse the last few meters into a water trough, where he tied the reins. He quickly walked to the right side, helping Leynak step down. Nemek held onto her right hand, and together they started walking towards the crowd.

Leynak was somewhat taken aback at the size of the crowd. She had never been on the last night of the festival, and had no idea what to expect. She guessed it was at least thirty times the normal population, easily. She felt intimidated, feeling as if her legs were betraying her, each step an effort in itself.

Nemek, on the other hand, looked unfazed by it, even seemed pleased. He smiled slightly, still holding firmly to Leynak's arm. "This is one loud celebration you have in here," he shouted slightly to be heard above the crowd.

"You like it?"

"Sure do. Do you know if there are any plays scheduled? I like theatre."

Leynak was about to answer when she felt an even stronger feeling of being watched. She stared straight ahead, seeing a group of four females staring at her and Nemek. She sighed as two of them started walking hurriedly towards them. She held onto Nemek's right arm, like a kid clutching some toy or food she's unwilling to share.

"Hello, Leynak! Nice to see you!"

"Hello, Xircan," Leynak said, somewhat coldly, feigning a smile. "And Hanna."

"Nice to see you made it here tonight. Hadn't seen you at all any of the past nights. You must have missed most of the fun!"

Leynak shrugged, trying to look as if she could care less about the festival. "I've been busy with the farm. And helping my friend Nemek here."

Xircan looked at Nemek; her eyes seemingly glinted with desire. "My... I would never think of you the kind who would be next to such a stud! Is he your cousin or some other relative?"

"Maybe you didn't hear me through the noise," Leynak said, her voice somewhat louder and somewhat curt. "He is my friend."

Hanna placed her claws on her hips as she slowly swayed her tail, licking her lips with the tip of her tongue. "What, they now grow on trees or something? Because I would not mind having some of that seed."

Leynak narrowed her eyes, staring in disgust as they brazenly seemed to tease Nemek. She was about to speak her mind when Nemek tapped the tip of her snout horn. She turned to look at him, and saw him smiling.

The male turned to address the two newcomers. "Greetings, noble ladies."

Both females giggled loudly at Nemek's words. Leynak shook her head slightly, knowing those two were far from being ladies, from all the times other males had bedded them.

"Well, hello!" Xircan said with a broad smile. "What's your name, handsome?"

"Private Nemek, of the 23rd. Regiment of the Dragoken Imperial Armies." The male dragoken replied with his usual formality, thumping his chest with his left arm. Leynak let out a soft shrill of delight. She recognized the salute as one of high rank speaking to one of lower, from the various ocassions Nemek had talked to her about the Imperial army. Soldiers would always address citizens like those of higher rank, unless they were dealing with a criminal or anyone they felt wasn't worth respect. Apparently, the two other females knew it as well, because their smiles faded noticeably.

Nemek brought his right wrist into view, the same arm that Leynak was holding onto. He turned his vambrace to better reflect the light on its golden surface and the large purple jewel encased in it. "I am a Lancer".

The two females gasped as they stared open-mouthed at the vambrace. Soldier armor was something almost nobody was willing to forge, much less wear. The penalties for its forgery were too severe, but still better than the punishment for trying to pass as a soldier. Even if those were not so severe, anyone trying to pass as a regular soldier would face a very humiliating ridicule if his bluff were to be called. Trying to pass as a Lancer would be unthinkable.

Leynak smiled with glee. Nemek had positioned his vambrace in a way that, no matter from which angle the two whores looked at it, they also stared directly into Leynak's face.

"Goddess!" Hanna stammered as she turned to look at Leynak. "Where... How did you find him?"

Nemek smiled, then bent to kiss Leynak's snout horn. "This noble lady helped me recover from what would had been a fatal wound." He pulled his belt slightly, allowing his bandages to be seen. "She's a natural healer. The Mother Goddess would had passed judgement on me a long time ago if it hadn't been for her." He lowered his head, talking so that his breath washed over the two females' faces. "There's nobody else I would like to have with me tonight."

Xircan frowned, breathing deep for a few seconds. "All right... I'll call your bluff, Leynak! There is no way your mother would had ever allowed you to go out with a soldier."

Leynak smiled, slightly baring her teeth as she held onto Nemek's arm. "Well, it was time for me to exert some of my own authority. You can ask her any time any of you two girls feels like passing through our farm on your way to the forest for a... sightseeing trip with some of your friends."

"Besides," Nemek continued casually, "you could follow us to the soldiers' station. I need them to forward a message to my superiors at Drukel Point and let them know I am well."

Xircan breathed deep for a few seconds, annoyed at her embarrassing defeat. "Well... have a pleasant night, then. Hopefully your friend will get you to finally have an evening worth remembering." She snorted loudly as she turned to walk away hurriedly, followed by Hanna. Leynak watched them leave, grinning.

"Oh, Nemek... that was great!" she said, screaming with glee. "Thank you!"

He smiled, and lowered his head to kiss her small snout horn again as he scratched one of her eye ridges. "You need not worry. I did meant it when I said there's nobody else I would rather spend this night with."

They walked together to partake in the festivities.

Nemek had taken a small detour early in the night to stop at the soldiers' station. The place was off-limits to civilians, so Leynak had waited from a seat near the door frame. She saw Nemek talk with some officer, but their voices were drowned by the noise coming from outside.

She stepped out shortly after, and stared at the small building with some apprehension. Somehow the inside of the station made her feel helpless. Perhaps because she realized what it meant to Nemek. No doubt the soldier wanted his whereabouts relayed to his superiors. And yet she wished the Goddess would get him to stay, if only for a few more days.

Almost immediately she felt again the look of several eyes on her. She turned around casualy, pretending she was admiring the sight of the festival. Not far away, she noticed Xircan and others in her circle of friends watching from a distance. Surely still clinging to a faint hope that they would see the soldiers hauling Nemek in chains, arrested for trying to impersonate a soldier.

Nemek walked out after a couple of long, tense minutes. He was followed by a ranked soldier. Leynak could not hear their conversation above the noise in the streets, but it was obvious the officer was quite elated that a Lancer had stopped at his station. They each saluted the other, after which Nemek turned towards Leynak. Smiling, he extended his right arm for her to hold, and both started to walk down the street. Leynak turned to look in the direction where she had seen the other females. They were nowhere in sight.

Back on the streets, Nemek stopped at almost every kiosk or public spectacle, sampling different foods and watching the jugglers and other street performers. All around them, dragoken children laughed as they chased each other carrying glowing sticks. Leynak felt a sense of longing, wishing one of them were hers. She sighed, berating herself for allowing other thoughts to dull the night.

Nemek seemed to elicit some courteous conversation with almost every vendor he came in contact with. Those who noticed his vambrace were eager to ask him about it, to which Nemek gave a short version of his life as a soldier.

They slowly made their way to the central plaza, where several musicians performed the lively music they had been hearing as they walked through the crowded streets. In the center, many dragoken couples laughed as they merrily danced the night away. Leynak rested her head on Nemek's arm, watching.

"Shall we dance?" Nemek asked.

Leynak let out a soft shrill, startled. "N-no. It's all right. I... I just like watching."

Nemek grinned. "Shame on you, lady. Your eyes tell me you are lying."

"Of course not! I'm fine, really!" She paused. "I just... want to be --"

The crowd burst into applause as the musicians ended their song, and the village's mayor walked to the podium to address the public.

"Thanks, all of you! It fills my soul with pleasure to see all you noble visitors from all over the region, and even some distinguished people from the Capital!" The crowd broke into applause again, and the mayor softly urged them to quiet down so he could continue. "It has come to my attention that we have a distinguished visitor on this last day of our celebration. Honestly, never it would had occurred to me someone of such distinguished regiment would visit us! Please let us extend our hospitality to a soldier of the 23rd. Regiment, the Lancers of the Imperial Army!"

"Well, I'll be damned," Nemek mumbled to himself, somewhat shocked.

Leynak gasped as the crowd turned to look at them, bursting in even louder applause. "Nemek..."

"Guess they won't let us go now without dancing, don't you think?"

"But--"

Nemek didn't allow her to finish her protest. He promptly made his way through the crowd, Leynak in tow, until they stood at the center of the dance ring, alone. The soldier held Leynak's right claw high and bowed to her, then signaled to the musicians to start playing again.

"Nemek... this is... embarrasing." Leynak pleaded. "Please, let's get out."

Nemek shook his head as the first notes started playing, drawing Leynak close to him and starting to lead the dance. Almost immediately she followed, mainly because she would feel even more embarrassed to stand still, yet she still resisted somewhat.

"A trainer once told me, 'If the light ever shines on you, enjoy it to its fullest, because the next day you could be cast into eternal darkness.' A lady like you... has lived in obscurity far too long." He slowly forced her to rest her head on his chest. "Enjoy the limelight, Leynak. Tonight is your night."

The first melody ended, and a second started playing immediately after. Several couples joined Nemek and Leynak at the dance ring. Leynak was glad it made them slightly less conspicuous.

She felt her worries slowly ebbing away midway through the third melody, until they disappeared shortly after, replaced by the joy of something she never would had thought herself brave enough to do, were it not for the soldier that had conquered her fears. Leynak lifted her eyes to look at the sky, and saw the two moons, slowly rising to the sky, together.

Leynak offered a small prayer of thanks to the Goddess. It always had seemed that the hours would drag whenever she was busy with chores, and fly on those very few moments she had time to relax. Leynak could not remember when was the last time she laughed and had so much fun. Probably the first time she went to the Festival, when she was a very young child. And yet, time seemed to crawl slower than she ever felt it move, as if the Goddess slowed time Herself to allow Leynak to enjoy the Festival at its fullest.

The time would come, however, when the sun would shine. She prayed for the Goddess to stop time all together, and let her live the night forever.

Leynak laughed. "And... and that... that's how it is!"

Nemek frowned, glancing from his mug to the overtly giddy female. He looked from his seat in a deck high above most of the village and to the streets down below. Most of the noise and festivities of the festival had quieted down, as the revelers slowly trickled out, retiring into their homes or motels, or even starting the long trek back to their towns. The music still flowed down the less crowded streets, although it was much quieter and mellower than it had been at the height of the festival. The village's mayor had performed the closing ceremonies to the festival, although he made it clear the town would welcome all those who wished to continue their own festivities.

"Party's winding down," he said, hoping Leynak would catch the hint. He put his mug down as he watched Leynak seemingly dozing off. "I think you've had a little too much ale."

"I would not know," she said, smiling as she tried to focus on his face. "I've never drunk this in my whole life!" She looked at him, her eyes half-closed. "How about if you get me another mug, hmmm?"

Nemek shook his head. "No. In fact, I think we've been in this festival long enough. It's time to head back to the farm."

"Whyyy?" She pointed upwards, towards the two moons. Both had already started their slow trek down from their zenith and towards the horizon. "See? They are still up there. It's still nighttime!"

"Quite past midnight, even."

"Exactly! We still have some of the night to go!"

The soldier sighed. He got up from his chair, and dropped a few coins on the table to cover their tab. He walked towards Leynak, and gently tried to get her to get up from her seat. She growled slightly in disappointment, and tried to pull away from his touch.

"No, no... I want to spend the whole night here, with you. The visitor from the Imperial Army. Such a strong male... and attractive... and so well equipped. Maybe I can give you another bath... yes, you would like that, won't you?"

Nemek felt a few eyes turning to look at him. He closed his eyes, embarrassed. "Come. It's bedtime for you."

Leynak growled. "You're starting to sound just like my mother. She never lets me have any fun... the witch." She pulled away from his grip, only to fall back on her seat. "Damn... that hurts!"

Nemek sighed. "Yes. You're definitely plastered. Back home with you," he said sternly. "On the double."

Leynak tried to salute him in a military way, laughing as she failed miserably. "Yes, sir!"

Nemek bent over, and gently lifted Leynak from the seat, holding her almost effortlessly in his arms. He held her close to his chest as he walked out of the tavern, walking slowly on the steps leading to the street below, and towards where they had left the horse. Leynak closed her eyes, holding his neck as she dozed off. Nemek silently thanked the Goddess for it; he had noticed Xircan and some of her friends watching them, their gossiping resounding clearly in his earholes.

"She's drunk! Is she gonna get it when her mother finds out!"

"What she's gonna get is some hard, stiff meat between her legs!"

"Oh, come on. I don't think so. You can't believe such a noble-looking soldier would do that!" The voice chuckled.

"He's a soldier. They never pass a free meal. He's gonna nail her... and hard!"

Nemek growled, wishing he could knock the stupid whores just like he had done with the Kamogron. He gently sat Leynak on the front of the wagon, and untied the horse. He jumped onto the wagon, and promptly commanded the horse to go ahead, leaving the village at a rather fast pace.

Once they were a considerable distance away, he had the horse slow down somewhat. He glanced at the sleeping Leynak, who rested her head against his right arm. He smiled somewhat, thinking of everything that had happened since he first laid his weary, dying eyes on her face. He sighed softly. It would not be long before he had to head back to Drukel Point and his duties as a Lancer. He surely would miss her sweet voice and company.

He turned his head to look at the moons, partially hidden by the treetops, coming into clear view only to get hidden again by the trees as the horse pulled the wagon down the road.

"They sure... look pretty tonight, don't they?"

"Leynak? I thought you had passed out."

The female shook her head, smiling, the stench of alcohol coming strong as she spoke. "Not entirely... I only faked it somewhat so we could get out of the village. It's still kind of funny to be somewhat drunk, though. I should do this more often."

Nemek growled. "Well, some example you led them to believe. Your mother is not gonna be happy about this."

"Pssshhh... It's not like I'm the first or last dragon who's gonna get drunk. And ask me if I care what my mother may think." She turned to look at him, smiling. "Why don't you stop the horse and lay in the rear of the wagon with me?"

"No way. I'm getting you home. Your mother is probably worried, and being with me doesn't help."

"She... can come and get me if she wants!"

Leynak rose to her feet, despite her near-drunk state, and jumped from the wagon before Nemek could react and grab her. She fell on the ground, but got on her feet quickly and started walking away.

"Shit!" Nemek cursed as he pulled on the reins to get the horse to come to a sudden stop. He jumped out of the wagon, running after her. "Leynak!"

He didn't have to run far to catch up with her. Leynak had knelt on the ground, looking upwards towards the two moons. She smiled as she pointed to them.

"See how the larger one is in front of the smaller one? He... the big one... he's the male. And he's mounting the other, the female. In a mating dance --"

Nemek looked at the moons for an instant. "I guess... that's one way to put it." He grabbed her arm, trying to help Leynak get on her feet. "Come on. We're going home."

"-- just like the two of us," Leynak finished.

Nemek opened his eyes wide. "What?!"

Standing on her own, Leynak stared at Nemek's eyes, the two moons reflecting on her own. She pressed her claws against his chest. "Mate me, Nemek. Please... take me."

The soldier gasped, nervous. He looked at her, the strong of alcohol wafting to his nostrils, mingled with an even stronger odor. Her pheromones.

"Leynak, you can't be serious! I --"

"Please, Nemek. You... you are the first male I... ever felt like wanting to mate me." She slipped her claws through the openings in his shirt, stroking his muscled chest softly. "Ever since I knew you would live... I've wanted... admired your strength... and wanted you, a strong male, to be my first."

Nemek growled. His rational mind struggled against the scent of her pheromones and her delicate touch. Very soon his dragon ancestry also began screaming for the release of eons of pent up draconic love, the moment when a dragon mated for the sheer experience rather than wanton lust. For an instant his thoughts went to all those moments when he and S'thkra had mated... but that had been more out of lust with another warrior. Leynak was a gentle soul... it would be like betraying all the healing and care she had done for him.

Leynak noticed his indecision, and gently pulled at the strings on her dress. It fell down slowly, revealing her naked body. It seemed to shimmer in the bright light of the two moons. She opened her wings, which waved slightly as a cool breeze washed her body.

Nemek growled. Deep in the core of his brain, the same image flashed strongly, although the body was different. Nighttime. Mating time for dragons. He felt the ancient instinct in him coming to the surface; a winged beast shooting itself upward at a great speed as it pulled itself from a fast dive. Nemek roared, and he tugged at his clothes until he too stood naked in the moonlight.

He slowly walked to stand behind Leynak. He opened his jaws, and closed them gently around her neck, tugging at her skin at the same time he caressed her chest. He let go of his love bite to nuzzle her. "By the Goddess... you're very beautiful, Leynak."

Leynak breathed deep, and Nemek could feel she was somewhat apprehensive and embarrassed to have a grown male see her naked for the first time. Holding Leynak in a tight embrace, he pressed his snout against hers. Her mouth opened instinctively, and he pressed his open mouth into hers, darting his tongue inside Leynak's snout. The female gasped, then closed her eyes as both kissed deep.

Nemek let her catch her breath, then nodded as she stared deep into his eyes. The female dragoken laid with her back on the cool, moist grass, and Nemek quickly lay down on top of her, covering her with his wings. He stared into her blue eyes as he pressed his snout against her, licking it. His tongue pressed against her lips, and she opened her jaws slightly. She gasped as Nemek's tongue darted back inside, twining with hers as he first pressed his lips against her, then his whole mouth open wide against hers, drawing her breath in a deep kiss.

Before long she felt his cock as it emerged from his genital slit, hard and hot, pressing against her crotch. Grabbing it with his left hand, he gently rubbed it against Leynak's slit, stroking her sensitive labia.

Leynak gasped. "Did you ever... had a female --?"

Nemek kissed her snout. "She... passed away. Lost her the day the Kamogron attacked. She... was a good friend. But not a gentle soul like you. She wanted me to be hard on her. She... asked me... to make another girl happy."

"That day," Leynak spoke softly, "when I bathed you... I just wished... and yet... I was so afraid to think of the time when someone would --"

Nemek pressed a finger against her lips, trying to calm her anxiety. "Don't. Just... relax."

Leynak gasped softly as Nemek raised his hips, ready to penetrate her. He looked at her, and she nodded. With one powerful shove, he buried his throbbing flesh deep into her.

"Oh... gods! Nemek!!! Aaahhh!!"

The warrior grunted, pushing his cock deeper. He gasped in pleasure as her vaginal flesh pressed hard against his member. "Oh, Goddess...! Leynak..."

Leynak trembled. The powerful waves of pleasurable sensation raced towards her mind with a feeling she had never experienced before. "Nemek... take me hard."

"What?" He started to withdraw. "Leynak... I don't want to fuck you --"

"Please!" She crossed her legs around his rump, holding him in place. "I want you to."

The scent of her pheromones came stronger, and Nemek found himself unable to fight back. He licked her snout, neck, chest; he bit at her soft flesh of her throat while caressing her. He pushed his cock deep inside her and held there for a few seconds before he slowly began thrusting, building his pace. Each time he buried his cock until his crotch was flush with her. The resistance of her virginal flesh helped to building his arousal.

Slowly he quickened his pace, trying to make his sensation last. Leynak moaned, her body racking with spasms of delight at the feeling of a powerful male inside her, the feeling of someone taking control of the sensations, of the male that now dominated and made her his. She began to pant, her mouth dry. She threw her arms around his wide shoulders, holding him tightly as he pumped faster into her, pressing her to the ground.

Nemek grunted with each thrust, louder each time. His loins slapping against her flesh, he slid his cock almost all the way out before plunging it back inside her with wild abandon. Her moans fueled his passion, and he quickened the pace.

"Ne... mmmekkk!! Spirits... oh, gods!"

Then it happened. She let out a loud growl as her body spasmed in a strong orgasm. She dug her claws into Nemek's back as the sensation overwhelmed her senses in an overwhelming barrage of pleasure. Slowly subsiding, slowly coming back to reality... and to a male that continued thrusting rapidly into her.

"Nemek... by the egg... ahhh!"

The warrior could hardly listen, as blood rushed through his mind and ear holes, charged by the waves of passion felt on his hot cock. He thrust harder now, slapping Leynak with his loins as his cock penetrated her all the way. Nemek grunted and panted, lost completely in the act. His mind screamed with lust as he pressed the female with his weight, pumping his hard rod in a primal urge to make Leynak his.

Leynak gasped as she found herself going into a second orgasm as Nemek continued thrusting into her. Just as she reached the peak, she felt the male suddenly become tense, then his body spasmed as he gave one final, deeper, stronger thrust. His eyes clenched shut, his jaws opened wide as he roared loudly the culmination of his mating. She felt his cock pulse inside her as his load discharged in thick, hard streams of dragon cum right into her womb. Leynak dug her claws onto his skin as she orgasmed again, her scream joining his in chorus.

The warrior gasped, feeling his body weakening rapidly, until his arms no longer could hold his the weight of his torso. Exhausted, he collapsed on top of Leynak, breathing rapidly, his heart beating in a frenetic pace.

Both remained together for several long minutes, neither having the strength to even speak. Finally, Nemek mustered enough strength to pull his still hot and humid member from inside Leynak. They separated with a slurping sound, his cock coated in his own cum, which also dripped from Leynak's slit. Nemek dropped face up on her side, still breathing rapidly, as his spent member slowly retracted back inside his genital slit.

"By... the Mother Egg..." Nemek said after another long pause. "I... I never... had anything... like this..."

Leynak said nothing. She rolled onto her side and partially covering Nemek as she hugged his thick neck, nuzzling him. He extended an arm to hug her, his other hand caressing her snout.

"Nemek..."

"Yes?"

"Thank you. For shining the light on me." She paused. "I would like for it to shine a little longer."

Nemek said nothing. He kissed deep under the light of the full moons. Holding her hips, he worked his member to a full erection, and promptly buried into her again, rocking her again, as Leynak gasped in the throes of another approaching orgasm.

Neesken woke up as the bright rays of the sun warmed her face. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, and pushed the blankets away. She slowly noticed she was still dressed. Moreover, she had fallen asleep on a chair in the living room chair, where she had been waiting for Leynak to return.

Her initial confusion and sleepiness faded as anger boiled in her mind, thinking Leynak had not returned yet. She raced towards her daughter's bedroom and slowly opened the door.

Leynak was asleep on her bed, breathing calmly, her face relaxed. Neesken breathed a sigh of relief knowing her daughter was safe. No doubt Leynak had come home and seen her asleep at the chair and thought it was best not to disturb her.

Neesken started closing the door when she stopped abruptly. There was a different yet strong smell coming from her daughter.

She slowly approached Leynak, snorting in disgust at the stench of alcohol, still coming strong. Neesken frowned as she noticed her daughter didn't seem to be wearing her usual sleeping robe, then realized where she had first smelled the same smell coming from her daughter.

Herself, when she was mated.

Slowly as not to wake Leynak, Neesken pulled the bed sheets away; Leynak was sleeping totally naked. The old dragoken slowly moved her eyes down Leynak's body, fearful of looking between her legs.

Her slit was somewhat distended, the mark of a female that had been mated recently. A small drip of male dragon seed leaked out. Bending over, Neesken sniffed, the scent of Nemek on her daughter coming in strong.

For an instant Neesken remained completely still, absorbing the shock. Her feelings turned into rage as her mind finally registered. She looked at her daughter with disgust, then hastily left the room. Passing through the kitchen, she grabbed a metal rod used to poke the embers from the stove, then stepped outside, walking as fast as she could towards the barn.

She looked inside. Nemek was in deep sleep on his usual bed of straw. She stood there for a few seconds, breathing deep. Raising the rod over her head, she raced towards him.

"You fucking son of a bitch!"

Her scream awakened the warrior just before the metal rod hit him where the Kamogron's sword had hit. The warrior screamed as the pain shot through his body from the force of the impact. He tried to get on his feet, but Neesken hit him hard with the rod again, this time on his snout, breaking his snout horn.

Nemek rolled, falling in a winged, scaly heap a short distance away. He coughed and spat blood, along with three of his teeth. He saw the old female rushing towards him, the metal rod high in the air. He jumped just as she roared, the rod hitting the floor with force. Nemek started running towards the exit, but the pain from his wound soon racked his entire body. He faltered, but quickly got back on his feet and continued running, the old female in pursuit.

He had barely gone a few meters when the pain from his wound became too unbearable. He fell to his knees, coughing. He heard Neesken screaming just behind him, then the pain as she hit him hard again, this time right between his wings. Nemek fell face down on the ground, coughing and screaming.

"You piece of Imperial shit!! You are all the same! You... you fucking bastards!"

Nemek felt her hitting him again. Twice. Three times. Each time adding more to the pain that flooded his mind and body. He felt a strong kick, once again where his wound was, and he rolled twice, screaming and twitching in agony.

His nose bled as he turned face up. Through half open eyes, he saw Neesken raising the rod, its sharp end pointed directly at him, then starting its way down towards his chest. Even through his agony, he could not avoid thinking of the irony of the situation -- having survived a fatal wound by a horde of marauding Kamogron... only to be done in by an old lady.

Just as the rod was to come down, Nemek saw a blur from the corner of his eyes, then something pushing Neesken with force and away from him. He blinked several times, until he could see Leynak facing her mother.

"Mother! Please, stop!!"

"I told you! I warned you!! They all are like him!! Everyone! The fucking bastards!"

"Mother! Calm down! He... he's not to blame! He didn't do anything I didn't ask him!"

"They are all the same!" Neesken screamed, seemingly oblivious to the words of her daughter. "Always preying on the weak... the defenseless... the females... The fucking rapists!!"

Leynak slowly walked towards Neesken, wings fully open as she placed herself between Nemek and her mother. "Mother... calm down... please... I can explain!"

Neesken pointed the rod at Leynak. "They... they all deserve to die... all of them... even your father!"

Leynak stopped walking, but held her ground. "Father is dead... You said he died before I was born."

Neesken sneered, her face twisting with pain. "If he is... I hope his bleached bones still lie where he breathed his last. Where the Goddess so fit that he suffered a slow, painful end... for what he did to me..."

Leynak gasped. She saw her opportunity and quickly grabbed the rod from Neesken's grasp; the old dragoken didn't even faze or struggle.

"Mother?"

"The bastard..." Neesken sobbed, tears streaming down her scaly, half-sunken cheeks. "A soldier like him... The Imperial trash that defiled me... that treated me like a city whore... and raped me!" Neesken remained still for a few seconds, then wailed as she fell to his knees, crying. "He... abused me... a girl... a young girl... who wanted... a strong male..."

Leynak hurried and knelt next to her mother, holding her in a tight hug. Neesken rested her head on Leynak's chest as the younger female caressed her. Leynak stared at Nemek, who still lied on the ground, overcome with pain.

Leynak faced to look outside through one of the windowd in the living room of her house, listening to the soft ticking of a clock that hanged from a wall, while she gently patted her mother's shoulder. Once in a while a bright, golden reflection would remind her of the squad patrolling just outside her home. She closed her eyes as she heard footsteps, along with the sound of chains.

She turned to look at the senior soldier just a short distance away from her as he apparently relayed some last minute instructions to two other soldiers. Her eyes focused for the briefest of moments on the fourth one, also clad in armor, his hands and wings in shackles.

The senior soldier wore golden armor very similar to Nemek's, except that his was far more ornate. Next to him, one of the soldier also wearing gold armor wrote down whatever the senior officer dictated him, while the third stood next to the shackled soldier. After a few moments, the officer turned to address her.

"We have concluded our analysis of the events, lady Leynak, and would like to inform you of our conclusions."

"Proceed," she said, not moving her eyes from where she had focused them, her voice completely devoid of any emotion.

"Private Nemek has refused to press charges against your mother. Therefore, she will be released under your care."

"Thanks," she said softly. "What about him?" she asked, pointing to where Nemek sat in chains.

"Private Nemek has been charged with failure to report his actions to a senior officer regarding the attack that claimed the lives of the rest of his squad. While we have no reason to doubt the private's word, he will remain a suspect of their deaths until the time we find evidence that proves the attack was indeed the work of Kamogron. Also, your mother has charged him of sexual abuse against you. It is our intention to have him face a court martial for the first charges, and a regular court for the second charges."

Leynak snorted. "You are quick to press charges now. There was no justice for something that was done years ago against my mother."

"Our deepest apologies. We would had taken the appropriate actions, if the matter had been brought to the attention of the Imperial Army."

Leynak turned to face the officer. "If you are to make someone responsible, you should charge me. I was the one who kept private Nemek from reporting the incident immediately, as you say, because I insisted on healing his wounds. He wasn't exactly in any shape to make the long journey on his own, and was waiting for him to be picked up, which he dutifully reported at the station in Calm Brook. I'm not an officer in your army, but I would say some leniency should be shown to the private on the first charge."

The officer nodded, and turned to face the scribe, who seemed confused. "That is correct. We shall make a note of this and have it stand in favor of the private during court martial." The officer turned to bow to the older female. "We will proceed with the second charges at the request of your mother, lady Neesken."

Leynak shook her head. "I was the party the private got intimate with. I say no harm was done."

Neesken gasped, and rose to face her daughter. "Leynak... what are you saying?"

The officer cleared his throat, obviously uneasy at the situation. "Private Nemek is well known at his station in Drukel Point for his... eagerness to have carnal contact with his former sister in arms. You understand you are acknowledging he had sex with you."

"Yes," Leynak said firmly. "But he didn't do anything to my body that I did not ask him to do first. In fact," she continued, her wings open in slight defiance, "I would commend Nemek for his honorable actions towards me, for had I not asked him to, he would had never mated me. And I'm sure you would agree there are instincts in our dragon heritage that cannot be suppressed once they have been awakened."

"Leynak," Neesken said, slightly defiant. "You cannot possibly --"

Leynak turned to face her mother, her face stern and commanding. "I can, mother. And I should had done it a long time ago. I now stand up and declare myself owner of this farm, our territory."

"Leynak..." Neesken said, somewhat meekly. "You..."

"I have grown, mother. As it was bound to happen someday. Now yield."

Neesken nodded, and slowly bared her neck to Leynak. The younger female hugged her mother, gently and silently reassuring her there would be no battle -- only deep respect.

Leynak turned to face the officer again. "I imagine you have something else to say?"

"Um... yes, as a matter of fact," the officer said, visibly uneasy at the events that had just transpired. "I did not see fit to interrupt you." The officer cleared his throat. "Because of the... relationship... that private Nemek had with you, and the feelings that your house has had in the past towards the Imperial Army, I am authorized to offer whatever reasonable retribution you might consider that the Empire owes your house for the distress."

Leynak nodded. "Thanks. But that won't be necessary. I decline your offer."

"Very well." He turned to face the scribe. "Let it be for the record then that you have been made aware of compensations, and you have denied your right to them. However," he turned to face Leynak again, "we have been made aware, by you, of the remedies you used to bring private Nemek back to health from what would had been a fatal injury. The Dragoken Empire is very grateful for your assistance, and you shall be rewarded generously for it, as well as the Imperial promise that your house and descendants shall remain under our protection shall any needs arise."

He bowed to both females. "We shall take our leave, lady Leynak, as soon as private Nemek speaks to you, as he asked us as part of his rights."

The officer turned to face Nemek. "We shall wait outside, private. Please make it brief; night is about to fall, and we have a long way to travel."

Nemek saluted as best as he could with his wrists shackled together. The officer returned the salute, and he stepped out, followed by the scribe. Leynak kissed her mother in the forehead, and gently asked her to leave the room as well. Neesken nodded, and started to walk out, the stopped to look at Nemek. He returned the gaze, surprised to see the rage gone from Neesken's face. Still, it was obvious the old female would not forget.

Nemek waited a few seconds. "Leynak, I... wanted to say thanks. For saving my life. Twice," he added, seemingly uncomfortable. "I didn't expect you to speak in my behalf. If there's something I can do to --"

Leynak rose her right hand, gently stroking his snout. "I guess... you go back to your life."

Nemek nodded softly. "I probably will be reassigned to my station in Drukel Point. It is my primary duty, as soldier of the Empire." He paused, unsure how to continue. "I'm bond to my word to uphold the safety of the Empire over anything else. I thought... you always knew that."

"I figured that you would not stay, hearing the way you always talked. Just that... part of me hoped that you would." Leynak sighed; the memories of that night seemingly distant and barely even real. "I hope you live a long life, Nemek. And don't worry about us. You heard the officer. Everything will be all right. For my mother. For me." She touched her abdomen. "For the two new lives."

Nemek stood still, breathing deep, his face frozen with shock. "Lives...?"

"Your name is now one of honor," Leynak continued, her face void of any emotion.

"Leynak... I... did not... did not... oh, Goddess, I -- If there's anything I can do -- Drukel Point is just a three day march from here! I could... pay you a visit during my leave --"

"That will not be necessary. The nest will be strong."

She turned to face him straight into his green eyes. She extended her right claw forward, fingers closed, then made a motion of a lid closing. "What was done, shall remain done. What was known, shall be unknown. What is there in between, shall be gone." She splayed her fingers, then turned her back to him. "Farewell, soldier. May your path lead to the glory of the Empire."

Nemek remained motionless, still searching for words, finally giving up. He brought himself to attention and bowed, then walked out of the house and towards the awaiting coach.

He walked inside it and sat in one of the seats. Soon after the coach began moving. Nemek looked out the window on his side. He watched the house turn smaller in the distance, until they reached a bend in the road and the house was hidden by a hill. Nemek fixed his eyes fixed on the horizon, watching the moons rising over the mountains. They had separated, each one seemingly going on its own path.

He kept staring at them, until sleep mercifully put his mind to rest.