Conversations after Little Rock {Euphemious/Aeos B}

[Aeos]

It had been some time since Aeos dismissed himself from the human settlement of Little Rock. He managed to find the waterfall in question and prepared himself for an intense meditation session. First he inspected the area. He found that there was a large cave behind the waterfall that was home to many bats and various species of moss. The waterfall itself wasn't too wide. He assumed the top of the waterfall was about twelve feet above him. But the current was strong and he mused it would be safe enough to meditate under.

He made himself a bit of a large campfire pit, gathered a large amount of leaves, and dead wood to be used as fuel. He took off his bag and shirt and hung it off a nearby tree. Far enough away from the flames to avoid burning. He would start the fire once his meditation was finished. Or if Euphemious eventually decided to join him for a nice chat. Aeos was still upset over the events that happened in town. The other half of himself contained within his stone finally emerged and spoke to him. Swearing that the outer shell of his human body should have punched him twice. Aeos felt uncomfortable leaving the stone around his neck as he meditated under the falls. So he shoved the precious object into his pant pocket.

Aeos then took off his shoes and made his way up to the base of the water fall. The water was cold but refreshing. He took a seat on he rocks and adjusted himself. His body slowly got accustomed to the cold and to the rhythmic falling of water on his back and shoulders. He closed his eyes and began his meditating.

[Euphemious]

It took Euphemious a while to find the spot Aeos was talking about. Apparently there are two waterfalls in this area, good to know. As the knight walked through the forest his armor clanked like a kitchen. Normally this was not a problem, but the roots and vines in the area made walking difficult. The entire treck the knight complained inside of his head. Why in the world did they have to meet in such a backwater location. Why could they not talk in the middle of a flat clearing. Euphemious did just finish a battle. Still there was no point in complaining. He had some questions he wanted to ask the dragon.

After a good bit of time Euphemious finally made it to his destination. The armored knight walked up to see Aeoes sitting inside the waterfall and letting the water hit him. A weird thing to do if you asked Euphemious, but hey he was not the magical dragon. Shoot if what he heard about the beast was true than Aeos was far older than he was. That would not only mean he was a magical dragon, but also a old wise man. Or at least old. Aeoes did not seem that wise to the knight, but then again he really did not know him that well. Sure the two of them fought together and ate stew, but Euphemious did not know him. They simply shared Aeos secret and spoke on a few occasions. You could call them friends, but even that was a bit shallow.

Rather than disturb his meditation Euphemious instead took a seat in front of the waterfall and waited. He was in no rush and did not want to risk Aeos going bonkers like beforehand. It was far safer than him transforming in the middle of a village, but still a great danger.

[Aeos]

The dragon began to channel his connection to his other self. His eyes and tips of his fingers and toes changed slightly. Both parts of him would engage in meditation. And perhaps try to make sense of one another, of what had happened. The young dragon felt himself slowly channel himself to the world of the spirits. He felt something off and opened his eyes. Euphemious was sitting there looking at him.

Guess it's time to get out. He slowly pulled himself up. And slowly made his way out from under the falls. He took a moment to wring out his hair and tie it back. He was fortunate the weather was'nt too cold. He readied himself for what he believed would be a difficult conversation. What does one say in this situation? Sorry I nearly lost control over myself and would have destroyed us all. Granted he already apologized for that. But it still felt odd. Punch him again. His eyes were still shifted to some degree.

He approached Euphemious calmly. He took a seat by the campfire pit. The young dragon took a flint and some tinder. He set it alight and warmed himself. Once he felt dry enough he grabbed his shirt from the tree rack and put it on.

"Right then. Where do we start? I suppose with some greetings... Are thou well? I am glad to see thou found the waterfall. How be things in town?" He asked, in an attempt to get the conversation started.

[Euphemious]

"Well", spoke Euphemious as the dragon finally decided to join him. It was a good conversation opener talking about the reconstruction. Things in little rock were getting busy and the guard captain was actually doing what he was paid for. Still that was not the main reason he was here. However Euphemious could take a little detour before he got down to business. It was probably better that way.

"Reconstruction is on its way. There were a few funerals for the dead both soldiers and citizens. However the guards are busy reinforce the southern wall. Over time the lazy louts had allowed it to be compromised by the nearby forest and the passage of time. I gave them some pointers on defense and gave them instructions on how to build up that area of the wall. I also told them to reinforce the other parts as well. Bern is getting chaotic and though the number of bandits had dramatically decreased more and more men are turning to that profession. It is like the old saying my grandfather us to tell me when I was a boy. Where there is $@%^ there will be flies."

As the knight finished speaking about Little Rock he turned his questions toward there true purpose. "So you are a dragon", spoke Euphemious starting off the conversation with a confirmation. "I figured you might be when we first meet. However I had no proof toward the matter and only superstition. Now however I know what you truly are. Who you truly are." The knight paused for a moment as he looked into the fire. "You told me that you would not be like Drax. The same dragon that nearly killed me and terrorized northern Bern and I believed every word you spoke. However I have to ask about the little spout that went on in the village. What was going on? Why were you shifting like that? Does that happen every time you get seriously injured or was it something that simply goes out of control? How do you think when you are in dragon form? Is there a difference in your personality?"

The knight barraged Aeos with questions. Everyone of them was bouncing around in his head as he made his way to the waterfall and naturally they simply flowed out when Euphemious started to speak. It was not a habit, but more like a accidental compulsion. He did not mean to bombard him, but it just simply happened. "Sorry about that", spoke Euphemious as he caught himself. "So many questions and so many thoughts. It just accidentally came out at once. First and foremost how is your wound", spoke the knight as he pointed toward Aeos side.

[Aeos]

Aeos was relieved that the town was rebuilding. He was also removed to learn he had not harmed anyone. Euphemious wasted no time asking the young dragon questions about him and his powers. Aeos sighed softly, the serious knight had not changed much. But at least Euphemious had recognized the error of his way and asked him about the wound.

"The wound hath healed well. Lady Yashi is quite the talented healer." He then paused. He was thinking of the best manner to explain to Euphemious his power. From what he heard and assumed Euphemious did not have a good grasp at how dragons seem to work. Aeos was still trying to figure it out himself.

"I.. suppose a summary oft how dragon power works is in order." He poked the fire with a stick.

"But first allow me to congratulate thee. Euphemious you be the first human to know oft my ability. Yes, I am a dragon. And I am a few centuries old. But by Dragon standards I.. am a young man." He placed his hand over his chest.

"Too young to haft lived through the war oft the scouring. Too young to haft seen what Dragon civilization was. Too young to harbor a hate for people. Some older dragons haft those memories and some be prejudice of people. Dragons are creatures oft elements. Fire, earth, wind, water.. I assume thar be light and dark as well perhaps. My element be oft the air. From thy story I believe Drax was oft fire." Again he paused. Giving Euphemious time to digest his words.

"That doth not mean that all fire dragons are drax. Like humans, dragons have quirks and personality. Some be good some bad." He rested his hands over the fire.

"I will have some difficulty explaining Dragon mentality and powers. As I am learning things... And not all experience is the same between dragons. But am I making sense so far?

[Euphemious]

"Wait a minute", spoke Euphemious as he interrupted Aeos conversation. "Did you say you were a few centuries old. Not years or maybe even decades, but centuries. By the gods so it is true. I heard that dragons live a long time ,but at the longest I figured it would be five hundred years at the most. However you mention that there were dragons still alive from the days of the scouring. That is hard to believe. How could one live so long. How can one remember that long. I forget stuff now and I have only been alive for twenty one years. That is not even a speck in a river compared to some of these creatures... sorry I meant dragons", spoke Euphemious.

The knight sat there for a moment thinking about it. It was crazy. He could not wrap his mind around the age difference. "How old are you again", asked Euphemious to Aeos. The knight had to take a mini break to wrap his mind around how old dragons were and then began to focus on the power they possessed. Drax was a fire dragon that was no doubt. Aeos did not need to tell him that. The villagers and his din of bones told Euphemious enough. What Euphemious did not know was that there were other element dragons. Water, Earth, Wind, and maybe Light and Dark, dragons were interesting and both frighting.

"Aeos if you don't mind me asking the question. Have you ever transformed into a full dragon form", asked the Knight? Euphemious had seen Drax, far more than he would like. He had also seen Aeos beginning to transform and it seemed frighting, but at the same time interesting. There are very few people in the world who understand what Euphemious understood, or heard. It was strange. The knight had never expected to come upon this knowledge. It just seemed to fall into his lap. Ever since he meet Drax the knight wounded about the fearsome creatures, but to go from the fearsome devil who destroyed villages to the pacifist Aeos was a major shift.

"Well Aeos I think I have you at a disadvantage. I understand that this conversation was suppose to be me asking questions, but it would not be fair if it was not the other way around. As I said before I am a knight and honor is paramount. You revealed your true self and as a result I should do the same. My nae is not really Euphemious. Everyone in the rebellion knows me by that name and calls me such. However my true name is Greggory Lowlander. I am a member of the nearly extinct noble house of the Lowlanders."

[Aeos]

"Yes. I am about 500 years old. But like I hath said that is young in dragon terms. Perhaps similar to thee in age when compared to humans." Perhaps a bit older. He thought.

"Memory is memory. It is sometimes reliable sometimes emblished. I have written names down in a journal so as not to forget. I will be honest I am not even sure I hit 500. Years start to run together after a certain point. But memories of ages past.. According to my parents whom are ancient. The scouring be a bad memory. Like an old man ramblings oft yesteryear but all oft it be bad. They do not like to speak of it. They claim to hath learned their lesson fromth it's horrors." He cleared his throat. When asked if had transformed fully, Aeos felt a wave of longing for past nights. In Nabata he would transform at night away from humans. Up in the desert mountains close to the area where he first became spiritual connected to his stone. He wished to return to the night he flew with Locke.

"Yes. I have transformed fully. The day you found me.. I transformed to escape monsters. And.. I crashed." He scratched the back of his head.

"I crash a lot. My landings after flying were never that great. I be like a cavalier who doth not know how to stop a horse." He had some blush of embarrassment. He was working on that though.

"But transforming be difficult for me. Too many places where someone can see. Too dangerous. Sometimes it be a struggle in changing back from dragon to man and man to dragon. With training a dragon can even shift partially. For example a hand to help move heavy objects. Or legs to jump very high. But.. that taketh a toll. Both physically and mentally." He sighed softly.

"As for the events in the town. I.. freaked out. I hath never sustained injury like that before. Much less fromth a human hitting me with a weapon. I drew upon my power to defend myself... But I hath told myself to stop. I knew I could not change in the middle of town.. But I was hurt.. frightened." He stared at the ground. Aeos listened to Euphemious talk about himself. He got up again at the news that Euphemious was a noble. He gave a small bow then sat upright.

"Forgive me if I continue to call thee Euphemious, sir Greggory. I hath grown quite fond oft that name." He went and returned to his seat.

"Extinct? Are thou the sole survivor?"

[Euphemious]

"Don't", spoke Euphemious as he looked down at Aeos. "It is both not necessary and troublesome. I may be a noble, but I am still a soldier so such flowery rituals are unnecessary. Second if anybody should be showing respect it should be me. Your are 500 years old. Far my elder. Third and probably the most important my true name, Greggory Lowlander, should not be spoken in public. It is almost as equal to your dragon transformation. The Lowlander family has enemies. Our enemies think that we are all dead and I would like for that to remain that way till the appropriate time. So if you pleasure just call me Euphemious.

"As for the reason I use the word extinct", spoke Euphemious as he took a deep breath. "The only members of the Lowlander family that live is my two cousins and myself. Everyone else is dead. It all happened when I was, but a boy. My family castle was attacked by a coalition of nobles and whipped off the map. Past hatred and arguments. The fall of Bern royalty did not only shatter the line of succession, but shattered the power struggle of the nobility."

Euphemious took a moment to look into the fire. It would be a good time for a cup of hot tea. It was a pity the knight did not bring any. He was not expecting to share his life story with Aeos, but he had to give him something. Aeos did just spill his great secret to him. However this did raise a question in Euphemious mind He knew all this stuff about dragons now. Though it was very little when one truly things about it, but compared to before it was a ocean. However the knowledge he knew could be dangerous. For a long time humans, especially the people of Bern, thought that dragons were extinct. Drax was a wake up call, but most people thought he was the last of a extinct race. However with what Aeos told him dragons still existed and exist in well enough numbers to have children. It was dangerous knowledge. If it was given to the wrong people there could be a second scouring where humans attempted to hunt down the remains of the dragons. On the opposite side it could rally up the crazy people. The fools who think that dragons are better than humans and could cause a gigantic war over the existence. The best thing Euphemious could do is to keep this information to himself.

Without a warning or a word to Aeos the kngiht opened up his bag and pulled out a book. He turned the pages of the book till he reached a white marker and then began to rip them out. "That needs to go", he spoke as the threw the paper into the fire. Euphemious had decided that he was going to get rid of all his notes on Aeos. Naturally the knight had been keeping a log and the information he had written in it question what the man was.

[Aeos]

"Oh. My apologies. My.. condolences to your family loss. Tis strange... We are alike in this. We have few living family relatives. Thou hast cousins.. I have my parents. And we both have great secrets. My race and thy name." The dragon thought for a moment then pulled out his pouch for water.

"Elder?" The word came out as if he was shocked. Aeos did not think of himself as an elder. Elder was a term used for truly long lived dragons. Dragons whom were several thousand years old.

"I am no elder. My folks, they are elders. I will not annoy thee with noble titles so long as thou do not refer to me as elder. Elder be a title reserved for dragons far far older then me." He crossed his arms and had a bit of an annoyed expression. Euphemious had shared his family history with Aeos. He was sad to hear that due to petty human squabbles his friend had lost his family. Perhaps if that had not happened, then Euphemious would have grown up surrounded by family. Brought up with different beliefs, experiences, perhaps the two would not have even met. Perhaps he would have never woken Drax.

"I be an only child. Dragons do not have children often. The numbers of my kin... No.. of other dragons is few and far between." He finished speaking and took a sip of his water. Then offered the water canteen over Euphemious. But the knight was ripping through pages of a book and destroying the contents.

"Uhm.. why are you destroying that? There be plenty of fuel for the fire." He asked with a puzzled look on his face.

[Euphemious]

"Hmm", spoke Euphemious as Aeos commented on his page burning. "Oh it is nothing really", spoke the knight as he gained time for the paper's to burn. He knew the moment he told him he would be sure to ask about what he had written. "It was just a bit of information I had written down about you. Normally when I meet somebody at the boarder or any other place of significance I take the time to write down information about them and my personal speculations. The same went for you Aeos. When I first found you in the forest I wrote down a description of the crash site and my thoughts on you and your power. I made notes and correlations back to Drax from when I first meet him. After our little conversation I started to realize how dangerous the information could be. If my journal fell into the wrong hands or if I died and somebody else was reading my last words then things could get ugly. So far our relationship had worked because of the lessons I leaned by meeting Drax and the respect I show for power. However if somebody else was to meet a dragon or even find out about them. Well it could all go down hill and fast."

The knight ripped out another piece of the journal and threw it into the fire. "Some information is best kept secret. Still I have been meaning to ask you something", spoke Eupemious as he looked at Aeos. The knight wanted to change the conversation. He did not like talking about information and sneaky bits. It was not in his nature. "How old was the oldest dragon to ever live. I know you all must have stories about true elders. Which one of them lived the longest, or do dragons not die of age?"

[Aeos]

Aeos looked on with some minor confusion. But he figured there was some logic Euphemious words. But it was strange to hear that he had notes about him. Aeos did not find himself note worthy. He was neither a hero or a villain. He did not do anything worth mentioning really. So how did Euphemious manage to write so much about him with so little info. Especially about the time back in the forest. All that Aeos managed to write about Euphemious in his own journal was that he was a knight of Bern whom was serious. And also that he was the one who gave him the mission about eating pies. He even drew a small pie picture next to his name. He was curious to know what was written, but he figured to leave well enough alone.

"All right then. I suppose." He felt a little bad for the book. Aeos thought long about Euphemious question. Who was the oldest Dragon?

"I'm afraid I cannot answer that. Oldest I know be my family. But I suspect that they be others, older then them. Somewhere. I simply have not met them." He shrugged.

"We die from natural causes like all things in time. It simply takes quite the longest time. Dragons are not invincible. The genocide after the scouring should tell thee that." He had a bit of a frown on his face. His parents had told him stories as to how man had hunted and killed dragons. How dragons turned against dragons. It was all a bloody mess.

"Ah, I have not even begun to explain how transformation works. It is a frightening but fascinating subject. And not all dragons experience it in the same way." He stopped.

"I am curious though.. what drive you to knighthood? My understanding of it is that it be not an easy profession. Twas it the noble thing to do? Or did thou pick it up? Fighting in thick metal armor, which must be quite heavy. And welding a weapon to boot." He asked with curious tone in his voice.

[Euphemious]

Euphemious was a bit boomed that he could not find out who was the eldest dragon, though it was probably for the best. The more he knew the more he would want to talk about it later. It was not really safe to talk about dragons so it simply removed the temptation. However Aeos had brought up something. A question about Euphemious himself. Now this was a interesting one. He wondered why Euphemious chose to become a knight. Though he seemed to be referring to Euphemious skill set rather than his profession. There were plenty of knights who did not fight in plat mail and spears.

"Well, why did I become a knight", spoke Euphemious as he began to think back onto his decision. There was always the option of becoming a fighter like some of the other kids in the village or maybe even a soldier like the man who taught him. However Euphemious the knight for one specific reason and that reason still stood strong even now. "My grandfather and my father were both generals. Not the type of generals that give commands in the army, but Generals as a set of skills. They wore massive armor and wielded not only spears but blades and axes. Even my great ancestor", spoke Euphemious as he drew the sword that he had strapped to his side. The blade was ancient, but there was not a hint of rust on it. The sword represented the nobility of the Lowlander family and Euphemious held it with pride. The knight lost himself for a moment staring into the blade. "You see Aeos I did not chose to be a knight", spoke Euphemious as he pointed to his blade. "Knighthood chose me. I am simply following the path of my ancestors and doing our bloodline proud."

Euphemious had forgotten it for a moment, but that blade he carried held more than just pride for his family. It was a champion's sword. It was a artifact from the days of the Scouring. The blades were given to all the commanders in those days and were the primary weapon for slaying dragons. The history and pride of the Lowlander Family was built atop the graves of Aeos' ancestors. Ironic that now the two blood lines sat together in a cave unable to reveal there true selves to anybody but each other.

The knight resheathed his sword and placed it back onto his side. He had giving a decent speech at most about his family however he was being a bit too serious. "Well I would be lying if I said that past history was the only reason I was a knight. Believe it or not I have low pain tolerance so the armor keeps the enemy blades out."

[Aeos]

"Ah I see, following in thy family footsteps. Strange.. I cannot imagine thee doing something else." He spoke with a bit of a smile on his face. The young dragon had always wondered about family professions. I wonder if Nomad is a profession... He would have to contemplate on that later. But Aeos looked at the sword that Euphemious had. It was sharp and well kept. A sword of both wonder and ruin. Part of him wondered if weapons could talk what sort of stories could they tell. What sort of history have they experienced.

"I feel that thou.. hath shared an important weapon with me." He looked down at the fire. Do not do it. The voice of his stone cautioned. Aeos wanted to return the favor and show him the stone. The weapon of dragons. The very critical element needed for all dragons of the world to tap into and transform into their true selves.

"I wish I could show thee my own weapon. Perhaps, someday I could show you my fully transformed self. With out the panic. Perhaps in a manner that I can control. Thou hast shown.. and told me many secrets today. I only regret that I cannot presently return the gesture." He decided to play it safe. It was true Aeos did not have full mastery over his dragon self. Yes he knew how to move, fly, and shoot concentrated wind magic from his mouth. But he also knew the dark side to it. He knew how hard it was to fight the temptation to remain in dragon even if humanity hated him for it. He would fight and struggle with himself to return to human form. How the gods above knew how much he wanted to be at a high perch and fly through the air, instead of sitting down on the earth.

"But as of now I feel it is too dangerous. I might accidentally crush you. And I do not want that." That's a lie. We kind of do want to. A little. Just to see the reaction. Not enough to fully kill you. Just to see how you scream. The other part of him spoke again in his mind. At least his other side was up to it's old tricks, he was glad in a way. It was nice to feel as if he was getting back to "normal".

"Or worse, simply take off into the sky and never return. Being a dragon is hard... I cannot speak for Drax. But I imagine how he must have felt. Waking up after so long and simply turning dragon. Remaining a dragon. Unaware oft how the world hath changed in his slumber. Wanting to be worshiped as if he be back in time. I pity the poor fool. Yes, he caused wanton destruction, death, and suffering. Which I understand is wrong. But I cannot help but sympathize a little." He paused again.

"To transform.. is.. well.. hmm. I do not quite know how to put it." He stopped for a moment and started thinking. He thought for quite a while in silence.

"As a dragon.. thou feels.. Imagine if thou takes a fish out oft the water. Teach it to breathe, walk, talk, and act like land animals. And then tell the fish it can never go back to the water. Build walls so fish cannot ever reach the water. Build walls with windows so fish can see the water but never go. But fish still wants the water. It's home is the water!" Except my water is the air. The sky is my sea. And I can't fly up there with out causing some sort of mayhem. There was a frown on his dace and he kicked the dirt a little. He sighed.

"I am sorry. If that did not make much sense. Lets just say I feel like a very big fish."

[Euphemious]

"I see", spoke Euphemious as he began to digest Aeos words. It was hard for him to sympathize with Drax, but he was the one who was wronged by the dragon. Aeos was however a more neutral part and a dragon himself. The emotions, pains, and desires of a dragon made sense to him. For Euphemious Drax was simply a intelligent monster and would remain so till the day he died. Aeos was similar, but not the same. Euphemious understood that Aeos was a monster. He could breath fire, well air, and fly. His claws could rip castles to pieces and his strength made the strongest man look weak. However Aeos was not evil. He has seen this threw his actions and the way he deals with others. Aeos could be a friend, a companion, but he was still a dragon. Dragons are like fire, from what Euphemious understood. They can possibly be a benefit to you, but they can also burn you up.


"Sorry Aeos it is hard for me to sympathize with Drax, but I can understand what you are talking about. The first metaphor made sense. As for the dragon transformation", spoke Euphemious as he began to rub the back of his head. " Well to be truthful I would not even want to see it at this moment, or anywhere near this place. As I said before I was there when Drax did his work. It was not a lovely sight. Seeing a dragon around people would only bring back those memories. Also it would be far too dangerous for both the people and yourself. If you went out of control countless would die. If the people went you of control you will die. You may not know it, but another dragon other than Drax showed itself in Bern before. At first I thought it was a baseless rumor, but now I am certain it was real. A dragon was said to have appeared in the arena. It was a monster of a best according to everything I heard and it was slain by a mob of people. I heard it was a gruesome sight, on both parties."

The kngiht stopped for a moment and looked into the fire. It was a dark topic. It was probably not the best topic to talk about. "You know one day I may visit the great desert. I plan to travel out of Bern once everything settles down. Well if everything settles down. For all I know this nation might remain in chaos for several generations. However I have a dream of traveling the world and seeing the many places. If we ever meet again and possibly in the great desert then you can show me then", spoke Euphemious. "There I am sure you can fly to your hearts content and I don't have to worry about anybody other than myself", spoke the Knight.

[Aeos]

Aeos ears perked up at the hearing about another dragon. He placed his hand over his heart out of sadness. Respect. This news was troubling to him. He wanted to meet other dragons, but now he learned that there was one less in the world. Such a shame. both sides of him thought in unison. He stared long and hard into the fire. His other hand curled up into a fist. It was shaking lightly. He shook his head.

"I know. You cannot sympathize with drax. But at least you understand. Understanding is the first step towards something better." He spoke with a calm voice. He recalled the voice of his parents and of their old advice. Think of the peace.

Then Euphemious started talking about his potential future. How he wished to travel if and when Bern is organized. Or if the rebellion ever ends. A soft frown on his face. Euphemious was being realistic human squabbles tend to take generations. There was a good chance Euphemious could die before traveling. Or grow to old to even move. But the way he spoke made him feel happy.

"Perhaps. If thou visits the desert you could meet my folks. My mother makes a great stew. Better then mine." He smiled.

"I would like to. To show thee the beauty oft the desert. But thou would have to lose the armor." He spoke with a bit of a grin.

"Ha, perhaps when I transform I can lift thee onto my shoulders. So thou could feel the wind on thy face and the majesty oft the sky." This was a jest he wanted to see Euphemious reaction. A mix of some shock and seriousness. The dragon couldn't help but laugh. He covered his mouth slightly but it was humorous and welcoming.