Nid'Ridras's Story

The Hawk would soon sense a presence. A frightening predator that would cause it to flee in alarm. Perhaps it would warn Dhaelhel, but she was in no danger.
Yet.
A shadow would begin to creep upon the flying woman. How it had come so quickly was anyone's guess.
Above her flew a massive, mighty Tharoone Virianrath; a Deeps Dragon. Unlike other Dragons, this one was almost humanoid in shape. To a less discerning eye, one might assume it was a Demon, rather than a Dragon.

Once it was close above the woman, it would rumble out a deep sound, a cross between a roar and a rumbling laughter. "Hello," it says, its voice bestial. "I would like a word with you."

It came closer still, and if Dhaelhel allowed it, before long it would be alongside her.

Dhaelhel looked over at the creature flying next to her. Her blond brow drew together in confusion. She did not know this creature and yet it wanted a word with her. This world was very strange, Dhaelhel found herself thinking. The goddess's eyes looked down at the forest below. It was a dark mass against the plains of Weston.

"What do you want to speak to me about," Dhaelhel asked the bestial being. The goddess was obscured as they flew into a thick, white, cloud. Miniscule droplets of water clung to Dhaelhel. Her hair matted against her head as did her clothes to her body. The feeling was refreshing and cool.

It would rain in Weston soon.

Dhaelhel began to wonder about Curtana and Jarlas; more so for Curtana than Jarlas. There was a strange nag at the back of her mind. Something ... something didn't feel right. But Dhaelhel was distracted by the creature that flew nearby and she focused on him. It chased away her thoughts of Curtana and Jarlas.

"A mutual friend or two," the creature replied. They had entered a cloud formation, but Nid'Ridras could still sense the winged being nearby. She did not seem to be intending to escape.

"Speaking Common is difficult in this form," he admitted. "If you would not mind landing, I can meet you in a more... sociable way."

He did not wait to see if Dhaelhel would agree. He had little doubt that she was inquisitive enough, especially given that he could have been referring to any number of individuals.

Nid'Ridras had been watching. Since battling the Daemons, he had flown far and seen the meeting in the mountains. He had seen his charge safely back with them all, but then they had been transported away. It took some time for him to find them again.

When he reached the ground, the Dragon stood proudly. His shape began to alter. Wings receded into his back, scales shifted and changed to skin. He began to appear human. Always modest, a snap of his fingers brought clothing upon his form well before any of his more revealing features could be seen.

It was a painful procedure, shifting, but he felt the winged creature would be more comfortable dealing with a Humanoid. And humanoid he was. Standing there was the man known as Nid'Ridras.

And so, he waited on the ground, his red eyes lifted skyward.

Dhaelhel tucked her wings close to her back and allowed herself to free-fall. It was a beautiful and exhilarating feeling. The goddess closed her eyes and sighed. The rush of wind in her ears and the coolness of the rain on her sky was rejuvenating for Dhaelhel. All the stresses of the world seemed to melt away as she was falling.

At the last possible second Dhaelhel opened her eyes. A spray of dust kicked up as the goddess landed. Her wings were held out wide in an impressive display. There were six notable flaws in the otherwise flawless feathers.

"Why would you want a word with me," Dhaelhel asked as her wings folded against her back. Thunder rumbled in the distance and the sky grew a dark shade of gray. Rain water dripped from her fingers. Dhaelhel lifted a hand and suckled them until they were dry.

Her eyes curiously and cautiously watched Nid'Ridras.

"And who are these mutual friends of yours," Dhaelhel asked as she tilted her head in a very birdlike manner.

Nid'Ridras watched at Dhaelhel came in to land nearby. She made an impressive show of herself. If Nid'Ridras knew much about her, he might have allowed himself to find her attractive. As it were, he had only business on the mind right then.

"Well, one is a man by the name of Aderas Keegan. He fancies himself the name 'Al'Kaera' oft times." He paused to see her reaction to the name, before continuing.

"Another goes by the name of Selwen, of the Twilight Guard. Perhaps you know not of her order, and she seldom takes another name... but Selis, perhaps. Doubtful." He frowned slightly. If that had been the case, surely he would have felt the shift.

"There is also a... man, named Jarlas. I saw your battle, or rather, the one you fled from. I presume he died, fighting the monstrosity?"

"As for you... my interest in speaking to you is that you seem to be in a charmingly central position in the conflict for this world. But! Where are my manners!"

Bowing formally, without taking his piercing eyes off of her, his lips curl upwards in confidence. "I am Nid'Ridras, last of the Deeps Dragons."

It was easy to tell that Dhaelhel knew all of them. Her face gave it away due to the protective expression. The goddess took a step back from the man who had introduced himself as Nid'Ridras, a Deeps Dragon.

"You know these people how?" Dhaelhel asked the man who wasn't a man. She did not introduce herself despite how attractive the creature's man form. Even a flirtatious and lustful goddess could hold back her desires. Dhaelhel did not like how she was sought out by this creature. There were enemies lurking in the shadows and the goddess had to be mindful.

She could by no means be seen as fragile as a mortal or else she would parish from Terra.

"Are you friend or enemy?" the goddess asked Nid'Ridras while taking another step backward. She was now standing sideways and her wings had positioned themselves to lift her into the air at any sign of maliciousness.

Nid'Ridras rose from his bow and smiled warmly at Dhaelhel. He had hoped she might be more forthcoming, but he respected her resilience towards him. With a silken chuckle, he adjusted his stance to appear more relaxed, and help put her at ease.

"I fought them in the realm we are from," he admitted easily. "I am no longer their enemy, save by their own volition. Which is part of why I chose to come to you, instead of they."

He took a tentative step closer to Dhaelhel. "One of a few reasons. But the loss of Baliente was necessary to destroy a great evil. Just as you seek to do now. Yes, I know of your mission," he said, holding a hand up. "I had listened well to the meeting of the mountain. I know what it is you seek..." and as he spoke, he withdrew from a pocket in his cloak a single white feather.

"I am neither friend nor foe. I am an interested third party who wishes something in return for a favor."

A look of shock came over Dhaelhel's face as Nid'Ridras pulled out her feather. The look was quickly replaced with an expression of frustration. He wanted something in exchanged for her feather. This man, or dragon, knew information about Dhaelhel's mission and had a critical piece to defeating Naar.

Dhaelhel knew his price would be high.

"What do you wish of me," Dhaelhel said as she turned her eyes away from the Deeps Dragon. She looked over the horizon and towards the woods in the far distance.


"My resources are limited. This world is foreign and new to me. I do not have domain over this earth," Dhaelhel admitted to Nid'Ridras.

"Well," Nid'Ridras said, a smile on his face. "I was expecting more of a powerful response. You seem almost... submissive." He had a dark tone to his voice when he said that.
"What you can do for me is manifold. First and foremost, I require that you protect the one called Selwen. She harbors an importance that must not be lost." Nid'Ridras began to pace, as if pondering and choosing his words carefully. A thoughtful expression flitted across his face.

"I also require that you bring a message to Lord Keegan." He paused to look at her directly. "Tell him... Think twice before forsaking your homeland. He will find the significance in it."

Nid'Ridras continued his pacing, an almost predatory look in his eye. "I would also like you to kill or seriously injure the one called Jarlas, at some point or other. He had slighted me and deserves retribution."

"And finally..." He smiled at Dhaelhel. "I require blood. High blood, not that of lower folk. Not vast quantities, either... a small flask will do."

The man crossed his arms over his chest, but allowed the feather to remain a glimmer just within sight. He quirked a brow at Dhaelhel, anticipating her answer. "Do I have your word that these tasks will be done? They are not altogether too difficult, you will find."

Dhaelhel watched as Nid'Ridras paced. She disliked the way he was looking at her with a predatory gleam. Her feathery wings flared out as if to make herself seem larger. He clearly had an advantage and both Dhaelhel and Nid'Ridras knew it.

"Very well," Dhaelhel said. "These tasks seem easily doable thus far. How many will I need to complete before my feather is returned to me?"

Dhaelhel began to pace around Nid'Ridras. Her eyes looked upon him with a predatory gaze as he had done to her. Killing or maiming Jarlas was not something Dhaelhel wished. While he held the attentions of Curtana, Dhaelhel was not the vengeful spirit of her brother Naar. He had done nothing to warrant death from Dhaelhel as of yet. That task would present a problem for the fallen goddess.

"All of them," Nid'Ridras replied, a smirk on his face. Dhaelhel had begun to match his pacing, as if she were the one who would devour him. It was quaint.

"However, perhaps I can lay priorities for you. Selwen must survive. If she dies, then I think your adversaries will find this feather to their liking more than yours." Nid'Ridras stopped pacing, his expression turning serious. He would brook no failure on that accord.

"And I will require the blood before you can proceed. Keegan's message and Jarlas' pain... can wait. But I will require them done before you receive your precious feather. Business is business, after all." He smiled at her again.