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Sept 8, 2020 19:41:42 GMT -5
Post by πΎππππππππ on Sept 8, 2020 19:41:42 GMT -5
BJORN --
βHeβs very powerful,β Keziah noted, once Bjorn had finished speaking. The Viking only grunted in agreement. βLetβs just hope heβs as much of an outcast now as he was then. Even if he has no reinforcements, we could be in for the fight of our lives.β Bjorn grunted again, his agitation increasing again. Just the thought of Keziah being in danger again had him grinding his teeth and suppressing a strong urge to throw something unreasonable large. Since Ayndir was the only creature nearby that was of the appropriate size to throw in order to release his anger, he had few options. Somehow, he didnβt think that the drake would really appreciate being lofted and thrown as though he were little more than a toy. Even still, he side-eyed the grey dragon for a long moment, before he sighed in frustration.
Jess reached forward to squeeze Keziahβs shoulder. βDonβt worry about that now, love,β the silver-haired woman said. βLetβs get you into some fresh clothes and then weβll decide what to do.β With a glance at Bjorn that held far more meaning than he was in the mood to decipher, Jess led Keziah away, back into the main building and towards the bedrooms. He ground his teeth so hard he was surprised his fangs didnβt shatter. Even though he knew it was irrational, his anxiety was racketing up with each passing moment that Keziah was out of his sight. He was still too amped up, too on edge from the battle to settle down properly. Instinct was telling him that only he could keep Keziah safe - she was his mate, and it was his job to keep her safe at all costs β and while he logically knew that Jess was more than capable in keeping Keziah out of trouble, and that Keziah could, for the most part, take care of herself, he was struggling with the urge to follow after her to keep her in his sights. Valteri remained nearby, although he was as still and silent as a statue.
He flexed his hands, and then lifted his shield to place it against one of the fortress walls, leaning against the wood. To his right, the dragons had settled down; Bjorn wandered over to them, seeking some distraction as his mind ran rampant with scenarios fraught with danger; Keziah, being struck by lightning. Keziah, being struck by a meteor. Torsten, teleporting back in to kidnap Keziah. Keziah, being attacked by some random bear.
Jess reached forward to squeeze Keziahβs shoulder. βDonβt worry about that now, love,β the silver-haired woman said. βLetβs get you into some fresh clothes and then weβll decide what to do.β With a glance at Bjorn that held far more meaning than he was in the mood to decipher, Jess led Keziah away, back into the main building and towards the bedrooms. He ground his teeth so hard he was surprised his fangs didnβt shatter. Even though he knew it was irrational, his anxiety was racketing up with each passing moment that Keziah was out of his sight. He was still too amped up, too on edge from the battle to settle down properly. Instinct was telling him that only he could keep Keziah safe - she was his mate, and it was his job to keep her safe at all costs β and while he logically knew that Jess was more than capable in keeping Keziah out of trouble, and that Keziah could, for the most part, take care of herself, he was struggling with the urge to follow after her to keep her in his sights. Valteri remained nearby, although he was as still and silent as a statue.
He flexed his hands, and then lifted his shield to place it against one of the fortress walls, leaning against the wood. To his right, the dragons had settled down; Bjorn wandered over to them, seeking some distraction as his mind ran rampant with scenarios fraught with danger; Keziah, being struck by lightning. Keziah, being struck by a meteor. Torsten, teleporting back in to kidnap Keziah. Keziah, being attacked by some random bear.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to chase away the irrational fears. Ayndir chirped a greeting at him as he reached the dragons and he nodded in response, turning his attention to the black dragon. βTaeron,β he greeted, although his voice sounded strained and tired even to him. The black dragon dipped his head slightly.
βBjorn.β
βThank you for coming,β the Viking told him. βIf you hadnβt been hereβ¦β he trailed off, unable to give voice to the fate that Keziah likely wouldβve suffered. Taeron ruffled his griff.
βMe? Miss a chance at battle?β the dragon chuffed out a laugh. βYour mate is fierce. She is lucky to have you.β
βBjorn.β
βThank you for coming,β the Viking told him. βIf you hadnβt been hereβ¦β he trailed off, unable to give voice to the fate that Keziah likely wouldβve suffered. Taeron ruffled his griff.
βMe? Miss a chance at battle?β the dragon chuffed out a laugh. βYour mate is fierce. She is lucky to have you.β
Bjorn let out a sharp laugh. βIndeed.β He crossed his arms over his chest and glanced back at the main building. βWhere will you go now? You have saved us from quite the dire situation, but I doubt danger will lurk here for long. No doubt Keziah will want to leave, if only to protect her friends here, to draw Torsten away.β
βHm,β Taeron responded, narrowing his eyes in thought. βI had planned on returning home, but it seems you need my assistance more.β He dipped his nose to nudge at Ayndir, who had curled up at the black dragonβs side and had fallen asleep. βI am loathe to leave this little one here alone. He told me what happened to his nest-cave.β He growled softly at that. βHe should still be with his mother and father, safe in his nest, and yet he is here.β Taeron shook his head and flared his griff. βI will watch over him, for now. He is still far too young to be on his own.β
βThank you,β Bjorn murmured. Before he could say anything else, Keziahβs voice drew his attention again. He spun on his heel, breath gusting out of him in relief at the sight of her again. Almost instantly his anxiety began to lessen.
βAlright,β Keziah began, βI think Iβve decided a few things. First, we cannot stay at the fort. Not only are we endangering Jess and the others, but it would make it easy on Torsten if we remained in the same place for too long. Secondly, Valteri, you should stay here. Jess is better equipped to help you transition. Itβs only fair after all youβve been through.β Valteri looked increasingly uncomfortable at that thought, but he did not protest. Then Keziah turned to Bjorn. βWhat do you think?β she asked him.
βYou are right in some regards,β he agreed. βWhile I believe we could stay at the fort, it will be safer β and easier β to lead Torsten on a wild chase. Let him wear himself out chasing us, and leave the fort behind.β He glanced at Valteri. βHowever, I do not think you have to leave the fort right this instant. Torsten will not return for a few days β he needs as much time, if not more, to recover. Magic takes its toll.β He shrugged. βWe have time enough to wait and rest a bit and prepare for the journey. We have time for you to see Valteri through the end of the change.β
βThank you,β Bjorn murmured. Before he could say anything else, Keziahβs voice drew his attention again. He spun on his heel, breath gusting out of him in relief at the sight of her again. Almost instantly his anxiety began to lessen.
βAlright,β Keziah began, βI think Iβve decided a few things. First, we cannot stay at the fort. Not only are we endangering Jess and the others, but it would make it easy on Torsten if we remained in the same place for too long. Secondly, Valteri, you should stay here. Jess is better equipped to help you transition. Itβs only fair after all youβve been through.β Valteri looked increasingly uncomfortable at that thought, but he did not protest. Then Keziah turned to Bjorn. βWhat do you think?β she asked him.
βYou are right in some regards,β he agreed. βWhile I believe we could stay at the fort, it will be safer β and easier β to lead Torsten on a wild chase. Let him wear himself out chasing us, and leave the fort behind.β He glanced at Valteri. βHowever, I do not think you have to leave the fort right this instant. Torsten will not return for a few days β he needs as much time, if not more, to recover. Magic takes its toll.β He shrugged. βWe have time enough to wait and rest a bit and prepare for the journey. We have time for you to see Valteri through the end of the change.β