Dragons and their Slayers 1X1 {Pupper and L2W}

"You haven't told us what we would be trading." Ametrine says, somewhat suspiciously. She wasn't liking where this train of thought was going. If he asked to practice his transformation magic on them, she would have to vehemently oppose.
 
"AH YES! Of course, silly me." Terrance spoke, "You see, there is this amulet. It's a pretty big deal in the art of transformation and I kind of need to complete my testing!"

"and where is this amulet?" Merek questioned.

"Well... you see. That's where it's a bit tricky!" The ginger haired boy began to chuckle, "It's at the tip of the most northern part Askar. Most likely anyway..."

"MOST LIKELY!?" Merek roared, "you want us to hunt for something you don't even know where it is. Besides, the northern tip of Askar is flooded with snow at this time of year."

"Come on, pretty please! I'll even turn you into a dragon!" Terrance then looked at Ametrine, "Or a human."
 
Ametrine snorted, blowing out a puff of smoke. "Absolutely not. Not only is that dangerous...its unnatural." She shifted her wings. "I'm sorry, Terrance. But our stop here is only temporary. We have a mission we must complete and we can't afford any delays. I'm afraid you'll have to climb the mountain yourself or hire someone else."
 
"Oh bollucks!" Terrance interjected, "well, at least think about it while you get some rest, OK!?" The boy jumped up and ran out of the barn back toward his cabin.

Merek looked at Ametrine, "He's annoying.. but do you think he can actually change us?"
 
"I would not presume to know his skill level as a wizard, despite his incredible abundance of knowledge. Why? Do you want to be changed into a dragon?" He can hear her teasing tone in his head.
 
Merek looked at her grimly, "not even in the slightest. I quite like my human life, thank you. We probably should get some rest..."
Merek took off his equipment hanging from his belt and lied on the ground, his head resting on Ametrine's leg. "What did he mean by ... dream each other's dreams?"
 
Ametrine's head curled around him. "There's an old belief that when two dragons are bonded deeply, their thoughts and minds start to become one. The first signs of that is shared dreams. Since humans and dragons share a similar bond, its natural to assume that the same thing is possible. I don't believe Topaz or I ever experienced that, though both of us grew quite adapt at anticipating the other's thoughts or actions."
 
Merek began to yawn, "sounds interesting Ametrine. Maybe you'll get to see me dream about some beautiful women..." he joked as his eyes became heavy and he fell asleep.

===========================================

"Go ahead with the experiment" a monotone voice sounded. "Right away sir!" another replied. A lever on the wall was pushed into an upward position and two men stood together as they watched through a glass window into a cold and dark chamber. In the middle of the giant room stood a dragon, black in colour with dark purple eyes. His scales had several puncture wounds in them and his face was scarred. A large chain was tethered to the floor and connected to a steel band around each of the dragon's legs. A contraption made of metal and reinforced leather bound the beast's snout, forcing his jaw shut. A strange collar with a red jewel was fastened to the dragon's neck, the scientists used the device to eliminate the dragon's ability to breath fire. On top of the beast's head, near the horns protruding from the back of his skull, rest several metal brackets connected to large wires hanging from the ceiling. The dragon stood completely still, not even attempting to break free from his confines. He looked tired and beaten.

As the lever switched to an upright position in the room through the glass, the metal brackets connected to the dragon's head began to heat up and change in colour. The dragon's face grimaced, wincing in pain. The metal began to shine, growing hotter by the second, which was evident by the dragon's whining. The scientists watched with a robotic expression as the dragon's cries grew in decibels until they finally reached a muffled roar through his closed jaw. One of the scientists began to frantically write down notes on a piece of paper attached to an old clipboard. The experiment continued until the metal suddenly went out and a smoke began to emerge from the dragon's skull; the scientist writing his notes sighed and moved to the lever where he pushed it to the downward position. The leading scientist looked at the dragon, who had collapsed to the ground and was wheezing heavily. "How many failed attempts is that?"

"832, sir." the apprentice replied. "And how many failed attempts for today?" the head scientist asked.
"7, sir. We cannot run another test without him dying." the student stated with disappointment. "Very well, take him back to his cell and ensure that you send Pearl to heal him before he bleeds out."
"Right away, sir!"

The dragon was unhooked from the experimentation cables only to be tethered to a series of massive chains and constraints. The dragon was escorted out of the testing chamber and down a series of hallways made of stone and lit by a series of fluorescent lights. After several minutes the dragon was lead into a large room that housed an even bigger room which was locked by strange bars. The gates to the cell were opened and the dragon was lead in, all contraptions being removed from except for the collar around his neck. The men shut the gate behind them and left to where the returned. The dragon let out a large sigh now that he was alone.
 
A young servant girl of 15 years mopped the floors of the massive mansion, the home of her masters. Chains clinked around her legs as she moved across the floor with the mop and bucket. Her long white hair and been done in a braid which laid across her shoulder. "Pearl!" She jumped slightly at the harsh tone and turned as one of her masters approached her. "Come with me."
She immediately set the mop and bucket in the corner and hurried after him as quickly as her chains would allow. She didn't dare as why. She'd learned long ago to never ask why.

Kafus, her master's son, led her to an annex attached to the house. She'd never been allowed here before. Sometimes she heard the pained cries of a animal coming from it. A dragon, the other servants said. Why she was being brought here, she didn't know. As if to answer her thoughts Kafus says, "The last healer we had died tragically last night. Now we only have you." He sneered at her, opening the first set of doors, locking them...then opening the second set. The light was dim but she saw the massive form of a black dragon. She back peddled in terror. They were sending her in to be eaten!?!? Why!? She'd always been a good slave, never arguing, always doing what she was told.

Kafus grabs her by the back of the neck. "Your new job is to keep the beast alive. If he dies, you die..." He growled lowly, shoving her inside and locking the door behind her. Pearl pressed against the door in terror as the black dragon shifted. She could smell blood and feces. "Oh, and don't touch his blood. It's toxic." Kafus warned her from beyond the door. Great, so if the dragon didn't kill her himself, his blood would. She'd never been more frightened in her life.
"Time is running out, Pearl. Remember, if he dies you do." He kicked the door then she heard him leave.
Pearl took several deep breaths, steeling herself. She stepped forward, one foot at a time, chains clinking harder the more she trembled.
 
Schorl - His Cell

The dragons head lifted as much as he could force it to see the girl in front of his cage, staring at him in fear. He didn't move but met her gaze with his eyes. "Are you here to make sure that I live?" he asked in her mind.
 
Pearl raised a hand to her head, startled by the deep voice in her mind. "Y...yes." She gulped. "P...please don't...don't eat me." The chains around her legs clinked again as took another tiny step forward.
 
Schorl - His Cell

His head dropped slightly at the girls immense fear. "Eat you? You wouldn't even be a meal, child. Do not worry about that. But I would ask that you not heal me and let me die."
 
"I...I have too. I'm sorry. They'll kill me if I don't." Even as she stared over his body she wondered if she would be able to heal him. His body was so massive and the wounds numerous and deep. Dark blood trickled from various places, causing the straw he laid on to turn black and curl. She took another tiny step forward. "Um...I...I'm Pearl." She put a hand on her chest. It didn't seem right to be talking to a creature without knowing its name.
 
Schorl - His Cell

Schorls head dropped even further, now resting on the cold ground beneath him. "If you insist... but you might die trying to heal me as well, I am a dragon after all and you're merely a girl. Either you are extremely adept with healing magic or they're just hoping to just kill two birds with one stone." He knew the girl was inching toward him, each step more frightening than the next and then he heard her name. Pearl.... "My name is Schorl."
 
"Schorl...nice...nice to meet you." She was within touching distance of his hide. Tears sprung to her eyes upon closer observation of his wounds. "Gods...you poor thing. This isn't right. You must be in so much pain." Her fingers gently touched his black scales, careful to avoid the blood. Her chains clinked as she got close enough to put both her hands on him. Her expression suddenly lost its fear and became determined.

She closed her eyes and her body and white hair began to glow with a warm golden light. It flooded him in waves like the pulse of a heartbeat. The amount of mana she was using should have been impossible for a child her age and size, and yet...she was. Her mind was completely focused on the task of easing his suffering and closing his wounds. By the time she staggered away from him, 15 minutes later, nearly all his wounds had been fully healed and he'd been filled with a new strength.

Her body trembled, and sweat trickled down her face. She groaned quietly and went limp into the hay.
 
Schorl felt an amazing power flow into his body; he could feel his wounds closing and healing over. The dragon studied the girl, her hands pressed against his hide, as she emitted a beautiful golden light. Incredible for such a young child. How in the world is she capable of this? More importantly, how much stronger will she become as she grows with time. It's no wonder the Shar Scientists keep her locked up... she is special.

The dragon knew that the girl would not be able to completely heal him as she was but a human and no human magic could completely heal the mythical beasts. It would take a great deal out of the girl and after 15 minutes, she collapsed. Schorl sighed, the girl had exhausted herself. He opened his mouth slightly and lent her enough of his mana to regain consciousness.

"Come now, child. Wake up."
 
She shifted, groaning softly as she woke up. The Dragon's head was looming right next to her. His mouth could've swallowed half her body with ease. But he didn't. She sits up slowly, finding herself extremely small next to the size of him. "Did I get rid of most of your pain?" She asks hopefully.
 
"Yes, you did. Unfortunately... they will only come back tomorrow and it will be another vicious cycle until I die, you die, or they're successful." The dragon sighed heavily, warm breath blowing through Pearl's hair. "Are you OK, child?"
 
Her eyes clench shut as the warm air rushes over her. She opens them a moment later and nods. "I'm sorry...I wish I could help free you..." The door at the far end of the room opens. "Pearl, you done yet or shall I leave you in here all night with it?"
Pear jumps to her feet, her chains clinking together as she did. "I'm sorry..." She hurries off, taking small quick steps as she hurried through the door.
************************
"Nice job with the Dragon yesterday." One of the scientists says as he escorts her the following evening back to Shorl. "He lasted much longer than we expected him to today because of the marvelous healing job you did."
Pearl hangs her head, pained by the knowledge that dragon had suffered more because of her.
"Why can't you just stop? Why can't you just let him go free?" She pleads.
The man scoffs at her. "Free? A dragon? Do you know how many humans, children...that beast has killed. He's just that, a beast. Don't worry your little head over it. Just do your job as we do ours." He pushed the girl through the doors into the dungeon again.

This time Pearl approached him with only a little fear. No doubt he as mad at her that he suffered more because of her. "Shorl?"
 
The dragon was curled into a small ball in the corner of his cage, it was amazing at how tightly he held is body together and how much he could shrink his size by doing so. Schorl was panting heavily, blood oozing out from his pen. It was apparent that the scientists had done a number on him in their last experiment. He didn't even bother to turn his head at the sound of the door opening and the girl approaching his cage. Her voice called to him but he could not move, he stayed tucked into the corner far enough away from the steel bars as he could manage.

"What is it, child..."
 
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