• Chapter 0
    Alvera woke to the sounds of clashing metal. Jumping up from where she'd slept on the floor, she raced outside. An awful site greeted her. Dragons were decimating her forces. With an inarticulate roar of rage, Alvera joined the fray.

    Chapter 1
    10 years ago
    Once again, they were locked in a stalemate. It seemed all they would do is fight until neither side could continue, then both sides would retreat. As she fought, she could feel a great power coming nearer all the time. When she looked up from her the killing, there was a dragon high above the field, surveying all that occurred. Sheathing her sword, Alvera drew her bow, nocked, and then stopped. The arrow's tip was glowing a color she had seen before, but only when she used her bow. A mental shrug, then she fired. But as the arrow neared it's target, the dragon moved. The arrow missed it by a scant two feet. As it looked down at her, she could tell it was smiling. It opened its mouth and-
    THWACK!
    Even from this distance, she could hear the arrow hit. From the looks of it, a fatal wound, right at the base of the skull. The dragon roared, louder than Alvera had ever heard one roar before. As it was, this one nearly perforated her eardrums. As one, every combatant stopped and looked up. Another roar, this one not so loud, then it fell. As it fell, the arrow stayed in mid air for a second, then rocketed to her, stopping an inch from her open hand. She looked around.
    "Who's next?"
    As one, the dragons turned and fled. Some loosed a final arrow, then turned to her, still staring at the arrow. As she watched, its glow faded. The troops stared at her, then nelt before her. She looked over them all, then strode forward. They moved aside as she walked to the dead dragon.
    As she neared the dragon, she realized it was not yet dead. it still breathed, though the everpresent smoke from its nostrils had gone out. Alvera knew this meant the fire in its belly had gone out,and it would soon die.
    It looked at her, then said in passable Human "It has been a long time since we last met, Alvera."
    "Do I know you??"
    "No, but I know you. You are the one Human that I ever took pleasure in seeing, though you were to young to know me."
    "Ahh, Naverl the Red, though now it should be the Black."
    "So you do know me. I had began to wonder what your parents had taught you about us."
    "Quite a bit, actually. I know every weak point a dragon can have, as well as what could heal them, if I were so inclined, which I'm not."
    "Good. Good. But I was talking about our relationship, not the race of dragons."
    "What Relationship? We have none, even though you may have watched me while I wass young."
    "So your 'parents' never told you."
    "Told me what?"
    "The one thing that might make you inclined to heal me."
    "And that would be??"
    "Because, I am your brother."

    Chapter 2
    As he said this, Naverl the Red could feel his time growing short. He knew the spell of binding had been lifted, because he could speak of that truth.
    "How do I know you're not lying?" his sister asked.
    "Because of the one thing only our family would know. *cough cough* Lean closer, so I don't have to tell everyone."
    "So you can just bite my head off? No way."
    "Fine. Our father-"
    She stopped him. "Okay, I'll lean closer."
    When she was about an inch away he said "Dad wasn't Human. He was an Elemental."
    She straightened. All the color had drained from her face. She looked at him, than commanded her troops to take him to the castle as fast as they can.
    "There will be no need of that." Naverl said."You should be able to do it from right here, if your recent arrow shot is any judge."
    "But I'll need my herbs, and poultices."
    "No, those will not work on a wound such as this. My fire needs to be rekindled, and herbs cannot do that, but you can."
    "How?"
    "The same way you made that arrow turn around. Magic."
    How can I do that? I'm not a dragon or an elemental."
    "By the blood we share, you can. It will take a while, but I will help. First, remember how you felt when you shot that arrow?"
    "Yes."
    "Remember that feeling. You also might want the troops to back off a little."
    "Do it."
    "But General."
    "DO IT!"
    "Yes Sir."
    As they backed away, Naverl continued to give her instructions.
    "Don't just remember it, let the emotion flow through you. Now, focus all your attention on my wound, then pull the arrow out and let all your strength onto it."
    "OK, here goes."

    Chapter 3
    As she did what her brother said, she felt an exhilarating feeling of release. As she watched, the wound healed, and the smoke returned to his mouth.
    "Thank you, Alvera. Now, I am forever in your debt."
    "Thank you."
    "Your tired, let me cary you back to the castle."
    "That would be appreciated, but first I have an announcement to make."
    She climbed up on his back, then addressed her troops.
    "If anyone dares to harm you Narverl, I give you leave to deal with them as you see fit."
    "Of course, General."
    "Now troops, back to the castle."

    Chapter 4
    When they reached the castle, she found she had a new problem. Where would her brother stay?
    "I could stay on the spiral of your tower." Naverl offered.
    "How did you know what I was thinking?"
    "It is a by-product of both of us having magic, but it takes effort to become proficient at it."
    "Well, until I am, stay out of my mind."
    "Yes Sir."
    "And don't call me that. As soon as I can, I'll have you promoted to General as well."
    "I think that might not be wise."
    "why not?"
    "Your men seem to think you are being hoodwinked by me. You promoting me might be seen as a sign that you are no longer fit to led them."
    "True. I guess I can't promote you, but still, I dislike you calling me sir, no matter what our ranks."
    "I'll only do it in public, Sir."
    "That'll have to do."
    As she entered the castle, she instructed Naverl to await her on her tower. Then preparing for what would be an unpopular move, she went straight to her mother.

    Chapter 5
    "Alvera, you are back early. I thought the battle would probably take all day."
    "Mother, I know about Naverl."
    "Oh, that would explain the harsh language against you by the troops. How did you find out?"
    "He told me."
    "I see. Well, you are old enough now, I was going to tell you as soon as you got back, now that you are 26, after all. So, he's dead, right?"
    "Actually, no. He's right outside your window."
    Her mother turned and was instantly nose to nose with Naverl.
    "Oh, hello Naverl, dear. The spell is gone, then?"
    "It is."
    "What spell?"
    "Naverl was enslaved by a spell of bonding on your 3rd birthday. The other dragons had found out about him, and they combined there strength to caast a spell stronger then anyone could have broken alone. They must have removed it when they thought he was doomed."
    "I see. So thats why you almost roasted me."
    "Unfortunately, yes."
    "So mother, how are we going to fit him into the ranks?"
    "What? Fit him in? What ever gave you that idea?"
    "He hates dragons, would give his life for me, is a powerful ally, need I go on?"
    "Well, that would work, but how will your troops take it?"
    "I've already made the order that if anyone trys to harm Naverl, he may deal with them as he pleases."
    "That was well handled."
    "Thank you. How about making him my personal bodyguard? Then he would be outside the normal ranks and would report only to me."
    "Good idea. Where will he stay?"
    "Curled up on my tower, with his head in front of the door."
    "Good. Now, what's he going to eat.'
    "That I haven't figured out yet."
    "One dragon should keep me good for a month or so."
    "Eat another dragon? Isn't that a little repugnant?"
    "It's what all dragons eat, dead dragons."
    "That explains why the field is always nothing but bones when we come back. Now, I'm exahsted, so i think I'll go to my room. Naverl, meet me there."
    "Sure."

    Chapter 6
    As she walked up the stairs, she wondered if publicizing that Naverl was her brother would be a good thing. On one hand, It might help cement his position. On the other, it could alienate many of the troops. She also had not forgotten what Naverl had said about the troops not liking a dragon in the army much. Lost in her thoughts, She triped and fell, smacking her elbow on the marble stairs.
    'Alvera!! Are you ok?'
    'Yeah, I'm... Naverl?'
    'Yes.'
    'How did you know I was hurt?'
    'Ummmm. I kinda did a spell that'll let me know if you're in danger of getting hurt. I think I made it a bit to sensitive though.'
    'Good idea, but next time ask before you put a spell on me.'
    'Sorry.'
    'Wait, how are we talking?'
    'Huh? We are! Guess you're better at telepathy then I would've guessed.'
    'Well, that'll help things.'
    After about 30 more steps, she noticed a stealthy footfall behind her. She continued walking, then suddenly called out.
    "Sir Samuel, was there anything you wished to discuss with me?"
    He paused.
    "Well?" She turned around.
    "I just wished to make sure you did not need anything, my lady."
    "I am fine, Samuel. And tell Sir Adam that this was a very foolish plan."
    "Yes, my lady."
    "That will be all, Samuel"
    She continued up the stairs.
    'Thanks, Naverl.'
    'Your welcome.'

    Chapter 7
    When she reached her room, she opened the door to see Naverl staring at her with a low growl in his throat.
    "Oh, sorry."
    "That's okay, Naverl. That's exactly what I want anyone who comes up here to see. I almost ran myself."
    "Thank you
    "Man, I'm tired. That wasn't even a long battle." She said, flopping onto her bed.
    "Magic really takes it out of you. I learned that the hard way. I almost killed myself trying to use it the first time."
    "What were you trying to do?"
    "I was trying to lift a mountain. That's not a good idea."
    "I kinda figured."
    There was a pause.
    "So, how does it feel?"
    "How does what feel?"
    "How does it feel to be human?"
    "That's kinda hard to answer."
    "It is?"
    "Then how does it feel to be a dragon?"
    "Ah, I see your point. However, I do know a spell that could answer our questions."
    "What does it do?"
    "It would allow me to basically see what you see, feel what you feel, etc. Then i could reverse it to do the opposite."
    "OK, shoot."
    "Here goes."
    As he said this, Alvera became aware of a sort of pressure on her mind, then she was connected to Naverl like she never thought possible. As she began a thought, he ended it.
    'This feels-'
    '-weird. So this is what-'
    'it feels like to be-'
    '-a human. Weird, is-'
    '-it not?'
    Then he reversed the spell, and her vision became darker, but the plants and living things glowed purple.
    'So thats how dragons-'
    '-can see humans in-'
    '-the dark so easily.'
    Then the spell was canceled, and her vision returned to normal. She flopped back onto her bed, exhausted.
    "That was pretty cool."
    "Yeah. So now what?"
    "How about I tell you what its like around here, so you can fit in as much as you can."
    "Really?"
    "No, not really. How about listening to me babble like a schoolgirl** about random things?"
    He smiled. "That'll have to do."
    The evening wore on as they both babbled like schoolgirls** back and forth about whatever pleased them. when it came time for bed, she had Naverl remove his head while she changed, then bid him a good night.
    **Translators note: There is no cultural equivalent to Adjistar, so I picked the next best thing. Obviously, they have no "schools" as you know them there, but this is the closest thing. The same goes for measurements of time and distance*

    Chapter 8
    9 years and 357 days later
    Alvera awoke to the sound of arguing.
    "Nevertheless, I have important news I must deliver in person to Alvera."
    "Even so, she gave me strict orders not to let anyone in unless she was awake."
    "Then I shall wait here until she awakens."
    "That you may do, but if you try to get past me, I'll roast you where you stand."
    At this she opened the door with magic to see Sir Samual Standing there arguing with Naverl.
    "Let him in, Naverl."
    "Yes, Alvera"
    As Naverl moved out of the way, Sir Samuel rushed past him and knelt.
    "My lady, this morning there was a message sitting at our gates." He gave her the message.

    "To Lady Alvera,
    We grow tired of the constant battle. We wish to meet with you to discuss terms of both our armies backing down. Let there be no more enmity between our people. We acknowledge your troops are the best we have ever fought, and we are evenly matched. Thus if this war is to continue, both our peoples will be decimated. In 7 days our leader, the great Brutus, shall arrive at your door. If you have no wish to parley, leave a reply where you found this note, and the battles will resume.
    Tarterous, Chief Scribe of Brutus."

    "It seems they wish to parley." Alvera said.
    "My lady, they merely wish to gain entrance to the castle. Once they do, we will be done for!"
    "Then we shall parley outside the castle. Tell the troops that in 7 days, there will be a peace conference between us and the dragons."
    "But-"
    "Was my order unclear, Samuel?"
    "No, my lady."
    "Then go."
    As he left Naverl came inside her new cottage, which was located on the ground, with doors large enough for him to enter.
    "Naverl, what do you know of this Brutus?"
    "He was not the leader when I left, so he must have challenged old Kibius and won. Brutus always advocated a softer approach to the war. I considered him a friend, but the years will have changed him. He may not be the dragon I once knew."
    "Indeed. Can you think of any other precautions I should use?"
    "Have your troops ready, but make the point clear to them that whoever attacks without a direct order will be roasted alive, then eaten by your 'savage dragon'. That'll put the point across."
    "It sure will. Where would I be without you, Naverl?"
    "You would probably would be dead by now, what with your recklessness."
    "True."
    Then they both burst out laughing and could not stop for some time.

    Chapter 9
    The days leading up to the peace conference were hectic, to say the least. Alvera interviewed each of the soldiers stationed at the keep, finding out which could be counted on to not fire unless given the order. Those who could be trusted she assigned to be her honor guard while she parleyed. The rest would be on the walls of the castle, ready to slam the gates if needed.
    Finally, the day came. Roars(used by dragons in place of trumpets) were heard soon after lunch. The troops flooded the battlements, only to see a lone dragon, bigger than any seen before, approaching the walls.
    "I am Brutus, king of the dragons, and I am here to parley with General Alvera over the terms of the end of this futile war."
    "We will send a runner to her presently Sir. Would you like any refreshment while you wait?"
    "No, thank you. That will be all."
    When Alvera reached the battlements, she instructed Naverl to lift her over the walls.
    "Ah, Naverl, it has been a long time since we last met. How have you been."
    "I have been well. And you, Brutus?"
    "Very well. I have been promoted."
    "So I assumed."
    "Well, Lady Alvera, shall we get on with it?"
    "We might as well."
    They wrangled over the details, but eventually a treaty was made up. The dragons would keep 10 miles from any Human settlement, and the Humans would do likewise. For now.
    "You are a very good negotiator, my lady."
    "The same to you, your Majesty."
    "Very well. Then we will meet tomorrow at the same time to formalize the terms."
    "I concur."
    "Until then, General."
    With that they both turned to leave. By the time she reached the battlements, Brutus was gone.
    Later that day as they retired to her rooms, Alvara recounted the days events to Naverl and wondered if things could have gone any better.
    "Alvara, we've gone over the whole day 5 times now. You did better then anyone else could have done. Now go to sleep! You'll need it tomorrow"
    "Your right. Good night."
    And with that she fell to the floor in her armor, fast asleep.